Consensus motif for integrin transmembrane helix association.

ABSTRACT: Interactions between transmembrane (TM) helices play an important role in the regulation of diverse biological functions. For example, the TM helices of integrins are believed to interact heteromerically in the resting state; disruption of this interaction results in integrin activation and cellular adhesion. However, it has been difficult to demonstrate the specificity and affinity of the interaction between integrin TM helices and to relate them to the activation process. To examine integrin TM helix associations, we developed a bacterial reporter system and used it to define the sequence motif required for helix-helix interactions in the beta (1) and beta (3) integrin subfamilies. The helices interact in a novel three-dimensional motif, the "reciprocating large-small motif" that is also

SUBMITTER: Berger BW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2818961 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature