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L E Heasley

Publications and source records attributed to L E Heasley.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

A G protein mutant that inhibits thrombin and purinergic receptor activation of phospholipase A2.

The stimulation of phospholipase A2 by thrombin and type 2 (P2)-purinergic receptor agonists in Chinese hamster ovary cells is mediated by the G protein Gi. To delineate alpha chain regulatory regions responsible for control of phospholipase A2, chimeric cDNAs were constructed in which different lengths of the alpha subunit of Gs (alpha s) were replaced with the corresponding sequence of the Gi alpha subunit (alpha i2). When a carboxyl-terminal chimera alpha s-i(38), which has the last 38 amino acids of alpha s substituted with the last 36 residues of alpha i2, was expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, the receptor-stimulated phospholipase A2 activity was inhibited, although the chimera could still activate adenylyl cyclase. Thus, alpha s-i(38) is an active alpha s, but also a dominant negative alpha i molecule, indicating that the last 36 amino acids of alpha i2 are a critical domain for G protein regulation of phospholipase A2 activity.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Mutation of the Gs protein alpha subunit NH2 terminus relieves an attenuator function, resulting in constitutive adenylyl cyclase stimulation.

G-proteins couple hormonal activation of receptors to the regulation of specific enzymes and ion channels. Gs and Gi are G-proteins which regulate the stimulation and inhibition, respectively, of adenylyl cyclase. We have constructed two chimeric cDNAs in which different lengths of the alpha subunit of Gs (alpha s) have been replaced with the corresponding sequence of the Gi alpha subunit (alpha i2). One chimera, referred to as alpha i(54)/s' replaces the NH2-terminal 61 amino acids of alpha s with the first 54 residues of alpha i. Within this sequence there are 7 residues unique to alpha s, and 16 of the remaining 54 amino acids are nonhomologous between alpha i and alpha s. The second chimera, referred to as alpha i/s(Bam), replaces the first 234 amino acids of alpha s with the corresponding 212 residues of alpha i. Transient expression of alpha i(54)/s in COS-1 cells resulted in an 18- to 20-fold increase in cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels, whereas expression of either alpha i/s(Bam) or the wild-type alpha s polypeptide resulted in only a 5- to 6-fold increase in cellular cAMP levels. COS-1 cells transfected with alpha i showed a small decrease in cAMP levels. Stable expression of the chimeric alpha i(54)/s polypeptide in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells constitutively increased both cAMP synthesis and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. CHO clones expressing transfected alpha i/s(Bam) or the wild-type alpha s and alpha i cDNAs exhibited cAMP levels and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activities similar to those in control CHO cells. Therefore, the alpha i(54)/s chimera behaves as a constitutively active alpha s polypeptide, whereas the alpha i/s(Bam) polypeptide is regulated similarly to wild-type alpha s. Expression in cyc-S49 cells, which lack expression of wild-type alpha s, confirmed that the alpha i(54)/s polypeptide is a highly active alpha s molecule whose robust activity is independent of any change in intrinsic GTPase activity. The difference in phenotypes observed upon expression of alpha i(54)/s or alpha i/s(Bam) indicates that the NH2-terminal moieties of alpha s and alpha i function as attenuators of the effector enzyme activator domain which is within the COOH-terminal half of the alpha subunit. Mutation at the NH2 terminus of alpha s relieves the attenuator control of the Gs protein and results in a dominant active G-protein mutant.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Regulation of protein kinase C by nerve growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and phorbol esters in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells.

We have used a permeabilized cell assay and a synthetic peptide substrate (KRTLRR) to specifically monitor the activity of protein kinase C in PC12 cells preincubated with nerve growth factor (NGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), or phorbol esters. Pretreatment of PC12 cells with 1 microM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate or 1 microM phorbol dibutyrate stimulated the rate of KRTLRR peptide phosphorylation 4.8- and 2.6-fold, respectively. Furthermore, pretreatment of cells with NGF or EGF transiently increased the KRTLRR peptide kinase activity. Peak stimulations of KRTLRR peptide kinase (1.3-2-fold) were observed after 1-5 min of growth factor treatment and returned to control levels within 15-20 min. The KRTLRR peptide kinase activity fulfilled two criteria of protein kinase C. A synthetic peptide inhibitor of protein kinase C inhibited both growth factor- and phorbol ester-stimulated KRTLRR peptide kinase activity. In addition, growth factors and phorbol esters failed to stimulate KRTLRR peptide kinase activity in cells rendered protein kinase C-deficient by long-term treatment with 1 microM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate. In contrast to the transient activation of protein kinase C, ribosomal S6 kinase, assayed with the synthetic peptide RRLSSLRA, was persistently activated by NGF and EGF. The findings indicate that protein kinase C serves an early and transient role in the molecular actions of NGF and EGF in PC12 cells.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Detection of nerve growth factor and epidermal growth factor-regulated protein kinases in PC12 cells with synthetic peptide substrates.

Synthetic peptide substrates specific for cAMP-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C, ribosomal S6 kinase, and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases were used to monitor regulation of these protein kinases in digitonin-permeabilized PC12 cells following treatment with nerve growth factor (NGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). cAMP-dependent protein kinase was not activated by NGF and EGF. In addition, neither the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent nor -independent activity of a protein kinase similar to Ca2+/calmodulin kinase II was affected by growth factor treatment. However, protein kinase C was rapidly and transiently activated and ribosomal S6 kinase activity was persistently elevated. Maximal protein kinase C activity was observed after 2 to 5 min of treatment and, subsequently, returned to control levels within 30 to 40 min. In contrast, S6 kinase activity was maximal within 15 min of NGF and EGF addition and was stably maintained for at least 24 hr. In addition to protein kinase C and S6 kinase, NGF and EGF regulated a protein kinase that was maximally elevated after 15 to 30 min and returned to control levels within 3 to 5 hr. This kinase (approximately 100 kDa) failed to bind to a calmodulin affinity column and eluted from a cation exchange column as a single major species that was distinct from S6 kinase activity, which eluted as multiple peaks. The findings indicate that at least three protein kinases are rapidly activated in PC12 cells following treatment with NGF and EGF. The distinct durations of activation of each kinase implicates significantly different roles for each in growth factor signalling in PC12 cells.

Chromatography, Gel↗

Receptor activation of G proteins.

G proteins are a highly conserved family of membrane-associated proteins composed of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits. The alpha subunit, which is unique for each G protein, binds GDP or GTP. Receptors such as those for beta- and alpha-adrenergic catecholamines, muscarinic agonists, and the retinal photoreceptor rhodopsin, catalyze the exchange of GDP for GTP binding to the alpha subunit of a specific G protein. G alpha.GTP regulates appropriate effector enzymes such as adenylyl cyclase or the cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase. The beta gamma-subunit complex of G proteins is required for efficient receptor-catalyzed alpha subunit guanine nucleotide exchange and also functions as an attenuator of alpha subunit activation of effector enzymes. Recent elucidation of both receptor and G protein primary sequence has allowed structural predictions and new experimental approaches to study the mechanism of receptor-catalyzed G protein regulation of specific effector systems and the control of cell function including metabolism, secretion, and growth.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Prostaglandin A1 metabolism and inhibition of cyclic AMP extrusion by avian erythrocytes.

Prostaglandins (PG) inhibit active cyclic AMP export from pigeon red cells, PGA1 and PGA2 most potently (Brunton, L.L., and Mayer, S.E. (1979) J. Biol. Chem. 254, 9714-9720). To probe the mechanism of this action of PGA1, we have studied the interaction of [3H]PGA1 with suspensions of pigeon red cells. The interaction of PGA1 with pigeon red cells is a multistep process of uptake, metabolism, and secretion. [3H] PGA1 rapidly enters red cells and is promptly metabolized (Vmax greater than or equal to 1 nmol/min/10(7) cells) to a compound(s) that remains in the aqueous layer after ethylacetate extraction. The glutathione-depleting agent, diamide, inhibits formation of the PGA1 metabolite. In agreement with the order of potency of other prostaglandins to inhibit cAMP efflux (A much greater than E congruent to B greater than F), PGA2 forms a polar adduct whereas prostaglandins E2, B1, and F2 alpha do not. The red cells secrete the polar metabolite of PGA1 by a saturable mechanism (at 37 degrees C, Km congruent to 0.6 microM, Vmax congruent to 0.5 pmol/min/10(7) cells) that lowered temperatures inhibit (Eact congruent to 21 kcal/mol). Because uptake and metabolism progress with much greater rates than metabolite secretion, red cells transiently concentrate the polar compound intracellularly. Onset and reversal of inhibition of cyclic AMP export by PGA1 coincide with accumulation and secretion of PGA1 metabolite, suggesting that the polar metabolite acts at an intracellular site to inhibit cyclic AMP efflux. In the accompanying Appendix, we present chromatographic and amino acid analyses demonstrating that the polar metabolite is a glutathione adduct of PGA1.

Animals↗

Putative inhibitor of cyclic AMP efflux: chromatography, amino acid composition, and identification as a prostaglandin A1-glutathione adduct.

Avian red cells rapidly and extensively metabolize prostaglandin A1 (PGA1) to a polar form that extracts into 80% ethanol and is quantitatively desalted and recovered over a Waters C18 Sep-Pak. This material co-chromatographs with synthetic PGA1-GSH and with the human red cell PGA1 metabolite on cellulose and silica gel thin layer plates and on normal phase high performance liquid chromatography. Quantitation of the amino acid composition by [35S]cysteine incorporation and by fluorometric amino acid analysis of the material eluting from high performance liquid chromatography indicates the presence of PGA1, cysteine, glutamate, and glycine in equimolar ratios. Base sensitivity of the metabolite indicates that it exists largely (80%) in the 9-hydroxyl form. We conclude that the polar metabolite of PGA1 that acts intracellularly to inhibit cyclic AMP efflux by avian red cells is a glutathione conjugate of PGA1.

Amino Acids↗

Export of cyclic AMP from avian red cells. Independence from major membrane transporters and specific inhibition by prostaglandin A.

Prostaglandin A1 (PGA1) inhibits energy-dependent cyclic AMP export by pigeon red cells [Brunton and Mayer, J. Biol. Chem. 254:9714 (1979)]. To assess the specificity of this action, we observed the effect of 10 microM PGA1 (a concentration that inhibits cyclic AMP efflux greater than 95%) on a variety of membrane-protein-mediated processes that we could readily characterize and quantify in the pigeon red cell. Included in this study were isoproterenol-sensitive cyclic AMP production, ouabain-inhibitable 86Rb+ influx, furosemide-sensitive NaCl-KCl symport, 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyano-2, 2'-disulfonic stilbene (SITS)-sensitive sulfate exchange, Na+-dependent alpha-aminoisobutyrate influx, and glucose and adenosine uptake. Remarkably, none of these membrane activities is significantly affected by PGA1. Furthermore, SITS, nitrobenzylthioinosine, cytochalasin B, and Na+-free extracellular medium (inhibitors of band 3, the nucleoside transporter, the hexose transporter, and amino acid uptake, respectively), failed to inhibit cyclic AMP export by pigeon red cells. On the basis of this data, we conclude that PGA1 does not act via a generalized alteration of a basic property at the plasma membrane, such as its fluidity; rather, PGA1 acts specifically to inhibit cyclic AMP extrusion. The data also imply that a transporter not relying on the Na+ gradient and distinct from transporters of cations, anions, amino acids, sugars, and nucleosides mediates cyclic AMP export.

4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfo↗

A glutathione adduct of prostaglandin A1 acts intracellularly to elevate cyclic AMP by inhibiting its extrusion.

Prostaglandin A1 inhibits the energy-dependent export of cyclic AMP from avian red cells. When exposed to PGA1, avian red cells rapidly accumulate the prostaglandin and convert it to a polar metabolite. Inhibition of cyclic AMP efflux correlates with the intracellular content of this metabolite. Data in the literature and our chemical and chromatographic analyses indicate that the prostaglandin metabolite is a glutathione adduct of PGA1. Thus, we hypothesize that a GSH adduct of PGA1 acts intracellularly to elevate cyclic AMP by blocking its extrusion.

Animals↗