PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Odile Burlet-Schiltz

Publications and source records attributed to Odile Burlet-Schiltz.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Destructive cleavage of antigenic peptides either by the immunoproteasome or by the standard proteasome results in differential antigen presentation.

The immunoproteasome (IP) is usually viewed as favoring the production of antigenic peptides presented by MHC class I molecules, mainly because of its higher cleavage activity after hydrophobic residues, referred to as the chymotrypsin-like activity. However, some peptides have been found to be better produced by the standard proteasome. The mechanism of this differential processing has not been described. By studying the processing of three tumor antigenic peptides of clinical interest, we demonstrate that their differential processing mainly results from differences in the efficiency of internal cleavages by the two proteasome types. Peptide gp100(209-217) (ITDQVPSFV) and peptide tyrosinase369-377 (YMDGTMSQV) are destroyed by the IP, which cleaves after an internal hydrophobic residue. Conversely, peptide MAGE-C2(336-344) (ALKDVEERV) is destroyed by the standard proteasome by internal cleavage after an acidic residue, in line with its higher postacidic activity. These results indicate that the IP may destroy some antigenic peptides due to its higher chymotrypsin-like activity, rather than favor their production. They also suggest that the sets of peptides produced by the two proteasome types differ more than expected. Considering that mature dendritic cells mainly contain IPs, our results have implications for the design of immunotherapy strategies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Proteomic analysis of anaplastic lymphoma cell lines: identification of potential tumour markers.

Anaplastic large-cell lymphomas (ALCL) are high grade lymphomas of T or null phenotype often associated with the t(2;5) translocation leading to the expression of a chimeric protein consisting of the N-terminal portion of nucleophosmin (NPM) and the intracellular domain of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). Although ALCL are recognized as distinct clinical, biological and cytogenetic entities, heterogeneities persist in this group of tumours, which exhibit a broad spectrum of morphological features. Particularly, the common type tumour consisting in large cells contrast with the small cell variant that is sometimes associated with a leukemic phase. The ALK-negative ALCL is often associated with a poor prognosis. Here, we investigated the proteome of these subtypes of tumours using patient-derived cell lines. We compared the proteome of the cytosolic fraction of NPM-ALK-positive versus NPM-ALK-negative cells on one hand, and the proteome of common cell type versus small cell variant on the other hand. The identification of a set of proteins differentially expressed in the subtypes of ALCL points to new diagnosis/prognosis markers. This study also provides interesting information on the molecular mechanisms responsible for the different subtypes of ALCL.

Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase↗

DNA damage induce gamma-tubulin-RAD51 nuclear complexes in mammalian cells.

Rad51 protein plays an essential role in recombination repair of DNA double-strand breaks and DNA crosslinking adducts. It is part of complexes which can vary with the stage of the cell cycle and the nature of the DNA lesions. During a search for Rad51-associated proteins in CHO nuclear extracts of S-phase cells by mass spectrometry of proteins immunoprecipitated with Rad51 antibodies, we identified a centrosomal protein, gamma-tubulin. This association was confirmed by the reverse immunoprecipitation with gamma-tubulin antibodies. Both proteins copurified from HeLa cells nuclear extracts following a tandem affinity purification of double-tagged Rad51. Immunofluorescence analysis showed colocalization of both Rad51 and gamma-tubulin in discrete foci in mammalian cell nuclei. The number of colocalized foci and their overlapping area increased in the presence of DNA damage produced by genotoxic treatments either during S phase or in exponentially growing cells. These variations did not result from an overall stress because microtubule cytoskeleton poisons devoid of direct interactions with DNA, such as taxol or colcemid, did not lead to an increase of this association. The recruitment of Rad51 and gamma-tubulin in the same nuclear complex suggests a link between DNA recombination repair and the centrosome function during the cell cycle.

Animals↗

A quantitative proteomic approach using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and isotope-coded affinity tag labeling for studying human 20S proteasome heterogeneity.

Mammalian proteasomes are macromolecular complexes formed of a catalytic 20S core associated to two regulatory complexes. The 20S core complex consists of four stacked rings of seven alpha or beta subunits. Three beta subunits contain a catalytic site and can be replaced by three interferon gamma-inducible counterparts to form the immunoproteasome. Cells may constitutively possess a mixture of both 20S proteasome types leading to a heterogeneous proteasome population. Purified rat 20S proteasome has been separated in several chromatographic fractions indicating an even higher degree of complexity in 20S proteasome subunit composition. This complexity may arise from the presence of subunit isoforms, as previously detected in purified human erythrocyte 20S proteasome. In this study, we have used a quantitative proteomic approach based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and isotope-coded affinity tag (ICAT) labeling to quantify the variations in subunit composition, including subunit isoforms, of 20S proteasomes purified from different cells. The protocol has been adapted to the analysis of low quantities of 20S proteasome complexes. The strategy has then been validated using standard proteins and has been applied to the comparison of 20S proteasomes from erythrocytes and U937 cancer cells. The results obtained show that this approach represents a valuable tool for the study of 20S proteasome heterogeneity.

Carbon Isotopes↗

The use of mass spectrometry to identify antigens from proteasome processing.

Mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful tool for the characterization of antigenic peptides that play a major role in the immune system. Most of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I peptides are generated during the degradation of intracellular proteins by the proteasome, a catalytic complex present in all eukaryotic cells. This chapter focuses on the contribution of MS to the understanding of the mechanisms of antigen processing by the proteasome. This knowledge may be valuable for the design of specific inhibitors of proteasome, which has recently been recognized as a therapeutic target in cancer therapies and for the development of efficient peptidic vaccines in immunotherapies. Examples from the literature have been chosen to illustrate how MS data can contribute first to the understanding of the mechanisms of proteasomal processing and, second, to the understanding of the crucial role of proteasome in cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) activation. The general strategy based on MS analyses used in these studies is also described.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Final antigenic Melan-A peptides produced directly by the proteasomes are preferentially selected for presentation by HLA-A*0201 in melanoma cells.

The melanoma-associated protein Melan-A contains the immunodominant CTL epitope Melan-A(26/27-35)/HLA-A*0201 against which a high frequency of T lymphocytes has been detected in many melanoma patients. In this study we show that the in vitro degradation of a polypeptide encompassing Melan-A(26/27-35) by proteasomes produces both the final antigenic peptide and N-terminally extended intermediates. When human melanoma cells expressing the corresponding fragments were exposed to specific CTL, those expressing the minimal antigenic sequence were recognized more efficiently than those expressing the N-terminally extended intermediates. Using a tumor-reactive CTL clone, we confirmed that the recognition of melanoma cells expressing an N-terminally extended intermediate of Melan-A is inefficient. We demonstrated that the inefficient cytosolic trimming of N-terminally extended intermediates could offer a selective advantage for the preferred presentation of Melan-A peptides directly produced by the proteasomes. These results imply that both the proteasomes and postproteasomal peptidases limit the availability of antigenic peptides and that the efficiency of presentation may be affected by conditions that alter the ratio between fully and partially processed proteasomal products.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of protein variants and post-translational modifications: ESI-MSn analyses of intact proteins eluted from polyacrylamide gels.

We have developed a strategy to characterize protein isoforms, resulting from single-point mutations and post-translational modifications. This strategy is based on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis separation of protein isoforms, mass spectrometry (MS) and MSn analyses of intact proteins, and tandem MS analyses of proteolytic peptides. We extracted protein isoforms from polyacrylamide gels by passive elution using SDS, followed by nanoscale hydrophilic phase chromatography for SDS removal. We performed electrospray ionization MS analyses of the intact proteins to determine their molecular mass, allowing us to draw hypotheses on the nature of the modification. In the case of labile post-translational modifications, like phosphorylations and glycosylations, we conducted electrospray ionization MSn analyses of the intact proteins to confirm their presence. Finally, after digestion of the proteins in solution, we performed tandem MS analyses of the modified peptides to locate the modifications. Using this strategy, we have determined the molecular mass of 5-10 pmol of a protein up to circa 50 kDa loaded on a gel with a 0.01% mass accuracy. The efficiency of this approach for the characterization of protein variants and post-translational modifications is illustrated with the study of a mixture of kappa-casein isoforms, for which we were able to identify the two major variants and their phosphorylation site and glycosylation motif. We believe that this strategy, which combines two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometric analyses of gel-eluted intact proteins using a benchtop ion trap mass spectrometer, represents a promising approach in proteomics.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Improved sensitivity of biomolecular interaction analysis mass spectrometry for the identification of interacting molecules.

