Peptide Adducts Research Articles

Characterization of a peptide adduct formed by N-acetoxy-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5- b]pyridine (PhIP), a reactive intermediate of the food carcinogen PhIP

2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5- b]pyridine (PhIP) is a member of a class of compounds known as the heterocyclic amines (HCAs) that are formed in meat during cooking. It is a multi-organ carcinogen in rodents forms adducts and with DNA and protein. Although protein adducts are not thought to be involved in cancer development, they may be useful as internal dosimeters of PhIP exposure and bioactivation. Towards the goals of characterizing the adducts formed in humans and the development of an assay for quantitation of adduct levels, we have characterized a peptide adduct formed by the putative genotoxic metabolite, N-acetoxy-PhIP. A model peptide with the internal sequence Leu–Gln–Lys–Cys–Pro–Tyr, which is homologous to a potential target sequence for HCAs in human serum albumin, was reacted with N-acetoxy-PhIP and an adduct was identified and further characterized by LC–ESI-MS/MS. N-acetoxy-PhIP is covalently bound to the peptide via cysteine and the exocyclic amino group of PhIP. Future work is needed to establish if this adduct is formed and is stable in vivo in humans following exposure to PhIP.

Localization of isoketal adducts in vivo using a single-chain antibody

Isoketals are highly reactive γ-ketoaldehydes formed by the oxidation of arachidonic acid that rapidly adduct to proteins. To investigate the formation of isoketal adducts in vivo, we isolated and characterized a single-chain antibody from a phage displayed recombinant ScFv library that bound a model peptide adducted with synthetic 15-E 2-isoketal. Recognition of isoketal adduct by this anti-isoketal adduct single-chain antibody was essentially independent of the amino acid sequence of adducted peptides or proteins. The antibody did not cross-react with 4-hydroxynonenal or 4-oxononanal adducts or with 15-F 2t-isoprostane (8-iso-prostaglandin F 2α). We investigated the formation of isoketal adducts in a well-established model of oxidative injury, hyperoxia. Exposure to >98% oxygen for 7 h dramatically increased both the number of immunoreactive airway epithelial cells and the intensity of immunoreactivity compared with animals exposed to normal room air (21% oxygen). We conclude that isoketal adducts form in epithelial cells as a result of high oxygen exposure and that this single-chain antibody provides a valuable tool to localize the formation of isoketal adducts in tissues in vivo.

Characterization of a Mutagenic DNA Adduct Formed from 1,2-Dibromoethane by O6-Alkylguanine-DNA Alkyltransferase

It has been proposed that the DNA repair protein O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase increases the mutagenicity of 1,2-dibromoethane by reacting with it at its cysteine acceptor site to form a highly reactive half-mustard, which can then react with DNA (Liu, L., Pegg, A. E., Williams, K. M., and Guengerich, F. P. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 37920-37928). Incubation of Escherichia coli-expressed human alkyltransferase with 1,2-dibromoethane and single-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotides led to the formation of covalent transferaseoligo complexes. The order of reaction determined was Gua>Thy>Cyt>Ade. Mass spectrometry analysis of the tryptic digest of the reaction product indicated that some of the adducts led to depurination with the release of the Gly136-Arg147 peptide cross-linked to a Gua at the N7 position, with the site of reaction being the active site Cys145 as established by chromatographic retention time and the fragmentation pattern determined by tandem mass spectrometry of a synthetic peptide adduct. The alkyltransferase-mediated mutations produced by 1,2-dibromoethane were predominantly Gua to Ade transitions but, in the spectrum of such rifampicin-resistant mutations in the RpoB gene, 20% were Gua to Thy transversions. The latter are likely to have arisen from the apurinic site generated from the Gua-N7 adduct. Support exists for an additional adduct/mutagenic pathway because evidence was obtained for DNA adducts other than at the Gua N7 atom and for mutations other than those attributable to depurination. Thus, chemical and biological evidence supports the existence of at least two alkyltransferase-dependent pathways for 1,2-dibromoethane-induced mutagenicity, one involving Gua N7-alkylation by alkyltransferase-S-CH2CH2Br and depurination, plus another as yet uncharacterized system(s).

Genetic analysis of disulfide isomerization in Escherichia coli: expression of DsbC is modulated by RNase E-dependent mRNA processing.

We designed a selection strategy for the isolation of Escherichia coli mutants exhibiting enhanced protein disulfide isomerase activity. The folding of a variant of tissue plasminogen activator (v-tPA), a protein containing nine disulfide bonds, in the bacterial periplasm is completely dependent on the level of disulfide isomerase activity of the cell. Mutations that increase this activity mediate the formation of catalytically active v-tPA, which in turn cleaves a p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)-peptide adduct to release free PABA and thus allows the growth of an auxotrophic strain. Following chemical mutagenesis, a total of eight E. coli mutants exhibiting significantly higher disulfide isomerization activity, not only with v-tPA but also with two other unrelated protein substrates, were isolated. This phenotype resulted from significantly increased expression of the bacterial disulfide isomerase DsbC. In seven of the eight mutants, the upregulation of DsbC was found to be related to defects in RNA processing by RNase E, the rne gene product. Specifically, the genetic lesions in five mutants were shown to be allelic to rne, while an additional two mutants exhibited impaired RNase E activity due to lesions in other loci. The importance of mRNA stability on the expression of DsbC is underscored by the short half-life of the dsbC transcript, which was found to be only 0.8 min at 37 degrees C in wild-type cells but was two- to threefold longer in some of the stronger mutants. These results (i) confirm the central role of DsbC in disulfide bond isomerization in the bacterial periplasm and (ii) suggest a critical role for RNase E in regulating DsbC expression.

Immunochemical detection of formylated gamma(2)-casein in cheese.

An immunochemical approach has been developed to detect the use of formaldehyde as a bacteriostatic agent in dairy products. A synthetic peptide, reproducing the first five amino acid residues of the gamma(2)-casein sequence, was formylated to generate the novel haptenic structure, already well-recognized in formaldehyde-treated milk and arising out of molecular rearrangement after the addition of formaldehyde to the alpha-amino group of the histidine residue at the N terminus of gamma(2)-casein. A polyclonal antibodies preparation produced against the formylated peptide adduct proved to be a highly specific analytical tool for detecting the formylated adduct of gamma(2)-casein in formaldehyde-treated milk. Polyclonal antibodies obtained against the unmodified peptide were able to detect selectively residual native gamma(2)-casein in ripened cheese.

Arylamine N-acetyltransferases: covalent modification and inactivation of hamster NAT1 by bromoacetamido derivatives of aniline and 2-aminofluorene.

Kinetic analysis of the inactiviation of hamster NAT1 by 2-(bromoacetylamino)fluorene (Br-AAF) and bromoacetanilide revealed that Br-AAF is an active site directed affinity label whereas bromoacetanilide acts as a bimolecular alkylating agent. ESI MS analysis of NAT1 treated with Br-AAF showed that a single molecule of 2-acetylaminofluorene had been incorporated. Proteolysis with pepsin followed by sequencing of adducted peptides by ESI MS/MS identified the modified residue as the catalytically essential Cys-68. ESI Q-TOF MS analysis of NAT1 that had been treated with bromoacetanilide resulted in identification of a monoadducted protein as the primary product and a diadducted protein as a minor product. Pepsin digestion of bromoacetanilide-inactivated NAT1 and sequencing by ESI MS/MS identified Cys-68 as the primary site of adduct formation. Additional proteolysis of the bromoacetanilide-treated NAT1 led to the identification of a second modified peptide which was adducted at Cys-44. The data reveal substantial differences in the interactions of small hydrophobic alkylating reagents with hamster NAT1.

Determination of hexahydrophthalic anhydride adducts to human serum albumin

Hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA) is a highly sensitizing industrial chemical that is known to covalently bind to endogenous proteins. The aim of this study was to determine the binding sites of HHPA to human serum albumin (HSA). Conjugates between HSA and HHPA, at two different molar ratios, were synthesized under physiological conditions. The conjugates were digested with trypsin and Pronase E to obtain specific peptides and amino acids, which were separated by liquid chromatography (LC). Fractions containing modified peptides were detected through quantification of hydrolysable HHPA using LC coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization. Modified residues in albumin were identified by sequence analyses using nanoelectrospray quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A total of 36 HHPA adducts were found in the HSA–HHPA conjugate with 10 times molar excess of added HHPA. In the conjugate with a molar ratio of 1:0.1 of added HHPA, seven HHPA adducts were found bound to Lys137 (domain IB), Lys190, Lys199 and Lys212 (domain IIA), Lys351 (domain IIB), and Lys432 and Lys436 (domain IIIA). Moreover, several of these adducted albumin peptides were detected in nasal lavage fluid from one volunteer exposed to HHPA. The binding sites of HHPA to HSA have been determined, thus identifying potential allergenic chemical structures. This knowledge generates the possibility of developing methods for the biological monitoring of HHPA exposure by analysing tryptic peptides including these binding sites.

The Molecular Basis for the pH-activation Mechanism in the Channel-forming Bacterial Colicin E1

The in vitro activity of the channel-forming bacteriocins such as colicin E1 in model membranes requires the specific activation of the protein by an acidic environment in the presence of a membrane potential. Acid activation of the C-terminal domain results in the formation of an insertion-competent intermediate with an enhanced ability to penetrate and perforate cell membranes. We report novel findings of this activation process through the design and study of mutant proteins involving the replacement of conserved Asp residues Asp-408, Asp-410, and Asp-423 within helices 5a and 4 in the colicin E1 channel domain that resulted in enhanced membrane binding, bilayer insertion rates, and ion channel activities at near neutral pH values. This activation process involves the destabilization of a critical salt bridge (Asp-410 and Lys-406) and H-bonds (Asp-408 and Ser-405 main chain; Asp-423 and Lys-420 main chain). The helix-to-coil transition of this motif was identified previously by time-resolved Trp fluorescence measurements (Merrill, A. R., Steer, B. A., Prentice, G. A., Weller, M. J., and Szabo, A. G. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 6874-6884), and here we use this approach to demonstrate that disruption of the helical structure of helices 4 and 5a results in a shift in this equilibrium to favor the coil state. Finally, we show that the essential components of the pH trigger motif are conserved among the channel-forming colicins and that it likely exists within other bacterial proteins and may even have evolved into more sophisticated devices in a number of microbial species.

Reaction of a Peptide with Polyvinylpyrrolidone in the Solid State

During stability studies at high temperature (70°C) and low relative humidity (∼0%), the recovery of an asparagine containing hexapeptide (VYPNGA) and its known deamidation products from solid polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) matrices was incomplete. To determine the causes of this mass loss, formulations were prepared by lyophilizing solutions containing PVP, glycerol, and the Asn‐hexapeptide in pH 7.5 phosphate buffer, followed by storage at 70°C and 0% relative humidity. Asn‐hexapeptide loss was mono‐exponential and reached a plateau at about 30% remaining. Total recovery of the peptide and its known deamidation products was ∼30% of peptide load. Size exclusion chromatography with fluorescence detection indicated the formation of a PVP–peptide adduct that was stable in the presence of 6M guanidine hydrochloride. Similar stability studies using N‐acetyl phenylalanine, phenylalanine ethyl ester, and N‐acetyl tyrosine ethyl ester demonstrated that the reaction involves the peptide N‐terminus. The adduct was disrupted in the presence of carboxypeptidase‐A, suggesting the formation of an amide bond between the peptide and PVP. 15N solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy using 15N‐labeled valine as a model of the peptide N‐terminus showed different populations of 15N, suggesting that noncovalent peptide–polymer interactions precede amide bond formation.

Adduction of the chloroform metabolite phosgene to lysine residues of human histone H2B.

Human exposure to trihalomethanes such as chloroform has been associated with both cancer and reproductive toxicity. While there is little evidence for chloroform mutagenicity or DNA adduct formation, in vivo studies in rats have demonstrated adduction to histones and other nuclear proteins. Histones play a key role in controlling DNA expression particularly through the acetylation of lysine residues in their N-termini. Therefore, we studied the reaction of phosgene, the major active metabolite of chloroform, with the N-terminus of human histone H2B (Hpep, Pro-Glu-Pro-Ala-Lys-Ser-Ala-Pro-Ala-Pro-Lys-Lys-Gly-Ser-Lys-Lys-Ala-Val-Thr-Lys-Ala-Gln-Lys) in a model chemical system. The aim of this study was to assess whether phosgene is able to form irreversible adducts with this peptide and to investigate which residues are most susceptible. Hpep was reacted with a range of phosgene concentrations (0.03-36 mM) at 37 degrees C, pH 7.4. The products of these reactions, analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization MS, showed that up to three CO moieties could be adducted to the peptide. The singly and doubly adducted peptides were purified by HPLC and then hydrolyzed with trypsin to produce a series of fragments that were analyzed by HPLC-MS. The tryptic products showed that adduction occurred principally at lysine residues, and that all seven lysine residues of the peptide were subject to adduction. Collision-induced dissociation analysis using ion trap MS-MS of the tryptic fragment [Pro-Glu-Pro-Ala-Lys-Ser-Ala-Pro-Ala-Pro-Lys + CO] and of the full-length singly adducted peptide supported the role of lysine residues in adduction; the data also indicated that the N-terminal proline and the serine residues are susceptible. Addition of glutathione to the reaction mixture only partially attenuated adduct formation and allowed production of another adducted species, i.e., Hpep-CO-glutathione. The occurrence of such reactions to the N-termini of histones, if confirmed by in vivo studies, could help to explain the mechanism of chloroform carcinogenicity.

An approach to the synthesis of peptide–PNA–peptide conjugates via native ligation

A convenient solid-phase synthesis of a PNA sequence containing an N-terminal thiaproline and a C-terminal thioester is described. The usefulness of this bifunctional PNA molecule is illustrated by the construction, based on native ligation, of a peptide–PNA–peptide adduct.

ChemInform Abstract: Conformational Analysis of Sugar—Peptide Adducts (I)‐(III) in the Solution State by NMR Spectroscopy and Molecular Modeling.

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

Identification of Butyrylcholinesterase Adducts after Inhibition with Isomalathion Using Mass Spectrometry: Difference in Mechanism between (1R)- and (1S)-Stereoisomers

Previous kinetic studies found that butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibited by (1R)-isomalathions readily reactivated, while enzyme inactivated by (1S)-isomers did not. This study tested the hypothesis that (1R)- and (1S)-isomers inhibit BChE by different mechanisms, yielding distinct adducts identifiable by peptide mass mapping with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF–MS). Equine BChE (EBChE) was inhibited to <10% of control activity with each isomer of isomalathion and the reference compound isoparathion methyl. Control and treated enzyme was digested with trypsin, and peptides were fractionated with HPLC. Separated and unseparated peptides were analyzed with MALDI–TOF–MS. Identity of an organophosphorus peptide adduct was confirmed by fragmentation using postsource decay analysis. EBChE inhibited by (1R)-isomalathions or (S)-isoparathion methyl readily reactivated after oxime treatment with 30–40% activity recovered. Enzyme inactivated by (1S)-isomalathions or (R)-isoparathion methyl recovered <2% and <5% activity, respectively, after oxime treatment. MALDI–TOF–MS analysis revealed that inhibition of EBChE by (1R)-isomalathions and (R)- or (S)-isoparathion methyl yielded O,S-dimethyl phosphate adducts. Enzyme inactivated by (1S)-isomalathions produced only O-methyl phosphate adduct. EBChE modified by (1R)-isomalathions or either enantiomer of isoparathion methyl yielded an O-methyl phosphate adduct as well. The results indicate that EBChE inhibition by (1R)-isomalathions proceeds with loss of diethyl thiosuccinate, but inactivation by (1S)-isomers occurs with loss of thiomethyl as the primary leaving group followed by rapid expulsion of diethyl thiosuccinate to yield an aged enzyme. Furthermore, the data suggest that aging of the O,S-dimethyl phosphate adduct occurs via an SN2 process with loss of thiomethyl.

Conformational analysis of sugar–peptide adducts in the solution state by NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling

A combined use of NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling has enabled insight into conformational features of the novel sugar–peptide adducts 1–3. Cyclic neoglycopeptide 1, having the β-D-glucopyranose moiety which connects terminal parts of the Tyr-Pro-Phe sequence into a 14-membered ring, has been found in a rigid conformation with a sandwich-like arrangement of the proline residue flanked by the tyrosine and the phenylalanine side-chains. However, cyclic Tyr-Pro-Phe-Val-related Amadori compound 2, with an 18-membered glycopeptide ring, has shown more flexibility in the peptide backbone and amino acid side-chains. Nevertheless, mutarotation was obstructed and the 1-deoxy-D-fructofuranose moiety was found in the β configuration exclusively. The analysis of the Amadori compound 3, with an unsubstituted C-terminal of the Tyr-Pro-Phe-Val peptide, has revealed the presence of conformational isomers arising from trans–cis isomerism of the Tyr1-Pro2 peptide bond, while the 1-deoxy-D-fructose has been found in the β-pyranose form. The results presented here point towards peptide sequence-governed overall conformation of the studied neoglycopeptides.

Novel Ester-Linked Carbohydrate−Peptide Adducts: Effect of the Peptide Substituent on the Pathways of Intramolecular Reactions

Carbohydrate−peptide conjugates in which D-glucose is linked through an ester linkage to the carboxy group of Tyr-Pro (2), Tyr-Pro-Phe (5) or Tyr-Pro-Phe-Val (11), through the C6 hydroxy group of the sugar moiety were synthesized to examine the utility of this type of monosaccharide modification for peptide prodrugs. Evidence is provided that glycoconjugates 2, 5, and 11 easily undergo intramolecular chemical transformations, subsequent to attack of the free N-terminal amino group at the peptide backbone or at the anomeric position of the D-glucose moiety, resulting in the formation of diketopiperazine 12, glycosylamine 13, or keto-sugar derivative 15. The data indicated that the length and structure of the peptide chain are the main factors that control the intramolecular reactions of the carbohydrate−peptide esters studied.

Novel Ester-Linked Carbohydrate−Peptide Adducts: Effect of the Peptide Substituent on the Pathways of Intramolecular Reactions

Carbohydrate−peptide conjugates in which D-glucose is linked through an ester linkage to the carboxy group of Tyr-Pro (2), Tyr-Pro-Phe (5) or Tyr-Pro-Phe-Val (11), through the C6 hydroxy group of the sugar moiety were synthesized to examine the utility of this type of monosaccharide modification for peptide prodrugs. Evidence is provided that glycoconjugates 2, 5, and 11 easily undergo intramolecular chemical transformations, subsequent to attack of the free N-terminal amino group at the peptide backbone or at the anomeric position of the D-glucose moiety, resulting in the formation of diketopiperazine 12, glycosylamine 13, or keto-sugar derivative 15. The data indicated that the length and structure of the peptide chain are the main factors that control the intramolecular reactions of the carbohydrate−peptide esters studied.

SALSA: a pattern recognition algorithm to detect electrophile-adducted peptides by automated evaluation of CID spectra in LC-MS-MS analyses.

A pattern recognition algorithm called SALSA (scoring algorithm for spectral analysis) has been developed to rapidly screen large numbers of peptide MS-MS spectra for fragmentation characteristics indicative of specific peptide modifications. The algorithm facilitates sensitive and specific detection of modified peptides at low abundance in an enzymatic protein digest. SALSA can simultaneously score multiple user-specified search criteria, including product ions, neutral losses, charged losses, and ion pairs that are diagnostic of specific peptide modifications. Application of SALSA to the detection of peptide adducts of the electrophiles dehydromonocrotaline, benzoquinone, and iodoacetic acid permitted their detection in a complex tryptic peptide digest mixture. SALSA provides superior detection of adducted peptides compared to conventional tandem MS precursor ion or neutral loss scans.

Tandem MS analysis of model peptide adducts from reactive metabolites of the hepatotoxin 1,1-dichloroethylene.

