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M H Gelb

Publications and source records attributed to M H Gelb.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Membrane-bound plasma platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase acts on substrate in the aqueous phase.

Human plasma platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase (pPAF-AH) is a phospholipase A(2) that specifically hydrolyzes the sn-2 ester of platelet activating factor (PAF) and of phospholipids with oxidatively truncated sn-2 fatty acyl chains. pPAF-AH is bound to lipoproteins in vivo, and it binds essentially irreversibly to anionic and zwitterionic phospholipid vesicles in vitro and hydrolyzes PAF and PAF analogues. Substrate hydrolysis also occurs in the absence of vesicles, with a maximum rate reached at the critical micelle concentration. A novel pre-steady-state kinetic analysis with enzyme tightly bound to vesicles and with a substrate that undergoes slow intervesicle exchange establishes that pPAF-AH accesses its substrate from the aqueous phase and thus is not an interfacial enzyme. Such a mechanism readily explains why this enzyme displays dramatic specificity for phospholipids with short sn-2 chains or with medium-length, oxidatively truncated sn-2 chains since a common feature of these lipids is their relatively high water solubility. It also explains why the enzymatic rate drops as the length of the sn-1 chain is increased. pPAF-AH shows broad specificity toward phospholipids with different polar headgroups. Additional results are that PAF undergoes intervesicle exchange on the subminute time scale and it does not undergo transbilayer movement over tens of minutes.

1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase↗

Trifluoromethyl ketones and methyl fluorophosphonates as inhibitors of group IV and VI phospholipases A(2): structure-function studies with vesicle, micelle, and membrane assays.

A series of fatty alkyl trifluoromethyl ketones and methyl fluorophosphonates have been prepared and tested as inhibitors and inactivators of human groups IV and VI phospholipases A(2) (cPLA(2) and iPLA(2)). Compounds were analyzed with phospholipid vesicle-, detergent-phospholipid mixed-micelle-, and natural membrane-based assays, and, with few exceptions, the relative inhibitor potencies measured with the three assays were similar. Ph(CH(2))(4)COCF(3) and Ph(CH(2))(4)PO(OMe)F emerged as a potent inhibitor and inactivator, respectively, of iPLA(2), and both are poorly effective against cPLA(2). Of all 13 fatty alkyl trifluoromethyl ketones tested, the trifluoromethyl ketone analog of arachidonic acid is the most potent cPLA(2) inhibitor, and structurally similar compounds including the trifluoromethyl ketone analog of docosahexenoic acid are much poorer cPLA(2) inhibitors. Inactivation of cPLA(2) by fatty alkyl fluoromethylphosphonates is greatly promoted by binding of enzyme to the interface. The use of both vesicles and mixed micelles to assay phospholipase A(2) inhibitors and inactivators present at low mol fraction in the interface provides reliable rank order potencies of a series of compounds that correlate with their behavior in a natural membrane assay.

Enzyme Inhibitors↗

A novel form of rhodopsin kinase from chicken retina and pineal gland.

The G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) are important enzymes in the desensitization of activated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). Seven members of the GRK family have been identified to date. Among these enzymes, GRK1 is involved in phototransduction and is the most specialized kinase of the family. GRK1 phosphorylates photoactivated rhodopsin (Rho*), initiating steps in its deactivation. In this study, we found that chicken retina and pineal gland express a novel form of GRK that has sequence features characteristic of GRK1. However, unlike bovine GRK1 which is farnesylated, chicken GRK1 contains a consensus sequence for geranylgeranylation. Peptides corresponding to the C-terminal sequence of chicken GRK1 are geranylgeranylated by a cytosolic extract of chicken liver. Based on results of molecular cloning and immunolocalization, it appears that both rod and cone photoreceptors express this novel GRK1. These data indicate a larger sequence diversity of photoreceptor GRKs than anticipated previously.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and recombinant expression of a novel mouse-secreted phospholipase A2.

Secreted phospholipases A2 (sPLA2s) form a class of structurally related enzymes that are involved in a variety of physiological and pathological effects including inflammation and associated diseases, cell proliferation, cell adhesion, and cancer, and are now known to bind to specific membrane receptors. Here, we report the cloning and expression of a novel sPLA2 isolated from mouse thymus. Based on its structural features, this sPLA2 is most similar to the previously cloned mouse group IIA sPLA2 (mGIIA sPLA2). As for mGIIA sPLA2, the novel sPLA2 is made up of 125 amino acids with 14 cysteines, is basic (pI = 8.71) and its gene has been mapped to mouse chromosome 4. However, the novel sPLA2 has only 48% identity with mGIIA and displays similar levels of identity with the other mouse group IIC and V sPLA2s, indicating that the novel sPLA2 is not an isoform of mGIIA sPLA2. This novel sPLA2 has thus been called mouse group IID (mGIID) sPLA2. In further contrast with mGIIA, which is found mainly in intestine, transcripts coding for mGIID sPLA2 are found in several tissues including pancreas, spleen, thymus, skin, lung, and ovary, suggesting distinct functions for the two enzymes. Recombinant expression of mGIID sPLA2 in Escherichia coli indicates that the cloned sPLA2 is an active enzyme that has much lower specific activity than mGIIA and displays a distinct specificity for binding to various phospholipid vesicles. Finally, recombinant mGIID sPLA2 did not bind to the mouse M-type sPLA2 receptor, while mGIIA was previously found to bind to this receptor with high affinity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interfacial membrane docking of cytosolic phospholipase A2 C2 domain using electrostatic potential-modulated spin relaxation magnetic resonance.

The C2 domain of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (C2cPLA2) plays an important role in calcium-dependent transfer of the protein from the cytosol to internal cellular membranes as a prelude for arachidonate release from membrane phospholipids. By using a recently developed electron paramagnetic resonance approach together with 13 site-specifically nitroxide spin labeled C2cPLA2s and membrane-permeant and -impermeant spin relaxants, we have determined the orientation of C2cPLA2 with respect to the surface of vesicles of the phospholipid 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphomethanol. The structure reveals that the two calcium-binding regions on C2cPLA2 that display hydrophobic residues, CBR1 and CBR3, are partially inserted into the core of the membrane. CBR2 that contains predominantly hydrophilic residues is close to the membrane but not inserted. The long axis of the cylindrical C2cPLA2 molecule is tilted with respect to the bilayer normal, which brings a cluster of basic protein residues close to the phospholipid headgroups. Such an orientation places the two bound calcium ions close to the membrane surface. All together, the results provide structural support for previous proposals that binding of C2cPLA2 to the membrane interface is driven in part by insertion of hydrophobic surface loops into the membrane core. The results are contrasted with previous studies of the interfacial binding of the first C2 domain of synaptotagmin I, which has shorter surface loops that display basic residues for electrostatic interaction with the bilayer surface.

Biological Transport↗

Roles of Trp31 in high membrane binding and proinflammatory activity of human group V phospholipase A2.

Group V phospholipase A2 is a recently discovered secretory phospholipase A2 (PLA2) that has been shown to be involved in eicosanoid formation in inflammatory cells, such as macrophages and mast cells. We have demonstrated that human group V PLA2 (hsPLA2-V) can bind phosphatidylcholine (PC) membranes and hydrolyze PC substrates much more efficiently than human group IIa PLA2, which makes it better suited for acting on the outer plasma membrane (Han, S.-K., Yoon, E. T., and Cho, W. (1998) Biochem. J. 331, 353-357). In this study, we demonstrate that exogenous hsPLA2-V has much greater activity than does group IIa PLA2 to release fatty acids from various mammalian cells and to elicit leukotriene B4 formation from human neutrophils. To understand the molecular basis of these activities, we mutated two surface tryptophans of hsPLA2-V to alanine (W31A and W79A) and measured the effects of these mutations on the kinetic activity toward various substrates, on the binding affinity for vesicles and phospholipid-coated beads, on the penetration into phospholipid monolayers, and on the activity to release fatty acids and elicit eicosanoid formation from various mammalian cells. These studies show that the relatively high ability of hsPLA2-V to induce cellular eicosanoid formation derives from its high affinity for PC membranes and that Trp31 on its putative interfacial binding surface plays an important role in its binding to PC vesicles and to the outer plasma membrane.

