Cloning of complementary DNA encoding a functional human interleukin-8 receptor

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is an inflammatory cytokine that activates neutrophil chemotaxis, degranulation, and the respiratory burst. Neutrophils express receptors for IL-8 that are coupled to guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins); binding of IL-8 to its receptor induces the mobilization of intracellular calcium stores. A cDNA clone from HL-60 neutrophils, designated p2, has now been isolated that encodes a human IL-8 receptor. When p2 is expressed in oocytes from Xenopus laevis, the oocytes bind 125I-labeled IL-8 specifically and respond to IL-8 by mobilizing calcium stores with an EC50 of 20 nM. This IL-8 receptor has 77% amino acid identity with a second human neutrophil receptor isotype that binds IL-8 with higher affinity. It also exhibits 69% amino acid identity with a protein reported to be an N-formyl peptide receptor from rabbit neutrophils, but less than 30% identity with all other known G protein-coupled receptors, including the human N-formyl peptide receptor.     

鲈鱼白细胞介素-8 cDNA序列的克隆与原核表达

采用RT-PCR方法扩增和克隆了鲈鱼白细胞介素-8(LjIL-8)的编码阅读框。该编码阅读框由300个核苷酸组成,编码由99个氨基酸组成前体蛋白。LjIL-8氨基酸序列与哺乳动物和鱼类IL-8类似物的氨基酸同源性分别为23%~48%和25%~92%。氨基酸序列分析表明,N端存在一长23个氨基酸的信号肽,含有形成2个链内二硫键的4个半胱氨酸。分子进化分析表明,LjIL-8与欧洲鲈鱼的亲缘关系最近。将LjIL-8编码序列克隆到原核表达载体pET-28a (+),转化E.coli BL21(DE3)后用IPTG进行诱导表达,SDS-PAGE检测结果表明,预期分子量大小的小分子蛋白在大肠杆菌中成功表达,Western-blotting检测结果显示,目的蛋白能与抗6×His单克隆抗体发生特异性反应。     

Cloning and expression of the human interleukin-6 (BSF-2/IFN beta 2) receptor

Interleukin-6 (IL-6/BSF-2/IFN beta 2) is a multifunctional cytokine that regulates the growth and differentiation of various tissues, and is known particularly for its role in the immune response and acute phase reactions. A complementary DNA encoding the human IL-6 receptor (IL-6-R) has now been isolated. The IL-6-R consists of 468 amino acids, including a signal peptide of approximately 19 amino acids and a domain of approximately 90 amino acids that is similar to a domain in the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily. The cytoplasmic domain of approximately 82 amino acids lacks a tyrosine/kinase domain, unlike other growth factor receptors.     

Regulation of expression of the interleukin-2 receptor on hematopoietic cells by interleukin-3

Remarkable similarities in the intracellular and genetic events occur when lymphoid and hematopoietic cells are exposed to their specific growth factors. The interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor, whose cell-surface expression is an absolute requirement for the growth and differentiation of lymphoid cells, was detected on various nonlymphoid hematopoietic cell types in this study. Cell lines consisting either of granulocyte-macrophage precursors or mast cells, which are dependent on interleukin-3 (IL-3) for their growth, expressed high levels of the IL-2 receptor on their surface. Analysis of the binding characteristics of these receptors with 125I-labeled recombinant IL-2 revealed that only receptors with low affinity for IL-2 were present on these cells. Addition of purified recombinant IL-3 to these cell lines led to an increase in IL-2 receptor gene expression within 1 hour in isolated nuclei. This IL-3--induced increase in the number of IL-2 receptors on the cell surface is maximal within 24 hours. Addition of 10,000 units of IL-2 to these cells had no apparent effect on their growth or differentiation. The presence of the receptor with only low affinity for IL-2 on hematopoietic cells and the regulation by IL-3 suggest that this receptor is involved in some important metabolic event in hematopoiesis.     

Molecular cloning and functional expression of glutamate receptor subunit genes

Three closely related genes, GluR1, GluR2, and GluR3, encode receptor subunits for the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. The proteins encoded by the individual genes form homomeric ion channels in Xenopus oocytes that are sensitive to glutamatergic agonists such as kainate and quisqualate but not to N-methyl-D-aspartate, indicating that binding sites for kainate and quisqualate exist on single receptor polypeptides. In addition, kainate-evoked conductances are potentiated in oocytes expressing two or more of the cloned receptor subunits. Electrophysiological responses obtained with certain subunit combinations show agonist profiles and current-voltage relations that are similar to those obtained in vivo. Finally, in situ hybridization histochemistry reveals that these genes are transcribed in shared neuroanatomical loci. Thus, as with gamma-aminobutyric acid, glycine, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, native kainate-quisqualate-sensitive glutamate receptors form a family of heteromeric proteins.     

Sequence and expression of human estrogen receptor complementary DNA

The mechanism by which the estrogen receptor and other steroid hormone receptors regulate gene expression in eukaryotic cells is not well understood. In this study, a complementary DNA clone containing the entire translated portion of the messenger RNA for the estrogen receptor from MCF-7 human breast cancer cells was sequenced and then expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells to give a functional protein. An open reading frame of 1785 nucleotides in the complementary DNA corresponded to a polypeptide of 595 amino acids and a molecular weight of 66,200, which is in good agreement with published molecular weight values of 65,000 to 70,000 for the estrogen receptor. Homogenates of transformed Chinese hamster ovary cells containing a protein that bound [3H]estradiol and sedimented as a 4S complex in salt-containing sucrose gradients and as an 8 to 9S complex in the absence of salt. Interaction of this receptor-[3H]estradiol complex with a monoclonal antibody that is specific for primate ER confirms the identity of the expressed complementary DNA as human estrogen receptor. Amino acid sequence comparisons revealed significant regional homology among the human estrogen receptor, the human glucocorticoid receptor, and the putative v-erbA oncogene product. This suggests that steroid receptor genes and the avian erythroblastosis viral oncogene are derived from a common primordial gene. The homologous region, which is rich in cysteine, lysine, and arginine, may represent the DNA-binding domain of these proteins.     

Endothelial interleukin-8: a novel inhibitor of leukocyte-endothelial interactions

Certain inflammatory stimuli render cultured human vascular endothelial cells hyperadhesive for neutrophils. This state is transient and reversible, in part because activated endothelial cells secrete a leukocyte adhesion inhibitor (LAI). LAI was identified as endothelial interleukin-8 (IL-8), the predominant species of which is an extended amino-terminal IL-8 variant. At nanomolar concentrations, purified endothelial IL-8 and recombinant human IL-8 inhibit neutrophil adhesion to cytokine-activated endothelial monolayers and protect these monolayers from neutrophil-mediated damage. These findings suggest that endothelial-derived IL-8 may function to attenuate inflammatory events at the interface between vessel wall and blood.     

Localization of the gene encoding the human interleukin-2 receptor on chromosome 10

The human interleukin-2 receptor is an inducible growth factor receptor present on the surface of activated T lymphocytes. The receptor is required for a normal T-cell immune response. High-resolution fluorescence-activated chromosome sorting and DNA spot-blot analysis with complementary DNA's for the interleukin-2 receptor indicated that the receptor gene was located on chromosome 9, 10, 11, or 12. In situ hybridization studies showed that the interleukin-2 receptor gene is on the short arm of chromosome 10, p14----15.     

Cloning of an interleukin-3 receptor gene: a member of a distinct receptor gene family

Interleukin-3 (IL-3) binds to its receptor with high and low affinities, induces tyrosine phosphorylation, and promotes the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. A binding component of the IL-3 receptor was cloned. Fibroblasts transfected with the complementary DNA bound IL-3 with a low affinity [dissociation constant (Kd) of 17.9 +/- 3.6 nM]. No consensus sequence for a tyrosine kinase was present in the cytoplasmic domain. Thus, additional components are required for a functional high affinity IL-3 receptor. A sequence comparison of the IL-3 receptor with other cytokine receptors (erythropoietin, IL-4, IL-6, and the beta chain IL-2 receptor) revealed a common motif of a distinct receptor gene family.     

Structure and diversity of the human T-cell receptor beta-chain variable region genes

In order to characterize the variability of the expressed human T-cell receptor (TCR) beta-chain repertoire and contrast this variability to the known murine beta-chain repertoire, 15 independent complementary DNA (cDNA) clones containing TCR beta-chain variable region (V beta) genes were isolated from a human tonsil cDNA library. The nucleotide and derived amino acid sequences of these 15 V beta genes were analyzed together with 7 previously defined sequences. Fifteen different human V beta genes could be identified from 22 independent sequences. By means of DNA hybridization and sequence homology comparisons, it was possible to group these 15 genes into ten distinct V beta subfamilies, each containing from one to seven members. Minimal polymorphism was noted between individuals, except in multimember subfamilies. The amino acid sequences of these genes contain conserved amino acids that are also shared by murine TCR V beta genes and immunoglobulins; no features were found that distinguish human V beta genes from their murine counterparts. Evaluation of secondary structure showed that maximum variability coincides with generally hydrophilic portions of the amino acid sequence, while specific hydrophobic regions were conserved in all V beta genes examined.     

Structure of an agonist-bound human A2A adenosine receptor

Activation of G protein-coupled receptors upon agonist binding is a critical step in the signaling cascade for this family of cell surface proteins. We report the crystal structure of the A(2A) adenosine receptor (A(2A)AR) bound to an agonist UK-432097 at 2.7 angstrom resolution. Relative to inactive, antagonist-bound A(2A)AR, the agonist-bound structure displays an outward tilt and rotation of the cytoplasmic half of helix VI, a movement of helix V, and an axial shift of helix III, resembling the changes associated with the active-state opsin structure. Additionally, a seesaw movement of helix VII and a shift of extracellular loop 3 are likely specific to A(2A)AR and its ligand. The results define the molecule UK-432097 as a "conformationally selective agonist" capable of receptor stabilization in a specific active-state configuration.     

人雌激素受体cDNA在酵母细胞中的表达

根据人全长雌激素受体cDNA序列,用RT—PCR方法使乳腺癌细胞MCF-7株扩增人雌激素受体基因(hER cDNA),通过pGEM—T／hER载体克隆到酵母表达载体中,并转化到酿酒酵母细胞中,用Western blot法和免疫组化法检测hER cDNA的表达。结果表明：hER cDNA在酵母细胞中成功表达,可用于建立环境雌激素的酵母细胞检测体系。     

Structure of human urokinase plasminogen activator in complex with its receptor

The urokinase plasminogen activator binds to its cellular receptor with high affinity and initiates signaling cascades that are implicated in pathological processes including tumor growth, metastasis, and inflammation. We report the crystal structure at 1.9 angstroms of the urokinase receptor complexed with the urokinase amino-terminal fragment and an antibody against the receptor. The three domains of urokinase receptor form a concave shape with a central cone-shaped cavity where the urokinase fragment inserts. The structure provides insight into the flexibility of the urokinase receptor that enables its interaction with a wide variety of ligands and a basis for the design of urokinase-urokinase receptor antagonists.     

Structure and expression of a complementary DNA for the nuclear coded precursor of human mitochondrial ornithine transcarbamylase

Most mitochondrial proteins are encoded in the nucleus and are translated on free cytoplasmic ribosomes as larger precursors containing amino-terminal "leader" sequences, which are removed after the precursors are taken up by mitochondria. We have deduced the complete primary structure of the precursor of a human mitochondrial matrix enzyme, ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC), from the nucleotide sequence of cloned complementary DNA. The amino-terminal leader peptide of OTC is 32 amino acids in length and contains four arginines but no acidic residues. Cleavage of the leader peptide from the "mature" protein occurs between glutamine and asparagine residues. The sequence of mature human OTC resembles that of the subunits of both OTC and aspartate transcarbamylase from Escherichia coli. The biological activity of the cloned OTC complementary DNA was tested by joining it with SV40 (an animal virus) regulatory elements and transfecting cultured HeLa cells, which do not normally express OTC. Both the precursor and mature forms of the OTC subunit were identified; in stable transformants, enzymatic activity was also detected.     

Genomic and genetic definition of a functional human centromere

The definition of centromeres of human chromosomes requires a complete genomic understanding of these regions. Toward this end, we report integration of physical mapping, genetic, and functional approaches, together with sequencing of selected regions, to define the centromere of the human X chromosome and to explore the evolution of sequences responsible for chromosome segregation. The transitional region between expressed sequences on the short arm of the X and the chromosome-specific alpha satellite array DXZ1 spans about 450 kilobases and is satellite-rich. At the junction between this satellite region and canonical DXZ1 repeats, diverged repeat units provide direct evidence of unequal crossover as the homogenizing force of these arrays. Results from deletion analysis of mitotically stable chromosome rearrangements and from a human artificial chromosome assay demonstrate that DXZ1 DNA is sufficient for centromere function. Evolutionary studies indicate that, while alpha satellite DNA present throughout the pericentromeric region of the X chromosome appears to be a descendant of an ancestral primate centromere, the current functional centromere based on DXZ1 sequences is the product of the much more recent concerted evolution of this satellite DNA.     

黏质沙雷氏菌C8-8几丁质酶基因的克隆与表达

利用PCR方法从黏质沙雷氏菌(Serratia marcescens)C8-8中克隆到编码几丁质酶的chiA基因,大小为1 692 bp,推测其编码一条长563个氨基酸的多肽链,分子量约为60 900。同源分析研究结果表明从C8-8中克隆的chiA基因序列与黏质沙雷氏菌株141(DQ 990373.1)和14041菌株(DQ 493896.1)的chiA基因序列相似性最高,达到99%。结构域分析结果表明从C8-8中克隆的chiA基因N末端(23 AA)存在典型的信号肽序列,C端存在另外两个结构域,即PKD区(73 AA)和几丁质酶催化区(387 AA)。采用大肠杆菌表达系统重组表达chiA基因,结果表明重组菌株在几丁质诱导培养基上能产生透明的水解圈。采用SDS-PAGE电泳分析,结果表明chiA重组表达产物的相对分子质量约为60 000,与预测分子量大小基本一致。初步提纯后,生物活性试验结果表明该重组表达产物能水解几丁质,在几丁质培养基上产生透明的水解圈。