title: Structural insights into the exquisite selectivity of neurexin/neuroligin synaptic interactions.
abstract: The extracellular domains of neuroligins and neurexins interact through Ca(2+) to form flexible trans-synaptic associations characterized by selectivity for neuroligin or neurexin subtypes. This heterophilic interaction, essential for synaptic maturation and differentiation, is regulated by gene selection, alternative mRNA splicing and post-translational modifications. A new, 2.6 A-resolution crystal structure of a soluble neurexin-1beta-neuroligin-4 (Nrx1beta-NL4) complex permits a detailed description of the Ca(2+)-coordinated interface and unveils concerted positional rearrangements of several residues of NL4, not observed in neuroligin-1, associated with Nrx1beta binding. Surface plasmon resonance analysis of the binding of structure-guided Nrx1beta mutants towards NL4 and neuroligin-1 shows that flexibility of the Nrx1beta-binding site in NL4 is reflected in a greater dissociation constant of the complex and higher sensitivity to ionic strength and pH variations. Analysis of neuroligin mutants points to critical functions for two respective residues in neuroligin-1 and neuroligin-2 in governing the affinity of the complexes. Although neuroligin-1 and neuroligin-2 have pre-determined conformations that respectively promote and prevent Nrx1beta association, unique conformational reshaping of the NL4 surface is required to permit Nrx1beta association.
authors.affiliation: Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, CNRS/Université d'Aix-Marseille, Campus Luminy, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Comoletti
authors.forename: Géraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferracci
authors.forename: Sandrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Conrod
authors.forename: Simon U
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Palmer
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bourne
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marchot
mesh_terms: D017398:Alternative Splicing; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C430845:NLGN4X protein, human; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C086959:neurexin Ibeta