Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

Cell Surface Receptor Identification Using Genome-Scale CRISPR/Cas9 Genetic Screens
Published on: June 6, 2020
The structural basis of R-spondin recognition by LGR5 and RNF43
Po-Han Chen1, Xiaoyan Chen, Zhenghong Lin
1Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Abstract:
R-spondins (RSPOs) enhance Wnt signaling, affect stem cell behavior, bind to leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptors 4-6, (LGR4-6) and the transmembrane E3 ubiquitin ligases RING finger 43/zinc and RING finger 3 (RNF43/ZNRF3). The structure of RSPO1 bound to both LGR5 and RNF43 ectodomains confirms their physical linkage. RSPO1 is sandwiched by LGR5 and RNF43, with its rod module of the cysteine-rich domain (CRD) contacting LGR5 and a hairpin inserted into RNF43. LGR5 does not contact RNF43 but increases the affinity of RSPO1 to RNF43, supporting LGR5 as an engagement receptor and RNF43 as an effector receptor. Disease mutations map to the RSPO1-RNF43 interface, which promises therapeutic targeting.
Related Concept Videos
Selectins
Riboswitches
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
Directing Proteins to the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
Assembly of Signaling Complexes
Interaction domains in cell signaling
Interaction domains recognize exposed features of their binding partners containing post-translationally modified sequences,...
Laminins are the Adhesive Proteins of Basal Lamina
In humans, the five forms of alpha chains are LAMA 1, LAMA 2, LAMA 3, LAMA 4, and LAMA 5. The four forms of beta chains are LAMB 1, LAMB 2, LAMB 3, and LAMB 4. The three forms of gamma...
Non-LTR Retrotransposons
