Human cytoplasmic copper chaperones Atox1 and CCS exchange copper ions in vitro.

After Ctr1-mediated copper ion (Cu) entry into the human cytoplasm, chaperones Atox1 and CCS deliver Cu to P1B-type ATPases and to superoxide dismutase, respectively, via direct protein-protein interactions. Although the two Cu chaperones are presumed to work along independent pathways, we here assessed cross-reactivity between Atox1 and the first domain of CCS (CCS1) using biochemical and biophysical methods in vitro. By NMR we show that CCS1 is monomeric although it elutes differently from Atox1 in size exclusion chromatography (SEC). This property allows separation of Atox1 and CCS1 by SEC and, combined with the 254/280 nm ratio as an indicator of Cu loading, we demonstrate that Cu can be transferred from one protein to the other. Cu exchange also occurs with full-length CCS and, as expected, the interaction involves the metal binding sites since mutation of Cu-binding cysteine in Atox1 eliminates Cu transfer from CCS1. Cross-reactivity between CCS and Atox1 may aid in regulation of Cu distribution in the cytoplasm.

T versus D in the MTCXXC motif of copper transport proteins plays a role in directional metal transport.

To avoid toxicity and control levels of metal ions, organisms have developed specific metal transport systems. In humans, the cytoplasmic Cu chaperone Atox1 delivers Cu to metal-binding domains of ATP7A/B in the Golgi, for incorporation into Cu-dependent proteins. The Cu-binding motif in Atox1, as well as in target Cu-binding domains of ATP7A/B, consists of a MX1CXXC motif where X1 = T. The same motif, with X1 = D, is found in metal-binding domains of bacterial zinc transporters, such as ZntA. The Asp is proposed to stabilize divalent over monovalent metals in the binding site, although metal selectivity in vivo appears predominantly governed by protein-protein interactions. To probe the role of T versus D at the X1 position for Cu transfer in vitro, we created MDCXXC variants of Atox1 and the fourth metal-binding domain of ATP7B, WD4. We find that the mutants bind Cu like the wild-type proteins, but when mixed, in contrast to the wild-type pair, the mutant pair favors Cu-dependent hetero-dimers over directional Cu transport from Atox1 to WD4. Notably, both wild-type and mutant proteins can bind Zn in the absence of competing reducing agents. In presence of zinc, hetero-complexes are strongly favored for both protein pairs. We propose that T is conserved in this motif of Cu-transport proteins to promote directional metal transfer toward ATP7B, without formation of energetic sinks. The ability of both Atox1 and WD4 to bind zinc ions may not be a problem in vivo due to the presence of specific transport chains for Cu and Zn ions.

Role of metal in folding and stability of copper proteins in vitro.

Metal coordination is required for function of many proteins. For biosynthesis of proteins coordinating a metal, the question arises if the metal binds before, during or after folding of the polypeptide. Moreover, when the metal is bound to the protein, how does its coordination affect biophysical properties such as stability and dynamics? Understanding how metals are utilized by proteins in cells on a molecular level requires accurate descriptions of the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters involved in protein-metal complexes. Copper is one of the essential transition metals found in the active sites of many key proteins. To avoid toxicity of free copper ions, living systems have developed elaborate copper-transport systems that involve dedicated proteins that facilitate efficient and specific delivery of copper to target proteins. This review describes in vitro and in silico biophysical work assessing the role of copper in folding and stability of copper-binding proteins. Examples of proteins discussed are: a blue-copper protein (Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin), members of copper-transport systems (bacterial CopZ, human Atox1 and ATP7B domains) and multi-copper ferroxidases (yeast Fet3p and human ceruloplasmin). The consequences of interactions between copper proteins and platinum-complexes are also discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cell Biology of Metals.

Attenuating Listeria monocytogenes Virulence by Targeting the Regulatory Protein PrfA.

The transcriptional activator PrfA, a member of the Crp/Fnr family, controls the expression of some key virulence factors necessary for infection by the human bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. Phenotypic screening identified ring-fused 2-pyridone molecules that at low micromolar concentrations attenuate L. monocytogenes cellular uptake by reducing the expression of virulence genes. These inhibitors bind the transcriptional regulator PrfA and decrease its affinity for the consensus DNA-binding site. Structural characterization of this interaction revealed that one of the ring-fused 2-pyridones, compound 1, binds at two separate sites on the protein: one within a hydrophobic pocket or tunnel, located between the C- and N-terminal domains of PrfA, and the second in the vicinity of the DNA-binding helix-turn-helix motif. At both sites the compound interacts with residues important for PrfA activation and helix-turn-helix formation. Ring-fused 2-pyridones represent a new class of chemical probes for studying virulence in L. monocytogenes.

Enthalpy-entropy compensation at play in human copper ion transfer.

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element but toxic in free form. After cell uptake, Cu is transferred, via direct protein-protein interactions, from the chaperone Atox1 to the Wilson disease protein (WD) for incorporation into Cu-dependent enzymes. Cu binds to a conserved C(1)XXC(2) motif in the chaperone as well as in each of the cytoplasmic metal-binding domains of WD. Here, we dissect mechanism and thermodynamics of Cu transfer from Atox1 to the fourth metal binding domain of WD. Using chromatography and calorimetry together with single Cys-to-Ala variants, we demonstrate that Cu-dependent protein heterocomplexes require the presence of C(1) but not C(2). Comparison of thermodynamic parameters for mutant versus wild type reactions reveals that the wild type reaction involves strong entropy-enthalpy compensation. This property is explained by a dynamic inter-conversion of Cu-Cys coordinations in the wild type ensemble and may provide functional advantage by protecting against Cu mis-ligation and bypassing enthalpic traps.

