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E W Voss

Publications and source records attributed to E W Voss.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Ligand binding to anti-fluorescyl antibodies: stability of the antigen binding site.

The problem of protein stability is addressed with spectroscopic studies of equilibrium and kinetic properties of the binding of fluorescein to high-affinity monoclonal anti-fluorescyl antibodies (Mab 4-4-20), Fab fragments, and single-chain antibodies (SCA). SCA molecules contain only the variable domains of the antibody and an amino acid linker. The influence of glycerol on the antigen binding reaction is studied by circular dichroism, fluorescence, and absorption spectroscopy. The presence of glycerol in the solvent lowers the affinity of SCA for the ligand drastically, and the affinity even decreases toward lower temperatures. This effect is not observed in Fab and Mab. Analysis of the temperature jump kinetics shows that the dissociation reaction can be modeled as a two-state transition. The CD spectra indicate that the domain structure of the SCA remains unaltered in the presence of glycerol. Therefore, it is concluded that glycerol promotes the dissociation of the two variable domains of SCA. In Fab and Mab, the constant domains provide additional stabilization of the molecular structure at the antigen binding site.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Quantitation of interaction of anti-metatype monoclonal antibodies specific for the variable regions of a high affinity liganded monoclonal antibody.

Four hamster monoclonal anti-metatype antibodies were characterized in terms of their binding properties with liganded murine monoclonal single-chain antifluorescein antibody 4-4-20. Based on induced delays in the rate of ligand (fluorescein) dissociation upon the binding of each monoclonal anti-Met antibody, apparent Kd values were determined for monoclonal antibodies 3A5-1, P1E11, 4A6, and 2C3 (3.6 x 10(-8), 3.6 x 10(-8), 5.0 x 10(-8), and 2.6 x 10(-7) M, respectively). The interaction of hamster monoclonal antibody 3A5-1 with liganded SCA 4-4-20 and IgG 4-4-20 was also evaluated on the basis of deuterium oxide exchange to assess the relative ability of each antibody to stabilize the intrinsic dynamics of the variable domains of the single-chain molecule. The results indicated a correlation between the apparent Kd of the monoclonal anti-Met antibody and the degree of delay in the rate of ligand dissociation from the primary antibody.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Conversion of an anti-single-stranded DNA active site to an anti-fluorescein active site through heavy chain complementarity determining region transplantation.

Complementarity determining region (CDR) transplant studies were conducted between two monoclonal antibodies of distinctly different specificities (anti-fluorescein monoclonal antibody (mAb) 4-4-20 and anti-single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) mAb 04-01) which possessed nearly identical light chains but dissimilar heavy chains. The variations in binding specificities between the two immunoglobulins suggested that the active-site features of anti-fluorescein antibodies were dictated by characteristics intrinsic to the heavy chain (H-chain). To identify specific regions of the H-chain which influence the structure and function of an anti-fluorescein active site, CDR transplantation was systematically employed to convert the anti-ssDNA 04-01 antibody active site to an active site with anti-fluorescein activity. Each mAb 4-4-20 H-chain CDR (HCDR) was transplanted into the H-chain of a single-chain derivative of the 04-01 molecule. A fluorescence polarization ligand binding assay was utilized to determine the equilibrium dissociation constant, Kd, of hybrid transplant single-chain antibody HCDR1-HCDR2-HCDR3(4-4-20) for fluorescein (3.8 x 10(-7) M, indicating successful conversion of an anti-ssDNA active site to an anti-fluorescein binding site. A similar Kd (6.3 x 10(-7) M) was determined using a fluorescein fluorescence quenching assay. The transplantation results are discussed in terms of the relative contribution of each HCDR to a successful conversion in antibody specificity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Anti-metatype antibodies stabilize the fluorescein single-chain antibody 4-4-20 complex against dissociation by hydrostatic pressure.

