Identification of the polypeptides encoded in the ATPase 6 gene and in the unassigned reading frames 1 and 3 of human mtDNA.

Antibodies prepared against chemically synthesized peptides predicted from the DNA sequence have been used to identify the polypeptides encoded in the ATPase 6 gene and in unidentified reading frames (URFs) 1 and 3 of human mtDNA. In particular, antibodies directed against the COOH-terminal nonapeptide of the putative polypeptide encoded in the ATPase 6 reading frame immunoprecipitated specifically component 17 of the HeLa cell mitochondrial translation products, the reaction being inhibited by the specific peptide. Similarly, antibodies directed against the COOH-terminal undecapeptide of the putative URF1 product or against the COOH-terminal heptapeptide of the presumptive URF3 product were effective in immunoprecipitating specifically component 12 or, respectively, component 24 of the mitochondrial translation products. The sizes of proteins 17, 12, and 24, as estimated from their electrophoretic mobilities, are compatible with their being the products of the ATPase 6 gene, URF1, and URF3, respectively.     

Triplet structure of von Willebrand factor reflects proteolytic degradation of high molecular weight multimers.

High molecular weight (HMW) and low molecular weight (LMW) forms of von Willebrand factor (vWF) were isolated from normal human plasma in the presence of protease inhibitors. HMW and LMW vWF preparations were subjected to reduction of interdimeric disulfide bridges under mild reducing conditions. Following sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis in 3% agarose, the vWF bands were detected by immunoblotting with a polyclonal rabbit anti-vWF antiserum as well as with two monoclonal antibodies directed against epitopes located in the NH2-terminal (MAb 418) or in the COOH-terminal (MAb 9) region of the vWF subunit. Our results suggest that the slowest migrating band of the dimeric triplet set of LMW vWF represents an asymmetric structure composed of an intact subunit to which one NH2-terminal and one COOH-terminal fragment are linked by disulfide bridges. The intermediate band of the first triplet of LMW vWF strongly reacted with MAb 9 but not with MAb 418, indicating that it represents a dimer of COOH-terminal fragments. The fastest migrating band of the same triplet is apparently a dimer of the NH2-terminal fragments because it reacted with MAb 418 but not with MAb 9. Each next higher family of triplets seems to contain one more asymmetric fragment of dimeric size. These results are compatible with a model according to which LMW forms of vWF are derived from HMW vWF by proteolytic cleavage in the circulating blood.     

Novel activity of human angiotensin I converting enzyme: release of the NH2- and COOH-terminal tripeptides from the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone.

Angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE; kininase II; peptidyldipeptide hydrolase, EC 3.4.15.1) cleaves COOH-terminal dipeptides from active peptides containing a free COOH terminus. We investigated the hydrolysis of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) by homogeneous human ACE. Although this decapeptide is blocked at both the NH2 and COOH termini, it was metabolized to several peptides, which were separated by HPLC and identified by amino acid analysis. A major product was the NH2-terminal tripeptide, less than Glu-His-Trp, and another was LH-RH-(4-10) heptapeptide, indicating that the Trp-Ser bond is cleaved to release the NH2-terminal tripeptide. ACE also released the COOH-terminal tripeptide, Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2, and then sequentially the dipeptides Gly-Leu and Ser-Try, leaving less than Glu-His-Trp intact. Thus, less than Glu-His-Trp was formed by both NH2- and COOH-terminal hydrolysis. The cleavage of LH-RH was inhibited by specific ACE inhibitors and by antibody to ACE but not by inhibitors of other enzymes, showing that the hydrolysis was indeed due to ACE. In the absence of chloride, the hydrolysis proceeded at only 16% of the maximal rate (in 500 mM NaCl), but in 10 mM NaCl it increased to 64%. In 500 mM NaCl solution, 86% of the hydrolysis was accounted for by the release of the NH2-terminal tripeptide, whereas in 10 mM NaCl, the COOH-terminal and NH2-terminal cleavage occurred about equally. The Km of LH-RH in 500 mM NaCl was 167 microM and the catalytic constant kcat was 210 min-1. When the NH2-terminal pyroglutamic acid was replaced with glutamic acid ([Glu1]LH-RH), ACE liberated almost exclusively the COOH-terminal tripeptide in 10 mM NaCl. Thus, human ACE, although it is named peptidyl dipeptidase or dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase, can cleave a protected peptide at the NH2 or COOH terminus. The enzyme could be involved in the in vivo metabolism of LH-RH and possibly other blocked peptides.     

