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Studies on a new lymphocyte mitogen from pollen aqueous extract: induction of proliferation in human and rodent lymphocytes.

Fraction III (Fr III) mitogen was isolated from the whole aqueous extract (WAE) of plane-tree pollen by Con A-Sepharose chromatography and gel filtration. It stimulated mouse spleen cells, and peripheral blood lymphocytes from plane-tree non-sensitive patients or from cord blood. A 6-day culture gave the best response. The proliferation was not abolished by washing the cells after a short pulse of Fr III given in the initial step but was inhibited by alpha-D-methylmannoside. These results suggested that Fr III bound to a specific site onto spleen cells. This mitogen was not immunogenic in mice and did not bind to human IgE. It induced the proliferation of T lymphocytes in presence of accessory cells and was a polyclonal activator.

Adolescent↗

Characterization of galactosyltransferase released from human hepatoma cells.

A human hepatoma cell line (SK-H-MA) released a large amount of sialyltransferase (ST) and galactosyltransferase (GT) into the culture medium, whereas cells derived from normal human liver (Chang) released a large amount of GT but very little ST. The characteristics of hepatoma GT were studied since an abnormal GT isoenzyme has been associated with human gastrointestinal neoplasms. Both hepatoma and Chang medium GT activities had an absolute requirement for MnCl2 (25 mmol/l) and a broad optimal pH between 6.5 and 7.0, and were not affected by 0.1% Triton X-100. These two enzyme preparations were inhibited to the same extent by N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylgalactosamine, while N-acetylglucosamine was 100 times more potent than N-acetylgalactosamine. Various nucleotides inhibited both enzyme activities equally well. Uracil-containing nucleotides were better inhibitors than thymine-containing nucleotides, and other nucleotides were only slightly inhibitory. The most effective inhibitor was UDP. More of the GT activity in hepatoma medium (65%) as compared to Chang medium (35%) bound to concanavalin A-Sepharose, and was eluted with 2.5% alpha-methylmannoside. These results suggest that the GTs from hepatoma and Chang media are not different in their enzymatic activity but may differ in their carbohydrate contents, which may be another manifestation of the neoplastic nature of the hepatoma cell line.

Animals↗

Tissue factor is the receptor for plasminogen type 1 on 1-LN human prostate cancer cells.

Tissue factor (TF), the initiator of the extrinsic pathway of coagulation, binds plasminogen (Pg) with high affinity through an interaction between kringles 1-3 of Pg and the extracellular domain of TF. We investigated the binding of Pg type 1 (Pg 1) and Pg type 2 (Pg 2) to highly invasive, TF-expressing, 1-LN human prostate tumor cells and to TF isolated from 1-LN cell membranes. Pg 1, containing both N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharide chains, bound to isolated TF with high affinity, whereas Pg 2, containing only one O-linked oligosaccharide chain, did not bind to TF. Although Pg 1 and Pg 2 bind to 1-LN cells, only anti-TF antibodies inhibited the binding of Pg 1, suggesting that TF functions as the receptor for Pg 1 on 1-LN cells. Binding of Pg 1 to isolated TF was inhibited by 6-aminohexanoic acid and alpha-methylmannoside, suggesting that Pg 1 L-lysine binding sites and the biantennary, mannose-containing N-linked oligosaccharide chain are involved in this interaction. Binding of Pg 1 to 1-LN cells promoted activation by receptor-bound urinary-type Pg activator (u-PA) and initiated a Ca(++) signaling cascade. In previous studies we demonstrated that the Pg 2 O-linked carbohydrate chain is essential for its binding to CD26 on 1-LN cells. The current studies suggest that Pg oligosaccharide chains regulate the binding of Pg 1 and Pg 2 to separate receptors on the cell surface.

Binding Sites↗

Doubly radioiodinated luteinizing hormone: preparation and characterization.

Bovine [131I]Iodo-alpha LH-[125I]iodo-beta LH (**LH) has been prepared and shown to be physically and biologically equivalent to unmodified hormone. The beta-subunit was modified with 125I, purified by adsorption to Concanavalin A-Sepharose and elution with methylmannoside, added to alpha-subunit, and allowed to reassociate to intact hormone. Iodination with 131I was then carried out in the reassociation mixture and **LH was isolated by gel filtration. Both gel electrophoresis and rechromatography on Sephadex G-100 showed that both radiolabels comigrated with unmodified hormone. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis showed that 131I was found in the alpha-subunit and 125I in the beta-subunit; this result is in agreement with studies by others which show that the tyrosines of the beta-subunit are nonreactive in intact hormone. In receptor-binding assays, both radiolabels were specifically displaced in a similar fashion by LH. Scatchard analysis showed high affinity binding (Ka approximately equal to 1.5 X 10(10) M-1) for both labels. Comparison of receptor-binding activity with steroidogenic activity showed that iodinated hormone molecules not only bound to receptor but also stimulated testosterone production. The demonstration that full biological activity is retained with iodination in both subunits shows that such doubly labeled LH can be used to monitor the disposition of both subunits simultaneously during interaction of the hormone with target cells.

Animals↗

Acquisition of beta-glucuronidase activity by deficient fibroblasts during direct contact with lymphoid cells.

Fibroblasts deficient in beta-glucuronidase acquired high levels of this enzyme when they were co-cultured with concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocytes. Acquired enzyme activity, determined using a single-cell cytochemical assay, was directly proportional to the number of lymphocytes added and persisted for several days in fibroblasts maintained at high density. Lymphocytes did not secret significant levels of beta-glucuronidase into their culture medium, and did not release other substances able to induce synthesis of the enzyme by the deficient fibroblasts. Nor did beta-glucuronidase acquisition result from concanavalin A-mediated uptake of enzyme, since alpha-methylmannoside did not reduce acquired activity. Moreover, lymphocytes from various sources, whether unstimulated or activated by a different mitogen, bacterial lipopolysaccharide, were equally effective in promoting the appearance of beta-glucuronidase. Deficient fibroblasts did not acquire beta-glucuronidase by active endocytosis when co-cultured with lymphocytes, since enzyme extracted from lymphocytes was not itself effective in this respect. Furthermore, mannose 6-phosphate, which did inhibit, endocytosis by deficient fibroblasts of exogenous beta-glucuronidase prepared from 3T3 cells, had no effect on enzyme acquisition by fibroblasts during their co-culture with lymphocytes. Conversely, inhibitors of protein synthesis and energy metabolism, which did not interfere with endocytosis of exogenous enzyme, abolished the acquisition of beta-glucuronidase during co-culture. Deficient fibroblasts did not acquire beta-glucuronidase when they were cultured together with lymphocytes but separated from them by Millipore membranes permeable to exogenous enzyme. Thus, although the mechanism of acquisition is still unclear, the present results suggest that beta-glucuronidase is transferred from lymphocytes to deficient fibroblasts by a process in which direct cell-to-cell contact is obligatory.

Animals↗

The heavy chains of human plasma inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor: their isolation, their identification by electrophoresis and partial sequencing. Differential reactivity with concanavalin A.

Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (ITI) is a complex protein made up of a light chain so-called bikunin and two heavy chains (apparent Mr values 96000 and 86000 in SDS/PAGE in non-reducing conditions). By sequence analysis, we clearly identified those two components as H1 and H2, respectively. We demonstrate that alkaline treatment (50mM NaOH during 5 min at room temperature) as well as chondroitinase digestion both lead to the dissociation of ITI. The conditions used for alkaline treatment were previously reported for cleavage of the covalent linkage between bikunin and H3 inside pre-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (Enghild et al. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 747-751). Carbohydrate analysis of the two heavy chains isolated by ion-exchange chromatography suggests the presence of complex-type N-glycans in both H1 and H2 and that of O-glycans in H2. H1 is eluted from Con-A Sepharose by alpha-methylmannoside, in agreement with the existence of at least one biantennary glycan chain. In contrast, H2 remains strongly bound to this support when submitted to the same conditions. Therefore this binding does not depend on carbohydrates. The capacity of H2 to develop such interactions is discussed with regard to the unusual bindings likely to exist between the different peptide chains constituting ITI.

Alpha-Globulins↗

Crosslinking of lectins and receptors in membranes with hetero-bifunctional crosslinking reagents.

