KIM127, an Antibody that Promotes Adhesion, Maps to a Region of CD18 that Includes Cysteine-Rich Repeats

A series of fusion proteins have been generated between human and mouse CD18. These proteins have been used to carry out preliminary mapping studies on a number of anti-CD18 antibodies including KIM127 an antibody that promotes CD18-dependent adhesion. This antibody maps to a region of the CD18 molecule between amino acids 406 and 570 in a region containing cysteine-rich repeats.     

鞭毛蛋白FliC突变体／HPV18L2N融合蛋白的表达与纯化

目的：人乳头瘤病毒（HPV）的持续性感染导致女性宫颈癌的发生。HPV的次要衣壳蛋白L2可以诱发交叉中和多种型别HPV的中和抗体,但是单独免疫L2诱发的抗体滴度较低。鼠伤寒沙门氏茵鞭毛蛋白FliC是一种有效的佐剂。删除FliC超变区域的突变体可与外源抗原融合表达并且显著增强外源抗原特异性抗体的产生。本研究旨在构建鞭毛蛋白FliC超变区删除突变体与HPV18L2N（aa．13—154）的融合基因,通过大肠杆菌原核表达系统表达F1ic突变体与HPV18L2N的融合蛋白并纯化,为研究鞭毛蛋白的佐剂活性及新型HPV18L2疫苗奠定基础。方法：以鼠伤寒沙门氏菌鞭毛蛋白编码基因fliC为模板,通过重叠PCR法构建删除fliCD3区域（fliCAD3）、D3＋CD2a区域（fliCAD3CD2a）、D3＋D2区域（fliCAD2D3）的突变体,同时将HPV18L2N基因插入置换突变体的超变区删除区域。含有重组基因的表达载体在大肠杆菌中诱导表达,经SDS—PAGE及Westernblot鉴定分析。表达的融合蛋白经Ni—Sepharose亲和层祈纯化及Q-Sepharose离子交换层析去除内毒素。纯化后的融合蛋白经Native—PAGE鉴定分析,通过鲎试剂凝胶法测量蛋白溶液中的内毒素含量。结果：构建了pET22b．fliCAD3／18L2N、pET22b—nic△D3cD2a／18L2N、pET22b—fliCAD2D3／18L2N重组载体。重组载体在大肠杆菌以包涵体形式高效表达,且主要以单体形式存在。结论：通过原核表达及层析法纯化,成功获得了无热源、高纯度的鞭毛蛋白FliC突变体与HPV18L2N的融合蛋白,为增强HPVL2免疫原性提供了一种新的途径,为进一步研制HPV18L2疫苗奠定了基础。     

The anti-inflammatory peptides, antiflammins, regulate the expression of adhesion molecules on human leukocytes and prevent neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells.

Antiflammin-1 and antiflammin-2 are nonapeptides corresponding to the region of highest similarity between glucocorticoid-inducible proteins lipocortin-1 and uteroglobin. We have studied whether antiflammins could affect expression of adhesion molecules on human leukocytes and coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) and binding of neutrophils (PMNs) to HCAEC. Although neither antiflammin-1 nor antiflammin-2 affected expression of adhesion molecules on resting PMNs, monocytes, and lymphocytes in whole blood, they attenuated changes in L-selectin and CD11/CD18 expression evoked by platelet-activating factor or interleukin-8 with IC(50) values of 4-20 micromol/l. The maximum inhibition was similar to those seen with human recombinant lipocortin-1 (100 microgram/ml). Unlike dexamethasone (100 nmol/l), the antiflammins had little effect on LPS-stimulated expression of E-selectin and ICAM-1 on HCAEC. Consistently, culture of HCAEC with dexamethasone, but not with antiflammins, decreased PMN binding to endothelial cells. Preincubation of PMNs with antiflammins markedly decreased their adhesion to LPS-activated HCAEC. Inhibition of adhesion was additive with function blocking anti-E-selectin and anti-L-selectin antibodies, but was not additive with anti-CD18 antibody. These results show that antiflammins inhibit PMN adhesion to HCAEC by attenuating activation-induced up-regulation of CD11/CD18 expression on leukocytes, and suggest that antiflammins may represent a novel therapeutic approach in blocking leukocyte trafficking in host defense and inflammation.     

Analysis of the site in CD4 that binds to the HIV envelope glycoprotein.

The first step in infection of human mononuclear cells with HIV involves the high affinity binding of the viral envelope glycoprotein, gp120, to the cell-surface receptor, CD4. To gain a better understanding of the molecular basis of this interaction, we have analyzed the ability of gp120 to bind to a panel of 40 mutant CD4 proteins containing single or double amino acid substitutions. In addition, the binding of several anti-CD4 mAb to the mutant CD4 proteins was measured. These mAb were chosen on the basis of the previous demonstration that they bind to epitopes in CD4 adjacent to the gp120-binding site. This analysis permits discrimination between mutations that probably cause localized conformational changes and those that alter residues likely to make direct contact with gp120 and with the mAb. Our results indicate that gp120 from two different strains of HIV binds to a larger region of the CD4 protein than previously described. The data has also been used to map the epitopes of mAb previously identified as anti-idiotype vaccine candidates. The results have important implications for the development of CD4-based therapies for AIDS.     

Conformational and structural features of HIV-1 gp120 underlying the dual receptor antagonism by cross-reactive neutralizing antibody m18

We investigated the interaction between cross-reactive HIV-1 neutralizing human monoclonal antibody m18 and HIV-1YU-2 gp120 in an effort to understand how this antibody inhibits the entry of virus into cells. m18 binds to gp120 with high affinity (KD≈5 nM) as measured by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). SPR analysis further showed that m18 inhibits interactions of gp120 with both soluble CD4 and CD4-induced antibodies that have epitopes overlapping the coreceptor binding site. This dual receptor site antagonism, which occurs with equal potency for both inhibition effects, argues that m18 is not functioning as a mimic of CD4, in spite of the presence of a putative CD4-like loop formed by HCDR3 in the antibody. Consistent with this view, m18 was found to interact with gp120 in the presence of saturating concentrations of a CD4-mimicking small molecule gp120 inhibitor, suggesting that m18 does not require unoccupied CD4 Phe43 binding cavity residues of gp120. Thermodynamic analysis of the m18-gp120 interaction suggests that m18 stabilizes a conformation of gp120 that is unique from and less structured than the CD4-stabilized conformation. Conformational mutants of gp120 were studied for their impact on m18 interaction. Mutations known to disrupt the coreceptor binding region and to lead to complete suppression of 17b binding had minimal effects on m18 binding. This argues that energetically important epitopes for m18 binding lie outside the disrupted bridging sheet region used for 17b and coreceptor binding. In contrast, mutations in the CD4 region strongly affected m18 binding. Overall, the results obtained in this work argue that m18, rather than mimicking CD4 directly, suppresses both receptor binding site functions of HIV-1 gp120 by stabilizing a nonproductive conformation of the envelope protein. These results can be related to prior findings about the importance of conformational entrapment as a common mode of action for neutralizing CD4bs antibodies, with differences mainly in epitope utilization and the extent of gp120 structuring.     

Monoclonal antibodies that recognize lacto-N-fucopentaose III (CD15) react with the adhesion-promoting glycoprotein family (LFA-1/HMac-1/gp 150,95) and CR1 on human neutrophils

A variety of monoclonal antibodies has been used to study the roles of surface proteins in neutrophil function. Many monoclonal antibodies that bind to human neutrophils react with the oligosaccharide lacto-N-fucopentaose III. Sequential immunoprecipitation of radiolabeled proteins from extracts of neutrophils labeled at the cell surface with 125I, and partial proteolysis peptide mapping studies were used to compare the proteins recognized by several widely used monoclonal antibodies that react with human neutrophils. The monoclonal antibodies that react with lacto-N-fucopentaose III (CD15) immunoprecipitated five distinct neutrophil surface proteins. The data indicate that CD15 monoclonal antibodies react with a subset of the LFA-1/HMac-1/gp 150,95 glycoprotein family as well as with CR1 on human neutrophils. The CD15 antibodies studied differed in their avidities for these proteins. The molecules immunoprecipitated by the CD15 antibodies tested were more resistant to proteolysis than the homologous proteins immunoprecipitated by the other monoclonal antibodies studied that react directly with the alpha M (CD11) or beta (CD18) chains of the LFA-1/HMac-1/gp 150,95 glycoprotein family. Some of the differences in antibody reactivity and protease sensitivity of the membrane proteins recognized by these antibodies may be due to differences in glycosylation. The data suggest that the antibodies studied can detect differences in post-translational modification among copies of certain surface proteins.     

