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[Tunicamycin inhibition of carbohydrate incorporation into thyroglobulin].

Carbohydrate chains formation into thyroglobulin (Tg) is a prerequisite for thyroid hormones formation and completeness of carbohydrates chains is necessary for secretion of Tg into the follicles. Tg biosynthesis has been investigated by in vitro experiments, incubating rat thyroid glands with labeled amino-acid and carbohydrate in the presence of tunicamycin, a specific inhibitor of protein glycosylation. Tunicamycin inhibit Tg biosynthesis which is impaired in carbohydrate chains addition but slightly in the polypeptide synthesis, as shown by inhibition of 3H-glucosamine incorporation. Thus tunicamycin inhibits carbohydrate incorporation into Tg without affecting the polypeptide chain growth and decreases its secretion into the follicles.

Animals

A heterozygous collagen defect in a variant of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VII. Evidence for a deleted amino-telopeptide domain in the pro-alpha 2(I) chain.

A structural defect in the alpha 2(I) chain of type I collagen was characterized in a new case of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VII. The patient's skin, fascia, and bone collagens all showed an abnormal additional chain, pN-alpha 2(I)s, running slower than the alpha 2(I) chain on electrophoresis. The extension was shown to be on the amino-terminal fragment of pN-alpha (I)s by cleavage with human collagenase, but pepsin was unable to convert pN-alpha 2(I)s to alpha 2(I). Skin collagen was 4-fold more extractable and contained fewer beta-dimers and a lower concentration of cross-linking amino acids than control skin collagen. Electron micrographs of both dermis and bone showed markedly irregular ragged outlines of the collagen fibrils in cross-section, although the patient had no clinical signs of bone disease. Procollagen secreted by her skin fibroblasts in culture showed equal amounts of the normal and abnormal alpha 2(I) chains on pepsin digestion. Before pepsin, the pN-alpha 2(I) component ran as a doublet on electrophoresis; pepsin removed only the normal slower chain. The suspected deletion in pN-alpha 2(I)s was traced by CNBr peptide analysis to the N-propeptide fragment, which behaved on electrophoresis about 15-20 residues smaller than that from the normal pN-alpha 2(I) chain. The simplest genetic explanation is a spontaneous heterozygote in which one normal and one abnormal allele for the pro-alpha 2(I) gene are expressed, the protein defect being a deletion of the junction domain that spans the N-propeptidase cleavage site and the N-telopeptide cross-linking sequence.

Bone and Bones

Hemoglobin of the adult white stork (Ciconia ciconia, ciconiiformes). The primary structure of alpha A- and beta-chains from the only present hemoglobin component.

The hemolysate obtained from erythrocytes of the adult White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) contains only one hemoglobin component, identified to be HbA. The complete primary structures of alpha A- and beta-chains are presented. The minor hemoglobin component HbD with alpha D-chains usually present in adult avian species was not detected by the White Stork. The sequence was determined by automatic Edman degradation of tryptic peptides and in the case of beta-chains additionally of the C-terminal peptide obtained by chemical cleavage at the Asp-Pro bond. Homologous comparison with the Greylag Goose (Anser anser) hemoglobin showed that the alpha A-chains differ by 23 amino-acid exchanges, the beta-chains by 17. Four of the substitutions in the alpha A-chains are in the alpha 1 beta 1-contact points, one in the alpha 1 beta 2-contacts and one in the amino acids near the heme. The amino-acid substitutions of the White Stork hemoglobin as compared to the other avian hemoglobins are discussed. We suggest that alpha D-chain is persistence of an embryonic gene.

Amino Acid Sequence

Structure-activity relationships in the induction of mammary gland neoplasia in male rats with substituted aminopyrazoles.

