Porin Conformation in the Absence of Calcium: Refined Structure at 2·5 Å Resolution

Abstract

The crystal structure of porin from Rhodobacter capsulatus in the absence of divalent calcium ions has been refined to convergence at a resolution of 2·5 Å using the simulated annealing refinement method. The final model consists of all 301 amino acid residues, 77 solvent molecules, one tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane molecule and one unknown ligand modeled as n-octyltetraoxyethylene. A superposition with the previously described model containing three calcium ion showed structural changes at the segment 108-116 of the inner loop β5-β6, and at loops β8-β9 and β11-β12 at the extracellular side of the porin molecule. Evidence is presented that the conformational changes depend on the presence or absence of calcium ions. A possible influence on porin function is discussed.