Molecular Dynamics Analysis of Chymosin in Solution and in a Crystalline Environment

The method of molecular dynamics in explicit solvent was applied to test the hypothesis of the existence of a self-inhibited form of chymosin in solution. The paths and energies were calculated for chymosin in solution and in a crystalline environment. The modeling revealed that the intermolecular contacts of chymosin in crystal have negligible influence on the energy stabilization of its self-inhibited conformation. On the other hand, upon molecular dynamics simulation of the active and self-inhibited forms in solution their conformational energies proved to be quite close and the potential barrier between them relatively low. All this supports the possibility of chymosin to adopt spontaneously the self-inhibited conformation in solution, and indicates that it is one of the really existing enzyme forms rather than a crystal packing artifact. The results obtained open novel approaches to studying the specificity of chymosin as well as other aspartic proteinases.     

Molecular dynamics analysis of chymosin conformations in solution and in crystalline environment

The method of molecular dynamics in explicit solvent was applied to test the hypothesis of the existence of a self-inhibited form of chymosin in solution. The paths and energies were calculated for chymosin in solution and in a crystalline environment. The modeling revealed that the intermolecular contacts of chymosin in crystal have negligible influence on the energy stabilization of its self-inhibited conformation. On the other hand, upon molecular dynamics simulation of the active and self-inhibited forms in solution their conformational energies proved to be quite close and the potential barrier between them relatively low. All this supports the possibility of chymosin to adopt spontaneously the self-inhibited conformation in solution, and indicates that it is one of the really existing enzyme forms rather than a crystal packing artifact. The results obtained open novel approaches to studying the specificity of chymosin as well as other aspartic proteinases.     

Crystal structures of a ligand-free and malonate-bound human caspase-1: implications for the mechanism of substrate binding

Caspase-1, a mediator of the posttranslational processing of IL-1beta and IL-18, requires an aspartic acid in the P1 position of its substrates. The mechanisms of caspase-1 activation remain poorly understood despite numerous structures of the enzyme complexed with aspartate-based inhibitors. Here we report a crystal structure of ligand-free caspase-1 that displays dramatic rearrangements of loops defining the active site to generate a closed conformation that is incompatible with substrate binding. A structure of the enzyme complexed with malonate shows the protein in its open (active-site ligand-bound) conformation in which malonate reproduces the hydrogen bonding network observed in structures with covalent inhibitors. These results illustrate the essential function of the obligatory aspartate recognition element that opens the active site of caspase-1 to substrates and may be the determinant responsible for the conformational changes between ligand-free and -bound forms of the enzyme, and suggest a new approach for identifying novel aspartic acid mimetics.     

Catalytic activation of human glucokinase by substrate binding: residue contacts involved in the binding of D-glucose to the super-open form and conformational transitions

alpha-D-Glucose activates glucokinase (EC 2.7.1.1) on its binding to the active site by inducing a global hysteretic conformational change. Using intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence as a probe on the alpha-D-glucose induced conformational changes in the pancreatic isoform 1 of human glucokinase, key residues involved in the process were identified by site-directed mutagenesis. Single-site W-->F mutations enabled the assignment of the fluorescence enhancement (DeltaF/F(0)) mainly to W99 and W167 in flexible loop structures, but the biphasic time course of DeltaF/F(0) is variably influenced by all tryptophan residues. The human glucokinase-alpha-D-glucose association (K(d) = 4.8 +/- 0.1 mm at 25 degrees C) is driven by a favourable entropy change (DeltaS = 150 +/- 10 J.mol(-1).K(-1)). Although X-ray crystallographic studies have revealed the alpha-d-glucose binding residues in the closed state, the contact residues that make essential contributions to its binding to the super-open conformation remain unidentified. In the present study, we combined functional mutagenesis with structural dynamic analyses to identify residue contacts involved in the initial binding of alpha-d-glucose and conformational transitions. The mutations N204A, D205A or E256A/K in the L-domain resulted in enzyme forms that did not bind alpha-D-glucose at 200 mm and were essentially catalytically inactive. Our data support a molecular dynamic model in which a concerted binding of alpha-D-glucose to N204, N231 and E256 in the super-open conformation induces local torsional stresses at N204/D205 propagating towards a closed conformation, involving structural changes in the highly flexible interdomain connecting region II (R192-N204), helix 5 (V181-R191), helix 6 (D205-Y215) and the C-terminal helix 17 (R447-K460).     

