State of oncomarker protein B23/nucleophosmin in HeLa cells.

Western blot after SDS-PAGE for protein separation showed two immunoreactive bands corresponding to monomers (38-40 kDa) and oligomers (210-230 kDa) of nucleophosmin in HeLa cell lysates. Decreasing the buffer ionic strength during the incubation of cells and nuclei destabilized these oligomers. We also showed the existence of two B23/nucleophosmin pools in nuclei of HeLa cells with different sensitivity to hypotonic buffer treatment: one extractable from the nucleus and the other non-extractable and tightly bound to the nucleus.

[Isolation of the protein B23/nucleophosmin from HeLa cell nuclei].

Endogenous forms of the protein B23 were for the first time isolated from HeLa cell nuclei and their structural states were analyzed. It was demonstrated that incubation of HeLa cell nuclei in 10 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.4) led, not only to their swelling, but also to the release of several nuclear proteins, including the protein B23.

Purification and primary structure of novel lipid transfer proteins from germinated lentil (Lens culinaris) seeds.

A subfamily of eight novel lipid transfer proteins designated as Lc-LTP1-8 was found in the lentil Lens culinaris. Lc-LTP2, Lc-LTP4, Lc-LTP7, and Lc-LTP8 were purified from germinated lentil seeds, and their molecular masses (9268.7, 9282.

Purification and characterization of windmill palm tree (Trachycarpus fortunei) peroxidase.

High peroxidase activity was demonstrated to be present in the leaf of several species of cold-resistant palms. Histochemical studies of the leaf of windmill palm tree (Trachycarpus fortunei) showed the peroxidase activity to be localized in hypoderma, epidermis, cell walls, and conducting bundles. However, chlorophyll-containing mesophyll cells had no peroxidase at all.

State of nucleolar proteins B23/nucleophosmin and UBF in HeLa cells during apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor.

The structural state of two major nucleolar proteins, UBF and B23/nucleophosmin (both monomeric and oligomeric forms), was for the first time established in HeLa cells treated with apoptosis inducers: tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), emetine, and their combination. The treatment of the cells with either TNF-alpha or emetine did not induce apoptosis and affect the state of UBF and nucleophosmin (both monomers and oligomers). Apoptosis was rather pronounced only if HeLa cells were treated with a mixture of TNF-alpha and emetine.

[Isolation and characterization of fragments of ATP-dependent protease Lon from Escherichia coli obtained by limited proteolysis].

Conditions of limited proteolysis of the protease Lon from Escherichia coli that provided the formation of fragments approximately corresponding to the enzyme domains were found for studying the domain functioning. A method of isolation of the domains was developed, and their functional characteristics were compared. The isolated proteolytic domain (LonP fragment) of the enzyme was shown to exhibit both peptidase and proteolytic activities; however, it cleaved large protein substrates at a significantly lower rate than the full-size protease Lon.

[Structural peculiarities of Na+,K+-ATPase isozymes from the calf brain].

Functionally active preparations of Na+,K(+)-ATPase isozymes from calf brain that contain catalytic subunits of three types (alpha 1, alpha 2, and alpha 3) were obtained using two approaches: a selective removal of contaminating proteins by the Jorgensen method and a selective solubilization of the enzyme with subsequent reconstitution of the membrane structure by the Esmann method. The ouabain inhibition constants were determined for the isozymes. The real isozyme composition of the Na+ pump from the grey matter containing glial cells and the brain stem containing neurons was determined.

Domain structure and ATP-induced conformational changes in Escherichia coli protease Lon revealed by limited proteolysis and autolysis.

Escherichia coli protease Lon (La) is an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-regulated homo-oligomeric proteolytic complex responsible for the recognition and selective degradation of abnormal and unstable proteins. Each subunit of the protease Lon appears to consist of three functional domains: the C-terminal proteolytic containing a serine active site, the central displaying the ATPase activity, and the N-terminal with still obscure function. We have used limited proteolysis to probe the domain structure and nucleotide-induced conformational changes in the enzyme.

Interaction between tubulin and Na+,K+-ATPase in brain stem neurons.

Functionally active Na+,K+-ATPase isozymes containing three types of the catalytic subunits (alpha1, alpha2, and alpha3) were obtained from calf brain by two methods: selective removal of contaminating proteins according to Jorgensen (1974) and selective solubilization of the enzyme with subsequent reformation of the membrane structure according to Esmann (1988). All preparations were characterized with respect to ouabain-inhibition constants. The presence of the cytoskeleton protein tubulin (beta3 isoform) in the high-molecular-weight complex of Na+,K+-ATPase alpha3beta1 isozyme from brain stem axolemma and the junction between Na+,K+-ATPase alpha3 subunit and tubulin beta3 subunit are shown for the first time.

