| 1. |
- Ljunggren, Stefan, 1988-
(author)
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Lipoproteomics : Environmental and Genetic Factors Affecting High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
- 2016
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Lipoprotein particles act as lipid transporters in the blood stream, and measuring cholesterol content in specific subclasses of lipoprotein particles has long been, and still is, a frequently used tool to estimate the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is a subclass of lipoproteins often regarded as providing protection against CVD via several functions including reverse cholesterol transport and anti-inflammatory capacities. However, the precise relationship between HDL cholesterol levels and health outcome is still unclear. Lately, new approaches to study HDL composition and function have therefore become more important.HDL function is to a large extent dependent on its proteome, containing more than 100 proteins. Investigating the proteome in individuals with altered gene expression for HDL-associated proteins or with known exposure to environmental contaminants may reveal new insights into how HDL metabolism is affected by various factors. This is of interest in order to better understand the role of HDL in CVD.Papers I and II focus on two different mutations in a structural HDL protein, apolipoprotein A-I (L202P and K131del), and one mutation in the scavenger receptor class B-1 (P297S), which is involved in selective lipid uptake of cholesterol mainly into hepatocytes and adrenal cells. The HDL proteome was analyzed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. The L202P mutation was identified in HDL of the heterozygote carriers together with a significant decrease of apolipoprotein E and increased zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein. By contrast, the second apolipoprotein AI mutation (K131del) was associated with significantly elevated alpha-1-antitrypsin and transthyretin levels. Protein analyses of the scavenger receptor class B1 P297S heterozygotes showed a significant increase in HDL apoL-1 along with increased free apoE. The carriers showed no difference in antioxidative capability but a significant increase in apoA-I methionine oxidation.Papers III and IV focus on persistent organic pollutants that may influence HDL composition and function. These compounds accumulate in humans, and exposure has been linked to an increased risk of CVD. To provide a better understanding of the HDL system in relation to pollutants, a population living in a contaminated area was studied. Persistent organic pollutants in isolated HDL were quantified using high-resolution gas chromatography mass spectrometry and significantly increased levels were found in individuals with CVD as compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, there was a significant negative association between the pollutants and paraoxonase-1 anti-oxidant activity. Studying the proteome with nano-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry led to the identification of 118 proteins in HDL, of which ten were significantly associated with the persistent organic pollutants.In summary, the present studies demonstrate protein pattern alterations in HDL associated with inherited genetic variants or pollutant exposure. The studies also provide a set of methods that are useful tools to further comprehend the complexity of lipoprotein metabolism and function. The results are important in order to improve our understanding of HDL in CVD and to explain an increased risk of CVD associated with exposure to organic pollutants.
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| 2. |
- Blom, Anna, et al.
(author)
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Structural requirements for the complement regulatory activities of C4BP
- 2001
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In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 1083-351X. ; 276:29, s. 27136-27144
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is a regulator of the classical complement pathway C3 convertase (C4bC2a complex). It is a disulfide-linked polymer of seven alpha-chains and a unique beta-chain; the alpha- and beta-chains are composed of eight and three complement control protein (CCP) domains, respectively. To elucidate the importance of the polymeric nature of C4BP and the structural requirements for the interaction between C4b and the alpha-chain, 19 recombinant C4BP variants were created. Six truncated monomeric variants, nine polymeric variants in which individual CCPs were deleted, and finally, four variants in which double alanine residues were introduced between CCPs were functionally characterized. The smallest truncated C4BP variant still active in regulating fluid phase C4b comprised CCP1-3. The monomeric variants were less efficient than polymeric C4BP in degrading C4b on cell surfaces. All three N-terminal CCP domains contributed to the binding of C4b and were important for full functional activity; CCP2 and CCP3 were the most important. The spatial arrangements of the first CCPs were found to be important, as introduction of alanine residues between CCPs 1 and 2, CCPs 2 and 3, and CCPs 3 and 4 resulted in functional impairment. The results presented here elucidate the structural requirements of individual CCPs of C4BP, as well as their spatial arrangements within and between subunits for expression of full functional activity.
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| 3. |
- Friedrich, Ute, et al.
