PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

V K Sarin

Publications and source records attributed to V K Sarin.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Characterization of a posttranslational fucosylation in the growth factor domain of urinary plasminogen activator.

A posttranslational modification site in natural and recombinant urinary-type plasminogen activators (urokinases; EC 3.4.21.31) has been localized to Thr-18, in the growth factor domain of the molecule. This is the region of urinary plasminogen activator responsible for its specific receptor binding. An unusual carbohydrate-protein linkage, a single monosaccharide, fucose, covalently attached directly to threonine in the peptide, is described here. The glycan moiety and the site of modification have been identified with mass spectrometry and confirmed by carbohydrate composition analysis, Edman degradation, and one- and two-dimensional NMR studies. This type of modification is normally not detected without mass spectrometry because the fucose-threonine bond is hydrolyzed under standard acidic conditions of the amino acid analysis and Edman sequencing. This modification may be widely found in other proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence

Carbohydrate composition and presence of a fucose-protein linkage in recombinant human pro-urokinase.

A new post-translational modification site in the growth factor domain of urinary type plasminogen activator has been identified. A glycopeptide containing the monosaccharide, fucose, covalently linked directly to the peptide backbone has been isolated from the tryptic digest of pro-urokinase expressed in a mouse hybridoma cell line Sp 2/0 Ag 14. The glycopeptide was isolated by semi-preparative reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. The identity of a fucose containing peptide was confirmed by carbohydrate analysis, amino acid analysis and plasma desorption mass spectrometry (PDMS). A combination of these methodologies showed an equimolar ratio of peptide and fucose in the glycopeptide. This modification is not detected without mass spectrometry because the fucose residue is hydrolyzed under standard acidic conditions of amino acid composition and N-terminal sequence analysis. The site of attachment of fucose to the peptide has been localized towards the N-terminus (within first 23 amino acids) of the protein. Also, the carbohydrate composition of recombinant pro-urokinase is reported.

Amino Acid Sequence

Sequence-specific fragmentation from oligopeptides using plasma-desorption mass spectrometry.

252Cf plasma-desorption mass spectrometry (PDMS) has been demonstrated to provide sequence-specific fragmentation for several oligopeptides. The nature of the fragment ions observed is generally similar to that observed using liquid secondary-ion mass spectrometry (LSIMS) and can be observed using less sample than LSIMS requires, but PDMS spectra are acquired at a lower resolution. In addition, the molecular weight of some of the oligopeptides studied exceeds that which is generally accepted as within the sequence range of LSIMS. The specific series of sequence ions that predominate in the PDMS spectra appear to be related to the amino acid compositions and sequences of the oligopeptides.

Amino Acid Sequence

Biophysical and biological activity of a synthetic 8.7-kDa hydrophobic pulmonary surfactant protein SP-B.

We have synthesized pulmonary surfactant apoprotein SP-B peptides by solid-phase chemistry and demonstrated their ability to enhance the surface-active properties of synthetic lipid mixtures. The synthetic peptides were reactive with antiserum generated against the native bovine surfactant peptide. Both peptides conferred surfactant-like properties to synthetic lipid mixtures as assessed by a Wilhelmy balance and pulsating bubble surfactometer. Likewise, mixtures of synthetic SP-B peptides and lipid restored compliance of isolated surfactant-deficient rat lungs. This work demonstrates the utility of SP-B as a functional component of pulmonary surfactant mixtures for treatment of respiratory distress syndrome or other disorders characterized by surfactant deficiency.

Amino Acid Sequence

Surfactant peptides stimulate uptake of phosphatidylcholine by isolated cells.

To determine whether small hydrophobic surfactant peptides (SP-B and SP-C) participate in recycling of pulmonary surfactant phospholipid, we determined the effect of these peptides on transfer of 3H- or 14C-labelled phosphatidylcholine from liposomes to isolated rat alveolar Type II cells and Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts. Both natural and synthetic SP-B and SP-C markedly stimulated phosphatidylcholine transfer to alveolar Type II cells and Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Effects of the peptides on phospholipid uptake were dose-dependent, but not saturable and occurred at both 4 and 37 degrees C. Uptake of labelled phospholipid into a lamellar body fraction prepared from Type II cells was augmented in the presence of SP-B. Neither SP-B nor SP-C augmented exchange of labelled plasma membrane phosphatidylcholine from isolated Type II cells or enhanced the release of surfactant phospholipid when compared to liposomes without SP-B or SP-C. Addition of native bovine SP-B and SP-C to the phospholipid vesicles perturbed the size and structure of the vesicles as determined by electron microscopy. To determine the structural elements responsible for the effect of the peptides on phospholipid uptake, fragments of SP-B were synthesized by solid-phase protein synthesis and their effects on phospholipid uptake assessed in Type II epithelial cells. SP-B (1-60) stimulated phospholipid uptake 7-fold. A smaller fragment of SP-B (15-60) was less active and the SP-B peptide (40-60) failed to augment phospholipid uptake significantly. Like SP-B and SP-C, surfactant-associated protein (SP-A) enhanced phospholipid uptake by Type II cells. However, SP-A failed to significantly stimulate phosphatidylcholine uptake by Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts. These studies demonstrate the independent activity of surfactant proteins SP-B and SP-C on the uptake of phospholipid by Type II epithelial cells and Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts in vitro.

Animals

In vitro translation, post-translational processing and secretion of pulmonary surfactant protein B precursors.

Surfactant proteolipid SP-B is a hydrophobic protein of Mr = 8000 identified in organic solvent extracts of pulmonary surfactant. Analysis of the human SP-B RNA predicts that the active surfactant peptide is derived by proteolysis of an Mr = 40,000 precursor. In the present work, characteristics of synthesis, secretion and processing of SP-B were demonstrated in a pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell line by immunoprecipitation of radiolabelled precursors. Treatment of cells with tunicamycin resulted in synthesis and secretion of unglycosylated proSP-B of Mr = 39,000. Immunoprecipitation of protein produced by in vitro translation of human lung poly(A)+ RNA detected an Mr = 40,000 protein; the size discrepancy is likely related to cleavage of a leader signal sequence. Endoglycosidase-H-sensitive precursors of Mr = 41,000-43,000, pI = 5.1-5.4 were the first isoforms detected within the cells and were processed to endoglycosidase-H-resistant isoforms and secreted. Neuraminidase and endoglycosidase-F-sensitive forms of proSP-B were first detected in the media at 60 min as Mr = 42-46,000 isoforms with pI = 4.6-5.1. Proteolytically processed isoforms of proSP-B were detected primarily in the media and were generated by cleavage of an amino-terminal Mr = 16,000 peptide resulting in Mr = 27,000-33,000 isoforms (pH = 5.6-6.8). The Mr = 27,000-33,000 isoforms were sensitive to neuraminidase, resulting in isoforms with pH = 6.0-6.8. Digestion of the Mr = 27,000-33,000 peptide with endoglycosidase-F resulted in isoforms of Mr = 23,000, pH = 6.0-6.8. The endoglycosidase-F-resistant peptide of Mr = 16,000, pI = 4.2-4.4 was identified with an antiserum generated against synthetic peptides derived from the amino-terminal domain, as deduced from the SP-B DNA sequence. Further proteolytic processing of the Mr = 27,000-33,000 isoforms to the Mr = 8000 peptide detected in surfactant was not observed in this cell line. Thus, in the H441-4 cells (a cell line with morphologic features of Clara cells), SP-B is synthesized as a preproprotein which undergoes cleavage of a signal sequence and addition of asparagine-linked carbohydrate; proSP-B is secreted by processes which are independent of glycosylation. SP-B peptides of Mr = 27,000-33,000 and Mr = 16,000, representing carboxy and amino-terminal domains, accumulate in the media.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel

Identification of surfactant proteolipid SP-B in human surfactant and fetal lung.

Surfactant proteolipid (SP-B) is one of several hydrophobic peptides detected in organic extracts of pulmonary surfactant and associated with the dramatic surface-active properties of surfactant phospholipids. In the present study human SP-B was identified as a protein with a relative molecular weight (Mr) of 7,500-8,000 under reducing conditions; protein of Mr 18,000 was detected under nonreducing conditions by immunoblot analysis of organic extracts of bovine and human surfactant utilizing an antiserum directed against a 60-amino acid synthetic SP-B peptide. This peptide antiserum was subsequently used to identify SP-B in explant cultures of 18- to 23-wk gestation human fetal lung. Immunoprecipitation of explants labeled with [35S]methionine after 48 h of culture identified proteins of Mr 40,000-42,000, 25,000, and 18,000 after electrophoresis under nonreducing conditions. The Mr 18,000 form was reduced to Mr 7,500-8,000 in the presence of beta-mercaptoethanol. These molecular forms likely represent the SP-B precursor protein, a proteolytic intermediate, and the mature SP-B peptide, respectively. Immunocytochemistry with the peptide antiserum localized SPL(Phe) in granular inclusions in the apical region of type II-like epithelial cells, a pattern of staining similar to that observed for the major surfactant-associated protein of Mr 26,000-38,000 (SP-A). SP-B is a novel pulmonary surfactant-associated protein that is synthesized by the human alveolar type II epithelial cell as an Mr 40,000-42,000 precursor that is subsequently proteolytically processed to Mr 7,500-8,000.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid

Divergence of ANF analogs in smooth muscle cell cGMP response and aorta vasorelaxation: evidence for receptor subtypes.

ANF analog potencies in stimulating smooth muscle cell cGMP were compared with the ability to relax histamine-constricted rabbit aorta in vitro. ANF[1-28], [5-28], [5-27] and Lys-11[5-28] elevated cGMP and were potent vasorelaxants. ANF[7-23] and Lys-11[7-23] were potent cGMP stimulators but 1000-fold weaker relaxants. Tyr-8[5-27] did not stimulate cGMP synthesis or antagonize the response of the other peptides, yet was a potent vasorelaxant. Crosslinking with 125I-ANF identified bands at 150 and 65 KD by SDS-PAGE. ANF[1-28], Lys-11[7-23] and Tyr-8[5-27] blocked crosslinking at low concentration despite disparate activities. These data support the existence of ANF receptor subtypes and suggest that cGMP elevation alone is not sufficient to promote atrial peptide-induced vasorelaxation.

Animals

Solid-phase sequencing on the gas-phase sequencer.

Automated Edman degradation has been successfully used for determining the primary structure of numerous peptides and proteins. Quantitative solid-phase Edman degradation has great potential use for amino acid sequence analysis of synthetic peptides assembled on resin support by the Merrifield procedure. We report here the combined use of a modified gas-phase sequencer program and our improved reversed-phase HPLC analysis for PTH-amino acids to carry out the sequence analysis on synthesized peptide resins. This approach is far more sensitive than using glass beads on the conventional solid-phase sequencer. The peptide was assembled on copoly (styrene-1% divinylbenzene) resin beads at an initial substitution of 0.54 mmol/g. On a routine basis, 10-15 resin beads are used, and a repetitive yield of 94% is obtained: as few as 4 beads can be successfully sequenced. The HPLC PTH-amino acid analysis is sensitive down to subpicomole quantities. This procedure offers a sensitive and rapid analytical tool for checking the purity of peptides as they are being assembled on solid support.

Amino Acid Sequence