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PROSITE documentation PDOC51121
NtA (N-terminal agrin) domain profile


Description

Agrin is involved in postsynaptic differentiation at the site of nerve-muscle contact. The N-terminal Agrin (NtA) domain is a region of ~135 amino acids required for the localization of agrin to synaptic basal lamina and other basement membranes [1]. Agrin is a heparan sulfate proteoglycan whereof the NtA domain forms the most N-terminal part, followed by 9 Kazal-like domains and 2 LE domains (see <PDOC00961>). The C-terminal part consists of a SEA domain (see <PDOC50024>), 4 EGF-like domains (see <PDOC00021>) and 3 Laminin G domains (see <PDOC50025>), responsible for the clustering of acetylcholine receptors. The NtA domain is the most highly conserved domain in agrin and it binds with the coiled coil domain of laminins [2].

Tertiairy structures show that the NtA domain folds as a β-barrel core flanked by N- and C-terminal helical regions (see <PDB:1PXU>). The core of the domain consists of 5 β-strands that form 2 β-sheets. The structure belongs to the OB fold family and shows similarity with the protease inhibition domain of TIMP-1, suggesting alternative functions for agrin in addition to synaptogenic activity [2,3]. Residues Leu 117 and Val 124 in helix 3 of the NtA domain are essential for binding to the laminin γ1 chain [4].

The profile we developed covers the entire NtA (N-terminal agrin) domain.

Last update:

November 2023 / Profile revised.

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Technical section

PROSITE method (with tools and information) covered by this documentation:

NTA, PS51121; NtA (N-terminal agrin) domain profile  (MATRIX)


References

1AuthorsDenzer A.J. Hauser D.M. Gesemann M. Ruegg M.A.
TitleSynaptic differentiation: the role of agrin in the formation and maintenance of the neuromuscular junction.
SourceCell Tissue Res. 290:357-365(1997).
PubMed ID9321698

2AuthorsStetefeld J. Jenny M. Schulthess T. Landwehr R. Schumacher B. Frank S. Ruegg M.A. Engel J. Kammerer R.A.
TitleThe laminin-binding domain of agrin is structurally related to N-TIMP-1.
SourceNat. Struct. Biol. 8:705-709(2001).
PubMed ID11473262
DOI10.1038/90422

3AuthorsMascarenhas J.B. Ruegg M.A. Sasaki T. Eble J.A. Engel J. Stetefeld J.
TitleStructure and laminin-binding specificity of the NtA domain expressed in eukaryotic cells.
SourceMatrix Biol. 23:507-513(2005).
PubMed ID15694127
DOI10.1016/j.matbio.2004.11.003

4AuthorsMascarenhas J.B. Ruegg M.A. Winzen U. Halfter W. Engel J. Stetefeld J.
TitleMapping of the laminin-binding site of the N-terminal agrin domain (NtA).
SourceEMBO J. 22:529-536(2003).
PubMed ID12554653
DOI10.1093/emboj/cdg041



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