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Thermodynamic characterization of interactions between ornithine transcarbamylase leader peptide and phospholipid bilayer membranes.

The interactions of the targeting sequence of the mitochondrial enzyme ornithine transcarbamylase with phospholipid bilayers of different molecular compositions have been studied by high-sensitivity heating and cooling differential scanning calorimetry, high-sensitivity isothermal titration calorimetry, fluorescence spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. These studies indicate that the leader peptide interacts strongly with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayer membranes containing small mole percents of the anionic phospholipids dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG) or brain phosphatidylserine (brain PS) but not with pure phosphatidylcholines. For the first time, the energetics of the leader peptide-membrane interaction have been measured directly by using calorimetric techniques. At 20 degrees C, the association of the peptide with the membrane is exothermic and characterized by an association constant of 2.3 X 10(6) M-1 in the case of phosphatidylglycerol-containing and 0.35 X 10(6) M-1 in the case of phosphatidylserine-containing phospholipid bilayers. In both cases, the enthalpy of association is -60 kcal/mol of peptide. Additional experiments using fluorescence techniques suggest that the peptide does not penetrate deeply into the hydrophobic core of the membrane. The addition of the leader peptide to DPPC/DPPG (5:1) or DPPC/brain PS (5:1) small sonicated vesicles results in vesicle fusion. The fusion process is dependent on peptide concentration and is maximal at the phase transition temperature of the vesicles and minimal at temperatures below the phase transition.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

Thermal denaturation of T4 gene 32 protein: effects of zinc removal and substitution.

Gene 32 protein (g32P), the single-stranded (ss) DNA binding protein from bacteriophage T4, is a zinc metalloprotein. The intrinsic zinc is one of the factors required for the protein to bind cooperatively to a ssDNA lattice. We have used differential scanning calorimetry to determine how the thermodynamic parameters characterizing the denaturation of g32P are affected by removal or substitution of the intrinsic zinc. Over a wide concentration range (1-10 mg/mL), the native Zn(II) protein unfolds at a tm of 55 degrees C with an associated mean enthalpy change of 139 kcal mol-1. Under the same conditions, the metal-free apoprotein denatures over a relatively broader temperature range centered at 49 degrees C, with a mean enthalpy change of 84 kcal mol-1. Substitution of Zn(II) in g32P by either Cd(II) or Co(II) does not significantly change the enthalpy of denaturation but does affect the thermal stability of the protein. All metallo forms of g32P when bound to poly(dT) undergo highly cooperative denaturational transitions characterized by asymmetric differential scanning calorimetry peaks with increases in tm of 4-5 degrees C compared to the unliganded metalloprotein. Removal of the metal ion from g32P significantly reduces the cooperativity of binding to poly(dT) [Giedroc, D. P., Keating, K. M., Williams, K. R., & Coleman, J. E. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 5251-5259], and presumably as a consequence of this, apo-g32P shows no change in either the shape or the midpoint of the thermal transition on binding to poly(dT).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Algorithms↗

Influence of glycolipid oligosaccharide and long-chain base composition on the thermotropic properties of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine large unilamellar vesicles containing gangliosides.

The thermotropic behavior of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine large unilamellar vesicles containing gangliosides has been studied by high-sensitivity heating and cooling differential scanning calorimetry. These studies have been directed to identify and evaluate the influence of both the ganglioside lipidic portion and oligosaccharide moiety on the physical properties of phospholipid bilayers containing gangliosides. The influence of the ganglioside lipidic portion has been evaluated by studying the behavior of vesicles containing different GD1a molecular species carrying homogeneous lipid moieties (C20 or C18 sphingosine or sphinganine and stearic acid). The influence of the ganglioside saccharide portion was evaluated by investigating the thermotropic behavior of vesicles containing different gangliosides (GM1, Fuc-GM1, GD1a, GT1b) carrying the same homogeneous long-chain base moiety (C20 sphingosine and stearic acid). These studies, in conjunction with previous studies using homogeneous lipidic portion ganglioside GM1 and phosphatidylcholines of various chain lengths [Masserini, M., & Freire, E. (1986) Biochemistry 25, 1043-1049], indicate that, for a given oligosaccharide composition, gangliosides exhibit lateral phase separation in an extent dependent upon the length and unsaturation difference between the ganglioside long-chain base and phosphatidylcholine acyl chains. For a given ganglioside lipidic composition the extent of phase separation is dependent upon the number of sugar units present in the glycolipid. The addition of Ca2+ induces or enhances phase separation in a manner dependent on the long-chain base and oligosaccharide composition. Cooling differential scanning calorimetry experiments showed that the ganglioside property to form aggregates within the membrane is independent of the initial physical state of the bilayer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

Dimorphism in bile salt/lecithin mixed micelles.

We investigated the dependence of certain properties of bile salt/lecithin mixed micelles on the molar ratio of the two components. UV absorption suggested that the micellar system is fundamentally altered on passing through a bile salt:lecithin molar ratio of 1.8:1. Differential scanning calorimetry confirmed this transition ratio; in addition, it indicated a bilayer arrangement of lecithin, in support of the mixed-disk model of micellar structure, but only for micelles having a molar ratio less than 1.8:1. For micelles having larger ratios, which are those of physiological interest, calorimetry was inconsistent with the mixed-disk model. These observations support the X-ray structure analysis of Müller.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Thermodynamics of (dG--dC)3 double-helix formation in water and deuterium oxide.

The thermodynamics of double-helix formation by (dG-dC)3 in H2O and D2O were measured spectrophotometrically and calorimetrically. Spectrophotometric values based on plots of inverse melting temperature vs. log of concentration are in good agreement with calorimetry. However, spectrophotometric values based on the shape of absorbance vs. temperature curves are in good agreement with calorimetry only if linear pre- and posttransition base lines are subtracted before analysis. The averages of the enthalpies measured by the three most reliable spectroscopic methods are -56.9 and -62.7 kcal/mol of helix in H2O and D2O, respectively. The corresponding calorimetric values are -59.6 and -65.8 kcal/mol of helix.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

Thermotropic behavior of phosphatidylethanolamine-cholesterol and phosphatidylethanolamine-phosphatidylcholine-cholesterol mixtures.

The thermotropic behavior of aqueous dispersions of phosphatidylethanolamine-cholesterol and phosphatidyl-ethanolamine-phosphatidylcholine-cholesterol mixtures has been studied by high-sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry. The gel to liquid-crystalline phase transition of phosphatidylethanolamines is broadened and shifted to lower temperature when cholesterol is incorporated into the bilayer. When the cholesterol content is below 25 mol %, the calorimetric endotherms seem to consist of two components, a broad one at considerably lower temperature than the original transition and another component at only slightly lower temperature. This thermotropic behavior can be explained by the assumption of a homogenous distribution of cholesterol in phosphatidylethanolamine bilayers. Scanning calorimetry of equimolar mixtures of phosphatidylethanolamines with phosphatidylcholines, which show either ideal or nonideal mixing properties, reveals that when cholesterol is added to these mixtures it shows no preferential affinity for either of the phospholipids.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

Sphingomyelin--lecithin bilayers and their interaction with cholesterol.

Utilizing X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), we have studied (1) the structure and thermotropic properties of hydrated N-palmitoylsphingomyelin, (2) the interaction of N-palmitoylsphingomyelin with dimyristoyllecithin, and (3) the interaction of cholesterol with N-palmitoylsphingomyelin and dimyristoyllecithin, both individually and in a 50:50 (mol/mol) mixture. N-Palmitoylsphingomyelin forms bilayers which undergo a thermotropic order--disorder (gel--liquid crystalline) transition at 40.5 degrees C (delta H = 5.8 kcal/mol). The bilayer repeat distance is 66.8 A at 10 degrees C and 61.6 A at 50 degrees C. N-Palmitoylsphingomyelin exhibits miscibility with dimyristoylecithin in both the gel and liquid-crystalline phases, and no lateral phase separation occurs. Scanning calorimetry indicates that interaction with cholesterol is similar for both N-palmitoylsphingomyelin and dimyristoyllecithin and that in a 50:50 (mol/mol) mixture cholesterol shows no preferential affinity for either phospholipid.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

Fluorescent probes in model membranes I: anthroyl fatty acid derivatives in monolayers and liposomes of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine.

A study of three fluorescent anthroyl probes has been carried out using pure and mixed monomolecular films with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine. In addition, fluorescence depolarization and differential scanning calorimetry data were obtained from dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles with incorporated anthroyl probes. The three probes used were 2-(9-anthroyl)palmitic acid. 12-(9-anthroyl)stearic acid, and 16-(9-anthroyl)palmitic acid. The latter probe was synthesized for these studies. In monolayers the probes shifted the onset of the liquid-condensed/liquid-expanded monolayer phase transition with the extent of the shift decreasing in the order: 2-(9-anthroyl)palmitic acid greater than 12-(9-anthroyl)stearic acid greater than 16-(9-anthroyl)stearic acid. A corresponding decrease in the gel-liquid crystalline bilayer transition temperature (Tc) showed the same order of perturbation in both the fluorescence depolarization and differential scanning calorimetry data. Locating the anthroyl entity in the center of the bilayer would appear to provide a minimum perturbation.

