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Biomedical subjects

W H Goldmann

Publications and source records attributed to W H Goldmann.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Kinetic determination of focal adhesion protein formation.

I examined the binding kinetics between integrin (alpha(IIb)beta(3)) and purified focal adhesion proteins, including alpha-actinin, filamin, vinculin, talin, and F-actin. Using static light-scatter technique, I observed affinities of the order talin > filamin > F-actin > alpha-actinin > (talin when bound to vinculin) which were lower when integrin was complexed with fibronectin. No binding between integrin and vinculin was detected. The calculated dissociation constants (K(d)) ranged between 0.4 microM and 5 microM. These results in part confirm previously published data using different methods. The modest affinity with which the focal adhesion proteins interact in vitro might be indicative of how cells, e.g., thrombocytes, gain a high degree of versatility and velocity.

Actinin↗

Fragments from alpha-actinin insert into reconstituted lipid bilayers.

Recent experiments have indicated that alpha-actinin interacts with phospholipid membranes. Using computer analysis methods we determined two possible lipid binding sites capable of membrane attachment/insertion, residues 281-300 and 720-739 of the primary amino acid sequence on smooth muscle alpha-actinin. Having expressed these regions as fusion proteins with schistosomal GST (glutathione S-transferase), we used differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to investigate their interaction with mixtures of zwitterionic (dimyristoyl-l-alpha-phosphatidylcholine, DMPC) and anionic (dimyristoyl-l-alpha-phosphatidylglycerol, DMPG) phospholipids in reconstituted lipid bilayers. Calorimetric measurements showed that as fusion protein concentration increased, the main chain transition enthalpy decreased and chain melting temperatures shifted, which is indicative of partial protein insertion into the hydrophobic region of the lipid membranes. Centrifugation assay and subsequent SDS/Page chromatography confirmed this finding.

Actinin↗

Fragments from actin binding protein (ABP-280; filamin) insert into reconstituted lipid layers.

Previous computer analyses suggested two possible lipid binding sites, residues 49-71 and 131-155, of the primary amino acid sequence on ABP-280 (filamin), which could facilitate membrane attachment/insertion. We expressed these regions as fusion proteins with schistosomal GST and investigated their interaction with mixtures of zwitterionic (dimyristoyl-l-alpha-phosphatidylcholine, DMPC) and anionic (dimyristoyl-l-alpha-phosphatidylglycerol, DMPG) phospholipids in reconstituted lipid bilayers by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Using vesicles of mixed DMPC/DMPG with increasing fusion protein concentrations, we established in calorimetric assays a decrease of the main chain transition enthalpy, DeltaH, and a shift in chain melting temperature. This is indicative of the insertion of these fragments into the hydrophobic region of lipid membranes. We confirmed these findings by the film balance technique using lipid monolayers (DMPG). The binding judged from both methods was of moderate affinity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The effect of intact talin and talin tail fragment on actin filament dynamics and structure depends on pH and ionic strength.

We employed quasi-elastic light scattering and electron microscopy to investigate the influence of intact talin and talin tail fragment on actin filament dynamics and network structure. Using these methods, we confirm previous reports that intact talin induces cross-linking as well as filament shortening on actin networks. We now show that the effect of intact talin as well as talin tail fragment on actin networks is controlled by pH and ionic strength. At pH 7.5, actin filament dynamics in the presence of intact talin and talin tail fragment are characterized by a rapid decay of the dynamic structure factor and by a square root power law for the stretched exponential decay which is in contrast with the theory for pure actin solutions. At pH 6 and low ionic strength, intact talin cross-links actin filaments more tightly than talin tail fragment. Talin head fragment showed no effect on actin networks, indicating that the actin binding sites reside probably exclusively within the tail domain.

Actins↗

Interaction of purified human proteinase 3 (PR3) with reconstituted lipid bilayers.

Proteinase 3 (PR3), the major target autoantigen in Wegener's granulomatosis is a serine proteinase that is normally stored intracellularly in the primary granules of quiescent neutrophils and monocytes. Upon cell activation, a significant portion of this antigen is detected on the cell surface membrane. The nature of the association of PR3 with the membrane and its functional significance are unknown. We investigated the interaction of purified human PR3 with mixtures of zwitterionic (dimyristoyl-L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine, DMPC) and anionic (dimyristoyl-L-alpha-phosphatidylglycerol, DMPG) phospholipids in reconstituted lipid bilayers using differential scanning calorimetry and lipid photolabeling, and measured the affinity of this interaction using spectrophotometry. Two other primary granule constituents, human neutrophil elastase (HNE) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were investigated for comparison. In calorimetric assays, using lipid vesicles of mixed DMPC/DMPG, increasing PR3 concentrations (protein/lipid molar ratio from 0 to 1 : 110) induced a significant decrease of the main chain transition enthalpy and a shift in chain melting temperatures which is indicative of partial insertion of PR3 into the hydrophobic region of the lipid membranes. This was confirmed by hydrophobic photolabeling using liposomes containing trace amounts of the photoactivable [125I]-labeled phosphatidylcholine analog TID-PC/16. The molar affinity of PR3, HNE, and MPO to lipid vesicles of different DMPC/DMPG ratios was then determined by spectrophotometry. At a DMPC/DMPG ratio of 1 : 1, molar affinities of PR3, Kd = 4.5 +/- 0.3 microm; HNE, 14.5 +/- 1.2 microm; and MPO, 50 +/- 5 microm (n = 3) were estimated. The lipid-associated PR3 exhibited two-fold lower Vmax and Km values, and its enzyme activity was slightly more inhibited (Ki) by the natural alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha1-PI) or an autoantibody to PR3.

Affinity Labels↗

Analysis of the F-actin binding fragments of vinculin using stopped-flow and dynamic light-scattering measurements.

Using amino acids 884-1066 and 884-1012 expressed from chicken vinculin as fusion proteins with schistosomal glutathione S-transferase, we determined the binding kinetics of the protein fragments with F-actin. We established by the stopped-flow method a two-step binding process: an initial rapid reaction followed by a slower process. The latter is attributed to F-actin cross-linking and/or bundling, which was previously detected by viscometry and electron microscopy [Johnson, R. P. & Craig, S. W. (1995) Nature 373, 261-264]. This is also supported by dynamic light-scattering measurements, indicating dramatic changes in the internal actin filament dynamics, i.e. in bending undulations due to thermal noise. The similar size of the binding reaction for both fusion proteins with F-actin indicates that the F-actin binding site(s) on vinculin are located between residues 884-1012. No binding of pure glutathione S-transferase or its fusion protein with vinculin peptide 1012-1066 with F-actin was detected by either method.

Actins↗

Peptide-specific antibodies localize the major lipid binding sites of talin dimers to oppositely arranged N-terminal 47 kDa subdomains.

Using ultrastructural analysis and labeling with polyclonal antibodies that recognize peptide sequences specific for phospholipid binding, we mapped the functional domain structure of intact platelet talin and its proteolytic fragments. The talin dimer, which is crucial for actin and lipid binding, is built of a backbone containing the 200 kDa rod portions, at both ends of which a 47 kDa globular domain is attached. Peptide-specific polyclonal antibodies were raised against three potential lipid binding sequences residing within the N-terminal 47 kDa domain (i.e. S19, amino acids 21-39; H18, amino acids 287-304; and H17, amino acids 385-406). Antibodies H17 and H18 localize these lipid binding sequences within the N-terminal 47 kDa globular talin subdomains opposed at the outer 200 kDa rod domains within talin dimers. Hence, we conclude that in its dimeric form, which is used in actin and lipid binding, talin is a dumbbell-shaped molecule built of two antiparallel subunits.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Examination of temperature-induced 'gel-sol' transformation of alpha-actinin/cross-linked actin networks by static light scattering.

We studied the gel-sol transformation of F-actin/alpha-actinin solutions. Cross-linking of actin filaments by alpha-actinin shows a temperature-dependent increase in light scatter signal, (I)T. Higher F-actin/alpha-actinin molar ratios, r(A alpha) as well as increases in F-actin concentration, [A], and reduction of actin filament lengths, rAG, augment the maximal light intensity, I and shift the gel-sol transition point, Tg to higher temperatures. This behavior is interpreted in terms of the model developed by Tempel, M., Isenberg, G. and Sackmann, E. (1996) (Physical Review E 54, 1802-1810) based on the percolation theory. Using the temperature-dependent binding model of this theory allows instant prediction of the equilibrium constant, K for F-actin/alpha-actinin solutions at temperatures T < Tg.

Actinin↗

Differences in elasticity of vinculin-deficient F9 cells measured by magnetometry and atomic force microscopy.

We have investigated a mouse F9 embryonic carcinoma cell line, in which both vinculin genes were inactivated by homologous recombination, that exhibits defective adhesion and spreading [Coll et al. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92, 9161-9165]. Using a magnetometer and RGD-coated magnetic microbeads, we measured the local effect of loss and replacement of vinculin on mechanical force transfer across integrins. Vinculin-deficient F9Vin(-/-) cells showed a 21% difference in relative stiffness compared to wild-type cells. This was restored to near wild-type levels after transfection and constitutive expression of increasing amounts of vinculin into F9Vin(-/-) cells. In contrast, the transfection of vinculin constructs deficient in amino acids 1-288 (containing the talin- and alpha-actinin-binding site) or substituting tyrosine for phenylalanine (phosphorylation site, amino acid 822) in F9Vin(-/-) cells resulted in partial restoration of stiffness. Using atomic force microscopy to map the relative elasticity of entire F9 cells by 128 x 128 (n = 16,384) force scans, we observed a correlation with magnetometer measurements. These findings suggest that vinculin may promote cell adhesions and spreading by stabilizing focal adhesions and transferring mechanical stresses that drive cytoskeletal remodeling, thereby affecting the elastic properties of the cell.

Animals↗

Differences in F9 and 5.51 cell elasticity determined by cell poking and atomic force microscopy.

We studied the elasticity of both a wild type (F9) mouse embryonic carcinoma and a vinculin-deficient (5.51) cell line, which was produced by chemical mutagenesis. Using cell poking, we measured the effects of loss of vinculin on the elastic properties of these cells. F9 cells were about 20% more resistant to indentation by the cell poker (a glass stylus) than were 5.51 cells. Using the atomic force microscope to map the elasticity of wild type and vinculin-deficient cells by 128 X 128 force scans, we observed a correlation of elasticity with cell poking elastometric measurements. These findings, as well as previous atomic force, rheologic, and magnetometric measurements [Goldmann and Ezzell, Exp. Cell Res. 226 (1996) 234-237; Ezzell et al., Exp. Cell Res. 231 (1997) 14-26], indicate that vinculin is an integral part of the cytoskeletal network.

Animals↗

Examining F-actin interaction with intact talin and talin head and tail fragment using static and dynamic light scattering.

We examined the binding kinetics of intact talin and talin head and tail fragment with F-actin at pH 7.0 and at low ionic strength. We observed by a transient kinetic method a fast followed by a slower binding process for intact talin and talin tail fragment with filamentous actin. The latter can be attributed to F-actin cross-linking and/or bundling, which was observed in cosedimentation assays as well as by low shear viscometry and electron microscopy [Zhang, J., Robson, R. M., Schmidt, J. M. & Stromer, M. H. (1996) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 218, 530-537]. This finding is supported by dynamic light scattering measurements, indicating changes in internal actin filament dynamics due to cross-linking/bundling events with intact talin and talin tail fragment. No binding of the talin head fragment with F-actin was detected by either method.

Actins↗

Viscoelasticity of actin-gelsolin networks in the presence of filamin.

Cross-linking of actin filaments by filamin by means of frequency-dependent rheology yields an increase in the filament's elasticity and stiffness. Higher cross-linker (filamin) ratios are required for mean actin-filament lengths of 5-6 microm than for random-length distribution of actin filaments. The loss modulus (i.e. the viscous portion) in the region of the internal-chain dynamics [G"(omega) approximately omega(alpha)] is influenced by the cross-linking of filaments, and with an increasing molar ratio of filamin/actin a reduction of alpha is observed. Rheological measurements reveal that actin networks are already formed at the polymerizing stage at a molar ratio of filamin/actin of less than 1:100, and electron micrographs show phase separation of actin/filament networks of low density and of actin/filament bundles.

Actins↗

Vinculin promotes cell spreading by mechanically coupling integrins to the cytoskeleton.

Mouse F9 embryonic carcinoma 5.51 cells that lack the cytoskeletal protein vinculin spread poorly on extracellular matrix compared with wild-type F9 cells or two vinculin-transfected clones (5.51Vin3 and Vin4; Samuels et al., 1993, J. Cell Biol. 121, 909-921). In the present study, we used this model system to determine how the presence of vinculin promotes cytoskeletal alterations and associated changes in cell shape. Microscopic analysis of cell spreading at early times, revealed that 5.51 cells retained the ability to form filopodia; however, they could not form lamellipodia, assemble stress fibers, or efficiently spread over the culture substrate. Detergent (Triton X-100) studies revealed that these major differences in cell morphology and cytoskeletal organization did not result from differences in levels of total polymerized or cross-linked actin. Biochemical studies showed that 5.51 cells, in addition to lacking vinculin, exhibited slightly reduced levels of alpha-actinin and paxillin in their detergent-insoluble cytoskeleton. The absence of vinculin correlated with a decrease in the mechanical stiffness of the integrin-cytoskeleton linkage, as measured using cell magnetometry. Furthermore, when vinculin was replaced by transfection in 5.51Vin3 and 5.51Vin4 cells, the levels of cytoskeletal-associated alpha-actinin and paxillin, the efficiency of transmembrane mechanical coupling, and the formation of actin stress fibers were all restored to near wild-type levels. These findings suggest that vinculin may promote cell spreading by stabilizing focal adhesions and transferring mechanical stresses that drive cytoskeletal remodeling, rather than by altering the total level of actin polymerization or cross-linking.

Actinin↗

Probing phosphatidylinositolphosphates and adenosinenucleotides on talin nucleated actin polymerization.

We have investigated the binding of PI, PIP and PIP2 to talin and the effect of phosphoinositides and adenosinenucleotides on talin-induced actin polymerization. At physiological salt concentrations, talin coprecipitates with liposomes when containing phosphoinositides but not when containing PI. The nucleating effect of talin as reflected by a twofold increase of fluorescence during the polymerization of actin labelled with NBD is not inhibited by phosphoinositides. The polymerization of ADP-actin versus ATP-actin was investigated in the presence and absence of talin by NBD fluorescence. ADP-actin nucleation induced by talin is comparably efficient as with ATP-actin. These experimental findings in summary have implications when evaluating the role of talin during cell activation.

Actins↗

Viscoelasticity in wild-type and vinculin-deficient (5.51) mouse F9 embryonic carcinoma cells examined by atomic force microscopy and rheology.

We have been studying mouse F9 embryonic carcinoma cells which contain no detectable vinculin protein (5.51 cells), and compared them with F9 wild-type cells. Employing atomic force microscopy, we probed the elastic properties of individual F9 wild-type and 5.51 cells by measuring the dynamic response of controlled loads of the cantilever tip. An elastic modulus (Young) of approximately 3.8 and approximately 2.5 kPa was calculated for wild-type and 5.51 cells, respectively. Using disc rheometry, we detected a marked change in shear of a 1000g pellet of approximately 55 x 10(6) cells between wild-type and 5.51 mutants. These differences are attributed to the loss of vinculin and altered cytoskeletal organization in these cells.

Animals↗

Determination of the affinity of talin and vinculin to charged lipid vesicles: a light scatter study.

Recent experimental findings have demonstrated that both talin and vinculin bind to phospholipids and insert into the hydrophobic region of lipid membranes. Here, we show that the light scatter method can be used for measuring the affinity of proteins to phospholipid membranes. Large unilamellar DMPC/DMPG vesicles were produced by the extrusion technique (LUVETs). We have used repeated heating/cooling scans between 15 degrees C and 35 degrees C to ensure protein-lipid interaction/insertion. A molar affinity of talin, K = 2.9 x 10(6) M-1 and of vinculin, K = 3.3 x 10(5) M-1 to lipid vesicles, respectively, was determined from the plot; light scatter signal at 380 nm against protein concentrations by fitting the term, ln (Io/I-1) = A-K x c to the data.

Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine↗