Multiple very late antigen (VLA) heterodimers on platelets. Evidence for distinct VLA-2, VLA-5 (fibronectin receptor), and VLA-6 structures

After removal of very late antigen (VLA) 2 material from a radiolabeled detergent lysate of platelets, another VLA heterodimer was precipitated using antibody to the common VLA beta subunit. This structure was identified as VLA-5 because it contained VLA beta plus an alpha subunit that was (i) recognized by anti-alpha 5 antibodies and (ii) cleaved by V8 protease to yield a characteristic alpha 5-like pattern of peptide fragments. Besides VLA-2 and VLA-5, a third heterodimer, here named VLA-6, was also present on platelets. VLA-6 (an alpha 6 beta complex) was defined using the monoclonal antibody GoH3 (Sonnenberg, A., Janssen, H., Hogervorst, F., Calafat, J., and Hilgers, J. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 10376-10383). Although it resembled VLA-5 in size, VLA-6 was different from VLA-5 because (i) removal of the alpha 5 subunit did not remove alpha 6, (ii) removal of alpha 6 by the GoH3 antibody did not remove alpha 5, (iii) the alpha 5 and alpha 6 subunits had very distinct one-dimensional V8 peptide maps, and (iv) the alpha 6 and alpha 5 subunits had distinct migration patterns on two-dimensional O'Farrell gels. The beta subunit of VLA-6 was identified as the common VLA beta subunit because (i) it was recognized by anti-VLA beta antibody and (ii) it yielded a V8 protease cleavage map characteristic of beta. VLA-6 was not readily seen in anti-VLA beta immunoprecipitations, apparently because the alpha 6 subunit is only loosely or partially associated with the VLA beta subunit. Because VLA-5 and VLA-6 both closely resemble the previously defined Ic-IIa platelet protein complex, it is likely that there is more than one platelet "Ic" protein complexed with IIa.     

Characterization of the cell surface heterodimer VLA-4 and related peptides

A monoclonal antibody (B-5G10) was produced which specifically recognizes the Mr 150,000/130,000 VLA-4 complex on the surface of human cells. Cross-linking studies indicated that the Mr 150,000 alpha 4 subunit of VLA-4 is in noncovalent 1:1 association with the Mr 130,000 VLA beta subunit. In the absence of cross-linking, the VLA-4 alpha 4 beta subunit complex was easily dissociated, especially in Nonidet P-40 detergent, or at elevated pH (above 8.0). Studies of dissociated subunits showed that B-5G10 recognizes an epitope on the Mr 150,000 alpha 4 subunit of VLA-4, whereas the beta subunit is immunologically identical to the Mr 130,000 beta subunit common to all VLA heterodimers. VLA-4 is widely distributed on hematopoietic cells, including thymocytes, peripheral blood lymphocytes, monocytes, activated T cells, T and B lymphoblastoid cell lines, and myeloid cell lines. However, VLA-4 is only weakly expressed on most adherent cell lines tested. Immunoprecipitates of VLA-4 often contain additional proteins of Mr 80,000 and Mr 70,000. These are probably derived from the Mr 150,000 alpha 4 subunit because: 1) they are both recognized by anti-alpha 4 sera, but not anti-beta sera; 2) the sum of their sizes is equal to the size of alpha 4; 3) they are selectively coexpressed with alpha 4 and not other VLA alpha subunits; 4) the Mr 80,000 protein has an identical NH2-terminal sequence to alpha 4; 5) like alpha 4, the Mr 70,000 and 80,000 peptides can variably associate with the VLA beta subunit; and 6) trypsin appears to cleave the Mr 150,000 alpha 4 subunit into products of Mr 70,000 and 80,000.     

Biochemical characterization of VLA-1 and VLA-2. Cell surface heterodimers on activated T cells

The very late antigen complexes VLA-1 and VLA-2 which appear on long-term activated human T cells have been characterized with respect to 1) subunit arrangement, 2) location of monoclonal antibody (MAb) binding sites, 3) carbohydrate content, and 4) protein homology. Cross-linking experiments showed that the VLA-1 complex is a heterodimer composed of an Mr 210,000 subunit (alpha 1) in acid-labile association with an Mr 130,000 subunit (beta). The VLA-2 complex is a heterodimer with an Mr 165,000 subunit (alpha 2) in base-labile association with the Mr 130,000 beta subunit. The subunits of VLA-1 (alpha 1 beta) and VLA-2 (alpha 2 beta) each appear to be arranged with 1:1 stoichiometry. The MAb A-1A5 has been shown to bind to an epitope on the common beta subunit, consistent with its recognition of both the VLA-1 and VLA-2 heterodimers. On the other hand, MAb TS2/7 bound to an epitope of the alpha 1 subunit, thus explaining the specific recognition of the VLA-1 heterodimer by TS2/7. Digestion of the alpha 1, alpha 2, and beta subunits with neuraminidase and with endoglycosidase F revealed that each subunit contains substantial sialic acid and N-linked carbohydrate. By one-dimensional peptide mapping, the alpha 1, alpha 2, and beta subunits were shown to be highly nonhomologous with respect to each other, although each subunit from different T cell sources appeared highly homologous if not identical.     

Specific overproduction of very late antigen 1 integrin in two human neuroblastoma cell lines selected for resistance to detachment by an Arg-Gly-Asp-containing synthetic peptide

Very late antigen (VLA) 1 is a member of the family of integral plasma-membrane glycoproteins known as integrins. It is a heterodimer composed of an alpha subunit of Mr 200,000, noncovalently associated with a beta subunit of Mr 110,000 which is shared by other VLA molecules (VLA-2-5). Unlike most of the other VLA proteins which have been shown to be receptors for various extracellular matrix proteins, the ligand for VLA-1 is unknown. Utilizing polyclonal antisera against the human fibronectin receptor as well as alpha subunit-specific monoclonal antibodies and cDNA probes, we have been able to demonstrate that in two human neuroblastoma cell lines, IMR-32 and SK-N-SH, the common beta subunit is associated with alpha 1, alpha 2, alpha 3, and alpha 5 subunits. By culturing these two cell lines in the presence of a synthetic peptide, Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro, which contains the Arg-Gly-Asp cell attachment promotion tripeptide, we have isolated variant cell lines resistant to the detachment effects of this peptide. Peptide-resistant SK-N-SH and IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells exhibit weaker attachment to type I collagen and laminin, but a similar level of attachment to fibronectin as compared to the parental cells. Although the peptide-resistant variant cell lines proliferate at a rate similar to that of the parental cell lines, they stably overproduce (up to 20-fold) the alpha 1 subunit (VLA-1) specifically; and in the IMR-32 variant cells, the common beta 1 subunit is also overproduced. The level of expression of alpha 2 and alpha 3 subunits, however, is considerably reduced and that of the alpha 5 subunit is unchanged relative to the parental cells. These data suggest that the expression of integrin alpha subunits can be regulated differentially and independently of the beta subunit and that the VLA-1 heterodimer has an important function in mediating Arg-Gly-Asp-dependent cell adhesion or other phenotypic properties in human neuroblastoma cells.     

Use of the monoclonal antibody 12F1 to characterize the differentiation antigen VLA-2

A monoclonal antibody, 12F1, has been produced that specifically immunoprecipitates the human cell surface structure VLA-2 from platelets and long-term activated T cells, as well as from fibroblast and neuroblastoma cell lines. Cross-linking studies indicate that the VLA-2 structure exists on the cell surface as a 165,000 Mr heavy chain (alpha 2) in noncovalent 1:1 association with a 130,000 Mr light chain (beta). The monoclonal antibody A-1A5, which reacts with the beta subunit common to all VLA structures, was able to completely preclear VLA-2, indicating that all of the alpha 2 subunit was associated with VLA beta-chain. The specificity of 12F1 for VLA-2 allowed independent immunoprecipitation and flow cytometry analysis of this alpha 2 beta structure separate from any other VLA structures that may have been present such as VLA-1 or free beta-subunit. Subunit dissociation studies were used to demonstrate that 12F1 recognizes an epitope on the alpha 2 chain on VLA-2, which is consistent with the 12F1 specificity for VLA-2 alone among the VLA proteins. Analysis of activated T cells indicated that VLA-2, like VLA-1, is another "very late" appearing T cell activation antigen that arises concurrently with VLA-1 starting at day 7 and increasing through 2 wk. VLA-2 was found on many of the same cells as VLA-1 (inactivated T cells, T cell leukemia cells, fibroblasts, SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells), but VLA-1 and VLA-2 can be expressed independently, because VLA-2 was also present on VLA-1-negative cells such as HSB and platelets, and VLA-1 was present on VLA-2-negative C8215 cells.     

Extracellular matrix receptors, ECMRII and ECMRI, for collagen and fibronectin correspond to VLA-2 and VLA-3 in the VLA family of heterodimers

The Very Late Activation Antigen (VLA) proteins are a family of five related heterodimers, which also are part of the integrin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules. Except for the identification of VLA-5 as a fibronectin receptor structure, the functions of the VLA proteins have remained unclarified. In this paper, immunoprecipitation experiments with both anti-alpha and anti-beta subunit antibodies showed that the previously identified cell adhesion receptor for collagen, extracellular matrix receptor II (ECMRII), is equivalent to VLA-2. At the same time a previously described multispecific cell adhesion receptor for collagen, fibronectin, and laminin (ECMRI) has been shown to be identical to VLA-3. Although the mAb 12F1 and P1H5 both recognized VLA-2 (ECMRII), they appeared to define distinct epitopes on the alpha 2 subunit. On the other hand, the mAb P1B5 and J143 recognized the alpha 3 subunit of VLA-3 (ECMRI) at or near the same site. Consistent with the collagen receptor functions of VLA-2 (ECMRII) and VLA-3 (ECMRI), anti-VLA beta antiserum blocked cell attachment to collagen.     

Peyer''s patch-specific lymphocyte homing receptors consist of a VLA-4-like alpha chain associated with either of two integrin beta chains, one of which is novel.

Lymphocytes home to various lymphoid organs by adhering to and migrating through specialized high endothelial venules (HEV). The murine cell surface heterodimer LPAM-1 is involved in the homing of lymphocytes to mucosal sites (Peyer's patches). LPAM-1 has an alpha subunit (alpha 4m) analogous to the alpha chain of the human integrin molecule VLA-4. Here we show that the LPAM-1 beta subunit (beta p) is immunochemically and biochemically distinct from previously defined integrin beta subunits, suggesting that beta p represents a novel integrin beta subunit. Depending on the cellular source two alternative beta subunits, beta p and integrin beta 1, can be isolated in association with alpha 4m. Therefore, alpha 4m is the common subunit of the unique integrin LPAM-1 (alpha 4m beta p) and of the heterodimer LPAM-2 (alpha 4m beta 1), which is analogous to VLA-4. Antibody-blocking experiments suggest that, in addition to LPAM-1, LPAM-2 is also involved in the organ-specific adhesion of lymphocytes to Peyer's patch HEV.     

Identification of integrin collagen receptors on human melanoma cells

Integrin receptors may mediate the adhesion of cells to a number of extracellular matrix components. We found that the attachment of human melanoma cells to collagen types I and IV was blocked by antibodies to the integrin beta 1 subunit but not by peptides containing the Arg-Gly-Asp sequence. Ligand affinity chromatography was used to search for integrin-related receptors which mediate adhesion to native collagens. Detergent extracts of surface 125I-iodinated melanoma cells were chromatographed on type I or IV collagen-Sepharose columns. Bound material was eluted and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. EDTA, but not Arg-Gly-Asp peptides, eluted a mixture of two integrin-related heterodimeric complexes. Each complex contained the integrin beta 1 chain with Mr of 110,000 and a distinct alpha chain with Mr of either 200,000 or 150,000. Immunoprecipitation with specific monoclonal antibodies identified the complexes as very late activation antigen (VLA)-1 (alpha 1 beta 1) and VLA-2 (alpha 2 beta 1), respectively. The binding of these receptors to collagen appeared to be specific because they failed to be retained on fibronectin- or laminin-Sepharose columns. Immunofluorescent staining of cells on collagen substrates with antibodies to VLA-1 and VLA-2 localized these complexes in vinculin-positive adhesion plaques. In contrast, the receptor complexes were not detected in adhesion plaques of cells attached to fibronectin- or laminin-coated substrates. These results indicate that melanoma cells express at least two different integrin-related collagen-binding receptor complexes that appear to mediate cell adhesion to collagen.     

Different beta 1-integrin collagen receptors on rat hepatocytes and cardiac fibroblasts

Detergent extracts of primary rat hepatocytes and neonatal cardiac fibroblasts were applied to collagen type I-Sepharose in the presence of 1 mM MnCl2. Elution of bound proteins by 10 mM EDTA yielded one beta 1-integrin heterodimer from hepatocytes with an Mr of 180,000/115,000 under nonreducing conditions. Two beta 1-integrins with Mr's (nonreduced) of 180,000/115,000 and 145,000/115,000 could be isolated from surface-iodinated fibroblasts. A monoclonal antibody, 3A3, directed against the rat homolog of the human integrin VLA-1, precipitated the affinity-purified Mr 180,000/115,000 heterodimer, establishing the relatedness of the Mr 180,000 subunit to the alpha 1-chain of the beta 1-integrin subfamily. Both the alpha 1 beta 1-integrin and the 145,000/beta 1-integrin heterodimers bound specifically to Sepharose beads derivatized with the collagen fragment alpha 1(I) CB3, which lacks RGD sequences. Immunofluorescence staining using the 3A3 monoclonal antibody revealed that the rat alpha 1 beta 1-integrin was present at focal adhesion sites of fibroblasts grown on native collagen type I- but not on fibronectin-coated substrates, although both types of substrates supported the formation of beta 1-integrin containing focal adhesions. Similarly, hepatocytes cultured on substrata coated with collagen type I (but not fibronectin) were stained in a patchy pattern localized to the cell periphery by 3A3 IgG. Furthermore, 3A3 IgG completely inhibited the attachment of hepatocytes to collagen type I, whereas under identical conditions the attachment of fibroblasts to these substrates was inhibited only by approximately 40%. The attachment of both hepatocytes and cardiac fibroblasts to fibronectin was unaffected by the presence of the 3A3 antibody. Collectively these data show that a rat homolog of the human VLA-1 heterodimer both biochemically and functionally fulfills the criteria of a single collagen receptor on rat hepatocytes. In contrast, rat cardiac fibroblasts utilize two different collagen-binding integrins to adhere to collagen, one of which is the rat homolog of the human VLA-1 heterodimer. Furthermore alpha 1(I) CB3 contains cell binding sites for beta 1-integrins.     

Identification of a murine Peyer's patch--specific lymphocyte homing receptor as an integrin molecule with an alpha chain homologous to human VLA-4 alpha

Lymphocyte homing is controlled by organ-specific interactions of lymphocytes and high endothelial venules (HEV). Adhesion of lymphocytes to Peyer's patch HEV, but not to peripheral node HEV, is inhibited by an antibody recognizing the murine lymphocyte antigen LPAM-1. Lymphoma cell variants were selected on the FACS for differences in LPAM-1 expression: the binding capacity of these variants to Peyer's patch HEV directly correlates with the level of LPAM-1 expression. The anti-LPAM-1 antibody recognizes the alpha subunit of an Mr 160,000/130,000 cell surface alpha beta heterodimer. The association of LPAM-1 alpha and beta chains requires the presence of Ca2+ ions. Proteins of Mr 84,000 and Mr 62,000 present in LPAM-1 immunoprecipitates appear to be products of the proteolytic processing of alpha chains. The structure of LPAM-1 is virtually identical to that of the human integrin receptor VLA-4. The cross-reactivity of a monospecific rabbit antiserum demonstrated the similarity between the human VLA-4 alpha chain and the alpha subunit of LPAM-1.     

The primary structure of the alpha 4 subunit of VLA-4: homology to other integrins and a possible cell-cell adhesion function.

VLA-4 is a cell surface heterodimer in the integrin superfamily of adhesion receptors. Anti-VLA-4 antibodies inhibited cytolytic T cell activity, with inhibitory activity directed against the effector T cells rather than their targets. Thus, whereas other VLA receptors appear to mediate cell--matrix interactions, VLA-4 may have a cell--cell adhesion function. To facilitate comparative studies of VLA-4 and other integrins, cDNA clones for the human alpha 4 subunit of VLA-4 were selected and then sequenced. The 3805 bp sequence encoded for 999 amino acids, with an N-terminus identical to that previously obtained from direct sequencing of purified alpha 4 protein. The alpha 4 amino acid sequence was 17-24% similar to other integrin alpha chains with known sequences. Parts of the alpha 4 sequence most conserved in other alpha chains include (i) the positions of 19/24 cysteine residues, (ii) three potential divalent cation binding sites of the general structure DXDXDGXXD and (iii) the transmembrane region. However, alpha 4 stands apart from all other known integrin alpha subunit sequences because (i) alpha 4 has neither an inserted I-domain, nor a disulfide-linked C-terminal fragment, (ii) its sequence is the most unique and (iii) only alpha 4 has a potential protease cleavage site, near the middle of the coding region, which appears responsible for the characteristic 80,000 and 70,000 Mr fragments of alpha 4.     

Functional and structural analysis of VLA-4 integrin alpha 4 subunit cleavage.

The cell surface heterodimer VLA-4 (alpha 4 beta 1), a member of the integrin family of adhesion receptors, is involved in both cell-extracellular matrix and cell-cell adhesion. Unlike any other integrin alpha subunit, the intact (150 kDa) alpha 4 subunit of VLA-4 can sometimes be cleaved into two noncovalently associated fragments (80 and 70 kDa). Using biosynthetic and mixing experiments, we found that human alpha 4 cleavage is a regulated, compartmentalized event, occurring soon after maturation of the beta 1-associated alpha 4 subunit. Cleavage of alpha 4, which is increased following T cell activation, has been suggested to correlate with altered VLA-4 functions. To address directly the functional importance of alpha 4 cleavage, we have studied VLA-4-mediated adhesion functions in cells expressing intact alpha 4 in comparison with cells expressing cleaved alpha 4. For this purpose, we first sequenced the N terminus of the endogenously produced 70-kDa alpha 4 fragment and identified the alpha 4 cleavage site between Lys557-Arg558 and Ser559. To abolish cleavage, we converted Arg558 to Leu or Lys557 to Gln by site-directed mutagenesis of the alpha 4 cDNA and then transfected both mutant and wild type alpha 4 cDNAs into VLA-4-negative K562 cells. Whereas transfection with wild type alpha 4 cDNA yielded predominantly cleaved alpha 4 subunit, the Leu558-alpha 4 yielded only intact alpha 4 subunit, and Gln557-alpha 4 yielded mostly intact alpha 4 subunit. Transfectants with the intact or the cleaved alpha 4 were equally capable of engaging in VLA-4-dependent adhesion to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and to the Hep II fragment of fibronectin (40 kDa) and aggregated equally well in response to anti-alpha 4 antibodies. Thus, cleavage of the alpha 4 subunit in these transfectants did not alter any of the known VLA-4-mediated adhesion functions.     

The selective regulation of alpha Vbeta 1 integrin expression is based on the hierarchical formation of alpha V-containing heterodimers

The integrin beta1 subunit can form a heterodimer with 12 different alpha subunits. According to the present model, the expression level of any alphabeta complex is regulated by the availability of the specific alpha subunit, whereas beta1 subunit is constantly present in a large excess. The expression of several heterodimers containing the alphaV subunit seems to be regulated by an identical mechanism. The fact that many cells express alphaVbeta1 heterodimer, and that this fibronectin/vitronectin receptor may be selectively regulated, compromises the present model of the regulation of beta1 and alphaV integrins. We have tried to solve this problem by assuming that distinct alphabeta heterodimers are formed with different tendency. To test the hypothesis, we analyzed WM-266-4 melanoma cells transfected with a cDNA construct coding for an intracellular single-chain anti-alphaV integrin antibody. We could see 70-80% reduction in the cell surface expression of alphaV subunit. However, the only one of the alphaV integrins reduced on the cell surface was alphaVbeta1. This suggests that the cell surface expression level of alphaVbeta1 is dependent on the number of alphaV subunits available after the formation of other alphaV-containing heterodimers. Thus, there seems to be a hierarchy in the complex formation between alphaV and its different beta-partners. These observations explain how alphaVbeta1 can be specifically regulated without concomitant changes in the expression of other alphaV or beta1 integrins.     

An alternative leukocyte homotypic adhesion mechanism, LFA-1/ICAM-1- independent, triggered through the human VLA-4 integrin

The VLA-4 (CD49d/CD29) integrin is the only member of the VLA family expressed by resting lymphoid cells that has been involved in cell-cell adhesive interactions. We here describe the triggering of homotypic cell aggregation of peripheral blood T lymphocytes and myelomonocytic cells by mAbs specific for certain epitopes of the human VLA alpha 4 subunit. This anti-VLA-4-induced cell adhesion is isotype and Fc independent. Similar to phorbol ester-induced homotypic adhesion, cell aggregation triggered through VLA-4 requires the presence of divalent cations, integrity of cytoskeleton and active metabolism. However, both adhesion phenomena differed at their kinetics and temperature requirements. Moreover, cell adhesion triggered through VLA-4 cannot be inhibited by cell preincubation with anti-LFA-1 alpha (CD11a), LFA-1 beta (CD18), or ICAM-1 (CD54) mAb as opposed to that mediated by phorbol esters, indicating that it is a LFA-1/ICAM-1 independent process. Antibodies specific for CD2 or LFA-3 (CD58) did not affect the VLA-4-mediated cell adhesion. The ability to inhibit this aggregation by other anti-VLA-4-specific antibodies recognizing epitopes on either the VLA alpha 4 (CD49d) or beta (CD29) chains suggests that VLA-4 is directly involved in the adhesion process. Furthermore, the simultaneous binding of a pair of aggregation-inducing mAbs specific for distinct antigenic sites on the alpha 4 chain resulted in the abrogation of cell aggregation. These results indicate that VLA-4-mediated aggregation may constitute a novel leukocyte adhesion pathway.     

Cloning, primary structure and properties of a novel human integrin beta subunit.

The originally described integrin beta subunits that define the three subfamilies of integrin heterodimers are beta 1, beta 2 and beta 3. In this paper, we describe the isolation of a cDNA coding for a novel human integrin beta subunit, designated as beta 5. The beta 5 cDNA was isolated from a human thymic epithelial cell library, using oligonucleotide probes that were designed from a region highly conserved among the known beta 1, beta 2 and beta 3 sequences. The beta 5 cDNA codes for 799 (or 796) amino acids, including a 23 amino acid leader sequence. There are 776 (or 773) amino acids in the mature protein, which includes a long extracellular domain of 696 amino acids, a transmembrane domain and an intracellular C-terminal domain of 57 amino acids. The beta 5 sequence resembled the known beta 3, beta 1 and beta 2 sequences by 55, 43 and 38%, respectively, including conservation of 56/56 cysteines. Rabbit antiserum was prepared against a 20 amino acid synthetic peptide predicted from the beta 5 C-terminal sequence. This serum immunoprecipitated a beta 5 protein that was 100,000 Mr (reduced) and 95,000 Mr (nonreduced). Only a single alpha subunit was detected in association with beta 5, and that alpha subunit was immunochemically indistinguishable from the alpha v subunit previously found as part of the vitronectin receptor complex. By immunoprecipitation, beta 5 was most prevalent on carcinoma cell lines, was also present on hepatoma and fibroblast cell lines, and was absent from lymphoblastoid cells and platelets.     

The alpha 1/beta 1 and alpha 6/beta 1 integrin heterodimers mediate cell attachment to distinct sites on laminin

This study was undertaken to determine the roles of individual alpha/beta 1 integrin heterodimers in promoting cellular interactions with the different attachment-promoting domains of laminin (LN). To do this, antibodies to the integrin beta 1 subunit or to specific integrin alpha subunits were tested for effects on cell attachment to LN, to elastase fragments E1-4 and E1, derived from the short arms and core of LN's cruciform structure, and to fragment E8 derived from the long arm of this structure. The human JAR choriocarcinoma cells used in this study attached to LN and to fragments E1 and E8. Attachment to E1-4 required a much higher substrate coating concentration, suggesting that it is a poor substrate for JAR cell attachment. The ability of cells to attach to different LN domains suggested the presence of more than one LN receptor. These multiple LN receptors were shown to be beta 1 integrin heterodimers because antibodies to the integrin beta 1 subunit inhibited attachment of JAR cells to LN and its three fragments. To identify the individual integrin alpha/beta 1 heterodimers that mediate interactions with these LN domains, mAbs specific for individual beta 1 heterodimers in human cells were used to study JAR cell interactions with LN and its fragments. An anti-alpha 6/beta 1-specific mAb, GoH3, virtually eliminated cell attachment to E8 and partially inhibited attachment to E1 and intact LN. Thus the major alpha 6/beta 1 attachment domain is present in fragment E8. An alpha 1/beta 1-specific mAb (S2G3) strongly inhibited cell attachment to collagen IV and partially inhibited JAR attachment to LN fragment E1. Thus, the alpha 1/beta 1 heterodimer is a dual receptor for collagen IV and LN, interacting with LN at a site in fragment E1. In combination, the anti-alpha 1- and anti-alpha 6-specific antibodies completely inhibited JAR cell attachment to LN and fragment E1. Thus, the alpha 1/beta 1 and alpha 6/beta 1 integrin heterodimers each function as LN receptors and act together to mediate the interactions of human JAR choriocarcinoma cells with LN.     

Baculovirus-directed expression of the human insulin receptor and an insulin-binding ectodomain

In this report we describe the use of the baculovirus expression system to overproduce the human insulin holoreceptor (HIR) and a truncated, secretory version of the HIR cDNA (HIRsec) consisting of the alpha subunit and the extracellular portion of the beta subunit (beta'). Sf9 cells infected with the full-length HIR viruses synthesize recombinant HIR (rHIR) with an insulin-binding alpha subunit of apparent Mr = 110,000 and a beta subunit of apparent Mr = 80,000. Uncleaved alpha beta proreceptor accumulates in infected cells. Both of these forms assemble into higher order disulfide-linked dimers or heterotetramers of apparent Mr greater than 350,000. Insulin-binding activity in cells infected with rHIR viruses is present predominantly on the extracellular aspect of the plasma membrane (greater than 80%). Insulin binding to the full-length rHIR occurs with typical complex kinetics with Kd1 = 0.5-1 x 10(-9) M and Kd2 = 10(-7) M and receptors are present in large amounts in infected cells (1 x 10(6) receptors/cell; 1-2 mg HIR/10(9) cells). The full-length rHIR undergoes insulin-dependent autophosphorylation; half-maximal activation of beta subunit autophosphorylation occurs at 1-2 x 10(-8) M. The alpha beta proreceptor also becomes phosphorylated in vitro. Analysis of tryptic phosphopeptides derived from in vitro autophosphorylated beta subunit and alpha beta proreceptor reveals a pattern of phosphorylation that is indistinguishable from that of authentic placental HIR. Sf9 cells infected with rHIRsec viruses synthesize and secrete an (alpha beta')2 heterotetrameric complex having an insulin-binding alpha subunit of apparent Mr = 110,000 and a truncated beta' subunit of apparent Mr = 45,000 that lacks kinase activity. The rHIRsec complex purified from the conditioned medium of infected cells binds insulin with high affinity (Kd = 10(-9) M).     

Transforming growth factor beta differentially regulates expression of integrin subunits in guinea pig airway epithelial cells.

The integrin family is composed of a large number of heterodimers, each one mediating distinct interactions with extracellular matrix and/or cell surface ligands. The expression of integrins appears to be tightly regulated in vivo, but the mechanisms by which cells control the formation and surface expression of specific pairs of subunits have not been well characterized. Two integrin subunits, the alpha subunit alpha v, and the beta subunit beta 1, could pose special problems in regulation because of their capacity to associate with multiple partners. In the present study, we have examined the effects of the cytokine transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) on the expression of alpha v- and beta 1-containing integrins in primary cultures of guinea pig airway epithelial cells, e.g. cells that we have previously found to express multiple potential partners for both alpha v and beta 1. TGF-beta 1 increased the surface expression of both alpha v- and beta 1-containing heterodimers after periods of stimulation from 24 to 72 h. These increases in surface expression were associated with significant increases in the concentrations of mRNA encoding each of the partners of alpha v and beta 1, but with only minimal increases in mRNA encoding alpha v and beta 1 themselves. Airway epithelial cells metabolically labeled with [35S]methionine during stimulation with TGF-beta 1 demonstrated only a minimal increase in the synthesis of new alpha v protein at a time when synthesis of alpha v's beta subunit partners and surface expression of alpha v-containing heterodimers were dramatically increased. These data suggest that, at least in some cells, promiscuous integrin subunits (both alpha and beta) may normally be synthesized in excess. Thus, the surface expression of specific integrin heterodimers can be regulated primarily through regulation of the synthesis of the specific partners of these subunits.     

Assembly of the mammalian muscle acetylcholine receptor in transfected COS cells

We have investigated the mechanisms of assembly and transport to the cell surface of the mouse muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) in transiently transfected COS cells. In cells transfected with all four subunit cDNAs, AChR was expressed on the surface with properties resembling those seen in mouse muscle cells (Gu, Y., A. F. Franco, Jr., P.D. Gardner, J. B. Lansman, J. R. Forsayeth, and Z. W. Hall. 1990. Neuron. 5:147-157). When incomplete combinations of AChR subunits were expressed, surface binding of 125I-alpha-bungarotoxin was not detected except in the case of alpha beta gamma which expressed less than 15% of that seen with all four subunits. Immunoprecipitation and sucrose gradient sedimentation experiments showed that in cells expressing pairs of subunits, alpha delta and alpha gamma heterodimers were formed, but alpha beta was not. When three subunits were expressed, alpha delta beta and alpha gamma beta complexes were formed. Variation of the ratios of the four subunit cDNAs used in the transfection mixture showed that surface AChR expression was decreased by high concentrations of delta or gamma cDNAs in a mutually competitive manner. High expression of delta or gamma subunits also each inhibited formation of a heterodimer with alpha and the other subunit. These results are consistent with a defined pathway for AChR assembly in which alpha delta and alpha gamma heterodimers are formed first, followed by association with the beta subunit and with each other to form the complete AChR.     

Integrin heterodimer and receptor complexity in avian and mammalian cells

We report data showing that the integrin receptor complex in chickens contains several discrete heterodimers all sharing the beta 1-integrin subunit combined separately with different alpha-subunits. Using antisera to synthetic peptides based on cDNA sequences of chicken and human alpha-integrin subunits to analyze the integrin complement of avian and mammalian cells, we show that band 2 of the chicken integrin complex contains alpha-subunits related to both alpha 3- and alpha 5-subunits of human integrins. alpha 3 beta 1 and alpha 5 beta 1 have both previously been shown in human cells to be fibronectin receptors and alpha 3 beta 1 can also act as a receptor for laminin and collagen. We also provide evidence for the presence, in band 1 of the chicken integrin complex, of a third integrin alpha-subunit which is also alpha 5 related. This integrin subunit exists in a separate heterodimer complex with beta 1 and binds to fibronectin-affinity columns. These results provide explanations for published data showing that the avian integrin complex contains receptor activity for a variety of extracellular matrix proteins. We conclude that the chicken integrin complex comprises a set of beta 1-integrin heterodimers equivalent to the human VLA antigens and includes at least two fibronectin receptors. Finally, we show that chicken embryo fibroblasts also contain a beta 3-class integrin related to the RGD receptors defined in various human cells.