Backbone dynamics of escherichia coli adenylate kinase at the extreme stages of the catalytic cycle studied by (15)N NMR relaxation

Adenylate kinase from Escherichia coli (AKeco), consisting of a single 23.6 kDa polypeptide chain folded into domains CORE, AMPbd, and LID, catalyzes the reaction AMP + ATP --> 2ADP. Domains LID and AMPbd execute large-scale movements during catalysis. Backbone dynamics of ligand-free and AP(5)A-inhibitor-bound AKeco were studied comparatively with (15)N NMR relaxation methods. Overall diffusion with correlation times of 15.05 (11.42) ns and anisotropy D(parallel)/D(perp) = 1.25 (1.10), and fast internal motions with correlation times up to 100 ps (50 ps), were determined for AKeco (AKecoAP(5)A). Fast internal motions affect 93% of the AKeco sites, with pronounced preference for domains AMPbd and LID, and 47% of the AKecoAP(5)A sites, with limited variability along the chain. The mean squared generalized order parameters, , of secondary structure elements and loops are affected by ligand binding differentially and in a domain-specific manner. Nanosecond motions predominate within AMPbd. Prominent exchange contributions, associated in particular with residue G10 of the nucleotide-binding P-loop motif, are interpreted to reflect hydrogen-bond dynamics at the inhibitor-binding site. The hypothesis of energetic counter balancing of substrate binding based on crystallographic data is strongly supported by the solution NMR results. Correlations between backbone dynamics and domain displacement are established.     

A novel view of domain flexibility in E. coli adenylate kinase based on structural mode-coupling (15)N NMR relaxation.

Adenylate kinase from Escherichia coli (AKeco), consisting of a single 23.6 kDa polypeptide chain folded into domains CORE, AMPbd and LID, catalyzes the reaction AMP+ATP-->2ADP. In the ligand-free enzyme the domains AMPbd and LID execute large-amplitude movements controlling substrate binding and product release during catalysis. Domain flexibility is investigated herein with the slowly relaxing local structure (SRLS) model for (15)N relaxation. SRLS accounts rigorously for coupling between the global and local N-H motions through a local ordering potential exerted by the protein structure at the N-H bond. The latter reorients with respect to its protein surroundings, which reorient on the slower time scale associated with the global protein tumbling. AKeco diffuses globally with correlation time tau(m)=15.1 ns, while locally two different dynamic cases prevail. The domain CORE features ordering about the equilibrium N-H bond orientation with order parameters, S(2), of 0.8-0.9 and local motional correlation times, tau, mainly between 5-130 ps. This represents a conventional rigid protein structure with rapid small-amplitude N-H fluctuations. The domains AMPbd and LID feature small parallel (Z(M)) ordering of S(2)=0.2-0.5 which can be reinterpreted as high perpendicular (Y(M)) ordering. M denotes the local ordering/local diffusion frame. Local motion about Z(M) is given by tau( parallel) approximately 5 ps and local motion of the effective Z(M) axis about Y(M) by tau( perpendicular)=6-11 ns. Z(M) is tilted at approximately 20 degrees from the N-H bond. The orientation of the Y(M) axis may be considered parallel to the C(alpha)(i-1)-C(alpha)(i) axis. The tau( perpendicular) mode reflects collective nanosecond peptide-plane motions, interpretable as domain motion. A powerful new model of protein flexibility/domain motion has been established. Conformational exchange (R(ex)) processes accompany the tau( perpendicular) mode. The SRLS analysis is compared with the conventional model-free analysis.     

Escherichia coli adenylate kinase dynamics: comparison of elastic network model modes with mode-coupling (15)N-NMR relaxation data

The dynamics of adenylate kinase of Escherichia coli (AKeco) and its complex with the inhibitor AP(5)A, are characterized by correlating the theoretical results obtained with the Gaussian Network Model (GNM) and the anisotropic network model (ANM) with the order parameters and correlation times obtained with Slowly Relaxing Local Structure (SRLS) analysis of (15)N-NMR relaxation data. The AMPbd and LID domains of AKeco execute in solution large amplitude motions associated with the catalytic reaction Mg(+2)*ATP + AMP --> Mg(+2)*ADP + ADP. Two sets of correlation times and order parameters were determined by NMR/SRLS for AKeco, attributed to slow (nanoseconds) motions with correlation time tau( perpendicular) and low order parameters, and fast (picoseconds) motions with correlation time tau( parallel) and high order parameters. The structural connotation of these patterns is examined herein by subjecting AKeco and AKeco*AP(5)A to GNM analysis, which yields the dynamic spectrum in terms of slow and fast modes. The low/high NMR order parameters correlate with the slow/fast modes of the backbone elucidated with GNM. Likewise, tau( parallel) and tau( perpendicular) are associated with fast and slow GNM modes, respectively. Catalysis-related domain motion of AMPbd and LID in AKeco, occurring per NMR with correlation time tau( perpendicular), is associated with the first and second collective slow (global) GNM modes. The ANM-predicted deformations of the unliganded enzyme conform to the functional reconfiguration induced by ligand-binding, indicating the structural disposition (or potential) of the enzyme to bind its substrates. It is shown that NMR/SRLS and GNM/ANM analyses can be advantageously synthesized to provide insights into the molecular mechanisms that control biological function.     

Structural and dynamic studies on ligand-free adenylate kinase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis revealed a closed conformation that can be related to the reduced catalytic activity

Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death worldwide from a single infectious disease. Search of new therapeutic tools requires the discovery and biochemical characterization of new potential targets among the bacterial proteins essential for the survival and virulence. Among them are the nucleoside monophosphate kinases, involved in the nucleotide biosynthesis. In this work, we determined the solution structure of adenylate kinase (AK) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (AKmt), a protein of 181 residues that was found to be essential for bacterial survival. The structure was calculated by a simulated annealing protocol and energy minimization using experimental restraints, collected by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The final, well-defined 20 NMR structures show an average root-mean-square deviation of 0.77 A for the backbone atoms in regular secondary structure segments. The protein has a central CORE domain, composed of a five-stranded parallel beta-sheet surrounded by seven alpha-helices, and two peripheral domains, AMPbd and LID. As compared to other crystallographic structures of free form AKs, AKmt is more compact, with the AMP(bd) domain closer to the CORE of the protein. Analysis of the (15)N relaxation data enabled us to obtain the global rotational correlation time (9.19 ns) and the generalized order parameters (S(2)) of amide vectors along the polypeptide sequence. The protein exhibits restricted movements on a picosecond to nanosecond time scale in the secondary structural regions with amplitudes characterized by an average S(2)() value of 0.87. The loops beta1/alpha1, beta2/alpha2, alpha2/alpha3, alpha3/alpha4, alpha4/beta3, beta3/alpha5, alpha6/alpha7 (LID), alpha7/alpha8, and beta5/alpha9 exhibit rapid fluctuations with enhanced amplitudes. These structural and dynamic features of AKmt may be related to its low catalytic activity that is 10-fold lower than in their eukaryote counterparts.     

The atomistic mechanism of conformational transition in adenylate kinase: a TEE-REX molecular dynamics study

We report on an atomistic molecular dynamics simulation of the complete conformational transition of Escherichia coli adenylate kinase (ADK) using the recently developed TEE-REX algorithm. Two phases characterize the transition pathway of ADK, which folds into the domains CORE and LID and the AMP binding domain AMPbd. Starting from the closed conformation, half-opening of the AMPbd precedes a partially correlated opening of the LID and AMPbd, defining the second phase. A highly stable salt bridge D118-K136 at the LID-CORE interface, contributing substantially to the total nonbonded LID-CORE interactions, was identified as a major factor that stabilizes the open conformation. Alternative transition pathways, such as AMPbd opening following LID opening, seem unlikely, as full transition events were not observed along this pathway. The simulation data indicate a high enthalpic penalty, possibly obstructing transitions along this route.     

