scholarly journals The C-terminal peptide of CCL21 drastically augments CCL21 activity through the dendritic cell lymph node homing receptor CCR7 by interaction with the receptor N-terminus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid Sissel Jørgensen ◽  
Emma Probst Brandum ◽  
Jeppe Malthe Mikkelsen ◽  
Klaudia A. Orfin ◽  
Ditte Rahbæk Boilesen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lymph Node ◽  
Electrostatic Interactions ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Receptor Interaction ◽  
Binding Model ◽  
Lymph Node Homing ◽  
Gating Mechanism ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Positively Charged

AbstractThe endogenous chemokines CCL19 and CCL21 signal via their common receptor CCR7. CCL21 is the main lymph node homing chemokine, but a weak chemo-attractant compared to CCL19. Here we show that the 41-amino acid positively charged peptide, released through C-terminal cleavage of CCL21, C21TP, boosts the immune cell recruiting activity of CCL21 by up to 25-fold and the signaling activity via CCR7 by ~ 100-fold. Such boosting is unprecedented. Despite the presence of multiple basic glycosaminoglycan (GAG) binding motifs, C21TP boosting of CCL21 signaling does not involve interference with GAG mediated cell-surface retention. Instead, boosting is directly dependent on O-glycosylations in the CCR7 N-terminus. As dictated by the two-step binding model, the initial chemokine binding involves interaction of the chemokine fold with the receptor N-terminus, followed by insertion of the chemokine N-terminus deep into the receptor binding pocket. Our data suggest that apart from a role in initial chemokine binding, the receptor N-terminus also partakes in a gating mechanism, which could give rise to a reduced ligand activity, presumably through affecting the ligand positioning. Based on experiments that support a direct interaction of C21TP with the glycosylated CCR7 N-terminus, we propose that electrostatic interactions between the positively charged peptide and sialylated O-glycans in CCR7 N-terminus may create a more accessible version of the receptor and thus guide chemokine docking to generate a more favorable chemokine-receptor interaction, giving rise to the peptide boosting effect.

Characteristics of the Interaction between Thrombin Exosite1 and the Sequence 269-297 of Platelet Glycoprotein Ibα

1998 ◽  
Vol 80 (08) ◽  
pp. 310-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Christine Bouton ◽  
Christophe Thurieau ◽  
Marie-Claude Guillin ◽  
Martine Jandrot-Perrus
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Activation ◽  
Electrostatic Interactions ◽  
Platelet Glycoprotein ◽  
Thrombin Receptor ◽  
Central Position ◽  
Amidolytic Activity ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Hydrolysis Of ◽  
Chemical Cross Linking ◽  
Positively Charged

SummaryThe interaction between GPIb and thrombin promotes platelet activation elicited via the hydrolysis of the thrombin receptor and involves structures located on the segment 238-290 within the N-terminal domain of GPIbα and the positively charged exosite 1 on thrombin. We have investigated the ability of peptides derived from the 269-287 sequence of GPIbα to interact with thrombin. Three peptides were synthesized, including Ibα 269-287 and two scrambled peptides R1 and R2 which are comparable to Ibα 269-287 with regards to their content and distribution of anionic residues. However, R2 differs from both Ibα 269-287 and R1 by the shifting of one proline from a central position to the N-terminus. By chemical cross-linking, we observed the formation of a complex between 125I-Ibα 269-287 and α-thrombin that was inhibited by hirudin, the C-terminal peptide of hirudin, sodium pyrophosphate but not by heparin. The complex did not form when γ-thrombin was substituted for α-thrombin. Ibα 269-287 produced only slight changes in thrombin amidolytic activity and inhibited thrombin binding to fibrin. R1 and R2 also formed complexes with α-thrombin, modified slightly its catalytic activity and inhibited its binding to fibrin. Peptides Ibα 269-287 and R1 inhibited platelet aggregation and secretion induced by low thrombin concentrations whereas R2 was without effect. Our results indicate that Ibα 269-287 interacts with thrombin exosite 1 via mainly electrostatic interactions, which explains why the scrambled peptides also interact with exosite 1. Nevertheless, the lack of effect of R2 on thrombin-induced platelet activation suggests that proline 280 is important for thrombin interaction with GPIb.

scholarly journals Removing the Polyanionic Cargo Requirement for Assembly of Alphavirus Core-Like Particles to Make an Empty Alphavirus Core

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 846
Author(s):  
Julie M. Button ◽  
Suchetana Mukhopadhyay
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Capsid Protein ◽  
Electrostatic Interactions ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Charged Residues ◽  
Size And Morphology ◽  
Positively Charged

