Novel Bacterial Production of Two Different Bioactive Forms of Human Stem-Cell Factor

Human stem-cell factor (hSCF) stimulates the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic cells by binding to the c-Kit receptor. Various applications of hSCF require the efficient and reliable production of hSCF. hSCF exists in three forms: as two membrane-spanning proteins hSCF248 and hSCF229 and truncated soluble N-terminal protein hSCF164. hSCF164 is known to be insoluble when expressed in Escherichia coli cytoplasm, requiring a complex refolding procedure. The activity of hSCF248 has never been studied. Here, we investigated novel production methods for recombinant hSCF164 and hSCF248 without the refolding process. To increase the solubility of hSCF164, maltose-binding protein (MBP) and protein disulfide isomerase b’a’ domain (PDIb’a’) tags were attached to the N-terminus of hSCF164. These fusion proteins were overexpressed in soluble form in the Origami 2(DE3) E. coli strain. These solubilization effects were enhanced at a low temperature. His-hSCF248, the poly-His tagged form of hSCF248, was expressed in a highly soluble form without a solubilization tag protein, which was unexpected because His-hSCF248 contains a transmembrane domain. hSCF164 was purified using affinity and ion-exchange chromatography, and His-hSCF248 was purified by ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The purified proteins stimulated the proliferation of TF-1 cells. Interestingly, the EC₅₀ value of His-hSCF248 was 1 pg/mL, 100-fold lower than 9 ng/mL hSCF164. Additionally, His-hSCF248 decreased the doubling time, increased the proportion of S and G2/M stages in the cell cycle, and increased the c-Myc expression at a 1000-fold lower concentration than hSCF164. In conclusion, His-hSCF248 was expressed in a soluble form in E. coli and had stronger activity than hSCF164. The molecular chaperone, MBP, enabled the soluble overexpression of hSCF164.

Sustained release of stem cell factor in a double network hydrogel for ex vivo culture of cord blood-derived CD34+ cells

OBJECTIVES

Stem cell factor (SCF) is considered as a commonly indispensable cytokine for proliferation of haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which is used in large dosages during ex vivo culture. The work presented here aimed to reduce the consumption of SCF by sustained release but still support cells proliferation and maintain the multipotency of HSCs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Stem cell factor was physically encapsulated within a hyaluronic acid/gelatin double network (HGDN) hydrogel to achieve a slow release rate. CD34+ cells were cultured within the SCF-loaded HGDN hydrogel for 14 days. The cell number, phenotype and functional capacity were investigated after culture.

RESULTS

The HGDN hydrogels had desirable properties and encapsulated SCF kept being released for more than 6 days. SCF remained the native bioactivity, and the proliferation of HSCs within the SCF-loaded HGDN hydrogel was not affected, although the consumption of SCF was only a quarter in comparison with the conventional culture. Moreover, CD34+ cells harvested from the SCF-loaded HGDN hydrogels generated more multipotent colony-forming units (CFU-GEMM).

CONCLUSION

The data suggested that the SCF-loaded HGDN hydrogel could support ex vivo culture of HSCs, thus providing a cost-effective culture protocol for HSCs.

Decoupling the Functional Pleiotropy of Stem Cell Factor by Tuning c-Kit Signaling

Most secreted growth factors and cytokines are functionally pleiotropic because their receptors are expressed on diverse cell types. While important for normal mammalian physiology, pleiotropy limits the efficacy of cytokines and growth factors as therapeutics. Stem cell factor (SCF) is a growth factor that acts through the c-Kit receptor tyrosine kinase to elicit hematopoietic progenitor expansion but can be toxic when administered in vivo because it concurrently activates mast cells. We engineered a mechanism-based SCF partial agonist that impaired c-Kit dimerization, truncating downstream signaling amplitude. This SCF variant elicited biased activation of hematopoietic progenitors over mast cells in vitro and in vivo. Mouse models of SCF-mediated anaphylaxis, radioprotection, and hematopoietic expansion revealed that this SCF partial agonist retained therapeutic efficacy while exhibiting virtually no anaphylactic off-target effects. The approach of biasing cell activation by tuning signaling thresholds and outputs has applications to many dimeric receptor-ligand systems.

Skipping of exons by premature termination of transcription and alternative splicing within intron-5 of the sheep SCF gene: a novel splice variant

Stem cell factor (SCF) is a growth factor, essential for haemopoiesis, mast cell development and melanogenesis. In the hematopoietic microenvironment (HM), SCF is produced either as a membrane-bound (-) or soluble (+) forms. Skin expression of SCF stimulates melanocyte migration, proliferation, differentiation, and survival. We report for the first time, a novel mRNA splice variant of SCF from the skin of white merino sheep via cloning and sequencing. Reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR and molecular prediction revealed two different cDNA products of SCF. Full-length cDNA libraries were enriched by the method of rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE-PCR). Nucleotide sequencing and molecular prediction revealed that the primary 1519 base pair (bp) cDNA encodes a precursor protein of 274 amino acids (aa), commonly known as 'soluble' isoform. In contrast, the shorter (835 and/or 725 bp) cDNA was found to be a 'novel' mRNA splice variant. It contains an open reading frame (ORF) corresponding to a truncated protein of 181 aa (vs 245 aa) with an unique C-terminus lacking the primary proteolytic segment (28 aa) right after the D(175)G site which is necessary to produce 'soluble' form of SCF. This alternative splice (AS) variant was explained by the complete nucleotide sequencing of splice junction covering exon 5-intron (5)-exon 6 (948 bp) with a premature termination codon (PTC) whereby exons 6 to 9/10 are skipped (Cassette Exon, CE 6-9/10). We also demonstrated that the Northern blot analysis at transcript level is mediated via an intron-5 splicing event. Our data refine the structure of SCF gene; clarify the presence (+) and/or absence (-) of primary proteolytic-cleavage site specific SCF splice variants. This work provides a basis for understanding the functional role and regulation of SCF in hair follicle melanogenesis in sheep beyond what was known in mice, humans and other mammals.

Structural basis for the dual recognition of helical cytokines IL-34 and CSF-1 by CSF-1R

Lacking any discernible sequence similarity, interleukin-34 (IL-34) and colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) signal through a common receptor CSF-1R on cells of mononuclear phagocyte lineage. Here, the crystal structure of dimeric IL-34 reveals a helical cytokine fold homologous to CSF-1, and we further show that the complex architecture of IL-34 bound to the N-terminal immunoglobulin domains of CSF-1R is similar to the CSF-1/CSF-1R assembly. However, unique conformational adaptations in the receptor domain geometry and intermolecular interface explain the cross-reactivity of CSF-1R for two such distantly related ligands. The docking adaptations of the IL-34 and CSF-1 quaternary complexes, when compared to the stem cell factor assembly, draw a common evolutionary theme for transmembrane signaling. In addition, the structure of IL-34 engaged by a Fab fragment reveals the mechanism of a neutralizing antibody that can help deconvolute IL-34 from CSF-1 biology, with implications for therapeutic intervention in diseases with myeloid pathogenic mechanisms.

Membrane-bound steel factor maintains a high local concentration for mouse primordial germ cell motility, and defines the region of their migration

Steel factor, the protein product of the Steel locus in the mouse, is a multifunctional signal for the primordial germ cell population. We have shown previously that its expression accompanies the germ cells during migration to the gonads, forming a “travelling niche” that controls their survival, motility, and proliferation. Here we show that these functions are distributed between the alternatively spliced membrane-bound and soluble forms of Steel factor. The germ cells normally migrate as individuals from E7.5 to E11.5, when they aggregate together in the embryonic gonads. Movie analysis of Steel-dickie mutant embryos, which make only the soluble form, at E7.5, showed that the germ cells fail to migrate normally, and undergo “premature aggregation” in the base of the allantois. Survival and directionality of movement is not affected. Addition of excess soluble Steel factor to Steel-dickie embryos rescued germ cell motility, and addition of Steel factor to germ cells in vitro showed that a fourfold higher dose was required to increase motility, compared to survival. These data show that soluble Steel factor is sufficient for germ cell survival, and suggest that the membrane-bound form provides a higher local concentration of Steel factor that controls the balance between germ cell motility and aggregation. This hypothesis was tested by addition of excess soluble Steel factor to slice cultures of E11.5 embryos, when migration usually ceases, and the germ cells aggregate. This reversed the aggregation process, and caused increased motility of the germ cells. We conclude that the two forms of Steel factor control different aspects of germ cell behavior, and that membrane-bound Steel factor controls germ cell motility within a “motility niche” that moves through the embryo with the germ cells. Escape from this niche causes cessation of motility and death by apoptosis of the ectopic germ cells.

Kit ligand cytoplasmic domain is essential for basolateral sorting in vivo and has roles in spermatogenesis and hematopoiesis

Juxtamembrane signaling via the membrane growth factor KitL is critical for Kit mediated functions. KitL has a conserved cytoplasmic domain and has been shown to possess a monomeric leucine-dependent basolateral targeting signal. To investigate the consequences in vivo of impaired basolateral KitL targeting in polarized epithelial cells, we have mutated this critical leucine to alanine using a knock-in strategy. KitL(L263A/L263A) mutant mice are pigmented normally and steady-state hematopoiesis is unaffected although peritoneal and skin mast cell numbers are significantly increased. KitL localization is affected in the Sertoli cells of the KitL(L263A/L263A) testis and testis size is reduced in these mice due to aberrant spermatogonial proliferation. Furthermore, the effect of the KitL L263A mutation on the testicular phenotype is dosage dependent. The tubules of hemizygous KitL(L263A/Sl) mice completely lack germ cells in contrast to the weaker testicular phenotype of KitL(L263A/L263A) mice. The onset of the testis phenotype coincides with the formation of tight junctions between Sertoli cells during postnatal development. Thus, the altered sorting of KitL is dispensable for hematopoietic and melanogenic lineages, yet is crucial in the testicular environment, where the basal membranes of adjacent polarized Sertoli cells form a niche for the proliferating spermatogonia.

A novel thrombopoietin–stem-cell factor fusion protein possesses enhanced potential in stimulating megakaryocyte proliferation and differentiation

TPO (thrombopoietin) and SCF (stem-cell factor) are functionally related cytokines with overlapping but distinct haematopoietic effects. In the present study, a novel TPO-SCF fusion protein that combined the complementary biological effects of TPO and SCF into a single molecule was expressed in, and purified from, Sf9 [Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm)] insect cells. The specific activity of rhTPO (recombinant human TPO)-SCF in megakaryoblastic Mo7e cell proliferation assays was 2.90+/-0.35 x 10(7) units/micromol, approx. 1.7 times as high as that of rhTPO. The specific activity of rhTPO-SCF in TF-1 cells proliferation assays was 7.10+/-0.95 x 10(6) units/micromol, approx. 1.2 times as high as that of rhSCF (recombinant human SCF). In a megakaryocyte-colony-forming assay using human peripheral-blood CD34(+) cells, the SCF moiety of rhTPO-SCF worked in a synergistic way to augment the colony number and exhibited a higher potential to stimulate megakaryocyte colony growth. According to the results of EMSA (electrophoretic mobility-shift assay) and semi-quantitative RT (reverse transcriptase)-PCR, the synergistic effects of the SCF moiety were also reflected in increased STAT5 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5) DNA binding and enhanced up-regulation of p21 expression in Mo7e cells treated by rhTPO-SCF, suggesting that rhTPO-SCF could be more potent in promoting megakaryocyte proliferation and differentiation.

Cloning and Expression of Human Stem Cell Factor Fused with Thrombopoietin Mimetic Peptide in Escherichia coli

Thrombopoietin (TPO) acts synergistically with stem cell factor (SCF) in hematopoiesis and megakaryopoiesis. In this work, we designed the expression of SCF fused with the monomer or the dimer of TPO mimetic peptide through a flexible peptide linker. The recombinant fusion proteins were produced in E. coli DH5alpha at up to 25% of total cell proteins. The resultant inclusion bodies were refolded by dilution and purified by ion-exchange chromatography. Subsequent biological activity assays showed that the fusion proteins exhibited higher potency than recombinant human SCF, indicating that they have a potential role for pharmaceutical applications.

Kit ligand and c-Kit have diverse roles during mammalian oogenesis and folliculogenesis

Paracrine signalling between the oocyte and its surrounding somatic cells is fundamental to the processes of oogenesis and folliculogenesis in mammals. The study of animal models has revealed that the interaction of granulosa cell-derived kit ligand (KL) with oocyte and theca cell-derived c-Kit is important for multiple aspects of oocyte and follicle development, including the establishment of primordial germ cells within the ovary, primordial follicle activation, oocyte survival and growth, granulosa cell proliferation, theca cell recruitment and the maintenance of meiotic arrest. Though little is known about the specific roles of KL and c-Kit during human oogenesis, the expression profiles for KL and c-Kit within the human ovary suggest that they are also functionally relevant to female fertility. This review details our current understanding of the roles of KL and c-Kit within the mammalian ovary, with a particular focus on the functional diversity of this receptor-ligand interaction at different stages of oocyte and follicle development.

Imatinib binding and cKIT inhibition is abrogated by the cKIT kinase domain I missense mutation Val654Ala

Several activating mutations in the cKIT receptor tyrosine kinase are associated with the development and progression of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Treatment of GIST with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib (Gleevec, STI571; Novartis, Basel, Switzerland) increases patient survival. However, many patients develop resistance to imatinib following initial responses. We sequenced cKIT exons from two patients with GIST after the development of imatinib resistance, revealing a point mutation in kinase domain I (exon 13), Val654Ala, which has been associated previously with relapse and resistance. Molecular modeling of cKIT-imatinib complexes shows that this residue is located in the drug-binding site and that the Val654Ala mutation disrupts drug binding by removing hydrophobic contacts with the central diaminophenyl ring of imatinib. Loss of these contacts results in a destabilizing effect on two key hydrogen bonds between imatinib and Asp310 and Thr670 of cKIT. Calculations based on published crystallography data show an estimated destabilization energy of 2.25 kcal/mol in the Val654Ala cKIT compared with wild type. When present on the same cKIT allele as an oncogenic mutation, the Val654Ala mutation abolishes imatinib-mediated inhibition of cKIT phosphoactivation in vitro. These results highlight some of the structural and functional consequences of the Val654Ala mutation in relapsing imatinib-resistant GIST and emphasize the importance of tumor genetics in drug development and patient-specific cancer treatment regimens.

Expression, purification, and characterization of a novel recombinant fusion protein, rhTPO/SCF, in Escherichia coli

Thrombopoietin (TPO) is the principal regulatory cytokine of megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis and promotes all aspects of megakaryocyte development. Stem cell factor (SCF) is mainly a pleiotropic cytokine acting on hematopoiesis by promoting the survival and proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and has a potent synergistic effect on megakaryopoiesis in the presence of TPO. Here, we report the construction, expression, and purification of a novel recombinant human thrombopoietin/stem cell factor (rhTPO/SCF) fusion protein, which consists of a truncated human thrombopoietin (1-157 a.a.) plus a truncated human stem cell factor (1-145 a.a.), linked by a peptide (GGGGSPGGSGGGGSGG). The TPO/SCF gene was cloned into the Escherichia coli expression vector pET28a and expressed in BL21(DE3) strain. The rhTPO/SCF constituted up to 6% of the total bacterial protein. Co-expression with E. coli chaperones, Trigger Factor (TF) and GroES/GroEL, and lowering cultivation temperature cooperatively improved the solubility of expressed rhTPO/SCF, resulting in about fourfold increase in the yield soluble rhTPO/SCF. The rhTPO/SCF was purified to homogeneity using anion exchange followed by metal affinity chromatography. Western blot analysis confirmed the identity of the purified protein. rhTPO/SCF stimulated a dose-dependent cell proliferation in both TF1 and Mo7e cell lines.

Design of Recombinant Stem Cell Factor–macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor Fusion Proteins and their Biological Activity In Vitro

Stem cell factor (SCF) and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) can act in synergistic way to promote the growth of mononuclear phagocytes. SCF-M-CSF fusion proteins were designed on the computer using the Homology and Biopolymer modules of the software packages InsightII. Several existing crystal structures were used as templates to generate models of the complexes of receptor with fusion protein. The structure rationality of the fusion protein incorporated a series of flexible linker peptide was analyzed on InsightII system. Then, a suitable peptide GGGGSGGGGSGG was chosen for the fusion protein. Two recombinant SCF-M-CSF fusion proteins were generated by construction of a plasmid in which the coding regions of human SCF (1-165aa) and M-CSF (1-149aa) cDNA were connected by this linker peptide coding sequence followed by subsequent expression in insect cell. The results of Western blot and activity analysis showed that these two recombinant fusion proteins existed as a dimer with a molecular weight of approximately 84 KD under non-reducing conditions and a monomer of approximately 42 KD at reducing condition. The results of cell proliferation assays showed that each fusion protein induced a dose-dependent proliferative response. At equimolar concentration, SCF/M-CSF was about 20 times more potent than the standard monomeric SCF in stimulating TF-1 cell line growth, while M-CSF/SCF was 10 times of monomeric SCF. No activity difference of M-CSF/SCF or SCF/M-CSF to M-CSF (at same molar) was found in stimulating the HL-60 cell linear growth. The synergistic effect of SCF and M-CSF moieties in the fusion proteins was demonstrated by the result of clonogenic assay performed with human bone mononuclear, in which both SCF/M-CSF and M-CSF/SCF induced much higher number of CFU-M than equimolar amount of SCF or M-CSF or that of two cytokines mixture.

Ancestim (recombinant human stem cell factor, SCF) in association with filgrastim does not enhance chemotherapy and/or growth factor-induced peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) mobilization in patients with a prior insufficient PBPC collection

Up to a third of autologous transplantation candidates fail to mobilize hematopoietic progenitors into the peripheral blood with chemotherapy and/or growth factor treatment, thus requiring innovative mobilization strategies. In total, 20 cancer patients unable to provide adequate PBPC products after a previous mobilization attempt were treated with ancestim (20 microg/kg/day s.c.) and filgrastim (10 microg/kg/day s.c.). In 16 patients, the pre-study mobilization was with filgrastim alone. Eight patients underwent single large volume leukapheresis (LVL) and 12 multiple standard volume leukaphereses (SVL) in both mobilizations. Pairwise comparison of peripheral blood CD34(+) cell concentrations on the day of first leukapheresis failed to document synergism - median CD34(+)/microl of 3.2 (<0.1 to 15.4) and 4.5 (1-28.56) for the pre-study and on-study mobilizations (P = 0.79, sign test), and 4.2 (<0.1-15.4) and 5 (1-28.56), respectively, for the 16 patients previously mobilized with filgrastim alone (P = 1, sign test). The number of CD34(+) cells/kg collected per unit of blood volume (BV) processed was similar in both mobilizations - median 0.1 x 10(6)/kg/BV and 0.09 x 10(6)/kg/BV, respectively (P = 1, sign test). In this phase II study, the combination of ancestim and filgrastim did not allow adequate PBPC mobilization and collection in patients with a previous suboptimal PBPC collection.

A novel recombinant dual human SCF expressed in and purified from silkworm, Bombyx mori, possesses higher bioactivity than recombinant monomeric human SCF

A novel recombinant dual human stem cell factor (rdhSCF) gene was constructed which consisted of a full-length hSCF cDNA plus a truncated hSCF cDNA (1-145 aa), linked by a peptide (GGGGSGGGGSGG) coding region. The rdhSCF gene was cloned into baculovirus transfer vector pAcSecG2T under the polyhedrin promoter control. Silkworm larvae infected with the recombinant virus expressed rdhSCF up to 15,800 units/mL in haemolymph. The specific activity of rdhSCF purified from the haemolymph was up to 3.0 x 10(6) units/mg, about 8.6 times as high as that of monomer rhSCF from Escherichia coli, and about 9.1 times as high as that of monomer rhSCF from insect cell. The binding affinity of rdhSCF to the cell surface receptor was higher than that of monomer rhSCF.

Autocrine and paracrine mechanisms regulating primordial germ cell proliferation

Although several mitogens and survival factors have been previously shown to act on primordial germ cells (PGCs) in culture, it is not clear whether they are responsible for controlling proliferation of PGCs in the embryo. We show here that during their migratory phase, PGCs do not express FGF-4, FGF-8, or FGF-17, but these FGFs are expressed by neighboring cells. Thus, any FGF action on migrating PGCs would appear to be through a paracrine mechanism. We found that after entering into the gonads, PGCs start to express FGF-4 and FGF-8. On this basis, we hypothesize that FGF signaling is involved in both a paracrine manner in initiating PGC proliferation during their migration and an autocrine manner in sustaining PGC proliferation after their arrival in the gonads. We then studied the role of soluble stem cell factor (SCF), which acts as a survival factor or a mitogen in culture, to determine whether it interacts with FGFs. We found that SCF has a complex effect on PGC proliferation. On one hand, soluble SCF promoted PGC proliferation synergistically with FGF in the absence of membrane-bound SCF. Conversely, soluble SCF inhibited FGF-stimulated proliferation of PGCs in the presence of membrane-bound SCF. We account for these findings in a model involving regulation of PGC proliferation, in which SCF modulates the response to FGFs.

[Study of recombinant stem cell factor]

Stem cell factor is an important hematopoietic growth factor. In this study, the human stem cell factor was produced by recombinant E. coli, and the structure and biological activity of the recombinant stem cell factor(rhSCF) was studied. It was indicated that the rhSCF was a uncovalent dimer in phosphate buffer,and had the correct mass spectra, mass peptides spectra, composition of amino acid, N-terminal sequernce, C-terminal sequence and intrachain disulfide linkages, rhSCF alone or synergy with rhG-CSF could mobilze hematopoietic progenitors to blood in monkey.

Additive effect of mouse genetic background and mutation of MITF gene on decrease of skin mast cells

The mi transcription factor (MITF) is a basic-helix-loop-helix leucine zipper transcription factor and is encoded by mi locus. The mi/mi mutant mice showed a significant decrease of skin mast cells in C57BL/6 (B6) genetic background but not in WB genetic background. Kit ligand (KitL) is the most important growth factor for development of mast cells, and the decrease of skin mast cells in B6-mi/mi mice was attributable to the reduced expression of c-kit receptor tyrosine kinase (KIT) that is a receptor for KitL. However, the expression level of KIT in WB-mi/mi mast cells was comparable with that of B6-mi/mi mast cells, suggesting that a factor compensating the reduced expression of KIT was present in WB-mi/mi mice. By linkage analysis, such a factor was mapped on chromosome 10. The mapped position was closely located to the KitL locus. Two alternative spliced forms are known in KitL mRNA: KL-1 and KL-2. Soluble KitL, which is important for development of skin mast cells, is produced more efficiently from KL-1 mRNA than from KL-2 mRNA. The KL-1/KL-2 ratio was higher in WB-mi/mi than in B6-mi/mi mice, suggesting that the larger amount of soluble KitL may compensate for the reduced expression of KIT in WB-mi/mi mice.

An Allelic Series of Mutations in the Kit ligand Gene of Mice. I. Identification of Point Mutations in Seven Ethylnitrosourea-Induced KitlSteel Alleles

An allelic series of mutations is an extremely valuable genetic resource for understanding gene function. Here we describe eight mutant alleles at the Steel (Sl) locus of mice that were induced with N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU). The product of the Sl locus is Kit ligand (or Kitl; also known as mast cell growth factor, stem cell factor, and Steel factor), which is a member of the helical cytokine superfamily and is the ligand for the Kit receptor tyrosine kinase. Seven of the eight ENU-induced KitlSl alleles, of which five cause missense mutations, one causes a nonsense mutation and exon skipping, and one affects a splice site, were found to contain point mutations in Kitl. Interestingly, each of the five missense mutations affects residues that are within, or very near, conserved α-helical domains of Kitl. These ENU-induced mutants should provide important information on structural requirements for function of Kitl and other helical cytokines.

The synergy between stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF): molecular basis and clinical relevance

Stem cell factor (SCF), an essential growth factor in normal hematopoiesis, exerts potent effects when combined with cytokines. In particular, its synergy with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) results in important biologic responses. These include enhancement of ex vivo long-term expansion of human primitive hematopoietic cells and increased mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) for transplantation. Despite the clinical importance of the interaction between SCF and G-CSF, the absence of a model system in which it could be studied at the cellular level had impaired the ability to understand the basis of their co-operation. To overcome this impediment, a system was recently generated which recapitulates the biologic synergy between SCF and G-CSF. MO7e-G cells have allowed the identification of key events in the synergistic actions of these cytokines on proliferation and gene expression. Among the biochemical and molecular events mediated by these cytokines are the down-regulation of p27kip1 and the independent phosphorylation of STAT3 on tyrosine and serine residues. Recent work has provided increasing evidence for the clinical importance of the combination of SCF and G-CSF. The elucidation of the intracellular events triggered by their receptors is now shedding light on key mediators of their synergistic effects. The identification of these pathways is of considerable importance for understanding fundamental aspects of hematopoiesis, and as potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Determination of carbohydrate contents from excess light scattering

In the light scattering technique, glycosylation gives rise to excess light scattering for glycoproteins. Assuming additivity of refractive index and using an appropriate refractive index increment for carbohydrate, one can determine the degree of glycosylation from the excess light scattering. Here we have used size-exclusion chromatography in combination with online light scattering, UV absorbance, and refractive index. The results show that the technique accurately determines the carbohydrate content of recombinant stem cell factor.

Cloning of canine GM-CSF and SCF genes

Cytokines have pleiotropic regulatory effects on hematopoietic cells and many other cell types that participate in host defence and repair processes. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) mediates the growth and differentiation of granulocytes and macrophages and regulates the biological functions expressed by mature cells of these lineages. Stem cell factor (SCF) is a multifunctional cytokine involved in hematopoiesis, melanogenesis and gametogenesis. In order to determine the complementary DNA (cDNA) of canine GM-CSF and canine SCF, cDNA clones were generated from lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and bone marrow cells by reverse transcription PCR amplification. The canine GM-CSF cDNA obtained in this study contains an open reading frame encoding 144 amino acid residues and has 53-75% homology with those of human, cat, sheep, pig, cow and mouse, Canine SCF cDNA consist of an open reading frame encoding 274 amino acid residues and shares 81-92% homology with those of human, cat, pig, cow and mouse.

Stem cell factor presentation to c-Kit. Identification of a basolateral targeting domain

Stem cell factor (also known as mast cell growth factor and kit-ligand) is a transmembrane growth factor with a highly conserved cytoplasmic domain. Basolateral membrane expression in epithelia and persistent cell surface exposure of stem cell factor are required for complete biological activity in pigmentation, fertility, learning, and hematopoiesis. Here we show by site-directed mutagenesis that the cytoplasmic domain of stem cell factor contains a monomeric leucine-dependent basolateral targeting signal. N-terminal to this motif, a cluster of acidic amino acids serves to increase the efficiency of basolateral sorting mediated by the leucine residue. Hence, basolateral targeting of stem cell factor requires a mono-leucine determinant assisted by a cluster of acidic amino acids. This mono-leucine determinant is functionally conserved in colony-stimulating factor-1, a transmembrane growth factor related to stem cell factor. Furthermore, this leucine motif is not capable of inducing endocytosis, allowing for persistent cell surface expression of stem cell factor. In contrast, the mutated cytoplasmic tail found in the stem cell factor mutant Mgf(Sl17H) induces constitutive endocytosis by a motif that is related to signals for endocytosis and lysosomal targeting. Our findings therefore present mono-leucines as a novel type of protein sorting motif for transmembrane growth factors.

Crystal structure of human stem cell factor: implication for stem cell factor receptor dimerization and activation

Stem cell factor (SCF) plays important roles in hematopoiesis and the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of mast cells, melanocytes, and germ cells. SCF mediates its biological effects by binding to and activating a receptor tyrosine kinase designated c-kit or SCF receptor. In this report we describe the 2.3-A crystal structure of the functional core of recombinant human SCF. SCF is a noncovalent homodimer composed of two slightly wedged protomers. Each SCF protomer exhibits an antiparallel four-helix bundle fold. Dimerization is mediated by extensive polar and nonpolar interactions between the two protomers with a large buried surface area. Finally, we have identified a hydrophobic crevice and a charged region at the tail of each protomer that functions as a potential receptor-binding site. On the basis of these observations, a model for SCF small middle dotc-kit complex formation and dimerization is proposed.

Structure of the active core of human stem cell factor and analysis of binding to its receptor kit

Stem cell factor (SCF) is an early-acting hematopoietic cytokine that elicits multiple biological effects. SCF is dimeric and occurs in soluble and membrane-bound forms. It transduces signals by ligand- mediated dimerization of its receptor, Kit, which is a receptor tyrosine kinase related to the receptors for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), macrophage colony-stimulating factor, Flt-3 ligand and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). All of these have extracellular ligand-binding portions composed of immunoglobulin-like repeats. We have determined the crystal structure of selenomethionyl soluble human SCF at 2.2 A resolution by multiwavelength anomalous diffraction phasing. SCF has the characteristic helical cytokine topology, but the structure is unique apart from core portions. The SCF dimer has a symmetric 'head-to-head' association. Using various prior observations, we have located potential Kit-binding sites on the SCF dimer. A superimposition of this dimer onto VEGF in its complex with the receptor Flt-1 places the binding sites on SCF in positions of topographical and electrostatic complementarity with the Kit counterparts of Flt-1, and a similar model can be made for the complex of PDGF with its receptor.

