Biophysical studies with AICD-47 reveal unique binding behavior characteristic of an unfolded domain

Abstract

APP intracellular C-terminal domain (AICD-47), generated upon γ-secretase cleavage of amyloid precursor’s protein (APP), bears the signature of a classical intrinsically unstructured domain (IUD). Comparing the recent crystal structures of AICD-47 peptides bound to its different adaptors such as protein-tyrosine-binding domain-2 (PTB2) of Fe65 and Src homology 2 (SH2) domain of growth factor receptor binding protein 2 (Grb2), the “conformational switching” of AICD-47 becomes evident. In order to understand different binding processes undertaken by this flexible molecule, upon recognizing different interfaces resulting in different 3D conformations, spectroscopic and calorimetric studies have been done. CD spectroscopy has revealed an overall random coil like structure in different pHs while TFE (2′-2′-2′-trifluoro ethanol) and HFIP (Hexa fluoro isopropanol) induced α-helicity to a certain extent. Binding of Tyr phosphorylated AICD-47 (PAICD-47) to Grb2-SH2 domain was carried out by a favorable enthalpic change (ΔH=−197.5±6.2kcalmole−1 at 25°C) and an unfavorable entropic contribution (ΔS=−631calmol−1deg−1 at 25°C). Alternative conformation of AICD-47 in different biological contexts is another remarkable feature of IUDs which presumably has definitive roles in regulating Alzheimer’s disease phenotype.