Structure of a rat α1-macroglobulin receptor-binding domain dimer.

Alpha-macroglobulin inhibits a broad spectrum of proteinases by forming macromolecular cages inside which proteinases are cross-linked and trapped. Upon formation of a complex with proteinase, alpha-macroglobulin undergoes a large conformational change that results in the exposure of its receptor-binding domain (RBD). Engagement of this domain by alpha-macroglobulin receptor permits clearance of the alpha-macroglobulin: proteinase complex from circulation. The crystal structure of rat alpha1-macroglobulin RBD has been determined at 2.3 A resolution. The RBD is composed of a nine-stranded beta-sandwich and a single alpha-helix that has been implicated as part of the receptor binding site and that lies on the surface of the beta-sandwich. The crystallographic asymmetric unit contains a dimer of RBDs related by approximate twofold symmetry such that the putative receptor recognition sites of the two monomers are contiguous. By gel filtration and ultracentrifugation, it is shown that RBD dimers form in solution with a dissociation constant of approximately 50 microM. The structure of the RBD dimer might mimic a conformation of transformed alpha-macroglobulin in which the proposed receptor binding residues are exposed on one face of the dimer. A pair of phenylalanine residues replaces a cystine that is conserved in other members of the macroglobulin family. These residues participate in a network of aromatic side-chain interactions that appears to stabilize the dimer interface.

Smoothened activates Galphai-mediated signaling in frog melanophores.

The 7-pass transmembrane protein Smoothened was investigated for its ability to act as a G-protein-coupled receptor in Xenopus laevis melanophores. A plasmid containing the human Smoothened cDNA insert was transfected into immortalized frog pigment cells. Cells expressing the protein showed a phenotype of persistent pigment aggregation, a hallmark of constitutive Galpha(i) activation. Smoothened-mediated pigment aggregation was reversed by treatment with pertussis toxin or by co-expression with dominant negative Galpha(i). The ability of melanophores to express functional Smoothened was also determined by its co-expression with the twelve-pass transmembrane protein, Patched. Patched blocked Smoothened-mediated melanosome aggregation in a dose-dependent manner, consistent with its physiological role as an inhibitor of Smoothened. That the reconstituted Patched-Smoothened receptor complex functions normally in pigment cells was demonstrated by co-transfection with the activating ligand, Sonic hedgehog, as well as by direct application of the recombinant Sonic hedgehog protein. Sonic hedgehog reversed Patched-mediated inhibition of Smoothened and induced pigment aggregation. The findings demonstrate that the human Sonic hedgehog receptor complex can be functionally reconstituted in melanophores and that it is capable of transmembrane signaling by utilizing endogenous Galpha(i).

Identification of residues in alpha-macroglobulins involved in activation of the alpha 2-macroglobulin signaling receptor.

Site-directed mutagenesis of residues in the receptor binding fragment of rat alpha 1-macroglobulin identify residues 1377 and 1378 (human numbering) as crucial for interaction with the alpha 2M signaling receptor on murine macrophages. Secondary structure prediction and signaling studies with the mutant proteins suggest the alpha 2M signaling receptor binding site involves part of a loop-helix-loop motif comprised of residues 1372-1378.

Selective mutations in cloned and expressed alpha-macroglobulin receptor binding fragment alter binding to either the alpha2-macroglobulin signaling receptor or the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha2-macroglobulin receptor.

alpha2-Macroglobulin (alpha2M) activated with methylamine binds to two distinct cell-surface receptors: low density-lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha2M receptors and alpha2M signaling receptors. Binding to lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha2M receptor but not alpha2M signal receptor is inhibitable by another ligand, receptor-associated protein. Direct binding studies with a recombinant receptor binding fragment (RBF) from rat alpha1M and murine macrophages demonstrate two classes of binding sites of apparent Kd = 90 pM (1500 sites/cell) and 40 nM (60,400 sites/cell). Receptor-associated protein competes with RBF for binding to the lower but not the higher affinity site. Site-directed mutation of Lys-1374 (human numbering) in RBF to Arg or Ile residues almost completely abolishes signal transduction as compared to wild-type RBF. Direct binding studies with K1374R demonstrated no significant alteration in binding to the lower affinity site; however, binding to the high affinity site is reduced by 83%. Mutation of Lys-1370 to Ala resulted in a 4-5-fold increase in the Kd for binding to the lower affinity site with no significant alteration in binding to the high affinity site or signal transduction properties. Studies demonstrate comparable internalization and degradation of wild-type RBF and K1374R; however, internalization and degradation of K1370A is negligible. These studies suggest that regions around Lys-1370 and Lys-1374 are involved in lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha2M receptor and alpha2M signaling receptor binding, respectively.

