Homology modeling of nitrogenase iron proteins from three Frankia strains
Abstract
The NifH protein contains an iron-sulfur cluster performing different functions during nitrogen fixation. Frankia is an actinomycete, entering into symbiotic association with a number of dicotyledonous plants and fixing nitrogen. The structure of the Frankia NifH protein was determined using homology modelling technique. Metal binding sites and functionally important regions of the protein were analyzed. Thiol ligands and active sites help in protein functioning and conformations. Structurally important nests were recognized. Clefts and cavities contain biologically important residues. Site-directed mutagenesis results reveal that mutations in functional residues hamper nitrogen fixation. The structure is rigid with an accessible surface for solvents. The structure is reliable offering insights into the 3D structural framework as well as structure-function relation of NifH protein.
Department
Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences
Publication Date
1-1-2010
Journal Title
Symbiosis
Publisher
Springer
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Sur, S., A. Sen, L.S. Tisa, U. Kr. Mondal, S. Thakur, and A. Kr. Bothra. 2010. Homology modeling of nitrogenase iron proteins from three Frankia strains. Symbiosis 50:37-44 (doi:10.1007/s13199-009-0035-9)
Rights
© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009