Abstract

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of full-length vimentin and X-ray crystallography of vimentin peptides has provided concordant structural data for nearly the entire central rod domain of the protein. In this report, we use a combination of EPR spectroscopy and molecular modeling to determine the structure and dynamics of the missing region and unite the separate elements into a single structure. Validation of the linker 1-2 (L1-2) modeling approach is demonstrated by the close correlation between EPR and X-ray data in the previously solved regions. Importantly, molecular dynamic (MD) simulation of the constructed model agrees with spin label motion as determined by EPR. Furthermore, MD simulation shows L1-2 heterogeneity, with a concerted switching of states among the dimer chains. These data provide the first ever experimentally driven model of a complete intermediate filament rod domain, providing research tools for further modeling and assembly studies.

Submission Details

ID: Jd8BmmXZ

Submitter: David Gae

Submission Date: June 12, 2020, 11:14 a.m.

Version: 1

Publication Details

Additional Information

Sequence of the structural domain covered in this paper. (Rod1B-L12-Rod2) GQGKSRLGDLYEEEMRELRRQVDQLTNDKARVEVERDNLAEDIMRLREKLQEEMLQREEAENTLQSFRQDVDNASLARLDLERKVESLQEEIAFLKKLHEEEIQELQAQIQEQHVQIDVDVSKPDLTAALRDVRQQYESVAAKNLQEAEEWYKSKFADLSEAANRNNDALRQAKQESTEYRRQVQSLTCEVDALK