Mutational analysis of potential pore-lining amino acids in TM IV of the Na/H exchanger

The Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) is an integral membrane protein that regulates intracellular pH by extruding an intracellular H⁺ in exchange for one extracellular Na⁺. In this study we examined the effect of site-specific mutagenesis on the pore-lining amino acid Phe161 and effects of mutagenesis on the charged amino acids Asp159 and Asp172. There was no absolute requirement for a carboxyl side chain at amino acid Asp159 or Asp172. Mutation of Asp159 to Asn or Gln maintained or increased the activity of the protein. Similarly, for Asp172, substitution with a Gln residue maintained activity of the protein, even though substitution with an Asn residue was inhibitory. The Asp172Glu mutant possessed normal activity after correction for its aberrant expression and surface targeting. Replacement of Phe161 with a Leu demonstrated that it was not irreplaceable in NHE1 function. However, the mutation Phe161lys inhibited NHE1 function, while the Phe161Ala mutation caused altered NHE1 targeting and expression levels. Our results show that these three amino acids, while being important in NHE1 function, are not irreplaceable. This study demonstrates that multiple substitutions at a single amino acid residue may be necessary to get a clearer picture membrane protein function.     

Structural and functional analysis of critical amino acids in TMVI of the NHE1 isoform of the Na+/H+ exchanger

The mammalian Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) resides on the plasma membrane and exchanges one intracellular H(+) for one extracellular Na(+). It maintains intracellular pH and regulates cell volume, and cell functions including growth and cell differentiation. Previous structural and functional studies on TMVI revealed several amino acids that are potentially pore lining. We examined these and other critical residues by site-directed mutagenesis substituting Asn227→Ala, Asp, Arg; Ile233→Ala; Leu243→Ala; Glu247→Asp, Gln; Glu248→Asp, Gln. Mutant NHE1 proteins were characterized in AP-1 cells, which do not express endogenous NHE1. All the TMVI critical amino acids were highly sensitive to substitution and changes often lead to a dysfunctional protein. Mutations of Asn227→Ala, Asp, Arg; Ile233→Ala; Leu243→Ala; Glu247→Asp; Glu248→Gln yielded significant reduction in NHE1 activity. Mutants of Asn227 demonstrated defects in protein expression, targeting and activity. Substituting Asn227→Arg and Ile233→Ala decreased the surface localization and expression of NHE1 respectively. The pore lining amino acids Ile233 and Leu243 were both essential for activity. Glu247 was not essential, but the size of the residue at this location was important while the charge on residue Glu248 was more critical to NHE1 function. Limited trypsin digestion on Leu243→Ala and Glu248→Gln revealed that they had increased susceptibility to proteolytic attack, indicating an alteration in protein conformation. Modeling of TMVI with TMXI suggests that these TM segments form part of the critical fold of NHE1 with Ile233 and Leu465 of TMXI forming a critical part of the extracellular facing ion conductance pathway.     

Structural and functional characterization of transmembrane segment IV of the NHE1 isoform of the Na+/H+ exchanger

The Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoform 1 is a ubiquitously expressed integral membrane protein that regulates intracellular pH in mammals. We characterized the structural and functional aspects of the critical transmembrane (TM) segment IV. Each residue was mutated to cysteine in cysteine-less NHE1. TM IV was exquisitely sensitive to mutation with 10 of 23 mutations causing greatly reduced expression and/or activity. The Phe(161) --> Cys mutant was inhibited by treatment with the water-soluble sulfhydryl-reactive compounds [2-(trimethylammonium)ethyl]methanethiosulfonate and [2-sulfonatoethyl]methanethiosulfonate, suggesting it is a pore-lining residue. The structure of purified TM IV peptide was determined using high resolution NMR in a CD(3)OH:CDCl(3):H(2)O mixture and in Me(2)SO. In CD(3)OH: CDCl(3):H(2)O, TM IV was structured but not as a canonical alpha-helix. Residues Asp(159)-Leu(162) were a series of beta-turns; residues Leu(165)-Pro(168) showed an extended structure, and residues Ile(169)-Phe(176) were helical in character. These three structured regions rotated quite freely with respect to the others. In Me(2)SO, the structure was much less defined. Our results demonstrate that TM IV is an unusually structured transmembrane segment that is exquisitely sensitive to mutagenesis and that Phe(161) is a pore-lining residue.     

