Conformational flexibility of the regulatory site of phosphoribulokinase as demonstrated with bifunctional reagents.

Phosphoribulokinase (PRK) is one of several chloroplastic enzymes whose activity is regulated by thiol-disulfide exchange via thioredoxin. Activation entails reduction of an active-site disulfide bond between Cys16 and Cys55. Bifunctional cross-linking reagents have been used to approximate the interresidue distance between Cys16 and Cys55, an issue which impinges on the relative conformational states of the activated and deactivated forms of the enzyme. Spinach PRK is rapidly inactivated by stoichiometric levels of 4,4'-difluoro-3,3'-dinitrodiphenyl sulfone (FNPS) or 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DFNB), which span 9 and 3.5 A, respectively. ATP, but not ribulose 5-phosphate, retards the rate of inactivation, suggesting that modification has occurred at the nucleotide binding domain of the active site. Sulfhydryl modification is indicated by partial reversibility of inactivation as effected by exogenous thiols. Tryptic mapping by reverse-phase chromatography of [14C]carboxymethylated enzyme, subsequent to its reaction with either FNPS or DFNB, demonstrates modification of Cys16 and Cys55 by both reagents, and formation of only one major chromophoric peptide in each case. On the basis of the sequence analysis of the purified chromophoric peptides, Cys16 and Cys55 are cross-linked by both FNPS and DFNB. Thus, the intrasubunit distance between the beta-sulfhydryls of Cys16 and Cys55 is dynamic rather than static. Diminished conformational flexibility upon oxidation of the regulatory sulfhydryls to a disulfide may be partially responsible for the concomitant loss of enzymatic activity.     

Organization of thiol groups of electric-eel electric-organ sodium-plus-potassium ion-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase studied with bifunctional reagents.

The reactions of three bifunctional thiol-blocking reagents of differing cross-linking spans and two monofunctional thiol-blocking reagents with the Na+ + K+-stimulated ATPase of the electric-eel electric organ were examined. 1,5-Difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene with a cross-linking span of 0.3--0.5 nm (3--5 A) and high solubility in non-polar solvent was the most efficient inhibitor of enzyme activity; thus essential thiol groups exist in a non-polar environment and are approx. 0.3--0.5 nm (3--5 A) from their nearest thiol-group neighbours. Ligands promoting phosphorylation of the Na+ + K+-stimulated ATPase decreased the number of thiol groups bridged by 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and by 4,4'-difluoro-3,3'-dinitrodiphenyl sulphone [0.7--1.0 nm (7--10 A) span]. Phosphorylation is associated with a conformational change in the enzyme.     

Inhibition of polymorphonuclear leukocyte functions by fluorinated nitrobenzenes

The bifunctional fluorinated nitrobenzenes, 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DFDNB) and 4,4'-difluoro-3,3'-dinitrodiphenyl sulfone (DFDNDPS), and the monofunctional 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (FDNB) inhibit chemotaxis, phagocytosis, exocytosis and the respiratory burst of rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Inhibition occurs in the micromolar concentration range; the bifunctional compounds are stronger inhibitory than the monofunctional one. The inhibitory effect can be counteracted by sulfhydryl compounds and not with amino-group containing compounds. The results suggest that an interaction with vulnerable sulfhydryl groups, located in a hydrophobic surrounding, is the basis of the inhibitory effect of the fluorinated nitrobenzenes.     

Chemical modification of ristomycin A with bifunctional reagents

Various bifunctional reagents by the free NH2 group of ristomycinic acid of ristomycin A were used for selective chemical modification of the antibiotic. The bifunctional reagents were the following: di-N-hydroxysuccinimide ether of suberic acid and 4,4'-difluoro-3,3'-dinitrodiphenylsulfone. Bis-N,N'-derivatives of ristomycin A were prepared using these reagents. The derivatives inhibited the growth of Bac. subtilis but the concentrations required for the inhibition were 2-4 times higher than those of ristomycin A. It was noted that the MIC of the bis-N,N'-derivatives depended on the length and flexibility of the "binding foot". The MIC of the bis-N,N'-derivative prepared with using suberic acid was 2 times higher than that of the derivative prepared with the use of 4,4'-difluoro-3,3'-dinitrodiphenylsulfone.     

Conformational states of the (Na+ + K+)-transporting ATPase. Formation of 240 000-Mr and 116 000-Mr polypeptides in the presence of a bifunctional thiol probe.

Interpeptide cross-linking of alpha-subunits with concomitant loss of Na+ + K+-transporting ATPase (Na+, K+-ATPase) activity was found when the purified lamb kidney enzyme was treated with the bifunctional thiol reagent 4,4'-difluoro-3,3'-dinitrodiphenyl sulphone (F2DNS). Several forms of the enzyme could be clearly distinguished: one binding ATP (non-phosphorylated enzyme, E1 X ATP), a phosphorylated form (E2-P) and a phosphoenzyme-ouabain complex (E2P X ouabain). A polypeptide of approx. Mr 240 000 and probable alpha 2 composition comprised up to 5-20% of the total polypeptides after reaction of the lamb kidney Na+, K+-ATPase with F2DNS. The amount of this polypeptide formed was related to the conformational state of the enzyme. The presence of adenine nucleotide greatly diminished the amount of 240 000-Mr polypeptide formed and provides evidence for an enzyme-adenine-nucleotide complex under conditions where the enzyme is not phosphorylated. F2DNS reacted with the enzyme in the presence of Mg2+, Pi and ouabain to form a new polypeptide with an approx. Mr of 116 000, and comprised 23% of the total, whereas the 240 000-Mr polypeptide comprised 9% of the total. This suggests that the 116 000-Mr polypeptide is a characteristic marker of the E2P X ouabain complex. By using specific antibodies it was established that both the 240 000- and 116 000-Mr polypeptides contained alpha-, but not beta-, subunits of the Na+, K+-ATPase.     

Cross-linking of three heavy-chain domains of myosin adenosinetriphosphatase with a trifunctional alkylating reagent

The chemotherapeutic alkylating reagent tris(2-chloroethyl)amine (TCEA) was used as a trifunctional cross-linking reagent with a cross-linking span of 5 A for myosin subfragment 1 (S-1). When S-1 was incubated with TCEA, all three domains of 20, 26, and 50 kDa in the S-1 heavy chain were cross-linked via the highly reactive sulfhydryl group SH1 (Cys-707) on the 20-kDa domain. The cross-linking was accelerated by nucleotides. The present observation is consistent with the proposal that SH1 is close to both the 26- and 50-kDa domains of S-1 and that movement within S-1 associated with the nucleotide binding occurs around SH1 as well as around another reactive thiol, SH2 & Wong, A. G. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83, 6392-6396; Hiratsuka, T. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 3168-3173].     

Actin and temperature effects on the cross-linking of the SH1-SH2 helix in myosin subfragment 1

Past biochemical work on myosin subfragment 1 (S1) has shown that the bent alpha-helix containing the reactive thiols SH1 (Cys(707)) and SH2 (Cys(697)) changes upon nucleotide and actin binding. In this study, we investigated the conformational dynamics of the SH1-SH2 helix in two actin-bound states of myosin and examined the effect of temperature on this helix, using five cross-linking reagents that are 5-15 A in length. Actin inhibited the cross-linking of SH1 to SH2 on both S1 and S1.MgADP for all of the reagents. Because the rate of SH2 modification was not altered by actin, the inhibition of cross-linking must result from a strong stabilization of the SH1-SH2 helix in the actin-bound states of S1. The dynamics of the helix is also influenced by temperature. At 25 degrees C, the rate constants for cross-linking in S1 alone are low, with values of approximately 0.010 min(-1) for all of the reagents. At 4 degrees C, the rate constants, except for the shortest reagent, range between 0.030 and 0.070 min(-1). The rate constants for SH2 modification in SH1-modified S1 show the opposite trend; they increase with the increases in temperature. The greater cross-linking at the lower temperature indicates destabilization of the SH1-SH2 helix at 4 degrees C. These results are discussed in terms of conformational dynamics of the SH1-SH2 helix.     

Thiol-specific cross-linkers of variable length reveal a similar separation of SH1 and SH2 in myosin subfragment 1 in the presence and absence of MgADP.

A series of thiol-specific cross-linking reagents were prepared for studying the kinetics of cross-linking between SH1 (Cys(707)) and SH2 (Cys(697)) in rabbit skeletal muscle myosin subfragment 1. The reagents were of the type RSS(CH(2))(n)()SSR, with R = 3-carboxy-4-nitrophenyl and n = 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12, spanning distances from 9 to 20 A. The reactions were monitored spectrophotometrically by measuring the release of 2-nitro-5-thiobenzoate. Reaction rates for modification of SH1 (k(1)) and for cross-linking (k(2)) were measured by the decrease of the K(+)(EDTA)-ATPase activity and the decrease of the Ca(2+)-ATPase activity, respectively, and corrected for the different reactivities of C(n). Cross-linking rates in the presence and absence of MgADP showed similar dependence on the length of the reagents: While the cross-linking rates for n = 3 or n = 6 were close to those for n = 0 (Ellman's reagent), those for n = 7 and 8 were significantly increased. Thus the distance between SH1 and SH2 appears to be equal in both states and can be estimated as >/=15 A, based on the length of the reagent with n = 8 in stretched conformation. Under rigor conditions, reactivity of SH1 differed significantly from that in the presence of MgADP, presumably because of shielding through a lipophilic domain. Similarly, the cross-linking rates k(2) for C(3), C(6), and C(7) in the absence of MgADP were ca. 15 times lower than in the presence of MgADP, suggesting a change in the structure of the SH2 region that depends on nucleotide binding. The results are discussed in terms of recent X-ray structures of S1 and S1-MgADP [Rayment et al. (1993) Science 261, 50-58; Gulick et al. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 11619-11628].     

Stepwise modulation of ATPase activity, nucleotide trapping, and sliding motility of myosin S1 by modification of the thiol region with residues of increasing size

Rabbit muscle myosin S1 was modified either at SH1 alone or at both SH1 and SH2, using a series of alkylthiolating reagents of increasing size, designed for correlating gradually changing structural disturbances in the thiol region with functional impairments in the myosin head. The reagents were of the type H(CH(2))(n)()-S-NTB, (NTB = 2-nitro-5-thiobenzoate) (n = 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12). Modification of only SH1 led to the expected activation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase, but only with small reagents, while reagents with n > or = 10 caused inhibition of the Ca(2+)-ATPase. Modification of both SH1 and SH2 showed the expected inhibition of Ca(2+)-ATPase but likewise allowed considerable residual Ca(2+)-ATPase activity if the residues were small. Trapping of the nucleotide, known to occur with cross-linking reagents, was seen also with monovalent reagents, provided their length exceeded n = 9 or 10. All S1 derivatives prepared in this study possessed an affinity for actin comparable to native S1 but lacked sliding motility in in vitro motility assays. The biochemical data of this study can be related to existing models of myosin S1 and recent structural data [Houdusse, A., Kalabokis, V. N., Himmel, D., Szent-Gy?rgyi, A. G., and Cohen, C. (1999) Cell 97, 459-470] by making the assumptions that modification at SH1 prevents the formation of the SH1 helix mandatory for the transmission of conformational energy and that mobility of the thiol region is a prerequisite for ATPase activity. Immobilization of the thiol region by residues of increasing size apparently leads to lower enzyme activity and, finally, to inhibition of nucleotide exchange.     

Interaction of pantetheinase with sulfhydryl reagents and disulfides

The effect of many thiol reagents and disulfides on pantetheinase (E.C. 3.5.1.-; pantetheine hydrolase) was studied in the presence or absence of S-pantetheine-3-pyruvate as substrate. Iodoacetamide, iodoacetate, bromopyruvate and N-ethylmaleimide irreversibly inactivate the enzyme at very different rates. Inactivation constants, corrected for the different reactivity of halogeno derivatives with non-protein thiols, suggest the presence of an essential sulfhydryl group in the enzyme and a negatively charged environment near this group. p-Chloromercuribenzoate is the most effective inhibitor; 2-nitro-5-thiocyanobenzoate, o-iodosobenzoate and hydrogen peroxide give a biphasic inhibition pattern, indicating the existence of two sulfhydryl groups whose modification affects activity. Organic arsenicals decrease activity to about 50%. Neutral and positively charged disulfides are effective inhibitors. Substrate protects the enzyme from inactivation, except in the case of negatively charged disulfides, where the presence of substrate enhances the inhibitory effect. Titration with Ellman's reagent or 4,4'-dithiodipyridine under various experimental conditions demonstrated the existence of two sulfhydryls and three disulfides in the fully active enzyme. Pantetheinase may become inactive during purification with concomitant loss of one titrable sulfhydryl group.     

Proximity and ligand-induced movement of interdomain residues in myosin subfragment 1 containing trapped MgADP and MgPPi probed by multifunctional cross-linking

The conformations of myosin subfragment 1 containing trapped MgADP or MgPPi have been studied by investigating the spatial disposition of the remainder of the subfragment 1 structure to the covalently bridged ATPase-related thiols SH1 and SH2. This has been done by synthesizing a trifunctional photoactivatable reagent 4,4'-bis(N-maleimido)benzophenone and reacting it with subfragment 1 in the presence of these ligands. Modification of subfragment 1 by this reagent mimics closely the changes in the ATPase properties as noted previously for modification with p-phenylenedimaleimide. In addition, noncovalent trapping of nucleotide also results, presumably by the bridging of the SH1 and SH2 thiols. On photolysis, cross-linking from the reagent bridging the thiols to other regions in subfragment 1 can be observed, but the extent and course of the photoinduced cross-linking depend on the nature of the trapped ligand. For subfragment 1 with trapped MgADP, a high efficiency cross-linking occurs between the 21-kDa segment and the 50-kDa segment. With MgPPi as the trapped ligand, low efficiency cross-linking occurs between the bridged thiols and either the 27-kDa N-terminal or the 50-kDa segments of the heavy chain. These results indicate that without the adenosine moiety, the binding of MgPPi to subfragment 1 leaves the protein in a flexible state so that residues in both the 27-kDa and the 50-kDa segment can move within the cross-linking span of the activated benzophenone triplet. The trapping of MgADP apparently results in a more rigid state for the subfragment 1 in which residues in the 50-kDa segment are spatially close to the bridged thiols, thus enabling photocross-linking to proceed with higher efficiency.     

Nucleotide-induced change of the interaction between the 20- and 26-kilodalton heavy-chain segments of myosin adenosinetriphosphatase revealed by chemical cross-linking via the reactive thiol SH2

When myosin subfragment 1 (S-1) reacts with the bifunctional reagents with cross-linking spans of 3-4.5 A, p-nitrophenyl iodoacetate and p-nitrophenyl bromoacetate, the 20-kilodalton (20-kDa) segment of the heavy chain is cross-linked to the 26-kDa segment via the reactive thiol SH2. The well-defined reactive lysyl residue Lys-83 of the 26-kDa segment was not involved in the cross-linking. The cross-linking was completely abolished by nucleotides. Taking into account the recent report that SH2 is cross-linked to a thiol of the 50-kDa segment of S-1 using a reagent with a cross-linking span of 2 A [Chaussepied, P., Mornet, D., & Kassab, R. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83, 2037-2041], present results suggest that SH2 of S-1 lies close to both the 26- and 50-kDa segments of the heavy chain. The data also encourage us to confirm our previous suggestion that the ATPase site of S-1 residues at or near the region where all three segments of 26, 50, and 20 kDa are contiguous [Hiratsuka, T. (1984) J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 96, 269-272; Hiratsuka, T. (1985) J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 97, 71-78].     

Studies of ligand-induced conformational perturbations in myosin subfragment 1. An examination of the environment about the SH2 and SH1 thiols using a photoprobe

The effect of ligand binding on the environment near the SH2 and SH1 thiols in myosin subfragment 1 has been investigated by photocross-linking after specific labeling of these thiols individually with 4-(N-maleimido)benzophenone (MBP). On photolysis, cross-linking occurred from SH2-MBP to the middle 50-kDa segment, and subsequent immunopeptide mapping revealed that the cross-link was made to a peptide stretch 31-32 kDa from the N terminus in the absence of MgADP, whereas in its presence the cross-link occurred at about 60-61 kDa from the N terminus. Photolysis of SH1-MBP in the absence of MgADP resulted in a major cross-link to the 27-kDa N-terminal segment and minor cross-links to the 50-kDa middle segment. In the presence of MgADP, no new cross-link occurred but the amount of cross-linking to the 50-kDa segment increased at the expense of the other. Immunopeptide mapping indicated that the regions in the 27- and 50-kDa peptides that were cross-linked to SH1-MBP are at about 14-16 and 55-56 kDa from the N terminus respectively. These results indicate that when nucleotide binds to S1, SH2 is displaced relative to the 50-kDa segment, whereas the local environment around SH1 does not change significantly because photolysis in the presence of MgADP resulted in a change at the site of cross-linking for SH2-MBP but caused only a redistribution of the relative amounts of the cross-links formed from SH1-MBP.     

Temperature-induced changes in the flexibility of the loop between SH1 (Cys-707) and SH3 (Cys-522) in myosin subfragment 1 detected by cross-linking

The ability of dibromobimane to cross-link SH1 (Cys-707) in the 21-kDa C-terminal segment to SH3 (Cys-522) in the 50-kDa middle segment of the myosin S1 heavy chain has been examined as a function of nucleotide binding and temperature. The results obtained indicate that, while the reagent rapidly reacts with SH1 at both 25 and 4 degrees C, its ability to cross-link to SH3 is highly dependent on temperature. At 25 degrees C, substantial cross-linking from monofunctionally labeled SH1 to SH3 occurs, in agreement with recent work of Mornet, Ue, and Morales (1985, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, USA 82, 1658-1662) and of Ue (1987, Biochemistry 26, 1889-1894) and with their conclusion that a loop, allowing SH1 and SH3 to reside at the cross-linking span of dibromobimane, preexists in the protein. At 4 degrees C, however, negligible amounts of cross-linking are observed whether or not a nucleotide is present, despite indications that SH1 is labeled rapidly by the reagent at this temperature. The inability to form this cross-link is not due to an alternate cross-link between monofunctionally labeled SH1 and another thiol in the 21-kDa segment. These results indicate that this loop exists at 25 degrees C and does not exist (or exists only transiently) at the lower temperature.     

Studies on the role of sulfhydryls in the myosin ATPase. Characterization of the site of modification by the bifunctional sulfhydryl reagent p-N,N'-phenylenedimaleimide

Myosin has been modified with near stoichiometric amounts of the bifunctional reagent [14C]p-N,N'-phenylenedimaleimide (pPDM) in the presence of MgADP under conditions which abolish its ATPase activity. Subsequent carboxymethylation and CNBr cleavage results in the 14C label being associated with a single polypeptide of Mr approximately 10,000. Amino acid composition and partial sequence analysis of this peptide showed that it corresponded to the peptide containing -SH1 and -SH2 sequenced by Elzinga and Collins (Elzinga, M., and Collins, J.H. (1977) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74, 4281-4284) and to the peptide labeled at -SH1 or -SH2 by N-ethylmaleimide by Kunz et al. (Kunz, P.A., Walser, J.T., Watterson, J.G., and Schaub, M.C. (1977) FEBS Lett. 83, 137-140). These data indicating that pPDM does label the -SH1- and -SH2-containing region in myosin by covalently bridging them and shows that in the presence of MgADP these thiols can approach to within 12 to 14 A.     

Conformation and dynamics of the SH1-SH2 helix in scallop myosin

Atomic structures of scallop myosin subfragment 1(S1) with the bound MgADP, MgAMPPNP, and MgADP.BeF(x) provide crystallographic evidence for a destabilization of the helix containing reactive thiols SH1 (Cys703) and SH2 (Cys693). A destabilization of this helix was not observed in previous structures of S1 (from chicken skeletal, Dictyostelium discoideum, and smooth muscle myosins), including complexes for which solution experiments indicated such a destabilization. In this study, the factors that influence the SH1-SH2 helix in scallop S1 were examined using monofunctional and bifunctional thiol reagents. The rate of monofunctional labeling of scallop S1 was increased in the presence of MgADP and MgATPgammaS but was inhibited by MgADP.V(i) and actin. The resulting changes in ATPase activities of S1 were symptomatic of SH2 and not SH1 modification, which was confirmed by mass spectrometry analysis. With bifunctional reagents of various lengths, cross-linking did not occur on a short time scale in the absence of nucleotides. In the presence of MgADP, cross-linking was greatly enhanced for all of the reagents. These reactions, as well as the formation of a disulfide bond between SH1 and SH2, were much faster in scallop S1.ADP than in rabbit skeletal S1.ADP and were rate-limited by the initial attachment of the reagent to scallop S1. The cross-linking sites were mapped by mass spectrometry to SH1 and SH2. These results reveal isoform-specific differences in the conformation and dynamics of the SH1-SH2 helix, providing a possible explanation for destabilization of this helix in some scallop S1 but not in other S1 isoform structures.     

Characterization of the properties of ethenoadenosine nucleotides bound or trapped at the active site of myosin subfragment 1

The fluorescent nucleotide analogue of ADP, 1,N6-ethenoadenosine diphosphate (epsilon ADP), has been used to probe the active site of myosin subfragment 1 (SF1). The Mg complex of ADP was shown to be trapped stoichiometrically at the active site by a variety of thiol cross-linking agents having sulfur to sulfur spanning lengths of 2-14 A. Previous studies [Wells, J. A., & Yount, R. G. (1979) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 76, 4966-4970] had suggested ADP was trapped by direct closure of a postulated active site cleft by cross-linking two activity critical thiols, SH1 and SH2. This model was tested by measuring the polarization of trapped and reversibly bound epsilon ADP, the off-rate of trapped epsilon ADP, and the solute quencher accessibility of trapped epsilon ADP on SF1 modified with thiol cross-linking agents of different spanning lengths. The lack of correlation of all of these properties with the length of the cross-linking span suggests that trapping occurs by indirect stabilization of a conformation favoring bound nucleotides rather than by sterically preventing the release of nucleotide. Measurement of the fluorescent properties of epsilon ADP bound to SF1 vs. epsilon ADP free gave a 20% increase in emission intensity, a 7-nm blue shift in the emission maximum, and a 70% increase in the absorbance at the excitation wavelength (330 nm). Trapping of epsilon ADP by the thiol cross-linking agent p-phenylenedimaleimide gave a further 24% increase in emission intensity. This change was shown to be the result of an increase in absorbance of trapped epsilon ADP at 330 nm rather than an increase in the quantum yield.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Sulfhydryl groups of rabbit liver arylsulfatase A

Rabbit liver arylsulfatase A (aryl-sulfate sulfhydrolase, EC 3.1.6.1) monomers of 130 kDa contain two free sulfhydryl groups as determined by spectrophotometric titration using 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate) and by labeling with the fluorescent probe 5-(iodoacetamidoethyl)aminonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid. Fluorescence quenching data indicate that the reactive sulfhydryl is present in proximity to one or more tryptophan residues. Chemical modification of the sulfhydryl groups does not alter the distinctive pH-dependent aggregation property of the arylsulfatase A. The free sulfhydryls of the enzyme react with numerous sulfhydryl reagents. Based on the reactions of iodoacetic acid, methyl methanethiosulfonate, 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate) and 5-(iodoacetamidoethyl)aminonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid with the sulfhydryl groups of arylsulfatase A, it is concluded that free sulfhydryls are not essential for the enzyme activity. In contrast, the observed inactivation of the enzyme by p-hydroxymercuribenzoate or p-hydroxymercuriphenylsulfonate is probably due to a modification of a histidine residue, consistent with previous reports that histidine is near the active site of arylsulfatase A. p-Hydroxymercuribenzoate and p-hydroxymercuriphenylsulfonate are able to react both with cysteine and with histidine residues of the protein molecule.     

Specificity and orientation of (iodoacetamido)proxyl spin-labeled myosin subfragment 1 decorating muscle fibers: localization of protein-bound spin labels using SDS-PAGE

The nitroxide spin label (iodoacetamido)proxyl (IPSL) was specifically and rigidly attached to sulfhydryl 1 (SH1) on myosin subfragment 1 (S1). The specificity of this label for SH1 was demonstrated by using a technique where the spin label is localized on the electrophoresis-isolated proteolytic fragments of myosin using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Studies of the rigidity of the probe on SH1 indicate that the IPSL is immobilized on the surface of S1 in the presence and absence of the nucleotides MgADP or MgATP. The EPR spectrum of muscle fibers decorated with IPSL-S1 shows that the IPSL-S1 rotates from its orientation in rigor upon binding MgADP. The angular displacement due to nucleotide binding is larger than that detected with the (maleimido)tempo spin label [Ajtai, K., French, A. R., & Burghardt, T. P. (1989) Biophys. J. 56, 535-541], demonstrating that the IPSL is oriented on the myosin cross-bridge in a manner that is favorable for detecting cross-bridge rotation during the rigor to MgADP state transition.     

Primary and post-irradiation inactivation of the sulfhydryl enzyme malate synthase: correlation of protective effects of additives

The presence of additives during X-irradiation of malate synthase led to radioprotective effects against primary and post-irradiation inactivation. Pronounced effects were provided by typical scavengers, sulfhydryl reagents and specific ligands (substrates, products, analogues). The results show that scavenging and specific protection are responsible for the protective efficiency of additives. Scavengers delete noxious species formed during irradiation or post-radiationem. Sulfhydryl reagents may act as repair substances. Specific ligands protect the active site of the enzyme and the essential sulfhydryls; specific protection is more pronounced post-radiationem. Ligands and sulfhydryl reagents may additionally act as scavengers. A cumulative index for the protective power of additives against both sorts of inactivation was established.