Identification and further characterization of the specific cell binding fragment from sponge aggregation factor

Monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) were raised against the aggregation factor (AF) from the marine sponge Geodia cydonium. Two clones were identified that secrete McAbs against the cell binding protein of the AF complex. Fab fragments of McAbs: 5D2-D11 completely abolished the activity of the AF to form secondary aggregates from single cells. The McAbs were determined to react with the AF in vitro; this interaction was prevented by addition of the aggregation receptor, isolated and purified from the same species. After dissociation of the AF by sodium dodecyl sulfate and 2-mercaptoethanol, followed by electrophoretical fractionation, a 47-kD protein was identified by immunoblotting which interacted with the McAbs: 5D2-D11. During this dissociation procedure, the sunburst structure of the AF was destroyed. In a second approach, the 47-kD protein was isolated by immunoprecipitation; 12 molecules of this protein species were calculated to be associated with the intact AF particle. The 47-kD AF fragment bound to dissociated Geodia cells with a high affinity (Ka of 7 X 10(8) M-1) even in the absence of Ca++ ions; the number of binding sites was approximately 4 X 10(6)/cell. This interaction was prevented by addition of the aggregation receptor to the 47-kD protein in the homologous cell system. Moreover, it was established that this binding occurs species-specifically. The 47-kD fragment of the AF was localized only extracellularly by indirect immunofluorescence staining in cryostat slices. These data suggest that the 47-kD protein is the cell binding molecule of the AF from Geodia.     

Monoclonal antibody directed against Neospora caninum tachyzoite carbohydrate epitope reacts specifically with apical complex-associated sialylated beta tubulin

Monoclonal antibodies (mabs) were generated against whole sonicated Neospora caninum tachyzoites as immunogen. Initial ELISA screening of the reactivity of hybridoma culture supernatants using the same antigen and antigen treated with sodium periodate prior to antibody binding resulted in the identification of 8 supernatants with reactivity against putative carbohydrate epitopes. Following immunoblotting, mab6D12 (IgG1), binding a 52/48-kDa doublet, and mab6C6 (IgM), binding a 190/180-kDa doublet, were selected for further studies. Immunofluorescence of tachyzoite-infected cultures localized the corresponding epitopes not to the surface, but to interior epitopes at the apical part of N. caninum tachyzoites. During in vitro tachyzoite to bradyzoite stage conversion, mab6C6 labeling translocated toward the cyst periphery, while for mab6D12 no changes in localization were noted. Upon extraction of tachyzoites with the nonionic detergent Triton-X-100, the 52-kDa band recognized by mab6D12 was present exclusively in the insoluble, cytoskeletal fraction of both N. caninum and Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites. Tandem mass spectrometry analysis identified this protein as N. caninum beta tubulin. The 48-kDa band labeled by mab6D12 was a Vero cell protein contamination. The protein(s) reacting with mab6C6 could not be conclusively identified by mass spectrometry. Immunofluorescence consistently failed to label T. gondii tachyzoites, indicating that beta tubulin in T. gondii and N. caninum could be differentially modified or that the reactive epitope in T. gondii is masked. Immunogold TEM of isolated apical cytoskeletal preparations and dual immunofluorescence with antibody to tubulin confirmed that mab6D12 binds to the anterior part of apical complex-associated microtubules. The sodium periodate sensitivity of the beta tubulin associated epitope was confirmed by immunoblotting and ELISA, and treatment of N. caninum cytoskeletal proteins with sialidase prior to mab6D12 labeling resulted in a profound loss of antibody binding, suggesting that mab6D12 reacts with sialylated beta tubulin.     