Biological functions of most macromolecules depend on their ability to interact with other molecules and a great challenge is the complete description of the protein interaction networks. Biomolecular interaction analysis (BIA) is an optical technology that uses the surface plasmon resonance phenomenon for characterizing macromolecular interactions between an analyte in solution and its ligand immobilized on a sensor chip. Further identification of interacting proteins can be achieved by combining this nondestructive method to mass spectrometry (MS). The BIA-MS approach represents a promising tool in proteomics for the characterization of protein/protein interactions. In this study, we report on the improved sensitivity in the identification of an unknown protein bound to a known ligand by a rapid and simple BIA-MS approach. We took advantage of a new automatic and very reproducible microelution procedure available on BIACORE 3000 instruments, called "microrecovery", to elute the bound protein from the sensor chip. Protein identification was then achieved after tryptic digestion by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass mapping and database search. The strategy was succesfully applied to the model protein SHP2 tyrosine phosphatase interacting with an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif sequence of the sst2 somatostatin receptor. Optimization of the BIA-MS approach allowed the unambiguous identification of 10-20 fmol of the protein specifically trapped from a complex mixture of cytosolic extracts.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PKB/Akt phosphorylates the CDC25B phosphatase and regulates its intracellular localisation.

Regulation of the intracellular localisation of its actors is one of the key mechanisms underlying cell cycle control. CDC25 phosphatases are activators of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDK) that undergo nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling during the cell cycle and in response to checkpoint activation. Here we report that the protein kinase PKB/Akt phosphorylates CDC25B on serine 353, resulting in a nuclear export-dependent cytoplasmic accumulation of the phosphatase. Oxidative stress activates PKB/Akt and reproduces the effect on CDC25B phosphorylation and localisation. However, inhibition of PKB/Akt activity only partially reverted the effect of oxidative stress on CDC25B localisation and mutation of serine 353 abolishes phosphorylation but only delays nuclear exclusion. These results indicate that additional mechanisms are also involved in preventing nuclear import of CDC25B. Our findings identify CDC25B as a target of PKB/Akt and provide new insight into the regulation of its localisation in response to stress-activated signalling pathways.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

Identification of proNeuropeptide FFA peptides processed in neuronal and non-neuronal cells and in nervous tissue.

Peptides which should be generated from the neuropeptide FF (NPFF) precursor were identified in a neuronal (human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y) cell line and in COS-7 cells after transient transfection of the human proNPFFA cDNA and were compared with those detected in the mouse spinal cord. After reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography of soluble material, NPFF-related peptides were immunodetected with antisera raised against NPFF and identified by using on-line capillary liquid chromatography/nanospray ion trap tandem mass spectrometry. Neuronal and non-neuronal cells generated different peptides from the same precursor. In addition to NPFF, SQA-NPFF (Ser-Gln-Ala-Phe-Leu-Phe-Gln-Pro-Gln-Arg-Phe-amide) and NPAF were identified in the human neuroblastoma while only NPFF was clearly identified in COS-7 cells. In mouse, in addition to previously detected NPFF and NPSF, SPA-NPFF (Ser-Pro-Ala-Phe-Leu-Phe-Gln-Pro-Gln-Arg-Phe-amide), the homologous peptide of SQA-NPFF, were characterized. These data on intracellular processing of proNeuropeptide FFA are discussed in regard to the known enzymatic processing mechanisms.

Animals↗

Identification of neuropeptide FF-related peptides in human cerebrospinal fluid by mass spectrometry.

Several neuropeptide FF (NPFF)-related peptides, known as modulators of the opioid system, have been previously characterized in bovine and rodent brain. Reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) fractions of a human with normal pressure hydrocephalus cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), co-migrating with NPFF-related synthetic peptides, were characterized by capillary HPLC coupled on-line to nanospray ion trap tandem mass spectrometry. Two peptides present in the pro-NPFF(A) precursor, NPAF (AGEGLNSQFWSLAAPQRF-NH2) and NPSF (SLAAPQRF-NH2), were identified. The monitoring of NPFF-related peptides in human CSF can be helpful to understand their roles in pain sensitivity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The two-step cleavage activity of PI-TfuI intein endonuclease demonstrated by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

PI-TfuI, an intein spliced from the DNA polymerase of Thermococcus fumicolans, is a highly specific endonuclease, whose cleavage efficiency and specificity depend on both the substrate topology and the divalent cation used as cofactor. An open circular intermediate was observed during the cleavage of supercoiled DNA by PI-TfuI, suggesting a two-step cleavage of the DNA. We characterized this nicked intermediate and, through the development of a method of analysis of the cleavage reaction based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, we demonstrated that the cleavage of DNA by PI-TfuI indeed results from two cleavage events. One step results in the cleavage of the bottom strand, which is independent of the DNA conformation or choice of the metal ion cofactor. A second step, which is slower, leads to the cleavage of the top strand and governs the specific requirements of PI-TfuI concerning the essential cofactor and the DNA topology. These two steps were shown to be independent in optimal conditions of cleavage. These data give support to the existence of two distinct and independent active sites in the endonuclease domain of the archaeal intein.

Archaeal Proteins↗

Dissociation of pharmacological pro- and anti-opioid effects by neuropeptide FF analogs.

Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) and its analog 1DMe ([D-Tyr(1),(NMe)Phe(3)]NPFF) have been shown to reverse or potentiate morphine analgesia in rat depending on the supraspinal or spinal site of injection. The properties, in the mouse tail-flick test, of 1DMe and its related compound Nic-1DMe (Nicotinoyl-Pro-1DMe) were investigated after their local (i.c.v. and i.t.) and systemic administration. Whereas Nic-1DMe and 1DMe exhibit the same affinity and selectivity towards NPFF(1) and NPFF(2) receptors, Nic-1DMe, in contrast to 1DMe, is unable to inhibit morphine-induced analgesia after i.c.v. and i.p. administration. Conversely, after i.t. and i.p. administration, both neuropeptide FF analogs could potentiate morphine analgesia. Differences in disposition parameters between 1DMe and Nic-1DMe are evidenced, suggesting that the two neuropeptide FF analogs could stimulate differentially supraspinal neuropeptide FF receptors. The predominant activation of spinal neuronal pathways by Nic-1DMe could explain the selective pro-opioid action of this compound after i.t., i.c.v. and i.p. administration.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

The production of a new MAGE-3 peptide presented to cytolytic T lymphocytes by HLA-B40 requires the immunoproteasome.

By stimulating human CD8(+) T lymphocytes with autologous dendritic cells infected with an adenovirus encoding MAGE-3, we obtained a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clone that recognized a new MAGE-3 antigenic peptide, AELVHFLLL, which is presented by HLA-B40. This peptide is also encoded by MAGE-12. The CTL clone recognized MAGE-3--expressing tumor cells only when they were first treated with IFN-gamma. Since this treatment is known to induce the exchange of the three catalytic subunits of the proteasome to form the immunoproteasome, this result suggested that the processing of this MAGE-3 peptide required the immunoproteasome. Transfection experiments showed that the substitution of beta5i (LMP7) for beta5 is necessary and sufficient for producing the peptide, whereas a mutated form of beta5i (LMP7) lacking the catalytically active site was ineffective. Mass spectrometric analyses of in vitro digestions of a long precursor peptide with either proteasome type showed that the immunoproteasome produced the antigenic peptide more efficiently, whereas the standard proteasome more efficiently introduced cleavages destroying the antigenic peptide. This is the first example of a tumor-specific antigen exclusively presented by tumor cells expressing the immunoproteasome.

Adenoviridae↗

Mapping and structural dissection of human 20 S proteasome using proteomic approaches.

The proteasome, a proteolytic complex present in all eukaryotic cells, is part of the ATP-dependent ubiquitin/proteasome pathway. It plays a critical role in the regulation of many physiological processes. The 20 S proteasome, the catalytic core of the 26 S proteasome, is made of four stacked rings of seven subunits each (alpha7beta7beta7alpha7). Here we studied the human 20 S proteasome using proteomics. This led to the establishment of a fine subunit reference map and to the identification of post-translational modifications. We found that the human 20 S proteasome, purified from erythrocytes, exhibited a high degree of structural heterogeneity, characterized by the presence of multiple isoforms for most of the alpha and beta subunits, including the catalytic ones, resulting in a total of at least 32 visible spots after Coomassie Blue staining. The different isoforms of a given subunit displayed shifted pI values, suggesting that they likely resulted from post-translational modifications. We then took advantage of the efficiency of complementary mass spectrometric approaches to investigate further these protein modifications at the structural level. In particular, we focused our efforts on the alpha7 subunit and characterized its N-acetylation and its phosphorylation site localized on Ser(250).

Amino Acid Sequence↗