Aldolase activity of a Plasmodium falciparum protein with protective properties.

Immunization with a 41-kilodalton blood stage antigen (p41) of Plasmodium falciparum induces immunity to malaria in monkeys. However, antigenic polymorphism and repetitive amino acids commonly found in protective antigens complicate vaccine development. The gene encoding p41 has now been cloned and analyzed. Sequencing and hybridization studies revealed that the gene structure is highly conserved in 14 parasite isolates from three continents. This finding and the lack of repetitive amino acids in the translated DNA sequence may indicate that p41 has an essential function. In this study the protein was found to be 60 percent homologous to the key glycolytic enzyme aldolase from vertebrates, and the affinity-purified p41 protein from parasites showed aldolase activity.

Role of interleukin-4 in human immunoglobulin E formation in hu-PBL-SCID mice.

We studied the role of IL-4 in human IgE formation in severe combined immunodeficient mice engrafted with peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (hu-PBL-SCID). PBL from four nonatopic donors produced only small (< 20 ng/ml) or undetectable amounts of IgE in SCID mice whereas engrafted PBL from seven atopic donors secreted IgE with IgE serum levels reaching a mean +/- SE of 184 +/- 37 ng/ml (n = 20). Serum IgE levels peaked 2-3 wk after PBL transfer and declined thereafter with a half-life of 1-2 wk. In contrast, IgG of all subclasses reached maximum serum levels 5-7 wk after PBL transfer and declined little thereafter. Injection of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody to the human IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) on day 0 inhibited completely the IgE formation and caused an approximate twofold reduction of IgG production of all subclasses. The anti-IL-4 R antibody had no effect on IgE secretion when administered 4 wk after PBL engraftment. Incubation of PBL with IL-4 before engraftment resulted in a 10-fold increase in IgE production and could be further enhanced by 100 fold if, in addition to preincubation with IL-4, IL-4 was injected daily for 5 d after PBL transfer. This treatment with IL-4 also induced two- to threefold increase in IgG levels. IFN-gamma had no effect on either IgE or IgG subclass production. In approximately 50% of the mice, one or more IgG subclasses increased disproportionally 5 wk after PBL injection as a result of monoclonal IgG formation. These data demonstrate that PBL from atopic donors secrete IgE in SCID mice in an IL-4-dependent manner, and that IgE production can be enhanced 10- to 100-fold with exogenous human IL-4 in these mice. This mouse model is amenable for the in vivo study of immunomodulators on human IgE formation.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray investigation of a complex between a Fab fragment and its antigen, cyclosporin.

Preliminary crystallographic data are given for a complex between the cyclic undecapeptide cyclosporin and the Fab fragment of an anti-cyclosporin monoclonal antibody. Crystals of the complex are orthorhombic with space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) and diffract to 2.7 A resolution. The unit cell dimensions are a = 52.6 A, b = 70.2 A and c = 118.4 A. A native data set to 2.7 A resolution has been collected.

Monoclonal autoantibodies against mouse red blood cells: a family of structurally restricted molecules.

Cultured mouse peritoneal cells from unstimulated mice developed plaque-forming activity against isologous bromelain-treated erythrocytes. Several IgM monoclonal autoantibodies obtained by fusion of peritoneal cells from NZB or CBA origin with BALB/c myeloma cells were purified by affinity chromatography on trimethyl ammonium (TMA) column on the basis of their cross-reactivity with TMA, phosphorylcholine (PC) or choline haptens. Binding affinity for PC hapten was of the order of 10(3) M-1. Idiotypic studies with a polyclonal rabbit anti-idiotypic reagent revealed strong cross-reactions with all hybridoma autoantibodies thus far tested. In addition, the rabbit anti-idiotypic serum detected idiotypes or cross-reactive idiotypes in the sera of NZB and CBA as well as BALB/c mice. N-terminal amino acid sequence analyses of three hybridoma autoantibodies from NZB mice and one from CBA mice were carried out. The sequences of the first 32 residues of the four heavy chains showed that three were identical while one had one amino acid interchange; they belong to the VHIII-subgroup. The light chains were identical in the first 35 residues with the exception of a substitution at position 3 in two light chains and are members of the VK-9-subgroup. These results entirely support the idiotypic data. These monoclonal autoantibodies from NZB and CBA mice although isolated and eluted from PC-related haptens do not have any apparent structural nor idiotypic relationship to PC-specific antibodies. Idiotypic and V-region N-terminal sequence data suggest that these autoantibodies constitute a highly restricted family of molecules likely to be encoded by unique germ-line genes which may be expressed as such or as somatic variants in different mouse strains.

Analysis of the structural diversity of monoclonal antibodies to cyclosporine.

The immunosuppressive cyclic undecapeptide cyclosporine (Cs) represents a useful model for studying the molecular basis of antibody-antigen interactions. The three-dimensional structure of the Cs molecule is known and a large panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to Cs has been well characterized by cross-reactivity studies with numerous Cs analogs. In the present study, the sequences of the variable regions of seven mAbs to Cs were determined and a striking relationship was found between the expressed variable region genes and the Cs recognition pattern. An analysis of the length and hydrophobic content of the hypervariable regions and sequence similarities suggested that the heavy chain plays a major role in Cs recognition. Different fine specificities were observed for mAbs exhibiting identical light chains, while two antibodies differed by only a single amino acid located in the heavy chain. The presence of a duplication of 12 nucleotides within the heavy chain third hypervariable region of two antibodies suggests the existence of an additional mechanism for creating antibody diversity.

Anti-cyclosporine monoclonal antibodies and their anti-idiotopic counterpart: structure and biological activity.

In order to study the structural and functional mimicry of an antigen by anti-idiotypic antibodies, we generated anti-idiotopic monoclonal antibodies (anti-Id mAbs) against a mAb (R45-45-11) with specificity for the immunosuppressive cyclic undecapeptide cyclosporine (Cs; Sandimmune). Three out of five anti-Id mAbs inhibited the binding of Cs to the anti-Cs mAb R45-45-11. All anti-Id mAbs cross-reacted only with one (anti-Cs mAb V45-271-10) out of 19 anti-Cs mAbs. The anti-Cs mAb V45-271-10 recognizes an epitope on the Cs molecule which is very similar to that recognized by R45-45-11. R45-45-11 and V45-271-10 differ only by one amino acid in the variable region. The anti-Id mAbs which recognize combining site-associated idiotopes (Ids) reverse the blocking effect of the anti-Cs mAb R45-45-11 on Cs immunosuppression in vitro. The sequences of the variable regions of heavy and light chain of one anti-Id mAb were determined. X-ray analysis of the corresponding Fab fragment, either alone or complexed with the Fab fragment of the Id, is currently in progress.

Comparison of proC and other housekeeping genes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with their counterparts in Escherichia coli.

In a comparative study of housekeeping genes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, the nucleotide sequence of a proline biosynthetic gene, proC, of P. aeruginosa has been determined. The subunit molecular mass (approximately 29 kDa) and the N-terminal amino acid sequence of purified delta 1-pyrroline 5-carboxylate reductase, the proC gene product, were in agreement with the proC nucleotide sequence. A survey of pairs of isofunctional genes from P. aeruginosa and E. coli reveals that within each pair, translated genes (including proC) have diverged more strongly than have untranslated genes specifying ribosomal or transfer RNAs. The translated genes, but not the untranslated ones, have a G + C content that is typical of the respective genomic G + C contents.

Yeast cyclophilin: isolation and characterization of the protein, cDNA and gene.

Cyclophilin (CPH) has been isolated from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, purified to homogeneity and partially sequenced. Oligodeoxyribonucleotides deduced from this sequence were used to isolate the corresponding cDNA and gene. An open reading frame coding for a 162-amino acid (aa) protein with a calculated Mr of 17,392, was deduced from the nucleotide sequence. Comparison between yeast and human CPH shows a very high overall sequence conservation (65% aa homology). The binding of yeast CPH to cyclosporin A is identical to that of human and bovine CPH. Unlike in Neurospora crassa, a mitochondrial form of CPH could not be detected in yeast. Southern-blot analysis of yeast DNA shows that only one CPH-related sequence is present per haploid genome, whereas at least 20 genes or pseudogenes were detected in the human and rat genome. Purified yeast CPH exhibits peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase activity, albeit to a far lesser extent than the mammalian protein.

N-terminal amino acid sequence of the chromosomal dihydrofolate reductase purified from trimethoprim-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The existence of two distinct dihydrofolate reductases (DHFR) in highly trimethoprim-resistant clinical isolates has been unequivocally demonstrated. The enzymes have been characterized with regard to the affinity for substrates and sensitivity to inhibitors. The chromosomal, trimethoprim-sensitive DHFR was purified to homogeneity by a new simple two-step procedure. Its N-terminal amino acid sequence, determined up to the first 35 amino acids, showed 69% homology with the Escherichia coli DHFR.

Effects of potassium channel toxins from Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus venom on responses to cromakalim in rabbit blood vessels.

1. The effects of fractionated Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus venom on cromakalim-induced 86Rb+ efflux in rabbit aortic smooth muscle were examined. 2. Crude venom (0.1-30 micrograms ml-1) produced a concentration-dependent decrease of 1 microM cromakalim-induced 86Rb+ response. The maximum blocking activity attainable was approximately 60%. 3. Fractionation of crude venom by gel permeation chromatography and subsequent chromatography on a cation ion-exchange column, produced two fractions (X and XI), active in the 86Rb+ blocking assay. 4. Fraction XII contained charybdotoxin (approximately 85% pure). After a final high performance liquid chromatography (h.p.l.c.) purification step, the purified toxin failed to inhibit the cromakalim-stimulated 86Rb+ efflux although it was a potent inhibitor of A23187-induced K+ flux in human erythrocytes and the large conductance calcium-activated potassium channel in rabbit portal vein smooth muscle. 5. Subsequent purification of fraction X by h.p.l.c. yielded a minor peak which contained 86Rb+ blocking activity. This subfraction was also capable of inhibiting apamin-sensitive, angiotensin II-stimulated K+ flux in guinea-pig hepatocytes. 6. It is concluded that the potassium channel opened by cromakalim in rabbit aortic smooth muscle is not blocked by charybdotoxin but by another distinct toxin in the venom of Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus.

A novel approach for high level production of a recombinant human parathyroid hormone fragment in Escherichia coli.

We describe a novel approach to the production in E. coli of a peptide fragment derived from the human parathyroid hormone (hPTH). The first 38 amino acids of hPTH were fused at the amino terminus to a derivative of the bacteriophage T4-encoded gp55 protein, and were expressed in the E. coli cytoplasm in inclusion bodies at levels exceeding 50% of the total cell protein. Solubilization and subsequent incubation of the inclusion bodies in dilute hydrochloric acid facilitated the cleavage of an acid-labile aspartyl-prolyl peptide bond engineered into the fusion protein, thus releasing the hormone fragment directly from the inclusion body preparation. The amino-terminal prolyl-prolyl dipeptide-extension was subsequently removed by treatment with Lactococcus lactis dipeptidyl peptidase IV which was overexpressed in E. coli and purified to near homogeneity from the cytosol of the recombinant bacteria. In pilot-scale fermentations, more than 80 mg of pure hPTH(1-38) were isolated per liter of bacterial culture, with an overall yield of 35%. This process is suitable for scale-up, is cost effective, and by employing recombinant dipeptidyl peptidase IV, should be widely and directly applicable to the manufacturing of peptides of pharmaceutical interest.

Purification and characterization of a bacterial nitrophenol oxygenase which converts ortho-nitrophenol to catechol and nitrite.

A nitrophenol oxygenase which stoichiometrically converted ortho-nitrophenol (ONP) to catechol and nitrite was isolated from Pseudomonas putida B2 and purified. The substrate specificity of the enzyme was broad and included several halogen- and alkyl-substituted ONPs. The oxygenase consisted of a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of 58,000 (determined by gel filtration) or 65,000 (determined on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel). The enzymatic reaction was NADPH dependent, and one molecule of oxygen was consumed per molecule of ONP converted. Enzymatic activity was stimulated by magnesium or manganese ions, whereas the addition of flavin adenine dinucleotide, flavin mononucleotide, or reducing agents had no effect. The apparent Kms for ONP and NADPH were 8 and 140 microM, respectively. 2,4-Dinitrophenol competitively (Ki = 0.5 microM) inhibited ONP turnover. The optimal pH for enzyme stability and activity was in the range of 7.5 to 8.0. At 40 degrees C, the enzyme was totally inactivated within 2 min; however, in the presence of 1 mM ONP, 40% of the activity was recovered, even after 10 min. Enzymatic activity was best preserved at -20 degrees C in the presence of 50% glycerol.

Influence of para-substituents on the oxidative metabolism of o-nitrophenols by Pseudomonas putida B2.

Pseudomonas putida B2 is able to grow on o-nitrophenol (ONP) as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. ONP was converted by a nitrophenol oxygenase to nitrite and catechol. Catechol was then attacked by a catechol 1,2-dioxygenase and further degraded through an ortho-cleavage pathway. ONP derivatives which were para-substituted with a methyl-, chloro-, carboxy-, formyl- or nitro-group failed to support growth of strain B2. Relevant catabolic enzymes were characterized to analyze why these derivatives were not mineralized. Nitrophenol oxygenase of strain B2 is a soluble, NADPH-dependent enzyme that is stimulated by magnesium, manganese, and calcium ions. It is active toward ONP, 4-methyl-, 4-chloro-, and to a lesser extent, 4-formyl-ONP but not toward 4-carboxy- or 4-nitro-ONP. In addition, 4-formyl-, 4-carboxy-, and 4-nitro-ONP failed to induce the formation of nitrophenol oxygenase. Catechol 1,2-dioxygenase of strain B2 is active toward catechol and 4-methyl-catechol but only poorly active toward chlorinated catechols. 4-Methyl-catechol is likely to be degraded to methyl-lactones, which are often dead-end metabolites in bacteria. Thus, of the compounds tested, only unsubstituted ONP acts as an inducer and substrate for all of the enzymes of a productive catabolic pathway.

Eukaryotic expression systems: a comparison.

Eukaryotic expression systems are frequently employed for the production of recombinant proteins as therapeutics as well as research tools. Most commonly used expression systems are based on stably transfected adherent CHO cells or nonadherent lymphoid cell lines. An efficient alternative is the infection of insect cells by recombinant baculoviruses. Transient expression in mammalian cells, e.g., COS cells, is often used for the production of smaller quantities of proteins. The choice of a suitable expression system depends largely on the biochemical and biological properties of the protein of interest, as well as on the nature of the planned experiments and the amount of recombinant protein required. We summarize here the expression of the cytokine human Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (hu-LIF) in five of the most commonly used systems, namely in CHO, Sp2/0, MEL, COS, and insect cells, in conjunction with an outline of the principles and characteristics of each of these expression systems. In result, the stably transfected cell lines, CHO, Sp2/0, and MEL cells, gave rise to production of fully glycosylated hu-LIF at variable product titers; incompletely glycosylated, albeit biological action hu-LIF could be rapidly produced by transient expression in COS cells or by baculovirus-mediated infection of insect cells.

