Hinge sequences as signaling agents?
We report an unexpected finding of common structural principles in two unrelated signaling systems: the FAS death domain transformation that initializes the extrinsic apoptotic pathway and signaling by calmodulin bending. The location and design of the hinge is postulated to be a general principle for creating potential signaling event. We suggest that already existing tool can predict the existence of such a hinge and formulate the hypothesis that the internal instabilities designed into the hinge sequences are necessary devices in effective signaling events.
Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, United States. bstec@sanfordburnham.org
Boguslaw
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Stec
D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D002147:Calmodulin / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D055550:Protein Stability; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D015398:Signal Transduction; D040681:Structural Homology, Protein; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000737:chemistry*
D002147:Calmodulin; D019014:fas Receptor