Purification of immunoglobulin heavy chain messenger RNA by immunoprecipitation from the mouse myeloma tumor, MOPC-31C

Immunoglobulin heavy chain mRNA was purified from immunoprecipitated polysomes derived from the mouse myeloma tumor, MOPC-31C. The purified mRNA migrated predominantly as a single band upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in 98% formamide and the molecular weight of this mRNA was calculated to be 700,000. This mRNA was as active as the purified light chain mRNA when it was employed as a template in a cell-free protein synthesizing system from wheat germ. The translation product had a molecular weight of 55,000 daltons, and migrated slightly faster than mature heavy chain upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecylsulfate. The protein synthesized by the direction of this mRNA was shown to yield tryptic peptides corresponding to those derived from the mature heavy chain protein except that one missing peptide was replaced by another additional peptide. DNA complementary to the mRNA was synthesized by RNA-dependent DNA polymerase from avian myeloblastosis virus. Hybridization kinetic analysis between the heavy chain mRNA and its complementary DNA indicated that the RNA was essentially homogenous with rabbit globin mRNA as a standard.

Purification of immunuglobulin light chain messenger RNA by immunoprecipitation from mouse myeloma tumor, MOPC-31C

Polysomes producing IgGl(kappa) myeloma protein were specifically selected by an immunoprecipitation method, and immunoglobulin light chain mRNA was purified from the precipitated polysomes. The purified mRNA migrated predominantly as a single band and the molecular weight of this mRNA was calculated to be 410.000 by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in 98% formamide. A protein possessing a molecular weight of 25,000, which is the size of the light chain precursor, was synthesized as a major product of translation in a wheat germ cell-free system. DNA complementary to the mRNA (cDNA) was prepared with avian myeloblastosis virus RNA-dependent DNA polymerase. This cDNA had an average size of 8.3S as determined by sedimentation through an alkaline sucrose gradient. Using this cDNA, Crt 1/2 values of template RNA and RNA from various preparations were calculated from the results of molecular hybridization. The relative content of the mRNA increased 4,4-fold during the immunoprecipitation of polysomes.

Alteration of cell-surface antigenicity of the mouse plasmacytoma. II. Lack of correlation between synthesis of myeloma protein and alteration of surface antigen

The correlation between the changes of immunoglobulin synthesis and the surface antigenicity was analyzed by cytotoxicity and quantitative antibody-absorption tests with the cells of immunoglobulin-producing and nonproducing mouse plasmacytoma. IgA-synthesizing BLAB/c plasmacytoma 58-8 and the non-IgA-synthesizing variant of the 58-8 (nonproducer) were killed with rabbit anti-58-8 plasmacytoma cell antiserum, C3H/He anti-BALB/c spleen cell antiserum, and (C57BL/6 X DBA/2)F1 anti-BALB/c plasmacytoma cell MOPC-31C antiserum plus complement, only when the cells were pretreated with pronase. Quantitative absorption tests revealed that the nonproducer, 58-8 had the same amount of plasmacytoma antigen of 58-8 and PC.1 antigen, and a greater amount of H-2d antigen, as did producer 58-8. The same analysis was carried out for the C3H mouse plasmacytoma X5563, which has an M-component of IgG2a. The nonproducer X5563 had a greater amount of H-2k antigen and a smaller amount of the plasmacytoma antigen of X5563 than did the producer X5563. No detectable PC.1 antigen was observed at surfaces of the producer and the nonproducer X5563 cells.

Differential translation of mouse myeloma messenger RNAs in a wheat germ cell-free system

Translation of the polysomal mRNA of mouse myeloma cells in a wheat germ cell-free system leads to the immunoglobulin (Ig) light-chain precursor as the major product. Excess polysomal RNA causes strong inhibition of polypeptide synthesis, but has little effect of light-chain precursor synthesis. The inhibitory effect of excess RNA is avoided when the poly(A)-containing RNA fraction is used. With nearly saturating amounts of the latter RNA, light-chain recursor synthesis becomes more predominant, possibly as a result of competition between different mRNA species. High levels of potassium acetate cause strong inhibition of overall translation, but do not inhibit light-chain precursor synthesis. Addition of poly(A) to the cell-free system also causes inhibition, presumably through interference with the intiation process. Again, light-chain precursor synthesis is relatively resistant. Ig heavy-chain synthesis is relatively inefficent, but its resistance to the inhibitors tends to be nearly as great as that of the light-chain precursor. The results indicate that the Ig mRNAs are particulary efficient in initiating translation. This characteristic may account for certain features of the regulation of Ig synthesis in intact myeloma cells.

