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Biomedical subjects

W Cho

Publications and source records attributed to W Cho.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Action of human group IIa secreted phospholipase A2 on cell membranes. Vesicle but not heparinoid binding determines rate of fatty acid release by exogenously added enzyme.

Human group IIa phospholipase A2 (hIIa-PLA2) is a highly basic protein that is secreted from a number of cells during inflammation and may play a role in arachidonate liberation and in destruction of invading bacteria. It has been proposed that rodent group IIa PLA2 is anchored to cell surfaces via attachment to heparan sulfate proteoglycan and that this interaction facilitates lipolysis. hIIa-PLA2 contains 13 lysines, 2 histidines, and 10 arginines that fall into 10 clusters. A panel of 26 hIIa-PLA2 mutants were prepared in which 1-4 basic residues in each cluster were changed to glutamate or aspartate (charge reversal). A detailed analysis of the affinities of these mutants for anionic vesicles and for heparin and heparan sulfate in vitro and of the specific activities of these proteins for hydrolysis of vesicles in vitro and of living cell membranes reveal the following trends: 1) the affinity of hIIa-PLA2 for heparin and heparan sulfate is modulated not by a highly localized site of basic residues but by diffuse sites that partially overlap with the interfacial binding site. In contrast, only those residues on the interfacial binding site of hIIa-PLA2 are involved in binding to membranes; 2) the relative ability of these mutants to hydrolyze cellular phospholipids when enzymes were added exogenously to CHO-K1, NIH-3T3, and RAW 264.7 cells correlates with their relative in vitro affinity for vesicles and not with their affinity for heparin and heparan sulfate. 3) The rates of exogenous hIIa-PLA2-catalyzed fatty acid release from wild type CHO-K1 cells and two mutant lines, one lacking glycosaminoglycan and one lacking heparan sulfate, were similar. Thus basic residues that modulate interfacial binding are important for plasma membrane fatty acid release by exogenously added hIIa-PLA2. Binding of hIIa-PLA2 to cell surface heparan sulfate does not modulate plasma membrane phospholipid hydrolysis by exogenously added hIIa-PLA2.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1998

Membrane penetration of cytosolic phospholipase A2 is necessary for its interfacial catalysis and arachidonate specificity.

To determine the mechanism of calcium-dependent membrane binding of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), we measured the interactions of cPLA2 with phospholipid monolayers and polymerizable mixed liposomes containing various phospholipids. In the presence of calcium, cPLA2 showed much higher penetrating power than secretory human pancreatic PLA2 toward anionic and electrically neutral phospholipid monolayers. cPLA2 also showed ca. 30-fold higher binding affinity for nonpolymerized 2, 3-bis[12-(lipoyloxy)dodecanoyl]-sn-glycero-1-phosphoglycerol (D-BLPG) liposomes than for polymerized ones where the membrane penetration of protein is significantly restricted. Consistent with this difference in membrane binding affinity, cPLA2 showed 20-fold higher activity toward fluorogenic substrates, 1-O-(1-pyrenedecyl)-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, inserted in nonpolymerized D-BLPG liposomes than the same substrate in polymerized D-BLPG liposomes. Furthermore, cPLA2 showed much higher sn-2 acyl group specificity (arachidonate specificity) and headgroup specificity in nonpolymerized D-BLPG liposomes than in polymerized D-BLPG liposomes. Finally, diacylglycerols, such as 1, 2-dioleoyl-sn-glycerol, selectively enhanced the membrane penetration, hydrophobic membrane binding, and interfacial enzyme activity of cPLA2. Taken together, these results indicate the following: (1) calcium not only brings cPLA2 to the membrane surface but also induces its membrane penetration. (2) This unique calcium-dependent membrane penetration of cPLA2 is necessary for its interfacial binding and substrate specificity. (3) Diacylglycerols might work as a cellular activator of cPLA2 by enhancing its membrane penetration and hydrophobic membrane binding.

Arachidonic Acid↗
PubMed1998

Roles of individual domains of annexin I in its vesicle binding and vesicle aggregation: a comprehensive mutagenesis study.

To understand the mechanism by which annexin I induces membrane aggregation, a comprehensive mutagenesis of all six Ca2+-binding sites was performed. When the cap residues of type II Ca2+-binding sites were systematically mutated to Ala, a type II site in domain II was shown to be essential for Ca2+-dependent vesicle binding of annexin I. Domain II was not, however, directly involved in vesicle aggregation. Instead, type II sites in domains III and IV, respectively, and type III sites in domains I and IV were involved in vesicle aggregation. When all type II sites were deactivated, three type III sites provided residual vesicle binding and aggregating activities. Their contributions to these activities in the presence of type II sites were, however, relatively insignificant. To further investigate the role of each domain harboring a type II site, a set of mutants containing only a specific type II site(s) were generated and their activities measured. These measurements again underscored the importance of domain II in vesicle binding of annexin I and the involvement of domains III and IV in vesicle aggregation. The roles of individual domains in vesicle binding and aggregation can be accounted for by the conformational change of membrane-bound annexin I involving modular rotation of domains (I/IV) following the initial membrane adsorption of domains (II/III). In conjunction with mutagenesis studies on other annexins, these results show that individual domains of annexins, although structurally homologous, have distinct functions and that different annexins might interact with membranes via different domains.

Amino Acid Substitution↗
PubMed1998

Mutagenesis of the C2 domain of protein kinase C-alpha. Differential roles of Ca2+ ligands and membrane binding residues.

The C2 domains of conventional protein kinase C (PKC) have been implicated in their Ca2+-dependent membrane binding. The C2 domain of PKC-alpha contains several Ca2+ ligands that bind multiple Ca2+ ions and other putative membrane binding residues. To understand the roles of individual Ca2+ ligands and protein-bound Ca2+ ions in the membrane binding and activation of PKC-alpha, we mutated five putative Ca2+ ligands (D187N, D193N, D246N, D248N, and D254N) and measured the effects of mutations on vesicle binding, enzyme activity, and monolayer penetration of PKC-alpha. Altered properties of these mutants indicate that individual Ca2+ ions and their ligands have different roles in the membrane binding and activation of PKC-alpha. The binding of Ca2+ to Asp187, Asp193, and Asp246 of PKC-alpha is important for the initial binding of protein to membrane surfaces. On the other hand, the binding of another Ca2+ to Asp187, Asp246, Asp248, and Asp254 induces the conformational change of PKC-alpha, which in turn triggers its membrane penetration and activation. Among these Ca2+ ligands, Asp246 was shown to be most essential for both membrane binding and activation of PKC-alpha, presumably due to its coordination to multiple Ca2+ ions. Furthermore, to identify the residues in the C2 domain that are involved in membrane binding of PKC-alpha, we mutated four putative membrane binding residues (Trp245, Trp247, Arg249, and Arg252). Membrane binding and enzymatic properties of two double-site mutants (W245A/W247A and R249A/R252A) indicate that Arg249 and Arg252 are involved in electrostatic interactions of PKC-alpha with anionic membranes, whereas Trp245 and Trp247 participate in its penetration into membranes and resulting hydrophobic interactions. Taken together, these studies provide the first experimental evidence for the role of C2 domain of conventional PKC as a membrane docking unit as well as a module that triggers conformational changes to activate the protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Bacterial expression and characterization of human secretory class V phospholipase A2.

Mammalian secretory class V phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is a newly discovered PLA2 that is implicated in eicosanoid formation in inflammatory cells. As a first step towards understanding the structure, function and regulation of this PLA2, we constructed a bacterial expression vector for human secretory class V PLA2 (hV-PLA2), over-expressed and purified the protein, and determined its physical and kinetic properties. When compared with human class IIa enzyme (hIIa-PLA2), hV-PLA2 has several distinct properties. First, hV-PLA2 can catalyse the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine more effectively than hIIa-PLA2 by two orders of magnitude. Secondly, hV-PLA2 has much higher binding affinity and activity for compactly packed phosphatidylcholine bilayers than hIIa-PLA2. Finally, hV-PLA2 has much reduced thermal stability compared with hIIa-PLA2. These data suggest that hV-PLA2 is better suited than hIIa-PLA2 for acting on the outer cellular membrane and liberating arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids. Also, the unusually low thermal stability of hV-PLA2 might contribute to tighter regulation of its activities in extracellular media.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Differential membrane-binding and activation mechanisms of protein kinase C-alpha and -epsilon.

To elucidate the mechanisms of membrane binding and activation of conventional and novel protein kinase C (PKC), we measured the interactions of rat PKC-alpha and -epsilon with phospholipid monolayers and vesicles of various compositions. Besides the established difference in calcium requirement, the two isoforms showed major differences in their membrane-binding and activation mechanisms. For PKC-alpha, diacylglycerol (DG) specifically enhanced the binding of PKC-alpha to phosphatidylserine (PS)-containing vesicles by 2 orders of magnitude, allowing PKC-alpha high specificity for PS. Also, PKC-alpha could penetrate into the phospholipid monolayer with a packing density comparable to that of the cell membrane only in the presence of Ca2+ and PS. When compared to PKC-alpha, PKC-epsilon had lower binding affinity for PS-containing vesicles both in the presence and in the absence of DG. As a result, PKC-epsilon did not show pronounced specificity for PS. Also, PKC-epsilon showed reduced penetration into PS-containing monolayers, which was comparable to the Ca2+-independent penetration of PKC-alpha into the same monolayers. Taken together, these results suggest the following: (1) The role of Ca2+ in the membrane binding of PKC-alpha is to expose a specific PS-binding site. (2) Once bound to membrane surfaces, PS specifically induces the partial membrane penetration of PKC-alpha that allows its optimal interactions with DG, hence the enhanced membrane binding and activation. (3) PKC-epsilon, due to the lack of Ca2+ binding, cannot specifically interact with PS and DG, which implies the presence of other physiological activator(s) for this isoform.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Desmoplastic cerebral astrocytoma of infancy: a case report.

We present a case of desmoplastic cerebral astrocytoma of infancy (DCAI) in a 9-month-old boy including immunohistochemical and proliferative activity studies. It was mainly composed of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive astrocytes and desmoplastic stroma. Studies with Ki-67 and synthetic phase fraction disclosed a low proliferative activity. Flow cytometric study revealed diploidy pattern. These findings suggest a positive correlation with the favorable prognosis.

Astrocytoma↗
PubMed1997

Mapping the interfacial binding surface of human secretory group IIa phospholipase A2.

Human secretory group IIa phospholipase A2 (hIIa-PLA2) contains a large number of prominent cationic patches on its molecular surface and has exceptionally high affinity for anionic surfaces, including anionic membranes. To identify the cationic amino acid residues that support binding of hIIa-PLA2 to anionic membranes, we have performed extensive site-directed mutagenesis of this protein and measured vesicle binding and interfacial kinetic properties of the mutants using polymerized liposomes and nonpolymerized anionic vesicles. Unlike other secretory PLA2s, which have a few cationic residues that support binding of enzyme to anionic membranes, interfacial binding of hIIa-PLA2 is driven in part by electrostatic interactions involving a number of cationic residues forming patches on the putative interfacial binding surface. Among these residues, the amino-terminal patch composed of Arg-7, Lys-10, and Lys-16 makes the most significant contribution to interfacial adsorption, and this is supplemented by contributions from other patches, most notably Lys-74/Lys-87/Arg-92 and Lys-124/Arg-127. For these mutants, complete vesicle binding occurs in the presence of high vesicle concentrations, and under these conditions the mutants display specific activities comparable to that of wild-type enzyme. These studies indicate that electrostatic interactions between surface lysine and arginine residues and the interface contribute to interfacial binding of hIIa-PLA2 to anionic vesicles and that cationic residues closest to the opening of the active-site slot make the most important interactions with the membrane. However, because the wild type binds extremely tightly to anionic vesicles, it was not possible to exactly determine what fraction of the total interfacial binding energy is due to electrostatics.

Arginine↗
PubMed1997

A phospholipase A2 kinetic and binding assay using phospholipid-coated hydrophobic beads.

A novel kinetic and membrane-binding assay for phospholipase A2 (PLA2) has been developed utilizing phospholipid-coated hydrophobic styrene-divinylbenzene beads (5.2 +/- 0.3 microm diameter). Phospholipids formed a stable monolayer film on styrene-divinylbenzene beads with average surface packing density of (1.3 +/- 0.2) x 10(-2) molecule/A2. Secretory PLA2 readily hydrolyzed 1-palmitoyl-2-[3H]-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol coated on styrene-divinylbenzene beads which could be easily monitored by measuring the radioactivity of fatty acid released to solution in the presence of bovine serum albumin. For human cytosolic PLA2 with high specificity for sn-2 arachidonyl group, styrene-divinylbenzene beads coated with 1-stearoyl-2-[14C]-arachidonyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and dioleoylglycerol (7:3, mol/mol) were used as substrate. PLA2 activity was linearly proportional to the enzyme concentration in the range from 1 to 150 nM for human class II secretory PLA2 and from 1 to 20 nM for cytosolic PLA2; the specific activity was 1.6 and 1.7 micromol/min/mg, respectively. Finally, styrene-divinylbenzene beads coated with polymerized 1,2-bis[12-(lipoyloxy) dodecanoyl]-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol were used to measure the membrane binding affinity of PLA2, which in conjunction with kinetic data provides important insights into how PLA2 interacts with membranes.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Bacterial expression and characterization of human pancreatic phospholipase A2.

