8AE0

Cryo-EM structure of full-length human immunoglobulin M - F(ab')2 conformation 3

Summary for 8AE0

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb8ae0/pdb
• EMDB information: 15377
• Descriptor: IgM Fab, light chain, IgM Fab, heavy chain, IgM C2-domain from mouse, ... (7 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: full-length human immunoglobulin m, immune system
• Biological source: Homo sapiens (human); More
• Total number of polymer chains: 17
• Total formula weight: 559150.73

Authors

Chen, Q.,Rosenthal, P.,Tolar, P. (deposition date: 2022-07-12, release date: 2022-10-26, Last modification date: 2024-10-09)

Primary citation

Chen, Q.,Menon, R.,Calder, L.J.,Tolar, P.,Rosenthal, P.B.
Cryomicroscopy reveals the structural basis for a flexible hinge motion in the immunoglobulin M pentamer.
Nat Commun, 13:6314-6314, 2022

PubMed Abstract: Immunoglobulin M (IgM) is the most ancient of the five isotypes of immunoglobulin (Ig) molecules and serves as the first line of defence against pathogens. Here, we use cryo-EM to image the structure of the human full-length IgM pentamer, revealing antigen binding domains flexibly attached to the asymmetric and rigid core formed by the Cμ4 and Cμ3 constant regions and the J-chain. A hinge is located at the Cμ3/Cμ2 domain interface, allowing Fabs and Cμ2 to pivot as a unit both in-plane and out-of-plane. This motion is different from that observed in IgG and IgA, where the two Fab arms are able to swing independently. A biased orientation of one pair of Fab arms results from asymmetry in the constant domain (Cμ3) at the IgM subunit interacting most extensively with the J-chain. This may influence the multi-valent binding to surface-associated antigens and complement pathway activation. By comparison, the structure of the Fc fragment in the IgM monomer is similar to that of the pentamer, but is more dynamic in the Cμ4 domain.

PubMed: 36274064
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34090-2

Experimental method

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (7.1 Å)