Specific and nonspecific interactions in ultraweak protein-protein associations revealed by solvent paramagnetic relaxation enhancements.

Weak and transient protein-protein interactions underlie numerous biological processes. However, the location of the interaction sites of the specific complexes and the effect of transient, nonspecific protein-protein interactions often remain elusive. We have investigated the weak self-association of human growth hormone (hGH, KD = 0.90 ± 0.03 mM) at neutral pH by the paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) of the amide protons induced by the soluble paramagnetic relaxation agent, gadodiamide (Gd(DTPA-BMA)). Primarily, it was found that the PREs are in agreement with the general Hwang-Freed model for relaxation by translational diffusion (J. Chem. Phys. 1975, 63, 4017-4025), only if crowding effects on the diffusion in the protein solution are taken into account. Second, by measuring the PREs of the amide protons at increasing hGH concentrations and a constant concentration of the relaxation agent, it is shown that a distinction can be made between residues that are affected only by transient, nonspecific protein-protein interactions and residues that are involved in specific protein-protein associations. Thus, the PREs of the former residues increase linearly with the hGH concentration in the entire concentration range because of a reduction of the diffusion caused by the transient, nonspecific protein-protein interactions, while the PREs of the latter residues increase only at the lower hGH concentrations but decrease at the higher concentrations because of specific protein-protein associations that impede the access of gadodiamide to the residues of the interaction surface. Finally, it is found that the ultraweak aggregation of hGH involves several interaction sites that are located in patches covering a large part of the protein surface.

Accurate structure and dynamics of the metal-site of paramagnetic metalloproteins from NMR parameters using natural bond orbitals.

A natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis of unpaired electron spin density in metalloproteins is presented, which allows a fast and robust calculation of paramagnetic NMR parameters. Approximately 90% of the unpaired electron spin density occupies metal-ligand NBOs, allowing the majority of the density to be modeled by only a few NBOs that reflect the chemical bonding environment. We show that the paramagnetic relaxation rate of protons can be calculated accurately using only the metal-ligand NBOs and that these rates are in good agreement with corresponding rates measured experimentally. This holds, in particular, for protons of ligand residues where the point-dipole approximation breaks down. To describe the paramagnetic relaxation of heavy nuclei, also the electron spin density in the local orbitals must be taken into account. Geometric distance restraints for (15)N can be derived from the paramagnetic relaxation enhancement and the Fermi contact shift when local NBOs are included in the analysis. Thus, the NBO approach allows us to include experimental paramagnetic NMR parameters of (15)N nuclei as restraints in a structure optimization protocol. We performed a molecular dynamics simulation and structure determination of oxidized rubredoxin using the experimentally obtained paramagnetic NMR parameters of (15)N. The corresponding structures obtained are in good agreement with the crystal structure of rubredoxin. Thus, the NBO approach allows an accurate description of the geometric structure and the dynamics of metalloproteins, when NMR parameters are available of nuclei in the immediate vicinity of the metal-site.

Enhanced stability of a protein with increasing temperature.

The unusual stability of a structured but locally flexible protein, human growth hormone (hGH) at pH 2.7, was investigated using the temperature dependence of the nanosecond-picosecond dynamics of the backbone amide groups obtained from (15)N NMR relaxation data. It is found that the flexibility of the backbone of the helices decreases with temperature in the range from 24 °C to ∼40 °C, corresponding to an increasing stability. A concomitant increase with temperature of the electrostatic interactions between charged residues forming an interhelical network of salt bridges at the center of the four-helix core suggests that these interactions give rise to the decreasing flexibility and increasing stability of the protein. However, numerous hydrophobic interactions in the interior of the four-helix core may also contribute. Above ∼40 °C, where the thermal energy overcomes the electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, a substantial increase in the flexibility of the helix backbones results in a highly positive contribution from the local conformational heat capacity, C(p, conf), of the helix backbones to the total heat capacity, C(p), of the protein. This reduces the change in heat capacity upon unfolding, ΔC(p), increases the change in the Gibbs free energy, ΔG(unfold), and stabilizes the protein at high temperatures. A similar decrease in flexibility is found near other salt bridges in hGH and in Calmodulin and may be of general importance for the thermostability of proteins and, in particular, of the salt bridge intensive thermophilic proteins.

Conformational exchange in pseudoazurin: different kinds of microsecond to millisecond dynamics characterized by their pH and buffer dependence using 15N NMR relaxation.

The dynamics of the reduced form of the blue copper protein pseudoazurin from Alcaligenes faecalis S-6 was investigated using (15)N relaxation measurements with a focus on the dynamics of the micro- to millisecond time scale. Different types of conformational exchange processes are observed in the protein on this time scale. At low pH, the protonation of the C-terminal copper-ligated histidine, His81, is observed. A comparison of the exchange rates in the presence and absence of added buffers shows that the protonation is the rate-limiting step at low buffer concentrations. This finding agrees with previous observations for other blue copper proteins, e.g., amicyanin and plastocyanin. However, in contrast to plastocyanin but similar to amicyanin, a second conformational exchange between different conformations of the protonated copper site is observed at low pH, most likely triggered by the protonation of His81. This process has been further characterized using CPMG dispersion methods and is found to occur with a rate of a few thousands per second. Finally, micro- to millisecond motions are observed in one of the loop regions and in the alpha-helical regions. These motions are unaffected by pH and are unrelated to the conformational changes in the active site of pseudoazurin.

Histidine side-chain dynamics and protonation monitored by 13C CPMG NMR relaxation dispersion.

The use of 13C NMR relaxation dispersion experiments to monitor micro-millisecond fluctuations in the protonation states of histidine residues in proteins is investigated. To illustrate the approach, measurements on three specifically 13C labeled histidine residues in plastocyanin (PCu) from Anabaena variabilis (A.v.) are presented. Significant Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) relaxation dispersion is observed for 13C(epsilon1) nuclei in the histidine imidazole rings of A.v. PCu. The chemical shift changes obtained from the CPMG dispersion data are in good agreement with those obtained from the chemical shift titration experiments, and the CPMG derived exchange rates agree with those obtained previously from 15N backbone relaxation measurements. Compared to measurements of backbone nuclei, 13C(epsilon1) dispersion provides a more direct method to monitor interchanging protonation states or other kinds of conformational changes of histidine side chains or their environment. Advantages and shortcomings of using the 13C(epsilon1) dispersion experiments in combination with chemical shift titration experiments to obtain information on exchange dynamics of the histidine side chains are discussed.

Solution structure of a conformationally restricted fully active derivative of the human relaxin-like factor.

Analogous to insulin, the relaxin-like factor (RLF) must undergo a structural transition to the active form prior to receptor binding. Thus, the C-terminus of the B chain of RLF folds toward the surface of the central B chain helix, causing partial obliteration of the two essential RLF receptor-binding site residues, valine B19 and tryptophan B27. Via comparison of the solution structure of a fully active C-terminally cross-linked RLF analogue with the native synthetic human RLF (hRLF), it became clear that the cross-linked analogue largely retains the essential folding of the native protein. Both proteins exist in a major and minor conformation, as revealed by multiple resonances from tryptophan B27 and adjacent residues on the B chain helix. Notably, the minor conformation is significantly more highly populated in the chemically cross-linked RLF than it is in the hRLF. In addition, compared to the unmodified molecule, subtle differences are observed within the B chain helix whereby the cross-linked derivative shows a reduced level of hydrogen bonding and significant peak broadening at the binding site residue ValB19. On the basis of these observations, we suggest that the solution structure of the native hormone represents an inactive conformer and that a dynamic equilibrium exists between the C-terminally unfolded binding conformation and the inactive conformation of the RLF.

Probing electric fields in proteins in solution by NMR spectroscopy.

Electric fields generated in native proteins affect almost every aspect of protein function. We present a method that probes changes in the electric field at specific locations within a protein. The method utilizes the dependence of the amide (1)H and (15)N NMR chemical shifts on electric charges in proteins. Charges were introduced at different positions in the blue copper protein plastocyanin, by protonation of side chains or by substitution of the metal ion. It is found that the associated chemical shift perturbations (CSPs) stem mainly from long-range electric field effects caused by the change in the electric charge. It is demonstrated that the CSPs can be used to estimate the dielectric constant at different locations in the protein, estimate the nuclear shielding polarizability, or position charges in proteins.

Weak self-association of human growth hormone investigated by nitrogen-15 NMR relaxation.

The self-association of human growth hormone(hGH) was investigated using 15N NMR relaxation.The investigation relies on the 15N R1 and R2 relaxation rates and the heteronuclear{1H}-15N NOEs of the backbone amide groups at multiple protein concentrations. It is shown that the rotational correlation time of hGH in solution depends strongly on its concentration, indicating a significant degree of self-association.The self-association is reversible and the monomers in the aggregates are noncovalently linked. Extrapolation of the relaxation data to zero concentration predicts a correlation time of 13.4 ns and a rotational diffusion anisotropy of 1.26 for monomeric hGH, in agreement with the rotational diffusion properties estimated by hydrodynamic calculations. Moreover, the extrapolation allows characterization of the backbone dynamics of monomeric hGH without interference from self-association phenomena, and it is found that hGH is considerably more flexible than originally thought. A concerted least-squares analysis of the 15N relaxations and their concentration dependence reveals that the self-association goes beyond a simple monomer-dimer equilibrium, and that tetramers or other multimeric states co-exist in fast exchange with the monomeric and dimeric hGH at sub-millimolar concentrations. Small changes in the 1H and 15N amide chemical shifts suggest that a region around the C-terminus is involved in the oligomer formation.

Characterization of conformational exchange of a histidine side chain: protonation, rotamerization, and tautomerization of His61 in plastocyanin from Anabaena variabilis.

A model describing conformational exchange of His 61 in plastocyanin from Anabaena variabilis is presented. A detailed picture of the exchange dynamics has been obtained using solution NMR relaxation measurements, chemical shift titrations, and structural information provided by a high-resolution crystal structure of the protein. A three-site model for chemical exchange that involves interconversion among the tautomeric and protonated forms of the histidine side chain with rates that are fast on the NMR chemical shift time scale can account for all of the data. In general, in the limit of fast exchange, it is not possible to obtain separate measures of chemical shift differences and populations of the participating states using NMR. However, we show here that when the data mentioned above are combined, it is possible to extract values of all of the parameters that characterize the exchange process, including rates, populations, and chemical shift changes, and to provide cross-validations that establish their accuracy. The methodology is generally applicable to the study of histidine side chain dynamics, which can play an important functional role in many protein systems.

NMR studies of the backbone flexibility and structure of human growth hormone: a comparison of high and low pH conformations.

(15)N NMR relaxation parameters and amide (1)H/(2)H-exchange rates have been used to characterize the structural flexibility of human growth hormone (rhGH) at neutral and acidic pH. Our results show that the rigidity of the molecule is strongly affected by the solution conditions. At pH 7.0 the backbone dynamics parameters of rhGH are uniform along the polypeptide chain and their values are similar to those of other folded proteins. In contrast, at pH 2.7 the overall backbone flexibility increases substantially compared to neutral pH and the average order parameter approaches the lower limit expected for a folded protein. However, a significant variation of the backbone dynamics through the molecule indicates that under acidic conditions the mobility of the residues becomes more dependent on their location within the secondary structure units. In particular, the order parameters of certain loop regions decrease dramatically and become comparable to those found in unfolded proteins. Furthermore, the HN-exchange rates at low pH reveal that the residues most protected from exchange are clustered at one end of the helical bundle, forming a stable nucleus. We suggest that this nucleus maintains the overall fold of the protein under destabilizing conditions. We therefore conclude that the acid state of rhGH consists of a structurally conserved, but dynamically more flexible helical core surrounded by an aura of highly mobile, unstructured loops. However, in spite of its prominent flexibility the acid state of rhGH cannot be considered a "molten globule" state because of its high stability. It appears from our work that under certain conditions, a protein can tolerate a considerable increase in flexibility of its backbone, along with an increased penetration of water into its core, while still maintaining a stable folded conformation.

