Properties, structure and possible neuroreceptor role of the encephalitogenic protein of human brain

Specific binding of peroxidase-labeled myelin basic protein in allergic encephalomyelitis

A conjugate of horseradish peroxidase and the encephalitogenic basic protein from myelin has been used to study the antigen reactivity of tissue in the autoimmune disease, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. Control conjugates were also prepared of peroxidase and bovine serum albumin and of peroxidase and lysozyme, another basic protein. The basic protein from myelin conjugate was specifically bound by lymph node cells from rabbits immunized against the basic protein. Some of these cells appeared to be plasma cells. The conjugate was also specifically bound by occasional cells in the spinal-cord infiltrates of animals with early signs of allergic encephalomyelitis. These cells resembled large lymphocytes and plasma cells. There was no difference between the binding of basic protein of bovine and rabbit origin. The findings suggest the possibility that a local release of antibody within the target organ may play a role in the pathogenesis of allergic encephalomyelitis.

Effects of methysergide on platelets incubated with reserpine

1. Platelets were incubated with methysergide and related compounds (2-bromo lysergic acid (BOL), ergotamine and methyl ergotamine) together with reserpine.2. Methysergide inhibited the normal aggregation response of platelets to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) but did not affect the reduction in the 5HT content caused by reserpine, or the uptake of 5HT by the platelets.3. BOL, ergotamine and methyl ergotamine behaved similarly. Methysergide had greater anti5HT potency than BOL, and methyl ergotamine had greater potency than ergotamine.4. The use of platelets as a model for synaptic preparations is discussed.5. The role of 5HT receptor sites on the platelet membrane and the significance of the results for migraine patients treated with methysergide are discussed.

Specific lymphocyte sensitization in cancer: is there a common antigen in human malignant neoplasia?

From human cancer tissue a basic protein can be extracted by the method which yields encephalitogenic factor when applied to human brain. This tumour basic protein (obtained from several different neoplasms) acts as an antigen in the cytopherometric test for malignant neoplasia and in general gives higher results than does brain basic protein. The reverse is true when degenerative disease of the nervous system is studied. The basic protein extractable from brain and from tumours thus has some degree of specificity probably referable to its amino-acid sequence.

Amino acid sequence of the encephalitogenic basic protein from human myelin

Myelin from the central nervous system contains an unusual basic protein, which can induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The basic protein from human brain was digested with trypsin and other enzymes and the sequence of the 170 amino acids was determined. The localization of the encephalitogenic determinants was described. Possible roles for the protein in the structure and function of myelin are discussed.

Specific enzymic methylation of an arginine in the experimental allergic encephalomyelitis protein from human myelin

A cytoplasmic enzyme from guinea pig brain was shown to transfer methyl groups from S-adenosylmethionine to only one of 19 arginine residues in the basic protein from human brain. The products were omega-N-monomethylarginine and omega-N,N'-dimethylarginine. These methylated arginines are adjacent to the main encephalitogenic determinant in the protein. Methylation may aid in the transfer of this region of the protein into the nonpolar environment within myelin and in maintaining the integrity of myelin.