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Biomedical subjects

H C Agrawal

Publications and source records attributed to H C Agrawal.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Myelin basic protein and P2 protein are not immunohistochemical markers for Schwann cell neoplasms. A comparative study using antisera to S-100, P2, and myelin basic proteins.

Immunohistochemical localization of tissue specific or cell-specific antigenic markers in neoplastic cells has become an increasingly important tool in the pathologic diagnosis of tumors. The myelin-specific proteins of peripheral nervous system myelin, because they are normally synthesized in Schwann cells, are potentially useful markers for neoplasms arising from peripheral nerves. The authors carried out immunohistochemical studies on 18 cases of Schwann cell neoplasms, including schwannomas, neurofibromas, and granular cell tumors, to determine whether two myelin-specific proteins, myelin basic protein and P2 protein, were present in neoplastic Schwann cells. None of these tumors showed immunostaining for either myelin basic protein or P2 protein in neoplastic cells. In contrast, S-100 protein, which is a well established marker for normal and neoplastic Schwann cells, was localized by immunohistochemistry to neoplastic cells in all 18 neoplasms. Therefore, although myelin basic protein and P2 protein are known to be Schwann-cell-specific proteins, they do not appear to be expressed commonly in neoplastic Schwann cells.

Histocytochemistry↗

Identification of antibodies in anti-CNS and anti-PNS myelin sera by immunoblot, characterization by immunohistochemistry, and their effect in tissue culture.

Immunoblot analysis of antiserum to rat central nervous system (CNS) myelin revealed antibodies to myelin basic protein (MBP), proteolipid protein (PLP), and numerous high molecular weight proteins. In addition, anti-CNS myelin serum exclusively immunostained 4 basic proteins of rat peripheral nervous system (PNS) myelin. Similarly, anti-PNS myelin sera immunostained many high molecular weight proteins in both CNS and PNS myelin in addition to P0 and 4 basic proteins. Purified MBP and PLP were immunostained by anti-CNS myelin sera and MBP and P0 by anti-PNS myelin sera, indicating that antigenic sites are preserved during protein purification. Immunohistochemical localization with antisera was confined to the myelin sheath except that antisera to CNS myelin also stained oligodendrocytes during the active period of myelination. While anti-CNS myelin sera specifically demyelinated centrally myelinated fibers in culture, none of the anti-PNS myelin sera used here demyelinated organotypic spinal cord-dorsal root ganglion cultures.

Animals↗

Immunoblot identification of 13.5 kilodalton myelin basic protein in goldfish brain myelin.

Myelin isolated from goldfish brain shows a multilamellar structure with a major dense line and two intraperiod lines. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis revealed that the protein profile of goldfish brain myelin is distinctly different from that of rat brain myelin. No protein migrating to the position of proteolipid protein or DM-20 was seen in goldfish myelin. Goldfish acclimated to 5 degrees, 15 degrees, and 30 degrees C showed no qualitative differences in myelin proteins. The 13.5 kD protein in goldfish brain myelin and brain homogenate was intensely immunostained with the antiserum to human basic protein by the immunoblot technique. In contrast, none of the proteins of goldfish myelin were immunostained with antiproteolipid protein serum; however, both proteolipid protein and DM-20 of rat brain myelin were immunostained. The significance of the synthesis of myelin proteins by astrocytes in the goldfish brain is discussed.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Demyelinating and myelination-inhibiting factors induced by chloroform-methanol insoluble proteins of myelin.

A host of proteins was seen when the chloroform-methanol insoluble protein (CMIP) fraction of bovine brain myelin was transferred from polyacrylamide gels to cellulose nitrate sheets. Inoculation of rabbits with the CMIP fraction generated a number of antibodies which were demonstrated by the immunoblot technique. These antisera against CMIP contained antibodies which induced demyelination and inhibited myelin formation in central nervous system cultures. The demyelinating factor was specific for centrally myelinated fibers, and did not demyelinate peripherally myelinated axons.

Animals↗

In vivo incorporation of [3H]palmitic acid into PO protein, the major intrinsic protein of rat sciatic nerve myelin.

Separation of rat sciatic nerve myelin proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate-slab gel electrophoresis 18 h after injection of [3H]palmitic acid into the nerve demonstrated acylation of the PO protein. When sciatic nerve myelin labeled with [3H]palmitic acid was extracted with acidified chloroform/methanol or chloroform/methanol, the radioactivity associated with PO was retained. These results provided evidence that the radioactivity derived from [3H]palmitic acid in PO protein was not due to labeled phospholipid bound to PO protein by strong physical interaction. Furthermore, the radioactivity associated with purified preparations of PO remained after dialysis and re-electrophoresis, providing additional evidence that [3H]palmitic acid was firmly bound to PO. Treatment of myelin proteins with hydroxylamine at pH 6.6 released most of the radioactivity, indicating that [3H]palmitic acid was covalently bound by ester linkage to PO. Cleavage of purified acylated PO with methanolic NaOH released 85% of the protein-bound radioactivity. Gas-liquid chromatography of the fatty acids released from PO showed labeling of methyl esters of palmitate, stearate, and oleate (56, 16, and 5%, respectively). In addition, a small unlabeled peak with retention time identical with methyl linoleate was also observed. Intraneural injection of a mixture of [3H]palmitic acid and [14C]fucose or [3H]palmitic acid and [35S]sulfate in vivo followed by disc gel electrophoresis and determination of incorporated radioactivity clearly showed that PO was glycosylated, sulfated, and acylated. The potential significance of fatty acids linked to PO is discussed.

Acylation↗

Immunohistochemical study of myelin sheaths formed by oligodendrocytes interacting with dissociated dorsal root ganglion neurons in culture.

The addition of central nervous system (CNS) glial cells to dissociated networks of rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in tissue culture provided a useful system for the study of CNS myelin sheath formation. The CNS myelin basic proteins (BP) and proteolipid protein (PLP) were demonstrable in these cultures by immunoperoxidase techniques. Both BP and PLP were detectable in myelinating oligodendrocytes and CNS myelin sheaths. Anti-BP serum and anti-PLP serum were useful immunohistochemical staining reagents for the identification of myelinating oligodendrocytes and CNS myelin sheaths in tissue culture.

Animals↗

In vivo acylation of proteolipid protein and DM-20 in myelin and myelin subfractions of developing rat brain: immunoblot identification of acylated PLP and DM-20.

The acylation of proteolipid protein (PLP) was examined in myelin and myelin subfractions from rat brain during the active period of myelination. Proteolipid protein and DM-20 in myelin and myelin subfractions were readily acylated in developing rat brain 22 hours after intracerebral injection of [3H]palmitic acid. No differences in the relative specific activity of PLP in myelin from 9-, 15-, and 30-day-old rat brains was observed; however, the relative specific activity of PLP in the heavy myelin subfraction tended to be higher than that in the light myelin subfraction. The acylation of PLP was confirmed by fluorography of immuno-stained cellulose nitrate sheets, clearly establishing that the acylated protein is in fact the oligodendroglial cell- and myelin-specific protein, PLP. Since PLP is acylated in the 9-day-old animal, when little compact myelin is present, it is possible that the acylation of PLP is a prerequisite for the incorporation of this protein into the myelin membrane.

Acylation↗

Studies with antisera against peripheral nervous system myelin and myelin basic proteins. I. Effects of antiserum upon living cultures of nervous tissue.

We studied the effects of antiserum against rat peripheral nervous system (PNS) myelin, rat or chicken central nervous system myelin basic protein (BP), or rabbit P2 protein from PNS myelin on myelinated cultures containing only rat dorsal root ganglion neurons and Schwann cells. While anti-PNS myelin serum consistently produced segmental PNS demyelination, anti-BP serum and anti-P2 serum did not. The culture results suggest that the myelin PNS proteins P1 (identical to basic protein from central nervous system myelin) and P2 are not exposed on the extracellular surfaces of myelin-related Schwann cells in tissue culture.

Animals↗

Studies with antisera against peripheral nervous system myelin and myelin basic proteins. II. Immunohistochemical studies in cultures of rat dorsal root ganglion neurons and Schwann cells.

Antiserum against rat peripheral nervous system (PNS) myelin contained immunoglobulins which bound preferentially to the extracellular surfaces of myelin-related Schwann cells in intact cultures of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and Schwann cells, while antiserum against basic protein (BP) from central nervous system myelin or the PNS basic protein P2 did not. We demonstrate the presence of PNS myelin proteins P1 (identical to BP) and P2 by immunoperoxidase techniques in DRG cultures that had been treated to disrupt cellular membranes. These observations suggest that P1 and P2 are not exposed on the extracellular surfaces of myelin-related Schwann cells in culture. The results also support the hypothesis concerning the possible mechanisms by which anti-PNS myelin serum demyelinates DRG cultures, while anti-BP serum and anti-P2 serum do not.

Animals↗

In vitro acylation of rat brain myelin proteolipid protein.

The incorporation of fatty acid into myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) was studied by incubating brain slices from 17-day-old rats with [9,10-3H]palmitic acid. Myelin proteins were analyzed by gel electrophoresis. As in vivo (Agrawal, H. C., Randle, C. L., and Agrawal, D. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 4588-4592) most of the radioactivity co-migrated with PLP, with radioactivity also appearing in the regions of the DM-20 and Wolfgram proteins. Treatment of myelin proteins or purified PLP with 1 M hydroxylamine released most of the radioactivity, indicating that [3H]palmitic acid was covalently bound by ester linkage to the proteins. Cleavage of PLP with methanolic NaOH and examination of the released fatty acids by thin layer chromatography showed radioactivity associated with the methyl esters of palmitate, stearate, and oleate (76, 23, and 1%, respectively). A linear increase in radioactivity from [3H]palmitic acid was observed in PLP in both myelin and myelin-like fractions, while appearance of [14C]glycine-labeled PLP showed a lag of 45-60 minutes. These results indicate that lipid is added to PLP in the myelin and myelin-like membranes, or immediately prior to the appearance of PLP in these fractions. For both precursors, the specific activity of PLP was greater in the myelin-like fraction than in myelin, indicating that the myelin-like fraction may contain a precursor pool of PLP for myelin.

Acylation↗

In vivo acylation of rat brain myelin proteolipid protein.

Examination of brain myelin proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis followed by fluorography clearly showed that both proteolipid protein (PLP) and DM-20 were acylated 24 h after the intracerebral injection of 30-day-old rats with [3H]palmitic acid. The radioactivity associated with PLP remained after purification, re-electrophoresis, and fluorography. Most of the radioactivity associated with PLP was removed when the gels were treated with hydroxylamine and then fluorographed, indicating that fatty acids were bound to PLP by ester linkage. Cleavage of purified PLP with methanolic sodium hydroxide readily released almost all protein-bound radioactivity. Thin layer chromatography of this material on both silver nitrate and reverse-phase plates provided evidence that most of the radioactivity co-migrated with methyl palmitate (77%) and methyl stearate (19%); however, some radioactivity was associated with methyl oleate (4%). Gas-liquid chromatography of the fatty acids associated with PLP distinctly revealed the presence of methyl palmitate and a detectable peak of methyl stearate.

Acylation↗

Phosphorylation in vivo of four basic proteins of rat brain myelin.

When rat brain myelin was examined by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamideslab-gel electrophoresis followed by fluorography of the stained gel, it was found that a host of proteins of rat brain myelin were labelled 2, 4 and 24h after the intracerebral injection of H(3) (32)PO(4). Among those labelled were proteins migrating to the positions of myelin-associated glycoprotein, Wolfgram proteins, proteolipid protein, DM-20 and basic proteins. The four basic proteins with mol.wts. 21000, 18000 (large basic protein), 17000 and 14000 (small basic protein) were shown to be phosphorylated after electrophoresis in both acid-urea- and sodium dodecyl sulphate-containing gel systems followed by fluorography. The four basic proteins imparted bluish-green colour, after staining with Amido Black, which is characteristic of myelin basic proteins. The four basic proteins were purified to homogeneity. Fluorography of the purified basic proteins after re-electrophoresis revealed the presence of phosphorylated high-molecular-weight ;polymers' associated with each basic protein. The amino acid compositions of the phosphorylated large basic protein and small basic proteins are compatible with the amino acid sequences. Proteins with mol.wts. 21000 and 17000 gave the expected amino acid composition of myelin basic proteins. Radiolabelled phosphoserine and phosphothreonine were identified after partial acid hydrolysis of the four purified basic proteins. The [(32)P]phosphate-protein bond in the basic protein was stable at an acidic pH but was readily hydrolysed at alkaline pH, as would be expected of phosphoester bonds involving both serine and threonine residues. Double-immunodiffusion analysis demonstrated that the four phosphorylated proteins showed complete homology when diffused against antiserum to a mixture of small and large basic proteins. Since the four basic proteins of rat brain myelin were phosphorylated both in vivo and in vitro it is postulated that the same protein kinase is responsible for their phosphorylation in both conditions.

Amino Acids↗

Immunoblot identification of phosphorylated basic proteins of rat and rabbit CNS and PNS myelin: evidence for four phosphorylated basic proteins and P2 in rat PNS myelin.

The immunoblot technique permits the visualization of proteins following their separation on acrylamide gels, transfer to cellulose nitrate sheets and subsequent staining with antiserum. We have utilized this technique to demonstrate the presence of four basic proteins in rat PNS myelin with molecular weights of 21K, 18K, 17K, and 14K. Similarly, we demonstrated the presence of two basic proteins in rabbit PNS myelin (molecular weights of 21K and 18K). Exposure of the immunostained cellulose nitrate strips to X-ray film revealed the phosphorylation of four and two basic proteins in rat and rabbit PNS myelin, respectively. These basic proteins were present in the CNS myelin of the two species and were also phosphorylated. Because of the sensitivity of the immunoblot technique, it was also possible for us to visualize the P2 protein in both rat and rabbit PNS myelin.

Animals↗

In vivo phosphorylation of neurofilament proteins in the central nervous system of immature rat and rabbit.

Neurofilament proteins from brain and spinal cord of immature rat (20-35 days of age) and rabbit (15-17) days of age) were prepared by an axonal flotation technique. Examination of rat filament preparations by electron microscopy revealed a preponderance of 10 nm diameter filaments that were usually loosely aggregated although some bundles of more tightly packed filaments were present as well. The neurofilament triplet proteins of the rat and rabbit central nervous system were found to be phosphorylated 24 hr after the intracerebral injection of [32P]orthophosphate when examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by fluorography. Examination of each eluted neurofilament protein from both species showed that [32P]phosphate was retained after reelectrophoresis and fluorography. Evidence is presented that the [32P]phosphate is covalently linked to the purified neurofilament proteins by phosphoester bonds.

Animals↗

Development and maturation of central nervous system myelin: comparison of immunohistochemical localization of proteolipid protein and basic protein in myelin and oligodendrocytes.

The immunohistochemical localization of two myelin specific proteins-basic protein (BP) and proteolipid protein (PLP)-was compared during the process of myelination. Although both proteins were present in oligodendrocytes, (i) neither protein was observed in oligodendrocytes not already closely associated with nerve fibers exhibiting a fluorescent coating; (ii) in any discrete anatomical area oligodendrocytes were positive for BP before PLP was visible; and (iii) as myelination progressed, immunoreactivity for BP in oligodendrocytes appeared to decrease and simultaneously PLP immunofluorescence became visible in this cell type. During the period of active myelination, fibers exhibited a distinct varicose appearance. As myelination progressed, the myelin sheath increased in thickness and these varicosities became less prominent, eventually completely disappearing. Therefore, the nature and the appearance of varicosities can be used as an index of the relative stage of maturation of myelin in an individual fiber. In general, PLP appeared in fibers at a later stage of maturation than did BP based on the above criteria. However, in a relatively small number of fine fibers PLP was observed at a very early stage. In fully mature myelin, very large fibers were frequently more intensely fluorescent for BP than PLP, whereas fine myelinated fibers were more intensely stained for PLP. These observations are consistent with the following interpretations. (i) Substantial differentiation of oligodendrocytes occurs prior to appearance of either of these proteins by immunofluorescence. (ii) BP is added to the myelin sheath prior to PLP and there appears to be a shift in priority of synthesis from BP to PLP in individual oligodendrocytes during the process of myelination. (iii) Very small fibers often contain low concentrations of BP relative to PLP, and conversely, very large fibers may contain a high concentration of BP relative to PLP. Thus, the relative concentration of these proteins in myelin appears not to be constant but may vary as a function of the size of the myelinated fiber.

Aging↗

In vivo incorporation of [32P]orthophosphate into myelin basic protein of developing rabbit brain: its location in components 3 and 5 and in a new protein tentatively identified as basic protein component 7.

Myelin was isolated from the brains of 16-day-old rabbits that had received intracerebral injections of [32P]orthophosphate 24 h earlier. The basic protein was extracted and examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis both at low and at high pH. At low pH a single band corresponding to the basic protein contained all of the covalently bound protein radioactivity. At high pH, three bands of radioactivity corresponding to basic protein components 3, 5, and 7 were observed. Estimation of the specific radioactivities of the components in conjunction with their high pH electrophoretic mobilities indicated that components 3, 5, and 7 contained one, two, and three phosphate groups per molecule of protein, respectively.

Animals↗

In vivo phosphorylation of two myelin basic proteins of developing rabbit brain.

Examination of 15-day-old rabbit brain myelin proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate-slab gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of a basic protein with a molecular weight of 21,000 (21K protein) which was not previously reported in this species. This protein exhibited characteristic bluish green color with amido black and gave an amino acid composition strikingly similar to large basic protein (LBP). It formed a line of identity with LBP when diffused against antiserum to chicken brain basic protein. The concentration of LBP (18.9 micrograms/mg of dry myelin) is 6-fold greater than that of the 21K protein(3.31 micrograms/mg of dry myelin) in rabbit brain myelin. After the intracerebral injection of [32P]orthophosphoric acid, both LBP and 21K protein were found to be phosphorylated. [32P]Phosphate in the purified preparations of these proteins was covalently linked by phosphoester bonds to serine and threonine residues. The specific radioactivity of the 21K protein (84,693 cpm/mg of protein) was not significantly higher than LBP (69,797 cpm/mg of protein).

Amino Acids↗