0000000000038368

AUTHOR

Anna-marja Hoffren

"RKKH" peptides from the snake venom metalloproteinase of Bothrops jararaca bind near the metal ion-dependent adhesion site of the human integrin alpha(2) I-domain.

Integrin alpha(1)beta(1) and alpha(2)beta(1) are the major cellular receptors for collagen, and collagens bind to these integrins at the inserted I-domain in their alpha subunit. We have previously shown that a cyclic peptide derived from the metalloproteinase domain of the snake venom protein jararhagin blocks the collagen-binding function of the alpha(2) I-domain. Here, we have optimized the structure of the peptide and identified the site where the peptide binds to the alpha(2) I-domain. The peptide sequence Arg-Lys-Lys-His is critical for recognition by the I-domain, and five negatively charged residues surrounding the "metal ion-dependent adhesion site" (MIDAS) of the I-domain, when mu…

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A peptide inhibiting the collagen binding function of integrin alpha2I domain.

Integrin alpha2 subunit forms in the complex with the beta1 subunit a cell surface receptor binding extracellular matrix molecules, such as collagens and laminin-1. It is a receptor for echovirus-1, as well. Ligands are recognized by the special "inserted" domain (I domain) in the integrin alpha2 subunit. Venom from a pit viper, Bothrops jararaca, has been shown to inhibit the interaction of platelet alpha2beta1 integrin with collagen because of the action of a disintegrin/metalloproteinase named jararhagin. The finding that crude B. jararaca venom could prevent the binding of human recombinant ralpha2I domain to type I collagen led us to study jararhagin further. Synthetic peptides represe…

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