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Repetitive low frequency stimulation results in potentiation of twitch force development in fast-twitch skeletal muscle due to myosin regulatory light chain (RLC) phosphorylation by Ca(2+)/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent skeletal muscle myosin light chain kinase (skMLCK). We generated transgenic mice that express an skMLCK CaM biosensor in skeletal muscle to determine whether skMLCK or CaM is limiting to twitch force potentiation. Three transgenic mouse lines exhibited up to 22-fold increases in skMLCK protein expression in fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus muscle containing type IIa and IIb fibers, with comparable expressions in slow-twitch soleus muscle containing type I and IIa fibers. The high expressing lines showed a more rapid RLC phosphorylation and force potentiation in extensor digitorum longus muscle with low frequency electrical stimulation. Surprisingly, overexpression of skMLCK in soleus muscle did not recapitulate the fast-twitch potentiation response despite marked enhancement of both fast-twitch and slow-twitch RLC phosphorylation. Analysis of calmodulin binding to the biosensor showed a frequency-dependent activation to a maximal extent of 60%. Because skMLCK transgene expression is 22-fold greater than the wild-type kinase, skMLCK rather than calmodulin is normally limiting for RLC phosphorylation and twitch force potentiation. The kinase activation rate (10.6 s(-1)) was only 3.6-fold slower than the contraction rate, whereas the inactivation rate (2.8 s(-1)) was 12-fold slower than relaxation. The slower rate of kinase inactivation in vivo with repetitive contractions provides a biochemical memory via RLC phosphorylation. Importantly, RLC phosphorylation plays a prominent role in skeletal muscle force potentiation of fast-twitch type IIb but not type I or IIa fibers.

Myoglobin is a cytoplasmic hemoprotein that is restricted to cardiomyocytes and oxidative skeletal myofibers and facilitates oxygen delivery during periods of high metabolic demand. Myoglobin content in skeletal muscle increases in response to hypoxic conditions. However, we previously reported that myoglobin-null mice are viable and fertile. In the present study, we define important functional, cellular, and molecular compensatory adaptations in the absence of myoglobin. Mice without myoglobin manifest adaptations in skeletal muscle that include a fiber type transition (type I to type II in the soleus muscle), increased expression of the hypoxia-inducible transcription factors hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and HIF-2 (endothelial PAS domain protein), stress proteins such as heat shock protein 27, and the angiogenic growth factor vascular endothelial growth factor (soleus muscle), as well as increased nitric oxide metabolism (extensor digitorum longus). The resulting changes in angiogenesis, nitric oxide metabolism, and vasomotor regulation are likely to account for preserved exercise capacity of animals lacking myoglobin. These results demonstrate that mammalian organisms are capable of a broad spectrum of adaptive responses that can compensate for a potentially serious defect in cellular oxygen transport.

During skeletal muscle contraction, NO derived from neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in skeletal muscle fibers or from endothelial cells (eNOS) may relax vascular smooth muscle contributing to functional hyperemia. To examine the relative importance of these pathways, smooth muscle myosin regulatory light chain (smRLC) phosphorylation was assessed as an index of vascular tone in isolated extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles from C57, nNOS−/−, and eNOS−/−mice. The smRLC phosphorylation (in mol phosphate per mol smRLC) in C57 resting muscles (0.12 ± 0.04) was increased 3.7-fold (0.44 ± 0.03) by phenylephrine (PE). Reversal of this increase with electrical stimulation (to 0.19 ± 0.03; P < 0.05) was partially blocked by Nω-nitro-l-arginine (NLA). In nNOS−/−EDL, the PE-induced increase in smRLC phosphorylation (0.10 ± 0.02 to 0.49 ± 0.04) was partially decreased by stimulation (0.25 ± 0.04). In eNOS−/−EDL, the control value for smRLC was increased (0.24 ± 0.04), and PE-induced smRLC phosphorylation (0.36 ± 0.06) was decreased by stimulation even in the presence of NLA (to 0.20 ± 0.02; P < 0.05). These results suggest that in addition to NO-independent mechanisms, NO derived from both nNOS and eNOS plays a role in the integrative vascular response of contracting skeletal muscle.

