title: Cell adhesion molecule L1 in folded (horseshoe) and extended conformations.
abstract: We have investigated the structure of the cell adhesion molecule L1 by electron microscopy. We were particularly interested in the conformation of the four N-terminal immunoglobulin domains, because x-ray diffraction showed that these domains are bent into a horseshoe shape in the related molecules hemolin and axonin-1. Surprisingly, rotary-shadowed specimens showed the molecules to be elongated, with no indication of the horseshoe shape. However, sedimentation data suggested that these domains of L1 were folded into a compact shape in solution; therefore, this prompted us to look at the molecules by an alternative technique, negative stain. The negative stain images showed a compact shape consistent with the expected horseshoe conformation. We speculate that in rotary shadowing the contact with the mica caused a distortion of the protein, weakening the bonds forming the horseshoe and permitting the molecule to extend. We have thus confirmed that the L1 molecule is primarily in the horseshoe conformation in solution, and we have visualized for the first time its opening into an extended conformation. Our study resolves conflicting interpretations from previous electron microscopy studies of L1.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Durham, North Carolina 27710-3709, USA.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schürmann
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haspel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grumet
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Erickson
mesh_terms: D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002460:Cell Line; D002498:Centrifugation; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006031:Glycosylation; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017510:Protein Folding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules; D011506:Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C066846:hemolin