T Cell and Antibody Response Following Double Dose of BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine in SARS-CoV-2 Naïve Heart Transplant Recipients

Introduction: Preliminary studies have suggested a low post-vaccination antibody response against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in heart transplant(HTx)recipients. Although many studies have focused on the role of antibodies in vaccine-induced protection against SARS-CoV-2, the role of T cell immunity is less well characterized. To date, data regarding seroconversion and T cell response after mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients undergoing HTx are scarce. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the specific memory humoral and cellular responses after two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine in HTx recipients. Methods: Blood was drawn from heart transplant (HTx) recipients at two pre-specified time points after the first and second vaccine doses to measure both the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody response against the spike protein and the SARS-CoV-2-reactive T cell response. Results: Our study included 34 SARS-CoV-2 naïve HTx recipients (mean age, 61 ± 11 years). The mean time from transplantation to the first vaccine dose is 10 ± 10 years. Subgroup analysis (n = 21) demonstrated that after the first vaccine dose, only 14% had antibodies and 19% had a SARS-CoV-2-reactive T-cell response, which increased to 41% and 53%, respectively, after the second dose. Interestingly, 20% of patients with no antibodies after the second dose still had a positive SARS-CoV-2-reactive T cell response. The percentage of patients with positive S-IgG antibody titers was significantly higher 5 years after transplantation (18% 0–5 years post-TX vs. 65% 5 years post-TX, p = 0.013). Similarly, 5 years after heart transplantation, the percentage of patients with a T cell response was significantly higher (35% 0–5 years post-TX vs. 71% 5 years post-TX, p = 0.030). Conclusions: In SARS-CoV-2 naïve HTx recipients, post-vaccination antibody titers but also SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell response are low. Therefore, the protection from SARS-CoV-2 that is generally attributed to vaccination should be regarded with caution in HTx recipients.

P3669Impact of the endocarditis team on management strategies and mortality: the Dutch experience

Background

Infective endocarditis (IE) was associated with poor survival. In 2015, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) introduced the multidisciplinary IE team to improve diagnostics, treatment and outcome in patients with IE.

Purpose

This study evaluated the clinical implementation of the IE team in the Netherlands.

Methods

Retrospective cohort of all IE patients diagnosed between 2012–2016 in a tertiary single center. Clinical characteristics, data on imaging techniques, surgical procedures, IE-related complications and all-cause mortality were collected. Differences before and after installation of the IE team in 2015 were analyzed.

Results

Overall, 257 IE patients were included with a minimal follow-up of 1 year. No significant differences in baseline characteristics or imaging method were observed. The annual incidence of IE gradually increased over time from 36 cases in 2012 to 50 cases in 2016. This was caused by an increase in native IE cases. No difference in mortality was observed before and after 2015 (22% vs. 26%, P=0.43).

After 2015, a reduction in hospitalization duration was observed (37 vs. 32 days; P=0.09) and median time to surgery had significantly decreased (18 vs. 8 days; P=0.01). Although an increase in congestive heart failure and valvulair abscess were observed a downtrend in acute renal failure (25% vs. 16%, P=0.08) was observed. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age, COPD, diminished LV function and surgery were important predictors for mortality but not the IE team.

Conclusion(s)

The introduction of a multidisciplinary IE team led to earlier surgical intervention and was associated with a reduction in hospital duration but not an important predictor for mortality. These results are important in view of designing novel clinical trials.

Association of aldose reductase gene Z+2 polymorphism with reduced susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy in Caucasian Type 1 diabetic patients

AIMS

The Z-2 allele of the (AC)n polymorphism in the aldose reductase gene (ALR2) confers increased risk of microvascular diabetic complications, whereas the Z+2 allele has been proposed to be a marker of protection. However data are conflicting. Therefore, we investigated whether this polymorphism is associated with diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy in Type 1 diabetes mellitus in a large case-control study and a family-based analysis.

METHODS

A total of 431 Type 1 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy and 468 patients with longstanding Type 1 diabetes and persistent normoalbuminuria were genotyped for the case-control study. In addition, 102 case trios and 98 control trios were genotyped for a family-based study.

RESULTS

Thirteen different alleles were identified. In the case-control study, the Z+2 allele frequency was significantly higher in the normoalbuminuric diabetic than in patients with diabetic nephropathy (0.17 vs. 0.11, P = 0.008), suggesting a protective function of the Z+2 allele. No significant increase in the frequency of the putative risk allele Z-2 was found in patients with diabetic nephropathy vs. controls (0.39 vs. 0.36). No association with diabetic retinopathy was found. Although the results of the transmission of the Z-2 and Z+2 alleles in the independent family-based study were consistent with the association study, the number of informative families was limited and thus differences were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The Z+2 allele of the ALR2 promoter polymorphism is associated with a reduced susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy in Danish Type 1 diabetic patients, suggesting a minor role for the polyol pathway in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease. No association of the ALR2 polymorphism with diabetic retinopathy was found.

Activity of human IgG and IgA subclasses in immune defense against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B

Both IgG and IgA Abs have been implicated in host defense against bacterial infections, although their relative contributions remain unclear. We generated a unique panel of human chimeric Abs of all human IgG and IgA subclasses with identical V genes against porin A, a major subcapsular protein Ag of Neisseria meningitidis and a vaccine candidate. Chimeric Abs were produced in baby hamster kidney cells, and IgA-producing clones were cotransfected with human J chain and/or human secretory component. Although IgG (isotypes IgG1-3) mediated efficient complement-dependent lysis, IgA was unable to. However, IgA proved equally active to IgG in stimulating polymorphonuclear leukocyte respiratory burst. Remarkably, although porin-specific monomeric, dimeric, and polymeric IgA triggered efficient phagocytosis, secretory IgA did not. These studies reveal unique and nonoverlapping roles for IgG and IgA Abs in defense against meningococcal infections.

Effects of advanced glycation end-product inhibition and cross-link breakage in diabetic rats

The accelerated formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) due to elevated glycemia has repeatedly been reported as a central pathogenic factor in the development of diabetic microvascular complications. The effects of a novel inhibitor of AGE formation, NNC39-0028 (2,3-diaminophenazine), and a breaker of already formed AGE cross-links, N-phenacylthiazolium bromide (PTB), were investigated in streptozotocin-diabetic female Wistar rats. Diabetes for 24 weeks resulted in decreased tail collagen pepsin solubility, reflecting the formation of AGE cross-linking. Collagen solubility was significantly ameliorated by treatment with NNC39-0028, whereas PTB had no effect. Increased urinary albumin excretion (UAE) in diabetic rats was observed in serial measurements throughout the study period, and was not reduced by any treatment. Vascular dysfunction in the eye, measured as increased clearance of 125I-albumin, was induced by diabetes. NNC39-0028 did not affect this abnormality. This study demonstrated a pharmacological inhibition of collagen solubility alterations in diabetic rats without affecting diabetes-induced pathophysiology such as the increase in UAE or albumin clearance. Treatment with PTB, a specific breaker of AGE cross-links, had no effects in this study.

