The inclusion of the type III repeat ED-B in the fibronectin molecule generates conformational modifications that unmask a cryptic sequence.

We have previously reported an anti-fibronectin monoclonal antibody (mAb) (BC-1) which reacts with an ED-B-containing beta-galactosidase-fibronectin fusion protein but not with an identical beta-galactosidase-fibronectin fusion protein in which the ED-B sequence is omitted. In further experiments aimed at localizing more precisely the epitope recognized by this mAb, we demonstrate that 1) the mAb BC-1 is indeed specific for ED-B-containing fibronectin (FN) molecules even though the epitope recognized by this mAb is localized on the type III homology repeat 7 (the one which precedes the ED-B sequence) and 2) in fibronectin molecules lacking the ED-B sequence, this epitope is masked. We further demonstrate that, to mask the epitope recognized by the mAb BC-1, the presence of at least half of the FN type III homology repeat 9 is necessary. We also report the production of the mAb IST-6 which recognizes only FN molecules in which the ED-B sequence is lacking. These data clearly demonstrate that the presence of the ED-B sequence within FN molecules generates conformational modification in the central part of the molecules that unmasks previously cryptic sequences and masks others.

A simple procedure for tenascin purification.

Here we describe a two-step procedure for purification of human tenascin from conditioned medium of the SK-MEL-28 human melanoma cell line. The first step consists in passing the conditioned media through two chromatography columns connected in sequence. The first is a large capacity gelatin--Sepharose affinity chromatography column (to remove fibronectin), the second, over which the unbound material from the first column flows directly, is a hydroxyapatite chromatography column. Under these conditions, all tenascin present in the conditioned medium binds to the hydroxyapatite chromatography column from which it is then eluted by a 5-300 mM sodium phosphate gradient. With this step, we obtain a crude tenascin preparation, concentrated about 20 times with respect to the starting conditioned medium, and in which tenascin represents more than 50% of the total protein. The second step consists of two sequential precipitations with 6% and 12.8% poly(ethylene glycol). After this step, tenascin is more than 95% pure and does not show any contamination of chondroitin-sulfate-containing proteoglycans that are known to bind to it. From 21 medium we obtain about 3-4 mg tenascin which corresponds to a yield of about 40-50%. This procedure gives a higher yield, is simpler with respect to procedures previously described, avoids the exposure of the protein to denaturing agents or harsh conditions and could be used for purification of tenascin from the conditioned media of other cell lines. Thus, this procedure may represent a simple and useful tool for the preparation of tenascin to study its biological functions.

Assignment of the gene for human tenascin to the region q32-q34 of chromosome 9.

Tenascin (TN) is a hexameric extracellular matrix glycoprotein that is highly expressed in solid tumors but has a restricted distribution in normal adult tissues. Each TN subunit is composed of segments with high homology to the sequences of epidermal growth factor, fibronectin and fibrinogen. Furthermore, it has been suggested that TN could modulate epithelial-mesenchymal and neuronal-glial interactions. Here, using a cDNA probe to human TN, we have carried out Southern blot analysis of the genomic DNAs from a panel of human-hamster somatic cell hybrids carrying different complements of human chromosomes. The results demonstrate that the human TN gene is located on chromosome 9. Furthermore, in situ hybridization studies demonstrate that human TN is located at 9q32-q34.

Human tenascin: primary structure, pre-mRNA splicing patterns and localization of the epitopes recognized by two monoclonal antibodies.

By sequencing cDNA clones which cover the complete coding region of human tenascin (TN), we have established its primary structure. This confirms that, as in the case of chicken, TN is mainly made up of three groups of sequences with a high homology to Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) fibronectin (FN) type III repeat and fibrinogen. Furthermore, we have determined the amino-terminal sequence of the mature peptide directly on purified TN. The main differences with respect to the chicken TN molecule are that in the human there are 14 and half EGF-like repeats compared to 13 and half in the chicken and that, as previously reported, there are 15 FN-like repeats compared to 11 in the chicken. By Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification we have also studied the different splicing patterns of the TN pre-mRNA in cultured cells. The results show the presence of at least four different isoforms containing different numbers of FN-like type III repeats. Using purified human TN as immunogen, we have obtained numerous monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) to TN. By screening a human melanoma cDNA library in the expression vector lambda gt11 with these Mabs and subsequently sequencing the insert of the positive clones, we have been able to localize, within the TN molecule, the epitopes recognized by two of these Mabs: BC-4, which recognizes an epitope within the EGF-like sequence and BC-2 which recognizes an epitope within the FN like type III repeats whose expression is regulated by alternative splicing of the TN pre-mRNA. Thus, while the Mab BC-4 may be useful in studies on TN distribution (since it recognizes all different TN isoforms) BC-2 may be useful in the study of the expression of particular TN isoforms generated by the alternative splicing of the TN primary transcript.

Expression of extra domain A fibronectin sequence in vascular smooth muscle cells is phenotype dependent.

Different fibronectin (FN) variants arise from the single gene transcript alternatively spliced in a tissue-specific manner (Hynes, R. O. 1985. Annu. Rev. Cell Biol. 1:67-90; Owens, R. J., A. R. Kornblihtt, and F. E. Baralle. 1986. Oxf. Surv. Eurcaryotic Genes. 3:141-160). We used mAb IST-9, specific for extra domain A (ED-A) FN sequence, and cDNA probe to ED-A exon to determine whether ED-A is present in FN synthesized by vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and, if so, whether expression of ED-A is SMC phenotype dependent. ED-A-containing FN (A-FN) was not revealed in tunica media of human arteries and normal rat aorta by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting techniques. A cDNA probe to ED-A exon did not hybridize with RNA isolated from human aortic media. A positive reaction with IST-9 was observed in (a) diffuse intimal thickening and atherosclerotic plaque from human arteries; (b) experimentally induced intimal thickening in rat aorta; and (c) cultured vascular SMCs. A-FN mRNA was present in the RNA preparation from human aortic intima as judged by hybridization with cDNA probe to ED-A. On the other hand, an mAb interacting with an epitope common for all FN variants revealed FN in both intima and media of human arteries and in the normal rat aorta. A cDNA probe to a sequence shared by all FN variants hybridized with RNA from both intima and media of human aorta, though the level of expression was higher in intima. The data suggest that ED-A exon is omitted during splicing of the FN mRNA precursor in medial SMCs while the expression of A-FN is characteristic of "modulated" SMCs--those of intimal thickenings, of atherosclerotic lesions, and growing in culture.