Modulation of integrin activation and signaling by α1/α1'-helix unbending at the junction

How conformational signals initiated from one end of the integrin are transmitted to the other end remains elusive. At the ligand-binding βI domain, the α1/α1'-helix changes from a bent to a straightened α-helical conformation upon integrin headpiece opening. We demonstrated that a conserved glycine at the α1/α1' junction is crucial for maintaining the bent conformation of the α1/α1'-helix in the resting state. Mutations that facilitate α1/α1'-helix unbending rendered integrin constitutively active; however, mutations that block the α1/α1'-helix unbending abolished soluble ligand binding upon either outside or inside stimuli. Such mutations also blocked ligand-induced integrin extension from outside the cell, but had no effect on talin-induced integrin extension from inside the cell. In addition, integrin-mediated cell spreading, F-actin stress fiber and focal adhesion formation, and focal adhesion kinase activation were also defective in these mutant integrins, although the cells still adhered to immobilized ligands at a reduced level. Our data establish the structural role of the α1/α1' junction that allows relaxation of the α1/α1'-helix in the resting state and transmission of bidirectional conformational signals by helix unbending upon integrin activation.