Casein structures in the context of unfolded proteins

Abstract

Caseins were among the first proteins to be recognised as functional but unfolded. Many others are now known, providing better models of casein behaviour than either detergents or folded proteins. Caseins are members of a paralogous group of unfolded phosphoproteins, some of which share the ability to sequester amorphous calcium phosphate through phosphate centres. Non-covalent interactions of caseins can be through Pro- and Gln-rich sequences. Similar sequences in other unfolded proteins can also form open and highly hydrated structures such as gels, mucus and slimes. Many unfolded proteins, including κ- and αS2-caseins, can form amyloid fibrils under physiological conditions. The sequence-specific interactions that lead to fibrils can be reduced or eliminated by low specificity interactions among a mixture of caseins to yield, instead, amorphous aggregates. The size of amorphous whole casein aggregates is limited by the C-terminal half of κ-casein whose sequence resembles that of a soluble mucin.