The equilibrium unfolding pathway of a (beta/alpha)8 barrel

J Mol Biol. 2002 Dec 13;324(5):1031-40. doi: 10.1016/s0022-2836(02)01100-2.

Abstract

The (beta/alpha)(8) barrel is the most commonly occurring fold among enzymes. A key step towards rationally engineering (beta/alpha)(8) barrel proteins is to understand their underlying structural organization and folding energetics. Using misincorporation proton-alkyl exchange (MPAX), a new tool for solution structural studies of large proteins, we have performed a native-state exchange analysis of the prototypical (beta/alpha)(8) barrel triosephosphate isomerase. Three cooperatively unfolding subdomains within the structure are identified, as well as two partially unfolded forms of the protein. The C-terminal domain coincides with domains reported to exist in four other (beta/alpha)(8) barrels, but the two N-terminal domains have not been observed previously. These partially unfolded forms may represent sequential intermediates on the folding pathway of triosephosphate isomerase. The methods reported here should be applicable to a variety of other biological problems involving protein conformational changes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkylation
  • Cysteine
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Denaturation
  • Protein Folding*
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Protons
  • Thermodynamics
  • Triose-Phosphate Isomerase / chemistry*
  • Triose-Phosphate Isomerase / metabolism
  • Yeasts / enzymology

Substances

  • Protons
  • Triose-Phosphate Isomerase
  • Cysteine