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Biomedical subjects

K C Chou

Publications and source records attributed to K C Chou.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Changes in intracellular calcium of porcine sperm during in vitro incubation with seminal plasma and a capacitating medium.

The intracellular free Ca2+ concentration in ejaculated, porcine sperm was determined with a fluorescent, Ca2(+)-specific probe, Fura 2. Following suspension of sperm in a medium capable of sustaining capacitation and the acrosome reaction, the intracellular [Ca2+] increased from an initial value of about 75 nM to a peak value of 130 nM, after about 4 to 5 h of incubation. Within this period of time, a peak value of 246 nM was attained when sperm was incubated in seminal plasma. Ca2+ uptake is presumably not associated with membrane potential-dependent channels. The results indicate that a pronounced increase in intracellular free Ca2+ occurs towards the end of the incubation period when rather synchronous acrosome reactions take place in the sperm population, either in capacitating medium or in seminal plasma.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Conformational and geometrical properties of idealized beta-barrels in proteins.

An equation for calculating the distances between the atoms involved in forming an idealized hydrogen bond in a parallel or antiparallel beta-barrel has been derived by adjusting the corresponding data given by Pauling and Corey for a beta-sheet. Based on these distances, a geometrical optimization method was developed, by which one can generate various idealized beta-barrels: parallel or antiparallel, tilted or non-tilted, right-tilted or left-tilted. For each type of idealized beta-barrel thus obtained, the corresponding conformation and characteristic geometric parameters as well as their relationship are analyzed and discussed. Since the strand in a tilted beta-barrel traces a curve rather than a straight line on a cylinder-like surface, a regular chain in which the dihedral angles of each residue are the same cannot form a tilted beta-barrel but only a non-tilted beta-barrel. As observed, the strands of a right-tilted beta-barrel possess a very strong right-handed twist. The radii of the idealized tilted parallel and antiparallel beta-barrels are greater than those of the corresponding non-tilted ones by approximately 1 A and approximately 1.5 A, respectively. Consequently, there is relatively more room for a tilted beta-barrel to accommodate the internal side-chains, suggesting that a conformational change from a non-tilted beta-barrel to a tilted one would ease the repulsion among the crowded internal side-chains so as to make the structure more stable. The values of root-mean-square fits indicate that the idealized right-tilted beta-barrels coincide quite well with the observed beta-barrels in both parallel and antiparallel cases.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1990

Topological analysis of hydrogen bonding in protein structure.

A recent study has shown that topological stereoisomers exist for the polypeptide chain in disulfide-containing proteins that are represented by non-planar graphs. This topological stereochemistry is demonstrated in the structure of variant 3 toxin in the venom of the North American scorpion Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing and the structure of toxin II from the North African scorpion Androctonus australis Hector. In this report, we found that a similar topological analysis can be applied to the hydrogen bonding in alpha-helices and beta-sheets within protein molecules, and we described the topological characteristics of chiral properties of protein secondary structure elements. Specifically, a closed right-handed alpha-helix of more than six residues long is shown formally to be non-planar and has the L topology. Antiparallel beta-sheets are planar. Two parallel beta-strands each of at least three residues in length, however, constitute a non-planar structural element and can have either L or D topology. The favored right-handed crossover for parallel beta-sheets has the L form, the same as the right-handed alpha-helix. This topological description of the hydrogen bonding in secondary structures may be extended to higher levels of protein structure and may provide a conceptual framework for studying complex protein architecture in general.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1990

Energetics of the structure and chain tilting of antiparallel beta-barrels in proteins.

