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H L Tiffany

Publications and source records attributed to H L Tiffany.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Hyperglycosylation of eosinophil ribonucleases in a promyelocytic leukemia cell line and in differentiated peripheral blood progenitor cells.

We evaluated two independent models of eosinophil differentiation for their ability to synthesize the ribonuclease toxins eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). Cells from the clone 15 subline of HL-60 (human promyelocytic leukemia) produced both EDN and ECP; production of EDN increased in response to butyric acid (BA). CD34+ peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) grown with cytokines promoting eosinophil differentiation also produced EDN. EDN from both the clone 15 and PBPCs was more heterogeneous and heavily glycosylated (approximately 22-45 kDa) than EDN from the mature peripheral blood eosinophils (18-25 kDa). The heterogeneity of EDN from the clone 15 cells was not altered by endoglycosidase Hf, whereas treatment with peptide-N-glycosidase F (PNGase F) produced a single-band immunoreactive band (approximately 15 kDa). In contrast, only the highest molecular weight forms of EDN from differentiated PBPCs were eliminated by PNTGase F (reduced to 22-35 kDa), suggesting the presence of uncharacteristic forms of posttranslational modification. Synthesis of hyperglycosylated proteins has not been previously reported in PBPCs and is a feature shared with tumor cells and cell lines.

Butyrates↗

Rapid evolution of a unique family of primate ribonuclease genes.

We have traced the rapid molecular evolution of eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), two host defense proteins that are members of the mammalian ribonuclease gene family. The EDN/ECP gene pair arose from a recent duplication event that occurred after the divergence of New World and Old World monkeys. Since duplication, the genes encoding EDN and ECP have accumulated non-silent mutations at rates exceeding those of all other functional coding sequences studied in primates, while retaining both the structural and catalytic components required for ribonuclease activity. These results suggest that both EDN and ECP may be responding to unusual evolutionary constraints, which has prompted a reexamination of their physiologic function.

Amino Acids↗

Comparison of the genomic organization and promoter function for human interleukin-8 receptors A and B.

Human neutrophils are highly responsive to the chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) owing to high levels of expression of two related receptors encoded by the single copy genes il8ra and il8rb located on chromosome 2q34-q35. To identify nuclear factors that regulate the expression of IL-8 receptors, we have first defined the organization of both genes and characterized their functional promoters. il8ra and il8rb span approximately 4 and 12 kilobase pairs of genomic DNA, respectively. In both cases, the open reading frame resides on a single exon. In contrast, the 5'-untranslated regions are more complex. For il8ra, it is formed from two exons, whereas for il8rb, seven distinct neutrophil mRNAs are formed by alternative splicing of 11 exons. One of the splice variants, designated IL8RB3, is the predominant form for il8rb. Two equally abundant mRNAs for il8ra, 2.0 and 2.4 kilobases in length, are expressed in neutrophils and arise from usage of two alternative polyadenylation signals. Primer extension analysis identified two major transcription start points for il8ra and 11 for il8rb. Regions extending 300 base pairs (bp) upstream from exon 1 of il8ra and 81 bp upstream from exon 3 of il8rb have limited sequence similarity but had strong constitutive promoter activity when cloned upstream from a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase-encoding reporter gene and transiently transfected into surrogate myeloid (HL-60, and U-937) and lymphoid (Jurkat) cell lines. Neither of these regions has sequences corresponding to classic promoter elements. In contrast, a region 643 base pairs upstream from exon 1 of il8rb had relatively low levels of constitutive promoter activity in all three cell environments, and a conserved TATA element is located 47 bp upstream of the 5'-end of exon 1. Thus, despite marked differences in the complexity of their genomic organization, il8ra and il8rb encode products that are similar in structure, function, and the major cell type of expression.

Base Sequence↗

Differential expression of members of the N-formylpeptide receptor gene cluster in human phagocytes.

The human genes for two N-formylpeptide phagocyte chemoattractant receptors (gene symbols FPR1 and FPRL1) cross-hybridize with each other and with FPRL2, a human gene of unknown expression and function. The FPR1 product is approximately 1000-fold more sensitive than the FPRL1 product to N-formylpeptides. We now report cloning of the first cDNA for FPRL2 and the first description of the RNA distribution in normal human phagocytes for all three genes. FPR1 and FPRL1 are expressed in neutrophils and monocytes. In contrast, FPRL2 RNA is detectable in monocytes but not in neutrophils, and its product could not be activated by N-formylpeptides. Thus, the regulation of FPRL2 gene expression in vivo differs from FPR1 and FPRL1.

Animals↗

Characterization of the eosinophil granule proteins recognized by the activation-specific antibody EG2.

