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M L Vallano

Publications and source records attributed to M L Vallano.

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Developmental regulation of type II calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase isoforms in rat cerebellum.

Two distinct isoforms of a Type II calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase were separated from high-speed supernates (cytosol) of rat neonatal [postnatal day 10 (P10)] and adult [postnatal day 40 (P40)] cerebellum using cation-exchange chromatography. The isoenzymes contained variable amounts of three subunits of apparent Mr's of 50 kDa (alpha), 58 kDa (beta'), and 60 kDa (beta). The specific activity of calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaM kinase II) in crude homogenates increased sixfold between P10 and P40 using exogenous MAP 2 as substrate. Cytosol from cerebellum at P40 contained a predominant isoform (approximately 40% of total cytosolic activity) with a 1:5 molar ratio of alpha:beta',beta subunits that eluted with 150 mM NaCl (designated 150) and a less abundant isoform (approximately 20% of total cytosolic activity) containing a 1:8 molar ratio of alpha:beta',beta subunits that eluted with 350 mM NaCl (designated 350). In neonatal cerebellum at P10, the relative abundance of the two isoforms was reversed such that approximately 50% of the cytosolic calmodulin-dependent kinase activity was recovered in the 350 isoform, whereas only 20% of the total cytosolic kinase activity was recovered in the 150 isoform. Previous studies indicate that cerebellar granule cells may contain an all beta',beta isoform of CaM kinase II that lacks alpha subunit. Thus, to assess the cell-specific localization of kinase isoforms within cerebellum, cytosol prepared from primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule cells was applied to cation-exchange chromatography and analyzed for calmodulin-dependent kinase activity. The cells contained both isoforms of the kinase that were present in fresh tissue suggesting that granule cell-enriched cultures express all three kinase subunits. The data demonstrate that rat cerebellum contains unique mixtures of CaM kinase II isoenzymes and that their expression is developmentally regulated.

Animals↗

Separation of isozymic forms of type II calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase using cation-exchange chromatography.

Three distinct isozymes of a type II calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase II) from rat forebrain cytosol were separated using S-Sepharose cation-exchange resin. About 90% of the applied kinase activity was recovered in three protein peaks. Each isozymic form of the kinase was purified 200-300 fold by chromatography on S-Sepharose, calmodulin-affinity and gel filtration resins. All 3 forms of CaM kinase II had apparent molecular masses of 650-700 kDa, but contained variable proportions of 50 kDa and 58-60 kDa subunits. The molar ratios of the 50 kDa/58-60 kDa kinase subunits in each holoenzyme were determined by protein staining and [125I]calmodulin-binding studies and were approximately: 6/1, 3/1 and 1/1. The isozyme containing a 3/1 ratio of subunits corresponds to the predominant form of CaM kinase II in forebrain representing 70-80% of the total activity in cytosol, whereas the other forms each represent 5-10% of the total cytosolic activity. The substrate specificities and time courses of substrate phosphorylation for the isozymes were comparable. These studies provide a basis to examine regional, subcellular, and developmental differences in the isozymic forms of CaM kinase II which may subserve different neuronal functions.

Animals↗

Differentiation increases type II calmodulin-dependent protein kinase in the neuroblastoma/glioma cell line 108CC15 (NG108-15).

A type II calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase II) was purified approximately 300-fold from cultured neuroblastoma/glioma (NG108) cell homogenate. The purification of the kinase, which used a combination of differential centrifugation and chromatography on cation-exchange, calmodulin-affinity, and gel-filtration resins, was monitored by the ability of the kinase to phosphorylate the high-molecular-weight microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2). The kinase was compared with authentic CaM kinase II purified from rat brain cytosol. Based upon holoenzyme molecular weight, subunit composition and molecular weight, calcium-dependent calmodulin-binding to subunits, calcium/calmodulin-dependent autophosphorylation of subunits, substrate specificity, apparent km's for ATP and calmodulin, phosphopeptide maps of subunits, time course, and heat lability, the kinase was identified as a type II calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. When cellular differentiation was induced under specific conditions of cell culture, a significant increase in the apparent activity and amount of the kinase per mg protein was observed relative to control cells. These studies suggest that there is an increase in CaM kinase II expression during cellular differentiation, which may relate to the concurrent development of electrical excitability, synaptogenesis, and elaboration of cytoskeletal elements. Thus, the NG108 cell should provide a useful model to study the physiological functions of CaM kinase II.

Animals↗

Identification and regional distribution of a type II calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase in mouse brain.

A calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase was partially purified from mouse brain cytosol and compared to a type II calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase II) previously purified from rat brain. The purification (approximately 200-fold) was followed by the ability of the kinase to phosphorylate the high molecular weight microtubule-associated protein, MAP-2. Approximately 40% of the mouse brain kinase was soluble, and it contained two subunits of 50 kD and 58-60 kD. Both subunits bound [125I]calmodulin in a calcium-dependent manner and demonstrated calmodulin-dependent autophosphorylation. The subunits from whole brain were present in a molar ratio of 3/1. The apparent Km values of the kinase for ATP and calmodulin were 17 microM and 55 nM respectively. The time course, substrate specificity, and subunit phosphopeptide maps were comparable to CaM kinase II from rat brain. Regional distribution studies indicate that the enzyme activity was enriched in hippocampus, cerebral cortex and corpus striatum, whereas activity in cerebellum and pons/medulla was approximately 10-fold lower. All of these characteristics were shared with the rat brain enzyme, indicating that the kinase in mouse brain was a type II calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase. The mouse may be useful for examining the neuronal localization of CaM kinase II in different brain regions, since this model offers a variety of genetic mutants with well-defined lesions in specific neuronal populations.

Animals↗

Association of synapsin I with neuronal cytoskeleton. Identification in cytoskeletal preparations in vitro and immunocytochemical localization in brain of synapsin I.

Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) is associated with microtubule preparations and phosphorylates several endogenous proteins including microtubule-associated protein 2, tubulin, and an 80,000-dalton protein doublet (pp80). We now report that pp80 is identical to synapsin I by all criteria studied including molecular weight, isoelectric point, phosphopeptide mapping of cAMP- and calmodulin-dependent phosphorylated protein, comigration with authentic synapsin I, and sensitivity to digestion with collagenase. Synapsin I and CaM kinase II were found in association with both microtubule preparations and preparations enriched in neurofilaments. Antibodies to synapsin I specifically labeled neurofilaments prepared in vitro. Immunocytochemical studies on rat brain tissue demonstrated synapsin I immunoreactivity specifically associated with the neuronal cytoskeleton as well as synaptic vesicles. The observed synapsin I staining on cytoskeletal elements was considerably diminished or abolished by the inclusion of Triton X-100 in the staining solutions. These results indicate that synapsin I is associated with the cytoskeleton and may be an important link between cytoskeletal elements as well as between the cytoskeleton and membrane.

Antibodies↗

Association of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase with cytoskeletal preparations: phosphorylation of tubulin, neurofilament, and microtubule-associated proteins.

Calcium and calmodulin have been implicated in the regulation of cytoskeletal function. In this report, we demonstrate that microtubule preparations from rat brain contain a calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase that phosphorylates endogenous MAP-2, tubulin, synapsin I, and neurofilament proteins. This cytoskeletal-associated kinase has been biochemically characterized and shown to be identical to Type II calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase II). The subunits of CaM kinase II represented major calmodulin-binding proteins in cytoskeletal preparations. A monoclonal antibody against the 52000 Da subunit of CaM kinase II specifically labeled cytoskeletal elements in cortical neurons. These results indicate that CaM kinase II is associated with the neuronal cytoskeleton and may play a role in mediating some of the effects of calcium on cytoskeletal function.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Phosphorylation of neurofilament proteins by endogenous calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase.

A protein fraction containing neurofilaments was prepared from rat brain cytosol by differential centrifugation and gel filtration chromatography. These preparations were enriched for a calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase activity that phosphorylated endogenous neurofilament proteins. The enzyme incorporated approximately 1 mol PO4/mol of each neurofilament triplet polypeptide. These data suggest that a calmodulin-dependent kinase may mediate some of the effects of calcium on cytoskeletal function by phosphorylation of neurofilament proteins.

Animals↗

Separation of endogenous calmodulin- and cAMP-dependent kinases from microtubule preparations.

Both cAMP- and calmodulin-dependent kinases are proposed regulators of microtubule function by means of their ability to phosphorylate microtubule-associated protein 2(MAP 2). A cAMP-dependent kinase/MAP 2 complex is endogenous to microtubules. In this report, we demonstrate that an endogenous calmodulin-dependent kinase that phosphorylates MAP 2 as a major substrate is also present in microtubules prepared under conditions that preserve kinase activity. This enzyme is identical to a calmodulin-dependent kinase purified previously from rat brain cytosol. A fraction containing calmodulin-dependent kinase and MAP 2 was separated from the cAMP-dependent kinase/MAP 2 complex by gel filtration chromatography of microtubule protein in high ionic strength buffer. All of the recovered calmodulin-dependent kinase activity in microtubules eluted in a single protein peak. The specific activity of the enzyme for MAP 2 was enriched 31-fold in this fraction compared to cytosol. Two-dimensional tryptic phosphopeptide mapping revealed that the endogenous cAMP- and calmodulin-dependent kinases phosphorylated distinct sites on MAP 2. These data demonstrate that both kinases are present in microtubule preparations and that they may differentially regulate MAP 2 function by phosphorylating separate sites on MAP 2.

Animals↗

Phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein 2 at distinct sites by calmodulin-dependent and cyclic-AMP-dependent kinases.

Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) is an excellent substrate for both cyclic-AMP (cAMP)-dependent and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinases. A recently purified cytosolic Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase (now designated CaM kinase II) phosphorylates MAP2 as a major substrate. We now report that microtubule-associated cAMP-dependent and calmodulin-dependent protein kinases phosphorylate MAP2 on separate sites. Tryptic phosphopeptide digestion and two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping revealed 11 major peptides phosphorylated by microtubule-associated cAMP-dependent kinase and five major peptide species phosphorylated by calmodulin-dependent kinase. All 11 of the cAMP-dependently phosphorylated peptides were phosphorylated on serine residues, whereas four of five major peptides phosphorylated by the calmodulin-dependent kinase were phosphorylated on threonine. Only one peptide spot phosphorylated by both kinases was indistinguishable by both migration and phosphoamino acid site. The results indicate that cAMP-dependent and calmodulin-dependent kinases may regulate microtubule and cytoskeletal dynamics by phosphorylation of MAP2 at distinct sites.

Animals↗

Identification of endogenous calmodulin-dependent kinase and calmodulin-binding proteins in cold-stable microtubule preparations from rat brain.

Calmodulin-dependent kinase activity was investigated in cold-stable microtubule fractions. Calmodulin-dependent kinase activity was enriched approximately 20-fold over cytosol in cold-stable microtubule preparations. Calmodulin-dependent kinase activity in cold-stable microtubule preparations phosphorylated microtubule-associated protein-2, alpha- and beta-tubulin, an 80,000-dalton doublet, and several minor phosphoproteins. The endogenous calmodulin-dependent kinase in cold-stable microtubule fractions was identical to a previously purified calmodulin-dependent kinase from rat brain by several criteria including (1) subunit molecular weights, (2) subunit isoelectric points, (3) calmodulin-binding properties, (4) subunit autophosphorylation, (5) calmodulin-binding subunit composition on high-resolution sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, (6) isolation of kinase on calmodulin affinity resin, (7) kinetic parameters, (8) phosphoamino acid phosphorylation sites on beta-tubulin, and (9) phosphopeptide mapping. Endogenous cold-stable calmodulin-dependent kinase activity was isolated from the microtubule fraction by calmodulin affinity resin column chromatography and specifically eluted with EGTA. This kinase fraction contained the calmodulin-binding, autophosphorylating rho and sigma subunits of the previously purified kinase. The rho and sigma subunits of this kinase represented the major calmodulin-binding proteins in the cold-stable microtubule fractions as assessed by denaturing and non-denaturing procedures. These results indicate that calmodulin-dependent kinase is a major calmodulin-binding enzyme system in cold-stable microtubule fractions and may play an important role in mediating some of the effects of calcium on microtubule and cytoskeletal dynamics.

Animals↗

Hormones modulate adipocyte membrane potential ATP and lipolysis via free fatty acids.

The hypothesis that lipolytic hormones reduce the mitochondrial electrical potential in rat white adipocytes via free fatty acids (FFA) was examined. Hormonal effects on plasma and mitochondrial membrane potentials were evaluated with [3H]triphenylmethylphosphonium (TPMP+) and 86Rb+. FFA generation was controlled by varying medium albumin concentrations. In 4.0% albumin buffer, adrenocorticotropin or l-epinephrine increased intracellular FFAs, produced cellular TPMP+ efflux, ATP depletion, release of FFAs and glycerol, and no change in 86Rb+ distribution. In 0.5% albumin buffer, greater intracellular FFA accumulation accompanied greater TPMP+ and ATP depletion, significant loss of cell-associated 86Rb+, and a concomitant inhibition of FFA and glycerol release. Exogenous addition of FFAs mimicked the effect of hormones on adipocyte TPMP+ distribution. TPMP+ and 86Rb+ uptake into adipocyte "ghosts" were unaffected by hormones. We suggest that mitochondrial membrane depolarization is a metabolic response to hormones via FFA accumulation by white adipocytes. The additional hormonal effects that were observed in 0.5% albumin buffer may be related to inhibition of lipolysis secondary to intracellular ATP depletion.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Triphenylmethylphosphonium cation distribution as a measure of hormone-induced alterations in white adipocyte membrane potential.

Triphenylmethylphosphonium (TPMP+) partitions into the mitochondrial and cytosolic compartments in the rat white adipocyte in a potential-dependent fashion. The relationship between [3H]TPMP+ distribution, intracellular cAMP generation and lipolysis in response to hormones and cAMP-mimetic compounds was examined. Half-maximal [3H]TPMP+ efflux and glycerol release were produced by 15 and 9 nM adrenocorticotropin, 170 and 110 nM 1-epinephrine, 70 and 27 microM isobutylmethylxanthine and 800 and 750 microM dibutyryl cAMP, respectively. Hormone-stimulated cAMP generation was also correlated with [3H]TPMP+ efflux and lipolysis in terms of concentration dependency. In kinetic experiments, glycerol release and [3H]TPMP+ efflux in response to adrenocorticotropin or cholera toxin proceeded over a similar time course, whereas an earlier rise in cAMP generation was detected. The depolarizing effect of lipolytic compounds was localized to the mitochondrial compartment. When cells were incubated in elevated-[K+]0 buffer, the stimulatory effect of dibutyryl cAMP on [3H]TPMP+ efflux and lipolysis persisted, suggesting that maintenance of the plasma membrane potential is not critical for demonstration of these responses. When the extracellular concentration of serum albumin, which provides binding sites for free fatty acids, was increased from 1 to 3%, an increase in glycerol release and a decrease in [3H]TPMP+ efflux was observed. We suggest that intracellular free fatty acid accumulation in response to lipolytic agents causes dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential and efflux of [3H]TPMP+ from the organelle and cell.

Adipose Tissue↗

Morphine enhances high-affinity choline uptake in mouse striatum.

The effects of morphine (2 mg/kg-60 mg/kg) on cholinergic neuronal activity were examined by the method of high-affinity, Na+-dependent [3H]choline uptake into synaptosomes isolated from mouse corpus striatum. Acute administration of analgesic doses of morphine (10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg) significantly stimulated choline uptake into synaptosomes in a naloxone-reversible manner. When synaptosomes were directly exposed to pharmacologically effective concentrations of morphine (0.1 microM-10.0 microM) in vitro however, choline transport was not significantly different from control transport, suggesting that morphine (10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg) does not stimulate choline uptake by a direct effect on the cholinergic nerve terminal. The possibility that acute morphine administration indirectly enhances striatal cholinergic neuronal activity by inhibiting dopaminergic function was supported pharmacologically since the dopaminergic agonists, apomorphine (10 mg/kg) or amantadine (50 mg/kg), reversed the stimulatory effect of morphine on choline uptake. High-affinity choline transport into synaptosomes was not significantly different from control uptake in response to a sub-analgesic dose of morphine (2 mg/kg) or in response to 60 mg/kg, a dose that elicited hypermotility. These data suggest that analgesic doses of morphine may indirectly enhance cholinergic neuronal activity in the mouse corpus striatum.

Amantadine↗

Measurement of membrane potentials (psi) of erythrocytes and white adipocytes by the accumulation of triphenylmethylphosphonium cation.

The accumulation of the lipophilic cation, triphenylmethylphosphonium, has been employed to determine the resting membrane potential in human erythrocytes, turkey erythrocytes, and rat white adipocytes. The triphenylmethylphosphonium cation equilibrates rapidly in human erythrocytes in the presence of low concentrations of the hydrophobic anion, tetraphenylborate. Tetraphenylborate does not accelerate the uptake of triphenylmethylphosphonium ion by adipocytes. The cell associated vs. extracellular distribution of the triphenylmethylphosphonium ion is proportional to changes in membrane potential. The distribution of this ion reflects the membrane potential determining concentration of the ion with dominant permeability in a "Nernst" fashion. The resting membrane potentials for the human erythrocyte, turkey erythrocyte, and rat white adipocyte were found to be -8.4 +/- 1.3, -16.8 +/- 1.1, and -58.3 +/- 5.0 mV, respectively, values which compare favorably with values obtained by other methods. In addition, changes in membrane potential can be assessed by following triphenylmethylphosphonium uptake without determining the intracellular water space. The method has been successfully applied to a study of hormonally induced changes in membrane potential of rat white adipocytes.

Adipose Tissue↗

Effects of morphine, beta-endorphin and naloxone on catecholamine levels and sexual behavior in the male rat.

Intraperitoneal administration of the opiate antagonist naloxone hydrochloride (30 mg/kg) to sexually experienced male rats caused a significant reduction in mount and intromission latencies, number of mounts preceding ejaculation and ejaculation latencies. Intraperitoneal adminstration of naloxone (30 mg/kg) also stimulated persistant non-copulators to begin mating and to ejaculate within a twenty minute test period. Conversely, intraperitoneal administration of morphine sulphate (6 mg/kg) as well as intraventricular injection of the endogenous opiate beta-endorphin (6 micrograms) produced a complete loss of copulatory behavior in male rats. The deficit in sexual behavior induced by beta-endorphin was correlated with a significant increase in hypothalamic norepinephrine levels. It is suggested that the endogenous opiates may be involved in the mediation of sexual behavior via an interaction with central catecholaminergic systems.

Animals↗