GGCX mutants that impair hemostasis reveal the importance of processivity and full carboxylation to VKD protein function.

γ-Glutamyl carboxylase (GGCX) generates multiple carboxylated Glus (Glas) in vitamin K-dependent (VKD) proteins that are required for their functions. GGCX is processive, remaining bound to VKD proteins throughout multiple Glu carboxylations, and this study reveals the essentiality of processivity to VKD protein function. GGCX mutants (V255M and S300F) whose combined heterozygosity in a patient causes defective clotting and calcification were studied using a novel assay that mimics in vivo carboxylation. Complexes between variant carboxylases and VKD proteins important to hemostasis (factor IX [FIX]) or calcification (matrix Gla protein [MGP]) were reacted in the presence of a challenge VKD protein that could potentially interfere with carboxylation of the VKD protein in the complex. The VKD protein in the complex with wild-type carboxylase was carboxylated before challenge protein carboxylation occurred and became fully carboxylated. In contrast, the V255M mutant carboxylated both forms at the same time and did not completely carboxylate FIX in the complex. S300F carboxylation was poor with both FIX and MGP. Additional studies analyzed FIX- and MGP-derived peptides containing the Gla domain linked to sequences that mediate carboxylase binding. The total amount of carboxylated peptide generated by the V255M mutant was higher than that of wild-type GGCX; however, the individual peptides were partially carboxylated. Analysis of the V255M mutant in FIX HEK293 cells lacking endogenous GGCX revealed poor FIX clotting activity. This study shows that disrupted processivity causes disease and explains the defect in the patient. Kinetic analyses also suggest that disrupted processivity may occur in wild-type carboxylase under some conditions (eg, warfarin therapy or vitamin K deficiency).

Biochemical defects in minor spliceosome function in the developmental disorder MOPD I.

Biallelic mutations of the human RNU4ATAC gene, which codes for the minor spliceosomal U4atac snRNA, cause the developmental disorder, MOPD I/TALS. To date, nine separate mutations in RNU4ATAC have been identified in MOPD I patients. Evidence suggests that all of these mutations lead to abrogation of U4atac snRNA function and impaired minor intron splicing. However, the molecular basis of these effects is unknown. Here, we use a variety of in vitro and in vivo assays to address this question. We find that only one mutation, 124G>A, leads to significantly reduced expression of U4atac snRNA, whereas four mutations, 30G>A, 50G>A, 50G>C and 51G>A, show impaired binding of essential protein components of the U4atac/U6atac di-snRNP in vitro and in vivo. Analysis of MOPD I patient fibroblasts and iPS cells homozygous for the most common mutation, 51G>A, shows reduced levels of the U4atac/U6atac.U5 tri-snRNP complex as determined by glycerol gradient sedimentation and immunoprecipitation. In this report, we establish a mechanistic basis for MOPD I disease and show that the inefficient splicing of genes containing U12-dependent introns in patient cells is due to defects in minor tri-snRNP formation, and the MOPD I-associated RNU4ATAC mutations can affect multiple facets of minor snRNA function.

Streptavidin cooperative allosterism upon binding biotin observed by differential changes in intrinsic fluorescence.

While the binding of biotin by streptavidin does not appear to be cooperative in the traditional sense of altered binding strength, it has been suggested that it may be cooperative in terms of differential structural changes in the protein. In this work we present intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence data as evidence of a cooperative structural change. The technique involves examination of the differences in fluorescence emission corresponding to distinct tryptophan populations accompanying protein-ligand binding. Specifically we note that the 335 nm emission population (i.e. more hydrophobic) saturates prior to the saturation of the 350 nm emission population commonly used in the standard binding activity assay. We also note that the wavelength of maximum emission, total integrated fluorescence emission and full width at half maximum during the titration of ligand into streptavidin also reach saturation before the expected 4:1 stoichiometric end point. This suggests that the binding of the first 3 biotins effect greater structural changes in the protein than the final ligand.