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Free Content NMAAP1 Maintains M1 Phenotype in Macrophages Through Binding to IP3R and Activating Calcium-related Signaling Pathways

Background: NMAAP1 plays a role in regulating macrophage differentiation to the M1 type and exerting antitumoral functions. It is not clear what role and mechanism NMAAP1 does play in the reversal of macrophages from M1 to M2.

Methods: We detected the typing of macrophages with high or low expression of NMAAP1 by QPCR and ELISA, and detected the colocalization of NMAAP1 and endogenous IP3R by laser confocal microscopy, and detected the protein expression in cells by Western-blotting.

Results: Our study found that knockdown NMAAP1 in RAW264.7 cells induced macrophage polarization to the M2 type and up-regulation of NMAAP1 in RAW264.7 cells maintain M1 Phenotype even in the presence of IL-4, a stronger inducer of the M2 type. Additionally, Coimmunoprecipitation revealed a protein-protein interaction between NMAAP1 and IP3R and then activates key molecules in the PKC-dependent Raf/MEK/ERK and Ca2+/CaM/CaMKII signaling pathways. Activation of PKC (Thr638/641), ERK1/2 (Thr202/Tyr204) and CaMKII (Thr286) is involved in the regulation of cell differentiation.

Conclusion: NMAAP1 interacts with IP3R, which in turn activates the PKC-dependent Raf/MEK/ERK and Ca2+/CaM/CaMKII signaling pathways. These results provide a new explanation of the mechanism underlying M1 differentiation.

Keywords: IP3R; M1; NMAAP1; Signaling Pathway; macrophage; polarization

Document Type: Research Article

Publication date: 01 October 2019

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  • Protein & Peptide Letters publishes short papers in all important aspects of protein and peptide research, including structural studies, recombinant expression, function, synthesis, enzymology, immunology, molecular modeling, drug design etc. Manuscripts must have a significant element of novelty, timeliness and urgency that merit rapid publication. Reports of crystallisation, and preliminary structure determinations of biologically important proteins are acceptable. Purely theoretical papers are also acceptable provided they provide new insight into the principles of protein/peptide structure and function.
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