Comparative steady-state fluorescence studies of cytosolic rat liver (GTP), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ATP) and Escherichia coli (ATP) phospho enol pyruvate carboxykinases

Comparative kinetic effects of Mn (II), Mg (II) and the ATP/ADP ratio on phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinases from Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The kinetic affinity for CO(2) of phosphoenolpyruvate PEP(5) carboxykinase from Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens, an obligate anaerobe which PEP carboxykinase catalyzes the carboxylation of PEP in one of the final steps of succinate production from glucose, is compared with that of the PEP carboxykinase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which catalyzes the decarboxylation of oxaloacetate in one of the first steps in the biosynthesis of glucose. For the A. succiniciproducens enzyme, at physiological concentrations of Mn(2+) and Mg(2+), the affinity for CO(2) increases as the ATP/ADP ratio is increased in the assay medium, while the opposite effect is seen for the S. cerevisiae enzyme. The results show that a high ATP/ADP ratio favors CO(2) fixation by the PEP carboxykinase from A. succiniciproducens but not for the S. cerevisiae enzyme. These findings are in agreement with the proposed physiological roles of S. cerevisiae and A. succiniciproducens PEP carboxykinases, and expand recent observations performed with the enzyme isolated from Panicum maximum (Chen et al. (2002) Plant Physiology 128: 160-164).

Site-directed mutagenesis study of the microenvironment characteristics of Lys213 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase

Saccharomyces cerevisiae phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase catalyzes the reversible formation of oxaloacetate and adenosine triphosphate from PEP, adenosine diphosphate and carbon dioxide, and uses Mn(2+) as the activating metal ion. Comparison with the crystalline structure of homologous Escherichia coli PEP carboxykinase [Tari et al. Nature Struct. Biol. 4 (1997) 990-994] shows that Lys(213) is one of the ligands to Mn(2+) at the enzyme active site. Coordination of Mn(2+) to a lysyl residue is infrequent and suggests a low pK(a) value for the epsilon-NH(2) group of Lys(213). In this work, we evaluate the role of neighboring Phe(416) in contributing to provide a low polarity microenvironment suitable to keep the epsilon-NH(2) of Lys(213) in the unprotonated form. Mutation Phe416Tyr shows that the introduction of a hydroxyl group in the lateral chain of the residue produces a substantial loss in the enzyme affinity for Mn(2+), suggesting an increase of the pK(a) of Lys(213). A study of the effect of pH on K(m) for Mn(2+) indicate that the affinity of recombinant wild type enzyme for the metal ion is dependent on deprotonation of a group with pK(a) of 7.1+/-0.2, compatible with the low pK(a) expected for Lys(213). This pK(a) value increases at least 1.5 pH units upon Phe416Tyr mutation, in agreement with the expected effect of an increase in the polarity of Lys(213) microenvironment. Theoretical calculations of the pK(a) of Lys(213) indicate a value of 6.5+/-0.9, and it increases to 8.2+/-1.6 upon Phe416Tyr mutation. Additionally, mutation Phe416Tyr causes a loss of 1.3 kcal mol(-1) in the affinity of the enzyme for PEP, an effect perhaps related to the close proximity of Phe(416) to Arg(70), a residue previously shown to be important for PEP binding.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase: relevance of arginine 70 for catalysis

