Structural analysis of the stalk subunit Vma5p of the yeast V-ATPase in solution

Vma5p (subunit Q of the yeast V-ATPase was produced in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. Analysis of secondary structure by circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that Vma5p comprises 64% alpha-helix and beta-TY, beta-sheet content. The molecular mass of this subunit, determined by gel filtration analysis and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), was approximately 51 +/- 4 kDa, indicating a high hydration level of the protein in solution. The radius of gyration and the maximum size of Vma5p were determined to be 3.74 +/- 0.03 and 12.5 +/- 0.1 nm, respectively. Using two independent ab initio approaches, the first low-resolution shape of the protein was determined. Vma5p is an elongated boot-shaped particle consisting of two distinct domains. Co-reconstitution of Vma5p to V, without C from Manduca sexta resulted in a V-1-Vma5p hybrid complex and a 20% increase in ATPase hydrolysis activity. (C) 2004 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.