Elucidation of the Aggregation Pathways of Helix-Turn-Helix Peptides: Stabilization at the Turn Region Is Critical for Fibril Formation

Biochemistry. 2015 Jul 7;54(26):4050-62. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b00414. Epub 2015 Jun 24.

Abstract

Aggregation of proteins to fiberlike aggregates often involves a transformation of native monomers to β-sheet-rich oligomers. This general observation underestimates the importance of α-helical segments in the aggregation cascade. Here, using a combination of experimental techniques and accelerated molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate the aggregation of a 43-residue, apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptide and its E21Q and D26N mutants. Our study indicates a strong propensity of helical segments not to adopt cross-β-fibrils. The helix-turn-helix monomeric conformation of the peptides is preserved in the mature fibrils. Furthermore, we reveal opposite effects of mutations on and near the turn region in the self-assembly of these peptides. We show that the E21-R24 salt bridge is a major contributor to helix-turn-helix folding, subsequently leading to abundant fibril formation. On the other hand, the K19-D26 interaction is not required to fold the native helix-turn-helix peptide. However, removal of the charged D26 residue decreases the stability of the helix-turn-helix monomer and consequently reduces the level of aggregation. Finally, we provide a more refined assembly model for the helix-turn-helix peptides from apolipoprotein A-I based on the parallel stacking of helix-turn-helix dimers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amyloid / chemistry*
  • Amyloid / genetics
  • Amyloid / ultrastructure
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / chemistry*
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / genetics
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Point Mutation
  • Protein Aggregates*
  • Protein Structure, Secondary

Substances

  • Amyloid
  • Apolipoprotein A-I
  • Peptides
  • Protein Aggregates