江浙蝮蛇毒酸性与碱性磷脂酶A2溶液构象变化的差示扫…

运用差示扫描量热法,在不同ＰＨ值的缓冲溶液内和各种浓度的碱土族氯化溶液内,研究了来自江浙蝮蛇毒的酸性与碱性磷脂酶Ａ２的热变性过程。得到表征这两种酶深液构象变化的热力学参数。依据这些参数研究了两者的溶液构象及其变化。在ＰＨ４．５以下,分子净荷正电的这两种酶在溶液中不形成可热致伸展的有序构象;ＰＨ高于４．５时,Ａｓｐ和Ｇｌｕ的侧链羧基以负离子形式存在有利于有序构象的稳定。Ｈｉｓ是决定ＰＬＡ２活力和热稳     

尖吻蝮蛇酸性磷脂酶A2的纯化和初步晶体学

为进一步揭示影响血小板聚集活性的结构基础,纯化了江西尖吻蝮蛇（Ａｇｋｉｓｔｒａｄｕｎ ａｃｕｔｕｓ）酸性磷脂酶Ａ２。江西省吻蝮蛇蛇毒经ＣＭ－Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ离子交换柱层析,两步ＤＥＡＥ－Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ离子交换柱层析以及Ｍｏｎｏ）ＧＦＰＬ离子交换柱层析,得到了ＳＤＳ聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳和等和集电泳均一的磷脂酶Ａ２（ＰＬＡ２）,其分子量为１６．５ＫＤ,等电点为４．３,经测定,该酶具有抑制ＡＤＰ诱地     

蚯蚓体内一种纤溶酶原激活剂(e-PA)对ATEE的降解

赤子爱胜蚓（Ｅｉｓｅｎｉａｆｅｔｉｄａ）体内的一种纤溶酶原激活剂（ｅ－ＰＡ）能够降解人工合成底物Ｎ－乙酰－Ｌ－酪氨酸乙酯（ＡＴＥＥ）,该降解反应的最适ｐＨ为８．５,而且在０．２ｍｏｌ／ＬＮａ２ＨＰＯ４中的活性要强于在０．０５ｍｏｌ／ＬＴｒｉｓ－ＨＣｌ（ｐＨ８．５）中．分别测定了ｅ－ＰＡ的大小亚基及全酶在０．２ｍｏｌ／ＬＮａ２ＨＰＯ４与０．０５ｍｏｌ／ＬＴｒｉｓ－ＨＣｌ（ｐＨ８．５）两种体系中的Ｋｍ和Ｋｃａｔ．结果表明,在０．２ｍｏｌ／ＬＮａ２ＨＰＯ４中,全酶的ＡＴＥＥ活性远远高于大小亚基单独的ＡＴＥＥ活性,而在０．０５ｍｏｌ／ＬＴｒｉｓ－ＨＣｌ（ｐＨ８．５）中则没有这种现象．从蛋白质结构的角度对这一结果作了解释．用不同抑制剂和ｅ－ＰＡ作用,结果表明,ｐｅｐｓｔａｔｉｎ,Ｅ－６４和ＥＤＴＡ对ｅ－ＰＡ的ＡＴＥＥ活性都有不同程度的抑制,这一点与ｅ－ＰＡ的ＢＡＥＥ活性不同．     

黑曲霉ρ-葡萄糖甘酶的提纯与性质

从黑曲霉Ａｓｐｅｒｇｉｌｕｓｎｉｇｅｒ发酵液中分离提纯了β－葡萄糖苷酶。提纯步骤通过（ＮＨ４）２ＳＯ４分级沉淀,ＤＥＡＥ－ＳｅｐｈａｄｅｘＡ－５０和ＳｅｐｈａｄｅｘＧ－１００等三步纯化,得到凝胶电泳均一的β－葡萄糖苷酶。该酶的最适ｐＨ４．５,最适温度６０℃,Ｋｍ为０．４４（ＮＰＧ）,并有较好的热稳定性。用ＳＤＳ－凝胶电泳法和凝胶色谱法测得该酶的分子量为１２００００     

尖吻蝮蛇毒磷脂酶A2基因的克隆与序列分析

从尖吻蝮蛇毒腺中抽提总ＲＮＡ,经ＲＴＰＣＲ扩增磷脂酶Ａ２的基因,以江浙蝮蛇的酸性磷脂酶Ａ２基因为探针杂交筛选克隆,分离得到４种磷脂酶Ａ２基因。经双向测序测定了这些磷脂酶Ａ２同功酶基因的全序列,并由此推导出编码的氨基酸序列。运用计算机软件推算了它们的等电点,按照等电点和结构特征将它们分别命名为尖吻蝮蛇毒酸性磷脂酶Ａ２Ｉ（Ａ．ａＡＰＬＡ２Ｉ）、尖吻蝮蛇毒酸性磷脂酶Ａ２ＩＩ（Ａ．ａＡＰＬＡ２ＩＩ）、尖吻蝮蛇毒碱性磷脂酶Ａ２（Ａ．ａＢＰＬＡ２）和尖吻蝮蛇毒Ｌｙｓ４９磷脂酶Ａ２（Ａ．ａＬｙｓ４９ＰＬＡ２）。其中Ａ．ａＡＰＬＡ２Ｉ的１～１０位氨基酸残基序列同以前分离得到的尖吻蝮蛇酸性磷脂酶Ａ２已测定的１～１０位氨基酸残基序列完全一致。Ａ．ａＬｙｓ４９ＰＬＡ２基因则由于其推导出的４９位氨基酸残基由Ｌｙｓ代替了Ａｓｐ而区别于以前克隆到的磷脂酶Ａ２基因。最后运用计算机软件比较了它们的同源性。这一组磷脂酶Ａ２基因的克隆,将为进一步研究磷脂酶Ａ２的结构与功能的关系提供更多的信息。     

β-葡萄糖苷酶的分离纯化和性质研究

β－葡萄糖苷酶是纤维素酶的重要组分之一,它不仅可水解纤维二糖和寡糖,更可解除纤维二糖对β－１,４－内切葡聚糖酶和外切葡聚糖酶的抑制,提高水解速率和程度．利用ＳｅｐｈａｄｅｘＧ－１５０和ＤＥＡＥ－ＳｅｐｈａｄｅｘＡ－５０层析法从黑曲霉变异株Ｌ－２２中分离提纯了β－葡萄糖苷酶,该酶是由两个分子量相同的亚基组成的二聚体,每个亚基分子量为２０３ｋＤ．该酶最适ｐＨ为４．８,ｐＨ稳定范围在３．６～６．４;最适温度是６０℃,温度稳定范围为４～６０℃;酶分子含糖量为８．３５％．它是一个酸性β－葡萄糖苷水解酶,专一性地水解β－糖苷键．而不水解α－糖苷键,对短链底物表现了相对高的活力．用动力学分析和共价化学修饰方法探讨了与该酶活力有关的必需基团．由ｐＨ对ｌｇＶｍ和ｌｇＶｍ／Ｋｍ的影响,推测出酶活性部位至少有两个可解离基团为酶活性所必需,它们在酶－底物复合物中的ｐＫｅｓ１和ｐＫｅｓ２的值分别为４．０和５．６,在游离酶中的ｐＫ值分别为４．２和５．９．由此可初步判断这两个可解离基团可能为组氨酸和含羧基的氨基酸,它们与酶的催化和底物结合可能有关．     

菜豆幼苗EPSP合成酶的分离纯化和它的部分性质

利用硫酸铵分级沉淀,Ｓｅｐｈｅｄｅｘ Ｇ－５０凝胶柱层析,ＦＰＬＣ Ｍｏｎｏ－Ｑ和磷酸纤维素离子层析法从菜豆幼苗中分离提纯了ＥＰＳＰ合成酶。该酶被纯化２９６１．６倍,比活性达到６２１９．４ｎｍｏｌｍｇ＾－１蛋白ｍｉｎ＾－１。该酶分子量经ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ检测为５１ｋＤ,等电点为ｐＨ５．７,酶促反应最适ｐＨ７．５,最适温度４５℃。６．２μｍｏｌ／Ｌ的除草剂草甘膦能抑制ＥＰＳＰ合成酶活性的５０％。     

芳香黄杆菌弹性蛋白酶的纯化及性质研究

报道了弹性蛋白亲和层析分离纯化芳香黄杆菌产胞外弹性蛋白酶。经一步柱层析可获聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳均一的酶制品,收率可达５０％,并制备了酶的结晶。该酶在ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ上测得分子量为２１３８０,ＩＥＦ－ＰＡＧＥ测得等电点８．９,最适作用温度为５０℃,最适作用ｐＨ为７．４,在４０℃以下热稳定性良好,ｐＨ４．５－９．５范围内稳定,重金属离子Ｆｅ３＋、Ｚｎ２＋、Ｃｒ３＋、Ｃｏ２＋、Ｈｇ２＋、Ｎｉ２＋、Ａｇ＋、Ｃｕ２＋等严重抑制酶活性,黄杆菌弹性蛋白酶除了特异水解弹性蛋白外,对干酪素、血纤维蛋白、白蛋白、明胶、血红蛋白等多种蛋白质均能水解。     

嗜热脂肪芽孢杆菌DNA解链蛋白1的纯化及性质

以嗜热脂肪芽孢杆菌为材料,通过ＰｏｌｙｍｉｎＰ沉淀,硫酸铵分级及Ｐｈｅｎｙｌ－Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ,ＤＥＡＥ纤维素,磷酸纤维素,ＦＰＬＣ ＭｏｎｏＱ,ＦＰＬＣ Ｓｕｐｅｒｏｓｅ１２等柱层析,得到部分纯化的ＤＮＡ解链蛋白１。ＢｓｔＨ１具有依赖ＤＮＡ和Ｍｇ＾２＋的ＡＴＰ酶活力,不同类型的核酸对ＢｓｔＨ１的ＡＴＰ酶活力的促进作用不同。     

钙离子对江浙蝮蛇毒酸性磷脂酶A_2结构与功能的影响

钙离子在江浙蝮蛇毒酸性磷脂酶Ａ_２中的作用是多方面的。它不仅能够引起酸性磷脂酶Ａ_２在溶液中构象的变化,而且对该酶活性有较大的影响。Ｃａ~（２＋）为酶活力所必需,当Ｃａ~（２＋）浓度达到０．０６ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ时,酶表现出很高的活力;Ｃａ~（２＋）浓度超过０．５ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ时,催化反应出现一个明显的延滞期。化学修饰表明Ｈｉｓ_（４７）在表现活力方面起重要作用,Ｃａ~（２＋）的存在可降低其修饰反应的速度,提示这是由于Ｃａ~（２＋）引起构象发生变化而造成的。     

Protein interactions and misfolding analyzed by AFM force spectroscopy

Protein misfolding is conformational transition dramatically facilitating the assembly of protein molecules into aggregates of various morphologies. Spontaneous formation of specific aggregates, mostly amyloid fibrils, was initially believed to be limited to proteins involved in the development of amyloidoses. However, recent studies show that, depending on conditions, the majority of proteins undergo structural transitions leading to the appearance of amyloidogenic intermediates followed by aggregate formation. Various techniques have been used to characterize the protein misfolding facilitating the aggregation process, but no direct evidence as to how such a conformational transition increases the intermolecular interactions has been obtained as of yet. We have applied atomic force microscopy (AFM) to follow the interaction between protein molecules as a function of pH. These studies were performed for three unrelated and structurally distinctive proteins, alpha-synuclein, amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) and lysozyme. It was shown that the attractive force between homologous protein molecules is minimal at physiological pH and increases dramatically at acidic pH. Moreover, the dependence of the pulling forces is sharp, suggesting a pH-dependent conformational transition within the protein. Parallel circular dichroism (CD) measurements performed for alpha-synuclein and Abeta revealed that the decrease in pH is accompanied by a sharp conformational transition from a random coil at neutral pH to the more ordered, predominantly beta-sheet, structure at low pH. Importantly, the pH ranges for these conformational transitions coincide with those of pulling forces changes detected by AFM. In addition, protein self-assembly into filamentous aggregates studied by AFM imaging was shown to be facilitated at pH values corresponding to the maximum of pulling forces. Overall, these results indicate that proteins at acidic pH undergo structural transition into conformations responsible for the dramatic increase in interprotein interaction and promoting the formation of protein aggregates.     

Characterization of intrinsically disordered proteins with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry: Conformational heterogeneity of α‐synuclein

Conformational heterogeneity of α‐synuclein was studied with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry by analyzing protein ion charge state distributions, where the extent of multiple charging reflects compactness of the protein conformations in solution. Although α‐synuclein lacks a single well‐defined structure under physiological conditions, it was found to sample four distinct conformational states, ranging from a highly structured one to a random coil. The compact highly structured state of α‐synuclein is present across the entire range of conditions tested (pH ranging from 2.5 to 10, alcohol content from 0% to 60%), but is particularly abundant in acidic solutions. The only other protein state populated in acidic solutions is a partially folded intermediate state lacking stable tertiary structure. Another, more compact intermediate state is induced by significant amounts of ethanol used as a co‐solvent and appears to represent a partially folded conformation with high β‐sheet content. Protein dimerization is observed throughout the entire range of conditions tested, although only acidic solutions favor formation of highly structured dimers of α‐synuclein. These dimers are likely to present the earliest stages in protein aggregation leading to globular oligomers and, subsequently, protofibrils. Proteins 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

NMR structures of the histidine-rich peptide LAH4 in micellar environments: membrane insertion, pH-dependent mode of antimicrobial action, and DNA transfection

The LAH4 family of histidine-rich peptides exhibits potent antimicrobial and DNA transfection activities, both of which require interactions with cellular membranes. The bilayer association of the peptides has been shown to be strongly pH-dependent, with in-planar alignments under acidic conditions and transmembrane orientations when the histidines are discharged. Therefore, we investigated the pH- and temperature-dependent conformations of LAH4 in DPC micellar solutions and in a TFE/PBS solvent mixture. In the presence of detergent and at pH 4.1, LAH4 adopts helical conformations between residues 9 and 24 concomitantly with a high hydrophobic moment. At pH 6.1, a helix-loop-helix structure forms with a hinge encompassing residues His¹⁰-Ala¹³. The data suggest that the high density of histidine residues and the resulting electrostatic repulsion lead to both a decrease in the pK values of the histidines and a less stable α-helical conformation of this region. The hinged structure at pH 6.1 facilitates membrane anchoring and insertion. At pH 7.8, the histidines are uncharged and an extended helical conformation including residues 4-21 is again obtained. LAH4 thus exhibits a high degree of conformational plasticity. The structures provide a stroboscopic view of the conformational changes that occur during membrane insertion, and are discussed in the context of antimicrobial activity and DNA transfection.     

Dynamic conformational equilibria in the physiological function of the Bombyx mori pheromone-binding protein

The Bombyx mori pheromone-binding protein (BmorPBP) undergoes a pH-dependent conformational transition from a form at basic pH, which contains an open cavity suitable for ligand binding (BmorPBP^B), to a form at pH 4.5, where this cavity is occupied by an additional helix (BmorPBP^A). This helix α7 is formed by the C-terminal dodecapeptide 131-142, which is flexibly disordered on the protein surface in BmorPBP^B and in its complex with the pheromone bombykol. Previous work showed that the ligand-binding cavity cannot accommodate both bombykol and helix α7. Here we further investigated mechanistic aspects of the physiologically crucial ejection of the ligand at lower pH values by solution NMR studies of the variant protein BmorPBP(1-128), where the C-terminal helix-forming tetradecapeptide is removed. The NMR structure of the truncated protein at pH 6.5 corresponds closely to BmorPBP^B. At pH 4.5, BmorPBP(1-128) maintains a B-type structure that is in a slow equilibrium, on the NMR chemical shift timescale, with a low-pH conformation for which a discrete set of ¹⁵N-¹H correlation peaks is NMR unobservable. The full NMR spectrum was recovered upon readjusting the pH of the protein solution to 6.5. These data reveal dual roles for the C-terminal tetradecapeptide of BmorPBP in the mechanism of reversible pheromone binding and transport, where it governs dynamic equilibria between two locally different protein conformations at acidic pH and competes with the ligand for binding to the interior cavity.     

pH dependence of the urea and guanidine hydrochloride denaturation of ribonuclease A and ribonuclease T1

To investigate the pH dependence of the conformational stability of ribonucleases A and T1, urea and guanidine hydrochloride denaturation curves have been determined over the pH range 2-10. The maximum conformational stability of both proteins is about 9 kcal/mol and occurs near pH 4.5 for ribonuclease T1 and between pH 7 and 9 for ribonuclease A. The pH dependence suggests that electrostatic interactions among the charged groups make a relatively small contribution to the conformational stability of these proteins. The dependence of delta G on urea concentration increases from about 1200 cal mol-1 M-1 at high pH to about 2400 cal mol-1 M-1 at low pH for ribonuclease A. This suggests that the unfolded conformations of RNase A become more accessible to urea as the net charge on the molecule increases. For RNase T1, the dependence of delta G on urea concentration is minimal near pH 6 and increases at both higher and lower pH. An analysis of information of this type for several proteins in terms of a model developed by Tanford [Tanford, C. (1964) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 86, 2050-2059] suggests that the unfolded states of proteins in urea and GdnHCl solutions may differ significantly in the extent of their interaction with denaturants. Thus, the conformations assumed by unfolded proteins may depend to at least some extent on the amino acid sequence of the protein.     

Effects of pH and urea on the conformational properties of subtilisin DY

Subtilisin DY is very resistant to the denaturing action of urea: the conformational properties are not affected up to 4.5 M-urea, and even in the presence of 8 M-urea there is only a slow loss of ordered structure and caseinolytic activity. C.d. and fluorescence-emission studies also show that this proteinase is stable in the 5.5-10.0 pH range, whereas below pH 5.5 a sharp denaturation occurs that is complete at pH 4.5. Protein denaturation leads to a change of the emission quantum yield; in particular, in the native protein, indole fluorescence is quenched by some amino groups. Moreover, subtilisin DY possesses two classes of tyrosine residues: one class of exposed residues titrates normally, with pKapp. = 10.24, whereas one class of partially buried or hydrogen-bonded residues ionizes with pKapp. = 11.58. In general, such conformational properties resemble those of other subtilisins. However, some differences occur: e.g., subtilisin DY is less stable at acidic pH values and its tyrosine residues are more accessible to the solvent. Such differences are probably due to small variations of the three-dimensional structure; e.g., subtilisin DY has a slightly lower alpha-helix content.     

Solution structure and conformational heterogeneity of acylphosphatase from Bacillus subtilis

Acylphosphatase is a small enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of acyl phosphates. Here, we present the solution structure of acylphosphatase from Bacillus subtilis (BsAcP), the first from a Gram-positive bacterium. We found that its active site is disordered, whereas it converted to an ordered state upon ligand binding. The structure of BsAcP is sensitive to pH and it has multiple conformations in equilibrium at acidic pH (pH < 5.8). Only one main conformation could bind ligand, and the relative population of these states is modulated by ligand concentration. This study provides direct evidence for the role of ligand in conformational selection.     

Effect of sodium ion concentration on transfer RNA conformation in solution studied by Rayleigh light scattering

The sodium ion concentration dependent conformational changes of transfer RNA (unfractionated tRNA from baker's yeast) have been studied in unbuffered aqueous solutions by Rayleigh light scattering. Changes of the optical parameters of the molecule indicated the following conformational changes of tRNA with increasing NaCl concentration: in salt-free solution tRNA molecules have an irregular hairpin loop-like structure in which the orientation of base rings is not correlated. Upon addition of a small amount of NaCl (0.005 M) an increasing ordering of this structure is observed. In 0.1 M-NaCl the molecule has an extended structure with ordered regions (arms). Further increase of sodium ion concentration up to 2 M results in folding of the extended structure and formation of a compact and rigid conformation in which most of the bases are nearly perpendicular to the symmetry axis of the molecule.     

Conformation and intermolecular interactions of carbohydrate chains

For consideration of their conformations and interactions, carbohydrate chains can conveniently be divided into 3 classes on the basis of their covalent structure; namely periodic (a), interrupted periodic (b), and aperiodic (c) types. In aqueous solution carbohydrate chains often exist as highly disordered random coils. Under appropriate conditions, however, polysaccharides of types (a) and (b) can adopt a variety of ordered conformations. Physical methods, and in particular optical rotation, circular dichroism, and nuclear magnetic resonance, provide sensitive probes for the study of the mechanism and specificity of these disorder-order transitions in aqueous solution. Intermolecular interactions between such polysaccharide chains arise from co-operative associations of long structurally regular regions which adopt the ordered conformations. For acidic polysaccharides these cooperative associations may involve alignment of extended ribbons with cations sandwhiched between them. In other systems the interactions involve double belices which may then aggregate further, and geometric “matching” of different polysaccharide chains can also occur. These ordered, associated regions are generally terminated by deviations from structural regularity or by “kinks” which prevent complete aggregation of the molecules. The complex carbohydrate chains which occur at the periphery of animal cells have very different, aperiodic structures and although their conformations are as yet poorly understood, preliminary indications are considered.     

Optical properties of hyaluronic acid. Ultraviolet circular dichroism and optical rotatory dispersion

The molar optical rotation at 220 nm and ellipticity values at 210 nm of both sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid are greatly enhanced in comparison to the values for the monomeric units and oligosaccharides indicating a degree of preferred order. With increasing hydrogen ion concentration, there is no appreciable change in the 210 nm circular dichroic band, but the second circular dichroic band below pH 4 changes abruptly to the positive side and reaches a maximum value at pH 2·5. This positive circular dichroic band of hyaluronic acid is temperature and concentration dependent. The major change in sign and position of the second circular dichroic band of hyaluronic acid below pH 4 is attributed to the conformational change of a single polysaccharide chain or to a chain-chain interaction. The results indicate that increase in concentration or decrease in temperature and in the ionization of carboxyl group promotes the formation of ordered cross-link regions. The conformational changes found in solution have been interpreted as an order-disorder transition in the crosslink regions based on the interconversion of random coil and double helix.