Can Xie

Structure of an integrin with an alphaI domain, complement receptor type 4.

We report the structure of an integrin with an αI domain, αXβ2, the complement receptor type 4. It was earlier expected that a fixed orientation between the αI domain and the β‐propeller domain in which it is inserted would be required for allosteric signal transmission. However, the αI domain is highly flexible, enabling two βI domain conformational states to couple to three αI domain states, and greater accessibility for ligand recognition. Although αXβ2 is bent similarly to integrins that lack αI domains, the terminal domains of the α‐ and β‐legs, calf‐2 and β‐tail, are oriented differently than in αI‐less integrins. Linkers extending to the transmembrane domains are unstructured. Previous mutations in the β2‐tail domain support the importance of extension, rather than a deadbolt, in integrin activation. The locations of further activating mutations and antibody epitopes show the critical role of extension, and conversion from the closed to the open headpiece conformation, in integrin activation. Differences among 10 molecules in crystal lattices provide unprecedented information on interdomain flexibility important for modelling integrin extension and activation.

Requirement of open headpiece conformation for activation of leukocyte integrin αXβ2

Negative stain electron microscopy (EM) and adhesion assays show that αXβ2 integrin activation requires headpiece opening as well as extension. An extension-inducing Fab to the β2 leg, in combination with representative activating and inhibitory Fabs, were examined for effect on the equilibrium between the open and closed headpiece conformations. The two activating Fabs stabilized the open headpiece conformation. Conversely, two different inhibitory Fabs stabilized the closed headpiece conformation. Adhesion assays revealed that αXβ2 in the extended-open headpiece conformation had high affinity for ligand, whereas both the bent conformation and the extended-closed headpiece conformation represented the low affinity state. Intermediate integrin affinity appears to result not from a single conformational state, but from a mixture of equilibrating conformational states.

A magnetic protein biocompass

The notion that animals can detect the Earths magnetic field was once ridiculed, but is now well established. Yet the biological nature of such magnetosensing phenomenon remains unknown. Here, we report a putative magnetic receptor (Drosophila CG8198, here named MagR) and a multimeric magnetosensing rod-like protein complex, identified by theoretical postulation and genome-wide screening, and validated with cellular, biochemical, structural and biophysical methods. The magnetosensing complex consists of the identified putative magnetoreceptor and known magnetoreception-related photoreceptor cryptochromes (Cry), has the attributes of both Cry- and iron-based systems, and exhibits spontaneous alignment in magnetic fields, including that of the Earth. Such a protein complex may form the basis of magnetoreception in animals, and may lead to applications across multiple fields.

Expression of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase gene in response to salt stress in a rice salt-tolerant mutant and its original variety

Abstract Plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase plays an important role in the establishment and maintenance of ion homeostasis. To investigate its expression in the rice salt-tolerant mutant M-20 and the original variety 77–170 during salt stress, a cDNA fragment corresponding to the PM H+-ATPase gene was obtained by PCR from rice japonica variety 77–170 and designated as OSA3. Sequence analysis of OSA3 revealed its high homology with two other published PM H+-ATPase genes, OSA1 and OSA2, in rice. Southern-blot analysis detected a RFLP between M-20 and 77–170, and one copy of the OSA3 gene was mapped to a position on rice chromosome 12 where a salt tolerance QTL was closely located. The expression of the PM H+-ATPase gene, as revealed by the OSA3 fragment, was compared between M-20 and 77–170. The results demonstrated that M-20 shoots accumulated less transcripts than 77–170 shoots at a later stage of salt treatment, and M-20 showed high expression at 300 mM NaCl while 77–170 reached its maximum at 200 mM NaCl. In roots, the difference in the level of the PM H+-ATPase gene expression between stressed and non-stressed plants was substantially greater in M-20 than that in 77–170. The relative abundance of PM H+-ATPase gene transcripts in M-20 roots may indicate the active role of this gene in the strict control of Na+ and Cl+ uptake into root symplast and apoplast, and further translocation into the shoot, hence leading to the reduced gene expression of M-20 shoots under salt-stress conditions.

A bioorthogonal Raman reporter strategy for SERS detection of glycans on live cells.

