Structural details of a calcium-induced molecular switch: X-ray crystallographic analysis of the calcium-saturated N-terminal domain of troponin C at 1.75 A resolution.
Strynadka, N.C., Cherney, M., Sielecki, A.R., Li, M.X., Smillie, L.B., James, M.N.(1997) J Mol Biol 273: 238-255
- PubMed: 9367759
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1006/jmbi.1997.1257
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
1AVS - PubMed Abstract:
We have solved and refined the crystal and molecular structures of the calcium-saturated N-terminal domain of troponin C (TnC) to 1.75 A resolution. This has allowed for the first detailed analysis of the calcium binding sites of this molecular switch in the calcium-loaded state. The results provide support for the proposed binding order and qualitatively, for the affinity of calcium in the two regulatory calcium binding sites. Based on a comparison with the high-resolution apo-form of TnC we propose a possible mechanism for the calcium-mediated exposure of a large hydrophobic surface that is central to the initiation of muscle contraction within the cell.
Organizational Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.