Heme protein fluorescence versus pressure

Hysteretic Pressure Dependence of Ca2+ Binding in LH1 Bacterial Membrane Chromoproteins

Much of the thermodynamic parameter values that support life are set by the properties of proteins. While the denaturing effects of pressure and temperature on proteins are well documented, their precise structural nature is rarely revealed. This work investigates the destabilization of multiple Ca²⁺ binding sites in the cyclic LH1 light-harvesting membrane chromoprotein complexes from two Ca-containing sulfur purple bacteria by hydrostatic high-pressure perturbation spectroscopy. The native (Ca-saturated) and denatured (Ca-depleted) phases of these complexes are well distinguishable by much-shifted bacteriochlorophyll a exciton absorption bands serving as innate optical probes in this study. The pressure-induced denaturation of the complexes related to the failure of the protein Ca-binding pockets and the concomitant breakage of hydrogen bonds between the pigment chromophores and protein environment were found cooperative, involving all or most of the Ca²⁺ binding sites, but irreversible. The strong hysteresis observed in the spectral and kinetic characteristics of phase transitions along the compression and decompression pathways implies asymmetry in the relevant free energy landscapes and activation free energy distributions. A phase transition pressure equal to about 1.9 kbar was evaluated for the complexes from Thiorhodovibrio strain 970 from the pressure dependence of biphasic kinetics observed in the minutes to 100 h time range.

Structural, biochemical and functional analyses of tRNA-monooxygenase enzyme MiaE from Pseudomonas putida provide insights into tRNA/MiaE interaction

MiaE (2-methylthio-N⁶-isopentenyl-adenosine₃₇-tRNA monooxygenase) is a unique non-heme diiron enzyme that catalyzes the O₂-dependent post-transcriptional allylic hydroxylation of a hypermodified nucleotide 2-methylthio-N⁶-isopentenyl-adenosine (ms²i⁶A₃₇) at position 37 of selected tRNA molecules to produce 2-methylthio-N⁶–4-hydroxyisopentenyl-adenosine (ms²io⁶A₃₇). Here, we report the in vivo activity, biochemical, spectroscopic characterization and X-ray crystal structure of MiaE from Pseudomonas putida. The investigation demonstrates that the putative pp-2188 gene encodes a MiaE enzyme. The structure shows that Pp-MiaE consists of a catalytic diiron(III) domain with a four alpha-helix bundle fold. A docking model of Pp-MiaE in complex with tRNA, combined with site directed mutagenesis and in vivo activity shed light on the importance of an additional linker region for substrate tRNA recognition. Finally, krypton-pressurized Pp-MiaE experiments, revealed the presence of defined O₂ site along a conserved hydrophobic tunnel leading to the diiron active center.

Feasibility of cationic carbosilane dendrimers for sustainable protein sample preparation

Protein sample preparation is the bottleneck in the analysis of proteins. The aim of this work is to evaluate the feasibility of carbosilane dendrimers functionalized with cationic groups to make easier this step. Anionic carbosilane dendrimers (sulphonate- and carboxylate-terminated) have already demonstrated their interaction with proteins and their potential in protein sample preparation. In this work, interactions between positively charged carbosilane dendrimers and different model proteins were studied when working under different pH conditions, dendrimer concentrations, and dendrimer generations. Amino- and trimethylammonium-terminated carbosilane dendrimers presented, in some cases, weak interactions with proteins. Unlike them, carbosilane dendrimers with terminal dimethylamino groups could interact, in many cases, with proteins and these interactions were affected by the pH, the dendrimer concentration, and the dendrimer generation. Moreover, dendrimer precipitation was observed at all pHs, although just second and fourth generation (2 G and 4 G) dendrimers resulted in the formation of complexes with proteins. Under experimental conditions promoting dendrimer-protein interactions, 2 G dimethylamino-terminated dendrimers were proposed as an alternative to other methods used in analytical chemistry or analysis in which an organic solvent or a resin are required to enrich/purify proteins in a complex sample.

Complete observation of all structural, conformational, and fibrillation transitions of monomeric globular proteins at submicellar sodium dodecyl sulfate concentrations

Although considerable information is available regarding protein-sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) interactions, it is still unclear as to how much SDS is needed to denature proteins. The role of protein charge and micellar surfactant concentration on amyloid fibrillation is also unclear. This study reports on equilibrium measurements of SDS interaction with six model proteins and analyzes the results to obtain a general understanding of conformational breakdown, reorganization and restructuring of secondary structure, and entry into the amyloid fibrillar state. Significantly, all of these responses are entirely resolved at much lower than the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of SDS. Electrostatic interaction of the dodecyl sulfate anion (DS^- ) with positive surface potential on the protein can completely unfold both secondary and tertiary structures, which is followed by protein chain restructuration to α-helices. All SDS-denatured proteins contain more α-helices than the corresponding native state. SDS interaction stochastically drives proteins to the aggregated fibrillar state.

Pressure Effect on Zero-Field Splitting Parameter of Hemin: Model Case of Hemoproteins under Pressure

We experimentally studied the pressure dependence of the zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameter of hemin (iron(III) protoporphyrin IX chloride), which is a model complex of hemoproteins, via high-frequency and high-field electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) under pressure. Owing to the large ZFS, the pressure effect on the electronic structure of iron-porphyrin complexes has not yet been explored using EPR. Therefore, we systematically studied this effect using our newly developed sub-terahertz EPR spectroscopy system in the frequency range of 80-515 GHz, under magnetic fields up to 10 T and pressure up to 2 GPa. We observed a systematic shift of the resonance fields of hemin upon pressure application, from which the axial component of the ZFS parameter was found to increase from D = 6.9 to 7.9 cm^-1 at 2 GPa. In contrast to the previous methods used to study proteins under pressure, which mainly focused on conformational changes, our HFEPR technique can obtain more microscopic insights into the electronic structures of metal ions under pressure. In this sense, our technique provides novel opportunities to study the pressure effects on biofunctional active centers of versatile metalloproteins.

Structure and function of heme proteins in non-native states: a mini-review

Heme proteins perform various biological functions ranging from electron transfer, oxygen binding and transport, catalysis, to signaling. Although adopting proper native states is very important for these functions, progresses in representative heme proteins, including cytochrome c (cyt c), cytochrome b5 (cyt b5), myoglobin (Mb), neuroglobin (Ngb), cytochrome P450 (CYP) and heme-based sensor proteins such as CO sensor CooA, showed that various native functions, or new functions evolved, are also closely associated with non-native states. The structure and function relationship of heme proteins in non-native states is thus as important as that in native states for elucidating the precise roles of heme proteins in biological systems.

High-pressure effects on horse heart metmyoglobin studied by small-angle neutron scattering

Small-angle neutron scattering experiments were performed on horse azidometmyoglobin (MbN3) at pressures up to 300 MPa. Other spectroscopic techniques have shown that a reorganization of the secondary structure and of the active site occur in this pressure range. The present measurements, performed using various concentrations of MbN3, show that the compactness of the protein is not altered as the value of its radius of gyration remains constant up to 300 MPa. The value of the second virial coefficient of the protein solution indicates that the interactions between the molecules are always strongly repulsive even if their magnitude decreases with increasing pressure. Taking advantage of the pressure-induced contrast variation, these experiments allow the partial specific volume of MbN3 to be determined as a function of pressure. Its value decreases by 5.4% between atmospheric pressure and 300 MPa. In this pressure range the isothermal compressibility of hydrated MbN3 is found to be almost constant. Its value is (1.6 +/- 0.1) 10-4 MPa-1.

Pressure-temperature phase diagrams of biomolecules

The pressure-temperature phase diagram of various biomolecules is reviewed. Special attention is focused on the elliptic phase diagram of proteins. The phenomenological thermodynamic theory describing this diagram explains the heat, cold and pressure denaturations in a unified picture. The limitations and possible developments of this theory are discussed as well. It is pointed out that a more complex diagram can be obtained when the intermolecular interactions are also taken into account. In this case metastable states appear on the pressure-temperature (p-T) diagram due to intermolecular interactions. Pressure-temperature phase diagrams of other biopolymers are also discussed. While the p-T diagrams of helix-coil transition of nucleic acids and of gel-liquid crystal transition of lipid bilayers are non-elliptical, those of gelatinization of starch and of phase separation of some synthetic polymers show an elliptic profile, similar to that of proteins. Finally, the p-T diagram of bacterial inactivation is shown to be elliptic. From the point of view of basic science, this fact shows that the key factor of inactivation should be the protein type, and from the viewpoint of practical applications, it serves as the theoretical basis of pressure treatment of biosystems.

High pressure simulations of biomolecules

Pressure is a thermodynamic variable which is particularly suitable for exploration of the properties of biological macromolecules. For proteins, in particular, denaturation induced by pressure is different from that induced by temperature or denaturants. The response of proteins to pressure changes can provide information on properties of their native and non-native states. This review focuses on molecular dynamics studies of the effect of pressure on detailed atomic models of proteins. It also reports on other theoretical approaches, such as Monte Carlo simulations, which have been used to study simplified models. Another purpose of this review is to try to point out potential future studies that may be both interesting and feasible, with constantly increasing computing power.

Revisiting volume changes in pressure-induced protein unfolding

It has long been known that the application of hydrostatic pressure generally leads to the unfolding of proteins. Despite a relatively large number of reports in the literature over the past few decades, there has been great confusion over the sign and magnitude as well as the fundamental factors contributing to volume effects in protein conformational transitions. It is the goal of this review to present and discuss the results obtained concerning the sign and magnitude of the volume changes accompanying the unfolding of proteins. The vast majority of cases point to a significant decrease in volume upon unfolding. Nonetheless, there is evidence that, due to differences in the thermal expansivity of the folded and unfolded states of proteins reported in a half dozen manuscripts, that the sign of the volume change may become positive at higher temperatures.

Folding Requirements Are Different between Sterol 14α-Demethylase (CYP51) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Human or Fungal Orthologs

Upon sequence alignment of CYP51 sterol 14alpha-demethylase from animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria, arginine corresponding to Arg-448 of CYP51 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) is conserved near the C terminus of all family members. In MTCYP51 Arg-448 forms a salt bridge with Asp-287, connecting beta-strand 3-2 with helix J. Deletion of the three C-terminal residues of MTCYP51 has little effect on expression of P450 in Escherichia coli. However, truncation of the fourth amino acid (Arg-448) completely abolishes P450 expression. We have investigated whether Arg-448 has other structural or functional roles in addition to folding and whether its conservation reflects conservation of a common folding pathway in the CYP51 family. Characterization of wild type protein and three mutants, R448K, R448I, and R448A, including examination of catalytic activity, secondary and tertiary structure analysis by circular dichroism and tryptophan fluorescence, and studies of both equilibrium and temporal MTCYP51 unfolding behavior, shows that Arg-448 does not play any role in P450 function or maintenance of the native structure. C-terminal truncation of Candida albicans and human CYP51 orthologs reveals that, despite conservation in sequence, the requirement for arginine at the homologous C-terminal position in folding in E. coli is not conserved. Thus, despite similar spatial folds, functionally related but evolutionarily distinct P450s can follow different folding pathways.

Reversible pressure deformation of a thermophilic cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP119) and its active-site mutants

The pressure stability of the thermophilic CYP119 from Sulfolobus solfataricus and its active-site Thr213 and Thr214 mutants was investigated. At 20 degrees C and pH 6.5, the protein undergoes a reversible P450-to-P420 inactivation with a midpoint at 380 MPa and a reaction volume change of -28 mL/mol. The volume of activation of the process was -9.5 mL/mol. The inactivation transition was retarded, and the absolute reaction volume was decreased by increasing temperature or by mutations that decrease the size of the active-site cavity. High pressure affected the tryptophan fluorescence yield, which decreased by about 37% at 480 MPa. The effect was reversible and suggested considerable contraction of the protein. Aerobic decomposition of iron-aryl complexes of the CYP119 T213A mutant under increasing hydrostatic pressure resulted in variation of the N-arylprotoporphyrin-IX regioisomer (N(B):N(A):N(C):N(D)) adduct pattern from 39:47:07:07 at 0.1 MPa to 23:36:14:27 at 400 MPa. Preincubation of the protein at 400 MPa followed by complex formation and decomposition gave the same regioisomer distribution as untreated protein. The results indicate that the protein is reversibly inactivated by pressure, in contrast to the irreversible inactivation of P450(cam) and other P450 enzymes, and that this inactivation process is modulated by changes in the active-site cavity dimensions.

Probing the contribution of internal cavities to the volume change of protein unfolding under pressure

The structural origin of the decrease in system volume upon protein denaturation by pressure has remained a puzzle for decades. This negative volume change upon unfolding is assumed to arise globally from more intimate interactions between the polypeptide chain and water, including electrostriction of buried charges that become exposed upon unfolding, hydration of the polypeptide backbone and amino acid side chains and elimination of packing defects and internal void volumes upon unfolding of the chain. However, the relative signs and magnitudes of each of these contributing factors have not been experimentally determined. Our laboratory has probed the fundamental basis for the volume change upon unfolding of staphylococcal nuclease (Snase) using variable solution conditions and point mutants of Snase (Royer CA et al., 1993, Biochemistry 32:5222-5232; Frye KJ et al., 1996, Biochemistry 35:10234-10239). Our prior results indicate that for Snase, neither electrostriction nor polar or nonpolar hydration contributes significantly to the value of the volume change of unfolding. In the present work, we investigate the pressure induced unfolding of three point mutants of Snase in which internal cavity size is altered. The experimentally determined volume changes of unfolding for the mutants suggest that loss of internal void volume upon unfolding represents the major contributing factor to the value of the volume change of Snase unfolding.

Protein structure and dynamics at high pressure

The effect of pressure on the structure and dynamics of proteins is discussed in the framework of the pressure-temperature stability phase diagram. The elastic (reversible) properties, thermal expansion, compressibility and heat capacity, are correlated with the entropy, volume, and the coupling between entropy and volume fluctuations respectively. The experimental approaches that can be used to measure these quantities are reviewed. The plastic (conformational) changes reflect the changes in these properties in the cold, pressure and heat denaturation.

Chimeric beta-EF3-alpha hemoglobin (Psi): energetics of subunit interaction and ligand binding

Among the numerous strategies to design an oxygen carrier, we outline in this work the engineering of a stable homotetrameric hemoglobin, expressed in Escherichia coli. The chimeric globin (Psi) consists of the first 79 residues of human beta globin (corresponding to positions NA1 --> EF3) followed by the final 67 residues of human alpha globin (corresponding to positions EF3 --> HC3). The molecular mass for beta-EF3-alpha (Psi) globin was measured using mass spectrometry to be equal to its theoretical value: 15782 Da. Correct protein folding was assessed by UV/visible and fluorescence spectra. The subunit interaction free energies were estimated by HPLC gel filtration. In the cyanometHb species, the formation of the dimer-tetramer interface is 2 kcal/mol less favorable (Delta G = -7 kcal/mol) than that of Hb A (Delta G = -9 kcal/mol), whereas the dimer-monomer interface is tightly assembled (< -10 kcal/mol) as for the Hb A alpha 1 beta 1 interface. In contrast to Hb A, oxygen binding to Psi Hb is not cooperative. The free energy for binding four oxygen molecules to a Psi homotetramer is slightly increased compared to a Hb A heterotetramer (-28 and -27.5 kcal/4 mol of O2, respectively). The intrinsic O2 affinity of a Psi homodimer is 6-fold higher than that of a homotetramer. The linkage scheme between dimer-tetramer subunit assembly and the noncooperative oxygenation of Psi Hb predicts a stabilization of the tetramer after ligand release. This protein mechanism resembles that of Hb A for which the dimers exhibit a 100-fold higher O2 affinity relative to deoxy tetramers (which are 10(5) times more stable than oxy tetramers). A potent allosteric effector of Hb A, RSR4, binds to Psi Hb tetramers, inducing a decrease of the overall O2 affinity. Since RSR4 interacts specifically with two binding sites of deoxy Hb A, we propose that the chimeric tetramer folding is close to this native structure.

Intrinsic compressibility and volume compression in solvated proteins by molecular dynamics simulation at high pressure

Constant pressure and temperature molecular dynamics techniques have been employed to investigate the changes in structure and volumes of two globular proteins, superoxide dismutase and lysozyme, under pressure. Compression (the relative changes in the proteins' volumes), computed with the Voronoi technique, is closely related with the so-called protein intrinsic compressibility, estimated by sound velocity measurements. In particular, compression computed with Voronoi volumes predicts, in agreement with experimental estimates, a negative bound water contribution to the apparent protein compression. While the use of van der Waals and molecular volumes underestimates the intrinsic compressibilities of proteins, Voronoi volumes produce results closer to experimental estimates. Remarkably, for two globular proteins of very different secondary structures, we compute identical (within statistical error) protein intrinsic compressions, as predicted by recent experimental studies. Changes in the protein interatomic distances under compression are also investigated. It is found that, on average, short distances compress less than longer ones. This nonuniform contraction underlines the peculiar nature of the structural changes due to pressure in contrast with temperature effects, which instead produce spatially uniform changes in proteins. The structural effects observed in the simulations at high pressure can explain protein compressibility measurements carried out by fluorimetric and hole burning techniques. Finally, the calculation of the proteins static structure factor shows significant shifts in the peaks at short wavenumber as pressure changes. These effects might provide an alternative way to obtain information concerning compressibilities of selected protein regions.

Heme-CO binding to tryptophan-containing calmodulin mutants

The binding of heme-CO to genetically engineered calmodulin containing a single tryptophan residue has been studied. A tryptophan residue was integrated at one of five positions: 26 or 62 of the N-terminal, 81 in the central helix, or 99 or 135 of the C-terminal. As for the wild type, the mutant calmodulins bind four molecules of heme-CO with an average affinity of 1 microM. (i) Homotropic effect. The quenching of the tryptophan fluorescence by energy transfer to the hemes indicates that there is no preference between the N- or C-terminal pockets for heme binding. The quenching is less than expected for a binomial distribution of four sites. This could indicate a lower energy transfer rate due to a specific orientation factor. The weak quenching as a function of the number of hemes bound may also reveal a cooperativity in the heme binding; the data can be simulated assuming two pairs of sites, where each pocket shows a cooperative binding for two hemes. (ii) Heterotropic effect. As observed for the wild type, addition of melittin does not displace the hemes from the mutant calmodulins; the affinity of heme-CO for the calmodulin.melittin complex is higher than that for calmodulin alone. The affinity of heme-CO for native calmodulin is also higher in the presence of trifluoperazine.

Compressibility of the heme pocket of substrate analogue complexes of cytochrome P-450cam-CO. The effect of hydrostatic pressure on the Soret band

The effect of hydrostatic pressure on the electronic absorption spectrum of the carbon monoxide complex of cytochrome P-450cam (CYP101) in the presence of various substrates was studied. With increasing pressure the wavenumber of the Soret band in the cytochrome P-450-CO complex shifts linearily to lower values (red-shift) and the half-width increases (broadening). The microscopic theory of solvent-solute interaction discussed by Laird and Skinner is used to explain the observed pressure effects. According to this theory, the slope of the red-shift of the Soret band is related to the compressibility of the chromophore environment, that is the heme moiety of the hemoproteins. It was found that the slope of the red-shift and the slope of the broadening of the Soret band for the CO complex in the presence of various substrate analogues increase with the decrease of the initial high-spin content at 0.1 MPa in the oxidized state. Variation of the high-spin content reflects the changes in the number of water molecules and/or changes in the polarity of the heme environment. The higher compressibility of the cytochrome P-450 complexes with the substrate analogues, which induce a lower degree of the high-spin content in the oxidized protein, is explained by the ability of the water molecules in the heme moiety to transmit the pressure effect on the protein structure to the heme chromophore. Therefore, a larger pressure-induced red-shift of the Soret band in the CO complex of cytochrome P-450cam might indicate a higher water content in the heme environment.

High-pressure effects on beta-lactoglobulin interactions with ligands studied by fluorescence

The effects of pressure (0.1 MPa to 400 MPa) on intrinsic fluorescence of beta-lactoglobulin and on its binding of retinol and cis-parinaric acid have been studied at neutral and acid pHs. In neutral pH, fluorescence emission spectra of beta-lactoglobulin tryptophanes are characterized by an irreversible 14 nm red-shift indicating pressure-induced folding changes. The intensity of the fluorescence of retinol in beta-lactoglobulin-retinol complex is enhanced by a pressure increase up to 150 MPa. It decreases at higher pressures and disappears altogether at 300 MPa. beta-Lactoglobulin-retinol complex does not reassociate after decompression at neutral pH. At acid pH condition, the fluorescence quenching by pressure of beta-lactoglobulin tryptophans is coupled with a 2 nm spectral shift and is fully reversible demonstrating almost complete restoration of globulin folding. The evolution of retinol fluorescence in beta-lactoglobulin-retinol complex is also entirely reversible between 0.1 MPa and 400 MPa and the complex never dissociates in the studied pressure range. beta-lactoglobulin-cis-parinaric acid complexes at neutral and acid pH values dissociate irreversibly at 200 MPa and 350 MPa, respectively.

Proteins under pressure. The influence of high hydrostatic pressure on structure, function and assembly of proteins and protein complexes

Oceans not only cover the major part of the earth's surface but also reach into depths exceeding the height of the Mt Everest. They are populated down to the deepest levels (approximately 11,800 m), which means that a significant proportion of the global biosphere is exposed to pressures of up to 120 MPa. Although this fact has been known for more than a century, the ecology of the 'abyss' is still in its infancy. Only recently, barophilic adaptation, i.e. the requirement of elevated pressure for viability, has been firmly established. In non-adapted organisms, increased pressure leads to morphological anomalies or growth inhibition, and ultimately to cell death. The detailed molecular mechanism of the underlying 'metabolic dislocation' is unresolved. Effects of pressure as a variable in microbiology, biochemistry and biotechnology allow the structure/function relationship of proteins conjugates to be analyzed. In this context, stabilization by cofactors or accessory proteins has been observed. High-pressure equipment available today allows the comprehensive characterization of the behaviour of proteins under pressure. Single-chain proteins undergo pressure-induced denaturation in the 100-MPa range, which, in the case of oligomeric proteins or protein assemblies, is preceded by dissociation at lower pressure. The effects may be ascribed to the positive reaction volumes connected with the formation of hydrophobic and ionic interactions. In addition, the possibility of conformational effects exerted by moderate, non-denaturing pressures, and related to the intrinsic compressibility of proteins, is discussed. Crystallization may serve as a model reaction of protein self-organization. Kinetic aspects of its pressure-induced inhibition can be described by a model based on the Oosawa theory of molecular association. Barosensitivity is known to be correlated with the pressure-induced inhibition of protein biosynthesis. Attempts to track down the ultimate cause in the dissociation of ribosomes have revealed remarkable stabilization of functional complexes under pseudo-physiological conditions, with the post-translational complex as the most pressure-sensitive species. Apart from the key issue of barosensitivity and barophilic adaptation, high-pressure biochemistry may provide means to develop new approaches to nonthermic industrial processes, especially in the field of food technology.

The differential effects of carbon monoxide and oxygen on the pressure dissociation of Lumbricus terrestris hemoglobin

We have explored the subunit affinities of Lumbricus terrestris hemoglobin (LtHb) under a variety of conditions using high-pressure spectroscopy. While only small changes were observed for LtHb-oxy below 1.0 kbar, higher pressures resulted in a 1000 cm-1 red shift and 2-fold increase in fluorescence intensity with a concomitant 12-fold decrease in scattering intensity, all of which reached completion by approx. 2.2 kbar. In the presence of 1 M MgCl2 or at acidic pH (4.2), the curves shifted by 400 and 1000 bar corresponding to significant destabilization. At pH 9.1, the initial spectral parameters were almost equal to the final endpoints and were unaffected by pressure. While the pressure curve of the CO form was similar to the oxy form at pH 7.2, the midpoints of the other samples were shifted to higher pressures relative to their oxy counterpart, indicating tighter subunit contacts. This stabilization was unexpected based upon the sequence homology to vertebrate hemoglobins, and the minimal structural differences between these two liganded forms of human hemoglobin. These data indicate that the differences are the result of the additive nature of the interactions involved in subunit packing whose effects become significant in larger aggregates.

Beta-lactoglobulin binds retinol and protoporphyrin IX at two different binding sites

Measurement of tryptophan fluorescence quenching and the excitation energy transfer from tryptophanyl residues to the bound ligand indicates that beta-lactoglobulin binds tightly to hemin and protoporphyrin IX in a ligand-to-protein stoichiometric ratio. The apparent dissociation constants of hemin-beta-lactoglobulin and protoporphyrin IX-beta-lactoglobulin complexes are 2.5 x 10(-7) M and 4 x 10(-7) M, respectively. The addition of beta-lactoglobulin (final concentration = 10 microM, phosphate buffer 50 mM, pH 7.1) to the solution containing retinol and protoporphyrin IX triggers an energy transfer between beta-lactoglobulin tryptophan and protoporphyrin IX as well as between retinol and protoporphyrin IX. The efficiency of energy transfer depends on the distance between the donor (retinol) and the acceptor (protoporphyrin IX). Using the Förster theory, a retinolprotoporphyrin IX distance of 25 A was calculated. These results indicate that retinol and protoporphyrin IX are bound to the beta-lactoglobulin monomer at two different sites.

The formation of cytochrome P-450 from cytochrome P-420 is promoted by spermine

This paper is concerned with camphor-bound bacterial cytochrome P-450 and processes that alter its spin-state equilibrium and influence its transition to the nonactive form, cytochrome P-420, as well as its renaturation to the native camphor-bound cytochrome P-450. Spermine, a polycation carrying a charge of 4 +, and potassium, a monovalent cation, were shown to differently cause an increase of high-spin content of camphor-bound cytochrome P-450. The spermine-induced spin transition saturates around 75% of the high spin; a further addition of KCl to the spermine-containing sample shifted the spin state to 95% of the high spin. The volume change of these spin transitions as measured by the use of high pressure indicated an excess of -40 mL/mol for the sample containing potassium as compared to that containing spermine. These results suggest that the proposed privileged site for potassium has not been occupied by spermine and that pressure forces both the camphor and the potassium ion from its sites, allowing solvent movement into the protein as well as ordering of solvent by the excluded camphor and potassium. Cytochrome P-420 was produced from cytochrome P-450 by hydrostatic pressure in the presence of potassium, spermine, and cysteine. Potassium cation shows a bigger effect on the stability of cytochrome P-450 than spermine or cysteine, as revealed by a higher value of the pressure of half-inactivation, P1/2, and a bigger inactivation volume change. However, potassium cation did not promote renaturation of cytochrome P-420 to cytochrome P-450 while the presence of spermine did.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Stopped-flow front-face fluorometer: a prototype design to measure hemoglobin R----T transition kinetics

Stopped-flow techniques are successfully used to study the kinetics of the R----T transition of hemoglobin (Hb). We have previously used front-face fluorometry to demonstrate that (i) the intrinsic fluorescence of Hb primarily originates from beta 37 Trp; (ii) the intrinsic fluorescence is sensitive to the R----T transition; and (iii) the emission of the fluorescent probes bound to specific sites on the Hb molecule (beta 93 Cys) is sensitive to the R----T transition. These findings suggested that a stopped-flow front-face fluorometer could probe R----T transitions at specific sites, such as the aromatic amino acids and sites selectively binding extrinsic fluorophores. We have developed a prototype instrument using as the core a Gibson-Durrum stopped-flow apparatus on line with a digital data analysis system using a modified Marquardt algorithm. Excitation (470 nm) and emission light (520 nm) were selected by narrow band pass filters. To study the R----T transition, a solution of purified oxy Hb A covalently bound to the fluorescent probe 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein (Hb A-AF) (1.0 g%) was mixed rapidly with deoxygenated buffer (pH 7.35, 0.05 M potassium phosphate) containing 2 mg/ml of sodium dithionite. The hemoglobin, at a final concentration of 0.5 g% after mixing, is essentially completely tetrameric. A first-order reaction was observed with a rate constant near 8 s-1, similar to the oxygen dissociation rate reported for oxy Hb A.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pressure dependence of fluorescence quenching reactions in proteins

The effect of hydrostatic pressure (0-2.6 kbar) on the acrylamide quenching of the fluorescence of indole derivatives and several single-tryptophan-containing proteins has been studied using phase fluorometry at 25 degrees C. For the model system, N-acetyl-L-tryptophanamide in water, there is essentially no pressure dependence of the quenching rate constant, kappa q. For the internal Trp residue of ribonuclease T1 and cod parvalbumin, there also is essentially no pressure dependence of the apparent kappa q at low pressure. Thus, the activation volume, delta V not equal to, for these quenching processes is approximately zero. Such small delta V not equal to values are expected for diffusion-limited reactions in water at this temperature. The low, apparent delta V not equal to values for the globular proteins characterize these quenching processes as involving very small amplitude fluctuations in the protein structures. Only for the poised tetramer in equilibrium monomer equilibrium of melittin were we able to observe a significant effect of pressure on kappa q and this is due to the pressure-induced shift in the equilibrium position.