Human single-chain variable fragment that specifically targets arthritic cartilage.

Objective: To demonstrate that posttranslational modification of type II collagen (CII) by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are known to be present in inflamed arthritic joints, can give rise to epitopes specific to damaged cartilage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) and to establish a proof of concept that antibodies specific to ROS-modified CII can be used to target therapeutics specifically to inflamed arthritic joints.

Methods: We used a semisynthetic phage display human antibody library to raise single-chain variable fragments (scFv) specific to ROS-modified CII. The specificity of anti-ROS-modified CII scFv to damaged arthritic cartilage was assessed in vitro by immunostaining articular cartilage from RA and OA patients and from normal controls.

Gene structure and promoter functional analysis of the marmoset type II GnRH receptor.

The marmoset type II GnRH receptor (GnRH-R) gene has the same structure and genomic organisation as the human and other type II GnRH-R genes. The gene consists of three exons and two introns and overlaps in the antisense orientation on its 5' end with peroxisomal membrane protein 11beta and on its 3' end with the RNA-binding motif protein 8A. However, these genes occur only at one locus in the marmoset genome, while in the human at two loci.

The genes encoding the type II gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor and the ribonucleoprotein RBM8A in humans overlap in two genomic loci.

We have cloned and characterized two genomic loci encoding the human type II gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor and RNA-binding motif protein-8 (RBM8A). In both loci the genes overlap and are in antisense orientation to each other. The locus on chromosome 1 encompasses the type II GnRH receptor gene (GNRHR2), which is composed of three exons.

A novel mammalian receptor for the evolutionarily conserved type II GnRH.

Mammalian gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH I: pGlu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2) stimulates pituitary gonadotropin secretion, which in turn stimulates the gonads. Whereas a hypothalamic form of GnRH of variable structure (designated type I) had been shown to regulate reproduction through a cognate type I receptor, it has recently become evident that most vertebrates have one or two other forms of GnRH. One of these, designated type II GnRH (GnRH II: pGlu-His-Ser-His-Gly-Trp-Tyr-Pro-Gly-NH2), is conserved from fish to man and is widely distributed in the brain, suggesting important neuromodulatory functions such as regulating K+ channels and stimulating sexual arousal.