Structure of human chorionic gonadotropin at 2.6 A resolution from MAD analysis of the selenomethionyl protein.

BACKGROUND: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a placental hormone that stimulates secretion of the pregnancy-sustaining steroid progesterone. It is a member of a family of glycoprotein hormones that are disulfide-rich heterodimers, with a common alpha-chain and distinctive beta-chains specific to their particular G-protein linked receptors. RESULTS: We have produced recombinant hCG in mammalian cells as the selenomethionyl protein, and have determined its structure (after partial deglycosylation) at 2.6 A resolution from multiwavelength anomalous diffraction (MAD) measurements. Despite only limited sequence similarity (10% identity), the alpha- and beta-subunits of hCG have similar tertiary folds. Each subunit has a cystine-knot motif at its core of extended hairpin loops. There is a very extensive subunit interface featuring two inter-chain beta-sheets and a unique, disulfide-tethered 'arm' from the beta-subunit which 'embraces' the alpha-subunit. The carboxy-terminal peptide of the beta-subunit, which is rich in O-linked sugars, is disordered. CONCLUSIONS: Structural and sequence comparisons indicate an evolutionary homology, albeit remote, between the glycoprotein hormone chains and other cystine-knot proteins, notably platelet-derived growth factor. Segments of the alpha- and beta-chains that have been convincingly implicated in receptor binding by hCG are juxtaposed on one side of the molecule. A glycosylation site implicated in signal transduction but not in binding is also close to the presumed binding site suggesting a possible coupling between ligand binding and signaling. This study with selenomethionyl protein produced in mammalian cells extends the realm of MAD phasing.

Di-and triphosphate derivatives of acyclo- and arabinosylguanine. Effects on the polymerization of purified tubulin.

Glutamate- and nucleotide-dependent polymerization of purified calf brain tubulin was used as a model system to study interactions of ribose-modified GDP and GTP analogs with tubulin. Earlier studies (Hamel, E., and Lin, C.M.(1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 78,3368-3372) were extended to three additional sets of analogs: the di- and triphosphate derivatives of 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosylguanine (araGDP and araGTP) and acycloguanosine (9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)guanine) (acycloGDP and acycloGTP), as well as the periodate-oxidized and borohydride-reduced derivatives of GDP and GTP (ox-redGDP and ox-redGTP). Disruption of the ribose ring in ox-redGTP resulted in major loss of activity relative to GTP in supporting tubulin polymerization, although the analog's deficiency may result from an inability to displace GDP from the exchangeable site rather than a direct effect on the polymerization reaction itself. The poor activity of ox-redGTP could be largely reversed if nucleoside diphosphate kinase was added to the reaction mixture. Removal of the 2' and 3' carbons entirely, in the form of acycloGTP, resulted in only minimal loss of activity relative to GTP. AraGTP, on the other hand, was more active than GTP in supporting tubulin polymerization. All three GDP analogs were much less effective than GDP in inhibiting tubulin polymerization, although araGDP was significantly more inhibitory than acycloGDP or ox-redGDP. Relative inhibitory activity of these and additional GDP analogs was the same whether GTP or a GTP analog was used to support tubulin polymerization.

Recognition of structurally diverse substrates by type II 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HADH II)/amyloid-beta binding alcohol dehydrogenase (ABAD).

Human type II hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase/amyloid-beta binding alcohol dehydrogenase (HADH II/ABAD) is an oxidoreductase whose salient features include broad substrate specificity, encompassing 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA derivatives, hydroxysteroids, alcohols and beta-hydroxybutyrate, and the capacity to bind amyloid-beta peptide, leading to propagation of amyloid-induced cell stress. In this study, we examine the structure and enzymatic activity of the homologous rat HADH II/ABAD enzyme. We report the crystal structure of rat HADH II/ABAD as a binary complex with its NADH cofactor to 2.0 A resolution, as a ternary complex with NAD(+) and 3-ketobutyrate (acetoacetate) to 1.4 A resolution, and as a ternary complex with NADH and 17 beta-estradiol to 1.7 A resolution. This first crystal structure of an HADH II confirms these enzymes are closely related to the short-chain hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and differ substantially from the classic, type I 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenases. Binding of the ketobutyrate substrate is accompanied by closure of the active site specificity loop, whereas the steroid substrate does not appear to require closure for binding. Despite the different chemical nature of the two bound substrates, the presentation of chemical groups within the active site of each complex is remarkably similar, allowing a general mechanism for catalytic activity to be proposed. There is a characteristic extension to the active site that is likely to accommodate the CoA moiety of 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA substrates. Rat HADH II/ABAD also binds amyloid-beta (1-40) peptide with a K(D) of 21 nM, which is similar to the interaction exhibited between this peptide and human HADH II/ABAD. These studies provide the first structural insights into HADH II/ABAD interaction with its substrates, and indicate the relevance of the rodent enzyme and associated rodent models for analysis of HADH II/ABAD's physiologic and pathophysiologic properties.

Identification of multiple nuclear factors that interact with cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate response element-binding protein and activating transcription factor-2 by protein-protein interactions.

Understanding the nature and importance of protein-protein interactions in the mechanisms of eukaryotic gene expression is essential to understanding the normal and aberrant regulation of gene transcription. Using 125I-labeled cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and activating transcription factor-2 (ATF-2) recombinant peptides to probe Western blots of HeLa nuclear extracts, we have identified multiple separate nuclear factors that form specific protein-protein interactions with these leucine zipper-containing transcriptional regulatory proteins. The interaction is specific because preincubation of blots with cold homologous protein blocks the binding of labeled protein, whereas preincubation of blots with cold heterologous protein has no effect on labeled protein interactions. Although these studies focus on two specific transactivators, CREB and ATF-2, the approach is of general use for the study of other leucine zipper-containing mammalian transcription factors. Furthermore, in addition to allowing the detection of protein-protein interactions of CREB and ATF-2 with nuclear factors, we have used this strategy to isolate cDNA clones expressing these nuclear proteins. We demonstrate that CREB will form heterodimers with ATF-1, but not ATF-2, Jun, Fos, or C/EBP whereas, ATF-2 will form heterodimers with Jun and Fos, but not with C/EBP or ATF-1. This strategy, therefore, allows a systematic approach to identifying, characterizing, and cloning proteins involved in the control of eukaryotic transcriptional regulation. The identification and characterization of the components of eukaryotic transcription complexes will allow studies that address the molecular mechanisms of normal and abnormal control of cellular gene expression.

Characterization of a bioeffective monoclonal antibody against thyrotropin beta-subunit.

To describe a region of the TSH molecule participating in binding to receptor, a monoclonal antibody specific for a TSH epitope shared by beta-subunits of bovine (b), ovine (o), and human (h) TSH was obtained by immunization with mixtures of purified bTSH and hTSH. RIAs showed that the antibody also bound the beta-subunits of bLH, oLH, hLH, and hCG, but not the beta-subunits of porcine LH and TSH. Preincubation of [125I]iodo-bTSH with the antibody completely inhibited binding of the hormone to the TSH receptor of bovine thyroid membrane preparations at pH 7.4 in 50 mM NaCl (ED50 = 10 nM). The antibody also inhibited TSH-induced mitogenesis of FRTL-5 cells (ED50 = 50 nM). We conclude that the antibody binds to a site on the bTSH molecule that participates in high affinity binding of hormone to physiological TSH receptor. The target epitope includes a conserved structural determinant in beta-subunits of the glycoprotein hormones as well as a feature that allows discrimination of porcine hormones from those of bovine, ovine, and human origin.

Filamentous phage displaying the extracellular domain of the hLH/CG receptor bind hCG specifically.

We have expressed the extracellular binding domain of the human LH/CG receptor as a fusion with the cpIII filamentous phage coat protein. These fusion phage are able to specifically bind ELISA plates coated with hCG. Preincubation of the phage with hCG before exposure to the coated plates inhibited binding of phage, whereas human FSH had no effect. Furthermore, addition of anti-hLH/CG receptor antisera inhibited binding of phage to the plates. We have also tested the effect of monoclonal antibodies to hCG on phage binding. Monoclonal antibodies that can bind hCG when it is bound to native receptor do not inhibit phage binding. These include B105 and A109 Alternatively, B107 and B109 have an inhibitory effect on phage binding. They cannot bind hCG when it is bound to receptor and are likely directed against epitopes at or near the receptor binding interface. Therefore, these fusion phage exhibit the same binding specificity as the wild-type receptor and likely display the extracellular domain of the hLH/CG receptor on their surface in the native conformation. Phage display is a potentially useful tool for studying the hLH/CG receptor structure and in screening for synthetic compounds that compete with hormone for receptor binding.

The expression, characterization, and crystallization of wild-type and selenomethionyl human chorionic gonadotropin.

Although the glycoprotein hormone hCG was crystallized over 4 yr ago, it is only now that three-dimensional structural information is available. This manuscript reports the method for successful production of modified expressed hormone, the characteristics of the crystallized protein, and unexpected observations during the crystallization process. Two different routes of solution to the structure of hCG were followed. The first was based on the traditional method of heavy atom isomorphous replacement, and the second was the more novel method of expressing the protein with selenomethionine substituting for methionine and applying multiwavelength anomalous diffraction analysis. Selenomethionyl hCG was employed to successfully grow the crystals used for the solution of the structure of hCG after partial deglycosylation by hydrogen fluoride (HF) treatment. The selenomethionyl hCG proved to be more hydrophobic than the expressed form of native hCG. Furthermore, expressed forms of hCG that were deglycosylated by HF proved to be more intact and less susceptible to peptide bond cleavages during the crystallization process than the urinary form of HF-treated hCG studied previously. It was found that addition of reducing agent during the crystallization period was necessary for the growth of crystals of HF-treated selenomethionyl hCG suitable for diffraction studies. Growth of crystals of HF-treated expressed hCG were accelerated by the addition of dithiothreitol, but would successfully grow without reductant. HPLC analysis of the HF-treated hormones before and during the crystallization process was used to identify alterations in the molecules, including oxidation and aggregation, both of which may affect the growth of crystals.

Separation of nicked human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), intact hCG, and hCG beta fragment from standard reference preparations and raw urine samples.

hCG is found in pregnancy urine and in urine from some cancer patients in a variety of forms whose concentrations have clinical importance. Recently, concerns about accurate measurement of these forms have been raised because of the finding that hCG with peptide bond cleavages within the beta-subunit is not recognized by commonly used antibodies. Such nicked forms of hCG are biologically inactive or of very low activity. They are present in normal pregnancy urine and to varying extents in the urine of patients with trophoblastic disease. International reference preparations of hCG contain nicked forms of hCG. Previously, it was not possible to separate nicked hormone from the intact form of hCG. This was a serious impediment to producing improved reference standards from natural pregnancy hormone. We now report that a simple hydrophobic purification scheme separates intact hCG from nicked hCG as well as from hCG beta core fragment. This scheme is a modification of the method of Hiyama et al. The order of elution from low to high hydrophobicity is hCG beta core fragment, nicked hCG, and lastly, intact hCG. Nicking of the putative amphipathic helix loop, hCG beta 38-57, apparently renders the hormone significantly less hydrophobic despite the equal molar content of sialic acid. The hCG CR 127 nicked preparation was only 10% as potent as the reference preparation in a heterodimer-directed assay. The nicked-depleted hCG CR 127 was 30% more potent in this assay. Improved hCG reference standards should display similar increases in immunopotency (20-30%) with most antiheterodimeric antibodies and similar increases in bio-potency assays. It should now be possible to make reference preparations of these forms of hCG directly from the raw urine of normal pregnant patients and those with trophoblastic disease.

Preparation and characterization of antibodies to the urinary fragment of the human chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit.

hCG is a glycoprotein hormone composed of two dissimilar subunits (alpha and beta) and is normally synthesized by trophoblastic tissue. Its measurement by immunoassay is widely employed as a test for pregnancy, but can be complicated by cross-reactivity with human (h) LH. Immunoassays based on the beta-subunit of hCG have been employed to decrease this cross-reactivity with hLH, but when these assays are used with urine specimens, the antibodies employed also detect a fragment of hCG beta, which can lead to significant differences in measurement. To overcome these problems, we have developed a series of monoclonal antibodies to the beta fragment of hCG recovered from pregnancy urine. Some of the antibodies that bind to this beta fragment are directed to a region of hCG beta that is different from the epitopes recognized by antibodies raised against the intact beta-subunit. The new epitopes available in the hCG beta fragment form the basis for novel immunoassays. These beta fragment antibodies are used in conjunction with other antibodies, directed to different epitopes of the hormone, to produce a series of immunoradiometric assays that can discriminate among intact hormone, free hCG beta, and hCG beta fragment. The hCG beta fragment antibodies described herein have affinities between 10(9) and 10(11) M-1 for the beta fragment and exhibit varying degrees of discrimination between the hCG beta fragment, the beta-subunits of hCG and hLH, and intact hCG and hLH.

Development, characterization, and application of monoclonal antibodies to the native and synthetic beta COOH-terminal portion of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) that distinguish between the native and desialylated forms of hCG.

Although the pregnancy hormone hCG has been extensively mapped immunochemically, few monoclonal antibodies have been produced to the unique COOH-terminal region of its beta-subunit (beta CTP). We now report the development and characterization of five such monoclonal antibodies. Three of these antibodies were developed to the synthetic peptide analog of the hCG beta-(109-145) region coupled to diphtheria toxoid, and two antibodies to a conjugate of bovine thyroglobulin and the peptide hCG beta-(115-145) prepared from hCG with its carbohydrate moieties intact. The monoclonal antibodies raised against the synthetic peptide bound hCG, desialylated hCG, and synthetic peptide to a similar extent, whereas antibodies generated to the natural hCG peptide did not bind to the synthetic peptide analog of the COOH-terminal peptide (beta CTP) region or to desialyated hCG. These new monoclonal antibodies could distinguish between native and desialyated hCG in liquid phase immunoassays as well as by Western blots. They are highly specific reagents for such Western blotting and were used for studies of a crude human pituitary gonadotropin preparation to demonstrate that it contained intact hCG beta without the internal peptide bond cleavages found in the subunit present in human blood and urine. Competition experiments using combinations of monoclonal antibodies and rabbit anti-beta CTP antiserum demonstrated that two epitopes exist within the beta-(115-145) region of hCG, one of which depends on the presence of carbohydrate. In summary, the new monoclonal hCG beta CTP antibodies reported here can 1) discriminate between native and desialylated hCG, 2) identify hCG and nicked hCG on Western blots, 3) provide an immunoaffinity purification tool for hCG, and 4) bind to two distinct epitopes on the beta CTP.

Long-acting follicle-stimulating hormone analogs containing N-linked glycosylation exhibited increased bioactivity compared with o-linked analogs in female rats.

The effects of altering the number and type of additional carbohydrate moieties on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of FSH were examined in this report. A series of single-chain follitropins, containing variable numbers of additional N- (or O-) linked carbohydrates, were designed and expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Proper folding, efficient receptor binding, and signal transduction were confirmed by in vitro assays. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters were evaluated in immature female Sprague Dawley rats. Increasing the number of glycosylation sites with either N- (or O-) linked moieties extended the elimination half-life as much as 2-fold compared with recombinant human FSH (rhFSH). However, there was a maximum elimination half-life such that further glycosylation provided no additional lengthening of the half-life. Conversely, biopotency, as assessed by inhibin A levels 74 h post injection, and follicle production were significantly higher for the N-linked analogs. Rats stimulated with the longest acting analogs (either N- or O-linked) showed significantly higher ovarian weights than rats receiving a single injection of rhFSH. The analog containing four additional N-linked sites (rhFSH-N4) had the greatest number of large, preovulatory follicles. Although the half-life of rhFSH-N4 displayed no further enhancement beyond the other longest acting analogs, this analog exhibited significantly increased biopotency in rats. This work provides the basis for the generation of a series of reagents potentially useful for therapeutic applications.

Development of a fluorescence based high throughput assay for antagonists of the human chorionic gonadotropin receptor extracellular domain: analysis of peptide inhibitors.

A simple method for prompt fluorescent detection of inhibitors of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) binding to the extracellular domain of the human luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin (hLH/CG) receptor was developed for high throughput screening (HTS). Construction and analysis of a recombinant phage that displays the extracellular binding domain of the hLH/CG receptor on its surface and specifically binds hCG was previously described. To facilitate the identification of molecules that disrupt the interaction of hCG with its receptor, a method for prompt fluorescent detection of these phage bound to hCG was developed. This technique is extremely sensitive and employs fluorescent labels (PBXL dyes) that are derived from red and blue-green algae. Antibodies labeled with PBXL dye were able to specifically detect phage that display the extracellular domain of the hLH/CG receptor when bound to hCG immobilized in 96-well microplates. Decreases in fluorescence correlate with the concentration of exogenous hCG or hCG antagonists in the assay. This prompt fluorescence detection assay was optimized in a 96-well format as a model system for HTS applications that target the receptors for the group of hormones known as the gonadotropins. Low-affinity molecules that disrupt binding of the phage-displayed receptor extracellular domain to hCG can be rapidly identified in this high throughput screen.

Three-dimensional structures of gonadotropins.

