Discovery

Researchers reveal cellular clockwork underlying inflammation

Researchers at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech have uncovered key cellular functions that help regulate inflammation -- a discovery that could have important implications for the treatment of allergies, heart disease, and certain forms of cancer.

Nuclear magnetic resonance-derived images depict the structures of proteins...
Nuclear magnetic resonance-derived images depict the structures of proteins Tom1 (green) and Tollip (red). These interactive regions are required for both proteins to achieve their cooperative function.
Source: Virginia Tech/Daniel Capelluto

The discovery, to be published in the Oct. 6 issue of the journal Structure, explains how two particular proteins, Tollip and Tom1, work together to contribute to the turnover of cell-surface receptor proteins that trigger inflammation.

"The inflammatory response can be a double-edged sword," said Daniel Capelluto, an associate professor of biological sciences in the College of Science, a Fralin Life Science Institute affiliate, and Fellow in the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute. "At appropriate levels, the inflammatory response protects your body from foreign materials, but if it is not properly regulated it can lead to severe, chronic conditions."

Inflammation plays a role in major health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer, as well as psychiatric diseases such as depression and autism spectrum disorder, according to the National Institutes of Health. The discovery by Virginia Bioinformatics Institute researchers reveals protein structural changes within cells that could help inform treatments.

When the body is attacked by a virus or other germs, specialized cells secrete pro-inflammatory signals recognized by interleukin-1 receptors on the surface of specialized cells, triggering the release of additional pro-inflammatory molecules which amplify the response against pathogens. These receptors continue to promote inflammation as long as they detect that initial "alert" signal.

When a healthy level of inflammation is reached, the receptor proteins need to be removed and delivered to intracellular compartments called endosomes for containment and further clearance. "We knew that Tollip and Tom1 worked together on the surface of the endosome to transport these receptors for degradation," said Capelluto. "But it wasn't clear how they fit together structurally or why two separate proteins were needed to fulfill this cargo transport function."

Using a combination of techniques, including two- and three-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance, and fluorescence cell microscopy, Capelluto's team determined that Tollip's association with Tom1 drastically changes Tollip's structure, forming a unit that can potentially transport cargo much more efficiently than either protein on its own.

Tollip contains a functional module called C2, which anchors the protein to the surface of the endosomal membrane to pick up cargo. However, with C2 engaged in holding Tollip's position, the protein's load-bearing capacity is limited. But when Tom1 binds to Tollip, Tollip's C2 domain is no longer directly associated with the endosomal membrane, potentially shifting its function from "landing gear" to "cargo bay." The resulting unit can carry larger loads and assist in the clearance of unneeded receptor proteins more efficiently.

The discovery expands fundamental understanding of how the body regulates its inflammatory response and may inform efforts to treat diseases associated with chronic inflammation such as heart disease, stroke, and colon cancer, the researchers said.


Source: Virginia Tech

10.09.2015

More on the subject:
Read all latest stories

Related articles

Photo

News • "Gene scissors" vs. sickle cell disease

FDA approves first CRISPR/Cas therapy

It's an important milestone for gene editing technology: a novel treatment for sickle cell disease utilizing CRISPR-Cas9, has now received FDA approval – a first for this type of therapy.

Photo

News • Targeted therapy

Biliary duct cancer: the future of precision oncology

Gene alterations in biliary tract cancer offer potential targets for current or future precision therapies. This is demonstrated by a new study from Vienna.

Photo

News • Potential and pitfalls of CRISPR

Gene therapies raise difficult legal and ethical questions

New advanced therapies can alleviate or cure chronic diseases. But medical progress, such as the gene editing tool CRISPR, raises the question of how rights should be protected and balanced.

Related products

Subscribe to Newsletter