Characterization of low density lipoprotein receptor ligand interactions by fluorescence resonance energy transfer

The low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) is the prototype of a family of cell surface receptors involved in a wide range of biological processes. A soluble low density lipoprotein receptor (sLDLR) and a tryptophan (Trp)-deficient variant human apolipoprotein E3 (apoE3) N-terminal domain (NT) were used in binding studies. The sole cysteine in apoE3-NT was covalently modified with an extrinsic fluorescence probe, N-(iodoacetyl)-N'-(5-sulfo-1-napthyl)ethylenediamine (AEDANS), and the protein was complexed with lipid. Incubation of sLDLR with AEDANS-Trp-null apoE3-NT dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) disks, but not lipid-free AEDANS-apoE, induced an enhancement in AEDANS fluorescence emission intensity (excitation, 280 nm) consistent with intermolecular energy transfer from excited Trp in sLDLR to receptor-bound apoE. Ligand binding to sLDLR required calcium and was saturable. In competition binding assays, unlabeled apoE3-NT DMPC inhibited AEDANS-apoE DMPC binding to sLDLR more effectively than low density lipoprotein. Fluorescence changes in this system reflected pH-dependent ligand binding and release from sLDLR consistent with models derived from the X-ray crystal structure of the receptor at endosomal pH. Intermolecular energy transfer from excited Trp in LDLR family members to fluorescently tagged ligands represents a sensitive and convenient assay for the characterization of the myriad molecular interactions ascribed to this family of receptor.

Reconstituted high density lipoprotein enriched with the polyene antibiotic amphotericin B

The polyene antibiotic amphotericin B (AMB) is an effective antifungal agent whose therapeutic potential is limited by poor aqueous solubility and toxicity toward host tissues. Addition of apolipoprotein A-I to a multilamellar phospholipid vesicle dispersion containing 20% (w/w) AMB induces the formation of reconstituted high density lipoprotein (rHDL), with solubilization of the antibiotic. Density gradient ultracentrifugation resulted in flotation of the complexes to a density of 1.16 g/ml, and negative stain electron microscopy revealed a population of disk-shaped particles. Native gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated a particle diameter of approximately 8.5 nm. Absorbance spectroscopy provided evidence for AMB integration into the lipid milieu. AMB-rHDLs were potent inhibitors of Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth, yielding 90% growth inhibition at <1 microg/ml yeast culture. In studies with pathogenic fungal species, similar growth inhibition characteristics were observed. Compared with AMB-deoxycholate micelles, AMB-rHDL displayed greatly attenuated red blood cell hemolytic activity and decreased toxicity toward cultured hepatoma cells. In in vivo studies in immunocompetent mice, AMB-rHDLs were nontoxic at 10 mg/kg, and they showed efficacy in a mouse model of candidiasis at concentrations as low as 0.25 mg/kg. These results indicate that AMB-rHDLs constitute a novel formulation that effectively solubilizes the antibiotic and elicits strong in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity with no observed toxicity at therapeutic doses.

Replacement of helix 1' enhances the lipid binding activity of apoE3 N-terminal domain

The N-terminal domain of human apolipoprotein E (apoE-NT) harbors residues critical for interaction with members of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) family. Whereas lipid free apoE-NT adopts a stable four-helix bundle conformation, a lipid binding induced conformational adaptation is required for manifestation of LDLR binding ability. To investigate the structural basis for this conformational change, the short helix connecting helix 1 and 2 in the four-helix bundle was replaced by the sequence NPNG, introducing a beta-turn. Recombinant helix-to-turn (HT) variant apoE3-NT was produced in Escherichia coli, isolated and characterized. Stability studies revealed a denaturation transition midpoint of 1.9 m guanidine hydrochloride for HT apoE3-NT vs. 2.5 M for wild-type apoE3-NT. Wild-type and HT apoE3-NT form dimers in solution via an intermolecular disulfide bond. Native PAGE showed that reconstituted high-density lipoprotein prepared with HT apoE3-NT have a diameter in the range of 9 nm and possess binding activity for the LDLR on cultured human skin fibroblasts. In phospholipid vesicle solubilization assays, HT apoE3-NT was more effective than wild-type apoE3-NT at inducing a time dependent decrease in dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol vesicle light scattering intensity. In lipoprotein binding assays, HT apoE3-NT protected human low-density lipoprotein from phospholipase C induced aggregation to a greater extent that wild-type apoE3-NT. The results indicate that a mutation at one end of the apoE3-NT four-helix bundle markedly enhances the lipid binding activity of this protein. In the context of lipoprotein associated full-length apoE, increased lipid binding affinity of the N-terminal domain may alter the balance between receptor-active and -inactive conformational states.

Spectroscopic studies of amphotericin B solubilized in nanoscale bilayer membranes

Nanodisks (ND) are discrete nanometer scale phospholipid bilayers whose perimeter is circumscribed by amphipathic apolipoproteins. The membranous environment of ND serves as a matrix for solubilizing the polyene antibiotic amphotericin B (AMB). The spectral properties of AMB in ND are dependent upon AMB concentration. Whereas AMB-ND prepared at a concentration of 2.5 mg AMB per 10 mg phospholipid are consistent with AMB self association in the ND membrane environment, AMB-ND prepared at 0.25 or 0.025 mg AMB per 10 mg phospholipid give rise to spectra reminiscent of AMB in organic solvent. Incubation of ND prepared at a phospholipid/AMB ratio of 400:1 (w/w) at 37 degrees C for 1 h induced a shift in absorbance and near UV circular dichroism spectra consistent with antibiotic self-association. The kinetics of this spectral transition were investigated as a function of incubation temperature. While no change in A388 nm occurred in incubations at 20 degrees C, a time-dependent decrease in A388 nm was observed at 25, 30 and 37 degrees C. Inclusion of ergosterol in the ND membrane attenuated temperature-induced AMB spectral changes. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth inhibition assays, ND containing self associated AMB were somewhat less effective than ND possessing a greater proportion of monomeric AMB. On the other hand, inclusion of ergosterol or cholesterol in the ND particle did not alter the growth inhibition properties of AMB-ND. The miniature membrane environment of ND provides a novel milieu for solubilization and characterization of lipophilic biomolecules.

Combined N- and C-terminal truncation of human apolipoprotein A-I yields a folded, functional central domain

A combined N- and C-terminal truncation variant of human apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) was designed, expressed in Escherichia coli, isolated, and characterized. Hydrodynamic experiments yielded a weight average molecular weight of 34000, indicating apoA-I-(44-186) exists in solution predominantly as a dimer. An axial ratio of 4.2 was calculated for the dimer based on sedimentation velocity experiments. Far-UV circular dichroism spectroscopy of apoA-I-(44-186) in buffer indicated the presence of 65% alpha-helix secondary structure. Guanidine hydrochloride denaturation experiments yielded a transition midpoint of 0.5 M for apoA-I-(44-186). ApoA-I-(44-186) induced solubilization of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles at a rate comparable to that of full-length apoA-I, displayed lipoprotein binding ability, and was an acceptor of ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux from cultured macrophages. Fluorescence quenching studies with KI indicate that the three Trp residues in apoA-I-(44-186) are shielded from the aqueous environment. Taken together, the data indicate that lipid-free apoA-I-(44-186) adopts a folded conformation in solution that possesses lipid binding capability. The central region of apoA-I appears to adopt a globular amphipathic alpha-helix bundle organization that is stabilized by intramolecular and/or intermolecular helix-helix interactions. Lipid association likely results in a conformational adaptation wherein helix-helix contacts are substituted for helix-lipid interactions.

Apolipoprotein A-V-heparin interactions: implications for plasma lipoprotein metabolism

Transgenic and gene disruption experiments in mice have revealed that apolipoprotein (apo) A-V is a potent regulator of plasma triglyceride (TG) levels. To investigate the molecular basis of apoA-V function, the ability of isolated recombinant apoA-V to modulate lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity was examined in vitro. With three distinct lipid substrate particles, including very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), a TG/phospholipid emulsion, or dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes, apoA-V had little effect on LPL activity. In the absence or presence apolipoprotein C-II, apoA-V marginally inhibited LPL activity. On the other hand, apoA-V-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine disc particles bound to heparin-Sepharose and were specifically eluted upon application of a linear gradient of NaCl. The interaction of apoA-V with sulfated glycosaminoglycans was further studied by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. ApoA-V showed strong binding to heparin-coated chips, and binding was competed by free heparin. ApoA-V enrichment enhanced binding of apoC-II-deficient chylomicrons and VLDL to heparin-coated chips. When LPL was first bound to the heparin-coated chip, apoA-V-enriched chylomicrons showed binding. Finally, human pre- and post-heparin plasma samples were subjected to immunoblot analysis with anti-apoA-V IgG. No differences in the amount of apoA-V present were detected. Taken together, the results show that apoA-V lipid complexes bind heparin and, when present on TG-rich lipoprotein particles, may promote their association with cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Through such interactions, apoA-V may indirectly affect LPL activity, possibly explaining its inverse correlation with plasma TG levels.

Helix orientation of the functional domains in apolipoprotein e in discoidal high density lipoprotein particles

Human apolipoprotein E (apoE) mediates high affinity binding to the low density lipoprotein receptor when present on a lipidated complex. In the absence of lipid, however, apoE does not bind the receptor. Whereas the x-ray structure of lipid-free apoE3 N-terminal (NT) domain is known, the structural organization of its lipid-associated, receptor-active conformation is poorly understood. To study the organization of apoE amphipathic alpha-helices in a lipid-associated state, single tryptophan-containing apoE3 variants were employed in fluorescence quenching studies. The relative positions of the Trp residues with respect to the phospholipid component of apoE/lipid particles were established from the degree of quenching by phospholipids bearing nitroxide groups at various positions along their fatty acyl chains. Four apoE3-NT variants bearing Trp reporter groups at positions 141, 148, 155, or 162 within helix 4 and two apoE3 variants containing single Trp at positions 257 or 264 in the C-terminal (CT) domain, were reconstituted into phospholipid-containing discoidal complexes. Parallax analysis revealed that each engineered Trp residue in helix 4 of apoE3-NT, as well as those in the CT domain of apoE, localized approximately 5 A from the center of the bilayer. Circular dichroism studies revealed that lipid association induces additional helix formation in apoE. Protease protection assays suggest the flexible loop segment between the NT and CT domains may transition from unstructured to helix upon lipid association. Taken together, these data support a model wherein the alpha-helices in the receptor-binding region and the CT domain of apoE align perpendicular to the fatty acyl chains of the phospholipid bilayer. In this alignment, the residues of helix 4 are arrayed in a positively charged, curved helical segment for optimal receptor interaction.

Lipid binding ability of human apolipoprotein E N-terminal domain isoforms: correlation with protein stability?

Human apolipoprotein (apo) E exists as one of three major isoforms, E2, E3 or E4. Individuals carrying the epsilon 4 allele have an increased risk of heart disease and premature onset of Alzheimer's disease. To investigate the molecular basis for this phenomenon, the N-terminal domain of apoE3, apoE2 and apoE4 were expressed in bacteria, isolated and employed in lipid binding and stability studies. Far UV circular dichroism spectroscopy in buffer at pH 7 revealed a similar amount of alpha-helix secondary structure for the three isoforms. By contrast, differences were noted in apoE-NT isoform-specific transformation of bilayer vesicles of dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) into discoidal complexes. ApoE4-NT induced transformation was most rapid, followed by apoE3-NT and apoE2-NT. To determine if differences in the rate of apoE-NT induced DMPG vesicle transformation is due to isoform-specific differences in helix bundle stability, guanidine HCl denaturation studies were conducted. The results revealed that apoE2-NT was the most stable, followed by apoE3-NT and apoE4-NT, establishing an inverse correlation between helix bundle stability and DMPG vesicle transformation rate at pH 7. When the zwitterionic dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) was employed as the model lipid surface, interaction of apoE-NT isoforms with the lipid substrate was slow. However, upon lowering the pH from 7 to 3, a dramatic increase in the rate of DMPC vesicle transformation rate was observed for each isoform. To evaluate if the increased DMPC vesicle transformation rates observed at low pH is due to pH-dependent alterations in helix bundle stability, guanidine HCl denaturation studies were performed. ApoE2-NT and apoE3-NT displayed increased resistance to denaturation as a function of decreasing pH, while apoE4-NT showed no change in stability. Studies with the fluorescent probe, 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid, indicated an increase in apoE hydrophobic surface exposure upon decreasing the pH to 3.0. Taken together, the data indicate that changes in the stability of secondary structure elements in apoE-NT isoforms are not responsible for pH-induced increases in lipid binding activity. It is likely that pH-induced disruption of inter-helical tertiary contacts may promote helix bundle conformational changes that present the hydrophobic interior of the protein to potential lipid surface binding sites.

Apolipophorin III: a lipid-triggered molecular switch

Apolipophorin III (apoLp-III) is a low molecular weight exchangeable apolipoprotein that plays an important role in the enhanced neutral lipid transport during insect flight. The protein exists in lipid-free and lipid-bound states. The lipid-bound state is the active form of the protein and occurs when apoLp-III associates with lipid-enriched lipophorins. ApoLp-III is well characterized in two evolutionally divergent species: Locusta migratoria and Manduca sexta. The two apolipoproteins interact in a similar manner with model phospholipid vesicles, and transform them into discoidal particles. Their low intrinsic stability in the lipid-free state likely facilitates interaction with lipid surfaces. Low solution pH also favors lipid binding interaction through increased exposure of hydrophobic surfaces on apoLp-III. While secondary structure is maintained under acidic conditions, apoLp-III tertiary structure is altered, adopting molten globule-like characteristics. In studies of apoLp-III interaction with natural lipoproteins, we found that apoLp-III is readily displaced from the surface of L. migratoria low-density lipophorin by recombinant apoLp-III proteins from either L. migratoria or M. sexta. Thus, despite important differences between these two apoLp-IIIs (amino acid sequence, presence of carbohydrate), their functional similarity is striking. This similarity is also illustrated by the recently published NMR solution structure of M. sexta apoLp-III wherein its molecular architecture closely parallels that of L. migratoria apoLp-III.

Structure and interfacial properties of human apolipoprotein A-V

Apolipoprotein A-V (apoA-V), the newest member of the plasma apolipoprotein family, was recently discovered by comparison of the mouse and human genomes. Studies in rodents and population surveys of human apoA-V polymorphisms have noted a strong effect of apoA-V on plasma triglyceride levels. Toward the elucidation of the biologic function of apoA-V, we used spectroscopic and surface chemistry techniques to probe its structure and interfacial activity. Computer-assisted sequence analysis of apoA-V predicts that it is very hydrophobic, contains a significant amount of alpha-helical secondary structure, and probably is composed of discrete structural regions with varying degrees of lipid affinity. Fluorescence spectroscopy of recombinant human apoA-V provided evidence of tertiary folding, and light scattering studies indicated that apoA-V transforms dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles into discoidal complexes with an efficiency similar to that of apoA-I. Surface chemistry techniques revealed that apoA-V displays high affinity, low elasticity, and slow binding kinetics at hydrophobic interfaces, properties we propose may retard triglyceride-rich particle assembly. Metabolic labeling and immunofluorescence studies of COS-1 cells transfected with human apoA-V demonstrated that apoA-V is poorly secreted, remains associated with the endoplasmic reticulum, and does not traffic to the Golgi. Given that overexpression of the apoA-V gene lowers plasma triglycerides in mice, these data together suggest that apoA-V may function intracellularly to modulate hepatic VLDL synthesis and/or secretion.

Structure-function studies of human apolipoprotein A-V: a regulator of plasma lipid homeostasis

To investigate structure and function relations of a new member of the exchangeable apolipoprotein family that modulates plasma lipid levels, recombinant human apolipoprotein (apo) A-V was produced in Escherichia coli and isolated by a combination of nickel chelation affinity chromatography and reversed-phase HPLC. Antibodies directed against apoA-V were generated and employed in immunoblotting experiments. Anti-apoA-V IgG gave a strong response against recombinant apoA-V from E. coli and human apoA-V expressed in transgenic mice, but did not recognize human apoA-I or apoA-IV. In neutral-pH buffers, at concentrations of >0.1 mg/mL, isolated lipid-free apoA-V is poorly soluble. By contrast, apoA-V is soluble in 50 mM sodium citrate (pH 3.0). Far-UV circular dichroism analysis and spectral deconvolution reveal that apoA-V possesses 32% alpha-helix, 33% beta-sheet, 16% beta-turn, and 18% random coil secondary structure conformers. Temperature-induced denaturation studies gave rise to a transition midpoint of 47.1 degrees C. Upon being cooled to ambient temperature from 85 degrees C, apoA-V failed to recover all of the negative ellipticity present in unheated apoA-V. ApoA-V interacts with bilayer vesicles of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine to form discoidal complexes with diameters in the range of 15-20 nm. However, apoA-V was a poor activator of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase where the activity was 8.5 +/- 1.8% of that of apoA-I. Furthermore, apoA-V failed to support enhanced efflux of cholesterol from cAMP-treated J774 macrophages, although low levels of efflux were obtained from unstimulated cells. Taken together, the results demonstrate recombinant apoA-V possesses unique structural and functional characteristics, in keeping with its proposed role in the modulation of plasma lipid levels.

