Complex of human Melanotransferrin and SC57.32 Fab fragment reveals novel interdomain arrangement with ferric N-lobe and open C-lobe

Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 12;11(1):566. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-79090-8.

Abstract

Melanotransferrin (MTf) is an iron-binding member of the transferrin superfamily that can be membrane-anchored or secreted in serum. On cells, it can mediate transferrin-independent iron uptake and promote proliferation. In serum, it is a transcytotic iron transporter across the blood-brain barrier. MTf has been exploited as a drug delivery carrier to the brain and as an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) target due to its oncogenic role in melanoma and its elevated expression in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). For treatment of TNBC, an MTf-targeting ADC completed a phase I clinical trial (NCT03316794). The structure of its murine, unconjugated Fab fragment (SC57.32) is revealed here in complex with MTf. The MTf N-lobe is in an active and iron-bound, closed conformation while the C-lobe is in an open conformation incompatible with iron binding. This combination of active and inactive domains displays a novel inter-domain arrangement in which the C2 subdomain angles away from the N-lobe. The C2 subdomain also contains the SC57.32 glyco-epitope, which comprises ten protein residues and two N-acetylglucosamines. Our report reveals novel features of MTf and provides a point of reference for MTf-targeting, structure-guided drug design.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylglucosamine
  • Animals
  • Biological Transport
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Drug Design
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / chemistry*
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / metabolism
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / physiology
  • Iron / metabolism
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Melanoma / etiology
  • Melanoma / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Domains*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / genetics

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments
  • MELTF protein, human
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Iron
  • Acetylglucosamine