Novel measures of inflammation and insulin resistance are related to obesity and fitness in a diverse sample of 11-14 year olds: The HEALTHY Study.

BACKGROUND: GlycA is a novel serum marker of systemic inflammation. There is no information on GlycA in pediatric populations, how it differs by gender or its association with body mass index (BMI) or fitness. Lipoprotein insulin resistance index (LP-IR) is a serum measure of insulin resistance, which is related to changes in BMI group in adolescents, but its relationship with fitness is unknown. The current study examined the independent associations between fitness and BMI with GlycA and LP-IR among US adolescents. METHODS: Participants were 1664 US adolescents from the HEALTHY study with complete 6th and 8th grade BMI, fitness and blood data. GlycA and LP-IR were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Three BMI groups and three fitness groups were created. Linear mixed models examined associations between GlycA, LP-IR, fitness and BMI. RESULTS: LP-IR decreased between 6th and 8th grade. GlycA increased among girls but decreased among boys. At 8th grade, median GlycA values were 27 (7.6%) µmol l(-1) higher (381 versus 354) for girls than boys. Median GlycA 6th grade values were 9% higher in obese girls than healthy weight girls. Overall, there was strong evidence (P<0.001) that GlycA was higher in higher BMI groups. Fitness was negatively associated with GlycA (r=-0.37 and -0.35) and LP-IR (r=-0.34 and -0.18) at the 6th and 8th grade assessments. As BMI category increased and fitness category decreased, GlycA and LP-IR levels increased. Lowest GlycA was found in the low BMI/high fitness group. CONCLUSIONS: GlycA was associated with BMI and fitness among in US adolescents. These findings suggest that there are independent effects for BMI and fitness group with both GlycA and LP-IR. Future studies should validate the role of GlycA and LP-IR to evaluate the effects of interventions to modify obesity and fitness to improve systemic inflammation and insulin resistance.

GlycA, a novel marker of inflammation, is elevated in systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: GlycA is a novel marker of systemic inflammation detected by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In the general population, GlycA is correlated with inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and associated with coronary heart disease and diabetes. The utility of GlycA in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has not been defined. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that GlycA concentrations are elevated in patients with SLE and associated with other markers of inflammation and coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS: We compared concentrations of GlycA, detected by NMR, in 116 patients with SLE and 84 control subjects frequency-matched for age, sex, and race. SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and the SLE Collaborating Clinics damage index (SLICC) were calculated. Acute phase reactants, a panel of cytokines, and a lipid panel were measured. Electron beam computer tomography (EBCT) was used to quantify coronary artery calcification, a measure of coronary artery atherosclerosis. RESULTS: Patients with SLE had higher concentrations of GlycA (398 (350-445)) than control subjects (339 (299-391)) µmol/L, p < 0.001. In patients with SLE, concentrations of GlycA were significantly associated with sedimentation rate (rho = 0.43), C-reactive protein (rho = 0.59), e-selectin (rho = 0.28), intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (rho = 0.30), triglycerides (rho = 0.45), all p < 0.0023 to account for multiple comparisons, but not with creatinine, SLEDAI, SLICC, or coronary calcium scores. CONCLUSIONS: Concentrations of GlycA are higher in patients with SLE than control subjects and associated with markers of inflammation but not with SLE disease activity or chronicity scores or coronary artery calcification.

Use of human immunodeficiency virus-1 protease inhibitors is associated with atherogenic lipoprotein changes and endothelial dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitors (HIV PIs) are associated with hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and obesity; however, it is not known whether they increase risk of atherosclerotic vascular disease. The purposes of this study were to characterize the lipoprotein abnormalities associated with use of HIV PIs in individuals with HIV infection and to determine the pathophysiological significance of these changes by assessing their effect on endothelial dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a cross-sectional study of 37 adults with HIV-1 infection who were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Twenty-two were taking HIV PIs (group 1); 15 were not (group 2). Lipids and lipoproteins were measured by enzymatic techniques and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis. Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery was measured by high-resolution ultrasound. Subjects in both groups were similar in regard to age, time since diagnosis of HIV infection, and CD4 cell count. Group 1 subjects had higher total cholesterol (5.68 versus 4.42 mmol/L, P=0.007) and triglyceride (4.43 versus 1.98 mmol/L, P=0.009) levels, characterized by elevated levels of IDL and VLDL. Subjects in group 1 had impaired FMD (2.6+/-4.6%), indicative of significant endothelial dysfunction. Group 2 subjects had normal FMD (8.1+/-6.7%, P=0.005). In group 1, chylomicron, VLDL, IDL, and HDL cholesterol levels predicted FMD. CONCLUSIONS: Use of HIV PIs is associated with atherogenic lipoprotein changes and endothelial dysfunction. Because these metabolic and vascular changes predispose to atherosclerosis, monitoring and treatment of dyslipidemia in patients taking these medications is warranted.

Three-dimensional solution structure of mouse [Cd7]-metallothionein-1 by homonuclear and heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy.

Sequential 1H-NMR assignments of mouse [Cd7]-metallothionein-1 (MT1) have been carried out by standard homonuclear NMR methods and the use of an accordion-heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation (HMQC) experiment for establishing the metal, 113Cd2+, to cysteine connectivities. The three-dimensional structure was then calculated using the distance constraints from two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) spectroscopy spectra and the Cys-Cd connectivities as input for a distance geometry-dynamical simulated annealing protocol in X-PLOR 3.851. Similar to the mammalian MT2 isoforms, the homologous primary structure of MT1 suggested two separate domains, each containing one metal cluster. Because there were no interdomain constraints, the structure calculation for the N-terminal beta- and the C-terminal alpha-domain were carried out separately. The structures are based on 409 NMR constraints, consisting of 381 NOEs and 28 cysteine-metal connectivities. The only elements of regular secondary structure found were two short stretches of 3(10) helices along with some half-turns in the alpha-domain. Structural comparison with rat liver MT2 showed high similarity, with the beta-domain structure in mouse MT1 showing evidence of increased flexibility compared to the same domain in MT2. The latter was reflected by the presence of fewer interresidue NOEs, no slowly exchanging backbone amide protons, and enhanced cadmium-cadmium exchange rates found in the beta-domain of MT1.

Levels and correlates of LDL and VLDL particle sizes among children: the Bogalusa heart study.

Levels of lipids and lipoproteins among children vary by sex and race/ethnicity, and are correlated with age, obesity, and other characteristics. There is, however, little information on the distribution and correlates of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) subclasses in early life. We used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to determine mean LDL and VLDL particle sizes among 10- to 17-year-olds (n=918) who participated in the 1992-94 examination of the Bogalusa heart study. As compared with girls, boys had a smaller (0.1 nm) mean LDL particle size and a larger (0.9 nm) mean VLDL size; furthermore, the average size of VLDL particles increased with age among white boys but not among other children. Although there were also black/white differences in particle sizes, with black children having larger LDL and smaller VLDL particles, these racial contrasts could be attributed to differences in lipid levels. Levels of triglycerides, insulin, and relative weight were associated with the size of VLDL (positive) and LDL (negative) particles. These results suggest that the analysis of lipoprotein subclasses may provide a better understanding of the role of various risk factors in the development of coronary heart disease

Oral 17beta-estradiol and medroxyprogesterone acetate therapy in postmenopausal women increases HDL particle size.

Menopause is accompanied by changes in lipoprotein particles that include an increase in density of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) particles. The effect of 3 months of oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on lipoprotein particle size in postmenopausal women who were randomized to (1) estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) alone (either 17beta-estradiol (1 mg) or conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) (0.625 mg); (2) combination therapy (17beta-estradiol plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or CEE plus MPA); and (3) placebo were examined. Lipoprotein subclass concentrations and particle size were quantified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Combination HRT resulted in significant (P=0.002) increases in HDL particle size as compared with those on placebo formulations or ERT alone. Women assigned to combined HRT had lower concentrations of smaller HDL particles after 3 months (P=0.005) and higher concentrations of larger HDL particles (P=0.02), whereas women assigned to ERT or placebo experienced non-significant changes. In summary, combined HRT increases HDL particle size by altering concentrations of the smallest and largest HDL subspecies.

Absence of association between genetic variation in the promoter of the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein gene and plasma lipoproteins in the Framingham Offspring Study.

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is a lipid transfer protein that is required for the assembly and secretion of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) by the liver and chylomicrons by the intestine. The common G-493T polymorphism of the MTP promoter has been shown to be associated with decreased plasma LDL-cholesterol and ApoB content of VLDL. The purpose of the present study was, therefore, to investigate the association of this mutation with variations in lipid and apoprotein levels, lipoprotein subclass profiles and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in a population-based sample of 1226 male and 1284 female Framingham Offspring participants. In men and women, no significant association was found between the G-493T MTP polymorphism and variations of plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apoprotein B, HDL-cholesterol, apoprotein AI and triglycerides. In order to further investigate potential relationships with variations of lipoprotein phenotypes, lipoprotein subclass profiles were measured using automated nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Each NMR profile yielded information on lipid mass of VLDL, LDL, and HDL subclasses. In both genders, there was no significant association between the G-493T polymorphism and variability of lipoprotein subclass distributions or lipoprotein particle size. Furthermore, no significant association was found between the polymorphism of the MTP promoter and prevalence or the age of onset of CHD. Thus, our results suggest that the G-493T mutation in the MTP promoter is unlikely to have significant implications for cardiovascular disease in men and women.

Association of the A/T54 polymorphism in the intestinal fatty acid binding protein with variations in plasma lipids in the Framingham Offspring Study.

We investigated the potential role of the genetic variation at the intestinal fatty acid binding protein gene (FABP2) in influencing lipid levels in a representative sample of the Framingham Offspring Study participants (n=1930). In men, the T54 allele was associated with significantly higher LDL-cholesterol (3.47+/-0.83 vs. 3.36+/-0.83 mmol/l; P<0.047), and ApoB (1.04+/-0.23 vs. 1.01+/-0.24 g/l; P<0.020) after adjustment for familial relationship, age, BMI, smoking, alcohol intake and the use of beta-blockers compared with the A54 allele. This relationship with ApoB continued to be significant after adjustment for APOE genotype (P<0.034). In women, the T54 allele was associated with significantly higher total-cholesterol (5.32+/-1.01 vs. 5.17+/-0.98 mmol/l; P<0.049) and LDL-cholesterol (3.31+/-0.93 vs. 3.18+/-0.85 mmol/l; P<0.023) after adjustment for covariates and menopausal status, estrogen therapy and APOE genotype. In men, the T54 allele was associated with significantly higher levels of small VLDL and lower levels of large HDL. Moreover, there was no significant relationship between FABP2 alleles and lipoprotein diameter or the prevalence of coronary heart disease in both genders. Our data are consistent with the T54 IFABP increasing the flux of lipids through the enterocyte leading to an increase in chylomicron secretion.

Association of the Sst-I polymorphism at the APOC3 gene locus with variations in lipid levels, lipoprotein subclass profiles and coronary heart disease risk: the Framingham offspring study.

Apolipoprotein (apo) CIII participates in the regulation of the metabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and it is a major component of chylomicrons and VLDL. The APOC3 gene is on chromosome 11q23 and is highly polymorphic. The less common allele (S2) of the SstI polymorphism on the 3' untranslated region of the APOC3 gene has been previously associated with increased triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), and apoCIII levels and cardiovascular risk on several, but not all, studies. The aim of this study was to examine the association of this polymorphism with plasma lipid levels, lipoprotein subfractions and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in a population-based study: The Framingham Offspring Study. The frequency of the S2 allele was 0.086, consistent with previous reports in Caucasian populations. In men, the S2 allele was associated with lower concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; P<0.04) and HDL2-C (P<0.02) and a significant increase in apoCIII non-HDL (P<0.05). TG levels were higher in men carriers of the S2 allele, but this association did not reach statistical significance (P=0.30). Conversely, in women, the S2 allele was associated with increased TC (P<0.03), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; P<0.03), and ApoB levels (P<0.04). Lipoproteins subfractions were also examined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. S2 male carriers had significantly lower concentrations of large LDL and a significant reduction in LDL particle size (P<0.04). In women, there was a significant increase in intermediate LDL particles (P<0.05) with no significant effect on lipoprotein diameters. We also examined the associations between the S2 allele and biochemical markers of glucose metabolism. In men, the S2 allele was associated with elevated fasting insulin concentrations (P<0.04), whereas no significant associations were observed in women. Despite the described associations with lipid and glucose metabolism related risk factors, we did not find any significant increase in CHD risk associated with the S2 allele in this population.

Heterozygosity for ABCA1 gene mutations: effects on enzymes, apolipoproteins and lipoprotein particle size.

A cohort of 13 female and 14 male heterozygotes for ATP binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) gene defects was directly compared with 13 and 14 unaffected female and male family members of almost exact same age. The activities of three proteins that play key roles in HDL metabolism were measured in addition to extensive lipid and (apo) lipoprotein subfraction analysis. Compared to controls, LCAT activity was reduced by 15% in affected subjects (P < 0.001) while PLTP activity was unaffected. Interestingly, CETP activity was elevated by 50% in the heterozygote siblings of one kindred but was unaffected in heterozygotes of the three other families. With respect to lipids, the heterozygotes had normal total cholesterol (TC), and LDL-cholesterol concentrations but presented with a trend towards increased triglyceride levels (13%; P = 0.08). HDL metabolism, by contrast, was severely affected as illustrated by 40% reductions in HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.001) with concomitant reductions in apoAI (25%; P < 0.001) levels and in lipoprotein subfraction LpAI (28%; P < 0.001), LpAI:AII (24%; P=0.014), and LpCIII:nonB (34%; P < 0.001) concentrations. We furthermore observed reduced average HDL particle size (5%; P = 0.004; 16% in female and 3.6% in male) and reduced plasma apoCIII concentration (15%; P = 0.006) while apoAII, apoAIV, apoE and apoB levels were unchanged. In conclusion, heterozygosity for ABCA1 defects was associated with reduced LCAT activity in absence of effects on PLTP activity. Of special interest was our finding that the effects of compromised ABCA1 function on HDL were more pronounced in women than in men.

Effectiveness of high doses of simvastatin as monotherapy in mixed hyperlipidemia.

Twenty subjects with mixed hyperlipidemia participated in a 3-arm crossover trial to evaluate the effectiveness of high-dose simvastatin as monotherapy. Significant reductions were observed in atherogenic lipids and lipoproteins. The highest dose of simvastatin also resulted in significant increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (21%) with a comparable increase in large, protective high-density lipoprotein particles.

Distribution and correlates of high-density lipoprotein subclasses among children and adolescents.

Levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol among children vary by sex and race/ethnicity and are correlated with age, obesity, and other characteristics. Several studies of adults have indicated that atherogenicity of HDL particles may vary by size, but there is little information on the distribution and correlates of HDL subfractions in early life. We used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to determine the mean HDL particle size and levels of 3 HDL subclasses among 10- to 17-year-olds (n = 918). We found the mean HDL particle size to be (1) inversely associated with age among boys, (2) larger among girls than boys, and (3) larger among black children than among white children. These associations with particle size reflected contrasting associations with various HDL subclasses; among boys, for example, levels of large HDL decreased with age, whereas levels of small HDL remained constant (black boys) or tended to increase (white boys). Furthermore, relative weight and levels of both triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were associated inversely with levels of large HDL, but positively with levels of small HDL. These contrasting associations suggest that the role of HDLC in coronary heart disease (CHD) may be more complex than previously thought, and that the analysis of HDL subclasses may improve the accuracy of CHD prediction.

Biphasic kinetics of Zn2+ removal from Zn metallothionein by nitrilotriacetate are associated with differential reactivity of the two metal clusters.

We investigated the kinetics of nitrilotriacetate (NTA) extraction of Zn2+ from Zn7-metallothionein (MT) and a metal-hybrid derivative, Zn4Ag6MT, in which the Zn2+ and Ag+ ions occupy sites in the C-terminal alpha and N-terminal beta domains of the protein, respectively. Biphasic kinetics were observed for Zn7MT under pseudo-first-order conditions. Rate constants were (5.2 +/- 0.6) x 10(-3) and (1.0 +/- 0.3) x 10(-4)s-1 in 20 mM phosphate, 100 mM KF, pH 7.5 at 23 degrees C. In contrast, Zn4Ag6MT showed a single kinetic step with a rate constant of (2.9 +/- 0.4) x 10(-3)s-1. These results indicate that the biphasic reactivity of Zn7MT stems from differential susceptibility of the metal in the two metal-thiolate clusters to removal by competing ligands, with Zn2+ in the more stable alpha-domain cluster reacting faster than that in the less stable beta-domain cluster. Such behavior suggests that the structures of the two domains of mammalian MT may have evolved to assure that Cu binding does not compromise the structural characteristics that allow Zn to be rapidly transferred from MT to essential cellular ligands.

Reduction and binding of arsenate and dimethylarsinate by glutathione: a magnetic resonance study.

By observing the chemical shifts of the proton and carbon-13 nuclei of reduced glutathione, the interactions of arsenate, arsenite and dimethylarsinate with this tripeptide have been characterized. These spectral studies show the reduction and complexation of arsenic to be a two-step process. Initially, the oxidation of 2 mol of glutathione reduces arsenate to arsenite. Then, 3 mol of glutathione are consumed in the formation of a glutathione-arsenite complex. Similar experiments with arsenite identified a (glutathione)3-arsenite complex; however, no oxidized glutathione was detected. The arsenite binding site in the glutathione-arsenite complex is the cysteinyl sulfhydryl. The glutathione-arsenite complex is stable over the pH range from 1.5 to 7.0-7.5. At higher pH, dissociation occurs releasing reduced glutathione. For a glutathione to dimethylarsinate ratio of 3, oxidized glutathione is also coupled with a reduction to trivalent dimethylarsinous acid, prior to the formation of a 1:1 glutathione-dimethylarsinite complex. The role of reduced glutathione in the metabolism of arsenic is consistent with the previously described effects of this agent on the organismic toxicity of arsenic.

Racial differences in low-density lipoprotein particle size in families at high risk for premature coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: Although small, dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has been implicated in atherogenesis and coronary heart disease (CHD) events, little is known about possible racial differences in LDL particle size. This study was designed to examine racial differences in the prevalence of small, dense LDL among 159 African-American and 477 White siblings of persons with premature (<60 years of age) CHD. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study examined fasting levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B (ApoB), apolipoprotein A-1, and triglycerides, as well as factors known to be associated with small, dense LDL, including age, sex, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Relative LDL particle size was defined by the LDL cholesterol to ApoB ratio. Direct measurement of LDL particle size was obtained by proton NMR spectroscopy in a subset of 64 siblings. Despite similar levels of total and LDL cholesterol, White siblings were more likely to have low LDL cholesterol to ApoB ratios, indicative of atherogenic small, dense LDL, compared with African-American siblings. Multiple logistic regression analysis predicting the presence of LDL cholesterol/ApoB < or = 1.0 demonstrated that race (P = .009), triglyceride level (P = .0001), and diabetes (P = .02) were independent predictors, controlling for age and all other variables. Direct measurement of LDL particle size by NMR spectroscopy supported these findings. CONCLUSION: These findings provide the first known evidence that White individuals from a population at high risk for premature CHD have a greater probability of having a preponderance of small, dense LDL particles than do African Americans, independent of triglyceride levels, and despite comparable levels of total and LDL cholesterol.

Nuclear magnetic resonance-determined lipoprotein subclass profile in the DCCT/EDIC cohort: associations with carotid intima-media thickness.

AIMS: To relate nuclear magnetic resonance lipoprotein subclass profiles (NMR-LSP) and other lipoprotein-related factors with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in Type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Lipoprotein-related factors were determined in sera (obtained in 1997-1999) from 428 female [age 39 +/- 7 years (mean +/- SD)] and 540 male (age 40 +/- 7 years) Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) participants. NMR quantifies chylomicrons, three very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) subclasses, intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL), three low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subclasses, two high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subclasses, mean VLDL, LDL and HDL size, and LDL particle concentration. Conventional lipids, ApoA1, ApoB and Lp(a) and in vitro LDL oxidizibility were also measured. IMT was determined (in 1994-1995) using high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. Relationships between IMT and lipoproteins were analysed by multiple linear regression, controlling for age, diabetes-related factors, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. RESULTS: IMT associations with lipoproteins were stronger for the internal than the common carotid artery, predominantly involving LDL. Internal carotid IMT was positively (P < 0.05) associated with NMR-based LDL subclasses and particle concentration, and with conventional LDL-cholesterol and ApoB in both genders. Common carotid IMT was associated, in men only, with large VLDL, IDL, conventional LDL cholesterol and ApoB. CONCLUSIONS: NMR-LSP reveals significant associations with carotid IMT in Type 1 diabetic patients, even 4 years after IMT measurement. NMR-LSP may aid early identification of high-risk diabetic patients and facilitate monitoring of interventions. Longer DCCT/EDIC cohort follow-up will yield CVD events and IMT progression, permitting more accurate assessment of pre-morbid lipoprotein profiles as determinants of cardiovascular risk in Type 1 diabetes.

111Cd NMR studies of the domain specificity of Ag+ and Cu+ binding to metallothionein.

Metal displacement reactions of Cd7MT with Ag+ or Cu+ and interprotein metal exchange reactions between Cd7MT and Ag12MT or Cu12MT were studied by 111Cd NMR. Titration of 111Cd7MT with Ag+ indicates that Ag+ binds preferentially to the beta-domain of the protein to form the metal hybrid species, (Cd4)alpha(Ag6)beta MT. Once the beta-domain is filled, additional Ag+ ions displace Cd2+ from the alpha-domain to form (Ag6)alpha(Ag6)beta MT. The metal displacement reaction is cooperative and the two domains react independently of one another. The (Cd4)alpha(Ag6)beta MT hybrid protein is also formed as the major product of direct interprotein metal exchange between Cd7MT and Ag12MT. Cu+ reacts with Cd7MT in a manner similar to Ag+, with addition of 6 equiv of Cu+ leading to preferential formation of (Cd4)alpha(Cu6)beta-MT, and 12 equiv of Cu+ to formation of (Cu6)alpha(Cu6)beta MT. However, unlike Ag+, Cu+ appears to produce intermediate species that may contain mixed-metal clusters. Interprotein metal exchange between Cu12-MT and Cd7MT leads to the net transfer of Cd2+ into the alpha-domain and Cu+ into the beta-domain. The differential affinities of the two domains for monovalent and divalent metal ions plus the availability of facile pathways for metal exchange may be features that enable MT to function simultaneously in the metabolism of different metal ions.

HPLC characterization of Ag+ and Cu+ metal exchange reactions with Zn- and Cd-metallothioneins.

Anion exchange HPLC methods were developed to study the metal exchange reactions of ZnMT and CdMT with Ag+ and Cu+. The kinetics of these reactions revealed the existence of a slow interprotein metal redistribution process that follows initial rapid displacement of metal from Zn7MT or Cd7MT by Ag+ or Cu+. Kinetically-favored products of the reaction of Ag+ with Zn7MT in the presence of Chelex resin include Zn4Ag6MT and Ag12MT. Subsequent slow reaction between Zn7MT and Ag12MT leads to the thermodynamically-favored product, Zn4Ag6MT. Analogous behavior was observed for Cd7MT titrated with Ag+ and Zn7MT with Cu+. The use of Chelex resin to remove unbound metal ions was found to influence the reactions of Zn7MT and Cd7MT with Ag+. Upon addition of Ag+ to Zn7MT in the absence of Chelex, a Ag18MT species forms as the kinetically-favored product in addition to Zn4Ag6MT and Ag12MT. Subsequently, Ag18MT was found to donate Ag+ to Zn7MT and Zn4Ag6MT via slow interprotein metal exchange reactions. Chelex resin influences the titration reaction either by limiting formation of Ag18MT and/or by binding the positively charged Ag18MT species and removing it from solution. The formation of Ag18MT in the absence of Chelex explains why more than 12 equiv of Ag+ is required to displace all of the Zn2+ or Cd2+ from Zn7MT and Cd7MT. The HPLC methods developed in this study allow homogeneous preparations to be made of metal-hybrid MT species containing Ag+ in the beta-domain and Cd2+ or Zn2+ in the alpha-domain.

Structure of the metal clusters in rabbit liver metallothionein.

Cadmium-113 nuclear magnetic resonance ((113)Cd NMR) has been used to determine the structures of the multiple cadmium binding sites in the two major isoproteins of rabbit liver metallothionein. The isotopically (113)Cd-labeled metallothionein used in these studies was isolated from the livers of rabbits that had been subjected to repeated injections of (113)CdCl(2). The native protein isolated from these livers contains an appreciable amount of Zn in addition to Cd, ranging from 2-3 mol per mol of protein out of a total metal content of 7 mol per mol of protein. The (113)Cd NMR spectrum of Cd, Zn-containing metallothionein is quite complex, reflecting the fact that the native protein is a heterogeneous mixture of species containing different relative amounts of Zn and Cd. Replacement of the native Zn with (113)Cd in vitro gave a protein whose (113)Cd NMR spectrum was much simpler, containing eight distinct multiplets with chemical shifts ranging from 611-670 ppm. The origin of the multiplet structures has been shown to be (113)Cd-(113)Cd scalar coupling arising from two-bond interactions between (113)Cd ions linked to one another by bridging cysteine thiolate ligands. The size and structures of the metal clusters in the protein were determined by the application of selective homonuclear (113)Cd decoupling techniques. Analysis of these data showed that rabbit liver metallothionein contains two separate metal clusters, one containing four Cd(2+) ions and the other containing three. These two clusters, whose structures are the same in both isoproteins, have been designated "cluster A" and "cluster B," respectively. Structures for the clusters are proposed that account for the (113)Cd spin coupling data and the participation of all 20 of the cysteine residues in metal ligation, 11 in cluster A and 9 in cluster B. The appearance in the spectrum of eight multiplets rather than the seven that would be expected on the basis of the number of metal binding sites in the protein is an indication of some residual heterogeneity in the (113)Cd-labeled metallothionein sample. The origin of this heterogeneity is suggested to be the presence of a protein species that lacks metal ions at its cluster B binding sites.

Characterization of the histidine residues in alkaline phosphatase by carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance.

beta,beta-[gamma-13C]Dideuteriohistidine has been biosynthetically incorporated into alkaline phosphatase from Escherichia coli and utilized as a nonperturbing 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe of the environments of the histidine residues in this zinc metalloenzyme. The 13C NMR spectrum of the labeled enzyme exhibits 9 separate resonances arising from the 10 histidine residues located in each of the symmetrically disposed subunits of the dimer. The excellent resolution and large chemical shift range (14 ppm) displayed by these signals are direct consequences of the sensitivity of the histidine gamma-carbon chemical shift to the ionization state and tautomeric form of the imidazole side chains and the coordination of several of these to metal ion. The environments of the individual histidine residues were inferred by investigating the chemical shift responses of their 13C resonances to enzyme metal composition, pH, and inhibitor binding. Additional information concerning their motional freedom was obtained from spin relaxation measurements which were analyzed in terms of the contributions expected from intramolecular 13C-1H and 13C-14N dipolar relaxation and chemical shift anisotropy. The combined results indicate that 4 of the 10 histidines, the only ones that titrate with pH, are surface residues located relatively remote from the active site. Of the six nontitrating residues, one appears to be buried in a solvent-inaccessible region of the protein. Three others are almost certainly involved in metal ion ligation to active-site metal ion(s), two via their N pi nitrogen atoms and the other via N pi. The spectral characteristics of the remaining two histidine residues strongly suggest they are also located at or near the active site. One or both may also participate in metal ion coordination, although the current evidence for this is inconclusive.