Figure 1. Early steps of RT structural maturation.
The p66 monomer is shown in the lower left using both a ribbon diagram and a schematic representation. Domains are color coded as: fingers (green); palm (blue); thumb (orange); connection (magenta), and RH (brown), while helix E is colored cyan. Initial dissociation of the connection from the fingers/palm is rapidly followed by expansion of angle between the fingers and palm domains (see Figure 2), and recruitment of the C-terminal palm loop to the exposed hydrophobic surface of the palm domain. The re-arranged p66 domains form an initial complex with the monomer, followed by slower maturation steps (not shown).