title: Protein domain interfaces: characterization and comparison with oligomeric protein interfaces.
abstract: The physical and chemical properties of domain-domain interactions have been analysed in two-domain proteins selected from the protein classification, CATH. The two-domain structures were divided into those derived from (i) monomeric proteins, or (ii) oligomeric or complexed proteins. The size, polarity, hydrogen bonding and packing of the intra-chain domain interface were calculated for both sets of two-domain structures. The results were compared with inter-chain interface parameters from permanent and non-obligate protein-protein complexes. In general, the intra-chain domain and inter-chain interfaces were remarkably similar. Many of the intra-chain interface properties are intermediate between those calculated for permanent and non-obligate inter-chain complexes. Residue interface propensities were also found to be very similar, with hydrophobic residues playing a major role, together with positively charged arginine residues. In addition, the residue composition of the domain interfaces were found to be more comparable with domain surfaces than domain cores. The implications of these results for domain swapping and protein folding are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Biomolecular Structure and Modelling Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University College, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. sue@biochem.ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Thornton
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000737:chemistry; D001665:Binding Sites; D016208:Databases, Factual; D019281:Dimerization; D006801:Humans; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011485:Protein Binding; D017510:Protein Folding; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D055672:Static Electricity
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D011506:Proteins; D001120:Arginine