Showing papers by "Jeffrey V. Ravetch published in 1993"

Interferon gamma-induced transcription of the high-affinity Fc receptor for IgG requires assembly of a complex that includes the 91-kDa subunit of transcription factor ISGF3.

Abstract: A 39-nt DNA sequence, the interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) response region (GRR), is necessary for the IFN-gamma-induced transcription of the high-affinity Fc receptor for IgG (Fc gamma RI) and sufficient for the IFN-gamma-induced transcription of transfected plasmids. By using extracts from IFN-gamma-treated cells, three protein complexes will assemble in vitro on a 9-nt core region in the 3' domain of the GRR. The sequence of this core resembles the IFN-gamma-activated sequence (GAS) described for the GBP gene. Mutations in this GAS core region prevent complex assembly and result in the loss of IFN-gamma induction of reporter constructs containing the mutation. In addition to the GAS core region, a 5' region of the GRR is necessary for optimal IFN-gamma induction and for formation of one of the DNA-protein complexes. By antibody reactivity, we show that a 91-kDa protein, first identified as a component of ISGF3, the IFN-alpha-induced transcription complex, is present in at least two of the DNA-protein complexes. IFN-alpha can induce the formation of the faster-migrating 91-kDa protein-GAS complex but not the slower-migrating complex. Furthermore, IFN-alpha does not result in appreciable transcriptional activation of Fc gamma RI or constructs containing the GRR. Thus, these data demonstrate that the IFN-gamma-activated 91-kDa protein is required for IFN-gamma induction of Fc gamma RI and suggest that an additional complex may be required for optimal expression and specificity.

Human interferon-inducible protein 10: expression and purification of recombinant protein demonstrate inhibition of early human hematopoietic progenitors.

Abstract: Human interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), a member of the family of the small secreted proteins called intercrine cytokines or chemokines, is secreted by interferon gamma-stimulated T cells, monocytes, endothelial cells, and keratinocytes. We have begun to explore the biological properties of IP-10 by cloning and overexpression in baculovirus and in bacterial protein expression systems. A 9.9-kD protein was secreted by infected insect cells, which on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis comigrated with keratinocyte IP-10 and with f(22-98), a bacterial recombinant fragment lacking the signal sequence but containing all other residues of IP-10. All three reacted with antibodies recognizing residues 10-98 (alpha IP-10) and 77-98 of IP-10 (alpha 22), demonstrating that it is secreted by keratinocytes and insect cells after removal of the signal sequence but without proteolysis of the COOH-terminal end. Purified rIP-10 suppresses in vitro colony formation by early human bone marrow progenitor cells which need r-steel factor (rSLF) and rGM-CSF or rSLF and r-erythropoeitin (rEPO). The inhibition is dose dependent, is complete at concentrations > or = 50 ng/ml, is prevented by preincubation of rIP-10 with alpha IP-10, but not by alpha 22, and is seen with highly purified CD34+ cells, suggesting direct effect of rIP-10 on the progenitors. Combination of rIP-10 and other chemokines at inactive concentrations inhibited colony formation in a synergistic manner. rIP-10 did not affect colony formation in the absence of any growth factors or in the presence of rEPO or rGM-CSF but in absence of rSLF. The effects of IP-10 may be relevant to normal marrow function and might be harnessed to protect human hematopoietic progenitors from the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy.

Myelin protein zero gene mutated in Charcot-Marie-tooth type 1B patients.

Abstract: Autosomal dominant of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), whose gene is type 1B (CMT1B), has slow nerve conduction with demyelinated Schwann cells. In this study the abundant peripheral myelin protein zero (MPZ) gene, MPZ, was mapped 130 kb centromeric to the Fc receptor immunoglobulin gene cluster in band 1q22, and a major MPZ point mutation was found to cosegregate with CMT1B in one large CMT1B family. The MPZ point mutation in 18 of 18 related CMT1B pedigree 1 patients converts a positively charged lysine in codon 96 to a negatively charged glutamate. The same MPZ locus cosegregates with the CMT1B disease gene in a second CMT1B family [total multipoint logarithm of odds (lod) = 11.4 at theta = 0.00] with a splice junction mutation. Both mutations occur in MPZ protein regions otherwise conserved identically in human, rat, and cow since these species diverged 100 million years ago. MPZ protein, expressed exclusively in myelinated peripheral nerve Schwann cells, constitutes > 50% of myelin protein. These mutations are anticipated to disrupt homophilic MPZ binding and result in CMT1B peripheral nerve demyelination.

Transcriptional differences in polymorphic and conserved domains of a complete cloned P. falciparum chromosome.

Abstract: CLASSICAL genetic studies on the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum have been hampered by a complex life cycle which alternates between vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Consequently, only a few genetic crosses have been performed so far1–4. In addition, molecular genetics has provided only limited access to the genes of this pathogen, a consequence of an unusually high A + T content5,6. To overcome these limitations we have constructed an ordered telomere-to-telomere contig map of P. falciparum chromosome 2 by isolating overlapping yeast artificial chromosome clones. This approach was used to examine the strain-dependent polymorphisms commonly observed for P. falciparum chromosomes7,8. Our analysis reveals that polymorphisms of chromosome 2 are restricted to regions at either end, representing 20% of the chromosome. Transcription mapping of the entire chromosome suggests a compartmentalization of chromosome 2 into a transcribed central domain and silent polymorphic ends.