4kmx | pdb_00004kmx
Human folate receptor alpha (FOLR1) at acidic pH, hexagonal form
Structural highlights
DiseaseFOLR1_HUMAN Neurodegenerative syndrome due to cerebral folate transport deficiency. Neurodegeneration due to cerebral folate transport deficiency (NCFTD) [MIM:613068: A neurodegenerative disorder resulting from brain-specific folate deficiency early in life. Onset is apparent in late infancy with severe developmental regression, movement disturbances, epilepsy and leukodystrophy. Note=The disease is caused by mutations affecting the gene represented in this entry. FunctionFOLR1_HUMAN Binds to folate and reduced folic acid derivatives and mediates delivery of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate to the interior of cells. Publication Abstract from PubMedAntifolates, folate analogs that inhibit vitamin B9 (folic acid)-using cellular enzymes, have been used over several decades for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. Cellular uptake of the antifolates in clinical use occurs primarily via widely expressed facilitative membrane transporters. More recently, human folate receptors (FRs), high affinity receptors that transport folate via endocytosis, have been proposed as targets for the specific delivery of new classes of antifolates or folate conjugates to tumors or sites of inflammation. The development of specific, FR-targeted antifolates would be accelerated if additional biophysical data, particularly structural models of the receptors, were available. Here we describe six distinct crystallographic models that provide insight into biological trafficking of FRs and distinct binding modes of folate and antifolates to these receptors. From comparison of the structures, we delineate discrete structural conformations representative of key stages in the endocytic trafficking of FRs and propose models for pH-dependent conformational changes. Additionally, we describe the molecular details of human FR in complex with three clinically prevalent antifolates, pemetrexed (also Alimta), aminopterin, and methotrexate. On the whole, our data form the basis for rapid design and implementation of unique, FR-targeted, folate-based drugs for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. Structures of human folate receptors reveal biological trafficking states and diversity in folate and antifolate recognition.,Wibowo AS, Singh M, Reeder KM, Carter JJ, Kovach AR, Meng W, Ratnam M, Zhang F, Dann CE 3rd Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Sep 17;110(38):15180-8. doi:, 10.1073/pnas.1308827110. Epub 2013 Aug 9. PMID:23934049[1] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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