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Crystal structure of the two-RRM domain of hnRNP A1 (UP1) complexed with single-stranded telomeric DNA.

Human hnRNP A1 is a versatile single-stranded nucleic acid-binding protein that functions in various aspects of mRNA maturation and in telomere length regulation. The crystal structure of UP1, the amino-terminal domain of human hnRNP A1 containing two RNA-recognition motifs (RRMs), bound to a 12-nucleotide single-stranded telomeric DNA has been determined at 2.1 A resolution. The structure of the complex reveals the basis for sequence-specific recognition of the single-stranded overhangs of human telomeres by hnRNP A1. It also provides insights into the basis for high-affinity binding of hnRNP A1 to certain RNA sequences, and for nucleic acid binding and functional synergy between the RRMs. In the crystal structure, a UP1 dimer binds to two strands of DNA, and each strand contacts RRM1 of one monomer and RRM2 of the other. The two DNA strands are antiparallel, and regions of the protein flanking each RRM make important contacts with DNA. The extensive protein-protein interface seen in the crystal structure of the protein-DNA complex and the evolutionary conservation of the interface residues suggest the importance of specific protein-protein interactions for the sequence-specific recognition of single-stranded nucleic acids. Models for regular packaging of telomere 3' overhangs and for juxtaposition of alternative 5' splice sites are proposed.

Alternative Splicing↗

Crystal structure of the DNA decamer d(CGCAATTGCG) complexed with the minor groove binding drug netropsin.

The crystal structure of netropsin bound to the decamer d(CGCAATTGCG) has been determined at 2.4 A resolution. This is the first example of a crystal structure of netropsin bound to decamer DNA. The central eight bases of each DNA single-strand base pair with a self-complementary strand to form an octamer B-DNA duplex. These duplexes lie end to end within the unit cell. The terminal 5'-C and G-3' bases are unpaired and interact with the neighboring duplexes via interactions within both the major and minor groove to form base triplet interactions of the type C(+)-G x C and G*(G x C), respectively. The triplet interaction of the type C(+)-G x C is known to exist within triplex DNA with the C+ base oriented parallel with the Watson-Crick guanine base to which it hydrogen bonds. The netropsin molecule lies within the minor groove of the octamer duplex and assumes a class I type position, with bifurcated hydrogen-bonding interactions from the amide groups of the netropsin to the A x T base pairs of the minor groove. The netropsin molecule fits within a five base pair long minor groove site by bending of the flexible amidinium group at one end of the drug.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Crystal structure of human protein kinase CK2: insights into basic properties of the CK2 holoenzyme.

The crystal structure of a fully active form of human protein kinase CK2 (casein kinase 2) consisting of two C-terminally truncated catalytic and two regulatory subunits has been determined at 3.1 A resolution. In the CK2 complex the regulatory subunits form a stable dimer linking the two catalytic subunits, which make no direct contact with one another. Each catalytic subunit interacts with both regulatory chains, predominantly via an extended C-terminal tail of the regulatory subunit. The CK2 structure is consistent with its constitutive activity and with a flexible role of the regulatory subunit as a docking partner for various protein kinases. Furthermore it shows an inter-domain mobility in the catalytic subunit known to be functionally important in protein kinases and detected here for the first time directly within one crystal structure.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Helix packing motif common to the crystal structures of two undecapeptides containing dehydrophenylalanine residues: implications for the de novo design of helical bundle super secondary structural modules.

De novo designed peptide based super secondary structures are expected to provide scaffolds for the incorporation of functional sites as in proteins. Self-association of peptide helices of similar screw sense, mediated by weak interactions, has been probed by the crystal structure determination of two closely related peptides: Ac-Gly1-Ala2-Delta Phe3-Leu4-Val5-DeltaPhe6-Leu7-Val8-DeltaPhe9-Ala10-Gly11-NH2 (I) and Ac-Gly1-Ala2-DeltaPhe3-Leu4-Ala5-DeltaPhe6-Leu7-Ala8-DeltaPhe9-Ala10-Gly11-NH2 (II). The crystal structures determined to atomic resolution and refined to R factors 8.12 and 4.01%, respectively, reveal right-handed 3(10)-helical conformations for both peptides. CD has also revealed the preferential formation of right-handed 3(10)-helical conformations for both molecules. Our aim was to critically analyze the packing of the helices in the solid state with a view to elicit clues for the design of super secondary structural motifs such as two, three, and four helical bundles based on helix-helix interactions. An important finding is that a packing motif could be identified common to both the structures, in which a given peptide helix is surrounded by six other helices reminiscent of transmembrane seven helical bundles. The outer helices are oriented either parallel or antiparallel to the central helix. The helices interact laterally through a combination of N--H...O, C--H...O, and C--H...pi hydrogen bonds. Layers of interacting leucine residues are seen in both peptide crystal structures. The packing of the peptide helices in the solid state appears to provide valuable leads for the design of super secondary structural modules such as two, three, or four helix bundles by connecting adjacent antiparallel helices through suitable linkers such as tetraglycine segments.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Crystal structure of the AAA+ alpha domain of E. coli Lon protease at 1.9A resolution.

The crystal structure of the small, mostly helical alpha domain of the AAA+ module of the Escherichia coli ATP-dependent protease Lon has been solved by single isomorphous replacement combined with anomalous scattering and refined at 1.9A resolution to a crystallographic R factor of 17.9%. This domain, comprising residues 491-584, was obtained by chymotrypsin digestion of the recombinant full-length protease. The alpha domain of Lon contains four alpha helices and two parallel strands and resembles similar domains found in a variety of ATPases and helicases, including the oligomeric proteases HslVU and ClpAP. The highly conserved "sensor-2" Arg residue is located at the beginning of the third helix. Detailed comparison with the structures of 11 similar domains established the putative location of the nucleotide-binding site in this first fragment of Lon for which a crystal structure has become available.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Chimeric small subunits influence catalysis without causing global conformational changes in the crystal structure of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase.

Comparison of subunit sequences and X-ray crystal structures of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase indicates that the loop between beta-strands A and B of the small subunit is one of the most variable regions of the holoenzyme. In prokaryotes and nongreen algae, the loop contains 10 residues. In land plants and green algae, the loop is comprised of approximately 22 and 28 residues, respectively. Previous studies indicated that the longer betaA-betaB loop was required for the assembly of cyanobacterial small subunits with plant large subunits in isolated chloroplasts. In the present study, chimeric small subunits were constructed by replacing the loop of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii with the sequences of Synechococcus or spinach. When these engineered genes were transformed into a Chlamydomonas mutant that lacks small-subunit genes, photosynthesis-competent colonies were recovered, indicating that loop size is not essential for holoenzyme assembly. Whereas the Synechococcus loop causes decreases in carboxylation V(max), K(m)(O(2)), and CO(2)/O(2) specificity, the spinach loop causes complementary decreases in carboxylation V(max), K(m)(O(2)), and K(m)(CO(2)) without a change in specificity. X-ray crystal structures of the engineered proteins reveal remarkable similarity between the introduced betaA-betaB loops and the respective loops in the Synechococcus and spinach enzymes. The side chains of several large-subunit residues are altered in regions previously shown by directed mutagenesis to influence CO(2)/O(2) specificity. Differences in the catalytic properties of divergent Rubisco enzymes may arise from differences in the small-subunit betaA-betaB loop. This loop may be a worthwhile target for genetic engineering aimed at improving photosynthetic CO(2) fixation.

Animals↗

Crystal structure of the wild-type and D30A mutant thioredoxin h of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and implications for the catalytic mechanism.

Thioredoxins are ubiquitous proteins which catalyse the reduction of disulphide bridges on target proteins. The catalytic mechanism proceeds via a mixed disulphide intermediate whose breakdown should be enhanced by the involvement of a conserved buried residue, Asp-30, as a base catalyst towards residue Cys-39. We report here the crystal structure of wild-type and D30A mutant thioredoxin h from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which constitutes the first crystal structure of a cytosolic thioredoxin isolated from a eukaryotic plant organism. The role of residue Asp-30 in catalysis has been revisited since the distance between the carboxylate OD1 of Asp-30 and the sulphur SG of Cys-39 is too great to support the hypothesis of direct proton transfer. A careful analysis of all available crystal structures reveals that the relative positioning of residues Asp-30 and Cys-39 as well as hydrophobic contacts in the vicinity of residue Asp-30 do not allow a conformational change sufficient to bring the two residues close enough for a direct proton transfer. This suggests that protonation/deprotonation of Cys-39 should be mediated by a water molecule. Molecular-dynamics simulations, carried out either in vacuo or in water, as well as proton-inventory experiments, support this hypothesis. The results are discussed with respect to biochemical and structural data.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Crystal structure of the alkylsulfatase AtsK: insights into the catalytic mechanism of the Fe(II) alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase superfamily.

The alkylsulfatase AtsK from Pseudomonas putida S-313 belongs to the widespread and versatile non-heme iron(II) alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase superfamily and catalyzes the oxygenolytic cleavage of a variety of different alkyl sulfate esters to the corresponding aldehyde and sulfate. The enzyme is only expressed under sulfur starvation conditions, providing a selective advantage for bacterial growth in soils and rhizosphere. Here we describe the crystal structure of AtsK in the apo form and in three complexes: with the cosubstrate alpha-ketoglutarate, with alpha-ketoglutarate and iron, and finally with alpha-ketoglutarate, iron, and an alkyl sulfate ester used as substrate in catalytic studies. The overall fold of the enzyme is closely related to that of the taurine/alpha-ketoglutarate dioxygenase TauD and is similar to the fold observed for other members of the enzyme superfamily. From comparison of these structures with the crystal structure of AtsK and its complexes, we propose a general mechanism for the catalytic cycle of the alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase superfamily.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

The crystal structure of the lysyl-tRNA synthetase (LysU) from Escherichia coli.

BACKGROUND: Lysyl-tRNA synthetase catalyzes the attachment of the amino acid lysine to the cognate tRNA. The enzyme is a member of the class II amino-acyl-tRNA synthetases; the crystal structures of the seryl- and aspartyl-tRNA synthetases from this class are already known. Lysyl-tRNA synthetase shows extensive sequence homology with aspartyl-tRNA synthetase. In Escherichia coli there are two isoforms of the enzyme, LysS and LysU. Unlike LysS, which is synthesized under normal growth conditions, LysU is the product of a normally silent gene which is overexpressed under extreme physiological conditions (such as heat-shock), and can synthesize a number of adenyl dinucleotides (in particular AppppA). These dinucleotides have been proposed to act as modulators of the heat-shock response and stress response. RESULTS: The crystal structure of E. coli LysU has been determined to 2.8 A resolution, with lysine bound to the active site. The protein is a homodimer, with a rather extended dimer interface spanning the entire length of the molecule. Each monomer consists of two domains: a smaller N-terminal domain which binds the tRNA anticodon, and a larger C-terminal domain with the topology characteristic of the catalytic domain found in class II synthetases. CONCLUSIONS: A comparison of the LysU crystal structure with the structures of seryl- and aspartyl-tRNA synthetases enables a conserved core to be identified. The structural homology with the aspartyl-tRNA synthetase extends to include the anticodon-binding domain. When the active sites of lysyl-, aspartyl- and seryl-tRNA synthetases are compared, a number of catalytically important residues are conserved and a similar extended network of hydrogen bonds can be observed in the amino acid binding pocket in all three structures, although the details may differ. The lysine substrate is involved in an extended network of hydrogen bonds and polar interactions, with the side chain amino group forming a salt bridge with Glu428. The binding of ATP to LysU can be modelled on the basis of the aspartyl-tRNA synthetase-ATP complex, but the tRNA acceptor stem interaction for LysU cannot be easily modelled by similar extrapolation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Refined crystal structure of lysozyme from the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Lysozymes (E.C. 3.2.1.17) are well characterized ubiquitous enzymes that have an antibacterial effect. The lysozymes from rainbow trout (RBTL) (Oncorhynchus mykiss) could be particularly interesting in aquaculture since they show higher activity than egg-white lysozyme and lysozymes from other fish species against a variety of pathogenic bacteria. Two lysozymes, I and II, differing only in a single amino acid, were purified from the kidney of rainbow trout and shown to belong to the c-type class of lysozymes. The type II form was shown to be much more potent against a variety of bacteria than the type I enzyme. We have grown crystals from a mixture containing about 80% type I and 20% type II lysozyme from rainbow trout, and solved the X-ray crystal structure. The crystals are trigonal with a = 76.68, c = 54.46 A and space group P3(1)21. The phase problem was solved by the molecular-replacement method, and the structure was refined to an R-factor of 17.4% using data to 1.8 A resolution. The crystal structure shows that the three-dimensional structure of rainbow trout lysozyme is very similar to the previously solved structures of other c-type lysozymes. The single polypeptide of 129 amino acids is folded into two domains separated by a deep cleft which contains the active site. Secondary-structure elements, four alpha-helices and a three-stranded beta-sheet, are located in the same sequential positions as in the hen, turkey and human enzymes. The beta-sheet is found to be common for structures of both c- and g-type lysozymes. We suggest that differences in antibiotic activity of the two forms of RBTL are probably due to small differences in the hydophobicity of a small surface region.

Journal Article↗

Crystal structure in nematic emulsion.

We describe the experimental observation of a crystal structure formed by glycerol droplets suspended in a nematic liquid crystal. The structure exhibits a high density hexagonal ordering. We have experimentally observed a noticeable interaction between droplets with tangential boundary conditions. Within the scope of known models we discuss the nature of appropriate mechanisms of the interaction.

Journal Article↗

Crystal structures and thermotropic properties of alkyl alpha-D-glucopyranosides and their hydrates.

Thermotropic properties and crystal structures of alkyl alpha-D-glucopyranosides and their hydrates were estimated by X-ray, DSC and thermogravimetric measurements (TGA). Monohydrates rapidly lose their crystal water several degrees below the melting point of the anhydrous glucopyranosides. The melting points of the monohydrates measured in DSC pressure cells (chain length longer than seven) are lower, and the clearing points higher than those of the anhydrous glucosides. Layer distances of smectic and crystalline phases of anhydrous compounds were established. Melting points, densities and layer distances of the crystalline anhydrous glucopyranosides display strong even-odd effects. The strong decrease of these effects in the case of the monohydrates can be elucidated by the results of X-ray crystal structure analysis.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

The crystal structure of domain 1 of receptor protein-tyrosine phosphatase mu.

Receptor-like protein-tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs) play important roles in regulating intracellular processes. We have been investigating the regulation and function of RPTPmu, a receptor-like PTP related to the Ig superfamily of cell adhesion molecules. Recently, the crystal structure of a dimer of the membrane proximal domain of RPTPalpha (RPTPalpha D1) was described (Bilwes, A. M., den Hertog, J., Hunter, T., and Noel J. P. (1996) Nature 382, 555-559). Within this crystal structure, the catalytic site of each subunit of the dimer is sterically blocked by the insertion of the N-terminal helix-turn-helix segment of the dyad-related monomer. It was proposed that dimerization would lead to inhibition of catalytic activity and may provide a paradigm for the regulation of the RPTP family. We have determined the crystal structure, to 2.3 A resolution, of RPTPmu D1, which shares 46% sequence identity with that of RPTPalpha D1. Although the tertiary structures of RPTPalpha D1 and RPTPmu D1 are very similar, with a root mean square deviation between equivalent Calpha atoms of 1.1 A, the quaternary structures of these two proteins are different. Neither the catalytic site nor the N-terminal helix-turn-helix segment of RPTPmu D1 participates in protein-protein interactions. The catalytic site of RPTPmu D1 is unhindered and adopts an open conformation similar to that of the cytosolic PTP, PTP1B (Barford, D., Flint, A. J., and Tonks, N. K. (1994) Science 263, 1397-1404). We propose that dimerization-induced modulation of RPTP activity may not be a general feature of this family of enzymes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ionic pair complexes with well-separated columnar stack structure based on [Pt(mnt)2]- ions showing unusual magnetic transition: syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties.

Three ion pair complexes, [4-R-benzylpyridinium][bis(maleodinitriledithiolato)platinum(III)] (abbreviated as [RBzPy][Pt(mnt)(2)]; R = Cl (1), Br (2), or NO(2) (3)), have been synthesized. The cations and anions stack into well-separated columns in the solid state, and the Pt(III) ions form a 1-D zigzag chain within a [Pt(mnt)(2)](-) column through Pt...S, S...S, and Pt...S...Pt interactions. The chain is uniform in 1 and 2, while it alternates in 3. Unusual magnetic phase transitions from paramagnetism to diamagnetism were observed in these three complexes at approximately 275 K for 1, approximately 269 K for 2, and approximately 184 K for 3. These phase transitions were also found in DSC measurements for 1 and 2. The overall magnetic behaviors for 1-3 indicate the presence of antiferromagnetic exchange interactions in the high-temperature phase and spin-gapped systems in the low-temperature phase. Below 50 K, 2 exhibits weak ferromagnetism. The spontaneous moments are nearly repressed by a field of 1.0 T. The crystal structure of 2 at 173 K reveals that there are two crystallographically independent [Pt(mnt)(2)](-) entries in an asymmetric unit. These two crystallographically independent [Pt(mnt)(2)](-) entries satisfy the spin-canting condition, and the EPR spectra measured at room temperature exhibit anisotropic character. Therefore, the weak ferromagnetic behavior in the low-temperature region for 2 can be attributed to the spin-canting phenomenon.

Journal Article↗

Crystal structure prediction of small organic molecules: a second blind test.

