人组织型纤溶酶原激活剂（t—PA）突变体FrGGI的构建,表达及特性…

为了获得半衰期延长,特异活性提高及具有ＰＡＩ－１抗性的新型ｔ－ＰＡ溶性剂,利用基因重组及定位突变技术构建了ｔ－ＰＡ的Ｋ１、Ｋ２区糖基化位点消除,ＰＡＩ－１结合位点缺失,Ｆ与Ｅ区连接序列Ｈｉｓ４４￣Ｓｅｒ５０置换为纤粘蛋白Ｉ型Ｆ区间连接序列Ｇｌｕ Ｓｅｒ Ｌｙｓ Ｐｒｏ Ｇｌｕ Ａｌａ Ｇｌｕ Ｇｌｕ的ｔ－ＰＡ组合突变体ＦｒＧＧＩ,并在中国仓鼠卵巢细胞中获得了高效表达,对表达产物的生物学特性分析表明     

纤溶酶原激活物抑制因子—1突变体E350G,E351K的构建及性质研究

利用ＰＣＲ扩增和合成突变引物的方法,将ＰＡＩ－１的Ｇｌｕ３５０和Ｇｌｕ３５１分别突变为Ｇｌｙ和Ｌｙｓ在大肠杆菌中表达并分离纯化突变体ＰＡＩ－１（Ｅ３５０Ｇ,Ｅ３５１Ｋ）有 酸胍激活并以ＥＬＩＳＡ法确定它与野生型ｒＰＡＩ－１的相对含量,通过对ｕ－ＰＡ抑制的动力学研究表明,突变体与野生型ｒＰＡＩ－１相比,对ｕ－ＰＡ和ｔ－ＰＡ的抑制活性都有明显下降,由活性态向潜伏态转变的半寿期也由０．８３ｈ缩短为０．５     

纤溶酶原激活物抑制因子－1突变体E350G，E351K的构建及性质研究

利用ＰＣＲ扩增和合成突变引物的方法,将ＰＡＬ－１的Ｇｌｕ３５０和Ｇｌｕ３５１分别突变为Ｇｌｙ和Ｌｙｓ,在大肠杆菌中表达并分离纯化突变体ＰＡＬ－１（Ｅ３５０Ｇ,Ｅ３５１Ｋ）,用盐酸胍激活并以ＥＬＩＳＡ法确定它与野生型ｒＰＡＩ－１的相对含量。通过对ｕ－ＰＡ,ｔ－ＰＡ抑制的动力学研究表明,突变体与野生型ｒＰＡＩ－１相比,对ｕ－ＰＡ和ｔ－ＰＡ的抑制活性都有明显下降,由活性态向潜伏态转变的半寿期也由０．８３ｈ缩短为０．５７ｈ。     

凝血酶激活的单链尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活剂的构建、表达、纯化和性质研究

用Ｋｕｎｋｅｌ突变法,将单链尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活剂（ｓｃｕ－ＰＡ）ｃＤＮＡ基因中编码Ｐｒｏ１５５—Ｌｙｓ１５８的片段定点突变,并将此突变的ｓｃｕ－ＰＡ（ｔｓｃｕ－ＰＡ）的ｃＤＮＡ克隆到表达载体ｐＣＭ－β－ｎｅｏ中,与ｐＣＭ－ｄｈｆｒ共转染ＣＨＯ／ＤＨＦＲ－细胞．获得的稳定表达株在无血清培养基中２４ｈ的表达量为６２０ＩＵ／１０６细胞．经锌离子螯合Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ亲和层析得到ｔｓｃｕ－ＰＡ纯品．ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ显示ｔｓｃｕ－ＰＡ分子量为５３ｋＤ左右,与预期的结果相符．ｔｓｃｕ－ＰＡ是由凝血酶激活而不是由纤溶酶激活,但激活后也能转变为双链分子（ｔｃｕ－ＰＡ）．ｔｓｃｕ－ＰＡ仍保持了ｓｃｕ－ＰＡ的血纤维蛋白亲和性．酶动力学研究表明,激活后的ｔｓｃｕ－ＰＡ水解Ｓ２４４４的Ｋｍ和Ｋｃａｔ值与高分子量尿激酶（ＨＵＫ）相似．体外溶栓实验结果表明,ｔｓｃｕ－ＰＡ可以选择性地溶解富含凝血酶的血凝块,对贫凝血酶的血凝块作用不大     

