A functional model of the human C1 complex Emergence of a functional model

Precise structural data on C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s, the catalytic subunit of C1 (the first component of the classical pathway of human complement), led to the emergence of a structural and functional model of this complex protease. Now with new structural information on the amino acid sequence of the protease responsible for C1 activation (C1r), Gérard Arlaud and his colleagues propose a refinement of their original C1 model, and an overall scheme of the intramolecular events associated with the activation and control of C1.

Structural biology of C1

The classical complement pathway is a major element of innate immunity against infection, and is also involved in immune tolerance, graft rejection and various pathologies. This pathway is triggered by C1, a multimolecular protease formed from the association of a recognition protein, C1q, and a catalytic subunit, the calcium-dependent tetramer C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s, which comprises two copies of each of the modular proteases C1r and C1s. All activators of the pathway are recognized by the C1q moiety of C1, a process that generates a conformational signal that triggers self-activation of C1r, which in turn activates C1s, the enzyme that mediates specific cleavage of C4 and C2, the C1 substrates. Early work based on biochemical and electron microscopy studies has allowed characterization of the domain structure of the C1 subcomponents and led to a low-resolution model of the complex in which the elongated C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s tetramer folds into a compact, figure-of-8-shaped conformation upon interaction with C1q. The strategy used over the past decade was based on a dissection of the C1 proteins into modular segments to characterize their function and solve their three-dimensional structure by X-ray crystallography or NMR spectroscopy. This approach allows deep insights into the structure-function relationships of C1, particularly with respect to the assembly of the C1 complex and the mechanisms underlying its activation and proteolytic activity.

Evaluation and clinical interest of mannan binding lectin function in human plasma

The mannan binding lectin (MBL) plays a major role in innate immunity through its ability to activate complement upon binding to carbohydrate arrays on the surface of various microorganisms. The question of a possible association of the MBL structural gene polymorphism and the oligomeric state of MBL was poorly documented. For these reasons, it appears difficult to evaluate MBL in blood patients on the only basis of protein contents, even in combination with MBL genotyping. This study reports a method to calculate a specific activity for circulating MBL, that relies on: (i) the availability of purified MBL; and (ii) a simplified MBL activity assay based on complement activation. The three-step MBL purification from human plasma reported here is characterized by a highly purified MBL, that occurs in two different oligomeric forms. The results on the specific activity of these forms show that the higher oligomeric forms of MBL have the ability to induce C4 cleavage more efficiently than the corresponding lower oligomers. The usefulness of this approach is illustrated by its potential interest in the biological exploration of certain pathology, for example in the follow-up of chronic hepatitis C. Further investigation is needed to establish whether MBL specific activity (MBLsa) is correlated to the polymorphic state of the molecule. The relative simplicity of the test described here allows better investigation on the relationship between MBL biological activity and its genotype.

Beta-amyloid fibrils activate the C1 complex of complement under physiological conditions: evidence for a binding site for A beta on the C1q globular regions

Previous studies based on the use of serum as a source of C have shown that fibrils of beta-amyloid peptides that accumulate in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease have the ability to bind C1q and activate the classical C pathway. The objective of the present work was to test the ability of fibrils of peptide Abeta1-42 to trigger direct activation of the C1 complex and to carry out further investigations on the site(s) of C1q involved in the interaction with Abeta1-42. Using C1 reconstituted from purified C1q, C1r, and C1s, it was shown that Abeta1-42 fibrils trigger direct C1 activation both in the absence of C1 inhibitor and at C1 inhibitor:C1 ratios up to 8:0, i.e., under conditions consistent with the physiological context in serum. The truncated peptide Abeta12-42 and the double mutant (D7N, E11Q) of Abeta1-42 did not yield C1 activation, providing further evidence that the C1 binding site of beta-amyloid fibrils is located in the acidic N-terminal 1-11 region of the Abeta1-42 peptide. Binding studies performed using a solid phase assay provided strong evidence that C1q interacts with Abeta1-42 fibrils through its C-terminal globular regions. In contrast to previous studies based on a different experimental design, no significant involvement of the C1q collagen-like domain was detected. These findings were confirmed by additional experiments based on C1 activation and C4 consumption assays. These observations provide direct evidence of the ability of beta-amyloid fibrils to trigger activation of the classical C pathway and further support the hypothesis that C activation may be a component of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Substrate specificities of recombinant mannan-binding lectin-associated serine proteases-1 and -2

Mannan-binding lectin (MBL)-associated serine proteases-1 and 2 (MASP-1 and MASP-2) are homologous modular proteases that each interact with MBL, an oligomeric serum lectin involved in innate immunity. To precisely determine their substrate specificity, human MASP-1 and MASP-2, and fragments from their catalytic regions were expressed using a baculovirus/insect cells system. Recombinant MASP-2 displayed a rather wide, C1s-like esterolytic activity, and specifically cleaved complement proteins C2 and C4, with relative efficiencies 3- and 23-fold higher, respectively, than human C1s. MASP-2 also showed very weak C3 cleaving activity. Recombinant MASP-1 had a lower and more restricted esterolytic activity. It showed marginal activity toward C2 and C3, and no activity on C4. The enzymic activity of both MASP-1 and MASP-2 was specifically titrated by C1 inhibitor, and abolished at a 1:1 C1 inhibitor:protease ratio. Taken together with previous findings, these and other data strongly support the hypothesis that MASP-2 is the protease that, in association with MBL, triggers complement activation via the MBL pathway, through combined self-activation and proteolytic properties devoted to C1r and C1s in the C1 complex. In view of the very low activity of MASP-1 on C3 and C2, our data raise questions about the implication of this protease in complement activation.

The role of the individual domains in the structure and function of the catalytic region of a modular serine protease, C1r

The first enzymatic event in the classical pathway of complement activation is autoactivation of the C1r subcomponent of the C1 complex. Activated C1r then cleaves and activates zymogen C1s. C1r is a multidomain serine protease consisting of N-terminal alpha region interacting with other subcomponents and C-terminal gammaB region mediating proteolytic activity. The gammaB region consists of two complement control protein modules (CCP1, CCP2) and a serine protease domain (SP). To clarify the role of the individual domains in the structural and functional properties of the gammaB region we produced the CCP1-CCP2-SP (gammaB), the CCP2-SP, and the SP fragments in recombinant form in Escherichia coli. We successfully renatured the inclusion body proteins. After renaturation all three fragments were obtained in activated form and showed esterolytic activity on synthetic substrates similar to each other. To study the self-activation process in detail zymogen mutant forms of the three fragments were constructed and expressed. Our major statement is that the ability of autoactivation and C1s cleavage is an inherent property of the SP domain. We observed that the CCP2 module significantly increases proteolytic activity of the SP domain on natural substrate, C1s. Therefore, we propose that CCP2 module provides accessory binding sites. Differential scanning calorimetric measurements demonstrated that CCP2 domain greatly stabilizes the structure of SP domain. Deletion of CCP1 domain from the CCP1-CCP2-SP fragment results in the loss of the dimeric structure. Our experiments also provided evidence that dimerization of C1r is not a prerequisite for autoactivation.

Assembly and enzymatic properties of the catalytic domain of human complement protease C1r

The catalytic properties of C1r, the protease that mediates activation of the C1 complex of complement, are mediated by its C-terminal region, comprising two complement control protein (CCP) modules followed by a serine protease (SP) domain. Baculovirus-mediated expression was used to produce fragments containing the SP domain and either 2 CCP modules (CCP1/2-SP) or only the second CCP module (CCP2-SP). In each case, the wild-type species and two mutants stabilized in the proenzyme form by mutations at the cleavage site (R446Q) or at the active site serine residue (S637A), were produced. Both wild-type fragments were recovered as two-chain, activated proteases, whereas all mutants retained a single-chain, proenzyme structure, providing the first experimental evidence that C1r activation is an autolytic process. As shown by sedimentation velocity analysis, all CCP1/2-SP fragments were dimers (5.5-5.6 S), and all CCP2-SP fragments were monomers (3.2-3.4 S). Thus, CCP1 is essential to the assembly of the dimer, but formation of a stable dimer is not a prerequisite for self-activation. Activation of the R446Q mutants could be achieved by extrinsic cleavage by thermolysin, which cleaved the CCP2-SP species more efficiently than the CCP1/2-SP species and yielded enzymes with C1s-cleaving activities similar to their active wild-type counterparts. C1r and its activated fragments all cleaved C1s, with relative efficiencies in the order C1r < CCP1/2-SP < CCP2-SP, indicating that CCP1 is not involved in C1s recognition.

Functional determinants of the Epstein-Barr virus protease

Herpesvirus proteases are essential for the production of progeny virus. They cleave the assembly protein that fills the immature capsid in order to make place for the viral DNA. The recombinant protease of the human gamma-herpesvirus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Circular dichroism indicated that the protein was properly folded with a secondary structure content similar to that of other herpesvirus proteases. Gel filtration and sedimentation analysis indicated a fast monomer-dimer equilibrium of the protease with a K(d) of about 60 microM. This value was not influenced by glycerol but was lowered to 1.7 microM in the presence of 0.5 M sodium citrate. We also developed an HPLC-based enzymatic assay using a 20 amino acid residue synthetic peptide substrate derived from one of the viral target sequences for the protease. We found that conditions that stabilised the dimer also led to a higher enzymatic activity. Through sequential deletion of amino acid residues from either side of the cleavage site, the minimal peptide substrate for the protease was determined as P5-P2'. This minimal sequence is shorter than that for other herpesvirus proteases. The implications of our findings are discussed with reference to the viral life-cycle. These results are the first ever published on the EBV protease and represent a first step towards the development of protease inhibitors.

Interaction properties of human mannan-binding lectin (MBL)-associated serine proteases-1 and -2, MBL-associated protein 19, and MBL

The mannan-binding lectin (MBL) activation pathway of complement plays an important role in the innate immune defense against pathogenic microorganisms. In human serum, two MBL-associated serine proteases (MASP-1, MASP-2) and MBL-associated protein 19 (MAp19) were found to be associated with MBL. With a view to investigate the interaction properties of these proteins, human MASP-1, MASP-2, MAp19, as well as the N-terminal complement subcomponents C1r/C1s, Uegf, and bone morphogenetic protein-1-epidermal growth factor (CUB-EGF) segments of MASP-1 and MASP-2, were expressed in insect or human kidney cells, and MBL was isolated from human serum. Sedimentation velocity analysis indicated that the MASP-1 and MASP-2 CUB-EGF segments and the homologous protein MAp19 all behaved as homodimers (2.8-3.2 S) in the presence of Ca(2+). Although the latter two dimers were not dissociated by EDTA, their physical properties were affected. In contrast, the MASP-1 CUB-EGF homodimer was not sensitive to EDTA. The three proteins and full-length MASP-1 and MASP-2 showed no interaction with each other as judged by gel filtration and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. Using the latter technique, MASP-1, MASP-2, their CUB-EGF segments, and MAp19 were each shown to bind to immobilized MBL, with K:(D) values of 0.8 nM (MASP-2), 1.4 nM (MASP-1), 13.0 nM (MAp19 and MASP-2 CUB-EGF), and 25.7 nM (MASP-1 CUB-EGF). The binding was Ca(2+)-dependent and fully sensitive to EDTA in all cases. These data indicate that MASP-1, MASP-2, and MAp19 each associate as homodimers, and individually form Ca(2+)-dependent complexes with MBL through the CUB-EGF pair of each protein. This suggests that distinct MBL/MASP complexes may be involved in the activation or regulation of the MBL pathway.

Structural biology of C1: dissection of a complex molecular machinery

The classical pathway of complement is initiated by the C1 complex, a multimolecular protease comprising a recognition subunit (C1q) and two modular serine proteases (C1r and C1s) associated as a Ca2+-dependent tetramer (C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s). Early studies have allowed identification of specialized functional domains in these proteins and have led to low-resolution models of the C1 complex. The objective of current studies is to gain deeper insights into the structure of C1, and the strategy used for this purpose mainly consists of dissecting the C1 components into modular fragments, in order to solve their three-dimensional structure and establish the structural correlates of their function. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the structural and functional information generated by this approach, with particular emphasis on the domains involved in the assembly, the recognition function, and the highly specific proteolytic properties of C1.

Crystal structure of the catalytic domain of human complement c1s: a serine protease with a handle

C1s is the highly specific modular serine protease that mediates the proteolytic activity of the C1 complex and thereby triggers activation of the complement cascade. The crystal structure of a catalytic fragment from human C1s comprising the second complement control protein (CCP2) module and the chymotrypsin-like serine protease (SP) domain has been determined and refined to 1.7 A resolution. In the areas surrounding the active site, the SP structure reveals a restricted access to subsidiary substrate binding sites that could be responsible for the narrow specificity of C1s. The ellipsoidal CCP2 module is oriented perpendicularly to the surface of the SP domain. This arrangement is maintained through a rigid module-domain interface involving intertwined proline- and tyrosine-rich polypeptide segments. The relative orientation of SP and CCP2 is consistent with the fact that the latter provides additional substrate recognition sites for the C4 substrate. This structure provides a first example of a CCP-SP assembly that is conserved in diverse extracellular proteins. Its implications in the activation mechanism of C1 are discussed.

Grafting an RGD motif onto an epidermal growth factor-like module: chemical synthesis and functional characterization of the chimeric molecule

A novel protein was engineered by inserting the GRGDS motif of fibronectin within the 14-residue loop of the EGF-like module from human complement protease C1r. The resulting chimeric EGF-RGD module (52 residues, three disulfide bridges) was assembled by automated solid-phase synthesis using the t-Boc strategy. Using reduced/oxidized glutathione, the EGF-RGD module was folded as efficiently as the natural C1r-EGF module, resulting in formation of the appropriate disulfide bridge pattern as shown by mass spectrometry and N-terminal sequence analyses of thermolytic fragments. Circular dichroism and NMR measurements provided further indication that introduction of the GRGDS motif had no significant effect on the folding. Using Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells bearing the integrin receptors specific for fibronectin and vitronectin, EGF-RGD was shown to induce cell adhesion via the introduced GRGDS motif. Cell binding was inhibited specifically and efficiently by the synthetic peptide GRGDSP and by fibronectin, and to a much lesser extent by vitronectin, whereas the monoclonal antibody PB1 directed to the alpha5 subunit of alpha5beta1 integrin had no effect. The ability of EGF-RGD to trigger significant cell spreading and intracellular signaling was also demonstrated using immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy.

Mapping of the interaction between the immunodominant loop of the ectodomain of HIV-1 gp41 and human complement protein C1q

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transmembrane envelope glycoprotein gp41 has been previously shown to activate the C1 complex of human complement through direct interaction with its C1q subunit. The major interaction site has been located within the gp41 immunodominant region (residues 590-620), and a synthetic peptide overlapping residues 601-613 of gp41 (sequence GIWGCSGKLICTT) was shown to inhibit binding of gp41 to C1q in vitro (Thielens, N.M., Bally, I.M., Ebenbichler, C.F., Dierich, M.P. & Arlaud, G.J. (1993) J. Immunol. 151, 6583-6592). The ectodomain of gp41 (s-gp41) was secreted from the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris and purified by immunoaffinity chromatography. Enzymatic deglycosylation of the recombinant s-gp41 was necessary to allow its in vitro interaction with C1q. A solid-phase competition assay was used to monitor the effect of mutant peptides derived from segment 601-613 of gp41 on the binding of deglycosylated s-gp41 to C1q. Whereas mutation of Ser606 had no effect, replacement of Ile602, Trp603, Lys608, Leu609 and Ile610 by Ala abolished the ability of the resulting peptides to inhibit binding of s-gp41 to C1q, suggesting that these residues participate in the interaction between gp41 and C1q. These findings are discussed in the light of a structural model of the immunodominant loop of gp41. It is proposed that the recognition of gp41 by C1q is driven by hydrophobic interactions, and that the sites of gp41 responsible for interaction with gp120 and C1q partly overlap.

A coil-helix instead of a helix-coil motif can be induced in a chloroplast transit peptide from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

A synthetic peptide MQVTMKSSAVSGQRVGGARVATRSVRRAQLQV corresponding to the 32 amino acid chloroplast transit sequence of the ribulose bisphosphatase carboxylase/oxygenase activase preprotein from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, required for translocation through the envelope of the chloroplast, has been characterized structurally using CD and NMR under the same experimental conditions as used previously for the 32 amino acid presequence of preferredoxin from the same organism [Lancelin, J.-M., Bally, I., Arlaud, G. J., Blackledge, M., Gans, P., Stein, M. & Jacquot, J.-P. (1994) FEBS Lett. 343, 261-266]. The peptide is found to undergo a conformational transition in aqueous 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, characterized by three turns of amphiphilic alpha-helix in the C-terminal region preceded by a disordered coil in the N-terminal region. Compared with the preferredoxin transit peptide, the helical and coiled domains are arranged in the reverse order along the peptide sequence, but the positively charged groups are distributed analogously as well as the hydrophobic residues within the amphiphilic alpha-helix. It is proposed that such coil-helix or helix-coil motifs, occasionally repeated, could be an intrinsic structural feature of chloroplastic transit peptides, adapted to the proper translocase and possibly to each nuclear-encoded chloroplast preproteins. This feature may distinguish chloroplastic transit sequences from the other organelle-targeting peptides in the eukaryotic green alga C. reinhardtii, particularly the mitochondrial transit sequences.

Structure and functions of the interaction domains of C1r and C1s: keystones of the architecture of the C1 complex

C1r and C1s, the proteases responsible for activation and proteolytic activity of the C1 complex of complement, share similar overall structural organizations featuring five nonenzymic protein modules (two CUB modules surrounding a single EGF module, and a pair of CCP modules) followed by a serine protease domain. Besides highly specific proteolytic activities, both proteases exhibit interaction properties associated with their N-terminal regions. These properties include the ability to bind Ca2+ ions with high affinity, to associate with each other within a Ca2+-dependent C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s tetramer, and to interact with C1q upon C1 assembly. Precise functional mapping of these regions has been achieved recently, allowing identification of the domains responsible for these interactions, and providing a comprehensive picture of their structure and function. The objective of this article is to provide a detailed and up-to-date overview of the information available on these domains, which are keystones of the assembly of C1, and appear to play an essential role at the interface between the recognition function of C1 and its proteolytic activity.

The N-terminal CUB-epidermal growth factor module pair of human complement protease C1r binds Ca2+ with high affinity and mediates Ca2+-dependent interaction with C1s

The Ca2+-dependent interaction between complement serine proteases C1r and C1s is mediated by their alpha regions, encompassing the major part of their N-terminal CUB-EGF-CUB (where EGF is epidermal growth factor) module array. In order to define the boundaries of the C1r domain(s) responsible for Ca2+ binding and Ca2+-dependent interaction with C1s and to assess the contribution of individual modules to these functions, the CUB, EGF, and CUB-EGF fragments were expressed in eucaryotic systems or synthesized chemically. Gel filtration studies, as well as measurements of intrinsic Tyr fluorescence, provided evidence that the CUB-EGF pair adopts a more compact conformation in the presence of Ca2+. Ca2+-dependent interaction of intact C1r with C1s was studied using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, yielding KD values of 10.9-29.7 nM. The C1r CUB-EGF pair bound immobilized C1s with a higher KD (1.5-1.8 microM), which decreased to 31.4 nM when CUB-EGF was used as the immobilized ligand and C1s was free. Half-maximal binding was obtained at comparable Ca2+ concentrations ranging from 5 microM with intact C1r to 10-16 microM for C1ralpha and CUB-EGF. The isolated CUB and EGF fragments or a CUB + EGF mixture did not bind C1s. These data demonstrate that the C1r CUB-EGF module pair (residues 1-175) is the minimal segment required for high affinity Ca2+ binding and Ca2+-dependent interaction with C1s and indicate that Ca2+ binding induces a more compact folding of the CUB-EGF pair.

In vitro analysis of complement-dependent HIV-1 cell infection using a model system

Previous studies based on the use of human serum as a source of C have provided evidence for the C-dependent enhancement of cell infection by HIV-1. The present study was undertaken to distinguish C from other serum factors and to identify the proteins and the mechanisms involved in C-dependent cell infection by HIV-1. The classical C activation pathway was reconstituted from the proteins C1q, C1r, C1s, C4, C2, C3, factor H, and factor I; each were purified to homogeneity. A mixture of these proteins at physiological concentrations was shown to reproduce the ability of normal human serum to enhance the infection of MT2 cells by HIV-1 at low doses of virus. This enhancing effect was abolished when heat-inactivated serum and C2- or C3-depleted serum were used, and was restored upon addition of the corresponding purified proteins. A mixture of two synthetic peptides corresponding to positions 10-15 and 90-97 of human C receptor type 2 (CD21) as well as soluble CD4 both inhibited the C-dependent infection process. These data provide unambiguous evidence that HIV-1 triggers a direct activation of the classical C pathway in vitro and thereby facilitates the infection of MT2 cells at low doses of virus. These findings are consistent with a mechanism involving increased interaction between the virus opsonized by C3b-derived fragment(s) and the CD21 cell receptors and subsequent virus entry through CD4 receptors.

Evolutionary conserved rigid module-domain interactions can be detected at the sequence level: the examples of complement and blood coagulation proteases

Several extracellular modular proteins, including proteases of the complement and blood coagulation cascades, are shown here to exhibit conserved sequence patterns specific for a particular module-domain association. This was detected by comparative analysis of sequence variability in different multiple sequence alignments, which provides a new tool to investigate the evolution of modular proteins. A first example deals with the proteins featuring a common complement control protein (CCP) module-serine protease (SP) domain pattern at their C-terminal end, defined here as the CCP-SP sub-family. These proteins include the complement proteases C1r, C1s and MASPs, the Limulus clotting factor C, and the proteins of the haptoglobin family. A second example deals with blood coagulation factors VII, IX and X and protein C, all featuring a common epidermal growth factor (EGF)-SP C-terminal assembly. Highly specific motifs are found at the connection between the CCP or EGF module and the activation peptide of the SP domain: [P/A]-x-C-x-[P/A]-[I/V]-C-G-x-[P/S/K] in the case of the CCP-SP proteins, and C-x-[P/S]-x-x-x-[Y/F]-P-C-G in the case of the EGF-SP proteins. Each motif is strictly conserved in the whole sub-family and it is detected in no more than one other known protein sequence. Strikingly, most of the conserved residues specific to each sub-family appear to be clustered at the interface between the SP domain and the CCP or EGF module. We propose that a rigid module-domain interaction occurs in these proteins and has been conserved through evolution. The functional implications of these assemblies, underlined by such evolutionary constraints, are discussed.

