Epitope mapping of human centromere autoantigen centromere protein C (CENP-C); heterogeneity of anti-CENP-C response in rheumatic diseases.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To analyze the autoantigenic epitopes of centromere protein C (CENP-C) recognized by anti-centromere antibodies (ACA).

METHODS:

A series of truncated peptides of human CENP-C were expressed in Escherichia coli and immunoblotting analysis was performed with 45 ACA positive sera obtained from patients with different types of autoimmune diseases.

RESULTS:

Although 9 epitopes were scattered over the entire molecule, the N terminus was immunodominant for IgG and IgM classes and the C terminus was dominant for IgG class. Both epitopes were separately located within the instability and centromere targeting domains in vivo, or the oligomerization-accessible and homodimerization domains in vitro, respectively. In contrast, minor epitopes were clustered at the internal DNA binding domain. A number of patterns of immunoreactivities against 3 representative antigenic sites by IgG or IgM class antibodies were found.

CONCLUSION:

The results indicated the existence of different anti-CENP-C responses in rheumatic diseases and a possible correlation between antigenic regions and functional sites in the CENP-C antigen.

• Authors: K Sugimoto, K Kuriyama, M Himeno, Y Muro
• Journal: The Journal of rheumatology (J Rheumatol) Vol. 25 Issue 3 Pg. 474-81 (Mar 1998) ISSN: 0315-162X [Print] Canada
• PMID: 9517766 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Autoantigens
• Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
• Immunoglobulin G
• Immunoglobulin M
• centromere protein C

Topics

• Autoantigens (immunology)
• Centromere (immunology)
• Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone (immunology, metabolism)
• Epitope Mapping
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class II (immunology)
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G (immunology)
• Immunoglobulin M (immunology)
• Longitudinal Studies
• Protein Conformation
• Rheumatic Diseases (immunology, metabolism)