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Human interleukin 3 receptor (IL-3R) is constitutively expressed on committed haematopoietic stem cells, where it mediates proliferation and differentiation. This receptor is also expressed by monocytes and may induce functional activation. Interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IL-13, and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) have different effects on human monocytes. As IL-3R may be regulated by different cytokines, whether the above-mentioned cytokines were able to modulate the alpha chain of IL-3R (IL-3R alpha) on monocytes was examined. Effects on IL-3R alpha antigen (Ag) expression were analysed by direct immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect variations in IL-3R alpha mRNA expression. IL-10 and TGF-beta were found to downregulate IL-3R alpha Ag. In contrast, IL-4 and IL-13 both caused a dose- and time-dependent increase. A maximum effect was observed at 1 ng/ml of IL-4 for 18 h. Furthermore, in RT-PCR, IL-4 was found to slightly up-regulate IL-3R alpha mRNA expression. These observations suggest that IL-4 and IL-13 play a role in the regulation of IL-3R alpha expression and the effects of cytokines on human monocytes may be mediated, in part, through the regulation of IL-3R.

The cytokine interleukin 1 (IL-1) plays an important role in the activation of the hypothalamus-pituary-adrenal (HPA)-axis and interleukin 6 (IL-6) production during infection or inflammation. Which of the interleukin-1 receptor types mediates these effects is not known. To investigate this issue a pharmacological approach was chosen by using recently developed IL-1 receptor type selective ligands. Rats were given one of various doses of recombinant human IL-1beta (rhIL-1beta; 1 and 10 microg/kg) and of several IL-1beta mutants (DeltaSND, DeltaQGE and DeltaI; 1, 10 and 100 microg/kg), that differ in their affinities for the IL-1 type I receptor but have similar affinities for the IL-1 type II receptor. One hour after intravenous administration of rhIL-1beta or IL-1beta mutants, plasma levels of ACTH, corticosterone (cort) and IL-6 were measured. Doses of 1 and 10 microg/kg rhIL-1beta markedly elevated plasma levels of ACTH, cort and IL-6. However, 10-100-fold higher doses of IL-1beta mutants DeltaSND and DeltaQGE and at least 100-fold higher doses of DeltaI have to be administered to increase plasma levels of ACTH, cort and IL-6. The potency differences correlate with their respective affinity for the type I receptor but not with that of the IL-1 type II receptor. It is concluded that IL-1beta induced ACTH, cort and IL-6 production is mediated by interleukin 1 type I receptors.

Interleukin-12 (IL12) is a heterodimeric cytokine composed of p35 and p40 subunits and having multiple immunomodulatory effects on T cells as well as on natural killer cells. Two subunits, beta 1 and beta 2, consisting of the functional IL12 receptor complex, have been recently identified as members of the hemopoietin receptor superfamily, bearing strong homology to gp130. In the present study, we attempted to further characterize the biochemical nature of the IL12 receptor complex and to delineate IL12-triggered signal transduction pathways. To this end, we established a Jurkat transfectant (JIL12R beta 1t) highly expressing the recombinant human IL12 receptor beta 1 subunit. Using this transfectant, we identified an 85-kDa protein (p85) which is associated with the beta 1 subunit and appears to be a cell surface protein, but is distinct from the beta 2 subunit (130 kDa). p85 was also detected in PHA-activated T cells. Importantly, p85 was rapidly tyrosine phosphorylated upon stimulation of both JIL12R beta 1t cells and PHA-activated T cells with IL12. These results suggest that p85 is a component of the IL12 receptor complex and may play a significant role in mediating IL12-dependent signals.

The orphan receptor CRF2-4 is a member of the class II cytokine receptor family (CRF2), which includes the interferon receptors, the interleukin (IL) 10 receptor, and tissue factor. CRFB4, the gene encoding CRF2-4, is located within a gene cluster on human chromosome 21 that comprises three interferon receptor subunits. To elucidate the role of CRF2-4, we disrupted the CRFB4 gene in mice by means of homologous recombination. Mice lacking CRF2-4 show no overt abnormalities, grow normally, and are fertile. CRF2-4 deficient cells are normally responsive to type I and type II interferons, but lack responsiveness to IL-10. By ∼12 wk of age, the majority of mutant mice raised in a conventional facility developed a chronic colitis and splenomegaly. Thus, CRFB4 mutant mice recapitulate the phenotype of IL-10–deficient mice. These findings suggest that CRF2-4 is essential for IL-10–mediated effects and is a subunit of the IL-10 receptor.

Contrary to their opposing action on human T-lymphocytes and monocytes, both Interleukin (IL-)10 and IL-6 are potent differentiation factors of human B-cells. Both are known to induce immunoglobulin (Ig) production. The precise mechanism of this converging effect of IL-6 and IL-10 remains elusive, however. Here we investigated the role of IL-6 in the IL-10 dependent B-cell differentiation into Ig secreting cells. We found that co-stimulation of SAC-stimulated human peripheral B-lymphocytes with IL-10 and IL-6 exhibited no additive effect on Ig production over stimulation with IL-10 alone, and that IL-6 receptor blockade only mildly inhibited IL-10 induced Ig synthesis. In fact, we could show that stimulation of B-cells with IL-10 somewhat suppressed SAC induced autocrine IL-6 production. Despite this suppression IL-6 levels remained sufficiently high to stimulate its receptor, and IL-6 binding to the B-cell surface was not affected. The failure of IL-6 to exert an additional effect on SAC+IL-10 induced Ig production suggests that IL-10 may recruit components of the IL-6 intracellular pathway for Ig induction. In conclusion we could demonstrate that IL-10 acts on B-cell differentiation independently of autocrine IL-6 and that it had a considerably mild effect on B lymphocytic autocrine IL-6 secretion. This still allows an IL-6 effect in the presence of IL-10 which appears adaptive with a view to the converging effects of these two cytokines on human B lymphocytes. Our study thus adds to the appreciation of the complex cytokine regulation of the immune system.

We report a patient with complete interleukin-12 receptor beta-1 deficiency associated with cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The patient experienced Bacille Calmette Guérin, Mycobacterium chelonae, and Salmonella enteritidis infection. Vasculitis affecting both small arteries and postcapillary venules due to deposition of immune complexes was probably caused by S. enteritidis and/or M. chelonae infection.

