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An ion-exchange chromatography procedure for the isolation and concentration of basic amino acids and polyamines from complex biological samples prior to high-performance liquid chromatography.

The original objective of this study was to develop a selective and sensitive method for the analysis and quantification of basic amino acids from biological samples via reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Using various previously described techniques for the separation of amino acids, we were unsuccessful in measuring levels of histidine, arginine, ornithine, and lysine in biological samples due to the presence of interfering compounds. A "cleanup" procedure for the isolation of the basic amino acids using a weakly acidic cation exchange resin, Biorex-70 (Bio-Rad), is described in detail. Upon separation from the bulk of the neutral and acidic amino acids, the basic amino acids were subjected to precolumn fluorescence derivatization using 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC) and the fluorescent derivatives were separated by RP-HPLC. The advantages of this method over previously described amino acid analysis techniques are (i) isolation and stable recovery (greater than 95%) of the desired basic amino acids, (ii) sensitivity of detection (low pmol range), (iii) complete resolution of derivatized amino acids via HPLC, (iv) limited amount of sample required for analysis, and (v) samples readily concentrated by lyophilization or rotoevaporating. This ion-exchange cleanup procedure was also adapted for the analysis of polyamines in concentrated culture media samples and proved additionally advantageous by eliminating the use of costly C-18 extraction columns required by previously described techniques.

Amino Acids, Diamino↗

[Dynamics of amino acid and protein metabolism in laying hens after the administration of 15N-labeled wheat protein. 2. 15N excretion with nitrogen and basic amino acids of the feces].

Over 4 days 12 colostomized laying hens received together with a commercial ration labelled wheat with a 15N excess (15N') of 14.37 atom-%. The labelling of the basic amino acids amounted to 13.58 atom-% for lysine, to 14.38 atom-% for histidine and to 13.63 atom-% 15N' for arginine. 3 animals each were butchered 12 h, 36 h, 60 h and 108 h resp. after the last application of 15N. The heavy nitrogen in the total N and in the N fraction of non-protein origin as well as in the basic amino acids in faeces was daily determined for the individual hens in the total experimental period. On average the crude protein of faeces contained 5.45 % lysine, 2.32% histidine histidine and 3.68% arginine: the protein of faeces correspondingly contained 5.43% lysine, 2.32% histidine and 4.07% arginine. The quota of TCA soluble N in the total N of faeces amounts to one third on the 3rd und 4th days of the experiment and that of 15N' to 28%. The average atom-% 15N' of the protein fraction is 3.48 atom-% 15N' and that of the non-protein N fraction of faeces 2.93 atom-% 15N'. The apparent digestibility and that of the non-protein N fraction of faeces 2.93 atom-% 15N'. The apparent digestibility of the 14N of the ration on average amounts to 82.8% and that of the wheat 15N' to 87.5%. The average quota of the basic amino acids in the protein compounds of faeces amounts to 70.9% for lysine 15N', 73.7% for histidine 15N' and 70.3% for arginine 15N'. The digestibility of the 15N labelled amino acids amounts to 80.4% for lysine, 90.8% for histidine and 90.2% for arginine.

Amino Acids↗

Proteolytic cleavage of the reovirus sigma 3 protein results in enhanced double-stranded RNA-binding activity: identification of a repeated basic amino acid motif within the C-terminal binding region.

The reovirus capsid protein sigma 3 was examined for double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding activity by Northwestern (RNA-protein) blot analysis. Treatment of virion-derived sigma 3 protein with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease led to an increase in the dsRNA-binding activity associated with the C-terminal fragment of the protein. Recombinant C-terminal fragments of the sigma 3 protein were expressed in Escherichia coli from the S4 cDNA of reovirus serotype 1. These truncated sigma 3 proteins displayed proteolytic processing and dsRNA-binding activity similar to those observed for native, virion-derived sigma 3 protein as measured by Northwestern blot analysis. Construction of a modified pET3c vector, pET3Exo, allowed the production of 3'-terminal deletions of the S4 cDNA by using exonuclease III and rapid screening of the induced truncated sigma 3 proteins. An 85-amino-acid domain within the C-terminal portion of the sigma 3 protein which was responsible for dsRNA-binding activity was identified. The 85-amino-acid domain possessed a repeated basic amino acid motif which was conserved in all three serotypes of reovirus. Deletion of one of the basic motifs, predicted to be an amphipathic alpha-helix, destroyed dsRNA-binding activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of truncation of the COOH-terminal region of a Na+-independent neutral and basic amino acid transporter on amino acid transport in Xenopus oocytes.

To determine the role of a neutral and basic amino acid transporter (NBAT) in amino acid transport, we microinjected several COOH-terminal deletion mutants of NBAT cRNA into Xenopus oocytes and measured transport activity for arginine, leucine, and cystine in the presence and absence of sodium. Wild-type NBAT significantly stimulated the uptake of all three amino acids 10-20-fold compared with controls. On the other hand, no mutant, except a Delta511-685 mutant, stimulated the uptake of these amino acids. The Delta511-685 mutant significantly increased the uptake of arginine. In the presence of sodium, the Delta511-685 mutant also increased the uptake of leucine. The Delta511-685 mutant did not stimulate cystine uptake in the presence or absence of sodium. The stimulation of arginine uptake by the Delta511-685 mutant was inhibited by a 100-fold excess of unlabeled leucine in the presence of sodium. Inhibition of L-arginine uptake by L-homoserine was seen only in the presence of sodium, and an increase in the inhibition of L-arginine uptake by L-histidine was seen when the extracellular pH was decreased. Furthermore, an inward current in oocytes injected with the Delta511-685 mutant was recorded electrophysiologically when basic amino acids were applied. Homoserine was also taken up, but sodium was necessary for their transport. These properties of the Delta511-685 mutant correspond to those of the y+ amino acid transporter. If NBAT is a component of the b0,+-like amino acid transport system, it is unlikely that a mutant protein (Delta511-685) is able to stimulate an endogenous y+-like transport system. These results suggest that NBAT functions as a activator of the amino acid transport system in Xenopus oocytes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of basic amino acids on susceptibility to carbapenems in clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates.

We evaluated effects of medium composition, including basic amino acid content and pH, on susceptibility to carbapenems such as imipenem, panipenem and meropenem, in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Susceptibility to carbapenems was reduced by basic amino acids in the medium, while susceptibilities to ceftazidime and aztreonam were not. Among carbapenems, susceptibility to panipenem was most sharply reduced by addition of basic amino acids to 1:16 Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA). In 174 of 175 clinical isolates, MICs for carbapenems were affected to different degrees by medium composition. One isolate, in which MICs for carbapenems did not differ between MHA and 1:16 MHA, showed reduced production of porin (OprD). Our results suggest that susceptibility to individual carbapenems, especially panipenem, is difficult to evaluate based on MICs for other carbapenems determined on MHA. For a better prediction of antibiotic efficacy, it may be important to evaluate the susceptibility for each carbapenem individually.

Amino Acids, Basic↗

Polymer resins with amino acid containing pendants for sorption of bilirubin. II. Polyamide resins with various basic amino acids.

Short peptides, three to eight amino acids in length, containing various combinations of alanine, arginine, lysine, histidine and tyrosine have been synthesized onto water-swellable polyamide resin by the solid phase peptide synthesis method. The amount of bilirubin adsorbed from aqueous buffer solution (pH = 7.8) by the resins increases with increasing basicity of the amino acids in the pendant. As the number of basic amino acids on the pendant is increased from one to five a 4.7 fold enhancement in the adsorption capacity is seen for arginine while a 9.3 fold enhancement is obtained for lysine. A corresponding increase in length for the non-basic histidine results in a 6 fold enhancement. With alanine the adsorption capacity is uneffected by an increase in pendant length.

Alanine↗

Basic amino acids at the C-terminus of the third intracellular loop are required for the activation of phospholipase C by cholecystokinin-B receptors.

In common with other Gq protein-coupled receptors, the third intracellular loop of the cholecystokinin-B (CCK-B) receptor contains three basic amino acids (K333/K334/R335) at the C-terminal segment. To determine the importance of these conserved basic residues in Gq-protein activation and stimulation of phospholipase C, these basic amino acids were mutated. Subsequently, the ability of resulting mutant receptors to activate phospholipase C was investigated by measuring inositol phosphate formation in COS-7 cells and recording Ca(2+)-activated Cl- currents from Xenopus oocytes. Site-directed mutagenesis was performed to mutate the three basic amino acids, K333/K334/R335, to neutral amino acids, M333/T334/L335. When the resulting mutant CCK-B receptors were expressed in COS-7 cells and Xenopus oocytes, sulfated cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) failed to induce inositol phosphate formation in COS-7 cells and evoke Ca(2+)-activated Cl- currents from oocytes. Each basic amino acid was also mutated (K333M, K334T, and R335L). All three single-point mutations resulted in a significant reduction in CCK-8-induced inositol phosphate formation and CCK-8-activated Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- currents. It is interesting that substituting the basic amino acids, K333/K334/R335, with three other basic residues, R333/R334/K335, did not change the maximal CCK-8-simulated inositol phosphate formation and the amplitude of CCK-8-evoked Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- currents. Radioligand-binding studies showed that the above-mentioned mutations did not affect the affinity for CCK-8 and receptor expression level in COS-7 cells. These findings suggest that basic amino acids at the C-terminus of the third cytoplasmic loop are required for the signal transduction by CCK-B receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Regional and subcellular distribution of a neutral and basic amino acid transporter in forebrain neurons containing nitric oxide synthase.

The neutral and basic amino acid transporter (NBAT) facilitates sodium-independent transport of L-amino acids in renal and intestinal epithelial cells and has been postulated to play a similar role in neurons. In previous studies, NBAT has been detected within enteric and brainstem autonomic neurons in a distribution similar to that of constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS). Furthermore, L-arginine, the required precursor for nitric oxide synthesis, is an excellent NBAT substrate. Together, these findings suggest that NBAT may play a role in the regulation of nitric oxide synthesis, through the control of precursor availability. To gain insight into the potential physiological role of NBAT in central neurons, we used an antipeptide antiserum to examine the light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical localization of NBAT in the rat forebrain and to compare this distribution with that of cNOS. Immunolabeling for NBAT was detected within perikarya and dendrite-like processes that were most numerous in the frontal and cingulate cortex, the ventral striatum, the central amygdala, and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Labeled varicose axonal processes were distributed most densely in the agranular insular cortex and the paraventricular nuclei of the thalamus and hypothalamus (PVH). Electron microscopy showed that immunogold labeling for NBAT was distributed along plasmalemmal and vacuolar membranes within somata, dendrites, and axonal profiles. Many of the NBAT-containing somata and dendrites contained detectable cNOS. Our results suggest that expression of NBAT may provide specific populations of cNOS-containing forebrain neurons with a unique mechanism for regulating somatodendritic synthesis of nitric oxide.

Amino Acid Transport Systems, Basic↗

Single basic amino acid substitutions at position 302 or 320 in the V3 domain of HIV type 1 are not sufficient to alter the antiviral activity of dextran sulfate and heparin.

The third variable domain (V3 domain) of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein gp120 contains a substantial number of positively charged amino acid residues. We previously demonstrated that mutation of basic amino acid residues at position 303, 306, 309, 313, and 325 in the V3 domain of HIV-1 strain NL4-3 resulted in a dramatic elimination of both virus infectivity and syncytium-inducing ability. Mutations of arginine at position 302 to serine (R302S) or lysine at position 320 to glutamine (K320Q) had variable effects on infectivity for a panel of T cell lines tested. These mutations are located on opposite sides of the Gly-Pro-Gly-Arg-Ala sequence in the center of the V3 domain. The R302S and K320Q mutations allowed us to determine if these basic residues are important for virus neutralization by polyanionic compounds. Dextran sulfate and heparin inhibited the cytopathogenicities of both mutants for MT-4 cells, although their 50% antiviral effective doses were slightly higher than those required to achieve complete protection against wild-type HIV-1NL4-3 replication. This result emphasizes that the basic amino acids of Arg302 and Lys320 are not essential for the inhibitory effect of dextran sulfate and heparin on HIV-1 infection.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Circadian variations in plasma neutral and basic amino acid concentrations in young men on an ordinary Taiwanese diet.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Plasma levels of circulating free amino acids reflect the net status of protein breakdown and synthesis, and may be linked to various disease states. We studied circadian variations in plasma concentrations of neutral and basic amino acids during a 24-hour period in healthy young men who consumed ordinary Taiwanese test meals. METHODS: Ten subjects ingested the test diet (protein intake, 1.5 g.kg-1.d-1) which was offered in three meals and two light snacks during the day. Thirteen heparinized blood samples were collected from each subject to analyze plasma amino acid concentrations during the experimental period, at 1- to 3-hour intervals. RESULTS: The plasma concentrations of all neutral amino acids, including the large neutral amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine) and methionine, as well as the small neutral amino acids (glycine, serine, threonine, and proline) and the basic amino acids (histidine, arginine, lysine), varied significantly as a function of the time of day (p < 0.001). Except for glycine and proline, all of the neutral amino acids exhibited a marked evening elevation after dinner, with the highest plasma concentration at 23:00. Proline showed peak concentrations at 09:00, while glycine and the basic amino acids exhibited peak concentrations at 21:00. Most of the plasma amino acids exhibited the lowest concentrations at 12:00. CONCLUSION: Plasma neutral and basic amino acid concentrations exhibited significant circadian variations. The present study also provided the mean fasting plasma levels of amino acids in healthy young men consuming an ordinary Taiwanese diet.

Adult↗

Immunocytochemical localization of the renal neutral and basic amino acid transporter in rat adrenal gland, brainstem, and spinal cord.

A neutral and basic amino acid transporter (NBAT) cloned from rat kidney was recently localized to enteroendocrine cells and enteric neurons. We used an antibody directed against a synthetic peptide representing a putative extracellular domain of NBAT to determine whether this transporter was also present in other endocrine and neural tissues, including rat adrenal gland, brainstem, and spinal cord. Abundant, highly granular labeling for NBAT was observed in the cytoplasm of chromaffin and ganglion cells in the adrenal medulla. A small population of intensely labeled varicose processes was also seen in both the cortex and the medulla of the adrenal gland. More numerous, intensely labeled varicose processes were detected in brainstem and spinal cord nuclei, including the locus coeruleus, rostral ventrolateral medulla, nuclei of the solitary tract, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, and intermediolateral cell column of the thoracic spinal cord. Significant perikaryal labeling for NBAT was only detected in brainstem and spinal cord following intraventricular colchicine treatment, which increased the number, distribution, and intensity of NBAT-immunolabeled cells. These NBAT-immunoreactive perikarya were most numerous in the locus coeruleus, rostral ventrolateral medulla, nuclei of the solitary tract, and raphe nuclei. Ultrastructural examination of the nuclei of the solitary tract of normal rats showed that NBAT was localized predominantly to axon terminals. Within these labeled terminals, NBAT was associated with large dense core vesicles and discrete segments of plasma membrane. The observed localization of NBAT suggests that this renal specific amino acid transporter subserves a role as a vesicular or plasmalemmal transporter in monoamine-containing cells, including chromaffin cells and autonomic neurons.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Ultrastructural localization of a neutral and basic amino acid transporter in rat kidney and intestine.

A sodium-independent neutral and basic amino acid transporter (NBAT) from rat kidney was recently cloned and its amino acid sequence deduced. We used light and electron microscopic immunoperoxidase labeling to determine the cellular localization of NBAT in rat kidney and small intestine. The localization was carried out using site-directed antisera raised against synthetic peptides within NBAT. The most prominent localization of NBAT was in microvilli of epithelial cells lining renal proximal tubules. Microvilli of small intestinal epithelia were less frequently immunoreactive. Unexpectedly, the most intense labeling in the small intestine was seen within enteroendocrine cells and submucosal neurons. The neuronal labeling was highly localized within dense core vesicles in axon terminals apposed to the basal lamina near fenestrated blood vessels. These results support the proposal that NBAT plays a role in reabsorption of amino acids in renal tubules. In addition, they suggest that NBAT (or NBAT-like proteins) may have multiple functions in the small intestine, including luminal uptake of amino acids and vesicular uptake of related substrates into enteroendocrine cells and enteric neurons.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The role of paired basic amino acids in mediating proteolytic cleavage of prosomatostatin. Analysis using site-directed mutagenesis.

