Expression in non-melanogenic systems and purification of soluble variants of human tyrosinase

2013 ◽  
Vol 394 (5) ◽  
pp. 685-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra Cordes ◽  
Wei Sun ◽  
Rainer Wolber ◽  
Ludger Kolbe ◽  
Gerhard Klebe ◽  
...  

Abstract Mammalian tyrosinases are key enzymes of melanin formation. Their native forms undergo complex maturation and sorting processes before being integrated into the melanosomal membrane, which greatly complicates their heterologous expression in other cell types. In the present work, we constructed several differently truncated, soluble variants of human tyrosinase and studied their properties after expression in HEK 293 cells. In addition, we prepared two affinity-tagged forms of the enzyme for expression in the yeast Kluyveromyces lactis and HEK cells, respectively. A Strep-tagged variant was secreted by K. lactis in excellent yields but found to be inactive, whereas a His-tagged variant secreted by HEK 293 cells in an active state could be purified from cell supernatants to near homogeneity. The resulting preparation consisted of an inactive, probably unglycosylated species of about 57 kDa and several glycosylated forms with masses between 63 and 75 kDa, as confirmed by activity staining, Western blotting and mass spectrometry.

2009 ◽  
Vol 297 (2) ◽  
pp. C430-C439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben J. Gu ◽  
Catherine Rathsam ◽  
Leanne Stokes ◽  
Andrew B. McGeachie ◽  
James S. Wiley

The P2X7receptor is a ligand-gated cation channel that is highly expressed on monocyte-macrophages and that mediates the pro-inflammatory effects of extracellular ATP. Dilation of the P2X7channel and massive K+efflux follows initial channel opening, but the mechanism of secondary pore formation is unclear. The proteins associated with P2X7were isolated by using anti-P2X7monoclonal antibody-coated Dynabeads from both interferon-γ plus LPS-stimulated monocytic THP-1 cells and P2X7-transfected HEK-293 cells. Two nonmuscle myosins, NMMHC-IIA and myosin Va, were found to associate with P2X7in THP-1 cells and HEK-293 cells, respectively. Activation of the P2X7receptor by ATP caused dissociation of P2X7from nonmuscle myosin in both cell types. The interaction of P2X7and NMMHC-IIA molecules was confirmed by fluorescent life time measurements and fluorescent resonance of energy transfer-based time-resolved flow cytometry assay. Reducing the expression of NMMHC-IIA or myosin Va by small interfering RNA or short hairpin RNA led to a significant increase of P2X7pore function without any increase in surface expression or ion channel function of P2X7receptors. S- l-blebbistatin, a specific inhibitor of NMMHC-IIA ATPase, inhibited both ATP-induced ethidium uptake and ATP-induced dissociation of P2X7-NMMHC-IIA complex. In both cell types nonmuscle myosin closely interacts with P2X7and is dissociated from the complex by extracellular ATP. Dissociation of this anchoring protein may be required for the transition of P2X7channel to a pore.


2013 ◽  
Vol 305 (12) ◽  
pp. C1240-C1245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Xue ◽  
Jie Zhou ◽  
Janos Zempleni

In a recent mass spectrometry screen, we identified 108 new proteins that were modified endogenously by covalent binding of biotin; members of the heat shock superfamily of proteins, including heat shock protein 72 (HSP72), were overrepresented among the biotinylated proteins. Mammals respond to infections by secreting extracellular HSP72 (eHSP72), which elicits an immune response. Here, using mass spectrometry and site-directed mutagenesis, we identified five biotinylation sites in HSP72. We used coimmunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, and limited proteolysis assays to demonstrate that HSP72 interacts physically with the protein biotin ligase holocarboxylase synthetase (HLCS), leading to biotinylation of residues K112, K128 K348, K361, K415, and, probably, additional lysines. Finally, we demonstrated that HLCS-dependent biotinylation of eHSP72 increases expression of the chemokine regulated on activation normal T-expressed and presumably secreted (RANTES) by human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells. In conclusion, we report a novel endogenous modification of HSP72 and demonstrated that binding of biotin to eHSP72 prepares cells for a strong immune response.


1998 ◽  
Vol 111 (6) ◽  
pp. 847-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Kaznacheyeva ◽  
Vitalie D. Lupu ◽  
Ilya Bezprozvanny

The inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R) mediates Ca2+ release from intracellular stores in response to generation of second messenger InsP3. InsP3R was biochemically purified and cloned, and functional properties of native InsP3-gated Ca2+ channels were extensively studied. However, further studies of InsP3R are obstructed by the lack of a convenient functional assay of expressed InsP3R activity. To establish a functional assay of recombinant InsP3R activity, transient heterologous expression of neuronal rat InsP3R cDNA (InsP3R-I, SI− SII+ splice variant) in HEK-293 cells was combined with the planar lipid bilayer reconstitution experiments. Recombinant InsP3R retained specific InsP3 binding properties (Kd = 60 nM InsP3) and were specifically recognized by anti–InsP3R-I rabbit polyclonal antibody. Density of expressed InsP3R-I was at least 20-fold above endogenous InsP3R background and only 2–3-fold lower than InsP3R density in rat cerebellar microsomes. When incorporated into planar lipid bilayers, the recombinant InsP3R formed a functional InsP3-gated Ca2+ channel with 80 pS conductance using 50 mM Ba2+ as a current carrier. Mean open time of recombinant InsP3-gated channels was 3.0 ms; closed dwell time distribution was double exponential and characterized by short (18 ms) and long (130 ms) time constants. Overall, gating and conductance properties of recombinant neuronal rat InsP3R-I were very similar to properties of native rat cerebellar InsP3R recorded in identical experimental conditions. Recombinant InsP3R also retained bell-shaped dependence on cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and allosteric modulation by ATP, similar to native cerebellar InsP3R. The following conclusions are drawn from these results. (a) Rat neuronal InsP3R-I cDNA encodes a protein that is either sufficient to produce InsP3-gated channel with functional properties identical to the properties of native rat cerebellar InsP3R, or it is able to form a functional InsP3-gated channel by forming a complex with proteins endogenously expressed in HEK-293 cells. (b) Successful functional expression of InsP3R in a heterologous expression system provides an opportunity for future detailed structure–function characterization of this vital protein.


2003 ◽  
Vol 370 (2) ◽  
pp. 703-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magali CONESA ◽  
Annik PRAT ◽  
John S. MORT ◽  
Jacques MARVALDI ◽  
Jean-Claude LISSITZKY ◽  
...  

We present a general strategy for the dominant negative reduction in the levels of type-1 membrane-bound heterodimeric proteins within the secretory pathway through fusion of the soluble ectodomain of one of the partners to the transmembrane-cytosolic tail of the lysosomal protein Lamp1. Thus, in human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells, overexpression of an integrin β3Lamp1 chimera resulted in a drastic reduction of its endogenous partner, the integrin αv subunit. The mechanism involves the formation in the endoplasmic reticulum of a αv/β3Lamp1 complex that is subsequently sorted towards a lysosomal/endosomal degradation pathway. The specificity of this approach is afforded by the invariance in the levels of the endogenous integrins α5 and β1 as compared with control cells. Conversely overexpression of integrin β3 in HEK-293 cells led to an increased level of αvβ3 at the cell surface. Functionally β3Lamp1 and β3 overexpressors exhibit decreased and increased adhesion to vitronectin, respectively, as well as diminished cellular aggregation. The application of this technology should enable the analysis of the functional importance of homodimers or heterodimers in the cell types of choice and the identification of novel partner proteins by proteomic approaches.


1997 ◽  
Vol 272 (3) ◽  
pp. E379-E384 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Kim ◽  
L. L. Kiefer ◽  
R. P. Woychik ◽  
W. O. Wilkison ◽  
A. Truesdale ◽  
...  

