We have characterized the interaction of two monoclonal antibodies with their respective antigens using cellulose-bound sets of overlapping peptides (peptide scans). Both antibodies CB/RS/5 and CB/MT/1 recognize discontinuous epitopes present in human interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). In addition, the interaction between TNF-alpha and its 55-kDa receptor (TNF-R) was investigated by the same approach. Both antibodies, as well as TNF-alpha, interacted with two or more regions of the peptide scans. Antibody-binding competition studies between the native antigens and peptides, covering single parts of the binding regions, enabled us to distinguish between binding to the paratope or other regions of the antibody. The combination of these experimental approaches allowed the identification of short antigen-derived sequences that are separated on the primary sequence but close in space on the surface of IL-10 and TNF-alpha, thus representing putative discontinuous epitopes. In the case of the TNF-R-derived peptide scans, two of the identified regions interact with the structurally similar TNF-beta in the TNF-beta-TNF-R complex. These data indicate that this approach should be generally applicable for mapping nonlinear protein-protein contact sites.

The variable-domain-attached oligosaccharide side chains of a human IgG produced by a human-human-mouse heterohybridoma were analysed. In addition to the conserved N-glycosylation site at Asn-297, an N-glycosylation consensus sequence (Asn-Asn-Ser) is located at position 75 in the variable region of its heavy chain. The antibody was cleaved into its antigen-binding (Fab) and crystallizing fragments. The oligosaccharides of the Fab fragment were released by digestion with various endo- and exoglycosidases and analysed by anion-exchange chromatography and fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis. The predominant components were disialyl- bi-antennary and tetra-sialyl tetra-antennary complex carbohydrates. Of note is the presence in this human IgG of oligosaccharides containing N-glycolylneuraminic acid and N-acetylneuraminic acid in the ratio of 94:6. Furthermore, we determined N-acetylgalactosamine in the Fab fragment of this antibody, suggesting the presence of O-linked carbohydrates. A three-dimensional structure of the glycosylated variable (Fv) fragment was suggested using computer-assisted modelling. In addition, the influence of the Fv-associated oligosaccharides of the CBGA1 antibody on antigen binding was tested in several ELISA systems. Deglycosylation resulted in a decreased antigen-binding activity.

The variable-domain-attached oligosaccharide side chains of a human IgG produced by a human-human-mouse heterohybridoma were analysed. In addition to the conserved N-glycosylation site at Asn-297, an N-glycosylation consensus sequence (Asn-Asn-Ser) is located at position 75 in the variable region of its heavy chain. The antibody was cleaved into its antigen-binding (Fab) and crystallizing fragments. The oligosaccharides of the Fab fragment were released by digestion with various endo- and exoglycosidases and analysed by anion-exchange chromatography and fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis. The predominant components were disialyl- bi-antennary and tetra-sialyl tetra-antennary complex carbohydrates. Of note is the presence in this human IgG of oligosaccharides containing N-glycolylneuraminic acid and N-acetylneuraminic acid in the ratio of 94:6. Furthermore, we determined N-acetylgalactosamine in the Fab fragment of this antibody, suggesting the presence of O-linked carbohydrates. A three-dimensional structure of the glycosylated variable (Fv) fragment was suggested using computer-assisted modelling. In addition, the influence of the Fv-associated oligosaccharides of the CBGA1 antibody on antigen binding was tested in several ELISA systems. Deglycosylation resulted in a decreased antigen-binding activity.