The intracellular region of the Notch ligand Jagged-1 gains partial structure upon binding to synthetic membranes

FEBS J. 2007 Oct;274(20):5325-36. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2007.06053.x. Epub 2007 Sep 24.

Abstract

Notch ligands are membrane-spanning proteins made of a large extracellular region, a transmembrane segment, and a approximately 100-200 residue cytoplasmic tail. The intracellular region of Jagged-1, one of the five ligands to Notch receptors in man, mediates protein-protein interactions through the C-terminal PDZ binding motif, is involved in receptor/ligand endocytosis triggered by mono-ubiquitination, and, as a consequence of regulated intramembrane proteolysis, can be released into the cytosol as a signaling fragment. The intracellular region of Jagged-1 may then exist in at least two forms: as a membrane-tethered protein located at the interface between the membrane and the cytoplasm, and as a soluble nucleocytoplasmic protein. Here, we report the characterization, in different environments, of a recombinant protein corresponding to the human Jagged-1 intracellular region (J1_tmic). In solution, J1_tmic behaves as an intrinsically disordered protein, but displays a significant helical propensity. In the presence of SDS micelles and phospholipid vesicles, used to mimick the interface between the plasma membrane and the cytosol, J1_tmic undergoes a substantial conformational change. We show that the interaction of J1_tmic with SDS micelles drives partial helix formation, as measured by circular dichroism, and that the helical content depends on pH in a reversible manner. An increase in the helical content is observed also in the presence of vesicles made of negatively charged, but not zwitterionic, phospholipids. We propose that this partial folding may have implications in the interactions of J1_tmic with its binding partners, as well as in its post-translational modifications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / chemistry*
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Chromatography, Gel
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Fluorescence
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / chemistry*
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Jagged-1 Protein
  • Ligands
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Micelles
  • Phospholipids / metabolism*
  • Protein Folding
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Receptors, Notch / metabolism*
  • Serrate-Jagged Proteins

Substances

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • JAG1 protein, human
  • Jagged-1 Protein
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Micelles
  • Phospholipids
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Serrate-Jagged Proteins