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Biomedical subjects

D V Renouf

Publications and source records attributed to D V Renouf.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Analysis of pigeon intestinal mucin allergens using a novel dot blot assay.

Many glycoproteins contain multiple glycosylation sites that can present multi-valent epitopes for antigenic recognition. Release of the oligosaccharides results in loss of avidity of antibody binding, which has been overcome by reforming clustered ligands, usually by reductive amination of free reducing oligosaccharides to poly-amine groups. We have adapted this approach to hydrazinolytic release of O-linked chains of mucin glycoproteins and 'one-pot' microscale coupling to poly-L-lysine (PLL). The conjugated PLL adheres to nitrocellulose membranes through washing procedures required for antibody or lectin overlay and detection. We show evidence for the applicability of this technique using lectin and antibody reactivity to the oligosaccharides of pigeon intestinal mucins, which have been implicated in the allergic disease pigeon fanciers' lung.

Allergens↗

Conformational studies of the glycopeptide Ac-Tyr-[Man5GlcNAc-beta-(1-->4)GlcNAc-beta-(1-->Ndelta)]-Asn-Leu-Thr-Se r-OBz and the constituent peptide and oligosaccharide.

Glycopeptides of desired structure can be conveniently prepared by the coupling of reducing oligosaccharides to aspartic acid of peptides via their glycosylamines formed in the presence of saturated aqueous ammonium hydrogen carbonate. The resulting oligosaccharide chains are N-linked to asparagine as in natural glycoproteins, allowing different peptide oligosaccharide combinations to be analysed for conformational effects. In the present paper, a pentapeptide of ovalbumin was coupled to Man5GlcNAc2 oligosaccharide and the glycopeptide and the two parent compounds compared by NMR ROESY experiments and molecular dynamics simulations. Despite the small size of the peptide, conformational effects were observed suggestive of the oligosaccharide stabilising the peptide in solution and of the peptide influencing oligosaccharide conformation. These effects are relevant to the function of glycosylation and the enzymic processing of oligosaccharide chains.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

Glycosylation of prions and its effects on protein conformation relevant to amino acid mutations.

The three-dimensional coordinates from a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-averaged structure containing residues 121-226 of mouse prion were used as the starting geometry for MD of prion either with or without glycan in both mutant and wild-type forms. The following mutants were studied: Asp-178 to Asn, Thr-183 to Ala, Phe-198 to Ser, Glu-200 to Lys, and Gln-217 to Arg. NMR data vs structural models were compared to observe any major differences. Simulations of the change in protein structure with and without glycan were performed, as they cannot be tested by NMR analysis. Several mutants were expressed and analyzed for altered glycosylation and the results interpreted in terms of molecular modeling. N-linked glycosylation is likely to play an important role in prion biology as shown by visualization of glycoprotein conformation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Microassay analyses of protein glycosylation.

To accurately characterize the carbohydrate moieties of oligosaccharide chains in glycosylated proteins, it is necessary to distinguish exactly which types of oligosaccharides are present at which site. We describe lectin overlay assays, which take advantage of the ability of lectins to distinguish between different types of glycoproteins via recognition of terminal sugars, thus allowing the chain type and peripheral antigenic components to be determined. Three microassays involving lectins are reported in this paper: non-protease-treated intact glycoproteins; glycopeptides released by prior digestion of the glycoprotein and then separated by HPLC; and release of sugars from glycoproteins by hydrazinolysis and then coupling them to a multivalent support.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Glycosylation of immunoglobulin light chains associated with amyloidosis.

AL amyloidosis is a fatal disease caused by deposition of immunoglobulin light chains in a fibrillarforin (AL) in various organs. By searching the Kabat database of immunoglobulin sequences using the KabatMan software, we have shown that there is a preponderance of the consensus glycosylation sequon (AsnXxxSer/Thr) in the framework regions of amyloid light chains. We have characterised by computer graphics simulations, NMR spectroscopy and carbohydrate biochemistry the structure and conformation of the oligosaccharide from amyloid protein AL MS (lamba1) and from the amyloid associated Bence Jones protein of patient MH (kappa1). These proteins have glycosylation in the hypervariable complementarity-determining region versus framework region, respectively. Both contained a 2-6 sialylated core fucosylated biantennary chain mostly with bisecting GIcNAc. Together our results suggest that light chain glycosylation may be one of several modifications which may render the protein more prone to amyloid formation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Specificity studies of an antibody developed against a mucin-type glycoprotein.