The assembly of alphavirus nucleocapsid cores requires electrostatic interactions between the positively charged N-terminus of the capsid protein (CP) and the encapsidated polyanionic cargo. This system differs from many other viruses that can self-assemble particles in the absence of cargo, or form “empty” particles. We hypothesized that the introduction of a mutant, anionic CP could replace the need for charged cargo during assembly. In this work, we produced a CP mutant, Minus 38 (M38), where all N-terminal charged residues are negatively-charged. When wild-type (WT) and M38 CPs were mixed, they assembled into core-like particles (CLPs). These “empty” particles were of similar size and morphology to WT CLPs assembled with DNA cargo, but did not contain nucleic acid. When DNA cargo was added to the assembly mixture, the amount of M38 CP that was assembled into CLPs decreased, but was not fully excluded from the CLPs, suggesting that M38 competes with DNA to interact with WT CPs. The composition of CLPs can be tuned by altering the order of addition of M38 CP, WT CP, and DNA cargo. The ability to produce alphavirus CLPs that contain a range of amounts of encapsidated cargo, including none, introduces a new platform for packaging cargo for delivery or imaging purposes.

scholarly journals Tumour-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) and PD-L1 Expression Correlate with Lymph Node Metastasis, High-Grade Transformation and Shorter Metastasis-Free Survival in Patients with Acinic Cell Carcinoma (AciCC) of the Salivary Glands

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 965
Author(s):  
Selina Hiss ◽  
Markus Eckstein ◽  
Patricia Segschneider ◽  
Konstantinos Mantsopoulos ◽  
Heinrich Iro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lymph Node ◽  
Lymph Node Metastasis ◽  
Lymph Node Metastases ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Node Metastasis ◽  
Node Metastases ◽  
High Grade Transformation ◽  
Infiltrating Lymphocytes

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the number of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and the expression of Programmed Cell Death 1 Ligand 1 (PD-L1) in Acinic Cell Carcinoma (AciCC) of the salivary glands, to enable a correlation with clinico-pathological features and to analyse their prognostic impact. Methods: This single centre retrospective study represents a cohort of 36 primary AciCCs with long-term clinical follow-up. Immunohistochemically defined immune cell subtypes, i.e., those expressing T-cell markers (CD3, CD4 and CD8) or a B-cell marker (CD20) were characterized on tumour tissue sections. The number of TILs was quantitatively evaluated using software for digital bioimage analysis (QuPath). PD-L1 expression on the tumour cells and on immune cells was assessed immunohistochemically employing established scoring criteria: tumour proportion score (TPS), Ventana immune cell score (IC-Score) and combined positive score (CPS). Results: Higher numbers of tumour-infiltrating T- and B- lymphocytes were significantly associated with high-grade transformation. Furthermore, higher counts of T-lymphocytes correlated with node-positive disease. There was a significant correlation between higher levels of PD-L1 expression and lymph node metastases as well as the occurrence of high-grade transformation. Moreover, PD-L1 CPS was associated with poor prognosis regarding metastasis-free survival (p = 0.049). Conclusions: The current study is the first to demonstrate an association between PD-L1 expression and lymph node metastases as well as grading in AciCCs. In conclusion, increased immune cell infiltration of T and B cells as well as higher levels of PD-L1 expression in AciCC in association with high-grade transformation, lymph node metastasis and unfavourable prognosis suggests a relevant interaction between tumour cells and immune cell infiltrates in a subset of AciCCs, and might represent a rationale for immune checkpoint inhibition.

scholarly journals How Insertion of a Single Tryptophan in the N-Terminus of a Cecropin A-Melittin Hybrid Peptide Changes Its Antimicrobial and Biophysical Profile

Membranes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Ana Rita Ferreira ◽  
Cátia Teixeira ◽  
Carla F. Sousa ◽  
Lucinda J. Bessa ◽  
Paula Gomes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrostatic Interactions ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Electron System ◽  
Bacterial Membranes ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Large Unilamellar Vesicles ◽  
Biophysical Profile ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Lysine Residues ◽  
Preferential Location

In the era of antibiotic resistance, there is an urgent need for efficient antibiotic therapies to fight bacterial infections. Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMP) are promising lead compounds given their membrane-targeted mechanism of action, and high affinity towards the anionic composition of bacterial membranes. We present a new CAMP, W-BP100, derived from the highly active BP100, holding an additional tryptophan at the N-terminus. W-BP100 showed a broader antibacterial activity, demonstrating a potent activity against Gram-positive strains. Revealing a high partition constant towards anionic over zwitterionic large unilamellar vesicles and inducing membrane saturation at a high peptide/lipid ratio, W-BP100 has a preferential location for hydrophobic environments. Contrary to BP100, almost no aggregation of anionic vesicles is observed around saturation conditions and at higher concentrations no aggregation is observed. With these results, it is possible to state that with the incorporation of a single tryptophan to the N-terminus, a highly active peptide was obtained due to the π–electron system of tryptophan, resulting in negatively charged clouds, that participate in cation–π interactions with lysine residues. Furthermore, we propose that W-BP100 action can be achieved by electrostatic interactions followed by peptide translocation.

scholarly journals Functionalized Chitosan Nanomaterials: A Jammer for Quorum Sensing

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2533
Author(s):  
Moupriya Nag ◽  
Dibyajit Lahiri ◽  
Dipro Mukherjee ◽  
Ritwik Banerjee ◽  
Sayantani Garai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Targeted Delivery ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Orthodontic Appliances ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Functionalized Nanomaterials ◽  
Low Toxicity ◽  
Novel Target ◽  
Positively Charged

The biggest challenge in the present-day healthcare scenario is the rapid emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance due to the rampant use of antibiotics in daily therapeutics. Such drug resistance is associated with the enhancement of microbial virulence and the acquisition of the ability to evade the host’s immune response under the shelter of a biofilm. Quorum sensing (QS) is the mechanism by which the microbial colonies in a biofilm modulate and intercept communication without direct interaction. Hence, the eradication of biofilms through hindering this communication will lead to the successful management of drug resistance and may be a novel target for antimicrobial chemotherapy. Chitosan shows microbicidal activities by acting electrostatically with its positively charged amino groups, which interact with anionic moieties on microbial species, causing enhanced membrane permeability and eventual cell death. Therefore, nanoparticles (NPs) prepared with chitosan possess a positive surface charge and mucoadhesive properties that can adhere to microbial mucus membranes and release their drug load in a constant release manner. As the success in therapeutics depends on the targeted delivery of drugs, chitosan nanomaterial, which displays low toxicity, can be safely used for eradicating a biofilm through attenuating the quorum sensing (QS). Since the anti-biofilm potential of chitosan and its nano-derivatives are reported for various microorganisms, these can be used as attractive tools for combating chronic infections and for the preparation of functionalized nanomaterials for different medical devices, such as orthodontic appliances. This mini-review focuses on the mechanism of the downregulation of quorum sensing using functionalized chitosan nanomaterials and the future prospects of its applications.

scholarly journals Clusters of Charged Residues at the C Terminus of MotA and N Terminus of MotB Are Important for Function of the Escherichia coli Flagellar Motor

2008 ◽  
Vol 190 (15) ◽  
pp. 5517-5521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edan R. Hosking ◽  
Michael D. Manson
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Flagellar Motor ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Partner Protein ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Charged Residues ◽  
Positively Charged ◽  
Terminal Cluster

ABSTRACT MotA contains a conserved C-terminal cluster of negatively charged residues, and MotB contains a conserved N-terminal cluster of positively charged residues. Charge-altering mutations affecting these residues impair motility but do not diminish Mot protein levels. The motility defects are reversed by second-site mutations targeting the same or partner protein.

scholarly journals Characterization of a human homologue of the murine peripheral lymph node homing receptor.

1989 ◽  
Vol 109 (1) ◽  
pp. 421-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
B R Bowen ◽  
T Nguyen ◽  
L A Lasky
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Lymph Node ◽  
Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Carbohydrate Binding ◽  
Human Homologue ◽  
Peripheral Lymph Node ◽  
Homing Receptor ◽  
Lymph Node Homing ◽  
Peripheral Lymph ◽  
Human Receptor

