Heme-bound SiaA from Streptococcus pyogenes: Effects of mutations and oxidation state on protein stability.

The protein SiaA (HtsA) is part of a heme uptake pathway in Streptococcus pyogenes. In this report, we present the heme binding of the alanine mutants of the axial histidine (H229A) and methionine (M79A) ligands, as well as a lysine (K61A) and cysteine (C58A) located near the heme propionates (based on homology modeling) and a control mutant (C47A). pH titrations gave pKa values ranging from 9.0 to 9.5, close to the value of 9.7 for WT SiaA. Resonance Raman spectra of the mutants suggested that the ferric heme environment may be distinct from the wild-type; spectra of the ferrous states were similar. The midpoint reduction potential of the K61A mutant was determined by spectroelectrochemical titration to be 61±3mV vs. SHE, similar to the wild-type protein (68±3mV). The addition of guanidine hydrochloride showed two processes for protein denaturation, consistent with heme loss from protein forms differing by the orientation of the heme in the binding pocket (the half-life for the slower process ranged from less than half a day to two days). The ease of protein unfolding was related to the strength of interaction of the residues with the heme. We hypothesize that kinetically facile but only partial unfolding, followed by a very slow approach to the completely unfolded state, may be a fundamental attribute of heme trafficking proteins. Small motions to release/transfer the heme accompanied by resistance to extensive unfolding may preserve the three dimensional form of the protein for further uptake and release.

Quenching and sensitizing fullerene photoreactions by natural organic matter.

Effects of natural organic matter (NOM) on the photoreaction kinetics of fullerenes (i.e., C60 and fullerenol) were investigated using simulated sunlight and monochromatic radiation (365 nm). NOM from several sources quenched (slowed) the photoreaction of C60 aggregates in water (aqu/nC60), but sensitized (accelerated) photoreaction of fullerenol. Kinetic studies indicated that the quenching occurred through a static mechanism involving NOM molecules adsorbed on the aqu/nC60 surface. Quenching constants for the photoreaction of aqu/nC60 correlated approximately with optical parameters related to the aromaticity and molecular size of the NOM. Association of aqu/nC60 particles with NOM was investigated indirectly via the study of the aggregation kinetics of colloidal C60 in the presence and absence of NOM as a function of NaCl strength at pH 7. In contrast to aqu/nC60, the photoreaction efficiencies of the hydrophilic fullerene, fullerenol, increased linearly with increasing NOM concentrations and kinetic parameters for the sensitized photoreactions increased as the spectral slope coefficients and ratio of absorption coefficients at 254 to 365 nm (E2:E3) of the NOM increased. The results indicate that triplet excited states of the NOM are key intermediates in the photosensitized reactions.

Light-initiated transformations of fullerenol in aqueous media.

We provide the first evidence that a fullerene derivative can be extensively mineralized under environmental conditions by direct photolysis. Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) was identified as a major photoproduct of fullerenol, a hydroxylated C(60) molecule and the ratio of moles DIC produced to moles of fullerenol reacted reached 28 or approximately 47% of complete mineralization on extensive irradiation by simulated solar radiation. The direct photoreaction kinetics of fullerenol in dilute aqueous solution can be described by pH-dependent biexponential rate expressions. This photoreaction slowed by a factor of 2 in nitrogen-saturated water. The oxygen dependence is attributed to photoinduced electron or hydrogen atom transfer from fullerenol to oxygen to produce superoxide ions with a quantum yield of 6.2 x 10(-4). Fullerenol can photosensitize the production of singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) in dilute aqueous solution with quantum yields ranging from 0.10 in acidic water to 0.05 in neutral and basic solution. However our results indicate that chemical reactions involving diffusive encounters between (1)O(2) or superoxide and fullerenol are too slow to significantly contribute to the fast component of fullerenol photoreaction in sunlight. The pH dependence of the direct and sensitized photoreactions is attributed to changes in intramolecular hemiketal formation in fullerenol.