Defining the Interaction of Human Soluble Lectin ZG16p and Mycobacterial Phosphatidylinositol Mannosides

Shinya Hanashima1, Sebastian Götze2,3, Yan Liu4

  • 1Structural Glycobiology Team, RIKEN-Max Planck Joint Research Center for Systems Chemical Biology, RIKEN Global Research Cluster, Wako, Saitama 351-0198 (Japan).

Insights

Human ZG16p lectin binds to mycobacterial phosphatidylinositol mannosides (PIMs), specifically PIM1 and PIM2. This interaction, mediated by mannose residues, sheds light on ZG16p's function in pathogen recognition.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Glycobiology

Background:

  • ZG16p is a soluble mammalian lectin known to bind mannose and heparan sulfate.
  • Understanding ZG16p's interactions with microbial components is crucial for elucidating its role in host-pathogen responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interaction between human ZG16p and mycobacterial phosphatidylinositol mannosides (PIMs).
  • To identify specific PIM structures recognized by ZG16p and characterize the binding site and mode.

Main Methods:

  • Glycan microarray analysis to identify potential PIM ligands for ZG16p.
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, including Saturation Transfer Difference (STD) NMR and transferred NOE, to study binding.
  • Chemical-shift perturbation experiments using (15)N-labeled ZG16p to map the binding site.
  • Molecular docking simulations to predict the binding mode.

Main Results:

  • Pathogen-related glycan microarray identified phosphatidylinositol mono- (PIM1) and di-mannosides (PIM2) as novel ZG16p ligand candidates.
  • NMR studies demonstrated that ZG16p preferentially interacts with PIMs via their mannose residues.
  • Chemical-shift perturbation mapped the PIM glycan binding site on ZG16p.
  • NMR data combined with docking simulations proposed a specific binding mode.

Conclusions:

  • Human ZG16p recognizes and binds to specific mycobacterial PIM glycans (PIM1 and PIM2).
  • The interaction is primarily mediated through the mannose moieties of the PIMs.
  • The characterized binding site and mode provide a foundation for understanding ZG16p's physiological role in immunity and host-pathogen interactions.