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L C Harrison

Publications and source records attributed to L C Harrison.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

HLA-DRB1*0401 is associated with susceptibility to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus independently of the DQB1 locus.

The distribution of DRB1*04 alleles and DRB1/DQB1 haplotypes was analysed in 57 DR4+ caucasoid subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and 96 DR4+ healthy controls selected on the basis of DR serology, and the findings were analysed in relation to age at diagnosis of IDDM. DNA samples were amplified using specific DR and DQ primers and hybridized with sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes. A significantly increased combined frequency of DRB1*0401 and 0402 was observed in IDDM subjects aged < or = 12 years at diagnosis (allele frequency 88.4% compared with 62.0% in controls, P < 0.025). There was a non-significant increase in DRB1*0401 and 0402 in IDDM subjects < or = 12 years when compared with IDDM subjects > 12 years (P < 0.1). DRB1*0404 was decreased in the total IDDM subject group compared with controls (4.8% vs. 19.0%, P < 0.025) but did not reach statistical significance in the individual age at diagnosis groups. In contrast, the frequency of DQB1*0302 was increased uniformly across both ages at diagnosis groups. In controls DRB1*0401 occurred in haplotype association with DQB1*0301 in a significantly greater frequency than with DQB1*0302. However, 95.0% of DRB1*0401 IDDM subjects were DQB1*0302. DRB1*0404, which was decreased in frequency in IDDM subjects, occurred in association significantly more frequently with DQB1*0302 in controls. These results imply that DRB1 and DQB1 have independent roles as HLA susceptibility genes in IDDM. DQB1 may have a permissive role whereas DRB1 could influence the rate at which underlying disease progresses to clinical IDDM.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 (GAD67): expression relative to GAD65 in human islets and mapping of autoantibody epitopes.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), a target of both autoantibodies and autoreactive T-cells in insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD), exists as two homologous forms, GAD65 and GAD67. GAD65 is preferentially expressed in human islets and recognized by autoantibodies in IDD, but which form primarily elicits GAD autoimmunity is unknown. GAD67 gene expression in human islets has been demonstrated only by the polymerase chain reaction. We, therefore, quantitatively compared the expression of each GAD gene in human islets and mapped the binding of autoantibodies to recombinant human GAD67 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In ribonuclease protection assays, both forms of GAD messenger RNA (mRNA) were detected in human islets, although GAD65 mRNA was 200 times more abundant than GAD67 mRNA. Immunoblotting of islets with GAD form-specific antisera revealed GAD65, but not GAD67. By in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, GAD65 mRNA and protein were localized to islets, predominantly, but not entirely, to beta-cells; GAD67 mRNA and protein were undetectable. Thus, although GAD67 protein expression was undetectable in human islets, the GAD67 gene is transcribed, albeit weakly. Antibodies that recognized multiple epitopes in recombinant GAD67 were found in 20% of sera from ICA positive "at risk" first degree relatives of IDD subjects and recent-onset IDD subjects. The majority of GAD67 epitopes were mapped within the mid- and C-terminal thirds of the protein, a region that is highly conserved in GAD65. Although GAD67 may share cross-reactive epitopes with GAD65, these findings do not exclude the possibility that autoimmunity to GAD arises as a consequence of the aberrant up-regulation of GAD67 in human islets.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1995

Reproducibility of the first-phase insulin response to intravenous glucose is not improved by retrograde cannulation and arterialization or the use of a lower glucose dose.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the reproducibility of the first-phase insulin response (FPIR) measured during an intravenous glucose tolerance test is improved by the use of a lower glucose dose or retrograde sampling from an arterialized hand vein. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Previous studies have suggested that the high within-subject variation of FPIR measurement of up to 110% could be reduced by sampling from a retrograde cannulated and arterialized hand vein opposite to the cubital fossa vein through which the glucose was injected or by the use of a lower dose of glucose. Two low-dose (glucose, 5 g/m2 injected over 30 s) and two standard Islet Cell Antibody Registry Users Study (ICARUS) (glucose, 0.5 g/kg injected over 3 min) tests were performed on seven normal subjects at 2-week intervals. Samples were collected simultaneously from the cubital fossa vein, through which the glucose was injected, and from a retrograde cannulated, contralateral hand vein that was arterialized by heating. FPIR was expressed as the sum of the insulin measurements 1 and 3 min after the completion of the glucose injection and as the area under the insulin curve between 0 and 10 min. RESULTS: Responses to the mean sum of serum insulin concentrations at 1 and 3 min after intravenous glucose were significantly lower for the low-dose test (mean 94 mU/l) than for the high-dose test (mean 184 mU/l) for samples taken from the arm (P < 0.05); mean 0- to 10-min insulin areas were 367 and 596 mU/l for low- and high-dose tests, respectively (P < 0.05). Within-subject coefficients of variation for samples from the hand or the arm ranged from 0.33 to 17.5% and 1.3 to 38% for successive ICARUS and low-dose tests, respectively. Reproducibility, measured by the coefficient of variation between successive tests for each protocol, was not significantly different using samples taken from the arm or the contralateral hand. CONCLUSIONS: The intravenous glucose tolerance test is reproducible when performed by the same operator over a short time span. Reproducibility is not significantly improved by sampling from an arterialized, retrograde cannulated, contralateral hand vein. There is no case for changing the present ICARUS protocol to incorporate retrograde cannulation or low-dose (5 g/m2) glucose.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Analysis of families at risk for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus reveals that HLA antigens influence progression to clinical disease.

BACKGROUND: Individuals at risk for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), with an affected first-degree relative, can be identified by the presence of islet cell antibodies (ICA). ICA-positive relatives progress at variable rates to IDDM and identification of those at highest risk is a prerequisite for possible preventative treatment. Those who develop IDDM may exhibit less genetic heterogeneity than their ICA-positive or ICA-negative relatives. Specific human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genes predispose to IDDM but could also influence the rate of progression of preclinical disease. Therefore, by comparing HLA antigen frequencies between first-degree relatives, we sought to identify HLA genes that influence progression to IDDM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HLA antigen frequencies were compared in 68 IDDM, 53 ICA-positive, and 96 ICA-negative first-degree relatives from 40 Caucasoid families. Predictions were tested in a panel of 270 unrelated IDDM subjects. HLA typing was performed serologically (HLA class I and II) and by sequence-specific oligotyping (11th International Histocompatibility Workshop protocol) (HLA class II). ICA tests were measured by an internationally standardized indirect immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: In general, known susceptibility class II HLA antigens increased in frequency and known protective class II HLA antigens decreased in frequency, from ICA-negative to ICA-positive to IDDM relatives. Thus, DR4 and DQ8 increased whereas DR2 and DQ6 decreased; DR3 and DQ2 increased from ICA-negative to ICA-positive relatives, but not further in IDDM relatives. The high-risk DR3, 4 phenotype increased across the three groups; DR4,X was unchanged, and DR3,X and DRX,X both decreased. The HLA class I antigen, A24, occurred more frequently in ICA-positive relatives who developed IDDM and, in 270 unrelated IDDM subjects, was associated with an earlier age at diagnosis of IDDM in those with the lower risk class II phenotypes DR4,4 and DR3,X. CONCLUSIONS: HLA-DR3 and DQ2 predispose to islet autoimmunity, but not development of clinical IDDM in the absence and DR4 and DQ8. DR4 and DQ8 predispose to the development of clinical IDDM in ICA-positive relatives, in combination with DR3-DQ2 and other haplotypes but not when homozygous. HLA-A24 is significantly associated with rapid progression to IDDM in ICA-positive relatives and with an earlier age at clinical diagnosis. Analysis of IDDM families reveals that HLA genes not only predispose to islet autoimmunity but influence progression to clinical disease. The findings have implications for identifying high-risk relatives as candidates for possible preventative therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Similar peptides from two beta cell autoantigens, proinsulin and glutamic acid decarboxylase, stimulate T cells of individuals at risk for insulin-dependent diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Insulin (1) and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) (2) are both autoantigens in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), but no molecular mechanism has been proposed for their association. We have identified a 13 amino acid peptide of proinsulin (amino acids 24-36) that bears marked similarity to a peptide of GAD65 (amino acids 506-518) (G. Rudy, unpublished). In order to test the hypothesis that this region of similarity is implicated in the pathogenesis of IDDM, we assayed T cell reactivity to these two peptides in subjects at risk for IDDM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects at risk for IDDM were islet cell antibody (ICA)-positive, first degree relatives of people with insulin-dependent diabetes. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 10 pairs of at-risk and HLA-DR matched control subjects were tested in an in vitro proliferation assay. RESULTS: Reactivity to both proinsulin and GAD peptides was significantly greater among at-risk subjects than controls (proinsulin; p < 0.008; GAD; p < 0.018). In contrast to reactivity to the GAD peptide, reactivity to the proinsulin peptide was almost entirely confined to the at-risk subjects. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first demonstration of T cell reactivity to a proinsulin-specific peptide. In addition, it is the first example of reactivity to a minimal peptide region shared between two human autoimmune disease-associated self antigens. Mimicry between these similar peptides may provide a molecular basis for the conjoint autoantigenicity of proinsulin and GAD in IDDM.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase in at-risk and clinical insulin-dependent diabetic subjects: relationship to age, sex and islet cell antibody status, and temporal profile.

Antibodies to glutamic decarboxylase (GADAb) are present in insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD) but their association with age and sex and their temporal profile in relation to disease onset have not been fully documented. We have examined the association between GADAb and islet cell antibodies (ICA), age and sex, and have cross-sectionally and longitudinally measured the levels of GADAb before and after diagnosis of IDD. GADAb were measured by allowing serum immunoglobulin prebound to protein A Sepharose to precipitate GAD enzymatic activity from a fetal pig brain extract. GADAb levels were above the normal range (mean + 3SD of healthy controls, 460 nU/ml) in 19/44 (43%) at-risk subjects (ICA positive first degree relatives of persons with IDD), 35/108 (32%) recent-onset IDD subjects and 22/46 (47%) established IDD subjects. When analysed according to age and sex, GADAb levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in post-pubertal females in at-risk, recent-onset and established IDD groups. There was a significant association between GADAb and ICA > 20 in both first degree relatives (P < 0.001) and recent-onset subjects (P < 0.01) and GADAb were uncommon in the absence of ICA. Levels of GADAb were similar in at-risk, recent-onset and established IDD subjects and GADAb status remained stable in all but 2/41 at-risk subjects followed for 17 (mean, range 3-33) months. In conclusion, GADAb levels are strongly influenced by age, sex and ICA status, and generally remain stable in at-risk subjects and after the onset of clinical IDD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Natural history of humoral immunity to glutamic acid decarboxylase in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice.

Autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) are present in humans before and after the onset of clinical insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD). The non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse, a model of human IDD, develops mononuclear cell infiltration of the pancreatic islets ('insulitis') associated particularly in females with T cell-mediated destruction of the islet beta cells. In NOD mice of both sexes we detected serum antibodies to GAD (GAD Ab) that precipitate mouse brain GAD enzymatic activity. Antibodies in NOD sera also precipitate a M(r) 65,000 protein from Triton X-100 extracts of 35S-methionine-labelled NOD islets, identical in size to that precipitated by a monoclonal antibody to GAD. GAD Ab were not detected in other mouse strains. There were significant differences in the frequency, level and age at initial detection of GAD Ab between females of the NOD/Lt and NOD/WEHI lines, previously shown to have a higher and lower incidence of diabetes, respectively. Comparing NOD/Lt (n = 26) and NOD/WEHI (n = 20) females, in which diabetes occurred in 38% and 20% by 150 days, the frequency of elevated GAD Ab was 50 vs. 80%, the mean maximum GAD Ab level 21.1 vs. 30.6% and the mean age at which GAD Ab were first detected 94 vs. 45 days. No significant differences in these parameters were observed between male mice of either line. There was a significant negative correlation between the level of GAD Ab and the degree of insulitis in female mice from both lines. GAD Ab were not a prerequisite for the development of diabetes. In 7 of 10 female mice the onset of diabetes was preceded by a decrease of GAD Ab levels into the normal range. These findings indicate that, while GAD is a target of autoimmunity in the NOD mouse, GAD Ab do not necessarily correlate with the development of diabetes. Indeed, the difference between the two NOD lines and the inverse relationship with insulitis suggests that a strong humoral response to GAD may be associated with a less destructive pathology, as proposed in humans 'at-risk' for IDD.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1994

Do glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies improve the prediction of IDDM in first-degree relatives at risk for IDDM?

