BpaB25 insulins. Photoactivatable analogues that quantitatively cross-link, radiolabel, and activate the insulin receptor

Understanding insulin and its receptor from their three-dimensional structures

BACKGROUND

Insulin's discovery 100 years ago and its ongoing use since that time to treat diabetes belies the molecular complexity of its structure and that of its receptor. Advances in single-particle cryo-electron microscopy have over the past three years revolutionized our understanding of the atomic detail of insulin-receptor interactions.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

This review describes the three-dimensional structure of insulin and its receptor and details on how they interact. This review also highlights the current gaps in our structural understanding of the system.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

A near-complete picture has been obtained of the hormone receptor interactions, providing new insights into the kinetics of the interactions and necessitating a revision of the extant two-site cross-linking model of hormone receptor engagement. How insulin initially engages the receptor and the receptor's traversed trajectory as it undergoes conformational changes associated with activation remain areas for future investigation.

Contribution of TyrB26 to the Function and Stability of Insulin: STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS AT A CONSERVED HORMONE-RECEPTOR INTERFACE

Crystallographic studies of insulin bound to receptor domains have defined the primary hormone-receptor interface. We investigated the role of Tyr(B26), a conserved aromatic residue at this interface. To probe the evolutionary basis for such conservation, we constructed 18 variants at B26. Surprisingly, non-aromatic polar or charged side chains (such as Glu, Ser, or ornithine (Orn)) conferred high activity, whereas the weakest-binding analogs contained Val, Ile, and Leu substitutions. Modeling of variant complexes suggested that the B26 side chains pack within a shallow depression at the solvent-exposed periphery of the interface. This interface would disfavor large aliphatic side chains. The analogs with highest activity exhibited reduced thermodynamic stability and heightened susceptibility to fibrillation. Perturbed self-assembly was also demonstrated in studies of the charged variants (Orn and Glu); indeed, the Glu(B26) analog exhibited aberrant aggregation in either the presence or absence of zinc ions. Thus, although Tyr(B26) is part of insulin's receptor-binding surface, our results suggest that its conservation has been enjoined by the aromatic ring's contributions to native stability and self-assembly. We envisage that such classical structural relationships reflect the implicit threat of toxic misfolding (rather than hormonal function at the receptor level) as a general evolutionary determinant of extant protein sequences.

Analysis of protein ligand-receptor binding by photoaffinity cross-linking

Photoaffinity cross-linking is a rapidly developing technology for studying biomolecular interactions, including protein ligand-receptor binding. This technology provides detailed binding information including receptor contact sites, active conformation of receptor-ligand complexes, global binding surfaces, and binding modes. Advancements in genetic technology have enabled non-natural photoactive amino acid derivatives to be incorporated into designer or target proteins, providing a host of new opportunities for manufacturing protein photo-probes while bypassing the traditional peptide or small protein limits of classical chemical synthesis. This unit provides several protocols for performing basic photoaffinity cross-linking and related analyses for applications in ligand-receptor binding and protein-protein interactions.

The Tn7 transposition regulator TnsC interacts with the transposase subunit TnsB and target selector TnsD

The excision of transposon Tn7 from a donor site and its insertion into its preferred target site, attachment site attTn7, is mediated by four Tn7-encoded transposition proteins: TnsA, TnsB, TnsC, and TnsD. Transposition requires the assembly of a nucleoprotein complex containing all four Tns proteins and the DNA substrates, the donor site containing Tn7, and the preferred target site attTn7. TnsA and TnsB together form the heteromeric Tn7 transposase, and TnsD is a target-selecting protein that binds specifically to attTn7. TnsC is the key regulator of transposition, interacting with both the TnsAB transposase and TnsD-attTn7. We show here that TnsC interacts directly with TnsB, and identify the specific region of TnsC involved in the TnsB-TnsC interaction during transposition. We also show that a TnsC mutant defective in interaction with TnsB is defective for Tn7 transposition both in vitro and in vivo. Tn7 displays cis-acting target immunity, which blocks Tn7 insertion into a target DNA that already contains Tn7. We provide evidence that the direct TnsB-TnsC interaction that we have identified also mediates cis-acting Tn7 target immunity. We also show that TnsC interacts directly with the target selector protein TnsD.

Engineering of insulin receptor isoform-selective insulin analogues

Background

The insulin receptor (IR) exists in two isoforms, A and B, and the isoform expression pattern is tissue-specific. The C-terminus of the insulin B chain is important for receptor binding and has been shown to contact the IR just adjacent to the region where the A and B isoforms differ. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of the C-terminus of the B chain in IR isoform binding in order to explore the possibility of engineering tissue-specific/liver-specific insulin analogues.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Insulin analogue libraries were constructed by total amino acid scanning mutagenesis. The relative binding affinities for the A and B isoform of the IR were determined by competition assays using scintillation proximity assay technology. Structural information was obtained by X-ray crystallography. Introduction of B25A or B25N mutations resulted in analogues with a 2-fold preference for the B compared to the A isoform, whereas the opposite was observed with a B25Y substitution. An acidic amino acid residue at position B27 caused an additional 2-fold selective increase in affinity for the receptor B isoform for analogues bearing a B25N mutation. Furthermore, the combination of B25H with either B27D or B27E also resulted in B isoform-preferential analogues (2-fold preference) even though the corresponding single mutation analogues displayed no differences in relative isoform binding affinity.

Conclusions/Significance

We have discovered a new class of IR isoform-selective insulin analogues with 2–4-fold differences in relative binding affinities for either the A or the B isoform of the IR compared to human insulin. Our results demonstrate that a mutation at position B25 alone or in combination with a mutation at position B27 in the insulin molecule confers IR isoform selectivity. Isoform-preferential analogues may provide new opportunities for developing insulin analogues with improved clinical benefits.

Design of an insulin analog with enhanced receptor binding selectivity: rationale, structure, and therapeutic implications

Insulin binds with high affinity to the insulin receptor (IR) and with low affinity to the type 1 insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor (IGFR). Such cross-binding, which reflects homologies within the insulin-IGF signaling system, is of clinical interest in relation to the association between hyperinsulinemia and colorectal cancer. Here, we employ nonstandard mutagenesis to design an insulin analog with enhanced affinity for the IR but reduced affinity for the IGFR. Unnatural amino acids were introduced by chemical synthesis at the N- and C-capping positions of a recognition alpha-helix (residues A1 and A8). These sites adjoin the hormone-receptor interface as indicated by photocross-linking studies. Specificity is enhanced more than 3-fold on the following: (i) substitution of Gly(A1) by D-Ala or D-Leu, and (ii) substitution of Thr(A8) by diaminobutyric acid (Dab). The crystal structure of [D-Ala(A1),Dab(A8)]insulin, as determined within a T(6) zinc hexamer to a resolution of 1.35 A, is essentially identical to that of human insulin. The nonstandard side chains project into solvent at the edge of a conserved receptor-binding surface shared by insulin and IGF-I. Our results demonstrate that modifications at this edge discriminate between IR and IGFR. Because hyperinsulinemia is typically characterized by a 3-fold increase in integrated postprandial insulin concentrations, we envisage that such insulin analogs may facilitate studies of the initiation and progression of cancer in animal models. Future development of clinical analogs lacking significant IGFR cross-binding may enhance the safety of insulin replacement therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at increased risk of colorectal cancer.

The A-chain of Insulin Contacts the Insert Domain of the Insulin Receptor

The contribution of the insulin A-chain to receptor binding is investigated by photo-cross-linking and nonstandard mutagenesis. Studies focus on the role of Val(A3), which projects within a crevice between the A- and B-chains. Engineered receptor alpha-subunits containing specific protease sites ("midi-receptors") are employed to map the site of photo-cross-linking by an analog containing a photoactivable A3 side chain (para-azido-Phe (Pap)). The probe cross-links to a C-terminal peptide (residues 703-719 of the receptor A isoform, KTFEDYLHNVVFVPRPS) containing side chains critical for hormone binding (underlined); the corresponding segment of the holoreceptor was shown previously to cross-link to a Pap(B25)-insulin analog. Because Pap is larger than Val and so may protrude beyond the A3-associated crevice, we investigated analogs containing A3 substitutions comparable in size to Val as follows: Thr, allo-Thr, and alpha-aminobutyric acid (Aba). Substitutions were introduced within an engineered monomer. Whereas previous studies of smaller substitutions (Gly(A3) and Ser(A3)) encountered nonlocal conformational perturbations, NMR structures of the present analogs are similar to wild-type insulin; the variant side chains are accommodated within a native-like crevice with minimal distortion. Receptor binding activities of Aba(A3) and allo-Thr(A3) analogs are reduced at least 10-fold; the activity of Thr(A3)-DKP-insulin is reduced 5-fold. The hormone-receptor interface is presumably destabilized either by a packing defect (Aba(A3)) or by altered polarity (allo-Thr(A3) and Thr(A3)). Our results provide evidence that Val(A3), a site of mutation causing diabetes mellitus, contacts the insert domain-derived tail of the alpha-subunit in a hormone-receptor complex.

Diabetes-Associated Mutations in Human Insulin: Crystal Structure and Photo-Cross-Linking Studies of A-Chain Variant InsulinWakayama†,‡

Naturally occurring mutations in insulin associated with diabetes mellitus identify critical determinants of its biological activity. Here, we describe the crystal structure of insulin Wakayama, a clinical variant in which a conserved valine in the A chain (residue A3) is substituted by leucine. The substitution occurs within a crevice adjoining the classical receptor-binding surface and impairs receptor binding by 500-fold, an unusually severe decrement among mutant insulins. To resolve whether such decreased activity is directly or indirectly mediated by the variant side chain, we have determined the crystal structure of Leu(A3)-insulin and investigated the photo-cross-linking properties of an A3 analogue containing p-azidophenylalanine. The structure, characterized in a novel crystal form as an R(6) zinc hexamer at 2.3 A resolution, is essentially identical to that of the wild-type R(6) hexamer. The variant side chain remains buried in a nativelike crevice with small adjustments in surrounding side chains. The corresponding photoactivatable analogue, although of low affinity, exhibits efficient cross-linking to the insulin receptor. The site of photo-cross-linking lies within a 14 kDa C-terminal domain of the alpha-subunit. This domain, unrelated in sequence to the major insulin-binding region in the N-terminal L1 beta-helix, is also contacted by photoactivatable probes at positions A8 and B25. Packing of Val(A3) at this interface may require a conformational change in the B chain to expose the A3-related crevice. The structure of insulin Wakayama thus evokes the reasoning of Sherlock Holmes in "the curious incident of the dog in the night": the apparent absence of structural perturbations (like the dog that did not bark) provides a critical clue to the function of a hidden receptor-binding surface.

Enhancing the Activity of Insulin at the Receptor Interface: Crystal Structure and Photo-Cross-Linking of A8 Analogues

The receptor-binding surface of insulin is broadly conserved, reflecting its evolutionary optimization. Neighboring positions nevertheless offer an opportunity to enhance activity, through either transmitted structural changes or introduction of novel contacts. Nonconserved residue A8 is of particular interest as Thr(A8) --> His substitution (a species variant in birds and fish) augments the potency of human insulin. Diverse A8 substitutions are well tolerated, suggesting that the hormone-receptor interface is not tightly packed at this site. To resolve whether enhanced activity is directly or indirectly mediated by the variant A8 side chain, we have determined the crystal structure of His(A8)-insulin and investigated the photo-cross-linking properties of an A8 analogue containing p-azidophenylalanine. The structure, characterized as a T(3)R(3)(f) zinc hexamer at 1.8 A resolution, is essentially identical to that of native insulin. The photoactivatable analogue exhibits efficient cross-linking to the insulin receptor. The site of cross-linking lies within a 14 kDa C-terminal domain of the alpha-subunit. This contact, to our knowledge the first to be demonstrated from the A chain, is inconsistent with a recent model of the hormone-receptor complex derived from electron microscopy. Optimizing the binding interaction of a nonconserved side chain on the surface of insulin may thus enhance its activity.

Identification of Ligand Binding Regions of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae α-Factor Pheromone Receptor by Photoaffinity Cross-Linking

Analogues of alpha-factor, Saccharomyces cerevisiae tridecapeptide mating pheromone (H-Trp-His-Trp-Leu-Gln-Leu-Lys-Pro-Gly-Gln-Pro-Met-Tyr-OH), containing p-benzoylphenylalanine (Bpa), a photoactivatable group, and biotin as a tag, were synthesized using solid-phase methodologies on a p-benzyloxybenzyl alcohol polystyrene resin. Bpa was inserted at positions 1, 3, 5, 8, and 13 of alpha-factor to generate a set of cross-linkable analogues spanning the pheromone. The biological activity (growth arrest assay) and binding affinities of all analogues for the alpha-factor receptor (Ste2p) were determined. Two of the analogues that were tested, Bpa(1) and Bpa(5), showed 3-4-fold lower affinity than the alpha-factor, whereas Bpa(3) and Bpa(13) had 7-12-fold lower affinities. Bpa(8) competed poorly with [(3)H]-alpha-factor for Ste2p. All of the analogues tested except Bpa(8) had detectable halos in the growth arrest assay, indicating that these analogues are alpha-factor agonists. Cross-linking studies demonstrated that [Bpa(1)]-alpha-factor, [Bpa(3)]-alpha-factor, [Bpa(5)]-alpha-factor, and [Bpa(13)]-alpha-factor were cross-linked to Ste2p; the biotin tag on the pheromone was detected by a NeutrAvidin-HRP conjugate on Western blots. Digestion of Bpa(1), Bpa(3), and Bpa(13) cross-linked receptors with chemical and enzymatic reagents suggested that the N-terminus of the pheromone interacts with a binding domain consisting of residues from the extracellular ends of TM5-TM7 and portions of EL2 and EL3 close to these TMs and that there is a direct interaction between the position 13 side chain and a region of Ste2p (F55-R58) at the extracellular end of TM1. The results further define the sites of interaction between Ste2p and the alpha-factor, allowing refinement of a model for the pheromone bound to its receptor.

Diabetes-associated mutations in insulin: consecutive residues in the B chain contact distinct domains of the insulin receptor

How insulin binds to and activates the insulin receptor has long been the subject of speculation. Of particular interest are invariant phenylalanine residues at consecutive positions in the B chain (residues B24 and B25). Sites of mutation causing diabetes mellitus, these residues occupy opposite structural environments: Phe(B25) projects from the surface of insulin, whereas Phe(B24) packs against the core. Despite these differences, site-specific cross-linking suggests that each contacts the insulin receptor. Photoactivatable derivatives of insulin containing respective p-azidophenylalanine substitutions at positions B24 and B25 were synthesized in an engineered monomer (DKP-insulin). On ultraviolet irradiation each derivative cross-links efficiently to the receptor. Packing of Phe(B24) at the receptor interface (rather than against the core of the hormone) may require a conformational change in the B chain. Sites of cross-linking in the receptor were mapped to domains by Western blot. Remarkably, whereas B25 cross-links to the C-terminal domain of the alpha subunit in accord with previous studies (Kurose, T., et al. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 29190-29197), the probe at B24 cross-links to its N-terminal domain (the L1 beta-helix). Our results demonstrate that consecutive residues in insulin contact widely separated sequences in the receptor and in turn suggest a revised interpretation of electron-microscopic images of the complex. By tethering the N- and C-terminal domains of the extracellular alpha subunit, insulin is proposed to stabilize an active conformation of the disulfide-linked transmembrane tyrosine kinase.

How Insulin Binds: the B-Chain α-Helix Contacts the L1 β-Helix of the Insulin Receptor

Binding of insulin to the insulin receptor plays a central role in the hormonal control of metabolism. Here, we investigate possible contact sites between the receptor and the conserved non-polar surface of the B-chain. Evidence is presented that two contiguous sites in an alpha-helix, Val(B12) and Tyr(B16), contact the receptor. Chemical synthesis is exploited to obtain non-standard substitutions in an engineered monomer (DKP-insulin). Substitution of Tyr(B16) by an isosteric photo-activatable derivative (para-azido-phenylalanine) enables efficient cross-linking to the receptor. Such cross-linking is specific and maps to the L1 beta-helix of the alpha-subunit. Because substitution of Val(B12) by larger side-chains markedly impairs receptor binding, cross-linking studies at B12 were not undertaken. Structure-function relationships are instead probed by side-chains of similar or smaller volume: respective substitution of Val(B12) by alanine, threonine, and alpha-aminobutyric acid leads to activities of 1(+/-0.1)%, 13(+/-6)%, and 14(+/-5)% (relative to DKP-insulin) without disproportionate changes in negative cooperativity. NMR structures are essentially identical with native insulin. The absence of transmitted structural changes suggests that the low activities of B12 analogues reflect local perturbation of a "high-affinity" hormone-receptor contact. By contrast, because position B16 tolerates alanine substitution (relative activity 34(+/-10)%), the contribution of this neighboring interaction is smaller. Together, our results support a model in which the B-chain alpha-helix, functioning as an essential recognition element, docks against the L1 beta-helix of the insulin receptor.

Diabetes-associated mutations in insulin identify invariant receptor contacts

Mutations in human insulin cause an autosomal-dominant syndrome of diabetes and fasting hyperinsulinemia. We demonstrate by residue-specific photo cross-linking that diabetes-associated mutations occur at receptor-binding sites. The studies use para-azido-phenylalanine, introduced at five sites by total protein synthesis. Because two such sites (Val(A3) and Phe(B24)) are largely buried in crystal structures of the free hormone, their participation in receptor binding is likely to require a conformational change to expose a hidden functional surface. Our results demonstrate that this surface spans both chains of the insulin molecule and includes sites of rare human mutations that cause diabetes.

Structural biology of insulin and IGF1 receptors: implications for drug design

Type 2 diabetes mellitus -- in which the body produces insufficient amounts of insulin or the insulin that is produced does not function properly to control blood glucose -- is an increasingly common disorder. Prospective clinical studies have proven the benefits of tighter glucose control in reducing the frequency and severity of complications of the disease, leading to the advocation of earlier and more aggressive use of insulin therapy. Given the reluctance of patients with type 2 diabetes to inject themselves with insulin, orally active insulin mimetics would be a major therapeutic advance. Here, we discuss recent progress in understanding the structure-function relationships of the insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) receptors, their mechanism of activation and their implications for the design of insulin-receptor agonists for diabetes therapy and IGF1-receptor antagonists for cancer therapy.

Identification of a contact region between the tridecapeptide alpha-factor mating pheromone of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its G protein-coupled receptor by photoaffinity labeling

Saccharomyces cerevisiae haploid cells communicate with their opposite mating type through peptide pheromones (alpha-factor and a-factor) that activate G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). S. cerevisiaewas used as a model system for the study of peptide-responsive GPCRs. Here, we detail the synthesis and characterization of a number of alpha-factor (Trp-His-Trp-Leu-Gln-Leu-Lys-Pro-Gly-Gln-Pro-Met-Tyr) pheromone analogues containing the photo-cross-linkable group 4-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine (Bpa). Following characterization, one analogue, [Bpa(1), Tyr(3), Arg(7), Phe(13)]alpha-factor, was radioiodinated and used as a probe for Ste2p, the GPCR for alpha-factor. Binding of the di-iodinated probe was saturable (K(d) = 200 nM) and competable by alpha-factor. Cross-linking into Ste2p was specific for this receptor and reversed by the wild-type pheromone. Chemical and enzymatic cleavage of the receptor/radioprobe complex indicated that cross-linking occurred on a portion of Ste2p spanning residues 251-294 which encompasses transmembrane domain 6, the extracellular loop between transmembrane domains 6 and 7, and transmembrane domain 7. This fragment was verified using T7-epitope-tagged Ste2p and a biotinylated, photoactivatable alpha-factor. After cross-linking with the biotinylated photoprobe and trypsin cleavage, the cross-linked receptor fragment was revealed by both an anti T7-epitope antibody and a biotin probe. This is the first determination of a specific contact region between a Class IV GPCR and its ligand. The results demonstrate that Bpa alpha-factor probes are useful in determining contacts between alpha-factor and Ste2p and initiate mapping of the ligand binding site of this GPCR.

Non-standard insulin design: structure-activity relationships at the periphery of the insulin receptor

The design of insulin analogues has emphasized stabilization or destabilization of structural elements according to established principles of protein folding. To this end, solvent-exposed side-chains extrinsic to the receptor-binding surface provide convenient sites of modification. An example is provided by an unfavorable helical C-cap (Thr(A8)) whose substitution by favorable amino acids (His(A8) or Arg(A8)) has yielded analogues of improved stability. Remarkably, these analogues also exhibit enhanced activity, suggesting that activity may correlate with stability. Here, we test this hypothesis by substitution of diaminobutyric acid (Dab(A8)), like threonine an amino acid of low helical propensity. The crystal structure of Dab(A8)-insulin is similar to those of native insulin and the related analogue Lys(A8)-insulin. Although no more stable than native insulin, the non-standard analogue is twice as active. Stability and affinity can therefore be uncoupled. To investigate alternative mechanisms by which A8 substitutions enhance activity, multiple substitutions were introduced. Surprisingly, diverse aliphatic, aromatic and polar side-chains enhance receptor binding and biological activity. Because no relationship is observed between activity and helical propensity, we propose that local interactions between the A8 side-chain and an edge of the hormone-receptor interface modulate affinity. Dab(A8)-insulin illustrates the utility of non-standard amino acids in hypothesis-driven protein design.

Activities of monomeric insulin analogs at position A8 are uncorrelated with their thermodynamic stabilities

Previous studies have demonstrated that the potency and thermodynamic stability of human insulin are enhanced in concert by substitution of Thr(A8) by arginine or histidine. These surface substitutions stabilize the N-terminal alpha-helix of the A chain, a key element of hormone-receptor recognition. Does enhanced stability necessarily imply enhanced activity? Here, we test by structure-based mutagenesis the relationship between the stability and activity of the hormone. To circumvent confounding effects of insulin self-association, A chain analogs were combined with a variant B chain (Asp(B10), Lys(B28), and Pro(B29) (DKP)) to create a monomeric template. Five analogs were obtained by chain combination; disulfide pairing proceeded in each case with native yield. CD and (1)H NMR spectra of the DKP analogs are essentially identical to those of DKP-insulin, indicating a correspondence of structures. Receptor binding affinities were determined by competitive displacement of (125)I-insulin from human placental membranes. Thermodynamic stabilities were measured by CD titration; unfolding was monitored as a function of guanidine concentration. In this broader collection of analogs receptor binding affinities are uncorrelated with stability. We suggest that receptor binding affinities of A8 analogs reflect local features of the hormone-receptor interface rather than the stability of the free hormone or the intrinsic C-capping propensity of the A8 side chain.

Structural studies of the detergent-solubilized and vesicle-reconstituted insulin receptor

Insulin binding to the insulin receptor initiates a cascade of cellular events that are responsible for regulating cell metabolism, proliferation, and growth. We have investigated the structure of the purified, functionally active, human insulin receptor using negative stain and cryo-electron microscopy. Visualization of the detergent-solubilized and vesicle-reconstituted receptor shows the alpha(2)beta(2) heterotetrameric insulin receptor to be a three-armed pinwheel-like complex that exhibits considerable variability among individual receptors. The alpha-subunit of the receptor was labeled with an insulin analogue.streptavidin gold conjugate, which facilitated the identification of the receptor arm responsible for insulin binding. The gold label was localized to the tip of a single receptor arm of the three-armed complex. The beta-subunit of the insulin receptor was labeled with a maleimide-gold conjugate, which allowed orientation of the receptor complex in the membrane bilayer. The model derived from electron microscopic studies displays a "Y"-like morphology representing the predominant species identified in the reconstituted receptor images. The insulin receptor dimensions are approximately 12.2 nm by 20.0 nm, extending 9.7 nm above the membrane surface. The beta-subunit-containing arm is approximately 13.9 nm, and each alpha-subunit-containing arm is 8.6 nm in length. The model presented is the first description of the insulin receptor visualized in a fully hydrated state using cryo-electron microscopy.

Development of a photoreactive parathyroid hormone antagonist to probe antagonist-receptor bimolecular interaction

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related protein (PTHrP) exert their calciotropic activities by binding to a specific seven-transmembrane-helix-containing G protein-coupled receptor mainly located in bone and kidney cells. In order to map in detail the nature of hormone-receptor interaction, we are employing 'photoaffinity scanning' of the bimolecular interface. To this end, we have developed photoreactive benzophenone (BP)-containing PTH analogs which can be specifically and efficiently cross-linked to the human (h) PTH/PTHrP receptor. In this report, we describe the photocross-linking of a BP-containing PTH antagonist, [Nle8,18,D-2-Nal12,Lys13(epsilon-BP),2-Nal23,Tyr34]bPT H(7-34)NH2 (ANT) to the recombinant hPTH/PTHrP receptor stably expressed in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293, clone C-21). This photoreactive antagonist has high affinity for the hPTH/PTHrP receptor and inhibits agonist-induced cyclase activity and intracellular calcium release. The photo-induced cross-linking of the radioiodinated antagonist (125I-ANT) to the recombinant hPTH/PTHrP receptor followed by SDS-PAGE analysis reveals a single radiolabeled band of approximately 85kDa, similar to that observed after cross-linking of a radioiodinated BP-containing agonist. The formation of this covalent 125I-ANT - hPTH/PTHrP receptor conjugate is competed dose-dependently by a variety of unlabelled PTH- and PTHrP-derived agonists and antagonists. This is the first report of a specific and efficient photocross-linking of a radioiodinated PTH antagonist to the hPTH/PTHrP receptor. Therefore, it provides the opportunity to study directly the nature of the bimolecular interaction of PTH antagonist with the hPTH/PTHrP receptor.

(D-(p-benzoylphenylalanine)13, tyrosine19)-melanin-concentrating hormone, a potent analogue for MCH receptor crosslinking

A photoreactive analogue of human melanin-concentrating hormone was designed, [D-Bpa13,Tyr19-MCH, containing the D-enantiomer of photolabile p-benzoylphenylalanine (Bpa) in position 13 and tyrosine for radioiodination in position 19. The linear peptide was synthesized by the continuous-flow solid-phase methodology using Fmoc-strategy and PEG-PS resins, purified to homogeneity and cyclized by iodine oxidation. Radioiodination of [D-Bpa13,Tyr19]-MCH at its Tyr19 residue was carried out enzymatically using solid-phase bound glucose oxidase/lactoperoxidase, followed by purification on a reversed-phase mini-column and HPLC. Saturation binding analysis of [125I]-[D-Bpa13,Tyr19]-MCH with G4F-7 mouse melanoma cells gave a K(D) of 2.2+/-0.2 x 10(-10) mol/l and a B(max) of 1047+/-50 receptors/cell. Competition binding analysis showed that MCH and rANF(1-28) displace [125I]-[D-Bpa13,Tyr19]-MCH from the MCH binding sites on G4F-7 cells whereas alpha-MSH has no effect. Receptor crosslinking by UV-irradiation of G4F-7 cells in the presence of [125I]-[D-Bpa13,Tyr19]-MCH followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography yielded a band of 45-50 kDa. Identical crosslinked bands were also detected in B16-F1 and G4F mouse melanoma cells, in RE and D10 human melanoma cells as well as in COS-7 cells. Weak staining was found in rat PC12 phaeochromocytoma and Chinese hamster ovary cells. No crosslinking was detected in human MP fibroblasts. These data demonstrate that [125I]-[D-Bpa13,Tyr19]-MCH is a versatile photocrosslinking analogue of MCH suitable to identify MCH receptors in different cells and tissues; the MCH receptor in these cells appears to have the size of a G protein-coupled receptor, most likely with a varying degree of glycosylation.

The solution structure of a superpotent B-chain-shortened single-replacement insulin analogue

This paper reports on an insulin analogue with 12.5-fold receptor affinity, the highest increase observed for a single replacement, and on its solution structure, determined by NMR spectroscopy. The analogue is [D-AlaB26]des-(B27-B30)-tetrapeptide-insulin-B26-amide. C-terminal truncation of the B-chain by four (or five) residues is known not to affect the functional properties of insulin, provided the new carboxylate charge is neutralized. As opposed to the dramatic increase in receptor affinity caused by the substitution of D-Ala for the wild-type residue TyrB26 in the truncated molecule, this very substitution reduces it to only 18% of that of the wild-type hormone when the B-chain is present in full length. The insulin molecule in solution is visualized as an ensemble of conformers interrelated by a dynamic equilibrium. The question is whether the "active" conformation of the hormone, sought after in innumerable structure/function studies, is or is not included in the accessible conformational space, so that it could be adopted also in the absence of the receptor. If there were any chance for the active conformation, or at least a predisposed state to be populated to a detectable extent, this chance should be best in the case of a superpotent analogue. This was the motivation for the determination of the three-dimensional structure of [D-AlaB26]des-(B27-B30)-tetrapeptide-insulin-B26-amide. However, neither the NMR data nor CD spectroscopic comparison of a number of related analogues provided a clue concerning structural features predisposing insulin to high receptor affinity. After the present study it seems more likely than before that insulin will adopt its active conformation only when exposed to the force field of the receptor surface.

Demonstration of a direct interaction between residue 22 in the carboxyl-terminal half of secretin and the amino-terminal tail of the secretin receptor using photoaffinity labeling

An understanding of the molecular basis of hormonal activation of receptors provides important insights for drug design. Toward this end, intrinsic photoaffinity labeling is a powerful tool to directly identify the ligand-binding domain. We have developed a new radioiodinatable agonist ligand of the secretin receptor that incorporates a photolabile p-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine (Bpa) into the position of Leu22 and have utilized this to identify the adjacent receptor domain. The rat [Tyr10,Bpa22]secretin-27 probe was a fully efficacious agonist, with a potency to stimulate cAMP accumulation by Chinese hamster ovary SecR cells similar to that of natural secretin (EC50 = 68 +/- 22 pM analogue and 95 +/- 25 pM secretin). It bound specifically and with high affinity (Ki = 5.0 +/- 1.1 nM) and covalently labeled the Mr = 57,000-62,000 secretin receptor. Cyanogen bromide cleavage of the receptor yielded a major labeled fragment of apparent Mr = 19,000 that shifted to Mr = 9,000 after deglycosylation. This was most consistent with either of two glycosylated domains within the amino-terminal tail of the receptor. Immunoprecipitation with antibody directed to epitope tags incorporated into each of the candidate domains established that the fragment at the amino terminus of the receptor was the site of labeling. This was further localized to the amino-terminal 30 residues of the receptor by additional proteolysis of this fragment with endoproteinase Lys-C. This provides the first direct demonstration of a contact between a secretin-like agonist and its receptor and will contribute a useful constraint to the modeling of this interaction.

A fluorescent radioiodinated oligonucleotidic photoaffinity probe for protein labeling: synthesis and photolabeling of thrombin

To study the interactions between oligonucleotides and proteins, an original photoaffinity radiolabeling probe has been synthesized. Starting with a 5'-pyridyldithio-3'-amino-oligonucleotide, the photophore benzophenone was first coupled to the 3' end, through acylation by an activated ester of benzoylbenzoic acid. A fluorescein molecule was grafted by alkylation of the free 5'-SH. This compound was finally radiolabeled with 125I using IodoBeads. The selective photolabeling of thrombin in a complex protein mixture by the radioiodinated probe validates this strategy to identify oligonucleotide-binding proteins.

Identification of binding domains of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) for its type 1 receptor by photoaffinity labeling

Structure-function studies and photoaffinity labeling experiments were performed to identify residues and domains of PACAP involved in the interaction with PACAP receptors. For this purpose, a series of photoreactive analogues of PACAP(1-27) containing a photoreactive benzophenone (BP) residue in different peptide structural domains were utilized to analyze the interaction of PACAP(1-27) with pig PACAP type 1 receptors. Five PACAP derivatives were created with a photoreactive amino acid in the following peptide domains: either the disordered N-terminal or the helical C-terminal domain or a short loop region within the C-terminal helical domain of the peptide. Their receptor binding properties and efficiencies were tested on pig brain PACAP receptors. The results indicate the importance of the helical C-terminal domain of PACAP(1-27) for receptor binding affinity. Monoiodination of the photoreactive analogues did not change their binding affinities. Experiments with pig brain membranes demonstrated that the 125I-labeled photoreactive analogues specifically label a protein band of M(r) 66,000. The efficiency of photoreactive labeling differed for the various analogues. These findings suggest that Tyr22 and Lys15 in PACAP (1-27) are located in or close to the hormone binding site of the PACAP type 1 receptor. The results provide evidence that the alpha-helical C-terminal region of PACAP is directly involved in receptor binding.

Direct identification of a second distinct site of contact between cholecystokinin and its receptor

We have developed a biologically active analogue of cholecystokinin (CCK) that incorporates a photolabile benzoylphenylalanine (Bpa) moiety in the middle of its pharmacophoric domain, which efficiently establishes a covalent bond with an interacting domain of the CCK receptor. This probe incorporated L-Bpa in the position of Gly29 of the well characterized, radioiodinatable CCK analogue, D-Tyr-Gly-[(Nle28,31)CCK-26-33]. It was a potent pancreatic secretagogue (EC50 = 28 +/- 6 nM) that was equally efficacious with natural CCK, and bound to the CCK receptor with moderate affinity (IC50 = 450 +/- 126 nM). This was adequate to allow specific covalent labeling of the receptor. The labeled domain was within the cyanogen bromide fragment of the receptor including the top of TM6 (the sixth transmembrane domain), the third extracellular loop, and TM7 (the seventh transmembrane domain), as proven by direct Edman degradation sequencing. When this fragment was modified by the replacement of Val342 with Met to generate an additional site of cyanogen bromide cleavage, the labeled fragment was reduced in apparent size consistent with its representing the carboxyl-terminal portion of this fragment. Radiochemical sequencing of that fragment demonstrated covalent attachment of the probe to His347 and Leu348 in this domain. This represents the second experimentally demonstrated contact between a CCK analogue and this receptor, complementing the labeling of the domain just above TM1 (the first transmembrane domain) by a photolabile residue at the carboxyl terminus of CCK (Ji, Z. S., Hadac, E. M., Henne, R. M., Patel, S. A., Lybrand, T. P., and Miller, L. J. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 24393-24401). Both contacts are consistent with the conformational model of CCK binding proposed on the basis of the initial contact.

Analysis of a peptide hormone-receptor interaction in the yeast two-hybrid system

Interaction between a peptide hormone and extracellular domains of its receptor is a crucial step for initiation of hormone action. We have developed a modification of the yeast two-hybrid system to study this interaction and have used it to characterize the interaction of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) with its receptor by using GAL4 transcriptional regulation with a beta-galactosidase assay as readout. In this system, IGF-1 and proIGF-1 bound to the cysteine-rich domain, extracellular domain, or entire IGF-1 proreceptor. This interaction was specific. Thus, proinsulin showed no significant interaction with the IGF-1 receptor, while a chimeric proinsulin containing the C-peptide of IGF-1 had an intermediate interaction, consistent with its affinity for the IGF-1 receptor. Over 2000 IGF-1 mutants were generated by PCR and screened for interaction with the color assay. About 40% showed a strong interaction, 20% showed an intermediate interaction, and 40% give little or no signal. Of 50 mutants that were sequenced, several (Leu-5 --> His, Glu-9 --> Val, Arg-37 --> Gly, and Met-59 --> Leu) appeared to enhance receptor association, others resulted in weaker receptor interaction (Tyr-31 --> Phe and Ile-43 --> Phe), and two gave no detectable signal (Leu-14 --> Arg and Glu-46 --> Ala). Using PCR-based mutagenesis with proinsulin, we also identified a gain of function mutant (proinsulin Leu-17 --> Pro) that allowed for a strong IGF-1-receptor interaction. These data demonstrate that the specificity of the interaction between a hormone and its receptor can be characterized with high efficiency in the two-hybrid system and that novel hormone analogues may be found by this method.

Regulatory interactions in the recognition of endocytic sorting signals by AP-2 complexes

Many plasma membrane proteins destined for endocytosis are concentrated into clathrin-coated pits through the recognition of a tyrosine-based motif in their cytosolic domains by an adaptor (AP-2) complex. The mu2 subunit of isolated AP-2 complexes binds specifically, but rather weakly, to proteins bearing the tyrosine-based signal. We now demonstrate, using peptides with a photoreactive probe, that this binding is strengthened significantly when the AP-2 complex is present in clathrin coats, indicating that there is cooperativity between receptor-AP-2 interactions and coat formation. Phosphoinositides with a phosphate at the D-3 position of the inositol ring, but not other isomers, also increase the affinity of the AP-2 complex for the tyrosine-based motif. AP-2 is the first protein known (in any context) to interact with phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate. Our findings indicate that receptor recruitment can be coupled to clathrin coat assembly and suggest a mechanism for regulation of membrane traffic by lipid products of phosphoinositide 3-kinases.

p-(4-Hydroxybenzoyl)phenylalanine: a photoreactive amino acid analog amenable to radioiodination for elucidation of peptide-protein interaction. Application to substance P receptor

Benzoylphenylalanine, a photoreactive phenylalanine analog that can be incorporated into a peptide during solid-phase synthesis, is a useful probe for investigating the interactions of bioactive peptides with their receptors. This probe, however, lacks versatility because it is not detectable by Edman sequencing and because it cannot be labeled with radioiodine, requiring radiolabeling of the peptide ligand at a site distal to the photoreactive amino acid. The separation of the radioisotope and photoaffinity labels along the primary sequence limits identification of the photoinsertion site to a peptide fragment rather than a specific amino acid of the receptor protein. We have now synthesized p-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)phenylalanine by a synthetic route involving reaction of 4-(chloromethyl)benzoic anhydride with phenol in polyphosphoric acid to give the 4-(chloromethyl)benzoyl ester of 4-(chloromethyl)-4'-hydroxybenzophenone followed by reaction of the benzophenone derivative with ethyl acetamidocyanoacetate and subsequent hydrolysis of the product to give p-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)phenylalanine. The novel photolabile amino acid was incorporated into substance P (replacing Phe8 or Lys3) to give 11-mer peptides that bind with high (nM) affinity and specificity to the substance P receptor. Radioiodination of the substance P analogs resulted in the incorporation of 125I at the photoreactive amino acid residue, yielding probes of high (approximately 2000 Ci/mmol) specific activity. Subsequent photolysis of the radiolabeled peptides in the presence of substance P receptor caused covalent attachment of the peptide to the receptor with high photoinsertion yield (approximately 30%); photolabeling was abolished in the presence of excess unlabeled SP. p-(4-Hydroxybenzoyl)phenylalanine retains p-benzoylphenylalanine's high insertion yield and low reactivity with water, but in contrast allows placement of radioiodine and the photoactive moieties within the same residue, providing the ability to identify the specific site(s) of interaction, and identification of the residue by Edman sequencing. This novel amino acid may be useful in the elucidation of the interaction of a variety of peptides with their receptors.

