Splice form dependence of beta-neurexin/neuroligin binding interactions

Neuron. 2010 Jul 15;67(1):61-74. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2010.06.001.

Abstract

Alternatively spliced beta-neurexins (beta-NRXs) and neuroligins (NLs) are thought to have distinct extracellular binding affinities, potentially providing a beta-NRX/NL synaptic recognition code. We utilized surface plasmon resonance to measure binding affinities between all combinations of alternatively spliced beta-NRX 1-3 and NL 1-3 ectodomains. Binding was observed for all beta-NRX/NL pairs. The presence of the NL1 B splice insertion lowers beta-NRX binding affinity by approximately 2-fold, while beta-NRX splice insertion 4 has small effects that do not synergize with NL splicing. New structures of glycosylated beta-NRXs 1 and 2 containing splice insertion 4 reveal that the insertion forms a new beta strand that replaces the beta10 strand, leaving the NL binding site intact. This helps to explain the limited effect of splice insert 4 on NRX/NL binding affinities. These results provide new structural insights and quantitative binding information to help determine whether and how splice isoform choice plays a role in beta-NRX/NL-mediated synaptic recognition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing / genetics*
  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • Biophysical Phenomena
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Crystallography, X-Ray / methods
  • Glycosylation
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation / methods
  • Models, Molecular
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Neuregulin-1 / genetics
  • Neuregulin-1 / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance / methods
  • Transfection
  • Ultracentrifugation / methods

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • Neuregulin-1
  • Protein Isoforms
  • neuregulin beta
  • neuroligin 1
  • Calcium