Search

The membrane-integrated protein gp91phox, existing as a heterodimer with p22phox functions as the catalytic core of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase, which plays a crucial role in host defence. The oxidase, dormant in resting cells, becomes activated to produce superoxide, a precursor of microbicidal oxidants. by interacting with the adaptor proteins p47phox and p67phox as well as the small GTPase Rac. In the past few years, several proteins homologous to gp91phox were discovered as superoxide-producing NAD(P)H oxidases (Nox's) in non-phagocytic cells; however, regulatory mechanisms for the novel oxidases have been largely unknown. Current identification of proteins highly related to p47phox and p67phox, designated Noxol (Nox organizer 1) and Noxa1 (Nox activator 1), respectively, has shed lights on common and distinct mechanisms underlying activations of Nox family oxidases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4), a potent chemotactic agent, was catabolized to 20-hydroxyleukotriene B4 (20-OHLTB4) by the 150 000 × g pellet (microsomal fraction) of human neutrophil sonicate. The reaction required molecular oxygen and NADPH, and was significantly inhibited by carbon monoxide, suggesting that a cytochrome P-450 is involved. The neutrophil microsomal fraction showed a carbon monoxide difference spectrum with a peak at 450 nm in the presence of NADPH or dithionite, indicating the presence of a cytochrome P-450. The addition of LTB4 to the microsomal fraction gave a type-1 spectral change with a peak at around 390 nm and a trough at 422 nm, indicating a direct interaction of LTB4 with the cytochrome P-450. The dissociation constant of LTB4, determined from the difference spectra, is 0.40 µM, in agreement with the kinetically determined apparent Km value for LTB4 (0.30 µM). Such a spectral change was not observed with prostaglandins A1, E1 and F2, or laurie acid, none of which inhibited the LTB4 ω-hydroxylation. The inhibition of the LTB4 ω-hydroxylation by carbon monoxide was effectively reversed by irradiation with monochromatic light of 450 nm wavelength. The photochemical action spectrum of the light reversal of the inhibition corresponded remarkably welt with the carbon monoxide difference spectrum. These observations provide direct evidence that the oxygen-activating component of the LTB4 ω-hydroxylase system is a cytochrome P-450. Ferricytochrome c inhibited the hydroxylation of LTB4 and the inhibition was fortified by cytochrome oxidase. An antibody raised against rat liver NADPH-cytochrome-P-450 reductase inhibited both LTB4 ω-hydroxylase activity and the NADPH-cytochrome-c reductase activity of human neutrophil microsomal fraction. These observations indicate that NADPH-cytochrome-P-450 reductase acts as an electron carrier in LTB4 ω-hydroxylase. On the other hand, an antibody raised against rat liver microsomal cytochrome b5 inhibited the NADH-cytochrome-c reductase activity but not the LTB4 ω-hydroxylase activity of human neutrophil microsomal fraction, suggesting that cytochrome b5 does not participate in the LTB4-hydroxylating system. These characteristics indicate that the isoenzyme of cytochrome P-450 in human neutrophils, LTB4 ω-hydroxylase, is different from the ones reported to be involved in ω-hydroxylation reactions of prostaglandins and fatty acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The membrane-bound NADPH oxidase in phagocytes, gp91 phox (a.k.a. Nox2), produces superoxide, a precursor of microbicidal oxidants, thereby playing a crucial role in host defense. Activation of gp91 phox /Nox2 requires assembly with the cytosolic proteins p67 phox and p47 phox , each containing two SH3 domains. Although the C-terminal SH3 domain of p67 phox is responsible for binding to p47 phox , little is known about the role for the first (N-terminal) SH3 domain [SH3(N)]. Here we show that truncation of p67 phox -SH3(N), but not substitution of arginine for the invariant residue Trp-277 in SH3(N), results in an impaired activation of gp91 phox /Nox2. The impairment is overcome by higher expression of an SH3(N)-defective p67 phox in cells, suggesting that SH3(N) primarily increases the affinity of p67 phox for the oxidase complex. On the other hand, p67 phox -SH3(N) is not involved in activation of Nox1 and Nox3, closely-related homologues of gp91 phox /Nox2. Thus p67 phox -SH3(N) specifically functions in gp91 phox /Nox2 activation probably via facilitating oxidase assembly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Phox homology (PX) domain is a functional module that targets membranes through specific interactions with phosphoinositides. The p47phox PX domain preferably binds phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate (PI(3,4)P2) and plays a pivotal role in the assembly of phagocyte NADPH oxidase. We describe the PI(3,4)P2 binding mode of the p47phox PX domain as identified by a transferred cross-saturation experiment. The identified PI(3,4)P2-binding site, which includes the residues of helices a1 and a1' and the following loop up to the distorted left-handed PPII helix, is located at a unique position, as compared with the phosphoinositide-binding sites of all other PX domains characterized thus far. Mutational analyses corroborated the results of the transferred cross-saturation experiments. Moreover, experiments with intact cells demonstrated the importance of this unique binding site for the function of the NADPH oxidase. The low affinity and selectivity of the atypical phosphoinositide-binding site on the p47phox PX domain suggest that different types of phosphoinositides sequentially bind to the p47phox PX domain, allowing the regulation of the multiple events that characterize the assembly and activation of phagocyte NADPH oxidase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most in vivo studies that have addressed the role of actin dynamics in NADPH oxidase function in phagocytes have used toxins to modulate the polymerization state of actin and mostly effects on actin has been evaluated by end point measurements of filamentous actin, which says little about actin dynamics, and without consideration for the subcellular distribution of the perturbed actin cytoskeleton. Results: Here, we in addition to toxins use conditional expression of the major actin regulatory protein LIM kinase- 1 (LIMK1), and shRNA knock-down of cofilin to modulate the cellular F/G-actin ratio in the Ra2 microglia cell line, and we use Fluorescence Recovery after Photobleaching (FRAP) in β-actin-YFP-transduced cells to obtain a dynamic measure of actin recovery rates (actin turn-over rates) in different F/G-actin states of the actin cytoskeleton. Our data demonstrate that stimulated NADPH oxidase function was severely impaired only at extreme actin recovery rates and F/G-actin ratios, and surprisingly, that any moderate changes of these parameters of the actin cytoskeleton invariably resulted in an increased NADPH oxidase activity. Conclusion: moderate actin polymerization and depolymerization both increase the FMLP and PMA-stimulated NADPH oxidase activity of microglia, which is directly correlated with neither actin recovery rate nor F/G- actin ratio. Our results indicate that NADPH oxidase functions in an enhanced state of activity in stimulated phagocytes despite widely different states of the actin cytoskeleton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We previously demonstrated that some fish have unique response in the form of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In the present study, we cloned and sequenced the full-length cDNAs for carp (Cyprinus carpio) phagocyte NADPH oxidase components: gp91phox, p22phox, p47phox, p67phox and p40phox. These amino acid sequences were compared with other teleost and mammalian homologues, to elucidate the features of ROS production of fish neutrophils. The phylogeny analysis clearly demonstrates that the radiation of phagocyte oxidase components took place in the common ancestor of teleosts and mammals. Thereafter, the overall structure and expression pattern of phagocyte oxidase have been highly conserved in two different strains. However the amino acid identity of p67phox and p47phox was relatively lower than the amino acid identities of other components. Moreover, a synteny analysis supports the hypothesis that there was strong selective pressure in the p67phox and p47phox genes. Thus, it is likely that the higher divergence of p67phox and p47phox are responsible for the difference of ROS responses between different species of teleosts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The superoxide-producing phagocyte NADPH oxidase is activated during phagocytosis to destroy ingested microbes. The adaptor protein p40phox associates via the PB1 domain with the essential oxidase activator p67phox, and is considered to function by recruiting p67phox to phagosomes; in this process, the PX domain of p40phox binds to phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PtdIns(3)P], a lipid abundant in the phagosomal membrane. Here we show that the PtdIns(3)P-binding activity of p40phox is normally inhibited by the PB1 domain both in vivo and in vitro. The crystal structure of the full-length p40phox reveals that the inhibition is mediated via intramolecular interaction between the PB1 and PX domains. The interface of the p40phox PB1 domain for the PX domain localizes on the opposite side of that for the p67phox PB1 domain, and thus the PB1-mediated PX regulation occurs without preventing the PB1–PB1 association with p67phox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phagocyte NADPH oxidase plays a crucial role in host defense against microbial infections by generating reactive oxygen species. It is a multisubunit enzyme composed of membrane-bound flavocytochrome b558 as well as cytosolic components, including p47phox, which is essential for assembly of the complex. When phagocytes are activated, the cytosolic components of the NADPH oxidase translocate to flavocytochrome b558 due to binding of the tandem Src homology 3 (SH3) domains of p47phox to a proline-rich region in p22phox, a subunit of flavocytochrome b558. Using NMR titration, we first identified the proline-rich region of p22phox that is essential for binding to the tandem SH3 domains of p47phox. We subsequently determined the solution structure of the p47phox tandem SH3 domains complexed with the proline-rich peptide of p22phox using NMR spectroscopy. In contrast to the intertwined dimer reported for the crystal state, the solution structure is a monomer. The central region of the p22phox peptide forms a polyproline type II helix that is sandwiched by the N- and C-terminal SH3 domains, as was observed in the crystal structure, whereas the C-terminal region of the peptide takes on a short a-helical conformation that provides an additional binding site with the N-terminal SH3 domain. Thus, the C-terminal a-helical region of the p22phox peptide increases the binding affinity for the tandem SH3 domains of p47phox more than 10-fold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Activation of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase requires the regulatory proteins p47 phox and p67 phox , each harboring two SH3 domains. p67 phox interacts with p47 phox via simultaneous binding of the p67 phox C-terminal SH3 domain to both the proline-rich region (PRR) of amino acid residues 360–369 and its C-terminally flanking region of p47 phox ; the role of the interaction in oxidase regulation has not been fully understood. Here we show that the p47 phox –p67 phox interaction is disrupted not only by deletion of the PRR but also by substitution for basic residues in the extra-PRR (K383E/K385E). The substitution impaired oxidase activation partially in vitro and much more profoundly in vivo, indicating the significance of the p47 phox extra-PRR. Replacement of Ser-379 in the extra-PRR, a residue known to undergo phosphorylation in stimulated cells, by aspartate attenuates the interaction and thus results in a defective superoxide production, suggesting that phosphorylation of Ser-379 is involved in oxidase regulation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The phagocyte NADPH oxidase is a multisubunit enzyme responsible for the generation of superoxide anions (O2...) that kill invading microorganisms, p47phox is a cytosolic subunit of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase, which plays a crucial role in the assembly of the activated NADPH oxidase complex. The molecular shapes of the p47phox tandem SH3 domains either with or without a polybasic/autoinhibitory region (PBP/AIR) at the C terminus were studied using small angle x-ray scattering. The tandem SH3 domains with PBR/AIR formed a compact globular structure, whereas the tandem SH3 domains lacking the PBP/AIR formed an elongated structure. Alignment anisotropy analysis by NMR based on the residual dipolar couplings revealed that the tandem SH3 domains with PBP/AIR were in good agreement with a globular module corresponding to the split half of the intertwisted dimer in crystalline state. The structure of the globular module was elucidated to represent a solution structure of the tandem SH3 domain in the autoinhibited form, where the PBR/AIR bundled the tandem SH3 domains and the linker forming a closed structure. Once PBP/AIR is released by phosphorylation, rearrangements of the SH3 domains may occur, forming an open structure that binds to the cytoplasmic proline-rich region of membrane-bound p22phox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superoxide-producing phagocyte NADPH oxidase can be reconstituted in a cell-free system. The activity of NADPH oxidase is dependent on FAD, but the physiological status of FAD in the oxidase is not fully elucidated. To clarify the role of FAD in NADPH oxidase, FAD-free full-length recombinant p47phox, p67phox, p40phox, and Rac were prepared, and the activity was reconstituted with these proteins and purified cytochrome b55s (cyt b558) with different amounts of FAD. A remarkably high activity, over 100 μmol/s/μmol heme, was obtained in the oxidase with purified cyt b558, ternary complex (p47–p67-p40phox), and Rac. From titration with FAD of the activity of NADPH oxidase reconstituted with purified FAD-devoid cyt b558, the dissociation constant Kd of FAD in cyt b558 of reconstituted oxidase was estimated as nearly I nM. We also examined addition of FAD on the assembly process in reconstituted oxidase. The activity was remarkably enhanced when FAD was present during assembly process, and the efficacy of incorporating FAD into the vacant FAD site in purified cyt b55s increased, compared when FAD was added after assembly processes. The absorption spectra of reconstituted oxidase under anaerobiosis showed that incorporation of FAD into cyt b558 recovered electron flow from NADPH to heme. From both Kd values of FAD and the amount of incorporated FAD in cyt b558 of reconstituted oxidase, in combination with spectra, we propose the model in which the Kd values of FAD in cyt b558 is changeable after activation and FAD binding works as a switch to regulate electron transfer in NADPH oxidase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activation of the superoxide-producing phagocyte NADPH oxidase, crucial in host defense, requires the cytosolic proteins p67phox and p47phox. They translocate to the membrane upon cell stimulation and activate flavocytochrome b558, the membrane-integrated catalytic core of this enzyme system. The activators p67phox and p47phox form a ternary complex together with p40phox, an adaptor protein with unknown function, comprising the PX/PB2, SH3 and PC motif-containing domains: p40phox associates with p67phox via binding of the p40phox PC motif to the p67phox PB1 domain, while p47phox directly interacts with p67phox but not with p40phox. Here we show that p40phox enhances membrane translocation of p67phox and p47phox in stimulated cells, which leads to facilitated production of superoxide. The enhancement cannot be elicited by a mutant p40phox carrying the D289A substitution in PC or a p67phox with the K355A substitution in PB1, each being defective in binding to its respective partner. Thus p40phox participates in activation of the phagocyte oxidase by regulating membrane recruitment of p67phox and p47phox via the PB1-PC interaction with p67phox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modular domains mediating specific protein-protein interactions play central roles in the formation of complex regulatory networks to execute various cellular activities. Here we identify a novel domain PB1 in the budding yeast protein Bem1p, which functions in polarity establishment, and mammalian p67phox, which activates the microbicidal phagocyte NADPH oxidase. Each of these specifically recognizes an evolutionarily conserved PC motif to interact directly with Cdc24p (an essential protein for cell polarization) and p40phox (a component of the signaling complex for the oxidase), respectively. Swapping the PB1 domain of Bem1p with that of p67phox, which abolishes its interaction with Cdc24p, confers on cells temperature- sensitive growth and a bilateral mating defect. These phenotypes are suppressed by a mutant Cdc24p harboring the PC motif-containing region of p40phox which restores the interaction with the altered Bem1p. This domain-swapping experiment demonstrates that Bem1p function requires interaction with Cdc24p, in which the PB1 domain and the PC motif participate as responsible modules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phagocyte NADPH oxidase is activated during phagocytosis to produce superoxide, a precursor of microbicidal oxidants. The formation of the active oxidase complex at the membrane requires translocation of the Rac GTPase and two specialized cytosolic proteins that harbor SH3 domains, p67phox and p47phox. Another SH3-domain-containing protein p40 phox, which is constitutively associated with p67phox in phagocytes, also enters the complex upon cell stimulation. Here we describe how we cloned mouse cDNAs encoding p40 phox and its partner in phagocytes, p67phox. Both p40 phox and p67phox comprise several protein-binding modules that are structurally and functionally well conserved between mouse and human, indicating their nature as adaptor proteins. We have also systematically investigated expression of the gene for p40 phox in comparison with those for p67phox and p47phox. Distributions of the mRNAs for the three proteins among tissues are similar, with the most abundant expression in the spleen. The messages are abundant not only in phagocytic cells, but also in B cell lineage. The p40 phox gene, but not the other two, is expressed in some types of cells such as plasma cells and T lymphocytes. Furthermore, in situ hybridization analysis shows that the p40 phox mRNA is distributed in neuronal cells of mouse brain, providing evidence that one of the genes for the specialized oxidase factors is expressed in neurons. These observations raise the possibility that the adaptor protein p40 phox plays a heretofore unsuspected role via interacting with other proteins in the cells that do not express p67phox or p47phox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]