Subclass specificity of the Fc receptor for human IgG on K562

The erythroleukemic cell line K562 bears a 40-kDa Fc receptor (Fc gamma RII) serologically related to and with a similar molecular weight as the Fc gamma R present on a broad range of leukocytes. The human IgG subclass specificity of the Fc gamma R on K562 was investigated using IgG aggregates of defined size, obtained from purified human myeloma proteins. The monoclonal antibody IV.3, which reacts with the Fc gamma RII present on various cell types, totally prevented binding of 125I-IgG2 trimers to K562. Experiments with radiolabeled IgG2 trimers showed that K562 cells bound a mean of 156,764 +/- 9895 molecules per cell with an association constant (Ka) of 1.8 +/- 0.7 X 10(8) M-1. Similar results were obtained with IgG3 oligomers. IgG3 and IgG2 trimers were about two- to threefold more effective in inhibiting binding of 125I-IgG2 trimers to K562 than IgG1 and IgG4 trimers. These results were confirmed by inhibition experiments using IgG monomers. The subclass specificity of the Fc gamma RII on K562 (i.e., IgG2 = IgG3 greater than IgG1 = IgG4) is quite distinct from the one reported for the Fc gamma RI and III of human cells (i.e., IgG1 = IgG3 greater than IgG4 and IgG2).     

Colchicine photosensitizes covalent tubulin dimerization.

Pure rat brain tubulin can be cross-linked by ultraviolet irradiation of tubulin-colchicine complexes at the high-wavelength maximum of colchicine to form covalent dimers greater than trimers greater than tetramers. With colchicine concentrations approximately 3 x 10(-4) M (mole ratio to tubulin 3-12) and irradiation for 5-10 min at 95-109 mW/cm2, the yield of dimers is 11-17% and of trimers is 4-6% of the total tubulin. The oligomers show polydispersity and anomalously high apparent molecular masses that converge toward expected values in low-density gels. Maximal dimer yields are obtained with MTC and the decreasing photosensitizing potency is MTC greater than colchicine greater than colchicide greater than isocolchicine greater than thiocolchicine. Single-ring troponoids also promote dimerization. Evidence is presented suggesting that the initial, low-affinity, binding step of colchicine and its analogues is sufficient to photosensitize tubulin dimerization.     

Aglycosylation of human IgG1 and IgG3 monoclonal antibodies can eliminate recognition by human cells expressing Fc gamma RI and/or Fc gamma RII receptors.

Aglycosylated human IgG1 and IgG3 monoclonal anti-D (Rh) and human IgG1 and IgG3 chimaeric anti-5-iodo-4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenacetyl (anti-NIP) monoclonal antibodies produced in the presence of tunicamycin have been compared with the native glycosylated proteins with respect to recognition by human Fc gamma RI and/or Fc gamma RII receptors on U937, Daudi or K562 cells. Human red cells sensitized with glycosylated IgG3 form rosettes via Fc gamma RI with 60% of U937 cells. Inhibition of rosette formation required greater than 35-fold concentrated more aglycosylated than glycosylated human monoclonal anti-D (Rh) antibody. Unlabelled polyclonal human IgG and glycosylated monoclonal IgG1 and anti-D (Rh) antibody inhibited the binding of 125I-labelled monomeric human IgG binding by U937 Fc gamma RI at concentrations greater than 50-fold lower than the aglycosylated monoclonal IgG1 anti-D (Rh) (K50 approximately 3 x 10(-9) M and approximately 6 x 10(-7) M respectively). Similar results were obtained using glycosylated and aglycosylated monoclonal human IgG1 or IgG3 chimaeric anti-NIP antibody-sensitized red cells rosetting with Fc gamma RI-/Fc gamma RII+ Daudi and K562 cells. Rosette formation could be inhibited by the glycosylated form (at greater than 10(-6) M) but not by the aglycosylated form. Haemagglutination analysis using a panel of murine monoclonal antibodies specific for epitopes located on C gamma 2, C gamma 3 or C gamma 2/C gamma 3 interface regions did not demonstrate differences in Fc conformation between the glycosylated or aglycosylated human monoclonal antibodies. These data suggest that the Fc gamma RI and Fc gamma RII sites on human IgG are highly conformation-dependent and that the carbohydrate moiety serves to stabilize the Fc structure rather than interacting directly with Fc receptors.     

Characterization of the 2:1 complex between the class I MHC-related Fc receptor and its Fc ligand in solution.

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) facilitates the transfer of maternal immunoglobulin G (IgG) to offspring and prolongs the half-life of serum IgG. FcRn binds IgG in acidic intracellular vesicles and releases IgG upon exposure to the basic pH of the bloodstream. The crystal structure of an FcRn/Fc complex revealed FcRn dimers bridged by homodimeric Fc molecules to create an oligomeric array with two receptors per Fc [Burmeister et al. (1994) Nature 372, 379-383], consistent with the 2:1 FcRn:Fc stoichiometry observed in solution [Huber et al. (1993) J. Mol. Biol. 230, 1077-1083; Sánchez et al. (1999) Biochemistry 38, 9471-9476]. Two distinct 2:1 FcRn/Fc complexes were present in the cocrystal structure: a complex containing an FcRn dimer interacting with an Fc and a complex in which single FcRn molecules are bound to both sides of the Fc homodimer. To determine which of the two possible 2:1 FcRn/Fc complexes exists in solution, we generated recombinant Fc molecules with zero, one, and two FcRn binding sites and studied their interactions with a soluble form of rat FcRn. The wild-type Fc with two FcRn binding sites binds two FcRn molecules under all assay conditions, and the nonbinding Fc with no FcRn binding sites shows no specific binding. The heterodimeric Fc with one FcRn binding site binds one FcRn molecule, suggesting that the 2:1 FcRn/wild-type Fc complex formed in solution consists of single FcRn molecules binding to both sides of Fc rather than an FcRn dimer binding to a single site on Fc.     

Analysis of Fc(epsilon)RI-mediated mast cell stimulation by surface-carried antigens

Clustering of the type I receptor for IgE (Fc[epsilon]RI) on mast cells initiates a cascade of biochemical processes that result in secretion of inflammatory mediators. To determine the Fc(epsilon)RI proximity, cluster size, and mobility requirements for initiating the Fc(epsilon)RI cascade, a novel experimental protocol has been developed in which mast cells are reacted with glass surfaces carrying different densities of both antigen and bound IgE, and the cell's secretory response to these stimuli is measured. The results have been analyzed in terms of a model based on the following assumptions: 1) the glass surface antigen distribution and consequently that of the bound IgE are random; 2) Fc(epsilon)RI binding to these surface-bound IgEs immobilizes the former and saturates the latter; 3) the cell surface is formally divided into small elements, which function as a secretory stimulus unit when occupied by two or more immobilized IgE-Fc(epsilon)RI complexes; 4) alternatively, similar stimulatory units can be formed by binding of surface-carried IgE dimers to two Fc(epsilon)RI. This model yielded a satisfactory and self-consistent fitting of all of the different experimental data sets. Hence the present results establish the essential role of Fc(epsilon)RI immobilization for initiating its signaling cascade. Moreover, it provides independent support for the notion that as few as two Fc(epsilon)RIs immobilized at van der Waals contact constitute an "elementary stimulatory unit" leading to mast cell (RBL-2H3 line) secretory response.     

Lateral electromigration and diffusion of Fc epsilon receptors on rat basophilic leukemia cells: effects of IgE binding

We have used in situ electromigration and post-field relaxation (Poo, M.-m., 1981, Annu. Rev. Biophys. Bioeng., 10:245-276) to assess the effect of immunoglobulin E (IgE) binding on the lateral mobility of IgE- Fc receptors in the plasmalemma of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells. Bound IgE sharply increased the receptor's electrokinetic mobility, whereas removal of cell surface neuraminic acids cut it to near zero. In contrast, we found only a small difference between the lateral diffusion coefficients (D) of vacant and IgE-occupied Fc receptors (D: 4 vs. 3 X 10(-10) cm2/s at 24 degrees C). This is true for monomeric rat IgE; with mouse IgE, the difference in apparent diffusion rates was slightly greater (D: 4.5 vs. 2.3 X 10(-10) cm2/s at 24 degrees C). This range of D values is close to that found in previous photobleaching studies of the IgE-Fc epsilon receptor complex in RBL cells and rat mast cells. Moreover, enzymatic depletion of cell coat components did not measurably alter the diffusion rate of IgE-occupied receptors. Thus, binding of fluorescent macromolecular probes to cell surface proteins need not severely impede lateral diffusion of the probed species. If the glycocalyx of RBL cells does limit lateral diffusion of the Fc epsilon receptor, it must act primarily on the receptor itself, rather than on receptor-bound IgE.     

Stoichiometry of the interaction between the major histocompatibility complex-related Fc receptor and its Fc ligand.

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) transports immunoglobulin G (IgG) across epithelia, providing passive immunity and protecting serum IgG from degradation. For both functions, FcRn binds to IgG at the acidic pH of intracellular vesicles (pH 相似文献   

Dimeric, trimeric and tetrameric complexes of immunoglobulin G fix complement.

The binding of pure dimers, trimers and tetramers of randomly cross-linked non-immune rabbit immunoglobulin G to the first component and subcomponent of the complement system, C1 and C1q respectively, was studied. These oligomers possessed open linear structures. All three oligomers fixed complement with decreasing affinity in the order: tetramer, trimer, dimer. Complement fixation by dimeric immunoglobulin exhibited the strongest concentration-dependence. No clear distinction between a non-co-operative and a co-operative binding mechanism could be achieved, although the steepness of the complement-fixation curves for dimers and trimers was better reflected by the co-operative mechanism. Intrinsic binding constants were about 10(6)M-1 for dimers, 10(7)M-1 for trimers and 3 X 10(9)M-1 for tetramers, assuming non-co-operative binding. The data are consistent with a maximum valency of complement component C1 for immunoglobulin G protomers in the range 6-18. The binding of dimers to purified complement subcomponent C1q was demonstrated by sedimentation-velocity ultracentrifugation. Mild reduction of the complexes by dithioerythritol caused the immunoglobulin to revert to the monomeric state (S20,w = 6.2-6.5S) with concomitant loss of complement-fixing ability.     

Weak protein interactions and pH- and temperature-dependent aggregation of human Fc1

The Fc (fragment crystallizable) is a common structural region in immunoglobulin gamma (IgG) proteins, IgG-based multi-specific platforms, and Fc-fusion platform technologies. Changes in conformational stability, protein-protein interactions, and aggregation of NS0-produced human Fc1 were quantified experimentally as a function of pH (4 to 6) and temperature (30 to 77°C), using a combination of differential scanning calorimetry, laser light scattering, size-exclusion chromatography, and capillary electrophoresis. The Fc1 was O-glycosylated at position 3 (threonine), and confirmed to correspond to the intact IgG1 by comparison with Fc1 produced by cleavage of the parent IgG1. Changing the pH caused large effects for thermal unfolding transitions, but it caused surprisingly smaller effects for electrostatic protein-protein interactions. The aggregation behavior was qualitatively similar across different solution conditions, with soluble dimers and larger oligomers formed in most cases. Aggregation rates spanned approximately 5 orders of magnitude and could be divided into 2 regimes: (i) Arrhenius, unfolding-limited aggregation at temperatures near or above the midpoint-unfolding temperature of the C_H2 domain; (ii) a non-Arrhenius regime at lower temperatures, presumably as a result of the temperature dependence of the unfolding enthalpy for the C_H2 domain. The non-Arrhenius regime was most pronounced for lower temperatures. Together with the weak protein-protein repulsions, these highlight challenges that are expected for maintaining long-term stability of biotechnology products that are based on human Fc constructs.     

Weak protein interactions and pH- and temperature-dependent aggregation of human Fc1

The Fc (fragment crystallizable) is a common structural region in immunoglobulin gamma (IgG) proteins, IgG-based multi-specific platforms, and Fc-fusion platform technologies. Changes in conformational stability, protein-protein interactions, and aggregation of NS0-produced human Fc1 were quantified experimentally as a function of pH (4 to 6) and temperature (30 to 77°C), using a combination of differential scanning calorimetry, laser light scattering, size-exclusion chromatography, and capillary electrophoresis. The Fc1 was O-glycosylated at position 3 (threonine), and confirmed to correspond to the intact IgG1 by comparison with Fc1 produced by cleavage of the parent IgG1. Changing the pH caused large effects for thermal unfolding transitions, but it caused surprisingly smaller effects for electrostatic protein-protein interactions. The aggregation behavior was qualitatively similar across different solution conditions, with soluble dimers and larger oligomers formed in most cases. Aggregation rates spanned approximately 5 orders of magnitude and could be divided into 2 regimes: (i) Arrhenius, unfolding-limited aggregation at temperatures near or above the midpoint-unfolding temperature of the C_H2 domain; (ii) a non-Arrhenius regime at lower temperatures, presumably as a result of the temperature dependence of the unfolding enthalpy for the C_H2 domain. The non-Arrhenius regime was most pronounced for lower temperatures. Together with the weak protein-protein repulsions, these highlight challenges that are expected for maintaining long-term stability of biotechnology products that are based on human Fc constructs.     

Proteins from the prokaryotic nucleoid. A protein-protein cross-linking study on the quaternary structure of Escherichia coli DNA-binding protein NS (HU)

Escherichia coli DNA-binding proteins NS1, NS2 and NS (NS1 + NS2) react with the protein-protein bifunctional cross-linking reagents dimethylsuberimidate and dimethyladipimidate to yield oligomers up to hexamers. The former reagent, with the longer arm, is more efficient than the other shorter one. Both one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoreses show that the cross-linked trimers are homogeneous, while the dimers appear heterogeneous, suggesting that at least two types of dimers but geometrically equivalent trimers are formed. In the presence of DNA, the cross-linking reaction with either reagent yields fewer dimers and more of the larger products. The yield of cross-linked products of various sizes was determined for NS1, NS2 and NS as a function of the protein concentration (0.03-3000 microM). From the results obtained in these experiments, we derived a model of quaternary structure in which dimers and tetramers are predominant in very solutions of the proteins. Above a critical concentration (10-50 microM), interactions among tetramers become increasingly important, yielding octamers and perhaps larger products. Our data do not support a recently proposed model in which the DNA is packaged around a protein disc consisting of 8-10 NS dimers.     

Non-covalent interactions between Fab and Fc regions in immunoglobulin G molecules. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange studies

To reveal non-covalent interactions between the Fab and Fc regions of IgG molecules the average conformational free-energy change (delta Go), associated with reversible micro-unfoldings, was measured by hydrogen-deuterium exchange for the Fab and Fc fragments and the complete molecule. Human monoclonal IgG1 and pooled IgG samples were used in these experiments. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange data were summarized and compared in the form of exchange relaxation spectra. The experimentally observed relaxation spectrum of intact IgG could not be deduced by weighted summation of spectra measured for Fab and Fc fragments. A comparison of the measured and calculated data revealed a 5-kJ/mol increase in the conformational free energy upon splitting the IgG molecule into two Fab and Fc pieces, i.e. an increase of conformational mobility occurred. This change can be explained either by related fluctuation patterns of the Fab and Fc pieces in the intact molecule or by a shielding effect on the contact surfaces. Both interpretations suppose non-covalent interactions between Fab and Fc that can be a means of information transduction between recognition and effector sites. The pH dependence of the hydrogen-deuterium exchange also indicates interactions between the Fab and Fc regions. A shift in the relaxation spectra of the Fab fragment was observed between pH 8.2 and 7.3 revealing destabilization of the structure at lower pH. This effect is absent in the intact molecule, reflecting interactions that stabilize the Fab structure. Comparison of the relaxation spectra of Fab and Fc shows a difference of about 10 kJ/mol in the microstability of these fragments: the Fab part possesses more conformational flexibility (i.e. its microstability is smaller) than the Fc part.     

Metabolic and morphologic effects of colchicine on human T-lymphocyte expression of Fc mu and Fc gamma receptors

The influence of colchicine on human T-cell Fc mu- and Fc gamma-receptor expression during culture was studied utilizing a rosette technique with bovine erythrocytes coated with IgM (EOx-IgM) or IgG (EOx-IgG). Treatment of T cells with greater than or equal to 10(-6) M concentrations of colchicine induced in these cells progressive loss of microtubules and surface microvilli, inhibited their Fc mu-, but not Fc gamma-receptor expression during culture, and increased their cyclic AMP levels. However, similar treatment of cells with lumicolchicine, a photoinactivated isomer, identically inhibited the T-cell Fc mu-receptor expression as well, without inducing loss of microtubules or microvilli or raising cyclic AMP levels in them. A direct influence on T-cell protein synthesis by either colchicine or lumicolchicine is likely, as greater than or equal to 10(-6) M concentrations of alkaloid identically inhibited [3H]leucine incorporation and Fc mu-receptor expression by T cells without inhibiting their alpha-methyl isobutyric acid transport. No impairment of optimal EOx-IgM rosette formation occurred in control T lymphocytes cultured for 24 hr and then treated with colchicine, which suggests that its effects did not directly influence the receptor-ligand interaction itself. These findings suggest colchicine has several sites of action on T cells, dependent and independent of microtubular depolymerization, which may be responsible for alterations of T-lymphocyte cellular metabolism and function.     

Internalization and degradation of macrophage Fc receptors during receptor-mediated phagocytosis

Macrophage receptors for the Fc domain of immunoglobulin G (IgG) can mediate the efficient binding and phagocytosis of IgG-coated particles. After internalization, phagocytic vacuoles fuse with lysosomes, initiating the degradation of their contents. Using specific monoclonal and polyclonal antireceptor antibodies, we have now analyzed the internalization and fate of Fc receptors during the uptake of IgG- coated erythrocytes and erythrocyte ghosts by mouse peritoneal macrophages. Receptor-mediated phagocytosis led to the selective and largely irreversible removal of Fc receptors (greater than 50%) from the macrophage plasma membrane. The expression of several other plasma membrane proteins (including a receptor for complement), recognized by a series of antimacrophage monoclonal antibodies, was affected only slightly. Interiorized Fc receptors were rapidly and selectively degraded. This was demonstrated by a series of turnover studies in which Fc receptor was immunoprecipitated from lysates of 125I-labeled macrophages. These experiments were made possible by the development of a polyclonal rabbit antiserum, raised against isolated Fc receptor, which recognized the receptor even in the presence of bound ligand. In control cells, the receptor turned over with a t1/2 of approximately 10 h; after phagocytosis, greater than 50% of the receptors were degraded with a t1/2 of less than 2 h. The turnover of other unrelated plasma membrane proteins was unaffected (t1/2 of 18-23 h) under these conditions.     

Studies on a growth-inhibitory peptide derived from alpha-fetoprotein and some analogs.

A 34-amino acid synthetic peptide was derived from the third domain of human alpha-fetoprotein, and the peptide was shown to inhibit estrogen-stimulated growth. Under certain conditions, however, the peptide lost growth-inhibitory activity. A biophysical study of the peptide was undertaken with a goal of obtaining completely reliable preparations. The peptide was studied using gel-filtration column chromatography as a function of peptide concentration and age of solution, and was found to exhibit complex aggregation behaviors. During the early period (0-3 h) after dissolving lyophilized peptide into pH 7.4 buffer, solutions were composed mostly of trimers. At higher peptide concentrations (> or = 3.0 g/L), the trimers aggregated extensively to a large aggregate (minimum size approximately 102 peptides). At 5.0-8.0 g/L, these large aggregates increased in size (up to approximately 146 peptides) until trimers were largely exhausted from solution. During the later times (>3 h) after sample preparation, the trimeric oligomer of the peptide dissociated slowly to form dimers for samples at 0.10-3.0 g/L. After their build-up, a very small number of dimers associated to form hexamers. Disulfide bonds stabilized the dimers as indicated by the conversion of dimers to trimers upon the addition of a reducing agent, and the failure of dimers to form in the presence of reducing agent. Reducing agent did not affect trimer or large aggregate formation. Trimers were found to be active in an assay monitoring inhibition of estrogen-stimulated growth, whereas dimers and large aggregates were inactive. The two cysteines in the peptide were modified to either S-methylcysteine or S-(2-aminoethyl)cysteine, and both derivatives showed significant growth-inhibition activity. A serine analog in which both cysteines were replaced had very different aggregation behavior than the cysteine peptide and lacked its growth inhibitory ability. Peptide aggregation is critically important in establishing the ability of the peptide to inhibit growth and have anticancer activity, but the state of its two cysteines is of little influence.     

HMG 14 and protamine enhance ligation of linear DNA to form linear multimers: phosphorylation of HMG 14 at Ser 20 specifically inhibits intermolecular DNA ligation.

HMG 14 and protamine can be used to enhance intermolecular ligation of low concentrations of linear DNA. Adding HMG 14 (50 moles per mole DNA) caused 50% of blunt-ended DNA to form predominantly dimers, and all cohesive-ended DNA to form multimers (greater than 6-mer) in response to T4 ligase. Protamine was maximally effective at 40:1, producing mostly dimers and trimers. Adding higher concentrations of HMG 14 did not affect the ligation pattern of cohesive-ended DNA, while higher concentrations of protamine inhibit the formation of multimers. Phosphorylation of HMG 14 at Ser 20 by Ca(++)-phospholipid dependent protein kinase abolished the ability of HMG 14 to stimulate intermolecular ligation, but did not substantially interfere with intramolecular ligation, or the binding of HMG 14 to linear or circular DNA as assessed by gel mobility. Thus Ser 20, which is located in the amino terminal DNA-binding domain of HMG 14, appears to modulate DNA-DNA interactions.     

Murine recombinant Fc gamma RIII, but not Fc gamma RII, trigger serotonin release in rat basophilic leukemia cells.

Murine Fc gamma RII and Fc gamma RIII have highly homologous extracellular domains, but unrelated transmembrane and intracytoplasmic (IC) domains. Murine Fc gamma RIIb1 and b2 are two isoforms of single-chain receptors which differ only by 47 aa in their IC domain. Murine Fc gamma RIII are composed of an IgG-binding alpha-chain, the intracellular portion of which is unrelated to that of Fc gamma RII, and of a homodimeric gamma-chain which also associates with Fc epsilon RI. Murine mast cells express Fc gamma RII, Fc gamma RIII, and Fc epsilon RI. They can be induced to degranulate by murine IgG immune complexes or by F(ab')2 fragments of the rat anti-murine Fc gamma RII/III mAb 2.4G2, complexed to mouse anti-rat (MAR) F(ab')2. In order to determine which murine Fc gamma R can activate mast cells, cDNA encoding murine Fc gamma RIIb1, Fc gamma RIIb2 or Fc gamma RIII alpha were stably transfected into RBL-2H3 cells. Murine Fc gamma RIII but not Fc gamma RIIb1 or Fc gamma RIIb2 induced serotonin release when aggregated by (2.4G2-MAR) F(ab')2 complexes. The respective roles of the IC domains of murine Fc gamma RIII subunits in signal transduction were investigated by stably transfecting cDNA encoding IC-deleted or chimeric murine Fc gamma R into RBL-2H3 cells. The substitution of the IC domain of murine Fc gamma RII for that of murine Fc gamma RIII gamma, but not that of murine Fc gamma RIII alpha, conferred the ability to trigger serotonin release. The deletion of IC sequences of the alpha subunit did not alter the ability of murine Fc gamma RIII to trigger serotonin release. It follows that 1) murine Fc gamma RIII, but not Fc gamma RII, can induce RBL cells to release serotonin, 2) the aggregation of the IC domain of the murine Fc gamma RIII gamma subunit is sufficient, but 3) the IC domain of the murine Fc gamma RIII alpha subunit is neither sufficient nor necessary for triggering serotonin release.     

Structural basis for Fc gammaRIIa recognition of human IgG and formation of inflammatory signaling complexes

The interaction of Abs with their specific FcRs is of primary importance in host immune effector systems involved in infection and inflammation, and are the target for immune evasion by pathogens. FcγRIIa is a unique and the most widespread activating FcR in humans that through avid binding of immune complexes potently triggers inflammation. Polymorphisms of FcγRIIa (high responder/low responder [HR/LR]) are linked to susceptibility to infections, autoimmune diseases, and the efficacy of therapeutic Abs. In this article, we define the three-dimensional structure of the complex between the HR (arginine, R134) allele of FcγRIIa (FcγRIIa-HR) and the Fc region of a humanized IgG1 Ab, hu3S193. The structure suggests how the HR/LR polymorphism may influence FcγRIIa interactions with different IgG subclasses and glycoforms. In addition, mutagenesis defined the basis of the epitopes detected by FcR blocking mAbs specific for FcγRIIa (IV.3), FcγRIIb (X63-21), and a pan FcγRII Ab (8.7). The epitopes detected by these Abs are distinct, but all overlap with residues defined by crystallography to contact IgG. Finally, crystal structures of LR (histidine, H134) allele of FcγRIIa and FcγRIIa-HR reveal two distinct receptor dimers that may represent quaternary states on the cell surface. A model is presented whereby a dimer of FcγRIIa-HR binds Ag-Ab complexes in an arrangement that possibly occurs on the cell membrane as part of a larger signaling assembly.     

Biochemical characterization of an Fc gamma receptor purified from human neutrophils

The Fc receptor identified by mAb 3G8 (Fc gamma RIII) was isolated by mAb affinity chromatography from 0.5 to 2 x 10(10) neutrophils yielding 33 to 149 micrograms of protein. Iodination of the purified protein identified a polypeptide of broad electrophoretic mobility from Mr 47 to 70 kDa and occasionally a fainter polypeptide at 100 to 130 kDa, which may be dimerized receptor. Two-dimensional isoelectric focusing gel electrophoresis illustrated multiple diffuse polypeptides ranging from a pI of less than 4.7 to 6.5. Treatment of the purified receptor with neuraminidase shifted the mobility of these polypeptides to a more basic pI, ranging from 6 to 8, illustrating the presence of sialic acid residues on Fc gamma RIII. The glycoprotein nature of Fc gamma RIII was characterized by several criteria. The receptor bound to Con A-Sepharose. Treatment of Fc gamma RIII with endoglycosidase H or F, which cleave high mannose and biantennary complex N-linked oligosaccharides, respectively, failed to alter the electrophoretic mobility of the Fc gamma R. Peptide N:glycosidase F, which cleaves all classes of N-linked oligosaccharides, reduced the Mr of Fc gamma RIII by 60% to reveal two poorly resolved polypeptides centered at Mr 25 kDa and ranging from Mr 16 to 28 kDa. Chemical deglycosylation with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, which cleaves O- and N-linked oligosaccharides except for the asparagine-linked N-acetylglucosamine, reduced the Mr of Fc gamma RIII to 21 to 36 kDa. These results demonstrate that Fc gamma RIII is an acidic complex sialoglycoprotein and suggest that there may be 8 to 15 N-linked oligosaccharide chains on Fc gamma RIII.