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Transforming growth factor receptors in liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy in the rat.

Transforming growth factors alpha and beta (TGF-alpha and TGF-beta) are produced in the liver and appear to play an important role in the regulation of hepatic growth. We investigated changes in receptors for these polypeptide growth factors in regenerating liver after partial hepatectomy in the rat with comparisons to livers from normal and sham-operated animals. In normal rats, binding of 125I-epidermal growth factor (EGF) to liver membranes was fully and competitively displaced by TGF-alpha, indicating that these two growth factors share similar sites on the same hepatic receptor. Scatchard analyses revealed that EGF receptors bound EGF with 4- to 8-fold higher affinity than TGF-alpha. Following partial hepatectomy or sham operation, EGF/TGF-alpha receptor number decreased by 25, 40, and 55% at 12, 24, and 72 h, respectively. In all cases. Scatchard analysis obtained with EGF yielded a linear plot indicating a single population of binding sites with a dissociation constant (Kd) of approximately 0.9 nM. Scatchard analysis of TGF-beta binding showed that liver membranes from sham-operated and normal rats express binding sites with a Kd of approximately 35 pM. In contrast, membranes obtained from 12-, 24-, and 72-h regenerating livers were altered in a manner consistent with uncovering or appearance of a higher affinity site. Affinity labeling of liver plasma membranes with 125I-TGF-beta revealed two predominant proteins with Mr 85,000 and 66,000. In unfractionated membrane preparations, two other proteins with Mr 105,000 and approximately 150,000 were seen. Following partial hepatectomy the major change in affinity-labeled proteins was a small (10-25%) but consistent decrease in the Mr 85,000 species. These results show that receptors for TGF-alpha and TGF-beta are modulated after partial hepatectomy, a further indication that these polypeptides may have an important role in liver regeneration.

Animals↗

The TSH receptor: structure and interaction with autoantibodies in thyroid disease.

Studies of the TSH receptor using affinity labelling with photoactive derivatives of TSH and analysis by SDS-PAGE have shown that the receptor contains 2 subunits (A and B), linked by a disulphide bridge. Similar results are obtained with TSH receptors from human, porcine and guinea pig thyroid tissue and from guinea pig fat. Analysis of affinity labelled receptors under non-denaturing conditions suggest that subunits additional to the A and B subunits are not present. Hydrodynamic measurements indicate that the receptor A subunit has an approximately spherical structure (Stokes' radius 70 A) and when this interacts with TSH (an elongated structure with Stokes' radius 56A) a very elongated complex (Stokes' radius 104A) is formed. Isoelectric focusing studies of the TSH receptor A subunit, TSH and TSH receptor antibodies indicate that charge-charge interactions are of considerable importance in the binding of hormone and antibody to the receptor.

Animals↗

Processing of the formyl peptide receptor by HL-60 cells.

Processing of the formyl peptide receptor by differentiated HL-60 cells has been studied using the photoaffinity label N-formyl-Nle-Leu-Phe-Nle-125I-Tyr-Lys-N epsilon-6-(4'-azido-2' -nitrophenylamino)-hexanoate. The receptor on live cells has an apparent molecular weight of 60,000 to 80,000 and possesses one predominant papain cleavage site on the cell exterior yielding a 35,000-Da fragment that contains the binding site. The affinity-labeled receptor was internalized with a t1/2 = 3.2 min at 37 degrees C, a t1/2 = 12 min at 24 degrees C, and was not internalized at 15 degrees C. The internalized receptor was localized in two intracellular compartments with buoyant densities less than that of the plasma membrane. The compartment with the lowest buoyant density was coincident with the Golgi marker galactosyltransferase. Intracellular dissociation of noncovalently bound peptide from the receptor occurred with a t1/2 = 25-28 min. Following a 3-h lag period, internalized affinity-labeled receptor was degraded by a first-order process with a t1/2 = 7 h.

Cell Line↗

Characterization of the human placental receptor for basic somatomedin.

