Expression of the murine interferon gamma receptor in Xenopus laevis oocytes

This study describes the isolation of mRNA for the murine interferon gamma receptor and its expression in frog oocytes. The binding properties and apparent molecular weight of the murine interferon gamma receptor protein synthesized in frog oocytes is similar to that found on mouse cells. This is the first report of a functional receptor for a polypeptide ligand (interferon gamma) expressed in and directly assayed on frog oocytes.     

One interferon gamma receptor binds one interferon gamma dimer

We investigated the stoichiometry of the interferon gamma and interferon gamma receptor interaction, using recombinant interferon gamma and recombinant soluble interferon gamma receptor, applying chemical cross-linking and chromatographic techniques, and analyzing the resulting products in denaturing polyacrylamide gels. Interferon gamma cross-linked to itself produced a major band of an apparent molecular mass of 34 kDa, which suggests that it exists as a dimer in physiological buffer and which agrees with published data. Soluble interferon gamma receptor cross-linked to itself produced mainly a 28-kDa band, suggesting that the interferon gamma receptor exists as a monomer. Interferon gamma cross-linked to the soluble interferon gamma receptor resulted in the formation of two main products of apparent molecular masses of 60 and 44 kDa. The predominant 60-kDa band resulted from the cross-linking of one interferon gamma dimer (34 kDa) to one interferon gamma receptor molecule (27 kDa). The 44-kDa band was formed by the cross-linking of one interferon gamma molecule to one interferon gamma receptor. Kinetic studies showed that the cross-linking of interferon gamma dimer to the soluble receptor proceeds through the intermediate formed by cross-linking one molecule of the interferon gamma dimer to the receptor. Reducing and dissociating agents inhibited complex formation. When chromatographed on Sephadex G-100, interferon gamma was eluted as a protein of 34-kDa molecular mass, the soluble interferon gamma receptor as a protein of 40 kDa, and their mixture was eluted in one peak corresponding to an apparent molecular mass of 73 kDa. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel analysis of the eluted mixture showed the presence of both interferon gamma and interferon gamma receptor at a ratio of 2:1. The found results suggest that the interferon gamma receptor binds interferon gamma as a dimer.     

Purification and biochemical characterization of a soluble mouse interferon-gamma receptor produced in insect cells.

The extracellular domain of the mouse interferon gamma receptor comprising amino acids 17-243 of the protein was produced in Spodoptera frugiperda cells infected with a recombinant baculovirus. The receptor was mainly secreted into the culture medium and was purified to homogeneity in several hundred milligram amounts. The purification procedure involved four chromatography steps and delivered a soluble and active receptor with an overall recovery of 30%. From each purification run, two pools of soluble receptor with the same interferon gamma binding capacity were isolated. Under reducing electrophoretic conditions the protein of pool I migrates as two bands of molecular masses 32 and 34 kDa and of pool II as two bands of 30 and 32 kDa. The soluble receptor of both pools carries a heterogeneous glycosylation. After deglycosylation it appears as one protein band of 27 kDa. N-linked carbohydrates contribute about 6 kDa and O-linked carbohydrates 1 kDa to its molecular mass. The nonreduced protein specifically binds interferon gamma on ligand blots and in a solid-phase binding system and competes for the binding of radiolabeled interferon gamma to the cell surface receptor. The soluble mouse interferon gamma receptor exists as a monomer in physiological buffer and binds interferon gamma in its dimeric form. It is stable at room temperature and against tryptic digestion, but is very sensitive to proteinase K digestion. The soluble mouse interferon gamma receptor produced in the insect/baculovirus expression system may prove useful to study the function of interferon gamma receptor as an antagonist of endogenous interferon gamma in the treatment of immunological and inflammatory disorders.     

