Localization of hydrophobic sites in calmodulin and skeletal muscle troponin C studied using tryptic fragments: a simple method of their preparation

The exposure of hydrophobic sites on calmodulin, skeletal muscle troponin C and their tryptic fragments was investigated using Phenyl-Sepharose chromatography. A strong binding of both proteins and their fragments corresponding to the NH2-terminal halves of polypeptide chain of respective proteins in the presence of calcium ions was observed. Only a weak interaction with Phenyl-Sepharose or its lack was observed under these conditions for fragments corresponding to the COOH-terminal halves of calmodulin and troponin C, respectively. The elution of the samples from Phenyl-Sepharose column with ethylene glycol gradient allowed to compare relative hydrophobicity of both proteins and their fragments. The results show that hydrophobic properties of calmodulin and troponin C are virtually preserved in their fragments obtained as a result of their cleavage by trypsin in half. They also indicated that the exposure of hydrophobic residues caused by the binding of calcium ions takes place mainly in the NH2-terminal halves of polypeptide chains of both proteins. A simple method of purification of tryptic fragments of both proteins based on the difference in the strength of their interactions with Phenyl-Sepharose is described.     

Ca2+ binding sites in calmodulin and troponin C alter interhelical angle movements

Molecular dynamics analyses were performed to examine conformational changes in the C-domain of calmodulin and the N-domain of troponin C induced by binding of Ca(2+) ions. Analyses of conformational changes in calmodulin and troponin C indicated that the shortening of the distance between Ca(2+) ions and Ca(2+) binding sites of helices caused widening of the distance between Ca(2+) binding sites of helices on opposite sides, while the hydrophobic side chains in the center of helices hardly moved due to their steric hindrance. This conformational change acts as the clothespin mechanism.     

Thermodynamic study of domain organization in troponin C and calmodulin

Intramolecular melting of troponin C, calmodulin and their proteolytic fragments has been studied microcalorimetrically at various concentrations of monovalent and divalent ions. It is shown by thermodynamic analysis of the experimentally determined excess heat capacity function that the four calcium-binding domains in these two related proteins are not integrated into a single co-operative system, as would be the case if they formed a common hydrophobic core in the molecule, but still interact with each other in a very specific way. There is a positive interaction between domains I and II, which is so strong that they actually form a single co-operative block. The interaction between domains III and IV is positive also, although much less pronounced, while the interaction between the pairs of domains (I and II) and (III and IV) is negative, as if they repel each other. The structure of the co-operative block of domains I and II at room temperature does not depend noticeably on the ionic conditions, which influence its stability to a small extent only. The same applies to domain IV of calmodulin, but in troponin C this domain is unstable in the absence of divalent ions, in solutions of low ionic strength. In both proteins, the least stable is domain III, which forms a compact ordered structure at room temperature only in the presence of Ca2+. In troponin C, calcium ions can be replaced by magnesium ions, although the compact structure of domain III formed by these two ions does not seem to be quite identical. Thus, at conditions close to physiological, with regard to temperature and ionic strength, the removal of free Ca2+ from the solution induces in both proteins a reversible transition of domain III to the non-compact disordered state. This dramatic Ca2+-induced change in the domain III conformation in troponin C and calmodulin might play a key role in the functioning of these proteins as a Ca2+-controlled switch in the molecular mechanisms of living systems.     

Use of method of protein engineering in studying calcium-binding proteins

Major results of the use of protein engineering methods in studies of calcium-binding proteins with the highest affinity for calcium and known three-dimensional structure (parvalbumin, calmodulin, troponin C, calbindin, recoverin, alpha-lactalbumin, and others) are presented. Specific features of recombinant calcium-binding proteins are discussed. Experiments with genetic introduction of fluorescent probes, tryptophan and tyrosine, into proteins are overviewed. Effects of mutations in different parts of protein molecules (calcium-binding loops, hydrophobic core, and others) on their structure and properties and attempts of creation of artificial calcium-binding sites are discussed.     

Monoclonal antibodies toward scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) testis and wheat germ calmodulins.

A monoclonal antibody (IM7) toward scallop testis calmodulin and another one (PBE2) toward wheat germ calmodulin were produced. Ca2+ was required for IM7 to react with scallop calmodulin. IM7 reacted with the C-terminal region (Asp78-Lys148) of the calmodulin. As observed on competitive ELISA, IM7 reacted with chicken calmodulin, but not with Euglena gracilis or wheat calmodulin, troponin C, myosin light chains, or parvalbumin. It is assumed that the cluster of Thr143, Thr146, and Ser147 in the C-terminal region acts as the antigenic site. IM7 (and Fab of IM7) inhibited the activities of myosin light chain kinase and cAMP-phosphodiesterase. PBE2 reacted with wheat germ calmodulin irrespective of the presence or absence of Ca2+, the antigenic site being in the N-terminal region (Ala1-Met37). It reacted with wheat and spinach calmodulins, but not with scallop, chicken, or Euglena calmodulin, troponin C, myosin light chains, or parvalbumin. PBE2 had no effect on the activities of myosin light chain kinase and cAMP-phosphodiesterase.     

Strategies for the uses of lanthanide NMR shift probes in the determination of protein structure in solutio. Application to the EF calcium binding site of carp parvalbumin.

The homologous sequences observed for many calcium binding proteins such as parvalbumin, troponin C, the myosin light chains, and calmodulin has lead to the hypothesis that these proteins have homologous structures at the level of their calcium binding sites. This paper discusses the development of a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique which will enable us to test this structural hypothesis in solution. The technique involves the substitution of a paramagnetic lanthanide ion for the calcium ion which results in lanthanide induced shifts and broadening in the 1H NMR spectrum of the protein. These shifts are sensitive monitors of the precise geometrical orientation of each proton nucleus relative to the metal. The values of several parameters in the equation relating the NMR shifts to the structure are however known as priori. We have attempted to determine these parameters, the orientation and principal elements of the magnetic susceptibility tensor of the protein bound metal, by studying the lanthanide induced shifts for the protein parvalbumin whose structure has been determined by x-ray crystallographic techniques. The interaction of the lanthanide ytterbium with parvalbumin results in high resolution NMR spectra exhibiting a series of resonances with shifts spread over the range 32 to -19 ppm. The orientation and principal elements of the ytterbium magnetic susceptibility tensor have been determined using three assigned NMR resonances, the His-26 C2 and C4 protons and the amino terminal acetyl protons, and seven methyl groups; all with known geometry relative to the EF calcium binding site. The elucidation of these parameters has allowed us to compare the observed spectrum of the nuclei surrounding the EF calcium binding site of parvalbumin with that calculated from the x-ray structure. A significant number of the calculated shifts are larger than any of the observed shifts. We feel that a refinement of the x-ray based proton coordinates will be possible utilizing the geometric information contained in the lanthanide shifted NMR spectrum.     

Homologous calcium-binding proteins in the activation of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle myosin light chain kinases

In order to identify the physiological regulator of calcium dependent myosin light chain kinases of cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscles, the effects of the three homologous calciproteins, calmodulin, troponin C, and parvalbumin, on the kinases isolated from bovine myocardium, rabbit skeletal muscle, and turkey gizzard were examined. Only calmodulin was effective in stimulating the cardiac, skeletal, or smooth muscle kinase; troponin C and parvalbumin exhibited no activation of any of the three kinases, even when examined at concentrations as high as 10-(5) M. It is concluded that calmodulin is the specific regulator of myosin light chain kinase in cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle.     

Interaction of calmodulin with troponin I and the troponin-tropomyosin-actin complex. Effect of Ca2+ and Sr2+ ions.

