3.1 Papers
3.1.6 Chronological list
3.1.6.44 Yu, J., Abagyan, R., Dong, S., Gilbert, A., Nusenzweig, V., and Tomlinson, S. (1997). Mapping of the Active Site of CD59. J. Expt. Medicine, 185, 745-754
CD59 is a widely distributed membrane-bound inhibitor of the cytolic membrane attack complex (MAC) of complement.
This small (77 amino acid) glycopeptide is a member of the Ly6 superfamily of proteins and is important in protecting host
cells from the lytic and proinflammatory activity of the MAC. CD59 functions by binding to C8 and/or C9 in the nascent
MAC and interfering with C9 membranne insertion and polymerization. We present data obtained from a combination of
molecular modeling and mutagenesis techniques, which together indicate that the active site of CD59 is located in the vicinity
of a hydrophobic groove on the face of the molecule opposite to a "hydrophobic strip" suggestied earlier. In addition,
removal of the single N-linked glycosylation site at Asn18 of CD59 resulted in an enhancement of compliment inhibitory
activity.