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G W Litman

Publications and source records attributed to G W Litman.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Complete nucleotide sequences of three VH genes in Caiman, a phylogenetically ancient reptile: evolutionary diversification in coding segments and variation in the structure and organization of recombination elements.

Complete nucleotide sequences are described for three caiman (Caiman crocodylus crocodylus) immunoglobulin VH genes (C3, E1, and G4) that hybridize with a murine VH probe. The E1 and G4 genes are physically linked (intergenic distance, approximately equal to 6.5 kilobases) in the same transcriptional orientation but are not directly contiguous with the C3 gene. When the coding segments, including both framework and complementarity-determining regions, of these genes and the murine probe sequences are compared by metric analysis, it is apparent that the caiman genes are only slightly more related to each other than to the mammalian sequence, consistent with significant preservation of nucleotide sequence over an extended period of phylogenetic time. Based on the presence of transcriptionally critical 5' sequences and the absence of terminator codons, frameshift mutations, or other recognizable alterations, the genes do not appear to be pseudogenes. The E1 gene, however, is distinguished from other VH genes because (i) the spacer region within the 3' recombination signal sequence is 12 base pairs, typical of VK genes but not of VH genes, which possess 22- to 23-base-pair spacers and (ii) a near-perfect VH recombination signal sequence is present within the intervening sequence that splits the segment encoding the leader. These studies establish VH gene multiplicity in a species that arose prior to mammalian radiation and provide a description of differences in the configuration and location of recombination elements associated with an otherwise potentially functional gene.

Alligators and Crocodiles↗
PubMed1985

Immunoglobulin VH gene structure and diversity in Heterodontus, a phylogenetically primitive shark.

A mouse VH probe has been used to identify and isolate VH homologs in a DNA library of Heterodontus francisci (horned shark). The complete nucleotide sequence of one VH gene, HXIA, has been determined and found to exhibit striking organizational homology and nucleotide identity with mammalian prototype VH genes. Metric analysis of the complete sequence is consistent with the early phylogenetic diversification of framework and complementarity-determining regions (CDR). Both the predicted amino acid sequence and the specific hybridization of the CDR2-specific, synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide probe in spleen mRNA suggest that HXIA is functionally expressed. A probe consisting of the entire coding region of this gene hybridizes with multiple components in Southern blot analysis of Heterodontus genomic DNA and together with the identification of additional unique VH+-lambda clones indicates that considerable complexity is associated with the germline VH gene family in a contemporary species that represents an early stage in the phylogenetic development of the vertebrates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1984

Genomic constitution of an H-2:Tla variant leukemia.

A TL+ leukemia of a (B6 X A)F1 hybrid mouse (H-2b/H-2a) was previously subjected to immunoselection against H-2a by passage in (B6 X A.SW)F1 mice (H-2b/H-2s). A variant leukemia line was obtained that serologically lacked not only the H-2a phenotype but also the TL phenotype determined by the linked cis Tlaa allele of strain A. The H-2b phenotype and the TL phenotype of the Tlab allele of the B6 strain, which is expressed only by leukemia cells, were retained by the variant. Southern blotting with an H-2 cDNA probe that identifies restriction fragment polymorphisms distinguishing alleles of the H-2 and Tla regions of the B6 and A strains indicates that both the H-2a and Tlaa alleles are missing from the genome of this H-2a:Tlaa negative variant. Since the variant has two apparently unaltered chromosomes 17, where the H-2:Tla complex is situated, and since the intensity of bands in Southern blotting is suggestive of H-2b homozygosity, it is considered that loss of the H-2a:Tlaa haplotype by the variant was accompanied by duplication of the H-2b:Tlab haplotype. The implied change from heterozygosity to homozygosity that the variant has undergone with respect to H-2:Tla was not paralleled by a similar change at the three other loci tested, since the variant retained heterozygosity for Pep-3 (chromosome 1), Gpi-1 (chromosome 7), and Es-1 (chromosome 8).

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Complete nucleotide sequence of an immunoglobulin VH gene homologue from Caiman, a phylogenetically ancient reptile.

Immunoglobulin variable (V) gene regions typify extensive multigenic families in terms of overall size, chromosomal arrangement and presence of large numbers of apparent pseudogenes. A unique mechanism of somatic reorganization involving recombination of VH, D and JH or VL and JL segments accompanies the differentiation of lymphoid cells and together with somatic mutation and other types of recombination accounts for V-region diversity. Although these processes have been well characterized in higher mammals, little is known concerning their origin and diversification during phylogenetic time. Previously, we described the blot-hybridization characteristics of murine VHIII probes with restriction enzyme-digested genomic DNA isolated from several phylogenetically critical species, including Caiman crocodylus, a modern representative of an ancient reptilian subclass. Here we have used a murine probe, S107V, to select homologous clones from a library of Caiman genomic DNA constructed in a lambda bacteriophage. The complete nucleotide sequence of a Caiman gene homologous to the murine VH gene and its adjacent 5' and 3' region is described. Comparison of the sequence with mammalian prototypes shows evidence of considerable organizational and structural homology extending outside the presumed VH-coding region and including elements believed to be involved in somatic recombination. Inferences about the evolution of this multigenic family can now be extended to the level of phylogenetic class.

Alligators and Crocodiles↗
PubMed1983

Effect of carbohydrate on protein solubility.

The effect of covalently attached carbohydrate on the solubility of a number of proteins has been examined by the PEG precipitation technique. Both increases and decreases in solubility are observed depending on the state of glycosylation, the type of protein, and temperature. It is concluded from this data and associated apparent thermodynamic parameters that a general role for carbohydrate in the solubilization of proteins is not currently experimentally supportable.

Carbohydrates↗
PubMed1982

Multiple components in restriction enzyme digests of mammalian (insectivore), avian and reptilian genomic DNA hybridize with murine immunoglobulin VH probes.

High molecular weight genomic DNAs isolated from an insectivore, Tupaia, and a representative reptilian, Caiman, and avian, Gallus, were digested with restriction endonucleases transferred to nitrocellulose and hybridized with nick-translated probes of murine VH genes. The derivations of the probes designated S107V (1) and mu 107V (2,3) have been described previously. Under conditions of reduced stringency, multiple hybridizing components were observed with Tupaia and Caiman; only mu mu 107V exhibited significant hybridization with the separated fragments of Gallus DNA. The nick-translated S107V probe was digested with Fnu4H1 and subinserts corresponding to the 5' and 3' regions both detected multiple hybridizing components in Tupaia and Caiman DNA. A 5' probe lacking the leader sequence identified the same components as the intact 5' probe, suggesting that VH coding regions distant as the reptilians may possess multiple genetic components which exhibit significant homology with murine immunoglobulin in VH regions.

Alligators and Crocodiles↗
PubMed1982

Antibody response in Heterodontus.

Appropriately selected phylogenetic models are capable of providing insight into genetic mechanisms which may have become obscured during the passage of evolutionary time. In higher vertebrates a complex multigenic family encodes immunoglobulin-variable regions. The mechanisms involved in the expansion of the gene family and the stable maintenance of large numbers of individual genes presently are not understood. By defining the nature of antibody diversity in lower vertebrate species, it may be possible to approach such issues at a more fundamental level. Analyses of the immunoglobulins in Heterodontus francisci (horned shark), a representative phylogenetically primitive elasmobranch, indicate that this species may represent a useful developmental model.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Binding of benzo[a]pyrene to histones and altered affinity of modified histone 1 for deoxyribonucleic acid.

The covalent binding of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) to acid extractable chromosomal proteins and the subsequent effect on histone 1-DNA interaction have been characterized in a model system by utilizing calf thymus nuclei as targets and rat liver microsomes as an exogenous source of enzymes for the metabolic activation of B[a]P. A two-step ion-exchange chromatography and desalting procedure was employed for removing noncovalently bound B[a]P and other contaminants. Fluorography of acetic acid-urea and Triton-acetic acid-urea-polyacrylamide gels indicated that H1 and H3 were the only principal histone targets in [3H]B[a]P-modified calf thymus nuclei. The validity of this assignment was confirmed by comparison of the chromatographic distributions of [3H]B[a]P cpm among peptides derived from the HClO4- soluble (H1) and HClO4-insoluble (core histones) protein fractions to the distributions obtained for authentic individual histone fractions. Comparison of amino acid compositions in individual peptide fractions which bound [3H]B[a]P differentially yielded some insight into the probable target amino acid residues for B[a]P binding. On the basis of electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels, it appeared as if B[a]P had bound to multiple subfractions of H1 and H3. The equivalent distribution of covalently attached [3H]B[a]P among the major peptides of H1 and H3 modified either in intact nuclei or while free in solution implied that the relative accessibility of major portions of the H1 and H3 molecules for covalent B[a]P binding is not affected by interactions with DNA or other chromosomal proteins. Covalent attachment of [3H]B[a]P to purified H1 reduced the affinity of this histone for DNA-cellulose.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Molecular basis for the temperature-dependent insolubility of cryoglobulins--XI. Sequence comparison of the heavy-chain variable regions of the human cryoimmunoglobulins McE and Hil by metric analysis.

The amino acid sequences of the VH-domains from two human cryoimmunoglobulins have been compared with one another and with the VH-domains of noncryoglobulins by the mathematical method of metric analysis. The VHII sequence of McE [Gerber-Jenson et al. (1981), J. Immun. 126, 1212-1216] and the VHIII sequence of Hil [Chiu et al (1979), Biochemistry, 18, 553-560] resemble much more closely the VH-sequences of noncryoglobulins from their own subgroups than they resemble one another. Neither cryoglobulin sequence contains an unusual insertion or deletion of residues. Based on the crystallographic structure of the VHII domain in the Fab fragment of the human noncryoglobulin Newm [Saul et al. (1978), J biol. Chem., 253, 585-597], McE and Hil each contain two unprecedented residues in the outer beta-sheet structure of the VH-domain. The inwardly directed sidechains of Gly-71 and Ile-84 in McE may perturb the internal hydrophobic interactions and normal folding of adjacent segments of the outer beta-sheet from the third framework region. In contrast, the outwardly directed sidechains of Ile-23 and Arg-77 in Hil may perturb the external hydrophilic properties and folding of adjacent segments of the outer beta-sheet from the first and third framework regions. Thus, the monoclonal immunoglobulins McE and Hil may display cold-induced insolubility by different perturbations of the outer surface of the VH-domain. In each case, the unprecedented framework residues that mnay be responsible could have arisen by two point mutations involving single base changes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1982

Lysines of histone 1 represent the principal target for covalent binding of microsomally activated benzo[a]pyrene in vitro.

The principal target amino acid residue for covalent binding of metabolically activated [3H]benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) to histone 1 (H1) has been identified. Highly purified calf thymus H1 was modified by incubation with [3H]B[a]P in the presence of rat liver microsomes. The relative distribution of [3H]B[a]P versus specific amino acids among the N-bromo-succinimide peptides of H1 suggested that lysine may be the target. This was tested by selectively blocking the nucleophilic amino groups of lysine by amidination prior to [3H]B[a]P binding. Increasing levels of amidination of H1 resulted in corresponding decreases in the reactivity of this histone toward [3H]B[a]P. Amidination of 93% of the lysines blocked 87% of the [3H]B[a]P binding indicating that lysine was the principal target. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of [3H]B[a]P-modified H1 confirmed that lysine residues had bound [3H]B[a]P.

Benzopyrenes↗
PubMed1982

The range and fine specificity of the anti-hapten immune response: phylogenetic studies.

Heterodontus francisci (horned shark) and Pseudopleuronectes americanus (winter flounder) were immunized with furyl-oxazolone (furyl-Ox) and phenyl-oxazolone (phenyl-Ox) coupled either to bacteria or protein carriers. The antibodies produced were measured by inactivation of furyl- or phenyl-Ox conjugated bacteriophage, and their affinity and fine specificity were estimated by inhibition of phage inactivation with a series of structurally related hapten analogues. In both species, post-immunization peak titres were 100 to 2000 times higher than preimmunization titres. A number of unique features distinguished Heterodontus antibodies from Pseudopleuronectes or mammalian antibodies. Heterondontus antibodies exhibited a lower affinity for the immunizing hapten (furyl-Ox or phenyl-Ox) and a reduced ability to distinguish the homologous immunogenic hapten from its structural analogues. In addition, Heterodontus antibodies exhibited a lower level of inter-individual variation in affinity and fine specificity than did Pseudopleuronectes or mammalian IgM antibodies; this was especially prominent in anti-furyl-Ox responses. Typically the affinity and fine specificity of Heterodontus antibodies did not change over the 146-day period of immunization and were not influenced by the nature of the carrier. The implications of these findings in terms of the phylogenetic origins of antibody diversity are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Differential perturbation of erythrocyte membrane function by structurally related polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Examination of the interaction of a number of structurally related polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with the erythrocyte plasma membrane indicated that the presence and position of methyl groups on the lipophilic hydrocarbon nucleus determined whether the compound acted as an inhibitor of membrane function. 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene, a potent carcinogen, acted as a noncompetitive inhibitor of membrane acetylcholinesterase. The inhibition depended on the anion composition of the buffer at the time of exposure of the cells to inhibitor, i.e., it was only manifest in the presence of an anion gradient. The temperature dependence of the intact cell enzyme in the presence of inhibitor was influenced by the temperature at which the compound was added prior to assay and may involve the perturbation of tightly associated lipids. Glucose exchange across the membrane was inhibited by the same compounds which inhibit acetylcholinesterase. The temperature dependence of the exchange was not grossly altered by the presence of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene. The observed inhibition of two membrane functions by the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons does not correlate simply with their theoretical octanol/water partition coefficients, water solubilities, or ability to confer membrane stabilization against osmotic hemolysis. This demonstration of differential inhibition by compounds having the same overall hydrophobicity was unexpected and suggests a more complex mode of interaction with the cell membrane.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗
PubMed1981

Molecular basis for the temperature-dependent insolubility of cryoglobulins. XII. Anomalous mobility of monoclonal cryoimmunoglobulin heavy chains accompanying polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate.

When subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), the fully reduced and alkylated heavy chains isolated from three monoclonal IgG1 cryoimmunoglobulins exhibited various degrees of retardation in mobility when compared to noncryoglobulin references. The anomalous electrophoretic mobility was not correlated with the thermal magnitude of cryoprecipitation of the individual proteins. High sensitivity analytical gel filtration in 5 M guanidine-HCl failed to distinguish heavy chains of the cryoimmunoglobulins from noncryoglobulin references, suggesting that the proteins possess equivalent molecular weights. Other possible causes for the anomalous mobility such as atypical amino acid and carbohydrate composition, charge and quantitative SDS binding do not appear to be likely. It remains possible that the shape and/or charge of the SDS-protein complexes are unique. Examination of the gel electrophoretic mobility in SDS of fully reduced and alkylated Fab components suggests that the Fd portion of these proteins may be abnormal. The gel electrophoresis anomaly is the only atypical structural feature thus detected which is shared by these three monoclonal cryoimmunoglobulins.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1981

Molecular basis for the temperature-dependent insolubility of cryoglobulins. X. The amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region of McE.

The amino acid sequence of the VH region of McE, a monoclonal IgM cryoimmunoglobulin, has been determined employing automated sequencing methodology. Digestion of the intact Fab mu component, derived by trypsin cleavage of the parent protein at elevated temperature with CNBr, followed by complete reduction and alkylation, yielded the intact light chain as well as the 2 CNBr fragments that constituted the VH. N-terminal sequencing of the larger unblocked CNBr fragment, along with a component fragment derived by cleavage by BNPS-Skatole, established the structure of the VH from position 88 through the V leads to C switch region. Citraconylation of the smaller, blocked fragment effected sufficient solubilization for enzymatic deblocking and direct sequencing of the N-terminal 20 residues of the VH. Complete trypsin digestion of the N-terminal CNBr fragment yielded 9 peptides that could be isolated by preparative cation exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The complete sequence of these peptides along with 4 chymotryptic peptides completed the primary structure of the VH region. The primary structure of McE appears to resemble that of He, previously identified as belonging to the VH II subgroup. The presence of characteristic CDR and FR regions as well as the identification of a probable site of glycosylation suggest that the cryoimmunoglobulin closely resembles noncryoglobulins in terms of overall structural composition. The cryoglobulin property may arise through alterations in individual residues or unfavorable arrangements of CDR and FR segments.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1980

Lack of heterogeneity in antihapten antibodies of a phylogenetically primitive shark.

Individual mammals have the capacity to express at least one million distinct antigen binding specificities, implying a high degree of structural heterogeneity in the variable heavy and light chain (VH and VL) portions of the antibody molecules. Studies of higher vertebrate species suggest that this heterogeneity is created both through a sizeable repertoire of germ-line VH and VL genes and through random rearrangements of V and joining genes. Additional somatic mechanisms probably also contribute to the ultimate heterogeneity; one-third of murine plasmacytomas producing lambda 1 immunoglobulin carry a somatically mutated Ig1-V gene. The relative contributions of these various mechanisms to the overall imunoglobulin variability are difficult to evaluate. The production of different antibodies to a defined determinant in different individuals of an inbred mouse strain [for example, (3-iodo-4-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl) acetyl (NIP) in CBA mice] suggests the involvement of somatic mutations or rearrangement but does not rule out the possibility that each individual CBA mouse expresses only a small random fraction from a large germ-line repertoire of V genes determining different anti-NIP binding sites. The opposite finding, that different individuals produce nearly identical antibodies to a defined determinant, would suggest the presence and expression of a limited number of germ-line genes without somatic alterations. Data presented here suggest that primitive sharks (Heterodontus fransisci) produce such antibodies to the hapten furyloxazolone.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Thermodynamic basis for the abnormal solubility of monoclonal cryoimmunoglobulins.

The thermodynamics of both normal and abnormal (disease-associated) protein solubility has been examined. It is shown that the atypical behavior of monoclonal cryoimmunoglobulins can be explained by the formation of one or a few additional electrostatic contacts or, less frequently, a larger number of van der Waals interactions in the protein-rich solid phase relative to normal immunoglobulin. It is hypothesized that cryoimmunoglobulins represent the outer edge of the solubility distribution of total serum immunoglobulin.

Animals↗