Calcium binding induces interaction between the N- and C-terminal domains of yeast calmodulin and modulates its overall conformation

Calmodulin from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae binds 3 mol of Ca2+ cooperatively. We report here lines of evidence supporting the intramolecular interaction between the N- and C-terminal domains which modulates the Ca2+ binding properties of yeast calmodulin. First, the sum of the Ca2+ binding curves of the N-terminal and the C-terminal half-molecule did not yield the Ca2+ binding curve of yeast calmodulin. Second, the mean residue CD of yeast calmodulin at 222 nm (-Delta epsilon222) decreased with increases in the concentration of Ca2+, whereas those of each half-molecule increased. Finally, the C2 proton of His107 in the C-terminal domain of yeast calmodulin showed three resonance peaks with increases in the concentration of Ca2+, each corresponding to the apo, the intermediate, and the Ca2+-saturated state. The intermediate peak could not be observed in the C-terminal half-molecule of yeast calmodulin. Computer simulation considering the macroscopic Ca2+ binding constants assigned this intermediate to a species consisting of the apo C-terminal domain and the N-terminal domain with at least one of the two sites occupied by Ca2+. Peptide segments spanning the defective fourth Ca2+ binding site may be involved in the interdomain interaction and the yeast-specific function of calmodulin.