Minimum free energy path of ligand-induced transition in adenylate kinase

Large-scale conformational changes in proteins involve barrier-crossing transitions on the complex free energy surfaces of high-dimensional space. Such rare events cannot be efficiently captured by conventional molecular dynamics simulations. Here we show that, by combining the on-the-fly string method and the multi-state Bennett acceptance ratio (MBAR) method, the free energy profile of a conformational transition pathway in Escherichia coli adenylate kinase can be characterized in a high-dimensional space. The minimum free energy paths of the conformational transitions in adenylate kinase were explored by the on-the-fly string method in 20-dimensional space spanned by the 20 largest-amplitude principal modes, and the free energy and various kinds of average physical quantities along the pathways were successfully evaluated by the MBAR method. The influence of ligand binding on the pathways was characterized in terms of rigid-body motions of the lid-shaped ATP-binding domain (LID) and the AMP-binding (AMPbd) domains. It was found that the LID domain was able to partially close without the ligand, while the closure of the AMPbd domain required the ligand binding. The transition state ensemble of the ligand bound form was identified as those structures characterized by highly specific binding of the ligand to the AMPbd domain, and was validated by unrestrained MD simulations. It was also found that complete closure of the LID domain required the dehydration of solvents around the P-loop. These findings suggest that the interplay of the two different types of domain motion is an essential feature in the conformational transition of the enzyme.     

Activation of RGS9-1GTPase acceleration by its membrane anchor,R9AP

The GTPase-accelerating protein (GAP) complex RGS9-1.G beta(5) plays an important role in the kinetics of light responses by accelerating the GTP hydrolysis of G alpha(t) in vertebrate photoreceptors. Much, but not all, of this complex is tethered to disk membranes by the transmembrane protein R9AP. To determine the effect of the R9AP membrane complex on GAP activity, we purified recombinant R9AP and reconstituted it into lipid vesicles along with the photon receptor rhodopsin. Full-length RGS9-1.G beta(5) bound to R9AP-containing vesicles with high affinity (K(d) < 10 nm), but constructs lacking the DEP (dishevelled/EGL-10/pleckstrin) domain bound with much lower affinity, and binding of those lacking the entire N-terminal domain (i.e. the dishevelled/EGL-10/pleckstrin domain plus intervening domain) was not detectable. Formation of the membrane-bound complex with R9AP increased RGS9-1 GAP activity by a factor of 4. Vesicle titrations revealed that on the time scale of phototransduction, the entire reaction sequence from GTP uptake to GAP-catalyzed hydrolysis is a membrane-delimited process, and exchange of G alpha(t) between membrane surfaces is much slower than hydrolysis. Because in rod cells different pools exist of RGS9-1.G beta(5) that are either associated with R9AP or not, regulation of the association between R9AP and RGS9-1.G beta(5) represents a potential mechanism for the regulation of recovery kinetics.     

Crystal structure of shikimate kinase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis reveals the dynamic role of the LID domain in catalysis

Shikimate kinase (SK) and other enzymes in the shikimate pathway are potential targets for developing non-toxic antimicrobial agents, herbicides, and anti-parasite drugs, because the pathway is essential in the above species but is absent from mammals. The crystal structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis SK (MtSK) in complex with MgADP has been determined at 1.8 A resolution, revealing critical information for the structure-based design of novel anti-M. tuberculosis agents. MtSK, with a five-stranded parallel beta-sheet flanked by eight alpha-helices, has three domains: the CORE domain, the shikimate-binding domain (SB), and the LID domain. The ADP molecule is bound with its adenine moiety sandwiched between the side-chains of Arg110 and Pro155, its beta-phosphate group in the P-loop, and the alpha and beta-phosphate groups hydrogen bonded to the guanidinium group of Arg117. Arg117 is located in the LID domain, is strictly conserved in SK sequences, is observed for the first time to interact with any bound nucleotide, and appears to be important in both substrate binding and catalysis. The crystal structure of MtSK (this work) and that of Erwinia chrysanthemi SK suggest a concerted conformational change of the LID and SB domains upon nucleotide binding.     

Point mutation in the first transmembrane region of the beta 2 subunit of the gamma--aminobutyric acid type A receptor alters desensitization kinetics of gamma--aminobutyric acid- and anesthetic-induced channel gating

A conserved glycine residue in the first transmembrane (TM1) domain of the beta2 subunit has been identified to be involved with desensitization induced by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and anesthetics. Recombinant GABA(A) receptors expressed in Sf9 cells were recorded using semi-fast agonist application. Upon direct activation by GABA or anesthetics, the main effect of the TM1 point mutation on the beta2 subunit (G219F) was to slow the time constant (tau) of desensitization. At GABA concentrations eliciting maximum currents, the corresponding median tau values were 0.87 s (25-75% interval (0.76; 1.04 s)), 0.93 s (0.76; 1.23 s), and 1.36 s (1.17; 1.57 s) for alpha1beta2gamma2, alpha1(G223F)beta2gamma2, and alpha1beta2(G219F)gamma2, respectively. The tau value for the beta2-mutant receptor was significantly longer than alpha1beta2gamma2 (p < 0.01) and alpha1(G223F)beta2gamma2 (p < 0.05). For pentobarbital-induced currents (500 microm), the corresponding median tau values were 1.36 s (0.81; 1.41 s), 1.47 s (1.31; 2.38 s), and 2.82 s (2.21; 5.56 s) for alpha1beta2gamma2, alpha1(G223F)beta2gamma2, and alpha1beta2(G219F)gamma2, respectively. The tau value for the beta2-mutant receptor was significantly longer than that for alpha1beta2gamma2 (p < 0.01). The present findings suggest that this TM1 glycine residue is critical for the rate at which desensitization occurs and that both GABA and intravenous anesthetics implement an analogous pathway for generating desensitization.     

Characterization of the reaction of L-serine and indole with Escherichia coli tryptophan synthase via rapid-scanning ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy

The pre-steady-state reaction of indole and L-serine with the alpha 2 beta 2 complex of Escherichia coli tryptophan synthase has been investigated under different premixing conditions with rapid-scanning stopped-flow (RSSF) UV-visible spectroscopy for the spectral range 300-550 nm. When alpha 2 beta 2 was mixed with indole and L-serine, the reaction of alpha 2 beta 2 was found to occur in three detectable relaxations (1/tau 1 greater than 1/tau 2 greater than 1/tau 3) with rate constants identical with the three relaxations seen in the partial reaction with L-serine [Drewe, W.F., Jr., & Dunn, M.F. (1985) Biochemistry 24, 3977-3987]. Kinetic isotope effects due to substitution of 2H for the alpha-1H of serine were found to be similar to the effects observed in the reaction with serine only. The observed spectral changes and isotope effects indicate that the aldimine of L-serine and PLP and the first quinoid derived from this external aldimine are transient species that accumulate during tau 1. Conversion of these intermediates to the alpha-aminoacrylate Schiff base during tau 2 and tau 3 limits the rate of formation of the second quinoidal species (lambda max 476 nm) generated via C-C bond formation between indole and the alpha-aminoacrylate intermediate. The pre-steady-state reaction of the alpha 2 beta 2-serine mixture with indole is comprised of four relaxations (1/tau 1* greater than 1/tau 2* greater than 1/tau 3* greater than 1/tau 4*).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Analysis of the roles of RGD-binding integrins, alpha(4)/alpha(9) integrins, alpha(6) integrins, and CD9 in the interaction of the fertilin beta (ADAM2) disintegrin domain with the mouse egg membrane

Fertilin beta (also known as ADAM2), a mammalian sperm protein that mediates gamete cell adhesion during fertilization, is a member of the ADAM protein family whose members have disintegrin domains with homology to integrin ligands found in snake venoms. Fertilin beta utilizes an ECD sequence within its disintegrin domain to interact with the egg plasma membrane; the Asp is especially critical. Based on what is known about different integrin subfamilies and their ligands, we sought to characterize fertilin beta binding sites on mouse eggs, focusing on integrin subfamilies that recognize short peptide sequences that include an Asp residue: the alpha(5)/alpha(8)/alpha(v)/alpha(IIb) or RGD-binding subfamily (alpha(5)beta(1), alpha(8)beta(1), alpha(V)beta(1), alpha(V)beta(3), alpha(V)beta(5), alpha(V)beta(6), alpha(V)beta(8), and alpha(IIb)beta(3)) and the alpha(4)/alpha(9) subfamily (alpha(4)beta(1), alpha(9)beta(1), and alpha(4)beta(7)). We tested peptide sequences known to perturb interactions mediated by these integrins in two different assays for fertilin beta binding. Peptides with the sequence MLDG, which perturb alpha(4)/alpha(9) integrin-mediated interactions, significantly inhibit fertilin beta binding to eggs, which suggests a role for a member of this integrin subfamily as a fertilin beta receptor. RGD peptides, which perturb alpha(5)/alpha(8)/alpha(v)/alpha(IIb) integrin-mediated interactions, have partial inhibitory activity. The anti-alpha(6) antibody GoH3 has little or no inhibitory activity. An antibody to the integrin-associated tetraspanin protein CD9 inhibits the binding of a multivalent presentation of fertilin beta (immobilized on beads) but not soluble fertilin beta, which we speculate has implications for the role of CD9 in the strengthening of fertilin beta-mediated cell adhesion but not in initial ligand binding.     

Tracking local conformational changes of ribonuclease A using picosecond time-resolved fluorescence of the six tyrosine residues

The six tyrosine residues of ribonuclease A (RNase A) are used as individual intrinsic probes for tracking local conformational changes during unfolding. The fluorescence decays of RNase A are well described by sums of three exponentials with decay times (tau(1) = 1.7 ns, tau(2) = 180 ps, and tau(3) = 30 ps) and preexponential coefficients (A(1) = 1, A(2) = 1, and A(3) = 4) at pH 7, 25 degrees C. The decay times are controlled by photo-induced electron transfer from individual tyrosine residues to the nearest disulphide (-SS-), bridge, which is distance (R) dependent. We assign tau(1) to Tyr-76 (R = 12.8 A), tau(2) to Tyr-115 (R = 6.9 A), and tau(3) to Tyr-25, Tyr-73, Tyr-92, and Tyr-97 (all four at R = 5.5 +/- 0.3 A) at 23 degrees C. On the basis of this assignment, the results show that, upon thermal or chemical unfolding only Tyr-25, Tyr-92, and Tyr-76 undergo significant displacement from their nearest -SS- bridge. Despite reporting on different regions of the protein, the concordance between the transition temperatures, T(m), obtained from Tyr-76 (T(m) = 59.2 degrees C) and Tyr-25 and Tyr-92 (T(m) = 58.2 degrees C) suggests a single unfolding event in this temperature range that affects all these regions similarly.     

