Structural bases for blockade and activation of BK channels by Ba ions.

We studied the impact of Ba ions on the function and structure of large conductance potassium (BK) channels. Ion composition has played a crucial role in the physiological studies of BK channels due to their ability to couple ion composition and membrane voltage signaling. Unlike Ca, which activates BK channels through all (RCK) domains, Ba has been described as specifically interacting with the RCK2 domain.

A general chemical principle for creating closure-stabilizing integrin inhibitors.

Integrins are validated drug targets with six approved therapeutics. However, small-molecule inhibitors to three integrins failed in late-stage clinical trials for chronic indications. Such unfavorable outcomes may in part be caused by partial agonism, i.

Dromedary camel nanobodies broadly neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike is a trimer of S1/S2 heterodimers with three receptor-binding domains (RBDs) at the S1 subunit for human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2). Due to their small size, nanobodies can recognize protein cavities that are not accessible to conventional antibodies. To isolate high-affinity nanobodies, large libraries with great diversity are highly desirable.

Camel nanobodies broadly neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Unlabelled: With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, there is urgent need to develop broadly neutralizing antibodies. Here, we isolate two V H nanobodies (7A3 and 8A2) from dromedary camels by phage display, which have high affinity for the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and broad neutralization activities against SARS-CoV-2 and its emerging variants. Cryo-EM complex structures reveal that 8A2 binds the RBD in its up mode and 7A3 inhibits receptor binding by uniquely targeting a highly conserved and deeply buried site in the spike regardless of the RBD conformational state.

The upcoming subatomic resolution revolution.

Subatomic resolution macromolecular crystallography has been revealing the most fascinating details of macromolecular structures for many years. This most extreme form of macromolecular crystallography is going through rapid changes. A new generation of superbrilliant X-ray sources and detectors is facilitating the rapid acquisition of high-quality datasets.

Force interacts with macromolecular structure in activation of TGF-β.

Integrins are adhesion receptors that transmit force across the plasma membrane between extracellular ligands and the actin cytoskeleton. In activation of the transforming growth factor-β1 precursor (pro-TGF-β1), integrins bind to the prodomain, apply force, and release the TGF-β growth factor. However, we know little about how integrins bind macromolecular ligands in the extracellular matrix or transmit force to them.

β-Subunit Binding Is Sufficient for Ligands to Open the Integrin αIIbβ3 Headpiece.

The platelet integrin αIIbβ3 binds to a KQAGDV motif at the fibrinogen γ-chain C terminus and to RGD motifs present in loops in many extracellular matrix proteins. These ligands bind in a groove between the integrin α and β-subunits; the basic Lys or Arg side chain hydrogen bonds to the αIIb-subunit, and the acidic Asp side chain coordinates to a metal ion held by the β3-subunit. Ligand binding induces headpiece opening, with conformational change in the β-subunit.

Structural basis for quinine-dependent antibody binding to platelet integrin αIIbβ3.

Drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia (DITP) is caused by antibodies that react with specific platelet-membrane glycoproteins when the provoking drug is present. More than 100 drugs have been implicated as triggers for this condition, quinine being one of the most common. The cause of DITP in most cases appears to be a drug-induced antibody that binds to a platelet membrane glycoprotein only when the drug is present.

Complete integrin headpiece opening in eight steps.

Carefully soaking crystals with Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides, we captured eight distinct RGD-bound conformations of the αIIbβ3 integrin headpiece. Starting from the closed βI domain conformation, we saw six intermediate βI conformations and finally the fully open βI with the hybrid domain swung out in the crystal lattice. The β1-α1 backbone that hydrogen bonds to the Asp side chain of RGD was the first element to move followed by adjacent to metal ion-dependent adhesion site Ca(2+), α1 helix, α1' helix, β6-α7 loop, α7 helix, and hybrid domain.

Domain 1 of mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule has an I1-set fold and a flexible integrin-binding loop.

Mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule (MAdCAM) binds integrin α4β7. Their interaction directs lymphocyte homing to mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues. The interaction between the two immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) domains of MAdCAM and integrin α4β7 is unusual in its ability to mediate either rolling adhesion or firm adhesion of lymphocytes on vascular surfaces.

α(V)β(3) integrin crystal structures and their functional implications.

Many questions about the significance of structural features of integrin α(V)β(3) with respect to its mechanism of activation remain. We have determined and re-refined crystal structures of the α(V)β(3) ectodomain linked to C-terminal coiled coils (α(V)β(3)-AB) and four transmembrane (TM) residues in each subunit (α(V)β(3)-1TM), respectively. The α(V) and β(3) subunits with four and eight extracellular domains, respectively, are bent at knees between the integrin headpiece and lower legs, and the headpiece has the closed, low-affinity conformation.

Structure-guided design of a high-affinity platelet integrin αIIbβ3 receptor antagonist that disrupts Mg²⁺ binding to the MIDAS.

An integrin found on platelets, α(IIb)β(3) mediates platelet aggregation, and α(IIb)β(3) antagonists are effective antithrombotic agents in the clinic. Ligands bind to integrins in part by coordinating a magnesium ion (Mg(2+)) located in the β subunit metal ion-dependent adhesion site (MIDAS). Drugs patterned on the integrin ligand sequence Arg-Gly-Asp have a basic moiety that binds the α(IIb) subunit and a carboxyl group that coordinates the MIDAS Mg(2+) in the β(3) subunits.

