The level of the glycogen targetting regulatory subunit R5 of protein phosphatase 1 is decreased in the livers of insulin-dependent diabetic rats and starved rats.

Hepatic glycogen synthesis is impaired in insulin-dependent diabetic rats owing to defective activation of glycogen synthase by glycogen-bound protein phosphatase 1 (PP1). The identification of three glycogen-targetting subunits in liver, G(L), R5/PTG and R6, which form complexes with the catalytic subunit of PP1 (PP1c), raises the question of whether some or all of these PP1c complexes are subject to regulation by insulin. In liver lysates of control rats, R5 and R6 complexes with PP1c were found to contribute significantly (16 and 21% respectively) to the phosphorylase phosphatase activity associated with the glycogen-targetting subunits, G(L)-PP1c accounting for the remainder (63%). In liver lysates of insulin-dependent diabetic and of starved rats, the phosphorylase phosphatase activities of the R5 and G(L) complexes with PP1c were shown by specific immunoadsorption assays to be substantially decreased, and the levels of R5 and G(L) were shown by immunoblotting to be much lower than those in control extracts. The phosphorylase phosphatase activity of R6-PP1c and the concentration of R6 protein were unaffected by these treatments. Insulin administration to diabetic rats restored the levels of R5 and G(L) and their associated activities. The regulation of R5 protein levels by insulin was shown to correspond to changes in the level of the mRNA, as has been found for G(L). The in vitro glycogen synthase phosphatase/phosphorylase phosphatase activity ratio of R5-PP1c was lower than that of G(L)-PP1c, suggesting that R5-PP1c may function as a hepatic phosphorylase phosphatase, whereas G(L)-PP1c may be the major hepatic glycogen synthase phosphatase. In hepatic lysates, more than half the R6 was present in the glycogen-free supernatant, suggesting that R6 may have lower affinity for glycogen than R5 and G(L)

Interaction with protein phosphatase 1 Is essential for bifocal function during the morphogenesis of the Drosophila compound eye.

The gene bifocal (bif), required for photoreceptor morphogenesis in the Drosophila compound eye, encodes a protein that is shown to interact with protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) using the yeast two-hybrid system. Complex formation between Bif and PP1 is supported by coprecipitation of the two proteins. Residues 992 to 995 (RVQF) in the carboxy-terminal region of Bif, which conform to the consensus PP1-binding motif, are shown to be essential for the interaction of Bif with PP1. The interaction of PP1 with bacterially expressed and endogenous Bif can be disrupted by a synthetic peptide known to block interaction of other regulatory subunits with PP1. Null bif mutants exhibit a rough eye phenotype, disorganized rhabdomeres (light-gathering rhodopsin-rich microvillar membrane structures in the photoreceptor cells) and alterations in the actin cytoskeleton. Expression of wild-type bif transgenes resulted in significant rescue of these abnormalities. In contrast, expression of transgenes encoding the Bif F995A mutant, which disrupts binding to PP1, was unable to rescue any aspect of the bif phenotype. The results indicate that the PP1-Bif interaction is critical for the rescue and that a major function of Bif is to target PP1c to a specific subcellular location. The role of the PP1-Bif complex in modulating the organization of the actin cytoskeleton underlying the rhabdomeres is discussed.

Nuclear localization of protein phosphatase 5 is dependent on the carboxy-terminal region.

Endogenous and overexpressed protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) localizes to the nucleus and cytoplasm of HeLa cells, while the overexpressed TPR domain of PP5 is restricted to the cytoplasm. Deletion and mutational analysis of human PP5 demonstrates that the C-terminal amino acids 420-499 are essential for nuclear localization and PP5 activity is not required. Since the phosphatase domain terminates at 473, these studies suggest that the highly conserved section (476-491) with the eukaryotic consensus FXAVPHPXPhiXPMAYAN is required for nuclear localization of PP5. Bacterially expressed PP5 is inhibited by several tumor promoters but not by the anticancer drug fostriecin.

