skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Structural analysis of the receptor binding domain of botulinum neurotoxin serotype D

Journal Article · · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 401:498-503

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most toxic proteins known. The mechanism for entry into neuronal cells for serotypes A, B, E, F, and G involves a well understood dual receptor (protein and ganglioside) process, however, the mechanism of entry for serotypes C and D remains unclear. To provide structural insights into how BoNT/D enters neuronal cells, the crystal structure of the receptor binding domain (S863-E1276) for this serotype (BoNT/D-HCR) was determined at 1.65 Å resolution. While BoNT/D-HCR adopts an overall fold similar to that observed in other known BoNT HCRs, several major structural differences are present. These structural differences are located at, or near, putative receptor binding sites and may be responsible for BoNT/D host preferences. Two loops, S1195-I1204 and K1236-N1244, located on both sides of the putative protein receptor binding pocket, are displaced >10 Å relative to the corresponding residues in the crystal structures of BoNT/B and G. Obvious clashes were observed in the putative protein receptor binding site when the BoNT/B protein receptor synaptotagmin II was modeled into the BoNT/D-HCR structure. Although a ganglioside binding site has never been unambiguously identified in BoNT/D-HCR, a shallow cavity in an analogous location to the other BoNT serotypes HCR domains is observed in BoNT/D-HCR that has features compatible with membrane binding. A portion of a loop near the putative receptor binding site, K1236-N1244, is hydrophobic and solvent-exposed and may directly bind membrane lipids. Liposome-binding experiments with BoNT/D-HCR demonstrate that this membrane lipid may be phosphatidylethanolamine.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Lab. (EMSL)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1000142
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-75114; BBRCA9; 34699; 41092; 400412000; TRN: US201024%%333
Journal Information:
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 401:498-503, Vol. 401, Issue 4; ISSN 0006-291X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Structural Analysis of the Receptor Binding Domain of Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype D
Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 2011 · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications · OSTI ID:1000142

Novel Ganglioside-mediated Entry of Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype D into Neurons
Journal Article · Tue Feb 07 00:00:00 EST 2012 · Journal of Biological Chemistry · OSTI ID:1000142

Glycosylated SV2 and Gangliosides as Dual Receptors for Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype F
Journal Article · Mon Feb 22 00:00:00 EST 2010 · Biochemistry-US · OSTI ID:1000142