Authors
Lionel Rougé, Nancy Chiang, Micah Steffek, Christine Kugel, Tristan I Croll, Christine Tam, Alberto Estevez, Christopher P Arthur, Christopher M Koth, Claudio Ciferri, Edward Kraft, Jian Payandeh, Gerald Nakamura, James T Koerber, Alexis Rohou
Publication date
2020/3/13
Journal
Science
Volume
367
Issue
6483
Pages
1224-1230
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Description
Cluster of differentiation 20 (CD20) is a B cell membrane protein that is targeted by monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of malignancies and autoimmune disorders but whose structure and function are unknown. Rituximab (RTX) has been in clinical use for two decades, but how it activates complement to kill B cells remains poorly understood. We obtained a structure of CD20 in complex with RTX, revealing CD20 as a compact double-barrel dimer bound by two RTX antigen-binding fragments (Fabs), each of which engages a composite epitope and an extensive homotypic Fab:Fab interface. Our data suggest that RTX cross-links CD20 into circular assemblies and lead to a structural model for complement recruitment. Our results further highlight the potential relevance of homotypic Fab:Fab interactions in targeting oligomeric cell-surface markers.
Total citations
202020212022202320241635362121
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