Purification and ligand binding of a soluble class I major histocompatibility complex molecule consisting of the first three domains of H-2Kd fused to beta 2-microglobulin expressed in the baculovirus-insect cell system.

A recombinant baculovirus encoding a single-chain murine major histocompatibility complex class I molecule in which the first three domains of H-2Kd are fused to beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) via a 15-amino acid linker has been isolated and used to infect lepidopteran cells. A soluble, 391-amino acid single-chain H-2Kd (SC-Kd) molecule of 48 kDa was synthesized and glycosylated in insect cells and could be purified in the absence of detergents by affinity chromatography using the anti-H-2Kd monoclonal antibody SF1.1.1.1. We tested the ability of SC-Kd to bind antigenic peptides using a direct binding assay based on photoaffinity labeling. The photoreactive derivative was prepared from the H-2Kd-restricted Plasmodium berghei circumsporozoite protein (P.b. CS) peptide 253-260 (YIPSAEKI), a probe that we had previously shown to be unable to bind to the H-2Kd heavy chain in infected cells in the absence of co-expressed beta 2-microglobulin. SC-Kd expressed in insect cells did not require additional mouse beta 2-m to bind the photoprobe, indicating that the covalently attached beta 2-m could substitute for the free molecule. Similarly, binding of the P.b. CS photoaffinity probe to the purified SC-Kd molecule was unaffected by the addition of exogenous beta 2-m. This is in contrast to H-2KdQ10, a soluble H-2Kd molecule in which beta 2-m is noncovalently bound to the soluble heavy chain, whose ability to bind the photoaffinity probe is greatly enhanced in the presence of an excess of exogenous beta 2-m. The binding of the probe to SC-Kd was allele-specific, since labeling was selectively inhibited only by antigenic peptides known to be presented by the H-2Kd molecule.     

Structure and expression of the mouse beta 2-microglobulin gene isolated from somatic and non-expressing teratocarcinoma cells.

Mouse teratocarcinoma cells express neither H-2 heavy chains nor beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m). We have constructed two genomic libraries, one from PCC4-aza-RI embryonal carcinoma cells and the other from their adult syngenic counterpart 129/Sv liver cells (H-2bc). The libraries were screened with a full length mouse beta 2-m cDNA probe which we isolated and sequenced. Two cosmid clones carrying the entire beta 2-m gene were isolated, one from each library. There was no detectable difference in structure between the two genes. Furthermore, both were shown to be active and to restore beta 2-m synthesis upon transfer into mutant cells deficient in beta 2-m. Irreversible DNA alterations in or around the beta 2-m gene are thus unlikely to account for the lack of beta 2-m gene expression in embryonal teratocarcinoma cells.     

H-2Db四聚体的制备及其在检测LCMV特异性CD8+ T细胞中的应用

MHC四聚体技术是研究抗原特异性淋巴细胞应答的关键技术之一。为研究H-2Db基因型(如C57BL/6)小鼠的特异性CD8+ T细胞免疫应答, 需要建立H-2Db四聚体制备技术平台。首先以RT-PCR方法克隆H-2Db重链基因的cDNA, 进而构建H-2Db胞外域与生物素化酶BirA底物肽(BSP)融合蛋白的表达载体, 并在大肠杆菌中获得表达。在LCMV GP33-41抗原肽(KAVYNFATC, KAV)和人β2-微球蛋白存在时, 通过稀释法复性获得H-2Db/KAV单体。该单体经生物素化并纯化后与PE-链亲和素按4: 1的比例混合, 即形成四聚体。通过流式细胞术检测经KAV肽免疫的C57BL/6小鼠体内的LCMV特异性CD8+ T细胞的频率, 结果表明在外周血、引流淋巴结和脾脏中均可检测到一定频率的LCMV特异性CD8+ T细胞, 其中以对外周血标本染色的效果最佳。成功建立了小鼠H-2Db四聚体制备技术平台, 为监测及分析基于H-2Db基因型小鼠的实验性免疫治疗创造了条件。     

Structure of wild-type and mutant mouse beta 2-microglobulin genes

beta 2-Microglobulin is encoded by a single gene per haploid genome in the mouse. This gene was cloned and sequenced and was shown to consist of four coding regions separated by three intervening sequences. Most of the protein (amino acids 3-95) is encoded in a single uninterrupted unit flanked by intervening sequences. In this respect, the genetic organization is similar to that of the evolutionarily related H-2 and immunoglobulin domains. A mutant cell line selected for loss of cell-surface expression of the thymus leukemic antigen and failing to express surface beta 2-microglobulin and H-2 was found to contain no detectable cytoplasmic beta 2-microglobulin. The genetic defect in this mutant was analyzed by Southern blots, which indicated that there are defects in both copies of the beta 2-microglobulin gene present in this cell. The concomitant loss of three cell-surface antigens was thereby linked to genetic defects in the beta 2-microglobulin locus.     

Human elongation factor 1 beta: cDNA and derived amino acid sequence.

From a cDNA library in lambda gt11 derived from poly (A+)RNA of human ovarian granulosa cells a cDNA clone lambda HGP34, containing an EcoRI insert of 829 bp, was identified. After subcloning of the insert into pUC18, the clone pHGP34 was obtained and sequenced. The derived amino acid sequence, corresponding to a protein of 225 amino acids, shows a high degree of homology to elongation factor 1 beta (EF-1 beta) of Artemia salina (57%) and known peptide sequences of Xenopus laevis EF-1 beta (86%). We therefore assume that the protein coded for by pHGP34 represents human EF-1 beta. Northern analysis reveals an EF-1 beta specific mRNA of 900 bp. Southern analysis indicates that EF-1 beta in the human genome, like EF-1 alpha, appears to be specified by more than one gene. A high degree of sequence homology for EF-1 beta specific sequences is observed for bovine, rat and mouse species.     

Southern杂交方法用于近交系小鼠H-2基因检测

目的建立一种简便、快捷、准确的检测方法用于近交系小鼠的遗传检测。方法根据近交系小鼠的H-2基因序列设计相应的探针,并标记生物素,利用微孔板Southern杂交技术,使探针与模板DNA杂交,再加入亲和素标记的辣根过氧化物酶进行酶显色反应,通过酶标仪检测杂交结果,以确定近交系小鼠的基因型。结果57BL／6和C57B：／10为H-2^b型;DBA／2和Scid为H-2^d型;615和C3H为H-2^k型;NCPC／2、TA1、TA2和T739均为H-2^b型。结论通过Southern杂交检测可以确定近交系小鼠的基因型。该检测方法简便、易行,检测结果客观,可以应用于近交系小鼠的遗传检测。     

Proteolytically modified human beta 2-microglobulin augments the specific cytotoxic activity in murine mixed lymphocyte culture

A proteolytically modified form of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) present in the serum of patients suffering from autoimmune, immunodeficient diseases and cancer has been reported in the literature. In the present study we show that human beta 2-m as well as the proteolytically modified human form (M-beta 2-m) bind to murine lymphocytes expressing H-2 class I antigens; M-beta 2-m, when added at day 0 and 1 of culture in nanomolar concentrations to a one-way murine allogeneic mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) augments the generation of specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes; M-beta 2-m increases the endogenous production of interleukin 2 in the MLC culture; monoclonal antibody which reacts with both the native beta 2-m and M-beta 2-m molecule blocks the augmentation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte production induced by M-beta 2-m; murine as well as human MLC responder cells can proteolytically modify native human beta 2-m; and the modifying activity of murine MLC responder cells was blocked in an intermediary step by an alloantibody, which reacts specifically with murine major histocompatibility complex, class I-associated beta 2-m. These findings suggest that the modification process is preceded by an association of human beta 2-m with the cell surface of the responder cells. Our data indicate that the modification of beta 2-m might reflect early events in allospecific responder cell activation.     