Lau, Kim S., Robert W. Grange, Eiji Isotani, Ingrid H. Sarelius, Kristine E. Kamm, Paul L. Huang, and James T. Stull. nNOS and eNOS modulate cGMP formation and vascular response in contracting fast-twitch skeletal muscle. Physiol. Genomics 2: 21–27, 2000.—Nitric oxide (NO) from Ca2+-dependent neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in skeletal muscle fibers may modulate vascular tone by a cGMP-dependent pathway similar to NO derived from NOS in endothelial cells (eNOS). In isolated fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles from control mice, cGMP formation increased ∼166% with electrical stimulation (30 Hz, 15 s). cGMP levels were not altered in slow-twitch soleus muscles. The NOS inhibitor Nω-nitro-l-arginine abolished the contraction-induced increase in cGMP content in EDL muscles, and the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) increased cGMP content ∼167% in noncontracting EDL muscles. SNP treatment but not electrical stimulation increased cGMP formation in muscles from nNOS−/− mice. cGMP formation in control and stimulated EDL muscles from eNOS−/− mice was less than that obtained with similarly treated muscles from control mice. Arteriolar relaxation in contracting fast-twitch mouse cremaster muscle was attenuated in muscles from mice lacking either nNOS or eNOS. These findings suggest that increases in cGMP and NO-dependent vascular relaxation in contracting fast-twitch skeletal muscle may require both nNOS and eNOS.

A dystrophin-containing glycoprotein complex (DGC) links the basal lamina surrounding each muscle fibre to the fibre's cytoskeleton, providing both structural support and a scaffold for signalling molecules. Mutations in genes encoding several DGC components disrupt the complex and lead to muscular dystrophy. Here we show that mice deficient in alpha-dystrobrevin, a cytoplasmic protein of the DGC, exhibit skeletal and cardiac myopathies. Analysis of double and triple mutants indicates that alpha-dystrobrevin acts largely through the DGC. Structural components of the DGC are retained in the absence of alpha-dystrobrevin, but a DGC-associated signalling protein, nitric oxide synthase, is displaced from the membrane and nitric-oxide-mediated signalling is impaired. These results indicate that both signalling and structural functions of the DGC are required for muscle stability, and implicate alpha-dystrobrevin in the former.

Nitric oxide generated by neuronal nitric oxide synthase in contracting skeletal muscle fibers may regulate vascular relaxation via a cGMP-mediated pathway. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase content is greatly reduced in skeletal muscles from mdx mice. cGMP formation increased in contracting extensor digitorum longus muscles in vitro from C57 control, but not mdx mice. The increase in cGMP content was abolished with N G -nitro-L-arginine. Sodium nitroprusside treatment increased cGMP levels in muscles from both C57 and mdx mice. Skeletal muscle contractions also inhibited phenyl- ephrine-induced phosphorylation of smooth muscle myosin regulatory light chain. Arteriolar dilation was attenuated in contracting muscles from mdx but not C57 mice. NO generated in contracting skeletal muscle may contribute to vasodilation in response to exercise. z 1998 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in fast-twitch skeletal muscle fibers is primarily particulate in contrast to its greater solubility in brain. Immunohistochemistry shows nNOS localized to the sarcolemma, with enrichment at force transmitting sites, the myotendinous junctions, and costameres. Because this distribution is similar to dystrophin, we determined if nNOS expression was affected by the loss of dystrophin. Significant nNOS immunoreactivity and enzyme activity was absent in skeletal muscle tissues from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Similarly, in dystrophin-deficient skeletal muscles from mdx mice both soluble and particulate nNOS was greatly reduced compared with C57 control mice. nNOS mRNA was also reduced in mdx muscle in contrast to mRNA levels for a dystrophin binding protein, alpha 1-syntrophin. nNOS levels increased dramatically from 2 to 52 weeks of age in C57 skeletal muscle, which may indicate a physiological role for NO in aging-related processes. Biochemical purification readily dissociates nNOS from the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. Thus, nNOS is not an integral component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex and is not simply another dystrophin-associated protein since the expression of both nNOS mRNA and protein is affected by dystrophin expression.

Nitric oxide (NO) is critically involved in oxygen-mediated pulmonary vasodilatation in the fetus and newborn. We determined the effects of prolonged alterations in oxygenation on endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) gene expression in early passage ovine fetal intrapulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC). PAEC were exposed to PO2 = 50 or 150 mmHg for 48 h, and eNOS protein expression was evaluated by immunoblot analysis. eNOS protein expression was 2.7-fold greater at higher oxygen tension; eNOS upregulation was also evident after 24 h. Inducible NOS protein was not detectable by immunoblot at either level of oxygenation. In the lung, the effect of oxygen on eNOS expression may be specific to the endothelium, as eNOS expression in bronchiolar epithelial cells of Clara cell lineage was not altered by varying oxygen tension. The oxygen-related increase in eNOS protein in the fetal PAEC was associated with 2.5-fold greater NOS enzymatic activity. In parallel, there was a 2.8-fold rise in eNOS mRNA abundance. Thus eNOS gene expression in ovine fetal PAEC is upregulated by oxygen, and this is mediated at the level of gene transcription or mRNA stability. This process may play an important role in oxygen modulation of pulmonary vasomotor tone in the fetus and newborn.

The recombinant rat branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase has been amplified from rat kidney cDNA, based on the previously reported rat cDNA sequence (Popov, K. M., Zhao, Y., Shimomura, Y., Kuntz, M. J., and Harris, R. A. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 13127-13130). This kinase was expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with bacterial maltose-binding protein (MBP). Expression was improved by overexpression of chaperonins GroEL and GroES. The MBP-kinase, when reconstituted with lipoylated recombinant E2 (dihydrolipoyl transacylase), catalyzed phosphorylation of recombinant E1 (branched-chain alpha-ketoacid decarboxylase) with a kcat of 28.5 nmol of phosphate/min/nmol of MBP-kinase at 25 degrees C. Recombinant MBP-kinase alone demonstrated a slow rate of autophosphorylation with a kcat of 3.25 pmol of phosphate/min/nmol of kinase at 25 degrees C. Serine 22 of the kinase was identified as the possible site of autophosphorylation by Edman microsequencing analysis. Autophosphorylated kinase cannot transfer phosphate to E1, indicating that autophosphorylation of kinase is not an intermediate in ATP-dependent phosphorylation of E1. Therefore, despite the reported sequence similarity to prokaryotic histidine protein kinases, the mitochondrial rat branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase apparently does not phosphorylate E1 via a histidine-mediated phosphotransfer reaction. Significant corrections to the published cDNA sequence of rat branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase are included.

We have determined the structural organization of the dihydrolipoyl transacylase (E2) gene of the human branched chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex. The single copy E2 gene spans approximately 68 kilobases of genomic DNA. The complete coding region consisting of the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions, the mitochondrial targeting sequence (61 amino acids), and the mature E2 sequence (421 amino acids) are encoded by 11 exons ranging from 62 to 2239 base pairs. All the donor and acceptor splice sites conform to the gt-ag rule. Sequence analysis of the promoter-regulatory region showed the presence of a "CAAT box"-like sequence 537 bases upstream of the transcription initiation site. The "TATA box"-like sequence is absent. Also located in this region are sequences resembling glucocorticoid-responsive and cAMP-responsive elements, fat-specific elements, and Sp1- and AP-2-binding sites. Several sets of direct and inverted repeats are also present. Promoter assays using human hepatoma cells (Hep-G2) and Swiss mouse preadipocytes (3T3-L1) showed that a 4.1-kilobase PstI fragment upstream of the transcription start site confers high expression of the luciferase reporter gene. Moreover, an intronless E2 pseudogene was isolated. It corresponds to the complete mitochondrial presequence and the lipoyl-bearing domain that are encoded by exons I through IV of the functional E2 gene. However, the E2 pseudogene contains multiple base changes, deletions, and insertions, and is flanked by short direct repeats. The data indicate that the E2 pseudogene is a retroposon.

