人PSP94的分泌表达及其表达产物抗前列腺癌作用

将编码人 94个氨基酸的前列腺分泌蛋白 ( PSP94) c DNA与酵母整合载体 p PICZαA重组 ,构建的重组质粒线性化后转染酵母细胞 GS1 1 5,获得了 PSP94在酵母细胞中遗传性稳定表达酵母工程细胞 .诱导后的培养物中 ,rh PSP94表达量约为 0 .9mg/L,分子量约 1 6.5k D.培养上清经离子交换层析纯化后 ,目的蛋白的纯度为 92 % .体外在人前列腺癌细胞上活性分析表明 ,rh PSP94以1 0 0μg/L ,对该细胞的抑制率 2 0 .4% ;单纯新型 TNF,以 1 0 3 U/ml,抑制率 2 9.8% ;rh PSP94和新型 TNF以上述同样剂量联合应用 ,抑制率为 86.3% .提示 PSP94在体外对抗前列腺癌细胞有杀伤作用 ,但不明显 ;PSP94与新型 TNF联合应用 ,可使抑制率明显提高 ,可能 PSP94与新型 TNF有协同抗前列腺癌的作用 .     

PSP94融合蛋白在大肠杆菌中的表达及其抗前列腺癌活性分析

在从成年人正常前列腺组织中获得人９４个氨基酸的前列腺分泌蛋白（ＰＳＰ９４）ｃＤＮＡ基础上,利用ＰＬ表达系统,实现了人ＰＳＰ９４成熟肽Ｎ 末端带有１９个外源氨基酸的融合蛋白在大肠杆菌中的表达。目的蛋白在细胞中主要以包涵体形式存在,表达量约占菌体总蛋白的３０％,分子量约为１６－５ｋＤ。表达产物在人前列腺癌细胞ＰＣ ３上活性分析表明,该融合蛋白能明显抑制前列腺癌细胞的生长。     

Prostate secretory protein 94 inhibits sterol binding and export by the mammalian CAP protein CRISP2 in a calcium-sensitive manner

Members of the CAP protein superfamily are present in all kingdoms of life and have been implicated in many different processes, including pathogen defense, immune evasion, sperm maturation, and cancer progression. Most CAP proteins are secreted glycoproteins and share a unique conserved αβα sandwich fold. The precise mode of action of this class of proteins, however, has remained elusive. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has three CAP family members, termed pathogen related in yeast (Pry). We have previously shown that Pry1 and Pry2 export sterols in vivo and that they bind sterols in vitro. This sterol binding and export function of yeast Pry proteins is conserved in the mammalian CRISP proteins and other CAP superfamily members. CRISP3 is an abundant protein of the human seminal plasma and interacts with prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids (PSP94), another major protein component in the seminal plasma. Here we examine whether the interaction between CRISP proteins and PSP94 affects the sterol binding function of CAP family members. We show that coexpression of PSP94 with CAP proteins in yeast abolished their sterol export function and the interaction between PSP94 and CAP proteins inhibits sterol binding in vitro. In addition, mutations that affect the formation of the PSP94–CRISP2 heteromeric complex restore sterol binding. Of interest, we found the interaction of PSP94 with CRISP2 is sensitive to high calcium concentrations. The observation that PSP94 modulates the sterol binding function of CRISP2 in a calcium-dependent manner has potential implications for the role of PSP94 and CRISP2 in prostate physiology and progression of prostate cancer.     

人PSP94全长cDNA的获得及PSP94-TNF~Δ融合蛋白的构建

利用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ从人肥大前列腺组织钓取９４个氨基酸的人前列腺分泌蛋白（ＰＳＰ９４）全长ｃＤＮＡ,序列分析结果与文献报道的完全一致．将ＰＳＰ９４成熟肽与人ＴＮＦα衍生物（ＴＮＦΔ）通过Ｌｉｎｋｅｒ－ＳＡＰＧＴＰ在基因水平上融合成５′ＰＳＰ９４－ＴＮＦΔ,融合基因ＤＮＡ序列分析结果与设计的相符合．５′ＰＳＰ９４－ＴＮＦΔ在大肠杆菌中表达产物分子量约为３１ｋＤ,表达量约占菌体总蛋白量的３５％．以Ｌ９２９细胞和人前列腺癌细胞株ＰＣ－３为靶细胞进行细胞毒分析结果表明,５′ＰＳＰ９４－ＴＮＦΔ融合蛋白既具有ＴＮＦ的细胞毒活性,又具有对前列腺癌细胞ＰＣ－３的杀伤作用     

Serum bound forms of PSP94 (prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids) in prostate cancer patients

PSP94 (prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids) was regarded as a possible prostate cancer marker, however, it has been controversial. All prior studies were designed to test the free form in serum using antibodies to PSP94. Results presented here demonstrate that PSP94 exists in prostate cancer patients in two forms, free and bound, and that the majority is present as serum bound complexes. This result was demonstrated by using both native and SDS‐PAGE analyses of serum proteins from prostate cancer patients. Chromatographic separation of serum total proteins by a molecular sieve column generated two peaks (peak I and II), which were reactive with rabbit antiserum to human PSP94 in Western blot experiments. Peak I was eluted before the IgG fraction at a molecular weight larger than 150 kDa, and peak II appeared after serum albumin (∼67 kDa) was eluted. By using a biotinylated PSP94 as an indicator of the free form of PSP94, we demonstrate that peak I contains serum PSP94‐bound complexes and peak II is likely the free form of serum PSP94. Since the molecular weight of serum PSP94‐bound complexes is close to IgG during molecular sieve separation, serum PSP94 complexes were further purified through two rounds of protein A column separation, followed by DEAE‐ion exchange column chromatography. In vitro dissociation tests of the purified PSP94‐bound complexes showed that the binding of serum PSP94‐complexes is probably via disulfide bonds and is chemically stable. The results presented here indicate that serum PSP94‐bound complexes must be considered in evaluating the clinical utility of PSP94 as a prostate cancer marker. J. Cell. Biochem. 76:71–83, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Correct processing and secretion of a human prostatic secretory protein (PSP94) in Escherichia coli

The cDNA for PSP94, a cysteine-rich protein secreted by the human prostate, was unidirectionally digested with exonuclease III to generate deletion mutants with varying 5' ends. These were placed under the control of the lac promoter of the Bluescribe plasmid (pbs) to encode hybrid proteins containing the N terminus of beta-galactosidase (beta Gal) and various fragments of PSP94. Escherichia coli clones transformed by these constructs and expressing PSP94 epitopes were identified by radioimmunoassay of cellular and periplasmic extracts. One such clone (I-25) secreted most of its immunoreactive material into the periplasmic space. Nucleotide sequencing showed that a new consensus ribosome-binding site had been generated fortuitously, allowing expression of pre-PSP94 free of any beta Gal sequence. Periplasmic PSP94 is indistinguishable from the natural human protein, indicating correct processing and folding of this cysteine-rich protein in bacteria.     

Identification of CRISP2 from human sperm as PSP94‐binding protein and generation of CRISP2‐specific anti‐peptide antibodies

