Nm23-H1/NDP kinase folding intermediates and cancer: a hypothesis

J Bioenerg Biomembr. 2006 Aug;38(3-4):265-8. doi: 10.1007/s10863-006-9042-1. Epub 2006 Sep 1.

Abstract

The Nm23-H1/nucleoside diphosphate (NDP) kinase A is a metastasis suppressor, besides its enzymatic activity. The mutant S120G has been found in high-grade neuroblastomas. The mutant protein, once denatured in urea, is unable to refold in vitro. A size-exclusion chromatography analysis of the folding/association pathway showed that recombinant wild-type and S120G mutant human Nm23-H1/NDP kinase A unfold and refold passing through a molten globule state while typical hexameric NDP kinases unfold without dissociated species and refold through a native monomeric intermediate. A survey of the recent literature showed that several proteins involved in cancer, and their mutants, are marginally stable, like the wild-type Nm23-H1/NDP kinase A, or are misfolded, like its S120G mutant. We therefore suggest that the low thermodynamic stability and the folding intermediate of the Nm23-H1/NDP kinase A may be necessary for its regulatory properties.

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, Gel
  • Humans
  • Mutation, Missense / genetics*
  • NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases
  • Neuroblastoma / genetics*
  • Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase / genetics*
  • Protein Folding*
  • Thermodynamics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • NME1 protein, human
  • Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase