Modular mechanism of Wnt signaling inhibition by Wnt inhibitory factor 1

Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2011 Jul 10;18(8):886-93. doi: 10.1038/nsmb.2081.

Abstract

Wnt morphogens control embryonic development and homeostasis in adult tissues. In vertebrates the N-terminal WIF domain (WIF-1(WD)) of Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (WIF-1) binds Wnt ligands. Our crystal structure of WIF-1(WD) reveals a previously unidentified binding site for phospholipid; two acyl chains extend deep into the domain, and the head group is exposed to the surface. Biophysical and cellular assays indicate that there is a WIF-1(WD) Wnt-binding surface proximal to the lipid head group but also implicate the five epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains (EGFs I-V) in Wnt binding. The six-domain WIF-1 crystal structure shows that EGFs I-V are wrapped back, interfacing with WIF-1(WD) at EGF III. EGFs II-V contain a heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG)-binding site, consistent with conserved positively charged residues on EGF IV. This combination of HSPG- and Wnt-binding properties suggests a modular model for the localization of WIF-1 and for signal inhibition within morphogen gradients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / chemistry*
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / physiology
  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Binding Sites
  • Glycosaminoglycans / chemistry
  • Glycosaminoglycans / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Folding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Repressor Proteins / chemistry*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / physiology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Wnt Proteins / chemistry
  • Wnt Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Glycosaminoglycans
  • Repressor Proteins
  • WIF1 protein, human
  • Wnt Proteins

Associated data

  • PDB/2YGN
  • PDB/2YGO
  • PDB/2YGP
  • PDB/2YGQ