scholarly journals Novel Roles in Human MD-2 of Phenylalanines 121 and 126 and Tyrosine 131 in Activation of Toll-like Receptor 4 by Endotoxin

2007 ◽  
Vol 283 (3) ◽  
pp. 1257-1266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athmane Teghanemt ◽  
Fabio Re ◽  
Polonca Prohinar ◽  
Richard Widstrom ◽  
Theresa L. Gioannini ◽  
...  

Potent mammalian cell activation by Gram-negative bacterial endotoxin requires sequential protein-endotoxin and protein-protein interactions involving lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, CD14, MD-2, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). TLR4 activation requires simultaneous binding of MD-2 to endotoxin (E) and the ectodomain of TLR4. We now describe mutants of recombinant human MD-2 that bind TLR4 and react with E·CD14 but do not support cellular responsiveness to endotoxin. The mutants F121A/K122A MD-2 and Y131A/K132A MD-2 react with E·CD14 only when co-expressed with TLR4. Single mutants K122A and K132A each react with E·CD14 ± TLR4 and promote TLR4-dependent cell activation by endotoxin suggesting that Phe121 and Tyr131 are needed for TLR4-independent transfer of endotoxin from CD14 to MD-2 and also needed for TLR4 activation by bound E·MD-2. The mutant F126A MD-2 reacts as well as wild-type MD-2 with E·CD14 ± TLR4. E·MD-2F126A binds TLR4 with high affinity (Kd ∼ 200 pm) but does not activate TLR4 and instead acts as a potent TLR4 antagonist, inhibiting activation of HEK/TLR4 cells by wild-type E·MD-2. These findings reveal roles of Phe121 and Tyr131 in TLR4-independent interactions of human MD-2 with E·CD14 and, together with Phe126, in activation of TLR4 by bound E·MD-2. These findings strongly suggest that the structural properties of E·MD-2, not E alone, determine agonist or antagonist effects on TLR4.

2004 ◽  
Vol 101 (12) ◽  
pp. 4186-4191 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. L. Gioannini ◽  
A. Teghanemt ◽  
D. Zhang ◽  
N. P. Coussens ◽  
W. Dockstader ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (s1) ◽  
pp. 17-17
Author(s):  
Ben Greulich ◽  
Josh Plotnik ◽  
Peter Hollenhorst

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The objective of this research was to learn how the oncogenic transcription factor, ERG, is regulated in prostate cancer. If we could learn how ERG is regulated and which genes are important for its oncogenic phenotype in prostate cells, we could design new therapeutic strategies against ERG, which has proven to be difficult to target. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We conducted an shRNA screen in prostate cells to determine candidate genes and pathways that are important for ERG function. To validate the findings of the screen, we performed a variety of cell-based functional assays, including trans-well migration, wound healing, and clonogenic survival assays. To further investigate the mechanism between ERG and the genes revealed by the screen, we performed biochemical and molecular biology experiments such as Western blotting and qRT-PCR for protein and mRNA expression, co-immunoprecipitation assays to determine protein-protein interactions, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP-qPCR) to determine transcription factor binding to DNA sites. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The screen revealed that genes involved in the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway are important for ERG-mediated migration. We tested the effect of a TLR4 inhibitor on ERG function and observed decreased migration and clonogenic survival exclusively in ERG-positive cells. Expression of pMEK and pERG was reduced when TLR4 was inhibited, which suggests a mechanism in which TLR4 upregulates pMEK, leading to the phosphorylation and activation of ERG. This is supported by functional assays in which cells expressing a phosphomimetic ERG are resistant to the TLR4 inhibitor. We demonstrated that ERG drives the transcription of TLR4 and its endogenous ligands HSPA8 and BGN. Therefore, ERG can sensitize the cell to TLR4 activation by increasing the number of receptors as well as providing the ligands needed for stimulation. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: This research provides a new therapeutic pathway for treating ERG-positive patients through TLR4 inhibition. This can be beneficial because many patients become resistant to the standard therapy, leaving very few treatment options. TLR4-based therapies could provide an alternative for patients who have developed resistance.


2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (2) ◽  
pp. G256-G265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace L. Su

Endogenous gut-derived bacterial lipopolysaccharides have been implicated as important cofactors in the pathogenesis of liver injury. However, the molecular mechanisms by which lipopolysaccharides exert their effect are not entirely clear. Recent studies have pointed to proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α as mediators of hepatocyte injury. Within the liver, Kupffer cells are major sources of proinflammatory cytokines that are produced in response to lipopolysaccharides. This review will focus on three important molecular components of the pathway by which lipopolysaccharides activate Kupffer cells: CD14, Toll-like receptor 4, and lipopolysaccharide binding protein. Within the liver, lipopolysaccharides bind to lipopolysaccharide binding protein, which then facilitates its transfer to membrane CD14 on the surface of Kupffer cells. Signaling of lipopolysaccharide through CD14 is mediated by the downstream receptor Toll-like receptor 4 and results in activation of Kupffer cells. The role played by these molecules in liver injury will be examined.


Hepatology ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 932-936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace L. Su ◽  
Richard D. Klein ◽  
Alireza Aminlari ◽  
Hong Y. Zhang ◽  
Lars Steinstraesser ◽  
...  

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 3127
Author(s):  
Jiyeon Choi ◽  
Joo Weon Lim ◽  
Hyeyoung Kim

House dust mites (HDM) are critical factors in airway inflammation. They activate respiratory epithelial cells to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activate Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). ROS induce the expression of inflammatory cytokines in respiratory epithelial cells. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant nutrient with anti-inflammatory activity. The present study aimed to investigate whether HDM induce intracellular and mitochondrial ROS production, TLR4 activation, and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression (IL-6 and IL-8) in respiratory epithelial A549 cells. Additionally, we examined whether lycopene inhibits HDM-induced alterations in A549 cells. The treatment of A549 cells with HDM activated TLR4, induced the expression of IL-6 and IL-8, and increased intracellular and mitochondrial ROS levels. TAK242, a TLR4 inhibitor, suppressed both HDM-induced ROS production and cytokine expression. Furthermore, lycopene inhibited the HDM-induced TLR4 activation and cytokine expression, along with reducing the intracellular and mitochondrial ROS levels in HDM-treated cells. These results collectively indicated that the HDM induced TLR4 activation and increased intracellular and mitochondrial ROS levels, thus resulting in the induction of cytokine expression in respiratory epithelial cells. The antioxidant lycopene could inhibit HDM-induced cytokine expression, possibly by suppressing TLR4 activation and reducing the intracellular and mitochondrial ROS levels in respiratory epithelial cells.


2012 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem-Jan M. Schellekens ◽  
Hieronymus W. H. van Hees ◽  
Michiel Vaneker ◽  
Marianne Linkels ◽  
P. N. Richard Dekhuijzen ◽  
...  

Background Mechanical ventilation induces diaphragm muscle atrophy, which plays a key role in difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation. The signaling pathways involved in ventilator-induced diaphragm atrophy are poorly understood. The current study investigated the role of Toll-like receptor 4 signaling in the development of ventilator-induced diaphragm atrophy. Methods Unventilated animals were selected for control: wild-type (n = 6) and Toll-like receptor 4 deficient mice (n = 6). Mechanical ventilation (8 h): wild-type (n = 8) and Toll-like receptor 4 deficient (n = 7) mice.Myosin heavy chain content, proinflammatory cytokines, proteolytic activity of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, caspase-3 activity, and autophagy were measured in the diaphragm. Results Mechanical ventilation reduced myosin content by approximately 50% in diaphragms of wild-type mice (P less than 0.05). In contrast, ventilation of Toll-like receptor 4 deficient mice did not significantly affect diaphragm myosin content. Likewise, mechanical ventilation significantly increased interleukin-6 and keratinocyte-derived chemokine in the diaphragm of wild-type mice, but not in ventilated Toll-like receptor 4 deficient mice. Mechanical ventilation increased diaphragmatic muscle atrophy factor box transcription in both wild-type and Toll-like receptor 4 deficient mice. Other components of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and caspase-3 activity were not affected by ventilation of either wild-type mice or Toll-like receptor 4 deficient mice. Mechanical ventilation induced autophagy in diaphragms of ventilated wild-type mice, but not Toll-like receptor 4 deficient mice. Conclusion Toll-like receptor 4 signaling plays an important role in the development of ventilator-induced diaphragm atrophy, most likely through increased expression of cytokines and activation of lysosomal autophagy.


1996 ◽  
Vol 132 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
E F Smith ◽  
P A Lefebvre

Several studies have indicated that the central pair of microtubules and their associated structures play a significant role in regulating flagellar motility. To begin a molecular analysis of these components we have generated central apparatus-defective mutants in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii using insertional mutagenesis. One paralyzed mutant recovered in our screen, D2, is an allele of a previously identified mutant, pf16. Mutant cells have paralyzed flagella, and the C1 microtubule of the central apparatus is missing in isolated axonemes. We have cloned the wild-type PF16 gene and confirmed its identity by rescuing pf16 mutants upon transformation. The rescued pf16 cells were wild-type in motility and in axonemal ultrastructure. A full-length cDNA clone for PF16 was obtained and sequenced. Database searches using the predicted 566 amino acid sequence of PF16 indicate that the protein contains eight contiguous armadillo repeats. A number of proteins with diverse cellular functions also contain armadillo repeats including pendulin, Rch1, importin, SRP-1, and armadillo. An antibody was raised against a fusion protein expressed from the cloned cDNA. Immunofluorescence labeling of wild-type flagella indicates that the PF16 protein is localized along the length of the flagella while immunogold labeling further localizes the PF16 protein to a single microtubule of the central pair. Based on the localization results and the presence of the armadillo repeats in this protein, we suggest that the PF16 gene product is involved in protein-protein interactions important for C1 central microtubule stability and flagellar motility.


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