Nanopore Analysis of the Folding of Zinc Fingers

Abstract

In the absence of Zn(II) a single Zn-finger module such as Zif268 is unfolded and can translocate an α-hemolysin pore (see image). Upon addition of Zn(II), the protein folds and is too large to translocate so that only bumping events are observed. In contrast, upon addition of Co(II) or Mg(II), there are only small changes to the event profiles.