Hydrostatic pressure was used to promote dissociation of fluorescein (Fl) from single-chain antibody 4-4-20 (SCA 4-4-20). Fl fluorescence intensity was quenched by 97% upon binding to SCA 4-4-20. Increasing pressure to 2.4 kbar enhanced Fl fluorescence from the remaining 3% to 14-17%. The capacity of anti-metatype antibodies (anti-Met), which specifically recognize liganded anti-Fl antibodies, to protect against pressure-induced Fl dissociation was tested. Both polyclonal and monoclonal anti-Met antibodies protected against Fl dissociation, reducing the fluorescence intensity at 2.4 kbar from 14-17% to 6-8%. Additive effects of anti-Met antibodies in protection against pressure-induced Fl dissociation were suggested by the fact that a 2-fold molar excess polyclonal anti-Met reagent promoted additional protection relative to an equimolar amount. On the other hand, combination of different monoclonal anti-Met antibodies did not promote additive protection, suggesting recognition of overlapping metatopes by these monoclonals. The complex formed by SCA 4-4-20 and the Fl analog HPF was more sensitive to pressure than the Fl-SCA 4-4-20 complex. Addition of both polyclonal and monoclonal anti-Met antibodies reduced the Fl fluorescence recovery at 2.4 kbar from 75% to 40-55%. In order to directly study binding of anti-Met antibodies to mAb 4-4-20, monoclonal anti-Met antibody 3A5-1 was labeled with 2-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulfonyl chloride (2,5-Dns-Cl) and Dns fluorescence anisotropy measured. Unliganded mAb 4-4-20 did not bind to 2,5-Dns-3A5-1 as indicated by the absence of measurable changes in Dns fluorescence anisotropy upon increasing mAb concentration. Addition of mAb 4-4-20 bound to Fl produced a sigmoidal increase in Dns anisotropy, compatible with association of the primary immune complex and 3A5-1. An affinity constant, K0.5, of 1.5 x 10(-7) M and a cooperativity coefficient (n) of 3.1 were calculated for formation of the Fl-mAb 4-4-20 complex. The HPF-mAb 4-4-20 complex was also recognized by 2,5-Dns-3A5-1 but with lower affinity, indicating that the monoclonal anti-Met 3A5-1 distinguished between mAb 4-4-20 liganded to different haptens.

Affinity Labels↗

Construction, expression, and activity of a bivalent bispecific single-chain antibody.

This report describes the design, construction, and expression of a bivalent bispecific single-chain antibody (SCA) protein in Escherichia coli. The bispecificity of the bivalent protein was based on two previously constructed monovalent single-chain antibody molecules possessing distinct specificities, SCA 4-4-20 (anti-fluorescein) and SCA 04-01 (anti-single-stranded DNA). A flexible linker, modeled after a secreted fungal cellulase protein, was incorporated as the interdomain linker covalently joining the two active sites. Bivalent bispecific SCA protein that accumulated in bacteria as insoluble inclusion bodies was harvested, denatured, refolded, and affinity-purified in vitro. Affinity-purified bivalent bispecific SCA showed nearly identical ligand binding properties at each site relative to the individual monovalent single-chain antibody prototype molecules. In both solid and solution phase binding assays, the bivalent bispecific single-chain antibody simultaneously bound both ligands (fluorescein and (dT)6). Construction of a model bivalent bispecific molecule provides a foundation for future assembly of similar molecules designed to identify parameters involved in enhanced binding of antibodies due to avidity and dual specificity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

High resolution structures of the 4-4-20 Fab-fluorescein complex in two solvent systems: effects of solvent on structure and antigen-binding affinity.

Three-dimensional structures were determined for three crystal forms of the antigen binding fragment (Fab) of anti-fluorescein antibody 4-4-20 in complex with fluorescein. These included 1) a triclinic (P1) form crystallized in 47% (v/v) 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol (MPD); 2) a triclinic (P1) form crystallized in 16% (w/v) poly(ethylene glycol), molecular weight 3350 (PEG); and 3) a monoclinic (P21) form crystallized in 16% PEG. Solvent molecules were added to the three models and the structures were refined to their diffraction limits (1.75-A, 1.78-A, and 2.49-A resolution for the MPD, triclinic PEG, and monoclinic PEG forms, respectively). Comparisons of these structures were interesting because 4-4-20 exhibited a lower antigen-binding affinity in 47% MPD (Ka = 1.3 x 10(8) M-1) than in either 16% PEG (Ka = 2.9 x 10(9) M-1) or phosphate-buffered saline (Ka = 1.8 x 10(10) M-1). Even though the solution behavior of the antibody was significantly different in MPD and PEG, the crystal structures were remarkably similar. In all three structures, the fluorescein-combining site was an aromatic slot formed by tyrosines L32, H96, and H97 and tryptophans L96 and H33. In addition, several active site constituents formed an electrostatic network with the ligand. These included a salt link between arginine L34 and one of fluorescein's enolate oxygen atoms, a hydrogen bond between histidine L27d and the second enolic group, a hydrogen bond between tyrosine L32 and the phenylcarboxylate group, and two medium range (approximately 5 A) electrostatic interactions with lysine L50 and arginine H52. The only major difference between the triclinic MPD and PEG structures was the degree of hydration of the antigen-combining site. Three water molecules participated in the above electrostatic network in the MPD structure, while eight were involved in the PEG structure. Based on this observation, we believe that 4-4-20 exhibits a lower affinity in MPD due to the depletion of the hydration shell of the antigen-combining site.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pressure-induced dissociation of fluorescein from the anti-fluorescein single-chain antibody 4-4-20.

Hydrostatic pressure was used to dissociate fluorescein (Fl) from the high-affinity anti-Fl single-chain antibody 4-4-20 (SCA 4-4-20). Fl dissociation was monitored by measuring (1) the shift in the Fl absorption peak, (2) the recovery in Fl fluorescence intensity, which is quenched upon SCA binding, or (3) the decrease in Fl fluorescence polarization. Pressure effects were studied at two different Fl:SCA 4-4-20 molar ratios: 1:1, at which Fl fluorescence quenching was ca. 35% at atmospheric pressure, and 1:5, at which quenching reached 95-97% under the same conditions. In both cases, pressure-induced dissociation was favored by concomitant dilution of protein and ligand. Dissociation constants (KD) at each pressure were calculated on the basis of measurements of Fl fluorescence polarization under pressure. The dependence of KD, and consequently of delta G of dissociation, on pressure permitted calculation of the magnitude of the standard volume change (delta V) involved in the dissociation process. According to this study, delta V of dissociation for the Fl-SCA complex is -50 mL/mol, which corresponds to a 10-times higher value than that found for dissociation of Fl from the intact IgG mAb 4-4-20 [Herron, J. N., Kranz, D. M., Jameson, D. M., & Voss, E. W., Jr. (1986) Biochemistry 25, 4602-4609]. This difference is explained in terms of a higher overall flexibility of unliganded SCA and of a less stable binding site in SCA relative to mAb.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibodies↗

Elucidation of anti-ssDNA autoantibody BV 04-01 binding interactions with homooligonucleotides.

Binding interactions of various synthetic oligohomonucleotides with anti-ssDNA autoantibody BV 04-01 (IgG2b, kappa) and the corresponding single-chain antibody (SCA) 04-01/212 were studied. Oligonucleotide binding to IgG or SCA resulted in quenching of the protein's tryptophan fluorescence permitting direct assessment of ligand binding under equilibrium conditions. The effect of oligothymidylate length, (dT)n, on tryptophan quenching was evaluated. The equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd) for the binding of (dT)6 and (dT)8 were the same [(1.3 +/- 0.02) x 10(-7) M], while decreasing the length of the oligothymidylate to (dT)3 increased the Kd an order of magnitude. To assess base specificity, the comparative binding of other hexahomonucleotides was examined. Neither (dA)6 nor (dC)6 showed measurable binding, while the dissociation constant for (dG)6 was (7.1 +/- 0.3) x 10(-7) M. Fluorescence lifetime quenching data correlated with the steady-state binding results and indicated that the quenching process contains both dynamic and static components. The ability of BV 04-01 to bind (dT)6 and (dG)6 nucleotides was further supported by fluorescence anisotrophy studies with fluorescein-labeled hexadeoxynucleotides. Various levels of tryptophan fluorescence quenching upon titration with oligothymidylates of different length, as well as the similar affinities for (dT)6 and (dG)6, supported the concept that the groove-type binding pocket in BV 04-01 consists of binding subsites that cooperatively adapt for efficient binding of oligonucleotides.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Construction, characterization, and selected site-specific mutagenesis of an anti-single-stranded DNA single-chain autoantibody.

Single-chain antibodies are comprised of immunoglobulin light and heavy chain variable domains joined through a polypeptide linker. A single-chain autoantibody, containing the 14-amino acid 212-polypeptide linker (GSTSGSGKSSEGKG), was constructed based on the light and heavy chain variable region gene sequences of anti-single-stranded DNA autoantibody BV04-01 (IgG2b, kappa). Following protein expression in Escherichia coli, denaturation, refolding, and affinity purification, single-chain autoantibody 04-01 binding with single-stranded DNA and poly(dT) was characterized in solid-phase and solution-phase assays. Homopolymer ligand binding results demonstrated that single-chain autoantibody 04-01 possessed anti-DNA binding properties similar to BV04-01 IgG and Fab fragments. Based on x-ray crystallographic analyses of BV04-01, site-specific mutagenesis studies were conducted on 2 residues (L32Tyr and H100aTrp) involved in aromatic stacking interactions with the middle thymidine of a (dT)3 ligand.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Kinetic measurements of molecular interactions by spectrofluorometry.

The kinetics of antibody-antigen interactions are reviewed in terms of general trends observed in both polyclonal and monoclonal antibody populations. Anti-fluorescein antibodies are featured in the review as model proteins to explore fluorescence-based kinetic measurements. Since the fluorescence of the fluorescein ligand is significantly quenched upon interaction with both polyclonal and monoclonal anti-fluorescein antibodies, the quenching parameter can be advantageously employed in measuring the rates of association (k1) and dissociation (k2). The near diffusion-limited k1 rates and the prolonged k2 rates are discussed in terms of antibody affinity and mechanisms involved in ligand binding. Specific prolongation effects of reagents, such as anti-metatype antibodies, on the dissociation rate are discussed in terms of antibody dynamics and conformational substates.

Animals↗

Mutational analysis of active site contact residues in anti-fluorescein monoclonal antibody 4-4-20.

The contribution to high affinity Fl binding by each crystallographically defined Mab 4-4-20 (Ka = 1.7 x 10(10) M-1; Qmax = 90%) ligand contact residue (L27dHis, L32Tyr, L34Arg, L91Ser, L96Trp and H33Trp) has been determined by site-specific mutagenesis studies. All six antigen contact residues were changed to Ala in the single-chain derivative of Mab 4-4-20 and following expression in E. coli, denaturation, refolding and purification, each SCA mutant was characterized in terms of Fl binding affinity, Qmax, lambda max and idiotype. Results demonstrated that Ala substitutions at each ligand contact residue reduced the binding affinities and quenching maxima for all residues except L27d which retained wild type characteristics. The SCA TyrL32Ala, SerL91Ala and TrpH33Ala mutants exhibited binding affinities that were approximately 1000-fold lower than the wild type value and greatly reduced Qmax values. Additionally, other amino acid substitutions were performed at three of the six antigen contact residues (L91Ser, L96Trp and H33Trp) to further evaluate the role of each in Fl binding. Therefore, the following mutations were constructed and characterized: SerL91Asn, TrpL96Tyr, TrpL96Phe, TrpL96Leu, TrpH33Tyr and TrpH33Phe. Results of site-specific mutagenesis studies are discussed in terms of Mab active site structure and suggest that L32Tyr, L91Ser and H33Trp are important for high affinity Fl binding and efficient Fl quenching.

Animals↗

Elicitation of distinct populations of monoclonal antibodies specific for the variable domains of monoclonal anti-fluorescein antibody 4-4-20.

Armenian hamsters were immunized with non-liganded, partially liganded or affinity-labeled anti-fluorescein Mab 4-4-20. Seventeen hybridoma producing monoclonal anti-4-4-20 antibodies were characterized from chemically-mediated fusions of immune hamster lymphocytes with murine Sp2/O-Ag14 myeloma cells. Distinct populations of anti-4-4-20 monoclonal antibodies were isolated from hamsters receiving immunizations with partially liganded Mab 4-4-20 relative to those receiving affinity-labeled 4-4-20. Two of the three monoclonal antibodies produced in response to partially liganded 4-4-20 were inhibited in their interaction with 4-4-20 by fluorescyl ligand. These two clones, 1F4 and 1B7, recognized unique epitopes on the 4-4-20 molecules, as demonstrated by non-reactivity with members of the 4-4-20 idiotype family. Additionally, 1F4 and 1B7 demonstrated the ability to delay the association of fluorescein with Mab 4-4-20. The 14 characterized non-ligand-inhibitable Mabs elicited to affinity-labeled 4-4-20 were classified into four separate groups based on various binding properties with members of the 4-4-20 idiotype family and binding to resolved H- and L-chains in a western blot. Members of three of the four groups showed strong reactivity with both 04-01 Ig and 04-01 SCA, which utilizes the same L-chain as Mab 4-4-20. Six non-ligand-inhibitable Mabs, 4A6, P1E11, 3A5-1, 2C3, 2C4, and 1A4, delayed the dissociation rate of ligand from Mab 4-4-20 and mutant 4-4-20 SCA L32phe.

Animals↗

The immunochemistry of sandwich ELISAs--VI. Greater than 90% of monoclonal and 75% of polyclonal anti-fluorescyl capture antibodies (CAbs) are denatured by passive adsorption.

Quantitative data are presented showing that the method most commonly used to immobilize antibodies in microtiter immunoassays functionally inactivates most of the antibodies. These results were collected using five affinity purified polyclonal antibodies (pAbs) and six monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for fluorescein (FLU) as capture antibodies (CAbs). These CAbs were tested for their ability to capture FLU4.2-BSA after immobilization by passive adsorption, the Protein-Avidin-Biotin-Capture (PABC) system or using previously adsorbed anti-globulins. Results indicate that under optimal conditions, < 10% of monoclonal capture antibody equivalents (CAbeqv) and congruent to 22% of polyclonal CAbeqv remain functional after passive adsorption. Immobilization via the PABC system improved the performance of mAbs by more than five-fold but had less than a two-fold effect on pAbs. Many CAbs immobilized using an anti-globulin retained full activity including the ability to bind two molecules of FLU4.2-BSA/molecule of CAb. The latter result is not necessarily a recommendation for the use of anti-globulin immobilization, since the number of functional CAbeqv per well is not significantly greater than that which can be achieved using passive adsorption.

Adsorption↗

Comparative circular dichroism studies of an anti-fluorescein monoclonal antibody (Mab 4-4-20) and its derivatives.

This study presents circular dichroism (CD) spectra of a high-affinity monoclonal anti-fluorescein antibody (Mab 4-4-20), its Fab fragments, and corresponding single-chain antibody (SCA). In the region 200-250 nm, the differences in the CD spectra between these proteins reflect the uneven distribution of chromophores (tryptophan and tyrosine) rather than a major conformational change. On the basis of near-UV CD spectra, binding of the hapten fluorescein to these protein antibodies elicits an increased asymmetry in the microenvironment of the chromophoric residues in contact with the hapten and also perturbs the interface between VL and VH domains. The hapten-binding site provides a chiral microenvironment for fluorescein that elicits a pronounced induced fluorescein CD spectrum in both the visible and UV regions. In contrast to the parent molecules, SCA is thermolabile. Our results demonstrate that (1) UV CD spectra are useful for assessing the chromophoric microenvironment in the binding portion of antibodies and (2) the extrinsic fluorescein hapten CD spectra provide information about the interaction of hapten with the binding pocket.

Animals↗

Molecular stabilization effects of interactions between anti-metatype antibodies and liganded antibody.

Anti-metatype antibodies have been described as antibodies which recognize ligand-induced conformational changes in the antibody variable region. Additionally, anti-metatype antibodies, produced by multiple immunizations with liganded high affinity monoclonal anti-fluorescein antibody 4-4-20, enhanced the lifetime of monoclonal antibody 4-4-20-fluorescein complex. To better understand the mechanism of the delayed dissociation rate, deuterium oxide was used to probe the liganded active site. The rate and extent of deuterium oxide-mediated fluorescence enhancement of bound ligand served to monitor the conformational dynamics of the active site in the presence and absence of anti-metatype antibodies. Results showed that anti-metatype antibodies reduced the rate and extent of deuterium oxide-mediated fluorescence enhancement of 4-4-20, a single-chain derivative of 4-4-20 (consisting of the variable domains and a polylinker), and idiotypically related monoclonal anti-fluorescein antibodies suggesting that anti-metatype stabilized the liganded active site. Size exclusion liquid chromatography was utilized to isolate the liganded antibody-anti-metatype complex. Liganded single chain antibody 4-4-20 was mixed with 10-fold molar excess anti-metatype Fab fragments, and a major complex eluted with an apparent M(r) 249,000. The apparent molecular weight of this complex inferred that one liganded single chain antibody was bound by five antimetatype Fab fragments. Spectral analysis confirmed these results and the characteristic delayed rate of ligand dissociation was also observed for the isolated complex. The results suggest that anti-metatype antibodies stabilize the liganded conformation by forming a large, stable, macromolecular complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of a single-chain T-cell receptor expressed in Escherichia coli.

Despite progress in defining the nature of major histocompatibility complex products that are recognized by the T-cell antigen receptor, the binding properties and structure of the receptor have not been solved. The primary problem has been the difficulty in obtaining sufficient quantities of active receptor. In this report we show that a single-chain T-cell receptor gene can be expressed in Escherichia coli. The protein consists of the variable (V) regions of the alpha and beta chains (V alpha and V beta) encoded by the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte clone 2C (a H-2b anti-H-2d alloreactive cell line) linked by a 25-amino acid flexible peptide. Solubilized extracts that contain the 27-kDa V alpha 3V beta 8 protein are positive in solid-phase immunoassays with the anti-V beta 8 antibody KJ16 and the anti-clonotypic antibody 1B2. Approximately 1% of the protein can be specifically purified on a 1B2-conjugated column. These results indicate that a fraction of the protein is able to fold into a native conformation and that single-chain proteins should be useful not only as immunogens for eliciting anti-T-cell receptor antibodies but in the study of T-cell receptor structure and function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Construction, characterization, and mutagenesis of an anti-fluorescein single chain antibody idiotype family.

In addition to crystallographic studies that determined antigen contact residues for monoclonal anti-fluorescein (Fl) antibody 4-4-20 (Ka = 2.5 x 10(10) M-1), primary structure comparisons revealed idiotypically cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) 9-40 (Ka = 4.4 x 10(7) M-1), 12-40 (Ka = 4.0 x 10(8) M-1), and 5-14 (Ka = 2.4 x 10(8) M-1) possessed identical Fl contact residues, with the exception of L34His for L34Arg. Site-specific mutagenesis of single chain antibody (SCA) 4-4-20 in which L34Arg was changed to L34His resulted in approximately 1000- and 3-fold decreases in binding affinity and Qmax (maximum quenching of bound Fl), respectively, which suggested that L34Arg was directly involved in increased binding affinity and fluorescence quenching. Therefore, substitution of Arg for His at residue L34 in mAbs 9-40, 12-40, and 5-14 should result in increased binding affinity and Qmax. To facilitate site-specific mutagenesis studies, single chain derivatives of mAbs 9-40, 12-40, and 5-14 were constructed. Following expression in Escherichia coli, characterization of the SCAs demonstrated that when compared with the respective parental mAb, the SCAs possessed identical binding affinities and similar Qmax and lambda max (absorption profiles of bound Fl) values. These results validated SCA 9-40, 12-40, and 5-14 for use in site-directed mutagenesis studies. Results of mutagenesis studies indicated that substitution of L34Arg into the active sites of 9-40, 12-40, and 5-14 was not enough to produce 4-4-20-like binding characteristics. Therefore, the following single chain mutants were constructed: 9-40L34Arg/L46Val, 12-40L34Arg/L46Val and 5-14L34Arg/L46Val, 9-40L34Arg/L46Val/H101Asp and 4-4-20H101Ala. Results demonstrated that these mutations were not able to render the mutant SCAs with increased binding affinity and fluorescence quenching values. Collectively, these results suggest that the combining sites of mAb 9-40, 12-40, and 5-14 may possess different active site structures than mAb 4-4-20.

Amino Acid Sequence↗