Binding of Synthetic LKEKK Peptide to Human T-Lymphocytes

Biochemistry (Mosc). 2016 Aug;81(8):871-5. doi: 10.1134/S0006297916080071.

Abstract

The synthetic peptide LKEKK corresponding to sequence 16-20 of human thymosin-α1 and 131-135 of human interferon-α2 was labeled with tritium to specific activity 28 Ci/mol. The [3H]LKEKK bound with high affinity (Kd = 3.7 ± 0.3 nM) to donor blood T-lymphocytes. Treatment of cells with trypsin or proteinase K did not abolish [3H]LKEKK binding, suggesting the non-protein nature of the peptide receptor. The binding was inhibited by thymosin-α1, interferon-α2, and cholera toxin B subunit (Ki = 2.0 ± 0.3, 2.2 ± 0.2, and 3.6 ± 0.3 nM, respectively). Using [3H]LKEKK, we demonstrated the existence of a non-protein receptor common for thymosin-α1, interferon-α2, and cholera toxin B-subunit on donor blood T-lymphocytes.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha* / chemistry
  • Interferon-alpha* / metabolism
  • Interferon-alpha* / pharmacology
  • Peptides* / chemistry
  • Peptides* / metabolism
  • Peptides* / pharmacology
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Thymalfasin
  • Thymosin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Thymosin / chemistry
  • Thymosin / metabolism
  • Thymosin / pharmacology

Substances

  • IFNA2 protein, human
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Peptides
  • Thymosin
  • Thymalfasin