Cell Membrane↗

1,3-Dioxane-4,6-dione-5-carboxamide-based inhibitors of human group IIA phospholipase A: X-ray structure of the complex and interfacial selection of inhibitors from a structural library.

A library of 109 1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione-5-carboxamides was prepared by solution-phase methods as potential inhibitors of human group IIa phospholipase A2. Tight binding inhibitors were found by an interfacial affinity selection method. The crystal structure of the secreted phospholipase A2 containing one of the inhibitors was determined, and it reveals the inhibitor-calcium bidendate coordination.

Acetamides↗

Structure-based design of submicromolar, biologically active inhibitors of trypanosomatid glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase.

The bloodstream stage of Trypanosoma brucei and probably the intracellular (amastigote) stage of Trypanosoma cruzi derive all of their energy from glycolysis. Inhibiting glycolytic enzymes may be a novel approach for the development of antitrypanosomatid drugs provided that sufficient parasite versus host selectivity can be obtained. Guided by the crystal structures of human, T. brucei, and Leishmania mexicana glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, we designed adenosine analogs as tight binding inhibitors that occupy the pocket on the enzyme that accommodates the adenosyl moiety of the NAD+ cosubstrate. Although adenosine is a very poor inhibitor, IC50 approximately 50 mM, addition of substituents to the 2' position of ribose and the N6-position of adenosine led to disubstituted nucleosides with micromolar to submicromolar potency in glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase assays, an improvement of 5 orders of magnitude over the lead. The designed compounds do not inhibit the human glycolytic enzyme when tested up to their solubility limit (approximately 40 microM). When tested against cultured bloodstream T. brucei and intracellular T. cruzi, N6-(1-naphthalenemethyl)-2'-(3-chlorobenzamido)adenosine inhibited growth in the low micromolar range. Within minutes after adding this compound to bloodstream T. brucei, production of glucose-derived pyruvate ceased, parasite motility was lost, and a mixture of grossly deformed and lysed parasites was observed. These studies underscore the feasibility of using structure-based drug design to transform a mediocre lead compound into a potent enzyme inhibitor. They also suggest that energy production can be blocked in trypanosomatids with a tight binding competitive inhibitor of an enzyme in the glycolytic pathway.

3T3 Cells↗

Preferential release of 11-cis-retinol from retinal pigment epithelial cells in the presence of cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein.

In photoreceptor cells of the retina, photoisomerization of 11-cis-retinal to all-trans-retinal triggers phototransduction. Regeneration of 11-cis-retinal proceeds via a complex set of reactions in photoreceptors and in adjacent retinal pigment epithelial cells where all-trans-retinol is isomerized to 11-cis-retinol. Our results show that isomerization in vitro only occurs in the presence of apo-cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein. This retinoid-binding protein may drive the reaction by mass action, overcoming the thermodynamically unfavorable isomerization. Furthermore, this 11-cis-retinol/11-cis-retinal-specific binding protein potently stimulates hydrolysis of endogenous 11-cis-retinyl esters but has no effect on hydrolysis of all-trans-retinyl esters. Apo-cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein probably exerts its effect by trapping the 11-cis-retinol product. When retinoid-depleted retinal pigment epithelial microsomes were preincubated with different amounts of all-trans-retinol to form all-trans-retinyl esters and then [3H]all-trans-retinol was added, as predicted, the specific radioactivity of [3H]all-trans-retinyl esters increased during subsequent reaction. However, the specific radioactivity of newly formed 11-cis-retinol stayed constant during the course of the reaction, and it was largely unaffected by expansion of the all-trans-retinyl ester pool during the preincubation. The absence of dilution establishes that most of the ester pool does not participate in isomerization, which in turn suggests that a retinoid intermediate other than all-trans-retinyl ester is on the isomerization reaction pathway.

Acyltransferases↗

Interfacial binding of secreted phospholipases A(2): more than electrostatics and a major role for tryptophan.

Secreted phospholipases A(2) have similar catalytic sites, but vastly different interfacial binding surfaces that modulate their binding affinity for different kinds of phospholipid vesicles by several orders of magnitude. The structure/function principles that dictate both the differential interfacial binding and the physiological function of these enzymes are beginning to be unraveled.

Animals↗

Quantitative analysis of complex protein mixtures using isotope-coded affinity tags.

We describe an approach for the accurate quantification and concurrent sequence identification of the individual proteins within complex mixtures. The method is based on a class of new chemical reagents termed isotope-coded affinity tags (ICATs) and tandem mass spectrometry. Using this strategy, we compared protein expression in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, using either ethanol or galactose as a carbon source. The measured differences in protein expression correlated with known yeast metabolic function under glucose-repressed conditions. The method is redundant if multiple cysteinyl residues are present, and the relative quantification is highly accurate because it is based on stable isotope dilution techniques. The ICAT approach should provide a widely applicable means to compare quantitatively global protein expression in cells and tissues.

Affinity Labels↗

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of adenosine analogs as inhibitors of trypanosomal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Modifications at positions 5' and 8.

A number of 5', N6- and C8, N6-disubstituted adenosine analogs was synthesized and tested for inhibition of trypanosomal glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. The most active compound, N6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-8-(2-thienyl)adenosine, had Kl of 9 microM and was marginally selective for the parasite enzyme.

Adenosine↗

Action of human group IIa secreted phospholipase A2 on cell membranes. Vesicle but not heparinoid binding determines rate of fatty acid release by exogenously added enzyme.

Human group IIa phospholipase A2 (hIIa-PLA2) is a highly basic protein that is secreted from a number of cells during inflammation and may play a role in arachidonate liberation and in destruction of invading bacteria. It has been proposed that rodent group IIa PLA2 is anchored to cell surfaces via attachment to heparan sulfate proteoglycan and that this interaction facilitates lipolysis. hIIa-PLA2 contains 13 lysines, 2 histidines, and 10 arginines that fall into 10 clusters. A panel of 26 hIIa-PLA2 mutants were prepared in which 1-4 basic residues in each cluster were changed to glutamate or aspartate (charge reversal). A detailed analysis of the affinities of these mutants for anionic vesicles and for heparin and heparan sulfate in vitro and of the specific activities of these proteins for hydrolysis of vesicles in vitro and of living cell membranes reveal the following trends: 1) the affinity of hIIa-PLA2 for heparin and heparan sulfate is modulated not by a highly localized site of basic residues but by diffuse sites that partially overlap with the interfacial binding site. In contrast, only those residues on the interfacial binding site of hIIa-PLA2 are involved in binding to membranes; 2) the relative ability of these mutants to hydrolyze cellular phospholipids when enzymes were added exogenously to CHO-K1, NIH-3T3, and RAW 264.7 cells correlates with their relative in vitro affinity for vesicles and not with their affinity for heparin and heparan sulfate. 3) The rates of exogenous hIIa-PLA2-catalyzed fatty acid release from wild type CHO-K1 cells and two mutant lines, one lacking glycosaminoglycan and one lacking heparan sulfate, were similar. Thus basic residues that modulate interfacial binding are important for plasma membrane fatty acid release by exogenously added hIIa-PLA2. Binding of hIIa-PLA2 to cell surface heparan sulfate does not modulate plasma membrane phospholipid hydrolysis by exogenously added hIIa-PLA2.

3T3 Cells↗

Selective tight binding inhibitors of trypanosomal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase via structure-based drug design.

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) from the sleeping sickness parasite Trypanosoma brucei is a rational target for anti-trypanosomatid drug design because glycolysis provides virtually all of the energy for the bloodstream form of this parasite. Glycolysis is also an important source of energy for other pathogenic parasites including Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania mexicana. The current study is a continuation of our efforts to use the X-ray structures of T. brucei and L. mexicana GAPDHs containing bound NAD+ to design adenosine analogues that bind tightly to the enzyme pocket that accommodates the adenosyl moiety of NAD+. The goal was to improve the affinity, selectivity, and solubility of previously reported 2'-deoxy-2'-(3-methoxybenzamido)adenosine (1). It was found that introduction of hydroxyl functions on the benzamido ring increases solubility without significantly affecting enzyme inhibition. Modifications at the previously unexploited N6-position of the purine not only lead to a substantial increase in inhibitor potency but are also compatible with the 2'-benzamido moiety of the sugar. For N6-substituted adenosines, two successive rounds of modeling and screening provided a 330-fold gain in affinity versus that of adenosine. The combination of N6- and 2'-substitutions produced significantly improved inhibitors. N6-Benzyl (9a) and N6-2-methylbenzyl (9b) derivatives of 1 display IC50 values against L. mexicana GAPDH of 16 and 4 microM, respectively (3100- and 12500-fold more potent than adenosine). The adenosine analogues did not inhibit human GAPDH. These studies underscore the usefulness of structure-based drug design for generating potent and species-selective enzyme inhibitors of medicinal importance starting from a weakly binding lead compound.

Adenosine↗

Protein farnesyltransferase from Trypanosoma brucei. A heterodimer of 61- and 65-kda subunits as a new target for antiparasite therapeutics.

We have previously shown that protein prenylation occurs in the Trypanosomatids Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania mexicana and that protein farnesyltransferase (PFT) activity can be detected in cytosolic extracts of insect (procyclic) form T. brucei. A PFT that transfers the farnesyl group from farnesyl pyrophosphate to a cysteine that is 4 residues upstream of the C terminus of the Ras GTP-binding protein RAS1-CVIM has now been purified 60,000-fold to near homogeneity from procyclic T. brucei. By screening a mixture of hexapeptides SSCALX (X is 20 different amino acids), it was found that SSCALM binds to T. brucei PFT with sub-micromolar affinity, and affinity chromatography using this peptide was a key step in the purification of this enzyme. On SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the enzyme migrates as a pair of bands with apparent molecular masses of 61 and 65 kDa, and thus its subunits are approximately 30% larger than those of the mammalian homolog. The 61-kDa band was identified as the putative beta-subunit by photoaffinity labeling with a 32P-labeled analog of farnesyl pyrophosphate. Mimetics of the C-terminal tetrapeptide of prenyl acceptors have been previously shown to inhibit mammalian PFT, and these compounds also inhibit T. brucei PFT with affinities in the nanomolar to micromolar range, although the structure-activity relationship is very different for parasite versus mammalian enzyme. Unlike mammalian cells, the growth of bloodstream T. brucei is completely inhibited by low micromolar concentrations of two of the PFT inhibitors, and these compounds also block protein farnesylation in cultured parasites. These compounds also potently block the growth of the intracellular (amastigote) form of T. cruzi grown in fibroblast host cells. The results suggest that protein farnesylation is a target for the development of anti-trypanosomatid chemotherapeutics.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

The effects of protein farnesyltransferase inhibitors on trypanosomatids: inhibition of protein farnesylation and cell growth.

Attachment of the prenyl groups farnesyl and geranylgeranyl to specific eukaryotic cell proteins by protein prenyltransferases is required for the functioning of a number of cellular processes including signal transduction. In this study it was found that previously reported inhibitors of mammalian protein farnesyltransferase (PFT) [those that mimic the substrate farnesyl pyrophosphate and those that mimic the protein acceptor of the farnesyl group (CaaX mimetic)] inhibit in vitro farnesylation catalyzed by partially purified Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) PFT. The most potent PFT inhibitors at concentrations of 3-10 microM inhibit the growth of insect (procyclic) and bloodstream forms of T. brucei. One of the PFT inhibitors was found to block the incorporation of radiolabeled mevalonic acid (the precursor of prenyl groups) into specific T. brucei proteins. This study also shows that protein prenylation occurs in the protozoan parasites Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and Leishmania mexicana (L. mexicana). The growth of T. cruzi intracellular form (amastigote) is also sensitive to PFT inhibitors, whereas the insect form (epimastigote) is considerably more resistant to inhibition of protein farnesylation. On the other hand, growth of 3T3 fibroblast cells (host cells for amastigote growth) was not affected by up to 100 microM PFT inhibitors. The growth of L. mexicana insect form (promastigote) is modestly inhibited by protein farnesyltransferase inhibitors. These results suggest the potential for the development of PFT inhibitors for treating trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