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Molecular structures of the inclusion complexes beta-cyclodextrin-1,2-bis(4-aminophenyl)ethane and beta-cyclodextrin-4,4'-diaminobiphenyl; packing of dimeric beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes.

The present investigation is part of an ongoing study on the influence of the long end-functonalized guest molecules DBA and BNZ in the crystal packing of beta-cyclodextrin (betaCD) dimeric complexes. The title compounds are 2:2 host:guest complexes showing limited host-guest hydrogen bonding at the primary faces of the betaCD dimers. Within the betaCD cavity the guests exhibit mutual pi...pi interactions and between betaCD dimers perpendicular NH...pi interactions. The DBA guest molecule exhibits one extended and two bent conformations in the complex. The BNZ guest molecule is not planar inside betaCD, in contrast to the structure of BNZ itself, which indicates that the cavity isolates the molecules and forbids the pi...pi stacking of the aromatic rings. NMR spectroscopy studies show that in aqueous solution both DBA and BNZ form strong complexes that have 1:1 stoichiometry and structures similar to the solid state ones. The relative packing of the dimers is the same in both complexes. The axes of two adjacent dimers form an angle close to 20 degrees and have a lateral displacement approximately 2.45 A, both of which characterize the screw-channel mode of packing. Although the betaCD/BNZ complex indeed crystallizes in a space group characterizing the latter mode, the betaCD/DBA complex crystallizes in a space group with novel dimensions not resembling any of the packing modes reported so far. The new lattice is attributed to the three conformations exhibited by the guest in the crystals. However, this lattice can be transformed into another, which is isostructural to that of the betaCD/BNZ inclusion complex, if the conformation of the guest is not taken into account.

Aminobiphenyl Compounds↗

X-ray studies on crystalline complexes involving amino acids and peptides. XXIII. Variability in ionization state, conformation and molecular aggregation in the complexes of succinic acid with DL- and L-lysine.

Crystalline complexes of succinic acid with DL- and L-lysine have been prepared and analysed by X-ray diffraction. DL-Lysine complex: C6H15N2O2+.-1/2C4H4O4(2-).1/2C4H6O4, Mr = 264.2, P1, a = 5.506 (4), b = 8.070 (2), c = 14.089 (2) A, alpha = 92.02 (1), beta = 100.69 (3), gamma = 95.85 (3) degrees, Z = 2, Dx = 1.44 g cm-3, R = 0.059 for 2546 observed reflections. Form I of the L-lysine complex: C6H15N2O2+.C4H5O4-, Mr = 264.2, P1, a = 5.125 (2), b = 8.087 (1), c = 8.689 (1) A, alpha = 112.06 (1), beta = 99.08 (2), gamma = 93.77 (2) degrees, Z = 1, Dm = 1.34 (3), Dx = 1.34 g cm-3, R = 0.033 for 1475 observed reflections. Form II of the L-lysine complex: C6H15N2O2+.1/4C4H4O4(2-).-1/4C4H6O4.1/4(C4H5O4.. .H...C4H4O4)2-, Mr = 264.2, P1, a = 10.143 (4), b = 10.256 (2), c = 12.916 (3) A, alpha = 105.00 (2), beta = 99.09 (3), gamma = 92.78 (3) degrees, Z = 4, Dm = 1.37 (4), Dx = 1.38 g cm-3, R = 0.067 for 2809 observed reflections. The succinic acid molecules in the structures exhibit a variety of ionization states. Two of the lysine conformations found in the complexes have been observed for the first time in crystals containing lysine. Form II of the L-lysine complex is highly pseudosymmetric. In all the complexes, unlike molecules aggregate into separate alternating layers. The basic element of aggregation in the lysine layer in the complexes is an S2-type head-to-tail sequence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acids↗

Influence of complex structure on the biodegradation of iron-citrate complexes.

The biodegradation of iron-citrate complexes depends on the structure of the complex formed between the metal and citric acid. Ferric iron formed a bidentate complex with citric acid, [Fe(III) (OH)(2) cit] involving two carboxylic acid groups, and was degraded at the rate of 86 muM h. In contrast, ferrous iron formed a tridentate complex with citric acid, [Fe(II) cit], involving two carboxylic acid groups and the hydroxyl group, and was resistant to biodegradation. However, oxidation and hydrolysis of the ferrous iron resulted in the formation of a tridentate ferric-citrate complex, [Fe(III)OH cit], which was further hydrolyzed to a bidentate complex, [Fe(III)(OH)(2) cit], that was readily degraded. The rate of degradation of the ferrous-citrate complex depended on the rate of its conversion to the more hydrolyzed form of the ferric-citrate complex. Bacteria accelerated the conversion much more than did chemical oxidation and hydrolysis.