Modulation of metabolism through transcriptional control has created new treatment opportunities for type 2 diabetes

The discovery of the important metabolic and physiological role played by a family of transcription factors, the peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPAR), has opened up for a new understanding of the mode of action for the lipid lowering drugs known as fibrates and for the new glucose lowering compounds described as insulin sensitizers. Both of these classes of compounds have demonstrated significant efficacy in both animal models of the metabolic derangements characteristic for type 2 diabetes and in human clinical studies. The recognition of the role of these drugs as ligands for PPAR transcription factors and the development of new molecular and cellular tools to select and characterise new PPAR selective compounds will open up for the development of even better new drug candidates for the treatment of metabolic disorders associated with type 2 diabetes. With the combined strength of new transcriptional mapping technologies developed in the field of molecular biology, such as differential mRNA display and DNA microarray hybridisations, it will be possible to perform a detailed molecular characterisation of the transcriptional events involved in drug actions in cellular and tissue systems, and information gathered from such types of analysis will lead to an enormous amount of data, from which detailed knowledge of drug actions at the gene regulatory level will emerge.

Functional human monoclonal antibodies of all isotypes constructed from phage display library-derived single-chain Fv antibody fragments

We have constructed a series of eukaryotic expression vectors that permit the rapid conversion of single chain (sc) Fv antibody fragments, derived from semi-synthetic phage display libraries, into intact fully human monoclonal antibodies (mAb) of each isotype. As a model, a scFv fragment specific for sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was isolated from a semi-synthetic phage antibody (Ab) display library, and used to produce human mAbs of IgM, IgG1-IgG4, IgA1, IgA2m(1) and IgE isotype in vitro in stably transfected cells. N-terminal protein sequence analysis of purified immunoglobulin heavy (H) and light (L) chains revealed precise proteolytic removal of the leader peptide. Biochemical analysis of purified recombinant human mAbs demonstrated that properly glycosylated molecules of the correct molecular size were produced. The IgG and IgA mAbs retained SRBC-binding activity, interacted with different Fc receptor-transfectants, and induced complement-mediated hemolysis and Ab-dependent phagocytosis of SRBC by neutrophils in a pattern consistent with the immunoglobulin (Ig) H chain isotype. We conclude that in vitro produced recombinant human mAbs constructed from phage display library-derived scFv fragments mirror their natural counterparts and may represent a source of mAbs for use in human therapy.

Antitumor immune effector mechanisms recruited by phage display-derived fully human IgG1 and IgA1 monoclonal antibodies

We have constructed a recombinant, fully human IgA1 monoclonal antibody, UBS-54/IgA1, against the tumor-associated Ep-CAM molecule and compared its tumor-killing capacity with its IgG1 counterpart in in vitro assays. The data show that phage display-derived fully human IgA1 antibodies efficiently recruit immune effector cells that express the Fc receptor for IgA, FcalphaRI (CD89). UBS-54/IgA1-mediated killing of tumor cells by isolated polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and in whole blood was found to proceed without the necessity to preactivate effector cells with cytokines. In addition, the IgA1 anti-Ep-CAM human monoclonal antibody (huMab) triggered phagocytosis of tumor cells by monocyte-derived macrophages. Strikingly, simultaneous addition of IgA1 and IgG1 anti-Ep-CAM antibodies did not result in enhancement of tumor cell killing unless the effector cells were stimulated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. The lack of an additive effect could be attributed to an inhibitory effect of IgG on IgA-mediated tumor cell killing through binding of IgG1 to the inhibitory FcgammaRIIb receptor expressed by PMNs. These results show that IgA1 antitumor huMabs are capable of recruiting the large population of peripheral blood PMNs for tumor cell killing. This population is not effectively recruited by IgG type antibodies, currently the antibodies most frequently used for clinical application. In addition, the data suggest that a combination of IgG1 and IgA1 antitumor huMabs may collaborate in tumor cell killing in patients treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

Evaluation of an in-house polymerase chain reaction for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in urogenital samples

AIM

To develop and evaluate a one day in-house polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae DNA in urogenital samples.

METHODS

429 urogenital specimens were tested for the presence of N gonorrhoeae by in-house PCR and by Gen-Probe. The PCR assay amplifies target sequences within the N gonorrhoeae cppB gene on the 4.2 kb cryptic plasmid, after which amplicons are detected by a streptavidinbiotin based enzyme immunoassay using an internal probe. Discordant specimens were further evaluated by repeating the PCR and the Gen-Probe assay, and by an additional PCR using another set of 16S primers followed by radioactive detection of amplicons on a Southern blot.

RESULTS

Of the 429 samples tested, 15 were found positive by in-house PCR, eight of which were confirmed by Gen-Probe. Of the seven discrepant samples, five were confirmed by 16S PCR and are also considered true positive. The remaining two samples were positive in the in-house PCR only, and are considered false positive. After resolution of discrepant samples, the sensitivities of the N gonorrhoeae assays were 100% and 61.5% for the in-house PCR and Gen-Probe, respectively, while specificities were comparable at 99.5% and 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

The in-house PCR for the detection of N gonorrhoeae DNA is at least comparable to Gen-Probe in performance. An extended evaluation period should elucidate if the additional five GO-PCR positive specimens, confirmed by 16S PCR, are caused by persistence of DNA or whether the method is indeed more sensitive.

A novel inhibitor of advanced glycation end-product formation inhibits mesenteric vascular hypertrophy in experimental diabetes

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that the vascular changes in diabetes include hypertrophy of the mesenteric vasculature and that this process can be attenuated by the inhibition of advanced glycation with aminoguanidine. Since aminoguanidine can also act as an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, the effect of a novel inhibitor of advanced glycation end-products, formation that does not inhibit nitric oxide synthase, known as 2,3 diaminophenazine (2,3 DAP) was evaluated.

METHODS

Initially, in vitro assessment of the ability of 2,3 diaminophenazine to inhibit formation of advanced glycation products was performed. Subsequently, in vivo studies evaluating 2,3 diaminophenazine and aminoguanidine were carried out. Animals were followed for 3 weeks after induction of diabetes and randomised to no treatment, aminoguanidine or 2,3 diaminophenazine. Mesenteric vessels were weighed and advanced glycation end-products were measured by radioimmunoassay in vessel and kidney homogenates. In addition, these products were assessed in mesenteric vessels by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

When compared with control animals, diabetes was associated with an increase in mesenteric vascular weight. Treatment of diabetic rats with aminoguanidine or 2,3 diaminophenazine resulted in attenuation of vascular hypertrophy. Both aminoguanidine and 2,3 diaminophenazine reduced the formation of advanced glycation end-products as measured by radioimmunoassay and as assessed immunohistochemically in these vessels. This reduction was also observed in the kidney.

CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION

These data support the concept that the effects of aminoguanidine in reducing diabetes associated vascular hypertrophy are via inhibition of advanced glycation end-products dependent pathways.

A recombinant, fully human monoclonal antibody with antitumor activity constructed from phage-displayed antibody fragments

A single-chain Fv antibody fragment specific for the tumor-associated Ep-CAM molecule was isolated from a semisynthetic phage display library and converted into an intact, fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody (huMab). The purified huMab had an affinity of 5 nM and effectively mediated tumor cell killing in in vitro and in vivo assays. These experiments show that nonimmunized phage antibody display libraries can be used to obtain high-affinity, functional, and clinically applicable huMabs directed against a tumor-associated antigen.

Depletion of nitric oxide synthase-containing neurons in the diabetic retina: reversal by aminoguanidine

A close association of neuronal nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive (nNOS-IR) neurons with the retinal vasculature has been reported and it is proposed that activation of these neurons could be the mechanism by which retinal blood flow and metabolism are linked. Further, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have previously been shown to be increased in the diabetic retina and aminoguanidine (AG), an inhibitor of advanced glycation, has been shown to attenuate the development of AGE accumulation as well as the progression of experimental diabetic retinopathy. This study examined the effects of short (1 and 3 weeks) and long term (32 weeks) diabetes on nNOS-containing neurons of the retina using NADPH diaphorase (NADPHd) histochemistry. In addition, the effect of aminoguanidine (an inhibitor of advanced glycation and NOS) and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (a non-selective NOS inhibitor) on retinal nNOS-containing neurons was examined in short and long term control and diabetic rats. In a separate study, the effect of 2,3 diamino-phenazine (NN0028) (an inhibitor of advanced glycation, but not NOS) was examined in short term (3 weeks) diabetic rats. The number of NADPHd-positive neurons per retina was reduced after one week of diabetes and remained decreased in long term diabetic rats, an effect not observed in diabetic rats rendered euglycaemic by intensified insulin treatment. Treatment of diabetic animals with aminoguanidine or NN0028 prevented the depletion in the nNOS-containing neuron number, an effect not reproduced by L-NAME. These studies suggest that the action of AG in restoring the number of nNOS-containing retinal neurons is mediated by the inhibition of AGE formation. The depletion of nNOS-containing neurons may contribute to alterations in the autoregulation of blood flow which occurs in diabetes.

Phage antibodies obtained by competitive selection on complement-resistant Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis recognize the high-molecular-weight outer membrane protein

We used competitive panning to select a panel of 10 different human antibodies from a large semisynthetic phage display library that distinguish between serum complement-resistant and complement-sensitive strains of the gram-negative diplococcus Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis. Western blotting analyses and inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays showed that all phage antibodies were directed against the same or closely spaced epitopes on the target protein, which is the high-molecular-weight outer membrane protein (HMW-OMP) of M. catarrhalis. HMW-OMP was found in multiple isolates of complement-resistant but not complement-sensitive M. catarrhalis strains. Nucleotide sequence analysis demonstrated that the immunoglobulin heavy- and light-chain variable-region genes encoding the 10 phage antibodies were remarkably similar, with a strong preference for basic amino acid residues in the heavy-chain CDR3 regions. This is the first report showing that competitive panning is a successful procedure to obtain phage antibodies against differentially expressed structures on phenotypically dissimilar strains of prokaryotic cells.

Bactericidal antibody recognition of a PorA epitope of Neisseria meningitidis: crystal structure of a Fab fragment in complex with a fluorescein-conjugated peptide

Class 1 outer membrane protein PorA of Neisseria meningitidis is a vaccine candidate against bacterial meningitis. Antibodies against PorA are able to induce complement-mediated bacterial killing and thereby play an important role in protection against meningococcal disease. Bactericidal antibodies are all directed against variable regions VR1 and VR2 of the PorA sequence, corresponding to loops 1 and 4 of a two-dimensional topology model of the porin with eight extracellular loops. We have determined the crystal structure to 2.6 A resolution of the Fab fragment of bactericidal antibody MN12H2 against meningococcal PorA in complex with a linear fluorescein-conjugated peptide TKDTNNNL derived from the VR2 sequence of sero-subtype P1.7,16 (residues 180-187) from meningococcal strain H44/76. The peptide folds deeply into the binding cavity of the Fab molecule in a type I beta-turn, with the minimal P1.16 epitope DTNNN virtually completely buried. The structure reveals H-bonds and van der Waals interactions with all minimal epitope residues and one essential salt bridge between Asp-182 of the peptide and His-31 of the MN12H2 light chain. The key components of the recognition of PorA epitope P1.16 by bactericidal antibody MN12H2 correspond well with available thermodynamic data from binding studies. Furthermore, they indicate the structural basis of an increased endemic incidence of infection by group B meningococci in England and Wales since 1981 associated with the occurrence of an Neisseria meningitidis escape mutant (strain-MC58). The observed three-dimensional conformation of the peptide provides a rationale for the development of a synthetic peptide vaccine against meningococcal disease.

Pancreatic lipase structure-function relationships by domain exchange

We designed chimeric mutants by exchanging the lid domains of the classical human pancreatic lipase (HPL) and the guinea pig pancreatic lipase related protein 2 (GPLRP2). This latter enzyme possesses naturally a large deletion within the lid domain and is not activated by lipid/water interfaces. Furthermore, GPLRP2 exhibits phospholipase A1 and lipase activities in the same order of magnitude, whereas HPL has no significant phospholipase activity and displays a clear interfacial activation. An HPL mutant [HPL(-lid)] with GPLRP2 mini-lid domain does not display interfacial activation. Its specific activity toward triglycerides is, however, dramatically reduced. A GPLRP2 mutant [GPLRP2(+lid)] with HPL full-length lid domain is not interfacially activated, and its lid domain probably exists under a permanent open conformation. Therefore, the phenomenon of interfacial activation in HPL is not only due to the presence of a full-length lid domain but also to other structural elements which probably allow the existence of stabilized closed and open conformations of the lid. GPLRP2(+lid) phospholipase activity is significantly reduced as compared to GPLRP2, whereas its lipase activity remains at the same level. Therefore, the lid domain plays a major role in substrate selectivity and can be considered as part of the active site. However, the presence of a full-length lid domain is not sufficient to explain the absence of phospholipase activity in HPL since HPL(-lid) does not display any phospholipase activity. We also produced a chimeric GPLRP2 mutant in which the C-terminal domain was substituted by the HPL C-terminal domain. The colipase effects, i.e., anchoring and stabilization of the lipase at the interface, are clearly observed with the chimera, whereas GPLRP2 is insensitive to colipase. The kinetic characterization of this chimera reveals for the first time that the interfacial stability of pancreatic lipases depends on the structure of the C-terminal domain.

Rapid selection of cell subpopulation-specific human monoclonal antibodies from a synthetic phage antibody library

Peripheral blood leukocytes incubated with a semisynthetic phage antibody library and fluorochrome-labeled CD3 and CD20 antibodies were used to isolate human single-chain Fv antibodies specific for subsets of blood leukocytes by flow cytometry. Isolated phage antibodies showed exclusive binding to the subpopulation used for selection or displayed additional binding to a restricted population of other cells in the mixture. At least two phage antibodies appeared to display hitherto-unknown staining patterns of B-lineage cells. This approach provides a subtractive procedure to rapidly obtain human antibodies against known and novel surface antigens in their native configuration, expressed on phenotypically defined subpopulations of cells. This approach does not depend on immunization procedures or the necessity to repeatedly construct phage antibody libraries.

Selection and application of human single chain Fv antibody fragments from a semi-synthetic phage antibody display library with designed CDR3 regions

We have constructed a large (3.6 x 10(8) clones) phage display library of human single chain Fv (scFv) antibody fragments by combining 49 germline VH genes with synthetic heavy chain CDR3 (HCDR3) regions and seven light chains. The HCDR3 regions varied in length between 6 and 15 residues and were designed to contain fully randomized stretches of amino acid residues flanked by regions of limited residue variability that were composed of amino acid residues that frequently occur in natural antibodies. We reasoned that this approach would increase the frequency of functional molecules in our library and, in addition, permit us to efficiently utilize available cloning space. By direct selection on solid phase-bound antigens we obtained phage antibodies with binding activities to 13 different antigens, including Von Willebrand factor, the DNA-binding HMG box of transcription factor TCF-1 and the tumor antigen EGP-2. In addition, we applied a competitive selection procedure to target phage antibodies to the desired portion of a recombinant fusion protein and to select phage antibodies capable of discriminating between the two highly homologous homeobox proteins PBX1a and PBX2. The functional capacity of monoclonal phage antibodies was assessed in immuno-histochemical staining of tissue specimens. Western blotting assays and immunofluorescent analysis of cells by flow cytometry. The results demonstrate that this large human phage antibody library contains a broad assortment of binding specificities that can be applied in a variety of biochemical assays.

Diabetic late complications: will aldose reductase inhibitors or inhibitors of advanced glycosylation endproduct formation hold promise?

Patients suffering from the severe complications associated with both insulin- (IDDM) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM): nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, and atherosclerosis are still largely left without a prospect of an efficient treatment. This is the case even if it has been assumed for decades and now finally proved by the results from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) that hyperglycemia is the single main cause of these complications. Improved glycemic control as a result of intensive insulin treatment has the potential to reduce the incidence and progression of complications, but implementation and monitoring of improved glycemic control in all groups of IDDM and NIDDM patients in different communities will be difficult and expensive. Results from the recently terminated DCCT have shown that even with intensive insulin treatment, there will be a significant burden of complications on the diabetic population. It will, therefore, still be of immense importance for the long-term quality of life for the diabetic patient that additional possibilities are developed for prevention and intervention against diabetic complications. Almost two decades of research, animal model testing, and clinical trials have been conducted on various efficient aldose reductase inhibitors. Now the concept of inhibition of formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts on proteins and lipids resulting from extra- and intracellular hyperglycemia is entering the scene as an alternative or perhaps supplementary approach to reduce the occurrence of diabetic complications. An overview of the results from these two fields of research and associated drug-development programs will be presented along with thoughts on possible future developments.

Cloning and expression in insect cells of two pancreatic lipases and a procolipase from Myocastor coypus

The physiological role of pancreatic lipases has traditionally been assigned solely to triacylglyceride metabolism, while the digestion of phospholipids requires the presence of the pancreatic phospholipase A2, a 14-kDa enzyme unrelated to pancreatic lipases. However, in the guinea pig, it was observed that the pancreatic phospholipase A2 was absent and that a guinea pig pancreatic-lipase-related protein 2 (GPL-RP2) was responsible for phospholipase activity, in contrast to the situation observed in other mammalian species. As the guinea pig is a member of the hystricomorph rodents, it was of interest to investigate if other species within this evolutionary suborder display similar characteristics. The coypu (Myocastor coypus) also a member of the hystricomorph rodents, was chosen for further investigations. The cDNAs encoding two pancreatic lipases and a procolipase from the coypu were cloned, expressed and characterized. One lipase, CoPL-RP2, was identified as belonging to the RP2 subfamily, while the second, CoPL, was found to belong to the classical pancreatic lipase subfamily. Enzymic characterization and sequence data suggest a role for coypu colipase as a specific cofactor for CoPL, while this coypu colipase cannot be an important cofactor for CoPL-RP2 in vivo. Also, the new lipase cDNA sequences were used in a phylogentic analysis to reinvestigate the taxonomical position of the hystricomorph rodents (e.g. coypu and guinea pig) with respect to the myomorph rodents (e.g. rat and mouse).

Isolation by anion-exchange of immunologically and enzymatically active human islet glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 overexpressed in Sf9 insect cells

The enzyme L-glutamic acid decarboxylase is a major autoantigen of the beta cell. Autoantibodies against this enzyme are observed before the onset of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in man and may be of predictive value. There is evidence that this enzyme is involved in the development of autoimmune diabetes in animals. In order to facilitate the investigation of the role of L-glutamine acid decarboxylase in IDDM, we expressed the 65 kDa isoform of human islet L-glutamic acid decarboxylase in insect cells using a baculovirus-based vector. The material was expressed at high levels (up to 50 mg/l of cells). Partially purified metabolically labelled L-glutamic acid decarboxylase bound to immunoglobulins in the sera from 20 of 49 subjects with newly-diagnosed IDDM. The enzyme was isolated in high yields (up to 26 mg/l cell culture) with fully maintained enzymatic activity by either ion-exchange chromatography or immunoaffinity chromatography. Purified L-glutamic acid decarboxylase inhibited the binding of radioactive L-glutamic acid decarboxylase, prepared by in vitro translation of mRNA, to immunoglobulins in the sera of subjects with IDDM. Recombinant human islet L-glutamic acid decarboxylase, isolated from Sf9 cells, is a suitable material for the large scale investigation of the utility of this enzyme in the prediction and prevention of autoimmune diabetes.

Identification of glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibody heterogeneity and epitope regions in type I diabetes

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is an autoantigen of the islet cell antibodies (ICAs) present in type I diabetes. GAD autoantibodies are also found in patients with stiffman syndrome and in certain ICA-positive individuals who rarely develop diabetes on long-term follow-up. This latter subset of ICA has been termed restricted or beta-cell-specific ICA because the antibodies react with only the beta-cells of the islet. By immunoprecipitation of recombinant GAD65 and GAD67 protein and protein fragments, 83% of sera from individuals with new-onset diabetes or prediabetes (n = 30) had GAD65 autoantibodies, but only 26% had GAD67 autoantibodies. In contrast, all restricted ICA sera (n = 6) had both GAD65 and GAD67 autoantibodies. In both types of sera, the binding of GAD67 autoantibodies could be blocked by preincubation of the serum with GAD65 and GAD67, but the binding of GAD65 autoantibodies could not be blocked by preincubation with GAD67. The titer of GAD65 autoantibodies was much higher in the restricted ICA sera (titer > 1:1,000) than in the sera from individuals with new-onset diabetes or prediabetes (titer < 1:100) and was reflected by the greater amount of GAD65 protein immunoprecipitated by restricted ICA sera (2.61 +/- 1.39 U) compared with sera from individuals with new-onset diabetes (0.51 +/- 0.34 U). The restricted ICA sera immunoprecipitated equimolar amounts of GAD65 protein fragments, suggesting a non-conformational or linear epitope; epitope mapping localized the major epitope region to amino acids 361-442 and a second minor epitope region to amino acids 1-195.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A novel radioligand binding assay to determine diagnostic accuracy of isoform-specific glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies in childhood IDDM

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is associated with autoreactivity against GAD but the diagnostic sensitivity (positivity in disease) and specificity (negativity in health) of isoform-specific GAD antibodies have yet to be defined in assay systems suitable for screening large number of samples. One set of IDDM patient (n = 10) and control (n = 50) standard sera were used to develop quantitative antibody assays with in vitro synthesized recombinant 35S-methionine-labelled GAD65 and GAD67, respectively, and protein A-Sepharose to separate free from antibody-bound ligand. Binding levels were not normally distributed (p < 0.0001) and therefore, the diagnostic accuracy of GAD antibodies was analysed by the ROC plots in population-based, consecutively-diagnosed, recent onset, 0-14 year-old patients (n = 105), and matched, healthy control subjects (n = 157). The ROC plots showed that the diagnostic sensitivity of GAD65 antibodies was 77% and the specificity 92% compared with 8% and 98%, respectively for GAD67 antibodies. In the IDDM sera, GAD65 and GAD67 antibodies were concordant in 7% (6 of 81) and GAD65 antibodies and ICA in 89% (72 of 81) without a correlation between the autoantibody levels. Autoantibodies to recombinant human islet GAD65 are specific and sensitive markers for childhood IDDM in this immunoassay with in vitro synthesized 35S-methionine-labelled recombinant GAD.

Structure-function relationships in naturally occurring mutants of pancreatic lipase

From primary structure comparison, the pancreatic lipase family is now divided into three subgroups: classical pancreatic lipases, pancreatic lipase-related proteins 1 (RPI) and pancreatic lipase-related proteins 2 (RP2). Among the RP2 subfamily, the guinea-pig and coypu enzymes share kinetic properties which differ from those of classical pancreatic lipases. Both enzymes display a high phospholipase activity and are not interfacially activated using a short chain triglyceride as substrate. Their activity towards insoluble triglycerides is inhibited by micellar concentrations of bile salts and is not restored by addition of colipase. These atypical kinetic properties are discussed in the light of amino acid sequence comparison between RP2 and classical pancreatic lipases, based on the closed and open conformations of the 3-D structure of human pancreatic lipase.

Actions of phenylglycine analogs at subtypes of the metabotropic glutamate receptor family

The functional effects of phenylglycine analogs on metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) subtypes mGluR1 alpha, mGluR2 and mGluR4 were examined. (S)-4-Carboxyphenylglycine (IC50 = 65 +/- 5 microM), (R,S)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (IC50 = 155 +/- 38 microM) and (S)-3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycine (IC50 = 290 +/- 47 microM) competitively antagonized glutamate-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis in baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells stably expressing mGluR1 alpha. (S)-4-Carboxyphenylglycine and (R,S)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine competitively antagonized glutamate-induced inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP-formation in BHK cells stably expressing mGluR2 with IC50 values of 577 +/- 74 microM and 340 +/- 59 microM, respectively. (R,S)-4-carboxy-3-hydroxyphenylglycine, (R)-3-hydroxyphenylglycine and (S)-3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycine were agonists at mGluR2 with EC50 values of 48 +/- 5 microM, 451 +/- 93 and 97 +/- 12 microM, respectively. In parallel experiments, no activities of these phenylglycine analogs at mGluR4 were observed. The present report demonstrates that phenylglycine analogs possess differential functional activities at subtypes of the mGluR family.

Detection of GAD65 antibodies in diabetes and other autoimmune diseases using a simple radioligand assay

Autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) are frequent at or before the onset of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). We have developed a simple, reproducible, and quantitative immunoprecipitation radioligand assay using as antigen in vitro transcribed and translated [35S]methionine-labeled human islet GAD65. By using this assay, 77% (77 of 100) of serum samples from recent-onset IDDM patients were positive for GAD65 antibodies compared with 4% (4 of 100) of serum samples from healthy control subjects. In competition analysis with unlabeled purified recombinant human islet GAD65, binding to tracer was inhibited in 74% (74 of 100) of the GAD65-positive IDDM serum samples compared with 2% of the control samples. The levels of GAD antibodies expressed as an index value relative to a standard serum, analyzed with or without competition, were almost identical (r = 0.991). The intra- and interassay variations of a positive control serum sample were 2.9 and 7.6%, respectively (n = 4). The frequency of GAD antibodies was significantly higher with IDDM onset before the age of 30 (80%, 59 of 74) than after the age of 30 (48%, 10 of 21) (P < 0.01). The prevalence of islet cell antibodies showed a similar pattern relative to age at onset. Because simultaneous occurrences of multiple autoimmune phenomena are common, we analyzed sera from patients with other autoimmune diseases. The frequency of GAD antibodies in sera positive for DNA autoantibodies (8% [2 of 25] and 4% [1 of 25] in competition analysis) or rheuma factor autoantibodies [12% (4 of 35) and 3% (1 of 35) in competition analysis] was not different from that in control samples. In contrast, in sera positive for ribonucleoprotein antibodies the frequency of GAD antibodies was significantly increased (73% [51 of 70] and 10% [7 of 70] in competition analysis [P < 0.025]). In conclusion, even large numbers of serum samples can now be tested for GAD65 antibodies in a relatively short time, allowing screening of individuals without a family history of IDDM for the presence of this marker.

Thiol ester role in correct folding and conformation of human alpha 2-macroglobulin. Properties of recombinant C949S variant

To determine the role of the thiol ester in the folding of human alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) in the active conformation, we have characterized a recombinant variant of alpha 2M, C949S, expressed in baby hamster kidney cells, that lacks the thiol ester-forming cysteine. C949S alpha 2M behaves like methylamine-treated plasma alpha 2M, with correctly formed inter-subunit disulfide bridges, non-covalent association of covalent dimers to form tetramers, and exposure of the receptor binding domain, but an inability to inhibit proteinases, and inaccessibility of the bait regions to proteolysis. We concluded that correct folding of monomers or their association to give tetrameric alpha 2M does not require a pre-formed thiol ester. Active alpha 2M may form in vivo by a two-step process involving initial folding to give a structure resembling that of C949S alpha 2M followed by thiol ester formation and a conformational change that gives the native active state.

Cloning of the classical guinea pig pancreatic lipase and comparison with the lipase related protein 2

Starting from total pancreatic mRNAs, the classical guinea pig pancreatic lipase was cloned using rapid amplification of 3' and 5' cDNA ends. Internal oligonucleotide primers were designed from a partial cDNA clone including the region coding for the lid domain. Using this strategy, we did not amplify the cDNA corresponding to the pancreatic lipase related protein 2 in which the lid domain is deleted. Amino acid sequences of the classical guinea pig pancreatic lipase and the related protein 2 were compared based on the primary and tertiary structures of the classical human pancreatic lipase. Their distinct physiological roles are discussed in the light of functional amino acid differences.

Human G(olf) alpha: complementary deoxyribonucleic acid structure and expression in pancreatic islets and other tissues outside the olfactory neuroepithelium and central nervous system

G(olf) alpha is a G-protein originally believed to mediate signal transduction exclusively within the olfactory neuroepithelium and subsequently found to be a major stimulatory G-protein in the basal ganglia. Here we present evidence that G(olf) alpha is expressed in several other tissues. The human isoform of G(olf) alpha was isolated from two human insulinoma cDNA libraries. Comparison of the human sequence with rat G(olf) alpha shows 91% nucleotide identity (within the coding region) and 99% identity at the amino acid level. Northern and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analyses indicated that G(olf) alpha is expressed in all human insulinomas examined thus far as well as in normal pancreatic islets. G(olf) alpha mRNA was also detected in testis, retina, brain, and liver. Western blot analysis of various mouse tissues demonstrated that the level of G(olf) alpha protein in islets is lower than that in the olfactory neuroepithelium and other parts of the brain; its expression in retina, lung, and spleen was moderately higher than that in islets, and its expression in testis approached that in olfactory neuroepithelium. G(olf) alpha was also detected by immunohistochemistry in mouse islets, human insulinomas, the epithelial lining of mouse epididymis, photoreceptor cells of mouse retina, and mouse lung alveoli. These findings suggest a role for G(olf) alpha in a diverse population of cells located outside the olfactory neuroepithelium and central nervous system.

A zinc-finger gene ZNF141 mapping at 4p16.3/D4S90 is a candidate gene for the Wolf-Hirschhorn (4p-) syndrome

Chromosomal aneusomy is a major cause of reproductive wastage and congenital malformations in man. Zinc finger encoding genes would be good candidates for being involved in the multiple developmental defects associated with chromosomal aneusomy--by virtue of their role as transcriptional regulators, their abundance in the genome and their known association with specific developmental disorders. We have isolated and mapped a zinc finger encoding cDNA (ZNF141) of the C2-H2/KRAB subfamily to the 4p- (Wolf-Hirschhorn) syndrome (WHS) chromosome region. ZNF141 mapped to the distal end of the 2.2 Mb smallest region of deletion overlap of WHS, 300 kb from the 4p telomere on cosmid CD1 defining the anonymous locus D4S90. ZNF141 was expressed ubiquitously at low levels in the analysed tissue. The identification of a candidate gene for a chromosomal aneusomy syndrome belonging to a class of evolutionary conserved genes will provide options for studying its normal and abnormal expression during mammalian embryogenesis.

A structural domain (the lid) found in pancreatic lipases is absent in the guinea pig (phospho)lipase

Typically pancreatic lipases are characterized by the following properties: (1) they are activated by lipid/water interfaces (interfacial activation), (2) they are inhibited by bile salts but reactivated by colipase (a small activator protein), and (3) they do not hydrolyze significantly phospholipids. A cDNA clone encoding a guinea pig pancreatic (phospho)lipase (GPL) has been sequenced and expressed. The enzyme (recombinant as well as native) differs from other pancreatic lipases in that (1) it is not interfacially activated, (2) its activity is unaffected by the presence of bile salts and/or colipase using tributyrin as substrate, and (3) it exhibits equally phospholipase A1 and lipase activities. The amino acid sequence of GPL is highly homologous to that of other known pancreatic lipases, with the exception of a deletion in the so-called lid domain that regulates access to the active centers of other lipases. We propose that this deletion is directly responsible for the anomalous behavior of this enzyme. Thus GPL challenges the classical distinction between lipases, esterases, and phospholipases.

Differential expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase in rat and human islets

The GABA synthesizing enzyme GAD is a prominent islet cell autoantigen in type I diabetes. The two forms of GAD (GAD64 and GAD67) are encoded by different genes in both rats and humans. By in situ hybridization analysis of rat and human pancreases, expression of both genes was detected in rat islets, whereas only GAD64 mRNA was detected in human islets. Immunocytochemical analysis of rat and human pancreatic sections or isolated islets with antibodies to GAD64 and GAD67 in combination with antibodies to insulin, glucagon, or SRIF confirmed that a GAD64 and GAD67 expression were beta-cell specific in rat islets. In contrast, only GAD64 was detected in human islets and was, in addition to beta-cells, also surprisingly localized to some alpha-cells, delta-cells, and PP-cells. In long-term (4 wk) monolayer cultures of newborn rat islet cells, GAD64 expression remained beta-cell specific as observed in vivo, whereas GAD67 was localized not only to the beta-cells but also in the alpha-cells and delta-cells. A small but distinct fraction of GAD positive cells in these monolayer cultures did not accumulate GABA immunoreactivity, which may indicate cellular heterogeneity with respect to GABA catabolism or GAD enzyme activity. In a rat insulinoma cell line (NHI-6F) producing both glucagon and insulin depending on the culture conditions, GAD64 expression was detected only in cultures in which the insulin producing phenotype dominated. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that the two GAD isoforms are differentially expressed in rat and human islets but also that the expression differs according to culture conditions. These findings emphasize the need to consider both the species and culture conditions of islets.

Quantitative assay using recombinant human islet glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65) shows that 64K autoantibody positivity at onset predicts diabetes type

At and before onset, most insulin-dependent diabetics (IDDM) have islet GAD65 autoantibodies (GAD65Ab). Since IDDM also occurs in older patients where non-insulin-dependent diabetes is common, we studied GAD65Ab at onset to classify diabetes type. Our quantitative immunoprecipitation assay uses recombinant human islet GAD65 stably expressed in hamster fibroblasts. Electrophoretic mobility was identical to native islet GAD65. Like native antigen, recombinant GAD65 migrated as two bands during electrophoresis, but converted to one under stronger reduction. Immunoprecipitation was linear with respect to antibody or antigen concentration. In 120 population-based diabetic patients of all ages grouped by treatment at onset and after 18 mo, GAD65Ab were present in 70% on insulin (n = 37), 10% on oral agent (n = 62, P < 0.0001), 69% changing from oral agent to insulin (n = 16, P < 0.001), and 1 of 33 controls. 65% with GAD65Ab, versus 8% without, changed from oral agent to insulin (P < 0.01). The GAD65Ab quantitative index was remarkably stable, and only 2 of 32 patients changed antibody status during follow-up. Concordance between GAD65Ab and islet cell antibodies was 93%. Quantitative correlation was approximate but significant. This highly sensitive, quantitative, high capacity assay for GAD65Ab reveals treatment requirements better than clinical criteria, perhaps guiding immunomodulatory therapy.

The nucleotide sequence of the variable region in Trypanosoma brucei completes the sequence analysis of the maxicircle component of mitochondrial kinetoplast DNA

The nucleotide sequence of two non-contiguous DNA fragments of 4.0 and 2.2 kb, respectively, of the kinetoplast maxicircle of Trypanosoma brucei brucei EATRO strain 427 has been determined, completing the sequence analysis of the so-called variable region (see also de Vries et al., 1988, Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 27, 71-82). Analysis of the entire 8-kb variable region sequence revealed the presence of a 5.2-kb cluster of imperfect, tandemly repeated sequences, flanked by DNA of unique sequence. Both repetitive and unique DNA evolve rapidly, but comparison to the closely related strain EATRO 164 indicated that the repetitive cluster is more prone to sequence and size divergence. The variable region is transcribed into RNAs of varying lengths but appears to be devoid of genes encoding mitochondrial proteins or tRNAs, as judged from computer analysis. Moreover, genes that could encode guide RNAs involved in producing the known edited mitochondrial mRNA sequences are also absent. The repetitive DNA cluster within this region consists of 14 blocks each containing one 130 bp repeat and a variable number of 19 bp repeats. A duplicated sequence was identified (5'-GGGGTTGGTGT) which proved to be identical to the eleven 5'-terminal residues of the universal minicircle dodecamer involved in initiation of leading strand synthesis. This suggests a role for these sequences in the initiation of maxicircle DNA replication. With the data presented in this report, the nucleotide sequence analysis of the 23016 bp maxicircle of T. brucei brucei EATRO strain 427 has been completed.

Recombinant glutamic acid decarboxylase (representing the single isoform expressed in human islets) detects IDDM-associated 64,000-M(r) autoantibodies

GAD is an autoantigen in IDDM. Molecular cloning and specific antibodies allowed us to demonstrate that only the lower M(r) GAD64 isoform is expressed in human islets, in contrast to human brain, rat islets, and rat brain, all of which express both GAD64 and GAD67. Expression of the human islet GAD64 isoform in COS-7 and BHK cells resulted in an enzymatically active rGAD64, which is immunoreactive with diabetic sera comparable with that of the islet 64,000-M(r) autoantigen. Immunoprecipitation analyses showed that 21/28 (75%) IDDM sera had rGA D64 antibodies compared with only 1/59 (1.7%) of the healthy control sera. In immunoblot analyses, an SMS serum--but only 1/10 randomly selected IDDM sera--recognized the blotted rGAD64 without relation to immunoprecipitation titers. In conclusion, only the GA D64 isoform is expressed in human islets, in contrast to rat islets, which also express the GAD67 isoform. The immunological properties of human rGAD64 are comparable with the native 64,000-M(r) islet autoantigen, allowing further studies of the immunopathogenesis of IDDM.

Establishment of two continuous T-cell strains from a single plaque of a patient with mycosis fungoides

From a plaque biopsy of a patient with mycosis fungoides, two different continuous cell lines were established by including both IL-2 and IL-4 in the culture medium. Both continuous cell lines appeared with characteristic chromosome markers after approximately 40 cell population doublings. The initial karyotype recognized in T cells from the skin biopsy was 46,XY and the karyotypes of the continuous cell strains were 46,XY, -18, + i(18q) and another with multiple chromosome aberrations as described in Sezary T-cell leukemia. Phenotyping with monoclonal antibodies and T-cell receptor analysis indicates that the latter cell strain represents a minority of T-cells in the plaque. Due to its many chromosomal aberrations it probably represents the malignant cell, which may be a central cell in the immune stimulation taking place in the skin.

Cloning, characterization, and autoimmune recognition of rat islet glutamic acid decarboxylase in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

A 64-kDa islet protein is a major autoantigen in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Autoantibodies against the 64-kDa protein were recently shown to immunoprecipitate glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD; L-glutamate 1-carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.15) from brain and from islets. We present evidence that the autoantisera also recognize a hydrophilic islet protein of approximately 67 kDa in addition to the amphiphilic 64-kDa form. We have isolated a full-length rat islet GAD cDNA encoding a hydrophilic 67-kDa protein, which appears to be identical to rat brain 67-kDa GAD. A partial sequence of human insulinoma 67-kDa GAD was identical to human brain 67-kDa GAD. Allelic variations were observed in rat as well as in human 67-kDa GAD sequences. The expressed rat islet 67-kDa GAD protein is functional and is immunoprecipitated by IDDM sera; it comigrates electrophoretically with the 67-kDa islet autoantigen. The hydrophilic 67-kDa form of GAD in islets is an additional autoantigen in IDDM and is recognized by a different subset of autoantibodies than the 64-kDa autoantigen. Thus, mammalian cell lines expressing functionally active, recombinant GAD may become important tools to study the nature and the role of GAD autoreactivity in IDDM.

Molecular cloning and mammalian expression of human beta 2-glycoprotein I cDNA

Human beta 2-glycoprotein (beta 2gpI) cDNA was isolated from a liver cDNA library and sequenced. The cDNA encoded a 19-residue hydrophobic signal peptide followed by the mature beta 2gpI of 326 amino acid residues. In liver and in the hepatoma cell line HepG2 there are two mRNA species of about 1.4 and 4.3 kb, respectively, hybridizing specifically with the beta 2gpI cDNA. Upon isoelectric focusing, recombinant beta 2gpI obtained from expression of beta 2gpI cDNA in baby hamster kidney cells showed the same pattern of bands as beta 2gpI isolated from plasma, and at least 5 polypeptides were visible.

A short synthetic adaptor as second-strand primer in the construction of cDNA libraries by the vector-primer method

The construction of high quality cDNA libraries is one of the most important yet technically challenging procedures in the study of gene structure and function. The present report presents a simplification of the classical Okayama-Berg protocol for the construction of plasmid libraries. The introduction of a short synthetic oligonucleotide as a second-strand adaptor facilitates the optimization of library construction and allows for quick adaptation of almost any vector as a cDNA cloning vehicle.

Calcium binding in alpha-amylases: an X-ray diffraction study at 2.1-A resolution of two enzymes from Aspergillus

X-ray diffraction analysis (at 2.1-A resolution) of an acid alpha-amylase from Aspergillus niger allowed a detailed description of the stereochemistry of the calcium-binding sites. The primary site (which is essential in maintaining proper folding around the active site) contains a tightly bound Ca2+ with an unusually high number of eight ligands (O delta 1 and O delta 2 of Asp175, O delta of Asn121, main-chain carbonyl oxygens of Glu162 and Glu210, and three water molecules). A secondary binding site was identified at the bottom of the substrate binding cleft; it involves the residues presumed to play a catalytic role (Asp206 and Glu230). This explains the inhibitory effect of calcium observed at higher concentrations. Neutral Aspergillus oryzae (TAKA) alpha-amylase was also refined in a new crystal at 2.1-A resolution. The structure of this homologous (over 80%) enzyme and additional kinetic studies support all the structural conclusions regarding both calcium-binding sites.

Expression of human alpha 2-macroglobulin cDNA in baby hamster kidney fibroblasts: secretion of high levels of active alpha 2-macroglobulin

Human alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) is a unique 720-kDa proteinase inhibitor with a broad specificity. Unlike most other proteinase inhibitors, it does not inhibit proteolytic activity by blocking the active site of the proteinase. During complex formation with a proteinase, alpha 2M entraps the proteinase molecule in a reaction that involves large conformational changes in alpha 2M. We describe the molecular cloning of alpha 2M cDNA from the human hepatoblastoma cell line HepG2. The cDNA was subcloned under control of the adenovirus major late promoter in a mammalian expression vector and introduced into the baby hamster kidney (BHK) cell line. Transformed clones were isolated and tested for production of human alpha 2M with a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Human recombinant alpha 2M (r alpha 2M), secreted and purified from isolated transfected BHK cell lines, was structurally and functionally compared to alpha 2M purified from human serum. The results show that r alpha 2M was secreted from the BHK cells as an active proteinase-binding tetramer with functional thiol esters. Cleavage reactions of r alpha 2M with methylamine and trypsin showed that the recombinant product, which was correctly processed at the N-terminus, exhibited molecular characteristics similar to those of the human serum derived reference. Moreover, r alpha 2M-trypsin complex bound to purified human placental alpha 2M receptor with an affinity indistinguishable from that of a complex formed from serum-derived alpha 2M and trypsin.

Quenching of the amidolytic activity of one-chain tissue-type plasminogen activator by mutation of lysine-416

In contrast to most other serine proteases, tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) possesses enzymatic activity as the one-chain zymogen form. The hypothesis that lysine residues 277 or 416 may be involved in stabilization of an active conformation of one-chain t-PA via salt-bridge formation with aspartic acid residue 477 was tested by site-directed mutagenesis. Four recombinant t-PA mutants were constructed. The amidolytic activities of these analogues were compared to that of authentic t-PA. Substitution of arginine-275 provided an analogue [( R275G]t-PA) resistant to plasmin cleavage. The amidolytic activity of [R275G]t-PA was comparable to that of authentic one-chain t-PA, and so was the activity of [R275L,K277L]t-PA, in which additional substitution of lysine residue 277 was carried out. This suggested that its presence was nonessential for obtaining one-chain t-PA activity. In contrast, substitution of lysine residue 416 to obtain [K416S]t-PA and [K416S,H417T]t-PA resulted in substantial quenching of amidolytic one-chain activity. As expected, the amidolytic activities of the two-chain forms were less affected by the substitution. Involvement of lysine residue 416 in one-chain t-PA activity was also indicated by decreased activities of [K416S]t-PA and [K416S,H417T]t-PA with plasminogen as the substrate. The one-chain activity of the lysine residue 416 substitution analogues was partially restored in the presence of fibrin. This could indicate that strong ligands such as fibrin might provide an alternative stabilization of the active conformation of one-chain t-PA.

Partial processing of the neuropeptide Y precursor in transfected CHO cells

The activation of regulatory peptides by post-translational modification of their biosynthetic precursors is generally thought to occur only in neuroendocrine cells. We have selected clones of Chinese hamster ovary cells, a non-neuroendocrine cell line, which were transfected with a eukaryotic expression vector coding for the precursor for neuropeptide Y. Although the majority of the immunoreactive NPY was found in the form of pro-NPY, some degree of intracellular proteolytic processing of the precursor occurred in all clones. Part of the intracellular NPY immunoreactivity was even correctly amidated. Extracellular degradation of pro-NPY in the tissue culture medium generated immunoreactivity which corresponded in size to NPY. It is concluded that precursor processing can occur in non-neuroendocrine cells both as a biological process within the cells and as apparent processing, degradation in the tissue culture medium.

Rhizomucor miehei triglyceride lipase is processed and secreted from transformed Aspergillus oryzae

The cDNA encoding the precursor of the Rhizomucor miehei triglyceride lipase was inserted in an Aspergillus oryzae expression vector. In this vector the expression of the lipase cDNA is under control of the Aspergillus oryzae alpha-amylase gene promoter and the Aspergillus niger glucoamylase gene terminator. The recombinant plasmid was introduced into Aspergillus oryzae, and transformed colonies were selected and screened for lipase expression. Lipase-positive transformants were grown in a small fermentor, and recombinant triglyceride lipase was purified from the culture broth. The purified enzymatically active recombinant lipase (rRML) secreted from A. oryzae was shown to have the same characteristics with respect to mobility on reducing SDS-gels and amino acid composition as the native enzyme. N-terminal amino acid sequencing indicated that approximately 70% of the secreted rRML had the same N-terminal sequence as the native Rhizomucor miehei enzyme, whereas 30% of the secreted rRML was one amino acid residue shorter in the N-terminal. The recombinant lipase precursor, which has a 70 amino acid propeptide, is thus processed in and secreted from Aspergillus oryzae. We have hereby demonstrated the utility of this organism as a host for the production of recombinant triglyceride lipases.