THE STRUCTURE OF TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-ALPHA AT 2.6 ANGSTROMS RESOLUTION. IMPLICATIONS FOR RECEPTOR BINDING
[TNFA_HUMAN] Genetic variations in TNF are a cause of susceptibility psoriatic arthritis (PSORAS) [MIM:607507]. PSORAS is an inflammatory, seronegative arthritis associated with psoriasis. It is a heterogeneous disorder ranging from a mild, non-destructive disease to a severe, progressive, erosive arthropathy. Five types of psoriatic arthritis have been defined: asymmetrical oligoarthritis characterized by primary involvement of the small joints of the fingers or toes; asymmetrical arthritis which involves the joints of the extremities; symmetrical polyarthritis characterized by a rheumatoidlike pattern that can involve hands, wrists, ankles, and feet; arthritis mutilans, which is a rare but deforming and destructive condition; arthritis of the sacroiliac joints and spine (psoriatic spondylitis).
[TNFA_HUMAN] Cytokine that binds to TNFRSF1A/TNFR1 and TNFRSF1B/TNFBR. It is mainly secreted by macrophages and can induce cell death of certain tumor cell lines. It is potent pyrogen causing fever by direct action or by stimulation of interleukin-1 secretion and is implicated in the induction of cachexia, Under certain conditions it can stimulate cell proliferation and induce cell differentiation. The TNF intracellular domain (ICD) form induces IL12 production in dendritic cells.
Publication Abstract from PubMed
The three-dimensional structure of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), a protein hormone secreted by macrophages, has been determined at 2.6 A resolution by x-ray crystallography. Phases were determined by multiple isomorphous replacement using data collected from five heavy atom derivatives. The multiple isomorphous replacement phases were further improved by real space symmetry averaging, exploiting the noncrystallographic 3-fold symmetry of the TNF-alpha trimer. An atomic model corresponding to the known amino acid sequence of TNF-alpha was readily built into the electron density map calculated with these improved phases. The 17,350-dalton monomer forms an elongated, antiparallel beta-pleated sheet sandwich with a "jelly-roll" topology. Three monomers associate intimately about a 3-fold axis of symmetry to form a compact bell-shaped trimer. Examination of the model and comparison to known protein structures reveals striking structural homology to several viral coat proteins, particularly satellite tobacco necrosis virus. Locations of residues conserved between TNF-alpha and lymphotoxin (TNF-beta, a related cytokine known to bind to the same receptors as TNF-alpha) suggest that lymphotoxin, like TNF-alpha, binds to the receptor as a trimer and that the general site of interaction with the receptor is at the "base" of the trimer.
The structure of tumor necrosis factor-alpha at 2.6 A resolution. Implications for receptor binding.,Eck MJ, Sprang SR J Biol Chem. 1989 Oct 15;264(29):17595-605. PMID:2551905
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.