The First 3D Model of the Full-Length KIT Cytoplasmic Domain Reveals a New Look for an Old Receptor

Sci Rep. 2020 Mar 25;10(1):5401. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-62460-7.

Abstract

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are key regulators of normal cellular processes and have a critical role in the development and progression of many diseases. RTK ligand-induced stimulation leads to activation of the cytoplasmic kinase domain that controls the intracellular signalling. Although the kinase domain of RTKs has been extensively studied using X-ray analysis, the kinase insert domain (KID) and the C-terminal are partially or fully missing in all reported structures. We communicate the first structural model of the full-length RTK KIT cytoplasmic domain, a crucial target for cancer therapy. This model was achieved by integration of ab initio KID and C-terminal probe models into an X-ray structure, and by their further exploration through molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. An extended (2-µs) MD simulation of the proper model provided insight into the structure and conformational dynamics of the full-length cytoplasmic domain of KIT, which can be exploited in the description of the KIT transduction processes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalytic Domain / physiology*
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / metabolism*
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases