Crystal structure of monomeric human beta-2-microglobulin reveals clues to its amyloidogenic properties.

ABSTRACT: Dissociation of human beta-2-microglobulin (beta(2)m) from the heavy chain of the class I HLA complex is a critical first step in the formation of amyloid fibrils from this protein. As a consequence of renal failure, the concentration of circulating monomeric beta(2)m increases, ultimately leading to deposition of the protein into amyloid fibrils and development of the disorder, dialysis-related amyloidosis. Here we present the crystal structure of a monomeric form of human beta(2)m determined at 1.8-A resolution that reveals remarkable structural changes relative to the HLA-bound protein. These involve the restructuring of a beta bulge that separates two short beta strands to form a new six-residue beta strand at one edge of this beta sandwich protein. These structural changes remove key

SUBMITTER: Trinh CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC125010 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature