Synergy between paclitaxel plus an exogenous methyl donor in the suppression of murine demyelinating diseases

Progressive demyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS) reflects the negative balance between myelin damage and repair due to physical and molecular barriers, such as astrocytic glial scars, between oligodendrocytes and target neurons. In this paper, we show that combination therapy with paclitaxel (Taxol) plus the universal methyl-donor, vitamin B12CN (B12CN), dramatically limits progressive demyelination, and enhances remyelination in several independent, immune and nonimmune, in vivo and in vitro model systems. Combination therapy significantly reduced clinical signs of EAE in SJL mice, as well as the spontaneously demyelinating ND4 transgenic mouse. Astrocytosis was normalised in parallel to ultrastructural and biochemical evidence of remyelination. The combination therapy suppressed T cell expansion, reduced IFN-gamma, while enhancing IFN-beta and STAT-1 expression, STAT-1 phosphorylation and methylation of STAT-1 and MBP in the brain. Paclitaxel/B12CN has nearly identical effects to the previously described combination of IFN-beta/ B12CN, whose clinical usefulness is transient because of IFN-neutralising antibodies, not observed (or expected) with the present drug combination. This report provides a mechanistic foundation for the development of a new therapeutic strategy in humans with MS.

Multiple sclerosis: an important role for post-translational modifications of myelin basic protein in pathogenesis

Myelin basic protein (MBP) represents a candidate autoantigen in multiple sclerosis (MS). We isolated MBP from normal and MS human white matter and purified six components (charge isomers) to compare the post-translational modifications on each. The sites and extent of methylation, deimination, and phosphorylation were documented for all tryptic peptides by mass spectrometry. We found that mono and dimethylated arginine 107 was increased in MS samples; deimination of arginine occurred at a number of sites and was elevated in MS; phosphorylation was observed in 10 peptides in normal samples but was greatly reduced or absent in most peptides from MS samples. Data obtained with MBP isolated from fresh brain obtained from a spontaneously demyelinating mouse model supported the view that the changes observed in human brain were probably related to pathogenesis of demyelination, i.e. we found decreased phosphorylation and decreased amounts of glycogen synthesis kinase in brain homogenates using specific antibodies. This study represents the first to define post-translational modifications in demyelinating disease and suggest an important role in pathogenesis.

Primary structure of equine myelin basic protein by mass spectrometry

Equine myelin basic protein (MBP) has been isolated from spinal cord and shown to consist of a number of components (charge isomers) by alkaline-urea gel electrophoresis. Mass analyses of several of these components showed that each was posttranslationally modified and some have been identified. Component 1, the most cationic charge isomer, was sequenced by a combination of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry of peptides obtained by proteolytic digestion. At 172 residues it is slightly larger than the bovine (169) and the human (170). A major difference between bovine and equine sequences was the replacement of AQGH (bovine residues 76-79) by SRDG (equine). A number of other replacements involving single amino acids were also found. Methylated arginine (residue 108 equine) was found as both the mono- and the dimethylated derivative and represents the first MS/MS evidence for this modification in any MBP.

Peptidylarginine deiminase: a candidate factor in demyelinating disease

In earlier studies we demonstrated that an increase in the relative amounts of citrullinated myelin basic protein (MBP) was found in multiple sclerosis (Moscarello et al. 1994). To determine the temporal relationship between the citrullinated MBP and peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD), the enzyme responsible for deiminating arginyl residues in proteins, we studied enzyme activity, enzyme protein, PAD mRNA in a spontaneously demyelinating transgenic mouse model and we correlated the amount of PAD with citrullinated MBP. Both PAD protein as measured in an immunoslot blot method and PAD RNA were elevated. In fractionation studies we showed that the increase in PAD enzyme was due to an increase in the PAD found in membrane fractions and not the soluble PAD (PADII). From our data we concluded that up-regulation of myelin-associated PAD was responsible for the increase in citrullinated MBP in our transgenic mice prior to onset of clinical or pathological signs of demyelination. We postulate that a similar mechanism may be responsible for the increase in citrullinated MBP in multiple sclerosis.

A rapid ELISA-based serum assay for myelin basic protein in multiple sclerosis

We have developed a sensitive, ELISA-based assay to detect autoantibodies to myelin basic protein (MBP) in human serum. Autoantibody levels were measured in 98 normal healthy adults (age range 20-66) and 94 clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) cases (age range 18-63). Of the MS patients, 77% had elevated levels of MBP autoantibodies (IgG) whereas only five normal individuals had antibody levels increased over normal. From the receiver-operator curve (ROC), the mean+/-2SD as clinical decision limit offers high sensitivity (77%) and specificity (95%). No change in assay performance was observed when hemoglobin, triglycerides or bilirubin were added to serum samples. The success of the assay is dependent on the use of heparin, an anionic molecule, which neutralizes the positive charge on the highly cationic MBP.

Paclitaxel (Taxol) attenuates clinical disease in a spontaneously demyelinating transgenic mouse and induces remyelination

Treatment with paclitaxel by four intraperitoneal injections (20 mg/kg) 1 week apart attenuated clinical signs in a spontaneously demyelinating model, if given with onset of clinical signs. If given at 2 months of age (1 month prior to clinical signs), disease was almost completely prevented The astrogliosis, prominent in our model, was reversed by paditaxel as determined by astrocyte counts and quantitation of GFAP. Electron microscopic examination of affected regions at 2.5 months demonstrated that the myelin was generally normal. By 4 months of age, demyelination was common in the superior cerebellar peduncle, maximal at 6 months, but continued to 8 months. In addition to myelin vacuolation and nude axons, the presence of many thin myelin sheaths suggested remyelination or partial demyelination. Although no evidence of oligodendrocyte loss was seen, nuclear changes were observed. To substantiate that remyelination was occurring, we measured MBP (18.5 kDa), MBP-exon II, Golli-MBP, TP8, Golli-MBP-J37, platelet-derived growth factor alpha (PDGFR alpha) and sonic hedgehog (SHH). Of these TP8, PDGFR alpha and SHH were up-regulated in the untreated transgenic. After paditaxel treatment, MBP-Exon II, TP8, PDGFR alpha and SHH were further up-regulated. We concluded that some of the effects of paditaxel were to stimulate proteins involved in early myelinating events possibly via a signal transduction mechanism.

The effects of deimination of myelin basic protein on structures formed by its interaction with phosphoinositide-containing lipid monolayers

The recombinant 18.5-kDa charge isoform of murine myelin basic protein (rmMBP) is unmodified posttranslationally and was used to study the effects of deimination, i.e., the conversion of arginyl to citrullinyl residues, on the protein's interactions with itself and with lipids. The unmodified species rmMBP-Cit(0) (i.e., containing no citrullinyl residues) interacted with binary monolayers containing acidic (phosphatidylinositol) and nickel-chelating lipids to form paracrystalline arrays with 4.8-nm spacing. A sample of protein was deiminated to an average of 9 citrullinyl residues per molecule of protein, yielding rmMBP-Cit(9). Under both low- and high-salt conditions, this species formed better-ordered domains than rmMBP-Cit(0), viz., planar crystalline assemblies. Thus, deimination of MBP resulted in a significant alteration of its lipid-organizing and self-interaction properties that might be operative in myelin in vivo, especially in progression of the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis. Comparisons of amino acid sequences indicated significant similarities of MBP with filaggrin, a protein that is deiminated in another autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis, suggesting that comparable epitopes could be targeted in both pathologies. In contrast, binary lipid monolayers consisting of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (or phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate) and a nickel-chelating lipid formed helical tubular vesicular structures, which appeared to be induced and/or stabilized by rmMBP, especially in its deiminated form. Sequence comparisons with other actin- and phosphoinositide-binding proteins (vinculin, ActA, MARCKS) suggested that the carboxyl-terminal segment of MBP could form an amphipathic alpha helix and was the phosphoinositide binding site.