WOS: 000329131300012, PubMed ID: 24186907, Background. Interleukin 12R beta 1 (IL-12R beta 1)-deficient patients are prone to clinical disease caused by mycobacteria, Salmonella, and other intramacrophagic pathogens, probably because of impaired interleukin 12-dependent interferon gamma production. About 25% of patients also display mucocutaneous candidiasis, probably owing to impaired interleukin 23-dependent interleukin 17 immunity. The clinical features and outcome of candidiasis in these patients have not been described before, to our knowledge. We report here the clinical signs of candidiasis in 35 patients with IL-12R beta 1 deficiency. Results. Most (n = 71) of the 76 episodes of candidiasis were mucocutaneous. Isolated oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) was the most common presentation (59 episodes, 34 patients) and was recurrent or persistent in 26 patients. Esophageal candidiasis (n = 7) was associated with proven OPC in 2 episodes, and cutaneous candidiasis (n = 2) with OPC in 1 patient, whereas isolated vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC; n = 3) was not. Five episodes of proven invasive candidiasis were documented in 4 patients; 1 of these episodes was community acquired in the absence of any other comorbid condition. The first episode of candidiasis occurred earlier in life (median age +/- standard deviation, 1.5 +/- 7.87 years) than infections with environmental mycobacteria (4.29 +/- 11.9 years), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (4 +/- 3.12 years), or Salmonella species (4.58 +/- 4.17 years) or other rare infections (3 +/- 11.67 years). Candidiasis was the first documented infection in 19 of the 35 patients, despite the vaccination of 10 of these 19 patients with live bacille Calmette-Guerin. Conclusions. Patients who are deficient in IL-12R beta 1 may have candidiasis, usually mucocutaneous, which is frequently recurrent or persistent. Candidiasis may be the first clinical manifestation in these patients., Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad [PI06/1031, PI10/01718]; European Regional Development Fund-European Social Fund (FEDER-FSE); Fundacion Canaria de Investigacion y Salud (Canarian government) [INREDCAN 05/06]; Foundation Caja Rural de Canarias-Chil y Naranjo; Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; INSERMInstitut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (Inserm); University Paris Descartes; Rockefeller University; National Center for Research ResourcesUnited States Department of Health & Human ServicesNational Institutes of Health (NIH) - USANIH National Center for Research Resources (NCRR); National Center for Advancing Sciences of the National Institutes of Health [8UL1TR000043]; Laboratoire d'Excellence "Integrative Biology of Emerging Infectious Diseases" [ANR-10-LABX-62-IBEID]; European Research Council, Agence Nationale de la RechercheFrench National Research Agency (ANR) [GENCMCD 11-BSV3-005-01]; St Giles Foundation; Candidoser Association; Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia de MexicoConsejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia (CONACyT) [69992, 182817], This work was supported by Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (grants PI06/1031 and PI10/01718), the European Regional Development Fund-European Social Fund (FEDER-FSE), Fundacion Canaria de Investigacion y Salud (Canarian government; INREDCAN 05/06), Foundation Caja Rural de Canarias-Chil y Naranjo (research prize 2004), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (fellowship to E. H. R), INSERM, University Paris Descartes, Rockefeller University, National Center for Research Resources and the National Center for Advancing Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (grant 8UL1TR000043), Laboratoire d'Excellence "Integrative Biology of Emerging Infectious Diseases" (grant ANR-10-LABX-62-IBEID), the European Research Council, Agence Nationale de la Recherche (grant GENCMCD 11-BSV3-005-01), the St Giles Foundation, the Candidoser Association, and Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia de Mexico (grants 69992 and 182817).

Tuberculosis (TB), an infectious disease caused by infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a major public health challenge globally. Genetic epidemiological evidence suggests a genetic basis for TB, but the molecular mechanism for a genetic predisposition to TB remains largely unknown. Thirty-five tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across 11 candidate cytokines and related genes, including IL-12/IFN-γ axis genes (IL12B, IL12RB1, IL18R1, IL27, IFNGR1, IFNGR2 and STAT1), the TNF gene locus (TNF and LTA), IL10, and CCL2, were genotyped using Sequenom's iPLEX assays in 1,032 patients with TB and 1,008 controls of Chinese Han origin. We did not find that any of the 35 tag SNPs individually or as haplotypes was significantly associated with susceptibility to TB, on the basis of multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age and sex. However, stratification analyses showed that, in those with age 46 years or older, carrying the rs1974675 T allele in the IL18R1 gene had a significantly decreased susceptibility to TB occurrence compared with carrying the C/C genotype (OR = 0.57, P = 5.0×10(-4)). Further analysis indicated that a SNP in absolute linkage disequilibrium with rs1974675, rs3755276, is located within a CpG dinucleotide and showed hypomethylation in controls than in patients (19.6% vs. 31.4%; P = 1.0×10(-4)) and genotype-specific DNA methylation at the IL18R1 promoter and IL18R1 mRNA levels. In addition, DNA methylation levels were significantly inversely correlated with mRNA levels. Thus, decreased mRNA levels of IL18R1 due to rs3755276 may partially mediate the increased susceptibility to TB risk.

Cerebellar granule cells express six GABAAreceptor subunits abundantly (α1, α6, β2, β3, γ2, and δ) and assemble various pentameric receptor subtypes with unknown subunit compositions; however, the rules guiding receptor subunit assembly are unclear. Here, removal of intact α6protein from cerebellar granule cells allowed perturbations in other subunit levels to be studied. Exon 8 of the mouse α6subunit gene was disrupted by homologous recombination. In α6−/− granule cells, the δ subunit was selectively degraded as seen by immunoprecipitation, immunocytochemistry, and immunoblot analysis with δ subunit-specific antibodies. The δ subunit mRNA was present at wild-type levels in the mutant granule cells, indicating a post-translational loss of the δ subunit. These results provide genetic evidence for a specific association between the α6and δ subunits. Because in α6−/− neurons the remaining α1, β2/3, and γ2subunits cannot rescue the δ subunit, certain potential subunit combinations may not be found in wild-type cells.

