Binding activity of Streptococcus canis for albumin and other plasma proteins

All 24 cultures of Streptococcus canis examined bound 125I-labelled human albumin, IgG and fibrinogen; but neither IgA nor haptoglobin. Binding of human albumin was time-dependent, saturable and reversible by the addition of unlabelled albumin. The binding of 125I-labelled human albumin could be inhibited completely by unlabelled albumin preparations from humans, mice and dogs, and partly by bovine albumin. In contrast, binding of 125I-labelled human albumin was not inhibited by unlabelled rabbit albumin, human IgG or human fibrinogen. Data from competition experiments of two S. canis cultures with high 125I-labelled albumin-binding activities yielded KD values of 10 and 15 nmol l-1, respectively. The estimated number of binding sites per bacterial cell ranged from 30,000 to 57,000. The binding factor for albumin could be isolated from S. canis by boiling the bacteria at pH 2, and it was purified by affinity chromatography on human albumin-Sepharose. The isolated albumin-binding proteins had a molecular mass of approximately 51 kDa and inhibited binding of 125I-labelled albumin to S. canis. They formed complexes with human albumin that altered its electrophoretic mobility.     

Lactate, alanine and glutamine metabolism in isolated canine pup liver cells

125I-Labelled alpha 2-macroglobulin-trypsin complex (125I-labelled alpha 2-macroglobulin X trypsin) was associated to isolated rat adipocytes and hepatocytes with a half-time of about 60 min at 37 degrees C. The association of 0.5 micrograms/ml 125I-labelled alpha 2-macroglobulin X trypsin was inhibited by unlabelled alpha 2-macroglobulin X trypsin with a half-inhibition constant of about 8 micrograms/ml (11 nM). 125I-Labelled alpha 2-macroglobulin became cell-associated to a smaller extent (10-40% of that of alpha 2-macroglobulin X trypsin) and the half-inhibition constant was about 35 micrograms/ml in adipocytes. The cell association of 125I-labelled alpha 2-macroglobulin X trypsin was markedly inhibited by dansylcadaverine, bacitracin, omission of Ca2+ from the medium or pretreatment of the cells with trypsin. After incubation for 180 min more than 60% of the cell-associated 125I-labelled alpha 2-macroglobulin X trypsin was not removed by treatment of the cells with trypsin-EDTA and represented probably internalized material. 125I-Labelled alpha 2-macroglobulin X trypsin was degraded to trichloroacetic acid-soluble fragments by suspensions of both cell types but only to a negligible extent by incubation media preincubated with these cells. The rate of degradation of 0.5 micrograms/ml 125I-labelled alpha 2-macroglobulin was approx. 40% of that of 125I-labelled alpha 2-macroglobulin X trypsin. Degradation of 125I-labelled alpha 2-macroglobulin X trypsin was abolished by a high concentration (0.5 mg/ml) of alpha 2-macroglobulin X trypsin. It is concluded that alpha 2-macroglobulin X trypsin by a specific and saturable mechanism is bound to, internalized and degraded by isolated rat adipocytes and hepatocytes.     

Association of alpha 2-macroglobulin-thrombin and alpha 2-macroglobulin-plasmin complexes with isolated hepatocytes

125I-labelled alpha 2-macroglobulin complexed with thrombin or plasmin bound to hepatocytes in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The apparent Kd values calculated from displacement experiments were 7.9 X 10(-8) M for alpha 2-macroglobulin-thrombin and 8.5 X 10(-8) M for alpha 2-macroglobulin-plasmin. Association of these complexes was only partially reversible; after a 180 min incubation period, 50-60% of the bound radioactivity was internalized by the cells. alpha 2-Macroglobulin itself bound also to hepatocytes, but the affinity of the alpha 2-macroglobulin complexes was higher than that of the inhibitor alone, and alpha 2-macroglobulin was not internalized, either. 125I-labelled thrombin or plasmin bound to hepatocytes as well. These bindings were also concentration-dependent and could be decreased with an excess of unlabelled ligands. Binding rates and amounts of the bound proteinases were higher than those of their alpha 2-macroglobulin complexes. The alpha 2-macroglobulin-thrombin complex competed with the alpha 2-macroglobulin-plasmin complex in binding to hepatocytes, whereas there was no competition between these complexes and the antithrombin III-thrombin complex. These results suggest that the binding sites of hepatocytes for alpha 2-macroglobulin-proteinase and antithrombin III-proteinase complexes are different.     

Characterization, size estimation and solubilization of alpha-macroglobulin complex receptors in liver membranes

Receptors for alpha 2-macroglobulin-proteinase complexes have been characterized in rat and human liver membranes. The affinity for binding of 125I-labelled alpha 2-macroglobulin.trypsin to rat liver membranes was markedly pH-dependent in the physiological range with maximum binding at pH 7.8-9.0. The half-time for association was about 5 min at 37 degrees C in contrast to about 5 h at 4 degrees C. The half-saturation constant was about 100 pM at 4 degrees C and 1 nM at 37 degrees C (pH 7.8). The binding capacity was approx. 300 pmol per g protein for rat liver membranes and about 100 pmol per g for human membranes. Radiation inactivation studies showed a target size of 466 +/- 71 kDa (S.D., n = 7) for alpha 2-macroglobulin.trypsin binding activity. Affinity cross-linking to rat and human membranes of 125I-labelled rat alpha 1-inhibitor-3.chymotrypsin, a 210 kDa analogue which binds to the alpha 2-macroglobulin receptors in hepatocytes (Gliemann, J. and Sottrup-Jensen, L. (1987) FEBS Lett. 221, 55-60), followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, revealed radioactivity in a band not distinguishable from that of cross-linked alpha 2-macroglobulin (720 kDa). This radioactivity was absent when membranes with bound 125I-alpha 1-inhibitor-3 complex were treated with EDTA before cross-linking and when incubation and cross-linking were carried out in the presence of a saturating concentration of unlabelled complex. The saturable binding activity was maintained when membranes were solubilized in the detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]propane sulfonate (CHAPS) and the size of the receptor as estimated by cross-linking experiments was shown to be similar to that determined in the membranes. It is concluded that liver membranes contain high concentrations of an approx. 400-500 kDa alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor soluble in CHAPS. The soluble preparation should provide a suitable material for purification and further characterization of the receptor.     

Lactoferrin binding properties of Vibrio cholerae.

The lactoferrin binding properties of Vibrio cholerae, a non-invasive pathogen were investigated. Screening of fifty V. cholerae strains of different serogroups and serotypes, showed that 10% of the V. cholerae strains bound to 125I-labelled lactoferrin, and 40% of the 125I-labelled lactoferrin bound to V. cholerae strain 623 could be displaced by unlabelled lactoferrin. Other iron-binding glycoproteins and ferroproteins like ferritin, transferrin, haemoglobin, and myoglobin inhibited the binding of 125I-lactoferrin to a lesser degree. Monosaccharides (GalNac, Man, Gal, and Fuc), and other glycoproteins such as fetuin and orosomucoid also inhibited the binding to a lesser extent. V. cholerae 623 showed a cell surface associated-proteolytic activity which cleaved off the cell-bound 125I-labelled lactoferrin. The generation of cryptotopes on the V. cholerae cell surface by proteolytic digestion favoured the binding of ferritin, transferrin, haemoglobin, and haemin, as well as Congo red, to cells of V. cholerae 623.     

Carbohydrate specific binding of fibronectin to Vibrio cholerae cells

Cells of 10 strains of Vibrio cholerae were grown on Trypticase Soy Broth and were tested for different surface porperties such as expression of surface haemagglutinins, cell-surface hydrophobicity and binding to 3 connective tissue proteins: fibronectin, type II collagen and fibrinogen.All strains bound fibronectin and one selected strain was shown to bind in a time-dependent and saturable manner.The binding of ¹²⁵I-labelled fibronectin could be completely inhibited by unlabelled fibronectin, and also partly by some other glycoproteins. Mannose inhibited binding of fibronectin up to 60%. The data indicate that carbohydrate structures within the 40 kDa (gelatin binding) and 105 kDa (cell binding) fragments of fibronectin are recognized by lectins on V. cholerae. The binding of collagen or fibrinogen was low or negligible.     

Long term production of acute-phase proteins by adult rat hepatocytes co-cultured with another liver cell type in serum-free medium

Three acute-phase proteins, haptoglobin, alpha 2-macroglobulin and hemopexin, as well as albumin, have been measured daily in the hydrocortisone-supplemented serum-free medium of pure and mixed cultures of adult rat hepatocytes for 5 and 20 days respectively. Whereas plasma protein production rapidly declined in pure culture, it remained relatively stable when hepatocytes were co-cultured with rat liver epithelial cells. In the latter cultures, an early stimulation of albumin and alpha 2-macroglobulin secretion was observed. In addition, four other plasma proteins, fibrinogen, alpha 1-acute-phase protein, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and alpha 1-antitrypsin were shown by immunodiffusion to still be produced by day 20 of co-culture. These results suggest that hepatocyte co-cultures represent a suitable model for studying the mechanism which controls synthesis of plasma proteins, including acute-phase proteins by liver cells.     

Low density lipoprotein binding, internalization, and degradation in human adipose cells.

Human adipose tissue derives its cholesterol primarily from circulating lipoproteins. To study fat cell-lipoprotein interactions, low density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake and metabolism were examined using isolated human adipocytes. The 125I-labelled LDL (d = 1.025-1.045) was bound and incorporated by human fat cells in a dose-dependent manner with an apparent Km of 6.9 + 0.9 microgram LDL protein/mL and a Vmax of 15-80 microgram LDL protein/mg lipid per 2 h. In time-course studies, LDL uptake was characterized by rapid initial binding followed by a linear accumulation for at least 4 h. The 125I-labelled LDL degradation products (trichloroacetic acid soluble iodopeptides) accumulated in the incubation medium in a progressive manner with time. Azide and F- inhibited LDL internalization and degradation, suggesting that these processes are energy dependent. Binding and cellular internalization of 125I-labelled LDL lacked lipoprotein class specificity in that excess (25-fold) unlabelled very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) (d less than 1.006) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) (d = 1.075-1.21) inhibited binding and internalization of 125I-labelled LDL. On an equivalent protein basis HDL was the most potent. The 125I-labelled LDL binding to an adipocyte plasma membrane preparation was a saturable process and almost completely abolished by a three- to four-fold greater concentration of HDL. The binding, internalization, and degradation of LDL by human adipocytes resembled that reported by other mesenchymal cells and could account for a significant proportion of in vivo LDL catabolism. It is further suggested that adipose tissue is an important site of LDL and HDL interactions.     

Characterization of the receptor for cholera toxin and Escherichia coli heat-labile toxin in rabbit intestinal brush borders.

125I-labelled heat-labile toxin (from Escherichia coli) and 125I-labelled cholera toxin bound to immobilized ganglioside GM1 and Balb/c 3T3 cell membranes with identical specificities, i.e. each toxin inhibited binding of the other. Binding of both toxins to Balb/c 3T3 cell membranes was saturable, with 50% of maximal binding occurring at 0.3 nM for cholera toxin and 1.1 nM for heat-labile toxin, and the number of sites for each toxin was similar. The results suggest that both toxins recognize the same receptor, namely ganglioside GM1. In contrast, binding of 125I-heat-labile toxin to rabbit intestinal brush borders at 0 degree C was not inhibited by cholera toxin, although heat-labile toxin inhibited 125I-cholera toxin binding. In addition, there were 3-10-fold more binding sites for heat-labile toxin than for cholera toxin. At 37 degrees C cholera toxin, but more particularly its B-subunit, did significantly inhibit 125I-heat-labile toxin binding. Binding of 125I-cholera toxin was saturable, with 50% maximal of binding occurring at 1-2 nM, and was quantitatively inhibited by 10(-8) M unlabelled toxin or B-subunit. By contrast, binding of 125I-heat-labile toxin was non-saturable (up to 5 nM), and 2 X 10(-7) M unlabelled B-subunit was required to quantitatively inhibit binding. Neuraminidase treatment of brush borders increased 125I-cholera toxin but not heat-labile toxin binding. Extensive digestion of membranes with Streptomyces griseus proteinase or papain did not decrease the binding of either toxin. The additional binding sites for heat-labile toxin are not gangliosides. Thin-layer chromatograms of gangliosides which were overlayed with 125I-labelled toxins showed that binding of both toxins was largely restricted to ganglioside GM1. However, 125I-heat-labile toxin was able to bind to brush-border galactoproteins resolved by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and transferred to nitrocellulose.     

Binding of LH and FSH to porcine granulosa cells during follicular maturation.

The uptake of 125I-labelled LH by equal numbers of granulosa cells from small, medium or large follicles was greater by cells from large follicles. In contrast, granulosa cells obtained from small follicles bound much more 125I-labelled FSH per cell than did cells obtained from medium and large follicles. Competition studies with unlabelled hormones indicated that porcine granulosa cells have specific receptors for LH and FSH. The addition of diethylstilboestrol enhanced the binding of 125I-labelled LH and inhibited the binding of 125I-labelled FSH to granulosa cells harvested from small and medium-sized follicles, but had no effect on those from large follicles.     

Functional modifications of α2-macroglobulin by primary amines. Kinetics of inactivation of α2-macroglobulin by methylamine, and formation of anomalous complexes with trypsin

The unique steric inhibition of endopeptidases by human alpha(2)M (alpha(2)-macroglobulin) and the inactivation of the latter by methylamine were examined in relation to each other. Progressive binding of trypsin by alpha(2)M was closely correlated with the loss of the methylamine-reactive sites in alpha(2)M: for each trypsin molecule bound, two such sites were inactivated. The results further showed that, even at low proteinase/alpha(2)M ratios, no unaccounted loss of trypsin-binding capacity occurred. As alpha(2)M is bivalent for trypsin binding and no trypsin bound to electrophoretic slow-form alpha(2)M was observed, this indicates that the two sites must react (bind trypsin) in rapid succession. Reaction of [(14)C]methylamine with alpha(2)M was biphasic in time; in the initial rapid phase complex-formation with trypsin caused a largely increased incorporation of methylamine. In the subsequent slow phase trypsin had no such effect. These results prompted further studies on the kinetics of methylamine inactivation of alpha(2)M with time of methylamine treatment. It was found that conformational change of alpha(2)M and decrease in trypsin binding (activity resistant to soya-bean trypsin inhibitor) showed different kinetics. The latter decreased rapidly, following pseudo-first-order kinetics. Conformational change was much slower and followed complex kinetics. On the other hand, binding of (125)I-labelled trypsin to alpha(2)M did follow the same kinetics as the conformational change. This discrepancy between total binding ((125)I radioactivity) and trypsin-inhibitor-resistant binding of trypsin indicated formation of anomalous complexes, in which trypsin could still be inhibited by soya-bean trypsin inhibitor. Further examination confirmed that these complexes were proteolytically active towards haemoglobin and bound (125)I-labelled soya-bean trypsin inhibitor to the active site of trypsin. The inhibition by soya-bean trypsin inhibitor was slowed down as compared with reaction with free trypsin. The results are discussed in relation to the subunit structure of alpha(2)M and to the mechanism of formation of the complex.     

Human cathepsin B1. Inhibition by α2-macroglobulin and other serum proteins

1. Normal human serum was found to inhibit human cathepsin B1. 2. The major inhibitor present in serum was purified and identified as alpha(2)-macroglobulin. 3. alpha(2)-Macroglobulin was found to bind cathepsin B1 in an approximately 1:1 molar ratio. When bound, the enzyme retained about 50% of its proteolytic activity, and up to 80% of its activity against alpha-N-benzoyl-dl-arginine 2-naphthylamide. 4. Pretreatment of alpha(2)-macroglobulin with cathepsin B1 inactivated by exposure to pH8.5 or iodoacetic acid, in large molar excess, did not prevent the subsequent binding of active enzyme. Active enzyme, once bound, was not protected from inhibition by 1-chloro-4-phenyl-3-tosylamido-l-butan-2-one. 5. Cathepsin B1 was also inhibited by human immunoglobulin G, at high concentration. 6. Because it had been suggested that haptoglobin is responsible for the inhibition of ;cathepsin B' by serum, a method was devised for the selective removal of haptoglobin from mixtures of serum proteins by adsorption on haemoglobin covalently linked to Sepharose. No evidence was obtained that haptoglobin has any inhibitory activity against the enzyme.     

Monoclonal antibodies against a glycoprotein localized in coated pits and endocytic vesicles inhibit alpha 2-macroglobulin binding and uptake

Eight monoclonal antibodies, all IgG2a, which recognize a 180/90-kDa glycoprotein similar in properties to the receptor for alpha 2-macroglobulin of mouse embryo 3T3 cell plasma membranes, have been tested for their effect on the binding and uptake of alpha 2-macroglobulin by live cells. One antibody directly inhibited binding of 125I-alpha 2-macroglobulin under conditions in which 125I-transferrin binding to the transferrin receptor was unaffected. Another monoclonal antibody decreased alpha 2-macroglobulin binding when preincubated with cells at 37 degrees C. This antibody was also capable of specifically binding to ligand-receptor complexes formed by preincubating 125I-alpha 2-macroglobulin with detergent extracts of Swiss 3T3 cells. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that the 180/90-kDa glycoprotein was localized in coated pits of the cell surface and in intracellular endocytic vesicles (receptosomes/endosomes). The data suggest that the 180/90-kDa glycoprotein is a component of the receptor for alpha 2-macroglobulin.     

The interaction of α2-macroglobulin with proteinases. Binding and inhibition of mammalian collagenases and other metal proteinases

1. Experiments were performed to determine whether the specific collagenases and other metal proteinases are bound and inhibited by alpha(2)-macroglobulin, as are endopeptidases of other classes. 2. A specific collagenase from rabbit synovial cells was inhibited by human serum. The inhibition could be attributed entirely to alpha(2)-macroglobulin; alpha(1)-trypsin inhibitor was not inhibitory. alpha(2)-Macroglobulin presaturated with trypsin or cathepsin B1 did not inhibit collagenase, and pretreatment of alpha(2)-macroglobulin with collagenase prevented subsequent reaction with trypsin. The binding of collagenase by alpha(2)-macroglobulin was not reversible in gel chromatography. 3. The collagenolytic activity of several rheumatoid synovial fluids was completely inhibited by incubation of the fluids with alpha(2)-macroglobulin. 4. The collagenase of human polymorphonuclear-leucocyte granules showed time-dependent inhibition by alpha(2)-macroglobulin. 5. The collagenolytic metal proteinase of Crotalus atrox venom was inhibited by alpha(2)-macroglobulin. 6. The collagenase of Clostridium histolyticum was bound by alpha(2)-macroglobulin, and inhibited more strongly with respect to collagen than with respect to a peptide substrate. 7. Thermolysin, the metal proteinase of Bacillus thermoproteolyticus, was bound and inhibited by alpha(2)-macroglobulin. 8. It was shown by polyacrylamidegel electrophoresis of reduced alpha(2)-macroglobulin in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate that synovial-cell collagenase, clostridial collagenase and thermolysin cleave the quarter subunit of alpha(2)-macroglobulin near its mid-point, as do serine proteinases. 9. The results are discussed in relation to previous work, and it is concluded that the characteristics of interaction of the metal proteinases with alpha(2)-macroglobulin are the same as those of other proteinases.     

A Collagen-Binding S-Layer Protein in Lactobacillus crispatus

Two S-layer-expressing strains, Lactobacillus crispatus JCM 5810 and Lactobacillus acidophilus JCM 1132, were assessed for adherence to proteins of the mammalian extracellular matrix. L. crispatus JCM 5810 adhered efficiently to immobilized type IV and I collagens, laminin, and, with a lower affinity, to type V collagen and fibronectin. Strain JCM 1132 did not exhibit detectable adhesiveness. Within the fibronectin molecule, JCM 5810 recognized the 120-kDa cell-binding fragment of the protein, while no bacterial adhesion to the amino-terminal 30-kDa or the gelatin-binding 40-kDa fragment was detected. JCM 5810 but not JCM 1132 also bound (sup125)I-labelled soluble type IV collagen, and this binding was efficiently inhibited by unlabelled type IV and I collagens and less efficiently by type V collagen, but not by laminin or fibronectin. L. crispatus JCM 5810 but not L. acidophilus JCM 1132 also adhered to Matrigel, a reconstituted basement membrane preparation from mouse sarcoma cells, as well as to the extracellular matrix prepared from human Intestine 407 cells. S-layers from both strains were extracted with 2 M guanidine hydrochloride, separated by electrophoresis, and transferred to nitrocellulose sheets. The S-layer protein from JCM 5810 bound (sup125)I-labelled type IV collagen, whereas no binding was seen with the S-layer protein from JCM 1132. Binding of (sup125)I-collagen IV to the JCM 5810 S-layer protein was effectively inhibited by unlabelled type I and IV collagens but not by type V collagen, laminin, or fibronectin. It was concluded that L. crispatus JCM 5810 has the capacity to adhere to human subintestinal extracellular matrix via a collagen-binding S-layer.     

Specific saturable binding of rat high-density lipoproteins to rat kidney membranes

The binding of rat 125I-labelled high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to rat kidney membranes was studied using HDL fractions varying in their apolipoprotein E content. The apolipoprotein E/apolipoprotein A-I ratio (g/g) in the HDL fractions ranged from essentially 0 to 1.5. All these HDL preparations showed the same binding characteristics. The saturation curves, measured at 0 degrees C in the presence of 2% bovine serum albumin, consisted of two components: low-affinity non-saturable binding and high-affinity binding (Kd about 40 micrograms of HDL protein/ml). Scatchard analyses of the high-affinity binding suggest a single class of non-interacting binding sites. These sites could be purified together with the plasma membrane marker enzyme 5'-nucleotidase. The binding of rat HDL to rat kidney membranes was not sensitive to high concentrations of EDTA, relatively insensitive to pronase treatment and influenced by temperature. The specific binding of rat HDL was highest at acid pH and showed an additional optimum at pH 7.5. On a total protein basis unlabelled rat VLDL competed as effectively as unlabelled rat HDL for binding of 125I-labelled rat HDL to partially purified kidney membranes. Rat LDL, purified by chromatography on concanavalin A columns and human LDL did not compete. Unlabelled human HDL was a much weaker competitor than unlabelled rat HDL and the maximal specific binding of 125I-labelled human HDL was only 10% of the value for 125I-labelled rat HDL.     

Suppression of high-affinity ligand binding to the major glutathione S-transferase from Galleria mellonella by physiological concentrations of glutathione.

We have identified a tissue-kallikrein-binding protein in human serum and in the serum-free culture media from human lung fibroblasts (WI-38) and rodent neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cells (NG108-15). Purified and 125I-labelled tissue kallikrein and human serum form an approximately 92,000-Mr SDS-stable complex. The relative quantity of this complex-formation is measured by densitometric scanning of autoradiograms. Complex-formation between tissue kallikrein and the serum binding protein was time-dependent and detectable after 5 min incubation at 37 degrees C, with half-maximal binding at 28 min. Binding of 125I-kallikrein to kallikrein-binding protein is temperature-dependent and can be inhibited by heparin or excess unlabelled tissue kallikrein but not by plasma kallikrein, collagenase, thrombin, urokinase, alpha 1-antitrypsin or kininogens. The kallikrein-binding protein is acid- and heat-labile, as pretreatment of sera at pH 3.0 or at 60 degrees C for 30 min diminishes complex-formation. However, the formed complexes are stable to acid or 1 M-hydroxylamine treatment and can only be partially dissociated with 10 mM-NaOH. When kallikrein was inhibited by the active-site-labelling reagents phenylmethanesulphonyl fluoride or D-Phe-D-Phe-L-Arg-CH2Cl no complex-formation was observed. An endogenous approximately 92,000-Mr kallikrein-kallikrein-binding protein complex was isolated from normal human serum by using a human tissue kallikrein-agarose affinity column. These complexes were recognized by anti-(human tissue kallikrein) antibodies, but not by anti-alpha 1-antitrypsin serum, in Western-blot analyses. The results show that the kallikrein-binding protein is distinct from alpha 1-antitrypsin and is not identifiable with any of the well-characterized plasma proteinase inhibitors such as alpha 2-macroglobulin, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor, C1-inactivator or antithrombin III. The functional role of this kallikrein-binding protein and its impact on kallikrein activity or metabolism in vivo remain to be investigated.     

High-density lipoprotein binding to bovine adrenal cortex membranes

Binding studies were performed with bovine adrenal cortex membranes, human 125I-labelled high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and modified photoactivable derivatives of 125I-labelled HDL, namely 125I-labelled HDL-amidinophenylazide and 125I-labelled HDL-amidopropionyldithiophenylazide. The purity of the apolipoprotein composition of the 125I-labelled HDL and photoactivable 125I-labelled HDL used in the binding studies was determined by Coomassie blue and silver staining, and by measuring 125I-labelled cpm after SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. About 45% of the 125I-labelled HDL binding to the membranes occurred in the presence of excess EDTA and only unlabelled HDL competed for the binding site. The 125I-labelled interaction with this binding site on the membranes did not require calcium. In addition, 40% of the 125I-labelled HDL binding was to an EDTA-sensitive site, and unlabelled HDL and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) competed for the binding site. Consequently, adrenal cortex membranes have binding sites which show cross reactivity for both HDL and LDL. Modification of 58% of the apolipoprotein lysine residues of 125I-labelled HDL with methylazidophenylimidate, a reagent which maintains the positive charge at lysine residues, had little affect on binding to EDTA-sensitive and insensitive sites. In contrast, modification of 35% of apolipoprotein lysine residues of 125I-labelled HDL with N-succinimidyl(4-azidophenyldithio)propionate, a reagent which converts charged amino lysines to amide bonds, showed binding properties which were almost totally inhibited by EDTA.     

Specific binding sites for monomeric and aggregated beta 2-microglobulin on surface of groups A, B, C, and G streptococci

Human beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) was isolated from urine samples of patients with tubular dysfunctions and aggregated with glutaraldehyde. Four aggregates with molecular weights of 800,000, 480,000, 260,000, and 60,000 were separated by filtration on Sephacryl S-300. The aggregates and monomeric beta 2-m (11,800 MW) were subsequently labeled with 125I and tested for binding to streptococci. Group A streptococci bound only aggregated beta 2-m with a mean binding of 44.5%. Most of the group G streptococci, on the other hand, bound only monomeric beta 2-m with a mean binding of 58%. Among group B streptococci the serotypes with protein antigens interacted mainly with monomeric beta 2-m and those without protein antigens preferentially with aggregated beta 2-m. Nontypable group B streptococcal serotypes did not bind monomeric or aggregated beta 2-m. Of the streptococci belonging to group C, S. equisimilis reacted with monomeric beta 2-m and S. dysgalactiae with aggregated beta 2-m. S. equi did not interact with monomeric beta 2-m or aggregated beta 2-m. Bindings of monomeric beta 2-m and aggregated beta 2-m were saturable and could be inhibited by the respective unlabeled forms of beta 2-m. Fibrinogen, fibronectin, alpha 2-macroglobulin, haptoglobin, or immunoglobulin G did not inhibit the binding of either form of beta 2-m. The binding sites for monomeric beta 2-m were more susceptible to trypsin than those for aggregated beta 2-m. Treatment of streptococci with pronase destroyed their binding activities for monomeric and aggregated beta 2-m. Both monomeric beta 2-m and aggregated beta 2-m binding sites were sensitive to heat. The Scatchard plots of monomeric beta 2-m and aggregated beta 2-m were linear with Kd of 1.29 X 10(-9) M and 1.9 X 10(-9) M respectively. The number of binding sites per bacterium were estimated to be 81,000 for monomeric beta 2-m and 1,210 for aggregated beta 2-m.     

The interaction of secretin with pancreatic membranes.

1. 125I-labelled secretin bound rapidly and specifically to membranes from cat pancreas. Binding of labelled hormone was competitively inhibited by unlabelled secretin in the same range of concentrations that stimulated pancreatic adenylate cyclase in these membranes. The dissociation constant of the membrane binding sites for unlabelled secretin as evaluated by these displacement experiments was 4.1-10(-9) M and the number of binding sites 1.0 pmol per mg of membrane protein. 2. Studies using different concentrations of [125I]secretin (at a constant ratio of labelled to unlabelled hormone) revealed a similar value of 4-4-10(-9) M for the dissociation constant. 3. Both the association and dissociation rate constants of [125I]secretin binding were temperature sensitive; the dissociation rate constant increased more rapidly with increase in temperature. The ratio k-1/k+1 (at 22 degrees C) gave a dissociation constant of 3.7-10(-9)M which agrees closely with the figure obtained from equilibrium data. These data indicate that 125I-labelled secretin and unlabelled secretin bind to the same binding site on pancreatic membranes, with high affinity. 4. Unlabelled secretin stimulated pancreatic adenylate cyclase with an apparent Km of 8.4-10(-9) M, while [125I]secretin apparently did not stimulate the adenylate cyclase. Together with the binding data this might suggest that different portions of the secretin molecule are responsible for binding and adenylate cyclase activation. 5. Studies on the specificity of [125I]secretin binding carried out with various peptide hormones (glucagon, human gastrin, pancreozymin and caerulein) which are all inefficient in stimulating pancreatic fluid secretin, showed that these hormones have no influence on the binding of [125I]secretin. In contrast, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, which stimulates pancreatic fluid and bicarbonate secretion, showed a competitive inhibition of secretin binding to the plasma membrane preparation.