Lignin distribution in wood cell walls determined by TEM and backscattered SEM techniques

The lignin distribution in cell walls of spruce and beech wood was determined by high-voltage transmission-electron-microscopy (TEM) in sections stained with potassium permanganate as well as by field-emission-scanning-electron-microscopy (FE-SEM) combined with a back-scattered electron detector on mercurized specimens. The latter is a new technique based on the mercurization of lignin and the concomitant visualization of mercury by back-scattered electron microscopy (BSE). Due to this combination it was possible to obtain a visualized overview of the lignin distribution across the different layers of the cell wall. To our knowledge, this combined method was used the first time to analyse the lignin distribution in cell walls. In agreement with previous work the highest lignin levels were found in the compound middle lamella and the cell corners. Back-scattered FE-SEM allows the lignin distribution in the pit membrane of bordered pits as well as in the various cell wall layers to be shown. In addition, by using TEM as well as SEM we observed that lignin closely follows the cellulose microfibril orientation in the secondary cell wall. From these observations, we conclude that the polymerisation of monolignols is affected by the arrangement of the polysaccharides which constitute the cell wall.

The solution structure of VAT-N reveals a 'missing link' in the evolution of complex enzymes from a simple betaalphabetabeta element

BACKGROUND

The VAT protein of the archaebacterium Thermoplasma acidophilum, like all other members of the Cdc48/p97 family of AAA ATPases, has two ATPase domains and a 185-residue amino-terminal substrate-recognition domain, VAT-N. VAT shows activity in protein folding and unfolding and thus shares the common function of these ATPases in disassembly and/or degradation of protein complexes.

RESULTS

Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, we found that VAT-N is composed of two equally sized subdomains. The amino-terminal subdomain VAT-Nn (comprising residues Met1-Thr92) forms a double-psi beta-barrel whose pseudo-twofold symmetry is mirrored by an internal sequence repeat of 42 residues. The carboxy-terminal subdomain VAT-Nc (comprising residues Glu93-Gly185) forms a novel six-stranded beta-clam fold. Together, VAT-Nn and VAT-Nc form a kidney-shaped structure, in close agreement with results from electron microscopy. Sequence and structure analyses showed that VAT-Nn is related to numerous proteins including prokaryotic transcription factors, metabolic enzymes, the protease cofactors UFD1 and PrlF, and aspartic proteinases. These proteins map out an evolutionary path from simple homodimeric transcription factors containing a single copy of the VAT-Nn repeat to complex enzymes containing four copies.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that VAT-N is a precursor of the aspartic proteinases that has acquired peptide-binding activity while remaining proteolytically incompetent. We propose that the binding site of the protein is similar to that of aspartic proteinases, in that it lies between the psi-loops of the amino-terminal beta-barrel and that it coincides with a crescent-shaped band of positive charge extending across the upper face of the molecule.

VAT, the thermoplasma homolog of mammalian p97/VCP, is an N domain-regulated protein unfoldase

The Thermoplasma VCP-like ATPase from Thermoplasma acidophilum (VAT) ATPase is a member of the two-domain AAA ATPases and homologous to the mammalian p97/VCP and NSF proteins. We show here that the VAT ATPase complex unfolds green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeled with the ssrA-degradation tag. Increasing the Mg2+ concentration derepresses the ATPase activity and concomitantly stimulates the unfolding activity of VAT. Similarly, the VATDeltaN complex, a mutant of VAT deleted for the N domain, displays up to 24-fold enhanced ATP hydrolysis and 250-fold enhanced GFP unfolding activity when compared with wild-type VAT. To determine the individual contribution of the two AAA domains to ATP hydrolysis and GFP unfolding we performed extensive site-directed mutagenesis of the Walker A, Walker B, sensor-1, and pore residues in both AAA domains. Analysis of the VAT mutant proteins, where ATP hydrolysis was confined to a single AAA domain, revealed that the first domain (D1) is sufficient to exert GFP unfolding indistinguishable from wild-type VAT, while the second AAA domain (D2), although active, is significantly less efficient than wild-type VAT. A single conserved aromatic residue in the D1 section of the pore was found to be essential for GFP unfolding. In contrast, two neighboring residues in the D2 section of the pore had to be exchanged simultaneously, to achieve a drastic inhibition of GFP unfolding.

