Multiple class I molecules generated from single genes by alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs.
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
J E Coligan
Publications and source records attributed to J E Coligan.
Partial amino acid sequence analysis of rabbit MHC class II molecules isolated from two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels.
Partial N-terminal amino acid sequence analyses were performed on rabbit MHC class II molecules eluted from 2-D electrophoretic gels. Rabbit spleen cells were biosynthetically labelled with 3H-phenylalanine, 3H-tyrosine and 35S-methionine and class II molecules were immunoprecipitated with a monoclonal antibody, 2C4. The immunoprecipitates were electrophoresed on 2-D gels and as many as 15 spots were observed. Individual spots corresponding to alpha and beta chains were eluted from unfixed gels following visualization of the spots by autoradiography of 35S-Met labelled polypeptides. Ten eluted polypeptides were subjected to amino acid sequence analysis to locate Phe and Tyr residues. Comparison of these partial sequences with sequences of human class II molecules indicated that each of six beta chains and three of four alpha chains were homologous to human DQ molecules; one of the alpha chains appeared homologous to DR alpha or DP alpha. The assignment of alpha or beta chain to the polypeptides was confirmed by radiosequence of molecules labelled with 35S-Cys residues. Thus, by a relatively simple procedure, individual MHC class II polypeptides in spleen cell lysates have been separated from each other and partial amino acid sequences have been obtained.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Decay accelerating factor (DAF) peptide sequences share homology with a consensus sequence found in the superfamily of structurally related complement proteins and other proteins including haptoglobin, factor XIII, beta 2-glycoprotein I, and the IL-2 receptor.
Amino acid sequence data derived from tryptic peptides of the decay accelerating factor indicate that this complement regulatory protein contains a sequence with homology to the superfamily of structurally related complement proteins, including the C4 binding protein, factor H, complement receptor type 1, complement receptor type 2, Ba, C1r, and to their non-complement relatives, including beta 2-glycoprotein I, factor XIIIb, the alpha 1 chain of haptoglobin, and the interleukin 2 receptor. Identifying DAF as a member of the superfamily of structurally related complement proteins provides evidence that DAF may contain a functionally important C4b and C3b binding domain.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Thy-1+ dendritic epidermal cells express T3 antigen and the T-cell receptor gamma chain.
The murine epidermis is a heterogeneous epithelium composed of keratinocytes, melanocytes, Langerhans cells, and a recently described subpopulation (2-3%) of bone-marrow-derived leukocytes with a dendritic morphology and the cell surface phenotype Thy-1+, L3T4-, Lyt-2-. Previous studies have demonstrated that cell lines derived from freshly explanted Thy-1+ dendritic epidermal cells (DEC) have abundant mRNA for rearranged T-cell receptor (TCR) gamma-chain genes. Analysis of Thy-1+ DEC in situ, freshly isolated cell suspensions of Thy-1+ DEC, and long-term Thy-1+ DEC lines demonstrated that 100% of the Thy-1+ DEC reacted with a monoclonal antibody to the epsilon chain of the murine T3 complex and that 40-60% of resident Thy-1+ DEC were also reactive with an antiserum to the TCR gamma chain. Two Thy-1+ DEC lines expressed a disulfide-linked 70-kDa molecule that could be precipitated with an anti-gamma-chain antiserum and could be coprecipitated with an antiserum to the T3 delta chain; the molecule appeared as a single 34-kDa band under reducing conditions. The phenotype of Thy-1+ DEC (T3+, L3T4-, Lyt-2-, TCR gamma chain+) thus resembles that of the recently described subpopulation of murine and human lymphocytes that have been identified in the thymus, peripheral blood, and fetal blood.
Animals↗
Site-directed mutagenesis of an HLA-A3 gene identifies amino acid 152 as crucial for major-histocompatibility-complex-restricted and alloreactive cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte recognition.
