PMID: 24255114

Authors:

Enokizono Y, Kumeta H, Funami K, Horiuchi M, Sarmiento J, Yamashita K, Standley DM, Matsumoto M, Seya T, Inagaki F

Title:

Structures and interface mapping of the TIR domain-containing adaptor molecules involved in interferon signaling.

Journal:

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Dec 3;110(49):19908-13. doi:, 10.1073/pnas.1222811110. Epub 2013 Nov 19.

Abstract:

Homotypic and heterotypic interactions between Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domains in Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and downstream adaptors are essential to evoke innate immune responses. However, such oligomerization properties present intrinsic difficulties in structural studies of TIR domains. Here, using BB-loop mutations that disrupt homotypic interactions, we determined the structures of the monomeric TIR domain-containing adaptor molecule (TICAM)-1 and TICAM-2 TIR domains. Docking of the monomeric structures, together with yeast two hybrid-based mutagenesis assays, reveals that the homotypic interaction between TICAM-2 TIR is indispensable to present a scaffold for recruiting the monomeric moiety of the TICAM-1 TIR dimer. This result proposes a unique idea that oligomerization of upstream TIR domains is crucial for binding of downstream TIR domains. Furthermore, the bivalent nature of each TIR domain dimer can generate a large signaling complex under the activated TLRs, which would recruit downstream signaling molecules efficiently. This model is consistent with previous reports that BB-loop mutants completely abrogate downstream signaling.