k Chain variable regions from three galactan binding myeloma proteins

The alternative binding site for protein A in the Fab fragment of immunoglobulins

Twenty-six new human or murine monoclonal immunoglobulins (IgM, IgA, murine IgG1 or human IgG3) with a known V-region sequence were tested for alternative (non-Fc) binding to Staphylococcal protein A. Seven of them did not bind at all. Four immunoglobulins (all mouse IgG1) were bound but easily eluted (at pH 6). They were probably bound via the Fc part. All eleven were classified as negative for alternative binding. Fifteen immunoglobulins were found to bind more firmly; they came off the protein A column at pH 4-3 (alternative binders). Amino acid sequences of immunoglobulins that have been typed in the present work or earlier (25 binders and 26 non-binders) were compared. The light chain, the C region of the heavy chain and the D and JH segments look irrelevant for alternative binding. The N-terminal portion (amino acids 1-94) of the H chain probably forms the ligand of protein A. A peptide making the ligand cannot be reliably localized within this stretch but binder proteins had a high homology in residues 6-29. All mouse immunoglobulins expressing VH genes of families J606 or S107 were alternative binders; those expressing other families were non-binders.

A refined model for the variable domains (Fv) of the J539 beta(1,6)-D-galactan-binding immunoglobulin

A refined protocol for building a hypothetical model of the J539 Fv is described. Computer programs for positioning amino acid side chains and structure energy minimization [CHARMM program of Brooks et al., J. comp. Chem. 4, 187-217 (1983)] were employed. Computer modeling was accomplished on an Evans and Sutherland picture system which permitted structure visualization in three dimensions. Peptide backbone breaksites were rejoined by monitoring for correct distances and torsion angles. A physical model was then constructed and used as a basis for further refinements such as aligning conformations around remodeled sites, adjusting proline substitutions and optimizing hydrogen-bond-forming potentials. This structure (J539-ADO) was energy minimized and the final coordinates were obtained from the energy-refined model. The resulting hypothetical J539 structure can be compared to the structure of J539 now being determined by X-ray crystallography. The procedures described can be used for other Fv fragments.

A monoclonal antibody that defines an idiotope with two subsites in galactan-binding myeloma proteins

An IgG1 monoclonal antibody HyX24-14 was derived from A/J mice that were immunized with the IgA XRPC24 (X24) galactan binding myeloma protein (GalBMP) of BALB/c origin by the Kohler-Milstein hybridoma technology. HyX24-14 specifically binds some but all GalBMP. Different patterns of binding using a panel of nine Gal BMP were found, depending upon the concentration of antibody and the antigenic target. From molecular models and amino acid sequence data, ti was proposed that the idiotope defined by HyX24-14 had two subsites, each of which appeared to be able to bind independently to the antibody.

kappa Chain joining segments and structural diversity of antibody combining sites

Immunoglobulin kappa light chains are coded for by at least three distinct gene segments designated variable, joining, and constant. The joining gene codes for the 13 amino acid segment linking the variable and constant regions. This peptide includes the last amino acid (96) in the third complementarity-determining region and thus could introduce structural diversity. We have determined the light chain variable region sequences from three myeloma proteins with beta(1,6)galactan-binding specificity, bringing to six the number of light chains sequenced from proteins demonstrating this specificity. Five of these have isoleucine at position 96 and the sixth tryptophan. This substitution appears to be accommodated with no significant change in association constant for a beta(1,6)galactan hapten. Additionally, as many as nine substitutions are found in both light and heavy chain complementarity-determining regions between members of this group although only minimal variations in hapten binding affinity are observed. The isoleucine found at position 96 in five of the kappa chains could not be coded for by any of the joining gene nucleotide sequences previously observed and would require a novel nucleotide sequence at the recombination site between variable and joining genes to produce the observed protein structure. Alternatively, there may exist joining gene segments not yet detected.