OMgp LRR281～228：OMgp神经突起生长抑制功能的主要结构域

OMgp(oligodendrocyte-myelin glycoprotein)可以通过与MAG、nogo-66等神经再生抑制因子竞争结合同一受体NgR而诱使生长锥溃变和抑制神经突起的生长。以前的研究表明,在OMgp与NgR结合抑制神经突起生长的过程中,OMgp的亮氨酸富含重复序列(LRR)是必需的。为进一步了解OMgp LRR在神经突起生长中的作用及其结构与功能之间的关系,采用PCR-定点突变法对OMgp LRR结构域分段删除,表达了删除不同基因片段后的OMgp LRR蛋白,通过对表达有NgR的CHO细胞(NgR-CHO)的黏附实验和对原代培养神经细胞的抑制实验对其功能进行了研究。结果显示,分别删除了OMgp 25～56、57～133、134～180位氨基酸的OMgp LRR蛋白仍具有结合NgR-CHO和抑制原代培养的神经元突起生长的作用;而删除了第181～228位氨基酸的OMgp LRR蛋白则失去了对原代培养神经元的生长抑制作用,但仍然具有结合NgR的能力。表明OMgp181～228在OMgp的功能中具有重要的意义。删除了第181～228位氨基酸的OMgp LRR蛋白可望作为OMgp的竞争性抑制剂,用于中枢神经系统损伤后神经再生的治疗。     

TROY:新发现的NgR1受体复合物中的重要分子

中枢神经系统(CNS)损伤后神经不能再生,在很大程度上是由于外环境中存在大量的神经生长抑制因子。这些抑制因子中作用力最强的三种分子Nogo-A、MAG和OMgp是分别通过与其特异性受体NgR1的结合而发挥神经生长抑制作用的。NgR1是一种膜表面蛋白,不能直接激活细胞内信号,必须通过与     

LINGO-1:新发现的脑内神经再生抑制因子

在成年动物和人中枢神经系统 ,髓鞘内的神经再生抑制因子 (MAG、OMgp、Nogo等 )通过与神经元上的特异性受体复合体相互作用 ,启动对神经轴突再生的抑制 ;“Nogo 6 6受体”(Nogo 6 6receptor,即Nogoreceptor 1,NgR1)和“p75神经生长因子受体”是组成此受体复合体的两个关键亚单位 ;被Nogo等激活的受体复合体能活化“胞内骨架调节因子”———RhoA ,RhoA最终实现对轴突延长的抑制。美国学者最近发现 ,在转染后成功表达NgR1和p75的非神经细胞 (COS 7细胞 ) ,神经再生抑制因子OMgp不能激活NgR1和p75复合体、亦不能活化RhoA ,暗示神经…     

神经系统中富亮氨酸重复序列跨膜蛋白的功能研究进展

富亮氨酸重复序列(leucine-rich repeat, LRR)是一种常见的蛋白质结构域．含有富亮氨酸重复序列的蛋白质简称LRR蛋白．LRR蛋白在真核生物和原核生物的细胞和组织中广泛分布,其定位的特异性以及与之相互作用蛋白质的复杂性,决定了LRR蛋白功能的多样性．许多LRR蛋白相对特异性表达于神经系统,绝大多数在神经系统中高表达的LRR蛋白属于跨膜蛋白,它们主要作为细胞黏附分子或配体结合蛋白参与突触的形成、神经突起的生长发育、神经递质的转移和释放等神经系统正常生理活动．LRR蛋白的异常表达将会导致神经、精神系统疾病的发生．     

TAT-NEP1-40——神经再生的新型药物

在受损的中枢神经系统中,Nogo-A蛋白、髓鞘蛋白和少突髓鞘蛋白是抑制中枢神经轴突再生的主要物质,它们通过一个共同受体——Nogo蛋白受体(Nogo receptor,NgR)介导中枢神经轴突抑制。NEP1-40是NgR受体的竞争性抑制剂,是治疗中枢神经损伤是一个具有潜在性的候选药物。TAT蛋白质转导序列是HIV反式转录激活因子,是目前已知具有有效蛋白质转导功能的序列。利用蛋白质重组技术构建并表达的含有TAT结构域和NEP1-40肽的融合蛋白质TAT-NEP1-40可能成为一种治疗中枢神经系统损伤如中风、脑缺氧、脑出血、脑外伤和脊髓损伤的新颖的候选药物。     

LINGO-1-Fc蛋白对低钾诱导小脑颗粒神经元凋亡的保护作用

髓鞘抑制因子Nogo-A、MAG和OMgp通过共同的受体信号复合物NgR/p75NTR(或者TROY)发挥对中枢神经纤维再生的抑制作用.新近克隆的跨膜蛋白LINGO-1是该信号途径的另一个重要组成成分和调节分子.LINGO-1特异表达于中枢神经系统,神经元上的LINGO-1被证明参与调节中枢神经再生的抑制信号,而少突胶质细胞表达的LINGO-1分子参与负调节少突胶质细胞的髓鞘化过程.为探讨LINGO-1分子在神经元凋亡过程中的作用,利用包含LINGO-1分子胞外段LRR和IgC2结构域的Fc融合蛋白作为功能性拮抗剂,研究LINGO-1对低钾诱导的小脑颗粒神经元凋亡的保护作用.利用成熟的Hoechst标记凋亡细胞的方法,观察到经LINGO-1-Fc蛋白预处理2h能够显著阻止小脑颗粒神经元的凋亡.仅包括LRR结构域的GST-LINGO-1与LINGO-1-Fc蛋白,虽同样具有与颗粒神经元的结合活性,但是GST-LINGO-1不能有效地阻止低钾诱导的细胞凋亡.这些结果提示,LINGO-1-Fc蛋白能够阻止低钾诱导的小脑颗粒神经元凋亡,并且这种作用可能是IgC2结构域依赖的.     

神经生长抑制因子研究进展

神经生长抑制因子(neuronal growth inhibitory factor, GIF) 又名金属硫蛋白-Ⅲ (metallothionein-Ⅲ,MT-Ⅲ),特异分布于中枢神经系统(CNS),是神经系统中第一个被鉴定的具有神经元生长抑制功能的蛋白. GIF一级序列、高级结构、金属结合特性类似于其他MTs,基因结构也与其他MTs高度同源,但表达调控途径相异. GIF可能以其β结构域的CPCP区,与脑组织提取物中的相关因子结合,进而表现其生物学功能. 有研究认为GIF与阿尔茨海默等脑相关疾病均有密切关系.     

Erbin:LAP家族的新成员

Erbin(ErbB2结构蛋白）是LAP家族新成员,它的N末端有16个富含亮氨酸的重复序列（LRR）,在LRR后有一个LRR样的结构域,C末端含有PDZ结构域,实验证明Erbin通过其PDZ结构域与ErbB2结合。在上皮和神经元等级性细胞中,Erbin对ErbB2的定位或定向转移具有重要作用,并可增加ErbB2在细胞表面的表达量。Erbin作为支架蛋白还参与了细胞骨架的形成。     

KRAB锌指蛋白的研究进展

约有三分之一C2H2锌指蛋白的N端都含有KRAB结构域,该结构域在进化上极其保守,含有约75个氨基酸,其中富含极性氨基酸,因而易于形成两个双亲性螺旋。该结构域已被证实是一个强有力的转录抑制结构域,但其介导的抑制作用需要它与TIF1β／KAP-1／KAIP-1结合。实验表明,结合了KRAB结构域针对特异靶基因的锌指蛋白,不仅可以抑制基因的表达,还可以降低病毒在细胞内的复制。因此,KRAB在调控基因表达和胞内抗病毒方面表现出极大的应用潜能。     

TROY：新发现的NgRl受体复合物中的重要分子

中枢神经系统（CNS）损伤后神经不能再生,在很大程度上是由于外环境中存在大量的神经生长抑制因子。这些抑制因子中作用力最强的三种分子Nogo-A、MAG和OMgp是分别通过与其特异性受体NgRl的结合而发挥神经生长抑制作用的。NgRl是一种膜表面蛋白,不能直接激活细胞内信号,必须通过与跨膜蛋白的结合而传导信号。传统的观点认为：跨膜蛋白p75充当了这一角色。     

Oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein growth inhibition function requires its conserved leucine-rich repeat domain,not its glycosylphosphatidyl-inositol anchor

The oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein (OMgp) inhibits neurite outgrowth and axonal regeneration after brain injury, but its normal function remains unknown. Several observations suggest its implication in cell growth regulation. Here we report an analysis of the domain requirement in OMgp proliferation inhibitory function. We first studied the OMgp protein sequence in 14 mammal species and observed a high conservation of its leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain. The deletion of this LRR domain is responsible for a total loss of function in an in vitro expression system. The possible three-dimensional structure of the LRR domain of OMgp was modelled using the structure of Yersinia pestis YopM cytotoxin as a template. The predicted arrangement of the LRR segments is compatible with a function of OMgp as a binding protein. The OMgp is a glycosylphosphatidyl-inositol-linked protein anchored in the plasma membrane of oligodendrocytes and neurones. Using deletion mutagenesis, we demonstrated the dispensability of the glycosylphosphatidyl-inositol anchor for OMgp proliferation inhibition function. Our results suggest that OMgp is part of a receptor complex, either as a coreceptor or as a membrane-bound or soluble ligand, involved in the transmission of a growth suppressive signal.     

Myelin-associated glycoprotein interacts with the Nogo66 receptor to inhibit neurite outgrowth

Myelin inhibitors of axonal regeneration, like Nogo and MAG, block regrowth after injury to the adult CNS. While a GPI-linked receptor for Nogo (NgR) has been identified, MAG's receptor is unknown. We show that MAG inhibits regeneration by interaction with NgR. Binding of and inhibition by MAG are lost if neuronal GPI-linked proteins are cleaved. Binding of MAG to NgR-expressing cells is GPI dependent and sialic acid independent. Conversely, NgR binds to MAG-expressing cells. MAG, but not a truncated MAG that binds neurons but does not inhibit regeneration, precipitates NgR from NgR-expressing cells, DRG, and cerebellar neurons. Importantly, NgR antibody, soluble NgR, or dominant-negative NgR each prevent inhibition of neurite outgrowth by MAG. Also, MAG and Nogo66 compete for binding to NgR. These results suggest redundancy in myelin inhibitors and indicate therapies for CNS injuries.     

A neutralizing anti-Nogo66 receptor monoclonal antibody reverses inhibition of neurite outgrowth by central nervous system myelin

The Nogo66 receptor (NgR1) is a neuronal, leucine-rich repeat (LRR) protein that binds three central nervous system (CNS) myelin proteins, Nogo, myelin-associated glycoprotein, and oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein, and mediates their inhibitory effects on neurite growth. Although the LRR domains on NgR1 are necessary for binding to the myelin proteins, the exact epitope(s) involved in ligand binding is unclear. Here we report the generation and detailed characterization of an anti-NgR1 monoclonal antibody, 7E11. The 7E11 monoclonal antibody blocks Nogo, myelin-associated glycoprotein, and oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein binding to NgR1 with IC50 values of 120, 14, and 4.5 nm, respectively, and effectively promotes neurite outgrowth of P3 rat dorsal root ganglia neurons cultured on a CNS myelin substrate. Further, we have defined the molecular epitope of 7E11 to be DNAQLR located in the third LRR domain of rat NgR1. Our data demonstrate that anti-NgR1 antibodies recognizing this epitope, such as 7E11, can neutralize CNS myelin-dependent inhibition of neurite outgrowth. Thus, specific anti-NgR1 antibodies may represent a useful therapeutic approach for promoting CNS repair after injury.     

