The N-terminal domain probably functions as a substrate-discriminating domain, recruiting aggregated proteins to the ClpB hexamer and/or stabilizing bound proteins. The NBD2 domain is responsible for oligomerization, whereas the NBD1 domain stabilizes the hexamer probably in an ATP-dependent manner. The movement of the coiled-coil domain is essential for ClpB ability to rescue proteins from an aggregated state, probably by pulling apart large aggregated proteins, which are bound between the coiled-coils motifs of adjacent ClpB subunits in the functional hexamer (By similarity).
