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Binding of the snake venom protein rhodocytin to CLEC-2, a receptor on the surface of human platelets, initiates a signaling cascade leading to platelet activation and aggregation. We have previously solved the structure of CLEC-2. The 2.4 Å resolution crystal structure of rhodocytin presented here demonstrates that it is the first snake venom or other C-type lectin-like protein to assemble as a non-disulfide linked (αβ)2 tetramer. Rhodocytin is highly adapted for interaction with CLEC-2 and displays a concave binding surface, which is highly complementary to the experimentally determined binding interface on CLEC-2. Using computational dynamic methods, surface electrostatic charge and hydrophobicity analyses, and protein-protein docking predictions, we propose that the (αβ)2 rhodocytin tetramer induces clustering of CLEC-2 receptors on the platelet surface, which will trigger major signaling events resulting in platelet activation and aggregation. Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. Copyright © 2008 The Protein Society.

Original publication

DOI

10.1110/ps.035568.108

Type

Journal article

Journal

Protein Science

Publication Date

01/09/2008

Volume

17

Pages

1611 - 1616