Lymphocyte trafficking is a fundamental aspect of the immune system that allows B and T lymphocytes with diverse antigen recognition specificities to be exposed to various antigenic stimuli in spatially distinct regions of an organism. A lymphocyte adhesion molecule that is involved with this trafficking phenomenon has been termed the homing receptor. Previous work (Lasky, L., T. Yednock, M. Singer, D. Dowbenko, C. Fennie, H. Rodriguez, T. Nguyen, S. Stachel, and S. Rosen. 1989. Cell. 56:1045-1055) has characterized a cDNA clone encoding a murine homing receptor that is involved in trafficking of lymphocytes to peripheral lymph nodes. This molecule was found to contain a number of protein motifs, the most intriguing of which was a carbohydrate binding domain, or lectin, that is apparently involved in the adhesive interaction between murine lymphocytes and peripheral lymph node endothelium. In this study, we have used the murine cDNA clone to isolate a human homologue of this peripheral lymph node-specific adhesion molecule. The human receptor was found to be highly homologous to the murine receptor in overall sequence, but showed no sequence similarity to another surface protein that may be involved with human lymphocyte homing, the Hermes glycoprotein. The extracellular region of the human receptor contained an NH2 terminally located carbohydrate binding domain followed by an EGF-like domain and a domain containing two repeats of a complement binding motif. Transient cell transfection assays using the human receptor cDNA showed that it encoded a surface glycoprotein that cross reacted with a polyclonal antibody directed against the murine peripheral lymph node homing receptor. Interestingly, the human receptor showed a high degree of sequence homology to another human cell adhesion glycoprotein, the endothelial cell adhesion molecule ELAM.

scholarly journals Role of a ribosomal RNA phosphate oxygen during the EF-G–triggered GTP hydrolysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (20) ◽  
pp. E2561-E2568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Koch ◽  
Sara Flür ◽  
Christoph Kreutz ◽  
Eric Ennifar ◽  
Ronald Micura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Electrostatic Interactions ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Phosphate Group ◽  
Gtp Hydrolysis ◽  
Elongation Cycle ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Catalytically Active ◽  
Gtpase Activation

Elongation factor-catalyzed GTP hydrolysis is a key reaction during the ribosomal elongation cycle. Recent crystal structures of G proteins, such as elongation factor G (EF-G) bound to the ribosome, as well as many biochemical studies, provide evidence that the direct interaction of translational GTPases (trGTPases) with the sarcin-ricin loop (SRL) of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is pivotal for hydrolysis. However, the precise mechanism remains elusive and is intensively debated. Based on the close proximity of the phosphate oxygen of A2662 of the SRL to the supposedly catalytic histidine of EF-G (His87), we probed this interaction by an atomic mutagenesis approach. We individually replaced either of the two nonbridging phosphate oxygens at A2662 with a methyl group by the introduction of a methylphosphonate instead of the natural phosphate in fully functional, reconstituted bacterial ribosomes. Our major finding was that only one of the two resulting diastereomers, the SP methylphosphonate, was compatible with efficient GTPase activation on EF-G. The same trend was observed for a second trGTPase, namely EF4 (LepA). In addition, we provide evidence that the negative charge of the A2662 phosphate group must be retained for uncompromised activity in GTP hydrolysis. In summary, our data strongly corroborate that the nonbridging proSP phosphate oxygen at the A2662 of the SRL is critically involved in the activation of GTP hydrolysis. A mechanistic scenario is supported in which positioning of the catalytically active, protonated His87 through electrostatic interactions with the A2662 phosphate group and H-bond networks are key features of ribosome-triggered activation of trGTPases.

scholarly journals Role of a tryptophan anchor in human topoisomerase I structure, function and inhibition

2008 ◽  
Vol 411 (3) ◽  
pp. 523-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary S. Laco ◽  
Yves Pommier
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Topoisomerase I ◽  
Electrostatic Interactions ◽  
Functional Domain ◽  
Site Mutation ◽  
Supercoiled Dna ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Tryptophan Residues ◽  
N Terminus

Human Top1 (topoisomerase I) relaxes supercoiled DNA during cell division and transcription. Top1 is composed of 765 amino acids and contains an unstructured N-terminal domain of 200 amino acids, and a structured functional domain of 565 amino acids that binds and relaxes supercoiled DNA. In the present study we examined the region spanning the junction of the N-terminal domain and functional domain (junction region). Analysis of several published Top1 structures revealed that three tryptophan residues formed a network of aromatic stacking interactions and electrostatic interactions that anchored the N-terminus of the functional domain to sub-domains containing the nose cone and active site. Mutation of the three tryptophan residues (Trp203/Trp205/Trp206) to an alanine residue, either individually or together, in silico revealed that the individual tryptophan residue's contribution to the tryptophan ‘anchor’ was additive. When the three tryptophan residues were mutated to alanine in vitro, the resulting mutant Top1 differed from wild-type Top1 in that it lacked processivity, exhibited resistance to camptothecin and was inactivated by urea. The results indicated that the tryptophan anchor stabilized the N-terminus of the functional domain and prevented the loss of Top1 structure and function.

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