A. Ruf

Antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), a key immune effector mechanism, relies on the binding of antigen-antibody complexes to Fcγ receptors expressed on immune cells. Antibodies lacking core fucosylation show a large increase in affinity for FcγRIIIa leading to an improved receptor-mediated effector function. Although afucosylated IgGs exist naturally, a next generation of recombinant therapeutic, glycoenginereed antibodies is currently being developed to exploit this finding. In this study, the crystal structures of a glycosylated Fcγ receptor complexed with either afucosylated or fucosylated Fc were determined allowing a detailed, molecular understanding of the regulatory role of Fc-oligosaccharide core fucosylation in improving ADCC. The structures reveal a unique type of interface consisting of carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions between glycans of the receptor and the afucosylated Fc. In contrast, in the complex structure with fucosylated Fc, these contacts are weakened or nonexistent, explaining the decreased affinity for the receptor. These findings allow us to understand the higher efficacy of therapeutic antibodies lacking the core fucose and also suggest a unique mechanism by which the immune system can regulate antibody-mediated effector functions.

Inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP, EC 2.4.2.30) are of clinical interest because they have potential for improving radiation therapy and chemotherapy of cancer. The refined binding structures of four such inhibitors are reported together with the refined structure of the unligated catalytic fragment of the enzyme. Following their design, all inhibitors bind at the position of the nicotinamide moiety of the substrate NAD+. The observed binding mode suggests inhibitor improvements that avoid other NAD(+)-binding enzymes. Because the binding pocket of NAD+ has been strongly conserved during evolution, the homology with ADP-ribosylating bacterial toxins could be used to extend the bound nicotinamide, which is marked by the inhibitors, to the full NAD+ molecule.