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L Rodén

Publications and source records attributed to L Rodén.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Mechanisms of chain initiation in the biosynthesis of connective tissue polysaccharides.

Carbohydrate-protein linkages of three types are found in the connective tissue proteoglycans; these linkages involve the following monosaccharide-amino acid pairs: xylose-serine; N-acetylglucosamine-asparagine; and N-acetylgalactosamine-threonine (or serine). The biosynthesis of carbohydrate groups containing linkages of the latter two types presumably occurs by the same pathways that have been well established for many glycoproteins, but details of these processes as they pertain to proteoglycans are not yet known. Initiation of polysaccharide chains linked by the xylose-serine linkage takes place by direct transfer of xylose from UDP-xylose to the hydroxyl groups of specific serine residues in the core proteins of the respective proteoglycans, and the xylosyltransferase catalyzing these reactions has been detected in the rough endoplasmic reticulum of embryonic chick chondrocytes. Although the completed or nascent core proteins are the natural substrates for xylose transfer in the intracellular assembly of proteoglycans, a survey of potential exogenous substrates has shown that small peptides containing alternating serine and glycine residues may also serve as acceptors in this reaction. Nevertheless, larger substrates are preferred, such as chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, which has been deglycosylated by Smith degradation or HF treatment, or silk fibroin, which contains Ser-Gly pairs. In contrast to the sulfated polysaccharides, which are synthesized by carbohydrate transfer to protein in the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus, hyaluronic acid is formed in the plasma membrane by a different mechanism. The reaction by which chains are initiated is not yet known, but recent work by Prehm suggests that this process occurs either by transfer of the glucuronosyl component of UDP-glucuronic acid to UDP-N-acetylglucosamine or by the converse reaction, i.e., transfer of the N-acetylglucosaminyl unit of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine to UDP-glucuronic acid.

Acetylgalactosamine↗

Ultrastructural and biochemical characterization of glycosaminoglycans in HNK-1-positive large granular lymphocytes.

Natural killer (NK) cells are large granular lymphocytes (LGLs) that contain distinct lysosomal granules. The present study was undertaken to determine if these lysosomes contain glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) similar to those previously described in myeloid cells. Mononuclear cells from human blood were stained with HNK-1 fluoresceinated monoclonal antibody, and the NK cell population reactive with this antibody were isolated with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS). Specific staining of sulfated macromolecules with the cationic reagent, high iron diamine, was observed in the lysosomal granules of 90% of the HNK-1 positive cells. Staining in the same location was also observed in the unsorted LGLs, presumed to be NK cells, and intense staining of the cell surface was also a prominent feature of these cells. Surface staining was not evident in the majority of the FACS-separated NK cells. Digestion with chondroitinase ABC or treatment with nitrous acid reduced the staining in both locations; after sequential treatment with both chondroitinase and nitrous acid, little or no staining was seen. The presence of chondroitin sulfate (and/or dermatan sulfate) and heparan sulfate was also shown by the finding that incubation of the isolated NK cells with 35S-sulfate yielded cell-associated radiolabeled macromolecules with the characteristics of these two groups of GAGs. Of the labeled GAG pool, 60% was degraded by chondroitinase and 40% was susceptible to nitrous acid treatment. LGLs of a patient with Chediak-Higashi syndrome was also stained, and intracellular sulfate staining was clearly localized to the enlarged granules, supporting the conclusion that the lysosomes are the major site of intracellular accumulation of GAGs in normal NK cells.

Cell Membrane↗

Degradation of chondroitin 4-sulphate by tri-fluoroacetolysis: isolation of oligosaccharides from the carbohydrate-protein linkage region.

Oligosaccharides from the linkage-region tetrasaccharide, beta-D-GlcpA-(1----3)-beta-D-Galp-(1----3)-beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-D- Xylp, of chondroitin 4-sulphate were isolated after trifluoroacetolysis. The oligosaccharides were purified by ion-exchange chromatography and paper chromatography and subjected to sugar and methylation analysis and g.l.c.-m.s. The recovery of linkage-region oligosaccharides was approximately 45% after trifluoroacetolysis, calculated according to the D-xylose present in the chondroitin 4-sulphate preparation. The following structures were identified: beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-D-Xylp, beta-D-Galp-(1----3)-D-Galp, beta-D-Galp-(1----3)-beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-D-Xylp, beta-D-GlcpA-(1----3)-beta-D-Galp-(1----3)-beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-D- Xylp.

Animals↗

Biosynthesis of heparin. Substrate specificity of heparosan N-sulfate D-glucuronosyl 5-epimerase.

The substrate specificity of heparosan N-sulfate D-glucuronosyl 5-epimerase from a mouse mastocytoma was examined to determine the effects of N-acetyl and O-sulfate groups on substrate recognition by the enzyme. [5-3H]Glucuronosyl-labeled heparosan N-sulfate was prepared enzymatically and was modified chemically by partial N-desulfation and N-acetylation. After enzymatic release of tritium, the location of remaining label was determined by deaminative cleavage and analysis of resulting di-, tetra-, and higher oligosaccharides. This analysis indicated that a D-glucuronosyl residue is recognized as a substrate if it is linked at C-1 to an N-acetylated glucosamine residue and at C-4 to an N-sulfated unit. However, the reverse structure, in which the D-glucuronosyl moiety is bound at C-1 to an N-sulfated residue and at C-4 to N-acetylated glucosamine, is not a substrate. Similar studies with O-sulfated heparin intermediates showed that O-sulfate groups either at C-2 of the L-iduronosyl moieties or at C-6 of vicinal D-glucosaminyl moieties prevent 5-epimerization. These findings were confirmed by studies of the reverse reaction, in which tritium was incorporated from 3H2O into partially O-desulfated heparin and the location of incorporated radioactivity was determined. These and more direct experiments corroborated the previous conclusion that the L-iduronosyl moieties are formed after N-sulfation but before O-sulfation. Assessment of the influence of substrate size on the reaction further showed that a large substrate is preferred; an octasaccharide released tritium at a rate approximately 10% of that observed for the parent polysaccharide, and some release occurred also with smaller oligosaccharides.

Animals↗

Silk--a new substrate for UDP-d-xylose:proteoglycan core protein beta-D-xylosyltransferase.

The formation of most connective tissue polysaccharides is initiated by transfer of D-xylose from UDP-D-xylose to specific serine residues in the core proteins of the putative proteoglycans. The substrate specificity of the xylosyltransferase catalyzing this reaction has not yet been examined in detail, but it appears that a -Ser-Gly- pair is an essential part of the substrate structure. Since the preparation of the known acceptors (e.g., Smith-degraded or HF-treated cartilage proteoglycan) involves a substantial effort, we have searched for readily available proteins with the -Ser-Gly-sequence, which might serve as alternative substrates. In the present work, it was found that silk fibroin from Bombyx mori, which consists, in large part, of the repeating hexapeptide, Ser-Gly-Ala-Gly-Ala-Gly, is an excellent substrate for the xylosyltransferase from embryonic chick cartilage. Pieces of silk were used directly in the reaction mixtures, and [14C]xylose transferred from UDP-D-[14C]xylose was measured by liquid scintillation spectrometry after rinsing the silk in 1 M NaCl and water. Substantially greater incorporation was observed with preparations of silk or fibroin which had been dissolved in 60% LiSCN and subsequently dialyzed exhaustively or diluted appropriately. Under standard reaction conditions, the Vmax for fibroin was 531 pmol/h/mg enzyme protein, as compared to 223 pmol/h/mg for Smith-degraded proteoglycan. Km values were 182 mg/liter (fibroin) and 143 mg/liter (Smith-degraded proteoglycan). The product of [14C]xylose transfer to silk was alkali labile, and [14C]xylitol was formed when [14C]xylosylsilk was treated with borohydride in alkali. Proteolytic digestion with papain, Pronase, leucine aminopeptidase, and carboxypeptidase A yielded a radioactive product which was identified as [14C]xylosylserine by electrophoresis and chromatography. The identity of the isolated [14C]xylosylserine was further supported by its resistance to treatment with alkali (0.5 M KOH; 100 degrees C; 8 h) and by acid hydrolysis which yielded [14C]xylose. Tryptic and chymotryptic fragments from fibroin were also good xylose acceptors and had Vmax values 60-70% of that observed for the intact protein. Substantial acceptor activity was displayed also by the sericin fraction of silk and by the silk sequence hexapeptide. Ser-Gly-Ala-Gly-Ala-Gly; the latter had a Vmax value close to 20% of that of intact fibroin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Location of xylosyltransferase in the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum of embryonic cartilage cells.

