PMID: 8242744

Authors:

Flaherty KM, Zozulya S, Stryer L, McKay DB

Title:

Three-dimensional structure of recoverin, a calcium sensor in vision.

Journal:

Cell. 1993 Nov 19;75(4):709-16.

Abstract:

Recoverin, a recently discovered member of the EF hand superfamily, serves as a calcium sensor in vision. We report here the crystal structure of recombinant unmyristoylated recoverin at 1.9 A resolution. The four EF hands of the protein are arranged in a compact array that contrasts with the dumbbell shape of calmodulin and troponin C. A calcium ion is bound to EF hand 3, while EF hand 2 can bind samarium but not calcium in this crystal form. The other two EF hands have novel structural features that prevent or impair calcium binding. A concave hydrophobic surface formed by EF hands 1 and 2 may participate in the read out of calcium signals by recoverin and its homologs.