Several dominant mutations at the murine agouti locus cause a syndrome of marked obesity and insulin resistance. We have recently reported that intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) is elevated in viable yellow mice. Because [Ca2+]i has a key role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, obesity, and hypertension, the role of the purified agouti gene product in regulating [Ca2+]i was evaluated in a number of cell types. Purified murine agouti induced slow, sustained increases in [Ca2+]i in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dose-dependent fashion. In L6 skeletal myocytes, agouti stimulated an increase in [Ca2+]i with an apparent concentration eliciting 50% of the maximal response (EC50) of 62 nM. This response was substantially inhibited by Ca2+ entry blockade with nitrendipine. To determine whether melanocortin receptors play a role in agouti regulation of [Ca2+]i, we examined the effect of melanocortin peptides and agouti in cells stably transfected with human melanocortin receptors. Human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293 cells) transfected with either the human melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) or melanocortin 3 receptor responded to human agouti with slow, sustained increases in [Ca2+]i, whereas nontransfected HEK-293 cells with no melanocortin receptors did not respond to agouti. Dose-response curves in the MC1R line showed that agouti had an EC50 of 18 nM, which is comparable to that for agouti antagonism of (125)I-Nle,D-Phe-alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone binding in the same cell line. This direct effect of agouti on stimulating increases in [Ca2+]i suggests a potential mechanism for agouti-induced insulin resistance.


2004 ◽  
Vol 287 (1) ◽  
pp. C55-C63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina L. Tsakadze ◽  
Utpal Sen ◽  
Zhendong Zhao ◽  
Srinivas D. Sithu ◽  
William R. English ◽  
...  

ICAM-1, a membrane-bound receptor, is released as soluble ICAM-1 in inflammatory diseases. To delineate mechanisms regulating ICAM-1 cleavage, studies were performed in endothelial cells (EC), human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells transfected with wild-type (WT) ICAM-1, and ICAM-1 containing single tyrosine-to-alanine substitutions (Y474A, Y476A, and Y485A) in the cytoplasmic region. Tyrosine residues at 474 and 485 become phosphorylated upon ICAM-1 ligation and associate with signaling modules. Cleavage was assessed by using an antibody against the cytoplasmic tail of ICAM-1, which recognizes intact ICAM-1 and the 7-kDa membrane-bound fragment remaining after cleavage. Cleavage in HEK-293 WT cells was accelerated by phorbol ester PMA, whereas in EC it was induced by tumor necrosis factor-α. In both cell types, a 7-kDa ICAM-1 remnant was detected. Tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors dephostatin and sodium orthovanadate augmented cleavage. PD-98059 (MEK kinase inhibitor), geldanamycin and PP2 (Src kinase inhibitors), and wortmannin (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor) dose-dependently inhibited cleavage in both cell types. SB-203580 (p38 inhibitor) was more effective in EC, and D609 (PLC inhibitor) mostly affected cleavage in HEK-293 cells. Cleavage was drastically decreased in Y474A and Y485A, whereas it was marginally reduced in Y476A. Surprisingly, phosphorylation was not detectable on the 7-kDa fragment of ICAM-1. These results implicate distinct pathways in the cleavage process and suggest a preferred signal transmission route for ICAM-1 shedding in the two cell systems tested. Tyrosine residues Y474 and Y485 within the cytoplasmic sequence of ICAM-1 regulate the cleavage process.


2009 ◽  
Vol 297 (2) ◽  
pp. C339-C351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke C. McSpadden ◽  
Robert D. Kirkton ◽  
Nenad Bursac

Understanding how electrotonic loading of cardiomyocytes by unexcitable cells alters cardiac impulse conduction may be highly relevant to fibrotic heart disease. In this study, we optically mapped electrical propagation in confluent, aligned neonatal rat cardiac monolayers electrotonically loaded with cardiac fibroblasts, control human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells, or HEK-293 cells genetically engineered to overexpress the gap junction proteins connexin-43 or connexin-45. Gap junction expression and function were assessed by immunostaining, immunoblotting, and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and were correlated with the optically mapped propagation of action potentials. We found that neonatal rat ventricular fibroblasts negative for the myofibroblast marker smooth muscle α-actin expressed connexin-45 rather than connexin-43 or connexin-40, weakly coupled to cardiomyocytes, and, without significant depolarization of cardiac resting potential, slowed cardiac conduction to 75% of control only at high (>60%) coverage densities, similar to loading effects found from HEK-293 cells expressing similar levels of connexin-45. In contrast, HEK-293 cells with connexin-43 expression similar to that of cardiomyocytes significantly decreased cardiac conduction velocity and maximum capture rate to as low as 22% and 25% of control values, respectively, while increasing cardiac action potential duration to 212% of control and cardiac resting potential from −71.6 ± 4.9 mV in controls to −65.0 ± 3.8 mV. For all unexcitable cell types and coverage densities, velocity anisotropy ratio remained unchanged. Despite the induced conduction slowing, none of the loading cell types increased the proportion of spontaneously active monolayers. These results signify connexin isoform and expression level as important contributors to potential electrical interactions between unexcitable cells and myocytes in cardiac tissue.


2000 ◽  
Vol 351 (3) ◽  
pp. 613-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita SLAABY ◽  
Guangwei DU ◽  
Yelena M. ALTSHULLER ◽  
Michael A. FROHMAN ◽  
Klaus SEEDORF

Phospholipase D (PLD)1 is quiescent in vitro and in vivo until stimulated by classical protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms, ADP-ribosylation factor or Rho family members. By contrast, PLD2 has high basal activity, and the mechanisms involved in agonist-induced activation of PLD2 are poorly understood. Using transiently transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells as a model system, we report in the present study that PLD2 overexpressed in HEK-293 cells exhibits regulatory properties similar to PLD1 when stimulated in response to insulin and phorbol ester. Co-expression of PLD1 or PLD2 with PKCα results in constitutive activation of both PLD isoforms, which cannot be further stimulated by insulin. Co-expression of PLD1 with phospholipase C (PLC)γ has the same effect, while co-expression of PLD2 with PLCγ allows PLD2 activity to be stimulated in an insulin-dependent manner. The PKC-specific inhibitors bisindolylmaleimide and Gö 6976 abolish insulin-induced PLD2 activation in HEK-293 cells co-expressing the insulin receptor, PLCγ and PLD2, confirming that not only PLD1, but PLD2 as well, is regulated in a PKC-dependent manner. Finally, we provide evidence that PKCα is constitutively associated with PLD2. In summary, we demonstrate that insulin treatment results in activation of both PLD1 and PLD2 in appropriate cell types when the appropriate upstream intermediate signalling components, i.e. PKCα and PLCγ, are expressed at sufficient levels.


Autophagy ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1407-1417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patience Musiwaro ◽  
Matthew Smith ◽  
Maria Manifava ◽  
Simon A. Walker ◽  
Nicholas T. Ktistakis
Keyword(s):  
Hek 293 ◽  

2005 ◽  
Vol 103 (6) ◽  
pp. 1156-1166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin J. Gingrich ◽  
Son Tran ◽  
Igor M. Nikonorov ◽  
Thomas J. Blanck

Background Volatile anesthetics depress cardiac contractility, which involves inhibition of cardiac L-type calcium channels. To explore the role of voltage-dependent inactivation, the authors analyzed halothane effects on recombinant cardiac L-type calcium channels (alpha1Cbeta2a and alpha1Cbeta2aalpha2/delta1), which differ by the alpha2/delta1 subunit and consequently voltage-dependent inactivation. Methods HEK-293 cells were transiently cotransfected with complementary DNAs encoding alpha1C tagged with green fluorescent protein and beta2a, with and without alpha2/delta1. Halothane effects on macroscopic barium currents were recorded using patch clamp methodology from cells expressing alpha1Cbeta2a and alpha1Cbeta2aalpha2/delta1 as identified by fluorescence microscopy. Results Halothane inhibited peak current (I(peak)) and enhanced apparent inactivation (reported by end pulse current amplitude of 300-ms depolarizations [I300]) in a concentration-dependent manner in both channel types. alpha2/delta1 coexpression shifted relations leftward as reported by the 50% inhibitory concentration of I(peak) and I300/I(peak)for alpha1Cbeta2a (1.8 and 14.5 mm, respectively) and alpha1Cbeta2aalpha2/delta1 (0.74 and 1.36 mm, respectively). Halothane reduced transmembrane charge transfer primarily through I(peak) depression and not by enhancement of macroscopic inactivation for both channels. Conclusions The results indicate that phenotypic features arising from alpha2/delta1 coexpression play a key role in halothane inhibition of cardiac L-type calcium channels. These features included marked effects on I(peak) inhibition, which is the principal determinant of charge transfer reductions. I(peak) depression arises primarily from transitions to nonactivatable states at resting membrane potentials. The findings point to the importance of halothane interactions with states present at resting membrane potential and discount the role of inactivation apparent in current time courses in determining transmembrane charge transfer.


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