Solution NMR assignment of the C-terminal domain of human chTOG

The microtubule regulatory protein colonic and hepatic tumor overexpressed gene (chTOG), also known as cytoskeleleton associated protein 5 (CKAP5) plays an important role in organizing the cytoskeleton and in particular in the assembly of k-fibres in mitosis. Recently, we dissected the hitherto poorly understood C-terminus of this protein by discovering two new domains—a cryptic TOG domain (TOG6) and a smaller, helical domain at the very C-terminus. It was shown that the C-terminal domain is important for the interaction with the TACC domain in TACC3 during the assembly of k-fibres in a ternary complex that also includes clathrin. Here we now present the solution NMR assignment of the chTOG C-terminal domain which confirms our earlier prediction that it is mainly made of α-helices. However, the appearance of the ¹H–¹⁵N HSQC spectrum is indicative of the presence of a considerable amount of unstructured and possibly flexible portions of protein in the domain.     

NMR assignments of the C-terminal domain of human polypeptide release factor eRF1

We report NMR assignments of the protein backbone of the C-terminal domain (163 a.a.) of human class 1 translation termination factor eRF1. It was found that several protein loop residues exist in two slowly interconverting conformational states.     

NMR assignment of the C-terminal actin-binding domain of talin

Talin is a large dimeric 270 kDa adapter protein which binds the cytoplasmic face of a subset of integrin β-subunits and couples them to the actin cytoskeleton. Here we report the near complete ¹⁵N, ¹³C and ¹H chemical shift assignments for the C-terminal actin-binding domain.     

Prion protein interaction with the C-terminal SH3 domain of Grb2 studied using NMR and optical spectroscopy

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies have been observed exclusively in organisms expressing the host-encoded prion protein (PrP). The function of the cellular isoform of PrP found in healthy organisms has so far not been identified, although there are indications of a role in signal transduction in neurons. To gain further insight into the functional properties of cellular PrP, this paper investigated the binding of the C-terminal SH3 domain of the murine growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) to the murine PrP, using NMR, fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The SH3-binding site in murine PrP was thus found to be in the highly conserved region of residues 100-109, which contains prolines in positions 101 and 104. The protein-protein interaction, with a K(D) value of 5.5 microM, is abolished when either of these two prolines is replaced by leucine. In humans, two corresponding Pro --> Leu exchanges are found in patients who present with the Gerstmann-Str?ussler-Scheinker syndrome. The results of the present study thus indicate a possible mechanism by which amino acid exchanges could influence a specific protein-protein interaction in a complex signal transduction cascade, which might be of functional significance in health and disease.     

Solid-state NMR sequential assignments of the C-terminal oligomerization domain of human C4b-binding protein

The complement 4 binding protein (C4bp) plays a crucial role in the inhibition of the complement cascade. It has an extraordinary seven-arm octopus-like structure with 7 tentacle-like identical chains, held together at their C-terminal end. The C-terminal domain does oligomerize in isolation, and is necessary and sufficient to oligomerize full-length C4bp. It is predicted to form a seven-helix coiled coil, and its multimerization properties make it a promising vaccine adjuvant, probably by enhancing the structural stability and binding affinity of the presented antigen. Here, we present the solid-state NMR resonance assignment of the human C4bp C-terminal oligomerization Domain, hC4pbOD, and the corresponding secondary chemical shifts.     

The Cdc37 protein kinase-binding domain is sufficient for protein kinase activity and cell viability

Cdc37 is a molecular chaperone required for folding of protein kinases. It functions in association with Hsp90, although little is known of its mechanism of action or where it fits into a folding pathway involving other Hsp90 cochaperones. Using a genetic approach with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we show that CDC37 overexpression suppressed a defect in v-Src folding in yeast deleted for STI1, which recruits Hsp90 to misfolded clients. Expression of CDC37 truncation mutants that were deleted for the Hsp90-binding site stabilized v-Src and led to some folding in both sti1Delta and hsc82Delta strains. The protein kinase-binding domain of Cdc37 was sufficient for yeast cell viability and permitted efficient signaling through the yeast MAP kinase-signaling pathway. We propose a model in which Cdc37 can function independently of Hsp90, although its ability to do so is restricted by its normally low expression levels. This may be a form of regulation by which cells restrict access to Cdc37 until it has passed through a triage involving other chaperones such as Hsp70 and Hsp90.     

Folding transitions in calpain activator peptides studied by solution NMR spectroscopy

Calpastatin, the endogenous inhibitor of calpain, a cysteine protease in eukaryotic cells, is an intrinsically unstructured protein, which upon binding to the enzyme goes through a conformational change. Peptides calpA (SGKSGMDAALDDLIDTLGG) and calpC (SKPIGPDDAIDALSSDFTS), corresponding to the two conserved subdomains of calpastatin, are known to activate calpain and increase the Ca²⁺ sensitivity of the enzyme. Using solution NMR spectroscopy, here we show that calpA and calpC are disordered in water but assume an α‐helical conformation in 50% CD₃OH. The position and length of the helices are in agreement with those described in the literature for the bound state of the corresponding segments of calpastatin suggesting that the latter might be structurally primed for the interaction with its target. According to our data, the presence of Ca²⁺ induces a backbone rearrangement in the peptides, an effect that may contribute to setting the fine conformational balance required for the interaction of the peptides with calpain. Copyright © 2009 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Active-site properties of the oxidized and reduced C-terminal domain of DsbD obtained by NMR spectroscopy

The periplasmic C-terminal domain of the Escherichia coli DsbD protein (cDsbD) has a thioredoxin fold. The two cysteine residues in the CXXC motif serve as the reductant for the disulfide bond of the N-terminal domain which can in turn act as a reductant for various periplasmic partners. The resulting disulfide bond in cDsbD is reduced via an unknown mechanism by the transmembrane helical domain of the protein. We show by NMR analysis of (13)C, (15)N-labelled cDsbD that the protein is rigid, is stable to extremes of pH and undergoes only localized conformational changes in the vicinity of the CXXC motif, and in adjacent regions of secondary structure, upon undergoing the reduced/oxidized transition. pK(a) values have been determined, using 2D NMR, for the N-terminal cysteine of the CXXC motif, Cys461, as well as for other active-site residues. It is demonstrated using site-directed mutagenesis that the negative charges of the side-chains of Asp455 and Glu468 in the active site contribute to the unusually high pK(a) value, 10.5, of Cys461. This value is higher than expected from knowledge of the reduction potential of cDsbD. In a double mutant of cDsbD, D455N/E468Q, the pK(a) value of Cys461 is lowered to 8.6, a value close to that expected for an unperturbed cysteine residue. The pK(a) value of the second cysteine in wild-type cDsbD, Cys464, is significantly higher than the maximum pH value that was studied (pH 12.2).     

The X-ray crystal structure of human gamma S-crystallin C-terminal domain.

gammaS-crystallin is a major human lens protein found in the outer region of the eye lens, where the refractive index is low. Because crystallins are not renewed they acquire post-translational modifications that may perturb stability and solubility. In common with other members of the betagamma-crystallin superfamily, gammaS-crystallin comprises two similar beta-sheet domains. The crystal structure of the C-terminal domain of human gammaS-crystallin has been solved at 2.4 A resolution. The structure shows that in the in vitro expressed protein, the buried cysteines remain reduced. The backbone conformation of the "tyrosine corner" differs from that of other betagamma-crystallins because of deviation from the consensus sequence. The two C-terminal domains in the asymmetric unit are organized about a slightly distorted 2-fold axis to form a dimer with similar geometry to full-length two-domain family members. Two glutamines found in lattice contacts may be important for short range interactions in the lens. An asparagine known to be deamidated in human cataract is located in a highly ordered structural region.     

NMR solution structure of the neurotrypsin Kringle domain

Neurotrypsin is a multidomain protein that serves as a brain-specific serine protease. Here we report the NMR structure of its kringle domain, NT/K. The data analysis was performed with the BACUS (Bayesian analysis of coupled unassigned spins) algorithm. This study presents the first application of BACUS to the structure determination of a 13C unenriched protein for which no prior experimental 3D structure was available. NT/K adopts the kringle fold, consisting of an antiparallel beta-sheet bridged by an overlapping pair of disulfides. The structure reveals the presence of a surface-exposed left-handed polyproline II helix that is closely packed to the core beta-structure. This feature distinguishes NT/K from other members of the kringle fold and points toward a novel functional role for a kringle domain. Functional divergence among kringle domains is discussed on the basis of their surface and electrostatic characteristics.     

Domain interactions in human plasminogen studied by proton NMR.

The NMR spectrum of miniplasminogen (V443-plasminogen) under conditions of acidic pH reveals a subset of particularly well-resolved resonances whose chemical shift values are closely similar to those of isolated kringle 5. The temperature dependence of the spectrum indicates that this set of resonances disappears in a single cooperative unfolding transition appropriate for kringle 5, whilst other broader resonances from the protease domain persist to higher temperature. These results provide evidence for significant structural and motional independence of the kringle and protease domains in spite of the short linker between these domains. The NMR spectrum of Glu1-plasminogen is closely similar to that of miniplasminogen under the same conditions. This suggests that the domain independence observed in miniplasminogen is maintained in the intact molecule.     

NMR solution structure of the inserted domain of human leukocyte function associated antigen-1

The interaction between the leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) and the intercellular adhesion molecule is thought to be mediated primarily via the inserted domain (I-domain) in the alpha-subunit. The activation of LFA-1 is an early step in triggering the adhesion of leukocytes to target cells decorated with intercellular adhesion molecules. There is some disagreement in the literature over the respective roles of conformational changes in the I-domain and of divalent cations (Mg(2+), Mn(2+)) in the activation of LFA-1 for intercellular adhesion molecule binding. X-ray crystallographic structures of the I-domains of LFA-1 and Mac-1 in the presence and absence of cations show structural differences in the C-terminal alpha-helix; this change was proposed to represent the active and inactive conformations of the I-domain. However, more recent X-ray results have called this proposal into question. The solution structure of the Mg(2+) complex of the I-domain of LFA-1 has been determined by NMR methods, using a model-based approach to nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy peak assignment. The protein adopts the same structure in solution as that of the published I-domain X-ray structures, but the C-terminal region, where the X-ray structures are most different from each other, is different again in the solution structures. The secondary structure of this helix is well formed, but NMR relaxation data indicate that there is considerable flexibility present, probably consisting of breathing or segmental motion of the helix. The conformational diversity seen in the various X-ray structures could be explained as a result of the inherent flexibility of this C-terminal region and as a result of crystal contacts. Our NMR data are consistent with a model where the C-terminal helix has the potential flexibility to take up alternative conformations, for example, in the presence and absence of the intercellular adhesion molecule ligand. The role of divalent cations appears from our results not to be as a direct mediator of a conformational change that alters affinity for the ligand. Rather, the presence of the cation appears to be involved in some other way in ligand binding, perhaps by acting as a bridge to the ligand and by modulation of the charge of the binding surface.     

The solution structure of the C-terminal domain of NfeD reveals a novel membrane-anchored OB-fold

Nodulation formation efficiency D (NfeD) is a member of a class of membrane-anchored ClpP-class proteases. There is a second class of NfeD homologs that lack the ClpP domain. The genes of both NfeD classes usually are part of an operon that also contains a gene for a prokaryotic homolog of stomatin. (Stomatin is a major integral-membrane protein of mammalian erythrocytes.) Such NfeD/stomatin homolog gene pairs are present in more than 290 bacterial and archaeal genomes, and their protein products may be part of the machinery used for quality control of membrane proteins. Herein, we report the structure of the isolated C-terminal domain of PH0471, a Pyrococcus horikoshii NfeD homolog, which lacks the ClpP domain. This C-terminal domain (termed NfeDC) contains a five-strand beta-barrel, which is structurally very similar to the OB-fold (oligosaccharide/oligonucleotide-binding fold) domain. However, there is little sequence similarity between it and previously characterized OB-fold domains. The NfeDC domain lacks the conserved surface residues that are necessary for the binding of an OB-fold domain to DNA/RNA, an ion. Instead, its surface is composed of residues that are uniquely conserved in NfeD homologs and that form the structurally conserved surface turns and beta-bulges. There is also a conserved tryptophan present on the surface. We propose that, in general, NfeDC domains may interact with other spatially proximal membrane proteins and thereby regulate their activities.     

Architecture of the hepatitis C virus E1 glycoprotein transmembrane domain studied by NMR

Oligomerization of hepatitis C viral envelope proteins E1 and E2 is essential to virus fusion and assembly. Although interactions within the transmembrane (TM) domains of these glycoproteins have proven contributions to the E1/E2 heterodimerization process and consequent infectivity, there is little structural information on this entry mechanism. Here, as a first step towards our long-term goal of understanding the interaction between E1 and E2 TM-domains, we have expressed, purified and characterized E1-TM using structural biomolecular NMR methods. An MBP-fusion expression system yielded sufficient quantities of pure E1-TM, which was solubilized in two membrane-mimicking environments, SDS- and LPPG-micelles, affording samples amenable to NMR studies. Triple resonance assignment experiments and relaxation measurements provided information on the secondary structure and global fold of E1-TM in these environments. In SDS micelles E1-TM adopts a helical conformation, with helical stretches at residues 354–363 and 371–379 separated by a more flexible segment of residues 364–370. In LPPG micelles a helical conformation was observed for residues 354–377 with greater flexibility in the 366–367 dyad, suggesting LPPG provides a more native environment for the peptide. Replacement of key positively charged residue K370 with an alanine did not affect the secondary structure of E1-TM but did change the relative positioning within the micelle of the two helices. These results lay the foundation for structure determination of E1-TM and a molecular understanding of how E1-TM flexibility enhances its interaction with E2-TM during heterodimerization and membrane fusion.     

NMR structure of the C-terminal domain of SecA in the free state

SecA is an integral component of the prokaryotic Sec preprotein secretory translocase system. We report here the solution NMR structure of a fragment corresponding to the C-terminal domain of Escherichia coli SecA. In the presence of Zn2+, the fragment adopts a shortened version of the classic betabetaalpha zinc finger fold. The isolated C-terminal domain shows substantial differences from the X-ray structure of a homologous SecA domain bound to the chaperone-like cofactor SecB. The differences between the structures of the free and bound forms suggest that binding to SecB causes a perturbation of the C-terminal domain's intrinsically favored betabetaalpha fold.