The structure solution of T. brucei cathepsin B from 80 in vivo grown crystals with an average volume of 9 µm3 obtained by serial synchrotron crystallography at a microfocus beamline is reported.

Nogo-66 receptor (NgR) has recently been identified as the neuronal receptor of the myelin-associated proteins Nogo-A, oligodendrocyte protein (OMgp) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), and mediates inhibition of axonal regeneration both in vitro and in vivo. Through database searches, we have identified two novel proteins (NgRH1 and NgRH2) that turned out to be homologous in their primary structures, biochemical properties and expression patterns to NgR. Like NgR, the homologues contain eight leucine-rich repeats (LRR) flanked by a leucine-rich repeat C-terminus (LRRCT) and a leucine-rich repeat N-terminus (LRRNT), and also have a C-terminal GPI signal sequence. Northern blot analysis showed predominant expression of NgRH1 and NgRH2 mRNA in the brain. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry on rat brain slices revealed neuronal expression of the genes. NgRH1 and NgRH2 were detected on the cell surface of recombinant cell lines as N-glycosylated GPI anchored proteins and, consistent with other GPI anchored proteins, were localized within the lipid rafts of cellular membranes. In addition, an N-terminal proteolytic fragment of NgR comprising the majority of the ectodomain was found to be constitutively secreted from cells. Our data indicate that NgR, NgRH1 and NgRH2 constitute a novel receptor protein family, which may play related roles within the CNS.

Rationale: Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) are cytoplasmic adaptor proteins for the TNF/interleukin-1/Toll-like receptor superfamily. Ligands of this family comprise multiple important cytokines such as TNF␣, CD40L, and interleukin-1␤ that promote chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis. We recently reported overexpression of TRAF5 in murine and human atheromata and that TRAF5 promotes inflammatory functions of cultured endothelial cells and macrophages.Objective: This study tested the hypothesis that TRAF5 modulates atherogenesis in vivo. Methods and Results: Surprisingly, TRAF5؊/؊ /LDLR ؊/؊ mice consuming a high-cholesterol diet for 18 weeks developed significantly larger atherosclerotic lesions than did TRAF5 ؉/؉ /LDLR ؊/؊ controls. Plaques of TRAF5-deficient animals contained more lipids and macrophages, whereas smooth muscle cells and collagen remained unchanged. Deficiency of TRAF5 in endothelial cells or in leukocytes enhanced adhesion of inflammatory cells to the endothelium in dynamic adhesion assays in vitro and in murine vessels imaged by intravital microscopy in vivo. TRAF5 deficiency also increased expression of adhesion molecules and chemokines and potentiated macrophage lipid uptake and foam cell formation. These findings coincided with increased activation of JNK and appeared to be independent of TRAF2. Finally, patients with stable or acute coronary heart disease had significantly lower amounts of TRAF5 mRNA in blood compared with healthy controls. Key Words: TRAF5 Ⅲ inflammation Ⅲ atherosclerosis Ⅲ monocyte recruitment Ⅲ foam cells A therosclerosis is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The concept that inflammatory and immunologic mechanisms drive atherogenesis emerged from both extensive laboratory studies and from clinical observations demonstrating associations between biomarkers of inflammation and cardiovascular events. 1,2 These findings have spurred the quest for antiinflammatory or immunomodulatory treatments to fight atherosclerosis and its sequelae. Selective modulation of key signaling pathways may afford a fruitful strategy to achieve that goal. Conclusions:Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) represent important signal transducers for the TNF/ interleukin (IL)-1/Toll-like receptor (TLR) superfamily, several members of which potently promote atherogenesis. We and others found expression of TRAFs in cells typically resident in the atherosclerotic plaques. [3][4][5][6] However, only a few reports have investigated TRAF-dependent functions in the context of vascular disease: TRAF3 and TRAF2 have been implicated in transducing shear stress, 7,8 and Luo et al recently demonstrated that activation of TNFR2 mediates ischemia-induced atherogenesis by inducing TRAF2-dependent survival pathways. 9 Endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells from unstable plaque regions of human carotid arteries overexpress TRAF4. 4 TRAF6 promotes neointima formation on balloon injury in the carotid artery of mice as well as deve...