Adenovirus-mediated expression of a naturally occurring Asp905Tyr variant of the glycogen-associated regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase-1 in L6 myotubes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The glycogen-associated protein phosphatase-1 (PP1G) is thought to play an important part in the regulation of skeletal muscle glycogen content. We have previously identified an Asp905Tyr polymorphism of the glycogen-associated regulatory subunit of the protein phosphatase 1 (PPP1R3) gene which among healthy subjects was associated with decreased insulin stimulated non-oxidative glucose metabolism, i.e. primary glycogen synthesis. In this study, the functional effect of the polymorphism was examined in vitro. METHODS: Wild type (PPP1R3-Asp905) and mutant (PPP1R3-Tyr905) PPP1R3 were expressed in L6 myotubes using adenovirus-mediated gene transfer. Basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis were measured. Furthermore, the sensitivity of glycogen synthesis to a cyclic AMP agonist was measured. RESULTS: Compared with green fluorescent protein-transduced myotubes and non-transduced myotubes, overexpression of PPP1R3-Asp905 and PPP1R3-Tyr905 increased both basal and insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis approximately twofold. Treatment of both non-transduced and PPP1R3-transduced L6 myotubes with a cAMP agonist decreased both basal and insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis by about 40%. Overexpression of PPP1R3 did not affect either basal or insulin-stimulated 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake compared with green fluorescent protein-transduced cells. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Results obtained from L6 myotubes transduced with PPP1R3-Asp905 or PPP1R3-Tyr905 showed no statistically significant difference. Therefore, the Asp905Tyr variant alone is unlikely to account for the decreased insulin stimulated non-oxidative glucose metabolism observed in the human study reported previously.

NIMA-related kinase 2 (Nek2), a cell-cycle-regulated protein kinase localized to centrosomes, is complexed to protein phosphatase 1.

The cell cycle-regulated protein serine/threonine NIMA-related kinase 2 (Nek2), which shows a predominant localization at centrosomes, is identified as a protein which interacts with protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) using the yeast two-hybrid system. Complex formation between Nek2 and PP1 is supported by co-precipitation of the two proteins using transfected expression constructs of Nek2 and the endogenous Nek2/PP1 proteins. The sequence KVHF in the C-terminal region of Nek2, which conforms to the consensus PP1-binding motif, is shown to be essential for the interaction of Nek2 with PP1. Nek2 activity increases with autophosphorylation and addition of phosphatase inhibitors and decreases in the presence of PP1. PP1 is a substrate for Nek2 and phosphorylation of PP1gamma(1) on two C-terminal sites reduces its phosphatase activity. The presence of a ternary complex containing centrosomal Nek2-associated protein (C-Nap1), Nek2 and PP1 has also been demonstrated, and C-Nap1 is shown to be a substrate for both Nek2 and PP1 in vitro and in cell extracts. The implications of kinase-phosphatase complex formation involving Nek2 and PP1 are discussed in terms of the coordination of centrosome separation with cell cycle progression.

Drosophila protein phosphatase 5 is encoded by a single gene that is most highly expressed during embryonic development.

A putative Drosophila melanogaster homologue of mammalian PP5, termed Dm PP5, was identified from cDNA. Dm PP5 comprises a phosphatase catalytic domain preceded by an amino terminal domain containing three tetratricopeptide repeat motifs and shares 60% overall amino acid identity with human PP5. Genomic restriction analysis identified a single Dm PP5 gene that was mapped to the third chromosome at locus 85E10-12 and a strain carrying a deletion that encompasses this gene was identified. Dm PP5 mRNA and protein are more highly expressed in the embryo than at later developmental stages, but their expression levels do not always change synchronously. Dm PP5 protein localises to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm of cells at the periphery of newly cellularized embryos.

A novel 50 kDa protein forms complexes with protein phosphatase 4 and is located at centrosomal microtubule organizing centres.