NMR studies of the aggregation of glucagon-like peptide-1: formation of a symmetric helical dimer.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy reveals that higher-order aggregates of glucagon-like peptide-1-(7-36)-amide (GLP-1) in pure water at pH 2.5 are disrupted by 35% 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE), and form a stable and highly symmetric helical self-aggregate. NMR spectra show that the helical structure is identical to that formed by monomeric GLP-1 under the same experimental conditions [Chang et al., Magn. Reson. Chem. 37 (2001) 477-483; Protein Data Bank at RCSB code: 1D0R], while amide proton exchange rates reveal a dramatic increase of the stability of the helices of the self-aggregate. Pulsed-field gradient NMR diffusion experiments show that the TFE-induced helical self-aggregate is a dimer. The experimental data and model calculations indicate that the dimer is a parallel coiled coil, with a few hydrophobic residues on the surface that may cause aggregation in pure water. The results suggest that the coiled coil dimer is an intermediate state towards the formation of higher aggregates, e.g. fibrils.

Determination of the electron relaxation rates in paramagnetic metal complexes: applicability of available NMR methods.

Four different approaches for determining the electron relaxation rates in paramagnetic metallo-proteins are investigated, using a paramagnetic Ni2+ complex of a protein as an example. All four approaches rely on the determination of the longitudinal paramagnetic relaxation enhancements, R1p, of the 1H nuclei and the backbone 15N nuclei. Three of the methods utilize the field dependence of the R1p rates. It is found that the applicability of each of these methods depends on whether the fast-motion condition, omegaS2tau2<<1, applies to the electron relaxation, omegaS being the Larmor frequency of the electron spin S and tau the correlation time of the electron relaxation. If the fast-motion condition is fulfilled, the electron relaxation rate can be obtained from the ratio of the R1p rates of one or more protons at two magnetic field strengths (method A). On the other hand, if the fast-motion condition does not apply, more elaborate methods must be used that, in general, require a determination of the R1p rates over a larger range of magnetic field strengths (method C). However, in the case of paramagnetic metal ions with relatively slow electron relaxation rates only two magnetic field strengths suffice, if the R1p rates of a hetero nucleus are included in the analysis (method B). In the fourth method (method D), the electron relaxation is estimated as a parameter in a structure calculation, using distance constraints derived from proton R1p rates at only one magnetic field strength. In general, only methods B and C give unambiguous electron relaxation rates.

Implications of using approximate Bloch-McConnell equations in NMR analyses of chemically exchanging systems: application to the electron self-exchange of plastocyanin.

The validity of a series of approximate solutions of the Bloch-McConnell equations normally applied in the analyses of chemically exchanging systems is evaluated, using the electron self-exchange (ESE) in the blue copper protein plastocyanin from Anabaena variabilis as an example. The evaluation is based on a comparison with the results of a complete analysis of the NMR signals of chemically exchanging nuclei that allows an independent and accurate determination of all the involved parameters. The complete analysis is based on the general solution of the Bloch-McConnell equations. It includes a simultaneous analysis of the chemical shift, and the transverse and longitudinal relaxation rates of the observed nuclei as well as the variation of these parameters with the molar fractions of the exchanging species and the rate of the chemical exchange process. The linear prediction model method was used in the data analysis to achieve the highest possible precision. Surprisingly, it is found that the fast exchange condition may not be fulfilled even in cases where a single exchange-averaged NMR signal is observed, and the Larmor frequency and relaxation rates depend linearly on the molar fractions of the exchanging species. In such cases the use of approximate solutions in the analysis of the transverse relaxation rates and the pseudo-contact shifts can lead to erroneous results. In limiting cases close to the fast exchange and slow exchange regimes correct values of some of the parameters can be obtained using the second order approximate solution of the Bloch-McConnell equations. In contrast, the complete analysis of the NMR signals results in an accurate determination of the exchange rates and the NMR parameters of the exchanging sites. This, in turn, can provide information about the structure and function of a protein undergoing chemically exchange. For the investigated plastocyanin the complete analysis results in an accurate determination of the paramagnetic enhancement of the nuclear relaxation rates, the paramagnetic chemical shift, the electron relaxation rate, the electron self-exchange rate, and the distances between the nuclei and the paramagnetic metal ion, viz. the Cu2+ ion.

Elimination of spin diffusion effects in saturation transfer experiments: application to hydrogen exchange in proteins.

The NMR saturation transfer experiment is widely used to characterize exchange processes in proteins that take place on the ms-s timescale. However, spin diffusion effects are inherently associated with the saturation transfer experiment and may overshadow the effect of the exchange processes of interest. As shown here, the effects from spin diffusion and exchange processes can be separated by varying the field strength of the saturation pulse, thereby allowing correct exchange rates to be obtained. The method is demonstrated using the hydrogen exchange process in the protein Escherichia coli thioredoxin as an example.

Kinetics and mechanism of the acid transition of the active site in plastocyanin.

Exchange on the microsecond time scale between the protonated and deprotonated forms of His92 in the copper site of reduced plastocyanin from the cyanobacteria Anabaena variabilis was monitored using 15N NMR relaxation measurements. On the basis of the dependence of the kinetics on pH and phosphate buffer concentration, we propose a two-step model for the protonation of the copper site in agreement with previous crystallographic studies. It is shown that the proton transfer is the rate-limiting step in the reaction at low buffer concentrations, whereas at high buffer concentrations, another step becomes rate-limiting. We suggest that the latter step is a concerted dissociation of His92 from the Cu(I) ion and a 180 degrees rotation of the imidazole ring, which precede the protonation. The first-order rate constant for the dissociation of His92 from the Cu(I) ion is estimated to be 2.4 x 10(4) s(-1). Also, a cooperative effect of the protonation of the remote His61 on the protonation of His92 and the redox properties of the protein was investigated by substituting His61 with asparagine. The mutation causes a modest change in both the pKa value of His92 and the redox potential of the protein.

Metal-protein interactions: structure information from Ni(2+)-induced pseudocontact shifts in a native nonmetalloprotein.

Information about the structure of a native nonmetalloprotein was obtained from the pseudocontact shifts induced by a paramagnetic metal ion bound to the protein. The approach exploits the presence of metal binding sites on the surface of the protein. Using Escherichia coli thioredoxin as a model protein, we show that potential binding sites can be identified using the Cu(2+) ion, and that pseudocontact shifts induced by a Ni(2+) ion bound to one of these sites can provide valuable long-range structure information about the protein.

Evaluation of two simplified 15N-NMR methods for determining micros-ms dynamics of proteins.

Two methods for estimating the microsecond-millisecond dynamics in proteins from only two 15N relaxation parameters at one magnetic field strength are investigated. Thus, the chemical exchange contribution, R(ex), to the transversal relaxation rate, which contains the dynamics information, is evaluated by two methods: (i) one in which the R(ex) term is derived from the 15N R1 and R2 relaxation rates alone, and (ii) one in which it is obtained from the transversal dipole-chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) cross-correlation rate, eta(xy), and the R2 rate. Since the R1, R2, and eta(xy) experiments are fast and sensitive, both methods are attractive in studies where large amounts of dynamical information are required. However, both methods are liable to effects that can compromise the estimation of the R(ex) terms. In the R2/R1 method, internal ps-ns dynamics and rotational anisotropy can interfere with the determination of R(ex), while in the R2/eta(xy) method it can be affected by variations in the 15N chemical shift anisotropy. Here, the applicability of the two methods is investigated using plastocyanin from Anabaena variabilis as an example, and the quality of the obtained R(ex) terms is evaluated both theoretically and experimentally. It is found that the R2/R1 method gives reliable R(ex) terms if the protein is relatively rigid and tumbles fast and nearly isotropically in solution, as for instance plastocyanin, and is preferable in such cases. In contrast, the R2/eta(xy) method gives better results if the protein is flexible or highly non-spherical and can be used for such proteins, if the sequential variation in the 15N chemical shift anisotropy is negligible. For exchange terms <1 s(-1) neither method is reliable.

Determination of the geometric structure of the metal site in a blue copper protein by paramagnetic NMR.

The biological function of metalloproteins is closely tied to the geometric and electronic structures of the metal sites. Here, we show that the geometric structure of the metal site of a metalloprotein in solution can be determined from experimentally measured electron-nuclear spin-spin interactions obtained by NMR. Thus, the geometric metal site structure of plastocyanin from Anabaena variabilis was determined by including the paramagnetic relaxation enhancement of protons close to the copper site as restraints in a conventional NMR structure determination, together with the distribution of the unpaired electron onto the ligand atoms. Also, the interproton distances (nuclear Overhauser enhancements) and dihedral angles (scalar nuclear spin-spin couplings) normally used in NMR structure determinations were included as restraints. The structure calculations were carried out with the program X-PLOR and a module that takes into account the specific characteristics of the paramagnetic restraints. A well defined metal site structure was obtained with the structural characteristics of the blue copper site, including a distorted tetrahedral geometry, a short Cu-Cys S gamma bond, and a long Cu-Met S delta bond. Overall, the agreement of the obtained metal site structure of Anabaena variabilis plastocyanin with those of other plastocyanins obtained by x-ray crystallography confirms the reliability of the approach.

On the use of pseudocontact shifts in the structure determination of metalloproteins.

The utility of pseudocontact shifts in the structure refinement of metalloproteins has been evaluated using a native, paramagnetic Cu(2+) metalloprotein, plastocyanin from Anabaena variabilis (A.v.), as a model protein. First, the possibility of detecting signals of nuclei spatially close to the paramagnetic metal ion is investigated using the WEFT pulse sequence in combination with the conventional TOCSY and (1)H-(15)N HSQC sequences. Second, the importance of the electrical charge of the metal ion for the determination of correct pseudocontact shifts from the obtained chemical shifts is evaluated. Thus, using both the Cu(+) plastocyanin and Cd(2+)-substituted plastocyanin as the diamagnetic references, it is found that the Cd(2+)-substituted protein with the same electrical charge of the metal ion as the paramagnetic Cu(2+) plastocyanin provides the most appropriate diamagnetic reference signals. Third, it is found that reliable pseudocontact shifts cannot be obtained from the chemical shifts of the (15)N nuclei in plastocyanin, most likely because these shifts are highly dependent on even minor differences in the structure of the paramagnetic and diamagnetic proteins. Finally, the quality of the obtained (1)H pseudocontact shifts, as well as the possibility of improving the accuracy of the obtained structure, is demonstrated by incorporating the shifts as restraints in a refinement of the solution structure of A.v. plastocyanin. It is found that incorporation of the pseudocontact shifts enhances the precision of the structure in regions with only few NOE restraints and improves the accuracy of the overall structure.

Reinvestigation of the method used to map the electronic structure of blue copper proteins by NMR relaxation.

A previous method for mapping the electron spin distribution in blue copper proteins by paramagnetic nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation (Hansen DF, Led JJ, 2004, J Am Chem Soc 126:1247-1253) suggested that the blue copper site of plastocyanin from Anabaena variabilis (A.v.) is less covalent than those found for other plastocyanins by other experimental methods, such as X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Here, a detailed spectroscopic study revealed that the electronic structure of A.v. plastocyanin is similar to those of other plastocyanins. Therefore, the NMR approach was reinvestigated using a more accurate geometric structure as the basis for the mapping, in contrast to the previous approach, as well as a more complete spin distribution model including Gaussian-type natural atomic orbitals instead of Slater-type hydrogen-like atomic orbitals. The refinement results in a good agreement between the electron spin density derived from paramagnetic NMR and the electronic structure description obtained by the other experimental methods. The refined approach was evaluated against density functional theory (DFT) calculations on a model complex of the metal site of plastocyanin in the crystal phase. In general, the agreement between the experimental paramagnetic relaxation rates and the corresponding rates obtained by the DFT calculations is good. Small deviations are attributed to minor differences between the solution structure and the crystal structure outside the first coordination sphere. Overall, the refined approach provides a complementary experimental method for determining the electronic structure of paramagnetic metalloproteins, provided that an accurate geometric structure is available.