Stabilization of a protein conferred by an increase in folded state entropy

Shlomi Dagan, Tzachi Hagai, Yulian Gavrilov, Ruti Kapon, Yaakov Levy, Ziv Reich

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Entropic stabilization of native protein structures typically relies on strategies that serve to decrease the entropy of the unfolded state. Here we report, using a combination of experimental and computational approaches, on enhanced thermodynamic stability conferred by an increase in the configurational entropy of the folded state. The enhanced stability is observed upon modifications of a loop region in the enzyme acylphosphatase and is achieved despite significant enthalpy losses. The modifications that lead to increased stability, as well as those that result in destabilization, however, strongly compromise enzymatic activity, rationalizing the preservation of the native loop structure even though it does not provide the protein with maximal stability or kinetic foldability.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)10628-10633
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume110
Issue number26
DOIs
StatePublished - 25 Jun 2013

Keywords

  • Loop closure entropy
  • Molecular dynamics
  • Protein folding

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General

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