Purification and biochemical characterization of a D-galactose binding lectin from Japanese sea hare (Aplysia kurodai) eggs.

A lectin was purified from Japanese sea hare Aplysia kurodai by lactosyl-agarose affinity chromatography. The molecular mass of the lectin was determined to be 56 and 32 kDa by SDS-PAGE under non-reducing and reducing conditions, respectively. It was found to agglutinate trypsinized and glutaraldehyde-fixed rabbit and human erythrocytes in the absence of divalent cations. The lectin exhibited stable thermo-tolerance as it retained hemagglutinating activity for 1 h even at 80 degrees C and showed stability at pH 10. By contrast, it was very sensitive at pH less than 5 and in the presence of the sulfhydryl-group preserving reagent, beta-mercaptoethanol. The hemagglutinating activity by the lectin was specifically inhibited by D-galactose, galacturonic acid, methyl-alpha- and methyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside, lactose, melibiose, and asialofetuin. The association rate constant (k(ass)) and dissociation rate constant (k(diss)) were determined for the lectin to be 4.3 x 10(5) M(-1) x sec(-1) and 2.2 x 10(-3) sec(-1), respectively, using a surface plasmon resonance biosensor. The lectin moderately inhibited cell proliferation in the P388 cell line dose dependently. Interestingly, lectin-treated cells did not show a fragmented DNA ladder as is caused by apoptosis, suggesting that the cell proliferation inhibition was caused by another unknown mechanism.

Mutant botrocetin-2 inhibits von Willebrand factor-induced platelet agglutination.

Essentials Botrocetin-2 (Bot2) binds to von Willebrand factor (VWF) and induces platelet agglutination. We identified Bot2 residues that are required for binding to VWF and glycoprotein (GP) Ib. We produced a mutant Bot2 that binds to VWF but inhibits platelet agglutination. Mutant Bot2 could be used as a potential anti-thrombotic reagent to block VWF-GPIb interaction. SUMMARY: Background Botrocetin-2 (Bot2) is a botrocetin-like protein composed of α and ß subunits that have been cloned from the snake Bothrops jararaca. Bot2 binds specifically to von Willebrand factor (VWF), and the complex induces glycoprotein (GP) Ib-dependent platelet agglutination. Objectives To exploit Bot2's VWF-binding capacity in order to attempt to create a mutant Bot2 that binds to VWF but inhibits platelet agglutination. Methods and Results Several point mutations were introduced into Bot2 cDNA, and the recombinant protein (recombinant Bot2 [rBot2]) was purified on an anti-botrocetin column. The mutant rBot2 with either Ala at Asp70 in the ß subunit (Aspß70Ala), or Argß115Ala and Lysß117Ala, showed reduced platelet agglutination-inducing activity. rBot2 with Aspß70Ala showed little binding activity towards immobilized VWF on an ELISA plate, whereas rBot2 with Argß115Ala/Lysß117Ala showed reduced binding activity towards GPIb (glycocalicin) after forming a complex with VWF. rBot2 point-mutated to oppositely charged Glu at both Argß115 and Lysß117 showed normal binding activity towards VWF but no platelet-agglutinating activity. Furthermore, this doubly mutated protein inhibited ristocetin-induced or high shear stress-induced platelet aggregation, and restrained thrombus formation under flow conditions. Conclusions Asp70 in the ß subunit of botrocetin is important for VWF binding, and Arg115 and Lys117 in the ß subunit are essential for interaction with GPIb. Doubly mutated rBot2, with Argß115Glu and Lysß117Glu, repels GPIb and might have potential as an antithrombotic reagent that specifically blocks VWF function. This is the first report on an artificial botrocetin that can inhibit the VWF-GPIb interaction.

Comparative study of blood group-recognizing lectins toward ABO blood group antigens on neoglycoproteins, glycoproteins and complex-type oligosaccharides.