Many small peptide hormones are synthesized as larger precursors in which the mature hormone sequence is flanked by pairs of basic amino acids. These precursors often undergo extensive post-translational modifications; a critical step in this process is proteolytic excision of the hormone at the paired basic residues. To determine the role of paired basic amino acids as recognition signals for cleavage by processing enzymes, we investigated the heterologous expression of prosomatostatin (the pro-somatotropin release inhibiting factor (pro-SRIF). Pro-SRIF is one of the simplest peptide hormone precursors, possessing a single copy of the 14-residue SRIF peptide at its carboxyl terminus preceded by the least common pair of basic amino acids, Arg-Lys. Employing site-directed mutagenesis, we altered the paired basic cleavage site to the more common Arg-Arg and Lys-Arg residues. The native and mutated precursors were expressed in rat pituitary GH3 cells and mouse 3T3 cells using a retroviral vector. Alteration of the paired basic residues had no effect on the specificity of proteolytic cleavage as both the native and mutant precursors were processed with 70 to 80% efficiency in GH3 cells. Surprisingly, when the mutant pro-SRIFs were expressed in 3T3 cells, which do not process the native precursor, the Arg-Arg and Lys-Arg precursors were processed with 16 and 20% efficiency, respectively. The role of an acidic compartment in mediating pro-SRIF cleavage was also investigated using low concentrations of the lysosomotrophic drug Chloroquine. Twenty-five microM Chlorquine completely inhibited pro-SRIF cleavage and intracellular storage; the unprocessed precursor was secreted into the medium. We conclude that (i) exposure to an acidic compartment is required for pro-SRIF maturation, and (ii) the conformation of the processing site, rather than the composition of the basic amino acids, defines cleavage specificity by prohormone processing enzymes.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Pattern and spacing of basic amino acids in heparin binding sites.

Glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-protein interactions regulate a myriad of physiologic and pathologic processes, yet an understanding of how these molecules interact is lacking. The role of the pattern and spacing of basic amino acids (arginine (R) and lysine (K)) in heparin binding sites was investigated using peptide analogs as well as by examining known heparin binding sites. Peptides having the general structure R(n)W (n = 3-9, where tyrosine (W) was added for peptide detection) were synthesized and their interaction with heparin was determined by isothermal titration calorimetry. Binding affinity increased with increasing number of R residues. A 9-mer of R (R9W) bound as tightly to heparin as acidic fibroblast growth factor under physiologic conditions. Despite their high affinity for heparin, long stretches of basic amino acids are uncommon in heparin binding proteins. Known heparin binding sites most commonly contain single isolated basic amino acids separated by one nonbasic amino acid. Peptides having the structure, H3CCONH-GRRG(m)RRG(5-m)-CONH2 (denoted as the RRG(m)RR peptide series) and H3CCONH-GRRRG(m)RG(5-m)-CONH2 (denoted as the RRRG(m)R peptide series), where m = 0-5, were synthesized to test the hypothesis that the spacing of basic amino acids in heparin binding sites is optimally arranged to interact with different GAGs. The peptides, in both the -RRG(m)RR- and -RRRG(m)R- peptide series, when m = 0, bound most tightly with heparin, as measured by affinity chromatography. In contrast, the -RRG(m)RR-peptide series interacted most tightly with heparan sulfate when m = 0 or 1, whereas the -RRRG(m)R- peptide series bound tightest when m = 3. These results are consistent with our understanding of heparin and heparan sulfate structure. A highly sulfated GAG, such as heparin, interacts most tightly with peptides (or peptide sequences within proteins) containing a complementary binding site of high positive charge density. Heparan sulfate, having fewer and more highly spaced negatively charged groups, interacts most tightly with a complementary site on a peptide (or peptide sequences with proteins) that has more widely spaced cationic residues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