Figure 2. Structural analysis reveals alterations of the electrostatic surface and stabilization of the D-helix in conserpin.

(A) The electrostatic potential surface of conserpin and α1-AT models (blue =  +ve, red = −ve), in the same orientation as Fig. 1A (front) and a 180° rotation reveals an overall increase in positive charge on the back face of conserpin. (B) The introduced salt bridge in hD of conserpin with residues Q105R₇₉ and E376₃₄₆. There is no comparable interaction present in α1-AT. Inset shows the shortened D-helix in conserpin. (C) H-bonding between A-1 of the extended N-terminus and D65 of hD, as seen in the conserpin crystal structure. (D) Persistent hydrogen bonding between Q-4, G-3 and A-1 of the extended N-terminus and E63 and D65 of hD in conserpin as seen in MD simulation.