Characteristics of phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated dentine phosphoprotein.
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ABSTRACT: Heterogeneity among the odontoblast-specific, highly phosphorylated acidic protein dentine phosphoprotein (DPP) obtained from different species has been reported by several investigators. In the present study, the apparent molecular-mass variations in rabbit and mouse DPP were investigated. Extracellular matrix (ECM) DPPs were isolated and characterized. Primary gene products, before post-translational phosphorylation, were analysed based upon translation products produced in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate cell-free system using a polyclonal mouse anti-DPP antibody. Nascent non-phosphorylated DPPs were also identified from intracellular protein extracts. Mouse and rabbit ECM phosphoproteins exhibited a 10 kDa difference in size. However, nascent intracellular or translation products from both species showed the same lower molecular mass (approx. 45 kDa). Furthermore, Northern-blot analysis showed a single mRNA of the same size in both species (approx. 1.6 kb) which contains information for a protein no larger than 50 kDa. Our results indicate that the difference in molecular mass (or electrophoretic behaviour) among DPPs from different species is due to post-translational modifications, in this case phosphorylation.
Project description:Experiments were designed to produce and characterize a polyclonal antibody directed against mouse dentine phosphoprotein, the major non-collagenous protein of the dentine extracellular matrix. Dental extracellular matrix proteins from 2-day-postnatal Swiss-Webster-mouse tooth organs were extracted with 0.5 M-acetic acid, followed by 4 M-guanidinium chloride/0.5 M-EDTA. Mouse dentine phosphoprotein yields were further increased by precipitation with 1 M-CaCl2. Final purification was achieved by excising and eluting dentine phosphoprotein polypeptide bands from preparative sodium dodecyl sulphate/urea/polyacrylamide gels. Mouse dentine phosphoprotein is a single component of approx. 72 kDa and has a characteristic amino acid composition of 33% aspartic acid and 55% serine/phosphoserine. A polyclonal antibody was raised in rabbits against purified mouse dentine phosphoprotein and was shown to be monospecific by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent, dot-immunobinding and 'Western transfer' assays. This antibody was used to detect the expression and localization of dentine phosphoprotein in 1-day-postnatal mouse tooth organs. This antigen was localized intracellularly within the monolayer of odontoblasts, which line the perimeter of the dental papilla mesenchyme, and within the odontoblastic cell processes, which traverse the predentine matrix. Newly forming mineralized dentine matrix was also cross-reactive with the dentine phosphoprotein specific antibody. The non-mineralized predentine matrix did not contain any detectable cross-reactive antigens.
Project description:This study aims to assess the roles of dietary protein (Pr) and calcium (Ca) levels associated with excessive fluoride (F) intake and the impact of Pr, Ca, and F on expression of collagen I (COL I) and dentine phosphoprotein (DPP) in rat incisors. Seventy-two rats were randomly allotted to six groups (NC, NC + F, LPrLCa, LPrLCa + F, HPrLCa + F and LPrHCa + F). F, Pr, and Ca were orally administrated to rats for 120 days. The genes and proteins expression levels were quantified. We found that levels of COL1A1 and DSPP gene were respectively decreased by 41.9% and 43.1% in the NC + F group compared with NC group, were respectively decreased by 47.9% and 40.8% in the LPrLCa + F group compared with LPrLCa group, were respectively increased by 71.8% and 39.5% in the HPrLCa + F group and increased by 26.5% and 21.1% in the LPrHCa + F group compared with LPrLCa + F group. Meanwhile, the proteins' expression display with the genes' expression changes were consistent. This study demonstrated that the gene and protein expressions of COL I and DPP were reduced by F both in normal nutrition and malnutrition, and it was reversed by Pr and Ca supplementation, with the effect of Pr being greater than that of Ca.
Project description:The hereditary dentine disorders, dentinogenesis imperfecta (DGI) and dentine dysplasia (DD), comprise a group of autosomal dominant genetic conditions characterised by abnormal dentine structure affecting either the primary or both the primary and secondary dentitions. DGI is reported to have an incidence of 1 in 6,000 to 1 in 8,000, whereas that of DD type 1 is 1 in 100,000. Clinically, the teeth are discoloured and show structural defects such as bulbous crowns and small pulp chambers radiographically. The underlying defect of mineralisation often results in shearing of the overlying enamel leaving exposed weakened dentine which is prone to wear. Currently, three sub-types of DGI and two sub-types of DD are recognised but this categorisation may change when other causative mutations are found. DGI type I is inherited with osteogenesis imperfecta and recent genetic studies have shown that mutations in the genes encoding collagen type 1, COL1A1 and COL1A2, underlie this condition. All other forms of DGI and DD, except DD-1, appear to result from mutations in the gene encoding dentine sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), suggesting that these conditions are allelic. Diagnosis is based on family history, pedigree construction and detailed clinical examination, while genetic diagnosis may become useful in the future once sufficient disease-causing mutations have been discovered. Differential diagnoses include hypocalcified forms of amelogenesis imperfecta, congenital erythropoietic porphyria, conditions leading to early tooth loss (Kostmann's disease, cyclic neutropenia, Chediak-Hegashi syndrome, histiocytosis X, Papillon-Lefevre syndrome), permanent teeth discolouration due to tetracyclines, Vitamin D-dependent and vitamin D-resistant rickets. Treatment involves removal of sources of infection or pain, improvement of aesthetics and protection of the posterior teeth from wear. Beginning in infancy, treatment usually continues into adulthood with a number of options including the use of crowns, over-dentures and dental implants depending on the age of the patient and the condition of the dentition. Where diagnosis occurs early in life and treatment follows the outlined recommendations, good aesthetics and function can be obtained.
Project description:Dentineogenesis starts on odontoblasts, which synthesise and secrete non-collagenous proteins (NCPs) and collagen. When dentine is injured, dental pulp progenitors/mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can migrate to the injured area, differentiate into odontoblasts and facilitate formation of reactionary dentine. Dental pulp progenitor cell/MSC differentiation is controlled at given niches. Among dental NCPs, dentine sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) is a member of the small integrin-binding ligand N-linked glycoprotein (SIBLING) family, whose members share common biochemical characteristics such as an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif. DSPP expression is cell- and tissue-specific and highly seen in odontoblasts and dentine. DSPP mutations cause hereditary dentine diseases. DSPP is catalysed into dentine glycoprotein (DGP)/sialoprotein (DSP) and phosphoprotein (DPP) by proteolysis. DSP is further processed towards active molecules. DPP contains an RGD motif and abundant Ser-Asp/Asp-Ser repeat regions. DPP-RGD motif binds to integrin αVβ3 and activates intracellular signalling via mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-ERK pathways. Unlike other SIBLING proteins, DPP lacks the RGD motif in some species. However, DPP Ser-Asp/Asp-Ser repeat regions bind to calcium-phosphate deposits and promote hydroxyapatite crystal growth and mineralisation via calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) cascades. DSP lacks the RGD site but contains signal peptides. The tripeptides of the signal domains interact with cargo receptors within the endoplasmic reticulum that facilitate transport of DSPP from the endoplasmic reticulum to the extracellular matrix. Furthermore, the middle- and COOH-terminal regions of DSP bind to cellular membrane receptors, integrin β6 and occludin, inducing cell differentiation. The present review may shed light on DSPP roles during odontogenesis.
Project description:Nitrite is recognized as a bioactive nitric oxide (NO) metabolite. We have shown that nitrite inhibits platelet activation and increases platelet cGMP levels in the presence of partially deoxygenated erythrocytes. In this study, we investigated the effect of nitrite on phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein on residue serine 239 (P-VASPSer239), a marker of protein kinase G (PKG) activation, in human platelets. In platelet-rich plasma (PRP), nitrite itself had no effect on levels of P-VASPSer239 while DEANONOate increased P-VASPSer239. Deoxygenation of PRP + erythrocytes (20% hematocrit) raised baseline P-VASPSer239 in platelets. At 20% hematocrit, nitrite (10 μM) increased P-VASPSer239 in platelets about 31% at 10-20 minutes of incubation while the levels of P-VASPSer157, a marker of protein kinase A (PKA) activation, were not changed. Nitrite increased P-VASPSer239 in platelets in the presence of deoxygenated erythrocytes at 20-40% hematocrit, but the effects were slightly greater at 20% hematocrit. In conclusion, our data confirm that nitrite increases P-VASPSer239 in platelets in the presence of deoxygenated erythrocytes. They also further support the idea that partially deoxygenated erythrocytes may modulate platelet activity, at least in part, via the NO/sGC/PKG pathway from NO formed by reduction of circulating nitrite ions.
Project description:The Leucine Rich Amelogenin Peptide (LRAP) is a product of alternative splicing of the amelogenin gene. As full length amelogenin, LRAP has been shown, in precipitation experiments, to regulate hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystal formation depending on its phosphorylation status. However, very few studies have questioned the impact of its phosphorylation status on enamel mineralization in biological models. Therefore, we have analyzed the effect of phosphorylated (+P) or non-phosphorylated (-P) LRAP on enamel formation in ameloblast-like cell lines and ex vivo cultures of murine postnatal day 1 molar germs. To this end, the mineral formed was analyzed by micro-computed tomography, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Selected Area Electon Diffraction imaging. Amelogenin gene transcription was evaluated by qPCR analysis. Our data show that, in both cells and germ cultures, LRAP is able to induce an up-regulation of amelogenin transcription independently of its phosphorylation status. Mineral formation is promoted by LRAP(+P) in all models, while LRAP(-P) essentially affects HAP crystal formation through an increase in crystal length and organization in ameloblast-like cells. Altogether, these data suggest a differential effect of LRAP depending on its phosphorylation status and on the ameloblast stage at the time of treatment. Therefore, LRAP isoforms can be envisioned as potential candidates for treatment of enamel lesions or defects and their action should be further evaluated in pathological models.
Project description:Dengue virus (DENV) is an arthropod-borne Flavivirus that can cause a range of symptomatic disease in humans. There are four dengue viruses (DENV 1 to 4) and infection with one DENV only provides transient protection against a heterotypic virus. Second infections are often more severe as the disease is potentiated by antibodies from the first infection through a process known as antibody dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection. Phosphorylation is a major post-translational modification that can have marked effects on a number of processes. To date there has been little information on the phosphorylation changes induced by DENV infection. This study aimed to determine global phosphoproteome changes induced by DENV 2 in U937 cells infected under an ADE protocol. A 2-dimensional electrophoretic approach coupled with a phosphoprotein-specific dye and mass spectroscopic analysis identified 15 statistically significant differentially phosphorylated proteins upon DENV 2 infection. One protein identified as significantly differentially phosphorylated, pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) was validated. Treatment with a PKM2 inhibitor modestly reduced levels of infection and viral output, but no change was seen in cellular viral protein levels, suggesting that PKM2 acts on exocytic virus release. While the effect of inhibition of PKM2 was relatively modest, the results highlight the need for a greater understanding of the role of phosphoproteins in DENV infection.
Project description:XRCC1 plays a central role in mammalian single-strand break repair. Although it has no enzymatic activity of its own, it stimulates the activities of polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase (PNKP), and this function is enhanced by protein kinase CK2 mediated phosphorylation of XRCC1. We have previously shown that non-phosphorylated XRCC1 stimulates the kinase activity of PNKP by increasing the turnover of PNKP. Here we extend our analysis of the XRCC1-PNKP interaction taking into account the phosphorylation of XRCC1. We demonstrate that phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated XRCC1 interact with different regions of PNKP. Phosphorylated XRCC1 binds with high affinity (K(d) = 3.5 nM and 1 : 1 stoichiometry) to the forkhead associated (FHA) domain, while non-phosphorylated XRCC1 binds to the catalytic domain of PNKP with lower affinity (K(d) = 43.0 nM and 1 : 1 stoichiometry). Under conditions of limited enzyme concentration both forms of XRCC1 enhance the activities of PNKP, but the effect is more pronounced with phosphorylated XRCC1, particularly for the kinase activity of PNKP. The stimulatory effect of phosphorylated XRCC1 on PNKP can be totally inhibited by the presence of excess FHA domain polypeptide, but non-phosphorylated XRCC1 is not susceptible to competition by the FHA domain. Thus, XRCC1 can stimulate PNKP by two independent mechanisms.
Project description:The gastric pathogen and carcinogen Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) encodes a type IV secretion system for translocation of the effector protein CagA into host cells. Injected CagA becomes tyrosine-phosphorylated at the five amino acid residue Glutamate-Proline- Isoleucine-Tyrosine-Alanine (EPIYA)-sequence motifs. These phosphorylated EPIYA-sites represent recognition motifs for binding of multiple host factors, which then manipulate signaling pathways to trigger gastric disease. Thus, efficient detection of single phosphorylated EPIYA-motifs in CagA is required. Detection of phospho-CagA is primarily performed using commercial pan-phosphotyrosine antibodies. However, those antibodies were originally generated to recognize many phosphotyrosines in various mammalian proteins and are not optimized for use in bacteria. To address this important limitation, we synthesized 11-mer phospho- and non-phospho-peptides from EPIYA-motifs A, B, and C, and produced three phospho-specific and three non-phospho-specific rabbit polyclonal CagA antibodies. These antibodies specifically recognized the corresponding phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated EPIYA-motifs, while the EPIYA-C antibodies also recognized the related East-Asian EPIYA-D motif. Otherwise, no cross-reactivity of the antibodies among EPIYAs was observed. Western blotting demonstrated that each EPIYA-motif can be predominantly phosphorylated during H. pylori infection. This represents the first complete set of phospho-specific antibodies for an effector protein in bacteria, providing useful tools to gather information for the categorization of CagA phosphorylation, cancer signaling, and gastric disease progression.
Project description:The formation of biogenic materials requires the interaction of organic molecules with the mineral phase. In forming enamel, the amelogenin proteins contribute to the mineralization of hydroxyapatite (HAp). Leucine-rich amelogenin protein (LRAP) is a naturally occurring splice variant of amelogenin that comprises amelogenin's predicted HAp binding domains. We determined the partial structure of phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated LRAP variants bound to HAp using combined solid-state NMR (ssNMR) and ssNMR-biased computational structure prediction. New ssNMR measurements in the N-terminus indicate a largely extended structure for both variants, though some measurements are consistent with a partially helical N-terminal segment. The N-terminus of the phosphorylated variant is found to be consistently closer to the HAp surface than the non-phosphorylated variant. Structure prediction was biased using 21 ssNMR measurements in the N- and C-terminus at five HAp crystal faces. The predicted fold of LRAP is similar at all HAp faces studied, regardless of phosphorylation. Largely consistent with experimental observations, LRAP's predicted structure is relatively extended with a helix-turn-helix motif in the N-terminal domain and some helix in the C-terminal domain, and the N-terminal domain of the phosphorylated variant binds HAp more closely than the N-terminal domain of the non-phosphorylated variant. Predictions for both variants show some potential binding specificity for the {010} HAp crystal face, providing further support that amelogenins block crystal growth on the a and b faces to allow elongated crystals in the c-axis.