Involvement of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-mediated Ca2+ release in early and late events of mouse egg activation

Sperm-induced activation of mammalian eggs is associated with a transient increase in the concentration of intracellular Ca2+. The role of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-mediated release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores during mouse egg activation was examined in the present study by determining the effects of microinjected monoclonal antibody (mAb) 18A10, which binds to the IP3 receptor and inhibits IP3-induced Ca2+ release, on endpoints of egg activation following insemination. The antibody inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner the ZP2 to ZP2f conversion that is involved in the zona pellucida block to polyspermy, as well as the ZP2 to ZP2f conversion promoted by microinjected IP3 in non-inseminated eggs. As anticipated, inseminated eggs that had been microinjected with the antibody were polyspermic. In addition, the antibody inhibited the fertilization-associated decrease in H1 kinase activity and pronucleus formation, and the concentration dependence for inhibition of these events was similar to that observed for inhibiting the ZP2 to ZP2f conversion. Last, the antibody inhibited the fertilization-induced recruitment of maternal mRNAs and post-translational modifications of proteins. In each case, eggs microinjected with the mAb 4C11, which also binds to the IP3 receptor but does not inhibit IP3-induced Ca2+ release, had no inhibitory effect on fertilization and egg activation. Results of these studies suggest that IP3-mediated Ca2+ release is essential for both early and late events of mouse egg activation.

Comparison of type 2 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor distribution and subcellular Ca2+ release sites that support Ca2+ waves in cultured astrocytes

We have examined the mechanisms that underlie Ca2+ wave propagation in cultured cortical astrocytes. Norepinephrine evoked Ca2+ waves in astrocytes that began at discrete initiation loci and propagated throughout the cell by regenerative amplification at a number of cellular sites, as shown by very high Ca2+ release rates at these regions. We have hypothesized previously that domains displaying elevated Ca2+ release kinetics in astrocytes may correspond to sites of high inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R) density. To examine this possibility, we compared the distribution pattern of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and InsP3Rs with Ca2+ release kinetics in subcellular regions during propagation of norepinephrine-evoked waves. 3,3'-Dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide staining revealed that the ER in astrocytes exists as a meshwork of membranes extending throughout the cells, including fine processes. A specific antibody directed against type 2 InsP3Rs (InsP3R2) detected a 260-kDa band in western blotting of astrocyte membranes. Immunocytochemistry using this antibody stained the entire ER system in a punctate, variegated manner. When Ca2+ responses and InsP3R2 immunofluorescence were compared in the same cell, domains of elevated Ca2+ response kinetics (high amplitude and rapid rate of rise) showed significant positive correlation with high local intensity of InsP3R2 staining. It appears, therefore, that specializations in the ER responsible for discrete local Ca2+ release sites that support regenerative wave propagation include increased levels of InsP3R2 expression.

Induction of tolerance in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis with solubilized MHC class II:acetylcholine receptor peptide complexes

Stimulation of T lymphocytes through the T cell receptor in the absence of costimulatory signal(s) induces a state of unresponsiveness to subsequent antigen presentation. We have employed solubilized complexes consisting of rat class II MHC molecules containing an immunodominant peptide of the acetylcholine receptor (AChR alpha 100-116) to induce unresponsiveness in the autoreactive T lymphocytes mediating an animal model of myasthenia gravis. In vitro incubation of rat T cell lines specific for peptide AChR alpha 100-116 with solubilized complexes of MHC II and AChR alpha 100-116 (MHC II:AChR alpha 100-116) rendered the T cells unresponsive to subsequent stimulation by antigen presenting cells and the peptide. T cell lines with a broader specificity to the entire AChR protein pentamer had an 81% reduction in proliferation to AChR following a preincubation with solubilized MHC II:AChR alpha 100-116. Treatment with the solubilized MHC II:AChR alpha 100-116 induced phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis, an early signalling event associated with binding to the TCR. Rats primed with AChR and injected intravenously with MHC II:AChR alpha 100-116 had reduced in vitro T cell proliferation to the AChR alpha 100-116 peptide and to whole AChR. Solubilized MHC II:AChR alpha 100-116 injected i.v. into rats exhibiting serological clinical symptoms of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) prevented death in 67% of the treated animals, compared to a 0-20% survival rate in all other control groups. These results demonstrate that solubilized MHC II complexed with an immunodominant autoantigenic peptide is tolerogenic and improves the survival rate of rats with EAMG, suggesting the basis for an antigen-specific therapy in autoimmune diseases such as MG.

Localization of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors in the rat kidney

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors (IP3Rs) serve as intracellular calcium release channels involved in signal transduction of various hormones in the kidney. Molecular cloning studies have shown that there are three types of IP3R, designated type 1, type 2, and type 3. To characterize their localizations in the rat kidney, we employed immunohistochemical studies using type-specific monoclonal antibodies that were raised against the 15 C-terminal amino acids of each type of IP3R. Type 1 was detected in glomerular mesangial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. Type 2 was expressed exclusively in intercalated cells of collecting ducts from the cortex to the inner medulla. Type 3 was expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells, glomerular mesangial cells, and some cells of cortical collecting ducts, probably principal cells. As to the subcellular distribution, type 1 and type 2 showed a homogenous distribution in the cytoplasm, whereas type 3 was present mainly in the basolateral portion of the cytoplasm. These results indicate that IP3R isoforms were expressed in a cell-specific manner. The heterogeneous subcellular localizations among the IP3R types suggests compartmentalization of distinct IP3-sensitive Ca2+ pools.

The CD45 tyrosine phosphatase regulates Campath-1H (CD52)-induced TCR-dependent signal transduction in human T cells

Campath-1H, a humanized mAb undergoing clinical trials for treatment of leukemia, transplantation and autoimmune diseases, produces substantial lymphocyte depletion in vivo. The antibody binds to CD52, a highly glycosylated molecule attached to the membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. Cross-linked Campath-1H is known to activate T cells in vitro. We have investigated the molecular basis for these effects by comparing the protein tyrosine phosphorylation signals induced by Campath-1H and the CD3 mAb OKT3 in primary T cells, and in CD45(+)TCR(+), CD45(-)TCR(+) and CD45(+)TCR(-) Jurkat subclones transfected with CD52. Our results show that Campath-1H triggers similar tyrosine phosphorylation events as OKT3 in both primary T cells and in the CD45(+)TCR(+) Jurkat sub-clone, albeit at quantitatively lower levels. However, no phospholipase C gamma 1 activation nor calcium signals were detected in response to CD52 ligation. The CD52-mediated induction of protein tyrosine phosphorylation was absolutely dependent upon the expression of both the TCR and the CD45 phosphotyrosine phosphatase at the cell surface. Cross-linking of Campath-1H was essential for signal transduction in all cells investigated. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer was used to demonstrate CD52 homo-association at the cell surface in Jurkat T cells in a TCR- and CD45-independent manner, and CD52-TCR association in CD45(+)TCR(+) cells. We propose a model to explain the activating effects of Campath-1H in which CD52 mAb cross-linking causes the trapping of TCR polypeptides within molecular complexes at the cell surface, thereby inducing signals via the TCR by a process which depends on the CD45-mediated regulation of the p56(lck) and p59(fyn) tyrosine kinases.

Regulation of phospholipase C-gamma2 networks in B lymphocytes

The modulation of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), a product of phospholipase C (PLC) activity, is one of a common signaling mechanism used in many biological systems. B lymphocytes also rely on IP3 and subsequent calcium signaling to ensure appropriate developmental outcomes, as well as antigen-specific responses. In establishing the optimal intensity and duration of the PLC-gamma activity, an important role has emerged for adaptor molecules, which direct the appropriate subcellular localization of PLC-gamma and induce its conformational changes. Generated IP3 binds to IP3 receptors located on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which in turn is essential for triggering calcium release from the ER and subsequent entry of extracellular calcium by so-called Ca2+ entry channels. Recent data has begun to shed new light on the connection between the calcium release and the influx of extracellular calcium, and the molecular identity of the Ca2+ entry channels.

Preparation and characterization of a D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-specific antibody

Antibodies against Ins(1,4,5)P3 were raised by immunizing rabbits with two types of InsP3-BSA conjugates which were synthesized by covalently coupling Ins(1,4,5)P3 to the carrier protein via alkyl linkages. The anti-Ins(1,4,5)P3 antibody was detected by a novel ELISA using Ins(1,4,5)P3-immobilized microtitre plates. Both antiserum preparations showed specific binding with Ins(1,4,5)P3, with titres of 1:4000. Most inositol phosphates, including Ins1P, Ins(4,5)P2, Ins(1,3,4)P3, Ins(1,5,6)P3, Ins(1,2,5,6)P1, Ins(3,4,5,6)P4, Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5, InsP6, and PtdIns(4,5)P2, did not exhibit significant molecular interactions with the antibodies. Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, however, cross-reacted with these antibodies with one-third of the affinity as that of Ins(1,4,5)P3, in part due to the largely shared structural motifs. The differential affinity was significantly improved by affinity purification on Ins(1,4,5)P3-agarose. The affinity-purified antibody displayed IC50 values of 12 nM and 730 nM for Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 respectively, according to a competitive ELISA; these values are in line with those reported for the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor. The modes of ligand recognition at the binding sites of these two types of biomolecules are, however, different. Moreover, although the ligand binding was interfered with by multivalent anions such as ATP4-, HPO4(3-) and SO4(2-) at high concentrations, no inhibition was noted with heparin, an antagonist of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor.