Biosynthesis of the D2 cell adhesion molecule: pulse-chase studies in cultured fetal rat neuronal cells

CD56 marks an effector T cell subset in the human intestine

T cells are key mediators of intestinal immunity, and specific T cell subsets can have differing immunoregulatory roles in animal models of mucosal inflammation. In this study, we describe human CD56+ T cells as a morphologically distinct population expressing a mature, nonproliferative phenotype that is frequent in the gut. Enhanced potential for IFN-gamma and TNF synthesis suggested a proinflammatory function, and we directly demonstrate effector function mediated by direct T-T interaction with responder cells in vitro. CD56+ T cells from peripheral blood responded to the gut-related CD2 signal, and were necessary for effective CD2-mediated proliferation of peripheral blood CD56- T cells. Our findings associate CD56+ T cells with the intestinal immune compartment and suggest a putative effector function in human mucosal immunity.

The membrane anchor influences ligand binding two-dimensional kinetic rates and three-dimensional affinity of FcgammaRIII (CD16)

Kinetic rates and affinity are essential determinants for biological processes that involve receptor-ligand binding. By using a micropipette method, we measured the kinetics of human Fcgamma receptor III (CD16) interacting with IgG when the two molecules were bound to apposing cellular membranes. CD16 is one of only four eukaryotic receptors known to exist natively in both the transmembrane (TM, CD16a) and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI, CD16b) isoforms. The biological significance of this anchor isoform coexistence is not clear. Here we showed that the anchor influenced kinetic rates; compared with CD16a-TM, CD16a-GPI bound faster and with higher affinities to human and rabbit IgGs but slower and with lower affinity to murine IgG2a. The same differential affinity patterns were observed using soluble IgG ligands. A monoclonal antibody bound CD16a-GPI with higher affinity than CD16a-TM, whereas another monoclonal antibody reacted strongly with CD16a-TM but weakly with CD16a-GPI. No major differential glycosylation between the two CD16a isoforms was detected by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis. We suggest a conformational difference as the mechanism underlying the observed anchor effect, as it cannot be explained by the differing diffusivity, flexibility, orientation, height, distribution, or clustering of the two molecules on the cell membrane. These data demonstrate that a covalent modification of an Ig superfamily receptor at the carboxyl terminus of the ectodomain can have an impact on ligand binding kinetics.

Localization of NCAM on NCAM-B-expressing cells with inhibited migration in collagen

The extracellular matrix is a key element in neuronal development and tumour invasion, providing a substratum which sustains the adhesion and migration of cells. In order to study interactions between the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and collagen, we transfected mouse L cells with cDNA encoding the human transmembrane NCAM isoform of 140 kDa (NCAM-B). An L-cell/collagen type I system was used to study the influence of NCAM expression on in vitro invasion. We here report that migration of NCAM-expressing cells in collagen was inhibited compared to that of NCAM-negative cells transfected with the empty vector. Immunofluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and immunogold electron microscopy using anti-human NCAM antibodies demonstrated a heterogeneous distribution of NCAM on the plasma membrane of transfected L cells grown on collagen. NCAM was preferentially located at the surface of broad cytoplasmic protrusions and slender extensions, some of which were facing the collagen. This was in contrast to the homogeneous surface distribution of NCAM on cells grown on plastic. These data suggest that NCAM and collagen type I interact, and that this might lead to the migration inhibition of NCAM-expressing cells.

Expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in rat brain and cultured neural cells

Cell type-specific and developmental patterns of APP expression were investigated in rat brain and cultured neural cells. Nearly all astrocytes were APP-positive, whereas only selected population of neurons appeared to express APP. In these neurons, APP immunoreactivity was preferentially restricted to single processes. mRNAs encoding the major APP isoforms, APP695 and APP770, were co-expressed as 3.4-3.6 kb transcripts both in astrocytes and neurons. In addition, an unusual 2.8 kb mRNA size class was revealed in cultured cerebellar granule neurons by means of the probe recognizing APP770 mRNA. Also, for the first time, APP714 mRNA was detected in rat brain by northern blotting. The steady-state levels of these transcripts were increased from birth up to postnatal day 20, whereas no apparent changes were observed after reaching adulthood. These data hint at the involvement of APP in the major morphogenetic events taking place in rat brain during the first three postnatal weeks.