Mutations in Hemagglutinin and Polymerase Alter the Virulence of Pandemic A(H1N1) Influenza Virus

To study the pathogenicity factors of the pandemic A(H1N1) influenza virus, a number of mutant variants of the A/Hamburg/5/2009 (H1N1)pdm09 strain were obtained through passage in chicken embryos, mouse lungs, and MDCK cell culture. After 17 lung-to-lung passages of the A/Hamburg/5/2009 in mice, the minimum lethal dose of the derived variant decreased by five orders of magnitude compared to that of the parental virus. This variant differed from the original virus by nine amino acid residues in the following viral proteins: hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), and components of the polymerase complex. Additional passaging of the intermediate variants and cloning made it possible to obtain pairs of strains that differed by a single amino acid substitution. Comparative analysis of replicative activity, receptor specificity, and virulence of these variants revealed two mechanisms responsible for increased pathogenicity of the virus for mice. Thus, (1) substitutions in HA (Asp225Gly or Gln226Arg) and compensatory mutation decreasing the charge of HA (Lys123Asn, Lys157Asn, Gly158Glu, Asn159Asp, or Lys212Met) altered viral receptor-binding specificity and restored the functional balance between HA and NA; (2) Phe35Leu substitution in the PA protein increased viral polymerase activity.     

The amino acid sequence of satyr tragopan lysozyme and its activity

The amino acid sequence of satyr tragopan lysozyme and its activity was analyzed. Carboxymethylated lysozyme was digested with trypsin and the resulting peptides were sequenced. The established amino acid sequence had three amino acid substitutions at positions 103 (Asn to Ser), 106 (Ser to Asn), and 121 (His to Gln) comparing with Temminck's tragopan lysozyme and five amino acid substitutions at positions 3 (Phe to Tyr), 15 (His to Leu), 41 (Gln to His), 101 (Asp to Gly) and 103 (Asn to Ser) with chicken lysozyme. The time course analysis using N-acetylglucosamine pentamer as a substrate showed a decrease of binding free energy change, 1.1 kcal/mol at subsite A and 0.2 kcal/mol at subsite B, between satyr tragopan and chicken lysozymes. This was assumed to be responsible for the amino acid substitutions at subsite A-B at position 101 (Asp to Gly), however another substitution at position 103 (Asn to Ser) considered not to affect the change of the substrate binding affinity by the observation of identical time course of satyr tragopan lysozyme with turkey and Temminck's tragopan lysozymes that carried the identical amino acids with chicken lysozyme at this position. These results indicate that the observed decrease of binding free energy change at subsites A-B of satyr tragopan lysozyme was responsible for the amino acid substitution at position 101 (Asp to Gly).     

The primary structure of the β-subunit of protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The complete amino acid sequence of the β-subunit of protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase was determined. The β-subunit contained four methionine residues. Thus, five peptides were obtained after cleavage of the carboxymethylated β-subunit with cyanogen bromide, and were isolated on Sephadex G-75 column chromatography. The amino acid sequences of the cyanogen bromide peptides were established by characterization of the peptides obtained after digestion with trypsin, chymotrypsin, thermolysin, or Staphylococcus aureus protease. The major sequencing techniques used were automated and manual Edman degradations. The five cyanogen bromide peptides were aligned by means of the amino acid sequences of the peptides containing methionine purified from the tryptic hydrolysate of the carboxymethylated β-subunit. The amino acid sequence of all the 238 residues was as follows: ProAlaGlnAspAsnSerArgPheValIleArgAsp ArgAsnTrpHis ProLysAlaLeuThrPro-Asp — TyrLysThrSerIleAlaArg SerProArgGlnAla LeuValSerIleProGlnSer — IleSerGluThrThrGly ProAsnPheSerHisLeu GlyPheGlyAlaHisAsp-His — AspLeuLeuLeuAsnPheAsn AsnGlyGlyLeu ProIleGlyGluArgIle-Ile — ValAlaGlyArgValValAsp GlnTyrGlyLysPro ValProAsnThrLeuValGluMet — TrpGlnAlaAsnAla GlyGlyArgTyrArg HisLysAsnAspArgTyrLeuAlaPro — LeuAspProAsn PheGlyGlyValGly ArgCysLeuThrAspSerAspGlyTyrTyr — SerPheArg ThrIleLysProGlyPro TyrProTrpArgAsnGlyProAsnAsp — TrpArgProAla HisIleHisPheGlyIle SerGlyProSerIleAlaThr-Lys — LeuIleThrGlnLeuTyr PheGluGlyAspPro LeuIleProMetCysProIleVal — LysSerIleAlaAsn ProGluAlaValGlnGln LeuIleAlaLysLeuAspMetAsnAsn — AlaAsnProMet AsnCysLeuAlaTyr ArgPheAspIleValLeuArgGlyGlnArgLysThrHis PheGluAsnCys. The sequence published earlier in summary form (Iwaki et al., 1979, J. Biochem.86, 1159–1162) contained a few errors which are pointed out in this paper.     

Enzymatic properties of mutant Escherichia coli tryptophan synthase alpha-subunits

Thirty-nine mutant tryptophan synthase alpha subunits have been purified and analyzed (in the presence of the beta 2-subunit) for their enzymatic (kcat, Km) behavior in the reactions catalyzed by the alpha 2.beta 2 complex, the fully constituted form of this enzyme. The mutant alpha subunits, obtained by in vitro random, saturation mutagenesis of the encoding trpA gene, contain single amino acid substitutions at sites within the first 121 residues of the alpha polypeptide. Four categories of altered residues have been tentatively assigned roles in the catalytic functions of this enzyme: 1) catalytic residues (Glu49 and Asp60); 2) residues involved in substrate binding or orientation (Phe22, Thr63, Gln65, Tyr102, and Leu105); 3) residues involved in alpha.beta subunit interactions (Gly51, Pro53, Asp56, Asp60, Pro62, Ala67, Phe72, Thr77, Pro78, Tyr102, Asn104, Leu105, and Asn108); and 4) residues with no apparent catalytic roles. Catalytic residue alterations result in no detectable activity in the alpha-subunit specific reactions. Substrate binding/orientation roles are detected enzymatically primarily as rate defects; alterations only at Tyr102 result in apparent Km effects. alpha.beta interaction roles are detected as rate defects in all tryptophan synthase reactions plus Km increases for the alpha-subunit substrate, indole-3-glycerol phosphate, only when L-serine is present at the beta 2-subunit active site. A substitution at only one site, Asn104, appears to be unique in its potential effect on intersubunit channeling of indole, the product of the alpha-subunit specific reaction, to the beta 2-subunit active site.     

Eight amino acids form the ATP recognition site of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase

Point mutations of a part of the H(4)-H(5) loop (Leu(354)-Ile(604)) of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase have been used to study the ATP and TNP-ATP binding affinities. Besides the previously reported amino acid residues Lys(480), Lys(501), Gly(502), and Cys(549), we have found four more amino acid residues, viz., Glu(446), Phe(475), Gln(482), and Phe(548), completing the ATP-binding pocket of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. Moreover, mutation of Arg(423) has also resulted in a large decrease in the extent of ATP binding. This residue, localized outside the binding pocket, seems to play a key role in supporting the proper structure and shape of the binding site, probably due to formation of a hydrogen bond with Glu(472). On the other hand, only some minor effects were caused by mutations of Ile(417), Asn(422), Ser(445), and Glu(505).     

Amino acid sequence of a protease inhibitor isolated from Sarcophaga bullata determined by mass spectrometry.

The amino acid sequence of a protease inhibitor isolated from the hemolymph of Sarcophaga bullata larvae was determined by tandem mass spectrometry. Homology considerations with respect to other protease inhibitors with known primary structures assisted in the choice of the procedure followed in the sequence determination and in the alignment of the various peptides obtained from specific chemical cleavage at cysteines and enzyme digests of the S. bullata protease inhibitor. The resulting sequence of 57 residues is as follows: Val Asp Lys Ser Ala Cys Leu Gln Pro Lys Glu Val Gly Pro Cys Arg Lys Ser Asp Phe Val Phe Phe Tyr Asn Ala Asp Thr Lys Ala Cys Glu Glu Phe Leu Tyr Gly Gly Cys Arg Gly Asn Asp Asn Arg Phe Asn Thr Lys Glu Glu Cys Glu Lys Leu Cys Leu.     

Identification of amino acids essential for estrone-3-sulfate transport within transmembrane domain 2 of organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1

As an important structure in membrane proteins, transmembrane domains have been found to be crucial for properly targeting the protein to cell membrane as well as carrying out transport functions in transporters. Computer analysis of OATP sequences revealed transmembrane domain 2 (TM2) is among those transmembrane domains that have high amino acid identities within different family members. In the present study, we identify four amino acids (Asp70, Phe73, Glu74, and Gly76) that are essential for the transport function of OATP1B1, an OATP member that is specifically expressed in the human liver. A substitution of these four amino acids with alanine resulted in significantly reduced transport activity. Further mutagenesis showed the charged property of Asp70 and Glu74 is critical for proper function of the transporter protein. Comparison of the kinetic parameters indicated that Asp70 is likely to interact with the substrate while Glu74 may be involved in stabilizing the binding site through formation of a salt-bridge. The aromatic ring structure of Phe73 seems to play an important role because substitution of Phe73 with tyrosine, another amino acid with a similar structure, led to partially restored transport function. On the other hand, replacement of Gly76 with either alanine or valine could not recover the function of the transporter. Considering the nature of a transmembrane helix, we proposed that Gly76 may be important for maintaining the proper structure of the protein. Interestingly, when subjected to transport function analysis of higher concentration of esteone-3-sulfate (50 μM) that corresponds to the low affinity binding site of OATP1B1, mutants of Phe73, Glu74, and Gly76 all showed a transport function that is comparable to that of the wild-type, suggesting these amino acids may have less impact on the low affinity component of esteone-3-sulfate within OATP1B1, while Asp 70 seems to be involved in the interaction of both sites.     

Structural and functional characterization of transmembrane segment IX of the NHE1 isoform of the Na+/H+ exchanger

The Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) is an integral membrane protein that regulates intracellular pH by removing one intracellular H(+) in exchange for one extracellular Na(+). It has a large N-terminal membrane domain of 12 transmembrane segments and an intracellular C-terminal regulatory domain. We characterized the cysteine accessibility of amino acids of the putative transmembrane segment IX (residues 339-363). Each residue was mutated to cysteine in a functional cysteineless NHE1 protein. Of 25 amino acids mutated, 5 were inactive or nearly so after mutation to cysteine. Several of these showed aberrant targeting to the plasma membrane and reduced expression of the intact protein, whereas others were expressed and targeted correctly but had defective NHE1 function. Of the active mutants, Glu(346) and Ser(351) were inhibited >70% by positively charged [2-(trimethylammonium)-ethyl]methanethiosulfonate but not by anionic [2-sulfonatoethyl]methanethiosulfonate, suggesting that they are pore lining and make up part of the cation conduction pathway. Both mutants also had decreased affinity for Na(+) and decreased activation by intracellular protons. The structure of a peptide representing amino acids 338-365 was determined by using high resolution NMR in dodecylphosphocholine micelles. The structure contained two helical regions (amino acids Met(340)-Ser(344) and Ile(353)-Ser(359)) kinked with a large bend angle around a pivot point at amino acid Ser(351). The results suggest that transmembrane IX is critical with pore-lining residues and a kink at the functionally important residue Ser(351).     

5'-methylthioadenosine nucleosidase from yellow lupine (Lupinus luteus): molecular characterization and mutational analysis

This is report of mutational analysis of higher plant 5'-methylthioadenosine nucleosidase (MTAN). We identified and characterized the gene encoding yellow lupine (Lupinus luteus) MTAN (LlMTAN). The role of active site amino acids residues Glu24, Phe134, Glu188 and Asp211 was analyzed by site-directed mutagenesis. The Glu24Gln and Asp211Asn substitutions completely abolished the enzyme activity. The Glu188Gln mutant showed only trace activity toward 5'-methylthioadenosine. These results indicate that these three amino acid residues are necessary for enzyme activity. Furthermore, as the result of replacement of Phe134 by less bulky leucine, LlMTAN acquired the ability to bind and hydrolyze S-adenosylhomocysteine. We also analyzed the sequence of the LlMTAN promoter region. It appeared that there may be a direct link between LlMTAN expression regulation and sulfate metabolism.     

Aspzincin, a family of metalloendopeptidases with a new zinc-binding motif. Identification of new zinc-binding sites (His(128), His(132), and Asp(164)) and three catalytically crucial residues (Glu(129), Asp(143), and Tyr(106)) of deuterolysin from Aspergillus oryzae by site-directed mutagenesis.

Deuterolysin (EC 3.4.24.39; formerly designated as neutral proteinase II) from Aspergillus oryzae, which contains 1 g atom of zinc/mol of enzyme, is a single chain of 177 amino acid residues, includes three disulfide bonds, and has a molecular mass of 19,018 Da. Active-site determination of the recombinant enzyme expressed in Escherichia coli was performed by site-directed mutagenesis. Substitutions of His(128) and His(132) with Arg, of Glu(129) with Gln or Asp, of Asp(143) with Asn or Glu, of Asp(164) with Asn, and of Tyr(106) with Phe resulted in almost complete loss of the activity of the mutant enzymes. It can be concluded that His(128), His(132), and Asp(164) provide the Zn(2+) ligands of the enzyme according to a (65)Zn binding assay. Based on site-directed mutagenesis experiments, it was demonstrated that the three essential amino acid residues Glu(129), Asp(143), and Tyr(106) are catalytically crucial residues in the enzyme. Glu(129) may be implicated in a central role in the catalytic function. We conclude that deuterolysin is a member of a family of Zn(2+) metalloendopeptidases with a new zinc-binding motif, aspzincin, defined by the "HEXXH + D" motif and an aspartic acid as the third zinc ligand.     

Analysis of the NH2-Terminal 87th Amino Acid of Escherichia coli GyrA in Quinolone-Resistance

The functional contributions of amino acid residue Asp87 of Escherichia coli gyrase A protein (GyrA) was analyzed by site-directed mutagenesis. We generated a series of mutants, in which Asp87 of GyrA was changed to Ala, Val, Phe, Asn, Ser, and Lys. By genetic analysis of gyrA genes in a gyrA temperature-sensitive (Ts) background, it was shown that all these mutations caused the quinolone-resistance. These results indicate that the 87th amino acid of E. coli GyrA must have negative charge in expressing the phenotype of quinolone sensitivity. These findings also suggest that the carboxyl group of Asp87 may interact with quinolone drugs.     

Importance for absorption of Na+ from freshwater of lysine, valine and serine substitutions in the alpha1a-isoform of Na,K-ATPase in the gills of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

In the gills of rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon, the alpha1a- and alpha1b-isoforms of Na,K-ATPase are expressed reciprocally during salt acclimation. The alpha1a-isoform is important for Na(+) uptake in freshwater, but the molecular basis for the functional differences between the two isoforms is not known. Here, three amino acid substitutions are identified in transmembrane segment 5 (TM5), TM8 and TM9 of the alpha1a-isoform compared to the alpha1b-isoform, and the functional consequences are examined by mutagenesis and molecular modeling on the crystal structures of Ca-ATPase or porcine kidney Na,K-ATPase. In TM5 of the alpha1a-isoform, a lysine substitution, Asn783 --> Lys, inserts the epsilon-amino group in cation site 1 in the E(1) form to reduce the Na(+)/ATP ratio. In the E(2) form the epsilon-amino group approaches cation site 2 to force ejection of Na(+) to the blood phase and to interfere with binding of K(+). In TM8, a Asp933 --> Val substitution further reduces K(+) binding, while a Glu961 --> Ser substitution in TM9 can prevent interaction of FXYD peptides with TM9 and alter Na(+) or K(+) affinities. Together, the three substitutions in the alpha1a-isoform of Na,K-ATPase act to promote binding of Na(+) over K(+) from the cytoplasm, to reduce the Na(+)/ATP ratio and the work done in one Na,K pump cycle of active Na(+) transport against the steep gradient from freshwater (10-100 microM: Na(+)) to blood (160 mM: Na(+)) and to inhibit binding of K(+) to allow Na(+)/H(+) rather than Na(+)/K(+) exchange.     

Site-directed mutagenesis of a conserved, extracellular aspartic acid residue affects the ouabain sensitivity of sheep Na,K-ATPase

Site-specific mutagenesis was used to study the function of a conserved, extracellular aspartic acid residue from the sheep Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit. This amino acid, Asp-121, is the penultimate residue of the first extracellular domain of the alpha subunit. The border residues of this particular extracellular loop of the alpha subunit have been shown to be determinants of ouabain sensitivity (Price, E. M., and Lingrel, J. B. (1988) Biochemistry 27, 8400-8408). In order to determine if Asp-121 is involved in ouabain binding, five different amino acid substitutions at this position were generated. Four of the five mutant alpha subunits, containing either Asn, Ala, Glu, or Ser in place of Asp-121, conferred ouabain resistance to HeLa cells when expressed in those cells. Cloned sublines of cells selected in ouabain were characterized in terms of ouabain-inhibitable cell growth and Na,K-ATPase activity. The cells expressing the mutant Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit containing either Asn, Ala, Glu, or Ser in place of Asp-121 contained a component of Na,K-ATPase activity that was nearly 100-times more resistant to ouabain than the endogenous HeLa (human) or sheep enzyme. Apparently, conservative (Glu for Asp), isosteric (Asn for Asp), and nonconservative (Ala or Ser for Asp) substitutions all significantly decreased ouabain sensitivity. These data suggest that Asp-121 of the sheep Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit participates in the binding interaction between the enzyme and ouabain.     

Effects of chronic ethanol treatment on amino acid uptake and enzyme activities in the lactating rat mammary gland

The effects of chronic ethanol consumption on mammary gland amino acid uptake at the 15th day of lactation in the rat have been studied. Ethanol treatment decreased the arterial levels of Ala, Asp, Gly, Pro, Lys and Met, and increased those of Gln and alpha-amino-butyrate. Chronic ethanol treatment produced a decrease in the arteriovenous differences of Asp, Thr, Arg, Met and Phe, and increased those of Ala, Gln, Gly, Pro and Tyr. The combination of the calculated values of relative extraction and the arteriovenous differences indicate that these alterations in amino acid uptake are related to changes in the transport process for Ala, Asp, Thr, Pro, Arg, Asn, Gly, Tyr, and Phe, and that the alterations in the arteriovenous differences of Gln, Lys and Met are due to the affected arterial levels of these amino acids. Measurements of enzymatic activities in the mammary gland show that these alterations in the amino acid transport process cannot be ascribed to changes in the gamma-glutamyl cycle.     

Glutamate 346 of human Na+-H+ exchanger NHE1 is crucial for modulating both the affinity for Na+ and the interaction with amiloride derivatives

A NHE1 variant that exhibits very high resistance to (3-methyl sulfonyl-4-piperidinobenzoyl) guanidine methane sulfonate (HOE694), a potent inhibitor of Na(+)-H(+) exchangers, was selected and characterized. Sequencing of the coding region corresponding to the N-terminal domain of this variant revealed the presence of only one mutation located within membrane-spanning segment 9 (M9). This base pair change replaces a glutamate (Glu) with an aspartate (Asp). We reproduced this amino acid change in wild-type NHE1 and found that this mutation alone is responsible for the huge decrease in sensitivity to the HOE694 compound and to ethylisopropylamiloride (EIPA). We found that the NHE1-Glu(346)Asp mutant was more than 2000-fold more resistant to HOE694 and up to 300-fold more resistant to EIPA than wild-type NHE1, with the size, rather than the charge, of the amino acid in position 346 having the greatest effect. Interestingly, its affinity for Na(+) was at least 4-fold lower than that of wild-type NHE1. Mutation of amino acids in the vicinity of Glu(346) did not change the sensitivity of mutated NHE1 proteins to inhibitors. We suggest there is a direct interaction of Glu(346) or involvement of Glu(346) in a coordination site with NHE inhibitors and with Na(+).     

Selective cleavage of peptide bonds by cathepsins L and B from rat liver

The selective cleavage of peptide bonds by cathepsin L from rat liver was examined with a hexapeptide, luteinizing hormone releasing hormone, neurotensin and oxidized insulin A chain as model substrates. The specificity of cathepsin L was compared with that of cathepsin B. Cathepsin L cleaved peptide bonds that have a hydrophobic amino acid, such as Phe, Leu, Val, and Trp or Tyr, in position P2. A polar amino acid, such as Tyr, Ser, Gly, Glu, Asp, Gln, or Asn, in position P1. enhanced the susceptibility of the peptide bond to cathepsin L, though the importance of the amino acid residue in position P1' was not as great as that of the amino acid in position P2 for the action of cathepsin L. These results suggest that, in contrast to cathepsin B, cathepsin L shows very clear specificity.     

Identification of a novel conserved sequence motif in flavoprotein hydroxylases with a putative dual function in FAD/NAD(P)H binding.

A novel conserved sequence motif has been located among the flavoprotein hydroxylases. Based on the crystal structure and site-directed mutagenesis studies of p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase (PHBH) from Pseudomonas fluorescens, this amino acid fingerprint sequence is proposed to play a dual function in both FAD and NAD(P)H binding. In PHBH, the novel sequence motif (residues 153-166) includes strand A4 and the N-terminal part of helix H7. The conserved amino acids Asp 159, Gly 160, and Arg 166 are necessary for maintaining the structure. The backbone oxygen of Cys 158 and backbone nitrogens of Gly 160 and Phe 161 interact indirectly with the pyrophosphate moiety of FAD, whereas it is known from mutagenesis studies that the side chain of the moderately conserved His 162 is involved in NADPH binding.