Characterization and translational development of IOA-289, a novel autotaxin inhibitor for the treatment of solid tumors.

Background: Autotaxin-lysophosphatidic acid (ATX-LPA) signaling has a predominant role in immunological and fibrotic processes, including cancer. Several ATX inhibitors and LPA receptor antagonists have been clinically evaluated, but none in patients with solid tumors. Many cancers are burdened with a high degree of fibrosis and an immune desert phenotype (so-called 'cold' tumors). In these cold tumors, the fibrotic stroma provides an intrinsic cancer-supporting mechanism. Furthermore, the stroma prevents penetration and limits the effectiveness of existing therapies. IOA-289 is a novel ATX inhibitor with a unique chemical structure, excellent potency and an attractive safety profile. Materials and methods: In vitro and in vivo pharmacology studies have been carried out to elucidate the pharmaceutical properties and mechanism of action of IOA-289. A phase I clinical study in healthy volunteers was carried out to determine the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of IOA-289 following a single oral dose. Results: In vitro and in vivo studies showed that IOA-289 is a potent inhibitor of ATX and, as a monotherapy, is able to slow progression of lung fibrosis and tumor growth in mouse models. In a clinical study, IOA-289 showed a dose-dependent increase in plasma exposure levels and a corresponding decrease in circulating LPA. Conclusions: Our data show that IOA-289 is a novel ATX inhibitor with a unique chemical structure, excellent potency and an attractive safety profile. Our data support the further development of IOA-289 as a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of cancer, particularly those with a high fibrotic and immunologically cold phenotype.

Deletion of OPN in BSP knockout mice does not correct bone hypomineralization but results in high bone turnover.

The two SIBLING (Small Integrin Binding Ligand N-linked Glycoproteins), bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteopontin (OPN) are expressed in osteoblasts and osteoclasts. In mature BSP knockout (KO, -/-) mice, both bone formation and resorption as well as mineralization are impaired. OPN-/- mice display impaired resorption, and OPN is described as an inhibitor of mineralization. However, OPN is overexpressed in BSP-/- mice, complicating the understanding of their phenotype. We have generated and characterized mice with a double KO (DKO) of OPN and BSP, to try and unravel their respective contributions. Despite the absence of OPN, DKO bones are still hypomineralized. The SIBLING, matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein with ASARM motif (MEPE) is highly overexpressed in both BSP-/- and DKO and may impair mineralization through liberation of its ASARM (Acidic Serine-Aspartate Rich MEPE associated) peptides. DKO mice also display evidence of active formation of trabecular, secondary bone as well as primary bone in the marrow-ablation repair model. A higher number of osteoclasts form in DKO marrow cultures, with higher resorption activity, and DKO long bones display a localized and conspicuous cortical macroporosity. High bone formation and resorption parameters, and high cortical porosity in DKO mice suggest an active bone modeling/remodeling, in the absence of two key regulators of bone cell performance. This first double KO of SIBLING proteins thus results in a singular, non-trivial phenotype leading to reconsider the interpretation of each single KO, concerning in particular matrix mineralization and the regulation of bone cell activity.

Two different beta3 cysteine substitutions alter alphaIIb beta3 maturation and result in Glanzmann thrombasthenia.

We report the defects responsible for Glanzmann thrombasthenia in two patients showing traces of abnormally migrating platelet beta3 in immunoblotting. Using PCR-SSCP and direct sequencing, we identified a novel homozygous mutation in exon 10 of the beta3 gene of patient 1 which gave a C457 to Y amino acid substitution. A C542 to R substitution in beta3 of patient 2 was previously reported by us. These cysteines are present in EGF-domains 1 and 3 respectively of beta3. We therefore constructed mutants carrying substitutions on cysteine residues in each of the first three EGF domains of beta3, C457, C495 and C542 respectively. Transient expression of these mutants in COS-7 cells, including the C542 and C547 double mutant, proved that disulfide disruption directly affects cell surface expression of the integrin. We then showed by metabolic (35S) labeling and Endo-H glycosidase treatment that these substitutions strongly affected complex maturation within the cell.

Early detection of bone metastases in a murine model using fluorescent human breast cancer cells: application to the use of the bisphosphonate zoledronic acid in the treatment of osteolytic lesions.

A very common metastatic site for human breast cancer is bone. The traditional bone metastasis model requires human MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cell inoculation into the left heart ventricle of nude mice. MDA-MB-231 cells usually develop osteolytic lesions 3-4 weeks after intracardiac inoculation in these animals. Here, we report a new approach to study the formation of bone metastasis in animals using breast carcinoma cells expressing the bioluminescent jellyfish protein (green fluorescent protein [GFP]). We first established a subclone of MDA-MB-231 cells by repeated in vivo passages in bone using the heart injection model. On stable transfection of this subclone with an expression vector for GFP and subsequent inoculation of GFP-expressing tumor cells (B02/GFP.2) in the mouse tail vein, B02/GFP.2 cells displayed a unique predilection for dissemination to bone. Externally fluorescence imaging of live animals allowed the detection of fluorescent bone metastases approximately 1 week before the occurrence of radiologically distinctive osteolytic lesions. The number, size, and intensity of fluorescent bone metastases increased progressively with time and was indicative of breast cancer cell progression within bone. Histological examination of fluorescent long bones from B02/GFP.2-bearing mice revealed the occurrence of profound bone destruction. Treatment of B02/GFP.2-bearing mice with the bisphosphonate zoledronic acid markedly inhibited the progression of established osteolytic lesions and the expansion of breast cancer cells within bone. Overall, this new bone metastasis model of breast cancer combining both fluorescence imaging and radiography should provide an invaluable tool to study the effectiveness of pharmaceutical agents that could suppress cancer colonization in bone.

Assembly of a fibronectin matrix by adherent platelets stimulated by lysophosphatidic acid and other agonists.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) are agonists of the endothelial differentiation gene (Edg) family of G-protein-coupled receptors. LPA and S1P are generated by platelet activation during blood coagulation. Both lipids induce assembly of exogenous fibronectin (FN) by fibroblasts. This study examined whether LPA and S1P stimulate binding and assembly of fluoresceinated FN (FITC-FN) by adherent platelets. LPA enhanced deposition of FITC-FN into linear arrays overlying platelet surfaces and on edges of platelets adherent to FN or vitronectin (VN). Deposition was greater when platelets were adherent to FN than to VN and was elicited by platelet agonists with the following order of potency: thrombin > LPA = ADP (adenosine diphosphate) > S1P. The linear pattern of FITC-FN deposition was different from the more diffuse pattern of Alexa-fibrinogen (Alexa-FGN) binding to adherent platelets. FITC-FN was deposited by adherent platelets that had dense arrays of cytoskeletal actin when stained with rhodamine-phalloidin. The 70-kd N-terminal fragment of FN or L8 monoclonal antibody to a self-association domain of FN abolished deposition of FITC-FN but had no effect on binding of Alexa-FGN. Conversely, integrilin did not attenuate deposition of FITC-FN but abolished binding of Alexa-FGN. RGDS (Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser) or antibodies to alpha5beta1 or alphaIIbbeta3 integrins caused a partial decrease in LPA-induced deposition of FITC-FN. Correlative electron microscopy with anti-FITC coupled to gold beads revealed linear arrays on platelet surfaces associated with less than 20-nm-diameter filaments. These observations demonstrate that LPA, thrombin, ADP, and S1P induce adherent platelets to bind and assemble FN and suggest that platelets may contribute to early deposition of FN matrix after vascular injury.

Modulation of cell interactions with extracellular matrix by lysophosphatidic acid and sphingosine 1-phosphate.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (SPP) are lipid mediators released upon platelet activation. The concentration of LPA in serum is estimated at 1-10 microM whereas the concentration in plasma is considerably less. The SPP concentration in serum is 0.5 microM, approximately two-fold higher than the plasma concentration. The lipids are present during tissue injury and promote cellular processes involved in wound repair. LPA and SPP have multiple effects on cells, many of which are pertinent to wound healing and require that the cells interact in some fashion with components of the extracellular matrix. This review focuses on modulation of cell adhesion, cell migration, collagen gel contraction, and fibronectin matrix assembly by LPA and SPP.