Major histocompatibility complex-restricted and alloreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) can discriminate between the HLA-A3.1 and HLA-A3.2 antigens. HLA-A3.1 and the rare variant HLA-A3.2 have been shown to differ by two amino acids in the alpha 2 domain at positions 152 (A3.1, glutamic acid; A3.2, valine) and 156 (A3.1, leucine; A3.2, glutamine). To determine the structural basis for the ability of CTL to differentiate A3.1 from A3.2, two site-directed mutants of the HLA-A3.2 gene were produced, 152A3.1-156A3.2 and 152A3.2-156A3.1, that have the indicated codons for positions 152 and 156. These mutated HLA-A3 genes, as well as the nonmutated HLA-A3.1 and HLA-A3.2 genes, were then transfected into the murine cell line P815-HTR and used as targets for human CTL. Influenza virus-specific HLA-A3.1-restricted CTL lysed virus-infected P815 cells transformed with the HLA-A3.1 and 152A3.1-156A3.2 genes, but not P815 cells transformed with the HLA-A3.2 and 152A3.2-156A3.1 genes. HLA-A3.2-allospecific CTL lysed the P815 cells transformed with the HLA-A3.2 and 152A3.2-156A3.1 genes but did not lyse P815 cells transformed with the HLA-A3.1 or 152A3.1-156A3.2 genes. Thus, a single amino acid change at position 152, substituting valine for glutamic acid and thereby introducing a charge difference, produces major structural changes in the epitopes recognized by major histocompatibility complex-restricted and alloreactive CTL.
Adult↗
The unfolding story of T cell receptor gamma.
Antigen-specific, major histocompatibility complex-restricted recognition by classical T cells is mediated by a T cell receptor (TCR) consisting of a disulfide-linked alpha beta heterodimer. During the search for the genes encoding the alpha and beta proteins, a third immunoglobulin-like gene, termed gamma, was uncovered. Like the TCR alpha and beta genes, the TCR gamma gene consists of variable and constant segments that rearrange during T cell development in the thymus. Although the physiological role of TCR gamma remains an enigma, much has been learned with the recent identification of the protein products of this gene family in both mice and humans. The gamma chain is associated with a partner chain, termed delta. The gamma delta heterodimer is associated with an invariant T3 complex, very similar to that associated with the alpha beta heterodimer, and appears predominantly, if not exclusively, on cells with a CD4-, CD8- phenotype both in the thymus and in the periphery. TCR gamma delta is the first T3-associated receptor to appear during thymocyte development and defines a separate T cell lineage distinct from alpha beta-bearing cells. Although TCR alpha beta-bearing cells and TCR gamma delta-bearing cells follow parallel developmental pathways, the diversity of expressed gamma delta receptors is extremely limited relative to that of alpha beta receptors.
Alleles↗
Immunogenic nature of a Pol gene product of HTLV-III/LAV.
The present studies were initiated to define the coding region of a 34 kilodalton (kd) protein (p34) frequently observed with antibodies from HTLV-III/LAV-infected people by immunoblotting and radioimmunoprecipitation (RIP) techniques. We have directly mapped this viral protein to the pol gene of HTLV-III/LAV by radiolabeled amino acid sequence analysis. This region at the 3' end of the pol gene is predicted to encode the endonuclease/integrase of the virus. The seroprevalence rate of antibodies to the pol gene products p64 and p53 and to the endonuclease p34 were evaluated. Of 161 HTLV-III/LAV seropositive people tested by immunoblotting procedures, greater than 98% had antibodies which reacted to p64/p53 and 92.6% reacted to p34 indicating that these viral proteins are highly immunogenic in nature. We have also analyzed the serum of nine healthy people living in West Africa who were infected with HTLV-IV, a closely related retrovirus. Nine of nine seropositive people had antibodies that cross-reacted to p34 of HTLV-III/LAV, whereas only seven of nine reacted to p64/p53. These studies and our earlier observations indicate that current diagnostic procedures for screening for HTLV-III/LAV infection may also detect HTLV-IV seropositive individuals, pointing to a need for more specific assay systems.
AIDS-Related Complex↗
Characterization of T cell receptor gamma chain expression in a subset of murine thymocytes.
