Acute intermittent porphyria: fatal complications of treatment.

Acute neurovisceral attacks of porphyria can be life threatening. They are rare and notoriously difficult to diagnose clinically, but should be considered, particularly in female patients with unexplained abdominal pain, and associated neurological or psychiatric features or hyponatraemia. The diagnosis might be suggested by altered urine colour and can be confirmed by finding an elevated porphobilinogen concentration in fresh urine protected from light. Severe attacks require treatment with intravenous haem arginate and supportive management with safe drugs, including adequate analgesia. Intravenous glucose in water solutions are contraindicated as they aggravate hyponatraemia, which can prove fatal.

A novel HEXB mutation and its structural effects in juvenile Sandhoff disease.

Mutations in HEXB, encoding the beta-subunit common to hexosaminidases A and B, cause the neurodegenerative condition, Sandhoff disease. A homozygous missense HEXB mutation (p. D459A) was discovered in six patients with a rare juvenile variant: we show that this disrupts a salt bridge between aspartate D459 and arginine 505 at the subunit interface; R505 mutations are reported in late-onset Sandhoff disease. Identification of D459A contributes to diagnosis and molecular understanding of attenuated Sandhoff disease variants.

Biological implications of a 3 A structure of dimeric antithrombin.

BACKGROUND: Antithrombin, a member of the serpin family of inhibitors, controls coagulation in human plasma by forming complexes with thrombin and other coagulation proteases in a process greatly accelerated by heparin. The structures of several serpins have been determined but not in their active conformations. We have determined the structure of intact antithrombin in order to study its mechanism of activation, particularly with respect to heparin, and the dysfunctions of this mechanism that predispose individuals to thrombotic disease. RESULTS: The crystal structure of a dimer of one active and one inactive molecule of antithrombin has been determined at 3 A. The first molecule has its reactive-centre loop in a predicted active conformation compatible with initial entry of two residues into the main beta-sheet of the molecule. The inactive molecule has a totally incorporated loop as in latent plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. The two molecules are linked by the reactive loop of the active molecule which has replaced a strand from another beta-sheet in the latent molecule. CONCLUSION: The structure, together with identified mutations affecting its heparin affinity, allows the placement of the heparin-binding site on the molecule. The conformation of the two forms of antithrombin demonstrates the extraordinary mobility of the reactive loop in the serpins and provides insights into the folding of the loop required for inhibitory activity together with the potential modification of this by heparin. The mechanism of dimerization is relevant to the polymerization that is observed in diseases associated with variant serpins.

The crystal structure of pertussis toxin.

BACKGROUND: Pertussis toxin is an exotoxin of the A-B class produced by Bordetella pertussis. The holotoxin comprises 952 residues forming six subunits (five different sequences, S1-S5). It plays an important role in the development of protective immunity to whooping cough, and is an essential component of new acellular vaccines. It is also widely used as a biochemical tool to ADP-ribosylate GTP-binding proteins in the study of signal transduction. RESULTS: The crystal structure of pertussis toxin has been determined at 2.9 A resolution. The catalytic A-subunit (S1) shares structural homology with other ADP-ribosylating bacterial toxins, although differences in the carboxy-terminal portion explain its unique activation mechanism. Despite its heterogeneous subunit composition, the structure of the cell-binding B-oligomer (S2, S3, two copies of S4, and S5) resembles the symmetrical B-pentamers of the cholera toxin and Shiga toxin families, but it interacts differently with the A-subunit. The structural similarity is all the more surprising given that there is almost no sequence homology between B-subunits of the different toxins. Two peripheral domains that are unique to the pertussis toxin B-oligomer show unexpected structural homology with a calcium-dependent eukaryotic lectin, and reveal possible receptor-binding sites. CONCLUSION: The structure provides insight into the pathogenic mechanisms of pertussis toxin and the evolution of bacterial toxins. Knowledge of the tertiary structure of the active site forms a rational basis for elimination of catalytic activity in recombinant molecules for vaccine use.

The active conformation of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, a target for drugs to control fibrinolysis and cell adhesion.

BACKGROUND: Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) is a serpin that has a key role in the control of fibrinolysis through proteinase inhibition. PAI-1 also has a role in regulating cell adhesion processes relevant to tissue remodeling and metastasis; this role is mediated by its binding to the adhesive glycoprotein vitronectin rather than by proteinase inhibition. Active PAI-1 is metastable and spontaneously transforms to an inactive latent conformation. Previous attempts to crystallize the active conformation of PAI-1 have failed. RESULTS: The crystal structure of a stable quadruple mutant of PAI-1(Asn150-->His, Lys154-->Thr, Gln319-->Leu, Met354-->Ile) in its active conformation has been solved at a nominal 3 A resolution. In two of four independent molecules within the crystal, the flexible reactive center loop is unconstrained by crystal-packing contacts and is disordered. In the other two molecules, the reactive center loop forms intimate loop-sheet interactions with neighboring molecules, generating an infinite chain within the crystal. The overall conformation resembles that seen for other active inhibitory serpins. CONCLUSIONS: The structure clarifies the molecular basis of the stabilizing mutations and the reduced affinity of PAI-1, on cleavage or in the latent form, for vitronectin. The infinite chain of linked molecules also suggests a new mechanism for the serpin polymerization associated with certain diseases. The results support the concept that the reactive center loop of an active serpin is flexible and has no defined conformation in the absence of intermolecular contacts. The determination of the structure of the active form constitutes an essential step for the rational design of PAI-1 inhibitors.

Crystal structure of uncleaved ovalbumin at 1.95 A resolution.

Ovalbumin, the major protein in avian egg-white, is a non-inhibitory member of the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) superfamily. The crystal structure of uncleaved, hen ovalbumin was solved by the molecular replacement method using the structure of plakalbumin, a proteolytically cleaved form of ovalbumin, as a starting model. The final refined model, including four ovalbumin molecules, 678 water molecules and a single metal ion, has a crystallographic R-factor of 17.4% for all reflections between 6.0 and 1.95 A resolution. The root-mean-square deviation from ideal values in bond lengths is 0.02 A and in bond angles is 2.9 degrees. This is the first crystal structure of a member of the serpin family in an uncleaved form. Surprisingly, the peptide that is homologous to the reactive centre of inhibitory serpins adopts an alpha-helical conformation. The implications for the mechanism of inhibition of the inhibitory members of the family is discussed.

Fetal endocrine responses to prolonged reduced uterine blood flow are altered following bilateral sectioning of the carotid sinus and vagus nerves.

The present study examines the effect of carotid sinus/vagosympathetic denervation on fetal endocrine responses to prolonged reduced uterine blood flow (RUBF). Fetal sheep had vascular catheters inserted following bilateral sectioning of the carotid sinus and vagus nerves (denervated, n = 7) or sham denervation (intact, n = 7). Uterine blood flow was mechanically restricted at 126.1 +/- 0.7 days (mean +/- S.E.M.) for 24 h, decreasing arterial oxygen saturation by 47.3 +/- 2.6% (P < 0.01). Fetal plasma samples were obtained at -1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h for subsequent analyses of arginine vasopressin (AVP), angiotensin II and catecholamines. The AVP response to prolonged RUBF was markedly attenuated in denervated fetuses (15.6 +/- 3.6 to 34.9 +/- 6.0 pg/ml) when compared with intact (10.0 +/- 1.4 to 127.3 +/- 28.4 pg/ml). In contrast, intact fetuses demonstrated no change in plasma angiotensin II concentrations with RUBF whereas denervated fetuses demonstrated a marked increase from 47.5 +/- 18.9 to 128.7 +/- 34.2 pg/ml. The norepinephrine and epinephrine responses to prolonged RUBF were attenuated in denervated fetuses (950.1 +/- 308.9 and 155.8 +/- 58.5 to 1268.3 +/- 474.6 and 290.6 +/- 160.2 pg/ml respectively) when compared with intact (1558.3 +/- 384.4 and 547.3 +/- 304.7 pg/ml to 3289.2 +/- 1219.8 and 896.8 +/- 467.8 pg/ml respectively). These results support a role for the peripheral chemoreceptors in mediating fetal endocrine responses to prolonged RUBF, which may in part lead to the altered cardiovascular responses observed in denervated fetuses under these conditions.

Effect on biochemical values of heat treatment of plasma for the safe handling of samples from AIDS patients.

There is widespread concern amongst laboratory workers over the risks of exposure to human T cell lymphotrophic virus III [HTLV III] and the possibility of the subsequent development of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome [AIDS]. HTLV III is thermolabile and is completely inactivated by heating at 56 degrees C for 30 min. We have studied the effect that such heating would have on analyses performed routinely in our laboratory.

Competence of long-term care residents to participate in decisions about their medical care: a brief, objective assessment.

Data from 50 residents of a long-term care facility were used to examine the extent to which performance on a brief, objective inventory could predict a clinical psychologist's evaluation of competence to participate in decisions about medical care. Results indicate that the competence to participate in medical decisions of two-thirds of the residents could be accurately assessed using scores on a mental status instrument and two vignette-based measures of medical decision-making. These procedures could enable nursing home staff to objectively assess the competence of residents to participate in important decisions about their medical care.

What do dysfunctional serpins tell us about molecular mobility and disease?

Proteinase inhibitors of the serpin family have a unique ability to regulate their activity by changing the conformation of their reactive-centre loop. Although this may explain their evolutionary success, the dependence of function on structural mobility makes the serpins vulnerable to the effects of mutations. Here, we describe how studies of dysfunctional variants, together with crystal structures of serpins in different forms, provide insights into the molecular functions and remarkable folding properties of this family. In particular, comparisons of variants affecting different serpins allow us to define the domains which control this folding and show how spontaneous but inappropriate changes in conformation cause diverse diseases.

The biostructural pathology of the serpins: critical function of sheet opening mechanism.

The serpins illustrate the way in which the study of a protein family as a whole can clarify the functions of its individual members. Although the individual serpins have become remarkably diversified by evolution they all share a common structural pathology. We have previously shown how plotting of the dysfunctional natural mutations of the serpins on a template structure defines the domains controlling the mobility of the reactive centre loop of the molecule. Here we compare these natural mutations with reciprocal mutations in recombinants that restore the inhibitory stability of a labile member of the family, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). The combined results emphasise the critical part played by residues involved in the sliding movement that opens the A-sheet to allow reactive loop insertion. It is concluded that changes in these residues provide the prime explanation for the ready conversion of PAI-1 to the inactive latent state. The consistency of the overall results gives confidence in predicting the likely consequences of mutations in individual serpins. In particular the two common polymorphic mutations present in human angiotensinogen are likely to affect molecular stability and hence may be contributory factors to the observed association with vascular disease.

Structure and properties of ovalbumin.

Ovalbumin is a protein of unknown function found in large quantities in avian egg-white. Surprisingly, ovalbumin belongs to the serpin family although it lacks any protease inhibitory activity. We review here what is known about the amino acid sequence, post-translational modifications and tertiary structure of ovalbumin. The properties of ovalbumin are discussed in relation to their possible functional significance. These include reasons for failure of ovalbumin to undergo a typical serpin conformational change involving the reactive centre loop, which explains why ovalbumin is not a protease inhibitor, and also the natural conversion of ovalbumin to the more stable "S" form.

Mobile reactive centre of serpins and the control of thrombosis.

Two protease inhibitors in human plasma play a key part in the control of thrombosis: antithrombin inhibits coagulation and the plasminogen activator inhibitor PAI-1 inhibits fibrinolysis, the dissolving of clots. Both inhibitors are members of the serpin family and both exist in the plasma in latent or inactive forms. We show here that the reactive centre of the serpins can adopt varying conformations and that mobility of the reactive centre is necessary for the function of antithrombin and its binding and activation by heparin; the identification of a new locked conformation explains the latent inactive state of PAI-1. This ability to vary conformation not only allows the modulation of inhibitory activity but also protects the circulating inhibitor against proteolytic attack. Together these findings explain the retention by the serpins of a large and unconstrained reactive centre as compared to the small fixed peptide loop of other families of serine protease inhibitors.

Umbilical cord plasma progesterone at term in relation to mode of delivery.

The progesterone concentration in the umbilical venous and arterial plasma has been measured by radioimmunoassay. In 35 normal spontaneous vaginal deliveries the concentration in the umbilical venous plasma was highly correlated with the difference between venous and arterial plasma concentrations. There was no correlation of progesterone levels with infant birth weight or placental weight, but slightly higher amounts were found in samples taken from women with female fetuses than those with male fetuses. There was also a significant correlation of venous progesterone concentration with duration of labour. In 14 subjects where forceps were used to assist delivery because of prolonged second stage labour, progesterone levels were found to be elevated, whereas in nine cases of elective Caesarean section they were reduced. It is suggested that the fetus may stimulate progesterone secretion by the placenta in response to stress and that there may also be a fetal sex-related response.

Ovalbumin and angiotensinogen lack serpin S-R conformational change.

Cleavage of ovalbumin and angiotensinogen at sites homologous to the reactive centre loop of alpha 1-antitrypsin is not accompanied by the increase in heat-stability associated with the transition from the native stressed (S) structure to a cleaved relaxed (R) form that is typical of other serpins. Failure to undergo the S-R change in ovalbumin is not due to phosphorylation of Ser-344 near the sites of cleavage on the loop. The suggested explanation is the unique presence of bulky side chains at the P10-P12 site in ovalbumin and angiotensinogen.