Human Copper Chaperone Atox1 Translocates to the Nucleus but does not Bind DNA In Vitro.

After Ctr1-mediated cell uptake, copper (Cu) is transported by the cytoplasmic Cu chaperone Atox1 to P1B type ATPases ATP7A and ATP7B in the Golgi network, for incorporation into Cudependent enzymes. Atox1 is a small 68-residue protein that binds Cu in a conserved CXXC motif; it delivers Cu to target domains in ATP7A/B via direct protein-protein interactions. Specific transcription factors regulating expression of the human Cu transport proteins have not been reported although Atox1 was recently suggested to have dual functionality such that it, in addition to its cytoplasmic chaperone function, acts as a transcription factor in the nucleus. To examine this hypothesis, here we investigated the localization of Atox1 in HeLa cells using fluorescence imaging in combination with in vitro binding experiments to fluorescently labeled DNA duplexes harboring the proposed promotor sequence. We found that whereas Atox1 is present in the nucleus in HeLa cells, it does not bind to DNA in vitro. It appears that Atox1 mediates transcriptional regulation via additional (unknown) proteins.

Small pH and salt variations radically alter the thermal stability of metal-binding domains in the copper transporter, Wilson disease protein.

Although strictly regulated, pH and solute concentrations in cells may exhibit temporal and spatial fluctuations. Here we study the effect of such changes on the stability, structure, and dynamics in vitro and in silico of a two-domain construct (WD56) of the fifth and sixth metal-binding domains of the copper transport protein, ATP7B (Wilson disease protein). We find that the thermal stability of WD56 is increased by 40 °C when increasing the pH from 5.0 to 7.5. In contrast, addition of salt at pH 7.2 decreases WD56 stability by up to 30 °C. In agreement with domain-domain coupling, fractional copper loading increases the stability of both domains. HSQC chemical shift changes demonstrate that, upon lowering the pH from 7.2 to 6, both His in WD6 as well as the second Cys of the copper site in each domain become protonated. MD simulations reveal increased domain-domain fluctuations at pH 6 and in the presence of high salt concentration, as compared to at pH 7 and low salt concentration. Thus, the surface charge distribution at high pH contributes favorably to overall WD56 stability. By introducing more positive charges by lowering the pH, or by diminishing charge-charge interactions by salt, fluctuations among the domains are increased and thereby overall stability is reduced. Copper transfer activity also depends on pH: delivery of copper from chaperone Atox1 to WD56 is more efficient at pH 7.2 than at pH 6 by a factor of 30. It appears that WD56 is an example where the free energy landscapes for folding and function are linked via structural stability.

In vitro thermodynamic dissection of human copper transfer from chaperone to target protein.

Transient protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions are fundamental components of biological activity. To understand biological activity, not only the structures of the involved proteins are important but also the energetics of the individual steps of a reaction. Here we use in vitro biophysical methods to deduce thermodynamic parameters of copper (Cu) transfer from the human copper chaperone Atox1 to the fourth metal-binding domain of the Wilson disease protein (WD4). Atox1 and WD4 have the same fold (ferredoxin-like fold) and Cu-binding site (two surface exposed cysteine residues) and thus it is not clear what drives metal transfer from one protein to the other. Cu transfer is a two-step reaction involving a metal-dependent ternary complex in which the metal is coordinated by cysteines from both proteins (i.e., Atox1-Cu-WD4). We employ size exclusion chromatography to estimate individual equilibrium constants for the two steps. This information together with calorimetric titration data are used to reveal enthalpic and entropic contributions of each step in the transfer process. Upon combining the equilibrium constants for both steps, a metal exchange factor (from Atox1 to WD4) of 10 is calculated, governed by a negative net enthalpy change of ∼10 kJ/mol. Thus, small variations in interaction energies, not always obvious upon comparing protein structures alone, may fuel vectorial metal transfer.

Discovery of ligands for ADP-ribosyltransferases via docking-based virtual screening.

The diphtheria toxin-like ADP-ribosyltransferases (ARTDs) are an enzyme family that catalyzes the transfer of ADP-ribose units onto substrate proteins by using nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) as a cosubstrate. They have a documented role in chromatin remodelling and DNA repair, and inhibitors of ARTD1 and 2 (PARP1 and 2) are currently in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. The detailed function of most other ARTDs is still unknown. By using virtual screening, we identified small ligands of ARTD7 (PARP15/BAL3) and ARTD8 (PARP14/BAL2). Thermal-shift assays confirmed that 16 compounds, belonging to eight structural classes, bound to ARTD7/ARTD8. Affinity measurements with isothermal titration calorimetry for two isomers of the most promising hit compound confirmed binding in the low micromolar range to ARTD8. Crystal structures showed anchoring of the hits in the nicotinamide pocket. These results form a starting point in the development of chemical tools for the study of the role and function of ARTD7 and ARTD8.