The effects of deletion of the amino-terminal helix on troponin C function and stability

Troponin C has a 14-residue alpha-helix at the extreme amino terminus (the N-helix) which is absent in calmodulin. To learn the significance of this region in troponin C, residues 1-14 were deleted using site-directed mutagenesis. Analysis of the mutant troponin C (delta 14-TnC) showed that deletion of the N-helix did not alter the secondary structure of troponin C. Like wild type troponin C, it exhibited Ca(2+)-dependent conformational changes based on electrophoretic mobility and increases in alpha-helix content. The thermal stability of delta 14-TnC, however, was 20 degrees C lower than wild type troponin C in the presence or absence of divalent cations because of destabilization of the amino-terminal domain. To determine the functional consequences of the deletion, its ability to relieve troponin I and IT inhibition of the actomyosin ATPase was assayed. The results show that the mutant could relieve troponin I inhibition in the presence and absence of Ca2+ but could relieve troponin IT inhibition only to 45-50% of the wild type level, even at high concentrations. Also, the calcium affinity of the low affinity sites is reduced as evidence by the 2.4-2.8-fold increase in Ca2+ concentration required to achieve half-maximal activation of the MgATPase and calcium titration of the metal-induced conformation monitored by far UV circular dichroism measurements. In addition, the N-helix is required for the full conformational change to take place upon the binding of Ca2+, but not Mg2+, to the high affinity sites. The results indicate that the N-helix of troponin C is important for the stability of troponin C and may play a vital role in the Ca(2+)-switching mechanism.