The mini fungal lectin PhoSL was recombinantly produced and characterized. Despite a length of only 40 amino acids, PhoSL exclusively recognizes N-glycans with α1,6-linked fucose. Core fucosylation influences the intrinsic properties and bioactivities of mammalian N-glycoproteins and its level is linked to various cancers. Thus, PhoSL serves as a promising tool for glycoprofiling. Without structural precedence, the crystal structure was solved using the zinc anomalous signal, and revealed an interlaced trimer creating a novel protein fold termed β-prism III. Three biantennary core-fucosylated N-glycan azides of 8 to 12 sugars were cocrystallized with PhoSL. The resulting highly resolved structures gave a detailed view on how the exclusive recognition of α1,6-fucosylated N-glycans by such a small protein occurs. This work also provided a protein consensus motif for the observed specificity as well as a glimpse into N-glycan flexibility upon binding.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.201805165 | DOI Listing |
Nat Commun
January 2025
EMBL Grenoble, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, Grenoble, France.
Kinetoplastids are a clade of eukaryotic protozoans that include human parasitic pathogens like trypanosomes and Leishmania species. In these organisms, protein-coding genes are transcribed as polycistronic pre-mRNAs, which need to be processed by the coupled action of trans-splicing and polyadenylation to yield monogenic mature mRNAs. During trans-splicing, a universal RNA sequence, the spliced leader RNA (SL RNA) mini-exon, is added to the 5'-end of each mRNA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFT-cell receptor recognition of cognate peptide-MHC leads to the formation of signalling domains and the immunological synapse. Because of the close membrane apposition, there is rapid exclusion of CD45, and therefore LCK activation. Much less is known about whether spatial regulation of the intracellular face dictates LCK activity and TCR signal transduction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Genomics
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
Background: Booklice, belonging to the genus Liposcelis (Psocodea: Liposcelididae), commonly known as psocids, infest a wide range of stored products and are implicated in the transmission of harmful microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. The olfactory system is critical for insect feeding and reproduction. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of the olfactory system in booklice is crucial for developing effective control strategies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNature
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.
Argonaute proteins are categorized into AGO and PIWI clades. Across most animal species, AGO-clade proteins are widely expressed in various cell types, and regulate normal gene expression. By contrast, PIWI-clade proteins predominantly function during gametogenesis to suppress transposons and ensure fertility.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNature
January 2025
Laboratory of Protein Design and Immunoengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Molecular recognition events between proteins drive biological processes in living systems. However, higher levels of mechanistic regulation have emerged, in which protein-protein interactions are conditioned to small molecules. Despite recent advances, computational tools for the design of new chemically induced protein interactions have remained a challenging task for the field.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!