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Publication Abstract from PubMed

Interferon-gamma-inducible protein (IP-10) belongs to the CXC class of chemokines and plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of various immune and inflammatory responses. It is also a potent angiostatic factor with antifibrotic properties. The biological activities of IP-10 are exerted by interactions with the G-protein-coupled receptor CXCR3 expressed on Th1 lymphocytes. IP-10 thus forms an attractive target for structure-based rational drug design of anti-inflammatory molecules. The crystal structure of mouse IP-10 has been determined and reveals a novel tetrameric association. In the tetramer, two conventional CXC chemokine dimers are associated through their N-terminal regions to form a 12-stranded elongated beta-sheet of approximately 90 A in length. This association differs significantly from the previously studied tetramers of human IP-10, platelet factor 4 and neutrophil-activating peptide-2. In addition, heparin- and receptor-binding residues were mapped on the surface of IP-10 tetramer. Two heparin-binding sites were observed on the surface and were present at the interface of each of the two beta-sheet dimers. The structure supports the formation of higher order oligomers of IP-10, as observed in recent in vivo studies with mouse IP-10, which will have functional relevance.

Structure of mouse IP-10, a chemokine.,Jabeen T, Leonard P, Jamaluddin H, Acharya KR Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr. 2008 Jun;64(Pt 6):611-9. Epub 2008, May 14. PMID:18560148^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.