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A cDNA clone encoding the human C5a anaphylatoxin receptor has been isolated by expression cloning from a CDM8 expression library prepared from mRNA of human myeloid HL-60 cells differentiated to the granulocyte phenotype with dibutyryladenosine cyclic monophosphate. The cDNA clone was able to transfer to COS-7 cells the capacity to specifically bind iodinated human recombinant C5a. The cDNA was 2.3 kb long, with an open reading frame encoding a 350-residue polypeptide. Cross-linking of iodinated C5a to the plasma membrane of transfected COS cells revealed a complex with an apparent molecular mass of 52-55 kDa, similar to that observed for the constitutively expressed receptor in differentiated HL-60 cells or human neutrophils. Although differentiated HL-60 cells display a single class of binding sites, with a dissociation constant of approximately 800-900 pM, the C5a-R cDNA, expressed in COS cells, generates both high-affinity (1.7 nM) and low-affinity (20-25 nM) receptors. Sequence comparison established that the degree of sequence identity between the C5a receptor and the N-formlypeptide receptor is 34%.

Two variants of the human N-formylpeptide chemoattractant receptor have been isolated from a CDM8 expression library prepared from mRNA of human myeloid HL-60 cells differentiated to the granulocyte phenotype with Bt2cAMP. Both recombinant receptors, fMLP-R26 and fMLP-R98, are 350 amino acids long (Mr 38,420); they differ from each other by two residue changes at positions 101 and 346 and by significant differences in the 5' and 3' untranslated regions. Both clones were able to transfer to COS-7 cells the capacity to specifically bind a new and highly efficient hydrophilic derivative of N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe-Lys, referred to as fMLPK-Pep12. Photolabeling experiments revealed that the glycosylated form of the fMLP receptor in COS cells has a molecular weight (Mr 50,000-70,000) similar to that observed for the native receptor in differentiated HL-60 cells. Northern blot analysis revealed a major transcript of 1.6-1.7 kb and two minor hybridization signals of 2.3 and 3.1 kb, suggesting a related family of receptors. The complex hybridization pattern obtained with restricted genomic DNA was consistent with either two genes encoding fMLP receptor isoforms or a single gene with at least one intron in the coding sequence. Sequence comparison established that the fMLP receptor belongs to the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily. The structural similarities observed with RDC1, a receptor isolated from a dog thyroid cDNA library, which shares weak homologies with other members of the family, suggests that the fMLP receptor is representative of a new subfamily.

Activation of the O2.- -generating oxidase of bovine neutrophils was studied in a cell-free system, consisting of a particulate fraction enriched in plasma membrane, cytosol, arachidonic acid, and the non-hydrolyzable nucleotide GTP-gamma-S. Activation of the membrane-bound oxidase was accompanied by the disappearance of the activating factor from the cytosol. Above a cytosol to membrane ratio of 25, the excess of added cytosolic factor remained in active state in the soluble fraction. The process could be partially reversed by serum albumin. Disappearance of the cytosolic factor was promoted by unsaturated long-chain fatty acids, but not by saturated ones, and occurred not only in the presence of GTP-gamma-S but also in the presence of GDP-beta-S or in the absence of Mg ions, although in the latter cases activation of O2.- production was seriously impaired. This suggests that the disappearance of the activating factor from the cytosol and the triggering effect of GTP-gamma-S are related, but distinct, events in the oxidase activation process. The disappearance of the activating factor from cytosol can be explained by translocation of the cytosolic factor to the membrane fraction. Yet under some conditions, including the presence of GDP-beta-S or EDTA, inactivation was prevailing and could be an alternative explanation for the results. Specific binding of radiolabeled GTP-gamma-S could be demonstrated both in the membrane and in the cytosolic fractions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)