Analysis of the binding of C-reactive protein to histones and chromatin

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase serum protein in man which binds to phosphocholine (PC) in a calcium-dependent manner. CRP has been shown to bind to chromatin and nucleosome core particles. However, CRP does not bind to DNA and there is conflicting evidence regarding the binding of CRP to histones. In the present study, binding of CRP to chromatin was confirmed by ELISA using chromatin bound to microtiter wells. When chromatin depleted of histone H1 was used in the same assay, no CRP binding was detected. Similar results were observed using a competitive inhibition ELISA. These results indicate an important role for H1 in the binding of CRP to chromatin. Further studies were done to characterize the binding of CRP to purified individual histones. CRP binding to histones was demonstrated first by blotting. Calf thymus histones were separated on a 15% SDS-polyacrylamide gel, transferred to nitrocellulose, and probed with 125I-CRP. CRP bound to H1 and H2A and to a lesser extent to H2B. Non-specific binding to H3 was seen and no binding to H4 was observed. CRP binding to purified individual histones was tested by ELISA. Essentially identical results were seen to those obtained by blotting. CRP binding to the H2A-H2B complex was observed as well as reactivity with trypsin-resistant fragments of H2A, H2B, and H3. By blotting and by ELISA all CRP reactions were blocked by PC and EDTA indicating binding through the calcium-dependent PC-binding site on CRP. These studies further characterize the nature of the binding of CRP to chromatin and histones and show that the presence of H1 on chromatin is required for CRP binding.     

Analysis of the binding of C-reactive protein to chromatin subunits

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase serum protein in man. The functional activities of CRP, like Ig, include complement activation and enhancement of phagocytosis. CRP binding to several substrates, including phosphocholine, individual denatured histones, and chromatin, has been demonstrated. We previously demonstrated that CRP binding to chromatin is dependent on the presence of histone H1, despite the fact that CRP binds to purified individual histones H2A and H2B, as well as to H1. In this report we examined the binding of CRP to native sub-nucleosomal chromatin fragments. CRP binding to the H2A-H2B dimer and (H3-H4)2 tetramer was demonstrated and these reactions were inhibited by phosphocholine. However, no binding to the subnucleosome complexes (H2A-H2B)-DNA and (H3-H4)2-DNA was seen. Similarly, CRP binding to H1 was eliminated when H1 was reconstituted with DNA. The reconstitution of H1-depleted chromatin with H1 restored CRP binding. CRP binding to nucleosome core particles, as previously demonstrated by others, was confirmed. Therefore, the interaction of CRP with individual core histones does not appear to be responsible for the binding of CRP to native chromatin. However, binding to core particles could be mediated by differentially exposed determinants on H2A and H2B.     

Lectin specificity and binding characteristics of human C-reactive protein.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is thought to play an important role in immunomodulation. The exact biologic function of this pentraxin protein is, however, still unclear. Here we report experiments designed to further characterize the binding properties of CRP. Using purified human CRP it could be shown that CRP immobilized onto polystyrene surfaces or onto latex beads binds distinct plasma glycoproteins including IgG, asialofetuin, asialo-beta 2-glycoprotein I and, likewise, synthetic glycoproteins as a lectin, exhibiting binding specificity for terminal galactosyl residues of the glycoprotein glycans. Binding of CRP to IgA, IgM, IgG, asialofetuin, asialo-beta 2-glycoprotein I and to synthetic glycoproteins requires immobilization onto surfaces of both CRP and the ligand. Fibronectin and fibrinogen are bound by surface-immobilized CRP also in soluble phase. Comparing various mono-, di-, and trisaccharides as competitive inhibitors of the lectin binding activity of CRP, only beta-D-Gal-(1-3)-D-GalNAc, beta-D-Gal-(1-4)-D-GalNAc, and beta-D-Gal-(1-4)-beta-D-Gal-(1-4)-D-GlcNAc had significant inhibitory power at a concentration of 8 mmol/liter. Binding activity of CRP was pH-dependent with an optimum at pH 5 to 6 and was reduced by 90% when pH was shifted from 6 to the physiologic pH value of 7.4. CRP exhibited lectin-like properties with binding specificity for galactosyl residues also when bound to K-562 erythroleukemia cells. It is therefore suggested that CRP immobilized onto surfaces exhibits lectin activity toward galactosyl groups preferentially in a mildly acidic environment as present at sites of inflammation.     

Elucidation of a protease-sensitive site involved in the binding of calcium to C-reactive protein

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a Ca2+-binding protein composed of five identical 23-kDa subunits arranged as a cyclic pentamer, present in greatly elevated concentration in the blood during the acute phase of processes involving tissue injury and necrosis. In the present work, it was found that treatment of human CRP with Pronase or Nagarse protease produces two major fragments which remain associated in physiological buffers but are separable under denaturing conditions. To localize the cleavage site(s), the fragments were characterized according to molecular mass, amino acid composition, partial amino acid sequence, and reactivity with monoclonal antibodies specific for the fragments and for defined CRP epitopes including residues 147-152 and 199-206. Nagarse protease cleaves the CRP subunit between residues 145 and 146, producing two fragments, 16 and 6.5 kDa (calculated molecular mass). Pronase cleaves the CRP subunit between residues 146 and 147, producing a 16-kDa fragment (A1) and a 6.5-kDa fragment (B); an additional fragment (A2) approximately 1 kDa smaller than fragment A1 is also apparently produced due to a secondary cleavage site in fragment A1. Cleavage appears to be completely inhibited in the presence of 1 mM CaCl2. Ca2+ does not protect cleaved CRP from heat-induced aggregation (i.e., precipitation) as it does the intact protein. Protease-cleaved CRP loses the ability to bind to the Ca2+-dependent ligand phosphorylcholine but remains the ability to bind to the Ca2+-independent ligand arginine-rich histone. Equilibrium dialysis indicates that intact CRP binds 2 mol of Ca2+/mol of subunit with a Kd of 6 X 10(-5) M.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

C-reactive protein binding to murine leukocytes requires Fc gamma receptors

Human C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein that binds to receptors on human and mouse leukocytes. We have recently determined that the high and low affinity receptors for CRP on human leukocytes are Fc gamma RIIa and Fc gamma RI, respectively. Previous work by others suggested that CRP receptors on mouse macrophages are distinct from Fc gamma R. We have taken advantage of the availability of mice deficient in one or more Fc gamma R to reexamine the role of Fc gamma R in CRP binding to mouse leukocytes. Three strains of Fc gamma R-deficient mice were examined: gamma-chain-deficient mice that lack Fc gamma RI and Fc gamma RIII, Fc gamma RII-deficient mice, and mice deficient in both gamma-chain and Fc gamma RII that lack all Fc gamma R. No binding of CRP was detected to leukocytes from double-deficient mice, indicating that Fc gamma R are required for CRP binding. CRP binding to leukocytes from gamma-chain-deficient and Fc gamma RII-deficient mice was reduced compared with binding to leukocytes from wild-type mice. Further analysis of CRP binding to macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes provides direct evidence that Fc gamma RIIb1, Fc gamma RIIb2, and Fc gamma RI are the receptors for CRP on mouse leukocytes. These findings may have important implications in understanding the physiological function of CRP.     

Immunochemical recognition of the binding of C-reactive protein to solid-phase phosphorylethanolamine

The influence of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, trypsin digestion and mercaptoethanol treatment of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the CRP binding to solid-phase phosphorylethanolamine (PE) has been investigated. Nine monoclonal antibodies reacting with CRP could be divided into at least 2 well-defined groups: one group of 6-7 monoclonals interfering with the binding of CRP to PE (mainly represented by monoclonal 2) and the not interfering with the binding of CRP to PE (mainly represented by monoclonal 5). Trypsin digestion resulted in sequence identified CRP fragments still able to bind to PE and detectable by monoclonal 5 but not by monoclonal 2. On the other hand, binding of CRP to PE was abolished by mercaptoethanol treatment. These results, together with the estimation of the extent of the antigenicity of the PE binding site and the characteristics of the hydrophobicity profile of CRP, suggest that most of the hydrophilic sequences contribute to the PE binding region except a non-overlapping region defined by monoclonal 5. Most probably, some of these sequences are located inside or around the internal bisulphide bridge of each monomer of the pentameric CRP.     

Obesity is an independent determinant of elevated C-reactive protein in healthy women but not men

Background and aims: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs CRP) has emerged as an inflammatory biomarker to predict metabolic syndrome. Here, we investigate the association of hs CRP with metabolic variables and determine the risks for elevated hs CRP levels in healthy Singaporean adults.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 225 participants (104 men). The levels of hs CRP and fasting lipid parameters were analyzed by COBAS. Body composition was determined with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results: Twenty-one (9?%) participants had elevated hs CRP levels (>3?mg/mL). The levels of hs CRP had significant correlations (p?<0.05) with obesity and metabolic variables among women. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis identified FM (%) (accounted for 22.5% of the variability in hs CRP levels) as a major determinant of hs CRP levels. On multivariate regression, FM (%) was the independent determinant of intermediate and elevated hs CRP in women after adjustment for the potential confounders.

Conclusions: Obesity may play a direct role in the elevated hs CRP levels in women, but not men living in Singapore. This is probably due to different body composition or different effects of sex hormones on adipose tissue between men and women.     

Specific binding of human C-reactive protein to human monocytes in vitro

The precise biologic function of C-reactive protein (CRP), a major acute phase protein in man, is unknown. The abilities of CRP to bind biologic substrates and to activate the C pathway, and its localization at sites of inflammation argue for an opsonic role for this protein. Such a role has been supported by recent reports of specific binding of CRP to neutrophils. Using highly purified radioiodinated human CRP, we have observed specific binding of this protein to human monocytes in vitro. The binding was reversible and rapid, with a t1/2 for the dissociation reaction of approximately 3 min. Binding was saturable at a CRP concentration of approximately 0.2 microM, with an estimated K from Scatchard analysis of 1.1 x 10(-7) M. Specific binding was calcium-dependent, with optimal binding occurring at calcium concentrations of more than 1.0 mM. No specific binding could be demonstrated to a non-adherent population of mononuclear cells (more than 80% lymphocytes). In other experiments, a 100-fold excess of human IgG failed to inhibit binding, although rabbit CRP produced competitive inhibition of binding which was quantitatively similar to human CRP. The binding was maximal at pH 7.4 and was sensitive to prior trypsin treatment of cells. These studies provide direct evidence for specific binding of soluble human CRP to human monocytes in vitro and thus provide further support for an important functional interaction of this acute phase protein with phagocytic cells in man.     

Membrane activity of a C-reactive protein

C-reactive protein (CRP) from the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, exhibits complex membrane activities. Here, we describe the behavior of protein and lipid as CRP interacts with model liposomes and bacterial membranes. Limulus C-reactive protein (L-CRP) forms extended fibrilar structures that encapsulate liposomes in the presence of Ca²⁺. We have observed structures consistent in size and shape with these fibers bound to the surface of Gram-negative bacteria. The membranes of Limulus CRP-treated bacteria exhibit significantly different mechano-elastic properties than those of untreated bacteria. In vitro, bilayer lipids undergo a rigidification and reorganization of small domains. We suggest that these interactions reflect the protein’s role as a primary defense molecule, functioning in the entrapment and killing of potential pathogens.     

Fatty acid binding protein is a major determinant of hepatic pharmacokinetics of palmitate and its metabolites

Disposition kinetics of [(3)H]palmitate and its low-molecular-weight metabolites in perfused rat livers were studied using the multiple-indicator dilution technique, a selective assay for [(3)H]palmitate and its low-molecular-weight metabolites, and several physiologically based pharmacokinetic models. The level of liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), other intrahepatic binding proteins (microsomal protein, albumin, and glutathione S-transferase) and the outflow profiles of [(3)H]palmitate and metabolites were measured in four experimental groups of rats: 1) males; 2) clofibrate-treated males; 3) females; and 4) pregnant females. A slow-diffusion/bound model was found to better describe the hepatic disposition of unchanged [(3)H]palmitate than other pharmacokinetic models. The L-FABP levels followed the order: pregnant female > clofibrate-treated male > female > male. Levels of other intrahepatic proteins did not differ significantly. The hepatic extraction ratio and mean transit time for unchanged palmitate, as well as the production of low-molecular-weight metabolites of palmitate and their retention in the liver, increased with increasing L-FABP levels. Palmitate metabolic clearance, permeability-surface area product, retention of palmitate by the liver, and cytoplasmic diffusion constant for unchanged [(3)H]palmitate also increased with increasing L-FABP levels. It is concluded that the variability in hepatic pharmacokinetics of unchanged [(3)H]palmitate and its low-molecular-weight metabolites in perfused rat livers is related to levels of L-FABP and not those of other intrahepatic proteins.     

Involvements of fibronectin and lysophosphatidylcholine for selective binding of C-reactive protein.

C-reactive protein (CRP) has been reported to deposit only to inflammatory sites, but not to normal sites. In present paper, we investigated involvements of fibronectin and lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC) as responsible for this selectivity. In ELISA assay, CRP was found to bind to immobilized fibronectin with dose dependency, only in the presence of Ca2+ ions. Addition of 5 mM EDTA allowed CRP to abolish this binding. However, it could not be inhibited neither by phosphorylcholine nor by heparin. On the other hand, CRP could aggregate liposome consisted of lyso-PC and phosphatidylcholine (PC), but not that consisted of PC alone. Aggregation was found to be maximum when liposome with lyso-PC/PC molar ratio of 0.3 was used. Similar result was also observed in binding study with peroxidase-labelled CRP. In addition, phospholipase A2 treatment of liposome consisted of PC alone induced 3-fold higher binding than that found with untreated one. Ca2+ ions were required for binding to liposome.     

Resistance of proteinuric rats to furosemide: Urinary drug protein binding as a determinant of drug effect

The effect of drug binding to urinary proteins on the diuretic response to furosemide was assessed in normal and nephrotic rats. Nephrosis was induced by treating Sprague-Dawley rats with puromycin aminonucleoside. Binding of furosemide to urinary proteins was found to range from 60 to 95% depending on the concentration of urinary protein. The diuretic response to furosemide reaching the renal tubular lumen was inversely correlated with the degree of proteinuria, a finding that was independent of serum protein concentration of glomerular filtration rate. These data suggest that the binding of furosemide to urinary protein decreases the diuretic effect of furosemide and that drug-protein interactions of this type may also be important in modulating the activity of other lumenally-active drugs or endogenous substances exhibiting a high degree of protein binding. The binding of furosemide to urinary protein may explain the refractoriness of some patients with proteinuria to this agent.     

Specific binding of glucosaminylmuramyl peptides to histones.

Intracellular N-acetylglucosaminylmuramyl peptide-binding proteins of murine macrophages and myelomonocytic WEHI-3 cells were characterized. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting revealed proteins with molecular masses of 18, 32 and 34 kDa retaining the ability to specifically bind glucosaminylmuramyl dipeptide. The inhibition analysis demonstrated that only biologically active muramyl peptides but not inactive analogs or fragments of glucosaminylmuramyl dipeptide could inhibit glucosaminylmuramyl dipeptide-binding to these proteins. Purification of these proteins and sequencing of peptides obtained after in-gel trypsin digestion enabled us to identify the above mentioned proteins as histones H1 and H3. These findings suggest that nuclear histones might be target molecules for muramyl peptides.     

Characteristics of the binding of human C-reactive protein (CRP) to laminin

Human CRP binds to the basement membrane protein laminin in vitro in a Ca2+-dependent manner via the phosphorylcholine (PC) binding site of C-reactive protein (CRP). The binding was saturable at a molar ratio of 4 (CRP/laminin). The specificity of the binding was shown by inhibition of binding of labeled CRP to laminin by unlabeled CRP, but not by human IgG. Specific binding was optimal in the presence of 5 mM Ca2+, but did not occur in the absence of Ca2+ or in the presence of EDTA. The binding of Ca2+ to CRP causes a conformational change in the molecule, which is required for binding to PC and to laminin. The PC binding site of CRP was implicated in the binding to laminin on the basis of inhibition by both soluble PC and anti-idiotypic mAbs directed to the TEPC-15 PC-binding idiotype found on mouse antibodies to PC. In addition, mouse mAbs specific for the CRP PC binding site displayed decreased reactivity with CRP already bound to laminin. The binding of CRP to laminin provides a possible explanation for selective deposition of CRP at inflamed sites. The CRP-laminin interaction may serve as a means of concentrating CRP at sites of tissue damage so that the CRP might function as a ligand for leukocytes, an event that will result in removal of necrotic tissue and cell debris.     

Purification of C-reactive protein

A concise method was designed for preparation of C-reactive protein (CRP) from pleural effusion. By addition of L-alpha-lecithin to the pleural effusion in the presence of calcium ions, a flocculence of the CRP-lecithin complex formed. Subsequent treatment of the CRP-lecithin complex with chloroform and sodium citrate buffer enabled extraction of the CRP in the buffer layer. This extracted CRP was further purified by sequential treatment on column chromatography of DEAE cellulose (DE52) and gel filtration using Sephacryl S-300. The isolated protein was proved to be native CRP with a high degree of purity, as determined by electrophoretical and immunological analysis. The yield was 41.8% recovery from the starting material. E1%(280) of the CRP preparation was estimated to be 18.75.     

Definition of a factor Va binding site in factor Xa

We reported previously that residue 347 in activated fX (fXa) contributes to binding of the cofactor, factor Va (fVa) (Rudolph, A. E., Porche-Sorbet, R. and Miletich, J. P. (2000) Biochemistry 39, 2861-2867). Four additional residues that participate in fVa binding have now been identified by mutagenesis. All five resulting fX species, fX(R306A), fX(E310N), fX(R347N), fX(K351A), and fX(K414A), are activated and inhibited normally. However, the rate of inhibition by antithrombin III in the presence of submaximal concentrations of heparin is reduced for all the enzymes. In the absence of fVa, all of the enzymes bind and activate prothrombin similarly except fXa(E310N), which has a reduced apparent affinity ( approximately 3-fold) for prothrombin compared with wild type fXa (fXa(WT)). In the absence of phospholipid, fVa enhances the catalytic activity of fXa(WT) significantly, but the response of the variant enzymes was greatly diminished. On addition of 100 nm PC:PS (3:1) vesicles, fVa enhanced fXa(WT), fXa(R306A), and fXa(E310N) similarly, whereas fXa(R347N), fXa(K351A), and fXa(K414A) demonstrated near-normal catalytic activity but reduced apparent affinity for fVa under these conditions. All enzymes function similarly to fXa(WT) on activated platelets, which provide saturating fVa on an ideal surface. Loss of binding affinity for fVa as a result of the substitutions in residues Arg-347, Lys-351, and Lys-414 was verified by a competition binding assay. Thus, Arg-347, Lys-351, and Lys-414 are likely part of a core fVa binding site, whereas Arg-306 and Glu-310 serve a less critical role.