Reelin is an extracellular matrix serine protease that plays a role in layering of neurons in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. It regulates microtubule function in neurons and neuronal migration. It binds to the extracellular domains of lipoprotein receptors VLDLR and LRP8/APOER2 which induces tyrosine phosphorylation of DAB1 and modulation of TAU phosphorylation. Reelin consists of a signal sequence, an F-spondin-like region and nine sequentially concatenated repeat units. Each complete reelin repeat contains a central epidermal growth factor (EGF) module flanked by two subrepeats of 150-190 amino acids (subrepeats A and B) [1-3]. This entry represents subrepeat B (also referred to R3B) which adopts a beta jelly-roll fold similar to bacterial xylanase. They contain the signature Asp-box motif [1-3].

1: Structure of a signaling-competent reelin fragment revealed by X-ray crystallography and electron tomography. Nogi T, Yasui N, Hattori M, Iwasaki K, Takagi J; EMBO J. 2006;25:3675-3683. PMID:16858396

2: Structure of a receptor-binding fragment of reelin and mutational analysis reveal a recognition mechanism similar to endocytic receptors. Yasui N, Nogi T, Kitao T, Nakano Y, Hattori M, Takagi J; Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007;104:9988-9993. PMID:17548821

3: Structural basis for specific recognition of reelin by its receptors. Yasui N, Nogi T, Takagi J; Structure. 2010;18:320-331. PMID:20223215