Identification and isolation of Dictyostelium microtubule-associated protein interactors by tandem affinity purification

Tandem affinity purification (TAP) is a method originally established in yeast to isolate highly purified protein complexes in a very gentle and efficient way. In this work, we have modified TAP for Dictyostelium applications and have proved it as a useful method to specifically isolate and identify microtubule-associated protein (MAP) complexes. MAPs are known to interact with other proteins to fulfill their complex functions in balancing the dynamic instability of microtubules as well as anchoring microtubules at the cell cortex, controlling mitosis at the centrosome and guiding transport along them. DdEB1 and the Dictyostelium member of the XMAP215 protein family, DdCP224, are known to be part of complexes at the microtubule tips as well as at the centrosome. Employing TAP and mass spectrometry we were able to prove an interaction between EB1 and the DdCP224. Additionally, among other interactions that remain to be confirmed by other methods, an interaction between DdCP224 and a TACC-family protein could be shown for the first time in Dictyostelium and was confirmed by colocalization and co-immunoprecipitation analyses.     

Monoclonal antibody (M2) to glial and neuronal cell surfaces

A monoclonal antibody designated M2 arose from the fusion of mouse myeloma cells with splenocytes from a rat immunized with particulate fraction from early postnatal mouse cerebellum. Expression of M2 antigen was examined by indirect immunofluorescence on frozen sections of developing and adult mouse cerebellum and on monolayer cultures of early postnatal mouse cerebellar cells. In adult cerebellum, M2 staining outlines the cell bodies of granule and Purkinje cells. A weaker, more diffuse staining is seen in the molecular layer and white matter. In sections of newborn cerebellum, M2 antigen is weakly detectable surrounding cells of the external granular layer and Purkinje cells. The expression of M2 antigen increases during development in both cell types, reaching adult levels by postnatal day 14. At all stages of postnatal cerebellar development, granule cells that have completed migration to the internal granule layer are more heavily stained by M2 antibodies than are those before and in process of migration. In monolayer cultures, M2 antigen is detected on the cell surface Of all GFA protein-positive astrocytes and on more immature oligodendrocytes, that express 04 antigen but not 01 antigen. After 3 days in culture, tetanus toxinpositive neurons begin to express M2 antigen. The same delayed expression of M2 antigen on neurons is observed in cultures derived from mice ranging in age from postnatal day 0 to 10.     

Identification and isolation of Dictyostelium microtubule-associated protein interactors by tandem affinity purification

Tandem affinity purification (TAP) is a method originally established in yeast to isolate highly purified protein complexes in a very gentle and efficient way. In this work, we have modified TAP for Dictyostelium applications and have proved it as a useful method to specifically isolate and identify microtubule-associated protein (MAP) complexes. MAPs are known to interact with other proteins to fulfill their complex functions in balancing the dynamic instability of microtubules as well as anchoring microtubules at the cell cortex, controlling mitosis at the centrosome and guiding transport along them. DdEB1 and the Dictyostelium member of the XMAP215 protein family, DdCP224, are known to be part of complexes at the microtubule tips as well as at the centrosome. Employing TAP and mass spectrometry we were able to prove an interaction between EB1 and the DdCP224. Additionally, among other interactions that remain to be confirmed by other methods, an interaction between DdCP224 and a TACC-family protein could be shown for the first time in Dictyostelium and was confirmed by colocalization and co-immunoprecipitation analyses.     

Monoclonal antibodies to human interferon-gamma: production, affinity purification and radioimmunoassay

Human interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by a cation exchange h.p.l.c., was used for the development of monoclonal antibodies. Following immunization, spleen lymphocytes of two mice showing the highest binding and neutralizing titers were isolated, fused with NSO mouse myeloma cells and cloned. The screening of hybridomas was based on precipitation of the immune complexes with a second antibody and recovery of the biological activity of IFN-gamma from the precipitate. Twenty nine independent hybridomas secreting antibodies specific to IFN-gamma were obtained. Twelve out of these 29 hybridomas produced antibodies that neutralized the antiviral activity of pure as well as crude IFN-gamma. Moreover, IFN-gamma obtained by various induction procedures was neutralized as well, indicating that these various IFN-gamma subtypes are immunologically cross-reactive. Immune precipitation of partially purified 125I-labelled IFN-gamma by several monoclonal antibodies revealed two protein bands of 26,000 and 21,000 daltons. Immunoaffinity chromatography of IFN-gamma gave a 50-fold purification to a specific activity > or = 4 x 10(7) units/mg. Two of the monoclonal antibodies were found suitable for a sensitive and rapid double antibody solid-phase radioimmunoassay, allowing the detection of IFN-gamma at concentrations of at least 4 ng/ml (150 units/ml) within 8 h.     

Monoclonal antibody purification by affinity chromatography with ligands derived from the screening of peptide combinatory libraries

The peptide, Ala-Pro-Ala-Arg (APAR), was selected from the screening of a tetrapeptide combinatorial synthetic library as the ligand for affinity purification of an anti-Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) monoclonal antibody (Mab) developed in mouse ascitis. The affinity chromatographic matrix obtained by attachment of APAR to agarose, having a peptide density of 0.5 mol ml^–1, showed a maximum capacity of 9.1 mg Mab ml^–1 and a dynamic capacity of 3.9 mg Mab ml^–1. A 95% yield of electrophoretically pure anti-GM-CSF was obtained in a single step.     

Comparison of affinity membranes and conventional affinity matrices with regard to protein purification

Summary Binding capacities for purified malate dehydrogenase from pig heart and malate dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli were determined for different gel matrices and a Cibacron Blue modified membrane. During batch adsorption the membrane has nearly the same capacity as Blue Sepharose. During filtration the effective capacity of the membrane was increased in contrast to Blue Sepharose. With cell homogenates, when used under cross-flow conditions, the membrane displayed better performance than Blue Sepharose.     

Monoclonal antibody affinity purification of a 78 kDa membrane protein of Leishmania donovani of Indian origin and its role in host-parasite interaction

Monoclonal antibodies were raised against pathogenic promastigotes ofLeishmania donovani of Indian origin. Among these, one was used for immuno-affinity purification of a 78 kDa membrane protein present in both the amastigote and promastigote forms of the parasite. Results of immunoblot experiments with the anti-78 kDa antibody revealed that the protein was present only in parasites belonging to theL. donovani complex. The expression of the protein was observed to be the same during different phases of growth of the promastigotes. Therefore, the 78 kDa protein is neither stage-specific nor differentially regulated. Surface iodination and subcellular fractionation of the promastigotes indicated that the protein was localized on the cell surface. The 78 kDa protein was found to inhibit the binding of promastigotes to macrophages significantly, suggesting that it may play a role in the process of infection. Thus, here we report the purification of a surface protein ofL. donovani of Indian origin, which may play an important role in the process of infection.     

Monoclonal antibody to human 66,000 molecular weight plasminogen activator from melanoma cells. Specific enzyme inhibition and one-step affinity purification

Hybridomas producing a monoclonal IgG1 antibody to a human plasminogen-activating enzyme with an apparent mol. wt. of 66,000 (66 K, HPA66) from human melanoma cells were obtained by fusion of NSI-Ag 4/1 mouse myeloma cells with spleen cells from a mouse immunized with a partially purified preparation of the enzyme. Screening for clones of hybridomas producing antibodies to HPA66 was performed with the impure enzyme preparation. A preliminary screening included enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) followed by immunoblotting; the final identification was based on inhibition of the enzymatic activity of HPA66 which was complete at high antibody concentrations. No inhibition of three other human and murine plasminogen activators or of plasmin was observed. Employing a one-step affinity procedure with the antibody coupled to Sepharose, HPA66 was purified approximately 200-fold from conditioned medium from the melanoma cells with a yield of 79%. The purified HPA66 was homogeneous as evaluated by SDS-PAGE. Electrophoresis under reducing conditions indicated that it consisted of one polypeptide chain. The binding constant between the antibody and 125I-labelled HPA66 was approximately 2.5 x 10(9) l/mol. The antibody did not bind to a variety of other plasminogen activators, including 52-K and 36-K human enzymes and 48-K and 75-K murine enzymes. Previously, a monoclonal antibody against another enzyme was derived by the sole use of enzyme inhibition for screening. The present study represents a modification of this procedure that can be used when antibody-unrelated inhibitors of the enzyme are present in hybridoma culture fluid.     