Anthracenes↗

Thermodynamics of peptide inhibitor binding to HIV-1 gp41.

The gp41 subunit of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein mediates fusion of the cellular and viral membranes. The gp41 ectodomain is a trimer of alpha-helical hairpins, where N-terminal helices form a parallel three-stranded coiled-coil core and C-terminal helices pack around the core. A deep hydrophobic pocket on the N-terminal core represents an attractive target for antiviral therapeutics. We have employed a soluble derivative of the gp41 core ectodomain and small cyclic disulfide D-peptide inhibitors to define the stoichiometry, affinity, and thermodynamics of ligand binding to this pocket using isothermal titration calorimetry. These inhibitors bind with micromolar affinity to the pocket with the expected stoichiometry of three peptides per gp41 core trimer. There are no cooperative interactions among the three binding sites. Linear eight- or nine-residue D-peptides derived from the pocket-binding domain of the cyclic molecules also bind specifically. A negative heat capacity change is observed and is consistent with burial of hydrophobic surface upon binding. Contrary to expectations for a reaction dominated by the classical hydrophobic effect, peptide binding is enthalpically driven and is opposed by an unfavorable negative entropy change. The calorimetry data support models whereby dominant negative inhibitors bind to a transiently exposed surface on the prefusion intermediate state of gp41 and disrupt subsequent resolution to the fusion-active six-stranded hairpin conformation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of key amino acid residues in the assembly of enzymes into the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex of Bacillus stearothermophilus: a kinetic and thermodynamic analysis.

Structural studies have shown that electrostatic interactions play a major part in the binding of dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (E3) to the peripheral subunit-binding domain (PSBD) of the dihydrolipoyl acyltransferase (E2) in the assembly of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of Bacillus stearothermophilus. The binding is characterized by a small, unfavorable enthalpy change (deltaH degrees = +2.2 kcal/mol) and a large, positive entropy change (TdeltaS degrees = +14.8 kcal/mol). The contributions of individual surface residues of the PSBD of E2 to its interaction with E3 have been assessed by alanine-scanning mutagenesis, surface plasmon resonance detection, and isothermal titration calorimetry. The mutation R135A in the PSBD gave rise to a significant decrease (120-fold) in the binding affinity; two other mutations (R139A and R156A) were associated with smaller effects. The binding of the R135A mutant to E3 was accompanied by a favorable enthalpy (deltaH degrees = -2.6 kcal/mol) and a less positive entropy change (TdeltaS degrees = +7.2 kcal/mol). The midpoint melting temperature (T(m)) of E3-PSBD complexes was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The R135A mutation caused a significant decrease (5 degrees C) in the T(m), compared with the wild-type complex. The results reveal the importance of Arg135 of the PSBD as a key residue in the molecular recognition of E3 by E2, and as a major participant in the overall entropy-driven binding process. Further, the effects of mutagenesis on the deltaCp of subunit association illustrate the difficulties in attributing changes in heat capacity to specific classes of interactions.

Acetyltransferases↗

Thermodynamics of aminoglycoside and acyl-coenzyme A binding to the Salmonella enterica AAC(6')-Iy aminoglycoside N-acetyltransferase.

Kinetic and mechanistic studies on the chromosomally encoded aminoglycoside 6'-N-acetyltransferase, AAC(6')-Iy, of Salmonella enterica that confers resistance toward aminoglycosides have been previously reported [Magnet et al. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 3700-3709]. In the present study, equilibrium binding and the thermodynamic parameters of binding of aminoglycosides and acyl-coenzyme A derivatives to AAC(6')-Iy and of two mutants, C109A and the C109A/C70A double mutant, have been studied using fluorescence spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Association constants for different aminoglycosides varied greatly (4 x 10(4)-150 x 10(4)) while the association constants of several acyl-coenzyme A derivatives were similar (3.2 x 10(4)-4.5 x 10(4)). The association constants and van't Hoff enthalpy changes derived from intrinsic protein fluorescence changes were in agreement with independently measured values from isothermal titration calorimetry studies. Binding of both aminoglycosides and acyl-coenzyme A derivatives is strongly enthalpically driven and revealed opposing negative entropy changes, resulting in enthalpy-entropy compensation. The acetyltransferase exhibited a temperature-dependent binding of tobramycin with a negative heat capacity value of 410 cal mol(-1) K(-1). Isothermal titration studies of acetyl-coenzyme A and tobramycin binding to mutant forms of the enzyme indicated that completely conserved C109 does not play any direct role in the binding of either of the substrates, while C70 is directly involved in aminoglycoside binding. These results are discussed and compared with previous steady-state kinetic studies of the enzyme.

