Conformational dynamics in crystals reveal the molecular bases for D76N beta-2 microglobulin aggregation propensity.

ABSTRACT: Spontaneous aggregation of folded and soluble native proteins in vivo is still a poorly understood process. A prototypic example is the D76N mutant of beta-2 microglobulin (β2m) that displays an aggressive aggregation propensity. Here we investigate the dynamics of β2m by X-ray crystallography, solid-state NMR, and molecular dynamics simulations to unveil the effects of the D76N mutation. Taken together, our data highlight the presence of minor disordered substates in crystalline β2m. The destabilization of the outer strands of D76N β2m accounts for the increased aggregation propensity. Furthermore, the computational modeling reveals a network of interactions with residue D76 as a keystone: this model allows predicting the stability of several point mutants. Overall, our study shows how th

SUBMITTER: Le Marchand T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5916882 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature