STRUCTURAL-PROPERTIES OF STAPHYLOCOCCAL NUCLEASE IN OLIGOMERIC A-FORMS

Association affects the structural properties of different partially f olded conformations of staphylococcal nuclease induced by anions of di fferent nature. It is shown that oligomerization induces new structura l levels in non-native A-forms. A close structural similarity between the monomeric A(2) and the dimeric (A(1))(2) forms as well as between the monomeric A(3) and oligomeric [(A(1))(2)](M) and [A(2)](M) forms i s established. This suggests that association of a protein molecule in partially folded conformations can be an additional structure forming factor.