Membrane-impermeant Cross-linking Research Articles

Abstract 583: Characterization of Cell Membrane Microdomains Facilitating HDL Biogenesis

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles, generated in the process of removing excess cellular cholesterol, play crucial roles in maintaining cholesterol homeostasis in arterial cells and in protecting the cardiovascular system from the development of atherosclerosis. Cholesterol-loaded cells increase their binding capacity to the HDL scaffolding protein, apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), however, cell surface factors necessary for ApoA-I binding remains to be elucidated. To characterize cell membrane microdomains interacting with ApoA-I, primary human skin fibroblasts were incubated with ApoA-I for 1h at 4°C. After linking protein-protein interactions with a membrane-impermeable crosslinker, DTSSP, cells were subjected to homogenization. The cell homogenate was separated by a discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation and ten fractions were collected. ApoA-I-associated cell membrane fraction was located by immunoblotting for ApoA-I and organelle markers. Membrane-containing fractions were fragmented using sonication prior to immunoprecipitation of ApoA-I-associated microdomains using an anti-ApoA-I antibody. Major lipid classes present in the microdomains are phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, sphingomyelin and cholesterol. Two cell membrane proteins, caveolin and ABCA1, were excluded from the microdomains. These data suggest that ApoA-I bind to cholesterol-rich cell surface microdomains that are different from ABCA1 and caveolae domains. LC-MS/MS analysis identified the presence of 26 proteins in the microdomains. Among these, several desmosomal proteins, lipid binding proteins and protease inhibitors were identified. Overall, our results suggest that the initial binding of ApoA-I to cell surface occurs on the lateral sides of cell membranes where desmosomal proteins provide a binding site for ApoA-I, and that lipid binding proteins facilitate lipidation of ApoA-I while protease inhibitors protect ApoA-I and related proteins from degradation. In conclusion, we established a new method to isolate cell membrane microdomains interacting with ApoA-I. Using this method, we found that ApoA-I associates with desmosomal proteins for the formation of HDL.

Mass spectrometry analysis of human P2X1 receptors; insight into phosphorylation, modelling and conformational changes

Recombinant FlagHis6 tagged Human P2X1 receptors expressed in HEK293 cells were purified, digested with trypsin and analysed by mass spectroscopy (96% coverage following de-glycosylation and reduction). The receptor was basally phosphorylated at residues S387, S388 and T389 in the carboxyl terminus, a triple alanine mutant of these residues had a modest ∼ 25% increase in current amplitude and recovery from desensitization. Chemical modification showed that intracellular lysine residues close to the transmembrane domains and the membrane stabilization motif are accessible to the aqueous environment. The membrane-impermeant cross-linking reagent 3,3′-Dithiobis (sulfosuccinimidylpropionate) (DTSSP) reduced agonist binding and P2X1 receptor currents by > 90%, and modified lysine residues were identified by mass spectroscopy. Mutation to remove reactive lysine residues around the ATP-binding pocket had no effect on inhibtion of agonist evoked currents following DTSSP. However, agonist evoked currents were ∼ 10-fold higher than for wild type following DTSSP treatment for mutants K199R, K221R and K199R-K221R. These mutations remove reactive residues distant from the agonist binding pocket that are close enough to cross-link adjacent subunits. These results suggest that conformational change in the P2X1 receptor is required for co-ordination of ATP action.

Lateral assembly of the immunoglobulin protein SynCAM 1 controls its adhesive function and instructs synapse formation

Synapses are specialized adhesion sites between neurons that are connected by protein complexes spanning the synaptic cleft. These trans-synaptic interactions can organize synapse formation, but their macromolecular properties and effects on synaptic morphology remain incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate that the synaptic cell adhesion molecule SynCAM 1 self-assembles laterally via its extracellular, membrane-proximal immunoglobulin (Ig) domains 2 and 3. This cis oligomerization generates SynCAM oligomers with increased adhesive capacity and instructs the interactions of this molecule across the nascent and mature synaptic cleft. In immature neurons, cis assembly promotes the adhesive clustering of SynCAM 1 at new axo-dendritic contacts. Interfering with the lateral self-assembly of SynCAM 1 in differentiating neurons strongly impairs its synaptogenic activity. At later stages, the lateral oligomerization of SynCAM 1 restricts synaptic size, indicating that this adhesion molecule contributes to the structural organization of synapses. These results support that lateral interactions assemble SynCAM complexes within the synaptic cleft to promote synapse induction and modulate their structure. These findings provide novel insights into synapse development and the adhesive mechanisms of Ig superfamily members.

