TY - JOUR
T1 - Transition states for protein folding have native topologies despite high structural variability
AU - Lindorff-Larsen, Kresten
AU - Vendruscolo, Michele
AU - Paci, Emanuele
AU - Dobson, Christopher M
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - We present a structural analysis of the folding transition states of three SH3 domains. Our results reveal that the secondary structure is not yet fully formed at this stage of folding and that the solvent is only partially excluded from the interior of the protein. Comparison of the members of the transition state ensemble with a database of native folds shows that, despite substantial local variability, the transition state structures can all be classified as having the topology characteristic of an SH3 domain. Our results suggest a mechanism for folding in which the formation of a network of interactions among a subset of hydrophobic residues ensures that the native topology is generated. Such a mechanism enables high fidelity in folding while minimizing the need to establish a large number of specific interactions in the conformational search.
AB - We present a structural analysis of the folding transition states of three SH3 domains. Our results reveal that the secondary structure is not yet fully formed at this stage of folding and that the solvent is only partially excluded from the interior of the protein. Comparison of the members of the transition state ensemble with a database of native folds shows that, despite substantial local variability, the transition state structures can all be classified as having the topology characteristic of an SH3 domain. Our results suggest a mechanism for folding in which the formation of a network of interactions among a subset of hydrophobic residues ensures that the native topology is generated. Such a mechanism enables high fidelity in folding while minimizing the need to establish a large number of specific interactions in the conformational search.
U2 - 10.1038/nsmb765
DO - 10.1038/nsmb765
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 15098020
SN - 1545-9993
VL - 11
SP - 443
EP - 449
JO - Nature Structural and Molecular Biology
JF - Nature Structural and Molecular Biology
IS - 5
ER -