抗真菌蛋白Rs—AFPs基因在大肠杆菌中的表达

将抗真菌蛋白Ｒｓ－ＡＦＰ１和Ｒｓ－ＡＦＰ２全长ｃＤＮＡ插入表达质粒ｐＥＴ－２２ｂ／ＮｃｏＩ＋ＳａｃＩ位点,构建成融合蛋白表达载体ｐＲＡＦ１和ｐＲＡＦ２．将不含信号肽编码序列的Ｒｓ－ＡＦＰ１和Ｒｓ－ＡＦＰ２ｃＤＮＡ分别插入ｐＥＴ－２２ｂ／Ｎｃｏｌ＋Ｓａｃｌ和ｐＥＴ－２２ｂ／Ｎｄｅｌ＋ＳａｃＩ位点,构建成不含信号肽序列的融合蛋白表达载体ｐＲＡＦ３、ｐＲＡＦ４和非融合蛋白表达载体ｐＲＡＦ５和ｐＲＡＦ６．将构建的上述各种表达载体转化Ｅ．ｃｏｌｉＢＬ２１,挑菌落培养,ＩＰＴＧ诱导,使Ｒｓ－ＡＦＰｓ基因得到表达,并用体外抑菌试验检测表达产物的活性,结果表明,各种表达载体的表达产物均具有不同程度的抑菌活性,其中,ｐＲＡＦ３和ｐＲＡＦ４表达产物的抑菌活性较明显．     

BIV—1—gp120在重组杆状病毒系统中的表达

将中国株ＨＩＶ－１Ｂ亚型ｇｐ１２０全基因序列克隆到杆状病毒转座载体ｐＦａｓｔＢａｃＩ中多角体启动子下游,构建成重组转座载体ｐＦａｓｔＢａｃＩ－ｇｐ１２０,利用细菌／杆状病毒（Ｂａｃ ｔｏ Ｂａｃ）表达系统筛选重组杆状病毒,在昆虫细胞Ｓｆ９中高效表达了ＨＩＶ－１的外膜糖蛋白ｇｐ１２０,ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ和Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ分析结果一致,证明表达了２种糖基化程度不同的ｇｐ１２０。     

半衰期延长获得PAI－1抗性的t—PA突变体的构建、表达及特性分析

用基因重级及定位突变技术成功地构建了ｔ－ＰＡ的Ｋ１区缺失突变体ｔ－ＰＡｄｅｌＫ１、ＰＡＩ－１结合位点缺失突变体ｔ－ＰＡｄｅｌ（２９６－３０２）及两的组合突变全ｔ－ＰＡｄｅｌ（Ｋ１,２９６－３０２）,并在ＣＯＳ－７细胞中实现三的暂时性表达,在ＣＨＯ细胞中实现了ｔ－ＰＡｄｅｌ（Ｋ１,２９６－３０２）的稳定性表达。对表达产物的生物学特性分析表明,ｔ－ＰＡｄｅｌ（２９６－３０２）及ｔ－ＰＡｄｅｌ（Ｋ１     

u-PA/t-PA嵌合型纤溶酶原激活剂(ut-PA)的构建、表达、纯化和性质研究

将尿激酶原（ｐｒｏ－ＵＫ）ｃＤＮＡ和组织型纤溶酶原激活剂（ｔ－ＰＡ）Ａ链ｃＤＮＡ克隆到Ｍ１３ｍｐ１８中,经过二次寡核甘酸诱导的大片段定点删除和一次寡核苷酸诱导的多位点突变,得到ｕ－ＰＡ（Ｌｅｕ１４４－Ｇｌｙ４０８）／ｔ－ＰＡ（Ｓｅｒ１－Ｔｈｒ２６３）（ｕｔ－ＰＡ）融合基因．将ｕｔ－ＰＡ融合基因克隆到表达载体ｐＣＭ－βｎｅｏ中,与ｐＣＭ－ｄｈｆｒ共转染ＣＨＯ／ＤＨＦＲ－细胞,筛选稳定表达株．收集无血清表达上清,经苯甲脒柱纯化得到ｕｔ－ＰＡ纯品,ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ和纤维蛋白自显影显示ｕｔ－ＰＡ有两种分子量形式,分子量分别为６８ｋＤ和６１ｋＤ．纤维蛋白亲和性试验表明,ＬＵＫ（低分子量尿激酶）对纤维蛋白没有亲和性,而含有ＬＵＫ的ｕｔ－ＰＡ则对纤维蛋白表现出很强的亲和性,但ｕｔ－ＰＡ的亲和性略低于亲本ｔ－ＰＡ．     

人胎肺细胞的条件化培养液中两种类型纤溶酶原活化物的分离

用正常人胎肺细胞体外培养,从其培养液中分离纤溶酶原活化物（ＰＡ）,通过ＣＭ－ＳｅｐｈａｄｅｘＣ－５０层析,硫酸铵沉淀和Ｆｉｂｒｉｎ－Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ,Ｌｙｓｉｎｅ－Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ亲和层析及ＳｅｐｈａｄｅｘＧ－５０凝胶过滤等步骤,从１０．５ｌ条件培养液中分离纯化得到两种类型的纤溶酶原活化物,ｔ－ＰＡ９０μｇ,ｕ－ＰＡ８００μｇ．在还原条件下ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ均显示单带,分子量ｔ－ＰＡ为７２ｋＤ,ｕ－ＰＡ为５４ｋＤ,纤溶比活分别为１５６０００ＩＵ／ｍｇ蛋白和１０６０００ＩＵ／ｍｇ蛋白．     

四川小麦地方品种Glt—1,Gli—2和Glu—1位点的遗传多样性

运用ＡＰＡＧＥ和ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ方法,研究了８９个四川小麦（Ｔｒｉｔｉｃｕｍ ａｅｓｔｉｖｕｍ Ｌ．）地方品种Ｇｌｉ－１、Ｇｌｉ－２、Ｇｌｕ－１位点的遗传多样性,在这些地方品种中,总共发现３２种醇溶蛋白带型和３种高分子谷蛋白带型。在Ｇｌｉ－１、Ｇｌｉ－２和Ｇｈｔ－１位点上,分别检测出１４．１５和５个等位基因。在每一个位点上,出现频率最高的等位基因分别为Ｇｌｉ－Ａｌｓ（８９％）,Ｇｌｉ－Ｂｌｈ（４６     

人组织型纤溶酶原激活剂(t-PA)突变体FrGGI的构建、表达及特性分析

为了获得半衰期延长,特异活性提高及具有PAI—1抗性的新型t-PA溶栓剂,利用基因重组及定位突变技术成功地构建了t-PA的K1、K2区糖基化位点消除,PAI-1结合位点缺失,F与E区连接序列His44～Ser50置换为纤粘蛋白Ⅰ型F区间连接序列GluSerLysProGluAlaGluGlu的t-PA的组合突变体FrGGI,并在中国仓鼠卵巢细胞中获得了高效表达。对表达产物的生物学特性分析表明,FrGGI在大鼠血浆中的半衰期延长了15倍,特异活性提高了40％,并获得了PAI-1抗性,是一株很有希望的新型溶栓剂候选株。     

Structure-function analysis of the DNA binding domain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ABF1.

To localize the DNA binding domain of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ars binding factor 1 (ABF1), a multifunctional DNA binding protein, plasmid constructs carrying point mutations and internal deletions in the ABF1 gene were generated and expressed in Escherichia coli. Normal and mutant ABF1 proteins were purified by affinity chromatography and their DNA binding activities were analyzed. The substitution of His61, Cys66 and His67 respectively, located in the zinc finger motif in the N-terminal region (amino acids 40-91), eliminated the DNA binding activity of ABF1 protein. Point mutations in the middle region of ABF1, specifically at Leu353, Leu399, Tyr403, Gly404, Phe410 and Lys434, also eliminated or reduced DNA binding activity. However, the DNA binding activity of point mutants of Ser307, Ser496 and Glu649 was the same as that of wild-type ABF1 protein and deletion mutants of amino acids 200-265, between the zinc finger region and the middle region (residues 323-496) retained DNA binding activity. As a result, we confirmed that the DNA binding domain of ABF1 appears to be bipartite and another DNA binding motif, other than the zinc finger motif, is situated between amino acid residues 323 and 496.     

Dissection of the energetic coupling across the Src SH2 domain-tyrosyl phosphopeptide interface

Src Homology (SH2) domains play critical roles in signaling pathways by binding to phosphotyrosine (pTyr)-containing sequences, thereby recruiting SH2 domain-containing proteins to tyrosine-phosphorylated sites on receptor molecules. Investigations of the peptide binding specificity of the SH2 domain of the Src kinase (Src SH2 domain) have defined the EEI motif C-terminal to the phosphotyrosine as the preferential binding sequence. A subsequent study that probed the importance of eight specificity-determining residues of the Src SH2 domain found two residues which when mutated to Ala had significant effects on binding: Tyr beta D5 and Lys beta D3. The mutation of Lys beta D3 to Ala was particularly intriguing, since a Glu to Ala mutation at the first (+1) position of the EEI motif (the residue interacting with Lys beta D3) did not significantly affect binding. Hence, the interaction between Lys beta D3 and +1 Glu is energetically coupled. This study is focused on the dissection of the energetic coupling observed across the SH2 domain-phosphopeptide interface at and around the +1 position of the peptide. It was found that three residues of the SH2 domain, Lys beta D3, Asp beta C8 and AspCD2 (altogether forming the so-called +1 binding region) contribute to the selection of Glu at the +1 position of the ligand. A double (Asp beta C8Ala, AspCD2Ala) mutant does not exhibit energetic coupling between Lys beta D3 and +1 Glu, and binds to the pYEEI sequence 0.3 kcal/mol tighter than the wild-type Src SH2 domain. These results suggest that Lys beta D3 in the double mutant is now free to interact with the +1 Glu and that the role of Lys beta D3 in the wild-type is to neutralize the acidic patch formed by Asp beta C8 and AspCD2 rather than specifically select for a Glu at the +1 position as it had been hypothesized previously. A triple mutant (Lys beta D3Ala, Asp beta C8Ala, AspCD2Ala) has reduced binding affinity compared to the double (Asp beta C8Ala, AspCD2Ala) mutant, yet binds the pYEEI peptide as well as the wild-type Src SH2 domain. The structural basis for such high affinity interaction was investigated crystallographically by determining the structure of the triple (Lys beta D3Ala, Asp beta C8Ala, AspCD2Ala) mutant bound to the octapeptide PQpYEEIPI (where pY indicates a phosphotyrosine). This structure reveals for the first time contacts between the SH2 domain and the -1 and -2 positions of the peptide (i.e. the two residues N-terminal to pY). Thus, unexpectedly, mutations in the +1 binding region affect binding of other regions of the peptide. Such additional contacts may account for the high affinity interaction of the triple mutant for the pYEEI-containing peptide.     

Appropriate function of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in the endoplasmic reticulum lumen is dependent on its N-terminal region sharing similar topological determinants with 50-kDa esterase

By interconverting glucocorticoids, 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) exerts an important pre-receptor function and is currently considered a promising therapeutic target. In addition, 11beta-HSD1 plays a potential role in 7-ketocholesterol metabolism. Here we investigated the role of the N-terminal region on enzymatic activity and addressed the relevance of 11beta-HSD1 orientation into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen. Previous studies revealed that the luminal orientation of 11beta-HSD1 and 50-kDa esterase/arylacetamide deacetylase (E3) is determined by their highly similar N-terminal transmembrane domains. Substitution of Lys(5) by Ser in 11beta-HSD1, but not of the analogous Lys(4) by Ile in E3, led to an inverted topology in the ER membrane, indicating the existence of a second topological determinant. Here we identified Glu(25)/Glu(26) in 11beta-HSD1 and Asp(25) in E3 as the second determinant for luminal orientation. Our results suggest that the exact location of specific residues rather than net charge distribution on either side of the helix is critical for membrane topology. Analysis of charged residues in the N-terminal domain revealed an essential role of Lys(35)/Lys(36) and Glu(25)/Glu(26) on enzymatic activity, suggesting that these residues are responsible for the observed stabilizing effect of the N-terminal membrane anchor on the catalytic domain of 11beta-HSD1. Moreover, activity measurements in intact cells expressing wild-type 11beta-HSD1, facing the ER lumen, or mutant K5S/K6S, facing the cytoplasm, revealed that the luminal orientation is essential for efficient oxidation of cortisol. Furthermore, we demonstrate that 11beta-HSD1, but not mutant K5S/K6S with cytoplasmic orientation, catalyzes the oxoreduction of 7-ketocholesterol. 11beta-HSD1 and E3 constructs with cytosolic orientation of their catalytic moiety should prove useful in future studies addressing the physiological function of these proteins.     

Importance of the hinge region between alpha-helix F and the main part of serpins, based upon identification of the epitope of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 neutralizing antibodies

The serpin plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) is an important protein in the regulation of fibrinolysis and inhibits its target proteinases through formation of a covalent complex. In the present study, we have identified the epitope of two PAI-1 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MA-33H1F7 and MA-55F4C12). Based upon differential cross-reactivity data of these monoclonals with PAI-1 from different species and on a sequence alignment between these PAI-1s, combined with the three-dimensional structure, we predicted that the residues Glu(128)-Val(129)-Glu(130)-Arg(131) and Lys(154) (at the hinge region between alpha-helix F and the main part of the PAI-1-molecule) might form the major site of interaction. Therefore a variety of alanine mutants were generated and evaluated for their affinity toward both monoclonal antibodies. The affinity constants of MA-55F4C12 and MA-33H1F7 for PAI-1 were 2.7 +/- 1.6 x 10(9) M(-1) and 5.4 +/- 1.7 x 10(9) M(-1), respectively, but decreased between 13- and 270-fold upon mutation of Lys(154) to Ala(154) or Glu(128)-Val(129)-Glu(130)-Arg(131) to Ala-Ala-Ala-Ala. The combined mutations (PAI-1-EVER/K), however, resulted in an absence of binding to either of the antibodies. Both antibodies bound to PAI-1-wt/t-PA complexes with a similar affinity as to PAI-1-wt (K(A) = 4-5 x 10(9) M(-1)). The epitope localization reveals the molecular basis for the neutralizing properties of both monoclonal antibodies. In addition, it provides new insights into the validity of various models that have been proposed for the serpin/proteinase complex, excluding full insertion of the reactive-site loop.     

A novel, specific interaction involving the Csk SH3 domain and its natural ligand.

C-terminal Src kinase (Csk) takes part in a highly specific, high affinity interaction via its Src homology 3 (SH3) domain with the proline-enriched tyrosine phosphatase PEP in hematopoietic cells. The solution structure of the Csk-SH3 domain in complex with a 25-residue peptide from the Pro/Glu/Ser/Thr-rich (PEST) domain of PEP reveals the basis for this specific peptide recognition motif involving an SH3 domain. Three residues, Ala 40, Thr 42 and Lys 43, in the SH3 domain of Csk specifically recognize two hydrophobic residues, Ile 625 and Val 626, in the proline-rich sequence of the PEST domain of PEP. These two residues are C-terminal to the conventional proline-rich SH3 domain recognition sequence of PEP. This interaction is required in addition to the classic polyproline helix (PPII) recognition by the Csk-SH3 domain for the association between Csk and PEP in vivo. NMR relaxation analysis suggests that Csk-SH3 has different dynamic properties in the various subsites important for peptide recognition.     