A function-associated molecule on rat natural killer cells identified by anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies were generated against idiotopes on an NK target antigen-specific IgM monoclonal antibody (mab). This mab (18C2) was originally produced against (NC-37) human EBV-transformed B cells. The 18C2 mab inhibits natural killer cell lysis of NC-37 and other target cells by preventing conjugate formation. Anti-18C2(id) mabs were tested for binding to effector cells and screened by ELISA, flow cytometry, and by inhibition of NK cytotoxicity. Two of the anti-18C2(id) (anti-id) mabs (12H1.C5 and 6D9.B11) were chosen for further study. The idiotypic specificity of these anti-id mabs was confirmed by testing their binding to 18C2 hybridoma cells in the presence of homologous and heterologous "cold" inhibitor mabs. Experiments were also conducted to determine the functional properties of these mabs. Anti-18C2(id) mab 12H1.C5 inhibited the cytotoxic activity of rat splenic NK (nylon wool nonadherent cells, NWNA) and rat ALAK cells. Flow cytometric (FCM) analysis of the binding of the anti-18C2(id) mabs demonstrated that mab 12H1.C5 bound 75.43% rat NWNA spleen cells, 43.74% rat ALAK cells, and 74.33% rat CRC- cells. Anti-id mab 6D9.B11 bound 45.20% NWNA cells, 70.45% rat ALAK cells, and 55.86% CRC- cells. Two-color FCM analysis demonstrated that the anti-id mabs not only bound to the same molecule on NK cells, but also these mabs bound to the same molecule as 5C6, an anti-NK cell mab. Biochemical analysis of the antigen recognized by mab 12H1.C5 was determined by Western blotting. The determinant on NWNA cells recognized by mab 12H1.C5 had an M(r) of 40 kDa and appeared to be identical to that recognized by mab 5C6. The same experiment using a transformed rat RNK-16 (CRC-) cell extract and Western blot analysis, demonstrated an M(r) of 42 and 48 kDa in the presence of mabs 5C6 and 12H1.C5. Monoclonal antibody 5C6 was previously shown to recognize a vimentin-like function-associated molecule on NK cell membranes. The anti-id mabs were also shown to have cross-reactivity with the intermediate filament vimentin as determined by Western blot analysis.     

Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies affecting signal transduction

Monoclonal antibodies prepared against tyrosine phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were tested for their effects on transmembrane signal transduction in A431 tumor cells. Monoclonal antibodies (mab) defined by SDS-sensitive epitopes, i.e., epitopes with conformational specificity, were most effective. Mab 5--125 reacting with a site of the extracellular EGFR domain blocked EGF-binding and cell proliferation in vitro, as well as tumor growth in vivo. However, this mab appeared not to be internalized upon binding to EGFR and did not trigger EGFR autophosphorylation. In contrast, mab 5-D43, also defined by an SDS-sensitive epitope and reacting with an extracellular EGFR site, did not block EGF binding but was readily internalized after binding to EGFR of untreated A431 cells. This mab induced EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation in cell lysates and tyrosine-specific autophosphorylation of insolubilized EGFR immune complexes. Cell growth in vitro was greatly stimulated in the presence of mab 5-D43. Since interaction of mab 5-D43 with EGFR induced most EGF-specific functions, although it did not bind to the EGF-specific site of EGFR, we have to assume that binding of mab 5-D43 to EGFR induced a conformational shift that activated the cytoplasmic EGFR kinase site. On the other hand, activation and/or accessibility of the EGFR kinase site could be blocked by mab 1-594, which is defined by an SDS-insensitive protein epitope of the cytoplasmic EGFR domain. Blocking of the EGFR kinase site by mab 1-594 also abolished EGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of endogenous cellular substrates with molecular masses of 145, 97, 85, 37, and 32 kDa, as well as of exogenous substrates such as GAT copolymer. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Sponge aggregation factor: identification of the specific collagen-binding site by means of a monoclonal antibody

