Binding Kinetics of the Intrinsically Disordered p53 Family Transactivation Domains and MDM2

Because of their prominent roles in cell-cycle regulation and cancer, the interaction between MDM2 and the intrinsically disordered transactivation domain (TAD) of p53 is exceptionally well-studied. However, although there are numerous computational studies on the interaction mechanism, there is a paucity of experimental data regarding the kinetics and mechanism. We have used stopped flow fluorescence to investigate the binding reaction between MDM2 and TAD from p53 as well as from its paralogs p63 and p73, and in particular, focused on the salt dependence of the interaction. The observed kinetics are consistent with a two-state mechanism within the time frame of the stopped flow methodology; thus, any conformational changes including the previously identified MDM2 lid dynamics must occur on a time scale <5 ms at 10 °C. The association rate constants are similar for the three TADs, and differences in the dissociation rate constants determine the various affinities with MDM2. In contrast to previous studies, we found a relatively small ionic-strength dependence for all three interactions, highlighting the large variation in the role of electrostatics among binding reactions of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). The basal association rate constants in the absence of electrostatic interactions were relatively high (≥2 × 10⁶ M^-1 s^-1 at 10 °C), suggesting that a large number of initial contacts may lead to a productive complex. Our findings support an emerging picture of "conformational funneling" occurring in the initial stages of interactions involving IDPs and that these early binding events can rely on hydrophobic as well as charge-charge interactions.