Conformational studies on muscular parvalbumins cooperative binding of calcium (II) to parvalbumins

Hydration-coupled dynamics in proteins studied by neutron scattering and NMR: the case of the typical EF-hand calcium-binding parvalbumin

The influence of hydration on the internal dynamics of a typical EF-hand calciprotein, parvalbumin, was investigated by incoherent quasi-elastic neutron scattering (IQNS) and solid-state 13C-NMR spectroscopy using the powdered protein at different hydration levels. Both approaches establish an increase in protein dynamics upon progressive hydration above a threshold that only corresponds to partial coverage of the protein surface by the water molecules. Selective motions are apparent by NMR in the 10-ns time scale at the level of the polar lysyl side chains (externally located), as well as of more internally located side chains (from Ala and Ile), whereas IQNS monitors diffusive motions of hydrogen atoms in the protein at time scales up to 20 ps. Hydration-induced dynamics at the level of the abundant lysyl residues mainly involve the ammonium extremity of the side chain, as shown by NMR. The combined results suggest that peripheral water-protein interactions influence the protein dynamics in a global manner. There is a progressive induction of mobility at increasing hydration from the periphery toward the protein interior. This study gives a microscopic view of the structural and dynamic events following the hydration of a globular protein.

The isolation of parvalbumin isoforms from the tail muscle of the American alligator (Alligator mississipiensis)

Multiple parvalbumin isoforms have been detected in the tail (skeletal) muscle of the American alligator (Alligator mississipiensis). One of these isoforms (APV-1) has been highly purified and partially characterized. Protein purification involved mainly gel filtration and anion exchange chromatography, and characterization included gel electrophoresis, amino acid composition analysis, metal ion analysis, MALDI-TOF and ESI mass spectrometry, ultraviolet and fluorescence spectroscopy, and one- and two-dimensional 500 MHz proton NMR spectroscopy. The alligator isoforms are rich in phenylalanine and deficient in the other aromatic residues as is typical for parvalbumins. In fact, the one highly purified isoform that forms the basis of this study has only phenyl-alanine as an aromatic residue. Ion exchange chromatography further indicates that this isoform has a relatively high isoelectric point (pl approximately 5.0), indicating that it is an alpha-lineage parvalbumin. This alligator parvalbumin isoform is unusual in that it has an atypically high Ca2+ content (almost 3.0 mole of Ca2+ per mole of protein) following purification, a fact supported by terbium fluorescence titration experiments. Preliminary comparative analysis of the highly purified alligator parvalbumin isoform (in the Ca2-loaded state) by two-dimensional 1H-NMR (2D 1H TOCSY and 2D 1H NOESY) indicates that there is considerable similarity in structure between the alligator protein and a homologous protein obtained from the silver hake (a saltwater fish species).

A pulsed field gradient NMR study of the aggregation and hydration of parvalbumin

Pulsed field gradient NMR is a convenient alternative to traditional methods for measuring diffusion of biological macromolecules. In the present study, pulsed field gradient NMR was used to study the effects of calcium binding and hydration on carp parvalbumin. Carp parvalbumin is known to undergo large changes in tertiary structure with calcium loading. The diffusion coefficient is a sensitive guide to changes in molecular shape and in the present study the large changes in tertiary structure were clearly reflected in the measured diffusion coefficient upon calcium loading. The (monomeric) calcium-loaded form had a diffusion coefficient of 1.4 x 10(-10) m(2) s(-1) at 298 K, which conforms with the structure being a nearly spherical prolate ellipsoid from X-ray studies. The calcium-free form had a significantly lower diffusion coefficient of 1.1 x 10(-10) m(2) s(-1). The simplest explanation consistent with the change in diffusion coefficient is that the parvalbumin molecules form dimers upon the removal of Ca(2+) at the protein concentration studied (1 mM).

Quantitative measurements of the cooperativity in an EF-hand protein with sequential calcium binding

Positive cooperativity, defined as an enhancement of the ligand affinity at one site as a consequence of binding the same type of ligand at another site, is a free energy coupling between binding sites. It can be present both in systems with sites having identical ligand affinities and in systems where the binding sites have different affinities. When the sites have widely different affinities such that they are filled with ligand in a sequential manner, it is often difficult to quantify or even detect the positive cooperativity, if it occurs. This study presents verification and quantitative measurements of the free energy coupling between the two calcium binding sites in a mutant form of calbindin D9k. Wild-type calbindin D9k binds two calcium ions with similar affinities and positive cooperativity--the free energy coupling, delta delta G, is around -8 kJ.mol-1 (Linse S, et al., 1991, Biochemistry 30: 154-162). The mutant, with the substitution Asn 56-->Ala, binds calcium in a sequential manner. In the present work we have taken advantage of the variations among different metal ions in terms of their preferences for the two binding sites in calbindin D9k. Combined studies of the binding of Ca2+, Cd2+, and La3+ have allowed us to conclude that in this mutant delta delta G < -6.4 kJ.mol-1, and that Cd2+ and La3+ also bind to this protein with positive cooperativity. The results justify the use of the (Ca2+)1 state of the Asn 56-->Ala mutant, as well as the (Cd2+)1 state of the wild type, as models for the half-saturated states along the two pathways of cooperative Ca2+ binding in calbindin D9k.

Europium(III) ion luminescence as a structural probe of parvalbumin isotypes

The 7F0----5D0 transition of Eu3+ is used to investigate the metal ion binding sites of five parvalbumin isotypes. Comparisons are based on the resolution of the Eu3+ excitation spectrum with a computer program using the Marquardt nonlinear regression algorithm. The Lorentzian-Gaussian product function provides the most effective approximation to the shape of the peaks, the positions of which were found to be related to differences in the amino acid residues at the binding sites. Below pH 6, spectra consist of two peaks near 579 nm, but as the pH is raised, the two peaks gradually diminish and two new, much broader peaks appear at 577 and 578 nm. The lower wavelength peak, at low pH, and the peak at 577 nm, at high pH, are assigned to the CD site. The two sites have nearly equal affinities for Eu3+ except in the northern pike III (pI 5.0) isotype. The excitation spectra are compared to that of the carp III (pI = 4.25) parvalbumin for which the complete crystal structure is available. This structure forms the basis for the molecular modeling studies of the altered binding sites. Preliminary results are presented regarding differences in solvent exposure of the CD and EF sites based on collision-induced energy transfer to [Co(NH3)6]3+.

Kinetic mechanism of calcium binding to whiting parvalbumin

Calcium binding to whiting parvalbumin induces large changes in the fluorescence, absorption, and circular dichroism spectra of the protein. The fluorescence emission maximum of the single tryptophan shifts from 325 to 348 nm upon the removal of calcium and decreases in intensity by 50%. All of the spectral changes are linear between 0 and 2 mol of calcium bound/mol of protein, which suggests that the only protein species present in significant concentration are PA0 and Pa-Ca2. The kinetics of calcium binding measured by stopped-flow fluorescence are accurately single exponential from 2 X 10(-7) to 2 X 10(-4) M free calcium. The kinetics of calcium dissociation show a pronounced lag and are best fit by two rate constants of 1.2 and 3.0 s-1. The minimal kinetic mechanism that adequately describes the rate and equilibrium data is a branched pathway mechanism in which the rate and equilibrium constants are markedly different for each pathway: (formula; see text) At [Ca] less than 2 microM the upper kinetic pathway of calcium binding predominates whereas at [Ca] greater than 2 microM calcium binding occurs predominantly by the lower kinetic pathway. Calcium dissociates primarily by the upper kinetic pathway.

Interaction of parvalbumin of pike II with calcium and terbium ions

Fluorimetric titrations of parvalbumin II (pI 4.2) of pike (Pike II) with Ca2+ and Tb3+ show the CD and EF binding sites to be non-equivalent. The intrinsic binding constants of the strong and the weak sites obtained for Ca2+ are: KsCa = 1.6.10(8) M-1; KwCa = 6.6.10(5) M-1. Differences of the order of 100% were encountered between the Tb3+ binding constants obtained with four different versions of titration. Their average values are: KsTb = 1.9.10(11) M-1; KwTb = 1.0.10(7) M-1. The distances of the strong and the weak sites from the singular Tyr-48, rs = 9.5 A and r2 = 11.5 A, were derived from Förster-type energy transfer and proved compatible with the X-ray structure of parvalbumin III (pI 4.2) of carp (CarpIII). From the distances, it is suggested that CD is the strong and EF the weak metal-binding site of PikeII. Tb3+ was shown by CD spectroscopy to have the same structural effect on PikeII as Ca2+. Removal of the metal ions from PikeII results in a decrease of helix content as monitored by CD spectroscopy. This decrease is larger than that in CarpIII. A concomitant decrease of the fluorescence quantum yield at nearly constant decay time is indicative of mainly static quenching, probably by the non-coordinating carboxylate groups. The maximum helix content is almost completely reestablished upon binding of the first metal ion. However, small changes of the energy transfer in PikeII with one terbium ion bound to the strong site indicate fine structural rearrangements of the strong binding site when Ca2+ is bound to the weak one.

1H NMR spectroscopic studies of calcium-binding proteins. 3. Solution conformations of rat apo-alpha-parvalbumin and metal-bound rat alpha-parvalbumin

