Evidence of noncovalent dimerization of calmodulin

DEER experiments reveal fundamental differences between calmodulin complexes with IQ and MARCKS peptides in solution

Calmodulin (CaM) is a calcium-binding protein that regulates the function of many proteins by indirectly conferring Ca²⁺ sensitivity, and it undergoes a large conformational change on partners' binding. We compared the solution binding mode of the target peptides MARCKS and IQ by double electron-electron resonance (DEER) distance measurements and paramagnetic NMR. We combined nitroxide and Gd(III) spin labels, including specific substitution of one of the Ca²⁺ ions in the CaM mutant N60D by a Gd(III) ion. The binding of MARCKS to holo-CaM resulted neither in a closed conformation nor in a unique relative orientation between the two CaM domains, in contrast with the crystal structure. Binding of IQ to holo-CaM did generate a closed conformation. Using elastic network modeling and 12 distance restraints obtained from multiple holo-CaM/IQ DEER data, we derived a model of the solution structure, which is in reasonable agreement with the crystal structure.

Kinetic Studies of the Activation of Bordetella pertussis Adenylate Cyclase by Calmodulin

Adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT) is a virulence factor secreted by Bordetella pertussis and plays a causative role in whooping cough. After ACT attaches to lung phagocytes, the adenylate cyclase (AC) domain of the toxin is transported into the cytoplasm where it is activated by calmodulin (CaM) to cyclize ATP into 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Production of high concentrations of cAMP disrupts immune functions of phagocytes. To better understand the mechanism of activation of AC by CaM, the studies reported herein were conducted. Major observations are as follows: (1) dependence of steady-state velocities on CaM and ATP concentrations suggests that CaM and ATP bind to AC in a random fashion. (2) A pre-steady-state lag phase is observed when AC is added to solutions of CaM and ATP, reflecting the association of AC and CaM. Analysis of pre-steady-state data indicates that CaM binds to AC and AC:ATP with second-order rate constants of 30 and 60 μM^-1 s^-1, respectively, and that CaM dissociates from the resultant complexes with a first-order rate constant of 0.002 s^-1. (3) A biphasic dependence of steady-state velocities on CaM concentration is observed: the first phase extending from 0.01 to 1 nM CaM (K_d,obs ∼ 0.06 nM) and the second phase from 1 to 2000 nM CaM (K_d,obs ∼ 60 nM). These results suggest that AC exists in at least two conformations, with each conformation exhibiting distinct binding affinity for CaM and distinct potential for activation.

Novel and atypical pathways for serotonin signaling

Serotonin (5-HT) appeared billions of years before 5-HT receptors and synapses. It is thus not surprising that 5-HT can control biological processes independently of its receptors. One example is serotonylation, which consists of covalent binding of 5-HT to the primary amine of glutamine. Over the past 20 years, serotonylation has been involved in the regulation of many signaling mechanisms. One of the most striking examples is the recent evidence that serotonylation of histone H3 constitutes an epigenetic mark. However, the pathophysiological role of histone H3 serotonylation remains to be discovered. All but one of the 5-HT receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The signaling pathways they control are finely tuned, and new, unexpected regulatory mechanisms are being uncovered continuously. Some 5-HT receptors (5-HT_2C, 5-HT₄, 5-HT₆, and 5-HT₇) signal through mechanisms that require neither G-proteins nor β-arrestins, the two classical and almost universal GPCR signal transducers. 5-HT₆ receptors are constitutively activated via their association with intracellular GPCR-interacting proteins (GIPs), including neurofibromin 1, cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), and G-protein-regulated inducer of neurite outgrowth 1 (GPRIN1). Interactions of 5-HT₆ receptor with Cdk5 and GPRIN1 are not concomitant but occur sequentially and play a key role in dendritic tree morphogenesis. Furthermore, 5-HT₆ receptor-mediated G-protein signaling in neurons is different in the cell body and primary cilium, where it is modulated by smoothened receptor activation. Finally, 5-HT_2A receptors form heteromers with mGlu₂ metabotropic glutamate receptors. This heteromerization results in a specific phosphorylation of mGlu₂ receptor on a serine residue (Ser⁸⁴³) upon agonist stimulation of 5-HT_2A or mGlu₂ receptor. mGlu₂ receptor phosphorylation on Ser⁸⁴³ is an essential step in engagement of G_i/o signaling not only upon mGlu₂ receptor activation but also following 5-HT_2A receptor activation, and thus represents a key molecular event underlying functional crosstalk between both receptors.

Identification of an allergenic calmodulin from Amaranthus palmeri pollen

INTRODUCTION

Pollens are an important source of allergens that trigger rhinitis or asthma. The allergenic extracts of pollens used to diagnose and treat allergies contain different allergenic antigens. Isolated allergenic proteins are employed in in vitro assays, skin tests and allergenic-specific immunotherapy. Calcium-binding allergens are clinically relevant antigens, and their allergenicity can be affected by Ca²⁺ binding. In this work, a calmodulin was identified as an allergen from Amaranthus palmeri pollen, an important source of pollinosis in Europe, Asia and North America.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Allergenic calmodulin from A. palmeri pollen was isolated by size-exclusion chromatography and reverse-phase chromatography and identified by mass spectrometry. Sensitization to isolated calmodulin was evaluated by skin prick tests in patients with allergy to A. palmeri pollen.

RESULTS

Size-exclusion chromatography yielded two fractions that were recognized by the IgE of patients allergic to A. palmeri pollen. Mass spectrometry analysis of the fractions from reverse-phase chromatography showed peptide sequences that identified a calmodulin. Skin prick tests showed that the isolated calmodulin was recognized by 56% of patients allergic to A. palmeri pollen.

CONCLUSION

A. palmeri pollen calmodulin could be a clinically relevant allergen in patients sensitized to this source.

Mass spectrometric characterization of protein structures and protein complexes in condensed and gas phase

Proteins are essential for almost all physiological processes of life. They serve a myriad of functions which are as varied as their unique amino acid sequences and their corresponding three-dimensional structures. To fulfill their tasks, most proteins depend on stable physical associations, in the form of protein complexes that evolved between themselves and other proteins. In solution (condensed phase), proteins and/or protein complexes are in constant energy exchange with the surrounding solvent. Albeit methods to describe in-solution thermodynamic properties of proteins and of protein complexes are well established and broadly applied, they do not provide a broad enough access to life-science experimentalists to study all their proteins' properties at leisure. This leaves great desire to add novel methods to the analytical biochemist's toolbox. The development of electrospray ionization created the opportunity to characterize protein higher order structures and protein complexes rather elegantly by simultaneously lessening the need of sophisticated sample preparation steps. Electrospray mass spectrometry enabled us to translate proteins and protein complexes very efficiently into the gas phase under mild conditions, retaining both, intact protein complexes, and gross protein structures upon phase transition. Moreover, in the environment of the mass spectrometer (gas phase, in vacuo), analyte molecules are free of interactions with surrounding solvent molecules and, therefore, the energy of inter- and intramolecular forces can be studied independently from interference of the solvating environment. Provided that gas phase methods can give information which is relevant for understanding in-solution processes, gas phase protein structure studies and/or investigations on the characterization of protein complexes has rapidly gained more and more attention from the bioanalytical scientific community. Recent reports have shown that electrospray mass spectrometry provides direct access to six prime protein complex properties: stabilities, compositions, binding surfaces (epitopes), disassembly processes, stoichiometries, and thermodynamic parameters.

