Studies on the mechanism of action of the histone kinase dependent on adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate. Investigation of protein-protein interaction by electron spin-resonance spectroscopy and stopped-flow methods

Compact, cost-efficient microfluidics-based stopped-flow device

Stopped-flow technology is frequently used to monitor rapid (bio)chemical reactions with high temporal resolution, e.g., in dynamic investigations of enzyme reactions, protein interactions, or molecular transport mechanisms. However, conventional stopped-flow devices are often overly complex, voluminous, or costly. Moreover, excessive amounts of sample are often wasted owing to inefficient designs. To address these shortcomings, we propose a stopped-flow system based on microfluidic design principles. Our simple and cost-efficient approach offers distinct advantages over existing technology. In particular, the use of injection-molded disposable microfluidic chips minimizes required sample volumes and associated costs, simplifies handling, and prevents adverse cross-contamination effects. The cost of the system developed is reduced by an order of magnitude compared with the cost of commercial systems. The system contains a high-precision valve system for fluid control and features automated data acquisition capability with high temporal resolution. Analyses with two well-established reaction kinetics yielded a dead time of approximately 8-9 ms.

Physico-chemical principles of cAMP-dependent protein phosphorylation. Catalysis of phosphoryl group transfer to nucleophilic agents

The specificity of pig brain protein kinase towards high- and low-Mr 'analogs' of protein substrate was studied. Solvolysis of the phosphoenzyme intermediate by various nucleophilic agents is shown. The transition state structure of the phosphoryl transfer reaction is discussed.

Studies on the mechanism of action of the histone kinase dependent on adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate. Fast kinetics of histone H1 phosphorylation

The transient phase of histone H1 phosphorylation was studied by the quenched-flow method. A 'minimal' kinetic scheme of the above process was proposed. A formal kinetic analysis was given to a four-step mechanism of the reaction. Computer simulation of the transient-phase kinetics of H1 phosphorylation and the steady-state kinetics of phosphate transfer from the enzyme phosphoform to histone permitted us to estimate all kinetic constants of the proposed mechanism.