ConA-Like Lectins: High Similarity Proteins as Models to Study Structure/Biological Activities Relationships

Lectins are a widely studied group of proteins capable of specific and reversible binding to carbohydrates. Undoubtedly, the best characterized are those extracted from plants of the Leguminosae family. Inside this group of proteins, those from the Diocleinae subtribe have attracted attention, in particular Concanavalin A (ConA), the best-studied lectin of the group. Diocleinae lectins, also called ConA-like lectins, present a high similarity of sequence and three-dimensional structure and are known to present inflammatory, vasoactive, antibiotic, immunomodulatory and antitumor activities, among others. This high similarity of lectins inside the ConA-like group makes it possible to use them to study structure/biological activity relationships by the variability of both carbohydrate specificity and biological activities results. It is in this context the following review aims to summarize the most recent data on the biochemical and structural properties, as well as biological activities, of ConA-like lectins and the use of these lectins as models to study structure/biological activity relationships.

Single step purification of concanavalin A (Con A) and bio-sugar production from jack bean using glucosylated magnetic nano matrix

Jack bean (JB, Canavalia ensiformis) is the source of bio-based products, such as proteins and bio-sugars that contribute to modern molecular biology and biomedical research. In this study, the use of jack bean was evaluated as a source for concanavalin A (Con A) and bio-sugar production. A novel method for purifying Con A from JBs was successfully developed using a glucosylated magnetic nano matrix (GMNM) as a physical support, which facilitated easy separation and purification of Con A. In addition, the enzymatic conversion rate of 2% (w/v) Con A extracted residue to bio-sugar was 98.4%. Therefore, this new approach for the production of Con A and bio-sugar is potentially useful for obtaining bio-based products from jack bean.

Metal mesh device sensor immobilized with a trimethoxysilane-containing glycopolymer for label-free detection of proteins and bacteria

Biosensors for the detection of proteins and bacteria have been developed using glycopolymer-immobilized metal mesh devices. The trimethoxysilane-containing glycopolymer was immobilized onto a metal mesh device using the silane coupling reaction. The surface shape and transmittance properties of the original metal mesh device were maintained following the immobilization of the glycopolymer. The mannose-binding protein (concanavalin A) could be detected at concentrations in the range of 10(-9) to 10(-6) mol L(-1) using the glycopolymer-immobilized metal mesh device sensor, whereas another protein (bovine serum albumin) was not detected. A detection limit of 1 ng mm(-2) was achieved for the amount of adsorbed concanavalin A. The glycopolymer-immobilized metal mesh device sensor could also detect bacteria as well as protein. The mannose-binding strain of Escherichia coli was specifically detected by the glycopolymer-immobilized metal mesh device sensor. The glycopolymer-immobilized metal mesh device could therefore be used as a label-free biosensor showing high levels of selectivity and sensitivity toward proteins and bacteria.

Disulphide production by Ero1α-PDI relay is rapid and effectively regulated

The molecular networks that control endoplasmic reticulum (ER) redox conditions in mammalian cells are incompletely understood. Here, we show that after reductive challenge the ER steady-state disulphide content is restored on a time scale of seconds. Both the oxidase Ero1α and the oxidoreductase protein disulphide isomerase (PDI) strongly contribute to the rapid recovery kinetics, but experiments in ERO1-deficient cells indicate the existence of parallel pathways for disulphide generation. We find PDI to be the main substrate of Ero1α, and mixed-disulphide complexes of Ero1 primarily form with PDI, to a lesser extent with the PDI-family members ERp57 and ERp72, but are not detectable with another homologue TMX3. We also show for the first time that the oxidation level of PDIs and glutathione is precisely regulated. Apparently, this is achieved neither through ER import of thiols nor by transport of disulphides to the Golgi apparatus. Instead, our data suggest that a dynamic equilibrium between Ero1- and glutathione disulphide-mediated oxidation of PDIs constitutes an important element of ER redox homeostasis.

A ConA-like lectin from Dioclea guianensis Benth. has antifungal activity against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, unlike its homologues, ConM and ConA

This study reports on the antifungal activity of Dgui, a ConA-like lectin from Dioclea guianensis seeds. Dgui inhibited conidial germination but not mycelial growth of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The lectins ConA and ConM from Canavalia ensiformis and Canavalia maritima, respectively, share high levels of amino acid sequence similarity (>84%) with Dgui and have the same specificity toward glucose/mannose but had no effect on the fungus. Fluorescence microscopy showed that both Dgui and ConM bind to C. gloeosporioides ungerminated conidia. However, Dgui did not bind to C. gloeosporioides germinated conidia and germ tubes and was not inhibitory to mycelial growth. Because only Dgui inhibited germination of the fungus, C. gloeosporioides conidia might have surface-specific germination targets recognized by Dgui but not by its homologues, ConM and ConA. Therefore, Dgui is a candidate for biotechnological approaches for improving the resistance of various nutritionally and commercially important crops that are affected by C. gloeosporioides.

Single step immobilized metal ion affinity precipitation/chromatography based procedures for purification of concanavalin A and Cajanus cajan mannose-specific lectin

Concanavalin A and a mannose-specific lectin could be precipitated specifically from extracts of jack bean and Cajanus cajan seeds, respectively, using metal charged EGTA. Single step purification of the lectins was also possible using iminodiacetic acid-Sepharose charged with metal ions. Nondenaturing electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel and that performed in presence of SDS ascertained homogeneity of the isolated lectins. The migration behavior of the purified lectins was comparable with those of the lectins purified using alternative procedures.

