Molecular Insights into DC-SIGN Binding to Self-Antigens: The Interaction with the Blood Group A/B Antigens

ACS Chem Biol. 2019 Jul 19;14(7):1660-1671. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00458. Epub 2019 Jul 8.

Abstract

The dendritic cell-specific intracellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) is an important receptor of the immune system. Besides its role as pathogen recognition receptor (PRR), it also interacts with endogenous glycoproteins through the specific recognition of self-glycan epitopes, like LeX. However, this lectin represents a paradigmatic case of glycan binding promiscuity, and it also has been shown to recognize antigens with α1-α2 linked fucose, such as the histo blood group antigens, with similar affinities to LeX. Herein, we have studied the interaction in solution between DC-SIGN and the blood group A and B antigens, to get insights into the atomic details of such interaction. With a combination of different NMR experiments, we demonstrate that the Fuc coordinates the primary Ca2+ ion with a single binding mode through 3-OH and 4-OH. The terminal αGal/αGalNAc affords marginal direct polar contacts with the protein, but provides a hydrophobic hook in which V351 of the lectin perfectly fits. Moreover, we have found that αGal, but not αGalNAc, is a weak binder itself for DC-SIGN, which could endow an additional binding mode for the blood group B antigen, but not for blood group A.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System / chemistry
  • ABO Blood-Group System / metabolism*
  • Autoantigens / chemistry
  • Autoantigens / metabolism*
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / chemistry
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism*
  • Fucose / chemistry
  • Fucose / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lectins, C-Type / chemistry
  • Lectins, C-Type / metabolism*
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / chemistry
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*

Substances

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Autoantigens
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • DC-specific ICAM-3 grabbing nonintegrin
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Fucose