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N C Khanna

Publications and source records attributed to N C Khanna.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Nascent transcript-binding protein of the pea chloroplast transcriptionally active chromosome.

This study describes the nascent RNA-binding protein of the pea chloroplast transcriptional complex. The protein has been identified by photoaffinity labelling of the transcriptionally active chromosome (TAC) which utilizes the endogenous plastid DNA as template. UV irradiation of lysed chloroplast or the isolated TAC under conditions optimized for transcription photocross-links nascent radiolabelled transcripts (up to 250 nucleotides in length) to a 48 kDa protein. The photoaffinity labelling of the transcript-binding protein is dependent on UV irradiation, is maximal after about 30 min of irradiation, and is completely dependent on transcriptional activity; no cross-linkage has been observed with pre-synthesized RNA. Cross-linkage is influenced by salts and inhibitors in accordance with their effects on transcription. The photoconjugate is composed of protein and RNA moieties, and can be hydrolysed by several proteases. However, the cross-linked transcript is protected from nucleases until the protein is removed. Manganese enhances photoaffinity labelling of the transcript-binding protein, and this is paralleled by an increase in total transcriptional activity of TAC. This protein was isolated by 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the sequence of 15 amino acid residues at the amino terminus was determined. The nascent transcript-binding protein appears to be involved in the transcription of all three classes of chloroplast genes. We also found a polypeptide of identical molecular weight to get cross-linked to nascent transcripts in chloroplasts isolated from other legumes such as Cicer arietenum, Vigna radiata and Phaseolus vulgaris, and monocots like Zea mays, Oryza sativa and Pennisetum americanum.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1992

Two distinct transcriptional activities of pea (Pisum sativum) chloroplasts share immunochemically related functional polypeptides.

An RNA polymerase activity has been purified from pea (Pisum sativum) chloroplast extracts with a distinct transcriptional specificity for a chloroplast messenger gene. This activity (ms-RNA pol) differs from the pea RNA polymerase preparation reported by Sun, Shapiro, Wu & Tewari [(1986) Plant Mol. Biol. 6, 429-439], which specifically transcribes only the rRNA gene (rb-RNA pol). The specificity of transcription has been assessed by the synthesis in vitro of discrete transcripts of predicted sizes using cloned promoter regions of the chloroplast psbA and 16 S rRNA genes. The ms-RNA pol preparation, with polypeptides ranging in apparent molecular mass from 22 to 180 kDa, correctly initiates transcription from recombinant plasmids containing the psbA promoter and does not support 16 S rRNA promoter-directed transcription. The two activities differ also in their response to Mn2+ ions. To investigate whether the two transcriptional activities share common functional polypeptides, monoclonal antibodies were developed against the rb-RNA pol preparation. Three clones were selected on the basis of their ability to inhibit transcription in vitro of the 16 S rRNA gene by rb-RNA pol. The antibodies from these clones independently recognized three polypeptides with molecular masses of 27, 90 and 95 kDa on immunoblots. Antibodies cross-reacting with the 90 kDa polypeptide completely eliminated the specific retardation of an end-labelled 16 S rRNA promoter fragment in a mobility-shift assay, whereas the antibodies against the 95 kDa polypeptide resulted in the formation of a ternary complex (enzyme-DNA-antibody). The antibodies cross-reacting with the 27 kDa polypeptide, however, did not alter the mobility of the retarded DNA-enzyme complex on the gel. These antibodies also inhibited transcription in vitro of the psbA gene by ms-RNA pol and recognized polypeptides of identical molecular masses in the ms-RNA pol. These results show that the three polypeptides are functional components of the chloroplast transcriptional complex and appear to be involved in the transcription of both rRNA and mRNA genes. Transcriptional specificity is probably conferred by ancillary transcription factor(s) which remain to be identified.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1992

Identification of the template binding polypeptide in the pea chloroplast transcriptional complex.

