Jaremko M, Jaremko Ł, Kim HY, Cho MK, Schwieters CD, Giller K, Becker S, Zweckstetter M. Cold denaturation of a protein dimer monitored at atomic resolution.
Nat Chem Biol 2013;
9:264-70. [PMID:
23396077 DOI:
10.1038/nchembio.1181]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Accepted: 01/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Protein folding and unfolding are crucial for a range of biological phenomena and human diseases. Defining the structural properties of the involved transient species is therefore of prime interest. Using a combination of cold denaturation with NMR spectroscopy, we reveal detailed insight into the unfolding of the homodimeric repressor protein CylR2. Seven three-dimensional structures of CylR2 at temperatures from 25 °C to -16 °C reveal a progressive dissociation of the dimeric protein into a native-like monomeric intermediate followed by transition into a highly dynamic, partially folded state. The core of the partially folded state seems critical for biological function and misfolding.
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