Refined solution structure of the oligomerization domain of the tumour suppressor p53

The NMR solution structure of the oligomerization domain of the tumour suppressor p53 (residues 319-360) has been refined. The structure comprises a dimer of dimers, oriented in an approximately orthogonal manner. The present structure determination is based on 4,472 experimental NMR restraints which represents a three and half fold increase over our previous work in the number of NOE restraints at the tetramerization interface. A comparison with the recently solved 1.7 A resolution X-ray structure shows that the structures are very similar and that the average angular root-mean-square difference in the interhelical angles is about 1 degree. The results of recent extensive mutagenesis data and the possible effects of mutations which have been identified in human cancers are discussed in the light of the present structure.