To determine whether the predictive value of islet cell antibodies (ICA) and insulin autoantibodies (IAA) is increased by measurement of glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADAb) in first-degree relatives of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), we measured GADAb in those developing IDDM and in relatives found to be ICA- or IAA-positive in our family screening study. First-degree relatives (n = 2904) were followed for 2.4 (median, range 0.04-5.8) years. Of the subjects developing IDDM, 11/14 (78%) had ICA > or = 20JDF units, 1/14 (7%) had IAA > or = 100 nU/ml and 6/14 (43%) had GADAb (> or = 460 nU/ml, measured by precipitation of enzymatic activity). Of the four subjects with ICA < 20 and IAA < 100 nU/ml who developed IDDM, one had elevated GADAb. Significant inhibition of GAD enzymatic activity by serum immunoglobulins, a potential cause of false-negative results in our immunoprecipitation assay, was not detected in seven subjects who developed IDDM in the absence of GADAb. Sixty-nine of the 2904 subjects with ICA > or = 20 or IAA > or = 100 were followed for 3.1 (median range 0.1-5.4) years. Survival analysis showed that diabetes-free survival in this group was not influenced significantly by GADAb positivity. In conclusion, GADAb in the absence of ICA and IAA are uncommon in first-degree relatives who progress to IDDM and the presence of GADAb does not increase the risk for IDDM in ICA- or IAA-positive relatives.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Effects of dexfenfluramine on glucose turnover in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Dexfenfluramine, a serotonin agonist with effects on the central nervous system (CNS), lowers blood glucose in patients with non-insulin-dependent mellitus (NIDDM). Previous studies using the hyperinsulinemic clamp have shown that dexfenfluramine improves insulin action on both stimulation of glucose uptake and inhibition of hepatic glucose production (HGP). Since the central nervous system can influence glucose tolerance in ways that may not be detected using a clamp procedure, we investigated the effects of dexfenfluramine on glucose kinetics during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in patients with NIDDM. Glucose kinetics were measured basally and during an OGTT using a double isotope technique and the modified one-pool model of the glucose system. After a 4-week run-in period, studies were performed before, after two 15 mg doses, and then after 4 weeks on 15 mg twice daily in 10 subjects with NIDDM. Fasting-plasma glucose was significantly lower after 4 weeks on dexfenfluramine (P < 0.01) as was plasma glucose at both 1 and 2 h during the OGTT (P < 0.05). The lower plasma glucose was associated with a reduction in HGP both basally (P < 0.01) and during the 1st hour of the OGTT (P < 0.05). There was no change in peripheral glucose uptake. Plasma insulin levels were unaltered, but plasma glucagon was lower after 1 month of treatment. We conclude that dexfenfluramine improves fasting-blood glucose and oral glucose tolerance predominantly by reducing hepatic glucose production.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Characterization of ganglioside associated with the thyrotrophin receptor.

