Isolation and properties of goat beta 2-microglobulin

Goat beta 2-microglobulin was isolated and purified from colostrum. Comparisons of the amino acid composition and amino-terminal sequence of the goat protein with the bovine and human homologues, indicates a high degree of similarity. Both goat and bovine beta 2-microglobulins differ slightly in composition from the human molecule, most notably in threonine and proline values. For the first 32 residues, bovine and goat differ only at two positions, one of which is a valyl/isoleucyl substitution consistent with the amino acid compositions. The equivalent goat/human sequence comparison shows seven differences. Immunological studies, using the ELISA method, also confirm the close relatedness of goat and bovine beta 2-microglobulin and their more distant relatedness to the human homologue.     

Isolation of beta2-microglobulin from human colostrum (author's transl)]

The beta2-microglobulin from human colostrum was purified by a combination of ordinary protein-chemical techniques: gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography and zone electrophoresis. The procedure is organized in such a way that the simultaneous isolation of many other milk proteins is possible. The beta2-microglobulin obtained from colostrum cannot be distinguished by physical-chemical or immunological means from the beta2-microblobulin isolated from the urine of patients with kidney-tubule diseases. At the beginning of lactation, human milk contains significantly more than 10 mg/-100 ml beta2-microglobulin, but the concentration drops within two or three days to 15-30% of the original amount.     

beta2-microglobulin locus on human chromosome 15.

We have developed an autoradiographic/electrophoretic assay capable of distinguishing mouse and human beta2-microglobulin (beta2m) in spent culture media. The method is applicable to mouse and human lines and to hybrid cell lines made from them. With this technique, mouse/human hybrid cell lines were tested for the presence of human beta2m. Isozyme and karyotype analyses were also carried out with the hybrids. The combined results of these studies show that the structural gene for human beta2m is on the long arm of chromosome 15.     

Properties of some variants of human beta2-microglobulin and amyloidogenesis

Three variants of human beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)-m) were compared with wild-type protein. For two variants, namely the mutant R3Abeta(2)-m and the form devoid of the N-terminal tripeptide (DeltaN3beta(2)-m), a reduced unfolding free energy was measured compared with wild-type beta(2)-m, whereas an increased stability was observed for the mutant H31Ybeta(2)-m. The solution structure could be determined by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and restrained modeling only for R3Abeta(2)-m that showed the same conformation as the parent species, except for deviations at the interstrand loops. Analogous conclusions were reached for H31Ybeta(2)-m and DeltaN3beta(2)-m. Precipitation and unfolding were observed over time periods shorter than 4-6 weeks with all the variants and, sometimes, with wild-type protein. The rate of structured protein loss from solution as a result of precipitation and unfolding always showed pseudo-zeroth order kinetics. This and the failure to observe an unfolded species without precipitation suggest that a nucleated conformational conversion scheme should apply for beta(2)-m fibrillogenesis. The mechanism is consistent with the previous and present results on beta(2)-m amyloid transition, provided a nucleated oligomeric species be considered the stable intermediate of fibrillogenesis, the monomeric intermediate being the necessary transition step along the pathway from the native protein to the nucleated oligomer.     

Identity of the HL-A common portion fragment and human beta2-microglobulin

Glycogen synthetase D from the 17,000 × g supernatant of a homogenate of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes has been purified to a specific activity of 7,4 units/mg protein in a single step, chromatography on Concanavalin A bound to agarose (Con A-Sepharose). The overall recovery of the enzyme was 66% and the entire procedure requires only 3–4 hours. After an in vitro D to I conversion, glycogen synthetase I was purified to a specific activity of 11,5 units/mg protein in a similar procedure.     

Cross reactivity of human beta2-microglobulin with human granulocyte colony-stimulating activity.

Effects of antisera to human beta2-microglobulin (beta2 m) on factors able to stimulate colony formation in culture by human granulopoietic progenitor cells were investigated. The colony-stimulating activity (CSA) present in media conditioned by cultures of human peripheral leukocytes was suppressed by treatment with anti-beta2m. This inhibition was not due to a direct effect on the granulopietic progenitor cells; controls to test for cytotoxicity and for noncytotoxic inhibition of the progenitor cells by anti-beta2m yielded negative results. These experiments provide evidence for a relationship between human CSA and beta-microglobulin, and suggest a possible analogy between molceules involved in the in vitro regulation of granulopoiesis and products of the major histocompatibility gene complex.     

