Callebaut I et al. (2003) Biochem Biophys Res Commun "EMI domains are widespread and reveal the probable orthologs of the Caenorhabditis elegans CED-1 protein."

Callebaut I, Souchet M, Mignotte V, Mornon JP

[Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2003]

The EMI domain, first named after its presence in proteins of the EMILIN family, was identified here in several metazoan proteins with various domain architectures, among which the mammalian NEU1/NG3 proteins and Caenorhabditis elegans CED-1, identified as a transmembrane receptor that mediates cell corpse engulfment. Functional data available for EMILIN proteins suggest that the EMI domain could be a protein-protein interaction module. Sequence profiles specific of the EMI family of domains led to identify the probable orthologs of the C. elegans CED-1 protein in mammals and insects, which were yet uncovered.

Kang Y et al. (2012) Genes Dev "Structural study of TTR-52 reveals the mechanism by which a bridging molecule mediates apoptotic cell engulfment."

Liu Q, Kang Y, Liu B, Liang H, Liu Y, Zhao D, Wang X, Zhang Y

[Genes Dev, 2012]

During apoptosis, apoptotic cells are removed by professional phagocytes or neighboring engulfing cells either directly through phagocytic receptors or indirectly through bridging molecules that cross-link dying cells to phagocytes. However, how bridging molecules recognize "eat me" signals and phagocytic receptors to mediate engulfment remains unclear. Here, we report the structural and functional studies of Caenorhabditis elegans TTR-52, a recently identified bridging molecule that cross-links surface-exposed phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) on apoptotic cells to the CED-1 receptor on phagocytes. Crystal structure studies show that TTR-52 has an open -barrel-like structure with some similarities to the PKC-C2 domain. TTR-52 is proposed to bind PtdSer via an "ion-mediating" PtdSer-binding mode. Intensive functional studies show that CED-1 binds TTR-52 through its N-terminal EMI domain and that the hydrophobic region of the TTR-52 C terminus is involved in this interaction. In addition, unlike other PtdSer-binding domains, TTR-52 forms dimers, and its dimerization is important for its function in vivo. Our results reveal the first full-length structure of a bridging molecule and the mechanism underlying bridging molecule-mediated apoptotic cell recognition.