Differential stimulation of signaling pathways initiated by Edg-2 in response to lysophosphatidic acid or sphingosine-1-phosphate.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) are produced during cell activation and have multiple effects on cells. A family of seven transmembrane-spanning domain G-protein-coupled receptors, named Edg, mediate these effects of LPA and S1P. In this study, transient overexpression of Edg-2 sensitized MG63 human osteosarcoma cells to both LPA- and S1P-mediated stimulation of fibronectin matrix deposition and actin stress fiber formation. Both lipids were active in the 1-20 nM concentration range on cells transfected with Edg-2 as compared to the 10-200 nM range on mock-transfected cells. The signaling pathway for matrix deposition by Edg-2-transfected cells was Rho dependent. Overexpression of Edg-2 also caused a tenfold decrease in the concentration of either LPA or S1P that activated MAPKinase (Erkl/2) in MG63 cells. LPA- or S1P-stimulated activation of Erkl/2 was Gi dependent. These results indicate that, in MG63 cells, Edg-2 mediates actin stress fiber formation, fibronectin matrix assembly, and MAPKinase activation in response to either LPA or S1P.

Bisphosphonates inhibit breast and prostate carcinoma cell invasion, an early event in the formation of bone metastases.

The molecular mechanisms by which tumor cells metastasize to bone are likely to involve invasion, cell adhesion to bone, and the release of soluble mediators from tumor cells that stimulate osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Bisphosphonates (BPs) are powerful inhibitors of the osteoclast activity and are, therefore, used in the treatment of patients with osteolytic metastases. However, an added beneficial effect of BPs may be direct antitumor activity. We previously reported that BPs inhibit breast and prostate carcinoma cell adhesion to bone (Boissier et al., Cancer Res., 57: 3890-3894, 1997). Here, we provided evidence that BP pretreatment of breast and prostate carcinoma cells inhibited tumor cell invasion in a dose-dependent manner. The order of potency for four BPs in inhibiting tumor cell invasion was: zoledronate > ibandronate > NE-10244 (active pyridinium analogue of risedronate) > clodronate. In addition, NE-58051 (the inactive pyridylpropylidene analogue of risedronate) had no inhibitory effect, whereas NE-10790 (a phosphonocarboxylate analogue of risedronate in which one of the phosphonate groups is substituted by a carboxyl group) inhibited tumor cell invasion to an extent similar to that observed with NE-10244, indicating that the inhibitory activity of BPs on tumor cells involved the R2 chain of the molecule. BPs did not induce apoptosis in tumor cells, nor did they inhibit tumor cell migration at concentrations that did inhibit tumor cell invasion. However, although BPs did not interfere with the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by tumor cells, they inhibited their proteolytic activity. The inhibitory effect of BPs on MMP activity was completely reversed in the presence of an excess of zinc. In addition, NE-10790 did not inhibit MMP activity, suggesting that phosphonate groups of BPs are responsible for the chelation of zinc and the subsequent inhibition of MMP activity. In conclusion, our results provide evidence for a direct cellular effect of BPs in preventing tumor cell invasion and an inhibitory effect of BPs on the proteolytic activity of MMPs through zinc chelation. These results suggest, therefore, that BPs may be useful agents for the prophylactic treatment of patients with cancers that are known to preferentially metastasize to bone.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate stimulates fibronectin matrix assembly through a Rho-dependent signal pathway.

Fibronectin matrix assembly is a cell-dependent process mediated by cell surface binding sites for the 70-kD N-terminal portion of fibronectin. We have shown that Rho-dependent cytoskeleton reorganization induced by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) or the microtubule-disrupting agent nocodazole increases fibronectin binding (Zhang et al, Mol Biol Cell 8:1415, 1997). Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid implicated in mitogenesis and cytoskeletal remodelling. Both LPA and S1P are present in increased amounts in serum as compared with plasma as a result of platelet activation. Addition of S1P to human osteosarcoma MG63 cells or human foreskin fibroblasts increased cell-mediated binding and assembly of fibronectin. MG63 cells expressed the Edg-2 and Edg-4 G-protein-coupled receptors for bioactive lipids, whereas foreskin fibroblasts expressed Edg-2, Edg-3, and Edg-4. The stimulatory effect of S1P on the binding of fibronectin or the N-terminal 70-kD fragment of fibronectin was dynamic and due to increases in both the number and affinity of binding sites. The stimulation of 70-kD fragment binding by nanomolar S1P, like stimulation of binding by LPA or nocodazole, was blocked by inactivation of Rho with C3 exotoxin but not by pertussis toxin-mediated inactivation of Gi. These results indicate a common signal pathway leading to control of cellular fibronectin matrix assembly by bioactive lipids generated during blood coagulation.

R to Q amino acid substitution in the GFFKR sequence of the cytoplasmic domain of the integrin IIb subunit in a patient with a Glanzmann's thrombasthenia-like syndrome.

The integrin IIbbeta3 mediates platelet aggregation through its fibrinogen and adhesive protein-binding properties. Particular interest concerns the role of the cytoplasmic domains of IIb and beta3. We now report the molecular analysis of IIbbeta3 from a patient with a Glanzmann's thrombasthenia-like syndrome for whom the principal characteristics are an approximate 50% total platelet content of IIbbeta3 but with a much lower proportion in the surface pool (Hardisty et al, Blood 80:696, 1992). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) single-strand conformational polymorphism and DNA sequencing showed a heterozygous mutation giving rise to amino acid substitution R995 to Q in the GFFKR sequence of the cytoplasmic domain of IIb. Reverse transcriptase-PCR and polymorphism analysis only detected mRNA for the mutated allele of the IIb gene and a single allele of the beta3 gene in his platelets, suggesting other unidentified defects. Site-directed mutagenesis followed by transient expression of the mutated IIb together with wild-type beta3 in Cos-7 cells resulted in a markedly decreased expression of the complex at the cell surface when compared with cells transfected with wild-type IIb and beta3. Flow cytometry with PAC-1 and a stable Chinese hamster ovary-transfected cell line showed that the mutated receptor was not locked into a high activation state, although it became so in the presence of the activating antibody, anti-LIBS6. This is the first reported natural mutation in the highly conserved GFFKR sequence of the IIb cytoplasmic domain.

Double heterozygosity of the GPIIb gene in a Swiss patient with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia.

Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (GT) results from a qualitative or quantitative defect of GPIIb-IIIa complexes (integrin alphaIIbbeta3). the fibrinogen receptor on platelets. This integrin plays a critical role in platelet aggregation. In this report we describe the molecular abnormalities of a patient with clinical and laboratory findings typical of type I Glanzmann's thrombasthenia. SDS-PAGE with Western blotting revealed an absence of GPIIb but small amounts of normally migrating GPIIIa in his platelets. A non-radioactive PCR-SSCP procedure and direct sequence analysis of PCR-amplified DNA fragments showed the patient to be a compound heterozygote for mutations in the GPIIb gene. A single point mutation (G to A) at nucleotide 1064 of the cDNA derived from the mother's allele led to a Glu324 to Lys amino acid substitution in GPIIb. It was responsible for a MscI restriction site in exon 12 of the GPIIb gene. This amino acid substitution changes the electric charge between the second and third Ca++-binding domains of GPIIb. The second mutation was inherited from his father and is in exon 18 of the GPIIb gene. It was a T --> C base transition at position 1787 of GPIIb cDNA and results in a Ile565 to Thr substitution. The two GPIIb mutations identified in this study will provide new information on GPIIb-IIIa structure and biosynthesis.

Linkage of four polymorphisms on the alphaIIb gene.

The subunits of the platelet integrin alphaIIb beta3 are encoded by two genes located on chromosome 17. Two pathologies are associated with structural modifications of this complex: Glanzmann's thrombasthenia and alloimmune thrombocytopenia. The former is a hereditary bleeding disorder, the latter is due to an immune response linked to the presence of specific epitopes defined by single amino acid substitutions called human platelet alloantigen (HPA) systems. Analysing the alphaIIb gene from 112 independent chromosomes, we have defined two new silent polymorphisms in complete linkage disequilibrium. They are reciprocally linked to HPA-3 and a previously reported 9 pb deletion in intron 21. Linkage of these four DNA markers spanning a 5 kb fragment of genomic DNA provides a new tool for analysing alphaIIb gene pathology and evolution.

Restoration of beta1A integrins is required for lysophosphatidic acid-induced migration of beta1-null mouse fibroblastic cells.

