Heteromeric three-stranded coiled coils designed using a Pb(II)(Cys)₃ template mediated strategy.

ABSTRACT: Three-stranded coiled coils are peptide structures constructed from amphipathic heptad repeats. Here we show that it is possible to form pure heterotrimeric three-stranded coiled coils by combining three distinct characteristics: (1) a cysteine sulfur layer for metal coordination, (2) a thiophilic, trigonal pyramidal metalloid (Pb(II)) that binds to these sulfurs and (3) an adjacent layer of reduced steric bulk generating a cavity where water can hydrogen bond to the cysteine sulfur atoms. Cysteine substitution in an a site yields Pb(II)A₂B heterotrimers, while d sites provide pure Pb(II)C₂D or Pb(II)CD₂ scaffolds. Altering the metal from Pb(II) to Hg(II) or shifting the relative position of the sterically less demanding layer removes heterotrimer specifici

SUBMITTER: Tolbert AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7169047 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature