Molecular determinants of S100B oligomer formation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

S100B is a dimeric protein that can form tetramers, hexamers and higher order oligomers. These forms have been suggested to play a role in RAGE activation.

Methodology/principal findings

Oligomerization was found to require a low molecular weight trigger/cofactor and could not be detected for highly pure dimer, irrespective of handling. Imidazol was identified as a substance that can serve this role. Oligomerization is dependent on both the imidazol concentration and pH, with optima around 90 mM imidazol and pH 7, respectively. No oligomerization was observed above pH 8, thus the protonated form of imidazol is the active species in promoting assembly of dimers to higher species. However, disulfide bonds are not involved and the process is independent of redox pote

SUBMITTER: Thulin E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3060798 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature