Molecular cloning of cDNA encoding gp68 of adult T-cell leukaemia-associated antigen: evidence for expression of the pX IV region of human T-cell leukaemia virus

A 2.3 kb cDNA was cloned from human T-cell leukaemia virus [HTLV(MT-2)] virion RNA using a vector system, as plasmid pHTLV 707. The restriction endonuclease map of pHTLV 707 revealed that the insert contained the 5' half of the env gene and a portion of the pX region of HTLV, corresponding to the subgenomic RNA derived from 32S defective HTLV. Nucleotide sequence analysis of pHTLV 707 indicated that the clone contained an open reading frame for a 60K mol. wt. protein including the upstream and entire pX IV region. A rabbit antibody raised against a synthetic decapeptide deduced from the nucleotide sequence at the carboxyl terminus of the pX IV region immunoprecipitated gp68, and also 80K and 40K proteins.

Expression of the gag gene of human T-cell leukemia virus type I in Escherichia coli and its diagnostic use

An expression plasmid, pHY202, was constructed which directs the synthesis of a fusion protein encoded by the gag sequence of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) inserted into the lacZ' gene. Escherichia coli cells harboring pHY202 produced the 43-kDal LacZ'-Gag fusion protein with a yield of approx. 0.3% of total soluble proteins. The fusion protein is specifically recognized by monoclonal antibodies against the Gag proteins p19 and p24, and could be applicable for the diagnosis of HTLV-I infection, because almost all sera from HTLV-I carriers gave a positive response in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) employing the LacZ'-Gag hybrid protein purified by immunoaffinity column chromatography.

beta-D-Glucosidase from seeds of Japanese cycad, Cycas revoluta Thunb.: properties and substrate specificity

beta-D-Glucosidase was purified from seeds of Japanese cycad by dialysis, chromatography on CM-Sepharose CL-6B, gel filtration on Biogel P-200, and chromatofocusing. By chromatofocusing, beta-D-glucosidase was separated into four components whose isoelectric points were in a very narrow range (7.43-7.68). All these components were glycoproteins. The main component (pI = 7.59) was homogeneous on gel isoelectric focusing, and was crystallized from ammonium sulfate solution. The molecular weight of the crystalline preparation was determined to be 137,000 by gel filtration, and 67,000 by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicating the main component was composed of two subunits with the same molecular weight. The amino acid composition and sugar content of the main component were also determined. All four components hydrolyzed not only o-nitrophenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside but also o-nitrophenyl beta-D-galactopyranoside, o-nitrophenyl beta-D-fucopyranoside, and o-nitrophenyl beta-D-xylopyranoside. Hydrolysis rates of each substrate by the four components were quite similar. Mixed substrate experiments using crystalline preparation proved that a single active site was responsible for the hydrolysis of these substrates.

Properties of human interleukin-2 receptors expressed on non-lymphoid cells by cDNA transfection

We have established non-lymphoid cell lines HeLa, Ltk and NIH3T3 expressing the human interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor by transfection of human IL-2 receptor complementary DNA. While IL-2 receptors on T cells are classified into the high and low affinity species, the receptors expressed on the cDNA-transfected non-lymphoid cells belong to the low affinity species. These IL-2 receptors could not transmit the growth signal although they were similar in size to those expressed on T cells. Phorbol ester-induced phosphorylation of the IL-2 receptors on HeLa cells did not affect the affinity of the receptor. We have also constructed a cDNA encoding a mutant IL-2 receptor that replaced the major phosphorylation site, the serine residue at position 247 with the glycine residue. This mutant IL-2 receptor expressed on non-lymphoid cells also had the low affinity for IL-2. The results indicate that the high and low affinity states of the IL-2 receptor are not solely determined by phosphorylation of the receptor. The IL-2 receptors expressed on these non-lymphoid cells were internalized four to eight times more slowly than those on T cells. Possible defects of the IL-2 receptors expressed on non-lymphoid cells are discussed.

Retrovirus-induced expression of interleukin 2 receptors on cells of human B-cell lineage

We provide direct evidence for interleukin 2 receptor (IL2R) induction by human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus (HTLV) in human B-cell lines. A lymphoblastoid B-cell line (LCL-Ter) was established by Epstein-Barr virus-induced transformation of peripheral blood lymphocytes derived from a healthy HTLV carrier and cloned in vitro. HTLV gp21 and/or p19 antigens were detected in eight LCL-Ter clones, all of which also expressed the IL2R antigens Tac and Hiei (defined by monoclonal antibodies). However, five other LCL-Ter clones, which were negative for the HTLV antigens, did not express the IL2R antigens. Furthermore, when the IL2R-negative B-cell line LCL-Kan, derived form a normal donor, was cocultured with HTLV-producer cells, three HTLV-carrying clones were obtained and found to constitutively express IL2R. IL2R induced by HTLV on these B-cell lines bound recombinant interleukin 2 and were similar in apparent molecular mass (approximately equal to 60 kDa) to the IL2R of peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated with phytohemagglutinin.

Total removal of a falcotentorial junction meningioma by biparietooccipital craniotomy in the sea lion position: a case report

The successful total removal of a huge falcotentorial junction meningioma in a 59-year-old woman by biparietooccipital craniotomy with the patient in the sea lion position (prone with a hyperextended neck and with 20 degrees elevation of the upper and lower halves of the body) is reported, with some comments on the advantages of this approach and position. Taking advantage of the exposure of the dural sinus, the confluens sinuum pressure was measured by direct catheterization with the patient in various positions. The pressure was 3.6 cm H2O in the sea lion position, 2.4 cm H2O in the reverse jackknife position (supine with 20 degrees elevation of the upper and lower halves of the body), and -12 cm H2O in the sitting position.

Expression of HTLV-specific polypeptides in various human T-cell lines

The adult T-cell leukemia (ATL)-associated antigen complex (ATLA) was first discovered with indirect immunofluorescence by Hinuma et al. (1981). Biochemical analysis with MT-2 cells revealed that ATLA consisted mainly of human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV) structural polypeptides and their precursors (Yamamoto and Hinuma 1982a; Schneider et al. 1984). In this study, we have investigated the molecular nature of the ATLA antigen complex in various HTLV-positive human cell lines established by different methods including independently established HTLV-infected HUT 102 cells. We found that HTLVs infecting these cell lines have similar core polypeptides, p24 and p19, as well as an envelope glycopolypeptide, gp46, in all these cells. The intracellular gp61 and p53 appear to be precursors of the viral envelope and core polypeptides, respectively. Interestingly, MT-2 and MT-2 related T-cell lines contain two different species of envelope proteins, gp68 and gp61, whereas cell lines not related to MT-2 express only gp61.

Characterization of human B-cell lines harbouring both adult T-cell leukaemia (ATL) virus and Epstein-Barr virus derived from ATL patients

Human B-cell lines, designated ATLB cell lines, were spontaneously established from peripheral blood of adult T-cell leukaemia (ATL) patients. The cell lines consistently expressed ATL-associated antigen (ATLA) and Epstein-Barr virus-associated nuclear antigen (EBNA). A cloned ATLB line, designated ATLB 2, showed that both ATLA and EBNA antigens were present in the same B-cell clone. In this study, we have further characterized ATLV and EBV in the cloned ATLB 2 cell line by biochemical techniques. The ATLA antigens in these clones, initially shown by immunofluorescence, were studied by immunoprecipitation with human sera from ATL patients and the Western blotting technique using a mouse monoclonal antibody (GIN-14). We identified ATLV core polypeptides 24K and 19K in the ATLB cell extracts. Furthermore, total cellular DNA and poly(A) RNA from the ATLB cell lines were analysed for the presence of viral genomes with molecularly cloned DNA probes containing the ATLV and EBV sequence, respectively. The results showed that all ATLB 2 clones contained highly conserved ATLV proviral DNA irrespective of whether or not they expressed ATLA. They also contained several copies of EB virus DNA and DNA-DNA reassociation kinetics studies clearly showed that most of the EBV DNA sequences were present in ATLB cells. ATLV-related mRNA was detected in only ATLA-positive clones (ATLB 2-3 and 2-21) but not in a negative clone (ATLB 2-45).

28,000-dalton polypeptide (p28) of adult T-cell leukemia-associated antigen encoded by 24 S mRNA of human T-cell leukemia virus has an associated protein kinase activity

Human T-cell leukemia virus producer cell line MT-2 was labeled with [32P]phosphoric acid, and its cell extracts were immunoprecipitated with mouse monoclonal antibodies (GIN-7, and KK-1) and rabbit sera (anti-p24, and anti-gp68). Analysis of the immunocomplexes on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gell electrophoresis revealed that p53, p28, and p19 of adult T-cell leukemia-associated antigens were phosphorylated in vivo. Immunocomplexes of MT-2 cell extract with monoclonal antibody KK-1 were incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP in vitro and it was revealed that the phosphokinase activity was associated with p28. The phosphokinase activity of p28 was specific to the serine residue but was not to the tyrosine residue.

Intracellular localization of two distinct Ca2+-proteases (calpain I and calpain II) as demonstrated by using discriminative antibodies

Intracellular localization of two molecular species of calpain (Ca2+-dependent cysteine proteinase) was studied by immunocyto- and histochemical methods employing antibodies strictly monospecific for the respective antigens. Apparent immunological cross-reactivity between the larger subunits of calpain I (low Ca2+-requiring form) and calpain II (high Ca2+-requiring form) was calculated to be 15-17%, and two steps of affinity chromatography were needed to obtain antibodies which can discriminate between the two proteases. Indirect immunofluorescent staining of cultured PK 15 cells revealed diffuse staining of the cytoplasm with both antibodies against calpain I and calpain II. Preincubation with Ca2+-ionophore had no effect on the staining patterns. Sections of porcine kidney were stained by the avidin-biotinylated peroxidase complex method. The proximal and distal tubules and collecting duct were stained, but the glomerulus, macula densa, and vascular vessels were not stained by either anti-calpain I or anti-calpain II antibodies.

Defective human T-cell leukemia virus in adult T-cell leukemia patients

Human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV) is associated with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). We have examined the state of the HTLV provirus in the leukemic cells of ATL patients, and found that all the circulating leukemic cells of ATL proliferated monoclonally with one or more proviral integrations. Unexpectedly, we observed a high incidence of multiple integration of the provirus that also revealed a clonality and therefore occurred prior to the clonal origin of the ATL cells. Several ATL patients contained defective proviruses in fresh leukemic cells. These defective proviruses varied with respect to the deleted portions of the HTLV genome when a full genome of the HTLV provirus was present in the ATL tumor cells. In contrast, ATL cells harboring only a defective provirus invariably retained a common sequence of env-pX-LTR. This is consistent with a model that implies that the preserved env-pX-LTR region of HTLV must have played an important role(s) at a certain stage in ATL leukemogenesis after proviral integration. This is the first indication that the whole HTLV genome is not necessarily required to initiate or maintain the monoclonal proliferation of ATL leukemic cells in patients.

Characterization of African green monkey B-cell lines releasing an adult T-cell leukemia-virus-related agent

Eight lymphoblastoid cell lines were established from the peripheral blood of individual African green monkeys (AGM). The AGM-2206 line grew out spontaneously. The others - AGM-6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, and 16 - were obtained after infection of peripheral AGM lymphocytes with cell-free culture supernatant of AGM-2206. All lines contained, and were probably transformed by, AGM-EBV. Moreover, they expressed immunoglobulins but lacked the Leu l T-cell marker. Thus they were B cells. Since a high percentage of AGMs are naturally infected with a virus similar to adult T-cell leukemia virus (ATLV), we examined these cell lines for ATLV. With immunofluorescence tests we detected ATLV-related antigens (ATLA) in three of the eight cell lines. EBV membrane antigen was present in three out of four. The highest percentage (40%) of ATLA-positive cells was found in the AGM-13 line. After metabolic labelling of these cells, ATLV-specific polypeptides p24, p19, p15, and p10 were detected. Hybridization experiments showed that both AGM-2206 and AGM-13 cell lines contained ATLV-proviral DNA. Electron micrographs of AGM-13 revealed a few type-C particles morphologically similar to the MT-2 virus. By cocultivation this AGM virus was able to infect and immortalize human peripheral blood lymphocytes. One such human cell line, NA-13, expressed polypeptides closely related to ATLV core antigens but a 68,000 mol.wt. glycopolypeptide was serologically distinct from MT-2 ATLV gp68.

Evidence for membrane-associated calpain I in human erythrocytes. Detection by an immunoelectrophoretic blotting method using monospecific antibody

Low and high Ca2+-requiring forms of Ca2+-dependent cysteine proteinase are known as calpain I and calpain II, respectively. We have obtained, for the first time, monospecific antibodies for calpain I and for calpain II. Using these antibodies and an electrophoretic blotting method, we have found that a small, but reproducible, amount of calpain I was associated with human erythrocyte membranes while the bulk of the protease was contained in the cytosol. Most of membrane-associated calpain I was extractable with 1% Triton X-100, but not with 0.1% detergent. In the presence of 0.1 mM Ca2+ and 5 mM cysteine, membrane-associated calpain I degraded the membrane protein band 4.1 preferentially and band 3 protein only slowly. The Ca2+-induced autodigestion of the membrane preparation was inhibited by leupeptin but not by a cytosolic calpain inhibitor, calpastatin, added to the incubation medium. No calpain II was detected in either erythrocyte cytosol or membranes when anti-calpain II antibody was used under the same conditions as those for the detection of calpain I.

Genomic structure of HTLV (human T-cell leukemia virus): detection of defective genome and its amplification in MT-2 cells

We studied the genomic structure of human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV) in the HTLV producer cell line MT-2. Southern blotting revealed that at least eight HTLV proviruses were integrated in the chromosomes of MT-2 cells. The genomic structure of these proviruses was analyzed using fragments of cloned HTLV that were specific to gag, pol, env, pXs and U3R genes as probes. We have identified a complete genome of HTLV in MT-2 (non-defective type). However, seven of the eight proviruses had defective genomes. Provirus T2-a contains only the U3R (LTR) of HTLV and T2-b corresponds to the non-defective genome. T2-c possesses only a portion of env, and pXs and U3R. T2-d consists of gag, pol, part of env and U3R. On the other hand, T2-e, f, g and h consist of gag, pXs and U3R. Northern blotting experiments with mRNA from MT-2 cells supported the evidence of amplification of the gag-pXs gene of HTLV. 26S mRNA is considered to be a subgenomic species of 35S RNA. 32S mRNA may represent the T2-d provirus which lacks a portion of env and pXs, while 20S mRNA was a subgenomic species. The gag-pXs gene may correspond to 24S mRNA, the amount which was amplified in MT-2 cells.

Large-scale purification of porcine calpain I and calpain II and comparison of proteolytic fragments of their subunits

Large-scale purification of calpain [Ca2+-dependent cysteine proteinase; EC 3.4.22.17] from porcine tissues is described. The methods used included chromatographies on DEAE-cellulose, Ultrogel AcA 34, Blue Sepharose CL-6B, and DEAE Bio-Gel A which yielded homogeneous enzyme proteins: 27.0 mg of calpain I (low Ca2+-requiring form) from 5 liters of blood with 17,900-fold purification and 57.6 mg of calpain II (high Ca2+-requiring form) from 1.5 kg of kidneys with 5,800-fold purification. Porcine calpains I and II are half-maximally activated at 2.8 microM and 150 microM Ca2+, respectively. They are composed of large and small subunits: Mr 83,000 and 29,000 for calpain I and Mr 80,000 and 29,000 for calpain II. Gel-electrophoretic analysis of the digest with a-chymotrypsin or Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease revealed that the large subunits of calpains I and II are markedly different in structure whereas the small subunits are most likely identical. Mono-specific antibodies directed toward the respective large and small subunits were used for immunoblotting experiments which established not only the identity among several porcine tissues of calpain I but also that of calpain II. several porcine tissues of calpain I but also that of calpain II.

Ha-ras oncogenes are activated by somatic alterations in human urinary tract tumours

DNA-mediated gene transfer (transfection) studies using NIH 3T3 cells as recipients have demonstrated the presence of transforming genes (oncogenes) in diverse human tumours. A large proportion of oncogenes so far detected by DNA transfection are related to the Ha-ras onc gene of Harvey (and BALB) murine sarcoma viruses (MSV), Ki-ras, the oncogene of Kirsten MSV, and a third member of the ras gene family, N-ras. Individual tumours of many different organs have been associated with the activation of members of the ras gene family. We now present the first systematic survey of human urinary tract tumours processed immediately after surgery, as well as normal tissues from the same patients, to detect the presence of such genes. We demonstrate activation of Ha-ras as an oncogene in around 10% of randomly selected urinary tract tumours as well as direct evidence that oncogene activation is the result of a somatic event which is selected for within the tumour cell population.

Translation of HTLV (human T-cell leukemia virus) RNA in a nuclease-treated rabbit reticulocyte system

A human type-C retrovirus, designated HTLV (human T-cell leukemia virus), was isolated from the HTLV producer cell line MT-2. Agarose gel electrophoresis analysis 32P-labeled HTLVMT-2 virion RNA revealed that HTLVMT-2 virion RNA consists mainly of 24S and small amounts of 35S and 32S RNAs. The 24S HTLVMT-2 virion RNA and unfractionated HTLVMT-2 virion RNA were translated in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system in vitro. The predominant polypeptide synthesized from 24S RNA had an apparent mol. wt. of 28 000 (28 K); unfractionated HTLVMT-2 virion RNA directed the synthesis of 53 000 (53 K), 33 000 (33 K) and 28 000 (28 K) polypeptides as main components. Most of the polypeptides synthesised in vitro by translation of HTLVMT-2 virion RNAs possess the same sizes as the proteins formerly designated as ATLA (ATL-associated antigen) in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunologically precipitated with sera of ATL patients. Therefore, the antigens termed ATLA, found by the serological study of ATL, are HTLVMT-2 encoded polypeptides.

In vitro infection of human B lymphocytes with adult T-cell leukemia virus

Experimental transmission of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) virus (ATLV) into human B lymphocytes was attempted. Cocultivation of B-cell rich fraction of peripheral blood from a healthy adult with X-ray irradiated ATLV producer MT-2 cells resulted in the establishment of OKA(B) cell line co-infected with both Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and ATLV. OKA(B) cells and its subclones contained: (1) B cell markers exclusively; (2) both EBV-specific antigen, EBNA and ATLV-specific antigen, ATLA detected by immunofluorescence test; (3) ATLV-specific polypeptides, p24 and p19; (4) ATLV-specific mRNA in ATLA-positive clones; (5) ATLV and EBV particles detectable by electron microscopy. These data clearly show that human B lymphocytes are susceptible to ATLV infection.

Similarity and dissimilarity in subunit structures of calpains I and II from various sources as demonstrated by immunological cross-reactivity

The structural relationship between calpain I (low Ca2+-requiring) and calpain II (high Ca2+-requiring) molecules and their respective larger (80K) and smaller (30K) subunit proteins of several non-muscular tissues and cells was studied by testing immunological cross-reactivities. In addition to qualitative analyses by a conventional double immunodiffusion method, quantitative data were obtained, for the first time, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using affinity-purified anticalpain I and anti-calpain II immunoglobulins. The enzyme sources included rat kidney, porcine kidney and erythrocytes, and human erythrocytes. It was concluded that the 30K subunits are immunologically almost indistinguishable between calpains, either I or II, not only from the same but also from different sources, while the 80K subunits of different origins are immunologically related to variable extents but always with discrimination between calpain I and calpain II. Similarity of the 30K subunit proteins and dissimilarity of the 80K counterparts were further substantiated by their chromatographic and electrophoretic behaviors.