A test of the" jigsaw puzzle" model for protein folding by multiple methionine substitutions within the core of T4 lysozyme.
NC Gassner, WA Baase… - Proceedings of the …, 1996 - National Acad Sciences
NC Gassner, WA Baase, BW Matthews
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1996•National Acad SciencesTo test whether the structure of a protein is determined in a manner akin to the assembly of a
jigsaw puzzle, up to 10 adjacent residues within the core of T4 lysozyme were replaced by
methionine. Such variants are active and fold cooperatively with progressively reduced
stability. The structure of a seven-methionine variant has been shown, crystallographically,
to be similar to wild type and to maintain a well ordered core. The interaction between the
core residues is, therefore, not strictly comparable with the precise spatial complementarity …
jigsaw puzzle, up to 10 adjacent residues within the core of T4 lysozyme were replaced by
methionine. Such variants are active and fold cooperatively with progressively reduced
stability. The structure of a seven-methionine variant has been shown, crystallographically,
to be similar to wild type and to maintain a well ordered core. The interaction between the
core residues is, therefore, not strictly comparable with the precise spatial complementarity …
To test whether the structure of a protein is determined in a manner akin to the assembly of a jigsaw puzzle, up to 10 adjacent residues within the core of T4 lysozyme were replaced by methionine. Such variants are active and fold cooperatively with progressively reduced stability. The structure of a seven-methionine variant has been shown, crystallographically, to be similar to wild type and to maintain a well ordered core. The interaction between the core residues is, therefore, not strictly comparable with the precise spatial complementarity of the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Rather, a certain amount of give and take in forming the core structure is permitted. A simplified hydrophobic core sequence, imposed without genetic selection or computer-based design, is sufficient to retain native properties in a globular protein.
National Acad Sciences