Identification of a functional epitope of the Nogo receptor by a combinatorial approach using ribosome display

The Nogo receptor (NgR) plays a central role in mediating growth-inhibitory activities of myelin-derived proteins, thereby severely limiting axonal regeneration after injury of the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS). The inhibitory proteins Nogo, myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein (OMgp) all bind to the extracellular leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain of NgR, which provides a large molecular surface for protein-protein interactions. However, epitopes within the LRR domain of NgR for binding Nogo, MAG and OMgp have not yet been revealed. Here, we report an evolutionary approach based on the ribosome display technology for detecting regions involved in ligand binding. By applying this method of "affinity fingerprinting" to the NgR ligand binding domain we were able to detect a distinct region important for binding to Nogo. Several residues defining the structural epitope of NgR involved in interaction with Nogo were subsequently confirmed by alanine scanning mutagenesis.     

Myelin-associated Glycoprotein Interacts with Neurons via a Sialic Acid Binding Site at ARG118 and a Distinct Neurite Inhibition Site

Inhibitory components in myelin are largely responsible for the lack of regeneration in the mammalian CNS. Myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), a sialic acid binding protein and a component of myelin, is a potent inhibitor of neurite outgrowth from a variety of neurons both in vitro and in vivo. Here, we show that MAG's sialic acid binding site is distinct from its neurite inhibitory activity. Alone, sialic acid–dependent binding of MAG to neurons is insufficient to effect inhibition of axonal growth. Thus, while soluble MAG-Fc (MAG extracellular domain fused to Fc), a truncated form of MAG-Fc missing Ig-domains 4 and 5, MAG(d1-3)-Fc, and another sialic acid binding protein, sialoadhesin, each bind to neurons in a sialic acid– dependent manner, only full-length MAG-Fc inhibits neurite outgrowth. These results suggest that a second site must exist on MAG which elicits this response. Consistent with this model, mutation of arginine 118 (R118) in MAG to either alanine or aspartate abolishes its sialic acid–dependent binding. However, when expressed at the surface of either CHO or Schwann cells, R118-mutated MAG retains the ability to inhibit axonal outgrowth. Hence, MAG has two recognition sites for neurons, the sialic acid binding site at R118 and a distinct inhibition site which is absent from the first three Ig domains.     

Aptamer Antagonists of Myelin-Derived Inhibitors Promote Axon Growth

Myelin of the adult central nervous system (CNS) is one of the major sources of inhibitors of axon regeneration following injury. The three known myelin-derived inhibitors (Nogo, MAG, and OMgp) bind with high affinity to the Nogo-66 receptor (NgR) on axons and limit neurite outgrowth. Here we show that RNA aptamers can be generated that bind with high affinity to NgR, compete with myelin-derived inhibitors for binding to NgR, and promote axon elongation of neurons in vitro even in the presence of these inhibitors. Aptamers may have key advantages over protein antagonists, including low immunogenicity and the possibility of ready modification during chemical synthesis for stability, signaling, or immobilization. This first demonstration that aptamers can directly influence neuronal function suggests that aptamers may prove useful for not only healing spinal cord and other neuronal damage, but may be more generally useful as neuromodulators.     

Structure and axon outgrowth inhibitor binding of the Nogo-66 receptor and related proteins

The myelin-derived proteins Nogo, MAG and OMgp limit axonal regeneration after injury of the spinal cord and brain. These cell-surface proteins signal through multi-subunit neuronal receptors that contain a common ligand-binding glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored subunit termed the Nogo-66 receptor (NgR). By deletion analysis, we show that the binding of soluble fragments of Nogo, MAG and NgR to cell-surface NgR requires the entire leucine-rich repeat (LRR) region of NgR, but not other portions of the protein. Despite sharing extensive sequence similarity with NgR, two related proteins, NgR2 and NgR3, which we have identified, do not bind Nogo, MAG, OMgp or NgR. To investigate NgR specificity and multi-ligand binding, we determined the crystal structure of the biologically active ligand-binding soluble ectodomain of NgR. The molecule is banana shaped with elongation and curvature arising from eight LRRs flanked by an N-terminal cap and a small C-terminal subdomain. The NgR structure analysis, as well as a comparison of NgR surface residues not conserved in NgR2 and NgR3, identifies potential protein interaction sites important in the assembly of a functional signaling complex.     

