Role of nuclear protein denaturation and aggregation in thermal radiosensitization

Hyperthermia at temperatures above 41 degrees C denatures a set of thermolabile cellular proteins located in all parts of the cell. Non-histone nuclear proteins, including those comprising the nuclear matrix, appear to be particularly thermolabile. Heating isolated nuclear matrices of Chinese hamster lung (CHL) V79 cells to 46 degrees C at 1 degree C/min results in approximately 15% denaturation. Protein unfolding during denaturation exposes buried hydrophobic residues, which increases protein-protein interactions and results in the co-aggregation of denatured thermolabile proteins and native, aggregative-sensitive nuclear proteins. This aggregated protein, the majority of which is native, is insoluble and resistant to extraction during isolation of nuclei and is responsible for the increased protein content, usually expressed as an increased protein:DNA ratio, of nuclei isolated from heated cells. A large fraction of the aggregated protein is found to be associated with the nuclear matrix, distributed throughout the fibre network and nucleolus. Three general consequences of nuclear protein denaturation and aggregation of relevance to cellular damage are: (1) protein (enzyme) inactivation, both direct inactivation of thermolabile proteins and indirect inactivation due to co-aggregation; (2) reduced accessibility and altered physical properties of DNA due to masking by aggregated protein; and (3) protein redistribution into and out of the nucleus. Functional impairment of the nucleus appears to be due to one or a combination of these basic mechanisms.

In vivo resolution of oligomers with fluorescence photobleaching recovery histograms

Simple independent enzyme-catalyzed reactions distributed homogeneously throughout an aqueous environment cannot adequately explain the regulation of metabolic and other cellular processes in vivo. Such an unstructured system results in unacceptably slow substrate turnover rates and consumes inordinate amounts of cellular energy. Current approaches to resolving compartmentalization in living cells requires the partitioning of the molecular species in question such that its localization can be resolved with fluorescence microscopy. Standard imaging approaches will not resolve localization of protein activity for proteins that are ubiquitously distributed, but whose function requires a change in state of the protein. The small heat shock protein sHSP27 exists as both dimers and large multimers and is distributed homogeneously throughout the cytoplasm. A fusion of the green fluorescent protein variant S65T and sHSP27 is used to assess the ability of diffusion rate histograms to resolve compartmentalization of the 2 dominant oligomeric species of sHSP27. Diffusion rates were measured by multiphoton fluorescence photobleaching recovery. Under physiologic conditions, diffusion rate histograms resolved at least 2 diffusive transport rates within a living cell potentially corresponding to the large and small oligomers of sHSP27. Given that oligomerization is often a means of regulation, compartmentalization of different oligomer species could provide a means for efficient regulation and localization of sHsp27 activity.

Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase mutants associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis show enhanced formation of aggregates in vitro

Mutations in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) are associated with the fatal neurodegenerative disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). There is considerable evidence that mutant SOD has a gain of toxic function; however, the mechanism of this toxicity is not known. We report here that purified SOD forms aggregates in vitro under destabilizing solution conditions by a process involving a transition from small amorphous species to fibrils. The assembly process and the tinctorial and structural properties of the in vitro aggregates resemble those for aggregates observed in vivo. Furthermore, the familial ALS SOD mutations A4V, G93A, G93R, and E100G decrease protein stability, which correlates with an increase in the propensity of the mutants to form aggregates. These mutations also increase the rate of protein unfolding. Our results suggest three possible mechanisms for the increase in aggregation: (i) an increase in the equilibrium population of unfolded or of partially unfolded states, (ii) an increase in the rate of unfolding, and (iii) a decrease in the rate of folding. Our data support the hypothesis that the gain of toxic function for many different familial ALS-associated mutant SODs is a consequence of protein destabilization, which leads to an increase in the formation of cytotoxic protein aggregates.

Kinetic analysis of product inhibition in human manganese superoxide dismutase

Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) cycles between the Mn(II) and Mn(III) states during the catalyzed disproportionation of O(2)(*-), a catalysis that is limited at micromolar levels of superoxide by a peroxide-inhibited complex with the metal. We have investigated the role in catalysis and inhibition of the conserved residue Trp161 which forms a hydrophobic side of the active site cavity of MnSOD. Crystal structures of mutants of human MnSOD in which Trp161 was replaced with Ala or Phe showed significant conformational changes on adjacent residues near the active site, particularly Gln143 and Tyr34 which in wild-type MnSOD participate in a hydrogen bond network believed to support proton transfer during catalysis. Using pulse radiolysis and observing the UV absorbance of superoxide, we have determined rate constants for the catalytic dismutation of superoxide. In addition, the rates of formation and dissociation of the product-inhibited complex of these mutants were determined by direct observation of the characteristic visible absorption of the oxidized and inhibited states. Catalysis by W161A and W161F MnSOD was associated with a decrease of at least 100-fold in the catalytic rate of reduction of superoxide, which then promotes a competing pathway leading to product inhibition. The structural changes caused by the mutations at position 161 led to small changes, at most a 6-fold decrease, in the rate constant for formation of the inhibited complex. Solvent hydrogen isotope effects support a mechanism in which formation of this complex, presumably the peroxide dianion bound to the manganese, involves no rate-contributing proton transfer; however, the dissociation of the complex requires proton transfer to generate HO(2)(-) or H2O2.

The nuclear matrix is a thermolabile cellular structure

Heat shock sensitizes cells to ionizing radiation, cells heated in S phase have increased chromosomal aberrations, and both Hsp27 and Hsp70 translocate to the nucleus following heat shock, suggesting that the nucleus is a site of thermal damage. We show that the nuclear matrix is the most thermolabile nuclear component. The thermal denaturation profile of the nuclear matrix of Chinese hamster lung V79 cells, determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), has at least 2 transitions at Tm = 48 degrees C and 55 degrees C with an onset temperature of approximately 40 degrees C. The heat absorbed during these transitions is 1.5 cal/g protein, which is in the range of enthalpies for protein denaturation. There is a sharp increase in 1-anilinonapthalene-8-sulfonic acid (ANS) fluorescence with Tm = 48 degrees C, indicating increased exposure of hydrophobic residues at this transition. The Tm = 48 degrees C transition has a similar Tm to those predicted for the critical targets for heat-induced clonogenic killing (Tm = 46 degrees C) and thermal radiosensitization (Tm = 47 degrees C), suggesting that denaturation of nuclear matrix proteins with Tm = 48 degrees C contribute to these forms of nuclear damage. Following heating at 43 degrees C for 2 hours, Hsc70 binds to isolated nuclear matrices and isolated nuclei, probably because of the increased exposure of hydrophobic domains. In addition, approximately 25% of exogenous citrate synthase also binds, indicating a general increase in aggregation of proteins onto the nuclear matrix. We propose that this is the mechanism for increased association of nuclear proteins with the nuclear matrix observed in nuclei Isolated from heat-shocked cells and is a form of indirect thermal damage.

Interaction of D-600 with the transmembrane domain of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase

Experiments were performed to determine whether the organic Ca(2+) channel blocker D-600 (gallopamil), which penetrates into muscle cells, affects sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) uptake by directly inhibiting the light SR Ca(2+)-ATPase. We have previously shown that at 10 microM, D-600 inhibits LSR ATP-dependent Ca(2+) uptake by 50% but has no effect on ATPase activity (21). These data suggest that the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase might be a potential target for D-600. The ATPase activity of the enzyme is associated with its hydrophilic cytoplasmic domain, whereas Ca(2+) binding and translocation are associated with the transmembrane domain (18). In the present experiments, we determined which of the two domains of the ATPase is affected by D-600. Thermal inactivation experiments using the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase demonstrated that D-600 decreased the thermal stability of Ca(2+) transport but had no effect on the stability of ATPase activity. In addition, D-600 at a concentration of 160 microM did not have any leaking effect of Ca(2+) on the Ca(2+)-loaded SR. Thermal denaturation profiles of SR membranes revealed that D-600 interacts directly with the transmembrane domain of the Ca(2+)-ATPase. No evidence for interaction with the nucleotide domain was obtained. We conclude that the Ca(2+) blocker D-600 inhibits the SR Ca(2+) pump specifically by interacting with the transmembrane Ca(2+)-binding domain of the Ca(2+)-ATPase.

Multiple replacements of glutamine 143 in human manganese superoxide dismutase: effects on structure, stability, and catalysis

Glutamine 143 in human manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) forms a hydrogen bond with the manganese-bound solvent molecule and is investigated by replacement using site-specific mutagenesis. Crystal structures showed that the replacement of Gln 143 with Ala made no significant change in the overall structure of the mutant enzyme. Two new water molecules in Q143A MnSOD were situated in positions nearly identical with the Oepsilon1 and Nepsilon2 of the replaced Gln 143 side chain and maintained a hydrogen-bonded network connecting the manganese-bound solvent molecule to other residues in the active site. However, their presence could not sustain the stability and activity of the enzyme; the main unfolding transition of Q143A was decreased 16 degrees C and its catalysis decreased 250-fold to k(cat)/K(m) = 3 x 10(6) M(-)(1) s(-)(1), as determined by stopped-flow spectrophotometry and pulse radiolysis. The mutant Q143A MnSOD and other mutants at position 143 showed very low levels of product inhibition and favored Mn(II)SOD in the resting state, whereas the wild type showed strong product inhibition and favored Mn(III)SOD. However, these differences did not affect the rate constant for dissociation of the product-inhibited complex in Q143A MnSOD which was determined from a characteristic absorbance at 420 nm and was comparable in magnitude ( approximately 100 s(-)(1)) to that of the wild-type enzyme. Hence, Gln 143, which is necessary for maximal activity in superoxide dismutation, appears to have no role in stabilization and dissociation of the product-inhibited complex.

Radioprotective thiolamines WR-1065 and WR-33278 selectively denature nonhistone nuclear proteins

Differential scanning calorimetry was used to study the interactions of nuclei isolated from Chinese hamster V79 cells with the radioprotector WR-1065, other thiol compounds, and polyamines. Differential scanning calorimetry monitors denaturation of macromolecules and resolves the major nuclear components (e.g. constrained and relaxed DNA, nucleosome core, and nuclear matrix) of intact nuclei on the basis of thermal stability. WR-1065 treatment (0.5-10 mM) of isolated nuclei led to the irreversible denaturation of nuclear proteins, a fraction of which are nuclear matrix proteins. Denaturation of 50% of the total nonhistone nuclear protein content of isolated nuclei occurred after exposure to 4.7 mM WR-1065 for 20 min at 23 degrees C. In addition, a 22% increase in the insoluble protein content of nuclei isolated from V79 cells that had been treated with 4 mM WR-1065 for 30 min at 37 degrees C was observed, indicating that WR-1065-induced protein denaturation occurs not only in isolated nuclei but also in the nuclei of intact cells. From the extent of the increase in insoluble protein in the nucleus, protein denaturation by WR-1065 is expected to contribute to drug toxicity at concentrations greater than approximately 4 mM. WR-33278, the disulfide form of WR-1065, was approximately twice as effective as the free thiol at denaturing nuclear proteins. The proposed mechanism for nucleoprotein denaturation is through direct interactions with protein cysteine groups with the formation of destabilizing protein-WR-1065 disulfides. In comparison to its effect on nuclear proteins in isolated nuclei, WR-1065 had only a very small effect on non-nuclear proteins of whole cells, isolated nuclear matrix, or the thiol-rich Ca(2+)ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum, indicating that WR-1065 can effectively denature protein only inside an intact nucleus, probably due to the increased concentration of the positively charged drug in the vicinity of DNA.

Calorimetric characterization of critical targets for killing and acquired thermotolerance in yeast

We characterized thermal behaviours of cellular components by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in order to investigate how Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells acquire thermotolerance after heat shock or in stationary phase. Whole-cell DSC profiles consisted of at least five endothermic components over the range 45-75 degrees C for exponentially growing, heat-shocked and stationary-phase cells. In these profiles, we attempted to localize the endothermic profiles due to denaturation of the two critical targets which were predicted by using the Arrhenius parameters of hyperthermic killing of the cells (Obuchi et al., 1998). This prediction indicated that (a) the heat shock stabilized one family of targets and destabilized the other, while (b) arrest in stationary phase stabilized both targets. Therefore, the heat-shock response does not stabilize all cellular components, and arrest in stationary phase appears to stabilize cellular components in a different manner from the heat-shock response. It was not possible unambiguously to resolve the profiles of the critical targets in the DSC scans of whole cells. Components I (T(m)=49.7 degrees C) and II (T(m)=56.1 degrees C) may both include denaturations of critical targets 1 (T(m)=55.4 degrees C) and 2 (T(m)=53.0 degrees C) in exponential cells. Components I and II were both stabilized (T(m)=53.5 and 57.2 degrees C, respectively) in heat-shocked cells. Sub-cellular fractions suspended in 1.2 M trehalose solution, which mimics the cytosol in tolerant cells, were more stable than those in 0.6 M KCl, which mimics the cytosol in sensitive cells. The microsomal fractions in KCl and trehalose had endothermic profiles in similar temperature ranges to those predicted for sensitive and tolerant cells, respectively. This agreement suggests that the microsomal fraction may contain critical targets, and that trehalose accumulation in the heat-shocked and in the stationary phase yeast cells is a stabilizer of cellular components.

Thermal destabilization of transmembrane proteins by local anaesthetics

Local anaesthetics, in addition to anaesthesia, induce the synthesis of heat shock proteins (HSPs), sensitize cells to hyperthermia, and increase the aggregation of nuclear proteins during heat shock. Anaesthetics are membrane active agents, and anaesthesia appears to be due to altered ion channel activity; however, the direct effect of heat shock is protein denaturation. These observations suggest that local anaesthetics may sensitize cells to hyperthermia by interacting with and destabilizing membrane proteins such that protein denaturation is increased. It is shown, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), that the local anaesthetics procaine, lidocaine, tetracaine and dibucaine destabilize the transmembrane domains of the Ca2+ -ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum and the band III anion transporter of red blood cells. The transmembrane domain of the Ca2+ -ATPase has a transition temperature (Tm) of denaturation of 61 degrees C which is decreased, for example, to 53 degrees C by 15 mM lidocaine. The degree of destabilization (deltaTm) by each anaesthetic is proportional to the lipid to water partition coefficient, and the increased sensitization by anaesthetics with larger partition coefficients and at higher pH suggests that the uncharged forms of the anaesthetics are responsible for destabilization. A Hill analysis of deltaTm for the Ca2+ -ATPase as a function of the concentration of anaesthetic in water gives dissociation constants (Kd) on the order of 10(-4) M, if binding occurs directly from the aqueous phase. This demonstrates moderate affinity binding. However, dissociation constants of 1-3 M are obtained, if binding occurs through the lipid phase, which demonstrates low affinity binding. Thus, the interaction of local anaesthetics with the Ca2+ -ATPase may be moderately specific or non-specific depending on the mechanism of interaction. The observation that local anaesthetics also destabilize the transmembrane domain of the band III protein of erythrocytes suggests that destabilization of transmembrane proteins is a general property of anaesthetics, which is at least in part a mechanism of sensitization to hyperthermia.

Interrupting the hydrogen bond network at the active site of human manganese superoxide dismutase

Histidine 30 in human manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is located at a site partially exposed to solvent with its side chain participating in a hydrogen-bonded network that includes the active-site residues Tyr(166) and Tyr(34) and extends to the manganese-bound solvent molecule. We have replaced His(30) with a series of amino acids and Tyr(166) with Phe in human MnSOD. The crystal structure of the mutant of MnSOD containing Asn(30) superimposed closely with the wild type, but the side chain of Asn(30) did not participate in the hydrogen-bonded network in the active site. The catalytic activity of a number of mutants with replacements at position 30 and for the mutant containing Phe(166) showed a 10-40-fold decrease in k(cat). This is the same magnitude of decrease in k(cat) obtained with the replacement of Tyr(34) by Phe, suggesting that interrupting the hydrogen-bonded active-site network at any of the sites of these three participants (His(30), Tyr(34), and Tyr(166)) leads to an equivalent decrease in k(cat) and probably less efficient proton transfer to product peroxide. The specific geometry of His(30) on the hydrogen bond network is essential for stability since the disparate mutations H30S, H30A, and H30Q reduce T(m) by similar amounts (10-16 degrees C) compared with wild type.

On the path to the heat shock response: destabilization and formation of partially folded protein intermediates, a consequence of protein thiol modification

This review discusses the initial events that occur during oxidative stress that induce the synthesis of heat shock proteins. The focus is on non-native oxidation or modification of protein thiols and the destablization that can result. Proteins that contain non-native modified thiols can become destablized such that they unfold into molten globule-like intermediates at or below 37 degrees C, relieving Hsf-1 negative regulation, and inducing Hsp transcription.

Diamide-induced cytotoxicity and thermotolerance in CHO cells

Treatment with the sulfhydryl oxidant diamide denatures and aggregates cellular proteins, which prior studies have implicated as an oxidative damage that activates the heat shock transcription factor and induces thermotolerance. This study was initiated to further characterize cellular response to diamide-denatured proteins, including their involvement in diamide cytotoxicity. Cytotoxic diamide exposures at 37.0 degrees C denatured and aggregated cellular proteins in a manner that was proportional to cell killing, but this correlation was different than that established for heated cells. Diamide exposures at 24.0 degrees C were orders of magnitude less cytotoxic, with little additional killing occurring after diamide was removed and cells were returned to 37.0 degrees C. Thus, protein denaturation that occurred at 37.0 degrees C, after proteins were chemically destabilized by diamide at 24.0 degrees C [Freeman et al., J. Cell. Physiol., 164:356-366 (1995); Senisterra et al., Biochemistry 36: 11002-11011 (1997)], had little effect on cell killing. Thermotolerance protected cells against diamide cytotoxicity but did not reduce the amount of denatured and aggregated protein observed immediately following diamide exposure. However, denatured/aggregated proteins in thermotolerant cells were disaggregated within 17 h following diamide exposure, while no disaggregation was observed in nontolerant cells. This more rapid disaggregation of proteins may be one mechanism by which thermotolerance protects cells against diamide toxicity, as it has been postulated to do against heat killing. As with heat shock, nontoxic diamide exposures induced maximal tolerance against heat killing; however, there was no detectable, increased synthesis of heat shock proteins. Thus, diamide treatment proved to be a reproducible procedure for inducing a phase of thermotolerance that does not require new heat shock protein (HSP) synthesis, without having to use transcription or translation inhibitors to suppress HSP gene expression. These results complement those from studies with other stresses to establish the importance of protein denaturation/aggregation as a cytotoxic consequence of stress and a trigger for thermotolerance induction. The data also illustrate that differences in how proteins are denatured and aggregated can affect their cytotoxicity and the manner in which thermotolerance is expressed.

Stabilization of two families of critical targets for hyperthermic cell killing and acquired thermotolerance of yeast cells

Hyperthermic cell killing profiles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells were biphasic and a shoulder (phase 1) was followed by an exponential killing (phase 2). Assuming that (i) the rate of thermal damage in particular macromolecules or their assemblies limits the rate of hyperthermic cell killing (the critical target model), and (ii) the damages of two families of targets are lethal independently, we built a 'dual critical target model' in order to interpret the biphasic cell killing. Time-courses of temperature-programmed fractional survival were traced for S. cerevisiae cells in exponentially growing phase, heat shocked, and in stationary phase. Non-linear curve-fitting of the time-courses by using the dual critical target model provided the Arrhenius parameters of denaturation of the two families of targets. The cells were killed more slowly in phase 1 than in phase 2. Arrest in stationary phase, not heat shock, stabilizes the family of targets that is critical to phase 1 death. On the other hand, both heat-shock response and arrest in stationary phase stabilizes the other family of targets that, in addition to the previous one, is responsible for phase 2 death.

Crystal structure of Y34F mutant human mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase and the functional role of tyrosine 34

Tyrosine 34 is a prominent and conserved residue in the active site of the manganese superoxide dismutases in organisms from bacteria to man. We have prepared the mutant containing the replacement Tyr 34 --> Phe (Y34F) in human manganese superoxide dismutase (hMnSOD) and crystallized it in two different crystal forms, orthorhombic and hexagonal. Crystal structures of hMnSOD Y34F have been solved to 1.9 A resolution in a hexagonal crystal form, denoted as Y34Fhex, and to 2.2 A resolution in an orthorhombic crystal form, denoted as Y34Fortho. Both crystal forms give structures that are closely superimposable with that of wild-type hMnSOD, with the phenyl rings of Tyr 34 in the wild type and Phe 34 in the mutant very similar in orientation. Therefore, in Y34F, a hydrogen-bonded relay that links the metal-bound hydroxyl to ordered solvent (Mn-OH to Gln 143 to Tyr 34 to H2O to His 30) is broken. Surprisingly, the loss of the Tyr 34 hydrogen bonds resulted in large increases in stability (measured by Tm), suggesting that the Tyr 34 hydroxyl does not play a role in stabilizing active-site architecture. The functional role of the side chain hydroxyl of Tyr 34 can be evaluated by comparison of the Y34F mutant with the wild-type hMnSOD. Both wild-type and Y34F had kcat/Km near 10(9) M-1 s-1, close to diffusion-controlled; however, Y34F showed kcat for maximal catalysis smaller by 10-fold than the wild type. In addition, the mutant Y34F was more susceptible to product inhibition by peroxide than the wild-type enzyme. This activity profile and the breaking of the hydrogen-bonding chain at the active site caused by the replacement Tyr 34 --> Phe suggest that Tyr 34 is a proton donor for O2* - reduction to H2O2 or is involved indirectly by orienting solvent or other residues for proton transfer. Up to 100 mM buffers in solution failed to enhance catalysis by either Y34F or the wild-type hMnSOD, suggesting that protonation from solution cannot enhance the release of the inhibiting bound peroxide ion, likely reflecting the enclosure of the active site by conserved residues as shown by the X-ray structures. The increased thermostability of the mutant Y34F and equal diffusion-controlled activity of Y34F and wild-type enzymes with normal superoxide levels suggest that evolutionary conservation of active-site residues in metalloenzymes reflects constraints from extreme rather than average cellular conditions. This new hypothesis that extreme rather than normal substrate concentrations are a powerful constraint on residue conservation may apply most strongly to enzyme defenses where the ability to meet extreme conditions directly affects cell survival.

Probing the active site of human manganese superoxide dismutase: the role of glutamine 143

Structural and biochemical characterization of the nonliganding residue glutamine 143 near the manganese of human Mn superoxide dismutase (hMnSOD), a homotetramer of 22 kDa, reveals a functional role for this residue. In the wild-type protein, the side-chain amide group of Gln 143 is about 5 A from the metal and is hydrogen-bonded to Tyr 34, which is a second prominent side chain adjacent to the metal. We have prepared the site-specific mutant of hMnSOD with the conservative replacement of Gln 143 --> Asn (Q143N). The crystal structure of Q143N shows that the side-chain amide nitrogen of residue 143 is 1.7 A more distant from the manganese than in the wild-type enzyme. The Tyr 34 side-chain hydroxyl in Q143N is also moved to become 0.6 A more distant from the metal due to an additional water molecule. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that Q143N is slightly more stable than the wild-type enzyme with Tm for the main unfolding transition increased by 2 degrees C to 90.7 degrees C. Pulse radiolysis and stopped-flow spectrophotometry reveal that unlike wild-type hMnSOD, which is strongly inhibited by peroxide, Q143N MnSOD exhibits no product inhibition even at concentrations of O2. - in the millimolar range, and its catalysis follows Michaelis kinetics with no evidence of cooperativity. However, the overall catalytic activity of this mutant was decreased 2-3 orders of magnitude compared with the wild-type MnSOD, which can account for its lack of product inhibition. Q143N MnSOD lacked the visible absorption spectrum typical of wild-type Mn(III)SOD. Also, unlike the wild-type Mn(III)SOD, which is electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) silent, Q143N MnSOD has a complex EPR spectrum with many resonances in the region below 2250 G. We conclude that the Gln 143 --> Asn mutation has increased the reduction potential of manganese to stabilize Mn(II), indicating that Gln 143 has a substantial role in maintaining a reduction potential favorable for the oxidation and reduction cycles in the catalytic disproportionation of superoxide. A solvent hydrogen isotope effect near 2 for kcat in catalysis by Q143N hMnSOD indicates rate-contributing proton transfers to form product hydroperoxide anion or hydrogen peroxide. The data demonstrate a prominent role for Gln 143 in maintaining the microenvironment of the manganese and in efficient catalysis of superoxide dismutation to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide.

Preferential activation of HSF-binding activity and hsp70 gene expression in Xenopus heart after mild hyperthermia

We have examined the effect of mild hyperthermia on the pattern of heat shock transcription factor (HSF) binding activity, heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) and hsp30 gene expression and protein denaturation in selected tissues of adult Xenopus namely, heart, hind limb muscle, eye, liver and spleen. In these studies it was found that heart tissue was the most thermally sensitive of all of the tissues examined since maintenance of adult frogs at 26 degrees C resulted in a preferential activation of HSF binding. Thus, heart has a lowered set point temperature for HSF activation compared to the other tissues examined. At 30 degrees C HSF activation was observed in all of the tissues examined. Heart HSF activation at 26 degrees C was correlated with an increase in hsp70 mRNA and Hsp70 protein accumulation. At 28 degrees C the largest amount of hsp70 and hsp30 mRNA accumulation was detected in heart and skeletal muscle compared to other tissues while hsp70 mRNA accumulation was relatively low in spleen and hsp30 mRNA accumulation was not detectable in eyes, liver and spleen. Incubation of adult frogs at 30 degrees C resulted in enhanced hsp70 and hsp30 mRNA accumulation in all of the tissues. Finally, we have used differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to compare the temperatures at which protein denaturation occurs in heart and liver tissue. The onset of protein denaturation (T0) occurred approximately 8.5 degrees C lower in heart compared to liver. Also the midpoint of the DSC profile (T1/2) was approximately 10.4 degrees C lower in heart than in liver. Thus, heart proteins are generally more thermolabile than proteins in liver tissue. Taken together these data suggest that heart is more sensitive than the other tissues examined with respect to moderate increases in environmental temperature.

Destabilization of the Ca2+-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum by thiol-specific, heat shock inducers results in thermal denaturation at 37 degrees C

A number of protein reactive compounds, including the thiol reagents diamide and arsenite, are known inducers of heat shock protein (HSP) synthesis and thermotolerance. These compounds are thought to damage cellular protein, which has been proposed to serve as the signal for induction. The specific mechanism of protein damage and its relation to thermal denaturation are unknown. The Ca2+-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum, a membrane protein that contains 24 cys residues, was used to determine the effect of diamide, arsenite, N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), and the cys-specific probes Br-DMC and IAEDANS, which label one or two specific cys residues, respectively, on protein conformation and stability. The Ca2+-ATPase was chosen because diamide has been shown to affect the thermal properties of a class of membrane proteins of CHO cells (Freeman et al., 1995). The labeling of one or two thiols has no effect on activity or conformation, while more extensive reaction (but with less than approximately five to eight groups titrated) results in destabilization of the Ca2+-ATPase such that it denatures thermally at 37 degrees C. Higher levels of titration result in greater destabilization such that the protein is no longer stable at room temperature, with the production of a state similar to the thermally denatured state as assayed by activity, differential scanning calorimetry, ANS binding, and light scattering. The fractional denaturation induced by these thiol reagents, determined by the decrease in the heat absorbed during thermal denaturation, is directly proportional to inactivation of ATPase activity. Thus, inactivation of the Ca2+-ATPase by thiol reagents occurs because of denaturation not through oxidation of essential thiols. These results indicate that these thiol-specific heat shock inducers function by two mechanisms: (1) destabilization of proteins such that they thermally denature at 37 degrees C and (2) direct denaturation, apparently driven by thermal processes at room temperature, following more extensive reaction which results in extreme destabilization. We suggest that these are general mechanisms by which heat shock inducers damage proteins.

