Domain organization of Mac-2 binding protein and its oligomerization to linear and ring-like structures.

The multidomain Mac-2 binding protein (M2BP) is present in serum and in the extracellular matrix in the form of linear and ring-shaped oligomers, which interact with galectin-3, fibronectin, collagens, integrins and other large glycoproteins. Domain 1 of M2BP (M2BP-1) shows homology with the cysteine-rich SRCR domain of scavanger receptor. Domains 2 and 3 are related to the dimerization domains BTB/POZ and IVR of the Drosophila kelch protein. Recombinant M2BP, its N-terminal domain M2BP-1 and a fragment consisting of putative domains 2, 3 and 4 (M2BP-2,3,4) were investigated by scanning transmission electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, analytical ultracentrifugation and binding assays. The ring oligomers formed by the intact protein are comprised of approximately 14 nm long segments composed of two 92 kDa M2BP monomers. Although the rings vary in size, decamers predominate. The various linear oligomers also observed are probably ring precursors, dimers predominate. M2BP-1 exhibits a native fold, does not oligomerize and is inactive in cell attachment. M2BP-2,3,4 aggregates to heterogeneous, protein filled ring-like structures as shown by metal shadowed preparations. These aggregates retain the cell-adhesive potential indicating native folding. It is hypothesized that the rings provide an interaction pattern for multivalent interactions of M2BP with target molecules or complexes of ligands.     

Engineering the phosphoinositide-binding profile of a class I pleckstrin homology domain

Pleckstrin homology (PH) domains are protein modules that bind with varying degrees of affinity and specificity membrane phosphoinositides. Previously we have shown that although the PH domains of the Ras GTPase-activating proteins GAP1m and GAP1IP4BP are 63% identical at the amino acid level they possess distinct phosphoinositide-binding profiles. The GAP1m PH domain binds phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P3), whereas the domain from GAP1IP4BP binds PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) equally well. These phosphoinositide specificities are translated into distinct subcellular localizations. GAP1m is cytosolic and undergoes a rapid PtdIns(3,4,5)P3-dependent association with the plasma membrane following growth factor stimulation. In contrast, GAP1IP4BP is constitutively associated, in a PtdIns(4,5)P2-dependent manner, with the plasma membrane (Cozier, G. E., Lockyer, P. J., Reynolds, J. S., Kupzig, S., Bottomley, J. R., Millard, T., Banting, G., and Cullen, P. J. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 28261-28268). In the present study, we have used molecular modeling to identify residues in the GAP1IP4BP PH domain predicted to be required for high affinity binding to PtdIns(4,5)P2. This has allowed the isolation of a mutant, GAP1IP4BP-(K591T), which while retaining high affinity for PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 has a 6-fold reduction in its affinity for PtdIns(4,5)P2. Importantly, GAP1IP4BP-(K591T) is predominantly localized to the cytosol and undergoes a PtdIns(3,4,5)P3-dependent association with the plasma membrane following growth factor stimulation. We have therefore engineered the phosphoinositide-binding profile of the GAP1IP4BP PH domain, thereby emphasizing that subtle changes in PH domain structure can have a pronounced effect on phosphoinositide binding and the subcellular localization of GAP1IP4BP.     

Yes-associated protein and p53-binding protein-2 interact through their WW and SH3 domains

To understand the role of the Yes-associated protein (YAP), binding partners of its WW1 domain were isolated by a yeast two-hybrid screen. One of the interacting proteins was identified as p53-binding protein-2 (p53BP-2). YAP and p53BP-2 interacted in vitro and in vivo using their WW1 and SH3 domains, respectively. The YAP WW1 domain bound to the YPPPPY motif of p53BP-2, whereas the p53BP-2 SH3 domain interacted with the VPMRLR sequence of YAP, which is different from other known SH3 domain-binding motifs. By mutagenesis, we showed that this unusual SH3 domain interaction was due to the presence of three consecutive tryptophans located within the betaC strand of the SH3 domain. A point mutation within this triplet, W976R, restored the binding selectivity to the general consensus sequence for SH3 domains, the PXXP motif. A constitutively active form of c-Yes was observed to decrease the binding affinity between YAP and p53BP-2 using chloramphenicol acetyltransferase/enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, whereas the overexpression of c-Yes did not modify this interaction. Since overexpression of an activated form of c-Yes resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of p53BP-2, we propose that the p53BP-2 phosphorylation, possibly in the WW1 domain-binding motif, might negatively regulate the YAP.p53BP-2 complex.     

ADAM-9 is an insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 protease produced and secreted by human osteoblasts

IGF binding protein-5 (BP-5) is an important bone formation regulator. Therefore, elucidation of the identity of IGF binding protein-5 (BP-5) protease produced by osteoblasts is important for our understanding of the molecular pathways that control the action of BP-5. In this regard, BP-5 protease purified by various chromatographic steps from a conditioned medium of U2 human osteosarcoma cells migrated as a single major band, which comigrated with the protease activity in native PAGE and yielded multiple bands in SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. N-Terminal sequencing of these bands revealed that three of the bands yielded amino acid sequences that were identical to that of alpha2 macroglobulin (alpha2M). Although alpha2M was produced by human osteoblasts (OBs), it was not found to be a BP-5 protease. Because alpha2M had been shown to complex with ADAM proteases and because ADAM-12 was found to cleave BP-3 and BP-5, we evaluated if one of the members of ADAM family was the BP-5 protease. On the basis of the findings that (1) purified preparations of BP-5 protease from U2 cell CM contained ADAM-9, (2) ADAM-9 is produced and secreted in high abundance by various human OB cell types, (3) purified ADAM-9 cleaved BP-5 effectively while it did not cleave other IGFBPs or did so with less potency, and (4) purified ADAM-9 bound to alpha2M, we conclude that ADAM-9 is a BP-5 protease produced by human OBs.     

Binding of Complement Inhibitor C4b-binding Protein to a Highly Virulent Streptococcus pyogenes M1 Strain Is Mediated by Protein H and Enhances Adhesion to and Invasion of Endothelial Cells

Streptococcus pyogenes AP1, a strain of the highly virulent M1 serotype, uses exclusively protein H to bind the complement inhibitor C4b-binding protein (C4BP). We found a strong correlation between the ability of AP1 and its isogenic mutants lacking protein H to inhibit opsonization with complement C3b and binding of C4BP. C4BP bound to immobilized protein H or AP1 bacteria retained its cofactor activity for degradation of ¹²⁵I-C4b. Furthermore, C4b deposited from serum onto AP1 bacterial surfaces was processed into C4c/C4d fragments, which did not occur on strains unable to bind C4BP. Recombinant C4BP mutants, which (i) lack certain CCP domains or (ii) have mutations in single aa as well as (iii) mutants with additional aa between different CCP domains were used to determine that the binding is mainly mediated by a patch of positively charged amino acid residues at the interface of domains CCP1 and CCP2. Using recombinant protein H fragments, we narrowed down the binding site to the N-terminal domain A. With a peptide microarray, we identified one single 18-amino acid-long peptide comprising residues 92–109, which specifically bound C4BP. Biacore was used to determine K_D = 6 × 10⁻⁷ m between protein H and a single subunit of C4BP. C4BP binding also correlated with elevated levels of adhesion and invasion to endothelial cells. Taken together, we identified the molecular basis of C4BP-protein H interaction and found that it is not only important for decreased opsonization but also for invasion of endothelial cells by S. pyogenes.     

Calcium binding to calmodulin and its globular domains

The macroscopic Ca(2+)-binding constants of bovine calmodulin have been determined from titrations with Ca2+ in the presence of the chromophoric chelator 5,5'-Br2BAPTA in 0, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 150 mM KCl. Identical experiments have also been performed for tryptic fragments comprising the N-terminal and C-terminal domains of calmodulin. These measurements indicate that the separated globular domains retain the Ca2+ binding properties that they have in the intact molecule. The Ca2+ affinity is 6-fold higher for the C-terminal domain than for the N-terminal domain. The salt effect on the free energy of binding two Ca2+ ions is 20 and 21 kJ. mol-1 for the N- and C-terminal domain, respectively, comparing 0 and 150 mM KCl. Positive cooperativity of Ca2+ binding is observed within each globular domain at all ionic strengths. No interaction is observed between the globular domains. In the N-terminal domain, the cooperativity amounts to 3 kJ.mol-1 at low ionic strength and greater than or equal to 10 kJ.mol-1 at 0.15 M KCl. For the C-terminal domain, the corresponding figures are 9 +/- 2 kJ.mol-1 and greater than or equal to 10 kJ.mol-1. Two-dimensional 1H NMR studies of the fragments show that potassium binding does not alter the protein conformation.     

