NMR Based Structure of the Open Conformation of LYS48-Linked Di-UBiquitin Using Experimental Global Rotational Diffusion Tensor from NMR Relaxation Measurements
Primary Citation of Related Structures:   2PE9, 2PEA
PubMed Abstract: 
We present a simple and robust approach that uses the overall rotational diffusion tensor as a structural constraint for domain positioning in multidomain proteins and protein-protein complexes. This method offers the possibility to use NMR relaxation data for detailed structure characterization of such systems provided the structures of individual domains are available ...
We present a simple and robust approach that uses the overall rotational diffusion tensor as a structural constraint for domain positioning in multidomain proteins and protein-protein complexes. This method offers the possibility to use NMR relaxation data for detailed structure characterization of such systems provided the structures of individual domains are available. The proposed approach extends the concept of using long-range information contained in the overall rotational diffusion tensor. In contrast to the existing approaches, we use both the principal axes and principal values of protein's rotational diffusion tensor to determine not only the orientation but also the relative positioning of the individual domains in a protein. This is achieved by finding the domain arrangement in a molecule that provides the best possible agreement with all components of the overall rotational diffusion tensor derived from experimental data. The accuracy of the proposed approach is demonstrated for two protein systems with known domain arrangement and parameters of the overall tumbling: the HIV-1 protease homodimer and Maltose Binding Protein. The accuracy of the method and its sensitivity to domain positioning are also tested using computer-generated data for three protein complexes, for which the experimental diffusion tensors are not available. In addition, the proposed method is applied here to determine, for the first time, the structure of both open and closed conformations of a Lys48-linked diubiquitin chain, where domain motions render impossible accurate structure determination by other methods. The proposed method opens new avenues for improving structure characterization of proteins in solution.
Related Citations: 
An efficient computational method for predicting rotational diffusion tensors of globular proteins using an ellipsoid representation. Ryabov, Y., Geraghty, C., Varshney, A., Fushman, D. (2006) J Am Chem Soc 128: 15432
A Model of Interdomain Mobility in a Multidomain Protein Ryabov, Y., Fushman, D. (2007) J Am Chem Soc 129: 3315
Structural Properties of Polyubiquitin Chains in Solution Varadan, R., Walker, O., Picart, C., Fushman, D. (2002) J Mol Biol 324: 637
Organizational Affiliation: 
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biomolecular Structure and Organization, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.