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J P Atkinson

Publications and source records attributed to J P Atkinson.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Purification and characterization of a membrane protein (gp45-70) that is a cofactor for cleavage of C3b and C4b.

Based on preliminary evidence indicating that a cell-associated protein of U937 (a human monocyte-like cell line) possessed cofactor activity and was not the C3b/C4b receptor, we sought to further characterize this protein. A sequential four-column purification procedure was devised that includes C3(H2O) affinity chromatography to isolate in reasonable yields and purity a cell-associated protein of U937 and several other human cell lines. Based on its pattern and Mr on SDS-PAGE, acidic pI, and ligand specificity, it is identical to a recently described C3(H2O) or C3b-binding membrane glycoprotein of human PBL and cell lines; having no presently identified function, it was termed gp45-70. After purifying this protein, we determined its functional capabilities and compared them to those of the other complement proteins with regulatory activity directed at components comprising the C3 convertases. This protein was the most efficient (50 times that of H) yet-described cofactor for the I-mediated first cleavage of C3b. It also was a cofactor for the first cleavage of C4b, but was not as efficient as C4bp. The second cleavage of C3b and C4b was not efficiently mediated. It had no ability to accelerate decay in the classical or alternative pathway C3 convertases. Based on this unique activity profile and ability to be surface labeled, we have renamed this molecule membrane cofactor protein (MCP). We suggest that this protein plays a major role in preventing autologous complement activation.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1986

Analysis of C3b/C4b receptor (CR1) polymorphic variants by tryptic peptide mapping.

The human C3b/C4b receptor (CR1) binds the major activation and opsonic fragments of the third (C3) and fourth (C4) components of complement. CR1 is a single chain integral membrane glycoprotein widely distributed on peripheral blood cells. Four codominantly inherited allelic variants with Mrs of 160,000, 190,000, 220,000 and 250,000 have been described. To address the structural basis for this unusual polymorphism, CR1 from donors expressing three of the four allelic variants was purified from surface labeled (125I) erythrocytes by iC3-Sepharose affinity chromatography and the variants compared by tryptic peptide mapping (TPM). The TPMs of each variant contained the same major peaks and minor peak areas and were nearly identical to one another. Tryptic peptide mappings of the 190,000 Mr erythrocyte CR1, which was purified prior to iodination, were similar to those derived from surface iodinated CR1. The TPMs of erythrocyte and granulocyte CR1 from the same donor differed by a single peak of increased prominence in the granulocyte map. These results indicate a conservation in amino acid sequence for those peptides detected. In view of these data and those of other studies of the structure and genetics of CR1 and related proteins, it is suggested in this paper that the allelic variation relates to CR1, being composed of repeating amino acid sequences.

Chromatography, Affinity↗
PubMed1986

Structural and functional studies on the human C3b/C4b receptor (CR1) purified by affinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody.

A procedure was devised that has several advantages over previously described methods to purify CR1 from both erythrocytes (E) and the HL-60 promyelocytic cell line. Using a monoclonal antibody immunoaffinity column, CR1 was purified to homogeneity as assessed by silver staining and 2-D gel analysis. Protein purified by this method comigrates on SDS-PAGE with 125I surface-labeled CR1 isolated by immunoprecipitation or iC3-Sepharose affinity chromatograhy and can be specifically immunoblotted with a second monoclonal anti-CR1 antibody. Employing this method, CR1 can be purified to homogeneity in amounts adequate for both functional studies and biochemical microanalysis. Purified E CR1 is functionally active as assessed by its ability to specifically rebind to an iC3-Sepharose affinity column, act as a cofactor for I-mediated cleavage of C3b to C3c and C3d, g and to accelerate decay of both the classical and alternative pathway C3 convertases. Its specific activity is similar to that of CR1 purified by a method not employing the potentially denaturing washing and eluting conditions of immunoaffinity chromatography. The pIs of the two major E CR1 allotypes are both approximately 7.1. Using pooled human E CR1, an amino acid composition was derived which revealed a relatively high proline content. This has also been found in two functionally related and genetically linked complement-regulatory proteins, H and C4-binding protein, NH2-terminal sequencing of E CR1 and HL-60 CR1 was unsuccessful indicating that the NH2-terminus is blocked.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Identification of a third component of complement-binding glycoprotein of human platelets.

Utilizing affinity chromatography, a C3-specific binding protein was isolated from 125I surface-labeled human platelets. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated two bands with mean Mr of 64,000 and 53,000, characteristic variability in the relative density of the two bands in a given individual, and the presence of N-linked complex oligosaccharides as well as sialic acid residues not associated with N-linked sugars. These characteristics are similar to those of a human leukocyte iC3- and C3b-binding glycoprotein, termed gp45-70. Further analysis showed that leukocyte gp45-70 and the platelet C3-binding glycoprotein have identical Mr and other similar structural features. Functional characterization of solubilized platelet preparations indicated that gp45-70 has cofactor activity. This membrane glycoprotein is structurally and antigenically distinct from decay accelerating factor (DAF), a complement regulatory protein previously identified on human platelet membranes. DAF and gp45-70 have complementary activity profiles inasmuch as DAF can prevent assembly of and dissociate the C3 convertases but has no cofactor activity, whereas gp45-70 has cofactor activity but no decay accelerating activity. We suggest that these two proteins function conjointly to prevent autologous complement activation.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1985

Fast and efficient method for detection and estimation of proteins.

A quick, simple, inexpensive and sensitive method is described to stain and quantitate proteins on nitrocellulose papers. The proteins may be spotted or transferred from polyacrylamide gels by Western blotting. The procedure involves non-radioactive iodination of the polypeptides by chloramine T and potassium iodide followed by detection of bound iodine with starch. The method is more sensitive and much quicker than Coomassie brilliant blue staining and may be used for quantitation or detection of proteins in unknown samples. Another major advantage of this procedure is that ionic or nonionic detergents, although at higher concentrations causing the sample to disperse more broadly in the membranes, do not affect the staining procedure. Further, this method may be used for detection of proteins bound to papers that have high affinity for proteins such as the Zeta probe membranes.

Candida albicans↗
PubMed1985

Human genes for three complement components that regulate the activation of C3 are tightly linked.

A new cluster of complement component genes, including C4BP, C3bR, and FH, is described. Family segregation data indicate that FH is linked to the genes for C4-bp and C4bR, previously reported to be linked and to maintain linkage disequilibrium. This cluster is not linked to the major histocompatibility complex, which contains the genes for the complement components, C4, C2, and factor B, or to the C3 locus. These data further suggest that the organization of genes for functionally related proteins in clusters may be a rule for the complement system.

Carrier Proteins↗
PubMed1985

Identification of an additional class of C3-binding membrane proteins of human peripheral blood leukocytes and cell lines.

Proteins binding the third component of complement (C3) were isolated by affinity chromatography from surface-labeled solubilized membranes of human peripheral blood cells and cell lines. The isolated molecules were subjected to NaDodSO4/PAGE, and autoradiographs of these gels indicated that C3-binding proteins could be divided into three groups based on Mr: (i) gp200, an approximately 200,000 Mr molecule previously identified as the C3b/C4b receptor or CR1; (ii) gp140, an approximately 140,000 Mr molecule previously identified as the C3d receptor or CR2; and (iii) gp45-70, a heretofore unrecognized group of 45,000-70,000 Mr C3-binding molecules. The cell distribution, Mr, antigenic cross-reactivity, and specificity of gp45-70 were examined. Erythrocytes have no detectable gp45-70, but all leukocyte populations examined possess this group of molecules. On neutrophils and mononuclear phagocytes, CR1 is the predominant C3-binding glycoprotein, but gp45-70 is present on both cell populations and on macrophage and neutrophil cell lines. B plus null cells, chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, and an Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B-cell line possess CR1, CR2, and gp45-70. On T cells and T-cell lines gp45-70 is the predominant or, in some cases, the only C3-binding protein isolated. gp45-70 is structurally characterized as a broad band or doublet with a mean Mr that is slightly different for each cell population. gp45-70 binds iC3, C3b, and C4b, but not C3d, indicating that the binding region is probably within the C3c portion of C3b. A polyclonal antibody to CR1 and monoclonal antibodies to CR1 and CR2 do not immunoprecipitate gp45-70. While gp45-70 has not been previously characterized on human cells, a C3b-binding glycoprotein of similar Mr is present on rabbit alveolar macrophages. We conclude that gp45-70 is an additional group of membrane proteins present on human leukocytes that possess ligand-binding activity for C3b.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1985

Generation of C3d,g and C3d by urokinase-treated plasma in association with fibrinolysis.

In the breakdown of fluid phase C3 in plasma, the process of conversion of iC3b to C3c and 'C3d' has not been elucidated. Using fluorescent labeled iC3b as a substrate, urokinase (UK) treated but not normal plasma was found to exhibit effective 'C3d' production. To address the relationship between the fibrinolytic activity specific for UK-activated plasma and this 'C3d' production, an assay system was developed that permitted the simultaneous determination of both activities. This method indicated that 'C3d' generation paralleled that of plasmin-dependent fibrinogen degradation. A Km of iC3b for plasmin was 3.0 X 10(-6) mol/l which is similar to the Km of fibrinogen. Plasmin cleavage of iC3b gave rise to C3d1 (Mr 42,000) and C3d2 (Mr 28,000). Purified plasmin C3d1 showed the same Mr and pI as C3d,g prepared from iC3b, by H and I. C3d2 was derived from C3d1. From these in vitro experiments with urokinase-treated plasma, we conclude that in parallel with fibrinolysis efficient cleavage of fluid phase iC3b to C3c + C3d,g and C3d occurs and we hypothesize that this is one mechanism for the generation of C3d in vivo.

Complement C3↗
PubMed1985

Oligosaccharide structure of human C4.

The oligosaccharide structure of human C4 was studied by using C4 purified from plasma and C4 secreted by human hepatoma-derived cell line, HepG2. The alpha- and beta-chains of human C4 are glycosylated, whereas the gamma-chain is devoid of carbohydrate. The alpha-chain has three complex fucosylated oligosaccharides of the biantennary type, one each on the alpha 2, alpha 3, and alpha 4 fragments. The beta-chain has a single high mannose oligosaccharide primarily of the Man9GlcNAc2 type. The approximately 2000 Mr difference between the alpha-chains of the two C4 gene products (C4A and C4B) was localized to the alpha 2 fragment and is not due to carbohydrate. Sulfation of the C4 alpha-chain was localized to the alpha 4 fragment of the alpha-chain. Hence, the Mr difference between the two gene products is likely to reside in amino acid differences. The oligosaccharide structure of three incompletely processed C4 molecules was also analyzed. These molecules have the oligosaccharide composition of the appropriate individual subunits. Therefore, intracellular proteolytic processing to the multi-chain form of C4 is not required for proper oligosaccharide processing.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗
PubMed1985

Deactivation of guinea pig pulmonary alveolar macrophage responses to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine: chemotaxis, superoxide generation, and binding.

Incubation of pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) with the synthetic chemotactic tripeptide, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) results in deactivation of PAM chemotaxis. The chemotactic response to 10(-8) M FMLP was inhibited 85% after 30 min of preincubation with 10(-6) M FMLP and 48% by 10(-8) M FMLP. Only the higher dose of FMLP (10(-6) M) caused deactivation of the chemotactic response to C5a (20%). Preincubation with partially purified C5a at a concentration of 100 microliter/ml produced a 32% inhibition of the PAM response to 10(-8) M FMLP. In contrast, preincubation with FMLP had no significant effect on superoxide generation, either at baseline or after stimulation. Levels of intracellular cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) increased in response to PGE1 in the presence of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, but FMLP failed to induce a change in cAMP levels. Studies of 3H-FMLP binding were consistent with two populations of membrane receptors with different affinities. Preincubation of PAM with FMLP did not result in a reduction of maximal binding. We conclude that FMLP induces deactivation of PAM chemotaxis, but cross-deactivation occurs only after high dose treatment. Unlike the PMN, macrophage chemotactic activation is not accompanied by an elevation in cAMP levels. These observations suggest that PAM chemotaxis is influenced by prior exposure to chemotactic stimuli, but other aspects of the PAM response diverge from that of PMN. The mechanism of deactivation of PAM does not appear to result from a shift in the dose-response curve or decreased availability of membrane receptors, but may involve uncoupling of post-receptor cellular responses.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Polymorphism of the C3b/C4b receptor (CR1): characterization of a fourth allele.

The receptor for C3b/C4b (C3bR or CR1) has an unusual polymorphism in which three codominant alleles determine variants with a large difference in Mr (160,000, 190,000, or 220,000). We found an individual who has, in addition to the common 190,000 Mr molecule, a C3bR whose Mr is 250,000. In this proband and in some members of his family, this novel heterozygous phenotype can be isolated from 125I surface-labeled cells by iC3 or iC4 affinity chromatography or by immunoprecipitation with the use of polyclonal or monoclonal anti-C3bR. Relative to the 190,000 Mr C3bR, E from individuals in this family have 20 to 30% of the total receptor counts in the 250,000 Mr C3bR. However, on C3bR-bearing leukocytes there is a much larger amount of the 250,000 Mr C3bR (approximately 60%) relative to the 190,000 Mr C3bR. Similar to the other three C3bR variants, the Mr is 5,000 greater on polymorphonuclear cells than on E, and treatment of this new C3bR with endoglycosidase F decreases its Mr by approximately 10,000. Therefore, because this variant is inherited and has structural and functional similarities to the other three C3bR, we conclude that this 250,000 Mr CR1 probably represents a fourth allele.

Alleles↗
PubMed1985

Purification and functional analysis of the polymorphic variants of the C3b/C4b receptor (CR1) and comparison with H, C4b-binding protein (C4bp), and decay accelerating factor (DAF).

Four CR1 variants have been found in the normal population and are designated CR1-A (190,000 daltons), CR1-B (220,000 daltons), CR1-C (160,000 daltons), and CR1-D (250,000 daltons). In the present study, we first developed an improved chromatographic purification scheme for CR1 that does not employ a C3b affinity step. CR1 variants (A, B, and C) were then isolated, and their individual functional activity was assessed. Each possessed similar co-factor activity for I-mediated cleavage of C3(H2O), as well as for the inhibitory activity for fluid phase C3 convertases. These results indicate that, despite relatively large Mr differences, in the purified state these three CR1 variants have similar functional activities. The functional activity of CR1 was also compared with C4bp, H, and decay accelerating factor (DAF) in fluid phase assays designed to assess the inhibition of the C3 convertases and co-factor activity. On a molar basis, CR1 had approximately the same inhibitory activity as C4bp for the classical pathway convertase, and had the same as H for the alternative pathway convertase. These results indicate that CR1 encompasses the functional capabilities of both proteins. They also raise a number of interesting genetic and structural questions in regard to these complement regulatory proteins, because C4bp is thought to have multiple C4b binding domains, whereas H is reported to bind one C3b. DAF was an approximately fourfold better inhibitor of the alternative pathway convertase than CR1 or H, but was a fourfold less efficient inhibitor of the classical pathway convertase than CR1 or C4bp. The effective inhibitory capacity of DAF in these fluid phase assay systems suggests that the DAF substrate specificity is for the convertases. Fluid phase CR1 was twofold less efficient than H in serving as a co-factor for the first cleavage of fluid phase C3b, and hardly mediated the second cleavage. These data are in contrast to the co-factor activity of CR1 on a cell membrane, and provide additional evidence for the local environment being a critical modulator of the function of proteins that regulate the activation of C3.

Complement Activating Enzymes↗
PubMed1985

Generation of the bioactive kallikrein-derived fragment, C3d-k, by HANE-plasma.

Recent studies have concluded that after complement activation the final physiologic degradation products of C3 are C3c and the fragment of relative molecular mass (Mr) 42,000 which contains the C3d and C3g domains and was therefore named C3d,g. Using fluorescent labelled C3b as a substrate, we have determined the putative C3d,g ('C3d,g') producing activity of both normal and hereditary angioneurotic oedema (HANE) plasmas. In normal plasmas, the rate of production of C3d,g was 1.0 +/- 0.2 X 10(-10) mol/ml/h and this activity was blocked by antibodies to I. In contrast, HANE, plasmas (deficient in C1INH) showed more than twice as much 'C3d,g' production as normal plasmas and both antibodies to I and kallikrein were required to inhibit this activity. Because of this result, a more sensitive gel system was employed to detect the Mr 42,000 peptide and two 'C3d,g' fragments of approximately equal intensity with Mr of 42,000 and 43,000 were defined. Incubation of purified kallikrein with labelled iC3b produced a C3d,g-like fragment, C3d-k, that aligned with the band of 43,000 Mr generated in HANE plasma. These results indicate that HANE plasma, in contrast to normal plasma, generates the bioactive C3d-k fragment. C1INH blocks the activities of kallikrein and C1s, and C3d-k generation in HANE plasma is probably secondary to the proteolytic activity of kallikrein.

Angioedema↗
PubMed1984

The C4 and Slp genes of the complement region of the murine H-2 major histocompatibility complex.

Recent analyses, at the protein and DNA levels of structure, of the murine complement components C4 and the closely related sex-limited protein, Slp have led to new insights into the H-2/S region-linked C4 and Slp genes and their products. The primary products are 200 000 Da precursors which are cleaved, intracellularly and extracellularly, into the the mature alpha-beta-gamma-subunit molecules of plasma. Precursor order of subunits is beta-alpha-gamma; a complementary DNA clone spanning the alpha-gamma junction has been extensively analysed. The C-terminal of the alpha-chain is of particular interest because of post-secretion processing which differentiates 'secreted' and 'plasma' forms of C4, both apparently functional, and because allelic variants of C4 and the Slp protein, which differ substantially in molecular masses, owe their differences principally to different levels of glycosylation of the alpha-chain. Allelic variations in rate of C4 synthesis (C4-high compared with C4-low) have been analysed in cultures of hepatocytes and macrophages. Three distinct modes of genetic regulation of the expression of the Slp protein have been identified.

Alleles↗
PubMed1984

Polymorphism of the human C3b/C4b receptor. Identification of a third allele and analysis of receptor phenotypes in families and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

We have isolated C3bR from surface-labeled erythrocytes of 180 normal individuals and 45 patients with SLE. These studies have identified a previously unrecognized C3bR molecule on E with a Mr of approximately 160,000 daltons on nonreduced SDS-polyacrylamide gels. A similar receptor phenotype is also found on other C3bR-bearing peripheral blood leukocytes. Family studies demonstrate that this approximately 160,000-dalton molecule represents a third allele that is inherited in a codominant fashion at the same locus as the two previously described C3bR alleles. In unrelated normal donors a common allele (A) determines an approximately 190,000-dalton C3bR (gene frequency 0.83), a second allele (B) determines an approximately 220,000-dalton C3bR (gene frequency = 0.16), and a third rare allele (C) determines an approximately 160,000-dalton C3bR (gene frequency = 0.01). There were no major differences in gene frequencies among Caucasians and blacks or normal individuals and patients with SLE. However, compared with normal individuals, heterozygous C3bR-AC patients with SLE express large amounts of the approximately 160,000-dalton C3bR on E. Expression of C3bR molecules among heterozygous siblings is similar, suggesting that an inherited factor controls expression of the two molecules in heterozygous donors. These observations constitute an instructive example of a structural polymorphism of an integral membrane glycoprotein and provide a structural and genetic basis for further molecular and functional analyses of C3bR in normal and patient populations.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Evidence for linkage between the loci coding for the binding protein for the fourth component of human complement (C4BP) and for the C3b/C4b receptor.

Three pedigrees informative for the segregation of genetic variants of the binding protein for the fourth component of complement (C4BP) and C3b/C4b receptor (C3bR) have been identified. There were 10 informative meioses with no recombinants, indicating a close linkage between the loci encoding C4BP and C3bR, C4BP and C3bR [maximum lod (logarithm of odds of linkage) score: 2.4 at recombinant fraction = 0.0]. In addition, in the four unrelated individuals who were doubly heterozygous (C4BP*1, C4BP*2, C3bR*A, C3bR*B), the infrequent allele C4BP*2 segregated together with the uncommon allele C3bR*B, supporting the hypothesis of linkage between C4BP and C3bR and suggesting that linkage disequilibrium exists between these particular alleles. We conclude that the loci encoding C3bR and C4BP, two functionally related molecules, are linked.

Alleles↗