Demonstration by burst-phase analysis of a robust folding intermediate in the FF domain

Protein Eng Des Sel. 2008 Mar;21(3):207-14. doi: 10.1093/protein/gzm091. Epub 2008 Jan 31.

Abstract

The role of intermediates in the folding reaction of single-domain proteins is a controversial issue. It was previously shown by different methods that an on-pathway intermediate is populated in the presence of sodium sulphate during the folding of the FF domain from HYPA/FBP11. Here we demonstrate using analysis of the amplitudes of kinetic traces that this burst-phase folding intermediate is present at different salt concentration and at various pH, and is also found in roughly 30 site-directed mutants. The intermediate appears robust to changing conditions and thus fulfils an important criterion for a productive molecular species on the folding reaction pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Guanidine / pharmacology
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Mutation
  • Protein Denaturation
  • Protein Folding*
  • Protein Renaturation
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary*
  • Proteins / chemistry
  • Temperature
  • Thermodynamics
  • Urea / pharmacology

Substances

  • Proteins
  • Urea
  • Guanidine