Solution structure of the cytoplasmic domain of human CD99 Type I

Human CD99, which is encoded by the mic2 gene, is a ubiquitous 32 kDa transmembrane protein. Its major cellular functions are related to homotypic cell adhesion, apoptosis, vesicular protein transport, and differentiation of thymocytes or T cells. Recent reports have suggested that expression of a splice variant of CD99 increases the invasiveness of human breast cancer cells. In order to determine the structural basis of CD99 function, we have initiated structural studies on the human CD99 Type I cytoplasmic domain (hCD99^cytol) using circular dichroism and multi-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The solution structure of hCD99^cytol shows that it has a hairpin shape anchored by two flexible loops. Consequently, hCD99^cytol does not have any regular secondary structural element; however, the NMR and CD data indicate that it possesses an intrinsic helical nature.