Antipeptide antibodies of predetermined specificity recognize and neutralize the bioactivity of the pan-specific hemopoietin interleukin 3

Ten peptides that corresponded to portions of the T cell lymphokine pan-specific hemopoietin interleukin 3 (IL 3) were synthesized, coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, and used to raise antipeptide antibodies in rabbits. These antisera reacted to varying degrees with native biologically active IL 3. Antibodies directed against peptides corresponding to residues 1-29 at the NH2 terminus, 123-140 at the COOH terminus, and to residues 64-82 and 91-112 were affinity-purified on peptide columns. Immunoabsorbent columns produced from affinity-purified antibodies to the 1-29, 91-112, and 123-140 although not the 64-82 peptide were effective in depleting biologically active IL 3 from conditioned medium. However, the antibodies specific for peptides 91-112 and 123-140 had only a low affinity for native IL 3 and it was only in the case of the anti-1-29 antibodies that a significant amount of IL 3 remained bound after extensive washing and could be recovered from the column by acid elution. The affinity-purified antibodies directed to peptides 1-29, 91-112, and 123-140 significantly inhibited the biological activity of IL 3, although with different dose-response characteristics. Anti-1-29 antibodies inhibited bioactivity over a wide range of concentrations (down to 20 ng/ml) although the inhibition was never complete. In contrast, the anti-91-112 antibodies, although effective only at high concentrations, produced complete inhibition of biological activity. These experiments demonstrated that antibodies to defined peptides can be used to generate antibodies to native IL 3 and should form useful tools in analyzing the structure and function of the native molecules.     

Immune responses to the 18-kDa protein of Mycobacterium leprae. Similar B cell epitopes but different T cell epitopes seen by inbred strains of mice.

Antibody responses to the 18-kDa protein of Mycobacterium leprae have been analyzed in different strains of mice. High, intermediate, and low responder strains have been identified and these response patterns show clear linkage to genes encoded in the H-2 complex. Three peptides, residues 1-50, 51-100, and 101-148 have been synthesized, as well as a series of 20-mer peptides, which span the entire 18-kDa protein. Repeated immunization of different strains of mice with the 18-kDa protein resulted in IgG responses to epitopes found on all three synthetic peptides. Immunization of BALB/cJ and B10.BR mice, two high responder strains, with 18-kDa protein resulted in high levels of IgG antibody to epitopes found on peptides 1-20, 16-35, 31-50, 46-65, and 76-95. B10.BR mice also contained IgG that bound peptide 61-80 and BALB/cJ mice produced IgG that bound peptide 91-110. Although B10.BR mice produced IgG that bound the 50-mer peptide 101-148, this IgG was not detected by binding to peptides 91-110, 106-125, 121-140, and 131-148. Immunization of B10.BR mice with individual overlapping 20-mer peptides as Ag revealed that peptides 1-20, 16-35, 31-50, and 76-95 elicited high titers of IgG that bound both the immunizing peptide as well as 18-kDa protein. As these peptides induce antibody synthesis they must contain both B cell and T cell epitopes. By contrast, immunization of BALB/cJ mice with the same 20-mer peptides, all of which contain B cell epitopes for this strain, failed to elicit IgG responses with one exception. Peptide 91-110 induced IgG that bound peptide 91-110, but not the intact 18-kDa protein. We conclude that peptides 1-20, 16-35, 31-50, and 76-95 either lack T cell epitopes for BALB/cJ mice, or activate different T cell subpopulations in the two strains. We suggest that the induction of IgG responses to small peptide Ag is an in vivo assay of the activity of Th2 cell subpopulations.     

Efficacy of antibodies against Escherichia coli expressed chimeric recombinant protein encompassing multiple epitopes of zona pellucida glycoproteins to inhibit in vitro human sperm-egg binding

To minimize ovarian dysfunction subsequent to immunization with zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins, synthetic peptides encompassing the antigenic B cell epitopes as immunogens have been proposed. In this study, attempts have been made to clone and express a recombinant chimeric protein encompassing the epitopes corresponding to bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata) ZP glycoprotein-1 (bmZP1, amino acid residues 132-147), ZP glycoprotein-2 (bmZP2, amino acid residues 86-113), and ZP glycoprotein-3 (bmZP3, amino acid residues 324-347). The above chimeric recombinant protein (r-bmZP123) was expressed as a polyhistidine fusion protein in Escherichia coli. Immunoblot with murine monoclonal antibody, MA-813, generated against recombinant bmZP1 revealed a major band of approximately 10 kDa. The r-bmZP123 was purified on nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid resin under denaturing conditions. The female rabbits immunized with purified r-bmZP123 conjugated to diphtheria toxoid (DT) generated antibodies that reacted with r-bmZP123 and DT in an ELISA. In addition, the immune sera also reacted with E. coli expressed recombinant bmZP1, bmZP2, and bmZP3. In an indirect immunofluorescence assay, the antibodies against r-bmZP123 recognized native ZP of bonnet monkey as well as human. The immune sera also inhibited, in vitro, the binding of human spermatozoa to the human zona in the hemizona assay (HZA). These studies, for the first time, demonstrate the feasibility of assembling multiple epitopes of different ZP glycoproteins as a recombinant protein that elicit antibodies which are reactive with native zona and also inhibit, in vitro, human sperm-oocyte binding.     

Rat and Mouse Monoclonal Antibodies to Human Myelin Basic Protein

BALB/c mice and Lewis rats were immunized with human myelin basic protein and its N- and C-terminal fragments. Mouse X mouse fusions produced seven monoclonal antibodies, all of the IgG class and directed against the N-terminal fragment. Five of the antibodies seemed to be against the same epitope, between amino acid residues 92 and 118. One antibody bound between residues 45 and 91, and the remaining antibody reacted with both peptides 1-44 and 45-91. Three monoclonal antibodies, all of the IgM class, were obtained by rat X rat hybridization. Two monoclonal antibodies, raised against whole myelin basic protein and the C-terminal fragment, respectively, each bound to peptide 118-178. The remaining antibody, raised against the N-terminal fragment, bound to peptide 45-91. These monoclonal antibodies are of interest for use in clinical radioimmunoassays and for immunohistochemical investigation of the structural relationships of the myelin sheath.     

Analysis of T- and B-cell epitopes of capsid protein of rubella virus by using synthetic peptides.

A nested set of 11 overlapping synthetic peptides covering the entire sequence of rubella virus capsid protein was synthesized, purified, and tested against human rubella virus-specific T-cell lines and rubella virus-seropositive sera. T-cell lines derived from four donors responded strongly to four synthetic peptides containing residues 96 to 123, 119 to 152, 205 to 233, and 255 to 280. Only one peptide (residues 255 to 280) was recognized by all four T-cell lines. Two human immunodominant linear B-cell epitopes were mapped to residues 1 to 30 and 96 to 123 by using peptide-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All 11 synthetic peptides were highly immunogenic and induced strong antibody responses in rabbits against the respective immunized peptides. Seven of the 11 rabbit antipeptide antisera (anti-1-30, -74-100, -96-123, -119-152, -205-233, -231-257, and -255-280) specifically recognized the capsid protein on immunoblots. Identification of these T- and B-cell epitopes represents the first step toward rational design of synthetic vaccines against rubella.     

Topographic analysis of human epidermal growth factor by monospecific antibodies and synthetic peptides

The mode of interaction between human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) and its receptor has been investigated by immunochemical studies and a synthetic peptide approach. Two types of monoclonal and five different monospecific polyclonal antibodies against hEGF have been prepared, whose epitopes are regions 1-13, 13-32, 33-53, 33-43, 22-32, and discontinuous sequences of hEGF. Antibody against 22-32 (Type I) and antibody against 33-53 (PRE 4) inhibited the binding of 125I-hEGF to membrane receptor on A 431 cells more markedly than the other antibodies. When hEGF was bound to the receptor, only antibody against 13-32 (PRE 2) could bind to hEGF-receptor complex whereas antibody against 22-32 (Type I) could not. These data suggest that region 13-20 is exposed outside during receptor-binding and both region 22-32 and region 33-53 contact the hEGF receptor. The activity of synthetic peptides corresponding to the amino acid residues 1-13, 13-32, 33-53, 13-20, 22-32, and 33-43 of hEGF was also examined. Out of the six peptides, only 13-32 stimulated DNA synthesis of BALB 3T3 cells. The activity was approximately 1/10(6) of that of intact hEGF. All of these data suggest that region 22-32 is responsible for binding to the receptor for signal transduction and region 33-53 binds to the receptor to stabilize the ligand-receptor interaction. This dual binding model fits in well with the three-dimensional hEGF structure deduced from NMR spectra.     

Mapping the antigenic epitopes of human dihydrofolate reductase by systematic synthesis of peptides on solid supports.

All of the 181 possible overlapping hexapeptides as well as 179 octapeptides covering the amino acid sequence of human dihydrofolate reductase (hDHFR) were synthesized on polyethylene supports. The synthetic procedure of Geysen et al. (Geysen, H. M., Rodda, S. J., Mason, T. J., Tribbick, G., and Schoofs, P. G. (1987) J. Immunol. Methods 102, 259-274) was modified to obtain up to 100 nmol of peptide on each pin. Peptides constituting antigenic epitopes on hDHFR were identified by examining the binding of antibodies raised against both native and denatured hDHFR to these peptides by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The peptides bound in a similar pattern to polyclonal antibodies against both native and denatured dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). Six major epitopes were located corresponding to residues 27-33, 45-51, 67-74, 133-139, 153-158, and 176-181 using both hexapeptides and octapeptides. An additional epitope, constituting residues 14-21, was found by the use of octapeptides. Most of the epitopes are hydrophilic and reside largely in "loop" regions at the boundaries of secondary structural elements of hDHFR. This observation is consistent with our previous results which suggested that ligand binding at the active site of the enzyme can cause a dramatic reduction in antibody binding to DHFR due to conformational constraints in flexible loop regions in various parts of the molecule. The similarity of the immunogenic profiles of native versus denatured hDHFR indicates that the two forms of the antigen share the same amino acid sequence-specific epitopes. Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that the binding of anti-hDHFR antiserum to both native and denatured hDHFR was inhibited by approximately 30% by the seven antigenic peptides, indicating that a significant proportion of the antibodies elicited by this enzyme is specific for short peptides. Besides revealing the antigenic structure of DHFR our results provide a rational basis for the design of mutant DHFRs to study the importance of loop residues in the conformational dynamics of the enzyme.     

Characterization of five epitopes of human renin from a computer model

Antigenic determinants in proteins have been found to coincide with surface regions accessible to a large probe of 1-nm radius, which approximates the size of an antibody binding domain. To predict epitopes of human renin, a computer algorithm was used to calculate the accessibility of a model of the three-dimensional structure of human renin to a 1-nm probe. Of the 17 segments predicted to be epitopes or parts of epitopes, 6 were synthesized and tested for their recognition by 11 polyclonal antibodies prepared against pure human renin. Four peptides, Y-133-144, C-180-188, Y-211-224, and Y-300-310, were bound by some polyclonal anti-renin antibodies when tested in both a solution assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and one peptide, C-290-296-G, was bound only in an ELISA. Of the five epitopes identified, peptide Y-211-224 seems dominant, since it was bound by all antisera in the solution assay and by 8 of the 11 in the ELISA. This peptide contains a disulfide loop, and the corresponding linear peptide obtained after reduction of the disulfide was not recognized by any anti-renin antisera in the solution assay. This suggests that the epitope is conformationally dependent and that a disulfide bridge linking cysteines-217 and -221 is present in the native structure of human renin. Purified immunoglobulins raised to peptides Y-133-144 and Y-211-224 (located near, but not at, the catalytic site) were found to inhibit the cleavage of human angiotensinogen by purified human renin but not the cleavage of a tetradecapeptide substrate representing the N-terminal region of angiotensinogen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

UreB蛋白B细胞抗原表位快速筛选与鉴定

以幽门螺旋杆菌(Helicobacterpylori,Hp)主要抗原蛋白尿素酶B(ureaseB,UreB)为靶蛋白,建立一种新的B细胞抗原表位筛选与鉴定方法.运用Fmoc固相肽合成法合成11条HpUreB蛋白的单表位抗原肽片段,在其氨基端标记FITC荧光素,应用荧光偏振方法(fluorescencepolarization,FP)快速鉴定这些肽片段的抗原性,并通过FP法在大规模样品中快速筛选相应抗体滴度高、分布人群广的优势抗原表位肽.结果表明,合成的11条UreB蛋白线性抗原肽中,10条具有较强的抗原性,其中No.2、No.5和No.11抗原肽相应的特异性抗体在感染Hp的人群中分布较广,抗体滴度较高,为UreB的优势抗原表位肽.对抗原表位进行多参数综合分析与设计,通过FP技术快速鉴定抗原肽,并筛选优势抗原表位肽,对于疾病的抗原表位谱研究具有重要的意义,同时在疾病的诊断、分型及治疗中具有重要的应用前景.     

Antipeptide antibodies define the NH2-terminal structure of the pan-specific hemopoietin interleukin 3

Antipeptide antibodies were raised in rabbits against a synthetic peptide including the six NH2-terminal amino acids of the pan-specific hemopoietin interleukin 3 (IL 3). Affinity-purified antibody preparations specific for epitopes determined by residues 1 to 6 were immobilized and used as affinity columns. Up to 98% of IL 3 bioactivity in T cell-conditioned medium was depleted by these columns, as was 71 and 74%, respectively, of IL 3 aberrantly produced by the myeloid leukemias WEHI-274.14 and WEHI-3B. IL 3 produced in vivo in WEHI-3B tumor-bearing mice also bound to the anti-1-6 antibody column, up to 70% of the bioactivity being depleted from ascites fluid and up to 84% from the serum. These results suggest that all IL 3 secreted by T cells and the majority of the IL 3 molecules secreted by myeloid leukemias express epitopes determined by residues 1-6 and cannot have the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence initially reported for IL 3. These six NH2-terminal amino acids share similarities with the NH2-terminal amino acids of several other lymphokines, suggesting an important function for this hexapeptide.     

Determinants of OmpF porin antigenicity and structure.

Sixty-six murine hybridomas raised to Escherichia coli B/r porin were used to identify and differentiate the epitopes of this outer membrane protein. Anti-porin monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were raised against outer membrane fragments, purified native trimeric porin (trimer), and purified sodium dodecyl sulfate-denatured monomeric porin (monomer). Immunochemical and flow cytometric methods identified five distinct cell surface-exposed determinants on OmpF. The peptide composition of porin epitopes was determined by analysis of mAb reactivity with cyanogen bromide-generated peptide fragments. Four of 43 anti-monomer mAb reacted with surface exposed sites on OmpF, defining epitopes that consist of residues within CNBr peptides d2, d3, and B. The anti-porin mAb panel was also used to evaluate changes in porin antigenic structure in strains with short ompF deletions. Flow cytometric experiments indicated that despite changes in porin permeability, little if any alteration of surface epitopes occurred in these strains. Western immunoblot analysis of the mutant porins showed loss of reactivity with numerous mAb, which was caused by changes in three spatially distinct epitopes at residues 108-111, 118-123, and 124-129. Our findings indicate that in these ompF mutants the residues responsible for altering porin permeability are not exposed on the cell surface, but are buried within the tertiary structure of the protein. One of these regions, which is apparently involved in the determination of channel permeability characteristics, is conserved among 15 of 16 different porin molecules which were screened with the anti-OmpF mAb panel.     

Antigenic determinants on human choriogonadotropin alpha-subunit. I. Characterization of topographic sites recognized by monoclonal antibodies

Immunochemical studies were designed to localize antigenic regions recognized by two monoclonal antibodies directed against the alpha-subunit of human choriogonadotropin (hCG-alpha) and to provide information on the three-dimensional structure of hCG and its alpha-subunit. Monoclonal antibody HT13 bound to a region accessible on both hCG and the free alpha-subunit, whereas monoclonal antibody AHT20 recognized a site localized only on the free alpha-subunit. By studying the cross-reactivity of these antibodies to homologous proteins, we found that antibody HT13 did not bind to equine or ovine lutropin, whereas AHT20 was capable of binding to both subunits. This observation suggests that AHT20 recognized a structurally related antigenic determinant on alpha-subunits of different species. To delineate the portions of hCG-alpha contributing to the antigenic determinants of AHT20 and HT13, we performed competitive inhibition assays using reduced and carboxymethylated hCG-alpha, deglycosylated hCG-alpha, hCG-alpha minus the 5 COOH-terminal residues (hCG-alpha core 1), or disulfide-bridged peptides comprising residues 1-35 and 52-91 of hCG-alpha (hCG-alpha core 2). Reduced and carboxymethylated hCG-alpha did not inhibit the binding of 125I-labeled hCG-alpha to both antibodies, whereas deglycosylated hCG-alpha was as active as hCG-alpha, suggesting that antigenic determinants of both antibodies are mainly discontinuous and do not reside on the oligosacharide part of the alpha-subunit. hCG-alpha core 1 had the same capacity as intact hCG-alpha to inhibit the binding of 125I-hCG-alpha to both antibodies, indicating that the 5 COOH-terminal residues of hCG-alpha do not participate in the antigenic determinants. hCG-alpha core 1 was as potent as hCG-alpha in inhibition experiments performed with HT13, whereas, in striking contrast, hCG-alpha core 2 did not compete with 125I-hCG-alpha for binding to AHT20, suggesting that the peptides released after proteolysis of the alpha-subunit by trypsin participate in the epitope of AHT20 and are not included in the antigenic determinant of HT13. In an attempt to elucidate the amino acid residues constituting the antigenic sites of HT13 and AHT20, hapten inhibition experiments were carried out using as competitive inhibitors five different synthetic peptides spanning the primary structure of hCG-alpha. None of these peptides inhibited the binding of 125I-hCG-alpha to HT13. In contrast, two peptides analogous to regions 23-43 and 33-59 of hCG-alpha exhibited significant potency in competing with 125I-hCG-alpha for binding to AHT20.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Study of the interaction of the monoclonal antibody to human interleukin-2 and its Fab-fragment with synthetic peptides --interleukin-2 fragments by (1)H-NMR]

Proton signals for nine synthetic peptide fragments of human interleukin-2 (region 59-78) were assigned for aqueous solutions both of pure peptides and their mixtures with LNKB-2 monoclonal antibody. The nonspecific magnetization transfer (NOE) between the antibody or its Fab-fragment and the peptides was studied upon large excess of free peptide over bound peptide. NOE spectra using modified pulse sequence, enabling to eliminate broad signals and achieve higher (peptide signal)/noise ratio were obtained. The saturation transfer experiments indicated that methyl groups of amino acid residues corresponding to Leu66,70,72, Val69 and Ala73 in interleukin-2 contact with the antibody binding site. Thus, the hydrophobic interactions are of major importance for the LNKB-2-IL-2 peptide complexes. The minimal IL-2 fragment which can still bind to LNKB-2 monoclonal antibody is -Leu70-Asn71-Leu72-.     

Primary structure requirements for the binding of human high molecular weight kininogen to plasma prekallikrein and factor XI

We recently identified residues 185-224 of the light chain of human high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK) as the binding site for plasma prekallikrein (Tait, J.F., and Fujikawa, K. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 15396-15401). In the present study, we have further defined the primary structure requirements for binding of HMWK to factor XI and prekallikrein. In a competitive fluorescence polarization binding assay, a 31-residue synthetic peptide (residues 194-224 of the HMWK light chain) bound to prekallikrein with a Kd of 20 +/- 6 nM, indistinguishable from the previously determined value of 18 +/- 5 nM for the light chain. We also prepared three shorter synthetic peptides corresponding to different portions of the 31-residue peptide (residues 205-224, 212-224, and 194-211), but these peptides bound to prekallikrein more than 100-fold more weakly. Factor XI also bound to the same region of the HMWK light chain, but at least 58 residues (185-242) were required for optimal binding (Kd = 69 +/- 4 nM for the light chain; Kd = 130 +/- 50 nM for residues 185-242). The four synthetic peptides inhibited kaolin-activated clotting of blood plasma with potencies paralleling their affinities for prekallikrein and factor XI. Peptide 194-224 can also be used for rapid affinity purification of prekallikrein and factor XI from plasma.     

Characterization of antisera directed against follistatin/activin-binding protein peptides.

An attempt was made to develop immunologic probes directed against follistatin/activin-binding protein (ABP), for use in investigating the distribution of ABP in various tissues. Five oligopeptides corresponding to different regions of the predicted ABP amino acid sequence (peptides 1-12, 28-43, 123-134, 270-281 and 300-315) were synthesized chemically, and coupled to Limulus polyphemus hemolymph hemocyanin. The peptide-hemocyanin conjugates were then used to immunize rabbits, and the immunoresponses were monitored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Reactivity of the antipeptide antisera with ABP was determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting analysis. All of the peptides produced immune responses. The antiserum to peptide 123-134 recognized all forms of ABP, whereas the antiserum to peptide 300-315 reacted specifically and sensitively with the long forms of ABP. These two antisera exhibited only a limited cross-reaction with other proteins or none at all. Therefore, they will be useful for studying the distribution of ABP in various tissues.     

Production and characterization of human renin antibodies with region-oriented synthetic peptides

Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies were raised against pure human renin, but nothing was known about the regions against which they were directed. Using a three-dimensional model of mouse submandibular renin, we selected seven peptide sequences as belonging to potential epitopes. The main criteria for their choice were the location of the peptide sequences near the catalytic region and on the surface of the renin molecule and their hydrophilicity. After transposition of the regions to the 340-amino acid sequence of human renin, the seven peptides (corresponding to amino acids 50-60, 63-71, 81-90, 118-126, 162-169, 247-255, and 287-295) were synthesized, coupled to bovine serum albumin, and injected into rabbits. Five of these peptides elicited antibodies, and 50-68% binding of the corresponding iodinated peptide was obtained with a 1:25 dilution of antiserum. The antisera titers ranged from 1:5,000 to 1:100,000 when tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The same antisera bound 15-65% of labeled pure human renin at a final dilution of 1:2.5, the highest percentage being obtained with peptide 81-90 antiserum. At a 1:5 dilution, the five antisera inhibited renin activity by 23-68% in human plasma with a high renin activity (40 ng of angiotensin I/h/ml). At a final dilution of 1:50, peptide 81-90 antiserum was still capable of producing 25% inhibition. Purified IgG (0.6 mg) from this antiserum inhibited pure human renin activity by up to about 40%, as measured by its reaction with pure synthetic human tetradecapeptide substrate. Antigenic peptides that mimic a part of the human renin sequence, especially peptide 81-90 representing the "flap" covering the cleft between the two renin lobes, constitute promising tools for the development of a synthetic antirenin vaccine.     

Development of rat anti-mouse interleukin 3 monoclonal antibodies which neutralize bioactivity in vitro

Several rat anti-mouse interleukin 3 (IL-3) monoclonal antibodies have been developed which inhibit the biologic activity of mouse IL-3. These antibodies were produced in rats immunized with preparations of purified, recombinant mouse IL-3, obtained from transiently transfected COS7 cell supernatant. Hybridomas secreting anti-IL-3 were selected initially either on the basis of their giving a positive signal in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, or for their ability to inhibit the proliferation of the IL-3-dependent mouse mast cell line, MC/9. Neutralizing rat monoclonal IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b antibodies have been identified; these also block IL-3-induced proliferation of the NFS-60 and IC2 cell lines. These antibodies also blocked the IL-3-induced proliferation of mouse bone marrow-derived colony-forming units-culture suggesting that the same epitopes on IL-3 influence receptor recognition for both the proliferation of factor-dependent cell lines as well as normal bone marrow cells. Fab fragments produced from certain of the IgG2a-neutralizing antibodies blocked as well as the parent IgG. Antibody cross-blocking studies identified one neutralizing antibody apparently recognizing an epitope that was spatially distinct from those recognized by the other blocking antibodies tested. The development of these neutralizing rat monoclonal antibodies to mouse IL-3 should facilitate further investigation on the role of this factor in hemopoietic regulation.     

Structure of mouse interleukin 3 (IL-3) binding protein (AIC2A). Amino acid residues critical for IL-3 binding.

Despite the high degree of sequence homology between two mouse proteins AIC2A and AIC2B (91% at the amino acid level), only the AIC2A protein binds interleukin 3 (IL-3). Soluble AIC2A protein bound IL-3 with affinity similar to the membrane-bound AIC2A protein, indicating that binding of IL-3 to AIC2A was mediated by the external domain alone. The extracellular domain of the AIC2A protein has two repeats of the common motif shared by members of the cytokine receptor family. Neither one of these repeats alone bound IL-3. Hybrids of AIC2A and AIC2B revealed that the first domain of the cytokine receptor motif could be replaced with the AIC2B sequence without an affinity change, suggesting the importance of the second domain. By changing individual amino acid residues of AIC2A in the second domain which differ from those of AIC2B, we identified several amino acid residues critical for IL-3 binding. All these residues are located at the putative hinge region within the second domain.     

Ligand-induced structural constraints in human dihydrofolate reductase revealed by peptide-specific antibodies

Peptides from human dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) generated by cyanogen bromide cleavage and corresponding to residues 15-52, 53-111, 112-125, and 140-186 (carboxyl terminus) were purified and used to immunize rats. Titration of the immune sera against denatured human DHFR by solid-phase immunoassay showed that peptides 15-52 and 140-186 were relatively highly immunogenic, unlike the native enzyme which is most immunogenic in the sequence 53-111. The antisera were specific for the corresponding peptides used for immunization. Antibodies to peptides 15-52, 53-111, and 140-186 cross-reacted with native human DHFR in solution in competition assays. However, the binding of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced) (NADPH) and the inhibitors folate and methotrexate, both in binary and in ternary complexes with the enzyme, caused a striking reduction in binding of antibody. Using a sensitive radioactive assay, it was found that antisera to peptides 15-52 and 140-186, both of which exhibited a high antibody titer, caused significant inhibition of DHFR. Because peptide 140-186 does not include any active-site residues, it is concluded that at least in this case all the antibodies bound to regions outside the active site. Since comparison of the X-ray structures of the chicken liver DHFR holoenzyme with the apoenzyme reveals no changes in secondary structural elements (alpha-helices and beta-sheets), the reduction in antibody binding to DHFR-ligand complexes must not involve epitopes within these structures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The V3-directed immune response in natural human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection is predominantly directed against a variable, discontinuous epitope presented by the gp120 V3 domain.

The specific binding of antibodies to the V3 loop in sera from human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals was investigated. Different V3 structures were analyzed as full-length loops or by pepscan. Our data show that on full-length V3 loops, both variable regions on either side of the tip of the loop (GPGRAF) contribute to a common epitope for type-specific antibodies. Type-specific antibodies bound strongly and at high titers to native V3 loops but negligibly once the loop was denatured. In contrast to the type-specific, discontinuous epitope, the linear, conserved epitopes presented by the full-length V3 loop, the tip, the amino-terminal base, and the carboxy-terminal base were not accessible to serum antibody. When the V3 sequences were analyzed with linear peptides, antibodies bound preferentially to peptides containing the conserved GPGRAF sequence. Thus, two different specificities of V3-directed antibodies were detected in patient sera. Unlike group-specific antibodies directed against GPGRAF peptides, lack of type-specific antibodies directed against the discontinuous epitope was correlated with viral escape from autologous neutralization. Our data suggest that the full-length conformation of the V3 loop is accessible predominantly to highly type-specific antibodies present in sera from HIV-1-infected individuals. These antibodies are directed against discontinuous V3 epitopes, not against conserved linear V3 targets. The implications of these findings for viral escape and blockade of infection with V3-based vaccines are discussed.