Expression and characterization of bispecific single-chain Fv fragments produced in transgenic plants.

We describe the expression of the bispecific antibody biscFv2429 in transgenic suspension culture cells and tobacco plants. biscFv2429 consists of two single-chain antibodies, scFv24 and scFv29, connected by the Trichoderma reesi cellobiohydrolase I linker. biscFv2429 binds two epitopes of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV): the scFv24 domain recognizes neotopes of intact virions, and the scFv29 domain recognizes a cryptotope of the TMV coat protein monomer. biscFv2429 was functionally expressed either in the cytosol (biscFv2429-cyt) or targeted to the apoplast using a murine leader peptide sequence (biscFv2429-apoplast). A third construct contained the C-terminal KDEL sequence for retention in the ER (biscFv2429-KDEL). Levels of cytoplasmic biscFv2429 expression levels were low. The highest levels of antibody expression were for apoplast-targeted biscFv2429-apoplast and ER-retained biscFv2429-KDEL that reached a maximum expression level of 1.65% total soluble protein in transgenic plants. Plant-expressed biscFv2429 retained both epitope specificities, and bispecificity and bivalency were confirmed by ELISA and surface plasmon resonance analysis. This study establishes plant cells as an expression system for bispecific single-chain antibodies for use in medical and biological applications.     

Identification and characterization of GABA, proline and quaternary ammonium compound transporters from Arabidopsis thaliana.

Arabidopsis thaliana grows efficiently on GABA as the sole nitrogen source, thereby providing evidence for the existence of GABA transporters in plants. Heterologous complementation of a GABA uptake-deficient yeast mutant identified two previously known plant amino acid transporters, AAP3 and ProT2, as GABA transporters with Michaelis constants of 12.9 +/- 1.7 and 1.7 +/- 0.3 mM at pH 4, respectively. The simultaneous transport of [1-14C]GABA and [2,3-3H]proline by ProT2 as a function of pH, provided evidence that the zwitterionic state of GABA is an important parameter in substrate recognition. ProT2-mediated [1-14C]GABA transport was inhibited by proline and quaternary ammonium compounds.     

Comparison of DeltapH- and Delta***φ***-driven ATP synthesis catalyzed by the H(+)-ATPases from Escherichia coli or chloroplasts reconstituted into liposomes.

The H(+)-ATPases from Escherichia coli, EF(0)F(1), and from chloroplasts, CF(0)F(1), were reconstituted in liposomes from phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidic acid. The proteoliposomes were energized by an acid-base transition and a K(+)/valinomycin diffusion potential and the initial rate of ATP synthesis was measured as a function of the transmembrane pH difference, DeltapH, and the electric potential difference, Deltaφ. With EF(0)F(1), a rate of 80 s(-1) is observed at DeltapH=4.1 and Deltaφ approximately 140 mV. The rate decreases sigmoidally with Deltaφ and at Deltaφ approximately 0 mV, the rate is about 1 s(-1) although DeltapH is still 4.1. Under the same conditions with CF(0)F(1), a rate of 280 s(-1) is observed which decreases to 190 s(-1) when Deltaφ is abolished, i.e. ATP synthesis catalyzed by EF(0)F(1) and CF(0)F(1) depends in a different way on DeltapH and Deltaφ. EF(0)F(1)-catalyzed ATP synthesis was measured as a function of DeltapH at a constant Deltaφ. The rate depends sigmoidally on DeltapH reaching a maximal rate which cannot be further increased by increasing DeltapH. However, this maximal rate depends on Deltaφ, i.e. DeltapH and Deltaφ are not kinetically equivalent in driving ATP synthesis. We assume that EF(0)F(1) must be converted into a metastable, active state before it catalyzes proton transport-coupled ATP synthesis. For EF(0)F(1), this activation step depends only on Deltaφ, whereas for CF(0)F(1), the activation depends on DeltapH and Deltaφ.     

Regulators of G protein signaling proteins as determinants of the rate of desensitization of presynaptic calcium channels.

Norepinephrine inhibits omega-conotoxin GVIA-sensitive presynaptic Ca2+ channels in chick dorsal root ganglion neurons through two pathways, one mediated by Go and the other by Gi. These pathways desensitize at different rates. We have found that recombinant Galpha interacting protein (GAIP) and regulators of G protein signaling (RGS)4 selectively accelerate the rate of desensitization of Go- and Gi-mediated pathways, respectively. Blockade of endogenous RGS proteins using antibodies raised against Galpha interacting protein and RGS4 slows the rate of desensitization of these pathways in a selective manner. These results demonstrate that different RGS proteins may interact with Gi and Go selectively, giving rise to distinct time courses of transmitter-mediated effects.     

Linkage of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis to 10q21-22 and evidence for heterogeneity.

Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the early onset of overwhelming activation of T lymphocytes and macrophages, invariably leading to death, in the absence of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Using genomewide genetic linkage analysis, we analyzed a group of 17 families with FHL and mapped a locus for FHL to the proximal region of the long arm of chromosome 10. Ten families showed no recombination with three tightly linked markers, D10S1650 (LOD score [Z]=6.99), D10S556 (Z=5.40), and D10S206 (Z=3.24), with a maximum multipoint LOD score of 11.22 at the D10S1650 locus. Haplotype analysis of these 10 families allowed us to establish D10S206 and D10S1665 as the telomeric and the centromeric flanking markers, respectively. Heterogeneity analysis and haplotype inspection of the remaining families confirmed that in seven families FHL was not linked to the 10q21-22 region, thus providing evidence for genetic heterogeneity of this condition.     

Molecular, immunological, and structural characterization of Phl p 6, a major allergen and P-particle-associated protein from Timothy grass (Phleum pratense) pollen.

Due to the wide distribution and heavy pollen production of grasses, approximately 50% of allergic patients are sensitized against grass pollen allergens. cDNAs coding for two isoforms and four fragments of a major timothy grass (Phleum pratense) pollen allergen, Phl p 6, were isolated by IgE immunoscreening from a pollen expression cDNA library. Recombinant Phl p 6 (rPhl p 6), an acidic protein of 11.8 kDa, was purified to homogeneity as assessed by mass spectrometry and exhibited almost exclusive alpha-helical secondary structure as determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Phl p 6 reacted with serum IgE from 75% of grass pollen-allergic patients (n = 171). IgE binding experiments with rPhl p 6 fragments indicated that the N terminus of the allergen is required for IgE recognition. Purified rPhl p 6 elicited dose-dependent basophil histamine release and immediate type skin reactions in patients allergic to grass pollen. A rabbit antiserum raised against purified rPhl p 6 identified it as a pollen-specific protein that, by immunogold electron microscopy, was localized on the polysaccharide-containing wall-precursor bodies (P-particles). The association of Phl p 6 with P-particles may facilitate its intrusion into the deeper airways and thus be responsible for the high prevalence of IgE recognition of Phl p 6. Recombinant native-like Phl p 6 can be used for in vitro as well as in vivo diagnoses of grass pollen allergy, whereas N-terminal deletion mutants with reduced IgE binding capacity may represent candidates for immunotherapy of grass pollen allergy with a low risk of anaphylactic side effects.     

Mechanism(s) of activation of secretory phospholipase A(2)s in mouse keratinocytes.

The differential activation of different members of the phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) superfamily and their regulation are important as one or more of them regulates the production of eicosanoids and others may contribute to the formation of other lipid mediators. We previously reported the existence of two forms of secretory or sPLA(2) in mouse keratinocytes, namely type I and type II sPLA(2). We show here that mouse keratinocyte sPLA(2)s were potently activated by protease treatment and inhibited by protease inhibitors. We also observed that G protein effectors induced substantial release of oleic acid (OA) from prelabeled mouse keratinocytes. A G(i)/G(0) protein activator significantly enhanced the hydrolysis of OA and this increase was not responsive to either pertussis toxin or cholera toxin treatment. Although there was a significant negative correlation between intracellular cAMP levels and OA hydrolysis, experimentally increasing cAMP with forskolin treatment had no effect on sPLA(2) activity. Arachidonic acid but not its metabolites was also shown to marginally activate keratinocyte sPLA(2) by 1.5-fold. These results lead to the conclusion that mouse keratinocyte sPLA(2)s can be regulated primarily by proteolytic activation and a G protein pathway.     

Genome-wide analyses of light-regulated genes in Aspergillus nidulans reveal a complex interplay between different photoreceptors and novel photoreceptor functions

Fungi sense light of different wavelengths using blue-, green-, and red-light photoreceptors. Blue light sensing requires the “white-collar” proteins with flavin as chromophore, and red light is sensed through phytochrome. Here we analyzed genome-wide gene expression changes caused by short-term, low-light intensity illumination with blue-, red- or far-red light in Aspergillus nidulans and found that more than 1100 genes were differentially regulated. The largest number of up- and downregulated genes depended on the phytochrome FphA and the attached HOG pathway. FphA and the white-collar orthologue LreA fulfill activating but also repressing functions under all light conditions and both appear to have roles in the dark. Additionally, we found about 100 genes, which are red-light induced in the absence of phytochrome, suggesting alternative red-light sensing systems. We also found blue-light induced genes in the absence of the blue-light receptor LreA. We present evidence that cryptochrome may be part of this regulatory cue, but that phytochrome is essential for the response. In addition to in vivo data showing that FphA is involved in blue-light sensing, we performed spectroscopy of purified phytochrome and show that it responds indeed to blue light.