The first collaborative workshop on crystal structure prediction (CSP1999) has been followed by a second workshop (CSP2001) held at the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre. The 17 participants were given only the chemical diagram for three organic molecules and were invited to test their prediction programs within a range of named common space groups. Several different computer programs were used, using the methodology wherein a molecular model is used to construct theoretical crystal structures in given space groups, and prediction is usually based on the minimum calculated lattice energy. A maximum of three predictions were allowed per molecule. The results showed two correct predictions for the first molecule, four for the second molecule and none for the third molecule (which had torsional flexibility). The correct structure was often present in the sorted low-energy lists from the participants but at a ranking position greater than three. The use of non-indexed powder diffraction data was investigated in a secondary test, after completion of the ab initio submissions. Although no one method can be said to be completely reliable, this workshop gives an objective measure of the success and failure of current methodologies.

Journal Article↗

High resolution crystal structures of the p120 RasGAP SH3 domain.

X-ray structures of two crystal forms of the Src homology 3 domain (SH3) of the Ras GTPase activating protein (RasGAP) were determined at 1.5 and 1.8A resolution. The overall structure comprises a single domain with two tightly packed beta-sheets linked by a short helical segment. An important motif for peptide binding in other SH3 domains is not conserved in RasGAP. The RasGAP SH3 domain forms dimers in the crystal structures, which may provide new functional insight. The dimer interface involves residues also present in a peptide previously identified as an apoptotic sensitizer of tumor cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of zinc binding sites in protein crystal structures.

The geometrical properties of zinc binding sites in a dataset of high quality protein crystal structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank have been examined to identify important differences between zinc sites that are directly involved in catalysis and those that play a structural role. Coordination angles in the zinc primary coordination sphere are compared with ideal values for each coordination geometry, and zinc coordination distances are compared with those in small zinc complexes from the Cambridge Structural Database as a guide of expected trends. We find that distances and angles in the primary coordination sphere are in general close to the expected (or ideal) values. Deviations occur primarily for oxygen coordinating atoms and are found to be mainly due to H-bonding of the oxygen coordinating ligand to protein residues, bidentate binding arrangements, and multi-zinc sites. We find that H-bonding of oxygen containing residues (or water) to zinc bound histidines is almost universal in our dataset and defines the elec-His-Zn motif. Analysis of the stereochemistry shows that carboxyl elec-His-Zn motifs are geometrically rigid, while water elec-His-Zn motifs show the most geometrical variation. As catalytic motifs have a higher proportion of carboxyl elec atoms than structural motifs, they provide a more rigid framework for zinc binding. This is understood biologically, as a small distortion in the zinc position in an enzyme can have serious consequences on the enzymatic reaction. We also analyze the sequence pattern of the zinc ligands and residues that provide elecs, and identify conserved hydrophobic residues in the endopeptidases that also appear to contribute to stabilizing the catalytic zinc site. A zinc binding template in protein crystal structures is derived from these observations.

Aspartic Acid↗

Binding to protein targets of peptidic leads discovered by phage display: crystal structures of streptavidin-bound linear and cyclic peptide ligands containing the HPQ sequence.

The streptavidin-bound crystal structures of two disulfide-bridge cyclic peptides (cyclo-Ac-[CHPQGPPC]-NH2 and cyclo-Ac-[CHPQFC]-NH2) and of a linear peptide (FSHPQNT) were determined, as well as the structure of apostreptavidin (streptavidin-sulfate). Both the linear and disulfide-bridged cyclic peptides studied share a common HPQ conformation and make common interactions with streptavidin, although significant differences in structures and interactions occur for flanking residues among the complexes. The conformation of the linear peptide in the crystal structure of streptavidin-FSHPQNT was found to differ from that in the same complex published [Weber, P. C., Pantoliano, M. W., & Thompson, L. D. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 9350-9354]. In the present investigation, the HPQNT portion of the ligand is well-defined with some density defining the Phe, whereas in the investigation of Weber et al. only the HPQ segment of the bound peptide could be interpreted. Both bound cyclic peptides adopt a beta-turn involving an H-bond between the His main chain carbonyl and the main chain amide NH of the i+3 residue. In the streptavidin-bound cyclo-Ac-[CHPQFC]-NH2 structure, there is an additional H-bond, indicative of alpha-helix, between the main chain His carbonyl and the main chain C-terminal Cys amide NH group. Binding interactions for both cyclic and linear peptides include direct H-bonds, H-bonds mediated by tightly bound water molecules, and hydrophobic interactions. The above structures and that of streptavidin-biotin in the literature are compared and discussed in the context of structure-based ligand design.

Amino Acid Sequence↗