Evidence for regulation of reinitiation in translational control of GCN4 mRNA.

Translational control of the GCN4 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is mediated by four upstream open reading frames (URFs) present in the leader of GCN4 mRNA. URFs 3 and 4 efficiently repress GCN4 expression in normal growth conditions; URFs 1 and 2 are required to overcome this repression in amino acid-starved cells. lacZ fusions to URFs 3 and 4 were used to determine the translational event that is regulated at these sequences by URFs 1 and 2. URF3-lacZ, URF4-lacZ, and GCN4-lacZ fusions are affected similarly by URFs 1 and 2 when no other URFs are present in the leader: expression from all three fusions is reduced by an amount slightly greater in repressing than in derepressing conditions. These results are inconsistent with models that postulate a differential effect of URFs 1 and 2 on initiation or elongation rates at URFs 3 and 4 versus the GCN4 coding sequences. We propose that the efficiency of reinitiation at the GCN4 AUG codon after translation of URFs 3 and 4 is the translational event that is stimulated in derepressing conditions by URFs 1 and 2.     

Interchain disulfide bonds in procollagen are located in a large nontriple-helical COOH-terminal domain.

Tadpole collagenase (EC 3.4.24.3) cleaved chick cranial bone procollagen into two triple-stranded fragments, PCA and PCB. Only PCB, with an estimated molecular weight of about 60,000 for each component chain after reduction, was found to contain interchain disulfide bonds. The analogous cleavage of collagen is known to produce a large NH2-terminal fragment with a molecular weight of 70,000 for each chain and a small COOH-terminal fragment containing chains of about 25,000 molecular weight. Since PCB was too small to represent the product NH2-terminal to the site of collagenase cleavage, localization of interchain disulfide bonds to a COOH-terminal domain in procollagen was indicated. This assignment was conformed by Dintzis-type short-term labeling experiments. Procollagen obtained by acid extraction of bone lacked the COOH-terminal disulfide-bonded domain. The findings support a model for procollagen consisting of three proalpha chains each containing nonhelical NH2-terminal extensions of 20,000 molecular weight and COOH-terminal extensions of about 35,000 molecular weight, the latter linked by interchani disulfide bonds.     

Envelope proteins of human T-cell leukemia virus: expression in Escherichia coli and its application to studies of env gene functions.

The DNA fragments of the 5' and 3' halves of the putative env gene predicted from the DNA sequence of human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV) provirus were inserted into expression vectors pORF2 and pORF1, respectively, and two hybrid proteins composed of env polypeptides and beta-galactosidase were efficiently produced in Escherichia coli. The hybrid proteins containing the NH2-terminal (EH9) and COOH-terminal (EA1) halves were both immunologically reactive with sera from adult T-cell leukemia patients, demonstrating the utility of the hybrid proteins for diagnosis of HTLV infection. Rabbit antisera against these hybrid proteins detected the two glycoproteins gp62 and gp46, which were previously identified as HTLV env gene products. With these rabbit antisera, two properties of the env gene products were studied. (i) The antisera inhibited syncytia formation of cat S+L- cells induced by HTLV, suggesting that one or both of the env gene products of HTLV, gp62 and gp46, are involved in induction of cell fusion. (ii) The env product gp62 or gp46 or both products are exposed on the surface of HTLV-infected cells and might modulate the proliferation of HTLV-infected T cells in the host because the antisera against the hybrid proteins were cytotoxic on HTLV-producing cell lines. The latter conclusion also is supported by the fact that adult T-cell leukemia patients and healthy HTLV carriers have antibodies to the env gene products.     

Cleavage of the site-specific recombination protein gamma delta resolvase: the smaller of two fragments binds DNA specifically.

The 20,500-dalton gamma delta resolvase monomer can be cleaved by chymotrypsin into a 5000-dalton COOH-terminal fragment and a 15,500-dalton NH2-terminal fragment that have been purified. Two crystal forms of the large fragment have been obtained, one of which is isomorphous with crystals of the native protein, showing that the large fragment makes the protein-protein contacts in the crystal and that the small fragment is segmentally disordered relative to the large fragment. Nuclease protection demonstrates that the small fragment binds specifically to all three DNA binding sites protected by resolvase. However, unlike native resolvase, which binds to all three complete sites with equal affinity, the small fragment binds to each of the six half sites with a different affinity. It has not been possible to demonstrate specific DNA binding of the larger fragment. Thus, resolvase has a modular construction analogous to that found for some repressors and activators; its COOH-terminal domain recognizes specific sequences in the DNA and its NH2-terminal domain mediates protein-protein interactions and probably has the enzymatic activity.     

