Hierarchical folding-upon-binding of an intrinsically disordered protein.

ABSTRACT: Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) often undergo folding-upon-binding to their partners via short linear motifs, typically 5-15 amino acids in length. However, a significant proportion of IDPs do not adhere to this paradigm but fold upon binding through extended regions comprising multiple molecular recognition elements. For these IDPs, the binding mechanisms and the structural characteristics of their folding intermediates remain poorly understood. Here we unveil hierarchical folding of an IDP as it binds to its partner, exemplified by the disordered signaling effector POSH and the small GTPase Rac1. By combining nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography, we resolve at atomic resolution how POSH transitions from a fully disordered state to a highly orde

SUBMITTER: Kjaer LF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12728182 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature