Identification of a spectrally stable proteolytic fragment of human neutrophil flavocytochrome b composed of the NH2-terminal regions of gp91(phox) and p22(phox)

Activation of caspase-1 by the NLRP3 inflammasome regulates the NADPH oxidase NOX2 to control phagosome function

Phagocytosis is a fundamental cellular process that is pivotal for immunity as it coordinates microbial killing, innate immune activation and antigen presentation. An essential step in this process is phagosome acidification, which regulates many functions of these organelles that allow phagosomes to participate in processes that are essential to both innate and adaptive immunity. Here we report that acidification of phagosomes containing Gram-positive bacteria is regulated by the NLRP3 inflammasome and caspase-1. Active caspase-1 accumulates on phagosomes and acts locally to control the pH by modulating buffering by the NADPH oxidase NOX2. These data provide insight into a mechanism by which innate immune signals can modify cellular defenses and establish a new function for the NLRP3 inflammasome and caspase-1 in host defense.

Analysis of human phagocyte flavocytochrome b(558) by mass spectrometry

The catalytic core of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase is a heterodimeric integral membrane protein (flavocytochrome b (Cyt b)) that generates superoxide and initiates a cascade of reactive oxygen species critical for the host inflammatory response. In order to facilitate structural characterization, the present study reports the first direct analysis of human phagocyte Cyt b by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry. Mass analysis of in-gel tryptic digest samples provided 73% total sequence coverage of the gp91(phox) subunit, including three of the six proposed transmembrane domains. Similar analysis of the p22(phox) subunit provided 72% total sequence coverage, including assignment of the hydrophobic N-terminal region and residues that are polymorphic in the human population. To initiate mass analysis of Cyt b post-translational modifications, the isolated gp91(phox) subunit was subject to sequential in-gel digestion with Flavobacterium meningosepticum peptide N-glycosidase F and trypsin, with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry used to demonstrate that Asn-132, -149, and -240 are genuinely modified by N-linked glycans in human neutrophils. Since the PLB-985 cell line represents an important model system for analysis of the NADPH oxidase, methods were developed for the purification of Cyt b from PLB-985 membrane fractions in order to confirm the appropriate modification of N-linked glycosylation sites on the recombinant gp91(phox) subunit. This study reports extensive sequence coverage of the integral membrane protein Cyt b by mass spectrometry and provides analytical methods that will be useful for evaluating posttranslational modifications involved in the regulation of superoxide production.

Evaluation of two anti-gp91phox antibodies as immunoprobes for Nox family proteins: mAb 54.1 recognizes recombinant full-length Nox2, Nox3 and the C-terminal domains of Nox1-4 and cross-reacts with GRP 58

Progress in the study of Nox protein expression has been impeded because of the paucity of immunological probes. The large subunit of human phagocyte flavocytochrome b558 (Cytb), gp91phox, is also the prototype member of the recently discovered family of NADPH oxidase (Nox) proteins. In this study, we have evaluated the use of two anti-gp91phox monoclonal antibodies, 54.1 and CL5, as immunoprobes for Nox family proteins. Sequence alignment of gp91phox with Nox1, Nox3 and Nox4 identified regions of the Nox proteins that correspond to the gp91phox epitopes recognized by mAb 54.1 and CL5. Antibody 54.1 produced positive immunoblots of recombinant C-terminal fragments of these homologous proteins expressed in E. coli. Furthermore, only mAb 54.1 recognized full-length murine and human Nox3 expressed in HEK-293 cells, in immunoblots of alkali-stripped or detergent-solubilized membranes. 54.1 recognized Nox3 expression-specific proteins with Mr 30,000, 50,000, 65,000 and 88,000 for the murine protein and Mr of 38,000-58,000, 90,000, 100,000-130,000 and a broad species of higher than 160,000 for the human protein. We conclude that mAb 54.1 can serve as a probe of Nox3 and possibly other Nox proteins, if precautions are taken to remove GRP 58 and other crossreactive membrane-associated or detergent-insoluble proteins from the sample to be probed.

Structural organization of the neutrophil NADPH oxidase: phosphorylation and translocation during priming and activation

The reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase is part of the microbicidal arsenal used by human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) to eradicate invading pathogens. The production of a superoxide anion (O2-) into the phagolysosome is the precursor for the generation of more potent products, such as hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorite. However, this production of O2- is dependent on translocation of the oxidase subunits, including gp91phox, p22phox, p47phox, p67phox, p40phox, and Rac2 from the cytosol or specific granules to the plasma membrane. In response to an external stimuli, PMNs change from a resting, nonadhesive state to a primed, adherent phenotype, which allows for margination from the vasculature into the tissue and chemotaxis to the site of infection upon activation. Depending on the stimuli, primed PMNs display altered structural organization of the NADPH oxidase, in that there is phosphorylation of the oxidase subunits and/or translocation from the cytosol to the plasma or granular membrane, but there is not the complete assembly required for O2- generation. Activation of PMNs is the complete assembly of the membrane-linked and cytosolic NADPH oxidase components on a PMN membrane, the plasma or granular membrane. This review will discuss the individual components associated with the NADPH oxidase complex and the function of each of these units in each physiologic stage of the PMN: rested, primed, and activated.

Monoclonal antibody CL5 recognizes the amino terminal domain of human phagocyte flavocytochrome b558 large subunit, gp91phox

Human phagocyte flavocytochrome b558 (Cytb) is a heterodimeric integral membrane protein that serves as the electron transferase of the beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotidephosphate, reduced (NADPH)-oxidase, an enzyme complex important in the host defense function of phagocytic cells. In this study, we report the characterization of monoclonal antibody (mAb) CL5 that is specific for the large subunit, gp91phox, of the oxidase protein. This antibody recognizes gp91phox by immunoblot analysis of membrane extracts and samples of the immunopurified gp91phox/p22phox heterodimer, prepared on anti-p22phox affinity matrices. Phage display analysis confirmed this specificity, indicating that the CL5 epitope contains the region 135-DPYSVALSELGDR of gp91phox. The antibody was used to probe for the presence of gp91phox in membrane preparations from neutrophils of patients with nine genetically distinct forms of X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). The causative mutations included missense errors as well as nonsense errors that result in premature termination of gp91phox synthesis. Analysis of the CGD samples by immunoblotting indicated that CL5 recognizes only the full-length wild-type and two missense mutations, consistent with the absence of stable short gp91phox peptide expression in CGD neutrophils. Interestingly, CL5 was also shown to be cross-reactive with cytosolic and membrane-bound gelsolin, identified by purification, mass spectrometry and immunoblot analysis. CL5 probably cross-reacts with the sequence 771-DPLDRAMAEL in the C-terminus of gelsolin. We conclude that mAb CL5 is a useful probe for detection of full length and possibly truncated N-terminal fragments of gp91phox from membranes of Cytb-producing cells.

Localization of Nox2 N-terminus using polyclonal antipeptide antibodies

Nox2/gp91(phox) (where phox is phagocyte oxidase) is the catalytic membrane subunit of the granulocyte NADPH oxidase complex involved in host defence. The current model of membrane topology of Nox2 is based upon the identification of glycosylation sites, of regions that interact with the regulatory cytosolic factors and of the epitopes recognized by antibodies. So far, the localization of the N-terminus of Nox2 was only speculative. In order to clarify this localization, we raised a polyclonal antiserum against the N-terminal sequence M(1)GNWVAVNEGL(11). Purified antibodies recognize the mature protein as a broad band at 91 kDa (glycosylated form) or a band at 55 kDa after deglycosylation. Immunocytochemistry and flow-cytometry analysis show a strong binding of the anti-N-terminal antibodies to differentiated HL60 cells and neutrophils respectively, after permeabilization only. The N-terminus of Nox2 is therefore present in the mature protein and is located to the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane.

Structure and regulation of the neutrophil respiratory burst oxidase: comparison with nonphagocyte oxidases

Neutrophils play an essential role in the body's innate defense against pathogens and are one of the primary mediators of the inflammatory response. To defend the host, neutrophils use a wide range of microbicidal products, such as oxidants, microbicidal peptides, and lytic enzymes. The generation of microbicidal oxidants by neutrophils results from the activation of a multiprotein enzyme complex known as the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, which is responsible for transferring electrons from NADPH to O2, resulting in the formation of superoxide anion. During oxidase activation, cytosolic oxidase proteins translocate to the phagosome or plasma membrane, where they assemble around a central membrane-bound component known as flavocytochrome b. This process is highly regulated, involving phosphorylation, translocation, and multiple conformational changes. Originally, it was thought that the NADPH oxidase was restricted to phagocytes and used solely in host defense. However, recent studies indicate that similar NADPH oxidase systems are present in a wide variety of nonphagocytic cells. Although the nature of these nonphagocyte NADPH oxidases is still being defined, it is clear that they are functionally distinct from the phagocyte oxidases. It should be noted, however, that structural features of many nonphagocyte oxidase proteins do seem to be similar to those of their phagocyte counterparts. In this review, key structural and functional features of the neutrophil NADPH oxidase and its protein components are described, including a consideration of transcriptional and post-translational regulatory features. Furthermore, relevant details about structural and functional features of various nonphagocyte oxidase proteins will be included for comparison.

C242TCYBAPolymorphism of the NADPH Oxidase Is Associated With Reduced Respiratory Burst in Human Neutrophils

Oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. p22phox-based NAD(P)H oxidases exist in the vessel wall, acting as important superoxide-generating systems in the vasculature. Some studies have identified reduced atherosclerosis in the presence of the C242T CYBA polymorphism, whereas others have not. Because vascular p22phox is identical to neutrophil p22phox, we studied the association between the C242T, A640G, and -930A/G CYBA polymorphisms and the quantity of superoxide produced from neutrophils isolated from healthy adults to determine if these polymorphisms had any functional impact on NADPH oxidase function. Neutrophils were isolated from 90 subjects by Percoll density gradient centrifugation. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction mapping, as well as real-time PCR. The oxidative burst was stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Superoxide was quantified using the superoxide dismutase inhibitable oxidation of the spin probe hydroxylamine 1-hydroxy-3-carboxy-pyrrolidine, detected by electron paramagnetic resonance. Superoxide production was significantly affected by the C242T polymorphism, being 8.7+/-0.7, 7.9+/-0.6, and 5.9+/-1.2 micromol/L per minute per 10(6) neutrophils for the C242T CC, CT, and TT genotypes, respectively (P<0.05). In contrast, the A640G and the -930A/G polymorphisms did not alter the neutrophil respiratory burst. Phagocytic respiratory burst activity in homozygous individuals with the T allele of the C242T CYBA polymorphism is significantly lower than of wild-type carriers and heterozygous individuals. Because p22phox exists in both the neutrophil and vessel wall, vascular oxidative stress is likely diminished in individuals with this polymorphism.

