The MPS1 kinase NTE region has helical propensity and preferred conformations towards the TPR domain

The mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) ensures accurate segregation of chromosomes by preventing onset of anaphase until all chromosomes are properly attached to spindle microtubules. The Monopolar spindle 1 (MPS1) kinase is one of the SAC components, localizing at unattached kinetochores by an N-terminal localization module. This module comprises a flexible NTE module and the TPR domain, which we previously characterized for their contribution to kinetochore binding. Here we discuss the conformations of the highly flexible NTE with respect to the TPR domain, using paramagnetic NMR. The distance restraints derived from paramagnetic relaxation enhancements (PREs) show that the mobile NTE can be found in proximity of a large but specific part of the surface area of the TPR domain. To sample the conformational space of the NTE in the context of the NTE-TPR module, we used the ab initio Rosetta approach supplemented by paramagnetic NMR restraints. We find that many NTE residues have a propensity to form helical structures and that the module localizes at the convex surface of the TPR domain. This work demonstrates the highly dynamic nature of the interactions between the NTE and TPR domains and it shows that the convex rather than the canonical concave TPR surface mediates interactions, leading to the auto-inhibition that the TPR exerts upon the NTE region in the context of SAC signaling.

Paramagpy: Software for Fitting Magnetic Susceptibility Tensors Using Paramagnetic Effects Measured in NMR Spectra

Paramagpy is a python module for calculating paramagnetic effects in NMR spectra of proteins. This currently includes fitting of paramagnetic susceptibility tensors to experimental data associated with pseudocontact shifts (PCS) residual dipolar couplings (RDC), paramagnetic relaxation enhancements (PRE) and cross-correlated relaxation (CCR). A GUI allows easy viewing of data and seamless transition between PCS/RDC/PRE/CCR calculations.<br><br>

Paramagpy: Software for Fitting Magnetic Susceptibility Tensors Using Paramagnetic Effects Measured in NMR Spectra

Paramagpy is a python module for calculating paramagnetic effects in NMR spectra of proteins. This currently includes fitting of paramagnetic susceptibility tensors to experimental data associated with pseudocontact shifts (PCS) residual dipolar couplings (RDC), paramagnetic relaxation enhancements (PRE) and cross-correlated relaxation (CCR). A GUI allows easy viewing of data and seamless transition between PCS/RDC/PRE/CCR calculations.<br><br>

The Study of the Aggregated Pattern of TX100 Micelle by Using Solvent Paramagnetic Relaxation Enhancements

TX100 (Triton X-100) is a typical nonionic surfactant that is widely used in biology. However, the detailed aggregated conformation of TX100, such as the boundary between the polar region and the nonpolar region, and the arrangement of hydrophobic chains in micelles, are still controversial. In the manuscript, the aggregation pattern of TX100 has been studied using sPREs (solvent Paramagnetic Relaxation Enhancements)-based NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy). It was found that the average positions of the protons in the TX100 micelle are consistent with those in the multilayer staggered spherical micelle model with the p-tertoctylphenyl groups dispersing in the different layers.