Biotin induces tetramerization of a recombinant monomeric avidin. A model for protein-protein interactions

Olli H. Laitinen, Ari T. Marttila, Kari J. Airenne, Tikva Kulik, Oded Livnah, Edward A. Bayer, Meir Wilchek, Markku S. Kulomaa*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

Chicken avidin, a homotetramer that binds four molecules of biotin was converted to a monomeric form by successive mutations of interface residues to alanine. The major contribution to monomer formation was the mutation of two aspartic acid residues, which together account for ten hydrogen bonding interactions at the 1-4 interface. Mutation of these residues, together with the three hydrophobic residues at the 1-3 interface, led to stable monomer formation in the absence of biotin. Upon addition of biotin, the monomeric avidin reassociated to the tetramer, which exhibited properties similar to those of native avidin, with respect to biotin binding, thermostability, and protease resistance. To our knowledge, these unexpected results represent the first example of a small monovalent ligand that induces oligomerization of a monomeric protein. This study may suggest a biological role for low molecular weight ligands in inducing oligomerization and in maintaining the stability of multimeric protein assemblies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8219-8224
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume276
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 16 Mar 2001

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