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Related Concept Videos

Lymphatic Vessels and Lymph Transport01:16

Lymphatic Vessels and Lymph Transport

Lymphatic vessels, known as lymphatics, are crucial in transporting lymph from peripheral tissues to our venous system. This process begins with lymph entering through tiny capillaries that branch through tissues. These capillaries have unique features such as larger diameters, thinner walls, and a distinctive one-way valve system formed by overlapping endothelial cells.
This one-way system allows fluids, solutes, and even pathogens to enter but prevents their return to the intercellular spaces.
Detailed Structure and Function of Lymph Nodes01:23

Detailed Structure and Function of Lymph Nodes

Lymph nodes are bean-shaped structures that cluster along the lymphatic vessels in the inguinal, axillary, and cervical regions. Each node is divided into compartments by a capsule that extends trabeculae inward.
From a histological perspective, lymph nodes can be split into two main areas: the superficial cortex and the deep medulla. The outer cortex is populated by dendritic cells, macrophages, and B lymphocytes, which are densely packed into follicles. When these B-lymphocytes are presented...
Development of the Lymphatic System01:15

Development of the Lymphatic System

The development of lymphatic tissues and vessels in embryonic life begins around the fifth week. These structures originate from the mesoderm layer, with lymph sacs emerging from developing veins.
The first lymph sacs to form are the paired jugular lymph sacs located at the junction of the internal jugular and subclavian veins. From these sacs, lymphatic capillary plexuses extend to the thorax, upper limbs, neck, and head, eventually forming lymphatic vessels. Each jugular lymph sac maintains a...
Tension Response at Adherens Junctions01:26

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

The adherens junctions that anchor cells together are multi-protein complexes that dynamically adapt to mechanical stimuli such as tensile forces and shear stress. Mechanosensory proteins in these junctions can sense such mechanical stimuli and undergo a shift in their conformation, resulting in an altered function — a process called mechanotransduction.
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin homology) domains...
Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation01:31

Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation

Cells migrating in response to external stimuli form lamellipodia, which are thin membrane protrusions supported by a mesh of linked, branched, or unbranched actin filaments. These actin filaments interact with myosin motor proteins, creating the dynamic actomyosin complex within the cytoskeleton. Contractility, or the ability to generate contractile stress, is inherent to the actomyosin complex. It helps cells detect the stiffness of the surrounding ECM and exert contractile force for...
Structural Protein Function01:56

Structural Protein Function

Structural proteins are a category of proteins responsible for functions ranging from cell shape and movement to providing support to major structures such as bones, cartilage, hair, and muscles. This group includes proteins such as collagen, actin, myosin, and keratin.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity.  In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to form...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Real-time Evaluation of Absolute, Cytosolic, Free Ca2+ and Corresponding Contractility in Isolated, Pressurized Lymph Vessels
08:46

Real-time Evaluation of Absolute, Cytosolic, Free Ca2+ and Corresponding Contractility in Isolated, Pressurized Lymph Vessels

Published on: March 22, 2024

Chapter 3. Lymphotactin structural dynamics.

Brian F Volkman1, Tina Y Liu, Francis C Peterson

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

Methods in Enzymology
|June 2, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Lymphotactin (XCL1) uniquely shifts between two conformations, one acting as a monomer agonist for XCR1 and the other forming a dimer that binds glycosaminoglycans. This dynamic structural interconversion is crucial for its function.

More Related Videos

Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes
09:14

Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes

Published on: June 13, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Real-time Evaluation of Absolute, Cytosolic, Free Ca2+ and Corresponding Contractility in Isolated, Pressurized Lymph Vessels
08:46

Real-time Evaluation of Absolute, Cytosolic, Free Ca2+ and Corresponding Contractility in Isolated, Pressurized Lymph Vessels

Published on: March 22, 2024

Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes
09:14

Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes

Published on: June 13, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Structural Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Lymphotactin/XCL1 is a unique C-class chemokine.
  • Unlike other chemokines, it lacks a disulfide bond, enabling conformational flexibility.
  • This flexibility allows it to adopt distinct structural states.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the dynamics of human lymphotactin structural interconversion.
  • To understand the mechanisms driving the conformational changes.
  • To identify key residues involved in stabilizing different conformations.

Main Methods:

  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy
  • Heparin affinity chromatography
  • Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy
  • Analysis of wild-type and mutant lymphotactin variants

Main Results:

  • Lymphotactin interconverts between two distinct structures at approximately 1/s.
  • One conformation is a monomer that activates the XCR1 receptor.
  • The other conformation forms a dimer that binds glycosaminoglycans.
  • Mutations affecting glycosaminoglycan binding favor the chemokine fold.

Conclusions:

  • Lymphotactin's ability to switch conformations is central to its function.
  • Charge repulsion between Arg23 and Arg43 may drive the shift to the dimer form.
  • Anion binding, such as chloride, stabilizes the chemokine fold.
  • This conformational plasticity offers insights into chemokine receptor interactions and signaling.