Glycyrrhizin binds to high-mobility group box 1 protein and inhibits its cytokine activities.
High-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) is a nuclear component, but extracellularly it serves as a signaling molecule involved in acute and chronic inflammation, for example in sepsis and arthritis. The identification of HMGB1 inhibitors is therefore of significant experimental and clinical interest. We show that glycyrrhizin, a natural anti-inflammatory and antiviral triterpene in clinical use, inhibits HMGB1 chemoattractant and mitogenic activities, and has a weak inhibitory effect on its intranuclear DNA-binding function. NMR and fluorescence studies indicate that glycyrrhizin binds directly to HMGB1 (K(d) approximately 150 microM), interacting with two shallow concave surfaces formed by the two arms of both HMG boxes. Our results explain in part the anti-inflammatory properties of glycyrrhizin, and might direct the design of new derivatives with improved HMGB1-binding properties.
Mollica
Luca
L
Biomolecular NMR Laboratory, Dulbecco Telethon Institute, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, via Olgettina 58, 20133 Milan, Italy.
De Marchis
Francesco
F
Spitaleri
Andrea
A
Dallacosta
Corrado
C
Pennacchini
Danilo
D
Zamai
Moreno
M
Agresti
Alessandra
A
Trisciuoglio
Lisa
L
Musco
Giovanna
G
Bianchi
Marco E
ME
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001665:Binding Sites; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D005453:Fluorescence; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D024243:HMGB1 Protein / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D051379:Mice; D008934:Mitogens / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011485:Protein Binding
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016207:Cytokines; D024243:HMGB1 Protein; D008934:Mitogens; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid; D004247:DNA