The effects of deletions in the central helix of calmodulin on enzyme activation and peptide binding

Reciprocality Between Estrogen Biology and Calcium Signaling in the Cardiovascular System

17β-Estradiol (E₂) is the main estrogenic hormone in the body and exerts many cardiovascular protective effects. Via three receptors known to date, including estrogen receptors α (ERα) and β (ERβ) and the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER, aka GPR30), E₂ regulates numerous calcium-dependent activities in cardiovascular tissues. Nevertheless, effects of E₂ and its receptors on components of the calcium signaling machinery (CSM), the underlying mechanisms, and the linked functional impact are only beginning to be elucidated. A picture is emerging of the reciprocality between estrogen biology and Ca²⁺ signaling. Therein, E₂ and GPER, via both E₂-dependent and E₂-independent actions, moderate Ca²⁺-dependent activities; in turn, ERα and GPER are regulated by Ca²⁺ at the receptor level and downstream signaling via a feedforward loop. This article reviews current understanding of the effects of E₂ and its receptors on the cardiovascular CSM and vice versa with a focus on mechanisms and combined functional impact. An overview of the main CSM components in cardiovascular tissues will be first provided, followed by a brief review of estrogen receptors and their Ca²⁺-dependent regulation. The effects of estrogenic agonists to stimulate acute Ca²⁺ signals will then be reviewed. Subsequently, E₂-dependent and E₂-independent effects of GPER on components of the Ca²⁺ signals triggered by other stimuli will be discussed. Finally, a case study will illustrate how the many mechanisms are coordinated to moderate Ca²⁺-dependent activities in the cardiovascular system.

Cab45-Unraveling key features of a novel secretory cargo sorter at the trans-Golgi network

The accurate and efficient delivery of proteins to specific domains of the plasma membrane or to the extracellular space is critical for the ordered function of surface receptors and proteins such as insulin, collagens, antibodies, extracellular proteases. The trans-Golgi network is responsible for sorting proteins onto specific carriers for transport to their final destination. The role of the mannose-6-phosphate receptor in the sorting of hydrolases destined for lysosomes has been studied extensively, but the sorting mechanisms for secreted proteins remains poorly understood. We recently described a novel process that links the cytoplasmic actin cytoskeleton to the membrane-anchored Ca²⁺ ATPase SPCA1 and the lumenal Ca²⁺-binding protein Cab45, which mediates sorting of a subset of secretory proteins at the TGN. In response to Ca²⁺ influx, Cab45 forms oligomers, enabling it to bind a variety of specific cargo molecules. Thus, we suggest that this represents a novel way to export cargo molecules without the need for a bona fide transmembrane cargo receptor. This review focuses on Cab45's molecular function and highlights its possible role in disease.

Crystallographic snapshots of initial steps in the collapse of the calmodulin central helix

Calmodulin is one of the most well characterized proteins and a widely used model system for calcium binding and large-scale protein conformational changes. Its long central helix is usually cut in half when a target peptide is bound. Here, two new crystal structures of calmodulin are presented, in which conformations possibly representing the first steps of calmodulin conformational collapse have been trapped. The central helix in the two structures is bent in the middle, causing a significant movement of the N- and C-terminal lobes with respect to one another. In both of the bent structures, a nearby polar side chain is inserted into the helical groove, disrupting backbone hydrogen bonding. The structures give an insight into the details of the factors that may be involved in the distortion of the central helix upon ligand peptide binding.

The length of the calmodulin linker determines the extent of transient interdomain association and target affinity

Calmodulin (CaM), the prototypical calcium sensing protein in eukaryotes, comprises two domains separated by a short flexible linker, which allows CaM to assume a wide range of extended and compact conformations. Here we use NMR relaxation measurements to explore the role of the linker in CaM function and dynamics. Using paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) measurements, we examine the effect of changes in the length and rigidity of the linker on the transient association between the two domains of Ca(2+)-bound CaM (CaM-4Ca(2+)). We observe that transient interdomain association, represented by an effective molarity (M(eff)), is maximal for a linker extended by one residue from the wild-type length and decreases for lengths longer or shorter than that. The results can be quantitatively rationalized using a simplified model of a random coil whose two ends must be a specific distance apart for an interaction to occur. The results correlate well with the affinity of CaM-4Ca(2+) for a target peptide, suggesting that the transient compact states adopted by CaM-4Ca(2+) in the absence of peptide play a direct role in facilitating target binding.

Calmodulin-induced structural changes in endothelial nitric oxide synthase

We have derived structures of intact calmodulin (CaM)-free and CaM-bound endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) by reconstruction from cryo-electron micrographs. The CaM-free reconstruction is well fitted by the oxygenase domain dimer, but the reductase domains are not visible, suggesting they are mobile and thus delocalized. Additional protein is visible in the CaM-bound reconstruction, concentrated in volumes near two basic patches on each oxygenase domain. One of these corresponds with a presumptive docking site for the reductase domain FMN-binding module. The other is proposed to correspond with a docking site for CaM. A model is suggested in which CaM binding and docking position the reductase domains near the oxygenase domains and promote docking of the FMN-binding modules required for electron transfer.

Expression, purification, and characterization of proteins from high-quality combinatorial libraries of the mammalian calmodulin central linker

Combinatorial libraries offer an attractive approach towards exploring protein sequence, structure and function. Although several strategies introduce sequence diversity, the likelihood of identifying proteins with novel functions is increased when the library of genes encodes for folded and soluble structures. Here we present the first application of the binary patterning approach of combinatorial protein library design to the unique central linker region of the highly-conserved protein, calmodulin (CaM). We show that this high-quality approach translates very well to the CaM protein scaffold: all library members over-express and are functionally diverse, having a range of conformations in the presence and absence of calcium as determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Collectively, these data support that the binary patterning approach, when applied to the highly-conserved protein fold, can yield large collections of folded, soluble and highly-expressible proteins.

Regulation of mammalian nitric oxide synthases by electrostatic interactions in the linker region of calmodulin

Calmodulin (CaM), the ubiquitous Ca(2+)-sensing protein, consists of two globular domains separated by a flexible central linker that properly orients CaM's globular domains to bind and regulate various intracellular proteins, including the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes. In the present study we determined that the charge and length of the central linker of CaM has an effect on the binding and activation of the NOS isozymes by using a variety of charge CaM mutants (T79D, S81D, T79D/S81D, S101D and E84R/E87K) and CaM mutants with residues removed (Delta84, Delta83-84, and Delta81-84). Our kinetic and spectropolarimetry results demonstrate that the NOS enzymes are not adversely affected by the CaM mutants with the exceptions of S101D, E84R/E87K and the deletion of residue 84. Electrostatic interactions in the central linker between residues 82-87 in combination with hydrophobic interactions in the globular domains of CaM are important for its tight association to inducible NOS.

H/D Exchange- and Mass Spectrometry-Based Strategy for the Thermodynamic Analysis of Protein−Ligand Binding

The equilibrium unfolding properties of four model protein systems were characterized using SUPREX (stability of unpurified proteins from rates of H/D exchange). SUPREX is an H/D exchange- and mass spectrometry-based technique for measuring the free energy (DeltaGf) and m-value (deltaDeltaGf/delta[denaturant]) associated with the folding/unfolding reaction of a protein. The model proteins in this study (calmodulin, carbonic anhydrase II, RmlB, Bcl-xL) were chosen to test the applicability of SUPREX to the thermodynamic analysis of larger (> approximately 15 kDa) or multidomain proteins. In the absence of ligand, DeltaGf and m-values for these proteins could not be evaluated using the conventional data acquisition and analysis methods previously established for SUPREX. However, ligand-bound forms of the proteins were amenable to conventional SUPREX analyses, and it was possible to evaluate reasonably accurate and precise binding free energies of selected ligands. In some cases, protein-ligand dissociation constants (Kd values) could also be ascertained. The SUPREX-derived binding free energies and Kd values evaluated here were in good agreement with those reported on the same complexes using other techniques.

Transient calcium and dopamine increase PKA activity and DARPP-32 phosphorylation

Reinforcement learning theorizes that strengthening of synaptic connections in medium spiny neurons of the striatum occurs when glutamatergic input (from cortex) and dopaminergic input (from substantia nigra) are received simultaneously. Subsequent to learning, medium spiny neurons with strengthened synapses are more likely to fire in response to cortical input alone. This synaptic plasticity is produced by phosphorylation of AMPA receptors, caused by phosphorylation of various signalling molecules. A key signalling molecule is the phosphoprotein DARPP-32, highly expressed in striatal medium spiny neurons. DARPP-32 is regulated by several neurotransmitters through a complex network of intracellular signalling pathways involving cAMP (increased through dopamine stimulation) and calcium (increased through glutamate stimulation). Since DARPP-32 controls several kinases and phosphatases involved in striatal synaptic plasticity, understanding the interactions between cAMP and calcium, in particular the effect of transient stimuli on DARPP-32 phosphorylation, has major implications for understanding reinforcement learning. We developed a computer model of the biochemical reaction pathways involved in the phosphorylation of DARPP-32 on Thr34 and Thr75. Ordinary differential equations describing the biochemical reactions were implemented in a single compartment model using the software XPPAUT. Reaction rate constants were obtained from the biochemical literature. The first set of simulations using sustained elevations of dopamine and calcium produced phosphorylation levels of DARPP-32 similar to that measured experimentally, thereby validating the model. The second set of simulations, using the validated model, showed that transient dopamine elevations increased the phosphorylation of Thr34 as expected, but transient calcium elevations also increased the phosphorylation of Thr34, contrary to what is believed. When transient calcium and dopamine stimuli were paired, PKA activation and Thr34 phosphorylation increased compared with dopamine alone. This result, which is robust to variation in model parameters, supports reinforcement learning theories in which activity-dependent long-term synaptic plasticity requires paired glutamate and dopamine inputs.

Reinforcement learning, based on the association of a stimulus-triggered movement with a reward, involves changes in connection strength between neurons. Memory storage occurs in the striatum, the input stage of the basal ganglia, when a stimulus or movement signal originating from the cortex and a reward signal originating from the midbrain reach the target striatal cells together. Repetitive pairing of these two signals strengthens the connection between cortical and striatal cells. The strengthening of the connections is caused by activation of biochemical signalling pathways inside the striatal cells. These intracellular signalling pathways are explored in a quantitative computational model describing the biochemical pathways important for reinforcement learning. Lindskog et al.'s study shows that when brief reward and stimuli signals are paired, a stronger response in the intracellular signalling occurs compared with the situation when each signal is given alone. This result illustrates mechanisms whereby paired stimuli, but not unpaired stimuli, can cause learning. Furthermore, the model predicts that the biochemical responses are different after brief stimulation as compared with prolonged stimulation. This result highlights the difficulties in predicting the nonlinear interactions within signalling cascades based on prolonged stimulations, which often are used in biochemical experiments.

Calmodulin isoform-specific activation of a rice calmodulin-binding kinase conferred by only three amino-acids of OsCaM61

The kinase activity of a Ca(2+)/calmodulin (CaM)-binding serine/threonine protein kinase from rice (Oryza sativa) (OsCBK) has been reported to be unaffected by OsCaM1 binding. In this study, we examined whether other rice CaMs can stimulate OsCBK. It was observed that OsCaM61 stimulated OsCBK in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. In addition, Ala(111), Gly(123) and Ser(127) were identified as critical residues for OsCBK activation. Mutational study and fluorescent spectroscopy analysis indicated that CaM-binding affinity does not correlate with the kinase activity and that these key amino-acids in OsCaM61 play a vital role in suitable changes of OsCBK conformation for kinase activation.

Structural requirements for differential sensitivity of KCNQ K+ channels to modulation by Ca2+/calmodulin

Calmodulin modulation of ion channels has emerged as a prominent theme in biology. The sensitivity of KCNQ1-5 K+ channels to modulation by Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM) was studied using patch-clamp, Ca2+ imaging, and biochemical and pharmacological approaches. Coexpression of CaM in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells strongly reduced currents of KCNQ2, KCNQ4, and KCNQ5, but not KCNQ1 or KCNQ3. In simultaneous current recording/Ca2+ imaging experiments, CaM conferred Ca2+ sensitivity to KCNQ4 and KCNQ5, but not to KCNQ1, KCNQ3, or KCNQ1/KCNE1 channels. A chimera constructed from the carboxy terminus of KCNQ4 and the rest KCNQ1 displayed Ca2+ sensitivity similar to KCNQ4. Chimeras constructed from different lengths of the KCNQ4 carboxy terminal and the rest KCNQ3 localized a region that confers sensitivity to Ca2+/CaM. Lobe-specific mutations of CaM revealed that its amino-terminal lobe mediates the Ca2+ sensitivity of the KCNQ/CaM complex. The site of CaM action within the channel carboxy terminus overlaps with that of the KCNQ opener N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). We found that CaM overexpression reduced NEM augmentation of KCNQ2, KCNQ4, and KCNQ5, and NEM pretreatment reduced Ca2+/CaM-mediated suppression of M current in sympathetic neurons by bradykinin. We propose that two functionally distinct types of carboxy termini underlie the observed differences among this channel family.

Backbone dynamic properties of the central linker region of calcium-calmodulin in 35% trifluoroethanol

The backbone dynamic properties of uniformly (15)N-labeled calcium-saturated calmodulin (Ca(2+)-CaM) in 35% 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) have been examined by (15)N NMR relaxation methods. This particular solvent was chosen in order to mimic the conditions in which CaM was crystallized, which included the presence of alcohols. Special attention was paid to the central linker region of Ca(2+)-CaM, which is a long, solvent-exposed alpha-helix in the crystal structure but is known to be partially unwound and flexible in solution. (15)N T(1), T(2), and (15)N-[(1)H] NOE values were determined for both Ca(2+)-CaM in H(2)O and Ca(2+)-CaM in 35% TFE, and the results indicated that the presence of 35% TFE did indeed induce a more ordered conformation in the central linker, with order parameters for Asp78-Glu80 of 0.29, 0.17, and 0.27 in H(2)O and 0.82, 0.66, and 0.64 in 35% TFE. However, (15)N-[(1)H] NOE values showed that these residues were still slightly more flexible than the rest of the molecule in 35% TFE (Asp78-Glu80 (15)N-[(1)H] NOE=0.46, 0.46, and 0.51). Furthermore, there is still independent motion of the two lobes of Ca(2+)-CaM in 35% TFE, with motional correlation times of approximately 10 and approximately 9 ns for the N- and C-lobes, respectively, indicating that 35% TFE was not sufficient to force Ca(2+)-CaM into a rigid dumbbell-shaped molecule as seen in the crystal structure. Additional factors that could further stabilize the structure of CaM in the crystal include pH, temperature, and crystal packing.

Monitoring the total available calmodulin concentration in intact cells over the physiological range in free Ca2+

We describe the design, characterization and application of a new genetically encoded fluorescent biosensor for intracellular detection of both free Ca(2+)-calmodulin and apocalmodulin, which together comprise the available calmodulin concentration. The biosensor binds both forms of calmodulin with an apparent Kd value of 3 microM, and has kinetic properties making it suitable for monitoring dynamic changes on a subsecond time scale. It can be used in conjunction with the fluorescent Ca(2+)-indicator, indo-1, allowing the available calmodulin and free Ca2+ concentrations to be monitored concurrently. We have determined an intracellular available calmodulin concentration of 8.8 +/- 2.2 microM under resting conditions in a human kidney cell line stably expressing the biosensor. Elevation of the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration by agonist, store-operated Ca(2+)-entry or ionophore results in Ca(2+)-dependent consumption of the available calmodulin. A plot of normalized values for the available calmodulin concentration versus the free Ca2+ concentration fits a consumption curve with a cooperativity coefficient of 1.8 and a [Ca2+]50 of 850 nM. There is no detectible binding of calmodulin to the biosensor above a free Ca2+ concentration of approximately 4 microM, consistent with an available calmodulin concentration < or = 200 nM under these conditions, and an overall excess of calmodulin-binding sites.

Calmodulin phosphorylation and modulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase catalysis

The endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) is regulated by diverse protein kinase pathways, yet eNOS activity ultimately depends on the ubiquitous calcium regulatory protein calmodulin (CaM). In these studies, we establish that CaM itself undergoes phosphorylation in endothelial cells and that CaM phosphorylation attenuates eNOS activation. Using [(32)P]orthophosphoric acid biosynthetic labeling, we found that CaM is a phosphoprotein in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) and that the kinase CK2 promotes CaM phosphorylation in BAEC. Phosphorylation of CaM by purified CK2 in vitro reduces the V(max) of immunopurified eNOS by a factor of 2 but has no effect on the K(A) for CaM or calcium. Additionally, [(32)P]orthophosphoric acid biosynthetic labeling of mutant CaM-transfected BAEC revealed that phosphorylation of Ser-81 to alanine mutant CaM ("phosphonull" S81A mutant) is dramatically reduced relative to WT, whereas phosphorylation of the "phosphomimetic" Ser-81 to aspartate (S81D) mutant is unchanged. Further studies using Escherichia coli-expressed and phenyl-Sepharose-purified CaM mutants revealed that the S81A mutation abrogates in vitro CK2-mediated phosphorylation of CaM, whereas phosphorylation of the S81D CaM mutant by CK2 is preserved. Additionally, we found that the phosphomimetic S101D CaM mutant is impaired in its ability to activate eNOS. Taken together, these results suggest that phosphorylation of CaM inhibits eNOS catalysis and proceeds in a hierarchical manner, initially requiring phosphorylation of the CaM Ser-81 residue. We conclude that CaM phosphorylation may represent a unique pathway in the regulation of eNOS signaling and thereby may play a role in modulating NO-dependent vascular responses.

Calmodulin mediates Ca2+-dependent modulation of M-type K+ channels

To quantify the modulation of KCNQ2/3 current by [Ca2+]i and to test if calmodulin (CaM) mediates this action, simultaneous whole-cell recording and Ca2+ imaging was performed on CHO cells expressing KCNQ2/3 channels, either alone, or together with wild-type (wt) CaM, or dominant-negative (DN) CaM. We varied [Ca2+]i from <10 to >400 nM with ionomycin (5 microM) added to either a 2 mM Ca2+, or EGTA-buffered Ca2+-free, solution. Coexpression of wt CaM made KCNQ2/3 currents highly sensitive to [Ca2+]i (IC50 70 +/- 20 nM, max inhibition 73%, n = 10). However, coexpression of DN CaM rendered KCNQ2/3 currents largely [Ca2+]i insensitive (max inhibition 8 +/- 3%, n = 10). In cells without cotransfected CaM, the Ca2+ sensitivity was variable but generally weak. [Ca2+]i modulation of M current in superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons followed the same pattern as in CHO cells expressed with KCNQ2/3 and wt CaM, suggesting that endogenous M current is also highly sensitive to [Ca2+]i. Coimmunoprecipitations showed binding of CaM to KCNQ2-5 that was similar in the presence of 5 mM Ca2+ or 5 mM EGTA. Gel-shift analyses suggested Ca2+-dependent CaM binding to an "IQ-like" motif present in the carboxy terminus of KCNQ2-5. We tested whether bradykinin modulation of M current in SCG neurons uses CaM. Wt or DN CaM was exogenously expressed in SCG cells using pseudovirions or the biolistic "gene gun." Using both methods, expression of both wt CaM and DN CaM strongly reduced bradykinin inhibition of M current, but for all groups muscarinic inhibition was unaffected. Cells expressed with wt CaM had strongly reduced tonic current amplitudes as well. We observed similar [Ca2+]i rises by bradykinin in all the groups of cells, indicating that CaM did not affect Ca2+ release from stores. We conclude that M-type currents are highly sensitive to [Ca2+]i and that calmodulin acts as their Ca2+ sensor.

Novel aspects of calmodulin target recognition and activation

Several crystal and NMR structures of calmodulin (CaM) in complex with fragments derived from CaM-regulated proteins have been reported recently and reveal novel ways for CaM to interact with its targets. This review will discuss and compare features of the interaction between CaM and its target domains derived from the plasma membrane Ca2+-pump, the Ca2+-activated K+-channel, the Ca2+/CaM-dependent kinase kinase and the anthrax exotoxin. Unexpected aspects of CaM/target interaction observed in these complexes include: (a) binding of the Ca2+-pump domain to only the C-terminal part of CaM (b) dimer formation with fragments of the K+-channel (c) insertion of CaM between two domains of the anthrax exotoxin (d) binding of Ca2+ ions to only one EF-hand pair and (e) binding of CaM in an extended conformation to some of its targets. The mode of interaction between CaM and these targets differs from binding conformations previously observed between CaM and peptides derived from myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and CaM-dependent kinase IIalpha (CaMKIIalpha). In the latter complexes, CaM engulfs the CaM-binding domain peptide with its two Ca2+-binding lobes and forms a compact, ellipsoid-like complex. In the early 1990s, a model for the activation of CaM-regulated proteins was developed based on this observation and postulated activation through the displacement of an autoinhibitory or regulatory domain from the target protein upon binding of CaM. The novel structures of CaM-target complexes discussed here demonstrate that this mechanism of activation may be less general than previously believed and seems to be not valid for the anthrax exotoxin, the CaM-regulated K+-channel and possibly also not for the Ca2+-pump.

Cation- and peptide-binding properties of human calmodulin-like skin protein

Human CLSP, a new Ca(2+)-binding protein specifically expressed in differentiated keratinocytes, is a 15.9 kDa, four EF-hand containing protein with 52% sequence identity to calmodulin (CaM). The protein binds four Ca(2+) ions at two pairs of sites with [Ca(2+)](0.5) values of 1.2 and 150 microM, respectively. Mg(2+) at millimolar concentrations strongly decreases the affinity for Ca(2+) of the two high-affinity sites, but has no effect on the low-affinity sites. The protein can also bind two Mg(2+) ([Mg(2+)](0.5) = 57 microM) at the sites of high Ca(2+) affinity. Thus, as fast skeletal muscle troponin C (TnC), CLSP possesses two high-affinity Ca(2+)-Mg(2+) mixed sites and two low-affinity Ca(2+)-specific sites. Studies on the isolated recombinant N- (N-CLSP) and C-terminal half domains of CLSP (C-CLSP) revealed that, in contrast to the case of TNC, the high-affinity Ca(2+)-Mg(2+) mixed sites reside in the N-terminal half. The binding of cations modifies the intrinsic fluorescence of the two Tyr residues. Upon Ca(2+) binding, hydrophobicity is exposed at the protein surface that can be monitored with a fluorescent probe. The Ca(2+)-dependency of the two conformational changes is biphasic in the absence of Mg(2+), but monophasic in the presence of 2 mM Mg(2+), both corresponding closely to direct binding of Ca(2+) to CLSP. In the presence of Ca(2+), human CLSP forms a high-affinity 1:1 complex with melittin, a natural peptide considered to be a model for the interaction of CaM with its targets. In the complex, CLSP binds Ca(2+) with high affinity to all four binding sites. Isolated N- and C-CLSP show only a weak interaction with melittin, which is enhanced when both halves are simultaneously presented to the model peptide.

Calcium Regulation of Exocytosis in PC12 Cells

The calcium (Ca(2+)) regulation of neurotransmitter release is poorly understood. Here we investigated several aspects of this process in PC12 cells. We first showed that osmotic shock by 1 m sucrose stimulated rapid release of neurotransmitters from intact PC12 cells, indicating that most of the vesicles were docked at the plasma membrane. Second, we further investigated the mechanism of rescue of botulinum neurotoxin E inhibition of release by recombinant SNAP-25 COOH-terminal coil, which is known to be required in the triggering stage. We confirmed here that Ca(2+) was required simultaneously with the SNAP-25 peptide, with no significant increase in release if either the peptide or Ca(2+) was present during the priming stage as well as the triggering, suggesting that SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein attachment protein receptor) complex assembly was involved in the final Ca(2+)-triggered event. Using this rescue system, we also identified a series of acidic surface SNAP-25 residues that rescued better than wild-type when mutated, due to broadened Ca(2+) sensitivity, suggesting that this charged patch may interact electrostatically with a negative regulator of membrane fusion. Finally, we showed that the previously demonstrated stimulation of exocytosis in this system by calmodulin required calcium binding, since calmodulin mutants defective in Ca(2+)-binding were not able to enhance release.

Calmodulin enhances the stability of the estrogen receptor

The estrogen receptor mediates breast cell proliferation and is the principal target for chemotherapy of breast carcinoma. Previous studies have demonstrated that the estrogen receptor binds to calmodulin-Sepharose in vitro. However, the association of endogenous calmodulin with endogenous estrogen receptors in intact cells has not been reported, and the function of the interaction is obscure. Here we demonstrate by co-immunoprecipitation from MCF-7 human breast epithelial cells that endogenous estrogen receptors bind to endogenous calmodulin. Estradiol treatment of the cells had no significant effect on the interaction. However, incubation of the cells with tamoxifen enhanced by 5-10-fold the association of calmodulin with the estrogen receptor and increased the total cellular content of estrogen receptors by 1.5-2-fold. In contrast, the structurally distinct calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine and CGS9343B attenuated the interaction between calmodulin and the estrogen receptor and dramatically reduced the number of estrogen receptors in the cell. Neither of these agents altered the amount of estrogen receptor mRNA, suggesting that calmodulin stabilizes the protein. This hypothesis is supported by the observation that, in the presence of Ca2+, calmodulin protected estrogen receptors from in vitro proteolysis by trypsin. Furthermore, overexpression of wild type calmodulin, but not a mutant calmodulin incapable of binding Ca2+, increased the concentration of estrogen receptors in MCF-7 cells, whereas transient expression of a calmodulin inhibitor peptide reduced the estrogen receptor concentration. These data demonstrate that calmodulin binds to the estrogen receptor in intact cells in a Ca2+-dependent, but estradiol-independent, manner, thereby modulating the stability and the steady state level of estrogen receptors.

A model of troponin-I in complex with troponin-C using hybrid experimental data: the inhibitory region is a beta-hairpin

We present a model for the skeletal muscle troponin-C (TnC)/troponin-I (TnI) interaction, a critical molecular switch that is responsible for calcium-dependent regulation of the contractile mechanism. Despite concerted efforts by multiple groups for more than a decade, attempts to crystallize troponin-C in complex with troponin-I, or in the ternary troponin-complex, have not yet delivered a high-resolution structure. Many groups have pursued different experimental strategies, such as X-ray crystallography, NMR, small-angle scattering, chemical cross-linking, and fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) to gain insights into the nature of the TnC/TnI interaction. We have integrated the results of these experiments to develop a model of the TnC/TnI interaction, using an atomic model of TnC as a scaffold. The TnI sequence was fit to each of two alternate neutron scattering envelopes: one that winds about TnC in a left-handed sense (Model L), and another that winds about TnC in a right-handed sense (Model R). Information from crystallography and NMR experiments was used to define segments of the models. Tests show that both models are consistent with available cross-linking and FRET data. The inhibitory region TnI(95-114) is modeled as a flexible beta-hairpin, and in both models it is localized to the same region on the central helix of TnC. The sequence of the inhibitory region is similar to that of a beta-hairpin region of the actin-binding protein profilin. This similarity supports our model and suggests the possibility of using an available profilin/actin crystal structure to model the TnI/actin interaction. We propose that the beta-hairpin is an important structural motif that communicates the Ca2+-activated troponin regulatory signal to actin.

Binding of IRS proteins to calmodulin is enhanced in insulin resistance

The IRS proteins, major endogenous targets of the insulin receptor, bind to calmodulin in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. Here, we have examined the interaction between these proteins in animal and cultured cell models of insulin resistance. Both IRS-1 and IRS-2 co-immunoprecipitate with calmodulin from insulin target tissues in rats. The interaction between calmodulin and IRS proteins in rat soleus muscle was enhanced when insulin resistance was induced in rats by treatment with dexamethasone for 5 days. Moreover, injection of angiotensin II into the inferior vena cava enhanced the binding in rat cardiac muscle. Similarly, increased binding between calmodulin and IRS-1 was observed in isolated cells incubated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Overexpression of calmodulin in Chinese hamster ovary cells reduced the tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 induced by insulin, with a concomitant decrease in insulin-stimulated association of IRS-1 with the 85-kDa regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Insulin-stimulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity associated with IRS-1 was also reduced in cells overexpressing calmodulin, while this activity was increased in cells incubated with the cell-permeable calmodulin antagonist trifluoperazine. These data demonstrate an enhanced interaction between calmodulin and IRS proteins in models of insulin resistance and suggest a possible mechanism by which increased intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations may contribute to impaired insulin sensitivity.

Ca(2+) binding and energy coupling in the calmodulin-myosin light chain kinase complex

We have previously shown that 3 Ca(2+) ions are released cooperatively and 1 independently from the complex between (Ca(2+))4-calmodulin and skeletal muscle myosin light chain kinase or a peptide containing its core calmodulin-binding sequence. We now have found that three Ca(2+)-binding sites also function cooperatively in equilibrium Ca(2+) binding to these complexes. Replacement of sites I and II in calmodulin by a copy of sites III and IV abolishes these cooperative effects. Energy coupling-dependent increases in Ca(2+)-binding affinity in the mutant and native calmodulin complexes with enzyme are considerably less than in the peptide complexes, although the complexes have similar affinities. Ca(2+) binding to three sites in the native calmodulin-enzyme complex is enhanced; the affinity of the remaining site is slightly reduced. In the mutant enzyme complex Ca(2+) binding to one pair of sites is enhanced; the other pair is unaffected. In this complex reversal of enzyme activation occurs when Ca(2+) dissociates from the pair of sites with enhanced affinity; more rapid dissociation from the other pair has no effect, although both pairs participate in activation. Ca(2+)-independent interactions with calmodulin clearly play a major role in the enzyme complex, and appear to weaken Ca(2+)-dependent interactions with the core calmodulin-binding sequence.

Apocalmodulin

Intracellular Ca2+ is normally maintained at submicromolar levels but increases during many forms of cellular stimulation. This increased Ca2+ binds to receptor proteins such as calmodulin (CaM) and alters the cell's metabolism and physiology. Calcium-CaM binds to target proteins and alters their function in such a way as to transduce the Ca2+ signal. Calcium-free or apocalmodulin (ApoCaM) binds to other proteins and has other specific effects. Apocalmodulin has roles in the cell that apparently do not require the ability to bind Ca2+ at all, and these roles appear to be essential for life. Apocalmodulin differs from Ca2+-CaM in its tertiary structure. It binds target proteins differently, utilizing different binding motifs such as the IQ motif and noncontiguous binding sites. Other kinds of binding potentially await discovery. The ApoCaM-binding proteins are a diverse group of at least 15 proteins including enzymes, actin-binding proteins, as well as cytoskeletal and other membrane proteins, including receptors and ion channels. Much of the cellular CaM is bound in a Ca2+-independent manner to membrane structures within the cell, and the proportion bound changes with cell growth and density, suggesting it may be a storage form. Apocalmodulin remains tightly bound to other proteins as subunits and probably hastens the response of these proteins to Ca2+. The overall picture that emerges is that CaM cycles between its Ca2+-bound and Ca2+-free states and in each state binds to different proteins and performs essential functions. Although much of the research focus has been on the roles of Ca2+-CaM, the roles of ApoCaM are equally vital but less well understood.

Interactions between neurogranin and calmodulin in vivo

Neurogranin is a neural-specific, calmodulin (CaM)-binding protein that is phosphorylated by protein kinase C (PKC) within its IQ domain at serine 36. Since CaM binds to neurogranin through the IQ domain, PKC phosphorylation and CaM binding are mutually exclusive. Consequently, we hypothesize that neurogranin may function to concentrate CaM at specific sites in neurons and release free CaM in response to increased Ca2+ and PKC activation. However, it has not been established that neurogranin interacts with CaM in vivo. In this study, we examined this question using yeast two-hybrid methodology. We also searched for additional proteins that might interact with neurogranin by screening brain cDNA libraries. Our data illustrate that CaM binds to neurogranin in vivo and that CaM is the only neurogranin-interacting protein isolated from brain cDNA libraries. Single amino acid mutagenesis indicated that residues within the IQ domain are important for CaM binding to neurogranin in vivo. The Ile-33 --> Gln point mutant completely inhibited and Arg-38 --> Gln and Ser-36 --> Asp point mutants reduced neurogranin/CaM interactions. These data demonstrate that CaM is the major protein that interacts with neurogranin in vivo and support the hypothesis that phosphorylation of neurogranin at Ser-36 regulates its binding to CaM.

Importance of phenylalanine residues of yeast calmodulin for target binding and activation

Recent genetic studies of yeast calmodulin (yCaM) have shown that alterations of different sets of Phe residues result in distinct functional defects (Ohya, Y., and Botstein, D. (1994) Science 263, 963-966). To examine the importance of Phe residues for target binding and activation, we purified mutant yCaMs containing single or double Phe to Ala substitutions and determined their ability to bind and activate two target proteins, calcineurin and CaM-dependent protein kinase (CaMK). Binding assays using the gel overlay technique and quantitative analyses using surface plasmon resonance measurements indicated that the binding of yCaM to calcineurin is impaired by either double mutations of F16A/F19A or a single mutation of F140A, while binding to CaMK is impaired by F89A, F92A, or F140A. These same mutant yCaMs fail to activate calcineurin and CaMK, respectively, in vitro. In addition, F19A exhibited a severe defect in activation of both enzymes. F12A activated calcineurin to only 50% of the level achieved by wild-type calmodulin but fully activated CaMK. These results suggest that each target protein requires a specific and distinct subset of Phe residues in yCaM for target binding and activation.

Specificity and symmetry in the interaction of calmodulin domains with the skeletal muscle myosin light chain kinase target sequence

The specificity of interaction of the isolated N- and C-terminal domains of calmodulin with peptide WFFp (Ac-KRRWKKNFIAVSAANRFK-amide) and variants of the target sequence of skeletal muscle myosin light chain kinase was investigated using CD and fluorescence. Titrations show that two molecules of either domain bind to 18-residue target peptides. For WFFp, the C-domain binds with 4-fold higher affinity to the native compared with the non-native site; the N-domain shows similar affinity for either site. The selectivity of the C-domain suggests that it promotes occupancy of the correct binding site for intact calmodulin on the target sequence. Far UV CD spectra show the extra helicity induced in forming the 2:1 C-domain-peptide or the 1:1:1 C-domain-N-domain-peptide complex is similar to that induced by calmodulin itself; binding of the C-domain to the Trp-4 site is essential for developing the full helicity. Calmodulin-MLCK-peptide complexes show an approximate two-fold rotational relationship between the two highly homologous domains, and the 2:1 C (or N)-domain-peptide complexes evidently have a similar rotational symmetry. This implies that a given domain can bind sequences with opposite peptide polarities, significantly increasing the possible range of conformations of calmodulin in its complexes, and extending the versatility and diversity of calmodulin-target interactions.

Detection in living cells of Ca2+-dependent changes in the fluorescence emission of an indicator composed of two green fluorescent protein variants linked by a calmodulin-binding sequence. A new class of fluorescent indicators

We have designed a novel fluorescent indicator composed of two green fluorescent protein variants joined by the calmodulin-binding domain from smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase. When (Ca2+)4-calmodulin is bound to the indicator (Kd = 0.4 nM), fluorescence resonance energy transfer between the two fluorophores is attenuated; the ratio of the fluorescence intensity measured at 505 nm to the intensity measured at 440 nm decreases 6-fold. Images of microinjected living cells demonstrate that emission ratios can be used to monitor spatio-temporal changes in the fluorescence of the indicator. Changes in indicator fluorescence in these cells are coupled with no discernible lag (<1 s) to changes in the cytosolic free Ca2+ ion concentration, ranging from below 50 nM to approximately 1 microM. This observation suggests that the activity of a calmodulin target with a typical 1 nM affinity for (Ca2+)4-calmodulin is responsive to changes in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration over the physiological range. It is likely that the indicator we describe can be modified to detect the levels of ligands and proteins in the cell other than calmodulin.

The structure of a calmodulin mutant with a deletion in the central helix: implications for molecular recognition and protein binding

BACKGROUND

Calmodulin (CaM) is the major calcium-dependent regulator of a large variety of important intracellular processes in eukaryotes. The structure of CaM consists of two globular calcium-binding domains joined by a central 28-residue alpha helix. This linker helix has been hypothesized to act as a flexible tether and is crucial for the binding and activation of numerous target proteins. Although the way in which alterations of the central helix modulate the molecular recognition mechanism is not known exactly, the relative orientation of the globular domains seems to be of great importance. The structural analysis of central helix mutants may contribute to a better understanding of how changes in the conformation of CaM effect its function.

RESULTS

We have determined the crystal structure of a calcium-saturated mutant of chicken CaM (mut-2) that lacks two residues in the central helix, Thr79 and Asp80, at 1.8 A resolution. The mutated shorter central helix is straight, relative to that of the wild-type structure. The loss of a partial turn of the central alpha helix causes the C-terminal domain to rotate 220 degrees around the helix axis, with respect to the N-terminal domain. This rotation places the two domains on the same side of the central helix, in a cis orientation, rather than in the trans orientation found in wild-type structures.

CONCLUSIONS

The deletion of two residues in the central helix of CaM does not distort or cause a bending of the linker alpha helix. The main consequence of the mutation is a change in the relative orientation of the two globular calcium-binding domains, causing the hydrophobic patches in these domains to be closer and much less accessible to interact with the target enzymes. This may explain why this mutant of CaM shows a marked decrease in its ability to activate some enzymes while the mutation has little or no effect on its ability to activate others.

Differential activation of NAD kinase by plant calmodulin isoforms. The critical role of domain I

NAD kinase is a Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent enzyme capable of converting cellular NAD to NADP. The enzyme purified from pea seedlings can be activated by highly conserved soybean CaM, SCaM-1, but not by the divergent soybean CaM isoform, SCaM-4 (Lee, S. H., Kim, J. C., Lee, M. S., Heo, W. D., Seo, H. Y., Yoon, H. W., Hong, J. C., Lee, S. Y., Bahk, J. D., Hwang, I., and Cho, M. J. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 21806-21812). To determine which domains were responsible for this differential activation of NAD kinase, a series of chimeric SCaMs were generated by exchanging functional domains between SCaM-4 and SCaM-1. SCaM-4111, a chimeric SCaM-1 that contains the first domain of SCaM-4, was severely impaired (only 40% of maximal) in its ability to activate NAD kinase. SCaM-1444, a chimeric SCaM-4 that contains the first domain of SCaM-1 exhibited nearly full ( approximately 70%) activation of NAD kinase. Only chimeras containing domain I of SCaM-1 produced greater than half-maximal activation of NAD kinase. To define the amino acid residue(s) in domain I that were responsible for this differential activation, seven single residue substitution mutants of SCaM-1 were generated and tested for NAD kinase activation. Among these mutants, only K30E and G40D showed greatly reduced NAD kinase activation. Also a double residue substitution mutant, K30E/G40D, containing these two mutations in combination was severely impaired in its NAD kinase-activating potential, reaching only 20% of maximal activation. Furthermore, a triple mutation, K30E/M36I/G40D, completely abolished NAD kinase activation. Thus, our data suggest that domain I of CaM plays a key role in the differential activation of NAD kinase exhibited by SCaM-1 and SCaM-4. Further, the residues Lys30 and Glu40 of SCaM-1 are critical for this function.

Localization of unique functional determinants in the calmodulin lobes to individual EF hands

We have investigated the functional interchangeability of EF hands I and III or II and IV, which occupy structurally analogous positions in the native I-II and III-IV EF hand pairs of calmodulin. Our approach was to functionally characterize four engineered proteins, made by replacing in turn each EF hand in one pair by a duplicate of its structural analog in the other. In this way functional determinants we define as unique were localized to the component EF hands in each pair. Replacement of EF hand I by III reduces calmodulin-dependent activation of cerebellar nitric oxide synthase activity by 50%. Replacement of EF hand IV by II reduces by 60% activation of skeletal muscle myosin light chain kinase activity. There appear to be no major unique determinants for activation of these enzyme activities in the other EF hands. Replacement of EF hand III by I or IV by II reduces by 50-80% activation of smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase activity, and replacement of EF hand I by III or II by IV reduces by 90% activation of this enzyme activity. Thus, calmodulin-dependent activation of each of the enzyme activities examined, even the closely related kinases, is dependent upon a distinct pattern of unique determinants in the four EF hands of calmodulin. All the engineered proteins examined bind four Ca2+ ions with high affinity. Comparison of the Ca2+-binding properties of native and engineered CaMs indicates that the Ca2+-binding affinity of an engineered I-IV EF hand pair and a native I-II pair are similar, but an engineered III-II EF hand pair is intermediate in affinity to the native III-IV and I-II pairs, minimally suggesting that EF hands I and III contain unique determinants for the formation and function of EF hand pairs. The residues directly coordinating Ca2+ ion appear to play little or no role in establishing the different Ca2+-binding properties of the EF hand pairs in calmodulin.

Methionine to glutamine substitutions in the C-terminal domain of calmodulin impair the activation of three protein kinases

The 9 methionine residues of vertebrate calmodulin (CaM) were individually changed to glutamine residues in order to investigate their roles in enzyme binding and activation. The mutant proteins showed three classes of effect on the activation of smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase, CaM-dependent protein kinase IIalpha, and CaM-dependent protein kinase IV. First, some mutations had no appreciable effect on the ability of CaM to activate the three protein kinases. Included in this category were glutamine substitutions at residues 36 and 51 in the N-terminal domain, at residue 76 in the domain linker sequence, and at residues 144 and 145 in the C-terminal domain. Second, glutamine substitutions in the N-terminal domain of CaM, particularly those at positions 71 and 72, lowered the maximal activity of smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase while having no effect on the other two enzymes. Finally the affinity of CaM for all three enzymes was lowered by glutamine mutations at the neighboring methionines 109 and 124, located on a solvent-accessible surface of the C-terminal domain of Ca2+/CaM. This last result provides the first demonstration of the involvement of the same hydrophobic groups in the high affinity binding of CaM to three different enzymes.

Analysis of phosphorylation and mutation of tyrosine residues of calmodulin on its activation of the erythrocyte Ca(2+)-transporting ATPase

The role played by the phosphorylation sites of calmodulin on its ability to activate the human erythrocyte Ca(2+)-transporting ATPase (Ca(2+)-ATPase) was evaluated. Phosphorylation of mammalian calmodulin on serine/threonine residues by casein kinase II decreased its affinity for Ca(2+)-ATPase by twofold. In contrast, tyrosine phosphorylation of mammalian calmodulin by the insulin-receptor kinase did not significantly alter calmodulin-stimulated Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. Two variant calmodulins, each containing only one tyrosine residue (the second Tyr is replaced by Phe) were also examined: [F138]calmodulin, a mutant containing tyrosine at position 99, and wheat germ calmodulin which has tyrosine at position 139. The concentrations of [F138]calmodulin and wheat germ calmodulin required for half-maximal activation of Ca(2+)-ATPase were tenfold and fourfold higher, respectively, than mammalian calmodulin. Phosphorylation at Tyr99 of [F138]calmodulin shifted its affinity for Ca(2+)-ATPase towards that of mammalian calmodulin. However, phosphorylation at Tyr139 of wheat germ calmodulin had essentially no effect on its interaction with Ca(2+)-ATPase. Thus, all of the observed effects of both phosphorylation and substitution of residues of calmodulin are on its affinity for Ca(2+)-ATPase, not on Vmax. The effects are dependent on the site of phosphate incorporation. Replacement of tyrosine with phenylalanine has a larger effect than phosphorylation of tyrosine, suggesting that the observed functional alterations reflect a secondary conformational change in the C-terminal half of calmodulin, the region that is important in its activation of Ca(2+)-ATPase.

Activation of myosin light chain kinase and nitric oxide synthase activities by engineered calmodulins with duplicated or exchanged EF hand pairs

We have constructed three engineered calmodulins (CaMs) in which the two EF hand pairs have been substituted for one another or exchanged: CaMNN, the C-terminal EF hand pair (residues 82-148) has been replaced by a duplication of the N-terminal pair (residues 9-75); CaMCC, the N-terminal pair has been replaced by a duplication of the C-terminal pair; CaMCN, the two EF had pairs have been exchanged. Skeletal muscle myosin light chain kinase (skMLCK) activity is activated to 75% of the maximum level by CaMCC and to 45% of the maximum level by CaMCN and is not significantly activated by CaMNN; Kact or Ki values for the engineered CaMs are 2-3.5 nM. Smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase activity (gMLCK) is fully activated by CaMCN and is not significantly activated by either CaMNN or CaMCC; the Kact value for CaMCN is 2 nM and the Ki values for CaMNN and CaMCC are 10 and 40 nM, respectively. Cerebellar nitric oxide synthase activity (nNOS) is fully activated by CaMNN and CaMCN and is not significantly activated by CaMCC; the engineered CaMs have Kact or Ki values for this enzyme activity of 2-8 nM. These results indicate that the EF hand pairs contain distinct but overlapping sets of determinants for binding and activation of enzymes, with the greater degree of overlap in determinants for binding. Furthermore, while the structural changes associated with swapping the EF hand pairs do not affect activation of nNOS or gMLCK activities, they significantly reduce activation of skMLCK activity, indicating that this process requires specific determinants in CaM outside the EF hand pairs.

Different mechanisms for Ca2+ dissociation from complexes of calmodulin with nitric oxide synthase or myosin light chain kinase

We have determined the stoichiometry and rate constants for the dissociation of Ca2+ ion from calmodulin (CaM) complexes with rabbit skeletal muscle myosin light chain kinase (skMLCK), rat brain nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) or with the respective peptides (skPEP and nPEP) representing the CaM-binding domains in these enzymes. Ca2+ dissociation kinetics determined by stopped-flow fluorescence using the Ca2+ chelator quin-2 MF are as follows. 1) Two sites in the CaM-nNOS and CaM-nPEP complexes have a rate constant of 1 s-1. 2) The remaining two sites have a rate constant of 18 s-1 for CaM-nPEP and > 1000 s-1 for CaM-nNOS. 3) Three sites have a rate constant of 1.6 s-1 for CaM-skMLCK and 0.15 s-1 for CaM-skPEP. 4) The remaining site has a rate constant of 2 s-1 for CaM-skPEP and > 1000 s-1 for CaM-skMLCK. Comparison of these rate constants with those determined for complexes between the peptides and tryptic fragments representing the C- or N-terminal lobes of CaM indicate a mechanism for Ca2+ dissociation from CaM-nNOS of 2C slow + 2N fast and from CaM-skMLCK of (2C + 1N) slow + 1N fast. Ca2+ removal inactivates CaM-nNOS and CaM-skMLCK activities with respective rate constants of > 10 s-1 and 1 s-1. CaM-nNOS inactivation is fit by a model in which rapid Ca2+ dissociation from the N-terminal lobe of CaM is coupled to enzyme inactivation and slower Ca2+ dissociation from the C-terminal lobe is coupled to dissociation of the CaM-nNOS complex. CaM-skMLCK inactivation is fit by a model in which the three slowly dissociating Ca(2+)-binding sites are coupled to both dissociation of the complex and enzyme inactivation.

Both the amino and carboxyl termini of Dictyostelium myosin essential light chain are required for binding to myosin heavy chain

Dictyostelium myosin deficient in the essential light chain (ELC) does not function normally either in vivo or in vitro (Pollenz, R. S., Chen, T. L., Trivinos-Lagos, L., and Chisholm, R. L. (1992) Cell 69, 951-962). Since normal myosin function requires association of ELC, we investigated the domains of ELC that are necessary for binding to the myosin heavy chain (MHC). Deleting the NH2-terminal 11 or 28 amino acid residues (delta N11 or delta N28) or the COOH-terminal 15 amino acid residues (delta C15) abolished binding of the ELC to the MHC when the mutants were expressed in wild-type (WT) cells. In contrast, the ELC carrying deletion or insertion of four amino acid residues (D4 or I4) in the central linker segment bound the MHC in WT cells, although less efficient competition with WT ELC suggested that the affinity for the MHC is reduced. When these mutants were expressed in ELC-minus (mlcE-) cells, where the binding to the heavy chain is not dependent on efficient competition with the endogenous ELC, delta N28 and delta N11 bound to the MHC at 15% of WT levels and delta C15 did not bind to a significant degree. I4 and D4, however, bound with normal stoichiometry. These data indicate that residues at both termini of the ELC are required for association with the MHC, while the central linker domain appears to be less critical for binding. When the mutants were analyzed for their ability to complement the cytokinesis defect displayed by mlcE- cells, a correlation to the level of ELC carried by the MHC was observed, indicating that a stoichiometric ELC-MHC association is necessary for normal myosin function in vivo.

Ca2+ binding to calmodulin and its role in Schizosaccharomyces pombe as revealed by mutagenesis and NMR spectroscopy

As a first step toward identifying the important structural elements of calmodulin from Schizosaccharomyces pombe, we examined the ability of heterologous calmodulins and Ca(2+)-binding site mutant S. pombe calmodulins to replace the essential cam1+ gene. A cDNA encoding vertebrate calmodulin allows growth of S. pombe. However, calmodulin from Saccharomyces cerevisiae does not support growth even though the protein is produced at high levels. With one exception, all mutant S. pombe calmodulins with one or more intact Ca(2+)-binding sites allow growth at 21 degrees C. A mutant containing only an intact Ca(2+)-binding site 3 fails to support growth, as does S. pombe calmodulin with all four Ca(2+)-binding sites mutated. Several of the mutant proteins confer a temperature-sensitive phenotype. Analysis of the degree of temperature sensitivity allows the Ca(2+)-binding sites to be ranked by their ability to support fission yeast proliferation. Site 2 is more important than site 1, which is more important than site 4, which is more important than site 3. A visual colony color screen based on the fission yeast ade1+ gene was developed to perform these genetic analyses. To compare the Ca(2+)-binding properties of individual sites to their functional importance for viability, Ca2+ binding to calmodulin from S. pombe was studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy. NMR analysis indicates a Ca(2+)-binding profile that differs from those previously determined for vertebrate and S. cerevisiae calmodulins. Ca(2+)-binding site 3 has the highest relative affinity for Ca2+, while the affinities of sites 1, 2, and 4 are indistinguishable. A combination of an in vivo functional assay and an in vitro physical assay reveals that the relative affinity of a site for Ca2+ does not predict its functional importance.

The evolving model of calmodulin structure, function and activation

Recent high-resolution crystal and solution structures have answered many long-standing questions about calmodulin and its various conformational states. However, there is still much to learn.

Young Investigator Award Lecture. Structures of larger proteins, protein-ligand and protein-DNA complexes by multidimensional heteronuclear NMR

The recent development of a whole panoply of multidimensional heteronuclear-edited and -filtered NMR experiments has revolutionized the field of protein structure determination by NMR, making it possible to extend the methodology from the 10-kDa limit of conventional 2-dimensional NMR to systems up to potentially 35-40 kDa. The basic strategy for solving 3-dimensional structures of larger proteins and protein-ligand complexes in solution using 3- and 4-dimensional NMR spectroscopy is summarized, and the power of these methods is illustrated using 3 examples: interleukin-1 beta, the complex of calmodulin with a target peptide, and the specific complex of the transcription factor GATA-1 with its cognate DNA target site.

Development and characterization of fluorescently-labeled myosin light chain kinase calmodulin-binding domain peptides

Calmodulin-dependent protein kinases such as myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), calmodulin kinase II, and phosphorylase kinase contain specific sequences responsible for binding calmodulin. These regions are known as calmodulin-binding domains and in many cases are contained within sequences that are short enough to be synthesized by solid-phase techniques. The ability to chemically-synthesize target enzyme calmodulin-binding domains has permitted the use of a variety of biophysical techniques to study the interactions between calmodulin and calmodulin-binding domain peptides. The work reviewed here describes the development and characterization of peptides based on the sequence of the calmodulin-binding domain of skeletal muscle myosin light chain kinase which were labeled with the fluorescent reagent, acrylodan. Data are presented demonstrating the use of fluorescently-labeled peptides to study various aspects of calmodulin-peptide interactions including binding affinity, stoichiometry, specificity, changes in peptide conformation, and thermal stability of the peptide-calmodulin complex. These data indicate the peptides exhibit many of the salient features seen with calmodulin-target enzyme interactions. The fluorescently-labeled peptides should thus serve as useful models for studying calmodulin-target enzyme interactions at the molecular level.

Activation of enzymes by calmodulins containing intramolecular cross-links

We have reacted calmodulins containing cysteines substituted at positions 3 and 146 or 5 and 146 with bismaleimidohexane (BMH) to generate intramolecularly cross-linked proteins termed BMHCM or BMHCM1, respectively. Reactions were also performed with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) in place of BMH to generate corresponding S-ethylsuccinimidylated proteins termed NEMCM or NEMCM1. The abilities of these proteins to activate plant NAD kinase, erythrocyte Ca(2+)-ATPase and bovine brain calcineurin activities were assessed. The BMH- or NEM-reacted proteins activate calcineurin activity as does control calmodulin. Kact values for Ca(2+)-ATPase activation by BMHCM and BMHCM1 are increased 10-fold relative to the control value, with no corresponding change in Vmax values. Activation of this enzyme by NEMCM or NEMCM1 is not different from the control. In NAD kinase activation experiments BMHCM and BMHCM1 are associated with a 10 to 20-fold increase in Kact values and a 60-75% reduction in Vmax values relative to the control. NEMCM1 is not associated with any apparent changes in NAD kinase activation, however, NEMCM is associated with a 10-fold increase in the Kact value. NEM-reacted calmodulin containing a cysteine only at position 3 is not associated with an increased Kact value, implying that this change is due to interactions between S-(ethylsuccinimido)cysteines at positions 3 and 146. In conclusion, cross-linking and associated distortions in the structure of calmodulin appear to have little or no effect on activation of calcineurin enzyme activity. However, bending in the central helix and/or steric restrictions associated with cross-linking increase significantly the Kact value for Ca(2+)-ATPase and NAD kinase activation, and dramatically reduce maximal activation of NAD kinase activity.