PMID: 8599761

Authors:

Shrive AK, Cheetham GM, Holden D, Myles DA, Turnell WG, Volanakis JE, Pepys MB, Bloomer AC, Greenhough TJ

Title:

Three dimensional structure of human C-reactive protein.

Journal:

Nat Struct Biol. 1996 Apr;3(4):346-54.

Abstract:

The structure of the classical acute phase reactant human C-reactive protein provides evidence that phosphocholine binding is mediated through calcium and a hydrophobic pocket centred on Phe 66. The residue Glu 81 is suitably positioned to interact with the choline group. A cleft on the pentameric face opposite to that containing the calcium site may have an important functional role. The structure provides insights into the molecular mechanisms by which this highly conserved plasma protein, for which no polymorphism or deficiency state is known, may exert its biological role.