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J Labrecque

Publications and source records attributed to J Labrecque.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Reduced activity of the NPR-A kinase triggers dephosphorylation and homologous desensitization of the receptor.

NPR-A, the receptor for the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), is a 130-kDa protein presenting an extracellular ANP-binding domain, a single transmembrane domain, an intracellular regulatory kinase homology domain (KHD), and a guanylyl cyclase catalytic domain. Upon stimulation, NPR-A receptors are activated to produce cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and are subsequently desensitized through dephosphorylation of residues at their KHD. We used wild-type rat (r) NPR-A (WT) and a disulfide-bridged mutant (C423S) expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells to study receptor phosphorylation. We have previously characterized the C423S receptor as constitutively active and desensitized. At basal state, 32P incorporation in the rNPR-A(C423S) covalent dimer is about 24 times less efficient than incorporation in the WT rNPR-A. When membranes from WT and rNPR-A(C423S) are incubated with [35S]ATPgammaS, the mutant dimer receptor displays 3.5% of the thiophosphate incorporation found for WT rNPR-A. Since the rNPR-A(C423S) dimer is already extensively dephosphorylated, we then used the WT rNPR-A to study dephosphorylation. As previously documented, adding ANP globally induces time-dependent dephosphorylation of the receptor. However, in pulse-chase experiments with the WT rNPR-A, adding ANP during the chase does not lead to a significant effect on receptor dephosphorylation. On the other hand, thiophosphorylation of the WT rNPR-A previously desensitized with ANP is reduced to 8.3% of the incorporation for untreated receptor, similar to results found with the rNPR-A(C423S) at basal state. These results demonstrate that ANP-induced rNPR-A desensitization is modulated by a significant reduction in the activity or affinity of the rNPR-A kinase that contributes to the low phosphorylation level after induction. Moreover, we further document a close relationship between tight dimerization, dephosphorylation, and desensitization.

Amiloride↗
PubMed2000

Agonistic induction of a covalent dimer in a mutant of natriuretic peptide receptor-A documents a juxtamembrane interaction that accompanies receptor activation.

The natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPR-A) is composed of an extracellular domain with a ligand binding site, a transmembrane-spanning domain, a kinase homology domain, and a guanylyl cyclase domain. In response to agonists (atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide), the kinase homology domain-mediated guanylate cyclase repression is removed, which allows the production of cyclic GMP. Previous work from our laboratory strongly indicated that agonists are exerting their effects through the induction of a juxtamembrane dimeric contact. However, a direct demonstration of this mechanism remains to be provided. As a tool, we are now using the properties of a new mutation, D435C. It introduces a cysteine at a position in NPR-A corresponding to a supplementary cysteine found in NPR-C6, another receptor of this family (a disulfide-linked dimer). Although this D435C mutation only leads to trace levels of NPR-A disulfide-linked dimer at basal state, covalent dimerization can be induced by a treatment with rat ANP or with other agonists. The NPR-A(D435C) mutant has not been subjected to significant structural alterations, since it shares with the wild type receptor a similar dose-response pattern of cellular guanylyl cyclase activation. However, a persistent activation accompanies NPR-A(D435C) dimer formation after the removal of the inducer agonist. On the other hand, a construction where the intracellular domain of NPR-A(D435C) has been truncated (DeltaKC(D435C)) displays a spontaneous and complete covalent dimerization. In addition, the elimination of the intracellular domain in wild type DeltaKC and DeltaKC(D435C) is associated with an increase of agonist binding affinity, this effect being more pronounced with the weak agonist pBNP. Also, a D435C secreted extracellular domain remains unlinked even after incubation with rat ANP. In summary, these results demonstrate, in a dynamic fashion, the agonistic induction of a dimeric contact in the juxtamembrane domain of NPR-A. In addition, this process seems to require membrane attachment of the receptor. Finally, the intracellular domain represses this contact at the basal state, showing its potent influence on the outer juxtamembrane domain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

A disulfide-bridged mutant of natriuretic peptide receptor-A displays constitutive activity. Role of receptor dimerization in signal transduction.

Natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPR-A), a particulate guanylyl cyclase receptor, is composed of an extracellular domain (ECD) with a ligand binding site, a transmembrane spanning, a kinase homology domain (KHD), and a guanylyl cyclase domain. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), the natural agonists, bind and activate the receptor leading to cyclic GMP production. This receptor has been reported to be spontaneously dimeric or oligomeric. In response to agonists, the KHD-mediated guanylate cyclase repression is removed, and it is assumed that ATP binds to the KHD. Since NPR-A displays a pair of juxtamembrane cysteines separated by 8 residues, we hypothesized that the removal of one of those cysteines would leave the other unpaired and reactive, thus susceptible to form an interchain disulfide bridge and to favor the dimeric interactions. Here we show that NPR-AC423S mutant, expressed mainly as a covalent dimer, increases the affinity of pBNP for this receptor by enhancing a high affinity binding component. Dimerization primarily depends on ECD since a secreted NPR-A C423S soluble ectodomain (ECDC423S) also documents a covalent dimer. ANP binding to the unmutated ECD yields up to 80-fold affinity loss as compared with the membrane receptor. However, the ECD C423S mutation restores a high binding affinity. Furthermore, C423S mutation leads to cellular constitutive activation (20-40-fold) of basal catalytic production of cyclic GMP by the full-length mutant. In vitro particulate guanylyl cyclase assays demonstrate that NPR-AC423S displays an increased sensitivity to ATP treatment alone and that the effect of ANP + ATP joint treatment is cumulative instead of synergistic. Finally, the cellular and particulate guanylyl cyclase assays indicate that the receptor is desensitized to agonist stimulation. We conclude the following: 1) dimers are functional units of NPR-A guanylyl cyclase activation; and 2) agonists are inducing dimeric contact of the juxtamembranous region leading to the removal of the KHD-mediated guanylyl cyclase repression, hence allowing catalytic activation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

The receptor for the orexigenic peptide melanin-concentrating hormone is a G-protein-coupled receptor.

Gene-knockout studies of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and its effect on feeding and energy balance have firmly established MCH as an orexigenic (appetite-stimulating) peptide hormone. Here we identify MCH as the ligand for the orphan receptor SLC-1. The rat SLC-1 is activated by nanomolar concentrations of MCH and is coupled to the G protein G alpha i/o. The pattern of SLC-1 messenger RNA expression coincides with the distribution of MCH-containing nerve terminals and is consistent with the known central effects of MCH. Our identification of an MCH receptor could have implications for the development of new anti-obesity therapies.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Impaired granulocytic differentiation in vitro in hematopoietic cells lacking retinoic acid receptors alpha1 and gamma.

Transcripts for the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) alpha1, alpha2, gamma1, and gamma2 were found in the granulocytic lineage (Gr-1+ cells) through semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The screening of single cell cDNA libraries derived from hematopoietic progenitors also showed the presence of RARalpha and, to a lesser extent, RARgamma transcripts in committed granulocyte (colony-forming unit-granulocyte [CFU-G]) or granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) colony-forming cells. The contribution of RARalpha1 and gamma to hematopoietic cell differentiation was therefore investigated in mice bearing targeted disruption of either one or both of these loci. Because RARgamma and RARalpha1gamma compound null mutants die shortly after birth, bone marrow cells were collected from fetuses at 18.5 days postcoitum (dpc) and evaluated for growth and differentiation in culture in the presence of Steel factor (SF), interleukin-3 (IL-3), and erythropoietin (Epo). The frequency of colony-forming cells from bone marrow populations derived from RARalpha1/gamma double null mice was not significantly different from that of RARgamma or RARalpha1 single nulls or from wild-type controls. In addition, the distribution of erythroid, granulocyte, and macrophage colonies was comparable between hematopoietic cells from all groups, suggesting that lineage commitment was not affected by the lack of RARalpha1 and/or RARgamma. Colony cells were then harvested individually and evaluated by morphologic criteria. While terminal granulocyte differentiation was evident in wild-type cells and colonies from either single null mutant, colonies derived from RARalpha1-/-gamma-/- bone marrow populations were blocked at the myelocyte and, to a lesser extent, at the metamyelocyte stages, whereas erythroid and macrophage differentiation was not affected. Together, these results indicate that both RARalpha1 and gamma are required for terminal maturation in the granulocytic lineage in vitro, but appear to be dispensable for the early stages of hematopoietic cell development. Our results raise the possibility that in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), the RARalpha fusion proteins cause differentiation arrest at a stage when further maturation requires not only RARalpha, but also RARgamma. Finally, bone marrow cells appear to differentiate normally in vivo, suggesting an effective compensation mechanism in the RARalpha1/gamma double null mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Pharmacological and molecular characterization of the neurotensin receptor expressed in Sf9 cells.

The rat neurotensin receptor was expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda insect (Sf9) cells using infection with a recombinant baculovirus. Immunoblot experiments performed with an antibody raised against the C-terminus of the receptor showed major bands at 47 (corresponding to the unglycosylated receptor protein) and 50 kDa, and minor bands at 65 and 36 kDa. The expressed receptor bound 125I-neurotensin with high affinity, was coupled to endogenous G-proteins, and agonist-induced inositol phosphate production was observed at early times after infection. These results show that the rat neurotensin receptor retains functional properties when expressed in the heterologous insect cell system.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Cloning of a cDNA encoding rat aldehyde dehydrogenase with high activity for retinal oxidation.

Retinoic acid (RA), an important regulator of cell differentiation, is biosynthesized from retinol via retinal by a two-step oxidation process. We previously reported the purification and partial amino acid (aa) sequence of a rat kidney aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isozyme that catalyzed the oxidation of 9-cis and all-trans retinal to corresponding RA with high efficiency [Labrecque et al. Biochem. J. 305 (1995) 681-684]. A rat kidney cDNA library was screened using a 291-bp PCR product generated from total kidney RNA using a pair of oligodeoxyribonucleotide primers matched with the aa sequence. The full-length rat kidney ALDH cDNA contains a 2315-bp (501 aa) open reading frame (ORF). The aa sequence of rat kidney ALDH is 89, 96 and 87% identical to that of the rat cytosolic ALDH, the mouse cytosolic ALDH and human cytosolic ALDH, respectively. Northern blot and RT-PCR-mediated analysis demonstrated that rat kidney ALDH is strongly expressed in kidney, lung, testis, intestine, stomach and trachea, but weakly in the liver.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1995

A novel isoenzyme of aldehyde dehydrogenase specifically involved in the biosynthesis of 9-cis and all-trans retinoic acid.

The pleiotropic effects of retinoids are mediated by two families of nuclear receptors: RAR (retinoic acid receptors) and RXR (retinoid X receptors). 9-cis-Retinoic acid is a specific ligand for RXR receptors, whereas either 9-cis- or all-trans-retinoic acid activates the RAR receptor family. The existence of RXRs suggests a new role for isomerization in the biology of retinoic acid. We report here the identification of an aldehyde dehydrogenase in the rat kidney that catalysed the oxidation of 9-cis- and all-trans-retinal to corresponding retinoic acids with high efficiency, 9-cis-retinal being 2-fold more active than all-trans-retinal. Based on several criteria, such as amino acid sequence, pH optimum, and inhibition by chloral hydrate, this enzyme was found to be a novel isoenzyme of aldehyde dehydrogenase. 9-cis-Retinol, the precursor for the biosynthesis of 9-cis-retinal was identified in the rat kidney. The occurrence of endogenous 9-cis-retinol and the existence of specific dehydrogenase which participates in the catalysis of 9-cis-retinal suggest that all-trans-retinoi(d) isomerization to 9-cis-retinoi(d) occurs at the retinol level, analogous to all-trans-retinol isomerization to 11-cis-retinol in the visual cycle.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1995

Serotonergic antagonists differentially inhibit spontaneous activity and decrease ligand binding capacity of the rat 5-hydroxytryptamine type 2C receptor in Sf9 cells.

The activities of serotonergic antagonists as inverse agonists at the rat 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)2C serotonin receptor were compared with their potencies in promoting receptor "down-regulation," after expression of the recombinant receptor in the baculovirus/Sf9 insect cell system. Baculovirus expression yielded high levels of 5-HT2C receptors (up to 10(6) receptors/cell), which were functionally coupled to polyphosphoinositide turnover in Sf9 cells through a pertussis toxin-insensitive pathway. The expressed receptor exhibited spontaneous activation of inositol phosphate production, which was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by serotonergic antagonists, consistent with inverse agonist activity. The potencies of antagonists as inverse agonists correlated with their respective binding affinities determined in competition binding studies with membrane preparations. The maximal inhibition of spontaneous activity ranged from 32% inhibition for mianserin to no effect for spiroxatrine, indicating that antagonists differ in their intrinsic inverse efficacies. Antagonist treatment of intact Sf9 cells or membranes containing the 5-HT2C receptor, followed by washout of residual drug, resulted in a decrease (up to 90%) in the number of binding sites for [3H]mesulergine and [3H]5-HT, with no change in the affinity for [3H]mesulergine. The decrease in binding was irreversible, was not due to the presence of residual antagonist, and was not observed after treatment with agonists. This effect of antagonists in membranes was dose dependent, but the rank order of potency was clearly different from that for inverse agonist activity, indicating that the two effects reflect distinct actions of antagonists at the 5-HT2C receptor. The relative abilities of antagonists to produce loss of binding showed a good correlation with their reported abilities to down-regulate 5-HT2 receptors in vivo after chronic treatment, suggesting that these actions reflect the same underlying process.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Baculovirus expression of mammalian G protein alpha subunits.

Complementary DNAs encoding three subtypes of the alpha subunit (alpha i-1, alpha o and alpha s) of rat guanyl nucleotide regulatory proteins were used to construct recombinant baculoviruses which direct high-level expression of the corresponding proteins in cultured Sf9 insect cells. The expressed proteins were recognized by polyclonal antisera specific for the different alpha chains, and co-migrated with the native proteins from rat brain membranes in immunoblotting analyses. Soluble and particulate forms of all three immunoreactive alpha chains were observed following ultracentrifugation of cell lysates. Biosynthetic radiolabelling of infected cells with [35S]methionine or [3H]myristate showed that both soluble and particulate forms of alpha i-1 and alpha o were myristoylated; in contrast, alpha s did not incorporate myristate. The soluble fractions from cells expressing alpha chains showed high levels of GTP-binding activity over that observed in uninfected cells, or in cells infected with wild-type virus. The peak expression levels observed at 72 h post-infection were highest for alpha o at ca. 400 pmol of GTP-gamma-35S/mg protein, or roughly 2% of the total soluble protein. The results of this work show that the baculovirus system can be employed for high-level production of mammalian G protein alpha chains which retain GTP-binding activity and are appropriately modified by myristoylation.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Response to therapy of pulmonary Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection correlates with results of in vitro susceptibility testing.

Seventy-five patients with pulmonary infection caused by Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare were studied to determine whether results of therapy correlated with in vitro susceptibility testing of mycobacterial isolates. Fifty patients responded to therapy and 25 were nonresponders. The total number of drugs received by responders did not differ significantly from the total number of drugs received by nonresponders. However, responders received significantly more drugs to which their isolate was susceptible in vitro than did nonresponders (2.4 +/- 1.2 versus 1.4 +/- 1.0, p less than 0.001). We conclude that patients with pulmonary M. avium-intracellulare infection should receive chemotherapeutic agents to which their isolate is susceptible in vitro.

Antitubercular Agents↗
PubMed1982

Oleate desaturation in young winter wheat root tissue.

[1,2-(14)C]Acetate was incorporated into the lipids of young wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Kharkov 22 MC) root tissue, but predominantly into sterols. [1-(14)C]Ammonium oleate was initially incorporated mainly into phosphatidylcholine (PC), and later into triglycerides (TGs). Diglycerides (DGs) contained 16% of the lipid (14)C after 5 minutes and 8% after 40 minutes. The proportion of the label of each lipid group incorporated into linoleate during an 80-minute incubation increased at similar rates for each group, and was always highest in PC. Radioactivity was detected in PC-linoleate earlier than in linoleate of the other groups. During a prolonged incubation after a 15-minute pulse labeling, the percentage of the lipid (14)C incorporated into PC and DGs was high at the end of the pulse but decreased later, while that in TGs increased to 64% after 4 hours. The proportion of the label of each group recovered in linoleic acid peaked in all groups after 4 hours, except for the TGs where it increased slowly throughout the experiment. Only traces of radioactivity were detected in linolenate. The data are compatible with a pathway in which oleate is incorporated into PC, is desaturated to linoleate on PC, and where the linoleate-enriched DGs are transferred from PC to TGs.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Purification and partial characterization of a rat kidney aldehyde dehydrogenase that oxidizes retinal to retinoic acid.

A NAD-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.3) which catalyzes the oxidation of retinal to retinoic acid was purified to homogeneity from rat kidney by using Affi-Gel blue affinity chromatography and chromatofocusing, followed by Mono-Q anion-exchange chromatography. The apparent molecular weight of the native enzyme determined by size-exclusion fast protein liquid chromatography was 140,000. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gave a subunit molecular weight of 53,000. The isoelectric point as measured by chromatofocusing was 8.5. The enzyme also catalyzed the oxidation of acetaldehyde, but showed much lower Km value for the retinal substrate. We suggest that aldehyde dehydrogenase found in the kidney may be a specific retinal dehydrogenase, involved in vitamin A metabolism.

Acetaldehyde↗