20S Proteasomes Have the Potential to Keep Substrates in Store for Continual Degradation

The 20S core of the proteasome, which together with the regulatory particle plays a major role in the degradation of proteins in eukaryotic cells, is traversed by an internal system of cavities, namely two antechambers and one central proteolytic chamber. Little is known about the mechanisms underlying substrate binding and translocation of polypeptide chains into the interior of 20S proteasomes. Specifically, the role of the antechambers is not fully understood, and the number of substrate molecules sequestered within the internal cavities at any one time is unknown. Here we have shown that by applying both electron microscopy and tandem mass spectrometry (MS) approaches to this multisubunit complex we obtain precise information regarding the stoichiometry and location of substrates within the three chambers. The dissociation pattern in tandem MS allows us to conclude that a maximum of three green fluorescent protein and four cytochrome c substrate molecules are bound within the cavities. Our results also show that >95% of the population of proteasome molecules contain the maximum number of partially folded substrates. Moreover, we deduce that one green fluorescent protein or two cytochrome c molecules must reside within the central proteolytic chamber while the remaining substrate molecules occupy, singly, both antechambers. The results imply therefore an additional role for 20S proteasomes in the storage of substrates prior to their degradation, specifically in cases where translocation rates are slower than proteolysis. More generally, the ability to locate relatively small protein ligands sequestered within the 28-subunit core particle highlights the tremendous potential of tandem MS for deciphering substrate binding within large macromolecular assemblies.

The structure and oxidation of the eye lens chaperone αA-crystallin

The small heat shock protein αA-crystallin is a molecular chaperone important for the optical properties of the vertebrate eye lens. It forms heterogeneous oligomeric ensembles. We determined the structures of human αA-crystallin oligomers by combining cryo-electron microscopy, cross-linking/mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling. The different oligomers can be interconverted by the addition or subtraction of tetramers, leading to mainly 12-, 16- and 20-meric assemblies in which interactions between N-terminal regions are important. Cross-dimer domain-swapping of the C-terminal region is a determinant of αA-crystallin heterogeneity. Human αA-crystallin contains two cysteines, which can form an intramolecular disulfide in vivo. Oxidation in vitro requires conformational changes and oligomer dissociation. The oxidized oligomers, which are larger than reduced αA-crystallin and destabilized against unfolding, are active chaperones and can transfer the disulfide to destabilized substrate proteins. The insight into the structure and function of αA-crystallin provides a basis for understanding its role in the eye lens.

Early salt stress effects on the differential expression of vacuolar H(+)-ATPase genes in roots and leaves of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

In Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, the salt stress-induced metabolic switch from C3 photosynthesis to Crassulacean acid metabolism is accompanied by major changes in gene expression. However, early effects of salt exposure (i.e. prior to Crassulacean acid metabolism induction) on genes coding for vacuolar transport functions have not yet been studied. Therefore, the expression of vacuolar H(+)-ATPase genes was analyzed in different organs of 4-week-old plants stressed with 400 mM NaCl for 3, 8, or 24 h. Partial cDNAs for the subunits A, B, and c were cloned and used as homologous probes for northern blot analysis. In control plants, the mRNA levels for the different subunits showed organ-specific differences. In fully expanded leaves, subunit c mRNA was very low but increased transiently during the light period. Plant organs also differed in their salt-stress response. In roots and young leaves, mRNA levels for all three subunits increased about 2-fold compared to control plants, whereas in fully expanded leaves only subunit c mRNA responded to salt. The results indicate that the expression of vacuolar H(+)-ATPase genes does not always involve a fixed stoichiometry of mRNAs for the different subunits and that the mRNA level for subunit c is particularly sensitive to developmental and environmental changes.

Diversity of COP9 signalosome structures and functional consequences

The COP9 signalosome (CSN) is a regulator of the ubiquitin (Ub) proteasome system (UPS). It interacts with hundreds of cullin-RING ubiquitin E3 ligases (CRLs) and regulates their activity by removing the Ub-like protein Nedd8 from cullins. In mammalian cells 7 different cullins exist which form CRLs with adaptor proteins and with a large number of substrate recognition subunits such as F-box and BTB proteins. This large variety of CRL-complexes is deneddylated by the CSN. The capacity of the CSN to interact with numerous types of CRL complexes can be explained by its structural diversity, which allows different CSN variants to interact with different binding partners and substrates and enables different subunit expression profiles. Diversity of CSN complexes presumably occurs by: (1) flexibility of CSN holo complex structure; (2) formation of CSN mini complexes and free CSN subunits and (3) generation of CSN variants via integration of CSN subunit isoforms. In this review we will discuss the structural diversity of the CSN complex and possible functional consequences.

A giant protease with a twist: the TPP II complex from Drosophila studied by electron microscopy

Tripeptidyl peptidase II (TPP II) is an exopeptidase of the subtilisin type of serine proteases that is thought to act downstream of the proteasome in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Recently, a key role in a pathway parallel to the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway has been ascribed to TPP II, which forms a giant protease complex in mammalian cells. Here, we report the 900-fold purification of TPP II from Drosophila eggs and demonstrate via cryo-electron microscopy that TPP II from Drosophila melanogaster also forms a giant protease complex. The presented three-dimensional reconstruction of the 57 x 27 nm TPP II complex at 3.3 nm resolution reveals that the 150 kDa subunits form a superstructure composed of two segmented and twisted strands. Each strand is 12.5 nm in width and composed of 11 segments that enclose a central channel.

Structure of VAT, a CDC48/p97 ATPase homologue from the archaeon Thermoplasma acidophilum as studied by electron tomography

Valosine-containing protein-like ATPase from Thermoplasma acidophilum is a member of the superfamily of ATPases associated with a diversity of cellular activities and is closely related to CDC48 from yeast and p97 from higher eukaryotes and more distantly to N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein. We have used electron tomography to obtain low-resolution (2-2.5 nm) three-dimensional maps of both the whole 500 kDa complex and the N-terminally truncated valosine-containing protein-like ATPase from T. acidophilum complex lacking the putative substrate binding domain.

Electron cryo-microscopy of VAT, the archaeal p97/CDC48 homologue from Thermoplasma acidophilum

VAT (valosine containing protein-like ATPase from Thermoplasma acidophilum), an archaeal member of the AAA-family (ATPases associated with a variety of cellular activities) that possesses foldase as well as unfoldase-activity, forms homo-hexameric rings like its eukaryotic homologues p97 and CDC48. The VAT-monomer exhibits the tripartite domain architecture typical for type II AAA-ATPases: N-D1-D2, whereby N is the substrate binding N-terminal domain preceding domains D1 and D2, both containing AAA-modules. Recent 3-D reconstructions of VAT and p97 as obtained by electron microscopy suffer from weakly represented N-domains, probably a consequence of their flexible linkage to the hexameric core. Here we used electron cryo-microscopy and 3-D reconstruction of single particles in order to generate a 3-D model of VAT at 2.3 nm resolution. The hexameric core of the VAT-complex (diameter 13.2 nm, height 8.4 nm) encloses a central cavity and the substrate-binding N-domains are clearly arranged in the upper periphery. Comparison with the p97 3-D reconstruction and the recently determined crystal structure of p97-N-D1 suggests a tail-to-tail arrangement of D1 and D2 in VAT.

Particle picking by segmentation: a comparative study with SPIDER-based manual particle picking

Boxing hundreds of thousands of particles in low-dose electron micrographs is one of the major bottle-necks in advancing toward achieving atomic resolution reconstructions of biological macromolecules. We have shown that a combination of pre-processing operations and segmentation can be used as an effective, automatic tool for identifying and boxing single-particle images. This paper provides a brief description of how this method has been applied to a large data set of micrographs of ice-embedded ribosomes, including a comparative analysis of the efficiency of the method. Some results on processing micrographs of tripeptidyl peptidase II particles are also shown. In both cases, we have achieved our goal of selecting at least 80% of the particles that an expert would select with less than 10% false positives.

The Chaperones of the archaeon Thermoplasma acidophilum

Chaperonesare an essential component of a cell's ability to respond to environmental challenges. Chaperones have been studied primarily in bacteria, but in recent years it has become apparent that some classes of chaperones either are very divergent in bacteria relative to archaea and eukaryotes or are missing entirely. In contrast, a high degree of similarity was found between the chaperonins of archaea and those of the eukaryotic cytosol, which has led to the establishment of archaeal model systems. The archaeon most extensively used for such studies is Thermoplasma acidophilum, which thrives at 59 degrees C and pH 2. Here we review information on its chaperone complement in light of the recently determined genome sequence.

Molecular architecture and assembly mechanism of Drosophila tripeptidyl peptidase II

In eukaryotes, tripeptidyl peptidase II (TPPII) is a crucial component of the proteolytic cascade acting downstream of the 26S proteasome in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. It is an amino peptidase belonging to the subtilase family removing tripeptides from the free N terminus of oligopeptides. The 150-kDa subunits of Drosophila TPPII assemble into a giant proteolytic complex of 6 MDa with a remarkable architecture consisting of two segmented and twisted strands that form a spindle-shaped structure. A refined 3D model has been obtained by cryoelectron microscopy, which reveals details of the molecular architecture and, in conjunction with biochemical data, provides insight into the assembly mechanism. The building blocks of this complex are apparently dimers, within which the 150-kDa monomers are oriented head to head. Stacking of these dimers leads to the formation of twisted single strands, two of which comprise the fully assembled spindle. This spindle also forms when TPPII is heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, demonstrating that no scaffolding protein is required for complex formation and length determination. Reciprocal interactions of the N-terminal part of subunits from neighboring strands are probably involved in the formation of the native quaternary structure, lending the TPPII spindle a stability higher than that of single strands.

Hybrid molecular structure of the giant protease tripeptidyl peptidase II

Tripeptidyl peptidase II (TPP II) is the largest known eukaryotic protease (6 MDa). It is believed to act downstream of the 26S proteasome, cleaving tripeptides from the N termini of longer peptides, and it is implicated in numerous cellular processes. Here we report the structure of Drosophila TPP II determined by a hybrid approach. We solved the structure of the dimer by X-ray crystallography and docked it into the three-dimensional map of the holocomplex, which we obtained by single-particle cryo-electron microscopy. The resulting structure reveals the compartmentalization of the active sites inside a system of chambers and suggests the existence of a molecular ruler determining the size of the cleavage products. Furthermore, the structure suggests a model for activation of TPP II involving the relocation of a flexible loop and a repositioning of the active-site serine, coupling it to holocomplex assembly and active-site sequestration.

Structure and function of tripeptidyl peptidase II, a giant cytosolic protease

Tripeptidyl peptidase II is the largest known eukaryotic peptidase. It has been described as a multi-purpose peptidase, which, in addition to its house-keeping function in intracellular protein degradation, plays a role in several vital cellular processes such as antigen processing, apoptosis, or cell division, and is involved in diseases like muscle wasting, obesity, and in cancer. Biochemical studies and bioinformatics have identified TPPII as a subtilase, but its structure is very unusual: it forms a large homooligomeric complex (6 MDa) with a spindle-like shape. Recently, the high-resolution structure of TPPII homodimers (300 kDa) was solved and a hybrid structure of the holocomplex built of 20 dimers was obtained by docking it into the EM-density. Here, we summarize our current knowledge about TPPII with a focus on structural aspects. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteolysis 50 years after the discovery of lysosome.

Size Matters for the Tripeptidylpeptidase II Complex from Drosophila

Tripeptidylpeptidase II (TPP II) is an exopeptidase of the subtilisin type of serine proteases, a key component of the protein degradation cascade in many eukaryotes, which cleaves tripeptides from the N terminus of proteasome-released products. The Drosophila TPP II is a large homooligomeric complex (approximately 6 MDa) that is organized in a unique repetitive structure with two strands each composed of ten stacked homodimers; two strands intertwine to form a spindle-shaped structure. We report a novel procedure of preparing an active, structurally homogeneous TPP II holo-complex overexpressed in Escherichia coli. Assembly studies revealed that the specific activity of TPP II increases with oligomer size, which in turn is strongly concentration-dependent. At a TPP II concentration such as prevailing in Drosophila, equilibration of size and activity proceeds on a time scale of hours and leads to spindle formation at a TPP II concentration of > or =0.03 mg/ml. Before equilibrium is reached, activation lags behind assembly, suggesting that activation occurs in a two-step process consisting of (i) assembly and (ii) a subsequent conformational change leading to a switch from basal to full activity. We propose a model consistent with the hyperbolic increase of activity with oligomer size. Spindle formation by strand pairing causes both significant thermodynamic and kinetic stabilization. The strands inherently heterogeneous in length are thus locked into a discrete oligomeric state. Our data indicate that the unique spindle form of the holo-complex represents an assembly motif stabilizing a highly active state.

The structure of human tripeptidyl peptidase II as determined by a hybrid approach

Tripeptidyl-peptidase II (TPPII) is a high molecular mass (∼5 MDa) serine protease, which is thought to act downstream of the 26S proteasome, cleaving peptides released by the latter. Here, the structure of human TPPII (HsTPPII) has been determined to subnanometer resolution by cryoelectron microscopy and single-particle analysis. The complex is built from two strands forming a quasihelical structure harboring a complex system of inner cavities. HsTPPII particles exhibit some polymorphism resulting in complexes consisting of nine or of eight dimers per strand. To obtain deeper insights into the architecture and function of HsTPPII, we have created a pseudoatomic structure of the HsTPPII spindle using a comparative model of HsTPPII dimers and molecular dynamics flexible fitting. Analyses of the resulting hybrid structure of the HsTPPII holocomplex provide new insights into the mechanism of maturation and activation.

Electron microscopy and in vitro deneddylation reveal similar architectures and biochemistry of isolated human and Flag-mouse COP9 signalosome complexes

The COP9 signalosome (CSN) is a regulator of the ubiquitin (Ub) proteasome system (UPS). In the UPS, proteins are Ub-labeled for degradation by Ub ligases conferring substrate specificity. The CSN controls a large family of Ub ligases called cullin-RING ligases (CRLs), which ubiquitinate cell cycle regulators, transcription factors and DNA damage response proteins. The CSN possesses structural similarities with the 26S proteasome Lid complex and the translation initiation complex 3 (eIF3) indicating similar ancestry and function. Initial structures were obtained 14years ago by 2D electron microscopy (EM). Recently, first 3D molecular models of the CSN were created on the basis of negative-stain EM and single-particle analysis, mostly with recombinant complexes. Here, we compare deneddylating activity and structural features of CSN complexes purified in an elaborate procedure from human erythrocytes and efficiently pulled down from mouse Flag-CSN2 B8 fibroblasts. In an in vitro deneddylation assay both the human and the mouse CSN complexes deneddylated Nedd8-Cul1 with comparable rates. 3D structural models of the erythrocyte CSN as well as of the mouse Flag-CSN were generated by negative stain EM and by cryo-EM. Both complexes show a central U-shaped segment from which several arms emanate. This structure, called the horseshoe, is formed by the PCI domain subunits. CSN5 and CSN6 point away from the horseshoe. Compared to 3D models of negatively stained CSN complexes, densities assigned to CSN2 and CSN4 are better defined in the cryo-map. Because biochemical and structural results obtained with CSN complexes isolated from human erythrocytes and purified by Flag-CSN pulldown from mouse B8 fibroblasts are very similar, Flag-CSN pulldowns are a proper alternative to CSN preparation from erythrocytes.

Molecular ruler of tripeptidylpeptidase II: mechanistic principle of exopeptidase selectivity

The structure of tripeptidylpeptidase II (TPPII) has shown that it belongs to the group of exopeptidases which use a double-Glu motif to convey aminopeptidase activity. TPPII has been implicated in vital biological processes. At least one of these, antigen processing, requires the involvement of its endopeptidase activity. In order to understand the extent and molecular basis of this unusual functional promiscuity we have performed a systematic kinetic analysis of wild type Drosophila melanogaster TPPII and five point mutants of the double-Glu-motif (E312/E343) involving natural substrates. Unlike the known double-Glu motives of other exopeptidases, the double-Glu motif of TPPII is distinctly asymmetrical: E312 is the crucial determinant of the aminotripeptidolytic ruler mechanism. It both blocks the active-site cleft at substrate position P4 and forms a salt bridge with the N-terminus of the substrate. In contrast, E343 forms a much weaker salt bridge than E312 and it does not have a blocking role. An endopeptidase substrate can bind at relatively high affinity if the length of the substrate permits binding to several S' sites. However, the lacking alignment of the substrate by the double-Glu motif causes the endopeptidolytic K(cat)/K(M) of TPPII to be very low.