Two motifs target Batten disease protein CLN3 to lysosomes in transfected nonneuronal and neuronal cells

Batten disease is a neurodegenerative disorder resulting from mutations in CLN3, a polytopic membrane protein, whose predominant intracellular destination in nonneuronal cells is the lysosome. The topology of CLN3 protein, its lysosomal targeting mechanism, and the development of Batten disease are poorly understood. We provide experimental evidence that both the N and C termini and one large loop domain of CLN3 face the cytoplasm. We have identified two lysosomal targeting motifs that mediate the sorting of CLN3 in transfected nonneuronal and neuronal cells: an unconventional motif in the long C-terminal cytosolic tail consisting of a methionine and a glycine separated by nine amino acids [M(X)9G], and a more conventional dileucine motif, located in the large cytosolic loop domain and preceded by an acidic patch. Each motif on its own was sufficient to mediate lysosomal targeting, but optimal efficiency required both. Interestingly, in primary neurons, CLN3 was prominently seen both in lysosomes in the cell body and in endosomes, containing early endosomal antigen-1 along neuronal processes. Because there are few lysosomes in axons and peripheral parts of dendrites, the presence of CLN3 in endosomes of neurons may be functionally important. Endosomal association of the protein was independent of the two lysosomal targeting motifs.     

Cellular distribution of a protein related to neuronal microtubule-associated protein MAP-2 in Leydig cells

A monoclonal antibody to neuronal microtubule-associated protein MAP-2 was produced. Immunoblotting of lysates of cultured cells revealed that the antibody, called MA-01, bound to a protein of Mr 210 kDa. Double immunofluorescence microscopy showed that the antibody stained microtubules. No fibrillar structures were observed in cells treated with Colcemid, but the antibody stained vinblastine paracrystals. In cytochalasin B-treated Leydig cells, MA-01 antibody stained star-like structures that codistributed with actin patches and with a star-like arrangement of vimentin. These observations indicate that the protein immunologically related to MAP-2 in Leydig cells could be involved in the interaction of microtubules with intermediate filaments or microfilaments.     

Monoclonal antibody to calmodulin: development, characterization, and comparison with polyclonal anti-calmodulin antibodies

Specific anti-calmodulin rabbit polyclonal and murine monoclonal antibodies have been produced with a thyroglobulin-linked peptide corresponding to amino acids 128-148 of bovine brain calmodulin. The monoclonal antibody is IgG-1 with kappa light chains. Both sets of antibodies recognize native vertebrate calmodulin, with the polyclonal antibody exhibiting an approximately fourfold higher sensitivity than the monoclonal antibody in a radioimmunoassay. The affinity of both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies is approximately 2.5-fold higher for Ca(2+)-free calmodulin than for Ca(2+)-calmodulin. Other selected members of the calmodulin family (S100, troponin, and parvalbumin) do not exhibit significant cross-reactivity with the monoclonal antibody. Troponin and S100 beta displace some 125I-calmodulin from the polyclonal antibody, but require at least 900-fold excess concentration. The monoclonal antibody recognizes intact vertebrate calmodulin in solution and also on solid-phase. In addition, plant calmodulin and some forms of post-translationally modified calmodulin (phosphorylated or glycated) bind the monoclonal antibody. The affinity of the monoclonal antibody is approximately 5 x 10(8) liters/mol determined by displacement of 125I-calmodulin. On dot blotting the sensitivity for vertebrate calmodulin is 50 pg. The epitope for the monoclonal antibody is in the carboxyl terminal region (residues 107-148) of calmodulin. This highly specific anti-calmodulin monoclonal antibody should be a useful reagent in elucidating the mechanism by which calmodulin regulates intracellular metabolism.     

An automated method for high-throughput protein purification applied to a comparison of His-tag and GST-tag affinity chromatography

Background  

Functional Genomics, the systematic characterisation of the functions of an organism's genes, includes the study of the gene products, the proteins. Such studies require methods to express and purify these proteins in a parallel, time and cost effective manner.     

