In order to study the importance of interaction between the two rings that
form the GroEL cylinder, we investigated a heptameric GroEL mutant (single
ring, SR) by small-angle neutron scattering. We measured the scattering cur
ves of single rings and of complexes of single rings with GroES and ADP in
D2O. Preliminary model calculations revealed relevant differences between t
he model based on the GroEL X-ray crystal structure and the experimental da
ta. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.