Structural features of protein folding nuclei

FEBS Lett. 2008 Mar 5;582(5):768-72. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2008.01.049. Epub 2008 Feb 5.

Abstract

A crucial event of protein folding is the formation of a folding nucleus. We demonstrate the presence of a considerable coincidence between the location of folding nuclei and the location of so-called "root structural motifs", which have unique overall folds and handedness. In the case of proteins with a single root structural motif, the involvement in the formation of a folding nucleus is in average significantly higher for amino acids residues that are in root structural motifs, compared to residues in other parts of the protein. The tests carried out revealed that the observed difference is statistically reliable. Thus, a structural feature that corresponds to the protein folding nucleus is now found.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Databases, Protein
  • Protein Folding*
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Proteins