Computational comparison of a calcium-dependent jellyfish protein (apoaequorin) and calmodulin-cholesterol in short-term memory maintenance

Memory reconsolidation and maintenance depend on calcium channels and on calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinases regulating protein turnover in the hippocampus. Ingestion of a jellyfish protein, apoaequorin, reportedly protects and/or improves verbal learning in adults and is currently widely advertised for use by the elderly. Apoaequorin is a member of the EF-hand calcium binding family of proteins that includes calmodulin. Calmodulin-1 (148 residues) differs from Apoaequorin (195 residues) in that it contains four rather than three Ca²⁺-binding sites and three rather than four cholesterol-binding (CRAC, CARC) domains. All three cholesterol-binding CARC domains in calmodulin have a high interaction affinity for cholesterol compared to only two high affinity CARC domains in apoaequorin. Both calmodulin and apoaequorin can form dimers with a potential of eight bound Ca²⁺ ions and six high affinity-bound cholesterol molecules in calmodulin with six bound Ca²⁺ ions and a mixed population of eight cholesterols bound to both CARC and CRAC domains in apoaqueorin. MEMSAT-SVM analysis indicates that both calmodulin and apoaqueorin have a pore-lining region. The Peptide-Cutter algorithm predicts that calmodulin-1 contains 11 trypsin-specific cleavage sites (compared to 21 in apoaqueorin), four of which are potentially blocked by cholesterol and three are within the Ca-binding domains and/or the pore-lining region. Three are clustered between the third and fourth Ca²⁺-binding sites. Only calmodulin pore-lining regions contain Ca²⁺ binding sites and as dimers may insert into the plasma membrane of neural cells and act as Ca²⁺ channels. In a dietary supplement, bound cholesterol may protect both apoaequorin and calmodulin from proteolysis in the gut as well as facilitate uptake across the blood-brain barrier. Our results suggest that a physiological calmodulin-cholesterol complex, not cholesterol-free jellyfish protein, may better serve as a dietary supplement to facilitate memory maintenance.

ABC transporter PEN3/PDR8/ABCG36 interacts with calmodulin that, like PEN3, is required for Arabidopsis nonhost resistance

Nonhost resistance (NHR) is the most prevalent form of plant immunity. In Arabidopsis, NHR requires membrane-localized ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter PENETRATION (PEN) 3. Upon perception of pathogen-associated molecular patterns, PEN3 becomes phosphorylated, suggestive of PEN3 regulation by post-translational modification. Here, we investigated the PEN3 protein interaction network. We probed the Arabidopsis protein microarray AtPMA-5000 with the N-terminal cytoplasmic domain of PEN3. Several of the proteins identified to interact with PEN3 in vitro represent cellular Ca(2+) sensors, including calmodulin (CaM) 3, CaM7 and several CaM-like proteins, pointing to the importance of Ca(2+) sensing to PEN3-mediated NHR. We demonstrated co-localization of PEN3 and CaM7, and we confirmed PEN3-CaM interaction in vitro and in vivo by PEN3 pull-down with CaM Sepharose, CaM overlay assay and bimolecular fluorescence complementation. We also show that just like in pen3, NHR to the nonadapted fungal pathogens Phakopsora pachyrhizi and Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei is compromised in the Arabidopsis cam7 and pen3 cam7 mutants. Our study discloses CaM7 as a PEN3-interacting protein crucial to Arabidopsis NHR and emphasizes the importance of Ca(2+) sensing to plant immunity.

A calmodulin like EF hand protein positively regulates oxalate decarboxylase expression by interacting with E-box elements of the promoter

Oxalate decarboxylase (OXDC) enzyme has immense biotechnological applications due to its ability to decompose anti-nutrient oxalic acid. Flammulina velutipes, an edible wood rotting fungus responds to oxalic acid by induction of OXDC to maintain steady levels of pH and oxalate anions outside the fungal hyphae. Here, we report that upon oxalic acid induction, a calmodulin (CaM) like protein-FvCaMLP, interacts with the OXDC promoter to regulate its expression. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that FvCamlp specifically binds to two non-canonical E-box elements (AACGTG) in the OXDC promoter. Moreover, substitutions of amino acids in the EF hand motifs resulted in loss of DNA binding ability of FvCamlp. F. velutipes mycelia treated with synthetic siRNAs designed against FvCaMLP showed significant reduction in FvCaMLP as well as OXDC transcript pointing towards positive nature of the regulation. FvCaMLP is different from other known EF hand proteins. It shows sequence similarity to both CaMs and myosin regulatory light chain (Cdc4), but has properties typical of a calmodulin, like binding of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺, heat stability and Ca²⁺ dependent electrophoretic shift. Hence, FvCaMLP can be considered a new addition to the category of unconventional Ca²⁺ binding transcriptional regulators.

Comparative biochemical analysis of three members of the Schistosoma mansoni TAL family: Differences in ion and drug binding properties

The tegumental allergen-like (TAL) proteins from Schistosoma mansoni are part of a family of calcium binding proteins found only in parasitic flatworms. These proteins have attracted interest as potential drug or vaccine targets, yet comparatively little is known about their biochemistry. Here, we compared the biochemical properties of three members of this family: SmTAL1 (Sm22.6), SmTAL2 (Sm21.7) and SmTAL3 (Sm20.8). Molecular modelling suggested that, despite similarities in domain organisation, there are differences in the three proteins' structures. SmTAL1 was predicted to have two functional calcium binding sites and SmTAL2 was predicted to have one. Despite the presence of two EF-hand-like structures in SmTAL3, neither was predicted to be functional. These predictions were confirmed by native gel electrophoresis, intrinsic fluorescence and differential scanning fluorimetry: both SmTAL1 and SmTAL2 are able to bind calcium ions reversibly, but SmTAL3 is not. SmTAL1 is also able to interact with manganese, strontium, iron(II) and nickel ions. SmTAL2 has a different ion binding profile interacting with cadmium, manganese, magnesium, strontium and barium ions in addition to calcium. All three proteins form dimers and, in contrast to some Fasciola hepatica proteins from the same family; dimerization is not affected by calcium ions. SmTAL1 interacts with the anti-schistosomal drug praziquantel and the calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine, chlorpromazine and W7. SmTAL2 interacts only with W7. SmTAL3 interacts with the aforementioned calmodulin antagonists and thiamylal, but not praziquantel. Overall, these data suggest that the proteins have different biochemical properties and thus, most likely, different in vivo functions.