The aggregation factor (AF) from the sponge Geodia cydonium is known to be a complex proteinaceous particle, composed of a series of different (glyco)proteins (Mr lower than 150,000) around a 90S sunburst-like core structure. One of the low-Mr proteins is the 47-KD cell binding fragment. We describe a new monoclonal antibody (mAb), III1E6, raised against purified AF particles, which recognizes in tissue slices structures present both on the plasma membrane and in a network-like manner in the extracellular space. By applying immunoelectron microscopical, immunoblotting, and immunoaffinity chromatographical techniques, the mAb III1E6 was shown to recognize the core structure of the AF particle. Cell adhesion studies revealed that the mAb does not inhibit AF mediated cell-cell adhesion but abolishes AF-caused attachment of cells to collagen. Electron microscopic data show that III1E6 prevents association of AF particles with collagen fibrils. By applying the techniques of immunoblotting and of protein-protein recognition on the solid phase in vitro, we could formulate the following series of events: the AF particle recognizes, with its 47-KD cell binding fragment, the aggregation receptor protein in the plasma membrane and with its core structure the collagen fibrils. These fibrils interact optionally, either via the same route or via the collagen assembly factor, with an adjacent cell surface. These findings demonstrate that the AF particle is not only the key molecule for cell-cell adhesion but also a component of cell-matrix interactions.     

Two cell surface proteins bind the sponge Microciona prolifera aggregation factor

Two extracellular matrix cell surface proteins which bind the proteoglycan-like aggregation factor from the marine sponge Microciona prolifera (MAF) and which may function as physiological receptors for MAF were identified and characterized for the first time. By probing nitrocellulose blots of nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate gels containing whole sponge cell protein with iodinated MAF, a 210- and a 68-kDa protein, which have native molecular masses of approximately 200-400 and 70 kDa, were identified. MAF binding to blots is species-specific. It is also sensitive to reduction and is completely abolished by pretreatment of live cells with proteases, as was cellular aggregation, indicating that the 210- and 68-kDa proteins may be located on the cell surface. The additional observations that the 68 kDa is an endoglycosidase F-sensitive glycoprotein and that antisera against whole sponge cells or membranes can immunoprecipitate the 210 kDa when prebound to intact cells are consistent with a cell surface location. Both proteins can be isolated from sponge cell membranes and from the sponge skeleton (insoluble extracellular matrix), but the 210-kDa MAF-binding protein can also be found in the soluble extracellular matrix (buffer washes of cells and skeleton) as well. A third MAF-binding protein of molecular mass 95 kDa was also found in the sponge extracellular matrix but rarely on cells. Both of the cell-associated 210- and 68-kDa proteins are nonintegral membrane proteins, based on Triton X-114 phase separation, flotation of liposomes containing sponge membrane lysates, and their extraction from membranes by buffer washes. Both proteins bind MAF affinity resins, indicating that they each exhibit a moderate affinity for MAF under native conditions. They can also be separated from each other and from the bulk of the protein in an octylpolyoxyethylene extract of membranes by fast protein liquid chromatography Mono Q anion exchange chromatography, as assessed by native dot blot and denaturing Western blot assays. Although neither protein bound to heparin, gelatin, hexosamine, or uronic acid-Sepharose resins, their affinity for an invertebrate proteoglycan, their roles in sponge cell adhesion, and their peripheral membrane protein natures suggest that they may represent early invertebrate analogs of cell-associated vertebrate extracellular matrix adhesion proteins, such as fibronectin or vitronectin, or else an entirely novel set of cell adhesion molecules.     

A monoclonal antibody that blocks poliovirus attachment recognizes the lymphocyte homing receptor CD44.

