The central theme of this Program Project is to use monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against defined oligopeptides within the subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AcChR) as site-specific probes of AcChR structure (both primary and tertiary structure) and AcChR function. Special attention will be paid to mAbs whose binding interferes with the function of this transmembrane glycoprotein neurotransmitter receptor. Projects 1-4 will assess the effects of the mAbs on particular aspects of AcChR function: Project 1 - ligand binding, Project 2 - ion fluxes by stopped flow technique; Project 3 - ion channel function by patch clamp technique; Project 4 - neuromuscular transmission in vitro and in vivo. Projects 5 and 6 will localize the epitopes of these mAbs within the AcChR structure: Project 5 - production of rationally chosen synthetic oligopeptides mimicking specific sites within AcChR subunits, assessment of the contribution of glycosyl moieties to mAb epitopes, Project 6 -identification of bound mAbs on the low resolution three-dimensional model of AcChR by both small angle X-ray diffraction and high resolution electron microscopy, as well as localization of fluorescent probes. The Scientific Core will produce new mAbs directed against the peptides produced in Project 5 and will provide purified, characterized mAbs for the various projects. In Project 4, the peptides will be used to possibly develop a new treatment modality for experimental myasthenia gravis. This Program Project represents a collaborative effort of immunologists, biochemists, electrophysiologists, peptide chemists, and physical/structural chemists in which the information from the various projects, taken together, will allow for mapping of various sites in the primary sequence of AcChR, especially functionally important sites, onto the three-dimensional model.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
5P01NS024304-03
Application #
3100130
Study Section
Neurological Disorders Program Project Review B Committee (NSPB)
Project Start
1987-01-01
Project End
1991-12-31
Budget Start
1989-01-01
Budget End
1989-12-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Chicago
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
225410919
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60637
Fairclough, R H; Twaddle, G M; Gudipati, E et al. (1998) Mapping the mAb 383C epitope to alpha 2(187-199) of the Torpedo acetylcholine receptor on the three-dimensional model. J Mol Biol 282:301-15
Fairclough, R H; Twaddle, G M; Gudipati, E et al. (1998) Differential surface accessibility of alpha(187-199) in the Torpedo acetylcholine receptor alpha subunits. J Mol Biol 282:317-30
Richman, D P; Agius, M A; Kirvan, C A et al. (1998) Antibody effector mechanisms in myasthenia gravis. The complement hypothesis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 841:450-65
Fairclough, R H; Gudipati, E; Lin, M Y et al. (1998) A role for alpha(187-199) in the conversion of agonist binding energy to the opening of the acetylcholine receptor ion channel. Ann N Y Acad Sci 841:87-92
Richman, D P; Agius, M A (1994) Acquired myasthenia gravis. Immunopathology. Neurol Clin 12:273-84
Richman, D P; Agius, M A (1994) Myasthenia gravis: pathogenesis and treatment. Semin Neurol 14:106-10
Richman, D P; Wollmann, R L; Maselli, R A et al. (1993) Effector mechanisms of myasthenic antibodies. Ann N Y Acad Sci 681:264-73
Xu, Q; Fairclough, R H; Richman, D P (1993) Effects of D-penicillamine on multiple immunogenic epitopes of the acetylcholine receptor. Ann N Y Acad Sci 681:335-8
Fairclough, R H; Josephs, R; Richman, D P (1993) Imaging ligand binding sites on the Torpedo acetylcholine receptor. Ann N Y Acad Sci 681:113-25
Xu, Q; Agius, M; Gudipati, E et al. (1993) An immunogenic self-peptide for T cells in mice with experimental myasthenia. Ann N Y Acad Sci 681:1-4

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