Study of an octadecaneuropeptide derived from diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI): biological activity and presence in rat brain.

An endogenous brain neuropeptide with 104 amino acid residues that modulates gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor function was termed DBI because it displaces diazepam from its specific brain binding sites. Tryptic digestion of DBI generates an octadecaneuropeptide (ODN) that is more potent than the parent compound in the displacement of specifically bound beta-[3H]carboline-3-carboxylate methyl ester [( 3H]BCCM) and in proconflict action (Vogel test in thirsty rats). The proconflict action of ODN is antagonized by the imidobenzodiazepinone Ro 15-1788, which is a specific antagonist of beta-carboline and benzodiazepine recognition sites. The ODN amino acid sequence is Gln-Ala-Thr-Val-Gly-Asp-Val-Asn-Thr-Asp-Arg-Pro-Gly-Leu-Leu-Asp-Leu-Lys. The pharmacological properties associated with this sequence were confirmed by comparing the activity of ODN generated from tryptic digestion of DBI with that of ODN obtained by synthesis. Amidation of the terminal lysine of ODN produces a peptide (ODN-NH2) devoid of pharmacological activity. Three peptides containing the COOH-terminal segment of ODN were synthesized. All these peptides [Arg-Pro-Gly-Leu-Leu-Asp-Leu-Lys (octapeptide), Pro-Gly-Leu-Leu-Asp-Leu-Lys (heptapeptide), and Gly-Leu-Leu-Asp-Leu-Lys (hexapeptide)] express the displacing and proconflict actions of ODN. In primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells of rat, DBI, ODN, octapeptide, heptapeptide, and hexapeptide preferentially displace [3H]BCCM over [3H]flunitrazepam; moreover, they displace bound [3H]BCCM completely but [3H]flunitrazepam only by 50%. These data suggest that ODN includes a specific ligand for the gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor regulatory site occupied by beta-carbolines. Using rabbit antibodies directed against the NH2-terminal portion of ODN, we detected ODN-like material in rat brain homogenates. However, whether this material is identical to the ODN generated by tryptic digestion of DBI remains to be established.     

Messenger RNA of opsin from bovine retina: Isolation and partial sequence of the in vitro translation product

Opsin, the apoprotein of the visual pigment rhodopsin, is synthesized on membranes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and subsequently passes through the Golgi apparatus to the rod outer segment. This pathway parallels the early stages of biosynthesis of some secretory proteins and viral membrane glycoproteins. Most of these proteins are initially synthesized as precursor molecules with a short-lived hydrophobic extra peptide segment at the NH(2) terminus. Therefore we investigated whether or not the immediate translation product of opsin mRNA contains a similar short-lived NH(2)-terminal extra peptide. The mRNA coding for opsin was isolated from bovine retina polysomes precipitated by antibodies to opsin. The mRNA directed the cell-free synthesis of a protein comparable in size to opsin that was specifically precipitated by anti-opsin antibodies. Sequence analyses of the immunoprecipitated protein labeled with six radioactive amino acids (Met, Asn, Pro, Phe, Tyr, Val) provided the following result: [Formula: see text] (X is unknown). This partial sequence of the cell-free product corresponds exactly to the published NH(2)-terminal segment of native opsin (21 residues long) and extends beyond this region. Met-1 was shown to be the initiator methionine residue, because only the initiator [(35)S]Met-tRNA(1) (Met)-not the internal [(35)S]Met-tRNA(2) (Met)-donated the NH(2)-terminal methionine. This finding essentially rules out the possibility that Met-1 was preceded by a peptide that was rapidly cleaved. Thus opsin, and not a precursor, is the immediate product of opsin mRNA translation.     

Fusion protein of the paramyxovirus simian virus 5: nucleotide sequence of mRNA predicts a highly hydrophobic glycoprotein.

The nucleotide sequence of the mRNA coding for the fusion glycoprotein (F) of the paramyxovirus, simian virus 5, has been obtained. There is a single large open reading frame on the mRNA that encodes a protein of 529 amino acids with a molecular weight of 56,531. The proteolytic cleavage/activation site of F, to yield F2 and F1, contains five arginine residues. Six potential glycosylation sites were identified in the protein, two on F2 and four on F1. The deduced amino acid sequence indicates that F is extensively hydrophobic over the length of the polypeptide chain. Three regions are very hydrophobic and could interact directly with membranes: these are the NH2-terminal putative signal peptide, the COOH-terminal putative membrane anchorage domain, and the NH2-terminal region of F1.     

Evaluation of NH2-terminus gastrins in gastrinoma syndrome

Forty-six patients with the gastrinoma syndrome were divided into 2 categories: 1) benign sporadic gastrinoma (n = 30), and 2) gastrinoma with metastases to liver (n = 16). Thirteen of the 46 patients had multiple endocrine neoplasia type I syndrome. Serum gastrin levels in patients fasted overnight were determined by RIA using antisera directed toward the NH2- and COOH-terminals of heptadecapeptide gastrin (G17) and the NH2-terminus of the triacontatetrapeptide (G34). These results were compared with findings in 50 normal subjects. In the normal subjects, the mean COOH-terminal gastrin-17 level was higher [65 +/- 8 (+/- SEM) pg/ml] than the NH2-terminal gastrin-17 level (11 +/- 0.2 pg/ml) and lower than the NH2-terminal gastrin-34 level (134 +/- 20 pg/ml). The levels of NH2-terminal gastrin-17 were higher in patients with metastatic disease than in those with benign gastrinoma, whereas the COOH-terminal gastrin-17 and the NH2-terminal gastrin-34 levels were similarly high in both groups. The mean ratio of NH2-terminal gastrin-17 to COOH-terminal gastrin-17 was less than 1 in normal subjects (0.22 +/- 0.02) and benign gastrinoma patients (0.2 +/- 0.04), and it was 2.2 +/- 0.41 in the patients with metastatic gastrinoma. An NH2 to COOH gastrin-17 ratio greater than 1 was found in 13 of 16 patients with metastatic gastrinoma, but in none of the patients with benign gastrinoma or normal subjects. Similar results were found in multiple endocrine neoplasia type I patients with benign and metastatic disease. A high NH2 to COOH gastrin-17 ratio is suggestive of metastatic gastrinoma. In 4 patients with metastatic gastrinoma, the NH2 to COOH gastrin-17 ratio fell in parallel with the response to chemotherapy.     

Cloning and characterization of cDNAs encoding the complete sequence of decay-accelerating factor of human complement.

cDNAs encoding the complement decay-accelerating factor (DAF) were isolated from HeLa and differentiated HL-60 lambda gt cDNA libraries by screening with a codon preference oligonucleotide corresponding to DAF NH2-terminal amino acids 3-14. The composite cDNA sequence showed a 347-amino acid protein preceded by an NH2-terminal leader peptide sequence. The translated sequence beginning at the DAF NH2 terminus encodes four contiguous approximately equal to 61-amino acid long repetitive units of internal homology. The repetitive regions contain four conserved cysteines, one proline, one glycine, one glycine/alanine, four leucines/isoleucines/valines, one serine, three tyrosines/phenylalanines, and one tryptophan and show striking homology to similar regions previously identified in factor B, C2, C4 binding protein, factor H, C1r, factor XIII, interleukin 2 receptor, and serum beta 2-glycoprotein I. The consensus repeats are attached to a 70-amino acid long segment rich in serine and threonine (potential O-glycosylation sites), which is in turn followed by a stretch of hydrophobic amino acids. RNA blot analysis of HeLa and HL-60 RNA revealed three DAF mRNA species of 3.1, 2.7, and 2.0 kilobases. The results indicate that portions of the DAF gene may have evolved from a DNA element common to the above proteins, that DAF cDNA predicts a COOH-terminal anchoring polypeptide, and that distinct species of DAF message are elaborated in cells.     

Post-translational processing of cholecystokinin in pig brain and gut.

A sequential extraction method employing methanol extraction of the COOH-terminal fragments of cholecystokinin (CCK) from pig tissues followed by HCl extraction of intact CCK and its NH2-terminal fragments is described. Radioimmunoassay of extracts and their fractionation by Sephadex chromatography and HPLC demonstrate that the distributions of COOH-terminal and NH2-terminal immunoreactivities among various regions of brain are similar and independent of the concentrations in individual regions. The distribution in gut differs from that in brain. Greatest concentrations of CCK immunoreactivity are located in cortical tissue in the brain and in duodenal mucosa in gut. Both brain and gut contain CCK octapeptide (CCK8) and an NH2-terminal fragment that is likely to be desoctapeptide-CCK33. Intact CCK33 is extractable from gut but not from brain. Brain contains another NH2-terminal immunoreactive molecule lacking COOH-terminal immunoreactivity that may be a peptide with a COOH-terminal extension, as has been described for gastrin, or one that may not be derived from a CCK33-like precursor. This peptide is much less prominent in gut, or may be nonexistent there. The failure to find CCK33 in the brain and the presence in the brain of this as-yet-uncharacterized NH2-terminal peptide raises the question as to whether the differences between neuronal and mucosal tissues are a consequence of differences in post-translational processing or in the DNA templates.     

Differential effects of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-3 and its proteolytic fragments on ligand binding, cell surface association, and IGF-I receptor signaling

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), the predominant IGF carrier protein in circulation, is posttranslationally modified in vivo by IGFBP-3 protease(s) into a number of fragments. Based on the ascertained and predicted recognition sites for known IGFBP-3 proteases, FLAG-epitope tagged intact IGFBP-3, NH2-terminal (1-97), intermediate fragment (88-148), and COOH-terminal fragments (98-264) and (184-264) were generated in a baculovirus and/or Escherichia coli expression system and examined, by Western ligand blot and affinity cross-linking assays, for their ability to bind IGF and insulin. The NH2- and COOH-terminal fragments bound both IGF and insulin specifically (albeit with significantly reduced affinity) for IGF but higher affinity for insulin, when compared with intact IGFBP-3. The effect of IGFBP-3 and the fragments on IGF-I receptor (IGFIR) signaling pathways was studied by testing IGF-I-induced receptor autophosphorylation in IGFIR-overexpressing NIH-3T3 cells. IGFBP-3 showed a dose-dependent inhibition of autophosphorylation of the beta-subunit of IGFIR. The (1-97)NH2-terminal fragment inhibited IGFIR autophosphorylation at high concentrations, and this effect seems largely attributable to sequestration of IGF-I. In contrast, no inhibition of IGF-I-induced IGFIR autophosphorylation was detectable with the (98-264) and (184-264) COOH-terminal fragments, despite their ability to bind IGF. However, unlike the (1-97)NH2-terminal fragment, the COOH-terminal fragments of IGFBP-3 retained their ability to associate with the cell surface, and this binding was competed by heparin, similar to intact IGFBP-3.     

Molecular cloning and chromosomal localization of human 4-beta-galactosyltransferase.

A cDNA clone to human 4-beta-galactosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.38) was isolated from a human liver lambda gt11 expression library by using a monospecific polyclonal antiserum to affinity-purified bovine enzyme. The authenticity of this cDNA clone has been demonstrated by several criteria. Under conditions of chronic treatment with the beta-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol, rat parotid glands show an approximately 10-fold increase in 4-beta-galactosyltransferase activity. The increased enzyme activity was reflected in dot-blot analysis of control and isoproterenol-treated rat parotid RNA by using the human cDNA as probe. Hybrid-selection and in vitro translation identified a protein product with a molecular mass of 47 kDa that was immunoprecipitated with the bovine antiserum. The full-length human cDNA clone was then isolated and the DNA sequence for the NH2-terminal portion of the protein was deduced. Comparison of the NH2-terminal protein sequence from the bovine protein with that of the human cDNA clone confirmed its identity. In addition, the human cDNA clone was used to localize the gene for 4-beta-galactosyltransferase to human chromosome 4 by Southern analysis of a somatic cell hybrid panel.     

Immunocytochemical identification of the proopiocortin-producing cells in the chum salmon pituitary with antisera to endorphin and NH2-terminal peptide of salmon proopiocortin

The proopiocortin-containing cells were identified immunocytochemically in the chum salmon pituitary using specific antibodies raised against NH2-terminal peptide (sNPP) and COOH-terminal peptide, endorphin (sEP), of salmon proopiocortin. Immunoreactivity for both sNPP and sEP was observed in the same cells, melanotrops, in the pars intermedia. In the pars distalis, on the other hand, corticotrops were stained only with antibody to sNPP but not with that to sEP. The present results indicate that proopiocortin or a precursor molecule for NH2-terminal peptide and endorphin is biosynthesized in both melanotrops of the pars intermedia and corticotrops of the pars distalis. However, the absence of immunoreactivity of corticotrops with sEP antibody suggests that the processing of the precursor molecule in the pars distalis differs significantly from that in the pars intermedia in the chum salmon pituitary as the processings established in the two lobes in the mammalian pituitaries.     

Platelet surface antigens: Analysis by monoclonal antibodies

Summary Monoclonal antibodies were produced against human platelets. Four antibodies (PA1, PA2, PA3 and PA4) reacted specifically with platelets and megakaryocytes, but not with peripheral blood lymphocytes, granulocytes, erythrocytes or monocytes. The antibodies belonged to the mouse IgG subclass 2a (PA1, PA2, PA3), or 1 (PA4) respectively. PA1 and PA4 did not precipitate, their antigens have not yet fully been characterized. PA3 was directed against the glycoprotein (Gp) complex IIb/IIIa; PA2 precipitated Gp IIb/IIIa, and, in addition, Gp Ia. PA4 revealed specificity against the human platelet alloantigen Zw(a).     

Exposure and binding of selected immunodominant La/SSB epitopes on human apoptotic cells

OBJECTIVE: Opsonization of apoptotic cells by autoantibodies bound to surface membrane-translocated La/SSB antigens may initiate tissue damage in the setting of congenital heart block. By injecting pregnant mice with human anti-La antibodies, we previously demonstrated the formation of IgG-apoptotic cell complexes in the developing mouse fetus; however, the binding of anti-La antibodies to human-specific epitopes could not be addressed. Accordingly, the objective of the current study was to delineate the epitope specificity of human La antibodies that are exposed on the surface of apoptotic cells. METHODS: We used fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry to assess the binding of human anti-La antibodies affinity purified against immunodominant epitopes of La to human cells undergoing spontaneous apoptosis, in a murine xenograft model in vivo and in cultured human fetal cardiocytes rendered apoptotic in vitro, respectively. RESULTS: Anti-La antibodies bound to immunodominant epitopes of La within the NH(2)-terminus and the RNA recognition motif (RRM) region of apoptotic human cells, in both xenografts and fetal cardiocytes. In contrast, human antibodies affinity purified against the COOH-terminal La epitope did not bind apoptotic cells in either model. This defines the topology of redistributed La during apoptosis, with surface exposure of the NH(2)-terminus and RRM regions. The potential importance of anti-La NH(2)-terminal and anti-La RRM specificity was confirmed by detection of this reactivity in mothers of children with congenital heart block. CONCLUSION: These findings provide insight into both the molecular modification of the La autoantigen during apoptosis and the specificity of antibodies capable of binding to surface-exposed La. Subsequent formation of surface immune complexes may lead to tissue injury in patients with autoimmune diseases such as congenital heart block.     

Use of monoclonal antibodies to identify shared idiotypes on human antibodies to native DNA from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Antinative DNA antibodies were purified from the serum of a patient with active systemic lupus erythematosus. Using hybridoma technology, we produced several mouse monoclonal antibodies directed against idiotypic determinants on these antinative DNA antibodies. One of these monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies, 3I, an IgG2a Kappa, was extensively characterized. 3I is believed to be directed against an idiotypic determinant because (i) its reactivity with antinative DNA antibodies is not inhibited by a large excess of pooled human serum, (ii) it reacts with F(ab')2 fragments of antinative DNA antibodies, and (iii) it reacts with antinative DNA antibodies of all IgG subclasses. 3I is not directed against the antigen binding site in that native DNA and 3I do not compete for binding to antinative DNA antibodies. Eight of nine sera containing antinative DNA activity as determined by the Millipore filter assay reacted with 3I in a solid-phase radioimmunoassay. These findings suggest that antinative DNA antibodies from nonrelated patients with systemic lupus erythematosus share a common idiotype.     

Influence of immunoheterogeneity of circulating parathyroid hormone on results of radioimmunoassays of serum in man

We describe the practical consequences of the immunoheterogeneity of circulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the routine evaluation of patients by radioimmunoassay of serum PTH, based on our experience with two radioimmunoassays of PTH using antiserums of widely different specificities. One antiserum is directed against the COOH-terminal region of the human PTH molecule, and it recognizes a major portion of the immunoreactive PTH in hyperparathyroid serum. The other antiserum is directed against the NH₂-terminal region of human PTH, and it recognizes only “native” molecules (molecular weight 9,500 daltons) and a low molecular weight form of the hormone; these comprise a relatively small proportion of the total immunoreactive species of PTH in hyperparathyroid serum. Assays of “total serum PTH” using the COOH-terminal antiserum correlated much better with the presence of suspected or proved hyperparathyroidism as well as with osteoclast counts in bone biopsy specimens from patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. On the other hand, results of assays using the NH₂-terminal antiserum better reflected acute changes in glandular secretion of PTH.