We have identified the template-binding polypeptide in the pea chloroplast transcriptional complex by photoaffinity labelling. This polypeptide has an apparent molecular weight of about 150 kDa and binds to both, chloroplast ribosomal (16S rRNA) and messenger (psbA) promoters. The 16S rRNA and psbA promoters were amplified from chloroplast DNA by the polymerase chain reaction and labelled with a photoactive analogue of TTP, 5-bromodeoxy UTP, as well as with alpha-32P-dCTP. Using the filter-binding assay, the conditions for binding of the RNA polymerase complex to chloroplast promoters were optimized. The polypeptide directly interacting with the template was photo-crosslinked to it and resolved by denaturing gel electrophoresis. The photoaffinity labelling of the 150 kDa polypeptide was dependent on photoactivation by UV irradiation, and the presence of chloroplast promoters. Competition experiments showed that the protein formed a strong interaction with the plastid promoters which could not be displaced by lambda-phage DNA or synthetic polynucleotides. The photo-crosslinked and nuclease-treated promoter-polypeptide complex was resistant to further digestion with DNase and RNase, but could be hydrolyzed by Proteinase K. Binding of the promoters by the 150 kDa polypeptide could not be surpressed by transcription inhibitors like rifampicin and alpha-amanitin. However, heparin (0.001%) inhibited the formation of the enzyme-promoter complex, and interfered with the photoaffinity labelling of the 150 kDa polypeptide. The extent of photoaffinity labelling of 150 kDa polypeptide exhibits some degree of correlation to total transcriptional activity under various salt concentrations. The results demonstrate that the 150 kDa polypeptide is a functional template binding polypeptide of the pea chloroplast transcription complex.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Photoaffinity labelling of the pea chloroplast transcriptional complex by nascent RNA in vitro.

We have used photoaffinity labelling to examine the chloroplast RNA polymerase components which come into contact with nascent transcripts during the in vitro transcription of plastid DNA. The transcripts were synthesized in the presence of a photoactive analogue (4-thio UTP) and alpha-32P-ATP, using enriched pea chloroplast RNA polymerase preparation and a recombinant plasmid containing the plastid 16S rRNA promoter. Brief irradiation of the transcriptional complex crosslinked the photoactive nascent RNA to proximal proteins. Labelling of the transcriptional complex was dependent on 4-thio UTP and template DNA. Two polypeptides of 51 and 54 kDa were consistently crosslinked to the nascent transcripts; about 60% of the total radioactivity of the crosslinked RNA was associated with these polypeptides. In some experiments, two additional polypeptides of 38 and 75 kDa were also found to be associated with about 13% and 17% of the total crosslinked RNA radioactivity, respectively. The UV-crosslinked transcriptional complexes were stable to either DNase or S1 nuclease hydrolysis but partially sensitive to RNase T1. Insensitivity of the complex to hydrolysis with RNase H suggested that the nascent transcripts were not crosslinked to the template. The complexes could also be hydrolysed by proteinase K and thermolysin. No crosslinkage was observed when labelled RNA molecules containing 4-thio UMP residues were added after synthesis to the polymerase preparation. This suggested that the method identified only those polypeptides which came into close contact with the transcript during its synthesis. Antibodies raised against the RNA-protein complex confirmed the presence of the polypeptides in the chloroplast RNA polymerase preparation on Western blots. Preincubation of these antibodies with the chloroplast RNA polymerase inhibited plastid DNA transcription. These data showed that the transcript-binding polypeptides were functional components of the chloroplast transcriptional complex.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1990

Purification and characterization of annexin proteins from bovine lung.

