Regulation of insulin receptor functions by a peptide derived from a major histocompatibility complex class I antigen

A 25 residue peptide, Dk-(61-85), derived from the alpha 1 domain of a murine MHC class I molecule (H-2Dk), enhances cellular glucose uptake, prolongs the effect of insulin, and inhibits insulin receptor internalization without affecting insulin binding or dissociation. Full effect of the peptide is obtained at 10-100 microM. The magnitude of the peptide-mediated enhancement of glucose uptake is insulin dependent and is at maximum approximately 50% above that of full insulin stimulation, excluding a merely insulinomimetic action of the peptide. Dk-(61-85) does not interact directly with the glucose transporter molecule. Furthermore, the peptide-mediated inhibition of insulin receptor internalization results in 2-3 times more receptors in the plasma membrane. The peptide also causes hypoglycemia in rats. The biological activity of Dk-(61-85) suggests that an important nonimmunological role of MHC class I molecules is to affect some of the key functions of ligand-activated receptors.     

Helical conformation at the carboxy-terminal portion of human C3a is required for full activity

Human C3a, a 77-residue fragment released during complement activation, is a potent spasmogen that contracts smooth muscle, enhances vascular permeability, and suppresses humoral immune responses. Studies with synthetic peptides have shown that the active site of this anaphylatoxin resides in the COOH-terminal portion of C3a; the minimal peptide structure capable of expressing activity contains residues 73-77, Leu-Gly-Leu-Ala-Arg (C3a-73-77). Longer synthetic C3a analogue peptides, e.g., C3a-57-77 containing the 21 COOH-terminal amino acids, exhibit activity nearly equivalent to that of intact C3a. Circular dichroism spectra of peptide C3a-57-77 in aqueous buffer containing 25% (v/v) trifluoroethanol indicated helical structure (41% helix), and analysis of the sequence suggested an amphipathic surface. We have synthesized several 21-residue peptide analogues of the natural C3a sequence containing residues 57-77 that were designed to enhance helix and to accentuate amphipathy. Syntheses were designed to include strategic placement of the helix-promoting residues 2-aminobutyric acid (beta-methylalanine) and 2-aminoisobutyric acid (alpha-methylalanine). Two 21-residue C3a analogue peptides that were designed to enhance helical content were shown to exhibit greater biological activity than either the native factor C3a or C3a-57-77. Moreover, activity was abrogated by the appropriate placement of helix-breaking residues, e.g., proline, suggesting that a conformational requirement for activity is genuine. These observations suggest that a helical conformation is requisite for optimal C3a activity and that in intact C3a the NH2-terminal portion (residues 1-21) and the disulfide-linked core (residues 22-57) function primarily to stabilize ordered conformation at the COOH-terminal region of the molecule.     

Solution structure of a novel ETB receptor selective agonist ET1-21 [Cys(Acm)1,15, Aib3,11, Leu7] by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular modelling.

The solution structure of a biologically active modified linear endothelin-1 analogue, ET1-21[Cys(Acm)1,15, Aib3,11, Leu7], has been determined for the first time by two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in a methanol-d3/water solvent mixture. Out of approximately one hundred linear peptide analogues tested by biological assay, this peptide, together with a dozen others, showed significant ETB selective agonist activity. Here we report the solution structure of an ETB selective agonist of a full-length, synthetic linear endothelin analogue. The calculated structures indicate that the peptide adopts an alpha-helical conformation between residues Ser5-His16, whilst both N- and C-termini show no preferred conformation. These results suggest that the disulphide bridges normally associated with endothelin and sarafotoxin peptides may not necessarily be important for either ETB receptor binding activity or the formation of a helical conformation in solution.     

Effect of phospholipid bilayers on solution conformation of branched polymeric polypeptides and peptide-polymer conjugates

This report provides a detailed analysis on the influence of phosholipid bilayers on the conformation of poly[Lys(X(i)-DL-Ala(m))] (XAK, where X = Ser, Orn, Glu, or AcGlu) type branched polypeptides and their peptide conjugates. CD spectra of polycationic (SAK, OAK), amphoteric (EAK), or polyanionic (Ac-EAK) polylysine derivatives were recorded in 0.25M acetate buffer at pH 7.4 as well as in the presence of DPPC or DPPC/PG (95/5, 80/20 mol/mol) liposomes. Based on these data, two groups of polypeptides are described. Group one contains polypeptides with significantly ordered conformation even in buffer solution (SAK, AcEAK), which is essentially not altered by phospholipids. Group two, branched polypeptides (OAK, EAK), with only partially ordered conformation in aqueous solution in the presence of phospholipid bilayers with high PG content, could adopt more (EAK) or less (OAK) ordered alpha-helical structure depending on their charge properties. In addition, we report on the synthesis of two new sets of oligopeptide-branched polypeptide conjugates. Studies with selected conjugates suggest that these compounds are highly ordered in buffer solution almost regardless from the helix-forming ability of the carrier (AK, SAK, EAK) and from the hydrophilic/hydrophobic character of peptides attached (AVKDEL vs FWRGDLVFDFQV). Addition of phospholipid bilayers with different composition essentially had no modifying effect on conformation of conjugates. From this we can conclude that the covalently coupled oligopeptides has a predominant effect of the conformational properties of conjugates.     

Studies on analogs of a peptide derived from alpha-fetoprotein having antigrowth properties.

A 34-amino acid portion of the third domain of alpha-fetoprotein possesses antigrowth and anticancer activities. Three analogs of this sequence were chemically synthesized, in which the two cysteines of the original sequence were replaced by alanines, glycines or serines. The original cysteine and alanine peptides formed trimers at 0.20 g/L in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer, and the glycine and serine peptides formed dimers. Trimer preparations were more potent in inhibiting estrogen-induced growth in the mouse uterine assays than the two dimeric oligomers. Of salient importance is that the alanine peptide retained its trimeric form in solution much longer than the cysteine peptide. Antigrowth assays were performed starting with stock solutions at a peptide concentration of 0.20 g/L, because at very high peptide concentration (8.0 g/L) the peptides aggregated extensively. All the peptides, although differing in biological activity, had almost identical secondary structures. Unlike alpha-fetoprotein, the three peptides have low amounts of alpha-helix. Trifluoroethanol has the ability to convert peptides into a helical conformation when they have a propensity for that structure. At trifluoroethanol concentrations of 20% and higher, the alanine and glycine peptides were changed into highly helical structures.     

The Bowman-Birk inhibitor reactive site loop sequence represents an independent structural beta-hairpin motif

We have determined the NMR structure in aqueous solution of a disulphide-cyclised 11-residue peptide that forms a stable beta-hairpin, incorporating a type VIb beta-turn. The structure is found to be extremely well ordered for a short peptide, with the 30 lowest energy simulated annealing structures having an average pairwise r.m.s. deviation of only 0.36 A over the backbone. All but three side-chains adopt distinct conformations, allowing a detailed analysis of their involvement in cross-strand interactions. The peptide sequence analysed originates from a previously reported study, which identified potent inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase from screening a combinatorial peptide library based on the short protein beta-sheet segment that forms the reactive site loop of Bowman-Birk inhibitors. A detailed comparison of the peptide's solution structure with the corresponding region in the whole protein structure reveals a very good correspondence not only for the backbone (r.m.s. deviation approximately 0.7 A) but also for the side-chains. This isolated beta-hairpin retains the biologically active "canonical conformation" typical of small serine proteinase inhibitor proteins, which explains why it retains inhibitory activity. Since the structural integrity is sequence-inherent and does not depend upon the presence of the remaining protein, this beta-hairpin represents an independent structural motif and so provides a useful model of this type of protein architecture and its relation to biological function. The relationship between the conformation of this beta-hairpin and its biological activity is discussed.     

Raman studies on bradykinin and a cyclic bradykinin

Laser Raman spectra of bradykinin in water, deuterium oxide, and the solid phase were recorded. From the spectra it was concluded that bradykinin conformation is comprised of ordered and unordered structure. The ordered structure appears to be some form of reverse turn. Furthermore, it seems that there is an enhancement of the turn structure in the solid phase. A cyclic cystine containing analog of bradykinin was also examined with Raman spectroscopy. The cyclic bradykinin analog gives a Raman spectrum very similar to that of the linear bradykinin and therefore must share similar conformational forms with bradykinin. The restrictive Cys-Cys disulfide in the cyclic bradykinin must serve to maintain a conformation acceptable to bradykinin receptors since the cyclic peptide exhibits biological activity.     

Conformation of gonadotropin releasing hormone.

The conformation of the gonadotropin releasing hormone (Gn-RH), whose primary sequence is pGlu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-GlyNH2, and of several of its structural analogues has been studied by circular dichroism, optical rotatory dispersion, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The effects of pH, guanidine, and temperature on fluorescence emission have also been examined. Titration data demonstrate that the histidine and tyrosine residues are free of any mutual interactions. The similarity of emission spectra in water and in guanidine hydrochloride solutions precludes significant interactions between the fluorescent groups and other residues. Neither the temperature nor the pH profiles of the emission intensities of either tyrosine or tryptophan reveal any fixed secondary structure in Gn-RH. Both the extent of alkaline quenching and the distance of 10-11 A calculated from F?rster energy transfer theory are in accord with a randomly coiled structure with only one residue between tyrosine and tryptophan. Furthermore, the circular dichroism spectrum and optical rotatory dispersion do not exhibit any contributions from peptide bonds in an ordered structure, although there is a perturbation of the peptide absorption region due to overlapping bands from side-chain chromophores. Gn-RH, therefore, appears to behave as a random coil polypeptide in water devoid of any intrachain residue interactions. This nonordered structure in Gn-RH and the lack of any significant differences in the physical-chemical properties of the hormone analogues indicate that a predetermined solution conformation is not required for biological activity. In contrast to its behavior in water, Gn-RH in trifluoroethanol exhibits a conformational transition, with the formation of a beta structure. Differences in conformational changes exhibited by several analogues in trifluoroethanol may be relevant to their relative biological activities at the receptor site.     

Peptide rescue of an N-terminal truncation of the Stoffel fragment of taq DNA polymerase.

Deletion of the first 289 amino acids of the DNA polymerase from Thermus aquaticus (Taq polymerase) removes the 5' to 3' exonuclease domain to yield the thermostable Stoffel polymerase fragment (Lawyer et al., 1989). Preliminary N-terminal truncation studies of the Stoffel fragment suggested that removal of an additional 12 amino acids (the Stof delta 12 mutant) had no significant effect on activity or stability, but that the further truncation of the protein (the Stof delta 47, in which 47 amino acids were deleted), resulted in a significant loss of both activity and thermostability. A 33-amino acid synthetic peptide, based on this critical region (i.e., residues 303-335 inclusive), was able to restore 85% of the Stof delta 12 activity when added back to the truncated Stof delta 47 protein as well as return the temperature optimum to that of the Stof delta 12 and Stoffel proteins. Examination of the crystal structure of Taq polymerase (Kim et al., 1995) shows that residues 302-336 of the enzyme form a three-stranded beta-sheet structure that interacts with the remainder of the protein. CD analysis of the 33-amino acid peptide indicates that the free peptide also adopts an ordered structure in solution with more than 50% beta-sheet content. These data suggest that this 33-amino acid peptide constitutes a stable beta-sheet structure capable of rescuing the truncated polymerase in a fashion analogous to the well-documented complementation of Ribonuclease S protein by the 15-residue, alpha-helical, S peptide.     

Conformational stability of a thrombin-binding peptide derived from the hirudin C-terminus.

The COOH-terminal region of hirudin represents an independent functional domain that binds to an anion-binding exosite of thrombin and inhibits the interaction of thrombin with fibrinogen and regulatory proteins in blood coagulation. The thrombin-bound structure of the peptide fragment, hirudin 55-65, has been determined by use of transferred NOE spectroscopy [Ni, F., Konishi, Y., & Scheraga, H. A. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 4479-4489]. The stability of the thrombin-bound conformation has been characterized further by a combined NMR and theoretical analysis of the conformational ensemble accessible by the hirudin peptide. Medium- and long-range NOE's were found for the free hirudin peptide in aqueous solution and in a mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide and water at both ambient (25 degrees C) and low (0 degrees C) temperatures, suggesting that ordered conformations are highly populated in solution. The global folding of these conformations is similar to that in the thrombin-bound state, as indicated by NOE's involving the side-chain protons of residues Phe(56), Ile(59), Pro(60), Tyr(63), and Leu(64). Residues Glu(61), Glu(62), Tyr(63), and Leu(64) all contain approximately 50% of helical conformations calculated from the ratio of the sequential dNN and d alpha N NOE's. Among the helical ensemble, active 3(10)-helical conformations were found by an analysis of the medium-range [(i,i+2) and (i,i+3)] NOE's involving the last six residues of the peptide. An analysis of the side-chain rotamers revealed that, upon binding to thrombin, there may be a rotation around the alpha CH-beta CH bond of Ile(59) such that Ile(59) adopts a gauche- (chi 1 = +60) conformation in contrast to the highly populated trans (chi 1 = -60) found for Ile(59) in the free peptide. However, the thrombin-bound conformation of the hirudin peptide is still an intrinsically stable conformer, and the preferred conformational ensemble of the peptide contains a large population of the active conformation. The apparent preference for a gauche- (chi 1 = +60) side-chain conformation of Ile(59) in the bound state may be explained by the existence of a positively charged arginine residue among the hydrophobic residues in the thrombin exosite.     

Conformationally restricted thrombin inhibitors resistant to proteolytic digestion.

A new type of thrombin exo-site inhibitor has been designed with enhanced inhibitory potency and increased metabolic stability. With the aid of the model of the structure of the thrombin-hirudin fragment complex [Yue, S.-Y., DiMaio, J., Szewczuk, Z., Purisima, E. O., Ni, F., & Konishi, Y. (1992) Protein Eng. 5, 77-85], cyclic analogs of the hirudin fragment (hirudin55-65) were designed and synthesized. In these analogs, the side chains of appropriately substituted residues, 58 and 61, were joined in order to restrict the conformation of the inhibitor. An analog with an 18-membered lactam ring showed higher antithrombin activity (IC50 = 0.57 microM) than the corresponding analogs with 17- or 16-membered rings and was 2-fold more potent than its linear counterpart. Even 4-fold greater enhancement was obtained when a shorter fragment, hirudin 55-62, was cyclized. This cyclization not only improved the potency but, more importantly, dramatically increased the resistance to proteolytic digestion. Remarkable enhancement of stability to proteolysis was observed for peptide bonds located in the exocyclic linear peptide segments. These results are discussed using molecular modeling.     

Evidence for a folded conformation of methionine- and leucine-enkephalin in a membrane environment

Transfer of an aqueous-soluble peptide hormone or neurotransmitter such as [Met]- or [Leu]enkephalin (Tyr1-Gly2-Gly3-Phe4-Met5(Leu5)), to the lipid-rich environment of its membrane-embedded receptor protein may convert the peptide into a ("bioactive") conformation required for eliciting biological activity. We have examined by high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy the conformational parameters of free enkephalin in aqueous solution versus those of enkephalin bound to lysophosphatidylcholine micelles using two approaches: 1) exchange rates, line broadening, coupling constants, and chemical shift changes of enkephalin backbone peptide N-H protons were measured for free and membrane-bound peptide in H2O (360 MHz, pH 5.6, 20 degrees C). A selective upfield shift observed for the Met5(Leu5) N-H proton upon lipid binding was interpreted in terms of its incorporation into an intramolecular H-bond. 2) 13C chemical shift changes induced by the shift reagent praseodymium nitrate (Pr(NO3)3) were compared in the presence and absence of lipid micelles. Significant changes occurring in Gly2 carbon atoms in membrane-bound enkephalin suggested the relative proximity of this residue to the Pr3+ atom (bound to the Met5(Leu5) COOH-terminal carboxylate 4 residues away). These combined results, in conjunction with studies on the specific interactions of enkephalin substituents with the micelles (Deber, C. M., and Behnam, B. A., (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 81, 61-65) suggest that enkephalin folds into an intramolecularly H-bonded beta-turn structure (with an H-bond between Gly2 C = O and Met5 NH) in the lipid environment. Such folding could facilitate the positioning of strategic residues in vivo as the hormone diffuses toward its receptor.     

Conformational studies of human [15-2-aminohexanoic acid]little gastrin in sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles by 1H NMR

Human little gastrin is a 17 amino acid peptide that adopts a random conformation in water and an ordered structure in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles as well as in trifluoroethanol (TFE). The circular dichroism spectra in these two media have the same shape, indicative of a similar preferred conformation [Mammi, S., Mammi, N. J., Foffani, M. T., Peggion, E., Moroder, L., & Wünsch, E. (1987) Biopolymers 26, S1-S10]. We describe here the assignment of the proton NMR resonances and the conformational analysis of [Ahx15]little gastrin in SDS micelles. Two-dimensional correlation techniques form the basis for the assignment. The conformational analysis utilized NOE's, NH to C alpha H coupling constants, and the temperature coefficients of the amide chemical shifts. The NMR data indicate a helical structure in the N-terminal portion of the peptide. These results are compared with the conformation that we recently proposed for a minigastrin analogue (fragment 5-17 of [Ahx15]little gastrin) in TFE.     

Structure, epitope mapping, and docking simulation of a gibberellin mimic peptide as a peptidyl mimotope for a hydrophobic ligand

Using NMR spectroscopy and simulated annealing calculations, we determined the solution structure of the disulfide-linked cyclized decapeptide ACLPWSDGPC (SD), which is bound to an anti-(gibberellin A(4)) mAb 4-B8(8)/E9 and was found to be the first peptidyl mimotope for a hydrophobic ligand. The resulting structure of the peptide showed a beta-turn-like conformation in residues three to seven and the region converges well (average rmsd 0.54 A). The binding activity and the epitopes of the peptide to the antibody were assessed using saturation transfer difference (STD)-NMR experiments. We also conducted docking simulations between the peptide and the mAb to determine how the peptide is bound to the mAb. Resonances around the beta-turn-like conformation of peptide SD (residues 3-5) showed strong STD enhancement, which agreed well with results from docking simulation between peptide SD and the mAb. Together with the commonality of amino acid residues of the mAb involved in interactions with gibberellin A(4) (GA(4)) and peptide SD, we concluded that peptide SD is bound to the antigen-binding site of mAb 4-B8(8)/E9 as a GA(4) mimic, confirming evidence for the existence of peptide mimics even for hydrophobic ligands.     

Structure of an oligodeoxynucleotide containing a butadiene oxide-derived N1 beta-hydroxyalkyl deoxyinosine adduct in the human N-ras codon 61 sequence

The solution structure of the N1-(1-hydroxy-3-buten-2(S)-yl)-2'-deoxyinosine adduct arising from the alkylation of adenine N1 by butadiene epoxide (BDO), followed by deamination to deoxyinosine, was determined, in the oligodeoxynucleotide d(CGGACXAGAAG).d(CTTCTCGTCCG). This oligodeoxynucleotide contained the BDO adduct at the second position of codon 61 of the human N-ras protooncogene, and was named the ras61 S-N1-BDO-(61,2) adduct. (1)H NMR revealed a weak C(5) H1' to X(6) H8 NOE, followed by an intense X(6) H8 to X(6) H1' NOE. Simultaneously, the X(6) H8 to X(6) H3' NOE was weak. The resonance arising from the T(17) imino proton was not observed. (1)H NOEs between the butadiene moiety and the DNA positioned the adduct in the major groove. Structural refinement based upon a total of 364 NOE-derived distance restraints yielded a structure in which the modified deoxyinosine was in the high syn conformation about the glycosyl bond, and T(17), the complementary nucleotide, was stacked into the helix, but not hydrogen bonded with the adducted inosine. The refined structure provided a plausible hypothesis as to why this N1 deoxyinosine adduct strongly coded for the incorporation of dCTP during trans lesion DNA replication, both in Escherichia coli [Rodriguez, D. A., Kowalczyk, A., Ward, J. B. J., Harris, C. M., Harris, T. M., and Lloyd, R. S. (2001) Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 38, 292-296], and in mammalian cells [Kanuri, M., Nechev, L. N., Tamura, P. J., Harris, C. M., Harris, T. M., and Lloyd, R. S. (2002) Chem. Res. Toxicol. 15, 1572-1580]. Rotation of the N1 deoxyinosine adduct into the high syn conformation may facilitate incorporation of dCTP via Hoogsteen-type templating with deoxyinosine, thus generating A-to-G mutations.     

Structure of cCF10, a peptide sex pheromone which induces conjugative transfer of the Streptococcus faecalis tetracycline resistance plasmid, pCF10

The peptide pheromone, cCF10, which induces aggregation and high frequency plasmid transfer in Streptococcus faecalis cells carrying the tetracycline resistance plasmid, pCF10, was isolated and its structure determined. The molecular weight of cCF10 is 789, and its amino acid sequence is H-Leu-Val-Thr-Leu-Val-Phe-Val-OH. Pheromone activity, as determined by a clumping induction assay, was detectable at a concentration of 2.5 x 10(-11) M. A peptide of the same sequence as that of the cCF10 produced by S. faecalis cells was synthesized by the liquid-phase method. The synthetic pheromone showed biological activity and chromatographic behavior that was identical to that of the cCF10 of bacterial origin. When the response of S. faecalis cells to various concentrations of synthetic cCF10 was monitored by measuring both the frequency of plasmid transfer and the synthesis of pheromone-inducible antigens, an excellent correlation was observed between donor ability and the appearance of a 150-kilodalton protein that appears to be involved in formation of mating aggregates. The dose-response data in the range of concentrations where the amount of pheromone became limiting (10(-11)-10(-12) M) were consistent with the notion that as few as one or two molecules per donor cell may be sufficient to induce a mating response.     

Interaction of synthetic fragments of the extension peptide of cytochrome P-450(SCC) precursor with phospholipid bilayer

Six peptide fragments, SEP6-11, SEP6-15, SEP1-11, SEP1-15, SEP1-20, and SEP25-39, corresponding to the residues 6-11, 6-15, 1-11, 1-15, 1-20, and 25-39, respectively, of the extension peptide of cytochrome P-450(SCC) precursor were chemically synthesized by the solution method. CD spectra of the peptides indicated that SEP1-15 and SEP1-20, which inhibit the import of the precursor, held a random conformation in a Tris-HCl buffer and a partially ordered conformation (like alpha-helix or type II' beta-turn) in a buffer containing acidic liposomes. Slightly changed spectra were observed for SEP1-15 and SEP1-20 in the buffer containing neutral liposomes and in MeOH, respectively. Other peptides which show weak or no inhibitory effect had almost random conformations in these solvents. The hydrophobic moments of SEP1-15 and SEP1-20 when they take alpha-helical conformation are very small, suggesting that amphiphilic helical property is not always necessary for the import of the precursor, although partially ordered conformation seems to be required. The ability of SEP1-15 and SEP1-20 to induce leakage of carboxyfluorescein from the inside of dipalmitoyl-DL-alpha-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) or DPPC-dipalmitoyl-DL-alpha-phosphatidylglycerol (3:1) vesicles was much greater than that of other peptides. The leakage induction ability of the peptides qualitatively parallels the degree of their inhibition of the import of the precursor. Perturbation of the membranes caused by the action of the peptides in their partially ordered form may be important for the import of the precursor into mitochondria.     

The intact human acetylcholinesterase C-terminal oligomerization domain is alpha-helical in situ and in isolation,but a shorter fragment forms beta-sheet-rich amyloid fibrils and protofibrillar oligomers

A 14-residue fragment of the C-terminal oligomerization domain, or T-peptide, of human acetylcholinesterase (AChE) shares sequence homology with the amyloid-beta peptide implicated in Alzheimer's disease and can spontaneously self-assemble into classical amyloid fibrils under physiological conditions [Greenfield, S. A., and Vaux, D. J. (2002) Neuroscience 113, 485-492; Cottingham, M. G., Hollinshead, M. S., and Vaux, D. J. (2002) Biochemistry 41, 13539-13547]. Here we demonstrate that the conformation of this AChE(586-599) peptide, both before and after fibril formation, is different from that of a longer peptide, T(40), corresponding to the entire 40-amino acid T-peptide (residues 575-614 of AChE). This peptide is prone to homomeric hydrophobic interactions, consistent with its role in AChE subunit assembly, and possesses an alpha-helical structure which protects against the development of the beta-sheet-rich amyloidogenic conformation favored by the shorter constituent AChE(586-599) fragment. Using a conformation-sensitive monoclonal antibody raised against the alpha-helical T(40) peptide, we demonstrate that the conformation of the T-peptide domain within intact AChE is antigenically indistinguishable from that of the synthetic T(40) peptide. A second monoclonal antibody raised against the fibrillogenic AChE(586-599) fragment recognizes not only beta-sheet amyloid aggregates but also SDS-resistant protofibrillar oligomers. A single-antibody sandwich ELISA confirms that such oligomers exist at micromolar peptide concentrations, well below that required for formation of classical amyloid fibrils. Epitope mapping with this monoclonal antibody identifies a region near the N-terminus of the peptide that remains accessible in oligomer and fibril alike, suggesting a model for the arrangement of subunits within AChE(586-599) protofibrils and fibrils.     

Histidine 61: an important heme ligand in the soluble fumarate reductase from Shewanella frigidimarina

An examination of the X-ray structure of the soluble fumarate reductase from Shewanella frigidimarina [Taylor, P., Pealing, S. L., Reid, G. A., Chapman, S. K., and Walkinshaw, M. D. (1999) Nat. Struct. Biol. 6, 1108-1112] shows the presence of four, bis-His-ligated, c-type hemes and one flavin adenine dinucleotide, FAD. The heme groups provide a "molecular wire" for the delivery of electrons to the FAD. Heme IV is closest to the FAD (7.4 A from heme methyl to FAD C7), and His61, a ligand to heme IV, is also close (8.4 A to FAD C7). Electron delivery to the FAD from the heme groups must proceed via heme IV, as hemes I-III are too far from the FAD for feasible electron transfer. To examine the importance of heme IV and its ligation for enzyme function, we have substituted His61 with both methionine and alanine. Here we describe the crystallographic, kinetic, and electrochemical characterization of the H61M and H61A mutant forms of the Shewanella fumarate reductase. The crystal structures of these mutant forms of the enzyme have been determined to 2.1 and 2.2 A resolution, respectively. Substitution of His61 with alanine results in heme IV having only one protein ligand (His86), the sixth coordination position being occupied by an acetate ion derived from the crystal cryoprotectant solution. In the structure of the H61M enzyme, Met61 is found not to ligate the heme iron, a role that is taken by a water molecule. Apart from these features, there are no significant structural alterations as a result of either substitution. Both the H61M-Fcc(3) and H61A-Fcc(3) mutant enzymes are catalytically active but exhibit marked decreases in the value of k(cat) for fumarate reduction with respect to that of the wild type (5- and 10-fold lower, respectively). There is also a significant shift in the pK(a) values for the mutant enzymes, from 7.5 for the wild type to 8.26 for H61M and 9.29 for H61A. The fumarate reductase activity of both mutant enzymes can be recovered to approximately 80% of that seen for the wild type by the addition of exogenous imidazole. In the case of H61A, recovery of activity is also accompanied by a shift of the pK(a) from 9.29 to 7.46 (close, and within experimental error, to that for the wild type). Pre-steady-state kinetic measurements show clearly that rate constants for the fumarate dependent reoxidation of the heme groups are adversely affected by the mutations. The solvent isotope effect for fumarate reduction in the wild-type enzyme has a value of 8.0, indicating that proton delivery is substantially rate limiting. This value falls to 5.6 and 2.2 for the H61M and H61A mutants, respectively, indicating that electron transfer, rather than proton transfer, is becoming more rate-limiting in the mutant enzymes.