While much information exists about the structure and function of the clonally distributed T cell receptor (TCR) alpha beta heterodimer, little is known about the gamma protein, the product of a third rearranging TCR gene. An antiserum to a carboxyl-terminal peptide common to several of the murine gamma chain constant regions and a monoclonal antibody to the murine T3 complex were used to identify products of this TCR gene family in a subpopulation of Lyt2-, L3T4- thymocytes. This subpopulation does not express TCR alpha or full-length TCR beta messenger RNA. The gamma chain is a 35-kilodalton (kD) protein that is disulfide-bonded to a 45-kD partner and is associated with the T3 complex. Analysis of the glycosylation pattern of this thymic gamma chain revealed that the major variable region gamma (V gamma) gene transcribed in activated peripheral T cells is absent from this subpopulation. The cells that bear this second T cell receptor may therefore represent a distinct lineage differentiating within the thymus.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Three distinct H-2Ks molecules differing at the carboxy terminus are expressed on a tumor from SJL/J mice.
A dimethylbenzanthracene-induced leukemia of H-2s origin expressed at least two class I molecules on the cell surface that were precipitated by anti-H-2.19, an alloantiserum prepared against the private H-2Ks specificity. Mapping studies in recombinant inbred strains along with comparisons of tryptic peptide maps and N-terminal sequences indicated that the proteins were virtually identical and probably encoded by the same class I gene. When cells were labeled in the presence of tunicamycin, the proteins precipitated by anti-H-2.19 were further resolved into three distinct peptides. Experiments were performed to determine which of these various proteins were phosphorylated and which were recognized by an anti-synthetic peptide serum directed against the ultimate C-terminus of H-2K class I molecules. The results indicate that a single class I gene from the H-2Ks region may encode three class I molecules that differ only at the C-terminus due to alternative splicing of pre-mRNA.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Fusion glycoprotein of human parainfluenza virus type 3: nucleotide sequence of the gene, direct identification of the cleavage-activation site, and comparison with other paramyxoviruses.
The complete sequences of the fusion (F) mRNA and protein of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (PF3) were determined from overlapping cDNA clones. To confirm the cDNA sequence, the complete sequence of the F gene was determined independently by dideoxynucleotide sequencing of genomic RNA using synthetic oligonucleotide primers. The mRNA contains 1845 nucleotides, exclusive of poly (A), has an unusually long (193-nucleotide) 5' nontranslated region, and encodes an F0 protein of 539 amino acids. The site within F0 of the proteolytic cleavage that activates fusion activity was established by direct amino acid sequencing of the NH2 terminus of the F1 subunit. The PF3 F0 protein shares major structural features with the previously sequenced F0 proteins of Sendai virus (murine parainfluenza type 1) and simian virus 5 (SV5, canine parainfluenza type 2), including: similarity in overall length; similarity in location of the site of the activating proteolytic cleavage; the presence of an NH2-terminal signal peptide and COOH-proximal membrane anchor; strong conservation of the sequence at the NH2 terminus of the F1 subunit; and nearly exact conservation in the number and positions of cysteine residues. Alignment of the F0 protein sequences of PF3 with those of Sendai, SV5, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) using a matrix that scores both amino acid matches and mismatches provided highly significant statistical evidence that all four proteins are related. The order of decreasing relatedness to PF3 was found to be: Sendai virus, SV5, and RSV.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Molecular cloning of pertussis toxin genes.
We have cloned a 4.5 kb EcoRI/BamHI DNA fragment from Bordetella pertussis which contains at least two genes responsible for expression of pertussis toxin. The S4 subunit of the toxin was isolated by high pressure liquid chromatography and the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence determined. Using a mixed synthetic oligonucleotide probe designed by reverse translation of a portion of the protein sequence, a cloned DNA fragment was identified which contains the coding information for at least the S4 structural subunit of the toxin. Sequence analyses indicate that the mature protein is derived by proteolytic cleavage of a precursor molecule. Southern blot analyses of Tn5-induced B. pertussis toxin-deficient mutants show that the Tn5 DNA is inserted 1.3 kb downstream from the S4 subunit gene. This second gene could code for another subunit required for assembly of the mature toxin or a non-structural transport protein, possibly in the same polycistronic operon. The molecular cloning of pertussis toxin genes provides the basis for development of a safer recombinant "new generation" vaccine for whooping cough.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
A new HTLV-III/LAV protein encoded by a gene found in cytopathic retroviruses.
