Two-step modification of aspartate aminotransferase with 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Cross-link localization

Synthesis of a phenyl thio-β-d-galactopyranoside library from 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene: discovery of efficient and selective monosaccharide inhibitors of galectin-7

The galectins are a family of [small beta]-galactoside-binding proteins that have been implicated in cancer and inflammation processes. Herein, we report the synthesis of a library of 28 compounds that was tested for binding to galectins-1, -3, -7, -8N and -9N. An aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction between 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and a galacto thiol gave 5-fluoro-2,4-dinitrophenyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1-thio-beta-D-galactopyranoside. This versatile intermediate was then modified in a two dimensional manner: either by further substitution of the second fluoride by amines or thiols, or by reduction of the nitro groups and acylation of the resulting amines, or both. Deacetylation then gave a library of aromatic beta-galactosides that showed variable inhibitory activity against the different galectins, as shown by screening with a fluorescence-polarisation assay. Particularly efficient inhibitors were found against galectin-7, while less impressive enhancements of inhibitor affinity over methyl beta-D-galactopyranoside were found for galectin-1, -3, -8N and -9N. The best inhibitors against galectin-7 showed significantly higher affinity (K(d) as low as 140 microM) than both beta-methyl galactoside (K(d) 4.8 mM) and the unsubstituted beta-phenyl thiogalactoside (non-inhibitory). The best inhibitors against galectin-7 were poor against the other galectins and thus have potential as structurally simple and selective tools for dissecting biological functions of galectin-7.

Specific labeling of cytosolic and mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferases

The apoisozymes of cytosolic and mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase are both irreversibly inhibited by alpha-N-fluorodinitrophenyl-beta-N-phosphopyridoxyldiaminopropi onate, an affinity-labeling reagent analog of the coenzyme. Analysis of the modified peptides shows that the active-site Lys-258, which in the holoenzyme binds the coenzyme pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, is labeled in both isozymes. Comparison with the results obtained using the parent compound 4'-N-fluorodinitrophenylpyridoxamine 5'-phosphate, which labels only the cytosolic enzyme, provides information about differences in active-site reactivity and geometry. Labeling external to the active site occurs in both isozymes. In the cytosolic enzyme the very reactive Cys-45 is modified, in the mitochondrial enzyme the surface residue Lys-342 reveals a peculiar reactivity.

Crosslinking of sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase protein with 1,5-difluoro 2,4-dinitrobenzene

The reacton of 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene with the ATPase protein of rabbit skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum caused a marked loss of the Ca2+-dependent ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) activity during an interval when 2 mol of the crosslinking reagent were incorporated/10(5) g of protein. The modified ATPase protein formed non-serial high molecular weight aggregates or oligomers during short (1--5 min) or long exposure (60 min) to the reagent at 25 degrees C or 4 degrees C. The same pattern was found when sarvoplasmic reticulum was treated similarly; only the ATPase protein formed oligomers (homopolymers). In all cases the ATPase protein monomer remained the predominant species present. During the appearance of the high molecular weight oligomers the Ca2+-ATPase activity was unaffected but Ca2+ uptake was inhibited. Major changes in the ATPase activity occurred when the monomeric ATPase protein was modified. Disubstituted dinitrophenylene derivatives of cysteine and tyrosine were found in modified ATPase protein and only a small amount of monosubstituted dinitrophenyl groups were identified. Thiolysis of the modified ATPase protein with 2-mercaptoethanol removed approx. 35% of the incorporated groups, but there was no restoration of the Ca2+-ATPase activity. Substrate MgATP2- protected the Ca2+-ATPase activity of the ATPase protein and sarcoplasmic reticulum but Ca2+ had no effect on the modificaton. Different conformational states of the ATPase protein could be ascertained from a comparison of the effects of Ca2+ and MgATP2- on the bifunctional reagent dinitrophenylation of the ATPOase protein with that of the monofunctional reagent 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (Bailin, G. (1980) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 623, 213-224). Intramolecular crosslinking of the ATPase protein predominated and oligomers which formed during the reaction were not essential for the maintenance of the ATPase activity.

Three-dimensional structure of a pyridoxal-phosphate-dependent enzyme, mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase

X-ray diffraction studies to 2.8-A resolution have yielded the three-dimensional structure of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (L-aspartate:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.1), an isologous alpha 2 dimer (Mr = 2 x 45,000). The subunits are rich in secondary structure and contain two domains, one of which anchors the coenzyme, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. Each active site lies between the subunits and is composed of residues from both of them.