A 3D model of Reelin subrepeat regions predicts Reelin binding to carbohydrates

Brain Res. 2006 Oct 20;1116(1):222-30. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2006.07.128. Epub 2006 Sep 18.

Abstract

Reelin is a large molecule of the extracellular matrix (ECM) which regulates neuronal positioning during the early stages of cortical development in vertebrate species. The Reelin molecule can be subdivided into a smaller N-terminal domain, showing homology with F-spondin, and a larger C-terminal region containing 8 EGF-like repeats. The localization of Reelin in the ECM, its large dimensions and the modular organization of its primary structure led us to suppose a structure of its modules similar to domains commonly found in ECM proteins such as Agrin, laminins and thrombospondins. We therefore performed a sequence alignment and molecular modeling analysis to study the three-dimensional fold of the Reelin subrepeat regions. Our analysis produces a tentative model of the core region of the Reelin subrepeat sequences and suggests the presence in this 3D model of structural features common to polysaccharide-binding modules which are often found on proteoglycans of the ECM. These findings provide a conceptual framework for further experiments aimed at testing the functions of the EGF-like repeat regions of Reelin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Carbohydrates
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / chemistry*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / metabolism*
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / chemistry*
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / chemistry*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Folding
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Reelin Protein
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
  • Serine Endopeptidases / chemistry*
  • Serine Endopeptidases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carbohydrates
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Peptides
  • Reelin Protein
  • SPON1 protein, human
  • RELN protein, human
  • Serine Endopeptidases