9kd4
Structure of WDR5 in complex with WIN motif containing Kif2A 114-120
Structural highlights
FunctionWDR5_HUMAN Contributes to histone modification. May position the N-terminus of histone H3 for efficient trimethylation at 'Lys-4'. As part of the MLL1/MLL complex it is involved in methylation and dimethylation at 'Lys-4' of histone H3. H3 'Lys-4' methylation represents a specific tag for epigenetic transcriptional activation. As part of the NSL complex it may be involved in acetylation of nucleosomal histone H4 on several lysine residues. May regulate osteoblasts differentiation.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Publication Abstract from PubMedChromosome congression and spindle assembly are essential for genomic stability and proper cell division, with deficiencies in these processes linked to tumorigenesis. WD repeat-containing protein 5 (WDR5), a core component of the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) methyltransferase complex, directly binds to kinesin family member 2A (Kif2A) to regulate these mitotic events. Despite the importance of this interaction, its structural basis for Kif2A recognition by WDR5 remains unclear. Here, we determine the crystal structure of WDR5 in complex with a Kif2A-derived peptide (residues 114-122) at a resolution of 1.85 A. Structural analysis reveals that Kif2A engages both the WIN and S7 sites of WDR5 via Arg117 and Ser121, with Ser121 forming hydrogen bonds with WDR5 Tyr191 and Lys259, driving Tyr191 rotation and opening the S7 pocket. Additional structures of WDR5 complexed with truncated or mutated Kif2A peptides and a WDR5 Y191F variant highlight the dynamic nature of Tyr191. Notably, anti-WDR5 compounds exhibit a similar binding mode at the WDR5 WIN-S7 site. The results of mutagenesis combined with isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) assays underscore the critical roles of Arg117 and Ser121 in mediating the binding of Kif2A to WDR5. In summary, our findings provide atomic-level insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the non-canonical mitotic function of the MLL/WDR5 complex and highlight WIN-S7 sites as promising therapeutic targets for diseases associated with chromosomal instability, such as cancers. Crystal structures of Kif2A complexed with WDR5 reveal the structural plasticity of WIN-S7 sites.,Yang Y, Zhang S, Wu Z, Li W, Sun X, Xuan Y, Hang T, Xu L, Chen X Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai). 2025 Apr 30. doi: 10.3724/abbs.2025066. PMID:40302551[6] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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