125I-Con A was reacted with the imidoester group of methyl 4-azidobenzoimidate and isolated from excess reagents on a Sephadex G-25 column. The hetero-bifunctional crosslinking reagent has two dissimilar functional groups, imidoester and arylazide, instead of two identical functional groups found in conventional homo-bifunctional crosslinking reagents. The two functional groups react under different conditions and it is possible to react one first and to activate the other later. Here the reagents were attached to the lectins by the imidoester reactions, and the arylazides now attached to the lectins were intended for the later use to crosslink the lectins and receptors. Human erythrocyte ghosts were incubated with the activated lectins, unbound lectins removed, and irradiated with UV to photolyze arylazides, thus crosslinking the lectins to the receptors in membranes. Upon the solubilization and subsequent electrophoresis of the sample, a new band appeared on the gel. 125I-Con A was detected in band A, the new band, and band 3, one of the membrane glycoproteins, diminished in parallel to the appearance of band A. The concurrent appearance of band A accompanied by 125I-Con A and decrease of band 3 were significantly reduced, when ghosts were incubated with the activated lectins but were not irradiated, ghosts were incubated with nonactivated 125I-Con A and irradiated, or ghosts were incubated with the activated concanavalin A in the presence of alpha-methylmannoside, the lectin inhibitor, and irradiated. The inhibitor removed a significant amount of the activated lectins bound to membranes, but failed to do so the activated lectins crosslinked into band A.

Azides↗

Characterization of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:glycoprotein N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase from Acanthamoeba castellanii.

The kinetic properties of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:glycoprotein N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase (GlcNAc-phosphotransferase) partially purified from the soil amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii have been studied. The transferase phosphorylated the lysosomal enzymes uteroferrin and cathepsin D 3-90-fold better than nonlysosomal glycoproteins and 16-83-fold better than a Man9GlcNAc oligosaccharide. Deglycosylated uteroferrin was a potent competitive inhibitor of the phosphorylation of intact uteroferrin (Ki of 48 microM) but did not inhibit the phosphorylation of RNase B or the simple sugar alpha-methylmannoside. Deglycosylated RNase (RNase A) did not inhibit the phosphorylation of RNase B or uteroferrin. These results indicate that purified amoeba GlcNAc-phosphotransferase recognizes a protein domain present on lysosomal enzymes but absent in most nonlysosomal glycoproteins. The transferase also exhibited a marked preference for oligosaccharides containing mannose alpha 1,2-mannose sequences, but this cannot account for the high affinity binding to lysosomal enzymes. A. castellanii extracts do not contain detectable levels of N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphodiester alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase, the second enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway for the mannose 6-phosphate recognition marker. We conclude that A. castellanii does not utilize the phosphomannosyl sorting pathway despite expression of very high levels of GlcNAc-phosphotransferase.

Acanthamoeba↗

A novel approach to the identification of surface receptors. The use of photosensitive hetero-bifunctional cross-linking reagent.

Methyl 4-azidobenzoimidate, a photosensitive hetero-bifunctional cross-linking reagent, was synthesized and characterized. This reagent has an imidoester at one end, which reacts spontaneously with primary amines, and an arylazide at the other end, which reacts with a variety of chemical groups upon photolysis by ultraviolet radiation. The reagent molecules were attached to concanavalin A by reactions between imidoester groups of the reagents and free amino groups of the lectin. These activated lectins were purified on a Sephadex G-25 column and showed the binding affinity to an affinity column, glucosylated Sepharose, and to the human erythrocyte ghost membrane. The activated lectins were incubated with the membranes and then unbound lectins were removed by washing. The lectins bound to receptors in the membranes were irradiated with a shortwave ultraviolet lamp to photolyze arylazides attached to the lectins, thus cross-linking the lectins and receptors together. Then the membranes were solubilized and electrophoresed. On gels, the intensity of the lectin receptor band diminished slightly and concomitantly a new band of a higher molecular weight appeared. When 125I-labeled concanavalin A was used, the new band contained the radioactivity. The extent of the appearance of the new band and the decrease of the receptor band were reduced significantly when the ultraviolet irradiation was omitted or the activated lectins were incubated with the membranes in the presence of the lectin inhibitor, alpha-methylmannoside. The irradiation of nonactivated, receptor-bound concanavalin A did not cause those changes. When the activated lectins alone were irradiated with ultraviolet, the band of the lectin dimer appeared whereas nonirradiated lectins appeared mostly as monomers. It is concluded that a small fraction of the activated lectins were cross-linked to receptors in the membrane upon photolysis. In this study, only 8 reagent molecules were attached to a tetramer of the lectin, compared with the presence of approximately 40 available free amino groups. The efficiency of such cross-links of ligands to receptors may be increased by employing longer versions of the hetero-bifunctional cross-linking reagents and also by attaching more of the reagent molecule to ligands.

