Urinary oligosaccharides of GM1-gangliosidosis. Different excretion patterns of oligosaccharides in the urine of type 1 and type 2 subgroups

Oligosaccharide patterns obtained by gel filtration of the urine of GM1-gangliosidosis Type 1 patients are quite different from those of GM1-gangliosidosis Type 2. By studies of oligosaccharides in the four major peaks obtained from the Type 1 subgroup using sequential exoglycosidase digestion, methylation analysis, and periodate oxidation, the structures of 15 oligosaccharides: Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc, Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 6Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc, Man alpha 1 leads to 6(Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3)Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc, Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 6(Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3)Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc, Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 6[Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 4(Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2)Man alpha 1 leads to 3]Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc, Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 6(Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2)Man alpha 1 leads to 6(Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc NAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3)Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc, Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 6(Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2)Man alpha 1 leads to 6[Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 4(Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2)Man alpha 1 leads to 3]Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc, Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 6, and 3(Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3 and 6)Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc, (formula see text) were elucidated. The amounts of total oligosaccharides excreted in the urine of the Type 2 subgroup were approximately one-tenth of those of Type 1. Moreover, the last eight oligosaccharides shown above, which have a Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to outer chain, were completely missing in the urine of Type 2.     

Urinary oligosaccharides of fucosidosis. Evidence of the occurrence of X-antigenic determinant in serum-type sugar chains of glycoproteins.

Urine of a fucosidosis patient contained a large amount of fucosyl oligosaccharides and fucose-rich glycopeptides. Six major oligosaccharides were purified by a combination of Bio-Gel P-2 and P-4 column chromatographies and paper chromatography. Structural studies by sequential exoglycosidase digestion and by methylation analysis revealed that their structures were as follows: Fucalpha1 leads to 6GlcNAc, Fucalpha1 leads to 2Galbeta1 leads to 4(Fucalpha1 leads to 3)GlcNAcbeta1 leads to 2Manalpha1 leads to 3Manbeta1 leads to 4GlcNAc, Galbeta1 leads to 4(Fucalpha1 leads to 3)GlcNAcbeta1 leads to 4Manalpha1 leads to 4GlcNAc, Galbeta1 leads to 4(Fucalpha1 leads to3)GlcNAcbeta1 leads to 2Manalpha1 leads to 6Manbeta1 leads to 4GlcNAc, and Galbeta1 leads to 4(Fucalpha1 leads to 3)GlcNAcbeta1 leads to 4Manalpha1 leads to 6Manalpha1 leads to 6Manbeta1 leads to 4GlcNAc. In additon, the structure of a minor decasaccharide was found to be Galbeta1 leads to (Fucalpha1 leads to)GlcNAcbeta1 leads to Manalpha1 leads to [Galbeta1 leads to (Fucalpha1 leads to)GlcNAcbeta1 leads to Manalpha1 leads to]Manbeta1 leads to 4GlcNAc.     

Structural study of the sugar chains of alpha-amylases produced ectopically in tumors

About thirty percent of two alpha-amylases produced from a serous papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the ovarium (case 1) and a bronchioloalveolar adenocarcinoma of the lung (case 2) was glycoproteins containing 1 mol of asparagine-linked sugar chain, respectively. The structures of the sugar moieties were found by sequential enzymatic degradation and methylation analysis to be as follows: [(Gal beta 1 leads to 4)0 or 1GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 6(3)][GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3(6)]Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 4(Fuc alpha 1 leads to 6)GlcNAc and [(Gal beta 1 leads to 4)0 or 1GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 6][NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 6Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3]Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 4(Fuc alpha 1 leads to 6)GlcNAc. Structures of asparagine-linked sugar chains were the same in the tumors of cases 1 and 2 and were incomplete in comparison with those of the parotid amylase.     

The monoclonal antibody directed to difucosylated type 2 chain (Fuc alpha 1 leads to 2Gal beta 1 leads to 4[Fuc alpha 1 leads to 3]GlcNAc; Y Determinant)

One of the monoclonal (AH-6) antibodies prepared by hybridoma technique against human gastric cancer cell line MKN74 was found to react with a series of glycolipids having the Y determinant (Fuc alpha 1 leads to 2Gal beta 1 leads to 4[Fuc alpha 1 leads to 3]GlcNAc). The structure of one such glycolipid isolated from human colonic cancer and from dog intestine was identified as lactodifucohexaosyl-ceramide (Fuc alpha 1 leads to 2Gal beta 1 leads to 4[Fuc alpha 1 leads to 3]GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc beta 1 leads to 1-ceramide; IV3,III3Fuc2nLc4Cer). The hapten glycolipid did not react with monoclonal antibodies directed to Lea, Leb, and X-hapten structures, and the AH-6 antibody did not react with the X-hapten ceramide pentasaccharide (Gal beta 1 leads to 4[Fuc alpha 1 leads to 3]GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc beta 1 leads to 1-ceramide), H1 glycolipid (Fuc alpha 1 leads to 2Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc beta 1 leads to 1-ceramide), nor with glycolipids having the Leb (Fuc alpha 1 leads to 2Gal beta 1 leads to 3[Fuc alpha 1 leads 4]GlcNAc beta 1 leads to R) determinant. The antibody reacted with blood group O erythrocytes, but not with A erythrocytes. Immunostaining of thin layer chromatography with the monoclonal antibody AH-6 indicated that a series of glycolipids with the Y determinant is present in tumors and in O erythrocytes.     

Dynamics of RASSF1A/MOAP-1 association with death receptors

RASSF1A is a tumor suppressor protein involved in death receptor-dependent apoptosis utilizing the Bax-interacting protein MOAP-1 (previously referred to as MAP-1). However, the dynamics of death receptor recruitment of RASSF1A and MOAP-1 are still not understood. We have now detailed recruitment to death receptors (tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 [TNF-R1] and TRAIL-R1/DR4) and identified domains of RASSF1A and MOAP-1 that are required for death receptor interaction. Upon TNF-alpha stimulation, the C-terminal region of MOAP-1 associated with the death domain of TNF-R1; subsequently, RASSF1A was recruited to MOAP-1/TNF-R1 complexes. Prior to recruitment to TNF-R1/MOAP-1 complexes, RASSF1A homodimerization was lost. RASSF1A associated with the TNF-R1/MOAP-1 or TRAIL-R1/MOAP-1 complex via its N-terminal cysteine-rich (C1) domain containing a potential zinc finger binding motif. Importantly, TNF-R1 association domains on both MOAP-1 and RASSF1A were essential for death receptor-dependent apoptosis. The association of RASSF1A and MOAP-1 with death receptors involves an ordered recruitment to receptor complexes to promote cell death and inhibit tumor formation.     

Phytoalexin-Deficient Mutants of Arabidopsis Reveal That Pad4 Encodes a Regulatory Factor and That Four Pad Genes Contribute to Downy Mildew Resistance

We are working to determine the role of the Arabidopsis phytoalexin, camalexin, in protecting the plant from pathogen attack by isolating phytoalexin-deficient (pad) mutants in the accession Columbia (Col-0) and examining their response to pathogens. Mutations in PAD1, PAD2, and PAD4 caused enhanced susceptibility to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola strain ES4326 (PsmES4326), while mutations in PAD3 or PAD5 did not. Camalexin was not detected in any of the double mutants pad1-1 pad2-1, pad1-1 pad3-1 or pad2-1 pad3-1. Growth of PsmES4326 in pad1-1 pad2-1 was greater than that in pad1-1 or pad2-1 plants, while growth in pad1-1 pad3-1 and pad2-1 pad3-1 plants was similar to that in pad1-1 and pad2-1 plants, respectively. The pad4-1 mutation caused reduced camalexin synthesis in response to PsmES4326 infection, but not in response to Cochliobolus carbonum infection, indicating that PAD4 has a regulatory function. PAD1, PAD2, PAD3 and PAD4 are all required for resistance to the eukaryotic biotroph Peronospora parasitica. The pad4-1 mutation caused the most dramatic change, exhibiting full susceptibility to four of six Col-incompatible parasite isolates. Interestingly, each combination of double mutants between pad1-1, pad2-1 and pad3-1 exhibited additive shifts to moderate or full susceptibility to most of the isolates.     

Cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of dibenzo[a,l]pyrene and (+/-)-dibenzo[a,l]pyrene-11,12-dihydrodiol in V79MZ cells co-expressing either hCYP1A1 or hCYP1B1 together with human glutathione-S-transferase A1

We have used V79MZ hamster lung fibroblasts stably transfected with human cytochrome P450-1A1 (hCYP1A1; cell line designated V79MZh1A1) or P450-1B1 (hCYP1B1; cell line designated V79MZh1B1) alone, or in combination with human glutathione-S-transferase (GST) alpha-1 (hGSTA1), in order to examine GST protection against cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of dibenzo[a,l]pyrene (DBP) and the intermediate dihydrodiol metabolite (+/-)-DBP-11,12-dihydrodiol (DBPD). At comparable expression levels of hCYP1A1 and hCYP1B1, both DBP and DBPD were more cytotoxic in V79MZ1A1 (IC(50)=2.7 and 0.7nM, respectively) than in V79MZh1B1 (IC(50)=6.0 and 4.8nM, respectively). In contrast, both DBP and DBPD were two- to four-fold more mutagenic in V79MZh1B1 than in V79MZ1A1. Co-expression of hGSTA1 with hCYP1A1 decreased DBP cytotoxicity two-fold compared to V79MZh1A1 with hCYP1A1 alone, and provided a small, yet still statistically significant, 1.3-fold protection against DBPD. Protection against mutagenicity of these compounds was comparable to that for cytotoxicity in cells expressing hCYP1A1. In V79MZh1B1 cells, co-expression of hGSTA1 conferred up to five-fold protection against DBP cytotoxicity, and up to nine-fold protection against the (+/-)-DBP-dihydrodiol cytotoxicity relative to the cells expressing hCYP1B1 alone. Co-expression of hGSTA1 also reduced mutagenicity of DBP or its dihydrodiol to a lesser extent (1.3-1.8-fold) than the protection against cytotoxicity in cells expressing hCYP1B1. These findings demonstrate that the protective efficacy of hGSTA1 against DBP and DBPD toxicity is variable, depending on the compound or metabolite present, the specific cytochrome P450 isozyme expressed, and the specific cellular damage endpoint examined.     

The carbohydrate of bovine prothrombin. Occurrence of Gal beta 1 leads to 3GlcNAc grouping in asparagine-linked sugar chains.

Bovine prothrombin contains three asparagine-linked sugar chains in 1 molecule. The sugar chains were quantitatively released from the polypeptide backbone by hydrazinolysis. All of the oligosaccharides thus obtained contain N-acetylneuraminic acid. Sialidase treatment of these acidic oligosaccharides released three isomeric oligosaccharides, N-1, N-2 and N-3. N-3 was a typical complex type asparagine-linked sugar chain widely found in other glycoprotein, while N-1 and N-2 were unique, because they contain Gal beta 1 leads to 3GlcNAc grouping in the outer chain moiety. By comparing the data of methylation analysis of the acidic oligosaccharides before and after sialidase treatment, the structures of the sugar chains of bovine prothrombin were confirmed as a mixture of NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 6Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 6(NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 6Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3)Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc leads to Asn, NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 6Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 6[NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 3(NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 6)GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3]Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc leads to Asn, NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 3(NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 6)GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 6[NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 3(NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 6)GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3]Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc leads to Asn and their partially desialized forms.     

Calcium-dependent Activator Protein for Secretion 1 (CAPS1) Binds to Syntaxin-1 in a Distinct Mode from Munc13-1

Calcium-dependent activator protein for secretion 1 (CAPS1) is a multidomain protein containing a Munc13 homology domain 1 (MHD1). Although CAPS1 and Munc13-1 play crucial roles in the priming stage of secretion, their functions are non-redundant. Similar to Munc13-1, CAPS1 binds to syntaxin-1, a key t-SNARE protein in neurosecretion. However, whether CAPS1 interacts with syntaxin-1 in a similar mode to Munc13-1 remains unclear. Here, using yeast two-hybrid assays followed by biochemical binding experiments, we show that the region in CAPS1 consisting of the C-terminal half of the MHD1 with the corresponding C-terminal region can bind to syntaxin-1. Importantly, the binding mode of CAPS1 to syntaxin-1 is distinct from that of Munc13-1; CAPS1 binds to the full-length of cytoplasmic syntaxin-1 with preference to its “open” conformation, whereas Munc13-1 binds to the first 80 N-terminal residues of syntaxin-1. Unexpectedly, the majority of the MHD1 of CAPS1 is dispensable, whereas the C-terminal 69 residues are crucial for the binding to syntaxin-1. Functionally, a C-terminal truncation of 69 or 134 residues in CAPS1 abolishes its ability to reconstitute secretion in permeabilized PC12 cells. Our results reveal a novel mode of binding between CAPS1 and syntaxin-1, which play a crucial role in neurosecretion. We suggest that the distinct binding modes between CAPS1 and Munc13-1 can account for their non-redundant functions in neurosecretion. We also propose that the preferential binding of CAPS1 to open syntaxin-1 can contribute to the stabilization of the open state of syntaxin-1 during its transition from “closed” state to the SNARE complex formation.     

Yrb1p interaction with the gsp1p C terminus blocks Mog1p stimulation of GTP release from Gsp1p

Mog1p, a multicopy suppressor of gsp1, the temperature-sensitive mutant of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ran homologue, binds to GTP-Gsp1p but not to GDP-Gsp1p. The function of Mog1p in the Ran cycle is as yet unknown. This study found that Mog1p releases a nucleotide from GTP-Gsp1p but not from GDP-Gsp1p. Yrb1p, the S. cerevisiae homologue of RanBP1, which is a strong inhibitor of RCC1-stimulated nucleotide release, also inhibited the Mog1p-stimulated nucleotide release from GTP-Gsp1p. At a concentration corresponding to the molar concentration of GTP-Gsp1p, Yrb1p completely inhibited the Mog1p-stimulated nucleotide release. Consistently, the Yrb1p.GTP-Gsp1p complex was more stable than the Mog1p.GTP-Gsp1p complex. Yrb1p did not inhibit the Mog1p-stimulated nucleotide release from GTP-Gsp1DeltaC. The Gsp1DeltaC protein lacks the final eight amino acids of the C terminus, and for this reason, the interaction between GTP-Gsp1DeltaC and Yrb1p was strongly reduced. On the other hand, Mog1p binds to GTP-Gsp1DeltaC more efficiently than to GTP-Gsp1p.     

Variations in the enzymatic properties of human complement subcomponent C1s by treatment with human plasma kallikrein

We have investigated the effect of plasma kallikrein digestion upon hydrolytic activities of human C1s. Incubation of C1s (85 kDa) with plasma kallikrein led to progressive cleavages on the heavy chain to yield C1s-K1 (70 kDa) then C1s-K2 (53 kDa). Although these cleavages caused little change in the C2 hydrolytic and esterase activities of C1s, a marked loss in the C4 hydrolytic activity was observed. C1s-K1 and C1s-K2 were purified by DE-52 chromatography and it was found that the proteolysis of C1s into C1s-K1 was accompanied with a decrease in the C4 hydrolytic activity. Although the turnover numbers for the hydrolysis of C4 by C1s-K1 and C1s-K2 were almost the same as that of intact C1s, the Kms for C4 of C1s-K1 and C1s-K2 were found to be increased to 10 times that of intact C1s. This result suggests that the apparent decrease in the C4 hydrolytic activity upon plasma kallikrein digestion of C1s is not due to disruption in the active site but is due to decrease in the affinity between C4 and the C1s derivatives. In support of this assumption, C1s-K1 was found to be devoid of the ability to bind C4b-Sepharose. C1s is capable of forming a dimer through the C1s-binding domain in the N-terminal side of the heavy chain. Although C1s-K1 is still capable of forming a dimer, C1s-K2 fails to form a dimer, suggesting that the N-terminal C1s-binding site is released during cleavage of C1s-K1 into C1s-K2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Direct involvement of the small GTPase Rac in activation of the superoxide-producing NADPH oxidase Nox1

Activation of the non-phagocytic superoxide-producing NADPH oxidase Nox1, complexed with p22(phox) at the membrane, requires its regulatory soluble proteins Noxo1 and Noxa1. However, the role of the small GTPase Rac remained to be clarified. Here we show that Rac directly participates in Nox1 activation via interacting with Noxa1. Electropermeabilized HeLa cells, ectopically expressing Nox1, Noxo1, and Noxa1, produce superoxide in a GTP-dependent manner, which is abrogated by expression of a mutant Noxa1(R103E), defective in Rac binding. Superoxide production in Nox1-expressing HeLa and Caco-2 cells is decreased by depletion or sequestration of Rac; on the other hand, it is enhanced by expression of the constitutively active Rac1(Q61L), but not by that of a mutant Rac1 with the A27K substitution, deficient in binding to Noxa1. We also demonstrate that Nox1 activation requires membrane recruitment of Noxa1, which is normally mediated via Noxa1 binding to Noxo1, a protein tethered to the Nox1 partner p22(phox): the Noxa1-Noxo1 and Noxo1-p22(phox) interactions are both essential for Nox1 activity. Rac likely facilitates the membrane localization of Noxa1: although Noxa1(W436R), defective in Noxo1 binding, neither associates with the membrane nor activates Nox1, the effects of the W436R substitution are restored by expression of Rac1(Q61L). The Rac-Noxa1 interaction also serves at a step different from the Noxa1 localization, because the binding-defective Noxa1(R103E), albeit targeted to the membrane, does not support superoxide production by Nox1. Furthermore, a mutant Noxa1 carrying the substitution of Ala for Val-205 in the activation domain, which is expected to undergo a conformational change upon Rac binding, fully localizes to the membrane but fails to activate Nox1.     

