A hybrid-hybrid matrix method for 3D NOE-NOE data analysis

Protein Structure Elucidation from Minimal NMR Data: The CLOUDS Approach

In this chapter we review automated methods of protein NMR data analysis and expand on the assignment-independent CLOUDS approach. As presented, given a set of reliable NOEs it is feasible to derive a spatial H-atom distribution that provides a low-resolution image of the protein structure. In order to generate such a list of unambiguous NOEs, a probabilistic assessment of the NOE identities (in terms of frequency-labeled H-atom sources) was developed on the basis of Bayesian inference. The methodology, encompassing programs SPI and BACUS, provides a list of "clean" NOEs that does not hinge on prior knowledge of sequence-specific resonance assignments or a preliminary structural model. As such, the combined SPI/BACUS approach, intrinsically adaptable to include 13C- and/or 15N-edited experiments, affords a useful tool for the analysis of NMR data irrespective of whether the adopted structure calculation protocol is assignment-dependent.

CLOUDS, a protocol for deriving a molecular proton density via NMR

We demonstrate the feasibility of computing realistic spatial proton distributions for proteins in solution from experimental NMR nuclear Overhauser effect data only and with minimal assignments. The method, CLOUDS, relies on precise and abundant interproton distance restraints calculated via a relaxation matrix analysis of sets of experimental nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy crosspeaks. The MIDGE protocol was adapted for this purpose. A gas of unassigned, unconnected H atoms is condensed into a structured proton distribution (cloud) via a molecular dynamics simulated-annealing scheme in which the internuclear distances and van der Waals repulsive terms are the only active restraints. Proton densities are generated by combining a large number of such clouds, each computed from a different trajectory. After filtering by reference to the cloud closest to the mean, a minimal dispersion proton density (foc) is identified. The latter affords a quasi-continuous hydrogen-only probability distribution that conveys immediate information on the protein surface topology (grooves, protrusions, potential binding site cavities, etc.), directly related to the molecular structure. Feasibility of the method was tested on NMR data measured on two globular protein domains of low regular secondary structure content, the col 2 domain of human matrix metalloproteinase-2 and the kringle 2 domain of human plasminogen, of 60 and 83 amino acid residues, respectively.

Structure of a PH domain from the C. elegans muscle protein UNC-89 suggests a novel function

BACKGROUND

Pleckstrin homology (PH) domains constitute a structurally conserved family present in many signaling and regulatory proteins. PH domains have been shown to bind to phospholipids, and many function in membrane targeting. They generally have a strong electrostatic polarization and interact with negatively charged phospholipids via the positive pole. On the basis of electrostatic modeling, however, we have previously identified a class of PH domains with a predominantly negative charge and predicted that these domains recognize other targets. Here, we report the first experimental structure of such a PH domain.

RESULTS

The structure of the PH domain from Caenorhabditis elegans muscle protein UNC-89 has been determined by heteronuclear NMR. The domain adopts the classic PH fold, but has an unusual closed conformation of the "inositol binding loops. This creates a small opening to a deep hydrophobic pocket lined with negative charges on one side, and provides a molecular explanation for the lack of association with inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate. As predicted, the PH domain of UNC-89 has a strongly negative overall electrostatic potential. Modeling the Dbl homology (DH)-linked PH domains from the C. elegans genome shows that a large proportion of these modules are negatively charged.

CONCLUSIONS

We present the first structure of a PH domain with a strong negative overall electrostatic potential. The presence of a deep pocket lined with negative charges suggests that the domain binds to ligands other than acidic phospholipids. The abundance of this class of PH domain in the C. elegans genome suggests a prominent role in mediating protein-protein interactions.