The conserved C2 phospholipid‐binding domain in Delta contributes to robust Notch signalling

DOI: 10.15252/embr.202152729

Authors: Torcato Martins (University of Cambridge) , Yao Meng (University of Oxford) , Boguslawa Korona (University of Oxford) , Richard Suckling (University of Oxford) , Steven Johnson (University of Oxford) , Penny A Handford (University of Oxford) , Susan M. Lea (University of Oxford) , Sarah J Bray (University of Cambridge)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Embo Reports , VOL 8

State: Published (Approved)
Published: August 2021

Abstract: Accurate Notch signalling is critical for development and homeostasis. Fine-tuning of Notch–ligand interactions has substantial impact on signalling outputs. Recent structural studies have identified a conserved N-terminal C2 domain in human Notch ligands which confers phospholipid binding in vitro. Here, we show that Drosophila ligands Delta and Serrate adopt the same C2 domain structure with analogous variations in the loop regions, including the so-called β1-2 loop that is involved in phospholipid binding. Mutations in the β1-2 loop of the Delta C2 domain retain Notch binding but have impaired ability to interact with phospholipids in vitro. To investigate its role in vivo, we deleted five residues within the β1-2 loop of endogenous Delta. Strikingly, this change compromises ligand function. The modified Delta enhances phenotypes produced by Delta loss-of-function alleles and suppresses that of Notch alleles. As the modified protein is present on the cell surface in normal amounts, these results argue that C2 domain phospholipid binding is necessary for robust signalling in vivo fine-tuning the balance of trans and cis ligand–receptor interactions.

Subject Areas: Biology and Bio-materials


Instruments: I02-Macromolecular Crystallography , I04-Macromolecular Crystallography

Added On: 05/08/2021 10:45

Documents:
embr.202152729.pdf

Discipline Tags:

Genetics Structural biology Life Sciences & Biotech

Technical Tags:

Diffraction Macromolecular Crystallography (MX)