Regulation of interleukin-13 receptor constituents on mature human B lymphocytes.

Human B cells stimulated through both their immunoglobulin and CD40 receptors up-regulate 745 +/- 51 interleukin (IL)-13 ligand binding sites with an affinity of 0.91 +/- 0.08 nM within 24 h.

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase. 3. Reversal of purine base specificity by site-directed mutagenesis.

Human purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) is highly specific for 6-oxopurine nucleosides with a catalytic efficiency (kcat/KM) for inosine 350000-fold greater than for adenosine. Crystallographic studies identified Asn243 and Glu201 as the residues largely responsible for the substrate specificity. Results from mutagenesis studies demonstrated that the side chains for both residues were also essential for efficient catalysis [Erion, M.

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase. 2. Catalytic mechanism.

X-ray crystallography, molecular modeling, and site-directed mutagenesis were used to delineate the catalytic mechanism of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP). PNP catalyzes the reversible phosphorolysis of purine nucleosides to the corresponding purine base and ribose 1-phosphate using a substrate-assisted catalytic mechanism. The proposed transition state (TS) features an oxocarbenium ion that is stabilized by the cosubstrate phosphate dianion which itself functions as part of a catalytic triad (Glu89-His86-PO4=).

1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 modulates CD38 expression on human lymphocytes.

B cells from chronically stimulated tonsils displayed high initial mean CD38 levels that declined during in vitro culture, despite ligation of CD40 and/or the Ag receptor in the presence of IL-4. Exposure to 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) restored the initial CD38 expression on these stimulated cells and up-regulated the Ag on stimulated CD38-/low cells. 1,25(OH)2D3 enhanced CD38 expression by four- to sixfold on CD8- and CD8+ peripheral blood T cells following PHA activation.