Effects of antibodies to various molecular forms of a mutationally altered Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase on its activation by zinc.

Immunogenic and antigenic properties of a Zn2+ -deficient alkaline phosphatase produced in a mutant (U-47) of Escherichia coli have been studied. The native U-47 enzyme, that exists in a monomerdimer equilibrium, was used as immunogen. From the antisera obtained, four antibody populations directed to the various molecular forms of U-47 enzyme have been purified by affinity chromatography using specific antigens coupled to glutaraldehyde-activated beads of indubiose. 70% of the total antibody obtained was directed both to the monomeric and the dimeric forms, 9% was directed to the dimer but showed a low affinity for the monomer; 10% and 11% were specifically directed respectively to the monomer and the dimer. Each antibody population purified had a specific effect on the catalytic activity of the Zn2+ -activated U-47 enzyme. The anti-monomer-dimer and the anti-dimer-monomer inhibit to the same extent whereas the specific anti-monomer does not alter the activity significantly and the specific anti-dimer causes a 30% activation. The catalytic activity of the alkaline phosphatase produced in wild-type strains was also reduced by these anti-U-47 enzyme antibodies. However, whereas the anti-monomer had again very little effect, the anti-dimer-monomer and the anti-monomer-dimer inhibited this enzyme to different extents. The specific antidimer also inhibited this wild-type alkaline phosphate. Antibodies of high affinity to the dimeric form of U-47 enzyme, i.e. specific anti-dimer or anti-dimer-monomer, caused a 30% activation when they were added prior to the reactivation process by Zn2+. Specific anti-monomer strongly inhibited this reactivation process. The Fab fragment of the anti-wild-type phosphatase antibody, under the same conditions, caused a 300% activation. The extents of interactions of the various molecular forms of U-47 enzyme and of the wild-type enzyme with the anti-monomer-dimer and with the anti-dimer have been determined. U-47 enzyme monomeric form has three determinants exposed and the dimeric form has five determinants exposed for interacting with the anti-monomer-dimer antibody, the free wild-type enzyme has only two determinants exposed to this antibody. These determinants might be close to the active site or in another critical location since this antibody can reduce the catalytic activity of the wild-type enzyme to half the original value. The anti-dimer antibodies can interact with three determinants exposed at the surface of the free Zn2+ -reactivated U-47 enzyme and the non-covalent binding of one mole of inorganic phosphate results in the exposure of one more antigenic determinant.