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Ca/sup 2 +/-dependent proteolytic activity in crab claw muscle: effects of inhibitors and specificity for myofibrillar proteins

Journal Article · · J. Biol. Chem.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6472580

The claw closer muscle of the Bermuda land crab, Gecarcinus lateralis, undergoes a sequential atrophy and restoration during each molting cycle. The role of Ca/sup 2 +/-dependent proteinases in the turn-over of myofibrillar protein in normal anecdysial (intermolt) claw muscle is described. Crab Ca/sup 2 +/-dependent proteinase degrades the myofibrillar proteins actin, myosin heavy and light chains, paramyosin, tropomyosin, and troponin-T and -I. Ca/sup 2 +/-dependent proteinase activity in whole homogenates and 90,000 x g supernatant fractions from muscle homogenates has been characterized with respect to Ca/sup 2 +/ requirement, substrate specificity, and effects of proteinase inhibitors. The enzyme is inhibited by antipain, leupeptin, E-64, and iodoacetamide; it is insensitive to pepstatin A. The specificity of crab Ca/sup 2 +/-dependent proteinase was examined with native myosin with normal ATPase activity as well as with radioiodinated myosin and radioiodinated hemolymph proteins. Hydrolysis of /sup 125/I-myosin occurs in two phases, both Ca/sup 2 +/-dependent: (1) heavy chain (M/sub r/ = 200,000) is cleaved into four large fragments (M/sub r/ = 160,000, 110,000, 73,000, 60,000) and numerous smaller fragments; light chain (M/sub r/ = 18,000) is cleaved to a 15,000-Da fragment; (2) the fragments produced in the first phase are hydrolyzed to acid-soluble material. Although radioiodinated native hemolymph proteins are not susceptible to the Ca/sup 2 +/-dependent proteinase, those denatured by carboxymethylation are degraded. These data suggest that crab Ca/sup 2 +/-dependent proteinase is involved in turnover of myofibrillar protein in normal muscle and muscle undergoing proecdysial atrophy.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
6472580
Journal Information:
J. Biol. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Biol. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 258:17; ISSN JBCHA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English