Stability of 20S Proteasome Configurations: Preopening the Axial Gate

Mass spectrometry studies of the stability of the S. cerevisiae 20S proteasome from 11 to 55 °C reveal a series of related configurations and coupled transitions that appear to be associated with opening of the proteolytic core. We find no evidence for dissociation, and all transitions are reversible. A thermodynamic analysis indicates that configurations fall into three general types of structures: enthalpically stabilized, tightly closed (observed as the +54 to +58 charge states) configurations; high-entropy (+60 to +66) states that are proposed as precursors to pore opening; and larger (+70 to +79) partially and fully open pore structures. In the absence of the 19S regulatory unit, the mechanism for opening the 20S pore appears to involve a charge-priming process that loosens the closed-pore configuration. Only a small fraction (≤2%) of these 20S precursor configurations appear to open and thus expose the catalytic cavity.