Plasmin-dependent elimination of the growth-factor-like domain in urokinase causes its rapid cellular uptake and degradation.

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) act in concert to mediate pericellular proteolysis and to stimulate intracellular signalling responsible for cell migration and proliferation. uPA is composed of three domains, a proteolytic domain (PD), a kringle domain (KD) and a growth-factor-like domain (GFD), the last of which mediates the interaction with uPAR. We demonstrate that uPA, associated with the surface of U937 cells, undergoes plasmin-mediated cleavage of the Lys(46)-Ser(47) bond with elimination of the GFD.

Na+,K(+)-ATPase isozymes in the bovine brain grey matter and brain stem.

Active preparations of Na+,K(+)-ATPase containing three types of catalytic isoforms were isolated from the bovine brain to study the structure and function of the sodium pump. Na+,K(+)-ATPase from the brain grey matter was found to have a biphasic kinetics with respect to ouabain inhibition and to consist of a set of isozymes with subunit composition of alpha 1 beta 1, alpha 2 beta m and alpha 3 beta m (where m = 1 and/or 2). The alpha 1 beta 1 form clearly dominated.

[Structural analysis of isoforms of Na+,K+-ATPase from calf brain].

The isoform composition and types of functioning of Na+,K(+)-ATPase complexes, as well as their ouabain-inhibition constants, were studied for calf brain membranes. The catalytic subunit alpha 3 within the native enzyme complex was found to exhibit an increased sensitivity to endogenous proteolysis. The site of specific proteolysis was localized in the region of the polypeptide chain that is unique for all alpha 3 type isoforms: PNDNR492 decreases (Y493) (according to the numeration of human alpha 3-subunit).

Determination of the sidedness of the carboxy-terminus of the Na+/K(+)ATPase alpha-subunit using lactoperoxidase iodination.

The orientation of the carboxy-terminal pair of tyrosines of the Na+/K(+)-ATPase alpha-subunit with respect to the plane of the plasma membrane was determined. The approach was based on lactoperoxidase-catalysed radioiodination of the tyrosine residues accessible on the surface of the enzyme molecule in intact cells of a pig kidney embryonic cell line and those accessible in a broken plasma membrane fraction and in isolated membrane-bound Na+/K(+)-ATPase. The labeled alpha-subunit was isolated by SDS gel electrophoresis followed by electroblotting.

Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase isoforms in different areas of calf brain.

The isoform composition and type of Na(+)-K+ ATPase functional complexes in a number of calf brain membranes were determined. Functionally active enzymes were obtained from microsomes from calf cerebral cortex grey matter, brain stem, and stem axolemma by two different methods involving (1) the selective removal of contaminating proteins according to Jorgensen (1974) and (2) the selective solubilization of the enzyme with subsequent reformation of the membrane structure according to Esmann (1988). The protein components of the isolated preparations were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate, transferred to an immobilon membrane [poly(vinylidene difluoride) membrane] by electroblotting, and subjected to structural analysis.

[Complete amino acid sequence of neurotoxin Os-1 from the venom of the Central Asian black scorpion Orthochirus scrobiculosus].

The neurotoxin Os-1 from the venom of the Central Asian scorpion Orthochirus scrobiculosus possesses a high paralytic activity against mice. This neurotoxin was subjected to tryptic, chymotryptic and BrCN cleavages and its total amino acid sequence was established. It was shown that neurotoxin Os-1 consists of 66 amino acid residues an contains four disulfide bonds.

[Neurotoxins from the venom of the Central Asian scorpion Buthus eupeus].

Three main polypeptide neurotoxins M9, M10, M14, possessing paralytic activity in mice, have been isolated from the venom of the Central Asian scorpion Buthus eupeus. The amino acid composition of these toxins was determined. Toxins M9 and M14 were digested with trypsin, chymotrypsin, Staphylococcus aureus proteinase and cleaved with BNPS-skatole.

[Amino acid sequence of 2 neurotoxins from the scorpion Buthus eupeus venom].

Three polypeptides, M10, M14 and M9, toxic to mammals were isolated from the venom of the Central Asian scorpion Buthus eupeus. All the toxins were shown to be homogeneous according to disc-electrophoresis and N-terminal group analyses. The toxin M9 was digested with trypsin, Staphylococcus aureus proteinase and cleaved with BNPS-skatole.