Localization of binding sites for laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan and fibronectin on basement membrane (type IV) collagen

Rotary shadowing electron microscopy was used to examine complexes formed by incubating combinations of the basement membrane components: type IV collagen, laminin, large heparan sulfate proteoglycan and fibronectin. Complexes were analyzed by length measurement from the globular (COOH) domain of type IV collagen, and by examination of the four arms of laminin and the two arms of fibronectin. Type IV collagen was found to contain binding sites for laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan and fibronectin. With laminin the most frequent site was centered approximately 81 nm from the carboxy end of type IV collagen. Less frequent sites appeared to be present at approximately 216 nm and approximately 291 nm, although this was not apparent when the sites were expressed as a fraction of the length of type IV collagen to which they were bound. For heparan sulfate proteoglycan the most frequent site occurred at approximately 206 nm with a less frequent site at approximately 82 nm. For fibronectin, a single site was present at approximately 205 nm. Laminin bound to type IV collagen through its short arms, particularly through the end of the lateral short arms and to heparan sulfate proteoglycan mainly through the end of its long arm. Fibronectin bound to type IV collagen through the free end region of its arms. Using a computer graphics program, the primary laminin binding sites of two adjacent type IV collagen molecules were found to align in the "polygonal" model of type IV collagen, whereas with the "open network" model, a wide meshed matrix is predicted. It is proposed that basement membrane may consist of a lattice of type IV collagen coated with laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan and fibronectin.     

Binding of laminin to type IV collagen: a morphological study

A mixture of laminin and type IV collagen was analyzed by rotary shadowing using carbon/platinum and electron microscopy. Laminin was found to form distinct complexes with type IV collagen: one site of interaction is located 140 nm from the COOH-terminal, noncollagenous (NC1) domain and the other is located within the NH2-terminal region. The isolated NC1 fragment of type IV collagen does not appear to interact with laminin, while pepsin-treated type IV collagen, which lacks the NC1 domain, retains its ability to form complexes with laminin. Analysis of the laminin-type IV complexes indicates that laminin binds to type IV collagen via the globular regions of either of its four arms. This finding is supported by experiments using fragment P1 of laminin which lacks the globular regions and which does not bind to type IV collagen in a specific way. In addition, after heat-denaturation of laminin no specific binding is observed.     

Inhibition of laminin self-assembly and interaction with type IV collagen by antibodies to the terminal domain of the long arm

Laminin is a major glycoprotein of the basement membrane. Although its precise localization and orientation within this structure is unknown, it is presumably anchored to other macromolecules such as type IV collagen or proteoheparan sulfate. In vitro, laminin has the ability to self-assemble and to bind to type IV collagen molecules at distinct sites. To identify more precisely the domains of the complex, cross-shaped laminin molecule that are involved in these interactions, images of laminin-laminin dimers and laminin-type IV collagen complexes obtained by the rotary shadowing method were analyzed. We observed that the complex domain at the end of the long arm of laminin is predominantly involved in these interactions. By using Fab fragments of antibodies specific for a peptide fragment derived from this complex domain, it is shown that laminin self-assembly is inhibited in their presence, as measured by turbidity and by electron microscopy. In addition, these antibodies inhibit the specific interaction of laminin with type IV collagen. These data suggest that the complex domain at the end of the long arm of laminin contains binding sites of potential importance for the assembly of basement membranes.     

Recombinant Human Collagen XV Regulates Cell Adhesion and Migration

The C-terminal end of collagen XV, restin, has been the focus of several studies, but the functions of full-length collagen XV have remained unknown. We describe here studies on the production, purification, and function of collagen XV and the production of a monoclonal N-terminal antibody to it. Full-length human collagen XV was produced in insect cells using baculoviruses and purified from the cell culture medium. The yield was 15 mg/liter of cell culture medium. The collagen XV was shown to be trimeric, with disulfide bonds in the collagenous region. Rotary shadowing electron microscopy revealed rod-like molecules with a mean length of 241.8 nm and with a globular domain at one end. The globular domain was verified to be the N-terminal end by N-terminal antibody binding. The molecules show flexibility in their conformation, presumably due to the many interruptions in their collagenous domains. The ability of collagen XV to serve as a substrate for cells was tested in cell adhesion assays, and it was shown that cells did not bind to collagen XV-coated surfaces. When added to the culture medium of fibroblasts and fibrosarcoma cells, however, collagen XV rapidly bound to their fibronectin network. Solid phase assays showed that collagen XV binds to fibronectin, laminin, and vitronectin and that it binds to the collagen/gelatin-binding domain of fibronectin. No binding was detected to fibrillar collagens, fibril-associated collagens, or decorin. Interestingly, collagen XV was found to inhibit the adhesion and migration of fibrosarcoma cells when present in fibronectin-containing matrices.     

Shape and assembly of type IV procollagen obtained from cell culture.

Type IV procollagen was isolated from the culture medium of the teratocarcinoma cell line PYS-2 by affinity chromatography on heparin-Sepharose. Immunological studies showed that type IV procollagen is composed of pro-alpha 1(IV) and pro-alpha 2(IV) chains and contains two potential cross-linking sites which are located in the short triple-helical 7S domain and the globular domain NC1 . The 7S domain was also identified as the heparin binding site. Rotary shadowing visualized type IV procollagen as a single triple-helical rod (length 388 nm) with a globule at one end. Some of the procollagen in the medium, however, had formed aggregates by alignment of 2-4 molecules along their 7S domains. After deposition in the cell matrix, non-reducible cross-links between the 7S domains are formed while the globules of two procollagen molecules connect to each other. The latter may require a slight proteolytic processing of the globular domains NC1 . The shape of type IV procollagen and the initial steps in its assembly are compatible with a recently proposed network of type IV collagen molecules in basement membranes. Since both type IV collagen and laminin bind to heparin, the formation of higher ordered structures by interaction of both proteins with heparan-sulfate proteoglycan may occur in situ.     

Heparin type IV collagen interactions: equilibrium binding and inhibition of type IV collagen self-assembly

Interactions between type IV collagen and heparin were examined under equilibrium conditions with rotary shadowing, solid-phase binding assays, and affinity chromatography. With the technique of rotary shadowing and electron microscopy, heparin appeared as thin, short strands and bound to the following three sites: the NC1 domain, and in the helix, at 100 and 300 nm from the NC1 domain. By solid-phase binding assays the binding of [3H]heparin in solution to type IV collagen immobilized on a solid surface was found to be specific, since it was saturable and could be displaced by an excess of unlabeled heparin. Scatchard analysis indicated three classes of binding sites for heparin-type IV collagen interactions with dissociation constants of 3, 30, and 100 nM, respectively. Furthermore, by the solid-phase binding assays, the binding of tritiated heparin could be competed almost to the same extent by unlabeled heparin and chondroitin sulfate side chains. This finding indicates that chondroitin sulfate should also bind to type IV collagen. By affinity chromatography, [3H]heparin bound to a type IV collagen affinity column and was eluted with a linear salt gradient, with a profile exhibiting three distinct peaks at 0.18, 0.22, and 0.24 M KCl, respectively. This suggested that heparin-type IV collagen binding was of an electrostatic nature. Finally, the effect of the binding of heparin to type IV collagen on the process of self-assembly of this basement membrane glycoprotein was studied by turbidimetry and rotary shadowing. In turbidity experiments, the presence of heparin, even in small concentrations, drastically reduced maximal aggregation of type IV collagen which was prewarmed to 37 degrees C. By using the morphological approach of rotary shadowing, lateral associations and network formation by prewarmed type IV collagen were inhibited in the presence of heparin. Thus, the binding of heparin resulted in hindrance of assembly of type IV collagen, a process previously described for interactions between various glycosaminoglycans and interstitial collagens. Such regulation may influence the assembly of basement membranes and possibly modify functions. Furthermore, qualitative and quantitative changes of proteoglycans which occur in certain pathological conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, may alter molecular assembly and possibly permeability functions of several basement membranes.     

Migratory interaction of amphibian epidermal cells with components of the basement membrane

In adult newts, basal epidermal cells adjacent to a fresh wound move toward the damaged area by migrating over the epidermal basement membrane. In an attempt to determine which basement membrane components mediate this migration, small pieces of glass coated with various natural matrices, purified proteins, or fragments of proteins were implanted into skin wounds such that epidermal cells attempting to form a wound epithelium would encounter the implants. Laminin derived from a cell line (M1536-B3) that produces no type IV collagen was inactive as a migration substrate. Migration on recombinant entactin was somewhat better than on laminin but was still only ～ 14% of that on type I collagen. M15 matrix, a laminin and entactin-containing product of M1536-B3 cells, was no better than entactin alone. Type IV collagen was an excellent substrate, producing slightly more migration than corresponding concentrations of type I collagen at nearly all concentrations tested. Migration on type IV lacking the NC1 domain was at least as good as on intact type IV. All the activity in type IV was present in a 95 kD fragment (al (IV)95) from the carboxy terminal two-thirds of the α1 chain. Approximately 60% of the activity on β1(IV)95 was obtained on implants coated with a 110 amino acid fragment of the α1 chain derived from the carboxy terminal half of α1(IV)95. Adding the synthetic peptide, arg-gly-asp-ser (RGDS) to the medium, biocked migration on fibronectin-coated implants but had no effect on implants coated with type IV, suggesting that migration on type IV involves different cell surface receptors than those mediating migration over fibronectin. Matrigel, a commercial product containing most basement membrane components, was a poor migration substrate. Thus if type IV mediates basal cell migration toward a wound in vivo, there may have to be some alterations in basement membrane structure to allow epidermal receptors to access type IV active site(s). © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The type XIII collagen ectodomain is a 150-nm rod and capable of binding to fibronectin, nidogen-2, perlecan, and heparin

Type XIII collagen consists of a short N-terminal intracellular domain, a transmembrane domain, and a collagenous ectodomain, and it is found at many sites of cell adhesion. We report on the characterization of recombinant type XIII collagen. The shed ectodomain was purified from insect cell culture medium and shown to form 240-kDa trimers with a T(m) of 42 degrees C. Correct chain association into a triple-helical conformation was confirmed by limited pepsin digestion and CD spectroscopy. Rotary shadowing electron microscopy of the ectodomain revealed it to be a 150-nm rod with two flexible hinges separating 31-, 52-, and 68-nm portions. The rods represent the collagenous domains 1-3, and the hinges coincide with the non-collagenous domains 2 and 3. By using surface plasmon resonance analysis, the ectodomain showed interaction with immobilized fibronectin, nidogen-2, and perlecan with K(D) values in the nanomolar range. The binding sites of type XIII collagen for fibronectin were localized to the collagenous domains, whereas the binding activities for nidogen-2 and perlecan resided in the pepsin-sensitive portions of the ectodomain. Furthermore, the ectodomain bound significantly to heparin, which also inhibited shedding of the ectodomain in insect cell cultures. The results reveal that type XIII collagen is notably distinct in its structure compared with other cell-surface proteins, and the in vitro binding with fibronectin, heparin, and two basement membrane components is indicative of multiple cell-matrix interactions in which this ubiquitously expressed protein participates.     

Differential effects of laminin, intact type IV collagen, and specific domains of type IV collagen on endothelial cell adhesion and migration

Laminin and type IV collagen were compared for the ability to promote aortic endothelial cell adhesion and directed migration in vitro. Substratum-adsorbed IV promoted aortic endothelial cell adhesion in a concentration dependent fashion attaining a maximum level 141-fold greater than controls within 30 min. Aortic endothelial cell adhesion to type IV collagen was not inhibited by high levels (10(-3) M) of arginyl-glycyl-aspartyl-serine. In contrast, adhesion of aortic endothelial cells on laminin was slower, attaining only 53% of the adhesion observed on type IV collagen by 90 min. Type IV collagen when added to the lower well of a Boyden chamber stimulated the directional migration of aortic endothelial cells in a concentration dependent manner with a maximal response 6.9-fold over control levels, whereas aortic endothelial cells did not migrate in response to laminin at any concentration (.01-2.0 X 10(-7) M). Triple helix-rich fragments of type IV collagen were nearly as active as intact type IV collagen in stimulating both adhesion and migration whereas the carboxy terminal globular domain was less active at promoting adhesion (36% of the adhesion promoted by intact type IV collagen) or migration. Importantly, aortic endothelial cells also migrate to substratum adsorbed gradients of type IV collagen suggesting that the mechanism of migration is haptotactic in nature. These results demonstrate that the aortic endothelial cell adhesion and migration is preferentially promoted by type IV collagen compared with laminin, and has a complex molecular basis which may be important in angiogenesis and large vessel repair.     

Characterization of type XI collagen-glycosaminoglycan interactions

Using competitive binding experiments, it was found that native type XI collagen binds heparin, heparan sulfate, and dermatan sulfate. However, interactions were not evident with hyaluronic acid, keratan sulfate, or chondroitin sulfate chains over the concentration range studied. Chondrocyte-matrix interactions were investigated using cell attachment to solid phase type XI collagen. Pretreatment of chondrocytes with either heparin or heparinase significantly reduced attachment to type XI collagen. Incubation of denatured and cyanogen bromide-cleaved type XI collagen with radiolabeled heparin identified sites of interaction on the alpha1(XI) and alpha2(XI) chains. NH(2)-terminal sequence data confirmed that the predominant heparin-binding peptide contained the sequence GKPGPRGQRGPTGPRGSRGAR from the alpha1(XI) chain. Using rotary shadowing electron microscopy of native type XI collagen molecules and heparin-bovine serum albumin conjugate, an additional binding site was identified at one end of the triple helical region of the collagen molecule. This coincides with consensus heparin binding motifs present at the amino-terminal ends of both the alpha1(XI) and the alpha2(XI) chains. The contribution of glycosaminoglycan-type XI collagen interactions to cartilage matrix stabilization is discussed.     

In vitro studies on adult cardiac myocytes: attachment and biosynthesis of collagen type IV and laminin

The interactions between adult rat cardiac myocytes and the basement membrane components collagen type IV and laminin were investigated in attachment experiments and biosynthesis studies and by immunofluorescence staining. Adult myocytes attached equally well to native collagen type IV and laminin but did not attach to collagen type IV solubilized with pepsin (P-CIV) or to collagen type I. However, when laminin was used to coat P-CIV, attachment was enhanced. Affinity-purified antibodies against laminin inhibited the attachment of myocytes to dishes coated with native collagen type IV, indicating that cell surface-bound laminin mediated attachment of the cells to this substrate. Immunofluorescence staining of freshly isolated myocytes, using antibodies against laminin or collagen type IV, revealed the presence of laminin but not of collagen type IV on the surface of freshly isolated cells, indicating that during the isolation procedure collagen IV was removed from the cell surface. Metabolic labeling followed by immunoprecipitation demonstrated synthesis of both laminin and collagen type IV in cardiac myocytes as they progressed into culture over a 14-day period. This synthesis was accompanied by the deposition of the collagen type IV and laminin into distinctly different patterns as revealed by immunofluorescence staining. As the cells progressed into culture, newly synthesized laminin formed a network radiating from the center of the reorganizing cell into the pseudopods. The laminin was redistributed and remodeled with time in culture to form a dense layer beneath the cell. Collagen type IV was also synthesized with time in culture, but the pattern was a much finer network as opposed to the denser pattern of laminin staining. These studies demonstrate that adult cardiac myocytes synthesize and remodel the basement membrane as they adapt to the culture environment.     

Binding of nidogen and the laminin-nidogen complex to basement membrane collagen type IV

The laminin-nidogen complex and purified nidogen both bind collagen IV but not other collagens, as shown by solid-state ligand-binding and inhibition assays. Laminin purified from the dissociated complex and a variety of laminin proteolytic fragments failed to bind collagen IV. Complexes formed in solution between nidogen or laminin-nidogen and collagen IV were visualized by rotary shadowing which identified one major binding site about 80 nm away from the C-terminus of the collagen triple helix. A second, weaker binding site may exist closer to its N-terminus. Binding sites of nidogen were assigned to its C-terminal globular domain which also possesses laminin-binding structures. A more diverse collagen-IV-binding pattern was observed for the laminin nidogen complex, whereby interactions may involve both nidogen and short-arm structures of laminin.     

Covalent and non-covalent interactions of betaig-h3 with collagen VI. Beta ig-h3 is covalently attached to the amino-terminal region of collagen VI in tissue microfibrils

Transforming growth factor-beta induced gene-h3 (betaig-h3) was found to co-purify with collagen VI microfibrils, extracted from developing fetal ligament, after equilibrium density gradient centrifugation under both nondenaturing and denaturing conditions. Analysis of the collagen VI fraction from the non-denaturing gradient by gel electrophoresis under non-reducing conditions revealed the present of a single high molecular weight band that immunostained for both collagen VI and betaig-h3. When the fraction was analyzed under reducing conditions, collagen VI alpha chains and betaig-h3 were the only species evident. The results indicated that betaig-h3 is associated with collagen VI in tissues by reducible covalent bonding, presumably disulfide bridges. Rotary shadowing and immunogold staining of the collagen VI microfibrils and isolated tetramers indicated that betaig-h3 was specifically and periodically associated with the double-beaded region of many of the microfibrils and that this covalent binding site was located in or near the amino-terminal globular domain of the collagen VI molecule. Using solid phase and co-immunoprecipitation assays, recombinant betaig-h3 was found to bind both native and pepsin-treated collagen VI but not individual pepsin-collagen VI alpha chains. Blocking experiments indicated that the major in vitro betaig-h3 binding site was located in the pepsin-resistant region of collagen VI. In contrast to the tissue situation, the in vitro interaction had the characteristics of a reversible non-covalent interaction, and the Kd was measured as 1.63 x 10(-8) m. Rotary shadowing of immunogold-labeled complexes of recombinant betaig-h3 and pepsin-collagen VI indicated that the in vitro betaig-h3 binding site was located close to the amino-terminal end of the collagen VI triple helix. The evidence indicates that collagen VI may contain distinct covalent and non-covalent binding sites for betaig-h3, although the possibility that both interactions use the same binding region is discussed. Overall the study supports the concept that betaig-h3 is extensively associated with collagen VI in some tissues and that it plays an important modulating role in collagen VI microfibril function.     

Binding of host extracellular matrix proteins to Mycoplasma fermentans and its effect on adherence to, and invasion of HeLa cells

In the present study, we show that intact Mycoplasma fermentans cells have a wealth of adhesive interactions with components of the extracellular matrix. Mycoplasma fermentans intensively bind plasminogen, and to a lesser extent, fibronectin, heparin, and laminin. The binding of collagen type III, IV, or V was low. The binding of plasminogen, collagen type III, or collagen type V markedly enhanced the adherence of M. fermentans to HeLa cells, whereas the binding of fibronectin, heparin, laminin, or collagen IV induced only a small effect on mycoplasma adherence. Utilizing plasminogen-treated M. fermentans preparations, we detected microorganisms within host HeLa cells by the gentamicin protection assay or by confocal laser scanning microscopy of immunofluorescent preparations. However, no intracellular M. fermentans was detected when M. fermentans preparations treated with fibronectin, heparin, laminin, or collagen type III, IV, or V were utilized.     

Immunochemistry, genuine size and tissue localization of collagen VI

Collagen VI was solubilized with pepsin from human placenta and used for preparing rabbit antisera. Major antigenic determinants were located in the central region of the antigen including triple-helical and globular structures. Antisera prepared against a constituent-chain showed preferential reactions with unfolded structures. Antibodies were purified by affinity chromatography and failed to cross-react with other collagen types I-V and with fibronectin. These antibodies demonstrated intracellular and extracellular collagen VI in fibroblast and smooth muscle cell cultures. Immunoblotting identified a disulfide-bonded constituent chain about twice as large as those of the pepsin fragments in both cell cultures and tissue extracts. Rotary shadowing electron microscopy indicated that the increase in mass is due to larger globular domains present at both ends of collagen VI monomers. Indirect immunofluorescence demonstrated a wide occurrence of collagen VI in connective tissue particularly of large vessels, kidney, skin, liver and muscle. Collagen VI is apparently not a typical constituent of cartilage or of basement membranes. Ultrastructural studies using the immunoferritin technique showed collagen VI along thin filaments or in amorphous regions of aortic media or placenta but not in association with thick, cross-striated collagen fibrils or elastin. This supports previous suggestions that collagen VI is a constituent of microfibrillar structures of the body.     

Mapping of SPARC/BM-40/osteonectin-binding sites on fibrillar collagens

The 33-kDa matrix protein SPARC (BM-40, osteonectin) binds several collagen types with moderate affinity. The collagen-binding site resides in helix alphaA of the extracellular calcium-binding domain of SPARC and is partially masked by helix alphaC. Previously, we found that the removal of helix alphaC caused a 10-fold increase in the affinity of SPARC for collagen, and we identified amino acids crucial for binding by site-directed mutagenesis. In this study, we used rotary shadowing, CNBr peptides, and synthetic peptides to map binding sites of SPARC onto collagens I, II, and III. Rotary shadowing and electron microscopy of SPARC-collagen complexes identified a major binding site approximately 180 nm from the C terminus of collagen. SPARC binding was also detected with lower frequency near the matrix metalloproteinase cleavage site. These data fit well with our analysis of SPARC binding to CNBr peptides, denaturation of which abolished binding, indicating triple-helical conformation of collagen to be essential. SPARC binding was substantially decreased in two of seven alpha2(I) mutant procollagen I samples and after N-acetylation of Lys/Hyl side chains in wild-type collagen. Synthetic peptides of collagen III were used to locate the binding sites, and we found SPARC binding activity in a synthetic triple-helical peptide containing the sequence GPOGPSGPRGQOGVMGFOGPKGNDGAO (where O indicates 4-hydroxyproline), with affinity for SPARC comparable with that of procollagen III. This sequence is conserved among alpha chains of collagens I, II, III, and V. In vitro collagen fibrillogenesis was delayed in the presence of SPARC, suggesting that SPARC might modulate collagen fibril assembly in vivo.     

Subunit structure of a laminin-binding integrin and localization of its binding site on laminin

A laminin receptor was isolated from human MG-63 osteosarcoma cells by affinity chromatography on human laminin. The isolated receptor was defined as the alpha 3 beta 1 integrin by immunoprecipitation with subunit-specific antibodies. A previously unclassified laminin-binding integrin from rat cells was shown also to contain the alpha 3 subunit. Both receptors bound to human and mouse laminin in a radioreceptor assay. They also both bound to some extent to fibronectin in this assay, but only the MG-63 cell receptor showed binding to type IV collagen. The binding of the radiolabeled receptor to insoluble laminin was inhibited by unlabeled receptor, by soluble laminin, and by chymotryptic fragments of laminin that have previously been shown to contain neurite-promoting and cell attachment-promoting activities. Moreover, the receptor binding was also inhibited by monoclonal antibodies capable of inhibiting the neurite-promoting activity of laminin and known to bind to laminin near the junction of the long arm and its terminal globule. One of these antibodies was reactive with fusion proteins expressed from laminin cDNA clones. The immunoreactive clones corresponded to the COOH-terminal end of the B1 subunit. These results identify the integrin-type laminin receptor isolated from the osteosarcoma cells as the alpha 3 beta 1 integrin and localize its binding site in close proximity of the B1 subunit COOH terminus.     

