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Y Colin

Publications and source records attributed to Y Colin.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Structure and expression of the mouse homologue of the XK gene.

The human Kx blood group antigen is carried by a 37,000 M(r) apparent molecular mass membrane polypeptide which is deficient in rare individuals with the McLeod syndrome. The X-linked human XK gene is transcribed in many tissues including adult skeletal muscle and brain, sieges of disorders observed in McLeod syndrome. We report here the cloning of the orthologous mouse XK mRNA. Comparison of XK from human and mouse revealed 80% sequence similarity at the amino acid level. The mouse XK gene is organized in two exons and is expressed in many tissues, but its expression pattern is slightly different from that of the human gene. The presence in mouse erythrocyte membrane of a 43,000 M(r) Kx-related protein was demonstrated by immunoblotting with a rabbit antiserum directed against the human protein. With non-reduced samples, a 140,000 M(r) species was detected instead of the 43,000 M(r) protein, suggesting that, as demonstrated in the Kx polypeptide might be complexed with another protein in mouse red cells, presumably the homologue of the human Kell protein of 93,000 M(r).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Arg89Cys substitution results in very low membrane expression of the Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokines in Fy(x) individuals.

The Duffy (FY) blood group antigens are carried by the DARC glycoprotein, a widely expressed chemokine receptor. The molecular basis of the Fya/Fyb and Fy(a-b-) polymorphisms has been clarified, but little is known about the Fyx antigen and the FY*X allele associated with weak expression of Fyb, Fy3, Fy5, and Fy6 antigens. We analyzed here the structure and expression of the FY gene in 4 Fy(a-bweak) individuals. As compared with Fy(a-b+) controls, the Fy(a-bweak) red blood cell membranes contained residual amount of DARC polypeptide and these cells were poorly bound by anti-Fy antibodies and chemokines. The FY gene from Fy(a-b+) and Fy(a-bweak) individuals differed by one substitution, C286T. The resulting Arg89Cys amino acid change reduced the binding of anti-Fy antibodies and chemokines to DARC transfectants. We concluded that the Fybweak donors carried the FY*X allele at the FY locus and that the Fyx antigen corresponds to highly reduced expression of a grossly normal Fyb polypeptide caused by the Arg89Cys substitution. Because FY is a single copy gene, this defect should also affect DARC expression in nonerythroid cells. Because the Fyx phenotype is not associated with apparent clinical consequences, we discussed these findings in the light of the putative roles of DARC in various tissues. Finally, we developed a Fyx DNA typing assay that should be useful for genetic studies and clinical transfusion medicine.

Alleles↗

The Lutheran blood group glycoproteins, the erythroid receptors for laminin, are adhesion molecules.

The Lutheran antigens are recently characterized glycoproteins in which the extracellular region contains five immunoglobulin like domains, suggesting some recognition function. A recent abstract suggests that the Lutheran glycoproteins (Lu gps) act as erythrocyte receptors for soluble laminin (Udani, M., Jefferson, S., Daymont, C., Zen, Q., and Telen, M. J. (1996) Blood 88, Suppl. 1, 6 (abstr.)). In the present report, we provided the definitive proof of the laminin receptor function of the Lu gps by demonstrating that stably transfected cells (murine L929 and human K562 cell lines) expressing the Lu gps bound laminin in solution and acquired adhesive properties to laminin-coated plastic dishes but not to fibronectin, vitronectin, transferrin, fibrinogen, or fibrin. Furthermore, expression of either the long-tail (85 kDa) or the short-tail (78 kDa) Lu gps, which differ by the presence or the absence of the last 40 amino acids of the cytoplasmic domain, respectively, conferred to transfected cells the same laminin binding capacity. We also confirmed by flow cytometry analysis that the level of laminin binding to red cells is correlated with the level of Lu antigen expression. Indeed, Lunull cells did not bind to laminin, whereas sickle cells from most patients homozygous for hemoglobin S overexpressed Lu antigens and exhibited an increased binding to laminin, as compared with normal red cells. Laminin binding to normal and sickle red cells as well as to Lu transfected cells was totally inhibited by a soluble Lu-Fc chimeric fragment containing the extracellular domain of the Lu gps. During in vitro erythropoiesis performed by two-phase liquid cultures of human peripheral blood, the appearance of Lu antigens in late erythroid differentiation was concomitant with the laminin binding capacity of the cultured erythroblasts. Altogether, our results demonstrated that long-tail and short-tail Lu gps are adhesion molecules that bind equally well laminin and strongly suggested that these glycoproteins are the unique receptors for laminin in normal and sickle mature red cells as well as in erythroid progenitors.

Animals↗

Differential expression of the Kell blood group and CD10 antigens: two related membrane metallopeptidases during differentiation of K562 cells by phorbol ester and hemin.

The erythroleukemic cell line K562 can undergo further differentiation in erythroid or megakaryocytic lineage depending on the nature of the stimulus. Phorbol ester (PMA) stimulates megakaryocytic development whereas hemin promotes erythroid differentiation of these cells. We have examined the effect of PMA and hemin on the expression of the Kell blood group and CD10 antigens, two related proteins that belong to a family of membrane-bound neutral metalloendopeptidases. We show here that differentiation of K562 cells by PMA in the megakaryocytic lineage results in abolishment of Kell mRNA accumulation and protein expression and, in parallel, the induction of CD10 mRNA accumulation, protein expression, and enzymatic activity. Conversely, differentiation of these cells by hemin in the erythroid lineage is accompanied by an up-regulation of Kell mRNA and protein expression, with no changes in CD10 mRNA and protein expression. Thus, CD10 and Kell can be regarded as specific markers of the differentiation of K562 cells in the megakaryocytic and erythroid lineages, respectively.

Antigens, CD↗

Insights into the structure and function of membrane polypeptides carrying blood group antigens.

In recent years, advances in biochemistry and molecular genetics have contributed to establishing the structure of the genes and proteins from most of the 23 blood group systems presently known. Current investigations are focusing on genetic polymorphism analysis, tissue-specific expression, biological properties and structure-function relationships. On the basis of this information, the blood group antigens were tentatively classified into five functional categories: (i) transporters and channels, (ii) receptors for exogenous ligands, viruses, bacteria and parasites, (iii) adhesion molecules, (iv) enzymes and, (v) structural proteins. This review will focus on selected blood groups systems (RH, JK, FY, LU, LW, KEL and XK) which are representative of these classes of molecules, in order to illustrate how these studies may bring new information on common and variant phenotypes and for understanding both the mechanisms of tissue specific expression and the potential function of these antigens, particularly those expressed in nonerythroid lineage.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital↗

Close association of the first and fourth extracellular domains of the Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokines by a disulfide bond is required for ligand binding.

It has been demonstrated that the promiscuous chemokine binding profile of the Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokines (DARC) is given by its extracellular NH2-terminal region. However, the relationship among the Fy6, Fya/b, and Fy3 epitopes, localized in the first and fourth extracellular domains of DARC, respectively, and the chemokine binding sites remained a matter of controversy. Here, we performed cross-displacement and cross-inhibition experiments indicating that all anti-Fy6, anti-Fya, and anti-Fy3 monoclonal antibodies and interleukin 8 are antagonists for binding to red cells. Biopanning of phage peptide libraries with an anti-Fy6 monoclonal antibody led to the identification of the motif Phe22-Glu23, the mutation of which altered the binding of both anti-Fy6 and chemokines (interleukin 8, MGSA, RANTES (regulated on activation normal T cell expressed)) to DARC transfectants. These results characterized the core of the Fy6 epitope and provided definitive proof of the tight relationship between Fy6 and the chemokine receptor site. Analysis of red cells treated by sulfhydryl group-modifying reagents suggested that the chemokine receptor function of DARC required the integrity of disulfide bond(s) but not that of free sulfhydryl group(s). Accordingly, mutation of cysteines 51 and 276 abolished chemokine binding to DARC transfectants. Altogether, our results suggested that the chemokine binding pocket of DARC included sequences located in the first and fourth extracellular domains which are brought into close vicinity by a disulfide bridge.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Organization of the human LU gene and molecular basis of the Lu(a)/Lu(b) blood group polymorphism.

The Lutheran (Lu) blood group antigens and the B-cell adhesion molecule (B-CAM) epithelial cancer antigen are carried by recently cloned integral glycoproteins that belong to the Ig superfamily. We have previously shown that the Lu and B-CAM antigens are encoded by the same gene, LU, and that alternative splicing of the primary transcript most likely accounts for the presence of both antigens on two isoforms that differ by the length of their cytoplasmic tails. In the present report, we isolated the human LU gene by cloning a 20-kb HindIII fragment from Lu(a - b+) genomic DNA. The LU gene is organized into 15 exons distributed over 12.5 kb. Alternative splicing of intron 13 generates the 2.5- and 4.0-kb transcript spliceoforms encoding the long tail and the short tail Lu polypeptides, respectively. Sequencing of the major mRNA species (2.5 kb) amplified from human bone marrow, kidney, placenta, and skeletal muscle did not suggest the presence of tissue-specific Lu glycoprotein isoforms. The same transcription initiation point, located 22 bp upstream from the initiation codon, was characterized in several tissues. In agreement with the wide tissue distribution of the Lu messengers, the GC-rich proximal 5' flanking region of the LU gene does not contain TATA or CAAT boxes, but includes several potential binding sites for the ubiquitous Sp1 transcription factor. In addition, the distal 5' region, encompassing nucleotides -673 to -764, contains clustered binding sequences for the GATA, CACCC, and Ets transcription factors. Analysis of the coding sequences amplified from genomic DNA of Lu(a + b-) or Lu(a - b+) donors showed a single nucleotide change in exon 3 (A229G) that correlates with an Aci I restriction site polymorphism and results in a His77Arg amino-acid substitution. Polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis indicated that the A229G mutation is associated with the Lu(a)/Lu(b) blood group polymorphism. When expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, Lu cDNAs carrying the A229 or the G229 produced cell surface proteins that reacted with anti-Lu(a) or anti-Lu(b) antibodies, respectively, showing that these nucleotides specify the Lu(a) and Lu(b) alleles of the Lutheran blood group locus. CHO cells expressing recombinant short-tail or long-tail Lu glycoproteins reacted as well with anti-Lu as with anti-B-CAM antibodies, providing the definitive proof that the Lu blood group and B-CAM antigens are carried by the same molecules.

Alleles↗

A human monoclonal anti-D antibody which detects a nonconformation-dependent epitope on the RhD protein by immunoblot.

We describe the first human monoclonal anti-D (LOR-15C9) which reacts with a D-specific motif exposed either on a native form on intact D-positive red cells or on a denatured form of the RhD protein (33 kD), and detected by immunoblotting. LOR-15C9 was able to precipitate RhD but not RhcE proteins produced by in vitro transcription-translation assays. The reactivity of the antibody, using panels of red cells with various partial D phenotypes known to lack some D epitopes and corresponding in RHD gene variants, suggested that LOR-15C9 reactivity depends on the portion of the RhD polypeptide encoded by the exon 7 (amino acids 314-358). These findings correlate well with the reactivity of LOR-15C9 with erythrocytes of some nonhuman primates (D(gor)-positive gorillas), but not of chimpanzee and Old or New World monkeys. In membrane proteins from partial D(VI) red cells, LOR-15C9 detected two proteins of molecular weight 33 and 21 kD: the presence of the latter was specific for category D(VI) and presumably represented the product of an alternatively spliced RHD(VI) transcript in these cells. This is consistent with the finding that LOR-15C9 can precipitate a shortened D protein mutant resulting from in vitro transcription-translation and lacking amino-acids 163-313 encoded by exons 4-6. In addition, a 21 kD band polypeptide was detected by immunoblot in all red cell samples but D--, using a rabbit anti-Rh polypeptide antibody (MPC8) raised against the C-terminal domain of Rh proteins. This 21 kD polypeptide most probably results from the translation of an alternatively spliced RHCE gene transcript. This study demonstrates that LOR-15C9 detects an epitope on the RhD protein that is independent of the membrane environment, and therefore could be a useful tool for the study of RhD polypeptides.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Specificity and sensitivity of RHD genotyping methods by PCR-based DNA amplification.

We have compared the sensitivity and specificity of four PCR methods of RHD gene detection using different sets of primers located in the regions of highest divergence between the RHD and RHCE genes, notably exon 10 (method I), exon 7 (method II), exon 4 (method III) and intron 4 (method IV). Methods I-III were the most sensitive and gave a detectable signal with D-pos/D-neg mixtures containing only 0.001% D-positive cells. Moreover, method II could detect the equivalent DNA amount present in only three nucleated cells in the assay without hybridization of PCR products, whereas the sensitivity of the other methods was 10-50 times less. Investigation of D variants indicated that false-negative results were obtained with method II (D(IVb) variant), method III (D(VI) and DFR variants) and method IV (D(VI) variants), but not method I. Weak D (D(u)) was correctly detected as D-positive by all methods, but most cases of Rh(null) appeared as false-positives, as they carry normal RH genes that are not phenotypically expressed. Some false-positive results were obtained with method I in a few Caucasian DNA samples serotyped as RhD-neg but carrying a C- or E-allele, whereas a high incidence of false-positives was found among non-Caucasian Rh-negative samples by all methods. In the Caucasian population, however, we found a full correlation between the predicted genotype and observed phenotype at birth of 92 infants. Although we routinely use the four methods for RHD genotyping, a PCR strategy based on at least two methods is recommended.

Blotting, Southern↗

A unique gene encodes spliceoforms of the B-cell adhesion molecule cell surface glycoprotein of epithelial cancer and of the Lutheran blood group glycoprotein.

Two new members of the Ig superfamily, the Lutheran (Lu) blood group glycoprotein and the B-cell adhesion molecule (B-CAM) epithelial cancer antigen, have been recently cloned from human placenta and colon cancer HT29 cell line, respectively. Although amino acid sequences deduced from cDNA analysis suggested that B-CAM should represent an abridged form of the Lu glycoprotein lacking the last 40 amino acids of the putative cytoplasmic tail, the relationship between the genes encoding these polypeptides has not been determined. In the present report, we showed by Southern blot analysis that the Lu and B-CAM cDNAs derived from a unique LU gene which exhibited an HindIII RFLP associated with the Lua/Lub blood group polymorphism. Accordingly, in situ hybridization of the Lu cDNA probe confirmed the localization of the Lutheran blood group locus to chromosome 19 q13.2-13.3, as previously shown for a B-CAM DNA probe. Sequence comparison between cDNA and genomic PCR fragments indicated that the Lu and B-CAM transcripts previously isolated are generated through the alternative use of internal splice donor and acceptor sites within an exon located at the 3' end of the LU gene. These spliceoforms corresponded to 2.5 kb and 4.0 kb mRNA species detectable by Northern blot in all tissues and cell lines in which the LU gene is expressed; their primary structures are consistent with the presence of both the Lu and B-CAM antigens on two glycoprotein isoforms. However, the 4.0 kb transcript was very poorly expressed as compared to the 2.5 kb species except in the colon carcinoma HT29 cell line, suggesting a differential regulation of the Lu/B-CAM messenger RNA in some tumor tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