The foldon domain can form native-like trimers, which show both high stability and fast association kinetics. Association is initiated after rapid formation of a monomeric intermediate. A hydrophobic cluster stabilizes this monomeric state. The effect of mutations of each amino acid in the hydrophobic cluster are probed by fluorescence spectra, the free folding enthalpy, unfolding and refolding kinetics, and the crystal structure of the native state. From the experimental results it becomes clear that the fast association of foldon is guided by a fast equilibrium between the unfolded and the monomeric intermediate state.
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The foldon domain can form native-like trimers, which show both high stability and fast association kinetics. Association is initiated after rapid formation of a monomeric intermediate. A hydrophobic cluster stabilizes this monomeric state. The effect of mutations of each amino acid in the hydrophobic cluster are probed by fluorescence spectra, the free folding enthalpy, unfolding and refolding kinetics, and the crystal structure of the native state. From the experimental results it becomes clea...
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