Superparamagnetic adsorbents for high-gradient magnetic fishing of lectins out of legume extracts

This work presents the development, testing, and application in high-gradient magnetic fishing of superparamagnetic supports for adsorption of lectins. Various approaches were examined to produce affinity, mixed mode, and hydrophobic charge induction type adsorbents. In clean monocomponent systems affinity supports created by direct attachment of glucose or maltose to amine-terminated iron oxide particles could bind concanavalin A at levels of up to approximately 280 mg g(-1) support with high affinity ( approximately 1 microM dissociation constants). However, the best performance was delivered by adsorbents featuring coupled tentacular dextran chains displaying a maximum binding capacity of 238 mg g(-1) and a dissociation constant of 0.13 microM. Adsorbents derivatized with mixed mode or hydrophobic charge induction ligands likewise demonstrated very high capacities for both concanavalin A and Lens culinaris agglutinin (> or = 250 mg g(-1)) with dissociation constants in the micromolar range, though neither of these systems showed any selectivity for lectins in leguminous extracts. When the affinity supports were applied to carbohydrate containing legume extracts only the dextran-linked adsorbents supplied sufficient competition to dissolved sugars to selectively bind concanavalin A in an extract of jack beans. The dextran-linked supports were employed in a high-gradient magnetic fishing experiment, in which concanavalin A was purified to near homogeneity from a crude, unclarified extract of jack beans.

[Direct UV detection of glucose and its derivatives in capillary zone electrophoresis]

UV labeling detection has been commonly used to determine the association constants between lectins and saccharides, but the interaction is always between the labeled carbohydrates, rather than the truly underivatized carbohydrates, and lectins. In order to directly detect saccharides during the study on the interaction of glucose and its derivatives with lectins (e.g., concanavalin A), a capillary zone electrophoretic method with detection at a wavelength of 195 nm has been developed. The influences of various separation conditions including buffer concentration, pH and voltage were investigated. By using an uncoated silica capillary (50 microns i.d., 375 microns o.d., 48.5 cm of total length, and 44.0 cm to the detector) and 50 mmol/L Na2HPO(4)-50 mmol/L NaH2PO4 solution (near to the physiological pH of 7.4) as buffer, the underivatized sugars, including glucosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, glucose, and sodium gluconate, were sufficiently separated within 11 min at an applied voltage of 10 kV. On-column UV monitoring allowed the detection of these compounds at less than 4 mmol/L level, and quantification by the peak area method allowed reproducible determination of them at least at their respective concentration ranges. The method is characterized by its simplicity, rapidity, and reproducibility, and should be useful for the analysis of the interaction of glucose and its derivatives with lectins.

The isolation and properties of the dimeric subunit of concanavalin A

Concanavalin A (Con A) was dissociated into dimeric and monomeric subunits by incubation at 37 degrees C in acetate buffer of pH 3.8 containing 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate. The dimer was isolated in pure form by a density gradient ultracentrifugation method. Several properties of the dimer were determined including the formation of a precipitin with anti-Con A antibodies, the molecular weight, the lack of a binding site for glycogen, the lack of mitogenic activity for spleen lymphocytes, and the lack of inhibition by alpha-methyl D-glucoside. The latter findings differ from results reported by other investigators.

Affinity precipitation of concanavalin A--studies of some underlying mechanisms using dynamic laser light scattering

The final outcome of an affinity precipitation process will depend upon the efficiency of each individual stage involved: the formation of initial affinity complexes, the build-up of a precipitate and the elution of the target protein. Investigations on the first stage were done in this study utilizing a model system. The target protein was the lectin concanavalin A (Con A). Eudragit S-100, a reversibly soluble/insoluble polymer consisting of methyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid, to which the affinity ligand p-aminophenyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside was coupled, served as the bifunctional ligand (ligand-Eudragit). Owing to the tetrameric structure of Con A, where each subunit has the ability to bind one sugar moiety, and to the multivalency of ligand-Eudragit, a network was formed between the Con A and ligand-Eudragit. It was possible to detect the initial soluble complexes formed by dynamic laser light scattering (DLLS) long before any precipitate could be analysed by transmittance measurements. The rate of complex formation was highly dependent on the ratio between lectin and ligand-Eudragit. It was further shown that the system did not reach equilibrium within the 110 min studied. When the complex formation was studied in the presence of glucose, the build-up rate was decreased to different degrees depending on the sugar concentration used. At high glucose concentrations the complex formation was completely inhibited.

A general method for co-crystallization of concanavalin A with carbohydrates

A small grid of conditions has been developed for co-crystallization of the plant lectin concanavalin A (conA) and polysaccharides. Crystals have been obtained of complexes of conA with alpha1-2 mannobiose, 1-methyl alpha1-2 mannobiose, fructose, a trisaccharide and a pentasaccharide. The crystals diffract to resolutions of 1. 75-2.7 A using a copper rotating-anode source. The crystals are grown in the presence of polyethylene glycol 6K [10-20%(w/v)] at around pH 6.0. Optimization for each particular carbohydrate requires small adjustments in the conditions; however, all complexes give some crystalline precipitate in this limited grid. The alpha1-2 mannobiose complex crystals diffract to 1.75 A with space group I222 and cell dimensions a = 91.7, b = 86.8, c = 66.6 A. One monomer is present in the asymmetric unit. The 1-methyl alpha1-2 mannobioside complex crystallizes in space group P212121, cell dimensions a = 119. 7, b = 119.7, c = 68.9 A and diffract to 2.75 A. One tetramer is present in the asymmetric unit. Two crystal forms of the conA-fructose complex have been obtained. The first has space group P212121, cell dimensions a = 121.7, b = 119.9, c = 67.3 A with a tetramer in the asymmetric unit and diffracts to 2.6 A. The second crystallizes in space group C2221, cell dimensions a = 103.3, b = 117.9, c = 254.3 A with two dimers in the asymmetric unit and diffracts to 2.42 A. Structures and crystallization of the trisaccharide-conA and pentasaccharide-conA complexes have already been reported. In all complexes, the protein is found as a tetramer, although varying combinations of non-crystallographic and crystallographic symmetry are involved in generating the tetramer. The precise packing of the tetramer varies from crystal to crystal and it is likely that this variability facilitates crystallization.

Preparation of a new thermo-responsive adsorbent with maltose as a ligand and its application to affinity precipitation

A thermo-responsive polymer on which maltose was covalently immobilized as an affinity ligand was newly synthesized for purification of thermolabile proteins from the crude solution by affinity precipitation. Among the thermo-responsive polymers synthesized as carriers for adsorbent, poly(N-acryloylpiperidine)-cysteamine (pAP) has a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of around 4 degrees C, at which its solubility exhibits a sharp change. Adsorbent for affinity precipitation was prepared by combining pAP with maltose using trimethylamine-borane as a reducing reagent. This adsorbent (pAPM) obtained showed a good solubility response: pAPM in the basal buffer (pH 7.0) became soluble below 4 degrees C and was completely insoluble above 8 degrees C. The affinity precipitation method using pAPM consisted of the following four steps: adsorption at 4 degrees C, precipitation of the complex at 10 degrees C, desorption by adding the desorption reagent at 4 degrees C, and recovery of a target protein at 10 degrees C. In the affinity precipitation of Con A from the crude extract of jack bean meal, 82% of Con A added was recovered with 80% purity by addition of 0.2 M methyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside as a desorption reagent. In the repeated purification of Con A from the crude extract, pAPM could be satisfactorily reused without decrease in the affinity performance. Moreover, when pAPM was used for the purification of thermolabile alpha-glucosidase from the cell-free extract of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 68% of total activity added was recovered and the specific activity per amount of protein of the purified solution was enhanced 206-fold higher than that of the cell-free extract without thermal deactivation of the enzyme.

Crystallization of succinylated concanavalin A bound to a synthetic bivalent ligand and preliminary structural analysis

Crystals have been obtained of succinylated concanavalin A complexed to a novel bidentate synthetic ligand. The crystals are the first example of a lectin with a synthetic multivalent ligand and the first report of crystallization of succinylated concanavalin A. The crystals were obtained by sitting-drop vapour diffusion equilibrating with a solution of 20% polyethylene glycol, pH 5, 293. 5 K. Crystals are orthorhombic, belonging to space group C2221 with unit-cell dimensions of a = 99.1, b = 127.4, c = 118.9 A. The asymmetric unit contains a dimer, with over 65% of the volume occupied by water. The ligand cross links concanavalin A monomers. Succinylated concanavalin A is known to be a dimer in solution, yet it is found as the typical concanavalin A tetramer in the crystal. The contacts holding together the tetramer appear extensive and suggest that a fine balance between dimer and tetramers exists. Data to 2.65 A have been collected and the structure determined by the molecular replacement method.

Peptide separation in normal phase liquid chromatography

A new method is established for separating peptides in normal phase liquid chromatography using TSK gel Amide-80, carbamoyl groups bonded to a silica gel matrix, and an acetonitrile-water solution containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. Peptide retention time increased with acetonitrile concentration in the initial eluent. Hydrophilic peptides with no retention in a reversed phase column were retained and separated in the present method. Separation selectivities in the present and reversed phase methods differed significantly. Two-dimensional separation of protein digest using reversed and normal phases was conducted, taking advantage of the differences in selectivities. All peptides obtained from the digest could be separated completely. The present method is useful for separating peptide mixtures in conjunction with reversed phase liquid chromatography. Peptide recovery from the Amide-80 column exceeded 80%, as with the reversed phase column, and repeatability and reproducibility were satisfactory.

Salicylaldehyde-metal-amino acid ternary complex: a new tool for immobilized metal affinity chromatography

An immobilized salicylaldehyde (sal) was used to build various salicylaldehyde-copper-amino acid (Sal-Cu-AA) complexes which are stable at a range of pH values (2.0-11.0). The complexes were found to bind protein molecules as IMAC resins. Thirteen proteins were examined for their binding to a Sal-Cu-Gly column. The efficacy of the Sal-Cu-AA resin for protein separation were demonstrated by two examples. The first was a new purification process for garlic lectins from garlic crude extract. It seems that in this case the Sal-Cu-AA resins were more selective than IDA resin. The second was immobilization of concanavalin A (Con A) on the resin and using the immobilized Con A for affinity chromatography of mannose-rich glycoprotein ovalbumin. The Con A could be later eluted with EDTA or imidazole and the Sal-containing polymer could be recharged again for further use.

