Bacterial expression of recombinant MyoXVIIIA domains

Emerging concepts of myosin 18A isoform mechanobiology in organismal and immune system physiology, development, and function

Alternative and combinatorial splicing of myosin 18A (MYO18A) gene transcripts results in expression of MYO18A protein isoforms and isoform variants with different membrane and subcellular localizations, and functional properties. MYO18A proteins are members of the myosin superfamily consisting of a myosin-like motor domain, an IQ motif, and a coiled-coil domain. MYO18A isoforms, however, lack the ability to hydrolyze ATP and do not perform ATP-dependent motor activity. MYO18A isoforms are distinguished by different amino- and carboxy-terminal extensions and domains. The domain organization and functions of MYO18Aα, MYO18Aβ, and MYO18Aγ have been studied experimentally. MYO18Aα and MYO18Aβ have a common carboxy-terminal extension but differ by the presence or absence of an amino-terminal KE repeat and PDZ domain, respectively. The amino- and carboxy-terminal extensions of MYO18Aγ contain unique proline and serine-rich domains. Computationally predicted MYO18Aε and MYO18Aδ isoforms contain the carboxy-terminal serine-rich extension but differ by the presence or absence of the amino-terminal KE/PDZ extension. Additional isoform variants within each category arise by alternative utilization or inclusion/exclusion of small exons. MYO18Aα variants are expressed in somatic cells and mature immune cells, whereas MYO18Aβ variants occur mainly in myeloid and natural killer cells. MYO18Aγ expression is selective to cardiac and skeletal muscle. In the present review perspective, we discuss current and emerging concepts of the functional specialization of MYO18A proteins in membrane and cytoskeletal dynamics, cellular communication and signaling, endocytic and exocytic organelle movement, viral infection, and as the SP-R210 receptor for surfactant protein A.

SP-R210 isoforms of Myosin18A modulate endosomal sorting and recognition of influenza A virus infection in macrophages

Influenza A virus (IAV) infection causes acute and often lethal inflammation in the lung. The role of macrophages in this adverse inflammation is partially understood. The surfactant protein A receptor 210 (SP-R210) consists of two isoforms, a long (L) SP-R210L and a short (S) SP-R210S isoform encoded by alternative splicing of the myosin 18A gene. We reported that disruption of SP-R210L enhances cytosolic and endosomal antiviral response pathways. Here, we report that SP-R210L antagonizes type I interferon β (IFNβ), as depletion of SP-R210L potentiates IFNβ secretion. SP-R210 antibodies enhance and attenuate IFNβ secretion in SP-R210L replete and deficient macrophages, respectively, indicating that SP-R210 isoform stoichiometry alters macrophage function intrinsically. This reciprocal response is coupled to unopposed and restricted expression of viral genes in control and SP-R210L-deficient macrophages, respectively. Human monocytic cells with sub-stoichiometric expression of SP-R210L resist IAV infection, whereas alveolar macrophages with increased abundance of SP-R210L permit viral gene expression similar to murine macrophages. Uptake and membrane binding studies show that lack of SP-R210 isoforms does not impair IAV binding and internalization. Lack of SP-R210L, however, results in macropinocytic retention of the virus that depends on both SP-R210S and interferon-inducible transmembrane protein-3 (IFITM3). Mass spectrometry and Western blot analyses indicate that SP-R210 isoforms modulate differential recruitment of the Rho-family GTPase RAC1 and guanine nucleotide exchange factors. Our study suggests that SP-R210 isoforms modulate RAC-dependent macropinosomal sorting of IAV to discrete endosomal and lysosomal compartments that either permit or prevent endolysosomal escape and inflammatory sensing of viral genomes in macrophages.

Genomic and epigenomic adaptation in SP-R210 (Myo18A) isoform-deficient macrophages

Macrophages play an important role in maintaining tissue homeostasis, from regulating the inflammatory response to pathogens to resolving inflammation and aiding tissue repair. The surfactant protein A (SP-A) receptor SP-R210 (MYO18A) has been shown to affect basal and inflammatory macrophage states. Specifically, disruption of the longer splice isoform SP-R210_L/MYO18Aα renders macrophages hyper-inflammatory, although the mechanism by which this occurs is not well understood. We asked whether disruption of the L isoform led to the hyper-inflammatory state via alteration of global genomic responses. RNA sequencing analysis of L isoform-deficient macrophages (SP-R210_L(DN)) revealed basal and influenza-induced upregulation of genes associated with inflammatory pathways, such as TLR, RIG-I, NOD, and cytoplasmic DNA signaling, whereas knockout of both SP-R210 isoforms (L and S) only resulted in increased RIG-I and NOD signaling. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) analysis showed increased genome-wide deposition of the pioneer transcription factor PU.1 in SP-R210_L(DN) cells, with increased representation around genes relevant to inflammatory pathways. Additional ChIP-seq analysis of histone H3 methylation marks showed decreases in both repressive H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 marks with a commensurate increase in transcriptionally active (H3K4me3) histone marks in the L isoform deficient macrophages. Influenza A virus (IAV) infection, known to stimulate a wide array of anti-viral responses, caused a differential redistribution of PU.1 binding between proximal promoter and distal sites and decoupling from Toll-like receptor regulated gene promoters in SP-R210_L(DN) cells. These finding suggest that the inflammatory differences seen in SP-R210_L-deficient macrophages are a result of transcriptional differences that are mediated by epigenetic changes brought about by differential expression of the SP-R210 isoforms. This provides an avenue to explore how the signaling pathways downstream of the receptor and the ligands can modulate the macrophage inflammatory response.

Myosin XVIII

Class XVIII myosins represent a branch of the myosin family tree characterized by the presence of large N- and C-terminal extensions flanking a generic myosin core. These myosins display the highest sequence similarity to conventional class II muscle myosins and are compatible with but not restricted to myosin-2 contractile structures. Instead, they fulfill their functions at diverse localities, such as lamella, actomyosin bundles, the Golgi apparatus, focal adhesions, the cell membrane, and within sarcomeres. Sequence comparison of active-site residues and biochemical data available thus far indicate that this myosin class lacks active ATPase-driven motor activity, suggesting that its members function as structural myosins. An emerging body of evidence indicates that this structural capability is essential for the organization, maturation, and regulation of the contractile machinery in both muscle and nonmuscle cells. This is supported by the clear association of myosin-18A (Myo18A) and myosin-18B (Myo18B) dysregulation with diseases such as cancer and various myopathies.

Structural and Functional Determinants of Rodent and Human Surfactant Protein A: A Synthesis of Binding and Computational Data

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) provides surfactant stability, first line host defense, and lung homeostasis by binding surfactant phospholipids, pathogens, alveolar macrophages (AMs), and epithelial cells. Non-primates express one SP-A protein whereas humans express two: SP-A1 and SP-A2 with core intra- and inter-species differences in the collagen-like domain. Here, we used macrophages and solid phase binding assays to discern structural correlates of rat (r) and human (h) SP-A function. Binding assays using recombinant rSP-A expressed in insect cells showed that lack of proline hydroxylation, truncations of amino-terminal oligomerization domains, and site-directed serine (S) or alanine (A) mutagenesis of cysteine 6 (C6S), glutamate 195 (E195A), and glutamate 171 (E171A) in the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) all impaired SP-A binding. Replacement of arginine 197 with alanine found in hSP-A (R197A), however, restored the binding of hydroxyproline-deficient rSP-A to the SP-A receptor SP-R210 similar to native rat and human SP-A. In silico calculation of Ca⁺⁺ coordination bond length and solvent accessibility surface area revealed that the “humanized” R197A substitution alters topology and solvent accessibility of the Ca⁺⁺ coordination residues of the CRD domain. Binding assays in mouse AMs that were exposed to either endogenous SP-A or hSP-A1 (6A²) and hSP-A2 (1A⁰) isoforms in vivo revealed that mouse SP-A is a functional hybrid of hSP-A1 and hSP-A2 in regulating SP-A receptor occupancy and binding affinity. Binding assays using neonatal and adult human AMs indicates that the interaction of SP-A1 and SP-A2 with AMs is developmentally regulated. Furthermore, our data indicate that the auxiliary ion coordination loop encompassing the conserved E171 residue may comprise a conserved site of interaction with macrophages, and SP-R210 specifically, that merits further investigation to discern conserved and divergent SP-A functions between species. In summary, our findings support the notion that complex structural adaptation of SP-A regulate conserved and species specific AM functions in vertebrates.

