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E Appella

Publications and source records attributed to E Appella.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Recognition of melanoma-derived antigens by CTL: possible mechanisms involved in down-regulating anti-tumor T-cell reactivity.

Several T cell-recognized epitopes presented by melanoma cells have been identified recently. Despite the large array of epitopes potentially available for clinical use, it is still unclear which of these antigens could be effective in mediating anti-tumor responses when used as a vaccine. Preliminary studies showed that immunization of melanoma patients with epitopes derived from proteins of the MAGE family may result in significant clinical regressions. However, no sign of systemic immunization could be observed in peripheral blood of treated patients. Conversely, significant immunization (detected as increased antigen-specific CTL activity in peripheral blood) was obtained by vaccinating HLA-A2.1+ melanoma patients with the immunodominant epitope (residues 27-35) of the differentiation antigen MART-1, but this immunization was not accompanied by a significant clinical response. To implement immunotherapeuties capable of significantly impacting disease outcome, it is necessary to identify the potential mechanisms responsible for the failure of some antigens to mediate significant anti-tumor responses in vivo. In the case of the MART-1(27-35) epitope, we hypothesize that one of these mechanisms may be related to the existence of natural analogs of this peptide in other human normal proteins.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1997

A urokinase-sensitive region of the human urokinase receptor is responsible for its chemotactic activity.

The role of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR/CD87) in cell migration and invasion is well substantiated. Recently, uPA has been shown to be essential in cell migration, since uPA-/- mice are greatly impaired in inflammatory cell recruitment. We have shown previously that the uPA-induced chemotaxis requires interaction with and modification of uPAR/CD87, which is the true chemoattracting molecule acting through an unidentified cell surface component which mediates this cell surface chemokine activity. By expressing and testing several uPAR/CD87 variants, we have located and functionally characterized a potent uPAR/CD87 epitope that mimics the effects of the uPA-uPAR interaction. The chemotactic activity lies in the region linking domains 1 and 2, the only protease-sensitive region of uPAR/CD87, efficiently cleaved by uPA at physiological concentrations. Synthetic peptides carrying this epitope promote chemotaxis and activate p56/p59(hck) tyrosine kinase. Both chemotaxis and kinase activation are pertussis toxin sensitive, involving a Gi/o protein in the pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

DNA damage induces phosphorylation of the amino terminus of p53.

Data are presented demonstrating that DNA damage leads to specific post-translational modifications of p53 protein. Using two-dimensional peptide mapping of in vivo radiolabeled p53 tryptic phosphopeptides, recombinant truncated p53 protein, and synthetic p53 tryptic peptides, a unique p53 phosphopeptide was identified after exposure of ML-1 cells to ionizing irradiation. This peptide represents the first 24 amino acids of p53 and contains three phosphorylated serine residues. A specific p53 phosphopeptide antibody identified serine-15 as one of the two serines in p53 that becomes phosphorylated following DNA damage induced by either ionizing irradiation (IR) or ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in multiple cell types. IR-induced phosphorylation of p53 does not affect the kinetics of p53 binding to or dissociating from DNA as assessed by electrophoretic mobility-shift assays. However, p53 phosphorylation induced by DNA damage correlates with enhanced transcription of downstream p53 target genes. Low levels of phosphoserine-15 p53 are detectable within 6 hr after IR in AT cells, whereas lymphoblasts from normal individuals exhibit this modification within 1 hr. In contrast, phosphorylation of p53 on serine-15 is similar in normal and AT cells after UV irradiation. Our results indicate that p53 is phosphorylated in response to DNA damage, that this de novo phosphorylation may be involved in the subsequent induction and activation of p53, and that although ATM affects the kinetics of p53 phosphorylation after IR, it is not absolutely required for phosphorylation of p53 on serine-15.

Ataxia Telangiectasia↗
PubMed1997

Increased expression of alpha-enolase in c-jun transformed rat fibroblasts without increased activation of plasminogen.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to identify polypeptides differentially expressed between normal and c-jun transformed rat fibroblasts. The level of a 49 kDa polypeptide was 3-fold elevated in c-jun transformed cells. Sequence analysis by ion trap mass spectrometry identified the polypeptide as rat alpha-enolase. Enolase functions as a cell surface receptor for plasminogen, suggesting that upregulation may increase plasminogen activation and cell surface proteolysis important for tumor growth. However, no difference was observed between normal and transformed cells in formation of plasmin, suggesting that upregulation of alpha-enolase may contribute to an increased metabolic capacity, but not to increased plasminogen activation.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Syk-independent tyrosine phosphorylation and association of the protein tyrosine phosphatases SHP-1 and SHP-2 with the high affinity IgE receptor.

Aggregation of the high affinity IgE receptor (Fc epsilonRI), a member of the immune receptor family, results in the activation of protein tyrosine kinases and downstream signaling pathways. The two cytoplasmic Src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatases, SHP-1 (also called SH-PTP1, PTP1C or HCP) and SHP-2 (also known as SH-PTP2, PTP1D, PTP2C, or Syp), are expressed in the RBL-2H3 rat mast cell line. Here we report that aggregation of Fc epsilonRI induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of both SHP-1 and SHP-2. This phosphorylation was independent of the presence of the protein tyrosine kinase Syk. Both SHP-1 and SHP-2 associated with Fc epsilonRI. Whereas SHP-1 was constitutively associated with the receptor, SHP-2 coprecipitated with Fc epsilonRI only after receptor aggregation. Fusion proteins containing either the full-length or the Src homology 2 domains of SHP-2 directly bound to the tyrosine-phosphorylated beta, but not the gamma, subunit of Fc epsilonRI. In the reciprocal experiments, synthetic phosphorylated peptides based on the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif of the beta, but not the gamma, subunit precipitated SHP-2. In contrast, neither fusion proteins nor synthetic peptides detected interaction between SHP-1 and Fc epsilonRI. In vitro, both SHP-1 and SHP-2 dephosphorylated tyrosine-phosphorylated beta and gamma subunits of Fc epsilonRI. Therefore, SHP-1 and SHP-2 associate with Fc epsilonRI by different mechanisms and can regulate the extent of the tyrosine phosphorylation of the receptor subunits. Thus, unlike other immune cells in which inhibitory molecules are recruited by accessory proteins, Fc epsilonRI bind molecules that both activate and inhibit signal transduction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Synthetic peptides derived from the melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor MC1R can stimulate HLA-A2-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes that recognize naturally processed peptides on human melanoma cells.

Human melanoma-specific HLA-A2 restricted CTLs have recently been shown to recognize antigens expressed by melanoma lines and normal melanocytes, including Melan-A/Mart-1, gp100, gp75, and tyrosinase. Herein, we define HLA-A2-restricted CTL epitopes from a recently cloned melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), which belongs to a new subfamily of the G-protein-coupled receptors expressed on melanomas and melanocytes. Thirty-one MC1R-derived peptides were selected on the basis of HLA-A2-specific motifs and tested for their HLA-A2 binding capacity. Of a group of 12 high or intermediate HLA-A2 binding peptides, three nonamers, MC1R244 (TILLGIFFL), MC1R283 (FLALIICNA), and MC1R291 (AIIDPLIYA), were found to induce peptide-specific CTLs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy HLA-A2+ donors after repeated in vitro stimulation with peptide-pulsed antigen-presenting cells. The CTLs raised against these three HLA-A2+-restricted peptides could recognize naturally processed peptides from HLA-A2+ melanomas and from Cos7 cells cotransfected with MC1R and HLA-A2. CTLs induced by the MC1R291 peptide (but not induced or induced only to a very low extent by the other two MCR1 peptide epitopes) showed cross-reactions with two other members of the melanocortin receptor family, which are more broadly expressed on other tissues. Taken together, our findings have implications in relation both to autoimmunity and immunotherapy of malignant melanomas.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Phosphorylation of serine 392 stabilizes the tetramer formation of tumor suppressor protein p53.

Tumor suppressor protein p53 is a tetrameric phosphoprotein that activates transcription from several cell cycle regulating genes in response to DNA damage. Tetramer formation is critical to p53's ability to activate transcription; however, posttranslational modifications and protein stabilization also contribute to p53's ability to activate transcription. To determine if phosphorylation affects tetramer formation, we synthesized phosphopeptides corresponding to residues 303-393 of human p53, which includes the domain responsible for tetramer formation. Phosphate was chemically incorporated at Ser315, Ser378, or Ser392 and also at both Ser315 and Ser392. Equilibrium ultracentrifugal analyses showed that phosphorylation at Ser392 increased the association constant for reversible tetramer formation nearly 10-fold. Phosphorylation of either Ser315 or Ser378 had little effect on tetramer formation, but phosphorylation of Ser315 largely reversed the effect of phosphorylation at Ser392. Analyses by calorimetry demonstrated that phosphorylation may influence subunit affinity (and, in turn, DNA binding) by an enthalpy-driven process, possibly between the C-terminal residues and the region immediately adjacent to Ser315. The Kd for the tetramer-monomer transition of the unphosphorylated p53 C-terminal domain was determined to be approximately 1-10 microM. Thus, in normal, undamaged cells p53 may be largely monomeric. Enhancement of tetramer formation through phosphorylation of Ser392, coupled with a DNA-damage-induced increase in its nuclear concentration, could provide a switch that activates p53 as a transcription factor in response to DNA damage.

Biopolymers↗
PubMed1997

Determinants of T cell reactivity to the Mycobacterium leprae GroES homologue.

The 10-kDa protein Ag of Mycobacterium leprae, a human GroES hsp10 cognate, is a major T cell Ag in human leprosy infection. We investigated the mechanism for T cell responsiveness to this Ag according to the trimolecular interaction between T cell, peptide, and Ag-presenting element. This research was accomplished by mapping T cell epitopes in leprosy patients and correlating these responses with peptide-MHC binding affinities. We found that the majority of tuberculoid leprosy patients responded to peptides corresponding to residues 25-39 and 28-42. Truncation analysis of these peptides mapped the exact epitope to be within the overlapping region comprising residues 28-39. Responsiveness was correlated with the HLA-DRB5*0101 allele, which bound the peptides with moderate affinity. This allele is linked to HLA-DR2, which is associated with the resistant form of leprosy. Therefore, T cell responsiveness in tuberculoid leprosy may be mediated by the ability of HLA-DRB5*0101 to bind and present peptides of the immunodominant 10-kDa Ag.

Alleles↗
PubMed1997

Wip1, a novel human protein phosphatase that is induced in response to ionizing radiation in a p53-dependent manner.

Exposure of mammalian cells to ionizing radiation (IR) induces a complex array of cellular responses including cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis. IR-induced G1 arrest has been shown to depend on the presence of the tumor suppressor p53, which acts as a transcriptional activator of several genes. p53 also plays a role in the induction of apoptosis in response to DNA damage, and this pathway can be activated by both transcription-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Here we report the identification of a novel transcript whose expression is induced in response to IR in a p53-dependent manner, and that shows homology to the type 2C protein phosphatases. We have named this novel gene, wip1. In vitro, recombinant Wip1 displayed characteristics of a type 2C phosphatase, including Mg2+ dependence and relative insensitivity to okadaic acid. Studies performed in several cell lines revealed that wip1 accumulation following IR correlates with the presence of wild-type p53. The accumulation of wip1 mRNA following IR was rapid and transient, and the protein was localized to the nucleus. Similar to waf1, ectopic expression of wip1 in human cells suppressed colony formation. These results suggest that Wip1 might contribute to growth inhibitory pathways activated in response to DNA damage in a p53-dependent manner.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Architectural accommodation in the complex of four p53 DNA binding domain peptides with the p21/waf1/cip1 DNA response element.

High resolution chemical footprinting and cross-linking experiments have provided a basis for elucidating the overall architecture of the complex between the core DNA binding domain of p53 (p53DBD, amino acids 98-309) and the p21/waf1/cip1 DNA response element implicated in the G1/S phase cell cycle checkpoint. These studies complement both a crystal structure and earlier biophysical studies and provide the first direct experimental evidence that four subunits of p53DBD bind to the response element in a regular staggered array having pseudodyad symmetry. The invariant guanosines in the highly conserved C(A/T)|(T/A)G parts of the consensus half-sites are critical to the p53DBD-DNA binding. Molecular modeling of the complex using the observed peptide-DNA contacts shows that when four subunits of p53DBD bind the response element, the DNA has to bend approximately 50 degrees to relieve steric clashes among different subunits, consistent with recent DNA cyclization studies. The overall lateral arrangement of the four p53 subunits with respect to the DNA loop comprises a novel nucleoprotein assembly that has not been reported previously in other complexes. We suggest that this kind of nucleoprotein superstructure may be important for p53 binding to response elements packed in chromatin and for subsequent transactivation of p53-mediated genes.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1997

DNA bending is essential for the site-specific recognition of DNA response elements by the DNA binding domain of the tumor suppressor protein p53.

We have used circular permutation assays to determine the extent and location of the DNA bend induced by the DNA binding domain of human wild type p53 (p53DBD) upon binding to several naturally occurring DNA response elements. We have found that p53DBD binding induces axial bending in all of the response elements investigated. In particular, response elements having a d(CATG) sequence at the junction of two consensus pentamers in each half-site favor highly bent complexes (bending angle is approximately 50 degrees ), whereas response elements having d(CTTG) bases at this position are less bent (bending angles from approximately 37 to approximately 25 degrees ). Quantitative electrophoretic mobility shift assays of different complexes show a direct correlation between the DNA bending angle and the binding affinity of the p53DBD with the response elements, i.e. the greater the stability of the complex, the more the DNA is bent by p53DBD binding. The study provides evidence that the energetics of DNA bending, as determined by the presence or absence of flexible sites in the response elements, may contribute significantly to the overall binding affinity of the p53DBD for different sequences. The results therefore suggest that both the structure and the stability of the p53-DNA complex may vary with different response elements. This variability may be correlated with variability in p53 function.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1997

The negative signaling molecule SH2 domain-containing inositol-polyphosphate 5-phosphatase (SHIP) binds to the tyrosine-phosphorylated beta subunit of the high affinity IgE receptor.

The SH2 domain-containing inositol-polyphosphate 5-phosphatase, SHIP, associates with FcgammaRIIB and negatively regulates both B-cell and mast cell function. We report here that SHIP was tyrosine-phosphorylated after high affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI) aggregation in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells. The tyrosine phosphorylation of SHIP was an early event after receptor aggregation and was present in cells deficient in the protein-tyrosine kinase Syk. Furthermore it was not secondary to the increase of intracellular calcium or the activation of protein kinase C. SHIP was precipitated by immobilized phosphorylated synthetic peptides based on the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) of the beta but not the gamma subunit of the high affinity IgE receptor. Tyrosine phosphorylation of SHIP and its association with the tyrosine-phosphorylated beta subunit of FcepsilonRI could play an important role in down-regulating receptor-mediated signal transduction in mast cells. Thus, whereas the activation molecule Syk associates with the gamma subunit ITAM, the beta subunit ITAM binds the negative signaling molecule SHIP. Therefore, unlike B cells where the antigen receptor and coreceptors such as FcgammaRIIB or CD22 each recruits molecules with opposite effects, the FcepsilonRI contains subunits which recruit molecules that activate and inhibit signal transduction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Redox-mediated regulation of p21(waf1/cip1) expression involves a post-transcriptional mechanism and activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

p21(waf1/cip1) gene expression is induced by DNA damage in cells with wild-type p53 and contributes to the arrest of cell growth. It was demonstrated that under many experimental conditions, including oxidative stress, p21(waf1/cip1) expression can be induced through p53-independent pathways. Since most of these experimental conditions induce the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and thus its activation, we evaluated p21(waf1/cip1) mRNA levels in cells exposed to an oxidative stress, induced by diethylmaleate (Et2Mal), and in which the MAPK pathway was blocked. The expression of a dominant-negative mutant of MEK, the MAPK kinase that phosphorylates and activates MAPK, and of a dominant-negative [Asn17]Ras mutant prevented the Et2Mal-induced accumulation of p21(waf1/cip1) mRNA. Similarly, the expression of MEK- and of [Asn17]Ras mutants decreased the 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-mediated p21(waf1/cip1) induction. Furthermore, TPA-induced and serum-induced p21(waf1/cip1) mRNA accumulation was blocked by pretreating the cells with the antioxidant compound N-acetylcysteine, suggesting that oxidative stress is involved in these responses. p21(waf1/cip1) mRNA levels reached a maximum within 2 h of adding Et2Mal or TPA; however, the rate of transcription from a p21(waf1/cip1)-promoter construct did not increase during this period. In contrast, cells treated with actinomycin D show an increase of p21(waf1/cip1) mRNA stability after Et2Mal treatment. This result suggests that the increase in p21(waf1/cip1) mRNA at early times results from post-transcriptional regulatory events. Longer exposure to TPA may activate p21(waf1/cip1) gene transcription through an Sp1-dependent mechanism, while Et2Mal treatment gradually inhibits p21(waf1/cip1) gene transcription through oxidative changes that affect Sp1 binding to DNA.

Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases↗
PubMed1997

Differential contact of disparate class I/peptide complexes as the basis for epitope cross-recognition by a single T cell receptor.

In an effort to better understand functional recognition of structurally dissimilar ligands by a single TCR, a model system for studying cross-recognition of disparate peptide/class I complexes was developed using the murine (H-2b) CTL clone AHIII12.2, which is reactive to a human self-peptide (p1049) bound to an HLA-A2.1 molecule. We identified a second complex comprised of a synthetic peptide, designated p1058, bound to H-2Db that is recognized by clone AHIII12.2. In cytolysis assays, dose-response profiles for peptides p1049 and p1058 pulsed onto the appropriate target cells were comparable, suggesting that p1049/A2.1 and p1058/Db form functionally equivalent epitopes. To probe the interaction between each complex and the TCR of AHIII12.2, singly substituted analogues of each peptide were tested for their activity in lysis assays. Differences were observed between the two epitopes with respect to permissible residue substitutions at each peptide position from P3 to P8; marked differences were evident at P3 and at P8. The results obtained suggest that this TCR forms critical contacts with atoms at peptide positions P3 and P5 of p1049/A2.1 and at P5 and P8 of p1058/Db, and that TCR cross-recognition of these ligands is a function of both shared and complex-specific contacts made with each epitope. These findings further highlight the versatile reactivity that may be shown by a single TCR and suggest a basis for the recognition of peptide ligands sharing only a limited set of structural features.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Identification of subdominant CTL epitopes of the GP100 melanoma-associated tumor antigen by primary in vitro immunization with peptide-pulsed dendritic cells.

The gp100 melanoma-associated tumor Ag was selected as a model system to study the diversity of human antitumor cytotoxic T cell responses. First, peptides corresponding to dominant gp100 HLA-A2.1-restricted CTL epitopes were tested using lymphocytes from normal volunteers and an in vitro priming protocol that uses peptide-pulsed dendritic cells as APCs and IL-7 and IL-10 as immune-enhancing cytokines. High CTL activity toward both peptide-pulsed target cells and gp100+ melanoma cells was obtained with four out of five peptides tested. Second, HLA-A2.1-binding peptides from gp100 that do not appear to represent CTL epitopes in melanoma patients were also tested for their capacity to induce CTL using the in vitro priming protocol. Three of six peptides tested induced CTL in lymphocytes from normal volunteers. One of these peptides was also immunogenic for lymphocytes derived from a melanoma patient in remission. Because these three CTL epitopes were not recognized in the natural immune response in melanoma patients but do appear as immunogens when peptides are used to induce the T cell response, they may be considered as typical "subdominant" epitopes. The results are discussed in the context of the usefulness of this approach to detail the immunologic potential of a given tumor-associated Ag and its relevance for the design of effective immune-based therapies.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1997

Susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis correlates with the C-terminal residue of peptides presented by various HLA-B27 subtypes.

Susceptibility to spondyloarthropaties is strongly associated with some HLA-B27 alleles. Evidence suggests a direct pathogenic role for the B27 molecules which possibly present an arthritogenic peptide to the T cells. If this hypothesis is true, B27 subtypes that differ structurally but are disease-associated ought to be capable of presenting such peptide(s), while non-disease-associated ones would not. We have recently described a B27 subtype, B*2709, and shown its absence in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Here, we show the elution and sequence of peptides from HLA-B*2709 molecules. Similar to other B27 subtypes, these peptides are mainly nonamers with an Arg at position P2. Comparison of the C-terminal anchors of peptides eluted from B*2702 and B*2705 with those eluted from B*2709 reveals that, while B*2702 and B*2705 have a broader specificity, B*2709 molecules appear to only accept C-terminal hydrophobic residues. A common feature shared by the two caucasoid AS-associated subtypes (B*2702 and B*2705) but different from B*2709, is the presence of a Tyr as peptide C-terminal anchor. The substitution of Val for Tyr at the C terminus in one of the eluted peptides greatly reduces the binding to B*2709 molecules. This finding suggests Tyr as a discriminative amino acid allowed at the C terminus of peptides bound to the AS-associated B27 subtypes, but not to those which are not associated with AS.

Amino Acid Sequence↗