Investigating Cu(I) binding to model peptides of N-terminal Aβ isoforms

Amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides and copper (Cu) ions are each involved in critical biological processes including antimicrobial activity, regulation of synaptic function, angiogenesis, and others. Aβ binds to Cu and may play a role in Cu trafficking. Aβ peptides exist in isoforms that vary at their C-and N-termini; variation at the N-terminal sequence affects Cu binding affinity, structure, and redox activity by providing different sets of coordinating groups to the metal ion. Several N-terminal isoforms have been detected in human brain tissues including Aβ1-40/42, Aβ3-42, pEAβ3-42, Aβ4-42, Aβ11-40 and pEAβ11-40 (where pE denotes an N-terminal pyroglutamic acid). Several previous works have individually investigated the affinity and structure of Cu(I) bound to some of these isoforms' metal binding domains. However, the disparately reported values are apparent constants collected under different sets of conditions, and thus an integrated comparison cannot be made. The work presented here provides the Cu(I) coordination structure and binding affinities of these six biologically relevant Aβ isoforms determined in parallel using model peptides of the Aβ metal binding domains (Aβ1-16, Aβ3-16, pEAβ3-16, Aβ4-16, Aβ11-16 and pEAβ11-16). The binding affinities of Cu(I)-Aβ complexes were measured using solution competition with ferrozine (Fz) and bicinchoninic acid (BCA), two colorimetric Cu(I) indicators in common use. The Cu(I) coordination structures were characterized by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The data presented here facilitate comparison of the isoforms' Cu-binding interactions and contribute to our understanding of the role of Aβ peptides as copper chelators in healthy and diseased brains.

Rationally Designed Cu(I) Ligand to Prevent CuAβ-Generated ROS Production in the Alzheimer's Disease Context

In the context of Alzheimer's disease, copper (Cu) can be loosely bound to the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide, leading to the formation of CuAβ, which can catalytically generate reactive oxygen species that contribute to oxidative stress. To fight against this phenomenon, the chelation therapy approach has been developed and consists of using a ligand able to remove Cu from Aβ and to redox-silence it, thus stopping the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. A large number of Cu(II) chelators has been studied, allowing us to define and refine the properties required to design a "good" ligand, but without strong therapeutic outcomes to date. Those chelators targeted the Cu(II) redox state. Herein, we explore a parallel and relevant alternative pathway by designing a chelator able to target the Cu(I) redox state. To that end, we designed LH2 ([1N3S] binding set) and demonstrated that (i) it is perfectly able to extract Cu(I) from Cu(I)Aβ even in the presence of an excess of Zn(II) and (ii) it redox-silences the Cu, preventing the formation of ROS. We showed that LH2 that is sensitive to oxidation can efficiently replace the [Zn(II)L] complex without losing its excellent ability to stop the ROS production while increasing its resistance to oxidation.

Spin state dependent peroxidase activity of heme bound amyloid β peptides relevant to Alzheimer's disease

The colocalization of heme rich deposits in the senile plaque of Aβ in the cerebral cortex of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain along with altered heme homeostasis and heme deficiency symptoms in AD patients has invoked the association of heme in AD pathology. Heme bound Aβ complexes, depending on the concentration of the complex or peptide to heme ratio, exhibit an equilibrium between a high-spin mono-His bound peroxidase-type active site and a low-spin bis-His bound cytochrome b type active site. The high-spin heme-Aβ complex shows higher peroxidase activity than free heme, where compound I is the reactive oxidant. It is also capable of oxidizing neurotransmitters like serotonin in the presence of peroxide, owing to the formation of compound I. The low-spin bis-His heme-Aβ complex on the other hand shows enhanced peroxidase activity relative to high-spin heme-Aβ. It reacts with H₂O₂ to produce two stable intermediates, compound 0 and compound I, which are characterized by absorption, EPR and resonance Raman spectroscopy. The stability of compound I of low-spin heme-Aβ is accountable for its enhanced peroxidase activity and oxidation of the neurotransmitter serotonin. The effect of the second sphere Tyr10 residue of Aβ on the formation and stability of the intermediates of low-spin heme-Aβ has also been investigated. The higher stability of compound I for low-spin heme-Aβ is likely due to H-bonding interactions involving Tyr10 in the distal pocket.

Sequence-Activity Relationship of ATCUN Peptides in the Context of Alzheimer's Disease

Amino-terminal Cu^II and Ni^II (ATCUN) binding sequences are widespread in the biological world. Here, we report on the study of eight ATCUN peptides aimed at targeting copper ions and stopping the associated formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study was actually more focused on Cu(Aβ)-induced ROS production in which the Aβ peptide is the "villain" linked to Alzheimer's disease. The full characterization of Cu^II binding to the ATCUN peptides, the Cu^II extraction from Cu^II(Aβ), and the ability of the peptides to prevent and/or stop ROS formation are described in the relevant biological conditions. We highlighted in this research that all the ATCUN motifs studied formed the same thermodynamic complex but that the addition of a second histidine in position 1 or 2 allowed for an improvement in the Cu^II uptake kinetics. This kinetic rate was directly related to the ability of the peptide to stop the Cu^II(Aβ)-induced production of ROS, with the most efficient motifs being HWHG and HGHW.

Intestinal mucin is a chaperone of multivalent copper

Mucus protects the epithelial cells of the digestive and respiratory tracts from pathogens and other hazards. Progress in determining the molecular mechanisms of mucus barrier function has been limited by the lack of high-resolution structural information on mucins, the giant, secreted, gel-forming glycoproteins that are the major constituents of mucus. Here, we report how mucin structures we determined enabled the discovery of an unanticipated protective role of mucus: managing the toxic transition metal copper. Using two juxtaposed copper binding sites, one for Cu²⁺ and the other for Cu¹⁺, the intestinal mucin, MUC2, prevents copper toxicity by blocking futile redox cycling and the squandering of dietary antioxidants, while nevertheless permitting uptake of this important trace metal into cells. These findings emphasize the value of molecular structure in advancing mucosal biology, while introducing mucins, produced in massive quantities to guard extensive mucosal surfaces, as extracellular copper chaperones.

