Covalent inhibition of hAChE by organophosphates causes homodimer dissociation through long-range allosteric effects.

Acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7), a key acetylcholine-hydrolyzing enzyme in cholinergic neurotransmission, is present in a variety of states in situ, including monomers, C-terminally disulfide-linked homodimers, homotetramers, and up to three tetramers covalently attached to structural subunits. Could oligomerization that ensures high local concentrations of catalytic sites necessary for efficient neurotransmission be affected by environmental factors? Using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and cryo-EM, we demonstrate that homodimerization of recombinant monomeric human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE) in solution occurs through a C-terminal four-helix bundle at micromolar concentrations. We show that diethylphosphorylation of the active serine in the catalytic gorge or isopropylmethylphosphonylation by the RP enantiomer of sarin promotes a 10-fold increase in homodimer dissociation. We also demonstrate the dissociation of organophosphate (OP)-conjugated dimers is reversed by structurally diverse oximes 2PAM, HI6, or RS194B, as demonstrated by SAXS of diethylphosphoryl-hAChE. However, binding of oximes to the native ligand-free hAChE, binding of high-affinity reversible ligands, or formation of an SP-sarin-hAChE conjugate had no effect on homodimerization. Dissociation monitored by time-resolved SAXS occurs in milliseconds, consistent with rates of hAChE covalent inhibition. OP-induced dissociation was not observed in the SAXS profiles of the double-mutant Y337A/F338A, where the active center gorge volume is larger than in wildtype hAChE. These observations suggest a key role of the tightly packed acyl pocket in allosterically triggered OP-induced dimer dissociation, with the potential for local reduction of acetylcholine-hydrolytic power in situ. Computational models predict allosteric correlated motions extending from the acyl pocket toward the four-helix bundle dimerization interface 25 Å away.

Joint neutron/molecular dynamics vibrational spectroscopy reveals softening of HIV-1 protease upon binding of a tight inhibitor.

Biomacromolecules are inherently dynamic, and their dynamics are interwoven into function. The fast collective vibrational dynamics in proteins occurs in the low picosecond timescale corresponding to frequencies of ∼5-50 cm-1. This sub-to-low THz frequency regime covers the low-amplitude collective breathing motions of a whole protein and vibrations of the constituent secondary structure elements, such as α-helices, ß-sheets and loops. We have used inelastic neutron scattering experiments in combination with molecular dynamics simulations to demonstrate the vibrational dynamics softening of HIV-1 protease, a target of HIV/AIDS antivirals, upon binding of a tight clinical inhibitor darunavir. Changes in the vibrational density of states of matching structural elements in the two monomers of the homodimeric protein are not identical, indicating asymmetric effects of darunavir on the vibrational dynamics. Three of the 11 major secondary structure elements contribute over 40% to the overall changes in the vibrational density of states upon darunavir binding. Molecular dynamics simulations informed by experiments allowed us to estimate that the altered vibrational dynamics of the protease would contribute -3.6 kcal mol-1 at 300 K, or 25%, to the free energy of darunavir binding. As HIV-1 protease drug resistance remains a concern, our results open a new avenue to help establish a direct quantitative link between protein vibrational dynamics and drug resistance.

Rational design, synthesis, and evaluation of uncharged, "smart" bis-oxime antidotes of organophosphate-inhibited human acetylcholinesterase.

Organophosphate (OP) intoxications from nerve agent and OP pesticide exposures are managed with pyridinium aldoxime-based therapies whose success rates are currently limited. The pyridinium cation hampers uptake of OPs into the central nervous system (CNS). Furthermore, it frequently binds to aromatic residues of OP-inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in orientations that are nonproductive for AChE reactivation, and the structural diversity of OPs impedes efficient reactivation. Improvements of OP antidotes need to include much better access of AChE reactivators to the CNS and optimized orientation of the antidotes' nucleophile within the AChE active-center gorge. On the basis of X-ray structures of a CNS-penetrating reactivator, monoxime RS194B, reversibly bound to native and venomous agent X (VX)-inhibited human AChE, here we created seven uncharged acetamido bis-oximes as candidate antidotes. Both oxime groups in these bis-oximes were attached to the same central, saturated heterocyclic core. Diverse protonation of the heterocyclic amines and oxime groups of the bis-oximes resulted in equilibration among up to 16 distinct ionization forms, including uncharged forms capable of diffusing into the CNS and multiple zwitterionic forms optimal for reactivation reactions. Conformationally diverse zwitterions that could act as structural antidote variants significantly improved in vitro reactivation of diverse OP-human AChE conjugates. Oxime group reorientation of one of the bis-oximes, forcing it to point into the active center for reactivation, was confirmed by X-ray structural analysis. Our findings provide detailed structure-activity properties of several CNS-directed, uncharged aliphatic bis-oximes holding promise for use as protonation-dependent, conformationally adaptive, "smart" accelerated antidotes against OP toxicity.

Productive reorientation of a bound oxime reactivator revealed in room temperature X-ray structures of native and VX-inhibited human acetylcholinesterase.

Exposure to organophosphorus compounds (OPs) may be fatal if untreated, and a clear and present danger posed by nerve agent OPs has become palpable in recent years. OPs inactivate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by covalently modifying its catalytic serine. Inhibited AChE cannot hydrolyze the neurotransmitter acetylcholine leading to its build-up at the cholinergic synapses and creating an acute cholinergic crisis. Current antidotes, including oxime reactivators that attack the OP-AChE conjugate to free the active enzyme, are inefficient. Better reactivators are sought, but their design is hampered by a conformationally rigid portrait of AChE extracted exclusively from 100K X-ray crystallography and scarcity of structural knowledge on human AChE (hAChE). Here, we present room temperature X-ray structures of native and VX-phosphonylated hAChE with an imidazole-based oxime reactivator, RS-170B. We discovered that inhibition with VX triggers substantial conformational changes in bound RS-170B from a "nonproductive" pose (the reactive aldoxime group points away from the VX-bound serine) in the reactivator-only complex to a "semi-productive" orientation in the VX-modified complex. This observation, supported by concurrent molecular simulations, suggested that the narrow active-site gorge of hAChE may be significantly more dynamic than previously thought, allowing RS-170B to reorient inside the gorge. Furthermore, we found that small molecules can bind in the choline-binding site hindering approach to the phosphorous of VX-bound serine. Our results provide structural and mechanistic perspectives on the reactivation of OP-inhibited hAChE and demonstrate that structural studies at physiologically relevant temperatures can deliver previously overlooked insights applicable for designing next-generation antidotes.

Neutron Crystallography Detects Differences in Protein Dynamics: Structure of the PKG II Cyclic Nucleotide Binding Domain in Complex with an Activator.

As one of the main receptors of a second messenger, cGMP, cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) isoforms I and II regulate distinct physiological processes. The design of isoform-specific activators is thus of great biomedical importance and requires detailed structural information about PKG isoforms bound with activators, including accurate positions of hydrogen atoms and a description of the hydrogen bonding and water architecture. Here, we determined a 2.2 Å room-temperature joint X-ray/neutron (XN) structure of the human PKG II carboxyl cyclic nucleotide binding (CNB-B) domain bound with a potent PKG II activator, 8-pCPT-cGMP. The XN structure directly visualizes intermolecular interactions and reveals changes in hydrogen bonding patterns upon comparison to the X-ray structure determined at cryo-temperatures. Comparative analysis of the backbone hydrogen/deuterium exchange patterns in PKG II:8-pCPT-cGMP and previously reported PKG Iß:cGMP XN structures suggests that the ability of these agonists to activate PKG is related to how effectively they quench dynamics of the cyclic nucleotide binding pocket and the surrounding regions.

Defining the Specificity of Carbohydrate-Protein Interactions by Quantifying Functional Group Contributions.

Protein-carbohydrate interactions are significant in a wide range of biological processes, disruption of which has been implicated in many different diseases. The capability of glycan-binding proteins (GBPs) to specifically bind to the corresponding glycans allows GBPs to be utilized in glycan biomarker detection or conversely to serve as targets for therapeutic intervention. However, understanding the structural origins of GBP specificity has proven to be challenging due to their typically low binding affinities (mM) and their potential to display broad or complex specificities. Here we perform molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and post-MD energy analyses with the Poisson-Boltzmann and generalized Born solvent models (MM-PB/GBSA) of the Erythrina cristagalli lectin (ECL) with its known ligands, and with new cocrystal structures reported herein. While each MM-PB/GBSA parametrization resulted in different estimates of the desolvation free energy, general trends emerged that permit us to define GBP binding preferences in terms of ligand substructure specificity. Additionally, we have further decomposed the theoretical interaction energies into contributions made between chemically relevant functional groups. Based on these contributions, the functional groups in each ligand can be assembled into a pharmacophore comprised of groups that are either critical for binding, or enhance binding, or are noninteracting. It is revealed that the pharmacophore for ECL consists of the galactopyranose (Gal) ring atoms along with C6 and the O3 and O4 hydroxyl groups. This approach provides a convenient method for identifying and quantifying the glycan pharmacophore and provides a novel method for interpreting glycan specificity that is independent of residue-level glycan nomenclature. A pharmacophore approach to defining specificity is readily transferable to molecular design software and, therefore, may be particularly useful in designing therapeutics (glycomimetics) that target GBPs.

Mannobiose Binding Induces Changes in Hydrogen Bonding and Protonation States of Acidic Residues in Concanavalin A As Revealed by Neutron Crystallography.

Plant lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins with various biomedical applications. Concanavalin A (Con A) holds promise in treating cancerous tumors. To better understand the Con A carbohydrate binding specificity, we obtained a room-temperature neutron structure of this legume lectin in complex with a disaccharide Manα1-2Man, mannobiose. The neutron structure afforded direct visualization of the hydrogen bonding between the protein and ligand, showing that the ligand is able to alter both protonation states and interactions for residues located close to and distant from the binding site. An unprecedented low-barrier hydrogen bond was observed forming between the carboxylic side chains of Asp28 and Glu8, with the D atom positioned equidistant from the oxygen atoms having an O···D···O angle of 101.5°.

Phosphoryl Transfer Reaction Snapshots in Crystals: INSIGHTS INTO THE MECHANISM OF PROTEIN KINASE A CATALYTIC SUBUNIT.

To study the catalytic mechanism of phosphorylation catalyzed by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) a structure of the enzyme-substrate complex representing the Michaelis complex is of specific interest as it can shed light on the structure of the transition state. However, all previous crystal structures of the Michaelis complex mimics of the PKA catalytic subunit (PKAc) were obtained with either peptide inhibitors or ATP analogs. Here we utilized Ca(2+) ions and sulfur in place of the nucleophilic oxygen in a 20-residue pseudo-substrate peptide (CP20) and ATP to produce a close mimic of the Michaelis complex. In the ternary reactant complex, the thiol group of Cys-21 of the peptide is facing Asp-166 and the sulfur atom is positioned for an in-line phosphoryl transfer. Replacement of Ca(2+) cations with Mg(2+) ions resulted in a complex with trapped products of ATP hydrolysis: phosphate ion and ADP. The present structural results in combination with the previously reported structures of the transition state mimic and phosphorylated product complexes complete the snapshots of the phosphoryl transfer reaction by PKAc, providing us with the most thorough picture of the catalytic mechanism to date.

Long-Range Electrostatics-Induced Two-Proton Transfer Captured by Neutron Crystallography in an Enzyme Catalytic Site.

Neutron crystallography was used to directly locate two protons before and after a pH-induced two-proton transfer between catalytic aspartic acid residues and the hydroxy group of the bound clinical drug darunavir, located in the catalytic site of enzyme HIV-1 protease. The two-proton transfer is triggered by electrostatic effects arising from protonation state changes of surface residues far from the active site. The mechanism and pH effect are supported by quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations. The low-pH proton configuration in the catalytic site is deemed critical for the catalytic action of this enzyme and may apply more generally to other aspartic proteases. Neutrons therefore represent a superb probe to obtain structural details for proton transfer reactions in biological systems at a truly atomic level.

Genetically encoded fragment-based discovery of glycopeptide ligands for carbohydrate-binding proteins.

We describe an approach to accelerate the search for competitive inhibitors for carbohydrate-recognition domains (CRDs). Genetically encoded fragment-based discovery (GE-FBD) uses selection of phage-displayed glycopeptides to dock a glycan fragment at the CRD and guide selection of synergistic peptide motifs adjacent to the CRD. Starting from concanavalin A (ConA), a mannose (Man)-binding protein, as a bait, we narrowed a library of 10(8) glycopeptides to 86 leads that share a consensus motif, Man-WYD. Validation of synthetic leads yielded Man-WYDLF that exhibited 40-50-fold enhancement in affinity over methyl α-d-mannopyranoside (MeMan). Lectin array suggested specificity: Man-WYD derivative bound only to 3 out of 17 proteins­ConA, LcH, and PSA­that bind to Man. An X-ray structure of ConA:Man-WYD proved that the trimannoside core and Man-WYD exhibit identical CRD docking, but their extra-CRD binding modes are significantly different. Still, they have comparable affinity and selectivity for various Man-binding proteins. The intriguing observation provides new insight into functional mimicry of carbohydrates by peptide ligands. GE-FBD may provide an alternative to rapidly search for competitive inhibitors for lectins.

Neutron diffraction reveals hydrogen bonds critical for cGMP-selective activation: insights for cGMP-dependent protein kinase agonist design.

High selectivity of cyclic-nucleotide binding (CNB) domains for cAMP and cGMP are required for segregating signaling pathways; however, the mechanism of selectivity remains unclear. To investigate the mechanism of high selectivity in cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG), we determined a room-temperature joint X-ray/neutron (XN) structure of PKG Iß CNB-B, a domain 200-fold selective for cGMP over cAMP, bound to cGMP (2.2 Å), and a low-temperature X-ray structure of CNB-B with cAMP (1.3 Å). The XN structure directly describes the hydrogen bonding interactions that modulate high selectivity for cGMP, while the structure with cAMP reveals that all these contacts are disrupted, explaining its low affinity for cAMP.

Metal-free cAMP-dependent protein kinase can catalyze phosphoryl transfer.

X-ray structures of several ternary product complexes of the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKAc) have been determined with no bound metal ions and with Na(+) or K(+) coordinated at two metal-binding sites. The metal-free PKAc and the enzyme with alkali metals were able to facilitate the phosphoryl transfer reaction. In all studied complexes, the ATP and the substrate peptide (SP20) were modified into the products ADP and the phosphorylated peptide. The products of the phosphotransfer reaction were also found when ATP-γS, a nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue, reacted with SP20 in the PKAc active site containing no metals. Single turnover enzyme kinetics measurements utilizing (32)P-labeled ATP confirmed the phosphotransferase activity of the enzyme in the absence of metal ions and in the presence of alkali metals. In addition, the structure of the apo-PKAc binary complex with SP20 suggests that the sequence of binding events may become ordered in a metal-free environment, with SP20 binding first to prime the enzyme for subsequent ATP binding. Comparison of these structures reveals conformational and hydrogen bonding changes that might be important for the mechanism of catalysis.

Novel complex MAD phasing and RNase H structural insights using selenium oligonucleotides.

The crystal structures of protein-nucleic acid complexes are commonly determined using selenium-derivatized proteins via MAD or SAD phasing. Here, the first protein-nucleic acid complex structure determined using selenium-derivatized nucleic acids is reported. The RNase H-RNA/DNA complex is used as an example to demonstrate the proof of principle. The high-resolution crystal structure indicates that this selenium replacement results in a local subtle unwinding of the RNA/DNA substrate duplex, thereby shifting the RNA scissile phosphate closer to the transition state of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction. It was also observed that the scissile phosphate forms a hydrogen bond to the water nucleophile and helps to position the water molecule in the structure. Consistently, it was discovered that the substitution of a single O atom by a Se atom in a guide DNA sequence can largely accelerate RNase H catalysis. These structural and catalytic studies shed new light on the guide-dependent RNA cleavage.