Histone H1; A neuronal protein that binds bacterial lipopolysaccharide

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potent inflammogen following systemic infection. Macrophages express a number of surface molecules including CD14, CD18 and the scavenger receptor that are capable of recognizing and binding LPS. Injection of the CNS with LPS produces an atypical inflammatory response including a delay in the recruitment of macrophages to the brain parenchyma. We have shown using a ligand blot overlay approach, that LPS is capable of binding to histone H1 present in brain homogenate. The ability of LPS to bind to H1 has only been previously shown for monocytes. Subsequent immunohistochemistry revealed that the anti-H1 antibody, ANA-108, stained neuronal cell bodies and was located in the membrane, possibly at the cell surface. Further experiments revealed that the H1 antigen recognized by the ANA-108 antibody was not a histone wholly restricted to the nucleus but may represent a novel CNS form of the protein. This observation has implications for the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) due to the presence of auto-antibodies, particularly against DNA and nuclear proteins, in serum. The formation of immune complexes in various organs leads to severe dysfunction. Anti-histone antibodies are typical of the auto-antibodies found in SLE serum and the presence of the H1 antigen on the surface of neurons could provide an insight into biology underlying the neurological problems associated with SLE.     

Delineation of a novel pathway that regulates CD154 (CD40 ligand) expression

The expression of CD154 (CD40 ligand) by activated T lymphocytes plays a central role in humoral and cellular immunity. The fundamental importance of this protein in mounting an immune response has made it an attractive target for immunomodulation. Several studies have demonstrated that CD154 expression is regulated at the level of mRNA turnover in a manner distinct from other cytokine genes. We have purified, sequenced, and characterized the two major proteins that bind the CD154 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) as members of the polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB) family. One of these proteins is a previously unreported alternatively spliced PTB isoform, which we call PTB-T. These proteins interact with a polypyrimidine-rich region within the CD154 3'UTR that lacks any known cis-acting instability elements. The polypyrimidine-rich region of the CD154 3'UTR was both necessary and sufficient to mediate changes in reporter gene expression and mRNA accumulation, indicating the presence of a novel cis-acting instability element. The presence of a cis-acting instability element in the polypyrimidine-rich region was confirmed using a tetracycline-responsive reporter gene approach. The function of this cis-acting element appears to be dependent on the relative cytoplasmic levels of PTB and PTB-T. Cotransfection of vectors encoding PTB-T consistently decreased the CD154 3'UTR-dependent luciferase expression. In contrast, transfection of plasmids encoding PTB tended to increase CD154 3'UTR-dependent luciferase expression. Thus, the CD154 3'UTR contains a novel cis-acting element whose function is determined by the binding of PTB and PTB-T. These data identify a specific pathway that regulates CD154 expression that can potentially be selectively targeted for the treatment of autoimmune disease and allograft rejection.     

The leukotoxin of Pasteurella haemolytica binds to β2 integrins on bovine leukocytes

The putative receptor proteins of Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxin were isolated from bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophil lysate by affinity chromatography on a leukotoxin-specific monoclonal antibody column to which the leukotoxin was pre-bound. SDS-PAGE of the purified proteins showed four bands at 180 kDa, 170 kDa, 150 kDa and 95 kDa, in addition to the expected 102-kDa leukotoxin band and a series of bands with molecular masses lower than 102 kDa representing the disintegrated leukotoxin. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the 170-kDa band showed homology with human and murine CD11b. The purified proteins reacted specifically with monoclonal antibodies specific for CD11a, CD11b, CD11c (the alpha chains of beta(2) integrins), and CD18 (the beta chain of beta(2) integrins). Pre-incubation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils with a monoclonal antibody specific for CD18 reduced the cytotoxicity of the leukotoxin to the cells. These results indicate that the leukotoxin binds to the beta(2) integrins on bovine leukocytes, very likely via CD18.     

Identification of a novel peptide motif that mediates cross-linking of proteins to cell walls

A cDNA clone representing a member of a novel class of cell wall proteins was isolated from tobacco plants. We have designated this protein NtTLRP for tyrosine- and lysine-rich protein. It is structurally related to the previously identified TLRP from tomato plants, sharing a high amino-acid sequence similarity at the C-terminal region. This region contains what appears to be a novel peptide motif which we call CD for cysteine-rich domain, and which is common to several other cell-wall proteins. By using a functional test in transgenic plants, we demonstrate that the presence of the CD domain is per se sufficient to cross-link previously soluble proteins to the cell wall. We present evidence that NtTLRP is cross-linked and specifically localizes to the cell wall of lignified cells. The highly localized deposition of NtTLRP in these cells indicates that this class of cell-wall proteins may have a specialized function in the formation of xylem tissue.     