Mechanistic insights into the retaining glucosyl-3-phosphoglycerate synthase from mycobacteria

Considerable progress has been made in recent years in our understanding of the structural basis of glycosyl transfer. Yet the nature and relevance of the conformational changes associated with substrate recognition and catalysis remain poorly understood. We have focused on the glucosyl-3-phosphoglycerate synthase (GpgS), a "retaining" enzyme, that initiates the biosynthetic pathway of methylglucose lipopolysaccharides in mycobacteria. Evidence is provided that GpgS displays an unusually broad metal ion specificity for a GT-A enzyme, with Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Ca(2+), Co(2+), and Fe(2+) assisting catalysis. In the crystal structure of the apo-form of GpgS, we have observed that a flexible loop adopts a double conformation L(A) and L(I) in the active site of both monomers of the protein dimer. Notably, the L(A) loop geometry corresponds to an active conformation and is conserved in two other relevant states of the enzyme, namely the GpgS·metal·nucleotide sugar donor and the GpgS·metal·nucleotide·acceptor-bound complexes, indicating that GpgS is intrinsically in a catalytically active conformation. The crystal structure of GpgS in the presence of Mn(2+)·UDP·phosphoglyceric acid revealed an alternate conformation for the nucleotide sugar β-phosphate, which likely occurs upon sugar transfer. Structural, biochemical, and biophysical data point to a crucial role of the β-phosphate in donor and acceptor substrate binding and catalysis. Altogether, our experimental data suggest a model wherein the catalytic site is essentially preformed, with a few conformational changes of lateral chain residues as the protein proceeds along the catalytic cycle. This model of action may be applicable to a broad range of GT-A glycosyltransferases.     

Myofibrillar creatine kinase activity inferred from a 3D model

Myofibrillar creatine kinase (CK) that buffers ATP during fluctuating muscle energy metabolism has been selected for studies of conformational changes underlying the cellular control of enzyme activity. The force field was computed for three energetic states, namely for the substrate-free CK molecule, for the molecule conjugated with the MgATP complex, and for the molecule conjugated with the pair of reactants MgATP-creatine. Without its substrates, the enzyme molecule assumes an inactive "open" form. Upon binding of the MgATP complex, the CK molecule takes up a reactive "closed" conformation. Subsequent binding of creatine yields a nonreactive "intermediary" conformation. Acid-base catalysis is considered to be the basic principle for the reversible transfer of the phosphoryl group between the substrates. The results indicate that the substrate-induced energy minimizing conformational changes do not represent a sufficient condition for CK activity and that some other essential component of physiological control at the cellular level is involved in the transition from the intermediary to the closed structure of the molecule.     

Crystal structure of thrombin in a self-inhibited conformation

The activating effect of Na(+) on thrombin is allosteric and depends on the conformational transition from a low activity Na(+)-free (slow) form to a high activity Na(+)-bound (fast) form. The structures of these active forms have been solved. Recent structures of thrombin obtained in the absence of Na(+) have also documented inactive conformations that presumably exist in equilibrium with the active slow form. The validity of these inactive slow form structures, however, is called into question by the presence of packing interactions involving the Na(+) site and the active site regions. Here, we report a 1.87A resolution structure of thrombin in the absence of inhibitors and salts with a single molecule in the asymmetric unit and devoid of significant packing interactions in regions involved in the allosteric slow --> fast transition. The structure shows an unprecedented self-inhibited conformation where Trp-215 and Arg-221a relocate >10A to occlude the active site and the primary specificity pocket, and the guanidinium group of Arg-187 penetrates the protein core to fill the empty Na(+)-binding site. The extreme mobility of Trp-215 was investigated further with the W215P mutation. Remarkably, the mutation significantly compromises cleavage of the anticoagulant protein C but has no effect on the hydrolysis of fibrinogen and PAR1. These findings demonstrate that thrombin may assume an inactive conformation in the absence of Na(+) and that its procoagulant and anticoagulant activities are closely linked to the mobility of residue 215.     

Vitamin D receptor agonists specifically modulate the volume of the ligand-binding pocket

Existing crystal structure data has indicated that 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1alpha,25(OH)(2) D(3)) and its analogues bind the ligand-binding pocket (LBP) of the human vitamin D receptor in a very similar fashion. Because docking of a ligand into the LBP is a more flexible process than crystallography can monitor, we analyzed 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3), its 20-epi derivative MC1288, the two side-chain analogues Gemini and Ro43-83582 (a hexafluoro-derivative) by molecular dynamics simulations in a complex with the vitamin D receptor ligand-binding domain and a co-activator peptide. Superimposition of the structures showed that the side chain of MC1288, the first side chain of the conformation II of Gemini, the second side chain of Ro43-83582 in conformation I and the first side chain of Ro43-83582 in conformation II take the same agonistic position as the side chain of 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3). Compared with the LBP of the natural hormone MC1288 reduced the volume by 17%, and Gemini expanded it by 19%. The shrinking of the LBP of MC1288 and its expansion to accommodate the second side chain of Gemini or Ro43-83582 is the combined result of minor movements of more than 30 residues and major movements of a few critical amino acids. The agonist-selective recognition of anchoring OH groups by the conformational flexible residues Ala-303, Leu-309, and His-397 was confirmed by in vitro assays. In summary, variations in the volume of agonists lead to adaptations in the volume of the LBP and alternative contacts of anchoring OH-groups.     

Dynamics of glyphosate-induced conformational changes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EC 2.5.1.19) determined by hydrogen-deuterium exchange and electrospray mass spectrometry

The enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) catalyzes the reaction between shikimate 3-phosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate to form 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate, an intermediate in the shikimate pathway, which leads to the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids. EPSPS exists in an open conformation in the absence of substrates and/or inhibitors and in a closed conformation when bound to the substrate and/or inhibitor. In the present report, the H/D exchange properties of EPSPS from Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( Mt) were investigated for both enzyme conformations using ESI mass spectrometry and circular dichroism (CD). When the conformational changes identified by H/D exchanges were mapped on the 3-D structure, it was observed that the apoenzyme underwent extensive conformational changes due to glyphosate complexation, characterized by an increase in the content of alpha-helices from 40% to 57%, while the beta-sheet content decreased from 30% to 23%. These results indicate that the enzyme underwent a series of rearrangements of its secondary structure that were accompanied by a large decrease in solvent access to many different regions of the protein. This was attributed to the compaction of 71% of alpha-helices and 57% of beta-sheets as a consequence of glyphosate binding to the enzyme. Apparently, MtEPSPS undergoes a series of inhibitor-induced conformational changes, which seem to have caused synergistic effects in preventing solvent access to the core of molecule, especially in the cleft region. This may be part of the mechanism of inhibition of the enzyme, which is required to prevent the hydration of the substrate binding site and also to induce the cleft closure to avoid entrance of the substrates.     

D1 ring is stable and nucleotide-independent,whereas D2 ring undergoes major conformational changes during the ATPase cycle of p97-VCP

The 97-kDa valosin-containing protein (p97-VCP) belongs to the AAA (ATPases associated with various cellular activities) family and acts as a molecular chaperone in diverse cellular events, including ubiquitinproteasome-mediated degradation. We previously showed that VCP contains a substrate-binding domain, N, and two conserved ATPase domains, D1 and D2, of which D2 is responsible for the major enzyme activity. VCP has a barrel-like structure containing two stacked homo-hexameric rings made of the D1 and D2 domains, and this structure is essential for its biological functions. During ATPase cycles, VCP undergoes conformational changes that presumably apply tensions to the bound substrate, leading to the disassembly of protein complexes or unfolding of the substrate. How ATPase activity is coupled with the conformational changes in VCP complex and the D1 and D2 rings is not clear. In this report, we took biochemical approaches to study the structure of VCP in different nucleotide conditions to depict the conformational changes in the ATPase cycles. In contrast to many AAA chaperones that require ATP/ADP to form oligomers, both wild type VCP and ATP-binding site mutants can form hexamers without the addition of nucleotide. This nucleotide-independent hexamerization requires an intact D1 and the down-stream linker sequence of VCP. Tryptophan fluorescence and trypsin digestion analyses showed that ATP/ADP binding induces dramatic conformational changes in VCP. These changes do not require the presence of an intact ATP-binding site in D1 and is thus mainly attributed to the D2 domain. We propose a model whereby D1, although undergoing minor conformational changes, remains as a relatively trypsin-resistant hexameric ring throughout the ATPase cycle, whereas D2 only does so when it binds to ATP or ADP. After ADP is released at the end of the ATP hydrolysis, D2 ring is destabilized and adopts a relatively flexible and open structure.     

Model of three-dimensional structure of vitamin D receptor and its binding mechanism with 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3).

