Crystal structure of the tricellulin C-terminal coiled-coil domain reveals a unique mode of dimerization

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2017 Oct;1405(1):147-159. doi: 10.1111/nyas.13408. Epub 2017 Jun 29.

Abstract

Tricellulin is a tight junction protein localized to tricellular contacts in many epithelial tissues, where it is required for full barrier control. Here, we present crystal structures of the tricellulin C-terminal coiled-coil domain, revealing a potential dimeric arrangement. By combining structural, biochemical, functional, and mutation analyses, we gain insight into the mode of tricellulin oligomerization and suggest a model where dimerization of its cytoplasmic C-terminus may play an auxiliary role in stabilizing homophilic and potentially also heterophilic cis-interactions within tight junctions.

Keywords: CC domain; crystal structure; dimerization; tight junction; tricellulin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dimerization
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelium / metabolism
  • Humans
  • MARVEL Domain Containing 2 Protein / metabolism*
  • Tight Junctions / metabolism*

Substances

  • MARVEL Domain Containing 2 Protein