Rdination for Zn2+ ion has been reported in ALE-1, a glycylglycine endopeptidase from Staphylococcus capitis EPK1 [40]. In CaM, Ca2+ binding occurs sequentially, first in the C-lobe followed by N-lobe binding. C-lobe has much higher affinity for Ca2+ than does the N-lobe. Ca2+ binding to CaM rearrange theEF motifs in each lobe, central helix becomes a helical but no such bend has been observed [6,41,42]. Previously, the Ca2+ in Ca2+/ CaM crystals was replaced by Pb2+ and Ba2+ by soaking. The crystal structures of Pb2+/CaM and Ba2+/CaM did not show large conformational changes as compared with Ca2+/CaM [43,44]. Thus, the present conformational change observed in the central helix of the CaM is independent of the bound metal ions. The large conformational changes in proteins are often associated with ligand/partner binding. One proposed function for Nm and Ng is to sequester CaM at the membrane in the vicinity of `CaMactivated enzymes’ under low Ca2+ conditions at the pre- and postsynaptic terminals, respectively. Elevations of intracellular free Ca2+ would promote dissociation of CaM from Nm and Ng [45]. We speculate that upon Ca2+ binding to CaM-Nm/Ng, CaM might undergo some conformational change, similar to the one reported here, to release Nm/Ng. This has to be approached cautiously and warrants experimental verification. In summary, CaM is known to interact with over 100 different proteins to modulate their activity, adopting various conformations to engage with its binding partners. In the present study no electron density for the IQ peptide was observed to confirm the existence of its complex in the crystal; thus, only the ligand-free CaM was crystallized. The observed ,90u bend at the central ahelix near Arg75 may represent a key conformational dynamics of CaM essential for engaging its target. This study reveals a novelA Novel Conformation of Calmodulintrans conformation of CaM as one of many possible conformations that has so far not been observed.AcknowledgmentsX-ray diffraction data for this study were measured at beamline X8C at BNL, New York, USA. Veerendra Kumar is a graduate scholar in receipt of a research scholarship from the National University of Singapore (NUS).Supporting InformationFigure S1 This diagram shows the packing of the symmetry-related molecules in the crystal. The two molecules of the asymmetric unit were shown in blue and magenta 15857111 respectively. The nearest symmetry related molecules shown in different colors. (TIF)Author NT 157 web ContributionsConceived and designed the experiments: JS VK. Performed the experiments: VK VPRC. Analyzed the data: VK VPRC XT JS. Wrote the paper: VK JS.
Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) [1]. The kidney injury is often irreversible when the diabetic nephropathy enters the macroalbuminuria or CKD stages [2]. However, pathologic abnormalities are noted in patients with long-standing diabetes mellitus before the onset of microalbuminuria [3]. Deterioration of renal function can be Mirin treated and delayed if renal disease is recognized and treated in a timely manner. Early detection and intervention are critical for treating diabetic nephropathy [4,5]. Microalbuminuria is an early clinical marker for diabetic nephropathy, which is associated with disease progression to end-stage renal disease and cardiovascular events [6?]. Although albuminuria is widely used and is considered the best clinical marker for renal damage in diabetic patients, several studies have.Rdination for Zn2+ ion has been reported in ALE-1, a glycylglycine endopeptidase from Staphylococcus capitis EPK1 [40]. In CaM, Ca2+ binding occurs sequentially, first in the C-lobe followed by N-lobe binding. C-lobe has much higher affinity for Ca2+ than does the N-lobe. Ca2+ binding to CaM rearrange theEF motifs in each lobe, central helix becomes a helical but no such bend has been observed [6,41,42]. Previously, the Ca2+ in Ca2+/ CaM crystals was replaced by Pb2+ and Ba2+ by soaking. The crystal structures of Pb2+/CaM and Ba2+/CaM did not show large conformational changes as compared with Ca2+/CaM [43,44]. Thus, the present conformational change observed in the central helix of the CaM is independent of the bound metal ions. The large conformational changes in proteins are often associated with ligand/partner binding. One proposed function for Nm and Ng is to sequester CaM at the membrane in the vicinity of `CaMactivated enzymes’ under low Ca2+ conditions at the pre- and postsynaptic terminals, respectively. Elevations of intracellular free Ca2+ would promote dissociation of CaM from Nm and Ng [45]. We speculate that upon Ca2+ binding to CaM-Nm/Ng, CaM might undergo some conformational change, similar to the one reported here, to release Nm/Ng. This has to be approached cautiously and warrants experimental verification. In summary, CaM is known to interact with over 100 different proteins to modulate their activity, adopting various conformations to engage with its binding partners. In the present study no electron density for the IQ peptide was observed to confirm the existence of its complex in the crystal; thus, only the ligand-free CaM was crystallized. The observed ,90u bend at the central ahelix near Arg75 may represent a key conformational dynamics of CaM essential for engaging its target. This study reveals a novelA Novel Conformation of Calmodulintrans conformation of CaM as one of many possible conformations that has so far not been observed.AcknowledgmentsX-ray diffraction data for this study were measured at beamline X8C at BNL, New York, USA. Veerendra Kumar is a graduate scholar in receipt of a research scholarship from the National University of Singapore (NUS).Supporting InformationFigure S1 This diagram shows the packing of the symmetry-related molecules in the crystal. The two molecules of the asymmetric unit were shown in blue and magenta 15857111 respectively. The nearest symmetry related molecules shown in different colors. (TIF)Author ContributionsConceived and designed the experiments: JS VK. Performed the experiments: VK VPRC. Analyzed the data: VK VPRC XT JS. Wrote the paper: VK JS.
Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) [1]. The kidney injury is often irreversible when the diabetic nephropathy enters the macroalbuminuria or CKD stages [2]. However, pathologic abnormalities are noted in patients with long-standing diabetes mellitus before the onset of microalbuminuria [3]. Deterioration of renal function can be treated and delayed if renal disease is recognized and treated in a timely manner. Early detection and intervention are critical for treating diabetic nephropathy [4,5]. Microalbuminuria is an early clinical marker for diabetic nephropathy, which is associated with disease progression to end-stage renal disease and cardiovascular events [6?]. Although albuminuria is widely used and is considered the best clinical marker for renal damage in diabetic patients, several studies have.