Resonance Raman characterization of biotin sulfoxide reductase. Comparing oxomolybdenum enzymes in the ME(2)SO reductase family

Resonance Raman spectroscopy has been used to define active site structures for oxidized Mo(VI) and reduced Mo(IV) forms of recombinant Rhodobacter sphaeroides biotin sulfoxide reductase expressed in Escherichia coli. On the basis of (18)O/(16)O labeling studies involving water and the alternative substrate dimethyl sulfoxide and the close correspondence to the resonance Raman spectra previously reported for dimethyl sulfoxide reductase (Garton, S. D., Hilton, J., Oku, H., Crouse, B. R., Rajagopalan, K. V., and Johnson, M. K. (1997) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 119, 12906-12916), vibrational modes associated with a terminal oxo ligand and the two molybdopterin dithiolene ligands have been assigned. The results indicate that the enzyme cycles between mono-oxo-Mo(VI) and des-oxo-Mo(IV) forms with both molybdopterin dithiolene ligands remaining coordinated in both redox states. Direct evidence for an oxygen atom transfer mechanism is provided by (18)O/(16)O labeling studies, which show that the terminal oxo group at the molybdenum center is exchangeable with water during redox cycling and originates from the substrate in substrate-oxidized samples. Biotin sulfoxide reductase is not reduced by biotin or the nonphysiological products, dimethyl sulfide and trimethylamine. However, product-induced changes in the Mo=O stretching frequency provide direct evidence for a product-associated mono-oxo-Mo(VI) catalytic intermediate. The results indicate that biotin sulfoxide reductase is thermodynamically tuned to catalyze the reductase reaction, and a detailed catalytic mechanism is proposed.     

RNase HI Is Essential for Survival of Mycobacterium smegmatis

RNases H are involved in the removal of RNA from RNA/DNA hybrids. Type I RNases H are thought to recognize and cleave the RNA/DNA duplex when at least four ribonucleotides are present. Here we investigated the importance of RNase H type I encoding genes for model organism Mycobacterium smegmatis. By performing gene replacement through homologous recombination, we demonstrate that each of the two presumable RNase H type I encoding genes, rnhA and MSMEG4305, can be removed from M. smegmatis genome without affecting the growth rate of the mutant. Further, we demonstrate that deletion of both RNases H type I encoding genes in M. smegmatis leads to synthetic lethality. Finally, we question the possibility of existence of RNase HI related alternative mode of initiation of DNA replication in M. smegmatis, the process initially discovered in Escherichia coli. We suspect that synthetic lethality of double mutant lacking RNases H type I is caused by formation of R-loops leading to collapse of replication forks. We report Mycobacterium smegmatis as the first bacterial species, where function of RNase H type I has been found essential.     

Application of the Kwei equation to model the Tg behavior of binary blends of sugars and salts

Vitrification of sugar-based solutions plays an important role in cryopreservation, lyophilization, and the emerging field of anhydrous preservation. An understanding of the glass transition characteristics of such formulations is essential for determining an appropriate storage temperature to ensure an extended shelf life of vitrified products. To better understand the effect of salts on the glass transition temperature (T_g) of glass-forming sugars, we investigated several data-fitting models (Fox, Gordon–Taylor and Kwei) for sugar–salt formulations using data from the literature, as well as new data generated on blends of trehalose and choline dihydrogen phosphate (CDHP). CDHP has recently been shown to have promise as a stabilizing agent for proteins and DNA. The Kwei equation, which has a specific parameter characterizing intermolecular interactions, provides good fits to the T_g data for sugar–salt blends, and complements other commonly used models that are frequently used to model T_g data.     

Mycobacterium tuberculosis MtrB Sensor Kinase Interactions with FtsI and Wag31 Proteins Reveal a Role for MtrB Distinct from That Regulating MtrA Activities

The septal association of Mycobacterium tuberculosis MtrB, the kinase partner of the MtrAB two-component signal transduction system, is necessary for the optimal expression of the MtrA regulon targets, including ripA, fbpB, and ftsI, which are involved in cell division and cell wall synthesis. Here, we show that MtrB, irrespective of its phosphorylation status, interacts with Wag31, whereas only phosphorylation-competent MtrB interacts with FtsI. We provide evidence that FtsI depletion compromises the MtrB septal assembly and MtrA regulon expression; likewise, the absence of MtrB compromises FtsI localization and, possibly, FtsI activity. We conclude from these results that FtsI and MtrB are codependent for their activities and that FtsI functions as a positive modulator of MtrB activation and MtrA regulon expression. In contrast to FtsI, Wag31 depletion does not affect MtrB septal assembly and MtrA regulon expression, whereas the loss of MtrB increased Wag31 localization and the levels of PknA/PknB (PknA/B) serine-threonine protein kinase-mediated Wag31 phosphorylation. Interestingly, we found that FtsI decreased levels of phosphorylated Wag31 (Wag31∼P) and that MtrB interacted with PknA/B. Overall, our results indicate that MtrB interactions with FtsI, Wag31, and PknA/B are required for its optimal localization, MtrA regulon expression, and phosphorylation of Wag31. Our results emphasize a new role for MtrB in cell division and cell wall synthesis distinct from that regulating the MtrA phosphorylation activities.     

Biotemplates in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles

This article recapitulates the scientific advancement towards the greener synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Applications of noble metals have increased throughout human civilization, and the uses for nano-sized particles are even more remarkable. “Green” nanoparticle synthesis has been achieved using environmentally acceptable solvent systems and eco-friendly reducing and capping agents. Numerous microorganisms and plant extracts have been applied to synthesize inorganic nanostructures either intracellularly or extracellularly. The use of nanoparticles derived from noble metals has spread to many areas including jewelery, medical fields, electronics, water treatment and sport utilities, thus improving the longevity and comfort in human life. The application of nanoparticles as delivery vehicles for bactericidal agents represents a new paradigm in the design of antibacterial therapeutics. Orientation, size and physical properties of nanoparticles influences the performance and reproducibility of a potential device, thus making the synthesis and assembly of shape- and size-controlled nanocrystals an essential component for any practical application. This need has motivated researchers to explore different synthesis protocols.     

Solution structure of inhibitor-free human metalloelastase (MMP-12) indicates an internal conformational adjustment

Macrophage metalloelastase or matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12) appears to exacerbate atherosclerosis, emphysema, aortic aneurysm, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. An inactivating E219A mutation, validated by crystallography and NMR spectra, prevents autolysis of MMP-12 and allows us to determine its NMR structure without an inhibitor. The structural ensemble of the catalytic domain without an inhibitor is based on 2813 nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs) and has an average RMSD to the mean structure of 0.25 Å for the backbone and 0.61 Å for all heavy atoms for residues Trp109-Gly263. Compared to crystal structures of MMP-12, helix B (hB) at the active site is unexpectedly more deeply recessed under the β-sheet. This opens a pocket between hB and β-strand IV in the active-site cleft. Both hB and an internal cavity are shifted toward β-strand I, β-strand III, and helix A on the back side of the protease. About 25 internal NOE contacts distinguish the inhibitor-free solution structure and indicate hB's greater depth and proximity to the sheet and helix A. Line broadening and multiplicity of amide proton NMR peaks from hB are consistent with hB undergoing a slow conformational exchange among subtly different environments. Inhibitor-binding-induced perturbations of the NMR spectra of MMP-1 and MMP-3 map to similar locations across MMP-12 and encompass the internal conformational adjustments. Evolutionary trace analysis suggests a functionally important network of residues that encompasses most of the locations adjusting in conformation, including 18 residues with NOE contacts unique to inhibitor-free MMP-12. The conformational change, sequence analysis, and inhibitor perturbations of NMR spectra agree on the network they identify between structural scaffold and the active site of MMPs.     

Tuning of the outer hair cell motor by membrane cholesterol

Cholesterol affects diverse biological processes, in many cases by modulating the function of integral membrane proteins. We observed that alterations of cochlear cholesterol modulate hearing in mice. Mammalian hearing is powered by outer hair cell (OHC) electromotility, a membrane-based motor mechanism that resides in the OHC lateral wall. We show that membrane cholesterol decreases during maturation of OHCs. To study the effects of cholesterol on hearing at the molecular level, we altered cholesterol levels in the OHC wall, which contains the membrane protein prestin. We show a dynamic and reversible relationship between membrane cholesterol levels and voltage dependence of prestin-associated charge movement in both OHCs and prestin-transfected HEK 293 cells. Cholesterol levels also modulate the distribution of prestin within plasma membrane microdomains and affect prestin self-association in HEK 293 cells. These findings indicate that alterations in membrane cholesterol affect prestin function and functionally tune the outer hair cell.     

Small conformationally restricted piperidine N-arylsulfonamides as orally active gamma-secretase inhibitors

The design and development of a new class of small 2,6-disubstituted piperidine N-arylsulfonamide gamma-secretase inhibitors is reported. Lowering molecular weight including the use of conformational constraint led to compounds with less CYP 3A4 liability compared to early leads. Compounds active orally in lowering Abeta levels in Tg CRND8 mice were identified as potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease.