Conformational specificity of trigger factor for the folding intermediatesof alpha-lactalbumin

To understand the structural features of polypeptides recognized by trigger factor, a number of conformational derivatives of alpha LA were prepared a nd their effects on the trigger factor assisted refolding of GAPDH were inv estigated. It was found that the conformers of alpha LA that efficiently re duce the trigger factor assisted reactivation of guanidine-denatured GAPDH by competitively binding with trigger factor are those derivatives that hav e loose structure. This suggests that trigger factor binds mainly to interm ediates formed early during folding of GAPDH. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V . All rights reserved.