Structure basis for ligand recognition and singnal inducing mechanism involved in TLR4・MD-2 complex.

Research Project

Project/Area Number	21770104
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Research Field	Structural biochemistry
Research Institution	The University of Tokyo
Principal Investigator	TOMA Sachiko The University of Tokyo, 大学院・薬学系研究科, 助教 (40363535)
Project Period (FY)	2009 – 2010
Project Status	Completed (Fiscal Year 2010)
Budget Amount *help	¥4,420,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,020,000) Fiscal Year 2010: ¥1,950,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥450,000) Fiscal Year 2009: ¥2,470,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥570,000)
Keywords	X線結晶解析 / X線結晶構造解析
Research Abstract	In this project, I tried to determine the crystal structure of TLR4-MD-2 complex. TLR4, which is a membrane protein, is a member of pattern recognition proteins. TLR4-MD-2 complex recognizes LPS known as endotoxin. TLR4-MD-2 complex could be expressed on plasma membrane in sf-9 insect cell. The total expression level on the membrane was sufficient for using crystallization. However, almost all expressed TLR4-MD-2 could not be extracted from the membrane. From small scale purification experiment, 60% purity TLR4-MD-2 complex solution was obtained.