Structural insights into immunoglobulin M

Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 367 (6481) ◽  
pp. 1014-1017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaxin Li ◽  
Guopeng Wang ◽  
Ningning Li ◽  
Yuxin Wang ◽  
Qinyu Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mucosal Immunity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Polymeric Immunoglobulin Receptor ◽  
Immunoglobulin Receptor ◽  
J Chain ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Large Conformational Change ◽  
Structural Insights

Immunoglobulin M (IgM) plays a pivotal role in both humoral and mucosal immunity. Its assembly and transport depend on the joining chain (J-chain) and the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR), but the underlying molecular mechanisms of these processes are unclear. We report a cryo–electron microscopy structure of the Fc region of human IgM in complex with the J-chain and pIgR ectodomain. The IgM-Fc pentamer is formed asymmetrically, resembling a hexagon with a missing triangle. The tailpieces of IgM-Fc pack into an amyloid-like structure to stabilize the pentamer. The J-chain caps the tailpiece assembly and bridges the interaction between IgM-Fc and the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor, which undergoes a large conformational change to engage the IgM-J complex. These results provide a structural basis for the function of IgM.

scholarly journals Structural insights into secretory immunoglobulin A and its interaction with a pneumococcal adhesin

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxin Wang ◽  
Guopeng Wang ◽  
Yaxin Li ◽  
Hao Shen ◽  
Huarui Chu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Specific Interaction ◽  
Immunoglobulin A ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Secretory Component ◽  
Secretory Immunoglobulin A ◽  
Immunoglobulin Receptor ◽  
J Chain ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Structural Insights ◽  
Secretory Immunoglobulin

AbstractSecretory Immunoglobulin A (SIgA) is the most abundant antibody at the mucosal surface. SIgA possesses two additional subunits besides IgA: the joining chain (J-chain) and secretory component (SC). SC is the ectodomain of the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR), which functions to transport IgA to the mucosa. The underlying mechanism of how the J-chain and pIgR/SC facilitates the assembly and secretion of SIgA remains to be understood. During the infection of Streptococcus pneumoniae, a pneumococcal adhesin SpsA hijacks SIgA and unliganded pIgR/SC to evade host defense and gain entry to human cells. How SpsA specifically targets SIgA and pIgR/SC also remains unclear. Here we report a cryo-electron microscopy structure of the Fc region of human IgA1 (Fcα) in complex with J-chain and SC (Fcα-J-SC), which reveals the organization principle of SIgA. We also present the structure of Fcα-J-SC in complex with SpsA, which uncovers the specific interaction between SpsA and human pIgR/SC. These results advance the molecular understanding of SIgA and shed light on the pathogenesis of S. pneumoniae.

scholarly journals Structural insights into the activation of human calcium-sensing receptor

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaochen Chen ◽  
Lu Wang ◽  
Zhanyu Ding ◽  
Qianqian Cui ◽  
Li Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Transmembrane Domains ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Calcium Sensing Receptor ◽  
Calcium Sensing ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Activation Mechanisms ◽  
G Protein Coupled ◽  
Structural Insights

AbstractHuman calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is a G-protein-coupled receptor that maintains Ca2+ homeostasis in serum. Here, we present the cryo-electron microscopy structures of the CaSR in the inactive and active states. Complemented with previously reported crystal structures of CaSR extracellular domains, it suggests that there are three distinct conformations: inactive, intermediate and active state during the activation. We used a negative allosteric nanobody to stabilize the CaSR in the fully inactive state and found a new binding site for Ca2+ ion that acts as a composite agonist with L-amino acid to stabilize the closure of active Venus flytraps. Our data shows that the agonist binding leads to the compaction of the dimer, the proximity of the cysteine-rich domains, the large-scale transitions of 7-transmembrane domains, and the inter-and intrasubunit conformational changes of 7-transmembrane domains to accommodate the downstream transducers. Our results reveal the structural basis for activation mechanisms of the CaSR.

scholarly journals Structural insights into the molecular mechanisms of myasthenia gravis and their therapeutic implications

eLife ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaori Noridomi ◽  
Go Watanabe ◽  
Melissa N Hansen ◽  
Gye Won Han ◽  
Lin Chen
Keyword(s):  
Myasthenia Gravis ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Binding Mechanism ◽  
Fab Fragment ◽  
Therapeutic Implications ◽  
Therapeutic Development ◽  
First Time ◽  
Structural Insights ◽  
Α1 Subunit

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a major target of autoantibodies in myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune disease that causes neuromuscular transmission dysfunction. Despite decades of research, the molecular mechanisms underlying MG have not been fully elucidated. Here, we present the crystal structure of the nAChR α1 subunit bound by the Fab fragment of mAb35, a reference monoclonal antibody that causes experimental MG and competes with ~65% of antibodies from MG patients. Our structures reveal for the first time the detailed molecular interactions between MG antibodies and a core region on nAChR α1. These structures suggest a major nAChR-binding mechanism shared by a large number of MG antibodies and the possibility to treat MG by blocking this binding mechanism. Structure-based modeling also provides insights into antibody-mediated nAChR cross-linking known to cause receptor degradation. Our studies establish a structural basis for further mechanistic studies and therapeutic development of MG.

scholarly journals Structural basis for channel conduction in the pump-like channelrhodopsin ChRmine

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koichiro E. Kishi ◽  
Yoon Seok Kim ◽  
Masahiro Fukuda ◽  
Tsukasa Kusakizako ◽  
Elina Thadhani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Transmembrane Helix ◽  
Action Spectrum ◽  
Light Sensitivity ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Ion Pump ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Architectural Features ◽  
Computational Analyses ◽  
Insight Into

ChRmine, a recently-discovered bacteriorhodopsin-like cation-conducting channelrhodopsin, exhibits puzzling properties (unusually-large photocurrents, exceptional red-shift in action spectrum, and extreme light-sensitivity) that have opened up new opportunities in optogenetics. ChRmine and its homologs function as light-gated ion channels, but by primary sequence more closely resemble ion pump rhodopsins; the molecular mechanisms for passive channel conduction in this family of proteins, as well as the unusual properties of ChRmine itself, have remained mysterious. Here we present the cryo-electron microscopy structure of ChRmine at 2.0 Å resolution. The structure reveals striking architectural features never seen before in channelrhodopsins including trimeric assembly, a short transmembrane-helix 3 unwound in the middle of the membrane, a prominently-twisting extracellular-loop 1, remarkably-large intracellular cavities and extracellular vestibule, and an unprecedented hydrophilic pore that extends through the center of the trimer, separate from the three individual monomer pores. Electrophysiological, spectroscopic, and computational analyses provide insight into conduction and gating of light-gated channels with these distinct design features, and point the way toward structure-guided creation of novel channelrhodopsins for optogenetic applications in biology.

scholarly journals Structural basis of σ appropriation

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (17) ◽  
pp. 9423-9432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Shi ◽  
Aijia Wen ◽  
Minxing Zhao ◽  
Linlin You ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Bacteriophage T4 ◽  
Transcription Activation ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Concerted Effort ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Large Conformational Change

Abstract Bacteriophage T4 middle promoters are activated through a process called σ appropriation, which requires the concerted effort of two T4-encoded transcription factors: AsiA and MotA. Despite extensive biochemical and genetic analyses, puzzle remains, in part, because of a lack of precise structural information for σ appropriation complex. Here, we report a single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of an intact σ appropriation complex, comprising AsiA, MotA, Escherichia coli RNA polymerase (RNAP), σ70 and a T4 middle promoter. As expected, AsiA binds to and remodels σ region 4 to prevent its contact with host promoters. Unexpectedly, AsiA undergoes a large conformational change, takes over the job of σ region 4 and provides an anchor point for the upstream double-stranded DNA. Because σ region 4 is conserved among bacteria, other transcription factors may use the same strategy to alter the landscape of transcription immediately. Together, the structure provides a foundation for understanding σ appropriation and transcription activation.

scholarly journals Role of Polymeric Immunoglobulin Receptor in IgA and IgM Transcytosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2284
Author(s):  
Hao Wei ◽  
Ji-Yang Wang
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Chaperone ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Marginal Zone ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Polymeric Immunoglobulin Receptor ◽  
Immunoglobulin Receptor ◽  
J Chain ◽  
Chaperone Protein ◽  
Apical Side

Transcytosis of polymeric IgA and IgM from the basolateral surface to the apical side of the epithelium and subsequent secretion into mucosal fluids are mediated by the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR). Secreted IgA and IgM have vital roles in mucosal immunity in response to pathogenic infections. Binding and recognition of polymeric IgA and IgM by pIgR require the joining chain (J chain), a small protein essential in the formation and stabilization of polymeric Ig structures. Recent studies have identified marginal zone B and B1 cell-specific protein (MZB1) as a novel regulator of polymeric IgA and IgM formation. MZB1 might facilitate IgA and IgM transcytosis by promoting the binding of J chain to Ig. In this review, we discuss the roles of pIgR in transcytosis of IgA and IgM, the roles of J chain in the formation of polymeric IgA and IgM and recognition by pIgR, and focus particularly on recent progress in understanding the roles of MZB1, a molecular chaperone protein.

scholarly journals Structural basis for the therapeutic advantage of dual and triple agonists at the human GIP, GLP-1 or GCG receptors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fenghui Zhao ◽  
Qingtong Zhou ◽  
Zhaotong Cong ◽  
Kaini Hang ◽  
Xinyu Zou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Atomic Level ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Therapeutic Advantage ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Glucagon Like Peptide ◽  
Glucagon Like Peptide 1 ◽  
Diabetes And Obesity ◽  
Functional Versatility

Glucose homeostasis, regulated by glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucagon (GCG) is critical to human health. Several multi-targeting agonists at GIPR, GLP-1R or GCGR, developed to maximize metabolic benefits with reduced side-effects, are in clinical trials to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which tirzepatide, a GIPR/GLP-1R dualagonist, and peptide 20, a GIPR/GLP-1R/GCGR triagonist, manifest their superior efficacies over monoagonist such as semaglutide, we determined cryo-electron microscopy structures of tirzepatide-bound GIPR and GLP-1R as well as peptide 20-bound GIPR, GLP-1R and GCGR The structures reveal both common and unique features for the dual and triple agonism by illustrating key interactions of clinical relevance at the atomic level. Retention of glucagon function is required to achieve such an advantage over GLP-1 monotherapy. Our findings provide valuable insights into the structural basis of functional versatility and therapeutic supremacy of tirzepatide and peptide 20.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document