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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Paramagnetic Relaxation Enhancement for Detecting and Characterizing Self-Associations of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins
Published on: September 23, 2021
Starmaker exhibits properties of an intrinsically disordered protein
Tomasz M Kapłon1, Grzegorz Rymarczyk, Małgorzata Nocula-Ługowska
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Technology, Wrocław, Poland.
Abstract:
Fish otoliths composed of calcium carbonate and an organic matrix play a primary role in gravity sensing and the perception of sound. Starmaker (Stm) was the first protein found to be capable of influencing the process of biomineralization of otoliths. Stm dictates the shape, size, and selection of calcium carbonate polymorphs in a concentration-dependent manner. To facilitate exploration of the molecular basis of Stm function, we have developed and optimized a protocol for efficient expression and purification of the homogeneous nontagged Stm. The homogeneous nontagged Stm corresponds to its functional form, which is devoid of a signal peptide. A comprehensive biochemical and biophysical analysis of recombinant Stm, along with in silico examinations, indicate for the first time that Stm exhibits the properties of intrinsically disordered proteins. The functional significance of Stm having intrinsically disordered protein properties and its possible role in controlling the formation of otoliths is discussed.
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