Trends and challenges in experimental macromolecular crystallography

Macromolecular X-ray crystallography underpins the vigorous field of structural molecular biology having yielded many protein, nucleic acid and virus structures in fine detail. The understanding of the recognition by these macromolecules, as receptors, of their cognate ligands involves the detailed study of the structural chemistry of their molecular interactions. Also these structural details underpin the rational design of novel inhibitors in modern drug discovery in the pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, from such structures the functional details can be inferred, such as the biological chemistry of enzyme reactivity. There is then a vast number and range of types of biological macromolecules that potentially could be studied. The completion of the protein primary sequencing of the yeast genome, and the human genome sequencing project comprising some 105proteins that is underway, raises expectations for equivalent three dimensional structural databases.

Crystallographic structure of metal-free concanavalin A at 2.5 A resolution

The three-dimensional structure of demetallized concanavalin A has been determined at 2.5 A resolution and refined to a crystallographic R-factor of 18%. The lectin activity of concanavalin A requires the binding of both a transition metal ion, generally Mn2+, and a Ca2+ ion in two neighboring sites in close proximity to the carbohydrate binding site. Large structural differences between the native and the metal-free lectin are observed in the metal-binding region and consequently for the residues involved in the specific binding of saccharides. The demetallization invokes a series of conformational changes in the protein backbone, apparently initiated mainly by the loss of the calcium ion. Most of the Mn2+ ligands retain their position, but the Ca2+ binding site is destroyed. The Ala207-Asp208 peptide bond, in the beta-strand neighboring the metal-binding sites, undergoes a cis to trans isomerization. The cis conformation for this bond is a highly conserved feature among the leguminous lectins and is critically maintained by the Ca2+ ion in metal-bound concanavalin A. A further and major change adjacent to the isomerized bond is an expansion of the loop containing the monosaccharide ligand residues Leu99 and Tyr100. The dispersion of the ligand residues for the monosaccharide binding site (Asn14, Agr228, Asp208, Leu99, and Tyr100) in metal-free concanavalin A abolishes the lectin's ability to bind saccharides. Since the quaternary structure of legume lectins is essential to their biological role, the tetramer formation was analyzed. In the crystal (pH 5), the metal-free concanavalin A dimers associate into a tetramer that is similar to the native one, but with a drastically reduced number of inter-dimer interactions. This explains the tetramer dissociation into dimers below pH values of 6.5.

Analysis of lectin properties with membrane ultrafiltration and high-pressure liquid chromatography

A convenient method for the analysis of the binding properties of lectin with fluorogenic sugar chains is described. A lectin (concanavalin A or Datura stramonium agglutinin) was mixed with pyridylaminated sugar chains in buffer and the free chains obtained were isolated by membrane ultrafiltration. The amount of free sugar chains in the filtrate was measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The binding constants with the sugar chains, reaction kinetics, and other properties of these lectins were easily investigated. The method is simple and could be used to study the characteristics of any lectin in native form.

Non-glycosylated recombinant pro-concanavalin A is active without polypeptide cleavage

The complex post-translational processing of concanavalin A (Con A) in maturing jackbeans is unique because the non-glycosylated mature active protein is circularly permuted in primary sequence relative to its own inactive precursor (glycosylated pro-Con A) and to other legume lectins. We show here that non-glycosylated pro-Con A expressed in bacteria from recombinant cDNA (rec-pro-Con A) folds in vivo and in vitro to a stable form which is active without further processing. N-glycosylation alone must therefore be sufficient to inactivate pro-Con A--a novel role for glycosylation in regulating activity during protein maturation.

The glycoprotein precursor of concanavalin A is converted to an active lectin by deglycosylation

We have previously shown that concanavalin A is synthesized as a glycoprotein precursor that is unable to bind to sugars and is processed through six intermediate forms before assembly of the mature active lectin. Since processing involves removal of the N-glycan, four proteolytic steps and a religation, the precise event that leads to carbohydrate binding activity was not known. We have now purified the glycoprotein precursor from microsomal membranes and show that deglycosylation in vitro is sufficient alone to convert the precursor to an active carbohydrate binding protein. This is the first demonstration of a novel role for N-glycans and N-glycanases in the regulation of protein activity.

Leaching of concanavalin A during affinity chromatographic isolation of cell surface glycoproteins from human fetal neurons and glial cells

Preparation of surface glycoproteins from human fetal brain cells by affinity chromatography on Con A-Sepharose 4B was a problematic endeavor due to leaching of Con A from the matrix. Dissociation of Con A from the matrix took place irrespective of the presence of lipid and/or detergent and the buffer composition during chromatography and was apparently related to the nature of the protein under study. Pretreatment of Con A-Sepharose with 6 M guanidine or 8 M urea reduced Con A leaching. The Con A eluate also contained noncovalently associated glycolipid. Elution at 25 degrees C rendered fractions containing a higher degree of Con A and glycolipid contamination compared to the negligible contamination by these two components when elution was carried out at 4 degrees C. This phenomenon was attributed to the formation of heterogeneous mixed micelles of glycoprotein.

"Glutaraldehyde-P", a stable, reactive aldehyde matrix for affinity chromatography

A high-performance affinity chromatography support based on silica has been developed for the immobilization of proteins containing primary amino groups. A hydrophilic polymer covalently bound to the silica surface minimizes nonspecific protein binding to the support while preserving high binding capacity. The Schiff base reaction involved in the coupling of a ligand to the affinity medium is rapid, allows the use of mild conditions during the coupling process, and results in a very stable linkage. Reaction parameters were studied for protein coupling to the affinity support to determine optimum binding conditions and dynamic capacity as a function of protein size. The stability of the ligand-matrix bond was determined. The performance and reproducibility of the affinity support are demonstrated by its use in the analysis of nitrophenyl sugar derivatives, purification of glycoproteins, and isolation of anti-bovine immunoglobulin G developed in rabbit.

Composite affinity sorbents and their cleaning in place

Making large-scale affinity sorbents that are reusable under acceptable hygienic conditions implies specific treatments for cleaning in place with known aqueous solutions of chemical agents. However, common agents such as sodium hydroxide are frequently considered too drastic for the stability of macromolecular biologically active immobilized ligands. According to a large series of trials, it was found that only a mixture of sodium hydroxide and ethanol was actually effective in sterilizing a sorbent in a single step. When hydroxide or an ethanol-acetic acid mixture were used alone, they were not totally efficient in the inactivation of sporulated Bacillus subtilis. Conversely, they were efficient when used sequentially. All these solutions were able to remove pyrogens from chromatographic sorbents. As the sterilizing solutions contained a certain amount of ethanol, the most suitable chromatographic affinity sorbents had to be based on an incompressible matrix. When washing an affinity silica sorbent that had proteins as ligands with solutions such as sodium hydroxide, ethanol-acetic acid or ethanol-sodium hydroxide, it was found that certain sorbents were able to tolerate the treatments without a noticeable decrease in their biochemical activity.

Carbohydrates as a tool for oriented immobilization of antigens and antibodies

A biospecific sorbent for the isolation of ovalbumin antibodies was prepared by coupling of ovalbumin via its periodate-oxidized carbohydrate moiety to bead cellulose modified with adipic acid dihydrazide. The anti-ovalbumin IgG fraction isolated on this sorbent from immune rabbit serum contained only antibodies against protein determinants of ovalbumin. Thus, when these IgG were immobilized through their carbohydrate moieties to cellulose beads it became possible to prepare a biospecific sorbent for concanavalin A by oriented adsorption of ovalbumin. Ovalbumin was specifically adsorbed via its protein moiety and its carbohydrate part remained free for interaction with concanavalin A.

Delipidation of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein. Propranolol binding to this glycoprotein and its modification by extracted material and exogenous lipids

Propranolol binding to human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) delipidated by two methods is described. Commercial AAG (99% pure) was either precipitated by ethanol-acetone and then washed by ether, or it was precipitated by ethanol. Binding capacity was quantified by the product n x Ka where n denotes the number of binding sites and Ka the association constant (M-1). Propranolol binding to nondelipidated AAG (n x Ka = 0.113 +/- 0.013 microM-1) was clearly increased after precipitation by ethanol-acetone (n x Ka = 0.386 +/- 0.109 microM-1) or precipitation by ethanol (n x Ka = 0.312 +/- 0.096 microM-1). Binding capacity potentiation cannot be due to modification of AAG microheterogeneity forms, as two-dimensional gel electrophoresis pattern of AAG in presence of concanavalin A was not altered after both methods. Recombination of precipitated AAGs with supernatant dry residue resulted in the abrogation of observed potentiation. Moreover, addition of a polar lipid, linoleic acid, (from 30 to 300 microM) strongly inhibited propranolol binding. These results indicated that glycoprotein precipitation by ethanol provided a simple method to further study binding inhibitors associated with isolated AAG.

Crosslinking of concanavalin A with glutaraldehyde

Crosslinking of Concanavalin A with low concentrations of glutaraldehyde gives a mixture of products. A specific product having about 66% of the biological activity of the native molecule was characterized. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed the presence of monomers, dimers, trimers, tetramers, and a small amount of pentamers as products. The presence of alpha-methyl mannoside during crosslinking changed the nature of the products, yielding a product retaining 80% of the biological activity. The crosslinked products showed greater stability than the native molecule at alkaline pH. However, the greatest stability under alkaline conditions was shown by the native molecule itself where alpha-methyl mannoside was present.

Determination of chemical properties of individual histidine and tyrosine residues of concanavalin A by competitive labeling with 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene

A selective peptide-mapping procedure was devised to purify peptides containing histidine or tyrosine residues from proteolytic digests of concanavalin A (Con A). The protein was modified with maleic anhydride followed by 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (Dnp-F) and then digested with thermolysin. The resulting labeled peptides were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the Dnp-histidine and Dnp-tyrosine peptides were identified by their spectral characteristics. From their amino acid compositions, the labeled peptides could all be assigned within the known sequence. Peptides representing five of the six histidines and all seven tyrosines were obtained. With the same peptide-mapping procedure, the chemical properties (pK and reactivity) of these residues were determined. Samples of concanavalin A at various pH values were labeled with trace amounts of [3H]Dnp-F, in the presence of Gln-Gly as an internal standard. To each sample was added an aliquot of a mixture of [14C]Dnp-Gln-Gly and [14C]Dnp-maleyl-Con A. Portions of each sample were removed, [14C]Dnp-Ala-Ala and epsilon-[14C]Dnp-lysine were added, and the mixtures were hydrolyzed. The various Dnp amino acid derivatives were purified by HPLC. The remainder of each [3H]Dnp sample was maleylated, dinitrophenylated, and digested with thermolysin and separated by HPLC as above. From the 3H/14C ratios of the Dnp amino acid derivatives and the Dnp peptides relative to the ratio of the internal standard, pK and reactivity data were obtained for (a) the average behavior of the lysine, histidine, and tyrosine residues and (b) the individual behavior of the N-terminal alanine residue and the five histidine and seven tyrosine residues in the protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characterization of a concanavalin A supernatant-derived idiotype-specific T helper cell factor

We have previously demonstrated the requirement of two T helper (Th) populations for the expression of plaque-forming cells (PFC) that bear the dominant cross-reactive idiotype (CRI) associated with the phenyltrimethylammonium (TMA) response (1). In addition to the classic major histocompatibility complex-restricted Th cell, the response was also dependent upon the so-called second order Th2 population, which binds to idiotypic determinants, is carrier specific, but does not require hapten linked to carrier for function. This cell type can be replaced by supernatant (Sn) media from concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated naive spleen cells. This report involves the study of the Con A Sn derived factor(s) responsible for the expression of CRI bearing PFC populations. When the Brucella abortus (BA)-trinitrophenol (TNP) conjugated antigen is added to TNP-ovalbumin-primed A/J-derived spleen cells in culture, anti-TNP PFC are generated of which only less than or equal to 5% bear the CRI normally associated with anti-TMA antibodies. Upon addition of Con A Sn, the total number of generated anti-TNP PFC doubles, whereas the percentage and number of CRI+ PFC increases approximately eightfold to 10-fold. The factor(s) responsible for this activity are T cell derived, bear Jk serologic determinants, and can be detected in the Sn as early as 4 hr after Con A stimulation. The material appears to be late acting, because it can augment the CRI+ anti-TNP response when added as late as 24 hr before termination of the cultures. In addition, the factor(s) can be bound to and eluted from CRI+ anti-TMA and anti-TNP monoclonal antibodies coupled to Sepharose 4B beads, but not from their CRI- counterparts (i.e., CRI- anti-TMA and anti-TNP antibodies), nor from A/J normal mouse immunoglobulin-coupled beads. Most interestingly, the factor(s) also bind to and can be eluted from the TMA ligand coupled to Sepharose 4B, but not from TNP-Sepharose conjugates. All of these results are consistent with the support the contention that the factor(s) is derived from a Th2-like subpopulation. As assayed by standard protocols, the isolated material contains no T cell replacing factor, interleukin 2, or B cell growth factor activity.

Induction of suppressor cells, interleukin-2 production and mitogenesis with monomeric concanavalin A: different actions of tetrameric and monomeric concanavalin A

The ability of a photoalkylated monomeric concanavalin A (Con A) derivative to induce mitogenesis, interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and suppressor cells in murine spleen cell cultures has been compared with the activity of native, tetrameric Con A. The monomeric derivative was prepared by photochemically induced alkylation of tryptophan residues of tetravalent Con A in the presence of chloroacetamide followed by sizing chromatography [Tanaka et al. (1981) J. Biochem. 89, 1643-1646]. The monomeric derivative appeared to display less mitogenic activity than the tetramer and was also less effective in inducing IL-2 production. No difference was detected between the monomeric and tetrameric forms of Con A in inducing suppressor cells. The data suggest that cross-linking and bridging via sugar-binding sites, while potentiating mitogenesis and IL-2 production, had little effect on suppressor cell induction.

Stimulated rat T cell-derived inhibitory factor for cellular DNA synthesis (STIF). III. Effect on cell proliferation and immune responses

Stimulated T cell-derived inhibitory factor for cellular DNA synthesis (STIF), a lymphokine produced from concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated rat suppressor T cells, was examined for its inhibitory effect on various cultured cells and on in vitro immune reactions. STIF could inhibit the DNA synthesis of a variety of normal and neoplastic cells from rats, mice, and humans in a dose-dependent fashion. Kinetics studies revealed that STIF selectively inhibited cellular DNA synthesis after incubation for 12 hr, but after 36 hr, it also inhibited RNA and protein syntheses. The inhibited cellular DNA synthesis by 12-hr incubation with STIF was recovered after culturing the cells in STIF-free medium. The inhibitory effect of STIF on the DNA synthesis was not blocked by addition of a sugar (alpha-methyl-D-mannoside, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, L-fucose, or L-rhamnose) in culture, as determined by using rat bone marrow cells. STIF inhibited proliferative responses of rat lymphocytes to T cell mitogens, Con A and phytohemagglutinin, and a B cell mitogen, lipopolysaccharide, as well as IL 2-dependent growth of cloned T572 cells. It could also inhibit both blastogenesis and cytotoxic T cell generation in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction. The release of IL 2 from Con A-stimulated T cells was also inhibited by the added STIF in culture, as demonstrated from the finding that IL 2 activity was not detected in the supernatants even after an anion-exchange column chromatography. These results indicate that STIF could inhibit cellular DNA synthesis in a species-unrestricted manner and thus inhibits the proliferation of various normal and neoplastic cells, and that it could also inhibit lectin- or IL 2-dependent T cell proliferation as well as IL 2 production from T cells in in vitro immune reactions.

Toxofactor associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection is toxic and teratogenic to mice

A toxin associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection was obtained from the trophozoites and culture medium used to propagate the parasite in cell cultures. The toxin, named Toxofactor (TF), administered parenterally or nonparenterally in adult mice, produces transient symptoms of lethargy, ruffled fur, and body weight loss. Organ changes which accompanied the outward symptoms included hepatosplenomegaly and involuted thymus. TF activity was detected in extracts of the blood, peritoneal fluid, liver, and spleen of infected mice. Severe damage to embryonal and fetal development was induced when TF was administered during pregnancy. Resorption, abortion, and congenital abnormalities were produced, dependent upon the stage of development at the time of exposure. Adult mice which had reacted to and recovered from an initial intraperitoneal injection to TF were protected against a secondary challenge from TF. Fetal development was also protected from damage when TF was used to challenge adults previously exposed to TF. Mouse and rabbit anti-TF sera neutralized TF activity in the adult. In no instance did control mice show any deleterious effect when exposed to soluble cell lysate from the uninfected cell line (BHK-21) used to propagate the organism plus the used medium from these same uninfected cells. TF activity was not attributed to bacterial, myocoplasmal, or viral contamination. TF toxic activity is labile to elevated temperature and high or low pH, which also destroy its protective properties. TF activity was sensitive to trypsin and was obtained in the elution fraction (alpha-methyl-D-mannoside) from affinity chromatography (concanavalin A-Sepharose 4B). Ultrafiltration indicated the molecular weight to be between 50,000 and 100,000. TF, apparently a glycoprotein, was quantitated for activity by a weight loss assay. A unit of activity was defined as the minimum quantity of TF (highest dilution) which produced at least a 10% average body weight loss in adult Nya:NYLAR female mice between days 7 and 12 post-intraperitoneal injection.

Enhancement of macrophage Fc-dependent phagocytosis by resident thymocytes: effect of a unique heat-stable lymphokine

Lymphocytes, activated by lectins or specific antigens, have been shown to enhance macrophage phagocytosis through the elaboration of a heat-labile soluble factor(s). Recent evidence from our laboratory revealed that resident (nonactivated) murine thymocytes and splenic lymphocytes increase peritoneal macrophage glucose metabolism through the elaboration of a heat-stable soluble factor(s). Therefore, we investigated the effect of resident lymphocyte subpopulations on macrophage Fc-dependent phagocytosis. Thioglycollate-elicited and resident peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice were cultured in serum-free media with syngeneic resident thymocytes or splenic T lymphocytes. Macrophage Fc-dependent phagocytosis was assayed by measuring the ingestion of 51CrSHEA. After 4 days in vitro, resident thymocytes produced a mean 160 (+/- 31) and 136% (+/- 22) increase in Fc-dependent phagocytosis by thioglycollate-elicited (thio-macrophages) and resident peritoneal macrophages, respectively. Splenic T lymphocytes increased thio-macrophage phagocytosis by 112% (+/- 41) under similar conditions. Macrophage Fc-dependent phagocytosis was increased after 24 hr of co-culture by supernatant derived from resident thymocytes and could be further enhanced by supernatant from Con A-activated thymocytes. Supernatant from guinea pig embryo fibroblasts did not increase macrophage phagocytosis. The soluble factor(s) was produced by resident thymocytes after 24 hr of preculture. This factor was active despite heating at 100 degrees C for 30 min whereas the effect of Con A-activated thymocyte supernatant was heat-labile. The stimulatory effect of resident thymocyte supernatant was not observed when the macrophages and supernatant were cultured in 2% FCS. In contrast to the factor(s) produced by resident thymocytes, the factor(s) in FCS that increased phagocytosis was heat-labile. These data suggest thymocytes and splenic T lymphocytes promote macrophage Fc-dependent phagocytosis in the absence of antigenic or lectin stimulation. This previously unrecognized effect of resident thymocytes is due to a unique heat-stable soluble factor(s) that is concealed in the presence of serum.

A high performance liquid chromatography assay for the rapid analysis of the subunit content of concanavalin A

A high performance liquid chromatography system is described which provides a rapid and convenient assay for the relative amounts of intact (26000 dalton) and fragmented (14000 and 12000 dalton) subunits present in preparations of concanavalin A. Analyses were performed on an HPLC size exclusion column using either 8M urea or 6M guanidine hydrochloride as denaturing eluents. The efficiency and resolving power of this technique were confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This HPLC assay facilitated the monitoring of the purification of concanavalin A to prepare a homogeneous preparation necessary for its biological evaluation.

Synthetic glycosyl polymers in isolation, characterization and immobilization of lectins

A review is given on preparative procedures and practical applications in the field of lectins of two types of synthetic polymers: (1) Glycosyl polyacrylamide derivatives - insoluble (cross-linked) and water-soluble (linear) - that are obtained by copolymerization of alkenyl glycosides and acrylamide, and (2) glycosyloxyethyl dimethacrylate copolymers prepared by glycosylation of the commercially available macroporous glycol methacrylate copolymer, Separon. Both types of copolymers are efficient affinity carriers for isolation of lectins. Separon derivatives can be used after partial periodate oxidation of the glycosyl groups for covalent coupling of lectins. Affinity carriers thus obtained can be employed in separation and purification of glycoproteins and other glycosylated macromolecules. Soluble glycosyl polyacrylamide derivatives are useful in precipitation of lectins and, in general, as synthetic model substances for studying interactions of lectins with sugar ligands.

Preparation of T cell growth factor free from interferon and factors stimulating hemopoietic cells and mast cells

A simple two-step method involving ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by hydrophobic chromatography is described for the separation of T cell growth factor (TCGF) from a number of other factors contained in medium conditioned by concanavalin A-stimulated spleen cells. Thus, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, P cell-stimulating activity, pluripotential stem cell-supporting activity and interferon activity were not detected in TCGF partially purified by these steps. T cell-replacing factor co-purified with TCGF. Macrophage activity factor (MAF) co-purified with TCGF, but the ratio of MAF to TCGF activities was reduced more than 20-fold relative to that in crude conditioned medium. All of the factors were present in the 50-80% saturated ammonium sulfate fraction, however, levels of concanavalin A were reduced by 98% in this step. TCGF, separated in this way from these other regulatory factors will be useful in experiments analyzing the actions of TCGF on mixed populations of cells.

[The in vitro proliferative response of human peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated with purified concanavalin A and the analysis of subpopulations of T-cells (author's transl)]

Human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were separated from anticoagulated peripheral blood using the Ficoll-Conraxin-L gradient technique, and were cultured with various concentrations of highly purified concanavalin A (Con A (F3)). Tritiated thymidine incorporation in these cultures was measured. PBL responded well to low doses of Con A (F3) and high doses of Con A (F3), and the dose-response curve to Con A (F3) of PBL seemed to show that bimodal proliferative response with a notch or a peak at 5--6 micrograms/ml of Con A (F3) and the other peak at the higher doses of Con A (F3). As it has been well known that E-rosette-forming cells (E-RFC) in human peripheral blood can be subdivided into two T-cell subpopulations on the basis of their relative affinity for sheep red blood cell (SRBC), we have examined how these T-cell subpopulations could responded to Con A (F3) at varying concentrations. We found that "Low-affinity E-RFC" could be optimally stimulated by Con A (F3) at 5--6 micrograms/ml, while "High-affinity E-RFC" at 8--12 micrograms/ml. 3H-thymidine incorporation of high-affinity E-RFC was strikingly increased at low doses of Con A (F3) when low-affinity E-RFC and high-affinity E-RFC were mixed at 25: 75 ratio, and the dose-response curve was very similar to that of PBL. Moreover when monocytes were added to high affinity E-RFC and the mixture was cultured, the doses-response curve was elevated at low doses of Con A (F3), but the dose-response curve was similar to that of high-affinity E-RFC and different from that of low-affinity E-RFC. Our results suggest that low-affinity E-RFC that has the capacity to respond optimally to Con A (F3) at 5--6 micrograms/ml in the in vitro proliferative response has the important effect upon the in vitro proliferative response of PBL to low doses of Con A (F3).

Preparation of homogeneous concanavalin A

Concanavalin A (Con A), obtained either commercially or by affinity chromatography, was further purified by incubating at 6-8 hr at pH 3.0-3.2 in 1 M NaCl, 0.08 M glycine and 3 mM each Ca2+ and Mn+2, heat treating at 45 degrees C for 2 hr and centrifuging. The supernatant was neutralized to pH 5 and stored in the cold. Te overall yield was 70-80%. Some of the properties of Con A at pH 5 are: The absorption coefficient of a l g/dl solution is 13.7 at 280 nm; the mean residue ellipticity at 224.5 nm is -9,300 degrees to -9,800 degrees; by sedimentation equilibrium, its molecular weight is 53,000 between pH 3.0 and pH 5.2. Con A solutions standing at room temperature at pH 7 for ten days lose through precipitation only 5-8% of the protein in 0.2 M NaCl and 15% of the protein in 0.1 M NaCl. In the solution conditions of SDS and urea-SDS gels, Con A not only unfolds slowly and incompletely, but it also forms high molecular weight aggregates. Thus, electrophoresis of Con a in such gels is unsuitable for tests of homogeneity. However, as judged by sedimentation equilibrium in 6.5 M quanidine at pH 8.1, purified Con A was monodisperse.

Studies on lectins. XLIX. The use of glycosyl derivatives of Dextran T-500 for affinity electrophoresis of lectins

p-Aminophenyl glycosides and glycosylamines were coupled to periodate oxidized Dextran T-500 either directly or through an epsilon-aminocaproic acid spacer. The new glycosylated derivatives of dextran specifically precipitate lectins having the appropriate carbohydrate specificity, and thus were used in the preparation of affinity gels for affinity electrophoresis of lectins. The apparent strength of interaction of several lectins with carbohydrate residues immobilized in this way was less than with carbohydrates immobilized in O-glycosyl polyacrylamide copolymers. The presence of epsilon-aminocaproic spacer had no effect on the strength of interaction. The advantages of this type of macromolecular derivative of the ligand for affinity electrophoresis and some differences between the glycosylated dextrans and O-glycosyl polyacrylamide copolymers are discussed. Dextrans containing bound p-aminophenyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside and p-aminophenyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside were used to study the binding properties of concanavalin A and the lectin from Lathyrus sativus seeds. For the investigation of interaction of lectins from Ricinus communis and Glycine soja seeds, dextran derivatives containing bound p-aminophenyl alpha- and beta-D-galactopyranosides and alpha- and beta-D-galactopyranosylamines were used.

In vitro growth of murine T cells. III. Method for separation of T cell growth factor (TCGF) from concanavalin A and biological activity of the resulting TCGF

T cell growth factor (TCGF) resulting from the incubation of murine splenocytes with concanavalin A (Con A) has been partially purified and separated from Con A. Sequential application of 50-70% saturated ammonium sulfate precipitation and G-100 gel filtration chromatography has resulted in a 300-fold purification of TCGF with a 60% yield. 99.99% of Con A has been removed from the TCGF by these steps. TCGF exists in two molecular weight forms of about 50,000 and 25,000 daltons. TCGF activity is degradable by trypsin digestion and is stable at 56 degrees C for 30 min, but is inactivated by heating at 80 degrees C. Lymphoid cells activated by either Con A or allogeneic in vitro sensitization will grow in TCGF free of Con A but fresh splenocytes will not grow in the absence of Con A, implying a need for prior activation before TCGF sustained growth of T cells can be achieved.