Analysis of progressive deletions of the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of influenza hemagglutinin

Site-directed oligonucleotide mutagenesis has been used to introduce chain termination codons into the cloned DNA sequences encoding the carboxy-terminal transmembrane (27 amino acids) and cytoplasmic (10 amino acids) domains of influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA). Four mutant genes were constructed which express truncated forms of HA that lack the cytoplasmic domain and terminate at amino acids 9, 14, 17, or 27 of the wild-type hydrophobic domain. Analysis of the biosynthesis and intracellular transport of these mutants shows that the cytoplasmic tail is not needed for the efficient transport of HA to the cell surface; the stop-transfer sequences are located in the hydrophobic domain; 17 hydrophobic amino acids are sufficient to anchor HA stably in the membrane; and mutant proteins with truncated hydrophobic domains show drastic alterations in transport, membrane association, and stability.     

Antigen presentation abrogated in cells expressing truncated Ia molecules

Oligonucleotide site-directed mutagenesis was used to introduce a premature stop codon in wildtype A beta k and A alpha k cDNA clones to create truncated A beta k and A alpha k molecules lacking the cytoplasmic domain. Transfected B lymphoma cells expressing an I-Ak molecule with a truncated beta-chain or with truncated alpha- and beta-chains showed profound defects in two Ia-related functions: Ia-restricted Ag presentation and intracytoplasmic signaling. The ability of these transfected cell lines to activate autoreactive T hybrids was markedly impaired whereas loss of Ag presentation to nominal Ag-specific T hybrids was more subtle. Ia-mediated transmembrane signaling as measured by PKC translocation from cytosol to nucleus after stimulation with anti-Ak antibody was greatly affected by truncation of the A beta and A alpha cytoplasmic domains. These results indicate an important role for the highly conserved cytoplasmic domain in Ia-mediated responses.     

Lateral diffusion of wild-type and mutant Ld antigens in L cells

We have compared the lateral diffusion of intact transmembrane proteins, wild-type H-2Ld antigens, with that of mutants truncated in the cytoplasmic domain. Diffusion coefficients and mobile fractions were similar for all molecules examined, from wild-type Ld antigens with 31 residues on the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane to mutants with only four residues in the cytoplasmic domain. This result limits ways in which the lateral diffusion of a major histocompatibility antigen, a transmembrane protein, can be constrained by interactions with other molecules.     

Cytoplasmic and transmembrane domain deletions of Na,K-ATPase beta-subunit. Effects on subunit assembly and intracellular transport.

cDNAs encoding Na,K-ATPase beta-subunits containing deletions in the cytoplasmic domain or in the single membrane-spanning domain of the molecule were constructed and expressed in mouse L cells to determine the effect(s) of deletions in these domains on alpha/beta-subunit assembly and intracellular targeting. Avian beta-subunits lacking some or all of the cytoplasmic domain (endodomain) assemble with the endogenous mouse alpha-subunit and are correctly transported to the plasma membrane. Mutants containing deletions in the transmembrane domain were constructed by fusing portions of cDNAs encoding the amino-terminal one-third of human beta-subunit deletion mutants with avian beta-subunit cDNA encoding the carboxyl two-thirds of the molecule. A deletion of 3 amino acids in transmembrane domain resulted in correct alpha/beta-subunit assembly and localization to the plasma membrane. In contrast, deletions of 5 or more amino acids in the transmembrane domain prevented expression of the beta-subunit at the cell surface and resulted in the accumulation of these molecules in the ER. In spite of these targeting differences, all beta-subunit mutants capable of membrane insertion were also able to assemble with the alpha-subunit. These results suggest that the specificity for alpha/beta assembly resides in the ectodomains of the subunits.     

Multiple regions of HLA-DR beta 1 chains determine polymorphic epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies

To investigate the locations of antibody binding epitopes on HLA class II molecules, four DR4/7 beta 1 hybrid cDNA were constructed by exchanging the DNA encoding the NH2-terminal portions (amino acids 1 to 40) or the COOH-terminal portions (amino acids 41 to 94) of the first domains of DR4 beta 1- and DR7 beta 1-chains, in association with DNA encoding either the DR4 beta 1 or DR7 beta 1 second domains. Transfectants expressing a DR alpha cDNA and a wild-type DR4 beta 1 or DR7 beta 1 cDNA or one of four hybrid DR4/7 beta 1 cDNA were produced, and the binding to the transfectants of anticlass II mAb, which detect polymorphic epitopes on either DR4 or DR7 molecules, was analyzed. Four different patterns of mAb binding to the transfectants were observed, indicating that multiple regions of DR beta 1-chains play the predominant roles in the contributions of these chains to polymorphic epitopes recognized by mAb on intact molecules. The relevant regions of these chains and the number of mAb that recognize the associated polymorphic epitopes are: 1) the COOH-terminal portion of the first domain of DR4 beta 1; a DR4-specific mAb, 2) the NH2-terminal portion of the first domain of DR7 beta 1; two mAb, including a DR7-specific mAb, 3) the NH2-terminal portion of the first domain of DR4 beta 1; seven mAb, and 4) the second domain of DR4 beta 1; one mAb.     

Aberrant membrane insertion of a cytoplasmic tail deletion mutant of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase glycoprotein of Newcastle disease virus.

The hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a type II glycoprotein oriented in the plasma membrane with its amino terminus in the cytoplasm and its carboxy terminus external to the cell. We have previously shown that the membrane insertion of HN protein requires signal recognition particle SRP, occurs cotranslationally, and utilizes the same GTP-dependent step that has been described for secretory proteins, type I proteins, and multispanning proteins (C. Wilson, R. Gilmore, and T. Morrison, Mol. Cell. Biol. 7:1386-1392, 1987; C. Wilson, T. Connolly, T. Morrison, and R. Gilmore, J. Cell Biol. 107:69-77, 1988). The role of the amino-terminal cytoplasmic domain in the faithful membrane insertion of this type II protein was explored by characterizing the membrane integration of a mutant lacking 23 of the 26 amino acids of the cytoplasmic domain. The mutant protein was able to interact with SRP, resulting in translation inhibition, membrane targeting, and membrane translocation, but the efficiency of translocation was considerably lower than for the wild-type HN protein. In addition, a significant proportion of the mutant protein synthesized in the presence of SRP and microsomal membranes was associated with the membrane in an EDTA- and alkali-insensitive manner yet integrated into membranes with its carboxy-terminal domain on the cytoplasmic side of membrane vesicles. Membrane-integrated molecules with this reverse orientation were not detected when the mutant protein was synthesized in the absence of SRP or a functional SRP receptor. Truncated mRNAs encoding amino-terminal segments of the wild-type and mutant proteins were translated to prepare ribosomes bearing arrested nascent chains. The arrested mutant nascent chain, in contrast to the wild-type nascent chain, was also able to insert into membranes in a GTP- and SRP-independent manner. Results suggest that the cytoplasmic domain plays a role in the proper membrane insertion of this type II glycoprotein.     

Alpha chain of HLA-DR transplantation antigens is a member of the same protein superfamily as the immunoglobulins

Four cDNA clones, pDR-α-1, pDR-α-2, pDR-α-3 and pDR-α-4, corresponding to the alpha chain of HLADR antigens, have been sequenced. Restriction maps and sequences suggest that all clones are identical apart from a single-base substitution present in pDR-α-1. Amino acid sequence data, together with the nucleotide sequence data, allowed the complete amino acid sequence to be predicted. The alpha chain is composed of 229 amino acids, of which 191 are exposed on the outside of the plasma membrane. The membrane-embedded portion of the chain consists of 23 hydrophobic amino acids. The succeeding 15 amino acids form the cytoplasmically localized hydrophilic tail. The extracellular portion, with carbohydrate moieties linked to Asn⁷⁸ and Asn¹¹⁸, seems to be organized into two domains. The second domain, which contains the only disulfide bond of the alpha chain, displays amino acid sequence homology to immunoglobulin constant regions, to the second domain of the beta chain of a class II antigen, to the third domain of heavy chains of class I antigens and to β2-microglobulin. Thus the subunits of immunoglobulins, class I antigens and class II antigens are related evolutionarily.     

A critical cytoplasmic domain of the interleukin-5 (IL-5) receptor alpha chain and its function in IL-5-mediated growth signal transduction.

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) regulates the production and function of B cells, eosinophils, and basophils. The IL-5 receptor (IL-5R) consists of two distinct membrane proteins, alpha and beta. The alpha chain (IL-5R alpha) is specific to IL-5. The beta chain is the common beta chain (beta c) of receptors for IL-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The cytoplasmic domains of both alpha and beta chains are essential for signal transduction. In this study, we generated cDNAs of IL-5R alpha having various mutations in their cytoplasmic domains and examined the function of these mutants by expressing them in IL-3-dependent FDC-P1 cells. The membrane-proximal proline-rich sequence of the cytoplasmic domain of IL-5R alpha, which is conserved among the alpha chains of IL-5R, IL-3R, and GM-CSF receptor (GM-CSFR), was found to be essential for the IL-5-induced proliferative response, expression of nuclear proto-oncogenes such as c-jun, c-fos, and c-myc, and tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins including JAK2 protein-tyrosine kinase. In addition, analysis using chimeric receptors which consist of the extracellular domain of IL-5R alpha and the cytoplasmic domain of beta c suggested that dimerization of the cytoplasmic domain of beta c may be an important step in activating the IL-5R complex and transducing intracellular growth signals.     

Identification of B beta chain domains involved in human fibrinogen assembly.

Fibrinogen chains are assembled in a stepwise manner in the rough endoplasmic reticulum prior to secretion of the final six-chain dimeric molecule. Previous studies indicated that the synthesis of B beta may be a rate-limiting factor in the assembly of human fibrinogen. To determine the domains of B beta which interact with the other two component chains of fibrinogen, deletion mutants of B beta were transiently co-expressed, together with A alpha and gamma chains, in COS cells, and fibrinogen assembly and secretion were measured. Deletion of the COOH-terminal half of the B beta chain (amino acids 208-461) did not affect assembly and secretion. Assembly of A alpha, gamma, and B beta also occurred when the first NH2-terminal 72 amino acids of B beta were deleted, but not when 93 amino acids were deleted. This indicates that the B beta domain between amino acids 73 and 93 is necessary for the assembly of the three fibrinogen chains. This domain marks the start of the alpha-helical "coiled-coil" region of fibrinogen.     

Study of the glycosylation of apolipoprotein H

Apolipoprotein H is a single chain polypeptide composed of 326 amino acids highly glycosylated. Its carbohydrate content is approximately 19% of the molecular weight. We show that it is rich in sialic acid linked alpha (2-6) to galactose or N-acetylgalactosamine. Sialic acid is not alpha (2-3) linked to galactose. Galactose is beta (1-4) linked to N-acetylglucosamine and beta (1-3) linked to N-acetylgalactosamine. Carbohydrate O-linked chains (mainly sialic acid) are alpha (2-6) linked to galactose or N-acetylgalactosamine. Galactose is also organised in O-linked chains and beta (1-4) linked to N-acetylglucosamine and beta (1-3) linked to acetylgalactosamine. Concanavalin A lectin was used to isolate two groups of apolipoprotein H molecules bearing biantennary and truncated hybrids and high mannose and hybrid oligosaccharides. Apolipoprotein H fails to bind lysine-Sepharose. Our results thus show that it presents truncated hybrid or hybrid-type carbohydrate chains which bear few unmasked mannose residues as a terminal sugar. Biochemical analysis of carbohydrate structures conducted on single isoforms separated through IEF revealed that no specific carbohydrate complex is bound to a single isoform.     

Mapping of the functional determinants of the integrin beta 1 cytoplasmic domain by site-directed mutagenesis.

We describe here the expression of deletion mutants of the cytoplasmic domain of the avian integrin beta 1 subunit. These mutants, which contain termination codons at positions 767, 776, 791, and 800, were transfected into mouse 3T3 cells to determine which sequences were essential for localization of integrins into focal contact sites. In all cases, high-level expression of the truncated avian integrins was obtained. Heterodimers were formed between the exogenous truncated avian beta 1 subunits and endogenous mouse alpha subunits, and these heterodimers were efficiently exported to the cell surface. The longest truncated beta 1 subunit tested, which is only four amino acids shorter than the wild type, does localize to focal contacts. In contrast, beta 1 subunits with moderately long truncations of the cytoplasmic domain failed to localize to focal contacts, including one which contains the consensus sequence for tyrosine phosphorylation. Surprisingly, a mutant subunit in which the bulk of the cytoplasmic domain was missing (but the segment nearest the membrane including the dibasic residues (RR) remained) did localize weakly to focal contacts. These results implicate the peptide segment nearest to the transmembrane region in focal contact localization. In addition, mutant subunits that included this segment together with a larger portion of the cytoplasmic domain did not localize as well as the shorter form, suggesting that these cytoplasmic domain segments are defective, presumably because of abnormal folding.     

The sites in the I-Ak histocompatibility molecule photoaffinity labeled by an immunogenic lysozyme peptide

The class II histocompatibilty molecule I-Ak was photoaffinity labeled by NH2- and COOH-terminal photoreactive conjugates of an immunogenic hen egg white lysozyme (HEL) peptide. The labeled alpha and beta chains were digested with protease from Staphylococcus aureus strain V-8 (protease V-8) and/or trypsin, and the proteolytic fragments were separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (peptide mapping). Reproducible peptide maps containing a major labeled component were obtained from the three conjugates reported here whose photoreactive group was attached via short spacers of limited flexibility. The COOH-terminal conjugate N-acetyl HEL-(49-61)-iodo-4-azidosalicyloyl thioester (compound 1) labeled hydrophilic tryptic digest fragments on both chains of I-Ak. The labeled digest fragments were homogeneous in reverse-phase and anion-exchange HPLC, indicating that the photoaffinity labeling was site-specific. Conversely, the NH2-terminal conjugate iodo-4-azidosalicyloyl HEL-(46-61) (compound 2: IASA-(46-61)) labeled exceptionally hydrophobic sequences on both chains of I-Ak. The labeling was also site-specific because reverse-phase HPLC of primary digests with protease V-8 and secondary digests with trypsin showed single major labeled components. The labeling of I-Ak by IASA-(46-61) was fully inhibitible by HEL-(46-61). In contrast, IASA attached to the smallest immunogenic peptide 52-61 (compound 3) labeled a distinctly different hydrophilic tryptic fragment. The site of the I-Ak molecule that was photoaffinity labeled by IASA-(46-61) (compound 2) was determined. IASA-(46-61) labeled selectively at Pro-118 of a primary alpha chain fragment most likely encompassing residues 115-134. It labeled Thr-121 of a primary beta chain fragment most likely encompassing residues 109-138. We also obtained evidence that IASA-(46-61) occupied the antigen-specific site; the conjugate stimulated a T-cell hybridoma that recognizes the sequence 52-61 and also competed for the binding of this smaller peptide to I-Ak. Thus, peptides that bind to the allele-specific binding site and are long enough to extend beyond it can interact with a hydrophobic area of class II molecules. This area is formed by sequences of the first halves of the second domain of both alpha and beta chains.     

Associations between subunit ectodomains promote T cell antigen receptor assembly and protect against degradation in the ER

The T cell antigen receptor (TCR) is an oligomeric protein complex made from at least six different integral membrane proteins (alpha beta gamma delta epsilon and zeta). The TCR is assembled in the ER of T cells, and correct assembly is required for transport to the cell surface. Single subunits and partial receptor complexes are retained in the ER where TCR alpha, beta, and CD3 delta chains are degraded selectively. The information required for the ER degradation of the TCR beta chain is confined to the membrane anchor of the protein (Wileman et al., 1990c; Bonifacino et al., 1990b). In this study we show that the rapid degradation of the TCR beta chain is inhibited when it assembles with single CD3 gamma, delta, or epsilon subunits in the ER, and have started to define the role played by transmembrane anchors, and receptor ectodomains, in the masking proteolytic targeting information. Acidic residues within the membrane spanning domains of CD3 subunits were essential for binding to the TCR beta chain. TCR beta chains and CD3 subunits therefore interact via transmembrane domains. However, when sites of binding were restricted to the membrane anchor of the TCR beta chain, stabilization by CD3 subunits was markedly reduced. Interactions between membrane spanning domains were not, therefore, sufficient for the protection of the beta chain from ER proteolysis. The presence of the C beta domain, containing the first 150 amino acids of the TCR ectodomain, greatly increased the stability of complexes formed in the ER. For assembly with CD3 epsilon, stability was further enhanced by the V beta amino acids. The results showed that the efficient neutralization of transmembrane proteolytic targeting information required associations between membrane spanning domains and the presence of receptor ectodomains. Interactions between receptor ectodomains may slow the dissociation of CD3 subunits from the beta chain and prolong the masking of transmembrane targeting information. In addition, the close proximity of TCR and CD3 ectodomains within the ER may provide steric protection from the action of proteases within the ER lumen.     

Identification of the cofilin-binding sites in the large cytoplasmic domain of Na,K-ATPase

Na,K-ATPase, an alpha, beta heterodimer, is found in the plasma membrane of all animal cells. The alpha chain is believed to have 10 transmembrane regions and a large cytoplasmic domain between the 4th and 5th transmembrane regions (H4-H5). In our previous report, the large (3rd) cytoplasmic domains of the alpha1 and alpha2 isoform were found to interact with cofilin, an actin-modulating protein, by the yeast two-hybrid system. Here we show that cofilin interacts only with the 3rd cytoplasmic domain of the alpha2 subunit but not with the 2nd, 4th, and 5th cytoplasmic domains or the cytoplasmic region of the beta subunit of Na,K-ATPase. We also demonstrate that cofilin interacts with the large cytoplasmic domains of the alpha1, alpha2 and alpha3 isoforms of Na,K-ATPase, but not with those of glucose transporter 1, glucose transporter 4, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and plasma membrane Ca-ATPase. We introduced 10 mutations into the 3rd cytoplasmic domain of Na,K-ATPase to identify the binding sites with cofilin. Eight of these mutants were single amino acid substitutions (R417Q, K470Q, K654G, D672A, K691A, R700G, R700A and D710G) and two were double mutant (K654GR700G and K719AK720A). Analysis of the activity of the reporter gene of these mutants shows that residues D672 and R700 of the 3rd cytoplasmic domain of Na,K-ATPase are involved in the interaction with cofilin.     

Structural diversity and evolution of human receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatases.

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases), together with protein tyrosine kinases, regulate the tyrosine phosphorylation that controls cell activities and proliferation. Previously, it has been recognized that both cytosolic PTPases and membrane associated, receptor-like PTPases exist. In order to examine the structural diversity of receptor-like PTPases, we isolated human cDNA clones that cross-hybridized to a Drosophila PTPase cDNA clone, DPTP12, under non-stringent hybridization conditions. The cDNA clones thus isolated included LCA and six other novel receptor-like PTPases, named HPTP alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, and zeta. The cytoplasmic regions of HPTP alpha and epsilon are highly homologous, and are composed of two tandemly duplicated PTPase-like domains. The extracellular regions of HPTP alpha and epsilon are, respectively, 123 amino acids and 27 amino acids, and do not have obvious similarity to any known protein. The cytoplasmic region of HPTP beta contains only one PTPase domain. The extracellular region of HPTP beta, which is 1599 amino acids, is composed of 16 fibronectin type-III repeats. HPTP delta is very similar to leukocyte common antigen related molecule (LAR), in both the extracellular and cytoplasmic regions. Partial sequences of HPTP gamma and zeta indicate that they are highly homologous and contain two PTPase-like domains. The PTPase-like domains of HPTP alpha, beta and delta expressed in Escherichia coli had tyrosine phosphatase activities.     

Recombinant human laminin-5 domains. Effects of heterotrimerization, proteolytic processing, and N-glycosylation on alpha3beta1 integrin binding

Human laminin-5 fragments, comprising the heterotrimeric C-terminal part of the coiled-coil (CC) domain and the globular (G) domain with defined numbers of LG subdomains, were produced recombinantly. The alpha3' chain with all five LG subdomains was processed proteolytically in a manner similar to the wild-type alpha3 chain. Conditions were established under which the proteolytic cleavage was either inhibited in cell culture or was brought to completion in vitro. The shorter chains of the laminin-5CCG molecule, beta3'and gamma2', produced in a bacterial expression system associated into heterodimers, which then combined spontaneously with the alpha3' chains in vitro to form heterotrimeric laminin-5CCG molecules. Only heterotrimeric laminin-5CCG with at least subdomains LG1-3, but not the single chains, supported binding of soluble alpha3beta1 integrin, proving the coiled-coil domain of laminin-5 to be essential for its interaction with alpha3beta1 integrin. The N-glycosylation sites in wild-type alpha3 chain were mapped by mass spectrometry. Their location in a structural model of the LG domain suggested that large regions on both faces of the LG1 and LG2 domains are inaccessible by other proteins. However, neither heterotrimerization nor alpha3beta1 integrin binding was affected by the loss of N-linked glycoconjugates. After the proteolytic cleavage between the subdomains LG3 and LG4, the LG4-5 tandem domain dissociated from the rest of the G domain. Further, the laminin-5CCG molecule with the alpha3'LG1-3 chain showed an increased binding affinity for alpha3beta1 integrin, indicating that proteolytic processing of laminin-5 influences its interaction with alpha3beta1 integrin.     

Structure of the murine immune response I-A beta locus: sequence of the I-A beta gene and an adjacent beta-chain second domain exon

The murine major histocompatibility complex I region encodes two class II antigens, I-A and I-E. From a mouse spleen DNA cosmid library of the b haplotype, we isolated a clone containing the entire I-A beta gene and a separate exon encoding a beta-chain second domain (A beta 2). The A beta gene, encompassing more than 6 kb, is encoded by six exons corresponding to the different domains of the A beta polypeptide. The translated A beta amino acid sequence displays 73% homology to human DC beta chains; homologies to other subsets of human beta chains are lower, establishing that I-A corresponds structurally to DC. The A beta 2 exon is about 20 kb centromeric to the A beta gene. Its translated amino acid sequence includes all the conserved amino acids of other class II beta-chain second domains. It shows about 60% homology to each of three subsets of human beta chains available for comparison, and to the A beta chain. No A beta 2 first domain exon has been detected with A beta or DC beta probes.     

Complete sequence of an HLA-dR beta chain deduced from a cDNA clone and identification of multiple non-allelic DR beta chain genes

At least three polymorphic class II antigens are encoded in the human major histocompatibility complex (HLA): DR, DC and SB. cDNA clones encoding beta chains of HLA-DR antigen, derived from mRNA of a heterozygous B-cell line, were isolated and could be divided into four subsets, clearly distinct from cDNA clones encoding DC beta chains. Therefore, at least two non-allelic DR beta chain genes exist. The complete sequence of one of the DR beta chain cDNA clones is presented. It defines a putative signal sequence, two extracellular domains, a trans-membrane region and a cytoplasmic tail. Comparison with a DC beta chain cDNA clone revealed a homology of 70% between the two beta chains and that the two genes diverged under relatively little selective pressure. A set of amino acids conserved in immunoglobulin molecules was found to be identical in both DR and DC beta chains. Comparison of the DR beta chain sequence with the amino acid sequence of another DR beta chain revealed a homology of 87% and that most differences are single amino acid substitutions. Allelic polymorphism in DR beta chains has probably not arisen by changes in long blocks of sequence.     

Cloning and sequence analysis of beta-4 cDNA: an integrin subunit that contains a unique 118 kd cytoplasmic domain

The alpha 6 beta 4 complex is a member of the integrin superfamily of adhesion receptors. A human keratinocyte lambda gt11 cDNA library was screened using a monoclonal antibody directed against the beta 4 subunit. Two cDNAs were selected and subsequently used to isolate a complete set of overlapping cDNA clones. The beta 4 subunit consists of 1778 amino acids with a 683 amino acid extracellular domain, a 23 amino acid transmembrane domain and an exceptionally long cytoplasmic domain of 1072 residues. The deduced amino-terminal sequence is in good agreement with the published amino-terminal sequence of purified beta 4. The extracellular domain contains five potential N-linked glycosylation sites and four cysteine-rich homologous repeat sequences. The extracellular part of the beta 4 subunit sequence shows 35% identify with other integrin beta subunits, but is the most different among this class of molecules. The transmembrane region is poorly conserved, whereas the cytoplasmic domain shows no substantial identity in any region to the cytoplasmic tails of the known beta sequences or to other protein sequences. The exceptionally long cytoplasmic domain suggests distinct interactions of the beta 4 subunit with cytoplasmic proteins.     

C-terminal truncated forms of Met, the hepatocyte growth factor receptor.

The MET proto-oncogene encodes a transmembrane tyrosine kinase of 190 kDa (p190MET), which has recently been identified as the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor. p190MET is a heterodimer composed of two disulfide-linked chains of 50 kDa (p50 alpha) and 145 kDa (p145 beta). We have produced four different monoclonal antibodies that are specific for the extracellular domain of the Met receptor. These antibodies immunoprecipitate with p190MET two additional Met proteins of 140 and 130 kDa. The first protein (p140MET) is membrane bound and is composed of an alpha chain (p50 alpha) and an 85-kDa C-terminal truncated beta chain (p85 beta). The second protein (p130MET) is released in the culture supernatant and consists of an alpha chain (p50 alpha) and a 75-kDa C-terminal truncated beta chain (p75 beta). Both truncated forms lack the tyrosine kinase domain. p140MET and p130MET are consistently detected in vivo, together with p190MET, in different cell lines or their culture supernatants. p140MET is preferentially localized at the cell surface, where it is present in roughly half the amount of p190MET. The two C-terminal truncated forms of the Met receptor are also found in stable transfectants expressing the full-length MET cDNA, thus showing that they originate from posttranslational proteolysis. This process is regulated by protein kinase C activation. Together, these data suggest that the production of the C-terminal truncated Met forms may have a physiological role in modulating the Met receptor function.