RESUMO
In the Firmicutes phylum, GpsB is a membrane associated protein that coordinates peptidoglycan synthesis with cell growth and division. Although GpsB has been studied in several bacteria, the structure, function, and interactome of Staphylococcus aureus GpsB is largely uncharacterized. To address this knowledge gap, we solved the crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of S. aureus GpsB, which adopts an atypical, asymmetric dimer, and demonstrates major conformational flexibility that can be mapped to a hinge region formed by a three-residue insertion exclusive to Staphylococci. When this three-residue insertion is excised, its thermal stability increases, and the mutant no longer produces a previously reported lethal phenotype when overexpressed in Bacillus subtilis. In S. aureus, we show that these hinge mutants are less functional and speculate that the conformational flexibility imparted by the hinge region may serve as a dynamic switch to fine-tune the function of the GpsB complex and/or to promote interaction with its various partners. Furthermore, we provide the first biochemical, biophysical, and crystallographic evidence that the N-terminal domain of GpsB binds not only PBP4, but also FtsZ, through a conserved recognition motif located on their C-termini, thus coupling peptidoglycan synthesis to cell division. Taken together, the unique structure of S. aureus GpsB and its direct interaction with FtsZ/PBP4 provide deeper insight into the central role of GpsB in S. aureus cell division.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Bactérias , Proteínas do Citoesqueleto , Ligação Proteica , Conformação Proteica , Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus aureus/metabolismo , Staphylococcus aureus/genética , Proteínas de Bactérias/metabolismo , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Proteínas de Bactérias/química , Proteínas do Citoesqueleto/metabolismo , Proteínas do Citoesqueleto/genética , Proteínas do Citoesqueleto/química , Cristalografia por Raios X , Proteínas de Ligação às Penicilinas/metabolismo , Proteínas de Ligação às Penicilinas/genética , Proteínas de Ligação às Penicilinas/química , Modelos MolecularesRESUMO
Treatment with ß-lactam antibiotics, particularly cephalosporins, is a major risk factor for Clostridioides difficile infection. These broad-spectrum antibiotics irreversibly inhibit penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), which are serine-based enzymes that assemble the bacterial cell wall. However, C. difficile has four different PBPs (PBP1-3 and SpoVD) with various roles in growth and spore formation, and their specific links to ß-lactam resistance in this pathogen are underexplored. Here, we show that PBP2 (known to be essential for vegetative growth) is the primary bactericidal target for ß-lactams in C. difficile. PBP2 is insensitive to cephalosporin inhibition, and this appears to be the main basis for cephalosporin resistance in this organism. We determine crystal structures of C. difficile PBP2, alone and in complex with ß-lactams, revealing unique features including ligand-induced conformational changes and an active site Zn2+-binding motif that influences ß-lactam binding and protein stability. The Zn2+-binding motif is also present in C. difficile PBP3 and SpoVD (which are known to be essential for sporulation), as well as in other bacterial taxa including species living in extreme environments and the human gut. We speculate that this thiol-containing motif and its cognate Zn2+ might function as a redox sensor to regulate cell wall synthesis for survival in adverse or anaerobic environments.
Assuntos
Resistência às Cefalosporinas , Clostridioides difficile , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Proteínas de Bactérias/metabolismo , Cefalosporinas/farmacologia , Clostridioides , Humanos , Serina , Zinco , beta-Lactamas/farmacologiaRESUMO
Molecular chaperones have an essential role for the maintenance of a balanced protein homeostasis. Here, we investigate how protein kinases are recruited and loaded to the Hsp90-Cdc37 complex, the first step during Hsp90-mediated chaperoning that leads to enhanced client kinase stability and activation. We show that conformational dynamics of all partners is a critical feature of the underlying loading mechanism. The kinome co-chaperone Cdc37 exists primarily in a dynamic extended conformation but samples a low-populated, well-defined compact structure. Exchange between these two states is maintained in an assembled Hsp90-Cdc37 complex and is necessary for substrate loading. Breathing motions at the N-lobe of a free kinase domain partially expose the kinase segment trapped in the Hsp90 dimer downstream in the cycle. Thus, client dynamics poise for chaperone dependence. Hsp90 is not directly involved during loading, and Cdc37 is assigned the task of sensing clients by stabilizing the preexisting partially unfolded client state.
RESUMO
Identification of a ligand binding site represents the starting point for a structure-based drug development program. Lack of a binding site hampers the development of improved ligands that modulate the protein of interest. In this letter, we describe the development of chemical tools that will allow for elucidation of the Hsp90 C-terminal ligand binding site. Our strategy is based on the preparation of paramagnetic analogs of KU-596, an investigational new drug that is currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of neuropathy and interacts with the Hsp90 C-terminal domain. In particular, we report the design and synthesis of three novel paramagnetic analogs of KU-596, which will be used to obtain long range distances for NMR structural studies of Hsp90 in complex with C-terminal ligands.
Assuntos
Glicosídeos/farmacologia , Proteínas de Choque Térmico HSP90/antagonistas & inibidores , Fenetilaminas/farmacologia , Sítios de Ligação/efeitos dos fármacos , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Glicosídeos/síntese química , Glicosídeos/química , Proteínas de Choque Térmico HSP90/metabolismo , Humanos , Ligantes , Estrutura Molecular , Fenetilaminas/síntese química , Fenetilaminas/química , Relação Estrutura-AtividadeRESUMO
Gram-negative bacteria expressing class A ß-lactamases pose a serious health threat due to their ability to inactivate all ß-lactam antibiotics. The acyl-enzyme intermediate is a central milestone in the hydrolysis reaction catalyzed by these enzymes. However, the protonation states of the catalytic residues in this complex have never been fully analyzed experimentally due to inherent difficulties. To help unravel the ambiguity surrounding class A ß-lactamase catalysis, we have used ultrahigh-resolution X-ray crystallography and the recently approved ß-lactamase inhibitor avibactam to trap the acyl-enzyme complex of class A ß-lactamase CTX-M-14 at varying pHs. A 0.83-Å-resolution CTX-M-14 complex structure at pH 7.9 revealed a neutral state for both Lys73 and Glu166. Furthermore, the avibactam hydroxylamine-O-sulfonate group conformation varied according to pH, and this conformational switch appeared to correspond to a change in the Lys73 protonation state at low pH. In conjunction with computational analyses, our structures suggest that Lys73 has a perturbed acid dissociation constant (pKa) compared with acyl-enzyme complexes with ß-lactams, hindering its function to deprotonate Glu166 and the initiation of the deacylation reaction. Further NMR analysis demonstrated Lys73 pKa to be â¼5.2 to 5.6. Together with previous ultrahigh-resolution crystal structures, these findings enable us to follow the proton transfer process of the entire acylation reaction and reveal the critical role of Lys73. They also shed light on the stability and reversibility of the avibactam carbamoyl acyl-enzyme complex, highlighting the effect of substrate functional groups in influencing the protonation states of catalytic residues and subsequently the progression of the reaction.
Assuntos
Compostos Azabicíclicos/química , Compostos Azabicíclicos/farmacologia , Prótons , Inibidores de beta-Lactamases/farmacologia , beta-Lactamases/química , beta-Lactamases/efeitos dos fármacos , Acilação , Compostos Azabicíclicos/metabolismo , Proteínas de Bactérias/química , Proteínas de Bactérias/efeitos dos fármacos , Sítios de Ligação , Catálise , Cristalografia por Raios X , Escherichia coli/genética , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Modelos Moleculares , Conformação Molecular , Conformação Proteica , Inibidores de beta-Lactamases/química , beta-Lactamases/metabolismoRESUMO
The growing issue of insecticide resistance has meant the identification of novel insecticide targets has never been more important. Arylalkylamine N-acyltransferases (AANATs) have been suggested as a potential new target. These promiscuous enzymes are involved in the N-acylation of biogenic amines to form N-acylamides. In insects, this process is a key step in melanism, hardening of the cuticle, removal of biogenic amines, and in the biosynthesis of fatty acid amides. The unique nature of each AANAT isoform characterized indicates each organism accommodates an assembly of discrete AANATs relatively exclusive to that organism. This implies a high potential for selectivity in insecticide design, while also maintaining polypharmacology. Presented here is a thorough kinetic and structural analysis of AANAT found in one of the most common secondary pests of all plant commodities in the world, Tribolium castaneum. The enzyme, named TcAANAT0, catalyzes the formation of short-chain N-acylarylalkylamines, with short-chain acyl-CoAs (C2-C10), benzoyl-CoA, and succinyl-CoA functioning in the role of acyl donor. Recombinant TcAANAT0 was expressed and purified from E. coli and was used to investigate the kinetic and chemical mechanism of catalysis. The kinetic mechanism is an ordered sequential mechanism with the acyl-CoA binding first. pH-rate profiles and site-directed mutagenesis studies identified amino acids critical to catalysis, providing insights about the chemical mechanism of TcAANAT0. A crystal structure was obtained for TcAANAT0 bound to acetyl-CoA, revealing valuable information about its active site. This combination of kinetic analysis and crystallography alongside mutagenesis and sequence analysis shines light on some approaches possible for targeting TcAANAT0 and other AANATs for novel insecticide design.
Assuntos
Arilalquilamina N-Acetiltransferase/química , Proteínas de Insetos/química , Tribolium/enzimologia , Acetilcoenzima A/metabolismo , Animais , Arilalquilamina N-Acetiltransferase/genética , Arilalquilamina N-Acetiltransferase/metabolismo , Catálise , Domínio Catalítico , Cristalografia por Raios X , Proteínas de Insetos/genética , Proteínas de Insetos/metabolismo , Cinética , Mutagênese Sítio-Dirigida , Mutação , Fenetilaminas/metabolismo , Ligação Proteica , Triptaminas/metabolismoRESUMO
Complex conformational dynamics are essential for function of the dimeric molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), including transient, ATP-biased N-domain dimerization that is necessary to attain ATPase competence. The intrinsic, but weak, ATP hydrolyzing activity of human Hsp90 is markedly enhanced by the co-chaperone Aha1. However, the cellular concentration of Aha1 is substoichiometric relative to Hsp90. Here we report that initial recruitment of this cochaperone to Hsp90 is markedly enhanced by phosphorylation of a highly conserved tyrosine (Y313 in Hsp90α) in the Hsp90 middle domain. Importantly, phosphomimetic mutation of Y313 promotes formation of a transient complex in which both N- and C-domains of Aha1 bind to distinct surfaces of the middle domains of opposing Hsp90 protomers prior to ATP-directed N-domain dimerization. Thus, Y313 represents a phosphorylation-sensitive conformational switch, engaged early after client loading, that affects both local and long-range conformational dynamics to facilitate initial recruitment of Aha1 to Hsp90.
Assuntos
Adenosina Trifosfatases/metabolismo , Proteínas de Choque Térmico HSP90/metabolismo , Chaperonas Moleculares/metabolismo , Domínios Proteicos/genética , Adenosina Trifosfatases/genética , Ácido Glutâmico/genética , Células HEK293 , Proteínas de Choque Térmico HSP90/genética , Humanos , Modelos Moleculares , Ressonância Magnética Nuclear Biomolecular , Fosforilação/fisiologia , Relação Estrutura-Atividade , Tirosina/genética , Tirosina/metabolismoRESUMO
Unique to targeting the C-terminal domain of Hsp90 (C-Hsp90) is the ability to uncouple the cytotoxic and cytoprotective outcomes of Hsp90 modulation. After the identification of novobiocin as a C-Hsp90 interacting ligand a diverse gamut of novologues emerged, from which KU-32 and KU-596 exhibited strong neuroprotective activity. However, further development of these ligands is hampered by the difficulty to obtain structural information on their complexes with Hsp90. Using saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy, we found that the primary binding epitopes of KU-32 and KU596 map at the ring systems of the ligands and specifically the coumarin and biphenyl structures, respectively. Based on both relative and absolute STD effects, we identified KU-596 sites that can be explored to design novel third-generation novologues. In addition, chemical shift perturbations obtained by methyl-TROSY reveal that novologues bind at the cryptic, C-Hsp90 ATP-binding pocket and produce global, long-range structural rearrangements to dimeric Hsp90.
RESUMO
During the Hsp90-mediated chaperoning of protein kinases, the core components of the machinery, Hsp90 and the cochaperone Cdc37, recycle between different phosphorylation states that regulate progression of the chaperone cycle. We show that Cdc37 phosphorylation at Y298 results in partial unfolding of the C-terminal domain and the population of folding intermediates. Unfolding facilitates Hsp90 phosphorylation at Y197 by unmasking a phosphopeptide sequence, which serves as a docking site to recruit non-receptor tyrosine kinases to the chaperone complex via their SH2 domains. In turn, Hsp90 phosphorylation at Y197 specifically regulates its interaction with Cdc37 and thus affects the chaperoning of only protein kinase clients. In summary, we find that by providing client class specificity, Hsp90 cochaperones such as Cdc37 do not merely assist in client recruitment but also shape the post-translational modification landscape of Hsp90 in a client class-specific manner.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Ciclo Celular/metabolismo , Chaperoninas/metabolismo , Proteínas de Choque Térmico HSP90/metabolismo , Proteínas Tirosina Quinases/metabolismo , Humanos , Fosforilação , Dobramento de Proteína , Domínios de Homologia de srcRESUMO
The transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to an acceptor amine is a ubiquitous biochemical transformation catalyzed by Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferases (GNATs). Although it is established that the reaction proceeds through a sequential ordered mechanism, the role of the acetyl group in driving the ordered formation of binary and ternary complexes remains elusive. Herein, we show that CoA and acetyl-CoA alter the conformation of the substrate binding site of an arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) to facilitate interaction with acceptor substrates. However, it is the presence of the acetyl group within the catalytic funnel that triggers high affinity binding. Acetyl group occupancy is relayed through a conserved salt bridge between the P-loop and the acceptor binding site, and is manifested as differential dynamics in the CoA and acetyl-CoA-bound states. The capacity of the acetyl group carried by an acceptor to promote its tight binding even in the absence of CoA, but also its mutually exclusive position to the acetyl group of acetyl-CoA underscore its importance in coordinating the progression of the catalytic cycle.
Assuntos
Arilalquilamina N-Acetiltransferase/metabolismo , CatáliseRESUMO
Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferases (AANATs) catalyze the transfer of an acetyl group from the acetyl-group donor, acetyl-CoA, to an arylalkylamine acceptor. Although a single AANAT has been identified in mammals, insects utilize multiple AANATs in a diverse array of biological processes. AANATs belong to the GCN5-related acetyltransferase (GNAT) superfamily of enzymes, which despite their overall very low sequence homology, are characterized by a well conserved catalytic core domain. The structural properties of many GNATs have been extensively studied by X-ray crystallography that revealed common features during the catalytic cycle. Here we report the 1H, 13C and 15N backbone NMR resonance assignment of the 24 kDa AANAT3 from Bombyx mori (bmAANAT3) as a first step towards understanding the role of protein dynamics in the catalytic properties of AANATs. Our preliminary solution NMR studies reveal that bmAANAT3 is well-folded in solution. The P-loop, which is responsible for cofactor binding, is flexible in the free-state, while a large region of the enzyme interconverts between two distinct conformations in the slow exchange regime.
Assuntos
Arilalquilamina N-Acetiltransferase/química , Arilalquilamina N-Acetiltransferase/metabolismo , Bombyx/enzimologia , Ressonância Magnética Nuclear Biomolecular , Animais , Biocatálise , Modelos Moleculares , Conformação ProteicaRESUMO
Despite the essential functions of Hsp90, little is known about the mechanism that controls substrate entry into its chaperone cycle. We show that the role of Cdc37 cochaperone reaches beyond that of an adaptor protein and find that it participates in the selective recruitment of only client kinases. Cdc37 recognizes kinase specificity determinants in both clients and nonclients and acts as a general kinase scanning factor. Kinase sorting within the client-to-nonclient continuum relies on the ability of Cdc37 to challenge the conformational stability of clients by locally unfolding them. This metastable conformational state has high affinity for Cdc37 and forms stable complexes through a multidomain cochaperone interface. The interaction with nonclients is not accompanied by conformational changes of the substrate and results in substrate dissociation. Collectively, Cdc37 performs a quality control of protein kinases, where induced conformational instability acts as a "flag" for Hsp90 dependence and stable cochaperone association.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Ciclo Celular/metabolismo , Chaperoninas/metabolismo , Proteínas de Choque Térmico HSP90/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas B-raf/metabolismo , Proteínas de Ciclo Celular/química , Proteínas de Ciclo Celular/genética , Células Cultivadas , Chaperoninas/química , Chaperoninas/genética , Estabilidade Enzimática , Proteínas de Choque Térmico HSP90/química , Proteínas de Choque Térmico HSP90/genética , Humanos , Fosforilação , Conformação Proteica , Estabilidade Proteica , Desdobramento de Proteína , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas B-raf/química , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas B-raf/genética , Relação Estrutura-Atividade , Temperatura , TransfecçãoAssuntos
Proteínas de Ciclo Celular/química , Chaperoninas/química , Modelos Moleculares , Ressonância Magnética Nuclear Biomolecular , Conformação Proteica , Domínios e Motivos de Interação entre Proteínas , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Humanos , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Ressonância Magnética Nuclear Biomolecular/métodos , Alinhamento de Sequência , SoluçõesRESUMO
The impact of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) on studies of large macromolecular complexes hinges on improvements in sensitivity and resolution. Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) in the solid state can offer improved sensitivity, provided sample preparation is optimized to preserve spectral resolution. For a few nanomoles of intact ribosomes and an 800 kDa ribosomal complex we demonstrate that the combination of DNP and magic-angle spinning NMR (MAS-NMR) allows one to overcome current sensitivity limitations so that homo- and heteronuclear (13)C and (15)N NMR correlation spectra can be recorded. Ribosome particles, directly pelleted and frozen into an NMR rotor, yield DNP signal enhancements on the order of ~25-fold and spectra that exhibit narrow linewidths, suitable for obtaining site-specific information. We anticipate that the same approach is applicable to other high molecular weight complexes.
Assuntos
Ressonância Magnética Nuclear Biomolecular , Ribossomos/química , Congelamento , Modelos Moleculares , Conformação Molecular , Ressonância Magnética Nuclear Biomolecular/métodosRESUMO
Extra-cytoplasmic polypeptides are usually synthesized as 'preproteins' carrying amino-terminal, cleavable signal peptides and secreted across membranes by translocases. The main bacterial translocase comprises the SecYEG protein-conducting channel and the peripheral ATPase motor SecA. Most proteins destined for the periplasm and beyond are exported post-translationally by SecA. Preprotein targeting to SecA is thought to involve signal peptides and chaperones like SecB. Here we show that signal peptides have a new role beyond targeting: they are essential allosteric activators of the translocase. On docking on their binding groove on SecA, signal peptides act in trans to drive three successive states: first, 'triggering' that drives the translocase to a lower activation energy state; second, 'trapping' that engages non-native preprotein mature domains docked with high affinity on the secretion apparatus; and third, 'secretion' during which trapped mature domains undergo several turnovers of translocation in segments. A significant contribution by mature domains renders signal peptides less critical in bacterial secretory protein targeting than currently assumed. Rather, it is their function as allosteric activators of the translocase that renders signal peptides essential for protein secretion. A role for signal peptides and targeting sequences as allosteric activators may be universal in protein translocases.
Assuntos
Ativadores de Enzimas/metabolismo , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/metabolismo , Escherichia coli/enzimologia , Sinais Direcionadores de Proteínas/fisiologia , Adenosina Trifosfatases/metabolismo , Fosfatase Alcalina/metabolismo , Proteínas Periplásmicas/metabolismo , Ligação Proteica , Transporte ProteicoRESUMO
Recognition of signal sequences by cognate receptors controls the entry of virtually all proteins to export pathways. Despite its importance, this process remains poorly understood. Here, we present the solution structure of a signal peptide bound to SecA, the 204 kDa ATPase motor of the Sec translocase. Upon encounter, the signal peptide forms an alpha-helix that inserts into a flexible and elongated groove in SecA. The mode of binding is bimodal, with both hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions mediating recognition. The same groove is used by SecA to recognize a diverse set of signal sequences. Impairment of the signal-peptide binding to SecA results in significant translocation defects. The C-terminal tail of SecA occludes the groove and inhibits signal-peptide binding, but autoinhibition is relieved by the SecB chaperone. Finally, it is shown that SecA interconverts between two conformations in solution, suggesting a simple mechanism for polypeptide translocation.
