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B Mach

Publications and source records attributed to B Mach.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Two forms of the Ia antigen-associated invariant chain result from alternative initiations at two in-phase AUGs.

The Ia antigen-associated invariant chain (In) exists in humans as two major related forms, p33 and p35. The mRNA for In contains two in-phase AUGs, at positions 8 and 56 from the cap site. Cells transfected with a full-length cDNA clone in an expression vector synthesize both p33 and p35. Cell-free translation of mRNA synthesized in vitro from cDNA also produces both forms. When the first ATG is deleted from the cDNA clone, only the smallest form of In is produced. Mutations introduced at the second ATG lead to synthesis of the large form only. The alternative use of two in-phase AUGs on a unique mRNA is thus responsible for the synthesis of p33 and p35. This is the first documented example of such a mechanism in nonviral systems.

HLA-D Antigens

Cell surface expression of class II histocompatibility antigens occurs in the absence of the invariant chain.

The invariant chain is a glycoprotein transiently associated with the alpha and beta subunits of class II antigens of the major histocompatibility complex during their transport to the cell surface. An expression assay with cDNA clones transfected into simian COS cells was used to test whether the invariant chain is required for assembly and transport of human class II antigens. COS cells do not express detectable levels of RNA from the endogenous invariant chain gene. Cell surface expression of the DP, DQ, and DR antigens was observed in COS cells transfected with the respective alpha and beta chain cDNA clones. Analysis of RNA from the transfected cells showed that the human genes were transcribed in COS cells and that the endogenous simian class II and invariant chain genes were not induced. Cotransfections with an invariant chain cDNA clone did not alter the levels of class II antigens at the cell surface. Biosynthetic labeling and immunoprecipitation demonstrated that the invariant chain cDNA was expressed into a protein which associated with DR alpha and beta chains. Efficient expression of DR antigen in absence of invariant chain was also observed at the surface of a human fibroblast line stably transfected with DR alpha and beta cDNA. This study demonstrates that expression of all three human class II antigens can be achieved with cDNAs cloned in expression vectors. Furthermore, cell surface expression of class II major histocompatibility complex antigens can occur in absence of invariant chain. The postulated role of the invariant chain in class II antigen transport to the cell surface must be reevaluated. The invariant chain may rather be involved in functional properties of class II molecules such as antigen presentation.

Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte

Immunochemical analysis of a cell transfected with an HLA-DR gene reveals a new alloantigenic specificity within HLA-DRw52.

The HLA-DR antigen has been prepared from the surface of a mouse fibroblast cell line transfected with a single HLA-DR beta-chain gene as well as single HLA-DR alpha and invariant chain gene. Since the HLA-DR beta chain gene studied corresponds to the DR beta III locus, the DR serological specificities detected on the transformed cells can be assigned to this locus. The use of the HLA-DR-producing mouse cell line has led to the identification of a new serological specificity included within DRw52 and associated with some DR3, some DRw6 and all DR5 haplotypes studied. Most likely this new specificity corresponds to an allelic polymorphism at the DR beta III locus of DRw52 individuals and can serve as a new serological marker for this subset of DR3, DR5 and DRw6 haplotypes.

Alleles

High-resolution analysis of the human HLA-DR polymorphism by hybridization with sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes.

The human major histocompatibility complex class II antigens of the HLA-D are highly polymorphic, surface proteins essential in the cellular interactions necessary for an immune response. The analysis of this polymorphism is crucial for (i) histocompatibility matching for transplantation and (ii) understanding the association between HLA-D and certain important diseases. The polymorphism of certain HLA-D haplotypes may escape detection by current methodologies. Analysis at the genomic level of the polymorphism of one of the HLA-D subregions HLA-DR, using oligonucleotide probes specific for the polymorphic regions, is capable of distinguishing single nucleotide differences. The DRw6 haplotype was analyzed in view of the lack of DRw6 specific sera. On the basis of nucleotide sequence analysis, the DRw6 haplotype consists of at least two subtypes. When analyzed with oligonucleotide probes, this split identifies new polymorphic groups that differ from the DRw6 serological subgroups.

DNA Restriction Enzymes

Serological and immunochemical analysis of the products of a single HLA DR-alpha and DR-beta chain gene expressed in a mouse cell line after DNA-mediated cotransformation reveals that the beta chain carries a known supertypic specificity.

Using a mouse cell line transformed with and expressing a single HLA DR-alpha and DR-beta chain gene, we present evidence that the product of the DR-beta chain gene carries a supertypic determinant, BR3, previously defined by serology. The amino acid sequence of this beta chain gene is determined from the DNA sequence. Another DR-associated supertypic specificity defined by monoclonal antibody MCS7 was not encoded by this DR-beta chain gene. This provides formal proof that a supertypic specificity can be associated with a product of a distinct DR-beta locus. We propose that haplotypes sharing such specificities are evolutionarily related.

