The S100s comprise a group of Ca2+-binding proteins of the EF-hand superfamily with varied functions. Within this family, three inflammatory-related proteins - S100A8, S100A9 and S100A12 - form a subcluster known as the 'calgranulins'. S100A12 levels are elevated in sera from patients with inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. S100A12 is constitutively expressed in neutrophils and induced in monocytes by LPS and TNFα, and in macrophages by IL-6. S100A12 is a potent monocyte and mast cell chemoattractant and its potentiation of mast cell activation by IgE cross-linking indicates an important role in allergic inflammation. Importantly, mast cell-dependent activation of acute inflammatory responses and monocyte recruitment is provoked by S100A12 administration in vivo. S100A12 may also influence adhesion molecule expression on endothelial cells, stimulate IL 1β and TNFinduced in monocytes production in BV 2 microglial cells, and stimulate IL 2 secretion by T lymphocytes via ligation of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE). To date, the only extracellular receptor characterised for S100A12 is RAGE, although additional/alternate receptors are indicated. In particular, recent studies indicate that chemotaxis and mast cell activation by S100A12 are likely mediated by other receptors. The studies presented here investigated some extracellular functions of S100A12, factors influencing these functions and suggest mechanisms that may be involved. In addition to Ca2+, S100A12 binds Zn2+. Chapter 3 explores the relevance Zn2+ binding to S100A12 structure and function. Zn2+ induced formation of complexes, principally hexamers, and this was not influenced by Ca2+. S100A12 inhibited the gelatinolytic activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and 9 by chelating Zn2+ from their active sites. MMPs are important in processes leading to plaque rupture. An antibody that specifically recognised Zn2+-induced complexes was generated and immunohistochemical studies demonstrated S100A12, the hexameric complex, and MMP 2 and 9 co-localisation in human atheroma. These results suggest that hexameric S100A12 may form in vivo and may implicate S100A12 in regulating plaque rupture by inhibiting MMP activity. Interestingly S100A12 synergised with LPS to induce MMP 3 and 13 expression in vitamin D3-differentiated THP 1 macrophages (THP 1 macs). S100A12 regulation of MMP expression and activity indicates that it may be involved in a self-regulatory loop, which depends on relative levels of Zn2+ and on other stimuli (eg LPS) in the inflammatory milieu. Chapter 4 describes the development of tools and methods for assessing interactions of S100A12 with cell surface receptors. To assay surface binding, an alkaline phosphatase fusion protein, a biotinylated hinge peptide and biotinylated recombinant S100A12 were generated; only S100A12 b proved useful. Surface binding of S100A12 was detected on several monocytoid/macrophage and mast cells using flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. Some cells contained intracytoplasmic granular structures that were S100A12-positive. Unexpectedly, a subpopulation of cells in murine bone marrow-derived mast cell cultures that expressed low levels of c-kit, a marker of mature mast cells, bound high levels of S100A12. These may represent haematopoietic stem cells, which express low levels of c kit, and S100A12-mediated functional changes of these cells is worthy of characterisation. Unlike interactions of S100A8/A9 with endothelial cells, pre-incubation of S100A12 with Zn2+ or heparin had no effect on surface binding to THP 1 macs, indicating that Zn2+-induced structural changes were unlikely to alter receptor interactions. Heparan sulfate moieties are unlikely to mediate surface binding of S100A12 even though S100A12 bound heparin with relatively high affinity. Chapter 5 focussed on mechanisms involved in some S100A12 extracellular functions. Based on experiments studying effects of bovine S100A12 on BV-2 murine microglial cells, S100A12 is proposed to induce pro-inflammatory cytokine in monocytes via RAGE. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells or human THP 1 macs activated with S100A12 did not increase cytokine induction at the mRNA or protein levels, indicating that the 'S100/RAGE pro-inflammatory axis' theory should be re-evaluated. In an attempt to provide insights into a novel receptor, mechanisms involved in S100A12-provoked THP 1 chemotaxis were investigated. This activity was sensitive to pertussis toxin, but not to an ERK1/2 pathway inhibitor, suggesting involvement of a G protein-coupled receptor. Although some RAGE ligands also bind and activate Toll-like receptors (TLRs) antibodies to TLR2 and TLR4 did not block S100A12 binding to THP 1 macs. Affinity enrichment and separation of proteins by SDS PAGE and peptide mapping by mass spectrometry identified the α and γ subunits of F1 ATP synthase, implicating ATP synthase as a putative receptor. Although primarily mitochondrial, this complex is expressed on the surface of several cell types and was confirmed on THP 1 cells and mast cells by flow cytometry. By modulating surface F1 ATP synthase activity, and thereby extracellular ATP/ADP concentrations, S100A12 may mediate its pro-inflammatory functions through G-protein coupled purinergic receptors. This work has generated new directions for studying mechanisms by which S100A12 influences monocyte/macrophage and mast cell functions that are relevant to important inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis and allergic inflammation.

The serotonin receptor 2A (5-HT₂[A]) is a member of the G-protein coupled receptor family and is of interest due to its role in physiological functions such as smooth muscle contraction, platelet aggregation, thermoregulation, learning and memory. More importantly, 5-HT₂[A] has also been implicated in CNS disorders including schizophrenia, depression and anxiety. A yeast two-hybrid screen had previously been carried out to identify proteins that interacted with 5-HT₂[A] and therefore may modulate intracellular function. The cytoskeletal actin-binding protein filamin-C was identified as a possible 5-HT₂[A] interacting partner. The aim of the research in this thesis was to further investigate the potential interaction between 5-HT₂[A] and filamin-C and to investigate functional roles for the interaction. A fragment of human filamin-C, aa 2162-2725, was shown to interact with the C-terminus of human 5-HT₂[A] using two in vitro techniques, the yeast-two hybrid system and a GST capture assay. The region of filamin-C needed to bind to 5-HT₂[A] was narrowed to the start of repeat 20, aa 2251, through to aa 2424 at the beginning of repeat 22 and comprises 182 residues. The 5-HT₂[A] region needed to bind to filamin-C was ascertained via yeast two-hybrid to be 31 amino acids between 394-423. Work was performed to determine whether FLNC mRNA was expressed in neural and glial cells and whether FLNC and HTR2A mRNA were co-expressed in any cells. FLNC mRNA was identified in seven out of eight neural and glial cell lines and western blot analysis confirmed this finding at the protein level. Two cell lines, U-118MG and A172, were found to contain both HTR2A and FLNC mRNA. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed endogenous filamin-C bound to endogenous 5-HT₂[A] and this complex could be precipitated using anti-filamin-C antibody. Additionally, a GST-5-HT₂[A] fusion complex was found to bind to endogenous filamin-C from U-118MG cells. Immunofluorescent labelling of cells was used to study filamin-C and 5-HT₂[A] proteins in vivo. U-118MG cells showed staining for 5-HT₂[A] around the membrane of the cell, as well as in the cytoplasm, whereas filamin-C staining occurred in the cytoplasm. Co-localisation analysis identified some areas of overlap between 5-HT₂[A] and filamin-C in the cytoplasm of U-118MG cells. The functional role for the 5-HT₂[A]/filamin-C colocalisation was investigated. It was postulated that filamin-C may be involved in the internalisation of 5-HT₂[A]. To test this hypothesis, an in vivo model system was used to investigate whether disruption of the filamin-C/5-HT₂[A] interaction affects internalisation of the receptor. The key preliminary findings of this study, which used expression of a competitor peptide, to disrupt and co-interact, suggested that the filamin-C/5-HT₂[A] interaction is not essential for the internalisation of receptors in response to ligand binding. However, this interaction was important for delivery or maintenance of 5-HT₂[A] to the cell membrane, and expression of the competing peptide caused an accumulation of cytoplasmic 5-HT₂[A].

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is a key regulator of salt homeostasis. The classic ENaC consists of three subunits: α, β and γ, which are highly expressed in the kidney and colon where they mediate electrogenic Na⁺ influx into cells under the tight hormonal regulation of aldosterone. A fourth ENaC subunit named [delta]ENaC also generates Na⁺ influx with the β- and γENaC subunits in Xenopus oocytes. However [delta]ENaC differs to the other subunits in its channel properties and tissue distribution, suggesting that [delta]ENaC may possess a physiological role other than salt regulation. A copper-toxicosis related protein called COMMD1/Murr1 was previously identified to directly interact with [delta]ENaC and downregulate [delta]ENaC activity. COMMD1 is linked with multiple ubiquitination pathways, therefore we hypothesised that COMMD1 directly interacts with [delta]ENaC through novel protein-protein interaction motifs and promotes internalisation of [delta]ENaC from the cell surface through enhanced ubiquitination. With the use of GST pulldown assays and coimmunoprecipitation, it was found that the binding of COMMD1 to [delta]ENaC is mediated by the COMM domain of COMMD1, primarily through amino acids 120-150 of COMMD1. Immunocytochemical studies showed that the intracellular interaction between [delta]ENaC and COMMD1 predominantly occurred in the early and recycling endosomes, suggesting that COMMD1 may promote the retrieval of [delta]ENaC from the cell surface to the intracellular pool. COMMD1 mediated a decrease in the [delta]ENaC cell surface population, as shown by a biotinylation surface labelling assay. This may be driven by an ubiquitin-regulated endocytosis, as COMMD1 increased ubiquitination, but not proteasomal/lysosomal degradation, of [delta]ENaC. COMMD1 may promote [delta]ENaC ubiquitination through the action of the ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-2 as coexpression with Nedd4-2 enhanced the COMMD1-mediated decrease in surface [delta]ENaC expression. This is abolished by the addition of the Nedd4-2 downregulator kinase sgk1, suggesting that COMMD1 may downregulate [delta]ENaC through the Nedd4-2/sgk1 pathway. Surface levels of [delta]ENaC may also be affected by XIAP, a RING domain ubiquitin ligase which is able to decrease the levels of COMMD1. Coimmunoprecipitation of endogenous [delta]ENaC and COMMD1 proteins, and the enhanced colocalisation of endogenous [delta]ENaC in the recycling endosomes with transfected COMMD1, indicate that interaction between transfected [delta]ENaC and COMMD1 reflect the intracellular interactions of the endogenous proteins. Taken together, these findings suggest that COMMD1 downregulates [delta]ENaC activity by promoting the internalisation of surface [delta]ENaC into early and recycling endosomes and this may be mediated by enhanced [delta]ENaC ubiquitination via the ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-2.

Consists of offprints of the author's articles / Includes bibliographies / 1 v. (various pagings) : / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (D. Sc.)--University of Adelaide, 1986

Bibliography: leaves [133]-151.

Includes bibliographical references. / 1 v. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Biochemistry, 1991

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, December 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 103-114).

Neurofilament proteins are intermediate filaments found in the neuronal cytoskeleton. Phosphorylation of these proteins is considered important for the assembly and stability of the filaments. Accurate molecular weights have been difficult to measure, largely because the high degree of phosphorylation results in M[subscript r]'S that are significantly greater than dictated by their putative sequences. Mass spectrometry has now been used to measure the molecular weights of all three bovine neurofilament proteins, NF-L, NF-M and NF-H, which are 62 kDa, 105 kDa and 125 kDa, respectively. Peptide mapping resulted in the elucidation of many phosphorylation sites in NF-L and NF-M. Sixteen serines and four threonines within the C-terminal tail domain of NF-M were found to be phosphorylated. Ten of these are within the lysineserine- proline (KSP) motif, and two are in the variant motif, glutamic acid-serine-proline (ESP). In addition six phosphorylation sites, Ser-136, 163, 241, 242, and Thr-139, and 184 were identified in the rod domain of NF-M. Phosphorylation sites identified in NF-L include four serines in the head domain, and one serine in the C-terminal domain. Digests analyzed by LC-ESI mass spectrometry combined with database searching resulted in 88.5% sequence coverage of NF-M, 79.2% of NF-L and 38.4% of NF-H. Alkylation of NF-L, NF-M, and NF-H using a known neurotoxin, 2,5-hexanedione resulted in complicated spectra due to crosslinked peptides. Presently, software limitations have prevented complete identification of these peptides or alkylation products. / Graduation date: 2003

The goals of this research were to a) characterize the protein-function relationships of skeletal muscle single fibers from the mouse hindlimb b) examine mouse-strain related differences in myosin heavy chain composition (MHC) and single fiber contractile function, and c) quantify changes in fiber size and contractile function in response to 7 days of non-weight bearing. This research is significant because mechanistic approaches to understanding relationships between muscle protein expression, contractile function, and mechanical loading will likely benefit from a transition from the traditional laboratory rat to genetically modified mouse models. The methods used in this research feature an in vitro skinned-fiber preparation and single-fiber gel electrophoresis. Hindlimb muscles of mice were excised, and dissected into smaller bundles from which single muscle fibers were isolated. Single fibers were placed in skinning solution that permeabilized the fiber's membrane. The ends of skinned single muscle segments were attached to stainless steel troughs, which were connected to an isometric force transducer and a direct-current position motor. This system allowed the measurement of the fiber's cross-sectional area (CSA), peak isometric force (P���), and unloaded maximal shortening velocity (V���) during maximal Ca�����-activating. The identification of the fiber's MHC content was subsequently achieved by electrophoresis of a sample of each fiber segment. The results showed that the C57BL/6 mouse soleus muscle contains a MHC composition (20% type I) that is dramatically different than the ICR and CBA/J mouse strains (50% type I, respectively). Type I fibers from the C57BL/6 mouse had V��� that was 25% lower than type I fibers from ICR and CBA/J mice. Following 7 days of hindlimb suspension (HS) all strains experienced significant soleus muscle and single-fiber atrophy and decreases in the absolute and specific (force/fiber CSA) of type I and II fibers. However, type I fibers from C57BL/6 mice showed no change in V��� whereas type I fibers from ICR and CBA/J showed increased V���. In conclusion, this research demonstrates that unlike the rat and human models of non-weight bearing, mouse soleus type I and II fibers are equally affected by HS with respect to decreases in fiber CSA and force. However, type I fiber V��� was elevated only in mouse strains with solei containing at least 50% type I MHC. These findings challenge the current view that non-weight bearing affects slow fibers more than fast fibers, and suggests that changes in single fiber contractile function with HS may be influenced in part by the MHC distribution of the muscle. / Graduation date: 2003

��-catenin is a multi functional protein that is involved in cell-cell adhesion and cell signaling. In non-stimulated cells, ��-catenin is tightly down-regulated by GSK-3��-dependent phosphorylation at Ser and Thr residues, followed by rapid ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. It is well established that mutations within the regulatory GSK-3�� region lead to stabilized ��-catenin and constitutive ��-catenin/TCF-dependent gene activation. Furthermore, it has been shown that amino acids adjacent to codon 33, namely 32 and 34 of ��-catenin, are hotspots for substitution mutations in carcinogen-induced animal tumors. Thus, a major hypothesis of this thesis was that substitution mutations at codon 32 of ��-catenin interfere with phosphorylation and ubiquitination of ��-catenin. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to create defined ��-catenin mutants, namely D32G, D32N, and D32Y. The signaling potential of various ��-catenin was analyzed in a gene reporter assay by co-transfection with a hTcf cDNA with a reporter plasmid containing a Tcf-dependent promoter (TOPFlash). There was a significant enhancement of the reporter gene activity with all ��-catenin mutants compared to WT ��-catenin after 48 hours of transfection. Protein analysis by Western blotting showed massive accumulation of mutant ��-catenin. Antibody specific for phosphorylated ��-catenin showed that the accumulated D32G and D32N ��-catenin proteins were strongly phosphorylated both in vivo and in vitro, whereas D32Y ��-catenin exhibited significantly attenuated phosphorylation in vivo. Further studies showed, however, that none of the mutants was sufficiently ubiquitinated. In addition, inhibition of the proteasome activity by ALLN was associated with accumulation of cytosolic ��-catenin, which was transcriptionally inactive. This suppression of ��-catenin transcriptional capacity was independent of ALLN-associated apoptosis in the transfected cells. Furthermore, exogenous ��-catenin mediated modest cell survival and rendered cells sensitive to apoptotic stimuli. Thus, although codon 32 of ��-catenin is not a direct target for phosphorylation, results from this thesis suggested that it affects the phosphorylation and ubiquitination of the adjacent Ser-33 residue of ��-catenin, which is a direct target of GSK-3��. In addition, these results showed for the first time that the phosphorylation step of ��-catenin is not enough to regulate transcriptional activity, and that ��-catenin still needs to be ubiquitinated for successful down-regulation. / Graduation date: 2003