Interleukin (IL)-15 is a multifunctional cytokine that shares many biological activities with IL-2. This functional overlap, as well as receptor binding subunits shared by IL-15 and IL-2, suggests tertiary structural similarities between these two cytokines. In this study, recombinant human IL-15 was PEGylated via lysine-specific conjugation chemistry in order to extend the circulation half-life of this cytokine. Although PEGylation did extend the beta-elimination circulation half-life of IL-15 by greater than 50-fold, the biological activity of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-IL-15 was significantly altered. Specifically, PEG-IL-15 lost its ability to stimulate the proliferation of CTLL but took on the properties of a specific IL-15 antagonist in vitro. In comparing sequence alignments and molecular models for IL-2 and IL-15, it was noted that lysine residues resided in regions of IL-15 that may have selectively disrupted receptor subunit binding. We hypothesized that PEGylation of IL-15 interferes with beta but not alpha receptor subunit binding, resulting in the IL-15 antagonist activity observed in vitro. The validity of this hypothesis was tested by engineering site-specific mutants of human IL-15 as suggested by the IL-15 model (IL-15D8S and IL-15Q108S block beta and gamma receptor subunit binding, respectively). As with PEG-IL-15, these mutants were unable to stimulate CTLL proliferation but were able to specifically inhibit the proliferation of CTLL in response to unmodified IL-15. These results supported our model of IL-15 and confirmed that interference of beta receptor subunit binding by adjacent PEGylation could be responsible for the altered biological activity observed for PEG-IL-15.

IL-12R1 deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by predisposition to recurrent and/or severe infections caused by otherwise poorly pathogenic mycobacteria and salmonella. IL-12R1 is a receptor chain of both the IL-12 and the IL-23 receptor and deficiency of IL-12R1 thus abolishes both IL-12 and IL-23 signaling. IL-12R1 deficiency is caused by bi-allelic mutations in the IL12RB1 gene. Mutations resulting in premature stop codons, such as nonsense, frame shift, and splice site mutations, represent the majority of IL-12R1 deficiency causing mutations (66%; 46/70). Also every other morbid mutation completely inactivates the IL-12R1 protein. In addition to disease-causing mutations, rare and common variations with unknown functional effect have been reported in IL12RB1. All these variants have been deposited in the online IL12RB1 variation database (www.LOVD.nl/IL12RB1). In this article, we review the function of IL-12R1 and molecular genetics of human IL12RB1. (C) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Palamaro et al. describe a child with recurrent bronchopneumonia and very high IgE levels in which a variation, R156H, was found in the IL12RB1 gene that encodes the IL-12Rβ1 chain. Based on the absence of this variation in 50 unrelated individuals they conclude it is a mutation. We (van de Vosse and van Dissel) feel there is no reason to suspect a defect in IL-12 signaling based on the clinical data, nor evidence for a functional defect in IL-12 signaling in this patient. In addition, the variation is not novel and known as a polymorphism. Without any functional evidence that R156H is a mutation, the current claim is not substantiated. Palamaro et al. respond to argue that the amino acid substitution, R156H described in the described case exerts a summatory effect, as a genetic cofactor, along with an additional and still unidentified molecular alteration of the same pathway.

Gene deletion studies in mice have revealed critical roles for IL (interleukin)-4 and -13 in asthma development, with the latter controlling lung airways resistance and mucus secretion. We have now developed human neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against human IL-13Rα1 (IL-13 receptor α1) subunit that prevent activation of the receptor complex by both IL-4 and IL-13. We describe the crystal structures of the Fab fragment of antibody 10G5H6 alone and in complex with D3 (ectodomain 3) of IL-13Rα1. Although the structure showed significant domain swapping within a D3 dimer, we showed that Arg(230), Phe(233), Tyr(250), Gln(252) and Leu(293) in each D3 monomer and Ser(32), Asn(102) and Trp(103) in 10G5H6 Fab are the key interacting residues at the interface of the 10G5H6 Fab-D3 complex. One of the most striking contacts is the insertion of the ligand-contacting residue Leu(293) of D3 into a deep pocket on the surface of 10G5H6 Fab, and this appears to be a central determinant of the high binding affinity and neutralizing activity of the antibody.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor signals by a complex which includes the ligand and two different receptor subunits: a low affinity alpha receptor binding chain (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor alpha subunit (GM-Ralpha)) and a signal-transducing beta chain (GM-Rbeta). To investigate two unresolved issues in the initiation of signaling, the role of receptor extracellular domains and receptor stoichiometry, we replaced the mouse GM-Ralpha and GM-Rbeta extracellular domains with the leucine zipper domain of either the Fos or Jun molecule. We co-transfected combinations of chimeric receptors into Ba/F3 cells and found that both simple heterodimers of the GM-Ralpha and GM-Rbeta intracellular domains and homodimers of the GM-Rbeta intracellular domain signaled for proliferation. Surprisingly, homodimers of the GM-Ralpha intracellular domain also signaled for prevention of apoptosis in transfected cells. We similarly engineered dimers of the intracellular domain of the human interferon gamma receptor beta subunit and found that homodimers of the intracellular domain signaled for proliferation. When Fos peptide was added to Ba/F3 cells expressing the human interferon gamma receptor beta subunit construct, thereby preventing homodimer formation, the cells no longer proliferated in the absence of mouse interleukin 3.

gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors are the major sites of fast synaptic inhibition in the brain. They are constructed from four subunit classes with multiple members: alpha (1-6), beta (1-4), gamma (1-4), and delta (1). The contribution of subunit diversity in determining receptor subcellular targeting was examined in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Significant detection of cell surface homomeric receptor expression by a combination of both immunological and electrophysiological methodologies was only found for the beta 3 subunit. Expression of alpha/beta binary combinations resulted in a nonpolarized distribution for alpha 1 beta 1 complexes, but specific basolateral targeting of both alpha 1 beta 2 and alpha 1 beta 3 complexes. The polarized distribution of these alpha/beta complexes was unaffected by the presence of the gamma 2S subunit. Interestingly, delivery of receptors containing the beta 3 subunit to the basolateral domain occurs via the apical surface. These results show that beta subunits can selectively target GABAA receptors to distinct cellular locations. Changes in the spatial and temporal expression of beta-subunit isoforms may therefore provide a mechanism for relocating GABAA receptor function between distinct neuronal domains. Given the critical role of these receptors in mediating synaptic inhibition, the contribution of different beta subunits in GABAA receptor function, may have implications in neuronal development and for receptor localization/clustering.

To determine the nature of the mechanism by which the binding of interleukin-2 (IL-2) to its receptor (IL-2Rβ) induces IL-2Rβ phosphorylation by the tyrosine kinase p56lck associated with the T-cell receptor (TCR) complex, we investigated the possibility that this mechanism was due to the putative lectin activity of IL-2 ([Sherblom, Sathyamoorthy, Decker and Muchmore (1989) J. Immunol. 143, 939–944]. Here we demonstrate that IL-2 is a calcium-independent lectin specific for oligomannosidic N-glycans with five and six mannose residues. This lectin activity is preserved after binding of IL-2 to IL-2Rβ. IL-2 behaves as a bifunctional molecule that associates IL-2Rβ with specific glycoprotein ligands of the TCR complex including a glycosylated form of CD3.

Prointerleukin-1 beta (pro-IL-1 beta) is the only known physiologic substrate of the interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta)-converting enzyme (ICE), the founding member of the ICE/ced-3 cell death gene family. Since secreted mature IL-1 beta has been detected after apoptosis, we investigated whether this cytokine, when produced endogenously, plays a role in cell death. We found that hypoxia-induced apoptosis can be inhibited by either the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) or by neutralizing antibodies to IL-1 or to its type 1 receptor. IL-1Ra also inhibits apoptosis induced by trophic factor deprivation in primary neurons, as well as by tumor necrosis factor alpha in fibroblasts. In addition, during the G1/S phase arrest, mature IL-1 beta induces apoptosis through a pathway independent of CrmA-sensitive gene activity. We also demonstrate that Ice, when expressed in COS cells, requires the coexpression of pro-IL-1 beta for the induction of apoptosis, which is inhibited by IL-1Ra. Interestingly, we found that mature IL-1 beta has antiapoptotic activity when added exogenously before the onset of hypoxia, which we found is caused in part by its ability to downregulate the IL-1 receptor. Our findings demonstrate that pro-IL-1 beta is a substrate of ICE relevant to cell death, and depending on the temporal cellular commitment to apoptosis, mature IL-1 beta may function as a positive or negative mediator of cell death.

CS-1 melanoma cells transfected with cDNAs encoding either the beta 3 or beta 5 integrin subunit protein express alpha v beta 3 or alpha v beta 5, respectively, enabling them to adhere to vitronectin yet only alpha v beta 3 promotes cell spreading and migration on this substrate. Following exposure to insulin or insulin-like growth factor, alpha v beta 5-expressing CS-1 cells gain the ability to migrate on vitronectin. To identify structural regions in beta 3 or beta 5 that account for these distinct biological properties, CS-1 cells were transfected with one of two chimeric beta subunit proteins, in which the ecto- and cytoplasmic domains of beta 3 and beta 5 were exchanged (termed alpha v beta 3/5 or alpha v beta 5/3). Surprisingly, alpha v beta 3/5 expressing cells spread and migrate on vitronectin while cells expressing alpha v beta 5/3 do not unless they are exposed to cytokine. These findings suggest that the distinct migratory properties mediated by integrins alpha v beta 3 and alpha v beta 5 and their response to cytokine activation is determined by a sequence(s) within the ectodomain of the integrin beta subunit.

The beta 3-adrenergic receptor is the predominant subtype of beta-adrenergic receptor expressed in adipose tissue. Recently, a naturally occurring mutation in the human beta 3-receptor gene has been described which results in substitution of the tryptophan residue at position 64 in the first intracellular loop with an arginine residue. The polymorphism, which is prevalent in the human population, has been associated with increases in some parameters of obesity and Type II diabetes. In order to characterize the pharmacological effects of this amino acid substitution, the W64R mutation was made in the human beta 3 receptor gene and the resulting mutant receptor expressed in CHO cells. Activation by various agonists showed no significant differences (t-test, P > 0.05) between the wild type and mutant receptors. These studies show that, when expressed in a heterologous system, the W64R mutant receptor is pharmacologically and functionally indistinguishable from the wild type beta 3-adrenergic receptor.

The receptors for granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM- CSF) and interleukin-3 and -5 (IL-3, IL-5) share a common signaling subunit (beta c). However, in the mouse, IL-3 can also use an alternative IL-3-specific receptor beta-chain (beta IL-3). To assess the relative contributions of beta c and beta IL-3 to IL-3 receptor formation and function, mice were generated in which the beta IL-3 gene was functionally inactivated by replacement of exons 9–13 with a neomycin resistance cassette. Bone marrow cells from these mice displayed a lower affinity IL-3 receptor than normal and were hyporesponsive to IL-3, but the mice displayed no obvious hematopoietic abnormalities. The data suggested that beta c and beta IL-3 are normally coexpressed on IL-3-responsive cells and have identical qualitative signaling capacities. Receptor transmodulation studies on bone marrow cells from wild-type, beta c -/-, and beta IL-3 -/- mice showed that the previously described hierarchical pattern of transmodulation was dependent on the relative numbers of both beta IL-3 and beta c receptor chains and also provided evidence for an unexpected interaction between beta c chains and G-CSF and M-CSF receptors.

The hypothesis that extracellular truncation of the common receptor subunit for interleukin-3 (IL-3), granulocyte-macrophage colony- stimulating factor, and IL-5 (h beta c) can lead to ligand-independent activation was tested by infecting factor-dependent hematopoietic cell lines with retroviruses encoding truncated forms of h beta c. A truncation, resembling that in v-Mpl, and retaining 45 h beta c-derived extracellular residues, led to constitutive activation in the murine myeloid cell line, FDC-P1. However, infection of cells with retrovirus encoding a more severely truncated receptor, retaining only 7 h beta c- derived extracellular residues, did not confer factor independence on these cells. These experiments show that truncation activates the receptor and define a 37-amino acid segment of h beta c (H395-A431) which contains two motifs conserved throughout the cytokine receptor superfamily (consensus Y/H XX R/Q VR and WSXWS), as essential for factor-independent signaling. The mechanism of activation was also investigated in less severe truncations. A receptor that retains the entire membrane-proximal domain (domain 4) also conferred factor independent growth on FDC-P1 cells; however, a retrovirus encoding a truncated form of h beta c having two intact membrane proximal domains did not have this ability, suggesting that domain 3 may have an inhibitory role in h beta c. The ability of these receptors to confer factor independence was cell specific as demonstrated by their inability to confer factor-independent growth when introduced into the murine IL-3-dependent pro-B cell line BaF-B03. These results are consistent with a model in which activation requires unmasking of an interactive receptor surface in domain 4 and association with a myeloid- specific receptor or accessory component. We suggest that in the absence of ligand intramolecular interactions prevent inappropriate signaling.

Human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) receptor (hGMR) consists of alpha and beta subunits, and the precise stoichiometry of these subunits has remained to be determined. In this work, oligomerization of the beta subunit was studied using a chemical cross-linker. In Ba/F3, a mouse interleukin-3-dependent cell line expressing both subunits of hGMR (Ba/F3-alpha,beta), a protein with a molecular mass corresponding to that of a homodimer of the beta subunit (beta homodimer) was detected only when cells were treated with the cross-linker. Dimerization of the beta subunit was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation of a tagged beta subunit with the wild type beta subunit COS7 cells. The beta homodimer had already formed in the absence of hGM-CSF, whereas stimulation with the ligand brought both alpha and beta subunits into a complex, the result being tyrosine phosphorylation of the beta homodimer. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the subunit was impaired by deletion of the cytoplasmic domain of the alpha subunit without interfering with the association of both subunits. These results indicate that the beta homodimer, which alone is insufficient for signaling, forms the functional hGMR with the alpha subunit in response to hGM-CSF.

The adhesive and signaling functions of integrins are regulated through their cytoplasmic domains. We identified a novel 111 residue polypeptide, designated beta 3-endonexin, that interacted with the cytoplasmic tail of the beta 3 integrin subunit in a yeast two-hybrid system. This interaction is structurally specific, since it was reduced by 64% by a point mutation in the beta 3 cytoplasmic tail (S752-->P) that disrupts integrin signaling. Moreover, this interaction is integrin subunit specific since it was not observed with the cytoplasmic tails of the alpha IIb, beta 1, or beta 2 subunits. beta 3-Endonexin fusion proteins bound selectively to detergent-solubilized beta 3 from platelets and human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and beta 3-endonexin mRNA and protein were detected in platelets and other tissues. A related mRNA encoded a larger polypeptide that failed to bind to beta integrin tails. The apparent specificity of beta 3-endonexin for the beta 3 integrin subunit suggests potential mechanisms for selective modulation of integrin functions.

Fibroblasts are the primary proliferating cell type in pulmonary fibrosis. We previously showed that inorganic, fibrogenic particles alter the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor system on rat lung fibroblasts (Bonner, J. C., et al. 1993, J. Clin. Invest 92:425-430). In lung fibroblasts, PDGF is the most potent proliferative cytokine, and the responses to PDGF isoforms depend on the relative amounts of two PDGF receptors (PDGF-R alpha and PDGF-R beta). Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) production by lung macrophages is increased following exposure to fibrogenic particles. We have examined the role of IL-1 beta in regulating the lung fibroblast PDGF receptor system. IL-1 beta induced a 10-fold increase in the number of binding sites for [125I]PDGF-AA, caused a 2-fold increase in affinity of [125I]PDGF-AB, but it had no effect on [125I]PDGF-BB binding. PDGF-R alpha gene expression was increased 5-fold after 4 h of IL-1 beta treatment. IL-1 beta increased the proliferative and chemotactic response to PDGF isoforms in the following order of potency: AA > AB > BB. IL-1 beta was tested for its ability to cause increased [125I]PDGF-AA binding when complexed to its binding protein, alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M). IL-1 beta bound covalently to fast methyl-amine-activated alpha 2M (alpha 2M-MA). IL-1 beta-alpha 2M-MA or alpha 2M-MA alone possessed minimal activity for inducing an increase in [125I]PDGF-AA binding. However, treatment of the IL-1 beta-alpha 2M complex with thioredoxin, which released bioactive IL-1 beta that was covalently bound to alpha 2M, maximally increased [125I]PDGF-AA binding to the same extent as free IL-1 beta. These results indicate that the fibroblast response to PDGF isoforms is modulated by a complex interaction involving IL-1 beta, alpha 2M, and thioredoxin, all of which are produced in vivo by activated macrophages.

Mutations of the IL12B and IL12RB1 genes underlie the development of IL-12 p40 and IL-12Rβ1 deficiencies, respectively, both of which cause predisposition to infection with weakly virulent mycobacteria and Salmonella. Infections with other intramacrophagic organisms have only been rarely observed. We identified two patients with visceral leishmaniasis who had autosomal recessive IL-12 p40 and IL-12Rβ1 deficiencies, respectively. This finding demonstrates the importance of IFN-γ immunity in the control of leishmaniasis. We also searched the literature for similar reports in patients with these and other primary immunodeficiencies.

A detailed structure-function analysis of human interleukin 5 (hIL5) has been performed. The hIL5 receptor is composed of two different polypeptide chains, the alpha and beta subunits. The alpha subunit alone is sufficient for ligand binding, but association with the beta subunit leads to a 2- to 3-fold increase in binding affinity. The beta chain is shared with the receptors for IL3 and granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor--hence the descriptor beta C (C for common). All hIL5 mutants were analyzed in a solid-phase binding assay for hIL5R alpha interaction and in a proliferation assay using IL5-dependent cell lines for receptor-complex activation. Most residues affecting binding to the receptor alpha subunit were clustered in a loop connecting beta-strand 1 and helix B (mutants H38A, K39A, and H41A), in beta-strand 2 (E89A and R91A; weaker effect for E90A) and close to the C terminus (T109A, E110A, W111S, and I112A). Mutations at one position, E13 (Glu13), caused a reduced activation of the hIL5 receptor complex. In the case of E13Q, only 0.05% bioactivity was detected on a hIL5-responsive subclone of the mouse promyelocytic cell line FDC-P1. Moreover, on hIL5-responsive TF1 cells, the same mutant was completely inactive and proved to have antagonistic properties. Interactions of this mutant with both receptor subunits were nevertheless indistinguishable from those of nonmutated hIL5 by crosslinking and Scatchard plot analysis of transfected COS-1 cells.