Evidence for somatic rearrangement of immunoglobulin genes coding for variable and constant regions

A high-molecular-weight DNA from Balb/c mouse early embryo or from MOPC 321 plasmacytoma (a k-chain producer) was digested to completion with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain H restriction enzyme (BamH I). The resulting DNA fragments were fractionated according to size in preparative agarose gel electrophoresis. DNA fragments carrying gene sequences coding for the variable or constant region of k chains were detected by hybridization with purified, 125I-labeled, whole MOPC 321 K MRNA and with its 3'-end half. The pattern of hybridization was completely different in the genomes of embryo cells and of the plasmacytoma. The pattern of embryo DNA showed two components, one of which (molecular weight=6.0 million) hybridized with C-gene sequences and the other (molecular weight=3.9 million) with V-gene sequences. The pattern of the tumor DNA showed a single component that hybridized with both V-gene and C-gene sequences and that is smaller (molecular weight=2.4 million) than either of the components in embryo DNA. The results were interpreted to mean that the Vk and Ck genes, which are some distance away from each other in the embryo cells, are joined to form a contiguous polynucleotide stretch during differentiation of lymphocytes. Such joining occurs in both of the homologous chromosomes. Relevance of these findings with respect to models for V-C gene joining, activation of a specific V k gene, and allelic exclusion in immunoglobulin gene loci is discussed.

3' non-coding region sequences in eukaryotic messenger RNA

The sequence A-A-U-A-A-A is present in six different purified messenger RNA molecules (specifically the alpha-and beta-globulin mRNAs of rabbit and human, the immunoglobulin light chain mRNA of mouse (MOPC 21) and the ovalbumin mRNA of chicken) about 20 residues away from the 3'-terminal poly (A) sequence. In addition, a large selection of the 3' non-coding regions of rabbit and human globulin mRNAs (both the alpha and beta globin mRNAs) are 85% homologous, demonstrating that this region is significantly conserved in evolution.

Marked hydrophobicity of the NH2-terminal extra piece of immunoglobulin light-chain precursors: possible physiological functions of the extra piece

mRNAs coding for mouse immunoglobulin light chains direct the cell-free synthesis of precursors in which extra peptide segments precede the NH2-termini of the mature proteins. The abundance (18-30%) of leucine residues in the extra piece indicates that it is quite hydrophobic [Schechter and Burstein (1976) Biochem. Biophys, Res. Commun. 68, 489]. Accordingly, we have determined the positions of all hydrophobic residues by sequencing two k-type light (L)-chain precursors that were labeled with: [3H]Ala, [3H]Val, [3H]Leu, [3H]Ile, [3H]Thr, [3H]Pro, [3H]Phe, [3H]Tyr, [3H]Trp, [35S]Met, and [35S]Cys. The partial sequences (and sizes) of the extra pieces obtained are: in MOPC-321 precursor, Met-X-Thr-X-Thr-Leu-Leu-Leu-Trp-Val-Leu-Leu-Leu-Trp-Val-Pro-X-X-Thr-X-(20 residues; X is unknown); in MOPC-41 precursor, Met-X-Met-X-Ala-Pro-Ala-X-Ile-Phe-X-Phe-Leu-Leu-Leu-Leu-Phe-Pro-X-Thr-X-Cys- (22 residues). Despite the fact that these extra pieces differ extensively in sequence (68%), both of them are highly enriched with hydrophobic residues (75% in MOPC-321, 73% in MOPC-41). This marked hydrophobicity suggests that the extra piece favors interaction of the precursor with cell membranes, in a manner similar to the function of the "hydrophobic domain" of membrane-bound proteins (e.g., glycophorin). We propse that the hydrophobic extra piece directs most precursor molecules to the endoplasmic reticulum, where they are cleaved to yield mature L chain destined for scretion; a few precursor molecules escape cleavage and are embedded in the cell surface to serve as the antigen-recognizing receptor. The probability that the Leu-Leu-Leu-Trp-Val sequence occurs by change is 1.6 X 10(-8). Therefore, the data provide evidnece for duplication of a short DNA segment in the structural gene coding for the MOPC-321 precurosr. Duplication with inversion is also indicated from inverted repetition of the Phe-Lue-Leu sequence in the extra piece of the MPOC-41 precursor.