Comparative modeling of the vitamin D receptor three-dimensional structure and computational docking of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) into the putative binding pocket of the two deletion mutant receptors: (207-423) and (120-422, Delta [164-207]) are reported and evaluated in the context of extensive mutagenic analysis and crystal structure of holo hVDR deletion protein published recently. The obtained molecular model agrees well with the experimentally determined structure. Six different conformers of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) were used to study flexible docking to the receptor. On the basis of values of conformational energy of various complexes and their consistency with functional activity, it appears that 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) binds the receptor in its 6-s-trans form. The two lowest energy complexes obtained from docking the hormone into the deletion protein (207-423) differ in conformation of ring A and orientation of the ligand molecule in the VDR pocket. 1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) possessing the A-ring conformation with axially oriented 1alpha-hydroxy group binds receptor with its 25-hydroxy substituent oriented toward the center of the receptor cavity, whereas ligand possessing equatorial conformation of 1alpha-hydroxy enters the pocket with A ring directed inward. The latter conformation and orientation of the ligand is consistent with the crystal structure of hVDR deletion mutant (118-425, Delta [165-215]). The lattice model of rVDR (120-422, Delta [164-207]) shows excellent agreement with the crystal structure of the hVDR mutant. The complex obtained from docking the hormone into the receptor has lower energy than complexes for which homology modeling was used. Thus, a simple model of vitamin D receptor with the first two helices deleted can be potentially useful for designing a general structure of ligand, whereas the advanced lattice model is suitable for examining binding sites in the pocket.     

Structural transitions in the FixJ receiver domain

BACKGROUND: Two-component signal transduction pathways are sophisticated phosphorelay cascades widespread in prokaryotes and also found in fungi, molds and plants. FixL/FixJ is a prototypical system responsible for the regulation of nitrogen fixation in the symbiotic bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti. In microaerobic conditions the membrane-bound kinase FixL uses ATP to transphosphorylate a histidine residue, and the response regulator FixJ transfers the phosphoryl group from the phosphohistidine to one of its own aspartate residues in a Mg(2+)-dependent mechanism. RESULTS: Seven X-ray structures of the unphosphorylated N-terminal receiver domain of FixJ (FixJN) have been solved from two crystal forms soaked in different conditions. Three conformations of the protein were found. In the first case, the protein fold impairs metal binding in the active site and the structure reveals a receiver domain that is self-inhibited for catalysis. In the second conformation, the canonical geometry of the active site is attained, and subsequent metal binding to the protein induces minimal conformational changes. The third conformation illustrates a non-catalytic form of the protein where unwinding of the N terminus of helix alpha 1 has occurred. Interconversion of the canonical and self-inhibited conformations requires a large conformational change of the beta 3-alpha 3 loop region. CONCLUSIONS: These unphosphorylated structures of FixJN stress the importance of flexible peptide segments that delineate the active site. Their movements may act as molecular switches that define the functional status of the protein. Such observations are in line with structural and biochemical results obtained on other response regulator proteins and may illustrate general features that account for the specificity of protein-protein interactions.     

Defective propeptide processing of blood clotting factor IX caused by mutation of arginine to glutamine at position -4

Blood clotting factor IX is synthesized as a precursor polypeptide that would be expected to be proteolytically cleaved in at least two positions during maturation to remove the prepeptide and propeptide regions. We show that a point mutation causing hemophilia B changes the amino acid at position -4 in the propeptide region of factor IX from an arginine to a glutamine, which results in the expression of a stable longer protein with 18 additional amino acids of the N-terminal propeptide region still attached. This suggests that in the normal maturation of factor IX the signal peptidase cleaves the peptide bond between amino acid residues -18 and -19, generating an unstable profactor IX intermediate. Further proteolytic processing to the mature factor IX depends on the arginine residue at -4. The significance of the homologous arginine residue in other processed proteins is discussed.     

Energy-minimized conformation of gramicidin-like channels. II. Periodicity of the lowest energy conformation of an infinitely long poly-(L,D)-alanine beta 6.3-helix.

If an infinitely long polymer has a primary structure characterized by an N-residue periodicity, a minimum energy conformation of the polymer under the constraint of the conformational N-residue periodicity corresponds to an equilibrium structure (energy minimal or unstable equilibrium structure) when this constraint is absent. Molecular mechanics calculations showed that with an infinitely long poly-(L,D)-alanine single-stranded beta 6.3-helix (which has a 2-residue periodicity with respect to the primary structure), its lowest energy conformation within the framework of the conformational 2-residue periodicity is also the lowest energy form of this beta 6.3-helix even when no conformational periodicity is assumed. In the course of this study, contour maps of helix parameters and conformation energies for beta structures of poly-(L,D)-alanine were examined. It was also found that beta 6.3-, beta 4.5-, alpha L,D-, and tau L,D-helices constitute the global minima in the whole conformational space of this polypeptide. In the present calculation, an improved formulation of the conformation energy was introduced to estimate the structure and conformation energy of an infinite periodic chain from results on a chain of finite length.     

Crystal structure of a mutant elongation factor G trapped with a GTP analogue

Elongation factor G (EF-G) is a G protein factor that catalyzes the translocation step in protein synthesis on the ribosome. Its GTP conformation in the absence of the ribosome is currently unknown. We present the structure of a mutant EF-G (T84A) in complex with the non-hydrolysable GTP analogue GDPNP. The crystal structure provides a first insight into conformational changes induced in EF-G by GTP. Comparison of this structure with that of EF-G in complex with GDP suggests that the GTP and GDP conformations in solution are very similar and that the major contribution to the active GTPase conformation, which is quite different, therefore comes from its interaction with the ribosome.     

Testing a flexible-receptor docking algorithm in a model binding site

Sampling receptor flexibility is challenging for database docking. We consider a method that treats multiple flexible regions of the binding site independently, recombining them to generate different discrete conformations. This algorithm scales linearly rather than exponentially with the receptor's degrees of freedom. The method was first evaluated for its ability to identify known ligands of a hydrophobic cavity mutant of T4 lysozyme (L99A). Some 200000 molecules of the Available Chemical Directory (ACD) were docked against an ensemble of cavity conformations. Surprisingly, the enrichment of known ligands from among a much larger number of decoys in the ACD was worse than simply docking to the apo conformation alone. Large decoys, accommodated in the larger cavity conformations sampled in the ensemble, were ranked better than known small ligands. The calculation was redone with an energy correction term that considered the cost of forming the larger cavity conformations. Enrichment improved, as did the balance between high-ranking large and small ligands. In a second retrospective test, the ACD was docked against a conformational ensemble of thymidylate synthase. Compared to docking against individual enzyme conformations, the flexible receptor docking approach improved enrichment of known ligands. Including a receptor conformational energy weighting term improved enrichment further. To test the method prospectively, the ACD database was docked against another cavity mutant of lysozyme (L99A/M102Q). A total of 18 new compounds predicted to bind this polar cavity and to change its conformation were tested experimentally; 14 were found to bind. The bound structures for seven ligands were determined by X-ray crystallography. The predicted geometries of these ligands all corresponded to the observed geometries to within 0.7A RMSD or better. Significant conformational changes of the cavity were observed in all seven complexes. In five structures, part of the observed accommodations were correctly predicted; in two structures, the receptor conformational changes were unanticipated and thus never sampled. These results suggest that although sampling receptor flexibility can lead to novel ligands that would have been missed when docking a rigid structure, it is also important to consider receptor conformational energy.     

The role of scaffolding proteins in the assembly of the small, single-stranded DNA virus phiX174.

An empty precursor particle called the procapsid is formed during assembly of the single-stranded DNA bacteriophage phiX174. Assembly of the phiX174 procapsid requires the presence of the two scaffolding proteins, D and B, which are structural components of the procapsid, but are not found in the mature virion. The X-ray crystallographic structure of a "closed" procapsid particle has been determined to 3.5 A resolution. This structure has an external scaffold made from 240 copies of protein D, 60 copies of the internally located B protein, and contains 60 copies of each of the viral structural proteins F and G, which comprise the shell and the 5-fold spikes, respectively. The F capsid protein has a similar conformation to that seen in the mature virion, and differs from the previously determined 25 A resolution electron microscopic reconstruction of the "open" procapsid, in which the F protein has a different conformation. The D scaffolding protein has a predominantly alpha-helical fold and displays remarkable conformational variability. We report here an improved and refined structure of the closed procapsid and describe in some detail the differences between the four independent D scaffolding proteins per icosahedral asymmetric unit, as well as their interaction with the F capsid protein. We re-analyze and correct the comparison of the closed procapsid with the previously determined cryo-electron microscopic image reconstruction of the open procapsid and discuss the major structural rearrangements that must occur during assembly. A model is proposed in which the D proteins direct the assembly process by sequential binding and conformational switching.     

Conformational variability in Escherichia coli 70S ribosome as revealed by 3D cryo-electron microscopy

During protein biosynthesis, ribosomes are believed to go through a cycle of conformational transitions. We have identified some of the most variable regions of the E. coli 70S ribosome and its subunits, by means of cryo-electron microscopy and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction. Conformational changes in the smaller 30S subunit are mainly associated with the functionally important domains of the subunit, such as the neck and the platform, as seen by comparison of heat-activated, non-activated and 50S-bound states. In the larger 50S subunit the most variable regions are the L7/L12 stalk, central protuberance and the L1-protein, as observed in various tRNA-70S ribosome complexes. Difference maps calculated between 3D maps of ribosomes help pinpoint the location of ribosomal regions that are most strongly affected by conformational transitions. These results throw direct light on the dynamic behavior of the ribosome and help in understanding the role of these flexible domains in the translation process.