Epitope Mapping of Form-Specific and Nonspecific Antibodies to Acetylcholinesterase

We have mapped the epitopes to which two monoclonal antibodies against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from Torpedo californica are directed. One antibody, 2C9, has equivalent affinity for both the 5.6S (amphiphilic) and 11S (hydrophilic) enzyme forms; the other, 4E7, recognizes only the amphiphilic form and has been shown previously to require an N-linked oligosaccharide residue on the protein. Isolation of cyanogen bromide peptides from the amphiphilic form and assay by a competition ELISA for 2C9 and by a direct binding ELISA for 4E7 identified the same peptide, residues 44–82, as containing epitopes against both antibodies. The epitope for 4E7 includes the oligosaccharide conjugated to Asp⁵⁹, an N-linked glycosylation site not present in mouse AChE. A 20-amino-acid synthetic peptide, RFRRPEPKKPWSQVWNASTY, representing residues 44–63, was synthesized and found to inhibit completely 2C9 binding to 5.6S enzyme at molar concentrations comparable to those of the cyanogen bromide peptide. It was unreactive with 4E7. Fractionation of the synthetic peptide further localized the 2C9 epitope. Peptides RFRRPEPKKPW and KPWSGVWNASTY both reacted but less so than the entire synthetic peptide at equivalent molar concentrations, whereas the peptide RPEPKKPWSGVWNASTY was as effective as the larger synthetic peptide. The crystal structure of AChE shows the peptide to be on the surface of the molecule as part of a convex hairpin loop starting before the first α-helix.     

Monoclonal Antibodies to Rat Brain Acetylcholinesterase: Comparative Affinity for Soluble and Membrane-Associated Enzyme and for Enzyme from Different Vertebrate Species

Seven unique monoclonal antibodies were generated to rat brain acetylcholinesterase. Upon density gradient ultracentrifugation, immunoglobulin complexes with the monomeric enzyme appeared as single peaks of acetylcholinesterase activity with a sedimentation coefficient approximately 3S greater than that of the free enzyme. This behavior is consistent with the assumption of one binding site per enzyme molecule. Apparent dissociation constants of these antibodies for rat brain acetylcholinesterase calculated on the basis of this assumption ranged from about 10 nM to more than 1,000 nM. Some of the antibodies were less able to bind the membrane-associated enzyme that required detergent for solubilization than the naturally soluble acetylcholinesterase of detergent-free brain extracts. Species cross-reactivity was investigated with crude brain extracts from mammals (human, mouse, rabbit, guinea pig, cow, and cat) and from other vertebrates (chicken, frog, and electric eel). Three antibodies bound rat acetylcholinesterase exclusively; one had nearly the same affinity for all mammalian acetylcholinesterases investigated; the remaining three showed irregular binding patterns. None of the antibodies recognized frog and electric eel enzyme. Pooled antibody was found to be suitable for specific immunofluorescence staining of large neurons in the ventral horn of the rat spinal cord and smaller cells in the caudate nucleus. Other potential applications of these antibodies are discussed.     

Monoclonal Antibodies to Rabbit Brain Acetylcholinesterase: Selective Enzyme Inhibition, Differential Affinity for Enzyme Forms, and Cross-Reactivity with Other Mammalian Cholinesterases

Eleven unique monoclonal IgG antibodies were raised against rabbit brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7), purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by a two-step procedure involving immunoaffinity chromatography. The apparent dissociation constants of these antibodies for rabbit AChE ranged from about 10 nM to more than 100 nM (assuming one binding site per catalytic subunit). Species cross-reactivity was investigated with crude brain extracts from rabbit, rat, mouse cat, guinea pig, and human. One antibody bound rabbit AChE exclusively; most bound AChE from three or four species; two bound enzyme from all species tested. Identical, moderate affinity for rat and mouse brain AChE was displayed by two antibodies; two others were able to distinguish between these similar antigens. Nine of the antibodies had lowered affinity for AChE in the presence of 1 M NaCl, but two were salt resistant. Analysis of mutual interferences in AChE binding suggested that certain of the antibodies were competing for nearby epitopes on the AChE surface. One antibody was a potent AChE inhibitor (IC50 = 10(-8) M), blocking up to 90% of the enzyme activity. Most of the antibodies were less able to bind the readily soluble AChE of detergent-free brain extracts than the AChE which required detergent for solubilization. The extreme case, an antibody that was unable to recognize nearly half of the "soluble" AChE, was suspected of lacking affinity for the hydrophilic enzyme form.     

单克隆抗体与多克隆抗体配对ELISA方法比较

以人绒毛膜促性腺激素(HCG)为抗原,制备出对HCG的多克隆抗体和特异性单克隆抗体,并进行抗体纯化和特性分析,利用辣根过氧化物酶(HRP)分别对其进行了标记.采用双抗夹心ELISA试验,探讨了多克隆抗体与单克隆抗体配对的若干事项.结果表明,利用单克隆抗体和酶标多克隆抗体配对,并用含动物血清的稀释液稀释酶标抗体,可实现对检测原的高特异性和高灵敏度检测.     

Monoclonal Antibodies Against Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide: Studies of Structure and Related Antigens

Abstract: Hybridomas secreting monoclonal anti-vaso-active intestinal polypeptide (VIP) antibodies were constructed from spleen cells sensitized to VIP in vitro . The secreted antibodies were characterized by binding to VIP in indirect radioimmunoassays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Two monoclonal antibodies, characterized for their binding activities with synthetic fragments of VIP, were found to bind different sites on the VIP molecule. These monoclonal antibodies may recognize tertiary structures of the VIP. A search was conducted for antigens recognized by the monoclonal antibodies in brain: brain proteins separated on polyacrylamide gels were electroblotted onto nitrocellulose filters and were reacted first with the mouse antibody and then with goat anti-mouse imunnoglobulin coupled to horseradish peroxidase as a means of detection. The monoclonal antibodies were found to react with a protein of molecular weight 60,000, which was also recognized by polyclonal antibodies, although the latter reacted with a number of additional proteins. The relationship of the protein of molecular weight 60,000 to VIP is discussed.     

An Immunoglobulin M Monoclonal Antibody, Recognizing a Subset of Acetylcholinesterase Molecules from Electric Organs of Electrophorus and Torpedo, Belongs to the HNK-1 Anti-Carbohydrate Family

An immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal antibody (mAb Elec-39), obtained against asymmetric acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from Electrophorus electric organs, also reacts with a fraction of globular AChE (amphiphilic G2 form) from Torpedo electric organs. This antibody does not react with asymmetric AChE from Torpedo electric organs or with the enzyme from other tissues of Electrophorus or Torpedo. The corresponding epitope is removed by endoglycosidase F, showing that it is a carbohydrate. The subsets of Torpedo G2 that react or do not react with Elec-39 (Elec-39+ and Elec-39-) differ in their electrophoretic mobility under nondenaturing conditions; the Elec-39+ component also binds the lectins from Pisum sativum and Lens culinaris. Whereas the Elec-39- component is present at the earliest developmental stages examined, an Elec-39+ component becomes distinguishable only around the 70-mm stage. Its proportion increases progressively, but later than the rapid accumulation of the total G2 form. In immunoblots, mAb Elec-39 recognizes a number of proteins other than AChE from various tissues of several species. The specificity of Elec-39 resembles that of a family of anti-carbohydrate antibodies that includes HNK-1, L2, NC-1, NSP-4, as well as IgMs that occur in human neuropathies. Although some human neuropathy IgMs that recognize the myelin-associated glycoprotein did not react with Elec-39+ AChE, mAbs HNK-1, NC-1, and NSP-4 showed the same selectivity as Elec-39 for Torpedo G2 AChE, but differed in the formation of immune complexes.     

Characterization of Mono- and Polyclonal Antibodies Against Highly Purified Choline Acetyltransferase: A Monoclonal Antibody Shows Reactivity in Human Brain

Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) from porcine brain was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography, and the highly purified enzyme was subsequently used for immunization of mice and rabbits. After fusion of mouse spleen cells, 32 cultures producing monoclonal antibodies directed against ChAT were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with immunoaffinity-purified ChAT. Of these original 32, the most active 11 cultures were cloned and used for ascites production. The 11 clones generated monoclonal antibodies of the immunoglobulin (Ig) M class (three), the IgG1 subclass (seven), and the IgG2b subclass (one). The isoelectric points of the antibodies of the IgG class were different in each case. The monoclonal antibodies exhibited different binding characteristics in the above ELISA and on western blots. Two monoclonal antibodies demonstrated excellent immunohistological results with neurons of rat brain and spinal cord. One of them reacted well immunohistochemically with neurons of human brain and also recognized partially purified human placenta ChAT in the ELISA.     

Immunochemical Studies of Bovine and Human Choline-O-Acetyltransferase Using Monoclonal Antibodie

Abstract: Immunochemical properties of bovine and human choline acetyltransferase (ChAT, EC 2.3.1.6, acetyl-CoA:choline- O -acetyltransferase) were studied using six monoclonal antibodies (AB1, AB5, AB6, AB7, AB8, and AB9) reactive with the enzyme. All antibodies except AB1 bound specifically to two proteins of 68,000 and 70,000 MW on "Western" blots of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels containing human or bovine ChAT. The enzyme was specifically absorbed to immobilized antibody and could not be eluted by low pH and/or high salt concentrations, although the enzyme retained activity on the immunoabsorbent. Pure bovine enzyme consisting of the same two proteins as seen in the Western blotting studies was eluted from immobilized AB1 in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Although active enzyme could not be eluted from immobilized antibodies by standard conditions, various combinations of free and immobilized antibodies were effective in competing off bound enzyme. Free antibody AB1 quantitatively eluted the active enzyme from immobilized AB1. The different capacities of the antibodies to elute enzyme from various immunoabsorbents reflect interesting properties of both the enzyme and the antibodies.     

Production and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies to the Major Peripheral Myelin Glycoprotein P0

Several monoclonal antibodies were generated against the major glycoprotein P0 of human peripheral nervous system myelin. Antibodies were selected for their reactivity with P0 in Western blots. The antibodies were of the immunoglobulin G subclass and reacted with the glycopeptidase F-treated P0, indicating that the reactive epitope resides in the protein backbone. In fresh frozen and paraffin-embedded sections of central and peripheral nervous system of rat and human, P0 antibody 592 reacted with myelin sheaths of peripheral, but not central, nervous system.     

Immunocytochemical Examination of Neural Rat and Mouse Primary Cultures Using Monoclonal Antibodies Raised Against Pyruvate Carboxylase

Abstract: Pyruvate carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.1; PC) catalyzes the formation of oxaloacetate by energy-dependent fixation of CO₂ to pyruvate. The aim of the present work was to generate antibodies against PC and use them to localize PC in the cells of astroglia-rich and neuron-rich primary cultures derived from the brains of rats and mice. Mouse monoclonal antibodies raised against the enzyme were shown to be monospecific as indicated by immunoblotting. The staining of the cells for PC appeared in grains. These represent mitochondria, as PC is known as a mitochondrial enzyme. Immunocytochemical examination of astroglia-rich primary cultures of rat or mouse brain cells revealed a colocalization of PC with the astroglial marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in many cells. However, there were GFAP-positive cells showing no specific staining for PC, and vice versa. Also, in neuron-rich primary cultures PC was found only in the ∼10% GFAP-expressing astroglial cells contaminating the neuron-rich primary culture, whereas it was absent from the neurons identified by antibodies against neuron-specific enolase. These results suggest that PC is predominantly an astroglial enzyme and that astroglial cells play an important role in the intermediary and the energy metabolism of the brain.     

Monoclonal Antibody NM2 Recognizes the Protein Kinase C Phosphorylation Site in B-50 (GAP-43) and in Neurogranin (BICKS)

Abstract: Mouse monoclonal B-50 antibodies (Mabs) were screened to select a Mab that may interfere with suggested functions of B-50 (GAP-43), such as involvement in neurotransmitter release. Because the Mab NM2 reacted with peptide fragments of rat B-50 containing the unique protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation site at serine-41, it was selected and characterized in comparison with another Mab NM6 unreactive with these fragments. NM2, but not NM6, recognized neurogranin (BICKS), another PKC substrate, containing a homologous sequence to rat B-50 (34–52). To narrow down the epitope domain, synthetic B-50 peptides were tested in ELISAs. In contrast to NM6, NM2 immunoreacted with B-50 (39–51) peptide, but not with B-50 (43–51) peptide or a C-terminal B-50 peptide. Preabsorption by B-50 (39–51) peptide of NM2 inhibited the binding of NM2 to rat B-50 in contrast to NM6. NM2 selectively inhibited phosphorylation of B-50 during endogenous phosphorylation of synaptosomal plasma membrane proteins. Preabsorption of NM2 by B-50 (39–51) peptide abolished this inhibition. In conclusion, NM2 recognizes the QASFR peptide in B-50 and neurogranin. Therefore, NM2 may be a useful tool in physiological studies of the role of PKC-mediated phosphorylation and calmodulin binding of B-50 and neurogranin.     

Three-Dimensional Analysis of CD6 Site-Directed Mutagenesis and Monoclonal Antibody Binding Studies Using the X-ray Structure of Mac-2 Binding Protein and a Molecular Model of the CD6 Ligand Binding Domain

The extracellular region of CD6 consists of three scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) domains and binds activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM), a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF). Residues important for the CD6-ALCAM interaction have previously been identified by mutagenesis. A total of 22 CD6 residues were classified according to their importance for anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and/or ALCAM binding. The three-dimensional structure of the SRCR domain of Mac-2 binding protein has recently been determined, providing a structural prototype for the SRCR protein superfamily. This has made a thorough three-dimensional analysis of CD6 mutagenesis and mAb binding experiments possible. Mutation of buried residues compromised both mAb and ALCAM binding, consistent with the presence of structural perturbations. However, several residues whose mutation affected both mAb and ALCAM binding or, alternatively, only ligand binding were found to map to the surface in the same region of the domain. This suggests that the CD6 ligand binding site and epitopes of tested mAbs overlap and provides an explanation for the finding that these mAbs effectively block ALCAM binding. An approximate molecular model of CD6 was used to delineate the ALCAM binding site.Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s0089490050263Abbreviations ALCAM activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule - CD6D3 third (membrane-proxi-mal) extracellular domain of CD6 - IgSF immunoglobulin superfamily - mAb monoclonal antibody - M2BP Mac-2 binding protein - SRCR scavenger receptor cysteine-rich domain - SRCRSF scavenger receptor cysteine-rich protein superfamily     

Studies on the functional site on staphylococcal enterotoxin A responsible for production of murine gamma interferon

To identify the functional region(s) associated with induction of gamma interferon on the staphylococcal enterotoxin A molecule, native staphylococcal enterotoxin A molecules and 12 various synthetic peptides corresponding to different regions of entire staphylococcal enterotoxin A were compared to induce gamma interferon production in murine spleen cells. The native staphylococcal enterotoxin A molecule induced gamma interferon production, whereas all of the 12 synthetic peptides did not. Pre-treatment of the murine spleen cells with synthetic peptide A-9 (corresponding to amino acid residues 161-180) significantly inhibited the staphylococcal enterotoxin A-induced gamma interferon production, whereas those with other synthetic peptides did not. When native staphylococcal enterotoxin A was pre-treated with either anti-staphylococcal enterotoxin A serum or anti-peptide sera, anti-staphylococcal enterotoxin A serum and antisera to peptides A-1 (1-20), A-7 (121-140), A-8 (141-160), A-9 (161-180) and A-10 (181-200) inhibited the staphylococcal enterotoxin A-induced gamma interferon production. From these findings, the amino acid residues 161-180 on the staphylococcal enterotoxin A molecule may be an essential region for murine gamma interferon production. Furthermore, the neutralizing epitopes may be also located on regions of amino acid residues 1-20, 121-140, 141-160 and 181-200 on the staphylococcal enterotoxin A molecule.     

Antibodies against preselected peptides to map functional sites on the acetylcholine receptor

Rabbit immune sera and mouse monoclonal antibodies were raised against the synthetic peptide Tyr-Cys-Glu-Ile-Ile-Val matching in sequence residues 127-132 of the alpha-subunit of all nicotinic acetylcholine receptors sequenced so far. Representative cholinergic ligands did not interfere with the binding of these antibodies to the receptor from Torpedo marmorata, indicating that this sequence is not part of the binding sites for cholinergic ligands. The applicability of antigenic sites analysis to the mapping of functional sites on receptor proteins is discussed.     

Variability in the Structural Requirements for Binding of Human Monoclonal Anti-Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein Immunoglobulin M Antibodies and HNK-1 to Sphingoglycolipid Antigens

A high proportion of patients with neuropathy have immunoglobulin M (IgM) paraproteins that react with carbohydrate determinants on the myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and two sphingoglycolipids, 3-sulfoglucuronyl paragloboside (SGPG) and 3-sulfoglucuronyl lactosaminyl paragloboside. In order to characterize the fine specificities of these human antibodies further, the binding of 10 anti-MAG paraproteins to several chemically modified derivatives of SGPG was compared with the binding to intact SGPG by both TLC-overlay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The following derivatives were tested: the desulfated lipid, glucuronyl paragloboside (GPG); the methyl ester of GPG (MeGPG); the methyl ester of SGPG, 3-sulfomethylglucuronyl paragloboside (SMeGPG); and 3-sulfoglucosyl paragloboside (SGlcPG) produced by reduction of the carboxyl group of the glucuronic acid with sodium borohydride. All 10 IgM paraproteins and the related mouse IgM antibody, HNK-1, reacted most strongly with intact SGPG, but variations in the reactivity with the derivatives revealed striking differences in the structural requirements for binding between the antibodies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Axolinin Localization in the Nervous Tissue of Squid Revealed by Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for Axolinin: Cellular and Subcellular Localization of Axolinin in the Squid Neuron

Cellular and subcellular distributions of axolinin, the 260-kilodalton (kD) microtubule-associated glycoprotein originally purified from squid axons, in various squid tissues such as optical lobes, bundles of small nerve fibers (fin nerves), giant stellate ganglia, skin, muscle, liver, and gill, were immunologically studied using monoclonal antibodies specifically recognizing the polypeptide chain of axolinin. The following results were obtained: (1) Axolinin is confined to squid neurons and skin; (2) axolinin is localized in the axon whereas another 260-kD microtubule-associated protein, MAP B, is localized in the cell bodies; and (3) axolinin is localized mainly in the peripheral part of the axoplasm of the squid giant axon. The last result has confirmed our previous conclusion obtained using polyclonal antisera against axolinin, which contain antibodies recognizing not only axolinin-specific epitopes but also nonspecific epitopes. The physiological importance of the localization of axolinin in axons and the skin is discussed based on its possible relationship to excitability function.     

人工合成多肽检测抗HIV－1和HIV－2抗体的研究

采用固相法合成ＨＩＶ－１和ＨＩＶ－２两个多肽,建立了用混合多肽为包被抗原检测ＨＩＶ－１和ＨＩＶ－２感染的间接酶联免疫吸附法。检测４６份抗ＨＩＶ－１和ＨＩＶ－２抗体阳性血清标本以及９４份对照血清标本,与ＵＢＩ试剂比较,其阳性符合率为９７．８％,阴性符合率为１００％,总符合率为９９．３％。实验结果表明,此法可用于ＨＩＶ－１和ＨＩＶ－２感染的检测。     

Enhancement of Antigenic Site Detection with Gold Labeled Secondary and Tertiary Antibodies Using the Immunogold-Silver Staining Method

We report a modification of the immunogold-silver staining method (IGSS) for localizing hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in tissue sections, and we compare the efficacy of localizing the primary antibody with either a 5 nm gold labeled secondary antibody or 5 nm gold labeled secondary and tertiary antibodies. Light microscope examination of 10 μm frozen sections demonstrated that the use of combined secondary and tertiary gold labeled antibodies was superior to using a secondary gold labeled antibody alone. The increased labeling density (number of colloidal gold particles/antigenic site/cell) achieved by combined gold labeled antibodies was confirmed by electron microscopy. The increased labeling density resulted in a two-thirds reduction in the time needed for the IGSS physical development of the silver shells and less background. We achieved intense specific staining of hepatocytes expressing PEPCK while minimizing background staining. The use of combined secondary and tertiary gold labeled antibodies enhances the signal-to-noise ratio, achieves high resolution and is a suitable method for use in both light and electron microscopy.     

单克隆抗体对小苍兰褪绿条纹花叶病毒及其决定簇的作用特性

采用杂交瘤技术,得到抗小苍兰褪绿色条纹花叶病毒（FCSMV）六个单克隆抗体P3、4A4,6B、,7A6,7D1和7DS。ELISA效价分别为1：1062－1：10^6。7A6攻7D1属于IgG1亚类,7D8和4A4分属IgG2a和IgG2b亚类,P3和6B1属于IgG2亚类。电镜观察单克隆抗体与病毒形成的复合物发现7D1能使病毒粒子发生严重裂断。6株单克隆抗体中P3,4A4、6B1对应于病毒外壳蛋白上的顺序决定簇。纯化的病毒外壳蛋白经酶裂解和改进的盘状电泳分离,得到八段与多克隆抗体反应的收集液。用顺序决定族的单克隆抗体检出P3对应的肽段22和4A4对应的肽段78。本文还讨论了7D1使病毒粒子发生断裂的原因和与病毒粒子表面结构的关系以及分离抗原决定族所在片段的意义。