In vitro cytocidal effects on Trypanosoma brucei and inhibition of Leishmania major GP63 by peptidomimetic metalloprotease inhibitors.

Peptidomimetic inhibitors of mammalian zinc metalloproteases have been tested as potential agents for intervention in disease caused by kinetoplastid protozoa. Certain metalloprotease inhibitors were able to inhibit the release of variant surface glycoprotein from cultured transgenic procyclic Trypanosoma brucei, confirming our previous identification of a cell surface zinc metalloprotease activity in this stage of the trypanosome lifecycle [Bangs, JD et al. Expression of bloodstream variant surface glycoproteins in procyclic stage Trypanosoma brucei: role of GPI anchors in secretion, EMBO J. 1997;16:4285]. Selected peptidomimetics were also found to be toxic for cultured bloodstream trypanosomes with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. The paradigm for zinc metalloproteases in kinetoplastids are the GP63 surface enzymes of Leishmania. Peptidomimetics at low micromolar concentrations were able to inhibit in vitro cleavage of a synthetic peptide substrate by purified GP63 from L. major. Our results suggest that zinc metalloproteases perform essential functions in different stages of the trypanosome lifecycle and we hypothesize that these activities may be affected by the recently discovered trypanosomal homologues of GP63 [El-Sayed, NMA and Donelson, JE. African trypanosomes have differentially expressed genes encoding homologues of Leishmania GP63 surface protease, J. Biol. Chem. 1997;272:26742]. Development of higher affinity metalloprotease inhibitors may provide a novel avenue for treatment of parasitic diseases.

Functional analysis of the trypanosomal AAA protein TbVCP with trans-dominant ATP hydrolysis mutants.

TbVCP is a member of the AAA (ATPases Associated with a variety of cellular Activities) family of proteins containing two ATPase domains. Southern analysis indicates TbVCP to have a single-locus, two-copy, genomic organization. One copy, but not both, can be disrupted by targeted gene replacement, suggesting that TbVCP is essential for trypanosome viability. Site-directed mutagenesis of the ATP hydrolysis motifs indicates that the second conserved ATPase domain is essential for TbVCP activity. Constitutive overexpression of TbVCP with a single mutation in the second hydrolysis motif or with mutations in both hydrolysis motifs was not possible. Regulated overexpression of these mutants resulted in cell death as a dominant negative phenotype. In each case cell growth arrested at 24-h post-induction and at all stages of the cell cycle as judged by replication of nuclear and kinetoplast genomes. Onset of growth arrest coincided with the development of severe and characteristic morphological alterations for each mutant. Neither constitutive nor regulated overexpression of wild type TbVCP or the single first hydrolysis domain mutant had any overt effect on cell viability or morphology. However, the distinct phenotype of the double mutant indicates that the first hydrolysis domain, although not essential, does modulate overall TbVCP function. Finally, yeast complementation studies demonstrated that TbVCP can functionally replace the yeast homologue Cdc48p, indicating that protein.protein interactions essential to function have been maintained over great phylogenetic distances.

Soluble GPI8 restores glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchoring in a trypanosome cell-free system depleted of lumenal endoplasmic reticulum proteins.

We previously established an in vitro assay for glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchoring of proteins using trypanosome membranes. We now show that GPI anchoring is lost when the membranes are washed at high pH and restored to physiological pH prior to assay. We show that soluble component(s) of the endoplasmic reticulum that are lost in the high-pH wash are required for GPI anchoring. We reconstituted the high-pH extract with high-pH-treated membranes and demonstrated restoration of activity. Size fractionation of the high-pH extract indicated that the active component(s) was 30-50 kDa in size and was inactivated by iodoacetamide. Activity could also be restored by reconstituting the inactivated membranes with Escherichia coli-expressed, polyhistidine-tagged Leishmania mexicana GPI8 (GPI8-His; L. mexicana GPI8 is a soluble homologue of yeast and mammalian Gpi8p). No activity was seen when iodoacetamide-treated GPI8-His was used; however, GPI8-His could restore activity to iodoacetamide-treated membranes. Antibodies raised against L. mexicana GPI8 detected a protein of approx. 38 kDa in an immunoblot of the high-pH extract of trypanosome membranes. Our data indicate (1) that trypanosome GPI8 is a soluble lumenal protein, (2) that the interaction between GPI8 and other putative components of the transamidase may be dynamic, and (3) that GPI anchoring can be biochemically reconstituted using an isolated transamidase component.

A cell-free assay for glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchoring in African trypanosomes. Demonstration of a transamidation reaction mechanism.

We established an in vitro assay for the addition of glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors to proteins using procyclic trypanosomes engineered to express GPI-anchored variant surface glycoprotein (VSG). The assay is based on the premise that small nucleophiles, such as hydrazine, can substitute for the GPI moiety and effect displacement of the membrane anchor of a GPI-anchored protein or pro-protein causing release of the protein into the aqueous medium. Cell membranes containing pulse-radiolabeled VSG were incubated with hydrazine, and the VSG released from the membranes was measured by carbonate extraction, immunoprecipitation, and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis/fluorography. Release of VSG was time- and temperature-dependent, was stimulated by hydrazine, and occurred only for VSG molecules situated in early compartments of the secretory pathway. No nucleophile-induced VSG release was seen in membranes prepared from cells expressing a VSG variant with a conventional transmembrane anchor (i.e. a nonfunctional GPI signal sequence). Pro-VSG was shown to be a substrate in the reaction by assaying membranes prepared from cells treated with mannosamine, a GPI biosynthesis inhibitor. When a biotinylated derivative of hydrazine was used instead of hydrazine, the released VSG could be precipitated with streptavidin-agarose, indicating that the biotin moiety was covalently incorporated into the protein. Hydrazine was shown to block the C terminus of the released VSG hydrazide because the released material, unlike a truncated form of VSG lacking a GPI signal sequence, was not susceptible to proteolysis by carboxypeptidases. These results firmly establish that the released material in our assay is VSG hydrazide and strengthen the proof that GPI anchoring proceeds via a transamidation reaction mechanism. The reaction could be inhibited with sulfhydryl alkylating reagents, suggesting that the transamidase enzyme contains a functionally important sulfhydryl residue.

Molecular cloning and biochemical characterization of a VCP homolog in African trypanosomes.

Through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using degenerate oligonucleotide primers, a VCP homolog was identified in African trypanosomes. Sequence analysis shows a 72 and 64% deduced amino acid identity, respectively, with mouse VCP and yeast Cdc48p. Southern analysis indicates tbVCP to have a single locus with two alleles. Antibodies generated against recombinant protein recognize a 95 kDa protein in whole cell lysates of both procyclic and bloodstream trypanosomes. There is an approximately four-fold greater expression of TbVCP protein in the procyclic stage of the trypanosome life cycle. Subcellular fractionation and immunofluorescence with anti-TbVCP antibodies indicate the majority of TbVCP to be cytoplasmically localized with a small subset associated with membranes. Sucrose velocity sedimentation and gel filtration size analysis studies suggest that TbVCP is a homohexameric particle as has been demonstrated with other VCP homologs. Also like other VCP homologs, TbVCP contains an NEM-inhibitable ATPase activity. This is the first characterization of an AAA (ATPases Associated with a variety of cellular Activities) family member in African trypanosomes.

Molecular cloning of p67, a lysosomal membrane glycoprotein from Trypanosoma brucei.

We have previously characterized a highly glycosylated membrane protein (p67) in Trypanosoma brucei spp that is apparently targeted to lysosomes in a developmentally regulated manner. Antibody to native p67 identified a partial cDNA clone from a T. b. rhodesiense expression library and RT-PCR was used to complete the sequence of the cDNA. Equal levels of p67 transcript are detected in both procyclic and bloodstream stages of the life cycle. The 2771 nt cDNA contains a 1980 nt orf encoding a 659 amino acid polypeptide (72,567 Da). Hydropathy analysis predicts a Type I membrane topology (N to C): an N-terminal signal sequence, a large hydrophilic lumenal domain with 14 N-glycosylation sites, a trans-membrane domain (19 aa), and a short (24 aa) cytoplasmic domain. Peptide microsequencing of purified p67 identified nine residues identical to the deduced amino acid sequence, confirming the identity of the cDNA and defining the signal sequence cleavage site. Antibody to p67 protein produced in E. coli recognizes the same spectrum of native p67 glycoforms as the antibody used to clone the cDNA. All features of the deduced amino acid sequence are consistent with the known properties of the native protein and suggest a structure similar to mammalian LAMPS. The cytoplasmic domain contains two putative di-leucine targeting motifs similar to those involved in lysosomal targeting in vertebrate cells. Our results suggest that a single p67 polypeptide, or a group of highly related polypeptides, is synthesized in both bloodstream and procyclic trypanosomes and that subsequent post-translational processing and lysosomal targeting is subject to stage-specific regulation.

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-dependent secretory transport in Trypanosoma brucei.

We have investigated the role of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors in forward secretory trafficking using African trypanosomes as a model system. Soluble GPI-minus forms of variant surface glycoprotein (VSG), in which the C-terminal GPI-addition peptide signal is deleted, are secreted from transformed procyclic trypanosomes with 5-fold reduced kinetics, relative to matched GPI-anchored constructs. Cell fractionation and immunofluorescence localization studies indicate that the GPI-minus VSG reporters accumulate in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This transport defect is specific, since overexpression of GPI-minus VSG has no effect on the rate of transport of a second soluble secretory reporter (BiPN) when co-expressed in the same cells. Two results suggest that delayed forward transport cannot be accounted for by failure to fold/assemble in the absence of a GPI anchor, thereby leading to prolonged association with ER quality-control machinery. First, no evidence was found for elevated association of GPI-minus VSG with the ER molecular chaperone, BiP. Secondly, newly synthesized GPI-minus VSG is dimerized efficiently, as judged by velocity-sedimentation analysis. GPI-dependent transport is not confined to the VSG reporters, because a similar dependence is found with another trypanosomal GPI-anchored protein, trans-sialidase. These findings suggest that GPI structures act in a positive manner to mediate efficient forward transport of some, and perhaps all, GPI-anchored proteins in the early secretory pathway of trypanosomes. Possible mechanisms for GPI-dependent transport are discussed with respect to current models of vesicular trafficking.

Surface coats and secretory trafficking in African trypanosomes.

Recent advances in transfection technology have been exploited to address fundamental questions relating to secretory trafficking in African trypanosomes. Targeted gene disruptions and ectopic expression of the major stage-specific surface proteins have provided unexpected insights into both the function and assembly of the essential parasite surface coats. A growing list of novel secretory cargo molecules, as well as advances in the characterization of trypanosomal secretory machinery, provide a unique model system for the study of eukaryotic secretory processes.

Expression of bloodstream variant surface glycoproteins in procyclic stage Trypanosoma brucei: role of GPI anchors in secretion.

Using transformed procyclic trypanosomes, the synthesis, intracellular transport and secretion of wild-type and mutant variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) is characterized. We find no impediment to the expression of this bloodstream stage protein in insect stage cells. VSG receives a procyclic-type phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C-resistant glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor, dimerizes and is N-glycosylated. It is transported to the plasma membrane with rapid kinetics (t(1/2) approximately 1 h) and then released by a cell surface zinc-dependent metalloendoprotease activity, a possible homolog of leishmanial gp63. Deletion of the C-terminal GPI addition signal generates a soluble form of VSG that is exported with greatly reduced kinetics (t(1/2) approximately 5 h). Fusion of the procyclic acidic repetitive protein (PARP) GPI anchor signal to the C-terminus of the truncated VSG reporter restores both GPI addition and transport competence, suggesting that GPI anchors play a critical role in the folding and/or forward transport of newly synthesized VSG. The VSG-PARP fusion is also processed near the C-terminus by events that do not involve N-linked oligosaccharides and which are consistent with GPI side chain modification. This unexpected result suggests that GPI processing may be influenced by adjacent peptide sequence or conformation.

A soluble secretory reporter system in Trypanosoma brucei. Studies on endoplasmic reticulum targeting.

A homolog of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) hsp70 protein, binding protein (BiP), from the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei (Bangs, J. D., Uyetake, L., Brickman, M. J., Balber, A. E., and Boothroyd, J. C.(1993) J. Cell Sci. 105, 1101-1113) is further characterized. In co-precipitation experiments, BiP transiently associates with newly synthesized secretory proteins, including variant surface glycoprotein (VSG), confirming its role as a molecular chaperone. To study the molecular signals targeting BiP to the ER, we have developed soluble secretory reporters for expression in transformed procyclic trypanosomes. Deletion of the BiP C-terminal tetrapeptide (MDDL) and the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor addition sequence of VSG converts these proteins to secreted forms. Attachment of MDDL to VSG results in intracellular retention confirming that MDDL is a trypanosomal ER localization signal. Secretion of both reporters is inefficient, but further truncation of the BiP C-terminal peptide-binding domain allows quantitative export ( t1/2 approximately 1 h) of the N-terminal ATPase domain (BiPN), consistent with the conserved domain structure of hsp70 proteins. This is the first demonstration of soluble protein secretion in African trypanosomes. Using the BiPN reporter, the sequence specificity of C-terminal tetrapeptide retention signals in trypanosomes is analyzed and found to be similar to higher eukaryotes. These results indicate that the basic signals mediating protein targeting to the ER lumen are conserved throughout the wide range of eukaryotic evolution.

Molecular cloning and cellular localization of a BiP homologue in Trypanosoma brucei. Divergent ER retention signals in a lower eukaryote.

Using the polymerase chain reaction with degenerate primers, three new members of the hsp70 gene family of Trypanosoma brucei have been identified. A genomic clone of one of these, gA, has been fully sequenced and the corresponding gene product has been characterized using antibody to recombinant gA fusion protein. gA is the trypanosomal homologue of BiP, an endoplasmic reticulum resident hsp70 gene family member, based on four lines of evidence: (1) gA protein has 64% deduced amino acid identity with rat BiP; (2) the deduced amino acid sequence has a putative secretory signal peptide; (3) the gA gene product is a soluble luminal resident of a trypanosomal microsome fraction; (4) the gA polypeptide does not cofractionate with mitochondrial markers. Trypanosomes are the most primitive eukaryote yet in which BiP has been identified. The gA polypeptide has been used as a specific marker for the direct visualization of endoplasmic reticulum in trypanosomes by both indirect immunofluorescence and cryoimmuno electron microscopy. The endoplasmic reticulum is seen as a tubular network that extends throughout the cell excluding the flagellum. The C-terminal tetrapeptide of gA is MDDL, which, together with the C-terminal tetrapeptide (KQDL) of a trypanosome protein disulfide isomerase homologue (Hsu et al. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 6440-6446), indicates that endoplasmic reticulum retrieval signals in trypanosomes may be as divergent and heterogeneous as any seen in the other eukaryotes yet studied.

Synthesis and secretion of proteins by released malarial parasites.

Controlled mechanical homogenization of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes releases parasites of a quality sufficient for studying the export of newly synthesized plasmodial proteins. Protein synthesis occurs within intact released parasites as defined by resistance of acid-insoluble incorporation of radiolabel to high levels of exogenously added EDTA, hexokinase, and RNaseA. While exogenously added ATP and erythrocyte cytosol were not essential for biosynthetic activity at levels comparable to that seen in infected erythrocytes, the addition of an extracellular ATP regenerating system (ARS) stimulated the synthesis of parasite proteins. Conversely, parasite viability and biosynthetic activity are decreased by the addition of a non-hydrolyzable ATP analogue (ATP gamma S), ADP, or ATP in the absence of a regenerating system. These data suggest a metabolic interdependence between extracellular energy metabolism and biosynthetic functions within the parasite. The export of a predominant subset of proteins was retarded in the presence of Brefeldin A, indicating the existence of a classical secretory pathway characteristic of that seen in higher eukaryotic cells. Interestingly, a Brefeldin A-insensitive component of export was also consistently observed; this may suggest the existence of an additional alternative secretory mechanism in malaria.

Mass spectrometry of mRNA cap 4 from trypanosomatids reveals two novel nucleosides.

Synthesis of mRNA in kinetoplastid protozoa involves the process of trans-splicing, in which an identical 39-41-nucleotide (depending on the species) mini-exon is placed at the 5' end of mature mRNAs. The mini-exon sequence is highly conserved among all members of the Kinetoplastida, nucleotides 1-6 being identical in the four genera so far examined. Prior to trans-splicing, the mini-exon donor RNA is capped by the addition of a (5'-5') triphosphate-linked 7-methylguanosine, followed by modification of the first four transcribed nucleotides. Partial structures have been previously deduced for this cap 4 moiety from Trypanosoma brucei and Leptomonas collosoma. We have purified enough cap 4 from T. brucei and Crithidia fasciculata to allow definitive structural analysis by combined liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The results, together with the known mini-exon sequence, show that cap 4 in both species has the structure m7G(5')ppp(5')m6(2)AmpAmpCmpm3Ump. The presence of N6,N6,2'-O-trimethyladenosine and 3,2'-O-dimethyluridine, nucleosides previously unknown in nature, were confirmed by rigorous comparison with synthetic standards. The conservation of cap 4 between these divergent genera suggests that this structure may be common to most if not all Kinetoplastida.

Biosynthesis of a variant surface glycoprotein of Trypanosoma brucei. Processing of the glycolipid membrane anchor and N-linked oligosaccharides.

The variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) of the ILTat 1.3 variant of Trypanosoma brucei has two asparagine-linked glycan moieties, as well as a phosphatidylinositol glycan membrane anchor. We have investigated the structure and processing of each of these oligosaccharides through analysis of the intact protein and of glycopeptides. Processing has been examined by comparing glycan structures purified from an immature intracellular form (58 kDa) of VSG with those of the mature form (59 kDa) found on the parasite surface. We find exclusively high mannose oligosaccharides (Man4-7-GlcNAc2) at Asn-432 in both the immature 58-kDa and mature 59-kDa forms. In contrast, the "core" oligosaccharide of Asn-419 (Man3-GlcNAc2) appears to be nearly quantitatively processed to a complex biantennary structure [Gal-GlcNAc-Man)2-Man-GlcNAc2) during VSG maturation. The asparagine-linked structures at Asn-419, but not those at Asn-432, are resistant to endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H within 30 s of biosynthesis. This suggests possible novel and selective mechanisms for glycosylation in African trypanosomes. Finally, we show that the carboxyl-terminal glycolipid is galactosylated (3-4 residues) relatively late in VSG biosynthesis. Phosphatidylinositol glycans have been identified on a growing number of eukaryotic membrane proteins. This report provides a direct demonstration of the processing of such a glycolipid anchor following its attachment to protein.

A phospholipase C from Trypanosoma brucei which selectively cleaves the glycolipid on the variant surface glycoprotein.

The surface coat of Trypanosoma brucei is composed of 10(7) molecules of the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG). Each VSG molecule is tethered to the cell membrane by a glycolipid moiety which contains 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-phosphatidylinositol (Ferguson, M. A. J., Low, M. G., and Cross, G. A. M. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 14547-14555). Following cell lysis, an endogenous phospholipase C cleaves dimyristoyl glycerol from the glycolipid, releasing soluble VSG. We have purified this enzyme, which we designate VSG lipase, by detergent extraction, (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, hydrophobic chromatography, and cation exchange chromatography. It is purified 2600-fold and is virtually homogeneous. Based on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the apparent molecular mass is 37 kDa. In solutions containing the detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonic acid (CHAPS), the Stokes radius (2.6 nm), S20,w (3.7 S), and v (0.77 cm3/g) of VSG lipase suggest a molecular mass for the native enzyme of about 47 kDa, part of which may be due to bound CHAPS. Therefore, it is probably monomeric. VSG lipase does not require Ca2+; it is stimulated by chelating agents or dithiothreitol, and it is inhibited by some sulfhydryl reagents. The purified enzyme appears to be highly specific. Under the conditions of our assay, it cleaves the VSG glycolipid, a biosynthetic precursor of the VSG glycolipid, and, to a much lesser extent, 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-phosphatidylinositol. There was no apparent cleavage of other myristate-containing lipids of trypanosomes or 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-phosphatidylinositol.

Identification of a glycolipid precursor of the Trypanosoma brucei variant surface glycoprotein.

The variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) of Trypanosoma brucei has a glycolipid covalently attached to its C terminus. This glycolipid, which anchors the protein to the cell membrane, is attached to the VSG polypeptide within 1 min after translation (Bangs, J. D. Hereld, D., Krakow, J.L., Hart, G. W., and Englund, P. T. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 82, 3207-3211). This rapid processing suggests that, prior to incorporation, the glycolipid may exist in the cell as a preformed precursor which is transferred to the VSG polypeptide en bloc. We have isolated a molecule which has properties consistent with it being a VSG glycolipid precursor. It is highly polar and can be labeled by [3H] myristate but not by [3H]palmitate. It reaches steady state during continuous labeling with [3H]myristate and shows rapid turnover in pulse-chase experiments, suggesting that it is a metabolic intermediate rather than an end product. When treated with HNO2 it liberates phosphatidylinositol, as does VSG (Ferguson, M. A. J., Low, M. G., and Cross, G. A. M. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 14547-14555). Also, like VSG, it releases a compound which co-migrates on thin layer chromatography with dimyristylglycerol when treated with the purified endogenous phospholipase C from trypanosomes. After treatment with this lipase, the putative precursor can be immunoprecipitated by antibodies directed against the C-terminal cross-reactive antigenic determinant of the VSG. These data provide strong evidence that this glycolipid is a VSG precursor.

Posttranslational modification and intracellular transport of a trypanosome variant surface glycoprotein.

After synthesis on membrane-bound ribosomes, the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) of Trypanosoma brucei is modified by: (a) removal of an N-terminal signal sequence, (b) addition of N-linked oligosaccharides, and (c) replacement of a C-terminal hydrophobic peptide with a complex glycolipid that serves as a membrane anchor. Based on pulse-chase experiments with the variant ILTat-1.3, we now report the kinetics of three subsequent processing reactions. These are: (a) conversion of newly synthesized 56/58-kD polypeptides to mature 59-kD VSG, (b) transport to the cell surface, and (c) transport to a site where VSG is susceptible to endogenous membrane-bound phospholipase C. We found that the t 1/2 of all three of these processes is approximately 15 min. The comparable kinetics of these processes is compatible with the hypotheses that transport of VSG from the site of maturation to the cell surface is rapid and that VSG may not reach a phospholipase C-containing membrane until it arrives on the cell surface. Neither tunicamycin nor monensin blocks transport of VSG, but monensin completely inhibits conversion of 58-kD VSG to the mature 59-kD form. In the presence of tunicamycin, VSG is synthesized as a 54-kD polypeptide that is subsequently processed to a form with a slightly higher Mr. This tunicamycin-resistant processing suggests that modifications unrelated to N-linked oligosaccharides occur. Surprisingly, the rate of VSG transport is reduced, but not abolished, by dropping the chase temperature to as low as 10 degrees C.

Characterization of a monoclonal rat anti-mouse interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor antibody and its use in the biochemical characterization of the murine IL-2 receptor.

Anti-murine interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were made from rats immunized with murine cytotoxic lymphocytes. One mAb, designated M7/20, strongly inhibited the proliferation of both IL-2 dependent CTLL-2 cells and concanavalin A (Con A)-induced T-cell blasts. Inhibition was linearly dependent on the concentrations of both M7/20 and IL-2. Utilizing FACS analysis, M7/20 was shown to bind selectively to mitogen-activated T lymphocytes and, to a lesser degree, to activated B lymphocytes. 125I-Labeled M7/20 binding assays indicated that 48-hr Con A-induced T-cell blasts possessed 89,000 binding sites/cell with a Kd of 1.2 X 10(-9) M. Competitive binding analyses indicated that M7/20 and IL-2 occupy the same or overlapping cell surface sites. Preliminary biochemical characterization of M7/20 immunoprecipitates of detergent extracts from both surface-iodinated and internally D-[3H]glucosamine-labeled T lymphoblasts indicated that the murine IL-2 receptor is an N-glycosylated 58,000-Da glycoprotein. Together these results suggest that mAb M7/20 binds at or near the IL-2-binding epitope on the murine IL-2 receptor and, thus, upon manipulation may act as an IL-2 agonist.

Rapid processing of the carboxyl terminus of a trypanosome variant surface glycoprotein.

The variant surface glycoprotein of the parasite Trypanosoma brucei contains a glycolipid of unknown structure covalently attached to its COOH terminus. We have shown, by using metabolic labeling with [35S]methionine or [3H]myristic acid, precipitation with specific antibodies, and NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, that this glycolipid is attached to the variant surface glycoprotein polypeptide within 1 min after its translation.