The mannose receptor family comprises four members in mammals, Endo180 (CD280), DEC-205 (CD205), phospholipase A 2 receptor (PLA 2 R) and the mannose receptor (MR, CD206), whose extracellular portion contains a similar domain arrangement: an N-terminal cysteine-rich domain (CysR) followed by a single fibronectin type II domain (FNII) and 8 -10 C-type lectin-like domains (CTLDs). These proteins mediate diverse functions ranging from extracellular matrix turnover through collagen uptake to homeostasis and immunity based on sugar recognition. Endo180 and the MR are multivalent transmembrane receptors capable of interacting with multiple ligands; in both receptors FNII recognizes collagens, and a single CTLD retains lectin activity (CTLD2 in Endo180 and CTLD4 in MR). It is expected that the overall conformation of these multivalent molecules would deeply influence their function as the availability of their binding sites could be altered under different conditions. However, conflicting reports have been published on the three-dimensional arrangement of these receptors. Here, we have used single particle electron microscopy to elucidate the three-dimensional organization of the MR and Endo180. Strikingly, we have found that both receptors display distinct threedimensional structures, which are, however, conceptually very similar: a bent and compact conformation built upon interactions of the CysR domain and the lone functional CTLD. Biochemical and electron microscopy experiments indicate that, under a low pH mimicking the endosomal environment, both MR and Endo180 experience large conformational changes. We propose a structural model for the mannose receptor family where at least two conformations exist that may serve to regulate differences in ligand selectivity.The mannose receptor (MR 4 and CD206), together with Endo180 (also known as the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor-associated protein (uPARAP) and CD280), the dendritic cell receptor DEC-205 (CD205) and the M-type phospholipase A 2 receptor (PLA 2 R) encompass the mannose receptor family of endocytic receptors (1, 2). The members of this family are unique within the superfamily of C-type lectins as these alone contain multiple C-type lectin-like domains (CTLDs) within a single polypeptide backbone. All these receptors are recycled between the plasma membrane and the endosomal apparatus and mediate the uptake of extracellular ligands for intracellular delivery (2). Recently, an avian structural homologue of the mammalian mannose receptor family members, FcRY, has been discovered to function as a yolk sac IgY receptor (3).The MR was originally described as a transmembrane receptor that recognized saccharide chains terminating in mannose and designated as the macrophage mannose receptor. Since its expression was found not to be restricted to macrophages, it is now known as MR (2). MR executes important roles in the immune system by functioning as a pattern recognition receptor toward a wide range of pathogens. Other members of the family were found ...