Mitogenic activity of high molecular weight forms of insulin-like growth factor-II in amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid (AF) collected from ewes and goats at mid gestation displayed mitogenic activity in mouse fibroblasts. Upon fractionation of this material by size exclusion chromatography, the mitogenic activity was resolved into two peaks, whose activity was inhibited by an anti-IGF type 1 receptor blocking antibody. One of the peaks contained IGF-I and IGF-II (mature form), whereas the other contained high M(r) precursor forms of IGF-II. The presence in this latter fraction of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP) suggests that the AF IGFBPs do not efficiently inhibit the mitogenic activity of the high M(r) forms of IGF-II. In agreement with this conclusion, exogenous IGFBP-1 failed to affect this activity. Analysis of IGF-II in sheep AF showed that the AF concentrations of both forms of IGF-II increased dramatically from mid pregnancy until 106-120 days of gestation, and fell thereafter. The amniotic IGFBPs followed a similar evolution. High M(r) forms of IGF-II were also found in human AF, with a pattern of electrophoretic migration different from that of sheep. We suggest that the precursor forms of IGF-II may play an important role in foetal development.

Soluble FasR ligand-binding domain: high-yield production of active fusion and non-fusion recombinant proteins using the baculovirus/insect cell system.

We used the recombinant baculovirus/insect cell system to express two soluble forms of the mouse Fas receptor (mFasR) extracellular domain (ECD): a monomer comprising the entire ligand-binding portion of mFasR followed by a carboxy-terminal hexa-histidine extension aiding purification by immobilized metal affinity chromatography and an immunoadhesin in which the same 148 residues were fused to the Fc portion of a truncated human IgG1 immunoglobulin heavy chain. Both constructs harboured a 24 base pairs insertion placed upstream of the initiating ATG [Peakman, Charles, Sydenham, Gewert, Page, and Makoff (1992) Nucleic Acids Res. 20, 6111-6112]. Despite its hexa-histidine extension, the monovalent recombinant protein from crude culture media failed to bind immobilized Ni2+ unless proteins were first precipitated twice by ammonium sulphate. The overall procedure then yielded approximately 10mg/l of protein which could be purified to near homogeneity using two additional chromatographic steps. The glycosylated polypeptide migrated as a band of Mr=(21-31) x 10(3) in SDS/PAGE and was monomeric in physiological buffers. Under non-reducing conditions, denaturation in 6 M guanidinium chloride was reversible after slow removal of the denaturing agent. The mFasR immunoadhesin was secreted (approximately 5-10 mg/l) as a disulphide-linked homodimer, and endowed with ligand-binding activity since it could bind FasL on the surface of D11S, FasL-expressing cells. When tested for their ability to inhibit FasR-dependent cell lysis, the soluble dimeric immunoadhesin markedly inhibited FasL-mediated cytotoxicity (IC50 approximately 30 nM), and was approximately 6 times as effective as its monomeric counterpart.

Requirement of the VanY and VanX D,D-peptidases for glycopeptide resistance in enterococci.

Transposon Tn 1546 confers resistance to glycopeptide antibiotics in enterococci and encodes two D,D-peptidases (VanX and VanY) in addition to the enzymes for the synthesis of D-alanyl-D-lactate (D-Ala-D-Lac). VanY was produced in the baculovirus expression system and purified as a proteolytic fragment that lacked the putative N-terminal membrane anchor of the protein. The enzyme was a Zn2+-dependent D,D-carboxypeptidase that cleaved the C-terminal residue of peptidoglycan precursors ending in R-D-Ala-D-Ala or R-D-Ala-D-Lac but not the dipeptide D-Ala-D-Ala. The specificity constants kcat/Km were 17- to 67-fold higher for substrates ending in the R-D-Ala-D-Ala target of glycopeptides. In Enterococcus faecalis, VanY was present in membrane and cytoplasmic fractions, produced UDP-MurNAc-tetrapeptide from cytoplasmic peptidoglycan precursors and was required for high-level glycopeptide resistance in a medium supplemented with D-Ala. The enzyme could not replace the VanX D,D-dipeptidase for the expression of glycopeptide resistance but a G237D substitution in the host D-Ala:D-Ala ligase restored resistance in a vanX null mutant. Deletion of the membrane anchor of VanY led to an active D,D-carboxypeptidase exclusively located in the cytoplasmic fraction that did not contribute to glycopeptide resistance in a D-Ala-containing medium. Thus, VanX and VanY had non-overlapping functions involving the hydrolysis of D-Ala-D-Ala and the removal of D-Ala from membrane-bound lipid intermediates respectively.

Initial characterization of anosmin-1, a putative extracellular matrix protein synthesized by definite neuronal cell populations in the central nervous system.

The KAL gene is responsible for the X-chromosome linked form of Kallmann's syndrome in humans. Upon transfection of CHO cells with a human KAL cDNA, the corresponding encoded protein, KALc, was produced. This protein is N-glycosylated, secreted in the cell culture medium, and is localized at the cell surface. Several lines of evidence indicate that heparan-sulfate chains of proteoglycan(s) are involved in the binding of KALc to the cell membrane. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to the purified KALc were generated. They allowed us to detect and characterize the protein encoded by the KAL gene in the chicken central nervous system at late stages of embryonic development. This protein is synthesized by definite neuronal cell populations including Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, mitral cells in the olfactory bulbs and several subpopulations in the optic tectum and the striatum. The protein, with an approximate molecular mass of 100 kDa, was named anosmin-1 in reference to the deficiency of the sense of smell which characterizes the human disease. Anosmin-1 is likely to be an extracellular matrix component. Since heparin treatment of cell membrane fractions from cerebellum and tectum resulted in the release of the protein, we suggest that one or several heparan-sulfate proteoglycans are involved in the binding of anosmin-1 to the membranes in vivo.

Modified monoclonal antibody production kinetics kappa/gamma mRNA levels, and metabolic activities in a murine hybridoma selected by continuous Culture.

During long-term continuous culture of the hybridoma cell line 11317, a better-producing subclone (I1317-SF11), giving improved productivity, has been selected. The comparison of the original cell line (I1317-DC) with this subclone revealed that although the growth patterns of both clones were similar, both in continuous and in batch cultures, considerable differences could be seen between the clones with respect to monoclonal antibody (MAB) accumulation, MAB production rate, the levels of mRNA coding for heavy and light chains of IgG, and some metabolic activities. In continuous culture as well as in batch culture, I1317-SF11 showed increased levels of mRNA coding for kappa and gamma chains compared with I1317-DC and/or a modified ratio of the mRNA species when compared to that in I1317-DC. Using pulse experiments, it could be established that the biosynthesis of both chains was augmented in I1317-SF11. Although the kappa and gamma mRNA levels were modified or inversed for I1317-SF11, the cells always synthesized more kappa than gamma chains. The overall increase in the synthetic activity of I1317-SF11 is suggested as one reason for the considerable increase of IgG productivity and product accumulation in continuous culture as well as in repeated batch cultures. Tests concerning metabolic activity revealed that I1317-SF11 had a predominantly glycolytic metabolism independent of growth requirements, whereas for I1317-DC the metabolism became increasingly glycolytic with increased growth. The antibody yield coefficient of I1317-SF11 on glutamine was significantly higher than that of I1317-DC for the continuous culture, whereas the antibody coefficients on glucose were almost similar for both clones under the different culture conditions used. Both antibody coefficients were considerablly influenced by the specific growth rate.All these facts together lead to the conclusion that subclone I1317-SF11 uses more of the energy available, or it was the energy and/or precursors available for the synthesis and production of MAB more efficiently than the thesis and production of MAB more efficiently than the original cell line. Although the levels of mRNA coding for heavy and light chains of IgG were modified, it could be confirmed that the overall regulation of MAB-synthesis and -production occurs post-translationally and that at higher growth rates, more biosynthetic activity is diverted to biomass production.

Analysis of C-terminally truncated dengue 2 and dengue 3 virus envelope glycoproteins: processing in insect cells and immunogenic properties in mice.

We constructed two recombinant Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis baculoviruses. Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells containing these constructs produce carboxy-terminally truncated envelope E proteins representing dengue (DEN) virus serotypes 2 and 3. The two recombinant proteins contained their homologous signal sequences at the N terminus and were truncated by 71 and 74 amino acids at the C terminus, respectively. This allowed the translocation of the recombinant proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum followed by glycosylation processing and secretion into the extracellular medium. An additional unglycosylated form which was not secreted was detected inside the infected Sf9 cells. Sera from Swiss mice immunized with the infected Sf9 cell lysates gave a DEN cross-reactive response in ELISA and substantial amounts of neutralizing antibodies to the homologous virus. Similar antibody titres were obtained when the two recombinant proteins were inoculated concomitantly. BALB/c mice were vaccinated with three doses of the recombinant E proteins, taken as monovalent or bivalent immunogens, and challenged with mouse-adapted DEN-2 virus. DEN-2 E protein induced a good protection (90%) against lethal encephalitis and recombinant DEN-3 E protein gave a substantial cross-protection (54%). Eighty-two percent of the mice immunized with a mixture of both recombinant E proteins survived the DEN-2 virus challenge.

Dissociation of the peptide-MHC class I complex limits the binding rate of exogenous peptide.

Soluble, single-chain molecules for two MHC class I alleles, H-2Kd and H-2Kb, were used to analyze the kinetics of antigenic peptide binding to MHC. After MHC preloading with radiolabeled or fluorescent peptides, the observed rate of MHC-peptide complex dissociation increased after addition of an excess of unlabeled competitor peptide. Although exogenous peptides conforming to the allele-specific motif were required for the enhanced complex dissociation to occur, the dissociation rate of the complex was independent of exogenous peptide concentration. Similarly, the association rate of exogenous peptides was independent of concentration, reflecting the presence of low affinity peptides in the binding sites of the recombinant MHC proteins; the sequences of these endogenous peptides conform to the consensus motif for the MHC allele studied. Finally, the association rate of exogenous peptide decreased when MHC molecules were preloaded with high affinity peptides, and the binding of labeled high affinity peptide to isolated recombinant MHC was faster than the subsequent dissociation observed in the presence of competitor peptide. Taken together, these results imply that the rate of exogenous peptide binding is limited by the dissociation rate of the previously bound peptides.

Comparison of the biochemical properties of unprocessed and processed forms of the small GTP-binding protein, rab6p.

The rab6 protein (rab6p) belongs to a large family of ras-like low-molecular-mass GTP-binding proteins thought to be involved in the regulation of intracellular transport in mammalian cells. When expressed in the baculovirus/insect cell system, two major forms of rab6p are obtained; a 24-kDa cytosolic unprocessed form and a 23-kDa membrane-bound form which represents the processed lipid-modified protein. Here, we have purified both forms to homogeneity and we have studied and compared their biochemical properties. Unprocessed and processed rab6p display similar binding-rate constants (kon) for GDP and GTP (1-1.9 microM-1 min-1). However, significant differences exist in the dissociation constants of bound guanine nucleotides. Processed rab6p in low and high magnesium solutions displays similar koff values for GTP and GDP. However, unprocessed rab6p has a koff value higher for GDP than for GTP in both low and high magnesium solutions. Their intrinsic GTPase activities also differ; unprocessed rab6p has an almost undetectable GTPase activity, whereas that of processed rab6p is in the same range as that reported for other ras and ras-like GTP-binding proteins (0.012 +/- 0.002 min-1). These results suggest that post-translational modifications of rab6p might induce subtle changes in the three-dimensional structure of the protein which affect the guanine-nucleotide-binding/hydrolysis activity.

Induction of phagocytic behaviour in human epithelial cells by Escherichia coli cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1.

Cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1 (CNF1) from strains of pathogenic Escherichia coli induces in human epithelial HEp-2 cells, a profound reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton into prominent stress fibres and membrane ruffles. We report here that this process is associated with induction of phagocytic-like activity. CNF1-treated cells acquired the ability to ingest latex beads as well as non-invasive bacteria such as Listeria innocua, which were taken as a model system. Uptake of bacteria was similar to pathogen-induced phagocytosis, since L. innocua transformed with DNA coding for the pore-forming toxin listeriolysin O behaved, with respect to intracellular growth, like the invasive, pathogenic species L. monocytogenes. Our results raise the possibility that, in vivo, pathogenic CNF1-producing E. coli may invade epithelia by this novel induced phagocytic-like mechanism.

High level functional expression of human beta 1-adrenergic receptor in baculovirus-infected cells screened by a rapid in situ procedure.

A novel screening assay for the identification of baculovirus infected cells expressing membrane receptors was developed by using a replica transfer technique. Sf9 cells were cotransfected with wild type baculoviral DNA and the transfer vector pVL941-beta 1 containing the coding region of the human beta 1-adrenergic receptor gene. Infected cells embedded in agarose were incubated with [125I]-iodocyanopindolol and transferred onto filters that were subsequently autoradiographed. This procedure resulted in the isolation of recombinant baculoviruses that expressed beta 1-adrenergic receptors. Binding assays carried out with [125I]-ICYP indicated that more than 600,000 receptors were expressed per cell, the highest level noted so far for this receptor in genetically engineered cells. Sf9 cells expressing the beta 1-AR were analysed by ligand binding, competition experiments, adenylyl cyclase stimulation and photoaffinity labeling. These cells express a homogenous population of receptors and display the known pharmacological properties of beta 1-AR in human tissues.

Purification and ligand binding of a soluble class I major histocompatibility complex molecule consisting of the first three domains of H-2Kd fused to beta 2-microglobulin expressed in the baculovirus-insect cell system.

A recombinant baculovirus encoding a single-chain murine major histocompatibility complex class I molecule in which the first three domains of H-2Kd are fused to beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) via a 15-amino acid linker has been isolated and used to infect lepidopteran cells. A soluble, 391-amino acid single-chain H-2Kd (SC-Kd) molecule of 48 kDa was synthesized and glycosylated in insect cells and could be purified in the absence of detergents by affinity chromatography using the anti-H-2Kd monoclonal antibody SF1.1.1.1. We tested the ability of SC-Kd to bind antigenic peptides using a direct binding assay based on photoaffinity labeling. The photoreactive derivative was prepared from the H-2Kd-restricted Plasmodium berghei circumsporozoite protein (P.b. CS) peptide 253-260 (YIPSAEKI), a probe that we had previously shown to be unable to bind to the H-2Kd heavy chain in infected cells in the absence of co-expressed beta 2-microglobulin. SC-Kd expressed in insect cells did not require additional mouse beta 2-m to bind the photoprobe, indicating that the covalently attached beta 2-m could substitute for the free molecule. Similarly, binding of the P.b. CS photoaffinity probe to the purified SC-Kd molecule was unaffected by the addition of exogenous beta 2-m. This is in contrast to H-2KdQ10, a soluble H-2Kd molecule in which beta 2-m is noncovalently bound to the soluble heavy chain, whose ability to bind the photoaffinity probe is greatly enhanced in the presence of an excess of exogenous beta 2-m. The binding of the probe to SC-Kd was allele-specific, since labeling was selectively inhibited only by antigenic peptides known to be presented by the H-2Kd molecule.

Batch production and secretion kinetics of hybridomas: pulse-chase experiments.

Pulse chase experiments of two mouse hybridoma lines were conducted in order to elucidate the kinetics of monoclonal antibody (mAb) production and secretion during different stages of batch cultures. The results indicate that a stock of cytoplasmic IgG exists in hybridoma cells and that the concentration of this stored IgG depends on the cell line used and the stage of the culture. This stored IgG can be released by dying cells, and a certain quantity of the secreted IgG is derived from this source. However, only between 0.3 and 9.3% of the released IgG of U0208 (average: 2.08%) and between 2.08 and 25.8% of the IgG, released from I.13.17 (average: 6.95%), were of storage origin, calculated on culture viability and intracellular IgG-stock. Comparing the accumulation of radio-labelled IgG (IgG*) in the supernatant with the reduction of cytoplasmic IgG* during the chase experiments, the percentages range between 14 and 50%, somewhat higher values probably caused by changes in the culture conditions. These changes led to a release of IgG during the chase experiments, which accounts for about 20-25% of the totally secreted IgG. It could be established that during the logarithmic growth phase of batch cultures a certain percentage of synthesized IgG was not released but stored within the cells: for U0208: 0.3-4.5%, for I.13.17: 1-7.6%. During the stationary and death phase, this percentage ranged between 1.5 and 20% for U0208 and between 0.5 and 8.1% for I.13.17. Finally, the chase experiments also revealed that the time of synthesis, assembly, and secretion of mAbs does not vary much during the different phases of batch cultures, and is within the range of 1.5 and 3 hrs.