Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the snake toxin echistatin. 1H resonance assignments and secondary structure.

The 1H-NMR spectrum of the snake toxin echistatin has been assigned using homonuclear two-dimensional methods. Consideration of the NOE patterns, coupling constants and putative hydrogen bonds enabled two regular features of secondary structure to be deduced: a beta-sheet/turn between residues 8 and 13 and a small anti-parallel beta-sheet and bulge linking residues 16-20 with residues 30-33. The recognition region of the protein containing the residues RGD lies in a loop joining the two strands of the beta-sheet. The beta-bulge and the loop containing the RGD sequence undergo pH-dependent conformational interconversion, modulated by the side chain of Asp29.     

1H NMR studies of echistatin in solution. Sequential resonance assignments and secondary structure.

Two-dimensional 1H-NMR methods have been used to obtain complete proton resonance assignments for the 49-residue protein echistatin from the viper Echis carinatus. The protein in solution contains only a small amount of regular secondary structure with four very short beta-strands. These beta-strands form two short segments of antiparallel beta-sheet, as evidenced by the observed cross-strand NOE. The first two strands are connected with a tight reverse turn, whereas the remaining two strands are linked together by an 11-residue loop forming a so-called hairpin. The tripeptide unit Arg-Gly-Asp, responsible for the binding of echistatin to the fibrinogen receptor glycoprotein GPIIb/IIIa, is located at the tip of this very hydrophilic loop.     

Two-dimensional NMR studies on des-pentapeptide-insulin. Proton resonance assignments and secondary structure analysis

The shortened analogue of insulin, des-(B26-B30)-pentapeptide insulin, has been characterized by two-dimensional 1H NMR. The 1H resonance assignments and the secondary structure in water solution are discussed The results indicate that the secondary structure in solution is very similar to that reported for the crystalline state. A high flexibility of both A and B chains is observed. Of the two conformations seen in the 2-Zn insulin crystals and indicated as molecules 1 and 2 (Chinese nomenclature), the structure of the analogue is more similar to that of molecule 1.     

The disulfide bridge pattern of snake venom disintegrins, flavoridin and echistatin.

Flavoridin and echistatin, isolated from the venom of Trimeresurus flavoviridis and Echis carinatus, respectively, belong to the disintegrin family of integrin beta 1 and beta 3 inhibitors of low molecular weight RGD-containing, cysteine-rich peptides. Since disulfide bonds are critical for expression of biological activity, we sought to determine their location in these two proteins. In flavoridin, direct evidence for the existence of linkage between Cys4-Cys19 and between Cys45 and Cys64 was obtained by analysis of proteolytic products, and indirect evidence suggests links between Cys6-Cys14 and Cys13-Cys36. In echistatin, links between Cys8-Cys37 and Cys20-Cys39 were identified by direct chemical analysis.     

Proton NMR assignments of systemin

Complete proton NMR assignments have been made for a synthetic 18-amino acid peptide named systemin, which functions as a wound-induced polypeptide hormone in tomato plants, and three of its derivatives. The wild-type peptide and this synthetic homolog have equivalent activities in their functional roles as systemic inducing signals in tomato plants. Proton NMR studies were carried out to characterize the solution properties of systemin. A variety of homonuclear proton NMR experiments at both 500 and 600 MHz were utilized in making these assignments, which have resulted in additional structural information. Whereas these results provide no evidence for persistence of common secondary (helix, sheet) or tertiary structural elements in the systemin polypeptide, there is evidence for two distinct molecular conformations at the carboxy terminus.     

Sequence-specific 1H NMR assignments and secondary structure of the streptococcal protein G B2-domain.

Two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy has been used to obtain sequence-specific 1H NMR assignments for the IgG-binding B2-domain of streptococcal protein G. Secondary structure elements were identified from analysis of characteristic backbone-backbone NOE patterns and amide proton exchange data. The B2-domain contains a four-stranded beta-sheet region in which the two inner strands form a parallel beta-sheet with each other and antiparallel beta-sheets with the outer strands. The outer strands are connected via a 16-residue alpha-helix and short loops on both ends of the helix. The alpha-helix and beta-sheet structures contain well-defined polar and apolar sides, and numerous long-range NOEs from the apolar helix to apolar sheet regions were used to derive a model for the global fold of the B2-domain. While the overall fold is similar to that obtained for B1-type domains, differences in amide proton exchange rates and hydrophobic packing are observed.     

NMR assignments and secondary structure of the UvrC binding domain of UvrB.

The 55 residue C-terminal domain of UvrB that interacts with UvrC during excision repair in Escherichia coli has been expressed and purified as a (His)6 fusion construct. The fragment forms a stable folded domain in solution. Heteronuclear NMR experiments were used to obtain extensive 15N, 13C and 1H NMR assignments. NOESY and chemical shift data showed that the protein comprises two helices from residues 630 to 648 and from 652 to 670. 15N relaxation data also show that the first 11 and last three residues are unstructured. The effective rotational correlation time within the structured region is not consistent with a monomer. This oligomerisation may be relevant to the mode of dimerisation of UvrB with the homologous domain of UvrC.     

Sequential 1H NMR assignments and secondary structure of an IgG-binding domain from protein G

Protein G is a member of a class of cell surface bacterial proteins from Streptococcus that bind IgG with high affinity. A fragment of molecular mass 6988, which retains IgG-binding activity, has been generated by proteolytic digestion and analyzed by 1H NMR. Two-dimensional DQF-COSY, TOCSY, and NOESY spectra have been employed to assign the 1H NMR spectrum of the peptide. Elements of regular secondary structure have been identified by using nuclear Overhauser enhancement, coupling constant, and amide proton exchange data. The secondary structure consists of a central alpha-helix (Ala28-Val44), flanked by two portions of beta-sheet (Val5-Val26 and Asp45-Lys62). This is a fundamentally different arrangement of secondary structure from that of protein A, which is made up of three consecutive alpha-helices in free solution (Torigoe et al., 1990). We conclude that the molecular mechanisms underlying the association of protein A and protein G with IgG are different.     

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance assignments and secondary structure determination of the ColE1 rop (rom) protein

The complete resonance assignment of the ColE1 rop (rom) protein at pH 2.3 was obtained by two-dimensional (2D) proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) at 500 and 600 MHz using through-bond and through-space connectivities. Sequential assignments and elements of regular secondary structure were deduced by analysis of nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (NOESY) experiments and 3JHN alpha coupling constants. One 7.2-kDa monomer of the homodimer consists of two antiparallel helices connected by a hairpin loop at residue 31. The C-terminal peptide consisting of amino acids 59-63 shows no stable conformation. The dimer forms a four-helix bundle with opposite polarization of neighboring elements in agreement with the X-ray structure.     

Sequence-specific 1H NMR assignments and secondary structure of porcine motilin

The solution structure of the 22-residue peptide hormone motilin has been studied by circular dichroism and two-dimensional 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Circular dichroism spectra indicate the presence of alpha-helical secondary structure in aqueous solution, and the secondary structure can be stabilized with hexafluoro-2-propanol. Sequence-specific assignments of the proton NMR spectrum of porcine motilin in 30% hexafluoro-2-propanol have been made by using two-dimensional NMR techniques. All backbone proton resonances (NH and alpha CH) and most of the side-chain resonances have been assigned by using double-quantum-filtered COSY, RELAYED-COSY, and NOESY experiments. Simulations of NOESY cross-peak intensities as a function of mixing time indicate that spin diffusion has a relatively small effect in peptides the size of motilin, thereby allowing the use of long mixing times to confidently make assignments and delineate secondary structure. Sequential alpha CH-NH and NH-NH NOESY connectivities were observed over a significant portion of the length of the peptide. A number of medium-range NOESY cross-peaks indicate that the peptide is folded into alpha-helix from Glu9 to Lys20, which agrees favorably with the 50% helical content determined from CD measurements. The intensities of selected NOESY cross-peaks relative to corresponding diagonal peaks were used to estimate a rotational correlation time of approximately 2.5 ns for the peptide, indicating that the peptide exists as a monomer in solution under the conditions used here.     

Sequence-specific 1H NMR assignments and secondary structure of eglin c

Sequence-specific nuclear magnetic resonance assignments were obtained for eglin c, a polypeptide inhibitor of the granulocytic proteinases elastase and cathepsin G and some other proteinases. The protein consists of a single polypeptide chain of 70 residues. All proton resonances were assigned except for some labile protons of arginine side chains. The patterns of nuclear Overhauser enhancements and coupling constants and the observation of slow hydrogen exchange were used to characterize the secondary structure of the protein. The results indicate that the solution structure of the free inhibitor is very similar to the crystal structure reported for the same protein in the complex with subtilisin Carlsberg. However, a part of the binding loop seems to have a significantly different conformation in the free protein.     

Sequential 1H NMR assignments and secondary structure of the kringle domain from urokinase.

The sequence-specific 1H NMR assignments of the 89-residue recombinant kringle domain from human urokinase are presented. These were achieved primarily by utilizing TOCSY and NOESY spectra in conjunction with COSY spectra recorded at 500 MHz and 600 MHz. Regular secondary structure elements have been derived from a qualitative interpretation of nuclear Overhauser enhancement, JNH alpha coupling constant, and amide proton exchange data. Two helices have been identified. One helix, involving Ser40-Gly46, corresponds to that reported for t-PA kringle 2 (Byeon et al., 1991), but does not exist in other kringles with known structures. The second helix, in the region Asn26-Gln33, is thus far unique to the urokinase kringle. Three antiparallel beta-sheets and three tight turns have also been identified, which correspond exactly to those identified in t-PA kringle 2 both in solution and in the crystalline state (de Vos et al., 1992). Despite the very different ligand binding properties of the urokinase kringle, NOE data indicate that the tertiary fold of the molecule conforms closely to that found for other kringles.     

Three-dimensional structure of echistatin, the smallest active RGD protein.

Echistatin is a 49 amino acid protein isolated from the venom of a viper (Echis carinatus) and is one of the smallest natural adhesive ligands that interacts with integrin-type receptors through an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence. The structure of echistatin in aqueous solution has been determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Nuclear Overhauser spectra yielded 490 interatomic distance constraints, which were used in distance geometry calculations. The chain is shown to fold in a series of irregular loops to form a rigid core stabilized by four cystine cross-links. From this core an irregular hairpin and the C-terminus protrude. The core and the hairpin are further stabilized by a network of hydrogen bonds. The RGD sequence is located in a mobile loop at the tip of the hairpin. The mobility and its significance for activity are discussed.     

Sequential 1H NMR assignments and secondary structure of aponeocarzinostatin in solution

Sequential assignments and secondary structural analysis have been accomplished for the 113-residue apoprotein of the antitumor drug neocarzinostatin (NCS) from Streptomyces carzinostaticus. A total of 98% of the main-chain and 77% of the side-chain resonances have been sequence specifically assigned by use of information from coherence transfer experiments and by sequential and interstrand NOEs. Because of the complexity of the NCS spectrum, several sequential assignment strategies were employed to complete the analysis. Apo-NCS consists of three antiparallel beta-sheeted domains by NMR analysis. There is an extensive four-strand antiparallel beta-sheet, and two two-stranded domains. One of the two-strand domains is contiguous, S72-N87, with chain reversal occurring through the region L77-R82. The other two-stranded domain has the section G16-A24 antiparallel with respect to the region S62-R70. This secondary structure is consistent with the crystal structure of holo-NCS at 2.8-A resolution.     

1H NMR assignments and secondary structure of human beta 2-microglobulin in solution.

Sequence-specific resonance assignments of human beta 2-microglobulin (M(r) 12,000) and its secondary structure are determined by 2D NMR techniques. The protein is found to contain two antiparallel beta-sheets each of four beta-strands with the beta-sheets being connected by a single disulfide linkage. No evidence for any regular helical structure is found. Amide proton-solvent-exchange rate constants and 3JHN alpha coupling constants are evaluated.     

Heteronuclear NMR assignments and secondary structure of the coiled coil trimerization domain from cartilage matrix protein in oxidized and reduced forms.

The C-terminal oligomerization domain of chicken cartilage matrix protein is a trimeric coiled coil comprised of three identical 43-residue chains. NMR spectra of the protein show equivalent magnetic environments for each monomer, indicating a parallel coiled coil structure with complete threefold symmetry. Sequence-specific assignments for 1H-, 15N-, and 13C-NMR resonances have been obtained from 2D 1H NOESY and TOCSY spectra, and from 3D HNCA, 15N NOESY-HSQC, and HCCH-TOCSY spectra. A stretch of alpha-helix encompassing five heptad repeats (35 residues) has been identified from intra-chain HN-HN and HN-H alpha NOE connectivities. 3JHNH alpha coupling constants, and chemical shift indices. The alpha-helix begins immediately downstream of inter-chain disulfide bonds between residues Cys 5 and Cys 7, and extends to near the C-terminus of the molecule. The threefold symmetry of the molecule is maintained when the inter-chain disulfide bonds that flank the N-terminus of the coiled coil are reduced. Residues Ile 21 through Glu 36 show conserved chemical shifts and NOE connectivities, as well as strong protection from solvent exchange in the oxidized and reduced forms of the protein. By contrast, residues Ile 10 through Val 17 show pronounced chemical shift differences between the oxidized and reduced protein. Strong chemical exchange NOEs between HN resonances and water indicate solvent exchange on time scales faster than 10 s, and suggests a dynamic fraying of the N-terminus of the coiled coil upon reduction of the disulfide bonds. Possible roles for the disulfide crosslinks of the oligomerization domain in the function of cartilage matrix protein are proposed.     

Proton NMR studies of apo-neocarzinostatin from Streptomyces carzinostaticus. Sequence-specific assignment and secondary structure

The sequence-specific resonance assignment of apo-neocarzinostatin from Streptomyces carzinostaticus was carried out from two-dimensional proton-NMR spectra. The assignments were obtained for the backbone protons of 111 of the 113 residues of the protein, missing the two C alpha H of one glycine but including 3 of the 4 prolines. The majority of side chain protons were also assigned. The secondary structure derived from the analysis of sequential connections corresponds to ten beta-strands separated by clearly identified loops and turns. Inter-strand connectivities and slowly exchanging amide protons confirm the presence of the two disulfide bridges from Cys37 to Cys47 and from Cys88 to Cys93 and indicate a global folding similar to that of the similar proteins, actinoxanthin and macromomycin, for which crystallographic data are available.     

Two- and three-dimensional 1H NMR studies of a wheat phospholipid transfer protein: sequential resonance assignments and secondary structure.

Two- and three-dimensional 1H NMR experiments have been used to sequentially assign nearly all proton resonances of the 90 residues of wheat phospholipid transfer protein. Only a few side-chain protons were not identified because of degeneracy or overlapping. The identification of spin systems and the sequential assignment were made at the same time by combining the data of the two- and three-dimensional experiments. The classical two-dimensional COSY, HOHAHA, and NOESY experiments benefit from both good resolution and high sensitivity, allowing the detection of long-range dipolar connectivities. The three-dimensional HOHAHA-NOESY experiment offers the advantage of a faster and unambiguous assignment. As a matter of fact, homonuclear three-dimensional NMR spectroscopy proved to be a very efficient method for resonance assignments of protein 1H NMR spectra which cannot be unraveled by 2D methods. An assignment strategy which overcomes most of the ambiguities has been proposed, in which each individual assignment toward the C-terminal end is supported by another in the opposite direction originating from a completely different part of the spectrum. Location of secondary structures of the phospholipid transfer protein was determined by using the method of analysis introduced here and was confirmed by 3J alpha NH coupling and NH exchange rates. Except for the C-terminal part, the polypeptide chain appears to be organized mainly as helical fragments connected by disulfide bridges. Further modeling will display the overall folding of the protein and should provide a better understanding of its interactions with lipids.     

Proton NMR assignments and regular backbone structure of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A in aqueous solution

Proton NMR assignments have been made for 121 of the 124 residues of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A). During the first stage of assignment, COSY and relayed COSY data were used to identify 40 amino acid spin systems belonging to alanine, valine, threonine, isoleucine, and serine residues. Approximately 60 other NH-alpha CH-beta CH systems were also identified but not assigned to specific amino acid type. NOESY data then were used to connect sequentially neighboring spin systems; approximately 475 of the possible 700 resonances in RNase A were assigned in this way. Our assignments agree with those for 20 residues assigned previously [Hahn, U., & Rüterjans, H. (1985) Eur. J. Biochem. 152, 481-491]. Additional NOESY correlations were used to identify regular backbone structure elements in RNase A, which are very similar to those observed in X-ray crystallographic studies [Wlodawer, A., Borkakoti, N., Moss, D. S., & Howlin, B. (1986) Acta Crystallogr. B42, 379-387].