Biopolymers and cell. 2007; 23 (5): 386 - 390

Characterization of physical properties of two isoforms of translation elongation factor 1A

A. V. Novosylna, A. A. Timchenko, E. I. Tiktopulo, I. N. Serdyuk, B. S. Negrutskii, A. V. El’skaya

Two tissue-specific isoforms of mammalian translation elongation factor 1A, eEF1A1 and eEF1A2, are 98 % similar. However, some of their functions in the organism are different which in some cases could lead to the induction of carcinogenesis. We supposed that slight difference of primary sequences may cause significant differences of spatial structures of eEF1A isoforms affecting, in its turn, the ability of one or another isoform to interact with protein partners. The differential scanning microcalorimetry and circular dichroism in «near» and «far» UV regions were used to determine that potentially oncogenic eEF1A2 isoform possesses a more compact spatial organization than eEF1A1, and the differences are revealed at the levels of both secondary and tertiary structure of proteins.

Keywords: translation elongation factor eEF1A1, protein biosynthesis, differential scanning microcalorimetry, circular dichroism.