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Determination of saposin proteins (sphingolipid activator proteins) in human tissues.

Saposins are small glycoproteins which are required for sphingolipid hydrolysis by lysosomal hydrolases. Each saposin (A, B, C, and D) stimulates a different enzymatic activity. A new simple HPLC method to determine the levels of saposins A, C, and D in tissue was developed. Tissues were homogenized in 20 vol of water, boiled, and centrifuged. The supernatant was lyophilized and redissolved in 5 ml of water. A 1.5-ml sample of the solution was applied to a reverse-phase HPLC column (C4 column) and eluted with an acetonitrile gradient. Most contaminants eluted from the column prior to the saposins, which were eluted later as a cluster of peaks. This cluster was collected and then analyzed by another HPLC system equipped with an AX-300 anion-exchange column using a NaCl gradient. Saposins D, A, and C eluted from the AX-300 column separately and in that order. Quantitation of the saposins was made by measuring the sizes of each peak. Standard curves made from pure saposins showed that quantification was linear over a range from 1 to 5 micrograms. Saposin B was measured by its stimulation activity on pure human liver GM1 ganglioside beta-galactosidase. Stimulation was linear up to 80 micrograms of saposin B. Application of this method to analysis of human tissues for their saposin content is presented.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Distribution of saposin proteins (sphingolipid activator proteins) in lysosomal storage and other diseases.

Saposins (A, B, C, and D) are small glycoproteins required for the hydrolysis of sphingolipids by specific lysosomal hydrolases. Concentrations of these saposins in brain, liver, and spleen from normal humans as well as patients with lysosomal storage disease were determined. A quantitative HPLC method was used for saposin A, C, and D and a stimulation assay was used for saposin B. In normal tissues, saposin D was the most abundant of the four saposins. Massive accumulations of saposins, especially saposin A (about 80-fold increase over normal), were found in brain of patients with Tay-Sachs disease or infantile Sandhoff disease. In spleen of adult patients with Gaucher disease, saposin A and D accumulations (60- and 17-fold, respectively, over normal) were higher than that of saposin C (about 16-fold over normal). Similar massive accumulations of saposins A and D were found in liver of patients with fucosidosis (about 70- and 20-fold, respectively, over normal). Saposin D was the primary saposin stored in the liver of a patient with Niemann-Pick disease (about 30-fold over normal). Moderate increases of saposins B and D were found in a patient with GM1 gangliosidosis. Normal or near normal levels of all saposins were found in patients with Krabbe disease, metachromatic leukodystrophy, Fabry disease, adrenoleukodystrophy, I-cell disease, mucopolysaccharidosis types 2 and 3B, or Jansky-Bielschowsky disease. The implications of the storage of saposins in these diseases are discussed.

Adult↗

Human sphingolipid activator protein-1 and sphingolipid activator protein-2 are encoded by the same gene.

Mixed oligonucleotide primers complementary to the translation product of the sphingolipid activator protein (SAP)-2 were used to generate a 144-base pair (bp) complementary DNA (cDNA). This cDNA probe was used to isolate a 2,649-nucleotide-long cDNA that was sequenced and found to contain coding sequences for two known activators of lysosomal enzymes, namely, the sphingolipid activator protein (SAP)-1 and SAP-2. The cDNA contains an open reading frame of 1,482 nucleotides and 1,167 nucleotides of 3'-nontranslated region, followed by a stretch of 24 residues of adenylic acid. At 20 nucleotides upstream from the poly(A) tail there is a consensus AATAAA polyadenylation signal that is preceded by another potential polyadenylation signal. The cDNA, designed SAP-1/SAP-2 cDNA, hybridizes with two human mRNA species of approximately 3 kb in length, which most probably arise from polyadenylation at different sites. There are higher amounts of steady-state RNA levels of the SAP-1/SAP-2 mRNA in skin fibroblasts in comparison to B cells. The steady-state SAP-1/SAP-2 mRNA levels in Gaucher B cells are higher than in their normal counterparts. There is one human SAP-1/SAP-2 gene that has been cloned and is localized on two approximately 5 kb BamHI fragments.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Principles of lysosomal membrane digestion: stimulation of sphingolipid degradation by sphingolipid activator proteins and anionic lysosomal lipids.

Sphingolipids and glycosphingolipids are membrane components of eukaryotic cell surfaces. Their constitutive degradation takes place on the surface of intra-endosomal and intra-lysosomal membrane structures. During endocytosis, these intra-lysosomal membranes are formed and prepared for digestion by a lipid-sorting process during which their cholesterol content decreases and the concentration of the negatively charged bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate (BMP)--erroneously also called lysobisphosphatidic acid (LBPA)--increases. Glycosphingolipid degradation requires the presence of water-soluble acid exohydrolases, sphingolipid activator proteins, and anionic phospholipids like BMP. The lysosomal degradation of sphingolipids with short hydrophilic head groups requires the presence of sphingolipid activator proteins (SAPs). These are the saposins (Saps) and the GM2 activator protein. Sphingolipid activator proteins are membrane-perturbing and lipid-binding proteins with different specificities for the bound lipid and the activated enzyme-catalyzed reaction. Their inherited deficiency leads to sphingolipid- and membrane-storage diseases. Sphingolipid activator proteins not only facilitate glycolipid digestion but also act as glycolipid transfer proteins facilitating the association of lipid antigens with immunoreceptors of the CD1 family.

Animals↗

Biochemical, immunological, and structural studies on a sphingolipid activator protein (SAP-1).

Sphingolipid activator protein-1 (SAP-1) is a glycoprotein found in human tissue extracts that stimulates the enzymatic hydrolysis of at least two glycosphingolipids, including GM1 ganglioside and sulfatide. The ability of purified SAP-1 to stimulate GM1 ganglioside hydrolysis by extracts of cultured fibroblasts from patients with beta-galactosidase deficiency was examined, and all patients had a pronounced deficiency (under 10% of control). Using monospecific antibodies against SAP-1, the concentration was determined in cultured fibroblasts by rocket immunoelectrophoresis. Extracts from 15 control cell lines were found to have 0.72 +/- 0.24 micrograms cross-reactive material/mg protein, while cell extracts from 8 patients with GM1 gangliosidosis involving mental retardation were found to have 1.08 +/- 0.17, which is significantly elevated. When the fibroblast extracts were subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by electroblotting, multiple bands were observed. Controls were found to have two major bands with estimated molecular weights of 9000 and 9500, and a minor band at 7800. Extracts from patients with GM1 gangliosidosis were found to have multiple bands ranging upward to 13,000. Extracts from patients with the most severe clinical types of GM1 gangliosidosis had almost exclusively high-molecular-weight forms (molecular weights above 10,000). Treatment of SAP-1 from control liver with endoglycosidase D caused a decrease in the Mr 9500 band and increased in the Mr 7800 band. When SAP-1 from GM1 gangliosidosis liver was treated sequentially with neuraminidase, beta-galactosidase, and endoglycosidase D, almost all of it was converted to the forms found in control human liver.

Cells, Cultured↗

Pathological study of mice with total deficiency of sphingolipid activator proteins (SAP knockout mice).

Sphingolipid activator proteins (SAPs) A to D are lysosomal factors required in degradation of sphingolipids with short hydrophilic head groups and are derived from a precursor protein. Sap-B deficiency causes a variant of metachromatic leukodystrophy and sap-C deficiency causes a variant of Gaucher disease. Human total SAP deficiency has been reported in two patients in a single family. In these cases, various inclusions were described in the liver, skin, muscle and peripheral nerves ultrastructurally, but there was no report on the pathological study of the central nervous system (CNS). With targeted disruption of the precursor protein gene, we have generated mice with total SAP deficiency. These mice developed progressive neurological symptoms around day 20 and could not survive beyond day 40. Their cardinal pathology is extensive neurovisceral storage. Neuronal storage was already detected in the dorsal root ganglia as early as postnatal day 1 and diffuse neuronal storage was detected in the CNS after day 10. This storage was immunoreactive with anti-ubiquitin antibody and ultrastructurally appeared as inclusions consisting of numerous concentric lamellar and dense granular structures in the perikarya as well as in dendrites and axons. Axonal spheroids containing electron-dense concentric lamellar bodies and neurofilaments were also conspicuous. The extent of neuronal storage, numbers of storage neurons and axonal spheroids increased with age, accompanied with hypomyelination, astrogliosis and increase of macrophages. After day 30, argyrophilic tangle-like structures, which were immunoreactive with an antibody to phosphorylated neurofilaments, were found in the perikarya of many spinal and some neocortical neurons. Inclusions with various ultrastructural features were also noted in the glial cells, choroid plexus epithelial cells, vascular endothelial cells, Schwann cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, hepatocytes, and renal tubular epithelial cells. Some inclusions in the visceral organs were closely similar to those described in human cases of total SAP deficiency. The ultrastructural features of these inclusions in SAP knockout mice appeared unique and were different from those of other known sphingolipidoses.

Animals↗

Analysis of the multiple forms of Gaucher spleen sphingolipid activator protein 2.

Gaucher spleen sphingolipid activator protein 2 was fractionated into concanavalin A binding- and non-binding fractions. These fractions each contained several bands on non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The two fractions were further fractionated by electroblotting the proteins from preparative gels onto nitrocellulose, staining with Ponceau S to locate the bands of protein and then eluting the protein components from the nitrocellulose. A total of ten fractions, each containing only one or two major components, was collected. All of these subfractions activated beta-glucocerebrosidase and sphingomyelinase and most subfractions also activated beta-galactocerebrosidase. The structural relationship of the bands was investigated using endoglycosidase digestions. The results indicated that the two bands with the fastest mobility on non-denaturing PAGE did not contain any carbohydrate. The remaining bands showed only limited or partial digestion with endoglycosidase H and endoglycosidase D, but were readily hydrolysed with endoglycosidase F. The products of these digestions included bands with similar mobilities to the non-carbohydrate containing bands.

Concanavalin A↗

Synthesis and characterization of a bioactive 82-residue sphingolipid activator protein, saposin C.

The sphingolipid activator protein, saposin C (also termed SAP 2), was chemically synthesized, purified, and characterized. The fully protected 82-residue protein was synthesized by automated solid-phase methods, with multiple recoupling steps resulting in a high average coupling efficiency of 98.8%. The overall yield was estimated to be approx 40%. Deprotection and cleavage of the peptide from the resin was followed by folding in the absence of chaotropic agents at pH 8.5. The protein was purified by reversed-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and its purity determined by capillary electrophoresis and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The composition of the synthetic saposin C was determined by amino acid analysis. Its sequence was verified by Edman sequence analysis of overlapping peptide fragments generated by chymotryptic and Staphylococcus aureus V8 digestions. The sequence at the C-terminus was determined by digestion with carboxypeptidase P, followed by phenylthiohydantoin (PTH) derivitization and HPLC analysis of the released amino acid residues. Deglycosylated native saposin C appeared as a lower molecular-weight species than synthetic saposin C on SDS-PAGE. This has been explained by amino acid and C-terminal analysis showing native saposin C to be two amino acids shorter at the C terminus than a deduced sequence (from cDNA) previously published. Synthetic saposin C displayed 85% of full biological activity as determined by its ability to stimulate glucocerebrosidase activity in vitro: Synthetic and native saposin C increased glucocerebrosidase catalyzed hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferyl beta-D-glucoside by factors of 6.0 and 7.1, respectively. Furthermore, synthetic and native saposin C share similar K(act) values (0.5 and 1.5 microM respectively) indicating that they bind to glucocerebrosidase with similar affinities.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Targeted disruption of the mouse sphingolipid activator protein gene: a complex phenotype, including severe leukodystrophy and wide-spread storage of multiple sphingolipids.

The four established or putative sphingolipid activator proteins derive from a large precursor protein encoded by a single gene. In addition to generating the four sphingolipid activator proteins, the precursor protein is suspected of having functions of its own, as, for example, a lipid binding/transport protein or a neurotrophic factor. The gene also appears to encode the Sertoli cell major sulfated glycoprotein. Sequence similarities have been noted with many other proteins of diverse functions. One patient and a fetus in a single family with a complete defect of this gene due to a mutation in the initiation codon exhibited complex pathological and biochemical abnormalities. Mutant mice homozygous for an inactivated gene of the sphingolipid activator protein precursor exhibit two distinct clinical phenotypes-neonatally fatal and later-onset. The latter develop rapidly progressive neurological signs around 20 days and die by 35-38 days. At 30 days, severe hypomyelination and periodic acid-Schiff-positive materials throughout the nervous system and in abnormal cells in the liver and spleen are the main pathology. Most prominently lactosylceramide, and additionally ceramide, glucosylceramide, galactosylceramide, sulfatide, and globotriaosylceramide are abnormally increased in the brain, liver, kidney, and their catabolism abnormally slow in cultured fibroblasts. Brain gangliosides are generally increased, particularly the monosialogangliosides. The clinical, pathological and biochemical phenotype closely resembles that of the human disease. This model not only allows further clarification of the physiological functions of the four individual sphingolipid activator proteins but also should be useful to explore putative functions of the precursor protein.

Animals↗

Detection of a point mutation in sphingolipid activator protein-1 mRNA in patients with a variant form of metachromatic leukodystrophy.

The lysosomal degradation of sulfatide requires the specific enzyme, arylsulfatase A, as well as a heat stable protein called sphingolipid activator protein-1 (SAP-1). While most patients with metachromatic leukodystrophy have defects in arylsulfatase A, some patients have defects in SAP-1. SAP-1 is coded for by a gene on human chromosome 10 that also codes for three other proposed SAP. Examination of the cDNA from two siblings with SAP-1 deficiency revealed a point mutation of nucleotide #650 (counting from the initiation ATG) which is in the SAP-1 coding domain. This C to T transition changed the codon from threonine (ACC) to one coding for isoleucine (ATC). This eliminated the only glycosylation site in mature SAP-1 and could explain the findings made at the protein level.

Base Sequence↗

Sphingolipid activator proteins (SAPs) are stored together with glycosphingolipids in the infantile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (INCL).

The storage material isolated from the brains of patients with infantile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (INCL) contains, on average, 43% protein and 35% lipids on a dry weight basis. Recently we identified the major storage proteins as sphingolipid activator proteins (SAPs) A and D by direct sequencing. In the present study we used monospecific anti-sap-B-, anti-sap-C, and anti-sap-D-antisera in immunohistochemical and Western analyses to show that sap-D is, indeed, an integral component of the storage bodies. In contrast, no (or little) immunoreactivity for sap-B or sap-C was detected in the INCL storage granules. This observation is of interest for an understanding of the pathogenesis because the four SAPs are produced from a single precursor protein by proteolytic cleavage. Furthermore, we analysed the stored lipids on high performance thin layer chromatography combined with different staining techniques. In this preliminary analysis we found two glycosphingolipids, yet to be identified, to be common for all INCL patients.

Adolescent↗

Immunocytochemical localization of sphingolipid activator protein-1, the sulfatide/GM1 ganglioside activator, to lysosomes in human liver and colon.

Sphingolipid activator proteins (SAP) stimulate the enzymatic hydrolysis of sphingolipids. The results of biochemical studies have suggested that SAP are located within lysosomes. In this study we sought immunocytochemical verification of the lysosomal location of SAP-1, a SAP that stimulates the hydrolysis of sulfatide and GM1 ganglioside. We stained adjacent sections of normal adult liver and colon for either SAP-1, by peroxidase-labeled antibodies, or acid phosphatase, by enzyme histochemistry. At the light microscopic level, SAP-1 and acid phosphatase were present in similar cells of the colonic lamina propria and hepatic sinusoids, and in similar supranuclear sites of colonic epithelial cells. By electron microscopy, SAP-1 was present in vesicular structures morphologically similar to those containing acid phosphatase. Thus, SAP-1 is present in lysosomes of several different kinds of cells in the normal human liver and colon.

Adult↗

Regional localization of the gene coding for sphingolipid activator protein SAP-1 on human chromosome 10.

Sphingolipid activator protein SAP-1 is required for the enzymatic hydrolysis of GMI ganglioside and sulfatide. The gene coding for SAP-1 was previously mapped to human chromosome 10 using monospecific antibodies prepared against SAP-1 in synteny analysis of somatic cell hybrids. In this study, we used a cDNA probe for SAP-1 and in situ hybridization to regionally localize the SAP1 gene to the long arm of chromosome 10, region q21-22. Additional mapping data using cell hybrids containing partial chromosome 10 and skin fibroblasts with trisomy 10p are consistent with the in situ hybridization mapping results.

Chromosome Banding↗

Synthesis and processing of sphingolipid activator protein-2 (SAP-2) in cultured human fibroblasts.