Characterization of AMA, a new AAA protein from Archaeoglobus and methanogenic archaea

We have previously reported a new group of AAA proteins, which is only found in Archaeoglobus and methanogenic archaea (AMA). The proteins are phylogenetically basal to the metalloprotease clade and their N-terminal domain is homologous to the beta-clam part of the N-domain of CDC48-like proteins. Here we report the biochemical and biophysical characterization of Archaeoglobus fulgidus AMA, and of its isolated N-terminal (AMA-N) and ATPase (AMA-DeltaN) domains. AfAMA forms hexameric complexes, as does AMA-N, while AMA-DeltaN only forms dimers. The ability to hexamerize is dependent on the integrity of a GYPL motif in AMA-N, which resembles the pore motif of FtsH and HslU. While the physiological function of AMA is unknown, we show that it has ATP-dependent chaperone activity and can prevent the thermal aggregation of proteins in vitro. The ability to interact with non-native proteins resides in the N-domain and is energy-independent.

A tale of two giant proteases

The 26S proteasome and tripeptidyl peptidase II (TPPII) are two exceptionally large eukaryotic protein complexes involved in intracellular proteolysis, where they exert their function sequentially: the proteasome, a multisubunit complex of 2.5 MDa, acts at the downstream end of the ubiquitin pathway and degrades ubiquitinylated proteins into small oligopeptides. Such oligopeptides are substrates for TPPII, a 6-MDa homooligomer, which releases tripeptides from their free N-terminus. Both 26S and TPPII are very fragile complexes refractory to crystallization and in their fully assembled native form have been visualized only by electron microscopy. Here, we will discuss the structural features of the two complexes and their functional implications.

Rotary and unidirectional metal shadowing of VAT: localization of the substrate-binding domain

AAA-ATPases have important roles in manifold cellular processes. VAT (valosine-containing protein-like ATPase of Thermoplasma acidophilum), a hexameric archaeal member of this family, has the tripartite domain structure N-D1-D2 that is characteristic of many members of this family. N, the N-terminal domain of 20.5 kDa, has been implicated in substrate binding. We have applied rotary and unidirectional shadowing to VAT and an N-terminally deleted mutant, VAT(Delta N), in order to map the location of this domain. For the analysis of data derived from unidirectionally shadowed samples we used a new approach combining eigenvector analysis with surface relief reconstruction. Averages of rotary shadowed particles as well as relief reconstructions map the N-terminal domains to the periphery of the hexameric complex and reveal their bipartite structure. Thus, this method appears to be well suited to study the conformational changes that occur during the functional cycle of the protein.

Aberration-corrected microscopy for structural biology applications

This study explores the potential of a C(s)-corrected transmission electron microscope for structural studies of biological samples, in particular isolated macromolecular complexes. A 300-kV transmission electron microscope, equipped with a C(s) corrector was employed to record sets of images at different defocus and C(s) settings. The experiments were designed to determine whether imaging with large defocus benefits from C(s) correction. Defocus contrast in biological imaging has a stronger influence on image resolution than any other parameter. We find the results are in good agreement with theoretical framework, verifying that the typical imaging conditions required for biological investigations are not affected by C(s) correction.

Molecular simulation of 8-styrylxanthines

Regarding theophylline as representative xanthine derivative, it was shown that the net charges of various semiempirical quantum chemistry methods are transferable by scaling. PM3 should be preferred for calculation of xanthine derivatives. Molecular modelling indicated that there is a conformational similarity of the lead structure of xanthine and adenosine derivatives. The substituents bound to the C8 of xanthine and to the C2 of adenosine derivatives are involved in the discrimination into adenosine A2 antagonists and agonists. The A2 affinity of xanthines is mainly determined by the type of N7 substitution (hydrogen/methyl), the lipophilic substituent constant related to the C8 substituents, and the dipole moment of the molecules. To simulate chemically the A1 affinity, a further term (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy) must be added. In addition, hydrogen-bonding forces were hypothesized using a newly synthesized 3,6-diaminocarbazole derivative as synthetic adenosine pseudoreceptor.