Weizmann Institute scientists have discovered a biological security system that allows the use of a powerful immune weapon only when it is really needed
Prof. Menachem Rubinstein. Molecular cooperation
In systems whose operation may have a fateful meaning (economic, security or political), a double lock is installed, for its operation two different keys are needed, held in the hands of two different people. It turns out that living cells also use a similar security method, to avoid the misuse of powerful weapons. A new study by Weizmann Institute of Science scientists shows how this method works when it comes to one of the most powerful weapons of the immune system.
The interferons, unique signaling molecules, discovered 50 years ago, are the body's first line of defense against viral attack. They are formed in cells that are exposed to invading viruses, and from there they spread and call other cells to a defensive war against the attacking viruses. So far, three main families of interferons have been identified, named after the Greek letters alpha, beta and gamma. The interferons from the alpha and cell families are very similar to each other. They bind to the same receptor displayed on the cell membrane, and the way they affect the system is similar. Interferon gamma differs from these two in several ways. It binds to a unique receptor on cell membranes, and in addition to its activity in fighting viruses, it is involved in a number of essential activities of the immune system, including processes that enable the design and production of antibodies that are precisely adapted to unique enemies, and the activation of certain immune cells that digest and destroy disease agents.
But recently it became clear that interferon gamma often does not work alone. A research group of scientists from the Weizmann Institute of Science, headed by Prof. Menachem Rubinstein from the Department of Molecular Genetics, and attended by Dr. Vladimir Hurgin, Dr. Daniela Novick, and Dr. Ariel Verman, from the same department, along with Prof. Charles Dinerlo from the University of Colorado, found that for interferon gamma to work, it needed the presence of another molecule, called interleukin 1-alpha. This surprising finding was recently published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the American Academy of Sciences, PNAS.
Such collaborations between biological molecules occur in many cases in nature, but the collaboration between interferon gamma and interleukin-1-alpha surprised scientists: despite the fact that these two molecules are formed in two independent systems, they fit together like two halves of a key: interleukin-1-alpha is not Affects the alpha or beta interferons, and shows "loyalty" to the gamma interferon, which seems to give it back a degree of exclusivity. Prof. Rubinstein says that it is possible that the connection between the two molecules has not been discovered until now, because the cells that produce interferon gamma will also produce interleukin 1-alpha, for "self consumption".
In fact, when interferon gamma and interleukin 1-alpha work together, they create synergy, that is, their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects. Together they manage to activate about 500 genes, including those that cause fever and muscle pains that are symptoms of viral diseases, such as the flu. This activity is a powerful weapon, with significant side effects, which should only be used when there really is no other choice. Prof. Rubinstein believes that this is the reason why the body developed the "two keys" method that requires interferon gamma to cooperate with another factor - interleukin 1-alpha - before it goes into action which is accompanied by significant side effects.