Functional analyses of two cellular binding domains of bovine lactadherin

The glycoprotein bovine lactadherin (formerly known as PAS-6/7) comprises two EGF-like domains and two C-like domains found in blood clotting factors V and VIII. Bovine lactadherin binds to alpha(v)beta(5) integrin in an RGD-dependent manner and also to phospholipids, especially phosphatidyl serine. To define and characterize these bindings the interactions between lactadherin and different mammalian cell types were investigated. Using recombinant forms of bovine lactadherin, the human breast carcinomas MCF-7 cells expressing the alpha(v)beta(5) integrin receptor were shown to bind specifically to RGD containing lactadherin but not to a mutated RGE lactadherin. A monoclonal antibody against the alpha(v)beta(5) integrin receptor and a synthetic RGD-containing peptide inhibited the adhesion of MCF-7 cells to lactadherin. Green monkey kidney MA-104 cells, also expressing the alpha(v)beta(3) together with the alpha(v)beta(5) integrin, showed binding to bovine lactadherin via both integrins. To investigate the interaction of lipid with lactadherin two fragments were expressed corresponding to the C1C2 domains and the C2 domain. Both fragments bound to phosphatidyl serine in a concentration-dependent manner with an affinity similar to native lactadherin (K(d) = 1.8 nM). A peptide corresponding to the C-terminal part of the C2 domain inhibited the binding of lactadherin to phospholipid in a concentration-dependent manner, and finally it was shown that lactadherin mediates binding between artificial phosphatidyl serine membranes and MCF-7 cells. Taken together these results show that lactadherin can act as link between two surfaces by binding to integrin receptors through its N-terminus and to phospholipids through its C-terminus.     

Electrostatics and the ion selectivity of ligand-gated channels.

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a cation-selective ion channel that opens in response to acetylcholine binding. The related glycine receptor (GlyR) is anion selective. The pore-lining domain of each protein may be modeled as a bundle of five parallel M2 helices. Models of the pore-lining domains of homopentameric nAChR and GlyR have been used in continuum electrostatics calculations to probe the origins of ion selectivity. Calculated pKA values suggest that "rings" of acidic or basic side chains at the mouths of the nAChR or GlyR M2 helix bundles, respectively, may not be fully ionized. In particular, for the nAChR the ring of glutamate side chains at the extracellular mouth of the pore is predicted to be largely protonated at neutral pH, whereas those glutamate side chains in the intracellular and intermediate rings (at the opposite mouth of the pore) are predicted to be fully ionized. Inclusion of the other domains of each protein represented as an irregular cylindrical tube in which the M2 bundles are embedded suggests that both the M2 helices and the extramembrane domains play significant roles in determining ion selectivity.     

The localization of heparin-binding fragments on human C4b-binding protein

C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is a multimeric plasma protein, which regulates the classical pathway of the C system. C4BP interacts with C C4b on a domain located in a 48-kDa chymotryptic fragment. We now demonstrate that C4BP contains heparin-binding fragments, which are located within the C4b binding domain. We have used an assay using heparin coupled to Sepharose CL-6B to show that 125I-C4BP binds to heparin in a time-dependent, saturable, and reversible manner. Binding could be inhibited by purified 48-kDa fragments and direct binding on the 48-kDa fragments to heparin-Sepharose was demonstrated by SDS-PAGE. mAb against native C4BP and the isolated 160-kDa central core fragment were evaluated for their ability to block the binding of 125I-C4BP to heparin and C4b. The relative efficacy of mAb against intact C4BP in blocking C4BP binding to heparin-Sepharose was similar to that for blocking 125I-C4BP binding to C4b. In addition, heparin blocked the binding of 125I-C4BP to C4b and vice versa. It is therefore likely that the heparin-binding fragments are localized on or close to the C4b-binding site of C4BP.     

GYF domain proteomics reveals interaction sites in known and novel target proteins

GYF domains are conserved eukaryotic adaptor domains that recognize proline-rich sequences. Although the structure and function of the prototypic GYF domain from the human CD2BP2 protein have been characterized in detail, very little is known about GYF domains from other proteins and species. Here we describe the binding properties of four GYF domains of various origins. Phage display in combination with SPOT analysis revealed the PPG(F/I/L/M/V) motif as a general recognition signature. Based on these results, the proteomes of human, yeast, and Arabidopsis thaliana were searched for potential interaction sites. Binding of several candidate proteins was confirmed by pull-down experiments or yeast two-hybrid analysis. The binding epitope of the GYF domain from the yeast SMY2 protein was mapped by NMR spectroscopy and led to a structural model that accounts for the different binding properties of SMY2-type GYF domains and the CD2BP2-GYF domain.     

Crystal structure of a scavenger receptor cysteine-rich domain sheds light on an ancient superfamily

Scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) domains are found widely in cell surface molecules and in some secreted proteins, where they are thought to mediate ligand binding. We have determined the crystal structure at 2.0 A resolution of the SRCR domain of Mac-2 binding protein (M2BP), a tumor-associated antigen and matrix protein. The structure reveals a curved six-stranded beta-sheet cradling an alpha-helix. Structure-based sequence alignment demonstrates that the M2BP SRCR domain is a valid template for the entire SRCR protein superfamily. This allows an interpretation of previous mutagenesis data on ligand binding to the lymphocyte receptor CD6.     

Structural requirements for ligand binding by a probable plant vacuolar sorting receptor

How sorting receptors recognize amino acid determinants on polypeptide ligands and respond to pH changes for ligand binding or release is unknown. The plant vacuolar sorting receptor BP-80 binds polypeptide ligands with a central Asn-Pro-Ile-Arg (NPIR) motif. tBP-80, a soluble form of the receptor lacking transmembrane and cytoplasmic sequences, binds the peptide SSSFADSNPIRPVTDRAASTYC as a monomer with a specificity indistinguishable from that of BP-80. tBP-80 contains an N-terminal region homologous to ReMembR-H2 (RMR) protein lumenal domains, a unique central region, and three C-terminal epidermal growth factor (EGF) repeats. By protease digestion of purified secreted tBP-80, and from ligand binding studies with a secreted protein lacking the EGF repeats, we defined three protease-resistant structural domains: an N-terminal/RMR homology domain connected to a central domain, which together determine the NPIR-specific ligand binding site, and a C-terminal EGF repeat domain that alters the conformation of the other two domains to enhance ligand binding. A fragment representing the central domain plus the C-terminal domain could bind ligand but was not specific for NPIR. These results indicate that two tBP-80 binding sites recognize two separate ligand determinants: a non-NPIR site defined by the central domain-EGF repeat domain structure and an NPIR-specific site contributed by the interaction of the N-terminal/RMR homology domain and the central domain.     

Reconstitution of calmodulin from domains and subdomains: Influence of target peptide

Reconstitution studies of a protein from domain fragments can furnish important insights into the distinctive role of particular domain interactions and how they affect biophysical properties important for function. Using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and a number of spectroscopic and chromatographic tools, including CD, fluorescence and NMR spectroscopy, size-exclusion chromatography and non-denaturing agarose gel electrophoresis, we have investigated the reconstitution of the ubiquitous Ca2+-sensor protein calmodulin (CaM) and its globular domains from fragments comprising one or two EF-hands. The studies were carried out with and without the target peptide from smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase (smMLCKp). The CaM-target complex can be reconstituted from the three components consisting of the target peptide and the globular domains TR1C and TR2C. In the absence of peptide, there is no evidence for association of the globular domains. The globular domains can further be reconstituted from their corresponding native subdomains. The dissociation constant, K(D), in 2 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), for the subdomain complexes, EF1:EF2 and EF3:EF4, was determined with ITC to 9.3 x 10(-7) M and 5.9 x 10(-8) M, respectively. Thus, the affinity between the two C-terminal subdomains, located within TR2C, is stronger by a factor of 16 than that between the corresponding subdomains within TR1C. These observations are corroborated by the spectroscopic and chromatographic investigations.     

Characterization of G3BPs: tissue specific expression, chromosomal localisation and rasGAP(120) binding studies.

The G3BP (ras-GTPase-Activating Protein SH3-Domain-Binding Protein) family of proteins has been implicated in both signal transduction and RNA-metabolism. We have previously identified human G3BP-1, G3BP-2, and mouse G3BP-2. Here, we report the cloning of mouse G3BP-1, the discovery of two alternatively spliced isoforms of mouse, and human G3BP-2 (G3BP-2a and G3BP-2b), and the chromosomal localisation of human G3BP-1 and G3BP-2, which map to 5q14.2-5q33.3 and 4q12-4q24 respectively. We mapped the rasGAP(120) interactive region of the G3BP-2 isoforms and show that both G3BP-2a and G3BP-2b use an N-terminal NTF2-like domain for rasGAP(120) binding rather than several available proline-rich (PxxP) motifs found in members of the G3BPs. Furthermore, we have characterized the protein expression of both G3BP-1 and G3BP-2a/b in adult mouse tissues, and show them to be both tissue and isoform specific.     

"Similarity trap" in protein-protein interactions could be carcinogenic: simulations of p53 core domain complexed with 53BP1 and BRCA1 BRCT domains

Similar binding sites often imply similar protein-protein interactions and similar functions; however, similar binding sites may also constitute traps for nonfunctional associations. How are similar sites distinguished to prevent misassociations? BRCT domains from breast cancer-susceptibility gene product BRCA1 and protein 53BP1 have similar structures yet different binding behaviors with p53 core domain. 53BP1-BRCT domain forms a stable complex with p53. In contrast, BRCA1-p53 interaction is weak or other mechanisms operate. To delineate the difference, we designed 13 BRCA1-BRCT mutants and computationally investigated the structural and stability changes compared to the experimental p53-53BP1 structure. Interestingly, of the 13, the 2 mutations that are cancerous and involve nonconserved residues are those that enforced p53 core domain binding with BRCA1-BRCT in a way similar to p53-53BP1 binding. Hence, falling into the "similarity trap" may disrupt normal BRCA1 and p53 functions. Our results illustrate how this trap is avoided in the native state.     

Specific binding of the C-terminal Src homology 2 domain of the p85alpha subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase to phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate. Localization and engineering of the phosphoinositide-binding motif

Phosphoinositide second messengers, generated from the action of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), mediate an array of signaling pathways through the membrane recruitment and activation of downstream effector proteins. Although pleckstrin domains of many target proteins have been shown to bind phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP(3)) and/or phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate (PI(3,4)P(2)) with high affinity, published data concerning the phosphoinositide binding specificity of Src homology 2 (SH2) domains remain conflicting. Using three independent assays, we demonstrated that the C-terminal (CT-)SH2 domain, but not the N-terminal SH2 domain, on the PI3K p85alpha subunit displayed discriminative affinity for PIP(3). However, the binding affinity diminished precipitously when the acyl chain of PIP(3) was shortened. In addition, evidence suggests that the charge density on the phosphoinositol ring represents a key factor in determining the phosphoinositide binding specificity of the CT-SH2 domain. In light of the largely shared structural features between PIP(3) and PI(4,5)P(2), we hypothesized that the PIP(3)-binding site on the CT-SH2 domain encompassed a sequence that recognized PI(4,5)P(2). Based on a consensus PI(4,5)P(2)-binding sequence (KXXXXXKXKK; K denotes Arg, Lys, and His), we proposed the sequence (18)RNKAENLLRGKR(29) as the PIP(3)-binding site. This binding motif was verified by using a synthetic peptide and site-directed mutagenesis. More importantly, neutral substitution of flanking Arg(18) and Arg(29) resulted in a switch of ligand specificity of the CT-SH2 domain to PI(4,5)P(2) and PI(3,4)P(2), respectively. Together with computer modeling, these mutagenesis data suggest a pseudosymmetrical relationship in the recognition of the phosphoinositol head group at the binding motif.     