Structural and functional studies on C1r and C1s: new insights into the mechanisms involved in C1 activity and assembly

C1r and C1s, the enzymes responsible for the activation and proteolytic activity of the C1 complex of complement, are modular serine proteases featuring similar overall structural organizations, yet expressing very distinct functional properties within C1. This review will initially summarize available information on the structure and function of the protein modules and serine protease domains of C1r and C1s. It will then focus on the regions of both proteases involved in: (i) assembly of C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s, the Ca(2+)-dependent tetrameric catalytic subunit of C1; (ii) expression of C1 catalytic activities. Particular emphasis will be aid on recent structural and functional studies that provide new insights into the complex mechanisms involved in the assembly, activation, and proteolytic activity of C1.

Solution structure of the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like module of human complement protease C1r, an atypical member of the EGF family

The calcium-dependent interaction between C1r and C1s, the two homologous serine proteases of the first component of human complement C1, is mediated by their N-terminal regions. The latter comprise an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like module exhibiting the consensus sequence characteristic of Ca(2+)-binding EGF modules, surrounded by two CUB modules. Due to its Ca2+ binding ability, the C1r EGF-like module (C1r-EGF) is supposed to participate in the C1r-C1s interaction. An additional interesting feature of C1r-EGF is the unusually large loop connecting the first two conserved cysteine residues. The solution structure of synthetic C1r-EGF (residues 123-175) has been determined using nuclear magnetic resonance and combined simulated annealing-restrained molecular dynamics calculations. The resulting family of 19 structures is characterized by a well-ordered C-terminal part (residues Cys 144-Ala174) with a backbone rmsd of 0.7 A and a disordered N-terminal, including the large loop between the first two cysteines (Cys129 and Cys144). This loop is known to be surface exposed and may be expected to participate in domain-domain or protein-protein interactions. In its C-terminal part, C1r-EGF possesses the characteristic EGF fold with a major and a minor beta-sheet. The latter comprises a beta-bulge, and comparison with other EGF-like modules reveals the existence of two distinct structural and sequential motifs in the bulged part. Additional experiments in the presence of 80 mM Ca2+ did not show significant structural variation of C1r-EGF, in keeping with previous observations on blood-clotting factors IX and X.

NMR structures of the C-terminal end of human complement serine protease C1s

Synthetic peptides derived from the C-terminal end of the human complement serine protease C1s were analysed by circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Circular dichroism indicates that peptides 656-673 and 653-673 are essentially unstructured in water and undergo a coil-to-helix transition in the presence of increasing concentrations of trifluoroethanol. Two-dimensional NMR analyses performed in water/trifluoroethanol solutions provide evidence for the occurrence of a regular alpha-helix extending from Trp659 to Ser668 (peptide 656-673), and from Tyr656 to Ser668 (peptide 653-673), the C-terminal segment of both peptides remaining unstructured under the conditions used. Based on these and other observations, we propose that the serine protease domain of C1s ends in a 13-residue alpha-helix (656Tyr-Ser668) followed by a five-residue C-terminal extension. The latter appears to be flexible and is probably locked within C1s through a salt bridge involving Glu672.

Baculovirus-mediated expression of truncated modular fragments from the catalytic region of human complement serine protease C1s. Evidence for the involvement of both complement control protein modules in the recognition of the C4 protein substrate

C1s is the modular serine protease responsible for cleavage of C4 and C2, the protein substrates of the first component of complement. Its catalytic region (gamma-B) comprises two complement control protein (CCP) modules, a short activation peptide (ap), and a serine protease domain (SP). A baculovirus-mediated expression system was used to produce recombinant truncated fragments from this region, deleted either from the first CCP module (CCP2-ap-SP) or from both CCP modules (ap-SP). The aglycosylated fragment CCP2-ap-SPag was also expressed by using tunicamycin. The fragments were produced at yields of 0.6-3 mg/liter of culture, isolated, and characterized chemically and then tested functionally by comparison with intact C1s and its proteolytic gamma-B fragment. All recombinant fragments were expressed in a proenzyme form and cleaved by C1r to generate active enzymes expressing esterolytic activity and reactivity toward C1 inhibitor comparable to those of intact C1s. Likewise, the activated fragments gamma-B, CCP2-ap-SP, and ap-SP retained C1s ability to cleave C2 in the fluid phase. In contrast, whereas fragment gamma-B cleaved C4 as efficiently as C1s, the C4-cleaving activity of CCP2-ap-SP was greatly reduced (about 70-fold) and that of ap-SP was abolished. It is concluded that C4 cleavage involves substrate recognition sites located in both CCP modules of C1s, whereas C2 cleavage is affected mainly by the serine protease domain. Evidence is also provided that the carbohydrate moiety linked to the second CCP module of C1s has no significant effect on catalytic activity.

Structure and assembly of the catalytic region of human complement protease C1r: a three-dimensional model based on chemical cross-linking and homology modeling

C1r is the modular serine protease responsible for autocatalytic activation of C1, the first component of the complement classical pathway. Its catalytic region is a noncovalent homodimer of two gamma-B monomers, each comprising two contiguous complement control protein (CCP) modules, IV and V [also known as short consensus repeats (SCRs)], a 15-residue intermediary segment, and the serine protease B domain. With a view to gain insight into domain-domain interactions within this region, fragment C1r (gamma-B)2, obtained by autolytic proteolysis of the active protease, was cross-linked with the water-soluble reagent 1-ethyl-3-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]carbodiimide. Cross-linked species gamma-B intra and gamma-B inter, containing intra- and intermonomer cross-links, respectively, were isolated and then fragmented by CNBr cleavage and trypsin digestion. N-Terminal sequence and mass spectrometry analyses of the resulting cross-linked peptides allowed us to identify one intramonomer cross-link between Lys426 of module V and the C-terminal Asp688 of the serine protease B domain and one intermonomer cross-link between the N-terminal Gly280 of fragment gamma and Glu493 of the B domain. Three-dimensional homology modeling of the CCP modules IV and V and of the B domain was also performed. The complementary information provided by chemical cross-linking and homology modeling studies was used to construct a three-dimensional model of the gamma-B monomer, in which module V interacts with the serine protease on the side opposite to both the active site and the Arg446-Ile447 activation site. Also, a tentative three-dimensional model of the (gamma-B)2 dimer was built, indicating a loose "head to tail" association of the monomers, with the active sites facing opposite directions toward the outside of the dimer. The latter model is compared with available low-resolution structural data, and its functional implications are discussed in terms of the conformational changes occurring during C1r activation.

Chemical synthesis and characterization of the epidermal growth factor-like module of human complement protease C1r

C1r is one of the two serine proteases of C1, the first component of complement, in which it is associated in a calcium-dependent manner to the homologous serine protease C1s. This interaction is mediated by the N-terminal region of C1r, which comprises a single epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like module containing the consensus sequence required for calcium binding, surrounded by two CUB modules. With a view to determine the structure of the EGF-like module of C1r and evaluate its contribution to calcium binding, this module [C1r(123-175)] was synthesized by automated solid-phase methodology using the Boc strategy. A first synthesis using the Boc-His(Z) derivative gave very low yield, due to partial deprotection of His residues leading to chain termination by acetylation, and to insertion of glycine residues. This could be circumvented by using the Boc-His(DNP) derivative and by condensation of appropriate glycine-containing segments. The synthetic peptide was efficiently folded under redox conditions to the species with three correct disulfide bridges, as determined by mass spectrometry and N-terminal sequence analyses of thermolytic fragments. The homogeneity of the synthetic peptide was assessed by reversed-phase HPLC and electrospray mass spectrometry. One-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopic analysis provided evidence that the EGF-like module had a well defined structure, and was able to bind calcium with an apparent Kd of 10 mM. This value, comparable to that found for the isolated EGF-like modules of coagulation factors IX and X, is much higher than that measured for native C1r. As already proposed for factors IX and X, it is suggested that neighbouring module(s), most probably the N-terminal CUB module, contribute(s) to the calcium binding site.

NMR structures of a mitochondrial transit peptide from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The 26-amino-acid pre-sequence of the ATP synthase beta subunit that directs the protein from the cytosol to mitochondria in the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has been synthesised and analysed using NMR spectroscopy/circular dichroism and compared to a chloroplast transit peptide from the same organism. The results demonstrate that the peptide, though mainly unstructured in water, undergoes a strong conformational change in a 36% water/64% 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol mixture. In this solvent condition, an alpha-helix was characterised by NMR from residue 2 to 26. Structure calculations under NMR restraints lead to a population of models of which 60% are kinked at position 9-10. Structural analysis indicates two hydrophobic sectors on the models with a discontinuity at the 9-10 kink level. The structures suggest a different interaction mode with the mitochondrial membrane compared to the chloroplast transit peptide.

Identification of a cryptic protein kinase CK2 phosphorylation site in human complement protease Clr, and its use to probe intramolecular interaction

Treatment of human (activated)C1r by CK2 resulted in the incorporation of [32P]phosphate into the N-terminal alpha region of its non-catalytic A chain. Fragmentation of 32P-labelled (activated)C1r followed by N-terminal sequence and mass spectrometry analyses allowed identification of Ser189 as the phosphorylation site. Accessibility of Ser189 was low in intact C1r, due in part to the presence of one of the oligosaccharides borne by the alpha region, further reduced in the presence of calcium, and abolished when C1r was incorporated into the C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s tetramer or the C1 complex. In contrast, phosphorylation was enhanced in the isolated alpha fragment and insensitive to calcium. Taken together, these data provide support for the occurrence of a (Ca2+)-dependent interaction between the alpha region and the remainder of the C1r molecule.

Structure of the catalytic region of human complement protease C1s: study by chemical cross-linking and three-dimensional homology modeling

C1s is a multidomain serine protease that is responsible for the enzymatic activity of C1, the first component of the classical pathway of complement. Its catalytic region (gamma-B) comprises two contiguous complement control protein (CCP) modules, IV and V (about 60 residues each), a 15-residue intermediary segment, and the B chain (251 residues), which is the serine protease domain. With a view to identify domain-domain interactions within this region, the gamma-B fragment of C1s, obtained by limited proteolysis with plasmin, was chemically cross-linked with the water-soluble carbodiimide 1-ethyl-3-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]carbodiimide; then cross-linked peptides were isolated after CNBr cleavage and thermolytic digestion. N-Terminal sequence and mass spectrometry analyses allowed us to identify two cross-links between Lys 405 of module V and Glu 672 of the B chain and between Glu 418 of the intermediary segment and Lys 608 of the B chain. Three-dimensional modeling of the CCP modules IV and V and of the catalytic B chain was also carried out on the basis of their respective homology with the 16th and 5th CCP modules of complement factor H and type I serine proteases. The information provided by both the chemical cross-linking studies and the homology modeling enabled us to construct a three-dimensional model for the assembly of the C-terminal part of the gamma-B region, comprising module V, the intermediary segment, and the B chain. This model shows that module V interacts with the serine protease B chain on the side opposite to both the activation site and the catalytic site. Functional implications of this interaction are discussed in terms of the possible role of module V in the specific recognition and positioning of C4, one of the two substrates of C1s.

HIV-1 rsgp41 depends on calcium for binding of human c1q but not for binding of gp120

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 activates the complement cascade via the classical pathway by direct binding of C1q through specific sites in the TM surface protein, gp41. In this paper we investigated the divalent cation dependence of the interaction between HIV-1 gp41 and C1q or gp120. A solid phase radioimmunoassay was used to investigate the interaction between a recombinant soluble form of HIV-1 gp41 (rsgp41) and C1q and an enzyme linked immunoassay was used to investigate the interaction between rsgp41 and gp120. The interaction between C1q and rsgp41, but not between C1q and immune complexes, was dependent upon the presence of calcium. Calcium could not be replaced by larger cations such as strontium, barium, lead or smaller ions such as magnesium and manganese. Zinc increased binding to 22% of binding achieved with calcium. The interaction between rsgp41 and gp120 was not dependent upon the presence of divalent ions. Thus, calcium is required for the interaction between rsgp41 and C1q, whereas the interaction between rsgp41 and gp120 is independent of divalent cations.

Analysis of the N-linked oligosaccharides of human C1s using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry

Information on the structures of the oligosaccharides linked to Asn residues 159 and 391 of the human complement protease C1s was obtained using mass spectrometric and monosaccharide analyses. Asn159 is linked to a complex-type biantennary, bisialylated oligosaccharide NeuAc2 Gal2 GlcNAc4 Man3 (molecular mass = 2206 +/- 1). Asn391 is occupied by either a biantennary, bisialylated oligosaccharide, or a triantennary, trisialylated species NeuAc3 Gal3 GlcNAc5 Man3 (molecular mass = 2861 +/- 1), or a fucosylated triatennary, trisialylated species NeuAc3 Gal3 GlcNAc5 Man3 Fuc1 (molecular mass = 3007 +/- 1), in relative proportions of approximately 1:1:1. The carbohydrate heterogeneity at Asn391 gives rise to three major types of C1s molecules of molecular masses 79,318 +/- 8 (A), 79,971 +/- 8 (B), and 80,131 +/- 8 (C), with an average mass of 79,807 +/- 8. A minor modification, yielding an extra mass of 132 +/- 2, is also detected within positions 1-153.

