Crystal structure of the complex of the cyclin D-dependent kinase Cdk6 bound to the cell-cycle inhibitor p19INK4d.

The crystal structure of the cyclin D-dependent kinase Cdk6 bound to the p19 INK4d protein has been determined at 1.9 A resolution. The results provide the first structural information for a cyclin D-dependent protein kinase and show how the INK4 family of CDK inhibitors bind. The structure indicates that the conformational changes induced by p19INK4d inhibit both productive binding of ATP and the cyclin-induced rearrangement of the kinase from an inactive to an active conformation. The structure also shows how binding of an INK4 inhibitor would prevent binding of p27Kip1, resulting in its redistribution to other CDKs. Identification of the critical residues involved in the interaction explains how mutations in Cdk4 and p16INK4a result in loss of kinase inhibition and cancer.

Structure of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p19Ink4d.

In cancer, the biochemical pathways that are dominated by the two tumour-suppressor proteins, p53 and Rb, are the most frequently disrupted. Cyclin D-dependent kinases phosphorylate Rb to control its activity and they are, in turn, specifically inhibited by the Ink4 family of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs) which cause arrest at the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Mutations in Rb, cyclin D1, its catalytic subunit Cdk4, and the CDKI p16Ink4a, which alter the protein or its level of expression, are all strongly implicated in cancer. This suggests that the Rb 'pathway' is of particular importance. Here we report the structure of the p19Ink4d protein, determined by NMR spectroscopy. The structure indicates that most mutations to the p16Ink4a gene, which result in loss of function, are due to incorrectly folded and/or insoluble proteins. We propose a model for the interaction of Ink4 proteins with D-type cyclin-Cdk4/6 complexes that might provide a basis for the design of therapeutics against cancer. The sequences of the Ink4 family of CDKIs are highly conserved

IGF-I has a dual effect on insulin release from isolated, perifused adult rat islets of Langerhans.

We examined and compared the actions of IGF-I and -II on the release of insulin from isolated, intact rat islets of Langerhans within a perifusion system. Islets were isolated from adult male rats by collagenase digestion and Ficoll gradient separation, and were maintained in tissue culture for 48 h before perifusion. Following an equlibration period, islets were perifused with medium containing 2.7 mM glucose from 0 to 30 min. and 2.7, 11.1 or 16.7 mM glucose from 30 to 90 min. All chambers then received medium with 2.7 mM glucose from 90 to 120 min. Various doses (6.7-53 nM) of IGF-1, des(1-3) IGF-I or IGF-II were given either as a pulse between 30 and 35 min, or continuously from 30 to 90 min. Insulin was measured in effluent medium by RIA. When 11.1 mM glucose was administered after 30 min an immediate increase in insulin release occurred, from a baseline of 1-3 pmol/fraction to approximately 7 pmol/ fraction. The elevated rate of release was maintained until 90 min, and fell when the glucose concentration was lowered. Glucose at 16.7 mM was a less effective insulin secretogogue than was 11.1 mM. When islets received a pulse infusion of IGF-I (13.3 nM) at 30 min in the presence of 11.1 mM glucose, a statistically significant increase (p < 0.005) in insulin release occurred, of approximately 10 pmol/fraction in excess of that seen with glucose alone. The IGF-1-stimulated insulin release was still higher than controls at 115 min. When the concentration of IGF-I was altered between 6.7 nM and 53 nM, maximum insulin release was achieved with 13.3 nM IGF I, both lower and higher concentrations being less effective. A significant inhibition of insulin release occurred with 53 nM IGF-I compared with glucose alone. IGF-II (13.3 nM) did not significantly increase insulin release, while 53 nM IGF-II significantly inhibited release of insulin relative to controls. Des(1-3) IGF-I (13.3 nM), which has a reduced binding affinity for IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), administered with 11.1 mM glucose caused an immediate increase in insulin release, which fell to control values within 30 min. Western ligand blot analysis identified four IGFBP species in perifused islets, of 46 kDa, 35 kDa, 28 kDa, and 19 kDa respectively, of which the 28 kDa species was identified immunologically as IGFBP-1. When IGF-I was administered continuously from 30 to 90 min it inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin release at all concentrations used. The results suggest that under perfusion conditions, IGF-I can act both as a potent insulin secretogogue, augmenting the actions of glucose, and as an inhibitor of insulin release, depending on concentration and kinetics of administration.

Multiple oligomeric states regulate the DNA binding of helix-loop-helix peptides.

To study the protein-protein interactions that allow Id, a negative regulator of cell differentiation, to inhibit the DNA-binding activities of MyoD and E47, we have synthesized peptides corresponding to the helix-loop-helix domains of MyoD, E47, and Id. We show that Id preferentially inhibits the sequence-specific DNA-binding activity of MyoD, a muscle-specific protein, as compared to E47, a more ubiquitous protein. The Id helix-loop-helix domain itself forms stable tetramers, and its inhibitory activity arises from the formation of a heterotetrameric structure with MyoD. The formation of this higher order complex provides a general mechanism by which inhibitory proteins can generate sufficient interaction free energy to overcome the large DNA-binding free energy of dimeric DNA-binding proteins.

Analysis of two distinct single-stranded DNA binding sites on the recA nucleoprotein filament.

The binding stoichiometry of Escherichia coli recA protein to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) determined by two separate assays differs by a factor of 2.2-2.4. Using the fluorescence of etheno-DNA (epsilon DNA), a chemically modified ssDNA, the stoichiometry was found to be 7.0 +/- 0.6 bases/recA protein monomer in a nucleo-protein filament. Using a competition assay, a similar stoichiometry, 7.5 bases/recA, is found for unmodified poly(dT). Using the DNA-dependent ATPase of recA, which monitors bound protein rather than bound DNA, we find that each recA monomer needs to bind only 3.1 +/- 0.5 bases to fully activate the ATPase. The difference in site size determined by the two assays indicates that there are two DNA binding sites with differential effects on ATPase activation. When recA protein is mixed with ssDNA at a ratio of 7 bases/recA or greater, the complex that forms contains 7 bases/recA and acts as a kinetic trap for the ssDNA. Upon further addition of recA protein, no additional ATPase activity is observed. If, on the other hand, the ssDNA is initially mixed with excess recA (at a ratio of 3-3.5 bases/recA or less) the ATPase activity is twice as high. Analysis of the binding curves suggests that the first DNA strand binds recA to form a filament with a stoichiometry of 3-3.5 bases/protein monomer. The ATPase activity of recA is completely active in this complex. A second strand of DNA can then be bound to this filament yielding a final stoichiometry of approximately 7 bases/protein monomer. The presence of this second strand neither enhances nor inhibits ATP hydrolysis. This ternary complex may mimic the structures formed by recA in searching for homologous DNA sequences and/or in the strand exchange reaction.

Anterior shoulder instability in weight lifters.

Occult instability is recognized as a major cause of shoulder dysfunction in throwing athletes. Few studies have characterized the findings of occult instability in nonthrowers. The purpose of this study was to examine shoulder instability in a group of weight lifters. The symptoms, physical findings, and results of treatment for 23 shoulders in 20 athletes are presented. All athletes presented with a complaint of progressive inability to perform exercises with the upper extremity in the abducted, externally rotated position (the "at-risk" position) because of pain. One hundred percent of the athletes experienced posterior shoulder pain when the shoulder was placed in forced abduction and external rotation. Thirteen shoulders in 10 patients responded to conservative management including aggressive rehabilitation and modification of technique to avoid the at-risk position. The other 10 shoulders, which did not respond to conservative treatment, required surgical treatment to alleviate the symptoms. All 20 patients have successfully returned to their previous weight lifting activities.

Molecular characterization of helix-loop-helix peptides.

A class of regulators of eukaryotic gene expression contains a conserved amino acid sequence responsible for protein oligomerization and binding to DNA. This structure consists of an arginine- and lysine-rich basic region followed by a helix-loop-helix motif, which together mediate specific binding to DNA. Peptides were prepared that span this motif in the MyoD protein; in solution, they formed alpha-helical dimers and tetramers. They bound to DNA as dimers and their alpha-helical content increased on binding. Parallel and antiparallel four-helix models of the DNA-bound dimer were constructed. Peptides containing disulfide bonds were engineered to test the correctness of the two models. A disulfide that is compatible with the parallel model promotes specific interaction with DNA, whereas a disulfide compatible with the antiparallel model abolishes specific binding. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements of nitroxide-labeled peptides provided intersubunit distance measurements that also supported the parallel model.

Arthroscopic treatment of degenerative joint disease of the knee.

The role of arthroscopy in the management of degenerative conditions of the knee continues to evolve. This study was undertaken to: (1) assess the efficacy of arthroscopic treatment, (2) identify significant prognostic factors, and (3) further define the indications for treatment. A retrospective review of charts and operative videotapes along with follow-up evaluation was obtained for 43 knees in 40 patients. Average age was 54 years. Average follow up was 24 months; 72.1% of patients had good results at follow up, 16.3% had fair results, and 11.6% were treatment failures. Preoperative clinical status, severity of degenerative changes, and number of pathologic entities encountered at the time of surgery correlated with the results of treatment. We believe that arthroscopic debridement is an effective means of treatment for mild to moderate degenerative joint disease after failure of conservative measures. By using this treatment option, more extensive surgical procedures may be delayed or avoided.

RecA protein self-assembly. II. Analytical equilibrium ultracentrifugation studies of the entropy-driven self-association of RecA.

We have investigated the self-association of RecA protein from Escherichia coli by equilibrium ultracentrifugation. Monomeric RecA (Mr = 37,842) was observed in reversible equilibrium with trimers, hexamers and dodecamers in the presence of 1.5 M-KCl, 5 mM-Hepes, 1 mM-EDTA, 2 mM-ATP (pH 7.0) at 1 degrees C. The equilibrium was strongly temperature-dependent, with polymerization being favored as the temperature was raised from 1 degrees C 21 degrees C, and was reversible with respect to temperature. The values of both the standard enthalpy and entropy of self-association were positive, indicating that it is an entropy-driven process under these conditions. In the absence of KCl, in 50 mM-citrate, 5 mM-ATP, 5% (v/v) glycerol (pH 6.0) at 4 degrees C, only small amounts of RecA monomer could be detected, while in 10 mM-Tris-acetate, 10% glycerol (pH 7.5) at 4 degrees C, the smallest species present in significant concentration appeared to be the trimer. The majority of the species observed had molecular weights between 228,000 and 456,000, suggesting dominant stoichiometries of six to 12 monomers per oligomer. At pH 6.0, in the absence of ATP, much larger oligomers containing at least 24 monomers also appeared to be present. The data are consistent with an equilibrium mixture of monomers, trimers, hexamers, dodecamers, 24-mers and higher oligomers, with the distribution of oligomers being dependent on solution conditions. Thermodynamic analysis indicates that these oligomeric species are in reversible equilibrium with each other. It is not certain whether trimers assemble directly into hexamers, or whether disassembly into monomers is a prerequisite for the formation of higher oligomers. The possible role of higher-order RecA oligomers in the formation of RecA nucleoprotein filaments is discussed.

recA protein filaments bind two molecules of single-stranded DNA with off rates regulated by nucleotide cofactor.

To probe the role of nucleotide cofactor in the binding of single-stranded DNA to recA protein, we have developed a sedimentation assay using 5'-labeled 32P-poly(dT).recA.poly(dT) complexes sediment quantitatively when centrifuged at 100,000 x g for 45 min, whereas free poly(dT) remains in the supernatant. In the presence of ATP, between 6 and 7 bases cosediment per recA monomer; but when ADP is present or in the absence of added nucleotide cofactor, only 3-3.5 bases/recA monomer cosediment. In competition experiments in which recA.32P-poly(dT) complexes are incubated with unlabeled poly(dT), we again find 3-3.5 bases of labeled poly(dT) cosedimenting per recA monomer when no nucleotide cofactor is present. However, when the same experiment is performed with ATP, only half of the expected 6-7 bases of labeled poly(dT) remain bound to the DNA, demonstrating that half of the poly(dT) in the complex exchanges rapidly with free poly(dT), whereas the other half equilibrates slowly, like poly(dT) in the absence of nucleotide. The rate of exchange of the second more tightly bound poly(dT) is accelerated when ADP is present. Our observations are rationalized by a model in which each recA protein helical filament binds two strands of poly(dT) with a stoichiometry of 3-3.5 bases/recA monomer/strand.

An alpha-helical peptide model for electrostatic interactions of proteins with DNA. The N terminus of RecA.

A series of synthetic peptides have been studied as models for non-specific protein-DNA interactions. In an alpha-helical conformation, the charged amino acid residues of the N-terminal 24 residues of RecA protein are asymmetrically distributed; at neutral pH there is a +4 charge on one face of the helix and a -3 charge on the other face. Modeling suggests that the positive face of the helix can bind five DNA phosphate groups by electrostatic interactions. Circular dichroism (c.d.) spectra indicate that the analogous peptide, Rec24 (AIDENKQKALAAALGQIEKQFGKG-amide), is largely unstructured in water but becomes highly helical in the presence of DNA. Peptide titrations of fluorescent etheno-DNA confirm that the changes in the c.d. spectrum of the peptide are associated with binding, although a dependence of the c.d. signal on the degree of DNA saturation is observed, indicating that peptide can be bound in more than one conformation. At saturation the peptide binds to 5.0(+/- 0.5) DNA phosphate groups as predicted and the electrostatic nature of the binding is confirmed by a strong dependence on salt concentration. A "mutant" peptide where an acidic glutamate residue replaces an alanine on the basic face of the Rec24 helix exhibits weaker binding to single-stranded DNA, also consistent with the electrostatic nature of the proposed peptide-DNA interaction. Extending Rec24 by ten amino acid residues, where the additional residues do not participate in the helical motif, does not noticeably affect binding. Thus, we show experimentally that an asymmetric charge distribution on an alpha-helix can represent an important element for binding nucleic acids.

Race and the shaken baby syndrome: experience at one hospital.

At Children's Hospital of Michigan there seemed to be a disproportionate number of white infants with shaken baby syndrome (SBS) relative to the proportion of white infants in our physically abused population. All reports of suspected child abuse on children less than or equal to 18 months from Children's Hospital from 1980-1985 were reviewed. The total number of abused children 18 months or younger was 545 (447 black, 87 white, 1 unknown). There were 20 children in the SBS group. Eight of 87 (9%) of white abused infants had SBS compared with 12 of 447 (2.7%) of black abused infants. The occurrence of SBS in white abused infants was disproportionately higher than in blacks. This finding has not been previously reported. Before generalizations can be made, additional data must be obtained.

RecA protein self-assembly. Multiple discrete aggregation states.

Light scattering, sedimentation and electron microscopy have been used to investigate the aggregation states of highly purified RecA protein in solution. We show that RecA protein will self-assemble into a discrete series of quaternary structures depending upon protein concentration, ionic environment, and nucleotide cofactors. In a stock solution at moderate concentration (10 to 50 microM) RecA protein exists as small particles approximately 4 nm in diameter, larger particles approximately 12 nm in diameter (most probably rings of RecA protein), 10 nm diameter rods varying from 50 to 200 nm in length, and finally as much larger bundles of rods. The addition of monovalent salt shifts the distribution of RecA protein between its various oligomeric states. Increasing protein concentration favors more highly aggregated structures. At a given protein concentration, addition of mM levels of MgCl2 promotes the rapid formation of rods and slow formation of bundles. Under conditions typical of in vitro strand exchange reactions, RecA protein was found to exist as a mixture of rods and 12 nm particles with relatively few monomers.

Inhibition of actin polymerization by latrunculin A.

Latrunculin A, a toxin purified from the red sea sponge Latrunculia magnifica, was found previously to induce striking reversible changes in the morphology of mammalian cells in culture and to disrupt the organization of their microfilaments. We now provide evidence that latrunculin A affects the polymerization of pure actin in vitro in a manner consistent with the formation of a 1:1 molar complex between latrunculin A and G-actin. The equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) for the reaction in vitro is about 0.2 microM whereas the effects of the drug on cultured cells are detectable at concentrations in the medium of 0.1-1 microM.

recA protein-promoted ATP hydrolysis occurs throughout recA nucleoprotein filaments.

When recA protein binds cooperatively to single-stranded DNA to form filamentous nucleoprotein complexes, it becomes competent to hydrolyze ATP. No correlation exists between the ends of such complexes and the rate of ATP hydrolysis. ATP hydrolysis is not, therefore, restricted to the terminal subunits on cooperatively bound recA oligomers, but occurs throughout the complex. Similarly, during recA protein-promoted branch migration (during DNA strand exchange), ATP hydrolysis is not restricted to recA protein monomers at the branch point. DNA cofactors of lengths varying from 16 bases to over 12,000 bases support ATP hydrolysis. The maximum value of kcat at infinite DNA concentration is about 29/min independent of the length of the DNA cofactor. The apparent dissociation constant, however, is a strong function of DNA length, providing evidence for a minimum site size of 30-50 bases for efficient binding of recA protein.

Arrangements of kinetochores in mouse cells during meiosis and spermiogenesis.

Antibodies from the serum of patients with the autoimmune disease scleroderma CREST were used to investigate the association and distribution of kinetochores in mouse cells during meiosis and spermiogenesis. The pattern of indirect immunofluorescent staining in pachytene nuclei indicated that each autosomal bivalent contains one fluorescent spot. Throughout pachytene, the kinetochores were arranged non-randomly into several clusters and distributed around the periphery of the nucleus. In subsequent stages of meiotic prophase I, distribution was random and the number of fluorescent spots increased from 21 to 40 corresponding to the diploid chromosome number and the number of halfbivalents oriented to the spindle poles at the metaphase I. Twenty pairs of kinetochores were observed at metaphase II. During spermiogenesis, the number of kinetochores correlated with the haploid chromosome number in early spermatids but tandem association of centromeres and clustering into a conspicuous chromocenter corresponded to a significant reduction in the number of fluorescent foci in mid-spermatid nuclei. The number of stained sites per nucleus continued to decrease during sperm maturation and total absence of staining was apparent in mature spermatozoa. Immunoblotting of proteins extracted from mature sperm however, indicated that a kinetochore antigen of Mr 80,000 was still present. Therefore, the absence of kinetochore staining in mature spermatozoa is probably due to the blockage of epitopes during chromatin condensation.

The amino acid sequence of Acanthamoeba profilin.

The complete amino acid sequence of Acanthamoeba profilin was determined by aligning tryptic, chymotryptic, thermolysin, and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease peptides together with the partial NH2-terminal sequences of the tryptophan-cleavage products. Acanthamoeba profilin contains 125 amino acid residues, is NH2-terminally blocked, and has trimethyllysine at position 103. At five positions in the sequence two amino acids were identified indicating that the amoebae express at least two slightly different profilins. Charged residues are unevenly distributed, the NH2-terminal half being very hydrophobic and the COOH-terminal half being especially rich in basic residues. Comparison of the Acanthamoeba profilin sequence with that of calf spleen profilin (Nystrom, L. E., Lindberg, U., Kendrick-Jones, J., and Jakes, R. (1979) FEBS Lett. 101, 161-165) reveals homology in the NH2-terminal region. We suggest, therefore, that this region participates in the actin-binding activity.