Requirement for the PDZ domain protein, INAD, for localization of the TRP store-operated channel to a signaling complex.

In Drosophila, the store-operated Ca2+ channel, TRP, is required in photoreceptor cells for a sustained response to light. Here, we show that TRP forms a complex with phospholipase C-beta (NORPA), rhodopsin (RH1), calmodulin, and the PDZ domain containing protein INAD. Proteins with PDZ domains have previously been shown to cluster ion channels in vitro. We show that in InaD mutant flies, TRP is no longer spatially restricted to its normal subcellular compartment, the rhabdomere. These results provide evidence that a PDZ domain protein is required, in vivo, for anchoring of an ion channel to a signaling complex. Furthermore, disruption of this interaction results in retinal degeneration. We propose that the TRP channel is linked to NORPA and RH1 to facilitate feedback regulation of these upstream signaling molecules.

Molecular cloning and functional expression of a human cDNA encoding translation initiation factor 6.

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 6 (eIF6) binds to the 60S ribosomal subunit and prevents its association with the 40S ribosomal subunit. In this paper, we devised a procedure for purifying eIF6 from rabbit reticulocyte lysates and immunochemically characterized the protein by using antibodies isolated from egg yolks of laying hens immunized with rabbit eIF6. By using these monospecific antibodies, a 1.096-kb human cDNA that encodes an eIF6 of 245 amino acids (calculated Mr 26,558) has been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant human protein exhibits biochemical properties that are similar to eIF6 isolated from mammalian cell extracts. Database searches identified amino acid sequences from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Drosophila, and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans with significant identity to the deduced amino acid sequence of human eIF6, suggesting the presence of homologues of human eIF6 in these organisms.

TRPC1, a human homolog of a Drosophila store-operated channel.

In many vertebrate and invertebrate cells, inositol 1,4,5-trisphospate production induces a biphasic Ca2+ signal. Mobilization of Ca2+ from internal stores drives the initial burst. The second phase, referred to as store-operated Ca2+ entry (formerly capacitative Ca2+ entry), occurs when depletion of intracellular Ca2+ pools activates a non-voltage-sensitive plasma membrane Ca2+ conductance. Despite the prevalence of store-operated Ca2+ entry, no vertebrate channel responsible for store-operated Ca2+ entry has been reported. trp (transient receptor potential), a Drosophila gene required in phototransduction, encodes the only known candidate for such a channel throughout phylogeny. In this report, we describe the molecular characterization of a human homolog of trp, TRPC1. TRPC1 (transient receptor potential channel-related protein 1) was 40% identical to Drosophila TRP over most of the protein and lacked the charged residues in the S4 transmembrane region proposed to be required for the voltage sensor in many voltage-gated ion channels. TRPC1 was expressed at the highest levels in the fetal brain and in the adult heart, brain, testis, and ovaries. Evidence is also presented that TRPC1 represents the archetype of a family of related human proteins.

Characterization of mammalian translation initiation factor 5 (eIF-5). Demonstration that eIF-5 is a phosphoprotein and is present in cells as a single molecular form of apparent M(r) 58,000.

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5 (eIF-5) promotes the hydrolysis of GTP bound to the 40 S initiation complex (40 S.mRNA.Met-tRNA(f).eIF-2.GTP). Using assays that measure (a) the release of 32Pi from [gamma-32P]GTP bound to the 40 S initiation complex and (b) the eIF-5-dependent formation of an 80 S initiation complex from a preformed 40 S initiation complex containing bound [35S]Met-tRNA(f), we devised a novel and rapid procedure for purifying eIF-5 from rabbit reticulocyte lysates in high yield. Highly purified eIF-5 is a monomeric protein with a M(r) of about 58,000. However, in partially purified preparations, 58-kDa eIF-5 is associated with other cellular protein(s) and sediments in glycerol gradient centrifugation as a protein of M(r) approximately 160,000. Chicken antibodies to native eIF-5 were isolated from egg yolks of laying hens immunized with rabbit reticulocyte eIF-5. 35S-Labeled eIF-5, isolated from rat anterior pituitary GH3 cells using affinity-purified anti-eIF-5 antibodies, also has an apparent M(r) of 58,000. eIF-5 immunoprecipitated from extracts of 32P-labeled GH3 cells was phosphorylated on serine residues. Phosphopeptide mapping revealed two major sites of phosphorylation, which are distinct from rabbit reticulocyte eIF-5 sites phosphorylated in vitro by casein kinase II. These results demonstrate that eIF-5 is a phosphoprotein that is present in cells as a single molecular form of apparent molecular weight 58,000.

Molecular cloning and expression of cDNA for mammalian translation initiation factor 5.

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5 (eIF-5) catalyzes the hydrolysis of GTP bound to the 40S ribosomal initiation complex (40S.AUG.Met-tRNAf-eIF-2.GTP) with the subsequent joining of a 60S ribosomal subunit resulting in the formation of a functional 80S initiation complex. A rat cDNA that encodes eIF-5 has been isolated and expressed in Escherichia coli to yield a catalytically active eIF-5 protein. The 3.55-kb cDNA encodes a protein of 429 amino acids (calculated M(r) 48,926) with properties that are similar to eIF-5 isolated from rabbit reticulocyte lysates. The deduced amino acid sequence of eIF-5 contains sequence motifs characteristic of proteins of the GTPase superfamily.

Further characterization of eukaryotic initiation factor 5 from rabbit reticulocytes. Immunochemical characterization and phosphorylation by casein kinase II.

Eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)-5, isolated from rabbit reticulocyte lysates, is a monomeric protein of Mr = 58,000-62,000. Immunochemical methods were employed to identify eIF-5 in crude cell lysates. Antisera against purified denatured eIF-5 were prepared in rabbits and characterized by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation techniques using native and denatured eIF-5 as antigens. Monospecific antibodies to denatured eIF-5 were affinity-purified using eIF-5 blotted onto aminophenylthioether paper. Rabbit reticulocytes, HeLa cells and mouse L cells were lysed directly into a denaturing buffer containing 3% sodium dodecyl sulfate. The denatured proteins were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting with anti-eIF-5 antibodies. With each lysate, one major immunoreactive polypeptide was observed whose molecular weight corresponded to that of purified eIF-5 (Mr = 58,000-62,000). No degradation products or precursor forms of molecular weight higher than 62,000 were detected in any lysate. These results indicate that isolated eIF-5 is the same size as that found in crude lysates. Additional characterization of eIF-5 indicates that purified eIF-5 can be phosphorylated at serine residues in vitro by casein kinase II. Furthermore, in vitro phosphorylated eIF-5 retains full biological activity in catalyzing the joining of 60 S ribosomal subunits to a preformed 40 S ribosomal initiation complex to form an 80 S initiation complex. Based on its specific activity, we demonstrate that 1 pmol of rabbit reticulocyte eIF-5 mediates the formation of approximately 180 pmol of 80 S initiation complex under the conditions of in vitro initiation reactions.

Characterization of eukaryotic initiation factor 5 from rabbit reticulocytes. Evidence that the initiation factor is a monomeric protein of Mr of about 58,000-62,000.

Eukaryotic initiation factor 5 (eIF-5) has been purified from the ribosomal salt-wash proteins of rabbit reticulocyte lysates. The purified factor migrates as a single polypeptide upon sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis with an apparent Mr of about 58,000-62,000. In contrast, less pure preparations of reticulocyte eIF-5 behave in gel filtration columns and in glycerol gradient centrifugation in buffers containing 75-100 mM KCl as a protein of apparent Mr = 140,000-160,000. Presumably, this is due to association of the factor with other proteins, since eIF-5 activity present in such preparations can also be shown by (a) glycerol gradient centrifugation in buffers containing 500 mM KCl or (b) gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions, to be associated with a 58,000-62,000-dalton protein. Furthermore, eIF-5 purified from rabbit reticulocyte lysates in the absence or presence of protease inhibitors is indistinguishable with regard to molecular weight and final specific activity. It can be calculated that 1 pmol of the purified eIF-5 catalyzes the formation of nearly 50 pmol of 80 S initiation complex under in vitro initiation reaction conditions. Because of the highly catalytic activity of eIF-5 in initiation reactions, the presence of even low levels of eIF-5 in eIF-2 preparations causes hydrolysis of GTP bound to the 40 S initiation complex. This results in destabilization of Met-tRNA(f) bound to the 40 S complex in sucrose gradient centrifugation.

Phenylethylamine metabolism to tyramine by postmortem human brain preparations.

Human brain preparations obtained from either the putamen, thalamus, hippocampus or lateral occipital gyrus p-hydroxylate phenylethylamine to tyramine, a reaction carried out by a microsomal (100,000 xg pellet) membrane bound, NADPH-requiring enzyme. This is a minor metabolic pathway occurring in chronic psychiatric patients, as well as in age-comparable controls.