Physical association between the high-affinity IgG receptor (Fc gamma RI) and the gamma subunit of the high-affinity IgE receptor (Fc epsilon RI gamma)

Abstract

To investigate the structural basis of transmembrane signaling via the high-affinity IgG receptor (Fc gamma RI), the identity of Fc gamma RI-associated proteins in THP-1 human monocytic cells was examined. Anti-Fc gamma RI monoclonal antibody (mAb) 197 immunoprecipitates from 125I-labeled THP-1 cells solubilized in 1% digitonin buffer were found to contain a protein migrating at 12 kDa on reduction. This protein comigrated with the 12-kDa protein precipitated by the anti-high-affinity IgE receptor gamma chain (Fc epsilon RI gamma) mAb 4D8. Similarly, a 70-kDa band immunoprecipitated by mAb 4D8 comigrated with the 70-kDa protein band corresponding to Fc gamma RI in mAb 197 immunoprecipitates. On two-dimensional nonreducing-reducing gel analysis, the 12-kDa protein present in both mAb 197 and mAb 4D8 immunoprecipitates migrated as a disulfide-linked homodimer. Analysis of 1% Nonidet P-40 eluates of the digitonin immunoprecipitates under reducing conditions demonstrated the presence of a 12-kDa band in the mAb 197 immunoprecipitate that could be reprecipitated with mAb 4D8. Conversely, a 70-kDa band in the mAb 4D8 immunoprecipitate could be reprecipitated with mAb 197. Similar to these findings, both mAb 197 and mAb 4D8 precipitated a 12-kDa disulfide-linked homodimeric protein from digitonin lysates of 125I-labeled human neutrophils after induction of Fc gamma RI expression with interferon gamma but not from unstimulated neutrophils. Northern blot analysis confirmed the presence of Fc epsilon RI gamma mRNA in interferon gamma-induced human neutrophils. We conclude that Fc epsilon RI gamma, a member of a family of proteins implicated in transmembrane signaling via immune recognition receptors, associates with Fc gamma RI in human cells.