T cells of multiple sclerosis patients target a common environmental peptide that causes encephalitis in mice

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease triggered by unknown environmental factors in genetically susceptible hosts. MS risk was linked to high rates of cow milk protein (CMP) consumption, reminiscent of a similar association in autoimmune diabetes. A recent rodent study showed that immune responses to the CMP, butyrophilin, can lead to encephalitis through antigenic mimicry with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. In this study, we show abnormal T cell immunity to several other CMPs in MS patients comparable to that in diabetics. Limited epitope mapping with the milk protein BSA identified one specific epitope, BSA(193), which was targeted by most MS but not diabetes patients. BSA(193) was encephalitogenic in SJL/J mice subjected to a standard protocol for the induction of experimental autoimmune encephalitis. These data extend the possible, immunological basis for the association of MS risk, CMP, and CNS autoimmunity. To pinpoint the same peptide, BSA(193), in encephalitis-prone humans and rodents may imply a common endogenous ligand, targeted through antigenic mimicry.

Characterization of a recombinant murine 18.5-kDa myelin basic protein

A recombinant hexahistidine-tagged 18.5-kDa isoform of murine myelin basic protein has been characterized biochemically and immunogenically, by mass spectrometry, by circular dichroism under various conditions (in aqueous solution, with monosialoganglioside G(M1), and in 89% 2-propanol), and by transmission electron microscopy. The preparations of this protein indicated a high degree of purity and homogeneity, with no significant posttranslational modifications. Circular dichroic spectra showed that this preparation had the same degree of secondary structure as the natural bovine 18.5-kDa isoform of myelin basic protein. Incubation of the recombinant protein with lipid monolayers containing a nickel-chelating lipid resulted in the formation of fibrous assemblies that formed paracrystals of spacings 4.8 nm between fibers and 3-4 nm along them.

Inhibition of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the Lewis rat by paclitaxel

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for multiple sclerosis (MS), is useful for preclinical testing for agents to be considered for treatment for this human demyelinating disease. Microtubules in lymphocytes play an important role in the cascade of human T cell activation, and paclitaxel (PTX), a microtubule stabilizer, can inhibit T cell function. A new formulation of micellar PTX, free of Cremophor and ethanol, was tested for its effect on the induction of EAE in Lewis rats. Adoptive EAE was induced with an encephalitogenic T cell line activated with guinea pig myelin basic protein (GP MBP) peptide 68-88. PTX (10 mg/kg) was administered 24 and 72 h after cell transfer. The clinical signs, fulminating in controls, were completely blocked by PTX, but mild CNS inflammation remained unaltered. A similar dose of PTX, given on days 6 and 8 to animals developing active EAE after immunization with GP MBP peptide 68-88 in complete Freund's adjuvant, greatly reduced the severity of paralysis and delayed the onset of disease by 8-9 days. Marked weight loss and severe toxicity were noted with higher and more prolonged administration. In vitro micellar PTX inhibited activation of encephalitogenic T cells by both specific antigen and mitogen. Lower doses and longer treatment programs may provide effective treatment with acceptable adverse effects with this agent in the treatment of inflammatory demyelinating disease.

Deimination of myelin basic protein. 2. Effect of methylation of MBP on its deimination by peptidylarginine deiminase

Deimination of myelin basic protein (MBP) has been implicated in the chemical pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Degradation of bovine MBP by cathepsin D, a myelin-associated protease, was increased when 6 arginyl residues were deiminated and became very rapid when all 18 arginyl residues were deiminated. Since MBP contains a number of modifications, including methylation, phosphorylation, etc., we studied the effect of methylation, an irreversible modification, to determine how this modification affected deimination. Methylation of Arg 106 in bovine MBP (Arg 107 in human), a naturally occurring modification of MBP, has been shown to affect the deimination of arginyl residues in the present study. Since fractionation of MBP into unmethylated, monomethylated, and dimethylated species cannot be done readily on a preparative scale, mass spectrometry with the Q-TOF instrument resolved these species readily since each differed from the other by 14 atomic mass units (amu). Examination of five different hMBP samples, two from normal brain and three from MS brain, revealed that increased deimination of arginyl residues correlated with a decreased methylation of Arg 107 (human sequence). To study this process in vitro, bovine MBP (bMBP) was used. Component 1 (C-1) is the most cationic of the MBP "charge isomers" and the most unmodified, in which all arginyl residues are intact. It was deiminated to various extents with purified bovine brain peptidylarginine deiminase, generating a number of species containing 0-13.7 mol of citrulline/mol of bMBP. Mass spectrometry of each of these species permitted us to determine the influence of methylation of Arg 106 (bovine sequence) on deimination by this enzyme. We found that bMBP with unmethylated arginine was deiminated at a rate of 0.081 mol of citrulline/min, with monomethylarginine, 0.068 mol of citrulline/min, and with dimethylarginine, 0.036 mol of citrulline/min. We suggest that the methylated arginyl residue becomes sequestered in the hydrophobic beta-sheet structure and disrupts the three-dimensional structure of the protein so that other arginyl residues are less accessible to peptidylarginine deiminase.

Deimination of myelin basic protein. 1. Effect of deimination of arginyl residues of myelin basic protein on its structure and susceptibility to digestion by cathepsin D

The effect of deimination of arginyl residues in bovine myelin basic protein (MBP) on its susceptibility to digestion by cathepsin D has been studied. Using bovine component 1 (C-1) of MBP, the most unmodified of the components with all 18 arginyl residues intact, we have generated a number of citrullinated forms by treatment of the protein with purified peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) in vitro. We obtained species containing 0-9.9 mol of citrulline/mol of MBP. These various species were digested with cathepsin D, a metalloproteinase which cleaves proteins at Phe-Phe linkages. The rate of digestion compared to component 1 was only slightly affected when 2.7 or 3.8 mol of citrulline/mol of MBP was present. With 7.0 mol of citrulline/mol of MBP, a large increase in the rate of digestion occurred. No further increase was observed with 9.9 mol of citrulline/mol of MBP. The immunodominant peptide 43-88 (bovine sequence) was released slowly when 2.7 and 3.8 mol of citrulline/mol of MBP was present, but it was released rapidly when 7.0 mol of citrulline/mol of MBP was present. The dramatic change in digestion with 7.0 mol of citrulline/mol of MBP or more could be explained by a change in three-dimensional structure. Molecular dynamics simulation showed that increasing the number of citrullinyl residues above 7 mol/mol of MBP generated a more open structure, consistent with experimental observations in the literature. We conclude that PAD, which deiminates arginyl residues in proteins, decreases both the charge and compact structure of MBP. This structural change allows better access of the Phe-Phe linkages to cathepsin D. This scheme represents an effective way of generating the immunodominant peptide which sensitizes T-cells for the autoimmune response in demyelinating disease.