Cells lacking the beta1 integrin subunit or expressing beta1A with certain cytoplasmic mutations have poor directed cell migration to platelet-derived growth factor or epidermal growth factor, ligands of receptor tyrosine kinases (Sakai, T., Zhang, Q., Fässler, R., and Mosher, D. F. (1998) J. Cell Biol. 141, 527-538). We investigated the effect of expression of beta1A integrins on lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-induced migration of fibroblastic cells derived from beta1-null mouse embryonic stem cells. These cells expressed edg-2, a G-protein-linked receptor for LPA, as well as the related edg-1 receptor. Cells expressing wild type beta1A demonstrated enhanced cell migration across filters coated with gelatin or adhesive proteins in response to LPA, whereas beta1-deficient cells lacked LPA-induced cell migratory ability. Checkerboard analyses indicated that LPA causes both chemotaxis and chemokinesis of beta1-replete cells. Cells expressing beta1A with mutations of prolines or tyrosines in conserved cytoplasmic NPXY motifs, threonine in the inter-motif sequence, or a critical aspartic acid in the extracellular domain had low migratory responses to LPA. These findings indicate that active beta1A integrin is required for cell migration induced by LPA and that the cytoplasmic domain of ligated beta1A interacts with pathways that are common to both receptor tyrosine kinase and G-protein-linked receptor signaling.

Family screening for a Glanzmann's thrombasthenia mutation using PCR-SSCP.

Genetic counselling is often requested in Glanzmann's thrombasthenia, but measurements of GPIIb-IIIa density on platelets are often too inconclusive to allow a precise assessment of whether prospective parents are obligate heterozygotes for this disease by this measure alone. The recent application of PCR technology to Glanzmann's thrombasthenia has resulted in the identification of a large number of mutations, i.e. insertions/ deletions, splicing defects, in the genes for both GPIIb and GPIIIa. Among the reported abnormalities is an intronic G-->A substitution at the splice donor site of intron 15 in the GPIIb gene of a European gypsy tribe. This gives rise to an abnormal splicing, of an 8-bp deletion located at the 3' end of exon 15, a reading-frame shift and a premature stop codon in the mRNA for GPIIb. In applying PCR-SSCP to the elucidation of the genetic defects of a series of Glanzmann's patients, we have found the above-cited abnormality in three more gypsy families in France. The presence of the mutation was initially established by sequencing the amplified fragment, and its presence in family members was confirmed by both PCR-SSCP and HphI restriction analysis. Evaluation of the intronic G-->A mutation enabled genetic counselling to prospective parents within these families.

A three amino acid deletion in glycoprotein IIIa is responsible for type I Glanzmann's thrombasthenia: importance of residues Ile325Pro326Gly327 for beta3 integrin subunit association.

Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (GT) is a recessive autosomal bleeding disorder characterized by abnormal platelet aggregation due to a qualitative or quantitative defect of the glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa complex (integrin alphaIIb beta3). We describe a new mutation in the GPIIIa gene responsible for type I GT in a consanguineous Algerian family. A discordance between phenotyping and genotyping of the GPIIIa-related HPA-1 platelet alloantigen system in three family members heterozygous for the disease suggested a genetic defect in the GPIIIa gene and a normal GPIIb gene. Sequence analysis of amplified genomic DNA fragments showed a 6-bp deletion in exon 7 of the GPIIIa gene resulting in the amino acid deletion/substitution (Ile325pro326Gly327 --> Met) and creating a new BspHI restriction site. Expression of the mutated integrin beta3 subunit cDNA in Chinese hamster ovary cells showed that the cDNA gene was transcribed into a full-length beta3 protein with an apparent molecular weight identical to wild-type beta3 and accumulated as a single-chain molecule in the cell cytoplasm. The absence of heterodimeric complex formation of the mutant beta3 protein with endogenous alpha v was shown by immunoprecipitation experiments, intracellular immunofluorescent labeling, and a semiquantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the alpha vbeta3 complex-specific monoclonal antibodies LM609 and 23C6. Substitution of the methionine residue by a proline, present at position 326 of wild-type beta3, did not restore the ability of the recombinant mutant beta3 protein to associate with alpha v , suggesting that the Ile-Pro-Gly motif is located in a beta3 domain important for integrin subunit interaction. The association of a BspHI restriction site with this newly identified mutation has allowed allele-specific restriction analysis of Algerian GT individuals and the identification of two new unrelated type I patients exhibiting the same mutation, suggesting that the described mutation might be significant in this population and that BspHI restriction analysis will provide a useful screening assay for antenatal diagnosis and genetic counselling.

