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Modeling AFM-induced PEVK extension and the reversible unfolding of Ig/FNIII domains in single and multiple titin molecules.

ABSTRACT: Molecular elasticity is associated with a select number of polypeptides and proteins, such as titin, Lustrin A, silk fibroin, and spider silk dragline protein. In the case of titin, the globular (Ig) and non-globular (PEVK) regions act as extensible springs under stretch; however, their unfolding behavior and force extension characteristics are different. Using our time-dependent macroscopic method for simulating AFM-induced titin Ig domain unfolding and refolding, we simulate the extension and relaxation of hypothetical titin chains containing Ig domains and a PEVK region. Two different models are explored: 1) a series-linked WLC expression that treats the PEVK region as a distinct entropic spring, and 2) a summation of N single WLC expressions that simulates the extension and release of a discrete number of parallel titin chains containing constant or variable amounts of PEVK. In addition to these simulations, we also modeled the extension of a hypothetical PEVK domain using a linear Hooke's spring model to account for "enthalpic" contributions to PEVK elasticity. We find that the modified WLC simulations feature chain length compensation, Ig domain unfolding/refolding, and force-extension behavior that more closely approximate AFM, laser tweezer, and immunolocalization experimental data. In addition, our simulations reveal the following: 1) PEVK extension overlaps with the onset of Ig domain unfolding, and 2) variations in PEVK content within a titin chain ensemble lead to elastic diversity within that ensemble.

SUBMITTER: Zhang B

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1301259 | biostudies-other | 2001 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Modeling AFM-induced PEVK extension and the reversible unfolding of Ig/FNIII domains in single and multiple titin molecules.

Zhang B B Evans J S JS

Biophysical journal 20010201 2

Molecular elasticity is associated with a select number of polypeptides and proteins, such as titin, Lustrin A, silk fibroin, and spider silk dragline protein. In the case of titin, the globular (Ig) and non-globular (PEVK) regions act as extensible springs under stretch; however, their unfolding behavior and force extension characteristics are different. Using our time-dependent macroscopic method for simulating AFM-induced titin Ig domain unfolding and refolding, we simulate the extension and ...[more]

PMID: 11159428

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Project description:The mechanisms that determine mechanical stabilities of protein folds remain elusive. Our understanding of these mechanisms is vital to both bioengineering efforts and to the better understanding and eventual treatment of pathogenic mutations affecting mechanically important proteins such as titin. We present a new approach to analyze data from single-molecule force spectroscopy for different domains of the giant muscle protein titin. The region of titin found in the I-band of a sarcomere is composed of about 40 Ig-domains and is exposed to force under normal physiological conditions and connects the free-hanging ends of the myosin filaments to the Z-disc. Recent single-molecule force spectroscopy data show a mechanical hierarchy in the I-band domains. Domains near the C-terminus in this region unfold at forces two to three times greater than domains near the beginning of the I-band. Though all of these Ig-domains are thought to share a fold and topology common to members of the Ig-like fold family, the sequences of neighboring domains vary greatly with an average sequence identity of only 25%. We examine in this study the relation of these unique mechanical stabilities of each I-band Ig domain to specific, conserved physical-chemical properties of amino acid sequences in related Ig domains. We find that the sequences of each individual titin Ig domain are very highly conserved, with an average sequence identity of 79% across species that are divergent as humans, chickens, and zebra fish. This indicates that the mechanical properties of each domain are well conserved and tailored to its unique position in the titin molecule. We used the PCPMer software to determine the conservation of amino acid properties in titin Ig domains grouped by unfolding forces into "strong" and "weak" families. We found two motifs unique to each family that may have some role in determining the mechanical properties of these Ig domains. A detailed statistical analysis of properties of individual residues revealed several positions that displayed differentially conserved properties in strong and weak families. In contrast to previous studies, we find evidence that suggests that the mechanical stability of Ig domains is determined by several residues scattered across the beta-sandwich fold, and force sensitive residues are not only confined to the A'-G region.

Dataset Information

Modeling AFM-induced PEVK extension and the reversible unfolding of Ig/FNIII domains in single and multiple titin molecules.

Publications

Modeling AFM-induced PEVK extension and the reversible unfolding of Ig/FNIII domains in single and multiple titin molecules.

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