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Arginine-specific mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferase activity on the surface of human polymorphonuclear neutrophil

L E Donnelly1, N B Rendell, S Murray

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, U.K.

Insights

Human neutrophils possess surface mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferase activity, confirmed using a novel acceptor (DEA-BAG). This enzyme, likely GPI-anchored, modifies cell surface proteins, offering insights into neutrophil signaling pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Human polymorphonuclear neutrophil leucocytes (PMNs) possess enzymatic activities on their surface.
  • Mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferase enzymes play roles in cellular signaling and DNA repair.
  • Understanding PMN surface enzymes is crucial for immune response research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To confirm and characterize Arg-specific mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferase activity on the surface of human PMNs.
  • To identify the substrate specificity and kinetic properties of the identified enzyme.
  • To investigate the enzyme's localization and potential anchoring mechanism on the cell surface.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized diethylamino-(benzylidineamino)guanidine (DEA-BAG) as an ADP-ribose acceptor to detect enzyme activity.
  • Employed High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and electrospray mass spectrometry for product identification.
  • Assessed enzyme kinetics using agmatine as a substrate and investigated cell surface anchoring with phosphoinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC).

Main Results:

  • Confirmed the presence of Arg-specific mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferase activity on human PMN surfaces.
  • ADP-ribosyl-DEA-BAG was synthesized in the presence of PMNs, distinct from non-enzymatic reactions.
  • Enzyme kinetics revealed a Km for NAD+ of 100.1 ± 30.4 μM and Vmax of 1.4 ± 0.2 pmol/h/10^6 cells.
  • PI-PLC treatment reduced enzyme activity by 98%, indicating a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor.
  • Identified cell surface proteins (79, 67, 46, 36, 26 kDa) labeled with [32P]NAD+ as mono(ADP-ribosyl)ated.

Conclusions:

  • Human PMNs exhibit surface mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferase activity, likely mediated by a GPI-anchored enzyme.
  • This activity modifies specific cell surface proteins, suggesting a role in neutrophil function.
  • The findings provide a basis for further investigation into the biological significance of PMN surface ADP-ribosylation.

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