We have determined optimal conditions for the solubilization of the basic somatomedin (SM) receptor from human placental membranes and for the measurement of the binding of basic SM to the solubilized receptor. Further, we have developed conditions under which the basic SM receptor, in the presence of equivalent amounts of insulin receptor, can be selectively and specifically affinity-labeled with 125I-labeled basic SM, using the cross-linking reagent disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS). Our results with these developed methods indicate that the properties of the soluble basic SM receptor (pH optimum for ligand binding, pH 7 to 9; adsorption to lectin-agarose derivatives; sedimentation coefficient in detergent-sucrose solutions, 11S) closely parallel data previously reported for the insulin receptor. Based on the sedimentation coefficient and the previously estimated Stokes radius of the soluble receptor (7.2 nm), a molecular weight of 402 000 can be calculated for the detergent-receptor complex. Electrophoretic analysis of the basic SM receptor, selectively cross-linked to 125I-labeled basic SM with DSS in the presence of excess unlabeled insulin revealed, under reducing conditions, a major labeled constituent of 140 kdaltons, substantiating our previous work employing a photoaffinity labeling reagent. DSS cross-linking also demonstrated the presence of less intensely labeled components with apparent molecular weights of 54 000, 43 000 and 35 000 but failed to reveal a distinct 90- to 100-kdalton species visualized in parallel experiments with insulin. The 53-kdalton species was not detected in similar experiments with insulin. A specifically labeled basic SM receptor component of 300 kdaltons was also observed under reducing conditions; in the absence of beta-mercaptoethanol, all labeled components migrated in the 300-kdalton range. In comparison, selective DSS labeling of the insulin receptor in the presence of excess basic SM revealed components which, upon electrophoresis under reducing conditions, exhibited apparent molecular weights of 300 000, 140 000, 90 000--100 000, 43 000 and 35 000. The major insulin-labeled component (140 000) comigrated with the major constituent (140 000) selectively labeled with basic SM. Chymotryptic digestion of the receptors selectively DSS labeled with either 125I-labeled insulin or 125I-labeled basic SM yielded quite similar, but distinctive, gel electrophoretic maps. We conclude that the receptors for basic SM and insulin are highly homologous structures, particularly with respect to their glycoprotein nature, their hydrodynamic properties, their disulphide cross-linked composition, and with respect to the size of the major constituent detected by selective affinity labeling. Nonetheless, the detection of electrophoretically distinct labeled receptor substituents upon analysis of specifically labeled material, both before and after chymotryptic cleavage, points to subtle differences between the polypeptide compositions of the two receptors.

Female↗

The role of thyroidal type-I iodothyronine deiodinase in tri-iodothyronine production by human and sheep thyrocytes in primary culture.

We have studied the origin of tri-iodothyronine (T3) secreted by human and sheep thyrocytes in primary culture and also the expression of type-I thyroidal iodothyronine deiodinase (ID-I) in the thyroid and liver of man and various other animals. Inhibitors of ID-I reduced T3 secretion from human but not sheep thyrocytes. In contrast, inhibitors of de-novo thyroid hormone synthesis reduced both thyroxine (T4) and T3 production in sheep thyrocytes, but had no effect on the T3 secreted by human thyrocytes. Human thyrocytes did not produce T4 under the culture conditions used, although some endogenous T4 was present in the cells following their isolation. Although thyrotrophin (TSH) stimulated T3 production in both human and sheep thyrocytes, iodine in the form of potassium iodide was only essential for T3 and T4 production by the sheep cells. Although 125I from Na125I was incorporated into T3 and T4 in TSH-stimulated sheep thyrocytes, no 125I incorporation into T3 or T4 was detected in TSH-stimulated human thyrocytes. Using activity measurements and affinity labelling, ID-I was present in the livers of all species studied, but ID-I could not be detected in thyroid tissue from cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, deer or llamas. In contrast, thyroid tissue from man, mice, guinea-pigs and rats had significant ID-I activity and expressed an affinity-labelled protein with a molecular mass of approximately 28.1 kDa on SDS-PAGE. These data show that under the culture conditions used, sheep thyrocytes produced T3 by de-novo synthesis, whilst human thyrocytes produced T3 by deiodination of endogenous T4. We conclude that thyroidal ID-I shows marked species difference in its expression and that, in those species which express the enzyme (man, mice, guinea-pigs and rats, in this study), it appears that it may make an important contribution to thyroidal T3 production.

Animals↗

Solubilization and affinity purification of the Y2 receptor for neuropeptide Y and peptide YY from rabbit kidney.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an important neuropeptide in both central and peripheral neurones whereas peptide YY (PYY) is a gut hormone present in endocrine cells in the lower bowel. Both peptides interact with multiple binding sites that have been further classified into Y1 and Y2 receptors. We have solubilized native Y2 receptors both from basolateral membranes of proximal convoluted tubules from rabbit kidney and from rat hippocampal membranes. Solubilization of functional Y2 receptors was obtained with both 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS) and digitonin and resulted in each case in a single class of high affinity binding sites. The soluble receptor retained the binding specificity for different peptides and long C-terminal fragments of NPY exhibited by membrane preparations. Gel filtration of solubilized receptors resulted in a single peak of specific PYY binding activity corresponding to Mr = 350,000 whereas affinity labeling revealed a major band of Mr = 60,000. Since this binding activity was inhibited by guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) the Y2 receptor is probably solubilized as a receptor complex containing a G-protein along with the ligand binding protein. Y2 receptor binding sites from kidney tubular membranes were purified to homogeneity by a three-step procedure employing Mono S cation-exchange adsorption, affinity chromatography on wheat germ lectin-agarose beads, and affinity chromatography on NPY-Affi-Gel. Electrophoresis and silver staining of the final receptor preparation revealed a single protein with Mr = 60,000 whereas gel filtration showed a single peak at approximately Mr = 60,000. The purified protein can be affinity labeled with [125I-Tyr36]PYY, indicating that the Mr = 60,000 protein contains the ligand binding site of the Y2 receptor, and this binding is not affected by GTP gamma S. Scatchard transformation of binding data for the purified Y2 receptors was compatible with a single class of binding sites with Kd = 76 pM. The purified Y2 receptors retain their binding properties with regard to affinity and specificity for different members of the pancreatic polypeptide-fold peptide family. The specific activity of purified Y2 receptors was calculated to approximately 14.7 nmol of ligand binding/mg of receptor protein, which is consistent with the theoretical value (16.6 nmol/mg) for a pure Mr = 60,000 protein binding one PYY molecule. Purification to homogeneity thus reveals the Y2 receptor as an Mr = 60,000 glycoprotein.

Animals↗

Ontogeny of insulin-like growth factor I and insulin receptor kinase activity in rat liver.

IGF-I and insulin receptors possess tyrosine-kinase enzymatic activity considered to be essential for signal transduction and thereby mediating the putative effects of these hormones on fetal growth and development. We investigated the ontogeny of IGF-I and insulin receptor tyrosine-kinase activity in at least 3 separate membrane preparations from liver of rats at 21 day of embryonic life (21ED), 1 and 5 day of postnatal life (1PD and 5PD respectively) and adult. Receptors purified by wheat germ agglutinin chromatography (WGA) were exposed to graded concentrations of IGF-I or insulin, and tyrosine-kinase activity was measured by quantifying incorporation of 32P into the exogenous substrate poly[Glu,Tyr; 4:1]. IGF-I stimulated tyrosine-kinase solely at 1 PD as documented by a maximal increase of 346 +/- 167% over basal kinase activity with 6.6 nmol/L IGF-I. While the lack of response in adult animals could be explained by a striking decrease in receptors at that age, 125I-IGF-I binding and affinity labelling of the WGA preparations indicated substantial IGF-I receptors were present in the liver at each of the perinatal ages. Furthermore, this dissociation between IGF-I binding and the tyrosine-kinase activity of these IGF-I receptors could not be attributed to the presence/absence of IGF-I binding proteins as judged by affinity labelling. In contrast, insulin-stimulated tyrosine-kinase activity was observed at all ages tested although it appeared greatest at 1PD. We conclude that (i) expression of IGF-I tyrosine-kinase activity is linked to developmental events and differs from that found for the insulin receptor tyrosine-kinase activity, (ii) during the perinatal period there is an apparent dissociation between ligand binding by the IGF-I receptor and receptor tyrosine-kinase activity. These observations suggest modulation of IGF-I receptor tyrosine-kinase activity may be an important regulator of IGF-I action during the perinatal period.

Animals↗

A study of the characteristics of the rat placental iodothyronine 5-monodeiodinase: evidence that it is distinct from the rat hepatic iodothyronine 5'-monodeiodinase.

Recent studies have demonstrated that rat liver type I iodothyronine 5'-monodeiodinase (5'-MD) characteristically contains selenocysteine. The present study was undertaken to characterize rat placental type III iodothyronine 5-MD and to compare it with 5'-MD. Solubilized rat placental microsomes were delipidated by carboxymethyl cellulose-Sephadex chromatography. Phospholipids and proteins were recovered in two distinct peaks, which did not show 5-MD activity. 5-MD activity was recovered fully, however, by combining the two components (phospholipids and protein) and partially after the addition of exogenous phospholipids to protein. Tissue selenoproteins were labeled by injection of radioactive selenium (75Se; 50 microCi, iv; on days 5, 10, and 15 of gestation) to pregnant rats. Subcellular fractions of maternal and fetal tissues were resolved by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by autoradiography. No specific seleno-labeled proteins were evident in the microsomes of placenta or maternal or fetal brain. A 27- to 29-kilodalton (kDa) band previously suggested to be 5'-MD was observed, however, in maternal liver and kidney microsomes. Aurothioglucose inhibited rat placental 5-MD, but the dose required for 50% inhibition was over 50-fold greater than that for Se-containing hepatic 5'-MD (430 vs. 8 nM). The mechanism of the inhibition was noncompetitive for 5-MD, whereas it was competitive for 5'-MD. A synthetic peptide of 16 amino acids corresponding to the carboxy-terminal portion of 5'-MD was synthesized, and rabbits were immunized with the peptide-BSA conjugate. Western blots studies using the rabbit antiserum showed one specific 29-kDa band in rat liver microsomes. However, no specific bands were observed in 5-MD-rich placental or fetal brain microsomes. Bromoacetyl T3 (BrAcT3) was a potent inhibitor of rat placental 5-MD. Affinity labeling of solubilized rat placental microsomes with [125I]BrAcT3 showed a predominant band of 31 kDa, distinct from the 27- to 29-kDa band found in liver and kidney. The labeling of the 31-kDa band was enhanced by 10 mM dithiothreitol, inhibited 60% by 150 microM T3, and prevented by 40 microM aurothioglucose. A dominant affinity-labeled 31-kDa band was also observed in fetal brain microsomes. Some tissues without 5-MD activity (testes and spleen) also showed weak binding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Synthesis of phlorizin derivatives and their inhibitory effect on the renal sodium/D-glucose cotransport system.

To characterize further the Na+/D-glucose cotransport system in renal brush border membranes, phlorizin - a potent inhibitor of D-glucose transport - has been chemically modified without affecting the D-glucose moiety or changing the side groups that are essential for the binding of phlorizin to the Na+/D-glucose cotransport system. One series of chemical modifications involved the preparation of 3-nitrophlorizin and the subsequent catalytic reduction of the nitro compound to 3-aminophlorizin. From 3-aminophlorizin, 3-bromoacetamido-, 3-dansyl- and 3-azidophlorizin have been synthesized. In another approach, 3'-mercuryphlorizin was obtained by reaction of phlorizin with Hg(II) acetate. The phlorizin derivatives inhibit sodium-dependent but not sodium-independent D-glucose uptake by hog renal brush border membrane vesicles in the following order of potency: 3'-mercuryphlorizin = phlorizin greater than 3-aminophlorizin greater than 3-bromoacetamidophlorizin greater than 3-azidophlorizin greater than 3-nitrophlorizin greater than 3-dansylphlorizin. 3-Bromoacetamidophlorizin - a potential affinity label - also inhibits sodium-dependent but not sodium-independent phlorizin binding to brush border membranes. In addition, sodium-dependent phosphate and sodium-dependent alanine uptake are not affected by 3-bromoacetamidophlorizin. The results described above indicate that specific modifications of the phlorizin molecule at the A-ring or B-ring are possible that yield phlorizin derivatives with a high affinity and high specificity for the renal Na+/D-glucose cotransport system. Such compounds should be useful in future studies using affinity labeling (3-bromoacetamido- and 3-azidophlorizin) or fluorescent probes (3-dansylphlorizin).

Animals↗

Localization of the pyridoxal phosphate binding site at the COOH-terminal region of erythrocyte band 3 protein.

A human erythrocyte Band 3 peptide, affinity labeled with pyridoxal phosphate, was purified by a combination of gel permeation and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The amino acid sequence of the transmembrane peptide was determined by sequencing subfragments of the peptide obtained from lysyl endopeptidase and staphylococcal proteinase V8 digestions. When a peptide containing the COOH-terminal of human erythrocyte Band 3 was also purified and sequenced, the affinity-labeled peptide was found to be located close to the COOH-terminal of Band 3, where it could be aligned with amino acid residues 852-927 of a murine erythrocyte Band 3, deduced from a nucleotide sequence of a cDNA clone (Kopito, R. R., and Lodish, H. F. (1985) Nature 316, 234-238). The amino acid sequence of the COOH-terminal region was highly homologous to that of murine Band 3. As a result, the sequence of the COOH-terminal peptide of Band 3 was established as follows. (Formula: see text). The pyridoxal phosphate binding site was identified as Lys-18 which corresponded to Lys-869 of the deduced sequence. It appears that the COOH-terminal region of Band 3 constitutes at least a part of the active center for anion transport in human erythrocyte membranes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ligand-directed immunoaffinity purification and properties of the one-carbon, reduced folate transporter. Interspecies immuno-cross-reactivity and expression of the native transporter in murine and human tumor cells and their transport-altered variants.

Almost complete purification (> 95%) of the 46-kDa murine, one-carbon, reduced folate transporter (RFT) at a recovery of 20% was obtained by ligand-directed immunoaffinity fractionation from transporter overproducing L1210/R83 cells. These cells were labeled with the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of [3H]aminopterin (AMT), the isolated plasma membrane alkaline washed to remove nonintegral membrane proteins, detergent-solubilized, and RFT-separated on an anti-AMT antibody-protein G-Sepharose column followed by preparative SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Anti-RFT antibody, subsequently derived, differentially blotted (L1210/R83 >> L1210/0) a 46-kDa protein during SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of plasma membrane from L1210/R83 and L1210 cells and in L1210/R83 cells after trichloroacetic acid precipitation. In contrast to that reported for human tumor cells, glycosidase treatment of RFT revealed no common N- or O-linked core oligosaccharides associated with this protein. The same 46-kDa protein at different relative levels was revealed in a Western blot of plasma membrane from other murine tumors. Blotting of plasma membrane from methotrexate resistant, transport defective L1210 cell variants exhibited wild-type levels of a less electrophoretically mobile RFT or greater levels of the same 46-kDa RFT which could not be affinity labeled with N-hydroxysuccinimide-[3H]AMT. The same antibody differentially blotted a 83-kDa plasma membrane protein from human HL-60 and CCRF-CEM cells with different levels of reduced folate transport and affinity labeling of RFT, verifying the conserved nature of this protein consistent with earlier functional studies.

Aminopterin↗

The steroid binding domain of porcine estrogen receptor.

For the purpose of characterizing the estrogen binding domain of porcine estrogen receptor (ER), we have made use of affinity labeling of partially purified ER with [3H]tamoxifen aziridine. The labeling is very efficient and selective particularly after partial purification of ER. A 65,000-dalton (65-kDa) band was detected on the fluorogram of a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel, together with a 50-kDa band and a few more smaller bands. The 50-kDa protein appears to be a degradation product of the 65-kDa protein in view of the similar peptide map. ER was affinity labeled before or after controlled limited proteolysis with either trypsin, papain, or alpha-chymotrypsin. The labeling patterns of limited digests indicate that a fragment of about 30 kDa is relatively resistant to proteases and has a full and specific binding activity to estrogen, whereas smaller fragments have lost much of the binding activity. This fragment is very hydrophobic and probably corresponds to the carboxy half of ER.

Animals↗

Characterization and cloning of a receptor for BMP-2 and BMP-4 from NIH 3T3 cells.

The bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a group of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)-related factors whose only receptor identified to date is the product of the daf-4 gene from Caenorhabditis elegans. Mouse embryonic NIH 3T3 fibroblasts display high-affinity 125I-BMP-4 binding sites. Binding assays are not possible with the isoform 125I-BMP-2 unless the positively charged N-terminal sequence is removed to create a modified BMP-2, 125I-DR-BMP-2. Cross-competition experiments reveal that BMP-2 and BMP-4 interact with the same binding sites. Affinity cross-linking assays show that both BMPs interact with cell surface proteins corresponding in size to the type I (57- to 62-kDa) and type II (75- to 82-kDa) receptor components for TGF-beta and activin. Using a PCR approach, we have cloned a cDNA from NIH 3T3 cells which encodes a novel member of the transmembrane serine/threonine kinase family most closely resembling the cloned type I receptors for TGF-beta and activin. Transient expression of this receptor in COS-7 cells leads to an increase in specific 125I-BMP-4 binding and the appearance of a major affinity-labeled product of approximately 64 kDa that can be labeled by either tracer. This receptor has been named BRK-1 in recognition of its ability to bind BMP-2 and BMP-4 and its receptor kinase structure. Although BRK-1 does not require cotransfection of a type II receptor in order to bind ligand in COS cells, complex formation between BRK-1 and the BMP type II receptor DAF-4 can be demonstrated when the two receptors are coexpressed, affinity labeled, and immunoprecipitated with antibodies to either receptor subunit. We conclude that BRK-1 is a putative BMP type I receptor capable of interacting with a known type II receptor for BMPs.

3T3 Cells↗

Identification of a soluble GM-CSF binding protein in the supernatant of a human choriocarcinoma cell line.

We identified two forms of the receptor for granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) made by the human choriocarcinoma cell line JEG-3 using an affinity-labeling technique. The protein was identified in the detergent-extract was 78 kDa, very similar to that of the membrane-bound GM-CSF receptor alpha chain expressed in a wide variety of hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells, including JEG-3. In contrast, a 62-kDa GM-CSF binding protein, or the soluble GM-CSF receptor, was identified in the supernatant of JEG-3 cells. Utilizing the same affinity labeling technique, we did not detect the soluble GM-CSF binding protein in the supernatant of several hematopoietic cell lines, such as U-937 and KG-1, which express membrane bound alpha chain as well as beta chain. The 62-kDa soluble GM-CSF receptor is produced in abundant amounts by JEG-3, but in very small amounts, if any, by hematopoietic cell lines.

Choriocarcinoma↗

Melphalan potently substitutes the N-terminal Tyr of D-Ala2-Leu5-enkephalin methyl ester.

In search of an affinity label of the opioid receptor, the nitrogen mustard melphalan, Mel, was built into the peptide chain of D-Ala2-Leu5-enkephalin (DALE) methyl ester in different positions. We report now that in contrast to the previous observations that an intact Tyr in position 1 is essential for opioid activity [(1980) Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 20, 81-110], substitution of Tyr by Mel did not result in a loss of the binding affinity. Mel1, Leu5-enkephalin-OMe competed for the binding sites of [3H]naloxone as potently as DALE did; IC50 values for both compounds were 50 nM. Mel substitution has led to one order potency decrease in binding to the delta-sites. 0.5-1 microM of the compound irreversibly inactivates 50% of the binding sites of [3H]naloxone, and 5-10 microM of that of [3H]DALE. These results shed new light on the structural requirements established for opioid peptides. In addition, the new derivative can be used as an affinity label of the opioid receptor.

Animals↗

Antibody active sites and immunoglobulin molecules.

In order to obtain detailed information about the relationship between structure and function in antibody molecules, a method called affinity labeling has been devised to attach chemical labels specifically to amino acid residues in the active sites of antibody molecules. With antibodies to three different haptens, highly specific labeling of the active sites has been achieved. Tyrosine residues on both heavy and light polypeptide chains have been labeled in a molar ratio close to 2:1, and labels on the two chains are equally specific to the active sites. Peptide fragmentation studies of the labeled chains of one antibody system have shown that: (i) within 25 amino acid residues of the labeled tyrosine on either chain, substantial chemical heterogeneity exists among different antibody molecules of the same specificity; and (ii) the labeled peptide fragments from both chains are very similar in physicochemical characteristics, including average size, heterogeneity, and unusual hydrophobicity. These experimental results have led us to the view that a particular region of the heavy chain and a particular region of the light chain are utilized to construct the active sites of the three different antibodies, differences in specificity arising from chemical perturbations in these two regions. Correlated structural studies of affinity-labeled antibodies and of the homogeneous light chains (Bence Jones proteins) and heavy chains produced in multiple myeloma may permit the identification of these special active-site regions. The view that active sites of different specificity are chemical perturbations of a particular region of the antibody molecule has a possible close analogue in enzyme systems, particularly among the esterases. The marked chemical similarities we have observed between the active site regions of heavy and light chains indicate to us that chemical homologies, but not identities, exist between the chains. This is reinforced by recently obtained amino acid sequence data which reveal homologies between the two chains near their carboxyl-terminals. These results indicate that the structural genes which code for the synthesis of heavy and light chains are related, presumably having arisen from some common ancestral gene during evolution. This conclusion strongly suggests that both heavy and light chains determine antibody specificity, and has important implications for the still-unknow mechanisms of antibody biosynthesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Insulin-induced phosphorylation of the beta-4 integrin subunit expressed on murine metastatic carcinoma cells.

A tumor surface protein (TSP-180) that is highly expressed on highly malignant metastatic cells has been identified on murine lung carcinomas. On SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions, TSP-180 shows a complex banding pattern corresponding to 204, 183, 150, 135, and 116 kDa. All bands of the TSP-180 complex are glycosylated and are labeled by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed radioiodination of viable cells. The mouse TSP-180 complex described here is homologous to the human integrin alpha 6 beta 4 complex, and in particular it has been demonstrated that protein corresponding to 204 kDa is homologous to the beta 4 subunit of the integrin complex. It has been shown recently that monoclonal antibody to TSP-180 (MoAb 135-13C) stimulates cell growth in vitro and induces phosphorylation of the 204-kDa protein. We now report that insulin increases the phosphorylation of the 204-kDa protein 30-fold in intact carcinoma cells and epidermal growth factor (EGF) causes a threefold increase. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and platelet-derived growth factor have no effect. The effect of insulin and of IGF-I on phosphorylation of their own receptors was studied using solubilized cell membranes. Insulin and IGF-I each induced a fivefold increase in the phosphorylation of their respective receptor beta subunits. In order to test if phosphorylation of the 204-kDa protein was induced by direct binding of growth factors to TSP-180 and to identify growth factor receptors on line 1 cells, affinity cross-linking studies were performed. Affinity labeling of receptors demonstrated that insulin and IGF-I both bind to a 135-kDa protein that corresponds to the insulin and IGF-I receptor alpha subunits. Affinity labeling of EGF receptors failed to demonstrate EGF receptor molecules (175-kDa protein) on line 1 cells. Further investigations by using a different approach confirmed the very low amount of EGF receptors on line 1 cells. Direct phosphoamino acid analysis of the 204-kDa protein purified from insulin-stimulated cells demonstrated that this beta 4 integrin subunit is phosphorylated on serine and tyrosine. We conclude that beta 4 integrin molecule is a target for phosphorylation through an indirect receptor-mediated mechanism.

Amino Acids↗

Chemical, biochemical and genetic endeavours characterizing the interaction of sparsomycin with the ribosome.

Sparsomycin interaction with the ribosome and characteristics of the drug binding site in the particle were studied using chemical modification of the drug, affinity labeling methods and isolation of drug resistant mutants. The structure-function relationship studies, performed with a large number of drug derivatives, indicate that the drug interacts with the ribosome by its western and eastern moieties. The uracil ring, in the western end of the drug molecule, probably forms hydrogen bonds with the rRNA, while the apolar CH3-S-CH3 group in the eastern end interacts with a hydrophobic ribosomal domain that affinity labeling results seem to indicate is formed by protein. An increase in lipophilicity in this part of the antibiotic results in a dramatic increase in the inhibitory activity of the drug. The sparsomycin binding site is not accessible in free ribosomes, but the presence of an N-blocked amino acyl-tRNA at the P-site turns the particles capable of reversible interaction with the drug. After failure using Escherichia coli, a sparsomycin-resistant mutant was obtained by direct mutagenesis on Halobacterium halobium, a species with a unique copy of rRNA genes, stressing the role of rRNA on the drug interaction site.

Binding Sites↗