Robert L. Raynor

Cardiac Troponin I Mutants PHOSPHORYLATION BY PROTEIN KINASES C AND A AND REGULATION OF Ca2+-STIMULATED MgATPase OF RECONSTITUTED ACTOMYOSIN S-1

The significance of site-specific phosphorylation of cardiac troponin I (TnI) by protein kinase C and protein kinase A in the regulation of Ca2+-stimulated MgATPase of reconstituted actomyosin S-1 was investigated. The TnI mutants used were T144A, S43A/S45A, and S43A/S45A/T144A (in which the identified protein kinase C phosphorylation sites, Thr-144 and Ser-43/Ser-45, were, respectively, substituted by Ala) and S23A/S24A and N32 (in which the protein kinase A phosphorylation sites Ser-23/Ser-24 were either substituted by Ala or deleted). The mutations caused subtle changes in the kinetics of phosphorylation by protein kinase C, and all mutants were maximally phosphorylated to various extents (1.3-2.7 mol of phosphate/mol of protein). Protein kinase C could cross-phosphorylate protein kinase A sites but the reverse essentially could not occur. Compared to wild-type TnI and T144A, unphosphorylated S43A/S45A, S43A/S45A/T144, S23A/S24A, and N32 caused a decreased Ca2+ sensitivity of Ca2+-stimulated MgATPase of reconstituted actomyosin S-1. Phosphorylation by protein kinase C of wild-type and all mutants except S43A/S45A and S43A/S45A/T144A caused marked reductions in both the maximal activity of Ca2+-stimulated MgATPase and apparent affinity of myosin S-1 for reconstituted (regulated) actin. It was further noted that protein kinase C acted in an additive manner with protein kinase A by phosphorylating Ser-23/Ser-24 to bring about a decreased Ca2+ sensitivity of the myofilament. It is suggested that Ser-43/Ser-45 and Ser-23/Ser-24 in cardiac TnI are important for normal Ca2+ sensitivity of the myofilament, and that phosphorylation of Ser-43/Ser-45 and Ser-23/Ser-24 is primarily involved in the protein kinase C regulation of the activity and Ca2+ sensitivity, respectively, of actomyosin S-1 MgATPase.

N-(6-Aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7), a calmodulin antagonist, also inhibits phospholipid sensitive calcium-dependent protein kinase

N-(6-Aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide(W-7), commonly regarded as a calmodulin antagonist, inhibited phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+ -dependent protein kinase and to a lesser extent cyclic GMP- and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases. Kinetic studies of the inhibition of the homogeneous spleen phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+ -dependent protein kinase indicated that W-7 inhibited the enzyme activity competitively with respect to phospholipid (Ki = 60 microM). N-(6-Aminohexyl)-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-5) was found to be much less potent than W-7. The findings indicate that W-7 was able to inhibit a variety of protein kinases, in addition to those requiring calmodulin previously reported.

Inhibition of protein kinase C by defensins, antibiotic peptides from human neutrophils☆

Defensins, human neutrophil peptide (HNP) antibiotics, potently inhibited phospholipid/Ca2+ protein kinase (protein kinase C, PKC) and phosphorylation of endogenous proteins from rat brains catalyzed by the enzyme. Of the three defensin peptides, HNP-2 appeared to be more potent than HNP-1 and HNP-3. Kinetic studies indicated that defensins inhibited PKC noncompetitively with respect to phosphatidylserine (a phospholipid cofactor), Ca2+ (an activator), ATP (a phosphoryl donor) and histone H1 (a substrate protein) with Ki values ranging from 1.2 to 1.7 microM. Defensins, unlike polymyxin B (another peptide inhibitor of PKC), did not inhibit the binding of [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate to PKC; however, defensins, like polymyxin B, inhibited the PKC activity stimulated by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Defensins had little or no effect on myosin light chain kinase (a calmodulin/Ca2+-dependent protein kinase) and the holoenzyme or catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, indicating a specificity of action of defensins. It is suggested that defensins, among the most potent peptide inhibitors of PKC so far identified, may have profound effects on functions of neutrophils and other mammalian cells, in addition to their well-recognized antimicrobial activities.

Subcellular distribution and immunocytochemical localization of protein kinase C in myocardium, and phosphorylation of troponin in isolated myocytes stimulated by isoproterenol or phorbol ester

Protein kinase C (PKC) catalytic activity was found in the cytosol, sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum, and PKC immunoreactivity was found in the striated regions and sarcolemma of rat hearts. Enhanced phosphorylation of troponin T and, to a lesser extent, troponin I was noted in isolated rat cardiac myocytes incubated with PKC activator phorbol ester, but only the phosphorylation of troponin I was stimulated by isoproterenol. It is suggested that PKC-mediated phosphorylation of troponin might be involved in regulation of myocardial function or in pathophysiology of the heart.

Comparison of selective cytotoxicity of alkyl lysophospholipids.

Alkyl lysophospholipids have been shown to be cytooxic to a number of neoplastic tissues. One, ET-18-OCH3, has been used to selectively purge leukemic cells from mixtures with normal marrow progenitor cells,in vitro andin vivo. We have measured the 50% inhibitory (IC50) effect of a series of ether, lipids (EL) on leukemic cells (HL60, K562, Daudi, KG-1, KG-1a) and normal marrow progenitor cells. Cells were incubated with varying concentrations of EL for 4 hr and assayed for viability, [3H]thymidine incorporation and clonogenicity in semi-solid media. The effect on protein kinase C (PKC) activity was assayed for each compound. Compounds tested included three glycerophosphocholine analogs-ET-18-OCH3, ET-16-NHCOCH3, and BM 41.440. In addition, a lipoidal amine, CP 46665, an ethyleneglycolphospholipid, AEPL, and four single chain alkylphosphocholine analogs, HePC2, HePC3, HePC4 and HePC6 were also tested. During the period of incubation, the cells remained viable (>70%) as judged by trypan blue dye exclusion. The glycerophosphocholines were the most active and showed the highest therapeutic index. The lipoidal amine was active, but toxic to normal marrow progenitor cells. The ethyleneglycolphospholipid was active against HL60, but not against the other cell lines. The single chain alkylphosphocholine analogs were less active. All of the compounds inhibited PKC activity; however, the glycerophosphocholines were the most inhibitory.

Ontogenetic aspects of phospholipid-sensitive calcium-dependent protein kinase in guinea pig tissues

Abstract Changes in the activity levels of phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinase in various tissues from developing guinea pigs were investigated. The fetal cerebral cortex, cerebellum, midbrain, spleen and kidney contained lower levels of the enzyme activity compared to the corresponding adult tissues. Conversely, higher enzyme levels were noted for the fetal liver and retina. The activity levels in the ileum, heart and lung, on the other hand, were unaltered during development. The ontogeny-related changes in the enzyme were dissimilar to those for cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases previously reported, suggesting separate functional roles for the newly recognized Ca2+-target enzyme.

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 transgene expression increases pulmonary vascular resistance and exacerbates hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension development

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease characterized by increased pulmonary arterial resistance and vessel remodeling. Patients living with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) have an increased susceptibility to develop severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) irrespective of their CD4+ lymphocyte counts. While the underlying cause of HIV-PAH remains unknown, the interaction of HIV-1 proteins with the vascular endothelium may play a critical role in HIV-PAH development. Hypoxia promotes PH in experimental models and in humans, but the impact of HIV-1 proteins on hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular dysfunction and PAH has not been examined. Therefore, we hypothesize that the presence of HIV-1 proteins and hypoxia synergistically augment the development of pulmonary vascular dysfunction and PH. We examined the effect of HIV-1 proteins on pulmonary vascular resistance by measuring pressure-volume relationships in isolated lungs from wild-type (WT) and HIV-1 Transgenic (Tg) rats. WT and HIV-1 Tg rats were exposed to 10% O2 for four weeks to induce experimental pulmonary hypertension to assess whether HIV-1 protein expression would impact the development of hypoxia-induced PH. Our results demonstrate that HIV-1 protein expression significantly increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). HIV-1 Tg mice demonstrated exaggerated pulmonary vascular responses to hypoxia as evidenced by greater increases in right ventricular systolic pressures, right ventricular hypertrophy and vessel muscularization when compared to wild-type controls. This enhanced PH was associated with enhanced expression of HIF-1α and PCNA. In addition, in vitro studies reveal that medium from HIV-infected monocyte derived macrophages (MDM) potentiates hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery endothelial proliferation. These results indicate that the presence of HIV-1 proteins likely impact pulmonary vascular resistance and exacerbate hypoxia-induced PH.

Membrane interactions of mastoparan analogues related to their differential effects on protein kinase C, Na, K-ATPase and HL60 cells.

Membrane interactions of tetradecapeptide toxin mastoparan (MP) and analogues (MP‐3, MP‐X and polistes MP), as indicated by inhibition of various enzymatic and cellular activities, were investigated. MP‐3 was found to be the least active in inhibiting protein kinase C (PKC; activated by phosphatidylserine vesicles, synaptosomal membranes or phorbol ester), synaptosomal membrane Na.K‐ATPase and proliferation and viability or leukemia HL60 cells. MP‐3, however, was as active as others in inhibiting PKC activated by arachidonate monomers and phorbol ester binding. The unique properties or MP‐3, the [des‐lle‐Asn2]‐ analogue or MP, might be related to its low functional amphiphilicity compared to others and useful in further delineating biological activities associated with or regulated by membranes.

Comparative abilities of lanthanide ions La3+ and Tb3+ to substitute for Ca2+ in regulating phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinase and myosin light chain kinase

Although lanthanide ions La3+ and Tb3+ were only slightly able to substitute for Ca2+ to activate phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinase (PL-Ca-PK), they potentiated the ability of a suboptimal concentration of Ca2+ to stimulate the enzyme. In comparison, the lanthanides were more effective Ca2+ substitutes for myosin light chain kinase, a calmodulin-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinase. Both enzymes, however, were inhibited by high concentrations of lanthanides either in the presence or absence of Ca2+. Similar effects of the lanthanides were also noted on phosphorylation of endogenous substrates in the particulate fraction of rat brain stimulated by either phosphatidylserine/Ca2+ or calmodulin/Ca2+. The La3+- or Tb3+-stimulated activity of PL-Ca-PK, as the Ca2+-stimulated activity, was inhibited by various agents, such as trifluoperazine, polymyxin B, cobra cytotoxin I, melittin, and spermine.

Structure-function relationships of alkyl-lysophospholipid analogs in selective antitumor activity

This investigation was initiated in order to delineate the structure-function relationship of the anticancer alkyllysophospholipids and assess their degree of selective cytotoxicity toward neoplastic cells. A series of glycerol phosphocholine analogs with varying substitutions in thesn-1 andsn-2 position were tested for their inhibitory activity as measured by thymidine incorporation, clonogenic assays and effects on protein kinase C activity against a series of human leukemic cell lines and healthy bone marrow progenitor cells. The IC50 was determined for each of the compounds in each cell line and healthy bone marrow cells following a 4-h incubation. The data indicated that a 16–18 carbon chain at thesn-1 coupled with a short substitution atsn-2 had the broadest antitumor activity and was the least toxic to normal bone marrow cells. The results provide a number of useful leads toward the design and development of potentially more active phospholipid compounds.