Protein phosphatase 4 (PPP4) is a protein serine/threonine phosphatase that has been implicated in microtubule organization at centrosomes. Complexes of PPP4 with high apparent molecular masses (450 and 600 kDa) were purified from mammalian skeletal muscle and testis to near homogeneity. Amino acid sequences derived from a protein component present in both complexes were utilized to identify a human cDNA. The encoded putative PPP4 regulatory subunit (termed PPP4R2), comprising 453 amino acids, had a molecular mass of 50.4 kDa. The interaction of PPP4R2 with PPP4 catalytic subunit (PPP4c) was confirmed by co-sedimentation of PPP4c with PPP4R2 expressed in bacteria and human cells. PPP4c formed a complex of 450 kDa with baculovirus expressed His(6)-tagged PPP4R2. Immunocytological detection of PPP4R2 at centrosomes suggests that it may target PPP4c to this location. Native 450 kDa and 600 kDa PPP4 complexes are inactive, but can be activated by basic proteins, suggesting that PPP4R2 may also regulate the activity of PPP4c at centrosomal microtubule organising centres.

Cellular mechanisms regulating protein phosphatase-1. A key functional interaction between inhibitor-2 and the type 1 protein phosphatase catalytic subunit.

Inhibitor-1 (I-1) and inhibitor-2 (I-2) selectively inhibit type 1 protein serine/threonine phosphatases (PP1). To define the molecular basis for PP1 inhibition by I-1 and I-2 charged-to-alanine substitutions in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae, PP1 catalytic subunit (GLC7), were analyzed. Two PP1 mutants, E53A/E55A and K165A/E166A/K167A, showed reduced sensitivity to I-2 when compared with wild-type PP1. Both mutants were effectively inhibited by I-1. Two-hybrid analysis and coprecipitation or pull-down assays established that wild-type and mutant PP1 catalytic subunits bound I-2 in an identical manner and suggested a role for the mutated amino acids in enzyme inhibition. Inhibition of wild-type and mutant PP1 enzymes by full-length I-2(1-204), I-2(1-114), and I-2(36-204) indicated that the mutant enzymes were impaired in their interaction with the N-terminal 35 amino acids of I-2. Site-directed mutagenesis of amino acids near the N terminus of I-2 and competition for PP1 binding by a synthetic peptide encompassing an I-2 N-terminal sequence suggested that a PP1 domain composed of amino acids Glu-53, Glu-55, Asp-165, Glu-166, and Lys-167 interacts with the N terminus of I-2. This defined a novel regulatory interaction between I-2 and PP1 that determines I-2 potency and perhaps selectivity as a PP1 inhibitor.

Association of a protein phosphatase 1 activity with the human factor C1 (HCF) complex.

We have screened a human cDNA expression library with a digoxygenin-labelled protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) probe to identify novel PP1 interacting proteins. Eleven cDNA clones were isolated, which included genes encoding two previously characterised and six novel PP1 binding proteins. Three of the cDNAs encoded a protein called host cell factor (HCF), which is an essential component of the cellular complex required for the transcription of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) immediate-early (IE) genes. We demonstrate that HCF and PP1 exist as a complex in nuclear extracts and that this complex is distinct from the form of HCF that associates with HSV VP16. The data suggest novel roles for HCF and PP1, which may be relevant to their functions in transcription and cell cycle progression.

Drosophila melanogaster protein phosphatase inhibitor-2: identification of a site important for PP1 inhibition.

A database search with human protein phosphatase inhibitor-2 (I-2) identified a Drosophila melanogaster cDNA that encoded a protein identical in length and sharing 39% amino acid identity (58% similarity) with human I-2. The mRNA encoding this protein is expressed in both sexes and throughout development, unlike Drosophila inhibitor-t. The bacterially expressed protein was a specific inhibitor of protein phosphatase 1 with an IC(50) of <1 nM, confirming that it is the Drosophila homologue of mammalian inhibitor-2. Mutation of Phe residues conserved in I-2 from lower and higher eukaryotes showed that Phe-33 is important for inhibition of PP1c.