Assuntos
Adenosina Trifosfatases/química , Adenosina Trifosfatases/metabolismo , Proteínas de Bactérias/química , Proteínas de Bactérias/metabolismo , Proteínas de Membrana Transportadoras/química , Proteínas de Membrana Transportadoras/metabolismo , Sinais Direcionadores de Proteínas , Estrutura Secundária de Proteína , Estrutura Terciária de Proteína , Adenosina Trifosfatases/genética , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Proteínas de Membrana Transportadoras/genética , Modelos Moleculares , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Ressonância Magnética Nuclear Biomolecular , Conformação de Ácido Nucleico , Peptídeos/química , Peptídeos/metabolismo , Ligação Proteica , Canais de Translocação SEC , Proteínas SecA , Alinhamento de Sequência , Eletricidade EstáticaRESUMO
The cornerstone of the functionality of almost all motor proteins is the regulation of their activity by binding interactions with their respective substrates. In most cases, the underlying mechanism of this regulation remains unknown. Here, we reveal a novel mechanism used by secretory preproteins to control the catalytic cycle of the helicase 'DEAD' motor of SecA, the preprotein translocase ATPase. The central feature of this mechanism is a highly conserved salt-bridge, Gate1, that controls the opening/closure of the nucleotide cleft. Gate1 regulates the propagation of binding signal generated at the Preprotein Binding Domain to the nucleotide cleft, thus allowing the physical coupling of preprotein binding and release to the ATPase cycle. This relay mechanism is at play only after SecA has been previously 'primed' by binding to SecYEG, the transmembrane protein-conducting channel. The Gate1-controlled relay mechanism is essential for protein translocase catalysis and may be common in helicase motors.
Assuntos
Adenosina Trifosfatases/metabolismo , Proteínas de Bactérias/metabolismo , Proteínas de Membrana Transportadoras/metabolismo , Catálise , Ativação Enzimática , Dobramento de Proteína , Canais de Translocação SEC , Proteínas SecA , TemperaturaRESUMO
SecA is a helicase-like motor that couples ATP hydrolysis with the translocation of extracytoplasmic protein substrates. As in most helicases, this process is thought to occur through nucleotide-regulated rigid-body movement of the motor domains. NMR, thermodynamic and biochemical data show that SecA uses a novel mechanism wherein conserved regions lining the nucleotide cleft undergo cycles of disorder-order transitions while switching among functional catalytic states. The transitions are regulated by interdomain interactions mediated by crucial 'arginine finger' residues located on helicase motifs. Furthermore, we show that the nucleotide cleft allosterically communicates with the preprotein substrate-binding domain and the regulatory, membrane-inserting C domain, thereby allowing for the coupling of the ATPase cycle to the translocation activity. The intrinsic plasticity and functional disorder-order folding transitions coupled to ligand binding seem to provide a precise control of the catalytic activation process and simple regulation of allosteric mechanisms.
Assuntos
Adenosina Trifosfatases/química , Adenosina Trifosfatases/metabolismo , Proteínas de Bactérias/química , Proteínas de Bactérias/metabolismo , Proteínas de Membrana Transportadoras/química , Proteínas de Membrana Transportadoras/metabolismo , Regulação Alostérica , Sítios de Ligação , Catálise , Escherichia coli/metabolismo , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/química , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/metabolismo , Cinética , Modelos Moleculares , Dobramento de Proteína , Estrutura Secundária de Proteína , Canais de Translocação SEC , Proteínas SecARESUMO
The conformational space sampled by the two-domain protein calmodulin has been explored by an approach based on four sets of NMR observables obtained on Tb(3+)- and Tm(3+)-substituted proteins. The observables are the pseudocontact shifts and residual dipolar couplings of the C-terminal domain when lanthanide substitution is at the N-terminal domain. Each set of observables provides independent information on the conformations experienced by the molecule. It is found that not all sterically allowed conformations are equally populated. Taking the N-terminal domain as the reference, the C-terminal domain preferentially resides in a region of space inscribed in a wide elliptical cone. The axis of the cone is tilted by approximately 30 degrees with respect to the direction of the N-terminal part of the interdomain helix, which is known to have a flexible central part in solution. The C-terminal domain also undergoes rotation about the axis defined by the C-terminal part of the interdomain helix. Neither the extended helix conformation initially observed in the solid state for free calcium calmodulin nor the closed conformation(s) adopted by calcium calmodulin either alone or in its adduct(s) with target peptide(s) is among the most preferred ones. These findings are unique, both in terms of structural information obtained on a biomolecule that samples multiple conformations and in terms of the approach developed to achieve the results. The same approach is in principle applicable to other multidomain proteins, as well as to multiple interaction modes between two macromolecular partners.