Identification and characterization of two cation binding sites in the integrin beta 3 subunit.

The midsegment of the beta(3) subunit has been implicated in the ligand and cation binding functions of the beta(3) integrins. This region may contain a metal ion-dependent adhesion site (MIDAS) and fold into an I domain-like structure. Two recombinant fragments, beta(3)-(95-373) and beta(3)-(95-301), were expressed and found to bind fibrinogen. Whereas 0.1 mm Ca(2+) supported ligand binding to both recombinant fragments, 1.0 mm Ca(2+) suppressed binding to the longer but not the shorter fragment. These properties suggest that beta(3)-(95-373) contains both the ligand-competent (LC) and inhibitory (I) cation binding sites, and beta(3)-(95-301) lacks the I site. In equilibrium dialysis experiments, beta(3)-(95-373) contained two divalent cation binding sites, one reactive with either Mg(2+) or Ca(2+) and one Ca(2+)-specific, whereas beta(3)-(95-301) lacked the Ca(2+)-specific site. Mutant forms of beta(3)-(95-373) suggested that the LC site is a MIDAS motif involving Asp(119), Ser(121), Ser(123), Asp(217), and/or Glu(220) as coordination sites, and the I site was dependent upon residues within beta(3)-(301-323). In a molecular model of beta(3)-(95-373), a second Ca(2+) could be docked onto a flexible loop in close proximity to the MIDAS. These results indicate that the ligand competent and Ca(2+)-specific inhibitory cation binding sites are distinct and reside in beta(3)-(95-373).