NMR Study on the Major Mite Allergen Der f 2: Its Refined Tertiary Structure, Epitopes for Monoclonal Antibodies and Characteristics Shared by ML Protein Group Members
Ichikawa, S., Takai, T., Inoue, T., Yuuki, T., Okumura, Y., Ogura, K., Inagaki, F., Hatanaka, H.(2005) J Biochem 137: 255-263
- PubMed: 15809326 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jb/mvi039
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
1WRF - PubMed Abstract: 
Group 2 major mite allergens Der f 2 and Der p 2 are classified into the recently identified group of MD-2-related lipid-recognition (ML) proteins, but the ligands and biological functions of these allergens are unknown. We have obtained a high-quality NMR structure for Der f 2, and found that it is more similar to the crystal structure of NPC2, a distant homologue, than to that of Der p 2, in terms of the separation and angle between the two major beta-sheets. This made us propose that ML proteins undergo clamshell-like motions that change the sizes of ligand-binding spaces inside their immunoglobulin-fold beta-sandwich to accommodate lipid molecules. This type of motion in lipopolysaccaride recognition of MD-2 is suggested to be likely as well by structural models. We also report the applicability of NMR differential exchange broadening experiments for complexes of intact monoclonal antibodies and antigens; using this technique, we have detected the conformational epitopes for monoclonal antibodies 15E11 and 13A4 as two separate surface patches.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Department of Material and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Japan Women's University, Mejirodai, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8681.