Crystal structure of a human membrane protein involved in cysteinyl leukotriene biosynthesis

The cysteinyl leukotrienes, namely leukotriene (LT)C4 and its metabolites LTD4 and LTE4, the components of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis, are lipid mediators of smooth muscle constriction and inflammation, particularly implicated in bronchial asthma. LTC4 synthase (LTC4S), the pivotal enzyme for the biosynthesis of LTC4 (ref. 10), is an 18-kDa integral nuclear membrane protein that belongs to a superfamily of membrane-associated proteins in eicosanoid and glutathione metabolism that includes 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein, microsomal glutathione S-transferases (MGSTs), and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 (ref. 13). LTC4S conjugates glutathione to LTA4, the endogenous substrate derived from arachidonic acid through the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. In contrast with MGST2 and MGST3 (refs 15, 16), LTC4S does not conjugate glutathione to xenobiotics. Here we show the atomic structure of human LTC4S in a complex with glutathione at 3.3 A resolution by X-ray crystallography and provide insights into the high substrate specificity for glutathione and LTA4 that distinguishes LTC4S from other MGSTs. The LTC4S monomer has four transmembrane alpha-helices and forms a threefold symmetric trimer as a unit with functional domains across each interface. Glutathione resides in a U-shaped conformation within an interface between adjacent monomers, and this binding is stabilized by a loop structure at the top of the interface. LTA4 would fit into the interface so that Arg 104 of one monomer activates glutathione to provide the thiolate anion that attacks C6 of LTA4 to form a thioether bond, and Arg 31 in the neighbouring monomer donates a proton to form a hydroxyl group at C5, resulting in 5(S)-hydroxy-6(R)-S-glutathionyl-7,9-trans-11,14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid (LTC4). These findings provide a structural basis for the development of LTC4S inhibitors for a proinflammatory pathway mediated by three cysteinyl leukotriene ligands whose stability and potency are different and by multiple cysteinyl leukotriene receptors whose functions may be non-redundant.     

Slow-reacting substances (leukotrienes) contract human airway and pulmonary vascular smooth muscle in vitro

During a type I allergic reaction histamine, slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) and other mediator substances are elaborated from specific tissue sites. In allergic asthma these sites are in the lung and the mediator substances cause airway obstruction by contracting smooth muscle and altering mucociliary function. Unlike histamine, slow-reacting substances (SRSs) have been assessed very little for their roles in obstructive airways disease. This has been partly due to the fact that their chemical nature was unknown until recently and thus pure samples were not available for pharmacological studies. However, SRSs isolated from both immunological and non-immunological reactions have been identified as a combination of two related lipid substances--leukotriene C4 (LTC) and leukotriene D4 (LTD); thus it is now possible to use pure SRSs (leukotrienes) in pharmacological studies of airway smooth muscle. LTC and LTD have been shown to contract guinea pig tracheal and lung parenchymal strips but there is no evidence that these substances produce similar effects on human lung tissue. To clarify this, in vivo pharmacological studies were done to determine the actions of LTC and LTD on smooth muscle strips of human bronchus, pulmonary vein and artery, and lung parenchymal tissue containing smooth muscle components and pleura. As indicated in a preliminary report, all four types of tissues contracted in a dose-dependent fashion to the leukotrienes, although these substances only function as partial agonists.     

Structural basis for synthesis of inflammatory mediators by human leukotriene C4 synthase

