Convergence of experimental, computational and evolutionary approaches predicts the presence of a tetrameric form for cd3-ζ

Jaume Torres, John A.G. Briggs, Isaiah T. Arkin*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Experimental results using multiple site-specific infrared dichroism have shown that, when reconstituted into lipid bilayers, the orientation of the transmembrane domain of CD3-ζ is not compatible with a dimeric right-handed model reported previously. This model, obtained using a computational approach that uses evolutionary data, is in agreement with mutagenesis data and homology modelling. This suggested that, in our experimental conditions, the oligomeric state of CD3-ζ may not be dimeric. We have explored this possibility by performing global searching molecular dynamics simulations assuming different homo-oligomeric sizes (from 2 to 6). In these simulations, the helix tilt was restrained to the average helix tilt obtained experimentally, 12°. Only a left-handed tetrameric model was compatible with the experimentally observed tilt and rotational orientation of the helix, and was also the lowest-energy model amongst the candidate structures obtained. Furthermore, simulations performed using close homologues demonstrate that this model is compatible with evolutionary conservation data. Finally, the pattern of residue conservation in the ζ family of proteins strongly argues in favour of the presence of a left-handed hetero-oligomer with an orientation compatible with the tetramer we present. These results show that both the known dimeric and the so far undetected tetrameric form may be of functional importance in the cell.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)375-384
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Molecular Biology
Volume316
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We thank A. Kukol for helpful discussions. This work was supported by grants from the Wellcome Trust and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council to I.T.A.

Keywords

  • CD3-ζ
  • Membrane proteins
  • Molecular dynamics
  • Molecular modelling
  • Site-specific infrared dichroism

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