Altered interaction of Cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II)--modified alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) with the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha 2M receptor but not the alpha 2M signaling receptor.

Receptor-recognized forms of alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M*) bind to two macrophage receptors: an endocytic receptor, the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha 2M receptor (LRP/alpha 2MR), and a G protein-coupled receptor, the alpha 2M signaling receptor (alpha 2MSR). Binding of alpha 2M* to LRP/alpha 2MR but not alpha 2MSR is inhibited by receptor-associated protein. We now present binding characteristics of alpha 2MSR (kD approximately 50 pm; 1,530 sites/cell) using Scatchard analysis. We also demonstrate that chemical modification of alpha 2M* with cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (cis-DDP) does not significantly alter binding to either receptor or signaling characteristics as compared with unmodified alpha 2M*. However, internalization by LRP/alpha 2MR is greatly affected. Cis-DDP-modified alpha 2M* (cis-DDP-alpha 2M*) and alpha 2M* show comparable internalization during a single round of endocytosis; however, cis-DDP modification of alpha 2M* results in a > or = 82% reduction in internalization involving receptor recycling and multiple rounds of endocytosis. Results from pH 5.0 dissociation and receptor recycling experiments suggest that the mechanism of decreased internalization of cis-DDP-alpha 2M* involves poor dissociation from the receptor in endosomes and a decrease in available surface receptors over the time of exposure to the ligand.

Haloperidol-based irreversible inhibitors of the HIV-1 and HIV-2 proteases.

The proteases expressed by the HIV-1 and HIV-2 viruses process the polyproteins encoded by the viral genomes into the mature proteins required for virion replication and assembly. Eight analogs of haloperidol have been synthesized that cause time-dependent inactivation of the HIV-1 protease and, in six cases, HIV-2 protease. The IC50 values for the analogues are comparable to that of haloperidol itself. Enzyme inactivation is due to the presence of an epoxide in two of the analogues and carbonyl-conjugated double or triple bonds in the others. Irreversible inactivation is confirmed by the failure to recover activity when one of the inhibitors is removed from the medium. At pH 8.0, the agents inactivate the HIV-1 protease 4-80 times more rapidly than the HIV-2 protease. Faster inactivation of the HIV-1 protease is consistent with alkylation of cysteine residues because the HIV-1 protease has four such residues whereas the HIV-2 protease has none. Inactivation of the HIV-2 protease requires modification of non-cysteine residues. The similarities in the rates of inactivation of the HIV-2 protease by six agents that have intrinsically different reactivities toward nucleophiles suggest that the rate-limiting step in the inactivation process is not the alkylation reaction itself. At least five of the agents inhibit polyprotein processing in an ex vivo cell assay system, but they are also toxic to the cells.

Structure of a non-peptide inhibitor complexed with HIV-1 protease. Developing a cycle of structure-based drug design.

A stable, non-peptide inhibitor of the protease from type 1 human immunodeficiency virus has been developed, and the stereochemistry of binding defined through crystallographic three-dimensional structure determination. The initial compound, haloperidol, was discovered through computational screening of the Cambridge Structural Database using a shape complementarity algorithm. The subsequent modification is a non-peptidic lateral lead, which belongs to a family of compounds with well characterized pharmacological properties. This thioketal derivative of haloperidol and a halide counterion are bound within the enzyme active site in a mode distinct from the observed for peptide-based inhibitors. A variant of the protease cocrystallized with this inhibitor shows binding in the manner predicted during the initial computer-based search. The structures provide the context for subsequent synthetic modifications of the inhibitor.

Calcium-free calmodulin is a substrate of proteases from human immunodeficiency viruses 1 and 2.

Calcium-free calmodulin-(CaM) is rapidly hydrolyzed by proteases from both human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) 1 and 2. Kinetic analysis reveals a sequential order of cleavage by both proteases which initiates in regions of the molecule known from X-ray crystallographic analysis of Ca2+/CaM to be associated with calcium binding. Although HIV-1 and HIV-2 proteases hydrolyze two bonds in common, the initial site of cleavage required for subsequent events differs in each case. The first bond hydrolyzed by the HIV-1 protease is the Asn-Tyr linkage in the sequence, -N-I-D-G-D-G-Q-V-N-Y-E-E-, found in the fourth calcium binding loop. In contrast, it is an Ala-Ala bond in the third calcium loop, -D-K-D-G-N-G-Y-I-S-A-A-E-, that is first hydrolyzed by the HIV-2 enzyme, followed in short order by cleavage of the same Asn-Tyr linkage described above. Thereafter, both enzymes proceed to hydrolyze additional peptide bonds, some in common, some not. Considerable evidence exists that inhibitors are bound to the protease in an extended conformation and yet all of the cleavages we observed occur within, or at the beginning of helices in Ca2+/CaM, regions that also appear to be insufficiently exposed for protease binding. Molecular modeling studies indicate that CaM in solution must adopt a conformation in which the first cleavage site observed for each enzyme is unshielded and extended, and that subsequent cleavages involve further unwinding of helices.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Structure-based design of nonpeptide inhibitors specific for the human immunodeficiency virus 1 protease.

By using a structure-based computer-assisted search, we have found a butyrophenone derivative that is a selective inhibitor of the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) protease. The computer program creates a negative image of the active site cavity using the crystal structure of the HIV-1 protease. This image was compared for steric complementarity with 10,000 molecules of the Cambridge Crystallographic Database. One of the most interesting candidates identified was bromperidol. Haloperidol, a closely related compound and known antipsychotic agent, was chosen for testing. Haloperidol inhibits the HIV-1 and HIV-2 proteases in a concentration-dependent fashion with a Ki of approximately 100 microM. It is highly selective, having little inhibitory effect on pepsin activity and no effect on renin at concentrations as high as 5 mM. The hydroxy derivative of haloperidol has a similar effect on HIV-1 protease but a lower potency against the HIV-2 enzyme. Both haloperidol and its hydroxy derivative showed activity against maturation of viral polypeptides in a cell assay system. Although this discovery holds promise for the generation of nonpeptide protease inhibitors, we caution that the serum concentrations of haloperidol in normal use as an antipsychotic agent are less than 10 ng/ml (0.03 microM). Thus, concentrations required to inhibit the HIV-1 protease are greater than 1000 times higher than the concentrations normally used. Haloperidol is highly toxic at elevated doses and can be life-threatening. Haloperidol is not useful as a treatment for AIDS but may be a useful lead compound for the development of an antiviral pharmaceutical.

Recombinant HIV2 protease processes HIV1 Pr53gag and analogous junction peptides in vitro.

A synthetic DNA fragment encoding a protease precursor of the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV2) was cloned and expressed in bacteria and yeast. A recombinant plasmid encoding a hybrid polypeptide consisting of human superoxide dismutase and an HIV2 protease precursor of 113 amino acids was constructed for regulated intracellular expression in bacteria. Induction of this plasmid produced an autoprocessed form of the retroviral enzyme possessing the correct molecular weight. Overexpression and secretion of the protease from yeast was achieved with an expression vector encoding the yeast pheromone alpha-factor signal/leader sequence fused to a protease precursor of 115 amino acids. Amino-terminal sequence analysis confirmed that the viral enzyme exported from yeast was correctly processed from its precursor by cleavage of the predicted Ala-Pro peptide bond located at the NH2 terminus of the protease in the pol open reading frame. No additional amino acid residues were required at the COOH terminus of the protease for this autoproteolytic event. The HIV2 protease expressed in bacteria and yeast was active in an in vitro assay when tested on the HIV1 polyprotein precursor, myristylated Pr53gag. Two synthetic peptides representing junction sequences in the HIV1 gag-pol precursor were used to assay purified HIV2 protease. The enzyme exhibited a kcat/KM of 23.2 min-1 mM-1 on the HIV1 matrix-capsid junction peptide and a kcat/KM of 71.4 min-1 mM-1 on the protease-reverse transcriptase junction peptide. These rates show that the HIV2 enzyme is efficient at hydrolyzing the HIV1 peptide junctions, revealing the analogous nature of the substrate specificities of the two enzymes.

Specificity and inhibition of proteases from human immunodeficiency viruses 1 and 2.

Highly purified, recombinant preparations of the virally encoded proteases from human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) 1 and 2 have been compared relative to 1) their specificities toward non-viral protein and synthetic peptide substrates, and 2) their inhibition by several P1-P1' pseudodipeptidyl-modified substrate analogs. Hydrolysis of the Leu-Leu and Leu-Ala bonds in the Pseudomonas exotoxin derivative, Lys-PE40, is qualitatively the same for HIV-2 protease as published earlier for the HIV-1 enzyme (Tomasselli, A. G., Hui, J. O., Sawyer, T. K., Staples, D. J., FitzGerald, D. J., Chaudhary, V. K., Pastan, I., and Heinrikson, R. L. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 408-413). However, the rates of cleavage at these two sites are reversed for the HIV-2 protease which prefers the Leu-Ala bond. The kinetics of hydrolysis of this protein substrate by both enzymes are mirrored by those obtained from cleavage of model peptides. Hydrolysis by the two proteases of other synthetic peptides modeled after processing sites in HIV-1 and HIV-2 gag polyproteins and selected analogs thereof demonstrated differences, as well as similarities, in selectivity. For example, while the two proteases were nearly identical in their rates of cleavage of the Tyr-Pro bond in the HIV-1 gag fragment, Val-Ser-Gln-Asn-Tyr-Pro-Ile-Val, the HIV-1 protease showed a 64-fold enhancement over the HIV-2 enzyme in hydrolysis of a Tyr-Val bond in the same template. Accordingly, the HIV-2 protease appears to have a different specificity than the HIV-1 enzyme; it is better able to hydrolyze substrates with small amino acids in P1 and P1', but is variable in its rate of hydrolysis of peptides with bulky substituents in these positions. In addition to these comparisons of the two proteases with respect to substrate specificity, we present inhibitor structure-activity data for the HIV-2 protease. Relative to P1-P1' statine or Phe psi [CH2N]Pro-modified pseudopeptidyl inhibitors, compounds having Xaa psi[CH(OH)CH2]Yaa inserts were found to show significantly higher affinities to both enzymes, generally binding from 10 to 100 times stronger to HIV-1 protease than to the HIV-2 enzyme. Molecular modeling comparisons based upon the sequence homology of the two enzymes and x-ray crystal structures of HIV-1 protease suggest that most of the nonconservative amino acid replacements occur in regions well outside the catalytic cleft, while only subtle structural differences exist within the active site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Three new potential cAMP affinity labels. Inactivation of human platelet low Km cAMP phosphodiesterase by 8-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate.

Three new analogues of cAMP have been synthesized and characterized: 2-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (2-BDB-TcAMP), 2-[(3-bromo-2-oxopropyl)thio]-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (2-BOP-tcAMP), and 8-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-BDB-TcAMP). The bromoketo moiety has the ability to react with the nucleophilic side chains of several amino acids, while the dioxobutyl group can interact with arginine. These cAMP analogues were tested for their ability to inactivate the low Km (high affinity) cAMP phosphodiesterase from human platelets. The 2-BDB-TcAMP and 2-BOP-TcAMP were competitive inhibitors of cAMP hydrolysis by the phosphodiesterase with Ki values of 0.96 +/- 0.12 and 0.70 +/- 0.12 microM, respectively. However, 2-BDB-TcAMP and 2-BOP-TcAMP did not irreversibly inactivate the phosphodiesterase at pH values from 6.0 to 7.5 and at concentrations up to 10 mM. These results indicate that although the 2-substituted TcAMP analogues bind to the enzyme, there are no reactive amino acids in the vicinity of the 2-position of the cAMP binding site. In contrast, incubation of the platelet low Km cAMP phosphodiesterase with 8-BDB-TcAMP resulted in a time-dependent, irreversible inactivation of the enzyme with a second-order rate constant of 0.031 +/- 0.009 min-1 mM1. Addition of the substrates, cAMP and cGMP, and the product, AMP, to the reaction mixture resulted in marked decreases in the inactivation rate, suggesting that the inactivation was due to reaction at the active site of the phosphodiesterase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

2-[(4-Bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]-1,N6-ethenoadenosine 5'-diphosphate. A new fluorescent affinity label of a tyrosyl residue in the active site of rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase.

A new reactive fluorescent ADP analog has been synthesized: 2-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]-1,N6-ethenoadenosine 5'-diphosphate (2-BDB-T epsilon A-5'-DP). Rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase is inactivated by 200 microM 2-BDB-T epsilon A-5'-DP in a biphasic manner, with an initial loss of 75% activity followed by a slow total inactivation. The rate constants for both phases exhibit nonlinear dependence on reagent concentration, consistent with reversible formation of an enzyme-reagent complex (KI = 133 microM) prior to irreversible reaction. Loss of activity is prevented by substrates. The best protection against inactivation is provided by phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), KCl, and MnSO4, suggesting that the reaction occurs in the region of the PEP binding site. Incorporation of 1.7 mol/mol enzyme subunit accompanies 90% inactivation by 200 microM 2-BDB-T epsilon A-5'-DP in 80 min. However, in the presence of PEP, KCl, and MnSO4, 1.0 mol of reagent is incorporated when the enzyme is only 14% inactivated. These results indicate that 2-BDB-T epsilon A-5'-DP reacts with two groups on the enzyme, one of which is at or near the PEP binding site. Incubation of pyruvate kinase with related nucleotide analogs lacking a 5'-diphosphate or a diketo group suggests that the diketo group, but not the diphosphate, is essential for inactivation. The enolized form of the bromodioxobutyl group resembles phosphoenolpyruvate and probably directs the reagent to the PEP binding site. Modified enzyme, prepared by incubating pyruvate kinase with 200 microM 2-BDB-T epsilon A-5'-DP in the absence and presence of phosphoenolpyruvate, KCl, and MnSO4, was reduced with [3H]NaBH4, carboxymethylated, and digested with trypsin. Nucleotidyl peptides were isolated by chromatography on phenylboronateagarose followed by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography. Two radioactive peptides were identified: Asn162-Ile-Cys-Lys165 and Ile141-Thr-Leu-Asp-Asn-Ala-Tyr-Met-Glu-Lys150. Only the tetrapeptide was modified in the presence of PEP, KCl, and Mn+ when the enzyme retained most of its activity. Cys164 is thus designated the nonessential modified residue, while modification of Tyr147 near the active site of pyruvate kinase is responsible for loss of enzymatic activity. The observed biphasic kinetics of inactivation are due to the negatively cooperative reaction of 2-BDB-T epsilon A-5'-DP with Tyr147 in the tetramer. The new compound, 2-BDB-T epsilon A-5'-DP, may have general application as an affinity label of ADP and PEP sites in other proteins.

Reaction of pyruvate kinase with the new nucleotide affinity labels 8-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]adenosine 5'-diphosphate and 5'-triphosphate.

Two new reactive nucleotides have been synthesized and characterized: 8-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]adenosine 5'-diphosphate and 5'-triphosphate (8-BDB-TADP and 8-BDB-TATP). ADP or ATP was converted to 8-thio-ADP (-ATP) via 8-bromo-ADP (-ATP), followed by condensation with 1,4-dibromobutanedione. Rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase is inactivated by both reagents in a biphasic manner with an initial rapid loss of 75% activity, followed by a slow total inactivation. The initial fast reaction with both compounds exhibits nonlinear dependence on reagent concentration, indicating formation of a reversible enzyme-reagent complex prior to covalent attachment. The presence of the gamma-phosphoryl group improves the performance of the affinity label: KI values for the fast phase are similar (about 100 microM), whereas kmax for 8-BDB-TATP is about three times greater than that of 8-BDB-TADP (0.286 min-1 vs 0.0835 min-1). After an 80-min incubation with 175 microM of either reagent, about 2 mol/mol of subunit is incorporated with 76% inactivation caused by 8-BDB-TADP and 97% inactivation by 8-BDB-TATP. Loss of activity is prevented by substrates, with the best protection afforded by a combination of ATP, Mn2+, K+, and phosphoenolpyruvate. Reaction of pyruvate kinase with either compound in the presence of protecting ligands leads to incorporation of about 1 mol of reagent/mol of subunit with only about 15% loss of activity. These results suggest that 8-BDB-TADP and 8-BDB-TATP react with two groups on the enzyme, one of which is at or near the active site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Identification of tyrosine and lysine peptides labeled by 5'-p-fluorosulfonylbenzoyl adenosine in the active site of pyruvate kinase.

The nucleotide affinity label 5'-p-fluorosulfonylbenzoyl adenosine reacts at the active site of rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase, with irreversible inactivation occurring concomitant with incorporation of about 1 mol of reagent/mol of enzyme subunit (Annamalai, A. E., and Colman, R. F. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 10276-10283). Purified peptides have now been isolated from 70% inactivated enzyme containing 0.7 mol of reagent/mol of enzyme subunit. Rabbit muscle enzyme labeled with radioactive 5'-p-fluorosulfonylbenzoyl adenosine was digested with thermolysin. Nucleosidyl peptides were purified by chromatography on phenylboronate-agarose and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. After amino acid and N-terminal analysis, the peptides were identified by comparison with the primary sequences of chicken and cat muscle enzyme. About 75% of the reagent incorporated was distributed equally among three O-(4-carboxybenzenesulfonyl)tyrosine-containing peptides: Leu-Asp-CBS-Tyr-Lys-Asn, Val-CBS-Tyr, and Leu-Asp-Asn-Ala-CBS-Tyr. These tyrosines are located in a 28-residue segment of the 530-amino acid sequence. The remainder of the incorporation was found in two N epsilon-(4-carboxybenzenesulfonyl)lysine-containing peptides. Leu-CBS-Lys and Ala-CBS-Lys-Gly-Asp-Tyr-Pro. Modification in the presence of MnATP or MnADP resulted in a marked decrease in labeling of these peptides in proportion to the decreased inactivation. It is suggested that these modified residues are located in the region of the catalytically functional nucleotide binding site of pyruvate kinase.