Differential signaling networks of Bcr-Abl p210 and p190 kinases in leukemia cells defined by functional proteomics.

The two major isoforms of the oncogenic Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase, p210 and p190, are expressed upon the Philadelphia chromosome translocation. p210 is the hallmark of chronic myelogenous leukemia, whereas p190 occurs in the majority of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Differences in protein interactions and activated signaling pathways that may be associated with the different diseases driven by p210 and p190 are unknown. We have performed a quantitative comparative proteomics study of p210 and p190. Strong differences in the interactome and tyrosine phosphoproteome were found and validated. Whereas the AP2 adaptor complex that regulates clathrin-mediated endocytosis interacts preferentially with p190, the phosphatase Sts1 is enriched with p210. Stronger activation of the Stat5 transcription factor and the Erk1/2 kinases is observed with p210, whereas Lyn kinase is activated by p190. Our findings provide a more coherent understanding of Bcr-Abl signaling, mechanisms of leukemic transformation, resulting disease pathobiology and responses to kinase inhibitors.

Inhibition of microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 as a molecular basis for the anti-inflammatory actions of boswellic acids from frankincense.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Frankincense, the gum resin derived from Boswellia species, showed anti-inflammatory efficacy in animal models and in pilot clinical studies. Boswellic acids (BAs) are assumed to be responsible for these effects but their anti-inflammatory efficacy in vivo and their molecular modes of action are incompletely understood. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: A protein fishing approach using immobilized BA and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy were used to reveal microsomal prostaglandin E(2) synthase-1 (mPGES1) as a BA-interacting protein. Cell-free and cell-based assays were applied to confirm the functional interference of BAs with mPGES1. Carrageenan-induced mouse paw oedema and rat pleurisy models were utilized to demonstrate the efficacy of defined BAs in vivo. KEY RESULTS: Human mPGES1 from A549 cells or in vitro-translated human enzyme selectively bound to BA affinity matrices and SPR spectroscopy confirmed these interactions. BAs reversibly suppressed the transformation of prostaglandin (PG)H(2) to PGE(2) mediated by mPGES1 (IC(50) = 3-10 µM). Also, in intact A549 cells, BAs selectively inhibited PGE(2) generation and, in human whole blood, ß-BA reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced PGE(2) biosynthesis without affecting formation of the COX-derived metabolites 6-keto PGF(1α) and thromboxane B(2) . Intraperitoneal or oral administration of ß-BA (1 mg·kg(-1) ) suppressed rat pleurisy, accompanied by impaired levels of PGE(2) and ß-BA (1 mg·kg(-1) , given i.p.) also reduced mouse paw oedema, both induced by carrageenan. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Suppression of PGE(2) formation by BAs via interference with mPGES1 contribute to the anti-inflammatory effectiveness of BAs and of frankincense, and may constitute a biochemical basis for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Large-scale production of functional membrane proteins.

The preparation of sufficient amounts of high-quality samples is still the major bottleneck for the characterization of membrane proteins by in vitro approaches. The hydrophobic nature, the requirement for complicated transport and modification pathways, and the often observed negative effects on membrane properties are intrinsic features of membrane proteins that frequently cause significant problems in overexpression studies. Establishing efficient protocols for the production of functionally folded membrane proteins is therefore a challenging task, and numerous specific characteristics have to be considered. In addition, a variety of expression systems have been developed, and choice of appropriate techniques could strongly depend on the desired target membrane proteins as well as on their intended applications. The production of membrane proteins is a highly dynamic field and new or modified approaches are frequently emerging. The review will give an overview of currently established processes for the production of functionally folded membrane proteins.

[Actocardiograph--an instrument for the diagnosis of fetal behavioral stages?]. / Der Aktokardiograph, ein Gerät zur Diagnostik fetaler Verhaltensstadien?

