Biomedical subjects

J G Grossmann

Publications and source records attributed to J G Grossmann.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Predicted three-dimensional structural models of venom serine protease inhibitors and their interactions with trypsin and chymotrypsin.

Three homology models of trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor polypeptides from snake venom of Naja naja naja and Leaf-nosed viper in the unbound state and in complex with trypsin and chymotrypsin were built based on homology to bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). These venom inhibitors belong to the Kunitz-type inhibitor family, which is characterized by a distinct tertiary fold with three-conserved disulfide bonds. The general folding pattern in these trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor homology models is conserved when compared to BPTI. The respective orientations of the inhibitors bound to trypsin/chymotrypsin are similar to that of BPTI bound to bovine trypsin/chymotrypsin. The principal binding loop structure of the inhibitors fills the active site of enzymes in a substrate-like conformation and forms a series of independent main-chain and side-chain interactions with enzymes. In order to provide the possible fingerprints for molecular recognition at the enzyme-inhibitor interface, a detailed theoretical analysis of the interactions between the principal binding loop of these inhibitors and active site of trypsin/chymotrypsin is performed based on available crystal structural, site-directed mutagenetic, kinetic, and sequence analysis studies. Despite the variations present at different positions of the principal binding loop of trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor models from Leaf-nosed viper and cobra Naja naja naja, respectively (designated as LnvTI and NCI), there are favorable subsite binding interactions which are expected to exhibit equally potent inhibitory activity as BPTI. On the contrary, significant mutations at several secondary specificity positions in the Naja naja naja trypsin inhibitor (designated as NTI) are likely to affect different inhibitor-enzyme-subsites interactions. This may explain the observed increased inhibitory activity of this polypeptide on a structural basis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

The nature of ligand-induced conformational change in transferrin in solution. An investigation using X-ray scattering, XAFS and site-directed mutants.

Ligand-induced conformational change in transferrins has been studied by site-directed mutagenesis of human serum half molecule (N-lobe), X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy and X-ray solution scattering. Use of recent advances in data analysis has been made for extracting model-independent molecular shapes from X-ray solution scattering data for the intact, the half molecule and its mutants. Clear evidence is provided that the transferrin molecule (intact as well as N-lobe), in its apo and holo forms, exists for the majority of the time in well-defined specific conformations representing the "fully opened" and "closed" states of the molecule, respectively. Evidence is also provided for the existence of an additional conformation, referred to here as the "intermediate" conformation for simplicity, which is trapped in the case of some of the mutants in the iron-bound form. We suggest that domain closure in the transferrin molecule is a two-step process, with the intermediate conformation representing the first stage of domain closure (approximately 20 degrees hinge-twist of domain II). Our data are not inconsistent with the ligand-free molecule sampling the closed states occasionally (< or = 10%) but are not in support of a continuous conformational search between the fully opened and closed states in the absence of iron.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

X-ray absorption studies and homology modeling define the structural features that specify the nature of the copper site in rusticyanin.

Rusticyanin, a blue copper protein, possessing the highest redox potential among this class of proteins and a high stability at acidic pH reveals homology with the C-terminal end of the other single copper containing blue proteins and an interesting homology to parts of the blue copper domain of the multi-copper proteins such as the nitrite reductases. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data at pH 2.0 reveal that Cu is ligated to two His and a Cys in the inner coordination sphere, similar to other blue copper centers. Modeling studies suggest that His85 is the ligating histidine from the N-terminal end. Its neighboring residue is a serine rather than the asparagine found in all known blue Cu proteins. The high stability of the copper site may arise in part due to this substitution. The Cu binding site is surrounded by aromatic residues which may provide further protection for the metal in an acidic environment. In addition, the high number of solvent-exposed uncompensated lysine residues is likely to be of functional relevance under low pH conditions. EXAFS data show a very small change (relative to azurin) in the copper site upon reduction, consistent with a more constrained copper center in rusticyanin compared to azurin and a higher redox potential.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed1995

The substrate-binding site in Cu nitrite reductase and its similarity to Zn carbonic anhydrase.

Here we investigate the structure of the two types of copper site in nitrite reductase from Alcaligenes xylosoxidans, the molecular organisation of the enzyme when the type-2 copper is absent, and its mode of substrate binding. X-ray absorption studies provide evidence for a fourth ligand at the type-2 Cu, that substrate binds to this site and indicates that this binding does not change the type-1 Cu centre. The substrate replaces a putative water ligand and is accommodated by a lengthening of the Cu-histidine bond by approximately 0.08 A. Modelling suggests a similarity between this unusual type-2 Cu site and the Zn site in carbonic anhydrase and that nitrite is anchored by hydrogen bonds to an unligated histidine present in the type-2 Cu cavity.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed1994

Characterization and structural analysis of a functional human serum transferrin variant and implications for receptor recognition.

The nucleotide and amino acid substitutions leading to the only known functional variant of human serum transferrin have been characterized by sequencing of a peptide produced by cyanogen bromide digestion and genomic PCR coupled with cycle sequencing, respectively. There is an amino acid substitution at position 394 (Gly-->Arg) resulting from a mutational transition, G-->A, in the first nucleotide of the codon GGG. The Zn(2+)-, Al(3+)-, and Cu(2+)-binding properties of the variant, ascertained by UV difference spectra and, in the case of copper, protein fluorescence quenching, confirm that these metals binds to only one of the two sites. Solution X-ray scattering measurements indicate that the lobe (the C-lobe) containing the mutation remains "open" in the iron-bound state, and modeling studies suggest that this is a consequence of the formation of a salt bridge between Arg394 in the variant protein and Asp392, one of the iron-binding ligands in the C-lobe. This rationalizes for the first time the observed reduction in receptor affinity of the diferric variant protein for PHA-stimulated lymphocytes [Young, S.P., et al. (1984) Br. J. Haematol. 56, 581-587] and here repeated with K562 cells. These data lend support to the hypothesis that the closed conformation for both lobes contributes to receptor recognition.

Aluminum↗

PubMed1993

X-ray scattering using synchrotron radiation shows nitrite reductase from Achromobacter xylosoxidans to be a trimer in solution.

We demonstrate here the applicability of X-ray scattering for studying molecular conformation of multimeric proteins in solution by using synchrotron radiation to extend the range of data collection to include medium angles (ca. 3-4 degrees). We have been able to define the solution structure of the dissimilatory nitrite reductase of Achromobacter xylosoxidans (AxNiR), an enzyme for which there are conflicting reports as to the nature of its multimeric structure. Quantitative interpretation of the X-ray scattering profile, based on a modeling study using the high-resolution crystal structure data for the nitrite reductase from the related organism Achromobacter cycloclastes (AcNiR), provides a detailed model for the trimeric structure of AxNiR in solution. Sedimentation equilibrium centrifugation gave an M(r) of 103,000, consistent with such a trimeric structure.

Alcaligenes↗

PubMed1993

Asp ligand provides the trigger for closure of transferrin molecules. Direct evidence from X-ray scattering studies of site-specific mutants of the N-terminal half-molecule of human transferrin.

Recent X-ray crystallographic and solution X-ray scattering studies have shown that transferrins (serum transferrin, lactoferrin and ovotransferrin) undergo a major conformational change when iron is incorporated into the molecule. Apo-proteins show a structure with open interdomain clefts which close when iron is bound. The closed conformation has been suggested as an important step in the receptor recognition. Here, we report X-ray solution scattering experiments of the mutated N-terminal fragment of human serum transferrin with Asp63-->Ser (Cys). The data provide the first direct experimental evidence for the existence of a trigger mechanism for the closure of the interdomain cleft and that this trigger mechanism is disrupted by mutation of Asp63, the only ligand of iron from domain I.

Aspartic Acid↗

PubMed1993

Metal-induced conformational changes in transferrins.

Recent studies on iron-loaded transferrins have revealed a conformational change upon binding iron due to a domain closure. It has been suggested that the domain closure may be the key for the receptor recognition of the metal loaded transferrin (Grossmann et al., 1992). Small angle X-ray scattering has been used to provide direct structural information on the conformational changes that may take place upon the binding and release of different metals to the transferrins in solution. The data show that In3+ and Cu2+ induce the same domain closure as Fe3+; Al3+ causes a conformational change of somewhat smaller magnitude while Hf4+ does not induce any conformational change. The results are discussed in terms of the molecular recognition of metal loaded transferrin by the receptor.

Metals↗

PubMed1992

X-ray solution scattering reveals conformational changes upon iron uptake in lactoferrin, serum and ovo-transferrins.

X-ray solution scattering has been used for studying the structural changes that take place upon uptake and release of iron from serum and chicken ovo-transferrin and human lactoferrin. In the case of chicken ovo-transferrin, data have been obtained for both the intact protein and the isolated N and C-lobes with and without iron. These studies reveal that both lobes undergo a change that is consistent with an opening of the inter-domain cleft when iron is removed from the protein. We suggest that the conformational change of the protein increases the specificity of receptor binding and that the closed configuration of the iron-loaded protein is one, or perhaps the, decisive step in the mechanism for receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Animals↗