Pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and tumor localization of two anti-human B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia monoclonal antibodies and their F(ab)'2 fragments in a xenograft model

We investigated the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and tumor localization of intravenously injected Dal B01 and Dal B02, two monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) directed against tumor associated antigens on human chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells, and their F(ab)'2 fragments in nude mice bearing xenografts of the human B cell CLL line D10-1. More of the percentages of the injected dose (% ID) of these two MoAbs and their F(ab)'2 fragments specifically localized in the tumor xenografts than in normal tissues. Compared to intact MoAbs, their F(ab)'2 fragments had lower % ID in tumors and were cleared from circulation faster. Well-defined tumor images were obtained at 24 and 48 h after administration of [131I]Dal B02 F(ab)'2 fragment and at 96-192 h after administration of [131I]Dal B02. A comparison between intravenous and intraperitoneal routes of administration of [131I]Dal B02 did not reveal any difference in the localization of % ID in tumor or normal tissues.

Experimental study of a new sutureless intraluminal graft with a shape-memory alloy ring

A new sutureless intraluminal graft has been developed with a ring made of a titanium-nickel shape-memory alloy. The diameter of the ring can be reversibly reduced by compression in 4 degrees C normal saline solution and recovers its original shape in 38 degrees C physiologic saline solution during insertion in the aorta. The new graft was implanted in nine dogs and was evaluated histologically and angiographically at various intervals from 15 to 90 days. No complications, such as dislodgment, aortic rupture, stenosis, or aneurysmal dilation, were observed. The component of the shape-memory ring allows the graft to be introduced and secured in place easily. The function of this ring is better than that of the rigid ring.

Primary structure of apoB-100

Apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) is the major protein in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and contains the ligand for binding LDL to its cell surface receptor. Lipoprotein [a] (Lp[a]) is a lipoprotein that consists of LDL and apolipoprotein [a] (apo[a]). The primary structure of apoB-100 has been determined by a combination of recombinant DNA and protein sequencing methods. Using high-performance liquid chromatographic techniques, we have identified sulfhydryl and disulfide groups of apoB-100 from LDL. Sixteen of the 25 cysteine residues in apoB-100 exist in disulfide form. All 14 cysteine residues within the N terminal end of apoB-100 are linked in disulfide bridges. Using the fluorescent sulfhydryl probe, 5-iodoacetoamidofluoresceine, two free sulfhydryls of apoB-100 on LDL were identified at positions 3734 and 4190. Based on its differential susceptibility to trypsin, apoB-100 can be divided into five domains: domain 1 (residues 1-1000), largely trypsin-releasable (TR); domain 2 (residues 1001-1700), alternating TR and trypsin non-releasable (TN); domain 3 (residues 1701-3070), largely TN; domain 4 (residues 3071-4100), mainly TR and mixed; and domain 5 (residues 4101-4536), almost exclusively TN. Based on our data, we propose that the structure of apoB-100 in LDL is probably an elongated form that wraps around the LDL particle, and that Cys3734 of apoB-100 may be the cysteine residue linked to a cysteine of apo[a].

Prevention of pathophysiologic and immunomodulatory effects of gastrointestinal nematodiasis in calves by use of strategic anthelmintic treatments

Effects of strategic anthelmintic treatment on pathophysiologic and immunomologic changes induced by infection with Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora were studied in 2 groups, of 12 calves each: an infected group, inoculated with 200,000 mixed O ostertagi and C oncophora third-stage larvae (L3) on day 1; and an infected-treated group, similarly inoculated, but treated with ivermectin at 9 and 33 days. All calves were also inoculated at 12 weeks with Brucella abortus vaccine, at 13 weeks with bovine rhinotracheitis vaccine (bovine herpesvirus 1), and at 14 weeks with a soluble O ostertagi L3 extract, then were allowed to graze on a contaminated pasture. Four calves from each group were slaughtered at 7, 11, and 19 weeks of the study. Calves of the infected group had significantly (P < 0.05) lower weight gain than did those in the infected-treated group (60.90 kg vs 75.86 kg). They also had high plasma pepsinogen and serum gastrin values, and low serum albumin concentration from 2 or 4 weeks. Calves in the infected-treated group had steady weight gain and no significant changes in albumin and gastrin values. They also had less severe abomasal lesions and higher carcass yield. Compared with calves of the infected-treated group, those of the infected group had significantly (P < 0.05) lower blood lymphocyte reactivity to phytohemagglutinin at 14 and 16 weeks, to concanavalin A at 10 weeks, to pokeweed mitogen at 14 weeks, and to soluble O ostertagi L3 extract at 2, 4, and 14 weeks. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Protein-tyrosine kinase p72syk is activated by thromboxane A2 mimetic U44069 in platelets

We show that p72syk is rapidly activated following the stimulation of thromboxane A2 mimetics, U44069 and STA2 in porcine platelets. The activity of p72syk reached a maximum at 10 s and decreased to a basal level within 60 s after 1 microM U44069 stimulation. This activation was enhanced in a dose-dependent manner and completely canceled by the pretreatment of platelet suspension with ONO3708, a specific antagonist of thromboxane A2. Pretreatment of platelets with aspirin as well as apyrase did not affect the activation of p72syk. When both extra- and intra-cellular Ca2+ were depleted, the activation of p72syk was still persistent; in contrast, the deactivation process was completely abrogated even at 120 s after U44069 stimulation. These results suggest that p72syk is a responsible enzyme to the protein-tyrosine phosphorylation events, and that p72syk functions mainly before Ca2+ recruitment in thromboxane A2-stimulated platelets.

Comparison of the biochemical properties of unprocessed and processed forms of the small GTP-binding protein, rab6p

The rab6 protein (rab6p) belongs to a large family of ras-like low-molecular-mass GTP-binding proteins thought to be involved in the regulation of intracellular transport in mammalian cells. When expressed in the baculovirus/insect cell system, two major forms of rab6p are obtained; a 24-kDa cytosolic unprocessed form and a 23-kDa membrane-bound form which represents the processed lipid-modified protein. Here, we have purified both forms to homogeneity and we have studied and compared their biochemical properties. Unprocessed and processed rab6p display similar binding-rate constants (kon) for GDP and GTP (1-1.9 microM-1 min-1). However, significant differences exist in the dissociation constants of bound guanine nucleotides. Processed rab6p in low and high magnesium solutions displays similar koff values for GTP and GDP. However, unprocessed rab6p has a koff value higher for GDP than for GTP in both low and high magnesium solutions. Their intrinsic GTPase activities also differ; unprocessed rab6p has an almost undetectable GTPase activity, whereas that of processed rab6p is in the same range as that reported for other ras and ras-like GTP-binding proteins (0.012 +/- 0.002 min-1). These results suggest that post-translational modifications of rab6p might induce subtle changes in the three-dimensional structure of the protein which affect the guanine-nucleotide-binding/hydrolysis activity.

Selenium deficiency and fulvic acid supplementation induces fibrosis of cartilage and disturbs subchondral ossification in knee joints of mice: an animal model study of Kashin-Beck disease

Kashin-Beck disease is an acquired, chronic and degenerative osteoarticular disorder. Selenium deficiency and fulvic acid in drinking water have been implicated in the cause of this disease. Pathologically, chondronecrosis of the growth plate and articular cartilage and subconsequent disturbance of ossification were observed in the joints. In this animal model study, mice were fed with a selenium deficient diet and fulvic acid supplemented drinking water for two generations. In undecalcified histological preparations of bone we carried out histological staining to detect mineralized and unmineralized bone and cartilage. The results revealed that selenium deficiency and fulvic acid supplementation induced degeneration of the articular cartilage in the knee joints of mice. Dynamic fluorescent labelling of ossification, enzyme histochemical detection of alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblasts and a typical immunohistochemical localization of collagens type I and II indicated the development of fibrocartilage at the articular surface of knee joints, resembling the early stages of osteoarthrosis. This became obvious by disturbed development of the articular space and meniscus, markedly impaired formation of subchondral bone and early differentiation failure during enchondral ossification. This animal model provides an approach to study the molecular pathogenesis of Kashin-Beck disease.

[Effect of IH764-3 on prolyl hydroxylation in collagen biosynthesis]

Previous study showed that IH764-3 selectively inhibited the synthesis and secretion of collagen, suggesting that the effect of the drug might be due to inhibition of prolyl hydroxylation. In this paper, we report the effect of IH764-3 on prolyl hydroxylation in collagen biosynthesis. Our results showed that the protocollagen substrate (Pro-Pro-Gly)10 9H2O of prolyl hydroxylation by proline hydroxylase isolated from 13-day-old chick embryos in the presence of a-ketoglutarate, ascorbic acid and Fe2+ was inhibited by IH764-3. The inhibition rate was about 50% at a concentration of 0.24 mmol/L. Further investigation demonstrated that IH764-3 did not bind to prolyl hydroxylase, and the inhibition of enzymatic prolyl hydroxylation was found to be due to chelation of the Fe2+ required for the enzymatic reaction. The molar ratio of Fe2+ to IH764-3 (1:3) was determined by the equilibrium movement method, and the chelate was postulated to be a octahedral complex.

Expression of decay-accelerating factor (CD55), membrane cofactor protein (CD46) and CD59 in the human astroglioma cell line, D54-MG, and primary rat astrocytes

In this report, we have shown the expression of the complement regulatory proteins decay-accelerating factor (DAF, CD55), membrane cofactor protein (MCP, CD46) and CD59 on human D54-MG astroglioma cells by several methods, including immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and Western blotting and Northern blot analysis. These studies demonstrate that all three proteins are structurally and antigenically similar to their counterparts expressed on HepG2 and SW480 cells (hepatocyte and epithelial cell lines, respectively). D54-MG cells express mRNA for all three proteins of the appropriate size(s). The phosphatidylinositol-specific enzyme, PIPLC, cleaved DAF from the surface of D54-MG cells, demonstrating that DAF is linked by a glycophospholipid anchor as has been shown for other cell types. Flow cytometry demonstrates that primary rat astrocytes also constitutively express all three regulatory proteins. These data are the first to demonstrate the expression of CD59 on astrocytes, and the presence of all three regulatory proteins on astrocytes suggests that regulation of complement activation in the central nervous system is important in neural host defense mechanisms.

A proteolipid protein gene family: expression in sharks and rays and possible evolution from an ancestral gene encoding a pore-forming polypeptide

The myelin proteolipid proteins (PLP and DM20) are believed to act as "adhesive struts" in the extracellular apposition of the CNS myelin sheath. These proteins have been considered late evolutionary developments, which arose de novo in the antecedents of early tetrapods. However, PCR primed with degenerate oligonucleotides corresponding to common segments of rat PLP/DM20 revealed three novel mRNAs in the brains of two elasmobranchs. These mRNAs are closely related to each other and to mammalian DM20, but lack the sequence that distinguishes PLP from DM20. We term the novel proteolipid proteins DM alpha, DM beta, and DM gamma. At least DM alpha and DM gamma are highly expressed in white matter in myelinating shark brain. The DMs not only are highly homologous to each other, but also contain regions bearing similarities with segments of channel-forming regions of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and the glutamate receptor macromolecular complexes. Significantly, we find that across these segments, DM alpha and DM gamma are more similar to the channel proteins than the two channel proteins are to each other.

[Studies of two conjugates of monoclonal antibody (HIM6) and cytosine arabinoside]

Two conjugates (HIM6-PAD-ara C and HIM6-PLGA-ara C) of the anticancer agent cytosine arabinoside (ara C) and monoclonal antibody (HIM6) against human leukocytes were prepared with dextran T-40 and poly-L-glutamic acid as intermediate carriers, respectively. The drug-antibody conjugates maintained most of the original antigen-binding activity of the free antibody. The ratio of positive bound cells was found to be > 90% by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. The cytotoxicities of HIM6-PAD-ara C and HIM6-PLGA-ara C against antibody-reactive human leukemia HL60 cells were lower than those of free ara C and a mixture of ara C and HIM6 (IC50s of HIM6-PAD-ara C, HIM6-PLGA-ara C, ara C and the mixture of ara C and HIM6 were 0.212, 0.102, 0.028 and 0.024 microgram/ml, respectively), but were similar to those of the intermediates PAD-ara C and PLGA-ara C. On the other hand, these two conjugates showed no cytotoxic its against non-target hepatoma cells. These results indicate that the specific cytotoxicity of the conjugate depends on specific binding to the target surface antigen by the monoclonal antibody in the conjugate molecule.

Immunologic changes in Ostertagia ostertagi-infected calves treated strategically with an anthelmintic

Immunomodulation by Ostertagia ostertagi and the effects of strategic anthelmintic treatments were studied in 3 groups of 6 calves each: an infected group, inoculated with 100,000 third-stage larvae (L3)/calf at 1 and 28 days; an infected-treated group, similarly inoculated, but treated with ivermectin 9 days after each inoculation; and a noninfected control group. Calves were grazed on 2 previously clean pastures, with the infected and infected-treated calves sharing 1 pasture. All calves were inoculated at 12 weeks with Brucella abortus and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis vaccines, and at 13 weeks with a soluble O ostertagi L3 extract (SLE). Infected and infected-treated calves had lower blood lymphocyte responses to phytohemagglutinin than did control calves at 2, 4, and 14 weeks, whereas the infected calves had higher responses at 6 and 8 weeks (P < 0.05). Responses to pokeweed mitogen followed a similar pattern, whereas those to SLE were low in all calves. Infected and infected-treated calves had increased values of IgG1 to excretory-secretory antigens of L4 larvae, but no changes in the values of IgG1 to SLE. They also had lower values of IgG and IgM to B abortus and antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis at 13 weeks. The infected-treated calves, however, had higher blood lymphocyte and monocyte counts and lower eosinophil count than did infected calves. They also had reduced abomasal mucosa thickness, abomasal wall weight, and abomasal lymph node weight than infected calves. It was concluded that O ostertagi causes nonspecific suppression of cellular and humoral immunity, hypersensitivity reactions coexisted with immunosuppression, and strategic anthelmintic treatments attenuated hypersensitivity reactions and initiated better immune responses.

Human interferon-gamma has three domains associated with its antiviral function: a neutralizing epitope typing scheme for human interferon-gamma

An antiviral activity-neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb), MIF3037, was developed by the immunization of BALB/c mice with recombinant human interferon-gamma (rhuIFN-gamma). Its neutralizing activity suggests that its epitope may be at or adjacent to a functional domain on the huIFN-gamma. MIF3037 was compared with representative mAb of previously identified epitope-specific groups in a competitive binding assay. In an attempt to determine if there are other functional epitopes recognized by mAb developed with different preparations of huIFN-gamma or different hybridoma screening methods, 14 additional mAb contributed by five other laboratories were similarly analysed. Based on their ability to bind to huIFN-gamma, all the neutralizing mAb except MIF3037 may be classified into three previously defined groups: E1, E2 and E1/E2. Monoclonal antibodies of the E1 group do not compete with those of the E2 group for huIFN-gamma binding, indicating that the E1 and E2 epitopes are distinct domains on the huIFN-gamma important for the antiviral function. Monoclonal antibodies of the E1/E2 group compete with some of the mAb of E1 and/or E2 groups and may bind to regions of the huIFN-gamma that partially overlap the E1 and E2 epitopes. MIF3037 demonstrated no competitive binding inhibition with mAb of the previously identified epitope specificity groups and, therefore, must represent a distinct functional epitope, E3. The huIFN-gamma, therefore, must have at least three distinct functional domains; none of these appeared to be responsible for cell surface receptor binding. Based on this finding, the epitope typing scheme must be extended to include the E3 epitope. The epitope specificity relationships of 13 neutralizing mAb developed by five other laboratories were established which allows correlation of results obtained with these mAb by different laboratories. The location of the epitopes of four widely studied mAb, 69B, 73A, 113B and 220A12, have been deduced based on their competition with the E1 mAb which have recently been mapped.

[Clinical study of traditional Chinese medicine susceptible factors for senile lipid metabolic disturbance]

The syndromes among 674 cadres over 45 years in age with case-control study were investigated, and the TCM susceptible factors (TCM-SF) of senile lipid metabolic disturbance (SLMD) were analysed statistically, which indicated that Kidney-Deficiency, Phlegm-Turbid and Blood-Stasis were the main TCM-SF for SLMD. Compared with the results of presenility, it indicated that the Deficiency in origin was the intrinsic factors in development of LMD in presenile and senile period. Among which, Kidney-Deficiency possibly was the main factor. It is inferred the Deficiency in origin might cause the LMD in presenile and senile stage, and develop gradually as Syndrome of Deficiency in origin and Excess in superficiality, the latter aggravate the former as well. Both of these two Syndromes in origin affected the process of lipid metabolism. The results provided the prevention and treatment of SLMD, for further exploring the pathogenic factor and pathogenesis of the disease.

Association with B-cell-antigen receptor with protein-tyrosine kinase p72syk and activation by engagement of membrane IgM

We have demonstrated that a 72-kDa non-receptor-type protein-tyrosine kinase (p72syk) was co-immunoprecipitated with membrane IgM in digitonin lysates of porcine tonsillar cells and was rapidly activated following the engagement of membrane IgM. This activation was occurred within 5 s, even in the presence of EGTA and 5,5'-dimethyl-bis-(O-aminophenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid as extracellular and intracellular Ca(2+)-chelating agents, respectively, as well as in the presence of the protein-kinase-C inhibitor, H-7. Additionally, genistein, a potent protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was capable of reducing both IgM-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization and p72syk activation in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that p72syk is physically associated with the B-cell-antigen receptor, participating in antigen-mediated signal transduction in both a Ca(2+)-independent and protein-kinase-C-independent manners.

Sulfotransferase-mediated mutagenicity of 1-hydroxymethylpyrene and 4H-cyclopenta[def]chrysen-4-ol and its enhancement by chloride anions

1-Hydroxymethylpyrene (HMP), a primary benzylic alcohol, and 4H-cyclopenta[def]chrysen-4-ol (OH-CPC), a secondary benzylic alcohol, were investigated for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium (reversion of the his- strain TA98) in the presence of various xenobiotic-metabolizing systems. In the direct test, HMP was inactive and OH-CPC was very weakly active. In the presence of NADPH-fortified postmitochondrial fraction from rat liver (S9/NADPH), no activation of OH-CPC was observed, whereas strong mutagenic effects were elicited by HMP. In the presence of cytosol and 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS), both alcohols were activated to potent mutagens. For equal mutagenic effects, approximately 650-fold lower concentrations of HMP were required in the cytosol/PAPS-mediated assay than in the S9/NADPH-mediated assay. The cytosol/PAPS-mediated mutagenicity of both alcohols was 3- to 4-fold enhanced, when KCl (125 mM) was present during the exposure. The authentic chloromethylarenes, 1-chloromethylpyrene and 4-chloro-4H-cyclopenta[def]chrysene, showed very strong direct mutagenicity. These results, taken together with previous findings, indicate that both primary and secondary benzylic alcohols derived from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons may be activated by sulfotransferases to electrophilic sulfuric acid esters, and by subsequent substitution reaction to further active species such as benzylic chlorides.

Experimental study of the effect of IH764-3 on pulmonary fibrosis

IH764-3 is a potent component isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza. We have studied the effect of IH764-3 on experimental pulmonary fibrosis in rats and mice treated with a single intratracheal instillation of bleomycin-A6. Three groups of animals were assigned as BLM+saline, BLM+IH764-3 and normal control. The results indicated that in the treated group, lung coefficient, surfactant, hydroxyproline content and FGF activity were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05, 0.05, 0.001 and 0.05, respectively). Electron microscopic examination showed that pulmonary ultrastructure was markedly better in the treated group: type II alveolar epithelial cells, infiltrating inflammatory cells, proliferating collagen-forming cells, collagen and elastic fibers were obviously fewer in the treated group. These results demonstrate that IH764-3 has prophylactic and therapeutic effects on pulmonary fibrosis.

Evidence for telluroamino acid in biological materials and some rules of assimilation of inorganic tellurium by yeast

A natural substance, telluroamino acid, was discovered in tellurium yeast by GC and GC/MS. This substance was obtained for the first time by means of the assimilation of inorganic tellurium by yeast, having 600 ppm of total Te and 150 ppm of telluroamino acid. Some rules for such an assimilation were found: the content of total Te and telluroamino acid in tellurium-yeast is closely related to the kind of culture media used and is proportional to the concentration of Te in culture media. This discovery is of theoretical and practical significance, especially for the production by a simpler microbiological synthesis of rare and expensive organic tellurium compounds which hopefully will prove to be anticarcinogens like the selenium-yeast, and for explaining the biochemical effect of tellurium on the human body.

Fulvic acid supplementation and selenium deficiency disturb the structural integrity of mouse skeletal tissue. An animal model to study the molecular defects of Kashin-Beck disease

High concentrations of fulvic acid and selenium deficiency are the main causative factors of Kashin-Beck disease, an endemic, chronic and degenerative osteoarticular disorder found in China. In the search for an animal model of this disease, mice were exposed to these pathogenetic conditions for two generations and the collagen types from skin, bone and cartilage were analysed. The growth of the treated mice was slightly retarded, and the rate of reproduction was lower in animals maintained on a fulvic acid-supplemented and/or selenium-deficient diet. Irregular bone formation was seen by radiography and morphometry. Biochemical analysis indicated that lysine residues in collagen I from bone and in collagen II from cartilage were overmodified. The values of Hyl/(Hyl+Lys) in bone collagen alpha 1(I) chains from treated mice were about 0.434-0.484, i.e. substantially higher than that of the control (0.277). The values of this parameter for collagen II were 0.482 for control and 0.546-0.566 for treated mice. The melting temperature of collagen I from bones of treated mice was 1 degrees C lower than that of control collagen, indicating decreased thermal stability. The breakage point of the tibiae of treated mice occurred at a lower preload force than for controls, suggesting that the overmodified and thermally less stable collagen molecules are causally related to a lower mechanical strength of bones.

Contemporary management of adult and pediatric brain stem gliomas

The aim of this study was to analyze the survival of a series of patients diagnosed as having brain stem tumors by computerized tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging and/or biopsy and treated with megavoltage irradiation. Fifty-three patients presenting to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute with a diagnosis of brain stem tumor from January 1980 to July 1989 were reviewed. There were 32 pediatric (age < or = 16) and 21 adult patients. The median age at presentation was 12 years (range 2-73 years). Eighteen patients had biopsy proof of glioma, the rest were diagnosed on the basis of CT and/or MRI appearance. Eighty-seven percent of patients received 44-55 Gy in 1.67-2.25 Gy fractions to the brain stem. Seventy-seven percent of patients showed improvement following treatment, 6% were stable, 11% progressed, and 6% were not evaluable. The estimated median survival from presentation for all patients was 34 months with 49% surviving at 3 years. The estimated median time to progression was 19 months with 34% not progressed at 3 years. There was no significant survival difference between patients with biopsy-proven glioma and those patients where the diagnosis was made radiologically. Survival was not significantly affected by age-group or sex. Patients with symptoms for more than 9 months prior to presentation had significantly longer survival than those with shorter duration of symptoms (p = 0.002). This paper presents the survival of patients with brain stem tumors diagnosed and treated by contemporary radiological and radiotherapeutic techniques.

Immunohistochemical localization of interstitial collagens in bone tissue from patients with various forms of osteogenesis imperfecta

Immunohistochemical studies of bone from individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type II, OI type III, or OI type IV demonstrate a similar pattern, but varying extent, of the abnormal presence of interstitial collagens in bone matrix. OI type II bone had nests of cartilage with type II collagen, and significant type III collagen in the bone matrix. In OI types III and IV, type II collagen was present only in epiphyseal cartilage but bone still contained type III collagen. These findings resembled those in developing fetal bone indicating the "immature" nature of OI bone.

Functional dissection of the human spumaretrovirus transactivator identifies distinct classes of dominant-negative mutants

The bel1 gene of human spumaretrovirus (HSRV) codes for a 300-amino-acid nuclear protein, termed Bel1, that can strongly activate transcription from the cognate long terminal repeat (LTR) by at least 200-fold. Bel1 can also activate human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) LTR expression. By using site-directed mutagenesis, we have identified distinct regions of Bel1 essential for HSRV LTR activation. The amino-terminal 55 residues, which comprise a highly acidic region followed by a short basic stretch, were dispensable for activation. The distribution of functionally defective mutants indicates that two distinct regions between residues 56 and 300 cooperate to confer full activator function. The larger, more amino-terminal region between residues 56 and 227 is sufficient to minimally activate the HSRV LTR. It contains a region between residues 88 and 110 that is strongly conserved between the simian and human spumavirus transactivators but otherwise lacks obvious homology to known transcriptional activators except for an Arg-rich nuclear localization sequence (NLS) between residues 211 and 225 that can be functionally substituted for by the NLS of the simian virus 40 large T antigen. The carboxy-terminal 73 residues contain two functionally redundant regions that can independently augment the activity of the more N-terminal minimal activator domain by 30- to 90-fold. Comparative analysis of the effect of Bel1 mutations on HSRV and HIV-1 LTR expression revealed a similar requirement of Bel1 domains for activation of the two LTRs. Bel1 is phosphorylated in vivo, and a nuclear localization-defective mutant lacking residues 211 to 222 was severely defective for phosphorylation, whereas various deletion mutations in residues 228 to 300 resulted in a four- to eightfold reduction in phosphate incorporation. When functionally defective bel1 mutants were examined for a dominant-negative phenotype, only mutants lacking a proline-rich basic region between residues 194 and 200 or the NLS between residues 211 and 222 that were found to occupy predominantly nuclear and cytoplasmic locations, respectively, could suppress wild-type Bel1 function efficiently. In identifying two classes of dominant-negative mutants with distinct subcellular localization phenotypes, the mutational analysis of Bel1 has revealed a feature unusual for known transcriptional activators.