A monoclonal antibody, AF3, was previously shown to specifically inhibit poliovirus binding to HeLa cells and to detect a 100-kDa glycoprotein only in cell lines and tissues permissive for poliovirus infection. These results suggested that the 100-kDa protein may be involved in the pathogenesis of poliomyelitis and the cellular function of the poliovirus receptor site. To study further the role of the 100-kDa protein in poliovirus attachment, immunoaffinity purification, amino acid sequencing, and cDNA cloning were undertaken. The results demonstrate that antibody AF3 reacts with the lymphocyte homing receptor CD44, a multifunctional cell surface glycoprotein involved in the homing of circulating lymphocytes to lymph nodes and the modulation of lymphocyte adhesion and activation. Antibody AF3 reacts with a subset of CD44 molecules (AF3CD44H), which appears to be a small fraction of the heterogeneously glycosylated CD44 molecules expressed on hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells. Anti-CD44 monoclonal antibodies, previously reported to induce CD44-mediated modulation of lymphocyte activation and adhesion, compete with 125I-AF3 in binding assays, demonstrating functional overlap among the epitopes. The anti-CD44 monoclonal antibody A3D8, which binds to a greater molecular weight range of CD44 than does AF3, inhibits poliovirus binding to a similar degree. CD44 does not act as a poliovirus receptor, since CD44-expressing mouse L-cell transformants did not bind poliovirus. The poliovirus receptor and AF3CD44H may be noncovalently associated, or they may interact through the cytoskeleton or signal transduction pathways.     

Control of the aggregation factor-aggregation receptor interaction in sponges by protein kinase C

By means of immunobiochemical and immunocytological techniques it was found that the aggregation factor (AF) from the sponge Geodia cydonium is stored in vesicles of spherulous cells. During the reaggregation process of dissociated cells, the AF which is present extracellularly was determined to be bound to the cell-surface-associated aggregation receptor (AR) only during the initial phase (0-5 h after addition of the AF to the single cell suspension). At later stages (20 h), the AF colocalized with extracellular structures, e.g., collagen and glycoconjugates. Immobilized to nitrocellulose, the AR, a molecule with Mr of 43.5 kDa, displayed its binding affinity to the AF only if it was isolated from early aggregates (5 h). The transition of the AF-susceptible to the AF-deficient state of the plasma membrane was mimicked in vitro by incubation of plasma membranes from early aggregates with purified protein kinase C. This conversion to the AF-deficient state could be prevented by the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine. Together with earlier findings, which revealed that the AR is phosphorylated by protein kinase C, we propose that in the sponge system this enzyme controls intercellular processes involved in morphogenesis.     

Isolation and characterization of cDNA encoding mouse RNA polymerase II subunit RPB14

By means of the yeast two-hybrid system using the 40-kDa subunit of mouse RNA polymerase I, mRPA40, as the bait, we isolated a mouse cDNA which encoded a protein with significant homology in amino acid sequence to the 12.5-kDa subunit of Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase II, B12.5 (RPB11). Specific antibody raised against the recombinant protein that was derived from the cDNA reacted with a 14-kDa polypeptide in highly purified mammalian RNA polymerase II and did not react with any subunit of RNA polymerase I or III. Moreover, the antibody co-immunoprecipitated the largest subunit of mouse RNA polymerase II. These results provide biochemical evidence that the cDNA isolated, named mRPB14, encodes a specific subunit of RNA polymerase II, and indicate that the subunit organization of the enzyme is conserved between yeast and mouse. A possible role of the α-motif [Dequard-Chablat, M., Riva, M., Carles, C. and Sentenac, A., J. Biol. Chem. 266 (1991) 15300–15307] in the protein-protein interaction between mRPA40 and mRPB14 is also discussed.     

A monoclonal antibody that inhibits opioid binding to rat brain membranes

To understand the structure-function relationship and to probe the molecular characteristics of the purified opioid receptor, monoclonal antibodies (mab) were raised against a purified opioid receptor protein. After intensive screening of almost 1500 hybridoma cell lines, only 7 clones were shown to have very high immunoreactivity against the purified receptor. Moreover, out of these 7 clones, only 2, 3B4F11 and 3A27G, were found to inhibit the ligand binding property of the mu-opioid receptor. The mab 3B4F11 was found to inhibit 3H-diprenorphine binding to the purified receptor in a dose dependent manner with a maximal inhibition of 100% achieved with 20 micrograms of the antibody. Likewise, Fab fragments prepared from the mabs 3B4F11 inhibited 3H-diprenorphine binding to P2 membranes in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, it was found that the binding of 3H-DAGO, 3H-DPDPE and 3H-EKC was inhibited with approximately equal potency, suggesting that the Fabs prepared from the mab 3B4F11 interact with all 3 receptor types.     

Production and characterisation of monoclonal anti-idiotype antibody to Vibrio anguillarum

Seven monoclonal anti-idiotype antibodies (mab2) were raised against mouse monoclonal antibody (mab1) 4A6. Identification of subclass showed that 1H5, 1D1, 2B12 and 2F12 belonged to IgG2b, 2H12 and 1H12 to IgG2a and lE10 to IgG3. The titres of these mab2 ascitic fluids ranged from 1 x 10(-4)-1 x 10(-6). The capacity of the mab2 to inhibit the binding between the corresponding rabbit antiserum and Vibrio anguillarum was investigated with the competitive inhibition ELISA. The results showed that mab2 1D1, 1E10, 1H5 and 1H12 were able to inhibit this binding. Another experiment demonstrated that mab2 1D1, 1E10 and 1H5 might induce Balb/c mice to produce Ab3 and these Ab3 competed the same antigen epitopes with Ab1. These results indicate that mab2 1D1, 1E10 and 1H5 are likely to represent an internal image of V. anguillarum and may thus be described as Ab2-beta anti-idiotype antibodies. In protection experiments, Japanese flounders vaccinated with mab21D1, 1E10 and 1H5 showed significantly enhanced survival from challenge with V. anguillarum. Thus. mab21D1, 1E10 and 1H5 may have use as idiotype vaccines for fish in aquaculture.     

Solubilization and immunopurification of a somatostatin receptor from the human gastric tumoral cell line HGT-1

The human gastric tumoral cell line HGT-1 was previously shown to contain a membrane somatostatin receptor negatively coupled to adenylate cyclase through a pertussis toxin-sensitive inhibitory GTP-binding regulatory protein (Gi) (Reyl-Desmars, F., Laboisse, C., and Lewin, M. J. M. (1986) Regul. Pept. 16, 207-215). In this study, we have solubilized this receptor in a free unoccupied form using Triton X-100 as detergent and [125I-Tyr11]somatostatin-14 to monitor specific binding. Furthermore, we have prepared a monoclonal antibody against a chromatographically enriched soluble receptor fraction and used this antibody (30F3) to immunopurify the receptor in conjunction with Sepharose-somatostatin-14 immunopurification and steric exclusion high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The purified fraction showed 18,600-fold enrichment in terms of specific binding (i.e. from 0.6 +/- 0.05 to 11,300 +/- 830 pmol/mg of protein) and a single dissociation constant (kappa D) of 76 +/- 8 nM. On HPLC, it migrated as a single and symmetric 90-kDa peak. Moreover, after 125I-protein labeling, it gave a single 90-kDa band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis autoradiography. On the other hand, the 30F3 monoclonal antibody immunoblotted with a single 90-kDa band contained in the HGT-1 cell membrane. We therefore suggest that this antibody is specific to the HGT-1 membrane somatostatin receptor, that this receptor has a molecular mass of 90 kDa, and that we have obtained a homogeneous preparation of nondenatured receptor suitable for further cloning studies.     

The Dictyostelium discoideum 30,000-dalton protein is an actin filament- bundling protein that is selectively present in filopodia

The interaction with actin and intracellular localization of the 30,000-D actin-binding protein from the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum have been investigated to analyze the potential contributions of this protein to cell structure and movement. The formation of anisotropic cross-linked filament networks (bundles) containing actin and the 30,000-D protein has been observed by electron microscopy, light scattering, viscometry, and polarization microscopy. Cosedimentation experiments indicate that a maximum of one molecule of the 30,000-D protein can bind to 10 actin monomers in filaments with an apparent association constant of 1 X 10(7) liters/mol. Inhibition of the interaction of the 30,000-D protein with actin by either magnesium or calcium was observed by viscometry, light scattering, polarization microscopy, and direct binding assays. However, the concentration of magnesium required to diminish the interaction is greater than 100 times greater than that of calcium. The association constant of the 30,000-D protein for actin is 4.2 X 10(6) liters/mol, or less than 1 X 10(5) liters/mol in the presence of increased concentrations of either Mg2+ or Ca2+, respectively. Enzyme-linked immunoassays indicate that the 30,000-D protein comprises 0.04% of the protein in D. discoideum. Extensive interaction of the 30,000-D protein with actin in cytoplasm is predicted from these measurements of the concentration of this protein and its affinity for actin. The distribution of the 30,000-D protein was analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy using mono-specific affinity-purified polyclonal antibody. The 30,000-D protein exhibits a diffuse distribution in cytoplasm, is excluded from prominent organelles, and is quite prominent in fine extensions protruding from the cell surface. The number, length, and distribution of these extensions containing the 30,000-D protein are similar to those of filopodia observed by scanning electron microscopy. To analyze the effects of cell thickness and the distribution of organelles on the immunofluorescence localization, fluorescein-labeled BSA was incorporated into the cytoplasm of living cells before fixation and staining using a sonication loading technique. The results indicate that the 30,000-D protein is selectively incorporated into filopodia. These results provide a clear distinction between the multiple actin-cross-linking proteins present in D. discoideum, and suggest that the 30,000-D protein contributes to organization of bundles of actin filaments in filopodia.     

Purification and characterization of a novel secondary fimbrial protein from Porphyromonas gingivalis strain 381

We previously reported the existence of two different kinds of fimbriae expressed by Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277. In this study, we isolated and characterized a secondary fimbrial protein from strain FPG41, a fimA-inactivated mutant of P. gingivalis 381. FPG41 was constructed by a homologous recombination technique using a mobilizable suicide vector, and failed to express the long fimbriae (41-kDa fimbriae) that were produced on the cell surface of P. gingivalis 381. However, short fimbrial structures were observed on the cell surface of FPG41 by electron microscopy. The fimbrial protein was purified from FPG41 by DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B column chromatography. The secondary fimbrial protein was eluted at 0.15 M NaCl, and the molecular mass of this protein was approximately 53 kDa as estimated by SDS-PAGE. An antibody against the 53-kDa fimbrial protein reacted with the short fimbriae of the FPG41 and the wild-type strain. However, the 41-kDa long fimbriae of the wild-type strain and the 67-kDa fimbriae of ATCC 33277 did not react with the same antibody. Moreover, the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 53-kDa fimbrial protein showed only 2 of 15 residues that were identical to those of the 41-kDa fimbrial protein. These results show that the properties of the 53-kDa fimbriae are different from those of the 67-kDa fimbriae of ATCC 33277 as well as those of the 41-kDa fimbriae.     

Function-dependent conformational changes of the ABCG2 multidrug transporter modify its interaction with a monoclonal antibody on the cell surface

The human ABCG2 protein is an important primary active transporter for hydrophobic compounds in several cell types, and its overexpression causes multidrug resistance in tumors. A monoclonal antibody (5D3) recognizes this protein on the cell surface. In ABCG2-expressing cells 5D3 antibody showed a saturable labeling and inhibited ABCG2 transport and ATPase function. However, at low antibody concentrations 5D3 binding to intact cells depended on the actual conformation of the ABCG2 protein. ATP depletion or the addition of the ABCG2 inhibitor Ko143 significantly increased, whereas the vanadate-induced arrest of ABCG2 strongly decreased 5D3 binding. The binding of the 5D3 antibody to a non-functional ABCG2 catalytic center mutant (K86M) in intact cells was not affected by the addition of vanadate but still increased with the addition of Ko143. In isolated membrane fragments the ligand modulation of 5D3 binding to ABCG2 could be analyzed in detail. In this case 5D3 binding was maximum in the presence of ATP, ADP, or Ko143, whereas the non-hydrolysable ATP analog, adenosine 5'-(beta,gamma-imido)triphosphate (AMP-PNP), and nucleotide trapping by vanadate decreased antibody binding. In membranes expressing the ABCG2-K86M mutant, ATP, ADP, and AMP-PNP decreased, whereas Ko143 increased 5D3 binding. Based on these data we suggest that the 5D3 antibody can be used as a sensitive tool to reveal intramolecular changes, reflecting ATP binding, the formation of a catalytic intermediate, or substrate inhibition within the transport cycle of the ABCG2 protein.     

A monoclonal antibody directed against the catalytic site of Bacillus anthracis adenylyl cyclase identifies a novel mammalian brain catalytic subunit.

A brain adenylyl cyclase was shown to contain an epitope closely related to that specified by a conserved sequence containing a nucleotide-binding consensus sequence GXXXXGKS and located in the catalytic sites of bacterial, calmodulin-dependent adenylyl cyclases [Goyard, S., Orlando, C., Sabatier, J.-M., Labruyere, E., d'Alayer, J., Fontan, G., van Rietschoten, J., Mock, M., Danchin, A., Ullmann, A., & Monneron, A. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 1964-1967]. A monoclonal antibody, mab 164, produced against a peptide corresponding to this conserved sequence specifically inhibited the Bordetella pertussis adenylyl cyclase. It also specifically inhibited rat and rabbit brain synaptosomal adenylyl cyclases. The extent of inhibition depended upon the type of enzyme purification, reaching 90% for the calmodulin-sensitive species of enzyme and 20-35% for the forskolin-agarose-retained species. The extent of inhibition in a given fraction also depended upon the effector present. mab 164 reacted on Western blots of forskolin-agarose-retained fractions with a 175-kDa component and did not recognize the Gs alpha stimulatory subunit. Consequently, the 175-kDa protein was considered as a good candidate for an adenylyl cyclase catalyst. The adenylyl cyclase activity contained in forskolin-agarose-retained fractions was further purified on calmodulin-Sepharose. On Western blots of such fractions, mab 164 reacted with a 140-kDa protein, a component that appeared to derive from the 175-kDa protein enriched in the previous step. The kcat of this 140-kDa presumptive adenylyl cyclase was estimated to be of the order of 600 s-1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization and localization of tropomyosin proteins in Xenopus embryos with specific antibodies

In the process of monoclonal antibody (mAb) production against the 38kDa protein which is lacking in the gastrula arrested mutant embryos in Xenopus we incidentally obtained two kinds of mAb (designated as B11 and 2D10 antibodies, respectively) recognizing tropomyosin (TM) proteins in Xenopus embryos. The characterization of the corresponding antigens to those mAb was performed by immunoblotting and silver staining for two-dimensional (2-D) gels in the present study. The localization of the antigens in Xenopus embryos was also investigated by fluorescent microscopy.
By 2-D immunoblots with those mAb, three distinct protein spots or TM isoforms were recognized in Xenopus embryos; a 38 kDa spot with a pl of approximately 4.8 reacted with both antibodies in embryos at stages later than the mid-tailbud (stage 28) and two 30 kDa spots, which are probably isomers, with a pl of approximately 4.8 were detected with 2D10 antibody in embryos at stages extending from the fertilized to the mid-neurula (stage 20). By immunofluorescent microscopy, B11 antibody was shown to react mainly with muscle cells and their precursor cells. In contrast, 2D10 antibody stained the cytoplasm of almost all cells in embryos at stages from the fertilized to the tadpole.
Judging from the results obtained with immunoblotting and fluorescent microscopy, it is likely that the 38 kDa spot is a skeletal muscle TM isoform and the two 30 kDa spots are non-muscle TM isoforms.     

Cloning and characterization of the annexin II receptor on human marrow stromal cells

Annexin II is a heterotetramer, consisting of two 11-kDa (p11) and two 36-kDa (p36) subunits, that is produced by osteoclasts and stimulates osteoclast formation. However, its receptor is unknown. We showed that annexin II binds to normal primary human marrow stromal cells and the Paget's marrow-derived PSV10 stromal cell line to induce osteoclast formation. 125I-Labeled annexin II binding assays with PSV10 cells demonstrated that there was a single class of annexin II receptors with a Kd of 5.79 nm and Bmax of 2.13 x 10(5) receptors/cell. Annexin III or annexin V did not bind this receptor. Using 125I-labeled annexin II binding to screen NIH3T3 transfected with a human marrow cDNA expression library, we identified a putative annexin II receptor clone, which encoded a novel 26-kDa type I membrane receptor protein when expressed in HEK 293 cells. HEK 293 cells transformed with the cloned annexin II receptor cDNA showed a similar binding affinity to annexin II as that observed in PSV10 cells. Chemical cross-linking experiments with biotinylated annexin II and intact PSV10 cells identified a 55-kDa band on Western blot analysis that reacted with both an anti-p11 antibody and streptavidin but not anti-p36 antibody. A rabbit polyclonal antibody raised against the putative recombinant annexin II receptor also recognized the same 26-kDa protein band detected in PSV10 cells. Importantly, the annexin II receptor antibody dose-dependently blocked the stimulatory effects of annexin II on human osteoclast formation, demonstrating that the receptor mediates the effects of annexin II on osteoclast formation.     

Regulatory control of complement on blood platelets. Modulation of platelet procoagulant responses by a membrane inhibitor of the C5b-9 complex

Antibody against a membrane inhibitor of the C5b-9 complex has been used to investigate regulatory control of the terminal complement proteins on blood platelets. Monospecific rabbit antibody (alpha-P18) was raised against the purified 18-kDa erythrocyte membrane inhibitor of C5b-9 (Sugita, Y., Nakano, Y., and Tomita, M. (1988) J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 104, 633-637). In addition to its interaction with erythrocytes, this antibody (and its Fab) bound specifically to platelet membranes. In immunoblots of cell membrane proteins prepared under non-reducing conditions, alpha-P18 bound specifically to an 18-kDa erythrocyte membrane protein and to a 37-kDa platelet membrane protein. Absorption of this antibody by platelet membranes competed its binding to the purified 18-kDa erythrocyte protein, suggesting that epitopes expressed by the erythrocyte 18-kDa C5b-9 inhibitor are common to the platelet. When bound to the platelet surface, the Fab of alpha-P18 increased C9 activation by membrane C5b-8, monitored by exposure of a complex-dependent C9 neo-epitope. Although alpha-P18 caused little increase in the cytolysis of platelets treated with C5b-9 (total release of lactate dehydrogenase less than 5%), it markedly increased the cell stimulatory responses induced by these complement proteins, including, secretion from platelet alpha- and dense granules, conformational activation of cell surface GP IIb-IIIa, release of membrane microparticles from the platelet surface, and exposure of new membrane binding sites for components of the prothrombinase enzyme complex. Prior incubation of C5b67 platelets with 100 micrograms/ml alpha-P18 (Fab) lowered by approximately 10-fold the half-maximal concentration of C8 required to elicit each of these responses (in the presence of excess C9). Incubation with alpha-P18 (Fab) alone did not activate platelets, nor did incubation with this antibody potentiate the stimulatory responses of platelets exposed to other agonists. These data indicate that a membrane inhibitor of the C5b-9 complex normally serves to attenuate the procoagulant responses of blood platelets exposed to activated complement proteins, and suggest the mechanism by which a deletion or inactivation of this cell surface component would increase the risk of vascular thrombosis.