Calcium-dependent association with a detergent-extracted particulate fraction was used as the first step in the purification of a group of phospholipid binding proteins. Elution of the detergent-insoluble fraction with excess ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) resulted in the release of several soluble proteins, termed calcium-activated proteins or CAPs. In the present paper, we describe the simultaneous purification of these CAPs and characterize their interaction with phospholipid, actin, and calmodulin. Partial sequence analysis has identified the majority of the CAPs as members of the annexin family of calcium and phospholipid binding proteins. Two additional CAPs may be novel proteins, one of which appears to be an annexin protein. All CAPs demonstrated Ca2(+)-dependent binding to phosphatidylserine vesicles but did not bind to phosphatidylcholine vesicles. The majority of CAPs exhibited Ca2(+)-dependent binding to F-actin; however, only CAP-III affected the rate of conversion of G-actin to F-actin. The interaction of CAP-III and lipocortin-85 with F-actin resulted in a Ca2(+)-dependent increase in both light scattering and sedimentation of F-actin under comparatively low centrifugal force. In contrast, only lipocortin-85 caused the formation of F-actin bundles. Although all of the CAPs bound to a calmodulin affinity column in a Ca2(+)-dependent manner, attempts to demonstrate binding of CAPs to native calmodulin were unsuccessful. These studies therefore document the similar behavior of the CAPs toward phospholipid and calmodulin but clearly show that F-actin binding or bundling is not a general property of these proteins. The reported purification procedure should allow further comparative studies of these proteins.

Actins↗
PubMed1989

A trans-acting factor required for cAMP-induced gene expression in Dictyostelium is regulated developmentally and induced by cAMP.

We have identified a nuclear activity that binds specifically to a GT-rich sequence or G-box shown previously by use of deletion analysis to be required for cAMP and for developmentally induced expression of the prestalk gene pst-cathepsin (CP2). We show that the insertion of an oligonucleotide that contains the CP2 G-box restores regulated expression whereas the insertion of oligonucleotides that contain mutations in some of the G residues does not. Moreover, the mutant oligonucleotides do not compete for binding of the factor to the wild-type sequence. The activity of the G-box binding factor (GBF) is regulated developmentally with induction of activity occurring at the time of induction of pst-cathepsin expression. In a single-cell culture, GBF activity is inducible by cAMP, and its appearance is inhibited by cycloheximide, which suggests that the factor, or a protein component required for binding of the factor, is directly induced by cAMP and may be the rate-limiting factor required for cAMP induction of pst-cathepsin expression. Models for cAMP induction of prestalk genes are described.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Analysis of cis and trans elements involved in cAMP-inducible gene expression in Dictyostelium discoideum.

Expression of the Dictyostelium discoideum pst-cath (CP2) gene is transcriptionally regulated during multicellular development, and the gene is inducible in competent single cells following administration of exogenous cAMP. The 5' flanking region of pst-cath (CP2) that extends from -313 to the Cap site (+1) has previously been shown to contain sufficient cis-acting regulatory elements for proper developmental and cAMP-inducible expression of a foreign gene [Datta and Firtel, 1987, Mol Cell Biol 7:149-159]. The -283 to -201 region includes two exceptional "G-boxes" centered at -233 and -217 respectively, and this approximately 80 bp region is essential for basal as well as regulated expression of the pst-cath (CP2) gene. Here we summarize results obtained from a detailed analysis of a series of linker-scanner mutants and mutants that carry small internal deletions within the essential 80-bp region. Insertion of a synthetic oligonucleotide that includes the downstream G-box is demonstrated to rescue a low level of cAMP-inducible expression following insertion into cassette mutants. The effect of introducing a change in the relative spacing between regulatory elements has also been investigated. We have analyzed nuclear extracts for the presence of DNA-binding proteins that interact specifically with the pst-cath (CP2) regulatory region and identified two such putative trans-acting factors: 1) the AT-factor that is observed within a few hours following the onset of starvation and that binds tightly to stretches of alternating adenine-thymine residues (poly(dA-dT]; and 2) the AG-factor that is present in nuclear extracts of aggregated cells. Competition studies have demonstrated significant differences in the affinity that characterizes the binding of the two factors to G-box-containing sequences. The binding specificities of these DNA-binding proteins have been analyzed using gel mobility-shift and DNaseI footprinting assays.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Identification of a new in vitro substrate of tyrosine protein kinase.