Acetyltransferases↗

Thermodynamic characterization of the binding of nucleotides to glycyl-tRNA synthetase.

The interaction of adenine nucleotides with glycyl-tRNA synthetase was examined by several experimental approaches. ATP and nonsubstrate ATP analogues render glycyl-tRNA synthetase more resistant to digestion by a number of proteases (thrombin, Arg-C, and chymotrypsin) at concentrations that correlate with their Michaelis constants or inhibition constants, consistent with their exerting an effect by binding at the ATP site. Glycine had little effect alone but potentiated the effect of ATP in increasing the resistance to thrombin digestion, consistent with the formation of an enzyme-bound adenylate. No protection from thrombin digestion was afforded by tRNA(gly). Binding constants were determined by isothermal titration calorimetry at 25 degrees C for ATP (2.5 x 10(5) M(-1)), AMPPNP (3.7 x 10(5) M(-1)), and AMPPCP (2.2 x 10(6) M(-1)). The nucleotides had similar values for DeltaH (-71 kJ mol(-1)), with values for TDeltaS that accounted for the differences in the binding constants. Near-ultraviolet CD spectra of the enzyme-nucleotide complexes indicate that the nucleotides are bound in the anti configuration. A glycyl-adenylate analogue, glycine sulfamoyl adenosine (GSAd), bound with a large value for DeltaH (-187 kJ mol(-1)), which was balanced by a large TDeltaS term to give a binding constant (3.7 x 10(6) M(-1)) only slightly larger than that of AMPPCP. Glycine binding to the enzyme could not be detected calorimetrically, and its presence did not change the thermodynamic parameters for binding of AMPPCP. AMPPNP and AMPPCP were not substrates for glycyl-tRNA synthetase. Analysis of the temperature dependence of ATP binding indicated that the heat capacity change is small, whereas the binding of GSAd is accompanied by a large negative heat capacity change (-2.6 kJ K(-1) mol(-1)). Titrations performed in buffers with different ionization enthalpies indicate that the large value for DeltaH for the adenylate analogue does not arise from a coupled protonation event. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated that glycyl-tRNA synthetase is stabilized by nucleotides. Unfolding of the protein is irreversible, and thermodynamic parameters for unfolding could therefore not be determined. The results are consistent with a significant conformational transition in glycyl-tRNA synthetase coupled to the binding of GSAd.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Thermodynamic analysis of the activation mechanism of the GCSF receptor induced by ligand binding.

The granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor (GCSFR), containing the Ig-like domain (Ig) and cytokine receptor homologous region (CRH), was prepared as a preformed dimer (Ig-CRH-Fc)(2) after fusion to the mouse Fc region via an eight-residue linker (approximately 55 A). Monomer Ig-CRH was also prepared after the Fc region was removed from (Ig-CRH-Fc)(2). GCSF binding to Ig-CRH and (Ig-CRH-Fc)(2) was investigated using light scattering and isothermal titration calorimetry. The average molecular mass determined by light scattering showed that both Ig-CRH and (Ig-CRH-Fc)(2) formed a 2:2 dimer with GCSF. Moreover, isothermal titration calorimetry showed that the thermodynamic parameters upon binding of GCSF to Ig-CRH and (Ig-CRH-Fc)(2) were comparable, suggesting a similar binding stoichiometry and interface [including similar buried surface area (5700-6000 A(2))] despite the presence of the eight-residue linker. The buried surface area is much larger than that calculated from our previous report of the crystal structure of the GCSF-CRH complex [Aritomi, M., et al. (1999) Nature 401, 713-717], suggesting a substantial contribution of the Ig domain to GCSF binding. The data also indicate that the distance (55 A) between two CRH domains in the 2:2 complex is much shorter than in our previous model (approximately 90 A) predicted from the same crystal structure of the GCSF-CRH complex.

Animals↗

Identification of novel inhibitors of the SARS coronavirus main protease 3CLpro.

SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) is caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. A key enzyme for the maturation of this virus and, therefore, a target for drug development is the main protease 3CL(pro) (also termed SARS-CoV 3CL(pro)). We have cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli the full-length SARS-CoV 3CL(pro) as well as a truncated form containing only the catalytic domains. The recombinant proteins have been characterized enzymatically using a fluorescently labeled substrate; their structural stability in solution has been determined by differential scanning calorimetry, and novel inhibitors have been discovered. Expression of the catalytic region alone yields a protein with a reduced catalytic efficiency consistent with the proposed regulatory role of the alpha-helical domain. Differential scanning calorimetry indicates that the alpha-helical domain does not contribute to the structural stability of the catalytic domains. Analysis of the active site cavity reveals the presence of subsites that can be targeted with specific chemical functionalities. In particular, a cluster of serine residues (Ser139, Ser144, and Ser147) was identified near the active site cavity and was susceptible to being targeted by compounds containing boronic acid. This cluster is highly conserved in similar proteases from other coronaviruses, defining an attractive target for drug development. It was found that bifunctional aryl boronic acid compounds were particularly effective at inhibiting the protease, with inhibition constants as strong as 40 nM. Isothermal titration microcalorimetric experiments indicate that these inhibitors bind reversibly to 3CL(pro) in an enthalpically favorable fashion, implying that they establish strong interactions with the protease molecule, thus defining attractive molecular scaffolds for further optimization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Thermodynamic stability of carbonic anhydrase: measurements of binding affinity and stoichiometry using ThermoFluor.

ThermoFluor (a miniaturized high-throughput protein stability assay) was used to analyze the linkage between protein thermal stability and ligand binding. Equilibrium binding ligands increase protein thermal stability by an amount proportional to the concentration and affinity of the ligand. Binding constants (K(b)) were measured by examining the systematic effect of ligand concentration on protein stability. The precise ligand effects depend on the thermodynamics of protein stability: in particular, the unfolding enthalpy. An extension of current theoretical treatments was developed for tight binding inhibitors, where ligand effect on T(m) can also reveal binding stoichiometry. A thermodynamic analysis of carbonic anhydrase by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) enabled a dissection of the Gibbs free energy of stability into enthalpic and entropic components. Under certain conditions, thermal stability increased by over 30 degrees C; the heat capacity of protein unfolding was estimated from the dependence of calorimetric enthalpy on T(m). The binding affinity of six sulfonamide inhibitors to two isozymes (human type 1 and bovine type 2) was analyzed by both ThermoFluor and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), resulting in a good correlation in the rank ordering of ligand affinity. This combined investigation by ThermoFluor, ITC, and DSC provides a detailed picture of the linkage between ligand binding and protein stability. The systematic effect of ligands on stability is shown to be a general tool to measure affinity.

Animals↗

Calorimetric study of the interaction of the C2 domains of classical protein kinase C isoenzymes with Ca2+ and phospholipids.

The affinities of Ca(2+) and anionic lipid vesicles from the C2 domains of classical protein kinase C subfamily (alpha, betaII, and gamma) were studied using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). In addition, the thermal stability of these C2 domains in the presence of different ligand concentrations was analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These three closely related C2 domains bind Ca(2+) in a similar way, demonstrating the presence of two sets of sites. The first set of sites binds one Ca(2+) ion exothermically with similar high affinity for the three proteins (K(d) around 1 microM), while the second set of sites binds endothermically approximately two Ca(2+) ions with lower affinity, which varies for each C2 domain: 22.2 microM for the PKCalpha-C2 domain, 17.2 microM for the PKCbetaII-C2 domain, and 4.3 microM for the PKCgamma-C2 domain. In the absence of Ca(2+), the three C2 domains showed a weak interaction with vesicles containing anionic phospholipids. However, in the presence of a saturating Ca(2+) concentration, the C2 domains increased their affinities for the anionic lipid vesicles. In all cases, the C2 domains bound the vesicles exothermically and with similar affinities. A DSC thermal stability study of the C2 domains in the presence of Ca(2+) and anionic lipids provided further information about this protein-ligand interaction. The presence of increasing Ca(2+) concentrations was matched by an increase in the T(m) in all cases, which was even greater in the presence of anionic lipid vesicles. The extent of the change in T(m) differed for each C2 domain, reflecting the differing effect of the ligands bound during the protein stabilization. Denaturation of the C2 domains was irreversible both in the absence and in the presence of ligands, although the thermograms were not kinetically controlled. The dependence of the T(m) on the Ca(2+) concentration indicates that the protein stabilization observed by DSC primarily reflects the saturation by the cation of the low-affinity set of sites.

