A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Structure of Collagen Receptor Integrin alpha I-1 Domain Carrying the Activating Mutation E317A
Subtitle: Activating Mutation of Integrin α1I Domain
Authors: Lahti M, Bligt E, Niskanen H, Parkash V, Brandt AM, Jokinen J, Patrikainen P, Kapyla J, Heino J, Salminen TA
Publisher: AMER SOC BIOCHEMISTRY MOLECULAR BIOLOGY INC
Publication year: 2011
Journal: Journal of Biological Chemistry
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
Journal acronym: J BIOL CHEM
Number in series: 50
Volume: 286
Issue: 50
First page : 43343
Last page: 43351
Number of pages: 9
ISSN: 0021-9258
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M111.261909
Web address : http://www.jbc.org/content/286/50/43343.long#!
We have analyzed the structure and function of the integrin alpha I-1 domain harboring a gain-of-function mutation E317A. To promote protein crystallization, a double variant with an additional C139S mutation was used. In cell adhesion assays, the E317A mutation promoted binding to collagen. Similarly, the double mutation C139S/E317A increased adhesion compared with C139S alone. Furthermore, soluble alpha I-1 C139S/E317A was a higher avidity collagen binder than alpha I-1 C139S, indicating that the double variant represents an activated form. The crystal structure of the activated variant of alpha I-1 was solved at 1.9 angstrom resolution. The E317A mutation results in the unwinding of the alpha C helix, but the metal ion has moved toward loop 1, instead of loop 2 in the open alpha I-2. Furthermore, unlike in the closed alpha I domains, the metal ion is pentacoordinated and, thus, prepared for ligand binding. Helix 7, which has moved downward in the open alpha I-2 structure, has not changed its position in the activated alpha I-1 variant. During the integrin activation, Glu(335) on helix 7 binds to the metal ion at the metal ion-dependent adhesion site (MIDAS) of the beta(1) subunit. Interestingly, in our cell adhesion assays E317A could activate collagen binding even after mutating Glu(335). This indicates that the stabilization of helix 7 into its downward position is not required if the alpha(1) MIDAS is already open. To conclude, the activated alpha I-1 domain represents a novel conformation of the alpha I domain, mimicking the structural state where the Arg(287)-Glu(317) ion pair has just broken during the integrin activation.
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