Anthony F. Purchio

Molecular events in the processing of recombinant type 1 pre-pro-transforming growth factor beta to the mature polypeptide.

Recently, the simian type 1 transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta 1) cDNA was expressed at high levels in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells by dihydrofolate reductase-induced gene amplification (L.E. Gentry, N.R. Webb, G.J. Lim, A.M. Brunner, J.E. Ranchalis, D.R. Twardzik, M.N. Lioubin, H. Marquardt, and A.F. Purchio, Mol. Cell. Biol. 7:3418-3427, 1987). We have now purified and characterized the recombinant proteins released by these cells. Analyses of the precursor proteins by amino acid sequencing identified potentially important proteolytic processing sites. Signal peptide cleavage occurs at the Gly-29-Leu-30 peptide bond of pre-pro-TGF-beta 1, yielding pro-TGF-beta 1 (30 to 390). In addition, proteolytic processing of the precursor to yield mature TGF-beta 1 occurs at the dibasic cleavage site immediately preceding Ala-279, indicating that CHO cells possess the appropriate processing enzyme. Greater than 95% of the biological activity detected in the conditioned medium of the CHO transfectant was due to mature, properly processed growth factor. Highly purified recombinant TGF-beta 1 had the same specific biological activity as natural TGF-beta 1. The concentration of TGF-beta 1 required for half-maximal inhibition of Mv1Lu mink lung epithelial cell growth was approximately 1 to 2 pM. Purified precursor inhibited mink lung cell proliferation at 50 to 60 pM concentrations. The purified precursor preparation was shown to consist of pro-TGF-beta 1 (30 to 390), the pro region of the precursor (30 to 278), and mature TGF-beta 1 (279 to 390) interlinked by at least one disulfide bond with the pro portion of the precursor. These recombinant forms of TGF-beta1 should prove useful for further structural and functional studies.

Type 1 transforming growth factor beta: amplified expression and secretion of mature and precursor polypeptides in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Recombinant type 1 transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) was expressed to high levels in CHO cells by using dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) gene amplification. The expression plasmid was derived from the pSV2 vectors and contained, in tandem, the simian TGF-beta and mouse dhfr cDNAs. Transcription of both cDNAs was controlled by the simian virus 40 early promoter. Stepwise selection of transfected CHO cells in increasing concentrations of methotrexate yielded cell lines that expressed amplified TGF-beta nucleic acid sequences. The expression plasmid DNA was amplified greater than 35-fold in one of the methotrexate-selected transfectants. The major proteins secreted by these cells consisted of latent TGF-beta and TGF-beta precursor polypeptides, as judged by immunoblots by using site-specific anti-peptide antibodies derived from various regions of the TGF-beta precursor. Levels of recombinant TGF-beta protein secreted by these cells approached 30 micrograms/24 h per 10(7) cells and required prior acidification for optimal activity; nonacidified supernatants were approximately 1% as active as acidified material. Antibodies directed toward sequences present in the mature growth factor readily identified a proteolytically processed recombinant TGF-beta which, on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, comigrated with highly purified natural TGF-beta. In addition to mature recombinant TGF-beta, site-specific antibodies demonstrated the existence of larger TGF-beta precursor polypeptides. The availability of biologically active recombinant type 1 TGF-beta and precursor forms should provide a means to examine the structure, function, and potential in vivo therapeutic use of this growth factor.

The genome of shope fibroma virus, a tumorigenic poxvirus, contains a growth factor gene with sequence similarity to those encoding epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor alpha

Degenerate oligonucleotide probes corresponding to a highly conserved region common to epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor alpha, and vaccinia growth factor were used to identify a novel growth factor gene in the Shope fibroma virus genome. Sequence analysis indicates that the Shope fibroma growth factor is a distinct new member of this family of growth factors.

The proteoglycan synthesis repertoire of rabbit chondrocytes maintained in type II collagen gels.

Repair of experimental articular cartilage lesions employing cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes requires a detailed knowledge of the phenotypic stability of these cells. A suitable matrix vehicle for use in chondrocyte transplantation is a much sought-after component of any transplantation paradigm. We studied the proteoglycan synthesis repertoire of young immature rabbit articular chondrocytes maintained in chick type II collagen gels or collagen gels supplemented with recombinant human transforming growth factor-beta 1 (rhTGF beta 1). Maintenance of chondrocytes in type II collagen gels increased the percentage 35SO4-labeled proteoglycans reaching equilibrium in the A1D1 or D1 fraction of CsCl density gradient when compared to chondrocytes maintained in polystyrene microwell cultures. Although rhTGF beta 1 supplementation increased the percentage of A1D1/D1 proteoglycan by chondrocytes grown on polystyrene, rhTGF beta 1 did not augment this percentage increase in A1D1/D1 when added to collagen II gels. Rabbit chondrocytes synthesized two core proteins derived from the high-density aggregatable proteoglycans. LI and LII have apparent molecular sizes of 480 kDa and 390 kDa, respectively. Both core protein forms were found in the medium fraction, but the predominant core protein form associated with the cell fraction was LI. Maintenance of chondrocytes in collagen II gels increased synthesis of both core proteins. In addition to the large core proteins, three other core proteins with properties on SDS PAGE characteristic of the small dermatan sulfate proteoglycans, biglycan and decorin, were identified. Synthesis of these core proteins was stimulated by maintenance in collagen gels. Furthermore, they were preferentially retained in the gel matrix. Chondrocytes maintained on glass or in type II collagen gels stained with monoclonal antibodies specific for chondroitin-6-sulfate, chondroitin-4-sulfate and keratan sulfate. However, while chondrocytes grown on glass slides failed to stain with monoclonal antibody 3B3 in the absence of chondroitinase ABC digestion, chondrocytes grown in collagen II gels stained intensely in the absence of enzyme pretreatment. These results were confirmed by Western blots.

Recombinant type 1 transforming growth factor beta precursor produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells is glycosylated and phosphorylated.

Analyses of cDNA clones coding for simian type 1 transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta 1) suggest that there are three potential sites for N-linked glycosylation located in the amino terminus of the precursor region. Analysis of [3H]glucosamine-labeled serum-free supernatants from a line of Chinese hamster ovary cells which secrete high levels of recombinant TGF-beta 1 indicate that the TGF-beta 1 precursor, but not the mature form, is glycosylated. Digestion with neuraminidase resulted in a shift in migration of the two TGF-beta 1 precursor bands, which suggests that they contain sialic acid residues. Endoglycosidase H had no noticeable effect. Treatment with N-glycanase produced two faster-migrating sharp bands, the largest of which had a molecular weight of 39 kilodaltons. TGF-beta 1-specific transcripts produced by SP6 polymerase programmed the synthesis of a 42-kilodalton polypeptide which, we suggest, is the unmodified protein backbone of the precursor. Labeling with 32Pi showed that the TGF-beta 1 precursor was phosphorylated in the amino portion of the molecule.