The VASP tetramerization domain is a right-handed coiled coil based on a 15-residue repeat.

Kühnel, Karin; Jarchau, Thomas; Wolf, Eva; Schlichting, Ilme; Walter, Ulrich; Wittinghofer, Alfred; Strelkov, Sergei V · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · 2004

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) is a key regulator of actin dynamics. We have determined the 1.3-A resolution crystal structure of the 45-residue-long tetramerization domain (TD) from human VASP. This domain forms a right-handed alpha-helical coiled-coil structure with a similar degree of supercoiling as found in the widespread left-handed coiled coils with heptad repeats. The basis for the right-handed geometry of VASP TD is a 15-residue repeat in its amino acid sequence, which reveals a characteristic pattern of hydrophobic residues. Hydrophobic interactions and a network of salt bridges render VASP TD highly thermostable with a melting point of 120 degrees C.

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