Processing of the p62 envelope precursor protein of Semliki Forest virus.

The spike protein of Semliki Forest virus is composed of three subunits, E1, E2, and E3, which mediate the fusion of the virus membrane with that of the host cell. E2 and E3 are synthesized as a precursor, p62, which is cleaved post-translationally after an Arg-His-Arg-Arg sequence. In vitro mutagenesis of a cDNA clone of the spike proteins was used to specifically alter amino acids in this cleavage site. Cleavage of p62 was completely blocked by mutation of the proximal Arg residue to Phe, without affecting transport or surface expression of the spike protein. The cleavage mutation resulted in the loss of spike protein fusion activity within the physiological pH range. Fusion activity was restored by cleavage with exogenous chymotrypsin and showed the same low pH dependence as that of wild type. The cleavage sensitivity of newly synthesized p62 was investigated by pulse-chase analysis and chymotrypsin treatment in detergent solution. p62 was sensitive to cleavage immediately following its synthesis. Protein trapped in the rough endoplasmic reticulum or Golgi apparatus by carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, monensin, or Brefeldin A treatment was also fully sensitive to cleavage. These results suggest that p62 does not require an organelle-mediated conformational change for processing. Thus, in vivo, the site of p62 processing is probably controlled by the location or activity of the cleavage enzyme, rather than the sensitivity of the p62 substrate.

Biosynthesis, maturation, and acid activation of the Semliki Forest virus fusion protein.

The Semliki Forest virus spike protein has a potent membrane fusion activity which is activated in vivo by the low pH of endocytic vacuoles. The spike protein is composed of two transmembrane subunits, E1 and E2, plus E3, a peripheral polypeptide. Acid-induced conformational changes in the E1 or E2 subunits were analyzed by using monoclonal antibodies specific for the acid-treated spike protein. E1 and E2 reacted with the antibodies after treatment of wild-type or mutant virus at the pH of fusion. The E1 conformational change resembled fusion in its requirement for both low pH and cholesterol. Pulse-chase analysis and intracellular pH treatment were then used to determine the ability of the newly synthesized spike to undergo acid-induced conformational changes. p62, the precursor to E2 and E3, was shown to undergo a pH-dependent conformational change similar to that of E2 and was sensitive to acid very soon after biosynthesis. In contrast, a posttranslational maturation event was required for the conversion of E1 to the pH-sensitive form. E1 maturation occurred fairly late in the exocytic pathway, after the virus spike had passed the medial Golgi but before incorporation of the spike into a new virus particle.

Identification of specific glomerular cell types in culture by use of lectin and antibody binding.

To characterize the outgrowth of cells from cultured rat glomeruli, we examined the cell morphology in relation to the expression of various antigenic determinants (factor VIII-related antigen, rat Thy 1.1, Heyman nephritogenic antigen, common leucocyte and Ia antigens) and lectin binding patterns. For this purpose, early (3-7 days) to late (4-5 weeks) glomerulus cultures, as well as subcultures of mesangial cells were used. In the early samples, the predominance of small round (type I) cells growing in a cobblestone pattern was noted. These cells failed to express specific binding for any of the antibodies or lectins tested. 5-10% of the outgrowing cells appeared single and morphologically of stellate shape (type II). These cells were reactive for Concanavalia ensiformis (ConA), Triticum vulgaris (WGA) and Ricinus communis (RCA I), and stained for rat Thy 1.1 antigen. Large round, single cells (type III), found mostly at the edges of the outgrowth bound only Bandeiraea simplicifolia (BSI-B4) and FVIII antibodies, a pattern consistent with endothelial cells. A fourth (type IV) cell type, elongated, with cells mostly found in bundles and growing on a layer consisting of other cells, was reactive for ConA, WGA, Limax flavus (LFA) and Maclura pomifera (MPA) lectins. In the late outgrowth (3-5 weeks after explant), the lectin and antibody binding patterns of each cell type remained essentially unchanged. However, considerable changes in the prevalence of the morphologic cell types were noted. Cells that had been subcultured to obtain pure 'mesangial' cells, exhibited the same morphology as the type II cells and expressed identical staining patterns with all probes used. The binding of lectins was likewise confirmed by staining frozen sections of rat kidneys.

A specific Fc gamma receptor on cultured rat mesangial cells.

Mesangial cells represent specialized pericytes in the renal glomerulus that contribute to the regulation of a variety of glomerular functions. Recently we and others have shown that cultured mesangial cells bind and take up immune complexes in an Fc-dependent manner leading in turn to generation of PGE2, reactive oxygen, and platelet-activating factor. The present studies were designed to further characterize potential Fc-gamma R on mesangial cells. Binding assays with either monomeric or heat aggregated (HA) [125I] labeled rat subclass-specific IgG were performed at 4 degrees C for 2 h on subcultured rat mesangial cells. Monomeric rat IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG1 and HA IgG2a bound only nonspecifically. Saturable Fc-dependent binding occurred for HA IgG2b and HA IgG1 though maximal binding and affinity were much higher for IgG2b. The presence of an Fc-gamma R was confirmed by surface protein iodination of mesangial cells (MC) and immunoprecipitation with either a polyclonal or mAb 2.4G2 prepared against murine Fc-gamma R. Both antibodies precipitated a 45-kDa iodinated protein band from cultured rat MC that comigrated with that from murine macrophage J774 cells on SDS-PAGE. This protein band also reacted with the polyclonal anti Fc-gamma R antibody on immunoblots. In contrast rat renal papillary epithelial cells were negative. The 45-kDa protein recognized by the rat anti-Fc-gamma R antibody 2.4G2 probably represents the binding site for HA IgG2b, as the 2.4G2 antibody also blocked binding of HA IgG2b. By immunofluorescence microscopy all MC stained positively with the polyclonal anti-Fc-gamma R antibody. A cDNA probe for the Fc-gamma RII-alpha on murine macrophages hybridized to mRNA from cultured rat MC which was of the same size (though less abundant) as that from J774 macrophages. These results further characterize the Fc-gamma R on cultured rat MC, and raise the possibility that the mesangial Fc-gamma R may play a role in the handling of immune-complexes by the renal glomerulus.

Atrial natriuretic peptide and nitroprusside cause relaxation of cultured rat mesangial cells.

These studies evaluate the effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and nitroprusside (NP) on cultured mesangial cells (MC) grown on a flexible silicone rubber surface. The basal tone of the MC produced wrinkles on the silicone rubber surface. A decrease in number or magnitude of wrinkles was considered to represent cell relaxation, whereas an increase represented cell contraction. ANP (10(-9) M) produced a relaxation in greater than 60% of the cells by 10 min. The percentage of cells showing a decrease of wrinkles was significantly higher (P less than 0.05 at 5 min and P less than 0.001 at 10 min) during the ANP-treated period than during the control period. NP (10(-5) M) caused a decrease of wrinkles in greater than 80% of cells (P less than 0.02 at 5 min and P less than 0.01 at 10 min) compared with a 5% decrease in the control period. Dibutyryl guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (DBcGMP; 10(-4) M) also produced a decrease of wrinkles in 81% of the cells (P less than 0.02) compared with a 9% decrease in the control period. MC treated with ANP, NP, or DBcGMP and then labeled with 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl (NBD)-phallacidin did not show obvious alteration of morphology of actin filaments compared with untreated cells. ANP could inhibit as well as partially reverse the agonist (angiotensin II)-induced contractile response. ANP (10(-10)-10(-8) M) as well as NP (10(-5) M) increased intracellular cGMP content of MC (P less than 0.005) compared with control cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin II causes formation of platelet activating factor in cultured rat mesangial cells.

Angiotensin II may contribute to the progression of renal glomerular diseases. Beneficial effects of converting enzyme inhibition in models of renal disease are, however, not always explicable by hemodynamic consequences of angiotensin II inhibition. Angiotensin increases intracellular calcium in glomerular mesangial cells and activates phospholipase A2, factors required for the formation of the lipid mediator of inflammation platelet activating factor (PAF). We therefore examined whether angiotensin II could stimulate PAF production in cultured rat mesangial cells. During a 15-minute incubation angiotensin II caused formation of PAF in a dose-dependent manner with a threshold around 10(-9) M. In four experiments PAF formation in response to angiotensin II (10(-8) M) occurred within 5 minutes and was 29 +/- 8 pmol PAF/mg protein. The amount of PAF detected then declined to 9 +/- 2 and 13 +/- 3 pmol after 15 and 30 minutes of incubation with angiotensin II. More than 90% of the PAF remained cell-associated. The PAF formation was confirmed by negative ion chemical ionization mode of mass spectrometry. A single species of PAF was detected and identified as hexadecyl PAF. We speculate that part of the detrimental effects of angiotensin II in progressive renal disease may relate to PAF formation. The PAF generated may in turn influence glomerular function, platelets, and eicosanoid synthesis, all factors implicated in renal disease. Furthermore, we speculate that angiotensin II-induced PAF formation may contribute to microvasculature pathology in general.

Relationship of GTP-binding proteins, phospholipase C, and PGE2 synthesis in rat glomerular mesangial cells.

We evaluated the role of GTP-binding proteins in the activation of phospholipase C, release of arachidonic acid, and synthesis of prostaglandin (PG) E2 in response to platelet-activating factor (PAF) and angiotensin II (ANG II) in cultured rat mesangial cells. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (PT) decreased PGE2 formation and arachidonic acid release in response to PAF and ANG II but not that to A 23187. PT pretreatment also inhibited formation of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) in response to ANG II or PAF but did not significantly alter the rise in intracellular calcium detected by fura-2. PT catalyzed ADP ribosylation of two proteins of molecular mass approximately 40 and 41 kDa. Further evidence for involvement of GTP-binding protein in phospholipase C activation was that GTP-gamma S stimulated IP3 generation. Immunoblots with antibodies directed against different inhibitory alpha subunits of GTP-binding proteins showed that the major 40-kDa PT substrate reacted with an antibody directed against a decapeptide of the G protein subunit alpha i2 that is also found in leukocytes. This was further confirmed by Northern blot that showed the existence of mRNA in mesangial cells that hybridized with a cDNA probe for G alpha i2. In addition lesser amounts of mRNA hybridized with a restriction fragment cDNA probe for G alpha i3, which corresponds to the 41-kDa substrate for PT ribosylation. These results show that phospholipase C activation by PAF and ANG II in mesangial cells involves a specific G protein, most likely G alpha i2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin II stimulates phospholipases C and A2 in cultured rat mesangial cells.

Angiotensin II stimulates prostaglandin (PG) E2 formation in mesangial cells cultured from rat renal glomeruli. The interactions between angiotensin II and PGE2 are important in modulating glomerular function. We examined the mechanism for stimulation of PGE2 production in mesangial cells using the putative diacylglycerol-lipase inhibitor RHC 80267 and trifluoperazine (TFP), an agent interfering with Ca2+-CaM-mediated processes. Although RHC 80267 inhibited diacylglycerol-lipase activity in mesangial cells, it did not influence PGE2 production in response to either angiotensin II or A23187. In contrast, TFP (50 microM) inhibited basal PGE2 production and stimulation by angiotensin II and A23187. TFP also decreased 14C release in response to angiotensin from cells prelabeled with [14C]arachidonic acid, which was associated with inhibition of 14C loss from phosphatidylinositol. In cells prelabeled with 32P, orthophosphate angiotensin II caused a rapid hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphospate. TFP enhanced 32P labeling of phosphatidylinositides, but did not prevent the loss of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in response to angiotensin. This was verified in cells prelabeled with myo-[3H]inositol where angiotensin stimulated formation of [3H]inositol trisphosphate. TFP enhanced formation of [3H]inositol trisphosphate both under basal- and angiotensin II-stimulated conditions. Thus TFP did not inhibit phospholipase C activation by angiotensin. Angiotensin II caused marked increases in [32P]lysophospholipids, indicating activation of also phospholipase A2. This process was inhibited by TFP. Taken together, these results are consistent with stimulation of both phospholipase C and A2 by angiotensin, the latter step responsible for the release of arachidonic acid and PGE2 formation. The activation of phospholipase A2, but not that of phospholipase C, is inhibited by TFP, perhaps by interference with calmodulin-dependent steps.

Endocytosis by cultured mesangial cells and associated changes in prostaglandin E2 synthesis.

The mechanism of macromolecule uptake by cultured mesangial cells was studied by use of transmission electron microscopy. In parallel, we investigated the effect of macromolecular uptake on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) formation. Cultured rat mesangial cells were studied in their third passage. As model molecules, we used colloidal gold particles (10 nm diameter) coated either with polyethylene glycol (PEG) or fresh serum (SCG). Mesangial cells were incubated from 1 to 60 min and up to 12 h with either PEG or SCG particles. Endocytosis of SCG significantly exceeded that of PEG particles. The mechanism involved binding to coated pits, followed by formation of coated vesicles (endosomes), and eventually delivery of particles to lysosomes. Pretreatment with cytochalasin B virtually prevented endocytosis of SCG particles, indicating active participation of the cytoskeleton. Determination of PGE2 production in parallel showed that SCG significantly stimulated PGE2 synthesis within minutes, whereas PEG-coated gold had no effect. When gold particles were coated with decomplemented serum instead of fresh serum, the stimulation of PGE2 was partially, but not completely, prevented, indicating that complement may be one, but not the only ligand responsible for enhanced PGE2 production. Stimulation of PGE2 synthesis by SCG was not dependent on actual endocytosis, as it was not altered by cytochalasin B pretreatment. Thus, surface ligand-receptor interaction may be sufficient to trigger PGE2 synthesis. The interaction between mesangial endocytosis and PGE2 production may be important for glomerular pathophysiology.

Different concentrations of pertussis toxin have opposite effects on agonist-induced PGE2 formation in mesangial cells.

Pertussis toxin may inactivate N proteins linked to phospholipase C. We examined the effect of pretreatment with pertussis toxin at different concentrations and times on agonist-induced PGE2 synthesis in mesangial cells. Two to four hours with 10-50 ng/ml of pertussis toxin inhibited the response to angiotensin and platelet activating factor, but with a different sensitivity. This was associated with decreased [14C]arachidonic acid release in prelabeled cells. The response to A23187 was unaltered. At high concentrations (1 to 5 micrograms/ml) pertussis toxin increased basal PGE2 and the response to all agonists. Pertussis toxin pretreatment resulted in a dose-dependent ribosylation of a 40 kDa protein band. Thus, responses to different agonists have different sensitivity to pertussis toxin inhibition, which at high concentrations may even have opposite effects.