Backbone resonance assignments of the C2 domain of coagulation factor VIII.

Factor VIII (FVIII, other clotting factors are named similarly) is a glycoprotein that circulates in the plasma bound to von Willebrand factor. During the blood coagulation cascade, activated FVIII (FVIIIa) binds to FIXa and activates FX in the presence of calcium ions and phospholipid membranes. The C1 and C2 domains mediate membrane binding that is essential for activation of the FVIIIa-FIXa complex. Here, (1)H, (13)C, and (15)N backbone chemical shift assignments are reported for the C2 domain of FVIII, including assignments for the residues in solvent-exposed loops. The NMR resonance assignments, along with further structural studies of membrane-bound FVIII, will advance understanding of blood-clotting protein interactions.

Membrane-binding properties of the Factor VIII C2 domain.

Factor VIII functions as a cofactor for Factor IXa in a membrane-bound enzyme complex. Membrane binding accelerates the activity of the Factor VIIIa-Factor IXa complex approx. 100000-fold, and the major phospholipid-binding motif of Factor VIII is thought to be on the C2 domain. In the present study, we prepared an fVIII-C2 (Factor VIII C2 domain) construct from Escherichia coli, and confirmed its structural integrity through binding of three distinct monoclonal antibodies. Solution-phase assays, performed with flow cytometry and FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer), revealed that fVIII-C2 membrane affinity was approx. 40-fold lower than intact Factor VIII. In contrast with the similarly structured C2 domain of lactadherin, fVIII-C2 membrane binding was inhibited by physiological NaCl. fVIII-C2 binding was also not specific for phosphatidylserine over other negatively charged phospholipids, whereas a Factor VIII construct lacking the C2 domain retained phosphatidyl-L-serine specificity. fVIII-C2 slightly enhanced the cleavage of Factor X by Factor IXa, but did not compete with Factor VIII for membrane-binding sites or inhibit the Factor Xase complex. Our results indicate that the C2 domain in isolation does not recapitulate the characteristic membrane binding of Factor VIII, emphasizing that its role is co-operative with other domains of the intact Factor VIII molecule.

Factor VIII C1 domain residues Lys 2092 and Phe 2093 contribute to membrane binding and cofactor activity.

Binding of factor VIII to membranes containing phosphatidyl-L-serine (Ptd-L-Ser) is mediated, in part, by a motif localized to the C2 domain. We evaluated a putative membrane-binding role of the C1 domain using an anti-C1 antibody fragment, KM33(scFv), and factor VIII mutants with an altered KM33 epitope. We prepared a dual mutant Lys2092/Phe2093 --> Ala/Ala (fVIII(YFP 2092/93)) and 2 single mutants Lys2092 --> Ala and Phe2093 --> Ala. KM33(scFv) inhibited binding of fluorescein-labeled factor VIII to synthetic membranes and inhibited at least 95% of factor Xase activity. fVIII(YFP 2092/93) had 3-fold lower affinity for membranes containing 15% Ptd-L-Ser but more than 10-fold reduction in affinity for membranes with 4% Ptd-L-Ser. In a microtiter plate, KM33(scFv) was additive with an anti-C2 antibody for blocking binding to vesicles of 15% Ptd-L-Ser, whereas either antibody blocked binding to vesicles of 4% Ptd-L-Ser. KM33(scFv) inhibited binding to platelets and fVIII(YFP 2092/93) had reduced binding to A23187-stimulated platelets. fVIII(YFP 2092) exhibited normal activity at various Ptd-L-Ser concentrations, whereas fVIII(YFP 2093) showed a reduction of activity with Ptd-L-Ser less than 12%. fVIII(YFP 2092/93) had a greater reduction of activity than either single mutant. These results indicate that Lys 2092 and Phe 2093 are elements of a membrane-binding motif on the factor VIII C1 domain.

Trace level detection of compounds related to the chemical weapons convention by 1H-detected 13C NMR spectroscopy executed with a sensitivity-enhanced, cryogenic probehead.

