Insights into the Role of the Unusual Disulfide Bond in Copper-Zinc Superoxide Dismutase

The functional and structural significance of the intrasubunit disulfide bond in copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) was studied by characterizing mutant forms of human SOD1 (hSOD) and yeast SOD1 lacking the disulfide bond. We determined x-ray crystal structures of metal-bound and metal-deficient hC57S SOD1. C57S hSOD1 isolated from yeast contained four zinc ions per protein dimer and was structurally very similar to wild type. The addition of copper to this four-zinc protein gave properly reconstituted 2Cu,2Zn C57S hSOD, and its spectroscopic properties indicated that the coordination geometry of the copper was remarkably similar to that of holo wild type hSOD1. In contrast, the addition of copper and zinc ions to apo C57S human SOD1 failed to give proper reconstitution. Using pulse radiolysis, we determined SOD activities of yeast and human SOD1s lacking disulfide bonds and found that they were enzymatically active at ∼10% of the wild type rate. These results are contrary to earlier reports that the intrasubunit disulfide bonds in SOD1 are essential for SOD activity. Kinetic studies revealed further that the yeast mutant SOD1 had less ionic attraction for superoxide, possibly explaining the lower rates. Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells lacking the sod1 gene do not grow aerobically in the absence of lysine, but expression of C57S SOD1 increased growth to 30–50% of the growth of cells expressing wild type SOD1, supporting that C57S SOD1 retained a significant amount of activity.     

The Disulfide Bond,but Not Zinc or Dimerization,Controls Initiation and Seeded Growth in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-linked Cu,Zn Superoxide Dismutase (SOD1) Fibrillation

Aggregation of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is a defining feature of familial ALS caused by inherited mutations in the sod1 gene, and misfolded and aggregated forms of wild-type SOD1 are found in both sporadic and familial ALS cases. Mature SOD1 owes its exceptional stability to a number of post-translational modifications as follows: formation of the intramolecular disulfide bond, binding of copper and zinc, and dimerization. Loss of stability due to the failure to acquire one or more of these modifications is proposed to lead to aggregation in vivo. Previously, we showed that the presence of apo-, disulfide-reduced SOD1, the most immature form of SOD1, results in initiation of fibrillation of more mature forms that have an intact Cys-57–Cys-146 disulfide bond and are partially metallated. In this study, we examine the ability of each of the above post-translational modifications to modulate fibril initiation and seeded growth. Cobalt or zinc binding, despite conferring great structural stability, neither inhibits the initiation propensity of disulfide-reduced SOD1 nor consistently protects disulfide-oxidized SOD1 from being recruited into growing fibrils across wild-type and a number of ALS mutants. In contrast, reduction of the disulfide bond, known to be necessary for fibril initiation, also allows for faster recruitment during seeded amyloid growth. These results identify separate factors that differently influence seeded growth and initiation and indicate a lack of correlation between the overall thermodynamic stability of partially mature SOD1 states and their ability to initiate fibrillation or be recruited by a growing fibril.     

Cu,Zn Superoxide Dismutase Maturation and Activity Are Regulated by COMMD1

The maturation and activation of the anti-oxidant Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) are highly regulated processes that require several post-translational modifications. The maturation of SOD1 is initiated by incorporation of zinc and copper ions followed by disulfide oxidation leading to the formation of enzymatically active homodimers. Our present data indicate that homodimer formation is a regulated final step in SOD1 maturation and implicate the recently characterized copper homeostasis protein COMMD1 in this process. COMMD1 interacts with SOD1, and this interaction requires CCS-mediated copper incorporation into SOD1. COMMD1 does not regulate disulfide oxidation of SOD1 but reduces the level of SOD1 homodimers. RNAi-mediated knockdown of COMMD1 expression results in a significant induction of SOD1 activity and a consequent decrease in superoxide anion concentrations, whereas overexpression of COMMD1 exerts exactly the opposite effects. Here, we identify COMMD1 as a novel protein regulating SOD1 activation and associate COMMD1 function with the production of free radicals.     

Human SOD1 before harboring the catalytic metal: solution structure of copper-depleted, disulfide-reduced form

SOD1 has to undergo several post-translational modifications before reaching its mature form. The protein requires insertion of zinc and copper atoms, followed by the formation of a conserved S-S bond between Cys-57 and Cys-146 (human numbering), which makes the protein fully active. In this report an NMR structural investigation of the reduced SH-SH form of thermostable E,Zn-as-SOD1 (E is empty; as is C6A, C111S) is reported, characterizing the protein just before the last step leading to the mature form. The structure is compared with that of the oxidized S-S form as well as with that of the yeast SOD1 complexed with its copper chaperone, CCS. Local conformational rearrangements upon disulfide bridge reduction are localized in the region near Cys-57 that is completely exposed to the solvent in the present structure, at variance with the oxidized forms. There is a local disorder around Cys-57 that may serve for protein-protein recognition and may possibly be involved in intermolecular S-S bonds in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-related SOD1 mutants. The structure allows us to further discuss the copper loading mechanism in SOD1.     

Mechanism and thermodynamics of guanidinium chloride-induced denaturation of ALS-associated mutant Cu,Zn superoxide dismutases

Mutations in human copper zinc superoxide dismutase (hSOD) that are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have been proposed to destabilize the protein and thereby enhance toxic protein aggregation. In previous studies, denaturation of metallated (holo) hSODs was found to be irreversible, and complicated by the formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds. Here, ALS-associated mutations (E100G, G93A, G85R and A4V) are introduced into a pseudo wild-type background containing no free cysteine residues. The guanidinium chloride-induced denaturation of the holo proteins is generally found to be highly reversible (except for A4V, which tended to aggregate), enabling quantitative analysis of the effects of the mutations on protein stability. Denaturation and renaturation curves were monitored by tryptophan fluorescence, circular dichroism, enzyme activity, chemical cross-linking and analytical sedimentation, as a function of equilibration time and protein concentration. There is strong kinetic hysteresis, with curves requiring exceptionally long times (many days for pseudo wild-type) to reach equilibrium, and evidence for the formation of kinetic and equilibrium intermediate(s), which are more highly populated at lower protein concentrations. The effects of metal dissociation were included in the data fitting. The full protein concentration dependence is best described using a three-state model involving metallated native dimer, metallated monomeric intermediate and unfolded monomers with no bound metals; however, at high protein concentrations the unfolding approaches a two-state transition with metal binding to both the native dimers and unfolded monomers. We show that the E100G, G93A and G85R mutations decrease overall protein stability, largely by decreasing monomer stability with little effect on dimer dissociation. Comparison of the chemical denaturation data with ALS disease characteristics suggests that aggregation of some mutant hSOD may occur through increased population of partially folded states that are less stable than the monomeric intermediate and accessed from the destabilized holo protein.     

Crystal structure of a dimeric form of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A (SpeA1)

Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A (SpeA1) is a bacterial superantigen associated with scarlet fever and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). SpeA1 is found in both monomeric and dimeric forms, and previous work suggested that the dimer results from an intermolecular disulfide bond between the cysteines at positions 90 of each monomer. Here, we present the crystal structure of the dimeric form of SpeA1. The toxin crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P212121, with two dimers in the crystallographic asymmetric unit. The final structure has a crystallographic R-factor of 21.52% for 7248 protein atoms, 136 water molecules, and 4 zinc atoms (one zinc atom per molecule). The implications of SpeA1 dimer on MHC class II and T-cell receptor recognition are discussed.     

Activation of Cu,Zn-Superoxide Dismutase in the Absence of Oxygen and the Copper Chaperone CCS

Eukaryotic Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutases (SOD1s) are generally thought to acquire the essential copper cofactor and intramolecular disulfide bond through the action of the CCS copper chaperone. However, several metazoan SOD1s have been shown to acquire activity in vivo in the absence of CCS, and the Cu,Zn-SOD from Caenorhabditis elegans has evolved complete independence from CCS. To investigate SOD1 activation in the absence of CCS, we compared and contrasted the CCS-independent activation of C. elegans and human SOD1 to the strict CCS-dependent activation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae SOD1. Using a yeast expression system, both pathways were seen to acquire copper derived from cell surface transporters and compete for the same intracellular pool of copper. Like CCS, CCS-independent activation occurs rapidly with a preexisting pool of apo-SOD1 without the need for new protein synthesis. The two pathways, however, strongly diverge when assayed for the SOD1 disulfide. SOD1 molecules that are activated without CCS exhibit disulfide oxidation in vivo without oxygen and under copper-depleted conditions. The strict requirement for copper, oxygen, and CCS in disulfide bond oxidation appears exclusive to yeast SOD1, and we find that a unique proline at position 144 in yeast SOD1 is responsible for this disulfide effect. CCS-dependent and -independent pathways also exhibit differential requirements for molecular oxygen. CCS activation of SOD1 requires oxygen, whereas the CCS-independent pathway is able to activate SOD1s even under anaerobic conditions. In this manner, Cu,Zn-SOD from metazoans may retain activity over a wide range of physiological oxygen tensions.Oxygen is essential for aerobic respiration, but reactive byproducts of oxygen metabolism, such as the superoxide anion, can damage cellular molecules, including proteins, DNA, and lipids (1–3). SOD1s (copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutases) provide the primary defense against superoxide damage by catalytically removing it through a disproportionation reaction (4). This reaction involves redox cycling at the copper active site (5). SOD1s require several post-translational modifications to form an active molecule. Copper and zinc are bound by the enzyme, and an intramolecular disulfide bond is formed between two conserved cysteine residues. Although the zinc ion and disulfide bond are not directly involved in the disproportionation reaction, these modifications are required for proper stability and formation of the active site (6–10). The presence of an intramolecular disulfide bond is intriguing, given the fact that the cytosol favors reduced thiols.The activity of SOD1s in vivo is largely controlled through the aforementioned post-translational modifications. Most of what is currently known about activation of SOD1 in vivo has emerged through studies of the bakers'' yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae SOD1. Here insertion of the catalytic copper requires the action of the copper chaperone for SOD³ (CCS) (11). CCS physically interacts with SOD1 to deliver the copper ion and catalyze the disulfide bond formation in an oxygen-dependent manner (12–15). In fact, S. cerevisiae SOD1 (ySOD1) is completely dependent on CCS for insertion of the catalytic copper and oxidation of the disulfide bond (11, 15, 16).Although ySOD1 is dependent on CCS for activity, other eukaryotic SOD1s are not. Mouse and human SOD1 (hSOD1), when expressed in CCS^−/− mouse fibroblasts and in ccs1Δ yeast, still retain some SOD1 activity (17–19). Moreover, the genome for the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans does not contain a CCS-like gene, yet harbors several Cu,Zn-SODs. Previous studies with C. elegans SOD-1 (wSOD-1) have shown that this SOD is activated completely independently of CCS (20). Together, these studies present a strong case for a second SOD1 activation mechanism independent of CCS.There must be inherent differences in SOD1 sequences that dictate whether the enzyme uses CCS or the CCS-independent pathway or both. Through targeted mutagenesis, sequences near the C terminus have been previously identified as being important (19). Yeast SOD1 contains dual prolines at positions 142 and 144, which when mutated in combination allow for CCS-independent activation. Conversely, hSOD1 and wSOD-1 contain non-proline residues at these positions, and if dual prolines are introduced, then CSS-independent activation is blocked (19, 20). How this pair of prolines influences SOD1 activation is not understood.It is interesting that nature has developed two activation mechanisms for such a key enzyme in oxidative stress protection, and these are not likely to be redundant. It was previously predicted that the two pathways draw upon distinct sources of copper (19), since the addition of the catalytic copper ion is limiting for enzyme activation. However, since disulfide oxidation is also limiting for enzyme activity, it is possible that the two pathways diverge at this level. In the current study, we investigate the requirements and regulation of the CCS-dependent and -independent SOD1 activation pathways. Our results strongly indicate that the two pathways do not diverge at the level of upstream copper transporter sources or the kinetics of copper incorporation into SOD1 but rather at the level of disulfide bond formation. Copper is required for CCS-mediated disulfide bond oxidation in yeast SOD1, whereas SOD1s that can be activated without CCS show no such requirement for copper in disulfide oxidation. Moreover, oxygen is required for enzyme activation through CCS, but the CCS-independent pathway is able to bypass the need for molecular oxygen. This allows for significant SOD1 activity to be found at a variety of oxygen concentrations by utilizing two activation pathways.     

Heterodimeric structure of superoxide dismutase in complex with its metallochaperone

The copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase (CCS) activates the eukaryotic antioxidant enzyme copper, zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1). The 2.9 A resolution structure of yeast SOD1 complexed with yeast CCS (yCCS) reveals that SOD1 interacts with its metallochaperone to form a complex comprising one monomer of each protein. The heterodimer interface is remarkably similar to the SOD1 and yCCS homodimer interfaces. Striking conformational rearrangements are observed in both the chaperone and target enzyme upon complex formation, and the functionally essential C-terminal domain of yCCS is well positioned to play a key role in the metal ion transfer mechanism. This domain is linked to SOD1 by an intermolecular disulfide bond that may facilitate or regulate copper delivery.     

A Primary Role for Disulfide Formation in the Productive Folding of Prokaryotic Cu,Zn-superoxide Dismutase

Enzymatic activation of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) requires not only binding of a catalytic copper ion but also formation of an intramolecular disulfide bond. Indeed, the disulfide bond is completely conserved among all species possessing SOD1; however, it remains obscure how disulfide formation controls the enzymatic activity of SOD1. Here, we show that disulfide formation is a primary event in the folding process of prokaryotic SOD1 (SodC) localized to the periplasmic space. Escherichia coli SodC was found to attain β-sheet structure upon formation of the disulfide bond, whereas disulfide-reduced SodC assumed little secondary structure even in the presence of copper and zinc ions. Moreover, reduction of the disulfide bond made SodC highly susceptible to proteolytic degradation. We thus propose that the thiol-disulfide status in SodC controls the intracellular stability of this antioxidant enzyme and that the oxidizing environment of the periplasm is required for the enzymatic activation of SodC.     

The carbonate radical anion-induced covalent aggregation of human copper, zinc superoxide dismutase, and alpha-synuclein: intermediacy of tryptophan- and tyrosine-derived oxidation products

In this review, we describe the free radical mechanism of covalent aggregation of human copper, zinc superoxide dismutase (hSOD1). Bicarbonate anion (HCO3-) enhances the covalent aggregation of hSOD1 mediated by the SOD1 peroxidase-dependent formation of carbonate radical anion (CO3*-), a potent and selective oxidant. This species presumably diffuses out the active site of hSOD1 and reacts with tryptophan residue located on the surface of hSOD1. The oxidative degradation of tryptophan to kynurenine and N-formyl kynurenine results in the covalent crosslinking and aggregation of hSOD1. Implications of oxidant-mediated aggregation of hSOD1 in the increased cytotoxicity of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are discussed.     

Oxidation of the Tryptophan 32 Residue of Human Superoxide Dismutase 1 Caused by Its Bicarbonate-dependent Peroxidase Activity Triggers the Non-amyloid Aggregation of the Enzyme

The role of oxidative post-translational modifications of human superoxide dismutase 1 (hSOD1) in the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathology is an attractive hypothesis to explore based on several lines of evidence. Among them, the remarkable stability of hSOD1^WT and several of its ALS-associated mutants suggests that hSOD1 oxidation may precede its conversion to the unfolded and aggregated forms found in ALS patients. The bicarbonate-dependent peroxidase activity of hSOD1 causes oxidation of its own solvent-exposed Trp³² residue. The resulting products are apparently different from those produced in the absence of bicarbonate and are most likely specific for simian SOD1s, which contain the Trp³² residue. The aims of this work were to examine whether the bicarbonate-dependent peroxidase activity of hSOD1 (hSOD1^WT and hSOD1^G93A mutant) triggers aggregation of the enzyme and to comprehend the role of the Trp³² residue in the process. The results showed that Trp³² residues of both enzymes are oxidized to a similar extent to hSOD1-derived tryptophanyl radicals. These radicals decayed to hSOD1-N-formylkynurenine and hSOD1-kynurenine or to a hSOD1 covalent dimer cross-linked by a ditryptophan bond, causing hSOD1 unfolding, oligomerization, and non-amyloid aggregation. The latter process was inhibited by tempol, which recombines with the hSOD1-derived tryptophanyl radical, and did not occur in the absence of bicarbonate or with enzymes that lack the Trp³² residue (bovine SOD1 and hSOD1^W32F mutant). The results support a role for the oxidation products of the hSOD1-Trp³² residue, particularly the covalent dimer, in triggering the non-amyloid aggregation of hSOD1.     

Factor XIa dimer in the activation of factor IX

Factor XI, unlike other coagulation proteins, is a homodimer of two identical subunits linked by a single disulfide bond formed by Cys321. The present study was undertaken to understand the physiological significance of the dimeric nature of factor XI. We have expressed a mutant FXI/G326C in which the Gly326 residue of factor XI has been mutated to Cys326, reasoning that Cys321 would form an intrachain disulfide bond with Cys326 as in prekallikrein, a plasma protein that exists as a monomer even with 58% amino acid sequence identity and a domain structure very similar to factor XI. No free thiol could be detected in the expressed protein, and it migrated as a monomer on nonreduced SDS-PAGE. In physiological buffer, however, the protein was found to exist in a state of monomer-dimer equilibrium as assessed by gel-filtration chromatography and ultracentrifugation studies (K(d) approximately 36 nM). Functional studies revealed that FXI/G326C was indistinguishable from plasma factor XI in a plasma-clotting assay and in a factor IX activation assay both in the presence and absence of activated platelets even at concentrations at which less than 5% of the mutant exists as dimers. We conclude that, for optimal function in the presence of activated platelets, a preformed dimer of factor XI is not required.     

Complete loss of post-translational modifications triggers fibrillar aggregation of SOD1 in the familial form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Dominant mutations in Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) cause a familial form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS), and aggregation of mutant SOD1 has been proposed to play a role in neurodegeneration. A growing body of evidence suggests that fALS-causing mutations destabilize the native structure of SOD1, leading to aberrant protein interactions for aggregation. SOD1 becomes stabilized and enzymatically active after copper and zinc binding and intramolecular disulfide formation, but it remains unknown which step(s) in the SOD1 maturation process is important in the pathological aggregation. In this study we have shown that apoSOD1 without disulfide is the most facile state for formation of amyloid-like fibrillar aggregates. fALS mutations impair either zinc binding, disulfide formation, or both, leading to accumulation of the aggregation-prone, apo, and disulfide-reduced SOD1. Moreover, we have found that the copper chaperone for SOD1 (CCS) facilitates maturation of SOD1 and that CCS overexpression ameliorates intracellular aggregation of mutant SOD1 in vivo. Based on our in vivo and in vitro results, we propose that facilitation of post-translational modifications is a promising strategy to reduce SOD1 aggregation in the cell.     

Activation of CuZn superoxide dismutases from Caenorhabditis elegans does not require the copper chaperone CCS

Reactive oxygen species are produced as the direct result of aerobic metabolism and can cause damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids. A principal defense against reactive oxygen species involves the superoxide dismutases (SOD) that act to detoxify superoxide anions. Activation of CuZn-SODs in eukaryotic cells occurs post-translationally and is generally dependent on the copper chaperone for SOD1 (CCS), which inserts the catalytic copper cofactor and catalyzes the oxidation of a conserved disulfide bond that is essential for activity. In contrast to other eukaryotes, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans does not contain an obvious CCS homologue, and we have found that the C. elegans intracellular CuZn-SODs (wSOD-1 and wSOD-5) are not dependent on CCS for activation when expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. CCS-independent activation of CuZn-SODs is not unique to C. elegans; however, this is the first organism identified that appears to exclusively use this alternative pathway. As was found for mammalian SOD1, wSOD-1 exhibits a requirement for reduced glutathione in CCS-independent activation. Unexpectedly, wSOD-1 was inactive even in the presence of CCS when glutathione was depleted. Our investigation of the cysteine residues that form the disulfide bond in wSOD-1 suggests that the ability of wSODs to readily form this disulfide bond may be the key to obtaining high levels of activation through the CCS-independent pathway. Overall, these studies demonstrate that the CuZn-SODs of C. elegans have uniquely evolved to acquire copper without the copper chaperone and this may reflect the lifestyle of this organism.     

Altered Thiol Chemistry in Human Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-linked Mutants of Superoxide Dismutase 1

Neurodegenerative diseases share a common characteristic, the presence of intracellular or extracellular deposits of protein aggregates in nervous tissues. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a severe and fatal neurodegenerative disorder, which affects preferentially motoneurons. Changes in the redox state of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) are associated with the onset and development of familial forms of ALS. In human SOD1 (hSOD1), a conserved disulfide bond and two free cysteine residues can engage in anomalous thiol/disulfide exchange resulting in non-native disulfides, a hallmark of ALS that is related to protein misfolding and aggregation. Because of the many competing reaction pathways, traditional bulk techniques fall short at quantifying individual thiol/disulfide exchange reactions. Here, we adapt recently developed single-bond chemistry techniques to study individual disulfide isomerization reactions in hSOD1. Mechanical unfolding of hSOD1 leads to the formation of a polypeptide loop held by the disulfide. This loop behaves as a molecular jump rope that brings reactive Cys-111 close to the disulfide. Using force-clamp spectroscopy, we monitor nucleophilic attack of Cys-111 at either sulfur of the disulfide and determine the selectivity of the reaction. Disease-causing mutations G93A and A4V show greatly altered reactivity patterns, which may contribute to the progression of familial ALS.     

The effects of glutaredoxin and copper activation pathways on the disulfide and stability of Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase

Mutations in Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) can cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) through mechanisms proposed to involve SOD1 misfolding, but the intracellular factors that modulate folding and stability of SOD1 are largely unknown. By using yeast and mammalian expression systems, we demonstrate here that SOD1 stability is governed by post-translational modification factors that target the SOD1 disulfide. Oxidation of the human SOD1 disulfide in vivo was found to involve both the copper chaperone for SOD1 (CCS) and the CCS-independent pathway for copper activation. When both copper pathways were blocked, wild type SOD1 stably accumulated in yeast cells with a reduced disulfide, whereas ALS SOD1 mutants A4V, G93A, and G37R were degraded. We describe here an unprecedented role for the thiol oxidoreductase glutaredoxin in reducing the SOD1 disulfide and destabilizing ALS mutants. Specifically, the major cytosolic glutaredoxin of yeast was seen to reduce the intramolecular disulfide of ALS SOD1 mutant A4V SOD1 in vivo and in vitro. By comparison, glutaredoxin was less reactive toward the disulfide of wild type SOD1. The apo-form of A4V SOD1 was highly reactive with glutaredoxin but not SOD1 containing both copper and zinc. Glutaredoxin therefore preferentially targets the immature form of ALS mutant SOD1 lacking metal co-factors. Overall, these studies implicate a critical balance between cellular reductants such as glutaredoxin and copper activation pathways in controlling the disulfide and stability of SOD1 in vivo.     

Species-dependent neuropathology in transgenic SOD1 pigs

Mutations in the human copper/zinc superoxide dismutase 1 (hSOD1) gene cause familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It remains unknown whether large animal models of ALS mimic more pathological events seen in ALS patients via novel mechanisms. Here, we report the generation of transgenic pigs expressing mutant G93A hSOD1 and showing hind limb motor defects, which are germline transmissible, and motor neuron degeneration in dose- and age-dependent manners. Importantly, in the early disease stage, mutant hSOD1 did not form cytoplasmic inclusions, but showed nuclear accumulation and ubiquitinated nuclear aggregates, as seen in some ALS patient brains, but not in transgenic ALS mouse models. Our findings revealed that SOD1 binds PCBP1, a nuclear poly(rC) binding protein, in pig brain, but not in mouse brain, suggesting that the SOD1-PCBP1 interaction accounts for nuclear SOD1 accumulation and that species-specific targets are key to ALS pathology in large mammals and in humans.     

A redox-sensitive loop regulates plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2) polymerization

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2) is the only wild-type serpin that polymerizes spontaneously under physiological conditions. We show that PAI-2 loses its ability to polymerize following reduction of thiol groups, suggesting that an intramolecular disulfide bond is essential for the polymerization. A novel disulfide bond was identified between C79 (in the CD-loop) and C161 (at the bottom of helix F). Substitution mutants in which this disulfide bond was broken did not polymerize. Reactive center loop peptide insertion experiments and binding of bis-ANS to hydrophobic cavities indicate that the C79-C161 disulfide bond stabilizes PAI-2 in a polymerogenic conformation with an open A-beta-sheet. Elimination of this disulfide bond causes A-beta-sheet closure and abrogates the polymerization. The finding that cytosolic PAI-2 is mostly monomeric, whereas PAI-2 in the secretory pathway is prone to polymerize, suggests that the redox status of the cell could regulate PAI-2 polymerization. Taken together, our data suggest that the CD-loop functions as a redox-sensitive switch that converts PAI-2 between an active stable monomeric and a polymerogenic conformation, which is prone to form inactive polymers.     

Mia40-dependent oxidation of cysteines in domain I of Ccs1 controls its distribution between mitochondria and the cytosol

Superoxide dismutase 1 (Sod1) is an important antioxidative enzyme that converts superoxide anions to hydrogen peroxide and water. Active Sod1 is a homodimer containing one zinc ion, one copper ion, and one disulfide bond per subunit. Maturation of Sod1 depends on its copper chaperone (Ccs1). Sod1 and Ccs1 are dually localized proteins that reside in the cytosol and in the intermembrane space of mitochondria. The import of Ccs1 into mitochondria depends on the mitochondrial disulfide relay system. However, the exact mechanism of this import process has been unclear. In this study we detail the import and folding pathway of Ccs1 and characterize its interaction with the oxidoreductase of the mitochondrial disulfide relay Mia40. We identify cysteines at positions 27 and 64 in domain I of Ccs1 as critical for mitochondrial import and interaction with Mia40. On interaction with Mia40, these cysteines form a structural disulfide bond that stabilizes the overall fold of domain I. Although the cysteines are essential for the accumulation of functional Ccs1 in mitochondria, they are dispensable for the enzymatic activity of cytosolic Ccs1. We propose a model in which the Mia40-mediated oxidative folding of domain I controls the cellular distribution of Ccs1 and, consequently, active Sod1.     

Zinc binding modulates the entire folding free energy surface of human Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase

Over 100 amino acid replacements in human Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) are known to cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a gain-of-function neurodegenerative disease that destroys motor neurons. Supposing that aggregates of partially folded states are primarily responsible for toxicity, we determined the role of the structurally important zinc ion in defining the folding free energy surface of dimeric SOD by comparing the thermodynamic and kinetic folding properties of the zinc-free and zinc-bound forms of the protein. The presence of zinc was found to decrease the free energies of a peptide model of the unfolded monomer, a stable variant of the folded monomeric intermediate, and the folded dimeric species. The unfolded state binds zinc weakly with a micromolar dissociation constant, and the folded monomeric intermediate and the native dimeric form both bind zinc tightly, with subnanomolar dissociation constants. Coupled with the strong driving force for the subunit association reaction, the shift in the populations toward more well-folded states in the presence of zinc decreases the steady-state populations of higher-energy states in SOD under expected in vivo zinc concentrations (approximately nanomolar). The significant decrease in the population of partially folded states is expected to diminish their potential for aggregation and account for the known protective effect of zinc. The ∼ 100-fold increase in the rate of folding of SOD in the presence of micromolar concentrations of zinc demonstrates a significant role for a preorganized zinc-binding loop in the transition-state ensemble for the rate-limiting monomer folding reaction in this β-barrel protein.