Structure and interactions of NCAM modules 1 and 2, basic elements in neural cell adhesion

Nat Struct Biol. 1999 May;6(5):486-93. doi: 10.1038/8292.

Abstract

The structure in solution of the second Ig-module fragment of residues 117-208 of NCAM has been determined. Like the first Ig-module of residues 20-116, it belongs to the I set of the immunogloblin superfamily. Module 1 and module 2 interact weakly, and the binding sites of this interaction have been identified. The two-module fragment NCAM(20-208) is a stable dimer. Removal of the charged residues in these sites in NCAM(20-208) abolishes the dimerization. Modeling the dimer of NCAM(20-208) to fit the interactions of these charges produces one coherent binding site for the formation of two antiparallel strands of the first two NCAM modules. This mode of binding could be a major element in trans-cellular interactions in neural cell adhesion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Crystallization
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Dimerization
  • Disulfides / chemistry
  • Immunoglobulins / chemistry
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / chemistry*
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Neurons / chemistry
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry
  • Peptide Fragments / genetics
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Static Electricity
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Disulfides
  • Immunoglobulins
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Peptide Fragments

Associated data

  • PDB/3NCM