The specificity of a new anti-epiglycanin antibody (AE-3) which recognizes a mucin-type glycoprotein, the Human Carcinoma Antigen, found in the blood of patients with carcinomas, was studied. Information regarding the chemical nature of the antibody binding site was obtained by altering the structure of epiglycanin by chemical or enzymic means and testing the product in a competitive binding assay for inhibition of the binding of AE-3 to epiglycanin. The need for a high molecular weight antigen containing clustered T disaccharide, Gal,1-3GalNAc, was demonstrated. The specificity was further explored by inhibition studies with glycopeptides having one to three mono- to disaccharides. The results were interpreted using computer graphics molecular modeling which predicted the specific recognition of hydroxyl groups on oligosaccharides on adjacent amino acids. Thus T antigen O-linked glycopeptide tumour markers can be designed to be distinguished by antibodies by the amount of clustering of their oligosaccharides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

O-linked protein glycosylation structure and function.

There has been a recent resurgence of interest in the post-translational modification of serine and threonine hydroxyl groups by glycosylation, because the resulting O-linked oligosaccharide chains tend to be clustered over short stretches of peptide and hence they can present multivalent carbohydrate antigenic or functional determinants for antibody recognition, mammalian cell adhesion and microorganism binding. Co-operativity can greatly increase the affinity of interactions with antibodies or carbohydrate binding proteins. Thus, in addition to their known importance in bearing tumour associated antigens in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, glycoproteins with O-linked chains have been implicated as ligands or co-receptors for selectins (mammalian carbohydrate binding proteins). Microorganisms may have adopted similar mechanisms for interactions with mammalian cells in infection, by having relatively low affinity ligands (adhesins) for carbohydrate binding, which may bind with higher affinity due to the multivalency of the host ligand and which are complemented by other virulence factors such as interactions with integrin-type molecules. In addition to specific adhesion signals from O-linked carbohydrate chains, multivalent O-glycosylation is involved in determining protein conformation and forming conjugate oligosaccharide-protein antigenic, and possible functional determinants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of the glycosylation patterns of the extracellular domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary fibroblasts.

The extracellular domain (621 N-terminal amino acids) of the p170 epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor has eleven consensus N-linked glycosylation sites. When expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells this was glycosylated with a combination of high mannose and complex chains. The latter chains were shown by chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric analysis of tryptic digests to be clustered in the EGF-binding domain. Treatment with the endoglycosidase, peptide-N-glycosidase F (PNGase F), reduced the molecular weight from 110 kDa to 75 kDa. Released oligosaccharides were characterised at high sensitivity by high pH anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection and gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The data were consistent with the complex chains being trisialylated tetra-antennary oligosaccharides fucosylated on the reducing terminal GlcNAc. The large hydrodynamic mass of these oligosaccharides could influence ligand binding, an effect which is likely to vary with the difference in consensus glycosylation sites of proteins related to p170 i.e. p185erbB2/neu, p180erbB3 and p180erbB4.

Amidohydrolases↗

Molecular modelling of glycoproteins by homology with non-glycosylated protein domains, computer simulated glycosylation and molecular dynamics.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to visualise glycoproteins by computer graphics molecular modelling in order to research the dynamics of the oligosaccharide chains, determine their affects on protein conformation, antigenicity and function and to characterise oligosaccharide recognition determinants. With respect to the last, the modelling included the sialylpolylactosamine of thymocyte Thy-l and the sialyl Le(x)/Le(a) determinant present on brain Thy-l. METHODS: The following techniques were used: 1) database searching for homologies with non-glycosylated protein domains; 2) protein modelling on the basis of homology and secondary structure prediction techniques; 3) oligosaccharide construction using a simulated annealing approach utilising the AMBER forcefield with appropriate parameters in the Biosyn software environment; 4) creation of glycoprotein conjugates for further investigation by energy minimisation and molecular dynamics. RESULTS: This approach was successful in providing models of Thy-l and the carboxy terminus 27.5 kD of HIV-1 gp 120, by homology with immunoglobulin light chain folds and in one case (Thy-l) adding the oligosaccharide chains, phosphatidylinositol glycan anchor and lipid membrane and, in the other, adding additional highly glycosylated domains, and domains which folded by molecular dynamics. Significant affects on protein conformation were shown in the presence or absence of the lipid anchor and simulated membrane, but not by the N-linked oligosaccharide chains. CONCLUSIONS: The highly glycosylated molecules Thy-l and gp120, which are not expected to crystallise in their native state, were modelled by computer graphics simulated annealing or molecular dynamics from which interactions could be predicted which agree with experimental data on antibody binding and in vitro activity.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

The association of an HPV16 oncogene variant with HLA-B7 has implications for vaccine design in cervical cancer.

HLA-restricted cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) recognition of human papillomavirus (HPV) oncogene products may be important in the control of the HPV infections associated with the development of cervical cancer. We have identified, in HLA-B7 individuals, a consistent variation in the HPV16 E6 oncoprotein sequence, which alters an HLA-B7 peptide binding epitope in a way likely to influence immune recognition by CTLs. These results illustrate a biologically relevant mechanism for escape from immune surveillance of HPV16 in HLA-B7 individuals. Thus, both HLA type and HPV16 strain variation need to be considered in the screening of at-risk individuals and for the rational design of anti-HPV vaccines.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Conformational studies of the backbone (poly-N-acetyllactosamine) and the core region sequences of O-linked carbohydrate chains.

