Crystal structure and iron-binding properties of the R210K mutant of the N-lobe of human lactoferrin: implications for iron release from transferrins.

Lactoferrin (Lf) and serum transferrin (Tf) combine high-affinity iron binding with an ability to release this iron at reduced pH. Lf, however, retains iron to significantly lower pH than Tf, giving the two proteins distinct functional roles. In this paper, we compared the iron-release profiles for human Lf, Tf, and their N-lobe half-molecules Lf(N) and Tf(N) and showed that half of the difference in iron retention at low pH ( approximately 1.3 pH units) results from interlobe interactions in Lf. To probe factors intrinsic to the N-lobes, we further examined the specific role of two basic residues that are proposed to form a pH-sensitive dilysine trigger for iron release in the N-lobe of Tf [Dewan, J. C., Mikami, B., Hirose, M., and Sacchettini, J. C. (1993) Biochemistry 32, 11963-11968] by mutating Arg 210 to Lys in the N-lobe half-molecule Lf(N). The R210K mutant was expressed, purified, and crystallized, and its crystal structure was determined and refined at 2.0-A resolution to a final R factor (R(free)) of 19.8% (25.0%). The structure showed that Lys 210 and Lys 301 in R210K do not form a dilysine interaction like that between Lys 206 and Lys 296 in human Tf. The R210K mutant retained iron to lower pH than Tf(N), consistent with the absence of the dilysine interaction but released iron at approximately 0.7 pH units higher than Lf(N). We conclude that (i) the ability of Lf to retain iron to significantly lower pH than Tf is due equally to interlobe interactions and to the absence in Lfs of an interaction analogous to the dilysine pair in Tfs, even when two lysines are present at the corresponding sequence positions, and (ii) an appropriately positioned basic residue (Arg 210 in human Lf) modulates iron release by inhibiting protonation of the N-lobe iron ligands, specifically His 253.

Glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism and pregnancy.

Glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism (GRA) is a hereditary form of primary hyperaldosteronism that presents with hypokalemia and hypertension from childhood onward. GRA is characterized by the ectopic production of aldosterone in the cortisol-producing zona fasciculata under the regulation of adrenocorticotrophic hormone. Despite the early age of onset, no previous reports of pregnancy and GRA exist. Therefore, we set out to describe the maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancy in women with GRA. Data regarding the blood pressure and pregnancy outcomes were collected in a retrospective chart review of prenatal and hospital records of 35 pregnancies in 16 women with genetically proven GRA. A total of 6% of pregnancies in women with GRA (GRA+) were complicated by preeclampsia. The published rates of preeclampsia in general obstetric populations vary from 2.5% to 10%. Despite the lack of an apparent increase in the rate of preeclampsia, GRA+ women with chronic hypertension had a high rate (39%) of pregnancy-aggravated hypertension. Starting with a higher baseline blood pressure, maternal blood pressure plotted over the time course of pregnancy followed a quadratic curve similar to that previously described in normal pregnancy. Mean gestational age at delivery was 39.1 weeks. Mean birth weight, excluding the 3 sets of twins, was 3219 g. However, infants of GRA+ mothers with pregnancy-aggravated hypertension tended to have lower birth weights than those that did not (3019 g versus 3385 g, respectively; P=0.08). The primary cesarean section rate was 32%, which is approximately double that seen in other general or hypertensive obstetric populations. In summary, GRA+ women did not seem to have an increased risk of preeclampsia. However, GRA+ women with chronic hypertension seem to be at an increased risk for an exacerbation of their hypertension during pregnancy.

The structure of the exo-beta-(1,3)-glucanase from Candida albicans in native and bound forms: relationship between a pocket and groove in family 5 glycosyl hydrolases.

A group of fungal exo-beta-(1,3)-glucanases, including that from the human pathogen Candida albicans (Exg), belong to glycosyl hydrolase family 5 that also includes many bacterial cellulases (endo-beta-1, 4-glucanases). Family members, despite wide sequence variations, share a common mechanism and are characterised by possessing eight invariant residues making up the active site. These include two glutamate residues acting as nucleophile and acid/base, respectively. Exg is an abundant secreted enzyme possessing both hydrolase and transferase activity consistent with a role in cell wall glucan metabolism and possibly morphogenesis. The structures of Exg in both free and inhibited forms have been determined to 1.9 A resolution. A distorted (beta/alpha)8 barrel structure accommodates an active site which is located within a deep pocket, formed when extended loop regions close off a cellulase-like groove. Structural analysis of a covalently bound mechanism-based inhibitor (2-fluoroglucosylpyranoside) and of a transition-state analogue (castanospermine) has identified the binding interactions at the -1 glucose binding site. In particular the carboxylate of Glu27 serves a dominant hydrogen-bonding role. Access by a 1,3-glucan chain to the pocket in Exg can be understood in terms of a change in conformation of the terminal glucose residue from chair to twisted boat. The geometry of the pocket is not, however, well suited for cleavage of 1,4-glycosidic linkages. A second glucose site was identified at the entrance to the pocket, sandwiched between two antiparallel phenylalanine side-chains. This aromatic entrance-way must not only direct substrate into the pocket but also may act as a clamp for an acceptor molecule participating in the transfer reaction.

Crystal structure of hemopexin reveals a novel high-affinity heme site formed between two beta-propeller domains.

The ubiquitous use of heme in animals poses severe biological and chemical challenges. Free heme is toxic to cells and is a potential source of iron for pathogens. For protection, especially in conditions of trauma, inflammation and hemolysis, and to maintain iron homeostasis, a high-affinity binding protein, hemopexin, is required. Hemopexin binds heme with the highest affinity of any known protein, but releases it into cells via specific receptors. The crystal structure of the heme-hemopexin complex reveals a novel heme binding site, formed between two similar four-bladed beta-propeller domains and bounded by the interdomain linker. The ligand is bound to two histidine residues in a pocket dominated by aromatic and basic groups. Further stabilization is achieved by the association of the two beta-propeller domains, which form an extensive polar interface that includes a cushion of ordered water molecules. We propose mechanisms by which these structural features provide the dual function of heme binding and release.

On the molecular-replacement problem in the presence of merohedral twinning: structure of the N-terminal half-molecule of human lactoferrin.

The structure of a hemihedrally twinned protein crystal with two molecules in the asymmetric unit was solved by molecular replacement. The protein, a site-specific mutant of the N-terminal half-molecule of human lactoferrin, is able to undergo an internal rigid-body domain motion. Therefore, determining the structure required the independent positioning of four protein domains. The molecular-replacement solutions were obtained using a conventional real-space rotation function, and a translation function based on the linear correlation coefficient. Once the molecules were positioned, it was necessary to assign them to the appropriate twin domain. Several methods for doing this are described, one of which leads to a determination of the volume of each twin domain. In the appendix to the paper we discuss the interpretation of the self-rotation function in the presence of merohedral twinning.

Two high-resolution crystal structures of the recombinant N-lobe of human transferrin reveal a structural change implicated in iron release.

The N-lobe of human serum transferrin (hTF/2N) has been expressed in baby hamster kidney cells and crystallized in both orthorhombic (P212121) and tetragonal (P41212) space groups. Both crystal forms diffract to high resolution (1.6 and 1.8 A, respectively) and have been solved by molecular replacement. Subsequent refinement resulted in final models for the structure of hTF/2N that had crystallographic R-factors of 18.1 and 19.7% for the two crystal forms, respectively; these models represent the highest-resolution transferrin structures determined to date. The hTF/2N polypeptide has a folding pattern similar to those of other transferrins, including the presence of a deep cleft that contains the metal-binding site. In contrast to other transferrins, both crystal forms of hTF/2N display disorder at the iron-binding site; model building suggests that this disorder consists of alternative conformations of the synergistically bound carbonate anion, the side chain for Arg-124, and several solvent molecules. Subsequent refinement revealed that conformation A has an occupancy of 0.63-0. 65 and corresponds to the structure of the iron-binding site found in other transferrins. The alternative conformation B has an occupancy of 0.35-0.37; in this structure, the carbonate has rotated 30 degrees relative to the iron and the side chain for Arg-124 has moved to accommodate the new carbonate position. Several water molecules appear to stabilize the carbonate anion in the two conformations. These structures are consistent with the protonation of the carbonate and resulting partial removal of the anion from the metal; these events would occur prior to cleft opening and metal release.

Intracranial aneurysm and hemorrhagic stroke in glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism.

There are anecdotal reports of early cerebrovascular complications occurring in patients with glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism (GRA). The issue has never been systematically evaluated. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the International Registry for GRA to see if there was an association between cerebrovascular complications and GRA. We searched the records of 376 patients from 27 genetically proven GRA pedigrees for premature death or cerebrovascular complications. Each case was subsequently verified through the referring physician, or autopsy reports. The number of complications occurring in patients with proven GRA were compared to GRA negative subjects from the same pedigrees. There were 18 cerebrovascular events in 15 patients with proven GRA (n=167) and none in the GRA negative group (n=194; P<.001). There were an additional 15 events in 15 subjects that were suspected of having GRA based on clinical history. Seventy percent of events were hemorrhagic strokes; the overall case fatality rate was 61%. The mean (+/- SD) age at the time of the initial event was 31.7+/-11.3 years. In total, 48% of all GRA pedigrees and 18% of all GRA patients had cerebrovascular complications, which is similar to the frequency of aneurysm in adult polycystic kidney disease. GRA is associated with high morbidity and mortality from early onset of hemorrhagic stroke and ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Screening for intracranial aneurysm with magnetic resonance angiography is advised for patients with genetically proven GRA.

Structure of human apolactoferrin at 2.0 A resolution. Refinement and analysis of ligand-induced conformational change.

The three-dimensional structure of a form of human apolactoferrin, in which one lobe (the N-lobe) has an open conformation and the other lobe (the C-lobe) is closed, has been refined at 2.0 A resolution. The refinement, by restrained least-squares methods, used synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction data combined with a lower resolution diffractometer data set. The final refined model (5346 protein atoms from residues 1-691, two Cl- ions and 363 water molecules) gives a crystallographic R factor of 0.201 (Rfree = 0. 286) for all 51305 reflections in the resolution range 10.0-2.0 A. The conformational change in the N-lobe, which opens up the binding cleft, involves a 54 degrees rotation of the N2 domain relative to the N1 domain. This also results in a small reorientation of the two lobes relative to one another with a further approximately 730 A2 of surface area being buried as the N2 domain contacts the C-lobe and the inter-lobe helix. These new contacts also involve the C-terminal helix and provide a mechanism through which the conformational and iron-binding status of the N-lobe can be signalled to the C-lobe. Surface-area calculations indicate a fine balance between open and closed forms of lactoferrin, which both have essentially the same solvent-accessible surface. Chloride ions are bound in the anion-binding sites of both lobes, emphasizing the functional significance of these sites. The closed configuration of the C-lobe, attributed in part to weak stabilization by crystal packing interactions, has important implications for lactoferrin dynamics. It shows that a stable closed structure, essentially identical to that of the iron-bound form, can be formed in the absence of iron binding.

Crystal structure of the streptococcal superantigen SPE-C: dimerization and zinc binding suggest a novel mode of interaction with MHC class II molecules.

Bacterial superantigens are small proteins that have a very potent stimulatory effect on T lymphocytes through their ability to bind to both MHC class II molecules and T-cell receptors. We have determined the three-dimensional structure of a Streptococcal superantigen, SPE-C, at 2.4 A resolution. The structure shows that SPE-C has the usual superantigen fold, but that the surface that forms a generic, low-affinity MHC-binding site in other superantigens is here used to create a SPE-C dimer. Instead, MHC class II binding occurs through a zinc binding site that is analogous to a similar site in staphylococcal enterotoxin A. Consideration of the SPE-C dimer suggests a novel mechanism for promotion of MHC aggregation and T-cell activation.

Mutagenesis of the histidine ligand in human lactoferrin: iron binding properties and crystal structure of the histidine-253-->methionine mutant.

The contribution of the conserved His ligand to iron binding in transferrins has been addressed by site-directed mutagenesis and X-ray crystallographic analysis. His 253 in the N-terminal half-molecule of human lactoferrin, LfN (residues 1-333), has been changed to Gly, Ala, Pro, Thr, Leu, Phe, Met, Tyr, Glu, Gln, and Cys by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. The proteins have been expressed in baby hamster kidney cells, at high levels, and purified. The results show that the His ligand is essential for the stability of the iron binding site. All of the substitutions destabilized iron binding irrespective of whether the replacements were potential iron ligands or not. Iron was lost below pH approximately 6 for the Cys, Glu, and Tyr mutants and below pH 7 or higher for the others, compared with pH 5.0 for LfN. The destabilization is attributed to both steric and electronic effects. The importance of electronic effects has been shown by the crystal structure of the H253M mutant, which has been determined at an effective resolution of 2.5 A and refined to a final R factor of 0.173. The iron atom is changed from six-coordinate to five-coordinate; the Met 253 side chain is not bound to iron even though there appears to be no steric barrier. This is attributed to the poorer affinity of the thioether ligand for Fe(III) compared with imidazole nitrogen. The decreased stability of the iron binding is attributed solely to the loss of the His ligand as the protein conformation and interdomain interactions are unchanged.

Three-dimensional structure of diferric bovine lactoferrin at 2.8 A resolution.

The three-dimensional structure of diferric bovine lactoferrin (bLf) has been determined by X-ray crystallography in order to investigate the factors that influence iron binding and release by transferrins. The structure was solved by molecular replacement, using the coordinates of diferric human lactoferrin (hLf) as a search model, and was refined with data to 2.8 A resolution by simulated annealing (X-PLOR) and restrained least squares (TNT). The final model comprises 5310 protein atoms (residues 5 to 689), 124 carbohydrate atoms (from ten monosaccharide units, in three glycan chains), 2 Fe3+, 2 CO32- and 50 water molecules. This model gives an R-factor of 0.232 for 21440 reflections in the resolution range 30.0 to 2.8 A. The folding of the bLf molecule is essentially the same as that of hLf, but bLf differs in the extent of closure of the two domains of each lobe, and in the relative orientations of the two lobes. Differences in domain closure are attributed to amino acid changes in the interface, and differences in lobe orientations to slightly altered packing of two hydrophobic patches between the lobes. Changed interdomain interactions may explain the lesser iron affinity of bLf, compared with hLf, and two lysine residues behind the N-lobe iron site of bLf offer new insights into the "dilysine trigger" mechanism proposed for iron release by transferrins. The bLf structure is also notable for several well-defined oligosaccharide units which demonstrate the structural factors that stabilise carbohydrate structure. One glycan chain, attached to Asn545, appears to contribute to interdomain interactions and may modulate iron release from the C-lobe.

Anion binding by transferrins: importance of second-shell effects revealed by the crystal structure of oxalate-substituted diferric lactoferrin.

Proteins of the transferrin family bind, with high affinity, two Fe3+ ions and two CO3(2)- ions but can also bind other metal ions and other anions. In order to find out how the protein structure and its two binding sites adapt to the binding of larger anions, we have determined the crystal structure of oxalate-substituted diferric lactoferrin at 2.4 A resolution. The final model has a crystallographic R-factor of 0.196 for all data in the range 8.0-2.4 A. Substitution of oxalate for carbonate does not produce any significant change in the polypeptide folding or domain closure. Both binding sites are perturbed, however, and the effects are different in each. In the C-lobe site the oxalate ion is bound to iron in symmetric 1,2-bidentate fashion whereas in the N-lobe the anion coordination is markedly asymmetric. The difference arises because in each site substitution of the larger anion causes displacement of the arginine that forms one wall of the anion binding site; the movement is different in each case, however, because of different interactions with "second shell" amino acid residues in the binding cleft. These observations provide an explanation for the site inequivalences that accompany the substitution of non-native anions and cations.

Three-dimensional structure of cytochrome c' from two Alcaligenes species and the implications for four-helix bundle structures.

The three-dimensional structures of two cytochromes c' have been determined in order to analyse the common features of proteins of this family and their relationship with other four-helix bundle structures. The structure of cytochrome c' from Alcaligenes sp was determined by molecular replacement supplemented with the iron anomalous scattering and the use of a single isomorphous heavy-atom derivative, and was refined using synchrotron data to 1.8 A resolution. The final model, comprising 956 protein atoms (one monomer) and 89 water molecules, has a final R value of 0.188 for all data in the range 20.0-1.8 A resolution (14 673 reflections). The structure of the cytochrome c' from Alcaligenes denitrificans is isomorphous and essentially identical (r.m.s. deviation for all atoms 0.36 A). Although its amino-acid sequence has not been determined chemically, only four differences from that of Alcaligenes sp cytochrome c' were identified by the X-ray analysis. The final model for Alcaligenes denitrificans cytochrome c', comprising 953 protein atoms and 75 water molecules, gave a final R factor of 0.167 for all data in the range 20.0-2.15 A (8220 reflections). The cytochrome c' monomer forms a classic four-helix bundle, determined by the packing of hydrophobic side chains around the enclosed haem group. There are very few cross-linking hydrogen bonds between the helices, the principal side-chain hydrogen bonding involving one of the haem propionates and a conserved Arg residue. The cytochrome c' dimer is created by a crystallographic twofold axis. Monomer-monomer contacts primarily involve the two A helices, with size complementarity of side chains in a central solvent-excluded portion of the interface and hydrogen bonding at the periphery. Both species have a pyroglutamic acid N-terminal residue. The haem iron is five-coordinate, 0.32 A out of the haem plane towards the fifth ligand, His120. The unusual magnetic properties of the Fe atom may be linked to a conserved basic residue, Arg124, adjacent to His120.

The crystal structure of a major secreted aspartic proteinase from Candida albicans in complexes with two inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Infections caused by Candida albicans, a common fungal pathogen of humans, are increasing in incidence, necessitating development of new therapeutic drugs. Secreted aspartic proteinase (SAP) activity is considered an important virulence factor in these infections and might offer a suitable target for drug design. Amongst the various SAP isozymes, the SAP2 gene product is the major form expressed in a number of C. albicans strains. RESULTS: The three-dimensional structures of SAP2 complexed with the tight-binding inhibitor A70450 (a synthetic hexapeptide analogue) and with the general aspartic proteinase inhibitor pepstatin A (a microbial natural product) have been determined to 2.1 A and 3.0 A resolution, respectively. Although the protein structure retains the main features of a typical aspartic proteinase, it also shows some significant differences, due mainly to several sequence insertions and deletions (as revealed by homology modelling), that alter the shape of the binding cleft. There is also considerable variation in the C-terminal structural domain. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in side chains, and in the conformations adopted by the two inhibitors, particularly at their P4, P3 and P'2 positions (using standard notation for protease-inhibitor residues), allows the A70450 structure to complement, more accurately, that of the substrate-binding site of SAP2. Some differences in the binding clefts of other SAP isoenzymes may be deduced from the SAP2 structure.

Structure of human diferric lactoferrin refined at 2.2 A resolution.

The three-dimensional structure of the diferric form of human lactoferrin has been refined at 2.2 A resolution, using synchrotron data combined with a lower resolution (3.2 A) diffractometer data set. Following restrained least-squares refinement and model rebuilding the final model comprises 5330 protein atoms (691 residues), 2Fe(3+) and 2CO(3)(2-) ions, 469 solvent molecules and 98 carbohydrate atoms (eight sugar residues). Root-mean-square deviations from standard geometry are 0.015 A for bond lengths and 0.038 A for angle (1-3) distances, and the final crystallographic R-factor is 0.179 for all 39 113 reflections in the resolution range 8.0-2.2 A. A close structural similarity is seen between the two lobes of the molecule, with differences mainly in loops and turns. The two binding sites are extremely similar, the only apparent differences being a slightly more asymmetric bidentate binding of the carbonate ion to the metal, and a slightly longer Fe-O bond to one of the Tyr ligands, in the N-lobe site relative to the C-lobe site. Distinct differences are seen in the interactions made by two cationic groups, Arg210 and Lys546, behind the iron site, and these may influence the stability of the two metal sites. Analysis of interdomain and interlobe interactions shows that these are few in number which is consistent with the known flexibility of the molecule with respect to domain and lobe movements. Internal water molecules are found in discrete sites and in two large clusters (in the two interdomain clefts) and one tightly bound water molecule is present 3.8 A from the Fe atom in each lobe. The carbohydrate is weakly defined and has been modelled to a limited extent; two sugar residues of the N-lobe glycan and six of the C-lobe glycan. Only one direct protein-carbohydrate contact can be found.

Use of iron anomalous scattering with multiple models and data sets to identify and refine a weak molecular replacement solution: structure analysis of cytochrome c' from two bacterial species.

The structure of cytochrome c' from two bacterial species, Alcaligenes sp and Alcaligenes denitrificans, have been determined from X-ray diffraction data to 3.0 A resolution using the anomalous scattering of the single Fe atom in each to identify and refine a weak molecular-replacement solution. Molecular-replacement studies, with the program AMORE, used two isomorphous data sets (from the two species), two independent search models (the cytochromes c' from Rhodospirillum molischianum and Rhodospirillum rubrum), both with and without side chains, and two different resolution ranges (10.0-4.0 and 15.0-3.5A) to generate a large number of potential solutions. No single solution stood out and none appeared consistently. The Fe-atom position in each structure was then determined from its anomalous-scattering contribution and all molecular- replacement solutions were discarded which did not (i) place the Fe atom correctly and (ii) orient the molecule such that a crystallographic twofold axis generated a dimer like those of the two search models. Finally, electron-density maps phased solely by the Fe-atom anomalous scattering were calculated. As these were combined and subjected to solvent flattening and histogram matching (with the program SQUASH), correlation with the remaining molecular-replacement solutions identified one as correct and enabled it to be improved and subjected to preliminary refinement. The correctness of the solution is confirmed by parallel isomorphous-replacement studies.

The three-dimensional structure of PNGase F, a glycosylasparaginase from Flavobacterium meningosepticum.

BACKGROUND: Peptide:N-glycosidase F (PNGase F) is an enzyme that catalyzes the complete removal of N-linked oligosaccharide chains from glycoproteins. Often called an endoglycosidase, it is more correctly termed an amidase or glycosylasparaginase as cleavage is at the asparagine-sugar amide linkage. The enzyme is widely used in structure-function studies of glycoproteins. RESULTS: We have determined the crystal structure of PNGase F at 1.8 A resolution. The protein is folded into two domains, each with an eight-stranded antiparallel beta jelly roll configuration similar to many viral capsid proteins and also found, in expanded form, in lectins and several glucanases. Two potential active site regions have been identified, both in the interdomain region and shaped by prominent loops from one domain. Exposed aromatic residues are a feature of one site. CONCLUSIONS: The finding that PNGase F is based on two jelly roll domains suggests parallels with lectins and other carbohydrate-binding proteins. These proteins either bind sugars on the concave face of the beta-sandwich structure (aided by loops) or amongst the loops themselves. Further analysis of the function and identification of the catalytic site should lead to an understanding of both the specificity of PNGase F and possibly also the recognition processes that identify glycosylation sites on proteins.

Structure of copper- and oxalate-substituted human lactoferrin at 2.0 A resolution.

The three-dimensional structure of human dicupric monooxalate lactoferrin, Cu(2)oxLf, has been determined to 2.0 A resolution, using X-ray diffraction data collected by diffractometry to 2.5 A resolution, and oscillation photography on a synchrotron source to 2.0 A resolution. Difference electron-density maps calculated between Cu(2)oxLf and both dicupric lactoferrin, Cu(2)Lf, and diferric lactoferrin, Fe(2)Lf, showed that the oxalate had replaced a carbonate in the C-terminal binding site, and that, relative to Cu(2)Lf, there were no significant differences in the N-terminal site. The structure was then refined crystallographically by restrained least-squares methods. The final model, in which the r.m.s. deviation in bond distances is 0.017 A, contains 5314 protein atoms (691 residues), two Cu(2+) ions, one bicarbonate ion, one oxalate ion, 325 solvent molecules and one sugar residue. The crystallographic R factor of 0.193 is for 46 134 reflections in the range 8.0 to 2.0 A resolution. The oxalate ion is coordinated to copper in a 1,2-bidentate fashion, and the added bulk of the anion results in the rearrangement of the side chains of nearby arginine and tyrosine residues. No other major alterations in the molecule can be observed, the overall protein structure being the same as that for Cu(2)Lf and Fe(2)Lf.

Three-dimensional structure of lactoferrin in various functional states.

The three-dimensional structures of various forms of lactoferrin, determined by high resolution crystallographic studies, have been compared in order to determine the relationship between structure and biological function. These comparisons include human apo and diferric lactoferrins, metal and anion substituted lactoferrins, the N-terminal half molecule of human lactoferrin, and bovine diferric lactoferrin. The structures themselves define the nature and location of the iron binding sites and allow anti-bacterial and putative receptor-binding regions to be mapped on to the molecular surface. The structural comparisons show that small internal adjustments can allow the accommodation of different metals and anions without altering the overall molecular structure, whereas large-scale conformational changes are associated with metal binding and release, and smaller, but significant, movements accompany species variations. The results also focus on differences in flexibility between the two lobes, and on the importance of interactions in the inter-lobe region in modulating iron release from the N-lobe and in possibly enabling binding at one site to be signalled to the other.