Single-step immunoaffinity purification and characterization of dodecylmaltoside-solubilized human neutrophil flavocytochrome b

Flavocytochrome b (Cyt b) is a heterodimeric, integral membrane protein that serves as the central component of an electron transferase system employed by phagocytes for elimination of bacterial and fungal pathogens. This report describes a rapid and efficient single-step purification of Cyt b from human neutrophil plasma membranes by solubilization in the nonionic detergent dodecylmaltoside (DDM) and immunoaffinity chromatography. A similar procedure for isolation of Cyt b directly from intact neutrophils by a combination of heparin and immunoaffinity chromatography is also presented. The stability of Cyt b was enhanced in DDM relative to previously employed solubilizing agents as determined by both monitoring the heme spectrum in crude membrane extracts and assaying resistance to proteolytic degradation following purification. Gel filtration chromatography and dynamic light scattering indicated that DDM maintains a predominantly monodisperse population of Cyt b following immunoaffinity purification. The high degree of purity obtained with this isolation procedure allowed for direct determination of a 2:1 heme to protein stoichiometry, confirming previous structural models. Analysis of the isolated heterodimer by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry allowed for accurate mass determination of p22(phox) as indicated by the gene sequence. Affinity-purified Cyt b was functionally reconstituted into artificial bilayers and demonstrated that catalytic activity of the protein was efficiently retained throughout the purification procedure.

Structural changes are induced in human neutrophil cytochrome b by NADPH oxidase activators, LDS, SDS, and arachidonate: intermolecular resonance energy transfer between trisulfopyrenyl-wheat germ agglutinin and cytochrome b(558)

Anionic amphiphiles such as sodium- and lithium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, LDS), or arachidonate (AA) initiate NADPH oxidase and proton channel activation in cell-free systems and intact neutrophils. To investigate whether these amphiphiles exert allosteric effects on cytochrome b, trisulfopyrenyl-labeled wheat germ agglutinin (Cascade Blue-wheat germ agglutinin, CCB-WGA) was used as an extrinsic fluorescence donor for resonance energy transfer (RET) to the intrinsic heme acceptors of detergent-solubilized cytochrome b. In solution, cytochrome b complexed with the CCB-WGA causing a rapid, saturable, carbohydrate-dependent quenching of up to approximately 55% of the steady-state fluorescence. Subsequent additions of SDS, LDS, or AA to typical cell-free oxidase assay concentrations completely relaxed the fluorescence quenching. The relaxation effects were specific, and not caused by dissociation of the CCB-WGA-cytochrome b complex or alterations in the spectral properties of the chromophores. In contrast, addition of the oxidase antagonist, arachidonate methyl ester, caused an opposite effect and was able to partially reverse the activator-induced relaxation. We conclude that the activators induce a cytochrome b conformation wherein the proximity or orientation between the hemes and the extrinsic CCB fluorescence donors has undergone a significant change. These events may be linked to NADPH oxidase assembly and activation or proton channel induction.

Mutagenesis of p22(phox) histidine 94. A histidine in this position is not required for flavocytochrome b558 function

The NADPH oxidase is a multicomponent enzyme that transfers electrons from NADPH to O2 to generate superoxide (O2*-), the precursor of microbicidal oxygen species that play an important role in host defense. Flavocytochrome b558, a heterodimeric oxidoreductase comprised of gp91(phox) and p22(phox) subunits, contains two nonidentical, bis-histidine-ligated heme groups imbedded within the membrane. Four histidine residues that appear to serve as noncovalent axial heme ligands reside within the hydrophobic N terminus of gp91(phox), but the role of p22(phox) in heme binding is unclear. We compared biochemical and functional features of wild type flavocytochrome b558 with those in cells co-expressing gp91(phox) with p22(phox) harboring amino acid substitutions at histidine 94, the only invariant histidine residue within the p22(phox) subunit. Substitution with leucine, tyrosine, or methionine did not affect heterodimer formation or flavocytochrome b558 function. The heme spectrum in purified preparations of flavocytochrome b558 containing the p22(phox) derivative was unaffected. In contrast, substitution of histidine 94 with arginine appeared to disrupt the intrinsic stability of p22(phox) and, secondarily, the stability of mature gp91(phox) and abrogated O2*- production. These findings demonstrate that His94 p22(phox) is not required for heme binding or function of flavocytochrome b558 in the NADPH oxidase.