title: A biophysical characterization of the folded domains of KCTD12: insights into interaction with the GABAB2 receptor.
abstract: Recent investigations have shown that members of the KCTD family play important roles in fundamental biological processes. Despite their roles, very limited information is available on their structures and molecular organization. By combining different experimental and theoretical techniques, we have here characterized the two folded domains of KCTD12, an integral component and modulator of the GABAB2 receptor. Secondary prediction methods and CD spectroscopy have shown that the N-terminal domain KCTD12BTB assumes an α/β structure, whereas the C-terminal domain KCTD12H1 is predominantly characterized by a β-structure. Binding assays indicate that the two domains independently expressed show a good affinity for each other. This suggests that the overall protein is likely endowed with a rather compact structure with two interacting structured domains joint by a long disordered region. Notably, both KCTD12BTB and KCTD12H1 are tetrameric when individually expressed. This finding could modify the traditional view that ascribes only to POZ/BTB domain a specific oligomerization role. The first quantification of the affinity of KCTD12POZ/BTB for the C-terminal region of GABAB2 shows that it falls in the low micromolar range. Interestingly, we also demonstrate that a GABAB2 -related peptide is able to bind KCTD12BTB with a very high affinity. This peptide may represent a useful tool for modulating KCTD12/GABAB2 interaction in vitro and may also constitute the starting point for the development of peptidomimetic compounds with a potential for therapeutic applications.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy; Kedrion S.p.A, 80029 S. Antimo, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Correale
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pirone
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vitagliano
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di Gaetano
authors.forename: Emilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pedone
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011485:Protein Binding; D017510:Protein Folding; D054730:Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C106350:GABRR2 protein, human; C493175:KCTD12 protein, human; D011506:Proteins; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
keywords: CD spectroscopy; GABAB2 receptor; KCTD12; interaction studies; oligomerization state; peptide design