Three-dimensional solution NMR structure of Apo-L75F-TrpR, a temperature-sensitive mutant of the tryptophan repressor protein

L75F-TrpR is a temperature-sensitive mutant of the tryptophan repressor protein of Escherichia coli in which surface-exposed residue leucine 75 in the DNA binding domain is replaced with phenylalanine. Biochemical and biophysical studies had suggested global alterations in dynamics for L75F-TrpR, although the structure was apparently similar to that of wild-type TrpR. Herein, we report the three-dimensional solution structure of apo-L75F-TrpR determined by multidimensional (¹H, ¹⁵N, and ¹³C) solution NMR spectroscopy. An ensemble of structures was generated from 769 unique NOE-based distance restraints, 68 dihedral angle restraints, and 62 hydrogen bond distance restraints. Apo-L75F-TrpR exhibits a three-dimensional (3D) fold very similar to that of apo-WT-TrpR, with a dimeric core of four α-helices (A-C and F) from each subunit, and less well-defined D and E helical regions of the DNA binding domains. Despite their many similarities, wild-type and mutant proteins display significant chemical shift differences, one cluster of which is in the B-C turn, too distant to be ascribed solely to ring current effects from Phe75. Differences in NOE patterns and amide proton exchange rates are also observed in the B-C turn region. The data provide evidence that this point mutation exerts local effects on structure and stability in the DNA binding domain, and propagates long-range effects through the tertiary structure.