重组酵母鸡γ干扰素的抗病毒活性测定及临床初步应用

为了获得具有天然抗病毒活性的重组酵母鸡γ干扰素,以Con A(刀豆素A)诱导培养4~10h的鸡全血中提取的淋巴细胞总RNA为模板,通过RT-PCR的方法扩增出鸡γ干扰素成熟蛋白基因。通过EcoRⅠ和XbaⅠ两个酶切位点把鸡γ干扰素成熟蛋白基因插入到酵母表达载体pPICZa-A上,得到了重组酵母鸡γ干扰素表达载体pPICZa-A-CHIFN-γ,经BstxⅠ线性化后的重组载体被转入酵母菌株X33中,通过PCR的方法来筛选重组酵母菌,在甲醇诱导表达后,SDS-PAGE结果显示有两株重组菌在诱导72h后其表达上清中有大小为16kDa的目的条带。干扰素生物活性测定经典实验(微量病变抑制实验)和临床初步应用结果皆说明重组酵母鸡γ干扰素具有较强的抗病毒的生物活性和较好的临床使用前景。     

Purification and biochemical characterization of a soluble human interferon gamma receptor expressed in Escherichia coli

We purified and characterized a soluble human interferon gamma receptor expressed in Escherichia coli. The soluble receptor comprises the amino acids 15-246 of the encoded protein (Aguet, M., Dembic, Z., and Merlin, G. (1988) Cell 55, 273-280) and was purified from large scale fermentations through four chromatographic steps with an overall recovery of 28%. The refolded soluble receptor shows some heterogeneity on nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, where it appears as the major band of 27 kDa molecular mass, accompanied by a few minor bands with molecular masses between 26 and 30 kDa. On reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis it appears as a homogeneous protein of 32 kDa molecular mass. The soluble interferon gamma receptor is an active and stable protein and is recognized by specific antibodies raised against the native receptor. When nonreduced it has the capacity to specifically bind interferon gamma and to compete for the binding of interferon gamma to the cell surface receptor. The observed heterogeneity of the soluble interferon gamma receptor under nonreducing electrophoretic conditions is probably due to different conformational forms resulting from the formation of non-native intramolecular disulfide bonds among the 8 cysteine residues present in the soluble interferon gamma receptor molecule.     

Natural human interferon-gamma. Complete amino acid sequence and determination of sites of glycosylation

Fresh human peripheral blood lymphocytes were induced with desacetylthymosin -alpha 1 and staphylococcal enterotoxin B. The induced gamma interferon (or IFN-gamma, immune interferon, type II interferon) was purified to homogeneity utilizing controlled-pore glass, concanavalin A-Sepharose, Bio-Gel P100, or Sephacryl S-200, and reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. This procedure resulted in two active species with apparent Mr = 20,000 and 25,000 as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Both species were found to have identical amino acid sequences with a pyroglutamate residue as NH2-terminus. In both cases six different COOH termini were found. They are, at least qualitatively, identical in both species. There are two possible Asn-X-Ser/Thr glycosylation sites. Both carry carbohydrates in the Mr = 25,000 species whereas in the Mr = 20,000 species only one site is glycosylated. This likely explains the difference in apparent molecular weight between the two species and the expected molecular weight based upon the amino acid sequence.     

Molecular weight of the functional unit of human leukocyte, fibroblast, and immune interferons

There is good agreement between the target molecular weight and the known molecular weight of human leukocyte interferons (about 20,000). The target molecular weight of fibroblast interferon, 31,000 to 42,000, is significantly larger than the monomer molecular weight of 21,000 to 24,000, suggesting that the dimer may be the predominant active functional unit in solution. A range from 63,000 to 73,000 for the target molecular weight of several different fractions of immune interferon (including natural crude as well as the recombinant form) indicates that the functional form of the immune interferon may be a trimer or tetramer. Thus, these studies indicate that the functional unit of leukocyte interferon is the monomer, that of fibroblast interferon is a dimer, and that of immune interferon is probably a tetramer (or trimer).     

杂种落叶松扦插生根过程中可溶性蛋白的比较分析

杂种落叶松(长白落叶松×日本落叶松)(Larix olgensis×Larix kaempferi)插穗在生根过程中,可溶性蛋白的 SDS-PAGE图谱分析推测:24KD、26KD和39KD蛋白,与根原基的发生、分化有关;28KD蛋白具有促进根原基继续发育长出不定根的作用;47KD蛋白阻遏根原基的发生或抑制不定根的生长。     

经高浓度味精废水驯化的B.t菌株伴胞晶体特性及其活性成分研究

对3株能在味精废水中生长的苏云金芽孢杆菌菌株T.4,G.1,S-2.5进行了废水茄子瓶培养基培养,应用液体双相法分离晶体,通过SDS－PAGE电泳确定了它们的分子量为120KD,104KD,67－68KD,43－45KD,选取菌珠G．1经分离后的晶体通过DEAE－纤维素离子交换层析和Sephadex G-100凝胶排阻层析分离到两上峰,分子量分别为120KD,68KD,致死中浓度LC50分别为0．609,＞25。     

Protein profiles of Spodoptera litura (F.) male accessory reproductive gland and its secretions

Protein profiles of the male accessory reproductive glands of a polyphagous pest, Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and their glandular secretions were analyzed by electrophoresis under denaturing conditions. The study revealed the presence of 23 proteins in the glands and 14 in the secretions. The molecular weights of the gland proteins ranged from 163 to 3.8 KD whereas that of secretions ranged from 100 to 3.8 KD. The 9 low molecular weight proteins of the secretions are a characteristic feature. It is suggested that the secretions may contain a sex peptide that has a role in the fertility and fecundity of the females.     

Preparation of 32P-labeled murine immune interferon and its binding to the mouse immune interferon receptor

Murine immune interferon (Mu-IFN-gamma) can be radiolabeled with [gamma-32P]ATP by the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The resulting 32P-labeled Mu-IFN-gamma (32P-Mu-IFN-gamma) with high radiological specific activity (60-260 muCi/micrograms) retains biological activity. Acid hydrolysis of 32P-Mu-IFN-gamma or 32P-labeled human IFN-gamma leads to the release of [32P]phosphoserine but not phosphothreonine or phosphotyrosine. With 32P-Mu-IFN-gamma, we have demonstrated that there are 5 X 10(3) to 1.5 X 10(4) receptors per-cell on several murine cell lines of diverse origin and that the Kd at 24 degrees C for these cells is in the range of 1 X 10(-10) to 1 X 10(-9) M. Covalent binding of 32P-Mu-IFN-gamma to its receptor results in the formation of several specific high-molecular weight products, the major one of which has an apparent molecular weight of 90,000-100,000. If this represents a 1:1 complex of Mu-IFN-gamma and its receptor (or its binding subunit), the murine interferon gamma receptor has a molecular weight of 75,000-85,000.     

Isolation of monoclonal antibodies for the identification of strains of the causative agent of plague that do not contain a capsular antigen

In most cases the immunological identification of Y. pestis strains is based on the use of capsular antigen as an immunological marker. However, there are Y. pestis strains without capsular antigen. For the immunological identification of such strains, homogeneous antigen with a molecular weight of 43 KD has been isolated and monoclonal antibodies to it have been obtained. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, carried out with the use of these monoclonal antibodies and intended for the detection of antigen with a molecular weight of 43 KD, has been developed. The sensitivity of the assay is about 10 ng/ml.     

Characterization and crystallization of soluble human Fc gamma receptor II (CD32) isoforms produced in insect cells.

Fc gamma RII (CD32), the receptor for the Fc part of IgG, is responsible for the clearance of immunocomplexes by macrophages and plays a role in the regulation of antibody production by B cells. To investigate the process of immunocomplex binding in terms of stoichiometry and stability of the Fc gamma RII:IgG complex, we produced both Fc gamma RII isoforms (Fc gamma RIIa and Fc gamma RIIb) as soluble proteins in insect cells. The expressed proteins could be purified in high yields and were biologically active as judged by their ability to bind IgG. Thus, the minor glycosylation performed by the insect cells is not crucial for the binding of the usually highly glycosylated Fc gamma RII to IgG. The dissociation constant of the sFc gamma RIIa:IgG-hFc complex was determined by fluorescence titration (KD = 2.5 x 10(-)7 M). Complementary sFc gamma RIIa antagonizes immunocomplex binding to B cells. Here sFc gamma RIIa showed a comparable dissociation constant (KD = 1.7 x 10(-)7 M) which was almost 10-fold lower than the constant for Fc gamma RIIb. The stoichiometry of the FcRIIa:IgG-hFc complex was determined by equilibrium gel filtration and shows that IgG is able to bind alternatively one or two Fc gamma RII molecules in a noncooperative manner. Furthermore, in an ELISA-based assay the isotype specificity of various anti-Fc gamma RII monoclonal antibodies was measured as well as their ability to interfere with the IgG recognition through its receptors. To further investigate the molecular basis of the Fc gamma RII-ligand interaction, we crystallized Fc gamma RIIb. Trigonal crystals diffracted to 3 A and the structure solution is in progress.     

Characterization and quantitation of membrane antigens of New World Leishmania species by using monoclonal antibodies in Western blot and flow microfluorometric assays

Membrane-specific monoclonal antibodies generated against promastigotes of New World Leishmania species were used in Western blot, ELISA, and flow microfluorometric assays to characterize their antigen specificity and to determine the external surface distribution of the reactive epitopes. Three major membrane antigens of molecular weight 72 KD, 55 KD, and 42 KD were identified as well as a dominant antigen that migrated as a broad band on SDS-PAGE, corresponding to a molecular weight of 10-15 KD. By dot-ELISA this antigen was also found to be excreted by promastigotes into their culture medium. One minor membrane antigen of 25 KD and a triplet component of 66, 58, and 56 KD were also identified. While assays performed on air-dried promastigotes revealed the almost ubiquitous presence of the 72 KD and 55 KD antigens, indirect immunofluorescent staining of live promastigotes followed by flow cytometric analysis revealed that these antigens had no external exposure. Antibodies binding the 55 KD component were also reactive toward purified mammalian tubulin. The remaining antigens had a variable distribution on the eight isolates utilized, and these quantitative differences could be used to distinguish isolates of the Leishmania mexicana complex from those belonging to the Leishmania braziliensis complex.     

Characterization of Virus- and Endotoxin-induced Interferons Obtained from the Serum and Urine of Rabbits

Interferons induced in the rabbit by Newcastle disease virus or by endotoxin have been further characterized as to their physicochemical stability and molecular size by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. Endotoxin-induced interferon obtained from serum was more labile than virus-induced interferon. Both endotoxin and virus induced interferons obtained from serum contained two peaks: a minor high molecular weight (>100,000) peak and a major lower molecular weight peak. The molecular weight of the major peak induced by endotoxin was 54,000, and that induced by Newcastle disease virus was 46,000. The gel filtration pattern of interferon recovered from the urine of animals inoculated with virus reflected faithfully the pattern found in serum except that there was proportionately less of the high molecular weight peak. However, the urine interferon from endotoxin-inoculated animals contained only one broad peak with a molecular weight of 35,000. This was not the peak fraction present in the serum of such animals. It is postulated that this may represent the basic unit of endotoxin-induced interferon, and that the serum components are either polymers or conjugates of this basic unit.     

用显微分离和超敏感银染电泳方法研究百合减数第一分裂周期蛋白质变化

利用"显微操作人工分离单细胞"、"微量蛋白SDS-PAGE"和"超敏感银染"技术对百合花粉母细胞减数第一分裂周期蛋白质组成与变化作了比较研究。100个百合减数分裂单细胞可检测到25条以上的蛋白质谱带。前期与中期蛋白质谱带数与谱型基本相似,并且未呈现明显变化。后期和末期谱型相同,但与前期和中期相比出现明显变化, 185KD谱带在后期和末期中出现, 28KD、27KD、26KD、24KD、23KD、22KD、18KD、16KD 8条谱带消失和H4变浅, H3完全消失。可以认为,本工作建立的实验方法和所得初步结果对开展高等植物减数分裂周期调控生化机理研究有一定参考价值。     