A major species of mammalian messenger RNA lacking a polyadenylate segment

Translation of total polysomal RNA from sarcoma 180 ascites cells in a wheat germ cell-free system produces two major polypeptides, A and B, with molecular weights of 50,000 and 45,000, respectively. Fractionation on Millipore filters or on oligo(dT)-cellulose leads to retention of the mRNA specific for protein A in the poly(A)-containing fraction and to accumulation of the B mRNA in the unadsorbed poly(A)-deficient fraction. The mRNA for B sediments at approximately 18 S; it is released as a 50S ribonucleorprotein upon EDTA treatment of polysomes. Its translation is particularly sensitive to an inhibitor present in the polysomal RNA. The poly(A)-deficient mRNA for the 45,000 dalton polypeptide is also present in mouse myeloma MPC-11 cells, where it seems to be localized in membrane-bound polysomes.

Partial amino-acid sequence of the precursor of an immunoglobulin light chain containing NH2-terminal pyroglutamic acid

Analyses of amino-acid sequences of the total cell-free products programmed by the mRNA of MOPC-104E gamma light (L)-chain show that over 95% of the products have sequences of a distinct protein that correspond to the L-chain precursor. In this precursor an extra piece is coupled to the NH2-terminus of the mature L-chain. Analyses of products labeled with [3H]alanine, [3H]leucine, and [3H]proline demonstrate that the extra piece is composed of at least 18 residues. Analyses of [35S]methione-labeled product indicate that the extra piece may contain an additional NH2-terminal methionine, which is detected in about 10% of the molecules. Partial recovery of the NJ2-terminal methionine (alanine, leucine, and proline are recovered in yields close to theoretical, greater than 95%) suggests that it is the initiator methionine, which is known to be short lived in eukaryotes due to rapid hydrolysis. Thus, the extra piece seems to be 19 residues in length, and it contains one methionine at the NH2-terminus, three alanines at positions 2, 12, and 17, and five leucines at positions 6, 8, 10, 11, and 13. The close gathering of leucine residues, as well as their abundance (26%), suggest that the extra piece would be quite hydrophobic. Hydrophobicity seems to be a general property of the extra piece, since similar clusters of leucine were found in the precursors of 3 KL-chains (Burstein, Y. & Schechter, I. (1976) Biochem. J. 157, 145-151). The NH2-terminus of the mature MOPC-104E gamma L-chain is blocked by pyroglutamic acid. The fact that in the precursor a peptide segment precedes this NH2-terminus establishes that pyroglutamic acid is not the initiator residue for synthesis of the L-chain. Apparently, the pyroglutamic acid is formed by cyclization of glutamic acid or glutamine during cleavage of the extra piece to yield the mature L-chain.

Derivation of specific antibody-producing tissue culture and tumor lines by cell fusion

Cell fusion techniques have been used to produce hybrids between myeloma cells and antibody-producing cells. The hybrid lines derived are permanently adapted to grow in tissue culture and are capable of inducing antibody-producing tumors in mice. Spleens from mice immunized against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were fused to an 8-azaguanine-resistant clone (X63-Ag8) of MOPC 21 myeloma. Over 50% of the derived hybrid lines produce and secrete immunoglobulins different from the MOPC 21 myeloma. About 10% of the hybrid lines exhibit anti-SRBC activity. The high proportion of antibody-producing hybrids suggests that the fusion involves a restricted fraction of the spleen cell population, probably cells committed to antibody production. In order to avoid the presence of the MOPC 21 heavy chain in the specific hybrids, another myeloma cell line (NSI/1-Ag4-1) has been used. This is a nonsecreting variant of the MOPC 21 myeloma which does not express heavy chains. Three anti-SRBC (probably of the mu, gamma2b and gamma1 classes, respectively) and two anti-2,4,6-trinitrophenyl (of the mu class) antibody-producing hybrids have been repeatedly cloned. By random selection and by selection of specific clones according to their lytic activity (clone plaque selection), a number of different lines have been constructed. Such lines express different combinations of the four possible chains of each hybrid line: the myeloma gamma and K chains and the specific antibody heavy and light chains. In three cases (Sp1, Sp2 and Sp7) it is shown that only the specific H and L combination has activity and that the myeloma chains are unable to substitute for them. In most cases lines have been derived which no longer express the MOPC 21 chains but only the specific antibody chains.

Cell-free translation of messenger RNA for a myeloma light chain prepared from synchronised plasmacytoma cells

Crude preparations of biologically active mRNA, which code for a myeloma (MPC-11) light chain, were isolated by two successive sucrose gradient centrifugations of RNA extracted from membrane-bound ribosomes, mRNA thus obtained was separated into a poly(A)-rich and a poly(A)-poor fraction by oligo(dT)-cellulose chromatography. Both these fractions were able to direct the synthesis of light chains in reconstituted cell-free systems derived from heterologous cells (ascites tumor lysates) and homologous cells (MPC-11 cells grown in suspension culture). The identity of the products in vitro was confirmed by comparing their migration with that of light chains produced in vivo upon electrophoresis in sodium dodecylsulphate/polyacrylamide gels, and from the profiles of tryptic peptides obtained by chromatography on Aminex A-5 ion-exchange columns. Template activity of the poly(A)-rich light chain mRNA fraction showed very little variation during the cell cycle. The activity of the poly(A)-poor fraction on the other hand was maximal during the early S phase. It is concluded that maximal synthesis of immunoglobulins observed in vivo during the late G1 phase of the cell cycle is achieved by translational control mechanisms.

Controlled environment culture of bone marrow explants from human myeloma

Bone marrow biopsy specimens from patients with myeloma were cultured in either 1 of 2 thin-film culture systems, a controlled environment steady state system or a rocker tube configuration of the system, for periods up to 42 days. Both functional and morphological characteristics of the myeloma cells were well-maintained in these systems. Cytocentrifuge preparations of the culture media disclosed hematopoietic cells that included from 5% to almost 100% plasma cells. Histological examination of the cultured specimens disclosed infiltration of the marrow with myeloma cells. Myeloma proteins were released at a steady rate throughout the period of culture after the 1st 4 days. Bone-resorbing activity was demonstrated in the culture media in 7 of 9 myeloma culture media and was well maintained, particularly during the 1st week of culture. This activity was associated with severe osteolytic lesions in the donor patient and marked infiltration of the cultured specimen by myeloma cells. The potential use of these organ culture systems for the further definitive identification of the factor responsible for bone destruction in myeloma is discussed.

Fusion between immunoglobulin-secreting and nonsecreting myeloma cell lines

The defects in two nonsecreting variant clones of the mouse plasmacytoma MOPC 21 (P3) were studied by tissue culture methods. The variants (NSI and NSIII) do not synthesize detectable heavy chains. NSI synthesizes, but does not secrete, light chains and NSIII does not synthesize light chain. A screening procedure was used allowing the detection of revertant cells secreting immunoglobulin. The method is based on a hemolytic plaque assay using anti-immunoglobulin-coated red cells. No revertants were detected among 2 x 10(7) cells. Both variant lines were fused to another myeloma line (PI) which secretes a complete immunoglobulin and excess light chains. Analysis of the products by isoelectric focusing showed that in the hybrids there was no reactivation of synthesis of the nonexpressed chains. The defects leading to loss of synthesis cannot therefore be complemented in the hybrid lines. The secretion of light chain in NSI, on the other hand, could be complemented in the hybrid but the light chain was only secreted as part of a new immunoglobulin hybrid molecule.

No detectable reiteration of genes coding for mouse MOPC 41 immunoglobulin light-chain mRNA

RNA fractions rich in immunoglobulin light (L)-chain mRNA were isolated from mouse myeloma MOPC 41 by procedures previously described, and chemically labeled with 125I. These RNA fractions were hybridized with MOPC 41 DNA under conditions of DNA excess. Hybridization conditions were chosen under which the entire sequence of the L-chain mRNA probe, thus including the variable region, remains available for hybridization throughout the reaction. The hybridization (C0t) curve showed double transition kinetics, with one component corresponding to about 250 gene copies and the other to about two to four copies. In contrast, when MOPC 41 L-chain mRNA was further purified as a single band by gel elecptrophoresis in 99% formamide, the hybridization curve showed only a single transition, corresponding to about two to four genes, with the disappearance of the "reiterated" component. That component resulted therefore from contaminating RNA species. The data indicate that no reiteration can be detected by RNase or by hydroxylapatite for the genes corresponding to the entire sequence of MOPC 41 L-chain mRNA, including the untranslated segments, within the limits of detectability of short reiterated segments. It thus appears that there is only one or very few genes corresponding to the 41 L-chain variable region "subgroup" in MOPC 41 DNA. The possibility that the variable genes of plasmocytes might result frm a combination of several nonreiterated germline genes is discussed.

Transcription in vitro of immunoglobulin kappa light chain genes in isolated mouse myeloma nuclei and chromatin

Messenger RNA sequences for immunoglobulin kappa light chain were synthesized in vitro in isolated mouse myeloma nuclei using bound endogenous RNA polymerase (RNA nucleotidyltransferase; nucleoside triphosphate:RNA nucleotidyltransferase; EC 2.7.7.6) and from isolated myeloma chromatin using exogenous Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. The in vitro RNA was transcribed using 5-mercuriuridine triphosphate and separated from in vivo RNA by chromatography on an agarose sulfhydryl affinity column. Template restriction is retained in vitro since synthesis of kappa chain messenger RNA, As determined by hybridization with complementary DNA, was much more efficient in nuclei and chromatin isolated from myeloma 66.2 tissue culture cells, a kappa-chain-producing cell line, than from MOPC 315 tissue culture cells, a lambda-chain-producing cell line. Transcription of kappa chain messenger RNA was 25 times more efficient in myeloma 66.2 nuclei than in myeloma 66.2 chromatin.

Antibody differentiation: apparent sequence identity between variable regions shared by IgA and IgG immunoglobulins

We have analyzed a pair of human myeloma immunoglobulins (biclonal proteins) of the IgG and IgA classes from a single patient, GR. The light chains are identical in amino-acid sequence over 40 residues at their NH2-terminus, hwereas the heavy chains are identical throughout 45 residues of their NH2-terminus. Additional chemical and serological studies suggest the light chains and variable regions of the heavy chains (VH) are very similar, if not identical. The implications of these and of other published studies are discussed with regard to (i) the association of one VH region with multiple constant regions of the heavy chain (CH regions), (ii) two alternative types of V-C joining mechanisms, (iii) the differentiation of antibody-producing cells, and (iv) three categories of biclonal immunoglobulins.

Control of peptide chain initiation in uninfected and virus infected cells by membrane mediated events

Initiation of protein synthesis in tissue culture cells is rapidly inhibited or blocked by addition of either DMSO, ethanol, TPCK, cytochalasin B, or sucrose to the growth medium. In contrast, these agents do not interfere with the initiation of protein synthesis in cell-free extracts to a comparable extent. These results support the hypothesis that protein synthesis in tissue culture cells can be influenced by membrane mediated events. Translation of viral mRNA in RNA virus infected cells is resistant to a number of these inhibitors of peptide chain initiation and proceeds under conditions where translation of host mRNA is almost completely suppressed. It appears that viral mRNA possesses a greater ability than host mRNA to form mRNA-ribosome initiation complexes when the overall rate of peptide chain initiation is reduced. This observation has led to a number of predictions concerning the strategy of virus directed suppression of host mRNA translation. Under optimal growth conditions protein synthesis appears to be regulated mainly, but not exclusively, by the amount of the mRNA available for translation. However, when cellular growth and/or the overall rate of peptide chain initiation is restricted, control of protein synthesis at the translational level becomes decisive with the translation of each mRNA species proceeding with its own characteristic efficiency most probably as a result of inherent differential affinities of individual mRNA species for ribosomes.

Effect of ricin on biosynthesis of myeloma protein (IgA) and general cellular proteins in MOPC-315 cells

Ricin, a phyto-toxin from the seeds of Ricinus communis, preferentially inhibits synthesis of myeloma protein by MOPC-315 cells as compared to the synthesis of general proteins. In contrast, cycloheximide inhibited equally both myeloma protein synthesis as well as general protein synthesis. These results suggest that proteins synthesized near or on cell membranes are more sensitive to Ricin which binds to the acceptor molecule on the plasma membrane.