Recent studies in our laboratory [Tokuda, M., Khanna, N.C., Aurora, A., & Waisman, D. M. (1986) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 139, 910-917] have identified in membranes of rat spleen two tyrosine protein kinases named TPK-I and TPK-II. In this paper the identification of the Ca2+ binding protein CAB-48 as a major in vitro substrate of TPK-II is reported. TPK-II catalyzed the incorporation of 0.73 mol of phosphate/mol of CAB-48. Phosphoamino acid analysis revealed that phosphorylation of CAB-48 was specific for tyrosine residues. Phosphorylation of CAB-48 by TPK-I (rat spleen), protein kinase C, casein kinase I, casein kinase II, cAMP-dependent protein kinase, or calcium calmodulin dependent protein kinase was not observed.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1987

The 48 kDa Ca2+-binding protein of bovine brain.

A Ca2+-binding protein of molecular mass 48 kDa and named 'CAB-48' has been purified from bovine brain 100,000 g supernatant. About 30 mg of CAB-48 was purified from 1 kg of bovine brain. The protein has been characterized with respect to its physical, chemical and Ca2+-binding properties. It has an apparent molecular mass of 48 kDa by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel-electrophoresis and 75.2 kDa from sedimentation-velocity and Stokes-radius data. The acidic nature of the molecule is suggested by its pI of 4.7. In the presence of 3.0 mM-MgCl2 and 150 mM-KCl, CAB-48 binds 1.0 mol of Ca2+/mol of protein with an apparent Kd of 15 microM. A tyrosine protein kinase partially purified from rat spleen catalysed the incorporation of 0.73 mol of phosphate/mol of CAB-48, and phosphoamino acid analysis revealed that phosphorylation of CAB-48 was specific for tyrosine residues.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1987

Purification and characterization of the 27,000 Da calcium-binding protein of bovine brain.

A Ca2+-binding protein named CAB-27 was purified from bovine brain 100,000 g supernatant. The protein has a molecular mass of 27,000 Da as determined by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and 35,500 Da by sedimentation-coefficient and Stokes-radius analysis. The protein contains about 26% Glx and Asx and 13% basic residues. The acidic nature of the molecule is confirmed by its pI of 4.80. In the presence of 3 mM-MgCl2 and 150 mM-KCl, CAB-27 binds 2.0 mol of Ca2+/mol of protein, with an apparent Kd of 0.2 microM. Ca2+-binding is unaffected by prior incubation of the protein at 80 degrees C for 2 min. Brain contains about 130 mg of CAB-27/kg. Immunoblotting identified CAB-27 in several bovine tissues; it appears to be particularly rich in brain and kidney. In addition, CAB-27 is identified as an inhibitor of bovine pancreas phospholipase A2 in vitro. The inhibitory activity of CAB-27 was 20-fold less potent than lipocortin. On the basis of the Ca2+-binding properties, intracellular concentration and tissue distribution of this protein, we suggest that CAB-27 may be an important intracellular Ca2+ receptor.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1987

Comparison of calregulins from vertebrate livers.

Calregulins were purified from bovine, rabbit and chicken liver, and their structural properties were compared. Significant differences between the three calregulins include a lower Mr for chicken calregulin (57,000) than for rabbit and bovine calregulin (63,000), and the glycosylation of only bovine calregulin. Amino acid composition and peptide maps of the three calregulins were very similar. No major differences were detected in the Ca2+-binding properties of the three proteins. Zn2+-induced changes in calregulin conformation and hydrophobicity monitored by intrinsic protein fluorescence and the hydrophobic fluorescent probe 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulphonate were very similar, suggesting that the Zn2+-dependent increase in the hydrophobicity of bovine, rabbit and chicken calregulin was conserved. These studies more fully define what is a calregulin, demonstrate that calregulin is a relatively invariant constituent of vertebrate liver, and indicate that calregulin structure has been highly conserved in bovine, chicken and rabbit liver.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Purification of three forms of lipocortin from bovine lung.