Lipid-bound structure of an apolipoprotein E-derived peptide

Apolipoprotein (apo) E regulates plasma lipid homeostasis through its ability to interact with the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor family. Whereas apoE is not a ligand for receptor binding in buffer alone, interaction with lipid confers receptor recognition properties. To investigate the nature of proposed lipid binding-induced conformational changes in apoE, we employed multidimensional heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy to determine the structure of an LDL receptor-active, 58-residue peptide comprising residues 126-183 of apoE in association with the micelle-forming lipid dodecylphosphocholine (DPC). In the presence of 34 mm DPC the peptide forms a continuous amphipathic helix from Glu131 to Arg178. NMR relaxation studies of DPC-bound apoE-(126-183), in contrast to apoE-(126-183) in the presence of TFE, are consistent with an isotropically tumbling peptide in solution giving a global correlation time of approximately 12.5 ns. These data indicate that the helical peptide is curved and constrained by a lipid micelle consisting of approximately 48 DPC molecules. Although the peptide behaves as if it were tumbling isotropically, spectral density analysis reveals that residues 150-183 have more motional freedom than residues 134-149. These molecular and dynamic features are discussed further to provide insight into the structural basis for the interaction between apoE and the ligand binding repeats of the LDL receptor.

Structure-guided protein engineering modulates helix bundle exchangeable apolipoprotein properties

Apolipoprotein (apo) E plays a major role in lipid metabolism by mediating cellular uptake of lipoprotein particles through interaction with members of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor family. The primary region of apoE responsible for receptor binding has been limited to a cluster of basic amino acids between residues 134 and 150, located in the fourth helix of the N-terminal domain globular helix bundle structure. To investigate structural and functional requirements of this "receptor binding region" we engineered an apolipoprotein chimera wherein residues 131-151 of human apoE were substituted for residues 146-166 (helix 5) of Manduca sexta apolipophorin III (apoLp-III). Recombinant hybrid apolipoprotein was expressed in Escherichia coli, isolated, and characterized. Hybrid apolipoprotein and apoE3-N-terminal, but not apoLp-III, bound to heparin-Sepharose. Far UV circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed the presence of predominantly alpha-helix secondary structure, and stability studies revealed a urea denaturation midpoint of 1.05 m, similar to wild-type apoLp-III. Hybrid apolipoprotein-induced dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) bilayer vesicle solubilization activity was significantly enhanced compared with either parent protein, consistent with detection of solvent-exposed hydrophobic regions on the protein in fluorescent dye binding experiments. Unlike wild-type apoLp-III.DMPC complexes, disc particles bearing the hybrid apolipoprotein competed with 125ILDL for binding to the LDL receptor on cultured human skin fibroblasts. We conclude that a hybrid apolipoprotein containing a key receptor recognition element of apoE preserves the structural integrity of the parent protein while conferring a new biological activity, illustrating the potential of helix swapping to introduce desirable biological properties into unrelated or engineered apolipoproteins.

The C-terminal domain of apolipoprotein A-I contains a lipid-sensitive conformational trigger

Exchangeable apolipoproteins can convert between lipid-free and lipid-associated states. The C-terminal domain of human apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) plays a role in both lipid binding and self-association. Site-directed spin-label electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to examine the structure of the apoA-I C terminus in lipid-free and lipid-associated states. Nitroxide spin-labels positioned at defined locations throughout the C terminus were used to define discrete secondary structural elements. Magnetic interactions between probes localized at positions 163, 217 and 226 in singly and doubly labeled apoA-I gave inter- and intramolecular distance information, providing a basis for mapping apoA-I tertiary and quaternary structure. Spectra of apoA-I in reconstituted HDL revealed a lipid-induced transition of defined random coils and beta-strands into alpha-helices. This conformational switch is analogous to triggered events in viral fusion proteins and may serve as a means to overcome the energy barriers of lipid sequestration, a critical step in cholesterol efflux and HDL assembly.

Optimized bacterial expression of human apolipoprotein A-I

Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) serves critical functions in plasma lipoprotein metabolism as a structural component of high density lipoprotein, activator of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase, and acceptor of cellular cholesterol as part of the reverse cholesterol transport pathway. In an effort to facilitate structure:function studies of human apoA-I, we have optimized a plasmid vector for production of recombinant wild type (WT) and mutant apoA-I in bacteria. To facilitate mutagenesis studies, subcloning, and DNA manipulation, numerous silent mutations have been introduced into the apoA-I cDNA, generating 13 unique restriction endonuclease sites. The coding sequence for human apoA-I has been modified by the introduction of additional silent mutations that eliminate 18 separate codons that employ tRNAs that are of low or moderate abundance in Escherichia coli. Yields of recombinant apoA-I achieved using the optimized cDNA were 100+/-20 mg/L bacterial culture, more than fivefold greater than yields routinely obtained with the original cDNA. Site-directed mutagenesis of the apoA-I cDNA was performed to generate a Glu2Asp mutation in the N-terminal sequence of apoA-I. This modification, which creates an acid labile Asp-Pro peptide bond between amino acids 2 and 3, permits specific chemical cleavage of an N-terminal His-Tag fusion peptide used for rapid protein purification. The product protein's primary structure is identical to WT apoA-I in all other respects. Together, these changes in apoA-I cDNA and bacterial expression protocol significantly improve the yield of apoA-I protein without compromising the relative ease of purification.

NMR structure and dynamics of a receptor-active apolipoprotein E peptide

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is important in lipid metabolism due to its interaction with members of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor family. ApoE is able to interact with the LDL receptor only when it is bound to lipid particles. To address structural aspects of this phenomenon, a receptor-active apoE peptide, encompassing the receptor-binding region of the protein, was studied by NMR in the presence of the lipid-mimicking agent trifluoroethanol. In 50% trifluoroethanol, apoE-(126-183) forms a continuous amphipathic alpha-helix over residues Thr(130)-Glu(179). Detailed NMR relaxation analysis indicates a high degree of plasticity for the residues surrounding 149-159. This intrinsic flexibility imposes a curvature to the peptide that may be important in terms of interaction of apoE with various sized lipid particles and the LDL receptor. Residues 165-179 of apoE may act as a molecular switch whereby these residues are unstructured in the absence of lipids and prevent interaction with the LDL receptor. In the presence of lipids, these residues become helical resulting in a receptor-active conformation of the protein. Furthermore, the electrostatic characteristics and geometric features of apoE-(126-183) suggest that apoE binds to the LDL receptor by interacting with more than one of the receptor ligand-binding repeats.

Lipid-triggered conformational switch of apolipophorin III helix bundle to an extended helix organization

Apolipophorin III (ApoLp-III) from the Sphinx moth, Manduca sexta, is an 18kDa protein that binds reversibly to hydrophobic surfaces generated on metabolizing lipoprotein particles. It is comprised of amphipathic alpha-helices (H1-H5) organized in an up-and-down topology forming a helix bundle in the lipid-free state. Upon interaction with lipids, apoLp-III has been proposed to undergo a dramatic conformational change, involving helix bundle opening about putative hinge loops such that H1, H2 and H5 move away from H3 and H4. In the present study, we examine the relative spatial disposition of H1 and H5 on discoidal phospholipid complexes and spherical lipoproteins. Cysteine residues were engineered at position 8 in H1 and/or at position 138 in H5 in apoLp-III (which otherwise lacks Cys) yielding A8C-, A138C- and A8C/A138C-apoLp-III. Tethering of H1 and H5 by a disulfide bond between A8C and A138C abolished the ability of apoLp-III to transform phospholipid vesicles to discoidal particles, or to interact with lipoproteins, demonstrating that these helices are required to reposition during lipid interaction. Site-specific labeling of A8C/A138C-apoLp-III with N-(1-pyrene)maleimide in the lipid-free state resulted in intramolecular pyrene "excimer" fluorescence emission indicative of spatial proximity between these sites. Upon association with dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) discoidal complexes, the intramolecular excimer was replaced by intermolecular excimer fluorescence due to proximity between pyrene moieties on A8C and A138C in neighboring apoLp-III molecules on the discoidal particle. No excimer emission was observed in the case of pyrene-A8C-apoLp-III/DMPC or pyrene-A138C-apoLp-III/DMPC complexes. However, equimolar mixing of the two labeled single-cysteine mutants prior to disc formation resulted in excimer emission. In addition, intramolecular pyrene excimer formation was diminished upon binding of pyrene-A8C/A138C-apoLp-III to spherical lipoproteins. The data are consistent with repositioning of H1 away from H5 upon encountering a lipid surface, resulting in an extended conformation of apoLp-III that circumscribes the discoidal bilayer particle.

