Download MendeleyStructure and Ligand-Induced Conformational Change of the 39-kDa Glycoprotein from Human Articular Chondrocytes.
Houston, D.R., Recklies, A.D., Krupa, J.C., Van Aalten, D.M.F.(2003) J Biol Chem 278: 30206
- PubMed: 12775711
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M303371200
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
1HJV, 1HJW, 1HJX - PubMed Abstract:
The 39-kDa human cartilage glycoprotein (HCGP39), a member of a novel family of chitinase-like lectins (Chilectins), is overexpressed in articular chondrocytes and certain cancers. Proposed functions of this protein include a role in connective tissue remodeling and defense against pathogens. Similar to other Chi-lectins, HCGP39 promotes the growth of connective tissue cells. The ability of HCGP39 to activate cytoplasmic signaling pathways suggests the presence of a ligand for this protein at the cell surface. There is currently no information regarding the identity of any physiological or pathological ligands of the Chi-lectins or the nature of the protein-ligand interaction. Here, we show that HCGP39 is able to bind chitooligosaccharides with micromolar affinity. Crystal structures of the native protein and a complex with GlcNAc8 show that the ligand is bound in identical fashion to family 18 chitinases. However, unlike the chitinases, binding of the oligosaccharide ligand to HCGP39 induces a large conformational change. Thus, HCGP39 could be a lectin that binds chitin-like oligosaccharide ligands and possibly plays a role in innate responses to chitinous pathogens, such as fungi and nematodes.
Organizational Affiliation:
Division of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland.