Binding Sites↗

Thermodynamic and biophysical characterization of cytochrome P450 BioI from Bacillus subtilis.

Cytochrome P450 BioI (CYP107H1) from Bacillus subtilis is involved in the early stages of biotin synthesis. Previous studies have indicated that BioI can hydroxylate fatty acids and may also perform an acyl bond cleavage reaction [Green, A. J., Rivers, S. L., Cheesman, M., Reid, G. A., Quaroni, L. G., Macdonald, I. D. G., Chapman, S. K., and Munro, A. W. (2001) J. Biol. Inorg. Chem. 6, 523-533. Stok, J. E., and De Voss, J. J. (2000) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 384, 351-360]. Here we show novel binding features of P450 BioI--specifically that it binds steroids (including testosterone and progesterone) and polycyclic azole drugs with similar affinity to that for fatty acids (K(d) values in the range 0.1-160 microM). Sigmoidal binding curves for titration of BioI with azole drugs suggests a cooperative process in this case. BioI as isolated from Escherichia coli is in a mixed heme iron spin state. Alteration of the pH of the buffer system affects the heme iron spin-state equilibrium (higher pH increasing the low-spin content). Steroids containing a carbonyl group at the C(3) position induce a shift in heme iron spin-state equilibrium toward the low-spin form, whereas fatty acids produce a shift toward the high-spin form. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies confirm the heme iron spin-state perturbation inferred from optical titrations with steroids and fatty acids. Potentiometric studies demonstrate that the heme iron reduction potential becomes progressively more positive as the proportion of high-spin heme iron increases (potential for low-spin BioI = -330 +/- 1 mV; for BioI as purified from E. coli (mixed-spin) = 228 +/- 2 mV; for palmitoleic acid-bound BioI = -199 +/- 2 mV). Extraction of bound substrate-like molecule from purified BioI indicates palmitic acid to be bound. Differential scanning calorimetry studies indicate that the BioI protein structure is stabilized by binding of steroids and bulky azole drugs, a result confirmed by resonance Raman studies and by analysis of disruption of BioI secondary and tertiary structure by the chaotrope guanidinium chloride. Molecular modeling of the BioI structure indicates that a disulfide bond is present between Cys250 and Cys275. Calorimetry shows that structural stability of the protein was altered by addition of the reductant dithiothreitol, suggesting that the disulfide is important to integrity of BioI structure.

Androstenedione↗

Discovery and characterization of a substrate selective p38alpha inhibitor.

A novel inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38), CMPD1, identified by high-throughput screening, is characterized herein. Unlike the p38 inhibitors described previously, this inhibitor is substrate selective and noncompetitive with ATP. In steady-state kinetics experiments, CMPD1 was observed to prevent the p38alpha-dependent phosphorylation (K(i)(app) = 330 nM) of the splice variant of mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2a) that contains a docking domain for p38alpha and p38beta, but it did not prevent the phosphorylation of ATF-2 (K(i)(app) > 20 microM). In addition to kinetic studies, isothermal titration calorimetry and surface plasmon resonance experiments were performed to elucidate the mechanism of inhibition. While isothermal titration calorimetry analysis indicated that CMPD1 binds to p38alpha, CMPD1 was not observed to compete with ATP for p38alpha, nor was it able to interrupt the binding of p38alpha to MK2a observed by surface plasmon resonance. Therefore, deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (DXMS) was employed to study the p38alpha.CMPD1 inhibitory complex, to provide new insight into the mechanism of substrate selective inhibition. The DXMS data obtained for the p38alpha.CMPD1 complex were compared to the data obtained for the p38alpha.MK2a complex and a p38alpha.active site binding inhibitor complex. Alterations in the DXMS behavior of both p38alpha and MK2a were observed upon complex formation, including but not limited to the interaction between the carboxy-terminal docking domain of MK2a and its binding groove on p38alpha. Alterations in the D(2)O exchange of p38alpha produced by CMPD1 suggest that the substrate selective inhibitor binds in the vicinity of the active site of p38alpha, resulting in perturbations to regions containing nucleotide binding pocket residues, docking groove residues (E160 and D161), and a Mg(2+) ion cofactor binding residue (D168). Although the exact mechanism of substrate selective inhibition by this novel inhibitor has not yet been disclosed, the results suggest that CMPD1 binding in the active site region of p38alpha induces perturbations that may result in the suboptimal positioning of substrates and cofactors in the transition state, resulting in selective inhibition of p38alpha activity.

Activating Transcription Factor 2↗