Azides↗

Variations in gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase glycosylation and kinetic parameters in cultured liver cells.

In rat hepatocytes; the tumorigenic rat liver cell line ARL-16; and the human hepatoma line, Hep G2, 50% of the total gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity was bound by a Concanavalin-A Sepharose 4B column, calling for alpha-methylmannoside elution (Peak I). Non-binding GGT was distributed between a rapidly eluting Peak II and a slightly retained Peak III. The Km for gamma-glutamyl-p-nitroanalide for either hydrolysis or transpeptidation, or glutathione (GSH) transpeptidation did not vary with peak number or cell type. The GSH hydrolysis Km was essentially constant in Peak I and II GGT. Peak III GGT exhibited a lower Km for GSH hydrolysis with Hep G2 Peak III GGT being the lowest. Peak III GGT increased to 50% of the GGT activity in Hep G2 cells cultured with GSH as the sole cysteine source.

Animals↗

Preparation of target antigens specifically recognized by human natural killer cells.

In an attempt to identify target cell membrane molecules recognized by natural killer (NK) cells, artificial membranes were prepared from detergent-solubilized plasma membranes of NK target cells and synthetic lipids. Such reconstituted membranes from human and rat NK target cells were shown to inhibit both human and rat NK-target cell conjugates in a species-specific fashion; these reconstituted membranes failed to inhibit NK cytotoxicity. The detergent-solubilized material from the human NK target K562 was subjected to various procedures prior to reconstitution and the conjugate inhibition assay. Conjugate inhibitory activity was lost upon trypsin digestion and incubation at 65 degrees C. This inhibition activity was absorbed to concanavalin A agarose and could subsequently be eluted with alpha-methylmannoside, resulting in approximately 20-fold purification. Gel filtration of this material on an AcA-34 column in detergent gave a broad activity peak with maximal activity in the molecular weight range of 30,000-165,000. Gel electrophoresis of purified membranes demonstrated multiple molecular weight bands in lipid membranes. The K562 membrane material, purified by concanavalin A agarose and gel filtration, inhibited conjugates between human NK cells and any of four human target cells, but not of conjugates with (1) human large granular lymphocytes and antibody-coated mouse tumor cells nor (2) rat NK cells and their target cells. Thus the purified glycoproteins from K562 retain the property of specific inhibition of human NK-target conjugates.

Animals↗

Synthesis of alpha 1----6-mannooligosaccharides in Mycobacterium smegmatis. Function of beta-mannosylphosphoryldecaprenol as the mannosyl donor.

Incubation of a membrane fraction from Mycobacterium smegmatis cells with GDP-mannose and free mannose at pH 7 in presence of Mg2+ ions resulted in the formation of a series of alpha 1----6-linked mannooligosaccharides with up to 12 mannoses. The membrane fraction also catalyzed incorporation of mannose from GDP-mannose into a lipid-soluble product with the properties of a mannosyl phospholipid. A similar product was formed by the incubation of the membrane protein with decaprenol phosphate and GDP-mannose, and it was characterized as beta-mannosylphosphoryldecaprenol. A pulse-chase experiment suggested that the mannosyl phospholipid was an intermediate in alpha 1----6-linked mannooligosaccharide synthesis, and the isolated beta-mannosylphosphoryldecaprenol was shown to function as a direct mannosyl donor on incubation with mannose, methyl alpha-D-mannoside, or alpha 1----6-linked mannooligosaccharides as acceptors. The Km values for mannose, methylmannoside, and alpha 1----6-linked mannobiose were 30-90 mM, whereas for alpha 1----6-linked mannotriose, mannotetraose, and mannopentaose the Km dropped to 2 mM. A weak enzymic activity was detected at pH 6 in the presence of both Mg2+ and Mn2+ ions that catalyzed addition of mannose in alpha 1----2 linkage to the longer alpha 1----6-mannooligosaccharides in a reaction that was specific for GDP-mannose as the donor. The membrane preparation also contained an endo-alpha 1----6-mannanase activity that degraded products longer than mannotriose by cleavage of trisaccharide units from the nonreducing end of the alpha 1----6-mannooligosaccharides.

Cell Membrane↗

Carbohydrates on human Fc gamma receptors. Interdependence of the classical IgG and nonclassical lectin-binding sites on human Fc gamma RIII expressed on neutrophils.

To explore the molecular basis for the ability of aggregated IgG to block the phagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes of Con A-opsonized E and of nonopsonized Escherichia coli with mannose-binding adhesins, we examined specific aspects of the glycoprotein structure of both the 40- to 43-kDa receptor for the Fc portion of IgG (Fc gamma RII) and the 50- to 78-kDa receptor for the Fc portion of IgG (Fc gamma RIIIPMN) from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Fc gamma RIIIPMN isolated by both mAb and ligand affinity chromatography, but not Fc gamma RII, binds Con A in Western blots. This binding is specifically inhibitable by alpha-methylmannoside. Digestion of Fc gamma RIIIPMN by recombinant endoglycosidase H, which is specific for high mannose-type (Con A-binding) oligosaccharides, alters the epitope recognized by mAb 3G8 in or near the IgG ligand-binding site of the receptor. Similarly, the ability of Fc gamma RIIIPMN to bind human IgG ligand is sensitive to endoglycosidase H digestion. Our data indicate that ligands other than the classical IgG opsonins can bind to human Fc gamma RIIIPMN per se through lectin-carbohydrate interactions. Furthermore, Fc gamma RIIIPMN contains a high mannose type oligosaccharide chain which contributes importantly to the integrity of the classical IgG ligand-binding site. Thus, specific glycosylations of the receptor are important for both classical and nonclassical engagement of Fc gamma RIII and may play a role in determining the properties of the ligand-binding site.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

[The action of inhibitors of sugar transport phlorizin, phloretin and cytochalasin B in model systems].

Phlorizin, phloretin and cytochalasin B are known to be specific sugar transport inhibitors. A study was made of their effects on the carbohydrate-protein interaction in solution as a model system for examining the initial steps of sugar membrane transport. Glycogen precipitation by concanavalin A is inhibited only by alpha-methylmannoside, whereas both phlorizin and phloretin inhibit interactions between hexokinase and glucose, and between glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate. Cytochalasin B was found to exert no effect on both the concanavalin A--glycogen interaction and the enzyme reactions investigated. The data obtained in the model system examination may suggest that the sites of glucose and cytochalasin binding are, respectively, spatially uncoupled.

Biological Transport↗

The role of carbohydrates in the IgG binding and suppressive activities of shed human Fc receptors.

IgG Fc receptor (Fc gamma R) shed from human peripheral mononuclear cells and purified by IgG affinity chromatography bound to ConA, Pisum sativum, Ulex europeus and peanut lectins. The soluble Fc gamma R was not absorbed by wheat germ, soyabean, lentil, Sophora japonica or Helix pomotia lectins. Out of 14 different sugars, none interfered with the interaction between IgG Fc and membrane Fc gamma R. These results show that shed Fc gamma R had glucosyl, mannosyl, fucosyl and galactosyl groups, but that these components were not part of the IgG-binding site(s). The shed FcR had IgG-binding factor (BF) activity; it suppressed secondary in vitro antibody production. In accordance with the binding studies, IgG-BF activity could be adsorbed by ConA and PNA, but not by lentil lectins. The presence of 10 mM galactose or alpha-methylmannoside had no influence on biological activity, suggesting that, although present on human shed Fc gamma R, these sugars do not play a major role in its suppressive activity.

Antibody Formation↗

Effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on the carbohydrate structure of secreted mouse thyrotropin. Analysis by lectin affinity chromatography.