Identification of transmembrane tryptic peptides of rhodopsin using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The application of mass spectrometry for determining the topography of integral membrane proteins has focused primarily on the mass determination of fragments that do not reside in the lipid bilayer. In this work, we present the accurate mass determination of transmembrane tryptic peptides of bovine rhodopsin using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The ability to determine the accurate mass of hydrophobic transmembrane peptides will facilitate the mapping of ligand binding sites in membrane receptors. It will also augment the determination of membrane spanning regions from integral membrane proteins digested in lipid bilayers. Affinity-purified rhodopsin in detergent and rhodopsin in retinal rod membranes were digested with trypsin. Tryptic peptides were separated using reverse-phase, high-performance liquid chromatography at 55 degrees C with the detergent octyl-beta-glucoside in the mobile phase. Four of the six transmembrane tryptic peptides of rhodopsin were identified, ranging in mass from 3,260 Da to 6,528 Da. The identities of the peptides were confirmed by Edman microsequencing. In addition, heterogeneity in the glycosylation of the N-terminal tryptic peptide of rhodopsin was identified by MALDI MS, without modifying the carbohydrate prior to analysis.

Conformational changes of the insulin receptor upon insulin binding and activation as monitored by fluorescence spectroscopy

We have characterized the changes in intrinsic fluorescence that the insulin receptor undergoes upon ligand binding and autophosphorylation. The binding of insulin to its receptor results in an increase in the receptor's fluorescence intensity, emission energy and anisotropy. We monitored the time course of the anisotropy change, and these data, coupled with studies monitoring the energy transfer from insulin receptor tryptophan donors to a fluorescent-labeled insulin, allowed us to conclude that the change in anisotropy is due to a conformational change in the receptor induced by hormone binding. Since insulin association is very fast, the time course also allowed us to estimate the slower rate of formation of this conformationally-altered state. The time course of receptor autophosphorylation was measured under similar conditions and was found to be similar to the ligand-induced anisotropy time course. The simultaneous use of two fluorescent-labeled insulin analogs also allowed us to assess the maximum distance between the two hormones bound to the receptor. Addition of ATP produces a large, seemingly instantaneous increase in anisotropy. Our observation that ATP binds to the insulin receptor in the presence and absence of insulin supports the idea that the conformational change produced by insulin binding increases the rate of autophosphorylation rather than increases ATP affinity. A suggested model for these changes is presented.

Photoaffinity labeling analysis of the interaction of pituitary adenylate-cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) with the PACAP type I receptor

To identify residues and domains of the peptide hormone pituitary adenylate-cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) that interact with the type I receptor, two photoreactive analogues of PACAP-(1-27)-peptide were synthesized using solid-phase peptide synthesis. Phe6 or Tyr22 within the PACAP sequence were replaced by p-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine (Bz-Phe) thus creating two PACAP derivatives with a photoreactive amino acid in either the disordered N-terminal or the helical C-terminal part of the peptide. The ligand-binding properties and the efficiencies of these peptide analogues as photolabels were tested for pig brain PACAP receptors. [Bz-Phe6]-PACAP-(1-27)-peptide (Kd 1.3 nM) retained the high binding affinity of PACAP-(1-27)-peptide (Kd 0.5 nM), wheras Bz-Phe substitution of Tyr22 reduced the affinity about tenfold (Kd 4.4 nM) thus demonstrating the importance of Tyr22 for receptor binding. Monoiodination of the photoreactive analogues did not change the binding affinity of the photoreactive analogues. Photoaffinity labeling using pig brain membrane demonstrated that the 125I-labeled photoreactive analogues specifically label a 66000-Mr protein band. Photoaffinity labeling of the rat brain PACAP receptor expressed in COS cells resulted in two specifically photolabeled proteins: a major band of Mr 58000 and a minor band of Mr 78000. By treatment of photolabeled membranes with N-glycosidase F, both of the polypeptide bands were converted to a single polypeptide band of Mr 54000, which corresponds to the deglycosylated PACAP receptor. Despite its lower receptor affinity, [Bz-Phe22]-PACAP-(1-27)-peptide labeled the PACAP type I receptor in pig brain membranes and the rat receptor expressed in COS cells with much higher efficiency (20-fold for the pig receptor) than [Bz-Phe6]-PACAP-(1-27)-peptide. These findings suggest that Tyr22 in PACAP-(1-27)-peptide is located in or close to the hormone-binding site of the PACAP type I receptor. The results provide evidence that the alpha-helical C-terminal region of PACAP is directly involved in receptor binding.

Benzophenone photoprobes for phosphoinositides, peptides and drugs

Benzophenones (BP) and related aryl ketone photophores have become established as the photoactivatable group of choice for high-efficiency covalent modification of hydrophobic regions of binding proteins, including enzymes and receptors that recognize peptide hormones, (oligo) nucleotides and nucleosides, phosphoinositides, inositol polyphosphates and a wide variety of therapeutic molecules. This review presents the advantages of BP as photoaffinity labels and provides specific examples from the last 3 years of applications of BP-containing ligands used in biochemistry.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes is accompanied by a loss of insulin receptor substrate-1 and GLUT4 expression without a loss of insulin receptor-mediated signal transduction

A number of studies have demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is associated with profound insulin resistance in adipocytes and may also play a critical role in the insulin resistance of obesity and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Reports on the mechanism of TNF-alpha action have been somewhat contradictory. GLUT4 down-regulation has been implicated as a possible cause of insulin resistance as has been the reduced kinase function of the insulin receptor. Here we examine the effects of tumor necrosis factor on the protein components thought to be involved in insulin-stimulated glucose transport in adipocytes, namely the insulin receptor, its major substrate IRS-1, and the insulin responsive glucose transporter GLUT4. Prolonged exposure (72-96 h) of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to TNF-alpha causes a substantial reduction (>80%) in IRS-1 and GLUT4 mRNA and protein as well as a lesser reduction (>50%) in the amount of the insulin receptor. Nevertheless, the remaining proteins appear to be biochemically indistinguishable from those in untreated adipocytes. Both the insulin receptor and IRS-1 are tyrosine-phosphorylated to the same extent in response to acute insulin stimulation following cellular TNF-alpha exposure. Furthermore, the ability of the insulin receptor to phosphorylate exogenous substrate in the test tube is also normal following its isolation from TNF-alpha-treated cells. These results are confirmed by the reduced but obvious level of insulin-dependent glucose transport and GLUT4 translocation observed in TNF-alpha-treated adipocytes. We conclude that the insulin resistance of glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes exposed to TNF-alpha for 72-96 h results from a reduced amount in requisite proteins involved in insulin action. These results are consistent with earlier studies indicating that TNF-alpha reduces the transcriptional activity of the GLUT4 gene in murine adipocytes, and reduced mRNA transcription of a number of relevant genes may be the general mechanism by which TNF-alpha causes insulin resistance in adipocytes.

Identification of the phospholipid binding site in the vitamin K-dependent blood coagulation protein factor IX

The blood coagulation and regulatory proteins that contain gamma-carboxyglutamic acid are a part of a unique class of membrane binding proteins that require calcium for their interaction with cell membranes. Following protein biosynthesis, glutamic acids on these proteins are converted to gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) in a reaction that requires vitamin K as a cofactor. The vitamin K-dependent proteins undergo a conformational transition upon metal ion binding, but only calcium ions mediate protein-phospholipid interaction. To identify the site on Factor IX that is required for phospholipid binding, we have determined the three-dimensional structure of the Factor IX Gla domain bound to magnesium ions by NMR spectroscopy. By comparison of this structure to that of the Gla domain bound to calcium ions, we localize the membrane binding site to a highly ordered structure including residues 1-11 of the Gla domain. In the presence of Ca2+, Factor IX Gla domain peptides that contain the photoactivatable amino acid p-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine at positions 6 or 9 cross-link to phospholipid following irradiation, while peptides lacking this amino acid analog or with this analog at position 46 did not cross-link. These results indicate that the NH2 terminus of the Gla domain, specifically including leucine 6 and phenylalanine 9 in the hydrophobic patch, is the contact surface on Factor IX that interacts with the phospholipid bilayer.

Intermolecular phosphorylation between insulin holoreceptors does not stimulate substrate kinase activity

We photocoupled benzoylphenylalanineB25, B29 epsilon-biotin insulin (BBpa-insulin) to native insulin receptors to obtain a uniform receptor population with covalently bound, non-dissociable ligand. We employed BBpa-insulin-bound and autophosphorylated (activated) receptor to phosphorylate substrate insulin receptor under conditions where the substrate receptor never interacts with insulin. The substrate receptor becomes phosphorylated in this inter-receptor fashion and reaches a phosphorylation state 50% of the maximal obtainable by autophosphorylation. However, this phosphorylation does not activate the substrate receptor to any measurable degree. We conclude that intermolecular phosphorylation of the insulin holoreceptors is unlikely to be of physiological significance.

Coupling of the proto-oncogene product c-Cbl to the epidermal growth factor receptor

The proto-oncogene product, Cbl, is a 120-kDa protein present in lymphocytes that contains numerous PXXP motifs in its COOH-terminal region and constitutively binds the SH3-containing adaptor protein Grb2. Cross-linking of CD3 and CD4 receptors in Jurkat T cells causes tyrosine phosphorylation of Cbl and its association with phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (Meisner, H., Conway, B., Hartley, D., and Czech, M. P. (1995) Mol. Cell. Biol. 15, 3571-3578). Here we demonstrate that Cbl is also present in nonlymphoid cells, and that epidermal growth factor (EGF) elicits its rapid tyrosine phosphorylation in human embryonic 293 cells. Immunoprecipitates of Cbl from lysates of these cells contain Grb2 in the basal state, while EGF stimulation causes co-precipitation of tyrosine-phosphorylated EGF receptors. Similarly, EGF receptor immunoprecipitates from EGF-treated 293 cells contain Cbl and Grb2. Both Grb2 and EGF receptors are released from Cbl in the presence of a proline-rich peptide that binds the NH2-terminal SH3 domain of Grb2. These results indicate that autophosphorylated EGF receptors associate with the SH2 domain of Grb2, which is complexed through its SH3 domain with proline-rich regions of Cbl. Such recruitment of Cbl to EGF receptors may reflect an important mechanism for its tyrosine phosphorylation and for assembling signaling components that mediate or modulate EGF actions.

A spectroscopic investigation of the conformational dynamics of insulin in solution

A conformational change, termed the T --> R transition, which can be detected by visible, circular dichoric, and fluorescence spectroscopy, occurs in native insulin and tryptophan substituted insulin analogs ([TrpB25]-, [TrpB26]-, [GlyB24,TrpB25]-, and [GlyB24,TrpB26]insulin) upon binding specific alcohol ligands, including phenol and cyclohexanol. In these studies we have demonstrated that changes in the visible absorbance spectrum of an insulin6(Co2+)2 solution are not a definitive means of determining the occurrence of T --> R transitions in the presence of alcohol ligands. We also have presented evidence that fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) can be used to determine the aggregation state of insulin and that des-octapeptide(B23-30)insulin (DOI) forms Zn(2+)-coordinated hexamers that appear to be stabilized by the T --> R transformation. Using fluorescence spectroscopy, we have shown that in the presence of specific alcohol ligands the B-chain COOH-terminal residues, particularly position B25, of hexameric, as well as monomeric insulin undergo a conformational change which appears to be related to the T --> R transformation. Circular dichroic studies indicate that a conformation similar to the R-state of metal-coordinated hexameric insulin can be induced by binding cyclohexanol; however, this new conformational state (RI-state) exists independent of divalent metal ion coordination, and therefore of hexamer formation. We further show that monomeric insulin can be induced to assume the RI-state upon alcohol binding, therefore illustrating the first defined conformational change described for monomeric insulin. We suggest that this new conformation may be an intermediate state in the T --> R transformation in metal-coordinated hexameric insulin, such that T --> RI --> R. The model presented here of the structural adjustments undergone by insulin upon binding cyclohexanol provides further insight into the conformational flexibility of insulin in solution.

Probing the bimolecular interactions of parathyroid hormone with the human parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related protein receptor. 1. Design, synthesis and characterization of photoreactive benzophenone-containing analogs of parathyroid hormone

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulates calcium and phosphate metabolism through a G-protein-coupled receptor which is shared with PTH-related protein (PTHrP). Therefore, structure-activity studies of PTH and PTHrP with their common receptor provide an unusual opportunity to examine the structural elements in the two hormones and their common receptor which are involved in the expression of biological activity. Our approach to studying the nature of the bimolecular interface between hormone and receptor is to use a series of specially designed photoreactive benzophenone- (BP-) containing PTH analogs in "photoaffinity scanning" of the PTH/PTHrP receptor. In this report we describe a series of BP-containing agonists and antagonists which have been synthesized by solid-phase methodology and characterized physiocochemically and biologically. Each of the 12 analogs contains a single BP moiety at a different defined position. Examples of BP-containing agonists prepared and studied in human osteogenic sarcoma Saos-2/B-10 cells are [Nle8,18,Lys13(epsilon-pBZ2),L-2-Nal23,Tyr34]bPTH(1-34 )NH2(K13)(Kb = 13 nM; Km = 2.7 nM) and [Nle8,18,L-Bpa23,Tyr34[bPTH(1-34)NH2(L-Bpa23) (Kb = 42 nM; Km = 8.5 nM). Another BP-containing analog, [Nle8,18,D-2-Nal12,Lys13(epsilon-pBZ2),L-2-Nal23 ,Tyr34]bPTH(7-34)NH2, was a potent antagonist (Kb = 95 nM; Ki = 72 nM). The amino acids substituted by residues carrying the BP moiety span the biologically active domain of the hormone (Phe7, Gly12, Lys13, Trp23, and Lys26). Analysis of photo-cross-linked conjugates of PTH/PTHrP receptor with BP-containing PTH analogs should help to identify the "contact points" between ligand and receptor.

Synthesis of alpha-factor analogues containing photoactivatable and labeling groups

Analogues of alpha-factor, Saccharomyces cerevisiae tridecapeptide mating pheromone (H-Trp-His-Trp-Leu-Gln-Leu-Lys-Pro-Gly-Gln-Pro-Met-Tyr-OH), containing both p-benzoyl phenylalanine (Bpa), a photoactivatable group, and 3-(mono- or di-iodo-4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid (iodinated HPP) or biotin as a tag, were synthesized using solid-phase methodologies on a [phenylacetamido]-methyl (PAM) resin. Bpa was introduced into the peptides using Bpa-hydroxybenzotriazole active ester during peptide chain assembly. Biotinylated alpha-factor analogues were prepared by assembling the desired peptide on the resin, and then reacting a specific amino group either with the symmetrical anhydride of biotin or with biotin using BOP as the activating agent prior to anhydrous hydrogen fluoride cleavage. Iodinated HPP was incorporated by acylating free peptides with Bolton-Hunter reagent (3-[diiodo-4-hydroxyphenyl]propanoic acid hydroxysuccinimide ester) in N,N-dimethylformamide and borate buffer (pH 8.0) solutions. Purification of all peptides to 98% or greater homogeneity was accomplished by high-performance liquid chromatography on a reversed-phase mu-Bondapak C18 column with acetonitrile/water/trifluoroacetic acid as the mobile phase. All products were characterized by amino acid analysis and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. Two analogues, alpha-(diiodotyrosine)-His-Bpa-Leu-Gln-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-Gln-Pro-Nle-Tyr-O H, and epsilon-(diiodo-HPP)-Lys-His-Bpa-Leu-Gln-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-Gln-Pro-Nle-Tyr -OH, were one twentieth to one-fortieth as active as a alpha-factor, and exhibited approximately one order of magnitude lower affinity to the alpha-factor receptor. The results suggest that these two analogues are alpha-factor agonists and that they can be used as probes of the alpha-factor receptor.

Mapping peptide-binding domains of the substance P (NK-1) receptor from P388D1 cells with photolabile agonists

The tachykinin substance P (SP) is a peptide transmitter of primary afferents. Its actions on both central and peripheral targets are mediated by a G-protein-coupled receptor of known primary structure. To identify contact sites between the undecapeptide SP and its receptor, we prepared radiolabeled photoreactive analogs of SP (H-RPKPQQFFGLM-NH2) by replacing amino acids in the peptide with p-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine (BPA). SP, BPA3-SP, and BPA8-SP bind with high affinity (Kd < 3 nM) to SP receptors on the murine cell line P388D1, triggering intracellular calcium responses. Both binding and calcium responses are blocked by the specific SP receptor antagonist CP-96345. On photolysis, radioiodinated BPA3-SP, and BPA8-SP covalently label a heterogeneously glycosylated protein of about 75 kDa; labeling is abolished by excess unlabeled SP or CP-96345. The labeled receptors were digested with V8 protease and/or trypsin, and the resulting fragments were analyzed by electrophoresis, high pressure liquid chromatography, and chemical or enzymatic modification. BPA3-SP and BPA8-SP photo-incorporate into different regions of the murine SP receptor. The results establish that the third and the eighth positions of SP, respectively, interact with the NH2-terminal extracellular tail (residues 1-21) and second extracellular loop (residues 173-183) of the SP receptor. A model for the agonist peptide-binding sites of the SP receptor is proposed based on photoaffinity labeling and mutagenesis studies.

Localization of the factor IX propeptide binding site on recombinant vitamin K dependent carboxylase using benzoylphenylalanine photoaffinity peptide inactivators

The propeptide binding/activation site on the vitamin K dependent carboxylase has been localized to a region of carboxylase between residues Arg +50 and Glu +225 by photoinactivation studies using [125I]tyrosyl-labeled benzoylphenylalanine (Bpa)-containing analogs of proFIX19, a peptide containing residues -18 to +1 of factor IX. Four proFIX19 analogs with Bpa substituents at -16, -13, -7, and -6 were synthesized. These peptides were specific photoinactivators of carboxylase and were used to label a His6-carboxylase construct produced in baculovirus-infected insect cells. Fragments of the labeled carboxylase produced by V8 protease digestion were analyzed by peptide-specific antibodies and by autoradiography. The propeptide recognition site was localized to the N-terminal one-third of the 94 kDa carboxylase. This is consistent with previous studies using a carboxylase substrate affinity label, N-(bromoacetyl)-FLEELY [Kuliopulos, A., Nelson, N.P., Yamada, M., Walsh, C.T., Furie, B., Furie, B.C., & Roth, D.A. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 21364-21370], indicating that the propeptide binding site and the FLEEL binding site are both located within the N-terminal one-third of the vitamin K dependent carboxylase.

Deletion of lysine 121 creates a temperature-sensitive alteration in insulin binding by the insulin receptor

Recently we reported the deletion of Lys-121 in one allele of the insulin receptor gene from a child with severe insulin resistance. In the present work, this mutant receptor (M121) was shown to have an abnormal sensitivity to temperature and an alteration in "negative cooperativity." In contrast to the wild-type receptor (HIRC), insulin binding by the M121 receptor was rapidly and irreversibly lost at temperatures above 30 degrees C with the phosphorylated form of the receptor being more temperature-sensitive than the nonphosphorylated form. Although insulin binding activity was lost, Western analysis and other studies showed that the mutant receptor remained intact. Measurements of 125I-insulin dissociation at 21 degrees C in the presence of native insulin (an estimate of negative cooperativity) demonstrated a difference between the mutant and wild-type receptor. Insulin dissociation from the mutant receptor was not as pronounced as that found with the wild-type receptor. Thus, an abnormality in insulin binding by the mutation was evident at lower "permissive" temperatures. The results of these and other studies argue that Lys-121 occupies an important position for the regulation of insulin receptor conformation. This regulation apparently influences negative cooperative interactions with insulin and modulates signal transduction.

Approach to discovering novel therapeutic agents for osteoporosis based on integrin receptor blockade

On a global scale, osteoporosis is a major and growing public health problem. In the United States, osteoporosis is present in 24 million people (mostly women) and contributes to more than 1.3 million fractures/year. Serious morbidity and mortality result from these fractures. Current therapies for osteoporosis are few, efficacy is limited, and side effects problematic. Fundamental to the pathophysiology of osteoporosis is an imbalance between the tightly coupled processes of bone resorption and bone formation that characterize normal bone remodeling. Our laboratory is engaged in a research effort focused on elucidating the role of the osteoclast integrin in bone resorption, defining the nature of ligand-integrin interactions, and developing antagonists for cell surface adhesion molecules, particularly the alpha v beta 3 vitronectin-like integrin receptor present on the surface of human osteoclasts. Peptides containing the internal arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) motif have been shown to inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in vivo. We are now designing more potent and selective inhibitors of bone resorption as a potential new mechanism-based therapeutic approach to osteoporosis based on a novel mechanism. In an effort to rapidly identify the highest affinity ligands for the human alpha v beta 3 integrin, we have generated combinatorial peptide libraries containing substantial structural diversity. For instance, based on all possible sequence combinations of extracellular matrix proteins known to bind alpha v beta 3, we recently synthesized and chemically analyzed a library of 360,000 peptides, all of which contain RGD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Benzophenone photophores in biochemistry

The photoactivatable aryl ketone derivatives have been rediscovered as biochemical probes in the last 5 years. The expanding use of benzophenone (BP) photoprobes can be attributed to three distinct chemical and biochemical advantages. First, BPs are chemically more stable than diazo esters, aryl azides, and diazirines. Second, BPs can be manipulated in ambient light and can be activated at 350-360 nm, avoiding protein-damaging wavelengths. Third, BPs react preferentially with unreactive C-H bonds, even in the presence of solvent water and bulk nucleophiles. These three properties combine to produce highly efficient covalent modifications of macromolecules, frequently with remarkable site specificity. This Perspectives includes a brief review of BP photochemistry and a selection of specific applications of these photoprobes, which address questions in protein, nucleic acid, and lipid biochemistry.