Amino Acid Sequence

Deletion mapping of HLA and chromosome 6p genes.

We have analyzed a set of heterozygous mutants with deletions that encompass parts of HLA and surrounding regions of chromosome 6p. By a combination of Southern blotting, serologic, enzymatic, and cytogenetic analyses, we have ordered eight independent deletion break points into a sequence that divides chromosome 6p into six regions. The deletion mutants have been used in conjunction with the Southern blot technique to map HLA and other 6p gene probes into those regions. On the basis of these and other data we propose a genetic and physical map of HLA and surrounding regions of chromosome 6p. We find that for HLA probes, most of which hybridize with more than one gene, the multiple copies recognized by single probes map to single regions. Any chromosome 6p gene can now be regionally mapped by using these mutants.

Chromosome Deletion

Linkage map of three HLA-DR beta-chain genes: evidence for a recent duplication event.

The predominant class II, or Ia, antigen of the human major histocompatibility complex is HLA-DR. It consists of an alpha and a beta chain, the latter being responsible for the remarkable polymorphism of these Ia antigens. Studies with cloned genes had shown the existence of more than one DR beta-chain locus. We have isolated about 100 kilobases of the HLA-DR beta-chain gene region from a cosmid library generated from a consanguineous homozygous B-cell line of the DR3 haplotype. Three HLA-DR beta-chain genes have been characterized. They are arranged in a head-to-tail orientation. One of the genes lacks the region encoding the first domain of the DR beta chain. The two other genes are transcribed, as shown by RNA blot hybridization analysis. A striking restriction site homology has been found within the DR beta-chain gene cluster, suggesting a recent duplication event involving at least 25 kilobases of DNA. Moreover, the molecular map of DR beta chain genes cloned from B-cell lines of two other HLA-DR haplotypes shows extensive homology between alleles of a given DR beta-chain locus.

B-Lymphocytes

A defect in the regulation of major histocompatibility complex class II gene expression in human HLA-DR negative lymphocytes from patients with combined immunodeficiency syndrome.

Patients with an autosomal recessive combined immunodeficiency are characterized by an HLA negative phenotype of activated T and B lymphocytes. To determine the molecular basis of this syndrome we have studied the biosynthesis of class I and II antigens and the expression of relevant genes in these patients. The synthesis of the HLA A, B, and C heavy chain is markedly decreased, while beta 2 microglobulin is made in normal amounts. Biosynthesis of HLA-DR alpha-chain and beta-chain is abolished in the lymphocytes of these patients and there is a total absence of mRNA for either alpha-chains or beta-chains of HLA-DR. This indicates that the lack of class II antigen on these lymphocytes results from a block in the expression of HLA-DR genes. The Ii-chain, the invariant polypeptide associated intracellularly with HLA-DR, and its mRNA are made in normal amounts. Since the structural genes coding for class II polypeptides do not seem to be affected, the reported genetic defect in the patients concerns the regulation of the expression of HLA-DR genes.

Antigens, Surface

Transcriptional regulation of HLA class II and invariant chain genes.

Class II (Ia) antigens are coded for by a family of genes located in the human MHC (HLA). These genes are regulated in a complex manner, being constitutively expressed, inducibly expressed, or not expressed, depending on the cell type examined. 6.1.6 is a variant of a normal B lymphoblastoid line that has lost expression of all class II molecules and has previously been shown to have a defect in the regulation of class II genes. In this report, we have examined those genes by Southern and Northern blotting and have found that 6.1.6 is severely deficient in mRNA for all class II genes examined, although the genes are structurally intact. P30, a partial revertant of 6.1.6, re-expresses mRNA for a subset of class II genes. mRNA for the class II-associated invariant chain is substantially reduced but not absent in 6.1.6.

Genes

Recombination within the HLA-D region. Correlation of molecular genotyping with functional data.

Molecular genotyping of the HLA-D/DR region in a family correlated with serologic and cellular typing data. It was further possible to predict a subtle difference in SB region-related functions from such molecular studies. A family that included an individual who inherited an HLA haplotype with a paternal recombination between HLA-B and the HLA-D/DR region was identified by classic HLA typing techniques. Segregation of HLA-D/DR region genes in this family was studied by Southern blot analysis using cDNA probes for DR alpha, DR beta, DC alpha, DC beta, and SB beta. Restriction enzyme fragment polymorphisms observed for every gene tested were in concordance with assigned HLA haplotypes (including the individual known to have inherited a paternal recombinant haplotype) with one exception: two HLA identical siblings were observed to have different SB beta restriction fragment patterns. Further testing revealed that one individual inherited a maternal HLA haplotype recombinant between the HLA-D/DR region and SB beta. Although both maternal SB alleles typed as SB4, allelic differences could be detected cellularly by primed lymphocytes and by the differential expression of a class II cell surface antigen using monoclonal antibody. Therefore, predicted and nonpredicted recombinant haplotypes were detected in a family by molecular genotyping.

DNA Restriction Enzymes

Induction of human interleukin 1 mRNA measured by collagenase- and prostaglandin E2-stimulating activity in rheumatoid synovial cells.

Human blood peripheral monocyte/macrophages release in culture a mononuclear cell factor (MCF) which stimulates the production of collagenase and prostaglandin E2 by human rheumatoid synovial cells and dermal fibroblasts. These two products play a role in connective tissue destruction. MCF has an apparent molecular weight of approximately 15 000 and is biologically and biochemically indistinguishable from interleukin 1. MCF therefore belongs to the well-documented nonimmune biological activities attributed to interleukin 1. Studies on the mechanisms of production and action of such monokine(s) have been difficult in view of the minute quantities produced by freshly isolated cells or from human monocytic lines. Starting from lectin-stimulated human blood mononuclear cells, we have isolated poly(A)+ RNA and studied its translation following microinjection into Xenopus laevis oocytes. The mRNA translation products stimulated collagenase and prostaglandin E2 production in human rheumatoid synovial cells and dermal fibroblasts. The size of MCF-mRNA was estimated to be 10 S. The mRNA of a member of the interleukin 1 family can now be studied in a system based on a specific and direct relevant biological assay and eventually compared with those of other monokines.

Animals

The complete sequence of the mRNA for the HLA-DR-associated invariant chain reveals a polypeptide with an unusual transmembrane polarity.

A non-polymorphic polypeptide is associated intracellularly with the alpha and beta chains of murine Ia antigens and of human HLA-DR antigens. The exact role and the structure of this invariant chain have not been determined so far. A cDNA clone encoding the 33 000 dalton human invariant chain has been isolated. The nucleotide sequence of a near full-length cDNA clone, together with the sequence of the 5' portion of the mRNA determined by primer-extension, are reported here. The protein structure deduced from that sequence shows an unusual feature: the presence of a hydrophobic transmembrane region near the NH2 terminus, and of two glycosylation sites near the middle, indicates that the invariant chain has a polarity of membrane insertion which is inverted relative to histocompatibility antigens and most transmembrane proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence

Identification and expression in Escherichia coli of merozoite stage-specific genes of the human malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

The key steps in the development of a malaria vaccine through gene cloning are the identification of the proteins involved in host protective immunity and the cloning, identification, and expression of the genes coding for these proteins. Recent data have indicated that certain proteins synthesized at the late schizont-merozoite stage of Plasmodium falciparum play a major role in malaria immunity. This paper reports the identification, in a cDNA library, of recombinant clones corresponding to genes expressed specifically during the late schizont-merozoite stage of P. falciparum development. The 132 cDNA clones thus identified out of 10,000 were found to correspond to only 12 different genes, probably representing most of the major schizont-merozoite specific genes. The stage-specific cDNAs can be efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli cells. The protein products of some of these clones are recognized by monoclonal antibodies specific for late schizont-merozoite proteins. We conclude that only a small set of genes is specifically induced in the schizont-merozoite stage and that the stage-specific cDNA clones we have isolated are very likely to include the genes coding for the immunologically relevant proteins of P. falciparum.

Animals

Molecular organization of the HLA-SB region of the human major histocompatibility complex and evidence for two SB beta-chain genes.

The class II products of the major histocompatibility complex, also called Ia antigens, are composed of two polypeptide chains, the alpha and beta chains, both encoded within the major histocompatibility complex. In man, the class II antigens can be divided into three biochemically distinct groups called HLA-DR, HLA-DC, and HLA-SB. Our isolation of cDNA clones for the polymorphic beta chain of HLA-DR and HLA-DC has allowed us to study the organization of the class II genes. Here we identify the HLA-SB beta-chain gene in recombinant clones from a cosmid library generated from a consanguineous homozygous B-cell line. The SB beta-chain gene is linked to the SB alpha-chain gene and the two genes are in opposite orientation. A second SB beta-chain gene, corresponding to a new SB beta II locus, has also been identified and cloned. The SB beta-chain genes show much less allelic restriction site polymorphism than the genes for the beta chains of HLA-DR or HLA-DC.

Amino Acid Sequence