Detection of CD3epsilon polymorphism in cynomolgus monkeys by a method based on RFLP

We previously reported that peripheral lymphocytes from about 12% of cynomolgus monkeys lacked reactivity with anti-rhesus monkey CD3 monoclonal antibody (FN18). The nucleotide sequence analysis of the genes encoding CD3 component proteins revealed that a single amino acid substitutions found in the CD3epsilon chain determined the phenotype. In this study, we attempted to develop a method based on the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and apply it for determination of the genotypes of individual monkeys. Comparison of the phenotype determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis with the genotype determined by RFLP analysis revealed that the FN18 -positive trait was dominant over the FN18-negative trait. It was also revealed that allele frequency was significantly different among macaques depending on the geographical region where their ancestors were derived from.     

A functional, discontinuous HIV-1 gp120 C3/C4 domain-derived, branched, synthetic peptide that binds to CD4 and inhibits MIP-1alpha chemokine binding.

This paper describes a branched synthetic peptide [3.7] that incorporates sequence discontinuous residues of HIV-1 gp120 constant regions. The approach was to bring together residues of gp120 known to interact with human cell membranes such that the peptide could fold to mimic the native molecule. The peptide incorporates elements of both the conserved CD4 and CCR5 binding sites. The 3.7 peptide, which cannot be produced by conventional genetic engineering methods, is recognized by antiserum raised to native gp120. The peptide also binds to CD4 and competitively inhibits binding of QS4120 an antibody directed against the CDR2 region of CD4. When preincubated with the CD4+ve MM6 macrophage cell line, which expresses mRNA for the CCR3 and CCR5 chemokine receptors, both 3.7 and gp120 inhibit binding of the chemokine MIP-1alpha. The peptide also inhibits infection of primary macrophages by M-tropic HIV-1. Thus, 3.7 is a prototype candidate peptide for a vaccine against HIV-1 and represents a novel approach to the rational design of peptides that can mimic complex sequence discontinuous ligand binding sites of clinically relevant proteins.     

Isolation and characterization of the B-cell marker CD20

The integral membrane protein CD20 has been identified as an important therapeutic target in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). CD20 binding of many antibodies including the therapeutic antibody, rituximab, has been shown to be critically dependent upon the conformation of a loop structure between the third and fourth helical transmembrane regions. In this work, human and murine CD20 proteins expressed in Escherichia coli are shown to be localized with the cell membrane and are purified in nondenaturing detergent solutions. The purified human and murine CD20 proteins have a substantial helical structure as measured by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Only small changes in the secondary structure are observed following the reduction of CD20, with the addition of SDS, or after heating. The rituximab antibody is shown to bind to purified human CD20 with nanomolar affinity. Rituximab binding is abolished by reduction and alkylation of CD20, with data consistent with the proposed antibody epitope being within the disulfide-bonded loop formed between cysteine residues 167 and 183. Disulfide-bond-dependent antibody binding is partially recovered following reoxidation of reduced CD20. Antibody binding is unaffected by mutations of cysteines proposed to be in the intracellular domain of CD20. The affinities of intact rituximab and its Fab fragment to the isolated and purified CD20 are similar to the observed affinity of rituximab Fab for CD20 on the surface of B cells. However, the intact rituximab antibody shows much higher affinity for CD20 on B cells. This suggests that B cells display CD20 in such a way that allows for marked avidity effects to be observed, perhaps through cross-linking of CD20 monomers into lipid rafts, which limits receptor diffusion in the membrane. Such cross-linking may play a role in partitioning CD20 into lipid rafts and in enhancing antibody-dependent B-cell depletion activities of rituximab and other therapeutic anti-CD20 antibodies.     

Cytokine-induced respiratory burst of human neutrophils: dependence on extracellular matrix proteins and CD11/CD18 integrins

Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) released large quantities of hydrogen peroxide in response to tumor necrosis factor, but only when the cells were adherent to surfaces coated with extracellular matrix proteins. The PMN did not respond when exposed to cytokines and matrix proteins in suspension, or when exposed to cytokines while adherent to surfaces coated with stearic acid. PMN from children with genetic deficiency of the CD11/CD18 integrins underwent a normal respiratory burst upon adherence to uncoated polystyrene, but not in response to tumor necrosis factor when tested on polystyrene that was coated with serum, fibronectin, vitronectin, fibrinogen, thrombospondin, or laminin. Anti-CD18 antibodies, alone of sixteen antibodies tested, induced a similar defect in PMN from normal donors, when the PMN were tested on surfaces coated with serum, fibrinogen, thrombospondin, or laminin; no defect was induced by the anti-CD18 monoclonal antibody IB4 in normal PMN tested on surfaces coated with fibronectin or vitronectin. Thus, for cytokines to induce a respiratory burst in PMN, the cells must be able to use CD11/CD18 integrins and must interact with matrix proteins in the solid phase. CD11/CD18, which is already known to serve as a receptor for fibrinogen, may also be a receptor for thrombospondin and laminin. Finally, receptor(s) exist on PMN for fibronectin and vitronectin which are not blocked by the anti-CD18 antibody IB4 but which are nonetheless CD11/CD18 dependent.     

Monoclonal antibody to the human glucose transporter that differentiates between the glucose and nucleoside transporters

A monoclonal antibody to the glucose transporter has been prepared with band 4.5 (Mr 45,000-65,000) from human erythrocyte ghosts as antigen. This antibody, designated 7F7.5, is of the IgG2b type. The antibody bound exclusively to proteins in the band 4.5 region of immunoblots of human erythrocyte ghosts separated on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. Immobilized 7F7.5 antibody removed glucose transport activity from solubilized alkaline-treated ghosts. The material that was eluted from the immobilized antibody matrix migrated primarily in the band 4.5 region of electrophoretic gels and bound the antibody in immunoblots. To test the specificity of the antibody, glucose and nucleoside transporters in alkaline-treated human erythrocyte ghosts were affinity labeled with [3H]cytochalasin B and [3H]-S-(nitrobenzyl)thioinosine (NBMPR), respectively. Both of these transporters are band 4.5 proteins and "copurify" by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. A filter paper assay was developed to assess the presence of the labeled transporters. Immobilized 7F7.5 antibody bound 99% of the labeled glucose transporter. In contrast, only 3% of the specifically labeled nucleoside transporter bound to the immobilized antibody. Furthermore, the antibody did not remove nucleoside transport or NBMPR binding activities from detergent solution. The antibody recognized two tryptic fragments, Mr 23,000 and 18,000, which contain the cytochalasin B binding site of the glucose transporter. By immunoblot, the monoclonal antibody recognized the glucose transporter in cultured human IM9 lymphocytes, synovial cells, and HBL 100 mammary cells but not cells of murine or rat origin. These results indicate that the glucose and nucleoside transporters are distinct proteins which can be distinguished by monoclonal antibody 7F7.5. The method developed to quantitate covalently labeled glucose and nucleoside transporters should have broad applicability as a rapid and easy method for determining the recovery of affinity-labeled membrane proteins in detergent solution during purification. Because of the location of the epitope, the antibody itself should prove to be a valuable tool in establishing the molecular basis for the function and regulation of the glucose transporter.     

Design, structure and biological activity of beta-turn peptides of CD2 protein for inhibition of T-cell adhesion.

The interaction between cell-adhesion molecules CD2 and CD58 is critical for an immune response. Modulation or inhibition of these interactions has been shown to be therapeutically useful. Synthetic 12-mer linear and cyclic peptides, and cyclic hexapeptides based on rat CD2 protein, were designed to modulate CD2-CD58 interaction. The synthetic peptides effectively blocked the interaction between CD2-CD58 proteins as demonstrated by antibody binding, E-rosetting and heterotypic adhesion assays. NMR and molecular modeling studies indicated that the synthetic cyclic peptides exhibit beta-turn structure in solution and closely mimic the beta-turn structure of the surface epitopes of the CD2 protein. Docking studies of CD2 peptides and CD58 protein revealed the possible binding sites of the cyclic peptides on CD58 protein. The designed cyclic peptides with beta-turn structure have the ability to modulate the CD2-CD58 interaction.     

Syntaxin 18, a SNAP receptor that functions in the endoplasmic reticulum, intermediate compartment, and cis-Golgi vesicle trafficking

Members of the syntaxin family are target-soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor-attachment protein receptors involved in vesicle docking and/or fusion within the exocytic and endocytotic pathways. By using the yeast two-hybrid system, we have identified a novel member of the syntaxin family, syntaxin 18, that binds to alpha-soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor-attachment protein. Subcellular fractionation and immunocytochemical analysis revealed that syntaxin 18 is principally located in the endoplasmic reticulum. We examined the effect of overexpression of FLAG-tagged syntaxin 18 and a mutant lacking the N-terminal 81 amino acid residues on protein transport and organelles in the early secretory pathway. Both expressed proteins localized to the endoplasmic reticulum, and the expressed FLAG-syntaxin 18 caused remarkable aggregation of endoplasmic reticulum membranes. Although expression of the FLAG-syntaxin 18 lacking the N-terminal region produced less effect on the morphology of the endoplasmic reticulum, dispersion of the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment and cis-Golgi was elicited. Moreover, overexpression of the FLAG-syntaxin 18 mutant inhibited protein export from the endoplasmic reticulum. These results taken together suggest that syntaxin 18 functions in transport between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi.     

MS-KIF18A, a kinesin, is associated with estrogen receptor

The study of MS-KIF18A kinesin protein is focused on its cellular distribution and association with a cargo protein. Indirect immunofluorescence (IF) analyzed the intracellular distribution of endogenous MS-KIF18A and the transfected enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP)-MS-KIF18A in osteogenic cells. In both cases, the proteins were localized at the plasma membrane, cytosol, and nucleus. Bioinformatics analysis suggested interactions between MS-KIF18A and estrogen receptor (ERalpha) which were further elucidated by immunoprecipitation (IP). We identified interaction between endogenous MS-KIF18A with 66 and 46 kDa isoforms of ERalpha in MBA-15 cells. Moreover, MS-KIF18A and 66 kDa ERalpha complex has been demonstrated between ectopically expressed proteins in COS-7 cells. We have shown that anti-MS-KIF18A antibody immunoprecipitated the ERalpha and pERK in cells challenged with 17beta-estrogen (17beta-E2). The hormone activation induced mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway and increased p-ERK. The activation was interfered when cells were pre-treated with either ICI-182,780 or MAPK inhibitor PD98059 prior the challenge with 17beta-E2 that resulted in a decrease in association between MS-KIF18A and p-ERK1/2. The obtained results suggest a role for the proteins in a non-genomic response of MBA-15 cells challenged with 17beta-E2. This study presents a novel interaction between MS-KIF18A and ER that may have important physiological and pharmacological implications for estrogen action in various cells.     

Single chain antibodies that recognize the N-glycosylation site

We aimed to identify antibodies that can recognize the Asn-Xaa-Ser/Thr(NXS/T) N-glycosylation site that guides oligosaccharyltransferase (OT) activity. We used synthetic Asn-Cys-Ser/Thr(NCS/T) tripeptides conjugated to bovine serum albumin to isolate single chain antibody fragments of a variable region (scFv) from the Griffin 1 phage antibody library. Although Ser and Thr have different side chains, the scFv proteins thus isolated bound to both NCS and NCT with Kd values of the order of 10(-6) M and accepted the substitution of the Cys residue with various amino acids, including Ala, Gly, and Val. However, these proteins recognized neither Asn-Pro-Ser/Thr nor non-NXS/T tripeptides. The scFv proteins recognized NCS/T and N-glycosylation site of mutant yeast protein disulfide isomerase when they were in their native but not denatured state. These results indicate that antibody recognition of the NXS/T motif is conformation dependent and suggest that NXS/T spontaneously adopts a specific conformation that is necessary for antibody recognition. These features are likely to correlate with the known binding specificity of OT.     

Modulation of CD11b/CD18 adhesive activity by its extracellular,membrane-proximal regions

The integrin receptor CD11b/CD18 is normally kept in a low adhesive state and can be activated by many different agents. However, the mechanism underlying receptor activation is not yet fully understood. We hypothesized that the extracellular, membrane-proximal regions of CD11b/CD18 are critically involved in modulation of its adhesive functions. To test our hypothesis, we perturbed the extracellular, membrane-proximal regions of individual CD11b and CD18 subunits and studied their effect on ligand binding, receptor clustering, and lipid raft association. We report here three major findings: 1) perturbation of the extracellular, membrane-proximal region of either subunit leads to enhanced adhesion, caused by changes in receptor conformation, but not the state of receptor clustering or lipid raft association; 2) the CD11b subunit plays a more important role in confining the receptor in an inactive state; and 3) upon modification of the extracellular, membrane-proximal region, the mutant CD11b/CD18 acquires the ability to respond to stimulation by "inside-out" signaling. Our results suggest that the extracellular, membrane-proximal region of the receptor plays an important role in integrin activation and therefore could be targeted by certain cell surface proteins as a conduit to control the integrin "inside-out" signaling process.