Lack of heparan sulfate proteoglycan in a discontinuous and irregular placental basement membrane

A discontinuous basement membrane of variable width that surrounds spongiotrophoblast cells of rat placenta was examined for the presence of type IV collagen, laminin, a heparan sulfate proteoglycan, entactin, and fibronectin using monospecific antibodies or antisera and the indirect peroxidase technique. At the level of the light microscope, the basement membrane was immunostained for type IV collagen, laminin, entactin, and fibronectin. Heparan sulfate proteoglycan immunostaining, however, was virtually absent even after pretreatment of sections with 0.1 N acetic acid, pepsin (0.1 microgram/ml) or 0.13 M sodium borohydride. Examination in the electron microscope confirmed the lack of immunostaining for heparan sulfate proteoglycan, whereas the other substances were mainly localized to the lamina densa part of the basement membrane. The absence of heparan sulfate proteoglycan in this discontinuous and irregular basement membrane even though type IV collagen, laminin, entactin, and fibronectin are present, suggests that heparan sulfate proteoglycan may have a structural role in the formation of basement membrane.     

Immunoelectron microscopic localization of laminin, type IV collagen, and type III pN-collagen in reticular fibers of human lymph nodes

We studied the ultrastructural distribution of laminin, type IV collagen, and the amino terminal pro-peptide of type III collagen (type III pN-collagen) in normal human lymph nodes. After fixation with freshly prepared 4% paraformaldehyde mixed with 0.1% glutaraldehyde, cryoultramicrotomy proved to preserve the antigenicity of these proteins better than embedding in Lowicryl K4M. Sections were treated with rabbit antibodies against the 7S domain of human type IV collagen, the fragment P1 of human laminin, and the amino terminal pro-peptide of human type III pro-collagen, followed by anti-rabbit IgG conjugated to 10-nm colloidal gold. Laminin and type IV collagen were seen in the basement membrane structures of the blood vessels and in the walls of sinuses. The amorphous material between the collagenous fibers in locations corresponding to reticular fibers also contained laminin and type IV collagen. The amino terminal pro-peptide of type III pro-collagen was present in the collagenous fibers in reticular fibers and in the walls of blood vessels and sinuses. Therefore, a significant number of the type III collagen molecules in these fibers must have retained their amino terminal pro-peptide. These results indicate that the basement membrane proteins laminin and type IV collagen are genuine components of reticular fibers, as suggested earlier by immunohistochemical studies at the light microscopic level.     

Kinetic analysis of the reaction catalyzed by rat-liver 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme-A reductase using two specific inhibitors.

Laminin was recently characterized as being a major non-collageneous protein of the basement membrane matrix produced by a mouse tumor. It was extracted from the tumor matrix with neutral buffer and purified under non-denaturing conditions. Rabbit and guinea pig antisera raised against laminin or a large pepsin fragment P1 of laminin showed strong binding to both laminin and peptide P1 but only a weak reaction with reduced and alkylated laminin. The major antigenic determinants of laminin were located in a disulfide knot, comprising one third of the molecule, which resisted degradation by pepsin or cyanogen bromide. Minor antigenic determinants shared by the native and reduced protein could also be identified. The data were interpreted as showing that laminin consists of conformationally rigid as well as more flexible domains. Absorption studies with mouse kidney homogenate indicated that authenic basement membranes contain a protein immunologically identical to laminin. Tissues from other species contain a related protein which exhibits partial cross-reaction with mouse laminin. Together with immunofluorescence data the findings demonstrate that laminin, like type IV collagen, occurs in most basement membranes of the body.