Correlating backbone amide and side chain resonances in larger proteins by multiple relayed triple resonance NMR

Solution structure of the DNA-binding domain of the heat shock transcription factor determined by multidimensional heteronuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The solution structure of the 92-residue DNA-binding domain of the heat shock transcription factor from Kluyveromyces lactis has been determined using multidimensional NMR methods. Three-dimensional (3D) triple resonance, 1H-13C-13C-1H total correlation spectroscopy, and 15N-separated total correlation spectroscopy-heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation experiments were used along with various 2D spectra to make nearly complete assignments for the backbone and side-chain 1H, 15N, and 13C resonances. Five-hundred eighty-three NOE constraints identified in 3D 13C- and 15N-separated NOE spectroscopy (NOESY)-heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation spectra and a 4-dimensional 13C/13C-edited NOESY spectrum, along with 35 phi, 9 chi 1, and 30 hydrogen bond constraints, were used to calculate 30 structures by hybrid distance geometry/stimulated annealing protocol, of which 24 were used for structural comparison. The calculations revealed that a 3-helix bundle packs against a small 4-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet. The backbone RMS deviation (RMSD) for the family of structures was 1.03 +/- 0.19 A with respect to the average structure. The topology is analogous to that of the C-terminal domain of the catabolite gene activator protein and appears to be in the helix-turn-helix family of DNA-binding proteins. The overall fold determined by the NMR data is consistent with recent crystallographic work on this domain (Harrison CJ, Bohm AA, Nelson HCM, 1994, Science 263:224) as evidenced by RMSD between backbone atoms in the NMR and X-ray structures of 1.77 +/- 0.20 A. Several differences were identified some of which may be due to protein-protein interactions in the crystal.

An automated procedure for the assignment of protein 1HN, 15N, 13C alpha, 1H alpha, 13C beta and 1H beta resonances

A computer algorithm that determines the 1HN, 15N, 13C alpha, 1H alpha, 13C beta and 1H beta chemical-shift assignments of protein residues with minimal human intervention is described. The algorithm is implemented as a suite of macros that run under a modified version of the FELIX 1.0 program (Hare Research, Bothell, WA). The input to the algorithm is obtained from six multidimensional, triple-resonance experiments: 3D HNCACB, 3D CBCA(CO)HN, 4D HNCAHA, 4D HN(CO)CAHA, 3D HBHA(CO)NH and 3D HNHA(Gly). For small proteins, the two 4D spectra can be replaced by either the 3D HN(CA)HA, 3D H(CA)NNH, or the 15N-edited TOCSY-HSQC experiments. The algorithm begins by identifying and collecting the intraresidue and sequential resonances of the backbone and 13C beta atoms into groups. These groups are sequentially linked and then assigned to residues by matching the 13C alpha and 13C beta chemical-shift profiles of the linked groups to that of the protein's primary structure. A major strength of the algorithm is its ability to overcome imperfect data, e.g., missing or overlapping peaks. The viability of the procedure is demonstrated with two test cases. In the first, NMR data from the six experiments listed above were used to reassign the backbone resonances of the 93-residue human hnRNP C RNA-binding domain. In the second, a simulated cross-peak list, generated from the published NMR assignments of calmodulin, was used to test the ability of the algorithm to assign the backbone resonances of proteins containing internally homologous segments. Finally, the automated method was used to assign the backbone resonances of apokedarcidin, a previously unassigned, 114-residue protein.

Resonance assignment strategies for the analysis of NMR spectra of proteins

Determination of the high resolution solution structure of a protein using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy requires that resonances observed in the NMR spectra be unequivocally assigned to individual nuclei of the protein. With the advent of modern, two-dimensional NMR techniques arose methodologies for assigning the 1H resonances based on 2D, homonuclear 1H NMR experiments. These include the sequential assignment strategy and the main chain directed strategy. These basic strategies have been extended to include newer 3D homonuclear experiments and 2D and 3D heteronuclear resolved and edited methods. Most recently a novel, conceptually new approach to the problem has been introduced that relies on heteronuclear, multidimensional so-called triple resonance experiments for both backbone and sidechain resonance assignments in proteins. This article reviews the evolution of strategies for the assignment of resonances of proteins.

Solution structure of a pleckstrin-homology domain

Pleckstrin, the major protein kinase C substrate of platelets, contains domains of about 100 amino acids at the amino and carboxy termini that have been found in a number of proteins, including serine/threonine kinases, GTPase-activating proteins, phospholipases and cytoskeletal proteins. These conserved sequences, termed pleckstrin-homology (PH) domains, are thought to be involved in signal transduction. But the details of the function and binding partners of the PH domains have not been characterized. Here we report the solution structure of the N-terminal pleckstrin-homology domain of pleckstrin determined using heteronuclear three-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The structure consists of an up-and-down beta-barrel of seven antiparallel beta-strands and a C-terminal amphiphilic alpha-helix that caps one end of the barrel. The overall topology of the domain is similar to that of the retinol-binding protein family of structures.

The high-resolution three-dimensional solution structures of the oxidized and reduced states of human thioredoxin

BACKGROUND

Thioredoxin is a ubiquitous protein and is involved in a variety of fundamental biological functions. Its active site is conserved and has two redox active cysteines in the sequence Trp-Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys. No structures of the oxidized and reduced states from the same species have been determined at high resolution under the same conditions and using the same methods. Hence, any detailed comparison of the two oxidation states has been previously precluded.

RESULTS

The reduced and oxidized states of the (C62A, C69A, C73A) mutant of human thioredoxin have been investigated by multidimensional heteronuclear NMR. Structures for both states were determined on the basis of approximately 28 experimental restraints per residue, and the resulting precision of the two structures is very high. Consequently, subtle differences between the oxidized and reduced states can be reliably assessed and evaluated. Small differences, particularly within and around the active site can be discerned.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the structures of the reduced and oxidized states of the (C62A, C69A, C73A) mutant of human thioredoxin are very similar (with a backbone atomic root mean square difference of about 0.9 A) and the packing of side chains within the protein core is nearly identical. The conformational change between oxidized and reduced human thioredoxin is very small and localized to areas in spatial proximity to the redox active cysteines. These subtle structural differences, in addition to the restriction of conformational freedom within the active site upon oxidation, may be important for the different activities of thioredoxin involving a variety of target proteins.

Evaluation of an algorithm for the automated sequential assignment of protein backbone resonances: a demonstration of the connectivity tracing assignment tools (CONTRAST) software package

The peptide sequential assignment algorithm presented here was implemented as a macro within the CONnectivity TRacing ASsignment Tools (CONTRAST) computer software package. The algorithm provides a semi- or fully automated global means of sequentially assigning the NMR backbone resonances of proteins. The program's performance is demonstrated here by its analysis of realistic computer-generated data for IIIGlc, a 168-residue signal-transducing protein of Escherichia coli [Pelton et al. (1991) Biochemistry, 30, 10043-10057]. Missing experimental data (19 resonances) were generated so that a complete assignment set could be tested. The algorithm produces sequential assignments from appropriate peak lists of nD NMR data. It quantifies the ambiguity of each assignment and provides ranked alternatives. A 'best first' approach, in which high-scoring local assignments are made before and in preference to lower scoring assignments, is shown to be superior (in terms of the current set of CONTRAST scoring routines) to approaches such as simulated annealing that seek to maximize the combined scores of the individual assignments. The robustness of the algorithm was tested by evaluating the effects of imposed frequency imprecision (scatter), added false signals (noise), missing peaks (incomplete data), and variation in user-defined tolerances on the performance of the algorithm.

The glucose transporter of Escherichia coli. Assignment of the 1H, 13C and 15N resonances and identification of the secondary structure of the soluble IIB domain

The IICBGlc subunit of the Escherichia coli glucose transporter consists of two domains, the membrane-spanning IIC domain, and the hydrophilic IIB domain which contains the phosphorylation site (Cys421). A functional form of the IIB domain was over-expressed separately and isotopically labelled with 13C and 15N. A variety of 15N-edited and 13C, 15N triple-resonance NMR experiments yielded a nearly complete assignment of the 1H, 13C and 15N resonances. Based on the evaluation of conformationally sensitive parameters including NOE effects, scalar couplings and chemical shifts, the secondary structure of the IIB domain is presented. The protein is comprised of four beta-strands forming an antiparallel beta-sheet, two larger alpha-helices at the N- and C-termini and a smaller helical structure of residues 52-58.

Secondary structure and signal assignments of human-immunodeficiency-virus-1 protease complexed to a novel, structure-based inhibitor

We report comprehensive NMR studies in solution of the human-immunodeficiency-virus (HIV)-1 protease. Stable solutions of the protease were obtained by complexing the protein to a designed cyclic urea inhibitor DMP 323. A variety of triple-resonance experiments provided essentially complete 1H, 13C and 15N NMR signal assignments of the protease. These assignments, together with short-range NOE constraints, coupling constants and hydrogen-exchange data, yielded the secondary structure of the protease in solution. The results reported herein open the way to the determination of the high-resolution three-dimensional solution structures of protease/inhibitor complexes, as well as to studies of protease dynamics and solvent interactions.

