Inhibiting the assembly of protein-protein interfaces

Protein-protein association is found throughout mechanisms of cellular growth and differentiation, and viral replication. Inhibiting the assembly of protein complexes, therefore, presents itself as a novel means of inhibition for a wide variety of cellular and viral events. Peptides and small molecules that modify the overall quaternary structure of a selection of receptor-ligand interactions and oligomeric viral enzymes have been developed recently.

Subtilisin-catalyzed religation of proteolyzed hen egg-white lysozyme: investigation of the role of disulfides

BACKGROUND

The use of proteases to form, instead of break, peptide bonds has expanded the repertoire of techniques available for protein semisynthesis. Several groups have previously reported the use of proteases in aqueous-organic solvents to form single amide bonds within proteins, but low yields and lengthy reaction times make this an impractical approach to protein synthesis. We recently found that proteolyzed triose phosphate isomerase can be re-ligated rapidly and efficiently by subtilisin, in mixed aqueous-organic solvent systems.

RESULTS

We now report the use of subtilisin to resynthesize hen egg-white lysozyme from a mixture of its proteolyzed fragments in high yield and with rapid reaction times. This enzymatic religation can also be achieved after reduction of the four disulfide bonds present in lysozyme, with the same efficiency as that observed for the disulfide-containing proteolysis mixture.

CONCLUSIONS

For egg-white lysozyme, the subtilisin religation reaction can be used to re-synthesize a proteolyzed protein even after reduction of disulfide bonds. The utility of this reaction in more generalized protein semisynthesis reactions is currently being explored.

Synthesis of the basic-helix-loop-helix region of the immunoglobulin enhancer binding protein E47 and evaluation of its structural and DNA binding properties

The basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) region of the immunoglobulin enhancer binding protein E47 (IEB E47) was prepared in high yield by a solid-phase peptide synthesis methodology. Size-exclusion chromatography, sedimentation equilibrium and cross-linking data showed that the synthetic bHLH protein, 1, was dimeric, and higher-order aggregates of trimer and tetramer were also observed. The circular dichroism spectrum of 1 showed a high helical content, which increased upon addition of DNA containing the kappa E2 sequence. Gel mobility shift experiments showed that protein 1 bound sequence specifically to the kappa E2 sequence with a binding constant of 10(-10) M2, and had an affinity for other E box sequences as well. Comparisons between the co-crystal structure of IEB E47 with DNA and structural studies in solution showed lower helical contents in solution as would have been predicted from the crystal structure.

The rational design of highly stable, amphiphilic helical peptides

A computer algorithm was devised for the evaluation of helical stability of potentially amphiphilic peptide sequences of specified length containing a set number of leucines in the hydrophobic region. All possible combinations of Glu, Lys and Gln in the hydrophilic region are rated using a set of empirical rules for salt bridge formation in alpha-helices, and the sequences which rate the highest are displayed. The rules for salt bridge formation were largely derived from published studies on the effects of salt bridges on helical stability. The algorithm was tested by redesigning a known amphiphilic alpha-helical peptide, alpha 1B or 1, which has been shown to aggregate into four-helix bundles. Comparison of the circular dichroism spectra of two peptides, 2 and 3, to 1 demonstrated that the redesigned peptide with the highest priority score from the algorithm, 2, was more helical when aggregated and slightly more helical as a monomer, whereas the peptide with the low priority score, 3, was somewhat less helical when aggregated and much less helical when monomeric. These results support the design of the algorithm, although conclusions based on aggregation data are complicated by the importance of interhelix contacts in the bundle. Further studies are underway to examine the reliability of the algorithm's predictions regarding the design of other helical peptides.

Chromosome numbers of goldenrods, Euthamia and Solidago (Compositae-Astereae)

Chromosome number determinations were made from 227 populations of 43 taxa of Euthamia and Solidago. Nearly all were confirmations of previous reports. The majority of the populations sampled were from Ontario. First report: Solidago hispida Muhl. var. tonsa Fern., 2n = 18.

[Supraventricular subarachnoid cysts]

Five patients with supraventricular subarachnoid cysts are described. In most patients epilepsy was the presenting sign. Cerebral angiography showed in all cases only an avascular lesion and and the correct diagnosis was established only during the operation. In only one case recurrent filling of the cyst was observed.

[Case of Hakim's syndrome]

The authors report a case of Hakim's syndrome developing in a 53-year-old man. Manifestations of parkinsonian syndrome prevailed. After implantation of a Pudenz-type valve significant improvement was obtained which confirms the clinical diagnosis.