Summary information and primary citation

PDB-id
6g1s; SNAP-derived features in text and JSON formats; DNAproDB
Class
immune system
Method
cryo-EM (3.93 Å)
Summary
Cryoem structure of the mda5-dsrna filament with 87-degree helical twist
Reference
Yu Q, Qu K, Modis Y (2018): "Cryo-EM Structures of MDA5-dsRNA Filaments at Different Stages of ATP Hydrolysis." Mol. Cell, 72, 999-1012.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2018.10.012.
Abstract
Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is a potent proinflammatory signature of viral infection. Long cytosolic dsRNA is recognized by MDA5. The cooperative assembly of MDA5 into helical filaments on dsRNA nucleates the assembly of a multiprotein type I interferon signaling platform. Here, we determined cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of MDA5-dsRNA filaments with different helical twists and bound nucleotide analogs at resolutions sufficient to build and refine atomic models. The structures identify the filament-forming interfaces, which encode the dsRNA binding cooperativity and length specificity of MDA5. The predominantly hydrophobic interface contacts confer flexibility, reflected in the variable helical twist within filaments. Mutation of filament-forming residues can result in loss or gain of signaling activity. Each MDA5 molecule spans 14 or 15 RNA base pairs, depending on the twist. Variations in twist also correlate with variations in the occupancy and type of nucleotide in the active site, providing insights on how ATP hydrolysis contributes to MDA5-dsRNA recognition.

Cartoon-block schematics in six views (download the tarball)

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