Distance measurements in cardiac troponin C

Intramolecular distance measurements were made in cardiac troponin C (cTnC) by fluorescence energy transfer using Eu3+ or Tb3+ as energy donors and Nd3+ or an organic chromophore as acceptors. The laser-induced luminescence of bound Eu3+ is quenched in Eu1Nd1cTnC with a lifetime of 0.328 ms, compared with 0.43 ms for Eu2cTnC. The enhanced decay corresponds to an energy transfer efficiency of 0.25, or a distance of 1.1 nm between the two high affinity sites. We have also labeled cTnC with 4-dimethylaminophenylazophenyl-4'-maleimide (DAB-Mal) at the two cysteine residues (Cys-35 and Cys-84). Energy transfer measurements were carried out between Tb3+ bound to the high affinity sites and the labels attached to the domain containing the low affinity site. Upon uv irradiation at pH 6.7, Tb1cTnCDAB emits tyrosine-sensitized Tb3+ luminescence that decays bioexponentially with lifetimes of 1.29 and 0.76 ms. The shorter lifetime is ascribed to energy transfer from Tb3+ to the DAB labels, yielding an average distance of 3.4 nm between the donor and the acceptors. At pH 5.0, however, the luminescence decays exclusively with a single lifetime of 1.31 ms, suggesting that under these conditions all Tb3+ ions are more than 5.2 nm away from the label. Thus cTnC, like skeletal TnC, undergoes a pH-dependent conformational transition which converts an elongated structure at lower pH's to a rather compact conformation in a more physiological medium.

Antibacterials. Synthesis and structure-activity studies of 3-aryl-2-oxooxazolidines. 1. The "B" group

The synthesis and structure/activity studies of the effect of varying the "B" group in a series of oxazolidinone antibacterials (I) are described. Two synthetic routes were used: (1) alkylation of aniline with glycidol followed by dialkyl carbonate heterocyclization to afford I (A = H, B = OH), whose arene ring was further elaborated by using electrophilic aromatic substitution methodology; (2) cycloaddition of substituted aryl isocyanates with epoxides to give A and B with a variety of values. I with B = OH or Br were converted to other "B" functionalities by using SN2 methodology. Antibacterial evaluation of compounds I with A = acetyl, isopropyl, methylthio, methylsulfinyl, methylsulfonyl, and sulfonamido and a variety of different "B" groups against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis concluded that the compounds with B = aminoacyl, and particularly acetamido, were the most active of those examined in each A series, possessing MICs in the range of 0.5-4 micrograms/mL for the most active compounds described.

Caldesmon has two calmodulin-binding domains

Chicken gizzard caldesmon was cleaved with chymotrypsin or CNBr, and the calmodulin-binding fragments were isolated using an affinity column. Limited chymotryptic digestion gives rise to a 38 kDa calmodulin-binding fragment (CT40) as described previously (Szpacenko, A. & Dabrowska, R., FEBS Lett. 202, 182-186, 1986; Fujii, T., Imai, M., Rosenfeld, G. C. & Bryan, J., J. Biol. Chem. 261, 16155-16160, 1987; Yazawa, M., Yagi, K. & Sobue, K., J. Biochem. 102, 1065-1073, 1987). In the case of CNBr cleavage a 37 kDa calmodulin-binding fragment (CB40) was obtained. Both CT40 and CB40 contain a reactive thiol group, but these thiols are apparently in different environments as judged by the responses of attached fluorescent labels to calmodulin-binding. A comparison of the N-terminal sequences of CB40 and CT40 with the complete sequence of caldesmon shows that the two calmodulin-binding fragments in fact originate from different parts of the parent molecule. Thus there exist two calmodulin-binding sites in caldesmon, one in the N-terminal half and the other in the C-terminal half of the molecule. This is consistent with the recent finding that up to two calmodulin molecules can be crosslinked to each caldesmon molecule (Wang, C.-L.A., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 156, 1033-1038, 1988).

[Treatment of retinal neovascularization secondary to branch vein occlusion with argon laser photocoagulation]

20 cases (22 eyes) of retinal neovascularization (RNV) secondary to branch vein occlusion were treated with argon laser photocoagulation. The RNV and the area of nonperfusion in these eyes were detected by fluorescein angiography. The results showed that argon laser photo coagulation was a highly effective therapy for RNV which was refractory to treatment. Photocoagulation minimized or resolved RNV and prevented recurrent vitreous hemorrhage. The relationship of RNV with the area of nonperfusion, the selection of the direct or indirect modality, and the points of note for success and prevention of complications were discussed.

pH-dependent conformational changes of wheat germ calmodulin

Fluorescence energy transfer measurements were carried out between landmarks on wheat germ calmodulin to measure the interdomain distance. Tb3+ ions bound at the four Ca2+-binding sites were used as energy donors, and an organic chromophore, [4-(dimethylamino)-phenyl-4'-azophenyl]maleimide, attached to the single cysteine residue at position 27, was used as the acceptor. At pH's near neutrality all bound Tb3+ ions emit luminescence with shortened lifetimes as a result of energy transfer to the acceptor; at pH 5, however, part of the metal emission becomes unquenched. When the protein is subjected to limited digestion with trypsin in the presence of Ca2+, resulting in the formation of two fragments, each corresponding to half of the molecule, the decay of Tb3+ emission is no longer pH sensitive. These results suggest that, like rabbit skeletal troponin C [Wang, C.-L. A., Zhan, Q., Tao, T., & Gergely, J. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 8372-8375], wheat germ calmodulin exists in a relatively compact conformation at neutral pH's, but becomes more elongated at pH 5.

Ultrastructure and synaptic architecture of spinal motoneurons in the frog (Rana catesbeiana)

An electron-microscopic analysis of spinal motoneurons and their synapses was carried out in a frog (Rana catesbeiana). Six different types of boutons (S, F, M, P, C and GS) have been identified. Their distribution on spinal motoneuron somata and proximal dendrites is described. The mean linear percentage of the surface area covered by boutons is 26.1 +/- 1.9%. S-type boutons are preferentially concentrated on the soma and proximal dendrites. The relative number of S-type boutons (58.7%) was greater (p less than 0.01) than that of F-type boutons (41.3%). This is in contrast to mammalian spinal motoneurons where F-type boutons are much more numerous on the soma than S-type boutons. F-type boutons are randomly distributed and the average ratio of S:F-type boutons is 20:14 (S:F ratio = 1.4). In contrast, M-type boutons synapse exclusively on the distal part of the dorsal dendrites and are restricted to the intermediate zone or to the dorsal horn. P-type boutons form synapses upon the large M-type boutons. The polarity of these axoaxonic synapses is always from P to M. Similarities and differences between the synaptology of frog and mammalian spinal motoneurons are discussed.

Photocrosslinking of calmodulin and/or actin to chicken gizzard caldesmon

The two sulfhydryl groups of chicken gizzard caldesmon were specifically labeled with a photoreactive crosslinker, benzophenone-maleimide, to study its interactions with calmodulin and/or actin. When incubated with F-actin caldesmon crosslinks to a single actin monomer; it can, however, crosslink to up to two calmodulin molecules in the presence, but not in the absence, of Ca2+. Thus caldesmon may have two calmodulin-binding sites, each containing, or being near, one of the two thiol residues. One of these two sites may also be adjacent to the actin-binding site. A calmodulin-binding fragment of caldesmon resulting from cyanogen bromide digestion crosslinks to a single calmodulin molecule, also in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Crosslinking of calmodulin to caldesmon does not prevent the latter from binding F-actin, suggesting that calmodulin and actin do not compete with each other for the same binding site(s) on the caldesmon molecule.

Caldesmon. Molecular weight and subunit composition by analytical ultracentrifugation

A wide range of values has been reported for the subunit and molecular weights of smooth muscle caldesmon. There have also been conflicting reports concerning whether caldesmon is a monomer or dimer. We attempted to resolve these uncertainties by determining the molecular weight of chicken gizzard smooth muscle caldesmon using the technique of sedimentation equilibrium in the analytical ultracentrifuge. Unlike previous methods that have been used to estimate the molecular weight of caldesmon, the molecular weight determined by equilibrium sedimentation does not depend upon assumptions about the shape of the molecule. We concluded that caldesmon in solution is monomeric with a molecular mass of 93 +/- 4 kDa, a value that is much less than those previously reported in the literature. This new value, in conjunction with sedimentation velocity experiments, led to the conclusion that caldesmon is a highly asymmetric molecule with an apparent length of 740 A in solution. The mass of a cyanogen bromide fragment, with an apparent mass of 37 kDa from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was determined to be 25.1 +/- 0.6 kDa using sedimentation equilibrium. These results imply that the reported molecular weights of other fragment(s) of caldesmon have also been overestimated. We have determined an optical extinction coefficient for caldesmon (E1%(280 nm) = 3.3) by determining its concentration from its refractive index which was measured in the analytical ultracentrifuge. From the above values of the molecular weight and the extinction coefficient, we redetermined that the caldesmon molecule has two cysteines and recalculated the stoichiometric molar ratio of actin/tropomyosin/caldesmon in the smooth muscle thin filament to be 28:4:1.

pH-dependent structural transition in rabbit skeletal troponin C

Although the crystal structure of troponin C is known (Herzberg, O., and James, M. N. G. (1985) Nature 313, 653-659; Sundaralingam, M., Bergstrom, R., Strasburg, G., Rao, S. T., Roychowdhury, P., Greaser, M., and Wang, B. C. (1985) Science 227, 945-948), its structure in solution, particularly under physiological conditions, has not been established. We examined the conformation of troponin C under a variety of conditions by measuring the distance between sites located in the N- and C-terminal domains using the technique of resonance energy transfer. The donor was the luminescent lanthanide ion Tb3+ bound at the low affinity metal sites in the N-terminal domain. The acceptor was 4-dimethylaminophenylazophenyl-4'-maleimide attached at Cys-98 in the C-terminal domain. The distance between these sites was found to be greater than 5.2 nm at pH 5.0, 2.7 nm at pH 6.8 for uncomplexed troponin C, and 4.1 nm for troponin C complexed with troponin I at pH 6.8. These findings suggest that uncomplexed troponin C undergoes a pH-dependent transition from an elongated conformation, compatible with the crystal structure at acidic pH, to a more compact conformation at neutral pH. When complexed with troponin I, troponin C adopts a conformation of intermediate length compared to the uncomplexed molecule at pH 6.8 and 5.0.

Influence of microgravity on cellular differentiation in root caps of Zea mays

We launched imbibed seeds of Zea mays into outer space aboard the space shuttle Columbia to determine the influence of microgravity on cellular differentiation in root caps. The influence of microgravity varied with different stages of cellular differentiation. Overall, microgravity tended to 1) increase relative volumes of hyaloplasm and lipid bodies, 2) decrease the relative volumes of plastids, mitochondria, dictyosomes, and the vacuome, and 3) exert no influence on the relative volume of nuclei in cells comprising the root cap. The reduced allocation of dictyosomal volume in peripheral cells of flight-grown seedlings correlated positively with their secretion of significantly less mucilage than peripheral cells of Earth-grown seedlings. These results indicate that 1) microgravity alters the patterns of cellular differentiation and structures of all cell types comprising the root cap, and 2) the influence of microgravity on cellular differentiation in root caps of Zea mays is organelle specific.