Binding specificities of ABO blood group-recognizing lectins toward blood group antigens on neoglycoproteins, glycoproteins and complex-type oligosaccharides were studied by lectin-blotting analysis, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and lectin-conjugated agarose column chromatography. Human serum albumin conjugated with A- and B-trisaccharides was clearly recognized by Helix pomatia (HPA), Phaseolus lunatus, Dolichos biflorus agglutinins, and Griffonia simplicifolia I agglutinin B(4), respectively. Almost the same results were obtained for human group A and B ovarian cyst and A-active hog gastric mucins, but Glycine max agglutinin only reacted to the group A hog mucin. When human plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF), having Asn-linked blood group antigens, was tested, HPA was highly sensitive to blood group A antigen on the vWF. Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I) preferentially bound to the vWF from blood group O plasma. Within the GalNAc-recognizing lectins examined, a biantennary complex-type oligosaccharide having the blood group A structure retarded on an HPA-agarose column, and the affinity was diminished after digestion with alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase. This product bound to UEA-I agarose column. These results indicate that HPA and UEA-I are most sensitive for detection of glycoproteins possessing small amounts of blood group A and H antigens and also useful for fractionation of complex-type oligosaccharides with blood group A and H antigens, respectively.

Purification and characterization of kaouthiagin, a von Willebrand factor-binding and -cleaving metalloproteinase from Naha kaouthia cobra venom.

A von Willebrand factor (vWF)-binding and -cleaving metalloproteinase, termed "kaouthiagin", was purified from the venom of cobra snake Naja kaouthia. Kaouthiagin is a monomer with a molecular mass of about 46 kDa and 51 kDa under non-reducing and reducing conditions, respectively, and the N-terminal amino acid sequence is homologous to high molecular mass snake venom metalloproteinases. Kaouthiagin bound to vWF in a divalent ion-independent manner, but the reduced kaouthiagin failed to interact with vWF, suggesting that the protein conformation maintained by intrachain-disulfide linkages of the molecule is essential for the binding to vWF. Neither botrocetin nor bitiscetin, vWF-binding modulators from another snake venom, interfered with the binding between kaouthiagin and vWF, but a monoclonal antibody VW92-3 specific to the N-terminal region of vWF (residues 1-910) inhibited the binding. Without affecting platelet GPIb/IX and GPIIb/IIIa, kaouthiagin specifically cleaved vWF between residues Pro-708 and Asp-709 in a divalent ion-dependent manner to diminish the multimeric structure of vWF in plasma, resulting in the loss of ristocetin-induced platelet aggregability and the collagen-binding activity of vWF. These results indicate that kaouthiagin is a unique metalloproteinase which specifically binds to and cleaves vWF at a specific site and that it will be a useful tool for functional dissection of vWF.

Interaction of von Willebrand factor with the extracellular matrix and glycocalicin under static conditions.

The binding of human von Willebrand factor (vWF) to a variety of extracellular matrix components immobilized on plates and the binding of vWF to platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) after interacting with these matrix components were examined by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. vWF preferably bound to type III collagen, whereas it did not significantly bind to type I, IV, V, or VI collagen, fibronectin, laminin, elastin, or proteoglycans. Soluble type III collagen did not bind to vWF coated on plates and showed a little effect on the vWF binding to the immobilized collagen, suggesting that solid-phase collagen is important for the interaction with vWF. When glycocalicin, the N-terminal carbohydrate-rich extracellular domain of GPIb alpha exhibiting the vWF-binding activity, was added to vWF bound to collagen type III, no significant binding of glycocalicin was observed, but it bound to vWF in the presence of botrocetin, a vWF modulator protein isolated from Bothrops jararaca snake venom. These results indicate that vWF immobilized on collagen can interact with GPIb but that binding of vWF to the collagen matrix alone is insufficient for modulating vWF so that it interacts with GPIb under static conditions. Another unknown physiological modulator functionally mimicking botrocetin or high-shear stress may be involved in the platelet adhesion to extracellular matrix in the early stage of hemostasis.

Binding of human IgM from a rheumatoid factor to IgG of 12 animal species.

The binding of IgM from a rheumatoid factor (RF-IgM) to IgG from 12 animal species was analyzed by an ELISA system. The RF-IgM bound various animal IgG with dissimilar affinities. The binding of RF-IgM to animal IgG was inhibited by addition of protein A, which binds some animal IgG by recognizing the junctional site on CH2-CH3 domains in the Fc region. As previously reported, no significant correlation was observed between the binding of RF-IgM to IgG and the content of galactose-free oligosaccharides, which is increased in IgG of rheumatoid arthritis patients or autoimmune mice. We suggest that the crucial epitope of IgG for RF-IgM binding is not the oligosaccharide structure generated specifically in IgG of autoimmune diseases but that RF-IgM may recognize a certain protein conformation of a region in IgG near the binding site of protein A.

Structures of the sugar chains of mouse immunoglobulin G.

The asparagine-linked sugar chains of mouse immunoglobulin G (IgG) were quantitatively liberated as radioactive oligosaccharides from the polypeptide portions by hydrazinolysis followed by N-acetylation, and NaB3H4 reduction. After fractionation by paper electrophoresis, lectin (RCA120) affinity high-performance liquid chromatography, and gel filtration, their structures were studied by sequential exoglycosidase digestion in combination with methylation analysis. Mouse IgG was shown to contain the biantennary complex type sugar chains. Eight neutral oligosaccharide structures, viz, +/- Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----2Man alpha 1----6(+/- Gal beta 1---- 4GlcNAc beta 1----2Man alpha 1----3)Man beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----4(+/- Fuc alpha 1----6)GlcNAc, were found after the sialidase treatment. The molar ratio of the sugar chains with 2,1, and 0 galactose residues was 2:5:3. The galactose residue in the monogalactosylated sugar chains was distributed on Man alpha 1----3 and Man alpha 1----6 sides in the ratio of 1:3. The oligosaccharides were almost wholly fucosylated and contained no bisecting N-acetylglucosamine which is present in human, rabbit, and bovine IgGs.

Structural changes in the oligosaccharide chains of IgG in autoimmune MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice.

The structures of the asparagine-linked oligosaccharide chains of IgG from autoimmune arthritic MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL-lpr/lpr) mice and control MRL/Mp(-)+/+ (MRL(-)+/+) mice were investigated. Two subpopulations of IgG, M1-I and M1-II, were obtained from serum of MRL-lpr/lpr mice by column chromatography on protein A-Sepharose CL-4B. Although M1-I did not bind to the column, its elution was retarded, whereas M1-II was bound and was eluted in acidic buffer. IgG (Mn) from MRL(-)+/+ mice showed the same chromatographic behavior as M1-II. The structures of oligosaccharide chains liberated quantitatively by hydrazinolysis from IgG samples Mn, M1-I, M1-II, and a pooled mixture (M1) of M1-I and M1-II were determined by sequential exoglycosidase digestion, lectin (RCA120) affinity HPLC, and by methylation analysis. Their oligosaccharide structures were the same and shown to be biantennary complex-type chains +/- Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----2Man alpha 1----6(+/- Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----2Man alpha 1----3)Man beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----4(+/- Fuc alpha 1----6)GlcNAc. The proportion of each oligosaccharide in Mn and M1-II was the same but differed from that in M1-I where the degree of the galactosylation was significantly decreased which caused the change in the oligosaccharide pattern of total serum IgG (M1) of autoimmune MRL-lpr/lpr mice. This phenomenon, which is also found in total serum IgG of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, suggests that alteration of oligosaccharides in IgG may be a common feature in animals which develop arthritis with the production of rheumatoid factor regardless of species.

The occurrence of mouse-type oligosaccharides in mouse-human chimeric immunoglobulin G.

The asparagine-linked sugar chains of mouse-human chimeric IgG which is composed of the variable regions derived from mouse and the constant regions derived from human and produced in mouse cells were quantitatively released as tritium-labelled oligosaccharides by hydrazinolysis followed by N-acetylation and NaB3H4-reduction. Paper electrophoresis in combination with sialidase digestion indicated that more than 70% of the oligosaccharides were neutral and the rest was sialylated oligosaccharides. Their structures were determined by sequential exoglycosidase digestions. The mouse-human chimeric IgG was shown to have same sugar chains as those of mouse IgG.

Structures of the asparagine-linked oligosaccharides of guinea-pig factor B of the alternative complement pathway.

This paper describes the structures of the asparagine-linked oligosaccharides of two forms of guinea-pig Factor B of the alternative complement pathway with different Mr values. Oligosaccharides were quantitatively liberated from both glycoproteins by hydrazinolysis, fractionated by paper electrophoresis and Bio-Gel P-4 column chromatography, and their structures determined by sequential exoglycosidase digestions in conjunction with methylation analysis. Both glycoproteins were shown to have the same biantennary complex-type oligosaccharides but it is suggested that they contain different numbers of oligosaccharide chains.

Comparative studies of asparagine-linked sugar chains of immunoglobulin G from eleven mammalian species.

1. Asparagine-linked sugar chains released by hydrazinolysis from IgGs of porcine, equine, bovine, goat, ovine, canine, rabbit, guinea-pig and rat were comparatively analyzed by microsequencing and lectin affinity chromatography. 2. Sugar chains of all IgGs basically consisted of biantennary complex-type oligosaccharides containing 0-2 sialic acid residue(s). More than 70% of the oligosaccharides were neutral, except for guinea-pig IgG, and fucosylated trimannosyl core structures were dominant except for rabbit IgG. Bisecting N-acetylglucosamine residue was absent in porcine and equine IgGs. 3. A large quantity of galactose-less oligosaccharides were present in IgGs of porcine, equine, canine and rat.

Tissue fibronectin is an endogenous ligand for galectin-1.

A 14K beta-galactoside-binding lectin (galectin-1) is present in many animal tissues. In a search for endogenous ligands, we surveyed galectin-1-binding proteins in human placenta. Extract of human placenta with 2 M urea was applied to a Sepharose 4B column conjugated with galectin-1 purified from frog (Rana catesbeiana) eggs. Two major proteins eluted with 100 mM lactose from the column-bound fraction showed apparent molecular masses of 220 and 180 kDa on SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. Western blotting analysis using monoclonal antibodies indicated that these proteins were fibronectin and laminin, respectively. Most placental and amniotic fibronectins bound strongly to the column, whereas almost all plasma fibronectin passed through the column. The galectin-1, fibronectin and laminin were immunohistochemically shown to be co-localized in the extracellular matrix of placental tissue. In a cell attachment assay, rhabdosarcoma cells adhered to a plate coated with placental fibronectin, even in the presence of GRGDS peptide, if galectin-1 were also present. This adhesive effect of galectin-1 was inhibited by lactose. These results indicate that tissue fibronectin, as well as laminin, serve as endogenous ligands for galectin-1, suggesting that galectin-1 may play a role in assembly of the extracellular matrix, or in the control of cell adhesion based on lectin-extracellular matrix interaction.

C-type galactoside-binding lectin from Bothrops jararaca venom: comparison of its structure and function with those of botrocetin.

A Ca(2+)-dependent type (C-type) galactoside-binding lectin was purified from venom of the snake Bothrops jararaca by thiodigalactoside-Sepharose affinity column chromatography. B. jararaca lectin is a disulfide-linked homodimer composed of 14-kDa subunits. The N-terminal 55-residue amino acid sequence was determined and appeared to belong to the animal C-type lectin family. This 55-residue sequence showed 37% identity with botrocetin, an exogenous von Willebrand factor modulator purified from the same venom, and 85% identity with a lectin from rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) venom. B. jararaca lectin showed Ca(2+)-dependent hemagglutination activity but did not induce platelet aggregation in the presence or absence of Ca2+ and von Willebrand factor and did not inhibit platelet aggregation induced by botrocetin and von Willebrand factor. On the other hand, botrocetin, which also contains a C-type lectin motif in the N-terminal sequence, did not show hemagglutinating activity toward rabbit and human erythrocytes, nor binding activity toward immobilized glycoproteins. These results indicate that at least two structurally similar but functionally distinct proteins, both belonging to the C-type lectin family, are present in the venom of B. jararaca.

Diversity of oligosaccharide structures on the envelope glycoprotein gp 120 of human immunodeficiency virus 1 from the lymphoblastoid cell line H9. Presence of complex-type oligosaccharides with bisecting N-acetylglucosamine residues.

The N-linked oligosaccharide structures on the envelope glycoprotein gp120 of human immunodeficiency virus 1 derived from chronically infected lymphoblastoid (H9) cells have been investigated by enzymatic microsequencing after release from protein by hydrazinolysis, labeling with NaB3H4, and chromatography on adsorbent columns of Phaseolus vulgaris erythrophytohemagglutinin and Ricinus communis agglutinin (Mr 120,000) and on Bio-Gel P-4. A substantially greater diversity of oligosaccharide structures was detected than among those released by hydrazinolysis from recombinant gp120 produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells and investigated by similar procedures (Mizuochi, T., Spellman, M.W., Larkin, M., Solomon, J., Basa, L.J., and Feizi, T. (1988) Biochem J. 254, 599-603) and among those released by endoglycosidases from virus-derived gp120 isolated from infected H9 cells after metabolic labeling with D-[2-3H]mannose or D-[6-3H]glucosamine (Geyer, H., Holschbach, L., Hunsmann, G., and Schneider, J. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 11760-11767). In this study, 16% of the oligosaccharides were identified as complex-type bi-, tri-, and tetraantennary sialo-oligosaccharides with bisecting N-acetylglucosamine residues. Such structures were lacking on recombinant gp120 and could not be detected on the metabolically labeled, virus-derived glycoprotein. As in the earlier investigations, complex-type chains lacking bisecting N-acetylglucosamine residues, hybrid-type chains, and a series of high mannose-type structures with 5-9 mannose residues were identified. In addition, an array of complex-type chains having one or more outer chains with beta-galactosyl residues were detected in this study, but with additional substitutions that require further investigation. The number of potential N-glycosylation sites on gp120 is on the order of 20, but the oligosaccharide structures are far more numerous. Thus, the salient conclusion from this and earlier investigations is that alternative structures occur on at least some of the glycosylation sites and that numerous glycosylation variants of this glycoprotein are produced even within a single cell line. Since the glycosylation is the product of host cell glycosyltransferases, an even greater number of glycosylation variants of gp120 are predicted to arise from the heterogeneous cell populations harboring the virus in in vivo infection.

Structures of asparagine-linked oligosaccharides from hen egg-yolk antibody (IgY). Occurrence of unusual glucosylated oligo-mannose type oligosaccharides in a mature glycoprotein.

Asparagine-linked oligosaccharides present on hen egg-yolk immunoglobulin, termed IgY, were liberated from the protein by hydrazinolysis. After N-acetylation, the oligosaccharides were labelled with a UV-absorbing compound, p-aminobenzoic acid ethyl ester (ABEE). The ABEE-derivatized oligosaccharides were fractionated by anion exchange, normal phase and reversed phase HPLC, and their structures were determined by a combination of sugar composition analysis, methylation analysis, negative ion FAB-MS, 500 MHz 1H-NMR and sequential exoglycosidase digestions. IgY contained monoglucosylated oligomannose type oligosaccharides with structures of Glc alpha 1-3Man7-9-GlcNAc-GlcNAc, oligomannose type oligosaccharides with the size range of Man5-9GlcNAc-GlcNAc, and biantennary complex type oligosaccharides with core region structure of Man alpha 1-6(+/- GlcNAc beta 1-4)(Man alpha 1-3)Man beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-4(+/- Fuc alpha 1-6)GlcNAc. The glucosylated oligosaccharides, Glc1Man8GlcNAc2 and Glc1Man7GlcNAc2, have not previously been reported in mature glycoproteins from any source.