The preferred structural pattern of antiparallel beta-barrels in proteins, described as the right-handed tilting of the peptide strands with respect to the axis of the barrel, is accounted for in terms of intra- and interchain interaction energies. It is related to the preference of beta-sheets for right-handed twisting. Conformational energy computations have been carried out on three eight-stranded antiparallel beta-barrels composed of six-residue strands, in which L-Val and Gly alternate, and having a right-handed, a left-handed, or no tilt. After energy minimization, the relative energies of these structures were 0.0, 8.6, and 46.1 kcal/mol, respectively; i.e., the right-tilted beta-barrel is favored energetically, in agreement with anti-parallel beta-barrels observed in proteins. Tilting of the barrel is favored, relative to the nontilted structure, by both intra- and interstrand interactions, because tilting allows better packing of the bulky side chains. On the other hand, the energy difference between the left- and right-tilted barrels arises essentially from intrachain interactions. This is a consequence of the preference of beta-sheets for a right-handed twist. Space limitations inside the barrel are satisfied if there is an alternation of bulky residues and residues with small or no side chain (preferably Gly) in neighboring positions on adjacent strands. Such a pattern is seen frequently in antiparallel beta-barrels of globular proteins. The computations indicate that a structure with Val...Gly pairs can be accommodated in a beta-barrel with no distortion.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1990

Applications of graph theory to enzyme kinetics and protein folding kinetics. Steady and non-steady-state systems.

Graphic methods have proved to be very useful in enzyme kinetics, as reflected in both raising the efficiency of performing calculations and aiding in the analysis of catalytic mechanisms. The kinetic relations among protein folding states are very similar to those between enzyme-catalyzed species. Therefore, it should be equally useful to provide a visually intuitive relation between kinetic calculations and folding mechanisms for protein folding kinetics, as manifested by the graphic rules in enzyme kinetics. It can actually be anticipated that, due to increasing interest in protein folding, the graphic method will become an important tool in folding kinetics as well. Based on the recent progress made in graphic methods of enzyme kinetics, in this review four graphic rules are summarized, which can be used to deal with protein folding systems as well as enzyme-catalyzed systems. Rules 1-3 are established for deriving the kinetic equations for steady-state processes and Rule 4 for those in the case of non-steady-state processes. In comparison with conventional graphic methods, which can only be applied to a steady-state system, the current rules have the following advantages: (1) Complicated and tedious calculations can be greatly simplified. (2) A lot of wasted labor can be turned away. (3) Final results can be double-checked by a formula provided in each of the graphic rules. (4) Transient kinetic systems can also be treated. The mathematical proof of Rules 1-4 is given in appendices A-D, respectively.

Enzymes↗
PubMed1990

Energetic approach to the folding of four alpha-helices connected sequentially.

The packing of four alpha-helices, which each consist of 12 Ala residues and are sequentially connected to each other by a segment of 10 Ala residues, has been investigated by means of energy minimizations. For the lowest energy structure thus obtained, the following features have been found: (i) the four alpha-helices are intimately packed to form an assembly with an approximately square section; (ii) the distances of closest approach between two adjacent interhelix axes are 7.7 +/- 0.2 A and those between two diagonal interhelix axes are 11.2 +/- 0.2 A; (iii) the adjacent interhelix angles are -163 +/- 2 degrees; and (iv) the diagonal interhelix angles are 24 +/- 4 degrees. These results indicate that the polypeptide chain, driven by energetics (nonbonded and electrostatic interactions), is folded into a typical left-handed twisted four-helix bundle with an approximately 4-fold symmetric array, as observed in most four alpha-helix proteins. Furthermore, it has been found that the interaction between the loops formed by the connecting segments and the other part of molecule plays a significant role in stabilizing such a bundle structure. The technology developed here and the relevant knowledge obtained through this study are very useful for the study of modeling four-helix bundle proteins.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed1989

Graphic rules in steady and non-steady state enzyme kinetics.

Graphic methods, when applied to enzyme kinetics, can provide a visually intuitive relation between calculations and reaction graphs. This will not only greatly raise the efficiency of calculations but also significantly help the analysis of enzyme kinetic mechanisms. In this paper, four graphic rules are presented. Rules 1-3 are established for steady state enzyme-catalyzed reaction systems and Rule 4 is for non-steady state ones. In comparison with conventional graphic methods which can only be applied to steady state systems, the present rules have the following merits. 1) Complicated and tedious calculations can be greatly simplified; for example, in calculating the concentrations of enzyme species for the bi-bi random mechanism, the calculation work can be reduced 8-fold compared with the King-Altman's method. 2) A great deal of wasted labor can be avoided; for example, in calculating the rate of product formation for the same mechanism, the operation of finding and removing the 96 reciprocally canceled terms is no longer needed because they automatically disappear during the derivation. 3) Final results can be easily and safely checked by a formula provided in each of the graphic rules. 4) Non-steady state systems can also be treated by the present graphic method; for example, applying Rule 4, one can directly write out the solution for a non-steady state enzyme-catalyzed system, without the need to follow more difficult and complicated operations to solve differential equations. The mathematical proofs of Rules 1-4 are given in Appendices A-D (in the Miniprint), respectively.

Enzymes↗
PubMed1989

Energy of stabilization of the right-handed beta alpha beta crossover in proteins.

An explanation in terms of conformational energies is provided for the observed nearly exclusive preference of the beta alpha beta structure for forming a right-handed, rather than a left-handed, crossover connection. Conformational energy computations have been carried out on a model beta alpha beta structure, consisting of two six-residue Val beta-strands and of a 12-residue Ala alpha-helix, connected by two flexible four-residue Ala links to the strands. The energy of the most favorable right-handed crossover is 15.51 kcal/mol lower than that of the corresponding left-handed cross-over. The right-handed crossover is a strain-free structure. Its energy of stabilization arises largely from the interactions of the two beta-strands with one another and with the alpha-helix. On the other hand, the left-handed crossover is either disrupted after energy minimization or it remains conformationally strained, as indicated by an energetically unfavorable left twisting of the beta-sheet and by the presence of high-energy local residue conformations. In the energetically most favorable right-handed crossover, the right twisting of the beta-sheet and its manner of interacting with the alpha-helix are identical with those computed earlier for isolated beta-sheets and for packed alpha/beta structures. This result supports a proposed principle that it is possible to account for the main features of frequently occurring structural arrangements in globular proteins in terms of the properties of their component structural elements.

Energy Metabolism↗
PubMed1989

Quasi-continuum models of twist-like and accordion-like low-frequency motions in DNA.

Formulae for calculating low-frequency twist-like and accordion-like modes of DNA molecules have been derived using a quasi-continuum model. The formulae can be employed in essentially all (viz. A, B, C, D, E, and Z) forms of DNA. Calculated results indicate that the experimentally observed low-frequency modes at 22 cm-1 for the A-form octanucleotide (d[CCCCGGGG]) and at 18 cm-1 for the B-form dodecanucleotide (d[CGCAA ATTTGCG]) may result from accordion-like motions, while those observed at 12 cm-1 and 15 cm-1 may result from combinations of twist-like oscillations excited in the intact segments of B- and A-DNA's, respectively. Frequency shifts in the low-frequency modes observed when DNA molecules undergo conformational changes among different forms are also discussed in terms of the current model.

DNA↗
PubMed1988

Low-frequency collective motion in biomacromolecules and its biological functions.

The occurrence of low-frequency motion in biomacromolecules, which had long been speculated upon with a great deal of skepticism, is now a clearly established phenomenon and has been convincingly demonstrated. The next stage in the process of its elucidation appropriately concerns the determination of its origin, the development of a feasible and effective model for the calculations involved and, more importantly, the extending of investigations on its biological roles in order to gain insights into the various interesting mechanisms underlying the dynamic processes occurring in biomacromolecules. Confronted with such a task, this review has been written with the aim of stimulating further, through a systematic and comprehensive description, developments to open up this exciting frontier of molecular biology, especially from the viewpoint of biological functions.

Biopolymers↗
PubMed1988

Energetics of the structure of the four-alpha-helix bundle in proteins.

The main features of the four-alpha-helix bundle, one of the characteristic structural elements of many proteins, can be explained in terms of noncovalent interactions between the constituent helices. Conformational energy computations have been carried out on four types of four-alpha-helix bundles, each consisting of four CH3CO-(L-Ala)10-NHCH3 polypeptide chains, with various combinations of parallel and antiparallel orientations of the helices. In the bundle with the most favorable energy, all pairs of neighboring helices are oriented antiparallel--i.e., in the orientation that is favored by electrostatic interactions between the helices. In this structure, the orientation angle between neighboring helix axes is -168 degrees, within +/- 7 degrees, in close agreement with the orientation angles observed in proteins and with the value that we computed earlier for the most favorable packing of pairs of interacting alpha-helices. This orientation corresponds to a left-handed twisting of the helical bundle. The preferred handedness of this twisting arises as a result of favorable nonbonded interactions between the alpha-helices.

Macromolecular Substances↗
PubMed1986

Origin of low-frequency motions in biological macromolecules. A view of recent progress in the quasi-continuity model.

The recent progress in the quasi-continuity model and its applications in studying the low-frequency internal motions of biological macromolecules have been surveyed. Emphasis is placed on revealing the origin of this kind of internal collective motion, which involves many atoms and has significant biological functions. In light of such a line, the low-frequency motions in alpha-helix structure, beta-structure (including beta-sheet and beta-barrel), and DNA double-helix structure, the three most fundamental component elements in biological macromolecules, are discussed, and the corresponding physical pictures described. It turns out that the low-frequency motion in biological macromolecules originates from their two common intrinsic characteristics, i.e., they possess a series of weak bonds, such as hydrogen bonds and salt bridges, and a substantial mass distributed over the region containing those weak bonds.

Chymotrypsin↗
PubMed1986

Interactions between two beta-sheets. Energetics of beta/beta packing in proteins.

The analysis of the interactions between regularly folded segments of the polypeptide chain contributes to an understanding of the energetics of protein folding. Conformational energy-minimization calculations have been carried out to determine the favorable ways of packing two right-twisted beta-sheets. The packing of two five-stranded beta-sheets was investigated, with the strands having the composition CH3CO-(L-Ile)6-NHCH3 in one beta-sheet and CH3CO-(L-Val)6-NHCH3 in the other. Two distinct classes of low-energy packing arrangements were found. In the class with lowest energies, the strands of the two beta-sheets are aligned nearly parallel (or antiparallel) with each other, with a preference for a negative orientation angle, because this arrangement corresponds to the best complementary packing of the two twisted saddle-shaped beta-sheets. In the second class, with higher interaction energies, the strands of the two beta-sheets are oriented nearly perpendicular to each other. While the surfaces of the two beta-sheets are not complementary in this arrangement, there is good packing between the corner of one beta-sheet and the interior part of the surface of the other, resulting in a favorable energy of packing. Both classes correspond to frequently observed orientations of beta-sheets in proteins. In proteins, the second class of packing is usually observed when the two beta-sheets are covalently linked, i.e. when a polypeptide strand passes from one beta-sheet to the other, but we have shown here that a large contribution to the stabilization of this packing arrangement arises from noncovalent interactions.

Energy Metabolism↗
PubMed1985

Folding of the twisted beta-sheet in bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor.

The dominant role of local interactions has been demonstrated for the formation of the strongly twisted antiparallel beta-sheet structure consisting of residues 18-35 in bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor. Conformational energy minimization has indicated that this beta-sheet has a strong twist even in the absence of the rest of the protein molecule. The twist is maintained essentially unchanged when energy minimization is carried out by starting from the native conformation. By starting from a nontwisted beta-sheet conformation of residues 18-35, a strongly twisted structure (higher in energy than the native) is obtained. The high twist of the native-like beta-sheet is a consequence of its amino acid sequence, but it is enhanced strongly by interchain interactions that operate within the beta-sheet. The existence of the twisted beta-sheet structure does not require the presence of a disulfide bond between residue 14 and residue 38. It actually may facilitate the formation of this bond. Therefore, it is likely that the beta-sheet structure forms during an earlier stage of folding than the formation of this disulfide bond. This study provides an example of the manner in which conformational energy calculations can be used to provide information about the probable pathway of the folding of a protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