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At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Mechanisms of drug/H+ antiport: complete cysteine-scanning mutagenesis and the protein engineering approach.

The notorious difficulty of elucidating structures of membrane transporters by crystallography has long prevented our understanding of active transport mechanism coupled with ion/proton transport. The determination of the first crystal structure of the drug/H+ antiporter AcrB was a breakthrough for structure-based understanding of drug/H+ antiport. However, although AcrB is a major multidrug exporter in Gram-negative organisms, the majority of bacterial drug exporters are major facilitator superfamily (MFS) drug transporters. As no crystal structures have been solved for MFS transporters, the alternative protein-engineering methods are still very useful for estimating structures and functions of drug/H+ antiporters. This review describes this alternative approach for investigating the structure and function of tetracycline/H+ antiporters.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2004

Thermodynamics of folding, stabilization, and binding in an engineered protein--protein complex.

We analyzed the thermodynamics of a complex protein-protein binding interaction using the (engineered) Z(SPA)(-)(1) affibody and it's Z domain binding partner as a model. Free Z(SPA)(-)(1) exists in an equilibrium between a molten-globule-like (MG) state and a completely unfolded state, wheras a well-ordered structure is observed in the Z:Z(SPA)(-)(1) complex. The thermodynamics of the MG state unfolding equilibrium can be separated from the thermodynamics of binding and stabilization by combined analysis of isothermal titration calorimetry data and a separate van't Hoff analysis of thermal unfolding. We find that (i) the unfolding equilibrium of free Z(SPA)(-)(1) has only a small influence on effective binding affinity, that (ii) the Z:Z(SPA)(-)(1) interface is inconspicuous and structure-based energetics calculations suggest that it should be capable of supporting strong binding, but that (iii) the conformational stabilization of the MG state to a well-ordered structure in the Z:Z(SPA)(-)(1) complex is associated with a large change in conformational entropy that opposes binding.

Carrier Proteins↗
PubMed1990

Structural studies on aldolase isozymes through protein engineering.

Enzymatic studies on aldolase isozymes have been carried out by techniques of protein engineering. Site-directed mutagenesis helps us to verify the roles of amino acid residues in catalytic reactions. Chimeric fusion proteins give us information about the regions which specify the characteristics of the isozymes. The results are: (1) In aldolase A, COOH terminal Tyr and Lys-107 residues play important roles in catalysis, especially in binding of FDP. (2) Aspartic acid at the 128th residue in aldolase A is essential to thermostability; no other residue such as glutamic acid can substitute for it. (3) Studies on chimeric fusion proteins indicate that the C-terminal region (including C-terminus Tyr) or aldolase A is responsible for its substrate specificity, which is not seen in aldolase B. (4) A region near NH2 terminus in aldolase B determines its specific structure. (5) The region including His-107, Asp-128, and Tyr-137 (B-A junction of BA137) is located in a turn which is exposed outward (a model architecture by Sygusch et al [1987]). In BA137, this region would be constrained, and play a significant role in catalysis, thermostability, etc. (6) Tertiary structure of aldolase B seems to be dissimilar to that of aldolase A.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Structural and functional properties of hen egg-white lysozyme deamidated by protein engineering.

The structural and functional properties of lysozymes genetically deamidated at positions 103 (N103D) and 106 (N106D) were studied by a protein engineering technique. The wild-type and mutant lysozymes were expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and purified from the cultivation medium in two steps by cation-exchange chromatography on CM-Toyopearl. The lytic activity of deamidated lysozymes was almost the same as that of wild lysozyme, although the optimal pH of activity was slightly shifted to lower pH by the deamidation. The Gibbs free energy changes of unfolding (delta G) at 20 degrees C for N103D and N106D were almost the same as that of wild-type. On the other hand, the structural flexibility of lysozymes, estimated by protease digestion, was significantly increased by the deamidation. The surface functional properties of deamidated lysozymes were considerably enhanced, compared to those of wild-type lysozyme. These results suggest that structural flexibility is an important governing factor in surface functional properties of proteins, regardless of their structural stability.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Improving cytochrome c function by protein engineering?: studies of site-directed mutants of the human protein.

We have expressed the gene for human cytochrome c, and six mutants of the native sequence, in yeast defective in its own iso-1-cytochrome c gene. All constructs support strong growth in strict aerobic metabolism, and substantial amounts of protein could be extracted from permeabilized cells. The purified analogs, Cys14Ala, Gly37Arg, Arg38Lys, Arg38Gly, Gly84Ser, and Thr28Ile,Gly84Ser, were examined for changes in functional properties, since the majority of these residues are strongly or absolutely conserved. Indeed, although growth rates of the host yeast strains were very similar, there was great divergence in both physicochemical and biological properties, which have been rationalized in terms of changes to the stability of the cytochrome fold, and to the dipole moment of the protein. Interestingly, although modification of electrostatic properties in some mutants can apparently produce a twofold increase in electron transfer efficiency, such changes are not evolutionarily acceptable. The "improvement" is illusory. We suggest that an associated decrease in the stability of the heme crevice offsets any advantage of increased transfer rates.

Chromatography, Liquid↗
PubMed1989

Protein engineering with synthetic Escherichia coli amber suppressor genes.

We have constructed synthetic genes encoding different Escherichia coli suppressor tRNAs for use in amino acid substitution studies and protein engineering. We used oligonucleotides to assemble the genes for different tRNAs with the anticodon 5' CTA 3'. The suppressor genes are expressed from a synthetic promoter derived from the promoter sequence of the E. coli lipoprotein gene. The genes have been used to suppress an amber mutation in a protein coding sequence, and the resulting altered protein has been subjected to sequence analysis to determine the nature of the amino acid inserted at the amber site. Twelve amino acids can now be added in response to the amber codon. We have employed these suppressors to study amino acid substitutions in the lac repressor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Creation of an NADP-dependent pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex by protein engineering.

Systematic replacement of a set of amino acids in the beta alpha beta-fold of the NAD-binding domain of Escherichia coli dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase has been used to convert its coenzyme specificity from NAD to NADP. After comparison with the homologous enzyme glutathione reductase, Glu 203 was replaced with a valine residue, thereby eliminating the potential to form hydrogen bonds with the 2'- and 3'-OH groups of the adenine ribose in NAD. Similarly, Met 204, Pro 210, Phe 205, and Asp 206 were replaced by an arginine, an arginine, a lysine, and a histidine residue, respectively, to provide a nest of positive charge to accommodate the 2'-phosphate group of the incoming NADP. In addition, Gly 185 and Gly 189 in the beta alpha beta motif were replaced with alanine residues to facilitate the positioning of the newly introduced Val 203 by allowing a flip of the peptide bond between residues Gly 180 and Gly 181. Wild-type dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase is inactive with NADP, but the mutant enzyme displayed high levels of activity with this coenzyme, the values of Km, kcat, and kcat/Km comparing favorably with those found for the wild-type enzyme operating with NAD. The mutant enzyme was also capable of assembly in vitro to form an active pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex, the coenzyme specificity of which reflected that of its dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase component. These experiments should make it possible now to study the effects in vivo of requiring a crucial catabolic enzyme to function with the wrong coenzyme, an important extension of protein engineering into the living cell.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Improved system for protein engineering of the hydroxylase component of soluble methane monooxygenase.

Soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) of Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b is a three-component oxygenase that catalyses the O(2)- and NAD(P)H-dependent oxygenation of methane and numerous other substrates. Despite substantial interest in the use of genetic techniques to study the mechanism of sMMO and manipulate its substrate specificity, directed mutagenesis of active-site residues was previously impossible because no suitable heterologous expression system had been found for expression in a highly active form of the hydroxylase component, which is an (alphabetagamma)(2) complex containing the binuclear iron active site. A homologous expression system that enabled the expression of recombinant wild-type sMMO in a derivative of M. trichosporium OB3b from which the chromosomal copy of the sMMO-encoding operon had been partially deleted was previously reported. Here we report substantial development of this method to produce a system for the facile construction and expression of mutants of the hydroxylase component of sMMO. This new system has been used to investigate the functions of Cys 151 and Thr 213 of the alpha subunit, which are the only nonligating protonated side chains in the hydrophobic active site. Both residues were found to be critical for the stability and/or activity of sMMO, but neither was essential for oxygenation reactions. The T213S mutant was purified to >98% homogeneity. It had the same iron content as the wild type and had 72% wild-type activity toward toluene but only 17% wild-type activity toward propene; thus, its substrate profile was significantly altered. With these results, we have demonstrated proof of the principle for protein engineering of this uniquely versatile enzyme.

Amino Acid Substitution↗
PubMed1996

Recombinant immunotoxins: protein engineering for cancer therapy.

Recombinant immunotoxins for cancer therapy are composed of the variable regions of 'cancer-specific' antibodies fused to truncated toxins that are usually derived from bacteria or plants. Protein engineering has been used to modify these molecules so that the toxin moiety by itself does not bind to normal human cells, but retains all other cytotoxic functions. The antibody moiety directs the toxin selectively to cancer cells, which are killed; cells that do not carry that particular cancer antigen are not recognized and are therefore spared. Many recombinant immunotoxins show a high degree of cytotoxic activity and specificity towards cancer cells cultured in vitro and have been shown to cause the regression of human tumor xenografts grown in mice. Clinical trials that are in progress will show whether these promising pre-clinical results can be translated into successful cancer therapy.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗
PubMed1993

A mouse 3T6 fibroblast cell culture model for the study of normal and protein-engineered collagen synthesis and deposition into the extracellular matrix.

Mouse 3T6 fibroblasts deposited an organized collagenous extracellular matrix during long-term culture in the presence of ascorbic acid. The matrix produced by the cells had a similar distribution of collagen types as the mouse dermal matrix, comprising predominantly type I with smaller amounts of types III and V collagens. By day 8 of culture more than 70% of the collagen in the 3T6 matrix was involved in covalent crosslinkages and required pepsin digestion for extraction. Incorporation of NaB3H4 into reducible crosslinks and aldehydes directly demonstrated the involvement of the alpha 1 (I)CB6 and alpha 2(I)CB3.5 in crosslinks. The pattern of reducible crosslinks in the in vitro 3T6 matrix was similar to that in mouse skin suggesting a comparable fibril organization. Processing of procollagen to collagen occurred efficiently throughout the culture period and the rate of collagen production was unaltered during 15 days of culture, indicating that the development of a collagenous matrix does not directly play a role in procollagen processing or biosynthetic regulation. The existence of a preformed matrix did however, increase the efficiency with which newly synthesised collagen was incorporated into the pericellular matrix. At day 0, when there was no measurable matrix present, 29% of the collagen synthesised was deposited, while by day 15, 88% of the collagen was laid down in the matrix. The development of this 3T6 culture system, where collagen is efficiently incorporated into an organized extracellular matrix, will facilitate detailed studies on matrix organization and regulation and provide a system in which protein-engineered mutant collagens can be expressed to determine their effects on the production of a functional extracellular matrix.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed2006

A new protein engineering approach combining chemistry and biology, part I; site-specific incorporation of 4-iodo-L-phenylalanine in vitro by using misacylated suppressor tRNAPhe.

An Escherichia coli suppressor tRNA(Phe) (tRNA(Phe) (CUA)) was misacylated with 4-iodo-L-phenylalanine by using the A294G phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase mutant (G294-PheRS) from E. coli at a high magnesium-ion concentration. The preacylated tRNA was added to an E. coli cell-free system and a Ras protein that contained the 4-iodo-L-phenylalanine residue at a specific target position was synthesized. Site-specific incorporation of 4-iodo-L-phenylalanine was confirmed by using LC-MS/MS. Free tRNA(Phe) (CUA) was not aminoacylated by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) present in the E. coli cell-free system. Our approach will find wide application in protein engineering since an aryl iodide tag on proteins can be used for site-specific functionalization of proteins.

Acylation↗
PubMed1994

Protein engineering techniques for antibody humanization.

Few proteins have the therapeutic potential of antibodies, which can be developed against a wide variety of targets and genetically or chemically manipulated to further enhance their activities. A number of approaches have been taken in order to render these proteins pharmaceutically useful. Either the amino acid sequence of an antibody can be genetically altered (i.e. reshaped or resurfaced) or the antibody can be conjugated to other proteins or toxins.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Protein engineering by cell-surface display.

Protein libraries displayed on cell surfaces can be labeled with soluble ligands exhibiting well-characterized binding equilibria and dissociation kinetics, and then quantitatively screened by flow cytometry at a rate of >10(4) clones/second. The promise of cell-surface display for directed evolution is being realized, with significant improvements recently reported in protein ligand binding affinity, stability, expression and enzymatic activity.

Binding Sites↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Engineered protein a for the orientational control of immobilized proteins.

This work describes the genetic engineering and characterization of a histidine-tagged fragment of protein A. The histidine tag results in the site-selective immobilization of the protein A receptor and the preservation of its high ligand affinity when immobilized on solid supports. The fragment was expressed at high yield in E. coli and purified to homogeneity. When selectively immobilized to histidine binding matrices, the protein A fragment exhibits high affinity for soluble IgG. We further demonstrate from adsorption isotherms that the receptor exhibits a homogeneous, high affinity population at densities where steric crowding between large ligands does not affect the apparent receptor affinity. This engineered receptor is appropriate for a range of applications including sensor design or those using immobilized Fc-tagged proteins.

Histidine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Protein engineering of alcohol dehydrogenase--1. Effects of two amino acid changes in the active site of yeast ADH-1.

One of the promises held out by protein engineering is the ability to alter predictably the properties of an enzyme to enable it to find new substrates or catalyse existing substrates more efficiently, such manipulations being of interest both enzymologically and, potentially, industrially. It has been postulated that in yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (YADH-1) certain amino acids such as Trp 93 and Thr 48 constrict the active site due to their bulky side chains and thus impede catalysis of molecules larger than ethanol. To study effects of enlarging the active site we have made two changes into YADH-1, replacing Trp 93 with Phe and Thr 48 with Ser. Kinetic experiments showed that this enzyme had marked increases in reaction velocity for the n-alcohols propanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol, heptanol, octanol and cinnamyl alcohol compared to the parent, agreeing with the prediction that expanding the active site should facilitate the oxidation of larger alcohols. The substrate affinities were slightly reduced in the altered enzyme, possibly due to its having reduced hydrophobicity at Phe 93.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed2000

Protein engineering of an IgG-binding domain allows milder elution conditions during affinity chromatography.

One of the problems in the recovery of antibodies by affinity chromatography is the low pH, which is normally essential to elute the bound material from the column. Here, we have addressed this problem by constructing destabilized mutants of a domain analogue (domain Z) from an IgG-binding bacterial receptor, protein A. In order to destabilize the IgG-binding domain, two protein engineered variants were constructed using site-directed mutagenesis of the second loop of this antiparallel three-helix bundle domain. In the first mutant (Z6G), the second loop was extended with six glycines in order to evaluate the significance of the loop length. In the second mutant (ZL4G), the original loop sequence was exchanged for glycines in order to evaluate the importance of the loop forming residues. Both mutated variants have a lower alpha-helical content, as well as a lower thermal and chemical stability compared to the parent Z-molecule. The affinity to IgG was slightly lowered in both cases, mainly due to higher dissociation rates. Interestingly, the elution studies showed that most of the bound IgG-molecules could be eluted at a pH as high as 4.5 from columns with the engineered ligands, while only 70% of the bound IgG could be eluted from the matrix with the parent Z as ligand.

Amino Acid Sequence↗