Abstract
Zinc-α2-glycoprotein [ZAG, 42kDa] is an adipokine and regulator of body fat mass involved in fat cell lipolysis by an unknown mechanism. Identifying its true biological ligand will address a key BBSRC research topic on diet and health. Following our LIDO-supported crystal structure for the first ZAG-fatty acid complex [front cover, Biochem J] and mutagenesis/screening of its binding site [in revision], we will elucidate how specific ZAG is for binding dietary signaling lipids. Lipid binding will be tested by state-of-the-art mass spectrometry, ZAG-lipid co-crystals will reveal molecular details of the lipid-ZAG interaction, and surface plasmon resonance will give lipid binding affinities.
References
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