Antigenic determination fragments of alpha-momorcharin.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1998. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Antigenic determination fragments of alpha-momorcharin.

Biochim Biophys Acta. 1997 Oct 20;1336(3):419-24. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/98032991
Leung KC; Meng ZQ; Ho WK; Department of Biochemistry, Chinese University of Hong Kong,; Shatin, N.T.

Abstract: Alpha momorcharin is a protein isolated from the bitter gourd. It has a number of biological activities including induction of abortion, inhibition of tumor growth and anti-HIV. All these activities may be related to the ribosome-inhibiting activity of the protein. Repeated use of alphaMMC can elicit an antigenic response which may neutralize its biological activity. To overcome this problem, we need to know which part of the molecule is the antigenic determinant. In this study, we constructed a random fragment expression library from the alphaMMC cDNA and screened it with three anti-alphaMMC sera. A total of 9 positive clones were picked and sequenced. Based on the sequence information obtained, we were able to deduce three regions at which antibodies raised against native alphaMMC seem to interact. These regions are residues 1-14, residues 71-136 and residues 195-222. Mapping of these regions against a 3D model of alphaMMC indicates that they all are located on the surface of the molecule. As residues 71-136 are found to be in close proximity to the active site involved in ribosome inactivation, treatment with a monoclonal antibody directed to this area was shown to be effective in inactivating the inhibitory effect of alphaMMC on in vitro protein synthesis.

Keywords: Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal Anti-HIV Agents Antibodies, Monoclonal Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic Binding Sites DNA Primers Epitopes/*ANALYSIS/CHEMISTRY Models, Molecular Peptide Fragments/*CHEMISTRY/IMMUNOLOGY Plant Proteins/*CHEMISTRY/*IMMUNOLOGY/PHARMACOLOGY Polymerase Chain Reaction *Protein Conformation Recombinant Proteins/CHEMISTRY/IMMUNOLOGY/PHARMACOLOGY Ribosomes/DRUG EFFECTS Support, Non-U.S. Gov't JOURNAL ARTICLE
980228
M9820698

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