A reinvestigation of the pre-steady-state ATPase activity of the nitrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii.

The pre-steady-state ATPase activity of nitrogenase has been reinvestigated. The exceptionally high burst in the hydrolysis of MgATP by the nitrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii communicated by Cordewener et al. (1987) [Cordewener J., ten Asbroek A., Wassink H., Eady R. R., Haaker H. & Veeger C. (1987) Eur. J. Biochem. 162, 265-270] was found to be caused by an apparatus artefact. A second possible artefact in the determination of the stoichiometry of the pre-steady-state ATPase activity of nitrogenase was observed. Acid-quenched mixtures of dithionite-reduced MoFe or Fe protein of Azotobacter vinelandii nitrogenase and MgATP contained phosphate above the background level. It is proposed that due to this reaction, quenched reaction mixtures of nitrogenase and MgATP may contain phosphate in addition to the phosphate released by the ATPase activity of the nitrogenase complex. It was feasible to monitor MgATP-dependent pre-steady-state proton production by the absorbance change at 572 nm of the pH indicator o-cresolsulfonaphthalein in a weakly buffered solution. At 5.6 degrees C, a pre-steady-state phase of H+ production was observed, with a first-order rate constant of 2.2 s-1, whereas electron transfer occurred with a first-order rate constant of 4.9 s-1. At 20.0 degrees C, MgATP-dependent H+ production and electron transfer in the pre-steady-state phase were characterized by observed rate constants of 9.4 s-1 and 104 s-1, respectively. The stopped-flow technique failed to detect a burst in the release of protons by the dye-oxidized nitrogenase complex. It is concluded that the hydrolysis rate of MgATP, as judged by proton release, is lower than the rate of electron transfer from the Fe protein to the MoFe protein.     

A transient-kinetic study of the nitrogenase of Klebsiella pneumoniae by stopped-flow calorimetry. Comparison with the myosin ATPase.

The pre-steady-state kinetics of MgATP hydrolysis by nitrogenase from Klebsiella pneumoniae were studied by stopped-flow calorimetry at 6 degrees C and at pH 7.0. An endothermic reaction (delta Hobs. = +36 kJ.mol of ATP-1; kobs. = 9.4 s-1) in which 0.5 proton.mol of ATP-1 was released, has been assigned to the on-enzyme cleavage of MgATP to yield bound MgADP + Pi. The assignment is based on the similarity of these parameters to those of the corresponding reaction that occurs with rabbit muscle myosin subfragment-1 (delta Hobs. = +32 kJ.mol of ATP-1; kobs. = 7.1 s-1; 0.2 proton released.mol of ATP-1) [Millar, Howarth & Gutfreund (1987) Biochem. J. 248, 683-690]. MgATP-dependent electron transfer from the nitrogenase Fe-protein to the MoFe-protein was monitored by stopped-flow spectrophotometry at 430 nm and occurred with kobs. value of 3.0 s-1 at 6 degrees C. Thus, under these conditions, hydrolysis of MgATP precedes electron transfer within the protein complex. Evidence is presented that suggests that MgATP cleavage and subsequent electron transfer are reversible at 6 degrees C with an overall equilibrium constant close to unity, but that, at 23 degrees C, the reactions are essentially irreversible, with an overall equilibrium constant greater than or equal to 10.     

Kinetics of electron transfer between cytochrome c and laccase.

Rate constants have been determined for the electron-transfer reactions between reduced horse heart cytochrome c and resting Rhus vernicifera laccase as a function of pH, ionic strength, and temperature. The second-order rate constant for the oxidation of reduced cytochrome c was determined to be k = 125 M-1 s-1 at 25 degrees C in 0.2 M phosphate buffer at pH 6.0 with the activation parameters delta H++ = 16.2 kJ mol-1 and delta S++ = 28.9 J mol-1 K-1. The rate constants increased with decreasing buffer concentration, indicating that electron transfer from cytochrome c to laccase is favored by the local electrostatic interaction (ZAZB = -0.9 at pH 6 and -1.3 at pH 4.8) between the basic proteins with positive net charges. From the increase of the rate of electron transfer with decreasing pH, one of the driving forces of the reaction was suggested to be the difference in the redox potentials between the type 1 copper in laccase and the central iron in cytochrome c. Further, on addition of one hexametaphosphate anion per cytochrome c molecule, the rate of the electron transfer was increased, probably because the association of both proteins became more favorable.     

Evidence that MgATP accelerates primary electron transfer in a Clostridium pasteurianum Fe protein-Azotobacter vinelandii MoFe protein nitrogenase tight complex.

The nitrogenase catalytic cycle involves binding of the iron (Fe) protein to the molybdenum-iron (MoFe) protein, transfer of a single electron from the Fe protein to the MoFe protein concomitant with the hydrolysis of at least two MgATP molecules, followed by dissociation of the two proteins. Earlier studies found that combining the Fe protein isolated from the bacterium Clostridium pasteurianum with the MoFe protein isolated from the bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii resulted in an inactive, nondissociating Fe protein-MoFe protein complex. In the present work, it is demonstrated that primary electron transfer occurs within this nitrogenase tight complex in the absence of MgATP (apparent first-order rate constant k = 0.007 s-1) and that MgATP accelerates this electron transfer reaction by more than 10,000-fold to rates comparable to those observed within homologous nitrogenase complexes (k = 100 s-1). Electron transfer reactions were confirmed by EPR spectroscopy. Finally, the midpoint potentials (Em) for the Fe protein [4Fe-4S]2+/+ cluster and the MoFe protein P2+/N cluster were determined for both the uncomplexed and complexed proteins and with or without MgADP. Calculations from electron transfer theory indicate that the measured changes in Em are not likely to be sufficient to account for the observed nucleotide-dependent rate accelerations for electron transfer.     

DSC studies of the conformational stability of barstar wild-type.

The temperature induced unfolding of barstar wild-type of bacillus amyloliquefaciens (90 residues) has been characterized by differential scanning microcalorimetry. The process has been found to be reversible in the pH range from 6.4 to 8.3 in the absence of oxygen. It has been clearly shown by a ratio of delta HvH/delta Hcal near 1 that denaturation follows a two-state mechanism. For comparison, the C82A mutant was also studied. This mutant exhibits similar reversibility, but has a slightly lower transition temperature. The transition enthalpy of barstar wt (303 kJ mol-1) exceeds that of the C82A mutant (276 kJ mol-1) by approximately 10%. The heat capacity changes show a similar difference, delta Cp being 5.3 +/- 1 kJ mol-1 K-1 for the wild-type and 3.6 +/- 1 kJ mol-1 K-1 for the C82A mutant. The extrapolated stability parameters at 25 degrees C are delta G0 = 23.5 +/- 2 kJ mol-1 for barstar wt and delta G0 = 25.5 +/- 2 kJ mol-1 for the C82A mutant.     

Binding of ADP and orthophosphate during the ATPase reaction of nitrogenase

The pre-steady-state ATPase activity of nitrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii was investigated. By using a rapid-quench technique, it has been demonstrated that with the oxidized nitrogenase complex the same burst reaction of MgATP hydrolysis occurs as observed with the reduced complex, namely 6-8 mol orthophosphate released/mol MoFe protein. It is concluded that the pre-steady-state ATPase activity is independent of electron transfer from Fe protein to MoFe protein. Results obtained from gel centrifugation experiments showed that during the steady state of reductant-independent ATP hydrolysis there is a slow dissociation of one molecule of MgADP from the nitrogenase proteins (koff less than or equal to 0.2 s-1); the second MgADP molecule dissociates much faster (koff greater than or equal to 0.6 s-1). Under the same conditions orthophosphate was found to be associated with the nitrogenase proteins. The rate of dissociation of orthophosphate from the nitrogenase complex, as estimated from the gel centrifugation experiments, is in the same order of magnitude as the steady-state turnover rate of the reductant-independent ATPase activity (0.6 mol Pi formed X s-1 X mol Av2(-1) at 22 degrees C). These data are consistent with dissociation of orthophosphate or MgADP being rate-limiting during nitrogenase-catalyzed reductant-independent ATP hydrolysis.     