The receptor protein for thyrotrophin (thyroid-stimulating hormone; TSH) is associated with a glycosphingolipid moiety. The protein belongs to the family of receptors that couple to guanine nucleotide binding proteins; the glycosphingolipid contains sialic acid and belongs to the family of gangliosides. This report defines the structure of the receptor ganglioside in the Fisher rat thyroid cell line (FRTL-5). Receptor protein was purified by TSH affinity chromatography from FRTL-5 cells, biosynthetically labelled with [3H]galactose and [3H]glucosamine, and resolved by SDS-PAGE. A single radiolabelled band of Mr approximately 80 kDa, corresponding to the predicted size of the cloned receptor, contained ganglioside. Gangliosides were extracted from unlabelled receptor protein after SDS-PAGE and probed on TLC plates with 125I-labelled Limax flavus agglutinin or the B subunit of cholera toxin, before and after digestion with Vibrio cholerae sialidase or beta-galactosidase. The TSH receptor (TSH-R) ganglioside belongs to the gangliotetraose family, having sialic acid attached to both galactose molecules. Its sialic acid is devoid of negative charge because of the formation of internal esterlactones. Its structure is lactonized N-acetylneuraminyl-(alpha 2-->3)galactosyl(beta 1-->3)-N-acetylgalactosaminyl(beta 1-->4)-[N-acetylneuraminyl(alpha 2-->3)]galactosyl(beta 1-->4)glucosyl(beta 1-->1)ceramide (GDla-lactone). Ganglioside lactones have not been previously described as components of thyroid cells. They are highly rigid and are more likely than their parent structures to serve as molecular recognition sites and elicit immunoreactivity. Identification of this unique ganglioside intimately associated with the TSH receptor implies that it has an integral role in receptor structure and function.

Alkalies↗
PubMed1994

MHCPEP: a database of MHC-binding peptides.

MHCPEP is a curated database comprising over 4000 peptide sequences known to bind MHC molecules. Entries are compiled from published reports as well as from direct submissions of experimental data. Each entry contains the source protein (when known), an estimate of binding affinity and critical anchor residues (if identified), and is fully referenced. The present format of the database allows test string matching searches. The database can be accessed via Internet using gopher.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1994

High level of concordance between assays for glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies. The First International Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Antibody Workshop.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADAbs) are being increasingly used in clinical and research programs for the prediction and classification of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). A number of different assay formats for the measurement of GADAbs have been reported, but the degree of concordance between assays is unknown. In this study, GADAbs were measured on 16 coded sera in 34 assays to examine concordance between GADAb assays and establish the feasibility of an international GADAb standard of measurement unit. The 16 lyophilized coded samples consisted of sera from healthy control subjects (n = 2), IDDM patients (n = 3), a patient with polyendocrine autoimmunity (n = 1), and duplicate dilutions of plasmapheresis serum from a patient with stiff-man syndrome (SMS). A high level of concordance was found in the ranking of GADAb levels (P = 0.99, Friedman's test) in the samples. Thirteen (38%) assays could reproducibly distinguish dilutions of SMS serum and detect GADAbs in all IDDM and polyendocrine autoimmunity sera tested. Although assessed on only four samples, disease specificity was 100% in 29 assays. The majority of assays that immunoprecipitated radiolabeled GAD gave high results for sensitivity and specificity. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and assays using immunofluorescence were generally less sensitive. Several assays, in particular those measuring GAD enzymatic activity immunoprecipitated in fluid phase from rat brain homogenate, showed a prozone-like phenomenon in the SMS dilution curve. Interpolation of results from a standard curve into workshop units resulted in relatively low scatter in samples with lower levels of GADAbs. Hence, the use of an international reference serum to enable comparison of results between laboratories appears feasible.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Endogenous TNF production differs between high and low diabetes incidence non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice.

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). To investigate a possible role for TNF in IDDM we compared endogenous TNF production in two lines of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, NOD/Lt and NOD/WEHI, that have a high and low incidence of diabetes, respectively. Preliminary experiments had shown that the lower syngeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (SMLR) in NOD/Lt mice could be corrected by TNF-alpha. Plasma TNF-alpha was measured in 8 week-old female non-diabetic mice primed with 1000 units IV of murine interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) followed after 3 hours by 5 micrograms IV of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Two hours later plasma was collected and TNF measured by ELISA. Plasma TNF in NOD/Lt mice was 9.2 +/- 2.4 ng/ml (mean +/- SEM, n = 16) compared to 2.5 +/- 0.5 ng/ml in NOD/WEHI mice (n = 15) and 7.6 +/- 1.0 ng/ml in BALB/c mice (n = 14). Time course studies demonstrated higher levels of both immunoreactive and bioactive TNF in NOD/Lt compared to NOD/WEHI mice up to 4 hours post-stimulation. A separate group of female NOD/Lt mice had IFN-gamma/LPS-stimulated plasma TNF-alpha measured at 10 weeks and were followed to age 30 weeks. The mean stimulated plasma TNF-alpha level was consistently higher in those mice that developed diabetes compared to those that remained non-diabetic, the difference being significant when mice were 21 weeks of age. These results suggest that endogenous TNF-alpha production may be a trait marker of IDDM susceptibility.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Antibody specificities of Thai and Australian scleroderma sera with topoisomerase I recombinant fusion proteins.

Autoantibodies that react with the nuclear enzyme topoisomerase I (Topo I) are used as a diagnostic marker of diffuse scleroderma. To better define immune reactivity to Topo I, antibody epitopes in two patient populations were analyzed using recombinant Topo I proteins. Two overlapping partial cDNA clones encoding the complete amino acid sequence of Topo I were isolated from human placenta. Using the polymerase chain reaction, specific regions of Topo I were amplified and cloned into the pGEX expression vectors. To map Topo I epitopes, recombinant fusion proteins were analyzed by immunoblotting with 66 anti-Topo I sera from Thai and Australian patients with diffuse scleroderma. Six distinct epitope regions were identified along the length of the 765 amino acid enzyme. Almost all sera contained antibodies that recognized the midregion of Topo I (amino acids 453-560), as well as antibodies to one of more of the other epitope regions. Sixty percent of the sera contained antibodies that recognized a COOH-terminal epitope region (amino acids 658-765) encompassing the active site of the enzyme. This subset of Topo I antibodies could be responsible for the inhibition of enzymatic activity previously reported in vitro. Heterogeneous patterns of reactivity with the six Topo I epitope regions were observed, although over half the sera could be assigned to one of six distinct patterns. In general, antibodies in the Thai sera reacted more strongly with the six epitope regions. Furthermore, two of the epitope regions reacted exclusively with Thai sera, suggesting a degree of racial or geographical specificity in the autoantibody response to Topo I. The identification of multiple epitopes in Topo I conforms with the polyclonal autoantibody response to intracellular Ag found in other multisystem autoimmune diseases and is presumed to be driven by the presentation of multiple peptides from Topo I itself.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Cloning from the thyroid of a protein related to actin binding protein that is recognized by Graves disease immunoglobulins.

Human actin binding protein (ABP) links specific membrane glycoproteins to cytoskeletal actin microfilaments. In human platelets and leukocytes, ABP directly links, respectively, the membrane glycoproteins GPIb and the high-affinity Fc receptor for IgG (Fc gamma IR) to cytoskeletal actin microfilaments. Similar interaction between the thyrotropin (TSH) receptor and ABP in endocrine cells might explain the rapid and profound disruption of actin microfilaments induced by TSH in cultured thyroid follicular cells. By screening a thyroid lambda gt11 cDNA expression library with serum from a Graves disease patient, we identified a clone encoding a protein, designated truncated ABP (TABP), that shares extensive homology (approximately 70%) with ABP. TABP is a truncated ABP-like protein with an open reading frame of 195 aa that encodes a protein of approximately 21 kDa. TABP lacks an actin binding domain but contains two predicted beta-sheet repeats within which is a putative dimerization domain and between which lies a putative glycoprotein binding site containing a consensus site for phosphorylation by Ca(2+)-calmodulin kinase II. TABP contains a unique C-terminal insertion within which lies a hydrophobic predicted membrane-associated region, absent from ABP. Although TABP mRNA is expressed widely, immunoblot analysis demonstrated the presence of TABP antibodies specifically in the sera of a minority of subjects with autoimmune thyroid disease. A 24-residue sequence of similarity was identified between the TSH receptor and platelet glycoprotein GPIb alpha that may represent a transmembrane ABP binding site. We suggest, therefore, that signal transduction by TSH in the thyroid involves direct linkage of the TSH receptor to actin microfilaments by ABP and that TABP may interact with ABP to mediate TSH-induced actin microfilament disruption.

Amino Acid Sequence↗