Comprehensive macromolecular conformations mapped by quantitative SAXS analyses

Nat Methods. 2013 Jun;10(6):453-4. doi: 10.1038/nmeth.2453.

Abstract

Comprehensive perspectives of macromolecular conformations are required to connect structure to biology. Here we present a small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) Structural Similarity Map (SSM) and Volatility of Ratio (VR) metric providing comprehensive, quantitative and objective (superposition-independent) perspectives on solution state conformations. We validate VR and SSM utility on human MutSβ, a key ABC ATPase and chemotherapeutic target, by revealing MutSβ DNA sculpting and identifying multiple conformational states for biological activity.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Protein Conformation*
  • Scattering, Small Angle*
  • X-Ray Diffraction*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Macromolecular Substances