Structural similarities between corresponding heat-shock proteins from different eucaryotic cells.

Effects of heat treatments on chick embryo fibroblasts, Drosophila embryonic cells, and human lymphoblastoid cells have been compared. Cells from all three species synthesize large heat-shock proteins (hsps) with Mr = 70,000 and 84,000-85,000. Different small hsps with Mr between 22,000 and 27,000 are made at high rates in heat-treated chicken and Drosophila cells but could not be observed in human cells. The structural features of the large hsps from cells of the different organisms were compared by three methods of peptide mapping, namely the examination of tryptic digests by two-dimensional thin layer chromatography or by high pressure liquid chromatography and of incomplete V8 digests by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The Mr = 84,000-85,000 polypeptides from all three organisms are closely related, the chicken and human polypeptides having many peptides in common. The relationship between the Mr = 70,000 polypeptides of the different organisms appears to be less close; possible explanations for this latter result are discussed. Rates of synthesis of total as well as poly(A)+ RNA are much lower in heat-treated than in untreated cells of all three organisms. Heat treatments induce dramatic changes in the shape of chick embryo fibroblasts as seen by microscopic examination. Human lymphoblastoid cells do not show changes in shape.

Biosynthesis and structure of membrane and secretory immunoglobulins.

Almost all of the body's extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig) is derived from Ig-secreting plasma cells of lymphoid tissues. The secreted material is a heterogeneous mixture of different classes and specificities. Lymphoid tissues also contain a large number of essentially non-secretory cells--B lymphocytes--which bear Ig firmly associated with their plasma membranes. Ig molecules thus exist in two functionally different forms, as membrane-bound antigen receptors on the surface of B lymphocytes on the one hand, and as humoral secreted Ig antibodies on the other. On B cells, membrane-bound heavy chains have an apparent mol. wt. slightly larger than that of secreted heavy chains from plasma cells. Membrane-bound but not secreted heavy chains bind detergents, thus suggesting the presence of a hydrophobic region in membrane-bound heavy chains, which is absent in secreted heavy chains. Most investigations have dealt with immunoglobulin M. The two types of IgM heavy chains differ at their carboxy termini. Recent investigations at the nucleic acid level demonstrate that membrane-associated mu chains contain a 41-residue hydrophobic tail adjacent to the last constant domain, whereas secretory mu chains contain a 20-residue hydrophilic tail. At the present time, evidence is accumulating that all membrane-bound Ig heavy chain classes may contain similar hydrophobic structures necessary for anchorage of the molecules into the lipid bilayer.

The mannose permease of Escherichia coli consists of three different proteins. Amino acid sequence and function in sugar transport, sugar phosphorylation, and penetration of phage lambda DNA.

The mannose permease of the bacterial phosphotransferase system mediates sugar transport across the cytoplasmic membrane concomitant with sugar phosphorylation. It also functions as a receptor for bacterial chemotaxis and is required for infection of the cell by bacteriophage lambda where it most likely functions as a pore for penetration of lambda DNA. The permease consists of three different subunits, IIIMan, II-PMan, and II-MMan, which are encoded in a single transcriptional unit ptsLPM. The complete amino acid sequence of the subunits is deduced from the nucleotide sequence. IIIMan (35 kDa) is a hydrophilic protein which is transiently phosphorylated and most likely contains the active site for sugar phosphorylation. II-PMan (28 kDa) is very hydrophobic; II-MMan (31 kDa) is moderately hydrophobic. Both are integral membrane proteins and most likely form the transmembrane channel. All three subunits are required for sugar transport and phosphorylation; II-PMan and II-MMan alone are sufficient for penetration of lambda DNA. Truncated forms of II-MMan and II-PMan are described that mediate lambda DNA penetration but have no apparent sugar transport activity. Residual sugar phosphorylation activity is found with the truncated form of II-PMan. No obvious homologies at the level of amino acid sequence could be detected with other bacterial transport proteins.