Examination of the secondary structure of the kringle 4 domain of human plasminogen

The structure of a small region of human plasminogen (F4), consisting of amino acid residues Val354-Ala439 and containing its kringle 4 (K4) domain (residues Cys357-Cys434), has been predicted from Chou-Fasman calculations and hydropathy profiles, and compared to circular dichroism (CD) measurements on the isolated fragment. Calculations, by the Chou-Fasman method, of the probabilities of various types of secondary structures that exist in this region reveal that no helical structures are present. Of the total of 86 amino acid residues present in this K4-containing peptide region, 37% can adopt conformations of beta-pleated sheets, 48% of the amino acids can exist in beta-turns, and 15% of the residues can be present as coils. The structure of F4 in dilute aqueous solution has been experimentally evaluated by CD measurements. At pH = 7.4, in dilute salt solutions, a total of 64% beta-structures, 30% beta-turns, and 6% coiled structures is estimated to be present in this peptide region. Consideration of the marginal stability of many of the conformational regions of F4, as predicted by Chou-Fasman calculations, suggests that secondary structural flexibility is present in this fragment, which could result in ready adoption of new conformations. The hydropathy profile of F4 has been determined and suggests that this polypeptide is highly hydrophilic, especially in the regions of residues His387-Tyr396 and Cys406-Lys413. Thus, it appears as though a large portion of the surface of F4 can be exposed to solvent in its native conformation.