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Biomedical subjects

J L Huber

Publications and source records attributed to J L Huber.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

The evolution of anural larvae in molgulid ascidians.

Ascidians are urochordates, marine invertebrates with non-feeding motile chordate tadpole larvae, except in the family Molgulidae. Urodele, or tailed, Molgulids have typical ascidian chordate tadpole larvae possessing tails with muscle cells, a notochord, and a dorsal hollow nerve cord. In contrast, anural (or tail-less) Molgulids lack a tail and defining chordate features. Molecular phylogenies generated with 18S and 28S ribosomal sequences indicate that Molgulid species fall into at least four distinct clades, three of which have multiple anural members. This refined and expanded phylogeny allows careful examination of the factors that may have influenced the evolution of tail-less ascidians.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Modulation of 14-3-3 protein interactions with target polypeptides by physical and metabolic effectors.

The proteins commonly referred to as 14-3-3s have recently come to prominence in the study of protein:protein interactions, having been shown to act as allosteric or steric regulators and possibly scaffolds. The binding of 14-3-3 proteins to the regulatory phosphorylation site of nitrate reductase (NR) was studied in real-time by surface plasmon resonance, using primarily an immobilized synthetic phosphopeptide based on spinach NR-Ser543. Both plant and yeast 14-3-3 proteins were shown to bind the immobilized peptide ligand in a Mg2+-stimulated manner. Stimulation resulted from a reduction in KD and an increase in steady-state binding level (Req). As shown previously for plant 14-3-3s, fluorescent probes also indicated that yeast BMH2 interacted directly with cations, which bind and affect surface hydrophobicity. Binding of 14-3-3s to the phosphopeptide ligand occurred in the absence of divalent cations when the pH was reduced below neutral, and the basis for enhanced binding was a reduction in K(D). At pH 7.5 (+Mg2+), AMP inhibited binding of plant 14-3-3s to the NR based peptide ligand. The binding of AMP to 14-3-3s was directly demonstrated by equilibrium dialysis (plant), and from the observation that recombinant plant 14-3-3s have a low, but detectable, AMP phosphatase activity.

14-3-3 Proteins↗
PubMed1999

Inhibition of IMP-1 metallo-beta-lactamase and sensitization of IMP-1-producing bacteria by thioester derivatives.

IMP-1 metallo-beta-lactamase is a transferable carbapenem-hydrolyzing enzyme found in some clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Bacteria that express IMP-1 show significantly reduced sensitivity to carbapenems and other beta-lactam antibiotics. A series of thioester derivatives has been shown to competitively inhibit purified IMP-1. As substrates for IMP-1, the thioesters yielded thiol hydrolysis products which themselves were reversible competitive inhibitors. The thioesters also increased sensitivity to the carbapenem L-742,728 in an IMP-1-producing laboratory stain of Escherichia coli, but will need further modification to improve their activity in less permeable organisms such as Pseudomonas and Serratia. Nonetheless, the thioester IMP-1 inhibitors offer an encouraging start to overcoming metallo-beta-lactamase-mediated resistance in bacteria.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1998

Identification of sucrose synthase as an actin-binding protein.

Several lines of evidence indicate that sucrose synthase (SuSy) binds both G- and F-actin: (i) presence of SuSy in the Triton X-100-insoluble fraction of microsomal membranes (i.e. crude cytoskeleton fraction); (ii) co-immunoprecipitation of actin with anti-SuSy monoclonal antibodies; (iii) association of SuSy with in situ phalloidin-stabilized F-actin filaments; and (iv) direct binding to F-actin, polymerized in vitro. Aldolase, well known to interact with F-actin, interfered with binding of SuSy, suggesting that a common or overlapping binding site may be involved. We postulate that some of the soluble SuSy in the cytosol may be associated with the actin cytoskeleton in vivo.

Actins↗
PubMed1998

Biological significance of divalent metal ion binding to 14-3-3 proteins in relationship to nitrate reductase inactivation.

In this report we address two questions regarding the regulation of phosphorylated nitrate reductase (pNR; EC 1.6.6.1) by 14-3-3 proteins. The first concerns the requirement for millimolar concentrations of a divalent cation in order to form the inactive pNR:14-3-3 complex at pH 7.5. The second concerns the reduced requirement for divalent cations at pH 6.5. In answering these questions we highlight a possible general mechanism involved in the regulation of 14-3-3 binding to target proteins. We show that divalent cations (e.g. Ca2+, Mg2+ and Mn2+) bind directly to 14-3-3s, and as a result cause a conformational change, manifested as an increase in surface hydrophobicity. A similar change is also obtained by decreasing the pH from pH 7.5 to pH 6.5, in the absence of divalent cations, and we propose that protonation of amino acid residues brings about a similar effect to metal ion binding. A possible regulatory mechanism, where the 14-3-3 protein has to be "primed" prior to binding a target protein, is discussed.

14-3-3 Proteins↗
PubMed1998

Phosphorylated nitrate reductase and 14-3-3 proteins. Site of interaction, effects of ions, and evidence for an amp-binding site on 14-3-3 proteins.

The inactivation of phosphorylated nitrate reductase (NR) by the binding of 14-3-3 proteins is one of a very few unambiguous biological functions for 14-3-3 proteins. We report here that serine and threonine residues at the +6 to +8 positions, relative to the known regulatory binding site involving serine-543, are important in the interaction with GF14omega, a recombinant plant 14-3-3. Also shown is that an increase in ionic strength with KCl or inorganic phosphate, known physical effectors of NR activity, directly disrupts the binding of protein and peptide ligands to 14-3-3 proteins. Increased ionic strength attributable to KCl caused a change in conformation of GF14omega, resulting in reduced surface hydrophobicity, as visualized with a fluorescent probe. Similarly, it is shown that the 5' isomer of AMP was specifically able to disrupt the inactive phosphorylated NR:14-3-3 complex. Using the 5'-AMP fluorescent analog trinitrophenyl-AMP, we show that there is a probable AMP-binding site on GF14omega.

14-3-3 Proteins↗
PubMed1997

Membrane association of sucrose synthase: changes during the graviresponse and possible control by protein phosphorylation.

Sucrose synthase (SuSy) plays an important role in sucrose degradation and occurs both as a soluble and as a membrane-associated enzyme in higher plants. We show that membrane association can vary in vivo in response to gravistimulation, apparently involving SuSy dephosphorylation, and is a reversible process in vitro. Phosphorylation of SuSy has little effect on its activity but decreases its surface hydrophobicity as reported with the fluorescent probe bis-ANS. We postulate that phosphorylation of SuSy (and perhaps other membrane proteins) is involved in the release of the membrane-bound enzyme in part as a result of decreased surface hydrophobicity.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1996

14-3-3 proteins associate with the regulatory phosphorylation site of spinach leaf nitrate reductase in an isoform-specific manner and reduce dephosphorylation of Ser-543 by endogenous protein phosphatases.

Three lines of evidence indicate that the 14-3-3 proteins that inactivate the phosphorylated form of spinach leaf NADH:nitrate reductase (NR) bind to the enzyme at the regulatory phosphorylation site (Ser-543). First, a phosphorylated synthetic peptide based on the regulatory site can prevent and also reverse the inactivation of phospho-NR caused by 14-3-3 proteins. Second, sequence-specific and phosphorylation-dependent binding of the aforementioned synthetic peptide to the 14-3-3 proteins was demonstrated in vitro. Third, 14-3-3 proteins were required for the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of NR (as assessed by activity measurements) in the presence of NR-kinase and leaf protein phosphatases. Lastly, we demonstrate specificity of recombinant Arabidopsis 14-3-3 isoforms in the interaction with phospho-NR: omega> chi> upsilon>>> phi, psi.

14-3-3 Proteins↗
PubMed1996

The inhibitor protein of phosphorylated nitrate reductase from spinach (Spinacia oleracea) leaves is a 14-3-3 protein.

The inhibitor protein (IP) that inactivates spinach leaf NADH:nitrate reductase (NR) has been identified for the first time as a member of the eukaryotic 14-3-3 protein family based on three lines of evidence. First, the sequence of an eight amino acid tryptic peptide, obtained from immunopurified IP, matched that of a highly conserved region of the 14-3-3 proteins. Second, an authentic member of the 14-3-3 family, recombinant Arabidopsis GF14omega, caused inactivation of phospho-NR in a magnesium-dependent manner identical to IP. Third, an anti-GF14 monoclonal antibody cross-reacted with IP and anti-IP monoclonal antibodies cross-reacted with GF14omega.

14-3-3 Proteins↗
PubMed1996

Phosphorylation of serine-15 of maize leaf sucrose synthase. Occurrence in vivo and possible regulatory significance.

Experiments were conducted to determine whether sucrose synthase (SuSy) was phosphorylated in the elongation zone of maize (Zea mays L.) leaves. The approximately 90-kD subunit of SuSy was 32P-labeled on seryl residue(s) when excised shoots were fed [32P]orthophosphate. Both isoforms of SuSy (the SS1 and SS2 proteins) were phosphorylated in vivo, and tryptic peptide-mapping analysis suggested a single, similar phosphorylation site in both proteins. A combination of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and automated Edman sequencing analysis unequivocally identified the phosphorylation site in the maize SS2 protein as serine-15. This site was phosphorylated in vitro by endogenous protein kinase(s) in a strictly Ca(2+)-dependent manner. A synthetic peptide, based on the phosphorylation site sequence, was used to identify and partially purify an endogenous Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase(s) from the maize leaf elongation zone and expanding spinach leaves. Phosphorylation of SuSy in vitro selectively activates the cleavage reaction by increasing the apparent affinity of the enzyme for sucrose and UDP, suggesting that phosphorylation may be of regulatory significance. Conservation of the phosphorylation site, and the sequences surrounding it, among plant species suggests that phosphorylation of SuSy may be widespread, if not universal, in plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Chemoattractant receptor-specific differences in G protein activation rates regulate effector enzyme and functional responses.

The hypothesis that disparate neutrophil functional responses to various chemoattractants are regulated by receptor-specific rates of G protein activation was examined in HL-60 granulocytes. The initial rates of G protein activation and the affinity of receptor-stimulated G proteins for GTP gamma S in HL-60 membranes stimulated by fMet-Leu-Phe, C5a, and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) differed significantly among the chemoattractants, with a rank order of fMet-Leu-Phe > C5a > LTB4. Equilibrium GTP gamma S binding showed that all three chemoattractants activated a common pool of G proteins. Stimulation of phospholipase D activation, measured as phosphatidylethanol generation, and superoxide release in intact cells also occurred with a rank order of fMet-Leu-Phe > C5a > LTB4. On the other hand, the rank order of receptor affinities for ligand and of the EC50 of chemoattractant stimulation of GTP gamma S binding was C5a > LTB4 > fMet-Leu-Phe. C5a and LTB4 receptor densities were similar but were less than formyl peptide receptor density. Graded pertussis toxin treatment proportionally reduced superoxide release and phospholipase D activation to all three chemoattractants. The results suggest that receptor-specific differences in G protein affinity for guanine nucleotides lead to different rates of guanine nucleotide exchange and, thereby, contribute to disparate effector enzyme and functional responses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Site-specific serine phosphorylation of spinach leaf sucrose-phosphate synthase.

We recently reported [Huber, Huber & Nielsen (1989) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 270, 681-690] that spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS; EC 2.4.1.14) was phosphorylated in vivo when leaves were fed [32P]Pi. In vitro the enzyme was phosphorylated and inactivated by using [gamma-32P]ATP. We now report that SPS is phosphorylated both in vivo and in vitro on serine residues. The protein is phosphorylated at multiple sites both in vivo and in vitro as indicated by two-dimensional peptide maps of the immunopurified SPS protein. After being fed with radiolabel, leaves were illuminated or given mannose (which activates the enzyme), in the presence or absence of okadaic acid. Feeding okadaic acid to leaves decreased the SPS activation state in the dark and light and in leaves fed mannose. Across all the treatments, the activation state of SPS in situ was inversely related to the labelling of two phosphopeptides (designated phosphopeptides 5 and 7). These two phosphopeptides are phosphorylated when SPS is inactivated in vitro with [gamma-32P]ATP, and thus are designated as regulatory (inhibitory) sites [Huber & Huber (1991) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1091, 393-400]. Okadaic acid increased the total 32P-labelling of SPS and in particular increased labelling of the two regulatory sites, which explains the decline in activation state. In the presence of okadaic acid, two cryptic phosphorylation sites became labelled in vivo that were not apparent in the absence of the inhibitor. Overall, the results suggest that light/dark regulation of SPS activity occurs as a result of regulatory serine phosphorylation. Multiple sites are phosphorylated in vivo, but two sites in particular appear to regulate activity and dephosphorylation of these sites in vivo is sensitive to okadaic acid.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1992

Reversible light/dark modulation of spinach leaf nitrate reductase activity involves protein phosphorylation.