In toxicity studies with a potential antipsychotic agent, N-(4-[2-fluorobenzoyl]-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-2-([3- (2-methyl-1-piperidinyl)propyl]amino)-acetamide(Z)-2-butenedioate (1:2) (FP-1), mammary gland neoplasia in male rats was induced within 13 weeks. Tumor induction by the parent compound (FP-1) and structural analogs was also explored. Rats were given 50 mg/kg/day of FP-1 or the diethyl glycine analog, FP-2. Other experimental groups received the FP nucleus, a benzoylpyrazolylacetamide, or the FP side chains alone or administered concurrently with the nucleus. Most animals survived the 13 weeks without significant clinical effects. Clinically detectable, gross subcutaneous mammary nodules developed only in rats given FP-1 or the FP nucleus coadministered with the FP-1 side chain. Additional mammary gland neoplasms were found at necropsy or on histopathologic examination of mammary glands from rats receiving FP-1, FP-2, and the FP nucleus. The neoplastic effect was not influenced by the structure of the side chains. Since these substituted aminopyrazoles are novel chemicals, the mechanism for this neoplastic effect is not yet clearly established; however, the proliferating effect resides in the nucleus of this series of compounds and is likely related to alteration of DNA in target mammary tissue.

Animals

Ribosome inactivation by the toxic lectins abrin and ricin. Kinetics of the enzymic activity of the toxin A-chains.

A sensitive test system for toxin-treated ribosomes was worked out by treating rabbit reticulocyte ribosomes with abrin A-chain, ricin A-chain or ricinus agglutinin A-chain, adding neutralizing amounts of specific antitoxins and testing for polyphenylalanine-synthesizing activity in a system where the concentration of elongation factors and ribosomes were varied. The strongest inhibition was obtained in the presence of low concentrations of elongation factor (EF-2). The activity of the ribosomes decreased with time of incubation with the toxin A-chains. Addition of anti-toxins stopped further inactivation. In systems containing untreated and toxin-treated ribosomes the ability to polymerize phenylalanine was proportional to the concentration of untreated ribosomes. There was a linear relationship between toxin A-chain concentration and the number of ribosomes inactivated per minute. The inactivation rate increased with temperature, and the estimated activation energy was 10.6 kcal (44.3 kJ). Linewaver-Burk plots of the data obtained by incubating various ribosome concentrations with toxins indicated a molecular activity of about 1500 ribosomes/minute for abrin and ricin A-chains and 100 ribosomes/minute for ricinus agglutinin A-chain. The apparent Michaelis constant was 0.1-0.2 muM for all three A-chains. The activity of the A-chains in the intact cell is discussed.

Abrin

Characterization and molecular cloning of a proenzyme form of a ribosome-inactivating protein from maize. Novel mechanism of proenzyme activation by proteolytic removal of a 2.8-kilodalton internal peptide segment.

Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are a widely distributed family of plant enzymes that are remarkably potent catalytic inactivators of eukaryotic protein synthesis. All RIPs described to date, including the A-chain of the plant cytotoxin ricin, are polypeptides of 25-32 kDa and share significant amino acid sequence homologies. We have characterized and cloned an RIP from maize (Zea mays). In contrast to previously described RIPs, we have found that maize RIP is synthesized and stored in the kernel as a 34-kDa inactive precursor (isoelectric point = 6.5). During germination, this neutral precursor is converted into a basic, active form (isoelectric point greater than 9) by limited proteolysis, which removes 25 amino acids (2.8 kDa) of net charge -6 from the center of the polypeptide chain. Additional processing also occurs at the amino and carboxyl termini of the polypeptide. The sequence of the internal processed region is unique and it is equivalent to an insertion centered around Thr-156 in the amino acid sequence of ricin toxin A-chain, i.e. in the center of the enzymatically active domain. The generation of an active enzyme by removal of a large amino acid segment from the middle of a precursor polypeptide chain represents a novel mechanism of proenzyme activation that is distinct from more conventional activation mechanisms involving NH2-terminal proteolytic processing. A two-chain active RIP (comprised of 16.5- and 8.5-kDa fragments that remain tightly associated) is produced from this processing event.

Amino Acid Sequence

An analysis of the structure of the antigen receptor on a pigeon cytochrome c-specific T cell hybrid.

The monoclonal antibody A2B4-2 has been shown to bind to the antigen receptor on the cloned pigeon cytochrome c-specific T cell hybrid, 2B4. Initial immunoprecipitation and SDS-PAGE analysis with this clonotypic antibody demonstrated that the antigen receptor on this cell had a m.w. of 85,000 to 90,000. Under reducing conditions, the receptor protein appeared as two bands of 45,000 to 50,000 and 40,000 to 44,000 on an SDS-PAGE gel. In this paper the antigen receptor on this T cell hybrid is further characterized. The molecule is shown to be a heterodimer that exists in two different forms on the cell surface. Receptor molecules with an apparent m.w. of 84,000 and 86,000 were isolated by immunoprecipitation and separation on polyacrylamide gradient gels. After reduction, the individual alpha- and beta-chains were separated by isoelectric focusing. In both forms of the receptor, the acidic alpha-chain had an apparent m.w. of 42,000 to 44,000. This alpha-chain associated with one of two forms of beta-chain. One beta-chain had a m.w. of 42,000 to 44,000, with a pI range of 7.5 to 7.9, and the alternate form of the beta-chain, beta', had a m.w. of 46,000 to 48,000 and a more acidic pI range of 6.5 to 7.5. The results of this investigation indicate that under reducing conditions on SDS-PAGE gels, the original upper 45,000 to 50,000 m.w. band represented beta'-chains alone, whereas the lower 40,000 to 44,000 m.w. band represented a mixture of alpha- and beta-chains. Additional data are presented to indicate that this heterodimeric protein has intrachain as well as interchain disulfide bonds. This conclusion was reached from the characteristic pattern of protein migration on SDS-PAGE gels in the presence of a reducing agent concentration gradient. Thus, both chains of the antigen receptor must have intrachain disulfide bonds and may have similar domain structures.

Animals

Leukotriene receptor antagonists. 1. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of alkoxyacetophenone derivatives.

A series of derivatives of 2,4-dihydroxy-3-propylacetophenone(1) were prepared and examined for their ability to block leukotriene D4 (LTD4) induced contraction of guinea pig ileum. Straight-chain carboxylic acids where the carboxyl group was separated from the acetophenone moiety by varying numbers of methylenes were evaluated, and maximum activity was obtained with the pentamethylene acid (6). Examination of ring substitution showed that the 2-propyl-3-hydroxy-4-acetyl substitution pattern was required for maximum LTD4 antagonist activity. Additional chain terminal groups were examined, and the acidic 5-tetrazolyl group separated from the acetophenone moiety by four to seven methylenes (26, 23, 27, 28) gave excellent in vitro and in vivo activities. Compound 26 (LY171883) had the best balance of in vitro and in vivo activity. It lacked bronchospastic activity at the doses administered and has been chosen for clinical evaluation.

Acetophenones

Studies on IgM polymerization: reassociation to non-covalently and covalently linked Fc5mu fragments.

Fc5mu fragments were purified from a trypsin digest of native IgM by gel filtration and isoelectric focusing. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of Fc5mu fragments in sodium dodecyl sulphate disclosed a major and a minor band with molecules of 320,000 and 285,000 daltons, respectively. The mu chain fragments showed a molecular weight of 34,500. After reduction of the Fc5mu fragments to free mu chain fragments and J chain removal of the reducing agent by dialysis for 24 h under nitrogen in the presence of Zn ions gave non-covalently linked Fc5mu fragments. This shows that the non-covalent interactions operating between the mu chains of non-covalently linked native IgM are present in the C-terminal part of the mu chains. Additional dialysis in the presence of Zn and Cu ions resulted in the formation of covalently linked Fc5mu fragments.

Alkylation

Incidence of three cross-reactive idiotypes on human rheumatoid factor paraproteins.

The basis for rheumatoid factor (RF) production in autoimmune or lymphoproliferative diseases cannot be understood without defining the molecular factors that dictate RF structure and specificity. Recently three different mAb (6B6.6, 17.109, and G6) have been developed that define cross-reactive idiotypes (CRI) on intact L or H chains of human monoclonal RF cryoglobulins. However, the true incidence of these CRI among RF and their relationship to each other have not been delineated. In the present experiments, a panel of 163 randomly selected IgM paraproteins was evaluated for the expression of the two kappa L chain CRI, 6B6.6 and 17.109, and the H chain CRI, G6. Among the paraproteins with kappa L chains, 14% expressed the 17.109 CRI, and 9% expressed the 6B6.6 CRI. Both ELISA and Western immunoblotting experiments showed that the two L chain CRI were mutually exclusive. Anti-IgG activity was documented in 22 of the IgM-kappa paraproteins, among which mAb 6B6.6 reacted with 7 (32%) and mAb 17.109 with 6 (27%). Both CRI were expressed exclusively by L chains within the kappaIII variable gene subgroup. Although 17.109 CRI+ paraproteins had kappaIIIb L chains, none of the 6B6.6 CRI+ paraproteins possessed L chains with this kappa sub-subgroup specific Ag. The G6 CRI was found predominantly among RF paraproteins and was frequently yet not exclusively associated with the 17.109 CRI+ L chains. Additional experiments were performed on a panel of normal adult human sera and documented the presence of 6B6.6 and 17.109 CRI on a small percentage (0.1 to 2.0%) of IgM from most individuals. These data indicate that 1) the mAb 6B6.6 and 17.109 identify two major and distinct CRI among IgM-RF paraproteins, 2) both CRI are associated exclusively with kappaIII L chains, 3) kappaIIIb and kappaIII non-b L chains are equally prevalent among IgM-RF, 4) the G6 H chain CRI is frequently associated with 17.109 CRI+ L chains, but not with 6B6.6 CRI+ L chains, and 5) although the ability to make 6B6.6 and 17.109 CRI+ kappa L chains is common in humans, these CRI are present in low concentrations in normal IgM.

Adolescent

Predominance of nonproductive rearrangements of VH81X gene segments evidences a dependence of B cell clonal maturation on the structure of nascent H chains.

Ig H chain V regions using the VH81X gene segment were PCR amplified from genomic DNA obtained from either splenic B cells or surface (s)Ig- bone marrow cells of BALB/c mice. Sequence analysis demonstrated that 93% of VH81X containing H chain V region genes in splenic B cells were rearranged nonproductively. Furthermore, 74% of rearrangements of VH81X among sIg- bone marrow cells were nonproductive. This contrasts with previous results obtained for rearrangements of members of the VH36-60 gene segment family among sIg- cells wherein, as a consequence of extensive clonal expansion after productive H chain V gene rearrangement, 80% of rearrangements were productive. The low proportion of productive rearrangements of VH81X is interpreted as indicating that most productive rearrangements of VH81X cannot facilitate clonal expansion, which would support the hypothesis that selection for clonal expansion and maturation is dependent on the amino acid sequence of nascent H chains. Additionally, because most productive rearrangements of VH81X cannot facilitate clonal maturation but do appear to mediate allelic exclusion, these processes are likely to be regulated independently.

B-Lymphocytes

Expression and modulation of the vitronectin receptor on human dermal microvascular endothelial cells.

Microvascular endothelial cells express a variety of cell-surface integrins in vivo and in vitro with varying affinities for matrix proteins. The vitronectin receptor (VnR), a complex of the alpha v and beta 3 integrin chains, is capable of binding to a variety of matrix proteins that are deposited in injured tissues, including vitronectin, fibrinogen, and thrombin. Staining of frozen sections of human skin with antibodies recognizing the VnR and examination by immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrates staining in a vascular pattern suggesting in vivo expression of the vitronectin receptor on endothelial cells. Examination of pure cultures of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) by flow-cytometric analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay confirmed that HDMEC also express cell surface VnR complex in vitro. Stimulation of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells in vitro with agents that stimulate protein kinase C resulted in dose- and time-dependent increases in expression of alpha v and beta 3 integrin chains. Additionally, stimulation with basic fibroblast growth factor induced similar increases, but stimulation with transforming growth factor-beta or interleukin-1 alpha failed to increase VnR expression. Increases in cell-surface VnR expression also correlated with an increased ability of microvascular endothelial cells to bind to vitronectin, but not fibronectin-coated surfaces. Although increases in cell-surface expression of beta 3 paralleled increases in expression of cell-surface alpha v, regulation of mRNA expression was distinct for each chain. These data suggests that microvascular endothelial cells express the VnR complex in vivo, that the cell-surface expression of this integrin on dermal microvascular endothelial cells can be regulated, and that this regulation may be important in cell adherence, cell migration, and wound healing.

Blotting, Northern

Purification of a human alternative complement pathway inhibitor from hemolymph of larval fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).

Larval Spodoptera frugiperda hemolymph contains a specific inhibitor of the alternative pathway of human complement. This inhibitor was purified from larval hemolymph (HL) by 50% (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, DEAE-Sephacel chromatography and sequential gel-filtration on Bio-Gel 1.5m, 0.5m and Sephacryl S-200. Purified HL protein (Mr = 110,000) was composed of two Mr 55,000 polypeptide chains. Addition of purified HL protein to human complement resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of RaRBC lysis and clumping of cells. The protein inhibitor provides a new tool for investigating the regulation of human alternative complement pathway.

Amino Acids

Limited fibrinogenolysis in stored whole blood and in fresh frozen plasma.

Measurement of the F-CB3 related antigen of the fibrinogen alpha-chain shows a time dependent increase of fibrino(geno)lysis in whole blood during storage from 70.7 +/- 16.4 pmol/ml (day 2) to 356.3 +/- 110 pmol/ml (day 39). Simultaneously PMN-elastase increases from 95 +/- 44 micrograms/l (day 2) to 3492 +/- 954 micrograms/l (day 39). The significant correlation between PMN-elastase and F-CB3 values (n = 180, r = 0.73, p less than 0.001) may reflect a relationship between the liberation of granulocyte enzymes and the extent of fibrino(geno)lysis. The isolation and separation of fibrinogen material on SDS-PAGE indicates a limited degradation of the parent fibrinogen molecule (340 kD). During storage the fraction of slightly degraded fibrinogen (300 kD) and pre-X fragment (280 kD) increases. The separation of the reduced fibrinogen material demonstrates that the limited fibrinogenolysis mainly took place in the A alpha-chain. Additional studies on fresh frozen plasma show that PMN-elastase values (98.6 +/- 41.8 micrograms/l), F-CB3 values (84.8 +/- 31.2 pmol/ml) and the SDS-PAGE pattern of the fibrinogen material are similar to the results in whole blood stored for two days.

Blood Preservation

A protein structural change in aglycosylated IgG3 correlates with loss of huFc gamma R1 and huFc gamma R111 binding and/or activation.

Glycosylated chimeric mouse-human anti-NIP IgG3 antibody produced by growth of the J558L mouse B cell plasmacytoma is characterised with respect to the single carbohydrate chain at Asn-297 in the CH2 domain indicating that the mouse cell glycosyl transferases dictate the pattern of glycosylation rather than the human CH region of the heavy chain. Additionally, three unusual alpha-galactose-containing oligosaccharides are reported. Only the Fc region has detectable carbohydrate. Aglycosylated anti-NIP IgG3 antibody has been produced by cell growth in the presence of the antibiotic tunicamycin. Functionally, whilst the glycosylated intact IgG3 interacts with human Fc gamma R111 expressed on human killer (K) cells to trigger antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity the aglycosylated intact IgG3 fails to trigger cell lysis, localising the site on IgG for triggering human Fc gamma R111 mediated functions to the CH2 domain. The monomeric aglycosylated trypsin Fc fragment inhibits human Fc gamma R1 recognition by U937 cells 115-fold less well (K50 = 2 microM) than does glycosylated Fc (K50 = 17 nM), confirming that aglycosylation disrupts the site for human Fc gamma R1 within the CH2 domain and indicating that the trypsin Fc fragments reflect the functional properties of the intact IgG glycoforms. Structurally, 1H NMR shows that the absence of carbohydrate at Asn-297 results in a small and localised protein structural change in the vicinity of the reporter group His-268 within the CH2 domain. The site on IgG for triggering human Fc gamma R111 mediated functions is then localised to the vicinity of His-268. The profound impact of aglycosylation on human Fc gamma R1 recognition implies structural disruption of the proposed site for human Fc gamma R1 in the lower hinge region of IgG (residues 234-239), proximal to His-268.

Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: utility of antibodies to the variable regions of the human T-cell antigen receptor.

BACKGROUND: The clonotypic 90 kd Ti heterodimer of the human T-cell antigen receptor is composed of two distinct chains (alpha beta or rarely tau delta) that result from the recombination of variable (V), constant, joining, and, in the case of beta chains, additional diversity regions. OBJECTIVE: The variable region expression of human cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) was studied. METHODS: Biopsy specimens from 13 patients with CTCL (7 plaque, 3 tumor stage, 3 Sézary syndrome) were examined immunohistochemically by a panel of seven commercially available monoclonal V-region antibodies. RESULTS: Two patients had significant anti-V-region staining. One patient with Sézary syndrome had two lesions, subjected to biopsy 4 months apart, that reacted with beta V5(a), a specificity previously documented by flow cytometry of leukemic cells. A patient with plaque-stage CTCL, negative for T-cell gene rearrangement by Southern blot, demonstrated reactivity with beta V5(c) largely limited to epidermotropic lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: Panels of V-region antibodies should be useful reagents for diagnosis and follow-up of CTCL.

Adult

Penile detumescence: characterization of three phases.

In 22 dogs in which erection was induced by cavernous nerve stimulation, we analyzed the intracavernous pressure changes during detumescence without and with acute clamping of the aorta or electrostimulation of the lumbar sympathetic chains. Additionally, the degree of venous outflow obstruction was assessed by saline perfusion of the cavernous body during aortic occlusion. Detumescence had three distinct phases: an initial phase exhibiting a small pressure increase; a second phase showing a slow pressure decrease; and a third phase in which a fast decrease occurred. The first phase was abolished by aortic clamping, whereas the other phases were not significantly affected. Sympathetic stimulation abolished or prevented the second phase. Perfusion of the cavernous body during the second phase resulted in a pressure rise to off-scale values; however, when initiated during the terminal phase or in the nonstimulated penis, the pressure increase was slight. Our study indicates that the arterial flow rate influences the duration of the first phase of detumescence and that venous drainage is completely restored in the third phase. Furthermore, sympathetic stimulation causes an almost immediate full restoration of venous drainage, as cavernous perfusion initiated with an intracavernous pressure about twice as high as without sympathetic stimulation failed to increase pressure to off-scale values.

Animals

Structural characterization of heparan sulfate proteoglycan subclasses isolated from bovine aortic endothelial cell cultures.

Labeled heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) were isolated from wounded and confluent cultures of bovine aortic endothelial cells by nondegradative extraction with 4 M guanidine hydrochloride and detergent. HSPG were separated from more highly charged chondroitin or dermatan sulfate proteoglycans by ion-exchange chromatography, and subclasses of different hydrodynamic size were isolated by gel filtration. Three major subclasses of HSPG were characterized structurally with respect to the presence and relative size of protein core, the presence and amount of nonsulfated oligosaccharide, and size and structure of heparan sulfate (HS) chains. The largest (600-800-kDa) HSPG subclass (I), isolated from cell layers and media of confluent cultures, bears 38-kDa HS chains on an apparently heterogeneous class of relatively large glycoprotein cores. HSPG II (150-200 kDa), isolated from cell layer or media, has 22-kDa HS chains and smaller core glycoproteins (less than 50 kDa). HSPG III, the subclass of smallest hydrodynamic size, has 13-kDa HS chains and a glycopeptide core of less than 15 kDa. All subclasses bear varying proportions of non-sulfated oligosaccharides of similar sizes. Comparisons of HS chain structure indicated that the different subclasses have similar proportions (49-55%) of N-sulfate, with both O-sulfate and highly N-sulfated blocks of disaccharide distributed similarly along HS chains. In addition, HS chains from subclasses II and III contain sequences that are insensitive to periodate oxidation or heparitinase digestion, suggesting that they contain increased proportions of iduronate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals