α_MI-domain of integrin Mac-1 binds the cytokine pleiotrophin using multiple mechanisms

The integrin Mac-1 (α_Mβ₂, CD11b/CD18, CR3) is an adhesion receptor expressed on macrophages and neutrophils. Mac-1 is also a promiscuous integrin that binds a diverse set of ligands through its α_MI-domain. However, the binding mechanism of most ligands remains unclear. We have characterized the interaction of α_MI-domain with the cytokine pleiotrophin (PTN), a protein known to bind α_MI-domain and induce Mac-1-mediated cell adhesion and migration. Our data show that PTN's N-terminal domain binds a unique site near the N- and C-termini of the α_MI-domain using a metal-independent mechanism. However, a stronger interaction is achieved when an acidic amino acid in a zwitterionic motif in PTN's C-terminal domain chelates the divalent cation in the metal ion-dependent adhesion site of active α_MI-domain. These results indicate that α_MI-domain can bind ligands using multiple mechanisms and that the active α_MI-domain has a preference for motifs containing both positively and negatively charged amino acids.