PMID: 17766378 , Related PDB id: 2OM5
Authors:
Mortl M, Sonderegger P, Diederichs K, Welte W
Title:
The crystal structure of the ligand-binding module of human TAG-1 suggests a new mode of homophilic interaction.
Journal:
Protein Sci. 2007 Oct;16(10):2174-83. Epub 2007 Aug 31.
Abstract:
Human TAG-1 is a neural cell adhesion molecule that is crucial for the development of the nervous system during embryogenesis. It consists of six immunoglobulin-like and four fibronectin III-like domains and is anchored to the membrane by glycosylphosphatidylinositol. Herein we present the crystal structure of the four N-terminal immunoglobulin-like domains of TAG-1 (TAG-1(Ig1-4)), known to be important in heterophilic and homophilic macromolecular interactions. The contacts of neighboring molecules within the crystal were investigated. A comparison with the structure of the chicken ortholog resulted in an alternative mode for the molecular mechanism of homophilic TAG-1 interaction. This mode of TAG-1 homophilic interaction is based on dimer formation rather than formation of a molecular zipper as proposed for the chicken ortholog.