Two-dimensional 1H-13C HSQC (heteronuclear single quantum correlation) and fast-HMQC (heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation) pulse sequences were implemented using a sensitivity-enhanced, cryogenic probehead for detecting compounds relevant to the Chemical Weapons Convention present in complex mixtures. The resulting methods demonstrated exceptional sensitivity for detecting the analytes at trace level concentrations. 1H-13C correlations of target analytes at < or = 25 microg/mL were easily detected in a sample where the 1H solvent signal was approximately 58,000-fold more intense than the analyte 1H signals. The problem of overlapping signals typically observed in conventional 1H spectroscopy was essentially eliminated, while 1H and 13C chemical shift information could be derived quickly and simultaneously from the resulting spectra. The fast-HMQC pulse sequences generated magnitude mode spectra suitable for detailed analysis in approximately 4.5 h and can be used in experiments to efficiently screen a large number of samples. The HSQC pulse sequences, on the other hand, required roughly twice the data acquisition time to produce suitable spectra. These spectra, however, were phase-sensitive, contained considerably more resolution in both dimensions, and proved to be superior for detecting analyte 1H-13C correlations. Furthermore, a HSQC spectrum collected with a multiplicity-edited pulse sequence provided additional structural information valuable for identifying target analytes. The HSQC pulse sequences are ideal for collecting high-quality data sets with overnight acquisitions and logically follow the use of fast-HMQC pulse sequences to rapidly screen samples for potential target analytes. Use of the pulse sequences considerably improves the performance of NMR spectroscopy as a complimentary technique for the screening, identification, and validation of chemical warfare agents and other small-molecule analytes present in complex mixtures and environmental samples.

Positive identification of the principal component of a white powder as scopolamine by quantitative one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR techniques.

An unidentified white powder collected as evidence in an intelligence investigation was characterized exclusively by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. A small fraction of the powder dissolved in D2O was subjected to a series of one- and two-dimensional techniques which were used to elucidate the molecular structure of the powder's major component and positively identify it as the scopolamine biotoxin. Quantitative one-dimensional experiments identified individual proton and carbon atom sites, and conventional 14N spectroscopy detected a single nitrogen atom site. Heteronuclear single quantum coherence data correlated all protons to their directly bonded carbon atom, and together with the quantitative spectra, were used to determine the number of protons directly bonded to each carbon atom. The presence of a methyl, carboxyl, and a benzyl group was also identified from these data. Correlation spectroscopy detected a three proton and a nine proton JH,H network, representing a CH2CH moiety and seven carbon atom ring, respectively. These five elements were assembled into an almost complete molecular structure by using long-range, J-coupled, 1H-13C pairs detected by heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC) spectroscopy and 1H-1H dipolar-coupled pairs found from nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) data. Additional oxygen atom sites were inferred from 1H-13C correlation intensities in the HMBC spectra along with 1H and 13C chemical shift values, or directly from NOESY correlations. Only a single oxygen atom site could not be inferred from NMR data, but its presence was inferred from comparisons to target analyte structures to complete the structure of the scopolamine molecule. To confirm these results, an ethanol/H2O solution of the powder was analyzed by direct infusion into an ion trap mass spectrometer. A prominent base signal was observed at m/z 304.1 amu, corresponding to the protonated molecular ion of scopolamine. Subsequently, the ion was selected and subjected to collision-induced dissociation, producing characteristic major MS/MS fragments at m/z 138.1 and 156.1. Comparisons of 1H and 13C chemical shift values and JH,H values measured from our NMR data were found to agree very favorably with previously reported values for scopolamine in D2O.

Purity analysis of hydrogen cyanide, cyanogen chloride and phosgene by quantitative (13)C NMR spectroscopy.

Hydrogen cyanide, cyanogen chloride and phosgene are produced in tremendously large quantities today by the chemical industry. The compounds are also particularly attractive to foreign states and terrorists seeking an inexpensive mass-destruction capability. Along with contemporary warfare agents, therefore, the US Army evaluates protective equipment used by warfighters and domestic emergency responders against the compounds, and requires their certification at > or = 95 carbon atom % before use. We have investigated the (13)C spin-lattice relaxation behavior of the compounds to develop a quantitative NMR method for characterizing chemical lots supplied to the Army. Behavior was assessed at 75 and 126 MHz for temperatures between 5 and 15 degrees C to hold the compounds in their liquid states, dramatically improving detection sensitivity. T(1) values for cyanogen chloride and phosgene were somewhat comparable, ranging between 20 and 31 s. Hydrogen cyanide values were significantly shorter at 10-18 s, most likely because of a (1)H--(13)C dipolar contribution to relaxation not possible for the other compounds. The T(1) measurements were used to derive relaxation delays for collecting the quantitative (13)C data sets. At 126 MHz, only a single data acquisition with a cryogenic probehead gave a signal-to-noise ratio exceeding that necessary for certifying the compounds at > or = 95 carbon atom % and 99% confidence. Data acquired at 75 MHz with a conventional probehead, however, required > or = 5 acquisitions to reach this certifying signal-to-noise ratio for phosgene, and >/= 12 acquisitions were required for the other compounds under these same conditions. In terms of accuracy and execution time, the NMR method rivals typical chromatographic methods.