Cysteinyl leukotrienes are key mediators in inflammation and have an important role in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, in particular bronchial asthma. In the biosynthesis of cysteinyl leukotrienes, conversion of arachidonic acid forms the unstable epoxide leukotriene A4 (LTA4). This intermediate is conjugated with glutathione (GSH) to produce leukotriene C4 (LTC4) in a reaction catalysed by LTC4 synthase: this reaction is the key step in cysteinyl leukotriene formation. Here we present the crystal structure of the human LTC4 synthase in its apo and GSH-complexed forms to 2.00 and 2.15 A resolution, respectively. The structure reveals a homotrimer, where each monomer is composed of four transmembrane segments. The structure of the enzyme in complex with substrate reveals that the active site enforces a horseshoe-shaped conformation on GSH, and effectively positions the thiol group for activation by a nearby arginine at the membrane-enzyme interface. In addition, the structure provides a model for how the omega-end of the lipophilic co-substrate is pinned at one end of a hydrophobic cleft, providing a molecular 'ruler' to align the reactive epoxide at the thiol of glutathione. This provides new structural insights into the mechanism of LTC4 formation, and also suggests that the observed binding and activation of GSH might be common for a family of homologous proteins important for inflammatory and detoxification responses.     

Leukotrienes are potent constrictors of human bronchi

Slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) is released by various stimuli, including immunological challenge, and has long been considered an important mediator of immediate hypersensitivity reactions, such as bronchoconstriction in allergic asthma. Recently, slow reacting substances from several tissues have been identified and characterized as members of a newly discovered group of substances, the leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are generated from arachidonic acid and other polyunsaturated fatty acids in a pathway initially involving a lipoxygenase-catalysed oxygenation at C-5 (Fig. 1). This differs from the synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes, where the initial transformation of arachidonic acid is catalysed by a cyclo oxygenase (Fig. 1). Recently, leukotriene C4(LTC4:5(S)-hydroxy,6(R)-S-glutathionyl-7,9-trans, 11,14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid) and D4(LTD4:5(S)-hydroxy,6(R)-S-cysteinyl-glycyl-7,9-trans,11,14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid) were found to have biological effects in several bioassay systems, which are strikingly similar to those previously reported for impure extracts of SRS-A. Here we report the remarkable contractile activity of both LTC4 and LTD4 on isolated human bronchi, which further emphasizes the possibility that leukotrienes are potent mediators of bronchoconstriction in man.     

Identification and isolation of a membrane protein necessary for leukotriene production

Several inflammatory diseases, including asthma, arthritis and psoriasis are associated with the production of leukotrienes by neutrophils, mast cells and macrophages. The initial enzymatic step in the formation of leukotrienes is the oxidation of arachidonic acid by 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) to leukotriene A4. Osteosarcoma cells transfected with 5-LO express active enzyme in broken cell preparations, but no leukotriene metabolites are produced by these cells when stimulated with the calcium ionophore A23187, indicating that an additional component is necessary for cellular 5-LO activity. A new class of indole leukotriene inhibitor has been described that inhibits the formation of cellular leukotrienes but has no direct inhibitory effect on soluble 5-LO activity. We have now used these potent agents to identify and isolate a novel membrane protein of relative molecular mass 18,000 which is necessary for cellular leukotriene synthesis.     

Requirement of a 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein for leukotriene synthesis

Leukotrienes, the biologically active metabolites of arachidonic acid, have been implicated in a variety of inflammatory responses, including asthma, arthritis and psoriasis. Recently a compound, MK-886, has been described that blocks the synthesis of leukotrienes in intact activated leukocytes, but has little or no effect on enzymes involved in leukotriene synthesis, including 5-lipoxygenase, in cell-free systems. A membrane protein with a high affinity for MK-886 and possibly representing the cellular target for MK-886 has been isolated from rat and human leukocytes. Here, we report the isolation of a complementary DNA clone encoding the MK-886-binding protein. We also demonstrate that the expression of both the MK-886-binding protein and 5-lipoxygenase is necessary for leukotriene synthesis in intact cells. Because the MK-886-binding protein seems to play a part in activating this enzyme in cells, it is termed the five-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP).     

Regulation of distinct AMPA receptor phosphorylation sites during bidirectional synaptic plasticity

Bidirectional changes in the efficacy of neuronal synaptic transmission, such as hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), are thought to be mechanisms for information storage in the brain. LTP and LTD may be mediated by the modulation of AMPA (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazloe proprionic acid) receptor phosphorylation. Here we show that LTP and LTD reversibly modify the phosphorylation of the AMPA receptor GluR1 subunit. However, contrary to the hypothesis that LTP and LTD are the functional inverse of each other, we find that they are associated with phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, respectively, of distinct GluR1 phosphorylation sites. Moreover, the site modulated depends on the stimulation history of the synapse. LTD induction in naive synapses dephosphorylates the major cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) site, whereas in potentiated synapses the major calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) site is dephosphorylated. Conversely, LTP induction in naive synapses and depressed synapses increases phosphorylation of the CaMKII site and the PKA site, respectively. LTP is differentially sensitive to CaMKII and PKA inhibitors depending on the history of the synapse. These results indicate that AMPA receptor phosphorylation is critical for synaptic plasticity, and that identical stimulation conditions recruit different signal-transduction pathways depending on synaptic history.     

Activated human eosinophils generate SRS-A leukotrienes following IgG-dependent stimulation

Eosinophils, a class of granular leukocytes, are prominent in many inflammatory processes, particularly in asthma, certain allergic diseases and during infections with helminthic parasites. Following incubation with the Ca ionophore A23187 (refs 1-4) (a non-physiological agent which circumvents membrane calcium-gating mechanisms), eosinophils generate large amounts of sulphidopeptide leukotrienes, potent inducers of smooth muscle constriction and mucus production. These are now known to represent the activity previously termed 'slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis' (SRS-A) but attempts to identify a physiological stimulus for SRS-A production by eosinophils have so far been unsuccessful. The cells contain recognized receptors for IgG (Fc) and it is known that they adhere to, and can be activated by, contact with the surface of large organisms such as helminthic larvae. We show here that eosinophils, particularly when activated, produce sulphidopeptide leukotrienes after contact with large particles coated with IgG.     

Recombinant human lipocortin 1 inhibits thromboxane release from guinea-pig isolated perfused lung

The guinea-pig perfused isolated lung, used in conjunction with the cascade superfusion system to measure the release of thromboxane A2(TXA2), is a simple and convenient model for assessing the inhibition by glucocorticoids of eicosanoid formation. Dexamethasone inhibits the release of TXA2 from the lung when it is stimulated by agents such as RCS-RF2 of leukotrienes, but not when bradykinin or arachidonic acid are used. Using this model we have shown that the glucocorticoids suppress eicosanoid generation by cells through the induction of a family of phospholipase A2-inhibitory proteins now termed the 'lipocortins'. Recently the primary structure of one form of lipocortin has been elucidated and the human gene cloned. Lipocortin 1 is a polar monomeric protein with anti-phospholipase properties in vitro and we now report that when infused into guinea-pig lung preparations this protein has the same inhibitory profile as the glucocorticoids but with a more rapid onset of action. This is the first demonstration that eicosanoid formation can be inhibited by a recombinant phospholipase inhibitory protein applied extracellularly.     

维药神香草总黄酮对卵清白蛋白致大鼠哮喘模型气道炎症的影响

 通过观察哮喘大鼠肺组织病理学改变、测定支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）细胞总数、淋巴细胞（Ly）、嗜酸性粒细胞（Eos）、中性粒细胞（Neu）的百分比以及肺组织和BALF中的转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）,以探讨神香草总黄酮对哮喘大鼠气道炎症的影响,阐明维药神香草总黄酮抗哮喘的部分作用机制。试验中将大鼠随机分为正常对照组、哮喘模型组、氨茶碱阳性对照组、神香草总黄酮高、中、低剂量治疗组。采用卵清白蛋白（OVA）、氢氧化铝及百白破疫苗联合致敏和OVA生理盐水雾化激发的方法制备哮喘模型。测定BALF中细胞总数、Ly、Eos、Neu的百分比;采用酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）法检测肺组织及BALF中TGF-β1水平。结果显示,与模型组相比,各治疗组中,大鼠BALF中细胞总数、Ly、Eos、Neu的百分比、TGF-β1水平及肺组织中的TGF-β1水平均明显下降,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;神香草总黄酮各剂量组之间相互比较,BALF及肺组织中的以上指标差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）,呈剂量依赖性趋势。由此推测,维药神香草总黄酮可能通过抑制Ly、Eos、Neu等炎症细胞及细胞因子TGF-β1的分泌,减轻或改善哮喘的气道炎症。     