Structural basis of the differential stability and receptor specificity of H-2Db in complex with murine versus human beta2-microglobulin

beta(2)-Microglobulin (beta(2)m) is non-covalently linked to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I heavy chain and interacts with CD8 and Ly49 receptors. Murine MHC class I heavy chains can bind human beta(2)m (hbeta(2)m) and peptide, and such hybrid molecules are often used in structural and functional studies. The replacement of mouse beta(2)m (mbeta(2)m) with hbeta(2)m has several functional consequences for MHC class I complex stability and specificity, but the structural basis for this is presently unknown. To investigate the impact of species-specific beta(2)m subunits on MHC class I conformation, we provide a crystallographic comparison of H-2D(b) in complex with LCMV-derived gp33 peptide and either hbeta(2)m or mbeta(2)m. The conformation of the gp33 peptide is not affected by the beta(2)m species. Comparison of the interface between beta(2)m and the alpha(1)alpha(2) domains of the heavy chain in these two crystal structures reveals a marked increase in both polarity and number of hydrogen bonds between hbeta(2)m and the alpha(1)alpha(2) domains of H-2D(b). We propose that the positioning of two hydrogen bond rich regions at the hbeta(2)m/alpha(1)alpha(2) interface plays a central role in the increased overall stability and peptide exchange capacity in the H-2D(b)/hbeta(2)m complex. These two regions act as bridges, holding and stabilizing the underside of the alpha(1) and alpha(2) helices, enabling a prolonged peptide-receptive conformation of the peptide binding cleft. Furthermore, analysis of H-2D(b) in complex with either mbeta(2)m or hbeta(2)m provides a structural explanation for the differential binding of H-2D(b)/hbeta(2)m to both Ly49A and Ly49C. Our comparative structural study emphasizes the importance of beta(2)m residues at positions 3, 6 and 29 for binding to Ly49A and suggests that sterical hindrance by residue K6 on hbeta(2)m impairs the recognition of Ly49C by H-2D(b)/gp33/hbeta(2)m. Finally, comparison of the two H-2D(b) crystal structures implies that the beta(2)m species may affect the strength of TCR recognition by affecting CD8 binding.     

Cloning, nucleotide sequence and expression in Escherichia coli of two cobalt-containing nitrile hydratase genes from Rhodococcus rhodochrous J1.

Rhodococcus rhodochrous J1 produces two kinds of cobalt-containing nitrile hydratases (NHases); one is a high molecular mass-NHase (H-NHase) and the other is a low molecular mass-NHase (L-NHase). Both NHases are composed of two subunits of different sizes (alpha and beta subunits). The H- and L-NHase genes were cloned into Escherichia coli by a DNA-probing method using the NHase gene of Rhodococcus sp. N-774, a ferric ion-containing NHase producing strain, as the hybridization probe and their nucleotide sequences were determined. In each of the H- and L-NHase genes, the open reading frame for the beta subunit was located just upstream of that for the alpha subunit, which probably belongs to the same operon. The amino acid sequences of each subunit of the H- and L-NHases from R. rhodochrous J1 showed generally significant similarities to those from Rhodococcus sp. N-774, but the arrangement of the coding sequences for two subunits is reverse of the order found in the NHase gene of Rhodococcus sp. N-774. Each of the NHase genes was expressed in E. coli cells under the control of lac promoter, only when they were cultured in the medium supplemented with CoCl2.     

Improved assay-dependent searching of nucleic acid sequence databases

Nucleic acid-based biochemical assays are crucial to modern biology. Key applications, such as detection of bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens, require detailed knowledge of assay sensitivity and specificity to obtain reliable results. Improved methods to predict assay performance are needed for exploiting the exponentially growing amount of DNA sequence data and for reducing the experimental effort required to develop robust detection assays. Toward this goal, we present an algorithm for the calculation of sequence similarity based on DNA thermodynamics. In our approach, search queries consist of one to three oligonucleotide sequences representing either a hybridization probe, a pair of Padlock probes or a pair of PCR primers with an optional TaqMantrade mark probe (i.e. in silico or 'virtual' PCR). Matches are reported if the query and target satisfy both the thermodynamics of the assay (binding at a specified hybridization temperature and/or change in free energy) and the relevant biological constraints (assay sequences binding to the correct target duplex strands in the required orientations). The sensitivity and specificity of our method is evaluated by comparing predicted to known sequence tagged sites in the human genome. Free energy is shown to be a more sensitive and specific match criterion than hybridization temperature.     