Dichloroethylene (DCE) is a hepatotoxin that undergoes cytochrome P450-catalyzed bioactivation in hepatocytes to form 2-chloroacetyl chloride and 1,1-dichloroethylene oxide. 2-Chloroacetyl chloride reacts with nucleophilic residues and with N-terminal amines to produce 2-chloroacetylated residues and with glutathione to form the reactive electrophile S-(2-chloroacetyl)glutathione (ClCH(2)COSG), which, in turn, is capable of sulfhydryl alkylation. 1,1-DCE oxide can bind to cysteine sulfhydryl groups and subsequently hydrolyze to form an S-carboxymethylated cysteine residue. S-Carboxymethylated, 2-chloroacetylated, and GSCOCH(2)-S-Cys-peptide adducts of model cysteine-containing peptides were synthesized, and their fragmentation patterns were characterized by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Synthesis of GSCOCH(2)-S-Cys-peptide adducts was achieved via a novel tert-butoxycarbonyl (tBOC) derivative of ClCH(2)COSG. CID of GSCOCH(2)-S-Cys-peptide adducts resulted in product ions and neutral losses indicative of the GSCOCH(2)-S-Cys moiety as well fragment ion pairs in the b- and y-ion series corresponding to the modified cysteine residue. S-Carboxymethylated peptides exhibited only a characteristic b- or y-series ion pair separated by 161 Da, corresponding to cysteine + CH(2)COOH. CID of 2-chloroacetylated peptides showed neutral losses of 36 (HCl), 78 (HCOCH(2)Cl), 96 (HCOCH(2)Cl + H(2)O), and 114 Da (HCOCH(2)Cl + 2H(2)O). Combinations of characteristic fragment ions, neutral losses, and ion pairs thus are characteristic for DCE-derived adducts. These features can be used in an MS/MS data reduction algorithm for the selective identification of protein targets of DCE metabolites.

Characterization of benzoquinone-peptide adducts by electrospray mass spectrometry.

Benzoquinone adducts were prepared with model peptides to identify characteristic features of adduct fragmentation in tandem mass spectrometry (MS) experiments. Model peptides contained cysteine and had a molecular mass of less than 2 kDa to facilitate peptide fragmentation in tandem MS analyses. Peptides were adducted with an excess of benzoquinone, and the adducts were analyzed by LC/MS. Adducts were identified by addition of 108 Da to the monoisotopic mass of the peptide, except in the case of oxytocin, which formed a bis adduct with addition of 216 Da. Tandem MS experiments were performed on the [M + 2H](2+) ions and/or the [M + H](+) ions. Sequence information obtained from modified peptides was comparable to that of their unmodified counterparts. A unique ion pair separated by 141 or 142 Da corresponding to beta-elimination of benzoquinol-S or benzoquinol-SH from a b(n) or y(n) series ion indicated attachment at the sulfur of the cysteine residue. An alternate ion pair of 211 Da corresponded to fragmentation at the peptide bond on either side of the adducted cysteine. Enzymatic digestion of BSA and a 2560 Da frog peptide with trypsin yielded tryptic peptides, which were treated with benzoquinone. In addition to ion pairs of 142 and 211 Da, singly and doubly charged tryptic peptide adducts showed a neutral loss of 142 Da from the precursor. Either one or both ion pairs were present in more than half of all the peptides that were examined. The neutral loss of 142 Da was present in all singly charged tryptic peptide adducts and in 11 out of 14 doubly charged tryptic peptide adducts. The data indicate that reliable detection of benzoquinone-cysteinyl peptide adducts requires monitoring of multiple spectral characteristics.

Mechanism-based inactivation of cytochrome P450 3A4 by L-754,394.

Mechanism-based inactivation of human liver P450 3A4 by L-754,394, a Merck compound synthesized as a potential HIV protease inhibitor, was investigated using recombinant P450 3A4. Enzyme inactivation was characterized by a small partition ratio (3.4 or 4.3 +/- 0.4), i.e., the total number of metabolic events undergone by the inhibitor divided by the number of enzyme inactivating events, lack of reversibility upon extensive dialysis, no decrease in the characteristic 450-nm species relative to control, and covalent modification of the apoprotein. The major and minor products formed during the inactivation of P450 3A4 were the monohydroxylated and the dihydrodiol metabolites of L-754,394, respectively. L-754,394 that had been adducted to P450 3A4 was hydrolyzed under the conditions used for SDS-PAGE, Ni(2+) affinity chromatography, and proteolytic digestion. In addition, the modification was not stable to the acidic conditions of HPLC separation and CNBr digestion. The labile nature of the peptide adduct and the nonstoichiometric binding of the inactivating species to P450 3A4 precluded the direct identification of a covalently modified amino acid residue or the peptide to which it was attached. However, Tricine SDS-PAGE in combination with MALDI-TOF-MS and homology modeling, allowed I257-M317 to be tentatively identified as an active site peptide, while prior knowledge of the stability of N-, O-, and S-linked conjugates of activated furans implicates Glu307 as the active site amino acid that is labeled by L-754, 394.