The redox-active Cu-FomA complex: the mode that provides coordination of CuII/CuI ions during the reduction/oxidation cycle

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed form of cancer worldwide. Recent studies have indicated a strong correlation between microbial imbalance and the development of CRC. An abundance of Fusobacterium nucleatum, an anaerobic Gram-negative bacterium, has been considered a biomarker of CRC progression. Several investigations have also proposed that binding copper ions to various bacterial proteins enhances the Cu^II + e^- ⇄ Cu^I redox cycle, which consequently promotes uncontrolled production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and propels colorectal carcinogenesis. In this work, a multidisciplinary approach was applied to study the molecular relation of copper with the peptide models of FomA, a protein expressed by Fusobacterium nucleatum. The main goal was to investigate all the factors that tune the Cu^II + e^- ⇄ Cu^I equilibrium. A linear peptide Fom1 (Ac-KGHGNGEEGTPTVHNE-NH₂) and cyclic peptide Fom2 (cyclo-(KGHGNGEEGTPTVHNE)) were used as ligands. The coordination of Cu^I was deduced from the NMR data. The conditional dissociation constants KcondD defined the stability of Cu^I complexes. The electrochemical activity of Cu^II and Cu^I compounds was analysed using cyclic voltammetry. A quasi-reversible redox conversion Cu^II-peptide + e^- ⇄ Cu^I-peptide was revealed for all studied systems. In the presence of ascorbic acid (HAsc), Cu^II complexes were immediately reduced to Cu^I species; however, their re-oxidation was kinetically sluggish. The HAsc-induced redox cycle provoked the metal-catalyzed oxidation (MCO) effect. That in the end prevented coordination of the re-appearing Cu^II ion to its initial binding site. The toxicity of the FomA-Cu^II/Cu^I complexes and their role in CRC progression were briefly discussed.

Why the Ala-His-His Peptide Is an Appropriate Scaffold to Remove and Redox Silence Copper Ions from the Alzheimer’s-Related Aβ Peptide

The progressive, neurodegenerative Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most widespread dementia. Due to the ageing of the population and the current lack of molecules able to prevent or stop the disease, AD will be even more impactful for society in the future. AD is a multifactorial disease, and, among other factors, metal ions have been regarded as potential therapeutic targets. This is the case for the redox-competent Cu ions involved in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) when bound to the Alzheimer-related Aβ peptide, a process that contributes to the overall oxidative stress and inflammation observed in AD. Here, we made use of peptide ligands to stop the Cu(Aβ)-induced ROS production and we showed why the AHH sequence is fully appropriate, while the two parents, AH and AAH, are not. The AHH peptide keeps its beneficial ability against Cu(Aβ)-induced ROS, even in the presence of Zn^II-competing ions and other biologically relevant ions. The detailed kinetic mechanism by which AHH could exert its action against Cu(Aβ)-induced ROS is also proposed.

Hybrid Bis-Histidine Phenanthroline-Based Ligands to Lessen Aβ-Bound Cu ROS Production: An Illustration of Cu(I) Significance

We here report the synthesis of three new hybrid ligands built around the phenanthroline scaffold and encompassing two histidine-like moieties: phenHH, phenHGH and H'phenH', where H correspond to histidine and H' to histamine. These ligands were designed to capture Cu(I/II) from the amyloid-β peptide and to prevent the formation of reactive oxygen species produced by amyloid-β bound copper in presence of physiological reductant (e.g., ascorbate) and dioxygen. The amyloid-β peptide is a well-known key player in Alzheimer's disease, a debilitating and devasting neurological disorder the mankind has to fight against. The Cu-Aβ complex does participate in the oxidative stress observed in the disease, due to the redox ability of the Cu(I/II) ions. The complete characterization of the copper complexes made with phenHH, phenHGH and H'phenH' is reported, along with the ability of ligands to remove Cu from Aβ, and to prevent the formation of reactive oxygen species catalyzed by Cu and Cu-Aβ, including in presence of zinc, the second metal ions important in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease. The importance of the reduced state of copper, Cu(I), in the prevention and arrest of ROS is mechanistically described with the help of cyclic voltammetry experiments.

Molecular Insights into the Copper-Sensitive Operon Repressor in Acidithiobacillus caldus

The copper-sensitive operon repressor (CsoR) family, which is the main Cu(I)-sensing family, is widely distributed and regulates regulons involved in detoxification in response to extreme copper stress (a general range of ≥3 g/liter copper ions). Here, we identified CsoR in hyper-copper-resistant Acidithiobacillus caldus (CsoR^Ac), an organism used in the bioleaching process of copper ores. CsoR^Ac possesses highly conserved Cu(I) ligands and structures within the CsoR family members. Transcriptional analysis assays indicated that the promoter (PIII) of csoR was active but weakly responsive to copper in Escherichia coli. Copper titration assays gave a stoichiometry of 0.8 mol Cu(I) per apo-CsoR^Ac monomer in vitro combined with atomic absorption spectroscopy analysis. Cu^I-CsoR^Ac and apo-CsoR^Ac share essentially identical secondary structures and assembly states, as demonstrated by circular dichroism spectra and size exclusion chromatography profiles. The average dissociation constants (K_D = 2.26 × 10^-18 M and 0.53 × 10^-15 M) and Cu(I) binding affinity of apo-CsoR^Ac were estimated by bathocuproine disulfonate (BCS) and bicinchoninic acid (BCA) competition assays, respectively. Site-directed mutations of conserved Cu(I) ligands in CsoR^Ac did not significantly alter the secondary structure or assembly state. Competition assays showed that mutants had the same order of magnitude of Cu(I) binding affinity as apo-CsoR^Ac. Moreover, apo-CsoR^Ac could bind to the DNA fragment P08430 in vitro, although with low affinity. Finally, a working model was developed to illustrate putative copper resistance mechanisms in A. caldus. IMPORTANCE Research on copper resistance among various species has attracted considerable interest. However, due to the lack of effective and reproducible genetic tools, few studies regarding copper resistance have been reported for A. caldus. Here, we characterized a major Cu(I)-sensing family protein, CsoR^Ac, which binds Cu(I) with an attomolar affinity higher than that of the Cu(I)-specific chelator bathocuproine disulfonate. In particular, CsoR family proteins were identified only in A. caldus, rather than A. ferrooxidans and A. thiooxidans, which are both used for bioleaching. Meanwhile, A. caldus harbored more copper resistance determinants and a relatively full-scale regulatory system involved in copper homeostasis. These observations suggested that A. caldus may play an essential role in the application of engineered strains with higher copper resistance in the near future.

Bioinspired Luminescent Europium-Based Probe Capable of Discrimination between Ag+ and Cu. Inorg Chem 2021;60:10791-10798. [PMID: 34236828 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c01486]

Due to their similar coordination properties, discrimination of Cu⁺ and Ag⁺ by water-soluble luminescent probes is challenging. We have synthesized LCC4^Eu, an 18 amino acid cyclic peptide bearing a europium complex, which is able to bind one Cu⁺ or Ag⁺ ion by the side chains of two methionines, a histidine and a 3-(1-naphthyl)-l-alanine. In this system, the naphthyl moiety establishes a cation-π interaction with these cations. It also acts as an antenna for the sensitization of Eu³⁺ luminescence. Interestingly, when excited at 280 nm, LCC4^Eu behaves as a turn-on probe for Ag⁺ (+150% Eu emission) and as a turn-off probe for Cu⁺ (-50% Eu³⁺ emission). Shifting the excitation wavelength to 305 nm makes the probe responsive to Ag⁺ (+380% Eu³⁺ emission) but not to Cu⁺ or other physiological cations. Thus, LCC4^Eu is uniquely capable of discriminating Ag⁺ from Cu⁺. A detailed spectroscopic characterization based on steady-state and time-resolved measurements clearly demonstrates that Eu³⁺ sensitization relies on electronic energy transfer from the naphthalene triplet state to the Eu³⁺ excited states and that the cation-π interaction lowers the energy of this triplet state by 700 and 2400 cm^-1 for Ag⁺ and Cu⁺, respectively. Spectroscopic data point to a modulation of the efficiency of the electronic energy transfer caused by the differential red shift of the naphthalene triplet, deciphering the differential luminescence response of LCC4^Eu toward Ag⁺ and Cu⁺.

Tripodal scaffolds with three appended imidazole thiones for Cu(I) chelation and protection from Cu-mediated oxidative stress

Imidazole thiones appear as interesting building blocks for Cu(I) chelation and protection against Cu-mediated oxidative stress. Therefore, a series of tripodal molecules derived from nitrilotriacetic acid appended with three imidazole thiones belonging either to histamine-like or histidine-like moieties were synthesized. These tripods demonstrate intermediate affinity between that previously measured for tripodal analogues bearing three thiol moieties such as cysteine and those grafted with three thioethers, like methionines, consistently with the thione group in the imidazole thione moiety existing as a tautomer between a thiol and a thione. The two non-alkylated tripods derived from thioimidazole, T^H and T^H* demonstrated three orders of magnitude larger affinity for Cu(I) (logK^{pH 7.4} = 14.3) than their analogues derived from N,N'-dialkylated thioimidazole T^Me and T^Et (logK^{pH 7.4} = 11-11.6). Their efficiency to inhibit Cu-mediated oxidative stress is demonstrated by several assays involving ascorbate consumption or biomolecule damages and correlates with their ability to chelate Cu(I), related to their conditional complexation constants at pH 7.4. The two non-alkylated tripods derived from thioimidazole, T^H and T^H* are significantly more powerful in reducing Cu-mediated oxidative stress than their analogues derived from N,N'-dialkylated thioimidazole T^Me and T^Et.

Principles and practice of determining metal-protein affinities

Metal ions play many critical roles in biology, as structural and catalytic cofactors, and as cell regulatory and signalling elements. The metal–protein affinity, expressed conveniently by the metal dissociation constant, K_D, describes the thermodynamic strength of a metal–protein interaction and is a key parameter that can be used, for example, to understand how proteins may acquire metals in a cell and to identify dynamic elements (e.g. cofactor binding, changing metal availabilities) which regulate protein metalation in vivo. Here, we outline the fundamental principles and practical considerations that are key to the reliable quantification of metal–protein affinities. We review a selection of spectroscopic probes which can be used to determine protein affinities for essential biological transition metals (including Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(I), Cu(II) and Zn(II)) and, using selected examples, demonstrate how rational probe selection combined with prudent experimental design can be applied to determine accurate K_D values.

Amyloid Oligomers: A Joint Experimental/Computational Perspective on Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Type II Diabetes, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Protein misfolding and aggregation is observed in many amyloidogenic diseases affecting either the central nervous system or a variety of peripheral tissues. Structural and dynamic characterization of all species along the pathways from monomers to fibrils is challenging by experimental and computational means because they involve intrinsically disordered proteins in most diseases. Yet understanding how amyloid species become toxic is the challenge in developing a treatment for these diseases. Here we review what computer, in vitro, in vivo, and pharmacological experiments tell us about the accumulation and deposition of the oligomers of the (Aβ, tau), α-synuclein, IAPP, and superoxide dismutase 1 proteins, which have been the mainstream concept underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), type II diabetes (T2D), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research, respectively, for many years.

Calculating metalation in cells reveals CobW acquires CoII for vitamin B12 biosynthesis while related proteins prefer ZnII

Protein metal-occupancy (metalation) in vivo has been elusive. To address this challenge, the available free energies of metals have recently been determined from the responses of metal sensors. Here, we use these free energy values to develop a metalation-calculator which accounts for inter-metal competition and changing metal-availabilities inside cells. We use the calculator to understand the function and mechanism of GTPase CobW, a predicted Co^II-chaperone for vitamin B₁₂. Upon binding nucleotide (GTP) and Mg^II, CobW assembles a high-affinity site that can obtain Co^II or Zn^II from the intracellular milieu. In idealised cells with sensors at the mid-points of their responses, competition within the cytosol enables Co^II to outcompete Zn^II for binding CobW. Thus, Co^II is the cognate metal. However, after growth in different [Co^II], Co^II-occupancy ranges from 10 to 97% which matches CobW-dependent B₁₂ synthesis. The calculator also reveals that related GTPases with comparable Zn^II affinities to CobW, preferentially acquire Zn^II due to their relatively weaker Co^II affinities. The calculator is made available here for use with other proteins.

Unexpected Trends in Copper Removal from Aβ Peptide: When Less Ligand Is Better and Zn Helps

Cu, Zn, and amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides play an important role in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Their interaction indeed modifies the self-assembly propensity of the peptide that is at the origin of the deposition of insoluble peptide aggregates in the amyloid plaque, a hallmark found in AD brains. Another even more important fallout of the Cu binding to Aβ peptide is the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that contributes to the overall oxidative stress detected in the disease and is due to the redox ability of the Cu ions. Many therapeutic approaches are currently developed to aid fighting against AD, one of them targeting the redox-active Cu ions. Along this research line, we report in the present article the use of a phenanthroline-based peptide-like ligand (L), which is able to withdraw Cu from Aβ and redox-silence it in a very stable 4N Cu(II) binding site even in the presence of Zn(II). In addition and in contrast to what is usually observed, the presence of excess of L lessens the searched effect of ROS production prevention, but it is counterbalanced by the co-presence of Zn(II). To explain such unprecedented trends, we proposed a mechanism that involves the redox reaction between Cu(II)L and Cu(I)L₂. We thus illustrated (i) how speciation and redox chemistry can weaken the effect of a ligand that would have appeared perfectly suitable if only tested in a 1:1 ratio and on CuAβ and (ii) how Zn overcomes the undesired lessening of ROS arrest due to excess of ligand. In brief, we have shown how working in biologically relevant conditions is important for the understanding of all of the reactions at play and this must be taken into consideration for the further rational design of ligands aiming to become drug candidates.

Impact of N-Truncated Aβ Peptides on Cu- and Cu(Aβ)-Generated ROS: CuI Matters!

In vitro Cu(Aβ_1-x )-induced ROS production has been extensively studied. Conversely, the ability of N-truncated isoforms of Aβ to alter the Cu-induced ROS production has been overlooked, even though they are main constituents of amyloid plaques found in the human brain. N-Truncated peptides at the positions 4 and 11 (Aβ_4-x and Aβ_11-x ) contain an amino-terminal copper and nickel (ATCUN) binding motif (H₂ N-Xxx-Zzz-His) that confer them different coordination sites and higher affinities for Cu^II compared to the Aβ_1-x peptide. It has further been proposed that the role of Aβ_4-x peptide is to quench Cu^II toxicity in the brain. However, the role of Cu^I coordination has not been investigated to date. In contrast to Cu^II , Cu^I coordination is expected to be the same for N-truncated and N-intact peptides. Herein, we report in-depth characterizations and ROS production studies of Cu (Cu^I and Cu^II ) complexes of the Aβ_4-16 and Aβ_11-16 N-truncated peptides. Our findings show that the N-truncated peptides do produce ROS when Cu^I is present in the medium, albeit to a lesser extent than the unmodified counterpart. In addition, when used as competitor ligands (i.e., in the presence of Aβ_1-16 ), the N-truncated peptides are not able to fully preclude Cu(Aβ_1-16 )-induced ROS production.

Fluconazole analogues with metal-binding motifs impact metal-dependent processes and demonstrate antifungal activity in Candida albicans

Azole antifungals are an important class of antifungal drugs due to their low cost, ability to be administered orally, and broad-spectrum activity. However, their widespread and long-term use have given rise to adaptation mechanisms that render these compounds less effective against common fungal pathogens, including Candida albicans. New antifungals are desperately needed as drug-resistant strains become more prevalent. We recently showed that copper supplementation potentiates the activity of the azole antifungal fluconazole against the opportunistic fungal pathogen C. albicans. Here, we report eight new azole analogues derived from fluconazole in which one triazole group has been replaced with a metal-binding group, a strategy designed to enhance potentiation of azole antifungal activity by copper. The bioactivity of all eight compounds was tested and compared to that of fluconazole. Three of the analogues showed activity against C. albicans and two had lower levels of trailing growth. One compound, Flu-TSCZ, was found to impact the levels, speciation, and bioavailability of cellular metals.

The Glutathione/Metallothionein System Challenges the Design of Efficient O2 -Activating Copper Complexes

Copper complexes are of medicinal and biological interest, including as anticancer drugs designed to cleave intracellular biomolecules by O2 activation. To exhibit such activity, the copper complex must be redox active and resistant to dissociation. Metallothioneins (MTs) and glutathione (GSH) are abundant in the cytosol and nucleus. Because they are thiol-rich reducing molecules with high CuI affinity, they are potential competitors for a copper ion bound in a copper drug. Herein, we report the investigation of a panel of CuI /CuII complexes often used as drugs, with diverse coordination chemistries and redox potentials. We evaluated their catalytic activity in ascorbate oxidation based on redox cycling between CuI and CuII , as well as their resistance to dissociation or inactivation under cytosolically relevant concentrations of GSH and MT. O2 -activating CuI /CuII complexes for cytosolic/nuclear targets are generally not stable against the GSH/MT system, which creates a challenge for their future design.

The Scs disulfide reductase system cooperates with the metallochaperone CueP in Salmonella copper resistance

The human pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S Typhimurium) contains a complex disulfide bond (Dsb) catalytic machinery. This machinery encompasses multiple Dsb thiol-disulfide oxidoreductases that mediate oxidative protein folding and a less-characterized suppressor of copper sensitivity (scs) gene cluster, associated with increased tolerance to copper. To better understand the function of the Salmonella Scs system, here we characterized two of its key components, the membrane protein ScsB and the periplasmic protein ScsC. Our results revealed that these two proteins form a redox pair in which the electron transfer from the periplasmic domain of ScsB (n-ScsB) to ScsC is thermodynamically driven. We also demonstrate that the Scs reducing pathway remains separate from the Dsb oxidizing pathways and thereby avoids futile redox cycles. Additionally, we provide new insight into the molecular mechanism underlying Scs-mediated copper tolerance in Salmonella We show that both ScsB and ScsC can bind toxic copper(I) with femtomolar affinities and transfer it to the periplasmic copper metallochaperone CueP. Our results indicate that the Salmonella Scs machinery has evolved a dual mode of action, capable of transferring reducing power to the oxidizing periplasm and protecting against copper stress by cooperating with the cue regulon, a major copper resistance mechanism in Salmonella. Overall, these findings expand our understanding of the functional diversity of Dsb-like systems, ranging from those mediating oxidative folding of proteins required for infection to those contributing to defense mechanisms against oxidative stress and copper toxicity, critical traits for niche adaptation and survival.

Copper potentiates azole antifungal activity in a way that does not involve complex formation

To survive, fungal pathogens must acquire nutrient metals that are restricted by the host while also tolerating mechanisms of metal toxicity that are induced by the host. Given this dual vulnerability, we hypothesized that a pathogen's access to and control of essential yet potentially dangerous metal ions would affect fungal tolerance to antifungal drug stress. Here, we show that Candida albicans becomes sensitized to both Cu limitation and Cu elevation during exposure in liquid culture to the antifungal drug fluconazole, a widely prescribed antifungal agent. Spectroscopic data confirm that while fluconazole forms a complex with Cu(ii) in water, interactions of fluconazole with neither Cu(ii) nor Cu(i) are observed in the cell culture media used for the cellular assays. This result is further supported by growth assays in deletion strains that lack Cu import machinery. Overall, we establish that increases in Cu levels by as little as 40 nM over basal levels in the growth medium reduce tolerance of C. albicans to fluconazole in a way that does not require formation of a Cu-fluconazole complex. Rather, our data point to a more complex relationship between drug stress and Cu availability that gives rise to metal-mediated outcomes of drug treatment.

The copBL operon protects Staphylococcus aureus from copper toxicity: CopL is an extracellular membrane-associated copper-binding protein

As complications associated with antibiotic resistance have intensified, copper (Cu) is attracting attention as an antimicrobial agent. Recent studies have shown that copper surfaces decrease microbial burden, and host macrophages use Cu to increase bacterial killing. Not surprisingly, microbes have evolved mechanisms to tightly control intracellular Cu pools and protect against Cu toxicity. Here, we identified two genes (copB and copL) encoded within the Staphylococcus aureus arginine-catabolic mobile element (ACME) that we hypothesized function in Cu homeostasis. Supporting this hypothesis, mutational inactivation of copB or copL increased copper sensitivity. We found that copBL are co-transcribed and that their transcription is increased during copper stress and in a strain in which csoR, encoding a Cu-responsive transcriptional repressor, was mutated. Moreover, copB displayed genetic synergy with copA, suggesting that CopB functions in Cu export. We further observed that CopL functions independently of CopB or CopA in Cu toxicity protection and that CopL from the S. aureus clone USA300 is a membrane-bound and surface-exposed lipoprotein that binds up to four Cu+ ions. Solution NMR structures of the homologous Bacillus subtilis CopL, together with phylogenetic analysis and chemical-shift perturbation experiments, identified conserved residues potentially involved in Cu+ coordination. The solution NMR structure also revealed a novel Cu-binding architecture. Of note, a CopL variant with defective Cu+ binding did not protect against Cu toxicity in vivo Taken together, these findings indicate that the ACME-encoded CopB and CopL proteins are additional factors utilized by the highly successful S. aureus USA300 clone to suppress copper toxicity.

Evaluation of Cu(i) binding to the E2 domain of the amyloid precursor protein - a lesson in quantification of metal binding to proteins via ligand competition

The extracellular domain E2 of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) features a His-rich metal-binding site (denoted as the M1 site). In conjunction with surrounding basic residues, the site participates in interactions with components of the extracellular matrix including heparins, a class of negatively charged polysaccharide molecules of varying length. This work studied the chemistry of Cu(i) binding to APP E2 with the probe ligands Bcs, Bca, Fz and Fs. APP E2 forms a stable Cu(i)-mediated ternary complex with each of these anionic ligands. The complex with Bca was selected for isolation and characterization and was demonstrated, by native ESI-MS analysis, to have the stoichiometry E2 : Cu(i) : Bca = 1 : 1 : 1. Formation of these ternary complexes is specific for the APP E2 domain and requires Cu(i) coordination to the M1 site. Mutation of the M1 site was consistent with the His ligands being part of the E2 ligand set. It is likely that interactions between the negatively charged probe ligands and a positively charged patch on the surface of APP E2 are one aspect of the generation of the stable ternary complexes. Their formation prevented meaningful quantification of the affinity of Cu(i) binding to the M1 site with these probe ligands. However, the ternary complexes are disrupted by heparin, allowing reliable determination of a picomolar Cu(i) affinity for the E2/heparin complex with the Fz or Bca probe ligands. This is the first documented example of the formation of stable ternary complexes between a Cu(i) binding protein and a probe ligand. The ready disruption of the complexes by heparin identified clear 'tell-tale' signs for diagnosis of ternary complex formation and allowed a systematic review of conditions and criteria for reliable determination of affinities for metal binding via ligand competition. This study also provides new insights into a potential correlation of APP functions regulated by copper binding and heparin interaction.

A Trishistidine Pseudopeptide with Ability to Remove Both CuΙ and CuΙΙ from the Amyloid-β Peptide and to Stop the Associated ROS Formation

The pseudopeptide L, derived from a nitrilotriacetic acid scaffold and functionalized with three histidine moieties, is reminiscent of the amino acid side chains encountered in the Alzheimer's peptide (Aβ). Its synthesis and coordination properties for CuΙ and CuΙΙ are described. L efficiently complex CuΙΙ in a square-planar geometry involving three imidazole nitrogen atoms and an amidate-Cu bond. By contrast, CuΙ is coordinated in a tetrahedral environment. The redox behavior is irreversible and follows an ECEC mechanism in accordance with the very different environments of the two redox states of the Cu center. This is in line with the observed resistance of the CuΙ complex to oxidation by oxygen and the CuΙΙ complex reduction by ascorbate. The affinities of L for CuΙΙ and CuΙ at physiological pH are larger than that reported for the Aβ peptide. Therefore, due to its peculiar Cu coordination properties, the ligand L is able to target both redox states of Cu, redox silence them and prevent reactive oxygen species production by the CuAβ complex. Because reactive oxygen species contribute to the oxidative stress, a key issue in Alzheimer's disease, this ligand thus represents a new strategy in the long route of finding molecular concepts for fighting Alzheimer's disease.

Copper binding and redox chemistry of the Aβ16 peptide and its variants: insights into determinants of copper-dependent reactivity

The metal-binding sites of Aβ peptides are dictated primarily by the coordination preferences of the metal ion. Consequently, Cu(i) is typically bound with two His ligands in a linear mode while Cu(ii) forms a pseudo-square planar stereochemistry with the N-terminal amine nitrogen acting as an anchoring ligand. Several distinct combinations of other groups can act as co-ligands for Cu(ii). A population of multiple binding modes is possible with the equilibrium position shifting sensitively with solution pH and the nature of the residues in the N-terminal region. This work examined the Cu(ii) chemistry of the Aβ16 peptide and several variants that targeted these binding modes. The results are consistent with: (i) at pH < 7.8, the square planar site in Cu^II-Aβ16 consists primarily of a bidentate ligand provided by the carboxylate sidechain of Asp1 and the N-terminal amine supported by the imidazole sidechains of two His residues (designated here as component IA); it is in equilibrium with a less stable component IB in which the carboxylate ligand is substituted by the Asp1-Ala2 carbonyl oxygen. (ii) Both IA and IB convert to a common component II (apparent transition pK_a ∼7.8 for IA and ∼6.5 for IB, respectively) featuring a tridentate ligand consisting of the N-terminal amine, the Asp1-Ala2 amide and the Ala2-Pro3 carbonyl; this stereochemistry is stabilized by two five-membered chelate rings. (iii) Component IA is stabilized for variant Aβ16-D1H, components I (both IA and IB) are imposed on Aβ16-A2P while the less stable IB is enforced on Aβ16-D1A (which is converted to component II at pH ∼6.5); (iv) components IA and IB share two His ligands with Cu(i) and are more reactive in redox catalysis than component II that features a highly covalent and less reactive amide N^- ligand. The redox activity of IA is further enhanced for peptides with a His1 N-terminus that may act as a ligand for either Cu(i) or Cu(ii) with lower re-organization energy required for redox-shuttling. This study provided insights into the determinants that regulate the reactivity of Cu-Aβ complexes.

Chemical and functional properties of metal chelators that mobilize copper to elicit fungal killing of Cryptococcus neoformans

A panel of iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) chelators was screened for growth inhibitory activity against the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Select bidentate metal-binding ligands containing mixed O,S or O,N donor atoms were identified as agents that induce cell killing in a Cu-dependent manner. Conversely, structurally similar ligands with O,O donor atoms did not inhibit C. neoformans growth regardless of Cu status. Studies of Cu(ii) and Cu(i) binding affinity, lipophilicity, and growth recovery assays of Cu-import deficient cells identified lipophilicity of thermodynamically stable Cu^IIL₂ complexes as the best predictor of antifungal activity. These same complexes induce cellular hyperaccumulation of Zn and Fe in addition to Cu. The results described here present the utility of appropriate metal-binding ligands as potential antifungal agents that manipulate cellular metal balance as an antimicrobial strategy.

Tripodal Amine Ligands for Accelerating Cu-Catalyzed Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition: Efficiency and Stability against Oxidation and Dissociation

Ancillary ligands, especially the tripodal ligands such as tris(triazolylmethyl)amines, have been widely used to accelerate the Cu-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC, a "click" reaction). However, the relationship between the activity of these Cu(I) complexes and their stability against air oxidation and ligand dissociation/exchange was seldom studied, which is critical for the applications of CuAAC in many biological systems. In this work, we synthesized twenty-one Cu(I) tripodal ligands varying in chelate arm length (five to seven atoms), donor groups (triazolyl, pyridyl and phenyl), and steric hindrance. The effects of these variables on the CuAAC reaction, air oxidation, and ligand dissociation were evaluated. Reducing the chelate arm length to five atoms, decreasing steric hindrance, or using a relatively weakly-binding ligand can significantly increase the CuAAC reactivity of the Cu(I) complexes, but the concomitant higher degree of oxidation cannot be avoided, which leads to rapid degradation of a histidine-containing peptide as a model of proteins. The oxidation of the peptide can be reduced by attaching oligo(ethylene glycol) chains to the ligands as sacrificing reagents. Using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), we directly observed the tri- and di-copper(I)-acetylide complexes in CuAAC reaction in the [5,5,5] ligand system and a small amount of di-Cu(I)-acetylide in the [5,5,6] ligand system. Only the mono-Cu(I) ligand adducts were observed in the [6,6,6] and [5,6,6] ligand systems.

Molecular Aspects of a Robust Assay for Ferroxidase Function of Ceruloplasmin

Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is one of the most complex multicopper oxidase enzymes and plays an essential role in the metabolism of iron in mammals. Ferrous ion supplied by the ferroportin exporter is converted by Cp to ferric ion that is accepted by plasma metallo-chaperone transferrin. Study of the enzyme at the atomic and molecular level has been hampered by the lack of a suitable ferrous substrate. We have developed the classic chromophoric complex Fe^IIH_x(Tar)₂ (H₂Tar, 4-(2-thiazolylazo)resorcinol; x = 0-2; overall charge omitted) as a robust substrate for evaluation of the ferroxidase function of Cp and related enzymes. The catalysis can be followed conveniently in real time by monitoring the solution absorbance at 720 nm, a fingerprint of Fe^IIH_x(Tar)₂. The complex is oxidized to its ferric form Fe^IIIH_x(Tar)₂ via the overall reaction sequence Fe^IIH_x(Tar)₂ → Fe^II-Cp → Fe^III-Cp → Fe^IIIH_x(Tar)₂: i.e., Fe(II) is transferred formally from Fe^IIH_x(Tar)₂ to the substrate docking/oxidation (SDO) site(s) in Cp, followed by oxidation to product Fe(III) that is trapped again by the ligand. Each Tar ligand in the above bis-complex coordinates the metal center in a meridional tridentate mode involving a pH-sensitive -OH group (pK_a > 12), and this imposes rapid Fe(II) and Fe(III) transfer kinetics to facilitate the catalytic process. The formation constants of both the ferrous and ferric complexes at pH 7.0 were determined (log β₂' = 13.6 and 21.6, respectively), as well as an average dissociation constant of the SDO site(s) in Cp (log K_D' = -7.2).

Link between Affinity and Cu(II) Binding Sites to Amyloid-β Peptides Evaluated by a New Water-Soluble UV-Visible Ratiometric Dye with a Moderate Cu(II) Affinity

Being able to easily determine the Cu(II) affinity for biomolecules of moderate affinity is important. Such biomolecules include amyloidogenic peptides, such as the well-known amyloid-β peptide involved in Alzheimer's disease. Here, we report the synthesis of a new water-soluble ratiometric Cu(II) dye with a moderate affinity (109 M-1 at pH 7.1) and the characterizations of the Cu(II) corresponding complex by X-ray crystallography, EPR, and XAS spectroscopic methods. UV-vis competition was performed on the Aβ peptide as well as on a wide series of modified peptides, leading to an affinity value of 1.6 × 109 M-1 at pH 7.1 for the Aβ peptide and to a coordination model for the Cu(II) site within the Aβ peptide that agrees with the one mostly accepted currently.

Zinc(II) Binding Site to the Amyloid-β Peptide: Insights from Spectroscopic Studies with a Wide Series of Modified Peptides

The Zn(II) ion has been linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD) due to its ability to modulate the aggregating properties of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide, where Aβ aggregation is a central event in the etiology of the disease. Delineating Zn(II) binding properties to Aβ is thus a prerequisite to better grasp its potential role in AD. Because of (i) the flexibility of the Aβ peptide, (ii) the multiplicity of anchoring sites, and (iii) the silent nature of the Zn(II) ion in most classical spectroscopies, this is a difficult task. To overcome these difficulties, we have investigated the impact of peptide alterations (mutations, N-terminal acetylation) on the Zn(Aβ) X-ray absorption spectroscopy fingerprint and on the Zn(II)-induced modifications of the Aβ peptides' NMR signatures. We propose a tetrahedrally bound Zn(II) ion, in which the coordination sphere is made by two His residues and two carboxylate side chains. Equilibria between equivalent ligands for one Zn(II) binding position have also been observed, the predominant site being made by the side chains of His6, His13 or His14, Glu11, and Asp1 or Glu3 or Asp7, with a slight preference for Asp1.

Metal binding to the N-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the PIB ATPase HMA4 is required for metal transport in Arabidopsis

PIB ATPases are metal cation pumps that transport metals across membranes. These proteins possess N- and C-terminal cytoplasmic extensions that contain Cys- and His-rich high affinity metal binding domains, which may be involved in metal sensing, metal ion selectivity and/or in regulation of the pump activity. The PIB ATPase HMA4 (Heavy Metal ATPase 4) plays a central role in metal homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana and has a key function in zinc and cadmium hypertolerance and hyperaccumulation in the extremophile plant species Arabidopsis halleri. Here, we examined the function and structure of the N-terminal cytoplasmic metal-binding domain of HMA4. We mutagenized a conserved CCTSE metal-binding motif in the domain and assessed the impact of the mutations on protein function and localization in planta, on metal-binding properties in vitro and on protein structure by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. The two Cys residues of the motif are essential for the function, but not for localization, of HMA4 in planta, whereas the Glu residue is important but not essential. These residues also determine zinc coordination and affinity. Zinc binding to the N-terminal domain is thus crucial for HMA4 protein function, whereas it is not required to maintain the protein structure. Altogether, combining in vivo and in vitro approaches in our study provides insights towards the molecular understanding of metal transport and specificity of metal P-type ATPases.

An improved Bathocuproine assay for accurate valence identification and quantification of copper bound by biomolecules

Copper is an essential metal in all organisms. Reliably quantifying and identifying the copper content and oxidation state is crucial, since the information is essential to understanding protein structure and function. Chromophoric ligands, such as Bathocuproine (BC) and its water-soluble analog, Bathocuproinedisulfonic acid (BCS), preferentially bind Cu(I) over Cu(II), and therefore have been widely used as optical probes to determine the oxidation state of copper bound by biomolecules. However, the BCS assay is commonly misused, leading to erroneous conclusions regarding the role of copper in biological processes. By measuring the redox potential of Cu(II)-BCS2 and conducting UV-vis absorption measurements in the presence of oxidizable amino acids, the thermodynamic origin of the potential artifacts becomes evident. The BCS assay was improved by introducing a strong Cu(II) chelator EDTA prior to the addition of BCS to prevent interference that might arise from Cu(II) present in the sample. The strong Cu(II) chelator rids of all the potential errors inherent in the conventional BCS assay. Applications of the improved assay to peptides and protein containing oxidizable amino acid residues confirm that free Cu(II) no longer leads to artifacts, thereby resolving issues related to this persistently misused colorimetric assay of Cu(I) in biological systems.

Evaluation of employing poly-lysine tags versus poly-histidine tags for purification and characterization of recombinant copper-binding proteins

Quantitative characterization of metalloproteins at molecular and atomic levels generally requires tens of milligrams of highly purified samples, a situation frequently challenged by problems in generating unmodified native forms. A variety of affinity tags, such as the popular poly-histidine tag, have been developed to facilitate purification but they generally rely on expensive affinity resins and their presence may interfere with protein characterization. This paper documents that addition of a poly-lysine tag to the C-terminus enables, for the copper-binding proteins examined, ready purification in large scale via cost-effective cation-exchange chromatography. The tag may be removed readily by the enzyme carboxypeptidase B to generate the native protein with no extra residues. However, this cleavage step is normally not necessary since the poly-lysine tag is shown to have no detectable affinity for either Cu(I) or Cu(II) and imposes no interference to the copper binding properties of the target proteins. In contrast, the poly-histidine tag possesses a sub-picomolar affinity for Cu(I) and -nanomolar affinity for Cu(II) and may need to be removed for reliable characterization of the target proteins. These conclusions may be extended to the study of other metallo-proteins and metallo-enzymes.

Copper(I/II), α/β-Synuclein and Amyloid-β: Menage à Trois?

Copper binding to α-synuclein (aS) and to amyloid-β (Ab) has been connected to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease (AD), respectively, because Cu ions can modulate the peptide aggregation, and these Cu ⋅ peptide complexes can catalyse the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In a significant proportion of AD brains, aggregation of aS and Ab has been detected, and it was proposed that Ab and aS interact with each other. Thus, we investigated the potential interactions of Ab and aS through their binding of copper(I) and copper(II). Additionally, β-synuclein (bS) was investigated, due to its additional methionine residue, a potential Cu(I) ligand. We found that: 1) the peptides containing the Cu-binding domains Ab1-16, aS1-15 and bS1-15 have similar affinities towards Cu(II) and towards Cu(I), with Ab1-16 being slightly stronger, 2) in the case of Cu(I), the additional Met residue in bS1-15 increased the affinity slightly, 3) the exchange of Cu(I/II) between the two peptides is rapid (≤ ms), 4) a/bS1-15 and Ab1-16 form a heterodimeric complex with Cu(II), 5) Cu(I) probably promotes a transient ternary complex, 6) the different Cu(I/II) coordination of Ab1-16, aS1-15 and bS1-15 impacts the capacity to produce ROS and to oxidise catechol, and 7) when Ab1-16, aS1-15 and Cu are present, the ROS production more closely resembles that by Ab1-16. The work gives insights into the coordination chemistry of these related peptides, and the relevance of coordination differences, the ternary complex and ROS production are discussed.

The affinity of yeast and bacterial SCO proteins for CU(I) and CU(II). A capture and release strategy for copper transfer

SCO (Synthesis of Cytochrome c Oxidase) proteins are present in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and are often required for efficient synthesis of the respiratory enzyme cytochrome c oxidase. The Bacillus subtilis version of SCO (i.e., BsSCO) has much greater affinity for Cu(II) than it does for Cu(I) (Davidson and Hill, 2009), and this has been contrasted to mitochondrial SCO proteins that are characterized as being specific for Cu(I) (Nittis, George and Winge, 2001). This differential affinity has been proposed to reflect the different physiological environments in which these two members of the SCO protein family reside. In this study the affinity of mitochondrial SCO1 from yeast is compared directly to that of BsSCO in vitro. We find that the yeast SCO1 protein has similar preference for Cu(II) over Cu(I), as does BsSCO. We propose a mechanism for SCO function which would involve high-affinity binding to capture Cu(II), and relatively weak binding of Cu(I) to facilitate copper transfer.

