Conservation of Helical Bundle Structure between the Exocyst Subunits
2009

Conservation of Helical Bundle Structure between the Exocyst Subunits

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Croteau Nicole J., Furgason Melonnie L. M., Devos Damien, Munson Mary

Primary Institution: University of Massachusetts Medical School

Hypothesis

The other exocyst subunits would have similar helical bundle structures.

Conclusion

The study validated that all eight exocyst subunits are composed of similar helical bundles and identified a soluble domain of Sec10p for further analysis.

Supporting Evidence

  • All eight exocyst subunits were found to have similar helical bundle structures.
  • The study successfully identified and purified a soluble domain of the previously insoluble Sec10p.
  • Advanced computational methods were used to predict structural similarities among the exocyst subunits.

Takeaway

Scientists found that a group of proteins called exocyst subunits are all shaped similarly, which helps them work together in cells. They also figured out how to make one of these proteins soluble for study.

Methodology

The study used hidden Markov models and secondary structure predictions to analyze the exocyst subunits and identify a soluble domain of Sec10p.

Limitations

The study primarily focused on a subset of exocyst subunits and may not fully represent the entire complex's behavior in vivo.

Statistical Information

P-Value

10−4

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0004443

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