Characterization of alphaX I-domain binding to Thy-1

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 331; no. 2; pp. 557 - 561
• Main Authors: Choi, Jeongsuk, Leyton, Lisette, Nham, Sang-Uk
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 03-06-2005
• Subjects: Animals; CD11c Antigen - chemistry; CD11c Antigen - metabolism; Cell Line; Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; Humans; Integrin alphaXbeta2 - chemistry; Integrin alphaXbeta2 - metabolism; Kinetics; Mice; Mutation - genetics; Protein Binding; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Thy-1 Antigens - genetics; Thy-1 Antigens - metabolism
• ISSN: 0006-291X

The beta2 integrins are found exclusively in leukocytes and they are composed of a common beta chain, CD18, and one of four unique alpha chains, CD11a (alphaL subunit), CD11b (alphaM subunit), CD11c (alphaX subunit), or CD11d (alphaD subunit). alphaX-beta2 which binds several ligands including fibrinogen and iC3b is expressed in monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells playing an important role in the host defense. Despite the unique characteristics on expression and regulation, alphaX-beta2 is less functionally characterized than other beta2 integrins. To understand the biological function of alphaX-beta2 more, we tested the possibility that alphaX-beta2 binds Thy-1, a membrane protein involved in cell adhesion and signaling regulation in neurons and T cells. Here we report that a ligand binding moiety of alphaX-beta2, the I-domain, bound Thy-1 in a specific and divalent cation-dependent manner. The dissociation constant (K(D)) of alphaX I-domain binding to Thy-1 was 1.16muM and the affinity of the binding was roughly 2-fold higher than that of alphaM I-domain. Amino acid substitutions on the betaD-alpha5 of alphaX I-domain (D249, KE243/244) showed low affinities for Thy-1 while other point mutations on alpha3-alpha4 and betaE-alpha6 loops of I-domain did not, suggesting that Thy-1 recognizes the portion of a betaD-alpha5 loop, possibly alpha5 helix. Taken together, these results indicate that alphaX-beta2 specifically interacts with Thy-1. Additionally, kinetic analysis reveals a moderate affinity interaction in the presence of divalent cations. Given the reported role of Thy-1 in the regulation of T cell homeostasis and proliferation, it is tempting to speculate that alphaX-beta2 may be involved in Thy-1 function.