Rat class III Fc gamma receptor isoforms differ in IgG subclass-binding specificity and fail to associate productively with rat CD3 zeta.

Several new rat class III Fc gamma R isoforms are described here, extending the genetic complexity of this receptor family and further distinguishing rat CD16 from mouse CD16, represented by only one receptor isoform, and human CD16, represented by only two isoforms. RNase protection assays reveal that three rat tumor cell lines--RBL-1 basophilic leukemia cells, RM-SV1 macrophages, and CRNK-16 NK cells--all coordinately express multiple and probably identical rtFc gamma RIII-related transcripts in similar relative proportions but at significantly different levels. These results indicate that no single isoform predominates in these cell types but that the overall level of rtFc gamma RIII-related transcripts is differentially regulated. Two of the rtFc gamma RIII isoforms found to have extensive amino acid sequence differences in their second extracellular (EC2) domains are shown to bind rat and mouse IgG subclasses differently. This result suggests that the receptor isoform diversity in this species may function as a mechanism for extending the IgG-binding capacity of rat leukocytes. Cloned cDNA for the rat CD3 zeta protein was also isolated in this study and its ability to augment surface expression of class III Fc gamma R was tested by rosetting of cDNA-transfected COS cells. Like the structurally homologous mouse CD3 zeta, rat CD3 zeta fails to promote surface expression of Fc gamma RIII, sharply contrasting the efficient receptor expression produced by human CD3 zeta. Variations in the transmembrane amino acid sequences correlate with the divergent capacities of these CD3 zeta molecules to augment receptor expression. The high levels of CD3 zeta message expressed in rat NK cells may indicate that other unidentified hetero-subunits are required for assembly of rat CD3 zeta into functional CD16 receptors.

Dissociation of glucose-regulated protein Grp78 and Grp78-IgE Fc complexes by ATP.

Recent studies have shown that ATP can dissociate dimers of the glucose-regulated protein Grp78 to monomers. In the present study, we have used purified recombinant Grp78 from Escherichia coli to investigate this reaction in more detail. During the course of the Grp78 dimer-monomer conversion, a stable Grp78 monomer-ATP complex is formed. Upon removal of the ATP, the Grp78 dimer is reformed. ADP, nonhydrolyzable ATP analogues, and GTP do not effect the dissociation of Grp78 dimers. A cell line that overproduces IgE Fc has been used to examine the nature of the Grp78-IgE Fc complexes present and the effect of ATP on them. Grp78-IgE Fc complexes ranging from 100 kDa to 300 kDa were observed by sucrose gradient analysis, suggesting that aggregate forms of Grp78 may be present in some of these complexes. Treatment of the extracts with ATP resulted in release of a Grp78 monomer from the complex. These results suggest that the dissociation of Grp78 oligomers by ATP may be involved in the function of Grp78 in protein translocation through the endoplasmic reticulum.