Flt3 ligand structure and unexpected commonalities of helical bundles and cystine knots

Human Flt3 ligand (Flt3L) stimulates early hematopoiesis by activating a type III tyrosine kinase receptor on primitive bone marrow stem cells. The crystal structure of soluble Flt3L reveals that it is a homodimer of two short chain alpha-helical bundles. Comparisons of structure-function relationships of Flt3L with the homologous hematopoietic cytokines macrophage colony stimulating factor (MCSF) and stem cell factor (SCF) suggest that they have a common receptor binding mode that is distinct from the paradigm derived from the complex of growth hormone with its receptor. Furthermore, we identify recognition features common to all helical and cystine-knot protein ligands that activate type III tyrosine kinase receptors, and the closely related type V tyrosine kinase receptors.

Biological activity of human granulocyte colony stimulating factor with a modified C-terminus

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) undergoes receptor-mediated internalization into target cells which are normally restricted to neutrophilic granulocytes and their committed progenitor cells, suggesting that it may be applicable as a myeloid cell-targeting vehicle. To test this notion, we constructed a cDNA encoding a human G-CSF/murine stem cell factor (mSCF) chimeric molecule in a mammalian expression vector and transfected NIH3T3 cells with this plasmid. The resulting chimeric cytokine consisted of the entire G-CSF sequences fused to Lys148 of mSCF. It can be released from the surface membrane of NIH3T3 transformants through proteolytic cleavage at Ala164 of mSCF. The culture media conditioned by a number of stable transformants, which were confirmed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to secrete an hG-CSF derivative, were examined for their ability to stimulate CFU-G-derived colony formation as well as the proliferation of G-CSF-dependent NFS-60 cells. The results indicated that this C-terminus modified version of hG-CSF is as potent as recombinant hG-CSF in both assays.

The presence of novel amino acids in the cytoplasmic domain of stem cell factor results in hematopoietic defects in Steel(17H) mice

Stem cell factor (SCF) is expressed as an integral membrane growth factor that may be differentially processed to produce predominantly soluble (S) (SCF(248)) or membrane-associated (MA) (SCF(220)) protein. A critical role for membrane presentation of SCF in the hematopoietic microenvironment (HM) has been suggested from the phenotype of the Steel-dickie (Sl(d)) mice, which lack MA SCF, and by studies performed in our laboratory (and by others) using long-term bone marrow cultures and transgenic mice expressing different SCF isoforms. Steel(17H) (Sl(17H)) is an SCF mutant that demonstrates melanocyte defects and sterility in males but not in females. The Sl(17H) allele contains a intronic mutation resulting in the substitution of 36 amino acids (aa's) in the SCF cytoplasmic domain with 28 novel aa's. This mutation, which affects virtually the entire cytoplasmic domain of SCF, could be expected to alter membrane SCF presentation. To investigate this possibility, we examined the biochemical and biologic properties of the Sl(17H)-encoded protein and its impact in vivo and in vitro on hematopoiesis and on c-Kit signaling. We demonstrate that compound heterozygous Sl/Sl(17H) mice manifest multiple hematopoietic abnormalities in vivo, including red blood cell deficiency, bone marrow hypoplasia, and defective thymopoiesis. In vitro, both S and MA Sl(17H) isoforms of SCF exhibit reduced cell surface expression on stromal cells and diminished biological activity in comparison to wild-type (wt) SCF isoforms. These alterations in presentation and biological activity are associated with a significant reduction in the proliferation of an SCF-responsive erythroid progenitor cell line and in the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt and mitogen-activated protein-Kinase signaling pathways. In vivo, transgene expression of the membrane-restricted (MR) (SCF(X9/D3)) SCF in Sl/Sl(17H) mutants results in a significant improvement in peripheral red blood cell counts in comparison to Sl/Sl(17H) mice.

Consequences of exclusive expression in vivo of Kit-ligand lacking the major proteolytic cleavage site

Membrane growth factors that are processed to produce soluble ligands may function both as soluble factors and as membrane factors. The membrane growth factor Kit-ligand (KL), the ligand of the Kit receptor tyrosine kinase, is encoded at the Sl locus, and mice carrying Sl mutations have defects in hematopoiesis, gametogenesis, and melanogenesis. Two alternatively spliced KL transcripts encode two cell-associated KL protein products, KL-1 and KL-2. The KL-2 protein lacks the major proteolytic cleavage site for the generation of soluble KL, thus representing a more stable cell-associated form of KL. We investigated the consequences of exclusive expression of KL-2 in vivo. The KL gene in embryonic stem cells was modified and KL exon 6 was replaced with a PGKneoNTRtkpA cassette by homologous recombination, and mice carrying the SlKL2 allele were obtained. SlKL2/SlKL2 mice had only slightly reduced levels of soluble KL in their serum, suggesting that in vivo KL-2 may be processed to produce soluble KL-2S. The steady-state characteristics of the hematopoietic system and progenitor numbers were normal, and the mutant animals were not anemic. However, mast cell numbers in the skin and peritoneum were reduced and the mutant animals displayed increased sensitivity to sublethal doses of gamma-irradiation. Therefore, KL-2 may substitute for KL-1 in most situations with the exception of the production of mast cells, and induced proteolytic cleavage of KL-1 to produce soluble KL may have a role in the regeneration of hematopoietic tissue after radiation injury.

Changes in conformation and stability upon SCF/sKit complex formation

Stem cell factor (SCF) is thought to be a member of the four-helical bundle cytokine superfamily, and exists in solution as a noncovalent homodimer. It is the ligand for Kit, a tyrosine kinase type III receptor. The interaction of SCF and Kit affects early hematopoietic progenitors, as well as gametocytes, melanocytes, and mast cells. Upon binding of SCF the Kit undergoes dimerization and transphosphorylation. Circular dichroism (CD), intrinsic fluorescence, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used for conformational analyses of free SCF, soluble Kit (sKit), and the complex. The sKit consisted of the extracellular domain of Kit, contained five Ig-like domains, and was prepared from the conditioned media of transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells. With these techniques, a reproducible conformational change was seen upon ligand/receptor binding. The far-UV CD and FTIR spectroscopy indicated a slight increase in the alpha-helical content. The near-UV CD and fluorescence spectra showed changes in the environments of the aromatic amino acids. The thermal denaturation of SCF was not affected by complex formation, while the melting temperature of sKit increased only a few degrees when binding SCF. This indicates that binding is temperature dependent, consistent with titration calorimetry results published previously which demonstrated that there is a large enthalpy of binding. The conformational changes which accompany SCF/sKit binding could play a role in the receptor dimerization and signal transduction which follow.

Role of dimerization of the membrane-associated growth factor kit ligand in juxtacrine signaling: the Sl17H mutation affects dimerization and stability-phenotypes in hematopoiesis

The Kit ligand (KL)/Kit receptor pair functions in hematopoiesis, gametogenesis, and melanogenesis. KL is encoded at the murine steel (Sl) locus and encodes a membrane growth factor which may be proteolytically processed to produce soluble KL. The membrane-associated form of KL is critical in mediating Kit function in vivo. Evidence for a role of cytoplasmic domain sequences of KL comes from the Sl17H mutation, a splice site mutation that replaces the cytoplasmic domain with extraneous amino acids. Using deletion mutants and the Sl17H allele, we have investigated the role of the cytoplasmic domain sequences of KL in biosynthetic processing and cell surface presentation. The normal KL protein products are processed for cell surface expression, where they form dimers. Both Sl17H and the cytoplasmic deletion mutants of KL were processed to the cell surface; however, the rate of transport and protein stability were affected by the mutations. Deletion of cytoplasmic domain sequences of KL did not affect dimerization of KL. In contrast, dimerization of the Sl17H protein was reduced substantially. In addition, we have characterized the hematopoietic cell compartment in Sl17H mutant mice. The Sl17H mutation has only minor effects on hematopoiesis. Tissue and peritoneal mast cell numbers were reduced in mutant mice as well as in myeloid progenitors. Interestingly, long-term bone marrow cultures from Sl17H mice did not sustain the long-term production of hematopoietic cells. In addition, homing of normal hematopoietic progenitors to the spleen of irradiated Sl17H/Sl17H recipient mice was diminished in transplantation experiments, providing evidence for a role of Kit in homing or lodging. These results demonstrate that the membrane forms of KL exist as homodimers on the cell surface and that dimerization may play an important role in KL/Kit-mediated juxtacrine signaling.

Selective deamidation of recombinant human stem cell factor during in vitro aging: isolation and characterization of the aspartyl and isoaspartyl homodimers and heterodimers

During in vitro aging, deamidation of recombinant human stem cell factor produced in Escherichia. coli was detected by HPLC analysis and by the release of soluble ammonia. The deamidation rate is very slow in buffers at low pH or at low temperatures; however, the rate is significantly accelerated in alkaline buffers such as sodium bicarbonate in combination with elevated temperatures. HPLC isolation of various deamidated forms followed by peptide mapping and mass spectrometric analyses revealed that the deamidation involves Asn10 in the sequence -T9NNV- near the N-terminus of the protein. Following peptide mapping analysis, significant amounts of aspartyl and isoaspartyl peptides were identified, indicating the conversion of asparagine into both aspartate and isoaspartate residues. As a result of spontaneous association-dissociation of stem cell factor dimer, a total of five deamidated forms, including two homodimers and three heterodimers, were detected and isolated. Cell proliferation assays showed that two rhSCF heterodimeric species, derived from dimerization between isoaspartyl and other stem cell factor monomers, retain only approximately half of the biological activity. The homodimer with isoaspartic acid in place of Asn10 is 50-fold less potent, while the aspartyl homodimer, either isolated during deamidation experiments or recombinantly prepared by site-directed mutagenesis (e.g., N10D and N10D/N11D variants), exhibits higher activity than the standard molecule. In comparison, synthetic N10A and N10E variants, though missing the deamidation site, are significantly less active. All these variants lacking the Asn10 deamidation site are relatively more stable than those containing the asparagine residue. The results indicate that the biological function and chemical stability of stem cell factor are influenced by the nature of the residue at position 10.

Increased growth promoting but not mast cell degranulation potential of a covalent dimer of c-Kit ligand

The native form of soluble c-kit ligand (KL) is a noncovalent dimer. We have isolated a soluble, disulfide-linked dimer of murine KL (KL-CD) by expressing KL in Escherichia coli and refolding the denatured protein under conditions that promote the formation of both noncovalent dimers (KL-NC) and KL-CD. KL-CD exhibits a 10- to 15-fold increase in the ability to stimulate the growth of both the human megakaryocytic cell line MO7e and murine bone marrow-derived mast cells relative to KL-NC. Colony-forming assays of murine bone marrow progenitor cells also reflected this increased potency. However, KL-CD and KL-NC are equally able to prime mast cells for enhanced IgE-dependent degranulation in vitro and activate mast cells in vivo. Improving the growth-promoting activity of KL without changing its mast cell activation potential suggests that KL-CD or a related molecule could be administered in the clinic at doses that stimulate hematopoietic recovery while avoiding significant mast cell activation.

Effects of alpha-phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone, a spin trap reagent, on the proliferation of murine hematopoietic progenitor cells in vitro

We investigated the effect of alpha-phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN), a spin trap reagent, on the proliferation of murine hematopoietic progenitor cells in vitro. During the addition of PBN to the liquid cultures of murine bone marrow cells containing a combination of interleukin-3, interleukin-6 and the c-kit ligand/stem cell factor, colony-forming cells in vitro (CFC) and the colony-forming unit in the spleen (CFU-S) increased about 1.6-fold and 2.0-fold, respectively, higher than the control culture. These effects were not observed when using dimethyl sulfoxide, which has the ability to scavenge radicals, and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide, another spin trap reagent. Analysis of cultured cells from a 7-day liquid culture with PBN revealed that the ratio of the intracellular glutathione (GSH) and GSH/GSSG (oxidized GSH) content was higher than the control. Adding thiol N-acetylcysteine, a thiol reagent and a precursor of intracellular GSH, also showed similar effects on the liquid culture of murine hematopoietic progenitor cells and the level of intracellular GSH. In contrast, adding DL-buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine, a gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase inhibitor, decreased the intracellular GSH level and did not increase the number of CFC and CFU-S. These results suggest that PBN regulates the content of intracellular thiol molecules, and the possibility of a relationship between the intracellular redox state and the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells.

Detection of a point mutation (A to G) in exon 5 of the murine Mgf gene defines a novel allele at the Steel locus with a weak phenotype

A new mutation at the locus encoding the mast cell growth factor (Mgf) is described and designated as MgfSl-3Neu. Homozygous mutants have a light grey fur, sometimes with white patches. Homozygotes are fertile, but with reduced litter size, when mated inter se. Analysis of haematological parameters indicated no difference between mutant and wild-type mice. Sequence analysis of the cDNA obtained from the brain of homozygous mutants revealed an A-->G exchange at position 400 leading to a predicted amino acid exchange from Asn-->Leu at position 122. As a consequence of the predicted amino acid exchange an extension of the alpha-helical context and a decreased hydropathicity of the region at positions 101-125 can be deduced. This single amino acid exchange is outside of the known important domains of MGF and explains the weak phenotype of MgfSl-3Neu.

The majority of stem cell factor exists as monomer under physiological conditions. Implications for dimerization mediating biological activity

Soluble Escherichia coli-derived recombinant human stem cell factor (rhSCF) forms a non-covalently associated dimer. We have determined a dimer association constant (Ka) of 2-4 x 10(8) M-1, using sedimentation equilibrium and size exclusion chromatography. SCF has been shown previously to be present at concentrations of approximately 3.3 ng/ml in human serum. Based on the dimerization Ka, greater than 90% of the circulating SCF would be in the monomeric form. When 125I-rhSCF was added to human serum and the serum analyzed by size exclusion chromatography, 72-49% of rhSCF was monomer when the total SCF concentration was in the range of 10-100 ng/ml, consistent with the Ka determination. Three SCF variants, SCF(F63C), SCF (V49L,F63L), and SCF(A165C), were recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and characterized. The dimer Ka values, biophysical properties, and biological activities of these variants were studied. Dimerization-defective variants SCF(F63C)S-CH2CONH2 and SCF(V49L,F63L) showed substantially reduced mitogenic activity, while the activity of the Cys165-Cys165 disulfide-linked SCF(A165C) dimer was 10-fold higher than that of wild type rhSCF. The results suggest a correlation between dimerization affinity and biological activity, consistent with a model in which SCF dimerization mediates dimerization of its receptor, Kit, and subsequent signal transduction.

[cDNA cloning of human stem cell factor and its high level expression in E. coli]

The total RNA of HepG2 cell was extracted as the template by ultrocentrifuge method. The full length cDNA (0.8 kb) encoding the human stem cell factor (hSCF) was amplified by RT-PCR method. The cDNA encoding mature hSCF (0.5 kb) was sequenced and was recombined into the expression vector (PBV-220). The expression level of rhSCF in E. coli DH5 alpha was about 15% of the total protein.

Airway epithelial cells produce stem cell factor

Airway epithelial cells modulate the inflammatory response in asthmatic, allergic and fibrotic lung diseases through the secretion of cytokines that regulate the movement and activation of inflammatory cells. Mast cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of these lung diseases. In this study we report that normal airway epithelial cells express stem cell factor which is a critical mediator of mast cell growth and differentiation and that transforming growth factor-beta inhibits secretion of stem cell factor by airway epithelial cells.

Computational simulations of stem-cell factor/c-kit receptor interaction

Stem-cell factor (SCF) is a noncovalent homodimeric cytokine that exhibits profound biological function in the early stages of hematopoiesis by binding to a cell surface tyrosine kinase receptor that is encoded by the c-Kit proto-oncogene. The results obtained from a combined implementation of homology-based molecular modeling and computational simulations in the study of species-specific SCF/ c-Kit interactions are reported. The structural models of the human and rat SCF ligands are based on the close structural similarity to the cytokine M-CSF, whose C alpha structure has recently become available. The constant domains of the human Fc fragment are used as a template for the ligand binding domains of the c-Kit receptor. The factors responsible for the stabilization of the SCF quaternary structure and the molecular determinants for ligand recognition and ligand specificity have been identified by assessing the conformational, topographical, and dynamic features of the isolated ligands and of the ligand-receptor complexes.

Structure-function relationships of stem cell factor: an analysis based on a series of human-murine stem cell factor chimera and the mapping of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody

Although much is now known about the biological properties of the c-kit receptor and its ligand, stem cell factor (SCF), little is known of the structural basis for the binding and function of this hematopoietic cytokine. By analyzing the activities of chimeric interspecies and homologue muteins and epitope mapping of a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) to the human protein, we have found that three distinct regions of SCF are essential for full biological function. Homologue and interspecies swapping of polypeptide sequences between the amino terminus and G35, between L79 and N97, and between R121 and D128 reduced or eliminated the ability of the chimera to act in synergy with murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to promote hematopoietic colony formation. Moreover, a nonconformation-dependent MoAb that neutralizes human, but not murine SCF, was found to bind to residues within the L79-N97 segment of the human homologue. As these three regions localize to the putative first, third, and fourth helices of the protein, findings remarkably similar to previous studies of cytokines as diverse as growth hormone, GM-CSF, and interleukin (IL)-4, our results suggest that cytokines of multiple classes share a common functional organization.

In vitro methionine oxidation of Escherichia coli-derived human stem cell factor: effects on the molecular structure, biological activity, and dimerization

The effect of oxidation of the methionine residues of Escherichia coli-derived recombinant human stem cell factor (huSCF) to methionine sulfoxide on the structure and activity of SCF was examined. Oxidation was performed using hydrogen peroxide under acidic conditions (pH 5.0). The kinetics of oxidation of the individual methionine residues was determined by quantitation of oxidized and unoxidized methionine-containing peptides, using RP-HPLC of Asp-N endoproteinase digests. The initial oxidation rates for Met159, Met-1, Met27, Met36, and Met48 were 0.11 min-1, 0.098 min-1, 0.033 min-1, 0.0063 min-1, and 0.00035 min-1, respectively, when SCF was incubated in 0.5% H2O2 at room temperature. Although oxidation of these methionines does not affect the secondary structure of SCF, the oxidation of Met36 and Met48 affects the local structure as indicated by CD and fluorescence spectroscopy. The 295-nm Trp peak in the near-UV CD is decreased upon oxidation of Met36, and lost completely following the oxidation of Met48, indicating that the Trp44 environment is becoming significantly less rigid than it is in native SCF. Consistent with this result, the fluorescence spectra revealed that Trp44 becomes more solvent exposed as the methionines are oxidized, with the hydrophobicity of the Trp44 environment decreasing significantly. The oxidations of Met36 and Met48 decrease biological activity by 40% and 60%, respectively, while increasing the dissociation rate constant of SCF dimer by two- and threefold. These results imply that the oxidation of Met36 and Met48 affects SCF dimerization and tertiary structure, and decreases biological activity.

Refolding and oxidation of recombinant human stem cell factor produced in Escherichia coli

Oxidative folding of recombinant human stem cell factor (rhSCF) produced in Escherichia coli was investigated in vitro. Folding of denatured and reduced rhSCF involves at least five intermediate forms, I-1 to I-5, detectable by their differences in hydrophobicity using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Both I-1 and I-2 contain a native-like disulfide bond, Cys4-Cys89 and Cys43-Cys138, respectively, and I-3 forms a mispaired disulfide, Cys43-Cys89. These forms appear to reach steady state equilibrium and are important folding intermediates. I-1 was found to be the prominent intermediate that directly folds into native rhSCF (N); and the thermodynamically less stable I-2 favors rearrangment into I-1. I-3 may serve as an intermediate for disulfide rearrangment between I-1 and I-2. I-4 and I-5, which are disulfide-linked dimers, are in equilibrium with reduced rhSCF and other intermediates and may not play an important role in rhSCF folding. Both trifluoroacetic acid-trapped I-1 and I-2, after isolation by high performance liquid chromatography, proceed with the remaining oxidative folding process after reconstitution. Iodoacetate-trapped I-1 and I-2 contain low alpha-helical content and some tertiary structure, while I-3 and reduced rhSCF have little ordered structure. Gel filtration/light-scattering experiments indicate that reduced rhSCF and iodoacetate-trapped I-1, I-2, and I-3 exist as dimeric forms, indicating that rhSCF dimerization precedes formation of disulfide bonds. I-1, I-2, I-3, and the C43,138A analog lacking Cys43-Cys138 bond are not biologically active or exhibit significantly lower activity. The two disulfide bonds in rhSCF seem to be essential for the molecule to maintain an active conformation required for its receptor binding and biological activities.

