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Identification of three cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) phosphorylation sites within the major intracellular domain of neuronal nicotinic receptor alpha4 subunits.

This study determined whether all protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation sites on the alpha4 subunit of rat alpha4beta2 neuronal nicotinic receptors could be localized to the M3/M4 cytoplasmic domain of the protein, and investigated specific amino acid substrates for the kinases through two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping and site-directed mutagenesis. Experiments were conducted using alpha4beta2 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes and a fusion protein corresponding to the M3/M4 cytoplasmic domain of alpha4 (alpha4(333-594) ). When oocytes expressing alpha4beta2 receptors were incubated with [(32) P]orthophosphate in order to label endogenous ATP stores, phosphorylation of alpha4 subunits was evident. Incubation of either immunoprecipitated receptors or the fusion protein with [(32) P]ATP and either PKA or PKC followed by trypsinization of the samples demonstrated that the kinases phosphorylated alpha4 subunits on multiple phosphopeptides, and that the phosphorylated full-length alpha4 protein and fusion protein produced identical phosphopeptide maps. Site-directed mutagenesis of Ser365, Ser472 and Ser491 to alanines in the fusion protein eliminated phosphopeptides phosphorylated by PKA, but not by PKC. Other mutations investigated, Ser470, Ser493, Ser517 and Ser590, did not alter the phosphopeptide maps. Results indicate that Ser365, Ser472 and Ser491 on neuronal nicotinic receptor alpha4 subunits are phosphorylated by PKA and are likely to represent post-translational regulatory sites on the receptor.

Animals↗

Quantitative phosphoproteomics applied to the yeast pheromone signaling pathway.

Cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and adaptation to environmental changes are regulated by protein phosphorylation. Development of sensitive and comprehensive analytical methods for determination of protein phosphorylation is therefore a necessity in the pursuit of a detailed molecular view of complex biological processes. We present a quantitative modification-specific proteomic approach that combines stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) for quantitation with IMAC for phosphopeptide enrichment and three stages of mass spectrometry (MS/MS/MS) for identification. This integrated phosphoproteomic technology identified and quantified phosphorylation in key regulator and effector proteins of a prototypical G-protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway, the yeast pheromone response. SILAC encoding of yeast proteomes was achieved by incorporation of [(13)C(6)]arginine and [(13)C(6)]lysine in a double auxotroph yeast strain. Pheromone-treated yeast cells were mixed with SILAC-encoded cells as the control and lysed, and extracted proteins were digested with trypsin. Phosphopeptides were enriched by a combination of strong cation exchange chromatography and IMAC. Phosphopeptide fractions were analyzed by LC-MS using a linear ion trap-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. MS/MS and neutral loss-directed MS/MS/MS analysis allowed detection and sequencing of phosphopeptides with exceptional accuracy and specificity. Of more than 700 identified phosphopeptides, 139 were differentially regulated at least 2-fold in response to mating pheromone. Among these regulated proteins were components belonging to the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway and to downstream processes including transcriptional regulation, the establishment of polarized growth, and the regulation of the cell cycle.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The hormonal control of activity of skeletal muscle phosphorylase kinase. Amino-acid sequences at the two sites of action of adenosine-3':5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase.

