Intermolecular interactions and characterization of the novel factor Xa exosite involved in macromolecular recognition and inhibition: crystal structure of human Gla-domainless factor Xa complexed with the anticoagulant protein NAPc2 from the hematophagous nematode Ancylostoma caninum.

NAPc2, an anticoagulant protein from the hematophagous nematode Ancylostoma caninum evaluated in phase-II/IIa clinical trials, inhibits the extrinsic blood coagulation pathway by a two step mechanism, initially interacting with the hitherto uncharacterized factor Xa exosite involved in macromolecular recognition and subsequently inhibiting factor VIIa (K(i)=8.4 pM) of the factor VIIa/tissue factor complex. NAPc2 is highly flexible, becoming partially ordered and undergoing significant structural changes in the C terminus upon binding to the factor Xa exosite. In the crystal structure of the ternary factor Xa/NAPc2/selectide complex, the binding interface consists of an intermolecular antiparallel beta-sheet formed by the segment of the polypeptide chain consisting of residues 74-80 of NAPc2 with the residues 86-93 of factor Xa that is additional maintained by contacts between the short helical segment (residues 67-73) and a turn (residues 26-29) of NAPc2 with the short C-terminal helix of factor Xa (residues 233-243). This exosite is physiologically highly relevant for the recognition and inhibition of factor X/Xa by macromolecular substrates and provides a structural motif for the development of a new class of inhibitors for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis and angioplasty.

What the structure of angiostatin may tell us about its mechanism of action.

Originally discovered in 1994 by Folkman and coworkers, angiostatin was identified through its antitumor effects in mice and later shown to be a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis. An internal fragment of plasminogen, angiostatin consists of kringle domains that are known to be lysine-binding. The crystal structure of angiostatin was the first multikringle domain-containing structure to be published. This review will focus on what is known about the structure of angiostatin and its implications in function from the current literature.

Crystal structure of the Msx-1 homeodomain/DNA complex.

The Msx-1 homeodomain protein plays a crucial role in craniofacial, limb, and nervous system development. Homeodomain DNA-binding domains are comprised of 60 amino acids that show a high degree of evolutionary conservation. We have determined the structure of the Msx-1 homeodomain complexed to DNA at 2.2 A resolution. The structure has an unusually well-ordered N-terminal arm with a unique trajectory across the minor groove of the DNA. DNA specificity conferred by bases flanking the core TAAT sequence is explained by well ordered water-mediated interactions at Q50. Most interactions seen at the TAAT sequence are typical of the interactions seen in other homeodomain structures. Comparison of the Msx-1-HD structure to all other high resolution HD-DNA complex structures indicate a remarkably well-conserved sphere of hydration between the DNA and protein in these complexes.

Structural studies of MIP synthase.

The conversion of glucose 6-phosphate to 1-L-myo-inositol 1--phosphate (MIP) by 1-L-myo-inositol 1-phosphate synthase (MIP synthase) is the first committed and rate-limiting step in the de novo biosynthesis of inositol in all eukaryotes. The importance of inositol-containing molecules both as membrane components and as critical second messenger signal-transduction species make the function and regulation of this enzyme important for a host of biologically important cellular functions including proliferation, neurostimulation, secretion and contraction. MIP synthase has been overexpressed in Esherichia coli and purified to homogeneity by chromatographic methods. Two crystal forms of MIP synthase were obtained by the hanging-drop vapor-diffusion method. Native data sets for both crystal forms were collected in-house on a Rigaku R-AXIS IIC imaging-plate detector. Crystal form I belongs to space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 153.0, b = 96.6, c = 122.6 A, beta = 126.4 degrees, and diffracts to 2.5 A resolution. Crystal form II belongs to space group P2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 94.5, b = 186.2, c = 86.5 A, beta = 110.5 degrees, and diffracts to 2.9 A resolution.

Structural studies of the Msx-1 homeodomain-DNA complex I.

Crystals of the Msx-1 homeodomain-DNA complex have been obtained by hanging-drop vapor diffusion at 293 K in 12% PEG 4000 and 0.1 M sodium acetate pH 4.6. The homeodomain consists of 60 amino acids and is the DNA-binding domain. The DNA in the complex was 16 base pairs with the sequence 5'-TGTCACTAATTGAAGG-3', containing an overhang T at each end. The crystals diffract to 2.15 A (99.8% completeness) using cryogenic (123 K) conditions. The crystals belong to the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 33.66, b = 60.96, c = 83.37 A. The structure will illuminate the details of Msx-1-DNA binding specificity and clarify its role in transcriptional regulation. Mutations in Msx-1 cause craniofacial deformities in mice.

The crystal structure of a hyperthermophilic archaeal TATA-box binding protein.

This study analyzes the three-dimensional structure of the TATA-box binding protein (TBP) from the hyperthermophilic archaea Pyrococcus woesei. The crystal structure of P. woesei TBP (PwTBP) was solved at 2.2 A by X-ray diffraction and as expected from sequence homology (36% to 41% identical to eukaryotic TBPs) its overall structure is very similar to eukaryotic TBPs. The thermal unfolding transition temperature of this protein was measured by differential scanning calorimetry to be 101 degrees C, which is more than 40 degrees C higher than that of yeast TBP. Preliminary titration calorimetry data show that the affinity of PwTBP for its DNA target, unlike its eukaryotic counterparts, is enhanced by increasing the temperature and salt concentration. The structure reveals possible explanations for this thermostability and these unusual DNA binding properties. The crystal structure of this hyperthermostable protein was compared to its mesophilic homologs and analyzed for differences in the native structure that may contribute to thermostability. Differences found were: (1) a disulfide bond not found in mesophilic counterparts; (2) an increased number of surface electrostatic interactions; (3) more compact protein packing. The presumed DNA binding surface of PwTBP, like its eukaryotic counterparts, is hydrophobic but the electrostatic profile surrounding the protein is relatively neutral compared to the asymmetric positive potential that surrounds eukaryotic TBPs. The total reliance on a hydrophobic interface with DNA may explain the enhanced affinity of PwTBP for its DNA promoter at higher temperatures and increased salt concentration.

Crystal structure of the yeast TFIIA/TBP/DNA complex.

The crystal structure of the yeast TFIIA/TBP/TATA promoter complex was solved to 3 angstrom resolution by double-edge multiple wavelength anomalous diffraction from two different species of anomalous scattering elements in the same crystal. The large and small subunits of TFIIA associate intimately to form both domains of a two-domain folding pattern. TFIIA binds as a heterodimer to the side of the TBP/TATA complex opposite to the side that binds TFIIB and does not alter the TBP/DNA interaction. The six-stranded beta-sandwich domain interacts with the amino-terminal end of TBP through a stereospecific parallel beta-strand interface and with the backbone of the TATA box and the 5'-flanking B-DNA segment. The four-helix-bundle domain projects away from the TBP/TATA complex, thereby presenting a substantial surface for further protein-protein interactions.

Crystal structure of a yeast TBP/TATA-box complex.

The 2.5 A crystal structure of a TATA-box complex with yeast TBP shows that the eight base pairs of the TATA box bind to the concave surface of TBP by bending towards the major groove with unprecedented severity. This produces a wide open, underwound, shallow minor groove which forms a primarily hydrophobic interface with the entire under-surface of the TBP saddle. The severe bend and a positive writhe radically alter the trajectory of the flanking B-form DNA.