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R F Troxler

Publications and source records attributed to R F Troxler.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Primary structure and anticandidal activity of the major histatin from parotid secretion of the subhuman primate, Macaca fascicularis.

A major macaque histatin (M-histatin 1) from the parotid secretion of the subhuman primate, Macaca fascicularis, was isolated by gel filtration on Bio-Gel P-2 and purified to homogeneity by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on a TSK-ODS C18 column. The complete amino acid sequence of M-histatin 1, determined by automated Edman degradation, is: (formula; see text) M-histatin 1 contains 38 amino acid residues, a phosphoserine at residue 2, has a molecular weight of 4881.8, a calculated pI of 8.5, and histidine forms 26.3% of the mass. The hydropathicity plot of M-histatin 1 predicts that the molecule is entirely hydrophilic, and Chou-Fasman secondary prediction indicates that the polypeptide is devoid of alpha-helix and beta-sheet conformation in aqueous solutions but contains a series of beta turns. M-histatin 1 includes a six-amino-acid insert (residue 10-15) not present in human histatins and, with the introduction of gaps to maximize homology, it displays 89% and 91% sequence similarity with human histatins 1 and 3, respectively. M-histatin 1 exhibited fungicidal and fungistatic effects against the dimorphic pathogen, Candida albicans, in three separate bioassays. Its anticandidal effects were comparable with or greater than those of human histatins 1, 3, and 5. M-histatins 2, 3, and 4 were not sequenced directly because insufficient materials were available, but the amino acid composition of M-histatin 3 was nearly identical to that of the N-terminal 20 amino acid residues of M-histatin 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Heme regulates expression of phycobiliprotein photogenes in the unicellular rhodophyte, Cyanidium caldarium.

Allophycocyanin and phycocyanin in the red alga (Cyanidium caldarium) are chloroplast-encoded, light-harvesting accessory pigments composed of alpha and beta subunit polypeptides (17-19 kDa) to which 1 or more residues of the heme-derived bile pigment chromophore phycocyanobilin are attached by cysteinyl thioether linkages (Offner, G.D., and Troxler, R.F. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 9931-9940). Western blot experiments utilizing phycobiliprotein antisera revealed that immunoreactive allophycocyanin and phycocyanin apoproteins were absent in cells grown in the dark and present in cells exposed to light. Northern blot experiments using genomic DNA hybridization probes indicated that phycobiliprotein mRNAs were absent in the dark, whereas cells exposed to light contained two allophycocyanin mRNA transcripts, 1.4 and 1.6 kilobases in length, and one phycocyanin mRNA transcript, 3.0 kilobases in length, providing evidence that phycobiliproteins are encoded in photogenes which are only transcriptionally active in the light. Northern and Western analyses demonstrated that cells incubated in the dark with the heme precursor delta-aminolevulinate contained allophycocyanin and phycocyanin mRNAs and apoproteins, indistinguishable in size, number, and quantity from those made in the light. Cells incubated in the dark with delta-aminolevulinate, protoporphyrin IX, or heme, but not biliverdin or phycocyanobilin, synthesized allophycocyanin and phycocyanin alpha and beta apoproteins, suggesting a role for heme in the control phycobiliprotein gene expression. Cells incubated with heme in the dark produced allophycocyanin and phycocyanin mRNA transcripts, but did not produce mRNAs for four other photogenes coding for a P-700 reaction center protein, a 32-kDa herbicide-binding protein, and the large and small subunits of ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase. These results show, for the first time, that heme is a regulatory factor specifically involved in transcriptional regulation of chloroplast genes for phycobiliproteins.

DNA Probes↗

Role of tropoelastin fragmentation in elastogenesis in rat smooth muscle cells.

Neonatal rat aortic smooth muscle cell cultures produce two major soluble elastin molecules termed protropoelastin (77 kDa) and tropoelastin (71 kDa). Cell layer extracts are protroproelastin-enriched, while protropoelastin, tropoelastin, and significant amounts of discrete elastin fragments (Mr of 66,000, 61,000, 56,000, and 45,000) are present in preparations from the medium of these cultures. To determine the role of the various elastin molecules in the metabolism of elastin in neonatal rat aortic smooth muscle cell cultures, the amino termini of these proteins were sequenced. All soluble elastin components present in the medium were purified as a single peak by high performance liquid chromatography; further separation of the components was achieved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electroblotting. The bands were excised and sequenced. The amino-terminal sequences of protropoelastin, tropoelastin, and the 66-kDa, 61-kDa, and 56-kDa fragments were identical: Gly-Gly-Val-Pro-Gly-Ala-Val-Pro-Gly-Gly. This sequence is identical with published amino-terminal sequences of tropoelastins from several other species. As expected, when the cell cultures were pulsed with [3H]valine, all the soluble elastin molecules were radioactive, while only protropoelastin appeared radioactive after [35S] cysteine pulsing. Since cysteine is present only in the carboxyl-terminal end of the molecule, all the data indicate that the cleavage of the elastin fragments identified in the culture are occurring at the carboxyl end of protropoelastin. These results are consistent with the original hypothesis that a precursor-product relationship exists between the 77-kDa and 71-kDa soluble elastin molecules. Based on known tropoelastin sequences and the molecular weights of the discrete fragments, additional fragmentation of protropoelastin and/or tropoelastin most likely occurs at the lysine/alanine-enriched domains presumably involved in cross-link formation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Localization of the genes for histatins to human chromosome 4q13 and tissue distribution of the mRNAs.

A cDNA coding for histatin 1 was isolated from a human submandibular-gland library and sequenced. This cDNA was used to probe RNAs isolated from a variety of tissues to investigate tissue-specific regulation and to determine whether histatins might play a role other than in the oral cavity. The same probe was also used for Southern blot analysis of human genomic DNA restricted with various enzymes, and it showed that the genes coding for histatins are on the same chromosome. In situ hybridization of the cDNA probe to metaphase chromosome spreads was performed to determine chromosomal location of the genes for histatins. A genomic fragment isolated using the cDNA probe was also hybridized to chromosome spreads, and the same chromosome was identified. The genes for histatins are located on chromosome 4, band q13. We have shown that three histatin mRNAs are expressed in human parotid and submandibular glands but in none of the other tissues studied. These results suggest that histatins are specific to salivary secretions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Histatins, a novel family of histidine-rich proteins in human parotid secretion. Isolation, characterization, primary structure, and fungistatic effects on Candida albicans.

Histatins 1, 3, and 5 from human parotid secretion were isolated by gel filtration on Bio-Gel P-2 and reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. The complete amino acid sequences of histatins determined by automated Edman degradation of the proteins, Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, and tryptic peptides, are as follows: (Sequence: see text). Histatins 1, 3, and 5 contain 38, 32, and 24 amino acid residues, have molecular weights of 4929, 4063, and 3037, respectively, and contain 7 residues of histidine. Histatin 1 contains 1 mol of phosphate/mol of protein; histatins 3 and 5 lack phosphate. With the exception of Glu (residue 4) and Arg (residue 11) in histatin 1, the first 22 amino acid residues of all three histatins are identical, and the carboxyl-terminal 7 residues of histatins 1 and 3 are also identical. The sequence, -Glu-Phe-Pro-Phe-Tyr-Gly-Asp-Tyr-Gly- (residues 23-29), in histatin 1 is absent in histatin 3; and the sequence, -Gly-Tyr-Arg- (residues 23-25), in histatin 3 is absent in histatin 1. The complete sequence of histatin 5 is contained within the amino terminal 24 residues of histatin 3. The structural data suggest that histatins 1 and 3 are derived from different structural genes, whereas histatin 5 is a proteolytic product of histatin 3. All three histatins exhibit the ability to kill the pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization and amino acid sequence of a fatty acid-binding protein from human heart.

The complete amino acid sequence of a fatty acid-binding protein from human heart was determined by automated Edman degradation of CNBr, BNPS-skatole [3'-bromo-3-methyl-2-(2-nitrobenzenesulphenyl)indolenine], hydroxylamine, Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase, tryptic and chymotryptic peptides, and by digestion of the protein with carboxypeptidase A. The sequence of the blocked N-terminal tryptic peptide from citraconylated protein was determined by collisionally induced decomposition mass spectrometry. The protein contains 132 amino acid residues, is enriched with respect to threonine and lysine, lacks cysteine, has an acetylated valine residue at the N-terminus, and has an Mr of 14768 and an isoelectric point of 5.25. This protein contains two short internal repeated sequences from residues 48-54 and from residues 114-119 located within regions of predicted beta-structure and decreasing hydrophobicity. These short repeats are contained within two longer repeated regions from residues 48-60 and residues 114-125, which display 62% sequence similarity. These regions could accommodate the charged and uncharged moieties of long-chain fatty acids and may represent fatty acid-binding domains consistent with the finding that human heart fatty acid-binding protein binds 2 mol of oleate or palmitate/mol of protein. Detailed evidence for the amino acid sequences of the peptides has been deposited as Supplementary Publication SUP 50143 (23 pages) at the British Library Lending Division, Boston Spa, Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies may be obtained as indicated in Biochem. J. (1988) 249, 5.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Human serum alpha 2HS-glycoprotein modulates in vitro bone resorption.

We previously isolated a family of bone-resorbing proteins from human cancer ascites fluid and established that the three purified bone-resorbing proteins were chemically and immunochemically related to each other and to alpha-2HS glycoprotein (alpha 2HS). After this finding we purified the normal human serum counterpart of these ascites proteins and studied its effects on bone resorption. The bone-resorbing properties of normal human serum alpha 2HS were examined in vitro over a wide dose range. This normal human serum glycoprotein had a biphasic effect on 45Ca2+ release from bone. More specifically, this protein stimulated bone resorption at the lower concentrations tested, with a maximum effect [treated over control ratio of 2.5 +/- 0.30 (+/- SE); P less than 0.01] at 40 micrograms/mL. In contrast, at doses above 40 micrograms/mL, a sharp decline in calcium mobilization occurred, with a return to baseline occurring above 80 micrograms/mL. These results suggest that serum alpha 2HS may participate in the regulation of bone metabolism in vivo.

Adult↗

Three forms of BRP-2 (bone resorptive proteins) from human cancer ascites fluid and their relationship to human serum alpha-2 HS-glycoprotein.

Two new forms of BRP-2, a previously described bone resorptive protein, were purified from ascites fluids obtained from patients with hypercalcemia and metastatic bone cancer. The apparent molecular weights of BRP-2 and of these two proteins were 52,000, 48,000, and 46,000, respectively, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The three proteins have essentially the same amino acid compositions but differ with respect to their carbohydrate moieties. The amino-terminal amino acid sequences of the three glycoproteins were identical to each other as well as to human serum alpha 2HS-(human serum) glycoprotein. The relationship of the three forms of BRP-2 to alpha 2HS was also established immunochemically. The ascites proteins, as well as alpha 2HS, on a molar basis, were approximately one-tenth as potent as bovine parathyroid hormone fragment (1-34) in their abilities to stimulate calcium release from bone in vitro. This study describes for the first time a possible function for human serum alpha 2HS.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular basis of salivary proline-rich protein and peptide synthesis: cell-free translations and processing of human and macaque statherin mRNAs and partial amino acid sequence of their signal peptides.

Acidic proline-rich phosphoproteins and phosphopeptides are abundant components of parotid and submandibular salivary secretions in man and in the subhuman primate, Macaca fascicularis. The major acidic proline-rich proteins and the proline-rich phosphopeptide, statherin, of man and macaques have been shown to be potent inhibitors of calcium phosphate precipitation and are thought to function in the oral environment by maintaining saliva supersaturated with respect to calcium phosphate salts. Little is known about the biosynthesis of these proline-rich phosphoproteins and peptides, and the aim of the present work was to determine the structural relationship between statherin precursors and native human and macaque statherin. RNA was isolated from human submandibular gland, and poly(A+) mRNA was selected by affinity chromatography on oligo(dT) cellulose and translated in a reticulocyte lysate. Electrophoretic analysis of the translation products revealed that this mRNA directed the synthesis of a large number of polypeptides with Mrs ranging from 5000 to 70,000. Immunoprecipitates, prepared with an antiserum directed against human statherin, contained a single component with a Mr of 7800, approximately 2000 daltons larger than native statherin. Radiosequencing of the in vitro precursor of statherin in immunoprecipitates demonstrated the presence of a 19-residue signal peptide. These results suggest that statherin is derived from a unique structural gene, and does not result from proteolytic processing of a large polyprotein precursor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of a fatty acid-binding protein from rat heart.

A fatty acid-binding protein has been isolated from rat heart and purified by gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-75 and anion-exchange chromatography on DE52. The circular dichroic spectrum of this protein was not affected by protein concentration, suggesting that it does not aggregate into multimers. Computer analyses of the circular dichroic spectrum predicted that rat heart fatty acid-binding protein contains approximately 22% alpha-helix, 45% beta-form and 33% unordered structure. Immunological studies showed that the fatty acid-binding proteins from rat heart and rat liver are immunochemically unrelated. The amino acid composition and partial amino acid sequence of the heart protein indicated that it is structurally related to, but distinct from, other fatty acid-binding proteins from liver, intestine, and 3T3 adipocytes. Using a binding assay which measures the transfer of fatty acids between donor liposomes and protein (Brecher, P., Saouaf, R., Sugarman, J. M., Eisenberg, D., and LaRosa, K. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 13395-13401), it was shown that both rat heart and liver fatty acid-binding proteins bind 2 mol of oleic acid or palmitic acid/mol of protein. The structural and functional relationship of rat heart fatty acid-binding protein to fatty acid-binding proteins from other tissues is discussed.

Amino Acids↗

The complete amino acid sequence of the A-chain of human plasma alpha 2HS-glycoprotein.

Normal human plasma alpha 2HS-glycoprotein has earlier been shown to be comprised of two polypeptide chains. Recently, the amino acid and carbohydrate sequences of the short chain were elucidated (Gejyo, F., Chang, J.-L., Bürgi, W., Schmid, K., Offner, G. D., Troxler, R.F., van Halbeck, H., Dorland, L., Gerwig, G. J., and Vliegenthart, J.F.G. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 4966-4971). In the present study, the amino acid sequence of the long chain of this protein, designated A-chain, was determined and found to consist of 282 amino acid residues. Twenty-four amino acid doublets were found; the most abundant of these are Pro-Pro and Ala-Ala which each occur five times. Of particular interest is the presence of three Gly-X-Pro and one Gly-Pro-X sequences that are characteristic of the repeating sequences of collagens. Chou-Fasman evaluation of the secondary structure suggested that the A-chain contains 29% alpha-helix, 24% beta-pleated sheet, and 26% reverse turns and, thus, approximately 80% of the polypeptide chain may display ordered structure. Four glycosylation sites were identified. The two N-glycosidic oligosaccharides were found in the center region (residues 138 and 158), whereas the two O-glycosidic heterosaccharides, both linked to threonine (residues 238 and 252), occur within the carboxyl-terminal region. The N-glycans are linked to Asn residues in beta-turns, while the O-glycans are located in short random segments. Comparison of the sequence of the amino- and carboxyl-terminal 30 residues with protein sequences in a data bank demonstrated that the A-chain is not significantly related to any known proteins. However, the proline-rich carboxyl-terminal region of the A-chain displays some sequence similarity to collagens and the collagen-like domains of complement subcomponent C1q.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The primary structure and functional characterization of the neutral histidine-rich polypeptide from human parotid secretion.

The neutral histidine-rich polypeptide (HRP) from human parotid secretion was isolated by ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. The complete amino acid sequence determined by automated Edman degradation of the protein, tryptic and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease peptides, and digestion with carboxypeptidase A is: (Formula: see text) where Pse represents phosphoserine. The polypeptide contains 38 residues and has Mr 4929. The charged amino acids predominate with 7 histidine, 4 arginine, 3 lysine, 3 aspartic acid, 3 glutamic acid residues, and 1 phosphoserine. Assuming minimal charge contributions from histidine and one negative charge from phosphoserine at pH 7, the net charge of HRP is balanced by an equal contribution of basic and acidic residues. Furthermore, the distribution of hydrophilic and hydrophobic residues along the polypeptide chain indicates that there is no structural polarity. The polypeptide lacks threonine, alanine, valine, cysteine, methionine, and isoleucine. HRP did not display sequence similarity with any protein sequence in the National Biomedical Research Foundation Data Bank. HRP is an active inhibitor of hydroxyapatite crystal growth from solutions supersaturated with respect to calcium phosphate salts and therefore must play a role in the stabilization of mineral-solute interactions in oral fluid. In addition, HRP is a potent inhibitor of Candida albicans germination and therefore may be a significant component of the antimicrobial host defense system in the oral cavity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Amino acid sequence of a proline-rich phosphoglycoprotein from parotid secretion of the subhuman primate Macaca fascicularis.

The complete amino acid sequence of the macaque proline-rich phosphoglycoprotein (MPRP) was determined by automated Edman degradation of the protein, fragments F-1 and F-2 derived from the protein by an intrinsic salivary protease, and chymotryptic, tryptic, Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, and endoproteinase lysine-C peptides. MPRP contains 115 amino acid residues including phosphorylated serine at residues 1, 2, 6, 12, and 15, and 6 O-glycosidic carbohydrate units at residues 69, 75, 87 (threonine) and 96, 103, and 106 (serine). The Mr of the polypeptide moiety of the protein is 12,656. The amino-terminal domain contains all 5 phosphoserine residues and most of the other negatively charged and hydrophilic residues, whereas the carboxyl-terminal domain contains 24 of 25 proline residues, and 6 O-glycosidic oligosaccharides. Comparison of MPRP with the four major anionic proline-rich proteins (PRPs) from human glandular secretion shows that 57% of the amino acid residues are identical if gaps are introduced to maximize homology, suggesting that these proteins are phylogenetically related. Significant structural and functional differences occur between the macaque and human proteins. MPRP has 5 phosphoserines, PRPs have 2. MPRP is a glycoprotein, PRPs are not. MPRP inhibits the spontaneous precipitation (primary precipitation) of calcium phosphate salts from supersaturated solutions in addition to inhibiting seeded crystal growth (secondary precipitation) (Oppenheim, F. G., Offner, G. D., and Troxler, R. F. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 9271-9282), whereas PRPs inhibit only secondary precipitation. MPRP is the only major anionic proline-rich protein in macaque glandular secretion; in contrast, there are four major anionic PRPs and these display a genetic polymorphism. The significance of these structural differences with respect to biological function and the possible relationship of MPRP to salivary mucins are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The amino acid sequence of human beta-microseminoprotein.

The complete amino acid sequence of beta-microseminoprotein of human seminal plasma was determined by automated Edman degradation of the protein and peptides which were obtained by enzymatic cleavage with trypsin, chymotrypsin and Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase. The carboxyl-terminal sequence of the protein was established with the aid of carboxypeptidase A. The amino acid sequence of this protein proved to be as follows: (sequence; see text) Thus, beta-microseminoprotein consisting of 93 amino acid residues has a molecular mass of 10 652 Da. The linear structure of this protein represents the first complete amino acid sequence of a sperm-coating protein specific to human seminal plasma.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Biosynthesis of salivary proteins in the parotid gland of the subhuman primate, Macaca fascicularis. Cell-free translation of the mRNA for a proline-rich glycoprotein and partial amino acid sequence and processing of its signal peptide.

The major anionic proline-rich proteins in the parotid and submandibular secretions of subhuman primates and man perform the important biological function of inhibiting crystal growth of calcium phosphate salts from saliva, which is supersaturated with calcium phosphate salts, thereby preventing excess deposition of hydroxylapatite on tooth surfaces. The present work was initiated as a first step towards investigating proline-rich protein biosynthesis in parotid glands using the subhuman primate, Macaca fascicularis, as a model system. RNA was isolated from macaque parotid glands and separated into poly(A)-enriched and poly(A)-deficient fractions by chromatography on oligo(dT)-cellulose. The mRNAs in both fractions promoted incorporation of radiolabeled amino acids into polypeptides in an mRNA-dependent reticulocyte lysate translation system. Five major proline-rich polypeptides were detected and one of these was shown to be the in vitro precursor of the major anionic macaque proline-rich protein (MPRP), which is the structural and functional counterpart of the major anionic proline-rich proteins in the parotid and submandibular secretions of man (Oppenheim, F.G., Offner, G.D., and Troxler, R.F. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 9271-9282). Radiosequencing of the material in anti-MPRP immune precipitates showed that the in vitro precursor of MPRP contained an 18-residue signal peptide. The in vitro precursor of MPRP was processed in dog pancreas vesicles to a form with a lower apparent Mr and with an NH2-terminal amino acid sequence identical to that of native MPRP. The phenylthiohydantoin derivatives of Ala and Ile were detected at residue 9 and those of Val and Met were detected at residue 16 of the signal peptide. This indicated that the in vitro precursor of MPRP, which migrated electrophoretically as a single band in anti-MPRP immune precipitates, contained two different in vitro polypeptides derived from two different mRNAs. These results are discussed in the context of the genetic polymorphism among the major anionic proline-rich proteins in the parotid and submandibular secretions of man.

Animals↗

Primary structure of allophycocyanin from the unicellular rhodophyte, Cyanidium caldarium. The complete amino acid sequences of the alpha and beta subunits.

The complete amino acid sequences of the alpha and beta subunits of allophycocyanin from the unicellular rhodophyte, Cyanidium caldarium, were determined by automated Edman degradation of the proteins and peptides derived from them by chemical and enzymatic cleavages. The sequence of the alpha subunit was determined from the sequences of tryptic, endoproteinase lysine-C, and cyanogen bromide peptides and carboxypeptidase A and Y digestion of the protein. The sequence of the beta subunit was determined from the sequences of tryptic, endoproteinase lysine-C, Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, and cyanogen bromide peptides and in addition, a peptide derived from acid cleavage of an aspartyl-prolyl bond. The carboxyl-terminal sequence of the protein was determined by digestion with carboxypeptidase A. The alpha subunit contains 160 amino acids, one phycocyanobilin chromophore attached at residue 80 by a cysteinyl-thioether linkage, and the Mr calculated from the sequence is 18,160. The beta subunit contains 161 amino acids, one phycocyanobilin chromophore attached at residue 81 by a cysteinyl-thioether linkage, and the Mr calculated from the sequence is 18,125. The amino acid sequences of the alpha and beta subunits of allophycocyanin from C. caldarium are the first complete amino acid sequences of an allophycocyanin from a eukaryotic red alga. A matrix comparison of the alpha and beta subunits of C. caldarium allophycocyanin and phycocyanin (Offner, G.D., Brown-Mason, A.S., Ehrhardt, M. M., and Troxler, R. F. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 12167-12175; Troxler, R. F., Ehrhardt, M. M., Brown-Mason, A. S., and Offner, G. D. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 12176-12184) shows homology ranging from 26 to 39%. Comparison of the sequences of alpha and beta subunits of C. caldarium allophycocyanin with the sequences of the corresponding subunits of allophycocyanin from two prokaryotic cyanobacteria (Sidler, W., Gysi, J., Isker, E., and Zuber, H. (1981) Hoppe-Seyler's Z. Physiol. Chem. 362, 611-628; DeLange, R. J., Williams, L. C. and Glazer, A. N. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 9558-9566) shows homology ranging from 81 to 85%. The significance of this with respect to phycobiliprotein structure and function is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of the B-chain of human plasma alpha 2HS-glycoprotein. The complete amino acid sequence and primary structure of its heteroglycan.

alpha 2HS-Glycoprotein, a normal human plasma protein, was recently shown to consist of two polypeptide chains. In the present study, we have separated these two chains from one another and have elucidated the complete primary structure of the B-chain. Employing automated Edman degradation, the polypeptide moiety of this chain was shown to consist of 27 amino acid residues with an unequal distribution of the neutral and charged amino acid residues. The first 20 residues are uncharged, whereas the carboxyl-terminal heptapeptide contains all charged residues. Utilizing 500-MHz 1H-NMR spectroscopy, the carbohydrate unit proved to be a trisaccharide consisting of sialic acid, galactose, and N-acetylgalactosamine O-glycosidically linked to serine (residue 6). The structure of the B-chain was found to be as follows. (formula; see text) Thus, the molecular weight of the B-chain is 3386. Evaluation of the polypeptide chain by the procedure of Chou and Fasman (Chou, P.Y., and Fasman, G.D. (1979) Adv. Enzymol. 47, 45-148) predicts that the B-chain has two beta-turns. Thereby, the carbohydrate unit which is linked to the Ser residue located in the first beta-turn appears to be directed away from the protein. The second beta-turn probably includes the Cys residue which links the B- to the A-chain. In agreement with the CD analysis, the B-chain lacks beta-conformation but possesses a short alpha-helical region.

Amino Acid Sequence↗