Intact transmembrane isoforms of the neural cell adhesion molecule are released from the plasma membrane

Three soluble neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) polypeptide classes of M(r) values 190,000 (NCAM-s1), 135,000 (NCAM-s2) and 115,000-110,000 (NCAM-s3) have been demonstrated in rat brain and cerebrospinal fluid [Krog, Olsen, Dalseg, Roth and Bock (1992) J. Neurochem. 59, 838-847]. NCAM-s3 is known to arise from released glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked NCAM [He, Finne and Goridis (1987) J. Cell. Biol. 105, 2489-2500] as well as from extracellularly cleaved transmembrane NCAM isoforms [Nybroe, Linnemann and Bock (1989) J. Neurochem. 53, 1372-1378]. In this study the origin of NCAM-s1 and NCAM-s2 and the function of soluble NCAM forms were investigated. It was shown that all three soluble forms could be released from brain membranes with M(r) values identical to the three major membrane-associated forms: the large transmembrane 190,000-M(r) form (NCAM-A), the smaller transmembrane 135,000-M(r) form (NCAM-B) and the GPI-anchored 115,000-110,000-M(r) form (NCAM-C). A polyclonal antibody, directed against transmembrane and cytoplasmic epitopes common to NCAM-A and NCAM-B, was shown to react with NCAM-s1 and NCAM-s2. Furthermore, NCAM-B was shown to be shed in a presumably intact soluble form from membranes of cells transfected with this isoform. Thus, NCAM-s1 and NCAM-s2 probably represent intact released transmembrane NCAM-A and NCAM-B. The soluble transmembrane forms are likely to exist in vivo, as NCAM-s1 and NCAM-s2 were readily demonstrated in cerebrospinal fluid. By density-gradient centrifugation it was shown that shed transmembrane NCAM-B was present in fractions of high, as well as low, density, indicating that a fraction of the shed NCAM is associated with minor plasma membrane fragments. Finally, it was shown that isolated soluble NCAM inhibited cell binding to an immobilized NCAM substratum, attributing a pivotal role to soluble NCAM in vivo as a modulator of NCAM-mediated cell behaviour.

Characterization of NCAM diversity in cultured neurons

A single transcript of the NCAM gene undergoes differential processing resulting in a multiplicity of mRNAs and their translation products. In this study, the diversity of NCAM in rat primary neuronal cultures was investigated utilizing immuno- and Northern blot analyses. NCAM polypeptides of 190 kDa (NCAM-A) and 135 kDa (NCAM-B) were shown to be associated with the neuronal phenotype. These data were confirmed by Northern blotting, which in both neocortical neurons and cerebellar granule neurons revealed mRNA classes of 7.4 kb and 6.7 kb encoding for NCAM-A and -B, respectively. However, oligonucleotide probes, specific for selected exons or exon combinations, revealed special features of cerebellar granule neurons as compared to neocortical neurons: expression of 4.3 kb NCAM mRNA, a relatively low amount of VASE-containing variants, and an apparent lack of mRNA species containing exons alpha and an AAG insert between exons 12 and 13. Distinct patterns of NCAM mRNA may putatively be related to the regional origin and functional specificity of the investigated neurons.

Expression of polysialylated N-CAM during rat heart development

Developmental patterns of immunoreactivity for the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) and alpha 2.8-linked polysialic acid (PSA) were identified in embryonic and postnatal rat heart by immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting. Polyclonal antibodies against N-CAM and a monoclonal antibody which recognises only polymers of PSA with a chain length greater than eight units were used. Gold- and alkaline-phosphatase-labelled antibodies were used for detection. The N-CAM polypeptide isoform pattern seen by immunoblotting after endoneuraminidase treatment changed as development progressed. During embryonic development a 160-kDa polypeptide isoform was predominant. Around birth, 130-, 160- and 170-kDa polypeptide isoforms were found. The expression of the 130- and 170-kDa isoforms diminished until finally, in the adult, weak immunoreactivity for bands of 120-, 130- and 160-kDa was seen. In general the extent and intensity of PSA and N-CAM immunostaining in rat heart increased until birth and declined thereafter. Early in development prominent immunostaining for PSA and N-CAM was seen in the epicardium while later in development this area was only weakly stained. Initially myocardial cells, endocardial cells and some cells in the atrioventricular cushions were immunoreactive for both PSA and N-CAM. Later in development N-CAM immunostaining was more prominent than PSA immunoreactivity, reflecting a decrease in N-CAM polysialylation, which was also seen by immunoblotting. During innervation of the heart, nerve fibres were strongly immunostained for PSA and N-CAM, and this was the only immunostaining seen in adult heart.

Characterization of NCAM expression and function in BT4C and BT4Cn glioma cells

The neural cell adhesion molecule, NCAM, plays an important role in cell-cell adhesion. Therefore, we have studied NCAM expression in the glioma cell lines BT4C and BT4Cn. We demonstrate that the 2 cell lines differ in their metastatic ability; while BT4C cells have a very low capacity for producing experimental metastases, that of BT4Cn cells is high. In BT4C cells NCAM is synthesized as 4 polypeptides with Mr's of 190,000, 140,000, 115,000 and 97,000. The 140,000, 115,000 and 97,000 polypeptides are glycosylated and for the 140,000 and 115,000 polypeptides sulfatation is observed. Conversely, no NCAM protein synthesis is observed in BT4Cn cells, even though NCAM mRNA is expressed. Thus, development of an increased metastatic capacity is accompanied by the disappearance of NCAM protein expression in this model system. The functional importance of NCAM expression was studied by a cell-substratum binding assay in which the binding of BT4C and BT4Cn cells to NCAM immobilized to glass was assessed. We found that BT4C cells adhere specifically to NCAM, and that adhesion is inhibited by anti-NCAM Fab'-fragments, while no specific binding of BT4Cn cells to NCAM was observed. The BT4C and BT4Cn cell lines thus constitute an important new model system for the study of tumor invasion and metastasis and of the role of cell adhesion molecules in these processes.

A developmental study of soluble L1

L1 is a neural cell adhesion molecule expressed by neurons and it is involved in cell interactions during axon elongation and fasciculation. L1 from rat brain consists of a membrane-inserted Mr 200,000 polypeptide from which two polypeptides of Mr 180,000 and Mr 140,000 can be derived. These latter polypeptides appear both as membrane-associated and as soluble molecules. In this report, both total and soluble L1 in rat brain have been quantified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The amount of total L1 per gram brain varies with postnatal age showing a peak value at postnatal day 7. The variation in soluble L1 coincides with the changes in total L1. Thus, soluble L1 constitutes ca 2% of total L1 at all ages investigated. The soluble Mr 140,000 and 180,000 L1 polypeptides are also present in cerebrospinal fluid. Studies of membrane L1 catabolism in cultured fetal rat brain neurons show that the half-life of membrane L1 is less than 24 hr. As a part of membrane L1 catabolism, small amounts of soluble L1 polypeptides are released to include cell surroundings.

Heterogeneity of soluble neural cell adhesion molecule

Soluble neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) from rat brain neuronal cell culture media consists predominantly of a polypeptide of Mr approximately 115,000. Minor amounts of a polypeptide of Mr approximately 180,000 and two inconsistently appearing components of Mr 160,000 and 145,000 are also observed. The Mr 115,000 component is derived from the neuronal membrane NCAM components NCAM-A of Mr 190,000, NCAM-B of Mr 140,000, or both. Thus, as a part of the catabolism of membrane NCAM-A plus -B, a minor fraction is posttranslationally cleaved and recovered in the media as discernible soluble NCAM polypeptides. The half-life of membrane NCAM-A plus -B is less than 24 h. Astrocyte culture media contains a predominant soluble NCAM component of Mr 120,000 derived from membrane-associated NCAM-C. A close comparison of deglycosylated soluble NCAM from astrocyte and neuronal cultures showed a small but consistent difference in Mr, a result suggesting that different NCAM polypeptides are released from the membrane of neurons and astrocytes. In contrast to the Mr 115,000-120,000 NCAM polypeptides, the Mr 180,000 polypeptide from neuronal culture media does not seem to be derived from membrane-attached NCAM and may therefore represent a secreted NCAM isoform.

NCAM and Thy-1 in special sense organs of the developing mouse

The distribution of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and Thy-1 in the olfactory mucosa and olfactory bulb, the eye and the inner ear was examined with immunocytochemistry in mouse embryos from embryonic day 12 (E 12) to embryonic day 19 (E 19). In general, neurons are completely outlined with NCAM, whereas Thy-1 outlines only dendrites and axons. A variable cytoplasmic staining for Thy-1 is present in the perikarya. Neurons directly associated with special sense organs express NCAM and Thy-1 already from the earliest stage and throughout the period investigated, apart from the olfactory neurons in which Thy-1 disappears at E 19. The mitral cells in the olfactory bulb show Thy-1 but no NCAM reactivity. In the eye, lens fibers express Thy-1 and the pigmented layer expresses NCAM; neither of the two molecules can be detected at E 19. In the inner ear, hair cells express NCAM at E 19. Based on the distribution during the developmental period studied and on the cellular localisation of reaction products, it is suggested that the NCAM adhesion function could be of a more general nature by keeping appropriate cell membranes in close contact and thereby allowing more specific molecular interactions to take place. Thy-1, which is located on dendrites and axons, could be such a specific factor and function as recognition molecule in the developing nervous system.

Soluble neural cell adhesion molecule in brain, cerebrospinal fluid and plasma in the developing rat

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is a glycoprotein found in neurons, glial cells and muscle cells. In this report we describe the polypeptide composition and amount of soluble NCAM in brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma in rats of various ages. One-two percent of total NCAM in rat brain was shown to be buffer-soluble. Soluble NCAM in brain, extracted at pH 7.2, constituted an increasing relative proportion of total NCAM during development, whereas the concentration of soluble NCAM in both CSF and plasma decreased in the same period. By radioiodination of brain extracts, CSF, and plasma, soluble NCAM was found to be composed of up to five polypeptides with molecular weights (Mr) of 200,000, 170,000, 150,000, 115,000 and 80,000. The relative composition did not vary significantly with age. The major forms in brain were the polypeptides with Mr of 200,000 and 115,000, whereas in CSF all forms seemed to appear in equal amounts. In plasma the 200,000 and the 170,000 Mr polypeptides were not observed and here the major forms were the 150,000 and 115,000 Mr polypeptides.

Quantitative analysis of rat brain neurons developing in primary cultures. II. Changes in the distribution of N-CAM associated to neuronal cell surfaces

Cultured rat fetal brain cells underwent morphological differentiation, as quantitatively described in the companion paper. In the same system, biochemical and immunolabeling studies were performed to analyze the developmental changes in neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) distribution and quantity at the cell surface of neurons. The cell surface-associated N-CAM, related to the culture protein content, remained stable during the two-week period under study, as demonstrated by 125I-protein A binding assays. Immunogold labeling experiments, both in transmission and scanning electron microscopy, indicated a dramatic decrease in N-CAM site density in each membrane compartment, perikarya and neurites. This temporal variation of N-CAM distribution was not accompanied by differences in N-CAM site density between these two membrane compartments. On the other hand, individual perikarya, observed in scanning electron microscopy, showed various levels of labeling. In addition, immunoblot experiments demonstrated the absence of chemical modulation of N-CAM during the period under study, since the high molecular weight (embryonic) form remained dominant. Moreover, an increase in the total N-CAM amount was detected, contrasting with the stable quantity of cell surface-associated N-CAM. This suggested the existence of an N-CAM intracellular pool in cultured neurons. Finally, since the neurite membrane surface area increased 9-fold (companion paper) and since only a 5-fold decrease in N-CAM site density was observed in this compartment, N-CAM supply to neurite membranes was postulated.

Differentiation-dependent sialylation of individual neural cell adhesion molecule polypeptides during postnatal development

The postnatal sialylation of individual neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) polypeptides by a developmentally regulated sialyltransferase in Golgi-enriched fractions isolated from rat brain is described. The 120-kilodalton polypeptide of N-CAM was found to be sialylated at each developmental age examined. This was in contrast to the 140- and 180-kilodalton N-CAM polypeptides which were only sialylated until postnatal day 10 and from postnatal day 12, respectively. Immunoblotting procedures demonstrated that all N-CAM polypeptides were expressed in the Golgi fractions at each developmental stage examined. The heavily sialylated "embryonic" form of N-CAM was found to be reexpressed at postnatal days 10 and 12, a time coincident with extensive fibre outgrowth. The "embryonic" form of N-CAM incorporated similar amounts of [14C]sialic acid into its constituent polypeptides reflecting the difference in sialic acid to protein ratio, as this form of N-CAM was virtually undetectable in the immunoblots of postnatal material.

Brain astrocytes express region-specific surface glycoproteins in culture

Astrocytes derived from the mouse brain mesencephalon and striatum regulate neuronal morphogenesis in a region-specific manner in vitro. To begin defining molecular mechanisms that may underlie this functional heterogeneity, lectin probes were used to compare surface glycoproteins expressed by astrocytes from different brain regions. These experiments demonstrated marked differences in surface glycoproteins depending on the anatomic origin of the astrocytes. In particular, mesencephalic and cerebellar astrocytes express a fucosylated glycoprotein with an apparent molecular weight of 190 kD that is absent or rarely expressed by striatal or cortical astrocytes. These findings raise the possibility that carbohydrate diversity of astrocyte surface molecules may play a role in the heterogeneity of region-specific neuron-glial interactions.

Characterization of soluble forms of NCAM

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) has been described as a family of membrane glycoproteins. However, soluble NCAM immunoreactivity has long been recognized. We here show that soluble NCAM is composed of two quantitatively major polypeptides of Mr 180,000 and 115,000 and two minor components of Mr 160,000 and 145,000. Soluble NCAM was immunochemically identical to membrane NCAM, was polysialylated and carried the HNK-1 epitope. It only constituted 0.8% of total NCAM in newborn rat brain. Soluble NCAM appeared in neuronal cell culture medium 15-30 min after the start of synthesis preceding accumulation of membrane-associated NCAM on the cell surface. This indicates that soluble NCAM contains a secreted component.

Purification and characterization of the D2 cell adhesion protein: analysis of the postnatally regulated polymorphic forms and their cellular distribution

The developmentally regulated, D2 cell adhesion protein has been purified from 10-12 day old rat synaptosomes by sequential hydroxyapatite chromatography, wheat germ lectin affinity chromatography and gel filtration. The purified protein was found to be composed of two polypeptide components of 200 and 140 kd molecular weight which comprised 0.5-1.0% of total synaptosomal membrane protein. Lysine-Sepharose affinity chromatography could further separate the purified protein into sialic acid-rich and sialic acid-poor forms. Immunoblot analysis of whole brain homogenates and synaptosomes with an antiserum raised against the purified protein (anti-D2) revealed the presence of three immunologically related polypeptides of 200, 140, and 115 kd molecular weight. These polypeptides, which appeared as a diffuse zone (greater than 200 kd) in fetal material, were found to developmentally regulate by altering their relative expression. This was particularly marked in the 200 kd component. Furthermore, the 200 kd polypeptide appeared to be neuron-specific as both the 140 and 115 kd components were common to synaptosomes and primary cultures of astrocytes.

Epithelial cell adhesion molecules

Recognition and binding between cells are of fundamental importance for a proper function of multicellular organisms, both during embryonic development and in the adult stage. Recently several cell surface proteins that are involved in these phenomena have been discovered. In the identification of these proteins, called cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), immunological methods have played a significant role. In a different approach to studies of cell-cell binding at the molecular level, the chemical composition of intercellular junctions is being studied. Intercellular junctions are specialized cell surface domains that have been identified by electron microscopy. They are particularly well developed in epithelia. Several proteins in the junctions have now been identified and characterized. This review deals with the biochemical properties of epithelial CAMs, and those proteins that are candidates for cell-to-cell binding in the junctions. In particular, the relationships between the various CAMs and junctional proteins are discussed. The tentative biological functions of these molecules are also considered.

Localization of the human NCAM gene to band q23 of chromosome 11: the third gene coding for a cell interaction molecule mapped to the distal portion of the long arm of chromosome 11

cDNA clones containing sequences coding for the murine neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) were used in Southern hybridizations on human genomic DNA and demonstrated approximately 90% homology between human and murine NCAM genes. In situ hybridization with one of these clones was performed on human metaphase chromosomes and allowed the localization of the human NCAM gene to band q23 of chromosome 11. The genes for two other cell surface molecules believed to be involved in cell-cell interactions, Thy-1 and the delta chain of the T3-T cell receptor complex, have recently been localized to the same region of chromosome 11 in man. Moreover, this region of the human chromosome 11 appears to be syntenic to a region of murine chromosome 9 that also contains the staggerer locus: staggerer mice show abnormal neurological features which may be related to abnormalities in the conversion of the embryonic to the adult forms of the N-CAM molecule.

