Disulfide reduction in the endocytic pathway: immunological functions of gamma-interferon-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase

Antioxid Redox Signal. 2011 Aug 1;15(3):657-68. doi: 10.1089/ars.2010.3684. Epub 2011 Apr 20.

Abstract

Gamma-interferon-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) is constitutively expressed in most antigen presenting cells and is interferon γ inducible in other cell types via signal transducer and activator of transcription 1. Normally, N- and C-terminal propeptides are cleaved in the early endosome, and the mature protein resides in late endosomes and lysosomes. Correspondingly, GILT has maximal reductase activity at an acidic pH. Monocyte differentiation via Toll-like receptor 4 triggers secretion of a disulfide-linked dimer of the enzymatically active precursor, which may contribute to inflammation. GILT facilitates major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-restricted processing through reduction of protein disulfide bonds in the endocytic pathway and is hypothesized to expose buried epitopes for MHC class II binding. GILT can also facilitate the transfer of disulfide-containing antigens into the cytosol, enhancing their cross-presentation by MHC class I. A variety of antigens are strongly influenced by GILT-mediated reduction, including hen egg lysozyme, melanocyte differentiation antigens, and viral envelope glycoproteins. In addition, GILT is conserved among lower eukaryotes and likely has additional functions. For example, GILT expression increases the stability of superoxide dismutase 2 and decreases reactive oxygen species, which correlates with decreased cellular proliferation. It is also a critical host factor for infection with Listeria monocytogenes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antigens / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Disulfides / chemistry*
  • Endocytosis / immunology*
  • Endosomes / metabolism
  • Genes, MHC Class II / immunology
  • Humans
  • Melanocytes / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Monocytes / immunology
  • Muramidase / metabolism
  • Oxidoreductases Acting on Sulfur Group Donors / immunology*
  • Oxidoreductases Acting on Sulfur Group Donors / metabolism*
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational / immunology
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / immunology
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Disulfides
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • superoxide dismutase 2
  • IFI30 protein, human
  • Oxidoreductases Acting on Sulfur Group Donors
  • hen egg lysozyme
  • Muramidase