Isolation and characterization of a disulfide-linked human stem cell factor dimer. Biochemical, biophysical, and biological comparison to the noncovalently held dimer

Distinct from the noncovalently linked recombinant human stem call factor (rhSCF) dimer, we report here the isolation and identification of an SDS-nondissociable dimer produced during folding/oxidation of rhSCF. Experimental evidence using various cleavage strategies and analyses shows that the isolated dimer is composed of two rhSCF monomers covalently linked by four disulfide bonds. The cysteines are paired as in the noncovalently associated dimer except that all pairings are intermolecular rather than intramolecular. Other structural models, involving intertwining of intramolecular disulfide loops, are ruled out. The molecule behaves similarly to the noncovalently associated dimer during ion-exchange or gel permeation chromatography. However, the disulfide-linked dimer exhibits increased hydrophobicity in reverse-phase columns and in the native state does not undergo spontaneous dimer dissociation-association as seen for the noncovalent dimer. Spectroscopic analyses indicate that the disulfide-linked and noncovalently associated rhSCF dimers have grossly similar secondary and tertiary structures. In vitro, the disulfide-linked dimer exhibits approximately 3-fold higher biological activity in supporting growth of a hematopoietic cell line and stimulating hematopoietic cell colony formation from enriched human CD34+ cells. The molecule binds to the rhSCF receptor, Kit, with an efficiency only half that of the noncovalently associated dimer. Formation of intermolecular disulfides in the disulfide-linked dimer with retention of biological activity has implications for the three-dimensional structure of noncovalently held dimer and disulfide-linked dimer.

Characterization of ovine stem cell factor messenger ribonucleic acid and protein in the corpus luteum throughout the luteal phase

Stem cell factor (SCF) is a growth factor known to have profound effects on the proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival of numerous cell types, including those of the ovary. The objectives of the present study were to identify and characterize expression of this growth factor in the ovine corpus luteum (CL). A 952-bp cDNA was amplified from Day 3 (Day 0 = estrus) ovine luteal total cellular (tc) RNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and determined to encode SCF. Northern analysis of Day 10 luteal poly(A)+ RNA indicated one major transcript of approximately 6.5 kb. SCF mRNA was localized within Day 3 and Day 10 CL by in situ hybridization and was expressed throughout luteal tissue on both days examined. To asses expression throughout the luteal phase, SCF mRNA was quantified by ribonuclease protection assay in tcRNA collected on Day 3, 7, 10, 13, and 16; values did not differ across days (p > 0.10). Similarly, SCF mRNA was quantified in tcRNA isolated from pools of Day 10 large and small steroidogenic cells (n = 4 and 3, respectively); levels did not differ (p > 0.10) between cell types. In addition, SCF protein was detected in CL on Days 3 and 10, and was expressed in a cell-specific manner in cells with morphological characteristics of large and small luteal cells. These data indicate that SCF may be involved in communication among steroidogenic cells and/or between steroidogenic and nonsteroidogenic cells of the CL.

Human stem cell factor dimer forms a complex with two molecules of the extracellular domain of its receptor, Kit

Stem cell factor (SCF) is a cytokine that is active toward hematopoietic progenitor cells and other cell types, including germ cells, melanocytes, and mast cells, which express its receptor, the tyrosine kinase, Kit. SCF exists as noncovalently associated dimer at concentrations where it has been possible to study its quaternary structure; it stimulates dimerization and autophosphorylation of Kit at the cell surface. We have used recombinant versions of human SCF and human Kit extracellular domain (sKit) to study SCF-Kit interactions. By size exclusion chromatography, plus various physical chemical methods including light scattering, sedimentation equilibrium, and titration calorimetry, we demonstrate the formation of complexes containing a dimer of SCF (unglycosylated SCF1-165) plus two molecules of sKit. The concentrations of SCF and sKit in these studies were in the range of 0.35-16.2 microM. The data are analyzed and discussed in the context of several possible models for complex formation. In particular, the sedimentation data are not consistent with a model involving cooperative binding. The Kd estimate for SCF-sKit interaction, obtained by sedimentation equilibrium, is about 17 nm at 25 degrees C. With glycosylated SCF1-165, the Kd is considerably higher.

Immobilized anti-KIT monoclonal antibody induces ligand-independent dimerization and activation of Steel factor receptor: biologic similarity with membrane-bound form of Steel factor rather than its soluble form

Interaction of a tyrosine kinase type receptor and its ligand induces receptor-dimerization or -oligomerization followed by transphosphorylation and activation of its intrinsic kinase, which leads to a series of intracellular signals. We have previously reported that the membrane-bound form of Steel factor (SLF) induces more persistent tyrosine kinase activation and longer life span of c-kit encoded protein (KIT) than its soluble form (Miyazawa et al, Blood 85:641, 1995). In this study, we used YB5.B8 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) that recognizes the extracellular domain of KIT to investigate whether immobilized anti-KIT MoAb can substitute for SLF as a potent activator of KIT by cross-linking receptors and further compared its effect with each SLF isoform in a factor-dependent cell line M07e. YB5.B8 MoAb in a soluble state suppressed SLF-induced M07e cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. By contrast, once this antibody was immobilized on the goat-antimouse MoAb (GAM)-coated culture plates, it supported the growth of M07e cells in the absence of any growth factors, whereas culture the cells in GAM alone or YB5.B8 without GAM-coated plates resulted in rapid cell-death within 24 hours. As with the natural ligand SLF, immobilized YB5.B8 MoAb synergized with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in inducing cell proliferation compared with either YB5.B8 MoAb or GM-CSF alone. Immunoblotting with antiphosphotyrosine MoAb showed that interaction of M07e cells with immobilized YB5.B8 induced tyrosine phosphorylation of a series of intracellular proteins including KIT (145 kD). In addition, cross-linking studies using a water-soluble cross linking reagent bis-sulfosuccinimidyl-suberate showed that immobilized YB5.B8 MoAb induced dimerization and activation of KIT. However, as with stimulation by the membrane-bound form of SLF, the kinetics of KIT activation with YB5.B8 MoAb was more prolonged compared with the cells treated with recombinant soluble SLF. Flow cytometry showed that, unlike the cells treated with soluble SLF, no downmodulation of cell-surface KIT expression was observed in M07e cells cultured with immobilzed YB5.B8 MoAb. These data suggest that immobilized antibodies against hematopoietic receptors may replace their ligand-stimulators; however, their activities may resemble the membrane-bound form rather than the soluble form of natural ligands.

Cloning, sequencing and expression of stem cell factor (c-kit ligand) cDNA of brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

By means of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), three stem cell factor (SCF) cDNAs (822-738 bp in size) were amplified from brushtail possum ovarian poly (A)+ RNA. The largest and smallest of these cDNAs were cloned and sequenced. Characterization of these cDNAs has revealed that possum SCF has approximately 75% and 66% homology to SCF of eutherian mammals at the nucleotide level and the predicted amino acid level respectively. Nucleotide sequencing shows that the 738-bp cDNA represents an mRNA splice variant, equivalent to that found in eutherian mammals, in which an exon (84 bp) encoding a potential proteolytic cleavage site is removed. Comparison of the predicted possum SCF amino acid sequence with the predicted SCF amino acid sequences from eutherian mammals reveals conservation of all cysteine residues and 3 of 4 potential N-linked glycosylation sites. In addition, the hydropathicity profile of the possum SCF protein is similar to that of eutherian SCF suggesting that protein conformation is conserved. Northern analysis was used to characterize possum SCF gene expression in adult ovary and testis. A major transcript of 9 kb was observed in both ovarian and testicular tissue. The conservation of the SCF gene and its predicted protein, suggests that SCF in the possum has similar biological activities to SCF in eutherian mammals.

The cloning and sequencing of cDNAs encoding two isoforms of feline stem cell factor

cDNA clones encoding two isoforms of feline stem cell factor (fSCF) have been isolated using RT-PCR and their sequences determined. The cDNAs encode a predicted full length fSCF protein of 274 amino-acids and a shorter isoform of 246 amino acids. Feline SCF shows a high degree of homology to the SCFs of other species at both the nucleic acid and protein level.