Characterization of the functional epitope on the urokinase receptor. Complete alanine scanning mutagenesis supplemented by chemical cross-linking

TY - JOUR

T1 - Characterization of the functional epitope on the urokinase receptor. Complete alanine scanning mutagenesis supplemented by chemical cross-linking

AU - Gårdsvoll, Henrik

AU - Gilquin, Bernard

AU - Le Du, Marie Hélène

AU - Ménèz, Andre

AU - Jørgensen, Thomas J D

AU - Ploug, Michael

PY - 2006/7/14

Y1 - 2006/7/14

N2 - The high affinity interaction between the serine protease urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its glycolipid-anchored receptor (uPAR) represents one of the key regulatory steps in cell surface-associated plasminogen activation. On the basis on our crystal structure solved for uPAR in complex with a peptide antagonist, we recently proposed a model for the corresponding complex with the growth factor-like domain of uPA (Llinas et al. (2005) EMBO J. 24, 1655-1663). In the present study, we provide experimental evidence that consolidates and further develops this model using data from a comprehensive alanine scanning mutagenesis of uPAR combined with low resolution distance constraints defined within the complex using chemical cross-linkers as molecular rulers. The kinetic rate constants for the interaction between pro-uPA and 244 purified uPAR mutants with single-site replacements were determined by surface plasmon resonance. This complete alanine scanning of uPAR highlighted the involvement of 20 surface-exposed side chains in this interaction. Mutations causing delta deltaG > or = 1 kcal/mol for the uPA interaction are all located within or at the rim of the central cavity uniquely formed by the assembly of all three domains in uPAR, whereas none are found outside this crevice. Identification of specific cross-linking sites in uPAR and pro-uPA enabled us to build a model of the uPAR x uPA complex in which the kringle domain of uPA was positioned by the constraints established by the range of these cross-linkers. The nature of this interaction is predominantly hydrophobic and highly asymmetric, thus emphasizing the importance of the shape and size of the central cavity when designing low molecular mass antagonists of the uPAR/uPA interaction.

AB - The high affinity interaction between the serine protease urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its glycolipid-anchored receptor (uPAR) represents one of the key regulatory steps in cell surface-associated plasminogen activation. On the basis on our crystal structure solved for uPAR in complex with a peptide antagonist, we recently proposed a model for the corresponding complex with the growth factor-like domain of uPA (Llinas et al. (2005) EMBO J. 24, 1655-1663). In the present study, we provide experimental evidence that consolidates and further develops this model using data from a comprehensive alanine scanning mutagenesis of uPAR combined with low resolution distance constraints defined within the complex using chemical cross-linkers as molecular rulers. The kinetic rate constants for the interaction between pro-uPA and 244 purified uPAR mutants with single-site replacements were determined by surface plasmon resonance. This complete alanine scanning of uPAR highlighted the involvement of 20 surface-exposed side chains in this interaction. Mutations causing delta deltaG > or = 1 kcal/mol for the uPA interaction are all located within or at the rim of the central cavity uniquely formed by the assembly of all three domains in uPAR, whereas none are found outside this crevice. Identification of specific cross-linking sites in uPAR and pro-uPA enabled us to build a model of the uPAR x uPA complex in which the kringle domain of uPA was positioned by the constraints established by the range of these cross-linkers. The nature of this interaction is predominantly hydrophobic and highly asymmetric, thus emphasizing the importance of the shape and size of the central cavity when designing low molecular mass antagonists of the uPAR/uPA interaction.

KW - Alanine

KW - Animals

KW - Cross-Linking Reagents

KW - Epitopes

KW - Genetic Techniques

KW - Humans

KW - Kinetics

KW - Mice

KW - Models, Molecular

KW - Mutagenesis

KW - Peptides

KW - Receptors, Cell Surface

KW - Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator

KW - Thermodynamics

KW - Journal Article

KW - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

U2 - 10.1074/jbc.M513583200

DO - 10.1074/jbc.M513583200

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 16672229

SN - 0021-9258

VL - 281

SP - 19260

EP - 19272

JO - The Journal of Biological Chemistry

JF - The Journal of Biological Chemistry

IS - 28

ER -