Cryoelectron microscopy of protein-lipid complexes of human myelin basic protein charge isomers differing in degree of citrullination

Myelin basic protein (MBP) is considered to be essential for the maintenance of stability of the myelin sheath. Reduction in cationicity of MBP, especially due to conversion of positively charged arginine residues to uncharged citrulline (Cit), has been found to be associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, the interactions of an anionic phosphatidylserine/monosialoganglioside-G(M1) (4:1, w:w) lipid monolayer with 18.5-kDa MBP preparations from age-matched adult humans without MS (no Cit residues), with chronic MS (6 Cit), and with acute Marburg-type MS (18 Cit) were studied by transmission and ultralow dose scanning transmission electron microscopy under cryogenic conditions. Immunogold labeling and single particle electron crystallography were used to define the nature of the complexes visualized. These electron microscopical analyses showed that the three different MBP charge isomers all formed uniformly sized and regularly shaped protein-lipid complexes with G(M1), probably as hexamers, but exhibited differential association with and organization of the lipid. The least cationic Marburg MBP-Cit(18) formed the most open protein-lipid complex. The data show a disturbance in lipid-MBP interactions at the ultrastructural level that is related to degree of citrullination, and which may be involved in myelin degeneration in multiple sclerosis.

Highly deiminated isoform of myelin basic protein from multiple sclerosis brain causes fragmentation of lipid vesicles

Myelin basic protein (MBP) occurs as a number of charge isomers due to phosphorylation, deamidation, and deimination of arginine to citrulline. All of these modifications decrease the net positive charge of the protein and its ability to cause aggregation of negatively charged lipid vesicles. This is used as a model system for the ability of MBP to cause adhesion of the cytosolic surfaces of myelin. Therefore, the effect of two deiminated forms of MBP on lipid vesicles was compared with that of the unmodified, most positively charged isomer, C1, to determine how loss of positively charged arginines would affect the function of MBP. The deiminated forms were the isomer isolated from normal human brains, in which only 6 Arg are deiminated to citrulline (MBP-Cit(6)), and an isomer isolated from the brain of a patient who died with acute, fulminating multiple sclerosis (Marburg type), in which 18 of the 19 Arg were deiminated (MBP-Cit(18)). Whereas C1 caused aggregation of lipid vesicles, resulting in an increase in absorbance due to light scattering, MBP-Cit(18) caused a decrease in absorbance of the lipid vesicles. Size exclusion chromatography and negative staining electron microscopy showed that this was due to fragmentation of the large multilayered vesicles into much smaller vesicles. MBP-Cit(6) caused less aggregation of lipid vesicles than did C1. However, no fragmentation of the vesicles into smaller ones in the presence of C1 and MBP-Cit(6) was detected by size exclusion chromatography or electron microscopy. The membrane fragmentation caused by MBP-Cit(18) is dramatically different from the effects of other forms of MBP from normal brain and may indicate a pathogenic effect of this charge isomer, which may have contributed to the severity of the Marburg type of multiple sclerosis. Alternatively, the deimination may have been a secondary effect resulting from the disease process. Regardless of the role of MBP-Cit(18) in multiple sclerosis, the effect of this modification indicates that, when most of the arginines of MBP are modified to an uncharged amino acid, the protein acquires properties similar to an apolipoprotein; thus, it may take up an amphipathic structure when bound to lipid. A partly amphipathic character may also be related to the role of MBP-Cit(6) in normal immature myelin, where it is the predominant charge isomer.

The developmental expression and activity of peptidylarginine deiminase in the mouse

We have measured the expression and activity of peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD, EC 3.5.3.15), the enzyme responsible for converting arginyl residues in proteins to citrullines, in normal mouse brain homogenate. PAD transcripts were detected as early as five days and were maximal at one month of age. The enzyme protein was also detected at 5 days in an antibody dependent assay and was maximal at 2 months of age, 1 month later than the maximum expression of transcripts. As expected, enzyme activity had a similar developmental profile to that of the enzyme protein. In isolated mouse brain compact myelin, the activity was highest at 15 days and fell rapidly to 15% of this level by 1-2 months. In the 'loose' myelin fraction (heavy myelin) it remained at the same high level form from 15 days to 8 months. The activity in compact myelin was about 15 times greater than the activity in brain homogenate, suggesting much of the enzyme was localized to myelin.

Rapid release and unusual stability of immunodominant peptide 45-89 from citrullinated myelin basic protein

Myelin basic protein (MBP) exists in a population of isoforms and isomers. The 18.5 kDa MBP-C1, the main human adult isoform, has 170 residues and is relatively unmodified, whereas the same isoform can be citrullinated on six arginine residues to create the MBP-C8 (MBP Cit6) isomer. MBP Cit6 dominates in MS brain, accounting for 45% rather than 25% of the population of MBP isomers. In the fulminant form of MS, known as Marburg's Disease, 18 of the 19 arginines in MBP are citrullinated (MBP Cit18). Citrullination of MBP could lead to instability of myelin or limited remyelination. In this investigation, the susceptibilities to degradation by cathepsin D of MBP Cit6 and MBP-C1, both from normal and MS brain tissue, and Marburg MBP Cit18 were compared. The pattern of digestion was similar, and no differences of corresponding isomers in normal and MS brain were noted. However, normal MBP Cit6 was degraded 10-fold more rapidly than MBP-C1, and MBP Cit18 was degraded even more rapidly. MBP peptide 45-89 was preserved regardless of isomer type or source. Its generation was directly related to the citrulline content of the MBP substrate being 4 times faster in normal MBP Cit6 and 35 times faster in Marburg MBP Cit18 than in normal MBP-C1. Peptide 45-89 from a citrullinated MBP exhibited more deamidation, and, regardless of source, showed an alpha-helix structure in a lipid mimetic environment. We postulate that the generation of MBP peptides, including those that are dominant and encephalitogenic, is directly related to deimination of arginine to citrulline in MBP.

Marburg's variant of multiple sclerosis correlates with a less compact structure of myelin basic protein

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which the myelin sheath of the central nervous system is degraded, and the 18.5 kDa isoform of myelin basic protein (MBP) is reduced in cationicity. In a unique case of acute, fulminating MS (Marburg's variant), MBP is considerably less cationic than MBP from both normal, and chronic MS-afflicted individuals. This electron microscopical study has identified that, in vitro, the less cationic Marburg MBP isomer forms a more extended protein-lipid complex than MBP from healthy or chronic MS-afflicted individuals. This correlation implies that chemical modifications to MBP in vivo contribute directly to the structural instability of myelin, and subsequent autoantigenic presentation of this protein, observed in vivo in MS.

Human proteolipid protein (PLP) mediates winding and adhesion of phospholipid membranes but prevents their fusion

Proteolipid protein (PLP or lipophilin) is a highly conserved, strongly hydrophobic, integral membrane protein, and is the major protein component of central nervous system myelin. Although PLP has been implicated in many functions, its in vivo role is still uncertain. Here, we report the investigation of PLP's putative adhesive function using purified PLP and reconstituted phospholipid vesicles made of either 100% phosphatidylcholine (PC), or a mixture of 92% PC and 8% phosphatidylserine (PS), by weight. PLP-induced changes in the phospholipid bilayer surfaces were directly examined by transmission electron microscopy. We found that upon the introduction of PLP, larger lipid vesicles became smaller and unilamellar. At the PLP:lipid molar ratio of 1:20, vesicle membranes rolled onto themselves forming 'croissant'-like structures that subsequently adhered to each other. The phenomena of PLP-induced bilayer rolling and adhesion were dependent on the concentration of PLP and the period of incubation, but were independent of the presence of calcium and types of phospholipids (PC or PC:PS). Furthermore, the presence of PLP in the lipid bilayers prevented the fusion of membranes. These findings show that PLP can induce membrane 'winding' while preventing the fusion of adjacent lipid bilayers. Hence, our data provide direct evidence for PLP's suspected function of membrane adhesion, and also suggest that PLP could potentially play a role in the formation of the myelin sheath.

A novel microtubule independent effect of paclitaxel: the inhibition of peptidylarginine deiminase from bovine brain

Although the principal effect of paclitaxel (taxol) is in preventing depolymerization of microtubules, other effects have been described recently. In the present manuscript, we demonstrate an inhibitory effect on the enzyme peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) which converts peptidyl bound arginine to citrulline. To study the mechanism of action of the drug on PAD, a number of studies were carried out with purified enzyme. With the synthetic substrate benzoyl-arginine ethyl ester (BAEE), almost total inhibition of activity was observed at 12. 5 mM. With myelin basic protein (MBP) as a substrate, deimination of arginyl residues was prevented by 0.5 mM paclitaxel. The velocity-substrate curve was unusual since substrate enhancement was observed at 5 mM BAEE. These data suggested the presence of two binding sites on the enzyme. Inhibition of activity by paclitaxel was non-competitive for both sites.

Mechanism of demyelination in DM20 transgenic mice involves increased fatty acylation

Transgenic mice (ND4) containing 70 copies of the transgene encoding DM20 were clinically normal up to 3 months of age, spontaneously demyelinated there-after and died in 8-10 months. Whereas the myelin fraction from normal mice increased in amount from 1-4 months as expected, the corresponding fraction in ND4 mice remained constant over this period. In order to study the mechanism by which decreased myelin synthesis was manifest in the ND4 mouse, we investigated the amounts of proteolipids at various ages. The amount of proteolipid protein (PLP) was greatly decreased after 1-2 months in the ND4 mice. Although the message for DM20 was increased (transgene mRNA), very little DM20 was found in myelin at 1 month. It subsequently increased so that at 3-4 months the amount of DM20 in myelin isolated from transgenic animals was much higher than in normal mice. Characterization of the DM20 and PLP at 1 month of age showed that the amount of fatty acid (stearate and palmitate) was increased and the N-terminal glycine was methylated. These data suggested that high copy numbers of the cDNA for DM20 affected post translational events which we postulate affected the proper insertion of both DM20 and PLP in the myelin bilayer.

Characterization of myelin basic protein charge microheterogeneity in developing mouse brain and in the transgenic shiverer mutant

Myelin basic protein (MBP) is a highly heterogeneous family of membrane proteins consisting of several isoforms resulting from alternative splicing and charge isomers arising from posttranslational modifications. Although well characterized in the bovine and human species, those in the mouse are not. With the availability of a number of transgenic and knockout mice, the need to understand the chemical nature of the MBPs has become very important. To isolate and characterize the MBP species in murine brain, two methods were adapted for use with the small amounts of MBP available from mice. The first was a scaled-down version of the preparative CM-52 chromatographic system commonly used to isolate MBP charge isomers; the second was an alkaline-urea slab gel technique that required five times less material than the conventional tube gel system and, from these gels, western blots were readily obtained. Murine MBP was resolved into two populations of charge isomers: the 18.5- and 14-kDa isoforms. Isolation and characterization of these charge isomers or components permitted us to assign possible posttranslational modifications to some of them. Component 1 (C-1), the most cationic isomer, had a molecular weight of 14,140.38 +/- 0.79. C-2 consisted of two 14-kDa species, 14,136.37 +/- 0.74 and 14,204.45 +/- 0.70. Two variants, 14,215.57 +/- 0.94 and 18,413.57 +/- 0.76, constituted C-3. C-4, C-5, and C-8 (the least cationic isomer) each consisted of both 14- and 18.5-kDa isoforms. During myelinogenesis, the 18.5-kDa isoform appeared first (day 4); the 14-kDa isoform appeared at day 16 and subsequently became the dominant isoform. The transgenic shiverer mutant synthesized mainly the 18.5-kDa isoform, but none of the 14-kDa isoform, similar to the 4-day-old mouse. We concluded that the transgenic shiverer was able to initiate myelinogenesis with the 18.5-kDa isoform, but was unable to complete myelinogenesis because of the absence of the 14-kDa isoform.

Increased expression of CD44 on astrocytoma cells induced by binding myelin basic protein

An astrocytoma cell line (HTB-14), expressing high amounts of a CD44 variant compared to other astrocytoma lines was shown to bind myelin basic protein to a greater extent than low expressing lines in a concentration-dependent manner. The CD44 variant expressed by HTB-14 cells was determined to migrate in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with a molecular mass of 100 kDa compared to that from white matter which had a molecular mass of 80 kDa. The most cationic component of myelin basic protein (MBP), (component 1) bound more avidly than the least cationic isomer (component 8). Internalization of MBP was demonstrated by immunogold electron microscopy and was localized to the perinuclear area with some gold particles in the cytoplasm but not near the plasma membrane. Colocalization with glial fibrillary acid protein suggested an interaction between these two molecules. Binding and internalization of MBP was accompanied by an increase in CD44 as determined by quantitation of gold particles and the measurement of CD44 by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The implication of these studies for the mechanism of demyelination is discussed.

Three-dimensional structure of myelin basic protein. I. Reconstruction via angular reconstitution of randomly oriented single particles

Myelin basic protein (MBP) plays an integral role in the structure and function of the myelin sheath. In humans and cattle, an 18.5-kDa isoform of MBP predominates and exists as a multitude of charge isomers resulting from extensive and varied post-translational modifications. We have purified the least modified isomer (named C1) of the 18.5-kDa isoform of MBP from fresh bovine brain and imaged this protein as negatively stained single particles adsorbed to a lipid monolayer. Under these conditions, MBP/C1 presented diverse projections whose relative orientations were determined using an iterative quaternion-assisted angular reconstitution scheme. In different buffers, one with a low salt and the other with a high salt concentration, the conformation of the protein was slightly different. In low salt buffer, the three-dimensional reconstruction, solved to a resolution of 4 nm, had an overall "C" shape of outer radius 5.5 nm, inner radius 3 nm, overall circumference 15 nm, and height 4.7 nm. The three-dimensional reconstruction of the protein in high salt buffer, solved to a resolution of 2.8 nm, was essentially the same in terms of overall dimensions but had a somewhat more compact architecture. These results are the first structures achieved directly for this unusual macromolecule, which plays a key role in the development of multiple sclerosis.

Three-dimensional structure of myelin basic protein. II. Molecular modeling and considerations of predicted structures in multiple sclerosis

A computational model of myelin basic protein (MBP) has been constructed based on the premise of a phylogenetically conserved beta-sheet backbone and on electron microscopical three-dimensional reconstructions. Many residues subject to post-translational modification (phosphorylation, methylation, or conversion of arginines to citrullines) were located in loop regions and thus accessible to modifying enzymes. The triproline segment (residues 99-101) is fully exposed on the back surface of the protein in a long crossover connection between two parallel beta-strands. The proximity of this region to the underlying beta-sheet suggests that post-translational modifications here might have potential synergistic effects on the entire structure. Post-translational modifications that lead to a reduced surface charge could result first in a weakened attachment to the myelin membrane rather than in a gross conformational change of the protein itself. Such mechanisms could be operative in demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

Acute multiple sclerosis (Marburg type) is associated with developmentally immature myelin basic protein

We have studied a case of acute, fulminating multiple sclerosis (MS) (Marburg type) at the pathological and biochemical levels. Postmortem examination of the brain revealed extensive areas of gross rarefaction in the hemispheric white matter. Histologically, well-demarcated areas of demyelination with a large influx of macrophages and a subtle perivascular infiltration of lymphocytes were seen with relative preservation of the axis cylinders. Myelin basic protein (MBP) was isolated and purified [correction of purifed] from noninvolved white matter. It was slightly larger in molecular weight than MBP from normal brain or from chronic MS brain. The increase in mass was accounted for, in part, by the deimination of 18 of 19 arginyl residues to citrulline, making the patient's MBP much less cationic than MBP from normal white matter. When expressed as the ratio of least cationic form of MBP to the most cationic (C-8/C-1), the normal ratio was 0.82, chronic MS 2.5, and the patient in this study 6.7. Because the ratio of 6.7 was similar to 7.5 found for a 15-month-old infant, MBP was considered to be of the immature form. The data are consistent with a genetic factor influencing the charge microheterogeneity of MBP. The resulting less cationic MBP cannot carry out its normal function of compacting multilayers.