Two tryptic phosphopeptides containing the sites on the alpha and beta subunits of phosphorylase kinase which are phosphorylated by protein kinase, dependent on adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP), have been isolated and their amino acid sequences have been determined. 32P-labelled phosphorylase kinase, containing 1.9 mol phosphate per mol enzyme, was digested with an equimolar quantity of trypsin for 2.5 min at pH 7.0, 20 degrees C. This treatment released nearly all the 32P radioactivity associated with the beta subunit as trichloroacetic-acid-soluble material. Only a small proportion of the 32P radioactivity associated with the alpha subunit was solubilised, the remainder being removed in the trichloroacetic acid pellet. The beta-subunit tryptic phosphopeptide was completely resolved from traces of the alpha-subunit phosphopeptide by gel filtration on Sephadex G-25. Further purification by peptide mapping separated the phosphopeptide into four components, each derived from the same nine-amino-acid segment of the betachain, which was found to possess the sequence: Gln-Ser-Gly-Ser(P)-Val-Ile-Tyr-Pro-Leu-Lys. The four components were produced by the partial cyclisation of the N-terminal glutaminyl residue, and by the presence of two alleles for the beta subunit in the rabbit population, which led to a valine-isoleucine ambiguity. The alpha-subunit phosphopeptide was liberated from the trichloroacetic acid pellet by redigestion with trypsin. It was the largest component in the digest which remained soluble in 5% trichloroacetic acid, and obtained in a highly purified form by a single filtration on Sephadex G-50. The peptide comprised 39 amino acids of which nine were serine and three were threonine residues. Only one residue, the serine at position three from the amino terminus, was phosphorylated. The amino-terminal sequence of the peptide was shown to be: Arg-Leu-Ser(P)-Ile-Ser-Thr-Glu-Ser-Glx-Pro-Asx-Gly. The sequences confirm the stoichiometry of the reaction and the absolute specificity of cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase for just two of the 200 serine residues in the enzyme. These results and an inspection of the rate of phosphorylation of a number of skeletal muscle proteins, including each enzyme of the glycolytic pathway, lead to the conclusion that cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase is an extremely specific enzyme. The molecular basis of this specificity is discussed.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Phosphorylation of purified rat brain Na+ channel reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles by protein kinase C.

Phosphorylation of voltage-sensitive Na+ channels in neurons by protein kinase C slows Na+ channel inactivation and reduces peak Na+ currents. Na+ channels purified from rat brain and reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles under conditions that restore Na+ channel function were rapidly phosphorylated by protein kinase C on their 260-kDa alpha subunit. The phosphorylation reaction required Ca2+, diolein, and phosphatidylserine for activation of protein kinase C, and the rate of phosphorylation of reconstituted Na+ channels was 3- to 4-fold faster than for Na+ channels in detergent solution. Phosphorylation was on serine residues in three distinct tryptic phosphopeptides designated A, B, and C. Up to 2.5 mol of phosphate were incorporated per mol of Na+ channel. Following maximum phosphorylation by protein kinase C, cAMP-dependent protein kinase was able to incorporate more than 2.25 mol of phosphate per mol of Na+ channel indicating that these two kinases phosphorylate distinct sites. However, prior phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase prevented phosphorylation of phosphopeptide B indicating that both kinases phosphorylate the site in this peptide. Phosphopeptide B shown here to be phosphorylated by protein kinase C and phosphopeptide 7 previously shown to be phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase co-migrate on two-dimensional phosphopeptide maps and evidently are identical. The reduction in peak Na+ currents caused by both protein kinase C and cAMP-dependent protein kinase may result from phosphorylation of this single common site.

Animals↗

Differential stimulation of phosphorylation of initiation factors eIF-4F, eIF-4B, eIF-3, and ribosomal protein S6 by insulin and phorbol esters.

Exposure of quiescent, serum-starved 3T3-L1 cells to insulin promotes phosphorylation of initiation factors eIF-4F, eIF-4B, and eIF-3 p120, as well as ribosomal protein S6. Phosphorylation of both the p25 and p220 subunits of eIF-4F is stimulated typically by 2.5-5-fold, with a 2-4-fold increase in phosphorylation of eIF-4B and eIF-3 p120. Optimal stimulation is observed by 10(-9) M insulin. A similar pattern of stimulation is seen upon treatment of 3T3-L1 cells with 1 x 10(-6) M phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping of p25, isolated from quiescent, insulin- or PMA-stimulated cells, results in a single tryptic phosphopeptide, indicating a single phosphorylation site identical to that obtained with protein kinase C. A more complex phosphopeptide map is observed with the p220 subunit. Following PMA-stimulation of 3T3-L1 cells, phosphopeptide mapping of p220 results in a pattern similar to that observed in vitro with Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C). Following insulin stimulation, mapping of p220 results in the appearance of novel peptides. Upon prolonged exposure to PMA, the cells are no longer responsive to this mitogen and no stimulation of phosphorylation of eIF-4F, eIF-4b, eIF-3 p120, or S6 via a protein kinase C-dependent mechanism is observed. Addition of insulin to these down-regulated cells leads to stimulation of phosphorylation of eIF-4F p220, ribosomal protein S6, and to a lesser extent, eIF-4B; little or no stimulation of phosphorylation of eIF-4F p25 and eIF-3 p120 is observed. Thus, eIF-4F p220, eIF-4B and ribosomal protein S6 are phosphorylated via PMA-dependent and insulin-dependent pathways, whereas phosphorylation of eIF-4F p25 and eIF-3 p120 is stimulated only upon activation of protein kinase C. Phosphopeptide maps of eIF-4F p220 and ribosomal protein S6 suggest that protease-activated kinase II is one of the protein kinases involved in the insulin-stimulated response in protein kinase C-depleted cells.

Animals↗

Hormone-dependent phosphorylation of the avian progesterone receptor.

Progesterone receptors are phosphoproteins, in which phosphorylation has been proposed as a control mechanism for some stages of hormone action. Progesterone administration was shown to increase phosphorylation of the receptor from both cytosol and nuclear extracts of whole cells. We have analyzed the receptor phosphopeptides generated by chemical and proteolytic cleavage to assess the number of phosphorylation sites and their approximate location in the receptor. Progesterone receptor was labeled in situ in the presence or absence of hormone in medium containing [32P] orthophosphate, isolated by immunoprecipitation, and then digested with several proteases. The resulting 32P-labeled peptides were resolved by either two-dimensional electrophoresis:chromatography or by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Multiple phosphopeptides (3-6) were detected after cleavage with trypsin, chymotrypsin, or V8 protease. Major increases in phosphorylation occurred at existing sites since after hormone treatment no new phosphopeptides were found. Individual phosphopeptides showed variable increases in phosphorylation of 1.5-5-fold. The A and B receptor forms showed identical phosphorylation patterns, indicating similar processing in vivo. The phosphopeptide pattern for receptor in nuclear extracts resembled that of cytosol receptor. Chemical cleavage was used to assess the distribution of phosphorylation sites. Cyanogen bromide produced a large 40-kDa polypeptide which contained all of the phosphorylation sites and comprised the residues 129-449. Hydroxylamine was used to cleave a unique bond, Asn-372-Gly-373, in the 40-kDa polypeptide. All of the phosphorylation sites were located on the amino-terminal side of the cleavage. Thus, all of the phosphorylation sites were localized to a specific region (Met-129 to Asn-372) of the progesterone receptor that does not include either the DNA or steroid binding domains.

Animals↗

Global phosphoproteome analysis on human HepG2 hepatocytes using reversed-phase diagonal LC.

We present a phosphoproteomics approach using diagonal RP chromatography as the basic isolation principle. Phosphopeptides present in a tryptic digest of total cellular lysates were first enriched by Fe3+-immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography. Further sorting of the phosphopeptides took place in three steps. First, the resulting peptide mixture was fractionated over reversed-phase chromatography. Second, peptides present in each fraction were treated with phosphatases. Third, the dephosphorylated peptides were then more hydrophobic and shifted towards a later elution interval from the contaminating non-phosphopeptides eluting at the same position as during the primary run. Since the phosphopeptides are isolated as their dephosphorylated form, additional proof for their original phosphorylation state was obtained by split-differential 16O-18O labeling. The method was validated with alpha-casein phosphopeptides and consecutively applied on HepG2 cells. We identified 190 phosphorylated peptides from 152 different proteins. This dataset includes 38 novel protein phosphorylation sites.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interaction between the SH2 domains of ZAP-70 and the tyrosine-based activation motif 1 sequence of the zeta subunit of the T-cell receptor.