Sphingolipid activator proteins (SAP) are relatively small molecular weight proteins that stimulate the enzymatic hydrolysis of sphingolipids in the presence of specific lysosomal hydrolases. SAP-2 has previously been demonstrated to activate the hydrolysis of glucosylceramide, galactosylceramide, and, possibly, sphingomyelin. Using monospecific rabbit antibodies against human spleen SAP-2, the synthesis and processing of SAP-2 were studied in cultured human fibroblasts. When [35S]methionine was presented in the medium to control human cells for 4 h, five major areas of radiolabeling were found. These had apparent molecular weights of 73,000, 68,000, 50,000, 12,000, and 9,000. Further studies indicated that the major extracellular product in normal cells given NH4Cl along with the [35S]methionine and in medium from cultures from patients with I cell disease had an apparent molecular weight of 73,000. The Mr = 68,000 and 73,000 species can be converted to a species with an apparent molecular weight of 50,000 by the action of endoglycosidase F. After labeling cells for 1 h followed by a 1-h chase, the Mr = 12,000 and 9,000 species appear. Treatment of the immunoprecipitated mixture with endoglycosidase F resulted in conversion of these species to one band with an apparent molecular weight of 7,600. These studies indicate that this relatively low molecular weight protein is rapidly synthesized from a relatively large molecular weight highly glycosylated precursor.

Cells, Cultured↗

Binding of GM1 ganglioside to a synthetic peptide derived from the lysosomal sphingolipid activator protein saposin B.

Saposin B is a lysosomal sphingolipid activator protein which activates GM1 ganglioside hydrolysis by lysosomal beta-galactosidase. To identify the structural elements of saposin B implicated in sphingolipid binding, we studied a synthetic peptide corresponding to a predicted alpha-helix, sapB-18, spanning residues 52-69 of saposin B. The circular dichroism spectrum of sapB-18 at pH 4.4 was consistent with a 44% alpha-helix content. As shown by intrinsic Tyr fluorescence studies of sapB-18, this peptide binds the GM1 ganglioside with a Kd of about 7 microM. Thus, we suggest that a putative amphipathic alpha-helix between residues 52 and 69 of saposin B plays a major role in the recognition and binding of GM1 ganglioside by saposin B.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Assignment of the gene for human sphingolipid activator protein-2 (SAP-2) to chromosome 10.

Sphingolipid activator protein-2 (SAP-2) has been found to stimulate the enzymatic hydrolysis of glucosylceramide, galactosylceramide, and sphingomyelin. When human skin fibroblast extracts were subjected to sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by electroblotting and immunochemical staining using monospecific antibodies against SAP-2, two or three major bands with estimated mol. wts. of 9,000-10,000 were found. These antibodies did not crossreact with purified SAP-1, another activating protein, or with extracts of CHO-K1 cells. A series of 22 human/Chinese hamster ovary cell hybrids containing different human chromosomes were examined by this method. All eight hybrid clones containing human chromosome 10 were found to have crossreacting protein in this region. Other chromosomes could be excluded by this method. From these results, we conclude that the gene coding for human SAP-2 is located on chromosome 10.

Animals↗

Mannose 6-phosphate-independent membrane association of cathepsin D, glucocerebrosidase, and sphingolipid-activating protein in HepG2 cells.

The membrane association of the lysosomal enzymes cathepsin D and glucocerebrosidase and its naturally occurring sphingolipid activating protein was studied in HepG2 cells. We differentially permeabilized cells with low concentrations of saponin, at which secretory proteins rinsed out completely, whereas integral membrane proteins were not released. All relevant intracellular compartments were shown to be permeabilized by saponin. Metabolic labeling showed that early precursors of cathepsin D, sphingolipid activating protein, and glucocerebrosidase were completely released from the cells, whereas more than 80% of the high molecular mass intermediates were retained by the cells. Treatment of permeabilized cells with 10 mM mannose 6-phosphate released only 50% of the cell-associated cathepsin D. Glucocerebrosidase remained membrane-associated, but cathepsin D and sphingolipid activating protein were released from the cells after proteolytic processing. Sphingolipid activating proteins and cathepsin D behaved similarly during biosynthesis and showed similar sensitivity to mannose 6-phosphate. The membrane association of the intermediate form of cathepsin D was independent of the presence of N-linked oligosaccharides. Subcellular fractionation on sucrose gradients showed that the lysosomal proteins became membrane-associated probably in the Golgi complex, and that both mannose 6-phosphate-dependent and mannose 6-phosphate-independent membrane association occur in the same compartments. We conclude that, in HepG2 cells, cathepsin D, sphingolipid activating protein, and glucocerebrosidase exhibit MPR-independent membrane association which is acquired in the same compartments beyond the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