RESUMO
The Dscam gene gives rise to thousands of diverse cell surface receptors thought to provide homophilic and heterophilic recognition specificity for neuronal wiring and immune responses. Mutually exclusive splicing allows for the generation of sequence variability in three immunoglobulin ecto-domains, D2, D3 and D7. We report X-ray structures of the amino-terminal four immunoglobulin domains (D1-D4) of two distinct Dscam isoforms. The structures reveal a horseshoe configuration, with variable residues of D2 and D3 constituting two independent surface epitopes on either side of the receptor. Both isoforms engage in homo-dimerization coupling variable domain D2 with D2, and D3 with D3. These interactions involve symmetric, antiparallel pairing of identical peptide segments from epitope I that are unique to each isoform. Structure-guided mutagenesis and swapping of peptide segments confirm that epitope I, but not epitope II, confers homophilic binding specificity of full-length Dscam receptors. Phylogenetic analysis shows strong selection of matching peptide sequences only for epitope I. We propose that peptide complementarity of variable residues in epitope I of Dscam is essential for homophilic binding specificity.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Drosophila/química , Proteínas de Drosophila/metabolismo , Drosophila melanogaster , Processamento Alternativo , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Sítios de Ligação , Moléculas de Adesão Celular , Cristalografia por Raios X , Dimerização , Proteínas de Drosophila/genética , Drosophila melanogaster/química , Drosophila melanogaster/genética , Éxons , Modelos Moleculares , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Isoformas de Proteínas/química , Isoformas de Proteínas/genética , Isoformas de Proteínas/metabolismo , Estrutura Quaternária de Proteína , Estrutura Terciária de Proteína , Relação Estrutura-Atividade , Especificidade por SubstratoRESUMO
Alternative splicing of Dscam generates an enormous molecular diversity with maximally 38,016 different receptors. Whether this large diversity is required in vivo is currently unclear. We examined the role of Dscam in neuron-target recognition of single mechanosensory neurons, which connect with different target cells through multiple axonal branches. Analysis of Dscam null neurons demonstrated an essential role of Dscam for growth and directed extension of axon branches. Expression of randomly chosen single isoforms could not rescue connectivity but did restore basic axonal extension and rudimentary branching. Moreover, two Dscam alleles were generated that each reduced the maximally possible Dscam diversity to 22,176 isoforms. Reduction of Dscam diversity resulted in specific connectivity defects of mechanosensory neurons. Furthermore, the observed allele-specific phenotypes suggest functional differences among isoforms. Our findings provide evidence that a very large number of structurally unique receptor isoforms is required to ensure fidelity and precision of neuronal connectivity.
