α-Helix-double helix interaction shown in the structure of a protamine-transfer RNA complex and a nucleoprotamine model
Abstract
Single crystal X-ray diffraction and circular dichroism studies of protamine binding to a tRNA suggest that the protamine molecule changes its conformation from a random coil to a structure containing α helices on binding to tRNA, and that α-helical segment(s) of protamine bind approximately along a shallow groove of a double-helical portion of tRNA. Based on these observations, a structural model for nucleoprotamine is proposed.
- Publication:
-
Nature
- Pub Date:
- January 1978
- DOI:
- 10.1038/271130a0
- Bibcode:
- 1978Natur.271..130W