A model of troponin-I in complex with troponin-C using hybrid experimental data: the inhibitory region is a beta-hairpin

Protein Sci. 2000 Jul;9(7):1312-26. doi: 10.1110/ps.9.7.1312.

Abstract

We present a model for the skeletal muscle troponin-C (TnC)/troponin-I (TnI) interaction, a critical molecular switch that is responsible for calcium-dependent regulation of the contractile mechanism. Despite concerted efforts by multiple groups for more than a decade, attempts to crystallize troponin-C in complex with troponin-I, or in the ternary troponin-complex, have not yet delivered a high-resolution structure. Many groups have pursued different experimental strategies, such as X-ray crystallography, NMR, small-angle scattering, chemical cross-linking, and fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) to gain insights into the nature of the TnC/TnI interaction. We have integrated the results of these experiments to develop a model of the TnC/TnI interaction, using an atomic model of TnC as a scaffold. The TnI sequence was fit to each of two alternate neutron scattering envelopes: one that winds about TnC in a left-handed sense (Model L), and another that winds about TnC in a right-handed sense (Model R). Information from crystallography and NMR experiments was used to define segments of the models. Tests show that both models are consistent with available cross-linking and FRET data. The inhibitory region TnI(95-114) is modeled as a flexible beta-hairpin, and in both models it is localized to the same region on the central helix of TnC. The sequence of the inhibitory region is similar to that of a beta-hairpin region of the actin-binding protein profilin. This similarity supports our model and suggests the possibility of using an available profilin/actin crystal structure to model the TnI/actin interaction. We propose that the beta-hairpin is an important structural motif that communicates the Ca2+-activated troponin regulatory signal to actin.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Computer Simulation
  • Contractile Proteins*
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry
  • Microfilament Proteins / chemistry
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Profilins
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Folding
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Troponin C / chemistry*
  • Troponin C / metabolism*
  • Troponin I / chemistry*
  • Troponin I / metabolism*

Substances

  • Contractile Proteins
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Profilins
  • Troponin C
  • Troponin I

Associated data

  • PDB/1TCF
  • PDB/1TN4
  • PDB/2BTF
  • PDB/2TN4
  • PDB/4TNC
  • PDB/5TNC
  • SWISSPROT/P02643