The presence of membranes or micelles induces structural changes of the myristoylated guanylate-cyclase activating protein-2

Eur Biophys J. 2011 Apr;40(4):565-76. doi: 10.1007/s00249-011-0680-9. Epub 2011 Feb 17.

Abstract

Guanylate cyclase-activating proteins (GCAPs) are neuronal Ca(2+) sensors that play a central role in shaping the photoreceptor light response and in light adaptation through the Ca(2+)-dependent regulation of the transmembrane retinal guanylate cyclase. GCAPs are N-terminally myristoylated, and the role of the myristoyl moiety is not yet fully understood. While protein lipid chains typically represent membrane anchors, the crystal structure of GCAP-1 showed that the myristoyl chain of the protein is completely buried within a hydrophobic pocket of the protein, which stabilizes the protein structure. Therefore, we address the question of the localization of the myristoyl group of GCAP-2 in the absence and in the presence of lipid membranes as well as DPC detergents (as a membrane substitute amenable to solution state NMR). We investigate membrane binding of both myristoylated and nonmyristoylated GCAP-2 and study the structure and dynamics of the myristoyl moiety of GCAP-2 in the presence of POPC membranes. Further, we address structural alterations within the myristoylated N-terminus of GCAP-2 in the presence of membrane mimetics. Our results suggest that upon membrane binding the myristoyl group is released from the protein interior and inserts into the lipid bilayer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Guanylate Cyclase-Activating Proteins / analysis*
  • Guanylate Cyclase-Activating Proteins / chemistry
  • Guanylate Cyclase-Activating Proteins / metabolism
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry
  • Lipid Bilayers / pharmacology*
  • Liposomes / chemistry
  • Liposomes / pharmacology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / methods
  • Micelles
  • Myristic Acid / chemistry
  • Myristic Acid / pharmacology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / chemistry
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Phosphatidylcholines / chemistry
  • Phosphatidylcholines / pharmacology
  • Photoreceptor Cells / drug effects*
  • Photoreceptor Cells / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Retina / drug effects*
  • Retina / metabolism
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Guanylate Cyclase-Activating Proteins
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Liposomes
  • Micelles
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Phosphatidylcholines
  • Myristic Acid
  • 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine