Continuous Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Assay for Measuring Phospholipase Activity against Liposomes

Phospholipases have diverse roles in lipid and cell membrane biology. In animal venoms, they can have roles as neurotoxins or myotoxins that disrupt the integrity of cell membranes. In this work, we describe a temperature-controlled, continuous electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) assay for measuring phospholipase A₂ activity against liposomes. The enzyme used in this assay was paradoxin, which is a neurotoxic trimeric phospholipase A₂ from inland taipan snake venom. Previously developed ESI-MS-based phospholipase assays have been discontinuous and analyzed hydrolysis of single lipid molecules by liquid chromatography ESI-MS. In this work, a continuous assay was developed against liposomes, a more complex substrate that more closely reflects the natural substrate for paradoxin. The assay confirmed the requirement for Ca²⁺ and allowed measurement of Michaelis-Menten-type parameters. The use of ESI-MS for lipid detection enabled nuanced insights into the effect of changing assay conditions not only on the enzyme but also on the liposome substrate. Changing the metal ion concentrations did not significantly change the liposomes but did affect enzymatic activity. Increasing temperature did not substantially affect the secondary structure of paradoxin but affected liposome size, resulting in increased enzymatic activity consistent with the disruption of the phosphatidylcholine membrane, increasing accessibility of sn-2 ester bonds. The continuous ESI-MS method described herein can be applied to other enzyme reactions, particularly those which utilize complex lipid substrates.

A mechanism for the extension and unfolding of parallel telomeric G-quadruplexes by human telomerase at single-molecule resolution

Telomeric G-quadruplexes (G4) were long believed to form a protective structure at telomeres, preventing their extension by the ribonucleoprotein telomerase. Contrary to this belief, we have previously demonstrated that parallel-stranded conformations of telomeric G4 can be extended by human and ciliate telomerase. However, a mechanistic understanding of the interaction of telomerase with structured DNA remained elusive. Here, we use single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) microscopy and bulk-phase enzymology to propose a mechanism for the resolution and extension of parallel G4 by telomerase. Binding is initiated by the RNA template of telomerase interacting with the G-quadruplex; nucleotide addition then proceeds to the end of the RNA template. It is only through the large conformational change of translocation following synthesis that the G-quadruplex structure is completely unfolded to a linear product. Surprisingly, parallel G4 stabilization with either small molecule ligands or by chemical modification does not always inhibit G4 unfolding and extension by telomerase. These data reveal that telomerase is a parallel G-quadruplex resolvase.

A study of Pt(II)-phenanthroline complex interactions with double-stranded and G-quadruplex DNA by ESI-MS, circular dichroism, and computational docking

The binding interactions of a series of square-planar platinum(II)-phenanthroline complexes of the type [Pt(P_L)(A_L)]²⁺ [where P_L = variously methyl-substituted 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and A_L = ethane-1,2-diamine (en)] were assessed with a G-quadruplex DNA (5'-TTG GGG GT-3', G4DNA) and a double-stranded DNA (5'-CGC GAA TTC GCG-3', dsDNA) sequence by ESI-MS. The results indicate a strong correlation between G4DNA affinity and increasing phenanthroline methyl substitution. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and molecular docking studies also support the finding that increased substitution of the phenanthroline ligand increased selectivity for G4DNA. ESI-MS was used to probe the interaction of a range of square-planar Pt(II)-phenanthroline complexes with double-stranded and G-quadruplex DNA.

A new class of quadruplex DNA-binding nickel Schiff base complexes

A new nickel Schiff base complex shows selective binding behaviour towards quadruplex DNA and cytotoxicity against cancer cells.

BSD2 is a Rubisco-specific assembly chaperone, forms intermediary hetero-oligomeric complexes, and is nonlimiting to growth in tobacco

The folding and assembly of Rubisco large and small subunits into L8 S8 holoenzyme in chloroplasts involves many auxiliary factors, including the chaperone BSD2. Here we identify apparent intermediary Rubisco-BSD2 assembly complexes in the model C3 plant tobacco. We show BSD2 and Rubisco content decrease in tandem with leaf age with approximately half of the BSD2 in young leaves (~70 nmol BSD2 protomer.m2 ) stably integrated in putative intermediary Rubisco complexes that account for <0.2% of the L8 S8 pool. RNAi-silencing BSD2 production in transplastomic tobacco producing bacterial L2 Rubisco had no effect on leaf photosynthesis, cell ultrastructure, or plant growth. Genetic crossing the same RNAi-bsd2 alleles into wild-type tobacco however impaired L8 S8 Rubisco production and plant growth, indicating the only critical function of BSD2 is in Rubisco biogenesis. Agrobacterium mediated transient expression of tobacco, Arabidopsis, or maize BSD2 reinstated Rubisco biogenesis in BSD2-silenced tobacco. Overexpressing BSD2 in tobacco chloroplasts however did not alter Rubisco content, activation status, leaf photosynthesis rate, or plant growth in the field or in the glasshouse at 20°C or 35°C. Our findings indicate BSD2 functions exclusively in Rubisco biogenesis, can efficiently facilitate heterologous plant Rubisco assembly, and is produced in amounts nonlimiting to tobacco growth.

Conditions for Analysis of Native Protein Structures Using Uniform Field Drift Tube Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry and Characterization of Stable Calibrants for TWIM-MS

Determination of collisional cross sections (CCS) by travelling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (TWIM-MS) requires calibration against standards for which the CCS has been measured previously by drift tube ion mobility mass spectrometry (DTIM-MS). The different extents of collisional activation in TWIM-MS and DTIM-MS can give rise to discrepancies in the CCS of calibrants across the two platforms. Furthermore, the conditions required to ionize and transmit large, folded proteins and assemblies may variably affect the structure of the calibrants and analytes. Stable hetero-oligomeric phospholipase A₂ (PDx) and its subunits were characterized as calibrants for TWIM-MS. Conditions for acquisition of native-like TWIM (Synapt G1 HDMS) and DTIM (Agilent 6560 IM-Q-TOF) mass spectra were optimized to ensure the spectra exhibited similar charge state distributions. CCS measurements (DTIM-MS) for ubiquitin, cytochrome c, holo-myoglobin, serum albumin and glutamate dehydrogenase were in good agreement with other recent results determined using this and other DTIM-MS instruments. PDx and its β and γ subunits were stable across a wide range of cone and trap voltages in TWIM-MS and were stable in the presence of organic solvents. The CCS of PDx and its subunits were determined by DTIM-MS and were used as calibrants in determination of CCS of native-like cytochrome c, holo-myoglobin, carbonic anhydrase, serum albumin and haemoglobin in TWIM-MS. The CCS values were in good agreement with those measured by DTIM-MS where available. These experiments demonstrate conditions for analysis of native-like proteins using a commercially available DTIM-MS instrument, characterize robust calibrants for TWIM-MS, and present CCS values determined by DTIM-MS and TWIM-MS for native proteins to add to the current literature database. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Effect of structure variations on the quadruplex DNA binding ability of nickel Schiff base complexes

The synthesis of two new series of nickel complexes is described, along with their ability to bind to duplex and quadruplex DNA structures.

ESI-MS Investigation of an Equilibrium between a Bimolecular Quadruplex DNA and a Duplex DNA/RNA Hybrid

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) conditions were optimized for simultaneous observation of a bimolecular qDNA and a Watson-Crick base-paired duplex DNA/RNA hybrid. The DNA sequence used was telomeric DNA, and the RNA contained the template for telomerase-mediated telomeric DNA synthesis. Addition of RNA to the quadruplex DNA (qDNA) resulted in formation of the duplex DNA/RNA hybrid. Melting profiles obtained using circular dichroism spectroscopy confirmed that the DNA/RNA hybrid exhibited greater thermal stability than the bimolecular qDNA in solution. Binding of a 13-substituted berberine (1) derivative to the bimolecular qDNA stabilized its structure as evidenced by an increase in its stability in the mass spectrometer, and an increase in its circular dichroism (CD) melting temperature of 10°C. The DNA/RNA hybrid did not bind the ligand extensively and its thermal stability was unchanged in the presence of (1). The qDNA-ligand complex resisted unfolding in the presence of excess RNA, limiting the formation of the DNA/RNA hybrid. Previously, it has been proposed that DNA secondary structures, such as qDNA, may be involved in the telomerase mechanism. DNA/RNA hybrid structures occur at the active site of telomerase. The results presented in the current work show that if telomeric DNA was folded into a qDNA structure, it is possible for a DNA/RNA hybrid to form as is required during template alignment. The discrimination of ligand (1) for binding to the bimolecular qDNA over the DNA/RNA hybrid positions it as a useful compound for probing the role(s), if any, of antiparallel qDNA in the telomerase mechanism.

Bacterial Sliding Clamp Inhibitors that Mimic the Sequential Binding Mechanism of Endogenous Linear Motifs

The bacterial DNA replication machinery presents new targets for the development of antibiotics acting via novel mechanisms. One such target is the protein-protein interaction between the DNA sliding clamp and the conserved peptide linear motifs in DNA polymerases. We previously established that binding of linear motifs to the Escherichia coli sliding clamp occurs via a sequential mechanism that involves two subsites (I and II). Here, we report the development of small-molecule inhibitors that mimic this mechanism. The compounds contain tetrahydrocarbazole moieties as "anchors" to occupy subsite I. Functional groups appended at the tetrahydrocarbazole nitrogen bind to a channel gated by the side chain of M362 and lie at the edge of subsite II. One derivative induced the formation of a new binding pocket, termed subsite III, by rearrangement of a loop adjacent to subsite I. Discovery of the extended binding area will guide further inhibitor development.

Improving recombinant Rubisco biogenesis, plant photosynthesis and growth by coexpressing its ancillary RAF1 chaperone

Enabling improvements to crop yield and resource use by enhancing the catalysis of the photosynthetic CO2-fixing enzyme Rubisco has been a longstanding challenge. Efforts toward realization of this goal have been greatly assisted by advances in understanding the complexities of Rubisco's biogenesis in plastids and the development of tailored chloroplast transformation tools. Here we generate transplastomic tobacco genotypes expressing Arabidopsis Rubisco large subunits (AtL), both on their own (producing tob(AtL) plants) and with a cognate Rubisco accumulation factor 1 (AtRAF1) chaperone (producing tob(AtL-R1) plants) that has undergone parallel functional coevolution with AtL. We show AtRAF1 assembles as a dimer and is produced in tob(AtL-R1) and Arabidopsis leaves at 10-15 nmol AtRAF1 monomers per square meter. Consistent with a postchaperonin large (L)-subunit assembly role, the AtRAF1 facilitated two to threefold improvements in the amount and biogenesis rate of hybrid L8(A)S8(t) Rubisco [comprising AtL and tobacco small (S) subunits] in tob(AtL-R1) leaves compared with tob(AtL), despite >threefold lower steady-state Rubisco mRNA levels in tob(AtL-R1). Accompanying twofold increases in photosynthetic CO2-assimilation rate and plant growth were measured for tob(AtL-R1) lines. These findings highlight the importance of ancillary protein complementarity during Rubisco biogenesis in plastids, the possible constraints this has imposed on Rubisco adaptive evolution, and the likely need for such interaction specificity to be considered when optimizing recombinant Rubisco bioengineering in plants.

Synthesis and characterisation of nickel Schiff base complexes containing the meso-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine moiety: selective interactions with a tetramolecular DNA quadruplex

Two nickel(ii) Schiff base complexes exhibit binding selectivity for a tetramolecular DNA quadruplex.

Discovery of lead compounds targeting the bacterial sliding clamp using a fragment-based approach

The bacterial sliding clamp (SC), also known as the DNA polymerase III β subunit, is an emerging antibacterial target that plays a central role in DNA replication, serving as a protein-protein interaction hub with a common binding pocket to recognize linear motifs in the partner proteins. Here, fragment-based screening using X-ray crystallography produced four hits bound in the linear-motif-binding pocket of the Escherichia coli SC. Compounds structurally related to the hits were identified that inhibited the E. coli SC and SC-mediated DNA replication in vitro. A tetrahydrocarbazole derivative emerged as a promising lead whose methyl and ethyl ester prodrug forms showed minimum inhibitory concentrations in the range of 21-43 μg/mL against representative Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria species. The work demonstrates the utility of a fragment-based approach for identifying bacterial sliding clamp inhibitors as lead compounds with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity.

Proteomic dissection of DNA polymerization

DNA polymerases replicate the genome by associating with a range of other proteins that enable rapid, high-fidelity copying of DNA. This complex of proteins and nucleic acids is termed the replisome. Proteins of the replisome must interact with other networks of proteins, such as those involved in DNA repair. Many of the proteins involved in DNA polymerization and the accessory proteins are known, but the array of proteins they interact with, and the spatial and temporal arrangement of these interactions, are current research topics. Mass spectrometry is a technique that can be used to identify the sites of these interactions and to determine the precise stoichiometries of binding partners in a functional complex. A complete understanding of the macromolecular interactions involved in DNA replication and repair may lead to discovery of new targets for antibiotics against bacteria and biomarkers for diagnosis of diseases, such as cancer, in humans.

A direct proofreader-clamp interaction stabilizes the Pol III replicase in the polymerization mode

Processive DNA synthesis by the αεθ core of the Escherichia coli Pol III replicase requires it to be bound to the β2 clamp via a site in the α polymerase subunit. How the ε proofreading exonuclease subunit influences DNA synthesis by α was not previously understood. In this work, bulk assays of DNA replication were used to uncover a non-proofreading activity of ε. Combination of mutagenesis with biophysical studies and single-molecule leading-strand replication assays traced this activity to a novel β-binding site in ε that, in conjunction with the site in α, maintains a closed state of the αεθ-β2 replicase in the polymerization mode of DNA synthesis. The ε-β interaction, selected during evolution to be weak and thus suited for transient disruption to enable access of alternate polymerases and other clamp binding proteins, therefore makes an important contribution to the network of protein-protein interactions that finely tune stability of the replicase on the DNA template in its various conformational states.

Escherichia coli single-stranded DNA-binding protein: nanoESI-MS studies of salt-modulated subunit exchange and DNA binding transactions

Single-stranded DNA-binding proteins (SSBs) are ubiquitous oligomeric proteins that bind with very high affinity to single-stranded DNA and have a variety of essential roles in DNA metabolism. Nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry (nanoESI-MS) was used to monitor subunit exchange in full-length and truncated forms of the homotetrameric SSB from Escherichia coli. Subunit exchange in the native protein was found to occur slowly over a period of hours, but was significantly more rapid in a truncated variant of SSB from which the eight C-terminal residues were deleted. This effect is proposed to result from C-terminus mediated stabilization of the SSB tetramer, in which the C-termini interact with the DNA-binding cores of adjacent subunits. NanoESI-MS was also used to examine DNA binding to the SSB tetramer. Binding of single-stranded oligonucleotides [one molecule of (dT)(70), one molecule of (dT)(35), or two molecules of (dT)(35)] was found to prevent SSB subunit exchange. Transfer of SSB tetramers between discrete oligonucleotides was also observed and is consistent with predictions from solution-phase studies, suggesting that SSB-DNA complexes can be reliably analyzed by ESI mass spectrometry.

NanoESI mass spectrometry of Rubisco and Rubisco activase structures and their interactions with nucleotides and sugar phosphates

Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) is the protein that is responsible for the fixation of carbon dioxide in photosynthesis. Inhibitory sugar phosphate molecules, which can include its substrate ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP), can bind to Rubisco catalytic sites and inhibit catalysis. These are removed by interaction with Rubisco activase (RA) via an ATP hydrolytic reaction. Here we show the first nanoESI mass spectra of the hexadecameric Rubisco and of RA from a higher plant (tobacco). The spectra of recombinant, purified RA revealed polydispersity in its oligomeric forms (up to hexamer) and that ADP was bound. ADP was removed by dialysis against a high ionic strength solution and nucleotide binding experiments showed that ADP bound more tightly to RA than AMP-PNP (a non-hydrolysable ATP analog). There was evidence that there may be two nucleotide binding sites per RA monomer. The oligomerization capacity of mutant and wild-type tobacco RA up to hexamers is analogous to the subunit stoichiometry for other AAA+ enzymes. This suggests assembly of RA into hexamers is likely the most active conformation for removing inhibitory sugar phosphate molecules from Rubisco to enable its catalytic competency. Stoichiometric binding of RuBP or carboxyarabinitol bisphosphate (CABP) to each of the eight catalytic sites of Rubisco was observed.

Developments in Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry of Non-Covalent DNA–Ligand Complexes

Many anti-cancer drugs function by binding non-covalently to double-stranded (ds) DNA. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) has emerged over the past decade as a sensitive technique for the determination of stoichiometries and relative binding affinities of DNA–ligand interactions. The chromosome contains nucleotide sequences, for example, guanosine-rich regions, that predispose them to the formation of higher order structures such as quadruplex DNA (qDNA). Sequences that form qDNA are found in the telomeres. The proposal that ligands that stabilize qDNA might interfere with the activity of telomerase in cancer cells has stimulated the search for ligands that are selective for qDNA over dsDNA. The insights gained from the development of ESI-MS methods for analysis of non-covalent dsDNA–ligand complexes are now being applied in the search for qDNA-selective ligands. ESI-MS is a useful first-pass screening technique for qDNA-binding ligands. This short review describes some experimental considerations for ESI-MS analysis of DNA–ligand complexes, briefly addresses the question of whether non-covalent DNA–ligand complexes are faithfully transferred from solution to the gas phase, discusses ion mobility mass spectrometry as a technique for probing this issue, and highlights some recent ESI-MS studies of qDNA-selective ligands.

A single subunit directs the assembly of the Escherichia coli DNA sliding clamp loader

Multi-protein clamp loader complexes are required to load sliding clamps onto DNA. In Escherichia coli the clamp loader contains three DnaX (tau/gamma) proteins, delta, and delta', which together form an asymmetric pentameric ring that also interacts with psichi. Here we used mass spectrometry to examine the assembly and dynamics of the clamp loader complex. We find that gamma exists exclusively as a stable homotetramer, while tau is in a monomer-dimer-trimer-tetramer equilibrium. delta' plays a direct role in the assembly as a tau/gamma oligomer breaker, thereby facilitating incorporation of lower oligomers. With delta', both delta and psichi stabilize the trimeric form of DnaX, thus completing the assembly. When tau and gamma are present simultaneously, mimicking the situation in vivo, subunit exchange between tau and gamma tetramers occurs rapidly to form heterocomplexes but is retarded when deltadelta' is present. The implications for intracellular assembly of the DNA polymerase III holoenzyme are discussed.

Substrate-induced assembly of Methanococcoides burtonii D-ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase dimers into decamers

Like many enzymes, the biogenesis of the multi-subunit CO(2)-fixing enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) in different organisms requires molecular chaperones. When expressed in Escherichia coli, the large (L) subunits of the Rubisco from the archaeabacterium Methanococcoides burtonii assemble into functional dimers (L(2)). However, further assembly into pentamers of L(2) (L(10)) occurs when expressed in tobacco chloroplasts or E. coli producing RuBP. In vitro analyses indicate that the sequential assembly of L(2) into L(10) (via detectable L(4) and L(6) intermediates) occurs without chaperone involvement and is stimulated by protein rearrangements associated with either the binding of substrate RuBP, the tight binding transition state analog carboxyarabinitol-1,5-bisphosphate, or inhibitory divalent metal ions within the active site. The catalytic properties of L(2) and L(10) M. burtonii Rubisco (MbR) were indistinguishable. At 25 degrees C they both shared a low specificity for CO(2) over O(2) (1.1 mol x mol(-1)) and RuBP carboxylation rates that were distinctively enhanced at low pH (approximately 4 s(-1) at pH 6, relative to 0.8 s(-1) at pH 8) with a temperature optimum of 55 degrees C. Like other archaeal Rubiscos, MbR also has a high O(2) affinity (K(m)(O(2)) = approximately 2.5 microM). The catalytic and structural similarities of MbR to other archaeal Rubiscos contrast with its closer sequence homology to bacterial L(2) Rubisco, complicating its classification within the Rubisco superfamily.

A mass spectrometric investigation of the ability of metal complexes to modulate transcription factor activity

ESI mass spectrometry was used to assess the ability of metal complexes to inhibit binding of a transcription factor to a DNA molecule containing its recognition sequence.

Antibacterial activity of berberine-NorA pump inhibitor hybrids with a methylene ether linking group

Conjugation of the NorA substrate berberine and the NorA inhibitor 5-nitro-2-phenyl-1H-indole via a methylene ether linking group gave the 13-substituted berberine-NorA inhibitor hybrid, 3. A series of simpler arylmethyl ether hybrid structures were also synthesized. The hybrid 3 showed excellent antibacterial activity (MIC Staphylococcus aureus, 1.7 microM), which was over 382-fold more active than the parent antibacterial berberine, against this bacterium. This compound was also shown to block the NorA efflux pump in S. aureus.

Characterisation of anthracyclines from a cosmomycin D-producing species of Streptomyces by collisionally-activated dissociation and ion mobility mass spectrometry

Cultures of cosmomycin D-producing Streptomyces olindensis ICB20 that were propagated for many generations underwent mutations that resulted in production of a range of related anthracyclines by the bacteria. The anthracyclines that retained the two trisaccharide chains of the parent compound were separated by HPLC. Exact mass determination of these compounds revealed that they differed from cosmomycin D (CosD) in that they contained one to three fewer oxygen atoms (loss of hydroxyl groups). Some of the anthracyclines that were separated by HPLC had the same mass. The location from which the hydroxyl groups had been lost relative to CosD (on the aglycone and/or on the sugar residues) was probed by collisionally-activated dissociation using an electrospray ionisation linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The presence of anthracyclines with the same mass, but different structure, was confirmed using an electrospray ionisation travelling wave ion mobility mass spectrometer.

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

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

Effect of protein stabilization on charge state distribution in positive- and negative-ion electrospray ionization mass spectra

Changes in protein conformation are thought to alter charge state distributions observed in electrospray ionization mass spectra (ESI-MS) of proteins. In most cases, this has been demonstrated by unfolding proteins through acidification of the solution. This methodology changes the properties of the solvent so that changes in the ESI-MS charge envelopes from conformational changes are difficult to separate from the effects of changing solvent on the ionization process. A novel strategy is presented enabling comparison of ESI mass spectra of a folded and partially unfolded protein of the same amino acid sequence subjected to the same experimental protocols and conditions. The N-terminal domain of the Escherichia coli DnaB protein was cyclized by in vivo formation of an amide bond between its N- and C-termini. The properties of this stabilized protein were compared with its linear counterpart. When the linear form was unfolded by decreasing pH, a charge envelope at lower m/z appeared consistent with the presence of a population of unfolded protein. This was observed in both positive-ion and negative-ion ESI mass spectra. Under the same conditions, this low m/z envelope was not present in the ESI mass spectrum of the stable cyclized form. The effects of changing the desolvation temperature in the ionization source of the Q-TOF mass spectrometer were also investigated. Increasing the desolvation temperature had little effect on positive-ion ESI mass spectra, but in negative-ion spectra, a charge envelope at lower m/z appeared, consistent with an increase in the abundance of unfolded protein molecules.

The structure and function of a novel glycerophosphodiesterase from Enterobacter aerogenes

The structure of the glycerophosphodiesterase (GDPD) from Enterobacter aerogenes, GpdQ, has been solved by SAD phasing from the active site metal ions. Structural analysis indicates that GpdQ belongs to the alpha/beta sandwich metallo-phosphoesterase family, rather than the (alpha/beta)(8) barrel GDPD family, suggesting that GpdQ is a structurally novel GDPD. Hexameric GpdQ is generated by interactions between three dimers. The dimers are formed through domain swapping, stabilised by an inter-chain disulfide bond, and beta-sheet extension. The active site contains a binuclear metal centre, with a fully occupied alpha-metal ion site, and partially occupied beta-metal ion site, as revealed by anomalous scattering analysis. Using a combination of TLS refinement and normal mode analysis, the dynamic movement of GpdQ was investigated. This analysis suggests that the hexameric quaternary structure stabilises the base of the dimer, which promotes "breathing" of the active site cleft. Comparison with other metallo-phosphodiesterases shows that although the central, catalytic, domain is highly conserved, many of these enzymes possess structurally unrelated secondary domains located at the entrance of the active site. We suggest that this could be a common structural feature of metallo-phosphodiesterases that constrains substrate specificity, preventing non-specific phosphodiester hydrolysis.

Selectivity of an indolyl berberine derivative for tetrameric G-quadruplex DNA

Negative ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used to compare the binding affinities and stoichiometries of the alkaloid berberine, a 13-substituted indolyl berberine derivative, SS14, and the chemotherapeutic agent, daunomycin, for 16-mer double-stranded (ds) DNA (D1 and D2) and for an 8-mer tetrameric quadruplex, Q1 (d(TTGGGGGT)(4)). Under the experimental conditions presented here, ESI mass spectra of Q1 showed that the major ions were from Q1 with three ammonium ions bound in the structure. Ions from Q1 with four ammonium ions were of lower abundance. In agreement with other work, there were multiple binding sites on the dsDNA and the quadruplex for daunomycin and berberine. The binding of SS14 to both dsDNA and Q1 was less extensive. Although the binding affinity of SS14 for Q1 was modest, this compound showed a clear preference for Q1 DNA over D1 or D2 DNA. Berberine and daunomycin bound with greater affinity to both types of DNA secondary structure, with the former showing a slight preference for Q1 over D1 while the latter showed a slight preference for D1 over Q1. While at least five berberine molecules bound to Q1, this quadruplex could accommodate only two SS14 molecules. These investigations show that SS14 is a promising lead compound for drugs that may selectively bind quadruplex over duplex DNA.

Multiple oligomeric forms of Escherichia coli DnaB helicase revealed by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry

The Escherichia coli DnaB protein (DnaB(6)) is the hexameric helicase that unwinds genomic DNA so it can be copied by the DNA replication machinery. Loading of the helicase onto DNA requires interactions of DnaB(6) with six molecules of its loading partner protein, DnaC. Nano-electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (nanoESI-MS) of mutant proteins was used to examine the roles of the residues Phe102 (F102) and Asp82 (D82) in the N-terminal domain of DnaB in the assembly of the hexamer. When the proteins were prepared in 1 M ammonium acetate containing magnesium and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) at pH 7.6, both hexameric and heptameric forms of wild-type and F102W, F102E and D82N mutant DnaBs were observed in mass spectra. The spectra of the D82N mutant also showed substantial amounts of a decameric species and small amounts of a dodecamer. In contrast, the F102H DnaB mutant was incapable of forming oligomers of order higher than the hexamer. Thus, although Phe102 is not the only determinant of hexamer assembly, this residue has a role in oligomerisation. NanoESI mass spectra were obtained of mixtures of DnaB(6) with DnaC. The DnaB(6)(DnaC)(6) complex (calculated M(r) 481 164) was observed only when the two proteins were present in equimolar amounts. The data are consistent with cooperative assembly of the complex. ESI mass spectra of mixtures containing DnaC and ATP showed that DnaC slowly hydrolysed ATP to ADP as indicated by ions corresponding to DnaC/ATP and DnaC/ADP complexes. These experiments show that E. coli DnaB can form a heptameric complex and that nanoESI-MS can be used to probe assembly of large (>0.5 MDa) macromolecular complexes.

An Estrogen–Platinum Terpyridine Conjugate: DNA and Protein Binding and Cellular Delivery

A platinum metal complex in which terpyridine joins estradiol (via an ethynyl link) to a platinum with a labile ligand (chloride) has been designed, synthesised and its X-ray crystal structure determined. The aim of this work was to link a targeting motif (in this case estrogen) to a metal-based biomolecule recognition unit (the platinum moiety). The target molecule: 17alpha-[4'-ethynyl-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine]-17beta-estradiol platinum(II) chloride (PtEEtpy) has been shown to bind to both human and bovine serum albumin (SA) and to DNA. FTICR mass spectrometry shows that the bimolecular units are in each case linked through coordination to the platinum with displacement of the chloride ligand. Circular dichroism indicates that a termolecular entity involving PtEEtpy, SA and DNA is formed. A range of electrospray mass spectrometry experiments showed that the PtEEtpy complex breaks and forms coordination bonds relatively easily. A whole cell estrogen receptor assay in an estrogen receptor positive cell (MCF-7) confirms binding of both EEtpy and PtEEtpy to the estrogen receptor in cells. The work demonstrates the concept of linking a targeting moiety (in this case estrogen) to a DNA binding agent.

A mass spectrometric investigation of the binding of gold antiarthritic agents and the metabolite [Au(CN)2]- to human serum albumin

Electrospray ionisation (ESI) mass spectrometry was used to examine the reactions of the clinically used antiarthritic agent [Au(S2O3)2]3-, and AuPEt3Cl, a derivative of another clinically used agent auranofin, with human serum albumin (HSA) obtained from a human volunteer. Both compounds reacted readily with HSA to form complexes containing one or more covalently attached gold fragments. In the case of AuPEt3Cl, binding was accompanied by the loss of the chloride ligand, while for [Au(S2O3)2]3- the mass spectral data indicated binding of Au(S2O3) groups. Experiments performed using HSA with Cys34 blocked by reaction with iodoacetamide were consistent with reaction of both gold compounds with this amino acid. Separate blocking experiments using diethylpyrocarbonate and AuPEt3Cl also provided evidence for histidine residues acting as lower-affinity binding sites for this gold compound. ESI mass spectra of solutions containing [Au(S2O3)2]3- or [Au(CN)2]-, and HSA, provided evidence for the formation of protein complexes in which intact gold molecules were non-covalently bound. In the case of [Au(S2O3)2]3-, these non-covalent complexes proved to be transitory in nature. However, for [Au(CN)2]- a non-covalent complex containing a single gold molecule bound to HSA was found to be stable, and constituted the main adduct formed in solutions containing low-to-medium Au-to-HSA ratios. Evidence was also obtained for the formation of a covalent adduct in which a single Au(CN) moiety was bonded to Cys34 of the protein. AuPEt3Cl reacted to a much lower extent with HSA that had Cys34 modified by formation of a disulfide bond to added cysteine, than with unmodified HSA. This suggests that the extent of modification of the protein in vivo may have an important influence on the transport and bioavailability of gold antiarthritic drugs.

Translational incorporation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine into proteins

An Escherichia coli cell-free transcription/translation system was used to explore the high-level incorporation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) into proteins by replacing tyrosine with DOPA in the reaction mixtures. ESI-MS showed specific incorporation of DOPA in place of tyrosine. More than 90% DOPA incorporation at each tyrosine site was achieved, allowing the recording of clean 15N-HSQC NMR spectra. A redox-staining method specific for DOPA was shown to provide a sensitive and generally applicable method for assessing the cell-free production of proteins. Of four proteins produced in soluble form in the presence of tyrosine, two resulted in insoluble aggregates in the presence of high levels of DOPA. DOPA has been found in human proteins, often in association with various disease states that implicate protein aggregation and/or misfolding. Our results suggest that misfolded and aggregated proteins may result, in principle, from ribosome-mediated misincorporation of intracellular DOPA accumulated due to oxidative stress. High-yield cell-free protein expression systems are uniquely suited to obtain rapid information on solubility and aggregation of nascent polypeptide chains.

Direct observation of covalent adducts with Cys34 of human serum albumin using mass spectrometry

The interactions of the unpaired thiol residue (Cys34) of human serum albumin (HSA) with low-molecular-weight thiols and an Au(I)-based antiarthritic drug have been examined using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Early measurements of the amount of HSA containing Cys34 as the free thiol suggested that up to 30% of circulating HSA bound cysteine as a mixed disulfide. It has also been suggested that reaction of HSA with cysteine, occurs only on handling and storage of plasma. In our experiments, there were three components of HSA in freshly collected plasma from normal volunteers, HSA, HSA+cysteine, and HSA+glucose in the ratio approximately 50:25:25. We addressed this controversy by using iodoacetamide to block the free thiol of HSA in fresh plasma, preventing its reaction with plasma cysteine. When iodoacetamide was injected into a vacutaner tube as blood was collected, the HSA was modified by iodoacetamide, with 20-30% present as the mixed disulfide with cysteine (HSA+cys). These data provide strong evidence that 20-30% of HSA in normal plasma contains one bound cysteine. Reaction of HSA with [Au(S(2)O(3))(2)](3-) resulted in formation of the adducts HSA+Au(S(2)O(3)) and HSA+Au. Reaction of HSA with iodoacetamide prior to treatment with [Au(S(2)O(3))(2)](3-) blocked the formation of gold adducts.

Identification of bifunctional GA and AG intrastrand crosslinks formed between cisplatin and DNA

A combination of enzymatic digestion and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used to characterise bifunctional adducts in which cisplatin is bound to GA base sequences in 8mer and 16mer oligonucleotides that do not contain other, higher affinity binding sites. The extent of formation of bifunctional adducts with GA base sequences was significant, but less than that seen with similar oligonucleotides containing either AG or GG sequences.

Stabilization of Native Protein Fold by Intein-Mediated Covalent Cyclization

A mutant version of the N-terminal domain of Escherichia coli DnaB helicase was used as a model system to assess the stabilization against unfolding gained by covalent cyclization. Cyclization was achieved in vivo by formation of an amide bond between the N and C termini with the help of a split mini-intein. Linear and circular proteins were constructed to be identical in amino acid sequence. Mutagenesis of Phe102 to Glu rendered the protein monomeric even at high concentration. A difference in free energy of unfolding, DeltaDeltaG, between circular and linear protein of 2.3(+/-0.5) kcal mol(-1) was measured at 10 degrees C by circular dichroism. A theoretical estimate of the difference in conformational entropy of linear and circular random chains in a three-dimensional cubic lattice model predicted DeltaDeltaG=2.3 kcal mol(-1), suggesting that stabilization by protein cyclization is driven by the reduced conformational entropy of the unfolded state. Amide-proton exchange rates measured by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry showed a uniform, approximately tenfold decrease of the exchange rates of the most slowly exchanging amide protons, demonstrating that cyclization globally decreases the unfolding rate of the protein. The amide proton exchange was found to follow EX1 kinetics at near-neutral pH, in agreement with an unusually slow refolding rate of less than 4 min(-1) measured by stopped-flow circular dichroism. The linear and circular proteins differed more in their unfolding than in their folding rates. Global unfolding of the N-terminal domain of E.coli DnaB is thus promoted strongly by spatial separation of the N and C termini, whereas their proximity is much less important for folding.

DNA-binding properties of cosmomycin D, an anthracycline with two trisaccharide chains

Cosmomycin D (CosD) is the major constituent fraction isolated from a culture of Streptomyces olindensis ICB20. The ability of this compound to intercalate with double-stranded DNA was studied by gel mobility shift assays and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). ESI-MS experiments showed that the complex of CosD with 16-mer double-stranded DNA was at least as stable as a complex of daunorubicin with the same DNA sequence. This is the first study showing DNA binding properties of an anthracycline containing a beta-rhodomycinone aglycone chromophore O-linked to two trisaccharide chains.

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

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

Comparison of the binding stoichiometries of positively charged DNA-binding drugs using positive and negative ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Positive and negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra of complexes of positively charged small molecules (distamycin, Hoechst 33258, [Ru(phen)2dpq]Cl2 and [Ru(phen)2dpqC]Cl2) have been compared. [Ru(phen)2dpq]Cl2 and [Ru(phen)2dpqC]Cl2 bind to DNA by intercalation. Negative ion ESI mass spectra of mixtures of [Ru(phen)2dpq]Cl2 or [Ru(phen)2dpqC]Cl2 with DNA showed ions from DNA-ligand complexes consistent with solution studies. In contrast, only ions from free DNA were present in positive ion ESI mass spectra of mixtures of [Ru(phen)2dpq]Cl2 or [Ru(phen)2dpqC]Cl2 with DNA, highlighting the need for obtaining ESI mass spectra of non-covalent complexes under a range of experimental conditions. Negative ion spectra of mixtures of the minor groove binder Hoechst 33258 with DNA containing a known minor groove binding sequence were dominated by ions from a 1:1 complex. In contrast, in positive ion spectra there were also ions present from a 2:1 (Hoechst 33258: DNA) complex, suggesting an alternative binding mode was possible either in solution or in the gas phase. When Hoechst 33258 was mixed with a DNA sequence lacking a high affinity minor groove binding site, the negative ion ESI mass spectra showed that 1:1 and 2:1 complexes were formed, consistent with existence of binding modes other than minor groove binding. The data presented suggest that comparison of positive and negative ion ESI-MS spectra might provide an insight into various binding modes in both solution and the gas phase.

Application of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to study the hydrophobic interaction between the epsilon and theta subunits of DNA polymerase III

The interactions between the N-terminal domain of the epsilon (epsilon186) and theta subunits of DNA polymerase III of Escherichia coli were investigated using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The epsilon186-theta complex was stable in 9 M ammonium actetate (pH 8), suggesting that hydrophobic interactions have a predominant contribution to the stability of the complex. Addition of primary alkanols to epsilon186-theta in 0.1 M ammonium acetate (pH 8), led to dissociation of the complex, as observed in the mass spectrometer. The concentrations of methanol, ethanol, and 1-propanol required to dissociate 50% of the complex were 8.9 M, 4.8 M, and 1.7 M, respectively. Closer scrutiny of the effect of alkanols on epsilon186, theta, and epsilon186-theta showed that epsilon186 formed soluble aggregates prior to precipitation, and that the association of epsilon186 with theta stabilized epsilon186. In-source collision-induced dissociation experiments and other results suggested that the epsilon186-theta complex dissociated in the mass spectrometer, and that the stability (with respect to dissociation) of the complex in vacuo was dependent on the solution from which it was sampled.