TNFR-Associated Factor-2 (TRAF2): Not Only a Trimer

Biochemistry. 2015 Oct 13;54(40):6153-61. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b00674. Epub 2015 Sep 30.

Abstract

TNF receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) are characterized by an oligomeric structure that plays a fundamental role in the binding process with membrane receptors. In this work, we studied the trimer-to-monomer (T ↔ 3M) equilibrium transition of the TRAF2 C-terminal domain using both chemical (dilution/guanidinium hydrochloride) and mechanical stress (high pressure) to induce the dissociation of the native protein into subunits. The experimental results and computer simulations indicate that stable monomers exist and that their population accounts for 15% of the total TRAF2 molecules already at a physiological intracellular concentration (≈1 μM), being instead the predominant species in the nanomolar concentration range. Because the total amount of TRAF2 changes during a cell cycle, the monomer-trimer equilibrium can be crucial for regulating the activities of TRAF2 in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Humans
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Protein Multimerization*
  • Protein Stability
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2 / analysis
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2 / chemistry*

Substances

  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2