Structures of the MthK RCK domain and the effect of Ca2+ on gating ring stability

MthK is a Ca2+-gated K+ channel from Methanobacterium autotrophicum. The crystal structure of the MthK channel in a Ca2+-bound open state was previously determined at 3.3 A and revealed an octameric gating ring composed of eight intracellular ligand-binding RCK (regulate the conductance of K+) domains. It was suggested that Ca2+ binding regulates the gating ring conformation, which in turn leads to the opening and closing of the channel. However, at 3.3 AA resolution, the molecular details of the structure are not well defined, and many of the conclusions drawn from that structure were hypothetical. Here we have presented high resolution structures of the MthK RCK domain with and without Ca2+ bound from three different crystals. These structures revealed a dimeric architecture of the RCK domain and allowed us to visualize the Ca2+ binding and protein-protein contacts at atomic detail. The dimerization of RCK domains is also conserved in other RCK-regulated K+ channels and transporters, suggesting that the RCK dimer serves as a basic unit in the gating ring assembly. A comparison of these dimer structures confirmed that the dimer interface is indeed flexible as suggested previously. However, the conformational change at the flexible interface is of an extent smaller than the previously hypothesized gating ring movement, and a reconstruction of these dimers into octamers by applying protein-protein contacts at the fixed interface did not generate enclosed gating rings. This indicated that there is a high probability that the previously defined fixed interface may not be fixed during channel gating. In addition to the structural studies, we have also carried out biochemical analyses and have shown that near physiological pH, isolated RCK domains form a stable octamer in solution, supporting the notion that the formation of octameric gating ring is a functionally relevant event in MthK gating. Additionally, our stability studies indicated that Ca2+ binding stabilizes the RCK domains in this octameric state.     

Mutual effects of MinD-membrane interaction: II. Domain structure of the membrane enhances MinD binding

MinD, a well-conserved bacterial amphitropic protein involved in spatial regulation of cell division, has a typical feature of reversible binding to the membrane. MinD shows a clear preference for acidic phospholipids organized into lipid domains in bacterial membrane. We have shown that binding of MinD may change the dynamics of model and native membranes (see accompanying paper [1]). On the other hand, MinD dimerization and anchoring could be enhanced on pre-existing anionic phospholipid domains. We have tested MinD binding to model membranes in which acidic and zwitterionic phospholipids are either well-mixed or segregated to phase domains. The phase separation was achieved in binary mixtures of 1-Stearoyl-2-Oleoyl-sn-Glycero-3-[Phospho-rac-(1-glycerol] (SOPG) with 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-Glycero-3-Phosphocholine (DSPC) or 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-Glycero-3-[Phospho-rac-(1-glycerol)] (DSPG) and binding to these membranes was compared with that to a fluid mixture of SOPG with 1-Stearoyl-2-Oleoyl-sn-Glycero-3-Phosphocholine (SOPC). The results demonstrate that MinD binding to the membrane is enhanced by segregation of anionic phospholipids to fluid domains in a gel-phase environment and, moreover, the protein stabilizes such domains. This suggests that an uneven binding of MinD to the heterogeneous native membrane is possible, leading to formation of a lipid-specific distribution pattern of MinD and/or modulation of its temporal behavior.     

Probing minimal independent folding units in dihydrofolate reductase by molecular dissection.

Molecular dissection was employed to identify minimal independent folding units in dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from Escherichia coli. Eight overlapping fragments of DHFR, spanning the entire sequence and ranging in size from 36 to 123 amino acids, were constructed by chemical cleavage. These fragments were designed to examine the effect of tethering multiple elements of secondary structure on folding and to test if the secondary structural domains represent autonomous folding units. CD and fluorescence spectroscopy demonstrated that six fragments containing up to a total of seven alpha-helices or beta-strands and, in three cases, the adenine binding domain (residues 37-86), are largely disordered. A stoichiometric mixture of the two fragments comprising the large discontinuous domain, 1-36 and 87-159, also showed no evidence for folding beyond that observed for the isolated fragments. A fragment containing residues 1-107 appears to have secondary and tertiary structure; however, spontaneous self-association made it impossible to determine if this structure solely reflects the behavior of the monomeric form. In contrast, a monomeric fragment spanning residues 37-159 possesses significant secondary and tertiary structure. The urea-induced unfolding of fragment 37-159 in the presence of 0.5 M ammonium sulfate was found to be a well-defined, two-state process. The observation that fragment 37-159 can adopt a stable native fold with unique, aromatic side-chain packing is quite striking because residues 1-36 form an integral part of the structural core of the full-length protein.