Identification of key residues that confer Rhodobacter sphaeroides LPS activity at horse TLR4/MD-2.

The molecular determinants underpinning how hexaacylated lipid A and tetraacylated precursor lipid IVa activate Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) are well understood, but how activation is induced by other lipid A species is less clear. Species specificity studies have clarified how TLR4/MD-2 recognises d...

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Main Authors: Katherine L Irvine, Monique Gangloff, Catherine M Walsh, David R Spring, Nicholas J Gay, Clare E Bryant
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2014-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0098776
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author Katherine L Irvine
Monique Gangloff
Catherine M Walsh
David R Spring
Nicholas J Gay
Clare E Bryant
author_facet Katherine L Irvine
Monique Gangloff
Catherine M Walsh
David R Spring
Nicholas J Gay
Clare E Bryant
author_sort Katherine L Irvine
collection DOAJ
description The molecular determinants underpinning how hexaacylated lipid A and tetraacylated precursor lipid IVa activate Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) are well understood, but how activation is induced by other lipid A species is less clear. Species specificity studies have clarified how TLR4/MD-2 recognises different lipid A structures, for example tetraacylated lipid IVa requires direct electrostatic interactions for agonism. In this study, we examine how pentaacylated lipopolysaccharide from Rhodobacter sphaeroides (RSLPS) antagonises human TLR4/MD-2 and activates the horse receptor complex using a computational approach and cross-species mutagenesis. At a functional level, we show that RSLPS is a partial agonist at horse TLR4/MD-2 with greater efficacy than lipid IVa. These data suggest the importance of the additional acyl chain in RSLPS signalling. Based on docking analysis, we propose a model for positioning of the RSLPS lipid A moiety (RSLA) within the MD-2 cavity at the TLR4 dimer interface, which allows activity at the horse receptor complex. As for lipid IVa, RSLPS agonism requires species-specific contacts with MD-2 and TLR4, but the R2 chain of RSLA protrudes from the MD-2 pocket to contact the TLR4 dimer in the vicinity of proline 442. Our model explains why RSLPS is only partially dependent on horse TLR4 residue R385, unlike lipid IVa. Mutagenesis of proline 442 into a serine residue, as found in human TLR4, uncovers the importance of this site in RSLPS signalling; horse TLR4 R385G/P442S double mutation completely abolishes RSLPS activity without its counterpart, human TLR4 G384R/S441P, being able to restore it. Our data highlight the importance of subtle changes in ligand positioning, and suggest that TLR4 and MD-2 residues that may not participate directly in ligand binding can determine the signalling outcome of a given ligand. This indicates a cooperative binding mechanism within the receptor complex, which is becoming increasingly important in TLR signalling.
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spelling doaj-art-13ede64a73ed4e5ba60ec18caeaacca72025-08-20T03:10:47ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032014-01-0195e9877610.1371/journal.pone.0098776Identification of key residues that confer Rhodobacter sphaeroides LPS activity at horse TLR4/MD-2.Katherine L IrvineMonique GangloffCatherine M WalshDavid R SpringNicholas J GayClare E BryantThe molecular determinants underpinning how hexaacylated lipid A and tetraacylated precursor lipid IVa activate Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) are well understood, but how activation is induced by other lipid A species is less clear. Species specificity studies have clarified how TLR4/MD-2 recognises different lipid A structures, for example tetraacylated lipid IVa requires direct electrostatic interactions for agonism. In this study, we examine how pentaacylated lipopolysaccharide from Rhodobacter sphaeroides (RSLPS) antagonises human TLR4/MD-2 and activates the horse receptor complex using a computational approach and cross-species mutagenesis. At a functional level, we show that RSLPS is a partial agonist at horse TLR4/MD-2 with greater efficacy than lipid IVa. These data suggest the importance of the additional acyl chain in RSLPS signalling. Based on docking analysis, we propose a model for positioning of the RSLPS lipid A moiety (RSLA) within the MD-2 cavity at the TLR4 dimer interface, which allows activity at the horse receptor complex. As for lipid IVa, RSLPS agonism requires species-specific contacts with MD-2 and TLR4, but the R2 chain of RSLA protrudes from the MD-2 pocket to contact the TLR4 dimer in the vicinity of proline 442. Our model explains why RSLPS is only partially dependent on horse TLR4 residue R385, unlike lipid IVa. Mutagenesis of proline 442 into a serine residue, as found in human TLR4, uncovers the importance of this site in RSLPS signalling; horse TLR4 R385G/P442S double mutation completely abolishes RSLPS activity without its counterpart, human TLR4 G384R/S441P, being able to restore it. Our data highlight the importance of subtle changes in ligand positioning, and suggest that TLR4 and MD-2 residues that may not participate directly in ligand binding can determine the signalling outcome of a given ligand. This indicates a cooperative binding mechanism within the receptor complex, which is becoming increasingly important in TLR signalling.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0098776
spellingShingle Katherine L Irvine
Monique Gangloff
Catherine M Walsh
David R Spring
Nicholas J Gay
Clare E Bryant
Identification of key residues that confer Rhodobacter sphaeroides LPS activity at horse TLR4/MD-2.
PLoS ONE
title Identification of key residues that confer Rhodobacter sphaeroides LPS activity at horse TLR4/MD-2.
title_full Identification of key residues that confer Rhodobacter sphaeroides LPS activity at horse TLR4/MD-2.
title_fullStr Identification of key residues that confer Rhodobacter sphaeroides LPS activity at horse TLR4/MD-2.
title_full_unstemmed Identification of key residues that confer Rhodobacter sphaeroides LPS activity at horse TLR4/MD-2.
title_short Identification of key residues that confer Rhodobacter sphaeroides LPS activity at horse TLR4/MD-2.
title_sort identification of key residues that confer rhodobacter sphaeroides lps activity at horse tlr4 md 2
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0098776
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