The structural analysis of the pro-oxidant copper-binding site of denatured apo-H43R SOD1 and the elucidation of the origin of the acquisition of the pro-oxidant activity.

The pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is associated with mutations of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1), which is a representative antioxidant enzyme. A previous study showed that the denatured apo-form of an ALS-linked mutant of human SOD1, His43 → Arg (H43R), obtains pro-oxidant activity as the reverse behavior of the native antioxidant activity by rebinding Cu(2+), which is considered to be closely related to the development of ALS. The Cu(2+)-binding site in denatured apo-H43R can be regarded as the center of the pro-oxidant activity, causing cellular oxidative stress. In the present study, the structure of the Cu(2+)-binding site of denatured apo-H43R was investigated to clarify the mechanism of the acquisition of the pro-oxidant activity. His residues constructing the Cu(2+)-binding site in denatured apo-H43R were experimentally assigned by absorption and fluorescence-based assays of SOD1 mutants, in which each of the seven His residues in H43R SOD1 is replaced with Ala. It was found that His120 is not involved with the Cu(2+)-binding site after denaturation, although the other His residues constructing the metal-binding site remain constant after denaturation. The disappearance of His120 from the Cu(2+)-binding site is therefore considered to be one of the important factors in obtaining the pro-oxidant activity. The mechanism of the acquisition of the pro-oxidant activity is discussed based on the results obtained.

Pro-oxidant copper-binding mode of the Apo form of ALS-linked SOD1 mutant H43R denatured at physiological temperature.

The mutation of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1), a major antioxidant enzyme, is associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In a previous study, we showed that the metal-depleted apo form of an ALS-linked mutant, H43R, undergoes denaturation at physiological temperature (37 °C) in 90 min and acquires pro-oxidant activity in the presence of Cu(2+) and H2O2. In this study, we have examined the Cu(2+)-binding mode of denatured apo-H43R by circular dichroism (CD), fluorescent oxidation, UV Raman spectroscopy, and photooxidation. CD spectroscopy indicates that denatured apo-H43R loses native ß-barrel structure and the binding of Cu(2+) to the denatured apo form induces local refolding. Fluorescent-oxidation assays in the absence and presence of Cu(2+) chelators show that denatured apo-H43R contains two Cu(2+)-binding sites with higher and lower Cu(2+) affinities and with pro-oxidant activities in the reverse order. UV Raman spectroscopy gives evidence that His residues are bound to Cu(2+) mainly through the imidazole Nτ atom at the higher-affinity site and through the Nπ atom at the lower-affinity site, sharing one His residue with each other. The Cu(2+)-binding mode of denatured apo-H43R is analogous to but different from the Cu,Zn-binding mode of the native holo form. Photooxidation experiments confirm the involvement of His residues in the pro-oxidant activity. Taken together, it is suggested that the binding of Cu(2+) induces the local refolding of denatured apo-H43R to create toxic catalytic centers that convert the enzyme from antioxidant to pro-oxidant, leading to the pathogenesis of ALS. His residues are essential for both Cu(2+)-binding and pro-oxidant activities.

Structural instability and Cu-dependent pro-oxidant activity acquired by the apo form of mutant SOD1 associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is a cytosolic antioxidant enzyme, and its mutation has been implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease causing a progressive loss of motor neurons. Although the pathogenic mechanism of ALS remains unclear, it is hypothesized that some toxic properties acquired by mutant SOD1 play a role in the development of ALS. We have examined the structural and catalytic properties of an ALS-linked mutant of human SOD1, His43Arg (H43R), which is characterized by rapid disease progression. As revealed by circular dichroism spectroscopy, H43R assumes a stable ß-barrel structure in the Cu(2+),Zn(2+)-bound holo form, but its metal-depleted apo form is highly unstable and readily unfolds or misfolds into an irregular structure at physiological temperature. The conformational change occurs as a two-state transition from a nativelike apo form to a denatured apo form with a half-life of ∼0.5 h. At the same time as the denaturation, the apo form of H43R acquires pro-oxidant potential, which is fully expressed in the presence of Cu(2+) and H(2)O(2), as monitored with a fluorogenic probe for detecting pro-oxidant activity. Comparison of d-d absorption bands suggests that the Cu(2+) binding mode of the denatured apo form is different from that of the native holo form. The denatured apo form of H43R is likely to provide non-native Cu(2+) binding sites where the Cu(2+) ion is activated to catalyze harmful oxidation reactions. This study raises the possibility that the structural instability and the resultant Cu-dependent pro-oxidant activity of the apo form of mutant SOD1 may be one of the pathogenic mechanisms of ALS.

Enhancement of Oxidative Reaction by the Intramolecular Electron Transfer between the Coordinated Redox-Active Metal Ions in SOD1.

The denatured Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) has the pro-oxidant activity that is suggested to be related with the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We showed from the changes in the coordinated metal ions that the Cu ion in the Cu-binding site is the catalytic site of the pro-oxidant activity, and a redox-active metal ion in the Zn-binding site has the auxiliary function to enhance the pro-oxidant activity. The auxiliary function is suggested to arise from the intramolecular electron transfer between the coordinated metal ions in the denatured SOD1. The oxidation/reduction cycle of Cu in the Cu-binding site is assisted with changing the oxidation state of a metal ion in the Zn-binding site. The magnitude of the toxicity of the denatured SOD1 is discussed based on the ability of the auxiliary function.