An alternative form of IL-18 in human blood plasma: complex formation with IgM defined by monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal Abs 21 and 132 were raised against human functionally inactive rIL-18, and plasma IL-18 levels were determined by the sandwich ELISA established with these mABS: Plasma IL-18, designated type 2, was detected by this ELISA, and the levels found were not consistent with those obtained with the commercially available kit for determination of functionally active IL-18 (type 1). Type 1 was detected in all volunteers, whereas type 2 was detected in approximately 30% of healthy subjects, and the levels of type 2 in their blood plasma were high (25-100 ng/ml) compared with those of type 1 (0.05-0.3 ng/ml). We purified IL-18 type 2 from blood plasma of volunteers with high IL-18 type 2 concentrations, and its M(r) was determined to be 800 kDa by SDS-PAGE and molecular sieve HPLC. The purified 800-kDa protein, either caspase-1-treated or untreated, expressed no or marginal IL-18 function in terms of potentiation of NK-mediated cytolysis and IFN-gamma induction, and it barely bound IL-18R-positive cells. N-terminal amino acid analysis indicated that the purified protein was IgM containing a minimal amount of IL-18 proform and its fragment. Again, the purified IgM from IL-18 type2-positive volunteers exhibited cross-reaction with mAb 21 against IL-18. This band was not detected with 125-2H, an mAb against functionally active IL-18. Hence, human IgM carries functionally inactive IL-18 forming a disulfide-bridged complex, and this IL-18 moiety is from 10- to 100-fold higher than the conventional type 1 IL-18 in blood circulation in approximately 30% normal subjects.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of a chitosanase from the chitosanolytic bacterium Burkholderia gladioli strain CHB101

A chitosanase was purified from the culture fluid of the chitino- and chitosanolytic bacterium Burkholderia gladioli strain CHB101. The purified enzyme (chitosanase A) had a molecular mass of 28 kDa, and catalyzed the endo-type cleavage of chitosans having a low degree of acetylation (0–30%). The enzyme hydrolyzed glucosamine oligomers larger than a pentamer, but did not exhibit any activity toward N-acetyl-glucosamine oligomers and colloidal chitin. The gene coding for chitosanase A (csnA) was isolated and its nucleotide sequence determined. B. gladioli csnA has an ORF encoding a polypeptide of 355 amino acid residues. Analysis of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified chitosanase A and comparison with that deduced from the csnA ORF suggests post-translational processing of a putative signal peptide and a possible substrate-binding domain. The deduced amino acid sequence corresponding to the mature protein showed 80% similarity to the sequences reported from Bacillus circulans strain MH-K1 and Bacillus ehimensis strain EAG1, which belong to family 46 glycosyl hydrolases. Received: 30 July 1999 / Revised revision: 17 February 2000 / Accepted: 25 February 2000     

External morphology of the posterior end, the "opisthosoma", of the beard worm Oligobrachia mashikoi (Pogonophora)

The entire length of the beard worm, Oligobrachia mashikoi (Pogonophora), including the posterior end, the "opisthosoma" was collected successfully. This species is exclusive to Tsukumo Bay in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. Although the portion preceding the opisthosoma was similar to a fine filament, it abruptly assumed a shape similar to a shovel and appeared to be composed of many segmental structures. The number of segments exceeded 50. The dorsal side of the opisthosoma differed from that of the ventral side in morphology. The opisthosoma was equipped with 4 lines of setae arranged longitudinally and a sucker on the tip. When considering the fact that the Family Oligobrachiidae is the most primitive group of pogonophores, the external morphology of the opisthosoma is interesting as it may be reminiscent of the ancestral condition. This is the first report of the opisthosoma in Oligobrachiidae.     

Cytochrome aa3 from the aerobic photoheterotroph Erythrobacter longus: purification, and enzymatic and molecular features

Cytochrome c oxidase (cytochrome aa3-type) [EC 1.9.3.1] was purified from Erythrobacter longus to homogeneity as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and some of its properties were studied. The spectral properties of the oxidase closely resembled those of mitochondrial and other bacterial cytochromes aa3. The enzyme showed absorption peaks at 430 and 598 nm in the oxidized form, and at 444 and 603 nm in the reduced form. The CO compound of the reduced enzyme showed peaks at 432 and 600 nm. The enzyme oxidized eukaryotic ferrocytochromes C more rapidly than E. longus ferrocytochrome c. The reactions catalyzed by the enzyme were 50% inhibited by 0.7 microM KCN. The enzyme contained 1 g atom of copper and 1 g atom of magnesium per mol of heme a. The enzyme molecule seemed to be composed of two identical subunits, each with a molecular weight of 43,000.     

Thiobacillus ferrooxidans cytochrome c-552: purification and some of its molecular features

Soluble cytochrome c-552 was purified from Thiobacillus ferrooxidans to an electrophoretically homogeneous state. The cytochrome showed absorption peaks at 276, 411 and 523 nm in the oxidized form and peaks at 315, 417, 523 and 552 nm in the reduced form. The molecular weight of the cytochrome was estimated to be 13,800 on the basis of the amino acid composition and heme content, and 14,000 from SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis. Its midpoint redox potential at pH 7.0 was determined to be +0.36 V. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the cytochrome was determined as follows: A-G-G-A-G-G-P-A-P-Y-R-I-S-?-D-?-M-V-?-S-G-M-P-G-. Ferrocytochrome c-552 was oxidized by the membrane fraction of T. ferrooxidans, and the oxidation rate was more rapid at pH 3.0 than at pH 6.5. Ferricytochrome c-552 was reduced by Fe(II)-cytochrome c oxidoreductase with Fe2+ at pH 3.5, while horse ferricytochrome c was not reduced by the enzyme under the same reaction conditions.     

Proteolytic Processing of Neuregulin 1 Type III by Three Intramembrane-cleaving Proteases

Numerous membrane-bound proteins undergo regulated intramembrane proteolysis. Regulated intramembrane proteolysis is initiated by shedding, and the remaining stubs are further processed by intramembrane-cleaving proteases (I-CLiPs). Neuregulin 1 type III (NRG1 type III) is a major physiological substrate of β-secretase (β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1)). BACE1-mediated cleavage is required to allow signaling of NRG1 type III. Because of the hairpin nature of NRG1 type III, two membrane-bound stubs with a type 1 and a type 2 orientation are generated by proteolytic processing. We demonstrate that these stubs are substrates for three I-CLiPs. The type 1-oriented stub is further cleaved by γ-secretase at an ϵ-like site five amino acids N-terminal to the C-terminal membrane anchor and at a γ-like site in the middle of the transmembrane domain. The ϵ-cleavage site is only one amino acid N-terminal to a Val/Leu substitution associated with schizophrenia. The mutation reduces generation of the NRG1 type III β-peptide as well as reverses signaling. Moreover, it affects the cleavage precision of γ-secretase at the γ-site similar to certain Alzheimer disease-associated mutations within the amyloid precursor protein. The type 2-oriented membrane-retained stub of NRG1 type III is further processed by signal peptide peptidase-like proteases SPPL2a and SPPL2b. Expression of catalytically inactive aspartate mutations as well as treatment with 2,2′-(2-oxo-1,3-propanediyl)bis[(phenylmethoxy)carbonyl]-l-leucyl-l-leucinamide ketone inhibits formation of N-terminal intracellular domains and the corresponding secreted C-peptide. Thus, NRG1 type III is the first protein substrate that is not only cleaved by multiple sheddases but is also processed by three different I-CLiPs.     

Substrate recruitment of γ‐secretase and mechanism of clinical presenilin mutations revealed by photoaffinity mapping

Intramembrane proteases execute fundamental biological processes ranging from crucial signaling events to general membrane proteostasis. Despite the availability of structural information on these proteases, it remains unclear how these enzymes bind and recruit substrates, particularly for the Alzheimer's disease‐associated γ‐secretase. Systematically scanning amyloid precursor protein substrates containing a genetically inserted photocrosslinkable amino acid for binding to γ‐secretase allowed us to identify residues contacting the protease. These were primarily found in the transmembrane cleavage domain of the substrate and were also present in the extramembranous domains. The N‐terminal fragment of the catalytic subunit presenilin was determined as principal substrate‐binding site. Clinical presenilin mutations altered substrate binding in the active site region, implying a pathogenic mechanism for familial Alzheimer's disease. Remarkably, PEN‐2 was identified besides nicastrin as additional substrate‐binding subunit. Probing proteolysis of crosslinked substrates revealed a mechanistic model of how these subunits interact to mediate a stepwise transfer of bound substrate to the catalytic site. We propose that sequential binding steps might be common for intramembrane proteases to sample and select cognate substrates for catalysis.