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I. Conformational transition for single GroEL subunit.

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Color code: Green for the apical domain, yellow for the intermediate domain and red for the equatorial domain. The nucleotide is shown by a space-filling model in blue.

The transition starts from closed form and goes to the open forms. A total of ten steps (11 frames) are included. It is important to notice the complexity of the motions, which are "built into" the single subunit for which the calculation was done but are essential for the concerted heptamer transition (see second movie).

If the sequence of motions of the intermediate and apical domain were reversed, a steric clash would result in the upper hinge. This is the reason that GroEL cannot interact with GroES before the binding of ATP.

Note: The movie is shown in loop. The starting point is the ring closed form, i.e., the green apical domain is down.

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