| 1. |
- Christoffersen, Christina, et al.
(author)
-
Endothelium-protective sphingosine-1-phosphate provided by HDL-associated apolipoprotein M
- 2011
-
In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 1091-6490 .- 0027-8424. ; 108:23, s. 9613-9618
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Protection of the endothelium is provided by circulating sphingosine-1-phosphate(S1P), which maintains vascular integrity. We show that HDL-associated S1P is bound specifically to both human and murine apolipoprotein M (apoM). Thus, isolated human ApoM(+) HDL contained S1P, whereas ApoM(-) HDL did not. Moreover, HDL in Apom(-/-) mice contains no S1P, whereas HDL in transgenic mice overexpressing human apoM has an increased S1P content. The 1.7-angstrom structure of the S1P-human apoM complex reveals that S1P interacts specifically with an amphiphilic pocket in the lipocalin fold of apoM. Human ApoM(+) HDL induced S1P(1) receptor internalization, downstream MAPK and Akt activation, endothelial cell migration, and formation of endothelial adherens junctions, whereas apoM(-) HDL did not. Importantly, lack of S1P in the HDL fraction of Apom(-/-) mice decreased basal endothelial barrier function in lung tissue. Our results demonstrate that apoM, by delivering S1P to the S1P(1) receptor on endothelial cells, is a vasculoprotective constituent of HDL.
|
|
| 2. |
- Sevvana, Madhumati, et al.
(author)
-
Serendipitous Fatty Acid Binding Reveals the Structural Determinants for Ligand Recognition in Apolipoprotein M
- 2009
-
In: Journal of Molecular Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1089-8638 .- 0022-2836. ; 393:4, s. 920-936
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Apolipoprotein M (ApoM) is a 25-kDa HDL-associated apolipoprotein and a member of the lipocalin family of proteins. Mature apoM retains its signal peptide, which serves as a lipid anchor attaching apoM to the lipoproteins, thereby keeping it in the circulation. Studies in mice have suggested apoM to be antiatherogenic, but its physiological function is yet unknown. We have now determined the 1.95 angstrom resolution crystal structure of recombinant human apoM expressed in Escherichia coli and made the unexpected discovery that apoM, although refolded from inclusion bodies, was in complex with fatty acids containing 14, 16 or 18 carbon atoms. ApoM displays the typical lipocalin fold characterised by an eight-stranded antiparallel beta-barrel that encloses an internal ligand-binding pocket. The crystal structures of two different complexes provide a detailed picture of the ligand-binding determinants of apoM. Additional fatty acid- and lipid-binding studies with apoM and the mutants apoM(W47F) and apoM(W100F) showed that sphingosine-1-phosphate is able to displace the bound fatty acids and efficiently quenched the intrinsic fluorescence with an IC50 of 0.90 mu M. Whereas the fatty acids bound in the crystal structure could be a mere consequence of recombinant protein production, the observed binding of sphingosine-l-phosphate might provide a key to a better understanding of the physiological function of apoM. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
|
|
