Structural and functional characterization of elastases from horse neutrophils

In order better to understand the pathophysiology of the equine form of emphysema, two elastinolytic enzymes from horse neutrophils, referred to as proteinases 2A and 2B, have been extensively characterized and compared with the human neutrophil proteinases, proteinase-3 and elastase. Specificity studies using both the oxidized insulin B-chain and synthetic peptides revealed that cleavage of peptide bonds with P1 alanine or valine residues was preferred. Further characterization of the two horse elastases by N-terminal sequence and reactive-site analyses indicated that proteinases 2A and 2B have considerable sequence similarity to each other, to proteinase-3 from human neutrophils (proteinase 2A), to human neutrophil elastase (proteinase 2B) and to a lesser extent to pig pancreatic elastase. Horse and human elastases differed somewhat in their interaction with some natural protein proteinase inhibitors. For example, in contrast with its action on human neutrophil elastase, aprotinin did not inhibit either of the horse proteinases. However, the Val15, alpha-aminobutyric acid-15 (Abu15), alpha-aminovaleric acid-15 (Nva15) and Ala15 reactive-site variants of aprotinin were good inhibitors of proteinase 2B (Ki < 10(-9) M) but only weak inhibitors of proteinase 2A (Ki > 10(-7) M). In summary, despite these differences, the horse neutrophil elastases were found to resemble closely their human counterparts, thus implicating them in the pathological degradation of connective tissue in chronic lung diseases in the equine species.

The isolation and partial characterization of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor from the serum of the ostrich (Struthio camelus)

1. Native and cleaved alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor was purified from ostrich serum using Sepharose-blue dextran chromatography, ammonium sulfate precipitation and ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Toyopearl 650 M at pH 8.8 and 6.5. Ostrich alpha 1-PI displayed M(r) values of 68,100 using gradient PAGE and 66,200 using Ferguson plots. Isoelectric focusing of ostrich alpha 1-PI in the pH range 3-10 revealed pI values of 4.84 and 4.91, and in the pH range 4-6 the characteristic microheterogeneity observed for mammalian alpha 1-PIs was displayed. The presence of sialic acid, hexoses and hexosamines was detected using chemical methods, but were found in much lower quantities as compared to alpha 1-PIs of other species. Western blot analysis demonstrated a positive reaction between the native and cleaved ostrich alpha 1-PIs and the antibodies to the ostrich alpha 1-PIs raised in rabbits. No cross-reactivity was demonstrated by Western blot analysis between human alpha 1-PI and antibodies to ostrich alpha 1-PI. The inhibitory effect of alpha 1-PI on elastase and chymotrypsin was also investigated.

Interactions of alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor, and alpha-2-macroglobulin with the fungal enzyme, seaprose

The Semi-alkaline proteinase (Seaprose) from Aspergillus melleus has been tested for its ability to either inactivate or form complexes with three human plasma proteinase inhibitors, alpha-2-macroglobulin, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin and alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor. alpha-2-Macroglobulin was found to inhibit Seaprose, with two mol of enzyme being complexed per mol of inhibitor. However, alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor was rapidly inactivated by the fungal enzyme as a result of cleavage of the inhibitor, primarily at the P1-P'1 reactive site. Curiously, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin was found to form complexes with Seaprose and also be inactivated by this inhibitor. Apparently, the enzyme can recognize two sites within the reactive site loop of the inhibitor, one at the P4-P'5 position, resulting in inactivation, and one presumably at the P1-P'1 reactive site which results in complex formation. The fact that Seaprose can so rapidly inactivate alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor, the primary regulator of neutrophil elastase, indicates that Seaprose would be a rather poor choice for therapy in individuals with bronchial mucus hypersecretion.

New Instruments Shed Light On Astronomy's Future

KONA, HAWAII-The snowy 14,000-foot summit of Mauna Kea, with its bevy of powerful telescopes including the just-completed Keck, provided an appropriate backdrop for a recent ocean-side gathering of astronomers and engineers to discuss "Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation for the 21st Century." Last month's meeting was organized by the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, and included a status report on liquid mirror telescopes, discussion of a space observatory that may make optical and x-ray astronomers best friends, and a modest proposal to cover the globe with a network of small, automated telescopes.

Clonal chromosomal abnormalities in osteofibrous dysplasia. Implications for histopathogenesis and its relationship with adamantinoma

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of osteofibrous dysplasia, a rare fibroosseous lesion occurring almost exclusively in the tibia of children younger than 10 years of age, is not known. One theory is that osteofibrous dysplasia results from excessive resorption of bone with fibrous repair of the defect. Alternatively, osteofibrous dysplasia has been considered a congenital lesion or a variant of fibrous dysplasia. It has been hypothesized that osteofibrous dysplasia is a secondary reactive process to adamantinoma. Cytogenetic analysis is one form of investigation that has been instrumental in determining the origin of many disorders.

METHODS

Short-term cultures of two separate osteofibrous dysplasia specimens (approximately 1 year apart) from the tibia of an 11-year-old boy and 2 separate specimens (approximately 2 years apart) from the tibia of a 16-year-old boy were cytogenetically examined using standard procedures. Additionally, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies were performed on uncultured cells of both specimens of the first patient using an alpha-satellite probe for chromosome 12.

RESULTS

Cytogenetic and FISH analysis revealed trisomy 12 in both specimens of the first patient. Trisomy for chromosomes 7, 8, and 22 was seen in both specimens of the second patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Osteofibrous dysplasia has not previously been subjected to cytogenetic analysis. Trisomy 7 and 12, however, have been reported in a clonally aberrant adamantinoma, potentially providing further support for a relationship between these two lesions. Most importantly, these findings demonstrate a clonal and possibly neoplastic origin for osteofibrous dysplasia of long bone.

Origin of circulating acute phase cytokines: modified proteins may trigger IL-6 production by macrophages. Preliminary report

Human peripheral blood monocytes isolated by centrifugation with Mono-Poly resolving medium, and human alveolar macrophages obtained by lung lavage during fiberoscopic bronchoscopy, were cultured in RPMI containing 2% foetal calf serum. The cultures were exposed to modified human proteins: alpha-1-antitrypsin cleaved with papain, fibrinogen degradation products (fraction D) purified from plasmin digest, and non-enzymatically glycosylated (glycated) serum albumin. Conditioned macrophage media were tested for the contents of acute phase cytokines by bioassay with hepatoma cells, and the concentration of interleukin-6 was determined with ELISA. Modified proteins stimulated macrophages to produce acute phase cytokines and the response was not abrogated by polymyxin B in distinction to stimulation of macrophages by endotoxin. Our data indicate that some proteolytically damaged proteins or the end glycosylation products formed in pathological states (acute inflammation, diabetes) may be responsible for the appearance of cytokines in the circulation.

Simultaneous interphase cytogenetic analysis and fluorescence immunophenotyping of dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma. Implications for histopathogenesis

Cytogenetic analysis of four specimens (biopsy, definitive surgical, and two separately occurring lung metastases) of a dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma with a rhabdomyosarcomatous component revealed clonal karyotypic abnormalities in each. Anomalies seen in all specimens included a structurally aberrant chromosome 17 and extra copies of chromosomes 5, 7, 12, and 20. The derivation of the chromosomally abnormal cells was determined by a combined immunocytochemical/cytogenetic approach that allowed simultaneous assessment of cytogenetic aberrations and immunophenotypic features of individual cells. S-100 protein and desmin antibodies were used to evaluate the chondrosarcomatous and rhabdomyosarcomatous components, respectively. A chromosome 7-specific centromeric probe was used for determination of aneuploidy. In both specimens obtained from the primary lesion, S-100 protein and desmin-positive and -negative aneuploid cells were observed. These findings: 1) suggest that both the chondrocytic and rhabdomyoblastic cells arose from the same abnormal clone, 2) support the theory of a common primitive mesenchymal cell progenitor with the ability to differentiate or express features of more than one line of mesenchymal differentiation, and 3) indicate that the term dedifferentiated may be an inaccurate designation for this neoplasm.

Hubble Repair and More Wins Astronomers' Acclaim

The repaired Hubble Space Telescope overshadowed everything else at the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Meeting earlier this month in Alexandria, Virginia. The nearly 2000 astronomers who turned out for the society's largest meeting yet provided plenty of "oohs" and "aahs" for every new image. But, in between, some astronomers caught word of a new proposal about how to tell whether the universe is open or closed, more data about mysterious gamma ray bursts, and the crowning of the "Galaxy of the Year."

Lysine- and arginine-specific proteinases from Porphyromonas gingivalis. Isolation, characterization, and evidence for the existence of complexes with hemagglutinins

Porphyromonas gingivalis contains many virulence factors that have been implicated as participants in the progression of periodontal disease. It has been shown to produce proteinases of "trypsin-like" specificity in a number of molecular forms, but previous work in our laboratory resulted in the purification of a major arginine-specific cysteine proteinase, gingipain, which contradicted this supposed specificity. In this study, separate proteinases with arginine and lysine specificity were isolated from a high molecular mass fraction of the P. gingivalis culture fluid. The arginine-specific enzyme was found, by amino acid sequencing studies, to be a high molecular mass form of gingipain, formed by the 50-kDa gingipain noncovalently complexed with 44-kDa binding proteins, subsequently identified as hemagglutinins. The 60-kDa lysine-specific proteinase, referred to as Lys-gingipain, was also found to have one of these hemagglutinins complexed with it in the same manner. Lys-gingipain was found to be a cysteine proteinase with optimal activity and stability at pH 8.0-8.5 and was extensively characterized in terms of its specificity and activation characteristics. The proteinase-hemagglutinin complexes may be important in the uptake of hemin, a vital metabolite for P. gingivalis, via hemagglutination and subsequent hemolysis of erythrocytes.

The isolation and partial characterization of alpha 2-macroglobulin from the serum of the ostrich (Struthio camelus

1. alpha 2-Macroglobulin (alpha 2M) activity is present in the serum of the ostrich, Struthio camelus. The chromogenic synthetic peptide substrates BAPNA and ATNA were hydrolysed by trypsin and chymotrypsin, respectively, in the presence of ostrich serum and the alpha 2 M in ostrich serum protected trypsin from being inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor. Ostrich alpha 2M proved to be a potent inhibitor of bovine pancreatic trypsin and chymotrypsin. 2. alpha 2M was purified to apparent homogeneity by PEG precipitation, DEAE-Toyopearl 650M, Bio-Gel A-5m and Zn(2+)-affinity chromatography. 3. Ostrich alpha 2M migrated as a single band (M(r) 779,000 during non-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and showed increased mobility after reaction with trypsin. Denaturation dissociated ostrich alpha 2M into half-molecules. Denaturation with reduction further dissociated the protein into quarter-subunits. 4. Isoelectric focusing revealed a pI of 5.3. 5. The amino acid composition of ostrich alpha 2M is typical of an alpha 2M, comparing favourably with those of other animal species. The carbohydrate composition of the purified protein, in percentage dry weight of the molecule, was galactose: mannose (1:1), 4.55; N-acetylglucosamine 2.35; N-acetylneuraminic acid, 0.58; and fucose, 0.77. 6. alpha 2M was assessed immunologically by Ouchterlony double-diffusion and Western blot analysis with polyvalent antisera directed against ostrich alpha 2M. 7. Ostrich alpha 2M seems to show many physical, chemical and kinetic properties similar to those of other known alpha 2M(s), but is expected to differ from other alpha Ms when considering the primary structure of the bait region, the area differing among alpha Ms from different species and determining its specificity.