ROCK2 associates with lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 and mediates oxidized LDL-induced IL-8 production.

Oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) is a contributing factor of endothelial dysfunction, an early cellular event during atherogenesis. In endothelial cells, OxLDL has been shown to stimulate proinflammatory responses, increase lipid accumulation, and induce the expression of adhesion and extracellular matrix degrading molecules. The primary receptor for OxLDL on endothelial cells has been identified as a member of the scavenger receptor family called lectin-like OxLDL receptor-1 (LOX-1). A number of studies on LOX-1 have implicated its role in multiple cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis. To better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of LOX-1 in endothelial cells, we identified interacting proteins in an affinity-purified LOX-1 receptor complex from human aortic endothelial HAECT cells by mass spectrometry. Two molecules involved in Rho signaling pathway, ARHGEF1 and ROCK2, were identified, and their associations with LOX-1 were confirmed in reciprocal immunoprecipitation studies. Particularly, ROCK2 was found to dynamically associate with LOX-1 in the presence of OxLDL. In addition, OxLDL treatment stimulated ROCK2 catalytic activity, and ROCK2 inhibition attenuated NF-kappaB activation and IL-8 production resulting from OxLDL activation of LOX-1. In summary, a functional proteomics approach has enabled us to identify novel LOX-1 interactors that potentially contribute to the cellular and signaling functions of LOX-1.

Molecular basis for positive and negative signaling by the natural killer cell receptor 2B4 (CD244).

Triggering of 2B4 (CD244) can induce natural killer (NK)-cell activation, costimulation, or even inhibition of NK-cell activity. Here, we investigate the molecular basis for the different signals generated by 2B4. We show that the first immunoreceptor tyrosine-based switch motif (ITSM) within the cytoplasmic tail of 2B4 is sufficient for 2B4-mediated NK-cell activation, whereas the third ITSM can negatively influence 2B4 signaling. We further identify signaling molecules that associate with 2B4. Signaling lymphocyte activation molecule-associated protein (SAP) can bind to all 4 ITSMs of 2B4 in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. The phosphorylated third ITSM can additionally recruit the phosphatases SHP-1, SHP-2, SHIP, and the inhibitory kinase Csk. SAP acts as an inhibitor of interactions between 2B4 and these negative regulatory molecules, explaining how 2B4 inhibits NK-cell activation in the absence of functional SAP, as occurs in cells from patients with X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome (XLP). Recently, another function for SAP was proposed: SAP can recruit the kinase Fyn to the SLAM (CD150) immune receptor. We now show that Fyn can also associate with phosphorylated 2B4. Finally, we demonstrate that Fyn and Csk can both phosphorylate 2B4, suggesting a possible mechanism of 2B4 phosphorylation.

Analysis of the human sperm proteome.

As part of our effort to identify putative protein targets for the development of male contraceptives, we performed an in-depth proteomic analysis of human sperm by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Motile sperm were collected from a single fertile individual and fractionated into detergent-soluble and detergent-insoluble fractions. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis separation of these fractions, followed by manual cutting of the gel, yielded 35 gel sections for each fraction to include proteins across the full range of electrophoretic mobility. Proteomic analysis of these gel sections identified more than 1,760 proteins with high confidence, with 1,350 proteins identified in the soluble fraction, 719 identified in the insoluble fraction, and 309 identified in both fractions. This characterization of the human sperm proteome provides a high-resolution, physiologically relevant index of the proteins that comprise human sperm.

NAK is recruited to the TNFR1 complex in a TNFalpha-dependent manner and mediates the production of RANTES: identification of endogenous TNFR-interacting proteins by a proteomic approach.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) is a proinflammatory cytokine with pleiotropic immunological and biological activities. TNFalpha signaling is triggered by the engagement of soluble TNFalpha to two types of cell surface receptors, TNFR1 and TNFR2. This recruits cytosolic proteins to the intracellular domains of the receptors and initiates signaling to downstream effectors. In this study, we used a proteomic approach to identify these cytosolic proteins from affinity-purified, endogenous TNFalpha.TNFR complexes in human myelomonocytic U937 cells. Seven proteins were identified, including TRADD, TRAP2, and TRAF2, which are three proteins known to be recruited to TNFalpha receptors. NAK, RasGAP3, TRCP1, and TRCP2 were also identified. We further showed that NAK is recruited to TNFR1 in a temporally regulated and TNFalpha-dependent manner and that it mediates the TNFalpha-induced production of the chemokine RANTES (regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted). These data demonstrate that NAK is a component of the TNFalpha.TNFR1 signaling complex and confirm the physiological role of NAK in the TNFalpha-mediated response.

PD-1 inhibits T-cell receptor induced phosphorylation of the ZAP70/CD3zeta signalosome and downstream signaling to PKCtheta.

Engagement of the immunoinhibitory receptor, programmed death-1 (PD-1) attenuates T-cell receptor (TCR)-mediated activation of IL-2 production and T-cell proliferation. Here, we demonstrate that PD-1 modulation of T-cell function involves inhibition of TCR-mediated phosphorylation of ZAP70 and association with CD3zeta. In addition, PD-1 signaling attenuates PKCtheta activation loop phosphorylation in a cognate TCR signal. PKCtheta has been shown to be required for T-cell IL-2 production. A phosphorylated PD-1 peptide, corresponding to the C-terminal immunoreceptor tyrosine-switch motif (ITSM), acts as a docking site in vitro for both SHP-2 and SHP-1, while the phosphorylated peptide containing the N-terminal PD-1 immunoreceptor tyrosine based inhibitory motif (ITIM) associates only with SHP-2.

Bioinformatics: how it is being used to identify bacterial vaccine candidates.

Genomic sequencing has provided a tremendous amount of information that can be useful in vaccine target identification. The sheer volume of information available necessitates the use of new research disciplines and techniques. Using bioinformatics, researchers sift through available data to identify appropriate candidates for biological analysis. This review provides an overview of available bioinformatic techniques for vaccine candidate identification and a few examples of how these techniques are being applied to specific bacterial pathogens.

Endogenous association of TRAF2, TRAF3, cIAP1, and Smac with lymphotoxin beta receptor reveals a novel mechanism of apoptosis.

Lymphotoxin-beta receptor (LT beta R) is a member of tumor necrosis factor receptor family and plays essential roles in the embryonic development and organization of secondary lymphoid tissues. It binds two types of tumor necrosis factor family cytokines, heterotrimer LT alpha 1 beta 2 and homotrimer LIGHT, and activates multiple signaling pathways including transcriptional factor NF kappa B, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and cell death. However, the molecular mechanism of the activation of these signaling pathways by LT beta R is not clear. Because there is no enzymatic activity associated with the receptor itself, the signal transduction of LT beta R is mediated by cytoplasmic proteins recruited to receptors. To identify these proteins, we took a proteomic approach. The endogenous LIGHT.LT beta R complex was affinity-purified from U937 cells, and proteins associated with the complex were identified by mass spectrometry. Four of five proteins identified, TRAF2, TRAF3, cIAP1, and Smac, are reported here. Their association with LT beta R was further confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation in U937 cells and HEK293 cells. The presence of cIAP1 and Smac in LIGHT.LT beta R complex revealed a novel mechanism of LIGHT.LT beta R-induced apoptosis.