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R L Kincaid

Publications and source records attributed to R L Kincaid.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Interchangeable associations of calcineurin regulatory subunit isoforms with mammalian and fungal catalytic subunits.

Two mammalian genes for the Ca(2+)-binding regulatory subunit of the calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase (calcineurin) were identified recently, suggesting unique associations with tissue-specific catalytic subunits. The murine brain (beta 1) and testis (beta 2) isoforms of the regulatory subunit were expressed with poly-histidine carboxyl termini and purified by Ni(2+)-chelate chromatography, each exhibiting high affinity Ca2+ binding on nitrocellulose overlays. Using chromatographic methods to assess complex formation, the beta 1 and beta 2 isoforms appeared indistinguishable in their binding to bacterially expressed forms of the murine brain (alpha 1) or testis (alpha 3) catalytic subunits; this suggests that multiple heterodimeric forms may be present in some tissues. Furthermore, both beta 1 and beta 2 formed complexes with the recombinant catalytic subunit from Neurospora crassa. For this catalytically active fungal enzyme, stoichiometric amounts of mammalian regulatory subunit increased calmodulin-dependent activity without affecting that stimulated by Mn2+ alone. Maximal hydrolysis of rho-nitrophenyl phosphate by the N. crassa catalytic subunit was stimulated 80-120% with the beta 1 isoform and 30-50% by beta 2. Significantly, the incubation time at 4 degrees C required for optimal activation (6-8 h) was much greater than that for association (1 h), indicating that the catalytic subunit undergoes a slow transition to an activated conformation after binding the regulatory subunit. The production of functional heterodimers of mammalian and fungal proteins implies highly conserved interaction domains on the catalytic and regulatory subunits of this phosphatase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Okadaic acid induces hyperphosphorylated forms of tau protein in human brain slices.

Hyperphosphorylated forms of the microtubule-associated protein tau are components of the paired helical filaments (PHFs) seen in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Slices of human lateral temporal cortex were obtained from tissues removed incidental to resections for intractable hippocampal epilepsy. Tau phosphorylation in temporal lobe slices was determined using mobility shifts after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunodetection with the monoclonal antibodies Alz-50, 5E2, and Tau-1. The results indicate that tau phosphorylation was altered in a dose-dependent manner by the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid, but not by N-methyl-D-aspartate, quisqualate, or kainate. The slowest mobility forms of tau, termed "PHF-like tau," produced by okadaic acid treatment were dephosphorylated by purified protein phosphatase 2B (calcineurin). Formation of PHF-like tau peptides was blocked by KN-62, 1[N,O-bis(1,5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-N-methyl-L-tyrosyl]-4-phenylpiperazi ne, an inhibitor of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. The protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine also prevented formation of PHF-like tau. These data suggest that phosphorylation of tau is regulated by Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinases and okadaic acid-sensitive protein phosphatases, alterations of which may be implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Deposition of copper, manganese, zinc, and selenium in bovine fetal tissue at different stages of gestation.

Developmental changes of Cu, Mn, Zn, and Se in fetal liver and kidney and the intracellular distributions were determined. Fetuses were obtained from crossbred beef heifers (n = 25) that were slaughtered at different stages of pregnancy. Fetal age was estimated from crown to rump measurements. Selenium concentration of fetal liver increased from d 145 to 195 but decreased from d 195 to 245. Fetal age did not affect Cu, Mn, or Zn in fetal liver and kidney or Se in kidney. Bone Ca significantly decreased with fetal age, but neither bone P nor Ca:P ratio changed. Liver Zn concentrations were correlated negatively with kidney Mn but positively with liver Se. Within fetal liver, the crude nuclear fraction had the largest amount of Cu, and the largest amounts of Zn and Mn were in the cytosolic fractions. The ribosomal fractions contained the least Cu, Zn, and Mn. Results indicate the normal changes that occur in tissue concentrations of minerals in the developing bovine fetus. Storage of minerals in fetal tissue reflects fetal demands for growth and the ability of the dam to transfer minerals.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Molecular cloning of DNA encoding a calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase enriched in striatum.

