Electrochemical and infrared spectroscopic analysis of the interaction of the Cu(A) domain and cytochrome c(552) from Thermus thermophilus

[Protein-protein interactions of cytochromes P450 3A4 and 3A5 with their intermediate redox partners cytochromes b5]

Molecular interactions between proteins redox partners (cytochromes P450 3A4, 3A5 and cytochrome b5) within the monooxygenase system, which is known to be involved in drug biotransformation, were investigated. Human cytochromes P450 3A4 and 3A5 (CYP3A4 and CYP3A5) form complexes with various cytochromes b5: the microsomal (b5mc) and mitochondrial (b5om) forms of this protein, as well as with 2 "chimeric" proteins, b5(om-mc), b5(mc-om). Kinetic constants and equilibrium dissociation constants were determined by the SPR biosensor. Essential distinction between CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 was only observed upon their interactions with cytochrome b5om. Electroanalytical characteristics of electrodes with immobilized hemoproteins were obtained. The electrochemical analysis of CYP3A4, CYP3A5, b5mc, b5om, b5(om-mc), and b5(mc-om) immobilized on screen printed graphite electrodes modified with membranous matrix revealed that these proteins have very close reduction potentials -0.435 - -0.350 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Cytochrome b5mc was shown to be capable of stimulating the electrocatalytic activity of CYP3A4 to testosterone.

Probing protein-protein interaction in biomembranes using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

The position, intensity and width of bands in infrared spectra that arise from vibrational modes within a protein can be used to probe protein secondary structure, amino acid side chain structure as well as protein dynamics and stability. FTIR spectroscopic studies on protein-protein interaction have been severely limited due to extensive overlap of peaks, from the interacting proteins. This problem is being addressed by combining data processing and acquisition techniques (difference spectroscopy and two-dimensional spectroscopy) with judicious modifications in the protein primary structure through molecular biological and chemical methods. These include the ability to modify amino acids (site-directed mutagenesis; chemical synthesis) and produce isotopically labelled proteins and peptides. Whilst great progress is being made towards overcoming the congestion of overlapping peaks, the slow progress in the assignment of bands continues to be a major hindrance in the use of infrared spectroscopy for obtaining highly accurate and precise information on protein structure. This review discusses some of these problems and presents examples of infrared studies on protein-protein interaction in biomembrane systems. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: FTIR in membrane proteins and peptide studies.