Vertebrate cytokines interleukin 12 and gamma interferon, but not interleukin 10, enhance phagocytosis in the annelid Eisenia hortensis

Phagocytosis assays employing class I [interleukin 12 (IL-12)], and class II [gamma interferon (gIFN) and IL-10] human recombinant cytokines were carried out to determine the biological effects of these molecules on innate immune responses in the earthworm Eisenia hortensis. Coelomocytes from E. hortensis were pre-incubated with the cytokines for 16-20 h in vitro followed by introduction of Escherichia coli expressing green fluorescent protein (E. coli/GFP). The pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-12 and gIFN stimulated statistically significant (p ? 0.05) enhanced phagocytosis of E. coli/GFP by hyaline amoebocytes as determined by flow cytometry; 10 out of 21 earthworms (48%) responded to IL-12, while eight out of 21 (38%) responded to gIFN. In contrast, the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 neither stimulated nor inhibited phagocytosis in nine earthworms tested. These results demonstrate that vertebrate pro-inflammatory cytokines influence invertebrate cellular responses of immune cells causing enhanced phagocytic activity in earthworm coelomocytes.     

Phosphorylation of a cytosolic 65-kDa protein induced by interleukin 1 in glucocorticoid pretreated normal human peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes

The authors have previously observed that glucocorticoids dramatically increase the number of interleukin 1 (IL-1) receptors on normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) (from approximately 100 to 2000 receptors/cell) without significant change in the binding affinity (Kd = approximately 2.6 x 10(-10) M). We, therefore, used such a receptor-enriched glucocorticoid-pretreated PBMC to investigate whether IL-1 induces/increases the phosphorylation of any cell-associated proteins, including possible autophosphorylation of IL-1 receptors. Extraction of 125I-labeled IL-1 alpha cross-linked to IL-1 receptor on steroid-treated PBMC yielded two bands estimated to be 60 and 70 kDa in molecular mass. No molecules were significantly cross-linked with 125I-labeled IL-1 alpha on untreated PBMC. Carrier-free recombinant human IL-1 alpha induced phosphorylation of an acidic 65-kDa protein (pp65) at serine residues within 5 min more effectively in glucocorticoid-treated PBMC than in untreated PBMC. Fractionation of extracts of IL-1-stimulated prednisolone-pretreated PBMC by ultracentrifugation showed that pp65 is located in the cytosol, suggesting that pp65 is not the IL-1 receptor itself. Protein kinase inhibitors, HA1004 and W-7, but not H-7, significantly inhibited the induction of the phosphorylation of 65-kDa protein by IL-1. These data indicate that the glucocorticoid-induced IL-1 receptor is functional and either contains or is closely associated with a serine kinase that is distinct from protein kinase C.     

IL-1 induces rapid phosphorylation of the IL-1 receptor

The IL-1R on murine T cells is a Mr = 80,000 plasma membrane glycoprotein. cDNA cloning and transfection experiments have shown that this is an integral membrane protein, which binds both IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta and transduces the IL-1 signal. A mAb, RM-5, which binds an epitope on the receptor which is distinct from the IL-1 binding site has been produced in rats. RM-5 has been used to immunoprecipitate the IL-1R from 32P-orthophosphate labeled CHO cells which express approximately 100,000 functional, murine rIL-1R/cell. Phosphorylation of the receptor was observed as early as 1 min after the addition of IL-1 and continued for periods of up to 30 min. Phosphorylation increases as the concentration of IL-1 increases from 10(-13) to 10(-8) M. Potassium hydroxide hydrolysis of the phosphorylated IL-1R shows that more than 90% of the phosphate is incorporated into serine or threonine. Thus, one of the earliest events after IL-1 binding to the IL-1R is activation of a serine/threonine protein kinase and phosphorylation of the IL-1R itself.     

Affinity purification and chemical analysis of the interleukin-1 receptor

Interleukins-1 alpha and -1 beta regulate the metabolism of cells through a common plasma membrane receptor protein. In this study, it is demonstrated that the interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor from detergent solutions of EL-4 cells can be stably adsorbed to nitrocellulose with full retention of IL-1 binding activity. This assay system was used to monitor the purification of the IL-1 receptor and to investigate the effects of several chemical modifications on receptor binding activity. IL-1 receptors extracted from EL-4 6.1 C10 cells can be bound to and specifically eluted from IL-1 alpha coupled to Sepharose. The affinity chromatography method resulted in the identification by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining of a protein of Mr 82,000 that was present in fractions exhibiting IL-1 binding activity. Experiments in which the cell-surface proteins of EL-4 cells were radiolabeled and 125I-labeled receptor was purified by affinity chromatography suggested that the Mr 82,000 protein was expressed on the plasma membrane. N-Glycanase treatment of this material showed that 23-35% of the total Mr (82,000) of the receptor is N-linked carbohydrate.     

Photoaffinity labeling of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors of rat heart

The photoaffinity probe [125I]aryl azidoprazosin was used to examine structural aspects of rat left ventricular alpha 1-adrenergic receptor. Autoradiography of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-resolved proteins from photoaffinity-labeled membranes revealed a specifically labeled protein of mass 77 kDa. Adrenergic drugs competed with the photoaffinity probe for binding to the receptor in a manner expected of an alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist. Because the autoradiographic pattern was unaltered by incubating labeled membranes in gel sample buffer containing high concentrations of reducing agents, the binding component of the cardiac alpha 1-adrenergic receptor appears to be a single polypeptide chain. The photoaffinity probe specifically labeled a single protein of approximately 68 kDa in membranes of cardiac myocytes prepared from rat left ventricles. The role played by sulfhydryls in receptor structure and function was also studied. Dithiothreitol (DTT) inhibited [3H]prazosin binding to left ventricular membranes and altered both the equilibrium dissociation constant and maximal number of [3H]prazosin-binding sites but not the ability of the guanine nucleotide guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate to decrease agonist affinity for the receptors. When photoaffinity-labeled membranes were incubated with 40 mM DTT for 30 min at room temperature, two specifically labeled proteins of 77 and 68 kDa were identified. The DTT-induced conversion of the 77-kDa protein to 68 kDa was irreversible with washing, but the effect of DTT on [3H]prazosin binding was reversible. Both 77- and 68-kDa proteins were observed with liver membranes even in the absence of reducing agent. We suggest that the DTT-induced conversion of the 77-kDa protein to 68 kDa is due to enhancement in protease activity by the reductant. These results document that the cardiac alpha 1-adrenergic receptor is a 77-kDa protein, similar in mass to the receptor in liver and other sites. Proteolysis likely accounts for lower Mr forms of this receptor found in cardiac myocytes and in previous publications on hepatic alpha 1-receptors.     

Attachment to an endogenous laminin-like protein initiates sprouting by leech neurons

Leech neurons in culture sprout rapidly when attached to extracts from connective tissue surrounding the nervous system. Laminin-like molecules that promote sprouting have now been isolated from this extracellular matrix. Two mAbs have been prepared that react on immunoblots with a approximately equal to 220- and a approximately equal to 340-kD polypeptide, respectively. These antibodies have been used to purify molecules with cross-shaped structures in the electron microscope. The molecules, of approximately equal to 10(3) kD on nonreducing SDS gels, have subunits of approximately equal to 340, 220, and 160-180 kD. Attachment to the laminin-like molecules was sufficient to initiate sprouting by single isolated leech neurons in defined medium. This demonstrates directly a function for a laminin-related invertebrate protein. The mAbs directed against the approximately equal to 220-kD chains of the laminin-like leech molecule labeled basement membrane extracellular matrix in leech ganglia and nerves. A polyclonal antiserum against the approximately equal to 220-kD polypeptide inhibited neurite outgrowth. Vertebrate laminin did not mediate the sprouting of leech neurons; similarly, the leech molecule was an inert substrate for vertebrate neurons. Although some traits of structure, function, and distribution are conserved between vertebrate laminin and the invertebrate molecule, our results suggest that the functional domains differ.     

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist binds to the 80-kDa IL-1 receptor but does not initiate IL-1 signal transduction.

The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) is a protein capable of inhibiting receptor binding and biological activities of IL-1 without inducing an IL-1-like response. Equilibrium binding and kinetic experiments show that IL-1ra binds to the 80-kDa IL-1 receptor on the murine thymoma cell line EL4 with an affinity (KD = 150 pM) approximately equal to that of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta for this receptor. However, IL-1ra is unable to induce two early events associated with IL-1 activity. Surface-bound IL-1ra does not undergo receptor-mediated internalization, and IL-1ra does not activate the protein kinase activity responsible for down-modulation of the EGF receptor on the murine 3T3 fibroblast cell line. The failure to induce general, early responses characteristic of IL-1 indicates that IL-1ra is unlikely to act as an agonist on any cell expressing the 80-kDa receptor.     

Identification of cell surface receptors for murine macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha.

We have produced recombinant proteins for a cytokine, L2G25BP (macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha) (MIP-1 alpha). By using the recombinant protein (rMIP-1 alpha), receptors for MIP-1 alpha were identified on Con A-stimulated and unstimulated CTLL-R8, a T cell line, and LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7, a macrophage cell line. The 125I-rMIP-1 alpha binds to the receptor in a specific and saturable manner. Scatchard analysis indicated a single class of high affinity receptor, with a Kd of approximately 1.5 x 10(-9) M and approximately 1200 binding sites/Con A-stimulated CTLL-R8 cell and a Kd of 0.9 x 10(-9) M and approximately 380 binding sites/RAW 264.7 cell. 125I-rMIP-1 alpha binding was inhibited by unlabeled rMIP-1 alpha in a dose-dependent manner, but not by IL-1 alpha or IL-2. rMIP-1 alpha inhibited the proliferation of unstimulated CTLL-R8 cells. Rabbit anti-rMIP-1 alpha antibodies blocked the growth-inhibitory effect of the rMIP-1 alpha on CTLL-R8 cells.     

Presence of high affinity receptor for interleukin-1 (IL-1) on cultured porcine thyroid cells

Using 125I-interleukin-1 beta (125I-IL-1 beta) as a ligand, a specific receptor of high affinity dissociation constant (1.1 +/- 0.2 x 10(-10) M) with binding sites (350 +/- 40/cell) for interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) has been demonstrated on cultured porcine thyroid cells. IL-1 alpha almost equally cross-reacted with the receptor (Kd = 1.2 +/- 0.3 x 10(-10) M and 350 +/- 50 binding sites/cell). TSH, IL-2 and other peptide hormones did not inhibit the binding of 125I-IL-1 beta to thyroid cells. Crosslinking study revealed a major band (approximately 95 kD) with a corrected molecular mass of approximately 78 kD. Moreover, both IL-1 beta and IL-1 alpha stimulated prostaglandin E2 production of cultured porcine thyroid cells, although the potency of IL-1 alpha was slightly greater than that of IL-1 beta. These results suggest that IL-1 may be involved in the regulation of thyroid cell function.     

Interleukin-1 inhibits PGE2 binding to macrophage-like P388D1 cells by a cyclic AMP-independent process.

The interaction between interleukin IL-1 alpha and PGE2 on P388D1 cells has been investigated. Preincubation of murine macrophage-like cells, P388D1, with IL-1 alpha (0-73 pM) reduced the binding of PGE2 to these cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Scatchard analysis showed that IL-1 alpha decreased the PGE2 binding by lowering both the high and low affinity receptor binding capacities (from 0.31 +/- 0.02 to 0.12 +/- 0.01 fmol/10(6) cells for the high affinity receptor binding sites and from 2.41 +/- 0.12 to 1.51 +/- 0.21 fmol/10(6) cells for the low affinity receptor binding sites). However, the dissociation constants of the receptors of the IL-1 alpha-treated cells remained unchanged. Inhibition of PGE2 binding by IL-1 alpha did not involve changes in either protein phosphorylation or intracellular cyclic AMP levels. Our data clearly show that IL-1 alpha inhibits the binding of PGE2 to monocytes/macrophages and may thereby counter the immunosuppressive actions of PGE2.     

The melanoma growth stimulatory activity receptor consists of two proteins. Ligand binding results in enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation.

The human melanoma growth-stimulatory activities (MGSA alpha, beta, gamma/GRO) are products of immediate early genes coding for cytokines that exhibit sequence similarity to platelet factor-4 and beta-thromboglobulin. MGSA/GRO alpha has been demonstrated to partially complete for binding to the approximately 58-kDa neutrophil receptor for another beta-thromboglobulin-related chemotactic protein, IL-8. We demonstrate that when [125I]MGSA/GRO alpha was cross-linked to receptors/binding proteins from human placenta, there were two major [125I]MGSA cross-linked bands of approximately 64,000 and approximately 84,000 Mr. Because [125I]MGSA exists primarily in monomer and dimer forms at the concentrations used here, it is not clear whether the receptor/binding proteins represented by the cross-linked bands are approximately 50,000 and approximately 70,000 or approximately 58,000 and approximately 78,000 Mr. Ligand binding to the receptor proteins is associated with enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of substrates, including proteins in the same Mr range as the MGSA/GRO receptor/binding proteins.     

