title: Stoichiometry of complexes between mannose-binding protein and its associated serine proteases. Defining functional units for complement activation.
abstract: Serum mannose-binding protein (MBP) initiates the lectin branch of the complement cascade by binding to sugars on the surfaces of microorganisms and activating two MBP-associated serine proteases (MASP-1 and MASP-2). Rat serum MBP consists of oligomers containing up to four copies of a subunit that is composed of three identical polypeptide chains. Biophysical analysis of intact and truncated MASPs indicates that each MASP is a homodimer that is stabilized through interactions involving an N-terminal CUB domain. The binding sites for MBP are formed from the three N-terminal MASP domains, in which two CUB modules interact with MBP. Each MASP dimer contains binding sites for two MBP subunits. Both sites must be occupied by subunits from a single MBP oligomer to form a stable complex. Thus, the smallest functional unit for complement activation consists of MBP dimers bound to MASP-1 or MASP-2 homodimers. Trimers and tetramers of MBP form complexes containing up to two MASPs. The results reveal how MASP-1 and MASP-2 can function independently to activate the complement cascade.
authors.affiliation: Glycobiology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wallis
mesh_terms: D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D037222:Collectins; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D037222:Collectins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases