On the myosin catalysis of ATP hydrolysis

Myosin is an ATP-hydrolyzing motor that is critical in muscle contraction. It is well established that in the hydrolysis that it catalyzes a water molecule attacks the gamma-phosphate of an ATP bound to its active site, but the details of these events have remained obscure. This is mainly because crystallographic search has not located an obvious catalytic base near the vulnerable phosphate. Here we suggest a means whereby this dilemma is probably overcome. It has been shown [Fisher, A. J., et al. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 8960-8972; Smith, C. A., and Rayment, I. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 5404-5417] that in an early event, Arg-247 and Glu-470 come together into a "salt-bridge". We suggest that in doing so they also position and orient two contiguous water molecules; one of these becomes the lytic water, perfectly poised to attack the bound gamma-phosphorus. Its hydroxyl moiety attacks the phosphorus, and the resulting proton transfers to the second water, converting it into a hydronium ion (as is experimentally observed). It is shown in this article how these central events of the catalysis are consistent with the behavior of several residues of the neighboring region.     

Reaction heats and heat capacity changes for intermediate steps of the ATP hydrolysis catalyzed by myosin subfragment 1

The interaction of myosin Subfragment 1 with ATP in 0.1 M KCl containing 0.01 M MgCl2 and 0.02 M Tris/HCl (pH 8.0) was studied by microcalorimetry at temperatures of 4, 12, and 23 degrees C so that values of the heat capacity change (delta Cp) could be obtained for intermediate steps of the ATPase cycle. The delta Cp values are large compared to the value for the overall cycle, indicating that large changes in the hydrophobic effect are involved in transitions between different intermediate states. However, the heat capacity changes themselves show peculiar temperature dependences. Thus bindings of ATP and ADP to Subfragment 1, both of which are strongly exothermic processes, take place with large negative delta Cp of about -3 kJK-1 mol-1 between 4 and 12 degrees C but with very small delta Cp of 0.3-0.4 kJ K-1 mol-1 between 12 and 23 degrees C. On the contrary, the delta Cp for the endothermic hydrolysis of ATP bound to Subfragment 1 is positive (congruent to kJK-1 mol-1) in the lower temperature range but strongly negative (congruent to -4 kJK-1 mol-1) in the higher temperature range. The magnitude of delta Cp for the slow Pi dissociation process is similar but its sign is just opposite to that for the hydrolysis. These anomalous changes in the heat capacity may be due to the temperature-induced changes in a balance between large opposing effects which result from distinct, local conformation changes within the Subfragment 1 molecule.     

A unique ATP hydrolysis mechanism of single-headed processive myosin, myosin IX

Recent studies have revealed that myosin IX is a single-headed processive myosin, yet it is unclear how myosin IX can achieve the processive movement. Here we studied the mechanism of ATP hydrolysis cycle of actomyosin IXb. We found that myosin IXb has a rate-limiting ATP hydrolysis step unlike other known myosins, thus populating the prehydrolysis intermediate (M.ATP). M.ATP has a high affinity for actin, and, unlike other myosins, the dissociation of M.ATP from actin was extremely slow, thus preventing myosin from dissociating away from actin. The ADP dissociation step was 10-fold faster than the overall ATP hydrolysis cycle rate and thus not rate-limiting. We propose the following model for single-headed processive myosin. Upon the formation of the M.ATP intermediate, the tight binding of actomyosin IX at the interface is weakened. However, the head is kept in close proximity to actin due to the tethering role of loop 2/large unique insertion of myosin IX. There is enough freedom for the myosin head to find the next location of the binding site along with the actin filament before complete dissociation from the filament. After ATP hydrolysis, Pi is quickly released to form a strong actin binding form, and a power stroke takes place.     

Theoretical studies of the ATP hydrolysis mechanism of myosin

The ATP hydrolysis mechanism of myosin was studied using quantum chemical (QM) and molecular dynamics calculations. The initial model compound for QM calculations was constructed on the basis of the energy-minimized structure of the myosin(S1dc)-ATP complex, which was determined by molecular mechanics calculations. The result of QM calculations suggested that the ATP hydrolysis mechanism of myosin consists of a single elementary reaction in which a water molecule nucleophilically attacked gamma-phosphorus of ATP. In addition, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of the initial and final states of the ATP hydrolysis reaction, that is, the myosin-ATP and myosin-ADP.Pi complexes. These calculations revealed roles of several amino acid residues (Lys185, Thr186, Ser237, Arg238, and Glu459) in the ATPase pocket. Lys185 maintains the conformation of beta- and gamma-phosphate groups of ATP by forming the hydrogen bonds. Thr186 and Ser237 are coordinated to a Mg(2+) ion, which interacts with the phosphates of ATP and therefore contributes to the stabilization of the ATP structure. Arg238 and Glu459, which consisted of the gate of the ATPase pocket, retain the water molecule acting on the hydrolysis at the appropriate position for initiating the hydrolysis.     

Possible role of structural changes in ATP hydrolysis by subfragment-1 and myosin

Dependence of the rate of ATP hydrolysis with subfragment-I and temperature of SF-I, denaturation on the concentration of heavy water in solution was studied. The value of kinetic isotope effect V/Vx linearly increases with the rise of the volume portion of heavy water in solution and at X-1 it equals 1.9. The temperature of protein denaturacticn increases with X rise, the pattern of this relationship looking as an arched curve. The results differ from those earlier obtained on myosin which points to the absence of essential contribution of structural dynamic changes to enzymic hydrolysis of ATP by subfragment-I.     

Binding of myosin to actin in myofibrils during ATP hydrolysis

Measurements of cross-bridge attachment to actin in myofibrils during ATP hydrolysis require prior fixation of myofibrils to prevent their contraction. The optimal cross-linking of myofibrils was achieved by using 10 mM carbodiimide (EDC) under rigor conditions and at 4 degrees C. The fixed myofibrils had elevated MgATPase activity (150%) and could not contract. As judged by chymotryptic digestions and subsequent SDS gel electrophoresis analysis, less than 25% of myosin heads were cross-linked in these myofibrils. The isolated, un-cross-linked myosin heads showed pH-dependent Ca2+- and EDTA(K+)-ATPase activities similar to those of standard intact S-1. For measurements of myosin binding to actin, the modified myofibrils were digested with trypsin at a weight ratio of 1:50 under rigor, relaxed, and active-state conditions. Aliquots of tryptic digestion reactions were then cleaved with chymotrypsin to yield isolated myosin heads and their fragments. Analysis of the decay of myosin heavy-chain bands on SDS gels yielded the rates of myosin cleavage under all conditions and enabled the measurements of actomyosin binding in myofibrils in the presence of MgATP. Using this approach, we detected rigorlike binding of 25 +/- 6% of myosin heads to actin in myofibrils during ATP hydrolysis.     

Role of divalent metal cations in ATP hydrolysis catalyzed by the hepatitis C virus NS3 helicase: magnesium provides a bridge for ATP to fuel unwinding

This study investigates the role of magnesium ions in coupling ATP hydrolysis to the nucleic acid unwinding catalyzed by the NS3 protein encoded by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Analyses of steady-state ATP hydrolysis rates at various RNA and magnesium concentrations were used to determine values for the 15 dissociation constants describing the formation of a productive enzyme-metal-ATP-RNA complex and the four rate constants describing hydrolysis of ATP by the possible enzyme-ATP complexes. These values coupled with direct binding studies, specificity studies and analyses of site-directed mutants reveal only one ATP binding site on HCV helicase centered on the catalytic base Glu291. An adjacent residue, Asp290, binds a magnesium ion that forms a bridge to ATP, reorienting the nucleotide in the active site. RNA stimulates hydrolysis while decreasing the affinity of the enzyme for ATP, magnesium, and MgATP. The binding scheme described here explains the unusual regulation of the enzyme by ATP that has been reported previously. Binding of either free magnesium or free ATP to HCV helicase competes with MgATP, the true fuel for helicase movements, and leads to slower hydrolysis and nucleic acid unwinding.     

Resolution of conformational states of spin-labeled myosin during steady-state ATP hydrolysis

We have measured the conventional electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum of spin-labeled myosin filaments as a function of the nucleotide occupancy of the active site of the enzyme. The probe used was 4-(2-iodoacetamido)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (IASL), which reacts specifically with sulfhydryl 1 of the myosin head. In the absence of nucleotide, the probe remains strongly immobilized (rigidly attached to the myosin head) so that no nanosecond rotational motions are detectable. When MgADP is added to IASL-labeled myosin filaments (T = 20 degrees C), the probe mobility increases slightly. During steady-state MgADP hydrolysis (T = 20 degrees C), the probe undergoes large-amplitude nanosecond rotational motion. These results are consistent with previous studies of myosin monomers, heavy meromyosin, and myosin subfragment 1. Isoclinic points observed in overlays of sequential EPR spectra recorded during ATP hydrolysis strongly suggest that the probes fall into two motional classes, separated by approximately an order of magnitude in effective rotational correlation time. Both of the observed states are distinct from the conformation of myosin in the absence of nucleotides, and the spectrum of the less mobile population is indistinguishable from that observed in the presence of MgADP. The addition of ADP and vanadate to IASL-myosin gives rise to two motional classes virtually identical with those observed in the presence of ATP, but the relative concentrations of the spin populations are significantly different. We have quantitated the percentage of myosin in each motional state during ATP hydrolysis. The result agrees well with the predicted percentages in the two predominant chemical states in the myosin ATPase cycle. Spectra obtained in the presence of nucleotide analogues permit us to assign the conformational states to specific chemical states. We propose that the two motional classes represent two distinct local conformations of myosin that are in exchange with one another during the ATP hydrolysis reaction cycle.     

