Equilibrium unfolding of the retinoid X receptor ligand binding domain and characterization of an unfolding intermediate.

The retinoid X receptor (RXR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that plays an important role in growth and development and the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. A thermodynamic ultraviolet circular dichroism, tryptophan fluorescence and ligand binding activity with guanidine as a chemical denaturant are consistent with a two step mechanism. The dimeric LBD equilibrates with a monomeric intermediate (DeltaG(0)(H(2)O) equal to 8.

Structural characterization of zinc-deficient human superoxide dismutase and implications for ALS.

Over 130 mutations to copper, zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD) are implicated in the selective death of motor neurons found in 25% of patients with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Despite their widespread distribution, ALS mutations appear positioned to cause structural and misfolding defects. Such defects decrease SOD's affinity for zinc, and loss of zinc from SOD is sufficient to induce apoptosis in motor neurons in vitro.

Calmodulin potentiates G beta gamma activation of phospholipase C-beta3.

Phospholipase C-beta (PLC-beta) isozymes (EC 3.1.4.

Effects of high-pressure processing at low temperature on the molecular structure and surface properties of beta-lactoglobulin.

High-pressure processing (HPP) was utilized to induce unfolding of beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG). beta-Lactoglobulin solutions at concentrations of 0.5 mg/mL, in pH 7.