Mechanism of binding of warfarin enantiomers to recombinant domains of human albumin.

Domain fragments of human serum albumin corresponding to domains 1 and 2 (D12) and domains 2 and 3 (D23) were expressed in yeast. The kinetics of warfarin binding to these fragments were investigated using stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy. Binding can be characterized by a two-step process, a rapid diffusion-controlled step and a slower rate-limiting step in which a stable drug-protein complex is formed. The equilibrium constant for step 1 is greater for both D12 and D23 than for albumin, probably as a result of reduced steric hindrance offered by the domain fragments. Binding step 2, thought to be the result of a conformational change as warfarin is accommodated by the protein, is faster for D12 and D23. Albumin and the domain fragments show an increased preference for the R enantiomer, but the preference is particularly enhanced for domain fragment D12. These preferences can largely be explained by the domains having different rates for step 2 of the binding process.

Immunoglobulin-binding domains: Protein L from Peptostreptococcus magnus.

Protein L is a multidomain cell-wall protein isolated from Peptostreptococcus magnus. It belongs to a group of proteins that contain repeated domains that are able to bind to Igs without stimulating an immune response, the most characterized of this group being Protein A ( Staphylococcus aureus ) and Protein G ( Streptococcus ). Both of these proteins bind predominantly to the interface of C(H)2-C(H)3 heavy chains, while Protein L binds exclusively to the V(L) domain of the kappa -chain. The function of these proteins in vivo is not clear but it is thought that they enable the bacteria to evade the host's immune system. Two binding sites for kappa -chain on a single Ig-binding domain from Protein L have recently been reported and we give evidence that one site has a 25-55-fold higher affinity for kappa -chain than the second site.

Complex between Peptostreptococcus magnus protein L and a human antibody reveals structural convergence in the interaction modes of Fab binding proteins.

BACKGROUND: Peptostreptococcus magnus protein L (PpL) is a multidomain, bacterial surface protein whose presence correlates with virulence. It consists of up to five homologous immunoglobulin binding domains that interact with the variable (VL) regions of kappa light chains found on two thirds of mammalian antibodies. RESULTS: We refined the crystal structure of the complex between a human antibody Fab fragment (2A2) and a single PpL domain (61 residues) to 2.7 A. The asymmetric unit contains two Fab molecules sandwiching a single PpL domain, which contacts similar VL framework regions of two light chains via independent interfaces. The residues contacted on VL are remote from the hypervariable loops. One PpL-Vkappa interface agrees with previous biochemical data, while the second is novel. Site-directed mutagenesis and analytical-centrifugation studies suggest that the two PpL binding sites have markedly different affinities for VL. The PpL residues in both interactions are well conserved among different Peptostreptococcus magnus strains. The Fab contact positions identified in the complex explain the high specificity of PpL for antibodies with kappa rather than lambda chains. CONCLUSIONS: The PpL-Fab complex shows the first interaction of a bacterial virulence factor with a Fab light chain outside the conventional combining site. Structural comparison with two other bacterial proteins interacting with the Fab heavy chain shows that PpL, structurally homologous to streptococcal SpG domains, shares with the latter a similar binding mode. These two bacterial surface proteins interact with their respective immunoglobulin regions through a similar beta zipper interaction.

Glycerol dehydrogenase. structure, specificity, and mechanism of a family III polyol dehydrogenase.

BACKGROUND: Bacillus stearothermophilus glycerol dehydrogenase (GlyDH) (glycerol:NAD(+) 2-oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.6) catalyzes the oxidation of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone (1,3-dihydroxypropanone) with concomitant reduction of NAD(+) to NADH. Analysis of the sequence of this enzyme indicates that it is a member of the so-called iron-containing alcohol dehydrogenase family. Despite this sequence similarity, GlyDH shows a strict dependence on zinc for activity. On the basis of this, we propose to rename this group the family III metal-dependent polyol dehydrogenases. To date, no structural data have been reported for any enzyme in this group. RESULTS: The crystal structure of B. stearothermophilus glycerol dehydrogenase has been determined at 1.7 A resolution to provide structural insights into the mechanistic features of this family. The enzyme has 370 amino acid residues, has a molecular mass of 39.5 kDa, and is a homooctamer in solution. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the crystal structures of the free enzyme and of the binary complexes with NAD(+) and glycerol show that the active site of GlyDH lies in the cleft between the enzyme's two domains, with the catalytic zinc ion playing a role in stabilizing an alkoxide intermediate. In addition, the specificity of this enzyme for a range of diols can be understood, as both hydroxyls of the glycerol form ligands to the enzyme-bound Zn(2+) ion at the active site. The structure further reveals a previously unsuspected similarity to dehydroquinate synthase, an enzyme whose more complex chemistry shares a common chemical step with that catalyzed by glycerol dehydrogenase, providing a striking example of divergent evolution. Finally, the structure suggests that the NAD(+) binding domain of GlyDH may be related to that of the classical Rossmann fold by switching the sequence order of the two mononucleotide binding folds that make up this domain.

