Download MendeleyStructure of an integrin alphaIIb beta3 transmembrane-cytoplasmic heterocomplex provides insight into integrin activation.
Yang, J., Ma, Y.Q., Page, R.C., Misra, S., Plow, E.F., Qin, J.(2009) Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 106: 17729-17734
- PubMed: 19805198 Search on PubMedSearch on PubMed Central
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0909589106
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2KNC - PubMed Abstract:
Heterodimeric integrin adhesion receptors regulate diverse biological processes including angiogenesis, thrombosis and wound healing. The transmembrane-cytoplasmic domains (TMCDs) of integrins play a critical role in controlling activation of these receptors via an inside-out signaling mechanism, but the precise structural basis remains elusive. Here, we present the solution structure of integrin alphaIIb beta3 TMCD heterodimer, which reveals a right-handed coiled-coil conformation with 2 helices intertwined throughout the transmembrane region. The helices extend into the cytoplasm and form a clasp that differs significantly from a recently published alphaIIb beta3 TMCD structure. We show that while a point mutation in the clasp interface modestly activates alphaIIb beta3, additional mutations in the transmembrane interface have a synergistic effect, leading to extensive integrin activation. Detailed analyses and structural comparison with previous studies suggest that extensive integrin activation is a highly concerted conformational transition process, which involves transmembrane coiled-coil unwinding that is triggered by the membrane-mediated alteration and disengagement of the membrane-proximal clasp. Our results provide atomic insight into a type I transmembrane receptor heterocomplex and the mechanism of integrin inside-out transmembrane signaling.
- Department of Molecular Cardiology NB20, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
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