HIV RNA and CD4 cell count response to protease inhibitor therapy in an urban AIDS clinic: response to both initial and salvage therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the HIV RNA and CD4 cell response to both initial and salvage therapy with protease inhibitor-based therapy, and to examine the relationship between the virological response and pre-therapy characteristics. DESIGN: Observational cohort. SETTING: University-based public hospital AIDS clinic. PATIENTS: HIV-infected adults who received at least 16 continuous weeks' therapy with a potent protease inhibitor (indinavir, ritonavir or nelfinavir)-based regimen, and who have had at least 48 weeks of follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma HIV RNA and CD4 cell count response at week 48 of therapy for patients receiving their first protease inhibitor-containing regimen, and at week 24 of therapy with a salvage regimen. RESULTS: Of the 337 patients analysed, 170 (50.2%) had a successful outcome (HIV RNA <500 copies/ml after 48 weeks of treatment). Independent predictors of virological failure were higher baseline HIV RNA level, lower baseline CD4 cell count and failure to initiate at least one new nucleoside analog simultaneously at the time protease inhibitor therapy was initiated. The risk of failure increased incrementally across most HIV RNA and CD4 cell strata, with significant increases as the HIV RNA increased above 4.5 log10 copies/ml and the CD4 cell count fell below 100 cells/mm3 (P< or =0.01). The CD4 cell count remained above baseline to week 48 in most patients, regardless of the HIV RNA response. Of the 99 patients who experienced virological failure and switched to a salvage regimen, only 22 (22%) achieved an undetectable HIV RNA level 24 weeks after initiating salvage therapy. Independent predictors of failure with salvage therapy included an HIV RNA greater than 4.0 log10 RNA copies/ml at the time of the switch and failure to use a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) in the salvage regimen. CONCLUSION: Failure of potent protease inhibitor therapy to suppress HIV RNA levels below detectable levels is common in clinical practice, and can often be explained by their suboptimal use. CD4 T cell counts remain above baseline for at least one year in most patients experiencing virological failure. Successful salvage therapy, which was uncommon, was associated with a low plasma HIV RNA at the time of the switch and the use of a new class of antiretroviral agents (NNRTI) in the salvage regimen.

Identification of the separate domains in the hepatic glycogen-targeting subunit of protein phosphatase 1 that interact with phosphorylase a, glycogen and protein phosphatase 1.

Deletion and mutational analyses of the rat liver glycogen-targeting subunit (GL) of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) have identified three separate domains that are responsible for binding of PP1, glycogen and phosphorylase a. The glycogen-binding domain spans the centre of GL between residues 144 and 231 and appears to be distinct from the glycogen-binding (storage) site of phosphorylase. The regulatory high-affinity binding site for phosphorylase a lies in the 16 amino acids at the C-terminus of GL. The PP1-binding domain is deduced to comprise the -RVXF- motif [Egloff, Johnson, Moorhead, Cohen and Barford (1997) EMBO J. 16, 1876-1887] located at residues 61-64 of GL and preceding lysine residues at positions 56, 57 and 59. A possible approach for increasing glycogen synthesis in certain disorders is discussed.

Characterisation of a novel Drosophila melanogaster testis specific PP1 inhibitor related to mammalian inhibitor-2: identification of the site of interaction with PP1.

A novel Drosophila melanogaster protein, termed inhibitor-t, that bears 41% sequence similarity to human protein phosphatase inhibitor-2 has been identified using human protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) in the yeast two hybrid system. Inhibitor-t mRNA is detected in adult males, larvae and pupae and the 184 amino acid thermostable protein located only in testis. The gene for inhibitor-t maps to cytological location 86F1 on the third chromosome. Bacterially expressed inhibitor-t specifically inhibits both mammalian and D. melanogaster PP1 catalytic subunits with an IC50 of approximately 200 nM. A motif -FEX1X2RK-, conserved between inhibitor-t, inhibitor-2 and its Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologue Glc8, is demonstrated to be required for binding to PP1.

Cloning of a novel testis specific protein serine/threonine phosphatase, PPN 58A, from Drosophila melanogaster.

A gene encoding a novel member of the PPP family of protein serine/threonine phosphatases, termed PPN 58A, was cloned from Drosophila melanogaster. The deduced amino acid sequence of PPN 58A exhibits 59-62% identity to D. melanogaster PP1 isoforms, 51% identity to D. melanogaster PPY 55A and < or = 40% identity to other members of the PPP family. The single copy gene PPN 58A maps to chromosome 2 locus 58A. Analysis of PPN 58A mRNA reveals that, like PPY 55A, PPN 58A is a testis specific enzyme.

A common variant in PPP1R3 associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Selected candidate genes have been analyzed in the Pima Indians of Arizona based on evidence that insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes have significant genetic determinants. An amino acid substitution at codon 905 of the glycogen-targeting subunit of type 1 protein phosphatase that regulates skeletal muscle glycogenesis was recently reported to be associated with changes in insulin action in Danish subjects. In addition to the variant at 905, we report here a novel substitution at codon 883 and common variant of an "ATTTA" element in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the corresponding gene (PPP1R3). The 3'-UTR variant resembled the mRNA-destabilizing AT(AU)-rich elements (AREs) and resulted in a 10-fold difference in reporter mRNA half-life, was correlated with PPP1R3 transcript and protein concentrations in vivo, and was associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in the Pimas. The variant is more common in Pimas (0.56) than in Caucasians (0.40). Because of its apparent effect on expression of PPP1R3, it may, in part, contribute to the higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes in this Native American population.

Purification of protein phosphatase 4 catalytic subunit: inhibition by the antitumour drug fostriecin and other tumour suppressors and promoters.

Protein phosphatase 4 (PP4) is a protein serine/threonine phosphatase that predominantly localises to centrosomes and plays a role in microtubule organisation at centrosomes. Here, PP4 catalytic subunit has been purified from porcine testis to near homogeneity and a specific activity of 680 mU/mg against phosphorylase alpha. The antitumour drug, fostriecin, inhibits PP4 catalytic subunit (IC50 3 nM) with similar potency to PP2A catalytic subunit (IC50 1.5 nM). PP4 is also inhibited in the nanomolar range by several naturally occurring tumour promoters and toxins, with similar IC50 values to those obtained for PP2A. The gene for human PP4 catalytic subunit localises to 16p11.2.

Loss of the hepatic glycogen-binding subunit (GL) of protein phosphatase 1 underlies deficient glycogen synthesis in insulin-dependent diabetic rats and in adrenalectomized starved rats.

Hepatic glycogen synthesis is impaired in insulin-dependent diabetic rats and in adrenalectomized starved rats, and although this is known to be due to defective activation of glycogen synthase by glycogen synthase phosphatase, the underlying molecular mechanism has not been delineated. Glycogen synthase phosphatase comprises the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) complexed with the hepatic glycogen-binding subunit, termed GL. In liver extracts of insulin-dependent diabetic and adrenalectomized starved rats, the level of GL was shown by immunoblotting to be substantially reduced compared with that in control extracts, whereas the level of PP1 catalytic subunit was not affected by these treatments. Insulin administration to diabetic rats restored the level of GL and prolonged administration raised it above the control levels, whereas re-feeding partially restored the GL level in adrenalectomized starved rats. The regulation of GL protein levels by insulin and starvation/feeding was shown to correlate with changes in the level of the GL mRNA, indicating that the long-term regulation of the hepatic glycogen-associated form of PP1 by insulin, and hence the activity of hepatic glycogen synthase, is predominantly mediated through changes in the level of the GL mRNA.

Protein phosphatase 4 is an essential enzyme required for organisation of microtubules at centrosomes in Drosophila embryos.

The protein serine/threonine phosphatase 4 (PP4), which localises to centrosomes/spindle pole bodies in human cells, is shown to exhibit a similar localisation in Drosophila cells and embryos and possess a highly conserved (91% identical) amino acid sequence from humans to invertebrates. A homozygous Drosophila melanogaster strain mutant in the PP4 gene at 19C1-2 has been produced using P element mutagenesis. This strain, termed centrosomes minus microtubules (cmm), has reduced amounts of PP4 mRNA, approximately 25% of normal PP4 protein in early embryos and exhibits a semi-lethal phenotype with only 10% viability in certain conditions. Reversion mutagenesis shows that the phenotype is due to the presence of the P element in the PP4 mRNA. In early cmm embryos, nuclear divisions become asynchronous and large regions containing centrosomes with no well defined radiating microtubules are visible. In such areas, most nuclei arrest during mitosis with condensed DNA, and mitotic spindle microtubules are either absent, or aberrant and unconnected to the centrosome. A reduction in the staining of gamma-tubulin at centrosomes in cmm embryos suggests a conformational change or relocation of this protein, which is known to be essential for initiation of microtubule growth. These findings indicate that PP4 is required for nucleation, growth and/or stabilisation of microtubules at centrosomes/spindle pole bodies.

PPP1R6, a novel member of the family of glycogen-targetting subunits of protein phosphatase 1.

A complementary DNA encoding a novel human protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) glycogen-targetting subunit of molecular mass 33 kDa has been sequenced. PPP1R6 is 31% identical to the glycogen-targetting subunit (G(L)) of PP1 from rat liver, 28% identical to the N-terminal region of the glycogen-targetting subunit (G(M)) from human skeletal muscle and 27% identical to glycogen-targetting subunit PPP1R5. Unlike human PPP1R5 and its murine homologue PTG, whose mRNAs are most abundant in skeletal muscle, heart and liver, PPP1R6 is present at similar levels in a wide variety of tissues. The PPP1R6 is associated with glycogen in muscle but is not subject to the same modes of covalent and allosteric regulation as G(M) and G(L).

Human immunodeficiency virus disease-related neutropenia and the risk of hospitalization for bacterial infection.

BACKGROUND: Neutropenia is common in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. However, the degree of risk for serious bacterial infections associated with various levels of neutropenia in patients with HIV disease is not well defined. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of databases containing demographic information for patients attending the San Francisco General Hospital HIV outpatient clinic, test results reported by the hospital's clinical laboratory, and the San Francisco General Hospital inpatient International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) hospital discharge diagnosis codes from October 1, 1992, through November 30, 1993. Risk window time periods were defined, encompassing dates that consecutive absolute neutrophil counts (ANCs) occurred in a single ANC stratum. One risk window at the lowest ANC stratum for each patient was analyzed for hospitalizations with ICD-9 codes indicating bacterial infections. A 5% random sample of medical records was reviewed for end point validation. RESULTS: Codes from ICD-9 had 98% and 96% positive and negative predictive values, respectively, for meeting National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Division of AIDS [acquired immunodeficiency syndrome] clinical trial end point definitions for bacterial infections. Among 2047 evaluable patients, a significant increase in the incidence of hospitalization for serious bacterial infections was observed for those in the ANC strata of 500 to 749 X 10(6)/L and below. The 95% confidence intervals for the incidence of hospitalization associated with each ANC stratum below 500 X 10(6)/L did not overlap with that for any stratum of 750 X 10(6)/L or higher (22-117 vs 0.4-19 patient hospitalizations per 10000 days at risk, respectively). A multivariate analysis revealed only the severity and duration of neutropenia and black race to be significant end point predictors. CONCLUSION: Among 2047 patients with HIV disease, significantly higher risks of hospitalization for bacterial infections were associated with ANCs lower than 750 X 10(6)/L, especially for ANCs lower than 500 X 10(6)/L.