The 3-D structure of FcgammaRII and identification of the binding sites of related receptors combined with gene inactivation studies identify new perspectives on the role of Fc receptors in immunity

Abstract

We have solved the structure of FcgammaRII. This is the first leukocyte Fc receptor for which the structure is known. This is an unusual structure and an analysis of 40 mutants identifies a number of active regions in the molecule. The relationship of the domains is unique and the binding of different Ig classes is structurally defined. In addition, we have defined the binding sites in the IgE, IgA and the high affinity IgG receptors as follows: 1. Over 50 mutants of the FcepsilonRI have been generated and combined with crystal structure models are being built; 2. The IgA Receptor binding site is completely different to any of the other Fc Receptors and is structurally related to the killer ..