title: Monomeric dark rhodopsin holds the molecular determinants for transducin recognition: insights from computational analysis.
abstract: In this computational study, we have investigated the implications of rhodopsin (Rho) oligomerization in transducin (Gt) recognition. The results of docking simulations between heterotrimeric Gt and monomeric, dimeric and tetrameric inactive Rho corroborate the hypothesis that Rho and Gt can be found coupled already in the dark. Moreover, our extensive computational analysis suggests that the most likely Rho:Gt stoichiometry is the 1:1 one. This means that the essential molecular determinants for Gt recognition and activation are contained in one Rho monomer. In this respect, the complex between one Rho molecule and one heterotrimeric Gt should be considered as the functional unit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 183, 41100 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dell'Orco
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seeber
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fanelli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D002417:Cattle; D019295:Computational Biology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003624:Darkness; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008958:Models, Molecular; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D012243:Rhodopsin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D015293:Transducin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D012243:Rhodopsin; D015293:Transducin