Engineering subtilisin E for enhanced stability and activity in polar organic solvents

We examined the effect of a novel disulfide bond engineered in subtilisin E from Bacillus subtilis based on the structure of a thermophilic subtilisin-type serine protease aqualysin I. Four sites (Ser163/Ser194, Lys170/Ser194, Lys170/Glu195, and Pro172/Glu195) in subtilisin E were chosen as candidates for Cys substitutions by site-directed mutagenesis. The Cys170/Cys195 mutant subtilisin formed a disulfide bond in B. subtilis, and showed a 5-10-fold increase in specific activity for an authentic peptide substrate for subtilisin, N-succinyl-L-Ala-L-Ala-L-Pro-L-Phe-p-nitroanilide, compared with the single-Cys mutants. However, the disulfide mutant had a 50% decrease in catalytic efficiency due to a smaller k(cat) and was thermolabile relative to the wild-type enzyme, whereas it was greatly stabilized relative to its reduced form. These results suggest that an electrostatic interaction between Lys170 and Glu195 is important for catalysis and stability in subtilisin E. Interestingly, the disulfide mutant was found to be more stable in polar organic solvents, such as dimethylformamide and ethanol, than the wild-type enzyme, even under reducing conditions; this is probably due to the substitution of uncharged Cys by charged surface residues (Lys170 and Glu195). Further, the amino-terminal engineered disulfide bond (Gly61Cys/Ser98Cys) and the mutation Ile31Leu were introduced to enhance the stability and catalytic activity. A prominent 3-4-fold increase in the catalytic efficiency occurred in the quintet mutant enzyme over the range of dimethylformamide concentration (up to 40%).     

Localization of von willebrand factor-binding sites for platelet glycoprotein Ib and botrocetin by charged-to-alanine scanning mutagenesis

At sites of vascular injury, von Willebrand factor (VWF) mediates platelet adhesion through binding to platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb). Previous studies identified clusters of charged residues within VWF domain A1 that were involved in binding GPIb or botrocetin. The contribution of 28 specific residues within these clusters was analyzed by mutating single amino acids to alanine. Binding to a panel of six conformation-dependent monoclonal antibodies was decreased by mutations at Asp(514), Asp(520), Arg(552), and Arg(611) (numbered from the N-terminal Ser of the mature processed VWF), suggesting that these residues are necessary for domain A1 folding. Binding of (125)I-botrocetin was decreased by mutations at Arg(629), Arg(632), Arg(636), and Lys(667). Ristocetin-induced and botrocetin-induced binding to GPIb both were decreased by mutations at Lys(599), Arg(629), and Arg(632); among this group the K599A mutant was unique because (125)I-botrocetin binding was normal, suggesting that Lys(599) interacts directly with GPIb. Ristocetin and botrocetin actions on VWF were dissociated readily by mutagenesis. Ristocetin-induced binding to GPIb was reduced selectively by substitutions at positions Lys(534), Arg(571), Lys(572), Glu(596), Glu(613), Arg(616), Glu(626), and Lys(642), whereas botrocetin-induced binding to GPIb was decreased selectively by mutations at Arg(636) and Lys(667). The binding of monoclonal antibody B724 involved Lys(660) and Arg(663), and this antibody inhibits (125)I-botrocetin binding to VWF. The crystal structure of the A1 domain suggests that the botrocetin-binding site overlaps the monoclonal antibody B724 epitope on helix 5 and spans helices 4 and 5. The binding of botrocetin also activates the nearby VWF-binding site for GPIb that involves Lys(599) on helix 3.     

The specificity of carboxypeptidase Y may be altered by changing the hydrophobicity of the S'1 binding pocket.