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Yeast SCO1 prefers Cu(II) over Cu(I) by many orders of magnitude.

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Yeast SCO1 has similar copper-species preference as a bacterial SCO protein.

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High affinity binding of Cu(II) by SCO may be initial step in copper transfer.

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Conversion of SCO-Cu(II) to SCO-Cu(I) is required for copper transfer.

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A second cysteine pair in yeast SCO1 may be involved in redox sensing.

Metal binding properties of the zinc finger metallome--insights into variations in stability

Zinc is one of the most widespread metal ions found in biological systems. Of the expected 3000 zinc proteins in the human proteome, most contain zinc in structural sites. Among these structures, the most important are zinc fingers, which are well suited to facilitate interactions with DNA, RNA, proteins and lipid molecules. Knowledge regarding their stability is a critical issue in understanding the function of zinc fingers and their reactivity under fluxing cellular Zn(II) availability and different redox states. Zinc stability constants that have been determined using a variety of methods demonstrate wide diversity. Recent studies on the stability of consensus zinc fingers have demonstrated that the known metal-ion affinities for zinc fingers may have been underestimated by as much as three or more orders of magnitude. Here, using four natural ββα zinc fingers, we compare in detail several different methods that have been used for the determination of zinc finger stability constants, such as common reverse-titration, potentiometry, competition with metal chelators, and a new approach based on a three-step spectrophotometric titration. We discuss why the stabilities of zinc fingers that are determined spectrophotometrically are frequently underestimated due to the lack of effective equilibrium competition, which leads to large errors during the processing of the titration data. The literature stability constants of many natural zinc fingers have been underestimated, and they are significantly lower when compared with the consensus peptides. Our data show that in the cell, some naturally occurring zinc fingers may potentially be unoccupied and are instead loaded transiently with Zn(II). Large variations in stability within the same class of zinc fingers have demonstrated that the thermodynamic effects hidden in the sequence and structure are the key elements responsible for the differentiation of the stability of the zinc finger metallome.

Copper(I) targeting in the Alzheimer's disease context: a first example using the biocompatible PTA ligand

Copper(I) coordinating ligands in the Alzheimer's disease context have remained unexplored, despite the biological relevance of this redox state of the copper ion. Here, we show that the PTA ligand can remove copper from Aβ, prevent reactive oxygen species production and oligomer formation, two deleterious events in the disease's etiology.

Synthetic fluorescent probes for studying copper in biological systems

The potent redox activity of copper is required for sustaining life. Mismanagement of its cellular pools, however, can result in oxidative stress and damage connected to aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic disorders. Therefore, copper homeostasis is tightly regulated by cells and tissues. Whereas copper and other transition metal ions are commonly thought of as static cofactors buried within protein active sites, emerging data points to the presence of additional loosely bound, labile pools that can participate in dynamic signalling pathways. Against this backdrop, we review advances in sensing labile copper pools and understanding their functions using synthetic fluorescent indicators. Following brief introductions to cellular copper homeostasis and considerations in sensor design, we survey available fluorescent copper probes and evaluate their properties in the context of their utility as effective biological screening tools. We emphasize the need for combined chemical and biological evaluation of these reagents, as well as the value of complementing probe data with other techniques for characterizing the different pools of metal ions in biological systems. This holistic approach will maximize the exciting opportunities for these and related chemical technologies in the study and discovery of novel biology of metals.

A set of robust fluorescent peptide probes for quantification of Cu(ii) binding affinities in the micromolar to femtomolar range

A set of four fluorescent probes were developed and demonstrated to be capable of quantifying Cu(ii) binding affinities in the micromolar to femtomolar range and exploring Cu(ii) binding ligands in peptides and proteins.

What has fluorescent sensing told us about copper and brain malfunction?

Here we review the development and application of fluorescent sensors for studying copper in the brain.

Redox sulfur chemistry of the copper chaperone Atox1 is regulated by the enzyme glutaredoxin 1, the reduction potential of the glutathione couple GSSG/2GSH and the availability of Cu(I)

Glutaredoxins have been characterised as enzymes regulating the redox status of protein thiols via cofactors GSSG/GSH. However, such a function has not been demonstrated with physiologically relevant protein substrates in in vitro experiments. Their active sites frequently feature a Cys-xx-Cys motif that is predicted not to bind metal ions. Such motifs are also present in copper-transporting proteins such as Atox1, a human cytosolic copper metallo-chaperone. In this work, we present the first demonstration that: (i) human glutaredoxin 1 (hGrx1) efficiently catalyses interchange of the dithiol and disulfide forms of the Cys(12)-xx-Cys(15) fragment in Atox1 but does not act upon the isolated single residue Cys(41); (ii) the direction of catalysis is regulated by the GSSG/2GSH ratio and the availability of Cu(I); (iii) the active site Cys(23)-xx-Cys(26) in hGrx1 can bind Cu(I) tightly with femtomolar affinity (K(D) = 10(-15.5) M) and possesses a reduction potential of E(o)' = -118 mV at pH 7.0. In contrast, the Cys(12)-xx-Cys(15) motif in Atox1 has a higher affinity for Cu(I) (K(D) = 10(-17.4) M) and a more negative potential (E(o)' = -188 mV). These differences may be attributed primarily to the very low pKa of Cys23 in hGrx1 and allow rationalisation of conclusion (ii) above: hGrx1 may catalyse the oxidation of Atox1(dithiol) by GSSG, but not the complementary reduction of the oxidised Atox1(disulfide) by GSH unless Cu(aq)(+) is present at a concentration that allows binding of Cu(I) to reduced Atox1 but not to hGrx1. In fact, in the latter case, the catalytic preferences are reversed. Both Cys residues in the active site of hGrx1 are essential for the high affinity Cu(I) binding but the single Cys(23) residue only is required for the redox catalytic function. The molecular properties of both Atox1 and hGrx1 are consistent with a correlation between copper homeostasis and redox sulfur chemistry, as suggested by recent cell experiments. These proteins appear to have evolved the features necessary to fill multiple roles in redox regulation, Cu(I) buffering and Cu(I) transport.

An integrated study of the affinities of the Aβ16 peptide for Cu(i) and Cu(ii): implications for the catalytic production of reactive oxygen species

Affinities of Aβ16 peptide and several selected variants for Cu(i) and Cu(ii) were determined with new probes and correlated to their binding modes and abilities in promoting ROS generation.