Repository logo
 

Folding pathway of an Ig domain is conserved on and off the ribosome.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Change log

Authors

Tian, Pengfei 
Steward, Annette 
Su, Ting 
Shilling, Patrick J  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5216-6975

Abstract

Proteins that fold cotranslationally may do so in a restricted configurational space, due to the volume occupied by the ribosome. How does this environment, coupled with the close proximity of the ribosome, affect the folding pathway of a protein? Previous studies have shown that the cotranslational folding process for many proteins, including small, single domains, is directly affected by the ribosome. Here, we investigate the cotranslational folding of an all-β Ig domain, titin I27. Using an arrest peptide-based assay and structural studies by cryo-EM, we show that I27 folds in the mouth of the ribosome exit tunnel. Simulations that use a kinetic model for the force dependence of escape from arrest accurately predict the fraction of folded protein as a function of length. We used these simulations to probe the folding pathway on and off the ribosome. Our simulations-which also reproduce experiments on mutant forms of I27-show that I27 folds, while still sequestered in the mouth of the ribosome exit tunnel, by essentially the same pathway as free I27, with only subtle shifts of critical contacts from the C to the N terminus.

Description

Keywords

arrest peptide, fraction folded, kinetic model, mechanical force, molecular simulation, Connectin, Humans, Kinetics, Microfilament Proteins, Models, Molecular, Protein Biosynthesis, Protein Folding, Ribosomes

Journal Title

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0027-8424
1091-6490

Volume Title

115

Publisher

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (095195/Z/10/Z)