Projection pattern of vestibulocerebellar fibers in the anterior vermis of the cat: an anterograde wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase study

The distribution of mossy fiber terminals of vestibulocerebellar fibers was studied in the anterior lobe following a unilateral injection of wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase into the medial and descending vestibular nuclei in the cat. In the transverse plane 3 groups of labeled terminals were seen bilaterally: group 1 located in the midline region, group 2 at 0.5 mm, and group 3 between 0.75 and 1.5 mm lateral to the midline. Reconstruction of the distribution in the horizontal plane revealed that the labeled terminals were distributed in 3 areas extending apicobasally in the basal part of the lobules.

Influence of microgravity on root-cap regeneration and the structure of columella cells in Zea mays

We launched imbibed seeds and seedlings of Zea mays into outer space aboard the space shuttle Columbia to determine the influence of microgravity on 1) root-cap regeneration, and 2) the distribution of amyloplasts and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in the putative statocytes (i.e., columella cells) of roots. Decapped roots grown on Earth completely regenerated their caps within 4.8 days after decapping, while those grown in microgravity did not regenerate caps. In Earth-grown seedlings, the ER was localized primarily along the periphery of columella cells, and amyloplasts sedimented in response to gravity to the lower sides of the cells. Seeds germinated on Earth and subsequently launched into outer space had a distribution of ER in columella cells similar to that of Earth-grown controls, but amyloplasts were distributed throughout the cells. Seeds germinated in outer space were characterized by the presence of spherical and ellipsoidal masses of ER and randomly distributed amyloplasts in their columella cells. These results indicate that 1) gravity is necessary for regeneration of the root cap, 2) columella cells can maintain their characteristic distribution of ER in microgravity only if they are exposed previously to gravity, and 3) gravity is necessary to distribute the ER in columella cells of this cultivar of Z. mays.

Distance measurements between metal-binding sites of calmodulin and from these sites to Cys-133 of troponin I in the binary complex

Distances between the four Ca2+-binding sites of calmodulin (CaM) have been measured by fluorescence energy transfer techniques using Eu3+ and Tb3+ as energy donors and a number of other lanthanide ions (Ln3+) as acceptors. It was shown previously that lanthanide ions preferentially bind to sites I and II of CaM with an affinity higher than that for sites III and IV (Kilhoffer, M.-C., Demaille, J. G., and Gerald, D. (1980) FEBS Lett. 116, 269-272; Wang, C.-L. A., Aquaron, R. R., Leavis, P. C., and Gergely, J. (1982) Eur. J. Biochem. 124, 7-12). Thus upon direct excitation with a laser the luminescence lifetimes of Eu1Ln1CaM and Tb1Ln1CaM provide information on the distance between sites I and II. On the other hand, since Tb3+ ions bound to sites III and IV are sensitizable through tyrosine residues, lifetime measurements of Tb2Ln2CaM excited by UV light yield the distance between sites III and IV. Both pairs of sites were found to be separated by a distance of 1.05 +/- 0.07 nm. Binding of Ca2+ to sites III and IV does not alter the distance between sites I and II. We have also attached a chromophoric label, dimethylaminophenylazobenzene, to Cys-133 of skeletal troponin I and carried out distance measurements on its complex with CaM by both direct and indirect excitation. The averaged distances from sites I and II in the N-terminal half and from sites III and IV in the C-terminal half of the CaM molecule to the label on troponin I are 2.7 and 2.5 nm, respectively.

Cerebellar corticovestibular projections from lobule IX to the descending vestibular nucleus in the cat. A retrograde wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase study

The distribution of Purkinje cells projecting to the descending vestibular nucleus was studied in lobule IX (uvula) of the cat by the retrograde wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase method. In the transverse plane labeled Purkinje cells were seen diffusely within 1.0 mm from the midline and densely for 250-500 microns at around 1.0 mm lateral to the midline. Reconstruction of the distribution in the horizontal plane revealed that they were distributed in longitudinal areas extending in the apicobasal extent of lobule IX.

