Nucleation-controlled polymerization of human monoclonal immunoglobulin G cryoglobulins.

The kinetics of the polymerization of human monoclonal cryoimmunoglobulins at low temperature was investigated in temperature jump experiments by monitoring the changes in turbidity resulting from the scattering of incident light by the polymers. Above a critical concentration between 2 and 3 mg/ml, depending on the ionic strength, the kinetics were characterized by a concentration-dependent lag phase and initial rate of self-assembly. Under equilibrium conditions which favored polymerization, the only stable intermediate detected by analytical ultracentrifugation was the dimer. Although purified monomers were unable to self-associate at 4 degrees C, addition of trace amounts of autologous dimers promoted polymerization. The apparent rate of polymerization was shown to be slow (k = 4.7 X 10(-4) M-1 s-1), and the process was governed by an equilibrium constant of 4.6 X 10(4) M-1. The initial rate of self-assembly was proportional to the product of the monomer concentration and the concentration of promoter (i.e. dimer). The rate of depolymerization was three orders of magnitude greater than the rate of polymerization and was proportional to the concentration of polymers present. These results suggest that the polymerization of monoclonal cryoimmunoglobulins is a nucleation-controlled process in which dimerization is the rate-limiting step. Kinetic studies on the polymerization of Fab and F(ab')2 fragments from cryoimmunoglobulins and a comparison of cryogel ultrastructure by electron microscopy suggested that the interaction site between monomers is located in the Fab region. Since the polymerization of monomers was only induced by autologous dimers and not dimers from other cryoimmunoglobulins, it was concluded that the hypervariable regions play a specific role in the condensation reaction. The fact that one cryoimmunoglobulin has a well defined antibody activity against streptolysin O argued against a low temperature-induced auto-anti-idiotype mechanism. Reduction of the interchain disulfide bonds of the Fab fragments abolished their ability to polymerize, probably by inducing a conformational change a considerable distance away in the variable domains of the molecules.

The structure and binding characteristics of serum amyloid protein (9.5S alpha 1-glycoprotein).

No difference have been observed in the properties of amyloid P-component (AP) and its serum counterpart (SAP) which might account for the deposition of the former in amyloidosis. Purified by nonselective techniques, preparations of AP and SAP were shown to have similar molecular weights and peptide composition, identical morphology in the electron microscope (EM) and to be antigenically indistinguishable. Both proteins were soluble in EDTA but readily precipitated in the presence of calcium ions, forming characteristic two-dimensional arrays in the EM. In serum however, SAP was not aggregated and sedimented at 9.5S in Ca2+ as did the purified protein in EDTA. Precipitation of purified SAP by calcium could be prevented by pretreatment with acid hydrolysates of agarose or SP Sephadex, matrices for which SAP has a calcium-dependent affinity. It is proposed that SAP circulates in combination with a low molecular weight natural ligand which prevents its aggregation. While the identity of natural ligand for SAP is as yet unknown, it is likely to resemble the glycosidic subunits in agarose.

Effects of acute hepatic ischemia on the electrophoretic patterns of the polypeptides and phosphopolypeptides of the microsomal membrane fraction of rat liver.

The purpose of this study was to establish when alterations of the electrophoretic patterns of the polypeptides and phosphopolypeptides of the microsomal membrane fraction of the livers of rats become observable after initiation of acute hepatic ischemia. Ischemia was initiated by clamping the vascular supply to the left and median lobes of the livers of adult male rats. The animals were killed at various times thereafter (up to 6 h, and in certain instances, 24 h) and microsomal membrane fractions were prepared from each. The patterns of the polypeptides and phosphopolypeptides of these fractions were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulfate--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, using staining with Coomassie blue to analyse the polypeptides and radioautography to analyse 32P-labelled phosphopolypeptides. Alterations of the polypeptide pattern were apparent in the fractions from animals killed at 4 h and after; prior to this time point, subtle alterations, at most, could be distinguished. Effects of acute ischemia on the pattern of phosphopolypeptides of the microsomal membrane fraction were studied after phosphorylation in vivo (produced by intraperitoneal injection of [32P]phosphoric acid) and in vitro (using [gamma-32P]ATP as phosphate donor). No marked changes in the phosphopolypeptide pattern produced by phosphorylation in vivo were observed until 6 h after clamping, by which time a diminution of the radioactivity in the majority of the phosphopolypeptides was evident. However, noteworthy alterations of the pattern of phosphopolypeptides produced by phosphorylation in vitro were observable in the membrane fractions from animals subjected to 2 h of ischemia. Overall the study provides a base line delineating the time sequence during which alterations of the electrophoretic patterns of the polypeptides and phosphopolypeptides of rat liver microsomal membranes become evident following the onset of acute hepatic ischemia and reveals that gross alterations of the polypeptide patterns of these membranes and of certain other subcellular fractions are not an early occurrence following this severe type of injury. The possible utility of the application of phosphorylation in vitro for detecting early alterations in membrane structure following cell injury is suggested.