Coupling of protein surface hydrophobicity change to ATP hydrolysis by myosin motor domain.

Dielectric spectroscopy with microwaves in the frequency range between 0.2 and 20 GHz was used to study the hydration of myosin subfragment 1 (S1). The data were analyzed by a method recently devised, which can resolve the total amount of water restrained by proteins into two components, one with a rotational relaxation frequency (fc) in the gigahertz region (weakly restrained water) and the other with lower fc (strongly restrained water). The weight ratio of total restrained water to S1 protein thus obtained (0.35), equivalent to 2100 water molecules per S1 molecule, is not much different from the values (0.3-0.4) for other proteins. The weakly restrained component accounts for about two-thirds of the total restrained water, which is in accord with the number of water molecules estimated from the solvent-accessible surface area of alkyl groups on the surface of the atomic model of S1. The number of strongly restrained water molecules coincides with the number of solvent-accessible charged or polar atoms. The dynamic behavior of the S1-restrained water during the ATP hydrolysis was also examined in a time-resolved mode. The result indicates that when S1 changes from the S1.ADP state into the S1.ADP.P1 state (ADP release followed by ATP binding and cleavage), about 9% of the weakly restrained waters are released, which are restrained again on slow P1 release. By contrast, there is no net mobilization of strongly restrained component. The observed changes in S1 hydration are quantitatively consistent with the accompanying large entropy and heat capacity changes estimated by calorimetry (Kodama, 1985), indicating that the protein surface hydrophobicity change plays a crucial role in the enthalpy-entropy compensation effects observed in the steps of S1 ATP hydrolysis.     

Nonenzymatic phosphorylation of tyrosine and serine by ATP is catalyzed by manganese but not magnesium

Many cellular and retroviral protein-tyrosine kinases display either a requirement or a preference for manganese over magnesium for maximal activity. We have observed that peptides and proteins are non-enzymatically phosphorylated at tyrosine and serine by ATP when heated in the presence of MnCl2 at neutral pH. The extent of the reaction is negligible below 50 degrees C but increases rapidly at higher temperatures. The reaction proceeds in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate but is blocked by EDTA. No reaction is observed in the absence of Mn2+, even if Mg2+ is present. Manganese therefore acts as a catalyst for the non-enzymatic reaction, but magnesium does not. We propose that the preference for manganese shown by many protein tyrosine kinases is due at least in part to the intrinsic ability of Mn2+ to catalyze the transfer of phosphate from ATP to a phosphate acceptor such as tyrosine. The nonenzymatic phosphorylation reaction also offers a new synthetic pathway for the preparation of radiolabeled peptides containing phosphotyrosine and phosphoserine.     

Bovine cardiac myosin subfragment 1. Transient kinetics of ATP hydrolysis

The kinetics of binding and hydrolysis of ATP by bovine cardiac myosin subfragment 1 has been reinvestigated. More than 90% of the total fluorescence amplitude associated with ATP hydrolysis occurs with an apparent second-order rate constant of 8.1 X 10(5) M-1 S-1 and a limiting rate constant of approximately 140 S-1 (100 mM KCl, 50 mM 1,3-bis-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamino]-propane, 10 mM MgCl2, pH 7.0, 20 degrees C); the remaining 10% occurs more slowly (approximately 1 S-1). The observed rate constants are independent of subfragment 1 concentration under pseudo first-order conditions for ATP with respect to protein. The fraction of protein which hydrolyzes ATP rapidly is not a function of the nucleotide or protein concentration and appears to be constant irrespective of ionic strength or temperature within the range studied (50-100 mM KCl, pH 7.0, 15-20 degrees C). These data are compared to that obtained previously using subfragment 1 prepared by a different method which showed ATP-dependent aggregation of two protein species.     

Steady state kinetics of ATP synthesis and hydrolysis catalyzed by reconstituted chloroplast coupling factor

The steady state kinetics of ATP synthesis and hydrolysis catalyzed by the chloroplast dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-sensitive ATPase reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles were studied as a function of the transmembrane proton gradient. Bacteriorhodopsin also was incorporated into the vesicles so that a constant pH gradient could be maintained by continuous illumination of the liposomes. The dependence of the initial rates of ATP synthesis and hydrolysis on substrate concentrations is consistent with Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with enzyme, ADP, and Pi forming a ternary complex. The Michaelis constants for both synthesis and hydrolysis are essentially independent of the pH gradient, while the maximum velocities depend strongly on it. The equilibrium constant for hydrolysis was calculated from the steady state kinetic parameters, and the dependence of the equilibrium constant on the pH gradient indicates that 3 protons are transported per ATP synthesized or hydrolyzed. The dependence of the steady state kinetic parameters on the pH gradient can be described by a mechanism in which the binding of substrates occurs before the transport of protons and the transport of the 3 protons is sequential rather than concerted.     

Thioglycoside hydrolysis catalyzed by beta-glucosidase

Sweet almond beta-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) has been shown to have significant thioglycohydrolase activity. While the Km values for the S- and O-glycosides are similar, the k(cat) values are about 1000-times lower for the S-glycosides. Remarkably, the pH-profile for k(cat)/Km for hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl thioglucoside (pNPSG) shows the identical dependence on a deprotonated carboxylate (pKa 4.5) and a protonated group (pKa 6.7) as does the pH-profile for hydrolysis of the corresponding O-glycoside. Not surprisingly, in spite of the requirement for the presence of this protonated group in catalytically active beta-glucosidase, thioglucoside hydrolysis does not involve general acid catalysis. There is no solvent kinetic isotope effect on the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of pNPSG.     

Movement of Cys-697 in myosin ATPase associated with ATP hydrolysis.

To detect movement of Cys-697 (SH2) in myosin subfragment-1 (S-1) associated with ATP hydrolysis, SH2 was labeled with the environmentally sensitive fluorescent analog of maleimide, 2-(4'-maleimidylanilino)naphthalene-6-sulfonic acid (MIANS). Complex formation of S-1 labeled at Cys-697 with MIANS (MIANS-S-1) with adenyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate and ADP resulted in a significant decrease in the fluorescence intensity of approximately 40 and 30%, respectively. When ATP was added to MIANS-S-1, the fluorescence intensity decreased rapidly by approximately 40%, and this fluorescence level was maintained during the steady state of ATP hydrolysis. As the substrate was used up, the fluorescence intensity increased to approximately 70% of the original value. These results together with model experiments with MIANS-N-acetylcysteine indicate that in the presence of ATP, the MIANS fluorophore attached to SH2 is located in a less hydrophobic environment than is the fluorophore in the absence of ligand and that the hydrolysis of ATP enhances hydrophobicity around the fluorophore. Acrylamide fluorescence quenching studies of MIANS-S-1 confirmed these results, indicating that addition of ATP and ADP to MIANS-S-1 results in an increase in the Stern-Volmer quenching constant of the fluorophore by factors of approximately 3 and 2.5, respectively. The present observations suggest that binding of ATP causes a movement of SH2 toward the protein surface, whereas it goes back into the protein interior after ATP hydrolysis. The results also confirmed previous observations by a chemical cross-linking approach (Hiratsuka, T. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 3168-3173).     

Solvent isotope effects for lipoprotein lipase catalyzed hydrolysis of water-soluble p-nitrophenyl esters

Solvent deuterium isotope effects on the rates of lipoprotein lipase (LpL) catalyzed hydrolysis of the water-soluble esters p-nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA) and p-nitrophenyl butyrate (PNPB) have been measured and fall in the range 1.5-2.2. The isotope effects are independent of substrate concentration, LpL stability, and reaction temperature and hence are effects on chemical catalysis and not due to a medium effect of D2O on LpL stability and/or conformation. pL (L = H or D) vs. rate profiles for the Vmax/Km of LpL-catalyzed hydrolysis of PNPB increase sigmoidally with increasing pL. Least-squares analysis of the profiles gives pKaH2O = 7.10 +/- 0.01, pKaD2O = 7.795 +/- 0.007, and a solvent isotope effect on limiting velocity at high pL of 1.97 +/- 0.03. Because the pL-rate profiles are for the Vmax/Km of hydrolysis of a water-soluble substrate, the measured pKa's are intrinsic acid-base ionization constants for a catalytically involved LpL active-site amino acid side chain. Benzeneboronic acid, a potent inhibitor of LpL-catalyzed hydrolysis of triacylglycerols [Vainio, P., Virtanen, J. A., & Kinnunen, P. K. J. (1982) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 711, 386-390], inhibits LpL-catalyzed hydrolysis of PNPB, with Ki = 6.9 microM at pH 7.36, 25 degrees C. This result and the solvent isotope effects for LpL-catalyzed hydrolysis of water-soluble esters are interpreted in terms of a proton transfer mechanism that is similar in many respects to that of the serine proteases.