Evidence that lipopolysaccharide and pertussis toxin bind to different domains on the same p73 receptor on murine

M G Lei1, D C Morrison

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160.

Insights

This study shows that Bordetella pertussis toxin (PT) binding to cells reduces lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding to the p73 receptor. This suggests p73 recognizes both LPS and PT at distinct sites, impacting bacterial endotoxin recognition.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a key bacterial endotoxin recognized by mammalian cells.
  • A specific LPS-binding protein, p73, has been identified on lymphoreticular cells.
  • Bordetella pertussis toxin (PT) interacts with LPS in fluid phase, with lysozyme (LZM) competing for binding.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of cell-bound PT on LPS binding to the p73 receptor.
  • To determine if PT's interaction with LPS in fluid phase is responsible for its effect on LPS-p73 binding.
  • To elucidate the binding sites of LPS and PT on the p73 molecule.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a photoactivable, radioiodinated LPS derivative as a photo-cross-linking probe.
  • Studied the binding of LPS probe to p73 on murine splenocytes in the presence of cell-bound PT.
  • Investigated the role of PT's A-protomer and LPS-LZM interactions in these binding events.

Main Results:

  • Cell-bound PT significantly reduced the binding of the LPS probe to the p73 receptor on splenocytes.
  • This reduction was independent of the PT A-protomer and concentration-dependent.
  • Lysozyme did not affect LPS probe binding to p73 or the observed reduction by PT.
  • Cell-bound PT was radiolabeled by the LPS probe, indicating a direct interaction.

Conclusions:

  • Cell-bound PT influences LPS binding to p73, but not through fluid-phase LPS-PT interactions.
  • PT and LPS likely bind to distinct sites on the p73 molecule.
  • The p73 protein may serve as a common recognition molecule for both LPS and PT.

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