Structure of Collagen Receptor Integrin α1I Domain Carrying the Activating Mutation E317A

We have analyzed the structure and function of the integrin α1I domain harboring a gain-of-function mutation E317A. To promote protein crystallization, a double variant with an additional C139S mutation was used. In cell adhesion assays, the E317A mutation promoted binding to collagen. Similarly, the double mutation C139S/E317A increased adhesion compared with C139S alone. Furthermore, soluble α1I C139S/E317A was a higher avidity collagen binder than α1I C139S, indicating that the double variant represents an activated form. The crystal structure of the activated variant of α1I was solved at 1.9 Å resolution. The E317A mutation results in the unwinding of the αC helix, but the metal ion has moved toward loop 1, instead of loop 2 in the open α2I. Furthermore, unlike in the closed αI domains, the metal ion is pentacoordinated and, thus, prepared for ligand binding. Helix 7, which has moved downward in the open α2I structure, has not changed its position in the activated α1I variant. During the integrin activation, Glu335 on helix 7 binds to the metal ion at the metal ion-dependent adhesion site (MIDAS) of the β1 subunit. Interestingly, in our cell adhesion assays E317A could activate collagen binding even after mutating Glu335. This indicates that the stabilization of helix 7 into its downward position is not required if the α1 MIDAS is already open. To conclude, the activated α1I domain represents a novel conformation of the αI domain, mimicking the structural state where the Arg287-Glu317 ion pair has just broken during the integrin activation.