Mimicking phosphorylation at Ser-48 strongly reduces surface expression of human macrophage scavenger receptor class A: implications on cell motility

The role of human macrophage scavenger receptor A1 (SRA1) in the development of atherosclerotic lesions is still scarcely defined. Substituting serine 48 in human SRA1 by an aspartate demonstrated that (1) surface expression of the mutated receptor was 13-fold decreased; (2) the amount of cell-associated Texas red-labeled acetylated low density lipoprotein (LDL) in mutant receptor-expressing cells was almost three-fold reduced; (3) the migration of mutant receptor-transfected cells towards surfaces coated with oxidized LDL decreased by almost 60% compared to cells that were transfected with the wild type receptor. Phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic part of SRA1 may help to modulate the residence time of macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions.

A chemiluminescence detection method of hantaviral antigens in neutralisation assays and inhibitor studies

A protocol for chemiluminescence detection of hantaviral antigens in infected cell foci is described. This focus detection is based on the conversion of a substrate into a luminescent product by peroxidase-antibody conjugates; the emitted light of infected cell foci can easily be recorded by autoradiography or video imaging providing a hard copy for documentation. The main advantage of this method as compared to conventional immunochemical staining is a higher detection sensitivity due to the inherent magnification effect of luminescence causing an obvious boost in focal image and intensity. This enables reduction of (i) incubation time of virus-infected cells and (ii) amount of needed antibody for antigen detection in foci. This method is applied to a chemiluminescence focus reduction assay for the serotyping of hantavirus-specific neutralising antibodies in infected persons and for the determination of activity of antiviral agents against hantavirus.

Comparison of lipid-mediated and adenoviral gene transfer in human monocyte-derived macrophages and COS-7 cells

Lipid-mediated transfection was compared to adenoviral-mediated gene transfer in COS-7 cells as well as human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDM). For this purpose, we monitored enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expression by fluorescence microscopy and quantified gene transfer by competitive PCR. Transfection of COS-7 cells with a novel lipid formulation for DNA transfer was highly effective in COS-7 cells. On average, 30% of the cells were fluorescent 48 h after transfection. In HMDM, the same formulation resulted in the expression of EGFP in less than 0.5% of cells. We measured plasmid DNA by quantitative PCR in lipid-transfected macrophages and found that each macrophage contained on average 2 fg of plasmid DNA 24 h after transfection, that is, more than 400 molecules of plasmid DNA entered each cell. Despite the high level of reporter DNA in lipid transfected cells, expression of the fluorescent protein was suppressed in more than 99.5% of the macrophages. We also used adenoviral gene transfer to introduce the foreign DNA into both COS-7 cells and HMDM. Even though the multiplicity of infection was less than 30, expression of EGFP was observed in nearly all COS-7 cells and in more than 80% of HMDM 48 h after transfection. Despite major advances in the field of lipid-mediated transfection of HMDM, the lipid formulations that are available commercially cannot compete with the efficiency of adenoviral gene transfer.

Requirement of pyk2 for the activation of the MAP kinase cascade induced by Ca(2+) (but not by PKC or G protein) in PC12 cells

The role of the Ca(2+)-activated tyrosine kinase, Pyk2, in the pleiotropic coupling of nerve cell stimulation to the MAP kinase cascade still remains undefined. Using a panel of PC12 clones, one of which was defective in Pyk2, we demonstrate (1) that the MAP kinase response induced by a [Ca(2+)](i) rise (following application of the Ca(2+) ionophore, ionomycin) is inappreciable in the defective clone and is re-established after Pyk2 transfection; and (2) that the responses to both protein kinase C and P(2y2) receptor activation occur normally even in the defective cells. We conclude that Pyk2 is the key mediator in the pathway activated by Ca(2+) but has minor roles with the other types of stimulation.

The tomato Hsf system: HsfA2 needs interaction with HsfA1 for efficient nuclear import and may be localized in cytoplasmic heat stress granules

In heat-stressed (HS) tomato (Lycopersicon peruvianum) cell cultures, the constitutively expressed HS transcription factor HsfA1 is complemented by two HS-inducible forms, HsfA2 and HsfB1. Because of its stability, HsfA2 accumulates to fairly high levels in the course of a prolonged HS and recovery regimen. Using immunofluorescence and cell fractionation experiments, we identified three states of HsfA2: (i) a soluble, cytoplasmic form in preinduced cultures maintained at 25 degrees C, (ii) a salt-resistant, nuclear form found in HS cells, and (iii) a stored form of HsfA2 in cytoplasmic HS granules. The efficient nuclear transport of HsfA2 evidently requires interaction with HsfA1. When expressed in tobacco protoplasts by use of a transient-expression system, HsfA2 is mainly retained in the cytoplasm unless it is coexpressed with HsfA1. The essential parts for the interaction and nuclear cotransport of the two Hsfs are the homologous oligomerization domain (HR-A/B region of the A-type Hsfs) and functional nuclear localization signal motifs of both partners. Direct physical interaction of the two Hsfs with formation of relatively stabile hetero-oligomers was shown by a two-hybrid test in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as well as by coimmunoprecipitation using tomato and tobacco whole-cell lysates.

Focus luminescence assay: macroscopically visualized foci of human cytomegalovirus and varicella zoster virus infection

The plaques or foci of certain viruses due to their small size have to be counted microscopically, e.g., human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). The focus luminescence assay (FLA) described below generates macroscopic images as a result of the magnification due to scattered emitted light, and provides a hard copy using autoradiography or video imaging. Foci are detected according to an immunohistochemical protocol with horseradish peroxidase or alkaline phosphatase antibody conjugates which convert substrate into a luminescent product. Detection of varicella zoster virus (VZV) foci developed with a specific substrate-enhancer combination was so sensitive that 20-times lower primary antibody concentrations were effective than those required for conventional immunohistochemical staining. This method for HCMV and VZV may allow quantitative infectivity and focus reduction assays for viruses which produce little or no CPE.

Different modes of inhibition by adamantane amine derivatives and natural polyamines of the functionally reconstituted influenza virus M2 proton channel protein

The influenza virus M2 protein, target of the antiviral drugs amantadine and rimantadine, forms a proton channel which functions during virus uncoating and maturation by modifying the pH in virions as well as in trans-Golgi vesicles. We studied the influence of different ionic gradients on the inhibition of the proton translocation activity of isolated, baculovirus-expressed M2 protein reconstituted into liposomes. Two distinct patterns of inhibition were observed. A group of amphiphilic amines including amantadine, cyclooctylamine and rimantadine inhibited M2 effectively in the presence of physiological Na+ concentrations. The 10-fold greater activity of rimantadine over amantadine and the 100-fold stronger effect of cyclooctylamine compared to cyclopentylamine matched the relative activities in influenza virus-infected cells. A completely different inhibitory pattern emerged for the polyamines spermine, spermidine and putrescine. Polyamines have recently been identified as the 'intrinsic' rectifiers of a class of potassium channels and shown to interact with acidic amino acid residues lining and flanking the channel pore. In the presence of a physiological Na+/K+ gradient their minimal inhibitory concentrations for influenza virus M2 protein were 100, 400 and 500 microM, polyamine levels reported to exist in oocytes. In conditions depleted for Na+, polyamines inhibited M2 at concentrations two to three orders of magnitude lower. The data suggest that influenza virus M2 protein possesses a binding site for polyamines, distinct from the amantadine binding site, which is normally masked by Na+ and which could be targeted by selective antiviral inhibitors.

Okadaic acid potentiates heat-induced activation of erk2

Subjecting exponentially growing HeLa cells to heat shock at 45 degrees C for 30 min leads to retarded migration of erk1 and erk2, as revealed on immunoblots indicating their activation. Renaturation gels confirmed activation of erk2 but not erk1. Treatment of cells with okadaic acid (OA) alone marginally upregulated erk1 and erk2, whereas simultaneous exposure to heat shock and OA led to a considerably augmented response for erk2 which was approximately 3-fold higher than the sum of heat- and OA-induced activation. Chronic treatment of cells with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate marginally diminished the extent of erk2 stimulation, but had no influence on the OA-induced potentiation of heat-induced erk2 activity.

A 40-kDa myelin basic protein kinase, distinct from erk1 and erk2, is activated in mitotic HeLa cells

Mitotic HeLa cells showed an increased phosphorylation activity towards myelin basic protein compared to cells in G1 or S phases. Further investigation using renaturation gels revealed that, in mitotic cell lysates, a protein with an apparent molecular mass of around 40 kDa phosphorylates myelin basic protein. This kinase is active early in mitosis, but is then downregulated concomitantly with p34cdc2 kinase as mitosis proceeds, its activity decreasing to basal levels by early G1. The molecular mass of the kinase suggested that it might be one of the human homologues of rat erk1 or erk2. However, antibodies raised against C-terminal sequences of erk1 and erk2 failed to immunoprecipitate renaturable kinase activity from mitotic lysates. In addition, in immunoblots erk1 and erk2 failed to show the well established changes in electrophoretic migration that are consequences of their activation. These data indicate that these two mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are not stimulated during HeLa cell mitosis and indicate that the 40-kDa kinase is either a new member of the MAP kinase family or it is a novel mitotic kinase that has not yet been described.

Different glycosylation in acetylcholinesterases from mammalian brain and erythrocytes

Acetylcholinesterases (EC 3.1.1.7, AChE) have varying amounts of carbohydrates attached to the core protein. Sequence analysis of the known primary structures gives evidence for several asparagine-linked carbohydrates. From the differences in molecular mass determined on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel before and after deglycosylation with N-glycosidase F (EC 3.2.2.18), it is seen that dimeric AChE from red cell membranes is more heavily glycosylated than the tetrameric brain enzyme. Furthermore, dimeric and tetrameric forms of bovine AChE are more heavily glycosylated than the corresponding human enzymes. Monoclonal antibodies 2E6, 1H11, and 2G8 raised against detergent-soluble AChE from electric organs of Torpedo nacline timilei as well as Elec-39 raised against AChE from Electrophorus electricus cross-reacted with AChE from bovine and human brain but not with AChE from erythrocytes. Treatment of the enzyme with N-glycosidase F abolished binding of monoclonal antibodies, suggesting that the epitope, or part of it, consists of N-linked carbohydrates. Analysis of N-acetylglucosamine sugars revealed the presence of N-acetylglucosamine in all forms of cholinesterases investigated, giving evidence for N-linked glycosylation. On the other hand, N-acetylgalactosamine was not found in AChE from human and bovine brain or in butyrylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8) from human serum, indicating that these forms of cholinesterase did not contain O-linked carbohydrates. Despite the notion that within one species, the different forms of AChE arise from one gene by different splicing, our present results show that dimeric erythrocyte and tetrameric brain AChE must undergo different postsynthetic modifications leading to differences in their glycosylation patterns.

Relation between drug resistance and antigenicity among norakin-resistant mutants of influenza A (fowl plague) virus

Norakin-resistant (NR) mutants of fowl plague virus (A/FPV/Weybridge, H7N7) have 1 to 2 (in one instance 3) amino acid substitutions in different positions of the heavy (HA 1) and/or light (HA 2) subunits of the haemagglutinin (HA) molecule. Investigation of NR mutants using the haemagglutination inhibition test with monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to the HA of A/seal/Massachusetts/80 (H7N7) virus revealed that one of the mutants (NR 1) differs antigenically from the wild-type fowl plague virus: its haemagglutination was not inhibited by MAb 55/2 and 58/6. By contrast, MAb-resistant (escape) mutants, selected from the wild-type fowl plague virus under pressure from MAb 55/2 or 58/6, showed reduced drug sensitivity. These findings suggest a possibility of correlation between alteration of influenza virus antigenicity and change of its sensitivity to drugs whose target is the haemagglutinin. This potential effect should be taken into account when antiviral substances directed to surface influenza virus antigens are being developed for use as antiviral drugs.

Monomerization of tetrameric bovine caudate nucleus acetylcholinesterase. Implications for hydrophobic assembly and membrane anchor attachment site

Tetrameric detergent-soluble bovine caudate nucleus acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was reduced and alkylated under conditions in which at least 95% of initial activity is retained. This treatment alone did not result in monomerization of AChE, nor did it create a hydrophilic enzyme. However, in the presence of SDS the enzyme became monomerized. Incubation of AChE with trypsin in the presence of the reversible inhibitor edrophonium rendered the enzyme hydrophilic and led to catalytically active monomers being produced. SDS/PAGE of this preparation in non-reducing conditions revealed only a small decrease in the subunit molecular mass. N-Terminal sequencing of the enzyme, before and after trypsin treatment, yielded identical N-termini showing that the enzyme was monomerized subsequent to C-terminal tryptic cleavage. From our results, we conclude that the most C-terminal cysteine residue is involved in inter-subunit disulphide bonding as well as in the attachment of AChE to the membrane anchor. Furthermore, the C-terminal region in the primary structure provides an area for hydrophobic contacts between the different subunits and also between the subunits and the membrane anchor.

The monoclonal antibody 2G8 is carbohydrate-specific and distinguishes between different forms of vertebrate cholinesterases

The monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2G8 (subclass IgG2a) raised against acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) from electric organ of Torpedo nacline timilei crossreacted with AChE from Torpedo marmorata, electric eel (Electrophorus electricus), flounder (Platichthys flesus) body muscle, rat brain, bovine brain, and human brain, this suggests that the epitope to which mAb 2G8 bound had been highly conserved during evolution. No crossreaction was found with AChE from human and bovine erythrocytes, nor with butyrylcholinesterase (BtChE, EC 3.1.1.8) from human serum. Binding of mAb 2G8 to the globular G2 form of AChE from T. marmorata strongly decreased enzyme activity, while no significant inhibition was found with either collagen-tailed, asymmetric forms, or with the enzymes from flounder body muscle or mammalian sources. The possibility that mAb 2G8 bound to anionic sites of AChE could be excluded since neither edrophonium chloride nor decamethonium bromide influenced the binding of 2G8 to the enzymes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot showed that heat-denatured, diisopropylfluorophosphate-treated, CNBr- and trypsin-digested AChE from T. marmorata still reacted with mAb 2G8; this indicates that the epitope to which 2G8 bound, at least partially, belonged to a continuous determinant. Treatment of cholinesterases with N-glycosidase F abolished crossreaction with 2G8, showing that an essential part of the epitope consisted of N-linked carbohydrates.

Human hybridomas derived from CD5+ B lymphocytes of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) produce multi-specific natural IgM (kappa) antibodies

Great numbers of CD5+ B lymphocytes were detected in the peripheral blood of patients with B-CLL. To study the antibody repertoire of this immune cell subpopulation on a monoclonal level, we fused the lymphocytes derived from five different donors to a highly efficient HAT-sensitive heteromyeloma line (CB-F7). A fusion frequency of up to 10(-5) allowed us to analyse hundreds of initial hybridoma lines per fusion. In all culture supernatants in three out of five fusions IgM lambda antibodies were detected, in two experiments only IgM kappa was measured, suggesting monoclonality of the primary hybridoma cell lines. The later fusions resulted in hybridomas producing multi-specific antibodies against both an autoantigen and an infectious agent: (i) dsDNA/influenza virus haemagglutinin; (ii) dsDNA/class V outer membrane protein type C from Neisseria meningitidis. However, no antibodies of the described specificity were detected in blood sera of patients, indicating a 'switch-on' of the immunoglobulin secretion capacity of malignant B cells during fusion to a myeloma partner. We discuss the results as further evidence for the natural multi-reactive antibody repertoire of CD5+ B cells.

Comparative studies on the primary structure of acetylcholinesterases from bovine caudate nucleus and bovine erythrocytes

1. Comparison of partial amino acid sequences of G2-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from bovine erythrocytes and G4-AChE from bovine caudate nucleus revealed no differences in primary structure between the two enzymes. The first 33 residues of the N-terminal sequences were identical. 2. In addition, the amino acid sequences of four peptides generated by tryptic and cyanogen bromide cleavage were identical for bovine erythrocyte and brain AChE, suggesting one identical major coding exon for the adult bovine AChE forms. Comparison of these sequences with that of fetal bovine serum AChE (Doctor et al., 1988), showed differences in residues 16, 181, 212, and 216. 3. Deglycosylation studies of the two adult enzyme forms revealed that the core protein of erythrocyte AChE has an approximately 4 kDa lower molecular mass than brain AChE. This most probably reflects differences in the C-terminal sequences of the two enzymes.

Mapping mutations in influenza A virus resistant to norakin

To elucidate the mode of action of norakin against influenza A virus we sequenced the hemagglutinin gene of 11 norakin-resistant mutants. Resistance was coupled with 1-3 amino acid exchanges. The majority of mutations was localized in the HA2 polypeptide and was mostly associated with changes in charge or polarity of the amino acids. The amino acid substitutions are discussed in the context of the 3D structure of X31 hemagglutinin considered to be representative of the influenza hemagglutinins. Most of the mutations appear to destabilize the pH 7.0 structure by distorting or destroying hydrogen bonds as well as salt-bridges which are responsible for intra- and intersubunit contacts, while others destabilize the location of the fusion peptide, facilitating conformational changes in the presence of the inhibitor.

Neutral red-labeled influenza virus loses photosensitivity during absorption to host cells but not to erythrocytes

Neutral red (NR)-labeled influenza virus is extremely photosensitive. Unlike NR-labeled picornaviruses which lose their photosensitivity only after penetrating the host cell, NR-labeled influenza virus loses most of its photosensitivity during adsorption at 4 degrees C. We demonstrate that the underlying reaction occurs within seconds of adsorption and that it is irreversible, i.e., NR virus eluted from chick embryo cells after adsorption is hardly photosensitive anymore. In contrast to this, NR virus adsorbed to and eluted from erythrocytes retains its original photosensitivity. We suggest that the loss of photosensitivity during adsorption of NR virus to host cells reflects a conformational change in the virion which is not elicited by adsorption to red blood cells.

Mutations in the hemagglutinin gene associated with influenza virus resistance to norakin

The nucleotide sequences of the hemagglutinin genes of four norakin-resistant mutants of Influenza A/FPV/Weybridge were determined and compared to the wild-type hemagglutinin. All mutants show one or two amino acid substitutions which are discussed to destabilise the pH 7 conformation of hemagglutinin.

Haemagglutinin of influenza A virus is a target for the antiviral effect of Norakin

The anticholinergic anti-parkinsonism drug Norakin is an inhibitor of influenza virus multiplication. By crossing a Norakin-resistant variant of fowl plague virus (FPV) strain Weybridge with the sensitive FPV/Rostock/34 wild-type virus, Norakin-resistant recombinants were obtained. Analyses of the gene composition showed that all Norakin-resistant recombinants had inherited their haemagglutinin gene from the Norakin-resistant parent strain. The majority of the recombinants had received all the other gene segments from the sensitive parent strain. Norakin was shown to inhibit red blood cell lysis induced either by purified virions or by the haemagglutinin of a sensitive FPV strain at low pH, but failed to affect the Norakin-resistant FPV variant. No aggregation of autoliposomes containing the haemagglutinin of a sensitive FPV strain or digestion of the HA1 subunit of haemagglutinin by trypsin occurred in the presence of Norakin at acid pH. The data suggest that the haemagglutinin of FPV is the target for the antiviral activity of Norakin, which acts by inhibiting the conformational change in the haemagglutinin at acid pH important for lysis.

Antiviral activity of Norakin (triperiden) and related anticholinergic antiparkinsonism drugs

In view of the coincidence of antiviral and antiparkinsonism activities of amantadine four antiparkinsonism drugs, NorakinR (triperiden), ParkopanR (trihexyphenidyl), AntiparkinR (diethylbenzhydramine) and AkinetonR (biperiden) were tested for antiviral activity in various virus-cell systems. Norakin inhibited the replication of influenza A viruses in chick embryo fibroblast, MDCK and Ehrlich ascites tumour cells. It also inhibited the replication of measles virus in Vero cells, 50% inhibitory concentrations being 2-6 micrograms/ml. The drugs were also active against influenza B virus. Several representatives of other virus families, e.g. vaccinia, vesicular stomatitis, polio type 1 and herpes simplex type 1 viruses were insensitive to the compounds.

Occurrence of amantadine- and rimantadine-resistant influenza A virus strains during the 1980 epidemic

The sensitivities to amantadine and rimantadine of influenza A virus epidemic strains were assayed by the haem-adsorption reduction test in mouse Ehrlich ascites cells in comparison with prototype strains and a rimantadine-resistant mutant. Besides a majority of sensitive strains, two relatively resistant epidemic strains were identified. The possible origin of resistant strains and their importance for medical practice are discussed.

Evaluation of antiviral substances against influenza A virus strains by the haemadsorption reduction test

The haemadsorption reduction test with Ehrlich mouse ascites tumour cells proved to be a simple method for testing the sensitivity of influenza A virus strains to antiviral substances. Ribavirin and 2-deoxy-D-glucose were poorly effective in this system while all virus strains except A/PR/8/34 (H0N1) were highly sensitive to amantadine and rimantadine, the latter being the strongest inhibitor.