The S'1 binding pocket of carboxypeptidase Y is hydrophobic, spacious, and open to solvent, and the enzyme exhibits a preference for hydrophobic P'1 amino acid residues. Leu272 and Ser297, situated at the rim of the pocket, and Leu267, slightly further away, have been substituted by site-directed mutagenesis. The mutant enzymes have been characterized kinetically with respect to their P'1 substrate preferences using the substrate series FA-Ala-Xaa-OH (Xaa = Leu, Glu, Lys, or Arg) and FA-Phe-Xaa-OH (Xaa = Ala, Val, or Leu). The results reveal that hydrophobic P'1 residues bind in the vicinity of residue 272 while positively charged P'1 residues interact with Ser297. Introduction of Asp or Glu at position 267 greatly reduced the activity toward hydrophobic P'1 residues (Leu) and increased the activity two- to three-fold for the hydrolysis of substrates with Lys or Arg in P'1. Negatively charged substituents at position 272 reduced the activity toward hydrophobic P'1 residues even more, but without increasing the activity toward positively charged P'1 residues. The mutant enzyme L267D + L272D was found to have a preference for substrates with C-terminal basic amino acid residues. The opposite situation, where the positively charged Lys or Arg were introduced at one of the positions 267, 272, or 297, did not increase the rather low activity toward substrates with Glu in the P'1 position but greatly reduced the activity toward substrates with C-terminal Lys or Arg due to electrostatic repulsion. The characterized mutant enzymes exhibit various specificities, which may be useful in C-terminal amino acid sequence determinations.     

Lysine-50 is a likely site for anchoring the plasminogen N-terminal peptide to lysine-binding kringles.

Interactions between the kringle 4 (K4) domain of human plasminogen (Pgn) and segments of the N-terminal Glu1-Lys77 peptide (NTP) have been investigated via 1H-NMR at 500 MHz. NTP peptide stretches devoid of Lys residues but carrying an internal Arg residue show negligible affinity toward K4 (equilibrium association constant Ka < 0.05 mM(-1)). In contrast, while most fragments containing an internal Lys residue exhibit affinities comparable to that shown by the blocked Lys derivative Nalpha-acetyl-L-lysine-methyl ester (Ka approximately 0.2 mM(-1), peptides encompassing Lys50O consistently show higher Ka values. Among the investigated linear peptides, Nalpha-acetyl-Ala-Phe-Tyr-His-Ser-Ser-Lys5O-Glu-Gln-NH2 (AcAFYHSK5OEQ-NH2) exhibits the strongest interaction with K4 (Ka approximately 1.4 mM(-1)), followed by AcYHSK50EQ-NH2 (Ka approximately 0.9 mM(-1)). Relative to the wild-type sequence, mutated hexapeptides exhibit lesser affinity for K4. When a Lys50 --> Ser mutation was introduced (==> AcYHSS50EQ-NH2), binding was abolished. The Ile27-lle56 construct (L-NTP) contains the Lys50 site within a loop constrained by two cystine bridges. The propensity of recombinant Pgn K1 (rK1) and K2 (rK2) modules, and of Pgn fragments encompassing the intact K4 and K5 domains, for binding L-NTP, was investigated. We find that L-NTP interacts with rK1, rK2, K4, and K5-all lysine-binding kringles-in a fashion that closely mimics what has been observed for the Glul-HSer57 N-terminal fragment of Pgn (CB-NTP). Thus, both the constellation of kringle lysine binding site (LBS) aromatic residues that are perturbed upon complexation of L-NTP and magnitudes of kringle-L-NTP binding affinities (rK1, Ka approximately 4.3 mM(-1); rK2, Ka approximately 3.7 mM(-1; K4, Ka approximately 6.4 mM(1); and K5, Ka approximately 2.1 mM(-1)) are essentially the same as for the corresponding kringle-CB-NTP pairs. Molecular modeling studies suggest that the Glu39-Lys50 stretch in NTP generates an area that complements, both topologically and electrostatically, the solvent-exposed kringle LBS surface.