Experimental conditions are described for simultaneous purification of three forms of lipocortin (lipocortin I, lipocortin II and lipocortin-85) from bovine lung. The procedure yields milligram quantities of all three lipocortins. Using antisera against lipocortin I and lipocortin II, purified proteins show no cross contaminations. All forms of lipocortin exhibit equal potency as in vitro bovine pancreatic phospholipase A2 inhibitors. Protein kinase C catalyzes the in vivo incorporation of about 1.0, 0.7 and 0.4 mole of phosphate per mole of lipocortin I (p35), lipocortin II (p36) and lipocortin-85 (p36 oligomer) respectively. The phosphorylation is specific for protein kinase C and is dependent on the presence of both calcium and phospholipids. While lipocortin I is phosphorylated on threonine residues, lipocortin II and lipocortin-85 are phosphorylated on serine residues.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Identification of bovine brain calcium binding proteins.

Three peaks of calcium binding activity have been identified by the Chelex-100 calcium binding assay of the fractions from DEAE cellulose chromatography of 100,000 X g supernatant of bovine brain. These calcium binding activity peaks have been subjected to extensive purification and three novel calcium binding proteins (Mr 27,000, Mr 48,000 and Mr 63,000) and two previously characterized proteins (calcineurin and calmodulin) have been identified as components of calcium binding activity peaks. Analysis of the calcium binding properties of the novel proteins by equilibrium dialysis suggests these proteins may be intracellular calcium receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Phosphorylation of lipocortins in vitro by protein kinase C.

Protein kinase C catalyzes the incorporation of about 1.1, 0.7 and 0.4 mole of phosphate per mole of Lipocortin-I (P35), Lipocortin-II (P36) and Lipocortin-85 (P36 oligomer) respectively. The phosphorylation is specific for protein kinase C and is dependent on the presence of both calcium and phospholipids. While Lipocortin-I is phosphorylated on threonine residues, Lipocortin-II and Lipocortin-85 are phosphorylated on serine residues. The substoichiometric phosphorylation of Lipocortin-85 appears to preclude the potential regulation of this protein by protein kinase C. The phosphorylation of Lipocortin-I on threonine residues and Lipocortin-II on serine residues suggests these proteins may be regulated by distinct phosphorylation-dephosphorylation reactions.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Identification and characterization of the tyrosine protein kinases of rat spleen.

High levels of tyrosine protein kinase have been recently detected in the membranes of rat spleen. In the present report the tyrosine protein kinase activity of the 30,000 x g pellet of rat spleen has been solubilized and partially purified by ion exchange and gel permeation chromatography. Two peaks of tyrosine protein kinase of Mr 35,000 (TPK-I) and Mr 40,000 (TPK-II) have been resolved. These kinases were free of the EGF receptor and insulin receptor tyrosine protein kinases. Although TPK-I and TPK-II phosphorylated angiotensin II, casein, histone, tubulin, phosphorylase b, and p36 they differed from each other in preference for the substrates. Both tyrosine protein kinases did not phosphorylate anti-pp60v-src IgG.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1986

Inhibition of phospholipase A2 by protein I.

The 36 kDa substrate of several tyrosine protein kinases has been shown to exist in monomeric and oligomeric (362102) forms. Partial sequence data has suggested that the oligomer, referred to as protein I, is homologous to a group of phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins, collectively called lipocortins. In the present communication we demonstrate that protein I inhibits bovine pancreas phospholipase A2 with similar potency to that of lipocortin. Approximately 44 pmol protein I was required to produce 50% inhibition of 7.2 pmol of phospholipase A2. Inhibition of phospholipase A2 activity by calmodulin, S-100, calregulin, parvalbumin, troponin-C, or CAB-48 was not observed. These results indicate that protein I is a potent and specific inhibitor of phospholipase A2 activity, and thus shares functional homology with the lipocortin proteins. We therefore propose that this protein be named lipocortin-85.

Amino Acid Sequence↗