Protein dynamics studies on a wheat type 2 lipid transfer protein

Plant non specific lipid transfer proteins form a superfamily of related proteins composed of type 1 and type 2 LTPs. Type 2 LTPs have been less extensively studied than type 1 and differ in term of primary sequence, molecular mass and transfer efficiency. We have undertaken NMR studies of the wheat 7 kDa type 2 LTP. Whilst the 3D structure determination is in progress, we have studied the protein dynamics. Two zones have been defined within the protein. One remains unperturbed, the LTP being liganded or not; the other one exists in different states, depending on the ligandation, and on the kind of lipid interacting with the protein. S² determination showed a rigid backbone. Multifield analysis allowed the calculation of the chemical exchange rate for each residue.