Membrane-impermeable Cross-linking Provides Evidence for Homophilic, Isoform-specific Binding of Desmosomal Cadherins in Epithelial Cells

Desmosomes and adherens junctions are cadherin-based protein complexes responsible for cell-cell adhesion of epithelial cells. Type 1 cadherins of adherens junctions show specific homophilic adhesion that plays a major role in developmental tissue segregation. The desmosomal cadherins, desmocollin and desmoglein, occur as several different isoforms with overlapping expression in some tissues where different isoforms are located in the same desmosomes. Although adhesive binding of desmosomal cadherins has been investigated in a variety of ways, their interaction in desmosome-forming epithelial cells has not been studied. Here, using extracellular homobifunctional cross-linking, we provide evidence for homophilic and isoform-specific binding between the Dsc2, Dsc3, Dsg2, and Dsg3 isoforms in HaCaT keratinocytes and show that it represents trans interaction. Furthermore, the cross-linked adducts are present in the detergent-insoluble fraction, and electron microscopy shows that extracellular cross-linking probably occurs in desmosomes. We found no evidence for either heterophilic or cis interaction, but neither can be completely excluded by our data. Mutation of amino acid residues Trp-2 and Ala-80 that are important for trans interaction in classical cadherin adhesive binding abolished Dsc2 binding, indicating that these residues are also involved in desmosomal adhesion. These interactions of desmosomal cadherins may be of key importance for their ordered arrangement within desmosomes that we believe is essential for desmosomal adhesive strength and the maintenance of tissue integrity.

The Role of cis Dimerization of Signal Regulatory Protein α (SIRPα) in Binding to CD47

Interaction of SIRPα with its ligand, CD47, regulates leukocyte functions, including transmigration, phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and cytokine secretion. Recent progress has provided significant insights into the structural details of the distal IgV domain (D1) of SIRPα. However, the structural roles of proximal IgC domains (D2 and D3) have been largely unstudied. The high degree of conservation of D2 and D3 among members of the SIRP family as well as the propensity of known IgC domains to assemble in cis has led others to hypothesize that SIRPα forms higher order structures on the cell surface. Here we report that SIRPα forms noncovalently linked cis homodimers. Treatment of SIRPα-expressing cells with a membrane-impermeable cross-linker resulted in the formation of SDS-stable SIRPα dimers and oligomers. Biochemical analyses of soluble recombinant extracellular regions of SIRPα, including domain truncation mutants, revealed that each of the three extracellular immunoglobulin loops of SIRPα formed dimers in solution. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments using cells transfected with different affinity-tagged SIRPα molecules revealed that SIRPα forms cis dimers. Interestingly, in cells treated with tunicamycin, SIRPα dimerization but not CD47 binding was inhibited, suggesting that a SIRPα dimer is probably bivalent. Last, we demonstrate robust dimerization of SIRPa in adherent, stimulated human neutrophils. Collectively, these data are consistent with SIRPα being expressed on the cell surface as a functional cis-linked dimer.

Regulation of SIRPa binding to CD47: Evidence for a role of Cis‐homodimerization

Interaction of SIRPα with its ligand, CD47 regulates leukocyte functions including transmigration, phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and cytokine secretion. However, the molecular details of how this transmembrane glycoprotein interacts with CD47 on the cell surface are incomplete. Here we report that SIRPα forms noncovalently linked cis‐homodimers and present evidence to suggest that homodimerization facilitates binding to CD47. Treatment of SIRPα expressing cells with a membrane impermeable crosslinker allowed detection of SIRPα dimers and oligomers on western blots. Biochemical analyses of soluble, recombinant extracellular regions of SIRPα, including domain‐truncation mutants, revealed that each of the three extracellular immunoglobulin loops of SIRPα formed dimers in solution. Co‐immunoprecipitation experiments using cells transfected with different affinity‐tagged SIRPα molecules revealed that SIRPα may form cis dimers. Notably, in cells treated with tunicamycin, SIRPα dimerization but not CD47 binding was inhibited, suggesting that a SIRPα dimer may be bivalent and capable of binding CD47 with increased avidity. Lastly, in adherent neutrophils stimulated with chemoattractant, dimerization of SIRPα was enhanced. Collectively, these data suggest that cis dimerization of SIRPα plays an important role in regulating CD47 binding and function in leukocytes.

Nucleotidase Activity of CD39/NTPDase1 Is Dependent on Internal Proteolytic Cleavage Which Contributes to Lipid Raft Localization.

Brief trypsin exposure increases apyrase activity in hCD39 expressing cells, as previously reported (Schulte am Esch et al, Biochemistry 38:2248, 1999). Since regulated proteolytic cleavage of CD39 would allow for a rapid response to extracellular stimuli, we studied the relationship between observed CD39 cleavage and enzymatic activity. We generated N- and C-terminal VP16-tagged hCD39 to study CD39 expression, processing, and activity in transiently transfected HEK 293 cells. We found that optimal enzymatic activity of CD39 indeed depends on incorporation into cholesterol-rich plasma membrane domains (lipid "rafts"). Membrane fractions from hCD39 -transfected 293 cells readily hydrolyze ATP. Pretreatment of 293 cells with the cholesterol-depleting agent methyl β cyclodextrin (MBCD) results in a dose-dependent decrease in ATPase activity. In addition, treatment of isolated membranes with MBCD also decreases enzymatic activity. We next performed Western blot analyses of membranes prepared from hCD39-transfected 293 cells treated with membrane-impermeant crosslinking agents. These experiments demonstrated a dose-dependent, MBCD-reversible decrease in monomeric CD39. Taken together, these data demonstrate that CD39 enzyme activity resides in raft-localized CD39. Western blots of membrane fractions from cells transfected with N- or C-terminal VP16-tagged hCD39 show partial cleavage of full-length CD39 to yield a 20kDa N-terminal and 50 kDa C-terminal fragments. Biotinylation studies established that both fragments are expressed on the cell surface. As with full-length CD39, crosslinking results in dose-dependent decreases of both monomeric species. Moreover, prior cholesterol depletion with MBCD abolishes crosslinking. Since the cleavage products of full-length CD39 are expressed on the cell surface and localize to lipid rafts, we examined the relation between CD39 cleavage, ATPase activity and lipid raft localization using a panel of cell permeable protease inhibitors. 293 cells transfected with N-terminal VP16-tagged CD39 were treated with AEBSF (serine protease inhibitor), zYVAD.fmk (caspase inhibitor), zLLY.fmk (calpain inhibitor) or the furin inhibitor Furin I. All inhibitors resulted in dose-dependent decreases in formation of the VP16-tagged N-terminal fragment. Concomitantly, ATPase assays of the membrane fractions demonstrated a corresponding dose-dependent decrease in enzymatic activity. Finally, we established that CD39 cleavage promotes raft localization, since protease inhibition decreased the fraction of CD39 susceptible to crosslinking with all inhibitors tested. In summary, we have established that generation of optimally active, raft-localized CD39 requires prior limited proteolysis of the full-length molecule. Activation of caspase-1 by exposure of cells to ATP leads to processing and release of interleukin family members. We propose that purinergic signaling might also enhance CD39 cleavage in vascular cells by an as yet unidentified protease. Our data suggest that subsequent increased cell surface apyrase activity leads to dampening of purinergic signaling and a resulting increase in antithrombotic activity. Of note, we identified an alternately spliced isoform of CD39 which inhibits cleavage of the full-length molecule.

Detection of bis(sulfosuccinimidyl) suberate binding in electrophoresis: Determination of membrane sidedness of proteins

The applicability of the membrane-impermeant protein cross-linker bis(sulfosuccinimidyl) suberate (BS(3)) to the determination of membrane sidedness of proteins was tested in 3T3-L1 cells and in erythrocytes. Binding of BS(3) to proteins was apparent in electrophoresis. In three proteins of 3T3-L1 cells, protein kinase-Cepsilon, protein kinase-Czeta, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, BS(3) action was detectable in SDS-PAGE with immunoblotting. This enabled confirmation of the well-known intracellular localization of these proteins. In cathepsin E of erythrocytes, a mobility increase in nondenaturing PAGE was the most prominent effect of BS(3) treatment. A mechanism for the increase in mobility due to BS(3) binding is suggested. Cathepsin E was found to be located at the intracellular side of the membrane, in accordance with existing evidence.

Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (LOX-1) functions as an oligomer and oligomerization is dependent on receptor density

Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LOX-1) exists as a homodimer formed by an intermolecular disulfide bond. Although the dimer is the minimum structural unit of LOX-1 on cell membranes, LOX-1 can form larger noncovalent oligomeric complexes. But, the functional unit of LOX-1 is not known. We quantitatively analyzed the correlation between cyan fluorescent protein-tagged LOX-1 expression and the fluorescence-labeled ligand (DiD-AcLDL) binding ability on each cell. The results clearly indicate that there is a threshold level of expression that enables LOX-1 to bind ligand. Above this threshold level, the ability of LOX-1 to bind ligand was proportional to its level of expression. Using the membrane impermeable crosslinker BS 3, we detected oligomers (primarily hexamers) only on the cell lines that stably expressed LOX-1 above the threshold level. In contrast, little oligomer or ligand binding was detected in cell lines expressing LOX-1 below the threshold level. Moreover, oligomerization was independent of ligand binding. These results indicate that the functional unit of LOX-1 is an oligomer and that oligomerization of LOX-1 is dependent on the receptor density on the plasma membrane.

Amyloid precursor protein interacts with notch receptors

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) must fulfill important roles based on its sequence conservation from fly to human. Although multiple functions for APP have been proposed, the best-known role for this protein is as the precursor of Abeta peptide, a neurotoxic 39-43-amino acid peptide crucial to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. To investigate additional roles for APP with an eye toward understanding the molecular basis of the pleiotropic effects ascribed to APP, we isolated proteins that interacted with the plasma membrane isoform of APP. We employed a membrane-impermeable crosslinker to immobilize proteins binding to transmembrane APP in human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells expressing APP751 (HEK275) or rat embryonic day 18 primary neurons infected with a virus expressing APP. Notch2 was identified as a potential APP binding partner based on mass spectrometry analysis of APP complexes immunopurified from neurons. To confirm the interaction between Notch2 and APP, we carried out immunoprecipitation studies in HEK275 cells transiently expressing full-length Notch2 using Notch2 antibodies. The results indicated that APP and Notch2 interact in mammalian cells, and confirmed our initial findings. Interestingly, Notch1 also coimmunoprecipitated with APP, suggesting that APP and Notch family members may engage in intermolecular cross talk to modulate cell function. Finally, cotransfection of APP/CFP and Notch2/YFP into COS cells revealed that these two proteins colocalize on the plasma membrane. Intracellularly, however, although some APP and Notch molecules colocalize, others reside in distinct locations. The discovery of proteins that interact with APP may aid in the identification of new functions for APP.

Characterization of the Interaction between Cleaved High Molecular Weight Kininogen (HKa) and Tropomyosin (TM) on Endothelial Cells.

We previously reported that two chain human high molecular weight kininogen (HKa) inhibited angiogenesis by selectively inducing apoptosis of proliferating endothelial cells (Zhang et al. FASEB J., 2000). This activity appears to depend upon binding of HKa to endothelial cell tropomyosin, as it was completely inhibited by anti-tropomyosin monoclonal antibody (mAb) TM-311. mAb TM-311 also blocked the high-affinity Zn2+-dependent binding of HKa to both purified tropomyosin (TM) and proliferating endothelial cells (Zhang et al., PNAS 2003). However, endothelial cells express several different isoforms of TM, and the isoform(s) expressed on the endothelial cell surface, and the regions within it that bind HKa are unknown. To identify which isoform of TM is expressed on the surface of endothelial cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were briefly exposed to a buffer containing 0.05 M glycine, 0.1 M NaCl, pH 3.0, and the resultant eluate was probed with isoform specific anti-tropomyosin antibodies that recognize TMs 1–5. Only TM5 was detected, with approximately 2.5-fold more TM5 eluted from proliferating versus confluent cells. Northern blot analysis also showed that the expression of TM5 mRNA was higher in the proliferating versus confluent cells. To locate the binding site for HKa in human TM, hTM3 was digested by CNBr, producing three fragments containing amino acids 10–127, 141–200 and 208–270. These were incubated with HKa and the mixture then passed through a Superose 6 gel filtration column. Analysis of the first peak that eluted from the column by tricine gel electrophoresis revealed two bands, the smaller of which contained the N-terminal CNBr-derived TM fragment (aa 10–127), and the larger of which contained HKa. Taken together with our previous observation that HKa binds with similar affinity to TM isoforms 1–5, suggesting that it binds to a homologous region among these proteins, these findings suggest that the binding site for HKa resides within the homologous region within the N-terminal TM fragment, and is likely contained within amino acids 81 to127aa of TM3 (Figure). Since these results suggest that at least hTM5 is non-covalently associated with the endothelial cell surface, we have begun to explore the nature of this interaction. Endothelial cell surface proteins were cross linked using the membrane-impermeable cross-linker, BS3, and cell extracts were then immunoblotted using the anti-hTM5 antibody LC-1. These result revealed native hTM5 (~30 kD), as well as a new band of ~60 kD, suggesting an association of hTM5 with a cell surface protein of approximately equal size. In conclusion, our results suggest that the anti-endothelial cell activity of HKa is mediated through binding to cell surface hTM5, via a homologous region of this protein shared with other non-muscle tropomyosins.

214.Identification of potential zona pellucida-binding sperm proteins using heat shock protein 60

Sperm transit through the female tract is correlated with a number of biochemical and physical changes, termed capacitation, which culminate in acquisition of the ability to fertilise an egg. One of the important correlates of capacitation is an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple sperm proteins. Recent studies of the sperm surface proteome have demonstrated that, following capacitation, a number of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins become expressed on the sperm surface. Analysing these proteins, we have identified at least three members of the chaperone family including heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) and Endoplasmin (ERP99). Although these proteins are not directly implicated in zona binding, we hypothesise that they are involved in the assembly of a multimeric zona receptor on the sperm surface. To investigate this hypothesis, we have initiated studies to purify sperm surface proteins which associate with these chaperones. This has involved the cross-linking of sperm surface proteins, using a membrane impermeable cross-linker, followed by extraction of the surface membrane proteins. Co-immunoprecitation of these cross-linked surface proteins from capacitated sperm has yielded a number of proteins associated with the chaperone HSP60. The characterisation of these proteins is the focus of ongoing research.

The Early Interaction of the Outer Membrane Protein PhoE with the Periplasmic Chaperone Skp Occurs at the Cytoplasmic Membrane

Spheroplasts were used to study the early interactions of newly synthesized outer membrane protein PhoE with periplasmic proteins employing a protein cross-linking approach. Newly translocated PhoE protein could be cross-linked to the periplasmic chaperone Skp at the periplasmic side of the inner membrane. To study the timing of this interaction, a PhoE-dihydrofolate reductase hybrid protein was constructed that formed translocation intermediates, which had the PhoE moiety present in the periplasm and the dihydrofolate reductase moiety tightly folded in the cytoplasm. The hybrid protein was found to cross-link to Skp, indicating that PhoE closely interacts with the chaperone when the protein is still in a transmembrane orientation in the translocase. Removal of N-terminal parts of PhoE protein affected Skp binding in a cumulative manner, consistent with the presence of two Skp-binding sites in that region. In contrast, deletion of C-terminal parts resulted in variable interactions with Skp, suggesting that interaction of Skp with the N-terminal region is influenced by parts of the C terminus of PhoE protein. Both the soluble as well as the membrane-associated Skp protein were found to interact with PhoE. The latter form is proposed to be involved in the initial interaction with the N-terminal regions of the outer membrane protein.

Progressive Disruption of the Plasma Membrane during Renal Proximal Tubule Cellular Injury

The goal of this study was to examine the progression of plasma membrane disruption during cell injury using rabbit renal proximal tubules (RPT). The results demonstrated that the plasma membrane became permeable to larger and larger molecules as anoxia proceeded. At least three distinctive phases of membrane disruption were differentiated during anoxia. In phases 1, 2, and 3, plasma membranes became permeable to propidium iodide (PI, molecular weight = 668), 3 kDa dextrans, and 70 kDa dextrans or lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, molecular weight = 140 kDa), respectively. Phase 1 was reversible by reoxygenation but not prevented by the glycine. Phase 2 was inhibited by glycine. Phase 3 was inhibited by several membrane-permeable homobifunctional crosslinkers, dimethyl-pimelimidate (DMP), ethylene-glycolbis(succinimidylsuccinate), and dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate), but not by the membrane-impermeable crosslinker dithiobis(sulfosuccinimidylpropionate). In addition, DMP decreased RPT LDH release produced by mitochondrial inhibition (antimycin A), an oxidant (t-butylhydroperoxide) and a nephrotoxicant that is metabolized to an electrophile (tetrafluoroethyl-l-cysteine). These results identify (1) different phases of plasma membrane damage with increasing permeability during cell injury, (2) the reversibility of phase 1, (3) the relative site of action of the cytoprotectant glycine (prevents phase 2), and (4) the protective effects of chemical crosslinkers in RPT cell death produced by different toxicants.

Identification of a receptor candidate for the carboxyl-terminal cell binding domain of thrombospondins.

The carboxyl-terminal cell binding domain (CBD) of thrombospondin-1 (TS1) contains two cell attachment peptides, 4N1s (RFYVVMWK) and 7N3 (FIRVVMY-EGKK), which share the sequence VVM. These peptides, and more soluble derivatives have been radiolabeled with 125I and used in conjunction with a variety of membrane impermeant cross-linking reagents to identify and characterize receptor candidates on several cell types. All of the VVM containing peptides tested with five different cross-linking reagents specifically labeled a 52-kDa protein, which was also affinity labeled by the recombinant TS1 CBD. After cross-linking peptide to K562 cells to block the 52-kDa protein, both cell adhesion to and affinity labeling by VVM peptides were inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner. Peptide labeling, like cell adhesion, was partially inhibited by heparin and stimulated by EDTA. The 52-kDa protein did not appear to contain sulfated glycan chains and was trypsin sensitive. It was recovered in a membrane fraction and was readily solubilized with Triton X-100 and X-114. Upon phase separation of the Triton X-114, the 52-kDa protein partitioned into the hydrophobic detergent phase. The detergent-solubilized receptor candidate bound selectively to wheat germ agglutinin-Sepharose, and after cell surface labeling with a membrane impermeant biotinylating reagent, bound to streptavidin-Sepharose. Furthermore, fluorescent beads covalently derivatized with peptide specifically decorated intact K562 cells. Thus the properties of the 52-kDa protein are consistent with those of a receptor for the CBD of TS1 and other TS isoforms.

Increased projection of MHC and tumor antigens in murine B16-BL6 melanoma induced by hydrostatic pressure and chemical crosslinking.

The B16-BL6 melanoma, like most spontaneously arising tumors, is poorly immunogenic and expresses low levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. Treatment of cells of this tumor in vitro by hydrostatic pressure in the presence of adenosine 2',3'-dialdehyde (oxAdo), a membrane-impermeant crosslinker, caused elevated projection of MHC and a specific tumor antigen as demonstrated by flow-cytometric analysis. Maximum projection of both the MHC and the tumor antigens could be reached by application of 1200 atm for 15 min in the presence of 20 mM oxAdo. It is not yet clear whether this passive increase in availability of antigens on the cell surface originated from a dormant pool of antigens in the plasma membrane or from pressure-induced fusion of antigen-rich intracellular organelles (e.g. the endoplasmic reticulum). The immunogenic properties of the antigen-enriched B16-BL6 cells are described in the following paper.

Placental lactogen-binding sites in isolated fetal fibroblasts: characterization, processing, and regulation.