A murine cDNA for the 63-kDa calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase (CaM-PDE), PDE1B-1, was isolated by using polymerase chain reaction with degenerate primers followed by the cloning of a full-length cDNA from a whole-brain phage library. The nucleotide sequence of 2986 base pairs contains an open reading frame encoding a protein of 535 amino acids (M(r) = 61,231) with a predicted isoelectric point of 5.54. The deduced protein sequence shows approximately 60% identity with that of the 61-kDa isoform (PDE1A2), consistent with the proposal that these proteins arise from two separate genes [Novack, J. P., Charbonneau, H., Bentley, J. K., Walsh, K. A. & Beavo, J. A. (1991) Biochemistry 30, 7940-7947]. Southern blot analysis suggests high nucleotide-sequence conservation of the PDE1B1 gene among mammalian and avian species. A single approximately 3600-nucleotide mRNA transcript was seen in all brain regions, with striatum containing 4- to 30-fold higher levels than other areas. In nonneural tissues, low amounts of PDE1B1 mRNA were detected in lung, spleen, thymus, and testis; hybridization to several larger mRNA species was also seen in thymus and testis. By using nucleic acid probes for PDE1B1, the mechanisms that control its highly selective gene expression can now be studied at the molecular level.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Characterization of high molecular weight FK-506 binding activities reveals a novel FK-506-binding protein as well as a protein complex.

The immunoregulant FK-506 potently inhibits particular calcium-associated signal transduction events that occur early during T-lymphocyte activation and during IgE receptor-mediated exocytosis in mast cells. FK-506 binds to a growing family of receptors termed FK-506-binding proteins (FKBPs), the most abundant being a 12-kDa cytosolic receptor, FKBP12. To date, there is no formal evidence proving that FKBP12 is the sole receptor mediating the immunosuppressive effects or toxic side effects of FK-506. Using gel filtration chromatography as an assay for novel FK-506-binding proteins, we identified FK-506 binding activities in extracts prepared from calf brain and from JURKAT cells. Both of these new activities comigrated with apparent molecular masses of 110 kDa. However, further characterization of both binding activities revealed that the two are not identical. The 110-kDa activity observed in brain extracts appears to be the FKBP12.FK-506.calcineurin (CaN) complex previously reported (Liu, J., Farmer, J., Lane, W., Friedman, J., Weissman, I., and Schreiber, S. (1991) Cell 66, 807-815) while the 110 kDa activity observed in JURKAT cells is a novel FK-506-binding protein. Our characterization of the FKBP12.FK-506.CaN complex reveals a dependence upon calmodulin (CaM) for formation of the complex and demonstrates that the peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) activity of FKBP12 is not required for binding of FKBP12.FK-506 to CaN or for inhibition of CaN phosphatase activity. The novel FK-506-binding protein in JURKAT cells has been purified to homogeneity, migrates with an apparent mass of 51 kDa on denaturing gels, and has been termed FKBP51. Like FKBP12, FKBP51 has PPIase activity, but, unlike FKBP12.FK-506, FKBP51.FK-506 does not complex with or inhibit the phosphatase activity of, CaN. These results indicate that complex formation with CaN may not be a general property of the FKBPs. Peptide sequencing reveals that FKBP51 may be similar, if not identical, to hsp56, a component of non-transformed steroid receptors.

Amino Acid Isomerases↗
PubMed1992

Molecular cloning and chromosomal mapping of the human gene for the testis-specific catalytic subunit of calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase (calcineurin A).

A cDNA for an alternatively spliced variant of the testis-specific catalytic subunit of calmodulin dependent protein phosphatase (CaM-PrP) was cloned from a human testis library. The nucleotide sequence of 2134 base pairs (bp) encodes a protein of 502 amino acids (Mr approximately 57,132) and pI 7.0. The cDNA sequence differs from the murine form of this gene by a 30 bp deletion in the coding region, the position of which matches those in the two other genes for the catalytic subunit. These data indicate that this alternative splicing event arose prior to the divergence of the three genes. The deduced sequence of the human protein is only 88% identical to the homologous murine form, in striking contrast to the other two CaM-PrP catalytic subunits which are highly conserved between mouse and human (approximately 99%); this indicates a more rapid rate of evolution for the testis-specific gene. Analysis of Southern blots containing DNA from human-hamster somatic cell hybrids show that the gene is on human chromosome 8.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1992

Structure and expression of two isoforms of the murine calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase regulatory subunit (calcineurin B).

Murine cDNAs representing distinct genes for the regulatory subunits of calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase (CaM-PrP) were cloned from a testis library, using probes prepared by PCR amplification of brain and testis mRNA. The cDNA sequence of the brain-specific isoform (beta 1) encodes a 170 amino acid protein (M(r) approximately 19.3 kDa), whereas that for the testis isoform (beta 2) contains 179 residues (M(r) approximately 20.7 kDa); these two sequences show approximately 80% amino acid identity. An oligonucleotide probe for the brain isoform hybridized to a single mRNA of 3.6 kilobases (kb) in many tissues, whereas using the beta 2 probe, two mRNAs of 1.8 and 0.8 kb were detected only in testis. The mRNA for the testis-specific isoform increases markedly during development, its pattern being virtually identical to that of mRNA for a testicular form of the catalytic subunit (alpha 3). These data are consistent with the biological co-regulation of catalytic and regulatory subunits of a testis-specific isoenzyme during germ cell maturation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

FK-506- and CsA-sensitive activation of the interleukin-2 promoter by calcineurin.

Antigen recognition by the T-cell receptor (TCR) initiates events including lymphokine gene transcription, particularly interleukin-2, that lead to T-cell activation. The immunosuppressive drugs, cyclosporin A (CsA) and FK-506, prevent T-cell proliferation by inhibiting a Ca(2+)-dependent event required for induction of interleukin-2 transcription. Complexes of FK-506 or CsA and their respective intracellular binding proteins inhibit the calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, calcineurin, in vitro. The pharmacological relevance of this observation to immunosuppression or drug toxicity is undetermined. Calcineurin, although present in lymphocytes, has not been implicated in TCR-mediated activation of lymphokine genes or in transcriptional regulation in general. Here we report that transfection of a calcineurin catalytic subunit increases the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the immunosuppressants FK-506 and CsA, and that a mutant subunit acts in synergy with phorbol ester alone to activate the interleukin-2 promoter in a drug-sensitive manner. These results implicate calcineurin as a component of the TCR signal transduction pathway by demonstrating its role in the drug-sensitive activation of the interleukin-2 promoter.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Molecular cloning of a calmodulin-dependent phosphatase from murine testis: identification of a developmentally expressed nonneural isoenzyme.

A unique isoform of the catalytic subunit of calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase (CaM-PrP) was cloned from a murine testis library. The cDNA sequence of 1964 base pairs contained an open reading frame encoding a protein of 513 amino acids (Mr approximately 58,706), the predicted isoelectric point of which (pI 7.1) was much more basic than those of brain isoforms (pI 5.6-5.8). The deduced amino acid sequence was 77-81% identical to two other murine CaM-PrP genes and displayed a distinct Southern blot hybridization pattern, indicating that it was derived from a separate gene (type 3). High amounts of a 2800-nucleotide mRNA transcript were observed in testis, whereas mRNA species were not detectable in brain; thus, it seems likely that this CaM-PrP represents a nonneural isoenzyme. Measurements of CaM-PrP mRNA during testicular development showed a dramatic increase in expression during weeks 4-6, correlating with the later stages of spermatogenesis. These data suggest that this phosphatase isoform may be involved in germ-cell function and are consistent with the report of a flagellum-associated form of CaM-PrP that may regulate sperm motility [Tash, J. S., Krinks, M., Patel, J., Means, R. L., Klee, C. B. & Means, A. R. (1988) J. Cell Biol. 106, 1625-1633].

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase (calcineurin) catalytic subunit genes.

In the mammalian brain, there are multiple catalytic subunits for the Ca(2+)- and calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase [also called protein phosphatase 2B (PP-2B) and calcineurin] that are derived from two structural genes. The coding sequences of these two genes are distinguished by the absence (PP2B alpha 1) or the presence (PP2B alpha 2) of an amino terminus containing polyproline. Both of these genes can produce intragenic isoforms through alternative splicing. In the present study, a potential phylogenetic relationship of these genes was inferred from analysis of genomic DNA and from studies of mRNA and protein expression. Southern blot analysis showed unique restriction fragments for both genes in seven mammalian species; however, in organisms from two nonmammalian vertebrates (chicken and lizard), hybridization was observed only for PP2B alpha 1. In agreement with these results, Northern blots of mammalian brain RNA showed transcripts for both genes, with about two to three times more of the PP2B alpha 1 mRNAs, whereas in chicken and lizard, only PP2B alpha 1 transcripts were detected. An analysis of protein expression by two-dimensional electrophoresis was also consistent with these findings. For the purified mammalian brain protein, eight to ten variants were observed with isoelectric points of 5.2-5.8; immunoblot analysis using anti-peptide antibodies indicated that the majority of these were PP2B alpha 1 forms. In chicken brain, multiple isoforms were recognized by antibodies against the PP2B alpha 1 forms, but no reactivity was seen with those against the PP2B alpha 2 forms. Taken together, these findings suggest that: (i) in mammals, the predominant catalytic subunit isoforms in brain are PP2B alpha 1 products and (ii) the gene for the polyproline-containing catalytic subunit of calmodulin-dependent phosphatase (PP2B alpha 2) may have evolved after the avian/reptilian branching point, perhaps to carry out a role(s) of particular significance in mammals.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Zinc concentration and distribution in mammary secretions of peripartum cows.

Mammary secretions were sampled from peripartum cows and analyzed for Zn concentrations. Subsamples of these secretions were fractionated into casein and whey, and the distribution of Zn was determined. Concentration of Zn was greater in the colostrum than in either prepartum mammary secretions or in milk. The high colostral Zn was reflected by high concentrations of Zn in both casein and whey fractions. Approximately 60% of the colostral Zn was in the casein fraction compared with nearly 90% of milk. Calcium, P, Fe, and Cu concentrations, but not Mn, also were elevated in colostrum. When milk was augmented with Zn, the added Zn was associated largely with casein. Although casein has a very large capacity for binding Zn, about half of the extra Zn in colostrum is found in the whey fraction.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Chromosomal mapping of the human genes for the calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase (calcineurin) catalytic subunit.

Multiple catalytic subunits of the Ca2+ and calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein phosphatase (PrP) ("calcineurin" or PrP-2B) are derived from at least two structural genes, type 1 ("calcineurin A alpha") and type 2 ("calcineurin A beta "), each of which can produce alternatively spliced transcripts. To examine the possible linkage of these genes, we analyzed genomic DNA from human/hamster hybrid cell lines using probes of 122 base pairs that were designed to bind selectively to exon 3 of the open reading frame. In this region, the nucleotide sequence of the type 2 murine cDNA that we cloned was greater than 99% identical to the type 2 human cDNA but only 78% identical to the type 1 human cDNA. Hybridization to Southern blots containing DNA from all human chromosomes showed that gene 1 was found on chromosome 4, whereas gene 2 segregated to chromosome 10. These data suggest that expression of the two calcineurin genes is not physically linked.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Expression of the calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, calcineurin, in rat brain: developmental patterns and the role of nigrostriatal innervation.

The distribution of neurons expressing the calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, calcineurin (CN) was characterized in developing and adult rat brain using a combination of immunocytochemical, immunoblot and in situ hybridization approaches. Immunoblot analysis revealed a strong increase postnatally in CN protein expression. Four differently-charged isoforms of CN were observed in adult brain with apparent regional differences in isoform expression. Immunocytochemistry showed highest levels of CN in hippocampus, striatum, substantia nigra, amygdala and septal nuclei with immunoreactivity first appearing in striatum and septal nuclei, followed by hippocampus, neocortex and limbic structures. In situ hybridization demonstrated that mRNA for the catalytic subunit of CN was seen as early as postnatal day (PND) 1 in striatum, cortex and hippocampus. Since immunoreactivity was not detectable until day 4, this suggests that mRNA expression may precede that of protein by several days in these regions. Lesioning of developing and adult nigrostriatal dopamine neurons either with 6-hydroxydopamine or by surgical hemitransection had little effect on expression of CN, suggesting that CN expression is not influenced transsynaptically by dopamine. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that CN protein and mRNA expression are subject to regional and temporal control during brain development suggesting that specific synaptic connections may influence CN gene expression. However, in striatum, dopaminergic innervation does not appear to affect CN levels.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase from Neurospora crassa. Molecular cloning and expression of recombinant catalytic subunit.

A cDNA for the catalytic subunit of a calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein phosphatase was cloned from Neurospora crassa. The open reading frame of 1557 base pairs encoded a protein of Mr approximately 59,580 and was followed by a 3'-untranslated region of 363 base pairs including the poly(A) tail. Based on primer extension analysis, the mRNA transcript in vivo was 2403 base pairs. Expression of this CaM-protein phosphatase mRNA was developmentally regulated, being highest during early mycelial growth; production of the corresponding protein followed mRNA with a time lag of 8-12 h. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of genomic DNA revealed three small introns, the positions of which coincided with those in the mouse gene, indicating evolutionary conservation of these structures. The deduced sequence showed approximately 75% identity with the mammalian homologue, calcineurin, in aligned regions. A region of 40 amino acids preceding the CaM-binding domain was essentially unchanged, suggesting conservation of a crucial interaction site. Three small segments in the carboxyl half of the protein were unrelated to the mammalian gene and may constitute "variable regions" that confer substrate specificity to the enzyme. An active recombinant catalytic subunit was expressed in bacteria and purified by CaM-Sepharose chromatography. This preparation was stimulated 2- 3-fold by CaM and showed a p-nitrophenol phosphatase activity equal to that of the bovine brain holoenzyme, although its dephosphorylation of phosphoprotein substrates was markedly different. These findings demonstrate that the catalytic subunit of this phosphatase can exhibit high activity in the absence of its intrinsic Ca(2+)-binding subunit.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Expression of calmodulin-dependent enzymes in developing rat striatum is not affected by perturbation of dopaminergic systems.

Transsynaptic regulation is one mechanism that controls expression of several calmodulin (CaM)-dependent enzymes. This observation and the demonstration that expression of several CaM-dependent enzymes in developing striatum occurred with a spatial and temporal pattern similar to that seen for dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase suggested that the nigrostriatal pathway may influence the expression of CaM-binding proteins (CaM-BPs) during striatal development. Therefore, the possible role of nigrostriatal dopamine systems regulating the expression of CaM-dependent enzymes was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats by using surgical hemitransections of brain, 6-hydroxydopamine lesions, and chronic haloperidol treatments. Alterations in CaM-BP expression following perturbation of the developing nigrostriatal tract were analyzed by using immunoblots, biotinylated CaM overlays, and enzyme assays. The extent of nigrostriatal lesions was assessed by using depletion of immunoreactive tyrosine hydroxylase levels in striatum. All three experimental paradigms failed to alter the normal developmental expression of CaM-dependent enzymes. From these results we conclude that the increased expression of CaM-dependent enzymes during striatal development is not directly dependent on synaptic input from the nigrostriatal dopamine system.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Effect of sex and time of sampling on selenium and glutathione peroxidase activity in tissues of mature rats.

Sprague-Dawley rats were used to investigate variations in measures of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and selenium (Se) concentration resulting from diurnal cycles and sex. Mature rats (equal numbers of males and females) were killed at 4 h intervals over a 48 h period (0200, 0600, 1000, 1800 and 2200 h each day). Selenium and GSH-Px were measured in plasma, erythrocytes, and liver and kidney cytosols. Selenium concentrations did not vary diurnally, but plasma GSH-Px activities were higher during the light than dark periods. Males had greater plasma GSH-Px activities and Se concentrations (42 EU and .45 mg/kg, respectively) than females (35 EU and .41 mg/kg respectively). GSH-Px activities were also higher in male kidney cytosols than females (117 and 76 EU, respectively). Selenium and GSH-Px activities, however, were lower in male liver cytosols (.48 mg/kg and 272 EU) than females (1.19 mg/kg and 795 EU, respectively). These data suggest that Se is distributed differently in male and female rats and the difference in Se distribution is accomplished by differences in GSH-Px activities.

Animals↗