Antigenic determinant and interspecies cross-reactivity of a monoclonal antibody to poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase

A monoclonal antibody (1F4) was prepared against calf thymus poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase. It was classified as IgG1/kappa and its antigenic determinant was localized on the 46 kDa portion of the enzyme molecule which contains the site for the binding of DNA. When calf thymus DNA-binding proteins were subjected to immunostaining after electrophoresis and transblotting to a nitrocellulose filter, the native enzyme (120 kDa) and its endogenous degradation products (80, 64 and 32 kDa) were detected. When the interspecies cross-reactivity was examined using DNA-binding proteins from 6 different sources, 1F4 reacted with the 120- and 32-kDa protein bands in HeLa cells, mouse testis and chicken liver as in the case of calf thymus. These results indicate that the antigenic structures of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase and its degradation products are highly conserved in various animal cells.     

Novel inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase.

In a search for new inhibitors of the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase, it was found that various benzamides substituted in the 3-position were the most inhibitory compounds found to date. Two of the benzamides, 3-aminobenzamide and 3-methoxybenzamide, were found to be competitive inhibitors, with Ki values or less than 2 microM.     

Reconstitution and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of proteolytically fragmented poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase

Calf thymus poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase (Mr = 120,000) is cleaved with papain into two fragments of M(r) = 74,000 and 46,000 and also split with chymotrypsin into two fragments of M(r) = 66,000 and 54,000. Each fragment purified to homogeneity is enzymatically inactive, but combined incubation of the 74,000 and 46,000 fragments in the presence of DNA restored 20% of the enzyme activity. In contrast, combined incubation of the 66,000 and 54,000 fragments does not restore any enzyme activity. In the former incubation, autopoly(ADP-ribosyl)ation reaction occurs exclusively on the 74,000 fragment. When each fragment is incubated with [adenine-U-14C]NAD in the presence of DNA and a catalytic amount of the native enzyme, poly(ADP-ribosyl)action occurs in the overlapped portion (22,000) of the 66,000 fragment and the 74,000 fragment. Nevertheless, the purified 22,000 fragment is a poor acceptor for poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation. The degree of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of the proteolytic fragments is significantly reduced by increasing NaCl concentration, probably due to the lack of the interaction between the enzyme fragments and DNA. These results, taken together, indicate that DNA is indispensable for the reconstitution of the catalytic activity as well as the poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of the fragmented enzyme.     

Prevention and reversal of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis by a monoclonal antibody against acetylcholine receptor-specific T cells

We have recently described an algorithm to design, among others, peptides with complementarity contour to autoimmune epitopes. Immunization with one such peptide resulted in a monoclonal antibody (mAb), termed CTCR8, that specifically recognized Vbeta15 containing TCR on acetylcholine receptor (AChR) alpha-chain residue 100-116-specific T cells. CTCR8 was found to label the cell surface of AChR100-116-specific T cell lines and clones, immunoprecipitate the TCR from such cells, and block their proliferative responses to AChRalpha100-116. In the present report, we have found that there is a marked reduction in IFN-gamma and no effect on IL-10 production in a CTCR8-treated AChRalpha100-116-specific T cell line. Interestingly, when AChR100-116-primed, primary T cells were stimulated with peptide and treated with CTCR8, there was once again inhibition of IFN-gamma but also marked stimulation of IL-10 production. The change in the Th1/Th2 cytokine profile was paralleled by a reduction in AChR-specific IgG2a and IgM with no effect on IgG1. Remarkably, the most profoundly inhibited Ab population was that which causes experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) by reaction with the main immunogenic region (alpha61-76) of the AChR. Based on these results, CTCR8 was tested for prophylactic and therapeutic effects in EAMG. EAMG induced by immunization with purified native Torpedo AChR was both inhibited and reversed by CTCR8. These findings suggest a means to produce therapeutic mAb for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.     

