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S C Rall

Publications and source records attributed to S C Rall.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Synthesis and secretion of apolipoprotein E occur independently of synthesis and secretion of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins in HepG2 cells.

The synthesis and secretion of apolipoprotein (apo) E, a major protein component of very low density lipoproteins, were examined in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 under metabolic conditions known to stimulate lipogenesis and the production of apoB-containing lipoproteins. When HepG2 cells were incubated in the presence of fetal bovine serum (5 or 10%) or canine chylomicron remnants (5 or 10 micrograms of protein), the secretion of triglycerides and cholesteryl esters of lipoproteins of d less than 1.063 g/ml increased, as determined by the incorporation of [14C]acetate. Determination of the distribution of apoE among media lipoproteins by agarose column chromatography showed that the majority of secreted apoE was associated with large lipoproteins when cells were incubated with fetal bovine serum. However, immunoblot analysis of total media apoE revealed that incubating cells with or without the lipogenic factors had no effect on the amount of apoE secreted. Pulse-chase and continuous labeling experiments demonstrated that the synthesis and secretion of apoE did not vary under the different metabolic conditions, even though there was a 5-fold increase in apoB secretion in response to increased lipogenesis. Neither apoE nor apoB mRNA levels responded to the lipogenic stimuli. We conclude that the synthesis and secretion of apoE are independent of the production of apoB-containing lipoproteins in HepG2 cells.

Acetates

The functional characteristics of a human apolipoprotein E variant (cysteine at residue 142) may explain its association with dominant expression of type III hyperlipoproteinemia.

Type III hyperlipoproteinemia typically is associated with homozygosity for apolipoprotein (apo) E2(Arg158----Cys). Dominant expression of type III hyperlipoproteinemia associated with apoE phenotype E3/3 is caused by heterozygosity for a human apoE variant, apoE3(Cys112----Arg, Arg142----Cys). However, this apoE3 variant was not separable from the normal apoE3 in these patients' plasma because the two proteins have identical amino acid composition, charge, and molecular weight. Therefore, to determine the functional characteristics of this protein, we used recombinant DNA techniques to produce this apoE variant in bacteria. We also produced a non-naturally occurring variant, apoE(Arg142----Cys), that had only the cysteine substituted at residue 142. These two apoE variants were purified from cell lysates of the transfected Escherichia coli by ultracentrifugal flotation in the presence of phospholipid, by gel filtration chromatography, and by heparin-Sepharose chromatography. Both Cys142 apoE variants bound to lipoprotein receptors on human fibroblasts with only about 20% of normal binding activity. Therefore, cysteine at residue 142, not arginine at residue 112, is responsible for the decreased receptor binding activity of the variants. Cysteamine treatment and removal of the carboxyl-terminal domain had little effect on the binding activity, whereas both modulate the receptor binding activity of apoE2(Arg158----Cys). The mutation at residue 142 decreased the binding activity of apoE to both heparin and the monoclonal antibody 1D7 (this antibody inhibits receptor binding of apoE), whereas apoE2(Arg158----Cys), which is associated with recessive expression of type III hyperlipoproteinemia, binds normally to both. The Arg112, Cys142 variant predominantes 3:1 over normal apoE3 in the very low density lipoproteins of plasma from an affected subject, as assessed by differential reactivity with the antibody 1D7. The unique combination of functional properties of the Arg112, Cys142 variant provides a possible explanation for its association with dominant expression of type III hyperlipoproteinemia.

Amino Acid Sequence

The role of apolipoprotein E genetic variants in lipoprotein disorders.

Apolipoprotein E plays a central role in lipoprotein metabolism by serving as a ligand for the binding of lipoproteins to lipoprotein receptors. Both common and rare variants of apoE have been described. The common variants apoE2 and apoE4 have a significant impact on interindividual variation of lipid and lipoprotein levels in normal subjects. The common variant apoE2 and more than half a dozen rare variants are defective in binding to the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, and all are causally associated with the lipid disorder type III hyperlipoproteinaemia (HLP). The mode of inheritance of the disorder can be either dominant or recessive, depending on the particular mutation(s) in apoE, although the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. The common variant apoE4 and other rare variants have been reported to be associated with a variety of other lipoprotein disorders, but a causal link has not been established.

Apolipoproteins E

Genetic defects in lipoprotein metabolism. Elevation of atherogenic lipoproteins caused by impaired catabolism.

Certain proteins (called apolipoproteins B and E) on the surface of lipoprotein particles are responsible for mediating the binding of cholesterol-rich particles to specific lipoprotein receptors on the surface of cells and represent a major pathway controlling blood cholesterol levels. Three important disorders of lipoprotein metabolism, which provide insights into the molecular mechanisms responsible for the elevation of specific atherogenic lipoproteins, are the following: (1) Type III hyperlipoproteinemia results from specific mutations in apolipoprotein E that prevent the normal binding of chylomicron remnants and very-low-density lipoprotein remnants to lipoprotein receptors. Patients with this disorder who have elevated levels of these remnant lipoproteins develop atherosclerosis. (2) Familial defective apolipoprotein B-100 results from a single amino acid substitution in apolipoprotein B that prevents low-density lipoprotein from binding normally to the low-density lipoprotein receptor and elevates plasma cholesterol levels. (3) Familial hypercholesterolemia, which results in elevated levels of plasma low-density lipoprotein and premature atherosclerosis, is caused by a variety of mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor that interfere with the normal binding of lipoproteins to this receptor. These observations not only provide insights into the mechanisms responsible for normal lipoprotein metabolism, but also highlight the potential role of specific lipoproteins in atherogenesis.

Apolipoprotein B-100

Two apolipoprotein E5 variants illustrate the importance of the position of additional positive charge on receptor-binding activity.

Apolipoprotein (apo) E polymorphism has a significant effect on plasma cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. The association of two apoE5 isoforms with elevated plasma low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in two unrelated subjects led us to investigate the primary structures and receptor-binding properties of their apoE. Cysteamine modification and isoelectric focusing demonstrated that the apoE5 isoform from subject 1 did not contain cysteine but that the apoE5 isoform from subject 2 contained one residue of cysteine. The structural mutation in the apoE5 isoform of subject 1 was determined by peptide sequencing. Like apoE4, this variant had arginine at position 112 but differed from apoE4 by the substitution of arginine for proline at position 84. When purified and subjected to a competitive binding assay, this apoE5(84 Pro----Arg, 112 Cys----Arg) variant had the same receptor-binding activity as normal apoE3. Because subject 2 was of Japanese descent and her apoE5 contained one cysteine residue, we suspected that it would contain the lysine-forglutamic acid mutation at position 3 that has been described previously in Japanese subjects. This was confirmed by directly sequencing the first 10 amino acid residues of her apoE. When subjected to the competitive binding assay, the total apoE from subject 2, which consisted of approximately equal amounts of normal apoE3 and apoE5(3 Glu----Lys), had a binding activity of 188%, confirming the previously reported enhanced binding of this variant. These results demonstrate that the enhancement of receptor-binding activity of more basic isoforms of apoE depends on the position at which additional positively charged amino acids are incorporated.

Amino Acids

Atherogenic lipoproteins resulting from genetic defects of apolipoproteins B and E.

Accelerated atherosclerosis occurs in patients with type III hyperlipoproteinemia and familial hypercholesterolemia. These genetic disorders focus attention on specific types of lipoproteins as being responsible for the development of accelerated coronary artery heart disease. The accumulation of chylomicron remnants of intestinal origin and of VLDL remnants or IDL of hepatic origin observed in type III hyperlipoproteinemia appears to correlate with coronary disease. The presence of defective forms of apo E prevents normal receptor-mediated catabolism of these lipoproteins. Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia have an elevation of plasma LDL (and to a lesser extent an increase in VLDL remnants and IDL) secondary to defective LDL receptors that impair normal catabolism. Familial defective apo B100 is secondary to an abnormality of apo B100 that prevents the normal interaction of LDL with the LDL receptor and increases plasma LDL. However, it has not yet been established that familial defective apo B100 predisposes affected individuals to accelerated atherosclerosis. Animals fed diets high in saturated fat and cholesterol have an accumulation of beta-VLDL, IDL, and LDL that resembles the changes in lipoproteins observed in patients with these genetic disorders. Macrophages (which are presumably derived from circulating monocytes) have emerged as a likely key component in atherogenesis because they appear to be progenitors of foam cells in arterial lesions. Macrophages in the arterial wall express receptors that recognize chylomicron remnants and VLDL remnants (beta-VLDL) and chemically modified LDL. Thus, in the presence of these specific lipoproteins, macrophages are converted to cells that resemble foam cells. The precise stimulus that causes monocyte-derived macrophages to enter specific regions of the arterial wall remains to be determined.

Animals

Identification, characterization, and tissue distribution of apolipoprotein D in the rat.

We recently described an unknown apolipoprotein that is present on the lipoprotein particles isolated from regenerating rat sciatic nerves. In the regenerating nerve, the concentration of this apolipoprotein rises 500-fold over its concentration in the normal nerve. In this report we have identified the apolipoprotein by partial amino acid sequence analysis as apolipoprotein (apo) D. Characterization of rat apoD by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed it to be composed of a series of molecular weight isoforms of between 27 kDa and 31 kDa that increase 2 kDa in apparent molecular mass upon reduction. Rat apoD has multiple isoelectric points between pH 4.05 and 4.37, apparently resulting from N-linked glycosylation. In the rat, unlike the human, little apoD is found in plasma. However, immunocytochemical localization of apoD in 12 tissues (liver, kidney, bladder, adrenal, cerebrum, duodenum, testis, lung, spleen, pancreas, heart, and skin) showed that a variety of cells contained substantial levels of apolipoprotein. The broad distribution of apoD suggests that it may play a general role in cellular metabolism. Moreover, many of the same cell types varied dramatically in their content of apoD in different tissues, suggesting that the uptake or secretion of apoD by cells is regulated.

Amino Acid Sequence

Apolipoprotein E2-Dunedin (228 Arg replaced by Cys): an apolipoprotein E2 variant with normal receptor-binding activity.

Homozygosity for the apolipoprotein (apo) E variant apoE2(158 Arg----Cys) invariably gives rise to dysbetalipoproteinemia, and when associated with obesity or a gene for hyperlipidemia, results in type III hyperlipoproteinemia. The association of the E2/2 phenotype with type IV/V hyperlipoproteinemia rather than type III hyperlipoproteinemia in identical twin brothers led us to investigate the primary structure of their apoE. Lipoprotein electrophoresis on agarose gels confirmed the presence of increased very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and chylomicrons but little, if any, beta-VLDL, indicating that these subjects did not have dysbetalipoproteinemia. When the apoE from these twins was subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis on a system that can distinguish apoE2(158 Arg----Cys) from all other known apoE variants, it gave rise to two components. One had the unique mobility of apoE2(158 Arg----Cys), and one migrated in the position of the other variants of apoE (and normal apoE3), indicating that the brothers were heterozygous for apoE2(158 Arg----Cys) and a second apoE2 isoform. Cysteamine modification and isoelectric focusing showed that, like apoE2(158 Arg----Cys), the second apoE2 isoform also contained two cysteine residues. The structural mutation in the second apoE2 isoform was determined by peptide sequencing. Like normal apoE3, this variant had arginine at position 158, but differed from apoE3 by the substitution of cysteine for arginine at position 228. Total apoE isolated from the brothers had the same receptor-binding activity in a competitive binding assay as a 1:1 mixture of normal apoE3 and apoE2(158 Arg----Cys).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence

Apolipoprotein E3-Leiden contains a seven-amino acid insertion that is a tandem repeat of residues 121-127.

Apolipoprotein (apo) E3-Leiden is a variant of apoE that is associated with dominant expression of type III hyperlipoproteinemia and that is defective in binding to the low density lipoprotein receptor. Therefore, the structure of apoE3-Leiden was investigated. Upon sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis apoE3-Leiden and its 22-kDa amino-terminal thrombolytic fragment migrated with a higher than normal apparent molecular weight. The structural abnormality of apoE3-Leiden was determined by sequencing its CNBr-, tryptic-, and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease-generated peptides. In contrast to normal apoE3, which has a cysteine at residue 112, apoE3-Leiden does not contain any cysteine and has an arginine at position 112 (as does apoE4, which also completely lacks cysteine). The basis for the molecular weight difference was determined to be a seven-amino acid insertion that is a tandem repeat of residues 121-127 of normal apoE3, i.e. Glu-Val-Gln-Ala-Met-Leu-Gly, resulting in apoE3-Leiden having 306 amino acids rather than 299. The negatively charged glutamyl residues within the insertion compensates for the arginine substitution at residue 112; thus apoE3-Leiden focuses in the E3 position. The low density lipoprotein receptor binding activities of both intact apoE3-Leiden and its 22-kDa thrombolytic fragment were determined in an in vitro assay. Although apoE3-Leiden had only about 25% of normal binding activity, its 22-kDa thrombolytic fragment had nearly normal binding, suggesting that the carboxyl-terminal domain of apoE3-Leiden modulates the receptor binding function of its amino-terminal domain.