Increase in the conformational flexibility of beta 2-microglobulin upon copper binding: a possible role for copper in dialysis-related amyloidosis

A key pathological event in dialysis-related amyloidosis is the fibril formation of beta(2)-microglobulin (beta 2-m). Because beta 2-m does not form fibrils in vitro, except under acidic conditions, predisposing factors that may drive fibril formation at physiological pH have been the focus of much attention. One factor that may be implicated is Cu(2+) binding, which destabilizes the native state of beta 2-m and thus stabilizes the amyloid precursor. To address the Cu(2+)-induced destabilization of beta 2-m at the atomic level, we studied changes in the conformational dynamics of beta 2-m upon Cu(2+) binding. Titration of beta 2-m with Cu(2+) monitored by heteronuclear NMR showed that three out of four histidines (His13, His31, and His51) are involved in the binding at pH 7.0. (1)H-(15)N heteronuclear NOE suggested increased backbone dynamics for the residues Val49 to Ser55, implying that the Cu(2+) binding at His51 increased the local dynamics of beta-strand D. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange of amide protons showed increased flexibility of the core residues upon Cu(2+) binding. Taken together, it is likely that Cu(2+) binding increases the pico- to nanosecond fluctuation of the beta-strand D on which His51 exists, which is propagated to the core of the molecule, thus promoting the global and slow fluctuations. This may contribute to the overall destabilization of the molecule, increasing the equilibrium population of the amyloidogenic intermediate.     

N-terminal amino acid sequence analyses of the alpha and beta polypeptides from four distinct subsets of sheep major histocompatibility complex class II molecules

Four monoclonal antibodies, SBU.II 28-1, 37-68, 38-27, and 42-20, each recognizing a distinct, non-overlapping subset of sheep class II molecules, were used to purify class II molecules from a single sheep. Four class II alpha subunits designated 28-1 alpha, 37-68 alpha, 42-20 alpha, and 38-27 alpha and five class II beta subunits designated 28-1 beta, 37-68 beta 1, 37-68 beta 2, 42-20 beta, and 38-27 beta were compared by N-terminal sequence analyses. Two distinct alpha subunits were identified; the 28-1 alpha, 37-68 alpha, and 42-20 alpha subunits all had identical N-terminal amino acids sequences, which exhibited about 75% homology with HLA-DR alpha and mouse E alpha polypeptides. In contrast, the 38-27 alpha sequence exhibited about 80% sequence homology with HLA-DQ alpha and mouse A alpha polypeptides. In general, sheep beta subunits displayed insufficient sequence homology to enable correlation with human beta-chain sequences; however, the 38-27 beta-chain sequence showed homology with the HLA-DQ beta sequence. The conserved sequence surrounding the site for N-linked glycosylation within human/mouse beta polypeptides (residues 19 to 21) was not present in sheep beta sequences and in contrast with the beta-chains of mouse and man, sheep beta polypeptides contained between 1 and 3 positionally variable cysteine residues (residues 13 to 15 inclusive). Individual sheep beta subunits exhibited extensive sequence heterogeneity and each consisted of a unique population of beta polypeptide species. At least 16 different beta polypeptide sequences were identified from a single sheep and the existence of no fewer than nine non-allelic beta genes was inferred from the sequence data. We have previously provided evidence suggesting that the sheep has multiple major histocompatibility complex class II alpha and beta genes related to those of all three HLA-D subregions. The present results suggest that a number of these genes encode HLA-DQ-like heterodimers and that a sheep DR-like alpha gene product is shared with the products of a large and heterogeneous sheep beta gene family.     

Topological investigation of amyloid fibrils obtained from beta2-microglobulin

Amyloid fibrils of patients treated with regular hemodialysis essentially consists of beta2-microglobulin (beta2-m) and its truncated species DeltaN6beta2-m lacking six residues at the amino terminus. The truncated fragment has a more flexible three-dimensional structure and constitutes an excellent candidate for the analysis of a protein in the amyloidogenic conformation. The surface topology of synthetic fibrils obtained from intact beta2-m and truncated DeltaN6beta2-m was investigated by the limited proteolysis/mass spectrometry approach that appeared particularly suited to gain insights into the structure of beta2-m within the fibrillar polymer. The distribution of prefential proteolytic sites observed in both fibrils revealed that the central region of the protein, which had been easily cleaved in the full-length globular beta2-m, was fully protected in the fibrillar form. In addition, the amino- and carboxy-terminal regions of beta2-m became exposed to the solvent in the fibrils, whereas they were masked completely in the native protein. These data indicate that beta2-m molecules in the fibrils consist of an unaccessible core comprising residues 20-87 with the strands I and VIII being not constrained in the fibrillar polymer and exposed to the proteases. Moreover, proteolytic cleavages observed in vitro at Lys 6 and Lys 19 reproduce specific cleavages that have to occur in vivo to generate the truncated forms of beta2-m occurring in natural fibrils. On the basis of these data, a possible mechanism for fibril formation from native beta2-m is discussed and an explanation for the occurrence of truncated protein species in natural fibrils is given.     

Specific molecular interaction between the insulin receptor and a D product of MHC class I

The density of MHC class I was determined on a murine thymoma cell line (R1), an H-2 negative variant (R1E), and R1E-derived cell lines in which H-2 expression was restored by transfection of various MHC class I genes (Db, Kb, and truncated Db) and/or a beta-2-microglobulin gene (beta 2-m; B2). Appreciable MHC class I expression was found on R1 cells and on the variants in which MHC class I expression was restored by transfection of Db/beta 2-m or Kb/beta 2-m genes. Only approximately 20% difference was observed between the number of Db molecules and Kb molecules on the R1E/B2/Db and on R1E/B2/Kb, respectively. However, specific insulin binding was significantly different between these lines. By using a computer assisted curve fitting program, the insulin binding data for R1 and R1E/B2/Db cell lines best fitted a two-site model (K approximately 6 x 10(-9) M for high-affinity sites and a 2 to 3 x 10(-7) M for low-affinity sites), whereas all other lines only expressed one type of insulin binding site. These sites were unrelated to IGF-I and IGF-II receptors. Cross-linking of 125I-labeled insulin demonstrated specific binding of the ligand to a Mr approximately 130,000 dalton band in all lines. In the R1E/B2/Db cells, insulin also cross-linked to cell membrane molecules with Mr approximately 48,000 and approximately 60,000 Da, which were identified by immunoprecipitation to be the H chain of MHC class I and the heavy chain of MHC class I plus beta 2-m, respectively. It is concluded that the insulin receptors in the cell membrane interact specifically with D-products of MHC class I and that class I molecules of MHC may have a crucial role in insulin receptor expression. This may reflect a more general nonimmunologic role of MHC class I.     

The Locus Encoding αa-Crystallin Is Closely Linked to H-2K on Mouse Chromosome 17

We have used a complementary DNA (cDNA) for mouse alpha A-crystallin to probe genomic DNA for restriction fragment length polymorphisms which could be used to map the alpha A-crystallin gene locus (Acry-1) in the mouse genome. Ten of 12 restriction endonucleases produced fragment polymorphism among various inbred strains of mice. A comprehensive strain survey conducted with six endonucleases resulted in the discovery of six allelic forms of Acry-1. Linkage analysis was conducted on DNA from three sets of recombinant inbred strains of mice and demonstrated close linkage of Acry-1 with the major histocompatibility complex (H-2) on chromosome 17. Analysis of congenic and recombinant congenic strains of mice confirmed the linkage of Acry-1 and H-2 and located the alpha A gene to the region between glyoxylase (Glo-1) and H-2K.     

