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Updated: May 4, 2026

Production of Disulfide-stabilized Transmembrane Peptide Complexes for Structural Studies
Published on: March 6, 2013
Crystal structure of the A domain from the alpha subunit of integrin CR3 (CD11b/CD18)
1Laboratory of X-Ray Crystallography, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
Abstract:
We have determined the high resolution crystal structure of the A domain from the alpha chain of integrin CR3. The domain adopts a classic alpha/beta "Rossmann" fold and contains an unusual Mg2+ coordination site at its surface. One of the coordinating ligands is the glutamate side chain from another A domain molecule. We suggest that this site represents a general metal ion-dependent adhesion site (MIDAS) for binding protein ligands. We further propose that the beta subunits of integrins contain a MIDAS motif within a modified A domain. Our crystal structure will allow reliable models to be built for other members of the A domain superfamily and should facilitate development of novel adhesion modulatory drugs.
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