Comparison of the B-pentamers of heat-labile enterotoxin and verotoxin-1: two structures with remarkable similarity and dissimilarity.

We have compared the B-subunit pentamers of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) and verotoxin-1 (VT-1). The B-subunits of these bacterial toxins of the AB5 class have virtually no sequence identity and differ considerably in size (69 amino acids in VT-1 versus 103 in LT). They share a number of functional properties: pentamer formation, association with an A-subunit, binding to carbohydrate-containing lipids, and interaction with membranes. The structures of these proteins are very similar in some respects and very different in others. They can be superimposed with an rms deviation of only 1.29 A on the main chain atoms of 52 amino acids (0.98 A on 47 C alpha). Seven out of eight secondary structure elements are retained in the two toxins; only the N-terminal helix of LT is absent in VT-1. A disulfide bridge, which is essential for pentamer formation, is found in both structures, but in slightly different locations. However, the VT-1 B-subunit is much shorter on one side of the toxin, where the proposed membrane binding site of both VT-1 and LT is located. The monomer-monomer interface in the pentamer is much larger in LT than in VT-1, making the LT pentamer more stable. The central pores have a different character, and the sugar binding sites are not conserved between the toxins. The evolutionary relationship of the toxins is discussed.

Crystal structure of the cell-binding B oligomer of verotoxin-1 from E. coli.

The Shiga toxin family, a group of cytotoxins associated with diarrhoeal diseases and the haemolytic uraemic syndrome, includes Shiga toxin from Shigella dysenteriae type 1 and verotoxins produced by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. The family belongs to the A-B class of bacterial toxins, which includes the cholera toxin family, pertussis and diphtheria toxins. These toxins all have bipartite structures consisting of an enzymatic A subunit associated with a B oligomer which binds to specific cell-surface receptors, but their amino-acid sequences and pathogenic mechanisms differ. We have determined the crystal structure of the B oligomer of verotoxin-1 from E. coli. The structure unexpectedly resembles that of the B oligomer of the cholera toxin-like heat-labile enterotoxin from E. coli, despite the absence of detectable sequence similarity between these two proteins. This result implies a distant evolutionary relationship between the Shiga toxin and cholera toxin families. We suggest that the cell surface receptor-binding site lies in a cleft between adjacent subunits of the B pentamer, providing a potential target for drugs and vaccines to prevent toxin binding and effect.

Hormone binding globulins undergo serpin conformational change in inflammation.

A surprising recent finding is that thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) and cortisol binding globulin (CBG), are members of the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) superfamily. Apparently evolution has completely adapted the serpin structure for its new role in these proteins as a transport agent, as there is no evidence of any retained protease inhibitory activity. This drastic change in function raises the question as to why such a complex molecular framework has been selected for the relatively simple task of hormone transport? To function as inhibitors the serpins have a native stressed (S) conformation that makes them vulnerable to proteolytic cleavage, the cleavage being accompanied by an irreversible transition to a stable relaxed (R) form. We demonstrate here that TBG and CBG have retained the stressed native structure typical of the inhibitor members of the family and we provide evidence that the S-R transition has been adapted to allow altered hormone delivery at inflammatory sites.

Crystal structure of ovalbumin as a model for the reactive centre of serpins.

The serpins are a widely distributed family of proteins with diverse functions; they include the key serine protease inhibitors of human plasma as well as noninhibitory homologues such as hormone-binding globulins, angiotensinogen and egg-white ovalbumin. Sequence alignment based on the crystal structure. On the cleaved form of the archetypal serpin, alpha 1-antitrypsin, indicates that the serpins share a common highly ordered structure. On cleavage of the reactive centre peptide bond, they characteristically undergo a remarkable conformational change, the newly generated C terminus moving some 70 A to the opposite pole of the molecule. The structure of this post-cleavage form is known, but the conformation of the intact serpins and in particular that of their reactive centre is not. Wright et al.'s structure of plakalbumin (ovalbumin cleaved by subtilisin) has provided evidence for the conformational change that results from cleavage. We have now determined the structure of native ovalbumin to 1.95 A resolution and have found that the intact peptide loop forming the analogue to the reactive centre of the inhibitory serpins takes the unexpected form of a protruding, isolated helix. This model of the intact structures of the serpins suggests how they may interact with their target proteases.