(author)
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Structural and energetic characteristics of the heparin-binding site in antithrombotic protein C
- 2001
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In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 1083-351X. ; 276:26, s. 24122-24128
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Human activated protein C (APC) is a key component of a natural anticoagulant system that regulates blood coagulation. In vivo, the catalytic activity of APC is regulated by two serpins, alpha1-antitrypsin and the protein C inhibitor (PCI), the inhibition by the latter being stimulated by heparin. We have identified a heparin-binding site in the serine protease domain of APC and characterized the energetic basis of the interaction with heparin. According to the counter-ion condensation theory, the binding of heparin to APC is 66% ionic in nature and comprises four to six net ionic interactions. To localize the heparin-binding site, five recombinant APC variants containing amino acid exchanges in loops 37, 60, and 70 (chymotrypsinogen numbering) were created. As demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance, reduction of the electropositive character of loops 37 and 60 resulted in complete loss of heparin binding. The functional consequence was loss in heparin-induced stimulation of APC inhibition by PCI, whereas the PCI-induced APC inhibition in the absence of heparin was enhanced. Presumably, the former observations were due to the inability of heparin to bridge some APC mutants to PCI, whereas the increased inhibition of certain APC variants by PCI in the absence of heparin was due to reduced repulsion between the enzymes and the serpin. The heparin-binding site of APC was also shown to interact with heparan sulfate, albeit with lower affinity. In conclusion, we have characterized and spatially localized the functionally important heparin/heparan sulfate-binding site of APC.
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| 4. |
- Villoutreix, Bruno O., et al.
(author)
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Screening the molecular surface of human anticoagulant protein C: a search for interaction sites
- 2001
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In: Journal of Computer-Aided Molecular Design. - 1573-4951. ; 15:1, s. 13-27
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Protein C (PC), a 62 kDa multi-modular zymogen, is activated to an anticoagulant serine protease (activated PC or APC) by thrombin bound to thrombomodulin on the surface of endothelial cells. PC/APC interacts with many proteins and the characterisation of these interactions is not trivial. However, molecular modelling methods help to study these complex biological processes and provide basis for rational experimental design and interpretation of the results. PC/APC consists of a Gla domain followed by two EGF modules and a serine protease domain. In this report, we present two structural models for full-length APC and two equivalent models for full-length PC, based on the X-ray structures of Gla-domainless APC and of known serine protease zymogens. The overall elongated shape of the models is further cross-validated using size exclusion chromatography which allows evaluation of the Stokes radius (rs for PC = 33.15 A; rs for APC = 34.19 A), frictional ratio and axial ratio. We then propose potential binding sites at the surface of PC/APC using surface hydrophobicity as a determinant of the preferred sites of intermolecular recognition. Most of the predicted binding sites are consistent with previously reported experimental data, while some clusters highlight new regions that should be involved in protein-protein interactions.
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| 5. |
- Webb, Joanna H., et al.
(author)
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Localization of a hydrophobic binding site for anticoagulant protein S on the beta -chain of complement regulator C4b-binding protein
- 2001
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In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 1083-351X. ; 276:6, s. 4330-4337
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is a plasma glycoprotein involved in regulation of the complement system. C4BP consists of seven alpha-chains and one unique beta-chain, all constructed of repeating complement control protein (CCP) modules. The beta-chain, made up of three CCPs, binds tightly to vitamin K-dependent protein S, a cofactor to anticoagulant activated protein C. When bound to C4BP, protein S loses its activated protein C cofactor function. In this study, we have mutated potentially important amino acids located at the surface of CCP1 of the beta-chain to probe the protein S-C4BP interaction. The substitutions were designed after analysis of a homology-based three-dimensional structure of the beta-chain and were L27T/F45Q, I16S/V18S, V31T/I33N, I16S/V18S/V31T/I33N, L38S/V39S, and K41E/K42E. The mutants were expressed in a prokaryotic system, purified using an N-terminal His-tag, refolded using an oxido-shuffling system, and tested in several assays for their ability to bind protein S. Our data define Ile(16), Val(18), Val(31), and Ile(33) as crucial for protein S binding, with secondary effects from Leu(38) and Val(39). In addition, Lys(41) and Lys(42) contribute slightly to the interaction. Our results further confirm that surface hydrophobicity analysis may be used to identify ligand recognition sites.
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| 6. |
- Gustafsson, Anna, et al.
(author)
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Gas6 and the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
- 2009
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In: PloS one. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 4:10, s. e7575-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The molecular biology of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is complex and not fully understood. We have recently found that the expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl in the RCC tumors independently correlates with survival of the patients. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here, we have investigated the role of Axl and its ligand Gas6, the vitamin-K dependent protein product of the growth arrest-specific gene 6, in clear cell RCC (ccRCC) derived cells. The Axl protein was highly expressed in ccRCC cells deficient in functional von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) protein, a tumor suppressor gene often inactivated in ccRCC. VHL reconstituted cells expressed decreased levels of Axl protein, but not Axl mRNA, suggesting VHL to regulate Axl expression. Gas6-mediated activation of Axl in ccRCC cells resulted in Axl phosphorylation, receptor down-regulation, decreased cell-viability and migratory capacity. No effects of the Gas6/Axl system could be detected on invasion. Moreover, in ccRCC tumor tissues, Axl was phosphorylated and Gas6 gamma-carboxylated, suggesting these molecules to be active in vivo. SIGNIFICANCE: These results provide novel information regarding the complex function of the Gas6/Axl system in ccRCC.
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| 7. |
- Hafizi, Sassan, et al.
(author)
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Individual domains of Tensin2 exhibit distinct subcellular localisations and migratory effects.
- 2010
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In: International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1878-5875 .- 1357-2725. ; 42, s. 52-61
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Tensins are large intracellular proteins believed to link the extracellular matrix to the cytoskeleton via integrins. Tensins are multidomain proteins consisting of homologous C1, PTPase, C2, SH2 and PTB domains. Full-length Tensin proteins can undergo cleavage inside cells, thus yielding domains in isolation that may have discrete subcellular localisations and downstream effects. We expressed different isoforms of Tensin2 and their individual domains as recombinant green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fusion constructs in DU145 human prostate cancer cells. Under fluorescence confocal microscopy, the isolated domains of Tensin2 all displayed discrete distributions throughout the cytoplasm and the nucleus. In particular, partial constructs containing the C1 domain localised preferentially to the nucleus, including the isolated C1 domain and the PTPase domain. In contrast, all three full-length isoforms of Tensin2 were present exclusively in discrete punctate bodies throughout the cytoplasm. This punctate staining showed colocalisation with the tumour suppressor protein DLC-1 as well as with actin (phalloidin). Furthermore, DU145 cells transiently expressing partial Tensin2 constructs containing the PTB domain showed an increased haptotactic migration. In addition, stimulation of renal carcinoma cells stably expressing Tensin2 by the survival factor Gas6 caused phosphorylation of its receptor Axl, but no effect on Tensin2, which was already maximally phosphorylated at time 0. In conclusion, our results indicate that differential proteolytic cleavage of Tensin2 can liberate domains with discrete localisations and functions, which has implications for the role of Tensins in cancer cell survival and motility.
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| 8. |
- Norström, Eva, et al.
(author)
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Importance of protein S and phospholipid for activated protein C-mediated cleavages in factor Va.
- 2003
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In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 1083-351X. ; 278:27, s. 24904-24911
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The procoagulant function of activated factor V (FVa) is inhibited by activated protein C (APC) through proteolytic cleavages at Arg(306), Arg(506), and Arg(679). The effect of APC is potentiated by negatively charged phospholipid membranes and the APC cofactor protein S. Protein S has been reported to selectively stimulate cleavage at Arg(306), an effect hypothesized to be related to reorientation of the active site of APC closer to the phospholipid membrane. To investigate the importance of protein S and phospholipid in the APC-mediated cleavages of individual sites, recombinant FV variants FV(R306Q/R679Q) and FV(R506Q/R679Q) ( can be cleaved only at Arg(506) and Arg306(,) respectively) were created. The cleavage rate was determined for each cleavage site in the presence of varied protein S concentrations and phospholipid compositions. In contrast to results on record, we found that protein S stimulated both APC cleavages in a phospholipid composition-dependent manner. Thus, on vesicles containing both phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine, protein S increased the rate of Arg(306) cleavage 27-fold and that of Arg(506) cleavage 5-fold. Half-maximal stimulation was obtained at similar to30 nM protein S for both cleavages. In conclusion, we demonstrate that APC-mediated cleavages at both Arg(306) and Arg(506) in FVa are stimulated by protein S in a phospholipid composition-dependent manner. These results provide new insights into the mechanism of APC cofactor activity of protein S and the importance of phospholipid composition.
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| 9. |
- Giri, TK, et al.
(author)
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Structural requirements of anticoagulant protein S for its binding to the complement regulator c4b-binding protein
- 2002
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In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 1083-351X. ; 277:17, s. 15099-15106
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The vitamin K-dependent anticoagulant protein S binds with high affinity to C4b-binding protein (C4BP), a regulator of complement. Despite the physiological importance of the complex, we have only a patchy view of the C4BP-binding site in protein S. Based on phage display experiments, protein S residues 447-460 were suggested to form part of the binding site. Several experimental approaches were now used to further elucidate the structural requirements for protein S binding to C4BP. Peptides comprising residues 447-460, 451460, or 453-460 of protein S were found to inhibit the protein S-C4BP interaction, whereas deletion of residues 459-460 from the peptide caused complete loss of inhibition. In recombinant protein S, each of residues 447-460 was mutated to Ala, and the protein S variants were tested for binding to C4BP. The Y456A mutation reduced binding to C4BP similar to10-fold, and a peptide corresponding to residues 447-460 of this mutant was less inhibitory than the parent peptide. A further decrease in binding was observed using a recombinant variant in which a site for N-linked glycosylation was moved from position 458 to 456 (Y456N/N458T). A monoclonal antibody (HPSf) selective for free protein S reacted poorly with the Y456A variant but reacted efficiently with the other variants. A second antibody, HPS 34, which partially inhibited the protein S-C4BP interaction, reacted poorly with several of the Ala mutants, suggesting that its epitope was located in the 451-460 region. Phage display analysis of the HPS 34 antibody further identified this region as its epitope. Taken together, our results suggest that residues 453-460 of protein S form part of a more complex binding site for C4BP. A recently developed three-dimensional model of the sex hormone-binding globulin-like region of protein S was used to analyze available experimental data.
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| 10. |
- Kober, Alexandra Carmen, et al.
(author)
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Implications of cerebrovascular ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) and apolipoprotein M in cholesterol transport at the blood-brain barrier
- 2017
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In: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids. - : Elsevier BV. - 1388-1981. ; 1862:6, s. 573-588
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Impaired cholesterol/lipoprotein metabolism is linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cerebral cholesterol homeostasis is maintained by the highly efficient blood-brain barrier (BBB) and flux of the oxysterols 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol and 27-hydroxycholesterol, potent liver-X-receptor (LXR) activators. HDL and their apolipoproteins are crucial for cerebral lipid transfer, and loss of ATP binding cassette transporters (ABC)G1 and G4 results in toxic accumulation of oxysterols in the brain. The HDL-associated apolipoprotein (apo)M is positively correlated with pre-β HDL formation in plasma; its presence and function in the brain was thus far unknown. Using an in vitro model of the BBB, we examined expression, regulation, and functions of ABCG1, ABCG4, and apoM in primary porcine brain capillary endothelial cells (pBCEC). RT Q-PCR analyses and immunoblotting revealed that in addition to ABCA1 and scavenger receptor, class B, type I (SR-BI), pBCEC express high levels of ABCG1, which was up-regulated by LXR activation. Immunofluorescent staining, site-specific biotinylation and immunoprecipitation revealed that ABCG1 is localized both to early and late endosomes and on apical and basolateral plasma membranes. Using siRNA interference to silence ABCG1 (by 50%) reduced HDL-mediated [3H]-cholesterol efflux (by 50%) but did not reduce [3H]-24(S)-hydroxycholesterol efflux. In addition to apoA-I, pBCEC express and secrete apoM mainly to the basolateral (brain) compartment. HDL enhanced expression and secretion of apoM by pBCEC, apoM-enriched HDL promoted cellular cholesterol efflux more efficiently than apoM-free HDL, while apoM-silencing diminished cellular cholesterol release. We suggest that ABCG1 and apoM are centrally involved in regulation of cholesterol metabolism/turnover at the BBB.
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