1YPB

DIRECT OBSERVATION OF BETTER HYDRATION AT THE N-TERMINUS OF AN ALPHA-HELIX WITH GLYCINE RATHER THAN ALANINE AS N-CAP

Summary for 1YPB

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb1ypb/pdb
• Descriptor: CHYMOTRYPSIN INHIBITOR 2 (2 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: proteinase inhibitor(chymotrypsin)
• Biological source: Hordeum vulgare
• Total number of polymer chains: 1
• Total formula weight: 7167.52

Authors

Harpaz, Y.,Elmasry, N.,Fersht, A.R.,Henrick, K. (deposition date: 1993-01-10, release date: 1994-01-31, Last modification date: 2024-02-14)

Primary citation

Harpaz, Y.,Elmasry, N.,Fersht, A.R.,Henrick, K.
Direct observation of better hydration at the N terminus of an alpha-helix with glycine rather than alanine as the N-cap residue.
Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.USA, 91:311-315, 1994

PubMed Abstract: The structural basis for the stability of N termini of helices has been analyzed by thermodynamic and crystallographic studies of three suitably engineered mutants of the barley chymotrypsin inhibitor 2 with Ser, Gly, or Ala at the N-cap position (residue 31). Each mutant has a well-organized shell of hydration of the terminal NH groups of the helix. The three structures are virtually superimposable (rms separations for all atoms, including the common water molecules, are 0.15-0.17 A) and show neither changes in conformation at the site of substitution nor changes in the crystal packing. The only changes on going from Ser-31 to Ala-31 to Gly-31 are in the position of a water molecule (Wat-116). This is bound to the Ser-O gamma atom in the Ser-31 structure but is in a weak hydrogen bonding position with the NH of residue 34 (O ... N = 3.28 A) in the Ala-31 mutant, partly replacing the strong Ser-31-O gamma ... N34 hydrogen bond (O ... N = 2.65 A). The corresponding water molecule completely replaces the Ser hydroxyl hydrogen bond to N34 on mutation to Gly (2.74 A). The only other change between the three structures is an additional water molecule in the Ala-31 structure (Wat-150) that partly compensates for the weak Wat-116 ... N34 hydrogen bond. Perturbation of solvation by the side chain of Ala is consistent with earlier hypotheses on the importance of exposure of the termini of helices to the aqueous solvent.

PubMed: 8278384
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.91.1.311

Experimental method

X-RAY DIFFRACTION (2 Å)