Dynamics of backbone conformational heterogeneity in Bacillus subtilis ribonuclease P protein.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Interconversion of protein conformations is imperative to function, as evidenced by conformational changes associated with enzyme catalytic cycles, ligand binding and post-translational modifications. In this study, we used 15N NMR relaxation experiments to probe the fast (i.e., ps-ns) and slow (i.e., micros-ms) conformational dynamics of Bacillus subtilis ribonuclease P protein (P protein) in its folded state, bound to two sulfate anions. Using the Lipari-Szabo mapping method [Andrec, M., Montelione, G. T., and Levy, R. M. (2000) J. Biomol. NMR 18, 83-100] to interpret the data, we find evidence for P protein dynamics on the mus-ms time scale in the ensemble. The residues that exhibit these slow internal motions are found in regions that have been previously identified as part of the P protein-P RNA interface. These results suggest that structural flexibility within the P protein ensemble may be important for proper RNase P holoenzyme assembly and/or catalysis.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Henkels, CH; Chang, Y-C; Chamberlin, SI; Oas, TG

Published Date

  • December 25, 2007

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 46 / 51

Start / End Page

  • 15062 - 15075

PubMed ID

  • 18052200

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0006-2960

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1021/bi701425n

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States