Solution structure of Grb2 reveals extensive flexibility necessary for target recognition

J Mol Biol. 2001 Feb 23;306(3):527-37. doi: 10.1006/jmbi.2000.4396.

Abstract

Grb2 is an adaptor protein composed of a single SH2 domain flanked by two SH3 domains. Grb2 functions as an important evolutionary conserved link between a variety of cell membrane receptors and the Ras/MAP kinase-signaling cascade. Here, we describe the solution structure of Grb2 as revealed by NMR and small angle X-ray scattering measurements. We demonstrate that Grb2 is a flexible protein in which the C-terminal SH3 domain is connected to the SH2 domain via a flexible linker. This is in contrast to the previously described Grb2 crystal structure, which showed a compact structure with intramolecular contact between two SH3 domains. Binding experiments on Grb2 and peptides containing two different proline-rich sequences indicate that Grb2 adapts the relative position and orientation of the two SH3 domains to bind bivalently to the target peptide sequences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Computer Simulation
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Pliability
  • Proline / genetics
  • Proline / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Software
  • Solutions
  • Substrate Specificity
  • X-Ray Diffraction
  • src Homology Domains*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein
  • GRB2 protein, human
  • Ligands
  • Proteins
  • Solutions
  • Proline