Saccharomyces cerevisiae phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase is a key enzyme of the gluconeogenic pathway and catalyzes the decarboxylation of oxaloacetate and transfer of the gamma-phosphoryl group of ATP to yield PEP, ADP, and CO2 in the presence of a divalent metal ion. Previous experiments indicate that mutation of amino acid residues at metal site 1 decrease the enzyme catalytic efficiency and the affinity of the protein for PEP, evidencing the relevance of hydrogen-bond interactions between PEP and water molecules of the first coordination sphere of the metal ion for catalysis [Biochemistry 41 (2002) 12763]. To further understand the function of amino acid residues located in the PEP binding site, we have now addressed the catalytic importance of Arg70, whose guanidinium group is close to the PEP carboxyl group. Arg70 mutants of PEP carboxykinase were prepared, and almost unaltered kinetic parameters were found for the Arg70Lys PEP carboxykinase, while a decrease in 4-5 orders of magnitude for the catalytic efficiency was detected for the Arg70Gln and Arg70Met altered enzymes. To evaluate the enzyme interaction with PEP, the phosphopyridoxyl-derivatives of wild type, Arg70Lys, Arg70Gln, and Arg70Met S. cerevisiae PEP carboxykinase were prepared, and the change in the fluorescence emission of the probe upon PEP binding was used to obtain the dissociation equilibrium constant of the corresponding derivatized enzyme-PEP-Mn2+ complex. The titration experiments showed that a loss in 2.1 kcal/mol in PEP binding affinity is produced in the Arg70Met and Arg70Gln mutant enzymes. It is proposed that the electrostatic interaction between the guanidinium group of Arg70 and the carboxyl group of PEP is important for PEP binding and for further steps in catalysis.

Substrate binding to fluorescent labeled wild type, Lys213Arg, and His233Gln Saccharomyces cerevisiae phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinases

Saccharomyces cerevisiae phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase is a key enzyme of the gluconeogenic pathway and catalyzes the decarboxylation of oxaloacetate and transfer of the gamma-phosphoryl group of ATP to yield PEP, ADP, and CO(2) in the presence of a divalent metal ion. Previous experiments have shown that mutation of amino acid residues at metal site 1 decrease the steady-state affinity of the enzyme for PEP, suggesting interaction of PEP with the metal ion [Biochemistry 41 (2002) 12763]. To more completely understand this enzyme interactions with substrate ligands, we have prepared the phosphopyridoxyl (P-pyridoxyl)-derivatives of wild type, Lys213Arg, and His233Gln S. cerevisiae PEP carboxykinase and used the changes in the fluorescence probe to determine the dissociation equilibrium constants of PEP, ATPMn(2-), and ADPMn(1-) from the corresponding derivatized enzyme-Mn(2+) complexes. Homology modeling of P-pyridoxyl-PEP carboxykinase and P-pyridoxyl-PEP carboxykinase-substrate complexes agree with experimental evidence indicating that the P-pyridoxyl group does not interfere with substrate binding. ATPMn(2-) binding is 0.8kcalmol(-1) more favorable than ADPMn(1-) binding to wild type P-pyridoxyl-enzyme. The thermodynamic data obtained in this work indicate that PEP binding is 2.3kcalmol(-1) and 3.2kcalmol(-1) less favorable for the Lys213Arg and His233Gln mutant P-pyridoxyl-PEP carboxykinases than for the wild type P-pyridoxyl-enzyme, respectively. The possible relevance of N and O ligands for Mn(2+) in relation to PEP binding and catalysis is discussed.

Characterization of the soluble domain of the ABC7 type transporter Atm1

Atm1 is an ABC transporter that is located in yeast mitochondria and has previously been implicated in the maturation of cytosolic iron-sulfur cluster proteins. The soluble nucleotide binding domain of Atm1 (Atm1-C) has been overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and characterized. Dissociation constants (KD) for Atm1-C binding of ATP (KD approximately 97 microm, pH 7.3, and approximately 102 microm, pH 10.0) and ADP (KD approximately 43 microm, pH 7.3, and 92 microm, pH 10.0) were measured by fluorimetry. The higher binding affinity for ADP suggests that the transmembrane-spanning domain may be required to promote a structural change in the nucleotide binding domain to facilitate substrate export and ADP release. ADP also had an inhibitory effect on Atm1-C with an IC50 of 10 mm. The Michaelis-Menten constants Vmax, KM, and kcat of Atm1-C were measured as 1.822 microm min(-1), 513 microm, and 0.055 min(-1), respectively. The metal dependence of Atm1-C ATPase demonstrated a reactivity order of Mn2+ > Mg2+ > Co2+, while Mg2+ and Co2+ were both found to be inhibitory at higher concentrations. The pH profile and structural comparison with HisP are consistent with a role for His and Lys in promoting the ATPase activity. Structural analysis of Atm1-C by CD spectroscopy suggested a similarity of secondary structure to that found for a prokaryotic homologue (HisP), whereas modeling of the Atm1-C tertiary structure using HisP as a template is also consistent with a similarity in tertiary structure. Atm1-C tends to form a dimer or higher aggregation state at higher concentration; however, the concentration dependence of Atm1-C on ATPase activity and the results of a Hill analysis (napp = 1.1) demonstrated that there was essentially no cooperativity in ATP hydrolysis, in contrast to observations for the prokaryotic HisP transporter, which demonstrated full cooperativity for both full-length and the soluble domains. Accordingly, any cooperative response must be mediated through the transmembrane domain in the case of the eukaryotic Atm1 transporter.

Differences in nucleotide-binding site of isoapyrases deduced from tryptophan fluorescence

Comparative studies of intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence of apyrases purified from two potato tuber varieties (Pimpernel and Desirée) were performed to determine differences in the microenvironment of the nucleotide binding site. The dissociation constants (K(d)) of Pimpernel apyrase for the binding of different fluorescent substrate analogs: methylanthranoyl (MANT-), trinitrophenyl (TNP-), and epsilon -derivatives of ATP and ADP were determined from the quenching of Trp fluorescence, and compared with K(d) values previously reported for Desirée enzyme. Binding of non-fluorescent substrate analogues decreased the Trp emission of both isoapyrases, indicating conformational changes in the vicinity of these residues. Similar effect was observed with fluorescent derivatives where, in the quenching effect, the transfer of energy from tryptophan residues to the fluorophore moiety could be additionally involved. The existence of energy transfer between Trp residues in the Pimpernel enzyme was demonstrated with epsilon -analogues, similar to our previous observations with the Desirée. From these results we deduced that tryptophan residues are close to or in the nucleotide binding site in both enzymes. Experiments with quenchers like acrylamide, Cs(+) and I(-), both in the presence and absence of nucleotide analogues, suggest the existence of differences in the nucleotide binding site of the two enzymes. From the results obtained in this work, we can conclude that the differences found in the microenvironment of the nucleotide binding site can explain, at least in part, the kinetic behaviour of both isoenzymes.

Ligand interactions and protein conformational changes of phosphopyridoxyl-labeled Escherichia coli phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase determined by fluorescence spectroscopy

Escherichia coli phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase catalyzes the decarboxylation of oxaloacetate and transfer of the gamma-phosphoryl group of ATP to yield PEP, ADP, and CO2. The interaction of the enzyme with the substrates originates important domain movements in the protein. In this work, the interaction of several substrates and ligands with E. coli PEP carboxykinase has been studied in the phosphopyridoxyl (P-pyridoxyl)-enzyme adduct. The derivatized enzyme retained the substrate-binding characteristics of the native protein, allowing the determination of several protein-ligand dissociation constants, as well as the role of Mg2+ and Mn2+ in substrate binding. The binding affinity of PEP to the enzyme-Mn2+ complex was -8.9 kcal.mol-1, which is 3.2 kcal.mol-1 more favorable than in the complex with Mg2+. For the substrate nucleotide-metal complexes, similar binding affinities (-6.0 to -6.2 kcal.mol-1) were found for either metal ion. The fluorescence decay of the P-pyridoxyl group fitted to two lifetimes of 5.15 ns (34%) and 1.2 ns. These lifetimes were markedly altered in the derivatized enzyme-PEP-Mn complexes, and smaller changes were obtained in the presence of other substrates. Molecular models of the P-pyridoxyl-E. coli PEP carboxykinase showed different degrees of solvent-exposed surfaces for the P-pyridoxyl group in the open (substrate-free) and closed (substrate-bound) forms, which are consistent with acrylamide quenching experiments, and suggest that the fluorescence changes reflect the domain movements of the protein in solution.

Evaluation by site-directed mutagenesis of active site amino acid residues of Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase

Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase catalyzes the reversible formation of oxaloacetate and adenosine triphosphate from PEP, adenosine diphosphate, and carbon dioxide, and uses Mn2+ as the activating metal ion. The enzyme is a monomer and presents 68% identity with Escherichia coli PEP carboxykinase. Comparison with the crystalline structure of homologous E. coli PEP carboxykinase [Tari, L. W., Matte, A., Goldie, H., and Delbaere, L. T. J. (1997). Nature Struct. Biol. 4, 990-994] suggests that His225, Asp262, Asp263, and Thr249 are located in the active site of the protein, interacting with manganese ions. In this work, these residues were individually changed to Gln (His225) or Asn. The mutated enzymes present 3-6 orders of magnitude lower values of Vmax/Km, indicating high catalytic relevance for these residues. The His225Gln mutant showed increased Km values for Mn2+ and PEP as compared with wild-type enzyme, suggesting a role of His225 in Mn2+ and PEP binding. From 1.5-1.6 Kcal/mol lower affinity for the 3'(2')-O-(N-methylantraniloyl) derivative of adenosine diphosphate was observed for the His225Gln and Asp263Asn mutant A. succiniciproducens PEP carboxykinases, implying a role of His225 and Asp263 in nucleotide binding.

Structural investigation of the binding of nucleotide to phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase by NMR

The enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) catalyzes the reversible conversion of oxalacetate and GTP to phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), GDP, and CO2. PEPCK from higher organisms is a monomer, specifically requires GTP or ITP, and uses Mn2+ as the activating cation. Currently, there is no crystal structure of GTP-utilizing PEPCKs. The conformation of the bound nucleotide was determined from transferred nuclear Overhauser effects (trnOe) experiments to determine internuclear proton distances. At 600 MHz in the presence of PEPCK, nOe effects were observed between nucleotide protons. Internuclear distances were calculated from the initial rate of the nOe buildup. These distance constraints were used in energy minimization calculations to determine the conformation of PEPCK-bound GTP. The bound nucleotide has the base oriented anti to the C2'-endo(2E) ribose ring conformation. Relaxation rate studies indicate that there is an additional relaxation effect on the C1' proton upon nucleotide binding to PEPCK. Nucleotide binding to PEPCK-Mn2+ was studied by 1H relaxation rate studies, but results were complicated by long dipole-dipole distances and the presence of competing complexes. Modification of PEPCK by iodoacetamido-TEMPO leads to an inactive enzyme that is spin-labeled at cys273. The interaction of TEMPO-PEPCK with GTP allows for the measurement of nuclear distances between GTP and the spin label. The results suggest that cys273 lies near the ribose ring of the bound nucleotide, but it is too far to be implicated in direct hydrogen bonding interactions consistent with previous results [Makinen, A. L., and Nowak, T. J. Biol. Chem. (1989) 264, 12148], suggesting that cys273 does not actively participate in catalysis. Modification of PEPCK with several cysteine specific modifying agents causes no change in the ability of the enzyme to bind nucleotide as monitored by fluorescence quenching. A correlation between the size of the modifying agent and the maximal observed quenching upon saturation of the enzyme with nucleotide is observed. This suggests a mechanism for inactivation of PEPCK by cysteine modification due to inhibition of a dynamic motion that may occur upon nucleotide binding.

Fluorescence studies of ATP-diphosphohydrolase from Solanum tuberosum var. Desirée

Chemical modification of potato apyrase suggests that tryptophan residues are close to the nucleotide binding site. Kd values (+/- Ca2+) for the complexes of apyrase with the non-hydrolysable phosphonate adenine nucleotide analogues, adenosine 5'-(beta,gamma-methylene) triphosphate and adenosine 5'-(alpha,beta-methylene) diphosphate, were obtained from quenching of the intrinsic enzyme fluorescence. Other fluorescent nucleotide analogues (2'(3')-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) adenosine 5'-triphosphate, 2'(3')-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) adenosine 5'-diphosphate. 1,N6-ethenoadenosine triphosphate and 1,N6-ethenoadenosine diphosphate) were hydrolysed by apyrase in the presence of Ca2+, indicating binding to the active site. The dissociation constants for the binding of these analogues were calculated from both the decrease of the protein (tryptophan) fluorescence and enhancement of the nucleotide fluorescence. Using the sensitised acceptor (nucleotide analogue) fluorescence method, energy transfer was observed between enzyme tryptophans and ethene-derivatives. These results support the view that tryptophan residues are present in the nucleotide-binding region of the protein, appropriately oriented to allow the energy transfer process to occur.

Characterization of the oxaloacetate decarboxylase and pyruvate kinase-like activities of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinases

Two members of the ATP-dependent class of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinases (PEPCKs) (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens) have been comparatively studied with regard to their oxaloacetate (OAA) decarboxylase and pyruvate kinase-like activities. The pyruvate kinase-like activities were dependent on the presence of Mn2+; at the same concentrations Mg2+ was not effective. These activities were synergistically activated by a combination of both metal ions. Vmax for these activities in A. succiniciproducens and S. cerevisiae PEPCKs was 0.13% and 1.2% that of the principal reaction, respectively. The OAA decarboxylase activity was nucleotide independent and, with decreasing order of effectiveness, these activities were supported by Mn2+ and Mg2+. AMP is an activator of these reactions. Vmax for the OAA decarboxylase activities in A. succiniciproducens and S. cerevisiae PEPCKs was 4% and 0.2% that of the PEP-forming reaction, respectively.

Structural studies of the BstVI restriction-modification proteins by fluorescence spectroscopy

Structural studies of the proteins of the BstVI restriction-modification system of Bacillus stearothermophilus V were carried out using intrinsic fluorescence techniques. The exposure and environments of their tryptophanyl residues were determined using collisional quenchers. Quenching of BstVI endonuclease by iodide suggested a heterogeneous class of tryptophan residues, while the results obtained with M.BstVI methylase were consistent with a rather exposed tryptophan population. A comparison of the quenching efficiencies at 20 degrees C and 55 or 60 degrees C showed that their structures are more flexible and open at the temperature at which they exhibit maximal activity. The endonuclease reached its active conformation only after 1 h of incubation at 60 degrees C. Fluorescence changes were observed upon Mn2+ and Mg2+ binding, with Kd values in the range 3-5 microM. The binding of S-adenosyl-L-methionine to the methylase produced conformational changes, which were consistent with binding to a single site of Kd 550 and 680 microM at 20 degrees C and 55 degrees C, respectively. Quenching experiments with iodide showed that the presence of S-adenosyl-L-methionine leads to different conformational states at 20 degrees C and 55 degrees C. These results were interpreted in terms of differences in the structural characteristics of these restriction-modification proteins as well as in terms of differences in the conformational states that these enzymes exhibit at 20 degrees C and at the temperature at which they are most active.

Chromium(III) modification of the first metal binding site of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase

Chicken liver phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) is activated by Cr2+ as the sole activator under anaerobic conditions. PEPCK was modified with Cr3+, starting with either Cr2+ or Cr3+. Cr3+ has the distinct advantage of being a paramagnetic cation that could serve as a paramagnetic probe. Activators Mn2+, Mg2+, and Co2+ protect against Cr3+ incorporation. EPR, CD, and fluorescence studies indicate that Cr3+ was incorporated into the cation binding site of PEPCK. The water proton relaxation rate (PRR) and fluorescence binding studies showed that Cr3+(n1)-PEPCK forms enzyme-substrate complexes similar to those observed for the Mn2+(n1)-PEPCK complex (n1 represents the metal "enzyme binding site" as opposed to the metal "nucleotide binding site"). Cr3+(n1)-PEPCK requires an additional divalent cation for activity, an indication of two metal sites on PEPCK. Cr3+(n1)-PEPCK retains 15% residual activity as compared to unmodified PEPCK and demonstrates normal Michaelis-Menten kinetics. This is the first report of an active Cr3+-modified enzyme complex.

Sequence and promoter regulation of the PCK1 gene encoding phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans

The PCK1 gene encoding PEP carboxykinase (Pck1) of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans was isolated and sequenced. The deduced Pck1 protein has high homology to ATP-dependent Pck1 proteins in other species, especially to Pck1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (70% homology), but not to GTP-dependent Pck1 proteins. PCK1 transcript levels were efficiently repressed by glucose and derepressed (induced) on gluconeogenetic carbon sources. PCK1 regulation occurs on the level of transcription, as demonstrated by a fusion of the PCK1 promoter to the LAC4 reporter gene, yielding derepressed/repressed expression ratios of > 100. Homologous sequences in the PCK1 promoters of C. albicans and S. cerevisiae were identified. The PCK1 promoter may be useful to efficiently regulate expression and thereby test the function of genes in C. albicans.

Snapshot of an enzyme reaction intermediate in the structure of the ATP-Mg2+-oxalate ternary complex of Escherichia coli PEP carboxykinase

We report the 1.8 A crystal structure of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-magnesium-oxalate bound phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK) from Escherichia coli. ATP binding induces a 20 degree hinge-like rotation of the N- and C-terminal domains which closes the active-site cleft. PCK possesses a novel nucleotide-binding fold, particularly in the adenine-binding region, where the formation of a cis backbone torsion angle in a loop glycine residue promotes intimate contacts between the adenine-binding loop and adenine, while stabilizing a syn conformation of the base. This complex represents a reaction intermediate analogue along the pathway of the conversion of oxaloacetate to phosphoenolpyruvate, and provides insight into the mechanistic details of the chemical reaction catalysed by this enzyme.

Circular dichroism and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies on the secondary structure of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli phospho enolpyruvate carboxykinases

The secondary structure of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli phospho enolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinases was quantitatively examined using circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. From CD analyses, values of 24% alpha-helix and 38% beta-sheet were obtained for the E. coli enzyme, while the corresponding values for the S. cerevisiae PEP carboxykinase were 20% and 36%. Analysis of the amide I' infrared band indicated 20% alpha-helix and 36% beta-sheet for the S. cerevisiae enzyme, while for the E. coli protein values of 40% beta-sheet and between 9 and 36% alpha-helix could be inferred. It is concluded that the bacterial enzyme has more secondary structure elements than the yeast protein. No alteration of the CD or FTIR spectra was detected upon substrate or metal ion binding to any enzyme.

Reactivity of cysteinyl, arginyl, and lysyl residues of Escherichia coli phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase against group-specific chemical reagents

Calcium-activated phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from Escherichia coli is not inactivated by a number of sulfhydryl-directed reagents [5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate), iodoacetate, N-ethylmaleimide, N-(1-pyrenyl)maleimide or N-(iodoacetyl)-N'-(5-sulfo-1-naphthylethylenediamine)], unlike phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from other organisms. On the other hand, the enzyme is rapidly inactivated by the arginyl-directed reagents 2,3-butanedione and 1-pyrenylglyoxal. The substrates, ADP plus PEP in the presence of Mn2+, protect the enzyme against inactivation by the diones. Quantitation of pyrenylglyoxal incorporation indicates that complete inactivation correlates with the binding of one inactivator molecule per mole of enzyme. Chemical modification by pyridoxal 5'-phosphate also produces inactivation of the enzyme, and the labeled protein shows a difference spectrum with a peak at 325 nm, characteristic of a pyridoxyl derivative of lysine. The inactivation by this reagent is also prevented by the substrates. Binding stoichiometries of 1.25 and 0.30 mol of reagent incorporated per mole of enzyme were found in the absence and presence of substrates, respectively. The results suggest the presence of functional arginyl and lysyl residues in or near the active site of the enzyme, and indicate lack of reactive functional sulfhydryl groups.