Purification and further characterization of macrophage 70-kDa protein, a calcium-regulated, actin-binding protein identical to L-plastin.

We have previously identified a macrophage 70-kDa, actin-bundling protein as a constituent of actin-based cytoplasmic gel and showed that its association with or dissociation from cytoplasmic gels was remarkably affected by submicromolar calcium. In this study, we purified the 70-kDa protein from soluble cytosolic extracts and carried out a more detailed characterization. The amino acid sequences of four peptidic fragments, obtained from the purified protein by enzymatic or chemical cleavage, were completely or nearly identical to those of L-plastin, a protein initially identified in transformed cells from solid tumors (Goldstein & Leavitt, 1985). By Western blot analysis of normal cells and tissues using specific anti-70-kDa protein antibodies, the 70-kDa molecule was detected only in hematopoietic cells. The 70-kDa protein bound to actin with apparent Kd values of 1.8 and 5.5 microM in the absence and presence of 20 microM free calcium, respectively. Cross-linking activity measured by falling-ball viscosimetry was optimal at free calcium lower than 0.15 microM but was progressively inhibited at higher calcium concentrations, within the physiological range. Half-maximal inhibition occurred at 1.6 microM free calcium. No severing of actin filaments by the 70-kDa protein was observed in any of these assays or previously (Pacaud & Harricane, 1987). Major conformational changes of the protein, as measured by the fluorescence emission intensity of tyrosine residues, occurred at free calcium concentration ranging between 0.15 and 1.5 microM. Magnesium did not mimic the calcium effect. The results suggest that the 70-kDa protein possesses both high-affinity sites and selectivity for calcium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)