Detection and identification of intermediates in the reaction of L-serine with Escherichia coli tryptophan synthase via rapid-scanning ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy

Rapid-scanning stopped-flow (RSSF) UV-visible spectroscopy has been used to investigate the UV-visible absorption changes (300-550 nm) that occur in the spectrum of enzyme-bound pyridoxal 5'-phosphate during the reaction of L-serine with the alpha 2 beta 2 and beta 2 forms of Escherichia coli tryptophan synthase. In agreement with previous kinetic studies [Lane, A., & Kirschner, K. (1983) Eur. J. Biochem. 129, 561-570], the reaction with alpha 2 beta 2 was found to occur in three detectable relaxations (1/tau 1 greater than 1/tau 2 greater than 1/tau 3). The RSSF data reveal that during tau 1, the internal aldimine, E(PLP), with lambda max = 412 nm (pH 7.8), undergoes rapid conversion to two transient species, one with lambda max congruent to 420 nm and one with lambda max congruent to 460 nm. These species decay in a biphasic process (1/tau 2, 1/tau 3) to a complicated final spectrum with lambda max congruent to 350 nm and with a broad envelope of absorbance extending out to approximately 525 nm. Analysis of the time-resolved spectra establishes that the spectral changes in tau 2 are nearly identical with the spectral changes in tau 3. Kinetic isotope effects due to substitution of 2H for the alpha-1H of serine were found to increase the amount of the 420-nm transient and to decrease the amount of the species with lambda max congruent to 460 nm. These findings identify the serine Schiff base (the external aldimine) as the 420 nm absorbing, highly fluorescent transient; the species with lambda max congruent to 460 nm is the delocalized carbanion (quinoidal) species derived from abstraction of the alpha proton from the external aldimine. The reaction of L-serine with beta 2 consists of two relaxations (1/tau 1 beta greater than 1/tau 2 beta) and yields a quasi-stable species with lambda max = 420 nm, in good agreement with a previous report [Miles, E. W., Hatanaka, M., & Crawford, I. P. (1968) Biochemistry 7, 2742-2753]. Analysis of the RSSF spectra indicates that the same spectral change occurs in each phase of the reaction. The similarity of the spectral changes that occur in tau 2 and tau 3 of the alpha 2 beta 2 reaction is postulated to originate from the existence of two (slowly) interconverting forms of the enzyme.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

N, N -disubstituted piperazines and homopiperazines: synthesis and affinities at alpha4beta2* and alpha7* neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

A series of N, N- disubstituted piperazines and homopiperazines were prepared and evaluated for binding to natural alpha4beta2* and alpha7* neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) using whole brain membrane. Some compounds exhibited good selectivity for alpha4beta2* nAChRs and did not interact with the alpha7* nAChRs subtype. The most potent analogs were compounds 8-19 (K(i) = 10.4 microM), 8-13 (K(i) = 12.0 microM), and 8-24 (K(i) = 12.8 microM). Thus, linking together a pyridine pi-system and a cyclic amine moiety via a homopiperazine ring affords compounds with low affinity but with good selectivity for alpha4beta2* nAChRs.     

Differential interaction of synthetic peptides from the carboxyl-terminal regulatory domain of tubulin with microtubule-associated proteins.

In previous studies we have demonstrated that a 4-kd tubulin fragment, including amino acid residues from Phe418 to Glu450 in alpha-subunit and Phe408-Ala445 of the beta-sequence, plays a major role in controlling tubulin interactions leading to microtubule assembly. The 4-kd carboxyl-terminal domain also constitutes an essential domain for the interaction of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). Removal of the 4-kd fragment facilitates tubulin self-association and renders the assembly MAP-independent. In order to define the substructure of the tubulin domain for MAP interaction, we have examined the binding of 3H-acetylated C-terminal peptides to MAP-2 and tau. Two synthetic peptides from the low-homology region within the 4-kd domain alpha (430-441) and beta (422-434) and the peptide, alpha (401-410) of the high-homology region adjacent to the 4-kd domain, were analyzed with respect to MAP interaction. The binding data showed a relatively strong interaction of MAP-2 with the beta (422-434) peptide and a weaker interaction of both MAPs components with alpha (430-441) tubulin peptide as analyzed by Airfuge ultracentrifugation and zone filtration chromatography. The homologous alpha (401-410) peptide did not bind to either MAP-2 or tau. Equilibrium dialysis experiments showed a co-operative binding of beta (422-434) peptide to multiple sites in tau. The alpha (430-441) peptide exhibited a stronger interaction for tau as compared with MAP-2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Crystal structure of human adenylate kinase 4 (L171P) suggests the role of hinge region in protein domain motion

It is well known that motion of LID and NMP-binding (NMP_bind) domains in adenylate kinase (AK) is important in ligand binding and catalysis. However, the nature of such domain motions is poorly characterized. One of the critical hinge regions is hinge IV, which connects the CORE and LID domains. In addition, the hinge IV contains a strictly conserved residue, L171, in the AK family. To investigate the role of hinge IV, crystal structure of human adenylate kinase 4 (AK4) L171P mutant was determined. This mutation dramatically changes the orientation of the LID domain, which could be described as a novel twisted-and-closed conformation in contrast to the open and closed conformations in other AKs. This mutant provides a new example of domain motions in AK family.     

A discrete repeated sequence defines a tubulin binding domain on microtubule-associated protein tau

The protein domain responsible for the interaction of tau with tubulin has been identified. Biophysical studies indicated that the synthetic peptide Val187-Gly204 (VRSKIG-STENLKHQPGGG) from the repetitive sequence on tau binds to two sites on the tubulin heterodimer and to one site on each of the microtubule-associated protein-interacting C-terminal tubulin peptides alpha(430-441) and beta(422-434). The binding data showed a relatively stronger interaction of Val187-Gly204 with beta(422-434) as compared to that with alpha(430-441). The interaction of this tau peptide with either alpha or beta tubulin peptides appears to be associated with conformational changes in both the tau and the tubulin peptides. The beta tubulin peptide also appears to induce a structural change of tau fragment Val218-Gly235. Interestingly, tau peptides Val187-Gly204 and Val218-Gly235 induced tubulin self-assembly in a cold-reversible fashion, and incorporated into the assembled polymers. The specificity of the interaction of the tau peptide was supported by the competition of tau protein for the interaction with the tubulin polymer. In addition, the tau peptide appears to contain the principal antigenic determinant(s) recognized by anti-idiotypic antibodies that react with the tubulin binding domains on microtubule-associated proteins. The present findings together with the demonstration of the presence of multiple sites for the binding of the alpha(430-441) and beta(422-434) tubulin fragments to tau, and the existence of repetitive sequences on tau, strongly support the hypothesis that the region of tau defined by the repetitive sequences is involved in its interaction with tubulin.     

Determination of rotational correlation times from deconvoluted fluorescence anisotropy decay curves. Demonstration with 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine and lumazine protein from Photobacterium leiognathi as fluorescent indicators

The experimental and analytical protocols required for obtaining rotational correlation times of biological macromolecules from fluorescence anisotropy decay measurements are described. As an example, the lumazine protein from Photobacterium leiognathi was used. This stable protein (Mr 21 200) contains the noncovalently bound, natural fluorescent marker 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine, which has in the bound state a long fluorescence lifetime (tau = 14 ns). Shortening of the fluorescence lifetime to 2.6 ns at room temperature was achieved by addition of the collisional fluorescence quencher potassium iodide. The shortening of tau had virtually no effect on the rotational correlation time of the lumazine protein (phi = 9.4 ns, 19 degrees C). The ability to measure biexponential anisotropy decay was tested by the addition of Photobacterium luciferase (Mr 80 000), which forms an equilibrium complex with lumazine protein. Under the experimental conditions used (2 degrees C) the biexponential anisotropy decay can best be described with correlation times of 20 and 60 ns, representing the uncomplexed and luciferase-associated lumazine proteins, respectively. The unbound 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine itself (tau = 9 ns) was used as a model compound for determining correlation times in the picosecond time range. In the latter case rigorous deconvolution from the excitation profile was required to recover the correlation time, which was shorter (100-200 ps) than the measured laser excitation pulse width (500 ps).