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Evaluation of Competing J domain:Hsp70 Complex Models in Light of Existing Mutational and NMR Data

Ahmad et al. recently presented an NMR-based model for a bacterial DnaJ J domain:DnaK(Hsp70):ADP complex(1) that differs significantly from the crystal structure of a disulfide linked mammalian auxilin J domain:Hsc70 complex that we previously published(2). They claimed that their model could better account for existing mutational data, was in better agreement with previous NMR studies, and that the presence of a cross-link in our structure made it irrelevant to understanding J:Hsp70 interactions. Here we detail extensive NMR and mutational data relevant to understanding J:Hsp70 function and show that, in fact, our structure is much better able to account for the mutational data and is in much better agreement with a previous NMR study of a mammalian polyoma virus T-ag J domain:Hsc70 complex than is the Ahmad et al. complex, and that our structure is predictive and provides insight into J:Hsp70 interactions and mechanism of ATPase activation.