Structural basis of transcobalamin recognition by human CD320 receptor

Nat Commun. 2016 Jul 14:7:12100. doi: 10.1038/ncomms12100.

Abstract

Cellular uptake of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) requires capture of transcobalamin (TC) from the plasma by CD320, a ubiquitous cell surface receptor of the LDLR family. Here we present the crystal structure of human holo-TC in complex with the extracellular domain of CD320, visualizing the structural basis of the TC-CD320 interaction. The observed interaction chemistry can rationalize the high affinity of CD320 for TC and lack of haptocorrin binding. The in vitro affinity and complex stability of TC-CD320 were quantitated using a solid-phase binding assay and thermostability analysis. Stable complexes with TC were also observed for the disease-causing CD320ΔE88 mutant and for the isolated LDLR-A2 domain. We also determined the structure of the TC-CD320ΔE88 complex, which revealed only minor changes compared with the wild-type complex. Finally, we demonstrate significantly reduced in vitro affinity of TC for CD320 at low pH, recapitulating the proposed ligand release during the endocytic pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / chemistry
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Histidine / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Domains
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Transcobalamins / chemistry*
  • Transcobalamins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • CD320 protein, human
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Transcobalamins
  • Histidine