The role of the cysteine-rich region of the β2 integrin subunit in the leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1, αLβ2, CD11a/CD18) heterodimer formation and ligand binding

The cysteine-rich region (CRR) of the β2 integrin subunit was replaced by that of β1 to give the chimera β2NV1. β2NV1 can combine with αL to form a variant leukocyte-function-associated antigen (LFA)-1 on COS cell surface, suggesting that the specificity of the β2 interaction with αL does not lie in the CRR. Unlike those expressing wild-type LFA-1, COS cells expressing αLβ2NV1 are constitutively active in intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 adhesion. These results suggest that activation of LFA-1 involves the release of an intramolecular constraint, which is maintained, in part, by the authentic β2 CRR.     

The primary structure of the beta-subunit of the cell surface adhesion glycoproteins LFA-1, CR3 and p150,95 and its relationship to the fibronectin receptor.

The lymphocyte-function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), the complement receptor type 3 (CR3) and the antigen p150,95 are cell-surface glycoproteins. They are heterodimeric complexes, each containing a unique alpha-subunit noncovalently associated with a common beta-subunit. We have purified the beta-subunit from human spleen and obtained limited peptide sequences. What appears to be the complete primary structure for the fully processed beta-subunit was obtained by cDNA sequencing of clones from a phorbol ester (PMA) stimulated U937 cDNA library. There are five possible glycosylation sites and a transmembrane segment. The sequence contains a high level of cysteine (7.6%), with 24 of the 57 cysteine residues being found in three repeating units each with eight residues. The entire primary structure has 47% identity to a subunit of a fibronectin binding protein from chicken fibroblasts. It seems that LFA-1, CR3 and p150,95 antigens may belong to an extended family of cell surface molecules including the fibronectin binding protein.     

The human preproapolipoprotein C-II gene. Complete nucleic acid sequence and genomic organization

The complete nucleic acid sequence of human preproapolipoprotein (apo) C-II has been determined from 2 apoC-II clones isolated from 2 different human genomic DNA libraries. The cloned fragments were approx. 14 and 18 kb long, and sequence analysis established that the apoC-II gene consists of 3338 nucleotides containing 3 intervening sequences of 2391, 167, and 298 bases. The first intron is located within the 5'-untranslated region of apoC-II and contains 4 Alu type sequences. The second intron interrupts the codon specifying amino acid - 11 of the apoC-II signal peptide. The last intron, which contains a 38 bp sequence which is repeated 6 times, interrupts the codon specifying for amino acid +44 of the mature apolipoprotein.     

III6NeuAcLc4Cer in human SW1116 colorectal carcinoma cells: a possible oncofetal antigen that is not dependent on Lewis gene expression

Monospecific rabbit antibodies directed against the human milk sialyloligosaccharides III6NeuAcLcOse4 (sialyltetrasaccharide b), IV3NeuAcLcOse4 (sialyltetrasaccharide a), and IV6NeuAcnLc4Ose (sialyltetrasaccharide c) were used to detect their homologous haptens as gangliosides or ganglioside-derived sialyloligosaccharides from the human colorectal carcinoma cell line SW1116. III6NeuAcLc4Cer was first detected in human meconium [P. A. Prieto and D. F. Smith (1985) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 241, 281-289], and its presence in a total ganglioside fraction of SW1116 cells together with its absence from a total lipid extract of normal human intestinal mucosa are consistent with III6NeuAcLc4Cer being a tumor-associated oncofetal antigen. IV3NeuAcLc4Cer, a ganglioside in human meconium [P. A. Prieto and D. F. Smith (1986) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 249, 243-253], was also detected in SW1116 cells; an observation that is consistent with its being the immediate precursor to the sialyl-Lea ganglioside in SW1116 cells. Specific antisera against sialylated type 1 oligosaccharide chains whose expression is independent of the Lewis gene fucosyltransferase may be useful diagnostic reagents for oncofetal, carbohydrate antigens.     

Genetic analysis of murine strains C57BL/6J and C3H/HeJ to confirm the map position ofAth-1, a gene determining atherosclerosis susceptibility

Previous results suggested that strains C57BL/6J and C3H/HeJ differed in a single gene for atherosclerosis susceptibility, calledAth-1. Based on data from recombinant inbred strainsAth-1 was tentatively assigned to chromosome 1 linked toAlp-2. In this report, a cross between C57BL/6 and C3H/HeJ was carried out in order to test whether the tentative map position was correct. Parental strains and F₁ and F₂ progeny were examined. Susceptible alleles ofAth-1, found in C57BL/6, are associated with relatively low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol in animals fed an atherogenic diet; resistant alleles ofAth-1 are associated with relatively high levels of HDL-cholesterol. F₁ progeny have HDL levels that are intermediate between these of the two parental strains. Among the F₂ progeny,Alp-2 andAth-1 cosegregated, providing confirmatory evidence thatAth-1 is linked toAlp-2 on chromosome 1. Three mice recombinant forAlp-2 andAth-1 were found among the 60 chromosomes tested, giving an estimated map distance between these two genes of 5.0±2.8 (SE) cM. The phenotypic characteristics ofAth-1 resemble a genetic trait in humans, hyperalphalipoproteinemia, which is characterized by elevated levels of HDL-cholesterol, reduced risk of heart disease, and increased longevity.This work was supported by Grant HL-32087 from the Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Grant 1858 from the Council for Tobacco Research, Grant 86-1387 from the American Heart Association with funds contributed in part by the Alameda, Orange, and Santa Barbara County Chapters, and Grants 85-N132A and 85-N136A from the California Affiliate of the American Heart Association.     

Reduction in the free indole-3-acetic acid levels in Alaska pea toy the gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor uniconazol

The gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor uniconazol reduces both the elongation and indole-3-acetic acid content of growing Pisum sativum cv. Alaska intemodes. Both internode growth and indole-3-acetic acid content in uniconazol-treated plants can be elevated by gibberellin A3 treatment. The lengths of the growing intemodes are directly related to the indole-3-acetic acid contents.