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Structure of a pertussis toxin–sugar complex as a model for receptor binding

Nature Structural Biology volume 1, pages 591–596 (1994)Cite this article

Abstract

Pertussis toxin is an exotoxin from the bacterium Bordetella pertussis which is important the pathogenesis of whooping cough and the generation of a protective immune response. The diverse biological activities of the toxin depend on its ability to recognize carbohydrate-containing receptors on a wide variety of eukaryotic cells. We present here the crystal structure of pertussis toxin complexed with a soluble oligosaccharide from transferrin. Binding sites for the terminal sialic acid–galactose moiety are revealed on both subunits S2 and S3 of the B-oligomer. Identification of amino acid residues involved in receptor binding will improve the design of genetically inactivated toxins for use in new acellular whooping cough vaccines

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Author notes

  1. Penelope E. Stein

    Present address: Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, MRC Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2QH, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 1-41 Medical Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2H7, Canada

    Penelope E. Stein, Amechand Boodhoo, Glen D. Armstrong, Louis D. Heerze & Randy J. Read

  2. Connaught Centre for Biotechnology Research, 1755 Steeles Avenue West, Willowdale, Ontario, M2R 3T4, Canada

    Stephen A. Cockle & Michel H. Klein

Authors
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  3. Glen D. Armstrong
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Stein, P., Boodhoo, A., Armstrong, G. et al. Structure of a pertussis toxin–sugar complex as a model for receptor binding. Nat Struct Mol Biol 1, 591–596 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1038/nsb0994-591

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