Caspase-4 disaggregates lipopolysaccharide micelles via LPS-CARD interaction

Sci Rep. 2019 Jan 29;9(1):826. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-36811-4.

Abstract

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are a major component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and are pathogen-associated molecular patterns recognized by the TLR4/MD2 complex that induces an inflammatory response. Recently, the cytosolic receptors caspase-4/-5/-11 that bind LPS inside the cell and trigger inflammasome activation or pyroptosis, have been identified. Despite the important roles of caspase-4 in human immune responses, few studies have investigated its biochemical characteristics and interactions with LPS. Since caspase-4 (C258A) purified from an Escherichia coli host forms aggregates, monomeric proteins including full-length caspase-4, caspase-4 (C258A), and the CARD domain of caspase-4 have been purified from the insect cell system. Here, we report the overexpression and purification of monomeric caspase-4 (C258A) and CARD domain from E. coli and demonstrate that purified caspase-4 (C258A) and CARD domain bind large LPS micelles and disaggregate them to small complexes. As the molar ratio of caspase-4 to LPS increases, the size of the caspase-4/LPS complex decreases. Our results present a new function of caspase-4 and set the stage for structural and biochemical studies, and drug discovery targeting LPS/caspase-4 interactions by establishing a facile purification method to obtain large quantities of purified caspase-4 (C258A) and the CARD domain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Outer Membrane / metabolism
  • Caspase Activation and Recruitment Domain / physiology*
  • Caspases, Initiator / metabolism*
  • Catalytic Domain / physiology*
  • Cell Line
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Lipopolysaccharides / metabolism*
  • Micelles
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Micelles
  • CASP4 protein, human
  • Caspases, Initiator