Recognition of IgG by Fcγ Receptor

Recently determined crystal structures of the complex between immunoglobulin constant regions (Fc) and their Fc-respective receptors (FcR) have revealed the detailed molecular interactions of this receptor-ligand pair. Of particular interest is the contribution of a glycosylation at Asn(297) of the C(H)2 domain of IgG to receptor recognition. The carbohydrate moieties are found outside the receptor.Fc interface in all receptor.Fc complex structures. To understand the role of glycosylation in FcR recognition, the receptor affinities of a deglycosylated IgG1 and its Fc fragment were determined by solution binding studies using surface plasmon resonance. The removal of carbohydrates resulted in a non-detectable receptor binding to the Fc alone and a 15- to 20-fold reduction of the receptor binding to IgG1, suggesting that the carbohydrates are important in the function of the FcgammaRIII. Structurally, the carbohydrates attached to Asn(297) fill the cavity between the C(H)2 domains of Fc functioning equivalently as a hydrophobic core. This may stabilize a favorable lower hinge conformation for the receptor binding. The structure of the complex also revealed the dominance of the lower hinge region in receptor.Fc recognition. To evaluate the potential of designing small molecular ligands to inhibit the receptor function, four lower hinge peptides were investigated for their ability to bind to the receptor FcgammaRIII. These peptides bind specifically to FcgammaRIII with affinities 20- to 100-fold lower than IgG1 and are able to compete with Fc in receptor binding. The results of peptide binding illustrate new ways of designing therapeutic compounds to block Fc receptor activation.