Monoclonal antibodies EG1 and EG2 have the unique ability to distinguish the storage from the secreted forms of the eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). EG2 has been used extensively as a marker for activated, secreting eosinophils, despite the fact that no biochemical differences between the storage and secreted forms of ECP have been identified. We have determined that the activation-specific EG2 detects only one of three distinct glycosylated forms of ECP (18 kDa); in contrast, both EG1 and polyclonal anti-ECP antiserum can detect three glycosylated forms of this protein (18, 20, and 22 kDa). We have also determined that EG2 detects fully deglycosylated ECP as well as fully deglycosylated eosinophil-derived neurotoxin. Our results indicate that activation-specific EG2 recognizes a polypeptide epitope that is masked in the higher-molecular-weight, more heavily glycosylated forms of ECP. These findings suggest that deglycosylation may occur in conjunction with activation and secretion; alternatively, the 18-kDa form of ECP may be present in the storage granule of resting eosinophils but may remain undetected in an inaccessible location or conformation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Sequence and organization of the human N-formyl peptide receptor-encoding gene.

The human FPR1 gene encodes the N-formyl peptide receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that mediates the activation of mature myeloid cells by bacterial N-formyl oligopeptides. To investigate the molecular basis for myeloid-specific production of this receptor, we have cloned and sequenced FPR1. The gene is organized into three exons and two introns that span 6 kb. The coding block lacks introns. Yet, the transcription start point (tsp) is separated from the start codon by 4902 bp consisting of three exons and two large introns. Two mRNAs are produced by alternative splicing of exon 2 in HL-60 neutrophils and normal blood monocytes. The region 5' to the tsp contains three pyrimidine-rich segments, a feature that has been observed in other myeloid-specific genes. One complete Alu repeat is found in each intron and in the 3'-flanking region 317 bp downstream of the polyadenylation signal. Thus, FPR1 is a small myeloid-specific gene that is expressed as two alternatively spliced mRNAs encoding the same protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structure and functional expression of the human macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha/RANTES receptor.

The chemokine beta family is comprised of at least six distinct cytokines that regulate trafficking of phagocytes and lymphocytes in mammalian species; at least one of these, macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha), also regulates the growth of hematopoietic stem cells. We now show that MIP-1 alpha and the related beta chemokine, RANTES, induce transient alterations in intracellular Ca2+ concentration in polymorphonuclear leukocytes that can be reciprocally and specifically desensitized, suggesting a common receptor. Moreover, we have now cloned both the cDNA and the gene for this receptor, functionally expressed the receptor in Xenopus oocytes, and mapped the gene to human chromosome 3p21. Transcripts for the receptor were found in mature and immature myeloid cells as well as B cells. The receptor is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. It has approximately 33% amino acid identity with receptors for the alpha chemokine, interleukin 8, and may be the human homologue of the product of US28, an open reading frame of human cytomegalovirus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A structural homologue of the N-formyl peptide receptor. Characterization and chromosome mapping of a peptide chemoattractant receptor family.

Phagocytic cells of many higher species express calcium mobilizing G protein-coupled receptors for bacterial N-formyl peptides which mediate chemotaxis, degranulation, and the respiratory burst. cDNA encoding an N-formyl peptide receptor (FPR) has been reported. We now report the isolation of a closely related cDNA, 2.6 kilobase pairs in length, which we have designated as the FPRL1 receptor cDNA (FPRL1 = formyl peptide receptor like-1). FPR and the FPRL1 receptor derive from small, single-copy genes, both of which are located on human chromosome 19. The gene loci are designated FPR1 and FPRL1, respectively. Both FPR and FPRL1 cDNA cross-hybridize under high stringency conditions with a third gene, designated as FPRL2, which does not appear to be expressed in neutrophils. In contrast, transcripts for both the FPRL1 receptor and FPR are detected only in differentiated myeloid cells; the distribution of N-formyl peptide binding sites is also restricted to mature myeloid cells. FPRL1 cDNA encodes a 351-amino acid polypeptide whose sequence is 69% identical to that of FPR. G protein-coupled receptors that exhibit this degree of structural similarity typically possess a conserved ligand specificity. However, the FPRL1 receptor does not bind prototype N-formyl peptide ligands when expressed in heterologous cell types. These results suggest that FPR1 may be the only gene that is expressed by neutrophils that encodes a receptor capable of binding prototype N-formyl peptides. Moreover, discovery of the FPRL1 receptor indicates the existence of another as yet unidentified peptide that may recruit neutrophils to sites of inflammation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning of complementary DNA encoding a functional human interleukin-8 receptor.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is an inflammatory cytokine that activates neutrophil chemotaxis, degranulation, and the respiratory burst. Neutrophils express receptors for IL-8 that are coupled to guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins); binding of IL-8 to its receptor induces the mobilization of intracellular calcium stores. A cDNA clone from HL-60 neutrophils, designated p2, has now been isolated that encodes a human IL-8 receptor. When p2 is expressed in oocytes from Xenopus laevis, the oocytes bind 125I-labeled IL-8 specifically and respond to IL-8 by mobilizing calcium stores with an EC50 of 20 nM. This IL-8 receptor has 77% amino acid identity with a second human neutrophil receptor isotype that binds IL-8 with higher affinity. It also exhibits 69% amino acid identity with a protein reported to be an N-formyl peptide receptor from rabbit neutrophils, but less than 30% identity with all other known G protein-coupled receptors, including the human N-formyl peptide receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of human phagocytic cell receptors for C5A and platelet activating factor expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

Platelet activating factor (PAF) and the active cleavage product of the fifth component of complement, C5a, are potent anaphylotoxins and mediators of inflammation. Both substances engage distinct guanine nucleotide binding regulatory protein-coupled receptors on a variety of cell types, thereby activating a signaling cascade that results in the mobilization of intracellular calcium stores, and in functional responses such as neutrophil chemotaxis and smooth muscle contraction. Little is known about the structure of PAF and C5a receptors or about the intracellular signaling pathways used by them. We have used the Xenopus oocyte expression system to demonstrate acquired C5a and PAF receptor activity in oocytes injected with mRNA from the promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL60 differentiated with dibutyryl cAMP. Activity was determined by measuring acquired ligand-dependent efflux of intracellular 45Ca2+ and by measuring ligand-activated transmembrane currents in voltage clamped oocytes. C5a receptor activity was confined to a single sharp peak in sucrose gradient fractionated RNA that corresponded to a transcript size of 2 kb. In contrast, PAF receptor activity was broadly distributed in size fractionated RNA from 3.5 to 6 kb. This suggests that multiple transcripts of different sizes may encode a functional PAF receptor. Both ligands activated their respective receptor in a concentration-dependent and a structure-dependent manner. The acquired C5a-dependent calcium efflux activity was inhibited by pertussis toxin whereas the PAF receptor activity was not, suggesting that the two receptors couple to different G-proteins. These data establish the Xenopus oocyte as a model system for studying the molecular and functional properties of the C5a receptor and the PAF receptor(s) of phagocytic cells.

Animals↗

Characterization of phagocyte P2 nucleotide receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

Stimulation of phagocytic cells with micromolar concentrations of extracellular ATP primes the production of toxic oxygen metabolites in response to chemoattractants and independently activates a secretory response in vitro. It is hypothesized that extracellular ATP derived from platelet storage granules and damaged endothelium at sites of localized tissue damage or infection may potentiate the pro-inflammatory effects of phagocytic cells in vivo. ATP-dependent functional responses in the phagocyte appear to be due to stimulation of putative P2 purinoreceptors that are coupled to the activation of a phospholipase C via a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein. The existence in nature of at least four subtypes of P2 purinoreceptors has been proposed based on the rank order of potency of nucleotide analogs of ATP studied in a variety of cell types. However, no studies involving the structural identification and characterization of the putative receptors have been reported. We have used the Xenopus oocyte expression system to demonstrate acquired adenosine 5'-(thio) triphosphate (ATP gamma S) responsiveness in oocytes injected with mRNA from the promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL60 by measuring the accelerated efflux of intracellular calcium. Two peaks of ATP gamma S responsiveness (Peak I and Peak II) were detected in sucrose gradient fractionated RNA that corresponded to transcript sizes of 4 and 6 kilobases and that were distinct from a third peak previously shown to be enriched in formyl peptide chemoattractant receptor activity. Peak I and Peak II RNA endowed receptor activity in the oocyte that was pharmacologically indistinguishable: ADP and AMP were inactive whereas UTP and ITP exhibited activity that was similar in potency to that of ATP gamma S. Both Peak I and Peak II ATP gamma S-dependent activity was inhibited by pertussis toxin. These data strongly support the concept of phagocytic cell receptors for extracellular nucleotide triphosphates whose ligand specificity is distinct from all other previously described P2 purinoreceptor subtypes, with the exception of the P2 receptor described in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, by virtue of the ineffectiveness of ADP as a stimulus. These receptors are most likely composed of a single polypeptide chain that can be expressed in the Xenopus oocyte in a functional form regulated by a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

The formyl peptide chemoattractant receptor is encoded by a 2 kilobase messenger RNA. Expression in Xenopus oocytes.

