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NMR structure and mutagenesis of the Fas (APO-1/CD95) death domain

Nature volume 384, pages 638–641 (1996)Cite this article

Abstract

PROGRAMMEDcell death (apoptosis) mediated by the cytokine receptor Fas is critical for the removal of autoreactive T cells1, the mechanism of immune privilege2,3, and for maintenance of immune-system homeostasis4. Signalling of programmed cell death involves the self-association of a conserved cytoplasmic region of Fas called the death domain5–7 and interaction with another death-domain-containing protein, FADD8 (also known as MORT1)9. Although death domains are found in several proteins10, their three-dimensional structure and the manner in which they interact is unknown. Here we describe the solution structure of the Fas death domain, as determined by NMR spectroscopy. The structure consists of six antiparallel, amphi-pathic α-helices arranged in a novel fold. From the structure and from site-directed mutagenesis, we have identified the region of the death domain involved in self-association and binding to the downstream signalling partner FADD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmaceutical Discovery Division, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois, 60064, USA

    Baohua Huang, Matthias Eberstadt, Edward T. Olejniczak, Robert P. Meadows & Stephen W. Fesik

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  1. Baohua Huang
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  2. Matthias Eberstadt
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  3. Edward T. Olejniczak
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  4. Robert P. Meadows
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  5. Stephen W. Fesik
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Huang, B., Eberstadt, M., Olejniczak, E. et al. NMR structure and mutagenesis of the Fas (APO-1/CD95) death domain. Nature 384, 638–641 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1038/384638a0

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