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Biomedical subjects

W Cho

Publications and source records attributed to W Cho.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The molecular basis of phosphatidylcholine preference of human group-V phospholipase A2.

Human group-V phospholipase A(2) (hVPLA(2)) is a secretory phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) that is involved in eicosanoid formation in such inflammatory cells as macrophages and mast cells. We showed that hVPLA(2) can bind phosphatidylcholine membranes and hydrolyse phosphatidylcholine molecules much more efficiently than human group-IIa PLA(2), which accounts for its high activity on the outer plasma membrane of mammalian cells. To understand the molecular basis of the high phosphatidylcholine specificity of hVPLA(2), we mutated several residues (Gly-53, Glu-56 and Glu-57) that might be involved in interaction with an active-site-bound phospholipid molecule. Phospholipid head-group specificities of mutants determined using polymerized mixed-liposome substrates indicate that a small glycine residue in position 53 is important for accommodating a bulky choline head group. Also, results indicated that two anionic residues, Glu-56 and Glu-57, favourably interact with cationic head groups of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Together, these steric and electrostatic properties of the active site of hVPLA(2) allow for effective binding and hydrolysis of a bulky cationic choline head group of phosphatidylcholine, which is unique among mammalian secretory PLA(2)s.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for 14-kDa human group V secretory phospholipase A2 (hVPLA2).

Secretory phospholipase A2 (PLA2) consists of several 14-kDa isoforms with extensive homology, which makes it difficult to identify a specific isoform. In this study, we have developed and characterized monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed specifically against human group V sPLA2 (hVPLA2) derived from cultured hybridomas. These hybridomas were produced from the fusion of BALB/c-derived myeloma s/p20-Ag14 and splenocytes from mice immunized with purified recombinant hVPLA2. Three hybridomas secreting MAbs, MCL-3G1, MCL-2A5, and MCL-1B7, were selected and subcloned on the basis of their specificity to recognize hVPLA2 using solid-phase enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). The purified MAbs demonstrated a common pattern of immunoreactivity to hVPLA2, but not to human group IIa isoform (hIIaPLA2). Isotype analysis indicates that these hybridomas are of the IgG1 type. Under reducing conditions, MCL-3G1 sensitively detected hVPLA2 and demonstrated no cross-reactivity to either hIIaPLA2 or group IV cytosolic PLA2. Although specific for hVPLA2, a relatively modest signal was recognized with MCL-1B7 and MCL-2A5. These newly developed MAbs allow for determination of tissue distribution and cell-specific functions of hVPLA2.

Animals↗

Dietary L-carnitine improves nitrogen utilization in growing pigs fed low energy, fat-containing diets.

Growing pigs (n = 25; 17.8 +/- 0.1 kg) were used to study the effects of L-carnitine and protein intake on nitrogen (N) balance and body composition. Fat-supplemented (40 g soy oil/kg diet), corn-soybean meal basal diets containing low or high protein (136 or 180 g/diet) were formulated so that protein accretion would be limited by metabolizable energy (ME). Each basal diet was supplemented with 0 or 500 mg/kg L-carnitine and fed to pigs for 10 d in a nutrient balance trial. Final body composition was compared with weight and age-matched pigs measured on d 0 to calculate nutrient accretion rates. High protein feeding increased (P < 0.01) average daily gain (ADG) by 34%, as well as nitrogen digestibility (4.4%), retention (5.2%), urinary excretion (29%) and crude protein (CP) accretion (33%). Total-body carnitine accretion rate was 4.5 fold greater and total body carnitine concentration was almost 100% greater than in unsupplemented controls (P < 0.01). Irrespective of protein level, carnitine increased ADG (by 7.3%, P < 0.10) and CP accretion rate (9%, P < 0.10). Congruently, carnitine supplementation improved the efficiency of nitrogen retention (P < 0. 05) and reduced urinary nitrogen excretion (14%, P < 0.10). Carcass fat content also was reduced in carnitine-supplemented pigs (P < 0. 10). Collectively, these data support the hypothesis that carnitine can improve the efficiency of nitrogen utilization in 20-kg pigs fed energy-limited, fat-containing diets. We conclude that endogenous carnitine biosynthesis may be adequate to maintain sufficient tissue levels during growth, but that supplemental dietary carnitine (at 500 mg/kg) may be retained sufficiently so as to alter nutrient partitioning and thus body composition of 20-kg pigs.

Adipose Tissue↗

Roles of aromatic residues in high interfacial activity of Naja naja atra phospholipase A2.

Acidic phospholipase A2 (PLA2) from the venom of Chinese cobra (Naja naja atra) has high activity on zwitterionic membranes and contains six aromatic residues, including Tyr-3, Trp-18, Trp-19, Trp-61, Phe-64, and Tyr-110, on its putative interfacial binding surface. To assess the roles of these aromatic residues in the interfacial catalysis of N. n. atra PLA2, we mutated them to Ala and measured the effects on its interfacial catalysis. Enzymatic activities of the mutants toward various vesicle substrates and human neutrophils indicate that all but Trp-18 make significant contributions to interfacial catalysis. Among these aromatic residues, Trp-19, Trp-61, and Phe-64 play the most important roles. Binding affinities of the mutants for phospholipid-coated beads and their monolayer penetration indicate that Trp-19, Trp-61, and Phe-64 are critically involved in interfacial binding of N. n. atra PLA2 and penetrate into the membrane during the interfacial catalysis of N. n. atra PLA2. Further thermodynamic analysis suggests that the side chain of Phe-64 is fully inserted into the hydrophobic core of membrane whereas those of Trp-19 and Trp-61 are located in the membrane-water interface. Together, these results show that all three types of aromatic residues can play important roles in interfacial binding of PLA2 depending on their location and side-chain orientation. They also indicate that these aromatic side chains interact with membranes in distinct modes because of their different intrinsic preference for different parts of membranes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural determinant of the vesicle aggregation activity of annexin I.

Some annexins, including annexins I, II, IV, and VII, can promote membrane aggregation. To identify amino acids involved in annexin I-mediated membrane aggregation, we generated truncated mutants of human annexin I lacking various parts of the amino terminus. The in vitro vesicle binding and aggregation activities of these mutants indicated that both the amino-terminal region of annexin I spanning residues 26-29 and the carboxy-terminal core are involved in membrane aggregation. This notion was further supported by the finding that a chimera composed of residues 24-35 of annexin I and the core of annexin V has vesicle aggregation activity that is significantly higher than that of annexin V but lower than that of annexin I. Further site-specific mutations in the amino-terminal region of annexin I indicated that Lys-26 and Lys-29 are essential for its membrane aggregation activity. The comparison of tryptic digest patterns of free and vesicle-bound wild type and K29E mutant suggests that a primary role of Lys-26 and Lys-29 is to induce and stabilize an active conformation of annexin I for vesicle aggregation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cytosolic phospholipase A2 activation is essential for beta 1 and beta 2 integrin-dependent adhesion of human eosinophils.

We examined the role of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) during human eosinophil adherence to ICAM-1- or VCAM-1-coated plates. IL-5-stimulated eosinophils adhered to ICAM-1 through the beta 2 integrin CD11b/CD18, while nonstimulated eosinophils did not. By contrast, nonstimulated eosinophils adhered to VCAM-1 through the beta 1-integrin VLA-4/CD29. Both IL-5-induced adhesion to ICAM-1 and spontaneous adhesion to VCAM-1 corresponded temporally to cPLA2 phosphorylation, which accompanied enhanced catalytic activity of cPLA2. The structurally unrelated cPLA2 inhibitors, arachidonyl trifluoromethylketone and surfactin, significantly inhibited eosinophil adhesion to ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in a concentration-dependent manner. Inhibition of secretory PLA2, 5-lipoxygenase, or cyclooxygenase did not affect eosinophil adhesion. Addition of arachidonic acid to eosinophils after cPLA2 inhibition with arachidonyl trifluoromethylketone or surfactin did not reverse the blockade of adhesion to ICAM-1 or VCAM-1. However, CV-6209, a receptor-specific antagonist of platelet-activating factor, inhibited all integrin-mediated adhesion. The activated conformation of CD11b as identified by the mAb, CBRM1/5, as well as quantitative surface CD11b expression were up-regulated after IL-5 stimulation. However, cPLA2 inhibition neither prevented CBRM1/5 expression nor blocked surface Mac-1 up-regulation caused by IL-5. Our data suggest that cPLA2 activation and its catalytic product platelet-activating factor play an essential role in regulating beta 1 and beta 2 integrin-dependent adhesion of eosinophils. This blockade occurs even in the presence of up-regulated eosinophil surface integrin.

Arachidonic Acids↗

Interplay of C1 and C2 domains of protein kinase C-alpha in its membrane binding and activation.

The regulatory domain of conventional protein kinase C (PKC) contains two membrane-targeting modules, the C2 domain that is responsible for Ca2+-dependent membrane binding of protein, and the C1 domain composed of two cysteine-rich zinc fingers (C1a and C1b) that bind diacylglycerols and phorbol esters. To understand the individual roles and the interplay of the C1 and C2 domains in the membrane binding and activation of PKC, we functionally expressed isolated C1 and C2 domains of PKC-alpha and measured their vesicle binding and monolayer penetration. Results indicate that the C2 domain of PKC-alpha is responsible for the initial Ca2+- and phosphatidylserine-dependent electrostatic membrane binding of PKC-alpha, whereas the C1 domain is involved in subsequent membrane penetration and diacylglycerol binding, which eventually lead to enzyme activation. To determine the roles of individual zinc fingers in the C1 domain, we also mutated hydrophobic residues in the C1a (Trp58 and Phe60) and C1b (Tyr123 and Leu125) domains of the native PKC-alpha molecule and measured the effects of mutations on vesicle binding, enzyme activity and monolayer penetration. Results show that the hydrophobic residues in the C1a domain are essential for the membrane penetration and activation of PKC-alpha, whereas those in the C1b domain are not directly involved in these processes. Based on these results in conjunction with our previous structure-function studies of the C2 domain (Medkova, M., and Cho, W. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 17544-17552), we propose a mechanism for the in vitro membrane binding and activation of conventional PKC that accounts for the temporal and spatial sequences of PKC activation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Differential interfacial and substrate binding modes of mammalian pancreatic phospholipases A2: a comparison among human, bovine, and porcine enzymes.

To identify the residues essential for interfacial binding and substrate binding of human pancreatic phospholipase A2 (hpPLA2), several ionic residues in the putative interfacial binding surface (R6E, K7E, K10E, and K116E) and substrate binding site (D53K and K56E) were mutated. Interfacial affinity of these mutants was measured using anionic polymerized liposomes, and their enzymatic activity was measured using various substrates including phospholipid monomers, zwitterionic and anionic micelles, and anionic polymerized mixed liposomes. Similar mutations (R6E, K10E, K56E, and K116E) were made to porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2 (ppPLA2), and the properties of mutants were measured by the same methods. Results indicate that hpPLA2 and ppPLA2 have similar interfacial binding mechanisms in which cationic residues in the amino terminus and Lys-116 in the carboxy terminus are involved in binding to anionic lipid surfaces. Small but definite differences between the two enzymes were observed in overall interfacial affinity and activity and the effects of the mutations on interfacial enzyme activity. The interfacial binding of hpPLA2 and ppPLA2 is distinct from that of bovine pancreatic phospholipase A2 in that Lys-56 is involved in the interfacial binding of the latter enzyme. The unique phospholipid headgroup specificity of hpPLA2 derives from the presence of Asp-53 in the substrate binding site. This residue appears to participate in stabilizing electrostatic interactions with the cationic ethanolamine headgroup, hence the phosphatidylethanolamine preference of hpPLA2. Taken together, these studies reveal the similarities and the differences in the mechanisms by which mammalian pancreatic phospholipases A2 interact with lipid aggregates and perform interfacial catalysis.

Animals↗

A structural determinant of the unique interfacial binding mode of bovine pancreatic phospholipase A2.

