Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Characterization of Glycoproteins with the Immunoglobulin Fold by X-Ray Crystallography and Biophysical Techniques
Published on: July 5, 2018
Structural and functional characterization of soluble endoglin receptor
Binh Van Le1, Daniel Franke, Dmitri I Svergun
1Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Samsung Biomedical Research institute, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 300 Chunchun-Dong, Suwon 440-746, Republic of Korea.
Soluble endoglin (s-endoglin), a TGF-beta receptor modulator, was engineered and characterized. Dimeric s-endoglin enhances cellular responses to TGF-beta, indicating therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Endoglin is a TGF-beta receptor accessory protein modulating cellular responses.
- Endoglin shows promise as a therapeutic target and cancer biomarker.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish stable cell lines for secreting soluble endoglin (s-endoglin).
- To characterize the oligomeric forms and functional properties of s-endoglin.
- To investigate the structural conformation of s-endoglin in solution.
Main Methods:
- Stable Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell lines were engineered to secrete s-endoglin fused with human growth hormone.
- Oligomeric states (dimer, tetramer) of purified s-endoglin were analyzed.
- Functional assays using U937 cells assessed TGF-beta responsiveness.
- Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) determined solution conformations.
Main Results:
- Engineered CHO cells efficiently secreted s-endoglin.
- Two oligomeric forms, dimer and tetramer, were identified in homogeneous s-endoglin preparations.
- Dimeric s-endoglin significantly enhanced TGF-beta responsiveness in U937 cells.
- SAXS revealed elongated conformations for both dimeric and tetrameric s-endoglin.
Conclusions:
- Engineered s-endoglin exhibits functional activity, enhancing TGF-beta signaling.
- The observed dimeric form holds potential for therapeutic applications.
- Structural data suggest conformational flexibility relevant to TGF-beta binding.
- Results provide a foundation for further structural and medical studies of s-endoglin.
Related Concept Videos
G Protein-coupled Receptors
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR activation may...
Selectins
Enzyme-linked Receptors
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...
The Early Endosome: Endocytosis of Transferrin
Receptor-mediated Endocytosis
