Supertertiary Structure of the MAGUK Core from PSD-95

SummaryThe family of membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) scaffold proteins comprises members that function at neuronal synapses, tight junctions, immunological synapses, and neutrophil membranes. Through their multiple domains, MAGUKs organize events of signal transduction, cell adhesion, and molecular trafficking. Here, we use nuclear magnetic resonance, small-angle X-ray scattering, and Rosetta modeling to reveal the structural preferences and interdomain dynamics of the MAGUK core (PDZ3-SH3-guanylate kinase) from postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95), the best known MAUGK. PSD-95 is highly abundant in the postsynaptic density of excitatory neurons and is responsible for coupling glutamate receptors with internal postsynaptic structures. These solution-based studies show that the MAGUK core PDZ domain (PDZ3) interacts directly with the SH3 domain via its canonical peptide binding groove, with the connecting linker serving as an adhesive. This weak interaction, however, is dynamic and weakened further by PDZ3 ligands and linker phosphorylation, suggesting that domain dynamics may be central to MAGUK function.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload high-quality image (177 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Using NMR and SAXS, we depict the dynamic structure of the MAGUK core PSD-95
► PDZ3 of the MAGUK core interacts with SH3 via its canonical peptide binding groove
► Binding of PDZ peptides, such as CRIPT, disrupts the interaction between PDZ3 and SH3
► Rosetta modeling shows that linker residues L411/M412 dock into the PDZ3 binding site