Activation of the formyl peptide chemoattractant receptor (FPCR) of phagocytic cells mobilizes intracellular calcium stores and affects the plasma membrane potential. Affinity crosslinking of FPCR has demonstrated a 60-80 kDa glycoprotein, with core peptide of 32 kDa. It is not known whether functional FPCR is this single peptide or requires multiple subunits. We used Xenopus oocyte expression system to determine the size of mRNA required for synthesis of functional FPCR. Injection of oocytes with poly(A)+ RNA from HL60 cells differentiated to the granulocyte phenotype resulted in acquisition of formyl peptide-specific responses (inward transmembrane current with a reversal potential consistent with a chloride conductance, and calcium efflux). FPCR activity expressed in oocytes had a ligand concentration dependence, ligand structure dependence and pertussis toxin sensitivity similar to those reported in phagocytic cells. When RNA was size fractionated, a single peak of FPCR activity at 2 kilobases was observed after injection of mRNA into oocytes. Our data strongly suggest that FPCR is composed of a single-sized polypeptide.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Photosystem I reaction center polypeptides of spinach are synthesized on thylakoid-bound ribosomes.

Purified chloroplasts were prepared from developing spinach leaves. The chloroplasts were separated into thylakoid and stroma fractions, and nucleic acids were prepared from them. Photosystem I reaction center polypeptide(s) (PS I RC) mRNA was associated with the thylakoid fraction when measured by hybridization using a probe for PS I RC polypeptide ps1A1, or when measured by translation assay. The ps1A1 polypeptide was coded for by a 5.5-kbp mRNA which others have shown also codes for PS IRC polypeptide ps1A2. This mRNA was in functional thylakoid-bound ribosomes because when thylakoids with bound ribosomes were translated in the absence of protein synthesis initiation, polypeptides that reacted with anti-PS I RC were formed. The results indicate that PS I RC polypeptides are synthesized exclusively by thylakoid-bound ribosomes.

Chlorophyll↗

Importance of sodium dodecyl sulfate source to electrophoretic separations of thylakoid polypeptides.

Electrophoretic banding patterns of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii thylakoid polypeptides differ depending on whether impure, or pure sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is used. Bands of Mr 45,000 and 36,000 were found when impure sodium dodecyl sulfate was used, but the Mr 45,000 band was absent when pure sodium dodecyl sulfate was used. Seven thylakoid polypeptides were isolated using preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the pure sodium dodecyl sulfate. Polypeptide (Mr 36,000) reran as a single band in pure sodium dodecyl sulfate, but yielded Mr 45,000 and 36,000 bands in impure sodium dodecyl sulfate. Although the Rf of most of the six other polypeptides differed, depending on whether pure or impure sodium dodecyl sulfate was used, the Mr of these polypeptides was the same with both. Thus, the banding pattern difference due to SDS source results from differences in Rf without changes in apparent Mr and a marked change in Mr of one polypeptide.

Chlamydomonas↗

Sedimentation behavior of chloroplast ribosomes from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

The identity of peaks generated by chloroplast ribosomes of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were determined by zone velocity sedimentation on sucrose density gradients, and analysis of distribution of ribosomal RNAs in the gradients. The sedimentagion coefficient of the principal peak was 66-70 S (usually 69 S), in good agreement with previously reported values for chloroplast ribosomes of C. reinhardtii, and other organisms. The fast sedimenting side of the 69 S peak contained an excess of chloroplast large subunit. When ribosome dissociation was prevented by sedimentation at low velocity, by aldehyde fixation, or by the presence of nascent polypeptide chains, the principal peak had a sedimentation coefficient of about 75 S. Thus the 69 S peak was an artifact caused by dissociation during centrifugation. Peaks that contained chloroplast ribosomal RNAs were also observed at '60 S' and '45 S' when chloroplast ribosomes were centrifuged unfixed at high velocity. The amounts of '60 S' and '45 S' components were decreased by centrifugation at low speed, or fixation, but sedimentation coefficients remained unchanged. The '60 S', and '45 S' components were identified as large, and small subunits of chloroplast ribosomes, respectively. The artifacts produced by centrifugation of chloroplast ribosomes, are similar to the artifacts produced by centrifuging ribosomes of Escherichia coli. Similar explanations appear to apply to both. We concluded that the 69 S chloroplast ribosome peak occurs because of dissociation of 'tight' couples, and incomplete separation of subunits. Subunit peaks (60 S and 45 S) arise from free subunits, and/or from dissociation of 'loose' couples.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