Toward the functional oligomerization state of tryptophan-rich sensory proteins

Protein Sci. 2014 Aug;23(8):1154-60. doi: 10.1002/pro.2487. Epub 2014 May 22.

Abstract

A conserved family of tryptophan-rich sensory proteins (TspO) mediates the transport of heme degradation intermediates across membranes. In eukaryotes, the homologous mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) binds cholesterol and radioligands as monomer. On the basis of the mammalian TSPO structure, bioinformatic analysis, and a 10 Å resolution electron microscopy map of TspO from Rhodobacter sphaeroides, we developed a model of the tertiary and quaternary structure of TspO that is in agreement with available mutagenesis data. Our study provides insight into the conformational basis for the restricted interaction of bacterial TspO with radioligands and the functional oligomerization state of bacterial TspO proteins.

Keywords: membrane protein; mitochondria; oligomerization; receptor; structure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Biological Transport
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Transport
  • Rhodobacter sphaeroides / chemistry*
  • Tryptophan / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Tryptophan

Associated data

  • PDB/2MGY