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HLA-DR53 molecules restrict glutamic acid decarboxylase peptide presentation to T cells of a Type I diabetes patient: specification of the trimolecular HLA-peptide/T-cell receptor complex.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Our aim was to define the molecular specificity of glutamic acid decarboxylase-specific T-cells isolated from a patient (patient 40) with recent onset Type I (insulin-depent) diabetes mellitus. METHODS: The peptide epitope was defined using synthetic peptides to identify the minimal sequence required for T-cell activation and to determine the amino acids that contribute either to MHC binding or T-cell receptor signaling. The MHC class II-restricted peptide presentation was determined using a panel of allogeneic antigen-presenting cells and murine fibroblast-cell lines transfected to express individual human class II alleles and by blocking studies with monoclonal antibodies. The T-cell receptor was also molecularly characterized. RESULTS: Despite that patient 40 carries high-risk alleles of the DRB1 and DQB1 loci, his T-cells recognize a glutamic acid decarboxylase-derived peptide in association with class II, DR53, molecules. Although anchor residues for DR53 molecules have not yet been determined, it was possible to model epitope binding based on sequence comparisons with other class II molecules associated with susceptibility or protection for Type I diabetes. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: The complete molecular specification of the MHC-peptide ligand and the T-cell receptor complex of glutamic acid decarboxylase-specific T-cells will enable analysis of strategies designed to alter T-cell function. For example, the role of altered peptide ligands or T-cell receptor-specific peptides can be studied using a model whose components reflect the natural affinities of MHC-peptide and T-cell receptor-ligand interactions selected in response to this important autoantigen.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Plasmodium falciparum: D260, an intraerythrocytic parasite protein, is a member of the glutamic acid dipeptide-repeat family of proteins.

Members of a serologically cross-reacting family of proteins including Ag332 and Pf11.1, megadalton proteins of schizont-infected red blood cells, and gametocytes, respectively, and Pf155-RESA, a 155-kDa protein of ring-infected red blood cells, have been reported to share amino acid repeat sequences. These repeats are rich in glutamic acid dipeptides postulated to be involved in generating serologic cross-reactivity. We report the identification and characterization of another member of this cross-reacting family, a 260-kDa glutamic acid-rich intraerythrocytic protein. Human antibodies affinity purified on the 260-kDa region of Western boots of trophozoite proteins of Plasmodium falciparum were used to screen a trophozoite-stage lambda gt11 cDNA library. A 1.8-kb clone was identified and human antibodies were affinity purified on the expressing clone. Using this affinity-purified antibody and the 1.8-kb clone, the corresponding protein, its gene, and its chromosomal location were investigated. The 260-kDa corresponding protein serologically cross-reacts with Pf155-RESA, but is the product of a different gene. The 260-kDa protein is Triton X-100 soluble and is variable in molecular weight in different isolates. Immunoprecipitation of [35S]methionine-labeled infected red blood cells indicates that the protein is synthesized throughout the intraerythrocytic cycle but is most prominent in schizonts. The protein, as has been shown previously, is not immunoprecipitated from 125I surface-labeled infected red blood cells and is thus not PfEMP1, the antigen associated with cytoadherence. Indirect fluorescent antibody studies using fixed infected red blood cells suggest that the protein is localized to the periphery of the intraerythrocytic parasite.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation, overexpression, and biochemical characterization of the two isoforms of glutamic acid decarboxylase from Escherichia coli.

Escherichia coli glutamic acid decarboxylase is a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the alpha-decarboxylation of glutamate to yield 4-amino-butyrate and CO2. The E. coli chromosome contains two genes encoding for this enzyme, gadA and gadB, which map at distinct loci. Their protein products differ in only five amino acid residues, four of which are located in the N-terminal region (Smith et al., 1992, J. Bacteriol. 174, 5820-5826). Herein, we report the sequences of the two gad genes, including their regulatory regions. Both genes were separately cloned into the vector pQE60, for overexpression under the control of the lac promoter. In this way, we have succeded in separately expression large quantities of each pure isoform. The two isoforms were characterized biochemically and all evidence, including that from analysis of the complex pre-steady-state kinetic behavior of the enzymes, indicates that the functional properties of the two isoenzymes are identical.

Base Sequence↗

Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of Bacillus anthracis poly-gamma-D-glutamic acid capsule covalently coupled to a protein carrier using a novel triazine-based conjugation strategy.

The capsular polypeptide of Bacillus anthracis is composed of a unique polyglutamic acid polymer in which D-glutamate monomers are joined by gamma-peptidyl bonds. The capsule is poorly immunogenic, and efforts at exploiting the polymer for vaccine development have focused on increasing its inherent immunogenicity through chemical coupling to immune-stimulating protein carriers. The usual strategy has employed carbodiimide-based condensing reagents for activation of free alpha-carboxyl groups, despite reports that this chemistry may lead to chain scission. We have purified the high molecular mass capsule to >95% homogeneity and have demonstrated that the polymer contains >99% poly-gamma-D-glutamic acid. The predominant structure of the polymer as assessed by circular dichroism and multiangle laser light scattering was unordered at near-neutral pH. We investigated the effects of various activation chemistries, and we demonstrated that carbodiimide treatment under aqueous conditions results in significant cleavage of the gamma-peptidyl bond, whereas scission is significantly reduced in nonaqueous polar solvents, although undesired side chain modification was still observed. An activation chemistry was developed using the triazine-based reagent 4-(4,6-dimethoxy (1,3,5)triazin-2-yl)-4-methylmorpholinium chloride, which allowed for controlled and reproducible derivatization of alpha-carbonyls. In a two-pot reaction scheme, activated capsule was derivatized with a sulfhydryl-reactive heterobifunctional moiety and was subsequently coupled to thiolated carrier protein. This conjugate elicited very high capsule-specific immune titers in mice. More importantly, mice immunized with conjugated capsule exhibited good protection against lethal challenge from a virulent B. anthracis strain in two models of infection. We also showed, for the first time, that treatment of capsule with carbodiimide significantly reduced recognition by capsule-specific antisera concurrent with the reagent-induced reduction of polymer mass. The data suggested that for vaccine development, maintenance of the high mass of the polymer may be important.

Animals↗

Effect of apocalmodulin on recombinant human brain glutamic acid decarboxylase.

In this work, we report that the recombinant glutathione S-transferase (GST)-human L-glutamic acid decarboxylase (HGAD) isoforms, 65-kDa L-glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) (GST-HGAD65) fusion protein or free truncated HGAD65, were activated by apocalmodulin (ApoCaM) to an extent of 60%. Both truncated forms of GAD67 (tGAD67), HGAD67(Delta1-70) and HGAD67(Delta1-90), were markedly activated by ApoCaM to an extent of 141 and 85%, respectively, while GST-HGAD67 was not significantly affected. The activation appears to be due to an increase of GAD affinity for its cofactor, pyridoxal phosphate (PLP). This conclusion is based on the following observations. Firstly, the V(max) of GAD was increased when ApoCaM was present whereas the affinity for the substrate, glutamate, was not affected. Secondly, the affinity of GAD for PLP was increased in the presence of ApoCaM. Thirdly, results from calmodulin-agarose affinity column chromatography studies indicated a direct interaction or binding between ApoCaM and GAD. Fourthly, ApoCaM was found to be copurified with GAD65/GAD67 by anti-GAD65/67 immunoaffinity column using rat brain extract. Hence, it is proposed that a conformational change is induced when ApoCaM interacts with GAD65 or tGAD67, resulting in an increase of GAD affinity for PLP and the activation of GAD. The physiological significance of the interaction between GAD and ApoCaM is discussed.

Animals↗

Gene transfer of glutamic acid decarboxylase reduces neuropathic pain.

We tested whether transfer of the gene coding for glutamic acid decarboxylase to dorsal root ganglion using a herpes simplex virus vector to achieve release of GABA in dorsal horn would attenuate nociception in this condition. Subcutaneous inoculation of a replication-defective herpes simplex virus vector expressing glutamic acid decarboxylase (vector QHGAD67) 7 days after selective L5 spinal nerve ligation reversed mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia; the antiallodynic effect lasted 6 weeks and was reestablished by reinoculation. QHGAD67 inoculation also suppressed induction of c-Fos and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 in the spinal cord.

Animals↗

Characterization of L-glutamic acid transport by glioma cells in culture: evidence for sodium-independent, chloride-dependent high affinity influx.

The transport of radiolabeled L-glutamic acid by LRM55 glioma cells in culture was examined. Time course studies indicated that L-[3H]glutamic acid is rapidly accumulated, and then 3H is lost from the cell, presumably in the form of glutamate metabolites. Kinetic analysis of L-glutamate uptake provided evidence for two components of transport. A low affinity component was found to persist at 0 to 4 degrees C and was not saturable, influx being proportional to the substrate concentration. A high affinity component, resolved by subtraction of the influx at 0 to 4 degrees C, followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics having a Km of 123 microM and a Vmax of 2.99 nmol/min/mg of protein. The transport system was highly substrate-specific: At least 27-fold larger concentrations of the most potent analogues--cysteic acid, cysteine sulfinic acid, and L-aspartic acid--were required to compete effectively with glutamate. Second, the system was not severely affected by exposure to inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation or gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase. Third, only 65% of the high affinity uptake was dependent upon the presence of sodium, the other 35% being dependent upon chloride. These observations were supported by the findings that uptake was only partially inhibited by ouabain and quite effectively reduced by several inhibitors of chloride transport. The results of this study provide information on the properties of low affinity glutamate transport, as well as the first description of sodium-independent, chloride-dependent high affinity glial transport. The high affinity component of influx is stimulated by elevated potassium and inhibited by several pharmacological agents. The sodium independence of a significant proportion of high affinity glutamate transport suggests that glutamate binding studies done in sodium-free medium with intact cells may be confounded by a considerable amount of intracellular uptake.

Animals↗

[Ammonia, glutamine and glutamic acid content of rat tissues during and after hyperoxia].

The content of ammonia, glutamine, glutamic acid was measured in the brain, liver, heart, spleen, kidneys, skeletal muscles and blood rats exposed to a 4 atm oxygen atmosphere and during aftereffects. The hyperoxic atmosphere resulted in an increase of ammonia and glutamic acid and in a decrease of glutamine in the tissues. The return to the norm of the compounds occurred slowly and nonuniformly, lasting for 40 to 60 posthyperoxic days.

Ammonia↗

Selective coupling of methotrexate to peptide hormone carriers through a gamma-carboxamide linkage of its glutamic acid moiety: benzotriazol-1-yloxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate activation in salt coupling.

A convenient synthetic method is described for the preparation of peptide-methotrexate (MTX) conjugates in which MTX is coupled selectively through the gamma-carboxyl group of its glutamic acid moiety to a free amino group in peptide analogs. The syntheses of a somatostatin analog-MTX conjugate (MTX-D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys-Thr-NH2) (AN-51) and two conjugates of analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) with MTX [Glp-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-D-Lys(MTX)-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2] (AJ-04) and [Ac-Ser-Tyr-D-Lys(MTX)-Leu-Arg-Pro-NH-Et] AJ-51 are presented as examples. Benzotriazol-1-yloxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (BOP reagent) was used in the synthesis for activation of 4-amino-4-deoxy-N10-methylpteroic acid, which reacted with the potassium salt of glutamic acid alpha-tert-butyl ester in dimethyl sulfoxide to form the suitably protected MTX derivative. This synthesis provides an example of the high suitability of BOP reagent for the salt-coupling method. The selectively protected MTX derivative was then coupled to the different peptide carriers and deprotected under relatively mild conditions by trifluoroacetic acid. The conjugates of MTX with hormonal analogs are suitable for targeting to various tumors that possess receptors for the peptide moieties.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Murine elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha) is posttranslationally modified by novel amide-linked ethanolamine-phosphoglycerol moieties. Addition of ethanolamine-phosphoglycerol to specific glutamic acid residues on EF-1 alpha.

Elongation Factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha), an important eukaryotic translation factor, transports charged aminoacyl-tRNA from the cytosol to the ribosomes during poly-peptide synthesis. Metabolic radiolabeling with [3H] ethanolamine shows that, in all cells examined, EF-1 alpha is the major radiolabeled protein. Radiolabeled EF-1 alpha has an apparent Mr = 53,000 and a basic isoelectric point. It is cytosolic and does not contain N-linked oligosaccharides. Trypsin digestion of murine EF-1 alpha generated two major [3H]ethanolamine-labeled peptides. Three peptides were sequenced and were identical to two distinct regions of the human EF-1 alpha protein. Blank sequencing cycles coinciding with glutamic acid in the human cDNA-derived sequence were also found to release [3H]ethanolamine, and compositional analysis of these peptides confirmed the presence of glutamic acid. Dansylation analysis demonstrates that the amine group of the ethanolamine is blocked. These results indicate that EF-1 alpha is posttranslationally modified by the covalent attachment of ethanolamine via an amide bond to at least two specific glutamic acid residues (Glu-301 and Glu-374). The hydroxyl group of the attached ethanolamine was shown by mass spectrometry and compositional analysis, to be further modified by the addition of a phosphoglycerol unit. This novel posttranslational modification may represent an important alteration of EF-1 alpha, comparable to the regulatory effects of posttranslational methylation of EF-1 alpha lysine residues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cytotoxic and membrane perturbation effects of a novel amyloid forming model peptide poly(leucine-glutamic acid).

In the present study we have elucidated the toxicity of a novel amyloid forming model peptide, Poly (leucine-glutamic acid). The toxicity of the fibrils prepared from this peptide was analyzed in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). The MTT reduction assay revealed that the viability of PBL decreases significantly upon treatment with Poly(leucine-glutamic acid) (Poly [LE]). Enhanced DCFH-DA fluorescence in treated cells suggests that peptide toxicity is probably mediated by the formation of free radicals. In vivo and in vitro biochemical studies indicated that Poly [LE] inactivates the antioxidant system of cells. Perturbation of Poly [LE] in a membrane lipid environment was assessed by circular dichroism (CD) using phosphotidyl choline-cholesterol bilayers. The CD results revealed that LE enhances its beta sheet content in a bilayer environment. Sequestration of Poly [LE] in lipid rafts demonstrates that it has a binding cleft similar to Abeta in lymphocyte raft domains. Nuclear membrane binding studies showed that Poly [LE] binds to nuclear membranes and may cause genotoxicity.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

L-glutamic acid production in a novel three phase fluidized bed reactor using coimmobilized bio-catalyst.

The production of L-Glutamic acid has been studied using coimmobilized whole cells of pseudomonas reptilivora and micrococcus glutamicus in a three phase fluidized bed bioreactor with selected production medium enriched with glucose. The effect of initial substrate concentration, temperature, pH and aeration rate on the yield of glutamic acid has been investigated. It has been found that the acid production increases exponentially with substrate concentration and mass transfer co-efficient varied linearly with temperature and aeration rate. The optimum temperature and pH are 31 degree Celsius and 7.2 respectively.

Bioreactors↗

Mass fragmentographic quantitation of glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid in cerebellar nuclei and sympathetic ganglia of rats.

A method for the simultaneous quantitation of glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in tissue by mass fragmentography has been developed. The amino and carboxylic groups of the two amino acids were in a convenient one-step reaction derivatized with pentafluoropropionic anhydride and hexafluoroisopropanol. Deuterium-labeled glutamic acid and GABA and a homologue of GABA have been used as internal standards. The usefulness of the technique has been demonstrated by measurements in parts of rat cerebellum and in the superior cervical ganglion.

Aminobutyrates↗

Adsorption dynamics of L-glutamic acid copolymers at a heptane/water interface.

Random copolymers of glutamic acid (glu-ala, glu-leu, glu-phe, glu-tyr) were employed to investigate the relationship between side chain structure and peptide charge on adsorption behavior at an oil/water boundary. Adsorption of a series of glutamate copolymers at a heptane/water interface was examined by the dynamic pendant-drop method to determine interfacial tension. Incorporation of leucine or phenylalanine into a glutamate copolymer results in greater tension reduction than incorporation of alanine or tyrosine. These effects are amplified at pH values near the isoelectric point of glutamate, where macroscopic adsorbed films of glu-leu and glu-phe exhibit gel-like properties in response to interfacial area compression. Differences in interfacial tension behavior of glu-tyr and glu-phe indicate the importance of the tyrosine p-hydroxyl group on adsorption and aggregation at the oil/water interface.

Adsorption↗

Proteasomal degradation of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase requires the carboxyl-terminal glutamic acid residues.

The rapid turnover of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT), a key enzyme in the regulation of polyamine levels, was found to be mediated via ubiquitination and the proteasomal system. SSAT degradation was blocked by the binding of polyamines or of the polyamine analog, N1,N12-bis(ethyl)spermine (BE-3-4-3), to the protein, providing a mechanism for the increase of SSAT activity in response to these agents. Site-directed mutagenesis indicated that a number of residues including arginine 19, cysteine 122, histidine 126, glutamic acid 152, arginine 155, and methionine 167 were needed for protection of SSAT by BE-3-4-3. These residues have previously been shown to reduce the affinity for the binding of polyamines to the SSAT protein, and these results indicate that the change in protein configuration brought about by this binding renders the protein resistant to proteasomal degradation. Mutations to alanines of residues arginine 7, cysteine 14, and lysine 141 also prevented the protection by BE-3-4-3, and these residues may be required for the formation of the protected conformation. The rapid degradation of SSAT required the carboxyl-terminal region of the protein, and the two terminal glutamic acid residues at positions 170 and 171 were found to be of critical importance. Truncation of the protein to remove these residues or the mutation of either of these acidic residues to glutamine completely abolished the rapid degradation of SSAT. The addition of two extra lysine residues at the carboxyl terminus or the conversion of the glutamic acids at positions 170 and 171 to lysines also prevented SSAT degradation by the proteasome. These results show the key role of the acidic residues at the carboxyl terminus of the protein in reacting with the proteasome. In contrast, mutation of lysine 166 to alanine, which extends the length of the acidic region in the carboxyl-terminal fragment of SSAT, actually increased the rate of degradation of SSAT without affecting its stabilization by BE-3-4-3. The binding of BE-3-4-3 or polyamines is therefore likely to change the configuration of the SSAT protein in a way that prevents the exposure of the carboxyl-terminal region of the ubiquitinated protein to the proteasome.

Acetyltransferases↗