Definable Equilibrium States in the Folding of Human Prion Protein
The role of conformational intermediates in the conversion of prion protein from its normal cellular form (PrPC) to the disease-associated “scrapie” form (PrPSc) remains unknown. To look for such intermediates in equilibrium conditions, we have examined the unfolding transitions of PrPC, primarily u...
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Published in | Biochemistry (Easton) Vol. 44; no. 50; pp. 16649 - 16657 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
United States
American Chemical Society
20.12.2005
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | The role of conformational intermediates in the conversion of prion protein from its normal cellular form (PrPC) to the disease-associated “scrapie” form (PrPSc) remains unknown. To look for such intermediates in equilibrium conditions, we have examined the unfolding transitions of PrPC, primarily using the chemical denaturant guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl). When the protein conformation is assessed by NMR, there is a gradual shift of NMR signals in the regions between residues 125−146 and 186−196. The denaturant dependence of these shifts shows that in aqueous solution the native and locally unfolded conformations are both significantly populated. Following this shift, there is the major unfolding transition to generate a substantially unfolded population. However, analysis of NMR chemical shift and intensity changes shows that there is persistent structure in the molecule well beyond this major cooperative unfolding transition. Residual structure within this state is extensive and encompasses the majority of the secondary structure elements found in the native state of the protein. |
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Bibliography: | istex:7FF1F7877C6EBE1032D7C743C2A545BFC1A1530E ark:/67375/TPS-XR3SJT8X-B This work was funded by the Medical Research Council. ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0006-2960 1520-4995 |
DOI: | 10.1021/bi051277k |