Role of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase in pulmonary leukocyte recruitment

During systemic inflammation, recruitment and activation of leukocytes in the pulmonary microcirculation may result in a potentially life-threatening acute lung injury. We elucidated the role of the poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase (PARS), a nucleotide-polymerizing enzyme, in the regulation of leukocyte recruitment within the lung with regard to the localization in the pulmonary microcirculation and in correlation to hemodynamics in the respective vascular segments and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 during endotoxemia. Inhibition of PARS by 3-aminobenzamide reduced the endotoxin-induced leukocyte recruitment within pulmonary arterioles, capillaries, and venules in rabbits as quantified by in vivo fluorescence microscopy. Microhemodynamics and thus shear rates in all pulmonary microvascular segments remained constant. Simultaneously, inhibition of PARS with 3-aminobenzamide suppressed the endotoxin-induced adhesion molecules expression as demonstrated for intercellular adhesion molecule 1 by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. We confirmed this result with the use of PARS knockout mice. The inhibitory effect of 3-aminobenzamide on leukocyte recruitment was associated with a reduction of pulmonary capillary leakage and edema formation. We first provide evidence that PARS activation mediates the leukocyte sequestration in pulmonary microvessels through upregulation of adhesion molecules. As reactive oxygen species released from leukocyte are supposed to cause an upregulation of adhesion molecules we conclude that PARS inhibition contributes to termination of this vicious cycle and inhibits the inflammatory process.     

Reaction mechanism for automodification of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase

The reaction mechanism of automodification of poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase was studied. The synthetase, bound to nicked DNA-cellulose in a small column, was pulse-labelled with [3H]NAD in the presence of Mg2+, and then chased with [14C]NAD under the same conditions after complete washing of [3H]NAD. The poly(ADP-ribose), synthesized on the synthetase molecule, was digested with snake venom phosphodiesterase and analyzed. The [3H]-labeled product (35% of the total product) was identified as isoADP-ribose but [3H]-labelled AMP was not detected. The average chain length was 16.0 and the terminal AMP was detected as [14C]-labelled AMP. These results indicate that the initially attached ADP-ribose unit at an automodification site was successively elongated by the addition of a new ADP-ribose unit to the terminal AMP moiety.     

Anti-acetylcholine-receptor antibody concentrations after thymectomy in patients with myasthenia gravis.

Serum concentrations of anti-acetylcholine-receptor (anti-AChR) antibody were measured in patients with myasthenia gravis. In those patients undergoing thymectomy concentrations were measured before and after the operation to see whether there might be a connection between the thymus and antibody production. We found no correlation between antibody concentration and either thymectomy or duration and severity of the disease before the operation. Our results suggest that if anti-AChR antibodies are the principal pathogenic factor in myasthenia gravis then immunological and neurophysical variables other than the total serum anti-AChR antibody concentration contribute to the severity of the disease.     

Visualization of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase associated with polynucleosomes by immunoelectron microscopy

Antibodies showing a high specificity for poly(ADP ribose) synthetase have been purified. A fraction binding nonspecifically to histones present in antiserum and non-immune serum has been demonstrated by immunoblotting and separated by histone-Sepharose chromatography. The antibody without the nonspecific binding fraction was analyzed by Western blot with calf thymus protein extract and was found to react only with a band at 116 kDa. There was no reaction with purified topoisomerase I, this weak activity was copurified with poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase preparation. The specific IgG fraction has been used for the visualization of the interaction of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase with chromatin by indirect gold-labelling. This immunomicroscopic study suggests that the synthetase is located in the inner part of polynucleosomes and would be associated preferentially with the core nucleosome.     

Specific activation of lymphocytes against acetylcholine receptor in the thymus in myasthenia gravis

In 13 patients with myasthenia gravis, spontaneous in vitro production of antibody to acetylcholine receptor (AChR) by thymic cells was observed in seven patients, by bone marrow cells in nine, by peripheral blood cells (PBL) in six, and by lymph node cells in nine. The rate of anti-AChR production in culture closely correlated with the serum anti-AChR level. Specific activity of the immunoglobulin (Ig) G spontaneously produced (anti-AChR/total IgG) was about 10-fold higher in the thymus than in bone marrow, peripheral blood, or lymph node cultures. Pokeweed mitogen (PWM) enhanced anti-AChR production only by PBL. With neither thymus nor lymph node cells did PWM stimulate anti-AChR production, although it greatly enhanced total IgG production. In bone marrow, it depressed both, and it appeared that the anti-AChR was derived from long-lived plasma cells that may be responsible for delaying the fall of serum anti-AChR levels after thymectomy. The results suggest that AChR-specific cells are selectively activated in the thymus, and this may help to explain the benefits of thymectomy in myasthenia gravis.     

Inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase potentiates cell dacarbazine cytotoxicity

Dacarbazine induces DNA lesions in cells synthesizing new DNA. When poly(ADP-ribosylation) is inhibited with 3-aminobenzamide, repair of the dacarbazine-induced DNA lesions is reduced. This is parallelled by increased cytotoxicity. Cells pre-treated with aphidicolin (to stop DNA synthesis) are resistant to dacarbazine.     

Purification and properties of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase from mouse testicle

Poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase has been purified to apparent homogeneity from mouse testicle by a rapid and simple procedure using column chromatography on DNA-agarose and on Cibacron blue F₃G-A-Sephadex G-150. The purified enzyme absolutely requires DNA for activity, and half-maximal activation occurs at a DNA concentration of 25 μg/ml. The K_m for NAD and V at pH 8.0 and 25 °C are 47 μm and 1400 nmol/min/ mg, respectively. The molecular weight is 116,000 as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Amino acid analysis indicates that the mouse testicle enzyme is very similar to calf thymus enzyme, but there is a difference in the contents of several amino acid residues between the two enzymes. This difference appears to reflect species or tissue specificity of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase.     

Purification and characterization of poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase from human placenta

Poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase has been purified 2,000-fold to apparent homogeneity from human placenta. The purification procedure involves affinity chromatography with 3-aminobenzamide as the ligand. The purified enzyme absolutely requires DNA for the catalytic activity and catalyzes poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of the synthetase itself (automodification) and histone H1. Mg2+ enhances both the automodification and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of histone H1. The enzyme is a monomeric protein with a pI of 10.0 and an apparent molecular weight of 116,000. The sedimentation coefficient and Strokes radius are 4.6 S and 5.9 nm, respectively. The frictional ratio is 1.82. Amino acid analysis and limited proteolysis with papain and alpha-chymotrypsin indicate that the human placental enzyme is very similar to the enzyme from calf thymus, although some differences are noted. Mouse antibody raised against the placental enzyme completely inhibits the activity of enzymes from human placenta and HeLa cells and cross-reacts with the enzymes from calf thymus and mouse testis. Immunoperoxidase staining with this antibody demonstrates the intranuclear localization of the enzyme in human leukemia cells. All these results indicate that molecular properties as well as antigenic determinants of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase are highly conserved in various animal cells.     

Intracellular distribution of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase in rat spermatogenic cells

The highest activity of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase was found in the testis among several rat tissues tested. Subcellular fractionation of the testis demonstrated that the synthetase was localized primarily in the nucleus and partially in the microsomal-ribosomal fraction. This result was confirmed by immunocytochemical staining with the enzyme-specific antibody. The synthetase was localized in the nuclei of interstitial cells, Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and spermatocytes. In addition, round spermatids showed a granular staining in the cytoplasm, which was comparable in intensity with that in the nucleus. The cytoplasmic synthetase had a molecular weight of 115,000 and synthesized oligomers of ADP-ribose on itself (automodification). The synthetase activity in the isolated cytoplasmic fraction was stimulated about threefold by the addition of DNA and depressed by treatment with DNase I, suggesting the presence of endogenous activator DNA. A candidate DNA for such an activator was isolated from the microsomal-ribosomal fraction, and identified tentatively as mitochondrial DNA on the basis of its size and restriction fragment patterns.     

Specific inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase and mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferase.

Two classes of enzymes, poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase and mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferases, catalyze covalent attachment of multiple or single residues, respectively, of the ADP-ribose moiety of NAD+ to various proteins. In order to find good inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase free of side actions and applicable to in vivo studies, we made a large scale survey using an in vitro assay system, and found many potent inhibitors. The four strongest were 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide, 6(5H)- and 2-nitro-6(5H)-phenanthridinones, and 1,5-dihydroxyisoquinoline. Their 50% inhibitory concentrations, 0.18-0.39 microM, were about two orders of magnitude lower than that of 3-aminobenzamide that is currently most popularly used. A common structural feature among all potent inhibitors, including 1-hydroxyisoquinoline, chlorthenoxazin, 3-hydroxybenzamide, and 4-hydroxyquinazoline, in addition to the four mentioned above, was the presence of a carbonyl group built in a polyaromatic heterocyclic skeleton or a carbamoyl group attached to an aromatic ring. Most of the inhibitors exhibited mixed-type inhibition with respect to NAD+. Comparative studies of the effects on poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase and mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferase from hen heterophils revealed high specificity of most of the potent inhibitors for poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase. On the other hand, unsaturated long-chain fatty acids inhibited both enzymes, and saturated long-chain fatty acids and vitamin K1 acted selectively on mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferase. The finding of many inhibitors of ADP-ribosyltransferases, especially poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase, supports the view that ADP-ribosylation of proteins may be regulated by a variety of metabolites or structural constituents in the cell.     

Purification and characterization of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase from calf thymus.

Poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase from calf thymus has been purified to apparent homogeneity by a simple and rapid method with a recovery of 10 to 20%. The enzyme activity absolutely requires the presence of DNA. Histone further stimulates the reaction. The Km for NAD and the maximal velocity at 25 degrees C and pH 8.0 in the presence of both compounds are 55 micron and 1,400 nmol/min/mg, respectively. The sedimentation coefficient (s020,w) of the enzyme is 5.80 S. The molecular weight is calculated to be 108,000 by sedimentation equilibrium method using a partial specific volume of 0.736 ml/g. This value is in good agreement with the molecular weight values of 115,000 and 120,000 determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 and gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, respectively. The enzyme is colorless and its absorption spectrum shows a maximum at 280 nm. From a CD spectrum, alpha helical content is estimated to be approximately 30%. The enzyme is a basic protein having a pI value of 9.8 and is rich in lysine rather than arginine. Neutral sugar, phospholipid, and DNA are not detected in the final preparation. These data indicate that the purified enzyme is a simple globular protein composed of a single polypeptide having an approximate molecular weight of 110,000.     

Glucocorticoid-induced changes in poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase activity from chick embryo liver

Glucocorticoid treatment produced changes in poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase activities in subcellular fractions from chick embryo liver. The reduction of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase activity in the nuclear fraction with this hormone treatment was accompanied by a concomitant increase in the postnuclear enzyme activity, particularly in the microsomal fraction. The reduced enzyme activities found in the nuclei were restored within a few days after the injection of 10 μg hydrocortisone into the fertilized egg incubated for 11 days. However, these restorations were not observed during the period tested, when over 100 μg of the hormone was given. The changes in the poly(ADP-ribose) formation by glucocorticoid treatment were due to alteration of a number of acceptor sites, but not to chain elongation, for the molecule. With regard to decrease in the nuclear poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase activity and increase in the postnuclear enzyme activity, possible mechanisms by which glucocorticoid induces these changes are discussed.     

3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation and poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase

Differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, induced by methyl-isobutylxanthine (MIX), dexamethasone (DEX), and insulin, results in cells with the morphological and biochemical characteristics of adipocytes. Following incubation of 3T3-L1 cells with MIX, DEX, and insulin, poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase activity decreased abruptly, remained low for several hours and then increased; this rise was delayed by readdition of MIX, DEX, and insulin. The transient reduction in poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase activity in 3T3-L1 cells occurred prior to the appearance of the adipocyte phenotype induced by the above agents. It was not observed when preparations were assayed in the presence of DNase I, indicating that poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase activity was masked following treatment with MIX, DEX, and insulin. The change in synthetase activity represents the earliest alteration of a specific enzyme yet detected during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. It appears to be differentiation specific since nondifferentiating 3T3-C2 control cells did not exhibit changes in poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase activity when treated with MIX, DEX, and insulin. The transient reduction in activity may be an early event in differentiation which reflects changes in chromatin structure.     

Properties of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase from rat pancreas and poly(ADP-ribosylation) of basic nuclear proteins.

The isolated nuclei of rat pancreas contain an enzyme system that will incorporate 3H-labeled NAD into an acid-insoluble product, which is shown to be poly(ADP-ribose). The enzyme has an optimum pH of 7.8 and the optimum temperature is between 20 and 30 degrees C. Optimum Mg2+ concentration is 8 mM and dithiothreitol also stimulates the enzyme at a concentration of 8 mM. Under standard conditions, the Km value for the reaction is 0.25 mM and an inhibition by the substrate is observed at high substrate concentrations. It has also been found that only one basic nuclear protein, that is, histone H1, is modified by the synthetase. An average chain length of 5.0 is found in the nuclei and of 4.5 on histone H1. Radioautographic studies show that poly(ADP-ribose) is closely associated with chromatin.