Cross sections of two different three-filament
fibril models with
van der Waals spheres for non-hydrogen atoms. Below each model is
a ball-and-stick rendering illustrating the backbone conformation
of one filament in the model. On the left is the 2LMP model with the three
Y10 residues at the N-termini labeled. Note that M35 (marked by an
asterisk in the lower filament) is exposed to the water-filled central
channel, consistent with the low observed protection factor. Also
note that residues F20 and I31 appear to be much more solvent accessible
than their adjacent residues of the same type (F19 and I32), consistent
with the observed protection factors. All other residues for which
data are available are either buried or accessible in this model,
consistent with the measured protection factors. At the right is the 2M4J model with its three
N-terminal “D1” residues marked. Note that the backbone
conformation does not correspond to a β-sheet, and there are
numerous discrepancies between expected and observed protection factors.
For example, F19 and F20 appear to be similarly buried, contrary to
the observed protection factors. Also, I31 is buried while I32 is
not, the converse of the relationship indicated by the observed protection
factors. M35 (marked by an asterisk in the lower filament) appears
to be less accessible than V40 in this model, again the converse of
the relationship indicated by the observed protection factors.