DNA-binding domains of human plasma fibronectin. pH and calcium ion modulation of fibronectin binding to DNA and heparin

A Novel Tandem-Tag Purification Strategy for Challenging Disordered Proteins

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) lack well-defined 3D structures and can only be described as ensembles of different conformations. This high degree of flexibility allows them to interact promiscuously and makes them capable of fulfilling unique and versatile regulatory roles in cellular processes. These functional benefits make IDPs widespread in nature, existing in every living organism from bacteria and fungi to plants and animals. Due to their open and exposed structural state, IDPs are much more prone to proteolytic degradation than their globular counterparts. Therefore, the purification of recombinant IDPs requires extra care and caution, such as maintaining low temperature throughout the purification, the use of protease inhibitor cocktails and fast workflow. Even so, in the case of long IDP targets, the appearance of truncated by-products often seems unavoidable. The separation of these unwanted proteins can be very challenging due to their similarity to the parent target protein. Here, we describe a tandem-tag purification method that offers a remedy to this problem. It contains only common affinity-chromatography steps (HisTrap and Heparin) to ensure low cost, easy access and scaling-up for possible industrial use. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated with four examples, Tau-441 and two of its fragments and the transactivation domain (AF1) of androgen receptor.

Neutralisation of the anti-coagulant effects of heparin by histones in blood plasma and purified systems

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) composed primarily of DNA and histones are a link between infection, inflammation and coagulation. NETs promote coagulation and approaches to destabilise NETs have been explored to reduce thrombosis and treat sepsis. Heparinoids bind histones and we report quantitative studies in plasma and purified systems to better understand physiological consequences. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) was investigated by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and alongside low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) in purified systems with thrombin or factor Xa (FXa) and antithrombin (AT) to measure the sensitivity of UFH or LMWH to histones. A method was developed to assess the effectiveness of DNA and non-anticoagulant heparinoids as anti-histones. Histones effectively neutralised UFH, the IC50 value for neutralisation of 0.2 IU/ml UFH was 1.8 µg/ml histones in APTT and 4.6 µg/ml against 0.6 IU/ml UFH in a purified system. Histones also inhibited the activities of LMWHs with thrombin (IC50 6.1 and 11.0 µg/ml histones, for different LMWHs) or FXa (IC50 7.8 and 7.0 µg/ml histones). Direct interactions of UFH and LMWH with DNA and histones were explored by surface plasmon resonance, while rheology studies showed complex effects of histones, UFH and LMWH on clot resilience. A conclusion from these studies is that anticoagulation by UFH and LMWH will be compromised by high affinity binding to circulating histones even in the presence of DNA. A complete understanding of the effects of histones, DNA and heparins on the haemostatic system must include an appreciation of direct effects on fibrin and clot structure.

Thrombosis: tangled up in NETs

The contributions by blood cells to pathological venous thrombosis were only recently appreciated. Both platelets and neutrophils are now recognized as crucial for thrombus initiation and progression. Here we review the most recent findings regarding the role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in thrombosis. We describe the biological process of NET formation (NETosis) and how the extracellular release of DNA and protein components of NETs, such as histones and serine proteases, contributes to coagulation and platelet aggregation. Animal models have unveiled conditions in which NETs form and their relation to thrombogenesis. Genetically engineered mice enable further elucidation of the pathways contributing to NETosis at the molecular level. Peptidylarginine deiminase 4, an enzyme that mediates chromatin decondensation, was identified to regulate both NETosis and pathological thrombosis. A growing body of evidence reveals that NETs also form in human thrombosis and that NET biomarkers in plasma reflect disease activity. The cell biology of NETosis is still being actively characterized and may provide novel insights for the design of specific inhibitory therapeutics. After a review of the relevant literature, we propose new ways to approach thrombolysis and suggest potential prophylactic and therapeutic agents for thrombosis.

Single-molecule dynamic force spectroscopy of the fibronectin-heparin interaction

The integrity of cohesive tissues strongly depends on the presence of the extracellular matrix, which provides support and anchorage for cells. The fibronectin protein and the heparin-like glycosaminoglycans are key components of this dynamic structural network. In this report, atomic force spectroscopy was used to gain insight into the compliance and the resistance of the fibronectin-heparin interaction. We found that this interaction can be described by an energetic barrier width of 3.1+/-0.2A and an off-rate of 0.2+/-0.1s(-1). These dissociation parameters are similar to those of other carbohydrate-protein interactions and to off-rate values reported for more complex interactions between cells and extracellular matrix components. Our results indicate that the function of the fibronectin-heparin interaction is supported by its capacity to sustain significant deformations and considerable external mechanical forces.

In vitro denaturation-renaturation of fibronectin. Formation of multimers disulfide-linked and shuffling of intramolecular disulfide bonds

It is well established that fibronectin into extracellular matrix undergoes repeated tensions applied by cells, resulting into dramatic structural changes which reflect its elastic properties. However, there is currently no study reporting with precision the consequences of this elasticity on fibronectin structure and conformation. In the present work, we investigated fibronectin structural and conformational reorganization in vitro through a denaturation-renaturation approach. The similarities and differences between "refolded fibronectin" and "native fibronectin" were investigated using various spectroscopic methods, hydrodynamic characterization, molecular imaging and biochemical characterization. In the refolded form, secondary structure elements as well as local tyrosine and tryptophan environment are identical compared to the native form. Interestingly, some differences in global tertiary structure organization and molecular conformation were observed. These differences are due to the reactivity of the two free cysteines, which are buried in the native state but become accessible during the unfolding process. First, oxidation of these residues leading to the formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds results in formation of stabilized multimer. Second, some illegitimate intramolecular disulfide bonds are formed. The presence of iodoacetamide, the sulfhydryl alkylating agent, during the unfolding-refolding process prevents all these events. This study clearly demonstrates that, under near physiological conditions, competitive renaturation pathways occur, involving free cysteines in either multimer formation or intermolecular shuffling of disulfide bonds. These findings might have important implications for future studies and be helpful to develop a deeper understanding of fibronectin morphology.

Imaging and mapping heparin-binding sites on single fibronectin molecules with atomic force microscopy

Fibronectin is composed of multiple homologous repeats and contains many functional domains. Two major heparin-binding domains have previously been identified: the Hep I site near the amino terminus and the Hep II site near the carboxyl terminus. The Hep II site has been considered the high-affinity heparin-binding site based on studies of fibronectin fragments. However, few studies have been carried out on heparin binding by intact fibronectin. We imaged single fibronectin molecules as well as heparin-coated gold particles bound to whole dimeric plasma fibronectin molecules with tapping mode atomic force microscopy. We observed heparin-gold particles preferentially bound at two locations that correspond to the Hep I and Hep II sites. Quantitative analysis of images of individual fibronectin-heparin-gold complexes showed that almost twice as many heparin-gold particles bound to the N-terminal Hep I site compared to the Hep II site. In contrast to previous findings with fibronectin fragments, these results suggest that the Hep I site has a binding affinity higher than or comparable to the Hep II site in the intact fibronectin molecule.

Cooperative role for activated alpha4 beta1 integrin and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in cell adhesion to the heparin III domain of fibronectin. Identification of a novel heparin and cell binding sequence in repeat III5

We recently reported that the heparin (Hep) III domain of fibronectin contains the H2 cell adhesion site in repeat III5 which binds activated alpha4 integrins. We have now further characterized the heparin and cell binding activities of this domain. A recombinant fragment containing repeats III4-III5 (FN-III4-5) induced Jurkat cell adhesion upon integrin activation with Mn2+ or TS2/16 monoclonal antibody (anti-beta1). Adhesion of Mn2+-treated cells to FN-III4-5 or FN-III5 fragments was inhibited by chondroitinase ABC and ACII but not by the anti-alpha4 monoclonal antibody HP2/1. In contrast, HP2/1 completely blocked adhesion of TS2/16-treated cells while chondroitinase had a partial (FN-III4-5) or minor (FN-III5) effect. Thus, the role of each receptor depended on the stimulus used to activate alpha4 beta1. The combination of HP2/1 and chondroitinase at dilutions which did not inhibit when used individually abolished adhesion of Mn2+ or TS2/16-treated cells to both fragments, indicating a cooperative effect between alpha4beta1 and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPG). Furthermore, we have identified a 20-amino acid sequence in III5 (HBP/III5) which binds heparin and induces cell adhesion via CSPG exclusively. Although soluble HBP/III5 was a poor inhibitor, when combined with H2, it abolished adhesion to FN-III4-5 and FN-III5 fragments. These results establish that adhesion to the Hep III domain involves the cooperation of activated alpha4 beta1 and CSPG and show that HBP/III5 is a novel heparin and CSPG-binding site contributing to cell adhesion to this domain.

Development of the selective adsorbent for EDA containing fibronectin using heparin immobilized cellulose

We have noticed that extra domain A containing fibronectin (EDA(+)FN) is closely related to inflammatory diseases and accordingly investigated a selective adsorbent to remove EDA(+)FN, which may increase the severity of the symptoms, from the plasma of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Three types of heparin immobilized cellulose (HC) were prepared and their adsorptive properties were evaluated by batchwise adsorption tests. The results showed that EDA(+)FN was adsorbed more efficiently than total FN on HC. In particular HC in which heparin was immobilized to amino residue had an excellent capacity. The adsorption rates of EDA(+)FN, total FN and antithrombin-III were 89, 15 and 17% respectively. This adsorbent is extremely useful in selectively removing EDA(+)FN from plasma.

Analysis of fibronectin on human sperm

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to localize fibronectin on human sperm and correlate its distribution with the morphological and functional integrity of sperm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Semen samples were collected and sperm fractionated by swim-up. Subsets of the swim-up sperm were capacitated and acrosome reacted. Damage to swim-up sperm was induced by freezing and thawing. The presence of fibronectin on the surface of sperm was determined by immunocytochemistry.

RESULTS

FN immunoreactivity was variable but staining on the sperm tail was consistently highest, whereas FN immunoreactivity over the acrosome and equatorial band was consistently lowest. Capacitation and acrosome reaction did not substantially change the distribution of FN staining. However, swim-up sperm had significantly less FN immunoreactivity (4%) than sperm that were unable to swim-up (12%; p < 0.01). Sperm that were deliberately damaged by freeze/thaw showed significantly increased FN binding (p < 0.01). FN immunoreactivity was inversely correlated with sperm viability (r = -0.68), motility (r = -0.70), and morphology (r = -0.63).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that only a minority of the sperm in an ejaculate stain positive for FN and the localization of FN in positive sperm is primarily to the tail. Inferior sperm stain more frequently for FN leading to an inverse correlation between FN staining and sperm quality. Taken together, these results do not support a role for FN in sperm-egg binding. However, FN staining may provide a method for selecting the highest quality sperm for use in assisted reproduction techniques.

Reversible unfolding of an isolated heparin and DNA binding fragment, the first type III module from fibronectin

Several fragments containing all or part of the first type III homology unit of fibronectin were isolated and their folding properties examined by fluorescence spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Each fragment exhibits a reversible unfolding transition when heated or titrated with guanidinium chloride. This indicates that an isolated type III module can fold independently in the absence of neighboring modules. A comparison of the specific enthalpies of unfolding of these fragments with those of well-studied globular proteins suggests that this type III unit is composed of a stable core flanked by less compact or unstructured regions. Comparison of the heparin-binding properties of these fragments revealed that removal of 12 amino acids from the amino terminus of the largest one (Ile-585 to Val-675) increased its affinity for immobilized heparin such that it now binds at physiological ionic strength.

Association of fibronectin-like antigens in chromatin preparations from rat hepatoma cells

High molecular weight hepatoma-associated nonhistone chromosomal proteins (NHPs) in transplantable rat hepatoma cells were reported previously from this laboratory. A cDNA library prepared from Morris hepatoma 7777 cells was screened with the polyclonal antibodies against hepatoma NHPs and a positive cDNA clone (lambda P2A1) was isolated. DNA sequence analysis revealed that the cDNA clone was identical to that of rat fibronectin (FN). The polyclonal antibodies against hepatoma NHPs were shown to bind specifically to both rat plasma FN and the fusion proteins encoded by lambda P2A1. A monoclonal antibody specific to rat plasma FN also recognized high molecular weight antigens of hepatoma NHPs in a pattern similar to that demonstrated with the polyclonal antibodies. These results suggest the existence of FN or FN-like antigens in the chromatin preparations from rat hepatoma cells. The antigenic proteins are localized in the nuclei of neoplastic foci of liver undergoing hepatocarcinogenesis.

Effect of fibronectin on the Crithidia luciliae test for anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies

The various tests for anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies do not always agree. Plasma fibronectin specifically binds DNA, is a component of immune complexes, and shows variations in concentration with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus. It may therefore interfere with the detection of DNA autoantibodies. This possibility was examined in a series of studies using the Crithidia luciliae test. Studies were based on serum samples received during one year (250 samples). Serum samples from 50 patients which were positive or weakly positive in the C luciliae test were used. In blocking experiments fibronectin was added either to the wells or to the serum. In a second series of experiments fibronectin was depleted by affinity chromatography from six serum samples with weak anti-DNA staining. Preincubation of wells with fibronectin or addition of fibronectin to serum invariably blocked the interaction of anti-DNA antibodies with the C luciliae kinetoplast. When fibronectin was removed from serum the intensity of staining was increased. These results indicate that fibronectin influences the detection of anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies using C luciliae and may explain the disparity between the results of different tests for DNA antibodies. Furthermore, the unmasking of positive reactivity when fibronectin is removed from serum has implications for the diagnosis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Differential interaction of Xenopus embryonic cells with fibronectin in vitro

Two distinct cell types from the amphibian gastrula were compared with regard to their interactions in vitro with fibronectin (FN). Xenopus embryonic endoderm cells attach to FN substrates in a way characteristic of most cell types studied so far; that is, adhesion increases abruptly at a certain threshold concentration of FN, and maximal binding of cells already occurs at low FN concentrations (10 micrograms/ml). In contrast, embryonic ectodermal cells bind maximally to FN substrates only at unusually high concentrations of FN (200 micrograms/ml). This peculiar mode of attachment to FN has been characterized more closely. It is shown that the adhesion of ectodermal cells is modified by their interaction with a heparin-binding domain of the FN molecule. Furthermore, ectodermal cell adhesion increases very slowly with increasing FN concentrations. Despite these characteristic differences, both ectodermal and endodermal cells attach to the normal RGD cell-binding site of FN, as can be shown by competitive inhibition of adhesion by a hexapeptide containing the RGD sequence of amino acids.

Interaction of fibronectin with DNA/anti-DNA complexes from systemic lupus erythematosus: role of activated complement Cl in modulation of the interactions

Fibronectin (Fn) is an integral constituent of the endothelial cell surface and the basement membrane. The mechanism for binding DNA/anti-DNA complexes to Fn was examined in a solid-phase assay. In physiological buffer, a low-affinity binding of DNA was observed with Fn and optimal binding was seen at pH 6.5 and in the absence of Ca2+. Further, the interaction of DNA to Fn was inhibited when DNA was complexed to anti-DNA antibody. However, complement Clq mediated the binding of complexes to Fn at pH 7.4 and it was proportional to the extent of the dissociation of Cl. Cl inactivator (Cl-In) appeared to play a modulating role; whereas at low concentrations (Cl:Cl-In::4: less than 1) it enhanced the binding of complexes to Fn, higher concentrations inhibited the binding. Further, sera from patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus reacted with Fn, which was shown to be dependent on the presence of Clq and was minimally affected by DNase treatment of sera, indicating a relatively minor role of DNA in the direct binding of DNA to Fn. These findings support "circulating immune complex" hypothesis in the pathogenesis of lupus glomerular immune complex deposition disease.

