Catalytically active artificial and natural antibodies (Abs) or abzymes (Abzs) have been studied intensively (see reviews [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]). The first example of a natural Abz was an IgG found in bronchial asthma patients which hydrolyzes intestinal vasoactive peptide (VIP) [8], the second was an IgG with DNase activity in SLE [9], and the third was an IgG with RNase activity in SLE [10].Catalytic IgGs and/or IgMs hydrolyzing RNA and DNA [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17], polysaccharides [18][19] or peptides and proteins [20][21][22][23][24][25] AbstractVarious catalytic antibodies or abzymes have been detected recently in the sera of patients with several autoimmune pathologies, where their presence is most probably associated with autoimmunization. Recently we have shown that DNase, RNase, and polysaccharide-hydrolyzing activities are associated with IgGs from the sera of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we present evidence demonstrating that highly purified MS IgGs (but not Igs from the sera of healthy individuals) catalyze specifically hydrolysis of human myelin basic protein (hMBP). In contrast to many known proteases, IgGs do not hydrolyze many other different proteins. Specific inhibitors of acidic and thiol proteases have no remarkable effect on proteolytic activity of IgGs. However, specific inhibitor of serine (PMSF, AEBSF, and benzamidin) and metal-dependent (EDTA) proteases significantly inhibit activity of proteolytic abzymes. Interestingly, the ratio of serine-like and metal-dependent activities of MS IgGs varied very much from patient to patient. The findings speak in favor of the generation by the immune systems of individual MS patients of a variety of polyclonal anti-MBP IgGs with different catalytic properties.

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Caffeine is an efficient inhibitor of cellular DNA repair, likely through its effects on ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) and ATR (ATM and Rad3-related) kinases. Here, we show that caffeine treatment causes a dose-dependent reduction in the total amount of HIV-1 and avian sarcoma virus retroviral vector DNA that is joined to host DNA in the population of infected cells and also in the number of transduced cells. These changes were observed at caffeine concentrations that had little or no effect on overall cell growth, synthesis, and nuclear import of the viral DNA, or the activities of the viral integrase in vitro. Substantial reductions in the amount of host-viral-joined DNA in the infected population, and in the number of transductants, were also observed in the presence of a dominant-negative form of the ATR protein, ATRkd. After infection, a significant fraction of these cells undergoes cell death. In contrast, retroviral transduction is not impeded in ATM-deficient cells, and addition of caffeine leads to the same reduction that was observed in ATM-proficient cells. These results suggest that activity of the ATR kinase, but not the ATM kinase, is required for successful completion of the viral DNA integration process and͞or survival of transduced cells. Components of the cellular DNA damage repair response may represent potential targets for antiretroviral drug development.

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Studies of cytokines in multiple sclerosis (MS) have shown that immune mechanisms connected with disturbance of the synthesis of cytokines probably play critical roles in the initiation and prolongation of MS. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 45 patients with active secondary progressive MS were randomized to three groups of 15 patients, each receiving a short course of antibodies to IFN-gamma, to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, or a placebo. After 12 months with analysis of disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale scores), accompanied by interval determinations of lymphocyte subpopulations, cytokine production levels, MRI, and evoked potentials, it was found that only patients who received antibodies to IFN-gamma showed statistically significant improvement compared to the placebo group--a significant increase in the number of patients without confirmed disability progression. This was supported by MRI data (a decrease in the number of active lesions) and systemic changes in cytokine status (a decrease in IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma concentrations in supernatants of actvated blood cells of these MS patients and an increase in TGF-beta production). Neutralization of IFN-gamma could be a new approach to treating secondary progressive MS. Long-term administration of humanized monoclonal antibodies to IFN-gamma and simultaneous use of antibodies to IFN-gamma together with IFN-beta products are planned.

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Transfer RNA molecules have been labeled with 32P at the 5' or 3' end and digested with cobra venom ribonuclease, which preferentially cuts double-stranded regions. The products of yeast tRNAPhe and tRNAVal were analyzed by high-resolution gel electrohporesis. In the free state, these tRNAs were cut predominantly in the acceptor and anticodon stems. Minor cuts occurred in the T psi stem in tRNAVal. The topography of zones interacting with their cognate synthetases was studied by determining the tRNA regions shielded by protein. Nearly 100% protection was found in the anticodon and acceptor stem of tRNAVal, while in tRNAPhe only the stem of the anticodon was protected. Noncognate interactions between tRNAPhe and tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase from beef pancreas were examined. The beef enzyme did not protect tRNAPhe despite the fact that efficient misaminoacylation occurred. The pattern of shielding obtained for each tRNA-synthetase complex was compared with the results of direct ultraviolet cross-linking experiments with these complexes.