The FKBP38 catalytic domain binds to Bcl-2 via a charge-sensitive loop

J Biol Chem. 2012 Jun 1;287(23):19665-73. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.317214. Epub 2012 Apr 20.

Abstract

FKBP38 is a regulator of the prosurvival protein Bcl-2, but in the absence of detailed structural insights, the molecular mechanism of the underlying interaction has remained unknown. Here, we report the contact regions between Bcl-2 and the catalytic domain of FKBP38 derived by heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. The data reveal that a previously identified charge-sensitive loop near the putative active site of FKBP38 is mainly responsible for Bcl-2 binding. The corresponding binding epitope of Bcl-2 could be identified via a peptide library-based membrane assay. Site-directed mutagenesis of the key residues verified the contact sites of this electrostatic protein/protein interaction. The derived structure model of the complex between Bcl-2 and the FKBP38 catalytic domain features both electrostatic and hydrophobic intermolecular contacts and provides a rationale for the regulation of the FKBP38/Bcl-2 interaction by Ca(2+).

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / chemistry*
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Epitopes / chemistry
  • Epitopes / genetics
  • Epitopes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Peptide Library
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / chemistry*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • Tacrolimus Binding Proteins / chemistry*
  • Tacrolimus Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Tacrolimus Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Epitopes
  • FKBP8 protein, human
  • Peptide Library
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Tacrolimus Binding Proteins
  • Calcium