Cysteine‐rich secretory proteins (CRISPs) are mainly found in the mammalian male reproductive tract and reported to be involved at different stages of fertilization. CRISPs have been shown to interact with prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids (PSP94) from diverse sources, and the binding of these evolutionarily conserved proteins across species is proposed to be of functional significance. Of the three mammalian CRISPs, PSP94–CRISP3 interaction is well characterized, and specific binding sites have been identified; whereas, CRISP2 has been shown to interact with PSP94 in vitro. Interestingly, human CRISP3 and CRISP2 proteins are closely related showing 71.4% identity. In this study, we identified CRISP2 as a potential binding protein of PSP94 from human sperm. Further, we generated antisera capable of specifically detecting CRISP2 and not CRISP3. In this direction, specific peptides corresponding to the least conserved ion channel regulatory region were synthesized, and polyclonal antibodies were generated against the peptide in rabbits. The binding characteristics of the anti‐CRISP2 peptide antibody were evaluated using competitive ELISA. Immunoblotting experiments also confirmed that the peptide was able to generate antibodies capable of detecting the mature CRISP2 protein present in human sperm lysate. Furthermore, this anti‐CRISP2 peptide antibody also detected the presence of native CRISP2 on sperm.Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mouse PSP94 expression is prostate tissue-specific as demonstrated by a comparison of multiple antibodies against recombinant proteins

Prostate tissue-specific gene expression is crucial for driving potentially therapeutic genes to target specifically to the prostate. Prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids (PSP94), also known as beta-MSP (microseminoprotein), is one of the three most abundant secretory proteins of the prostate gland, and is generally considered to be prostate tissue-specific. We have previously demonstrated that the expression of the rat PSP94 gene is strictly prostate tissue-specific by an antibody against a recombinant rat PSP94. In order to study prostate targeting utilizing the PSP94 gene in a mouse pre-clinical experimental model, we need to establish antibodies against mouse PSP94 to confirm if it is prostate tissue-specific as well. In this study, firstly we raised a polyclonal antibody against a recombinant glutathione-S-transferase- (GST-) mouse mature form of PSP94. However, it showed very poor immunoreactivity against prostate tissue PSP94 as tested in Western blotting experiments. Neither antibodies against rat PSP94 nor mouse PSP94 showed significant cross-reactivity. Thus a second antibody was established against a recombinant mouse mature PSP94 containing N-terminal polyhistidines, and stronger immunoreactivity against mouse prostate tissue PSP94 was identified in Western blotting experiments. Both of these antibodies showed immunohistochemical reactivity, while the latter showed stronger reactivity in IHC when tested with different fixatives. By studying tissue distribution, we demonstrated that, as with rat PSP94, mouse PSP94 is strictly prostate tissue-specific in experiments of both Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC). This conclusion was also derived from a comparison among antibodies against human, rat, and mouse PSP94, showing very different immunoreactivities in Western blotting and IHC. Finally, a competitive assay between different species was performed. We demonstrated that antibodies against PSP94 from different species (human, primate, rodents) have poor cross-reactivities. These observations also indicate that the PSP94 gene is a rapidly evolving gene in all species. Results from this study have led to the possibility of utilizing PSP94 as a targeting agent specifically to the prostate in a mouse experimental model.     

94个氨基酸的前列腺分泌蛋白与TNFα衍生物的协同抗肿瘤作用(英文)

体外研究显示,重组PSP94与重组TNFα衍生物11a(rhTNFαDlla)有协同抗前列腺癌的作用。将编码这两种蛋白的基因与真核表达载体pcDNA30重组,构建成pcDNAPSP94TNFαDlla真核表达质粒,两基因中间通过一个编码6个氨基酸的人工接头连接。在体外,对pcDNAPSP94TNFαDlla质粒表达PSP94TNFαDlla蛋白的生物学活性鉴定表明,该蛋白即具有PSP94抑制前列腺癌细胞生长的活性,又具有TNFαDlla对L929细胞的细胞毒作用。肌肉注射该质粒DNA,注射后第9天血液中可检测到目的蛋白的表达,目的蛋白浓度的高峰期约在注射后第14天,第25天仍可检测到目的蛋白的表达。该质粒DNA以50μg只的量给人前列腺癌裸鼠模型骨四头肌内注射,同时设pcDNAPSP94、pcDNATNFαDlla、pcDNA30空载体和生理盐水对照组。注射后第20天处死动物,抑瘤率分别为:pcDNAPSP94TNFαDlla组24%,pcDNAPSP94组19%,pcDNATNFαDlla组瘤体大小与生理盐水组无明显差异。以同样方法给药,pcDNAPSP94TNFαDlla质粒DNA对小鼠Lweis肺癌的抑制率31%,是pcDNAPSP94组抑瘤率的22倍,是pcDNATNFαDlla组抑瘤率的21倍。提示,PSP94与TNF具有协同抗肿瘤的作用 。     

High-affinity binding of seminal plasma PSP94 to human immunoglobulin is through the Fab domain

Prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids (PSP94) is one of the major proteins present in human seminal plasma. We had earlier reported that PSP94 has the ability to bind to human IgG. The aims of the present study were to further delineate the PSP94–IgG interaction and to understand whether this could have any significance in sperm function. Direct binding of IgG fragments to PSP94 showed maximal binding with F(ab′)₂ followed by Fab, while Fc displayed least binding in ELISA. Binding kinetics of PSP94–IgG interaction using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) revealed high-affinity binding of IgG to PSP94 with a dissociation constant (K_D) of 8.8 × 10⁻¹¹ M. PSP94–IgG interaction was found to be through the Fab domains of IgG. Real-time interaction kinetics revealed association constants for binding of IgG, Fab, and F(ab′)₂ towards PSP94 to be of the same order but with altered dissociation constants. IgG and its F(ab′)₂ fragment once complexed to PSP94 demonstrated negligible dissociation, while dissociation rate of Fab fragment was 6.6 × 10⁻⁴. In silico molecular modeling of PSP94–IgG complex identified N- and C-terminal β-strands of PSP94 to be the most plausible region involved in IgG interaction. Immunofluorescence studies revealed that IgG bound to human spermatozoa predominantly in the tail region, which could be prevented when IgG was preincubated with PSP94. This study reports for the first time that IgG forms a high-affinity complex with PSP94 through its F(ab′)₂ domain and reveals the ability of PSP94 to prevent binding of IgG to spermatozoa.     

人PSP94与TNFα衍生物联合治疗人前列腺癌的实验研究

构建了表达人 PSP94、TNFα衍生物 ( TNFα D1 1 a)及 PSP94与 TNFα D1 1 a( PSP94- TNFαD1 1 a)双功能蛋白真核表达质粒 pc DNA- TNFα D1 1 a、pc DNA- PSP94和 pc DNA- PSP94- TNFαD1 1 a,与 rh PSP94和 rh TNFα D1 1 a蛋白分别在人前列腺癌裸鼠移植瘤动物模型上进行了 PSP94与 TNFαD1 1 a联合治疗人前列腺癌的实验研究 .当动物肿瘤直径长至约 1 0 mm时 ,将以上 3种真核表达质粒分别以 50 μg/只的量给相应组动物的左右四头肌内注射一次 ,同时设 pc DNA3.0空载体对照组 ;rh PSP9450μg/kg、rh TNFαD1 1 a 1 0 0万单位 /kg、rh PSP94和 rh TNFαD1 1 a以同样剂量联合给药 ,肌肉注射 ,每 d一次 ,连续 1 0 d,同时设环磷酰胺阳性对照组和生理盐水阴性对照组 .基因治疗动物给药后第 1 5d处死 ,蛋白治疗组停药后第 2 d处死 ,观察疗效 ,计算抑瘤率 .结果显示 ,以上述方式给药 ,无论是基因治疗组还是重组蛋白组 ,给 PSP94的动物肿瘤虽然未见明显缩小 ,但肿瘤组织均出现不同程度的坏死和液化现象 ;给 TNFαD1 1 a的未见明显的抑瘤效果 ;PSP94-TNFαD1 1 a融合基因或 rh PSP94+ rh TNFαD1 1 a联合给药 ,不仅肿瘤有所缩小 ,而且也有不同程度的坏死和液化现象出现 .初步认为 :( 1 ) PSP94有一定的抗前列腺     

Serum bound forms of PSP94 (prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids) in prostate cancer patients

PSP94 (prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids) was regarded as a possible prostate cancer marker, however, it has been controversial. All prior studies were designed to test the free form in serum using antibodies to PSP94. Results presented here demonstrate that PSP94 exists in prostate cancer patients in two forms, free and bound, and that the majority is present as serum bound complexes. This result was demonstrated by using both native and SDS-PAGE analyses of serum proteins from prostate cancer patients. Chromatographic separation of serum total proteins by a molecular sieve column generated two peaks (peak I and II), which were reactive with rabbit antiserum to human PSP94 in Western blot experiments. Peak I was eluted before the IgG fraction at a molecular weight larger than 150 kDa, and peak II appeared after serum albumin ( approximately 67 kDa) was eluted. By using a biotinylated PSP94 as an indicator of the free form of PSP94, we demonstrate that peak I contains serum PSP94-bound complexes and peak II is likely the free form of serum PSP94. Since the molecular weight of serum PSP94-bound complexes is close to IgG during molecular sieve separation, serum PSP94 complexes were further purified through two rounds of protein A column separation, followed by DEAE-ion exchange column chromatography. In vitro dissociation tests of the purified PSP94-bound complexes showed that the binding of serum PSP94-complexes is probably via disulfide bonds and is chemically stable. The results presented here indicate that serum PSP94-bound complexes must be considered in evaluating the clinical utility of PSP94 as a prostate cancer marker.     

Mapping of the binding sites involved in PSP94–CRISP-3 interaction by molecular dissection of the complex

Background

Human Prostate Secretory Protein of 94 amino acids (PSP94) has been shown to bind human CRISP-3 (cysteine-rich secretory protein 3) with very high affinity. CRISP-3 belongs to the CRISP family of proteins having a PR-1 (pathogenesis related protein 1) domain at its N-terminal and ion channel regulatory (ICR) domain at its C-terminal connected by a hinge region. Functional significance of this complex is not yet known.

Methods

In order to identify the residues and/or regions involved in PSP94–CRISP-3 interaction, site-directed mutagenesis was employed. Effect of the mutations on the interaction was studied by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP).

Results

For PSP94, amino acids Y³, F⁴, P⁵⁶ and the C-terminal β-strand were found to be crucial for interacting with CRISP-3. A disulfide bond between the two domains of PSP94 (C³⁷A–C⁷³A) was also important for this interaction. In case of CRISP-3, the N-terminal domain alone could not maintain a strong interaction with PSP94 but it required presence of the hinge region and not the C-terminal domain. Apart from CRISP-3, CRISP-2 was also found to interact with human PSP94. Based on our findings the most likely model of PSP94–CRISP-3 complex has been proposed.

Conclusion

The terminal β-strands of PSP94 contact the first α-helix and the hinge region of CRISP-3.

General significance

Involvement of the hinge region of CRISPs in interaction with PSP94 may affect the domain movement of CRISPs essential for the ion-channel regulatory activity resulting in inhibition of this activity.     

Disulphide bond reduction and S-carboxamidomethylation of PSP94 affects its conformation but not the ability to bind immunoglobulin

Prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids (PSP94) is a small non-glycosylated, cysteine rich protein with a molecular mass of 10 kDa. It has also been referred to as beta-microseminoprotein (beta-MSP) and proteins homologous to it have been reported in a number of species. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of these proteins suggests that, it is a rapidly evolving protein. However, all the ten cysteine residues are well conserved in these homologues, indicating their possible role in maintaining the structure and function of these proteins. In the present study, PSP94 was purified from human seminal plasma and characterized further and it showed the presence of five disulfide bonds. Reduction of disulphide bonds of PSP94 led to significant changes in the secondary and tertiary structure of PSP94. CD of disulphide bond reduced PSP94 indicates an overall decrease in the beta sheet content from 79.8% to 46.4%. Tertiary structural changes as monitored by fluorescence quenching reveal that reduction of disulphide bonds of PSP94 followed by the modification of the free thiol groups leads to complete exposure of Trp32 and Trp92 and that one or more side chain carboxyl groups move closer to their indole side chains. Antibodies against native and modified PSP94 demonstrated that the changes following reduction of disulphide linkages are within the immunodominant region of the protein. Changes induced in the functional properties of PSP94, if any, by modification were investigated with respect to IgG binding as PSP94 has been reported to be similar to immunoglobulin binding factor purified from seminal plasma. A novel finding from this study is that both native PSP94 as well as modified protein have the ability to bind human IgG, suggesting the involvement of sequential epitopes of PSP94 in IgG binding.     

Differential expression of PSP94 in rat prostate lobes as demonstrated by an antibody against recombinant GST-PSP94.

Prostate secretory protein (PSP94, 94 amino acids) is one of the most abundant proteins secreted from the prostate. Its biological role is unknown and still controversial, although it is assumed to have the potential to be a biomarker and a suppressor of prostate cancer. In order to establish an animal model to further elucidate its biological role, we expressed the mature form of rat PSP94 in Escherichia coli, using a glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion expression vector; we generated a polyclonal rabbit antibody against the recombinant protein. The antibody specifically recognized recombinant rat PSP94 and cross-reacted only very weakly with its human homologue. Using the characterized anti-rat PSP94 antibody, we found that PSP94 was located primarily in rat prostate. Furthermore, PSP94 is present at different levels in different lobes of rat prostate, with significant levels detectable only in the lateral lobe (LP). In addition, the most abundant PSP94 expression was found in the prostate lobe secretions, and PSP94 levels in LP secretions were at least seven times higher than in secretions from the dorsal prostate (DP). The rat ventral prostate (VP) and other regions of the male accessory glands were found to be almost completely devoid of PSP94. Since most rat prostate dysplasia induced by steroid hormone treatment occurs only in dorsolateral prostate, prostate tissue-specific expression and the expression of PSP94 in dorsolateral, but not other, lobes of the prostate suggest a potential role in prostate targeting and prostate cancer development.     

PSP94-TNFαD11a融合基因在NIH3T3细胞中的表达及其产物活性分析

 为了分析 PSP94- TNFαD1 1 a融合基因的表达和表达产物的生物学活性 ,将含该融合基因的质粒 pc DNA- PSP94- TNFα D1 1 a转染 NIH3T3细胞 ,72 h后收集细胞培养上清 ,并提取细胞总RNA,经 RT- PCR,得到与目的基因长度相符合的 c DNA片段 ;以 PSP94c DNA为探针 ,对 RT-PCR产物进行 Southern印迹分析 .结果表明 :转染 PSP94- TNFαD1 1 a融合基因的 NIH3T3细胞 ,其 RT- PCR产物杂交信号为阳性 .细胞培养上清用 TNF抗体行 Western印迹和 ELISA分析 ,检测结果为阳性 .生物学活性分析表明 ,细胞培养上清不仅具有 PSP94抑制人前列腺癌细胞 PC- 3生长的活性 ,而且显示出 TNFα对 L92 9细胞的细胞毒作用 .以上结果表明 ,pc DNA- PSP94- TNFαD1 1 a质粒能够正确表达目的基因 PSP94- TNFα D1 1 a,且表达的 PSP94- TNFαD1 1 a融合蛋白具有预期的双重生物学活性 .     

Analysis of epitope structure of PSP94 (prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids): (I) immuno-dominant and immuno-recessive area

PSP94 is a potential biomarker for evaluating patients with prostate carcinoma. We have systematically studied the epitope structure of PSP94 by using a polyclonal antibody against human PSP94. Results of peptide mapping and ELISA tests of dose response to rabbit antiserum against human PSP94 protein showed that only the N-terminal peptides (N30 and M23) are immunoreactive while all the synthetic peptides (C28, C10) located closer to the C-terminus are completely devoid of antigenic activity with the polyclonal antibody. These results were confirmed by analysis of reciprocal competitive binding of PSP94 polyclonal antibody by the N-terminal peptides (N30 and M23) v. either recombinant GST-PSP94 fusion protein, purified recombinant PSP94, or natural PSP94 protein. To further delineate the antigenic activity of the N- and C-termini, we have also expressed N- and C-terminal half of the whole PSP94 (each 47 peptides) using the E. coli GST expression system. The recombinant N47/C47 peptides were released by thrombin cleavage from the GST fusion protein and characterized by Western blotting experiments. Dose response of the recombinant GST-PSP-N47 and -C47 peptides to PSP94 polyclonal antibody showed differential binding activities. Competitive binding of these recombinant N47/C47 proteins against the GST-PSP94 protein demonstrates that the polyclonal antibody has a higher affinity for the N47 peptide than the C47 peptide. Based on the immunological studies of both synthetic peptides and recombinant PSP94- N/C terminal proteins, we propose an epitope structure of human PSP94 with an immno-dominant N-terminus and an immuno-recessive C-terminus. J. Cell. Biochem. 65:172–185. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

A model of the complex between human β-microseminoprotein and CRISP-3 based on NMR data

β-Microseminoprotein (MSP), a 10 kDa seminal plasma protein, forms a tight complex with cysteine-rich secretory protein 3 (CRISP-3) from granulocytes. The 3D structure of human MSP has been determined but there is as yet no 3D structure for CRISP-3. We have now studied the complex between human MSP and CRISP-3 with multidimensional NMR. ¹⁵N-HSQC spectra show substantial differences between free and complexed hMSP. Using several 3D-NMR spectra of triply labeled hMSP in complex with a recombinant N-terminal domain of CRISP-3, most of the backbone of hMSP could be assigned. The data show that only one side of hMSP, comprising β-strands 1, 4, 5, and 8 are affected by the complex formation, indicating that β-strands 1 and 8 form the main binding surface. Based on this we present a tentative structure for the hMSP-CRISP-3 complex using the known crystal structure of triflin as a model of CRISP-3.     

Recombinant PSP94 (prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids) demonstrates similar linear epitope structure as natural PSP94 protein

PSP94 has the potential to be a useful diagnostic marker and therapeutic agent in prostate cancer. Recently, different immunoassay systems for quantitative analysis of PSP94 in clinical samples have been developed, but the epitope structure of PSP94 protein has not been elucidated. In this study, we report an Escherichia coli expression system for recombinant GST-PSP94 fusion protein. GST-PSP94 contains antigenic determinants similar to natural PSP94 protein (determined both by Western blotting experiments and by ELISA) and can be used to study the structure of natural PSP94 antigen. Since GST-PSP94 was expressed in E. coli and purification involved a denaturing process, we propose that the epitope structure of PSP94 is linear and largely dependent on the primary amino acid sequence, rather than conformational structure. This hypothesis was supported by reciprocal competition in ELISA among natural, GST-PSP94 fusion protein, and purified recombinant PSP94 protein. The results demonstrate that the various forms of PSP94 can compete with each other in binding to rabbit PSP94 polyclonal antibody, although the natural PSP94 has a slightly higher affinity. When natural and recombinant PSP94 protein were denatured in vitro with urea and alkali, no effect on the binding to antibody was found. The epitope activity of natural PSP94 was also shown to be resistant to the treatment of detergent and reducing agent. The location of one of the linear epitopes recognized by the PSP94 antibody was determined to be in the N-terminus by using two synthetic peptides representing N- and C-terminal sequences. Competitive ELISA between the N-terminal peptide and PSP94 protein indicate that both natural and GST-PSP94 have similar immunoactive N-termini. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.