GARP regulates the bioavailability and activation of TGFβ.

Glycoprotein-A repetitions predominant protein (GARP) associates with latent transforming growth factor-β (proTGFβ) on the surface of T regulatory cells and platelets; however, whether GARP functions in latent TGFβ activation and the structural basis of coassociation remain unknown. We find that Cys-192 and Cys-331 of GARP disulfide link to the TGFβ1 prodomain and that GARP with C192A and C331A mutations can also noncovalently associate with proTGFβ1. Noncovalent association is sufficiently strong for GARP to outcompete latent TGFβ-binding protein for binding to proTGFβ1.

Structural specializations of α(4)β(7), an integrin that mediates rolling adhesion.

The lymphocyte homing receptor integrin α(4)β(7) is unusual for its ability to mediate both rolling and firm adhesion. α(4)β(1) and α(4)β(7) are targeted by therapeutics approved for multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease. Here, we show by electron microscopy and crystallography how two therapeutic Fabs, a small molecule (RO0505376), and mucosal adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) bind α(4)β(7).

Latent TGF-β structure and activation.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is stored in the extracellular matrix as a latent complex with its prodomain. Activation of TGF-β1 requires the binding of α(v) integrin to an RGD sequence in the prodomain and exertion of force on this domain, which is held in the extracellular matrix by latent TGF-β binding proteins. Crystals of dimeric porcine proTGF-β1 reveal a ring-shaped complex, a novel fold for the prodomain, and show how the prodomain shields the growth factor from recognition by receptors and alters its conformation.

Closed headpiece of integrin αIIbβ3 and its complex with an αIIbβ3-specific antagonist that does not induce opening.

The platelet integrin α(IIb)β(3) is essential for hemostasis and thrombosis through its binding of adhesive plasma proteins. We have determined crystal structures of the α(IIb)β(3) headpiece in the absence of ligand and after soaking in RUC-1, a novel small molecule antagonist. In the absence of ligand, the α(IIb)β(3) headpiece is in a closed conformation, distinct from the open conformation visualized in presence of Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) antagonists.

Structure of an integrin with an alphaI domain, complement receptor type 4.

We report the structure of an integrin with an alphaI domain, alpha(X)beta(2), the complement receptor type 4. It was earlier expected that a fixed orientation between the alphaI domain and the beta-propeller domain in which it is inserted would be required for allosteric signal transmission. However, the alphaI domain is highly flexible, enabling two betaI domain conformational states to couple to three alphaI domain states, and greater accessibility for ligand recognition.

Structure of a complete integrin ectodomain in a physiologic resting state and activation and deactivation by applied forces.

The complete ectodomain of integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) reveals a bent, closed, low-affinity conformation, the beta knee, and a mechanism for linking cytoskeleton attachment to high affinity for ligand. Ca and Mg ions in the recognition site, including the synergistic metal ion binding site (SyMBS), are loaded prior to ligand binding. Electrophilicity of the ligand-binding Mg ion is increased in the open conformation.

Structural basis for distinctive recognition of fibrinogen gammaC peptide by the platelet integrin alphaIIbbeta3.

Hemostasis and thrombosis (blood clotting) involve fibrinogen binding to integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) on platelets, resulting in platelet aggregation. alpha(v)beta(3) binds fibrinogen via an Arg-Asp-Gly (RGD) motif in fibrinogen's alpha subunit. alpha(IIb)beta(3) also binds to fibrinogen; however, it does so via an unstructured RGD-lacking C-terminal region of the gamma subunit (gammaC peptide).

Synthesis and biological activity of some novel derivatives of 4-amino-3-(D-galactopentitol-1-yl)-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole.

To discover new 1,2,4-triazole derivatives which may possess significant biological activities, we synthesized a series of novel 6-aryl-3-(D-galactopentitol-1-yl)-7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines and 4-(arylmethylidene)amino-5-(D-galactopentitol-1-yl)-3-mercapto-4H-1,2,4-triazoles from 4-amino-3-(D-galactopentitol-1-yl)-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole. All the title compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H- and 13C-NMR. Plant growth-regulating activity tests showed that these compounds have remarkable effects on the growth of radish and wheat.

A new arrangement of (beta/alpha)8 barrels in the synthase subunit of PLP synthase.

Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP, vitamin B6), a cofactor in many enzymatic reactions, has two distinct biosynthetic routes, which do not coexist in any organism. Two proteins, known as PdxS and PdxT, together form a PLP synthase in plants, fungi, archaea, and some eubacteria. PLP synthase is a heteromeric glutamine amidotransferase in which PdxT produces ammonia from glutamine and PdxS combines ammonia with five- and three-carbon phosphosugars to form PLP.

Functional dissection of the Bacillus subtilis pur operator site.

Bacillus subtilis PurR represses transcription of several genes involved in purine synthesis, metabolism, and transport and cofactor synthesis. PurR binds specifically to DNAs containing an inverted repeat of a 14-nucleotide "PurBox" located in the upstream control regions of genes in the PurR regulon. Further biochemical investigation of the interaction of PurR with a series of shortened upstream DNA fragments of the pur operon determined the minimum length and specificity elements of the operator.