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RUVBL1/TIP49a/Pontin52 is a recently identified multi-functional protein with 2 ATP binding (WALKER) sites, which is essential for cell proliferation. We recovered and identified RUVBL1/TIP49a as a tubulin-binding protein from Triton X-100 lysates of U937 promonocytic cells by protein affinity chromatography and tryptic peptide microsequencing. Performing co-immunoprecipitation using newly generated RUVBL1/TIP49a-specific antibodies (mAb and rabbit polyclonal Ab) and RUVBL1/TIP49a-GST fusion protein-pull down assays we demonstrate co-precipitation of alpha- and gamma tubulin with RUVBL1/TIP49a. Confocal immunoflourescence microscopy reveals that RUVBL1/TIP49a was present not only in the nucleus, as expected, but was also concentrated at the centrosome and at the mitotic spindle in colocalization with tubulin. The topology of RUVBL1/TIP49a at the mitotic spindle varied, depending on the mitotic stage. The protein was localized at the centrosome and at the polar and astral microtubules in metaphase, and was detectable at the zone of polar tubule interdigitation in anaphase B and telophase. During cytokinesis the protein reappeared at the area of decondensing chromosomes. Whereas preincubation of U937 cells with colcemid resulted in inhibition of mitotic spindle formation with subsequent loss of RUVBL1/TIP49a mitotic spindle staining, no relevant influence of colcemid on RUVBL1/TIP49a-tubulin binding was observed. An agonistic effect of RUVBL1/TIP49a on in vitro tubulin assembly is demonstrated. Our results reveal a new functional aspect of RUVBL1/TIP49a.

A variety of oncolytic viruses (OVs) are being tested in clinical trials for different human cancers. Although the innate immune response is critical as the first line of defense in thwarting viral infection of mammalian cells, little is known of this response in the context of OV therapy of tumors. Investigations of activities against a herpes simplex OV demonstrated that HSV-seronegative sera from rats, mice, and humans efficiently neutralize this OV in vitro. Although this neutralization is due to complement, activation of this innate host defense differs in its pathways among species routinely used in preclinical tumor trials. In rats, both natural immunoglobulins and mannan-binding lectin (MBL) activate complement against the OV, while in mice only MBL is relevant to this activation. However, in humans only natural immunoglobulins play a role in complement activity. Quantitative analyses confirm that in vivo complement depletion facilitates the initial infection of tumors by systemic OVs. Therefore, complement activation against oncolytic HSV vectors proceeds through different pathways in different species. These findings are relevant to preclinical rodent studies of OV therapy and their application to human clinical trials.

The cytotoxic T lymphocyte protease granzyme A induces caspase-independent cell death in which DNA single-strand nicking is observed instead of oligonucleosomal fragmentation. Granzyme A is a specific tryptase that concentrates in the nucleus of targeted cells and synergistically enhances DNA fragmentation induced by the caspase activator granzyme B. Here we show that granzyme A treatment of isolated nuclei enhances DNA accessibility to exogenous endonucleases. In vitro and after cell loading with perforin, GrnA completely degrades histone H1 and cleaves core histones into approximately 16-kDa fragments. Histone digestion provides a mechanism for unfolding compacted chromatin and facilitating endogenous DNase access to DNA during T cell and natural killer cell granule-mediated apoptosis.

We have cloned a novel pancreatic beta cell and neuroendocrine cell-specific calcium-binding protein termed secretagogin. The cDNA obtained by immunoscreening a human pancreatic cDNA library using the recently described murine monoclonal antibody D24 contains an open reading frame of 828 base pairs. This codes for a cytoplasmic protein with six putative EF finger hand calcium-binding motifs. The gene could be localized to chromosome 6 by alignment with GenBank genomic sequence data. Northern blot analysis demonstrated abundant expression of this protein in the pancreas and to a lesser extent in the thyroid, adrenal medulla, and cortex. In addition it was expressed in scant quantity in the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, small intestine, and colon). Thyroid tissue expression of secretagogin was restricted to C-cells. Using a sandwich capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with a detection limit of 6.5 pg/ml, considerable amounts of constitutively secreted protein could be measured in tissue culture supernatants of stably transfected RIN-5F and dog insulinoma (INS-H1) cell clones; however, in stably transfected Jurkat cells, the protein was only secreted upon CD3 stimulation. Functional analysis of transfected cell lines expressing secretagogin revealed an influence on calcium flux and cell proliferation. In RIN-5F cells, the antiproliferative effect is possibly due to secretagogin-triggered down-regulation of substance P transcription.

CD8+ lymphocytes are believed to be important in host defence against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1, inhibiting HIV-1 replication through both cytolytic and non-cytolytic pathways. The cytolytic pathway involves calcium-dependent exocytosis of perforin and granzyme proteases, as well as Fas-mediated programmed cell death, whereas the noncytolytic pathway involves the release of chemokines that prevent viral entry. Using granzyme A as a marker of cytolytic granule proteins, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha and RANTES as markers of HIV-1 inhibitory chemokines, we show that these two very different mediators of viral inhibition are both localized in the cytolytic granules of HIV-1-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Following antigen-specific activation, these mediators are secreted together, facilitating both lysis of virion-producing cells and the inhibition of free virus. In addition, RANTES, MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta are secreted by CTL as a macromolecular complex containing sulphated proteoglycans. This association appears to have a functional significance, because heparan sulphate facilitates RANTES inhibition of HIV-1 infection of monocytes.

Members of the CED-3/interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme (ICE) protease (caspase) family are synthesized as proforms, which are proteolytically cleaved and activated during apoptosis. We report here that caspase-2 (ICH-1/NEDD-2), a member of the ICE family, is activated during apoptosis by another ICE member, a caspase-3 (CPP32)-like protease(s). When cells are induced to undergo apoptosis, endogenous caspase-2 is first cleaved into three fragments of 32-33 kDa and 14 kDa, which are then further processed into 18- and 12-kDa active subunits. Up to 50 microM N-acetyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-aldehyde (DEVD-CHO), a caspase-3-preferred peptide inhibitor, inhibits caspase-2 activation and DNA fragmentation in vivo, but does not prevent loss of mitochondrial function, while higher concentrations of DEVD-CHO (50 microM) inhibit both. In comparison, although the activity of caspase-3 is very sensitive to the inhibition of DEVD-CHO (50 nM), inhibition of caspase-3 activation as marked by processing of the proform requires more than 100 microM DEVD-CHO. Our results suggest that the first cleavage of caspase-2 is accomplished by a caspase-3-like activity, and other ICE-like proteases less sensitive to DEVD-CHO may be responsible for activation of caspase-3 and loss of mitochondrial function.

The physiologic substrates of cytotoxic T lymphocyte granule-associated serine esterases (referred to hereafter as proteases or "granzymes"), and the role of these enzymes in cell-mediated activity remain unclear. We have developed an assay for possible ligands of the trypsin-like dimeric serine protease granzyme A based on Western immunoblotting techniques. This protein-binding assay demonstrates the selective binding of granzyme A to several proteins present in the target cell P815. The binding specificity is preserved when enzyme binding is performed in the presence of excess competing proteins, including such cationic species as lysozyme and RNase. Enzyme binding is inhibited, however, by heat or detergent inactivation of granzyme A. Subcellular fractionation of target cells shows that the nuclear fraction contains most granzyme A binding reactivity, which is recovered in the nuclear salt wash fraction. A protein with Mr = 100,000 and two closely migrating proteins with Mr = 35,000 and 38,000 are the predominant reactive moieties, and the N-terminal sequence of the 100-kDa protein confirmed that this protein was murine nucleolin. Incubation of granzyme A with nucleolin generates a discrete proteolytic cleavage product of Mr = 88,000. Since nucleolin is known to shuttle between nucleus and cytoplasm, the interaction of granzyme A and nucleolin may be important in the process of apoptosis which accompanies cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated lysis of target cells.

Clones of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) differ in their specific reactivity with diverse target cell antigens. To learn about the uniqueness of individual CTL clones we injected rats and mice with cloned CTL in an effort to prepare clone-specific antisera and to analyze the CTL surface molecules that were immunoprecipitated by these antisera. Three clones were studied. They were all derived from BALB.B mice and were specific for antigens encoded by the major histocompatibility complex of the H-2d haplotype. Antisera raised in rats against individual clones contained antibodies to lymphocyte function-associated antigen type 1 (LFA-1) and inhibited the cytotoxic activity of all of the clones. In contrast, BALB/c and BALB.K mice injected with individual clones consistently yielded alloantisera that were clone specific in their ability to inhibit CTL-mediated lysis of target cells (P815). In addition, these alloantisera immunoprecipitated from extracts of 125I-radiolabeled CTL a disulfide-bonded dimer consisting of approximately equal to 45-kilodalton subunits. This dimer resembles the putative T-cell antigen-recognition receptor recently identified in several laboratories. The alloantisera also immunoprecipitated CTL surface molecules that were associated with beta 2-microglobulin and that differed in apparent molecular mass (37-38 kilodaltons) in different clones.

The mechanisms that enable cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Tc cells) to destroy target cells are only vaguely understood. However, recent studies have identified in Tc cells1 and natural killer cells2 cytoplasmic granules that contain perform, a cytolytic protein that resembles the ninth component of complement (C9)3. Antigen-specific lysis of target cells, traditionally ascribed solely to Tc cells, has now also been demonstrated in some T-helper cell (Th cell) lines, referred to here as T helper–killer or Th/c cells4–6. We recently found a novel serine esterase that is present at greatly elevated levels in cloned murine Tc cell lines and one Th/c cell line, but not in two non-cytolytic Th cell lines7. These findings suggest that the serine esterase is involved in cytolytic activity and that a variety of effector cells share a common cytolytic mechanism. To explore the role of the serine esterase in this process, we have been studying additional properties of the enzyme in murine T cells. We show here that (1) it is a membrane-associated, disulphide-linked dimer, (2) it has trypsin-like properties but is not a general protease, (3) in density gradient centrifugation it sediments with perforin, (4) it is secreted by Tc cells during their cytolytic attack on target cells, and (5) antiserum to Tc-cell serine esterase reacts with the enzyme in Th/c cells.