Journal Article↗

RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-TFIIF and Pol II-mediator complexes: the major stable Pol II complexes and their activity in transcription initiation and reinitiation.

Protein purification and depletion studies were used to determine the major stable forms of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) complexes found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae nuclear extracts. About 50% of Pol II is found associated with the general transcription factor TFIIF (Pol II-TFIIF), and about 20% of Pol II is associated with Mediator (Pol-Med). No Pol II-Med-TFIIF complex was observed. The activity of Pol II and the purified Pol II complexes in transcription initiation and reinitiation was investigated by supplementing extracts depleted of either total Pol II or total TFIIF with purified Pol II or the Pol II complexes. We found that all three forms of Pol II can complement Pol II-depleted extracts for transcription initiation, but Pol II-TFIIF has the highest specific activity. Similarly, Pol II-TFIIF has a much higher specific activity than TFIIF for complementation of TFIIF transcription activity. Although the Pol II-TFIIF and Pol II-Med complexes were stable when purified, we found these complexes were dynamic in extracts under transcription conditions, with a single polymerase capable of exchanging bound Mediator and TFIIF. Using a purified system to examine transcription reinitiation, we found that Pol II-TFIIF was active in promoting multiple rounds of transcription while Pol II-Med was nearly inactive. These results suggest that both the Pol II-Med and Pol II-TFIIF complexes can be recruited for transcription initiation but that only the Pol II-TFIIF complex is competent for transcription reinitiation.

Cell Extracts↗

Mechanism of recruiting Sec6/8 (exocyst) complex to the apical junctional complex during polarization of epithelial cells.

Sec6/8 (exocyst) complex regulates vesicle delivery and polarized membrane growth in a variety of cells, but mechanisms regulating Sec6/8 localization are unknown. In epithelial cells, Sec6/8 complex is recruited to cell-cell contacts with a mixture of junctional proteins, but then sorts out to the apex of the lateral membrane with components of tight junction and nectin complexes. Sec6/8 complex fractionates in a high molecular mass complex with tight junction proteins and a portion of E-cadherin, and co-immunoprecipitates with cell surface-labeled E-cadherin and nectin-2alpha. Recruitment of Sec6/8 complex to cell-cell contacts can be achieved in fibroblasts when E-cadherin and nectin-2alpha are co-expressed. These results support a model in which localized recruitment of Sec6/8 complex to the plasma membrane by specific cell-cell adhesion complexes defines a site for vesicle delivery and polarized membrane growth during development of epithelial cell polarity.

Animals↗

Domain interactions within the Ski2/3/8 complex and between the Ski complex and Ski7p.

The Ski complex (composed of Ski3p, Ski8p, and the DEVH ATPase Ski2p) is a central component of the 3'-5' cytoplasmic mRNA degradation pathway in yeast. Although the proteins of the complex interact with each other as well as with Ski7p to mediate degradation by exosome, a 3'-exonuclease complex, the nature of these interactions is not well understood. Here we explore interactions within the Ski complex and between the Ski complex and Ski7p using a directed two-hybrid approach combined with coimmunoprecipitation experiments. We also test the functional significance of these interactions in vivo. Our results suggest that within the Ski complex, Ski3p serves as a scaffold protein with its C terminus interacting with Ski8p, and the sub-C terminus interacting with Ski2p, while no direct interaction between Ski2p and Ski8p was found. Ski7p interacts with the Ski complex via its interaction with Ski8p and Ski3p. In addition, inactivating the Ski complex by mutating conserved residues in the DEVH helicase motif of Ski2 did not abrogate its interaction with Ski7p, indicating that Ski2p function is not necessary for this interaction.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Inhibition of the apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme-complex by hnRNP C1 protein and 40S hnRNP complexes.

The apolipoprotein (apo) B mRNA can be modified by a posttranscriptional base change from cytidine to uridine at nucleotide position 6666. This editing of apo B mRNA is mediated by a specific enzyme-complex of which only the catalytic subunit APOBEC-1 (apo B mRNA editing enzyme component 1) has been cloned and extensively characterized. In this study, two-hybrid selection in yeast identified hnRNP C1 protein to interact with APOBEC-1. Recombinant hnRNP C1 protein inhibited partially purified apo B mRNA editing activity from rat small intestine and bound specifically to apo B sense RNA around the editing site. The inhibition of apo B mRNA editing by hnRNP C1 protein was not due to masking of the RNA substrate as the mutant protein M104 spanning the RNA-binding domain of hnRNP C1 protein bound strongly to the apo B RNA, but did not inhibit the editing reaction. The apo B mRNA editing enzyme-complex of rat liver nuclear extracts sedimented in sucrose density gradients around 22-27S, but did not contain hnRNP C1 protein that was found exclusively within 40S hnRNP complexes. The removal of 40S hnRNP complexes increased the activity of the 22-27S editing enzyme-complex. Adding back 40S hnRNP complexes with hnRNP C1 protein resulted in an inhibition of the 22-27S apo B mRNA editing enzyme-complex, while addition of 18S fractions had no effect. In conclusion, hnRNP C1 protein identified by two-hybrid selection in yeast is a potent inhibitor of the apo B mRNA editing enzyme-complex. The abundant hnRNP C1 protein, which is contiguously deposited on nascent pre-mRNA during transcription and is involved in spliceosome assembly and mRNA splicing, is a likely regulator of the editing of apo B mRNA which restricts the activity of APOBEC-1 to limited and specific editing events.

APOBEC-1 Deaminase↗

Complex of D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase with Cu2+ ion. I. The apoenzyme-Cu complex.

D-Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase binds one Cu2+ ion per subunit, which results in the formation of a specific metal-protein complex. This complex exhibits a sharp absorption band around 370 nm, and a broad, small absorption band in the 600-700 nm region. The shape of the absorption spectrum of Cu-GAPD complex in the visible range depends on the anionic composition of the solution. The Cu-GAPD complex is stable in solutions containing phosphate or pyrophosphate anions, but undergoes a slow change in sulfate-, and a rapid change in chloride-containing solutions. The Cys-149 residue of the enzyme is essential for the formation of the Cu-GAPD complex. The sharp absorption at 370 nm presumably corresponds to a charge transfer interaction between the sulfur and the metal ion. Similar absorption bands are shown by the Cu-complexes of papain and thiol-alcalase enzymes. It is assumed that in addition to the reactive thiol groups an imidazole residue in the active site of these enzymes is also involved in the complex formation, and the specific Cu-GAPD Cu-papain and Cu-thiol-alcalase complexes contain a Cys-Cu-His chelate structure.

Animals↗

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of cephradine metal complexes: part I complexes with magnesium, calcium, chromium and manganese.

Cephradine is included among the first generation cephalosporins, which is active against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including penicillinase-producing Staphylococci. Since the presence of complexing ligand may affect the bioavailability of a metal in the blood or tissues, therefore, in order to study the probable interaction of cephradine with essential and trace elements present in human body, cephradine has been reacted with cobalt, copper, zinc and cadmium metal halides in L:M ratio of 2:1 in methanol and the products recrystallized from suitable solvents to pure crystals of consistent melting points. Infrared and ultraviolet studies of these complexes were carried out and compared with ligand. Magnetic susceptibility studies of these complexes were also carried out showing their paramagnetic behavior. From the infra red studies and elemental analysis of the complexes it has been shown that the drug molecule serves as a bidentate ligand coordinating through both its carboxylate at C-3 and beta -lactam nitrogen and the metal having a square planar or octahedral geometry. To evaluate the changes in microbiological activity of cephradine after complexation, antibacterial studies were carried out by observing the changes in MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) of the complexes and compared with the parent drug by measuring the zone of inhibition of complexes against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. For MIC observation, serial dilution method was employed and zone series were determined by disk diffusion method. Our investigations reveal that formation of complexes results in decrease in antibacterial activity of cephradine and MIC values are increased.

Journal Article↗

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of cephradine metal complexes : part II complexes with cobalt, copper, zinc and cadmium.

Cephradine, the first generation cephalosporin, is active against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including penicillinase-producing Staphylococci. Since the presence of complexing ligand may affect the bioavailability of a metal in the blood or tissues, therefore, in order to study the probable interaction of cephradine with essential and trace elements present in human body, cephradine has been reacted with cobalt, copper, zinc and cadmium metal halides in L:M ratio of 2:1 in methanol and the products recrystallized from suitable solvents to pure crystals of consistent melting points. Infrared and ultraviolet studies of these complexes were carried out and compared with ligand. Magnetic susceptibility studies of these complexes were also carried out showing their paramagnetic behavior. From the infra red studies and elemental analysis of the complexes, it has been shown that the drug molecule serves as a bidentate ligand coordinating through both its carboxylate at C-3 and beta-lactam nitrogen and the metal having a square planar or octahedral geometry. To evaluate the changes in microbiological activity of cephradine after complexation, antibacterial studies were carried out by observing the changes in MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) of the complexes and compared with the parent drug by measuring the zone of inhibition of complexes and compared with the parent cephalosporin against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. For MIC observation, serial dilution method was employed and zone series were determined by disk diffusion method. Our investigations reveal that formation of complexes results in decrease in antibacterial activity of cephradine and MIC values are increased.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

RNA polymerase II elongation complex. Elongation complexes purified using an anti-RNA antibody do not contain initiation factor alpha.

Gene expression in eukaryotes can be regulated by controlling the efficiency of transcript elongation by RNA polymerase II. The composition of the elongation complex is, however, poorly understood. Previous work has identified DNA sequences which block RNA polymerase II transcription and factors which stimulate RNA chain elongation. Here, I have purified elongation complexes arrested at discrete template locations. Complexes were rapidly and efficiently precipitated from in vitro transcription reactions using a monoclonal antibody that binds RNA. The isolated complexes remained transcriptionally active. This technique enables the facile manipulation of transcription elongation complexes. Using this approach, I show that transcription initiation factor alpha is not associated with a RNA polymerase II elongation complex. Since others have shown that alpha associates stoichiometrically with DNA, RNA polymerase II, and other required factors in an initiation complex, this work suggests that alpha departs from the transcription complex after nucleotides are required but before extensive RNA chain synthesis. In this regard alpha resembles the bacterial promoter-recognition factor sigma.

Animals↗

Prothrombinase complex assembly. Contributions of protein-protein and protein-membrane interactions toward complex formation.

Equilibrium binding studies of prothrombinase complex formation were undertaken using phospholipid vesicles composed of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine (PCPS), factor Va, and factor Xa modified with dansyl glutamylglycinylarginyl chloromethyl ketone (DEGR.Xa). The interaction between the Va.PCPS and DEGR.Xa.PCPS binary complexes was experimentally isolated using saturating concentrations of PCPS. Fluorescence titrations indicated that the membrane-bound proteins interact tightly (Kd approximately 10(-9) M) with a stoichiometry of 1 mol of Va bound/mol of DEGR.Xa at saturation. Complex formation was also investigated by kinetic studies of prothrombin activation using unmodified factor Xa. The kinetic studies yielded a Kd approximately 10(-9) M, which was independent of the concentration of prothrombin in the range of 0.5-5.0 microM. Fluorescence studies of complex assembly at limiting PCPS concentrations provided evidence for an altered DEGR.Xa-PCPS interaction when the enzyme was assembled into the complex. The data suggest that although both proteins are associated with PCPS when complexed with each other, the presence of factor Va on the membrane surface increases the affinity for the Xa-PCPS interaction by an estimated 100-fold. Prothrombinase complex assembly therefore proceeds independently of the availability of substrate and is stabilized by protein-protein and protein-phospholipid interactions. Linkage between the two protein-membrane combination events leads to the further stabilization of the complex on the vesicle surface.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Murine Ia-associated invariant chain's processing to complex oligosaccharide forms and its dissociation from the I-Ak complex.

The processing of murine invariant chain (Ii) to a cell surface form bearing complex N-linked oligosaccharides has been demonstrated in the B cell lymphoma, AKTB-1b. In addition, the rate of processing of pulse-labeled Ii has been determined relative to its rate of dissociation from the alpha/beta complex of I-Ak. Ii, alpha-, and beta-chains were immunoprecipitated with anti-I-Ak or anti-Ii monoclonal antibodies. The heretofore uncharacterized complex oligosaccharide form of Ii (Ii-c) was identified in gel-purified immunoprecipitates by peptide mapping with reverse-phase HPLC. Ii-c is resistant to deglycosylation by Endo H, which is specific for high-mannose N-linkages, but can be digested with Endo F, a glycosidase capable of cleaving both complex and high-mannose N-linked oligosaccharides. Immunoprecipitation of surface iodinated cells indicates that Ii-c is expressed on the plasma membrane. Pulse-chase metabolic labeling data show that the processing of Ii to Ii-c occurs with a t1/2 of about 120 min. In contrast, the processing of both alpha- and beta-chains of I-Ak to complex forms occurs with a t1/2 of 15 to 20 min. Our data show that Ii-hm begins to dissociate rapidly from the I-Ak complex after 100 to 120 min of chase. Only a small amount (less than 5% on a per mole basis) of Ii-c was found associated with the I-Ak complexes after 300 min of continuous metabolic labeling. These results are consistent with Ii serving as a carrier for Ia antigens as they are transported to the cell surface. In addition, they suggest that the processing of Ii to Ii-c, or a late processing event of the alpha- and beta-chains, such as their sialylation, may be a possible mechanism for inducing the dissociation of Ii from the I-Ak complex.

Animals↗

Free and complexed prostate-specific antigen (PSA): in vitro stability, epitope map, and development of immunofluorometric assays for specific and sensitive detection of free PSA and PSA-alpha 1-antichymotrypsin complex.

Generation of 15 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) allowed construction of epitope maps and specific two-site immunofluorometric assays for free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and PSA complexed with alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (ACT). Close correlation of PSA concentrations obtained with the use of different assays of free PSA suggested extensive similarity in immunodetection of free PSA in serum. Assays of the PSA-ACT complex overestimated the concentration of PSA-ACT in serum because of nonspecific adsorbance of ACT or cathepsin G-complexed ACT to the solid phase. This interference was substantially decreased in the presence of heparin. In studying the stability of purified PSA and PSA-ACT complexes formed in vitro, we found that the free PSA was stable during storage for 4 weeks at 35 degrees C, whereas PSA-ACT complexes largely dissociated in these conditions. The instability of PSA-ACT complexes was counteracted by storage at low temperatures, by adjusting the pH of the storage buffer between 6.8 and 7.4, and through addition of 100-1000-fold molar excess of native ACT. The ease of calibration and the accuracy of free PSA assays in comparison with assays of the PSA-ACT complex suggest that measurements of free to total PSA most accurately reflect the inverse of the proportion of PSA complexed to ACT in serum.

Adsorption↗

Cloned T cells internalize peptide from bound complexes of peptide and purified class II major histocompatibility complex antigen.

Antigen presentation to helper T cells involves the formation of a trimolecular complex consisting of a class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen combined with an antigenic peptide on the surface of an antigen-presenting cell and a T cell receptor (TCR) on the T cell. The fate of the MHC class II, peptide, or TCR moieties of the ternary complex following antigen presentation is unknown. Using radiolabeled complexes of affinity-purified murine MHC class II molecules and peptides corresponding to T cell epitopes of myelin basic protein (MBP), this report presents evidence that the binding of preformed relevant MHC class II-peptide complexes to cloned T cells in vitro results in internalization of the peptide moiety. Neither the restricting MHC class II molecule nor the TCR moiety of the trimolecular complex was internalized by T cells. The specificity of peptide internalization was demonstrated using complexes of syngeneic MHC class II with an irrelevant MBP peptide analog and by cloned T cells restricted for a different epitope of the same MBP antigen. Furthermore, the peptide translocation mediated by MHC class II and TCR was demonstrated by antibody-blocking experiments using anti-class and anti-TCR monoclonal antibodies. The peptide internalization by T cells was markedly reduced when binding was performed at 4 degrees C as compared with 37 degrees C. In addition, a significant inhibition of peptide translocation was observed in the presence of a metabolic inhibitor (sodium azide) but not in the presence of cytochalasin B. These results together demonstrate that the in vitro interaction of soluble MHC II-peptide complexes with cloned T cells is an active process associated with uptake of the antigenic peptide.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Kinetics of photosynthetic electron transfer in artificial vesicles reconstituted with purified complexes from Rhodobacter capsulatus. II. Direct electron transfer between the reaction center and the bc1 complex and role of cytochrome c2.

1. The cyclic photosynthetic chain of Rhodobacter capsulatus has been reconstituted incorporating into phospholipid liposomes containing ubiquinone-10 two multiprotein complexes: the reaction center and the ubiquinol-cytochrome-c2 reductase (or bc1 complex). 2. In the presence of cytochrome c2 added externally, at concentrations in the range 10-10(4) nM, a flash-induced cyclic electron transfer can be observed. In the presence of antimycin, an inhibitor of the quinone-reducing site of the bc1 complex, the reduction of cytochrome b561 is a consequence of the donation of electrons to the photo-oxidized reaction center. At low ionic strength (10 mM KCl) and at concentrations of cytochrome c2 lower than 1 microM, the rate of this reaction is limited by the concentration of cytochrome c2. At higher concentrations the reduction rate of cytochrome b561 is controlled by the concentration of quinol in the membrane, and, therefore, is increased when the ubiquinone pool is progressively reduced. At saturating concentrations of cytochrome c2 and optimal redox poise, the half-time for cytochrome b561 reduction is about 3 ms. 3. At high ionic stength (200 mM KCl), tenfold higher concentrations of cytochrome c2 are required for promoting equivalent rates of cytochrome-b561 reduction. If the absolute values of these rates are compared with those of the cytochrome-c2-reaction-center electron transfer, it can be concluded that the reaction of oxidized cytochrome c2 with the bc1 complex is rate-limiting and involves electrstatic interactions. 4. A significant rate of intercomplex electron transfer can be observed also in the absence of cytochrome c2; in this case the electron donor to the recation center is the cytochrome c1 of the oxidoreductase complex. The oxidation of cytochrome c1 triggers a normal electron transfer within the bc1 complex. The intercomplex reaction follows second-order kinetics and is slowed at high ionic strength, suggesting a collisional interaction facilitated by electrostatic attraction. From the second-order rate constant of this process, a minimal bidimensional diffusion coefficient for the complexes in the membrane equal to 3 X 10(-11) cm2 s-1 can be evaluated.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Pulmonary and extrapulmonary sarcoidosis in relation to circulating immune complexes: a quantification of immune complexes by two radioimmunoassays.

Serum specimens from 53 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis were examined for the presence of immune complexes by 2 methods, the Raji cell and the monoclonal rheumatoid factor radioimmunoassays. We found increased concentrations of immune complexes in the sera of 27 patients by one or both techniques. A significant association was found between increased concentrations of immune complexes and stage III sarcoidosis. Seventeen of 23 patients with stage III sarcoidosis and 10 of 50 with stage I or II disease had increased concentrations of immune complexes. Eight of the 10 patients with stage I or II sarcoidosis and increased concentrations of immune complexes had extrapulmonary sarcoid features, such as erythema nodosum, synovitis, or salivary gland enlargements. The size of the immune complex was 15S in one of the patients examined. Concentrations of C4 were normal. The data suggest a possible role of immune complexes in the pathogenesis of pulmonary and extrapulmonary features of sarcoidosis.

Adult↗

Effect of aminonucleoside nephrosis on immune complex localization in autologous immune complex nephropathy in rats.

The effect of increased capillary permeability on glomerular immune complex localization was studied in rats immunized with proximal tubular antigen (Fx1A) to induce autologous immune complex nephropathy (AICN). AICN rats were made proteinuric by injection or unilateral renal perfusion with aminonucleoside of puromycin (PA) before developing subepithelial complex deposits. Control AICN kidneys developed diffuse granular deposits of IgG and Fx1A on the subepithelial surface of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) at 3 wk by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, and deposits increased in subsequent weekly biopsies. In contrast, PA-nephrotic AICN kidneys developed few or no GBM deposits and a significant increase in mesangial localization of IgG and Fx1A during the period of PA-induced proteinuria. These alterations in complex localization were documented both in rats with PA nephrosis and in unilaterally PA-nephrotic kidneys compared with contralateral controls in the same animals, thus excluding any effect of PA on the immunopathogenetic mechanism in AICN as an explanation for these findings. The absence of GBM deposits closely correlated with reduced staining for polyanionic glomerular sialoprotein in proteinuric kidneys, since PA-perfused kidneys studied 2 wk after resolution of proteinuria demonstrated return of normal staining for sialoprotein and development of subepithelial complex deposits similar to those in contralateral control kidneys. These studies demonstrate that properties of the glomerulus itself play an important role in determining the site of complex deposition in experimental AICN and suggest that electrophysical characteristics of the glomerular capillary wall may influence complex localization on the GBM.

Animals↗