Human Erythrocyte Anion Transport Protein Research Articles

Monoclonal Antibodies Recognizing Epitopes on the Extracellular Face and Intracellular N-Terminus of the Human Erythrocyte Anion Transporter (Band 3) and Their Application to the Analysis of South East Asian Ovalocytes

This report describes the production and characterization of 13 rodent monoclonal antibodies to the human erythrocyte anion transport protein AE1 (syn. band 3). Eleven antibodies (4 murine and 7 rat) recognize epitopes dependent on the integrity of the third extracellular loop of the protein. Two antibodies (1 murine and 1 rat) recognize epitopes on the N-terminal cytoplasmic domain. Quantitative binding studies using radioiodinated IgG and Fab fragments of antibodies to extracellular epitopes on AE1 ranged from 77,000 to 313,000 (IgG) and from 241,000 to 772,000 (Fab) molecules bound at saturation. The results indicate that the epitopes recognized by different antibodies vary in their accessibility and suggest that there is heterogeneity in the organization of individual AE1 molecules in the red blood cell membrane. Quantitative binding studies on South East Asian ovalocytes using several antibodies to AE1 and an anti-Wrb show a marked reduction in the number of antibody molecules bound at saturation. These results are consistent with the existence of highly cooperative interactions between transmembrane domains of AE1 in normal erythrocytes and the disruption of these interactions in the variant AE1 found in South East Asian ovalocytes.

Plasmodium Falciparum: Sera of Individuals Living in a Malaria-Endemic Region Recognize Peptide Motifs of the Human Erythrocyte Anion Transport Protein

Specific regions of the human erythrocyte anion transport protein, AE 1 or band 3, have been identified as being adhesive in Plasmodium falciparum-infected-erythrocytes. In addition, synthetic peptides based on these sequences and murine monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) to these block cytoadherence/sequestration. These findings suggest the possibility that humans who are able to control P. falciparum infections may produce anti-adhesin (and thus anti-band 3) antibodies. To test this hypothesis, sera from individuals living in The Gambia and southern California were assayed for reactivity to decapeptides patterned on putative exofacial regions of the human anion transporter, band 3 protein. Sera from an area highly endemic for malaria, The Gambia, were found to have strong reactivity to well-defined regions of the band 3 protein (some of which contain the adhesin), whereas minimal reactivity was observed with sera from individuals living in a geographic area where malaria transmission is rare (California). Sera from The Gambia reacted strongly with residue blocks 534-560, 638-660, and 808-842. Gambian sera that reacted strongly with peptides patterned on band 3 failed to react with native band 3 on an immunoblot, but did react with fixed P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Using reactivity to decapeptides has allowed the determination of the epitopes of previously described murine MAbs that inhibit or promote cytoadherence; this reactivity with a specific region of a protein can be correlated with a specific effect on cytoadherence. A MAb (5H12) directed against amino acids 474-488 promoted cytoadherence, whereas those directed against amino acids 540-550 and 750-766 (Mabs 1C4 and 4A3, respectively) inhibited cytoadherence.

Structural determinants of substrate specificity of the erythrocyte anion transporter.

The human erythrocyte anion transport protein (AE1) mediates the rapid, tightly coupled, electroneutral transmembrane exchange of bicarbonate for chloride. AE1 transports a wide range of oxyanions, such as phosphate, sulfate and the physiological substrate bicarbonate. In this study, the transport characteristics of the selenium based oxyanions selenite (SeO3(2-)) and selenate (SeO4(2-)) were determined. The pH dependence of selenate influx was consistent with a titratable carrier having a extracellular pK value of 5.67 +2- 0.09. In contrast, the pH dependence of selenite influx had a maximum near pH 7.0, consistent with a hypothesis proposed by Labotka and Omachi (J. Biol. Chem. 263: 1166-1173, 1988) that the pH maximum of the transport of titratable anions is located at the midpoint between the pK of the carrier (5.7) and the pK of the titratable anion (8.3). Analysis of the transport rates and structures of these as well as a variety of other oxyanions reported in the literature suggested that oxyanions bind in a three-oxygen atom binding site, and that the formation of the transition state necessary for transport is sterically restrained by oxyanions that protrude in a direction perpendicular to the three-oxygen binding plane. This hypothesis can be used to predict the relationship between the transport rates of many oxyanions reported in the literature and should prove useful in helping to understand the molecular mechanism of AE1 mediated transport.

The human erythrocyte anion transport protein, band 3. Characterization of exofacial alkaline titratable groups involved in anion binding/translocation.

Chloride self-exchange across the human erythrocyte membrane at alkaline extracellular pH (pHO) and constant neutral intracellular pH (pH(i)) can be described by an exofacial deprotonatable reciprocating anion binding site model. The conversion of the transport system from the neutral to the alkaline state is related to deprotonation of a positively charged ionic strength- and substrate-sensitive group. In the absence of substrate ions ([ClO] = 0) the group has a pK of approximately 9.4 at constant high ionic strength (equivalent to approximately 150 mM KCl) and a pK of approximately 8.7 at approximately zero ionic strength. The alkaline ping-pong system (examined at constant high ionic strength) demonstrates outward recruitment of the binding sites with an asymmetry factor of approximately 0.2, as compared with the inward recruitment of the transport system at neutral pHO with an asymmetry factor of approximately 10. The intrinsic half-saturation constant for chloride binding, with [Cli] = [Clo], increased from approximately 30 mM at neutral to approximately 110 mM at alkaline pHO. The maximal transport rate was a factor of approximately 1.7 higher at alkaline pHO. This increase explains the stimulation of anion transport, the "modifier hump," observed at alkaline pHO. The translocation of anions at alkaline pHO was inhibited by deprotonation of another substrate-sensitive group with an intrinsic pK of approximately 11.3. This group together with the group with a pK of approximately 9.4 appear to form the essential part of the exofacial anion binding site. The effect of extracellular iodide inhibition on chloride transport as a function of pHO could, moreover, be simulated if three extracellular iodide binding constants were included in the model: namely, a competitive intrinsic iodide binding constant of approximately 1 mM in the neutral state, a self-inhibitor binding constant of approximately 120 mM in the neutral state, and a competitive intrinsic binding constant of approximately 38 mM in the alkaline state.

The binding of nitrate to the human anion exchange protein (AE1) studied with 14N nuclear magnetic resonance

The binding of [14N]nitrate to the human erythrocyte anion transport protein, AE1, was studied using 14N nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (14N-NMR). The line-width at half-height of the 14NO3- resonance increased in direct proportion to the concentration of erythrocyte ghost protein. Addition of the AE1 specific inhibitor 4,4'-dinitrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate markedly reduced this line-broadening, indicating that the broadening was predominantly due to a specific interaction between nitrate and AE1. The dependence of the AE1 specific line-broadening on nitrate concentration had a first-order dissociation constant KD of 6.9 +/- 0.9 mM. In contrast, Cl- interaction with AE1 studied by 35Cl-NMR showed a chloride concentration-dependent line-broadening with a KD of 74 +/- 10 mM, indicating that AE1 has a higher affinity for nitrate than for chloride. Bicarbonate and chloride were found to be competitive inhibitors of the AE1 specific 14NO3- line-broadening (94 +/- 6% and 101 +/- 3% inhibition, respectively). Based on the concentration dependence of inhibition and using a model of competitive inhibition, the KD of bicarbonate binding to AE1 was estimated to be 5.4 +/- 1.3 mM. Nitrate is a structural analog of bicarbonate, making the interaction of nitrate with AE1 a good model for the bicarbonate-AE1 interaction. The 14N-NMR nitrate binding assay, along with the 35Cl-NMR binding assay now in use, will provide a powerful tool for studying the structure of the AE1 binding site for both physiologic substrates, bicarbonate and chloride.

The membrane domain of the human erythrocyte anion transport protein. Epitope mapping of a monoclonal antibody defines the location of a cytoplasmic loop near the C-terminus of the protein

We have used synthetic peptides to study the location of the amino acid sequences in the human erythrocyte anion transport protein (band 3) which are recognized by four murine monoclonal antibodies, BRIC 130, 132, 154 and 155. These antibodies are known to react with epitopes in the protein which are on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane. The results suggest that the amino acid residues important for the reaction of BRIC 130 and BRIC 154/155 are located within amino acids 899-908 and 895-901 respectively in the cytoplasmic tail of the protein. The BRIC 132 epitope is located within amino acid residues 813-824. This is part of a surface loop in the protein which probably extends from residue 814 to residue 832 and is located on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane. These results provide direct evidence for the topographical location of a sequence in a poorly understood region of the protein.

Erythrocyte bisulfite transport

The wide range of transport rates for anions of differing chemical structure by the human erythrocyte anion transport protein (Band 3 protein) suggests that this protein is highly selective for anions that chemically resemble its natural substrate bicarbonate. To test this hypothesis, the influx of bisulfite (HSO3−1), a bicarbonate analog, was compared to influxes of chloride, sulfate, and bicarbonate, as measured by the technique of colloid osmotic lysis in isotonic ammonium salt solution. The lysis time induced in chloride solution (⪢ 10 min) was markedly accelerated to 0.6 min by the addition of small amounts (5 mM) of bicarbonate, an effect characteristic of colloid osmotic lysis induced by the anion transport pathway. Lysis in bicarbonate solution was extremely rapid (0.09 min), and was markedly inhibited by acetazolamide (2.9 min). Lysis in bisulfite solution occurred spontaneously (2.2 min) but was markedly accelerated to a time similar to that of chloride (0.56 min) by addition of 5 mM bicarbonate. In contrast, sulfate induced lysis was extremely slow (< 10% lysis at 40 min in the presence of bicarbonate). Preincubation of erythrocytes with SITS, an inhibitor of anion exchange, prevented lysis by chloride, but had no effect on lysis by bicarbonate, indicating that lysis by bicarbonate was predominantly through diffusion and not anion transport. SITS treatment of erythrocytes eliminated the catalytic effect of bicarbonate during lysis by bisulfite, indicating that anion transport of bisulfite and diffusion of the conjugate acid in the form of SO2 both contribute to the total membrane flux. When the contribution of diffusion is taken into account, the rate of bisulfite influx through the anion exchange pathway is at least 100-fold faster than that for sulfate.

Monoclonal antibodies to the membrane domain of the human erythrocyte anion transport protein. Localization of the C-terminus of the protein to the cytoplasmic side of the red cell membrane and distribution of the protein in some human tissues.

(1) We have prepared murine monoclonal antibodies to the membrane domain of the human erythrocyte anion transport protein (band 3). (2) All of these antibodies react with regions of the protein located at the cytoplasmic surface of the red cell. (3) One of the antibodies reacts with an epitope present on a cytoplasmic loop of the protein located between the C-terminus and a point 168 amino acids from the C-terminus. The other antibodies recognize different epitopes on the C-terminal tail of the protein and the sequences likely to be involved in these epitopes are defined. (4) Our results show that the C-terminus of the red-cell anion transport protein is located on the cytoplasmic side of the red-cell membrane. (5) None of the antibodies inhibited sulphate exchange transport when introduced into resealed red-cell membranes; however, the bivalent form of one of the antibodies reduced the inhibitory potency of 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene disulphonate on sulphate exchange transport in resealed erythrocyte membranes. (6) Immunostaining of human kidney sections with the antibodies showed strong staining of the basolateral membrane of some but not all of the epithelial cells of distal tubules and the initial connecting segment of collecting tubules. With human liver, only the haematopoeitic cells of fetal liver reacted with all the antibodies.

Functions of extracellular lysine residues in the human erythrocyte anion transport protein.

The extracellular lysine residues in the human erythrocyte anion transport protein (band 3) have been investigated using chemical modification with the impermeant homobifunctional active ester bis(sulfosuccinimidyl)-suberate (BSSS). This agent forms covalent intra- and intermolecular cross-links in human band 3 in intact cells (Staros and Kakkad. 1983. J. Membr. Biol. 74:247). We have found that the intermolecular cross-link has no detectable effect on the anion transport function of band 3. The intramolecular cross-link, however, causes major changes in the characteristics of the anion transport. These functional alterations are caused by the modification of lysine residues at the stilbene disulfonate binding site. BSSS pretreatment at pH 7.4 irreversibly inhibits Cl-Br exchange by at least 90% when the transport is assayed at extracellular pH above 8. In the same BSSS-pretreated cells, however, the Cl-Br exchange rate is activated by lowering the pH of the flux medium (intracellular pH fixed at 7). The flux is maximal at pH 5-6; a further lowering of the extracellular pH inhibits the anion exchange. This acid-activated Cl-Br exchange in the BSSS-treated cells is mediated by band 3, as indicated by phenylglyoxal and phloretin inhibition of the flux. Thus, the BSSS pretreatment has little effect on the maximal Cl-Br exchange flux catalyzed by band 3, but it shifts the alkaline branch of its extracellular pH dependence by approximately 5 pH units. BSSS also eliminates the self-inhibition of Cl-halide exchange by high extracellular Br or I concentrations. These results indicate that the BSSS-modified lysines do not participate directly in anion translocation, but that one of the lysines normally provides a positive charge that is necessary for substrate anion binding. This positive charge is removed by the BSSS treatment but can be replaced by lowering the extracellular pH. The results also provide insight regarding the halide selectivity of the maximal rate of chloride-halide exchange: the native selectivity (Br much greater than I) is nearly abolished by BSSS treatment, which suggests that the selectivity results from the very strong binding of iodide to an outward-facing modifier site.

Molecular characterization of the human erythrocyte anion transport protein in octyl glucoside.

Band 3 protein, the anion transport protein of the human erythrocyte membrane, was purified in the presence of the nonionic detergent octyl glucoside. A molecular characterization was carried out to investigate whether the native structure of the protein was retained in the presence of this detergent. Band 3 bound octyl glucoside below the critical micelle concentration (cmc) of the detergent, approaching saturation above the cmc. At 40 mM octyl glucoside, close to saturating concentrations, 0.64 g of octyl glucoside is bound per gram of band 3 protein, corresponding to 208 molecules of detergent bound per monomer of band 3. Sedimentation velocity and gel filtration studies, performed at 40 mM octyl glucoside, indicated that the band 3-octyl glucoside complex had an average molecular weight of 1.98 X 10(6), which corresponds to a dodecamer. Sedimentation equilibrium experiments confirmed that band 3 in octyl glucoside exists in a heterogeneous and high oligomeric state. This high oligomeric state did not change dramatically over octyl glucoside concentrations ranging from 6 to 60 mM. The circular dichroism spectrum of band 3 changed only slightly over this range of octyl glucoside concentrations. The alpha-helical and beta-sheet contents of band 3 in 2 mM octyl glucoside were calculated to be 40% and 27%, respectively, indicating that no gross alteration in the secondary structure of the protein had occurred in octyl glucoside. The ability of band 3 to bind 4-benzamido-4'-aminostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (BADS), a potent inhibitor (Ki = 1 microM) of anion transport, was measured to assess the integrity of the inhibitor binding site of the protein in octyl glucoside.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Quantitation of protein 3 content of circulating erythrocytes at the single-cell level

The density and size of human erythrocytes has been roughly correlated with cell age, with the denser and smaller cells being older. Observations of this type have led to a hypothesis that the membranes of circulating erythrocytes are dynamic with respect to composition and that material is lost from the membrane during cell maturation and circulation. In this study, flow cytofluorimetry was used to investigate the distribution of the human erythrocyte anion transport protein (protein 3) in heterogeneous samples of circulating red cells. We verified that protein 3 can be specifically and quantitatively labeled in intact human erythrocytes with eosin-5-maleimide, a luminescent probe. Individual cells were accordingly analyzed for size by forward light scattering and for protein 3 content by quantitation of eosin fluorescence. Initial results indicated that the smallest erythrocytes had a protein 3 content equal to that of the largest circulating erythrocytes. This result was independently verified by light scatter-activated cell sorting; direct measurement of cell diameters by microscopy verified that the cell sizes of erythrocytes showing the 10% greatest and 10% smallest light-scattering signal were indeed distinct. Independent analysis of the size-sorted erythrocytes for protein 3 content was accomplished by gel electrophoresis of stroma from 150,000 large and small erythrocytes. Quantitative scanning densitometry of silver-stained gels of prepared stroma showed that protein 3 content of each set of fractionated cells was equal and did not vary as a function of cell size. Taken in combination with the reported correlation between increasing red blood cell age and decreasing cell size, these results indicate that any loss of membranous material during the cell aging process is not random.

Quantitation of Protein 3 Content of Circulating Erythrocytes at the Single-Cell Level

Abstract The density and size of human erythrocytes has been roughly correlated with cell age, with the denser and smaller cells being older. Observations of this type have led to a hypothesis that the membranes of circulating erythrocytes are dynamic with respect to composition and that material is lost from the membrane during cell maturation and circulation. In this study, flow cytofluorimetry was used to investigate the distribution of the human erythrocyte anion transport protein (protein 3) in heterogeneous samples of circulating red cells. We verified that protein 3 can be specifically and quantitatively labeled in intact human erythrocytes with eosin-5-maleimide, a luminescent probe. Individual cells were accordingly analyzed for size by forward light scattering and for protein 3 content by quantitation of eosin fluorescence. Initial results indicated that the smallest erythrocytes had a protein 3 content equal to that of the largest circulating erythrocytes. This result was independently verified by light scatter-activated cell sorting; direct measurement of cell diameters by microscopy verified that the cell sizes of erythrocytes showing the 10% greatest and 10% smallest light-scattering signal were indeed distinct. Independent analysis of the size-sorted erythrocytes for protein 3 content was accomplished by gel electrophoresis of stroma from 150,000 large and small erythrocytes. Quantitative scanning densitometry of silver-stained gels of prepared stroma showed that protein 3 content of each set of fractionated cells was equal and did not vary as a function of cell size. Taken in combination with the reported correlation between increasing red blood cell age and decreasing cell size, these results indicate that any loss of membranous material during the cell aging process is not random.

The human erythrocyte anion-transport protein. Partial amino acid sequence, conformation and a possible molecular mechanism for anion exchange.

The N-terminal 72 residues of an integral membrane fragment, P5, of the human erythrocyte anion-transport protein, which is known to be directly involved in the anion-exchange process, was shown to have the following amino acid sequence: Met-Val-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Gly-Pro-Leu-Pro-Asn-Thr-Ala-Leu-Leu-Ser-Leu-Val-Leu-Met -Ala-Gly-Thr-Phe-Phe-Phe-Ala-Met-Met-Leu-Arg-Lys-Phe-Lys-Asn-Ser-Ser-Tyr-Phe-Pro-Gly-Lys-Leu-Arg-Arg-Val-Ile-Gly-Asp-Phe-Gly-Val-Pro-Ile-Ser-Ile-Leu-Ile-Met-Val-Leu-Val-Asp-Phe-Phe-Ile-Gln-Asp-Thr-Tyr-Thr-Gln- The structure of this fragment was analysed, with account being taken of the constraints that apply to the folding of integral membrane proteins and the topographical locations of various sites in the sequence. It was concluded that this sequence forms two transmembrane alpha-helices. These are probably part of a cluster of amphipathic transmembrane alpha-helices, which could comprise that part of the protein responsible for transport activity. The presently available evidence relating to the anion-exchange process was considered with the structural features noted in this study and a possible molecular mechanism is proposed. In this model the rearrangement of a network of intramembranous charged pairs mediates the translocation of an anion between anion-binding regions at each surface of the membrane, which are composed of clusters of positively charged amino acids. This model imposes a sequential exchange mechanism on the system. Supplementary material, including Tables and Figures describing the compositions of peptides determined by amino acid analysis and sequence studies, quantitative and qualitative data that provide a residue-by-residue justification for the sequence assignment and a description of modifications to and use of the solid-phase sequencer has been deposited as Supplementary Publication SUP 50123 (12 pages) with the British Library Lending Division, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies can be obtained as indicated in Biochem. J. (1983) 209, 5.

Characterization and partial sequence of di-iodosulphophenyl isothiocyanate-binding peptide from human erythrocyte anion-transport protein.

We investigated the presumed anion-binding domain of the anion-transport protein from human erythrocyte membranes, using 2,6-di-iodo-4-sulphophenyl isothiocyanate, an inhibitor of anion transport. The 125I-labelled reagent binds covalently to the protein with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 86 microM. Treatment of unsealed erythrocyte 'ghosts' with chymotrypsin yielded a membrane-bound fragment (mol.wt. 14 500 +/- 1000) that contained all the protein-bound radioactivity. The binding of the inhibitor to this peptide gave a pattern very similar to that obtained for the effect of the compound on phosphate transport into erythrocytes. The peptide is therefore presumed to be intimately involved in the mediation of anion exchange. Cleavage of the 14 500-mol.wt. transmembrane fragment with CNBr resulted in the production of two peptides with apparent molecular weights of 8800 and 4700. The 4700-mol.wt. peptide is the N-terminal portion of the 14 500-mol.wt. peptide. The attachment site for 2,6-di-iodo-4-sulphophenyl isothiocyanate is situated near the C-terminal of the 8800-mol.wt. peptide. This locates the inhibitor-binding site near the chymotrypsin cleavage point at the extracellular surface of the membrane. A partial sequence (residues 1--38) of the 8800-mol.wt. peptide was obtained.

Reductive methylation of the two 4,4'-diisothiocyanodihydrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate-binding lysine residues of band 3, the human erythrocyte anion transport protein.

The bifunctional anion transport inhibitor 4,4'p-diisothiocyanodihydrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (H2DIDS) can react covalently with both chymotryptic peptides of band 3, the human erythrocyte anion transport protein. The functional roles of the two sites of covalent H2DIDS attachment have been investigated using reductive methylation with formaldehyde and borohydride, which is a substrate for band 3. Reductive methylation of outward facing lysing residues of intact cells can block the covalent H2DIDS reaction with both the 60,000- and the 38,000-dalton chymotryptic peptides (CH60 and CH38, respectively). The methylation does not interfere with reversible H2DIDS binding. Methylation of all copies of and 3 at both sites of covalent H2DIDS attachment inhibits Cl-Cl exchange by 75%. The same treatment does not detectably alter the apparent affinity for extracellular substrate (Br). The extent of transport inhibition by reductive methylation correlates very well with the extent of blockage of the Amino acid analysis indicates that the H2DIDS-binding lysine on CH38 rather than some coincidentally modified lysine is responsible for the inhibition. This lysine is therefore likely to be closely associated with the anion transport pathway.