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaf nitrate reductase (NADH:NR;NADH:nitrate oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.6.1) activity was found to rapidly change during light/dark transitions. The most rapid and dramatic changes were found in a form of NR which was sensitive to inhibition by millimolar concentrations of magnesium. This form of NR predominated in leaves in the dark, but was almost completely absent from leaves incubated in the light for only 30 min. When the leaves were returned to darkness, the NR rapidly became sensitive to Mg2+ inhibition. Modulation of the overall reaction involving NADH as electron donor was also found when reduced methyl viologen was the donor (MV:NR), indicating that electron transfer had been blocked, at least in part, at or near the terminal molybdenum cofactor site. Changes in activity appear to be the result of a covalent modification that affects sensitivity of NR to inhibition by magnesium, and our results suggest that protein phosphorylation may be involved. NR was phosphorylated in vivo after feeding excised leaves [32P]Pi. The NR subunit was labeled exclusively on seryl residues in both light and dark. Tryptic peptide mapping indicated three major 32P-labeled phosphopeptide (Pp) fragments. Labeling of two of the P-peptides (designated Pp1 and 3) was generally correlated with NR activity assayed in the presence of Mg2+. In vivo, partial dephosphorylation of these sites (and activation of NR assayed with Mg2+) occurred in response to light or feeding mannose in darkness. The light effect was blocked completely by feeding okadaic acid via the transpiration stream, indicating the involvement of type 1 and/or type 2A protein phosphatases in vivo. While more detailed analysis is required to establish a causal link between the phosphorylation status of NR and sensitivity to Mg2+ inhibition, the current results are highly suggestive of one. Thus, in addition to the molecular genetic mechanisms regulating this key enzyme of nitrate assimilation, NR activity may be controlled in leaves by phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of the enzyme protein resulting from metabolic changes taking place during light/dark transitions.

Darkness↗
PubMed1992

Sucrose phosphate synthase and sucrose accumulation at low temperature.

The influence of growth temperature on the free sugar and sucrose phosphate synthase content and activity of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) leaf tissue was studied. When plants were grown at 25 degrees C for 3 weeks and then transferred to a constant 5 degrees C, sucrose, glucose, and fructose accumulated to high levels during a 14-d period. Predawn sugar levels increased from 14- to 20-fold over the levels present at the outset of the low-temperature treatment. Sucrose was the most abundant free sugar before, during, and after exposure to 5 degrees C. Leaf sucrose phosphate synthase activity was significantly increased by the low-temperature treatment, whereas sucrose synthase and invertases were not. Synthesis of the sucrose phosphate synthase subunit was increased during and after low-temperature exposure and paralleled an increase in the steady-state level of the subunit. The increases in sucrose and its primary biosynthetic enzyme, sucrose phosphate synthase, are discussed in relation to adjustment of metabolism to low nonfreezing temperature and freezing stress tolerance.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

Comparative studies of the light modulation of nitrate reductase and sucrose-phosphate synthase activities in spinach leaves.

We recently obtained evidence that the activity of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaf nitrate reductase (NR) responds rapidly and reversibly to light/dark transitions by a mechanism that is strongly correlated with protein phosphorylation. Phosphorylation of the NR protein appears to increase sensitivity to Mg(2+) inhibition, without affecting activity in the absence of Mg(2+). In the present study, we have compared the light/dark modulation of sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS), also known to be regulated by protein phosphorylation, and NR activities (assayed with and without Mg(2+)) in spinach leaves. There appears to be a physiological role for both enzymes in mature source leaves (production of sucrose and amino acids for export), whereas NR is also present and activated by light in immature sink leaves. In mature leaves, there are significant diurnal changes in SPS and NR activities (assayed under selective conditions where phosphorylation status affects enzyme activity) during a normal day/night cycle. With both enzymes, activities are highest in the morning and decline as the photoperiod progresses. For SPS, diurnal changes are largely the result of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation, whereas with NR, the covalent modification is super-imposed on changes in the level of NR protein. Accumulation of end products of photosynthesis in excised illuminated leaves increased maximum NR activity, reduced its sensitivity of Mg(2+) inhibition, and prevented the decline in activity with time in the light seen with attached leaves. In contrast, SPS was rapidly inactivated in excised leaves. Overall, NR and SPS share many common features of control but are not identical in terms of regulation in situ.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

Regulation of sucrose phosphate synthase by gibberellins in soybean and spinach plants.

Exogenous applications of gibberellins (GAs) increased the extractable activity of leaf sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) in soybean (Glycine max [L.]) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea [L.]). The response to GA applications was detectable within 2 h postapplication and was still observed 6 h, 24 h, and 7 d after treatment. When paclobutrazol, a GA biosynthesis inhibitor, was applied to intact soybean and spinach plants, decreased extractable SPS activity resulted within 24 h following the treatment. Different methods of GA application (spray, injection, capillary wick, and excised leaf systems) produced similar effects on SPS activity of soybean leaves. Protein synthesis in soybean leaves appeared to be necessary for GA-promoted SPS activity because gibberellic acid only partially reversed the inhibitory effect of pretreatment with cycloheximide. Levels of SPS protein from crude extracts of spinach plants were measured by a dot blot technique using monoclonal antibodies against SPS. Application of gibberellic acid to spinach leaves increased levels of SPS protein 2 h, 24 h, and 7 d after treatment. The results suggest that, in both soybean and spinach, GA is one of the endogenous hormonal factors that regulate the steady-state level of SPS protein and, hence, its activity.

Journal Article↗