skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Evolution of GITRL Immune Function: Murine GITRL Exhibits Unique Structural and Biochemical Properties Within the TNF Superfamily

Journal Article · · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA

Glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor ligand (GITRL), a recently identified member of the TNF superfamily, binds to its receptor, GITR, on both effector and regulatory T cells and generates positive costimulatory signals implicated in a wide range of T cell functions. In contrast to all previously characterized homotrimeric TNF family members, the mouse GITRL crystal structure reveals a previously unrecognized dimeric assembly that is stabilized via a unique 'domain-swapping' interaction. Consistent with its crystal structure, mouse GITRL exists as a stable dimer in solution. Structure-guided mutagenesis studies confirmed the determinants responsible for dimerization and support a previously unrecognized receptor-recognition surface for mouse GITRL that has not been observed for any other TNF family members. Taken together, the unique structural and biochemical behavior of mouse GITRL, along with the unusual domain organization of murine GITR, support a previously unrecognized mechanism for signaling within the TNF superfamily.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). National Synchrotron Light Source
Sponsoring Organization:
Doe - Office Of Science
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC02-98CH10886
OSTI ID:
959490
Report Number(s):
BNL-82476-2009-JA; PNASA6; TRN: US201016%%634
Journal Information:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, Vol. 105; ISSN 0027-8424
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

1.8 Å structure of murine GITR ligand dimer expressed in Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells
Journal Article · Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 2009 · Acta Crystallographica. Section D: Biological Crystallography · OSTI ID:959490

Assembly and Structural Properties of Gluoccorticoid-Induced TNF Receptor Ligand: Implications for Function
Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2007 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA · OSTI ID:959490

1.8 Astroms Structure of Murine GITR Ligand Dimer Expressed in Drosophila Melanogaster S2 Cells
Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2009 · Acta Crystallographica Section D: Biological Crystallography · OSTI ID:959490