The X-ray crystallographic structures of two mutants
(K206Q and H207E) of the N-lobe of human transferrin (hTF/2N)
have been determined to high resolution (1.8 and 2.0 Å,
respectively). Both mutant proteins bind iron with greater
affinity than native hTF/2N. The structures of the K206Q
and H207E mutants show interactions (both H-bonding and
electrostatic) that stabilize the interaction of Lys296
in the closed conformation, thereby stabilizing the iron
bound forms.