Alternatively spliced mRNAs code for different polypeptide chains of the chicken neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM)

Rabbit polyclonal antibodies directed against the chicken neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) were used to isolate four overlapping cDNA clones from a chicken cDNA expression library in bacteriophage gamma gt11. These clones collectively accounted for 3.8 kilobases of N-CAM mRNA sequence and hybridized specifically to two 6-7-kilobase brain polyadenylated RNA species that co-migrated with previously identified N-CAM mRNAs. DNA fragments derived from an internal region of the cloned cDNA sequences hybridized to the larger but not to the smaller N-CAM mRNA species, while fragments on either side of this region hybridized to both mRNAs. A cDNA fragment that recognized only the larger mRNA was subcloned into gamma gt11, and the expressed fusion protein was used to affinity-purify rabbit polyclonal antibodies; the antibodies recognized only the larger of the two structurally related N-CAM polypeptides. In contrast, when several cDNA clones that recognized both mRNAs were used to purify antibodies, the antibodies recognized both polypeptides. The results, in conjunction with other data indicating that there is one gene specifying N-CAM, suggest that different N-CAM polypeptides are synthesized from multiple N-CAM messages generated by alternative splicing of transcripts from a single N-CAM gene.

Biosynthesis of the neural cell adhesion molecule: characterization of polypeptide C

The biosynthesis of the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) was studied in primary cultures of rat cerebral glial cells, cerebellar granule neurons, and skeletal muscle cells. The three cell types produced different N-CAM polypeptide patterns. Glial cells synthesized a 135,000 Mr polypeptide B and a 115,000 Mr polypeptide C, whereas neurons expressed a 200,000 Mr polypeptide A as well as polypeptide B. Skeletal muscle cells produced polypeptide B. The polypeptides synthesized by the three cell types were immunochemically identical. The membrane association of polypeptide C was investigated with methods that distinguish peripheral and integral membrane proteins. Polypeptide C was found to be a peripheral membrane protein, whereas polypeptides A and B were integral membrane proteins with cytoplasmic domains of approximately 50,000 and approximately 25,000 Mr, respectively. The affinity of the membrane binding of polypeptide C increased during postnatal development. The posttranslational modifications of polypeptide C were investigated in glial cell cultures, and it was found to be N-linked glycosylated and sulfated.

Glial cells express N-CAM/D2-CAM-like polypeptides in vitro

The joining together of neurites to form fascicles and the growth of axons along glial surfaces during early development suggest that neurone-neurone and neurone-glial adhesion interactions are of considerable importance for defining nerve tracts. In vitro studies have indicated that adhesion between neurones involves a glycoprotein that has been independently studied under the names of N-CAM (for neural cell adhesion molecule), D2-CAM and BSP-2 (refs 10, 11). As N-CAM/D2-CAM appears to be a homophilic ligand that binds to N-CAM/D2-CAM polypeptide on adjacent cells, this glycoprotein is potentially important in adhesion interactions between any two N-CAM/D2-CAM-expressing cells. While it has been suggested that neurone-glial adhesion involves molecules other than N-CAM/D2-CAM, it is known that N-CAM/D2-CAM antigenic determinants are expressed by glial cells in vivo and that injection of anti-N-CAM antibodies into the eye-cup of chick embryos disrupts normal patterns of neuritic apposition to glial endfeet in the developing optic stalk. Do the molecules expressed by glia share restricted antigenic determinants, or binding domains, with N-CAM/D2-CAM, or are N-CAM/D2-CAM polypeptides expressed by glia? Here we present immunocytochemical evidence which suggests that all classes of macroglia express N-CAM/D2-CAM antigenic determinants on their surfaces and immunochemical analyses which indicate that the molecules expressed by purified astrocytes are closely similar, or identical, to at least some forms of N-CAM/D2-CAM obtained from whole brain or purified neurones. However, our results also suggest that different N-CAM/D2-CAM polypeptides may be separately expressed by neurones and astrocytes.

