Abstract

Here we describe how the systematic redesign of a protein's hydrophobic core alters its structure and stability. We have repacked the hydrophobic core of the four-helix-bundle protein, Rop, with altered packing patterns and various side chain shapes and sizes. Several designs reproduce the structure and native-like properties of the wild-type, while increasing the thermal stability. Other designs, either with similar sizes but different shapes, or with decreased sizes of the packing residues, destabilize the protein. Finally, overpacking the core with the larger side chains causes a loss of native-like structure. These results allow us to further define the roles of tight residue packing and the burial of hydrophobic surface area in the construction of native-like proteins. Study holds ProTherm entries: 8636, 8637, 8638 Extra Details: hydrophobic core; molecular packing; molten globule; protein design

Submission Details

ID: 2Vdd5Q2T4

Submitter: Connie Wang

Submission Date: April 24, 2018, 8:36 p.m.

Version: 1

Publication Details

Additional Information