Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the low-affinity complex between human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) and leukocyte Ig-like receptor B2 (LILRB2)

Protein Pept Lett. 2009;16(4):447-9. doi: 10.2174/092986609787848108.

Abstract

Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a nonclassical MHC class I (MHCI) molecule that is expressed mainly on placenta trophoblast cells. Leukocyte Ig-like receptor B2 (LILRB2) is a human inhibitory immune receptor that recognizes HLA-G with a higher affinity than any other MHCI although this interaction is only in the microM range. The interaction between HLA-G and LILRB2 seems to play a dominant role in the escape of the fetus from the maternal immune response. Here we report the crystallization and x-ray analysis of the LILRB2/HLA-G complex. The extracellular domains of HLA-G and LILRB2 were expressed in Escherichia coli, refolded and purified. The initial crystallization trials using novel PEG-based screening sets provided crystals of the LILRB2/HLA-G complex with 40-50% PEG400 as the precipitant. These crystals belong to space group P3(1)21 (a=b=81.4 A, c=186.7 A, gamma=120 degrees ). Dehydration of the crystals by soaking them in a solution containing a higher concentration of PEG400 dramatically improved the resolution and also the mosaicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Crystallization
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • HLA Antigens / chemistry*
  • HLA Antigens / metabolism
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / chemistry*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Receptors, Immunologic / chemistry*
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism

Substances

  • HLA Antigens
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • LILRB2 protein, human
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Receptors, Immunologic

Associated data

  • PDB/2DYP