Streptavidin reduces oxygen quenching of biotinylated ruthenium(II) and palladium(II) complexes.

Transition metal complexes such as biotinylated ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridyl) and palladium(II) porphyrin show an increase in luminescence intensity and lifetime upon binding to streptavidin in aqueous solution. Here we show that this increase of luminescence lifetime and intensity are caused by the shielding of the transition metal complexes from dissolved oxygen through streptavidin rather than by hydrophobicity effects as recently claimed.

Shaping emission spectra of fluorescent molecules with single plasmonic nanoresonators.

We show that plasmonic nanoresonators composed of two gold nanoparticles change not only the intensity but also the spectral shape of the emission of fluorescent molecules. The plasmonic resonance frequency can be tuned by varying the distance between the nanoparticles, which allows us to selectively favor transitions of a fluorescent molecule to a specific vibrational ground state. Experimental data from correlated scattering and fluorescence microscopy agree well with calculations in the framework of generalized Mie theory. Our results show that the widely used description of a dye molecule near a metal surface as a mere two-level system is inadequate.

Moving nanoparticles with Raman scattering.

We show how to change optically the distance between two protein-linked gold nanoparticles by Raman-induced motion of the linker protein. Rayleigh scattering spectroscopy of the coupled-particle plasmon allows us to compare the inter-nanoparticle distance of individual protein-linked gold nanoparticle dimers before and after surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). We find that low-intensity (50 microW/microm2) laser light in resonance with the nanoparticle-dimer plasmon provokes a change of the inter-nanoparticle distance on the order of 0.5 nm whenever SERS from the proteins connecting the nanoparticles can be observed.

Automated amplified flow immunoassay for cocaine.

An amplified flow immunoassay (AFIA) was developed for cocaine, which combines a noncompetitive immunoenzymometric assay (IEMA) with an on-line detection of the enzyme label alkaline phosphatase (ALP) by a substrate-recycling biosensor. In the IEMA, the analyte cocaine first binds to a labeled polyclonal anti-cocaine antibody. Then, the excess labeled antibody is separated on an affinity column that contains a perfusion chromatography carrier modified by immobilized cocaine. The unbound complexes of the analyte cocaine with the ALP-labeled antibody are detected postcolumn. The detector senses phenol produced by ALP from phenyl phosphate. As detector, an amperometric substrate-recycling biosensor was used, which consists of a Clark-type oxygen electrode covered by tyrosinase and pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent glucose dehydrogenase. The lower limit of detection is 380 pM (38 fmol) for cocaine. The sampling rate is 26/h. Cocaine could be detected from "real samples" with an imprecision of +/- 10% (n = 3) and with a recovery of 49 +/- 3% for various concentrations. AFIA is generally important as a new approach for the fast detection of picomolar concentrations of haptens.

Mass spectrometric mapping of protein epitope structures of myocardial infarct markers myoglobin and troponin T.

Monoclonal antibodies are widely used analytical tools in biochemical research. The knowledge of their corresponding epitopes is of major interest. One possible approach for epitope characterization is the application of protein antigen proteolysis in combination with mass spectrometric peptide mapping analysis. Two complementary analytical strategies were applied: (a) limited proteolysis of antibody-bound antigen followed by removal of nonbound peptides and detachment of the antigenic peptides (epitope excision) and (b) enzymatic digest of the antigen followed by extraction of the antigenic peptides with the antibody and detachment of antigenic peptides after removal of nonbinding fragments (epitope extraction). In the few examples published so far, immobilized antibodies were used for these studies. In this study we present a method for characterization of the epitope sequences without prior immobilization of the monoclonal antibody. The separation of nonepitope peptides from antibody-bound peptides was carried out by ultrafiltration. The epitope and nonepitope fractions were analyzed by MALDI-MS without further purification, and the epitope sequences were identified. The method was developed using a model system consisting of the synthetic C-terminal cyanogen bromide fragment CB3 of myoglobin and the commercial monoclonal anti-myoglobin MG1. In further investigations the epitope sequence of a synthetic 32 amino acid peptide derived from heart muscle protein troponin T toward a monoclonal antibody MAb-M7, which was raised against the intact protein, was characterized. With this approach the epitope binding site of this antibody was determined, and selective shielding of potential cleavage sites in the immune complex could be observed. Furthermore, statements about the three-dimensional structure of the bound antigen were made.

Designation of antibodies and their derivatives. Suggestions for a general nomenclature--a discussion document.

A general nomenclature for antibodies and their derivatives is not yet available and this is reflected in publications and catalogues by an astonishing variety of designations for the same product. This article describes a nomenclature which has been used at Boehringer Mannheim for several years and has been adapted for general use.

Purification and structural characterization of LFA-1, a lymphocyte function-associated antigen, and Mac-1, a related macrophage differentiation antigen associated with the type three complement receptor.

LFA-1, an antigen associated with antigen-specific T lymphocyte-mediated killing, and Mac-1, a macrophage differentiation antigen associated with type three complement receptor function, contain alpha chains of Mr = 180,000 and 170,000, respectively, and beta chains of Mr = 95,000. The monoclonal antibodies defining these antigens do not cross-react. The LFA-1 and Mac-1 beta chains are highly homologous or identical, whereas the alpha chains are highly different by tyrosyl tryptic peptide mapping (Kürzinger, K., Ho, M. K., and Springer, T. A. (1982) Nature (Lond.) 296, 668-670). T lymphoma cell lines express LFA-1 but not Mac-1 as shown by immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation. Conversely, some macrophage-like lines express Mac-1 but not LFA-1. Other macrophage-like lines co-express Mac-1 and small amounts of LFA-1. Mac-1 and LFA-1 are present as separate molecules in these cells. [35S]Methionine and [[3H]glucosamine are incorporated into both alpha and beta chains of Mac-1 and LFA-1, showing both chains are endogenously synthesized and are glycoproteins. Cross-linking and two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis experiments show that in both Mac-1 and LFA-1 the alpha and beta chains are noncovalently associated in alpha 1 beta 1 quaternary structures. By quantitative immunofluorescence flow cytometry, the EL-4 T lymphoma and P388D1 macrophage-like lines were estimated to express 10(5) LFA-1 and 1.6 x 10(5) Mac-1 molecules/cell, respectively. From these sources the antigens have been purified to homogeneity in 200-400-micrograms quantities by monoclonal antibody affinity chromatography. The purified antigens contain only the alpha and beta subunits.

The molecular basis for cytolytic T lymphocyte function: analysis with blocking monoclonal antibodies.

During the past decade the mechanism of CTL-mediated killing has been resolved into 3 steps, and its cation requirements, and general nature have been well defined. However, biochemical understanding of the CTL-target interaction has made little progress. Recently, we have developed a monoclonal antibody (MAb) which blocks killing by binding to a previously undescribed molecule on the CTL membrane, a molecule which we therefore have termed lymphocyte function-associated antigen one (LFA-1). LFA-1 and Lyt-2,3 are the only presently identified sites for such blocking; antibodies to over a dozen other molecules expressed on the CTL do not block killing. Present evidence suggests that LFA-1 is crucial in the adhesive interaction of T cells with other cells (e.g., targets, macrophages, perhaps B cells) The continuing search for blocking MAbs provides a systematic way to link specific molecules with CTL function.

Na+-dependent uptake and release of taurine by neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells.

In neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells, a cell line of neuronal character, a saturable uptake system for taurine is found which displays high affinity and high capacity (km = 38 micro M, V = 1.25 nmol . mg-1 . min-1). Only the closely related structural analogues hypotaurine and beta-alanine are able to inhibit the transport of radioactively labeled taurine. Imipramine or haloperidol at 100 micro M effectively blocks taurine uptake. High-affinity taurine uptake shows an absolute and highly specific requirement for Na+. The hybrid cells internalize taurine very slowly and, with 1 mM extracellular taurine, attain a plateau only after more than 20 h, at which time approximately 34 mM labeled taurine has accumulated in the cytosol. Generally there is hardly any spontaneous release of accumulated taurine. Efflux can, however, be induced by increasing the intracellular Na+ content and is then accelerated by lowering the extracellular Na+ concentration. The hypothesis is forwarded that taurine may exert its function by driving the extrusion of Na+ in emergency situations.

A novel lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA-1): cellular distribution, quantitative expression, and structure.

We have previously described a monoclonal antibody (MAb), M7/14, which blocks a variety of T cell functions, including CTL-mediated killing, the mixed lymphocyte response, and antigen-specific proliferation. The antigen defined by M7/14 has been designated lymphocyte function-associated antigen one (LFA-1). In this report, LFA-1 has been studied as to cell distribution, surface abundance, structure, and in comparison to other CTL surface antigens, LFA-1 is expressed on lymphoid cells of both the T and the B lineages and on a large fraction of bone marrow cells, but not on exudate macrophages or nonlymphoid tissues. T cells express more LFA-1 than B cells, both in the unstimulated and stimulated states. Compared with unstimulated spleen cells, cytolytic T lymphocyte cell preparations (CTLP) and Con A blasts, but not LPS blasts, show increased LFA-1 expression relative to H-2, and for T cell-containing populations, Lyt-2. M7/14 MAb binds to about 1.5 X 10(4) and 7 X 10(4) LFA-1 sites per average spleen cell or CTLP cell, respectively. M7/14 Mab binds to cTLP in quantitites of 2.5-fold and ies 10.4-fold less than H-2 and Thy-1 Mab, respectively; since the latter have little or no effect on CTL function, inhibition of killing by M7/14 MAb is specific for the LFA-1 surface site. M7/14 MAb and a blocking Lyt-2 MAb are bound in similar quantities of CTLP. LFA-1 is a glycoprotein and consists of 2 noncovalently linked polypeptide chains of 180,000 and 95,000 Mr. The same molecular species as on CTL is present on other T cells and on B cells. The molecular structure and cell distribution of LFA-1 clearly distinguishes it from Lyt-2,3, Ly-5, T145, and T11, which were previously suggested to be either associated with the function of and/or present on the surface of CTL.

Lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1): a surface antigen distinct from Lyt-2,3 that participates in T lymphocyte-mediated killing.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) have been used to probe the relationship of cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) surface molecules to CTL function. Rat MAb to mouse CTL were generated. Twelve MAb so obtained gave preferential binding to T cells as compared to B cells, and three of these recognized previously undescribed surface polypeptides. These Mab and more broadly reactive and previously obtained MAb were tested for their ability to block CTL-mediated killing in the absence of complement. To ensure that any observed blocking was due to binding of MAb to the effector cell rather than the target cell, a xenogeneic mouse CTL anti-rat BN lymphoma target cell system was utilized (MAb and target cells both of rat origin). Of 24 MAb tested here, 21 had little or no effect on CTL function, including those to H-2, Thy-1, Lyt-1, Ly 5, Ly 6, Lgp 100, and at least six other defined antigens. We confirmed inhibition of killing with two MAb to Lyt-2,3. Another MAb, M7/14, gave profound and consistent blockade of CTL function. It was confirmed that M7/14 MAb blocks killing by binding to the mouse CTL and does not bind to the rat lymphoma target cells used for the CTL assay. The findings suggest that the antigen defined by M7/14, termed a lymphocyte function-associated antigen, LFA-1, participates in or is closely associated with the mechanism of CTL-mediated killing. LFA-1 contains two polypeptide chains of 180,000 and 95,000 Mr and is distinct from other described lymphocyte glycoproteins. LFA-1 thus represents both a previously undescribed lymphocyte surface antigen and molecular site for blockade of CTL-mediated killing.

Uptake and energy-dependent extrusion of calcium in neural cells in culture.

The metabolism of Ca2+ was studied in a neuronal model system, the clonal mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid cell line 108CC5. 1. Homogenates of the hybrid cells exhibit a specific activity of Ca2+-ATPase considerably higher than that of homogenates of the parental cells. 2. Uptake and release of 45Ca2+ by the hybrid cells display two and three distinct phases, respectively, and indicate that 40--50% of the cell-associated Ca2+ is located at the cell surface. 3. The influx of 45Ca2+ is insignificantly affected by Mg2+ or Na+, slightly diminished by Ba2+ or Sr2+, strongly inhibited by La3+, Co2+ or prenylamine, and considerably enhanced by high (i.e., depolarizing) concentrations of K+. The efflux of 45Ca2+ is reduced by La3+. 4. The hybrid cells tend to maintain Ca2+ homeostasis with an overall cellular Ca2+ concentration of 0.5--0.7 mM. At 1.8 mM Ca2+ in the medium this implies the necessity of an extrusion pump in the plasma membrane. 5. A reduction in the hybrid cells of the level of ATP is paralleled by a decline in the content of Ca2+. This can only be explained by the existence of energy-dependent intracellular Ca2+ stores that effectively compete for Ca2+ with a Ca2+ pump located in the plasma membrane. The internal stores are not identical with the mitochondria because mitochondrial inhibitors hardly change Ca2+ metabolism. 6. Micromolar concentrations of the ionophore A23187 can switch off the internal Ca2+ stores without affecting considerably the influx of Ca2+ through the plasma membrane. 7. With switched-off Ca2+ stores it is possible to increase the cellular Ca2+ content distinctly and to bring it back again to the control values in an ATP-dependent manner, i.e. to demonstrate the action of a Ca2+-extrusion pump in the plasma membrane. 8. Under some conditions active extrusion of Ca2+ depends not only on ATP but also on the presence of extracellular Na+. 9. Similar results as with hybrid cells are also obtained with rat glioma cells. The methodology of combining energy deprivation with the application of the ionophore A23187 is possibly generally applicable to obtain insight into the Ca2+ metabolism of various cell types.