Monoclonal antibody purification: choice of method and assessment of purity and yield

In this article we discuss our choices of monoclonal antibody separation methods for the applications which face us most frequently. We explain the rationale behind these choices, to help other users make their own choices. The review is intended to be brief and selective; references to detailed reviews are provided.     

Monoclonal antibody to dengue capsid protein: Its application in dengue studies

Dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS) are considered the most important arthropod-borne viral diseases in terms of morbidity and mortality. The emergency and severity of dengue (Den) infections increase the necessity of an early, quick and effective dengue laboratory diagnostic. Viral isolation is considered a gold standard for diagnosis of dengue infection using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as a tool for determining serotype specificity. Alternatives have been used to improve sensitivity and time to dengue diagnosis. Based on the early expression of dengue C protein in the life cycle, we focused our study on the application of an anti-dengue 2 virus capsid protein mAb in dengue diagnosis. The kinetic expression of dengue-2 capsid in mosquito cells and its immuno-localization in experimentally infected suckling albin Swiss (OF-1) mice brain tissues was established. The results demonstrate the possible utility of this mAb in early dengue diagnosis versus traditional isolation. In addition, a preliminary study of an enzyme immunoassay method using 8H8 mAb for specific detection of dengue C protein antigen was performed, making possible recombinant C protein quantification. The results suggest that detection of dengue capsid protein could be useful in the diagnosis of early dengue infection.Key words: monoclonal antibodies, capsid protein, dengue virus, diagnosis, immunoassays     

拟南芥WUSCHEL蛋白的原核表达、亲和纯化和多克隆抗体制备

本研究构建了带有His标签的拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)WUSCHEL基因原核表达载体pET-31b(+)-WUS-His(6),优化了大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)诱导表达体系,将亲和层析纯化后的WUS融合蛋白,经尿素梯度透析复性溶解,免疫新西兰大白兔,成功制备了WUS蛋白多克隆抗体。通过琼脂糖免疫扩散检测确定了抗血清效价和特异性,并以斑点杂交和Western blotting检验其灵敏性。结果表明,成功构建的拟南芥WUS原核表达载体,在E.coli中以0.5mmol/L异丙基-β-D-硫代半乳糖苷(IPTG)28°C诱导表达10h后,融合蛋白得到高水平表达,亲和纯化后目标蛋白纯度达96%以上,所制备的多克隆抗体具有较高特异性和灵敏性,可用来检测纳克级蛋白抗原。     

Monoclonal antibody identification of a type II alveolar epithelial cell antigen and expression of the antigen during lung development

A monoclonal antibody identifying an antigen expressed by rat type II alveolar epithelial cells, but not by type I epithelial cells or other mature lung cells, was produced by immunization of mice with cells of the rat L2 cell line. The antigen recognized by the antibody was present on the microvillous luminal surface of type II epithelial cells. In adult rat lung, only type II epithelial cells bound the antibody. During fetal development the antigen was expressed by cuboidal epithelial cells lining the respiratory ducts of the first divisions of the tracheal bud, but not by epithelial cells lining the esophagus or trachea. The antigen continued to be expressed by cuboidal epithelial cells lining the larger respiratory ducts until approximately 19 days gestational age. Thereafter, expression was increasingly limited to selected single cells or clusters of two to four cuboidal cells in the smallest ducts. By the 21st postnatal day, the antigen was expressed only by type II alveolar epithelial cells. Type II alveolar epithelial cells isolated from adult lung and the L2 cell line in culture expressed the antigen on the cell surface. A protein of approximately 146,000 Mr was isolated by immunoadsorption of the antigen from non-ionic detergent extracts of type II cells and L2 cells. Preliminary studies of the binding of the antibody to other rat tissues indicate that the antibody binds to renal proximal tubular epithelial cells of the kidney and the luminal surface of the small bowel epithelial cells.     

Association of Gap-43 (neuromodulin) with microtubule-associated protein MAP-2 in neuronal cells

Gap-43 (B-50, neuromodulin) is a presynaptic protein implicated in axonal growth, neuronal differentiation, plasticity, and regeneration. Its activities are regulated by its dynamic interactions with various neuronal proteins, including actin and brain spectrin. Recently we have shown that Gap-43 co-localizes with an axonal protein DPYSL-3 in primary cortical neurons. In the present study we provide evidence that Gap-43 co-localizes and potentially interacts with microtubule-associated protein MAP-2 in adult and fetal rat brain, as well as in primary neuronal cultures. Our studies suggest that this interaction may be developmentally regulated.     

Detection and characterization of weak affinity antibody antigen recognition with biomolecular interaction analysis

In biological systems, weak-affinity interactions (association constant, K_a, of less than approximately 10⁴ M ⁻¹) between biomolecules are common and essential to the integrity of such units. However, studies of weak biological interactions are difficult due to the scarcity of analytical methods available for the bioscientist. In this communication, we report on the use of biosensors based on surface plasmon resonance to detect and characterize weak affinity antibody–antigen interactions. Monoclonal antibodies towards carbohydrate antigens were immobilized on sensor surfaces and were used to detect weak binding of the carbohydrate tetraglucose of dissociation constant, K_d, in the millimolar range. Sensorgrams were received in the form of square pulses where the kinetic rate constants were difficult to assess due to the rapid association and dissociation of the antigen to/from the immobilized antibody. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Uptake of GABA by neuronal and nonneuronal cells in dispersed cell cultures of postnatal rat cerebellum

A study was made of the time course and kinetics of [³H]GABA uptake by dispersed cell cultures of postnatal rat cerebellum with and without neuronal cells. The properties of GABA neurons were calculated from the biochemical difference between the two types of cultures. It was found that for any given concentration of [³H]GABA, or any time up to 20 min, GABA neurons in cultures 21 days in vitro had an average velocity of uptake several orders of magnitude greater than that of nonneuronal cells. In addition, the apparent K_m values for GABA neurons for high and low affinity uptake were 0.33 × 10⁻⁶ M and 41.8 × 10⁻⁴ M, respectively. For nonneuronal cells, the apparent K_m for high affinity uptake was 0.29 × 10⁻⁶ M. The apparent V_max values for GABA neurons for high and low affinity uptake were 28.7 × 10⁻⁶ mol/g DNA/min and 151.5 mmol/g DNA/min, respectively. For nonneuronal cells, the apparent V_max for high affinity uptake was 0.06 × 10⁻⁶ mol/g DNA/min. No low affinity uptake system for nonneuronal cells could be detected after correcting the data for binding and diffusion. By substituting the apparent kinetic constants in the Michaelis-Menten equation, it was determined that for GABA concentrations of 5 × 10⁻⁹ M to 1 mM or higher over 99% of the GABA should be accumulated by GABA neurons, given equal access of all cells to the label. In addition, high affinity uptake of [³H]GABA by GABA neurons was completely blocked by treatment with 0.2 mM ouabain, whereas that by nonneuronal cells was only slightly decreased. Most (75–85%) of the [³H]GABA (4.4 × 10⁻⁶ M) uptake by both GABA neurons and nonneuronal cells was sodium and temperature dependent.     

Monoclonal antibody to a common antigen of secretory granule membranes: intracellular localization and recycling of the antigen after secretion.

Monoclonal antibody (MAb) 170-5 was generated to the secretory granule membrane of rat parotid acinar cells. The MAb recognized integral membrane glycoproteins (SG 170 antigen) localized on the luminal side of the secretory granules with N-linked carbohydrates, molecular weights 92, 84, 76, 69, and 65 KD. Immunohistochemical studies indicated that the SG 170 antigen was found in the secretory granules of both exocrine and endocrine cells and in the lysosomes of various cells in the rat. Immunoelectron microscopy with immunogold revealed that the antigen was present on the membrane of the secretory granules, lysosomes, the Golgi vesicles, and condensing vacuoles in pancreatic and parotid acinar cells and in AR42J rat pancreatic tumor cells; the Golgi stacks exhibited no immunoreaction. The common localization of the antigen in the secretory granule membranes indicated that this antigen may play an essential role in regulated secretion. Employing HRP-labeled MAb 170-5, we followed the retrieval of the antigen after exocytosis in AR42J cells. The MAb was internalized specifically with antigen-mediated endocytosis. It was transported to endosomes, subsequently to the trans-Golgi network, and then packaged into secretory granules. However, the Golgi stacks revealed no uptake of the labeled antibody.