NMR evidence for similarities between the DNA-binding regions of Drosophila melanogaster heat shock factor and the helix-turn-helix and HNF-3/forkhead families of transcription factors

Heteronuclear multidimensional NMR experiments of residues 33-163 of the DNA-binding domain of Drosophila heat shock factor, dHSF(33-163), were recorded, using only 3 mg of uniformly 15N-labeled or 2 mg of uniformly 15N/13C-labeled protein. The polypeptide consists of a structured part comprising three helices, a three-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet, with the first two strands connected by a four-residue type I tight turn. The second helix is disrupted at its C-terminal end by a proline residue and is followed by an extended turn, leading to the third helix. The dHSF(33-163) protein is unstructured at its N- and C-termini, and a third unstructured region is found from Thr113 to Arg124. Exchange broadening of the 15N-1H correlations upon titration of 15N labeled HSF with a 13-base-pair DNA duplex suggests a DNA-binding motif in which the third helix acts as the recognition helix. Both the secondary structure and DNA-binding pattern of dHSF(33-163) suggest that the overall topology resembles that the helix-turn-helix bacterial activator CAP [Weber, I. T., & Steitz, T. A. (1987) J. Mol. Biol. 198, 311-326] and the liver-specific transcription factor HNF-3 gamma, the prototype of the HNF-3/forkhead protein family [Clark, K. L., Halay, E. D., Lai, E., & Burley, S. K. (1993) Nature 364, 412-420].

Elucidation of the poly-L-proline binding site in Acanthamoeba profilin I by NMR spectroscopy

The multifunctional protein profilin is one of the most abundant proteins in the cytoplasm and is thought to regulate actin assembly and the phosphoinositide signaling pathway. Profilin binds to several different ligands including actin, poly-L-proline, and the head groups of polyphosphoinositides. Knowledge of profilin/ligand interactions is important for understanding the physiology of profilin in the cell. As a first step in the characterization of profilin/ligand complexes, we have studied a profilin/poly-L-proline complex in solution using high resolution NMR spectroscopy. Analysis of profilin NOE's and chemical shift data indicates that the protein secondary structure is conserved upon binding to poly-L-proline and that the binding site is located between the N- and C-terminal helices in a region rich in highly conserved aromatic sidechains. This site is adjacent to the proposed binding site for actin. In addition, the rate constant for dissociation of the complex is found to be 1.6 +/- 0.2 x 10(4) s-1.

Characterization of the three-dimensional solution structure of human profilin: 1H, 13C, and 15N NMR assignments and global folding pattern

Human profilin is a 15-kDa protein that plays a major role in the signaling pathway leading to cytoskeletal rearrangement. Essentially complete assignment of the 1H, 13C, and 15N resonances of human profilin have been made by analysis of multidimensional, double- and triple-resonance nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. The deviation of the 13C alpha and 13C beta chemical shifts from their respective random coil values were analyzed and correlate well with the secondary structure determined from the NMR data. Twenty structures of human profilin were refined in the program X-PLOR using a total of 1186 experimentally derived conformational restraints. The structures converged to a root mean squared distance deviation of 1.5 A for the backbone atoms. The resultant conformational ensemble indicates that human profilin is an alpha/beta protein comprised of a seven-stranded, antiparallel beta-sheet and three helices. The secondary structure elements for human profilin are quite similar to those found in Acanthamoeba profilin I [Archer, S. J., Vinson, V. K., Pollard, T. D., & Torchia, D. A. (1993), Biochemistry 32, 6680-6687], suggesting that the three-dimensional structure of Acanthamoeba profilin I should be analogous to that determined here for human profilin. The structure determination of human profilin has facilitated the sequence alignment of lower eukaryotic and human profilins and provides a framework upon which the various functionalities of profilin can be explored. At least one element of the actin-binding region of human profilin is an alpha-helix. Two mechanisms by which phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate can interfere with actin-binding by human profilin are proposed.

Secondary structure and topology of Acanthamoeba profilin I as determined by heteronuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The protein profilin binds to both actin and the head groups of poly)phosphoinositide)s and may regulate both actin assembly and the phosphoinositide signaling pathway. As a first step in understanding the activity of profilin at the molecular level, we have determined the secondary structure of Acanthamoeba profilin I in solution using multidimensional, heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. Using a combination of triple-resonance (1H, 13C, 15N) experiments, we obtained virtually complete backbone and side-chain resonance assignments based solely on scalar couplings. 3D and 4D NOESY experiments were then used to determine the secondary structure and global fold of Acanthamoeba profilin I. The central feature of the protein structure is a five-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet flanked by three helices and a short two-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet.

Side chain and backbone assignments in isotopically labeled proteins from two heteronuclear triple resonance experiments

Two multi-dimensional heteronuclear NMR experiments are described for assigning the resonances in uniformly 15N- and 13C-labeled proteins. In one experiment (HCNH-TOCSY), the amide nitrogen and proton are correlated to the side-chain protons and carbons of the same and preceding residue. In a second triple resonance experiment (HC(CO)NH-TOCSY), the amide nitrogen and proton of one residue is correlated exclusively with the side-chain proton and carbon resonances of the preceding residue by transferring magnetization through the intervening carbonyl. The utility of these two experiments for making sequential resonance assignments in proteins is illustrated for [U-15N,13C]FKBP (107 residues) complexed to the immunosuppressant, ascomycin.