One of the key steps involved in T-cell activation is binding of the tyrosine kinase ZAP-70 via its two SH2 domains to peptide segments termed tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAM) which are present in three of the T-cell receptor (TCR) subunits. The crystal structure of the ZAP-70 SH2 domains complexed to phosphopeptide revealed that the amino-terminal phosphotyrosine-binding pocket is formed at the interface between the two SH2 domains. This study was designed to further characterize the binding between TCR zeta ITAM1 and the ZAP-70 SH2 domains as well as to assess the change in conformation of SH2 domain structure upon zeta ITAM1 binding. BIAcore analysis of wild type and nonfunctional single-point mutants of ZAP-70 SH2 domains demonstrated that the amino-terminal SH2 domain can bind phosphopeptide in the absence of a functional carboxyl-terminal SH2 domain. In addition, the amino-terminal SH2 domain prefers the RREEpYDVLDK sequence of zeta chain ITAM1 over the GQNQLpYNELNL sequence. To assess changes in protein conformation upon ITAM binding to ZAP-70 SH2 domains, fluorescence spectroscopy and analytical ultracentrifugation experiments were performed. A significant blue shift in the tryptophan emission spectrum of the SH2 domains was observed in the presence of saturating amounts of phosphopeptide, indicating a loss in solvent exposure for the tryptophan residues in the protein-phosphopeptide complex. This was accompanied by changes in the frictional coefficient consistent with a compacting of the protein structure. Finally, thermal denaturation experiments showed an increase in stability and cooperativity in unfolding for the protein-phosphopeptide complex relative to the protein alone.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Detection of protein phosphatase activities in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel using peptide substrates.

A method for detection of protein phosphatase activity toward phosphorylated oligopeptides in SDS-polyacrylamide gel was developed. A synthetic peptide (MHRQETVDC) corresponding to the autophosphorylation site of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (residue 281-289) was conjugated to poly-L-lysine and phosphorylated with [gamma-32P]ATP by the action of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, and the [32P]-phosphopeptide-polymer conjugate was included as a substrate for protein phosphatases in gels. When a crude extract from rat brain was electrophoresed on polyacrylamide gel containing the [32P]phosphopeptide conjugate, followed by treatment for in situ renaturation and autoradiography, three transparent bands corresponding to apparent molecular weights of 52,000, 58,000 and 74,000, resulting from the removal of the [32P]phosphate from the phosphopeptide conjugate included in the gel were observed, indicating the existence of at least three different phosphoprotein phosphatases catalyzing dephosphorylation of the phosphopeptide in the brain. Among the three, two bands corresponding to molecular weights of 52,000 and 58,000 were not clearly observed when other phosphopeptide-polymer conjugates such as C-syntide-2 and CAMKAKS peptide were included in gels, suggesting that site-specific protein phosphatases can be detected in crude tissue extracts by this in-gel protein phosphatase assay.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Autoregulation of the phosphointermediate of Na+/K(+)-ATPase by the amino-terminal domain of the alpha-subunit.

Chymotryptic cleavage of the alpha-subunit of the canine kidney Na+/K(+)-ATPase in the presence of Na+ abolishes ATPase activity and yields an 83 kDa peptide from Ala 267 to the COOH-terminus. To test the proposal that E1 to E2 conformational transition is blocked in this modified enzyme, we have made a detailed comparison of its phosphorylation with that of the native enzyme by ATP. While phosphorylation of alpha is dependent on Na+ and prevented by K+, that of the 83 kDa peptide is modestly stimulated by Na+; and only this stimulation, but not the Na(+)-independent phosphorylation is inhibited by K+. Ouabain, which inhibits alpha-phosphorylation by ATP, activates Na(+)-independent phosphorylation of the 83 kDa peptide by ATP, and inhibits the Na(+)-stimulation of this process. While there is a ouabain-stimulated phosphorylation of alpha by Pi, the 83 kDa peptide is not phosphorylated by Pi with or without ouabain. In its sensitivity to ADP, and insensitivity to K+, the phosphopeptide is similar to the E1P of the native enzyme; however, the spontaneous decomposition rate of the phosphopeptide is orders of magnitude lower than that of the native EP. Na+ has no effect on the spontaneous decomposition of the phosphopeptide; but at high Na+ concentrations (K0.5 = 350 mM) the ADP sensitivity of the phosphopeptide is reduced. The phosphopeptide, like the native EP, is acid-stable, alkaline-labile, and sensitive to hydroxylamine and molybdate. The chymotrypsin-treated enzyme catalyzes an ADP-ATP exchange activity that is stimulated by Na+. The Na(+)-independent part of this exchange, unlike that of the native enzyme, is activated by ouabain. Our findings establish that (a) the phosphorylation process and its control by Na+, K+ and ouabain are autoregulated by the NH2-terminal domain of the alpha-subunit; and (b) the often repeated assumption that the primary role of this domain is in the regulation of E1-E2 transitions is not valid.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Three phosphorylation sites in elongation factor 2.

Elongation factor 2 (EF-2) of rabbit reticulocytes was phosphorylated in vitro by incubation with partially purified EF-2 kinase and [gamma-32P]ATP. After exhaustive tryptic hydrolysis 4 phosphopeptides were revealed by two-dimensional peptide mapping. The phosphopeptides were isolated by high performance liquid chromatography and sequenced. A comparison of the primary structure of the phosphopeptides with that of EF-2 showed that all 4 phosphopeptides originated from one region of EF-2 located near the N-terminus that contains 3 threonine residues: Thr-53, Thr-56, Thr-58. A direct estimation of localization of radioactive phosphate in the phosphopeptides demonstrated that all the enumerated threonine residues in EF-2 can be phosphorylated in vitro.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Analysis of protein phosphorylation by a combination of elastase digestion and neutral loss tandem mass spectrometry.

Loss of phosphoric acid is the most effective fragmentation reaction of pSer- and pThr-containing phosphopeptides of small size (up to 10-15 residues) in low-energy collision-induced dissociation. Therefore, tandem mass spectrometry with neutral loss scanning was evaluated for its utility to analyze protein phosphorylation using protein kinase A (PKA) catalytic subunit, which is phosphorylated at Thr197 and Ser338, as an example. Analysis of tryptic digests of phosphoproteins by tandem mass spectrometry with scanning for neutral loss of phosphoric acid resulted in spectra with poor signal-to-noise ratio, mainly because of the large size of the phosphopeptides formed (>2 kDa). This unfavorable size was caused by the distribution of tryptic cleavage sites in PKA and by interference of phosphorylation with tryptic cleavage. To generate a set of smaller peptide fragments, digestion was performed using the low-specificity protease elastase. Analysis of the total elastase digest with neutral loss scanning resulted in observation of a set of partially overlapping phosphopeptides with high abundance, providing a complete coverage of PKA phosphorylation sites. The peptide size generated by elastase (0.5-1.5 kDa) is ideally suited for this scan mode, which was found to provide the highest specificity for detection of singly charged phosphopeptides (neutral loss of 98). Identification of the PKA phosphorylation sites was performed by mass spectrometric sequencing of the elastase-derived phosphopeptides, which provided highly informative product ion spectra.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of protein phosphorylation by capillary liquid chromatography coupled to element mass spectrometry with 31P detection and to electrospray mass spectrometry.

A method for phosphopeptide identification by capillary liquid chromatography (muLC) interfaced alternatively to element mass spectrometry (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, ICPMS) and to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) is described. ICPMS is used for 31P detection and ESI-MS provides the corresponding molecular weight information. Alignment of the two separate muLC runs is performed using the baseline distortion at the elution front, which shows up in both muLC-ICPMS and muLC-ESI-MS. Both a quadrupole and a magnetic sector field mass analyzer were used in combination with ICP. The detection limit achieved for the muLC-ICP-HRMS runs is approximately 0.1 pmol of phosphopeptide injected. Without any further precautions, contamination by phosphate-containing compounds at this level was found to be uncritical. The method is demonstrated for the analysis of a complex mixture of synthetic phosphopeptides and a set of tryptic digests of three phosphoproteins. These include beta-casein, activated human MAP kinase ERK1, and protein kinase A catalytic subunit. The tryptic phosphopeptides of these proteins could all be detected and identified by our new strategy. Analysis of three fractions of protein kinase A catalytic subunit with different phosphorylation status gives direct access to the order in which the phosphorylation of the four phosphorylation sites occurs. The two most important aspects of using muLC-ICPMS with 31P detection for phosphopeptide identification are (i) that a high selectivity is achieved and (ii) that the signal intensity is independent of the chemical form of phosphorus and directly proportional to the molar amount of 31P in the muLC eluate. Thus, muLC-ICPMS with 31P detection is introduced as a new, robust, and specific method in phosphoproteomics.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Kinetic mechanism of the type II calmodulin-dependent protein kinase: studies of the forward and reverse reactions and observation of apparent rapid-equilibrium ordered binding.

The kinetic reaction mechanism of the type II calmodulin-dependent protein kinase was studied by using its constitutively active kinase domain. Lacking regulatory features, the catalytic domain simplified data collection, analysis, and interpretation. To further facilitate this study, a synthetic peptide was used as the kinase substrate. Initial velocity measurements of the forward reaction were consistent with a sequential mechanism. The patterns of product and dead-end inhibition studies best fit an ordered Bi Bi kinetic mechanism with ATP binding first to the enzyme, followed by binding of the peptide substrate. Initial-rate patterns of the reverse reaction of the kinase suggested a rapid-equilibrium mechanism with obligatory ordered binding of ADP prior to the phosphopeptide substrate; however, this apparent rapid-equilibrium ordered mechanism was contrary to the observed inhibition by the phosphopeptide which is not supposed to bind to the kinase in the absence of ADP. Inspection of product inhibition patterns of the phosphopeptide with both ATP and peptide revealed that an ordered Bi Bi mechanism can show initial-rate patterns of a rapid-equilibrium ordered system when a Michaelis constant for phosphopeptide, Kip, is large relative to the concentration of phosphopeptide used. Thus, the results of this study show an ordered Bi Bi mechanism with nucleotide binding first in both directions of the kinase reaction. All the kinetic constants in the forward and reverse directions and the Keq of the kinase reaction are reported herein. To provide theoretical bases and diagnostic aid for mechanisms that can give rise to typical rapid-equilibrium ordered kinetic patterns, a discussion on various sequential cases is presented in the Appendix.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Identification of insulin-stimulated phosphorylation sites on calmodulin.

Insulin enhances calmodulin phosphorylation in vivo. To determine the insulin-sensitive phosphorylation sites, phosphocalmodulin was immunoprecipitated from Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing human insulin receptors (CHO/IR). Calmodulin was constitutively phosphorylated on serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues, and insulin enhanced phosphate incorporation on serine and tyrosine residues. Phosphocalmodulin immunoprecipitated from control and insulin-treated CHO/IR cells, and calmodulin phosphorylated in vitro by the insulin receptor kinase and casein kinase II were resolved by two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping. Several common phosphopeptides were detected. The phosphopeptides from the in vitro maps were eluted and phosphoamino acid analysis, manual sequencing, strong cation exchange chromatography, and additional proteolysis were performed. This strategy demonstrated that Tyr-99 and Tyr-138 were phosphorylated in vitro by the insulin receptor kinase and Thr-79, Ser-81, Ser-101 and Thr-117 were phosphorylated by casein kinase II. In vivo phosphorylation sites were identified by comigration of phosphopeptides on two-dimensional maps with phosphopeptides derived from calmodulin phosphorylated in vitro and by phosphoamino acid analysis. This approach revealed that Tyr-99 and Tyr-138 of calmodulin were phosphorylated in CHO/IR cells in response to insulin. Additional sites remain to be identified. The identification of the insulin-stimulated in vivo tyrosine phosphorylation sites should facilitate the elucidation of the physiological role of phosphocal-modulin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nanoliter sample handling combined with microspot MALDI-MS for detection of gel-separated phosphoproteins.

We describe a microspot matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometric approach to analyze gel-separated phosphoproteins. This method involves in-gel digestion of phosphoproteins after gel separation, followed by open tubular capillary (OTC) immobilized metal-ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) to capture the phosphopeptides with markedly reduced interferences from nonphosphorylated peptides. Nanoliter-volume of ammonium phosphate is used to elute the phosphopeptides captured on the capillary tube. After mixing with a small volume of matrix solution in the capillary, the effluent is deposited in a microspot on a sample plate for MALDI-MS analysis. It is also shown that, with peptide esterification after in-gel digestion of a phosphoprotein, negative ion detection in MALDI gives a distinct advantage over the positive ion mode of operation for phosphopeptide analysis, even without IMAC enrichment. However, the OTC-IMAC technique is demonstrated to be superior to the approach of negative ion detection of esterified in-gel digests without IMAC. OTC-IMAC is found to be sufficiently selective to capture phosphopeptides from in-gel digest of a gel band containing predominately one protein and the combination of peptide esterification and IMAC enrichment does not provide any real advantage. Using a standard phosphoprotein alpha-casein as a model system, we demonstrate that this OTC-IMAC method can detect a number of phosphopeptides after in-gel digestion with mid-fmol protein sample loading. An example of real world applications of this method is illustrated in the characterization of a fusion protein, His182, expressed in E. coli.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phosphorylation-dependent interactions between enzymes of plant metabolism and 14-3-3 proteins.

Far-Western overlays of soluble extracts of cauliflower revealed many proteins that bound to digoxygenin (DIG)-labelled 14-3-3 proteins. Binding to DIG-14-3-3s was prevented by prior dephosphorylation of the extract proteins or by competition with 14-3-3-binding phosphopeptides, indicating that the 14-3-3 proteins bind to phosphorylated sites. The proteins that bound to the DIG-14-3-3s were also immunoprecipitated from extracts with anti-14-3-3 antibodies, demonstrating that they were bound to endogenous plant 14-3-3 proteins. 14-3-3-binding proteins were purified from cauliflower extracts, in sufficient quantity for amino acid sequence analysis, by affinity chromatography on immobilised 14-3-3 proteins and specific elution with a 14-3-3-binding phosphopeptide. Purified 14-3-3-binding proteins included sucrose-phosphate synthase, trehalose-6-phosphate synthase, glutamine synthetases, a protein (LIM17) that has been implicated in early floral development, an approximately 20 kDa protein whose mRNA is induced by NaCl, and a calcium-dependent protein kinase that was capable of phosphorylating and rendering nitrate reductase (NR) sensitive to inhibition by 14-3-3 proteins. In contrast to the phosphorylated NR-14-3-3 complex which is activated by dissociation with 14-3-3-binding phosphopeptides, the total sugar-phosphate synthase activity in plant extracts was inhibited by up to 40% by a 14-3-3-binding phosphopeptide and the phosphopeptide-inhibited activity was reactivated by adding excess 14-3-3 proteins. Thus, 14-3-3 proteins are implicated in regulating several aspects of primary N and C metabolism. The procedures described here will be valuable for determining how the phosphorylation and 14-3-3-binding status of defined target proteins change in response to extracellular stimuli.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

Characterization of the phosphotyrosine-binding domain of the Drosophila Shc protein.

The phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain of Drosophila Shc (dShc) binds in vitro to phosphopeptides containing the sequence motif NPXpY, and physically associates with the activated Drosophila epidermal growth factor receptor homologue (DER) in vivo. The structural elements, specificity and binding kinetics of the dShc PTB domain have now been characterized. The dShc PTB domain appeared similar to the insulin-like receptor substrate-1 PTB domain in secondary structure as suggested by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Surface plasmon resonance measurements indicated that the dShc PTB domain bound with high affinity to phosphopeptides (Der) derived from the Tyr1228 site of the DER receptor. The kinetics of the dShc PTB domain-Der phosphopeptide interaction differed from those of a typical SH2 domain-ligand interaction, in that the PTB domain displayed slower on/off rates. Competition binding assays using truncated versions of the Der peptides revealed that high affinity binding to the dShc PTB domain requires, in addition to the NPXpY motif, the presence of hydrophobic residues at both positions -5 and -7 relative to phosphotyrosine. The dShc PTB domain showed a similar binding specificity to the human Shc (hShc) PTB domain, but subtle differences were noted; such that the hShc PTB domain bound preferentially to a phosphopeptide from the mammalian nerve growth factor receptor, whereas the dShc PTB domain bound preferentially to phosphopeptides from the Drosophila DER receptor. The invertebrate dShc PTB domain therefore possesses a binding specificity for tyrosine-phosphorylated peptides that is optimally suited for recognition of the activated DER receptor.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