p40phox: the last NADPH oxidase subunit.

The phagocytic NADPH-oxidase is a multiprotein system activated during the inflammatory response to produce superoxide anion (O2-), which is the substrate for formation of additional reactive oxygen species (ROS). The importance of this system for innate immunity is established by chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), a primary immunodeficiency caused by defects in the NADPH oxidase. In this review, we present and discuss recent knowledge about p40phox, the last NADPH oxidase component to be identified. Furthermore, its interaction with cellular pathways outside of the NADPH oxidase is discussed. Described in this review is evidence that p40phox participates in NADPH oxidase dynamics within cells, what is known about its role in the oxidase, the possibility that p40phox participates in non-NADPH oxidase processes in phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells and whether p40phox could mediate a similar function in other NADPH oxidases. An improved understanding of p40phox should provide new insights about NADPH oxidase, the physiology of phagocytic cells and the innate immune system.

[Expression and activity of polymorphisms in the 67-kDa protein of the NADPH oxidase system]. / Expresión y actividad de posibles polimorfismos provenientes de individuos normales en la proteína de 67 kd del sistema NADPH oxidasa utilizando el sistema COSphox.

The NADPH oxidase system plays a central role in the antimicrobial activity of phagocytes. This system is initiated by the translocation of cytosolic proteins p67phox, p47phox and p40phox to be in close contact with membrane flavocytochrome b558. This event begins the electron transfer from cytosolic NADPH to molecular oxygen to produce superoxide anions. Herein, a functional analysis is presented of p67phox polymorphisms identified from healthy humans. Mutations were generated in the p67phox cDNA by site-directed mutagenesis and then transiently expressed in COS7 cells that also expressed gp91phox, p22phox, and p47phox from stable transgenes. The changes Va1166lle, Pro329Ser and His389Gln correspond to possible polymorphisms identified in healthy individuals revealed a functional activity similar to COSphox cells transiently transfected with WT p67phox; therefore, these modifications are not associated with genetic deficiencies in NADPH oxidase. In conclusion, the COSphox system represents an easily transfectable model for analysis of NADPH oxidase function in intact cells. The analysis of mutant derivatives of p67phox provides insight into molecular mechanisms by which this subunit regulates the NADPH oxidase.

Expresión y actividad de posibles polimorfismos provenientes de individuos normales en la proteína de 67 kd del sistema NADPH oxidasa utilizando el sistema COS phox / Expression and activity of polymorphisms in the 67-kDa protein of the NADPH oxidase system

El sistema NADPH oxidasa de las células fagocíticas cumple una función importante durante la respuesta antimicrobiana del organismo. La activación de este sistema está precedida por la translocación de las proteínas citosólicas p67 phox , p47 phox y p40 phox hacia la membrana para ponerse en contacto con el flavocitocromo b 558 , lo que induce la generación del anión superóxido, un precursor de agentes microbicidas oxidantes. El presente trabajo presenta un análisis funcional del sistema NADPH oxidasa basado en los hallazgos de polimorfismos encontrados en el gen de p67 phox de individuos sanos. Para esto se generaron mutaciones en el cADN que codifica la p67 phox y se expresaron en el sistema de células COS phox . Los datos obtenidos en el presente trabajo indican que los cambios Val 166 .Ile, Pro 329 .Ser y His 389 .Gln no generan alteraciones en el funcionamiento de la p67 phox cuando su función se analizó en el sistema transgénico basado en células COS-7. Por lo tanto, estos polimorfismos no generan ningún riesgo genético de producir deficiencias en la activación del sistema NADPH oxidasa. Además, se demuestra que el modelo de células COS phox representa un nuevo sistema celular, fácilmente transfectable que permite estudiar la función del sistema NADPH oxidasa de las células fagocíticas y sus particularidades genéticas. Finalmente, los hallazgos con estos polimorfismos nos permiten avanzar en el conocimiento sobre los mecanismos moleculares involucrados en la activación del sistema NADPH oxidasa células fagocíticas