Direct binding of the dynamin-like GTPase, Dnm1, to mitochondrial dynamics protein Fis1 is negatively regulated by the Fis1 N-terminal arm

Recruitment of a dynamin-like GTPase (Drp1/Dlp1/Dnm1) to membranes requires the mitochondrial dynamics protein Fis1. Mdv1 has been proposed to act as an adaptor between Fis1 and Dnm1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We show that S. cerevisiae Fis1 binds directly to Dnm1 and to Mdv1. Two Fis1 regions have been previously implicated in Mdv1 recruitment: an N-terminal "arm" and a concave surface formed by evolutionarily conserved residues in the tetratricopeptide repeat domain. Perturbing either Fis1 region does not affect Mdv1 binding, but both regions influence Dnm1 binding. Fis1 lacking its N-terminal arm binds tightly to Dnm1, and binding is abolished by mutations to the Fis1 concave surface. The Fis1-Dnm1 interaction decreases more than 100-fold in the presence of the Fis1 arm, suggesting that the arm acts in an autoinhibitory manner to restrict access to the Dnm1 binding site on Fis1. Our data indicate that the concave surface of the Fis1 tetratricopeptide repeat-like domain is evolutionarily conserved to bind the dynamin-like GTPase Dnm1 and not Mdv1 as previously predicted.     

The sugar chains of cold-insoluble globulin. A protein related to fibronectin.

Cold-insoluble globulin isolated from bovine plasma contains six asparagine-linked sugar chains in 1 molecule (a dimeric form). These sugar chains were released from the polypeptide backbone by hydrazinolysis and labeled by reduction with NaB[3H]4. Most of these sugar chains contain N-acetylneuraminic acid and can be separated by paper electrophoresis. By combination of sequential exoglycosidase digestion and methylation study, their structures were elucidated as Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 6(NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 6Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3)Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc, NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 6 or 4Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 6(NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 4 or 6Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3)Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc, NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 6Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 6[NeuAc alpha 2 4Gal beta 1 leads to 3(NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 6)GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3]-Man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc and NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 4Gal beta 1 leads to 3(NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 6)GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 6[NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 4Gal beta 1 leads to 3(NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 6)GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 2Man alpha 1 leads to 3]man beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc.     

C1q Protein Binds to the Apoptotic Nucleolus and Causes C1 Protease Degradation of Nucleolar Proteins

In infection, complement C1q recognizes pathogen-congregated antibodies and elicits complement activation. Among endogenous ligands, C1q binds to DNA and apoptotic cells, but whether C1q binds to nuclear DNA in apoptotic cells remains to be investigated. With UV irradiation-induced apoptosis, C1q initially bound to peripheral cellular regions in early apoptotic cells. By 6 h, binding concentrated in the nuclei to the nucleolus but not the chromatins. When nucleoli were isolated from non-apoptotic cells, C1q also bound to these structures. In vivo, C1q exists as the C1 complex (C1qC1r₂C1s₂), and C1q binding to ligands activates the C1r/C1s proteases. Incubation of nucleoli with C1 caused degradation of the nucleolar proteins nucleolin and nucleophosmin 1. This was inhibited by the C1 inhibitor. The nucleoli are abundant with autoantigens. C1q binding and C1r/C1s degradation of nucleolar antigens during cell apoptosis potentially reduces autoimmunity. These findings help us to understand why genetic C1q and C1r/C1s deficiencies cause systemic lupus erythematosus.     

Proton-nuclear magnetic resonance study of peracetylated derivatives of ten oligosaccharides isolated from human milk

Proton-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of peracetylated derivatives of ten structurally related oligosaccharides isolated from human milk were measured for solutions in CDCl3 at 360 MHz. The following oligosaccharides were investigated: Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc-ol (1), GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc-ol (2), Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc-ol (3), Gal beta 1 leads to 3GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc-ol (4), Gal beta 1 leads to 3GlcNAc(4 comes from 1Fuc alpha) beta 1 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc-ol (5), Fuc alpha 1 leads to 2Gal beta 1 leads to 3GlcNAc beta 1 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc-ol (6), Fuc alpha 1 leads to 2Gal beta 1 leads to 3GlcNAc(4 comes from 1Fuc alpha)beta 1 leads to 3Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc-ol (7), Fuc alpha 1 leads to 2Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc-ol(3 comes from 1Fuc alpha) (8), and a 1:3 mixture of Fuc alpha 1 leads to 2Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc-ol (9) and Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc-ol(3 comes from 1Fuc alpha) (10). Owing to the strong downfield shifts of the resonances of protons linked to acetoxylated carbons, the problems of signal overlap are less severe and the spin systems of all constituent sugar residues can be assigned fully. The sites of glycosidic linkage can be recognized by the high-field position of the signals of protons linked to those sites; for example, type 1 (Gal beta 1 leads to 3GlcNAc) and type 2(Gal beta 1 leads to 4GlcNAc) saccharide chains can be distinguished. The sequence can be established by observing a nuclear Overhauser effect involving the anomomeric and the aglyconic proton.     

Vaccination of lactating dairy cows for the prevention of aflatoxin B1 carry over in milk

The potential of anaflatoxin B(1) (AnAFB(1)) conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) as a vaccine (AnAFB(1)-KLH) in controlling the carry over of the aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) metabolite aflatoxin M(1) (AFM(1)) in cow milk is reported. AFB(1) is the most carcinogenic compound in food and foodstuffs amongst aflatoxins (AFs). AnAFB(1) is AFB(1) chemically modified as AFB(1)-1(O-carboxymethyl) oxime. In comparison to AFB(1), AnAFB(1) has proven to be non-toxic in vitro to human hepatocarcinoma cells and non mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium strains. AnAFB(1)-KLH was used for immunization of cows proving to induce a long lasting titer of anti-AFB(1) IgG antibodies (Abs) which were cross reactive with AFB(1), AFG(1), and AFG(2). The elicited anti-AFB(1) Abs were able to hinder the secretion of AFM(1) into the milk of cows continuously fed with AFB(1). Vaccination of lactating animals with conjugated AnAFB(1) may represent a solution to the public hazard constituted by milk and cheese contaminated with AFs.     

The 2009 pandemic H1N1 and triple-reassortant swine H1N1 influenza viruses replicate efficiently but elicit an attenuated inflammatory response in polarized human bronchial epithelial cells

The pandemic H1N1 virus of 2009 (2009 H1N1) produced a spectrum of disease ranging from mild illness to severe illness and death. Respiratory symptoms were frequently associated with virus infection, with relatively high rate of gastrointestinal symptoms reported. To better understand 2009 H1N1 virus pathogenesis in humans, we studied virus and host responses following infection of two cell types: polarized bronchial and pharyngeal epithelial cells, which exhibit many features of the human airway epithelium, and colon epithelial cells to serve as a human intestinal cell model. Selected 2009 H1N1 viruses were compared to both seasonal H1N1 and triple-reassortant swine H1N1 influenza viruses that have circulated among North American pigs since before the 2009 pandemic. All H1N1 viruses replicated productively in airway cells; however, in contrast to seasonal H1N1 virus infection, infection with the 2009 H1N1 and triple-reassortant swine H1N1 viruses resulted in an attenuated inflammatory response, a weaker interferon response, and reduced cell death. Additionally, the H1N1 viruses of swine origin replicated less efficiently at the temperature of the human proximal airways (33°C). We also observed that the 2009 H1N1 viruses replicated to significantly higher titers than seasonal H1N1 virus in polarized colon epithelial cells. These studies reveal that in comparison to seasonal influenza virus, H1N1 viruses of swine origin poorly activate multiple aspects of the human innate response, which may contribute to the virulence of these viruses. In addition, their less efficient replication at human upper airway temperatures has implications for the understanding of pandemic H1N1 virus adaptation to humans.