Crystal structure of a human CD3-epsilon/delta dimer in complex with a UCHT1 single-chain antibody fragment

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 Nov 16;101(46):16268-73. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0407359101. Epub 2004 Nov 8.

Abstract

The alpha/beta T cell receptor complex transmits signals from MHC/peptide antigens through a set of constitutively associated signaling molecules, including CD3-epsilon/gamma and CD3-epsilon/delta. We report the crystal structure at 1.9-A resolution of a complex between a human CD3-epsilon/delta ectodomain heterodimer and a single-chain fragment of the UCHT1 antibody. CD3-epsilon/delta and CD3-epsilon/gamma share a conserved interface between the Ig-fold ectodomains, with parallel packing of the two G strands. CD3-delta has a more electronegative surface and a more compact Ig fold than CD3-gamma; thus, the two CD3 heterodimers have distinctly different molecular surfaces. The UCHT1 antibody binds near an acidic region of CD3-epsilon opposite the dimer interface, occluding this region from direct interaction with the TCR. This immunodominant epitope may be a uniquely accessible surface in the TCR/CD3 complex, because there is overlap between the binding site of the UCHT1 and OKT3 antibodies. Determination of the CD3-epsilon/delta structure completes the set of TCR/CD3 globular ectodomains and contributes information about exposed CD3 surfaces.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • CD3 Complex / chemistry*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Dimerization
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fragments / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Protein Folding
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Static Electricity

Substances

  • CD3 Complex
  • CD3E protein, human
  • CD3delta antigen
  • Immunoglobulin Fragments
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • immunoglobulin Fv

Associated data

  • PDB/1XIW