Structure and significance of beta2-microglobulin.

beta2-Microglobulin shares many structural features with the homology regions of the immunoglobulins. Particularly significant is the fact that its amino acid sequence is homologous to the sequences of the constant regions of both classes of light chains (kappa and lambda) and to the constant homology regions of at least three classes (gamma, mu and epsilon) of heavy chains, especially the carboxyl-terminal regions Cgamma3 Cmu4 and Cepsilon4. Molecules similar to human beta2-microglobulin have been found in other vertebrate species. The properties of beta2-microglobulin suggest that the gene for this protein may have evolved from a precursor gene that by duplication gave rise to immunoglobulin light and heavy chains. Furthermore, the observation that beta2-microglobulin is synthesized by and appears on the surfaces of a variety of cell types, including nonlymphoid cells, suggests that the concepts derived from analysis of the immune system may be applicable to other areas of cell biology. In particular, the close association of this immunoglobulin-like molecule with the histocompatibility antigens has a number of implications for the origin, structure, and function of these as well as other cell surface glycoproteins.     

Overexpression of native human beta 2-microglobulin in Escherichia coli and its purification

beta 2-Microglobulin (beta 2M), the small subunit of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class-I proteins, has been synthesized in Escherichia coli and purified in mg amounts. A beta 2m cDNA clone was fused in-frame behind DNA encoding the signal sequence for the outer membrane protein, OmpA. Three different constructions were made, whose products differed by the insertion of either an extra Ala residue, the hexapeptide AEFLEA [single-letter amino acid (aa) code], or no aa between the OmpA signal sequence and beta 2M-coding sequence. All three protein products were correctly processed by bacterial signal peptidase, as determined by N-terminal sequencing, and all three were secreted as soluble proteins into the periplasmic space. However, the signal sequence of the preprotein with the inserted hexapeptide, AEFLEA, was cleaved to a much greater degree than the other two preproteins. When there was no insertion, the mature protein was identical to human beta 2M, as analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism, and native isoelectric focusing. This 'bacterial beta 2M', radiolabeled with Bolton-Hunter reagent, was able to exchange into papain-solubilized HLA-B7, as determined by Sephadex G-75 chromatography and immune precipitation, indicating that bacterial beta 2M could complex with the heavy chain of HLA-B7.     

In vitro synthesis of beta2-microglobulin by human fetal tissues.

Human fetal tissues were cultured in the presence of ¹⁴C-labeled amino acids and the culture fluids analyzed by radioimmunoelectrophoresis for the presence of radioactive β₂-microglobulin. Synthesis of the protein was demonstrated in all the tissues studied. Using the Ouchterlony method, β₂-microglobulin was also detected in culture media from serially transferred cell cultures of fetal tissues and established fetal cell strains.     

Adsorption of human beta 2-microglobulin at a water/mercury interface

Adsorption of human beta 2-microglobulin from a neutral solution of 0.15 M NaCl on a mercury surface was studied at 25 degrees C by measurement of the differential capacity of the electrical double layer. From the diffusion-controlled adsorption kinetics, the surface concentration and hence the area occupied by the adsorbed beta 2-microglobulin molecule were determined at various potentials of the mercury surface. The results indicate unfolding or flattening of beta 2-microglobulin molecules adsorbed in particular on the electrically uncharged surface. The extent of this interfacial conformational rearrangement was reduced with growing positive or negative surface charge density.     

Proteomics of beta2-microglobulin amyloid fibrils

Knowledge on the chemical structure of beta2-microglobulin in natural amyloid fibrils is quite limited because of the difficulty in obtaining tissue samples suitable for biochemical studies. We have reviewed the available information on the chemical modifications and we present new data of beta2-microglobulin extracted from non-osteotendinous tissues. beta2-microglobulin can accumulate in these compartments after long-term haemodialysis but rarely forms amyloid deposits. We confirm that truncation at the N-terminus is an event specific to beta2-microglobulin derived from fibrils but is not observed in the beta2-microglobulin from plasma or from the insoluble non-fibrillar material deposited in the heart and spleen. We also confirm the partial deamidation of Asn 17 and Asn 42, as well as the oxidation of Met 99 in fibrillar beta2-microglobulin. Other previously reported chemical modifications cannot be excluded, but should involve less than 1-2% of the intact molecule.     

Ultrasonication-induced amyloid fibril formation of beta2-microglobulin

To obtain insight into the mechanism of fibril formation, we examined the effects of ultrasonication, a strong agitator, on beta2-microglobulin (beta2-m), a protein responsible for dialysis-related amyloidosis. Upon sonication of an acid-unfolded beta2-m solution at pH 2.5, thioflavin T fluorescence increased markedly after a lag time of 1-2 h with a simultaneous increase of light scattering. Atomic force microscopy images showed the formation of a large number of short fibrils 3 nm in diameter. When the sonication-induced fibrils were used as seeds in the next seeding experiment at pH 2.5, a rapid and intense formation of long fibrils 3 nm in diameter was observed demonstrating seed-dependent fibril growth. We then examined the effects of sonication on the native beta2-m at neutral pH, conditions under which amyloid deposits occur in patients. In the presence of 0.5 mm sodium dodecyl sulfate, a model compound of potential trigger and stabilizer of amyloid fibrils in patients, a marked increase of thioflavin T fluorescence was observed after 1 day of sonication at pH 7.0. The products of sonication caused the accelerated fibril formation at pH 7.0. Atomic force microscopy images showed that the fibrils formed at pH 7.0 have a diameter of more than 7 nm, thicker than those prepared at pH 2.5. These results indicate that ultrasonication is one form of agitation triggering the formation of amyloid fibrils of beta2-m, producing fibrils adapted to the respective pH.     

Functional reconstitution of human FcRn in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells requires co-expressed human beta 2-microglobulin

The major histocompatibility complex class I-related neonatal Fc receptor, FcRn, assembles as a heterodimer consisting of a heavy chain and beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)m), which is essential for FcRn function. We observed that, in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, the function of human FcRn in mediating the bidirectional transport of IgG was significantly increased upon co-expression of the human isoform of beta(2)m. In MDCK cells, the presence of human beta(2)m endowed upon human FcRn an enhanced ability to exit the endoplasmic reticulum and acquire mature carbohydrate side-chain modifications at steady state, a faster kinetics of maturation, and augmented localization at the cell surface as a mature glycoprotein able to bind IgG. Although human FcRn with immature carbohydrate side-chain modifications was capable of exhibiting pH-dependent binding of IgG, only human FcRn with mature carbohydrate side-chain modifications was detected on the cell surface. These results show that human FcRn travels to the cell surface via the normal secretory pathway and that the appropriate expression and function of human FcRn in MDCK cells depends upon the co-expression of human beta(2)m.     

Association with beta 2-microglobulin controls the expression of transfected human class I genes

The genes encoding HLA-B27K and HLA-B27W were transfected into murine recipient cells. A monoclonal antibody HC-10, directed against free B-locus heavy chain, was the only reagent capable of efficiently detecting the HLA-B27 heavy chains in detergent lysates. These heavy chains were devoid of sialic acid. Trace amounts of HLA-B27 could be isolated with the anti-HLA-A,-B antibody W6/32, which reacts with the heavy chain beta 2-microglobulin complex. In marked contrast, HLA-A2 and -B7 genes, when transfected, yielded easily detectable amounts of antigen precipitable with W6/32, which carried the usual complement of sialic acids. Because the alpha 3 domains of HLA-B27 and HLA-B7 and the more COOH-terminal portions are identical in amino acid sequence, structural elements in the polymorphic alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains must control association of heavy chain with beta 2-microglobulin. Introduction of a human beta 2-microglobulin gene into L cells transfected with the HLA-B27 gene rescued the expression of HLA-B27 at the cell surface, as evidenced by reactivity with W6/32, surface staining, and the presence of sialic acid on the heavy chain.