QuickView for Val Leu (biogroup)

Description:: Agrin is a multidomain heparan sulphate proteoglycan, that is a key organiser for the induction of postsynaptic specializations at the neuromuscular junction. Binding of agrin to basement membranes requires the amino terminal (NtA) domain. This region mediates high affinity interaction with the coiled-coil domain of laminins. The binding of agrin to laminins via the NtA domain is subject to tissue-specific regulation. The NtA domain-containing form of agrin is expressed in non-neuronal cells or in neurons that project to non-neuronal cell such as motor neurons. The NtA domain forms the most N-terminal part, followed by 9 Kazal-like domains and 2 LE domains. The C-terminal part consists of a SEA domain, 4 EGF-like domains and 3 Laminin G domains, responsible for the clustering of acetylcholine receptors. Tertiairy structures show that the NtA domain folds as a beta-barrel core flanked by N- and C-terminal helical regions. The core of the domain consists of 5 beta-strands that form 2 beta-sheets. The structure belongs to the OB fold family and shows similarity with the protease inhibition domain of TIMP-1, suggesting alternative functions for agrin in addition to synaptogenic activity. Residues Leu 117 and Val 124 in helix 3 of the NtA domain are essential for binding to the laminin gamma1 chain.

1 feature

Symbol	EntrezGene ID
AGRN	375790