Cryo-EM structure of human Wntless in complex with Wnt3a

Nat Commun. 2021 Jul 27;12(1):4541. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-24731-3.

Abstract

Wntless (WLS), an evolutionarily conserved multi-pass transmembrane protein, is essential for secretion of Wnt proteins. Wnt-triggered signaling pathways control many crucial life events, whereas aberrant Wnt signaling is tightly associated with many human diseases including cancers. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of human WLS in complex with Wnt3a, the most widely studied Wnt, at 2.2 Å resolution. The transmembrane domain of WLS bears a GPCR fold, with a conserved core cavity and a lateral opening. Wnt3a interacts with WLS at multiple interfaces, with the lipid moiety on Wnt3a traversing a hydrophobic tunnel of WLS transmembrane domain and inserting into membrane. A β-hairpin of Wnt3a containing the conserved palmitoleoylation site interacts with WLS extensively, which is crucial for WLS-mediated Wnt secretion. The flexibility of the Wnt3a loop/hairpin regions involved in the multiple binding sites indicates induced fit might happen when Wnts are bound to different binding partners. Our findings provide important insights into the molecular mechanism of Wnt palmitoleoylation, secretion and signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cryoelectron Microscopy*
  • Frizzled Receptors / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / chemistry
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Conformation
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / chemistry
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / ultrastructure*
  • Wnt3A Protein / chemistry
  • Wnt3A Protein / metabolism
  • Wnt3A Protein / ultrastructure*

Substances

  • Frizzled Receptors
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • WLS protein, human
  • Wnt3A Protein