Molecular characterization of Marek's disease herpesvirus B antigen.

The Marek's disease herpesvirus (MDHV) B antigen (MDHV-B) was identified and molecularly characterized as a set of three glycoproteins of 100,000, 60,000, and 49,000 apparent molecular weight (gp100, gp60, and gp49, respectively) by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) after immunoprecipitation from [35S]methionine-labeled infected cells by specific rabbit antiserum directed against MDHV-B (R alpha B), as previously determined by immunodiffusion. Further identification was accomplished by blocking this immunoprecipitation with highly purified MDHV-B. The same set of three polypeptides was also immunoprecipitated from [35S]methionine- and 14C-labeled infected cells with two other sera shown to have anti-B activity, i.e., rabbit anti-MDHV-infected-cell plasma membrane (R alpha PM) and immune chicken serum from birds naturally infected with MDHV. The three herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) B-antigen (HVT-B) glycoproteins immunoprecipitated with all three sera containing anti-B activity were also shown to be identical in size to those of MDHV-B by immunoprecipitation and SDS-PAGE. These data serve to clarify the molecular identification of the polypeptides found in common between MDHV and HVT by linking them to MDHV-B, previously identified only by immunodiffusion, and to a similarly sized set of immunologically related common glycoproteins called gp100, gp60, and gp49, detected with monoclonal antibody by other workers. Tunicamycin inhibition of N-linked glycosylation resulted in either nonglycosylated or O-linked glycosylated putative precursors of MDHV-B and HVT-B with apparent molecular weights of 88,000, called pr88, and 44,000, tentatively called pr44, both immunoprecipitable with all three sera. However, the relationships of these two polypeptides to each other and to the overall precursor-processing relationship of the MDHV-B complex remains to be elucidated. The three fully glycosylated B-antigen polypeptides were not connected by disulfide linkage. Collectively, the data presented here and by others support the conclusion that all three glycoproteins now identified as gp100, gp60, and gp49 have MDHV-B determinants. Finally, detection of the same three polypeptides with well-absorbed R alpha PM, which was directed against purified infected-cell plasma membranes, suggests that at least one component of the B-antigen complex has a plasma membrane location in the infected cell.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Expression of the Marek''s disease virus homolog of herpes simplex virus glycoprotein B in Escherichia coli and its identification as B antigen.

Marek's disease (MD) is an oncogenic disease of chickens caused by MD virus (MDV). Among the major glycoproteins found in MDV-infected cells are gp100, gp60, and gp49, detected by immunoprecipitation and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis with antisera previously shown to be reactive with B antigen in immunodiffusion analysis. Following treatment with tunicamycin (TM), an inhibitor of N-linked glycosylation, the same sera were reported to detect two molecules called pr88 and pr44. However, the gene encoding B antigen was not unequivocally identified. Recently, an MDV homolog of the gene encoding herpes simplex virus glycoprotein B (gB) was identified and sequenced (L. J. N. Ross, M. Sanderson, S. D. Scott, M. M. Binns, T. Doel, and B. Milne, J. Gen. Virol. 70:1789-1804, 1989). To determine whether the MDV gB homolog gene might encode the B antigen, antisera against trpE fusion proteins of the MDV gB homolog (trpE-MDV-gB) were prepared. These antisera immunoprecipitated gp100, gp60, gp49, and a 92-kDa precursor polypeptide (pr88, now designated 92-kDa pr88, in the presence of TM) from MDV-infected cell lysates. On the basis of size comparison, trpE-MDV-gB competition and blocking assays, and the fact that gp100, gp60, gp49, and 92-kDa pr88 could be detected in MDV-infected cells with antisera specific to both MDV B antigen and the gB homolog, it was concluded that (i) the MDV gB homolog gene encodes MDV B antigen and (ii) 92-kDa pr88 is the primary precursor polypeptide. The antisera against trpE-MDV-gB also contained antibody reactive with the herpesvirus of turkey gB homolog, consistent with the known antigenic relatedness between the MDV and herpesvirus of turkey B antigens. TM inhibition data and results from pulse-chase analysis with MDV-infected cells show that MDV gB homolog processing involves cotranslational glycosylation of 92-kDa pr88 to form gp100, which is then cleaved to form gp60 and gp49, the N- and C-terminal halves, respectively, of gp100. This processing pathway is consistent with those of other gB homologs, further supporting the gene identification described above. The conclusions of this study will facilitate future research on the immunobiology of MD, especially studies on the mechanism of immunoprotection.     

Synthesis, processing, and secretion of the Marek''s disease herpesvirus A antigen glycoprotein.

The 57,000- to 65,000-dalton (Da) Marek's disease herpesvirus A (MDHV-A) antigen glycoprotein (gp57-65) has a 47,000-Da unglycosylated precursor polypeptide (pr47), as determined by immunological detection after cell-free translation of infected-cell mRNA. Cleavage of its signal peptide yielded a 44,000-Da precursor polypeptide molecule (pr44), detected both in vivo after tunicamycin inhibition of glycosylation and in vitro after dog pancreas microsome processing of pr47. High-resolution pulse-chase studies showed that pr44 was quickly glycosylated (within 1 min) to nearly full size, a rapid processing time consistent with a cotranslational mode of glycosylation. This major glycosylation intermediate was further modified 6 to 30 min postsynthesis (including the addition of sialic acid), and mature MDHV-A was secreted 30 to 120 min postsynthesis. Limited apparent secretion of pr44 occurred only in the first minute postsynthesis, in contrast to the later secretion of most of the MDHV-A polypeptide as the fully glycosylated form described above. In addition, in the presence of tunicamycin a small fraction of the newly synthesized MDHV-A protein appeared as a secreted, partially glycosylated, heterogeneously sized precursor larger than pr44. pr44 constituted the major fraction of the new MDHV-A made in the presence of the inhibitor but the precursor was smaller than mature MDHV-A. These data indicate that there is a minor glycosylation pathway not sensitive to tunicamycin and that "normal" glycosylation is not necessary for secretion. Collectively, the data demonstrate that the rapid release of most of the fully glycosylated form of MHDV-A from the cell shortly after synthesis is true secretion in a well-regulated and precisely programmed way and not the result of cell death and disruption.     

Structural analysis of the varicella-zoster virus gp98-gp62 complex: posttranslational addition of N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharide moieties.

Varicella-zoster virus specifies the formation of several glycoproteins, including the preponderant gp98-gp62 glycoprotein complex in the outer membranes of virus-infected cells. These viral glycoproteins are recognized and precipitated by a previously described monoclonal antibody designated monoclone 3B3. When an immunoblot analysis was performed, only gp98 was reactive with monoclone 3B3 antibody; likewise, titration in the presence of increased concentrations of sodium dodecyl sulfate during antigen-antibody incubations caused selective precipitation of gp98 but not gp62. Further structural analyses of gp98 were performed by using the glycosidases endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H (endoglycosidase H) and neuraminidase and two inhibitors of glycosylation (tunicamycin and monensin). In addition to gp98, antibody 3B3 reacted with several intermediate products, including gp90, gp88, gp81, and a nonglycosylated polypeptide, p73. Since gp98 was completely resistant to digestion with endoglycosidase H, it contained only complex carbohydrate moieties; conversely, gp81 contained mainly high-mannose residues. Polypeptide p73 was immunodetected in the presence of tunicamycin and designated as a nascent recipient of N-linked sugars, whereas gp88 was considered to contain O-linked oligosaccharides because its synthesis was not affected by tunicamycin. The ionophore monensin inhibited production of mature gp98, but other intermediate forms, including gp90, were detected. Since the latter product was similar in molecular weight to the desialated form of gp98, one effect of monensin treatment of varicella-zoster virus-infected cells was to block the addition of N-acetylneuraminic acid. Monensin also blocked insertion of gp98 into the plasma membrane and, as determined by electron microscopy, inhibited envelopment of the nucleocapsid and its transport within the cytoplasm. On the basis of this study, we reached the following conclusions: the primary antibody 3B3-binding epitope is located on gp98, gp98 is a mature product of viral glycoprotein processing, gp98 contains both N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharide side chains, gp90 is the desialated penultimate form of gp98, gp88 is an O-linked intermediate of gp98, gp81 is the high-mannose intermediate of gp98, and p73 is the unglycosylated precursor of gp98.     

Biosynthesis of an unglycosylated envelope glycoprotein of Rous sarcoma virus in the presence of tunicamycin.

Cells stably infected with Rous sarcoma virus were treated with tunicamycin to prevent the glycosylation of the precursor (pr92gp) to the two viral envelope glycoproteins gp85 and gp35. Pretreatment of the cells for 4 h with the antibiotic resulted in a 90% reduction in [3H]mannose incorporation into total cellular glycoproteins, intracellular viral glycoproteins, and released virus particles. Protein synthesis and virus particle formation were not significantly affected by the treatment. A new polypeptide made in the presence of the drug was identified by immunoprecipitation of pulse-labeled cell lysates with monospecific anti-gp85 and anti-gp35 sera. This polypeptide, migrating on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels as a molecule of 62,000 daltons (pr62), contained no [3H]mannose, was labeled with [S35]methionine and [3H]arginine, could not be chased into the higher-molecular-weight glycosylated form, and contained the same [3H]arginine tryptic peptides as pr92gp. The unglycosylated pr62 was still detectable 2 h after the pulse labeling of the cells. The lack of glycosylation of pr62 did not seem to reduce its stability. No clear evidence for the incorporation of this molecule or its cleavage products into viral particles could be obtained. To code for an envelope polypeptide of 62,000 daltons, only about 1,500 nucleotides or 15% of the total coding capacity of the virus are needed.     

Immunochemical characterization of gp115, a yeast glycoprotein modulated by the cell cycle

A cell cycle-modulated glycoprotein (gp115, 115 kDa, isoelectric point 4.8-5) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been purified by Concanavalin A-affinity chromatography, followed by preparative two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, from yeast membrane proteins solubilized in Triton X-100. Antisera have been generated against the electrophoretically purified protein. Their specificity has been established by immunoblot analysis and by comparison of the partial proteolytic map obtained for the immunoprecipitated 35S-labeled 115 kDa polypeptide with that of the in vivo [35S]methionine-labeled gp115 isolated from two-dimensional gels. In tunicamycin-treated cells the immunoblot analysis identifies an unglycosylated precursor (86-88 kDa) and in sec18 mutant cells at the restrictive temperature an intermediary precursor of about 100 kDa. Six to seven carbohydrate chains have been estimated to be present on the gp115 protein, accounting for an electrophoretic shift corresponding to about 27 to 29 kDa of its relative molecular mass. Affinity-purified antibodies against the unglycosylated precursor (86-88 kDa) of gp115 were prepared and used to localize gp115 by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. The similarity between the pattern of fluorescence obtained with these antibodies and that obtained using anti-plasma membrane H+-ATPase antibodies suggests an association of gp115 with the plasma membrane.     

Biosynthesis and molecular nature of the T3 antigen of human T lymphocytes

Immunoprecipitates of the T3 antigen prepared from HPB-ALL cells by using the monoclonal antibody UCH-T1 were analysed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Cells which had been biosynthetically labelled for up to 4 h gave a major polypeptide of mol. wt. 19 000 plus two weaker, more diffuse bands of mol. wts. 21 000 and 23 000, whereas surface labelled cells gave a prominent band of mol. wt. 19 000, a major band of 21 000 and a weaker diffuse band of approximately 26 000. As judged from their sensitivity to proteinase-K digestion, all the above polypeptides possess a transmembrane orientation. Digestion with endoglycosidases H and F (endo-H and endo-F), and tunicamycin treatment indicate that all the polypeptides, except that of 19 000 mol. wt. are N-glycosylated. The 21 000 and 23 000 mol. wt. chains possess both immature and mature oligosaccharide units, whereas the 26 000 mol. wt. band apparently has mature units only. Pulse chase experiments combined with digestion by endo-F and endo-H suggest that the N-glycosylated polypeptides are derived from two polypeptides of mol. wts. 14 000 and 16 000. It is concluded that the T3 antigen is derived from three different non-glycosylated polypeptides two of which are subsequently N-glycosylated to give the 21 000, 23 000 and 26 000 forms. The cell surface T3 antigen most probably comprises at least two distinct, non-covalently associated polypeptides, but the number and types of polypeptides giving rise to the whole molecule and whether different complexes exist is at present unclear.     

Neutralizing determinants defined by monoclonal antibodies on polypeptides specified by bovine herpesvirus 1.

Monoclonal antibodies were used to study neutralizing determinants on polypeptides of bovine herpesvirus 1. Two of three monoclonal antibodies which recognized nonoverlapping epitopes on a glycoprotein of 82,000 daltons were found to neutralize. A second group of monoclonal antibodies that individually precipitated five viral glycopolypeptides ranging in size from 102,000 to 55,000 daltons also neutralized. Two monoclonal antibodies which were the most efficient in neutralization recognized a non-glycosylated protein of 115,000 daltons which was the major polypeptide on the virus. A fourth group of monoclonal antibodies precipitated a non-glycosylated polypeptide of 91,000 daltons and several smaller polypeptides, but these antibodies demonstrated only limited neutralizing activity.     

Biosynthesis and maturation of lactase-phlorizin hydrolase in the human small intestinal epithelial cells.

The biosynthesis and maturation of the human intestinal lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (LPH; EC 3.2.1.23-3.2.1.62) has been studied in cultured intestinal biopsies and mucosal explants. Short time pulse labelling revealed on high mannose intermediate of Mr 215,000 which was converted upon endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H (endo-H) digestion to a polypeptide of Mr 200,000. The brush border form of LPH was revealed after longer pulse periods and has Mr 160,000. It possesses mainly complex oligosaccharide chains and, owing to its partial endo-H sensitivity, at least one chain of the high mannose type. Leupeptin partially inhibited the appearance of the Mr-160,000 polypeptide. Monensin treatment of biopsies resulted in the modification of the Mr-160,000 species to the Mr-140,000 molecule, which was endo-H sensitive. Pulse-chase analysis indicated a slow post-translational processing of the high mannose precursor (Mr 215,000) to yield the mature brush-border form (Mr 160,000) of LPH. Our results further indicate that LPH is synthesized as a single polypeptide precursor which is intracellularly cleaved to yield the mature brush border of LPH. The data presented suggest that this cleavage occurs during the translocation of the molecule across the Golgi complex.     

Isolation and characterization of a human T lymphocyte-associated glycoprotein (gp40)

The biosynthetic and structural characteristics of the human thymocyte/T cell antigen defined by the monoclonal antibody WT1 have been studied. WT1 identified a monomeric cell surface glycoprotein of Mr = 40,000 ( gp40 ). Cross-absorption experiments and two-dimensional gel analyses indicate that WT1 and another monoclonal antibody, 3A1, react with the same structure. This glycoprotein was asymmetrically inserted into the rough endoplasmic reticulum as a transmembrane structure. At this stage, the polypeptide chain possessed two N-linked, "high-mannose" type glycans; these were subsequently processed into endo-H-insensitive, complex oligosaccharides during intracellular transport to the cell surface. Inhibition of N-linked glycosylation with tunicamycin failed to block the processing of the nonglycosylated Mr = 29,000 polypeptide to a glycoprotein of Mr = 33,000. Cleavage of the mature Mr = 40,000 form with endo-F yielded a similar Mr = 33,000 product. The kinetics of synthesis of the Mr = 33,000 intermediate in conjunction with gal-NAc oligosaccharidase digestion indicated the presence of O-linked glycans in the mature cell surface WT1 antigen. The fully processed cell surface form of the polypeptide also contains covalently associated fatty acid, and was labeled by 32P phosphate, the predominantly labeled phosphoamino acid being phosphoserine. We also demonstrate biochemically that the reactivity of WT1 with cells from a few patients with acute myeloid leukemia reflects genuine expression of the gp40 structure on myeloid cells.     

MCF-specific murine monoclonal antibodies made against AKR-247 MCF virus recognize a unique determinant associated with the gp70-p-15(E) complex.

Hybridomas obtained from (NFS X AKR)F mice immunized with syngeneic cells infected with AKR-247 MCF virus produced antibodies specific for only AKR-247 or closely related MCF viruses which hare a previously defined MCF antigen (MCFA-3). These monoclonal antibodies recognized a new type of viral antigenic determinant which appeared to be a conformational determinant associated with the env precursor polyprotein (pr80env) or its disulfide-linked gp70-p15(E) complex (gp80) but not with free gp70 or p15(E) or any other virion or virus-induced protein.     

Identification of proteins specific for human herpesvirus 6-infected human T cells.

Proteins specific for human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6)-infected human T cells (HSB-2) were examined by using polyclonal rabbit antibodies and monoclonal antibodies against HHV-6-infected cells and human sera. More than 20 proteins and six glycoproteins specific for HHV-6-infected cells were identified from [35S]methionine- and [3H]glucosamine-labeled total-cell extracts. Polyclonal rabbit antibodies immunoprecipitated 33 [35S]methionine-labeled HHV-6-specific polypeptides with approximate molecular weights ranging from 180,000 to 31,000. In immunoprecipitation and Western immunoblot reactions, a patient's serum also recognized more than 30 HHV-6-specific proteins and seven glycoproteins. In contrast, sera from individuals with high-titered antibodies against other human herpesviruses reacted with fewer HHV-6-infected cell proteins, and only a 135,000-Mr polypeptide was prominent. Monoclonal antibodies to HHV-6-infected cells reacted with single and multiple polypeptides specific for virus-infected cells and immunoprecipitated three distinct sets of glycoproteins, which were designated gp105k and gp82k, gp116k, gp64k, and gp54k, and gp102k.     

Synthesis and processing of the three major envelope glycoproteins of Epstein-Barr virus.

In pulse-chase experiments, the three major Epstein-Barr virus envelope glycoproteins, gp350/300, gp250/200, and gp85, were shown to be synthesized from separate precursors of 190,000, 160,000, and 83,000 daltons, respectively. These three pulse-labeled species were chased into the mature forms of the glycoproteins between 1 and 3 h after transfer to nonradioactive medium. Digestion of precursor forms with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H (endo H) yielded polypeptides of 160,000, 120,000, and 75,000 daltons. Comparison of these results with those from experiments with tunicamycin, which specifically blocks N-linked glycosylation, indicated that some other post-translational modification(s), probably O-linked glycosylation, contributes about 100,000 and 60,000 daltons of apparent molecular mass to gp350/300 and gp250/200, respectively. Experiments with endo H showed that mature gp350/300 and gp250/200 contain complex-type (endo H-resistant) N-linked glycosyl chains, whereas gp85 contains both high-mannose (endo H-sensitive)- and complex-type oligosaccharides. In contrast to the results obtained with the three envelope glycoproteins, no precursor forms of the two unglycosylated protein, p160 (the major Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen) and p140 (an envelope protein), were detected. The partial proteolytic maps of gp350/300 and gp250/200 were quite similar, suggesting that polypeptide sequence homology could account for at least part of the observed serological cross-reactivity of the two proteins. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the polypeptide portions of gp350/300 and gp250/200 are closely related but not derived from a common precursor. Furthermore, the polypeptide portions comprise half or less of the apparent molecular weight of the mature glycoproteins on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.     

Synthesis and processing of the envelope gp55-116 complex of human cytomegalovirus.

The envelope of human cytomegalovirus has been reported to contain between three and eight glycoproteins. Major constituents of the envelope include two abundant glycoproteins with estimated molecular weights of 55,000 (gp55) and 116,000 (gp116). These two glycoproteins have been shown to exist as a disulfide-linked complex (gp55-116) within the envelope of mature virions. Utilizing a panel of monoclonal antibodies reactive with the gp55-116 complex, we characterized the synthesis and processing of these two virion proteins. Infected cells were shown to contain two glycosylated proteins of 160,000 and 150,000 daltons as well as the mature gp55 and gp116. Pulse-chase analysis indicated that gp150 was a precursor protein of gp160. The mature gp55 and gp116 were generated, in turn, by cleavage of gp160. Antigenic and structural analysis revealed that gp55 and gp116 shared little structural homology and no detectable antigenic cross-reactivity. The results of this study are discussed in relation to the synthesis of envelope proteins of other herpesviruses.     

Expression in recombinant vaccinia virus of the equine herpesvirus 1 gene encoding glycoprotein gp13 and protection of immunized animals.

The equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) gene encoding glycoprotein 13 (gp13) was cloned into the hemagglutinin (HA) locus of vaccinia virus (Copenhagen strain). Expression of the gp13 gene was driven by the early/late vaccinia virus H6 promoter. Metabolically radiolabeled polypeptides of approximately 47 and 44 kilodaltons and 90 kilodaltons (glycosylated form) were precipitated with both polyclonal and gp13-specific monoclonal antibodies. Presentation of gp13 on the cytoplasmic membrane of cells infected with the recombinant gp13 vaccinia virus was demonstrated by immunofluorescence of unfixed cells. Inoculation of the recombinant gp13 vaccinia virus into guinea pigs induced neutralizing antibodies to both EHV-1 and vaccinia virus. Hamsters vaccinated with the recombinant gp13 vaccinia virus survived a lethal challenge with the hamster-adapted Kentucky strain of EHV-1. These results indicate that expression in vaccinia virus vectors of EHV-1 gp13, the glycoprotein homolog of herpes simplex virus gC-1 and gC-2, pseudorabies virus gIII, and the varicella-zoster virus gpV may provide useful vaccine candidates for equine herpesvirus infections.     

Location and identification of the genes for adenovirus type 2 early polypeptides

Virus-specific RNA was prepared from cells early after adenovirus type 2 infection and fractionated by hybridization to specific fragments of viral DNA. The viral mRNA was used to program cell-free protein synthesis, and the products were analyzed by electrophoresis. The genes for the early polypeptides of apparent molecular weight 44,000, 15,000, 72,000, 15,500, 19,000, and 11,000 daltons were located, respectively, between positions 0–4.1, 4.1–16.7, 58.5–70.7, 75.9–83.4, 89.7–98.6, and 89.7–98.6 of the conventional adenovirus DNA map. The polypeptide of molecular weight 72,000 daltons was shown to be the single-strand DNA-binding protein described by others. RNAs from three different adeno-transformed cell lines each program the synthesis in vitro of predominantly the 15K polypeptide, as well as variable amounts of the polypeptide of molecular weight 44,000 daltons. The genes for these two polypeptides are located in the portion of DNA known to be required for transformation of rodent cells by adenovirus.     

Processing of glycoprotein gB related to neutralization of Marek's disease virus and herpesvirus of turkeys

The glycoprotein gB related to neutralization of Marek's disease virus (MDV) and herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) is composed of several glycosylated polypeptides, which were immunoprecipitated with monoclonal antibodies and rabbit antiserum cross-reactive to MDV-gB and HVT-gB, and analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The present pulse-chase experiments showed that the precursor forms of MDV- and HVT-gB were glycoproteins with molecular weights of 110K to 115K (gp115/110) and 115K (gp115), respectively. These precursor forms were processed to smaller gB's (gp63 and gp50 for MDV; gp62, gp52, and gp48 for HVT), at least in part by sialylation. The proteins synthesized in the presence of tunicamycin were two polypeptides of 88K and 83K in MDV-infected cells and a 90K polypeptide in HVT-infected cells, indicating the presence of unglycosylated precursor forms of MDV- and HVT-gB. Differences between virulent and avirulent MDV's and between HVT's with and without protective activity against Marek's disease were observed in the processed forms of MDV- and HVT-gB, especially at the processing step of sialylation.     

Biosynthesis and intracellular transport of the mouse macrophage Fc receptor

The membrane insertion, processing, and intracellular transport of the mouse macrophage Fc receptor for IgG1/IgG2b was studied using specific mono- and polyclonal anti-receptor antibodies. By immunoprecipitation from Triton X-114 lysates of radiolabeled J774 cells, we determined that the mature 60-kDa receptor is a transmembrane glycoprotein which is synthesized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum as a 53-kDa precursor. Digestion of the precursor with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase F demonstrated that the receptor consisted of a 37-kDa polypeptide to which four asparagine-linked oligosaccharides were attached. Proteinase K treatment of isolated microsomes indicated that the receptor also has a putative 15-kDa cytoplasmic domain apparently recognized by at least one anti-Fc receptor monoclonal antibody. An additional 15-kDa domain was found to be inaccessible to proteolysis from either side of the membrane. Pulse-chase experiments using [35S]methionine-, [3H]mannose-, and [3H]galactose-labeled cells showed that processing of the receptor's N-linked oligosaccharides occurred rapidly (t1/2 = 15 min) and resulted in the conversion of at least three of the chains to complex endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H-resistant forms. O-Linked oligosaccharides were not detected. Fc receptor was detected on the plasma membrane 30 min after its synthesis. Transport of newly synthesized receptors to the plasma membrane was slowed but not blocked by incubation of J774 cells at 20 degrees C or by the carboxylic ionophore monensin, although monensin completely inhibited the galactosylation of the receptor.     

Demonstration of high molecular weight forms of inhibin in bovine follicular fluid (bFF) by using monoclonal antibodies to bFF 32K inhibin

Monoclonal antibodies specifically recognizing each 20K and 13K subunit of bovine follicular fluid (bFF) 32K inhibin have been prepared. By immunoblotting procedures using these antibodies, we have demonstrated in bFF at least six inhibin forms, the apparent molecular weights of which are estimated to be 120K, 108K, 88K, 65K, 55K and 32K daltons, respectively. Amongst them 65K, 55K and 32K inhibin forms comprise two polypeptide subunits linked by disulfide bridge(s). In these inhibin forms a polypeptide of 13K daltons, a shorter subunit of bFF 32K inhibin, is attached by disulfide linkage(s) to polypeptides of 57K, 44K and 20K daltons, which are immunologically related to a larger subunit of the 32K inhibin, to yield 65K, 55K and 32K inhibins, respectively. On the other hand the higher molecular weight forms, 120K, 108K and 88K inhibins, are composed of three polypeptide subunits. In these forms a polypeptide of 62K daltons, immunologically related to the shorter subunit of bFF 32K inhibin, is attached by disulfide bridge(s) as the third component to the respective smaller inhibin forms which are composed of two subunits. These findings suggest that the complex formation of the subunit precursors may be extremely important and that restricted proteolytic cleavages following the complex formation may yield such divergent forms of inhibin in bFF.