Human salivary acidic proline-rich protein polymorphisms and biosynthesis studied by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Human salivary acidic proline-rich proteins (PRPs) constitute a significant fraction of the total salivary protein and possess important biological activities. Different genetic and post-translationally processed forms of the PRPs exhibit significant quantitative variations in several of these activities, especially the modulation of salivary calcium phosphate chemistry and oral bacterial adhesion. To quantify and understand these differences, we have developed a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method to identify and measure individual PRPs in saliva. The data obtained permit the identification of PRP polymorphisms and phenotypes, the determination of the relative amounts of PRPs derived from the two loci, PRH1 and PRH2, and the measurement of the extent of post-translational cleavage of the primary polypeptide products. Substantial inter-gland and inter-individual variations were found in relative amounts of PRPs derived from the two loci (at least two-fold), and in post-translational cleavage (greater than two-fold), both of which are likely to be biologically significant. Also in this study, the presence of what appear to be minor amounts of numerous variant PRPs in glandular secretions was observed, and two uncommon PRP polymorphisms were identified in the 127 subjects studied.

Primary structure of a novel human salivary acidic proline-rich protein.

Human salivary acidic proline-rich proteins (PRPs) form a significant fraction of the total salivary protein and fulfill several biologically important roles in the oral cavity. Five commonly occurring PRP polymorphisms, Db, Pa, PIF, Pr2 and Pr1, have been identified, their structures determined, and several uncommon polymorphisms (frequencies < 1:100) have been reported. Most PRPs occur as protein pairs, because of an unusual, limited but well-controlled post-translational cleavage. We now describe an additional uncommon polymorphism, found in the saliva of one of 127 individuals examined in a recent study, identified by high performance anion-exchange liquid chromatography. By analogy with previous terminology, we designate this protein pair as PRP-5, for the primary 150-residue polypeptide gene product, and PRP-6, for the secondary 106-residue cleavage product. Amino acid analysis of intact PRP-6 and sequence determination of PRP-6 chymotryptic peptides, residues 15-24 and 26-35, show a single difference in PRP-6, compared to the most similar, characterized PRP, PRP-4, in that residue 30 is histidine in PRP-6, rather than arginine as in PRP-4 and in all the other sequenced PRPs. This substitution may have implications for the resistance of this polymorphic variant to degradation by trypsin-like enzymes originating from the oral microflora.

Delineation of a segment of adsorbed salivary acidic proline-rich proteins which promotes adhesion of Streptococcus gordonii to apatitic surfaces.

Cells of several strains of Streptococcus gordonii attached in much higher numbers to experimental pellicles formed from samples of submandibular or parotid saliva on hydroxyapatite (HA) beads than to buffer controls. The nature of the salivary components responsible were investigated by preparing experimental pellicles from chromatographic fractions of submandibular saliva obtained from Trisacryl GF 2000M columns. Adhesion of S. gordonii Blackburn was promoted by two groups of fractions. The adhesion-promoting activity in the first group of fractions was associated with the family of acidic proline-rich proteins (PRPs), while that of the second group is as yet unidentified. Experimental pellicles prepared by treating HA with 2 micrograms of pure 150-amino-acid-residue PRPs (PRP-1, PRP-2, and PIF-s) promoted adhesion of S. gordonii Blackburn cells to an extent comparable to that obtained with unfractionated saliva. However, pellicles prepared from a 106-residue PRP (PRP-3) were significantly less effective, and those prepared from the amino-terminal tryptic peptide (residues 1 to 30) of the PRP and the salivary phosphoprotein statherin were completely ineffective in promoting adhesion. Although adhesion of several strains of S. gordonii was promoted by adsorbed PRP-1, the adhesion of several strains of Streptococcus sanguis or Streptococcus oralis was either not affected or only weakly enhanced by this protein. S. gordonii cells bound avidly to PRPs adsorbed onto HA beads, but the streptococci did not appear to bind PRPs in solution, since concentrations of PRP as high as 200 micrograms/ml did not inhibit binding of bacterial cells to pellicles prepared from pure PRP. S. gordonii cells also attached well to PRP or a synthetic decapeptide representing residues 142 to 150 of the PRP when the peptide was linked to agarose beads. Studies with a series of synthetic decapeptides indicated that the minimal segment of PRP which promoted high levels of S. gordonii adhesion was the carboxy-terminal dipeptide Pro-Gln (residues 149 and 150).

Conformational analysis of the immunodominant epitopes of the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum and knowlesi.

All of the coat proteins of the sporozoite and merozoite stages of Plasmodium, determined to date, contain tandem repeats and most of these contain at least one proline residue. These tandemly repeated segments of the circumsporozite (CS) proteins of P. falciparum and P. knowlesi have been shown to constitute an immunodominant epitope. Antibodies to these peptide segments have been shown to be protective and cause the shedding of the CS protein, known as the CSP reaction. In this study, four synthetic peptides were prepared by solid-phase peptide synthesis. The first peptide corresponds to the tetrapeptide tandem repeat in the CS protein of P. falciparum, repeated eight times, (NANP)8. The second peptide is an analogue of the first in which glycine is substituted for proline, (NANG)8. The third peptide corresponds to the tandem repeat of P. knowlesi, PK(1-24), which is repeated twice (QAQGDGANAGQP)2. The fourth peptide is a tetrapeptide repeat, corresponding to the C-terminal tetrapeptide of PK(1-24) and is repeated eight times, (AGQP)8. It is shown by CD measurements that the presence of proline in these repeats induces an increase in beta-sheet (beta-turn) content in the (NANP)8 peptide relative to the repeat of (NANG)8 and PK(1-24) peptide in aqueous media. The (AGQP)8 peptide has the highest beta-sheet (beta-turn) content of all peptides studied. The Chou-Fasman predictive algorithm indicates a high beta-turn content in the synthetic peptides. It is concluded that this increase in defined structure correlates well with and hence may contribute to the increased antigenicity in these repeats.

Complete primary structure of statherin, a potent inhibitor of calcium phosphate precipitation, from the saliva of the monkey, Macaca arctoides.

Human saliva, which is supersaturated with respect to basic calcium phosphate salts, is stabilized primarily by the presence of two classes of phosphoproteins, statherin and the acidic proline-rich proteins (PRP). These molecules act by inhibiting both primary (spontaneous) precipitation of calcium phosphates in saliva and secondary (surface induced) precipitation of these salts onto dental enamel. The complete amino-acid sequences of several human PRP and the N-terminal sequence of PRP from saliva of M. arctoides have been determined. Similarly, the complete sequence of statherin from human and M. fascicularis saliva is known. We now report the complete structure of statherin from the saliva of the stump-tailed monkey, M. arctoides. The structure was determined by gas-phase sequencing of intact statherin, elucidating positions 1-26, and sequencing an unpurified mixture of tryptic peptides which elucidated the remaining positions through the C-terminus (residue 42) of the molecule. This latter degradation produced an eight amino-acid overlap with that of intact statherin and was confirmed by C-terminal analysis and amino-acid composition of native statherin. The complete amino-acid sequence of M. arctoides statherin is: NH2-Asp-PSer-PSer-Glu-Glu5-Lys-Phe-Leu-Arg-Arg10 -Leu-Arg-Arg-Phe-Asp15-Glu- Gly-Arg-Tyr-Gly20-Pro-Tyr-Gln-Pro-Phe25-Val-Pro-Pro- Pro29Leu30-Tyr- Pro-Gln-Pro-Tyr35-Gln-Pro-Tyr-Gln-Pro40-Gln-Tyr-COOH This sequence differs from human statherin at positions 11, 12, 15, 16, 18, 25-27, 38-40 and from M. fascicularis statherin at positions 26 and 28.

Antibodies to a synthetic peptide corresponding to a Ser-40-containing segment of tyrosine hydroxylase: activation and immunohistochemical localization of tyrosine hydroxylase.

A peptide corresponding to position 32-47 in tyrosine hydroxylase was synthesized (TH-16) and polyclonal antibodies against this peptide were raised in rabbits (anti-TH-16). The effects of anti-TH-16 on modulation of tyrosine hydroxylase activity were investigated. Anti-TH-16 enhanced the enzymatic activity in a concentration-dependent manner, and the antigen TH-16 inhibited the stimulatory activity of the antiserum in a concentration-dependent manner. The activated enzyme had a lower Km app for the cofactor 2-amino-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropterin and a higher Vmax app than the nonactivated enzyme. Anti-TH-16 was characterized further by its ability to immunoprecipitate the enzyme activity by labeling tyrosine hydroxylase after Western blotting and by immunohistochemical labeling of catecholaminergic neurons. Anti-TH-16 did not block activation of tyrosine hydroxylase by phosphorylation catalyzed by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Exposure of the enzyme to anti-TH-16 and subsequent phosphorylation of the enzyme resulted in a greater activation of the enzyme than the sum of activation produced by these two treatments separately. However, the activation was less than additive when the enzyme was first phosphorylated and subsequently exposed to anti-TH-16. The present study demonstrates the utility of anti-TH-16 in investigating the molecular aspects of the enzyme activation.

Structural characterization and localization of corticotropin-releasing factor in testis.

To sequence and thereby definitively characterize corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-like material from a representative peripheral tissue, CRF was obtained from 76 ovine testes. The novel extraction procedure involved use of an immunoaffinity column to which a high-affinity CRF monoclonal antibody was attached as well as fast protein liquid chromatography. The complete sequence was elucidated by gas-phase sequencing, carboxyamidopeptidase digestion and cyanogen bromide cleavage. Aside from microheterogeneity at position 39, all the other amino acids were identical to ovine hypothalamic CRF. Additionally, in immunohistochemical studies in the rat, CRF was localized to the Leydig cell. These findings along with related observations by ourselves and others are compatible with the hypothesis that CRF plays a significant local role, possibly by paracrine or autocrine mechanisms.

Role of the proline residues on the immunogenic properties of a P. falciparum circumsporozoite peptide linked to a carrier protein.

The circumsporozoite (CS) protein of P. falciparum contains an immunodominant epitope, NADP, that is repeated 37 times in the native molecule. The presence of proline in the coat proteins of the Plasmodium parasite at various developmental stages and strains is a frequent occurrence. In this study we evaluate the influence of substitution of proline residues by glycine on the immunogenic behavior of two tandemly repeated peptides linked via glutaraldehyde to a protein carrier: The (NANP)4 P. falciparum circumsporozoite peptide and its glycine-substitute analog, (NANG)4. The results obtained show that the (NANP)4 induces antibodies which recognize the peptide free in solution, bound on a solid phase, and linked to a carrier protein. It has been previously reported that such antibodies recognize the antigenic sites of the peptide in the native protein on the surface of the sporozoite. Antibodies raised against (NANG)4 in the same experimental conditions as (NANP)4, cannot recognize the peptide free in solution or bound to the solid phase. However, these antibodies can react with the peptide when it is linked to a protein carrier. The coupling of a glycine-containing analog to a carrier results in a significant shift in its conformation, allowing it to be recognized by the antibodies.

The primary structures of six human salivary acidic proline-rich proteins (PRP-1, PRP-2, PRP-3, PRP-4, PIF-s and PIF-f).

Human glandular salivary secretions contain several acidic proline-rich phosphoproteins (PRPs). These proteins have important biological functions related to providing a protective environment for the teeth, and appear to possess other activities associated with modulation of adhesion of bacteria to oral surfaces. These functions and activities depend on the primary structures of the PRPs. Previously determined amino acid sequences of two 150-residue molecules, PRP-1 and PRP-2, and two related 106-residue proteins, PRP-3 and PRP-4, indicated that residue 4 was Asn in PRP-1 and PRP-3, and Asp in PRP-2 and PRP-4, and position 50 was Asn in all four proteins. Recent data from cDNA sequence studies and further structural studies, however, showed that the previously proposed sequences cannot be completely correct. The present work has shown that the protein previously designated as PRP-1 actually consisted of two positional isomers, PIF-s, which has Asn and Asp at positions 4 and 50 respectively, and authentic PRP-1, which has the reverse arrangement. The same isomerism is present in the smaller proteins, PIF-f and PRP-3. Since the isomeric pairs have identical compositions and charges, their presence was not previously detected. Also, by using a more highly purified preparation, it has been found that position 50 in PRP-2 and PRP-4 is Asp, rather than Asn previously reported. These new findings for the six PRPs define their complete primary structures, which are now consistent with those proposed for PRP-1 and PIF-s from cDNA data, and are also consistent with the chromatographic and electrophoretic behaviours of the six PRPs and their derived peptides. These corrected structures are important for understanding the biological functions and activities of these unusual proteins.

Construction of immunogens for synthetic malaria vaccines.

The immunogenicity of a peptide consisting of eight repeats of the tetrapeptide sequence NANP (Asn-Ala-Asn-Pro) contained in the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum was investigated in mice under different modes of presentation. This peptide was able to produce biologically active antibodies when administered with adjuvant and linked to a protein carrier. However, a (NANP) peptide polymerized by carbodiimide was found to be immunogenic in the absence of protein carrier in H-2b mice. In contrast, the (NANP)8 peptide polymerized by glutaraldehyde was not immunogenic in the same strain. Furthermore, the efficacy of murabutide in saline, as an immunological adjuvant, was compared to the efficacy of Freund's complete adjuvant.

The effect of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on stimulation-evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine (NE) from rat hypothalamic and cerebral cortical slices.

The effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on stimulation-evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine ([3H]NE) in rat hypothalamic and cerebral cortical slices were investigated. NPY inhibits the stimulation-evoked release of [3H]NE from hypothalamic, but not from cerebral cortical slices. NPY potentiates the inhibition of [3H]NE release by the alpha 2-agonist UK 14,304 in the hypothalamic slices. The blockade of alpha 2-adrenoceptors by RX 781094 diminishes the inhibitory effects of NPY. These results suggest that in the hypothalamic slices the action of NPY might be in part mediated by the alpha 2-adrenoceptors.

Chemical synthesis of phosphoseryl-phosphoserine, a partial analogue of human salivary statherin, a protein inhibitor of calcium phosphate precipitation in human saliva.

Human salivary secretions are supersaturated with respect to basic calcium phosphates but spontaneous precipitation of these salts from saliva, or surface-induced precipitation of calcium phosphates onto dental enamel, does not normally occur. This unexpected stability has been attributed to the inhibitory activities of two kinds of salivary phosphoproteins: statherin and the acidic, proline-rich phosphoproteins (PRP). Investigation of the structure-function relationships of statherin, the most potent inhibitor of primary (spontaneous) and secondary (seeded) precipitation of calcium phosphate salts in human saliva has been limited to studies of peptide segments obtained from the native peptide by specific proteolysis. Solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) is a useful and potentially more flexible alternative. Phosphoserine residues (positions 2 & 3) play critically important roles in the precipitation-inhibition activities of statherin, but SPP synthesis of these phosphorylated peptides is precluded because of the instability of phosphoserine residues in the presence of HF. Thus, this peptide was synthesized by solution-phase methods. The dipeptide possessed substantial inhibitory activity in assays for inhibition of both primary and secondary precipitation of calcium phosphate salts, but was not as active as either N-terminal tryptic hexapeptide of statherin or intact statherin. Syntheses of other model phosphorylated peptides are underway to expand the structure-function relationships.

Induction of biologically active antibodies by a polyvalent synthetic vaccine constructed without carrier.

Four synthetic peptides that copy fragments of two bacterial antigens (Streptococcus pyogenes M protein and diphtheria toxin), one viral antigen (hepatitis B surface antigen), and one parasitic antigen (circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium knowlesi) were covalently bound within the same construct. This totally synthetic polyvalent administered to mice with Freund complete adjuvant or in saline with murabutide (an adjuvant-active muramyl peptide) elicited high levels of antibodies which, in certain cases, were shown to be biologically active. The results indicated that these antibodies recognized specifically the four peptides. None of the epitopes were immunodominant. It was also demonstrated that the association of several peptides enhanced their respective immunogenicities as compared with those of their homopolymers. Finally, this study shows that a totally synthetic vaccine administered in saline with a synthetic adjuvant can be immunogenic in the absence of a protein carrier.

Isolation and complete amino acid sequence of human thymopoietin and splenin.

Human thymopoietin and splenin were isolated from human thymus and spleen, respectively, by monitoring tissue fractionation with a bovine thymopoietin RIA cross-reactive with human thymopoietin and splenin. Bovine thymopoietin and splenin are 49-amino acid polypeptides that differ by only 2 amino acids at positions 34 and 43; the change at position 34 in the active-site region changes the receptor specificities and biological activities. The complete amino acid sequences of purified human thymopoietin and splenin were determined and shown to be 48-amino acid polypeptides differing at four positions. Ten amino acids, constant within each species for thymopoietin and splenin, differ between the human and bovine polypeptides. The pentapeptide active site of thymopoietin (residues 32-36) is constant between the human and bovine thymopoietins, but position 34 in the active site of splenin has changed from glutamic acid in bovine splenin to alanine in human splenin, accounting for the biological activity of the human but not the bovine splenin on the human T-cell line MOLT-4.

Inhibition of calcium phosphate precipitation by human salivary acidic proline-rich proteins: structure-activity relationships.

Absence of precipitation of calcium phosphate salts onto tooth surfaces from human saliva, which is supersaturated with respect to calcium phosphate salts, has been attributed in part to the presence in the salivary secretions of a group of acidic proline-rich phosphoproteins (PRP). These macromolecules are considered to act by adsorbing onto dental enamel where they inhibit surface-induced precipitation of calcium phosphate salts. The inhibitory activity is known to be associated primarily with the amino-terminal region of the PRP. The aim of this study was to determine the features of the primary structure of this molecular segment responsible for inhibitory activity. The 30-residue, amino-terminal segment of PRP-3, which contains the two phosphoserines and 11 of the 13 carboxyl groups present in PRP-3, was obtained by tryptic digestion. This peptide, designated PRP-3(TI), was treated with thermolysin to give the monophosphopeptides, Val-PSer-Gln-Glu-Asp-Val-Pro and Leu-Val-Ile-Ser-Asp-Gly-Gly-Asp-PSer-Glu-Gln, and with alkaline phosphatase to give the dephosphorylated analog, PRP-3(TI)DP. The inhibitory activities of PRP-3(TI) and the derived peptides, a synthetic peptide, phosphoseryl-phosphoserine (PSer-PSer), and O-phosphoserine (PSer), were determined using an assay based on inhibition of seeded precipitation of calcium phosphate. Inhibitory activities, expressed as concentrations of inhibitors required to give standard inhibitory activities, were PRP-3(TI), 0.59 microM; PSer-PSer, 3.5 microM; the two monophosphopeptides, 29 and 32.5 microM; PRP-3(TI)DP, 56 microM; PSer, 329 microM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Corticotrophin-releasing factor in extra-hypothalamic brain of the mouse: demonstration by immunoassay and immunoneutralization of bioassayable activity.

Corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) bioactivity has been described in the extra-hypothalamic brain, but its relationship to hypothalamic CRF has remained questionable. Of the seven regions of the mouse brain examined, highest concentrations of CRF-like immunoreactivity (CRF-LI) and bioassayable CRF activity were present in the median eminence and hypothalamus. However, substantial CRF-LI and bioassayable CRF activity were also seen in brain extracts from the amygdala, thalamus, frontal cortex, pons medulla and cerebellum. Bioactivity was largely neutralized by prior incubation with heat-inactivated antiserum to ovine CRF. These findings, in conjunction with previous immunocytochemical evidence, strongly suggest that a substance closely resembling hypothalamic CRF is present in the extrahypothalamic brain of the mouse.

Tyrosine 3-hydroxylase in rat brain and adrenal medulla: hybridization histochemistry and immunohistochemistry combined with retrograde tracing.

Rat brain and adrenal gland were analyzed by hybridization histochemistry using an RNA probe complementary to mRNA for tyrosine 3-hydroxylase (TyrOHase; tyrosine 3-monooxygenase, EC 1.14.16.2), by immunohistochemistry using TyrOHase antiserum, and by retrograde tracing using the fluorescent compound Fast blue. Cell bodies in the ventral mesencephalon contained mRNA for TyrOHase, and these cells were also TyrOHase immunoreactive. After injection of Fast blue into the striatum, such double-labeled cells in addition contained the retrograde tracer, showing that these cells send axonal projections to the injection site. These results show that hybridization histochemistry can be used to identify transmitter-specific neuron populations and that their projections can be established.

Immunogenicity of the repetitive and nonrepetitive peptide regions of the divergent CS protein of Plasmodium knowlesi.

The circumsporozoite (CS) protein of the Nuri strain of the simian malarial parasite Plasmodium knowlesi was expressed as a fusion protein in E. coli. This fusion protein cross-reacted with the polyclonal monkey sera raised against irradiated sporozoites of another strain (H strain) of P. knowlesi. The antibody against the repeat units of the H strain CS protein was affinity purified from the polyclonal sera by using synthetic repeat peptides. The affinity-purified antibody did not cross-react with the Nuri CS fusion protein. The immunogenicity of different regions of the CS protein was additionally studied by using several synthetic peptides. All but the most COOH-terminal peptide showed cross-reactivity with the polyclonal sera. Because the repeat regions of the CS protein of the two strains are diverse, whereas the non-repetitive regions are immunogenic and conserved, the latter may be better suited for a potential vaccine.

Effects of synthetic bag cell and atrial gland peptides on identified nerve cells in Aplysia.

We have examined the effects of peptides on the neuroendocrine bag cells, the R2 neuron and the left upper quadrant (LUQ) neurons of the abdominal ganglion of Aplysia californica. Peptides include those extracted from the atrial gland, a reproductive organ; those released by an afterdischarge of the bag cells; and 2 synthetic peptides: the amidated 9-amino acid C-terminal portion of atrial gland peptides A/B/ERH (B26-34), and the 8-amino acid alpha-bag cell peptide (alpha-BCP1-8). Peptides were applied by superfusion, arterial perfusion, pressure ejection from micropipettes, or by inducing a bag cell afterdischarge. Both alpha-BCP1-8 and B26-34 are able to produce a bag cell afterdischarge when applied to the abdominal ganglion but are not as effectively able to trigger the bag cells when applied selectively to the ganglia of the head ring. Peptides released by the bag cells inhibit R2 and LUQ neurons; whereas atrial gland extract mildly excites LUQ neurons and powerfully excites R2. The inhibitory effect of the LUQ cells and R2 following an afterdischarge of the bag cells is mimicked by alpha-BCP1-8. The excitatory effect of the atrial gland extract cannot be duplicated with B26-34. Rather, instead of having an excitatory effect on R2 and LUQ cells, B26-34 seems to mimick alpha-BCP1-8 and inhibit these neurons. Both peptides produce a membrane conductance increase in R2 and LUQ cells.