Released myelin basic protein: the immunogenic factor?

Myelin basic protein induces neuron-specific toxicity by directly damaging the neuronal plasma membrane

The central nervous system (CNS) insults may cause massive demyelination and lead to the release of myelin-associated proteins including its major component myelin basic protein (MBP). MBP is reported to induce glial activation but its effect on neurons is still little known. Here we found that MBP specifically bound to the extracellular surface of the neuronal plasma membrane and induced neurotoxicity in vitro. This effect of MBP on neurons was basicity-dependent because the binding was blocked by acidic lipids and competed by other basic proteins. Further studies revealed that MBP induced damage to neuronal membrane integrity and function by depolarizing the resting membrane potential, increasing the permeability to cations and other molecules, and decreasing the membrane fluidity. At last, artificial liposome vesicle assay showed that MBP directly disturbed acidic lipid bilayer and resulted in increased membrane permeability. These results revealed that MBP induces neurotoxicity through its direct interaction with acidic components on the extracellular surface of neuronal membrane, which may suggest a possible contribution of MBP to the pathogenesis in the CNS disorders with myelin damage.

Determination of the origin of charge heterogeneity in a murine monoclonal antibody

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular basis of charge heterogeneity found in a purified monoclonal IgG1 antibody, MMA383.

METHODS

Cation exchange chromatography (CEX) and isoelectric focusing (IEF) were used to monitor charge heterogeneity. CEX in conjunction with carboxypeptidase B digests of the antibody was used to determine the contribution of C-terminal lysines to MMA383 charge heterogeneity. Potential chemical degradation sites were identified by peptide mapping of individual chains, with peptide identification by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Peptide sequencing was used to determine specific deamidation sites. Binding constants of predominant isoforms were compared by surface plasmon resonance (SPR).

RESULTS

Extensive charge heterogeneity of purified MMA383 was detected by CEX and IEF. Removal of C-terminal lysines simplified the IEF pattern to nine predominant isoforms. Quantitation of isoaspartate in each of the isoforms indicated deamidation of MMA383 as a major cause of charge heterogeneity. CEX of the individual isoform chains suggested the presence of one deamidation site on each of the heavy and light chains. The two sites of deamidation were identified using peptide mapping, sequencing and mass spectrometry. SPR results showed no significant difference in the binding parameters among the isoforms.

CONCLUSIONS

C-terminal lysine microheterogeneity and deamidation of Asn141 in the heavy chain and Asn161 in the light chain are the major causes of MMA383 charge heterogeneity. Identification of the two deamidation sites will allow replacement of these amino acids in order to create a product less susceptible to degradation.

Nonenzymatic deamidation of asparaginyl and glutaminyl residues in proteins

Some asparagine and glutamine residues in proteins undergo deamidation to aspartate and glutamate with rates that depend upon the sequence and higher-order structure of the protein. Functional groups within the protein can catalyze this reaction, acting as general acids, bases, or stabilizers of the transition state. Information from specific proteins that deamidate and analysis of protein sequence and structure data bases suggest that asparagine and glutamine lability has been a selective pressure in the evolution of protein sequence and folding. Asparagine and glutamine deamidation can affect protein structure and function in natural and engineered mutant sequences, and may play a role in the regulation of protein folding, protein breakdown, and aging.

Serotonin binding sites. II. Muramyl dipeptide binds to serotonin binding sites on myelin basic protein, LHRH, and MSH-ACTH 4-10

Previously, we reported the existence of structurally similar serotonin binding sites on myelin basic protein, LHRH, and MSH-ACTH 4-10. We now report that the adjuvant peptide, muramyl dipeptide (N-acetyl-muramyl-L-Ala-D-isoGln) also binds to these sites. This observation may help to explain previous observations of serotonin-like activity by muramyl peptides, including the promotion of slow-wave sleep and fever induction. The observation may also provide an important link between the immune system and the nervous system that may explain the role of muramyl dipeptide adjuvants in causing autoimmune diseases to serotonin-regulated proteins and their receptors, as well as the alterations in serotonin levels that are often observed in autoimmune diseases. The observation provides concrete evidence for a dual-antigen hypothesis for the induction of autoimmune diseases by an adjuvant-peptide complex. Application of such a mechanism for induction of autoimmunity may be of importance in understanding a number of postinfectious and postvaccinal neuropathies, and suggests a possible etiology for autism, in which many patients have high blood serotonin levels, autoimmune reactions to myelin basic protein, and antibodies to serotonin binding sites. Finally, the observation suggests that glycopeptides may act as neurotransmitters.

An explanation of prevention and suppression of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

An explanation of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis prevention and suppression is presented based upon evidence that the active unit in disease induction is an encephalitogen-adjuvant complex. The stereochemical complementarity in structure of the encephalitogen and adjuvant is mirrored in complementarity in the recognition sites of lymphocyte populations activated against encephalitogen and adjuvant. Since two complementary lymphocyte populations are necessary for disease induction, any procedure that prevents the development of one of these populations will prevent disease induction. Any procedure that eliminates one population after induction has occurred will suppress the disease. We argue that all extant data support the hypothesis. Several new experiments are proposed to further test it.

Endogenous myelin basic protein-serum factors (MBP-SFs) in Lewis rats. Evidence for their heterogeneity and reactivity with anti-MBP antibodies of different affinities

MBP-SF, previously described as an endogenous myelin basic protein-serum factor in Lewis rats with a suggested function as a neuroautotolerogen, appears not to be a single factor but a heterogeneous collection of serum factors (MBP-SFs), most probably small fragments of MBP, each cross-reactive with a different region of the multideterminant parent molecule. The heterogeneity of the MBP-SFs in any serum sample is defined and limited by the spectrum of binding affinities of the antibody populations represented in a given reagent anti-MBP antiserum. Some samples of normal Lewis rat serum have been found to contain high affinity MBP-SFs which coexist with low affinity anti-MBP antibodies whereas other sera have shown the reversed pattern, viz. low affinity MBP-SFs and high affinity antibodies. Additional sera have been found to contain MBP-SFs of several different affinities. In time-course studies of rats sensitized to neuroantigen-adjuvant a variety of MBP-SFs and anti-MBP antibodies of different affinities may be observed in sequentially collected sera from a given animal. In no animal has any serum sample been found to contain the full spectrum of MBP-SFs. Although some MBP-SFs have been found to increase temporarily during the 2nd week after neuroantigen/CFA sensitization, all MBP-SFs tend to disappear in the 2nd week and to be replaced by anti-MBP antibodies of differing affinities 3-4 weeks following sensitization.

Myelin basic protein depolarizes neuronal membranes

Bath application of 10(-5) M myelin basic protein (MBP) to various types of cultured nerve cells resulted in a membrane depolarization amounting to a change of 41 +/- 15 mV. Excitability could be restored by repolarizing the membrane by means of current injection through the recording electrode. The action of MBP persisted in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX), Co2+ or D-600 as well as in low Na+ and low Cl- solutions, whereas it was abolished by increasing extracellular Ca2+ concentrations. The action MBP was mimicked by ouabain. We propose that the effect of the protein might be generated by blockade of an ion pump. It is speculated that MBP may exert a direct effect on neuronal membranes in demyelinating diseases.

Studies on the action of myelin basic protein (MBP) in rat brain

The specificity of I125-MBP uptake and subcellular distribution on a discontinuous sucrose density gradient, compared to those of histone H 4 and cytochrome c, showed a high affinity of MBP for mitochondria and heavy synaptosomes, and of histone H 4 for lighter synaptosomes. One heavier synaptosomal subpopulation was almost equally labelled by both proteins. Cytochrome c showed only a low uptake into particular material. Receptor interaction studies of MBP with H3-labelled 5-hydroxytryptamine and naloxone gave negative results.