Relationships between epitopes on IgE recognized by defined monoclonal antibodies and by the FC epsilon receptor on basophils

The present study investigated whether the sites on the FC region of the IgE molecule, recognized by different anti-IgE monoclonal antibodies (mAb), are identical to those recognized by the Fc receptor (Fc epsilon R). The anti-IgE mAb recognize different clusters of epitopes on the Fc region of IgE and could interfere to different degrees with the binding of IgE to mast cells and basophils, but still recognized cell-bound IgE. Analysis of the stoichiometry and affinity binding of 125I anti-IgE mAb Fab' to free IgE have revealed that anti-IgE mAb of one group (51.3) recognized three repetitive determinants on the IgE Fc portion, and another group (95.3) recognized only one determinant. When these stoichiometric studies were performed with cell-bound IgE, it was found that only one of the sites recognized by 51.3 mAb was involved in the Fc epsilon R binding site. On the other hand, the site recognized by 95.3 mAb was not the Fc epsilon R binding site. Such findings establish mAb 51.3 as a useful tool for isolating the IgE peptides involved in the binding site to the receptor.     

Dietary ascorbic acid deficiency in guinea pigs: No effect on ethanol preference,spiroperidol binding,or monoamine oxidase activity

Ascorbic acid levels are commonly reported to be decreased in alcoholics. Although this deficiency could be due to dietary factors, there is evidence that ascorbic acid may be involved in the metabolism and acute effects of ethanol, possibly related to the pathogenesis of alcoholism. Therefore, we examined ethanol preference in guinea pigs receiving an ascorbate deficient $\text{vs}$ a normal diet. Brain and spleen ascorbic acid levels were dramatically decreased, but ethanol preference was not altered by the acute dietary deficiency of this vitamin. In addition, an acute stressor (cold water swim), alone or in combination with ascorbate deficiency, had no effect on ethanol preference. At termination of the experiment, two measures of brain aminergic function (MAO activity and ³H-spiroperidol binding), purportedly altered by ethanol or ascorbic acid or both, were not associated with tissue ascorbate levels.     

Mapping of distinct structural domains on microtubule-associated protein 2 by monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies against microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) were prepared and their specificity was verified by visualization of the antigens using the antibody overlay technique and by radioimmunoassay. MAP2 was cleaved by alpha-chymotrypsin to generate a series of high-molecular-mass fragments ranging between 270 and 140 kDa. The precursor-product relationship of these fragments was suggested from the rate of their appearance and from the analysis of the tryptic peptide map of each fragment. A group of monoclonal antibodies was found to react predominantly with the intact 270-kDa MAP2 molecule and a fragment having a mass of 240 kDa and to some extent with a 215-kDa fragment. Another group of monoclonal antibodies reacted with an antigenic determinant which was located on the 270-kDa molecule as well as on fragments as small as 140 kDa. None of the two groups of monoclonal antibodies reacted with the microtubule-binding domain of MAP2. These results suggest that one group of antibodies reacts with sites located at or dependent upon a terminal 60-kDa domain(s) distal to the microtubule-binding site of MAP2. The second group of antibodies, which can still bind to smaller proteolytic products, appear to be associated with the central region of the MAP2 molecule. Indirect immunofluorescence experiments with the antibody preparations indicated that at least some of the antigenic determinants are exposed when MAP2 is associated with microtubules in the cell body and neurite outgrowths of differentiated rat brain neuroblastoma B104 cells.     

Reorganization of arrays of prekeratin filaments during mitosis : Immunofluorescence microscopy with multiclonal and monoclonal prekeratin antibodies

Indirect immunofluorescent labelling of different epithelial cell lines for intermediate filaments of the prekeratin type revealed prominent changes in the organization of prekeratin during mitosis. In three out of four cell lines tested (Henle-407, A-431 and HeLa cells) the filamentous prekeratin networks disappeared at the initiation of mitosis and the immunofluorescent labelling was concentrated in small cytoplasmic bodies. This observation was obtained with both polyspecific rabbit anti-bovine prekeratin antibodies and with monospecific antibodies produced by mouse hybridomas. In a fourth cell line, PtK₂, prekeratin filaments were retained throughout mitosis, mainly in the mitotic poles, whereas the central areas of the cells were apparently devoid of filaments. The addition of colchicine to the different cultured cells induced alterations in the organization of prekeratin filaments which were usually manifested by the formation of thicker filament bundles. It did not induce the formation of the prekeratin-cytoplasmic bodies in interphase cells. However, upon prolonged incubation in the presence of colchicine, there was an increase in the number of mitotically arrested cells and a parallel increase in the number of cells containing prekeratin cytoplasmic bodies. It is thus proposed that the state of organization of prekeratin in these cells is cell-cycle-dependent and may be modulated to permit radical shape changes as those occurring during mitosis.     

Virus Deoxyribonucleic Acid Sequences in Subdiploid and Subtetraploid Revertants of Polyoma- Transformed Cells

Polyoma-transformed cells can revert in the properties characteristic of transformation, although they maintain the polyoma-specific T antigen. Transformed cells contain the same number of copies of polyoma virus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) per cell (eight) as revertants with a subdiploid or a subtetraploid chromosome number. The results indicate that the duplication of chromosomes in the subtetraploid revertants did not include the chromosomes that carry the viral genome. The virus DNA in both transformed and revertant cells was associated with high-molecular-weight cell DNA. Reversion of the properties of transformed cells was, therefore, not associated either with a decrease in number of virus DNA copies per cell or with a lack of association of the virus DNA with cell DNA.     

Transport of 3-o-Methylglucose Into and Out of Storage Cells of Daucus carota

The movement of labeled 3-o-methylglucose (MeG) into and out of thin carrot discs has been followed in order to gain information on sugar entry and exit mechanisms. Little or no metabolism of this derivative appears to occur in the tissue, since no products were detected either by chromatography or by analysis of respiratory CO₂.

The curve relating entry to external concentration deviated somewhat from a rectangular hyperbola but suggested a carrier mechanism. Glucose and MeG each competitively inhibited the uptake of the other. K_i for MeG was estimated to be 3 times the K_m for its uptake.

When discs incubated in MeG were transferred to H₂O, MeG lost to the solution from the Free Space was re-absorbed against a 7-fold concentration gradient.

The addition of unlabeled MeG or glucose to the medium surrounding discs which had been maintaining a ratio of internal to external MeG of 75:1 brought about release of stored isotope. This was probably not due to exchange diffusion stricto sensu.

Efflux of previously absorbed isotopic MeG into a medium containing unlabeled MeG or glucose was temperature-sensitive. The kinetics of efflux were complex and did not suggest a simple diffusion process related to overall MeG content. However there is evidence (including the falling rate of exit with time) that slow diffusion (or slow release from adsorption) contributed substantially to efflux. The source of this flow appeared to be neither the readily accessible Free Space nor the main storage compartment. Calculation indicated that the volume of this “slow diffusion compartment” might be about 1% of the total volume of the discs.

     

Detection of a cytokeratin determinant common to diverse epithelial cells by a broadly cross-reacting monoclonal antibody.

A monoclonal antibody derived from a mouse immunized with bovine epidermal prekeratin has been characterized by its binding to cytoskeletal polypeptides separated by one- or two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and by immunofluorescence microscopy. This antibody (KG 8.13) binds to a determinant present in a large number of human cytokeratin polypeptides, notably some polypeptides (Nos. 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8) of the 'basic cytokeratin subfamily' defined by peptide mapping, as well as a few acidic cytokeratins such as the epidermis-specific cytokeratins Nos. 10 and 11 and the more widespread cytokeratin No. 18. This antibody reacts specifically with a wide variety of epithelial tissues and cultured epithelial cells, in agreement with previous findings that at least one polypeptide of the basic cytokeratin subfamily is present in all normal and neoplastic epithelial cells so far examined. The antibody also reacts with corresponding cytokeratin polypeptides in a broad range of species including man, cow, chick, and amphibia but shows only limited reactivity with only a few rodent cytokeratins. The value of this broad-range monoclonal antibody, which apparently recognizes a stable cytokeratin determinant ubiquitous in human epithelia, for the immunohistochemical identification of epithelia and carcinomas is discussed.     

Deficiency of the ADP-forming succinyl-CoA synthase activity is associated with encephalomyopathy and mitochondrial DNA depletion

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion syndrome is a quantitative defect of mtDNA resulting from dysfunction of one of several nuclear-encoded factors responsible for maintenance of mitochondrial deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) pools or replication of mtDNA. Markedly decreased succinyl-CoA synthetase activity due to a deleterious mutation in SUCLA2, the gene encoding the beta subunit of the ADP-forming succinyl-CoA synthetase ligase, was found in muscle mitochondria of patients with encephalomyopathy and mtDNA depletion. Succinyl-CoA synthetase is invariably in a complex with mitochondrial nucleotide diphosphate kinase; hence, we propose that a defect in the last step of mitochondrial dNTP salvage is a novel cause of the mtDNA depletion syndrome.