Progress in determining module structures in C1r and C1s.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
SEARCH · Search PubMed
Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The subcomponents C1r and C1s and their activated forms C-1r and C-1s were each found to have mol.wts. in dissociating solvents of about 83000. The amino acid compositions of each were similar, but there were significant differences in the monosaccharide analyses of subcomponents C1r and C1s, whether activated or not. Subcomponents C1r and C1s have only one polypeptide chain, but subcomponents C-1r and C-1s each contain two peptide chains of approx. mol.wts. 56000 ("a" chain) and 27000 ("b" chain). The amino acid analyses of the "a" chains from each activated subcomponent are similar, as are those of the "b" chains. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of 29 residues of the C-1s "a" chain was determined, but the C-1r "a" chain has blocked N-terminal amino acid. The 20 N-terminal residues of both "b" chains are similar, but not identical, and both show obvious homology with other serine proteinases. The difference in polysaccharide content of the subcomponents C-1r and C-1s is most marked in the 'b' chains. When tested on synthetic amino acid esters, subcomponent C-1r hydrolysed both lysine and tyrosine ester bonds, but subcomponent C-1r did not hydrolyse any amino acid esters tested nor any protein substrate except subcomponent C1s. The lysine esterase activity of subcomponent C1s provides a rapid and sensitive assay of the subcomponent.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
C1r and C1s are distinct, but structurally and functionally similar, serine protease zymogens responsible for the enzymatic activity of the first component of complement (C1). Recent comparisons indicate a significant degree of sequence similarity between C1r and C1s and support the hypothesis that they are related by gene duplication. Complementary DNA probes for human C1r and C1s do not cross-hybridize even at mild stringency conditions and are therefore gene-specific. Using a panel of 25 human-rodent cell hybrids, we have independently assigned the C1r and the C1s genes to chromosome 12. In situ hybridization analyses were consistent with these assignments, showing in addition that both C1r and C1s are located on the short arm of the chromosome in the region p13. These data suggest that the homologous C1r and C1s genes have remained closely linked after duplication of a common ancestor. The C1r and C1s loci also provide useful polymorphic DNA markers for the short arm of chromosome 12.
A case of angioedema due to acquired deficiency of the regulatory protein C1-esterase-inhibitor (C1-INH) is reported. The edematous attack occurred 3 1/2 weeks after initiation of successful therapy for autoimmune-hemolytic anemia in the course of long-standing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. At the time of acute edema the complement profile was typical: virtual absence of C1-INH function was associated with diminished concentrations of the components of the classical pathway of complement (C1q, C1r, C1s, C2, C4) and reduced complement hemolytic activity (CH50). Anti-C1-INH-autoantibodies were not detected. The angioedema lasted for about one week, and no further attacks occurred during the five-months follow-up period. Although there was only a minor adjustment to the therapy, the C1q, C2, C4 and CH50 values gradually increased to levels close to the lower limit of the normal range, while C1r and C1s showed normal values. In contrast to most other reports, this case was characterized by angioedema which was precipitated only after initiation of appropriate treatment for the underlying disease rather than before therapy or even diagnosis of the underlying disease.
Antibody-independent interactions of C1 with several E. coli strains were examined. Purified C1 was directly activated by the semi-rough mutant E. coli J-5, its parental wild-type strain, E. coli 0111:B4, and two clinical isolates, E. coli (P) and E. coli (A), in the absence of C1 inhibitor. E. coli J-5 activated C1 about 10-fold more rapidly and bound approximately threefold more C1 than the other strains. E. coli J-5, but not the other strains, also bound C1s2, provided that the subcomponent was offered to the bacteria in the presence of C1q and calcium; such binding was thus independent of the presence or absence of C1r2. After C1 activation in the absence of C1 inhibitor, activated C1s spontaneously dissociated from E. coli 0111:B4, (P), and (A), but remained associated with E. coli J-5. The regulatory protein C1 inhibitor prevented C1 activation by the weaker activators, E. coli strains 0111:B4, (P), and (A), but had no effect on C1 activation by E. coli J-5. Although C1 inhibitor thus failed to modulate C1 activation by E. coli J-5, it did block the enzymatic activity of activated C1 bound to this strain. Analyses of the molecular processes involved revealed differences with other systems. In the presence of C1 inhibitor, the C1s subunit of C1 activated by E. coli J-5 underwent further cleavage with the release into the supernatant of C1s fragments and complexes of C1 inhibitor with light chain fragments. Such fragments were not disulfide-linked to the remainder of the C1s molecule. The bulk of the heavy chain remained adherent to the surface of E. coli J-5. This finding documents the presence of a binding site for activated C1s on the surface of E. coli J-5 and localizes this site to the heavy chain. These studies thus indicate that several E. coli strains are direct C1 activators. Furthermore, E. coli J-5 provides another example of a direct C1 activator having binding sites not only for C1q but also for dimeric C1s. The studies also show that there are multiple properties of particles which determine the ability to activate C1, the rate of activation, the possibility of regulation of the activation process by C1 inhibitor, and the fate of activated C1.
The composition of complexes containing C1 inactivator (C1 IA), C1r and C1s was investigated in normal serum after activation of C1 under various conditions. Analyses were performed with PAGE of eluates from Sepharose beads coated with F(ab')2 fragments of anti C1s followed by immunoblotting with anti C1 IA, anti C1s or anti C1r. Eluates obtained from serum treated with aggregated IgG (AGG) contained C1 IA in complex with C1r and C1s with both subcomponents in activated form. Eluates from serum incubated at 37 degrees C for 1, 2 or 3 days without activators showed C1 IA complexed with activated C1r and with C1s in proenzyme state associated to the complex. On analysis of serum, treated as mentioned above, by a variant of the electroimmunoassay using an intermediate gel containing anti-C1 IA and with anti-C1s in the anodal gel the two types of C1r--C1s--C1 IA complexes could be distinguished. Investigation of fresh sera and synovial fluids from patients with rheumatoid arthritis in this assay showed complexes containing C1 IA and C1r-C1s in activated form in the synovial fluids, while C1 IA-activated C1r-proenzyme C1s complexes were found in the corresponding sera.
Human Clq, a subcomponent of the first component of complement interacts with human fibronectin. Using ELISA methodology fixation of Clq to solid phase fibronectin, as well as fibronectin to solid phase Clq has been demonstrated. Cl in its native macromolecular form displays little reactivity for fibronectin, nor does Cl reconstituted from Clq, Clr and Cls in the presence of Ca2+ ions. Heating of Clq above its thermal transition temperature (51 degrees C) induces an increased binding capacity for fibronectin. On the other hand, a mixture of the dissociated A, B and C chains of Clq is less active than native Clq. The binding of fibronectin appears to be mediated by the A chain. Studies with Clq deprived of its globular parts by peptic digestion indicate that the collagen-like regions of Clq are involved in fibronectin binding. In contrast, collagenase treatment of Clq abrogates its fibronectin binding capacity.
Activation of the C1 complex in the presence of C1 inactivator (C1 IA) is known to result in the formation of tetramer C1 IA-C1r-C1s-C1 IA complexes that are dissociated from C1q. Both C1r and C1s of the tetramers are present in their activated forms. The present investigation concerned the generation of trimer complexes containing C1 IA, activated C1r, and zymogen C1s (C1 IA-C1r-C1s). C1 IA-C1r-C1s were released from C1q and were formed in high concentration during prolonged incubation (1 to 3 days) of normal serum at 37 degrees C without addition of activators. By contrast, dissociation of C1 with formation of C1 IA-C1r-C1s-C1 IA was complete within 30 min at 37 degrees C, when the serum was treated with heat-aggregated IgG (1 g/liter). On size exclusion chromatography (TSK-4000), C1 IA-C1r-C1s and C1 IA-C1r-C1s-C1 IA emerged with apparent m.w. of 320,000 and 460,000, respectively. The composition of the complexes was examined by absorption of serum with F(ab')2 anti-C1s- or anti-C1r-coated Sepharose beads. Eluates were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis combined with immunoblotting. Under nonreducing conditions, heat-aggregated IgG-treated serum showed high concentrations of C1 IA-C1r (m.w. 202,000) and C1 IA-C1s (m.w. 194,000), while serum incubated at 37 degrees C without activators showed high concentrations of C1 IA-C1r but no C1 IA-C1s. Under reducing conditions, heat-aggregated IgG-treated serum showed m.w. 120,000 and 110,000 complexes of C1 IA and the C1r and C1s light chains, respectively. Uncleaved C1s and the m.w. 120,000 complex was found in serum that was incubated at 37 degrees C without activators. Consistent with results obtained by size exclusion chromatography, analysis by crossed immunoelectrophoresis and by electroimmunoassay showed that C1s could be released from C1 IA-C1r-C1s in the presence of EDTA.
Sulfation of tyrosine residues recently has been recognized as a biosynthetic modification of many plasma proteins and other secretory proteins. Effects of this site-specific modification on protein function are not known, but the activity of several peptides such as cholecystokinin is greatly augmented by sulfation. Here, we examine the role of sulfation in the processing and activity of C4 (the fourth component of complement), one of the few proteins in which sites and stoichiometry of tyrosine sulfation have been characterized. Our results, with C4 as a paradigm, suggest that sulfation of tyrosine residues can have major effects on the activity of proteins participating in protein-protein interactions. Sulfation of C4 synthesized by Hep G2 cells was blocked by incubating the cells with NaClO3 and guaiacol. These sulfation inhibitors did not alter secretion or other steps in the processing of C4. However, hemolytic activity of C4 was decreased more than 50%. The inhibitors' effect on C4 activity was prevented by adding Na2SO4 to restore sulfation of C4. Activity of C3, a complement component homologous to C4 but lacking tyrosine sulfate residues, was minimally reduced (19%) by the inhibitors. Decreased hemolytic activity of nonsulfated C4 apparently resulted from impaired interaction with complement subcomponent C1s (EC 3.4.21.42), the protease that physiologically activates C4. Purified C1s was able to cleave nonsulfated C4, but approximately 10-fold higher concentrations of C1s were required for that cleavage than to yield equivalent cleavage of sulfated C4. Our results suggest that activation of C4, a central component in the classical pathway of complement activation, is influenced by the level of sulfation of the protein. Thus, sulfation of C4 provides a potential locus for physiological or pharmacological modulation of complement-mediated opsonization and inflammation.
Under specified conditions purified C1q, activated C1r and C1s and C1r-C1s complexes were bound independently of Ca2+, to heparin-Sepharose, and could be eluted by an increasing salt gradient. Zymogen C1r and C1s, C1r-C1s complexes, C1 inactivator, and C1r-C1s-C1 activator complexes were not bound. However, at lower conductance Ca2+ independent binding of C14 occurred, which was utilized in the purification of C14 and C1s. In the presence of C1t (serum amyloid P component), C1s was firmly retained on heparin-Sepharose, which was probably due to formation of a C1s-C1t complex.
Sixteen patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome, verified according to the Copenhagen criteria, were investigated for evidence of complement activation. Thirteen of the patients had intact functional activity of both the classical and alternative pathways, with normal concentrations of the complement proteins C1q, C1s, C3, C4 and the complement protein fragments C2a and C3d in the circulation. In contrast, three patients showed clear evidence of complement activation. Further investigation of these patients revealed manifestations of glomerulonephritis, vasculitis and primary biliary cirrhosis. Six months later, one patient developed a malignant non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We conclude that complement activation is generally not associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome. Evidence of complement activation in patients considered to have primary Sjögren's syndrome should raise the suspicion of concomitant systemic disease and/or extraglandular activity.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
1. The role of clotting factor XII in the activation of the complement subunit C1s to C1 esterase was examined.2. In sera from patients with hereditary angio-oedema who lack the alpha(2)-glycoglobulin C1 inhibitor, silicates and other potent activators of clotting factor XII induced far less C1 esterase activity than did the weaker factor XII activators, carrageenin and cellulose sulphate. In contrast, the intensity of the induced plasma kallikrein activity corresponded more closely to the clot-promoting effect of the factor XII activators.3. Spontaneous generation of C1 esterase activity was only slightly delayed in hereditary angio-oedema sera previously depleted of factor XII. In normal sera, C1 esterase did not develop spontaneously and could not be induced.4. Experiments with inhibitors suggested that the spontaneous activation of C1s may consist of two phases: factor XII and other plasma proteases first activate small amounts of C1s; the resulting C1 esterase then activates the bulk of C1s. The observed spontaneous activation suggests that when fully activated, the C1s present in 1 ml of human serum will hydrolyse 1-2 mumol of ATEe/minute.
The C1 complex is an association of C1q and C1r2C1s2. Neutron scattering and ultracentrifugation provide a valuable means of understanding the solution structure of the subcomponents and their complex, and these can be supplemented by protein structure prediction techniques. C1q is constructed from six globular heads connected by collagen-like arms. The solution data for C1q show that the arms are of length 14.5 nm and not 11.5 nm as proposed from electron microscopy, the average arm-axis angle is 40 degrees, and that the structure is flexible in solution at the junction of the six arms. The sequences of C1r and C1s show that each is constructed from six protein domains. C1r and C1s are elongated macromolecules of lengths 18-20 nm. Their solution properties are best described as the lengthwise arrangement of a protease domain of diameter 4 nm, two "short consensus repeat" domains, each of length 4 nm, and an N-terminal globular entity of length 6 nm containing the first three protein domains. Solution data on the C1r2 dimer is interpreted as an X-shaped association of the two C1r monomers as proposed from electron microscopy. Six criteria are enumerated for constructing models of C1 from these two structures, and four distinct models for the C1 complex are reviewed. While further evidence is required to make this choice unequivocal, the W-model is favoured. This places each monomer of C1r and C1s on four adjacent arms of C1q, and offers the most reasonable explanation of the known properties of the C1 complex.
The recent sequencing of the C1 subcomponents has allowed comparison with other molecules of homologous primary structure. Where tertiary structures are available for at least one member of the family it is possible to make further progress by modelling the amino acid sequence of the complement protein into the three-dimensional coordinates of the directly determined structure, thereby obtaining an approximation of the structure of the complement protein. Molecular modelling allows structure-function relationships to be explored and suggests further experiments that may be amenable to techniques such as site-directed mutagenesis.
The reactive center of C1-inhibitor, a plasma protease inhibitor that belongs to the serpin superfamily, is located on a peptide loop which is highly susceptible to proteolytic cleavage. With plasma kallikrein, C1s and beta-Factor XIIa, this cleavage occurs at the reactive site residue P1 (Arg444); with neutrophil elastase, it takes place near P1, probably at residue P3 (Val442). After these cleavages, C1-inhibitor is inactivated and its conformation is modified. Moreover, in vivo, cleaved C1-inhibitor is removed from the blood stream more rapidly than the intact serpin, which suggests that proteolysis unmasks sites responsible for cellular recognition and the uptake of the cleaved inhibitor. In the study reported here, we show, using an MAb, that an identical neoepitope is created on C1-inhibitor after the cleavage of its exposed loop by plasma kallikrein, C1s, beta-Factor XIIa, and by neutrophil elastase.
Propamidine, one of the diamidines used against infections with babesiae has inhibitory and enhancing effects on complement activation as assessed by immune haemolysis of sensitized sheep red cells. Utilization of C1 is powerfully, that of C3 weakly improved by propamidine while activation and/or fixation of C4, C5 and to a lesser degree of C8 and C9 are inhibited. At low concentrations of propamidine (less than 2 mM) the enhancing effects, at higher concentrations the inhibitory effects predominate. Inhibition is produced, in some cases certainly, in others likely, by interference of propamidine with binding properties of complement components. None of the complement enzymes, C1s, C42 or C3bBb was inhibited in its hydrolytic activity. The possible significance of propamidine actions is discussed.