Crystal structure of the cysteine-rich domain of mannose receptor complexed with a sulfated carbohydrate ligand.
Liu, Y., Chirino, A.J., Misulovin, Z., Leteux, C., Feizi, T., Nussenzweig, M.C., Bjorkman, P.J.(2000) J Exp Med 191: 1105-1116
- PubMed: 10748229 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.191.7.1105
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
1DQG, 1DQO - PubMed Abstract: 
The macrophage and epithelial cell mannose receptor (MR) binds carbohydrates on foreign and host molecules. Two portions of MR recognize carbohydrates: tandemly arranged C-type lectin domains facilitate carbohydrate-dependent macrophage uptake of infectious organisms, and the NH(2)-terminal cysteine-rich domain (Cys-MR) binds to sulfated glycoproteins including pituitary hormones. To elucidate the mechanism of sulfated carbohydrate recognition, we determined crystal structures of Cys-MR alone and complexed with 4-sulfated-N-acetylgalactosamine at 1.7 and 2.2 A resolution, respectively. Cys-MR folds into an approximately three-fold symmetric beta-trefoil shape resembling fibroblast growth factor. The sulfate portions of 4-sulfated-N-acetylgalactosamine and an unidentified ligand found in the native crystals bind in a neutral pocket in the third lobe. We use the structures to rationalize the carbohydrate binding specificities of Cys-MR and compare the recognition properties of Cys-MR with other beta-trefoil proteins.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Division of Biology 156-29, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA.