Downloads provided by UsageCounts
Microbial pathogens, such as Trypanosoma brucei, have an enormous impact on global health and economic systems. Protein kinase A of T. brucei is an attractive drug target as it is an essential enzyme which differs significantly from its human homolog. The hinge region of this protein's regulatory domain is vital for enzymatic function, but its conformation is unknown. Here, the secondary structure of this region has been characterized using NMR and CD spectroscopies. More specifically, three overlapping peptides corresponding to residues T187-I211, G198-Y223 and V220-S245 called peptide 1, peptide 2 and peptide 3, respectively, were studied. The peptide 1 and peptide 2 are chiefly unfolded; only low populations (<10%) of α-helix were detected under the conditions studied. In contrast, the peptide 3 contains a long α-helix whose population is significantly higher; namely, 36% under the conditions studied. Utilizing the dihedral φ and ψ angles calculated on the basis of the NMR data, the conformation of the peptide 3 was calculated and revealed an α-helix spanning residues E230-N241. This α-helix showed amphiphilicity and reversible unfolding and refolding upon heating and cooling. Most fascinating, however, is its capacity to inhibit the activity of the catalytic domain of Trypanosoma equiperdum protein kinase A even though it is quite distinct from the canonical inhibitor motif. Based on this property, we advance that peptoids based on the peptide 3 α-helix could be novel leads for developing anti-trypanosomal therapeutics.
Protein Conformation, alpha-Helical, Hinge region, Swine, Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Protozoan Proteins, Intrinsically disordered regions, Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases, Peptide Fragments, Protein Refolding, CD and NMR spectroscopy, Trypanosoma brucei Abbreviations, Regulatory subunit of PKA, Animals, Amino Acid Sequence, Protein Kinase Inhibitors, Sequence Alignment, Enzyme Assays, Protein Unfolding
Protein Conformation, alpha-Helical, Hinge region, Swine, Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Protozoan Proteins, Intrinsically disordered regions, Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases, Peptide Fragments, Protein Refolding, CD and NMR spectroscopy, Trypanosoma brucei Abbreviations, Regulatory subunit of PKA, Animals, Amino Acid Sequence, Protein Kinase Inhibitors, Sequence Alignment, Enzyme Assays, Protein Unfolding
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 3 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
| views | 34 | |
| downloads | 86 |

Views provided by UsageCounts
Downloads provided by UsageCounts