Ly-6 superfamily members Ly-6A/E, Ly-6C, and Ly-6I recognize two potential ligands expressed by B lymphocytes

J Immunol. 2002 Nov 1;169(9):5130-6. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.169.9.5130.

Abstract

Most hemopoietic cells express one or more members of the Ly-6 supergene family of small glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked proteins. Although levels of Ly-6 proteins vary with stages of differentiation and activation, their function largely remains unknown. To ascertain whether ligands for Ly-6 proteins exist, chimeric proteins were constructed in which Ly-6E, Ly-6C, and Ly-6I were fused to the murine IgM heavy chain. These chimeras specifically stained both developing and mature B lymphocytes, as assessed by flow cytometry. Analysis of variants of the CH27 B cell lymphoma revealed that Ly-6A/E and Ly-6I recognized different molecules. CH27 cells with low levels of Ly-6A/E ligand activity also lost expression of CD22, and cells transfected with CD22 gained the ability to bind the Ly-6A/E chimera and, to a lesser extent, the Ly-6C and Ly-6I chimeric proteins. As many mature B cells coexpress Ly-6A/E and CD22, the function of Ly-6 molecules may be to associate with other membrane proteins, possibly concentrating these ligands in lipid rafts, rather than acting directly as cell:cell adhesion molecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / genetics
  • Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / metabolism*
  • Antigens, Ly / genetics
  • Antigens, Ly / metabolism*
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism*
  • CD59 Antigens / biosynthesis
  • CD59 Antigens / genetics
  • CD59 Antigens / isolation & purification
  • CD59 Antigens / metabolism*
  • CHO Cells
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules*
  • Cricetinae
  • Genetic Variation / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin Constant Regions / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin mu-Chains / genetics
  • Lectins / genetics
  • Lectins / metabolism*
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Multigene Family / immunology*
  • Myeloid Cells / immunology
  • Myeloid Cells / metabolism
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Protein Binding / immunology
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 2
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte
  • Antigens, Ly
  • CD59 Antigens
  • Cd22 protein, mouse
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Immunoglobulin Constant Regions
  • Immunoglobulin mu-Chains
  • Lectins
  • Ligands
  • Ly6a protein, mouse
  • Ly6i protein, mouse
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 2