The catalytic steps of the phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-catalyzed hydrolysis of phospholipids are preceded by interfacial binding. Among various pancreatic PLA2s, bovine pancreatic PLA2 (bpPLA2) has a unique interfacial binding mode in which Lys-56 plays an important role in its binding to anionic lipid surfaces. To identify the structural determinant of this unique interfacial binding mode of bpPLA2, we systematically mutated bpPLA2 and measured the effects of mutations on its interfacial binding and activity. First, different cationic clusters were generated in the amino-terminal alpha-helix by the N6R, G7K, and N6R/G7K mutations. These mutations enhanced the binding of bpPLA2 to anionic liposomes up to 15-fold. For these mutants, however, the K56E mutation still caused a large drop in interfacial affinity for and activity toward anionic liposomes, indicating that the generation of a cationic patch in the amino-terminal alpha-helix of bpPLA2 did not change its interfacial binding mode. Second, residues 62-66 that form a part of the pancreatic loop were deleted. For this deletion mutant (Delta62-66), which was as active as wild-type toward anionic liposomes, the K56E and K116E mutations (Delta62-66/K56E and Delta62-66/K116E) did not have significant effects on interfacial affinity. In contrast, the K10E mutation showed a much larger decrease in interfacial affinity (10-fold), indicating the deletion of residues 62-66 caused a major change in the interfacial binding mode. Finally, hydrophobic residues in positions 63 and 65 were replaced by bulkier ones (V63F and V63F/V65L) to pinpoint the structural determinant of the interfacial binding mode of bpPLA2. The effects of K10E and K56E mutations on the interfacial affinity and activity of these mutants showed that Val-63 and Val-65 of bpPLA2 are the structural determinant of its unique interfacial binding mode and that relatively conservative substitutions at these positions result in large changes in the interfacial binding mode among mammalian pancreatic PLA2s. Taken together, this study reveals how minor structural differences among homologous PLA2s can lead to distinct interfacial binding behaviors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mechanisms by which elevated intracellular calcium induces S49 cell membranes to become susceptible to the action of secretory phospholipase A2.

Exposure of S49 lymphoma cells to exogenous group IIA or V secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) caused an initial release of fatty acid followed by resistance to further hydrolysis by the enzyme. This refractoriness was overcome by exposing cells to palmitoyl lysolecithin. This effect was specific in terms of lysophospholipid structure. Induction of membrane susceptibility by lysolecithin involved an increase in cytosolic calcium and was duplicated by incubating the cells with calcium ionophores such as ionomycin. Lysolecithin also activated cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). Inhibition of this enzyme attenuated the ability of lysolecithin (but not ionomycin) to induce susceptibility to sPLA2. Lysolecithin or ionomycin caused concurrent hydrolysis of both phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine implying that transbilayer movement of phosphatidylethanolamine occurred upon exposure to these agents but that susceptibility is not simply due to exposure of a preferred substrate (i.e. phosphatidylethanolamine) to the enzyme. Microvesicles were apparently released from the cells upon addition of lysolecithin or ionomycin. Both these vesicles and the remnant cell membranes were susceptible to sPLA2. Together these data suggest that lysolecithin induces susceptibility through both cPLA2-dependent and -independent pathways. Whereas elevated cytosolic calcium was required for both pathways, it was sufficient only for the cPLA2-independent pathway. This cPLA2-independent pathway involved changes in cell membrane structure associated with transbilayer phospholipid migration and microvesicle release.

Calcium↗

Roles of Trp31 in high membrane binding and proinflammatory activity of human group V phospholipase A2.

Group V phospholipase A2 is a recently discovered secretory phospholipase A2 (PLA2) that has been shown to be involved in eicosanoid formation in inflammatory cells, such as macrophages and mast cells. We have demonstrated that human group V PLA2 (hsPLA2-V) can bind phosphatidylcholine (PC) membranes and hydrolyze PC substrates much more efficiently than human group IIa PLA2, which makes it better suited for acting on the outer plasma membrane (Han, S.-K., Yoon, E. T., and Cho, W. (1998) Biochem. J. 331, 353-357). In this study, we demonstrate that exogenous hsPLA2-V has much greater activity than does group IIa PLA2 to release fatty acids from various mammalian cells and to elicit leukotriene B4 formation from human neutrophils. To understand the molecular basis of these activities, we mutated two surface tryptophans of hsPLA2-V to alanine (W31A and W79A) and measured the effects of these mutations on the kinetic activity toward various substrates, on the binding affinity for vesicles and phospholipid-coated beads, on the penetration into phospholipid monolayers, and on the activity to release fatty acids and elicit eicosanoid formation from various mammalian cells. These studies show that the relatively high ability of hsPLA2-V to induce cellular eicosanoid formation derives from its high affinity for PC membranes and that Trp31 on its putative interfacial binding surface plays an important role in its binding to PC vesicles and to the outer plasma membrane.

Cell Membrane↗

A structure-function study of the C2 domain of cytosolic phospholipase A2. Identification of essential calcium ligands and hydrophobic membrane binding residues.

The C2 domain of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) is involved in the Ca2+-dependent membrane binding of this protein. To identify protein residues in the C2 domain of cPLA2 essential for its Ca2+ and membrane binding, we selectively mutated Ca2+ ligands and putative membrane-binding residues of cPLA2 and measured the effects of mutations on its enzyme activity, membrane binding affinity, and monolayer penetration. The mutations of five Ca2+ ligands (D40N, D43N, N65A, D93N, N95A) show differential effects on the membrane binding and activation of cPLA2, indicating that two calcium ions bound to the C2 domain have differential roles. The mutations of hydrophobic residues (F35A, M38A, L39A, Y96A, Y97A, M98A) in the calcium binding loops show that the membrane binding of cPLA2 is largely driven by hydrophobic interactions resulting from the penetration of these residues into the hydrophobic core of the membrane. Leu39 and Val97 are fully inserted into the membrane, whereas Phe35 and Tyr96 are partially inserted. Finally, the mutations of four cationic residues in a beta-strand (R57E/K58E/R59E/R61E) have modest and negligible effects on the binding of cPLA2 to zwitterionic and anionic membranes, respectively, indicating that they are not directly involved in membrane binding. In conjunction with our previous study on the C2 domain of protein kinase C-alpha (Medkova, M., and Cho, W. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 17544-17552), these results demonstrate that C2 domains are not only a membrane docking unit but also a module that triggers membrane penetration of protein and that individual Ca2+ ions bound to the calcium binding loops play differential roles in the membrane binding and activation of their parent proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Comparative study of the cytolytic activity of myotoxic phospholipases A2 on mouse endothelial (tEnd) and skeletal muscle (C2C12) cells in vitro.

A rapid in vitro cytolytic effect of some myotoxic phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) isolated from the venoms of Viperidae snakes has been previously described. This study was undertaken to investigate if cytolytic activity is a common property of the myotoxic proteins from this group. Murine endothelial cells (tEnd) and skeletal muscle myotubes (C2C12) were utilized as targets. The release of lactic dehydrogenase was quantified as a measure of cell damage, 3 h after exposure of cells to the different PLA2s, including representatives from the genera Bothrops, Agkistrodon, Trimeresurus, Crotalus (family Viperidae), and Notechis (family Elapidae). All of the group II myotoxic PLA2s tested displayed rapid cytolytic activity when tested in the micromolar range of concentrations (8-32 microM). In contrast, the group I myotoxic PLA2 notexin was devoid of this activity. Aspartate-49 and lysine-49 PLA2 group II variants showed a comparable cytolytic effect. Skeletal muscle myotubes, obtained after fusion and differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts, were significantly more susceptible to the cytolytic action of myotoxins than endothelial cells, previously reported to be more susceptible than undifferentiated myoblasts under the same assay conditions. Cytolytic activity appears to be a common characteristic of group II myotoxic PLA2s of the Viperidae. Bee venom PLA2, a group III enzyme of known myotoxicity, also displayed cytotoxic activity on C2C12 myotubes, being devoid of activity on endothelial cells. These results suggest that in vitro differentiated skeletal muscle myotubes may represent a suitable model target for the study of myotoxic PLA2s of the structural group II found in snake venoms.

Animals↗

Interfacial binding of secreted phospholipases A(2): more than electrostatics and a major role for tryptophan.

Secreted phospholipases A(2) have similar catalytic sites, but vastly different interfacial binding surfaces that modulate their binding affinity for different kinds of phospholipid vesicles by several orders of magnitude. The structure/function principles that dictate both the differential interfacial binding and the physiological function of these enzymes are beginning to be unraveled.

Animals↗