The Nogo receptor, its ligands and axonal regeneration in the spinal cord; A review

At least three proteins present in CNS myelin, Nogo, MAG and OMgp are capable of causing growth cone collapse and inhibiting neurite outgrowth in vitro. Surprisingly, Nogo and OMgp are also strongly expressed by many neurons (including neocortical projection cells). Nogo expression is increased by some cells at the borders of CNS lesion sites and by cells in injured peripheral nerves, but Nogo and CNS myelin are largely absent from spinal cord injury sites, which are none the less strongly inhibitory to axonal regeneration. Nogo is found on growing axons during development, suggesting possible functions for neuronal Nogo in axon guidance. Although Nogo, MAG and OMgp lack sequence homologies, they all bind to the Nogo receptor (NgR), a GPI-linked cell surface molecule which, in turn, binds p75 to activate RhoA. NgR is strongly expressed by cerebral cortical neurons but many other neurons express NgR weakly or not at all. Some neurons, such as DRG cells, respond to Nogo and CNS myelin in vitro although they express little or no NgR in vivo which, with other data, indicates that other receptors are available for NgR ligands. NgR expression is unaffected by injury to the nervous system, and there is no clear correlation between NgR expression by neurons and lack of regenerative ability. In the injured spinal cord, interactions between NgR and its ligands are most likely to be important for limiting regeneration of corticospinal and some other descending tracts; other receptors may be more important for ascending tracts. Antibodies to Nogo, mainly the poorly-characterised IN-1 or its derivatives, have been shown to enhance recovery from partial transections of the spinal cord. They induce considerable plasticity from the axons of corticospinal neurons, including sprouting across the midline and, to a limited extent, regeneration around the lesion. Regeneration of corticospinal axons induced by Nogo antibodies has not yet been demonstrated after complete transections or contusion injuries of the spinal cord. It is not clear whether antibodies against Nogo act on oligodendrocytes/myelin or by binding to neuronal Nogo, or whether they can stimulate regeneration of ascending axons in the spinal cord, most of which express little or no NgR. Despite these uncertainties, however, NgR and its ligands offer important new targets for enhancing plasticity and regeneration in the nervous system.     

Nogo receptor 3, a paralog of Nogo-66 receptor 1 （NgR1）, may function as a NgR1 co-receptor for Nogo-66

Nogo-A is a major myelin associated inhibitor that blocks regeneration of injured axons in the central nervous system (CNS).Nogo-66 (a 66-residue domain of Nogo-A) expressed on the surface of oligodendrocytes has been shown to directly interact with Nogo-66 receptor 1 (NgR1).A number of additional components of NgR1 receptor complex essential for its signaling have been uncovered.However,detailed composition of the complex and its signaling mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated.In this study,we show that Nogo receptor 3 (NgR3),a paralog of NgR1,is a binding protein for NgR1.The interaction is highly specific because other members of the reticulin family,to which Nogo-A belongs,do not bind to NgR3.Neither does NgR3 show any binding activity with Nogo receptor 2 (NgR2),another NgR1 paralog.Majority of NgR3 domains are required for its binding to NgR1.Moreover,a truncated NgR3 with the membrane anchoring domain deleted can function as a decoy receptor to reverse neurite outgrowth inhibition caused by Nogo-66 in culture.These in vitro results,together with previously reported overlapping expression profile between NgR1 and NgR3,suggest that NgR3 may be associated with NgR1 in vivo and that their binding interface may be targeted for treating neuronal injuries.