X-ray sequence and crystal structure of luffaculin 1, a novel type 1 ribosome-inactivating protein

Background  

Protein sequence can be obtained through Edman degradation, mass spectrometry, or cDNA sequencing. High resolution X-ray crystallography can also be used to derive protein sequence information, but faces the difficulty in distinguishing the Asp/Asn, Glu/Gln, and Val/Thr pairs. Luffaculin 1 is a new type 1 ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) isolated from the seeds of Luffa acutangula. Besides rRNA N-glycosidase activity, luffaculin 1 also demonstrates activities including inhibiting tumor cells' proliferation and inducing tumor cells' differentiation.     

Purification,characterization and chemical modification studies on a translation inhibitor protein from Luffa cylindrica

A ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP), luffin has been isolated from the seeds of Luffa cylindrica of Cucurbitaceae family by ammonium sulfate fractionation followed by cation exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. Extensive physico-chemical, immunological and biological characterizations were carried out on luffin and compared with that of gelonin. The molecular mass of luffin was -28 kDa as determined by gel-filtration chromatography and SDS-PAGE. The epsilon-NH2 group(s) of luffin were sequentially modified by N-succinimidyl 6-[3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionamido] hexanoate (LC-SPDP), N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridylthio)propionate (SPDP) and 2-iminothiolane (2IT) and their effect on immunoreactivity and ribosome inactivating property was evaluated. Modification of single amino group resulted in about 80% inhibition of immunoreactivity and more than 90% loss of protein synthesis inhibition activity. Modification of 2-3 amino groups further hampered both immunoreactivity and protein-synthesis inhibition property LC-SPDP modification played more pronounced effects on immunoreactivity and RIP activity than that of SPDP. However, 2IT modification retained both the immunoreactivity and RIP activity of luffin-LC-SPDP substantially. SPDP showed more pronounced effect on immunoreactivity and RIP activity as compared to 2IT. Therefore, it seems that the positive charge on lysine residues plays an important role in immunological as well as protein synthesis inhibitory effect of luffin.     

Isolation and characterization of luffacylin,a ribosome inactivating peptide with anti-fungal activity from sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) seeds

A purification scheme involving ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, affinity chromatography on Affi-gel blue gel, and ion exchange chromatography on CM-Sepharose and Mono S was employed to isolate a peptide with a molecular weight of 7.8kDa from sponge gourd seeds. The peptide, which was designated luffacylin, exhibited an N-terminal sequence with pronounced resemblance to that of the 6.5kDa arginine-glutamate rich polypeptide previously isolated from sponge gourd seeds. Luffacylin inhibited translation in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system with an IC(50) of 140pM and reacted positively in the N-glycosidase assay for ribosome inactivating proteins. Luffacylin exerted anti-fungal activity against Mycosphaerella arachidicola and Fusarium oxysporum.     

The crystal structure of saporin SO6 from Saponaria officinalis and its interaction with the ribosome

The 2.0 A resolution crystal structure of the ribosome inactivating protein saporin (isoform 6) from seeds of Saponaria officinalis is presented. The fold typical of other plant toxins is conserved, despite some differences in the loop regions. The loop between strands beta7 and beta8 in the C-terminal region which spans over the active site cleft appears shorter in saporin, suggesting an easier access to the substrate. Furthermore we investigated the molecular interaction between saporin and the yeast ribosome by differential chemical modifications. A contact surface inside the C-terminal region of saporin has been identified. Structural comparison between saporin and other ribosome inactivating proteins reveals that this region is conserved and represents a peculiar motif involved in ribosome recognition.     

Hispin,a novel ribosome inactivating protein with antifungal activity from hairy melon seeds

A ribosome inactivating protein demonstrating a molecular mass of 21 kDa and a novel N-terminal sequence was isolated from seeds of the hairy melon. The purification procedure involved affinity chromatography on Affi-gel blue gel and ion exchange chromatography on CM-Sepharose and Mono S. The protein designated hispin inhibited translation in the cell-free rabbit reticulocyte lysate system with an IC50 of 165 pM and exhibited N-glycosidase activity. Antifungal activity was also observed.     

The crystal structure of saporin SO6 from Saponaria officinalis and its interaction with the ribosome

The 2.0 Å resolution crystal structure of the ribosome inactivating protein saporin (isoform 6) from seeds of Saponaria officinalis is presented. The fold typical of other plant toxins is conserved, despite some differences in the loop regions. The loop between strands β7 and β8 in the C-terminal region which spans over the active site cleft appears shorter in saporin, suggesting an easier access to the substrate. Furthermore we investigated the molecular interaction between saporin and the yeast ribosome by differential chemical modifications. A contact surface inside the C-terminal region of saporin has been identified. Structural comparison between saporin and other ribosome inactivating proteins reveals that this region is conserved and represents a peculiar motif involved in ribosome recognition.     

A novel recombinant immunotoxin with the smallest ribosome‐inactivating protein Luffin P1: T‐cell cytotoxicity and prolongation of allograft survival

In the creation of stable tolerance to MHC‐incompatible allografts, reducing the large mass of donor‐reactive cells via apoptosis is often required. Apoptosis induction by immunotoxins targeting surface molecules specifically presented on donor‐reactive cytopathic T effector (T_eff) cells is a promising strategy. Traditionally, the toxin moieties are bacterial exotoxins or plant‐derived ribosome‐inactivating proteins (RIPs) with large molecular size and strong immunogenicity, hence causing the problems of tissue penetration, host immune reaction and quick clearance. We have identified a novel class of small molecule RIPs (<10 kD) from the seeds of the plant Luffa cylindrica. The smallest member of this family, Luffin P1, has a molecular weight of 5226.8 Da, yet possessing a highly potent inhibitory activity on cell‐free protein synthesis with IC50 of 0.88 nM. We now report a recombinant hIL‐2‐Luffin P1 immunotoxin, which strongly inhibited T‐cell proliferation in mixed lymphocyte reaction and ConA response with IC50 of 1.8–10 nM. In vivo, hIL‐2‐Luffin P1 significantly prolonged the survival of major MHC‐mismatched skin and kidney allografts in animal models. Thus, we demonstrate for the first time the efficacy of the smallest immunotoxin that could be further combined with other pharmacological and immunological reagents for synergistic control of pathogenic lymphocytes in immune‐mediated diseases.     

On the contentious sequence and glycosylation motif of the ribosome inactivating plant protein gelonin

The amino acid sequence and the glycosylation motif of the ribosome inactivating protein (RIP) gelonin are identified by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Intact gelonin as isolated from the seeds of Gelonium multiflorum consists of at least three different post-translational modified forms: analysis of gelonin peptides as obtained by proteolytic digestion is consistent with the amino acid sequence published by Nolan et al. High resolution mass determination established a glycosylation pattern of GlcNAc2Man(3-5)Xyl. N189 was identified as glycosylation site. The proposed glycan structure is consistent with a standard plant N-glycosylation pattern as found in other RIP. Based on these results we suggest that gelonin is located in the vacuole of Gelonium multiflorum seeds.     

Characterization of a Saponaria officinalis seed ribosome-inactivating protein: immunoreactivity and sequence homologies

A ribosome inactivating protein from Saponaria officinalis, SO-6, was purified and the N-terminus sequenced. The sequence shows extensive homology with Pokeweed antiviral protein, Pokeweed antiviral protein II, Pokeweed antiviral seed protein and dodecandrin. SDS gel electrophoresis in the Laemmli system revealed two bands of similar intensities with a smear between them, probably an artifact due to the high pI of the protein. Use of a harsher denaturing gel system resulted in one band in electrophoresis. Immune antisera was raised in rabbits against this protein and it cross reacted with other proteins (SO-5, SO-8 and SO-9) from seeds of Saponaria officinalis, but not with gelonin, Momordica charantia inhibitor and dianthin 32.     

栝楼籽核糖体失活蛋白的纯化、性质及晶体生长研究

栝楼（Ｔｒｉｃｈｏｓａｎｔｈｅｓｋｉｒｉｌｏｗｉ）籽经粉碎抽提、硫酸铵沉淀、阳离子交换及凝胶过滤柱层析等步骤,得到一种单链核糖体失活蛋白－Ｔｒｉｃｈｏｋｉｒｉｎ（ＴＣＫ）．ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ和ＩＥＦ显示为单一条带,其分子量为２９ｋＤ,ｐＩ≥９．３,含糖量约为１．７５％．该蛋白对兔网织红细胞裂解液系统的蛋白质合成具较强的抑制活性,ＩＣ５０为６．７×１０－１０ｍｏｌ／Ｌ．改进了纯化方法,提高了产率,并培养出晶体．     

Characterization of a translation inhibitory protein from Luffa aegyptiaca

A protein with a molecular weight of about 30,000 was purified from the seeds of Luffa aegyptiaca. This protein inhibited cell free translation at pM concentrations. In spite of functional similarity to other ribosomal inhibitory proteins, the NH2-terminal analysis did not show any significant homology. Competitive inhibition studies indicate no immunological crossreactivity between the inhibitory protein from Luffa aegyptiaca, pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP) and recombinant ricin A chain. Chemical linkage of the protein to a monoclonal antibody reactive to transferrin receptor resulted in a highly cytotoxic conjugate.     

Effect of thiolation of amino groups of gelonin on its protein-biosynthesis inhibitor activity.

Gelonin was purified from the dry seeds of Gelonium multiflorum by ammonium sulfate fractionation followed by cation-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography in order to minimize extraction of non-proteineous material. Gelonin was characterized for its purity, homogeneity and molecular weight determination by RP-HPLC and SDS-PAGE analysis respectively. The amino groups of pure gelonin were thiolated by a hererobifunctional cross-linking agent, SPDP which is used in the design of cytotoxic hybrid molecules. Therefore, an attempt has been made to study the effect of thiolation on the ribosome inactivating property of gelonin. Thiolation of one amino group resulted in the loss of about 90% protein synthesis inhibition activity. Further modification of 2-3 amino groups further hampered the bioactivity (greater than 95-99.5%) of gelonin, suggesting that a 1:1 molar ratio of carrier-toxin conjugate would be highly active against the target cells.     

Crystallization of a scRIP—gelonin isolated from plant seeds Gelonium multiforum

Single crystals of the protein gelonin isolated from the seeds of Gelonium multiforum have been grown at room temperature by vapor diffusion method. The crystals are monclinic with a = 49.4 Å, b = 44.9 Å, c = 137.4 Å, and β = 98.3°. The space group is P2₁, with two molecules in the asymmetric unit which are related by a noncrystallographic 2-fold axis along ψ =13° and ? =88°. The crystals diffract X-rays to high resolution, making it possible to obtain an accurate structure of this single chain ribosome inactivating protein. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The effect of stratification on in vitro protein synthesis in seeds of Pinus lambertiana

Incorporation of ¹⁴C-phenylalanine in $\text{in vitro}$ systems from sugar pine ($\text{Pinus lambertiana}$) seeds was studied. Embryo ribosomes from both dry and stratified seeds supported incorporation (431 and 326 pmoles, respectively, of phenylalanine per mg ribosome) when combined with an embryo pH 5 fraction from stratified seeds. Female gametophyte ribosomes from dry seeds were active (302 pmoles phenylalanine incorporated per mg ribosome) but lost 61 percent of their capacity to support protein synthesis after 35 hours' stratification. The pH 5 fraction from embryos increased in capacity to support incorporation as stratification progressed up to 60 days (398 pmoles phenylalanine per mg ribosome when ribosomes were from 90-day stratified embryos) while the pH 5 fraction from female gametophytes was never active.     

栝楼籽核糖体失活蛋白（TCK）与天花粉蛋白（TCS）性质比较研究

建立了从栝楼种籽大规模制备核糖体失活蛋白（ＴＣＫ）的方法。进行了ＴＣＫ与天花粉蛋白（ＴＣＳ）性质比较研究。     

Cloning and expression of the B chain of volkensin, type 2 ribosome inactivating protein from Adenia volkensii harms: co-folding with the A chain for heterodimer reconstitution

Type 2 ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) include some potent plant toxins, among which ricin from Ricinus communis and abrin from Abrus precatorius seeds, have been known for more than a century. Two other type 2 RIPs belong to this class of proteins, both isolated from plants of the same family (Passifloraceae), modeccin and volkensin, from Adenia digitata and Adenia volkensii roots, respectively. Volkensin is probably the most potent plant toxin known, with an LD50 for rats of 50-60 ng/kg. Here we report the cloning, expression and renaturation of recombinant volkensin B chain. Furthermore, starting from separately expressed A and B chains, a co-association procedure was set-up, leading to in vitro heterodimeric volkensin reconstitution. The recombinant heterodimer was characterized by N-terminal sequence analysis and its hemagglutinating activity assessed. In parallel, we have explored the carbohydrate-binding properties of native volkensin with the aim to correlate toxin-specific properties (i.e., axonal transport along neurons) to lectin's sugar-binding preferences.     

Induction of apoptosis by mistletoe lectin I and its subunits. No evidence for cytotoxic effects caused by isolated A- and B-chains

Type II ribosome inactivating proteins (RIP II) are generally known to induce apoptosis in human cells by the inhibition of protein biosynthesis. Recent data from mistletoe RIP II proteins (eg. mistletoe lectin I; ML1) suggest an additional mode of apoptosis induction through the binding of their lectin part to certain cell surface receptors as is known for some human galectins. In order to clarify this possibility, we used highly sensitive flow cytometric apoptosis assays and mistletoe hololectin subunits of proven purity to show that neither human lymphocytes nor Molt-4 cells undergo apoptosis after treatment with isolated lectin-type B-chains. In contrast to earlier investigations, only the hololectin was able to induce apoptosis in these assays. We conclude that direct apoptosis induction by mistletoe lectins occurs only after uptake of the molecules into the cell due to the action of the ribosome inactivating A-chain.     

Cibacron Blue亲和层析及应用

以Ｆ３ＧＡ（Ｃｉｂａｃｒｏｎ　Ｂｌｕｅ　Ｆ３ＧＡ）为配基建立了一种可用于免疫毒素（ＩＴ）分离纯化的亲和层析方法。实验中用三种不同来源的核糖体灭活蛋白（ＲＩＰ）,即蓖麻毒素Ａ链（ＲＴＡ）,苦瓜毒素（ｍｏｍｏｒｄｉｎ,ＭＴ）和Ｓａｐｏｒｉｎ,以探讨ＲＩＰ与Ｆ３ＧＡ的相互作用。分析显示三种ＲＩＰ均能引起Ｆ３ＧＡ吸收光诸明显红移,提示ＲＩＰ均可与Ｆ３ＧＡ发生特异结合。将Ｆ３ＧＡ与Ｓｅｐｈａｄｅｘ交联可获得Ｂｌｕｅｄｅｘ。Ｂｌｕｅｄｅｘ亲和层析是一种经济有效,简单易行,便于在各类实验室中使用的蛋白质亲和层析技术。结果表明：在低盐溶液中ＲＴＡ和ＭＴ均可迅速地与Ｂｌｕｅｄｅｘ结合,而在高盐溶液中（０．６５ｍｏｌ／ＬＮａＣｌ）又极易被洗脱回收。这一技术用于免疫毒素的研究可有效地去除游离抗体,而不影响其杀伤活性。     

Contamination of ribosome inactivating proteins with ribonucleases,separated by affinity chromatography on red sepharose

Three preparations of type 1 ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs), namely, agrostin, saporin, and luffin, were subjected to affinity chromatography on Red Sepharose and eluted with a linear concentration gradient of NaCl in 10 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.4). The eluate was assayed for ability to inhibit translation in a cell-free rabbit reticulocyte lysate system which measures RIP activity, and for ability to hydrolyze yeast transfer RNA which measures RNase activity. It was found that, in all three RIP preparations, the peak of RIP activity, which coincided with the peak of absorbance at 280 nm, was eluted earlier than the peak of RNase activity. It appears that RNase is a possible contaminant of ribosome inactivating protein preparations and that this contamination can be minimized by using Red Sepharose.