Two antibody-secreting murine hybridomas, F1G3.1 and F2A11.5, have been established from B10.D2 mice immunized with cells from the murine cytotoxic T-lymphocyte clone G4. The two clones used, G4 and B10, were derived from BALB.B (H-2b) mice and the target antigen specificity of both maps to the Dd region of the murine H-2 complex. However, B10 has a lower affinity for the target cells, as shown by its lower specific killing of blasts and its higher susceptibility to blocking by anti-Lyt-2 monoclonal antibody 53-6.75. The monoclonal antibodies, F1G3.1 and F2A11.5, react only with cells from clone G4. Similarly, they block only the specific cytolysis mediated by G4; no effect on cytotoxicity mediated by B10 or by heterogeneous populations of cytotoxic T lymphocytes was found. F1G3.1, especially, is very active in stimulating G4 to secrete immune interferon; B10 in contrast did not show any induction on treatment with these monoclonal antibodies. The structure of the surface antigen on G4 cells recognized by these monoclonal antibodies was revealed by immunoprecipitation studies of radioiodinated cell surface proteins. A protein dimer could be identified with an apparent molecular size of 80,000 daltons consisting of monomers migrating as 42,000-dalton proteins on reduction. So far, electrophoresis in the presence of NaDodSO4 does not indicate any heterogeneity in the size of the monomers. This molecule can be distinguished from the Lyt-2 complex.

A small set of concanavalin A (Con A)-binding glycoproteins was isolated from the surface membrane of cloned cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and partly identified using monoclonal antibodies. The binding of Con A by these glycoproteins on the CTL surface results in the secretion of gamma-interferon and in blocking the effector functions of the cells-namely, antigen-specific and lectin-dependent cytotoxicity. The Con A is evidently bound tightly to some surface structures ("Con A-receptors") that are required for the activation and cytotoxic activity of CTL. To isolate and identify these receptors, antibodies to Con A were used. After Con A was allowed to bind to radiolabeled cloned CTL (labeled with 125I or [35S]methionine or 3H-labeled amino acids), the cells were washed thoroughly, lysed in detergents and anti-Con A antibodies were added to bind to the Con A-receptor complexes. The resulting aggregates were adsorbed with protein A-bearing Staphylococci and the receptors were then specifically released from the pelleted bacteria by alpha-methyl-D-mannoside and analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions. Eight to nine labeled components were seen by autoradiography and with the aid of monoclonal antibodies to known T-cell surface molecules, four were identified as T200, lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1, alpha- and beta-chains, and (on some clones) Lyt-2. Other components with Mr congruent to 160,000, 120,000, 46,000, 42,000, and 23,000 have not been identified. The procedures described here may have general application in the studies of the functional properties of other cell surface molecules.

Interferon (IFN) was found to be secreted by cloned lines of murine cytotoxic T lymphocytes in response to mitogenic or antigen specific stimulation. The IFN produced was shown to be of the immune type based on its sensitivity to pH 2.0 and on the ability of an antiserum to immune IFN to neutralize the antiviral activity.

Cytotoxic T (Tc) lymphocytes recognize and lyse target cells and are thought to serve as an important defence against viral infections and possibly against neoplasms. The nature of the receptors responsible for antigen recognition by these cells is becoming clearer, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for their cytolytic activity remain largely unknown. The possibility that proteases are involved in this process has been suggested by the effects of certain inhibitors. Here we demonstrate that clones of murine Tc cells possess considerable trypsin-like esterase activity when assayed by a sensitive colorimetric assay. This activity was blocked completely by two serine esterase inhibitors, diisopropylfluorophosphoridate (DFP) and phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (PMSF), but not by N alpha-tosyl lysyl chloromethyl ketone (TLCK). The use of 3H-DFP as an affinity-labelling reagent demonstrated that the esterase activity resides in a protein of relative molecular mass (Mr) 28,000 (28K). A wide variety of other lymphocytes, including those from thymus, spleen and lymph node, established lines of B cells and noncytotoxic T cells, and clones of T helper cells, had about 300-fold less esterase activity than the Tc-cell clones and far smaller amounts of the DFP-reactive 28K protein. However, in thymocytes the esterase activity increased 20-50-fold and the 28K protein became more prominent 4 days after these cells had been stimulated in vitro to generate Tc cells.

Con A at low concentrations strongly inhibits antigen-specific CTL activity in different allo- and syngeneic systems. The effect of Con A is shown to reflect direct interaction with high affinity Con A-binding receptors on the surface of CTLs. Preliminary results, involving immunoprecipitation of radiolabelled lymphocytes suggest that a critical protein is part of the T200 complex.