2K91

Enhancing the activity of insulin by stereospecific unfolding

Experimental Data Snapshot

  • Method: SOLUTION NMR
  • Conformers Calculated: 40 
  • Conformers Submitted: 20 
  • Selection Criteria: structures with the lowest energy 

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This is version 1.1 of the entry. See complete history. 

Literature

Enhancing the Activity of a Protein by Stereospecific Unfolding: CONFORMATIONAL LIFE CYCLE OF INSULIN AND ITS EVOLUTIONARY ORIGINS.

Hua, Q.X., Xu, B., Huang, K., Hu, S.Q., Nakagawa, S., Jia, W., Wang, S., Whittaker, J., Katsoyannis, P.G., Weiss, M.A.

(2009) J.Biol.Chem. 284: 14586-14596

  • DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M900085200
  • Primary Citation of Related Structures:  

  • PubMed Abstract: 

    • A central tenet of molecular biology holds that the function of a protein is mediated by its structure. An inactive ground-state conformation may nonetheless be enjoined by the interplay of competing biological constraints. A model is provided by ins ...

    A central tenet of molecular biology holds that the function of a protein is mediated by its structure. An inactive ground-state conformation may nonetheless be enjoined by the interplay of competing biological constraints. A model is provided by insulin, well characterized at atomic resolution by x-ray crystallography. Here, we demonstrate that the activity of the hormone is enhanced by stereospecific unfolding of a conserved structural element. A bifunctional beta-strand mediates both self-assembly (within beta-cell storage vesicles) and receptor binding (in the bloodstream). This strand is anchored by an invariant side chain (Phe(B24)); its substitution by Ala leads to an unstable but native-like analog of low activity. Substitution by d-Ala is equally destabilizing, and yet the protein diastereomer exhibits enhanced activity with segmental unfolding of the beta-strand. Corresponding photoactivable derivatives (containing l- or d-para-azido-Phe) cross-link to the insulin receptor with higher d-specific efficiency. Aberrant exposure of hydrophobic surfaces in the analogs is associated with accelerated fibrillation, a form of aggregation-coupled misfolding associated with cellular toxicity. Conservation of Phe(B24), enforced by its dual role in native self-assembly and induced fit, thus highlights the implicit role of misfolding as an evolutionary constraint. Whereas classical crystal structures of insulin depict its storage form, signaling requires engagement of a detachable arm at an extended receptor interface. Because this active conformation resembles an amyloidogenic intermediate, we envisage that induced fit and self-assembly represent complementary molecular adaptations to potential proteotoxicity. The cryptic threat of misfolding poses a universal constraint in the evolution of polypeptide sequences.

    Organizational Affiliation: 

    Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA.




Macromolecules

Find similar proteins by: Sequence  |  Structure

Entity ID: 1
MoleculeChainsSequence LengthOrganismDetails
Insulin
A
21Homo sapiensMutation(s): 0 
Gene Names: INS
Find proteins for P01308 (Homo sapiens)
Go to Gene View: INS
Go to UniProtKB:  P01308
Entity ID: 2
MoleculeChainsSequence LengthOrganismDetails
Insulin
B
30Homo sapiensMutation(s): 4 
Gene Names: INS
Find proteins for P01308 (Homo sapiens)
Go to Gene View: INS
Go to UniProtKB:  P01308
Experimental Data & Validation

Experimental Data

  • Method: SOLUTION NMR
  • Conformers Calculated: 40 
  • Conformers Submitted: 20 
  • Selection Criteria: structures with the lowest energy 
  • Olderado: 2K91 Olderado

Structure Validation

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Entry History 

Deposition Data

Revision History 

  • Version 1.0: 2008-11-18
    Type: Initial release
  • Version 1.1: 2011-07-13
    Type: Version format compliance