Cis and trans actions of the cholinesterase-like domain within the thyroglobulin dimer

J Biol Chem. 2010 Jun 4;285(23):17564-73. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.111641. Epub 2010 Mar 30.

Abstract

Thyroglobulin (Tg, precursor for thyroid hormone synthesis) is a large secreted glycoprotein composed of upstream regions I-II-III, followed by the approximately 570 residue cholinesterase-like (ChEL) domain. ChEL has two identified functions: 1) homodimerization, and 2) binding to I-II-III that facilitates I-II-III oxidative maturation required for intracellular protein transport. Like its homologs in the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) family, ChEL possesses two carboxyl-terminal alpha-helices. We find that a Tg-AChE chimera (swapping AChE in place of ChEL) allows for dimerization with monomeric AChE, proving exposure of the carboxyl-terminal helices within the larger context of Tg. Further, we establish that perturbing trans-helical interaction blocks homodimerization of the Tg ChEL domain. Additionally, ChEL can associate with neuroligins (a related family of cholinesterase-like proteins), demonstrating potential for Tg cross-dimerization between non-identical partners. Indeed, when mutant rdw-Tg (Tg-G2298R, defective for protein secretion) is co-expressed with wild-type Tg, the two proteins cross-dimerize and secretion of rdw-Tg is partially restored. Moreover, we find that AChE and soluble neuroligins also can bind to the upstream Tg regions I-II-III; however, they cannot rescue secretion, because they cannot facilitate oxidative maturation of I-II-III. These data suggest that specific properties of distinct Tg ChEL mutants may result in distinct patterns of Tg monomer folding, cross-dimerization with wild-type Tg, and variable secretion behavior in heterozygous patients.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / chemistry
  • Acetylcholinesterase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / chemistry
  • Cholinesterases / chemistry*
  • Dimerization
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Molecular Chaperones / chemistry
  • Mutation
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Protein Folding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • Thyroglobulin / chemistry*

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • neuroligin 1
  • Thyroglobulin
  • Acetylcholinesterase
  • Cholinesterases