National Instrumentation Program [2011YQ030124]; National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) [2012CB917303]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [21172013]

A two-component gene (NTHK1) encoding a putative ethylene-receptor homolog is both developmentally and stress regulated in tobacco

Abstract The full-length of a two-component gene NTHK1 (Nicotiana tabacum histidine kinase-l) was isolated from tobacco (N. tabacum var. Xanthi) using a previously obtained NTHK1 cDNA fragment as a probe. Sequence analysis revealed that NTHK1 shared high homology with LeETR4 from tomato and encoded an ethylene- receptor homolog. The predicted NTHK1 protein had a putative signal peptide, three transmembrane domains, a histidine kinase domain and a receiver domain. The putative autophosphorylation site at His378 and the phosphate receiver site at Asp689 were also identified. By using the in situ hybridization technique, NTHK1 mRNA was detected during flower organ development. It is also highly expressed in the processes of pollen formation and embryo development. The expression of NTHK1 in response to wounding and other stresses was investigated using competitive RT-PCR. The results demonstrated that NTHK1 was inducible upon wounding (cutting). Floating of the cut leaf pieces in 0.5× MS, with shaking, led to a relatively rapid and strong expression. This phenomenon was confirmed by the in situ hybridization results. In addition to the up-regulation by wounding, NTHK1 expression was also induced following NaCl and PEG treatment, indicating a possible role for NTHK1 in multiple stress responses.

The Relative Influence of Metal Ion Binding Sites in the I-like Domain and the Interface with the Hybrid Domain on Rolling and Firm Adhesion by Integrin α4β7

We examined the effect of conformational change at the β7 I-like/hybrid domain interface on regulating the transition between rolling and firm adhesion by integrin α4β7. An N-glycosylation site was introduced into the I-like/hybrid domain interface to act as a wedge and to stabilize the open conformation of this interface and hence the open conformation of the α4 β7 headpiece. Wild-type α4β7 mediates rolling adhesion in Ca2+ and Ca2+/Mg2+ but firm adhesion in Mg2+ and Mn2+. Stabilizing the open headpiece resulted in firm adhesion in all divalent cations. The interaction between metal binding sites in the I-like domain and the interface with the hybrid domain was examined in double mutants. Changes at these two sites can either counterbalance one another or be additive, emphasizing mutuality and the importance of multiple interfaces in integrin regulation. A double mutant with counterbalancing deactivating ligand-induced metal ion binding site (LIMBS) and activating wedge mutations could still be activated by Mn2+, confirming the importance of the adjacent to metal ion-dependent adhesion site (ADMIDAS) in integrin activation by Mn2+. Overall, the results demonstrate the importance of headpiece allostery in the conversion of rolling to firm adhesion.

Bifunctional Unnatural Sialic Acids for Dual Metabolic Labeling of Cell-Surface Sialylated Glycans

Sialic acid analogues containing a unique chemical functionality or chemical reporter have been metabolically incorporated into sialylated glycans. This process, termed metabolic glycan labeling, has emerged as a powerful tool for studying sialylation as well as other types of glycosylation. Currently, this technique can install only a single functionality. Here we describe a strategy for dual labeling of sialylated glycans using a new class of bifunctional sialic acid analogues containing two distinct chemical reporters at the N-acyl and C9 positions. These bifunctional unnatural sialic acids were metabolically incorporated into cellular glycans, where the two chemical reporters exerted their distinct functions. This approach expands the capability of metabolic glycan labeling to probe sialylation and glycan-protein interactions.

Application of encoded library technology (ELT) to a protein-protein interaction target: discovery of a potent class of integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) antagonists.

The inhibition of protein-protein interactions remains a challenge for traditional small molecule drug discovery. Here we describe the use of DNA-encoded library technology for the discovery of small molecules that are potent inhibitors of the interaction between lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 and its ligand intercellular adhesion molecule 1. A DNA-encoded library with a potential complexity of 4.1 billion compounds was exposed to the I-domain of the target protein and the bound ligands were affinity selected, yielding an enriched small-molecule hit family. Compounds representing this family were synthesized without their DNA encoding moiety and found to inhibit the lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1/intercellular adhesion molecule-1 interaction with submicromolar potency in both ELISA and cell adhesion assays. Re-synthesized compounds conjugated to DNA or a fluorophore were demonstrated to bind to cells expressing the target protein.

Binding between the Integrin αXβ2 (CD11c/CD18) and Heparin

The interactions between cell surface receptors and sulfated glucosamineglycans serve ubiquitous roles in cell adhesion and receptor signaling. Heparin, a highly sulfated polymer of uronic acids and glucosamine, binds strongly to the integrin receptor αXβ2 (p150,95, CD11c/CD18). Here, we analyze the structural motifs within heparin that constitute high affinity binding sites for the I domain of integrin αXβ2. Heparin oligomers with chain lengths of 10 saccharide residues or higher provide strong inhibition of the binding by the αX I domain to the complement fragment iC3b. By contrast, smaller oligomers or the synthetic heparinoid fondaparinux were not able to block the binding. Semipurified heparin oligomers with 12 saccharide residues identified the fully sulfated species as the most potent antagonist of iC3b, with a 1.3 μm affinity for the αX I domain. In studies of direct binding by the αX I domain to immobilized heparin, we found that the interaction is conformationally regulated and requires Mg2+. Furthermore, the fully sulfated heparin fragment induced conformational change in the ectodomain of the αXβ2 receptor, also demonstrating allosteric linkage between heparin binding and integrin conformation.