Two cysteine substitutions in procollagen I: a glycine replacement near the N-terminus of alpha 1(I) chain causes lethal osteogenesis imperfecta and a glycine replacement in the alpha 2(I) chain markedly destabilizes the triple helix

Structural heterogeneity of type I collagen triple helix and its role in osteogenesis imperfecta

We investigated regions of different helical stability within human type I collagen and discussed their role in intermolecular interactions and osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). By differential scanning calorimetry and circular dichroism, we measured and mapped changes in the collagen melting temperature (DeltaTm) for 41 different Gly substitutions from 47 OI patients. In contrast to peptides, we found no correlations of DeltaTm with the identity of the substituting residue. Instead, we observed regular variations in DeltaTm with the substitution location in different triple helix regions. To relate the DeltaTm map to peptide-based stability predictions, we extracted the activation energy of local helix unfolding (DeltaG) from the reported peptide data. We constructed the DeltaG map and tested it by measuring the H-D exchange rate for glycine NH residues involved in interchain hydrogen bonds. Based on the DeltaTm and DeltaG maps, we delineated regional variations in the collagen triple helix stability. Two large, flexible regions deduced from the DeltaTm map aligned with the regions important for collagen fibril assembly and ligand binding. One of these regions also aligned with a lethal region for Gly substitutions in the alpha1(I) chain.

Identifying the SPARC Binding Sites on Collagen I and Procollagen I by Atomic Force Microscopy

SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine) is a matricellular protein associated with the extracellular matrix (ECM). It has been found that the production of collagen I is a requisite for the association of SPARC with ECM, and studies with SPARC-null mice indicate that SPARC plays a role in modifying the structure of collagen fibers. It is not known, however, whether SPARC interacts with the collagen I precursor, procollagen I. In this study, the binding of SPARC to collagen I and procollagen I was verified by surface plasmon resonance. The SPARC-binding sites on collagen I and procollagen I were identified by directly visualizing their complexes using tapping-mode atomic force microscopy (TM-AFM). The characteristic chain end feature in collagen I is not readily detected by AFM, so unambiguous location of the binding sites relative to the C- or N-termini is difficult. In contrast, procollagen I, with its large globular C-propeptide, permits easy identification of the C-terminus. Histograms were constructed and compared based on the distances of the bound SPARC to the C-terminus of procollagen I and to the closest end of collagen I. There is a broad distribution of SPARC binding sites on procollagen I with the most preferred binding region located approximately 1/3 from the C-terminus. Characterization of the SPARC-binding sites on collagen I and procollagen I provides useful information for further understanding of the functional implications of their interactions.

Thermostability Gradient in the Collagen Triple Helix Reveals its Multi-domain Structure

A triple-helical conformation and stability at physiological temperature are critical for the mechanical and biological functions of the fibril-forming collagens. Here, we characterized the role of consecutive domains of collagen II in stabilizing the triple helix. Analysis of melting temperatures of genetically engineered collagen-like proteins consisting of tandem repeats of the D1, D2, D3 or D4 collagen II periods revealed the presence of a gradient of thermostability along the collagen molecule with thermolabile N-terminal domains and thermostable C-terminal domains. These results imply a multi-domain character of the collagen triple helix. Assays of thermostabilities of the Arg75Cys and Arg789Cys collagen II mutants suggest that, in contrast to the thermostable domains, the thermolabile domains are able to accommodate amino acid substitutions without altering the thermostability of the entire collagen molecule.

Prospects and limitations of the rational engineering of fibrillar collagens

Recombinant collagens are attractive proteins for a number of biomedical applications. To date, significant progress was made in the large-scale production of nonmodified recombinant collagens; however, engineering of novel collagen-like proteins according to customized specifications has not been addressed. Herein we investigated the possibility of rational engineering of collagen-like proteins with specifically assigned characteristics. We have genetically engineered two DNA constructs encoding multi-D4 collagens defined as collagen-like proteins, consisting primarily of a tandem of the collagen II D4 periods that correspond to the biologically active region. We have also attempted to decrease enzymatic degradation of novel collagen by mutating a matrix metalloproteinase 1 cleavage site present in the D4 period. We demonstrated that the recombinant collagen alpha-chains consisting predominantly of the D4 period but lacking most of the other D periods found in native collagen fold into a typical collagen triple helix, and the novel procollagens are correctly processed by procollagen N-proteinase and procollagen C-proteinase. The nonmutated multi-D4 collagen had a normal melting point of 41 degrees C and a similar carbohydrate content as that of control. In contrast, the mutant multi-D4 collagen had a markedly lower thermostability of 36 degrees C and a significantly higher carbohydrate content. Both collagens were cleaved at multiple sites by matrix metalloproteinase 1, but the rate of hydrolysis of the mutant multi-D4 collagen was lower. These results provide a basis for the rational engineering of collagenous proteins and identifying any undesirable consequences of altering the collagenous amino acid sequences.

Structural models of osteogenesis imperfecta-associated variants in the COL1A1 gene

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disease in which the most common mutations result in substitutions for glycine residues in the triple helical domain of the chains of type I collagen. Currently there is no way to use sequence information to predict the clinical OI phenotype. However, structural models coupled with biophysical and machine learning methods may be able to predict sequences that, when mutated, would be associated with more severe forms of OI. To build appropriate structural models, we have applied a high throughput molecular dynamic approach. Homotrimeric peptides covering 57 positions in which mutations are associated with OI were simulated both with and without mutations. Our models revealed structural differences that occur with different substituting amino acids. When mutations were introduced, we observed a decrease in helix stability, as caused by fewer main chain backbone hydrogen bonds, and an increase in main chain root mean square deviation and specifically bound water molecules.

Site-directed mutagenesis of rat liver S-adenosylmethionine synthetase. Identification of a cysteine residue critical for the oligomeric state

We have examined the functional importance of the cysteine residues of rat liver S-adenosylmethionine synthetase. For this purpose the ten cysteine residues of the molecule were changed to serines by site-directed mutagenesis. Ten recombinant enzyme mutants were obtained by using a bacterial expression system. The same level of expression was obtained for the wild type and mutants, but the ratio of S-adenosylmethionine synthetase between soluble and insoluble fractions differed for some of the mutant forms. The immunoreactivity against an anti-(rat liver S-adenosylmethionine synthetase) antibody was equivalent in all the cases. Effects on S-adenosylmethionine synthetase activities were also measured. Mutants C57S, C69S, C105S and C121S showed decreased relative specific activity of 68, 85, 63 and 29%, respectively, compared with wild-type, whereas C312S resulted in an increase of 1.6-fold. Separation of tetramer and dimer forms for wild type and mutants was carried out by using phenyl-Sepharose columns. The dimer/tetramer ratio was calculated based on the activity and on the protein level estimated by immunoblotting. No monomeric forms of the enzyme were detected in any case. Comparison of dimer/tetramer ratios indicates the importance of cysteine-69 (dimer/tetramer protein ratio of 88 versus 10.2 in the wild type) in maintaining the oligomeric state of rat liver S-adenosylmethionine synthetase. Moreover, all the mutations carried out of cysteine residues between cysteine-35 and cysteine-105 altered the ratio between oligomeric forms.

Perinatal lethal osteogenesis imperfecta

Perinatal lethal osteogenesis imperfecta is the result of heterozygous mutations of the COL1A1 and COL1A2 genes that encode the alpha 1(I) and alpha 2(I) chains of type I collagen, respectively. Point mutations resulting in the substitution of Gly residues in Gly-X-Y amino acid triplets of the triple helical domain of the alpha 1(I) or alpha 2(I) chains are the most frequent mutations. They interrupt the repetitive Gly-X-Y structure that is mandatory for the formation of a stable triple helix. Most babies have their own private de novo mutation. However, the recurrence rate is about 7% owing to germline mosaicism in one parent. The mutations act in a dominant negative manner as the mutant pro alpha chains are incorporated into type I procollagen molecules that also contain normal pro alpha chains. The abnormal molecules are poorly secreted, more susceptible to degradation, and impair the formation of the extracellular matrix. The collagen fibres are abnormally organised and mineralisation is impaired. The severity of the clinical phenotype appears to be related to the type of mutation, its location in the alpha chain, the surrounding amino acid sequences, and the level of expression of the mutant allele.

A Gly238Ser substitution in the alpha 2 chain of type I collagen results in osteogenesis imperfecta type III

In general, osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) is caused by heterozygous mutations in the genes encoding the alpha 1 or alpha 2 chains of type I collagen (COL1A1 and COL1A2, respectively). In this study we screened these genes in a proband presenting with the severe form (type III) of osteogenesis imperfecta for mutations which might result in the phenotype. Single-strand conformation polymorphism mapping analysis was used to identify a region suspected of harbouring the mutation and subsequent sequence analysis revealed a heterozygous G to A transition in the alpha 2(I) gene of type I collagen in the individual. The resulting substitution of the glycine at position 238 of the alpha chain by serine is the most N-terminal yet reported for this chain.

Determination of a new collagen type I alpha 2 gene point mutation which causes a Gly640 Cys substitution in osteogenesis imperfecta and prenatal diagnosis by DNA hybridisation

The molecular defect responsible for a sporadic case of extremely severe (type II/III) osteogenesis imperfecta was investigated. The mutation site was localised in the collagen type I pro alpha 2 mRNA molecules produced by the proband's skin fibroblasts by chemical cleavage of mismatch in heteroduplex nucleic acids. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction DNA amplification, followed by cloning and sequencing, showed heterozygosity for a G to T transversion in the first nucleotide of exon 37 of the COL1A2 gene, which led to a cysteine for glycine substitution at position 640 of the triple helical domain. This newly characterised mutation is localised in a domain which contains several milder mutations, confirming that glycine substitutions within the alpha 2(I) chain do not follow a linear gradient pattern for genotype to phenotype correlations. In a subsequent pregnancy, absence of the G2327T mutation in the fetus was shown by allele specific oligonucleotide hybridisation to the trophoblast derived fibroblast mRNA after reverse transcription and in vitro amplification. (The nucleotide number assigned to the mutant base was inferred from the numbering system devised by the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Analysis Consortium (The OIAC Newsletter, 1 April 1994).)