Amino Acid Sequence

Glycosylation of human apolipoprotein E. The carbohydrate attachment site is threonine 194.

The glycosylation of human apolipoprotein (apo) E was examined with purified plasma apoE and apoE produced by transfected cell lines. The carbohydrate attachment site of plasma apoE was localized to a single tryptic peptide (residues 192-206). Sequence analysis and amino sugar analysis of this peptide derived from asialo-, monosialo-, or disialo-apoE indicated that the carbohydrate moiety is attached only to Thr194 in monosialo- and disialo-apoE and that asialo-apoE is not glycosylated. Mammalian cells that normally do not express apoE were transfected with human apoE plasmid expression vectors to test the utilization of potential carbohydrate attachment sites and the role of apoE glycosylation in secretion. Site-specific mutants of apoE, designed to eliminate or alter glycosylation sites, were expressed in HeLa cells by acute transfection. Apolipoprotein E(Thr194----Ala) was secreted exclusively as the asialo isoform, confirming that Thr194 is the site of carbohydrate attachment in these cells and indicating that glycosylation of apoE is not essential for secretion. Apolipoprotein E(Thr194----Asn,Gly196----Ser), which introduces a potential site for N-glycosylation at position 194, was secreted with a higher apparent molecular weight than native, O-glycosylated apoE. Studies with tunicamycin indicated that this apoE was N-glycosylated at Asn194. Stably transfected cell lines expressing human apoE were prepared from wild-type Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and from CHO ldlD cells, which are defective in glycosylation. The transfected wild-type cells secreted multiply sialylated apoE. The transfected ldlD cells also secreted high levels of apoE even in the absence of glycosylation, which confirms that glycosylation is not essential for secretion of apoE.

Animals

Type III hyperlipoproteinemia associated with apolipoprotein E phenotype E3/3. Structure and genetics of an apolipoprotein E3 variant.

A family has been described in which type III hyperlipoproteinemia is associated with apo E phenotype E3/3 (Havel, R. J., L. Kotite, J. P. Kane, P. Tun, and T. Bersot. 1983. J. Clin. Invest. 72:379-387). In the current study, the structure of apo E from the propositus of this family was determined using both protein and DNA analyses. The propositus is heterozygous for two different apo E alleles, one coding for normal apo E3 and one for a previously undescribed variant apo E3 in which arginine replaces cysteine at residue 112 and cysteine replaces arginine at residue 142. Apo E gene analysis of nine other family members spanning four generations indicated that only those five members having type III hyperlipoproteinemia possess the variant apo E3. Like the propositus, all five are heterozygous for this variant, suggesting that the disorder in this family is transmitted in a dominant fashion. The variant apo E3 was defective in its ability to bind to lipoprotein receptors, and this functional defect probably contributes to the expression of type III hyperlipoproteinemia in this family.

Adult

Human apolipoprotein E3 in aqueous solution. I. Evidence for two structural domains.

The stability and structure of human apolipoprotein (apo) E3 in aqueous solution were investigated by guanidine HCl denaturation and limited proteolysis. The guanidine HCl denaturation curve, as monitored by circular dichroism spectroscopy, was biphasic; the two transition midpoints occurred at 0.7 and 2.5 M guanidine HCl, indicating that there are stable intermediate structures in the unfolding of apoE. Limited proteolysis of apoE with five enzymes demonstrated two proteolytically resistant regions, an amino-terminal domain (residues 20-165) and a carboxyl-terminal domain (residues 225-299). The region between them was highly susceptible to proteolytic cleavage. Because of their similarity to the proteolytically resistant regions, the amino-terminal (residues 1-191) and carboxyl-terminal (residues 216-299) thrombolytic fragments of apoE were used as models for the two domains. Guanidine HCl denaturation of the carboxyl- and amino-terminal fragments gave transition midpoints of 0.7 and 2.4 M guanidine HCl, respectively. The results establish that the two domains identified by limited proteolysis correspond to the two domains detected by protein denaturation experiments. Therefore, the thrombolytic fragments are useful models for the two domains. The free energies of denaturation calculated from the denaturation curves of intact apoE or the model domains were approximately 4 and 8-12 kcal/mol for the carboxyl- and amino-terminal domains, respectively. The value for the carboxyl-terminal domain is similar to those of previously characterized apolipoproteins, whereas the value for the amino-terminal domain is considerably higher and resembles those of soluble globular proteins. These studies suggest that, in aqueous solution, apoE is unlike other apolipoproteins in that it contains two independently folded structural domains of markedly different stabilities: an amino-terminal domain and a carboxyl-terminal domain, separated by residues that may act as a hinge region.

Algorithms

Site-specific mutagenesis of human apolipoprotein E. Receptor binding activity of variants with single amino acid substitutions.

Apolipoprotein (apo) E, an important protein involved in cholesterol transport in the plasma, binds with high specificity and high affinity to the apoB, E (low density lipoprotein) receptor. Several lines of evidence have indicated that key basic residues in the vicinity of residues 140-160 of apoE are important in mediating binding to the receptor. Furthermore, apoE variants exhibiting defective receptor binding are associated with the genetic lipid disorder type III hyperlipoproteinemia. To determine whether other basic amino acids in this region of apoE also affect receptor binding activity, site-specific mutagenesis of apoE in a bacterial expression system was undertaken. This system had been used successfully to produce apoE3 that was structurally and functionally equivalent to human plasma apoE3. Variants of apoE in which neutral amino acids were substituted for basic residues at positions 136, 140, 143, and 150 were produced. The variants all displayed defective binding; their activity ranged from 9 to 52% of normal (a range similar to that seen with naturally occurring variants of human apoE). In addition, to determine whether the conformation of this region is important for receptor binding, we designed variants in which proline was substituted for leucine 144 or alanine 152. Both variants were defective, exhibiting 13 and 27% of normal binding, respectively. In contrast, a double mutant in which arginine was substituted for serine 139 and alanine for leucine 149 displayed slightly enhanced receptor binding activity. These studies confirm that the middle of the apoE molecule is important in receptor binding and indicate that only certain amino acid substitutions in this region interfere with receptor binding activity.

Amino Acid Sequence

Lipoprotein[a] is the major apoB-containing lipoprotein in the plasma of a hibernator, the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus).

We have undertaken studies aimed at elucidating the interrelationships existing between the seasonal modifications in endocrine status (already demonstrated by Saboureau, M., and J. Boissin. 1978. C.R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 286D: 1479-1482) and plasma lipoprotein metabolism in the male hedgehog. During the course of these studies, we discovered that a lipoprotein comparable to human Lp[a] was a prominent component of the plasma lipoprotein spectrum in the hedgehog. This lipoprotein was present in the 1.040-1.100 g/ml density range (approximately), exhibited pre beta mobility upon agarose gel electrophoresis, and its Stokes diameter was 275 A. Its apolipoprotein moiety consisted of two proteins with molecular weights and amino acid compositions similar to those of human apoB-100 and apo[a], respectively. These two apolipoproteins were present in hedgehog Lp[a] as a complex that could be dissociated using dithiothreitol and whose stoichiometry could be 1:1. Lp[a] polymorphism due to size heterogeneity of apo[a] appeared to be present in the hedgehog as in man. The chemical composition of hedgehog Lp[a], obtained from animals bled during spring and summer, differed from that of its human counterpart in that the proportion of triglycerides was approximately three times higher in the hedgehog particle (13% vs. 4%), to the detriment of cholesteryl esters. Dissociation of the apoB:apo[a] complex has allowed us to obtain Lp[a] devoid of its specific polypeptide (Lp[a-]), a particle that retained the characteristics of Lp[a] as regards its lipid composition but whose Stokes diameter decreased by 30 to 40 A. The plasma concentration of LDL particles, defined as lipoproteins containing apoB-100 as their sole apolipoprotein constituent, was considerably lower than that of Lp[a]. These findings suggest that the hedgehog could be a unique animal model for studies regarding Lp[a] metabolism.

Amino Acids

Comparison of cDNA-derived protein sequences of the human fibronectin and vitronectin receptor alpha-subunits and platelet glycoprotein IIb.