Enhanced sensitivity of tumorigenic cells to rapid rounding induced by phenylalaninol.

This study describes a rounding reaction induced in mammalian cells by the addition of phenylalaninol. In the Chinese hamster ovary tsH1 line the rounding occurred rapidly with a half time of 1 min at 25 mM phenylalaninol. After the removal of phenylalaninol, the rounding was reversed, leading to the reflattening of the cells with a half-time of 3.5 min. Rounding was inhibited by dibutyryl-cAMP and testosterone, and reflattening by cytochalasin B. Either in the case of the tsH1 line and its growth-control revertant GRC+L-73, or in the case of SV40-transformed and untransformed human WI-38 cells, the transformed cells displayed a weakened resistance toward rounding. Likewise rat cells transformed by th highly oncogenic adenovirus-12 were more sensitive to rounding than cells transformed by the poorly oncogenic adenovirus-5, which in turn were more sensitive than untransformed cells. However, drug-resistant cell-surface mutants of the Chinese hamster ovary GAT- line also exhibited an altered sensitivity to rounding. These findings suggest that more than one cellular component determines cellular sensitivity to phenylalaninol-induced rounding. One of these components is specifically altered, giving rise to an enhanced sensitivity, in the course of tumorigenic transformation.

Electron microscopy of serum amyloid protein in the presence of calcium; alternative forms of assembly of pentagonal molecules in two-dimensional lattices.

The P component is a protein believed to be of serum origin commonly found in the highly ordered proteinaceous tissue deposits called amyloid. Both the protein recovered from the tissue and its serum counterpart have an identical characteristic appearance in the electron microscope, consisting of pentagonal plates which are often assembled as columns of stacked discs. These images, seen in the absence of calcium, are replaced by three more complex assemblies when low concentrations of calcium are present. One of the structures is crystalline (III), the other two appear to be planar lattices, one having a distinguishable structure with threefold symmetry (1). The structural elements of the other lattice (II) which takes the form of a cylinder are less distinct. It is suggested that the regular arrays which P component forms in the presence of calcium may be the basic framework on which amyloid deposits form.

The ultrastructure of C1t, a subcomponent of the first component of complement: an E.M. and ultracentrifuge study.

C1t is a 9.5 S alpha1 glycoprotein that has been shown to be a fourth subcomponent of the first component of complement. The m.w. of C1t was found to be 233,000 by sedimentation equilibrium in the ultracentrifuge. A subunit m.w. of 23,000 was obtained by sedimentation equilibrium in 5.95 M guanidinium chloride. No change in either m.w. was produced by prior reduction and alkylation. In the electron microscope characteristic pentagonal figures of 85 A diameter were observed together with rod-like figures which appear to be stacked assemblies of the pentagonal figures. These observations lead us to propose that C1t is a noncovalent, decameric protein with the subunits disposed at the vertices of two regular pentagons joined at one of their faces. A possible relationship between C1t and the P-component of amyloid is discussed.

Redistribution of the Fc receptor on human blood monocytes and peritoneal macrophages induced by immunoglobulin G-sensitized erythrocytes.

The Fc receptor is a plasma membrane component exhibiting an affinity for the C gamma 3 domain of certain subclasses of immunoglobulin G. Using anti-Rho (D)-sensitized red cells (EA) in a slide rosette technique, we have demonstrated a translational mobility and polar redistribution of this receptor on the human blood monocyte and peritoneal macrophage. These cells, isolated from venous blood and malignant ascites and identified histochemically, showed a time- and temperature-dependent receptor capping defined by binding six or more EA confined to the cell half-perimeter. Caps formed in serum were mainly extreme caps in which bound EA appeared as a morula contiguous with the adherent cell. At 21 degrees C and 37 degrees C in serum 80% live rosettes formed caps; virtually none formed at 4 degrees C and about 25% were seen in PBS at 21 degrees C. Similarly, 10% extreme caps in PBS and 60 and 70% in serum were seen at room temperature and 37 degrees C, respectively, suggesting a serum factor(s) was important in promoting live rosette capping. Capping was reversibly inhibited by sodium azide although inhibition was incomplete even at 0.1 M, a concentration 10-fold higher than that giving complete inhibition of lymphocyte antigen-receptor capping. Azide also induced reversion of capped rosettes to diffuse, noncapped rosettes, and to levels comparable to those seen in inhibition studies. Re-exposure to EA after rosette capping failed to increase either the proportion of cells forming rosettes or the fullness of such rosettes indicating a critical number of receptors had been capped. Live rosettes induced a spherocytosis in bound EA irrespective of capping status; such changes appeared early in PBS where capping was minimal. Dead cells bore EA as normal biconcave discs. Some rosetting EA were ultimately hemolyzed upon prolonged incubation, and erythrophagocytosis was seen in about 15% of capped rosettes at 37 degrees C.

Perturbation of lecithin bilayer structure by globoside.

The ultrastructure of aggregates formed by mixtures of pig erythrocyte lecithin, cholesterol and globoside in aqueous systems was studied by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Globoside and lecithin in up to equimolar amounts formed a lamellar mesophase, although the structure of the lamellae was perturbed. Mixtures containing excess globoside formed complex tubular or reticular aggregates. Cholesterol appeared to promote mixing of lecithin and globoside. The flexibility gradient of the hydrocarbon (hc) region of the lipid bilayers was studied using electron spin resonance (esr) spectroscopy of various nitroxide-labelled stearic acid probes. Globoside in equimolar amounts greatly perturbed the order parameters of lecithin bilayers, reducing the fluidity of the hc region and flattening the flexibility gradient near the polar (p) surface. The effect of globoside on lecithin-cholesterol bilayers was not so pronounced, since the latter was already more ordered than lecithin bilayers. A phase transition of pure globoside at 55 degrees C, involving 'melting' of the hc chains was also detected using X-ray and esr spectroscopic techniques. The interbilayer spacing, dw, of equimolar lecithin-globoside lamellar phase increased by 42% from that of lecithin bilayers, indicating that the glycolipid p group may increase the net repulsive force between bilayers, as was previously predicted theoretically.

The effect of EDTA, cations, and various buffers on the morphology of erythrocyte membranes: an electron-microscopic study.

Membranes of human erythrocytes were prepared by stepwise osmotic hemolysis in Ca2+-free solutions. Examination with the electron microscope after negative staining showed some short, conelike protuberances on the surface of about 20 percent of the ghosts, while 80 percent were round, intact spheres. After Ca2+ treatment, all membranes were round and intact. After exposure to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (1.0 mM, pH 7.4), the entire ghost surface was covered with long, thin extrusions called stromalytic forms (about 460 per cell). Their sizes, shapes, and fine structure are described. Exposure to ionic calcium (1.4 times 10-minus 4M) abolished the EDTA-induced stromalytic forms. A second exposure to EDTA reversed this Ca2+ effect. ATP, like EDTA, produced stromalytic forms. EDTA-induced stromalytic forms were also abolished by Zn2+, La3+, and Nd3+ at concentrations of 1-5 times 10-minus 4 M. Mg2+ at 10-minus 2 M was ineffective. Ghosts were prepared by graded lysis in various buffers. Those prepared in phosphate were the most stable and provided consistent EDTA effects and Ca2+ reversal. Ghosts in Tris-HCl showed breakdown unless salt was added. Moderately satisfactory ghosts were also obtained in Hepes-NaOH buffer and salt.

Lysolecithin-cholesterol interaction. A spin-resonance and electron-micrographic study.

Another publication (rand, R. P., Pangborn, W., Purdon, A. D., and Tinker, D. O.(1975) Can. j. Biochem. 53, 189-195) has established that lysolecithin and cholesterol interact to form an equimolar complex. We have investigated this complex using the techniques of electron spin resonance (e.s.r) and electronmicroscopy. By varying the cholesterol concentration with lysolecithin in both thin films and dispersions studied by these techniques, we have observed the interaction between lysolecithin and equimolar complex below 50 mol % cholesterol, and between crystalline cholesterol and equimolar complex above 50 mol % cholesterol. We have observed an interesting alteration in morphology by electron microscopy, and an isotropic to anisotropic spectral change using 3-dosylcholestane and 12-doxylstearic acid spin-labelled probes when the cholesterol concentration is increased from 20 to 33 mol %. The equimolar complex is stable in the presence of crystalline cholesterol, and exhibits no phase changes in the physiological temperature range. Implications for membrane structure are discussed.