Conversion of embryonic form to adult forms of N-CAM in vitro: results from de novo synthesis of adult forms

During normal development, the neural cell adhesion molecule N-CAM changes at the cell-surface from a sialic acid-rich embryonic, or E form, to several adult, or A forms that have less sialic acid (E-to-A conversion). To investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie these changes, we have established conditions under which E-to-A conversion occurs in cultured explants of central nervous system tissues. Mouse cerebellum, chick spinal cord, and chick retina that express the E form of N-CAM were dissected and cultured on collagen gels. After 3-6 d in culture, increased proportions of A forms were synthesized, as revealed by specific immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. The rate of E-to-A conversion and the proportions of the different A forms synthesized in vitro were similar to those observed for the tissues in vivo at comparable times. In addition, the explants incorporated radioactive precursors of amino sugars into N-CAM, and the electrophoretic mobilities of the E and A forms of N-CAM were altered by treatment with neuraminidase in a way comparable to that found for N-CAM obtained directly from tissue. These results suggest that the post translational processing in vitro was similar to that in vivo. Logistic studies on cell division and death in the explants suggested that E-to-A conversion resulted mainly from a specific increase in synthesis of A forms in individual cells rather than as a consequence of differential birth or death within distinct cell populations. The data were consistent with the possibility that the increase in synthesis of A forms occurred either in cells that had previously synthesized E forms or in a distinct population of cells that already synthesized A forms. Cells dissociated from embryonic central nervous system tissues and cultured in vitro were also found to undergo E-to-A conversion at the same rate as the explant cultures, which suggests that if intercellular signals were responsible for initiation of the change in synthetic pattern, they had already occurred in vivo before the time of culture. In pulse-chase experiments, the E form of N-CAM that was synthesized during the first day after explantation persisted as E form for several days, at times when newly synthesized N-CAM was predominantly in A forms. These results indicate that in cultured neural tissue, the E form of N-CAM is not processed into A forms but is gradually degraded and replaced by newly synthesized A forms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cell-free synthesis of the D2-cell adhesion molecule: evidence for three primary translation products

The D2-cell adhesion molecule (D2-CAM) is a membrane glycoprotein that is involved in cell-cell adhesion in the nervous system. To study the biosynthesis of D2-CAM we have translated free and membrane-bound polysomes from rat brain in vitro in the rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. D2-CAM was exclusively synthesized on membrane-bound polysomes. The primary translation products of D2-CAM were three polypeptides of apparent molecular weights 187,000, 134,000, and 112,000. No interconversion between these polypeptides was detected. In contrast to previous suggestions, we conclude that all three D2-CAM polypeptides are primary translation products. When translating polysomes from embryonic and postnatal rat brain, we found that the relative amounts of the three polypeptides synthesized varied with age. Their molecular weights, however, were not age-dependent.

Biosynthesis of the D2-cell adhesion molecule: post-translational modifications, intracellular transport, and developmental changes

Posttranslational modifications and intracellular transport of the D2-cell adhesion molecule (D2-CAM) were examined in cultured fetal rat neuronal cells. Developmental changes in biosynthesis were studied in rat forebrain explant cultures. Two D2-CAM polypeptides with Mr of 187,000-210,000 (A) and 131,000-158,000 (B) were synthesized using radiolabeled precursors in cultured neurons. A and B were found to contain only N-linked complex oligosaccharides, and both polypeptides appeared to be polysialated as determined by [14C]mannosamine incorporation and precipitation with anti-polysialic acid antibody. The two polypeptides were sulfated in the trans-Golgi compartment and phosphorylated at the plasma membrane. D2-CAM underwent rapid intracellular transport, appearing at the cell surface within 35 min of synthesis. A and B were shown to be integral membrane proteins as seen by radioiodination by photoactivation employing a hydrophobic labeling reagent. In rat forebrain explant cultures, D2-CAM was synthesized as four polypeptides: A (195,000 Mr), B (137,000 Mr), C (115,000 Mr), and a group of polypeptides in the high molecular weight region (HMr) between 250,000 and 350,000. Peptide maps of the four polypeptides yielded similar patterns. Biosynthesis of C and HMr increased with age, relative to A and B. A and B were sulfated in embryonic brain, however, sulfation was not noticeable at postnatal ages. Phosphorylation, on the other hand, of A and B was observed at all ages examined. We suggest that D2-CAM function may be modified during development by changes in the relative synthesis of the different polypeptides, as well as by changes in their glycosylation and sulfation.