Erythropoietin
Bound to the Extracellular Domains
of Two EPO Receptors
©David
Marcey, 2002
CLU Biology Department
I. Introduction
II. Erythropoietin Structure
III. Receptor Structure and EPO Binding
IV. References
Erythropoietin (EPO), a
cytokine hormone, is responsible for the regulation of red blood cell (erythrocyte)
production. EPO is a glycoprotein produced by cells of the peritubular capillary
endothelium of the kidney and, to a lesser extent, by liver hepatocytes. EPO
production is stimulated by reduced oxygen content in the renal arterial circulation,
mediated by a transcription factor that is oxygen-sensitive. Secreted EPO (165
amino acids) binds to EPO receptors on the surface of bone marrow erythroid
precursors, resulting in their rapid replication and maturation to functional
red blood cells. This stimulation results in a rapid rise in erythrocyte counts
and a consequent rise in blood oxygen. Altered levels of EPO or mutations in
EPO receptors are linked to changes in the hematocrit (% of red blood cells
in blood). For example, kidney failure leads directly to severe anemia due to
low EPO levels and hence reduced hematopoiesis. In a bizarre case of benign
erythrocytosis (overproduction of red cells), the"disease" was linked
to a heterozygous mutation in
the EPO receptor gene of a three-time Olympic gold medalist in cross country
skiing. His hematocrit was ~60%, well above the standard 45%, due to loss of
a negative control region in the EPO receptor.
Shown at left is the structure of the cytokine Erythropoietin (EPO), bound by the extracellular domains of two identical EPO receptors, designated here as EPObp2 and EPObp1 (PDB ID 1cn4, Syed, et al., 1998). Several structural features of this cytokine and its receptors are illustrated by clicking on the buttons , in order.
The structure of EPO is further stabilized by numerous hydrophobic interactions. For example, aromatic and hydrophobic amino acids of the D-helix pack against hydrophobic residues of helices A, B, and C, helping to form the hydrophobic core of EPO.
III. EPO Receptor Structure and EPO Binding
The structure of both of the extracellular domains contains two, seven-stranded beta sandwich subdomains, like other cytokine receptors. Each extracellular domain has an N-terminal alpha helix positioned in the "elbow" between the beta sandwich subdomains. This helix has sidechains that interact with residues of two conserved regions, and this is thought to be instrumental in stabilizing the folded EPO receptor.
EPO binding imposes a distinct orientation of the two identical EPO receptors, providing for optimal signal transduction. Each of two opposite faces of EPO interacts with one binding site on each EPO receptor. Interestingly, these binding sites are non identical, even though the receptors are identical. Site 1 involves complementary interactions between six loops (L1-L6) of EPObp1 and EPO helices A, B', D, plus part of the loop between the A and B helices. Site 2, a lower affinity binding site, involves interaction between five loops (L1-L3, L5, L6) of EPObp2 and residues on helices A and C of EPO.
de la Chapelle A, Sistonen P, Lehväslaiho H, Ikkala E, Juvonen E. 1993. Familial erythrocytosis genetically linked to the erythropoietin receptor gene. Lancet 341:82-84.
Syed, R. S., Reid, S. W.,
Li, C., Cheetham, J. C., Aoki, K. H., Liu, B., Zhan, H., Osslund, T. D., Chirino,
A. J., Zhang, J., Finer-Moore, J., Elliott, S., Sitney, K., Katz, B. A., Matthews,
D. J., Wendoloski, J. J., Egrie, J., Stroud, R. M.. 1998.
Efficiency of Signalling Through Cytokine Receptors Depends Critically on Receptor
Orientation. Nature 395: 511