title: Considering protonation as a posttranslational modification regulating protein structure and function.
abstract: Posttranslational modification is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism for regulating protein activity, binding affinity, and stability. Compared with established posttranslational modifications such as phosphorylation or ubiquitination, posttranslational modification by protons within physiological pH ranges is a less recognized mechanism for regulating protein function. By changing the charge of amino acid side chains, posttranslational modification by protons can drive dynamic changes in protein conformation and function. Addition and removal of a proton is rapid and reversible and, in contrast to most other posttranslational modifications, does not require an enzyme. Signaling specificity is achieved by only a minority of sites in proteins titrating within the physiological pH range. Here, we examine the structural mechanisms and functional consequences of proton posttranslational modification of pH-sensing proteins regulating different cellular processes.
authors: Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
authors: André
authors: A
authors: Schönichen
authors: Bradley A
authors: BA
authors: Webb
authors: Matthew P
authors: MP
authors: Jacobson
authors: Diane L
authors: DL
authors: Barber
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004194:Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D011387:Prokaryotic Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D011522:Protons
chemical_list: D011522:Protons