Myelin basic protein in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis is not affected at the posttranslational level: implications for demyelinating disease

The microheterogeneity of myelin basic protein, expressed as the ratio between the least cationic (C-8) charge isomer and the most cationic (C-1), was examined in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) cases. These included acute EAE of 2 months' duration induced with bovine proteolipid protein in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), chronic EAE induced with mouse spinal cord homogenate in varying doses from 0.5 to 2.0 mg in CFA, and chronic relapsing EAE of 12 months' duration induced with synthetic peptide 139-151 of the proteolipid protein sequence. The C-8/C-1 ratio was within the normal range for all groups of animals. However, the C-8/C-1 ratio was six- to sevenfold increased in a spontaneously demyelinating transgenic model, ND4, which contains 70 copies of the cDNA for DM20 (Mastronardi et al.: 1996). Since an increase in the C-8/C-1 ratio was also observed in victims of multiple sclerosis but not other neurological diseases, the ND4 model may address primary changes prior to demyelination, while the EAE model addresses the autoimmune aspects of the disease.

Loss of myelin basic protein cationicity in DM20 transgenic mice is dosage dependent

Demyelination in the transgenic mice depended on the dosage of the cDNA for DM20, in which low copy numbers (two to four and 17 copies of the minigene) showed no signs of demyelination. However when transgenic mice with 17 copies were made homozygous with 34 copies of the DM20 minigene (ND3A hm.) demyelination was observed at around 12 to 16 months compared with ND4 mice having 70 copies of the transgene which had an earlier onset of demyelinating symptoms at 3 months, demonstrating a transgene dosage effect. The process by which demyelination was initiated was associated with changes in myelin basic protein. An increased abundance of less cationic MBP (C-8) isomers occurred prior to demyelination. This increase was also associated with increased activity of peptidylarginine deiminase, the enzyme which converts arginine to citrulline in proteins, thereby providing a mechanism for generating less cationic forms of MBP. These data support a dosage effect of the DM20 transgene.

Identification of a mitogen-activated protein kinase site in human myelin basic protein in situ

Ultrastructural localization of a specific phosphorylated isomer of myelin basic protein (MBP) has been achieved with a monoclonal antibody specific for human MBP sequence, 89-105, in which Thr98 was phosphorylated. Cryosections of human brain white matter revealed that gold particles were found localized almost exclusively to the major dense line demonstrating that threonine 98 in the sequence Thr-Pro-Arg-Thr-Pro-Pro-Pro, a mitogen-activated protein kinase-specific site, was phosphorylated in vivo. In two cases of multiple sclerosis, the density of gold particles in myelin was reduced by about 30%, in one case by 42%, and by 80% in a fourth case. However, gold labelling was seen in areas of demyelination suggesting that the phosphorylated threonyl peptide was protected from degradation.

Modifications of myelin basic protein in DM20 transgenic mice are similar to those in myelin basic protein from multiple sclerosis

Transgenic mice containing different numbers of transgenes (2-70) of the myelin proteolipid protein DM20 were phenotypically normal up to 3 mo of age, after which the mice containing 70 copies of the transgene spontaneously demyelinated and died at 10-12 mo. Since we demonstrated that demyelination in multiple sclerosis involved specific chemical changes in myelin basic protein (MBP), we investigated the MBP in our transgenic line for similar changes. Both the total amount of MBP in brain and the MBP mRNA levels were unaffected at the different ages. All the isoforms (14-21 kD) of MBP were present, but the microheterogeneity (a posttranslational event) was changed resulting in a higher proportion of the less cationic components reminiscent of the changes in MBP found in multiple sclerosis. An increased amount of the citrullinated form of MBP was found by Western blot analysis. Immunogold labeling of cryosections of brain revealed a greater density of particles with the anticitrulline antibody at 10 mo and that the levels of peptidylarginine deiminase (which deiminates protein-bound arginine to citrulline) were increased. This stable transgenic line represents a useful animal model for the human disease multiple sclerosis.

ADP-ribosyltransferase activity in myelin membranes isolated from human brain

An ADP-ribosyltransferase has been identified in compact myelin and in several white matter fractions which contain less compact myelin, fractionated on the basis of increasing protein/lipid ratios. One fraction the P3A contained the greatest activity although the activity in compact myelin was only slightly less. The ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of solubilized myelin was stimulated by increasing amounts of GTP gamma S and was specific for the beta-isomer of NAD. Although ADP-ribosylation was demonstrated with the heterotrimeric G proteins in the 40-50 kDa range, the substrate for the ADP-ribosyltransferase in the 20 kDa range was identified as MBP. ADP-ribosyltransferase; myelin basic protein; signal transduction.

The effects of citrullination or variable amino-terminus acylation on the encephalitogenicity of human myelin basic protein in the PL/J mouse

The post-translational modifications of myelin basic protein (MBP) in the form of citrullination and varying length of amino-terminus acylation may modify the biological functions and immunological features of MBP. Both modifications influence the reaction of antibodies and specific T cells recognizing MBP. The present study was undertaken to compare the encephalitogenicity of the citrullinated isomer of MBP (MBP-C8) with the unmodified isomer of MBP (MBP-C1) and to determine if the length of amino-terminal acylation of MBP peptide 1-21 altered an encephalitogenic epitope. MBP-C8, whether from patients with or without multiple sclerosis (MS), and MBP-C1 could induce active experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in PL/J mice. A trend of reduced severity of EAE was observed in MBP-C8-injected animals. An increase in the length of amino-terminus fatty acid decreased the encephalitogenicity of MBP peptide 1-21 for both active and adoptive EAE in PL/J mice. Only lymph node cells sensitive to MBP peptide acetyl 1-21 and butyl 1-21 could transfer clinical EAE. In adoptive EAE, MBP peptides hexyl and octyl 1-21 induced moderate histopathological but no clinical change, whereas MBP peptide decyl 1-21 caused neither. A broadening in the antibody response could be detected in the sera of mice with active EAE induced by MBP-acylated peptides 1-21. Our findings demonstrate that encephalitogenicity is retained in the presence of citrullination but that the length of amino-terminus acylation diminishes the encephalitogenicity of MBP in the PL/J mouse.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The isolation and characterization of four myelin basic proteins from the unbound fraction during CM52 chromatography

The unbound fraction from CM52 columns was used as the source of at least four additional myelin basic protein (MBP) molecules. From this fraction we routinely obtained two major fractions called C8-A and C8-B. The C8-A and C8-B fractions were further purified on HPLC. Each contained two proteins in the 17- to 18-kDa range which we called C8-A(H) (higher M(r)), C8-A(L) (lower M(r)), C8-B(H), and C8-B(L). The citrulline values (calculated as citrulline plus ornithine) were high in three of the four proteins, which was accompanied by a compensatory decrease in the arginine values. The compositions clearly identified these four proteins with the citrullinated form of MBP. Western blot analysis showed that both H and L forms reacted with anti MBP antibodies. Partial sequence analysis after cyanogen bromide cleavage, showed that the sequences of both proteins in the C8-B fraction (C8-B(H) and C8-B(L)) were identical to the 18.5-kDa isoform of MBP. Mass spectrometry by electrospray ionization of the C8-B(H) and C8-B(L) provided us with accurate masses of 18,558.08 +/- 8.13 and 17,266.63 +/- 2.24, respectively. We concluded that the H and L proteins from the C8-B fractions were MBPs. Although similar detailed analyses of the C8-A(H) and C8-A(L) have not been done they are also considered to be MBP on the basis of the immunoreactivity with anti MBP antibodies. The origins of these proteins is not known at this time and their functional significance is obscure. The possibility that they are found in early forms of myelin, as components of transitional membranes between oligodendrocytes and myelin or are involved in remyelination, cannot be discounted.

Participation of acetylpseudouridine in the synthesis of a peptide bond in vitro

Uracil, uridine, and pseudouridine were acetylated by refluxing in acetic anhydride, and the products of acetylation were incubated with a synthetic peptide (1-21) that corresponds to the N-terminal 21 amino acid residues of human myelin basic protein. Peptide bond formation, at the N alpha terminus in peptide 1-21, was obtained with acetyluracil and acetylpseudouridine, but not with acetyluridine. Transfer of an acetyl group from acetyluracil and acetylpseudouridine depended on acetylation in the N-heterocycle. X-ray crystallographic analysis definitively established N-1 as the site of acetylation in acetyluracil. Mass spectrometry of the acetylation products showed that one acetyl group was transferred to peptide 1-21, in water, by either acetyluracil or acetylpseudouridine at pH approximately 6. Release of the acetyl group by acylaminopeptidase regenerated peptide 1-21 (mass spectrometry) and automated sequencing (for five cycles) of the regenerated (deacetylated) peptide demonstrated that the N terminus was intact. The findings are discussed in the context of a possible role for pseudouridine in ribosome-catalyzed peptidyltransfer, with particular reference being made to similarities between the possible mechanism of acyl transfer by acetyluracil/pseudouridine and the mechanism of carboxyl transfer by carboxylbiotin in acetyl CoA carboxylase. The possibility that idiosyncratic appearance of a wide range of acyl substituents in myelin basic protein could be related to a peculiar involvement of ribosomal pseudouridine is mentioned.

Localization and partial characterization of a 60 kDa citrulline-containing transport form of myelin basic protein from MO3-13 cells and human white matter

The localization of myelin basic proteins (MBPs) in an immortalized human-human hybrid cell line (MO3-13) formed by fusion of rhabdomyosarcoma TE671-TG6 with primary human oligodendrocytes, cultured from surgical specimens, demonstrated an intracellular localization in vesicles and vacuoles with an intricate internal membranous network and to the external surface of the cell by immunogold electron microscopy. The availability of antibodies to one of the components of MBP, i.e., the citrulline containing component ("C-8"), permitted us to localize this component of MBP to intracellular vacuoles and also on the external surface of the MO3-13 cells. Since the apposition of the external surfaces of the oligodendrocyte is responsible for the intraperiod line of the myelin sheath, localization of C-8 to the external surface of non-permeabilized cells by immunogold scanning electron microscopy is consistent with our observations that C-8 is localized to the intraperiod line of myelin (McLaurin et al.: J Neurosci Res 35:618-628, 1993). Western blots of isolated MBP from MO3-13 cells, probed with an antibody reactive with residues 130-137 of MBP, recognized a protein in the 60 kDa range. No immunoreactivity was found in the 18.5 kDa range. This 60 kDa protein also reacted with a monoclonal antibody raised with residues 70-84 of MBP, 2 different polyclonals raised with whole bovine MBP, an antibody to human MBP raised in monkeys, and the anti-citrulline antibody. These data strongly suggested that the 60 kDa protein contained MBP sequences within its primary structure. A similar protein has been isolated from human myelin-containing fractions but not from compact myelin demonstrating that the 60 kDa protein from MO3-13 cells was not an artefact related to fusion. Sequence determination of peptides obtained from enzymic and chemical cleavages revealed that the 60 kDa protein contained MBP sequences and peptides with 55-60% homology with dynamin, a protein involved in intracellular transport. These data suggest that the externalization of MBP in this cell involves transport by fusion of MBP with another protein. By sequestering MBP in a larger protein, the possibility of inducing autoimmune disease by MBP released, due to cell death, is minimized.

Isolation and identification of proteolipid proteins in jimpy mouse brain

Proteolipids were isolated from 20 day old normal and jimpy mouse brain by extraction into chloroform-methanol (2:1, w/v), delipidated by size-exclusion HPLC, and analyzed by SDS-PAGE, Western blots, amino acid analyses, and N-terminal sequencing. SDS-PAGE showed that a major proteolipid from jimpy mouse brain had an apparent molecular weight of approximately 23 kDa, intermediate to that of PLP and DM-20 from normal mouse brain. Western blots with 3 different antibodies which recognize residues 200-224, 116-150, and 270-276 respectively recognized immunoreactive material in normal and jimpy PLP. Since antibody reactive with 270-276 did not recognize jimpy PLP, an altered C-terminus of the jimpy protein is suggested. These results demonstrated that a PLP can be partially purified from jimpy mouse brain. Amino acid analyses failed to show the predicted increase in cysteinyl residues (predicted from cDNA) in jimpy PLP. However, when jimpy brain proteolipids were subjected to N-terminal sequencing, Gly, Leu, Leu, Gly the first four amino acids of PLP were detected. Thus, the partial purification of a proteolipid from jimpy mouse brain, whose characteristics (apparent molecular weight, immunoreactivity, N-terminal sequence and relative net charge) strongly suggested that PLP of altered size is present in jimpy mouse brain.

Myelin in multiple sclerosis is developmentally immature

The etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is considered to involve genetic, environmental, infective, and immunological factors which affect the integrity of a normally assembled myelin sheath, either directly or indirectly resulting in demyelination. In a correlative study involving protein chemical, mass spectrometric, and electron microscopic techniques we have determined that myelin obtained from victims of MS is arrested at the level of the first growth spurt (within the first 6 yr of life) and is therefore developmentally immature. The data supporting this conclusion include (a) the pattern of microheterogeneity of myelin basic protein (MBP); (b) the NH2-terminal acylation of the least cationic component of MBP ("C-8"); (c) the phase transition temperature (Tc) of myelin isolated from victims of MS correlated with the increased proportion of the least cationic component of MBP; and (d) immunogold electron microscopy using an antibody specific for "C-8" showed that the distribution of gold particles in a 2-yr-old infant was similar to the distribution found in a victim of MS. We postulate that this developmentally immature myelin is more susceptible to degradation by one or a combination of factors mentioned above, providing the initial antigenic material to the immune system.

ADP-ribosylation of human myelin basic protein

When isolated myelin membranes were ADP-ribosylated by [32P]NAD+ either in the absence of toxin (by the membrane ADP-ribosyltransferase) or in the presence of cholera toxin, the same proteins were ADP-ribosylated in both cases and myelin basic protein (MBP) was the major radioactive product. Therefore, cholera toxin was considered a good model for ADP-ribosylation of myelin proteins. Although purified human MBP migrates as a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with a molecular mass of 20 kDa, the microheterogeneity that is masked under these conditions can be clearly demonstrated on alkaline-urea gels at pH 10.6. At this pH, MBP is resolved into several components that differ one from the other by a single charge (charge isomers). These charge isomers can be resolved on CM52 columns at pH 10.6, and several can be ADP-ribosylated. Component 1 (C-1), the most cationic charge isomer, incorporated 1.79 mol of ADP-ribose/mol of protein. C-2 and C-3 (which differ from C-1 by the loss of one and two positive charges, respectively) incorporated slightly less at 1.67 and 1.63 mol of ADP-ribose/mol of protein, respectively, whereas C-8, the least cationic, incorporated less than 0.11 mol/mol of protein. In the presence of neutral hydroxylamine, the ADP-ribosyl bond was shown to have a half-life of about 80 min, suggesting an N-glycosidic linkage between ADP-ribose and an arginyl residue of the protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The mechanism of stimulation of brain phospholipase C-alpha by myelin basic protein involves specific interactions

The modulation of a brain phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C-alpha activity was studied using a variety of compounds of different charge. Detergents such as sodium deoxycholate and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide stimulated the phospholipase C activity when used alone but when used together the effects were not additive. Spermine was an effective inhibitor of the enzyme activity while the cationic peptide, Melittin, had no effect. The inositol phosphates produced by hydrolysis with phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C were inhibitory while diacylglycerol and inositol did not affect the phospholipase activity. Myelin basic protein, which was previously shown to stimulate phospholipase C activity by 2.5-fold, did not interact with the anionic inositol phosphatases to any significant extent. Thus we concluded that the mechanism of stimulation was not due to relief of product inhibition. Crosslinking studies with the photoactivatable reagent, N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-4-azidosalicylic acid, showed that peptide 24-33 of myelin basic protein, which stimulated the activity almost as much as the native protein, interacted specifically with the phospholipase C. Thus the mechanism by which myelin basic protein stimulated the enzyme appeared to be through specific protein-protein interaction.

Acylation of myelin basic protein peptide 1-21 with alkyl carboxylates 2-10 carbons long affects secondary structure and posttranslational modification

A peptide consisting of the first 21 residues of human myelin basic protein (MBP) was synthesized. The N-terminal alanine of portions was blocked in separate experiments with alkyl carboxylates varying in size from 2 to 10 carbon atoms. The effects of these different alkyl carboxylates at the N-terminus on the secondary structure was studied by circular dichroism (250-190 nm). In water, the spectra of the unblocked peptide suggested unordered structure with large negative ellipticities at 198 nm. Addition of an acetyl group altered the magnitude of [theta]198 from -21856 +/- 2319 to -11095 +/- 1000 deg cm2 dmol-1, suggesting a significant increase in ordered structure. When peptides with longer alkyl carboxylates, acylated at the N-termini, were studied, the magnitude of theta 198 approached that of the unblocked peptide but greater negative ellipticities were observed for the C8 and C10 alkyl carboxylates. The theta 222 values were generally low (-1803 +/- 463) but increased with increasing length of the alkyl carboxylate to about -3200 deg cm2 dmol-1, suggesting that little alpha-helical structure was present. The spectra were also taken in lipid-mimetic solvents, including 2-propanol, methanol, and lysophosphatidylglycerol (lysoPG). In general the theta 198 and theta 222 values were suggestive of increased structure in these environments compared to water. In 90% 2-propanol the theta 198 of the unblocked peptide did not change when an acetyl group was added to the N-terminus (9088 compared to 8477 deg cm2 dmol-1). Addition of longer alkyl carboxylates correlated with larger, negative ellipticities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Demyelination in a transgenic mouse: a model for multiple sclerosis

A transgenic mouse containing 70 copies (ND4) of the transgene encoding DM20, a myelin proteolipid protein, appeared clinically normal up to 3 months of age. By 8-10 months, it showed tremors, unsteady gait, and died shortly thereafter. We concluded that the clinical symptoms correlated with demyelination based on the following criteria: 1) at 10 months of age only 17% of the amount of myelin obtained from normal mice was isolated from the ND4 mice; 2) astrogliosis, a prominent feature of demyelinating disease was minimal at 3 months of age but prominent by 10 months; 3) at the electron microscopic level disrupted myelin was seen at 8 months of age in the ND4 mice and ingested myelin debris was found in astrocytes; 4) lymphocytic infiltration in association with endothelial cells was observed routinely in the ND4 mice; 5) sections through optic nerves showed denuded and thinly myelinated axons in the 8 month old ND4 mice. Although the mechanism by which demyelination takes place is not fully understood, measurements of the amounts of PLP suggest it is down-regulated by the large amount of DM20. Since DM20 is a major proteolipid in the young but a minor one in the adult, the persistence of high levels in the adult results in improperly assembled myelin which is prone to disruption. Therefore demyelination in the ND4 mouse appears to result from the persistence of immature myelin into the adult.

Deimination of human myelin basic protein by a peptidylarginine deiminase from bovine brain

A peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD; EC 3.5.3.15) has been isolated from bovine brain and some of its characteristics have been studied. The enzyme showed an absolute requirement for Ca2+, a temperature optimum at approximately 50 degrees C, and two Km values when benzoylarginine ethyl ester was used as substrate, 0.78 mM and 11.2 mM. The higher Km has not been reported previously. Protein substrates for the enzyme included polyarginine and myelin basic protein but not histones. Because one of the components of MBP contains six citrullinyl residues per mole, enzymic deimination appeared to be a likely mechanism. When the most cationic component (C-1) was subjected to PAD in solution, 17 of the 19 arginyl residues were modified. From sequence analyses we concluded that the nature of the amino acid residues adjacent to the deiminated arginine were not modifiers of the reaction as arginyl residues in a variety of environments were deiminated. This deimination was reflected in a large increase in random structure, as measured by [theta]200. At 5 degrees C, the [theta]200 of the deiminated protein was -70 x 10(3) compared with -30 x 10(3) deg.cm2/dmol for the native protein. When the temperature was increased to 70 degrees C, the [theta]200 was -44 x 10(3) for the deiminated protein and -20 x 10(7) deg.cm2/dmol for the native C-1. When plotted as a function of temperature, [theta]200 decreased linearly from 5 degrees C to 50 degrees C for both proteins and did not change from 50 degrees C to 70 degrees C. PAD provides a mechanism for deimination of arginyl residues of myelin basic protein. The selective deimination of the six arginyl residues that are consistently found deiminated in C-8 may be determined by the orientation of the protein in the membrane and/or the more complex lipid composition of myelin may affect the selectivity of the deimination.

Localization of basic proteins in human myelin

The myelin basic protein (MBPs) represent a family of proteins (charge isomers) which account for 35% of the total myelin protein. Localization studies have been inconclusive because MBP is not a single protein. Antibodies obtained by injection of MBP into animals recognized all members of the MBP family. In the studies reported here, we have fractionated the MBPs into specific components or charge isomers. One of these which contains citrulline accounts for about 20% of the total MBP. We report the localization of this single MBP to the intraperiod line of myelin by immunoelectron microscopy. For these studies several specific antibodies were used including antibodies raised against total MBP, specific MBP peptides, and against a tetracitrulline peptide. This latter antibody was specific for component 8 (C-8) of MBP. Since C-8 is the only MBP which contains citrulline it was used to localize this particular form of MBP principally to the intraperiod line by immunogold electron microscopy, while antibody against total MBP (consisting of all charge isomers C-1-->C-8) labelled both the major dense line and the intraperiod line. When the anti-citrulline antibody was used with a 3 nm gold conjugated Fab fragments prepared from the secondary antibody, 66.5% of the gold particles were localized to the intraperiod line, while 11.2% of gold particles were localized to the major dense line. On the other hand, with the monoclonal anti-MBP antibodies reactive with residues 69-74, 59.4% of the gold particles were localized to the major dense line and 23.6% of gold particles at the intraperiod line. Other supporting evidence includes increased labelling of myelin by 125I labelled anti-citrulline IgG when isolated myelin was swollen, a process known to take place at the intraperiod line. Gold particles were demonstrated at the intraperiod line in swollen and recompacted myelin. C-8 was shown to associate preferentially with lipids asymmetrically localized to the intraperiod line.

Immunological analysis of the amino terminal and the C8 isomer of human myelin basic protein

The citrullination and N-terminus acylation of myelin basic protein (MBP) increases the heterogeneity among the MBP isoforms. The present study was undertaken to further characterize the immune response to the citrullinated form (C8) of MBP as well as to the variably acylated N-terminus of MBP. Six well-characterized murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to human MBP-C8 or MBP peptides (four mAbs to MBP acetyl 1-9, one mAb to MBP 10-19 and one mAb to MBP 80-89), one murine T cell line (PL11) to human MBP peptide acetyl 1-9 and one Lewis rat T cell line (RT-1) to guinea pig (GP) MBP peptide 68-88 were used to assess reactivity with MBP-C1, MBP-C8, and MBP peptides including a series of MBP peptide 1-21 containing 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 carbon fatty acids. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results revealed that all of the mAbs reacted with human MBP-C1 and MBP-C8 except anti-MBP 10-19 and anti-MBP-C8. The former reacted only with MBP-C1 and the latter only with MBP-C8. The presence and length of acylation of MBP peptide 1-21 modified reactivity. Three mAbs to MBP acetyl 1-9 reacted only with acetyl 1-21, and one mAb anti-MBP actyl 1-9 reacted with all of MBP 1-21 preparations whether acylated or not. mAb anti-MBP-C8 generally reacted better with acylated MBP 1-21 having longer fatty acids. The PL11 T cell line strongly proliferated to human MBP-C1, MBP-C8 and MBP acetyl 1-9, responded, but less well, to MBP 1-21 with longer fatty acids and failed to respond to nonacylated MBP peptide 1-21. The RT-1 cell line responded strongly to GP MBP peptide 68-88, marginally to MBP-C8 and failed to respond to MBP-C1 or any of the other MBP peptides. Specific immune responses to different MBP charge isomers and different N-terminal acylating groups of MBP may play a role in immune-mediated demyelination.

Stimulation of bovine brain phospholipase C activity by myelin basic protein requires arginyl residues in peptide linkage

We reported previously a highly purified phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) from bovine brain and from human myelin which was stimulated by myelin basic protein. In this paper we report that the stimulation of the PI-PLC activity by myelin basic protein (MBP) requires arginine residues in peptide linkage. MBP and poly-L-arginine were able to stimulate the PI-PLC activity by 250% while other basic poly amino acids were unable to stimulate the PI-PLC activity. Neither free arginine nor benzoyl-arginine ethylester was able to stimulate the activity of the enzyme. These results suggested a requirement for the guanidino group of arginine and arginine in peptidyl linkage. The arginyl residues of MBP were modified chemically with 1,2-cyclohexanedione, or enzymatically by cholera toxin which ADP-ribosylated arginyl groups, or by peptidylarginine deiminase which converted the guanidino group of arginine to the ureido group of citrulline. ADP-ribosylation did not affect the stimulation while the 1,2-cyclohexanedione modified MBP and the peptidylarginine deiminase-treated MBP showed a reduced ability to stimulate the PI-PLC activity which correlated with the number of arginyl residues modified. Sequence analysis of the peptidylarginine deiminase-treated MBP established that specific arginyl residues had been converted to citrulline to a greater extent than others. When 70% of Arg 25 and Arg31 were converted to citrulline little stimulatory activity remained, whereas the conversion of 100% of Arg 170 did not affect the ability of C1 to stimulate the enzyme. A role for "active" arginine in this MBP peptide is suggested by our data.

A glycoprotein expressed by human fibrous astrocytes is a hyaluronate-binding protein and a member of the CD44 family

We have isolated and characterized an antigen from normal human brain called p80, so called because it migrated with an M(r) of 80 kDa on SDS PAGE. The M(r) of 80 kDa consists of a protein of about 55-60 kDa and carbohydrate (20-25 kDa). The carbohydrate is almost entirely of the N-linked type, although a small amount of O-linked carbohydrate was detected. Cross-reactivity with monoclonal antibodies A3D8 and A1G3 showed that p80 could therefore be considered an isoform of the CD44 adhesion molecules. In addition, specific binding to hyaluronate which was not competed for by proteoglycan demonstrated that it involved different sites than the proteoglycan binding sites. We also observed that fucoidan and dextran sulphate increased the binding by 200-250% while chondroitin sulphate C also increased the binding but to a lesser extent. Heparin, heparan sulphate and chondroitin sulphates A and B did not have such an effect. The binding of p80 to hyaluronate was pH dependent with a maximum at pH 6.4. We concluded that p80 was an astrocyte specific adhesion molecule.

Carbon-13 "magic-angle" sample-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance studies of human myelin, and model membrane systems

We have obtained high-field (11.7 Tesla), high-resolution carbon-13 solid-state "magic-angle" sample-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of a variety of phospholipids, sphingolipids, myelin and white matter samples, resolving and assigning over 40 resonances in the spectra of human and bovine myelin. The NMR results indicated no large spectral changes due to sample preparation, sample freezing, or brain location, and also no changes in myelin structure detectable via light microscopy, electron microscopy, thin layer chromatography, or sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, attributable to the sometimes lengthy NMR data acquisition process. Human myelin and white matter chemical shift assignments were made based on 13C "magic angle" sample spinning (MAS) NMR spectra of individual model lipids, as well as on spectra of lipid mixtures. In all myelin samples there were essentially no features attributable to membrane proteins, with the exception of one small feature due to C zeta of Arg residues, primarily in the myelin basic proteins. The general similarity between the model lipid and intact myelin spectra suggested no major effects of protein on lipid mobility. We have also investigated human myelin samples as a function of developmental age (4, 15, 48 months and adult), and our results showed only small changes in overall lipid composition, although there were significant decreases in lipid hydrocarbon chain unsaturation with age, as determined by computer line-shape simulations of myelin and model compounds. The spectrum of an infant leukoencephalopathy myelin showed marked decreases in galactocerebrosides. Overall, the ability to resolve and assign over 40 resonances in the 13C MAS NMR spectra of myelin, and to detect changes as a function of development and disease, should provide a useful starting point for further more detailed studies of myelin membrane molecular motions, and function.

Characterization of basic proteins from goldfish myelin

Myelin basic protein (MBP) from common goldfish (Carassius auratus) myelin was extracted with dilute mineral acid. Immunological cross-reactivity of the goldfish MBP, with polyclonal antisera raised against bovine MBP, suggested that the goldfish protein has epitopes for these antibodies. It also reacted with a monoclonal antibody specific for a seven amino acid epitope (130-137) conserved in the MBP of most mammalian species. To characterize the charge heterogeneity of this protein, we iodinated the protein with 125I and chromatographed it on a carboxymethyl cellulose-52 column together with a nonlabeled acid soluble fraction prepared from human white matter as a carrier protein. All of the goldfish protein was recovered in the unbound fraction, demonstrating that it was less cationic than the carrier protein (human MBP). We have also examined the urea alkaline gel profile of the goldfish MBP together with the human C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, and C-8 components. The results from these experiments indicated that this MBP extracted from goldfish brain myelin lacked the microheterogeneity that is associated with MBPs from higher vertebrates. The MBPs from goldfish myelin were separated into their isoforms by reversed-phase HPLC. Amino acid compositions were determined for both the 17- and 14-kDa goldfish proteins. Amino acid analysis revealed similarities with the compositions of other MBPs; however, the serine content in both the 17- and 14-kDa proteins was higher than that of the human C-1, the mouse C-1 protein, and the shark proteins. The HPLC-purified 14-kDa goldfish protein was chemically cleaved with CNBr for partial sequence analysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)