The ECS (Elongin B/C-Cul2/Cul5-SOCS-box protein) complex is a member of a family of ubiquitin ligases that share a Cullin-Rbx module. SOCS-box proteins recruit substrates to the ECS complex and are linked to Cullin-Rbx via Elongin B/C. VHL has been implicated as a SOCS-box protein, but lacks a C-terminal sequence (downstream of the BC box) of the SOCS box. We now show that VHL specifically interacts with endogenous Cul2-Rbx1 in mammalian cells, whereas SOCS-box proteins associate with Cul5-Rbx2. We also identify LRR-1 and FEM1B as proteins that share a region of homology with VHL (the VHL box, including the BC box and downstream residues) and associate with Cul2-Rbx1. ECS complexes can thus be classified into two distinct protein assemblies, that is, those that contain a subunit with a VHL box (composed of the BC box and a downstream Cul2 box) that interacts with Cul2-Rbx1, and those that contain a subunit with a SOCS box (BC box and downstream Cul5 box) that interacts with Cul5-Rbx2. Domain-swapping analyses showed that the specificity of interaction of VHL-box and SOCS-box proteins with Cullin-Rbx modules is determined by the Cul2 and Cul5 boxes, respectively. Finally, RNAi-mediated knockdown of the Cul2-Rbx1 inhibited the VHL-mediated degradation of HIF-2␣, whereas knockdown of Cul5-Rbx2 did not affect it. These data suggest that the functions of the Cul2-Rbx1 and Cul5-Rbx2 modules are distinct.

Most mitochondrial proteins are synthesized in the cytosol as precursor proteins with a cleavable N-terminal presequence and are imported into mitochondria. We report here the NMR structure of a general import receptor, rat Tom20, in a complex with a presequence peptide derived from rat aldehyde dehydrogenase. The cytosolic domain of Tom20 forms an all alpha-helical structure with a groove to accommodate the presequence peptide. The bound presequence forms an amphiphilic helical structure with hydrophobic leucines aligned on one side to interact with a hydrophobic patch in the Tom20 groove. Although the positive charges of the presequence are essential for import ability, presequence binding to Tom20 is mediated mainly by hydrophobic rather than ionic interactions.

Link modules are hyaluronan-binding domains found in proteins involved in the assembly of extracellular matrix, cell adhesion, and migration. The solution structure of the Link module from human TSG-6 was determined and found to consist of two alpha helices and two antiparallel beta sheets arranged around a large hydrophobic core. This defines the consensus fold for the Link module superfamily, which includes CD44, cartilage link protein, and aggrecan. The TSG-6 Link module was shown to interact with hyaluronan, and a putative binding surface was identified on the structure. A structural database search revealed close similarity between the Link module and the C-type lectin domain, with the predicted hyaluronan-binding site at an analogous position to the carbohydrate-binding pocket in E-selectin.

Measles still remains a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Measles virus (MV) vaccines are highly successful, but the mechanism underlying their efficacy has been unclear. Here we report the crystal structure of the MV attachment protein, hemagglutinin, responsible for MV entry. The receptorbinding head domain exhibits a cubic-shaped ␤-propeller structure and forms a homodimer. N-linked sugars appear to mask the broad regions and cause the two molecules forming the dimer to tilt oppositely toward the horizontal plane. Accordingly, residues of the putative receptor-binding site, highly conserved among MV strains, are strategically positioned in the unshielded area of the protein. These conserved residues also serve as epitopes for neutralizing antibodies, ensuring the serological monotype, a basis for effective MV vaccines. Our findings suggest that sugar moieties in the MV hemagglutinin critically modulate virus-receptor interaction as well as antiviral antibody responses, differently from sugars of the HIV gp120, which allow for immune evasion.x-ray crystallography paramyxovirus ͉ morbillivirus ͉ SLAM ͉ infectious disease ͉ paramyxovirus

HLA-G is a nonclassical MHC class I (MHCITo date, the structural basis for HLA-G͞LILR recognition remains to be examined. Here, we report the 2.5-Å resolution crystal structure of the LILRB2͞HLA-G complex. LILRB2 exhibits an overlapping but distinct MHCI recognition mode compared with LILRB1 and dominantly recognizes the hydrophobic site of the HLA-G ␣3 domain. NMR binding studies also confirmed these LILR recognition differences on both conformed (heavy chain͞peptide͞␤ 2m) and free forms of ␤2m. Binding studies using ␤2m-free MHCIs revealed differential ␤2m-dependent LILR-binding specificities. These results suggest that subtle structural differences between LILRB family members cause the distinct binding specificities to various forms of HLA-G and other MHCIs, which may in turn regulate immune suppression.crystal structure ͉ immune suppression ͉ MHC class I ͉ ␤2m-free MHC ͉ maternal-fetal interface