ABSTRACT
Cu-containing nitrite reductases (NiRs) are 110 kDa enzymes that play central roles in denitrification. Although the NiRs have been well studied, with over 100 Protein Data Bank entries, such issues as crystal packing, photoreduction, and lack of high pH cases have impeded structural analysis of their catalytic mechanisms. Here we show the cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of Achromobacter cycloclastes NiR (AcNiR) at pH 6.2 and 8.1. The optimization of 3D-reconstruction parameters achieved 2.99 and 2.85 Å resolution. Comprehensive comparisons with cryo-EM and 56 AcNiR crystal structures suggested crystallographic artifacts in residues 185-215 and His255' due to packing and photoreduction, respectively. We used a newly developed map comparison method to detect structural change around the type 2 Cu site. While the theoretical estimation of coordinate errors of cryo-EM structures remains difficult, combined analysis using X-ray and cryo-EM structures will allow deeper insight into the local structural changes of proteins.
Subject(s)
Copper , Nitrite Reductases , Achromobacter cycloclastes/metabolism , Catalysis , Copper/chemistry , Cryoelectron Microscopy/methods , Nitrite Reductases/chemistry , Nitrite Reductases/metabolismABSTRACT
Ecdysteroids are the principal steroid hormones essential for insect development and physiology. In the last 18 years, several enzymes responsible for ecdysteroid biosynthesis encoded by Halloween genes were identified and genetically and biochemically characterized. However, the tertiary structures of these proteins have not yet been characterized. Here, we report the results of an integrated series of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo analyses of the Halloween GST protein Noppera-bo (Nobo). We determined crystal structures of Drosophila melanogaster Nobo (DmNobo) complexed with GSH and 17ß-estradiol, a DmNobo inhibitor. 17ß-Estradiol almost fully occupied the putative ligand-binding pocket and a prominent hydrogen bond formed between 17ß-estradiol and Asp-113 of DmNobo. We found that Asp-113 is essential for 17ß-estradiol-mediated inhibition of DmNobo enzymatic activity, as 17ß-estradiol did not inhibit and physically interacted less with the D113A DmNobo variant. Asp-113 is highly conserved among Nobo proteins, but not among other GSTs, implying that this residue is important for endogenous Nobo function. Indeed, a homozygous nobo allele with the D113A substitution exhibited embryonic lethality and an undifferentiated cuticle structure, a phenocopy of complete loss-of-function nobo homozygotes. These results suggest that the nobo family of GST proteins has acquired a unique amino acid residue that appears to be essential for binding an endogenous sterol substrate to regulate ecdysteroid biosynthesis. To the best of our knowledge, ours is the first study describing the structural characteristics of insect steroidogenic Halloween proteins. Our findings provide insights relevant for applied entomology to develop insecticides that specifically inhibit ecdysteroid biosynthesis.
Subject(s)
Drosophila Proteins/chemistry , Estradiol/chemistry , Glutathione Transferase/chemistry , Aedes , Amino Acid Substitution , Animals , Crystallography, X-Ray , Drosophila Proteins/genetics , Drosophila Proteins/metabolism , Drosophila melanogaster , Ecdysteroids/biosynthesis , Ecdysteroids/chemistry , Ecdysteroids/genetics , Estradiol/genetics , Estradiol/metabolism , Glutathione Transferase/genetics , Glutathione Transferase/metabolism , Loss of Function Mutation , Mutation, Missense , Structure-Activity RelationshipABSTRACT
The M2 proton channel of influenza A is a drug target that is essential for the reproduction of the flu virus. It is also a model system for the study of selective, unidirectional proton transport across a membrane. Ordered water molecules arranged in "wires" inside the channel pore have been proposed to play a role in both the conduction of protons to the four gating His37 residues and the stabilization of multiple positive charges within the channel. To visualize the solvent in the pore of the channel at room temperature while minimizing the effects of radiation damage, data were collected to a resolution of 1.4 Å using an X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) at three different pH conditions: pH 5.5, pH 6.5, and pH 8.0. Data were collected on the Inwardopen state, which is an intermediate that accumulates at high protonation of the His37 tetrad. At pH 5.5, a continuous hydrogen-bonded network of water molecules spans the vertical length of the channel, consistent with a Grotthuss mechanism model for proton transport to the His37 tetrad. This ordered solvent at pH 5.5 could act to stabilize the positive charges that build up on the gating His37 tetrad during the proton conduction cycle. The number of ordered pore waters decreases at pH 6.5 and 8.0, where the Inwardopen state is less stable. These studies provide a graphical view of the response of water to a change in charge within a restricted channel environment.