Electrodissociation of high molecular weight complexes of interferon alpha during recycling isoelectric focusing

Natural human interferon alpha has been separated by selective ultrafiltration into low molecular weight components and the molecules exceeding 100K daltons. Interferon associated with a higher molecular weight fraction showed partial pH sensitivity and resisted dissociation after treatment with urea, mercaptoethanol, sodium chloride or significant changes in pH. However, interferon activity was released from high molecular weight components during recycling isoelectric focusing. Electrodissociation was carried out in 1% ampholytes for 574 watt-hours. The interferon activity was concentrated in a pH range of 6-6.5, whereas, the majority of proteins were generally found in a more acidic position. The dissociated interferon was neutralized by polyclonal antibody to human interferon alpha (IFN alpha) and showed no presence of pH labile form. A pH sensitivity of high molecular weight interferon (HMW-IFN) may reflect an aggregation phenomenon rather than intrinsic structural differences.     

Dissection of the interferon gamma-MHC class II signal transduction pathway reveals that type I and type II interferon systems share common signalling component(s).

We have used a herpes virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) based metabolic selection system to isolate mutants defective in the interferon gamma mediated induction of the MHC class II promoter. All the mutations act in trans and result in no detectable induction of MHC and invariant chain (Ii) gene expression. Scatchard analysis indicates that the mutants have a normal number of surface IFN gamma receptors with the same affinity constant. The mutants fall into two broad categories. One class of mutants is still able to induce MHC class I, IRF-1, 9-27, 1-8 and GBP genes by IFN gamma. A second class of mutants is defective for the IFN gamma induction of all the genes tested; surprisingly, the IFN alpha/beta induction of MHC class I, 9-27, ISG54 and ISG15 genes is also defective in these mutants, although different members of this class can be discriminated by the response of the GBP and IRF-1 genes to type I interferons. These data demonstrate that the signalling pathways of both type I and type II interferon systems share common signal transduction component(s). These mutants will be useful for the study of IFN gamma regulation of class II genes and Ii chain, and to elucidate molecular components of type I and type II interferon signal transduction.     

Stimulation of protein synthesis by a 34 KD DNA-binding protein from human placenta

A 34 KD DNA-binding protein fraction from human placenta stimulated endogenous protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte and wheat-germ cell-free systems. Though the synthesis of several proteins were stimulated by the 34 KD protein, a dose-dependent increase of two polypeptides of molecular weights 42,000 and 51,000 were distinctly observed in reticulocyte lysates. The synthesis of the major protein (beta-globin) was not affected by the 34 KD protein. In both hemin supplemented and unsupplemented lysates, the ability of 34 KD protein to stimulate the synthesis of high molecular weight (HMW) proteins was drastically reduced by Mg++ and not by dsRNA.     

Molecular size heterogeneity of human leukocyte interferon

Molecular sieving of human leukocyte interferon revealed an apparent molecular weight of 26,000. However, after denaturation by guanidine hydrochloride in the presence of a reducing agent and reactivation by extensive dialysis, a molecular weight of only 21,000 was observed. The reactivated human leukocyte interferon (mol wt 21,000) gave a single peak of activity when analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, confirming that a single molecular weight species was generated by the denaturation and reactivation procedure. A partial unfolding of the molecule was evident when the interferon preparation was heated to 50 degrees C in the absence or presence of an unfolding agent and then sieved on Sephadex G-100 Superfine. These results suggest that the interferon molecule undergoes a proteolytic cleavage probably by a protease present in extracellular fluid. Thus, a peptide fragment dissociates from the parent molecule when human leukocyte interferon is denatured in the presence of a reducing agent, resulting in a drop of 5,000 in molecular weight; interestingly, the resultant 21,000 molecular weight form still retains its antiviral activity.