Structural and biophysical characterization of the interactions between the death domain of Fas receptor and calmodulin

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated by cell surface death receptors such as Fas. Engagement of Fas by Fas ligand triggers a conformational change that allows Fas to interact with adaptor protein Fas-associated death domain (FADD) via the death domain, which recruits downstream signaling proteins to form the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC). Previous studies have shown that calmodulin (CaM) is recruited into the DISC in cholangiocarcinoma cells, suggesting a novel role of CaM in Fas-mediated signaling. CaM antagonists induce apoptosis through a Fas-related mechanism in cholangiocarcinoma and other cancer cell lines possibly by inhibiting Fas-CaM interactions. The structural determinants of Fas-CaM interaction and the underlying molecular mechanisms of inhibition, however, are unknown. Here we employed NMR and biophysical techniques to elucidate these mechanisms. Our data show that CaM binds to the death domain of Fas (FasDD) with an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of ~2 μM and 2:1 CaM:FasDD stoichiometry. The interactions between FasDD and CaM are endothermic and entropically driven, suggesting that hydrophobic contacts are critical for binding. We also show that both the N- and C-terminal lobes of CaM are important for binding. NMR and surface plasmon resonance data show that three CaM antagonists (N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene sulfonamide, tamoxifen, and trifluoperazine) greatly inhibit Fas-CaM interactions by blocking the Fas-binding site on CaM. Our findings provide the first structural evidence for Fas-CaM interactions and mechanism of inhibition and provide new insight into the molecular basis for a novel role of CaM in regulating Fas-mediated apoptosis.

A calcium-dependent interaction between calmodulin and the calponin homology domain of human IQGAP1

IQGAPs are cytoskeletal scaffolding proteins which collect information from a variety of signalling pathways and pass it on to the microfilaments and microtubules. There is a well-characterised interaction between IQGAP and calmodulin through a series of IQ-motifs towards the middle of the primary sequence. However, it has been shown previously that the calponin homology domain (CHD), located at the N-terminus of the protein, can also interact weakly with calmodulin. Using a recombinant fragment of human IQGAP1 which encompasses the CHD, we have demonstrated that the CHD undergoes a calcium ion-dependent interaction with calmodulin. The CHD can also displace the hydrophobic fluorescent probe 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulphonate from calcium-calmodulin, suggesting that the interaction involves non-polar residues on the surface of calmodulin. Molecular modelling identified a possible site on the CHD for calmodulin interaction. The physiological significance of this interaction remains to be discovered.

A novel calmodulin-like protein from the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica

An 18.2 kDa protein from the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica has been identified and characterised. The protein shows strongest sequence similarity to egg antigen proteins from Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma japonicum and Clonorchis sinensis. The protein is predicted to adopt a calmodulin-like fold; it thus represents the third calmodulin-like protein to be characterised in F. hepatica and has been named FhCaM3. Compared to the classical calmodulin structure there are some variations. Most noticeably, the central, linker helix is disrupted by a cysteine residue. Alkaline native gel electrophoresis showed that FhCaM3 binds calcium ions. This binding event increases the ability of the protein to bind the hydrophobic fluorescent probe 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulphonate, consistent with an increase in surface hydrophobicity as seen in other calmodulins. FhCaM3 binds to the calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine and W7, but not to the myosin regulatory light chain binding compound praziquantel. Immunolocalisation demonstrated that the protein is found in eggs and vitelline cells. Given the critical role of calcium ions in egg formation and hatching this suggests that FhCaM3 may play a role in calcium signalling in these processes. Consequently the antagonism of FhCaM3 may, potentially, offer a method for inhibiting egg production and thus reducing the spread of infection.

Paramagnetic relaxation enhancement for the characterization of the conformational heterogeneity in two-domain proteins

Multidomain proteins are often composed of rigid domains that can reorient in solution more or less freely. Calmodulin (CaM) is a two domain protein which can experience a large degree of conformational freedom thanks to a mobile linker connecting the N-terminal and C-terminal domains of the protein. The maximum occurrences (MOs) of the possible protein conformations have been analyzed using the paramagnetic relaxation enhancements (PREs) induced by a gadolinium(III) ion together with the paramagnetic pseudocontact shift and residual dipolar coupling restraints measured in the presence of terbium(III), thulium(III) or dysprosium(III) ions. The results suggest that the PREs provide complementary information useful for improving the description of the conformational heterogeneity of the protein. The data, acquired at 298 K and at 278 K, suggest that compact conformations are disfavoured by decreasing the temperature.

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry: a technique to access the information beyond the molecular weight of the analyte

The Electrospray Ionization (ESI) is a soft ionization technique extensively used for production of gas phase ions (without fragmentation) of thermally labile large supramolecules. In the present review we have described the development of Electrospray Ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) during the last 25 years in the study of various properties of different types of biological molecules. There have been extensive studies on the mechanism of formation of charged gaseous species by the ESI. Several groups have investigated the origin and implications of the multiple charge states of proteins observed in the ESI-mass spectra of the proteins. The charged analytes produced by ESI can be fragmented by activating them in the gas-phase, and thus tandem mass spectrometry has been developed, which provides very important insights on the structural properties of the molecule. The review will highlight recent developments and emerging directions in this fascinating area of research.

Facile formation of dynamic hydrogel microspheres for triggered growth factor delivery

Dynamic hydrogels have emerged as an important class of biomaterials for temporal control over growth factor delivery. In this study we formed dynamic hydrogel microspheres from protein-polymer conjugates using an aqueous two-phase suspension polymerization process. This polymerization process enabled rapid microsphere formation without the use of an organic phase, surfactants, mechanical strain or toxic radical initiators. The microspheres' size distribution was modulated by varying the protein-polymer conformation in the pre-polymer solution. Notably, the protein's ligand-induced, nanometer-scale conformational change translated to maximum hydrogel volume changes of 76±10%. The magnitude of the microspheres' volume change was tuned by varying the crosslinking time and ligand identity. After characterizing the microspheres' dynamic properties, we encapsulated two important therapeutic proteins, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), in the hydrogel microspheres and characterized how the microspheres' dynamic properties controlled their release. Significantly, the aqueous two-phase suspension polymerization process enabled high encapsulation efficiencies (65.8±4.8% and 79.5±3.0% for VEGF and BMP-2, respectively). Also, the microspheres' ligand-induced volume change triggered VEGF and BMP-2 release at specific, predetermined times. There are hundreds of proteins that undergo well-characterized conformational changes that could be processed into hydrogel microspheres via aqueous two-phase suspension polymerizations. Therefore, this approach could be used to form dynamic, growth-factor-releasing hydrogel microspheres that respond to a broad range of specific biochemical ligands.

Protein-metal interactions of calmodulin and alpha-synuclein monitored by selective noncovalent adduct protein probing mass spectrometry

The metal binding properties of proteins are biologically significant, particularly in relationship to the molecular origins of disease and the discovery of therapeutic pharmaceutical treatments. Herein, we demonstrate that selective noncovalent adduct protein probing mass spectrometry (SNAPP-MS) is a sensitive technique to investigate the structural effects of protein-metal interactions. We utilize specific, noncovalent interactions between 18-crown-6 ether (18C6) and lysine to probe protein structure in the presence and absence of metal ions. Application of SNAPP-MS to the calmodulin-Ca2+ system demonstrates that changes in protein structure are reflected in a substantial change in the number and intensity of 18C6s, which bind to the protein as observed by MS. In this manner, SNAPP is demonstrated to be a sensitive technique for monitoring ligand-induced conformational rearrangements in proteins. In addition, SNAPP is well-suited to examine the properties of natively unfolded proteins, where structural changes are more difficult to detect by other methods. For example, alpha-synuclein is a protein associated in the pathology of Parkinson's disease, which is known to aggregate more rapidly in the presence of Al3+ and Cu2+. The 18C6 SNAPP distributions for alpha-synuclein change dramatically in the presence of 3 microM Al3+, revealing that Al3+ binding causes a significant change in the conformational dynamics of the monomeric form of this disordered protein. In contrast, binding of Cu2+ does not induce a significant shift in 18C6 binding, suggesting that noteworthy structural reorganizations at the monomeric level are minimal. These results are consistent with the idea that the metal-induced aggregation caused by Al3+ and Cu2+ proceed by independent pathways.

Binding studies of nNOS-active amphibian peptides and Ca2+ calmodulin, using negative ion electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry

Amphibian peptides which inhibit the formation of nitric oxide by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) do so by binding to the protein cofactor, Ca2+calmodulin (Ca2+CaM). Complex formation between active peptides and Ca2+CaM has been demonstrated by negative ion electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry using an aqueous ammonium acetate buffer system. In all cases studied, the assemblies are formed with a 1:1:4 calmodulin/peptide/Ca2+ stoichiometry. In contrast, the complex involving the 20-residue binding domain of the plasma Ca2+ pump C20W (LRRGQILWFRGLNRIQTQIK-OH) with CaM has been shown by previous two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D NMR) studies to involve complexation of the C-terminal end of CaM. Under identical conditions to those used for the amphibian peptide study, the ESI complex between C20W and CaM shows specific 1:1:2 stoichiometry. Since complex formation with the studied amphibian peptides requires Ca2+CaM to contain its full complement of four Ca2+ ions, this indicates that the amphibian peptides require both ends of the CaM to effect complex formation. Charge-state analysis and an H/D exchange experiment (with caerin 1.8) suggest that complexation involves Ca2+CaM undergoing a conformational change to a more compact structure.

Physical interaction of calmodulin with the 5-hydroxytryptamine2C receptor C-terminus is essential for G protein-independent, arrestin-dependent receptor signaling

The serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT)(2C) receptor is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) exclusively expressed in CNS that has been implicated in numerous brain disorders, including anxio-depressive states. Like many GPCRs, 5-HT(2C) receptors physically interact with a variety of intracellular proteins in addition to G proteins. Here, we show that calmodulin (CaM) binds to a prototypic Ca(2+)-dependent "1-10" CaM-binding motif located in the proximal region of the 5-HT(2C) receptor C-terminus upon receptor activation by 5-HT. Mutation of this motif inhibited both beta-arrestin recruitment by 5-HT(2C) receptor and receptor-operated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1,2 signaling in human embryonic kidney-293 cells, which was independent of G proteins and dependent on beta-arrestins. A similar inhibition was observed in cells expressing a dominant-negative CaM or depleted of CaM by RNA interference. Expression of the CaM mutant also prevented receptor-mediated ERK1,2 phosphorylation in cultured cortical neurons and choroid plexus epithelial cells that endogenously express 5-HT(2C) receptors. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that physical interaction of CaM with recombinant and native 5-HT(2C) receptors is critical for G protein-independent, arrestin-dependent receptor signaling. This signaling pathway might be involved in neurogenesis induced by chronic treatment with 5-HT(2C) receptor agonists and their antidepressant-like activity.

A synthetic camel anti-lysozyme peptide antibody (peptibody) with flexible loop structure identified by high-resolution affinity mass spectrometry

We describe the synthesis and characterisation of the fully functional molecular recognition structure of a 26-amino acid residue peptide antibody, referred to as peptibody, designed from a monoclonal single-domain antibody fragment derived from a camel heavy-chain antibody. The CDR3 region (CDR = complementarity determining region) of the cAbLys3 camel antibody fragment, which binds to the active site of hen eggwhite lysozyme (HEL) and acts as a potent enzyme inhibitor by mimicking an oligosaccharide substrate, was prepared by solid-phase peptide synthesis. To obtain a closed loop-like structure resembling that in the crystal structure, N- and C-terminal cysteine residues were added to the linear peptide and oxidised to a cyclic disulfide-bridged peptide by using dimethylsulfoxide. A further, internal cysteine-12 residue was acetamidomethyl-protected to prevent possible oxidative byproducts. Affinity separation on a lysozyme microcolumn combined with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry revealed that the peptide resumed high affinity to lysozyme only after deprotection of Cys-12, suggesting the importance of this paratope sequence for epitope recognition. The complex of lysozyme and active peptibody was characterised directly by conducting high-resolution ESI-FTICR mass spectrometry, which provided a molecular comparison of affinities for linear and cyclic peptibodies.

Growth factor-dependent AKT activation and cell migration requires the function of c-K(B)-Ras versus other cellular ras isoforms

K-Ras-negative fibroblasts are defective in their steady-state expression of MMP-2. This occurs through c-K(B)-Ras dependent regulation of basal levels of AKT activity. In this report, we have extended those studies to demonstrate that in the absence of K-Ras expression, PDGF-BB fails to induce significant AKT activation, although this was not the case in N-Ras-negative cells. This phenotype was directly linked to PDGF-dependent cell migration. All of the independently immortalized K-Ras-negative cells failed to migrate upon the addition of PDGF. Only ectopic expression of c-K(B)-Ras, not c-K(A)-Ras nor oncogenic N-Ras, could restore both PDGF-dependent AKT activation and cell migration. Since most Ras binding partners can interact with all Ras isoforms, the specificity of PDGF-dependent activation of AKT and enhanced cell migration suggests that these outcomes are likely to be regulated through a c-K(B)-Ras-specific binding partner. Others have published that of the four Ras isoforms, only K(B)-Ras can form a stable complex with calmodulin (CaM). Along those lines, we provide evidence that 1) PDGF addition results in increased levels of a complex between c-K(B)-Ras and CaM and 2) the biological outcomes that are strictly dependent on c-K(B)-Ras (AKT activation and cell migration) are blocked by CaM antagonists. The PDGF-dependent activation of ERK is unaffected by the absence of K(B)-Ras and presence of CaM antagonists. This is the first example of a linkage between a specific biological outcome, cell migration, and the activity of a single Ras isoform, c-K(B)-Ras.

Metal-binding properties of human centrin-2 determined by micro-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and UV spectroscopy

We analyzed the metal-binding properties of human centrin-2 (HsCen-2) and followed the changes in HsCen-2 structure upon metal-binding using micro-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (muESI-MS). Apo-HsCen-2 is mostly monomeric. The ESI spectra of HsCen-2 show two charge-state distributions, representing two conformations of the protein. HsCen-2 binds four moles calcium/mol protein: one mol of calcium with high affinity, one additional mol of calcium with lower affinity, and two moles of calcium at low affinity sites. HsCen-2 binds four moles of magnesium/mol protein. The conformation giving the lower charge-state HsCen-2 by ESI, binds calcium and magnesium more readily than does the higher charge-state HsCen-2. Both conformations of HsCen-2 bind calcium more readily than magnesium. Calcium was more effective in displacing magnesium bound to HsCen-2 than vice versa. Binding of a peptide from a known binding partner, the xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group protein C (XPC), to apo-HsCen-2, occurs in the presence or the absence of calcium. Near and far-UV CD spectra of HsCen-2 show little difference with addition of calcium or magnesium. Minor changes in secondary structure are noted. Melting curves derived from temperature dependence of molar ellipticity at 222 nm for HsCen-2 show that calcium increases protein stability whereas magnesium does not. Delta 25 HsCen-2 behaves similarly to HsCen-2. We conclude that HsCen-2 binds calcium and magnesium and that calcium modulates HsCen-2 structure and function by increasing its stability without undergoing significant changes in secondary or tertiary structure.

Structural changes of α-lactalbumin induced by low pH and oleic acid

The effects of low pH and oleic acid on conformation and association state of Ca2+-depleted bovine alpha-lactalbumin (apo-BLA) have been studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, and circular dichroism. The experimental results demonstrate that two structurally distinct species exist in the conformational transition of apo-BLA induced by low pH. One species populates at pH 3.0 characterized as a monomeric molten globule state and the other accumulates at pH 4.0-4.5 which is a partially folded dimer. Oleic acid promotes the formation of the dimeric intermediate at pH 4.0 and 7.0, but increases the content of molten globule state remarkably at pH 3.0 compared with that in the absence of oleic acid, indicating that oleic acid at pH 3.0 plays a different role from those at pH 4.0 and 7.0. Our data provide insight into the mechanism of pH-dependent and oleic acid-dependent structural changes and oligomerization of alpha-lactalbumin, and will be helpful to the understanding of the apoptosis-inducing function of multimeric alpha-lactalbumin in which oleic acid is a necessary cofactor.

Structure of Calmodulin Bound to a Calcineurin Peptide: A New Way of Making an Old Binding Mode,

Calcineurin is a calmodulin-binding protein in brain and the only serine/threonine protein phosphatase under the control of Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM), which plays a critical role in coupling Ca2+ signals to cellular responses. CaM up-regulates the phosphatase activity of calcineurin by binding to the CaM-binding domain (CBD) of calcineurin subunit A. Here, we report crystal structural studies of CaM bound to a CBD peptide. The chimeric protein containing CaM and the CBD peptide forms an intimate homodimer, in which CaM displays a native-like extended conformation and the CBD peptide shows alpha-helical structure. Unexpectedly, the N-terminal lobe from one CaM and the C-terminal lobe from the second molecule form a combined binding site to trap the peptide. Thus, the dimer provides two binding sites, each of which is reminiscent of the fully collapsed conformation of CaM commonly observed in complex with, for example, the myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) peptide. The interaction between the peptide and CaM is highly specific and similar to MLCK.

Direct correlation of the crystal structure of proteins with the maximum positive and negative charge states of gaseous protein ions produced by electrospray ionization

Electrospray mass spectrometric studies in native folded forms of several proteins in aqueous solution have been performed in the positive and negative ion modes. The mass spectra of the proteins show peaks corresponding to multiple charge states of the gaseous protein ions. The results have been analyzed using the known crystal structures of these proteins. Crystal structure analysis shows that among the surface exposed residues some are involved in hydrogen-bonding or salt-bridge interactions while some are free. The maximum positive charge state of the gaseous protein ions was directly related to the number of free surface exposed basic groups whereas the maximum negative charge state was related to the number of free surface exposed acidic groups of the proteins. The surface exposed basic groups, which are involved in hydrogen bonding, have lower propensity to contribute to the positive charge of the protein. Similarly, the surface exposed acidic groups involved in salt bridges have lower propensity to contribute to the negative charge of the protein. Analysis of the crystal structure to determine the maximum charge state of protein in the electrospray mass spectrum was also used to interpret the reported mass spectra of several proteins. The results show that both the positive and the negative ion mass spectra of the proteins could be interpreted by simple consideration of the crystal structure of the folded proteins. Moreover, unfolding of the protein was shown to increase the positive charge-state because of the availability of larger number of free basic groups at the surface of the unfolded protein.

Rapid method for quantifying the extent of methionine oxidation in intact calmodulin

We have developed a method for rapidly quantifying the extent to which the functionally important Met144 and Met145 residues near the C-terminus of calmodulin (CaM) are converted to the corresponding sulfoxides, Met(O). The method utilizes a whole protein collision-induced dissociation (CID) approach on an electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight (ESI-Q-TOF) mass spectrometer. Using standards of CaM oxidized by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or peroxynitrite (ONOO-), we demonstrated that CID fragmentation of the protein ions resulted in a series of C-terminal singly charged y1-y15 ions. Fragments larger than y4 exhibited mass shifts of +16 or +32 Da, corresponding to oxidation of one or two methionines, respectively. To assess the extent of oxidative modification for Met144 and Met145 to Met(O), we averaged the ratio of intensities for yn, yn+16, and yn+32 ions, where n=6-9. By alternating MS and CID scans at low and high collision energies, this technique allowed us to rapidly determine both the distribution of intact CaM oxiforms and the extent of oxidative modification in the C-terminal region of the protein in a single run. We have applied the method to studies of the repair of fully oxidized CaM by methionine sulfoxide reductases (MsrA and MsrB), which normally function in concert to reduce the S and R stereoisomers of methionine sulfoxide. We found that repair of Met(O)144 and Met(O)145 did not go to completion, but was more efficient than average Met repair. Absence of complete repair is consistent with previous studies showing that accumulation of methionine sulfoxide in CaM can occur during aging (Gao, J.; Yin, D.; Yao, Y.; Williams, T. D.; Squier, T. C. Biochemistry1998, 37, 9536-9548).

