2K9R

Enhancing the activity of insulin by stereospecific unfolding


Experimental Data Snapshot

  • Method: SOLUTION NMR
  • Conformers Calculated: 40 
  • Conformers Submitted: 20 
  • Selection Criteria: structures with the lowest energy 

wwPDB Validation   3D Report Full Report


This is version 1.2 of the entry. See complete history


Literature

Enhancing the Activity of a Protein by Stereospecific Unfolding: CONFORMATIONAL LIFE CYCLE OF INSULIN AND ITS EVOLUTIONARY ORIGINS.

Hua, Q.X.Xu, B.Huang, K.Hu, S.Q.Nakagawa, S.Jia, W.Wang, S.Whittaker, J.Katsoyannis, P.G.Weiss, M.A.

(2009) J Biol Chem 284: 14586-14596

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M900085200
  • Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
    2K91, 2K9R

  • PubMed Abstract: 

    A central tenet of molecular biology holds that the function of a protein is mediated by its structure. An inactive ground-state conformation may nonetheless be enjoined by the interplay of competing biological constraints. A model is provided by insulin, well characterized at atomic resolution by x-ray crystallography. Here, we demonstrate that the activity of the hormone is enhanced by stereospecific unfolding of a conserved structural element. A bifunctional beta-strand mediates both self-assembly (within beta-cell storage vesicles) and receptor binding (in the bloodstream). This strand is anchored by an invariant side chain (Phe(B24)); its substitution by Ala leads to an unstable but native-like analog of low activity. Substitution by d-Ala is equally destabilizing, and yet the protein diastereomer exhibits enhanced activity with segmental unfolding of the beta-strand. Corresponding photoactivable derivatives (containing l- or d-para-azido-Phe) cross-link to the insulin receptor with higher d-specific efficiency. Aberrant exposure of hydrophobic surfaces in the analogs is associated with accelerated fibrillation, a form of aggregation-coupled misfolding associated with cellular toxicity. Conservation of Phe(B24), enforced by its dual role in native self-assembly and induced fit, thus highlights the implicit role of misfolding as an evolutionary constraint. Whereas classical crystal structures of insulin depict its storage form, signaling requires engagement of a detachable arm at an extended receptor interface. Because this active conformation resembles an amyloidogenic intermediate, we envisage that induced fit and self-assembly represent complementary molecular adaptations to potential proteotoxicity. The cryptic threat of misfolding poses a universal constraint in the evolution of polypeptide sequences.


  • Organizational Affiliation

    Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA.


Macromolecules

Find similar proteins by:  Sequence   |   3D Structure  

Entity ID: 1
MoleculeChains Sequence LengthOrganismDetailsImage
Insulin21Homo sapiensMutation(s): 0 
Gene Names: INS
UniProt & NIH Common Fund Data Resources
Find proteins for P01308 (Homo sapiens)
Explore P01308 
Go to UniProtKB:  P01308
PHAROS:  P01308
GTEx:  ENSG00000254647 
Entity Groups  
Sequence Clusters30% Identity50% Identity70% Identity90% Identity95% Identity100% Identity
UniProt GroupP01308
Sequence Annotations
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  • Reference Sequence
Find similar proteins by:  (by identity cutoff)  |  3D Structure
Entity ID: 2
MoleculeChains Sequence LengthOrganismDetailsImage
Insulin30Homo sapiensMutation(s): 4 
Gene Names: INS
UniProt & NIH Common Fund Data Resources
Find proteins for P01308 (Homo sapiens)
Explore P01308 
Go to UniProtKB:  P01308
PHAROS:  P01308
GTEx:  ENSG00000254647 
Entity Groups  
Sequence Clusters30% Identity50% Identity70% Identity90% Identity95% Identity100% Identity
UniProt GroupP01308
Sequence Annotations
Expand
  • Reference Sequence
Experimental Data & Validation

Experimental Data

  • Method: SOLUTION NMR
  • Conformers Calculated: 40 
  • Conformers Submitted: 20 
  • Selection Criteria: structures with the lowest energy 

Structure Validation

View Full Validation Report



Entry History 

Deposition Data

Revision History  (Full details and data files)

  • Version 1.0: 2008-11-11
    Type: Initial release
  • Version 1.1: 2011-07-13
    Changes: Version format compliance
  • Version 1.2: 2021-10-20
    Changes: Database references, Derived calculations