Structural Basis for Cell Surface Patterning Through Netring-Ngl Interactions
Seiradake, E., Coles, C.H., Perestenko, P.V., Harlos, K., Mcilhinney, R.A.J., Aricescu, A.R., Jones, E.Y.(2011) EMBO J 30: 4479
- PubMed: 21946559 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/emboj.2011.346
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
3ZYG, 3ZYI, 3ZYJ, 3ZYN, 3ZYO - PubMed Abstract: 
Brain wiring depends on cells making highly localized and selective connections through surface protein-protein interactions, including those between NetrinGs and NetrinG ligands (NGLs). The NetrinGs are members of the structurally uncharacterized netrin family. We present a comprehensive crystallographic analysis comprising NetrinG1-NGL1 and NetrinG2-NGL2 complexes, unliganded NetrinG2 and NGL3. Cognate NetrinG-NGL interactions depend on three specificity-conferring NetrinG loops, clasped tightly by matching NGL surfaces. We engineered these NGL surfaces to implant custom-made affinities for NetrinG1 and NetrinG2. In a cellular patterning assay, we demonstrate that NetrinG-binding selectivity can direct the sorting of a mixed population of NGLs into discrete cell surface subdomains. These results provide a molecular model for selectivity-based patterning in a neuronal recognition system, dysregulation of which is associated with severe neuropsychological disorders.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Division of Structural Biology, CR-UK Receptor Structure Research Group, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.