The use of specific ligands for the vertebrate acetylcholine receptor in the characterization of invertebrate acetylcholine receptors

1. The interaction of two specific ligands for the vertebrate nicotinic acetylcholine receptor were investigated on the solubilized form of a proposed acetylcholine receptor from the invertebrate Limulus polyphemus. 2. The affinity agent 4-(N-maleimodo)benzyltrimethylammonium iodide exhibited no effect on the binding of alpha-bungarotoxin to the Limulus receptor protein. 3. Torpedo acetylcholine receptor antibody neither inhibited alpha-bungarotoxin binding nor produced any alteration in the sedimentation profile of the Limulus receptor. 4. The lack of interaction of 4-(N-maleimido)benzyltrimethylammonium iodide and Torpedo acetylcholine receptor antibody with the Limulus acetylcholine receptor was interpreted to reflect significant difference between the molecular structures of this invertebrate receptor and the acetylcholine receptor of vertebrate.     

Identification of alpha 2-macroglobulin as a cytokine binding plasma protein. Binding of interleukin-1 beta to "F" alpha 2-macroglobulin

Treatment of normal human plasma with methylamine resulted in the discovery of an interleukin-1 beta(IL-1 beta) binding protein. The protein was labeled with 125I-IL-1 beta and the relative molecular mass (Mr) determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The protein-IL-1 beta complex had a Mr of approximately 400,000 in non-reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis but became dissociated when exposed to beta-mercaptoethanol. The 125I-IL-1 beta labeled protein complex could be immunoprecipitated from plasma by using an anti-alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) antiserum. Similarly, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific for electrophoretically fast ("F")alpha 2M was able to adsorb the 125I-IL-1 beta labeled complex from plasma. The mAb was also capable of adsorbing "F" alpha 2M-125I-IL-1 beta complexes from binary reaction mixtures, but failed to adsorb free 125I-IL-1 beta. Experiments carried out with purified plasma alpha 2M established that IL-1 beta became bound to alpha 2M only upon reaction with trypsin or methylamine, which results in the appearance of free thiol groups in alpha 2M ("F" alpha 2M). There was no binding of IL-1 beta to the native form of alpha 2M (electrophoretically slow or "S" alpha 2M), which lacks free thiol groups. Pretreatment of "F" alpha 2M with N-ethylmaleimide or [ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)] tetraacetic acid prevented complex formation between "F" alpha 2M and IL-1 beta. In contrast, the yield of "F" alpha 2M IL-1 beta complex formation was increased severalfold in the presence of 2.5 mM Zn2+. These findings indicate that "F" alpha 2M interacts with IL-1 beta through a thiol-disulfide exchange reaction. Zn2+ may play a major role in bringing together the reactive domains of the adjoining peptide backbones into proper orientation. The ready complex formation between "F" alpha 2M and the pleiotropic cytokine IL-1 beta suggests a novel biological role for "F" alpha 2M, since "F" alpha 2M-IL-1 beta complexes, but not "F" alpha 2M alone, retained IL-1-like activity in the thymocyte costimulator bioassay.     

Earthworm leukocytes react with different mammalian antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies

We identified conserved molecules (enzymes, peptides, cytokines) that might play a role in invertebrate innate immunity. We found these molecules by immunoserological and immunohistochemical methods in association with coelomocytes, leukocytes located in the coelomic cavity of the earthworm Eisenia foetida. We detected the enzyme Cu-Zn-superoxide-dismutase (SOD), cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, TNFalpha; transforming growth factor-alpha, TGFalpha; and alpha peptide hormone, thyreotrope stimulating hormone, TSH) in earthworm coelomocytes with monoclonal antibodies developed originally against human and/or mouse antigens. Three coelomocyte subpopulations were identified according to their form, size and granularity by microscopic and flow cytometric analysis. These cell populations showed different reactivity with antibodies against mammalian cell surface (CD) markers and different intracellular antigens. Two coelomocyte types showed cell surface positivity with anti-Thy-1 (CD90), CD24 and TNF-alpha antibodies. Strong cytoplasmic reaction was shown with anti-TNF-alpha and anti-SOD mAbs and a weaker but unambiguous reaction with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in two cell populations. The third population was negative for all of the monoclonal antibodies. Our flow cytometric results were confirmed by confocal microscopy both on the cell surfaces and intracellularly.     

IL-1 and TNF transmodulate epidermal growth factor receptors by a protein kinase C-independent mechanism

The effect of the human rIL-1 alpha and rTNF-alpha on the binding of 125I-labeled epidermal growth factor ([125I]EGF) to its receptor (EGF-R) has been studied in human gingival fibroblasts (HuGi). Incubation of these cells with recombinant cytokines at 37 degrees C caused a rapid, dose-dependent decrease in their ability to subsequently bind subsaturating levels of [125I]EGF at 4 degrees C. Inhibition was evident at 5 min after addition of cytokines, reached a maximal level (60-70% reduction) after 15 to 30 min, and declined thereafter. Normal EGF binding was attained by 2 h. Half-maximal inhibition of EGF binding occurred at 10 pM IL-1 and 50 pM TNF. The two cytokines were not additive in their effect. Competition experiments at 4 degrees C showed that the cytokines did not interact directly with EGF-R; Scatchard analysis of binding of [125I]EGF to HuGi after treatment with IL-1 and TNF revealed an increase in EGF-R Kd from 0.75 nM to 2.9 nM with no change in receptor number. The effect of IL-1 and TNF on EGF-R was compared with that of the tumor-promotor PMA which is known to "transmodulate" EGF-R affinity by activating protein kinase C which then phosphorylates EGF-R. PMA caused a greater inhibition of EGF binding to HuGi (80 to 85% inhibition; ED50 = 500 pM), and recovery of binding was much slower. Importantly, in HuGi made deficient in protein kinase C by prolonged incubation with PMA, addition of fresh PMA no longer affected EGF binding, while the response to IL-1 and TNF was intact. Cytokine- but not PMA-mediated EGF-R transmodulation was partially reversed by treatment of the cells with millimolar concentrations of the kinase inhibitor amiloride. HuGi were incubated with H3 32PO4, stimulated with PMA or cytokines, and EGF-R were immunoprecipitated; IL-1 and TNF, like PMA, caused a 2- to 5-fold increase in receptor phosphorylation. We conclude that occupation of IL-1 and TNF-R activates a protein kinase, distinct from kinase C, for which EGF-R is a substrate.     

Identification of sites of incorporation in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor of a photoactivatible general anesthetic

Most general anesthetics including long chain aliphatic alcohols act as noncompetitive antagonists of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). To locate the sites of interaction of a long chain alcohol with the Torpedo nAChR, we have used the photoactivatible alcohol 3-[(3)H]azioctanol, which inhibits the nAChR and photoincorporates into nAChR subunits. At 1 and 275 microm, 3-[(3)H]azioctanol photoincorporated into nAChR subunits with increased incorporation in the alpha-subunit in the desensitized state. The incorporation into the alpha-subunit was mapped to two large proteolytic fragments. One fragment of approximately 20 kDa (alpha V8-20), containing the M1, M2, and M3 transmembrane segments, showed enhanced incorporation in the presence of agonist whereas the other of approximately 10 kDa (alpha V8-10), containing the M4 transmembrane segment, did not show agonist-induced incorporation of label. Within alpha V8-20, the primary site of incorporation was alpha Glu-262 at the C-terminal end of alpha M2, labeled preferentially in the desensitized state. The incorporation at alpha Glu-262 approached saturation between 1 microm, with approximately 6% labeled, and 275 microm, with approximately 30% labeled. Low level incorporation was seen in residues at the agonist binding site and the protein-lipid interface at approximately 1% of the levels in alpha Glu-262. Therefore, the primary binding site of 3-azioctanol is within the ion channel with additional lower affinity interactions within the agonist binding site and at the protein-lipid interface.     

Heterogeneity in interleukin (IL)-1 receptors expressed on human B cell lines. Differences in the molecular properties of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta binding sites

IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta although distantly related at the primary sequence level, bind to the same Mr 80,000 IL-1 receptor on various cell types. Several lines of evidence indicate, however, that the IL-1 receptor on B cells and T cells differ. By binding experiments with 125I-IL-1, marked heterogeneity in IL-1 receptor binding was observed in 13 of 24 B cell lines studied. This was classified into three categories: (I) in nine cell lines, 125I-IL-1 alpha binding revealed high (kD = 10(-10) M) and low affinity (kD = 10(-8) M) IL-1 alpha receptors, whereas 125I-IL-1 beta binding showed one class only with intermediate affinity (kD = 10(-9) M); (II) in three cell lines selective binding with 125I-IL-1 beta was observed; (III) in one cell line only, 125IL-1 alpha and 125I-IL-1 beta bind to a single class of IL-1 receptors as has been described for most cell types. Cross-linking with 125I-IL-1 alpha or 125I-IL-1 beta demonstrated their specific binding to Mr 80,000 and to Mr 68,000 in cell lines in categories I and III, whereas for those in category II, binding to the IL-1 receptor was confined to 125I-IL-1 beta. The expression of two subsets of IL-1 alpha receptors but only one class of IL-1 beta receptors was further confirmed in kinetic studies. Internalization at 37 degrees C demonstrated that only 19% of IL-1 beta was internalized and that binding with IL-1 alpha was entirely cell surface. Flow cytometry studies showed that IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta do not influence B cell surface antigen expression, suggesting that the ability of IL-1 to influence B cell proliferation is not mediated via direct binding to the IL-1 receptor only.     

Intermediate filament proteins in echinoderm coelomocytes

The presence and organization of intermediate filament (IF) proteins in petaloid coelomocytes from two species of echinoderms, the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis and the sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa, were studied. Two monoclonal antibodies (IFA and Ah6) and one polyclonal antibody (W3-1) that together recognize invertebrate as well as vertebrate IF proteins were used to probe coelomocytes by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting methods. All three antibodies cross-reacted with a single M_r 68 000 sea urchin lamin, as well as two putative lamin isoforms of approximately M_r 70 000 and 68 000 in sea cucumber coelomocytes. Both IFA and Ah6 labeled granular material in the cytoplasm of sea urchin coelomocytes; by contrast, IFA labeling revealed a striking network of reticular material irregularly arrayed within the central regions of the sea cucumber coelomocyte cytoplasm. In addition, foci of Ah6-positive material were present in coelomocyte nuclei from both species. Comparison of immunoblotting patterns among whole cell and isolated nuclear preparations suggest that the cytoplasmic IF-like material is composed of M_r 46 000 and 58 000 polypeptides, while M_r 215 000 and 185 000 proteins are candidates for the immunoreactive nuclear foci. Further study of the functions of these non-filamentous arrays of IF proteins may furnish valuable insights into the evolution of IF function within vertebrate cells, particularly with respect to certain cytoplasmic and nuclear regulatory functions with which IF proteins have been speculated to be involved.     

Distinct kinetics for binding of the CD46 and SLAM receptors to overlapping sites in the measles virus hemagglutinin protein

Measles virus (MV) is a human pathogen using two distinct cell surface receptors for entry into host cells. We present here a comparative analysis for binding of the MV receptors CD46 and SLAM to the measles virus hemagglutinin protein (MVH, Edmonston strain). Soluble monomeric and dimeric MVH variants were prepared in mammalian cells and their conformation assessed using a panel of monoclonal antibodies. The two receptor molecules specifically bound to the MVH protein with distinct binding modes. The association rate (k(a)) for SLAM binding to MVH was very low ( approximately 3000 m(-1)s(-1)), about 20 times lower that the k(a) determined for CD46 binding. However, SLAM bound tighter to the virus protein than CD46, as revealed by a 5-fold lower dissociation rate (k(d), approximately 1.5 x 10(-3) s(-1)). These data suggest that the SLAM receptor binds to a less accessible and more hydrophobic surface on MVH than the CD46 receptor, as illustrated in a binding model. Despite the differences in kinetics, receptor competition binding experiments revealed that they recognize overlapping sites in MVH. Indeed, a panel of anti-MVH monoclonal antibodies equally inhibited binding of both receptor molecules. The similar immune reactivity of the two receptor binding sites suggests that the shift in receptor usage by MV may not be driven by immune responses.