Fibronectin and immune complexes in rheumatic diseases

The relation between fibronectin and immune complexes in rheumatic disease was examined in a series of linked studies. Fibronectin was present in immune complexes formed in vitro in the absence of C1q. Gel filtration chromatography showed complexed fibronectin was present in the serum of a patient with rheumatoid vasculitis, but not in normal serum; the complexed fibronectin coeluted with IgA and C3. Two dimensional immunoelectrophoresis showed a single fibronectin component was present in normal serum, but a number of components were present in serum from a rheumatoid patient. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting for fibronectin showed that polyethylene glycol precipitates of synovial fluid contained immunoreactive components of a variety of sizes, indicating the presence of fragments of the molecule. An analysis of fibronectin in polyethylene glycol precipitates of paired serum and synovial fluid samples from 17 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 16 with osteoarthritis showed more fibronectin was present in rheumatoid samples, especially in synovial fluid. More fibronectin was also present in synovial fluid than in serum polyethylene glycol precipitates; there was no direct relationship with C1q levels. All these results suggest that fibronectin is an integral component of immune complexes. This has potential pathogenic significance because it shows that a product of connective tissue cells may influence the functions of the immune system.

Conditions of formation of the heparin-fibronectin-collagen complex and the effect of plasmin

The formation and composition of the insoluble heparin-fibronectin-collagen complex and its degradation by proteolysis was investigated. At fixed concentrations of the other molecular components of the complex, the maximal rate of complex formation, measured turbidimetrically, was reached at a concentration of 4 microM heparin and 0.9 microM collagen, while the rate of complex formation was linearly related to concentrations of fibronectin as high as 3 microM. Heparin was incorporated into the complex in a saturable manner, and was released in active anticoagulant form by plasmin but not by urokinase. The complex formation was inhibited by 5 mM calcium or 250 mM NaCl as well as by polybrene or spermin. It is suggested that fibronectin binds both heparin and collagen cooperatively to form an insoluble ternary complex of the extracellular matrix.

Effects of fibronectin and other salivary macromolecules on the adherence of Escherichia coli to buccal epithelial cells

The effect of saliva and fibronectin (Fn) on the adherence of a type 1 fimbriated strain of Escherichia coli to human buccal epithelial cells was studied. Saliva pretreatment of epithelial cells led to a dose-dependent increase in adherence that was inhibited by alpha-methyl mannoside, which is typical of a type 1 fimbria-mediated event. The molecules responsible for affecting this increased adherence were nondialyzable and were recovered after lyophilization. E. coli adherence was stimulated by individual saliva samples from each of 11 volunteers. Fn inhibited E. coli adherence to saliva-treated buccal cells by more than 60%. Biotinylated E. coli and Fn were reacted with Western blots of whole saliva to identify the receptors that might explain the phenomenon described above. Both E. coli and Fn bound to 57- and 62-kilodalton (kDa) protein bands in Western blots of sodium dodecyl sulfate gels of whole saliva. The binding of E. coli to these bands was inhibited by pretreatment with unlabeled Fn. To study these salivary components, samples of saliva were electrophoresed on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels, strips corresponding to the appropriate molecular weights were cut out, and the proteins were eluted electrophoretically. Material that eluted from strips at 57 and 62 kDa, but not that from a control strip, stimulated E. coli adherence to buccal cells. Alternatively, saliva was fractionated over 100- and 50-kDa cutoff filters. Of the three fractions obtained, only the fraction passing through the 100-kDa filter and retained by the 50-kDa filter stimulated E. coli adherence to buccal cells. This fraction also increased the binding of Fn to buccal cells. These observations suggest the possibility that one or more salivary components bind to the surface of buccal cells and serve as receptors for type 1 fimbriated E. coli. Fn also binds to this isolated material; and it is apparently by these interactions, at least in part, that saliva stimulates and Fn inhibits E. coli adherence. The way in which these interactions may affect bacterial adherence in vivo remains to be elucidated.

Fibronectin-mediated adhesion of fibroblasts: inhibition by dermatan sulfate proteoglycan and evidence for a cryptic glycosaminoglycan-binding domain

Dermatan sulfate proteoglycans (DS-PGs) isolated from bovine articular cartilage have been examined for their effects on the adhesive responses of BALB/c 3T3 cells and bovine dermal fibroblasts on plasma fibronectin (pFN) and/or type I collagen matrices, and compared to the effects of the chondroitin sulfate/keratan sulfate proteoglycan monomers (CS/KS-PGs) from cartilage. DS-PGs inhibited the attachment and spreading of 3T3 cells on pFN-coated tissue culture substrata much more effectively than the cartilage CS/KS-PGs reported previously; in contrast, dermal fibroblasts were much less sensitive to either proteoglycan class unless they were pretreated with cycloheximide. Both cell types failed to adhere to substrata coated only with the proteoglycans; binding of the proteoglycans to various substrata has also been quantitated. While a strong inhibitory effect was obtained with the native intact DS-PGs, little inhibitory effect was obtained with isolated DS chains (liberated by alkaline-borohydride cleavage) or with core protein preparations (liberated by chondroitinase ABC digestion). In marked contrast, DS-PGs did not inhibit attachment or spreading responses of either 3T3 or dermal fibroblasts on type I collagen-coated substrata when the collagen was absorbed with pFN alone, DS-PGs alone, or the two in combination. These results support evidence for (a) collagen-dependent, fibronectin-independent mechanisms of adhesion of fibroblasts, and (b) different sites on the collagen fibrils where DS-PGs bind and where cell surface "receptors" for collagen bind. Experiments were developed to determine the mechanism(s) of inhibition. All evidence indicated that the mechanism using the intact pFN molecule involved the binding of the DS-PGs to the glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-binding sites of substratum-bound pFN, thereby inhibiting the interaction of the fibronectin with receptors on the cell surface. This was supported by affinity chromatography studies demonstrating that DS-PGs bind completely and effectively to pFN-Sepharose columns whereas only a subset of the cartilage CS/KS-PG binds weakly to these columns. In contrast, when a 120-kD chymotrypsin-generated cell-binding fragment of pFN (CBF which has no detectable GAG-binding activity as a soluble ligand) was tested in adhesion assays, DS-PGs inhibited 3T3 adherence on CBF more effectively than on intact pFN. A variety of experiments indicated that the mechanism of this inhibition also involved the binding of DS-PGs to only substratum-bound CBF due to the presence of a cryptic GAG-binding domain not observed in the soluble CBF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Interaction of small dermatan sulfate proteoglycan from fibroblasts with fibronectin

Immunogold labeling was used to localize the core protein of small dermatan sulfate proteoglycan (DS-PG) on the surface of cultured human fibroblasts. At 4 degrees C, DS-PG core protein was uniformly distributed over the cell surface. At 37 degrees C, gold particles either became rearranged in form of clusters or remained associated with fibrils. Double-label immunocytochemistry indicated the co-distribution of DS-PG core protein and fibronectin in the fibrils. In an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, binding of DS-PG from fibroblast secretions and of its core protein to fibronectin occurred at pH 7.4 and at physiological ionic strength. Larger amounts of core protein than of intact proteoglycan could be bound. Fibronectin peptides containing either the heparin-binding domain near the COOH-terminal end or the heparin-binding NH2 terminus were the only fragments interacting with DS-PG and core protein. Competition and replacement experiments with heparin and dermatan sulfate suggested the existence of adjacent binding sites for heparin and DS-PG core protein. It is hypothesized that heparan sulfate proteoglycans and DS-PG may competitively interact with fibronectin.