ABSTRACT
CRTAM (Class-I MHC restricted T cell-associated molecule) is a member of the Nectin-like family, composed of two extracellular domains, one constant domain (IgC) and another variable domain (IgV), expressed in activated CD8 T cells, epithelial cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and in a subpopulation of CD4 T cells. CRTAM recognizes the ligand Nectin-like 2 (Necl2) through the IgV domain. However, the role of the IgC domain during this ligand recognition has yet to be understood. In this study, we show the purification of soluble-folded Ig domains of CRTAM, and we demonstrate that the IgC domain forms a homodimer in solution via hydrophobic interactions. By surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis, we also demonstrate that CRTAM binds to Necl2 with an affinity of 2.16 nM. In conclusion, CRTAM's IgC is essential for a high-affinity interaction with Necl-2.
ABSTRACT
Processes such as cell migration, phagocytosis, endocytosis, and exocytosis refer to the intense exchange of information between the internal and external environment in the cells, known as vesicular trafficking. In eukaryotic cells, these essential cellular crosstalks are controlled by Rab GTPases proteins through diverse adaptor proteins like SNAREs complex, coat proteins, phospholipids, kinases, phosphatases, molecular motors, actin, or tubulin cytoskeleton, among others, all necessary for appropriate mobilization of vesicles and distribution of molecules. Considering these molecular events, Rab GTPases are critical components in specific biological processes of immune cells, and many reports refer primarily to macrophages; therefore, in this review, we address specific functions in immune cells, concretely in the mechanism by which the GTPase contributes in dendritic cells (DCs) and, T/B lymphocytes.
Subject(s)
T-Lymphocytes , rab GTP-Binding Proteins , Humans , rab GTP-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Animals , T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Dendritic Cells/metabolism , Dendritic Cells/immunology , Antigen-Presenting Cells/metabolism , Antigen-Presenting Cells/immunologyABSTRACT
Class-I restricted T cell-associated molecule (CRTAM) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, and it is closely related to nectin-like protein. CRTAM is expressed in activated CD8 T cells, NKT cells, NK cells and in a subpopulation CD4 T cells. In this study, we produce as recombinant proteins, the Ig-domains of CRTAM (IgV-IgC), the IgV, and the IgC. These proteins were successfully purified in the soluble fraction only if the stalk region was included. The recombinant CRTAM recognizes its ligand nectin-like 2 in a cell-free system. We also demonstrate that the IgC domain of CRTAM is recognized by the anti-hCRTAM monoclonal antibody C8 with a 0.62 nM affinity. In conclusion, the stalk region of CRTAM provides solubility for the expression of its Ig-domains as recombinant proteins.
Subject(s)
Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/genetics , Cell-Free System/chemistry , Immunoglobulin Domains/genetics , Immunoglobulins/genetics , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/biosynthesis , Antibodies, Monoclonal/chemistry , Binding Sites , Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/immunology , Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism , Cloning, Molecular , Escherichia coli/genetics , Escherichia coli/metabolism , Female , Gene Expression , Genetic Vectors/chemistry , Genetic Vectors/metabolism , Humans , Hybridomas/chemistry , Immunoglobulins/immunology , Immunoglobulins/metabolism , Jurkat Cells , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Protein Binding , Recombinant Proteins/genetics , Recombinant Proteins/immunology , Recombinant Proteins/metabolismABSTRACT
Small GTPases are signalling molecules that regulate important cellular processes. GTPases are deactivated by GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). While human GAPs have been intensively studied, no GAP has yet been characterized in Entamoeba histolytica. In this study, we identified and characterized a novel nucleocytoplasmic RhoGAP in E. histolytica termed EhRhoGAPnc. In silico analyses of the domain structure revealed a previously undescribed peptide region within the carboxy-terminal region of EhRhoGAPnc capable of interacting with phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate. The full structural GAP domain showed increase GAP activity compared with the minimum region able to display GAP activity, as analysed both by experimental assays and molecular dynamics simulations. Furthermore, we identified amino acid residues that promote interactions between EhRhoGAPnc and its target GTPases EhRacC and EhRacD. Immunofluorescence studies revealed that EhRhoGAPnc colocalized with EhRacC and EhRacD during uroid formation but not during erythrophagocytosis. Interestingly, during erythrophagocytosis of red blood cells, EhRhoGAPnc colocalized with phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate. Overexpression of EhRhoGAPnc in E. histolytica led to inhibition of actin adhesion plate formation, migration, adhesion of E. histolytica to MDCK cells and consequently to an impairment of the cytopathic activity.