Two functional active conformations of the integrin {alpha}2{beta}1, depending on activation condition and cell type

For several integrins, the existence of multiple conformational states has been studied intensively. For the integrin alpha2beta1, a major collagen receptor on platelets and other cell types, however, no such experimental data were available thus far. Recently, our group has developed a monoclonal antibody IAC-1 sensitive to the molecular conformation of alpha2beta1 because it only binds to the activated state of alpha2beta1 on platelets, induced upon inside-out signaling. By investigating IAC-1 binding in combination with collagen binding after inside-out stimulation and outside manipulation, we demonstrated the existence of three different conformations of alpha2beta1 on platelets and Chinese hamster ovary cells as follows: (i) a nonactivated, resting state with no collagen nor IAC-1 binding; (ii) an intermediate state, induced by outside manipulation, with collagen but no IAC-1 binding; and (iii) a fully activated state, induced after inside-out stimulation, with both collagen and IAC-1 binding. Moreover, these different conformational states of alpha2beta1 are dependent on the cell type where alpha2beta1 is expressed, as IAC-1 binding to peripheral blood mononuclear cells and Jurkat cells could also be induced by outside manipulation, in contrast to platelets and alpha2beta1-expressing Chinese hamster ovary cells. Finally, we revealed a functional relevance for these different conformational states because the conformation of alpha2beta1, induced after outside manipulation, resulted in significantly more cell spreading on coated collagen compared with nonactivated or inside-out stimulated cells.     

Mutations in the amino terminus of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator enhance endocytosis

Efficient endocytosis of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is mediated by a tyrosine-based internalization signal in the CFTR carboxyl-terminal tail 1424YDSI1427. In the present studies, two naturally occurring cystic fibrosis mutations in the amino terminus of CFTR, R31C, and R31L were examined. To determine the defect that these mutations cause, the Arg-31 mutants were expressed in COS-7 cells and their biogenesis and trafficking to the cell surface tested in metabolic pulse-chase and surface biotinylation assays, respectively. The results indicated that both Arg-31 mutants were processed to band C at approximately 50% the efficiency of the wild-type protein. However, once processed and delivered to the cell surface, their half-lives were the same as wild-type protein. Interestingly, indirect immunofluorescence and cell surface biotinylation indicated that the surface pool was much smaller than could be accounted for based on the biogenesis defect alone. Therefore, the Arg-31 mutants were tested in internalization assays and found to be internalized at 2x the rate of the wild-type protein. Patch clamp and 6-methoxy-N-(3-sulfopropyl)quinolinium analysis confirmed reduced amounts of functional Arg-31 channels at the cell surface. Together, the results suggest that both R31C and R31L mutations compromise biogenesis and enhance internalization of CFTR. These two additive effects contribute to the loss of surface expression and the associated defect in chloride conductance that is consistent with a disease phenotype.     

Crystal structure of the S.cerevisiae exocyst component Exo70p

The exocyst is an evolutionarily conserved multiprotein complex required for the targeting and docking of post-Golgi vesicles to the plasma membrane. Through its interactions with a variety of proteins, including small GTPases, the exocyst is thought to integrate signals from the cell and signal that vesicles arriving at the plasma membrane are ready for fusion. Here we describe the three-dimensional crystal structure of one of the components of the exocyst, Exo70p, from Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 3.5A resolution. Exo70p binds the small GTPase Rho3p in a GTP-dependent manner with an equilibrium dissociation constant of approximately 70 microM. Exo70p is an extended rod approximately 155 angstroms in length composed principally of alpha helices, and is a novel fold. The structure provides a first view of the Exo70 protein family and provides a framework to study the molecular function of this exocyst component.     

Al(III)-binding ability of an octapeptide and its phosphorylated derivative

A synthetic octapeptide, H-GlyGluGlyGluGlySerGlyGly-OH, and its phosphorylated Ser derivative were synthetized and their solution speciation and binding modes in their complexes with Al(III) were measured. One goal of the work was find a lead compound for the design of a selective peptide-based Al(III) chelator. pH-potentiometry was used to characterize the stoichiometry and the stability of the species formed in the interactions of the metal ion and the peptides, while multinuclear NMR was applied to characterize the binding sites of the metal ion in the complexes. CD spectroscopy revealed a difference in the conformational behaviour of the phosphorylated peptide as compared with its non-phosphorylated parent derivative. The Al(III) is presumed to enhance aggregation through the -PO3H(-)-Al(3+)-PO3(2-)-Al(3+)- intermolecular bindings between the peptide chains. The results of molecular dynamics calculations supported the experimentally obtained secondary structures and the binding position of Al(III).     

Influence of sequential oligopeptide carriers on the bioactive structure of conjugated epitopes: comparative study of the conformation of a Herpes simplex virus glycoprotein gD-1 epitope in the free and conjugated form, and protein "built-in" crystal structure

Synthetic carriers play an important role in immunogen presentation, due to their ability of inducing improved and specific responses to conjugated epitopes. Their influence on the bioactive conformation of the epitope, though admittedly crucial for relevant in vitro and in vivo applications, is difficult to evaluate, given the usual lack of information on the complex conformational features determined by the nature of the carrier and the mode of ligation. Using the Herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D-1 epitope (Leu(9)-Lys-Nle-Ala-Asp-Pro-Asn-Arg-Phe-Arg-Gly-Lys-Asp-Leu(22)) as a model, we have performed a detailed conformational analysis on the free epitope peptide in solution and on three constructs in which the epitope was conjugated to sequential oligopeptide carriers {Ac-[Lys-Aib-Gly](4)-OH (SOC(4))} (through either a thioether or an amide bond; Ac: acetyl) and polytuftsin oligomers {H-[Thr-Lys-Pro-Lys-Gly](4)-NH(2) (T20)}, (through a thioether bond). The analysis of the epitope conformation in the parent protein, in carrier-conjugated and free form, suggests that the beta-turn structure of the -Asp(13)-Pro-Asn-Arg(16)- segment is highly conserved and independent of the epitope form. However, small conformational variations were observed at the C-terminal part of the epitope, depending on the nature of the carrier.     

Homocysteine metabolism in peripheral blood mononuclear cells: evidence for cystathionine beta-synthase activity in resting state

Activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) release homocysteine and possess cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) activity; however, it was thought that there is no CBS in resting state. Previously, we found that nickel decreased intracellular homocysteine concentration in un-stimulated (e.g. resting) PBMC, suggesting that resting PBMC might also have active homocysteine metabolism. Here, we demonstrated that un-stimulated PBMC synthesize (incorporate L-[methyl-14C]methionine to DNA, lipids and proteins), release (increase extracellular homocysteine), and metabolize homocysteine. Intracellular homocysteine concentration varied with incubation time, depending on extracellular concentrations of methionine, homocysteine, and glutathione. Methionine synthase activity was constant and independent of thiol concentrations. In Western blot, CBS protein was clearly identified in freshly isolated PBMC. CBS protein level and activity increased with incubation time, upon stimulation, and similar to intracellular homocysteine, depending on intra- and extracellular homocysteine and glutathione concentrations. According to our knowledge, this is the first evidence that certifies homocysteine metabolism and regulatory role of CBS activity to keep balanced intracellular homocysteine level in resting PBMC. Homocysteine, released by PBMC, in turn can modulate its functions contributing to the development of hyperhomocysteinemia-induced diseases.     

Conformational analysis of amyloid precursor protein fragment containing amino acids 667-676, and the effect of D-Asp and iso-Asp substitution at Asp₆₇₂ residue

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) fragment containing amino acids 667–676, (APP_667–676), is a substrate for β-secretase which is responsible for generating amyloid β peptides. Conformational analysis of APP_667–676 peptide [Ac-Ser-Glu-Val-Lys-Met-Asp-Ala-Glu-Phe-Arg-NH₂] and the effect of substitution of Asp₆₇₂ with d-Asp and iso-l-Asp, studied for the first time, demonstrate that the peptide backbone of APP_667–676 is flexible and adopts different conformations in different solvent environments (water, trifluoroethanol and dimethylsulfoxide). A major conformational difference was observed in trifluoroethanol solvent when Asp₆₇₂ is substituted with d-Asp and iso-Asp. These conformational changes involved in APP_667–676 may assist in understanding the interactions between β-secretase and APP_667–676, with relevance to Alzheimer’s disease.