Structure of the F-spondin domain of mindin, an integrin ligand and pattern recognition molecule

EMBO J. 2009 Feb 4;28(3):286-97. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2008.288. Epub 2009 Jan 15.

Abstract

Mindin (spondin-2) is an extracellular matrix protein of unknown structure that is required for efficient T-cell priming by dendritic cells. Additionally, mindin functions as a pattern recognition molecule for initiating innate immune responses. These dual functions are mediated by interactions with integrins and microbial pathogens, respectively. Mindin comprises an N-terminal F-spondin (FS) domain and C-terminal thrombospondin type 1 repeat (TSR). We determined the structure of the FS domain at 1.8-A resolution. The structure revealed an eight-stranded antiparallel beta-sandwich motif resembling that of membrane-targeting C2 domains, including a bound calcium ion. We demonstrated that the FS domain mediates integrin binding and identified the binding site by mutagenesis. The mindin FS domain therefore represents a new integrin ligand. We further showed that mindin recognizes lipopolysaccharide (LPS) through its TSR domain, and obtained evidence that C-mannosylation of the TSR influences LPS binding. Through these dual interactions, the FS and TSR domains of mindin promote activation of both adaptive and innate immune responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Line
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / chemistry*
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Integrins / metabolism*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / metabolism
  • Mannose / metabolism
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, Pattern Recognition / chemistry*
  • Receptors, Pattern Recognition / metabolism*
  • Repetitive Sequences, Amino Acid
  • Static Electricity

Substances

  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Integrins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Receptors, Pattern Recognition
  • mindin
  • Mannose
  • Calcium