Electron transfer and half-reactivity in nitrogenase

Nitrogenase is a globally important enzyme that catalyses the reduction of atmospheric dinitrogen into ammonia and is thus an important part of the nitrogen cycle. The nitrogenase enzyme is composed of a catalytic molybdenum-iron protein (MoFe protein) and a protein containing an [Fe4-S4] cluster (Fe protein) that functions as a dedicated ATP-dependent reductase. The current understanding of electron transfer between these two proteins is based on stopped-flow spectrophotometry, which has allowed the rates of complex formation and electron transfer to be accurately determined. Surprisingly, a total of four Fe protein molecules are required to saturate one MoFe protein molecule, despite there being only two well-characterized Fe-protein-binding sites. This has led to the conclusion that the purified Fe protein is only half-active with respect to electron transfer to the MoFe protein. Studies on the electron transfer between both proteins using rapid-quench EPR confirmed that, during pre-steady-state electron transfer, the Fe protein only becomes half-oxidized. However, stopped-flow spectrophotometry on MoFe protein that had only one active site occupied was saturated by approximately three Fe protein equivalents. These results imply that the Fe protein has a second interaction during the initial stages of mixing that is not involved in electron transfer.     

Calorimetric studies of the binding of Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor to subtilisin of Bacillus subtilis strain N'

The binding of Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor (SSI) to subtilisin of Bacillus subtilis strain N' (subtilisin BPN', EC 3.4.21.14) was studied by isothermal calorimetry at pH 7.0 and at various temperatures ranging from 5 to 30 degrees C. Thermodynamic quantities for the binding reaction were derived as a function of temperature by combining the data reported for the dissociation constant with the present calorimetric results. At 25 degrees C, the values are delta G degrees = -57.9 kJ mol-1, delta H = -19.8 kJ mol-1, delta S degree = 0.13 kJ K-1 mol-1, and delta Cp = -1.02 kJ K-1 mol-1. The entropy and the heat capacity changes are discussed in terms of the contributions from the changes in vibrational modes and in hydrophobic interactions.     

Thermodynamics of the binding of Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor to alpha-chymotrypsin

The binding of Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor (SSI) to alpha-chymotrypsin (CT) (EC 3.4.21.1) was studied by isothermal and differential scanning calorimetry at pH 7.0. Thermodynamic quantities for the binding of SSI to the enzyme were derived as functions of temperature from binding constants (S. Matsumori, B. Tonomura, and K. Hiromi, private communication) and isothermal calorimetric experiments at 5-30 degrees C. At 25 degrees C, the values are delta G degrees b = -29.9 kJ mol-1, delta Hb = +18.7 (+/- 1.3) kJ mol-1, delta S degrees b = +0.16 kJ K-1 mol-1, and delta C p,b = -1.08 (+/- 0.11) kJ mol-1. The binding of SSI to CT is weak compared with its binding to subtilisin [Uehara, Y., Tonomura, B., & Hiromi, K. (1978) J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 84, 1195-1202; Takahashi, K., & Fukada, H. (1985) Biochemistry 24, 297-300]. This difference is due primarily to a less favorable enthalpy change in the formation of the complex with CT. The hydrophobic effect is presumably the major source of the entropy and heat capacity changes which accompany the binding process. The unfolding temperature of the complex is about 7 degrees C higher than that of the free enzyme. The enthalpy and the heat capacity changes for the unfolding of CT were found to be 814 kJ mol-1 and 17.3 kJ K-1 mol-1 at 49 degrees C. The same quantities for the unfolding of the SSI-CT complex are 1183 kJ mol-1 and 39.2 kJ K-1 mol-1 at 57 degrees C.     

Thermodynamic and kinetic studies on saccharide binding to soya-bean agglutinin.

The fluorescence of N-dansylgalactosamine [N-(5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulphonyl)galactosamine] was enhanced 11-fold with a 25 nm blue-shift in the emission maximum upon binding to soya-bean agglutinin (SBA). This change was used to determine the association constants and thermodynamic parameters for this interaction. The association constant of 1.51 X 10(6) M-1 at 20 degrees C indicated a very strong binding, which is mainly due to a relatively small entropy value, as revealed by the thermodynamic parameters: delta G = -34.7 kJ X mol-1, delta H = -37.9 kJ X mol-1 and delta S = -10.9 J X mol-1 X K-1. The specific binding of this sugar to SBA shows that the lectin can accommodate a large hydrophobic substituent on the C-2 of galactose. Binding of non-fluorescent ligands, studied by monitoring the fluorescence changes when they are added to a mixture of SBA and N-dansylgalactosamine, indicates that a hydrophobic substituent at the anomeric position increases the affinity of the interaction. The C-6 hydroxy group also stabilizes the binding considerably. Kinetics of binding of N-dansylgalactosamine to SBA studied by stopped-flow spectrofluorimetry are consistent with a single-step mechanism and yielded k+1 = 2.4 X 10(5) M-1 X s-1 and k-1 = 0.2 s-1 at 20 degrees C. The activation parameters indicate an enthalpicly controlled association process.     

Vanadium nitrogenase of Azotobacter chroococcum. MgATP-dependent electron transfer within the protein complex.

The kinetics of MgATP-induced electron transfer from the Fe protein (Ac2V) to the VFe protein (AclV) of the vanadium-containing nitrogenase from Azotobacter chroococcum were studied by stopped-flow spectrophotometry at 23 degrees C at pH 7.2. They are very similar to those of the molybdenum nitrogenase of Klebsiella pneumoniae [Thorneley (1975) Biochem. J. 145, 391-396]. Extrapolation of the dependence of kobs. on [MgATP] to infinite MgATP concentration gave k = 46 s-1 for the first-order electron-transfer reaction that occurs with the Ac2V MgATPAclV complex. MgATP binds with an apparent KD = 230 +/- 10 microM and MgADP acts as a competitive inhibitor with Ki = 30 +/- 5 microM. The Fe protein and VFe protein associate with k greater than or equal to 3 x 10(7) M-1.s-1. A comparison of the dependences of kobs. for electron transfer on protein concentrations for the vanadium nitrogenase from A. chroococcum with those for the molybdenum nitrogenase from K. pneumoniae [Lowe & Thorneley (1984) Biochem. J. 224, 895-901] indicates that the proteins of the vanadium nitrogenase system form a weaker electron-transfer complex.     

Thermodynamics of hydrolysis of sugar phosphates

Thermodynamics of the enzyme-catalyzed (alkaline phosphatase, EC 3.1.3.1) hydrolysis of glucose 6-phosphate, mannose 6-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate, ribose 5-phosphate, and ribulose 5-phosphate have been investigated using microcalorimetry and, for the hydrolysis of fructose 6-phosphate, chemical equilibrium measurements. Results of these measurements for the processes sugar phosphate2- (aqueous) + H2O (liquid) = sugar (aqueous) + HPO2++-(4) (aqueous) at 25 degrees C follow: delta Ho = 0.91 +/- 0.35 kJ.mol-1 and delta Cop = -48 +/- 18 J.mol-1.K-1 for glucose 6-phosphate; delta Ho = 1.40 +/- 0.31 kJ.mol-1 and delta Cop = -46 +/- 11 J.mol-1.dK-1 for mannose 6-phosphate; delta Go = -13.70 +/- 0.28 kJ.mol-1, delta Ho = -7.61 +/- 0.68 kJ.mol-1, and delta Cop = -28 +/- 42 J.mol-1.K-1 for fructose 6-phosphate; delta Ho = -5.69 +/- 0.52 kJ.mol-1 and delta Cop = -63 +/- 37 J.mol-1.K-1 for ribose 5-phosphate; and delta Ho = -12.43 +/- 0.45 kJ.mol-1 and delta Cop = -84 +/- 30 J.mol-1.K-1 for the hydrolysis of ribulose 5-phosphate. The standard state is the hypothetical ideal solution of unit molality. Estimates are made for the equilibrium constants for the hydrolysis of ribose and ribulose 5-phosphates. The effects of pH, magnesium ion concentration, and ionic strength on the thermodynamics of these reactions are considered.     

Binding of branched-chain 2-oxo acids to bovine serum albumin.

1. Binding of branched-chain 2-oxo acids to defatted bovine serum albumin was shown by gel chromatography and equilibrium dialysis. 2. Equilibrium-dialysis data suggest a two-side model for binding in Krebs-Henseleit saline at 37 degrees C with n1 = 1 and n2 = 5. Site association constants were: 4-methyl-2-oxovalerate, k1 = 8.7 x 10(3) M-1, k2 = 0.09 x 10(3) M-1; 3-methyl-2-oxovalerate, k1 = 9.8 x 10(3) M-1, k2 = 0.08 x 10(3) M-1; 3-methyl-2-oxobutyrate, k1 = 1.27 x 10(3) M-1, k2 = less than 0.05 x 10(3) M-1. 3. Binding of 4-methyl-2-oxovalerate to defatted albumin in a phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4, gave the following thermodynamic parameters: primary site delta H0(1) = -28.6kJ . mol-1 and delta S0(1) = -15.2J . mol-1 . K-1 (delta G0(1) = -24.0kJ . mol-1 at 37 degrees C) and secondary sites delta H0(2) = -25.4kJ . mol-1 and delta S0(2) = -46.1J . mol-1 . K-1 (delta G0(1) = -11.2kJ . mol-1 at 37 degrees C). Thus binding at both sites is temperature-dependent and increases with decreasing temperature. 4. Inhibition studies suggest that 4-methyl-2-oxovalerate may associate with defatted albumin at a binding site for medium-chain fatty acids. 5. Binding of the 2-oxo acids in bovine, rat and human plasma follows a similar pattern to binding to defatted albumin. The proportion bound in bovine and human plasma is much higher than in rat plasma. 6. Binding to plasma protein, and not active transport, explains the high concentration of branched-chain 2-oxo acids leaving rat skeletal muscle relative to the concentration within the tissue, but does not explain the 2-oxo acid concentration gradient between plasma and liver.     

The cholesterol-side-chain-cleaving cytochrome P450 spin-state equilibrium. 1. Thermodynamic analysis.

We have investigated the spin-state equilibrium of adrenal mitochondrial P450scc (cholesterol-side-chain-cleaving, CYP11A1) by absorption spectroscopy in the Soret band as a function of pH and temperature. The van't Hoff plot of the high-spin/low-spin equilibrium is not linear and is shifted towards high spin by lowering the pH. This non-linearity resolves clearly into two phases when the temperature range is extended from 37 degrees C to -20 degrees C using ethylene glycol as anti-freeze cosolvent. This enabled us to measure the enthalpy and entropy changes which are delta HA = 0.7 kJ.mol-1 and delta SA = 5J.K-1.mol-1 at low temperatures and delta HB = -42 kJ.mol-1 and delta SB = -152 J.K-1.mol-1 at high temperatures. The transition temperature, Tbreak, between both phases decreases as a function of pH. The experimental data can be fitted by a minimal reactional model comprising a temperature dependent conformational transition and two ionisation steps (one for each conformation), the pK of which is 1.5 +/- 0.5 higher in the low-temperature conformation. The deduced conformational equilibrium is affected by physiological effectors: Tbreak depends on the nature of the substrate intermediate and on the presence of the physiological electron donor, adrenodoxin.     

Acylation of subtilisin A by aryl esters: contribution to rate limitation by a physical step preceding general acid-base catalysis

The specificity ratios kc/Km = k for subtilisin A catalyzed hydrolysis of five aryl esters of N-(methoxycarbonyl)-L-Phe (McPhe) were determined at pH 7.03 and its pD equivalent. The ratios are independent of the electronic properties of the leaving group substituent. Kinetic solvent isotope effects, Dk, increase from about 0.9 to 1.3 as leaving group ability decreases from p-nitrophenolate to p-methoxyphenolate. The k of N-(methoxycarbonyl)-L-phenylalanine p-nitrophenyl ester (NPE) with native enzyme exhibits a strong temperature dependence; delta H* = 87 +/- 3 kJ mol-1 and delta S* = 148 +/- 14 J K-1 mol-1 at 25 degrees C (H2O). The Dk with this substrate is 1.36 at 13.6 degrees C, declines to 0.89 at 25 degrees C, and then increases to 1.04 at 39.4 degrees C. Above neutral pH(D), with McPhe NPE as substrate, the dependence of k is for the dissociated form of a single base of pKapp = 7.38 +/- 0.03 in H2O and 7.67 +/- 0.03 in D2O. The pKapp values are apparently those of the uncomplexed native protein. By contrast, k of 3-phenylpropanoic acid (Prop) p-nitrophenyl ester exhibits a weaker temperature dependence; delta H* = 20 kJ mol-1 and delta S* = -90 J K-1 mol-1 (H2O) at 25 degrees C. The Dk are larger than those for McPhe NPE, decreasing from 1.99 at 20.5 degrees C to 1.74 at 46.1 degrees C. These results, combined with those of previous studies, are consistent with limitation of k by at least two processes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Nitrogenase of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Kinetic studies on the Fe protein involving reduction by sodium dithionite, the binding of MgADP and a conformation change that alters the reactivity of the 4Fe-4S centre.

The kinetics of reduction of indigocarmine-dye-oxidized Fe protein of nitrogenase from Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp2ox) by sodium dithionite in the presence and absence of MgADP were studied by stopped-flow spectrophotometry at 23 degrees C and at pH 7.4. Highly co-operative binding of 2MgADP (composite K greater than 4 X 10(10) M-2) to Kp2ox induced a rapid conformation change which caused the redox-active 4Fe-4S centre to be reduced by SO2-.(formed by the predissociation of dithionite ion) with k = 3 X 10(6) M-1.s-1. This rate constant is at least 30 times lower than that for the reduction of free Kp2ox (k greater than 10(8) M-1.s-1). Two mechanisms have been considered and limits obtained for the rate constants for MgADP binding/dissociation and a protein conformation change. Both mechanisms give rate constants (e.g. MgADP binding 3 X 10(5) less than k less than 3 X 10(6) M-1.s-1 and protein conformation change 6 X 10(2) less than k less than 6 X 10(3) s-1) that are similar to those reported for creatine kinase (EC 2.7.3.2). The kinetics also show that in the catalytic cycle of nitrogenase with sodium dithionite as reductant replacement of 2MgADP by 2MgATP occurs on reduced and not oxidized Kp2. Although the Kp2ox was reduced stoichiometrically by SO2-. and bound two equivalents of MgADP with complete conversion into the less-reactive conformation, it was only 45% active with respect to its ability to effect MgATP-dependent electron transfer to the MoFe protein.     

Molybdenum and vanadium nitrogenases of Azotobacter chroococcum. Low temperature favours N2 reduction by vanadium nitrogenase.

A comparison of the effect of temperature on the reduction of N2 by purified molybdenum nitrogenase and vanadium nitrogenase of Azotobacter chroococcum showed differences in behaviour. As the assay temperature was lowered from 30 degrees C to 5 degrees C N2 remained an effective substrate for V nitrogenase, but not Mo nitrogenase, since the specific activity for N2 reduction by Mo nitrogenase decreased 10-fold more than that of V nitrogenase. Activity cross-reactions between nitrogenase components showed the enhanced low-temperature activity to be associated with the Fe protein of V nitrogenase. The lower activity of homologous Mo nitrogenase components, although dependent on the ratio of MoFe protein to Fe protein, did not equal that of V nitrogenase even under conditions of high electron flux obtained at a 12-fold molar excess of Fe protein.     

AMP interaction sites in glycogen phosphorylase b. A thermodynamic analysis

The binding of AMP to activator site N and to inhibitor site I in glycogen phosphorylase b has been characterized by calorimetry, potentiometry and ultracentrifugation in the pH range 6.5-7.5 at 25 degrees C (mu = 0.1). Calorimetric titration data of phosphorylase b with adenosine 5'-phosphoramidate are also reported at pH 6.9 (T = 25 degrees C, mu = 0.1). Calorimetric curves have been analyzed on the basis of potentiometric and sedimentation velocity results to determine thermodynamic quantities for AMP binding to the enzyme. The comparison of calorimetric titration data of AMP and adenosine 5'-phosphoramidate at pH 6.9 supports the hypothesis previously suggested that the dianionic phosphate form of the nucleotide preferentially binds to the allosteric activator site. The thermodynamic parameters for AMP binding to site N are as follows: delta G0 = -22 kJ mol-1, delta H0 = -34 kJ mol-1 and delta S0 = -40 J mol-1 K-1. The binding of the nucleotide to site I was found to be strongly dependent on the pH. This behaviour may be explained in terms of coupled protonations of three groups having pKa values of 6.0, 6.0 and 6.1 in the unbound form and 7.0, 7.5 and 7.2 in the enzyme-nucleotide complex. The thermodynamic parameters for nucleotide binding to site I for the enzymatic form in which all the modified groups are completely deprotonated or protonated have been calculated to be: delta G0 = -7.7 kJ mol-1, delta H0 = -28 kJ mol-1 and delta S0 = -68 J mol-1 K-1 and delta G0 = -28 kJ mol-1, delta H0H = -10 kJ mol-1 and delta S0H = 61 J mol-1 K-1, respectively. These results suggest that attractive dispersion forces are of primary significance for AMP binding to activator site N, although electrostatic interactions act as a stabilizing factor in the nucleotide binding. The protonation states of those residues of which the pKa values are modified by AMP binding to site I highly influence the thermodynamic parameters for the nucleotide binding to this site.     

Thermodynamics of the Ca2+ binding to bovine alpha-lactalbumin

Bovine alpha-lactalbumin contains one strong Ca2+-binding site. The free energy (delta G0), enthalpy (delta H0), and entropy (delta S0) of binding of Ca2+ to this site have been calculated from microcalorimetric experiments. The enthalpy of binding was dependent on the metal-free bovine alpha-lactalbumin concentration. At 0.8 mg ml-1, metal-free bovine alpha-lactalbumin delta H0 was -110 +/- 6 kJ mol-1. At this concentration the binding constant was estimated from a mathematical analysis of the titration curves to be greater than 10(7) M-1. This means that delta G0 is smaller than -40 kJ mol-1 and delta S0 is less negative than -235 J.K-1 mol-1. The binding of Ca2+ is therefore enthalpy-driven. From binding experiments as a function of temperature, a delta Cp value of -4.1 kJ.K-1 mol-1 was calculated. This value is dependent on the protein concentration. A tentative explanation for this large value is given.     

NifI inhibits nitrogenase by competing with Fe protein for binding to the MoFe protein

Reduction of substrate by nitrogenase requires direct electron transfer from the Fe protein to the MoFe protein. Inhibition of nitrogenase activity in Methanococcus maripaludis occurs when the regulatory protein NifI_1,2 binds the MoFe protein. This inhibition is relieved by 2-oxoglutarate. Here we present evidence that NifI_1,2 binding prevents association of the two nitrogenase components. Increasing amounts of Fe protein competed with NifI_1,2, decreasing its inhibitory effect. NifI_1,2 prevented the co-purification of MoFe protein with a mutant form of the Fe protein that forms a stable complex with the MoFe protein, and NifI_1,2 was unable to bind to an -stabilized Fe protein:MoFe protein complex. NifI_1,2 inhibited ATP- and MoFe protein-dependent oxidation of the Fe protein, and 2OG relieved this inhibition. These results support a model where NifI_1,2 competes with the Fe protein for binding to MoFe protein and prevents electron transfer.