Abstract. The selectins (lectin-EGF-complement binding-cell adhesion molecules [LEC-CAMs]) are a family of mammalian receptors implicated in the initial interactions between leukocytes and vascular endothelia, leading to lymphocyte homing, platelet binding, and neutrophil extravasation. The three known selectins, L-selectin (leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 [LECAM-1]), E-selectin (endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 [ELAM-1]), and P-selectin

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The acute inflammatory response requires that circulating leukocytes adhere to, and then migrate through, the vascular wall at the site of ijury or infection. Several receptors have been implicated in this adhesion and migration process, including the selectins, a family of carbohydrate-binding proteins. The ligand for one of these proteins, E-selectin (LECAM-2, ELAM-1) has been described by several groups to contain a polylactosamine structure bearing a terminal sialic acid residue and at least one fucose residue. We report here a more detailed investigation into the minimum structural requirements for carbohydrate recognition by E-selectin. Using both direct binding and inhibition studies we demonstrate that the sialyl Lewisx tetrasaccharides Sia(a2-3)Gal(fi1-4)[Fuc(a1-3)]GlcNAc, and Sia(a2-3)Gal(,1-4) ]Glc are the smallest oligosaccharides recognized by the lectin. In addition, an oligosaccharide containing the sialyl Lewis' epitope is also recognized, but less avidly. We propose a structural model of functional groups necessary for recognition by E-selectin, based on these data and additional experiments on modifications of sialic acid and the reducing terminal saccharide.The acute inflammatory response requires that circulating leukocytes bind to and penetrate the vascular wall to access the site of injury. Several receptors have been implicated in this interaction, including the selectins [LEC cell adhesion molecules (CAMs)], a family of carbohydrate-binding proteins. These proteins are characterized by the presence of domains with homologies to calcium-dependent lectins (Clectins), epidermal growth factor, and complement-binding proteins (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). Recently, a consensus has been reached regarding the nomenclature ofthese proteins (28), resulting in the use of "selectin" for this family, and L-selectin, P-selectin, and E-selectin for the proteins LECAM-1 (LAM-1), GMP-140 (PADGEM, LECAM-3), and ELAM-1 (LECAM-2), respectively. Intense interest in these proteins has resulted in several recent publications describing aspects of the carbohydrate ligands for each of the three selectins (7,8). One member of this family, E-selectin (LECAM-2, ELAM-1) is an adhesion protein transiently expressed on the surface of vascular endothelium and has been implicated in the initial events of neutrophil extravasation. There is general agreement that the ligands for E-selectin include sialylated, polylactosamine oligosaccharides, with a fucos 'on the first {sialyl-Lewisx (sLex) epitope, Sia(a2-3)Gal(B1-4)[Fuc(a1-3)]GlcNAc-R} or second {VIM-2 epitope, Sia(a2-3)Gal(13i-4)GlcNAc(f81-3)Gal(f81-4) GlcNAc-R} N-acetylglucosamine from the nonreducing end.

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans at cell surfaces or in extracellular matrices bind diverse molecules, including growth factors and cytokines, and it is believed that the activities of these molecules may be regulated by the metabolism of heparan sulfate. In this study, purification of a heparan sulfate-degrading enzyme from human platelets led to the discovery that the enzymatic activity residues in at least two members of the platelet basic protein (PBP) family known as connective tissue activating peptide-III (CTAP-III) and neutrophil activating peptide-2. PBP and its N-truncated derivatives, CTAP-III and neutrophil activating peptide-2, are CXC chemokines, a group of molecules involved in inflammation and wound healing. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of the purified heparanase resulted in a single broad band at 8-10 kDa, the known molecular weight of PBP and its truncated derivatives. Gel filtration chromatography of heparanase resulted in peaks of activity corresponding to monomers, dimers, and tetramers; these higher order aggregates are known to form among the chemokines. N-terminal sequence analysis of the same preparation indicated that only PBP and truncated derivatives were present, and commercial CTAP-III from three suppliers had heparanase activity. Antisera produced in animals immunized with a C-terminal synthetic peptide of PBP inhibited heparanase activity by 95%, compared with activity of the purified enzyme in the presence of the preimmune sera. The synthetic peptide also inhibited heparanase by 95% at 250 microM, compared to the 33% inhibition of heparanase activity by two other peptides. The enzyme was determined to be an endoglucosaminidase, and it degraded both heparin and heparan sulfate with optimal activity at pH 5.8. Chromatofocusing of the purified heparanase resulted in two protein peaks: an inactive peak at pI7.3, and an active peak at pI 4.8-5.1. Sequence analysis showed that the two peaks contained identical protein, suggesting that a post-translational modification activates the enzyme.

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