title: Probing effects of pH change on dynamic response of Claudin-2 mediated adhesion using single molecule force spectroscopy.
abstract: Claudins belong to a large family of transmembrane proteins that localize at tight junctions (TJs) where they play a central role in regulating paracellular transport of solutes and nutrients across epithelial monolayers. Their ability to regulate the paracellular pathway is highly influenced by changes in extracellular pH. However, the effect of changes in pH on the strength and kinetics of claudin mediated adhesion is poorly understood. Using atomic force microscopy, we characterized the kinetic properties of homophilic trans-interactions between full length recombinant GST tagged Claudin-2 (Cldn2) under different pH conditions. In measurements covering three orders of magnitude change in force loading rate of 10(2)-10(4) pN/s, the Cldn2/Cldn2 force spectrum (i.e., unbinding force versus loading rate) revealed a fast and a slow loading regime that characterized a steep inner activation barrier and a wide outer activation barrier throughout pH range of 4.5-8. Comparing to the neutral condition (pH 6.9), differences in the inner energy barriers for the dissociation of Cldn2/Cldn2 mediated interactions at acidic and alkaline environments were found to be <0.65 k(B)T, which is much lower than the outer dissociation energy barrier (>1.37 k(B)T). The relatively stable interaction of Cldn2/Cldn2 in neutral environment suggests that electrostatic interactions may contribute to the overall adhesion strength of Cldn2 interactions. Our results provide an insight into the changes in the inter-molecular forces and adhesion kinetics of Cldn2 mediated interactions in acidic, neutral and alkaline environments.
authors.affiliation: Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix, Singapore.
authors.forename: Tong Seng
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Sri Ram Krishna
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Vedula
authors.forename: Shi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hui
authors.forename: P Jaya
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kausalya
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hunziker
authors.forename: Chwee Teck
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D000268:Adhesiveness; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D057167:Claudins; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D011485:Protein Binding; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: C491875:CLDN2 protein, human; D057167:Claudins; D008565:Membrane Proteins