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T P Sakmar

Publications and source records attributed to T P Sakmar.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Structure and function in rhodopsin. Studies of the interaction between the rhodopsin cytoplasmic domain and transducin.

Structural requirements for the activation of transducin by rhodopsin have been studied by site-specific mutagenesis of bovine rhodopsin. A variety of single amino acid replacements and amino acid insertions and deletions of varying sizes were carried out in the two cytoplasmic loops CD (amino acids 134-151) and EF (amino acids 231-252). Except for deletion mutant delta 137-150, all the mutants bound 11-cis-retinal and displayed normal spectral characteristics. Deletion mutant delta 236-239 in loop EF caused a 50% reduction of transducin activation, whereas deletion mutant delta 244-249 and the larger deletions in loop EF abolished transducin activation. An 8-amino acid deletion in the cytoplasmic loop CD as well as a replacement of 13 amino acids with an unrelated sequence showed no transducin activation. Several single amino acid substitutions also caused significant reduction in transducin activation. The conserved charged pair Glu-134/Arg-135 in the cytoplasmic loop CD was required for transducin activation; its reversal or neutralization abolished transducin activation. Three amino acid replacements in loop EF (S240A, T243V, and K248L) resulted in significant reduction in transducin activation. We conclude that 1) both the cytoplasmic loops CD and EF are required for transducin activation, and 2) effective functional interaction between rhodopsin and transducin involves relatively large peptide sequences in the cytoplasmic loops.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Resonance Raman microprobe spectroscopy of rhodopsin mutants: effect of substitutions in the third transmembrane helix.

A microprobe system has been developed that can record Raman spectra from as little as 2 microL of solution containing only micrograms of biological pigments. The apparatus consists of a liquid nitrogen (l-N2)-cooled cold stage, an epi-illumination microscope, and a substractive-dispersion, double spectrograph coupled to a l-N2-cooled CCD detector. Experiments were performed on native bovine rhodopsin, rhodopsin expressed in COS cells, and four rhodopsin mutants: Glu134 replaced by Gln (E134Q), Glu122 replaced by Gln (E122Q), and Glu113 replaced by Gln (E113Q) or Ala (E113A). Resonance Raman spectra of photostationary steady-state mixtures of 11-cis-rhodopsin, 9-cis-isorhodopsin, and all-trans-bathorhodopsin at 77 K were recorded. The Raman spectra of E134Q and the wild-type are the same, indicating that Glu134 is not located near the chromophore. Substitution at Glu122 also does not affect the C = NH stretching vibration of the chromophore. The fingerprint and Schiff base regions of the Raman spectra of the 380-nm, pH 7 forms of E113Q and E113A are characteristic of unprotonated retinal Schiff bases. The C = NH modes of the approximately 500-nm, pH 5 forms of E113Q and E113A in H2O (D2O) are found at 1648 (1629) and 1645 (1630) cm-1, respectively. These frequencies indicate that the protonated Schiff base interacts more weakly with its protein counterion in the Glu113 mutants than it does in the native pigment. Furthermore, perturbations of the unique bathorhodopsin hydrogen out-of-plane (HOOP) vibrations in E113Q and E113A indicate that the strength of the protein perturbation near C12 is weakened compared to that in native bathorhodopsin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alanine↗
PubMed1992

Introduction of hydroxyl-bearing amino acids causes bathochromic spectral shifts in rhodopsin. Amino acid substitutions responsible for red-green color pigment spectral tuning.

Comparisons of the deduced amino acid sequences of eight primate photopigment genes led to the proposal that three amino acid substitutions produce the approximately 1,000 cm-1 difference in the absorption maxima of human red and green pigments (Neitz, M., Neitz, J., and Jacobs, G.H. (1991) Science 252, 971-974). We tested this proposal by mutating these three residues in rhodopsin and evaluating the effects on spectral properties. Nonpolar residues normally present in rhodopsin and in the green pigment were substituted by hydroxyl-bearing residues normally present in the red pigment. Two of these substitutions (Phe-261 to Tyr or Ala-269 to Thr) caused significant red shifts in the absorption maxima of the resulting mutant pigments. A third substitution (Ala-164 to Ser) caused only a slight effect. Combinations of substitutions caused additive shifts in absorption maxima. A double mutant (Phe-261 to Tyr/Ala-269 to Thr) displayed an absorption maximum that was red-shifted by 775 cm-1. Wavelength modulation in the visual pigments responsible for red-green color vision is likely to be governed by retinal-protein interactions involving primarily these two amino acid residues. Furthermore, interactions of hydroxyl-bearing amino acids with the chromophore may be a general mechanism of the opsin shift in visual pigments.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

The traveler's medical kit.

This article presents a comprehensive list of drugs and other medical supplies that may be of use to travelers for treating common infections and noninfectious travel-related illness. Recommendations are offered for using the medications to treat specific common medical problems while traveling. Sample medical kits, the contents of which vary depending on itinerary and length of stay, are presented.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

The role of the retinylidene Schiff base counterion in rhodopsin in determining wavelength absorbance and Schiff base pKa.

Glu-113 serves as the retinylidene Schiff base counterion in bovine rhodopsin. Purified mutant rhodopsin pigments were prepared in which Glu-113 was replaced individually by Gln (E113Q), Asp (E113D), Asn (E113N), or Ala (E113A). E113Q, E113N, and E113A existed as pH-dependent equilibrium mixtures of unprotonated and protonated Schiff base (PSB) forms. The Schiff base pKa values determined by spectrophotometric titration were 6.00 (E113Q), 6.71 (E113N), and 5.70 (E113A). Thus, mutation of Glu-113 markedly reduced the Schiff base pKa. The addition of NaCl promoted the formation of a PSB in E113Q and E113A. An exogenously supplied solute anion replaced Glu-113 to compensate for the positive charge of the PSB in these mutants. The lambda max values of the PSB forms of the mutants in NaCl were 496 nm (E113Q), 506 nm (E113A), 510 nm (E113D), and 520 nm (E113N). To evaluate the effect of different types of solute anions on lambda max values, mutants were prepared in sodium salts of halides, perchlorate, and a series of carboxylic acids of various sizes and acidity. The lambda max values of E113Q and E113A depended on the solute anion present and ranged from 488 nm to 522 nm for E113Q and from 486 nm to 528 nm for E113A. The solute anion affected the lambda max values of E113N and E113D to lesser degrees. The reactivities of the mutants to hydroxylamine were also studied. Whereas rhodopsin was stable to hydroxylamine in the dark, E113N reacted slowly and E113Q reacted rapidly under these conditions, indicating structural differences in the Schiff base environments. The lambda max values and solute anion dependencies of the Glu-113 mutants indicate that interactions between Schiff base and its counterion play a significant role in determining the lambda max of rhodopsin.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Rhodopsin mutants that bind but fail to activate transducin.

Rhodopsin is a member of a family of receptors that contain seven transmembrane helices and are coupled to G proteins. The nature of the interactions between rhodopsin mutants and the G protein, transduction (Gt), was investigated by flash photolysis in order to monitor directly Gt binding and dissociation. Three mutant opsins with alterations in their cytoplasmic loops bound 11-cis-retinal to yield pigments with native rhodopsin absorption spectra, but they failed to stimulate the guanosine triphosphatase activity of Gt. The opsin mutations included reversal of a charged pair conserved in all G protein-coupled receptors at the cytoplasmic border of the third transmembrane helix (mutant CD1), replacement of 13 amino acids in the second cytoplasmic loop (mutant CD2), and deletion of 13 amino acids from the third cytoplasmic loop (mutant EF1). Whereas mutant CD1 failed to bind Gt, mutants CD2 and EF1 showed normal Gt binding but failed to release Gt in the presence of guanosine triphosphate. Therefore, it appears that at least the second and third cytoplasmic loops of rhodopsin are required for activation of bound Gt.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Glutamic acid-113 serves as the retinylidene Schiff base counterion in bovine rhodopsin.

The characteristic wavelength at which a visual pigment absorbs light is regulated by interactions between protein (opsin) and retinylidene Schiff base chromophore. By using site-directed mutagenesis, charged amino acids in bovine rhodopsin transmembrane helix C were systematically replaced. Substitution of glutamic acid-134 or arginine-135 did not affect spectral properties. However, substitution of glutamic acid-122 by glutamine or by aspartic acid formed pigments that were blue-shifted in light absorption (lambda max = 480 nm and 475 nm, respectively). While the substitution of glutamic acid-113 by aspartic acid gave a slightly red-shifted pigment (lambda max = 505 nm), replacement by glutamine formed a pigment that was strikingly blue-shifted in light absorption (lambda max = 380 nm). The 380-nm species existed in a pH-dependent equilibrium with a 490-nm species such that at acidic pH all of the pigment was converted to lambda max = 490 nm. We conclude that glutamic acid-113 serves as the retinylidene Schiff base counterion in rhodopsin. We believe that this opsin-chromophore interaction is an example of a general mechanism of color regulation in the visual pigments.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Total synthesis and expression of a gene for the alpha-subunit of bovine rod outer segment guanine nucleotide-binding protein (transducin).

To facilitate structure-function studies by site-specific mutagenesis, we have synthesized a gene for the alpha-subunit of the bovine rod outer segment (ROS) guanine nucleotide-binding protein (transducin). The gene codes for the native amino acid sequence and contains, by design, 38 unique restriction sites which are uniformly spaced. This enables mutagenesis in any part of the gene by restriction fragment replacement. The gene is 1076 base pairs in length. It was constructed from 44 synthetic oligonucleotides which were joined enzymatically in vitro into four fragments which were cloned. The synthetic transducin gene and cDNA encoding transducin were expressed to similar levels in monkey kidney cells (COS-1) using a vector in which transcription was under the control of the adenovirus major late promoter.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

A single amino acid substitution in rhodopsin (lysine 248----leucine) prevents activation of transducin.

In structure-function studies on bovine rhodopsin by in vitro site-specific mutagenesis, we have prepared three mutants in the cytoplasmic loop between the putative transmembrane helices E and F. In each mutant, charged amino acid residues were replaced by neutral residues: mutant 1, Glu239----Gln; mutant 2, Lys248----Leu; and mutant 3, Glu247----Gln, Lys248----Leu, and Glu249----Gln. The mutant rhodopsin genes were expressed in monkey kidney (COS-1) cells. After the addition of 11-cis-retinal to the cells, the rhodopsin mutants were purified by immunoaffinity adsorption. Each mutant gave a wild-type rhodopsin visible absorption spectrum. The mutants were assayed for their ability to stimulate the GTPase activity of transducin in a light-dependent manner. While mutants 1 and 3 showed wild-type activity, mutant 2 (Lys248----Leu) was inactive.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Cysteine residues 110 and 187 are essential for the formation of correct structure in bovine rhodopsin.

To investigate the role of different cysteine residues in bovine rhodopsin, a series of mutants were prepared in which the cysteine residues were systematically replaced by serines. The mutant genes were expressed in monkey kidney cells (COS-1) and the mutant opsins were evaluated for their levels of expression, glycosylation patterns, and ability to form the chromophore characteristic of rhodopsin and to activate transducin. Substitution of the three cytoplasmic cysteines (Cys-316, Cys-322, and Cys-323) and the four membrane-embedded cysteines (Cys-140, Cys-167, Cys-222, and Cys-264) produced proteins with wild-type phenotype. Also, single substitutions of Cys-185 gave rise to a wild-type phenotype. In contrast, substitution of the three intradiscal cysteines (Cys-110, Cys-185, and Cys-187) or single substitution of Cys-110 or Cys-187 gave proteins that were expressed at reduced levels, glycosylated abnormally, and unable to bind 11-cis-retinal. Thus, of the 10 cysteines in bovine rhodopsin, only intradiscal Cys-110 and Cys-187 are essential for the correct tertiary structure of the protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