The fibronectin receptor (FnR), the vitronectin receptor (VnR), and the platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa complex are members of a family of cell adhesion receptors, which consist of noncovalently associated alpha- and beta-subunits. The present study was designed to compare the cDNA-derived protein sequences of the alpha-subunits of human FnR, VnR, and platelet GP IIb. cDNA clones for the alpha-subunit of the FnR (FnR alpha) were obtained from a human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) cell library by using an oligonucleotide probe designed from a peptide sequence of platelet GP IIb. cDNA clones for platelet GP IIb were isolated from a cDNA expression library of human erythroleukemia cells by using antibodies. cDNA clones of the VnR alpha-subunit (VnR alpha) were obtained from the HUVE cell library by using an oligonucleotide probe from the partial cDNA sequence for the VnR alpha. Translation of these sequences showed that the FNR alpha, the VnR alpha, and GP IIb are composed of disulfide-linked large (858-871 amino acids) and small (137-158 amino acids) chains that are posttranslationally processed from a single mRNA. A single hydrophobic segment located near the carboxyl terminus of each small chain appears to be a transmembrane domain. The large chains appear to be entirely extracellular, and each contains four repeated putative Ca2+-binding domains of about 30 amino acids that have sequence similarities to other Ca2+-binding proteins. The identity among the protein sequences of the three receptor alpha-subunits ranges from 36.1% to 44.5%, with the Ca2+-binding domains having the greatest homology. These proteins apparently evolved by a process of gene duplication.

Amino Acid Sequence

Human apolipoprotein B-100 heparin-binding sites.

Seven distinct heparin-binding sites have been demonstrated on human apolipoprotein (apo) B-100 by using a combination of digestion with cyanogen bromide or Staphylococcus aureus V-8 protease and heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. Based on fragment analysis, the approximate boundaries of the seven binding sites are as follows: site A, residues 5-99; site B, residues 205-279; site C, residues 875-932; site D, residues 2016-2151; site E, residues 3134-3209; site F, 3356-3489; and site G, residues 3659-3719. In sites E and F, two short regions enriched in basic amino acids have been identified, and it is likely that they are responsible for a major portion of the heparin-binding properties of these sites. The relative binding affinity of each of the seven sites was estimated in two ways. First, the affinity was assessed in a ligand blot assay using a 125I-labeled high-reactive heparin subfraction. Second, apoB-100 fragments generated by cyanogen bromide or S. aureus V-8 protease were separated into low- and high-affinity fractions by gradient salt elution of a heparin-Sepharose column. The distribution of the seven binding sites in the two fractions was determined in an immunoblotting assay using antibodies specific to each site, i.e. antibodies raised against synthetic peptide sequences found within each of the seven sites. The results of these two approaches demonstrate that site E and, to a somewhat lesser extent, site F bind to heparin with the highest affinity. Based on the analogy with apoE, in which the high-affinity heparin-binding site coincides with the domain of the protein that interacts with apoB,E (low density lipoprotein) receptors, the results of this study indicate that site E and site F, either singly or in combination, might constitute the receptor binding domain of apoB-100.

Amino Acid Sequence

Protein sequence of endothelial glycoprotein IIIa derived from a cDNA clone. Identity with platelet glycoprotein IIIa and similarity to "integrin".

Platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) IIIa forms a Ca2+-dependent heterodimer complex with GP IIb. The GP IIb-IIIa complex constitutes the fibrinogen and fibronectin receptor on stimulated platelets. A biochemically and immunologically similar membrane glycoprotein complex is present on endothelial cells. A human umbilical vein endothelial cell cDNA library was screened using oligonucleotide probes designed from peptide sequences obtained from platelet GP IIIa. A cDNA clone was sequenced and found to encode a protein of 84.5 kDa. The translated endothelial cDNA contained five sequences that corresponded to peptide sequences in platelet GP IIIa, including the amino-terminal 19 residues. Thus, the endothelial and platelet forms of GP IIIa are apparently identical. Glycoprotein IIIa consists of a long amino-terminal extracellular domain with several potential N-linked glycosylation sites and four cysteine-rich tandem repeats, a 29-residue hydrophobic transmembrane segment, and a short carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic domain. Glycoprotein IIIa has a 47% amino acid sequence homology to "integrin," a fibronectin receptor from chicken embryo fibroblasts. This homology suggests that GP IIIa is a member of a family of cell-surface adhesion receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence