title: Transition from natively unfolded to folded state induced by desiccation in an anhydrobiotic nematode protein.
abstract: Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are associated with desiccation tolerance in resurrection plants and in plant seeds, and the recent discovery of a dehydration-induced Group 3 LEA-like gene in the nematode Aphelenchus avenae suggests a similar association in anhydrobiotic animals. Despite their importance, little is known about the structure of Group 3 LEA proteins, although computer modeling and secondary structure algorithms predict a largely alpha-helical monomer that forms coiled coil oligomers. We have therefore investigated the structure of the nematode protein, AavLEA1, in the first such analysis of a well characterized Group 3 LEA-like protein. Immunoblotting and subunit cross-linking experiments demonstrate limited oligomerization of AavLEA1, but analytical ultracentrifugation and gel filtration show that the vast majority of the protein is monomeric. Moreover, CD, fluorescence emission, and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy indicate an unstructured conformation for the nematode protein. Therefore, in solution, no evidence was found to support structure predictions; instead, AavLEA1 seems to be natively unfolded with a high degree of hydration and low compactness. Such proteins can, however, be induced to fold into more rigid structures by partner molecules or by altered physiological conditions. Because AavLEA1 is associated with desiccation stress, its Fourier transform-infrared spectrum in the dehydrated state was examined. A dramatic but reversible increase in alpha-helix and, possibly, coiled coil formation was observed on drying, indicating that computer predictions of secondary structure may be correct for the solid state. This unusual finding offers the possibility that structural shifts in Group 3 LEA proteins occur on dehydration, perhaps consistent with their role in anhydrobiosis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kshamata
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goyal
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tisi
authors.forename: Amrik
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Basran
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Burnell
authors.forename: Jesus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zurdo
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tunnacliffe
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009348:Nematoda; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000737:chemistry; D011489:Protein Denaturation; D017510:Protein Folding; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D010446:Peptide Fragments