Pathogen recognition by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) initiates innate immune responses that are essential for inhibiting pathogen dissemination and for the development of acquired immunity. The TLRs recognize pathogens with their N-terminal ectodomains (ECD), but the molecular basis for this recognition is not known. Recently we reported the x-ray structure for unliganded TLR3-ECD; however, it has proven difficult to obtain a crystal structure of TLR3 with its ligand, dsRNA. We have now located the TLR3 ligand binding site by mutational analysis. More than 50 single-residue mutations have been generated throughout the TLR3-ECD, but only two, H539E and N541A, resulted in the loss of TLR3 activation and ligand binding functions. These mutations locate the dsRNA binding site on the glycan-free, lateral surface of TLR3 toward the C terminus and suggest a model for dsRNA binding and TLR3 activation.

An active conformation of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PGDH) from Escherichia coli has been obtained using X-ray crystallography. The X-ray crystal structure is used to examine the potential intermediates for V-max regulation, for the redox reaction, and for cooperative effects of serine binding. The crystal structure at 2.2 angstrom resolution contains bound NAD(+) cofactor, either sulfate or phosphate anions, and a-ketoglutarate, a nonphysiological substrate. A PGDH subunit is formed from three distinct domains: regulatory (RBD), substrate (SBD), and nucleotide binding (NBD). The crystal conformation of the homotetramer points to the fact that, in the absence of serine, coordinated movement of the RBD-SBD domains occurs relative to the NBD. The result is a conformational change involving the steric relationships of both the domains and the subunits. Within the active site of each subunit is a bound molecule of alpha-ketoglutarate and the coenzyme, NAD. The catalytic or active site cleft is changed slightly although it is still solvent exposed; therefore, the catalytic reaction probably involves additional conformational changes. By comparing the inhibited with the uninhibited complex, it is possible to describe changes in conformation that are involved in the inhibitory signal transduction of serine.

Innate immunity is the first line of defense against invading pathogens. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) act as sentinels of the innate immune system, sensing a variety of ligands from lipopolysaccharide to flagellin to dsRNA through their ligand-binding domain that is composed of leucine-rich repeats (LRRs). Ligand binding initiates a signaling cascade that leads to the up-regulation of inflammation mediators. In this study, we have expressed and crystallized the ectodomain (ECD) of human TLR3, which recognizes dsRNA, a molecular signature of viruses, and have determined the molecular structure to 2.4-A resolution. The overall horseshoe-shaped structure of the TLR3-ECD is formed by 23 repeating LRRs that are capped at each end by specialized non-LRR domains. The extensive beta-sheet on the molecule's concave surface forms a platform for several modifications, including insertions in the LRRs and 11 N-linked glycans. The TLR3-ECD structure indicates how LRR loops can establish distinct pathogen recognition receptors.