Placental lactogen (PL) stimulates amino acid transport, DNA synthesis, and insulin-like growth factor production in isolated fetal fibroblasts and myoblasts. To clarify the mechanisms by which PL exerts its effects in fetal tissues, we have examined the binding and processing of PL and its receptor in cultured ovine fetal skin fibroblasts. Fetal sheep fibroblasts bound ovine PL (oPL) with high affinity (Kd, 0.2 nM) and ovine (o) GH (Kd, 1.6 nM) and oPRL (Kd, > 200 nM) with lower affinities, as recently reported. Maximal specific binding of oPL was noted after a 24-h incubation at 4 C. When fibroblasts were incubated with [125I]oPL at 4 C and then warmed to 37 C, the radiolabeled hormone was internalized within 2-4 min. Most of the internalized hormone, however, was recycled rapidly to the cell surface by 6-10 min and released intact by retroendocytosis into the incubation medium. Of the small amount of remaining internalized radioligand, approximately 50% appeared to be degraded, as assessed by solubility in trichloracetic acid. To directly examine the cellular processing of receptor proteins, we used the membrane-impermeant cross-linking reagent bis-(sulfosuccinimidyl)suberate (BS3) to detect oPL-binding sites confined to the cell surface. These studies detected a specific oPL-receptor complex with a mol wt of 130 kilodaltons, suggesting that the mol wt of the membrane receptor is 108 kilodaltons. At 37 C, oPL-receptor complexes were internalized rapidly, reducing cell surface binding activity to 25% of the initial values within 4 min. oPL receptor activity reappeared on the cell surface at 6 min, suggesting receptor recycling, but declined precipitously during the ensuing 30 min, reflecting receptor processing and turnover. After proteolysis of surface receptors with trypsin, binding activity was recovered fully during a 12- to 24-h incubation in serum-containing medium. Recovery of surface receptors was blocked by cyclohexamide (2 microM), suggesting that repopulation of receptors depends upon new protein synthesis. Specific binding of PL was 1.5- to 5-fold higher in cells preincubated in medium containing dexamethasone (0.1 microM), suggesting that glucocorticoids may regulate expression of the fetal PL receptor. These studies provide insight into the cellular mechanisms by which the fetus may regulate its sensitivity and response to PL.

Membrane-impermeant cross-linking reagents for structural and functional analyses of platelet membrane glycoproteins

Membrane-impermeant cross-linking reagents for structural and functional analyses of platelet membrane glycoproteins

Protein-protein interactions in lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

The structural organization of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) particle has been examined by Triton X-114 phase separation and nearest neighbor analyses in order to define protein-protein interactions in the virion. Extraction with Triton X-114 established that the 44-kDa membrane glycoprotein, GP-1, is a peripheral protein and that the 35-kDa glycoprotein, GP-2, is an integral membrane protein. Membrane permeable and membrane impermeable crosslinking reagents were used to establish the structural organization of the virion. Results obtained with both types of crosslinking reagents demonstrated that both GP-1 and GP-2 were assembled as native homotetramers. No covalent or disulfide linkages were found between GP-1 and GP-2, nor were these glycoproteins crosslinked. Protein complexes composed of GP-2 and NP were observed after treatment with a membrane permeable crosslinker (DMS) but not after treatment with the membrane impermeable crosslinker (DTSSP), localizing the site of the GP-2:nucleocapsid protein (NP) interaction to the interior of the virion. The interaction of GP-2 with NP may be important in directing the maturation and budding of LCM virions.

Potentiation of delayed-type hypersensitivity response to syngeneic tumors in mice prevaccinated with cells modified by hydrostatic pressure and crosslinking.

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to the chemically induced EL4 and virally induced ARadLV 136 leukemia cells was determined by the radioactive ear test. Prior to the DTH test, mice were prevaccinated with cells treated either with hydrostatic pressure or with the membrane-impermeant crosslinker adenosine dialdehyde or with a combination of these. For both tumor cells, DTH against unmodified cells was markedly potentiated by prevaccination with cells treated with hydrostatic pressure combined with adenosine dialdehyde. In vitro cytotoxicity data indicated that maximal lysis of target cells is induced by vaccination with adenosine-dialdehyde-treated cells, as well as by pressure in combination with adenosine dialdehyde treatment. In addition, increased [3H]thymidine uptake was observed in effector T cells induced by prevaccination with tumor cells modified by adenosine dialdehyde or pressure or both. This novel and innocuous potentiation of an antitumor immune response may have a practical utility in the treatment of human cancer.