Molecular recognition by mass spectrometry

A recent major advance in the field of mass spectrometry in the biomolecular sciences is represented by the study of the supramolecular interactions among two or more partners in the gas phase. A great deal of chemistry and most of biochemistry concerns molecular interactions taking place in solution. The electrospray technique, which allows direct sampling from solution, and soft ionization of the solute without deposition into the analyte of large amounts of energy, guarantees in many cases the survival of noncovalent bondings and, hence, the direct analysis of the supramolecular complexes present in the condensed phase. The proper preparation of the solution to be studied and also the expert and accurate setting and use of the instrumental parameters are the prerequisites for gaining results as to the specific interactions between, for instance, a protein conformationally modified by its specific metal ion, eventually, and a ligand molecule. The analysis of the charge state of the protein itself and of the modifications of the complex integrity by activating collisions are also methods for studying the biomolecule-molecule interactions. Accordingly, this new mass spectrometric approach to the supramolecular chemistry, which could be also defined as 'supramolecular mass spectrometry', allows the study of ion-protein, protein-protein, protein-ligand and DNA-drug interactions. Chiral recognition can also be performed in the gas phase, studying by electrospray mass spectrometry the fragmentation of diastereomeric complex ions. Not the least, a deep insight can also be obtained into the formation and nature of inclusion complexes like those formed with crown ethers, cyclodextrins and calixarenes as host molecules. All these topics are treated to a certain extent in this special feature article.

A new protein conformation indicator based on biarsenical fluorescein with an extended benzoic acid moiety

We demonstrate herein a new protein conformation indicator based on biarsenical fluorescein with an extended benzoic acid moiety. The present indicator is reactive to a genetically introduced tetracysteine motif (Cys-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Cys-Cys, where Xaa is a noncysteine amino acid) of proteins. Compared to the original biarsenical fluorescein (FlAsH) and the biarsenical Nile red analogue (BArNile), the present indicator exhibited larger fluorescence intensity changes in response to Ca(2+)-induced conformational rearrangements of calmodulin. A calculation of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level of the benzoic acid moiety of the indicator molecule supports possible involvement of a photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process. These results indicate that the present indicator is useful for sensitive detection of protein conformational changes.

Comparison of negative and positive ion electrospray ionization mass spectra of calmodulin and its complex with trifluoperazine

The protein calmodulin (apoCaM) undergoes a conformational change when it binds calcium. This structure of the protein (Ca4CaM) is a dumbbell-shaped molecule that undergoes a further profound conformational change on binding of the antipsychotic drug trifluoperazine (TFP). Experimental conditions were developed to prepare samples of apoCaM, Ca4CaM and Ca4CaM/TFP that were substantially free of sodium. The effects of the conformational changes of calmodulin on the charge-state distributions observed in positive ion and negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra were examined. Conversion of apoCaM into Ca4CaM was concomitant with a change in the negative ion ESI mass spectrum whereby the 16- ion was the most abundant ion observed for the apo form and the 8- ion was the most abundant for the complex. In contrast, in the positive ion ESI mass spectra of apoCaM and Ca4CaM, the most abundant species in each case was the 8+ ion. When a complex of Ca4CaMwith TFP was prepared, the most abundant species was the 5+ ion. This is consistent with a conformational change of Ca4CaM that rendered some basic sites inaccessible to ionization in the ESI process. Using the same Ca4CaM/TFP mixture, no complex with TFP was observed in negative ion ESI mass spectra. These observations are discussed in the context of the structural changes that are known to occur in calmodulin, and suggestions are made to explain the apparently conflicting data. The results reported here reflect on the validity of using differences in charge-state distributions observed in ESI mass spectra to assess conformational changes in proteins.

Probing Ca2+-induced conformational changes in porcine calmodulin by H/D exchange and ESI-MS: effect of cations and ionic strength

We applied a new method, "protein-ligand interaction using mass spectrometry, titration, and H/D exchange" (PLIMSTEX) [Zhu, M. M. (2003) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 125, 5252-5253], to determine the conformational changes, binding stoichiometry, and binding constants for Ca(2+) interactions with calmodulin (CaM) under varying conditions of electrolyte identity and ionic strength. The outcome shows that CaM becomes less solvent-accessible and more compact upon Ca(2+)-binding, as revealed by the PLIMSTEX curve. The formation of CaM-4Ca species is the biggest contributor to the shape of the titration curve, indicating that the formation of this species accounts for the largest conformational change in the stepwise Ca(2+) binding. The Ca(2+)-binding constants, when comparisons permit, agree with those in the literature within a factor of 3. The binding is influenced by ionic strength and the presence of other cations, although many of these cations do not cause conformational change in apo-CaM. Furthermore, Ca(2+)-saturated CaM exhibits larger protection and higher Ca(2+) affinity in media of low rather than high ionic strength. Both Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) bind to CaM with different affinities, causing different conformational changes. K(+), if it does bind, causes no detectable conformational change, and interactions of Ca(2+) with CaM in the presence of Li(+), Na(+), and K(+) occur with similar affinities and associated changes in solvent accessibility. These metal ion effects point to nonspecific rather than competitive binding of alkali-metal ions. The rates of deuterium uptake by the various CaM-xCa species follow a three-group (fast, intermediate, slow), pseudo-first-order kinetics model. Calcium binding causes the number of amide hydrogens to shift from the fast to the slow group. The results taken together not only provide new insight into CaM but also indicate that both PLIMSTEX and kinetic modeling of H/D exchange data may become general methods for probing protein conformations and quantifying protein-ligand interactions.

Crystal structures of apocalmodulin and an apocalmodulin/SK potassium channel gating domain complex

Small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (SK channels) are composed of the pore-forming alpha subunit and calmodulin (CaM). CaM binds to a region of the alpha subunit called the CaM binding domain (CaMBD), located intracellular and immediately C-terminal to the inner helix gate, in either the presence or absence of Ca2+. SK gating occurs when Ca2+ binds the N lobe of CaM thereby transmitting the signal to the attached inner helix gate to open. Here we present crystal structures of apoCaM and apoCaM/SK2 CaMBD complex. Several apoCaM crystal forms with multiple (12) packing environments reveal the same EF hand domain-swapped dimer providing potentially new insight into CaM regulation. The apoCaM/SK2 CaMBD structure, combined with our Ca2+/CaM/CaMBD structure suggests that Ca2+ binding induces folding and dimerization of the CaMBD, which causes large CaMBD-CaM C lobe conformational changes, including a >90 degrees rotation of the region of the CaMBD directly connected to the gate.

Charged states of proteins. Reactions of doubly protonated alkyldiamines with NH(3): solvation or deprotonation. Extension of two proton cases to multiply protonated globular proteins observed in the gas phase

The apparent gas-phase basicities (GB(app)'s) of basic sites in multiply protonated molecules, such as proteins, can be approximately predicted. An approach used by Williams and co-workers was to develop an equation for a diprotonated system, NH(3)(CH(2))(7)NH(3)(2+), and then extend it with a summation of pairwise interactions to multiply protonated systems. Experimental determinations of the rates of deprotonation of NH(3)(CH(2))(7)NH(3)(2+) by a variety of bases B, in the present work, showed that GB(app) = GB(NH(3)) = 196 kcal/mol. This result is supported also by determinations of the equilibria: NH(3)(CH(2))(p)NH(3)(2+) + NH(3) = NH(3)(CH(2))(p)NH(3) x NH(3)(2+), for p = 7, 8, 10, 12. The described experimental GB(app) is 14 kcal/mol higher than the value predicted by the equation used by Williams and co-workers but in agreement with an ab initio result by Gronert. Equations based on electrostatics are developed for the two proton and multiproton systems which allow the evaluation of GB(app) of the basic sites on proteins. These are applied for the evaluation of GB(app) of the basic sites and of N(SB), the maximum number of protons that the nondenatured proteins, carbonic anhydrase (CAII), cytochrome c (CYC), and pepsin, can hold. The N(SB) values are compared with the observed charges, Z(obs)'s, when the nondenatured proteins are produced by electrospray and found in agreement with the proposal by de la Mora that Z(obs) is determined by the number of charges provided by the droplet that contains the protein, according to the charge residue model (CRM). The GB(app) values of proteins have many other applications. They can be compared with experimental measurements and are also needed for the understanding of the thermal denaturing of charged proteins and the thermal dissociation of charged protein complexes.

A mass spectrometric study of metal binding to osteocalcin

Electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry was used to investigate Ca(2+), Mg(2+), and La(3+) binding to bovine bone osteocalcin (OCN). OCN was shown to bind 3 mol Ca(2+) per mol protein. There was also evidence for the presence of four additional metal binding sites. Ca(2+) increased the formation of the OCN dimer. Mg(2+) bound to OCN to the same extent as Ca(2+) but did not induce the dimerization of OCN. La(3+) bound to a lesser extent than either Ca(2+) or Mg(2+) to OCN and, like Mg(2+), did not influence dimerization. Each Gla residue of OCN participates in Ca(2+) binding, whereas Mg(2+) binding may occur preferentially at sites other than Gla residues. This implies that the different natures of Ca(2+)- and Mg(2+)-containing OCN complexes influence the tendency of OCN to form a dimer.

Assembly of gap junction channels: mechanism, effects of calmodulin antagonists and identification of connexin oligomerization determinants

The assembly of connexins (Cxs) into gap junction intercellular communication channels was studied. An in vitro cell-free synthesis system showed that formation of the hexameric connexon hemichannels involved dimeric and tetrameric connexin intermediates. Cx32 contains two putative cytoplasmic calmodulin-binding sites, and their role in gap junction channel assembly was investigated. The oligomerization of Cx32 into connexons was reversibly inhibited by a calmodulin-binding synthetic peptide, and by W7, a naphthalene sulfonamide calmodulin antagonist. Removing the calmodulin-binding site located at the carboxyl tail of Cx32 limited connexon formation and resulted in an accumulation of intermediate connexin oligomers. This truncation mutant, Cx32Delta215, when transiently expressed in COS-7 cells, accumulated intracellularly and had failed to target to gap junctions. Immunoprecipitation studies suggested that a C-terminal sequence of Cx32 incorporating the calmodulin-binding site was required for the formation of hetero-oligomers of Cx26 and Cx32 but not for Cx32 homomeric association. A chimera, Cx32TM3CFTR, in which the third transmembrane and proposed channel lining sequence of Cx32 was substituted by a transmembrane sequence of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, did not oligomerize in vitro and it accumulated intracellularly when expressed in COS-7 cells. The results indicate that amino-acid sequences in the third transmembrane domain and a calmodulin-binding domain in the cytoplasmic tail of Cx32 are likely candidates for regulating connexin oligomerization.

Three-dimensional structure of the lithostathine protofibril, a protein involved in Alzheimer's disease

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the presence of filamentous aggregates of proteins. We previously established that lithostathine is a protein overexpressed in the pre-clinical stages of Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, it is present in the pathognomonic lesions associated with Alzheimer's disease. After self-proteolysis, the N-terminally truncated form of lithostathine leads to the formation of fibrillar aggregates. Here we observed using atomic force microscopy that these aggregates consisted of a network of protofibrils, each of which had a twisted appearance. Electron microscopy and image analysis showed that this twisted protofibril has a quadruple helical structure. Three-dimensional X-ray structural data and the results of biochemical experiments showed that when forming a protofibril, lithostathine was first assembled via lateral hydrophobic interactions into a tetramer. Each tetramer then linked up with another tetramer as the result of longitudinal electrostatic interactions. All these results were used to build a structural model for the lithostathine protofibril called the quadruple-helical filament (QHF-litho). In conclusion, lithostathine strongly resembles the prion protein in its dramatic proteolysis and amyloid proteins in its ability to form fibrils.

The dimerization interface of the metastasis-associated protein S100A4 (Mts1): in vivo and in vitro studies

The S100 calcium-binding proteins are implicated in signal transduction, motility, and cytoskeletal dynamics. The three-dimensional structure of several S100 proteins revealed that the proteins form non-covalent dimers. However, the mechanism of the S100 dimerization is still obscure. In this study we characterized the dimerization of S100A4 (also named Mts1) in vitro and in vivo. Analytical ultracentrifugation revealed that apoS100A4 was present in solution as a mixture of monomers and dimers in a rapidly reversible equilibrium (K(d) = 4 +/- 2 microm). The binding of calcium promoted dimerization. Replacement of Tyr-75 by Phe resulted in the stabilization of the dimer. Helix IV is known to form the major part of the dimerization interface in homologous S100 proteins. By using the yeast two-hybrid system we showed that only a few residues of helix IV, namely Phe-72, Tyr-75, Phe-78, and Leu-79, are essential for dimerization in vivo. A homology model demonstrated that these residues form a hydrophobic cluster on helix IV. Their role is to stabilize the structure of individual subunits rather than provide specific interactions across the dimerization surface. Our mutation data showed that the specificity at the dimerization surface is not particularly stringent, which is consistent with recent data indicating that S100 proteins can form heterodimers.

A novel Ca2+ binding protein associated with caldesmon in Ca2+-regulated smooth muscle thin filaments: evidence for a structurally altered form of calmodulin

Smooth muscle thin filaments are made up of actin, tropomyosin, the inhibitory protein caldesmon and a Ca2+-binding protein. Thin filament activation of myosin MgATPase is Ca2+-regulated but thin filaments assembled from smooth muscle actin, tropomyosin and caldesmon plus brain or aorta calmodulin are not Ca2+-regulated at 25 degrees C/50 mM KCl. We isolated the Ca2+-binding protein (CaBP) from smooth muscle thin filaments by DEAE fast-flow chromatography in 6 M urea and phenyl sepharose chromatography using sheep aorta as our starting material. CaBP combines with smooth muscle actin, tropomyosin and caldesmon to reconstitute a normally regulated thin filament at 25 degrees C/50 mM KCl. It reverses caldesmon inhibition at pCa5 under conditions where CaM is largely inactive, it binds to caldesmon when complexed with actin and tropomyosin rather than displacing it and it binds to caldesmon independently of [Ca2+]. Amino acid sequencing, and electrospray mass spectrometry show the CaBP is identical to CaM. Structural probes indicate it is different: calmodulin increases caldesmon tryptophan fluorescence but CaBP does not. The distribution of charged species in electrospray mass spectrometry and nozzle skimmer fragmentation patterns are different indicating a less stable N-terminal lobe for CaBP. Brief heating abolishes these special properties of the CaBP. Mass spectrometry in aqueous buffer showed no evidence for the presence of any covalent or non-covalently bound adduct. The only remaining conclusion is that CaBP is calmodulin locked in a metastable altered state.

Effect of enzyme inhibitors on protein quaternary structure determined by on-line size exclusion chromatography-microelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH) are a family of enzymes primarily involved in the oxidation of various aldehydes. Most ALDH enzymes derived from mammalian sources have been shown to exist as homotetramers, consisting of four identical subunits of approximately 54 kDa. The presence of the homotetramer appears to be necessary for enzyme activity. In this study, recombinant rat liver mitochondrial ALDH (rmALDH) was inhibited in vitro with four different inhibitors, namely, disulfiram (MW, 296.5), prunetin (MW, 284.3), benomyl (MW, 290.3), and N-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) (MW, 351.8). Subsequently, inhibited rmALDH was analyzed by a novel approach of on-line size exclusion chromatography-microelectrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (SEC-muESI-MS) to examine the noncovalent quaternary structural stability of the inhibited enzyme. Analysis of native rmALDH by SEC-muESI-MS revealed predominantly the homotetramer (Mr = approximately 217,457 Da, +/- 0.01%) with some in-source, skimmer-induced dissociation to afford monomer (Mr = approximately 54,360 Da, +/- 0.01%). Both disulfiram and prunetin inhibited rmALDH by >70% and >90%, respectively, but did not disrupt the quaternary structure of rmALDH. Furthermore, there was no detectable change within experimental error (+/- 0.01%) of the disulfiram or the prunetin homotetramers (Mr = approximately 217,448 Da and Mr = approximately 217,446 Da). This may possibly indicate that inhibition occurred via formation of intramolecular disulfide bond at the enzyme active site, or weak affinity noncovalent binding. In contrast, benomyl-inhibited rmALDH homotetramer (>90% inhibition) exhibited a Mr = approximately 217,650 Da (+/- 0.01%) corresponding to two butylcarbamoyl adducts on two of the four enzyme subunits. The skimmer-induced monomer afforded a mixture of unmodified rmALDH (Mr = approximately 54,365 Da, +/- 0.01%) and butylcarbamoylated enzyme (Mr = approximately 54,459 Da, +/- 0.01%). Finally, TPCK (>90% inhibition) modified all four subunits of rmALDH to give Mr = approximately 218,646 Da (+/- 0.01%). In all four cases while significant enzyme inhibition occurred, no destabilization of the quaternary complex was detected.

Heterocomplex formation between metastasis-related protein S100A4 (Mts1) and S100A1 as revealed by the yeast two-hybrid system

S100A4 (Mts1) is a Ca(2+)-binding protein of the S100 family. This protein plays an important role in promoting tumor metastasis. In order to identify S100A4 interacting proteins, we have applied the yeast two-hybrid system as an in vivo approach. By screening a mouse mammary adenocarcinoma library, we have demonstrated that S100A4 forms a heterocomplex with S100A1, another member of the S100 family. The non-covalent heterodimerization was confirmed by fluorescence spectroscopy and electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Mutational analysis revealed that replacement of Cys(76) and/or Cys(81) of S100A4 by Ser abolishes the S100A4/S100A1 heterodimerization, but does not affect the S100A4 homodimerization in vivo.

Calmodulin-peptide interactions: apocalmodulin binding to the myosin light chain kinase target-site

Noncovalent binding of the synthetic peptide RS20 to calmodulin in the presence of calcium was confirmed by electrospray ionization coupled with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry to form a complex with a 1:1:4 calmodulin/RS20/calcium stoichiometry. There was no evidence for formation of a calmodulin-RS20-Ca(2) species. The absence of calmodulin-RS20-Ca(2) would be consistent with models in which the two globular domains are coupled functionally. There was evidence that calmodulin, RS20-calmodulin without associated calcium, and calmodulin-RS20-Ca(4) existed together in solution, whereas calmodulin-calcium complexes were absent. It is proposed that calcium binding to form the calmodulin-RS20-Ca(4) complex occurs after an initial RS20-calmodulin binding event, and serves to secure the target within the calmodulin structure. The binding of more than one RS20 molecule to calmodulin was observed to induce unfolding of calmodulin.

Cation- and peptide-binding properties of human centrin 2

Centrin and calmodulin (CaM) are closely related four-EF-hand Ca(2+)-binding proteins. While CaM is monomeric, centrin 2 is dimeric and binds only two Ca(2+) per dimer, likely to site IV in each monomer. Ca(2+) binding to centrin 2 displays pronounced negative cooperativity and a [Ca(2+)](0.5) of 30 microM. As in CaM, Ca(2+) binding leads to the exposure of a hydrophobic probe-accessible patch on the surface of centrin 2. Provided Ca(2+) is present, centrin 2 forms a 1:1 peptide:monomer complex with melittin with an affinity of 100 nM. The complex binds four instead of two Ca(2+). Our data point to surprising differences in the mode of activation of these homologous proteins.