Biomedical subjects

G D Brayer

Publications and source records attributed to G D Brayer.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

The proximal ligand variant His93Tyr of horse heart myoglobin.

The spectroscopic and structural properties of the His93Tyr variant of horse heart myoglobin have been studied to assess the effects of replacing the proximal His residue of this protein with a tyrosyl residue as occurs in catalases from various sources. The variant in the ferric form exhibits electronic spectra that are independent of pH between pH 7 and 10, and it exhibits changes in absorption maxima and intensity that are consistent with a five-coordinate heme iron center at the active site. The EPR spectrum of the variant is that of a high-spin, rhombic system similar to that reported for bovine liver catalase. The 1D 1H-NMR spectrum of the variant confirms the five-coordinate nature of the heme iron center and exhibits a broad resonance at 112.5 ppm that is attributable to the meta protons of the phenolate ligand. This result indicates that the new Tyr ligand flips at a significant rate in this protein. The thermal stability of the Fe(III) derivative is unchanged from that of the wild-type protein (pH 8) while the midpoint reduction potential [-208 mV vs SHE (pH 8.0, 25 degrees C)] is about 250 mV lower. The three-dimensional structure of the variant determined by X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the five-coordinate nature of the heme iron center and establishes that the introduction of a proximal Tyr ligand is accommodated by a shift of the F helix (residues 88-99) in which this residue resides away from the heme pocket. Additional effects of this change are small shifts in the positions of Leu29, a heme propionate, and a heme vinyl group that are accompanied by altered hydrogen bonding interactions with the heme prosthetic group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Structural studies of the roles of residues 82 and 85 at the interactive face of cytochrome c.

A combination of structural, functional, and mutagenic experiments has been used to study the roles of the invariant Phe82 and highly conserved Leu85 residues in cytochrome c, especially with respect to the complexation interface with electron transfer partners and maintenance of the hydrophobic heme pocket. Structural analyses show that the F82Y, L85A, and F82Y/L85A mutant proteins all retain the characteristic cytochrome c fold, but that conformational alterations are introduced in the direct vicinity of the mutation sites. In particular, the additional hydroxyl group of Tyr82 is in direct spatial conflict with the side chain of Leu85 in the F82Y mutant protein, leading to rotation of the side chain of Tyr82 out toward the protein surface. This strain is relieved in the F82Y/L85A mutant protein where the phenyl ring of Tyr82 is accommodated in a conformation comparable to that of the phenylalanine normally present at this location. In addition, the available space vacated by the replacement of Leu85 with an alanine allows for the inclusion of two new internal water molecules, one of which is bound to Tyr82 and the other to Arg13. In contrast, in the L85A mutant protein, no internal water molecules are observed in this exclusively hydrophobic pocket, which is partially filled by shifts in nearby side chains. Overall, the conformational changes observed result from the optimization of side chain packing to reflect the spatial requirements of new side chains, the minimization of both vacant internal space and the solvent exposure of hydrophobic groups, and the attainment of maximal hydrogen bonding between available polar groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Replacements in a conserved leucine cluster in the hydrophobic heme pocket of cytochrome c.

A cluster of highly conserved leucine side chains from residues 9, 68, 85, 94, and 98 is located in the hydrophobic heme pocket of cytochrome c. The contributions of two of these, Leu 85 and Leu 94, have been studied using a protein structure-function-mutagenesis approach to probe their roles in the maintenance of overall structural integrity and electron transfer activity. Structural studies of the L85C, L85F, L85M, and L94S mutant proteins show that, in each case, the overall fold of cytochrome c is retained, but that localized conformational shifts are required to accommodate the introduced side chains. In particular, the side chains of Cys 85 and Phe 85 form energetically favorable interactions with Phe 82, whereas Met 85 takes on a more remote conformation to prevent an unfavorable interaction with the phenyl ring of Phe 82. In the case of the L94S mutant protein, the new polar group introduced is found to form hydrogen bonds to nearby carbonyl groups. In all proteins with substitutions at Leu 85, the hydrophobic nature of the heme pocket is preserved and no significant decrease in heme reduction potential is observed. Despite earlier predictions that Leu 85 is an important determinant in cytochrome c electron transfer partner complexation, our studies show this is unlikely to be the case because the considerable surface contour perturbations made by substitutions at this residue do not correspondingly translate into significant changes in electron transfer rates. For the L94S mutant protein, the substitution of a polar hydroxyl group directly into the hydrophobic heme pocket has a larger effect on heme reduction potential, but this is mitigated by two factors. First, the side chain of Ser 94 is rotated away from the heme group and, second, the side chain of Leu 98 shifts into a portion of the new space available, partially shielding the heme group. The Leu 94 Ser substitution does not perturb the highly conserved interface formed by the nearly perpendicular packing of the N- and C-terminal helices of cytochrome c, ruling this out as the cause of this mutant protein becoming thermally labile and having a lower functional activity. Our results show these effects are most likely attributable to disruption of the heme pocket region. Much of the ability of cytochrome c to absorb the introduction of mutations at Leu 85 and Leu 94 appears to be a consequence of the conformational flexibility afforded by the leucine cluster in this region as well as the presence of a nearby internal cavity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

PubMed1995

The structure of human pancreatic alpha-amylase at 1.8 A resolution and comparisons with related enzymes.

The structure of human pancreatic alpha-amylase has been determined to 1.8 A resolution using X-ray diffraction techniques. This enzyme is found to be composed of three structural domains. The largest is Domain A (residues 1-99, 169-404), which forms a central eight-stranded parallel beta-barrel, to one end of which are located the active site residues Asp 197, Glu 233, and Asp 300. Also found in this vicinity is a bound chloride ion that forms ligand interactions to Arg 195, Asn 298, and Arg 337. Domain B is the smallest (residues 100-168) and serves to form a calcium binding site against the wall of the beta-barrel of Domain A. Protein groups making ligand interactions to this calcium include Asn 100, Arg 158, Asp 167, and His 201. Domain C (residues 405-496) is made up of anti-parallel beta-structure and is only loosely associated with Domains A and B. It is notable that the N-terminal glutamine residue of human pancreatic alpha-amylase undergoes a posttranslational modification to form a stable pyrrolidone derivative that may provide protection against other digestive enzymes. Structure-based comparisons of human pancreatic alpha-amylase with functionally related enzymes serve to emphasize three points. Firstly, despite this approach facilitating primary sequence alignments with respect to the numerous insertions and deletions present, overall there is only approximately 15% sequence homology between the mammalian and fungal alpha-amylases. Secondly, in contrast, these same studies indicate that significant structural homology is present and of the order of approximately 70%. Thirdly, the positioning of Domain C can vary considerably between alpha-amylases. In terms of the more closely related porcine enzyme, there are four regions of polypeptide chain (residues 237-250, 304-310, 346-354, and 458-461) with significantly different conformations from those in human pancreatic alpha-amylase. At least two of these could play a role in observed differential substrate and cleavage pattern specificities between these enzymes. Similarly, amino acid differences between human pancreatic and salivary alpha-amylases have been localized and a number of these occur in the vicinity of the active site.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

FTIR analysis of the interaction of azide with horse heart myoglobin variants.

The interaction of azide with variants of horse heart myoglobin (Mb) has been characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy and by molecular modeling calculations. Distal histidine variants (His64Thr, His64Ile, His64Lys) and charged surface variants (Val67Arg, Lys45Glu, Lys45Glu/Lys63Glu) were included in this study. All variants, with the exception of Val67Arg, have a lower azide affinity than the wild-type protein. Analysis of the temperature dependence of the FTIR spectra (277-313 K) revealed that the wild-type protein and all variants exhibit a high-spin/low-spin equilibrium. Introduction of positively charged amino acid residues shifts nu max for the low-spin form to higher energy while negatively charged residues shifted this maximum to lower energy. The low azide binding affinity exhibited by the His64Thr and His64Ile variants is accompanied by a shift of the nu max for the low-spin infrared band to lower energy and by a significant increase in the corresponding half-bandwidths. This observation indicates greater mobility of the bound azide ligand in these variants. The His64Lys variant exhibits two infrared bands attributable to low-spin forms that are assigned to two different conformations of the lysyl residue. In one conformation, the lysine is proposed to form a hydrogen bond with the bound azide similar to that proposed to occur between the distal histidine and bound azide, and in the other conformation no interaction occurs.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Three-dimensional structure of cyanomet-sulfmyoglobin C.

The atomic structure of horse heart cyanomet-sulfmyoglobin C has been established by x-ray crystallographic techniques to a resolution of 2.0 A with an R value of 0.129. The protoheme IX prosthetic group of this thermodynamically stable sulfmyoglobin derivative has been converted to a chlorin in which the pyrrole ring bearing the 4-vinyl group is saturated and possesses an exocyclic thiolene ring. This study provides the three-dimensional structure of a protein with an iron-chlorin prosthetic group. The overall conformation of the surrounding polypeptide chain of the modified protein is very similar to that of the native protein. However, the addition of the sulfur atom has caused a distortion of the prosthetic group from that in the native protein to result in the repositioning of the side chains of some residues in the heme pocket.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Structural characterization of heme ligation in the His64-->Tyr variant of myoglobin.

A site-specific mutant of horse heart myoglobin has been prepared in which the distal heme pocket residue, His64, is replaced by tyrosine. The structure of this myoglobin variant has been determined to 2.0-A resolution using x-ray diffraction techniques and refined to a final crystallographic R-factor of 16.9%. The polypeptide backbone conformation of the His64-->Tyr variant of myoglobin is very similar to that of the wild-type protein. However, in the variant the water normally found coordinated to the heme iron atom and hydrogen-bonded to His64 has been displaced by the hydroxyl oxygen of the Tyr64 side chain. The tyrosine oxygen atom is directly coordinated to the heme iron atom with a bond length of 2.18 A. Distortion of heme planarity and changes in the packing of the Leu29 and Leu104 side chains are related to this mutation. The ligand environment of the ferric iron has been studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy using crystalline material and protein in solution. The protein in solution exhibits a rhombically split ferric high spin EPR spectrum with g values of 6.64, 5.34, and 1.98. The EPR spectrum of the crystalline sample consists of two different ferric high spin signals. The main signal is similar to the signal observed in solution and is assigned to His93-Fe(III)-Tyr64 coordination. The relatively high rhombicity of this signal can be explained as arising from distortions of the heme plane seen in the crystal structure. The second, more axial high spin signal found in the crystalline state can be tentatively assigned to another form of iron ligation with a different iron-tyrosine bond length and a less distorted heme plane.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

The role of a conserved internal water molecule and its associated hydrogen bond network in cytochrome c.

High resolution three-dimensional structures for the N52I and N52I-Y67F yeast iso-1-cytochrome c variants have been completed in both oxidation states. The most prominent structural difference observed in both mutant proteins is the displacement of a conserved, internally bound water molecule (Wat166) from the protein matrix. In wild-type yeast iso-1-cytochrome c the position and orientation of this water molecule is found to be dependent on the oxidation state of the heme iron atom. Overall our results suggest the function of Wat166 and its associated hydrogen bond network is threefold. First, the presence of Wat166 provides a convenient mechanism to modify the hydrogen bond network involving several residues near the Met80 ligand in an oxidation state dependent manner. Second, Wat166 is necessary for the maintenance of the spatial relationships between nearby side-chains and the hydrogen bond interactions formed between these groups in this region of the protein. An essential part of this role is ensuring the proper conformation of the side-chain of Tyr67 so that it forms a hydrogen bond interaction with the heme ligand Met80. This hydrogen bond influences the electron withdrawing power of the Met80 ligand and is therefore a factor in controlling the midpoint reduction potential of cytochrome c. Elimination of this interaction in the N52I-Y67F mutant protein or elimination of Wat166 in the N52I protein with the subsequent disruption in the position and interactions of the Tyr67 side-chain, leads to a drop of approximately 56 mV in the observed midpoint reduction potential of the heme group. Third, Wat166 also appears to mediate increases in the mobility of three nearby segments of polypeptide chain when cytochrome c is in the oxidized state. Previous studies have proposed these changes may be related to oxidation state dependent interactions between cytochrome c and its redox partners. Coincident with the absence of Wat166, such mobility changes are not observed in the N52I and N52I-Y67F mutant proteins. It is possible that much of the increased protein stability observed for both mutant proteins may be due to this factor. Finally, our results show that neither heme iron charge nor heme plane distortion are responsible for oxidation state dependent conformational changes in the pyrrole A propionate region. Instead, the changes observed appear to be driven by the change in conformation that the side-chain of Asn52 experiences as the result of oxidation state dependent movement of Wat166.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Mutation of tyrosine-67 to phenylalanine in cytochrome c significantly alters the local heme environment.

The high resolution three-dimensional atomic structures of the reduced and oxidized states of the Y67F variant of yeast iso-1-cytochrome c have been completed. The conformational differences observed are localized directly in the mutation site and in the region about the pyrrole A propionate. Shifts in atomic positions are largely restricted to nearby amino acid side-chains, whereas little perturbation of the polypeptide chain backbone is observed. One prominent difference between the variant and wild-type structures involves a substantial increase in the size of an already existing internal cavity adjacent to residue 67. This same cavity contains an internally bound water molecule (Wat166), which is found in all eukaryotic cytochromes c for which structures are available. In the reduced Y67F mutant protein a second water molecule (Wat300) is observed to reside in this enlarged internal cavity, assuming a position approximately equivalent to that of the hydroxyl group of Tyr67 in the wild-type protein. A further consequence of this mutation is the alteration of the hydrogen bond network between Tyr67, Wat166 and other nearby residues. This appears to be responsible for the absence of oxidation state dependent changes in polypeptide chain flexibility observed in the wild-type protein. Furthermore, loss of the normally resident Tyr67 OH to Met80 SD hydrogen bond leads to a significantly lower midpoint reduction potential. These results reaffirm proposals that both Tyr67 and Wat166 play a central role in stabilizing the alternative oxidation states of cytochrome c.

Cytochrome c Group↗

PubMed1994

Analysis of the bimolecular reduction of ferricytochrome c by ferrocytochrome b5 through mutagenesis and molecular modelling.

Site-directed mutagenesis has been used to produce variants of cytochrome c in which selected structural or functional properties of this protein are altered that have been implicated previously in contributing to the rate at which ferricytochrome c is reduced by ferrocytochrome b5. In total, 18 variants have been studied by kinetics and electrochemical methods to assess the contributions of thermodynamic driving force, surface charge and hydrophobic interactions, and redox-linked structural reorganization of the protein to the rate of electron transfer between these two proteins under conditions where the reaction is bimolecular. While some variants (those at position-38) appear to affect primarily the driving force of the reaction, others appear to influence the rearrangement barrier to electron transfer (those at positions-67 and -52) while the interface between electron donor and acceptor centers is the principal effect of substitutions for a conserved aromatic heme contact residue at the surface of the protein (position-82). Interpretation of these results has been facilitated through the use of energy minimization calculations to refine the hypothetical models previously suggested for the cytochrome c- cytochrome b5 precursor complex on the basis of Brownian dynamics simulations of the bimolecular encounter event.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1993

Isolation, crystallization and preliminary diffraction analyses of human pancreatic alpha-amylase.

Human pancreatic alpha-amylase has been isolated using a glycogen affinity precipitation procedure and crystallized in a form suitable for high resolution three-dimensional X-ray crystallographic analyses. Crystals are of the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit cell dimensions of a = 53.04 A, b = 74.80 A and c = 137.34 A, and contain only one protein molecule per asymmetric unit. Diffraction data have been collected and found to extend to 1.6 A resolution. These studies form the basis for elucidating the full atomic structure of human pancreatic alpha-amylase and thereby providing insight into the catalytic mechanism of this enzyme.

Crystallization↗

PubMed1993

Mapping antibody binding sites on cytochrome c with synthetic peptides: are results representative of the antigenic structure of proteins?

Crystallographic work on antigen-antibody complexes has revealed that extensive surface areas of proteins may interact with antibodies. On the other hand, most experimental approaches to locate and define antigenic determinants of protein antigens rely on the linear sequence of the polypeptide chain. Hence the question arises whether mapping of antibody binding sites by analysis of the reactivity of anti-protein antibodies with synthetic peptides can provide a representative picture of the antigenic structure of a protein antigen. We have addressed this question using yeast iso-1 cytochrome c as a protein antigen against which antisera were raised in rabbits. The reaction of the antisera with 103 synthetic hexapeptides covering the entire sequence of cytochrome c was tested by the pepscan procedure in which peptides are coupled to polyethylene rods and tested by ELISA. For the assay, anti-cytochrome c antibodies were fractionated by affinity chromatography on native yeast iso-1 cytochrome c and on apo-cytochrome c; the latter is a random coil. It was found that only antibodies retained by the apo-cytochrome c affinity column react with synthetic peptides. These antibodies comprise a small fraction, probably less than 2%, of all cytochrome c-specific antibodies. The majority of antigenic determinants, which seem to consist of strongly conformation-dependent topographic epitopes, could not be uncovered by the peptide approach. Epitope mapping with short peptides seems of limited usefulness in the case of small, globular, and conformationally stable proteins like cytochrome c.

Antibodies↗

PubMed1993

The structure and function of omega loop A replacements in cytochrome c.

The structural and functional consequences of replacing omega-loop A (residues 18-32) in yeast iso-1-cytochrome c with the corresponding loop of Rhodospirillum rubrum cytochrome c2 have been examined. The three-dimensional structure of this loop replacement mutant RepA2 cytochrome c, and a second mutant RepA2(Val 20) cytochrome c in which residue 20 was back substituted to valine, were determined using X-ray diffraction techniques. A change in the molecular packing is evident in the RepA2 mutant protein, which has a phenylalanine at position 20, a residue considerably larger than the valine found in wild-type yeast iso-1-cytochrome c. The side chain of Phe 20 is redirected toward the molecular surface, altering the packing of this region of omega-loop A with the hydrophobic core of the protein. In the RepA2(Val 20) structure, omega-loop A contains a valine at position 20, which restores the original wild-type packing arrangement of the hydrophobic core. Also, as a result of omega-loop A replacement, residue 26 is changed from a histidine to asparagine, which results in displacements of the main-chain atoms near residue 44 to which residue 26 is hydrogen bonded. In vivo studies of the growth rate of the mutant strains on nonfermentable media indicate that the RepA2(Val 20) cytochrome c behaves much like the wild-type yeast iso-1 protein, whereas the stability and function of the RepA2 cytochrome c showed a temperature dependence. The midpoint reduction potential measured by cyclic voltammetry of the RepA2 mutant is 271 mV at 25 degrees C. This is 19 mV less than the wild-type and RepA2(Val 20) proteins (290 mV) and may result from disruption of the hydrophobic packing in the heme pocket and increased mobility of omega-loop A in RepA2 cytochrome c. The temperature dependence of the reduction potential is also greatly enhanced in the RepA2 protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Preliminary crystallographic analyses of the N-terminal lobe of recombinant human serum transferrin.

The N-terminal lobe of recombinant human serum transferrin (residues 1 to 337) has been crystallized in a form suitable for high-resolution three-dimensional X-ray crystallographic analyses. Crystals are of the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit cell dimensions of a = 44.9 A, b = 57.0 A and c = 135.9 A, and diffract to beyond 2 A resolution. Further studies show that isomorphous crystals of specifically designed mutants of this protein can also be grown. Structural studies of both recombinant and mutant protein forms will provide a basis for understanding the mechanism by which human serum transferrin functions.

Crystallization↗

PubMed1992

Structure determination and analysis of yeast iso-2-cytochrome c and a composite mutant protein.

As part of a study of protein folding and stability, the three-dimensional structures of yeast iso-2-cytochrome c and a composite protein (B-2036) composed of primary sequences of both iso-1 and iso-2-cytochromes c have been solved to 1.9 A and 1.95 A resolutions, respectively, using X-ray diffraction techniques. The sequences of iso-1 and iso-2-cytochrome c share approximately 84% identity and the B-2036 composite protein has residues 15 to 63 from iso-2-cytochrome c with the rest being derived form the iso-1 protein. Comparison of these structures reveals that amino acid substitutions result in alterations in the details of intramolecular interactions. Specifically, the substitution Leu98Met results in the filling of an internal cavity present in iso-1-cytochrome c. Further substitutions of Val20Ile and Cys102Ala alter the packing of secondary structure elements in the iso-2 protein. Blending the isozymic amino acid sequences in this latter area results in the expansion of the volume of an internal cavity in the B-2036 structure to relieve a steric clash between Ile20 and Cys102. Modification of hydrogen bonding and protein packing without disrupting the protein fold is illustrated by the His26Asn and Asn63Ser substitutions between iso-1 and iso-2-cytochromes c. Alternatively, a change in main-chain fold is observed at Gly37 apparently due to a remote amino acid substitution. Further structural changes occur at Phe82 and the amino terminus where a four residue extension is present in yeast iso-2-cytochrome c. An additional comparison with all other eukaryotic cytochrome c structures determined to date is presented, along with an analysis of conserved water molecules. Also determined are the midpoint reduction potentials of iso-2 and B-2036 cytochromes c using direct electrochemistry. The values obtained are 286 and 288 mV, respectively, indicating that the amino acid substitutions present have had only a small impact on the heme reduction potential in comparison to iso-1-cytochrome c, which has a reduction potential of 290 mV.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Effect of the Asn52----Ile mutation on the redox potential of yeast cytochrome c. Theory and experiment.

Theoretical methods for correlation of sequence changes and redox potential of electron transport proteins are examined using the Asn52----Ile mutation in cytochrome c as a test case. The first approach uses the protein dipoles Langevin dipoles (PDLD) method and the high resolution X-ray structures of the native and the mutant proteins. This approach is found to give reliable results where all the solvent molecules are represented by Langevin dipoles and also when some bound water molecules are represented explicitly. A free energy perturbation method is also found to give reasonable results but at the expense of much more computer time. Finally, an approach that generates mutant structures from the native structure by molecular dynamics simulation and then uses these configurations in PDLD calculations is found to give a reasonable estimate of the effect of the mutation on the corresponding redox potential. The encouraging results obtained here and in a preliminary test case of the Phe82----Ser mutation indicates that the present strategies can provide a useful tool for structure-redox and sequence-redox correlation in proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Oxidation state-dependent conformational changes in cytochrome c.

High-resolution three-dimensional structural analyses of yeast iso-1-cytochrome c have now been completed in both oxidation states using isomorphous crystalline material and similar structure determination methodologies. This approach has allowed a comprehensive comparison to be made between these structures and the elucidation of the subtle conformational changes occurring between oxidation states. The structure solution of reduced yeast iso-1-cytochrome c has been published and the determination of the oxidized protein and a comparison of these structures are reported herein. Our data show that oxidation state-dependent changes are expressed for the most part in terms of adjustments to heme structure, movement of internally bound water molecules and segmental thermal parameter changes along the polypeptide chain, rather than as explicit polypeptide chain positional shifts, which are found to be minimal. This result is emphasized by the retention of all main-chain to main-chain hydrogen bond interactions in both oxidation states. Observed thermal factor changes primarily affect four segments of polypeptide chain. Residues 37-39 show less mobility in the oxidized state, with Arg38 and its side-chain being most affected. In contrast, residues 47-59, 65-72 and 81-85 have significantly higher thermal factors, with maximal increases being observed for Asn52, Tyr67 and Phe82. The side-chains of two of these residues are hydrogen bonded to the internally bound water molecule, Wat166, which shows a large 1.7 A displacement towards the positively charged heme iron atom in the oxidized protein. Further analyses suggest that Wat166 is a major factor in stabilizing both oxidation states of the heme through differential orientation of dipole moment, shift in distance to the heme iron atom and alterations in the surrounding hydrogen bonding network. It also seems likely that Wat166 movement leads to the disruption of the hydrogen bond from the side-chain of Tyr67 to the Met80 heme ligand, thereby further stabilizing the positively charged heme iron atom in oxidized cytochrome c. In total, there appear to be three regions about which oxidation state-dependent structural changes are focussed. These include the pyrrole ring A propionate group, Wat166 and the Met80 heme ligand. All three of these foci are linked together by a network of intermediary interactions and are localized to the Met80 ligand side of the heme group. Associated with each is a corresponding nearby segment of polypeptide chain having a substantially higher mobility in the oxidized protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Expression and characterization of human factor IX. Factor IXthr-397 and factor IXval-397.

Factor IXLong Beach has a single amino acid substitution at 397 (Ile to Thr) in the catalytic domain which results in severe hemophilia B. Recent investigations have shown that the substitution of threonine for isoleucine at 397 may affect a part of the macromolecular substrate binding site. Because threonine has a hydroxyl group in its side chain, it is possible that this hydroxyl group makes new hydrogen bonds and disturbs the substrate binding site. We used three techniques: molecular biology, which includes site-directed mutagenesis and recombinant protein expression in tissue culture; computer-aided kinetic data analysis; and molecular modeling to study this mutation site. We have produced two mutant factor IX molecules that have isoleucine 397 replaced by valine or threonine. Factor IXwild type and the two mutants (factor IXVal and factor IXThr) were expressed in human kidney cells and purified using a conformation-specific monoclonal antibody column. After the activation by factor XIa, these three molecules were able to bind p-aminobenzamidine and increase its fluorescence intensity in a similar manner. Factor IXVal and factor IXwild type had indistinguishable activities in an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) assay and similar kinetic parameters with factor X as a substrate. Factor IXThr had only 5% clotting activity compared with normal factor IX, a slightly lower Km and significantly reduced kcat, using factor X as a substrate. We developed energy-refined (AMBER v.3.1) computer models of the three factor IX molecules based on previous work. Three factor IXa models (Ile, Val, or Thr at 397) with a fragment of the factor X activation site were used to predict the effect of the mutation at 397 and evaluate the significance of the new hydrogen bond thought to form between the side chain hydroxyl group of threonine 397 and the carbonyl oxygen of tryptophan 385. This new hydrogen bond would affect the position of an amide proton of adjacent glycine 386 which has been proposed to make a hydrogen bond with a backbone carbonyl oxygen of the P3 residue of factor X. In addition to the new hydrogen bond, there is significant movement in the side chain of tryptophan 385 between the factor IXawild type-factor X model and the factor IXaThr-factor X model that could interfere with substrate binding. This movement could be caused by the change in the molecular volume, the orientation of the side chain at 397, and the new hydrogen bond.

Base Sequence↗