Difference in binding-site architecture of the serum-type and liver-type mannose-binding proteins

Emerging roles of protein mannosylation in inflammation and infection

Proteins are frequently modified by complex carbohydrates (glycans) that play central roles in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of cells and tissues in humans and lower organisms. Mannose forms an essential building block of protein glycosylation, and its functional involvement as components of larger and diverse α-mannosidic glycoepitopes in important intra- and intercellular glycoimmunological processes is gaining recognition. With a focus on the mannose-rich asparagine (N-linked) glycosylation type, this review summarises the increasing volume of literature covering human and non-human protein mannosylation, including their structures, biosynthesis and spatiotemporal expression. The review also covers their known interactions with specialised host and microbial mannose-recognising C-type lectin receptors (mrCLRs) and antibodies (mrAbs) during inflammation and pathogen infection. Advances in molecular mapping technologies have recently revealed novel immuno-centric mannose-terminating truncated N-glycans, termed paucimannosylation, on human proteins. The cellular presentation of α-mannosidic glycoepitopes on N-glycoproteins appears tightly regulated; α-mannose determinants are relative rare glycoepitopes in physiological extracellular environments, but may be actively secreted or leaked from cells to transmit potent signals when required. Simultaneously, our understanding of the molecular basis on the recognition of mannosidic epitopes by mrCLRs including DC-SIGN, mannose receptor, mannose binding lectin and mrAb is rapidly advancing, together with the functional implications of these interactions in facilitating an effective immune response during physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Ultimately, deciphering these complex mannose-based receptor-ligand interactions at the detailed molecular level will significantly advance our understanding of immunological disorders and infectious diseases, promoting the development of future therapeutics to improve patient clinical outcomes.

Disseminated candidiasis and hepatic malarial infection in mannose-binding-lectin-A-deficient mice

To examine the physiological functions of mannose-binding lectin A (MBL-A), we generated mice that were deficient in MBL-A and examined their susceptibilities to the microbial pathogens Candida albicans and Plasmodium yoelii, an accepted experimental malaria model in mouse. We found no differences in the survival rates and fungal burdens of wild-type and MBL-A(-/-) mice with disseminated C. albicans infection. The two mouse strains were also similar in their abilities to resist hepatic accumulation of P. yoelii parasites. We conclude that MBL-A deficiency does not alter resistance to disseminated candidiasis or initial hepatic invasion by P. yoelii.

Orientation of bound ligands in mannose-binding proteins. Implications for multivalent ligand recognition

Mannose-binding proteins (MBPs) are C-type animal lectins that recognize high mannose oligosaccharides on pathogenic cell surfaces. MBPs bind to their carbohydrate ligands by forming a series of Ca(2+) coordination and hydrogen bonds with two hydroxyl groups equivalent to the 3- and 4-OH of mannose. In this work, the determinants of the orientation of sugars bound to rat serum and liver MBPs (MBP-A and MBP-C) have been systematically investigated. The crystal structures of MBP-A soaked with monosaccharides and disaccharides and also the structure of the MBP-A trimer cross-linked by a high mannose asparaginyl oligosaccharide reveal that monosaccharides or alpha1-6-linked mannose bind to MBP-A in one orientation, whereas alpha1-2- or alpha1-3-linked mannose binds in an orientation rotated 180 degrees around a local symmetry axis relating the 3- and 4-OH groups. In contrast, a similar set of ligands all bind to MBP-C in a single orientation. The mutation of MBP-A His(189) to its MBP-C equivalent, valine, causes Man alpha 1-3Man to bind in a mixture of orientations. These data combined with modeling indicate that the residue at this position influences the orientation of bound ligands in MBP. We propose that the control of binding orientation can influence the recognition of multivalent ligands. A lateral association of trimers in the cross-linked crystals may reflect interactions within higher oligomers of MBP-A that are stabilized by multivalent ligands.

Conformation of a trimannoside bound to mannose-binding protein by nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular dynamics simulations

A model of the carbohydrate recognition domain of the serum form of mannose-binding protein (MBP) from rat complexed with methyl 3,6-di-O-(alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-alpha-D-mannopyranoside is presented. Allowed conformations for the bound sugar were derived from simulated annealing protocols incorporating distance restraints computed from transferred NOESY spectra. The resulting sugar conformations were then modeled into the MBP binding site, and these models of the complex were refined using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in the presence of solvent water. These studies indicate that only one of the two major conformations of the alpha(1-->6) linkage found in solution is significantly populated in the bound state (omega = 60 degrees ), whereas the alpha(1-->3) linkage samples at least two states, similar to its behavior in free solution. The bound conformation allows direct hydrogen bonds to form between the sugar and K182 of MBP, in addition to other water-mediated hydrogen bonds. Estimates of binding constants of candidate complexes based on changes in solvent-accessible surface areas upon binding support the NMR and MD results. These estimates further suggest that the enthalpic gains of the additional sugar-MBP interactions in a trisaccharide as opposed to a monosaccharide are offset by entropic penalties, offering an explanation for previous binding data.

Identification of human mannose binding lectin (MBL) recognition sites for novel inhibitory antibodies

Mannose binding lectin (MBL) binding initiates activation of the lectin complement pathway. Recent studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that MBL-dependent complement activation mediates cellular injury following oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro. A panel of novel inhibitory monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against MBL (e.g., MAb 3F8, 2A9, and hMBL1.2) has been developed that inhibit MBL binding and lectin pathway activation. Here, we further characterized the interactions of these MAbs and their Fab fragments to MBL. Whole MAbs or their Fab fragments bound to MBL with relatively high affinity. Fab fragments of 3F8 were functionally effective in inhibiting MBL-dependent complement activation, however, steric hindrance of MAb 2A9 was essential for inhibition of MBL-dependent complement activation. We identified the hinge region, and residues EDCVLLL within the carbohydrate recognition domain of MBL as the recognition sites for MAb 3F8 and 2A9, respectively. The interaction of MAbs (e.g., 3F8 and 2A9) to MBL was dependent on the conformation of their recognition sites. These findings demonstrate that MBL binding can be inhibited by at least two separate and independent mechanisms.

Spectroscopic studies on the interaction of pradimicin BMY-28864 with mannose derivatives

Pradimicin BMY-28864 (Pm) is an antibiotic effective against yeasts and fungi, and is known to bind mannose in the presence of Ca2+. We examined spectroscopically the mode of interactions among Pm, Ca2+, and glycosides of mannose and mannose oligosaccharides (Manalpha1-OMe, Manalpha1-2Manalpha1-OMe, Manalpha1-3Manalpha1-OMe, Manalpha1-4Manalpha1-OMe, Manalpha1-6Manalpha1-OMe, Manalpha1-6(Manalpha1-3)Manalpha1-OMe, and Man9GlcNAc2-Asn, a high mannose type N-linked oligosaccharide). All the mannosides interacted with Pm in the presence of Ca2+ and caused absorbance changes. The absorbance changes occurred nonlinearly with respect to the carbohydrate concentration and do not follow a simple binding isotherm equation, suggesting a unique multistep interaction mode. The concentrations that induced half the maximum absorbance change were approximately 10 mM for the mono- and di-mannosides and around 1.5 mM for the trimannoside and Man9GlcNAc2-Asn. Methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside, methyl alpha-D-galactopyranoside, lactose, and myo-inositol did not affect the absorbance of Pm up to 50 mM. Ca2+ alone also influenced the absorbance of Pm. The absorbance between 200 and 700 nm decreased hypochromically when Ca2+ was added. The concentration that gave half the maximum absorbance decrease caused by Ca2+was around 15 microM. Our results suggest that two Pm molecules bind one C a2+, and each Pm binds two mannosyl residues.