1. |
- Blom, A M, et al.
(author)
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Structural characterization of inter-alpha-inhibitor. Evidence for an extended shape
- 1999
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In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 1083-351X. ; 274:1, s. 298-304
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Inter-alpha-inhibitor (IalphaI) is a 180-kDa serum protein consisting of three polypeptides. Two of these, the heavy chains 1 and 2 (H1 and H2), are of 75-80 kDa and have similar amino acid sequences. The third polypeptide, bikunin, has a molecular mass of 25 kDa and contains a 7-kDa chondroitin sulfate chain that is covalently linked to the C-terminal amino acid residues of H1 and H2. IalphaI has been shown to be required for the formation of the hyaluronan-containing extracellular matrix of certain cell types. How IalphaI exerts this function is not known, but it appears that upon interaction with cells, the heavy chains are released and become covalently linked to hyaluronan. Our results indicate that IalphaI and its heavy chains are extended molecules; thus, upon electron microscopy, IalphaI appeared to consist of two globular domains connected by a thin structure 31-nm long and the isolated heavy chains of a globular domain and a "tail" about 15-nm long. Analysis of the heavy chains by partial proteolysis showed that the C-terminal halves are particularly sensitive to hydrolysis indicating that they are loosely folded. Furthermore, electron microscopy showed that partially degraded heavy chains lacked the extended regions. Taken together, these results suggest that the N-terminal half of the heavy chains forms a globular domain, whereas the other half has an extended and loosely folded structure.
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2. |
- Friedrich, M V, et al.
(author)
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Structural basis of glycosaminoglycan modification and of heterotypic interactions of perlecan domain V
- 1999
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In: Journal of Molecular Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1089-8638 .- 0022-2836. ; 294:1, s. 259-270
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The C-terminal perlecan domain V of about 90 kDa consists of laminin-type G domain modules (LG) (25 kDa) and epidermal growth factor-like modules (EG) (4 kDa) in the tandem arrangement LG1-EG1-EG2-LG2-EG3-EG4-LG3. Several shorter fragments have been prepared by recombinant production in mammalian cells and used to map the single glycosaminoglycan (GAG) substitution site and the binding of several carbohydrate and protein ligands. This identified a Ser3511 residue located in a short link region between EG4 and LG3 as being involved in GAG attachment. Electron microscopy provided evidence that the same substitution exists in tissue forms of perlecan. Heparan sulphate attached to this site was shown to bind to the alpha1LG4 module of laminin-1, indicating a role in basement membrane assembly and cell-matrix interactions. This site is also close to an Asn-Asp bond which is readily cleaved by an endogenous protease that depends on the presence of Asp and the LG2 module. A weak heparin binding site was shown to include the EG2 module, which contains five basic residues. Binding to sulphatides and the alpha-dystroglycan receptor was much stronger and required at least two LG modules. However, single LG modules appear to be sufficient for the interaction with the laminin-nidogen complex, while EG3-4 and some flanking regions are apparently involved in fibulin-2 binding. These observations indicate that a complex modular structure is required for domain V in order to provide a rich repertoire of potential biological functions.
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3. |
- Lindblom, Anders, et al.
(author)
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The intrinsic factor-vitamin B12 receptor, cubilin, is assembled into trimers via a coiled-coil alpha-helix
- 1999
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In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 1083-351X. ; 274:10, s. 6374-6380
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A large protein was purified from bovine kidney, using selective extraction with EDTA to solubilize proteins anchored by divalent cation-dependent interactions. An antiserum raised against the purified protein labeled the apical cell surface of the epithelial cells in proximal tubules and the luminal surface of small intestine. Ten peptide sequences, derived from the protein, all matched the recently published sequences for rat (Moestrup, S. K., Kozyraki, R., Kristiansen, M., Kaysen, J. H., Holm Rasmussen, H., Brault, D., Pontillon, F., Goda, F. O., Christensen, E. I., Hammond, T. G., and Verroust, P. J. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 5235-5242) and human cubilin, a receptor for intrinsic factor-vitamin B12 complexes, identifying the protein as bovine cubilin. In electron microscopy, a three-armed structure was seen, indicating an oligomerization of three identical subunits. This model was supported by the Mr values of about 1,500,000 for the intact protein and 440,000 for its subunits obtained by analytical ultracentrifugation. In a search for a potential assembly domain, we identified a region of heptad repeats in the N-terminal part of the cubilin sequence. Computer-assisted analysis supported the presence of a coiled-coil alpha-helix between amino acids 103 and 132 of the human cubilin sequence and predicted the formation of a triple coiled-coil. We therefore conclude that cubilin forms a noncovalent trimer of identical subunits connected by an N-terminal coiled-coil alpha-helix.
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4. |
- Piecha, D, et al.
(author)
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Matrilin-2, a large, oligomeric matrix protein, is expressed by a great variety of cells and forms fibrillar networks
- 1999
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In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 1083-351X. ; 274:19, s. 13353-13361
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Matrilin-2 is a member of the protein superfamily with von Willebrand factor type A-like modules. Mouse matrilin-2 cDNA fragments were expressed in 293-EBNA cells, and the protein was purified, characterized, and used to immunize rabbits. The affinity-purified antiserum detects matrilin-2 in dense and loose connective tissue structures, subepithelial connective tissue of the skin and digestive tract, specialized cartilages, and blood vessel walls. In situ hybridization of 35S-labeled riboprobes localizes the matrilin-2 mRNA to fibroblasts of dermis, tendon, ligaments, perichondrium, and periosteum; connective tissue elements in the heart; smooth muscle cells; and epithelia and loose connective tissue cells of the alimentary canal and respiratory tract. RNA blot hybridization and immunoblotting revealed both matrilin-2 mRNA and protein in cultures of a variety of cell types, confirming the tissue distribution. Alternative splicing affects a module unique for matrilin-2 in all of the above RNA sources. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electron microscopy reveals matrilin-2 from tissue extracts and cell line cultures as a mixture of mono-, di-, tri-, and tetramers. Matrilin-2 is substituted with N-linked oligosaccharides but not with glycosaminoglycans. Because of other, yet unidentified, cell-type dependent posttranslational modifications, the monomer is heterogeneous in size. Immunofluorescence showed that matrilin-2 functions by forming an extracellular, filamentous network.
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