Most secreted proteins are modified post-translationally with the addition of carbohydrate. It has been difficult to use crystallography to solve the structures of these proteins due to the inherent heterogeneity of the carbohydrate. The structure of the chemically deglycosylated form (hydrogen fluoride treated) of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) has been solved through crystallographic techniques. Unfortunately this form of hCG is not biologically active, and exhibits immunochemical differences from native hormone. In addition, subunit interactions appear altered after chemical deglycosylation as indicated by the increased thermal stability of the HF-treated hormone. The Asn 52 glycan on the alpha-subunit of hCG has been identified as being required for biological activity, it is, therefore, of physiological importance to determine the structure of the hormone with its carbohydrate intact. Also, it has not been possible to obtain crystals of the individual glycosylated subunits of hCG. Therefore an alternative method to solve the structure of the biologically active form of the hormone in solution as well as its separated subunits is necessary. Structural information utilizing NMR techniques can be obtained from native hCG subunits in solution if they can be uniformly labeled with 13C and 15N isotopes. We have developed a universal nonradioactive isotope, labeling medium enriched in 13C and 15N which can be used to express uniformly labeled hCG from Chinese hamster ovary cells suitable for solving the structure of the individual subunits and ultimately that of the native, biologically active hormone. The isotopically labeled recombinant hCG and its purified subunits are essentially identical to urinary hCG on comparison by biochemical, immunochemical, biological activity and the ability of the isolated subunits to recombine to form a biologically active dimer. Mass spectrometric analysis and preliminary structural NMR data indicate that the labeling is uniform and there is greater than 90% incorporation, sufficient for complete structural determination studies. This labeled growth medium represents a technological advance which will enable the rapid solution of the structures of the other glycoprotein hormones, as well as other glycoproteins which have proven unsuitable for crystallographic study.

Corneoscleral autotransplant.

We describe the clinicopathologic features of a corneoscleral autotransplant in place for 18 years, with excellent visual results. Donor and some recipient trabecular meshwork was present in some areas. Donor trabecular meshwork was hypocellular and partially covered by an overgrowth of uveal melanocytes. A cyclodialysis cleft was present and closed only by loose connective tissue. It is likely that aqueous outflow was, in part, to the supraciliary space.

A multifunctional prokaryotic protein expression system: overproduction, affinity purification, and selective detection.

A series of plasmid vectors, pRSET A, B, and C, have been developed for high-level protein expression in prokaryotes and have been characterized. Based upon the T7 RNA polymerase-driven pET system, the pRSET vectors encode recombinant proteins as fusions with a multifunctional leader peptide containing a hexahistidyl sequence for purification on Ni(2+)-affinity resins, a tyrosine residue for radioiodination, and an enterokinase proteolytic cleavage site for leader peptide removal. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to two epitopes on the leader peptide, which also contains amino acids 1-12 of the T7 gene 10 major capsid protein, were developed and provide for universal immunological detection of pRSET-expressed fusion proteins. Subcloning of protein-encoding DNA is facilitated by an 11-site polylinker which is offset for all three ribosomal reading frames, and an f1(+) origin of DNA replication permits single-stranded DNA synthesis for site-directed mutagenesis protocols. Representative fusion proteins overexpressed in Escherichia coli were successfully purified under both denaturing and nondenaturing conditions by single-step Ni2+ affinity chromatography. Purification was independent of recombinant protein solubility in sonicated or freeze-thawed E. coli lysates. Isolation of MAbs for selective recognition of either of two leader peptide epitopes was demonstrated by immunoprecipitation, but this selectivity was less evident under conditions for Western blotting. In combining the utility of T7 RNA polymerase-directed expression with several recent advances in protein purification and detection, the pRSET vectors will serve as a powerful resource for a variety of studies in protein biochemistry.

Heterogeneity of proteins in commercial preparations of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) demonstrated by Western blotting.

Immunoblotting has been utilized to detect the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), its alpha and beta subunits, the Tamm-Horsfall protein (uromodulin), immunoglobulins G (IgG) and M (IgM), kappa (K) and lambda (L) chains, and serum albumin in commercially available preparations of hCG intended for human use. Concentrated pregnancy, postpartum, and normal urines were studied as a comparison. Those hCG batches prepared from pooled first-trimester pregnancy urine contained all of the hCG and non-hCG proteins listed above or their fragments, with the single exception of the IgM mu chain. The conflicting literature regarding the immunomodulatory properties of hCG requires reevaluation, since many previous reports of immunologic activity utilized these preparations, containing intact and degraded IgG, K, and L chains, and the Tamm-Horsfall protein, all of which may contribute to an altered immune response. Since hCG can be prepared in high yields, free of these contaminants, these data suggest that patients are being unnecessarily exposed to contaminating substances when receiving parenteral injections of hCG.