The complete amino acid sequence of the murine transplantation antigen H-2Db as deduced by molecular cloning

A mouse cDNA library derived from the EL4 cell line (b-haplotype) was screened with a probe containing a small part of the H-2K^b coding region. One of the clones isolated, pH203, encodes a protein whose deduced amino acid sequence is identical with the known sequence of H-2D^b in 141 of 141 positions available for comparison. The clone, therefore, is believed to code for the H-2D^b transplantation antigen. The cDNA insert of pH203 contains the coding region for residues 82 through the carboxy-terminus of H-2D^b, and includes 476 nucleotides of the 3-untranslated sequence. Comparison between the H-2D^b cDNA clone and a previously isolated H-2K^b cDNA clone shows homologies of 83% and 91% at the amino acid and nucleotide levels, respectively. Analysis of DNA sequences at the 3-coding and untranslated regions suggests that the mRNAs of H-2K^b and H-2D^b are spliced differently at their 3-coding ends.     

Properties of rat and mouse beta-glucuronidase mRNA and cDNA, including evidence for sequence polymorphism and genetic regulation of mRNA levels

cDNA clones containing partial sequences for beta-glucuronidase (beta G) were constructed from rat preputial gland RNA and identified by their ability to selectively hybridize beta G mRNA. One such rat clone was used to isolate several cross-hybridizing clones from a mouse-cDNA library prepared from kidney RNA from androgen-treated animals. Together, the set of mouse clones spans about 2.0 kb of the 2.6-kb beta G mRNA. Using these cDNA clones as probes, a genomic polymorphism for DNA restriction fragment size was found that proved to be genetically linked to the beta G gene complex. A fragment of beta G cDNA was subcloned into a vector carrying an SP6 polymerase promoter to provide a template for the in vitro synthesis of single-stranded RNA complementary to beta G mRNA. This provided an extremely sensitive probe for the assay of beta G mRNA sequences. Using either nick-translated cDNA or transcribed RNA as a hybridization probe, we found that mouse beta G RNA levels are strongly induced by testosterone, and that induction by testosterone is pituitary-dependent. During the lag period preceding induction, during the induction period itself, and during deinduction following removal of testosterone, beta G mRNA levels paralleled rates of beta G synthesis previously measured by in vivo pulse-labelling experiments. Genetic variation in the extent of induction affected either the level of beta G mRNA or its efficiency of translation depending on the strain of mice tested.     

Polymorphism of murine major histocompatibility Class I antigen: assignment of putative allodeterminants to distinct positions of the amino acid sequence within the first external domain of the antigen

Forty-five new monoclonal antibodies reacting with the mouse H-2Dd antigen have been established. The specificities of 34 of these antibodies were mapped into the first external domain (N) of the Dd antigen by testing reactivities with the products of mosaic H-2 genes in which the coding sequences of the first and/or the second external domains of the H-2Dd genes were recombined in vitro with the remaining portion of the H-2Ld gene. These antibodies reacted with at least 13 distinct allodeterminants located in the N domain, composed of 91 amino acids, as judged from panel tests carried out on various H-2 haplotypes. To assign possible positions of antigenic determinants of these and other anti-H-2Dd antibodies, we compared primary sequences of seven H-2 antigens and searched for correspondence between the pattern of amino acid substitutions in the N domain, allowing 15 positions to be assigned for the antigenic sites. These putative antigenic determinants were assessed for possible relationships with several parameters of protein secondary structure postulated according to predictive methods. Many of these sites appear to be associated with greatest local hydrophilicity, known to correlate with sites of antibody binding in various proteins. We therefore propose that some of the correspondences found in this work represent structural correlates of allodeterminants.