Decoy strategies: the structure of TL1A:DcR3 complex

Structure. 2011 Feb 9;19(2):162-71. doi: 10.1016/j.str.2010.12.004.

Abstract

Decoy Receptor 3 (DcR3), a secreted member of the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, neutralizes three different TNF ligands: FasL, LIGHT, and TL1A. Each of these ligands engages unique signaling receptors which direct distinct and critical immune responses. We report the crystal structures of the unliganded DcR3 ectodomain and its complex with TL1A, as well as complementary mutagenesis and biochemical studies. These analyses demonstrate that DcR3 interacts with invariant backbone and side-chain atoms in the membrane-proximal half of TL1A which supports recognition of its three distinct TNF ligands. Additional features serve as antideterminants that preclude interaction with other members of the TNF superfamily. This mode of interaction is unique among characterized TNF:TNFR family members and provides a mechanistic basis for the broadened specificity required to support the decoy function of DcR3, as well as for the rational manipulation of specificity and affinity of DcR3 and its ligands.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Crystallization
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Fas Ligand Protein / immunology
  • Fas Ligand Protein / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Molecular Conformation*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Member 6b / genetics
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Member 6b / immunology
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Member 6b / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 14 / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 14 / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 15 / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 15 / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 15 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Member 6b
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • TNFSF14 protein, human
  • TNFSF15 protein, human
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 14
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 15

Associated data

  • PDB/3K51
  • PDB/3MHD
  • PDB/3MI8