Key molecular contacts promote recognition of the BAFF receptor by TNF receptor-associated factor 3: implications for intracellular signaling regulation.
B cell-activating factor belonging to the TNF family receptor (BAFF-R), a member of the TNFR superfamily, plays a role in autoimmunity after ligation with BAFF ligand (also called TALL-1, BLyS, THANK, or zTNF4). BAFF/BAFF-R interactions are critical for B cell regulation, and signaling from this ligand-receptor complex results in NF-kappaB ... activation. Most TNFRs transmit signals intracellularly by recruitment of adaptor proteins called TNFR-associated factors (TRAFs). However, BAFF-R binds only one TRAF adaptor, TRAF3, and this interaction negatively regulates activation of NF-kappaB. In this study, we report the crystal structure of a 24-residue fragment of the cytoplasmic portion of BAFF-R bound in complex with TRAF3. The recognition motif (162)PVPAT(166) in BAFF-R is accommodated in the same binding crevice on TRAF3 that binds two related TNFRs, CD40 and LTbetaR, but is presented in a completely different structural framework. This region of BAFF-R assumes an open conformation with two extended strands opposed at right angles that each make contacts with TRAF3. The recognition motif is located in the N-terminal arm and intermolecular contacts mediate TRAF recognition. In the C-terminal arm, key stabilizing contacts are made, including critical hydrogen bonds with Gln(379) in TRAF3 that define the molecular basis for selective binding of BAFF-R solely to this member of the TRAF family. A dynamic conformational adjustment of Tyr(377) in TRAF3 occurs forming a new intermolecular contact with BAFF-R that stabilizes the complex. The structure of the complex provides a molecular explanation for binding affinities and selective protein interactions in TNFR-TRAF interactions.
Mesh Terms:
Amino Acid Motifs, Amino Acid Sequence, B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor, B-Lymphocytes, Cell Line, Crystallography, X-Ray, Cytoplasm, DNA Mutational Analysis, Humans, Intracellular Fluid, Membrane Proteins, Models, Molecular, Molecular Sequence Data, Mutagenesis, Site-Directed, Peptide Fragments, Protein Binding, Protein Conformation, Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Signal Transduction, TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3, Thermodynamics
Amino Acid Motifs, Amino Acid Sequence, B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor, B-Lymphocytes, Cell Line, Crystallography, X-Ray, Cytoplasm, DNA Mutational Analysis, Humans, Intracellular Fluid, Membrane Proteins, Models, Molecular, Molecular Sequence Data, Mutagenesis, Site-Directed, Peptide Fragments, Protein Binding, Protein Conformation, Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Signal Transduction, TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3, Thermodynamics
J. Immunol.
Date: Dec. 15, 2004
PubMed ID: 15585864
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