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The interaction between NLRP1 and oxidized TRX1 involves a transient disulfide bond
Michael B Geeson1, Jeffrey C Hsiao2, Lydia P Tsamouri2
1Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
The NLRP1 inflammasome receptor binds oxidized thioredoxin-1 (TRX1) via a disulfide bond, revealing how the innate immune system senses cellular redox states.
Area of Science:
- Innate immunity
- Molecular biology
- Cellular signaling
Background:
- NLRP1 is an innate immune receptor crucial for detecting pathogens and initiating pyroptosis via inflammasome assembly.
- Previous studies showed oxidized thioredoxin-1 (TRX1) inhibits NLRP1 inflammasome formation, but the binding mechanism was unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanism by which NLRP1 selectively binds oxidized TRX1.
- To understand how NLRP1 senses cellular redox state.
Main Methods:
- AlphaFold-Multimer for structural prediction.
- Site-directed mutagenesis to identify key residues.
- Thiol-trapping experiments and mass spectrometry to confirm interactions.
Main Results:
- A specific cysteine residue (C427) on NLRP1 forms a transient disulfide bond with oxidized TRX1.
- This interaction is dependent on the redox state of TRX1.
Conclusions:
- NLRP1 directly monitors cellular redox potential through disulfide bond formation with oxidized TRX1.
- This discovery highlights an unexpected link between intracellular redox balance and innate immune system function.
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