Nuclear Magnetic Resonance of Aspartate Transaminase

Bringing dynamic molecular machines into focus by methyl-TROSY NMR

Large macromolecular assemblies, so-called molecular machines, are critical to ensuring proper cellular function. Understanding how proper function is achieved at the atomic level is crucial to advancing multiple avenues of biomedical research. Biophysical studies often include X-ray diffraction and cryo-electron microscopy, providing detailed structural descriptions of these machines. However, their inherent flexibility has complicated an understanding of the relation between structure and function. Solution NMR spectroscopy is well suited to the study of such dynamic complexes, and continued developments have increased size boundaries; insights into function have been obtained for complexes with masses as large as 1 MDa. We highlight methyl-TROSY (transverse relaxation optimized spectroscopy) NMR, which enables the study of such large systems, and include examples of applications to several cellular machines. We show how this emerging technique contributes to an understanding of cellular function and the role of molecular plasticity in regulating an array of biochemical activities.

Inorganic phosphate binding and electrostatic effects in the active center of aspartate aminotransferase apoenzyme

The ionization state of the phosphate group bound at the aspartate aminotransferase apoenzyme's active site has been investigated utilizing Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy following the band corresponding to the symmetric stretching of the dianionic phosphate. Unlike free phosphate, when inorganic phosphate is bound at the enzyme's active site, the integrated intensity value of the dianionic band does not change with pH within the studied range, and this value is similar to that for free dianionic phosphate at pH 8.3. From these results, we propose a dianionic state for the phosphate ion bound to cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase throughout the pH range of 5.7-8.3. The presence of other anions such as acetate and chloride or the substrate aspartate and its analogues produces a pH-dependent phosphate removal from the active site which is favored at low pH values. Elimination of the charged primary amine at the active-site Lys-258, through formation of a Schiff base with pyridoxal or chemical modification by carbamylation, also produces a pH-independent phosphate release. These results are interpreted as Lys-258 together with the active-site alpha-helix and other residues may be involved in stabilizing phosphate as a dianion in the apoenzyme phosphate pocket which anchors the phosphate ester of pyridoxal phosphate in the holoenzyme. It is proposed that the dianionic phosphate contributes to the apoenzyme's thermal stability through formation of strong hydrogen bond and salt bridges with the amino acid residues forming the phosphate binding pocket with assistance of Lys-258, and other active-site cationic components.

Kinetic studies of chloride inhibition in aspartate aminotransferase activity

The inhibitive effects of chloride anion on the activity of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (L-aspartate: 2-oxoglutarate-aminotransferase EC. 2.6.1.1.) from chicken (Gallus domesticus) and turkey (Maleagris gallopavo) were studied. Steady-state velocities were obtained from a wide range of chloride concentrations. The data were fitted by rational functions of 0:2 and 1:2 for chloride, using a non-linear regression program which guaranteed the fit. The goodness of fit was improved by the use of a computer program that combined model discrimination, parameter refinement and sequential design. It was concluded that chloride aspartate aminotransferase inhibition requires a minimum velocity equation of 1:2 with regard to chloride, and a plausible kinetic mechanism for this experimental result was proposed.

Stereochemistry of proton abstraction catalyzed by lysine and ornithine omega-aminotransferases

(6R)-L-[6-3H]Lysine and (6S)-L-[6]3H]lysine were prepared to investigate the stereochemical aspects of the reaction catalyzed by bacterial L-lysine epsilon-aminotransferase. When (6R)-L-[6-3H]lysine was used as a substrate, the tritium label was retained in the product, delta 1-piperideine-6-carboxylate. In contrast, the radioactivity from (6S)-L-[6-3H]lysine was found in the solvent. Thus, the pro-S hydrogen at the prochiral C-6 carbon of L-lysine is specifically abstracted by L-lysine epsilon-aminotransferase. The proton exchange was observed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance analysis in the reaction of bacterial L-ornithine delta-aminotransferase with L-ornithine in 2H2O. The isolated L-[5-2H]ornithine was converted to dextrorotatory 4-phthalimido[4-2H]butyrate. This indicates that L-ornithine delta-aminotransferase catalyzes the stereospecific exchange of the pro-S hydrogen at the prochiral C-5 carbon of L-ornithine with the solvent.

Reorientations of coenzyme in aspartate transaminase studied on single crystals of the enzyme by polarized-light spectrophotometry

Investigation of polarized-light absorption spectra of single crystals of cytosolic aspartate transaminase (L-aspartate:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.1) from chicken heart has revealed that the coenzyme's absorption bands at 430 and 360 nm are polarized in opposite directions, both in crystals of the free enzyme and in its complex with a quasi-substrate, 2-methylaspartate. The opposite signs of polarization of the 430 and 360 nm bands of the free enzyme indicate different orientation of the pyridine ring of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate in the protonated and non-protonated forms of the "internal" coenzyme-lysine aldimine. These data suggest that reorientation of the coenzyme ring occurs mainly in the first step of the catalytic reaction, associated with proton transfer from the NH+3 group of amino acid substrate to the coenzyme-lysine aldimine. Absorption bands at 333 and 430 nm are seen in the spectra upon soaking the crystals in solutions containing aspartate, glutamate or cysteinesulfinate. Both bands are polarized in the same direction as is the 430 nm absorption bands of the protonated internal aldimine. Soaking the crystals in solutions containing 2-oxoglutarate, glutarate or maleate reverses the sign of polarization of the 430 nm band. High concentrations of acetate induce the same effect. Thus, binding of dicarboxylate or acetate anions in the active site of aspartate transaminase appears to result in partial or complete return of the coenzyme ring to a position similar to that of the non-protonated internal aldimine.

Reversible modification of amino groups in aspartate aminotransferase

Amino groups in the pyridoxal phosphate, pyridoxamine phosphate, and apo forms of pig heart cytoplasmic aspartate aminotransferase (L-aspartate: 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC .2.6.1.1) have been reversibly modified with 2,4-pentanedione. The rate of modification has been measured spectrophotometrically by observing the formation of the enamine produced and this rate has been compared with the rate of loss of catalytic activity for all three forms of the enzyme. Of the 21 amino groups per 46 500 molecular weight, approx. 16 can be modified in the pyridoxal phosphate form with less than a 50% change in the catalytic activity of the enzyme. A slow inactivation occurs which is probably due to reaction of 2,4-pentanedione with the enzyme-bound pyridoxal phosphate. The pyridoxamine phosphate enzyme is completely inactivated by reaction with 2,4-pentanedione. The inactivation of the pyridoxamine phosphate enzyme is not inhibited by substrate analogs. A single lysine residue in the apoenzyme reacts approx. 100 times faster with 2,4-pentanedione than do other amino groups. This lysine is believed to be lysine-258, which forms a Schiff base with pyridoxal phosphate in the holoenzyme.