Mammalian pancreatic phospholipases A2 (PLA2) have recently been implicated in cell surface receptor-mediated inflammation. As a first step toward understanding how human pancreatic PLA2 (hp-PLA2) interacts with membranes and other biological targets including cell-surface receptors, we constructed its bacterial expression vector which can be used for the mutagenesis and protein over-expression. The expression vector (pSH-hp) was constructed using a synthetic hp-PLA2 gene whose transcription is controlled by T7 promoter. hp-PLA2 was expressed as a mature protein in high concentration in Escherichia coli cells and formed inclusion body. The solubilization of inclusion body protein followed by the refolding and purification produced ca. 5 mg of pure protein from one liter of growth medium. Kinetic studies of recombinant human, bovine and porcine pancreatic PLA2s using polymerized mixed liposomes and micelles as substrates showed that despite their highly homologous structures these mammalian pancreatic PLA2s have distinct phospholipid head group specificity and different activity toward various lipid substrates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Structural aspects of interfacial adsorption. A crystallographic and site-directed mutagenesis study of the phospholipase A2 from the venom of Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus.

Recent genetic and structural studies have shed considerable light on the mechanism by which secretory phospholipases A2 interact with substrate aggregates. Electrostatic forces play an essential role in optimizing interfacial catalysis. Efficient and productive adsorption of the Class I bovine pancreatic phospholipase A2 to anionic interfaces is dependent upon the presence of two nonconserved lysine residues at sequence positions 56 and 116, implying that critical components of the adsorption surface differ among enzyme species (Dua, R., Wu, S.-K., and Cho, W. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 263-268). In an effort to further characterize the protein residues involved in interfacial catalysis, we have determined the high resolution (1.7 A) x-ray structure of the Class II Asp-49 phospholipase A2 from the venom of Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus. Correlation of the three-dimensional coordinates with kinetic data derived from site-directed mutations near the amino terminus (E6R, K7E, K10E, K11E, and K16E) and the active site (K54E and K69Y) defines much of the interface topography. Lysine residues at sequence positions 7 and 10 mediate the adsorption of A. p. piscivorus phospholipase A2 to anionic interfaces but play little role in the enzyme's interaction with electrically neutral surfaces or in substrate binding. Compared to the native enzyme, the mutant proteins K7E and K10E demonstrate comparable (20-fold) decreases in affinity and catalysis on polymerized mixed liposomes of 1-hexadecanoyl-2-(1-pyrenedecanoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1,2-bis[12-(lipoyloxy)dodecanoyl]-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol, while the double mutant, K7E/K10E, shows a more dramatic 500-fold decrease in catalysis and interfacial adsorption. The calculated contributions of Lys-7 and Lys-10 to the free energy of binding of A. p. piscivorus phospholipase A2 to anionic liposomes (-1.8 kcal/mol at 25 degrees C per lysine) are additive (i.e. -3.7 kcal/mol) and together represent nearly half of the total binding energy. Although both lysine side chains lie exposed at the edge of the proposed interfacial adsorption surface, they are geographically remote from the corresponding interfacial determinants for the bovine enzyme. Our results confirm that interfacial adsorption is largely driven by electrostatic forces and demonstrate that the arrangement of the critical charges (e.g. lysines) is species-specific. This variability in the topography of the adsorption surface suggests a corresponding flexibility in the orientation of the active enzyme at the substrate interface.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1997

High specificity of human secretory class II phospholipase A2 for phosphatidic acid.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a potent lipid second messenger which stimulates platelet aggregation, cell proliferation and smooth-muscle contraction. The phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-catalysed hydrolysis of phosphatidic acid (PA) is thought to be a primary synthetic route for LPA. Of the multiple forms of PLA2 present in human tissues, human secretory class-II PLA2 (hs-PLA2) has been implicated in the production of LPA from platelets and whole blood cells challenged with inflammatory stimuli. To explore further the possibility that hs-PLA2 is involved in the production of LPA, we rigorously measured the phospholipid head group specificity of hs-PLA2 by a novel PLA2 kinetic system using polymerized mixed liposomes. Kinetic analysis of recombinant hs-PLA2 demonstrates that hs-PLA2 strongly prefers PA as substrate over other phospholipids found in the mammalian plasma membrane including phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). The order of preference is PA >> PE approximately PS > PC. To identify amino acid residues of hs-PLA2 that are involved in its unique substrate specificity, we mutated two residues, Glu-56 and Lys-69, which were shown to interact with the phospholipid head group in the X-ray-crystallographic structure of the hs-PLA2-transition-state-analogue complex. The K69Y mutant showed selective inactivation toward PA whereas the E56K mutant displayed a most pronounced inactivation to PE. Thus it appears that Lys-69 is at least partially involved in the PA specificity of hs-PLA2 and Glu-56 in the distinction between PE and PC. In conjunction with a recent cell study [Fourcade, Simon, Viode, Rugani, Leballe, Ragab, Fournie, Sarda and Chap (1995) Cell 80, 919-927], these studies suggest that hs-PLA2 can rapidly hydrolyse PA molecules exposed to the outer layer of cell-derived microvesicles and thereby produce LPA.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Cloning, expression, and regulation of rabbit cyclooxygenase-2 in renal medullary interstitial cells.

Prostaglandin synthesis requires cyclooxygenase-1 (COX1) or -2 (COX2), which mediate the conversion of arachidonate to prostaglandin H2. COX1 is the predominant constitutive isoform, whereas COX2 expression is typically low. In the present studies we cloned rabbit COX2 and determined its distribution in unstimulated tissues. Screening rabbit eye and uterine libraries yielded two cDNAs containing identical inserts with a 1,812-nucleotide open-reading frame. This encoded a 604-amino acid polypeptide, 90% identical to human, rat, and mouse COX2. Expression of the rabbit COX2 in HEK-293 cells enhanced prostanoid synthesis. Constitutive COX2 mRNA expression was highest in kidney and urinary bladder. COX2 expression was primarily in renal outer medullary interstitial cells with cortical expression in macula densa. In cultured medullary interstitial cells, COX2 mRNA predominated, with little COX1 expression. Interstitial cell COX2 mRNA but not COX1 was induced by phorbol ester and epidermal growth factor but suppressed by dexamethasone. Phorbol ester also upregulated immunoreactive COX2. Constitutive COX2 in these tissues has important implications for side effects of COX2-selective inhibitors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Roles of surface hydrophobic residues in the interfacial catalysis of bovine pancreatic phospholipase A2.

The interfacial binding is a unique and important step in the phospholipase A2 (PLA2) catalyzed hydrolysis of phospholipids which is distinct from the binding of a substrate to the active site. To assess the roles of surface hydrophobic residues of PLA2 in these processes, we selectively mutated Leu-19 and Leu-20 of bovine pancreatic PLA2 to charged (L19K and L20K), uncharged polar (L19S and L20S), and amphiphilic (L19W and L20W) groups and measured their kinetic and binding properties using various phospholipid aggregates, including micelles, monolayers, and polymerized mixed liposomes. The mutations of Leu-19 and Leu-20 did not significantly change either the tertiary structure or the thermodynamic stability of bovine pancreatic PLA2. Toward monomeric 1,2-dihexanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, all Leu-20 mutants (L20S, L20W, and L20K) showed activities comparable to that of wild type whereas the substitution of Leu-19 with less hydrophobic side chains (L19S and L19K) reduced the activity to 70% and 50%. Toward zwitterionic 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (diC8PC) micelles, L20S and L20K mutants showed only 30% and 35% of the wild-type activity, respectively, whereas L20W was about twice as active as wild type. Also, L19S and L19K showed 75% and 15% of the wild-type activity, respectively. Toward anionic Trition X-100/sodium deoxycholate/diC8PC (4:2:1) mixed micelles, L20W and L20K were 2.6 times and twice more active than wild type. To determine the sn-2 acyl group selectivity of wild type and mutants, polymerized mixed liposomes were used which contained 1,2-bis[12-(lipoyloxy)-dodecanoyl]-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol and 1 mol % of either 1-2[12-(1-pyrenebutanoyloxy)dodecanoyl]-2-hexanoyl-sn-glycero-3-++ +phosphocholine or 1-[12-(1-pyrenebutanoyloxy)dodecanoyl]-2-dodecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-+ ++phosphocholine. These measurements showed that Leu-19 was involved in the substrate binding and the sn-2 acyl group selectivity of bovine pancreatic PLA2 and that Leu-20 made a direct contact with the surface of phospholipid aggregates. The binding affinities of mutants to micelles, polymerized liposomes, and monolayers were well consistent with their kinetic behaviors, supporting the notion that the altered activities of Leu-19 mutants and Leu-20 mutants were due to the change in their substrate binding and interfacial binding, respectively. Finally, the L20W mutant represents the first example of protein engineering of PLA2 which results in a significant increase in interfacial binding to densely packed neutral monolayers and bilayers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