Arachidonic acid metabolites as mediators of somatostatin-induced increase of neuronal M-current

The M-current (IM) is a time- and voltage-dependent K+ current that persists at slightly depolarized membrane potentials. IM is reduced by muscarinic cholinergic agonists and certain peptides, and is thought to be responsible in part for the slow and late slow excitatory postsynaptic potentials in sympathetic neurons. Recently, we reported that IM in hippocampal neurons was also augmented by somatostatin-14 and -28 suggesting that two different receptors reciprocally regulate one neuronal channel type. Muscarinic effects on IM may be mediated by various components of the phosphatidylinositol phosphate pathway. We now report the involvement of a different second messenger pathway, that generated by phospholipase A2, in the somatostatin-induced augmentation of IM in hippocampal cells. This pathway generates arachidonic acid from which leukotrienes can be produced by lipoxygenases. We find that the IM-augmenting effects of somatostatin are abolished by two substances that can inhibit phospholipase A2, quinacrine and 4-bromophenacyl bromide, and that both arachidonic acid and leukotriene C4 mimic the effects of somatostatin-14 on hippocampal pyramidal neurons in vitro. Arachidonic and somatostatin effects are blocked by a lipoxygenase inhibitor, implicating an arachidonic acid metabolite, perhaps a leukotriene, in the somatostatin effect.     

Quisqualate receptors are specifically involved in cerebellar synaptic plasticity

Long-term modification of transmission efficacy at synapses is the cellular basis of memory and learning. A special type of synaptic plasticity in the cerebellum was postulated theoretically, and has since been verified. Each cerebellar Purkinje cell (PC) receives two distinct excitatory inputs, one from parallel fibres (PFs) and the other from a climbing fibre (CF). When these two types of inputs are conjunctively activated, PF-PC transmission undergoes long-term depression (LTD). Accumulated evidence suggests that LTD plays a role in the motor learning processes of the cerebellum. At the molecular level, LTD appears to be caused by desensitization of receptor molecules in PC dendrites towards the PF neurotransmitter, presumably L-glutamate (Glu). Glu receptors are heterogeneous and can be divided into several subtypes. In this study, we compared the potency of several Glu agonists in inducing LTD and found a highly selective dependency of LTD on the quisqualate(QA)-selective subtype of Glu receptors.     

MOD-1 is a serotonin-gated chloride channel that modulates locomotory behaviour in C. elegans

The neurotransmitter and neuromodulator serotonin (5-HT) functions by binding either to metabotropic G-protein-coupled receptors (for example, 5-HT1, 5-HT2, 5-HT4 to 5-HT7), which mediate 'slow' modulatory responses through numerous second messenger pathways, or to the ionotropic 5-HT3 receptor, a non-selective cation channel that mediates 'fast' membrane depolarizations. Here we report that the gene mod-1 (for modulation of locomotion defective) from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans encodes a new type of ionotropic 5-HT receptor, a 5-HT-gated chloride channel. The predicted MOD-1 protein is similar to members of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor family of ligand-gated ion channels, in particular to GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)- and glycine-gated chloride channels. The MOD-1 channel has distinctive ion selectivity and pharmacological properties. The reversal potential of the MOD-1 channel is dependent on the concentration of chloride ions but not of cations. The MOD-1 channel is not blocked by calcium ions or 5-HT3a-specific antagonists but is inhibited by the metabotropic 5-HT receptor antagonists mianserin and methiothepin. mod-1 mutant animals are defective in a 5-HT-mediated experience-dependent behaviour and are resistant to exogenous 5-HT, confirming that MOD-1 functions as a 5-HT receptor in vivo.     

Structure of the human histamine H1 receptor complex with doxepin

The biogenic amine histamine is an important pharmacological mediator involved in pathophysiological processes such as allergies and inflammations. Histamine H(1) receptor (H(1)R) antagonists are very effective drugs alleviating the symptoms of allergic reactions. Here we show the crystal structure of the H(1)R complex with doxepin, a first-generation H(1)R antagonist. Doxepin sits deep in the ligand-binding pocket and directly interacts with Trp?428(6.48), a highly conserved key residue in G-protein-coupled-receptor activation. This well-conserved pocket with mostly hydrophobic nature contributes to the low selectivity of the first-generation compounds. The pocket is associated with an anion-binding region occupied by a phosphate ion. Docking of various second-generation H(1)R antagonists reveals that the unique carboxyl group present in this class of compounds interacts with Lys?191(5.39) and/or Lys?179(ECL2), both of which form part of the anion-binding region. This region is not conserved in other aminergic receptors, demonstrating how minor differences in receptors lead to pronounced selectivity differences with small molecules. Our study sheds light on the molecular basis of H(1)R antagonist specificity against H(1)R.     

Calcium stores regulate the polarity and input specificity of synaptic modification

Activity-induced synaptic modification is essential for the development and plasticity of the nervous system. Repetitive correlated activation of pre- and postsynaptic neurons can induce persistent enhancement or decrement of synaptic efficacy, commonly referred to as long-term potentiation or depression (LTP or LTD). An important unresolved issue is whether and to what extent LTP and LTD are restricted to the activated synapses. Here we show that, in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, reduction of postsynaptic calcium influx by partial blockade of NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors results in a conversion of LTP to LTD and a loss of input specificity normally associated with LTP, with LTD appearing at heterosynaptic inputs. The induction of LTD at homo- and heterosynaptic sites requires functional ryanodine receptors and inositol triphosphate (InsP3) receptors, respectively. Functional blockade or genetic deletion of type 1 InsP3 receptors led to a conversion of LTD to LTP and elimination of heterosynaptic LTD, whereas blocking ryanodine receptors eliminated only homosynaptic LTD. Thus, postsynaptic Ca2+, deriving from Ca2+ influx and differential release of Ca2+ from internal stores through ryanodine and InsP3 receptors, regulates both the polarity and input specificity of activity-induced synaptic modification.     

Arachidonic acid metabolites as intracellular modulators of the G protein-gated cardiac K+ channel

Arachidonic acid is released from cell membranes in response to receptor-dependent as well as receptor-independent stimulation in various cells, including cardiac myocytes. Arachidonic acid is converted to prostaglandins by cyclooxygenase and to leukotrienes by 5-lipoxygenase, metabolites which are very biologically active and modulate cellular functions such as platelet aggregation, smooth muscle contraction and neural excitation. The molecular mechanisms underlying their modulations are, however, still badly understood. Here, we report that the 5-lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid activate the pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein-gated muscarinic K+ channel (IK.ACh): arachidonic acid activation of IK.ACh was prevented by the lipoxygenase inhibitors, nordihydroguaiaretic acid and AA-861; leukotriene A4 and C4 activated IK.ACh. The activation occurred in pertussis toxin-treated atrial cells and ceased when inside-out patches were formed but the patches were still susceptible to stimulation by GTP and to inhibition by GDP-beta-S. These results indicate that arachidonic acid metabolites may stimulate the G-protein in a receptor-independent way.     

维药神香草超临界CO_2流体萃取物的抗炎、止咳、祛痰作用及其对哮喘大鼠气道炎症的影响

观察维药神香草超临界CO_2流体萃取物的抗炎、止咳、祛痰作用及哮喘大鼠肺组织病理学改变,测定支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)细胞总数、淋巴细胞(Ly)、嗜酸性粒细胞(Eos)、中性粒细胞(Neu)的百分比及肺组织和BALF中的转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)水平,探讨其抗炎、止咳、祛痰作用及其对哮喘大鼠气道炎症的影响,为维药神香草的开发利用奠定基础。通过小鼠右耳二甲苯致炎法、氨水喷雾致小鼠咳嗽法、小鼠气管酚红排泌法进行抗炎、止咳、祛痰实验。哮喘大鼠气道炎症的影响实验中,采用卵清白蛋白(OVA)致敏和激发法复制哮喘模型,进行药物干预,观察肺组织病理学改变,测定BALF中细胞总数、Ly、Eos、Neu的百分比;以酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测肺组织及BALF中TGF-β1水平。结果显示,不同剂量给药组可明显抑制二甲苯致小鼠的耳廓肿(P0.05)、减少氨水喷雾致小鼠咳嗽次数(P0.05)、促进小鼠气管酚红排泌(P0.05),且均呈明显的剂量依赖关系;与模型组比较,各给药组大鼠BALF中细胞总数,Ly、Eos、Neu的百分比,TGF-β1水平及肺组织中的TGF-β1水平均明显下降,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);由此推测,维药神香草超临界CO_2流体萃取物具有显著的抗炎、止咳及祛痰作用,其可能通过抑制Ly、Eos、Neu等炎症细胞及细胞因子TGF-β1的分泌,减轻或改善哮喘的气道炎症。     

CXCR7对HeLa细胞增殖、粘附和侵袭能力的影响

基质细胞衍生因子-1(SDF-1)在肿瘤侵袭、转移过程中起着重要的调控作用.此前认为SDF-1是通过其唯一受体CXCR4来起作用.近年来发现SDF-1还有另一作用受体——CXCR7,SDF-1/CXCR7在部分肿瘤侵袭转移过程中起重要作用,但其在宫颈癌HeLa细胞中的作用目前尚未明确.通过Western blotting检测HeLa细胞中CXCR4和CXCR7的表达,阻断CXCR4或CXCR7后,通过MTT法评价细胞增殖能力,细胞粘附实验评价细胞粘附能力,Transwell实验评价细胞侵袭能力.结果表明,CXCR4和CXCR7在HeLa细胞中表达.阻断CXCR4或CXCR7后,SDF-1诱导的HeLa细胞增殖、侵袭和与内皮细胞的粘附能力均被阻断.结果提示CXCR7在SDF-1诱导HeLa细胞增殖、侵袭和与内皮细胞的粘附过程中起着重要作用,将有望成为治疗宫颈癌转移的新靶点.     

Identification and distribution of 5-HT3 receptors in rat brain using radioligand binding

Functional serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) receptors have been divided into three subtypes: 5-HT1-like, 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 (ref. 1). Brain binding sites have been identified for both the 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 subtypes. Receptors of the 5-HT3 type have been characterized on isolated peripheral tissue models such as the rat vagus nerve, guinea-pig ileum and isolated rabbit heart. Using these models, selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists such as MDL 72222 (ref. 5), ICS 205-930 (ref. 6), GR38032F (ref. 7) and BRL 43694 (ref. 8) have been developed. Recently, GR38032F, MDL 72222 and ICS 205-930 have been shown to have behavioural effects in rodents and primates that undoubtedly reflect an action in the central nervous system (refs 9-11 and unpublished observations), suggesting the existence of 5-HT3 receptors in the brain. Here we report direct evidence for the existence of 5-HT3 receptors in rat brain tissue and their distribution, based on high affinity binding of the potent 5-HT3 receptor antagonist 3H-GR65630 to homogenates of rat entorhinal cortex. Selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and agonists inhibited binding of 3H-GR65630 with high affinities which correlated well with their actions on the rat isolated vagus nerve. Binding was differentially distributed throughout the brain with high concentrations in cortical and limbic areas.