The investigation of fetal behaviour are an important clinical tool for assessing fetal well-being. However, they are time-consuming and at least 2 real-time scanners must be employed. The aim of this study was to find out if fetal behavioural states can be diagnosed by using only the "actocardiograph". Thus we compared tracings of the actocardiograph with simultaneously registered tracings from "polygraphic monitorings" including real-time observations of fetal eye, breathing and body movements. We could demonstrate that state 1F and 4F can be recognised in 93% resp. 82%. Periods without a definite state cannot be diagnosed from actocardiographic tracings. This suggested that the combined recording of fetal movements and fetal heart rate with the actocardiograph might be useful for the registration of fetal movements and for the overall diagnosis of fetal behavioural states. However polygraphic monitorings including real-time observations give the only precise picture of neuromotoric coordination.

A new spectrophotometric method for the determination of 5'-nucleotidase.

A spectrophotometric method is described for the determination of 5'-nucleotidase. In combination with the enzymes nucleoside phosphorylase and xanthine oxidase, inosine, formed by hydrolysis of 5'-IMP by 5'-nucleotidase, is cleaved phosphorolytically to hypoxanthine, which is oxidized to uric acid. In the presence of ethanol, the hydrogen peroxide formed is reduced by catalase and equivalent amounts of acetaldehyde are produced. The aldehyde is dehydrogenated (NADP-dependent) by aldehyde dehydrogenase and the production rate of NADPH is recorded at 334 nm. The inhibition of the unspecific cleavage of 5'-IMP by phosphatases is examined critically.

A new spectrophotometric assay for enzymes of purine metabolism. III. Determination of purine nucleoside phosphorylases.

A spectrophotometric method especially suitable for biological materials is described for the determination of purine nucleoside phosphorylase activity. In combination with the enzymes xanthine oxidase, catalase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, and in the presence of ethanol and NAD(P), the purines formed by phosphorylysis of purine nucleosides are oxidized and the absorption of the NAD(P)H formed is taken for the calculation of nucleoside phosphorylase activity.

A new spectrophotometric assay for enzymes of purine metabolism. IV. Determination of adenosine deaminase.

A new spectrophotometric method for the determination of adenosine deaminase is described. Adenosine is deaminated to inosine, the latter is cleaved by an inosine-guanosine specific nucleoside phosphorylase to hypoxanthine and ribose-1-phosphate. Hypoxanthine can be oxidized further to uric acid by xanthine oxidase or to allantoin by xanthine oxidase and uricase. The hydrogen peroxide formed in these reactions is reduced by catalase to water. In the presence of high concentrations of ethanol, equivalent amounts of acetaldehyde are produced. The acetaldehyde is oxidized NAD(P) dependent and the production rate of NAD(P)H is recorded at 334 nm. The new method is suitable for the detection of adenosine deaminase in whole blood, lymphocytes, sera and tissues.

A new spectrophotometric assay for enzymes of purine metabolism. I. Determination of xanthine oxidase activity.

A new method for the determination of xanthine oxidase activity with xanthine or hypoxanthine is described. The hydrogen peroxide produced by the oxidation of the substrates is reduced by catalase in the presence of high concentrations of ethanol. The acetaldehyde formed is further oxidized by aldehyde dehydrogenase NAD or NADP-dependent. The reduction rate of the coenzymes were measured at 334 nm and utilized as indicators for the xanthine oxidase. The sensitivity of the method with xanthine as substrate can be doubled by the addition of uricase, which oxidizes uric acid to allantoin.

A new spectrophotometric assay for enzymes of purine metabolism. II. Determination of guanase activity.

A new method for the determination of guanase is described. Xanthine, the product of the guanase reaction, is oxidized by xanthine oxidase, forming uric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is further reduced to water by catalase in the presence of ethanol. The acetaldehyde formed in this reaction step is dehydrogenated NAD or NADP dependent by aldehyde dehydrogenase. The NADH or NADPH production is measured and utilized for the calculation of the guanase activity. The sensitivity of the method can be doubled by the addition of uricase, which oxidizes uric acid to permit the formation of another mole of hydrogen peroxide.