Structural basis of cholesterol binding by a novel clade of dendritic cell modulators from ticks. Issue 1 (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roversi, Pietro; Johnson, Steven; Preston, Stephen; Nunn, Miles; Paesen, Guido; Austyn, Jonathan; Nuttall, Patricia; Lea, Susan
• Is Part Of: Scientific reports. Volume 7:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Natural history -- Research -- Periodicals; Biology -- Research -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 502.85
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16413-2
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-2322

Abstract

Abstract Two crystal structures of Japanin, an 18 kDa immune-modulatory lipocalin from the Brown Ear Tick (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ), have been determined at 2.2 and 2.4 Å resolution. In both crystal forms the protein is in complex with cholesterol, which sits in a closed pocket at the centre of the lipocalin barrel. Both crystal forms are dimers, which are also observed in solution. Molecular modelling suggests that previously-described members of a tick protein family bearing high sequence homology to Japanin are also likely to bind cholesterol or cholesterol derivatives.