His92Ala mutation in ribonuclease T1 induces segmental flexibility. An X-ray study.

In the genetically mutated ribonuclease T1 His92Ala (RNase T1 His92Ala), deletion of the active site His92 imidazole leads to an inactive enzyme. Attempts to crystallize RNase T1 His92Ala under conditions used for wild-type enzyme failed, and a modified protocol produced two crystal forms, one obtained with polyethylene glycol (PEG), and the other with phosphate as precipitants. Space groups are identical to wild-type RNase T1, P2(1)2(1)2(1), but unit cell dimensions differ significantly, associated with different molecular packings in the crystals; they are a = 31.04 A, b = 62.31 A, c = 43.70 A for PEG-derived crystals and a = 32.76 A, b = 55.13 A, c = 43.29 A for phosphate-derived crystals, compared to a = 48.73 A, b = 46.39 A, c = 41.10 A for uncomplexed wild-type RNase T1. The crystal structures were solved by molecular replacement and refined by stereochemically restrained least-squares methods based on Fo greater than or equal to sigma (Fo) of 3712 reflections in the resolution range 10 to 2.2 A (R = 15.8%) for the PEG-derived crystal and based on Fo greater than or equal to sigma (Fo) of 6258 reflections in the resolution range 10 to 1.8 A (R = 14.8%) for the phosphate-derived crystal. The His92Ala mutation deletes the hydrogen bond His92N epsilon H ... O Asn99 of wild-type RNase T1, thereby inducing structural flexibility and conformational changes in the loop 91 to 101 which is located at the periphery of the globular enzyme. This loop is stabilized in the wild-type protein by two beta-turns of which only one is retained in the crystals obtained with PEG. In the crystals grown with phosphate as precipitant, both beta-turns are deleted and the segment Gly94-Ala95-Ser96-Gly97 is so disordered that it is not seen at all. In addition, the geometry of the guanine binding site in both mutant studies is different from "empty" wild-type RNase T1 but similar to that found in complexes with guanosine derivatives: the Glu46 side-chain carboxylate hydrogen bonds to Tyr42 O eta; water molecules that are present in the guanine binding site of "empty" wild-type RNase T1 are displaced; the Asn43-Asn44 peptide is flipped such that phi/psi-angles of Asn44 are in alpha L-conformation (that is observed in wild-type enzyme when guanine is bound).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Refined X-ray structure of the low pH form of ribonuclease T1-2'-guanylic acid complex at 1.9 A resolution

The three-dimensional X-ray structure of the RNase T1[EC 3.1.27.3]-2'GMP complex crystallized at low pH value (4.0) was determined, and refined to 1.9 A resolution to give a final R value of 0.203. The refined model includes 781 protein atoms, 24 inhibitor atoms, and 43 solvent molecules. The imidazole rings of His27 and His40 interact with the carboxyl side chains of Glu82 and Glu58, respectively, whereas that of His92 is in contact with the main chain carbonyl oxygen of Ala75. In the complex, the ribose ring of the 2'GMP molecule adopts a C2'-endo puckering, and the exocyclic conformation is gauche(-)-gauche(+). The glycosyl torsion angle is in the syn range with an intramolecular hydrogen bond between N3 and O5', and the 2'-phosphate orientation is trans-gauche(-). The guanine base of the inhibitor is tightly bound to the base recognition site with five hydrogen bonds (N1--Glu46O epsilon 2, N2---Asn98O,O6---Asn44N, and N7 ---Asn43N delta 2/Asn43N) and is sandwiched between the phenolic ring portions of Tyr42 and Tyr45 by stacking interactions. The 2'-phosphate group interacts with Arg77N eta 2, Glu58O episilon 2, and Tyr 38O eta but not with any of the histidine residues. Arg77N eta 2 also interacts with Tyr38O eta. There is no interaction between the ribose moiety of the inhibitor and the enzyme.     

Crystal structure of the Tyr45Trp mutant of ribonuclease T1 in a complex with 2'-adenylic acid

The recombinant Tyr45Trp mutant of Lys25-ribonuclease T1 was overexpressed and purified from an Escherichia coli strain. The mutant enzyme, which shows reduced activity towards GpA and increased activity towards pGpC, pApC and pUpC compared with wild-type RNase T1, was co-crystallized with 2'-adenylic acid by microdialysis. The space group is P212121 with unit cell dimenions a = 4.932(2), b = 4.661(2), c = 4.092(1) nm. The crystal structure was solved using the coordinates of the isomorphous complex of wild-type RNase T1 with 2'-AMP. The refinement was based on Fhkl of 7726 reflexions with Fo greater than or equal to 1 sigma (Fo) in the resolution range of 2.0-0.19 nm and converged with an R factor of 0.179. The adenosine of 2'-AMP is not bound to the guanosine binding site, as could be expected from the mutation of Tyr45Trp, but is stacked on the Gly74 carbonyl group and the His92 imidazole group which form a subsite for substrate binding, as already observed in the wild-type 2'-AMP complex. The point mutation of Tyr45Trp does not perturb the backbone conformation and the Trp-indole side chain is in a comparable position to the phenolic Tyr45 of the wild-type enzyme.     

Crystal structure of ribonuclease T1 complexed with adenosine 2'-monophosphate at 1.8-A resolution.

Ribonuclease T1 was purified from an Escherichia coli overproducing strain and co-crystallized with adenosine 2'-monophosphate (2'-AMP) by microdialysis against 50% (v/v) 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol in 20 mM sodium acetate, 2 mM calcium acetate, pH 4.2. The crystals have orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with cell dimensions a = 48.93(1), b = 46.57(4), c = 41.04(2) A; Z = 4 and V = 93520 A3. The crystal structure was determined on the basis of the isomorphous structure of uncomplexed RNase T1 (Martinez-Oyanedel et al. (1991) submitted for publication) and refined by least squares methods using stereochemical restraints. The refinement was based on Fhkl of 7,445 reflections with Fo greater than or equal to 1 sigma (Fo) in the resolution range of 10-1.8 A, and converged at a crystallographic R factor of 0.149. The phosphate group of 2'-AMP is tightly hydrogen-bonded to the side chains of the active site residues Tyr38, His40, Glu58, Arg77, and His92, comparable with vanadate binding in the respective complex (Kostrewa, D., Choe, H.-W., Heinemann, U., and Saenger, W. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 7592-7600) and different from the complex with guanosine 2'-monophosphate (Arni, R., Heinemann, U., Tokuoka, R., and Saenger, W. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 15358-15368) where the phosphate does not interact with Arg77 and His92. The adenosine moiety is not located in the guanosine recognition site but stacked on Gly74 carbonyl and His92 imidazole, which serve as a subsite, as shown previously (Lenz, A., Cordes, F., Heinemann, U., and Saenger, W. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 7661-7667); in addition, there are hydrogen bonds adenine N6H . . . O Gly74 (minor component of three-center hydrogen bond) and adenosine O5' . . . O delta Asn36. These binding interactions readily explain why RNase T1 has some affinity for 2'-AMP. The molecular structure of RNase T1 is only marginally affected by 2'-AMP binding. Its "empty" guanosine-binding site features a flipped Asn43-Asn44 peptide bond and the side chains of Tyr45, Glu46 adopt conformations typical for RNase T1 not involved in guanosine binding. The side chains of amino acids Leu26, Ser35, Asp49, Val78 are disordered. The disorder of Val78 is of interest since this amino acid is located in a hydrophobic cavity, and the disorder appears to be correlated with an "empty" guanosine-binding site. The two Asp15 carboxylate oxygens and six water molecules coordinate a Ca2+ ion 8-fold in the form of a square antiprism.     

Crystallographic study of mechanism of ribonuclease T1-catalysed specific RNA hydrolysis

Ribonuclease T1 (RNase T1) cleaves the phosphodiester bond of RNA specifically at the 3'-end of guanosine. 2'-guanosinemonophosphate (2'-GMP) acts as inhibitor for this reaction and was cocrystallized with RNase T1. X-Ray analysis provided insight in the geometry of the active site and in the parts of the enzyme involved in the recognition of guanosine. RNase T1 is globular in shape and consists of a 4.5 turns alpha-helix lying "below" a four-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet containing recognition center as well as active site. The latter is indicated by the position of phosphate and sugar residues of 2'-GMP and shows that Glu58, His92 and Arg77 are active in phosphodiester hydrolysis. Guanine is recognized by a stretch of protein from Tyr42 to Tyr45. Residues involved in recognition are peptide NH and C = O, guanine O6 and N1H which form hydrogen bonds and a stacking interaction of Tyr45 on guanine. Although, on a theoretical basis, many specific amino acid-guanine interactions are possible, none is employed in the RNase T1.guanine recognition.     

Crystal structures of the ribonuclease MC1 mutants N71T and N71S in complex with 5'-GMP: structural basis for alterations in substrate specificity

Ribonuclease MC1 (RNase MC1), isolated from bitter gourd seeds, is a uridine specific RNase belonging to the RNase T2 family. Mutations of Asn71 in RNase MC1 to the amino acids Thr (N71T) and Ser (N71S) in guanosine preferential RNases altered the substrate specificity from uridine specific to guanosine specific, as shown by the transphosphorylation of diribonucleoside monophosphates [Numata, T., et al. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 524-530]. To elucidate the structural basis for the alteration of substrate specificity, crystal structures of the RNase MC1 mutants N71T and N71S, free or complexed with 5'-GMP, were determined at resolutions higher than 2 A. In the N71T-5'-GMP and N71S-5'-GMP complexes, the guanine moiety was, as in the case of the uracil moiety bound to wild-type RNase MC1, firmly stabilized in the B2 site by an extensive network of hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Structure comparisons showed that mutations of Asn71 to Thr or Ser cause an enlargement of the B2 site, which then make it feasible to insert a guanine base into the B2 site of mutants N71T and N71S. This binding further allows for hydrogen bonding interaction of the side chain hydroxyl groups of Thr71 or Ser71 with the N7 atom of the guanine base. The mode of guanine binding of mutants N71T and N71S was found to be essentially identical to that of a guanosine preferential RNase NW from Nicotiana glutinosa. In particular, hydrogen bonds between the N7 atom of the guanine base and the hydroxyl groups of the amino acids at position 71 (RNase MC1 numbering) were completely conserved in three guanosine preferential enzymes, thereby indicating that the hydrogen bond may play an essential role in guanine binding in guanosine preferential RNases in the RNase T2 family. Consequently, it can be concluded that amino acids at position 71 (RNase MC1 numbering) serve as one of the determinants for substrate specificity (or preference) in the RNase T2 fimily by changing the size and shape of the B2 site.     

E. COLI RNASE HI AND THE PHOSPHONATE-DNA/RNA HYBRID: MOLECULAR DYNAMICS SIMULATIONS

A model for the complex between E. coli RNase HI and the DNA/RNA hybrid (previously refined by molecular dynamics simulations) was used to determine the impact of the internucleotide linkage modifications (either 3′–O–CH₂–P–O–5′ or 3′–O–P–CH₂–O–5′) on the ability of the modified-DNA/RNA hybrid to create a complex with the protein. Modified internucleotide linkages were incorporated systematically at different positions close to the 3′-end of the DNA strand to interfere with the DNA binding site of RNase H. Altogether, six trajectories were produced (length 1.5). Mutual hydrogen bonds connecting both strands of the nucleic acids hybrid, DNA with RNase H, RNA with RNase H, and the scissile bond with the Mg⁺⁺ · 4H₂O chelate complex (bound in the active site) were analyzed in detail. Many residues were involved in binding of the DNA (Arg88, Asn84, Trp85, Trp104, Tyr73, Lys99, Asn100, Thr43, and Asn16) and RNA (Gln76, Gln72, Tyr73, Lys122, Glu48, Asn44, and Cys13) strand to the substrate-binding site of the RNase H enzyme. The most remarkable disturbance of the hydrogen bonding net was observed for structures with modified internucleotide linkages positioned in a way to interact with the Trp104, Tyr73, Lys99, and Asn100 residues (situated in the middle of the DNA binding site, where a cluster of Trp residues forms a rigid core of the protein structure).     

E. coli RNase HI and the phosphonate-DNA/RNA hybrid: molecular dynamics simulations

A model for the complex between E. coli RNase HI and the DNA/RNA hybrid (previously refined by molecular dynamics simulations) was used to determine the impact of the internucleotide linkage modifications (either 3-O-CH2-P-O-5' or 3-O-P-CH2-O-5) on the ability of the modified-DNA/RNA hybrid to create a complex with the protein. Modified internucleotide linkages were incorporated systematically at different positions close to the 3-end of the DNA strand to interfere with the DNA binding site of RNase H. Altogether, six trajectories were produced (length 1.5ns). Mutual hydrogen bonds connecting both strands of the nucleic acids hybrid, DNA with RNase H, RNA with RNase H, and the scissile bond with the Mg++. 4H2O chelate complex (bound in the active site) were analyzed in detaiL Many residues were involved in binding of the DNA (Arg88, Asn84, Trp85, Trp104, Tyr73, Lys99, Asn100, Thr43, and Asn 16) and RNA (Gln76, Gln72, Tyr73, Lys122, Glu48, Asn44, and Cys13) strand to the substrate-binding site of the RNase H enzyme. The most remarkable disturbance of the hydrogen bonding net was observed for structures with modified internucleotide linkages positioned in a way to interact with the Trp104, Tyr73, Lys99, and Asn100 residues (situated in the middle of the DNA binding site, where a cluster of Trp residues forms a rigid core of the protein structure).     

Probing functional perfection in substructures of ribonuclease T1: double combinatorial random mutagenesis involving Asn43, Asn44, and Glu46 in the guanine binding loop

Combinatorial random mutageneses involving either Asn43 with Asn44 (set 1) or Glu46 with an adjacent insertion (set 2) were undertaken to explore the functional perfection of the guanine recognition loop of ribonuclease T(1) (RNase T(1)). Four hundred unique recombinants were screened in each set for their ability to enhance enzyme catalysis of RNA cleavage. After a thorough selection procedure, only six variants were found that were either as active or more active than wild type which included substitutions of Asn43 by Gly, His, Leu, or Thr, an unplanned Tyr45Ser substitution and Glu46Pro with an adjacent Glu47 insertion. Asn43His-RNase T(1) has the same loop sequence as that for RNases Pb(1) and Fl(2). None of the most active mutants were single substitutions at Asn44 or double substitutions at Asn43 and Asn44. A total of 13 variants were purified, and these were subjected to kinetic analysis using RNA, GpC, and ApC as substrates. Modestly enhanced activities with GpC and RNA involved both k(cat) and K(M) effects. Mutants having low activity with GpC had proportionately even lower relative activity with RNA. Asn43Gly-RNase T(1) and all five of the purified mutants in set 2 exhibited similar values of k(cat)/K(M) for ApC which were the highest observed and about 10-fold that for wild type. The specificity ratio [(k(cat)/K(M))(GpC)/(k(cat)/K(M))(ApC)] varied over 30 000-fold including a 10-fold increase [Asn43His variant; mainly due to a low (k(cat)/K(M))(ApC)] and a 3000-fold decrease (Glu46Ser/(insert)Gly47 variant; mainly due to a low (k(cat)/K(M))(GpC)) as compared with wild type. It is interesting that k(cat) (GpC) for the Tyr45Ser variant was almost 4-fold greater than for wild type and that Pro46/(insert)Glu47 RNase T(1) is 70-fold more active than the permuted variant (insert)Pro47-RNase T(1) which has a conserved Glu46. In any event, the observation that only 6 out of 800 variants surveyed had wild-type activity supports the view that functional perfection of the guanine recognition loop of RNase T(1) has been achieved.     