Crystal structure of bitiscetin, a von Willebrand factor-dependent platelet aggregation inducer.

Bitiscetin, a C-type lectin-like protein isolated from the venom of the snake Bitis arientans, promotes the interactions between plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) and platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) to induce platelet aggregation. We report here the crystal structure of bitiscetin at 2.0 A resolution. The overall fold is similar to those of coagulation factor IX/X-binding protein (IX/X-bp) and flavocetin-A (a GPIb-binding protein), although these three proteins are functionally distinct from one another. The characteristic property determining target recognition is explained mainly by the differences in the surface potential on the central concave surface. A negatively charged patch on the surface of bitiscetin is a candidate for the site of binding to the positively charged surface of the VWF A1 domain, as shown in the case of another platelet aggregation inducer, botrocetin. However, a positively charged patch near the central concave surface is unique for bitiscetin and suggests that it is the binding site for the negatively charged surface of the VWF A3 domain. Thus, the interactions accounting for VWF activation by bitiscetin possibly involve both the A1 and A3 domains of VWF, indicating a specific mechanism of VWF activation by bitiscetin.

Purification and characterization of bitiscetin, a novel von Willebrand factor modulator protein from Bitis arietans snake venom.

We have screened 20 snake venoms and purified a novel snake venom protein, named bitiscetin, from Bitis arietans venom that specifically binds to human von Willebrand factor (vWF) and induces platelet agglutination. Bitiscetin showed a heterodimeric structure composed of disulfide-linked alpha (16kDa) and beta (13kDa) subunits on SDS-PAGE and showed a basic nature with pI value of 9.1, in contrast to botrocetin (pI 4.6), a vWF modulator isolated from another snake (Bothrops jararaca) venom. Bitiscetin-induced platelet agglutination was dependent on vWF and platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib, but not on Ca2+ and GPIIb/IIIa. vWF bound to bitiscetin but not to botrocetin electroblotted to a PVDF membrane after SDS-PAGE and this binding was diminished after reduction of disulfide bonds of bitiscetin. Bitiscetin did not cross-react to anti-botrocetin monoclonal antibodies. These results suggest that bitiscetin directly interacts with vWF and requires the protein conformation for its interaction as well as botrocetin, but its interaction manner with vWF appears to be different from that of botrocetin.

Complete amino acid sequence of kaouthiagin, a novel cobra venom metalloproteinase with two disintegrin-like sequences.

The primary structure of kaouthiagin, a metalloproteinase from the venom of the cobra snake Naja kaouthia which specifically cleaves human von Willebrand factor (VWF), was determined by amino acid sequencing. Kaouthiagin is composed of 401 amino acid residues and one Asn-linked sugar chain. The sequence is highly similar to those of high-molecular mass snake venom metalloproteinases from viperid and crotalid venoms comprised of metalloproteinase, disintegrin-like, and Cys-rich domains. The metalloproteinase domain had a zinc-binding motif (HEXXHXXGXXH), which is highly conserved in the metzincin family. Kaouthiagin had an HDCD sequence in the disintegrin-like domain and uniquely had an RGD sequence in the Cys-rich domain. Metalloproteinase-inactivated kaouthiagin had no effect on VWF-induced platelet aggregation but still had an inhibitory effect on the collagen-induced platelet aggregation with an IC(50) of 0.2 microM, suggesting the presence of disintegrin-like activity in kaouthiagin. To examine the effects of these HDCD and RGD sequences, we prepared synthetic peptides cyclized by an S-S linkage. Both the synthetic cyclized peptides from the disintegrin-like domain and from the Cys-rich domain) had an inhibitory effect on collagen-induced platelet aggregation with IC(50) values of approximately 90 and approximately 4.5 microM, respectively. The linear peptide (RAAKHDCDLPELC) and the cyclized peptide had little effect on collagen-induced platelet aggregation. These results suggest that kaouthiagin not only inhibits VWF-induced platelet aggregation by cleaving VWF but also disturbs the agonist-induced platelet aggregation by both the disintegrin-like domain and the RGD sequence in the Cys-rich domain. Furthermore, our results imply that the corresponding part of the Cys-rich domain in other snake venom metalloproteinases also has a synergistic disturbing effect on platelet aggregation, serving as a second disintegrin-like domain. This is the first report of an elapid venom metalloproteinase with two disintegrin-like sequences.

ABO blood group antigens on human plasma von Willebrand factor after ABO-mismatched bone marrow transplantation.

von Willebrand factor (vWF) is synthesized exclusively by endothelial cells and megakaryocytes, and stored in the intracellular granules or constitutively secreted into plasma. ABO blood group antigens are covalently associated with asparagine-linked sugar chains of plasma vWF. The effect of ABO-mismatched bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or blood stem cell transplantation (BSCT) on the expression of ABO blood group antigens on the vWF was examined to obtain information on the origin of these antigens. In ABO-mismatched (HLA-matched) groups, 8 cases of BMT and 4 cases of BSCT were examined. In all cases, the ABO blood groups on red blood cells were gradually converted to the donor's type within 80 to 90 days after the transplantation. The blood group antigens on the vWF were consistent with the recipient's blood group for the period monitored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). When vWF was isolated from normal platelets and examined for the blood group antigens using ELISA or immunoblotting, it showed few antigens. However, vWF extracted from veins expressed blood group antigens. These findings indicate that platelet (megakaryocyte)-derived vWF does not contain blood group antigens and that these antigens may be specifically associated with vWF synthesized in endothelial cells and secreted into plasma. Furthermore, it is possible that the persistence of the recipient's blood group antigens on plasma glycoproteins such as vWF, independent of the donor-derived erythrocytes, after ABO-mismatched stem cell transplantation, may influence the immunological system in the production of anti-blood group antibodies resulting in the establishment of immunological tolerance in the recipient plasma.

Purification and amino acid sequence of halystase from snake venom of Agkistrodon halys blomhoffii, a serine protease that cleaves specifically fibrinogen and kininogen.

We have isolated a serine protease, halystase, from Agkistrodon halys blomhoffii venom by chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose, heparin-Sepharose and Q-Sepharose columns, and have determined the complete amino acid sequence by Edman degradation and by mass spectral analysis of peptides generated by enzymatic and chemical cleavage. The 238-residue sequence of halystase, containing N-linked carbohydrates (about 13%) at two sites showed significant similarity to other thrombin-like snake venom serine proteases (66-72%), mammalian tissue kallikrein (42%) and thrombin (26%). Halystase contained the tentative catalytic triad of His43, Asp88 and Ser184 common to all serine proteases and Asp178 in the primary substrate-binding site. Although halystase contained an RGD sequence at residues 181-183, it did not inhibit platelet aggregation induced by ADP or collagen. It hydrolyzed most efficiently a tissue-kallikrein substrate, prolylphenylalanylarginyl-4-methyl-coumaryl-7-amide, and released bradykinin from bovine kininogen. Halystase did not coagulate human plasma, but it cleaved the fibrinogen B beta chain at the carboxyl side of Arg42 and cleaved slowly the fibrogen A alpha chain. Fibrinogen thus treated gradually became insensitive to thrombin. The proteolytic activity was inhibited with diisopropyl fluorophosphate, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride or leupeptin. These results indicate that halystase is a serine protease structurally similar to coagulating thrombin-like snake venom proteases, but it specifically cleaves fibrinogen at sites different from thrombin without inducing fibrin clotting, and hydrolyzes kininogen to produce bradykinin, resulting in the reduction of blood pressure.