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Identification, cloning, and functional characterization of a murine lipoxin A4 receptor homologue gene

Michael W Vaughn1, Rita J Proske, David L Haviland

  • 1Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, Research Center for Immunology and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Insights

Researchers identified a novel murine receptor, 8C10, closely related to the lipoxin A4 receptor. This receptor is activated by lipoxin A4 (LXA4) and its expression is modulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology and Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics

Background:

  • The N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe peptide receptor (fMLF-R) family plays a crucial role in inflammatory responses.
  • Identifying novel receptors within this family is essential for understanding immune signaling pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discover new members of the murine N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe peptide receptor family.
  • To characterize the function and expression of a newly identified receptor homologue.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of a mouse macrophage cDNA library using the murine N-formyl peptide receptor open reading frame.
  • Sequence analysis, gene cloning, and functional assays (inositol phosphate production) in COS-1 cells.
  • Northern blot analysis of murine organs and gene characterization from a genomic library.

Main Results:

  • A novel cDNA clone, 8C10, was identified, sharing high sequence identity with the murine lipoxin A4 receptor (89%).
  • The 8C10 receptor functionally responded to lipoxin A4 (LXA4) in a dose-dependent manner, inducing inositol phosphate production.
  • 8C10 mRNA was detected in lung, spleen, and adipose tissue, with altered expression in spleen and adipose tissue following LPS treatment.

Conclusions:

  • The 8C10 receptor is a functional homologue of the murine LXA4 receptor, activated by LXA4.
  • Its expression is tissue-specific and dynamically regulated by inflammatory stimuli like LPS.
  • This finding expands the known repertoire of LXA4 receptors and their roles in immune regulation.

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