Activation of human complement serine-proteinase C1r is down-regulated by a Ca(2+)-dependent intramolecular control that is released in the C1 complex through a signal transmitted by C1q

The activation of human C1, a Ca(2+)-dependent complex proteinase comprising a non-enzymic protein, C1q, and two serine proteinases, C1r and C1s, is based primarily on the intrinsic property of C1r to autoactivate. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms involved in the regulation of C1r autoactivation, with particular attention to the role of Ca2+ ions. Spontaneous activation of proenzyme C1r was observed upon incubation in the presence of EDTA, whereas Ca2+ ions reduced markedly the activation process. Several lines of evidence indicated that Ca2+ inhibited the intramolecular activation reaction but had little or no effect on the intermolecular activation reaction. C1q caused partial release of this inhibitory effect of Ca2+. Complete stabilization of C1r in its proenzyme form was obtained upon incorporation within the Ca(2+)-dependent C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s tetramer, and a comparable effect was observed when C1s was replaced by its Ca(2+)-binding alpha-fragment. Both tetramers, C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s and C1s alpha-C1r-C1r-C1s alpha, readily associated with C1q to form 16.0 S and 14.7 S complexes respectively in which C1r fully recovered its activation potential. Both complexes showed indistinguishable activation kinetics, indicating that the gamma B catalytic region of C1s plays no role in the mechanism that triggers C1r activation in C1. The collagen-like fragments of C1q retained the ability to bind to C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s, but, in contrast with intact C1q, failed to induce C1r activation in the resulting complex at temperatures above 25 degrees C. On the basis of these observations it is proposed that activation of the serine-proteinase domain of C1r is controlled by a Ca(2+)-dependent intramolecular mechanism involving the Ca(2+)-binding alpha-region, and that this control is released in C1 by a signal originating in C1q and transmitted through the C1q/C1r interface.

NMR structures of ferredoxin chloroplastic transit peptide from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii promoted by trifluoroethanol in aqueous solution

The 32-amino acid transit peptide of the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii ferredoxin has been synthesized and analysed by NMR spectroscopy and circular dichroism. The results show that while the peptide is unstructured in water, it undergoes an alpha-helix formation from residue 3 to 13 in a 30:70 molar-ratio mixture of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol. The remainder of the peptide is still unstructured in CF3CD2OD/H2O mixtures, but is distributed on a side opposite to a hydrophobic ridge formed by Met5, Phe9 and Val13 on the induced alpha-helix. The NMR structures driven by 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol in aqueous solution, are discussed in terms of potent interactions with the chloroplast envelope and its translocation molecular machinery.

The envelope glycoprotein of HIV-1 gp120 and human complement protein C1q bind to the same peptides derived from three different regions of gp41, the transmembrane glycoprotein of HIV-1, and share antigenic homology

gp41, the transmembrane glycoprotein of HIV-1, has been shown to be non-covalently associated with gp120. We have shown that it also binds human C1q. To analyze the interaction site(s) of gp41 with these two molecules, we established an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system using recombinant soluble gp41 [amino acids (aa) 539-684] and peptides thereof. In the cell-external part of gp41 three sites (aa 526-538, aa 590-613 and aa 625-655) were found to bind both gp120 and C1q. That gp120 and C1q use the same sites was evidenced by the fact that these proteins competed with each other for the same sites in recombinant soluble gp41 and gp41 peptides. It could be demonstrated by ELISA, that rabbit antibodies against human C1q recognized gp120, and rabbit antibodies against gp120 cross-reacted with C1q. Rabbit anti-gp120, HIV-1-positive human sera and anti-gp120 obtained from such sera agglutinated sensitized sheep erythrocytes with human C1q (EAC1q). These data suggest that in addition to functional homology between C1q and gp120 structural homology between these two molecules exists. This molecular mimicry might become the basis for immunologically relevant autoimmune phenomena.

Chemical characterization and location of ionic interactions involved in the assembly of the C1 complex of human complement

The C1 complex of human complement comprises two loosely interacting subunits, C1q and the Ca(2+)-dependent C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s tetramer. With a view to gain information on the nature of the ionic interactions involved in C1 assembly, we have studied the effects of the chemical modifications of charged residues of C1q or the tetramer on their ability to reconstitute the C1 complex. Treatment of C1q with pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, acetic anhydride, and citraconic anhydride, as well as with cyclohexanedione and diethylpyrocarbonate, inhibited its ability to associate with C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s. Treatment of the collagen-like fragments of C1q with the same reagents yielded the same effects. Treatment of C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s with 1-ethyl-3-[-3-(dimethylamino) propyl] carbodiimide also prevented C1 assembly, through modification of acidic amino acids which were shown to be located in C1r. Further studies on the location of the interaction sites within C1q, using ligand-blotting and competition experiments with synthetic peptides, were unsuccessful, suggesting that these sites are contributed to by two or three of the C1q chains. It is concluded that C1 assembly involves interactions between acidic amino acids of C1r and lysine (hydroxylysine) and arginine residues located within the collagen-like region of C1q. Sequence comparison with mannan binding protein, another collagen-like molecule which binds the C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s tetramer, suggests Arg A38, and HyL B32, B65, and C29 of C1q as possible interaction sites.

Further characterization of the interaction between the C1q subcomponent of human C1 and the transmembrane envelope glycoprotein gp41 of HIV-1

Previous studies have provided evidence for activation of the human C1 complex by HIV-1, resulting from direct interaction between C1q and the external portion of the viral transmembrane envelope protein, rsgp41. The present study was undertaken to locate more precisely, within C1q and rsgp41, the sites involved in the C1/HIV-1 interaction. Using a solid phase binding assay, we showed that 125I-labeled C1q binding to rsgp41 was dose dependent, saturable, and comparable with binding of C1q to IgG-OVA immune complexes. The globular and, to a lesser extent, the collagen-like regions of C1q both bound to rsgp41. In contrast, the globular region of C1q inhibited the C1q/rsgp41 interaction, whereas the collagen-like region of C1q did not. A series of peptides covering the putative C1q-binding site on gp41 (positions 590-613 of gp160) were synthesized and used as competitors in the C1q-rsgp41-binding assay. Peptide 601-613 (GIWGCSGKLICT) inhibited C1q binding the most efficiently, with 50% inhibition at a concentration of 100 microM. This peptide also inhibited binding of C1q to rsgp36, the protein of HIV-2 homologous to rsgp41. The inhibitory effect of this peptide was dependent in part on the presence of the S-S bridge normally connecting Cys 605 to Cys 611 because reduction of this bond significantly reduced its efficiency. These data suggest that the C1q/HIV-1 interaction involves a site on C1q located within the globular regions, and a major site located within the immunodominant domain of HIV-1, which shares homology with the corresponding region of HIV-2.

Interaction of C1 with HIV-1

In contrast to animal retroviruses such as murine leukemia virus, HIV-1 is not lysed by human complement. Nevertheless, HIV-1 activates complement via the classical pathway independently of antibody. Evidence is provided for activation of the reconstituted C1 complex by the virus, resulting from direct interaction between C1q and the external part of the viral transmembrane envelope protein (sgp41). Using C1q fragments and synthetic peptides covering the putative interaction regions in C1q and sgp41, we obtain evidence that the C1q/HIV-1 interaction involves: A site on C1q that appears to be located in the intermediary region between the collagen-like and the globular regions of C1q, and which may be conformational, involving two or more C1q chains. A site on gp41 located between residues 601 and 613 (gp160 nomenclature), i.e. within the immunodominant domain of HIV-1. This site shares homology with the corresponding region of HIV-2.

Assembly of the C1 complex

The C1 complex of complement is a Ca(2+)-dependent complex protease comprising two loosely interacting subunits. C1q, the recognition subunit, is an hexameric protein with six peripheral globular domains, each connected through collagen-like "arms" to a central fibril-like "stalk". The catalytic subunit, C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s, is a Ca(2+)-dependent tetrameric association of two serine protease zymogens, C1r and C1s, that are sequentially activated by cleavage of a single peptide bond, upon binding of C1 to activators. Each monomeric protease is comprised of six structural motifs which form at least four domains, distributed in two functionally distinct regions, alpha (N-terminal) and gamma-B (C-terminal). The catalytic (gamma-B) regions of C1r and C1s are respectively located in the centre and at each end of the isolated tetramer, and the Ca(2+)-dependent C1r-C1s associations are mediated by the interaction (alpha) regions, which contain one Ca2+ binding site each. Physicochemical and electron microscopy studies indicate that the tetramer, which is highly elongated, folds into a more compact conformation upon interaction with C1q. Various models for C1 have been proposed, in which the tetramer either interacts with the outside part of the C1q arms (O- and W-shaped models), or is folded within the C1q arms (S- or 8-shaped models). These models are discussed in light of available information and in consideration of the structural requirements of C1 activation and function.

Further characterization of the interaction between the C1q subcomponent of human C1 and the transmembrane envelope glycoprotein gp41 of HIV-1

Previous studies have provided evidence for activation of the human C1 complex by HIV-1, resulting from direct interaction between C1q and the external portion of the viral transmembrane envelope protein, rsgp41. The present study was undertaken to locate more precisely, within C1q and rsgp41, the sites involved in the C1/HIV-1 interaction. Using a solid phase binding assay, we showed that 125I-labeled C1q binding to rsgp41 was dose dependent, saturable, and comparable with binding of C1q to IgG-OVA immune complexes. The globular and, to a lesser extent, the collagen-like regions of C1q both bound to rsgp41. In contrast, the globular region of C1q inhibited the C1q/rsgp41 interaction, whereas the collagen-like region of C1q did not. A series of peptides covering the putative C1q-binding site on gp41 (positions 590-613 of gp160) were synthesized and used as competitors in the C1q-rsgp41-binding assay. Peptide 601-613 (GIWGCSGKLICT) inhibited C1q binding the most efficiently, with 50% inhibition at a concentration of 100 microM. This peptide also inhibited binding of C1q to rsgp36, the protein of HIV-2 homologous to rsgp41. The inhibitory effect of this peptide was dependent in part on the presence of the S-S bridge normally connecting Cys 605 to Cys 611 because reduction of this bond significantly reduced its efficiency. These data suggest that the C1q/HIV-1 interaction involves a site on C1q located within the globular regions, and a major site located within the immunodominant domain of HIV-1, which shares homology with the corresponding region of HIV-2.

HIV and human complement: mechanisms of interaction and biological implication

Human complement, although not lytic for HIV-1, interacts with the virus and is closely involved in the infectious process. It enhances infection in the absence of antibody, and turns neutralizing antibodies into agents which increase viral infectivity. In this review M.P. Dierich et al. summarize available information and discuss possible biological implications.

HIV-1 and HIV-2 isolates differ in their ability to activate the complement system on the surface of infected cells

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the ability of different HIV-1 and HIV-2 isolates to activate the complement system.

DESIGN

H9 cells chronically infected with various HIV isolates and the corresponding purified viruses were tested for complement activation. To identify the molecules responsible for complement activation on the surface of infected cells, the expression of complement inhibitors/regulators and viral proteins on the cell surface was analysed.

METHODS

C3 deposition on the cell surface and the expression of viral and cellular antigens were determined by flow cytometry analysis. Complement activation by purified viruses was measured using a complement consumption assay and a C1 activation assay.

RESULTS

H9 cells infected with different HIV-1 and HIV-2 isolates showed varying degrees of complement activation on the cell surface, ranging from strong activation and deposition of large amounts of C3 to no increased C3 deposition compared to uninfected cells. The C3 deposition was eliminated by EDTA and reduced in the presence of EGTA. In contrast, all purified viral isolates tested activated the complement system in a comparable manner. While the expression of MCP, DAF and CD59 was not modified after infection with different viral isolates, the reaction of the infected cells with a monoclonal antibody (3D6) directed against a gp41 epitope (amino acids 601-620) was found to correlate with the complement activation on the cell surface.

CONCLUSIONS

Some HIV-1 as well as HIV-2 isolates activate the complement system on the surface of infected cells independent of anti-HIV antibodies, while other isolates fail to do so. Complement activation on the cell surface is mediated by the alternative and, to a lesser extent, the classical pathway. The differences in complement activation on the cell surface are not caused by a modified expression of membrane-bound complement inhibitors/regulators. C3 deposition on the cell surface correlates with the expression of an epitope lying within the major complement activating domain of gp41 (amino acids 591-620). These results suggest a role of gp41 for complement activation on HIV-infected cells as has been described previously for purified HIV.

Recombinant human complement subcomponent C1s lacking beta-hydroxyasparagine, sialic acid, and one of its two carbohydrate chains still reassembles with C1q and C1r to form a functional C1 complex

In contrast to the human serum protein which is approximately one-half erythro-beta-hydroxyasparagine at asparagine 134 [Theilens et al. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 3570-3578], recombinant C1s expressed by insect cells after infection with recombinant baculovirus entirely lacks posttranslational modification at asparagine 134. It is also incompletely glycosylated, lacking, at least, sialic acid. Site-directed mutagenesis of one of the two sites of carbohydrate attachment (Asn 159 to Gln 159) yields a faster migrating recombinant C1s still abundantly secreted. Furthermore, the mutated protein displays good hemolytic activity when reassembled with C1q and either human serum or recombinant C1r, demonstrating that these posttranslational modifications are not critical for any of the multiple interactions between C1s and C1q, C1r, C2, and C4 required for reassembly of the C1 complex, activation, and initiation of the classical complement pathway. The 4.0S recombinant C1s dimerizes to yield 5.6S C1s2 in the presence of Ca2+ and forms the 9.1S C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s tetramer upon the addition of human serum C1r and the 15.6S C1 complex upon the addition of C1q to the tetramer. The recombinant C1s and human serum C1s have identical N-terminal amino acid sequences, indicating proper recognition by the insect signal peptidase. The recombinant C1s is secreted and isolated as the unactivated zymogen, and it may be activated by human serum C1r which cleaves at Arg422-Ile423 to yield the characteristic heavy and light chains. A very tight complex is formed between C1-inhibitor and the light chain of recombinant C1s.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 activates the classical pathway of complement by direct C1 binding through specific sites in the transmembrane glycoprotein gp41

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), in contrast to animal retroviruses such as murine leukemia virus, is not lysed by human complement. Nevertheless, HIV-1 activates complement via the classical pathway independent of antibody, and C3b deposition facilitates infection of complement receptor-bearing cells. Using gel exclusion chromatography on Sephacryl S-1000, purified virions were found to bind 125I-labeled C1q, but not 125I-labeled dimeric proenzyme C1s. Virions activated the C1 complex, reconstituted from C1q, proenzyme C1r, and 125I-labeled proenzyme C1s, to an extent comparable with that obtained with immunoglobulin G-ovalbumin immune complexes. To determine the activating viral component, recombinant viral proteins were used: in the solid phase, soluble gp41 (sgp41) (the outer membrane part of gp41, residues 539-684 of gp160) bound C1q, but not dimeric proenzyme C1s, while gp120 was ineffective. In the fluid phase, sgp41 activated the C1 complex in a dose- and time-dependent manner, more efficiently than aggregated Ig, but less efficiently than immune complexes. To localize the C1 activating site(s) in gp41, synthetic peptides (15-residue oligomers spanning amino acids 531-695 of gp160) were used. Peptides covering positions 591-605 and 601-620 and, to a lesser extent, positions 561-575, had both the ability to bind C1q and to induce C3 deposition. These data provide the first experimental evidence of a direct interaction between the C1 complex and HIV-1, and indicate that C1 binding and activation are mediated by specific sites in gp41.

Effect of lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination on the Ca(2+)-dependent interactions of human C1s. Location of the iodination sites

C-1s, one of the two serine proteases of C-1, the first component of complement, has the ability to mediate heterologous (C-1r-C-1s) as well as homologous (C-1s-C-1s) Ca(2+)-dependent interactions both involving the NH2-terminal alpha region of its A chain. Lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination of C-1s in its monomeric form was found to abolish its ability to form Ca(2+)-dependent homodimers, without impairing its ability to mediate C-1r-C-1s heteroassociation. C-1s iodinated in its dimeric form, in contrast, fully retained the ability to self-associate. With a view to identify the tyrosine residues iodinated in each case, C-1s was radioiodinated in its monomeric and dimeric forms, and comparative tryptic mapping was performed on the resulting 125I-labeled A chains. Most of the tyrosine residues either were not iodinated or were equivalently but not in the dimer. Conversely, Tyr-52 and Tyr-147 were iodinated only in the dimer. These results provide further evidence that the structural determinants of C-1s required for Ca2+ binding and Ca(2+)-dependent protein-protein interactions are contributed by both the NH2-terminal motif I (positions 1-110) and the epidermal growth factor like motif II (positions 111-159) of the alpha region. On the basis of available information, tentative models of the C-1s-C-1s and C-1r-C-1s Ca(2+)-dependent interactions are proposed.

Ca2+ binding properties and Ca2(+)-dependent interactions of the isolated NH2-terminal alpha fragments of human complement proteases C1-r and C1-s

The NH2-terminal alpha fragments of human complement proteases C1-r and C1-s were obtained by limited proteolysis of the native proteins with trypsin, and isolated. C1-r alpha extended from residues 1 to 208 of C1-r A chain, with at least two cleavage sites within disulfide loops, after lysine 134 and arginine 202. C1-s alpha comprised residues 1-192 of the C1-s A chain, with one cleavage site within a disulfide loop, after arginine 186. C1-r alpha was monomeric either in the presence or absence of Ca2+ but formed Ca2(+)-dependent dimers with native C1-s. C1-s alpha dimerized in the presence of Ca2+ and formed Ca2(+)-dependent tetramers (C1-s alpha-C1-r-C1-r-C1-s alpha) with native C1-r. C1-r alpha and C1-s alpha associated in the presence of Ca2+ to form C1-r alpha-C1-s alpha heterodimers. Equilibrium dialysis studies indicated that each alpha region binds Ca2+ with a dissociation constant ranging from 19 microM (native proteins) to 38 microM (fragments). C1-r alpha, C1-r alpha-C1-s alpha, and the native C1-s-C1-r-C1-r-C1-s tetramer bound 0.9, 1.9, and 4.0 Ca2+ atoms/mol, respectively, whereas dimers C1-s alpha-C1-s alpha and C1-s-C1-s incorporated 2.9 and 3.0 Ca2+ atoms/mol. It is concluded that each alpha region contains one high affinity Ca2+ binding site. This 1:1 stoichiometry is maintained upon heterologous (C1-r-C1-s) interaction, whereas the homologous (C1-s-C1-s) interaction provides one additional binding site.

Neutron scattering study of the (gamma-B) catalytic domains of complement proteases activated C1r and C1s

The catalytic domains of activated C1r and C1s, comprising the C-terminal region of the A chain (gamma), disulphide-linked to the B chain, were obtained by limited proteolysis of the native proteases with chymotrypsin and plasmin, respectively, and studied by small angle neutron scattering. For activated C1s (gamma-B), a molar mass of 45,000 +/- 5000 g/mol, and a relatively large radius of gyration (Rg) of 28 +/- 1 A were determined, excluding a single globular domain. The corresponding values for activated C1r (gamma-B)2 (90,000 g/mol, Rg = 34 +/- 1 A) are consistent with a dimer involving the loose packing of two (gamma-B) subunits. Various models of the dimer are discussed in the light of neutron scattering and other data.

Chemical and functional characterization of a fragment of C1-s containing the epidermal growth factor homology region

C1-s, one of the three subcomponents of C1-, the first component of complement, is a serine protease comprising two disulfide-linked chains, the B chain, containing the catalytic site, and the A chain, involved in Ca2+ binding and Ca2(+)-dependent interaction(s) with the other C1- subcomponents. In an attempt to identify the regions responsible for the latter functions, C1-s was submitted to limited proteolysis with plasmin, a treatment that split the A chain into three major fragments, alpha 1, alpha 2, and gamma. Fragment alpha 2, which comprised the epidermal growth factor-like (EGF-like) region of C1-s, was heterogeneous, starting at serine 97 or phenylalanine 105 and ending at lysine 195. This fragment was reduced and alkylated and then digested with elastase, and three peptides covering positions 131-135, 131-139, and 131-140 were characterized by amino acid analysis, Edman degradation, and mass spectrometry, showing that position 134 of C1-s is occupied partly by an asparagine (47%) and partly by an erythro-beta-hydroxyasparagine, in contrast with the homologous position (150) of C1-r which only contains erythro-beta-hydroxyasparagine. As measured by equilibrium dialysis, native alpha 2, like the other plasmin-cleavage fragments, did not retain the ability of intact C1-s to bind Ca2+. In the same way, plasmin cleavage abolished the ability of C1-s to dimerize or to associate with C1-r in the presence of Ca2+. In contrast, both alpha 2 and the N-terminal alpha 1 fragment, starting at serine 24 of the A chain, were able to compete significantly with intact C1s for the formation of the Ca2(+)-dependent C1-s-C1r-C1-r-C1-s tetramer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Models for C1. Tools or toys? The real biological challenge

C1 modelling, based on structural and functional data, does not yet bring the different laboratories to a consensus on C1 activation, activity and associated controls. The heart of C1 beats in its subcomponent C1r2, which, from its domain structure and its twinning with subcomponent C1s, represents the challenge for the knowledge of C1. The 8-shaped model proposed for the C1r2-C1s2 association, with a head-to-tail interaction between the C1r catalytic domains, appears as the hub of an active world in the bosom of C1q. More detail is now required on protein-protein interactions inside C1 to refine the available models or to propose alternatives. Precise data on the interactions of C1 proteins with activators, substrates or control proteins are also likely to bring pertinent help in proposing future models for C1.

Structure and function of C1r and C1s: current concepts

C1r and C1s, the constituent proteins of C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s, the Ca2+ -dependent catalytic unit of C1, are homologous serine proteinases that share a common activation pattern and have similar structural organizations at the monomeric level. In both cases, activation occurs through cleavage of a single Arg-Ile bond, which converts the single-chain proenzymes into active proteinases comprising two chains linked by a single disulphide bridge. Both NH2-terminal A chains are sub-divided into five structural units (I-V) including a single copy of an Epidermal Growth Factor-like segment (II) and two different pairs of internal repeats (I/III and IV/V). Regions I and III have no equivalent in other proteins, whereas regions IV and V are homologous to short consensus repeats found, in particular, in complement proteins C2, B, H, C4b-binding protein and CR1. The COOH-terminal B chains are homologous to the catalytic chains of serine proteinases, but lack the "histidine-loop", a disulphide bridge common to all other known mammalian serine proteinases. Overall sequence comparison of C1r and C1s reveals 40% amino acid identity and conservation of all cysteine residues. In contrast, C1r and C1s widely differ from each other by their glycosylation patterns: both proteins contain Asn-linked carbohydrates, but four glycosylation sites are present on C1r, and only two on C1s.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)