Achieving peptide binding specificity and promiscuity by loops: case of the forkhead-associated domain.

The regulation of a series of cellular events requires specific protein-protein interactions, which are usually mediated by modular domains to precisely select a particular sequence from diverse partners. However, most signaling domains can bind to more than one peptide sequence. How do proteins cre...

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Main Authors: Yu-Ming M Huang, Chia-En A Chang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2014-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4037201?pdf=render
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author Yu-Ming M Huang
Chia-En A Chang
author_facet Yu-Ming M Huang
Chia-En A Chang
author_sort Yu-Ming M Huang
collection DOAJ
description The regulation of a series of cellular events requires specific protein-protein interactions, which are usually mediated by modular domains to precisely select a particular sequence from diverse partners. However, most signaling domains can bind to more than one peptide sequence. How do proteins create promiscuity from precision? Moreover, these complex interactions typically occur at the interface of a well-defined secondary structure, α helix and β sheet. However, the molecular recognition primarily controlled by loop architecture is not fully understood. To gain a deep understanding of binding selectivity and promiscuity by the conformation of loops, we chose the forkhead-associated (FHA) domain as our model system. The domain can bind to diverse peptides via various loops but only interact with sequences containing phosphothreonine (pThr). We applied molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for multiple free and bound FHA domains to study the changes in conformations and dynamics. Generally, FHA domains share a similar folding structure whereby the backbone holds the overall geometry and the variety of sidechain atoms of multiple loops creates a binding surface to target a specific partner. FHA domains determine the specificity of pThr by well-organized binding loops, which are rigid to define a phospho recognition site. The broad range of peptide recognition can be attributed to different arrangements of the loop interaction network. The moderate flexibility of the loop conformation can help access or exclude binding partners. Our work provides insights into molecular recognition in terms of binding specificity and promiscuity and helpful clues for further peptide design.
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spelling doaj.art-7e4094522aaa4b2db064dd0b3e70c26a2022-12-22T03:02:48ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032014-01-0195e9829110.1371/journal.pone.0098291Achieving peptide binding specificity and promiscuity by loops: case of the forkhead-associated domain.Yu-Ming M HuangChia-En A ChangThe regulation of a series of cellular events requires specific protein-protein interactions, which are usually mediated by modular domains to precisely select a particular sequence from diverse partners. However, most signaling domains can bind to more than one peptide sequence. How do proteins create promiscuity from precision? Moreover, these complex interactions typically occur at the interface of a well-defined secondary structure, α helix and β sheet. However, the molecular recognition primarily controlled by loop architecture is not fully understood. To gain a deep understanding of binding selectivity and promiscuity by the conformation of loops, we chose the forkhead-associated (FHA) domain as our model system. The domain can bind to diverse peptides via various loops but only interact with sequences containing phosphothreonine (pThr). We applied molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for multiple free and bound FHA domains to study the changes in conformations and dynamics. Generally, FHA domains share a similar folding structure whereby the backbone holds the overall geometry and the variety of sidechain atoms of multiple loops creates a binding surface to target a specific partner. FHA domains determine the specificity of pThr by well-organized binding loops, which are rigid to define a phospho recognition site. The broad range of peptide recognition can be attributed to different arrangements of the loop interaction network. The moderate flexibility of the loop conformation can help access or exclude binding partners. Our work provides insights into molecular recognition in terms of binding specificity and promiscuity and helpful clues for further peptide design.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4037201?pdf=render
spellingShingle Yu-Ming M Huang
Chia-En A Chang
Achieving peptide binding specificity and promiscuity by loops: case of the forkhead-associated domain.
PLoS ONE
title Achieving peptide binding specificity and promiscuity by loops: case of the forkhead-associated domain.
title_full Achieving peptide binding specificity and promiscuity by loops: case of the forkhead-associated domain.
title_fullStr Achieving peptide binding specificity and promiscuity by loops: case of the forkhead-associated domain.
title_full_unstemmed Achieving peptide binding specificity and promiscuity by loops: case of the forkhead-associated domain.
title_short Achieving peptide binding specificity and promiscuity by loops: case of the forkhead-associated domain.
title_sort achieving peptide binding specificity and promiscuity by loops case of the forkhead associated domain
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4037201?pdf=render
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