3 research outputs found
A Prodomain Fragment from the Proteolytic Activation of Growth Differentiation Factor 11 Remains Associated with the Mature Growth Factor and Keeps It Soluble
Growth differentiation
factor 11 (GDF11), a member of the transforming
growth factor β (TGF-β) family, plays diverse roles in
mammalian development. It is synthesized as a large, inactive precursor
protein containing a prodomain, pro-GDF11, and exists as a homodimer.
Activation requires two proteolytic processing steps that release
the prodomains and transform latent pro-GDF11 into active mature GDF11.
In studying proteolytic activation in vitro, we discovered that a
6-kDa prodomain peptide containing residues 60–114, PDP<sub>60–114</sub>, remained associated with the mature growth factor.
Whereas the full-length prodomain of GDF11 is a functional antagonist,
PDP<sub>60–114</sub> had no impact on activity. The specific
activity of the GDF11/PDP<sub>60–114</sub> complex (EC<sub>50</sub> = 1 nM) in a SMAD2/3 reporter assay was identical to that
of mature GDF11 alone. PDP<sub>60–114</sub> improved the solubility
of mature GDF11 at neutral pH. As the growth factor normally aggregates/precipitates
at neutral pH, PDP<sub>60–114</sub> can be used as a solubility-enhancing
formulation. Expression of two engineered constructs with PDP<sub>60–114</sub> genetically fused to the mature domain of GDF11
through a 2x or 3x G4S linker produced soluble monomeric products
that could be dimerized through redox reactions. The construct with
a 3x G4S linker retained 10% activity (EC<sub>50</sub> = 10 nM), whereas
the construct connected with a 2x G4S linker could only be activated
(EC<sub>50</sub> = 2 nM) by protease treatment. Complex formation
with PDP<sub>60–114</sub> represents a new strategy for stabilizing
GDF11 in an active state that may translate to other members of the
TGF-β family that form latent pro/mature domain complexes
Additional file 3: of CDP7657, an anti-CD40L antibody lacking an Fc domain, inhibits CD40L-dependent immune responses without thrombotic complications: an in vivo study
CDP7657 immune complex ( IC ) and aglycosyl hu5c8 IC do not induce platelet aggregation in rhesus monkey platelets both in the absence of presence of sub-aggregatory amounts of the platelet agonist (ADP). In vitro aggregation assay of rhesus monkey washed platelets. A CDP7657 IC did not aggregate rhesus monkey washed platelets in the absence (blue and red), or presence (black and green) of ADP. B Similarly, aglycosyl hu5c8 IC did not aggregate rhesus monkey washed platelets in the absence (blue and red), or presence (black and green) of ADP. (PDF 171 kb
Additional file 1: of CDP7657, an anti-CD40L antibody lacking an Fc domain, inhibits CD40L-dependent immune responses without thrombotic complications: an in vivo study
Inhibition of secondary immune response in Cynomolgus monkeys. CDP7657 at 5 or 20 mg/kg (60 mg/kg was not evaluated in this study) was compared with hu5c8 at 20 mg/kg. Animals were administered a single dose of antibody or i.v saline. and challenged with tetanus toxoid (TT) on day 1; they then received a second dose of antibody and TT on day 30. Data are expressed as the mean anti-TT IgG titer ± standard deviation; approximately 50 % inhibition was observed at 20 mg/kg CDP7657, although this was not statistically significant. ***P <0.001 (one-way analysis of variance) compared with control; NS not significant. (PDF 66 kb