MAPPING OF PROTEIN-PROTEIN INTERACTIONS IN THE CD40 PATHWAY

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The human immune system provides barriers to infectious disease and malignancy. However, inappropriate activation of immune cells can result in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis. In addition, mutations that alter growth regulation in immune cells can lead to various forms of leukemia and lymphoma. One of the key proteins in the activation and growth of immune cells is CD40. CD40 is expressed on the surfaces of several types of immune cells, and is particularly important in the activation of B cells. B cells are the only antibody producing cells in the immune system and usually require stimulation through CD40 for optimal activation. CD40 may also provide viability signals for various types of cancer cells, including malignant B cells. Anchored in the B cell membrane, the tail of CD40 extends into the interior of the cell where it interacts with signaling proteins. The intracellular molecules comprising the CD40 signaling pathway are only partially characterized and it is our goal to identify the remaining components.