Expression and activity of N‐myristoyl transferase in normal and inflamed lungs

• Published in: The FASEB journal 2007-04, Vol.21 (5), p.A9-A9
• Main Authors: Singh, Baljit, Mohr, Ryan, Janardhan, Kyathanahalli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0892-6638; 1530-6860
• DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.A9-b

N‐myristoyl transferase (NMT) attaches a 14 carbon fatty acid, myristic acid, to the N‐terminal glycine residue of proteins. Myristoylated proteins play critical roles in protein‐protein interactions, cell signaling, cellular transformation and oncogenesis. Although expression of NMT has been described in colorectal carcinoma, its expression and roles in inflammation are largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated the expression and activity of NMT in lung inflammation induced with intratracheal instillation of M. hemolytica. Immunohistochemistry revealed mild staining for NMT in the septum, vascular endothelium and the epithelium in the lungs from control as well as infected calves. NMT expression was intense in some of the inflammatory cells especially neutrophils in the necrotic areas in the inflamed lungs. Immuno‐electron microscopy localized NMT in cytoplasm and nuclei of micro‐ and macrovascular endothelium, pulmonary intravascular macrophages and airway epithelium. Western blots revealed a band of approximately 48kDa for NMT in both the infected and control animals. Further, we examined enzyme activity of NMT and found it to be lower in inflamed lungs compared to the normal (P