Lacking the extraordinary thermal stability of its metal-bound forms, apo-alpha-parvalbumin from rat muscle assumes two distinct conformations in aqueous solution. At 25 degrees C, its highly structured form predominates (Keq = 5.7; delta G degree = -4.3 kJ X mol-1); as deduced from both 1H NMR and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, this conformation is exceedingly similar to those of its Mg(II)-, Ca(II)-, and Lu(III)-bound forms. The temperature dependences of several well-resolved aromatic and upfield-shifted methyl 1H NMR resonances and several CD bands indicate that the native, highly helical structure of rat apo-alpha-parvalbumin is unfolded by a concerted mechanism, showing no indication of partially structured intermediates. The melting temperature, TM, of rat apo-alpha-parvalbumin is 35 +/- 0.5 degrees C as calculated by both spectroscopic techniques. By 45 degrees C, rat apo-alpha-parvalbumin unfolds entirely, losing the tertiary structure that characterizes its folded form: not only are the ring-current-shifted aromatic and methyl 1H NMR resonances leveled, but the 262- and 269-nm CD bands are also severely reduced. As judged by the decrease in the negative ellipticity of the 222-nm CD band, this less-structured form of rat apo-alpha-parvalbumin shows an approximate 50% loss in apparent alpha-helical content compared to its folded state. Several changes in the 1H NMR spectrum of rat apo-alpha-parvalbumin were exceptionally informative probes of the specific conformational changes that accompany metal ion binding and metal ion exchange. In particular, the line intensities of the ortho proton resonance of Phe-47, the unassigned downfield-shifted alpha-CH resonances from the beta-sheet contacts between the metal-binding loops, the C2H resonance of His-48, and the epsilon-CH3 resonance of an unassigned Met residue were monitored as a function of added metal to determine the stability constants of several metal ion-parvalbumin complexes. We conclude that Mg(II) binds to the CD and EF sites independently, its affinity for the EF site being almost twice that for the CD site. Mg(II)----Ca(II) exchange showed that the CD-site Mg(II) is displaced first, in contrast to Lu(III)'s preferential displacement of the EF-site Ca(II) as determined from the Ca(II)----Lu(III) exchange experiments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Parvalbumin conformers revealed by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy

The binding of calcium to whiting (one tryptophan residue) and pike (one tyrosine residue) parvalbumins has been studied by means of kinetic and steady-state fluorescence techniques. The decay curves of the tryptophan and tyrosine fluorescence of the parvalbumins are best fitted by a sum of two exponents for any metal state of the proteins. The data can be interpreted as a nonexponential decay of the fluorescence of a single-type chromophore or in terms of equilibria between compact and relaxed conformers of the parvalbumins in each metal state. Fluorescence quenching by I-ions and effects of H2O/D2O substitution confirm the second interpretation. The constants of the equilibria have been evaluated.

Calcium and cadmium binding to troponin C. Evidence for cooperativity

Proton NMR is used to compare the structural changes induced in bovine cardiac troponin C on binding of cadmium and calcium ions. The same spectral changes are observed for both ion species. The rate of the conformational changes associated with cadmium binding to the two high-affinity sites is slow, that associated with cadmium ions binding to the low-affinity site is high. 113Cd-NMR spectra of cardiac troponin C feature two signals interpreted as due to cadmium ions bound to the strong sites. Strong arguments are given in favour of cooperativity in binding of the first two cadmium or calcium ions to cardiac and skeletal muscle troponin C.

Intrinsic fluorescence spectra of a tryptophan-containing parvalbumin as a function of thermal, pH and urea denaturation

The thermal, pH and urea denaturation of the calcium-loaded protein from whiting has been studied by means of the intrinsic fluorescence of the single tryptophan residue. pH denaturation of the protein takes place at a pH greater than 11.5 and lower than 5.5. Thermal denaturation of the protein occurs at temperatures above 55 degrees C. Urea initiates the denaturation of the calcium-loaded protein at rather low concentrations (1.0 M). In all cases, whether pH, thermal or urea denaturation, intermediate states of the protein were recorded. The fluorescence spectra of these intermediates are similar to that of the protein with one equivalent of calcium bound. Whiting parvalbumin binds calcium in the presence of 7.5 M urea but under these conditions, calcium-binding constants of the protein have been shown to be 10(2)-10(3)M(-1) (in comparison with 5 X 10 (8) and 6 X 10(6)M(-1) in the absence of any denaturing agents).

NMR studies of primary and secondary sites of parvalbumins using the two paramagnetic probes Gd (III) and Mn (II)

The binding of cations by parvalbumins was studied by the proton relaxation enhancement (PRE) method using the paramagnetic probes Gd(III) and Mn(II). Gd(III) appears as a specific probe of the primary sites CD and EF with the following binding parameters: n = 2, KdGd = 0.5 x 10(-11) M and epsilon b = 2.3. The low value of epsilon b is the result of a nearly complete dehydration of the protein bound ions. Competition experiments between Gd(III) and various diamagnetic cations show the following order of affinity for the EF and CD sites: Mg2+ less than Zn2+ less than Sr2+ less than Ca2+ less than Cd2+ less than La3+ less than or equal to Gd3+. Mn 2+ is a specific probe of a secondary site with the following binding parameters: n = 1, KdMn = 0.6 x 10(-3) M and epsilon b = 17. The high value of epsilon b suggests that the protein bound Mn(II) has retained most of its hydration shell. Competition experiments between (Mn(II) and different cations show similar affinities for this site: Ca2+ less than or equal to Mg2+ less than or equal to Cd2+ less than or equal to Mn2+. This secondary site is located near the EF primary site.