Structural basis for the interaction of isoDGR with the RGD-binding site of αvβ3 integrin

Asparagine deamidation at the NGR sequence in the 5th type I repeat of fibronectin (FN-I₅) generates isoDGR, an αvβ3 integrin-binding motif regulating endothelial cell adhesion and proliferation. By NMR and molecular dynamics studies, we analyzed the structure of CisoDGRC (isoDGR-2C), a cyclic β-peptide mimicking the FN-I₅ site, and compared it with NGR, RGD, or DGR-containing cyclopeptides. Docking experiments show that isoDGR, exploiting an inverted orientation as compared with RGD, favorably interacts with the RGD-binding site of αvβ3, both recapitulating canonical RGD-αvβ3 contacts and establishing additional polar interactions. Conversely, NGR and DGR motifs lack the fundamental pharmacophoric requirements for high receptor affinity. Therefore, unlike NGR and DGR, isoDGR is a new natural recognition motif of the RGD-binding pocket of αvβ3. These findings contribute to explain the different functional properties of FN-I₅ before and after deamidation, and provide support for the hypothesis that NGR → isoDGR transition can work as a molecular timer for activating latent integrin-binding sites in proteins, thus regulating protein function.