Crystal Structure of Trimeric Carbohydrate Recognition and Neck Domains of Surfactant Protein A
Surfactant protein A (SP-A), one of four proteins associated with pulmonary surfactant, binds with high affinity to alveolar phospholipid membranes, positioning the protein at the first line of defense against inhaled pathogens. SP-A exhibits both calcium-dependent carbohydrate binding, a characteristic of the collectin family, and specific interactions with lipid membrane components. The crystal structure of the trimeric carbohydrate recognition domain and neck domain of SP-A was solved to 2.1-{angstrom} resolution with multiwavelength anomalous dispersion phasing from samarium. Two metalbinding sites were identified, one in the highly conserved lectin site and the other 8.5 {angstrom} away. The interdomain carbohydrate recognition domain-neck angle is significantly less in SP-A than in the homologous collectins, surfactant protein D, and mannose-binding protein. This conformational difference may endow the SP-A trimer with a more extensive hydrophobic surface capable of binding lipophilic membrane components. The appearance of this surface suggests a putative binding region for membrane-derived SP-A ligands such as phosphatidylcholine and lipid A, the endotoxic lipid component of bacterial lipopolysaccharide that mediates the potentially lethal effects of Gram-negative bacterial infection.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) National Synchrotron Light Source
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Doe - Office Of Science
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-98CH10886
- OSTI ID:
- 929802
- Report Number(s):
- BNL--80349-2008-JA
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Biological Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Biological Chemistry Vol. 278; ISSN JBCHA3; ISSN 0021-9258
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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