Studies on a single immunoglobulin-binding domain of protein L from Peptostreptococcus magnus: the role of tyrosine-53 in the reaction with human IgG.

Chemical modification experiments with tetranitromethane (TNM) have been used to investigate the role of tyrosine residues in the formation of the complex between PpL (the single Ig-binding domain of protein L, isolated from P. magnus strain 3316) and the kappa light chain (kappa-chain). Reaction of PpL with TNM causes the modification of 1.9 equiv. of tyrosine (Tyr(51) and Tyr(53)) and results in an approx. 140-fold decrease in affinity for human IgG. Similar experiments with mutated PpL proteins suggest that nitration predominantly inactivates the protein by modification of Tyr(53). Reduction of the nitrotyrosine groups to aminotyrosine by incubation with sodium hydrosulphite does not restore high affinity for IgG. Modification of kappa-chain by TNM resulted in the nitration of 3.1+/-0.09 tyrosine residues. When the PpL-kappa-chain complex was incubated with TNM, 4.1+/-0.04 tyrosine residues were nitrated, indicating that one tyrosine residue previously modified by the reagent was protected from TNM when the proteins are in complex with each other. The K(d) for the equilibrium between PpL, human IgG and their complex has been shown by ELISA to be 112+/-20 nM. A similar value (153+/-33 nM) was obtained for the complex formed between IgG and the Tyr(64)-->Trp mutant (Y64W). However, the K(d) values for the equilibria involving the PpL mutants Y53F and Y53F,Y64W were found to be 3.2+/-0.2 and 4.6+/-1 microM respectively. These suggest that the phenol group of Tyr(53) in PpL is important to the stability of the PpL-kappa-chain complex.

Purification, crystallization and quaternary structure analysis of a glycerol dehydrogenase S305C mutant from Bacillus stearothermophilus.

Bacillus stearothermophilus glycerol dehydrogenase (GlyDH) is a 39.5 kDa molecular weight metalloenzyme which catalyzes the oxidation of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone with the concomitant reduction of NAD(+) to NADH. Despite its classification as a member of the 'iron-containing' polyol dehydrogenase family, studies on recombinant B. stearothermophilus GlyDH have shown this enzyme to be Zn(2+)-dependent. Crystals of a S305C GlyDH mutant were obtained by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method, using ammonium sulfate and PEG 400 as precipitating agents, in the presence and absence of NAD(+). The crystals belong to space group I422, with approximate unit-cell parameters a = b = 105, c = 149 A and one subunit in the asymmetric unit, corresponding to a packing density of 2.6 A(3) Da(-1). The crystals diffract X-rays to at least 1.8 A resolution on a synchrotron-radiation source. Determination of the structure will provide insights into the key determinations of catalytic activity of this class of enzymes, for which no structures are currently available.

Initial-rate kinetics of the flavin reductase reaction catalysed by human biliverdin-IXbeta reductase (BVR-B).

The initial-rate kinetics of the flavin reductase reaction catalysed by biliverdin-IXbeta reductase at pH 7.5 are consistent with a rapid-equilibrium ordered mechanism, with the pyridine nucleotide binding first. NADPH binding to the free enzyme was characterized using stopped-flow fluorescence quenching, and a K(d) of 15.8 microM was calculated. Equilibrium fluorescence quenching experiments indicated a K(d) of 0.55 microM, suggesting that an enzyme-NADPH encounter complex (K(d) 15.8 microM) isomerizes to a more stable 'nucleotide-induced' conformation. The enzyme was shown to catalyse the reduction of FMN, FAD and riboflavin, with K(m) values of 52 microM, 125 microM and 53 microM, respectively. Lumichrome was shown to be a competitive inhibitor against FMN, with a K(i) of 76 microM, indicating that interactions with the isoalloxazine ring are probably sufficient for binding. During initial experiments it was observed that both the flavin reductase and biliverdin reductase activities of the enzyme exhibit a sharp optimum at pH 5 in citrate buffer. An initial-rate study indicated that the enzyme obeys a steady-state ordered mechanism in this buffer. The initial-rate kinetics in sodium acetate at pH 5 are consistent with a rapid-equilibrium ordered mechanism, indicating that citrate may directly affect the enzyme's behaviour at pH 5. Mesobiliverdin XIIIalpha, a synthetic biliverdin which binds to flavin reductase but does not act as a substrate for the enzyme, exhibits competitive kinetics with FMN (K(i) 0.59 microM) and mixed-inhibition kinetics with NADPH. This is consistent with a single pyridine nucleotide site and competition by FMN and biliverdin for a second site. Interestingly, flavin reductase/biliverdin-IXbeta reductase has also been shown to exhibit ferric reductase activity, with an apparent K(m) of 2.5 microM for the ferric iron. The ferric reductase reaction requires NAD(P)H and FMN. This activity is intriguing, as haem cleavage in the foetus produces non-alpha isomers of biliverdin and ferric iron, both of which are substrates for flavin reductase/biliverdin-IXbeta reductase.

Interactions between a single immunoglobulin-binding domain of protein L from Peptostreptococcus magnus and a human kappa light chain.

The placement of a tryptophan residue into a single Ig-binding-domain of protein L from Peptostreptococcus magnus has been used to examine the binding interactions between the binding domain and kappa light chains (kappa-chains). The fluorescence intensity of the mutant domain increases on the formation of a complex with kappa-chains. This has been used to determine the Kd of the complex under a range of conditions by using both pre-equilibrium and equilibrium methods. The Kd values determined for the complex with kappa-chains at a number of different pH values are very close to those obtained with the wild-type domain, indicating that the mutation has not substantially affected its binding properties. Examination of the reaction between the mutant domain and kappa-chains by stopped-flow fluorescence shows that complex formation takes place by two discrete, sequential processes. A fast bimolecular reaction, with a rate constant of 8.3x10(5) M-1. s-1 (at pH8.0 and 25 degrees C), is followed by a slow unimolecular process with a rate (1.45 s-1) that is independent of the concentration of the reactants. This suggests that a conformational change occurs after the initial encounter complex is formed. The dissociation of the complex at equilibrium occurs in a single process of rate 0.095 s-1 at pH8.0 and 25 degrees C. Stopped-flow CD studies show that a slow decrease in ellipticity at 275 nm occurs with a rate of 1.3 s-1 when wild-type protein binds to kappa-chains, suggesting that the conformational transition might involve a change in environment around one or more tyrosine residues.

Probing the unfolding pathway of alpha1-antitrypsin.

Protein misfolding plays a role in the pathogenesis of many diseases. alpha1-Antitrypsin misfolding leads to the accumulation of long chain polymers within the hepatocyte, reducing its plasma concentration and predisposing the patient to emphysema and liver disease. In order to understand the misfolding process, it is necessary to examine the folding of alpha1-antitrypsin through the different structures involved in this process. In this study we have used a novel technique in which unique cysteine residues were introduced at various positions into alpha1-antitrypsin and fluorescently labeled with N, N'-dimethyl-N-(iodoacetyl)-N'-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1, 3-diazol-4-yl)ethylenediamine. The fluorescence properties of each protein were studied in the native state and as a function of guanidine hydrochloride-mediated unfolding. The studies found that alpha1-antitrypsin unfolded through a series of intermediate structures. From the position of the fluorescence probes, the fluorescence quenching data, and the molecular modeling, we show that unfolding of alpha1-antitrypsin occurs via disruption of the A and C beta-sheets followed by the B beta-sheet. The implications of these data on both alpha1-antitrypsin function and polymerization are discussed.

The production and characterisation of an immobilised chaperonin system.

Here we report a method of immobilising the chaperonins GroEL and GroES to a glass matrix. The immobilised chaperone system has been used to successfully refold target proteins denatured by guanidine hydrochloride and produce substantially higher levels of active protein than occur on dilution into aqueous solution alone. The chaperone system has been shown to refold proteins from each of the three categories of GroEL substrate. The refolding of the enzyme glycerol dehydrogenase from Bacillus stearothermophilus shows a two-fold increase in activity in the presence of immobilised GroEL compared to that in free solution. The lactate dehydrogenase from B. stearothermophilus also shows a two-fold higher yield of activity in the presence of the immobilised GroEL and ATP. The presence of immobilised GroEL in the absence of ATP arrests the refolding of LDH. The enzyme citrate synthetase from porcine heart demonstrates a three-fold increase in activity when refolded in the presence of immobilised GroEL, ATP and free GroES. Similar results are obtained in the presence of free GroEL, immobilised GroES and ATP. The matrix-bound chaperone can be removed from the refolding mixture by centrifugation, producing a reusable system that can be easily isolated and purified from the refolded substrate.

A study of the interactions between an IgG-binding domain based on the B domain of staphylococcal protein A and rabbit IgG.

The nonantigenic interaction between a recombinant immunoglobulin G (IgG)-binding protein based on the B domain of Protein A from Staphylococcus aureus (termed SpA1) and the Fc fragment of rabbit IgG has been investigated. The contribution to binding of four putative hydrogen bond contacts between SpA1 and IgG-Fc were examined by the individual substitution of the residues in SpA1 involved in these interactions by others unable to form hydrogen bonds. It was found that the most important of the hydrogen bonds involved Tyr 18 which, when replaced by Phe, resulted in a twofold decrease in IgG-binding affinity. The residues of SpA1 proposed to make close, mainly hydrophobic, contacts with Fc were replaced by residues with potential electrostatic charge to establish the importance of the hydrophobic interaction in the complex. The IgG-binding affinities of the mutant proteins were compared to the wild-type protein by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The replacement of individual hydrophobic residues by His generated a number of novel IgG-binding proteins with reduced binding affinity at pH 5.0 but which maintained strong binding affinities at pH 8.0. The elution profile of human IgG1-Fc (Fc fragment of human IgG1) from a column made from an immobilized two-domain mutant protein shows that the complex dissociates at a higher pH relative to that of the non-mutated protein thus offering favorable elution characteristics.

Two distinct forms of human mast cell chymase--differences in affinity for heparin and in distribution in skin, heart, and other tissues.

Chymase, a chymotrypsin-like protease secreted by human mast cells, is generally considered to be a single enzyme. However, by heparin-agarose chromatography of high-salt extracts of human skin, we have consistently resolved three peaks of chymotryptic activity, eluting at 0.4 M NaCl (peak A), 1.0-1.2 M NaCl (peak B) and 1.8-2.0 M NaCl (peak C), with peak B containing 75-90% of the recovered activity. Each peak retained its identity upon rechromatography. The three peaks of activity were similar in substrate specificity and inhibitor profile and distinctly different from other chymotryptic enzymes, including cathepsin G and the stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme. Examination of different tissues revealed that peak C was virtually absent from synovial tissue, was present as a minor component in skin and heart, but constituted the predominant chymotryptic activity in lung. Peaks B and C from skin tissue were further purified by chromatography on Sephacryl S-200. Both had a molecular mass of 28-29 kDa, yielded the N-terminal sequence reported for chymase, and on western blots reacted with a panel of polyclonal, monoclonal and antipeptide antibodies against chymase. Chymase C required higher concentrations of NaCl to overcome the stimulatory effects of heparin than did chymase B, but had a similar pH profile. Thus, human chymase exists in at least two distinct but similar forms, and the differences in heparin binding and tissue distribution could have important consequences for enzyme function.

Detection of metal binding to bovine inositol monophosphatase by changes in the near and far ultraviolet regions of the CD spectrum.

Mg2+ ions, essential for the catalytic activity of mammalian inositol monophosphatase, increase the ellipticity in the near-ultraviolet region of the CD spectrum of the enzyme. These spectral changes are not affected by the additional presence of substrate and are reversed if EDTA is added to the solution of enzyme and metal ions. Titration of the spectral perturbation at 275 nm shows that this binding occurs with a dissociation constant (Kd) around 275 microM, 292 microM and 302 microM for the wild-type, [Gln217]inositol monophosphatase and [Phe219]inositol monophosphatase enzymes respectively. The source of the spectroscopic change at 275 nm is not Trp219. The addition of Mg2+ also causes a decrease in ellipticity over most of the far-ultraviolet region of the spectrum (between 205-240 nm). The Kd values describing the binding of Mg2+ ions are 3.9 mM, 6.8 mM and 29.1 mM for the wild-type, [Gln217]inositol monophosphatase and [Phe219]inositol monophosphatase enzymes, respectively, each showing an approximate 12% change in ellipticity. In the additional presence of 10 mM Pi, there is a fourfold increase in the affinity of wild-type enzyme for Mg2+. It is concluded that CD spectral changes at wavelengths around 275 nm are indicative of metal ions interacting with a high-affinity metal-binding site (site 1). The spectral changes around 225 nm are associated with interactions at a lower-affinity site normally occupied by the Mg2+ ion which is reflected by the Km value for this metal ion. Other metal ions such as Ca2+ and Tb3+ (but not Mn2+ or Zn2+) also perturb the CD spectrum of the enzyme in both regions of the spectrum. The amplitudes of these signal changes are greater for Mg2+ or Tb3+ (25%) ions than for Ca2+ (8.5%), although two Ca2+-binding sites with Kd values of 20 microM and 100 microM have been identified. The uncompetitive inhibitor Li+ causes little change in the near-ultraviolet spectrum in the absence or presence of either substrate or Pi. However, in contrast to other metal ions, Li+ ions elicit a 10% increase in ellipticity at 220 nm with a Kd of 0.8 mM.