Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2025

Imaging G-protein Coupled Receptor GPCR-mediated Signaling Events that Control Chemotaxis of Dictyostelium Discoideum
Published on: September 20, 2011
FcγRI FG-loop functions as a pH sensitive switch for IgG binding and release
Jinghua Lu1, Matthew Spencer1, Zhongcheng Zou1
1Structural Immunology Section, Lab of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States.
The Fc gamma receptor I (FcγRI) uses its FG-loop as a pH-sensing switch to control binding to IgG antibodies. This mechanism is crucial for immune complex uptake and release, impacting therapeutic antibody engineering.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Structural Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Understanding Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) and IgG antibody interactions is vital for therapeutic antibody development.
- Previous FcγRI-Fc complex structures proposed conflicting binding mechanisms.
- The role of FcγRI in immune complex dynamics requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To resolve the molecular mechanism of FcγRI-IgG binding.
- To investigate the role of the FcγRI FG-loop in IgG interaction.
- To explore the pH-dependent binding states of FcγRI.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution crystal structure determination of FcγRI-Fc complexes.
- Biochemical analysis of FcγRI-IgG interactions.
- Live cell imaging to observe FcγRI-mediated immune complex uptake and release.
Main Results:
- Confirmed the critical role of the FG loop-Fc interaction in high-affinity IgG binding.
- Demonstrated the FcγRI D2-domain FG-loop acts as a pH-sensing switch.
- Observed pH-sensitive temporal-spatial dynamics of immune complex uptake and release.
- Identified distinct high-affinity (neutral pH) and low-affinity (acidic pH) binding states.
Conclusions:
- FcγRI utilizes a pH-sensitive FG-loop mechanism for regulating IgG binding affinity.
- This pH-switch mechanism facilitates antigen delivery via immune complex uptake and release.
- Fc glycan is important for antibody binding to FcγRI, offering insights for antibody engineering.
More Related Videos
06:56A Flow Cytometry-based Assay to Identify Compounds That Disrupt Binding of Fluorescently-labeled CXC Chemokine Ligand 12 to CXC Chemokine Receptor 4
Published on: March 10, 2018
07:41A Kinetic Fluorescence-based Ca2+ Mobilization Assay to Identify G Protein-coupled Receptor Agonists, Antagonists, and Allosteric Modulators
Published on: February 20, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins
Transducer Mechanism: G Protein–Coupled Receptors
GPCRs are also called heptahelical,...
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...
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
G-protein Coupled Receptors
GPCR Desensitization