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is caused by the deficiency of the mitochondrial branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex. The multienzyme complex is a macromolecule (Mr 4 X 10(6] consisting of at least six distinct subunits. In this study, the human E1 beta gene (BCKDHB) has been localized to human chromosome 6 by hybrid somatic cell analysis, and regionally assigned to chromosome bands 6p21-22 by in situ hybridization. The E2 gene (DBT), which was previously localized to chromosome 1, is regionally assigned to the chromosome band 1p31 also by in situ hybridization. Localization of the E1 beta gene to chromosome 6p21-22 assigns another major human disease locus to a region that contains several important genes, including the major histocompatability complex, tumor necrosis factor, and heat-shock protein HSP70. Mapping of the E1 beta and the E2 genes may provide information for the linkage analysis of MSUD families with mutations in these two loci.

Ca 2+ /calmodulin (CaM)-dependent phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chain (RLC) by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) initiates smooth muscle contraction and regulates actomyosin-based cytoskeletal functions in nonmuscle cells. The net extent of RLC phosphorylation is controlled by MLCK activity relative to myosin light chain phosphatase activity. We have constructed a CaM-sensor MLCK where Ca 2+ -dependent CaM binding increases the catalytic activity of the kinase domain, whereas coincident binding to the biosensor domain decreases fluorescence resonance energy transfer between two fluorescent proteins. We have created transgenic mice expressing this construct specifically in smooth muscle cells to perform real-time evaluations of the relationship between smooth muscle contractility and MLCK activation in intact tissues and organs. Measurements in intact bladder smooth muscle demonstrate that MLCK activation increases rapidly during KCl-induced contractions but is not maximal, consistent with a limiting amount of cellular CaM. Carbachol treatment produces the same amount of force development and RLC phosphorylation, with much smaller increases in [Ca 2+ ] i and MLCK activation. A Rho kinase inhibitor suppresses RLC phosphorylation and force but not MLCK activation in carbachol-treated tissues. These observations are consistent with a model in which the magnitude of an agonist-mediated smooth muscle contraction depends on a rapid but limited Ca 2+ /CaM-dependent activation of MLCK and Rho kinase-mediated inhibition of myosin light chain phosphatase activity. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of producing transgenic biosensor mice for investigations of signaling processes in intact systems.

Myosin II regulatory light chain (RLC) phosphorylation by Ca(2+)/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) is implicated in many cellular actin cytoskeletal functions. We examined MLCK activation quantitatively with a fluorescent biosensor MLCK where Ca(2+)-dependent increases in kinase activity were coincident with decreases in fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) in vitro. In cells stably transfected with CaM sensor MLCK, increasing [Ca(2+)](i) increased MLCK activation and RLC phosphorylation coincidently. There was no evidence for CaM binding but not activating MLCK at low [Ca(2+)](i). At saturating [Ca(2+)](i) MLCK was not fully activated probably due to limited availability of cellular Ca(2+)/CaM.

The gene coding for the transacylase subunit (DBT) of the human branched-chain keto acid dehydrogenase complex was localized to chromosome 1 by probing panels of human × mouse chromosome hybrids with an E2 cDNA amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. Additional data with two hybrids containing chromosome 1 fragments suggest that the DBT gene is located on the short arm (1pter→p21) of the chromosome.

Nitric oxide (NO), generated by NO synthase (NOS), is an important mediator of physiological processes in the airway and lung parenchyma, and there is evidence that the pulmonary expression of the endothelial isoform of NOS (eNOS) is developmentally regulated. The purpose of the present study was to delineate the cellular distribution of expression of eNOS in the developing respiratory epithelium and to compare it with inducible (iNOS) and neuronal (nNOS) NOS. Immunohistochemistry was performed on fetal (125–135 days gestation, term 144 days), newborn (2–4 wk), and maternal sheep lungs. In fetal lung, eNOS expression was evident in bronchial and proximal bronchiolar epithelia but was absent in terminal and respiratory bronchioles and alveolar epithelium. Similar to eNOS, iNOS was detected in bronchial and proximal bronchiolar epithelia but not in alveolar epithelium. However, iNOS was also detected in terminal and respiratory bronchioles. nNOS was found in epithelium at all levels including the alveolar wall. iNOS and nNOS were also detected in airway and vascular smooth muscle. The cellular distribution of all three isoforms was similar in fetal, newborn, and adult lungs. Findings in the epithelium were confirmed by isoform-specific reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assays and NADPH diaphorase histochemistry. Thus the three NOS isoforms are commonly expressed in proximal lung epithelium and are differentially expressed in distal lung epithelium. All three isoforms may be important sources of epithelium-derived NO throughout lung development.

The neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is highly expressed in mammalian skeletal muscle, but its functional role has not been defined. NO has been implicated in the local metabolic regulation of blood flow in contracting skeletal muscle in part by antagonizing sympathetic vasoconstriction. We therefore hypothesized that nNOS in skeletal muscle is the source of the NO mediating the inhibition of sympathetic vasoconstriction in contracting muscle. In the mdx mouse, a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in which dystrophin deficiency results in greatly reduced expression of nNOS in skeletal muscle, we found that the normal ability of skeletal muscle contraction to attenuate α-adrenergic vasoconstriction is defective. Similar results were obtained in mutant mice that lack the gene encoding nNOS. Together these data suggest a specific role for nNOS in the local metabolic inhibition of α-adrenergic vasoconstriction in active skeletal muscle.

The hypothesis that changes in muscle activation and loading regulate the expression and activity of neuronal nitric oxide (NO) synthase (nNOS) was tested using in vitro and in vivo approaches. Removal of weight bearing from rat hindlimb muscles for 10 days resulted in a significant decrease in nNOS protein and mRNA concentration in soleus muscles, which returned to control concentrations after return to weight bearing. Similarly, the concentration of nNOS in cultured myotubes increased by application of cyclic loading for 2 days. NO release from excised soleus muscles was increased significantly by a single passive stretch of 20% or by submaximal activation at 2 Hz, although the increases were not additive when both stimuli were applied simultaneously. Increased NO release resulting from passive stretch or activation was dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium. Cyclic loading of cultured myotubes also resulted in a significant increase in NO release. Together, these findings show that activity of muscle influences NO production in the short term, by regulating NOS activity, and in the long term, by regulating nNOS expression.

Regulation of agonist-activated Ca 2+ influx by the NOS pathway through generation of cGMP is being found in an increasing number of cell types. In the present work, we examined the role of the NOS pathway in agonist-evoked [Ca 2+ ] i oscillations and attempted to identify the NOS isoform most likely to regulate Ca 2+ influx. For this, we first show that two Ca 2+ -mobilizing agonists acting on pancreatic acinar cells, bombesin (BS) and the cholecystokin in analog CCK-JMV-180 (CCKJ), evokes different type of [Ca 2+ ] i oscillations. The BS-evoked [Ca 2+ ] i oscillations rapidly became acutely dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca 2+ , whereas the CCKJ-evoked oscillations continue for long periods of time in the absence of Ca 2+ influx. This differential behavior allowed us to isolate Ca 2+ influx and study its regulation while controlling for non specific effects on all other Ca 2+ transporting events involved in generating [Ca 2+ ] i oscillations. Inhibitors of selective steps in the NOS pathway inhibited agonist-induced cGMP production. The inhibitors were then used to show that scavenging NO with reduced hemoglobin, inhibition of guanylyl cyclase with 1 H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo[4,3-a] quinoxaline-1-one (ODQ) and inhibition of protein kinase G with Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPS inhibited [Ca 2+ ] i oscillations evoked by BS but not those evoked by CCKJ. These findings were extended to duct and acinar cells of the SMG. In these cells, Ca 2+ -mobilizing agonists stimulate large Ca 2+ influx, which was inhibited by all inhibitors of the NOS pathway. Western blot analysis and immunolocalization revealed that the cells did not express iNOS, eNOS was expressed only in blood vessels and capillaries whereas nNOS was expressed at high levels next to the plasma membrane of all cells. Accordingly, the nNOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) inhibited BS- but not CCKJ-evoked [Ca 2+ ] i oscillations and Ca 2+ influx into SMG acinar and duct cells. Thus, together, our findings favor nNOS as the isoform activated by the Ca 2+ released from internal stores to generate cGMP and regulate Ca 2+ influx.

The least understood aspect of the agonist-induced Ca2+ signal is the activation and regulation of the Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ influx (CRAC) across the plasma membrane. To explore the possible role of heterotrimeric G proteins in the various regulatory mechanisms of CRAC, continuous renal epithelial cell lines stably expressing alpha 13 and the constitutively active alpha qQ209L were isolated and used to measure CRAC activity by the Mn2+ quench technique. Release of intracellular Ca2+ by agonist stimulation or thapsigargin was required for activation of CRAC in all cells. Although the size of the internal stores was similar in all cells, CRAC was 2-3-fold higher in alpha 13- and alpha qQ209L-expressing cells. However, the channel was differentially regulated in the two cell types. Incubation at low [Ca2+]i, inhibition of the NOS pathway, or inhibition of tyrosine kinase inhibited CRAC activity in alpha 13 but not alpha qQ209L cells. Treatment with okadaic acid prevented inhibition of the channel by low [Ca2+]i and the protein kinase inhibitors in alpha 13 cells. These results suggest that expression of alpha qQ209L dominantly activates CRAC by stabilizing a phosphorylated state, whereas expression of alpha 13 makes CRAC activation completely dependent on phosphorylation by several kinases. G proteins may also modulate CRAC activity independently of the phosphorylation/dephosphorylation state of the pathway to increase maximal CRAC activity. Furthermore, our results suggest a general mechanism for regulation of CRAC that depends on coupling of receptors to specific G proteins.

Cytokines increase the expression of the inducible (type II) nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in macrophages, liver, and renal epithelial cells. Previously, we found that cultured rat medullary interstitial cells (RMIC) contain high levels of soluble guanylyl cyclase. To determine whether these cells can also produce NO, we studied the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on NO production, NOS II mRNA, and NOS II protein expression. Both TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, in the presence of a low concentration of the other cytokine, caused dose-dependent increases in NO production. Exposure to TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma stimulated the production of NOS II mRNA, as determined by Northern blotting. Restriction mapping of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction products indicated that normal cells contained macrophage NOS II, whereas cytokine-stimulated cells contained primarily vascular smooth muscle NOS II and some macrophage NOS II. The appearance of NOS II protein was demonstrated by Western blotting. RMIC cell guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate accumulation increased 129-fold in response to the cytokines. NOS inhibitors decreased nitrite production. We conclude that 1) TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma induce the expression of vascular smooth muscle NOS II and production of NO in RMIC, and 2) NO acts as an autocrine activator of the soluble guanylyl cyclase in RMIC.

We have determined the complete nucleotide sequence for the cDNA encoding human dihydrolipoyl transacylase (E2) using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) procedure. The full-length E2 cDNA is 3535 nucleotides in length. The coding region spans 1446 bp and the 3′-noncoding region spans 2074 bp. The latter contains three Alu repetitive sequences and two transcription termination sites.

We have isolated a human genomic clone hgE2-14 containing exons 5,6,7 and 8 of the branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase E2 transacylase gene. Sequencing of exon B and its surrounding intronic sequences reveals complete identity with the previously reported truncated E2 cDNA (hE2-1) sequence between nucleotides 938 and 1521. We have identified consensus splice site junctions flanking exon 8 and also a cryptic 3??? splice site 370 bases upstream from the start of exon 8 in the gene. In addition, two polyadenylation signals located in the hE2-1 cDNA are also present in the intronic sequence downstream of exon 8 which promote termination of transcription. The data indicate that shortened human liver E2 transcripts undergo alternative splicing to yield mRNA of the hE2-1 type.

We have amplified the cDNA for the transacylase (E2) subunit of the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKAD) complex from a thiamine-responsive MSUD cell line (WG-34) by the polymerase chain reaction. Sequencing of the amplified WG-34 cDNA showed a 17-bp insertion (AAATACCTTGTTACCAG) apparently resulting from an aberrant splicing of the E2 gene, and a missense (T----G) mutation that changes Phe215 to Cys in the E2 subunit. The existence of these two mutations was confirmed by probing the amplified E2 cDNA or genomic DNA with allele-specific oligonucleotides. The above results support the thesis that the thiamine-responsive MSUD patient (WG-34) is a compound heterozygote at the E2 locus. The implication of the E2 mutations for the thiamine-responsiveness observed in this patient is discussed.

A novel class of inhibitors for the branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase (BCOAD) complex has been synthesized and studied. The sodium salts of arylidenepyruvates: e.g., furfurylidenepyruvate (compound I), 4-(3-thienyl)-2-oxo-3-butenoate (compound II), cinnamalpyruvate (compound III) and 4-(2-thienyl)-2-oxo-3-butenoate (compound IV) inhibit the overall and kinase reactions of the BCOAD complex from bovine liver. Inhibitions of the overall reaction occur at the decarboxylase (E1) step as determined by a spectrophotometric assay with 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol as an electron acceptor. Inhibition of the E1 reaction by compound I ( K i = 0.5 μ M ) is competitive, whereas inhibitions by compounds II ( K i = 150 μ M ) and III ( K i =500μ M ) are non-competitive with respect to the substrate 2-oxoisovalerate. The K m value for 2-oxoisovalerate is 6.7 μM as measured by the E1 assay. Inhibition of the E1 step by compounds I, II and III are reversible at low inhibitor concentrations based on the Michaelis-Menten kinetics observed. By comparison, compound I does not significantly inhibit pyruvate and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complexes. The arylidenepyruvates (compounds I, II and IV) inhibit the BCOAD kinase reaction in a manner similar to the substrate 2-oxo acids. The inhibition of the kinase reaction by compound I is non-competitive with respect to ATP, with an apparent K i value of 4.5 mM. The results suggest that arylidenepyruvates may be useful probes for elucidating the reaction mechanisms of the BCOAD complex and its kinase.

Nitric Oxide Synthase Isoforms are Differentially Expressed in Developing Lung Epithelium • 1969

To characterize the lipoyl-bearing domain of the dihydrolipoyl transacylase (E2) component, purified branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex from bovine liver was reductively acylated with [U-14C] alpha-ketoisovalerate in the presence of thiamin pyrophosphate and N-ethylmaleimide. Digestion of the modified complex with increasing concentrations of trypsin sequentially cleaved the E2 polypeptide chain (Mr = 52,000) into five radiolabeled lipoyl-containing fragments in the order of L1 (Mr = 28,000), L2 (Mr = 24,500), L3 (Mr = 21,000), L4 (Mr = 15,000) to L5 (Mr = 14,000) as determined by the autoradiography of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. In addition, a lipoate-free inner E2 core consisting of fragment A (Mr = 26,000) and fragment B (Mr = 22,000) was produced. Fragment A contains the active site for transacylation reaction and fragment B is the subunit-binding domain. Fragment L5 and fragment B were stable and resistant to further tryptic digestion. Mouse antiserum against E2 reacted only with fragments L1, L2, and L3, and did not bind fragments L4, L5, A, and B as judged by immunoblotting analysis. The anti-E2 serum strongly inhibited the overall reaction catalyzed by the complex, but was without effect on the transacylation activity of E2. Measurement of incorporation of [1-14C]isobutyryl groups into the E2 subunit indicated the presence of 1 lipoyl residue/E2 chain. Based on the above data, a model is proposed in which the lipoyl-bearing domain is connected to the inner E2 core via a trypsin-sensitive hinge. The lipoyl-bearing domain contains five consecutive tryptic sites (L1 to L5), with the L1 site in the hinge region, and the L5 site next to the terminal lipoyl-binding sequence. An exposed and antigenic region is located between L1 and L4 tryptic sites of the lipoyl-bearing domain. The region accounts for about 24% of the E2 chain length. Binding of antibodies to this region probably impairs the mobility of the lipoyl-containing polypeptide, resulting in an interruption of the active-site interactions that are necessary for the overall reaction. The lack of antigenicity and resistance to tryptic digestion indicate a highly folded conformation for fragment L5, the limit polypeptide carrying the single lipoyl residue.

The branched chain 2-oxoacid dehydrogenase complexes of ox kidney [ 11, rat heart, kidney and liver [2-61 and rabbit liver [7] are inactivated by phosphorylation with ATPMg and some aspects of the regulation of the kinase reaction have been described [S]. Little is known of reactivation of phosphorylated complex, although its occurrence in mitochondria is documented 12-41. We show here that phosphorylated ox kidney BCDH complex is activated without dephosphorylation by a high speed supernatant fraction prepared from extracts of rat liver or kidney mitochondria. Activator was not detected in a similar fraction of rat heart mitochondria. Activator was thermolabile, non-diffusible by dialysis, inactivated by trypsin and precipitated by (NI&hS04. complex were omitted, in order to increase the yield of BCDH complex (S-IO-fold) and the rate of inactivation by MgATP ( -4-fold). Apparent first order rate constants for inactivation by MgATP ranged from l-3. Activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex was up to 80% of that of BCDH complex as estimated by the activity ratio with ketoleucine and pyruvate [I]. Pig heart pyruvate dehydrogenase complex was purified as in [9].

In skeletal muscle, neuronal nitric oxide synthase is localized at the sarcolemma in association with the dystrophin glycoprotein complex (DGC). The nNOS N-terminal 231 amino acids comprise a PDZ domain (residues 1-100) and a beta-hairpin finger loop (residues 101-130) which binds alpha-syntrophin located in the DGC. Endogenous nNOS and GFP-tagged nNOS localize to the sarcolemma in mouse C2C12 myotubes. Expression of GFP-tagged nNOS domains in C2C12 myotubes reveals that the PDZ domain and the beta-hairpin finger loop of nNOS are independently capable of localizing to the sarcolemma of C2C12 myotubes. Binding studies indicate that alpha-syntrophin binds only to the beta-hairpin finger loop and not the PDZ domain of nNOS. nNOS may bind to proteins in addition to alpha-syntrophin at muscle sarcolemma.

The subunit structures and conservation of the dihydrolipoyl transacylase (E2) components of bovine and human branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes were investigated by Western blotting, peptide sequencing, and cDNA cloning methods. Rabbit antiserum prepared against the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) denaturated bovine E2 subunit recognized the inner E2 core, and the first hinge region of the E2 chain, but failed to react with the lipoyl-bearing domain as determined by Western blot analysis. The lack of antigenicity in the lipoyl-bearing domain was confirmed with antibodies directed against the native E2 component. A human E2 cDNA (1.6 kb) was isolated from a human liver cDNA library in lambda gt11 with a combination of the above anti-native and anti-SDS-denatured E2 immunoglobulin G's as a probe. The fidelity of the human E2 cDNA was established by nucleotide sequencing which showed the determined peptide sequences of the amino terminus and tryptic fragments of bovine E2. A bovine E2 cDNA (0.7 kb) was also isolated from a bovine liver cDNA library in lambda ZAP with the human E2 cDNA as a probe. Northern blot analysis using the human E2 cDNA probe showed that E2 mRNAs in bovine liver and human kidney mesangial cells are 3.3 and 4.6 kb in size, respectively. Primary structures derived from human and bovine E2 cDNAs show leader sequences including the initiator methionine and the homologous mature peptides consisting of complete lipoyl-bearing and dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (E3) binding domains and two hinge regions. In addition, the human E2 cDNA contains a portion of the inner E2 core sequence, a 3'-untranslated region, and a poly(A+) tail. Deduced amino acid sequences of the mammalian E2's were compared with those of Escherichia coli transacetylase and transsuccinylase and bovine kidney transacetylase. The results indicate a high degree of conservation in the sequence flanking the lipoyl-attachment site and in the E3-binding domain. Models are presented to discuss implications for the conserved structure-function relationship in the lipoyl-bearing and E3-binding domains of alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes.

Tryptic [32P]phosphopeptides were prepared from [32P]phosphorylated ox-kidney branched-chain complex and analysed by high-voltage paper electrophoresis at pH 1.9. In the maximally phosphorylated complex 3 tryptic [32P]phosphopeptides were identified (TA, TB, TC). RF-values relative to N6-dinitrophenyllysine were (mean +/- SEM for 25 obs.): TA, 1.53 +/- 0.03; TB, 1.07 +/- 0.02; TC, 0.65 +/- 0.01. Relative rates of phosphorylation were TA greater than TB greater than TC. Phosphorylation of TA reached a maximum when about 66% of the complex was inactivated. Phosphorylation of TB and TC was associated mainly with 66-95% inactivation of the complex.