RNase T1 variant RV cleaves single-stranded RNA after purines due to specific recognition by the Asn46 side chain amide

Attempts to alter the guanine specificity of ribonuclease T1 (RNase T1) by rational or random mutagenesis have failed so far. The RNase T1 variant RV (Lys41Glu, Tyr42Phe, Asn43Arg, Tyr45Trp, and Glu46Asn) designed by combination of a random and a rational mutagenesis approach, however, exhibits a stronger preference toward adenosine residues than wild-type RNase T1. Steady state kinetics of the cleavage reaction of the two dinucleoside phosphate substrates adenylyl-3',5'-cytidine and guanylyl-3',5'-cytidine revealed that the ApC/GpC ratio of the specificity coefficient (k(cat)/K(m)) was increased approximately 7250-fold compared to that of the wild-type. The crystal structure of the nucleotide-free RV variant has been refined in space group P6(1) to a crystallographic R-factor of 19.9% at 1.7 A resolution. The primary recognition site of the RV variant adopts a similar conformation as already known from crystal structures of RNase T1 not complexed to any nucleotide. Noteworthy is a high flexibility of Trp45 and Asn46 within the three individual molecules in the asymmetric unit. In addition to the kinetic studies, these data indicate the participation of Asn46 in the specific recognition of the base and therefore a specific binding of adenosine.     

1H-NMR spectroscopic manifestations of ligand binding to the kringle 4 domain of human plasminogen

Structural aspects of the binding of the linear ligands N alpha-acetyl-L-lysine (AcLys) and epsilon-aminocaproic acid (epsilon ACA) and of the cyclic analogs trans-(aminomethyl)-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (AMCHA) and p-benzylaminesulfonic acid (BASA) to the intact plasminogen kringle 4 domain have been investigated by 1H-NMR spectroscopy at 300 and 600 MHz. Ligand binding results in consistent shifts of the His-II (His31), Trp-I (Trp25?), Trp-II (Trp62?), Trp-III (Trp72), Tyr-II (Tyr50), and Phe64 ring signals. BASA tends to induce larger shifts than elicited by the aliphatic ligands, most noticeably on Trp-II and on Trp72, suggesting that the ligand aromatic ring interacts with the two indole groups. Trp-II and, to lesser extent, Trp-I interact with an acidic side chain group, in a manner that is blocked by BASA. BASA binding also perturbs Tyr-II (Tyr50), Tyr-III (Tyr41), and Tyr-IV (Tyr74) over a wide pH range and lowers the pKa* of His31 from approximately 4.8 to approximately 4.6. His-III (His33) responds to BASA and AMCHA but is relatively insensitive to the linear ligands. His33 carries a sterically shielded side chain which, in conjunction with Leu46, Trp-I, Tyr50, and Tyr74, participates in structuring the kringle hydrophobic core, contiguous to the binding site. Pronounced shifts are observed for aliphatic resonances stemming from the kringle-bound molecules of AMCHA, AcLys, and epsilon ACA. It is proposed that the lysine-binding site is mostly supported by the loop that extends from Cys51 through Cys71 and that aromatic residues, which include Trp-II, Trp72, and Phe64, play a major role in interacting with the nonpolar segment of the ligand molecule. The binding site also encompasses Tyr50, Tyr74, His31, and His33 although it is not clear the extent to which these residues interact directly with the ligand.     

PCR performance of the B-type DNA polymerase from the thermophilic euryarchaeon Thermococcus aggregans improved by mutations in the Y-GG/A motif

The effect of mutations in the highly conserved Y-GG/A motif of B-type DNA polymerases was studied in the DNA polymerase from the hyperthermophilic euryarchaeon Thermococcus aggregans. This motif plays a critical role in the balance between the synthesis and degradation of the DNA chain. Five different mutations of the tyrosine at position 387 (Tyr387→Phe, Tyr387→Trp, Tyr387→His, Tyr387→Asn and Tyr387→Ser) revealed that an aromatic ring system is crucial for the synthetic activity of the enzyme. Amino acids at this position lacking the ring system (Ser and Asn) led to a significant decrease in polymerase activity and to enhanced exonuclease activity, which resulted in improved enzyme fidelity. Exchange of tyrosine to phenylalanine, tryptophan or histidine led to phenotypes with wild-type-like fidelity but enhanced PCR performance that could be related to a higher velocity of polymerisation. With the help of a modelled structure of T.aggregans DNA polymerase, the biochemical data were interpreted proposing that the conformation of the flexible loop containing the Y-GG/A motif is an important factor for the equilibrium between DNA polymerisation and exonucleolysis.     

Computer modelling studies on the mechanism of action of ribonuclease T1.

The mechanism of action of ribonuclease (RNase) T1 is still a matter of considerable debate as the results of x-ray, 2-D nmr and site-directed mutagenesis studies disagree regarding the role of the catalytically important residues. Hence computer modelling studies were carried out by energy minimisation of the complexes of RNase T1 and some of its mutants (His40Ala, His40Lys, and Glu58Ala) with the substrate guanyl cytosine (GpC), and of native RNase T1 with the reaction intermediate guanosine 2',3'-cyclic phosphate (G greater than p). The puckering of the guanosine ribose moiety in the minimum energy conformer of the RNase T1-GpC (substrate) complex was found to be O4'-endo and not C3'-endo as in the RNase T1-3'-guanylic acid (inhibitor/product) complex. A possible scheme for the mechanism of action of RNase T1 has been proposed on the basis of the arrangement of the catalytically important amino acid residues His40, Glu58, Arg77, and His92 around the guanosine ribose and the phosphate moiety in the RNase T1-GpC and RNase T1-G greater than p complexes. In this scheme, Glu58 serves as the general base group and His92 as the general acid group in the transphosphorylation step. His40 may be essential for stabilising the negatively charged phosphate moiety in the enzyme-transition state complex.     

Dissection of the ribonuclease T1 subsite. The transesterification kinetics of Asn36Ala and Asn98Ala ribonuclease T1 for minimal dinucleoside phosphates.

Ribonuclease T1 contains a subsite which by interacting with the leaving nucleoside N of GpN dinucleoside phosphate substrates, contributes to catalysis [Steyaert, J., Wyns, L. & Stanssens, P. (1991) Biochemistry 30, 8661-8665]. The Asn36Ala and Asn98Ala mutations reduce the transesterification rates of GpA, GpC and GpU considerably whereas they have virtually no effect on the transesterification kinetics of the synthetic substrate guanosine 3'-(methyl phosphate) (GpMe) (in which the leaving nucleoside is replaced by methanol), indicating that the Asn36 and Asn98 side chains are part of the RNase T1 subsite [Steyaert, J., Haikal, A. F., Wyns, L. & Stanssens, P. (1991) Biochemistry 30, 8666-8670]. The kinetics of the Asn36Ala, Asn98Ala and wild-type catalyzed transesterification of guanosine 3'-(5'-D-ribosyl phosphate) (GpRib), another GpN analog in which the leaving groups is replaced by D-ribose, enables the mapping of the subsite interactions provided by Asn36 and Asn98. We find that the Asn36 amide function contributes 4.6 kJ/mol to catalysis through interactions with the ribose moiety of the leaving nucleoside. Asn98 is at least in part responsible for the subsite preference for cytidine; the Asn98 side chain preferentially binds cytosine as the leaving nucleoside base.     

Importance of the conserved aromatic residues in the scorpion alpha-like toxin BmK M1: the hydrophobic surface region revisited

About one-third of the amino acid residues conserved in all scorpion long chain Na+ channel toxins are aromatic residues, some of which constitute the so-called "conserved hydrophobic surface." At present, in-depth structure-function studies of these aromatic residues using site-directed mutagenesis are still rare. In this study, an effective yeast expression system was used to study the role of seven conserved aromatic residues (Tyr5, Tyr14, Tyr21, Tyr35, Trp38, Tyr42, and Trp47) from the scorpion toxin BmK M1. Using site-directed mutagenesis, all of these aromatic residues were individually substituted with Gly in association with a more conservative substitution of Phe for Tyr5, Tyr14, Tyr35, or Trp47. The mutants, which were expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae S-78 cells, were then subjected to a bioassay in mice, electrophysiological characterization on cloned Na+ channels (Nav1.5), and CD analysis. Our results show an eye-catching correlation between the LD50 values in mice and the EC50 values on Nav1.5 channels in oocytes, indicating large mutant-dependent differences that emphasize important specific roles for the conserved aromatic residues in BmK M1. The aromatic side chains of the Tyr5, Tyr35, and Trp47 cluster protruding from the three-stranded beta-sheet seem to be essential for the structure and function of the toxin. Trp38 and Tyr42 (located in the beta2-sheet and in the loop between the beta2- and beta3-sheets, respectively) are most likely involved in the pharmacological function of the toxin.     

Alanine scanning mutagenesis of a type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor ligand binding site

The high resolution crystal structure of an N-terminal fragment of the IGF-I receptor, has been reported. While this fragment is itself devoid of ligand binding activity, mutational analysis has indicated that its N terminus (L1, amino acids 1-150) and the C terminus of its cysteine-rich domain (amino acids 190-300) contain ligand binding determinants. Mutational analysis also suggests that amino acids 692-702 from the C terminus of the alpha subunit are critical for ligand binding. A fusion protein, formed from these fragments, binds IGF-I with an affinity similar to that of the whole extracellular domain, suggesting that these are the minimal structural elements of the IGF-I binding site. To further characterize the binding site, we have performed structure directed and alanine-scanning mutagenesis of L1, the cysteine-rich domain and amino acids 692-702. Alanine mutants of residues in these regions were transiently expressed as secreted recombinant receptors and their affinity was determined. In L1 alanine mutants of Asp(8), Asn(11), Tyr(28), His(30), Leu(33), Leu(56), Phe(58), Arg(59), and Trp(79) produced a 2- to 10-fold decrease in affinity and alanine mutation of Phe(90) resulted in a 23-fold decrease in affinity. In the cysteine-rich domain, mutation of Arg(240), Phe(241), Glu(242), and Phe(251) produced a 2- to 10-fold decrease in affinity. In the region between amino acids 692 and 702, alanine mutation of Phe(701) produced a receptor devoid of binding activity and alanine mutations of Phe(693), Glu(693), Asn(694), Leu(696), His(697), Asn(698), and Ile(700) exhibited decreases in affinity ranging from 10- to 30-fold. With the exception of Trp(79), the disruptive mutants in L1 form a discrete epitope on the surface of the receptor. Those in the cysteine-rich domain essential for intact affinity also form a discrete epitope together with Trp(79).     

Crystal structures of the Nicotiana glutinosa ribonuclease NT in complex with nucleoside monophosphates

Ribonuclease NT (RNase NT), induced upon tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) infection in Nicotiana glutinosa leaves, has a broad base specificity. The crystal structures of RNase NT in complex with either 5'-AMP, 5'-GMP, or 2'-UMP were determined at 1.8 A resolutions by molecular replacement. RNase NT consists of seven helices and seven beta strands, and the structure is highly similar to that of RNase NW, a guanylic acid preferential RNase from the N. glutinosa leaves, showing root mean square deviation (rmsd) of 1.1 A over an entire length of two molecules for Calpha atoms. The complex structures revealed that Trp42, Asn44, and Trp50 are involved in interactions with bases at B1 site (primary site), whereas Gln12, Tyr17, Ser78, Leu79, and Phe89 participate in recognition of bases at B2 site (subsite). The 5'-GMP and 5'-AMP bind both B1 and B2 sites in RNase NT, while 2'-UMP predominantly binds B1 site in the complex. The nucleotide binding modes in these complexes would provide a clue to elucidation of structural basis for the broad base specificity for RNase NT.     

Contribution of single tryptophan residues to the fluorescence and stability of ribonuclease Sa

Ribonuclease Sa (RNase Sa) contains no tryptophan (Trp) residues. We have added single Trp residues to RNase Sa at sites where Trp is found in four other microbial ribonucleases, yielding the following variants of RNase Sa: Y52W, Y55W, T76W, and Y81W. We have determined crystal structures of T76W and Y81W at 1.1 and 1.0 A resolution, respectively. We have studied the fluorescence properties and stabilities of the four variants and compared them to wild-type RNase Sa and the other ribonucleases on which they were based. Our results should help others in selecting sites for adding Trp residues to proteins. The most interesting findings are: 1), Y52W is 2.9 kcal/mol less stable than RNase Sa and the fluorescence intensity emission maximum is blue-shifted to 309 nm. Only a Trp in azurin is blue-shifted to a greater extent (308 nm). This blue shift is considerably greater than observed for Trp71 in barnase, the Trp on which Y52W is based. 2), Y55W is 2.1 kcal/mol less stable than RNase Sa and the tryptophan fluorescence is almost completely quenched. In contrast, Trp59 in RNase T1, on which Y55W is based, has a 10-fold greater fluorescence emission intensity. 3), T76W is 0.7 kcal/mol more stable than RNase Sa, indicating that the Trp side chain has more favorable interactions with the protein than the threonine side chain. The fluorescence properties of folded Y76W are similar to those of the unfolded protein, showing that the tryptophan side chain in the folded protein is largely exposed to solvent. This is confirmed by the crystal structure of the T76W which shows that the side chain of the Trp is only approximately 7% buried. 4), Y81W is 0.4 kcal/mol less stable than RNase Sa. Based on the crystal structure of Y81W, the side chain of the Trp is 87% buried. Although all of the Trp side chains in the variants contribute to the unusual positive circular dichroism band observed near 235 nm for RNase Sa, the contribution is greatest for Y81W.     

The primary structure of the COOH-terminal half of cholera toxin subunit A1 containing the ADP-ribosylation site

The sequence of 96 amino acid residues from the COOH-terminus of the active subunit of cholera toxin, A₁, has been determined as PheAsnValAsnAspVal LeuGlyAlaTyrAlaProHisProAsxGluGlu GluValSerAlaLeuGlyGly IleProTyrSerGluIleTyrGlyTrpTyrArg ValHisPheGlyValLeuAsp GluGluLeuHisArgGlyTyrArgAspArgTyr TyrSerAsnLeuAspIleAla ProAlaAlaAspGlyTyrGlyLeuAlaGlyPhe ProProGluHisArgAlaTrp ArgGluGluProTrpIleHisHisAlaPro ProGlyCysGlyAsnAlaProArg(OH). This is the largest fragment obtained by BrCN cleavage of the subunit A₁ (M_r 23,000), and has previously been indicated to contain the active site for the adenylate cyclase-stimulating activity. Unequivocal identification of the COOH-terminal structure was achieved by separation and analysis of the terminal peptide after the specific chemical cleavage at the only cysteine residue in A₁ polypeptide. The site of self ADP-ribosylation in the A₁ subunit [C. Y. Lai, Q.-C. Xia, and P. T. Salotra (1983) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.116, 341–348] has now been identified as Arg-50 of this peptide, 46 residues removed from the COOH-terminus. The cysteine that forms disulfide bridge to A₂ subunit in the holotoxin is at position 91.