The molecular genetic basis of the P histo-blood group system has eluded characterization despite extensive studies of the biosynthesis of the P 1 , P, and P k glycolipids. The main controversy has been whether a single or two distinct UDP-Gal:Gal␤1-R 4-␣-galactosyltransferases catalyze the syntheses of the structurally related P 1 and P k antigens. The P 1 polymorphism is linked to 22q11.3-ter. Data base searches with the coding region of an ␣4GlcNAc-transferase identified a novel homologous gene at 22q13.2 designated ␣4Gal-T1. Expression of full coding constructs of ␣4Gal-T1 in insect cells revealed it encoded P k but not P 1 synthase activity. Northern analysis showed expression of the transcript correlating with P k synthase activity and antigen expression in human B cell lines. Transfection of P k -negative Namalwa cells with ␣4Gal-T1 resulted in strong P k expression. A single homozygous missense mutation, M183K, was found in six Swedish individuals of the rare p phenotype, confirming that ␣4Gal-T1 represented the P k gene. Sequence analysis of the coding region of ␣4Gal-T1 in P 1 ؉/؊ individuals did not reveal polymorphisms correlating with P 1 P 2 typing.The P histo-blood group system is the last of the known carbohydrate defined blood group systems for which the molecular genetic basis has not yet been clarified. The P blood group system involves two major blood group phenotypes, P 1 ϩ and P 1 Ϫ, with approximate frequencies of 80% and 20%, respectively (1, 2). P 1 Ϫ individuals normally express the P antigen (P 1 Ϫ is designated P 2 when P antigen expression is demonstrated), but the rare P k phenotype lacks the P antigen, while the rare p phenotype lack both P and P k antigens (for reviews, see Refs. 3-7). The P 1 ϩ phenotype is defined by expression of the neolacto-series glycosphingolipid P 1 (for structures, see Table I) (8). In contrast, the P, P k , and p antigens constitute intermediate steps in biosynthesis of globo-series glycolipids and give rise to P 1 k , P 2 k , and p phenotypes (9). Although the rare P k phenotype shows the same frequency of P 1 antigen expression as individuals expressing the P antigen, the p phenotype is always associated with lack of P 1 antigen expression. Extensive studies of the chemistry, biosynthesis, and genetics of the P blood group system identified the antigens as being exclusively found on glycolipids, with the blood group specificity being synthesized by at least two distinct glycosyltransferase activities; UDP-galactose:␤-D-galactosyl-␤1-R 4-␣-Dgalactosyltransferase (␣4Gal-T) 1 activity(ies) for P k and P 1 syntheses and UDP-GalNAc:Gb 3 3-␤-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase activity (EC 2.4.1.79) for P synthesis (for reviews, see Refs. 6 and 7). At least two independent gene loci, P and P 1 P k , are involved in defining these antigens. The P blood group-associated LKE antigen, shown to be the extended sialylated Gal-globoside structure (10), may involve polymorphism in an ␣2,3-sialyltransferase activity.A long-standing controversy has been whether a single...

Globotriasosylceramide (Gb3), a neutral glycosphingolipid, is the B-cell differentiation antigen CD77 and acts as the receptor for most Shiga toxins, including verotoxin-1 (VT-1). We have shown that both anti-Gb3/ CD77 mAb and VT-1 induce apoptosis in Burkitt's lymphoma cells. We compared the apoptotic pathways induced by these two molecules by selecting cell lines sensitive to only one of these inducers or to both. In all these cell lines (including the apoptosis-resistant line), VT-1 was transported to the endoplasmic reticulum and inhibited protein synthesis similarly, suggesting that VT-1-induced apoptosis is dissociated from these processes. VT-1 triggered a caspase-and mitochondria-dependent pathway (rapid activation of caspases 8 and 3 associated with a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (⌬ m ) and the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria). In contrast, the anti-Gb3/CD77 mAb-induced pathway was caspase-independent and only involved partial depolarization of mitochondria. Antioxidant compounds had only marginal effects on VT-1-induced apoptosis but strongly protected cells from antiGb3/CD77 mAb-induced apoptosis. VT-1-and anti-Gb3/ CD77 mAb-treated cells displayed very different features on electron microscopy. These results clearly indicate that the binding of different ligands to Gb3/ CD77 triggers completely different apoptotic pathways.

In the hematopoietic system CD77, a glycolipid surface antigen, is restricted to group I Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell lines and a subset of germinal center B lymphocytes. Recently, we have reported that recombinant B subunits of Verotoxin, which specifically binds to CD77, induce programmed cell death of CD77+ BL cells. Here, we show that an anti-CD77 monoclonal antibody (38.13) immobilized on tissue culture dishes also induces apoptosis, and we have explored the signal transducing events leading to this cell death. We show that ligation of CD77 antigen causes an increase of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration owing to an influx of extracellular Ca2+ through calcium channels. Chelation of extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA partially prevents anti-CD77–induced apoptosis, indicating that this process is probably Ca2+ dependent. We show that the cross-linking of CD77 provokes an increase of intracellular cAMP levels followed by cAMP-dependent protein kinase activation. We report that BL cells produce ceramide when they are exposed to 38.13 but, unexpectedly, without a concomitant decrease in sphingomyelin or CD77 content. Finally, we provide evidence that C2-ceramide, calcium ionophore, and forskolin (which increases intracellular levels of cAMP) independently induce apoptosis of CD77+ BL cells and, moreover, that C2-ceramide and forskolin strongly synergize to cause cell death. The possible role of CD77-mediated apoptosis in the B cell selection that occurs in germinal centers is discussed.

No abstract

Following stress signals, the p53 tumor suppressor protein plays a critical role in regulation of cell proliferation, mainly through induction of growth arrest or apoptosis. Therefore, this protein needs to be strictly regulated and numerous studies have shown that the MDM2 protein is an essential element for p53 regulation in normal cells and, most importantly, that overexpression of MDM2 is responsible for p53 inactivation in various types of tumors. A previous study showed that this is the case in some Burkitt lymphoma (BL) cell lines, where enhanced translation of mdm2 messenger RNA results in overexpression of the protein that complexes and inactivates wild-type p53. To further investigate the role of the p53/MDM2 complex in these BL cells, as well as in other lymphoid cells that do not overexpress MDM2, this study used antisense oligodeoxynucleotides directed either against mdm2 or against p53. Results show that the mdm2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide induces apoptosis of cells that express a high or low level of MDM2 protein, only if they contain wild-type p53. Moreover, apoptosis is independent of the accumulation of p53 following mdm2 antisense treatment. Finally, the p53 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, which inhibits the expression of wild-type p53, also induces a decrease of the MDM2 level in cells, whether or not they overexpress this protein, and causes apoptosis of these cells. These results indicate that decreasing the MDM2 protein level by directly or indirectly targeting its biosynthesis is a potent tool for the induction of apoptosis.

In the hematopoietic system CD77, a glycolipid surface anti-Ca 2" dependent. We show that the cross-linking of CD77 gen, is restricted to group I Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell lines provokes an increase of intracellular cAMP levels followed and a subset of germinal center B lymphocytes. Recently, we by cAMP-dependent protein kinase activation. We report have reported that recombinant B subunits of Verotoxin, that BL cells produce ceramide when they are exposed to which specifically binds to CD77, induce programmed cell 38.13 but, unexpectedly, without a concomitant decrease in death of CD77 " BL cells. Here, we show that an anti-CD77 sphingomyelin or CD77 content. Finally, we provide evimonoclonal antibody (38.13) immobilized on tissue culture dence that C2-ceramide, calcium ionophore, and forskolin dishes also induces apoptosis, and we have explored the (which increases intracellular levels of cAMP) independently signal transducing events leading to this cell death. We induce apoptosis of CD77 " BL cells and, moreover, that C2show that ligation of CD77 antigen causes an increase of ceramide and forskolin strongly synergize to cause cell the intracellular Ca 2" concentration owing to an influx of death. The possible role of CD77-mediated apoptosis in the extracellular Ca 2" through calcium channels. Chelation of ex-B cell selection that occurs in germinal centers is discussed. tracellular Ca 2" with EGTA partially prevents anti-CD77-in-᭧