Mapping the integrin alpha V beta 3-ligand interface by photoaffinity cross-linking

Integrins are cell surface adhesion molecules involved in mediating cell-extracellular matrix interactions. High-resolution structural data are not available for these heterodimeric receptors. Previous cross-linking studies of integrins aimed at elucidating the nature of the receptor-ligand interface have been limited to identification of relatively large binding domains. To create reagents for "photoaffinity scanning" of the RGD-binding site of human integrin alpha V beta 3, new conformationally constrained ligands were designed. These photoreactive ligands are based on cyclo Ac-Cys-Asn-Dmt-Arg-Gly-Asp-Cys]-OH, which displays an affinity of 50 nM for alpha V beta 3. This molecular scaffold was modified at the C-terminus by a benzophenone-containing amino acid residue, L-4-benzoylphenylalanine (Bpa). At the N-terminus, a molecular tag was introduced in the form of radioactive iodine or biotin. The newly designed tagged photoreactive RGD-containing ligands display an affinity of 0.5-0.7 microM for alpha V beta 3, and cross-link efficiently and specifically to the receptor. A 100 kDa band corresponding to the beta 3 subunit-ligand conjugate was detected as the major cross-linking product. Cross-linking was dependent upon the presence of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions, and was competitively inhibited by a nonphotoreactive ligand. Enzymatic and chemical digestions of the radiolabeled photoconjugate enabled identification of a 20-amino acid fragment between positions 99 and 118 in the beta 3 chain of the integrin as the contact domain for ligand at a site adjacent to the C-terminal portion of the RGD triad.