Insights into the phosphoryl transfer catalyzed by cAMP-dependent protein kinase: an X-ray crystallographic study of complexes with various metals and peptide substrate SP20.

X-ray structures of several ternary substrate and product complexes of the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKAc) have been determined with different bound metal ions. In the PKAc complexes, Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+), and Ba(2+) metal ions could bind to the active site and facilitate the phosphoryl transfer reaction. ATP and a substrate peptide (SP20) were modified, and the reaction products ADP and the phosphorylated peptide were found trapped in the enzyme active site. Finally, we determined the structure of a pseudo-Michaelis complex containing Mg(2+), nonhydrolyzable AMP-PCP (ß,γ-methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate) and SP20. The product structures together with the pseudo-Michaelis complex provide snapshots of different stages of the phosphorylation reaction. Comparison of these structures reveals conformational, coordination, and hydrogen bonding changes that might occur during the reaction and shed new light on its mechanism, roles of metals, and active site residues.

Revealing protonation states and tracking substrate in serine hydroxymethyltransferase with room-temperature X-ray and neutron crystallography.

Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes utilize a vitamin B6-derived cofactor to perform a myriad of chemical transformations on amino acids and other small molecules. Some PLP-dependent enzymes, such as serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT), are promising drug targets for the design of small-molecule antimicrobials and anticancer therapeutics, while others have been used to synthesize pharmaceutical building blocks. Understanding PLP-dependent catalysis and the reaction specificity is crucial to advance structure-assisted drug design and enzyme engineering. Here we report the direct determination of the protonation states in the active site of Thermus thermophilus SHMT (TthSHMT) in the internal aldimine state using room-temperature joint X-ray/neutron crystallography. Conserved active site architecture of the model enzyme TthSHMT and of human mitochondrial SHMT (hSHMT2) were compared by obtaining a room-temperature X-ray structure of hSHMT2, suggesting identical protonation states in the human enzyme. The amino acid substrate serine pathway through the TthSHMT active site cavity was tracked, revealing the peripheral and cationic binding sites that correspond to the pre-Michaelis and pseudo-Michaelis complexes, respectively. At the peripheral binding site, the substrate is bound in the zwitterionic form. By analyzing the observed protonation states, Glu53, but not His residues, is proposed as the general base catalyst, orchestrating the retro-aldol transformation of L-serine into glycine.

Structural and dynamic effects of paraoxon binding to human acetylcholinesterase by X-ray crystallography and inelastic neutron scattering.

Organophosphorus (OP) compounds, including nerve agents and some pesticides, covalently bind to the catalytic serine of human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE), thereby inhibiting acetylcholine hydrolysis necessary for efficient neurotransmission. Oxime antidotes can reactivate the OP-conjugated hAChE, but reactivation efficiency can be low for pesticides, such as paraoxon (POX). Understanding structural and dynamic determinants of OP inhibition and reactivation can provide insights to design improved reactivators. Here, X-ray structures of hAChE with unaged POX, with POX and oximes MMB4 and RS170B, and with MMB4 are reported. A significant conformational distortion of the acyl loop was observed upon POX binding, being partially restored to the native conformation by oximes. Neutron vibrational spectroscopy combined with molecular dynamics simulations showed that picosecond vibrational dynamics of the acyl loop soften in the ∼20-50 cm-1 frequency range. The acyl loop structural perturbations may be correlated with its picosecond vibrational dynamics to yield more comprehensive template for structure-based reactivator design.

An N⋯H⋯N low-barrier hydrogen bond preorganizes the catalytic site of aspartate aminotransferase to facilitate the second half-reaction.

Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes have been extensively studied for their ability to fine-tune PLP cofactor electronics to promote a wide array of chemistries. Neutron crystallography offers a straightforward approach to studying the electronic states of PLP and the electrostatics of enzyme active sites, responsible for the reaction specificities, by enabling direct visualization of hydrogen atom positions. Here we report a room-temperature joint X-ray/neutron structure of aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) with pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate (PMP), the cofactor product of the first half reaction catalyzed by the enzyme. Between PMP NSB and catalytic Lys258 Nζ amino groups an equally shared deuterium is observed in an apparent low-barrier hydrogen bond (LBHB). Density functional theory calculations were performed to provide further evidence of this LBHB interaction. The structural arrangement and the juxtaposition of PMP and Lys258, facilitated by the LBHB, suggests active site preorganization for the incoming ketoacid substrate that initiates the second half-reaction.

Room temperature crystallography of human acetylcholinesterase bound to a substrate analogue 4K-TMA: Towards a neutron structure.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) catalyzes hydrolysis of acetylcholine thereby terminating cholinergic nerve impulses for efficient neurotransmission. Human AChE (hAChE) is a target of nerve agent and pesticide organophosphorus compounds that covalently attach to the catalytic Ser203 residue. Reactivation of inhibited hAChE can be achieved with nucleophilic antidotes, such as oximes. Understanding structural and electrostatic (i.e. protonation states) determinants of the catalytic and reactivation processes is crucial to improve design of oxime reactivators. Here we report X-ray structures of hAChE conjugated with a reversible covalent inhibitor 4K-TMA (4K-TMA:hAChE) at 2.8 â€‹Å resolution and of 4K-TMA:hAChE conjugate with oxime reactivator methoxime, MMB4 (4K-TMA:hAChE:MMB4) at 2.6 â€‹Å resolution, both at physiologically relevant room temperature, as well as cryo-crystallographic structure of 4K-TMA:hAChE at 2.4 â€‹Å resolution. 4K-TMA acts as a substrate analogue reacting with the hydroxyl of Ser203 and generating a reversible tetrahedral hemiketal intermediate that closely resembles the first tetrahedral intermediate state during hAChE-catalyzed acetylcholine hydrolysis. Structural comparisons of room temperature with cryo-crystallographic structures of 4K-TMA:hAChE and published mAChE complexes with 4K-TMA, as well as the effect of MMB4 binding to the peripheral anionic site (PAS) of the 4K-TMA:hAChE complex, revealed only discrete, minor differences. The active center geometry of AChE, already highly evolved for the efficient catalysis, was thus indicative of only minor conformational adjustments to accommodate the tetrahedral intermediate in the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). To map protonation states in the hAChE active site gorge we collected 3.5 â€‹Å neutron diffraction data paving the way for obtaining higher resolution datasets that will be needed to determine locations of individual hydrogen atoms.

Derivatization of DNAs with selenium at 6-position of guanine for function and crystal structure studies.

To investigate nucleic acid base pairing and stacking via atom-specific mutagenesis and crystallography, we have synthesized for the first time the 6-Se-deoxyguanosine phosphoramidite and incorporated it into DNAs via solid-phase synthesis with a coupling yield over 97%. We found that the UV absorption of the Se-DNAs red-shifts over 100 nm to 360 nm (epsilon = 2.3 x 10(4) M(-1) cm(-1)), the Se-DNAs are yellow colored, and this Se modification is relatively stable in water and at elevated temperature. Moreover, we successfully crystallized a ternary complex of the Se-G-DNA, RNA and RNase H. The crystal structure determination and analysis reveal that the overall structures of the native and Se-modified nucleic acid duplexes are very similar, the selenium atom participates in a Se-mediated hydrogen bond (Se ... H-N), and the (Se)G and C form a base pair similar to the natural G-C pair though the Se-modification causes the base-pair to shift (approximately 0.3 A). Our biophysical and structural studies provide new insights into the nucleic acid flexibility, duplex recognition and stability. Furthermore, this novel selenium modification of nucleic acids can be used to investigate chemogenetics and structure of nucleic acids and their protein complexes.