SP-R210 (Myo18A) Isoforms as Intrinsic Modulators of Macrophage Priming and Activation

The surfactant protein (SP-A) receptor SP-R210 has been shown to increase phagocytosis of SP-A-bound pathogens and to modulate cytokine secretion by immune cells. SP-A plays an important role in pulmonary immunity by enhancing opsonization and clearance of pathogens and by modulating macrophage inflammatory responses. Alternative splicing of the Myo18A gene results in two isoforms: SP-R210S and SP-R210L, with the latter predominantly expressed in alveolar macrophages. In this study we show that SP-A is required for optimal expression of SP-R210L on alveolar macrophages. Interestingly, pre-treatment with SP-A prepared by different methods either enhances or suppresses responsiveness to LPS, possibly due to differential co-isolation of SP-B or other proteins. We also report that dominant negative disruption of SP-R210L augments expression of receptors including SR-A, CD14, and CD36, and enhances macrophages' inflammatory response to TLR stimulation. Finally, because SP-A is known to modulate CD14, we used a variety of techniques to investigate how SP-R210 mediates the effect of SP-A on CD14. These studies revealed a novel physical association between SP-R210S, CD14, and SR-A leading to an enhanced response to LPS, and found that SP-R210L and SP-R210S regulate internalization of CD14 via distinct macropinocytosis-like mechanisms. Together, our findings support a model in which SP-R210 isoforms differentially regulate trafficking, expression, and activation of innate immune receptors on macrophages.

Surfactant protein A (SP-A)-mediated clearance of Staphylococcus aureus involves binding of SP-A to the staphylococcal adhesin eap and the macrophage receptors SP-A receptor 210 and scavenger receptor class A

Staphylococcus aureus causes life-threatening pneumonia in hospitals and deadly superinfection during viral influenza. The current study investigated the role of surfactant protein A (SP-A) in opsonization and clearance of S. aureus. Previous studies showed that SP-A mediates phagocytosis via the SP-A receptor 210 (SP-R210). Here, we show that SP-R210 mediates binding and control of SP-A-opsonized S. aureus by macrophages. We determined that SP-A binds S. aureus through the extracellular adhesin Eap. Consequently, SP-A enhanced macrophage uptake of Eap-expressing (Eap(+)) but not Eap-deficient (Eap(-)) S. aureus. In a reciprocal fashion, SP-A failed to enhance uptake of Eap(+) S. aureus in peritoneal Raw264.7 macrophages with a dominant negative mutation (SP-R210(DN)) blocking surface expression of SP-R210. Accordingly, WT mice cleared infection with Eap(+) but succumbed to sublethal infection with Eap- S. aureus. However, SP-R210(DN) cells compensated by increasing non-opsonic phagocytosis of Eap(+) S. aureus via the scavenger receptor scavenger receptor class A (SR-A), while non-opsonic uptake of Eap(-) S. aureus was impaired. Macrophages express two isoforms: SP-R210(L) and SP-R210(S). The results show that WT alveolar macrophages are distinguished by expression of SP-R210(L), whereas SR-A(-/-) alveolar macrophages are deficient in SP-R210(L) expressing only SP-R210(S). Accordingly, SR-A(-/-) mice were highly susceptible to both Eap(+) and Eap(-) S. aureus. The lungs of susceptible mice generated abnormal inflammatory responses that were associated with impaired killing and persistence of S. aureus infection in the lung. In conclusion, alveolar macrophage SP-R210(L) mediates recognition and killing of SP-A-opsonized S. aureus in vivo, coordinating inflammatory responses and resolution of S. aureus pneumonia through interaction with SR-A.

An antibody against the surfactant protein A (SP-A)-binding domain of the SP-A receptor inhibits T cell-mediated immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) suppresses lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 secretion, in part, by binding to its receptor, SP-R210. However, the mechanisms underlying this effect are not well understood. Here, we studied the effect of antibodies against the SP-A-binding (neck) domain (alpha-SP-R210n) or nonbinding C-terminal domain (alpha-SP-R210ct) of SP-R210 on human peripheral blood T cell immune responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We demonstrated that both antibodies bind to more than 90% of monocytes and 5-10% of CD3+ T cells in freshly isolated PBMC. Stimulation of PBMC from healthy tuberculin reactors [purified protein derivative-positive (PPD+)] with heat-killed M. tuberculosis induced increased antibody binding to CD3+ cells. Increased antibody binding suggested enhanced expression of SP-R210, and this was confirmed by Western blotting. The antibodies (alpha-SP-R210n) cross-linking the SP-R210 through the SP-A-binding domain markedly inhibited cell proliferation and IFN-gamma secretion by PBMC from PPD+ donors in response to heat-killed M. tuberculosis, whereas preimmune IgG and antibodies (alpha-SP-R210ct) cross-linking SP-R210 through the non-SP-A-binding, C-terminal domain had no effect. Anti-SP-R210n also decreased M. tuberculosis-induced production of TNF-alpha but increased production of IL-10. Inhibition of IFN-gamma production by alpha-SP-R210n was abrogated by the combination of neutralizing antibodies to IL-10 and TGF-beta1. Together, these findings support the hypothesis that SP-A, via SP-R210, suppresses cell-mediated immunity against M. tuberculosis via a mechanism that up-regulates secretion of IL-10 and TGF-beta1.

Chlamydia pneumoniae inclusion membrane protein Cpn0585 interacts with multiple Rab GTPases

Chlamydiae are intracellular bacteria that develop within a membrane-bound vacuole called an inclusion. To ensure that the inclusion is a safe niche for chlamydial replication, chlamydiae exploit a number of host cell processes, including membrane-trafficking pathways. Recently, several Rab GTPases were found to associate with the inclusions of various chlamydial species. Here we report that Cpn0585, a Chlamydia pneumoniae inclusion membrane protein (Inc), interacts with multiple Rab GTPases. The results from yeast two-hybrid experiments revealed that an amino-terminally truncated form of Cpn0585 (Cpn0585(102-651)) interacts with Rab1, Rab10, and Rab11 but not with Rab4 or Rab6. Cpn0585-Rab GTPase interactions are direct and GTP dependent as shown in glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays using native and recombinant Cpn0585. In C. pneumoniae-infected HEp-2 cells transfected with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-tagged Rab GTPases, the colocalization with Cpn0585 at the inclusion membrane was partial for EGFP-Rab1 and EGFP-Rab10, but extensive for wild-type EGFP-Rab11A and the constitutively active GTPase-deficient EGFP-Rab11AQ70L. Moreover, Cpn0585 colocalized with EGFP-Rab11AQ70L as early as 2 h postinfection. Upon delivery into live C. pneumoniae-infected cells, Cpn0585(628-651)-specific antibodies bound to the inclusion membrane, demonstrating that the Rab GTPase-interacting domain of Cpn0585 faces the host cell cytosol. Finally, ectopic expression of Cpn0585(102-651) partially inhibited the development of C. pneumoniae inclusions in EGFP. but not in EGFP-Rab11AQ70L-expressing HEp-2 cells. Collectively, these data suggest that Cpn0585 is involved in the recruitment of Rab GTPases to the inclusion membrane and that interfering with this function may adversely impact the fitness of the C. pneumoniae inclusion for chlamydial replication.