title: Role of water molecules and ion pairs in Dps and related ferritin-like structures.
abstract: A comparative study of water molecules and ion pairs in 11 Dps protein structures has been carried out. The invariant and common water molecules, the conserved residues interacting with them and the conserved ion pairs have been analyzed. Certain water molecules found on the interfaces between subunits are highly conserved and may be implicated in flexibility or continuing association of the subunits of the structure. It is possible that the water molecules, ion pairs and the special case of a water mediated charged network through a single water molecule are involved in maintaining the stability of the protein.
authors.affiliation: Bioinformatics Centre, 101 Raman Building, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
authors.forename: C Vasuki
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Ranjani
authors.forename: Sarani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rangarajan
authors.forename: Daliah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Michael
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sekar
mesh_terms: D005293:Ferritins / Q000737:chemistry*; D007477:Ions; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000737:chemistry; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D007477:Ions; D021122:Protein Subunits; D011506:Proteins; D014867:Water; D005293:Ferritins