title: Statistical conformation of human plasma fibronectin.
abstract: Fibronectin is a multifunctional glycoprotein (molecular mass, M = 530 kg/mol) of the extra cellular matrix (ECM) having a major role in cell adhesion. In physiological conditions, the conformation of this protein still remains debated and controversial. Here, we present a set of results obtained by scattering experiments. In "native" conditions, the radius of gyration (R(g) = 15.3 +/- 0.3 nm) was determined by static light scattering as well as small-angle neutron scattering. The hydrodynamic radius (R(H) = 11.5 +/- 0.1 nm) was deduced from quasi-elastic light scattering measurements. These results imply a low internal concentration compared to that of usual globular proteins. This is also confirmed by the ratio R(H)/R(g) = 0. 75 +/- 0.02 consistent with a Gaussian chain, whereas R(H)/R(g) = 1. 3 for spherical shaped molecules. However, adding a denaturing agent (urea 8 M) increases R(g) by a factor 2. This means that fibronectin "native" chain is not either completely unfolded. The average shape of fibronectin conformation was also probed by small-angle neutron scattering performed for reverse scattering vector q(-)(1) smaller than R(g) (0.2 < q(-)(1) < 15 nm). The measured form factor is in complete agreement with the form factor of a random string of 56 beads of 5 nm diameter. It rules out the possibility of unfolded chain as well as globular structures. These results have structural and biological implications as far as ECM organization is concerned.
authors.affiliation: ERRMECE, Université de Cergy-Pontoise, 95302 Cergy-Pontoise Cedex, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pelta
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Fadda
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pauthe
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lairez
mesh_terms: D005353:Fibronectins / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011487:Protein Conformation
chemical_list: D005353:Fibronectins