02426nas a2200277   4500008004100000022001400041245011100055210006900166260009500235300001200330490000800342520139600350653002301746653001601769653001501785653001901800653004801819100002101867700002401888700002601912700002201938700001901960700002501979700002102004856012302025       2009                        eng d  a0006-291X00aConformational characterization of human eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha: a single tryptophan protein0 aConformational characterization of human eukaryotic initiation f  a525 B ST, STE 1900, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101-4495 USAbACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCEcDEC  a273-2790 v3903 a<p>The alpha-subunit of the human eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (heIF2 alpha), a GTP binding protein, plays a major role in the initiation of protein synthesis. During various cytoplasmic stresses, eIF2 alpha gets phosphorylated by eIF2 alpha-specific kinases resulting in inhibition of protein synthesis. The cloned and over expressed heIF2 alpha, a protein with a single tryptophan (trp) residue was examined for its conformational characteristics using steady-state and time-resolved tryptophan fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD) and hydrophobic dye binding. The steady-state fluorescence spectrum, fluorescence lifetimes (tau(1) = 1.13 ns and tau(2) = 4.74 ns) and solute quenching studies revealed the presence of trp conformers in hydrophobic and differential polar environment at any given time. Estimation of the alpha-helix and beta-sheet content showed: (i) more compact structure at pH 2.0, (ii) distorted alpha-helix and rearranged beta-sheet in presence of 4 M guanidine hydrochloride and (iii) retention of more than 50% ordered structure at 95 degrees C. Hydrophobic dye binding to the protein with loosened tertiary structure was observed at pH 2.0 indicating the existence of a molten globule-like structure. These observations indicate the inherent structural stability of the protein under various denaturing conditions. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</p>10aCircular dichroism10aheIF2 alpha10aK562 cells10aMolten globule10aSteady-state and time-resolved fluorescence1 aSreejith, R., K.1 aYadav, Viveka, Nand1 aVarshney, Nishant, K.1 aBerwal, Sunil, K.1 aSuresh, C., G.1 aGaikwad, Sushama, M.1 aPal, Jayanta, K.  uhttps://library.ncl.res.in/content/conformational-characterization-human-eukaryotic-initiation-factor-2-alpha-single-0