Subject(s)
Protons , Viral Matrix Proteins/chemistry , Amino Acid Motifs , Hydrogen Bonding , Ion Channel Gating , Molecular Dynamics Simulation , Protein Domains , Static Electricity , Temperature , Viral Matrix Proteins/metabolismABSTRACT
Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET), a ubiquitous phenomenon in biological systems, plays an essential role in copper nitrite reductase (CuNiR), the key metalloenzyme in microbial denitrification of the global nitrogen cycle. Analyses of the nitrite reduction mechanism in CuNiR with conventional synchrotron radiation crystallography (SRX) have been faced with difficulties, because X-ray photoreduction changes the native structures of metal centers and the enzyme-substrate complex. Using serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX), we determined the intact structures of CuNiR in the resting state and the nitrite complex (NC) state at 2.03- and 1.60-Å resolution, respectively. Furthermore, the SRX NC structure representing a transient state in the catalytic cycle was determined at 1.30-Å resolution. Comparison between SRX and SFX structures revealed that photoreduction changes the coordination manner of the substrate and that catalytically important His255 can switch hydrogen bond partners between the backbone carbonyl oxygen of nearby Glu279 and the side-chain hydroxyl group of Thr280. These findings, which SRX has failed to uncover, propose a redox-coupled proton switch for PCET. This concept can explain how proton transfer to the substrate is involved in intramolecular electron transfer and why substrate binding accelerates PCET. Our study demonstrates the potential of SFX as a powerful tool to study redox processes in metalloenzymes.
Subject(s)
Alcaligenes faecalis/enzymology , Bacterial Proteins/chemistry , Crystallography, X-Ray/methods , Nitrite Reductases/chemistry , Alcaligenes faecalis/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Amino Acid Substitution , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Binding Sites , Catalysis , Copper/chemistry , Crystallography, X-Ray/instrumentation , Hydrogen Bonding , Models, Molecular , Molecular Sequence Data , Mutation, Missense , Nitrite Reductases/genetics , Nitrite Reductases/metabolism , Nitrites/metabolism , Oxidation-Reduction , Point Mutation , Protein Conformation , Protons , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/chemistry , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism , Structure-Activity RelationshipABSTRACT
The Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) matrix (MA) domain is involved in the highly regulated assembly process of the virus particles that occur at the host cell's plasma membrane. High-resolution structures of the MA domain determined using cryo X-ray crystallography have provided initial insights into the possible steps in the viral assembly process. However, these structural studies have relied on large and frozen crystals in order to reduce radiation damage caused by the intense X-rays. Here, we report the first X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) study of the HIV-1 MA domain's interaction with inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), a phospholipid headgroup mimic. We also describe the purification, characterization and microcrystallization of two MA crystal forms obtained in the presence of IP6. In addition, we describe the capabilities of serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography (SFX) using an XFEL to elucidate the diffraction data of MA-IP6 complex microcrystals in liquid suspension at ambient temperature. Two different microcrystal forms of the MA-IP6 complex both diffracted to beyond 3.5 Å resolution, demonstrating the feasibility of using SFX to study the complexes of MA domain of HIV-1 Gag polyprotein with IP6 at near-physiological temperatures. Further optimization of the experimental and data analysis procedures will lead to better understanding of the MA domain of HIV-1 Gag and IP6 interaction at high resolution and will provide basis for optimization of the lead compounds for efficient inhibition of the Gag protein recruitment to the plasma membrane prior to virion formation.
Subject(s)
HIV-1/chemistry , Temperature , X-Ray Diffraction , gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/chemistry , Crystallization , Models, Molecular , Protein Domains , Time Factors , Virion/chemistryABSTRACT
NANOG (from Irish mythology Tír na nÓg) transcription factor plays a central role in maintaining pluripotency, cooperating with OCT4 (also known as POU5F1 or OCT3/4), SOX2, and other pluripotency factors. Although the physiological roles of the NANOG protein have been extensively explored, biochemical and biophysical properties in relation to its structural analysis are poorly understood. Here we determined the crystal structure of the human NANOG homeodomain (hNANOG HD) bound to an OCT4 promoter DNA, which revealed amino acid residues involved in DNA recognition that are likely to be functionally important. We generated a series of hNANOG HD alanine substitution mutants based on the protein-DNA interaction and evolutionary conservation and determined their biological activities. Some mutant proteins were less stable, resulting in loss or decreased affinity for DNA binding. Overexpression of the orthologous mouse NANOG (mNANOG) mutants failed to maintain self-renewal of mouse embryonic stem cells without leukemia inhibitory factor. These results suggest that these residues are critical for NANOG transcriptional activity. Interestingly, one mutant, hNANOG L122A, conversely enhanced protein stability and DNA-binding affinity. The mNANOG L122A, when overexpressed in mouse embryonic stem cells, maintained their expression of self-renewal markers even when retinoic acid was added to forcibly drive differentiation. When overexpressed in epiblast stem cells or human induced pluripotent stem cells, the L122A mutants enhanced reprogramming into ground-state pluripotency. These findings demonstrate that structural and biophysical information on key transcriptional factors provides insights into the manipulation of stem cell behaviors and a framework for rational protein engineering.
Subject(s)
Cell Proliferation/genetics , Cellular Reprogramming/genetics , Homeodomain Proteins/genetics , Mutation , Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Base Sequence , Cell Line , Cells, Cultured , Crystallography, X-Ray , DNA/chemistry , DNA/genetics , DNA/metabolism , Embryonic Stem Cells/cytology , Embryonic Stem Cells/metabolism , Germ Layers/cytology , Germ Layers/metabolism , Homeodomain Proteins/chemistry , Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Humans , Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/cytology , Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Models, Molecular , Molecular Sequence Data , Nanog Homeobox Protein , Nucleic Acid Conformation , Pluripotent Stem Cells/cytology , Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics , Protein Binding , Protein Structure, Tertiary , TransfectionABSTRACT
The orientation of a CF3-substituted heme in sperm whale myoglobin and L29F, H64L, L29F/H64Q, and H64Q variant proteins has been investigated using 19F NMR spectroscopy to elucidate structural factors responsible for the thermodynamic stability of the heme orientational disorder, i.e., the presence of two heme orientations differing by a 180° rotation about the 5-15 meso axis, with respect to the protein moiety. Crystal structure of the met-aquo form of the wild-type myoglobin reconstituted with 13,17-bis(2-carboxylatoethyl)-3,8-diethyl-2,12,18-trimethyl-7-trifluoromethylporphyrinatoiron(III), determined at resolution of 1.25 Å, revealed the presence of the heme orientational disorder. Alterations of the salt bridge between the heme 13-propionate and Arg45(CD3) side chains due to the mutations resulted in equilibrium constants of the heme orientational disorder ranging between 0.42 and 1.4. Thus, the heme orientational disorder is affected by the salt bridge associated with the heme 13-propionate side chain, confirming the importance of the salt bridge in the heme binding to the protein.
Subject(s)
Heme/chemistry , Mutation, Missense , Myoglobin/chemistry , Amino Acid Substitution , Animals , Binding Sites , Crystallography, X-Ray , Heme/metabolism , Myoglobin/genetics , Myoglobin/metabolism , Sperm WhaleABSTRACT
We report the three-dimensional structure of a ß-catenin armadillo repeat in complex with the liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1) ligand binding domain at 2.8 Å resolution as the first structure of ß-catenin in complex with any nuclear receptor. The surface of ß-catenin that binds LRH-1 partly overlaps defined contact sites for peptide segments of ß-catenin partners, including T-cell factor-4. The surface of LRH-1 that engages ß-catenin is comprised of helices 1, 9, and 10 and is distinct from known interaction surfaces of LRH-1, including corepressor and coactivator binding sites. Targeted mutagenesis of amino acids forming both sides of the LRH-1/ß-catenin interface reveals that they are essential for stable interactions between these proteins in solution. The LRH-1 binding site in ß-catenin is also required for association with androgen receptor, providing evidence that the observed LRH-1/ß-catenin interaction may be prototypic.
Subject(s)
Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/chemistry , Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism , beta Catenin/chemistry , beta Catenin/metabolism , DNA Mutational Analysis , Enzyme Assays , Humans , Luciferases/metabolism , Models, Molecular , Point Mutation , Protein Binding , Protein Structure, Tertiary , Receptors, Androgen/metabolism , Structure-Activity RelationshipABSTRACT
Troponin C (TnC) is the Ca(2+)-sensing subunit of troponin that triggers the contraction of striated muscles. In scallops, the striated muscles consume little ATP energy in sustaining strong contractile forces. The N-terminal domain of TnC works as the Ca(2+) sensor in vertebrates, whereas scallop TnC uses the C-terminal domain as the Ca(2+) sensor, suggesting that there are differences in the mechanism of the Ca(2+)-dependent regulation of muscles between invertebrates and vertebrates. Here, we report the crystal structure of Akazara scallop (Chlamys nipponensis akazara) adductor muscle TnC C-terminal domain (asTnCC) complexed with a short troponin I fragment (asTnIS) and Ca(2+). The electron density of a Ca(2+) ion is observed in only one of the two EF-hands. The EF-hands of asTnCC can only be in the fully open conformation with the assistance of asTnIS. The number of hydrogen bonds between asTnCC and asTnIS is markedly lower than the number in the vertebrate counterparts. The Ca(2+) modulation on the binding between asTnCC and asTnIS is weaker, but structural change of the complex depending on Ca(2+) concentration was observed. Together, these findings provide a detailed description of the distinct molecular mechanism of contractile regulation in the scallop adductor muscle from that of vertebrates.
Subject(s)
Calcium/chemistry , Pectinidae/chemistry , Troponin C/chemistry , Troponin C/metabolism , Troponin I/chemistry , Troponin I/metabolism , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Calcium/metabolism , Calorimetry , Models, Molecular , Molecular Sequence Data , Protein Binding , Protein Structure, Tertiary , Surface Plasmon Resonance , Thermodynamics , Troponin C/isolation & purification , Troponin I/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
Understanding and controlling protein motion at atomic resolution is a hallmark challenge for structural biologists and protein engineers because conformational dynamics are essential for complex functions such as enzyme catalysis and allosteric regulation. Time-resolved crystallography offers a window into protein motions, yet without a universal perturbation to initiate conformational changes the method has been limited in scope. Here we couple a solvent-based temperature jump with time-resolved crystallography to visualize structural motions in lysozyme, a dynamic enzyme. We observed widespread atomic vibrations on the nanosecond timescale, which evolve on the submillisecond timescale into localized structural fluctuations that are coupled to the active site. An orthogonal perturbation to the enzyme, inhibitor binding, altered these dynamics by blocking key motions that allow energy to dissipate from vibrations into functional movements linked to the catalytic cycle. Because temperature jump is a universal method for perturbing molecular motion, the method demonstrated here is broadly applicable for studying protein dynamics.
Subject(s)
Proteins , Crystallography, X-Ray , Models, Molecular , Temperature , Proteins/chemistry , Molecular Conformation , Protein ConformationABSTRACT
Plastins are Ca(2+)-regulated actin-bundling proteins, and essential for developing and stabilizing actin cytoskeletons. T-plastin is expressed in epithelial and mesenchymal cells of solid tissues, whereas L-plastin is expressed in mobile cells such as hemopoietic cell lineages and cancer cells. Using various spectroscopic methods, gel-filtration chromatography, and isothermal titration calorimetry, we here demonstrate that the EF-hand motifs of both T- and L-plastin change their structures in response to Ca(2+), but the sensitivity to Ca(2+) is lower in T-plastin than in L-plastin. These results suggest that T-plastin is suitable for maintaining static cytoskeletons, whereas L-plastin is suitable for dynamic rearrangement of cytoskeletons.
Subject(s)
Calcium/chemistry , EF Hand Motifs , Membrane Glycoproteins/chemistry , Microfilament Proteins/chemistry , Amino Acid Sequence , Calorimetry , Chromatography, Gel , Cytoskeleton/chemistry , Humans , Molecular Sequence Data , Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular , Protein Structure, Secondary , Spectrometry, FluorescenceABSTRACT
Non-genetically modified somatic cells can only be inefficiently and stochastically reprogrammed to pluripotency by exogenous expression of reprogramming factors. Low competence of natural reprogramming factors may prevent the majority of cells to successfully and synchronously reprogram. Here we screened DNA-interacting amino acid residues in the zinc-finger domain of KLF4 for enhanced reprogramming efficiency using alanine-substitution scanning methods. Identified KLF4 L507A mutant accelerated and stabilized reprogramming to pluripotency in both mouse and human somatic cells. By testing all the variants of L507 position, variants with smaller amino acid residues in the KLF4 L507 position showed higher reprogramming efficiency. L507A bound more to promoters or enhancers of pluripotency genes, such as KLF5, and drove gene expression of these genes during reprogramming. Molecular dynamics simulations predicted that L507A formed additional interactions with DNA. Our study demonstrates how modifications in amino acid residues of DNA-binding domains enable next-generation reprogramming technology with engineered reprogramming factors.
ABSTRACT
Despite >50 years of research work since the discovery of sliding filament mechanism in muscle contraction, structural details of the coupling of cyclic cross-bridge movement to ATP hydrolysis are not yet fully understood. An example would be whether lever arm tilting on the myosin filament backbone will occur in the absence of actin. The most direct way to elucidate such movement is to record ATP-induced cross-bridge movement in hydrated thick filaments. Using the hydration chamber, with which biological specimens can be kept in an aqueous environment in an electron microscope, we have succeeded in recording ATP-induced cross-bridge movement in hydrated thick filaments consisting of rabbit skeletal muscle myosin, with gold position markers attached to the cross-bridges. The position of individual cross-bridges did not change appreciably with time in the absence of ATP, indicating stability of time-averaged cross-bridge mean position. On application of ATP, individual cross-bridges moved nearly parallel to the filament long axis. The amplitude of the ATP-induced cross-bridge movement showed a peak at 5-7.5 nm. At both sides of the filament bare region, across which the cross-bridge polarity was reversed, the cross-bridges were found to move away from, but not toward, the bare region. Application of ADP produced no appreciable cross-bridge movement. Because ATP reacts rapidly with the cross-bridges (M) to form complex (M x ADP x Pi) with an average lifetime >10 s, the observed cross-bridge movement is associated with reaction, M + ATP --> M x ADP x Pi. The cross-bridges were observed to return to their initial position after exhaustion of ATP. These results constitute direct demonstration of the cross-bridge recovery stroke.
Subject(s)
Actins/metabolism , Models, Biological , Muscle Contraction/physiology , Muscle, Skeletal/ultrastructure , Myosins/metabolism , Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism , Animals , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/methods , Muscle, Skeletal/physiology , Myosins/physiology , RabbitsABSTRACT
Insect growth regulators (IGRs) can be developed by elucidating the molecular mechanisms of insect-specific biological events. Because insect molting, and metamorphosis are controlled by ecdysteroids, their biosynthetic pathways can serve as targets for IGR development. The glutathione S-transferase Noppera-bo (Nobo), which is conserved in dipteran and lepidopteran species, plays an essential role in ecdysteroid biosynthesis. Our previous study using 17ß-estradiol as a molecular probe revealed that Asp113 of Drosophila melanogaster Nobo (DmNobo) is essential for its biological function. However, to develop IGRs with a greater Nobo inhibitory activity than 17ß-estradiol, further structural information is warranted. Here, we report five novel non-steroidal DmNobo inhibitors. Analysis of crystal structures of complexes revealed that DmNobo binds these inhibitors in an Asp113-independent manner. Among amino acid residues at the substrate-recognition site, conformation of conserved Phe39 was dynamically altered upon inhibitor binding. Therefore, these inhibitors can serve as seed compounds for IGR development.
ABSTRACT
Oligomerization of Pr55Gag is a critical step of the late stage of the HIV life cycle. It has been known that the binding of IP6, an abundant endogenous cyclitol molecule at the MA domain, has been linked to the oligomerization of Pr55Gag. However, the exact binding site of IP6 on MA remains unknown and the structural details of this interaction are missing. Here, we present three high-resolution crystal structures of the MA domain in complex with IP6 molecules to reveal its binding mode. Additionally, extensive Differential Scanning Fluorimetry analysis combined with cryo- and ambient-temperature X-ray crystallography and GNM-based transfer entropy calculations identify the key residues that participate in IP6 binding. Our data provide novel insights about the multilayered HIV-1 virion assembly process that involves the interplay of IP6 with PIP2, a phosphoinositide essential for the binding of Pr55Gag to membrane. IP6 and PIP2 have neighboring alternate binding sites within the same highly basic region (residues 18-33). This indicates that IP6 and PIP2 bindings are not mutually exclusive and may play a key role in coordinating virion particles' membrane localization. Based on our three different IP6-MA complex crystal structures, we propose a new model that involves IP6 coordination of the oligomerization of outer MA and inner CA domain's 2D layers during assembly and budding.
Subject(s)
Cell Membrane/metabolism , HIV Infections/metabolism , Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases/metabolism , Protein Precursors/chemistry , Protein Precursors/metabolism , Binding Sites , Crystallography, X-Ray , HIV Infections/pathology , HIV Infections/virology , HIV-1/physiology , Humans , Models, Molecular , Protein Conformation , Protein Domains , Virus AssemblyABSTRACT
Innovative new crystallographic methods are facilitating structural studies from ever smaller crystals of biological macromolecules. In particular, serial X-ray crystallography and microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) have emerged as useful methods for obtaining structural information from crystals on the nanometre to micrometre scale. Despite the utility of these methods, their implementation can often be difficult, as they present many challenges that are not encountered in traditional macromolecular crystallography experiments. Here, XFEL serial crystallography experiments and MicroED experiments using batch-grown microcrystals of the enzyme cyclophilin A are described. The results provide a roadmap for researchers hoping to design macromolecular microcrystallography experiments, and they highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the two methods. Specifically, we focus on how the different physical conditions imposed by the sample-preparation and delivery methods required for each type of experiment affect the crystal structure of the enzyme.
ABSTRACT
In cellulo crystallization is a developing technique to provide crystals for protein structure determination, particularly for proteins that are difficult to prepare by in vitro crystallization. This method has a key advantage: it requires neither a protein purification step nor a crystallization step. However, there is still no systematic strategy for improving the technique of in cellulo crystallization because the process occurs spontaneously. Here we report a protocol to produce and extract in cellulo crystals of human lysosomal neuraminidase-1 (NEU1) in human cultured cells. Overexpression of NEU1 protein by the retransfection of cells pretransfected with neu1-overexpressing plasmid improved the efficiency of NEU1 crystallization. Microscopic analysis revealed that NEU1 proteins were not crystallized in the lysosome but in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Screening of the buffer conditions used to extract crystals from cells further improved the crystal yield. The optimal pH was 7.0, which corresponds to the pH in the ER. Use of a high-yield flask with a large surface area also yielded more crystals. These optimizations enabled us to execute a serial femtosecond crystallography experiment with a sufficient number of crystals to generate a complete data set. Optimization of the in cellulo crystallization method was thus shown to be possible.
ABSTRACT
Akazara scallop (Chlamys nipponensis akazara) troponin C (TnC) of striated adductor muscle binds only one Ca(2+) ion at the C-terminal EF-hand motif (Site IV), but it works as the Ca(2+)-dependent regulator in adductor muscle contraction. In addition, the scallop troponin (Tn) has been thought to regulate muscle contraction via activating mechanisms that involve the region spanning from the TnC C-lobe (C-lobe) binding site to the inhibitory region of the TnI, and no alternative binding of the TnI C-terminal region to TnC because of no similarity between second TnC-binding regions of vertebrate and the scallop TnIs. To clarify the Ca(2+)-regulatory mechanism of muscle contraction by scallop Tn, we have analyzed the Ca(2+)-binding properties of the complex of TnC C-lobe and TnI peptide, and their interaction using isothermal titration microcalorimetry, nuclear magnetic resonance, circular dichroism, and gel filtration chromatography. The results showed that single Ca(2+)-binding to the Site IV leads to a structural transition not only in Site IV but also Site III through the structural network in the C-lobe of scallop TnC. We therefore assumed that the effect of Ca(2+)-binding must lead to a change in the interaction mode between the C-lobe of TnC and the TnI peptide. The change should be the first event of the transmission of Ca(2+) signal to TnI in Tn ternary complex.
Subject(s)
Calcium/chemistry , Calcium/metabolism , Muscle, Skeletal/physiology , Muscle, Skeletal/ultrastructure , Troponin C/metabolism , Troponin C/ultrastructure , Troponin I/metabolism , Troponin I/ultrastructure , Animals , Binding Sites , Cells, Cultured , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Pectinidae , Protein Binding , Protein ConformationABSTRACT
Troponin C (TnC) is the Ca(2+)-binding component of troponin and triggers muscle contraction. TnC of the invertebrate Akazara scallop can bind only one Ca(2+) at the C-terminal EF-hand motif. Recombinant TnC was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, complexed with a 24-residue synthetic peptide derived from scallop troponin I (TnI) and crystallized. The crystals diffracted X-rays to 1.80 A resolution and belonged to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 32.1, b = 42.2, c = 60.0 A. The asymmetric unit was assumed to contain one molecular complex of the Akazara scallop TnC C-lobe and TnI fragment, with a Matthews coefficient of 1.83 A(3) Da(-1) and a solvent content of 33.0%.
Subject(s)
Calcium/metabolism , Multiprotein Complexes/chemistry , Pectinidae/chemistry , Peptide Fragments/chemistry , Troponin C/chemistry , Troponin I/chemistry , Animals , Binding Sites , Crystallization , Multiprotein Complexes/metabolism , Peptide Fragments/metabolism , Troponin C/metabolism , Troponin I/metabolismABSTRACT
In summary, we have shown that the TnI-TnC-TnT2 ternary complex (-52 kDa) has a mobile actin-binding domain (-6.1 kDa) that tumbles independently of the core domain. By docking the mobile domain and the core domain into the cryo-EM map obtained for thin filaments at low Ca2+, a model for actin-troponin interaction has been obtained. This model shows the atomic details of interactions of actin with the mobile domain and suggests the mechanism by which troponin generates a shift in the azimuthal position of tropomyosin in response to changes in Ca2+ levels. In this model the mobile domain of troponin interacts with three actins and one troponin interacts with four actin molecules. The relationship between myosin and the mobile domain suggests that the latter may work as a fail-safe latch to secure a relaxed state. The model also provides insights into many mutations associated with human cardiomyopathy and has implications for the function of other actin-binding proteins. Coordinates of the mobile domain have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank under accession codes 1VDI (low Ca2+) and 1VDJ (high Ca2+). Chemical shifts of the mobile domain have been deposited in the BMRB under accession ID 18140.