Expression of glutamate carboxypeptidase II in human brain.

Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed in various tissues. When expressed in the brain it cleaves the neurotransmitter N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG), yielding free glutamate. In jejunum it hydrolyzes folylpoly-gamma-glutamate, thus facilitating folate absorption.

Non-lineage antigens: section report.

Non-lineage section studied in total 90 mAb samples, including 23 submitted as known CD specificities. Thirty four samples submitted as unknown and potentially novel specificities recognized actually well known molecules (HLA class I, CD7, 11b, 14, 18, 44, 45, 45RB, 47, 59, 62L, 71, 82, 147). Seven samples reacted with newly defined CD molecules (CD281, 282, 284, 298, 315, 316, 321) and specificities of 12 samples remained unresolved.

Amino acids at the N- and C-termini of human glutamate carboxypeptidase II are required for enzymatic activity and proper folding.

Human glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) is a co-catalytic metallopeptidase and its putative catalytic domain is homologous to the aminopeptidases from Vibrio proteolyticus and Streptomyces griseus. In humans, the enzyme is expressed predominantly in the nervous system and the prostate. The prostate form, termed prostate-specific membrane antigen, is overexpressed in prostate cancer and is used as a diagnostic marker of the disease.

Monoclonal antibodies specific for the empty conformation of HLA-DR1 reveal aspects of the conformational change associated with peptide binding.

Class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins bind peptides and present them at the cell surface for interaction with CD4+ T cells as part of the system by which the immune system surveys the body for signs of infection. Peptide binding is known to induce conformational changes in class II MHC proteins on the basis of a variety of hydrodynamic and spectroscopic approaches, but the changes have not been clearly localized within the overall class II MHC structure. To map the peptide-induced conformational change for HLA-DR1, a common human class II MHC variant, we generated a series of monoclonal antibodies recognizing the beta subunit that are specific for the empty conformation.

LIME: a new membrane Raft-associated adaptor protein involved in CD4 and CD8 coreceptor signaling.

Lymphocyte membrane rafts contain molecules critical for immunoreceptor signaling. Here, we report identification of a new raft-associated adaptor protein LIME (Lck-interacting molecule) expressed predominantly in T lymphocytes. LIME becomes tyrosine phosphorylated after cross-linking of the CD4 or CD8 coreceptors.