Importance of thioredoxin in the proteolysis of an immunoglobulin G as antigen by lysosomal Cys-proteases.

For disulphide-bonded antigens, reduction has been postulated to be a prerequisite for proteolytic antigen processing, with subsequent production of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II binding fragments. The murine monoclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG) CE25/B7 was used as a multimeric antigen in a human model. Native IgG is highly resistant to proteolysis and has been previously found to be partially reduced at early steps of cell processing to become a suitable substrate for endopeptidases. The role of the oxidoreductase thioredoxin (Trx) was assessed in the reduction of the IgG by cleavage of H-L and H-H disulphide bonds. Recombinant human Trx (rTrx) has been assayed in a proteolytic in vitro system on IgG using endosomal and lysosomal subcellular fractions from B lymphoblastoid cells. rTrx is required in a dose-dependent manner for development of efficient proteolysis, catalysed by thiol-dependent Cys-proteases, such as cathepsin B. We demonstrated that cathepsin B activity was stimulated by the addition of rTrx. Thus, we propose that Trx-dependent IgG proteolysis occurred, on the one hand by means of the unfolding of the IgG after disulphide reduction, becoming a substrate of lysosomal proteases, and on the other hand by Cys-proteases such as cathepsin B that are fully active upon the regeneration of their activity by hydrogen donors.

C3b covalently associated to tetanus toxin modulates TT processing and presentation by U937 cells.

Complement protein C3, like C4 and alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M), is a potentially bivalent ligand: (1) its proteolytic fragment, C3b, is able to interact covalently with antigens, and (2) this bound fragment is able to interact non-covalently with specific complement receptors of antigen presenting cells (APC). The formation of antigen-C3b complexes frequently occurs in vivo at inflammatory sites during the early stages of an immune response. Tetanus toxin (TT)-C3b covalent complexes, prepared from purified proteins, were used to study how C3b association influences the handling of TT by U937 cells used as APC. TT-specific T cell proliferation following TT-C3b processing was observed at a concentration when TT alone was inefficient. Whereas TT pinocytic uptake was low, TT-C3b uptake, through the help of complement receptor CR1, was three times higher. Free TT was rapidly transported to the lysosomes where it was proteolysed, whereas TT-C3b complexes were first retained in the endosomes and underwent only limited proteolysis. While the ester link of the complexes was fairly stable in the endosomes, it was gradually hydrolysed in the lysosomes with ensuing efficient proteolysis of the two proteins. This reflects the fact that associated C3b escorts TT during intracellular trafficking in the APC, and influences antigen processing. A triple role of C3b escorting antigen residues at the level of antigen uptake, routing, and proteolysis inside U937 cells, thus modulating antigen-dependent T cell proliferation.

Associated complement C3b. Towards an understanding of its intracellular modifications.

Covalent Superose microspheres-bound C3b was used as a model system to simplify the analysis of antigen-bound C3b modifications during antigen processing. The model was set up using purified C3 and Superose-bound trypsin. C3b was covalently bound to Superose through an ester link, as indicated by lability to hydroxylamine treatment at alkaline pH. C3b-Superose was incubated with L subcellular fraction, enriched in endosomes/lysosomes, purified from U937 cell line. Two types of limited activities on the C3b-Superose model system were detected: (i) a proteolytic activity cleaving C3b into mainly a C3c-like fragment which was released and a C3d-like fragment of apparent M(r) 32 kDa which remained bound to Superose through the original ester link; (ii) an esterolytic activity cleaving the ester bond and releasing C3b. Inhibition experiments pointed to the involvement of serine, aspartyl and cysteine proteases. Cathepsin B appeared most probably as one of the major proteases of L fraction catalysing the proteolysis of the C3b-bound. Kinetic studies were in favour of a good stability on the ester bond, supporting an effective role of C3b as a chaperone during the extracellular and intracellular travel of C3b-bound antigen.

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.

Interaction between complement subcomponent C1q and bacterial lipopolysaccharides.

The heptose-less mutant of Escherichia coli, D31m4, bound complement subcomponent C1q and its collagen-like fragments (C1qCLF) with Ka values of 1.4 x 10(8) and 2.0 x 10(8) M-1 respectively. This binding was suppressed by chemical modification of C1q and C1qCLF using diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC). To investigate the role of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in this binding, biosynthetically labelled [14C]LPS were purified from E. coli D31m4 and incorporated into liposomes prepared from phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) [PC/PE/LPS, 2:2:1, by wt.]. Binding of C1q or its collagen-like fragments to the liposomes was estimated via a flotation test. These liposomes bound C1q and C1qCLF with Ka values of 8.0 x 10(7) and 2.0 x 10(7) M-1; this binding was totally inhibited after chemical modification of C1q and C1qCLF by DEPC. Liposomes containing LPS purified from the wild-strain E. coli K-12 S also bound C1q and C1qCLF, whereas direct binding of C1q or C1qCLF to the bacteria was negligible. Diamines at concentrations which dissociate C1 into C1q and (C1r, C1s)2, strongly inhibited the interaction of C1q or C1qCLF with LPS. Removal of 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid (2-keto-3-deoxyoctonic acid; KDO) from E. coli D31m4 LPS decreases the binding of C1qCLF to the bacteria by 65%. When this purified and modified LPS was incorporated into liposomes, the C1qCLF binding was completely abolished. These results show: (i) the essential role of the collagen-like moiety and probably its histidine residues in the interaction between C1q and the mutant D31m4; (ii) the contribution of LPS, particularly the anionic charges of KDO, to this interaction.

Antibody-independent interaction between the first component of human complement, C1, and the outer membrane of Escherichia coli D31 m4.

The heptoseless mutant of Escherichia coli, E. coli D31 m4, binds C1q and C1 at 0 degrees C and at low ionic strength (I0.07). Under these conditions, the maximum C1q binding averages 3.0 X 10(5) molecules per bacterium, with a Ka of 1.4 X 10(8) M-1. Binding involves the collagen-like region of C1q, as shown by the capacity of C1q pepsin-digest fragments to bind to E. coli D31 m4, and to compete with native C1q. Proenzyme and activated forms of C1 subcomponents C1r and C1s and their Ca2+-dependent association (C1r-C1s)2 do not bind to E. coli D31 m4. In contrast, the C1 complex binds very effectively, with an average fixation of 3.5 X 10(5) molecules per bacterium, and a Ka of 0.25 X 10(8) M-1, both comparable with the values obtained for C1q binding. C1 bound to E. coli D31 m4 undergoes rapid activation at 0 degrees C. The activation process is not affected by C1-inhibitor, and only slightly inhibited by p-nitrophenyl p'-guanidinobenzoate. No turnover of the (C1r-C1s)2 subunit is observed. Once activated, C1 is only partially dissociated by C1-inhibitor. Our observations are in favour of a strong association between C1 and the outer membrane of E. coli D31 m4, involving mainly the collagen-like moiety of C1.

[Interactions between complement system and bacterial walls]. / Interactions entre le système complémentaire et les parois bactériennes.

The complement system is involved in the antibacterial defence either with a delay, following the specific antibody response, or immediately through a direct interaction between complement components and the bacterial cell wall. Several gram- bacteria initiate the classical pathway through direct interaction between C1 and the lipid A of the lipopolysaccharides; this activation depends upon the structure, the accessibility and the state of polymerization of the lipopolysaccharides. Gram+ and gram- bacteria are able to activate the alternative pathway through a covalent C3b binding. Capsules appear to prevent activation due to their high content of sialic acid, which probably accounts for the virulence. As targets, bacteria may undergo opsonization mainly by C3b, or lysis through transmembrane channels formed by terminal components from C5b to C9.

Structural features of the first component of human complement, C1, as revealed by surface iodination.

Lactoperoxidase-catalysed surface iodination and sucrose-gradient ultracentrifugation were used to investigate the structure of human complement component C1. 1. Proenzymic subcomponents C1r and C1s associated to form a trimeric C1r2-C1s complex (7.6 S) in the presence of EDTA, and a tetrameric Clr2-C1s2 complex (9.1 S) in the presence of Ca2+. Iodination of the 9.1 S complex led to a predominant labelling of C1r (70%) over C1s (30%), essentially located in the b-chain moiety of C1r and in the a-chain moiety of C1s. 2. Reconstruction of proenzymic soluble C1 (15.2 S) from C1q, C1r and C1s was partially inhibited when C1s labelled in its monomeric form was used and almost abolished when iodinated C1r was used. Reconstruction of fully activated C1 was not possible, whereas hybrid C1q-C1r2-C1s2 complex was obtained. 3. Iodination of proenzymic or activated C1 bound to IgG-ovalbumin aggregates led to an equal distribution of the radioactivity between C1q and C1r2-C1s2. With regard to C1q, the label distribution between the three chains was similar whether C1 was in its proenzymic or activated form. Label distribution in the C1r2-C1s2 moiety of C1 was the same as that obtained for isolated C1r2-C1s2, and this was also true for the corresponding activated components. However, two different labelling patterns were found, corresponding to the proenzyme and the activated states.

Fluid-phase interaction of C1 inhibitor (C1 Inh) and the subcomponents C1r and C1s of the first component of complement, C1.

Interactions between proenzymic or activated complement subcomponents of C1 and C1 Inh (C1 inhibitor) were analysed by sucrose-density-gradient ultracentrifugation and sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The interaction of C1 Inh with dimeric C1r in the presence of EDTA resulted into two bimolecular complexes accounting for a disruption of C1r. The interaction of C1 Inh with the Ca2+-dependent C1r2-C1s2 complex (8.8 S) led to an 8.5 S inhibited C1r-C1s-C1 Inh complex (1:1:2), indicating a disruption of C1r2 and of C1s2 on C1 Inh binding. The 8.5 S inhibited complex was stable in the presence of EDTA; it was also formed from a mixture of C1r, C1s and C1 Inh in the presence of EDTA or from bimolecular complexes of C1r-C1 Inh and C1s-C1 Inh. C1r II, a modified C1r molecule, deprived of a Ca2+-binding site after autoproteolysis, did not lead to an inhibited tetrameric complex on incubation with C1s and C1 Inh. These findings suggest that, when C1 Inh binds to C1r2-C1s2 complex, the intermonomer links inside C1r2 or C1s2 are weakened, whereas the non-covalent Ca2+-independent interaction between C1r2 and C1s2 is strengthened. The nature of the proteinase-C1 Inh link was investigated. Hydroxylamine (1M) was able to dissociate the complexes partially (pH 7.5) or totally (pH 9.0) when the incubation was performed in denaturing conditions. An ester link between a serine residue at the active site of C1r or C1s and C1 Inh is postulated.

Purified proenzyme C1r. Some characteristics of its activation and subsequent proteolytic cleavage.

1. Upon incubation for 1 h at 37 degrees C, proenzymic C1r was activated by a proteolytic cleavage comparable to that observed in vivo; after reduction and alkylation, two fragments of apparent molecular weights 57 000 and 35 000 were evident on sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The activation kinetics were slightly sigmoidal and nearly independent of C1r concentration. They were characterized by a marked thermal dependence (activation energy = 45 kcal/mol). The reaction was inhibited by calcium and p-nitrophenyl-p'-guanidinobenzoate, but poorly sensitive to di-isopropyl phosphorofluoridate. The dependence of the activation rate on pH was unusual; it decreased progressively in the acid range (pH 4.5-6.5) which coincides with the dissociation of the C1r-C1r dimer. Above pH 6.5, the rate increased slightly and showed no clear maximum. These results are consistent with an intramolecular autocatalytic activation mechanism involving the pro-site of each subunit of the C1r-C1r dimer. 2. During a 5 h incubation period at 37 degrees C, C1r underwent two proteolytic cleavages which led to the successive removal of two fragments, alpha (35 000) and beta (7000-11 000) from each subunit, leaving a dimeric molecule of reduced size (Mr = 110 000; s20,w = 6.1 S). The proteolytic process was nearly independent of C1r concentration and characterized by a pH optimum at 8.5-9.0, and a high activation energy (36.8 kcal/mol). Calcium and p-nitrophenyl-p'-guanidinobenzoate, and also di-isopropyl phosphorofluoridate and benzamidine were inhibitors of this reaction. The product, C1r II, retained the original antigenic properties of C1r and a functional active site, but lost the capacity to bind C1s. These results are consistent with an autocatalytic intramolecular proteolysis mediated by the active site of each subunit of the C1r-C1r dimer.

A study on the structure and interactions of the C1 sub-components C1r and C1s in the fluid phase.

1. Both proenzyme and activated C1r, which are dimers at pH 7.4, dissociated into monomers at pH 5.0 (C1r) and 4.0 (C1r), as shown by the decrease of apparent molecular weight and of sedimentation coefficient, which was shifted from 7.1 S (dimer) to 5.0 S (monomer). 125I-labelling of C1r in the presence of lactoperoxidase occurred, for the dimer, 16-20% in the A chain and 80-84% in the B chain, whereas the distribution was 67.5% and 32.5%, respectively, for the monomer. It appears likely that the two monomers of C1r interact through their A chain and that the A and B chains are relatively independent from each other. 2. 125I-labelling of C1s in the presence of lactoperoxidase confirmed the calcium-dependent dimerization of this subcomponent. In the monomer, the B chain appears to be embedded in the A chain, as shown by the 125I- distribution in these chains, which was 5% and 95%, respectively. This changed after dimerization to 25% and 75%, respectively, which suggests that interactions occur through the A chain of each monomer and lead to an unfolding of the B chain. 3. C1r dimer and C1s monomer were found to interact in the absence of calcium to form a C1r2-C1s complex (7.7 S), whereas in the presence of calcium the two sub-components were associated into a C1r2-C1s2 complex (8.7S). It appears likely that the formation of this tetrameric complex involves both calcium-dependent, and calcium-independent binding forces, and that C1r and C1s interact through their respective A chain which, in the case of C1s, is hidden upon association.

Kinetic studies with the use of proton-magnetic-resonance spectroscopy of the specific alpha-deuteration of amino acids by Escherichia coli aspartate aminotransferase.

Escherichia coli aspartate aminotransferase was exposed to aspartate or phenylalanine without oxo acid in buffered 2H2O. The alpha-hydrogen of the amino acids underwent first-order exchange with respect to both substrate and enzyme. P.m.r. spectroscopy gave consistent reaction-rate constants. The deuterium-exchange rate was only moderately increased by addition of oxo acids and was of the same order as the transamination rate. No beta-deuteration was observed. The C(alpha)-H-bond-breaking step is discussed as a part of the entire transamination mechanism.

[Transaminase B from Escherichia coli. I.-Purification and first properties]. / Transaminase B d'Escherichia coli. I. - Purification et premières propriétés

Transaminase B (EC.2.6.1.6.) from E. coli, the specific enzyme for branched-chain aminoacids, was obtained in a purity equal to or greater than 96 p. cent after an 800-fold purification, employing two different procedures. One of the procedures involved heating at 60degreesC. The apparent molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated by chromatography on Sephadex and gel electrophoresis to be close to 180,000. The protein is made up of 6 subunits of equal size, with one molecule of coenzyme in each. Its absorption spectrum shows bands at 335 and 415 nm, and was found to be almost insensitive to the pH of the medium between 4.6 and 9. Transaminase B is active on phenylalanine as well, although the reaction between L-phenylalanine and alpha-ketoglutarate is about 50 to 100 times slower than the analogous reaction using L-valine as an aminoacid. Three sets of data show that the phenylalanine aminotransferase activity associated with transaminase B is not an artefact due to a protein contaminant. 1) Activities displayed toward phenylalanine and valine cannot be resolved by different methods, including chromatography, gel electrophoresis, and electrofucussing. 2) The absorption spectrum of the enzyme is as strongly modified by phenylalanine as by valine. 3) A ketoglutarate-free reaction between phenylalanine, tyrosine or typtophane and an aliphatic alpha-ketoacid is catalyzed by the pure enzyme and follows a mechanism belonging to the usual ping pong type. The possible significance of this reaction as a regulatory device in the cell metabolism is briefly discussed.

[Transamination of L-aspartate and L-phenylalanine in Escherichia coli K 12]. / Transamination du L-aspartate et de la L-phénylalanine chez Escherichia coli K 12

At least four separate enzymes are found to catalyze the transamination between phenylalanine and alpha-ketoglutarate in E. coli K 12, one of them being the aspartate aminotransferase. The Km of the latter enzyme for alpha-ketoglutarate is 0.3 or 0.035 mM according to the acceptor aminoacid being phenylalanine or aspartate respectively. The double specificity of aspartate aminotransferase in E. coli is however clearly shown by thermal inactivation studies using various effectors or different temperatures, and by the finding of an active transamination between aspartate and phenylpyruvate in the absence of ketoglutarate. This reaction shows the usual ping-pong type of mechanism, which implies that both substances are substrates for the same protein. Contrary to the phenylalanine-alpha-ketoglutarate reaction, which is probably of little importance in vivo when catalyzed by this enzyme, the direct ketoglutarate-free transamination between aspartate and the aromatic alpha-ketoacid is likely to represent a physiological function in regulating, at least partially, the balance between biosynthetic pathways for aromatic aminoacids and aspartate, for instance by maintaining similar ratios between the aminoacid and its ketoacid partner in both cases. For the sake of clarity it is proposed that the name "transaminase A", first devised by Rudman and Meister, be used for aspartate aminotransferase only, knowing that the specificity of this peculiar enzyme behaves as an accessory agent in the transamination of the aromatic compounds.