Anti-ELMO2 PAb

The brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor (BAI) subfamily of adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs) plays crucial roles in diverse cellular processes including phagocytosis, myoblast fusion, and synaptic development through the ELMO/DOCK/Rac signaling pathway, although the underlying molecular mechanism is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that an evolutionarily conserved fragment located in the C-terminal cytoplasmic tail of BAI-aGPCRs is specifically recognized by the RBD-ARR-ELMO (RAE) supramodule of the ELMO family scaffolds. The crystal structures of ELMO2-RAE and its complex with BAH uncover the molecular basis of BAI/ELMO interactions. Based on the complex structure we identify aGPCR-GPR128 as another upstream receptor for the ELMO family scaffolds, most likely with a recognition mode similar to that of BAI/ELMO interactions. Finally, we map disease-causing mutations of BAI and ELMO and analyze their effects on complex formation.

We report on a girl, born to first cousin Lebanese parents, with intellectual disability, seizures, repeated gingivorrhagia, enlarged lower and upper jaws, overgrowth of the gums, high arched and narrow palate, crowded teeth, hirsutism of the back, large abdomen and a small umbilical hernia. Cysts of the mandible, fibrous dysplasia of bones, and enlarged adenoids causing around 60% narrowing of the nasopharyngeal airways were noted at radiographic examination. Her brother presented with the same features in addition to a short stature, an ostium secundum, and more pronounced intellectual disability. He died at the age of 8years from a severe pulmonary infection and repeated bleeding episodes. A clinical diagnosis of Ramon syndrome was made. Whole exome sequencing studies performed on the family revealed the presence of a novel homozygous missense mutation in ELMO2 gene, p.I606S in the affected individuals. Loss of function mutations in ELMO2 have been recently described in another clinically distinct condition: primary intraosseous vascular malformation or intraosseous hemangioma, called VMOS. Review of the literature and differential diagnoses are discussed.