Purified antibodies were prepared to UDP-D-xylose: core protein xylosyltransferase, the enzyme which initiates the formation of chondroitin sulfate chains in the course of proteoglycan biosynthesis in cartilage. The purified antibodies were conjugated to ferritin with a two-step glutaraldehyde procedure, and conjugates were then used to locate xylosyltransferase in fragments of embryonic cartilage cells. The results indicated that the enzyme is located within the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The distribution of the enzyme was similar to that of prolyl hydroxylase in the same cell fragments, suggesting that procollagen synthesis and initiation of chondroitin sulfate chains occur in the same regions of the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Animals↗

New oligosaccharides from heparin and heparan sulfate and their use as substrates for heparin-degrading enzymes.

Oligosaccharides were isolated from heparin and heparan sulfate by a procedure consisting of three major steps: (a) acid hydrolysis; (b) gel chromatography; and (c) cation exchange chromatography on an amino acid analyzer. To date, six new oligosaccharides have been isolated by this procedure and have been sequenced by a combination of NaB3H4-labeling and deaminative cleavage with nitrous acid. The structures of these oligosaccharides were as follows: 1. GlcN-GlcUA-GlcN 2. GlcN-IdUA-GlcN 3. GlcN-GlcUA-GlcN-GlcUA-GlcN 4. GlcN-IdUA-GlcN-GlcUA-GlcN 5. GlcN-GlcUA-GlcN-IdUA-GlcN 6. GlcN-IdUA-GlcN-IdUA-GlcN The linkage positions and anomeric configurations were assumed to be the same as in the polysaccharides from which the oligosaccharides originated. The usefulness of some of these oligosaccharides as enzyme substrates was tested after appropriate modifications and radioactive labeling. Oligosaccharides 2 and 3 were N-[35S]sulfated and were found to serve as substrates for heparan N-sulfate sulfatase (heparin sulfamidase), with a homogenate of cultured skin fibroblasts as enzyme source. Similarly, reduction of oligosaccharide 2 with NaB3H4 yielded a substrate for acetyl-CoA:alpha-D-glucosaminide N-acetyltransferase. Finally, the previously known disaccharide, 4-O-alpha-D-glucosaminyl-L-iduronic acid, which was isolated in the course of this work, was N-acetylated with [3H] acetic anhydride and was shown to be a substrate for N-acetyl-alpha-D-glucosaminidase.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

New assay for uronosyl 5-epimerases.

Simple assays have been developed for the two uronosyl 5-epimerases which participate in the biosynthesis of heparin and dermatan sulfate (heparosan N-sulfate D-glucuronosyl 5-epimerase and chondroitin D-glucuronosyl 5-epimerase, respectively). Following previously published procedures, substrates labeled with tritium in the C-5 positions of the D-glucuronosyl and L-iduronosyl residues were prepared enzymatically by incubation of O-desulfated heparin and dermatan with 3H2O and crude epimerase preparations from bovine liver and human skin fibroblasts, respectively. In the new assays, 3H2O generated from these substrates during the epimerase reactions was quantitated by the method of Pollard et al. (Anal. Biochem. (1981) 110, 424-430). In this procedure, 3H2O in the aqueous reaction mixture is extracted into a toluene-based organic phase containing 25% isoamyl alcohol, while the polysaccharide substrate remains in the aqueous phase and does not generate scintillations. This procedure is much simpler than that used previously which involves distillation of each reaction mixture and quantitation of the radioactivity in the distillate. The new assays have been validated by the demonstration that conditions of linearity with time and enzyme concentration can be established for both epimerase reactions. Assays of this type should be useful in the study of any enzymatic reaction where 3H2O is formed from a 3H-labeled substrate and the unreacted substrate is not appreciably soluble in the organic phase.

Animals↗

Assay of N-acetylheparosan deacetylase with a capsular polysaccharide from Escherichia coli K5 as substrate.

A new substrate for the deacetylase which catalyzes the removal of the N-acetyl groups from N-acetylheparosan in the course of heparin biosynthesis has been prepared. The capsular polysaccharide from Escherichia coli 010:K5:H4, which is structurally identical to N-acetylheparosan, was partially N-deacetylated by hydrazinolysis and was then radioactively labeled by N-acetylation with [3H]acetic anhydride. Upon incubation of the labeled polysaccharide with microsomes from the Furth mastocytoma, [3H]acetyl groups were released, demonstrating that the bacterial polysaccharide was a substrate for the N-deacetylase. Reaction conditions were established which permitted the quantitative assay of N-deacetylase activity; a Km of 74 mg polysaccharide/liter was determined, which corresponds to 2.1 X 10(-4) M, expressed as concentration of uronic acid; Vmax was 3.4 nmol/mg protein/liter. In confirmation of previous results, it was observed (a) that the reaction was stimulated by 3'-phosphoadenylylsulfate (up to a maximum of 45% at a concentration of 0.5 mM), suggesting that N-sulfation occurred which facilitated continued action of the N-deacetylase, and (b) that NaCl and KCl inhibited the enzyme, with 50% reduction of activity at a concentration of 25 mM. In the course of this work, a simple, single-vial assay procedure was used. Released [3H]acetate was extracted from the acidified reaction mixture with a toluene- or xylene-based scintillation fluid containing 10% isoamyl alcohol and measured directly by scintillation spectrometry.

Amidohydrolases↗

The C1q inhibitor in serum is a chondroitin 4-sulfate proteoglycan.

An inhibitor of human C1q has been purified from serum and identified as a chondroitin 4-sulfate proteoglycan. A typical preparation contained 22% uronic acid, 20% hexosamine, 12% sulfate, and 9% protein. When chromatographed on Sepharose CL-2B, the proteoglycan was eluted as a broad peak with a mean Kav of 0.6, which indicates that it is polydisperse and has an average Mr = approximately 175,000 (range, 45,000-750,000). Unlike the major species of cartilage proteoglycans, the serum proteoglycan did not form a complex with hyaluronic acid. Additional evidence for the noncartilaginous origin of C1q inhibitor is that its glycosaminoglycan chains totally lack chondroitin 6-sulfate isomers. Furthermore, the glycosaminoglycan component of C1q inhibitor was eluted from Sepharose CL-6B with a Kav of 0.52, indicating that these polysaccharide chains are considerably larger than those of human articular cartilage proteoglycan. The interaction between the proteoglycan and C1q was clearly evident in 0.15 M NaCl, as demonstrated by a radial immunodiffusion technique. The interaction decreased with increasing ionic strength but was not entirely abolished even at 0.3 M NaCl. These findings suggest that the interaction between C1q and the C1q inhibitor may occur under physiological conditions and may be of importance in modulating C1q activity in vivo.

Amino Acids↗

Biosynthesis of heparin. Partial purification of the uronosyl C-5 epimerase.

Heparosan N-sulfate D-glucuronosyl 5-epimerase, which catalyzes the conversion of beta-D-glucuronosyl to alpha-L-iduronosyl residues in the course of heparin biosynthesis, has been purified approximately 9000-fold from the high speed supernatant fraction of a homogenate of a mouse mastocytoma. Following ammonium sulfate fractionation, the material precipitating between 35 and 60% saturation was subjected to a series of affinity chromatography steps on matrices containing immobilized concanavalin A, heparan sulfate, O-desulfated heparin, and Cibacron blue, respectively. Epimerase purified by this procedure yielded two major components on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme had approximately the same Kav as bovine serum albumin when chromatographed on Sepharose 6B. The activity of the purified enzyme was increased 50-fold by addition of the fraction which was not adsorbed to concanavalin A-Sepharose. The stimulating factor is likely to be a protein since it was nondialyzable, heat labile, and lost activity on digestion with trypsin.

Animals↗

Role of hyaluronic acid in the in vivo aggregation of cartilage proteoglycans.

From studies of isolated cartilage proteoglycans in solution it has been inferred that they occur in the tissue as aggregates of high molecular weight which consist of proteoglycan monomers, hyaluronic acid and specific link proteins. The present investigation provides direct evidence for the existence of hyaluronic acid-containing aggregates in vivo, as indicated by the following observations: Treatment of sections of coastal cartilage from newborn rabbits with Streptomyces hyaluronidase led to complete disappearance of the electron dense granules, which have been previously identified as chondroitin sulfate proteglycans, from the extracellular matrix. Similar results were obtained on digestion with leech hyaluronidase which, like the Streptomyces enzyme, specifically degrades hyaluronic acid. Proteoglycan aggregation occurs not only in the extracellular compartment but intracellularly as well, since a portion of the hyaluronidase-senstive, electron dense proteoglycan granules are found in intracellular vesicles. It is concluded that the ability of proteoglycan monomers to form aggregates is a true reflection of the in vivo organization of these molecules and that aggregate formation is an important factor in the maintenance of the normal physiological function of cartilage tissue.

Animals↗