HPA-10w(b) (La(a)): genetic determination of a new platelet-specific alloantigen on glycoprotein IIIa and its expression in COS-7 cells.

The heterodimeric complex glycoprotein (GP)IIb-IIIa, the fibrinogen receptor of platelets, carries numerous alloantigen systems. These polymorphisms are responsible for the immune response after transfusion or during pregnancy. In the latter case, the mother develops an antibody against an epitope present on fetal platelets, and this results in platelet destruction in the fetus. In this report, we describe the molecular characterization of a new alloantigen (La(a)) on GPIIIa responsible for neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT). Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing, we found a point mutation (G to A) in a heterozygous state on the GPIIIa gene leading to amino acid substitution Arg to Gln at position 62 of the mature protein. Transient expression of GPIIb-IIIa complexes in Cos-7 cells using wild-type or mutated GPIIIa cDNA allowed us to demonstrate that this mutation was responsible for expression of the La(a) epitope.

Efficient RT-PCR on platelet mRNA after long-term storage.

We have developed a procedure permitting RT-PCR from mRNA even after a long-term storage (1 year) of platelet samples in ethanol (EtOH-platelets) at -80 degrees C. To validate our method, we have analysed the human platelet alloantigen system (HPA-1) which is coded by beta 3 mRNA. We have also demonstrated the efficiency of amplification of part of the coding region for (i) alpha IIb subunit mRNA, (ii) alpha v subunit mRNA, and (iii) the seven transmembrane domain thrombin receptor mRNA.

Bilateral linkage between a new deletion polymorphism in intron 21 of the GP IIb gene and the HPA-3b (Bakb) determinant.

Glycoproteins (GP) IIb (alpha IIb) and GP IIIa (beta 3) form heterodimeric complexes (GP IIb-IIIa) at the platelet surface and mediate platelet aggregation by binding fibrinogen after platelet activation. The structures and DNA sequences of the GP IIb and GP IIIa genes are known. Punctual mutations resulting in alloantigen systems (HPA) have been described on both genes, as have a series of genetic defects giving rise to Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (GT). We now report a nine base pair deletion located in intron 21 of the GP IIb gene. This was found both in unrelated GT patients and in normal individuals. Subsequent studies showed that the deletion polymorphism and the mutation responsible for the platelet alloantigen. HPA-3b, were linked together. The deletion was always present when the gene carried the HPA-3b genotype, but was never observed in association with the HPA-3a polymorphism. Analysis of 60 independent alleles from 30 unrelated caucasian individuals revealed no exceptions to this linkage. It is the first time that two genetic markers have been reported to be linked to each other on the GP IIb gene.

Non-radioactive SSCP for genotyping human platelet alloantigens.

Human platelet alloantigen systems are responsible for neonatal and post-transfusional thrombocytopenias. The determination of the different allotypes can be performed using immunological or DNA-based methods. The most used DNA-based procedure requires the digestion by specific restriction enzymes of PCR products containing the genetic determinants of these alloantigens. We now report a rapid method of genotyping which does not use restriction enzymes and is less prone to misinterpretation. This is non-radioactive PCR-SSCP (single strand conformation polymorphism), which we illustrate for two different HPA systems, one on GPIIIa (HPA-1) and the other on GPIIb (HPA-3).

Immunodetection of the plum pox virus helper component in infected plants and expression of its gene in transgenic plants.

Tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi) have been transformed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens vectors, with cDNAs corresponding to the plum pox virus (PPV) cistron 2 encoding helper component (HC-Pro) and with the first two and half cistrons of the PPV genome. Presence of the HC-Pro in PPV-infected plants and transgenic plants transformed with the gene coding for this protein was investigated using specific polyclonal antibodies produced against the PPV HC-Pro. The results suggest that two proteases are involved in the processing of the PPV N-terminal polyprotein to yield a protein of 48 k (HC-Pro). HC-Pro autolytically cleaves at its carboxyl-terminus and a proteolytic activity, probably associated with the protein (P1) encoded by the cistron 1, is required for the cleavage in planta between the proteins derived from cistrons 1 and 2.