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U Galili

Publications and source records attributed to U Galili.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Synthesis of alpha-gal epitopes on influenza virus vaccines, by recombinant alpha 1,3galactosyltransferase, enables the formation of immune complexes with the natural anti-Gal antibody.

Synthesis of the carbohydrate structure Gal alpha 1-3Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc-R (termed the alpha-gal epitope) on viral glycoproteins is of interest because of the large amounts of natural antibody (anti-Gal) produced in humans against this epitope. The presence of alpha-gal epitopes on inactivated virus or subviral vaccines is likely to enhance vaccine immunogenicity through in vivo complexing with anti-Gal and the subsequent targeting of the vaccine to Fcy receptors on antigen presenting cells. Our previous studies have demonstrated the increased in vitro immunogenicity of inactivated influenza virus complexed with the anti-Gal antibody. Here we demonstrate a method for engineering the expression of alpha-gal epitopes on influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) by recombinant alpha 1,3galactosyltransferase (r alpha 1,3GT). We further demonstrate the formation of immune complexes between this de novo synthesized epitope and anti-Gal. HA has multiple N-acetyllactosamine structures which serve as excellent acceptors for r alpha 1,3GT. The luminal portion of marmoset alpha 1,3GT cDNA was produced in large amounts in the baculo virus system and isolated by affinity chromatography on nickel-Sepharose columns. r alpha 1,3GT effectively transferred galactose from UDP-Gal to the N-acetyllactosamine residues of HA on the intact virion or to isolated HA molecules. At least 3000 alpha-gal epitopes were de novo synthesized per virion. The natural anti-Gal antibody bound to these epitopes in ELISA, in western blots and in solution, forming distinct immune complexes. These data suggest that in vivo administration of such vaccines will result in their complexing with anti-Gal, and thus may lead to their increased immunogenicity.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Inhibition of anti-Gal IgG binding to porcine endothelial cells by synthetic oligosaccharides.

Rejection of pig-to-human or pig-to-primate xenografts is mediated by the natural anti-Gal antibody, which interacts with alpha-galactosyl epitopes (i.e., Gal alpha1-3Gal beta1-4GlcNAc-R) abundantly expressed on porcine cells. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of various synthetic oligosaccharides to inhibit the binding of anti-Gal IgG molecules to porcine endothelial cells in vitro. Such inhibition ultimately may help to reduce or to prevent the in vivo antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) reaction. In the absence of complement-mediated hyperacute rejection, the ADCC induced by anti-Gal IgG molecules is likely to cause the chronic rejection of xenografts. The synthetic free alpha-galactosyl epitope (Gal alpha1-3Gal beta1-4GlcNAc) was found to be 300-fold more effective than melibiose or alpha-methyl galactoside in inhibiting anti-Gal binding to porcine endothelial cells, and to prevent >90% of the antibody binding at a concentration of 1 mM. The disaccharide Gal alpha1-3Gal was ten-fold less effective than the free alpha-galactosyl epitope. Accordingly, the affinity of the disaccharide to anti-Gal, as measured by equilibrium dialysis, was seven-fold lower than that of the trisaccharide. The effective concentration of oligosaccharides inhibiting anti-Gal is independent of the antibody affinity, but is dependent on the concentration of the antibody. Based on the small difference in affinity between Gal alpha1-3Gal beta1-4GlcNAc and Gal alpha1-3Gal beta1-4GIc, and the large difference in the price of N-acetyllactosamine vs. lactose, it is suggested that lactose may be considered as an appropriate starting material for synthesizing large amounts of a trisaccharide that effectively neutralizes anti-Gal.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Synthesis of alpha-galactosyl epitopes by recombinant alpha1,3galactosyl transferase for opsonization of human tumor cell vaccines by anti-galactose.

The immunogenicity of tumor-associated antigens in autologous tumor vaccines is limited because of insufficient uptake by antigen-presenting cells (APC). Anti-Galactose (Gal) IgG, abundantly produced in humans, can serve as a natural adjuvant increasing the uptake of vaccinating autologous tumor cell membranes by APC. Anti-Gal interacts with the alpha-galactosyl epitope (Ga1alpha1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc-R), which is normally absent in humans. This epitope is produced in large amounts in nonprimate mammals and New World monkeys due to the intracellular activity of the glycosylation enzyme alphal,3galactosyltransferase. alpha-Galactosyl epitopes were synthesized in vitro on human tumor cells by soluble recombinant alphal,3galactosyltransferase. Anti-Gal binding to these epitopes induces the effective uptake of the tumor cells by APC with Fc receptors that interact with the Fc portion of this natural antibody. It is suggested that synthesis of alpha-galactosyl epitopes on freshly isolated human tumor cell membranes, followed by their administration back to the patient, will result in the in situ opsonization of the membranes by anti-Gal, thereby improving the uptake, processing, and presentation of autologous tumor-associated antigens by APC with Fc receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Enhancement of antigen presentation of influenza virus hemagglutinin by the natural human anti-Gal antibody.

Immunogenicity of inactivated virus or subviral vaccines may be enhanced by complexing with an IgG antibody. Such antibody would increase the uptake, processing and presentation of the vaccine's antigens by antigen presenting cells (APC), via the adhesion of the antibody-vaccine complex to Fc-receptors on macrophages and other APC. A natural antibody in humans, which may be generally exploited for this purpose, is the natural anti-Gal antibody. This antibody is ubiquitously produced as 1% of circulating IgG in humans and Old World primates, and it interacts specifically with the carbohydrate epitope Gal alpha 1-3 Gal beta 1-4 GlcNAc-R (termed the alpha-galactosyl epitope). This epitope is synthesized in large amounts in cells of nonprimate mammals and New World monkeys by the glycosylation enzyme alpha 1,3 galactosyltransferase. Here we describe in vitro studies on the ability of anti-Gal to bind to alpha-galactosyl epitopes on influenza virus propagated in mammalian cells, and to enhance presentation by APC of viral hemagglutinin antigenic determinants to specific helper T cell clones. The various approaches for achieving alpha-galactosyl epitope expression on virion and subviral vaccines are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

A human antibody binds to alpha-galactose receptors and mimics the effects of Clostridium difficile toxin A in rat colon.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nearly all human sera contain an immunoglobulin G antibody (antigalactose) that binds the trisaccharide Gal alpha 1-3Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc expressed on cells from most mammals but not humans. Because the Clostridium difficile toxin A receptor in rodents contains this trisaccharide, the aim of this study was to examine whether antigalactose could mimic the enterotoxic effects of toxin A and bind to receptors containing this trisaccharide. METHODS: Fluid secretion, [3H]-mannitol permeability, and release of rat mast cell protease II and prostaglandin E2 were measured after luminal exposure of rat colon to either purified human anti-galactose, control immunoglobulin G, toxin A, or buffer. RESULTS: Toxin A (5 micrograms) and antigalactose (250 micrograms) but not control immunoglobulin (250 micrograms) stimulated colonic fluid secretion and caused increased mannitol permeability and rat mast cell protease II release. Antigalactose and toxin A and, to a lesser degree, control immunoglobulin G also stimulated release of prostaglandin E2, but only toxin A produced acute inflammation of rat colonic mucosa. Antigalactose and toxin A bound specifically to a single class of colonic brush border receptors with dissociation constants of 10(-6) mol/L and 5.4 x 10(-8) mol/L, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Fluid secretion, increased permeability, and mast cell activation occur in rat colon when toxin A or human antigalactose immunoglobulin G bind to receptors bearing the trisaccharide Gal alpha 1-3Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Molecular mimicry in the recognition of glycosphingolipids by Gal alpha 3 Gal beta 4 GlcNAc beta-binding Clostridium difficile toxin A, human natural anti alpha-galactosyl IgG and the monoclonal antibody Gal-13: characterization of a binding-active human glycosphingolipid, non-identical with the animal receptor.

Glycoconjugates with terminal Gal alpha 3Gal beta 4GlcNAc beta sequences have been shown to be recognized by three carbohydrate-binding proteins; toxin A of Clostridium difficile, human natural anti alpha-galactosyl IgG and the monoclonal antibody Gal-13. However, the biological significance of this binding specificity in humans is unclear, since unsubstituted Gal alpha 3Gal beta 4GlcNAc beta sequences are not found in human tissues, due to suppression of the gene coding for the enzyme Gal beta 3-transferase. To explore this inconsistency, the binding of toxin A, human natural anti alpha-galactosyl IgG, and the Gal-13 monoclonal antibody to various glycosphingolipids was examined using the thin-layer chromatogram binding assay. The binding to Gal alpha 3Gal beta 4GlcNAc beta-terminated glycosphingolipids of rabbit erythrocytes was confirmed. A minor binding-active compound was also detected in the non-acid glycosphingolipid fraction of human erythrocytes. This glycosphingolipid was isolated and characterized by EI mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-EI mass spectrometry after degradation, and proton NMR spectroscopy, as GalNAc beta 3Gal beta 4GlcNAc beta 3Gal beta 4Glc beta 1Cer, corresponding to the x2 glycosphingolipid isolated before form this source. Two additional binding-active glycosphingolipids were found. One was GalNAc alpha 3Gal beta 4GlcNAc beta 3Gal beta 4 Glc beta 1 Cer, produced from blood group A-active GalNAc alpha 3 (Fuc alpha 2) Gal beta 4GlcNAc beta 3Gal beta 4Glc beta 1 Cer by acid-induced defucosylation. The other was GlcNAc beta 3 Gal beta 4 GlcNAc beta 3 Gal beta 4 Glc beta 1 Cer, generated from NeuGc alpha 3Gal beta 4GlcNAc beta 3Gal beta 4GlcNAc beta 3Gal beta 4Glc beta 1Cer by enzymatic hydrolysis. A number of other glycosphingolipid sequences, including the human Le(x), Le(y), and I blood group determinants, suggested to act as receptors for toxin A, were not recognized by the three ligands. Despite the different terminal substituents and anomerity of the binding-active glycosphingolipids, calculated minimum energy conformations demonstrated topographical similarities in the spatial orientation of the terminal trisaccharides, possibly accounting for the cross-reactivity.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Alterations of cell surface carbohydrates and inhibition of metastatic property of murine melanomas by alpha 1,3 galactosyltransferase gene transfection.

Three melanomas of C57BL/6 mice (BL6, JB/MS, and JB/RH) share several phenotypic properties. All these cells contain melanoma-specific ecotropic C-type retrovirus that encodes melanoma-associated antigen recognizable by MM2-9B6 mAb. They do not express H-2Kb molecules, and the alpha-galactosyl epitopes (Gal alpha 1-3Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc-R) they fail to react with soybean agglutinin (SBA), peanut agglutinin (PNA), and vicia villosa (VV) lectins. Previously, we found that failure of BL6 melanoma cells to express alpha-galactosyl epitopes is due to down-regulation of alpha 1,3 galactosyltransferase (alpha 1,3GT) gene expression. To evaluate the possible role of alpha-galactosyl cell membrane carbohydrates in regulation of metastatic properties, individual clones isolated from BL6, JB/MS, and JB/RH melanomas were transfected with alpha 1,3GT cDNA. This resulted in appearance of alpha-galactosyl epitopes, as well as of carbohydrates reacting with SBA, PNA, or VV lectins, but did not affect expression of H-2 class I molecules or melanoma-associated antigen. Appearance of SBA, PNA, and VV lectin binding carbohydrates in the alpha 1,3GT gene-transfected melanoma cells is a result of reduction of cell membrane sialylation and unmasking of these carbohydrates. Reduction in cell membrane sialylation in the alpha 1,3GT gene-transfected melanoma cells is probably due to the competition between alpha 1,3GT with alpha 2,3 sialyltransferase or alha 2,6 sialyltransferase for the common acceptor N-acetyllactosamine in the Golgi apparatus. As a result of this competition, cell membranes of alpha 1,3GT gene-transfected melanoma cells became galactosylated and less sialylated. In parallel with alteration of cell membrane carbohydrates, transfection of the alpha 1,3GT gene leads to the loss of metastatic properties of the transfected melanoma cells in the immunocompetent and immunosuppressed C57BL/6 mice. Thus, the use of specific glycosyltransferase cDNA transfection presents direct experimental confirmation of the importance of cell membrane carbohydrates in the regulation of metastatic properties of tumor cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Human anti-Gal heavy chain genes. Preferential use of VH3 and the presence of somatic mutations.

Anti-Gal is the most abundant natural Ab known in humans. It interacts specifically with the carbohydrate structure Gal alpha 1-3 Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc-R (termed the alpha-galactosyl epitope), constitutes approximately 1% of circulating Ig, and is found in all three isotypes in the serum. Anti-Gal is produced in Old World monkeys, apes, and humans, and in no other mammalian species. The objective of this study was to determine the VH genes involved in the synthesis of anti-Gal. B lymphocytes from various individuals were transformed by EBV, the clones producing anti-Gal were isolated, the specificity and affinity of the Abs were determined, and the VH genes were sequenced. The affinity of anti-Gal clones for the free radiolabeled alpha-galactosyl epitope ranged between 1.1 x 10(6) M-1 and 5 x 10(8) M-1. Eight of the nine clones studied used VH3 family genes and one clone used a VH1 family gene. Four of the five VH3 genes used were found to form a cluster of related sequences, suggesting that functional constraints may lead to the use of VH3 genes with structural motifs that are suited for specific interactions with the alpha-galactosyl epitope. Comparison with known germline sequences for all of the clones studied and analysis of autologous germ-line genes in two of the clones indicate that anti-Gal VH genes undergo somatic mutations. These somatic mutations may provide a pool of variants that are available for affinity maturation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Increased anti-Gal activity in diabetic patients transplanted with fetal porcine islet cell clusters.

The natural anti-Gal antibody seems to create a major obstacle for discordant xenotransplantation in humans. Anti-Gal, which is produced in large amounts in humans (1% of circulating IgG), interacts specifically with the carbohydrate structure Gal alpha 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc-NAc-R (termed the alpha-galactosyl epitope). This epitope is present in large amounts on porcine cells, as well as on cells of other nonprimate mammals (1 x 10(6) to 35 x 10(6) epitopes/cell). The interaction of anti-Gal with alpha-galactosyl epitopes on the xenograft was found to mediate the immune destruction of discordant xenografts. In the present study, the human immune response to alpha-galactosyl epitopes on xenografts was assessed by measuring changes in anti-Gal titers and affinity in sera of diabetic patients transplanted with fetal porcine islet cell clusters. The activity of this antibody was assessed by a hemagglutination assay with RBC, by ELISA with mouse laminin as a solid-phase antigen, and by equilibrium dialysis with the radiolabeled free haptenic form of the alpha-galactosyl epitope, i.e. [3H]Gal alpha 1-3Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc. All assays revealed a marked increase in anti-Gal activity after transplantation. The increase in anti-Gal titers ranged between 8- and 64-fold. A similar increase was observed in the binding of free alpha-galactosyl epitopes to anti-Gal, as assayed in equilibrium dialysis. Immunoglobulin concentration did not increase after transplantation, suggesting that the observed increase in anti-Gal activity is the result of a specific immune response against alpha-galactosyl epitopes on the xenograft. The elevation in anti-Gal activity was observed in all three immunoglobulin classes and the highest activity was found within the IgG class. Analysis of IgG binding to fixed porcine endothelial cells suggested that most of the observed increased activity against these cells in transplanted patients may be attributed to the elevation in anti-Gal activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Variations in activity of the human natural anti-Gal antibody in young and elderly populations.

BACKGROUND: Anti-Gal is a natural antibody which constitutes approximately 1% of circulating IgG in humans and which interacts specifically with the mammalian carbohydrate epitope Gal alpha 1-3Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc-R (termed the alpha-galactosyl epitope). The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are age-associated changes in the affinity of anti-Gal in elderly individuals. METHODS: The age-associated variations in affinity of anti-Gal were determined by the extent of this antibody binding to solid-phase alpha-galactosyl epitopes (mouse laminin) in ELISA, performed at various serum dilutions with serum samples from 140 elderly and 127 young individuals. The data were expressed as the mean of optical density (O.D.) values measured at serum dilutions of 1:40, 1:80, and 1:160, and correlated with the affinity of anti-Gal as measured in equilibrium dialysis. RESULTS: The proportion of individuals with low-affinity anti-Gal is sixfold higher in the elderly than in the young population. Whereas low-affinity binding of anti-Gal (mean O.D. value < or = 1.0) was observed in only 6% of the young population, as many as 35% of the elderly population displayed such low-affinity anti-Gal. Anti-Gal affinity in ELISA assay correlated with the affinity of this antibody as measured in equilibrium dialysis. CONCLUSION: The proportion of individuals with low affinity anti-Gal increases in the elderly population in comparison with the young population. The possible molecular mechanisms which may result in the age-associated decrease in the antibody affinity are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

alpha-galactosyl (Galalpha1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc-R) epitopes on human cells: synthesis of the epitope on human red cells by recombinant primate alpha1,3galactosyltransferase expressed in E.coli.

Developing methods for in vitro synthesis of the carbohydrate structure Galalpha1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc-R (termed the alpha-galactosyl epitope) on human tumour cells may be of potential clinical significance in cancer immunotherapy. Tumour vaccines with this epitope would be opsonized in vivo by the natural anti-Gal antibody, which is present in large amounts in humans, and which interacts specifically with alpha-galactosyl epitopes. Binding of anti-Gal to alpha-galactosyl epitopes on tumour cell membranes is likely to increase uptake of the cell membranes by antigen-presenting cells, such as macrophages, via the adhesion of the Fc portion of anti-Gal to Fc receptors on these cells. This, in turn, may increase processing and presentation of tumour-associated antigens by antigen-presenting cells, and induce an effective immune response against tumour cells with these antigens. The present study describes a method for the synthesis of alpha-galactosyl epitopes on human cells (red cells used as a model) by recombinant alpha1,3galactosyltransferase (rec. alpha1,3GT) expressed in bacteria. Escherichia coli was transformed with cDNA of the luminal portion of New World monkey rec. alpha1,3GT linked to six histidines (His)6 at the N-terminus. The enzyme produced by the bacteria was isolated from bacterial lysates on a nickel-Sepharose column and eluted with imidazole. This recombinant enzyme displayed acceptor specificity similar to that of rec. alpha1,3GT produced in COS cells. Red cells were pre-treated with sialidase for exposure of N-acetyllactosamine acceptors, then subjected to rec. alpha1,3GT activity. This enzyme synthesized at least 4 x 10(4) alpha-galactosyl epitopes/red cell. These epitopes were found to be accessible for binding of anti-Gal, as well as Bandeiraea simplicifolia IB4 lectin. It is argued that the method presented can be used for the synthesis of alpha-galactosyl epitopes on membranes of autologous tumour vaccines in humans.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Anti-alpha-galactosyl immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG, and IgM in human secretions.

Anti-alpha-galactosyl (anti-Gal) is a natural human serum antibody that binds to the carbohydrate Gal alpha 1,3Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc-R (alpha-galactosyl epitope) and is synthesized by 1% of circulating B lymphocytes in response to immune stimulation by enteric bacteria. We were able to purify secretory anti-Gal from human colostrum and bile by affinity chromatography on silica-linked Gal alpha 1,3Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc. We found similar secretory anti-Gal antibodies in human milk, saliva, and vaginal washings. Secretory anti-Gal from milk and saliva was exclusively immunoglobulin A (IgA); that from colostrum and bile also contained IgG and IgM isotypes. Serum was also found to contain anti-Gal IgM and IgA in addition to the previously reported IgG. Anti-Gal IgA purified from colostrum and bile had both IgA1 and IgA2. Secretory anti-Gal from saliva, milk, colostrum, and bile agglutinated rabbit erythrocytes (RRBC) and bound to bovine thyroglobulin, both of which have abundant alpha-galactosyl epitopes. The RRBC-hemagglutinating capacity of human saliva, milk, bile, and serum was specifically adsorbed by immobilized Gal alpha 1,3Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc but not by Gal alpha 1,4Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc, Gal beta 1,3GalNAc, Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc, Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc alpha 1,2Man, or Fuc alpha 1,2Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc. No RRBC-hemagglutinating activity could be detected in rat milk, rat bile, cow milk, or rabbit bile, suggesting a restricted species distribution for secretory anti-Gal similar to that found for serum anti-Gal. Colostral anti-GaI IgA bound strongly to a sample of gram-negative bacteria isolated from the throats and stools of well children as well as to an Escherichia coli K-1 blood isolate. Colostral anti-GaI IgA inhibited the binding of a Neisseria meningitidis strain to human buccal epithelial cells, suggesting that this antibody may play a protective role at the mucosal surface.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Specific stimulation of Graves' disease thyrocytes by the natural anti-Gal antibody from normal and autologous serum.

Anti-Gal is a natural Ab abundantly produced in humans. It interacts specifically with the carbohydrate epitope Gal alpha 1-3Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc-R (termed the alpha-galactosyl epitope). This epitope is expressed in large amounts on thyrocytes of nonprimate mammals, but not of humans. We have previously found that binding of anti-Gal to alpha-galactosyl epitopes on porcine thyrocytes results in stimulatory effects similar to those exerted by thyroid-stimulating hormone (thyrotropin). In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that anti-Gal may contribute to Graves' disease (GD) pathogenesis by stimulation of the thyrocytes of patients with this autoimmune disorder. Anti-Gal binding and stimulatory effects were assessed in primary thyrocyte cultures. Anti-Gal specifically bound to GD thyrocytes and induced an increase in cAMP synthesis, 125I uptake, and DNA synthesis in these cells. Furthermore, the stimulatory effects of autologous sera on GD thyrocytes were greatly reduced after specific depletion of anti-Gal from these sera. No binding and no stimulatory effects of anti-Gal were observed, however, with normal human thyrocytes and with thyrocytes from thyrotoxic patients who lack thyroid-stimulating Igs or thyrotropin binding inhibiting Igs. These in vitro stimulatory effects of anti-Gal on GD thyrocytes suggest that this natural Ab may contribute to the in vivo continuous stimulation of thyrocytes in GD patients. The possibility that anti-Gal may stimulate GD thyrocytes via interaction with aberrantly expressed alpha-galactosyl epitopes on the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Defining the minimal size of catalytically active primate alpha 1,3 galactosyltransferase: structure-function studies on the recombinant truncated enzyme.

The glycosylation enzyme alpha 1,3 galactosyltransferase, which synthesizes the carbohydrate Gal alpha 1-3Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc-R, is active in non-primate mammals, prosimians and New World monkeys, but not in Old World monkeys, apes and humans. In this study, we have cloned and sequenced the enzyme expressed in a New World monkey, determined the exact size of the stem region and assessed the minimal size of catalytically active alpha 1,3 galactosyltransferase (alpha 1,3GT). Various primer sets were used in the polymerase chain reaction to generate cDNAs which coded for forms of alpha 1,3GT with deletions at the N- or C-terminal domains. The cDNA was inserted into the expression vector pPROTA which contains the coding sequence for protein A, and subsequently transfected into COS cells. The soluble chimeric products (truncated enzyme and protein A) were harvested from the cell culture medium using IgG-Sepharose beads and assayed for enzymatic activity. As many as 67 amino acids could be truncated at the amino terminal region of the luminal portion of the enzyme without affecting its catalytic activity. Truncation of 68, 69 and 74 amino acids resulted in a 50, 75 and > 95% loss in the in vitro catalytic actively, respectively. Introduction of a frameshift mutation which is characteristic of apes and human alpha 1,3GT gene resulted in the complete loss of enzyme activity. Moreover, truncation of as few as three amino acids at the carboxyl end of alpha 1,3GT resulted in complete loss of the catalytic activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Differential host-dependent expression of alpha-galactosyl epitopes on viral glycoproteins: a study of eastern equine encephalitis virus as a model.

The carbohydrate epitope Gal alpha 1-3Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc-R (alpha-galactosyl) is abundantly expressed on cells of non-primate mammals, prosimians and New World monkeys, where it is synthesized by the enzyme alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase (alpha 1,3GT). Old World monkeys, apes and humans lack alpha 1,3GT and hence do not synthesize alpha-galactosyl epitopes. Instead, these species produce a natural antibody, anti-Gal, which interacts specifically with alpha-galactosyl epitopes and which constitutes up to 1% of circulating immunoglobulins in humans. We have used eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus as a model to examine the differential expression of alpha-galactosyl epitopes on the glycoproteins of virus propagated in cells that either produce or lack alpha 1,3GT. As predicted, virus propagated in Vero cells (derived from the African green monkey, an Old World monkey) did not express alpha-galactosyl epitopes. In contrast, virus propagated in mouse 3T3 cells (EEE3T3) expressed approximately 80 alpha-galactosyl epitopes per virion on both the E1 and the E2 envelope glycoproteins. Thus, expression of the alpha-galactosyl epitope on virions paralleled that on host cells. The binding of anti-Gal antibody to these epitopes on EEE3T3 virions partially neutralized virus infectivity, raising the possibility that anti-Gal production in hosts may influence the initial infectious stage of viruses expressing alpha-galactosyl epitopes.

Animals↗