The DNA of the HTLV-III/LAV group of retroviruses contains certain additional open reading frames that are not found in typical avian or mammalian retroviruses. The role of these sequences in encoding for gene products that may be related to pathogenesis remains to be resolved. An open reading frame whose 5' end overlaps with the pol gene, but is unrelated to the env gene, has been observed in HTLV-III/LAV and visna virus, both cytopathic mammalian retroviruses. Evidence presented here shows that this open reading frame is a bona fide coding sequence of HTLV-III/LAV and that its product, a protein with a molecular weight of 23,000, induces antibody production in the natural course of infection.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Serologic and T cell recognition of truncated transplantation antigens encoded by in vitro deleted class I major histocompatibility genes.
Gene constructions encoding a leader sequence and the C2, transmembrane, and intracytoplasmic exons of both H-2Ld (pLd-C2) and H-2Dd (pDd-C2) were expressed as cell surface proteins when stably introduced into mouse L cells. Distinct proteins of 17.5 and 16 kd precipitated from pDd-C2 transformants reacted with a C2 domain-specific monoclonal antibody, whereas the pLd-C2 transformants expressed a single 19 kd glycoprotein. A xenoantiserum specific for the exon VI/VIII fusion peptide of H-2Dd precipitated only the 16 kd product, suggesting that this protein was derived from an alternately spliced transcript lacking exon VII of the native gene. CTL specifically recognized the pLd-C2 and pDd-C2 gene products, indicating the existence of CTL reactive against polymorphic determinants in the C2 domain of class I antigens.
Animals↗
Alternative processing of H-2Dd pre-mRNAs results in membrane expression of differentially phosphorylated protein products.
Two distinct mRNA species encoding the mouse major histocompatibility antigen H-2Dd have been identified in BALB/c spleen cells as well as in cultured cell lines expressing this cell surface glycoprotein. The alternate transcripts of H-2Dd arise from either removal or inclusion of exon VII (encoding I2) during pre-mRNA processing. The relative levels of each kind of H-2Dd transcript varied considerably between different cell types, and in all cells examined both forms of alloantigen were expressed on the cell membrane. Antigen derived from both types of transcript reacted with H-2Dd-specific monoclonal antibodies, whereas only protein lacking the 13 amino acids of I2 reacted with a specific antiserum raised against a predicted exon VI/VIII fusion peptide. Those H-2Dd proteins translated from full length, but not smaller, transcripts were phosphorylated in resting and phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated BALB/c spleen cells, suggesting that the major site of in vivo phosphorylation is within the highly conserved sequence encoded by exon VII. Thus alternative splicing of pre-mRNA transcripts is a mechanism which leads to membrane expression of two forms of H-2Dd, one of which lacks a major site of phosphorylation.
Animals↗
A soluble class I molecule analogous to mouse Q10 in the horse and related species.
Horse serum is shown to contain a soluble class I molecule analogous to the secreted Q10 molecule in the mouse. This molecule has several similarities to the recently described mouse Q10 molecule: it is smaller than membrane-bound equine class I molecules; it occurs in a high molecular mass complex of 200-300 kd in serum; and the serum levels of the equine molecule are similar to that of the Q10 molecule (about 30 micrograms/ml). A soluble molecule is also detected in the sera of species related to the horse; it has in fact been found in all the wild members of the order Perissodactyla so far tested. However, it was not detected in the serum of members of the orders Carnivora, Sirenia, Proboscidea, Artiodactyla, and Primates that were tested, nor in the serum of members of the order Rodentia other than in that of the genus Mus.
Animals↗
Structural analyses define an additional H-2D region class I antigen that is expressed by a variant mouse strain.
The genetic complexity of the H-2D region includes haplotype disparities in apparent gene and product number. To probe the genetic basis of this complexity, the products of two independently derived mouse strains (STU and B10.SAA48) that express Dw3 antigens were compared. Serologic, fluorometric and peptide map comparisons were made using monoclonal antibodies. Although both STU and B10.SAA48 mice were found to express indistinguishable Dw3 molecules, only B10.SAA48 mice were found to express an additional antigen designated Lw3. Several lines of evidence are presented that suggest the gene encoding Lw3 maps to the D region. Furthermore peptide map comparisons of Dw3 with Lw3 molecules implied that they are products of separate genes; but Dw3 and Lw3 molecules were found to be more homologous to each other than Dd and Ld molecules are to each other. Inter-haplotype comparisons of Dw3 and Lw3 molecules with other D region molecules showed no striking homologies to Dd, Ld or eight other molecules compared. However, both Dw3 and Lw3 molecules were found to be unexpectedly homologous to the Ddx and Dw25 molecules, thus defining another family of structurally related D region antigens. This so called Dw3-family was found to be quite distinct from the previously defined Ld-family of molecules, since no joint members were found. The results of these studies of Dw3 encoded antigens are discussed as evidence for intra-D region recombination or mutation.
Animals↗
Evidence for the association of I-A and I-E molecules in d-haplotype mice.
Previous studies using sequential immunoprecipitation indicated the existence of two I-E molecules in d-haplotype mice. Using N-terminal amino acid radiosequence analysis, we have shown that the sequence of the alpha- and beta-chains from the I-E molecule, which is immunoprecipitated by a monoclonal antibody (14.4.4S), is consistent with that determined for the gene of the I-Ed molecule. The material, which is immunoprecipitated by an anti-I-Ed alloantiserum [(B10 X D2.GD)F1 anti-B10.D2] after preclearing with 14.4.4S, has a N-terminal amino acid sequence consistent with it being a mixture of the I-Ed and I-Ad alpha- and beta-chains. The amount of I-Ad varied with each preparation, ranging from 15 to 40% of the total. Nonequilibrium pH gradient gel electrophoresis fractionation of the beta-chain pool precipitated by the alloantiserum yielded two molecules. One molecule had an Ad beta N-terminal amino acid sequence and the other had an Ed beta N-terminal sequence. The existence of antibodies cross-reactive with I-A in the anti-I-E alloantiserum were ruled out because this antiserum could not immunoprecipitate any I-Ad molecules from a D2.GD spleen cell lysate. Therefore, we conclude that the alloantiserum is recognizing determinants that are formed by an interaction between I-Ad and I-Ed molecules or their subunits.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
A pre-translational defect in a case of human mu heavy chain disease.
A patient (BW) was studied with Mu heavy chain disease (mu HCD) in whom a leukemic B-cell clone secreted a shortened monoclonal mu chain without associated light chain. The cells did, however, produce a normal-sized kappa light chain that was detected as urinary Bence-Jones protein. The cytoplasmic and secreted monomeric mu chain had an approximate mol. wt of 58,000. Radiochemical sequence analysis of the biosynthetically labelled mu chain revealed a protein that lacked the entire variable region. The sequence initiated at amino acid position 5 within the first constant region domain (CH1) of C mu. The primary in vitro translation product, the cytoplasmic and secreted proteins were all similarly truncated, thereby excluding extensive postsynthetic degradation. The mu RNA, that directed the synthesis of the truncated mu protein, was about 350 bp smaller than the normal mu RNA. Furthermore, by primer extension analysis it was possible to localize this deletion in the mu RNA to a region 5' of CH1. Thus, a defect at the level of Ig gene structure/assembly that deletes coding information or results in aberrant RNA processing must be responsible for the truncated mu HCD protein BW.
Amino Acid Sequence↗