Single-molecule force spectroscopy reveals a stepwise unfolding of Caenorhabditis elegans giant protein kinase domains.

ABSTRACT: Myofibril assembly and disassembly are complex processes that regulate overall muscle mass. Titin kinase has been implicated as an initiating catalyst in signaling pathways that ultimately result in myofibril growth. In titin, the kinase domain is in an ideal position to sense mechanical strain that occurs during muscle activity. The enzyme is negatively regulated by intramolecular interactions occurring between the kinase catalytic core and autoinhibitory/regulatory region. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that human titin kinase acts as a force sensor. However, the precise mechanism(s) resulting in the conformational changes that relieve the kinase of this autoinhibition are unknown. Here we measured the mechanical properties of the kinase domain and flanking Ig/Fn domains of the C

SUBMITTER: Greene DN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2479574 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature