Solution Structure of the D/E Helix Linker of Skeletal Troponin-C: As Studied by Circular Dichroism and Two-Dimensional NMR Spectroscopy

We have synthesized a 17-residue peptide with the amino acid sequence RQMKEDAKGKSEEELAD corresponding to residues 84-100 of chicken skeletal troponin C. This stretch of the protein sequence is in the middle one-third of the 32-residue 9-turn α-helix that connects the two globular domains of the dumbell-shaped molecule and includes the D/E linker helix. We describe here the solution conformation of the helix linker as studied by circular dichroism (CD) and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2-D NMR) spectroscopy. The NOE connectivities together with the vicinal ³J_Nα coupling constants suggest that the peptide exists in a fast conformational equilibrium among several secondary structures: a nascent helix near the N-terminus, a helix, and a substational population of extended and random coil forms. In addition, two interresidue α-α NOEs are observed suggesting a bent structure with a bend that includes the single glycine in position 92. These results are consistent with the ideas that in neutral solution the D/E linker region of the central helix in troponin C can adopt a helical conformation and the central helix may have a segmental flexibility around Gly 92.