The AMBER forcefield with added carbohydrate specific parameters for potential types, charges and anomericity has been used to explore the conformational space sampled by oligosaccharides of repeating (Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-3)n sequence and those having alpha chain terminating substituents on a Gal beta 1-3GalNAc alpha, O-glycosylated core. The 17 lowest energy forms of the 16-mer N-acetyllactosaminic sequence included fully extended units and spring-like coils with dielectric constant 80 to simulate a water environment. More restricted stereochemistry was exhibited by the glycosylation adjacent to the core as has been previously predicted by n.m.r. studies.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

The molecular defect in a family with mild atypical osteogenesis imperfecta and extreme joint hypermobility: exon skipping caused by an 11-bp deletion from an intron in one COL1A2 allele.

We have investigated a family with an autosomal dominantly inherited connective-tissue defect causing extreme joint hypermobility, premature osteoporosis and late-onset fractures. Analysis of collagenous proteins from affected individuals showed a deletion in some alpha 2(I) chains. Peptide mapping localized this to the CB peptide alpha 2CB4, which covers the N-terminal one-third of the protein chain. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of cDNA derived from this region of the mRNA identified a heterozygous deletion of the 54 bp comprising exon 9. Similar analysis of the genomic DNA revealed an 11-bp deletion from bp3 to bp13 of IVS-9. This disrupts the consensus 5' splice signal (GTAAGT) and leads to exon skipping. In a family study of 13 affected and unaffected family members using both heteroduplex formation and direct analysis for the deletion, all of the affected, but no unaffected individuals, were found to carry the deletion. This generated a positive Lod score of 2.6 with the Liped programme.

Alleles↗

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VII: a single base change that causes exon skipping in the type I collagen alpha 2(I) chain.

We have examined the procollagens and collagens produced by skin fibroblasts from a patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VII. The patient was heterozygous for an abnormal alpha 2(I) chain migrating with the approximate size of pN alpha 2(I) chains after pepsin digestion. Peptide mapping suggested that the abnormality was located at the amino-terminus of the alpha 2(I) chain. Quantitative analysis of the alpha 2(I) mRNA indicated loss of the exon 6 sequences, and subsequent polymerase chain reaction amplification of cDNA demonstrated a deletion of the 54 bp of exon 6 from some of the alpha 2(I) mRNA. Analysis of genomic DNA from the patient revealed a single base change in one COL1A2 allele, substituting an A for a G as the first base of intron 6. This change mutates the obligate GT-dinulceotide splicing signal to AT and leads to exon skipping with splicing from exon 5 to exon 7. Loss of exon 6 sequences results in the loss of the procollagen-N-propeptidase cleavage site and a lysine residue that normally participates in covalent intermolecular crosslinking within collagen fibres.

Adult↗

A proposed molecular model for the carboxy terminus of HIV-1 gp120 showing structural features consistent with the presence of a T-cell alloepitope.

A computer graphics molecular model of the C terminus of gp120 of HIV has been constructed using predicted secondary structure based on homologies with proteins for which X-ray crystallographic data have been published. The model shows sequences known to be important in CD4 binding in close proximity to regions with a high probability of forming alpha helical and beta strand motifs. The orientation adopted by these domains approximates to the known 3D structure of HLA-A2 alpha 2 chain without constraints based on HLA-A2 as a template being introduced. The model may therefore represent an energetically favourable conformation for a part of gp120 which mimics the binding domain for the T-cell receptor on MHC molecules. Recognition of gp120 as an alloepitope in high affinity association with CD4 would explain many of the sequelae of acquired immune deficiency on HIV infection.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Substitution of cysteine for glycine at residue 415 of one allele of the alpha 1(I) chain of type I procollagen in type III/IV osteogenesis imperfecta.

We have examined the type I collagen in a patient with type III/IV osteogenesis imperfecta. Two forms of alpha 1(I) chain were produced, one normal and the other containing a cysteine residue within the triple helical domain of the molecule. Cysteine is not normally present in this domain of type I collagen. Peptide mapping experiments localised the mutation to peptide alpha 1(I)CB3 which spans residues 403 to 551 of the triple helix. Subsequent PCR amplification of cDNA covering this region followed by sequencing showed a G to T single base change in the GGC codon for glycine 415 generating TGC, the codon for cysteine. The effect of the mutation on the protein is to delay secretion from the cell, reduce the thermal stability of the molecule by 2 degrees C, and cause excessive post-translational modification of all chains in molecules containing one or more mutant alpha 1(I) chains. The clinical phenotype observed in this patient and the position of the mutation conform to the recent prediction of Starman et al that Gly----Cys mutations in the alpha 1(I) chain have a gradient of severity decreasing from the C-terminus to the N-terminus.

Alleles↗