In an effort to elucidate the mechanism of calmodulin regulation of muscle contraction, we investigated the interaction between calmodulin and troponin components in the presence of Ca2+ or Sr2+ by the use of ultracentrifugation methods and polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Skeletal-muscle troponin C bound to troponin I and dissociated it from the tropomyosin-actin complex in the presence of Ca2+ or Sr2+. When troponin T was absent, calmodulin bound to troponin I and dissociated it from the tropomyosin-actin complex in the presence of Ca2+ or Sr2+. When troponin T was present, calmodulin hardly bound to troponin I even in the presence of bivalent cations. Trifluoperazine, a calmodulin antagonist, inhibited the bivalent-cation-dependent interaction between calmodulin and troponin I. Calmodulin migrated more slowly in the presence of Sr2+ than it did in the presence of EGTA but faster than it did in the presence of Ca2+ on polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions. It is concluded that troponin T is not required in the calmodulin regulation of muscle contraction because troponin T inhibits the bivalent-cation-dependent interaction between calmodulin and troponin I and because calmodulin binds to troponin I and dissociates it from the tropomyosin-actin complex in a bivalent-cation-dependent manner. Sr2+-induced exposure of the hydrophobic region enables calmodulin to bind to troponin I, as is the case with Ca2+.     

Interaction of smooth muscle caldesmon with S-100 protein

The interaction of caldesmon with certain Ca-binding proteins was investigated by means of electrophoresis under non-denaturating conditions. In the presence of Ca2+ calmodulin, troponin C and S-100 protein form a complex with caldesmon. No complex formation takes place in the absence of Ca2+. Lactalbumin and pike parvalbumin (pI4.2) do not interact with caldesmon independently of Ca-concentration. Both S-100 protein and calmodulin effectively inhibit phosphorylation of caldesmon by Ca-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase. At low ionic strength S-100 protein reverses the inhibitory action of caldesmon on the skeletal muscle acto-heavy meromyosin ATPase more effectively than calmodulin. It is supposed that in certain tissues and cell compartments the proteins belonging to the S-100 family are able to substitute for calmodulin in the caldesmon-dependent regulation of actin and myosin interaction.     

The interaction of Ca2+-binding proteins with the carbocyanine dye stains-all

The interaction of the carbocyanine dye Stains-all with the Ca²⁺-binding proteins calmodulin, troponin C, and parvalbumin has been monitored by means of absorption spectra and CD. In the absence of Ca²⁺, complexes with Stains-all of all three proteins exhibit at high dye: protein mole ratios an intense J absorption band at 600–650 nm, which is associated with a characteristic CD spectrum. In the cases of calmodulin and troponin C, the J-band is progressively lost as the dye: protein ratio decreases and is replaced by bands of the γ and β types at 450–550 nm, which likewise give rise to characteristic CD spectra. For parvalbumin, only the J-band is observed; its intensity is undiminished at the lowest dye: protein ratios examined. In the presence of excess Ca²⁺ the J-band is lost for all three proteins. For calmodulin and troponin C it is replaced by σ- and β-bands; in the case of parvalbumin the bound dye is released. A tentative model has been proposed to account for these observations.     

Crystal structure of calmodulin

The crystal structure of calmodulin has been determined to 3.6 A resolution. At this resolution the polypeptide chain can be traced. Some of the side chains have tentatively been identified. Refinement of the structure with x-ray diffraction data measured to 1.65 A resolution is continuing. As reported by Babu et al. calmodulin is about 65 A long and 30 A in diameter. Homolog domains 1 and 2 are related by a local twofold axis, as in parvalbumin and in troponin C, and form one end of the molecule. Domains 3 and 4 form the other end. The second alpha-helix of domain 2 and a short interdomain region are continuous with the first helix of domain 3, thereby forming a single helix from residues 67-93. The central region, residues 75-84, of this long helix forms a handle connecting the two pairs of homolog domains. Exclusive of the residues, 75-84, in the handle the closet approach of side chains of pair 1, 2 to pair 3, 4 is 12 A. The spatial relationship of pair 1, 2 to pair 3, 4 is similar in calmodulin to the relationship of the corresponding pairs in troponin C. However, in troponin C there are three additional residues in the handle region of the long alpha-helix and the two pairs are about 5.0 A further apart. On the surface of pair 1, 2 in calmodulin there is one extended region with many hydrophobic side chains from both domain 1 and domain 2. This hydrophobic patch is bounded by two distinct clusters of anionic side chains, one from the beginning of the first helix of domain 1 and on the other side of the hydrophobic surface one from the beginning of the first helix of domain 2. Homologously, the hydrophobic patch on the surface of pair 3, 4 is bounded by two clusters of aspartate and glutamate residues. Either or both of these hydrophobic surfaces may be sites to which calmodulin target proteins bind.     

Interactions of troponin I and its inhibitory fragment (residues 104-115) with troponin C and calmodulin

Fluorescent probes have been used to study the interaction of troponin I and its inhibitory peptide TnIp with troponin C, calmodulin, and the proteolytic fragments of calmodulin. The probes used included the noncovalently bound ligand TNS and the covalently attached labels dansyl and AEDANS. The fluorescence intensity of TNS bound to troponin C, calmodulin, or the calmodulin fragments was greatly enhanced by the presence of TnIp. This effect was used to estimate the corresponding binding constants. It was found that TnIp is bound by the C-terminal half-molecule of calmodulin, TR2C, with an affinity comparable to that of intact calmodulin or troponin C, while the binding affinity of the N-terminal half-molecule, TR1C, was an order of magnitude less, suggesting that the TnIp-containing portion of troponin I combines with the C-terminal half of calmodulin or troponin C. The fluorescence properties of an AEDANS group linked to Cys-98 of troponin C were modified by interaction with troponin I or TnIp. The fluorescence properties of the same group linked to Cys-27 of wheat germ calmodulin were affected by TnI, but not TnIp. TnI had a small effect upon the fluorescence of a dansyl group linked to Met-25 of troponin C. TnIp also inhibited the tryptic hydrolysis of the midpoint of the central connecting strand of calmodulin and troponin C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Fluorescence investigations of calmodulin hydrophobic sites

Calmodulin activation of target enzymes depends on the interaction between calmodulin hydrophobic regions and some enzyme areas. The Ca2+ induced exposure of calmodulin hydrophobic sites was studied by means of 2-p-toluidinylnaphthalene-6-sulfonate, a fluorescent probe. Scatchard and Job plots showed that the calmodulin-Ca42+ complex bound two molecules of this hydrophobic probe, with KD congruent to 1.4 X 10(-4) M. These sites are not totally exposed until calmodulin has bound four Ca2+ per molecule, so the conformational change is not over before the four specific Ca2+ - binding sites are saturated with Ca2+.     

Restrained least squares refinement of native (calcium) and cadmium-substituted carp parvalbumin using X-ray crystallographic data at 1.6-A resolution

Carp parvalbumin coordinates calcium through one carbonyl oxygen atom and the oxygen-containing side chains of 5 amino acid residues, or 4 residues and a water molecule, in a helix-loop-helix structural motif. Other calcium-binding proteins, including calmodulin and troponin C, also possess this unique calcium-binding design, which is designated EF-hand or calmodulin fold. Parvalbumin has two such sites, labeled CD and EF. Each of the calcium-binding sites of refined structures of proteins belonging to this group has a 7-oxygen coordination sphere except those of the structure of parvalbumin as it was reported in 1975. This structure had been refined at 1.9 A using difference Fourier techniques on film data. The CD site appeared to be 6-coordinate and the EF site 8-coordinate. Results of NMR experiments using 113Cd-substituted parvalbumin, however, indicate that the sites are similar to one another with coordination number greater than 6. To resolve the inconsistency between crystallographic and NMR results, 1.6 A area detector data was collected for native and cadmium-substituted parvalbumin; the structures have been refined to R factors of 18.7% and 16.4%, respectively, with acceptable geometry and low errors in atomic coordinates. Differences between the parvalbumin structure described in 1975 and the present structure are addressed, including the discovery of 7-coordination for both the CD and EF sites.     

Effect of neurotropic drugs on calmodulin and troponin C-dependent processes

The effects of neurotropic compounds on Ca-binding proteins (calmodulin, troponin C) were investigated. It was shown that the majority of neuroleptics of the phenothiazine group effectively interact with the both proteins and inhibit calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and Ca2+-activated actomyosin. ATPase. Neuroleptics of the butyrophenone group as well as imipramine and diphenehydramine having a low efficiency interact only with calmodulin. Methophenazine, a phenothiazine neuroleptic, being an effective inhibitor of calmodulin and of calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase, does not influence troponin C or Ca-dependent actomyosin ATPase. Therefore, this compound may be used as a convenient tool in the study of processes controlled by these Ca-binding proteins. It is concluded that troponin C possesses Ca-dependent sites which bind pharmacological agents structurally similar to that of calmodulin. However, these sites bind pharmacological agents with a low efficiency and exhibit selectivity towards certain drugs. Despite the obvious homology of the both Ca-binding proteins, i.e., calmodulin, troponin C, their effects on the processes under their control appear to be selective.     

Primary sequence analysis and folding behavior of EF hands in relation to the mechanism of action of troponin C and calmodulin

The primary sequence of EF hands encodes for elements of secondary structure which includes the presence of hydrophobic and charged domains in the helical regions of these sites. The hydrophobic and charged surfaces located in the N-terminal region of EF hands offer a potential site of interaction with complimentary surfaces on target proteins. Although the binding of calcium to the EF hands of calmodulin and troponin C may lead to a local exposure of these domains, it is the tertiary structure of these proteins that probably dictates the extent to which these domains are exposed and the selectivity of these proteins for target proteins.     

Model for the interaction of amphiphilic helices with troponin C and calmodulin

Crystals of troponin C are stabilized by an intermolecular interaction that involves the packing of helix A from the N-terminal domain of one molecule onto the exposed hydrophobic cleft of the C-terminal domain of a symmetry related molecule. Analysis of this molecular recognition interaction in troponin C suggests a possible mode for the binding of amphiphilic helical molecules to troponin C and to calmodulin. From the template provided by this troponin C packing, it has been possible to build a model of the contact region of mastoporan as it might be bound to the two Ca2+ binding proteins. A possible binding mode of melittin to calmodulin is also proposed. Although some of the characteristics of binding are similar for the two amphiphilic peptides, the increased length of melittin requires a significant bend in the calmodulin central helix similar to that suggested recently for the myosin light chain kinase calmodulin binding peptide (Persechini and Kretsinger: Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology 12:501-512, 1988). Not only are the hydrophobic interactions important in this model, but there are several favorable electrostatic interactions that are predicted as a result of the molecular modeling. The regions of troponin-C and calmodulin to which amphiphilic helices bind are similar to the regions to which the neuroleptic drugs such as trifluoperazine have been predicted to bind (Strynadka and James: Proteins 3:1-17, 1988).     

Protein-induced inactivation and phosphorylation of rabbit muscle phosphofructokinase.

Several previously untested proteins promote the reversible inactivation of rabbit skeletal muscle phosphofructokinase. Grouped in decreasing order of effectiveness, they include the following: skeletal muscle troponin C greater than troponin, the two smooth muscle myosin light chains, alpha-actinin, and S-100 much greater than parvalbumin and soybean trypsin inhibitor. The efficiency of troponin C in this process may even exceed that previously reported for calmodulin. Sequences near calcium binding site III are apparently involved in the troponin C-phosphofructokinase interaction. Troponin C and calmodulin exert calcium-dependent effects on the physical and chemical properties of muscle phosphofructokinase. When calcium is present, comigration with either protein allows the enzyme to enter the stacking gel during urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Both enhance the phosphorylation of phosphofructokinase catalyzed by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase, with phosphate incorporations approaching 2 mol of P/mol of protomer. Reaction occurs at Ser774 and at Ser376--a novel site whose phosphorylation is highly sensitive to troponin C and less so to calmodulin. Maximum phosphorylation has slight effect on the catalytic activity of the enzyme under standard assay conditions. The troponin C induced or calmodulin-induced phosphorylation of phosphofructokinase requires calcium and is strongly inhibited by either fructose 2,6-bisphosphate or fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. Inactivation occurs in the presence or absence of calcium, with generally higher concentrations of effectors required for protection in the latter case. Liver and yeast phosphofructokinases shows little activity loss in the presence of either calmodulin or troponin C. We have developed and tested a general mathematical model for the protein-induced inactivation of phosphofructokinase which may find application to other systems.