[Intracytoplasmic desmosome in squamous cancer cells of the lung in man]

Ultrastructure of intracytoplasmic (cytoplasmic) desmosomes in the squamous cancer cells of the human lung was studied by electron microscopy. In 17 cases of non-keratosic squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, intracytoplasmic (cytoplasmic) desmosomes were found in 4. In contrast to what previous investigators had proposed that the intracytoplasmic desmosomes are formed by cell fusion with the membrane being deep in the cell and cell digestion under the diffusion of hydrolytic enzymes, our result indicates that the intracytoplasmic desmosomes might be a structure formed by cell intima system itself during cell division. The structure suggests that the desmosomes originate from the cell intima system.

Modulation of the interaction between the two halves of troponin C by the other troponin subunits

The interactions between troponin subunits have been studied by intrinsic fluorescence and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The tryptophan fluorescence of troponin T (TnT) and troponin I (TnI) when complexed with troponin C (TnC) undergoes a Ca2+-dependent transition. The midpoints of such spectral changes occur at pCa approximately equal to 6, suggesting that the conformational change of TnT and TnI is induced by Ca2+ binding to the low-affinity sites of TnC. When TnC is labelled at Cys-98 with a maleimide spin probe (MSL), the spin signal is sensitive to Ca2+ binding to both the high and the low-affinity sites of TnC in the presence of either or both of the other two troponin subunits. Since Cys-98 is located in the vicinity of one of the high-affinity sites, these results are indicative of a long-range interaction between the two halves of the TnC molecule. Our earlier kinetic studies [Wang, C.-L. A., Leavis, P. C. & Gergely, J. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 9175-9177] have shown such interactions in TnC alone. Since the ESR spectral change associated with metal binding to the low-affinity sites is only observed when MSL-TnC is complexed with TnT and/or TnI, this long-range interaction within TnC appears to be mediated through the other troponin subunits.

Construction of a Tn5 derivative determining resistance to gentamicin and spectinomycin using a fragment cloned from R1033

A physical and genetic map of the IncP plasmid R1033 was constructed: restriction fragments were subcloned and antibiotic resistance genes were located. The map is consistent with previous reports that R1033 is a derivative of RP4 carrying a 16-kb transposon Tn1696 which contains the antibiotic-resistance determinants present on R1033 but not on RP4. A BamHI fragment from R1033, determining resistance to gentamicin, spectinomycin and streptomycin, was cloned into Tn5, replacing the central Bg/II fragment that determined kanamycin resistance, producing a recombinant transposon Tn5-GmSpSm. This was shown to transpose in Rhizobium leguminosarum at a frequency similar to that of the parental Tn5.

The influence of gravity on the formation of amyloplasts in columella cells of Zea mays L

Columella (i.e., putative graviperceptive) cells of Zea mays seedlings grown in the microgravity of outer space allocate significantly less volume to putative statoliths (amyloplasts) than do columella cells of Earth-grown seedlings. Amyloplasts of flight-grown seedlings are significantly smaller than those of ground controls, as is the average volume of individual starch grains. Similarly, the relative volume of starch in amyloplasts in columella cells of flight-grown seedlings is significantly less than that of Earth-grown seedlings. Microgravity does not significantly alter the volume of columella cells, the average number of amyloplasts per columella cell, or the number of starch grains per amyloplast. These results are discussed relative to the influence of gravity on cellular and organellar structure.

A note on Ca2+ binding to calmodulin

Binding of Ca2+ to calmodulin has been simulated on the basis of a model that assumes two classes, two sites in each class, of Ca2+ binding sites. With properly chosen values of binding constants for the two classes of sites, and with the assumption that certain degree of positive cooperativity exists between the two sites in each class, the overall binding isotherm can be generated so that it appears to be a single-transition, non-cooperative binding curve of four equivalent sites. Thus this model offers a resolution for some of the discrepancies among Ca2+ binding studies of calmodulin.

Kinetic studies show that Ca2+ and Tb3+ have different binding preferences toward the four Ca2+-binding sites of calmodulin

The stepwise addition of Tb3+ to calmodulin yields a large tyrosine-sensitized Tb3+ luminescence enhancement as the third and fourth ions bind to the protein [Wang, C.-L. A., Aquaron, R. R., Leavis, P. C., & Gergely, J. (1982) Eur. J. Biochem. 124, 7-12]. Since the only tyrosine residues in calmodulin are located within binding sites III and IV, these results suggest that Tb3+ binds first to sites I and II. Recent NMR studies have provided evidence that Ca2+, on the other hand, binds preferentially to sites III and IV. Kinetic studies using a stopped-flow apparatus also show that the preferential binding of Ca2+ and lanthanide ions is different. Upon rapid mixing of 2Ca-calmodulin with two Tb3+ ions, there was a small and rapid tyrosine fluorescence change, but no Tb3+ luminescence was observed, indicating that Tb3+ binds to sites I and II but not sites III and IV. When two Tb3+ ions are mixed with 2Dy-calmodulin, Tb3+ luminescence rises rapidly as Tb3+ binds to the empty sites III and IV, followed by a more gradual decrease (k = 0.4 s-1 as the ions redistribute themselves over the four sites. These results indicate that (i) both Tb3+ and Dy3+ prefer binding to sites I and II of calmodulin and (ii) the binding of Tb3+ to calmodulin is not impeded by the presence of two Ca2+ ions initially bound to the protein. Thus, the Ca2+ and lanthanide ions must exhibit opposite preferences for the four sites of calmodulin: sites III and IV are the high-affinity sites for Ca2+, whereas Tb3+ and Dy3+ prefer sites I and II.

Vitreous hemorrhage secondary to juxtapapillary vascular hamartoma of the retina

The authors report an unusual case with vitreous hemorrhage due to a vascular hamartoma of the optic nerve-head and treated by pars plana vitrectomy. Systemic abnormalities included a seizure disorder, periungual fibroma, and intracranial calcifications suggesting systemic tuberous sclerosis. However, the ocular lesion resembled a juxtapapillary pigment epithelial and retinal hamartoma or a capillary hemangioma rather than an astrocytic hamartoma. Vitreous hemorrhage has been reported previously in eyes with capillary hemangiomas and astrocytic hamartomas, but not in eyes with juxtapapillary pigment epithelial and retinal hamartomas. In young patients with vitreous hemorrhage of unknown cause, juxtapapillary hamartomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Kinetics of Ca2+ release shows interactions between the two classes of sites of troponin-C

The kinetics of Ca2+-release from the two high affinity sites of troponin-C (TnC) was studied by the stopped flow technique following rapid mixing with either EDTA or excess TbCl3. The rate constants obtained by the two methods were 2.8 and 0.7 s-1, respectively. For the tryptic fragment of TnC that contains only the COOH-terminal half of the molecule, both methods generate rate constants of 2.2 s-1. These results are consistent with the interpretation that binding of Tb3+ to the Ca2+-specific sites reduces the rate of dissociation of Ca2+ from, and thereby enhances the affinity for, the Ca2+-Mg2+ sites; this, in turn, suggests interactions between the two halves of the TnC molecule.

Retinal neovascularization associated with acute retinal necrosis

Unilateral acute retinal necrosis (ARN), developed in a previously healthy 17-year-old boy. Neovascularization of the retina and optic disc was observed when the opaque vitreous was removed by pars plana vitrectomy. Following surgery there was a rapid resolution of neovascularization suggesting that intraocular inflammation, rather than retinal ischemia, was the cause of new vessel formation. Analysis of vitreous mononuclear cells with monoclonal antibodies and the fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) revealed mostly T cells; a pattern consistent with intraocular infection as the cause of ARN. The pathogenesis of intraocular infection is complex and some patients with ARN may be helped by systemic immunosuppression (ie, corticosteroids).

The distance between the high affinity sites of troponin-C measured by interlanthanide ion energy transfer

Trivalent lanthanide ions are known to be good substituents for Ca2+ at all four calcium-binding sites of rabbit skeletal troponin-C (TnC). In particular, the visible luminescence of terbium ions bound at the two high affinity sites can be excited via a tyrosine residue. We have carried out energy transfer measurements using Tb3+ as the donor and a number of lanthanide ions as acceptors in order to measure the distance between the two high affinity sites in TnC. Luminescence decay measurements showed that, in the absence of acceptors, TnC-bound Tb3+ decays with a single lifetime of 1.31 ms. In the presence of a good acceptor such as Nd3+, the decay was resolvable into two components of roughly equal amplitude. The first was the same in lifetime as that of TnC-bound Tb3+ alone; the second has a shorter lifetime, presumably due to interlanthanide ion energy transfer. From these lifetimes and published critical transfer distances (Horrocks, W. DeW., Jr., Rhee, M.-J., Snyder, A.P., and Sudnick, D.R. (1980) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 102, 3650-3652), we obtained a distance of 0.92 nm between the two high affinity sites. This distance is consistent with the fact that the two high affinity sites have been located in the COOH-terminal half of TnC and with the proposal that each half of TnC is homologous in structure to parvalbumin (Kretsinger, R. H., and Barry, C. D. (1975) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 405, 40-52).

Metal-binding properties of calmodulin

Metal-binding properties of calmodulin have been studied by using trivalent lanthanide ions as analogs of Ca2+. In agreement with a report published as this work was in progress [Kilhoffer, M.-C., Demaille, J. G., and Gerald, D. (1980) FEBS Lett. 116, 269-272] we found that sites I and II are the high-affinity sites, while sites III and IV are the low-affinity sites for Tb3+. Competition experiments suggest the same preference in binding also applies to Ca2+. With calmodulin selectively nitrated at either of the two tyrosine residues we found that, although both tyrosine groups can transfer energy to the bound Tb3+, the fluorescence of only Tyr-138 is sensitive to metal binding. Direct excitation of bound Eu3+ ions using a laser indicates that all four sites possess very similar microenvironments. These studies demonstrate that the binding properties of calmodulin are different from those of the homologous protein troponir C.

Binding of lanthanide ions to troponin C

Tb3+ and Eu3+ bound to troponin C were detected by (1) changes in the fluorescence of the tyrosine chromophore of the protein or (2) the luminescence of the ions themselves excited by energy transfer from the protein or by direct excitation using a pulsed laser light source [Horrocks, W. DeW., Jr., & Sudnick, D. R. (1979) Science (Washington, D.C.) 206, 1194-1196]. Titrations carried out in the absence and presence of Ca2+ suggest two classes of binding sites (two sites in each class) for the lanthanides, corresponding to the high- and the low-affinity sites for Ca2+. Computer analysis, assuming competition between Ca2+ and the lanthanide, using the binding constants of Ca2+ for TnC [Potter, J. D., & Gergely, J. (1975( J. Biol. Chem. 250, 4628-4633] yields 5.2 X 10(8) M-1 and 9.7 X 10(6) M-1 for Tb3+ and 4.7 X 10(9) M-1 and 5.3 X 10(7) M-1 for Eu3+, for the high- and the low-affinity sites, respectively. From lifetimes of laser-induced luminescence in H2O and in D2O, the number of water molecules coordinated to Eu3+ was two at the high and three at the low affinity sites.

alpha-Chymotrypsin deacylation: temperature dependence of hydrolysis and transesterification reactions

The hydrolysis and transesterification reactions of furoyl-chymotrypsins display nonlinear Arrhenius plots with no apparent discontinuities. Of a number of models considered, the best explanation assumes a temperature-dependent rapid equilibrium between two forms of acyl-enzyme with differing reactivities. Rate constants for the transesterification of alpha-chymotrypsinyl 2-(5-n-propyl)furoate, after normalization for this equilibrium, display a linear free energy correlation with the Taft polarity constants sigma* and volumes of the attacking alcohols.