Proteins containing non-native disulfide bonds generated by oxidative stress can act as signals for the induction of the heat shock response

While oxidative stress can induce a heat shock response, the primary signals that initiate activation have not been identified. To identify such signals, HepG2 and V 79 cells were exposed to menadione, a compound that redox-cycles to generate superoxide. The oxidative stress generated by menadione resulted in oxidation of protein thiols in a dose-dependent manner. This was followed by protein destabilization and denaturation, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry of whole cells. To directly evaluate the effect of non-native disulfides on protein conformation, Ca2(+)-ATPase, isolated from rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum, was chemically modified to contain non-native intermolecular or glutathione (GHS)-mixed disulfides. Differential scanning calorimetry profiles and 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid fluorescence indicated that formation of non-native disulfides produced protein destabilization, denaturation, and exposure of hydrophobic domains. Cellular proteins shown to contain oxidized thiols formed detergent-insoluble aggregates. Cells treated with menadione exhibited activation of HSF-1, accumulated Hsp 70 mRNA, and increased synthesis of Hsp 70. This work demonstrates that formation of physiologically relevant, non-native intermolecular and GSH-mixed disulfides causes proteins to destabilize, unfold such that hydrophobic domains are exposed, and initiate a signal for induction of the heat shock response.

Function of the Greek key connection analysed using circular permutants of superoxide dismutase

Human Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a single domain all beta-sheet protein with its eight beta-strands arranged as a Greek key beta-barrel or immunoglobulin fold. Three circularly permuted variants of SOD were made by joining the native amino- and carboxy-termini, and introducing new termini at sites originally within connections between beta-strands. The locations of the new termini were chosen to interrupt beta-turns between the two N-terminal beta-hairpins and the short cross-barrel Greek key connection. Expression levels in the Escherichia coli periplasm were indistinguishable from that of native SOD. Reaction rates for the purified proteins were similar to those of the native enzyme, indicating that the permutants are correctly folded. Interrupting the covalent cross-bracing provided by the Greek key connection reduced the stability of the protein by approximately 1.0 kcal/mol, indicating only a slight contribution to conformational stability. The experiments test and eliminate two hypotheses for folding pathways for Greek key beta-barrels that require N-terminal beta-hairpins or covalent attachment across the short Greek key connection.

Effect of the organic Ca2+ channel blocker D-600 on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake in skeletal muscle

Experiments were undertaken to study the possibility that the calcium channel blocker D-600 (gallopamil), which penetrates into muscle cells (20), facilitates excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle (7) by a direct effect on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The effects of D-600 were studied on single phasic muscle fibers, either intact or split open. D-600 potentiated twitches in intact fibers at concentrations lower than those reported in whole muscles. In split fibers, the force produced by caffeine-induced Ca2+ release from the SR was reversibly inhibited by 5 microM D-600, when added to the Ca2+ loading solution. This inhibitory effect was inversely related to temperature, and it was dose dependent. When D-600 was added after Ca2+ loading and before caffeine exposure, or during the caffeine exposure itself, it did not inhibit Ca2+ release, but rather increased the development of force. We conclude that, apart from the blocking effect that D-600 may have on the voltage sensor, the drug penetrates into the myoplasm and affects excitation-contraction coupling by inhibiting the SR Ca2+ pump. This may be the consequence of a conformational change in the transmembrane Ca2+ binding domain of the ATPase.

The role of a conserved water molecule in the redox-dependent thermal stability of iso-1-cytochrome c

Eukaryotic cytochromes c contain a buried water molecule (Wat166) next to the heme that is associated through a network of hydrogen bonds to three invariant residues: tyrosine 67, asparagine 52, and threonine 78. Single-site mutations to two of these residues (Y67F, N52I, N52A) and the double-site mutation (Y67F/N52I) were introduced into Saccharomyces cerevisiae iso-1-cytochrome c to disrupt the hydrogen bonding network associated with Wat166. The N52I and Y67F/N52I mutations lead to a loss of Wat166 while N52A and Y67F modifications lead to the addition of a new water molecule (Wat166) at an adjacent site (Berghuis, A. M., Guillemette, J. G., McLendon, G., Sherman, F., Smith, M., and Brayer, G. D. (1994) J. Mol. Biol. 236, 786-799; Berghuis, A. M., Guillemette, J. G., Smith, M., and Brayer, G. D. (1994) J. Mol. Biol. 235, 1326-1341; Rafferty, S. P., Guillemette, J. G., Berghuis, A. M., Smith, M., Brayer, G. D., and Mauk, A. G. (1996) Biochemistry, 35, 10784-10792). We used differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to determine the change in heat capacity (DeltaCp) and the temperature dependent enthalpy (DeltaHvH) for the thermal denaturation of both the oxidized and reduced forms of the iso-1 cytochrome c variants. The relative stabilities were expressed as the difference in the free energy of denaturation (DeltaGD) between the wild type and mutant proteins in both redox states. The disruption of the hydrogen bonding network results in increased stability for all of the mutant proteins in both redox states with the exception of the reduced Y67F variant which has approximately the same stability as the reduced wild type protein. For the oxidized proteins, DeltaGD values of 1.3, 4.1, 1.5, and 5.8 kcal/mol were determined for N52A, N52I, Y67F, and Y67F/N52I, respectively. The oxidized proteins were 8.2-11.5 kcal/mol less stable than the reduced proteins due to a redox-dependent increase in the entropy of unfolding.

Novel dimeric interface and electrostatic recognition in bacterial Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase

Eukaryotic Cu,Zn superoxide dismutases (CuZnSODs) are antioxidant enzymes remarkable for their unusually stable beta-barrel fold and dimer assembly, diffusion-limited catalysis, and electrostatic guidance of their free radical substrate. Point mutations of CuZnSOD cause the fatal human neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We determined and analyzed the first crystallographic structure (to our knowledge) for CuZnSOD from a prokaryote, Photobacterium leiognathi, a luminescent symbiont of Leiognathid fish. This structure, exemplifying prokaryotic CuZnSODs, shares the active-site ligand geometry and the topology of the Greek key beta-barrel common to the eukaryotic CuZnSODs. However, the beta-barrel elements recruited to form the dimer interface, the strategy used to forge the channel for electrostatic recognition of superoxide radical, and the connectivity of the intrasubunit disulfide bond in P. leiognathi CuZnSOD are discrete and strikingly dissimilar from those highly conserved in eukaryotic CuZnSODs. This new CuZnSOD structure broadens our understanding of structural features necessary and sufficient for CuZnSOD activity, highlights a hitherto unrecognized adaptability of the Greek key beta-barrel building block in evolution, and reveals that prokaryotic and eukaryotic enzymes diverged from one primordial CuZnSOD and then converged to distinct dimeric enzymes with electrostatic substrate guidance.

Cholesterol increases the thermal stability of the Ca2+/Mg(2+)-ATPase of cardiac microsomes

The effect of membrane cholesterol on the thermal inactivation of Ca2+/Mg(2+)-ATPase activity of bovine cardiac microsome was measured and compared to the thermal denaturation profiles of the microsomes as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Inactivation, defined as loss of activity, and denaturation, defined as conformational unfolding, were irreversible under the conditions used. Both thermal inactivation of Ca2+/Mg(2+)-ATPase activity and thermal denaturation were shifted to higher temperatures in microsomes enriched with cholesterol (37 +/- 5 micrograms cholesterol/mg protein, cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio 0.31) compared to control microsomes (15 +/- 3 micrograms cholesterol/mg protein, molar ratio 0.12). Thermal inactivation was measured by two methods: first, measuring activity at room temperature as a function of heating to elevated temperatures at 1 K/min, where inactivation temperatures (T1, temperature of half activity) were 58.9 +/- 0.3 degrees C for control membranes and 59.9 +/- 0.1 degrees C for cholesterol-enriched membranes, respectively. Second, measuring ATPase activity as a function of time at constant temperature, where T1 values of 57.6 +/- 0.5 degrees C and 59.2 +/- 0.5 degrees C were determined for control and cholesterol-enriched membranes, respectively. DSC profiles of microsomal membranes consisting of a number of overlapping peaks were obtained. A well resolved component (transition C) was observed with a transition temperature (T 1/2) of 58.2 degrees C. This T 1/2, which is a measure of conformational stability, correlates with the T1 for Ca2+/Mg(2+)-ATPase activity and is 1.9 +/- 0.6 K higher in cholesterol-enriched membranes. Thus, the increased resistance to inactivation appears to be due to increased conformational stability of the protein induced by cholesterol, demonstrating that a change in lipid composition can influence the stability of an integral membrane protein in a natural membrane. The increased stability is of sufficient magnitude to account for the previously observed correlation between cholesterol content and resistance to heat shock in several cell lines.

Astrophysical and biological constraints on radiopanspermia

We have carried out a series of calculations involving bacteria and viruses embedded in dust grains, which are ejected from our solar system by radiation pressure and travel through space to other star systems. Under many conditions this type of panspermia is impractical, primarily because the ultraviolet (UV) radiation of the present Sun inactivates the micro-organisms. However, if the organisms are shielded by an absorbing material like carbon and if ejection takes place in the red-giant phase of a one solar mass star like our Sun, there is a significant probability that the micro-organisms can reach another star system alive (i.e. with only sub-lethal damage from UV and ionizing radiation). In addition to panspermia with viable micro-organisms, it is possible to seed the Galaxy with inactivated ones whose DNA and RNA fragments may provide the initial information necessary to start biological evolution in favourable environments.

Excess protein in nuclei isolated from heat-shocked cells results from a reduced extractability of nuclear proteins

An excellent correlation has been established between the quantity of protein associated with nuclei isolated from heat-shocked cells and the level of hyperthermic cell killing. However, controversy remains about whether increases in nuclear-associated protein result from a heat-induced migration of cytoplasmic proteins into the nucleus or because hyperthermia reduces the solubility of nuclear proteins in the detergent buffers commonly used to isolate nuclei. To address this controversy, the nuclear protein content was measured in whole and detergent-extracted cells before and following hyperthermia. It was found that hyperthermia caused no significant change in the nuclear protein content of whole, unextracted cells, and when fluorescently labeled proteins were microinjected into the cytoplasm no gross change in the selective permeability of the nuclear membrane to soluble proteins was observed during or following hyperthermia. Measurements in extracted cells showed that the detergent buffers removed protein from both the nucleus and cytoplasm of control, nonheated cells and that hyperthermia reduced the extractability of both nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins. The amount of protein found in nuclei isolated from heated cells approached that observed in nuclei within nonheated whole cells as the hyperthermic exposure was increased. Thus, the dose-dependent, two- to threefold increase in the protein content of nuclei isolated from heated cells represents a heat-induced reduction in the extractability of proteins normally present within cell nuclei and does not result from a mass migration of cytoplasmic proteins into the nucleus, although some specific proteins (e.g., the 70 KDa heat shock protein) do migrate to the nucleus following heat shock. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements of whole cells, isolated nuclei, cytoplasts, and karyoplasts supported these conclusions and suggested that most of the detergent-insoluble proteins remaining in the nuclei and cytoplasm of heated cells are in their native state. Thus, a relatively small amount of denatured protein may be sufficient to initiate and sustain insoluble protein aggregates comprised of mostly native proteins. Analyses of the DSC data also implied that the previously identified critical target proteins, predicted to have a Tm of 46.0 degrees C, are present in both the nucleus and cytoplasm.

Human mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase polymorphic variant Ile58Thr reduces activity by destabilizing the tetrameric interface

Human manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is a homotetrameric enzyme which protects mitochondria against oxygen-mediated free radical damage. Within each subunit, both the N-terminal helical hairpin and C-terminal alpha/beta domains contribute ligands to the catalytic manganese site. Two identical four-helix bundles, symmetrically assembled from the N-terminal helical hairpins, form a novel tetrameric interface that stabilizes the active sites. The 2.5 A crystallographic structure of the naturally occurring polymorphic variant Ile58Thr MnSOD reveals that the helical hairpin mutation Thr58 causes two packing defects in each of the two four-helix bundles of the tetrameric interface. Similar mutations, expected to cause packing defects in the Cu,ZnSOD dimer interface, are associated with the degenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ile58Thr MnSOD is primarily dimeric in solution and is significantly less thermostable than the normal enzyme, with decreases of 15 degrees C in the main melting temperature and 20 degrees C in the heat-inactivation temperature. Consequently, this mutant MnSOD is compromised at normal body temperatures: thermal inactivation, predicted from the decrease in thermal stability, occurs with a theoretical half-life of only 3.2 h at 37 degrees C (1.4 h at 41 degrees C), compared with 3.1 years for native MnSOD. This prediction is supported by direct measurements: incubation at 41.7 degrees C for 3 h has no effect on the activity of native MnSOD but completely inactivates mutant MnSOD. Rapid inactivation of Ile58Thr MnSOD at the elevated temperatures associated with fever and inflammation could provide an early advantage by killing infected cells, but also would increase superoxide-mediated oxidative damage and perhaps contribute to late-onset diseases.

Thermal activation of the bovine Hsc70 molecular chaperone at physiological temperatures: physical evidence of a molecular thermometer

Differential scanning calorimetry was used to monitor the thermal transitions of the 70 kDa heat shock cognate protein (Hsc70). Hsc70 had endothermic transitions with midpoints (Tm) at 59 degrees C and 63 degrees C in the absence and presence of ATP, respectively, and a similar increase in Tm was observed using intrinsic fluorescence of tryptophan. Combined with increased exposure at 60 degrees C of non-polar residues of Hsc70 to which the hydrophobic, fluorescent probe ANS bound, these data indicate that the endotherms represent thermal denaturation and that bound nucleotide stabilizes Hsc70. An exothermic transition (Tm = 66 degrees C) was detected by calorimetry for Hsc70-apocytochrome c (apo c) complexes. An increase in intrinsic fluorescence with the same Tm and increased turbidity indicated aggregation of the denatured Hsc70-apo c. A novel finding was an exothermic transition of Hsc70 beginning at about 30 degrees C (Tm = 41 degrees C). No changes in either intrinsic fluorescence or ANS fluorescence attributable to protein transitions were detected in this temperature range. Examination of samples run on native polyacrylamide gels indicated that this exothermic transition was not due to Hsc70 aggregation or multimer formation. However, Hsc70 was protease-resistant at 20 degrees C, sensitive at 40 degrees C and resistant when returned to 20 degrees C, indicating that this exotherm is associated with a reversible conformational change. As an assay for Hsc70 chaperoning function, complex formation was measured as a function of temperature using a variety of substrates including the model unfolded protein apo c, a pigeon cytochrome c fragment, a representative hydrophobic-aromatic peptide FYQLALT, and a representative hydrophobic-basic motif NIVRKKK. For all of these substrates, the amount of complex formed increased with increasing temperature over the same range as the 41 degrees C exotherm. It is proposed that a conformational change exposes polar and charged residues in Hsc70 which subsequently become hydrated, resulting in an active chaperone. Hsc70 may be a thermal sensor that matches the supply of chaperoning activity with demand for it over the physiological temperature range of mammalian cells. Thermal activation of Hsc70 may also have a role in acquired thermotolerance.

A two-step reversible-irreversible model can account for a negative activation energy in an Arrhenius plot

Arrhenius plots of the rate of inactivation (killing) of mammalian cells and Drosophila embryos have "apparent negative" activation energies at low temperatures. This can be explained by assuming that the rate-limiting event resulting in killing is a two-step process or mechanism, where the first step is reversible and the second irreversible. Two examples, consistent with this model, are suggested as possible mechanisms of hypothermic killing: (i) a membrane lipid liquid crystalline-to-gel transition followed by a metabolic block or event which kills the cell and (ii) cold denaturation of a protein followed by protein aggregation.

Characterization of a signal generated by oxidation of protein thiols that activates the heat shock transcription factor

The diazenecarbonyl derivative, diamide, was used to produce nonnative protein disulfides in Chinese hamster ovary cells in order to characterize the events that occur during thiol oxidation-induced denaturation that trigger induction of Hsp 70. We limit the term protein denaturation to a process involving a conformational rearrangement by which the ordered native structure of a protein changes to a more disordered structure. Protein thiol oxidation resulted in immediate destabilization of proteins, as assessed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC profile indicated both a decrease in the onset temperature for detection of denaturation and destabilization of a class of proteins with an average transition temperature (Tm) of 60 degrees C. Concomitant with destabilization was an increase in proteins associated with isolated nuclei. Thiol oxidation also induced heat shock transcription factor (HSF) binding activity, however, this was nearly undetectable immediately following diamide treatment: maximum activation occurred 3 hr following exposure. In contrast, heat shock denatured thermolabile proteins which exhibited a Tm of < or = 48 degrees C. Heat shock also resulted in a rapid increase in proteins associated with isolated nuclei and produced immediate and maximum activation of HSF binding. The accumulation of Hsp and Hsc 70 mRNA following thiol oxidation reflected the delay in HSF binding. Acquisition of HSF binding activity occurred immediately if diamide-treated cells were subsequently exposed to a heat shock, indicating that HSF was not inactivated by the diamide treatment. Ostensibly, the cellular system for detecting denatured/abnormal proteins failed to immediately recognize the signal generated by thiol oxidation. These results suggest that at least two processes are involved in the induction of Hsp 70 by nonnative disulfide bond formation: destabilization of protein structure resulting in denaturation and recognition of denatured protein.

Evidence for two modes of hypothermia damage in five cell lines

The Arrhenius plots of inactivation (killing) rates of five mammalian cell lines, V-79 Chinese hamster lung, mouse L-929, mouse neuroblastoma, human 18LU, and human erythrocytes, exposed to hypothermia contain a break somewhere between 5 and 10 degrees C caused by a change from positive to negative slope, which corresponds to the minimum inactivation rate. This implies that there are two distinct mechanisms of hypothermic damage above and below the minimum inactivation rate temperature in a system that is uncomplicated by previous or simultaneous hypoxia. Hence, having two distinct mechanisms for hypothermia damage is not unique to the Chinese hamster cell line. This suggests that the optimum aerobic hypothermic storage temperature for human cells and tissues is not 0 degree C, but somewhere in the range of 5 to 10 degrees C.

Factors influencing survival of mammalian cells exposed to hypothermia. VI. Effects of prehypothermic hypoxia followed by aerobic or hypoxic storage at various hypothermic temperatures

The Arrhenius plot of inactivation (killing) rates of V-79 Chinese hamster cells exposed to hypothermia in air-equilibrated (aerobic) medium contains a break at about 8 degrees C, which corresponds to the minimum inactivation rate, implying that there are distinct hypothermic damage mechanisms above (range I, 8 to 25 degrees C) and below (range II, 0 to 8 degrees C) 8 degrees C. Prehypothermic hypoxia (PHH) for 75 min at room temperature sensitizes cells to subsequent aerobic hypothermia at both 5 and 10 degrees C (range II and I). However, PHH followed by severe hypoxia (0.03 microM oxygen in the medium) protected cells during 10 degrees C (range I) storage by increasing the shoulder, but not the slope, of the cell survival curve compared to the PHH plus 10 degrees C aerobic hypothermia case. On the other hand, PHH plus severe hypoxia during 5 degrees C storage (range II) protected cells by decreasing the slope, but not the shoulder, of the cell survival curve compared to the PHH plus 5 degrees C aerobic hypothermia case. Furthermore, PHH plus severe hypoxia during 5 degrees C storage was not significantly worse than aerobic storage without PHH at 5 degrees C. With or without severe hypoxia, 10 degrees C storage is preferable to 5 degrees C storage in this cell line. Extrapolated to organ storage, the results may imply that if warm ischemia (PHH) has occurred, subsequent hypoxic hypothermic perfusion storage may be preferable to aerobic hypothermic perfusion storage.

Use of thermal analysis to distinguish magnesium and calcium stimulated ATPase activity in isolated transverse tubules from skeletal muscle

The presence of calcium stimulated adenosine triphosphatase (Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase) activity in isolated transverse tubule (t-tubule) membranes is distinguished from magnesium adenosine triphosphatase (Mg(2+)-ATPase) activity on the basis of differing thermal stabilities. The Mg(2+)-ATPase is the major protein component of the t-tubule membrane, and it can be difficult to discriminate between the low levels of Ca2+ stimulated ATPase activity found in isolates of t-tubules compared to the much higher Mg(2+)-ATPase activity. Thermal analysis reveals different inactivation temperatures (Ti) for the proteins responsible for ATP dependent calcium transport (Ti = 49 degrees C) and Mg(2+)-ATPase activity (Ti = 57 degrees C) in isolated t-tubule membranes. The differential scanning calorimetry profile of t-tubule membranes consists of three major components with transition temperatures (Tm) of 51 degrees C, 57 degrees C and 63 degrees C. Denaturation of the component with Tm = 57 degrees C correlates with inactivation of Mg(2+)-ATPase activity, and denaturation of the Tm = 51 degrees C component correlates with the inactivation of Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase activity and calcium transport. The functions of the t-tubule membrane component or components that denature with Tm = 63 degrees C have yet to be identified. The lack of stimulation of calcium transport in isolated t-tubules by oxalate, the impermeability of isolated t-tubules to oxalate, and experiments performed on t-tubules with defined amounts of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) added suggest that contamination of the isolated t-tubules by SR is unlikely to account for the level of Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase activity detected. The presence of a Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase in the t-tubule membrane would provide a mechanism that may be involved in the partial removal of calcium that is accumulated in the junctional space during muscle relaxation or calcium that is released from the terminal cisternae of sarcoplasmic reticulum during excitation-contraction coupling.

Interaction of dibucaine with the transmembrane domain of the Ca(2+)-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum

The site of interaction of dibucaine with the Ca(2+)-ATPase of rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum, an ion-transporting membrane protein, was investigated by determining the effect of dibucaine on the denaturation of the transmembrane domain and the aqueous domain containing, respectively, the high-affinity Ca2+ binding sites and the site of ATP hydrolysis. In the absence of Ca2+, a single irreversible denaturation transition with Tm approximately equal to 49 degrees C is observed for the Ca(2+)-ATPase by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In the presence of Ca2+, but not Mg2+, Sr2+, or Ba2+, a new high-temperature transition is observed that has been shown to be due to stabilization of the transmembrane region [Lepock, J. R., Rodahl, A. M., Zhang, C., Heynen, M. L., Waters, B., & Cheng, K. H. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 681-689]. The maximum stabilization corresponds to a shift in Tm of 13.8 degrees C, and Hill analysis indicates that the Ca2+ binding site yielding stabilization has a Kd = 2.5 x 10(-4) M with a cooperativity (n) of 1. Thus, stabilization is due to Ca2+ binding not to the high-affinity sites but to one of the previously observed sites of low or intermediate affinity, which must be located in the transmembrane or stalk subdomains. Dibucaine has little effect on the Tm of the aqueous domain, but it decreases the Tm of the transmembrane domain with Kd approximately equal to 4.1 x 10(-4) M and a cooperativity of approximately 1.6, implying that destabilization is due to the binding of dibucaine to sites of intermediate or moderately high affinity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hyperthermia (heat shock)-induced protein denaturation in liver, muscle and lens tissue as determined by differential scanning calorimetry

Protein denaturation has been shown to occur in cells during heat shock and is closely correlated with the cellular responses to hyperthermia; however, little is known about protein denaturation in tissue. This study describes an analysis of endothermic transitions in the hyperthermic region using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in liver, white muscle, and lens tissue from Wistar rat, New Zealand white rabbit, and Rainbow trout. Complex DSC profiles consisting of several transitions were obtained for each tissue. Evidence is given that these transitions are due primarily to protein denaturation. Onset temperatures of denaturation (Tl) for rat liver, muscle, and lens are about 38, 39 and 48 degrees C, respectively. Thus, significant protein denaturation occurs in liver and muscle during mild hyperthermia (40-45 degrees C) with lens considerably more stable. The values of Tl for the same tissue from the different animals correlates well with body temperature (rabbit 39.4, rat 38.2, and trout grown at 11 degrees C); Tl increased in the same order as the body temperature for each tissue. Thus, there is correlation between the onset temperature for protein denaturation in these tissues and body temperature.

Protein denaturation in intact hepatocytes and isolated cellular organelles during heat shock

There is circumstantial evidence that protein denaturation occurs in cells during heat shock at hyperthermic temperatures and that denatured or damaged protein is the primary inducer of the heat shock response. However, there is no direct evidence regarding the extent of denaturation of normal cellular proteins during heat shock. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is the most direct method of monitoring protein denaturation or unfolding. Due to the fundamental parameter measured, heat flow, DSC can be used to detect and quantitate endothermic transitions in complex structures such as isolated organelles and even intact cells. DSC profiles with common features are obtained for isolated rat hepatocytes, liver homogenate, and Chinese hamster lung V79 fibroblasts. Five main transitions (A-E), several of which are resolvable into subcomponents, are observed with transition temperatures (Tm) of 45-98 degrees C. The onset temperature is approximately 40 degrees C, but some transitions may extend as low as 37-38 degrees C. In addition to acting as the primary signal for heat shock protein synthesis, the inactivation of critical proteins may lead to cell death. Critical target analysis implies that the rate limiting step of cell killing for V79 cells is the inactivation of a protein with Tm = 46 degrees C within the A transition. Isolated microsomal membranes, mitochondria, nuclei, and a cytosolic fraction from rat liver have distinct DSC profiles that contribute to different peaks in the profile for intact hepatocytes. Thus, the DSC profiles for intact cells appears to be the sum of the profiles of all subcellular organelles and components. The presence of endothermic transitions in the isolated organelles is strong evidence that they are due to protein denaturation. Each isolated organelle has an onset for denaturation near 40 degrees C and contains thermolabile proteins denaturing at the predicted Tm (46 degrees C) for the critical target. The extent of denaturation at any temperature can be approximately by the fractional calorimetric enthalpy. After scanning to 45 degrees C at 1 degree C/min and immediately cooling, a relatively mild heat shock, an estimated fraction denaturation of 4-7% is found in hepatocytes, V79 cells, and the isolated organelles other than nuclei, which undergo only 1% denaturation because of the high thermostability of chromatin. Thus, thermolabile proteins appear to be present in all cellular organelles and components, and protein denaturation is widespread and extensive after even mild heat shock.

Influence of transition rates and scan rate on kinetic simulations of differential scanning calorimetry profiles of reversible and irreversible protein denaturation

The thermodynamic parameters characterizing protein folding can be obtained directly using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). They are meaningful only for reversible unfolding at equilibrium, which holds for small globular proteins; however, the unfolding or denaturation of most large, multidomain or multisubunit proteins is either partially or totally irreversible. The simplest kinetic model describing partially irreversible denaturation requires three states: Formula [see text] We obtain numerical solutions for N, U, and D as a function of temperature for this model and derive profiles of excess specific heat (Cp) in terms of the reduced variables v/ki and k1/k3, where v is the scan rate. The three-state model reduces to the two-state reversible or irreversible models for very large or very small values of k1/k3, respectively. The apparent transition temperature (Tapp) is always reduced by the irreversible step (U-->D). For all values of k3, Tapp is independent of v/k1 at sufficiently slow scan rates, even when denaturation is highly irreversible, but increases identically for all models at fast scan rates in which case the excess specific heat profile is determined by the rate of unfolding. Accurate values of delta H and delta S can be obtained for the reversible step only when k1 is more than 2000-50,000 times greater than k3. In principle, approximate values for the ratio k1/k3 can be obtained from plots of fraction unfolded vs fraction irreversibly denatured as a function of temperature; however, the fraction irreversibly denatured is difficult to measure accurately by DSC alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Reduction of levels of nuclear-associated protein in heated cells by cycloheximide, D2O, and thermotolerance

Hyperthermia increases levels of nuclear-associated proteins in a manner that correlates with cell killing. If the increase in nuclear-associated proteins represents a lethal lesion then treatments that protect against killing by heat should reduce and/or facilitate the recovery of levels of the proteins in heated cells. This hypothesis was tested using three heat protection treatments: cycloheximide, D2O, and thermotolerance. All three treatments reduced levels of the proteins measured immediately following hyperthermia at 43.0 or 45.5 degrees C, with the greatest reduction occurring at 43.0 degrees C. In addition to reducing the proteins, thermotolerance facilitated the recovery of the proteins to control levels following hyperthermia. Thus thermotolerance may protect cells by both reducing the initial heat damage and facilitating recovery from that damage. Cycloheximide and D2O did not facilitate recovery of nuclear-associated proteins, suggesting that their protection against cytotoxicity related to the proteins resulted solely from their reduction of increases in levels of the proteins. All three treatments have been shown to stabilize cellular proteins against thermal denaturation. The results of this study suggest that the increase in nuclear-associated proteins may result from thermally denatured proteins adhering to the nucleus and that it is the ability of cycloheximide, D2O, and thermotolerance to thermostabilize proteins that reduces the increase in levels of the proteins within heated cells.

Inactivation of calcium uptake by EGTA is due to an irreversible thermotropic conformational change in the calcium binding domain of the Ca(2+)-ATPase

Calcium uptake by rabbit skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is inhibited with an effective inactivation temperature (TI) of 37 degrees C in EGTA with no effect on ATPase activity. Since the Ca-ATPase denatures at a much higher temperature (49 degrees C) in EGTA, this suggests that a small or localized conformational change of the Ca-ATPase at 37 degrees C results in inability to accumulate calcium by the SR. Using a fluorescent analogue of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, N-cyclohexyl-N'-[4-(dimethylamino)-alpha-naphthyl]-carbodiimide (NCD-4), the region of the calcium binding sites of the SR Ca-ATPase was labeled. Steady-state and frequency-resolved fluorescence measurements were subsequently performed on the NCD-4-labeled Ca-ATPase. Site-specific information pertaining to the hydrophobicity and segmental flexibility of the region of the calcium binding sites was derived from the steady-state fluorescence intensity, lifetime, and rotational rate of the covalently bound NCD-4 label as a function of temperature (0-50 degrees C). A reversible transition at approximately 15 degrees C and an irreversible transition at approximately 35 degrees C were deduced from the measured fluorescence parameters. The low-temperature transition agrees with the previously observed break in the Arrhenius plot of ATPase activity of the native Ca-ATPase at 15-20 degrees C. The high-temperature transition conforms well with the conformational transition, resulting in uncoupling of Ca translocation from ATP hydrolysis as predicted from the irreversible inactivation of Ca uptake at 31-37 degrees C in 1 mM EGTA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Site of freeze-thaw damage and cryoprotection by amino acids of the calcium ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum

The Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is irreversibly inactivated by a freeze-thaw (FT) cycle. The membrane does not become more permeable to calcium after a FT cycle, suggesting that the reduced uptake is due to damage to the Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase. Several amino acids, in addition to standard cryoprotectants provide good protection of calcium uptake against FT damage. The amount of protection given by the amino acids is generally inversely proportional to a measure of hydrophobicity, the mean fractional area loss upon incorporation in globular proteins of the amino acid side chain. Unlike the case for cells, glutamine and dimethyl sulfoxide do not act independently as cryoprotectants for SR calcium ATPase. When the protein is exposed to multiple FT cycles, the amount of inactivation is exponentially proportional to the number of FT cycles. This is true for both protected and unprotected samples. Some SR vesicles fuse during FT. Fusion of vesicles cannot account for the observed inactivation of the enzyme. Fluorescence studies, using intrinsic tryptophan and extrinsic FITC and NCD-4, suggest that FT does not damage the transmembrane region of the Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase or the calcium binding sites, but only the mechanism coupling ATPase activity to calcium translocation. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies suggest that this region comprises less than 15% of the whole enzyme.

Cycloheximide increases the thermostability of proteins in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Protein denaturation resulting from temperatures between 42.0 degrees C and 50 degrees C has been observed and implicated as the lethal lesion for hyperthermic cell killing. A logical corollary is that protection against hyperthermic killing requires stabilization of cellular proteins against thermal denaturation. To test this, Chinese hamster ovary cells were treated with the heat protector cycloheximide and then subjected to differential scanning calorimetry to measure protein denaturation. Cycloheximide stabilized proteins that denatured between 42 degrees C and 52 degrees C in control cells by increasing their transition (denaturation) temperature by an average of 1.3 degrees C. In addition, cycloheximide reduced the cytotoxicity of actinomycin D and adriamycin, suggesting that protein stabilization protects cells against stresses other than hyperthermia.

Factors influencing survival of mammalian cells exposed to hypothermia. V. Effects of hepes, free radicals, and H2O2 under light and dark conditions

Cytotoxicity resulting from the interaction of fluorescent light from a flow hood with Hepes-buffered cell culture medium at room temperature was demonstrated. Toxicity was prevented by keeping both cells (V79 Chinese hamster) and medium shielded from direct fluorescent light ("dark conditions") or by supplementing the medium with 10 micrograms/ml catalase; this suggests that extracellular hydrogen peroxide is a major cause of the lethal effect under "lighted conditions." No sensitization resulted from the exposure of cells in a sodium bicarbonate (SBC)-buffered medium to fluorescent light, nor in a catalase supplemented SBC-buffered medium. The Hepes/light reaction during routine cell manipulations presensitized cells to hypothermia damage in the dark with the presensitization being more severe for 5 than for 10 degrees C hypothermic exposure. Presensitization was prevented by performing the complete experiment under dark conditions or by supplementing the medium with 10 micrograms/ml catalase. However, catalase did not improve the hypothermic survival when experiments were performed under dark conditions. Hence, 10 micrograms/ml catalase does not protect cells from hypothermic (5 and 10 degrees C) damage per se, but rather from Hepes/light sublethal damage which interacts with hypothermic sublethal damage to result in lethal lesions. Additionally, under dark conditions, superoxide dismutase (SOD), allopurinol, catalase plus SOD, DMSO, or mannitol did not improve survival when present during hypothermic storage, suggesting that extracellular superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, or hydroxyl radicals are not the cause of cell killing under conditions of pure hypothermia uncomplicated by prehypothermic ischemia or hypoxia.

Contribution of conformational stability and reversibility of unfolding to the increased thermostability of human and bovine superoxide dismutase mutated at free cysteines

The conformational stability and reversibility of unfolding of the human dimeric enzyme Cu Zn superoxide dismutase (HSOD) and the three mutant enzymes constructed by replacement of Cys6 by Ala and Cys111 by Ser, singly and in combination, were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The differential scanning calorimetry profile of wild-type HSOD consists of two components, which probably represent the unfolding of the oxidized and reduced forms of the enzyme, with denaturation temperatures (Tm) of 74.9 and 83.6 degrees C, approximately 7 degrees lower than those for bovine superoxide dismutase (BSOD). The conformational stabilities of the two components of the mutant HSOD's differ only slightly from those of the wild type (delta delta Gs of -0.2 to +0.8 kcal/mol of dimer), while replacement of the BSOD Cys6 by Ala is somewhat destabilizing (delta delta G of -0.7 to -1.3 kcal/mol of dimer). These small alterations in conformational stability do not correlate with the large increases in resistance to thermal inactivation following substitution of free Cys in both HSOD and BSOD (McRee, D.E., Redford, S.M., Getzoff, E.D., Lepock, J.R., Hallewell, R.A., and Tainer, J.A. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 14234-14241 and Hallewell, R.A., Imlay, K.C., Laria, I., Gallegos, C., Fong, N., Irvine, B., Getzoff, E.D., Tainer, J.A., Cubelli, D.E., Bielski, B.H.J., Olson, P., Mallenbach, G.T., and Cousens, L.S. (1991) Proteins Struct. Funct. Genet., submitted for publication). The reversibility of unfolding was determined by scanning part way through the profile, cooling, rescanning, and calculating the amount of protein irreversibly unfolded by the first scan. The order of reversibility at a constant level of unfolding is the same as the order of resistance to inactivation for both the HSOD and BSOD wild-type and mutant enzymes. Thus, the greater resistance to thermal inactivation of the superoxide dismutase enzymes with free Cys replaced by Ala or Ser is dominated by a greater resistance to irreversible unfolding and relatively unaffected by changes in conformational stability.

Thermal analysis of bacteria by differential scanning calorimetry: relationship of protein denaturation in situ to maximum growth temperature

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to analyze thermal transitions in two strains of the thermophile Bacillus stearothermophilus (ATCC 12016 and WAT), the mesophile Bacillus megaterium and the psychrotroph Bacillus psychrophilus. The observed transitions, representing lipid melting and DNA and protein unfolding, are compared to the maximum growth temperature (Tmax) in each species as a means of identifying critical, thermolabile targets responsible for heat-induced inhibition of growth. A low temperature, lipid transition was detected in B. stearothermophilus and B. megaterium which varied slightly with Tmax but whose high temperature end is always 22-33 degrees C below Tmax. The transition temperature (Tm) of the main melting of DNA varies from 88 to 92 degrees C, 23-32 degrees C above Tmax. The main part of the profile representing irreversible transitions is resolvable into at least three distinct peaks and is identified primarily with protein denaturation. The onset temperature for denaturation (Tl), i.e., minimum temperature of detectable denaturation, is somewhat dependent on growth temperature (Tg). Tmax for B. stearothermophilus ATCC and WAT is 69 and 56 degrees C, respectively. For cells grown between 4 and 20 degrees C below Tmax, Tl is 2-4 degrees C lower than Tmax, demonstrating that some denaturation can be tolerated before complete inhibition of growth and suggesting that inhibition of growth is due to the denaturation of a critical protein with a Tm a few degrees above Tl or to the accumulation of denatured protein to a critical level. A similar pattern holds for B. megaterium and B. psychrophilus, except that Tmax is 48 and 32.5 degrees C (Tl = 45-46 degrees C and 30 degrees C), respectively. Thus, there is an excellent correlation between the onset of protein denaturation and maximum growth temperature for these three species of the same genus. This study also demonstrates the applicability of DSC for resolving transitions in intact cells on the basis of thermostability of cellular constituents and for obtaining an overall view of macromolecular stability.

Mechanism of freeze-thaw damage to liver alcohol dehydrogenase and protection by cryoprotectants and amino acids

Multiple freeze-thaw (FT) cycles, with complete melting between cycles, resulted in an exponential decline in liver alcohol dehydrogenase (LADH) enzyme activity. The reduction in activity of LADH as a result of FT damage was proportional to the decrease in the intensity of the tryptophan fluorescence of the enzyme. Treatment with urea resulted in a similar relationship between tryptophan fluorescence intensity and inactivation. Evidence from fluorescence and activity studies from the same sample, as well as gel electrophoresis, indicates that damage to LADH from a FT cycle, resulting in inactivation, is likely an unfolding of the enzyme rather than separation of subunits or aggregation of enzymes at the enzyme concentrations and cooling rates used. A nonexponential decline in enzyme activity, as a function of the number of FT cycles, can be achieved if complete melting between cycles is not allowed or if the samples are stored at +4 degrees C for 24 hr following the last FT cycle, prior to assay. In the latter case, a partial recovery in enzyme activity is seen. "Seeding," while lowering the enzyme activity, is desirable to achieve consistent results without the artifacts that are introduced if not used. Amino acids were tested for their effectiveness as cryoprotectants. From the results of this study, the mean fractional area loss of amino acid residues upon incorporation in globular proteins (f) is inversely proportional to the FT protection by these free amino acids. Thus, amino acid residues which tend to be found at the surface of proteins (e.g., glutamate) improve the FT survival of LADH, when added as the free amino acid, while those amino acids which are found in the interior of proteins (e.g., valine, leucine) sensitize LADH to FT damage. The pattern of protection ("fingerprint") of LADH by various amino acids is different from that of living cells. Furthermore, unlike the case with cells, glutamine and DMSO do not act independently when protecting LADH.

Changes in crystallographic structure and thermostability of a Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase mutant resulting from the removal of a buried cysteine

In principle, protein thermostability depends on efficient interior packing of apolar residues and on avoidance of irreversible denaturation in the unfolded state. To study these effects, the single free cysteine in the highly stable enzyme bovine Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase was mutated to alanine (Cys6----Ala), and the recombinant protein was expressed in yeast, purified, characterized for reversible and irreversible denaturation, crystallized isomorphously to the wild-type enzyme, and used to determine the atomic structure. Removal of the chemically reactive thiol significantly decreased the rate of irreversible denaturation (as monitored by thermal inactivation at 70 degrees C), but the observed energetic cost (delta delta G of 0.7-1.3 kcal/mol as determined by differential scanning calorimetry) was much less than predicted from either the change in hydrophobicity or packing due to removal of the interior sulfur atom. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.1-A resolution using an area detector, and the atomic model for the mutant enzyme was determined by fitting to electron density difference maps, followed by reciprocal space refinement both with stereochemical restraints using PROLSQ and with molecular dynamics using X-PLOR. The refined 2.1-A resolution crystallographic structure suggests that small concerted and compensating shifts (less than 0.5 A) of the surrounding side chains and of the adjacent N- and C-terminal beta-strands significantly reduced the energetic cost of the interior mutation by improving packing and stereochemistry in the mutant enzyme. Taken together, these results differentiate between the effects of reversible and irreversible processes as they impact the design of thermostable proteins and suggest that relatively subtle concerted shifts can significantly reduce the energetic cost of evolutionary variation in internal residues of proteins with Greek key beta-barrel folds.

Factors influencing survival of mammalian cells exposed to hypothermia. IV. Effects of iron chelation

Survival of V-79 Chinese hamster cells was assessed by colony growth assay after hypothermic exposure in the presence of iron chelators. At 5 degrees C, maximum protection from hypothermic damage was achieved with a 50 microM concentration of the intracellular ferric iron chelator Desferal. A 3-hr prehypothermic incubation with 50 microM Desferal followed by replacement with chelator-free medium at 5 degrees C also provided some protection. This was not observed when the extracellular chelator DETA-PAC (50 microM) was used prior to cold storage. Treating 5 degrees C-stored cells with Desferal just prior to rewarming was ineffective, but treating cells with Desferal during hypothermia exposure after a significant period of unprotected cold exposure ultimately increased the surviving fraction. Submaximal protection during hypothermia was achieved to various degrees with extracellular chelators at 5 degrees C, including 50 microM DETAPAC and 110 microM EDTA. EGTA (110 microM) had little effect. The sensitization of cells at 5 degrees C with 200 microM FeCl3 could be reduced or eliminated with Desferal in accordance with a 1:1 binding ratio. At 10 degrees C, 50 microM Desferal, 50 microM DETAPAC, and 110 microM EDTA were as or less effective in protecting cells than at 5 degrees C. An Arrhenius plot of cell inactivation rates shows a break at 7-8 degrees C, corresponding to maximum survival for control cells and cells in 50 microM Desferal; however, the amount of protection offered by the chelator increases with decreasing temperature below about 19 degrees C, and sensitization increases above that point. It has not previously been shown that iron chelators protect against cellular hypothermia damage which is uncomplicated by previous or simultaneous ischemia. This may be relevant to the low-temperature storage of transplant organs, in which iron of intracellular origin and in the perfusate may be active and damaging.

Increased thermostability of thermotolerant CHL V79 cells as determined by differential scanning calorimetry

Heat shock denatures cellular protein and induces both a state of acquired thermotolerance, defined as resistance to a subsequent heat shock, and the synthesis of a category of proteins referred to as heat-shock proteins (HSPs). Thermotolerance may be due to the stabilization of thermolabile proteins that would ordinarily denature during heat shock, either by HSPs or some other factors. We show by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) that mild heat shock irreversibly denatures a small fraction of Chinese hamster lung V79-WNRE cell protein (i.e., the enthalpy change, which is proportional to denaturation, on scanning to 45 degrees C at 1 degree C/min is approximately 2.3% of the total calorimetric enthalpy). Thermostability, defined by the extent of denaturation during heat shock and determined from DSC scans of whole cells, increases as the V79 cells become thermotolerant. Cellular stabilization appears to be due to an increase in the denaturation temperature of the most thermolabile proteins; there is no increase in the denaturation temperatures of the most thermally resistant proteins, i.e., those denaturing above 65 degrees C. Cellular stabilization is also observed in the presence of glycerol, which is known to increase resistance to heat shock and to stabilize proteins in vitro. A model is presented, based on a direct relationship between the extent of hyperthermic killing and the denaturation or inactivation of a critical target that defines the rate-limiting step in killing, which predicts a transition temperature (Tm) of the critical target for control V79-WNRE cells of 46.0 degrees C and a Tm of 47.3 degrees C for thermotolerant cells. This shift of 1.3 degrees C is consistent with the degree of stabilization detected by DSC.

Thermal denaturation of the Ca2(+)-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum reveals two thermodynamically independent domains

Inactivation of Ca2+ uptake and ATPase activity of the Ca2(+)-ATPase of rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum was measured and compared to the thermal denaturation of the enzyme as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fluorescence spectroscopy. Two fluorophores were monitored: intrinsic tryptophan (localized in the transmembrane region) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled Lys-515 (located in the nucleotide binding domain). Inactivation, defined as loss of activity, and denaturation, defined as conformational unfolding, were irreversible under the conditions used. Activation energies (EA) and frequency factors (A) for inactivation were obtained for the enzyme in 1 mM EGTA and 1 mM Ca2+. These were transformed to a transition temperature for inactivation, Tm (defined as the temperature of half-inactivation when temperature is scanned upward at 1 degree C/min). All denaturation profiles were fit with an irreversible model to obtain EA and Tm for each transition, and the values of these parameters for denaturation were compared to the values for inactivation. In EGTA, denaturation obeys a single-step model (Tm = 49 degrees C), but a two-step model is required to fit the DSC provile of the enzyme in 1 mM Ca2+. The specific locations of tryptophan and the fluorescein label were used to demonstrate that denaturation in Ca2+ occurs through two distinct thermodynamic domains. Domain I (Tm = 50 degrees C) consists of the nucleotide binding region and most likely the phosphorylation and transduction regions [MacLennan, D. H., Brandl, C. J., Korczak, B., & Green, N. M. (1985) Nature 316, 696-700].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Protein degradation in CHL V79 cells during and after exposure to 43 degrees C

Cellular protein degradation during and following hyperthermia should be altered due to increased enzymatic activity at elevated temperatures, inhibition of protein synthesis, and denaturation of proteins. We have previously demonstrated by differential scanning calorimetry that approximately 1-2% of total CHL V79 cellular protein denatures during a 10- to 15-min exposure to 43 degrees C (J. E. Lepock et al., J. Cell. Physiol. 137, 14-24 (1988)). Proteolysis was measured during and after exposure to 43 degrees C. The decay curves of the degradation of [3H]Leu-labeled proteins are fit well by a double exponential; however, each component is the sum of the decay curves of a large number of proteins, probably with a distribution of rates of degradation. At 37 degrees C a fast-decaying component (T1/2 congruent to 1.3 h), representing short-term proteins, and a slow-decaying component (T1/2 congruent to 50 h), representing long-term proteins, are observed. At 43 degrees C the rate of degradation of the fast-decaying component is stimulated three- to fivefold (to T1/2 = 0.27-0.45 h). After return to 37 degrees C, the rate of degradation of the slow-decaying component is depressed twofold (to T1/2 = 109-141 h). The period of depression is dose dependent (i.e., time at 43 degrees C) and recovers at approximately the same time as resumption of protein synthesis and growth. Overall stimulation of degradation lasts for approximately 15 min at 43 degrees C and, coupled with an inhibition of synthesis, leads to the loss of at least a small percentage of total cellular protein. It is likely that the initial stimulated degradation is in part due to increased substrate in the form of denatured protein, further supporting the denaturation of proteins during hyperthermia.