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L Van Den Bosch

Publications and source records attributed to L Van Den Bosch.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Modulation of SERCA2 activity: regulated splicing and interaction with phospholamban.

Ca(2+)-uptake into intracellular stores is mediated by the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)ATPases (SERCAs). This review deals first with the gene structural and the characterization of the tissue-specific SERCA2 transcript processing. Secondly, the two different protein isoforms and their regulation are described. Finally, this review ends with a discussion on the possible physiological role of the SERCA2 isoform diversity.

Animals↗

Lipopolysaccharide with an altered O-antigen produced in Escherichia coli K-12 harbouring mutated, cloned Shigella flexneri rfb genes.

Cloning of the rfb genes of Shigella flexneri 2a into Escherichia coli K-12 strain DH1 results in the synthesis of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) with an O-antigen chain having type antigen IV and group antigens 3,4. During genetic studies of these rfb genes in E. coli K-12, we observed that strains harbouring plasmids with certain mutations (inversion and transposon insertions) which should have blocked O-antigen synthesis nevertheless still produced LPS with O-antigen chains. These LPS migrated differently on silver-stained SDS-polyacrylamide gels, compared with the LPS produced by wild-type rfb genes, and the group 3,4 antigens were barely detectable, suggesting that the O-antigen was altered. Investigation of the genetic determinants for production of the altered O-antigen/LPS indicated that: (i) these LPS are produced as a result of mutations which are either polar on rfbF or inactivate rfbF; (ii) the rfbX gene product (or a similar protein in the E. coli K-12 rfb region) is needed for production of the altered O-antigen in the form of LPS; (iii) the rfbG gene product is required for the production of both the parental and altered LPS; (iv) the dTDP-rhamnose biosynthesis genes are required. Additionally, an E. coli K-12 gene product(s) encoded outside the rfb region also contributes to production of the O-antigen of the altered LPS. An antiserum raised to the altered LPS from strain DH1(pPM2217 (rfbX::Tn1725)) was found to cross-react with nearly all S. flexneri serotypes, and with the altered LPS produced by other DH1 strains harbouring plasmids with different rfb mutations, as described above. The reactivity of the altered LPS with a panel of monoclonal antibodies specific for various S. flexneri O-antigen type and group antigens demonstrated that their O-antigen components were closely related to that of S. flexneri serotype 4. The RfbF and RfbG proteins were shown to have similarity to rhamnose transferases, and we identified a motif common to the N-termini of 6-deoxy-hexose nucleotide sugar transferases. We propose that the E. coli K-12 strains harbouring the mutated S. flexneri rfb genes produce LPS with a hybrid O-antigen as a consequence of inactivation of RfbF and complementation by an E. coli K-12 gene product. Analysis of the genetic and immunochemical data suggested a possible structure for the O-antigen component of the altered LPS.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Determination of relative amounts of inositol trisphosphate receptor mRNA isoforms by ratio polymerase chain reaction.

The relative expression of different inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R) mRNA was determined in a selection of murine and rat cell types that are commonly used to study InsP3-mediated Ca2+ signaling. Different mRNA species (encoding the known InsP3R isoforms) were co-amplified using common polymerase chain reaction primer pairs that recognized sequences that are totally conserved between the various InsP3R. Specific identification of the co-amplified sequences was done by restriction site analysis. In cerebellum, mRNA encoding InsP3R-I accounted for > 90% of the total InsP3R mRNA. This isoform was also present in all other cell types tested and was often the major isoform. In contrast, the level of expression of the other isoforms was cell type-specific. A new InsP3R isoform (type V) was detected that had 94.5% sequence identity with the InsP3R-II in the amplified region. Interestingly, this isoform was largely expressed in murine but not in rat cells. We functionally characterized InsP3R-V using the mouse fibroblast C3H10T1/2 cells, where mRNA encoding InsP3R-V accounted for 76.4% of the total InsP3R mRNA. InsP3-induced Ca2+ release in permeabilized C3H10T1/2 cells was regulated by luminal and cytosolic Ca2+, stimulated by thimerosal, and inhibited by caffeine.

Animals↗

Ca2+ dependence of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced Ca2+ release in renal epithelial LLC-PK1 cells.

We have studied arginine vasopressin (AVP)-, thapsigargin- and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3)-mediated Ca2+ release in renal epithelial LLC-PK1 cells. AVP-induced changes in the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) were studied in indo-1 loaded single cells by confocal laser cytometry. AVP-mediated Ca2+ mobilization was also observed in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, but was completely abolished after depletion of the intracellular Ca2+ stores by 2 microM thapsigargin. Using 45Ca2+ fluxes in saponin-permeabilized cell monolayers, we have analysed how InsP3 affected the Ca2+ content of non-mitochondrial Ca2+ pools in different loading and release conditions. Less than 10% of the Ca2+ was taken up in a thapsigargin-insensitive pool when loading was performed in a medium containing 0.1 microM Ca2+. The thapsigargin-insensitive compartment amounted to 35% in the presence of 110 microM Ca2+, but Ca2+ sequestered in this pool could not be released by InsP3. The thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ pool, in contrast, was nearly completely InsP3 sensitive. A submaximal [InsP3], however, released only a fraction of the sequestered Ca2+. This fraction was dependent on the cytosolic as well as on the luminal [Ca2+]. The cytosolic free [Ca2+] affected the InsP3-induced Ca2+ release in a biphasic way. Maximal sensitivity toward InsP3 was found at a free cytosolic [Ca2+] between 0.1 and 0.5 microM, whereas higher cytosolic [Ca2+] decreased the InsP3 sensitivity. Other divalent cations or La3+ did not provoke similar inhibitory effects on InsP3-induced Ca2+ release. The luminal free [Ca2+] was manipulated by varying the time of incubation of Ca(2+)-loaded cells in an EGTA-containing medium. Reduction of the Ca2+ content to one-third of its initial value resulted in a fivefold decrease in the InsP3 sensitivity of the Ca2+ release.

Arginine Vasopressin↗

Ca(2+)-transport ATPases and their regulation in muscle and brain.

Eukaryotic cells express one or more isoforms of a sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum (SERCA) and of a plasma membrane (PMCA) Ca2+ pump. Both the SERCA and PMCA gene transcripts are subject to alternative processing in a differentiation stage-dependent and tissue-dependent manner. The Ca2+ pump isoforms thus generated may present different functional properties. This is exemplified by the SERCA2a and SERCA2b isoforms which differ in their Ca2+ sensitivity. Analysis of the cDNA structures for PMCA1 predicts protein isoforms with variant calmodulin- and phospholipid-binding domains. A comparative study of the tissue-specific mechanisms governing SERCA-PMCA transcript processing and a more detailed study of the functional implication of the PMCA pumps isoform diversity will be challenging subjects for future studies.

Alternative Splicing↗

Development of the Na(+)-dependent hexose carrier in LLC-PK1 cells is dependent on microtubules.

The Na(+)-dependent hexose carrier, an endogenous apical marker, develops during differentiation of LLC-PK1, an established cell line with characteristics of the proximal tubule. This development was inhibited by the microtubule-disrupting drugs, colchicine and nocodazole, while it was insensitive to lumicolchicine. This strongly suggests that microtubules are involved in the plasma membrane expression of the Na(+)-dependent hexose carrier. We also analyzed the increase in activity of endogenous apical and basolateral membrane proteins during the polarization process. The development of three apical (Na(+)-dependent hexose carrier, gamma-glutamyltransferase and alkaline phosphatase) and one basolateral membrane protein (Na+/K(+)-ATPase) was studied during the reorganization of LLC-PK1 cells into a polarized epithelium. Colchicine inhibited the rapid, transient increase in the expression of the Na(+)-dependent hexose carrier during this polarization process. A similar result was observed for the development of the other apical proteins, while the development of Na+/K(+)-ATPase seemed to be largely insensitive to colchicine. Our results are in agreement with the model that the vesicles containing the apical membrane proteins use microtubules as tracks to reach the plasma membrane. The transport of vesicles containing basolateral membrane proteins clearly occurs by a different pathway which is independent on an intact microtubular network. Since the inhibition by the microtubule-disrupting drugs was complete, it can be concluded that after disruption of microtubules, the apical vesicles do not use the basolateral pathway by default.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Transport systems for polyamines in the established renal cell line LLC-PK. Polarized expression of an Na(+)-dependent transporter.

We present evidence for the existence of an Na(+)-dependent transporter and an Na(+)-independent transporter for polyamines in LLC-PK1 cells. Both transporters could be discriminated by their sensitivity to inhibitors, particularly rho-chloromercuriphenyl sulphate and various polycationic molecules. By using cell monolayers grown on a permeable filter support, we have found that the Na(+)-dependent polyamine uptake occurred preferentially from the basolateral side. The Na(+)-independent uptake, on the other hand, occurred to the same extent from either the apical or the basolateral side.

4-Chloromercuribenzenesulfonate↗

Regulation of the Na(+)-dependent and the Na(+)-independent polyamine transporters in renal epithelial cells (LLC-PK1).

We have studied the regulation of the Na(+)-dependent and Na(+)-independent polyamine transport pathways in the renal LLC-PK1 cell line. Most of the experiments were performed in the presence of 5 mM DL-2-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) in order to inhibit the cellular synthesis of polyamines. The activity of both transporters as measured by putrescine uptake was increased by growth-promoting stimuli and decreased by exogenous polyamines. The time course of the increase in uptake activity induced by fetal calf serum could be fitted by a single exponential, and the process was three times faster for the Na(+)-dependent than for the Na(+)-independent transporter. Maximum activity was reached after more than 24 h. This increase could be inhibited by actinomycin D and by cycloheximide. Other growth-promoting stimuli, such as subconfluent cell density, as well as growth factors also induced an increase in the transport activity. Particularly, there was a marked stimulation of the Na(+)-dependent pathway by epidermal growth factor in combination with insulin. On the other hand, the transport activity decayed very rapidly upon addition of exogenous polyamines (t1/2 less than 60 min). The diamine putrescine was much less effective in this respect than the polyamines spermidine and spermine. The non-metabolizable substrate methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) did not induce a decay of the transport activity, but it protected the Na(+)-dependent pathway against the polyamine-induced decay. Inhibition of the protein synthesis by cycloheximide did not induce a rapid decrease of the transport activity; neither did it affect the polyamine-induced decay. These observations suggest that this polyamine-induced decay is not owing to an inhibitory effect on the rate of synthesis of the transporters, but rather to a degradation or an inactivation of the transporters. The polyamine-induced decay slowed down at lower cell density. This effect was particularly pronounced for the Na(+)-dependent transporter. Since the uptake of polyamines was increased at low cell density, the decreased rate of decay in this condition pleads against a simple mechanism of transinhibition by the substrate. In conclusion, both transport pathways were similarly affected by the regulatory parameters, but the Na(+)-dependent transporter was more rapidly and more effectively regulated. The numerous interacting regulatory steps furthermore suggest a physiological role for these transporters, such as an involvement in urinary polyamine disposal.

Animals↗