Thyrotropin (TSH) is a glycoprotein hormone whose secretion from the anterior pituitary is regulated, in part, by the hypothalamic tripeptide thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). We have used serial lectin affinity analysis to explore whether TRH, in addition to promoting TSH secretion, alters the carbohydrate structure of secreted TSH. Hypothyroid mouse hemipituitaries were incubated in medium containing [3H] mannose, [3H]glucosamine, or [3H]fucose either with or without 10(-7) M TRH. TSH was immunoprecipitated, proteolytically digested into glycopeptides, and chromatographed on serial lectin-Sepharose columns. Under basal conditions, 37% of secreted [3H]mannose-labeled TSH glycopeptides failed to bind to concanavalin A (ConA)-Sepharose, 55% bound and eluted with 10 mM alpha-methylglucoside, and 8% bound and eluted with 500 mM alpha-methylmannoside. Approximately 35% of glycopeptides not binding to ConA-Sepharose were bound by pea lectin-Sepharose, suggesting the presence of certain core fucosylated triantennary complex oligosaccharides. TRH caused a 2-fold increase in secretion of [3H]mannose-labeled TSH glycopeptides due almost exclusively to a specific increase in structures that bound to ConA-Sepharose and eluted with 10mM alpha-methylglucoside, corresponding to biantennary complex or unusual hybrid species. There was no change in the distribution of intrapituitary TSH glycopeptides with TRH. Acid hydrolysis of secreted proteins showed little metabolism of the tritiated sugar precursors, except for a 20% conversion of [3H]mannose to [3H]fucose. Moreover, ConA-Sepharose chromatography of secreted [3H]glucosamine- and [3H]fucose-labeled TSH glycopeptides showed similar increases in ConA-Sepharose binding with TRH as noted with [3H]mannose labeling. Subsequent lectin analysis of secreted [3H] mannose-labeled TSH glycopeptides on erythroagglutinating phytohemagglutinin-Sepharose and leukoagglutinating phytohemagglutinin-Sepharose disclosed no significant differences in TRH-treated versus control samples. These data suggest that secreted mouse TSH has greater carbohydrate heterogeneity than has been recognized previously. In addition, TRH in vitro promotes the secretion of specific TSH molecules apparently enriched in biantennary complex or unusual hybrid oligosaccharides.

Animals↗

Inhibition of polymorphonuclear leukocyte capping by a chemotactic factor.

Incubation of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes with colchicine and fluorescein-concanavalin A leads to the formation of a polarized cap of fluorescence not seen if cells are incubated with fluorescein-Con A along. When cells are preincubated with a chemotactic factor before colchicine treatment, the capping is inhibited in a dose-related manner. Studies with alpha-methylmannoside indicate that the caps represent extracellular fluorescein-Con A and are not areas of Con A internalization. Experiments utilizing an irreversible inhibitor of serine esterases suggest that a chemotactic factor-activated enzyme is involved in the inhibition of cap formation in the human neutrophil.

Cell Membrane↗

Membrane glycophorins in Sta blood group erythrocytes.

Structural and immunochemical studies of glycophorins isolated from erythrocytes of an individual homozygous for the M Sta blood group phenotype are described. Reactivities with specific monoclonal antibodies indicated that two major M and N glycophorins were present. The M and N Sta glycophorins were resolved by Lens culinaris lectin affinity chromatography. The N species was not held on the lectin but the M species, like control alpha glycophorins, was retained and could be eluted with alpha-methylmannoside. The two proteins were present in almost equimolar amounts. Studies of the CNBr fragments provided evidence that the structure of M Sta glycophorin is the same as that of the usual M alpha glycophorin but that the N Sta glycophorin is a variant. The amino-terminal octapeptides of the M and N species were similar in amino acid and carbohydrate composition to those isolated, respectively, from M and N alpha glycophorins. The studies focused on CNBr glycopeptide B that, in control alpha glycophorins, extends from amino acid residues 9 to 81. The fragment from the M species exhibited properties identical to those of the corresponding fragment of control alpha glycophorins in terms of size, chromatographic behavior, amino acid and carbohydrate contents and compositions, the presence of O-glycosidically linked saccharides and a single Asn-linked carbohydrate unit. The structures of the O-linked units were inferred experimentally to be NeuAc(alpha 2,3)Gal-(beta 1,3)GalNAc and NeuAc(alpha 2,3)Gal(beta 1,3) [NeuAc(alpha 2,6)]GalNAc, present in a ratio similar to that found in controls; and the Asn-linked unit also appeared to be as in the control. The tryptic glycopeptide pattern of the M Sta glycophorin CNBr fragment B was identical to the pattern of the corresponding control fragment, and the composition of the tryptic peptides suggested sequence identity with the control fragment. In contrast, the N Sta glycophorin yielded two CNBr glycopeptides B; both contained fewer amino acid residues and virtually lacked Man and GlcNAc, indicating the absence of the Asn-linked carbohydrate. The much decreased levels of these carbohydrates in the intact N protein, corroborated the latter finding. The O-glycosidic saccharides appeared similar to those found in control alpha glycophorins. However, the tryptic glycopeptide pattern of the variant differed from control M or N alpha glycophorins, suggesting a deletion of a large segment of the molecule near residues 40-61 and/or a substitution of methionine for a residue upstream from residue 40.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino Acids↗