Interleukin 13 (IL-13) shares many biological properties with IL-4, and although the receptor for IL-4 (IL-4R) has been characterized, the expression and structure of IL-13 receptor are unknown. We report here that human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells express large numbers of functional IL-13R. Human B lymphocytes and monocytes expressed a very small number of IL-13R, while resting or activated human T cells expressed little or no IL-13R. IL-4 did not compete for IL-13 binding, while IL-13 competed for IL-4 binding, even though IL-4R and IL-13R are structurally distinct on human RCC cells. IL-13 cross-linked with one major protein that is similar in size to the γcsubunit of IL-2, −4, −7, −9, and −15 receptors but was not recognized by anti-γcor anti-IL-4R antibodies. IL-4, on the other hand, cross-linked with two major proteins, the smaller of which appears to be similar in size to IL-13R and γc, but (like the IL-13R) it did not react with anti-γcantibody. Although as shown in this study and in previous studies, γcis a functional component of IL-4R in lymphoid cells, it does not appear to be associated with IL-4R on RCC cells. Even in the absence of common γ chain IL-4 and IL-13 were able to up-regulate intracellular adhesion molecule-1 antigen on RCC cells. These data suggest that the interaction of IL-13 with IL-4R does not involve γcand IL-13R itself may be a novel subunit of the IL-4R.

Interleukin 3 is a cytokine that stimulates proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Its receptor consists of two subunits, an interleukin 3-specific alpha subunit and a beta subunit shared by garanulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor and interleukin 5 receptors. In this paper, we determined the genomic structure of the alpha subunit of the human interleukin 3 receptor, which spans approximately 40 kb and has 12 exons. We found that the genomic structures of the alpha subunits of the human interleukin 3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor receptors are very similar. They possess a unique additional intron in the 'C domain', which is absent in the alpha subunit of the interleukin 5 receptor. These results suggest a shared evolutionary pathway of these two genes.

Interleukin (IL)-1β-converting enzyme (ICE) cleaves the biologically inactive precursor form of IL-1β into mature, bioactive IL-1β. Because of the potent effects of IL-1 in blood vessels, we conducted

The interleukin 3 (IL-3), IL-5, and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptors consist of a cytokine-specific alpha subunit and the common beta subunit. Whereas IL-3 stimulates various lineages of hematopoietic cells, including multipotential progenitors, IL-5 acts mainly as an eosinophil lineage-specific factor. To investigate whether the lineage specificity of IL-5 is due to restricted expression of the IL-5 receptor alpha subunit (IL-5R alpha), we generated transgenic mice that express the mouse IL-5R alpha constitutively by phosphoglycerate kinase promoter. The transgenic mouse expressed IL-5R alpha ubiquitously, and the bone marrow cells formed various types of colonies, including multi-lineage colonies, in response to IL-5. IL-5 also supported formation of both multi-lineage and blast cell colonies from dormant progenitors of the 5-fluorouracil-treated transgenic mice. The cells composing the blast cell colony gave rise to many colonies including multi-lineage colonies when they were replated in secondary culture containing either Il-5 or IL-3. There was no significant difference in replating efficiency or in types of secondary colonies between IL-5- and IL-3-stimulated cultures. Conversely, the cells from the IL-3-induced blast cell colonies of the transgenic mice proliferated in response to either IL-3 or IL-5. Thus, the development of the progenitors can be equally supported by either IL-5 or IL-3, suggesting that intracellular signals from the IL-3R can be replaced by those from IL-5. These results strongly suggest that the lineage specificity of IL-5 is mainly due to the restricted expression of IL-5R alpha.

In the present study, it is shown that a human interleukin (IL)-4 mutant protein (IL-4.Y124D) acts as a potent IL-4 and IL-13 receptor antagonist. Human (h) IL-4.Y124D efficiently inhibits both IL-4- and IL-13-induced IgE production in vitro. In addition, hIL-4.Y124D strongly inhibits ongoing human IgE synthesis in SCID-hu mice. These inhibitory effects are specific, since human IgG levels were not significantly affected. These results confirm the notion that the IL-4 and IL-13 receptor share a common component, which is required for signal transduction. In addition, they show that relatively large antagonistic polypeptides, such as hIL-4.Y124D have potential clinical utility in reducing IgE-mediated allergic diseases.

In the present study the inhibitory effects of a panel of 21 monoclonal antibodies (moabs) to rat interleukin 1 beta (rIL-1 beta) on the binding of 125I-labeled rIL-1 beta to murine type I IL-1 receptors on EL4 cells were investigated. Furthermore, the epitopes of these moabs were determined by the use of the pepscan technique, and these epitopes were visualized on a three-dimensional model of rIL-1 beta. Some moabs (SILK 3, 4, 5, 6, and 22) inhibited receptor binding of radioiodinated rIL-1 beta at concentrations that are similar to the dissociation constant values of antibody-rIL-1 beta binding. Another group of moabs (SILK 7, 11, 20, 21, and 23) also inhibited receptor binding but only at concentrations that are 10-150 times higher than their dissociation constants. A large group of moabs did not affect receptor binding in the concentration range tested, and two moabs enhanced the binding of rIL-1 beta to type I receptors. The result of pepscan analysis shows that the moabs bound to one or more of the amino acid sequences 35-49, 66-85, 78-97, 106-124, and 123-143 of mature rIL-1 beta. Modeling of rIL-1 beta shows that the binding domains of SILK 4, 5, 6, and 22 (sequence 123-143) is located at the closed end of the molecule, indicating that this part of rIL-1 beta harbors domains that are crucial for type I receptor binding. The binding domain of SILK 3 (sequence 66-85) is also located at this end of the molecule. In contrast, the binding domains of SILK 7, 11, 20, 21, and 23 (sequence 78-97) are located at the open end of the molecule, which is at the same face as the amino- and carboxy-terminals. The binding domain of SILK 16 (sequence 106-124) is positioned at the center of the molecule. It is concluded that the closed end of rIL-1 beta contains sequences that are crucial for its binding to type I receptors on murine EL4 cells. Because of the high concentrations of antibodies to residues 78-97 of rIL-1 beta that are needed to interfere with receptor binding, the importance of these domains in binding to type I receptors remains uncertain.

The integrin beta 8 subunit was identified by cloning and sequencing of the cDNA and has been shown to associate with the alpha v subunit (Moyle, M., Napier, M. A., and McLean, J. W. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 19650-19658). We now present initial data on its functional properties. We produced a recombinant secreted form of alpha v beta 8 and used it to raise monoclonal antibodies that recognize the alpha v beta 8 complex or the beta 8 subunit alone on the surface of melanoma cells and on beta 8-transfected human embryonic kidney (293) cells. Affinity chromatography experiments showed that secreted alpha v beta 8 bound to vitronectin but not to fibronectin, collagen, or fibrinogen. Supporting evidence that intact full-length alpha v beta 8 could also bind to vitronectin-Sepharose was provided by performing affinity chromatography with the melanoma cell line MeWo, which normally expresses the intact beta 8 subunit. By studying the adhesive properties of melanoma cells and beta 8-transfected 293 cells, we found that alpha v beta 8 by itself does not promote cell adhesion on a vitronectin-coated substrate. To test the respective functional activities of the beta 8 extracellular and cytoplasmic domains, we analyzed chimeric beta 8/beta 3 subunit constructs. The beta 3 subunit was chosen because full-length beta 3, when transfected into 293 cells, strongly supports cell adhesion. We found that a chimeric integrin containing the beta 3 extracellular domain combined with the beta 8 transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains did not promote 293 cell adhesion. Conversely, a chimeric integrin construct combining the beta 8 extracellular domain with the beta 3 transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains did promote adhesion of transfected 293 cells. This suggests that the beta 8 cytoplasmic domain does not interact with the cytoskeleton and with cytoplasmic signaling pathways in an adhesion-promoting fashion. We conclude that the beta 8 cytoplasmic domain, which is structurally unrelated to the conserved cytoplasmic domains of other beta subunits, is functionally distinct.

We have investigated the role of JAK3 in interleukin 2 (IL-2)-induced signal transduction with a human T cell line, ED40515(-), lacking expression of the IL-2 receptor gamma chain and its sublines transfected with wild-type or mutant cDNAs of the IL-2 receptor gamma chain. Our results demonstrated that the membrane-proximal cytoplasmic region, encompassing the src homology region 2 (SH2)-like subdomain, of the gamma chain is essential for association and activation of JAK3. Furthermore, IL-2-induced activation of JAK3 paralleled induction of the c-myc gene and DNA synthesis but not induction of the c-fos and c-jun genes. These results support the hypothesis that JAK3 plays a pivotal role in the IL-2 receptor-mediated signals for cell growth.

The interleukin-2 receptor plays a pivotal role in the regulation of the normal T cell immune response to foreign antigen. The IL-2 receptor γ-chain is one component of this receptor, and is encoded by the gene that is defective in X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency. The clinical manifestations of this disease led to the hypothesis and subsequent confirmation that the γ-chain was in fact a subunit shared by multiple cytokine receptors, including those for IL-2, IL-4, and IL-7.

The functional role of the oligosaccharide chains linked to the insulin receptor (IR) beta subunit was investigated by site-directed mutagenesis of each of the 4 acceptor asparagines (N1 to N4 from the amino to the carboxyl terminus) and stable expression of the receptors in CHO cells. All mutant receptors are expressed normally at the cell surface, bind insulin with similar affinity, but have a beta subunit of smaller molecular mass, and a defect in ligand-induced internalization as compared to wild type receptor. In terms of receptor activation and signal transduction, the N1 and N2 mutants function normally, whereas the N4 mutant exhibits major alterations in in vitro tyrosine kinase activity and autophosphorylation and is unable to transduce the signal for either glycogen or DNA synthesis. By contrast, in vivo autophosphorylation and IRS-1 phosphorylation appear quantitatively normal, and only partial alterations of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation are observed. Mutation of the N3 site results in partial defect of IR activation. These data provide evidence for (i) glycosylation of each N-linked glycosylation site of the IR beta subunit, (ii) absence of correlation between internalization and transmembrane signaling, and (iii) a major role for oligosaccharide side chain(s) located close to the cell membrane in IR activation and transmembrane signaling.

The granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) receptor is composed of an alpha subunit which binds GM-CSF and a beta subunit, which together form the high affinity receptor. By transfecting the human alpha subunit into murine Ba/F3 cells, we have been able to investigate the role of the short 54-amino acid intracytoplasmic portion (amino acid 346-400) of this subunit in mediating cell growth. We have shown that the intracytoplasmic amino acids 346-382 are necessary for GM-CSF-mediated cell growth. In contrast, amino acids 382-400 can be removed without effect. The stable transfection of the human beta subunit into the cell lines containing the mutant alpha subunits did not affect the growth characteristics of these cells. The ability of GM-CSF to stimulate cell growth of the Ba/F3 cells alpha subunit transfectants was correlated with the ability of this hormone to translocate protein kinase C to the particulate fraction. In contrast, the ability of GM-CSF addition to increase phosphorylation of the human beta subunit did not correlate with cell growth and required the entire intracytoplasmic domain of the alpha subunit. These results demonstrate an important role for the intracytoplasmic portion of the alpha subunit in mediating both signal transduction and cell cycle commitment stimulated by GM-CSF.

The rat GABAA receptor delta subunit gene has been isolated and its promoter mapped to facilitate studies of neuron-specific gene transcription. The gene is transcribed from a single promoter with several clustered transcriptional initiation sites. The major start site maps to a prototype initiator sequence located in the center of a TATA-less CpG-rich island. Analysis of the 5'-flanking region of the GABAA receptor delta subunit gene revealed a novel tandemly repeated purine sequence element. Furthermore, gel retardation assays identified several tissue-specific and ubiquitous proteins that bind to this sequence. One of these factors, brain-specific factor (BSF) 1, was only observed in extracts from brain and was distinct from BETA and PAL, two DNA-binding proteins with similar purine-rich recognition sequences. The distribution of BSF1 in brain closely matched the expression pattern previously determined for the delta subunit mRNA, and its binding activity appeared simultaneously with GABAA receptor delta subunit mRNA during differentiation of cerebellar granule cells in vitro. Our data therefore suggest that BSF1 is a novel brain-specific and neuronal cell type-enriched factor possibly involved in differential transcription of the GABAA receptor delta subunit gene.

The interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor (IL-2R) is a multisubunit receptor that includes three major IL-2 binding subunits, the IL-2R alpha, beta, and gamma chains. We have detected and analyzed cooperative interactions between the IL-2R alpha and beta chains (IL-2R alpha and IL-2R beta, respectively) in COS cells transfected with cDNAs encoding the IL-2R alpha, the IL-2R beta, or both cDNAs. We demonstrated that IL-2 F42A, an analog that fails to bind to the isolated IL-2R alpha subunit and would be predicted by the hierarchical affinity-conversion model to have impaired binding to cells expressing both chains, instead readily binds to the IL-2R alpha/beta heterodimer in COS cells. Furthermore, this binding is abolished by the antibody HIEI that separates the two IL-2R subunits. The monoclonal antibodies anti-Tac and Mik-beta 1 directed at the IL-2-binding sites on IL-2R alpha and IL-2R beta, respectively, block ligand binding to the heterodimer. This binding pattern is inconsistent with the strict hierarchical affinity-conversion model that mandates an initial binding of IL-2 to IL-2R alpha followed by binding of the IL-2/IL-2R alpha complex to IL-2R beta. Instead, our results support an alternative model of preformed complexes of IL-2R beta with other IL-2R subunits. In this alternative model, IL-2R alpha and -beta exist in part as preformed complexes in which the affinity of IL-2R beta for IL-2 is altered by the proximity of IL-2R alpha, through mechanisms that do not require the prior binding of IL-2 to IL-2R alpha.

The receptor for granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is composed of at least two subunits, alpha and beta. In addition to the conserved cysteine residues and a "WSxWS" motif, the extracellular segments of both subunits have domains that are structurally related to a fibronectin type III domain. This structure is conserved in all members of the cytokine receptor superfamily. We isolated and characterized genomic DNA clones containing the entire coding sequences of the alpha subunit of the human GM-CSF receptor (hGMR alpha). The gene spans approximately 44 kilobases and has 13 exons. The major transcription initiation site was determined to be 195 base pairs upstream of the translation initiation site. The putative promoter region lacks a typical TATA motif and an Sp1 binding site, but contains a purine-rich stretch about 30 base pairs upstream of the transcription initiation site. This stretch is also found in the human interleukin 2 receptor gamma subunit and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor genes. We compared the exon-intron organization of the hGMR alpha gene with other members of the cytokine receptor superfamily and found the genomic organizations to be remarkably well conserved. On the basis of these observations, we propose a model for evolution of this gene family.

Voltage-gated Na+ channels are heteromeric proteins consisting of alpha and beta subunits. Although alpha subunits alone are sufficient to encode functional channels, beta 1 subunits appear to modulate the kinetics of inactivation. We have used a cross-species reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction approach to isolate cDNAs encoding a Na+ channel beta 1 subunit from human heart and skeletal muscle. The deduced amino acid sequence of the human beta 1 subunit exhibits 96% identity with the rat brain beta 1 subunit. Human beta 1 mRNA transcripts are abundantly expressed in skeletal muscle, heart, and brain. Genomic Southern blot hybridization experiments suggest that a single gene located on chromosome 19 encodes the human beta 1 subunit that is expressed in all three of these tissues. Co-expression of the human beta 1 subunit with the recombinant human skeletal muscle alpha subunit (hSkM1) in Xenopus oocytes results in Na+ currents that inactivate rapidly. In contrast, the human beta 1 subunit has no effect on the function of the tetrodotoxin-insensitive human heart Na+ channel (hH1). These findings indicate that the human beta 1 subunit is widely expressed but does not functionally modify all Na+ channel isoforms.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) signaling results in tyrosine phosphorylation of the 75-kDa IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) beta chain and the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3-K). Herein, we demonstrate that the 85-kDa (p85) regulatory subunit of PI3-K physically associates with the tyrosine-phosphorylated IL-2R beta chain. A fusion protein containing both the amino- and the carboxyl-terminal src homology 2 domains of p85 precipitates an 80-kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein (pp80) from the lysates of IL-2-stimulated, but not unstimulated, human T lymphoblasts. Preclearing studies and immunoblotting with an antiserum to the IL-2R beta chain demonstrates that pp80 represents a portion of the IL-2R beta chain pool. A tyrosine-phosphorylated oligopeptide corresponding to tyrosine 392 of the IL-2R beta chain partially inhibits binding of the IL-2R beta chain by p85 fusion protein, raising the possibility that this residue plays a role in the interaction of PI3-K with the receptor.

The monoclonal antibodies (mAb), beta 12 and beta 31, against the beta subunit of Escherichia coli F1-ATPase (Miki, J., Matsuda, T., Kariya, H., Ohmori, H., Tsuchiya, T., Futai, M., and Kanazawa, H. (1992) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 294, 373-381) recognize the amino-terminal portion of the maximal 104 residues that are not exposed to the surface of the F1-ATPase. To identify the epitope residues within these 104 residues, we introduced random mutations in the region, and clones without binding activity to the mAb, beta 12 and beta 31, were screened. beta subunits defective in binding with mAb beta 12 or beta 31 had amino acid replacements at residues 26, 40, 52, 71, and 74 or at residues 40, 41, 43, 44, 46, and 52, respectively. These residues could be part of the epitope and are possibly located close together. We tested the effects of the mutations on oxidative phosphorylation-dependent growth by introducing expression plasmids of the beta subunit gene with the point mutations into the beta-less mutant, JP17. The alpha and beta subunits were missing from the JP17 membranes, and both subunits were assembled functionally after expression of the beta subunit was induced by introducing the expression plasmid. The replacement of Leu-40 by Pro caused the amounts of the alpha and beta subunits on the membranes to be reduced less than 20% of the amounts in wild type. The replacement of Glu-41 by Lys caused a loss of the alpha subunit on the membranes, without any decrease in the beta subunit. These results indicated that the mutation of Leu-40 to Pro affects the essential role of the beta subunit in the assembly of the alpha and beta subunits on the membranes and that the mutation of Glu-41 to Lys partly affects it. The amino-terminal region of the beta subunit, in particular its ternary structure, including residues 40 and 41, plays an important role in the molecular assembly of the alpha and beta subunits on the membranes.