Differential lipid binding of truncation mutants of Galleria mellonella apolipophorin III

Apolipophorin III (apoLp-III) is a prototype exchangeable apolipoprotein that is amenable to structure-function studies. The protein folds as a bundle of five amphipathic alpha-helices and undergoes a dramatic conformational change upon lipid binding. Recently, we have shown that a truncation mutant of Galleria mellonella apoLp-III comprising helices 1-3 is stable in solution and able to bind to lipid surfaces [Dettloff, M., Weers, P. M. M., Niere, M., Kay, C. M., Ryan, R. O., and Wiesner, A. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 3150-3157]. To investigate the role of the C-terminal helices in apoLp-III structure and function, two additional 3-helix mutants were designed: a core fragment comprising helix (H) 2-4, and a C-terminal fragment (H3-5). Each truncation mutant retained the ability to associate spontaneously with dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) vesicles, transforming them into discoidal complexes. The rate of apolipoprotein-dependent DMPC vesicle transformation decreased in the order H1-3 > H2-4 > H3-5. Truncation of two helices led to a significant decrease in alpha-helical content in buffer in each case, from 86% (wild-type) to 50% (H1-3), 28% (H2-4), and 24% alpha-helical content (H3-5). On the other hand, trifluoroethanol or complexation with DMPC induced the truncation mutants to adopt a high alpha-helical structure similar to that of wild-type protein (84-100% alpha-helical structure). ApoLp-III(H1-3) and apoLp-III(H2-4), but not apoLp-III(H3-5), were able to prevent phospholipase-C-induced low density lipoprotein aggregation, indicating that interaction of the C-terminal fragment with spherical lipoprotein surfaces was impaired. As lipoprotein binding is significantly affected and DMPC transformation rates are relatively slow upon removal of N-terminal helices, the data indicate that structural elements necessary for lipid interaction reside in the N-terminal part of the protein.

Structural basis for the conformational adaptability of apolipophorin III, a helix-bundle exchangeable apolipoprotein

The high-resolution NMR structure of apolipophorin III from the sphinx moth, Manduca sexta, has been determined in the lipid-free state. We show that lipid-free apolipophorin III adopts a unique helix-bundle topology that has several characteristic structural features. These include a marginally stable, up-and-down helix bundle that allows for concerted opening of the bundle about "hinged" loops upon lipid interaction and buried polar/ionizable residues and buried interhelical H-bonds located in the otherwise hydrophobic interior of the bundle that adjust protein stability and facilitate lipid-induced conformational opening. We suggest that these structural features modulate the conformational adaptability of the lipid-free helix bundle upon lipid binding and control return of the open conformation to the original lipid-free helix-bundle state. Taken together, these data provide a structural rationale for the ability of exchangeable apolipoproteins to reversibly interact with circulating lipoprotein particles.

Lipid association-induced N- and C-terminal domain reorganization in human apolipoprotein E3

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a 299 amino acid, anti-atherogenic protein that plays a key role in regulating plasma lipoprotein metabolism. It is composed of an N-terminal (NT) domain (residues 1-191) that is responsible for binding to members of the low density lipoprotein receptor family and a C-terminal (CT) domain (residues 216-299) that anchors the protein to lipoprotein particles by virtue of its high-affinity lipid binding characteristics. Isoform-specific differences in the NT domain that modulate the lipoprotein binding preference elicited by the CT domain suggest the existence and importance of domain interactions in this protein. Employing steady state fluorescence quenching and resonance energy transfer techniques, spatial proximity relationships between the N- and C-terminal domains were investigated in recombinant human apoE3. ApoE3 containing a single Trp at position 264 and an N-iodoacetyl-N'-(5-sulfo-1-napthyl) ethylenediamine (AEDANS) moiety covalently attached to the lone Cys residue at position 112 was used (AEDANS-apoE3/W@264). Fluorescence quenching studies revealed a solvent-exposed location for Trp-264. In the lipid-free state, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) was noted between Trp-264 and AEDANS, with a calculated distance of 27 A between the two fluorophores. Control experiments established that FRET observed in this system is intramolecular. FRET was abolished upon proteolysis in the linker region connecting the NT and CT domains. Lowering the solution pH to 4 induced an increase in the efficiency of intramolecular energy transfer, with the two domains reorienting about 5 A closer to one another. Interdomain FRET was retained in the presence of 0.6-1.0 m guanidine hydrochloride but was lost at higher concentrations, a manifestation of unfolding of the domains and increased distance between the donor-acceptor pair. Interaction of AEDANS-apoE3/W@264 with lipid induced a loss of FRET, attributed to spatial repositioning of the domains by >80 A. The data provide biophysical evidence that, in addition to reported conformational changes in the four-helix bundle configuration induced by lipid association, lipid binding of apoE is accompanied by reorientation of the tertiary disposition of the NT and CT domains.

Modulation of the lipid binding properties of the N-terminal domain of human apolipoprotein E3

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) plays a critical role in plasma lipid homeostasis through its function as a ligand for the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor family. Receptor recognition is mediated by residues 130-150 in the independently folded, 22-kDa N-terminal (NT) domain. This elongated globular four-helix bundle undergoes a conformational change upon interaction with an appropriate lipid surface. Unlike other apolipoproteins, apoE3 NT failed to fully protect human LDL from aggregation induced by treatment with phospholipase C. Likewise, in dimyristoylglycerophosphocholine (Myr2Gro-PCho) vesicle transformation assays, 100 microg apoE3 NT induced only 15% reduction in vesicle (250 microg) light scattering intensity after 30 min. ApoE3 NT interaction with modified lipoprotein particles or Myr2Gro-PCho vesicles was concentration-dependent whereas the vesicle transformation reaction was unaffected by buffer ionic strength. In studies with the anionic phospholipid dimyristoylglycerophosphoglycerol, apoE3 NT-mediated vesicle transformation rates were enhanced > 10-fold compared with Myr2Gro-PCho and activity decreased with increasing buffer ionic strength. Solution pH had a dramatic effect on the kinetics of apoE3 NT-mediated Myr2Gro-PCho vesicle transformation with increased rates observed as a function of decreasing pH. Fluorescence studies with a single tryptophan containing apoE3 NT mutant (L155W) revealed increased solvent exposure of the protein interior at pH values below 4.0. Similarly, fluorescent dye binding experiments with 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonate revealed increased exposure of apoE3 NT hydrophobic interior as a function of decreasing pH. These studies indicate that apoE3 NT lipid binding activity is modulated by lipid surface properties and protein tertiary structure.

Conformational changes of an exchangeable apolipoprotein, apolipophorin III from Locusta migratoria, at low pH: correlation with lipid binding

Locusta migratoria apolipophorin III (apoLp-III) is a helix bundle exchangeable apolipoprotein that reversibly binds to lipoprotein surfaces. Structural reorganization of its five amphipathic alpha-helices enables the transition from the lipid-free to lipid-bound state. ApoLp-III-induced transformation of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) bilayer vesicles into smaller discoidal complexes is enhanced as a function of decreasing pH, with maximal transformation occurring at pH 3.5. Over the entire pH range studied, apoLp-III retains nearly all of its secondary structure content. Whereas no changes in fluorescence emission maximum of the two Trp residues in apoLp-III were observed in the pH range from 7.0 to 4.0, a further decrease in pH resulted in a strong red shift. Near-UV circular dichroism spectra of apoLp-III showed well-defined extrema (at 286 and 292 nm) between pH 7.0 and pH 4.0, which were attributed to Trp115. Below pH 4.0, these extrema collapsed, indicating a less rigid environment for Trp115. Similarly, the fluorescence intensity of 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonate in the presence of apoLp-III increased 4-fold below pH 4.0, indicating exposure of hydrophobic sites in the protein in this pH range. Taken together, the data suggest two conformational states of the protein. In the first state between pH 7.0 and pH 4.0, apoLp-III retains a nativelike helix bundle structure. The second state, found between pH 3.0 and pH 4.0, is reminiscent of a molten globule, wherein tertiary structure contacts are disrupted without a significant loss of secondary structure content. In both states DMPC vesicle transformation is enhanced by lowering the solution pH, reaching an optimum in the second state. The correlation between tertiary structure and lipid binding activity suggests that helix bundle organization is a determinant of apoLp-III lipid binding activity.

Functional similarities of human and chicken apolipoprotein A-I: dependence on secondary and tertiary rather than primary structure

To investigate the sequence requirements for apolipoprotein (apo) AI functions, comparisons of human and chicken apoAI were performed. In lipid binding assays, chicken apoAI was capable of transforming phospholipid vesicles into discoidal bilayer structures, similar in both size and apolipoprotein content to those produced with human apoAI under the same conditions. Human and chicken apoAI were indistinguishable in their relative abilities to prevent phospholipase C-induced aggregation of human low density lipoprotein. This activity, which is dependent upon formation of a stable interaction with the modified lipoprotein, represents a sensitive measure of apolipoprotein association with spherical lipoprotein particles. The ability of chicken versus human apoAI to mobilize the regulatory pool of cholesterol available for esterification by acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase by human fibroblasts was also assessed. Lipid-free chicken and human apoAI were equivalent in their ability to deplete cholesterol from this pool, as were intact chicken high density lipoprotein (HDL) and human HDL(3). Based on the overall sequence identity of chicken and human apoAI (48%), and comparison of regions thought to be responsible for key apoAI functions, these data indicate that amphipathic alpha-helical structure, rather than specific amino acid sequence, is the major determinant of apoAI lipid binding and ability to mobilize the regulatory pool of cellular cholesterol.