Allosteric Disulfide Research Articles

Stepwise release of Activin-A from its inhibitory prodomain is modulated by cysteines and requires furin coexpression to promote melanoma growth

The Activin-A precursor dimer can be cleaved by furin, but how this proteolytic maturation is regulated in vivo and how it facilitates access to signaling receptors is unclear. Here, analysis in a syngeneic melanoma grafting model shows that without furin coexpression, Activin-A failed to accelerate tumor growth, correlating with failure of one or both subunits to undergo cleavage in signal-sending cells, even though compensatory processing by host cells nonetheless sustained elevated circulating Activin-A levels. In reporter assays, furin-independent cleavage of one subunit enabled juxtacrine Activin-A signaling, whereas completion of proteolytic maturation by coexpressed furin or by recipient cells stimulated contact-independent activity, crosstalk with BMP receptors, and signal inhibition by follistatin. Mechanistically, Activin-A processing was modulated by allosteric disulfide bonds flanking the furin site. Disruption of these disulfide linkages with the prodomain enabled Activin-A binding to cognate type II receptors independently of proteolytic maturation. Stepwise proteolytic maturation is a novel mechanism to control Activin-A protein interactions and signaling.

Protein disulfide isomerase cleaves allosteric disulfides in histidine-rich glycoprotein to regulate thrombosis

The essence of difference between hemostasis and thrombosis is that the clotting reaction is a highly fine-tuned process. Vascular protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) represents a critical mechanism regulating the functions of hemostatic proteins. Herein we show that histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) is a substrate of PDI. Reduction of HRG by PDI enhances the procoagulant and anticoagulant activities of HRG by neutralization of endothelial heparan sulfate (HS) and inhibition of factor XII (FXIIa) activity, respectively. Murine HRG deficiency (Hrg−/−) leads to delayed onset but enhanced formation of thrombus compared to WT. However, in the combined FXII deficiency (F12−/−) and HRG deficiency (by siRNA or Hrg−/−), there is further thrombosis reduction compared to F12−/− alone, confirming HRG’s procoagulant activity independent of FXIIa. Mutation of target disulfides of PDI leads to a gain-of-function mutant of HRG that promotes its activities during coagulation. Thus, PDI-HRG pathway fine-tunes thrombosis by promoting its rapid initiation via neutralization of HS and preventing excessive propagation via inhibition of FXIIa.

An allosteric redox switch involved in oxygen protection in a CO2 reductase.

Metal-dependent formate dehydrogenases reduce CO2 with high efficiency and selectivity, but are usually very oxygen sensitive. An exception is Desulfovibrio vulgaris W/Sec-FdhAB, which can be handled aerobically, but the basis for this oxygen tolerance was unknown. Here we show that FdhAB activity is controlled by a redox switch based on an allosteric disulfide bond. When this bond is closed, the enzyme is in an oxygen-tolerant resting state presenting almost no catalytic activity and very low formate affinity. Opening this bond triggers large conformational changes that propagate to the active site, resulting in high activity and high formate affinity, but also higher oxygen sensitivity. We present the structure of activated FdhAB and show that activity loss is associated with partial loss of the metal sulfido ligand. The redox switch mechanism is reversible in vivo and prevents enzyme reduction by physiological formate levels, conferring a fitness advantage during O2 exposure.

A Critical Role for ERO1α in Arterial Thrombosis and Ischemic Stroke.

Platelet adhesion and aggregation play a crucial role in arterial thrombosis and ischemic stroke. Here, we identify platelet ERO1α (endoplasmic reticulum oxidoreductase 1α) as a novel regulator of Ca2+ signaling and a potential pharmacological target for treating thrombotic diseases. Intravital microscopy, animal disease models, and a wide range of cell biological studies were utilized to demonstrate the pathophysiological role of ERO1α in arteriolar and arterial thrombosis and to prove the importance of platelet ERO1α in platelet activation and aggregation. Mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, and biochemical studies were used to investigate the molecular mechanism. We used novel blocking antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors to study whether ERO1α can be targeted to attenuate thrombotic conditions. Megakaryocyte-specific or global deletion of Ero1α in mice similarly reduced platelet thrombus formation in arteriolar and arterial thrombosis without affecting tail bleeding times and blood loss following vascular injury. We observed that platelet ERO1α localized exclusively in the dense tubular system and promoted Ca2+ mobilization, platelet activation, and aggregation. Platelet ERO1α directly interacted with STIM1 (stromal interaction molecule 1) and SERCA2 (sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2) and regulated their functions. Such interactions were impaired in mutant STIM1-Cys49/56Ser and mutant SERCA2-Cys875/887Ser. We found that ERO1α modified an allosteric Cys49-Cys56 disulfide bond in STIM1 and a Cys875-Cys887 disulfide bond in SERCA2, contributing to Ca2+ store content and increasing cytosolic Ca2+ levels during platelet activation. Inhibition of Ero1α with small-molecule inhibitors but not blocking antibodies attenuated arteriolar and arterial thrombosis and reduced infarct volume following focal brain ischemia in mice. Our results suggest that ERO1α acts as a thiol oxidase for Ca2+ signaling molecules, STIM1 and SERCA2, and enhances cytosolic Ca2+ levels, promoting platelet activation and aggregation. Our study provides evidence that ERO1α may be a potential target to reduce thrombotic events.

Mechano-Redox Control of Macrophage-1 Antigen De-Adhesion From ICAM-1 (Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1) by Protein Disulfide Isomerase Promotes Directional Movement Under Flow.

Neutrophil migration is critical to the initiation and resolution of inflammation. Macrophage-1 antigen (Mac-1; CD11b/CD18, αMβ2) is a leukocyte integrin essential for firm adhesion to endothelial ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1) and migration of neutrophils in the shear forces of the circulation. PDI (protein disulfide isomerase) has been reported to influence neutrophil adhesion and migration. We aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of PDI control of Mac-1 affinity for ICAM-1 during neutrophil migration under fluid shear. Neutrophils isolated from whole blood were perfused over microfluidic chips coated with ICAM-1. Colocalization of Mac-1 and PDI on neutrophils was visualized by fluorescently labeled antibodies and confocal microscopy. The redox state of Mac-1 disulfide bonds was mapped by differential cysteine alkylation and mass spectrometry. Wild-type or disulfide mutant Mac-1 was expressed recombinantly in Baby Hamster Kidney cells to measure ligand affinity. Mac-1 conformations were measured by conformation-specific antibodies and molecular dynamics simulations. Neutrophils crawling on immobilized ICAM-1 were measured in presence of oxidized or reduced PDI, and the effect of PDI inhibition using isoquercetin on neutrophil crawling on inflamed endothelial cells was examined. Migration indices in the X- and Y-direction were determined and the crawling speed was calculated. PDI colocalized with high-affinity Mac-1 at the trailing edge of stimulated neutrophils when crawling on ICAM-1 under fluid shear. PDI cleaved 2 allosteric disulfide bonds, C169-C176 and C224-C264, in the βI domain of the β2 subunit, and cleavage of the C224-C264 disulfide bond selectively controls Mac-1 disengagement from ICAM-1 under fluid shear. Molecular dynamics simulations and conformation-specific antibodies reveal that cleavage of the C224-C264 bond induces conformational change and mechanical stress in the βI domain. This allosterically alters the exposure of an αI domain epitope associated with a shift of Mac-1 to a lower-affinity state. These molecular events promote neutrophil motility in the direction of flow at high shear stress. Inhibition of PDI by isoquercetin reduces neutrophil migration in the direction of flow on endothelial cells during inflammation. Shear-dependent PDI cleavage of the neutrophil Mac-1 C224-C264 disulfide bond triggers Mac-1 de-adherence from ICAM-1 at the trailing edge of the cell and enables directional movement of neutrophils during inflammation.

A proximity-based in silico approach to identify redox-labile disulfide bonds: The example of FVIII.

Allosteric disulfide bonds permit highly responsive, transient 'switch-like' properties that are ideal for processes like coagulation and inflammation that require rapid and localised responses to damage or injury. Haemophilia A (HA) is a rare bleeding disorder managed with exogenous coagulation factor(F) VIII products. FVIII has eight disulfide bonds and is known to be redox labile, but it is not known how reduction/oxidation affects the structure-function relationship, or its immunogenicity-a serious complication for 30% severe HA patients. Understanding how redox-mediated changes influence FVIII can inform molecular engineering strategies aimed at improving activity and stability, and reducing immunogenicity. FVIII is a challenging molecule to work with owing to its poor expression and instability so, in a proof-of-concept study, we used molecular dynamics (MD) to identify which disulfide bonds were most likely to be reduced and how this would affect structure/function; results were then experimentally verified. MD identified Cys1899-Cys1903 disulfide as the most likely to undergo reduction based on energy and proximity criteria. Further MD suggested this reduction led to a more open conformation. Here we present our findings and highlight the value of MD approaches.

Thiol-based chemical probes exhibit antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 via allosteric disulfide disruption in the spike glycoprotein

The development of small-molecules targeting different components of SARS-CoV-2 is a key strategy to complement antibody-based treatments and vaccination campaigns in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we show that two thiol-based chemical probes that act as reducing agents, P2119 and P2165, inhibit infection by human coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, and decrease the binding of spike glycoprotein to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Proteomics and reactive cysteine profiling link the antiviral activity to the reduction of key disulfides, specifically by disruption of the Cys379-Cys432 and Cys391-Cys525 pairs distal to the receptor binding motif in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike glycoprotein. Computational analyses provide insight into conformation changes that occur when these disulfides break or form, consistent with an allosteric role, and indicate that P2119/P2165 target a conserved hydrophobic binding pocket in the RBD with the benzyl thiol-reducing moiety pointed directly toward Cys432. These collective findings establish the vulnerability of human coronaviruses to thiol-based chemical probes and lay the groundwork for developing compounds of this class, as a strategy to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 infection by shifting the spike glycoprotein redox scaffold.

Thiol-based chemical probes exhibit antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 via allosteric disulfide disruption in the spike glycoprotein

Thiol-based chemical probes exhibit antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 via allosteric disulfide disruption in the spike glycoprotein

Native structure of the RhopH complex, a key determinant of malaria parasite nutrient acquisition

The RhopH complex is implicated in malaria parasites' ability to invade and create new permeability pathways in host erythrocytes, but its mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we enrich the endogenous RhopH complex in a native soluble form, comprising RhopH2, CLAG3.1, and RhopH3, directly from parasite cell lysates and determine its atomic structure using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), mass spectrometry, and the cryoID program. CLAG3.1 is positioned between RhopH2 and RhopH3, which both share substantial binding interfaces with CLAG3.1 but make minimal contacts with each other. The forces stabilizing individual subunits include 13 intramolecular disulfide bonds. Notably, CLAG3.1 residues 1210 to 1223, previously predicted to constitute a transmembrane helix, are embedded within a helical bundle formed by residues 979 to 1289 near the C terminus of CLAG3.1. Buried in the core of the RhopH complex and largely shielded from solvent, insertion of this putative transmembrane helix into the erythrocyte membrane would likely require a large conformational rearrangement. Given the unusually high disulfide content of the complex, it is possible that such a rearrangement could be initiated by the breakage of allosteric disulfide bonds, potentially triggered by interactions at the erythrocyte membrane. This first direct observation of an exported Plasmodium falciparum transmembrane protein-in a soluble, trafficking state and with atomic details of buried putative membrane-insertion helices-offers insights into the assembly and trafficking of RhopH and other parasite-derived complexes to the erythrocyte membrane. Our study demonstrates the potential the endogenous structural proteomics approach holds for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of hard-to-isolate complexes in their native, functional forms.

A fusion peptide in preS1 and the human protein disulfide isomerase ERp57 are involved in hepatitis B virus membrane fusion process.

Cell entry of enveloped viruses relies on the fusion between the viral and plasma or endosomal membranes, through a mechanism that is triggered by a cellular signal. Here we used a combination of computational and experimental approaches to unravel the main determinants of hepatitis B virus (HBV) membrane fusion process. We discovered that ERp57 is a host factor critically involved in triggering HBV fusion and infection. Then, through modeling approaches, we uncovered a putative allosteric cross-strand disulfide (CSD) bond in the HBV S glycoprotein and we demonstrate that its stabilization could prevent membrane fusion. Finally, we identified and characterized a potential fusion peptide in the preS1 domain of the HBV L glycoprotein. These results underscore a membrane fusion mechanism that could be triggered by ERp57, allowing a thiol/disulfide exchange reaction to occur and regulate isomerization of a critical CSD, which ultimately leads to the exposition of the fusion peptide.

Extracellular Protein Disulfide Isomerase Cleaves Allosteric Disulfides in Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein to Regulate Thrombus Formation

Introduction The fine-tuning of thrombus formation is influenced by multiple factors among which extracellular protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) released by activated platelets and endothelial cells plays critical roles. However, the precise mechanisms whereby PDI modulates the kinetics of thrombosis remain elusive. Using mechanism-based kinetic trapping strategy, we identified plasma histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) as a substrate of extracellular PDI during thrombus formation. HRG exerts both anticoagulant and procoagulant functions. On one hand, HRG inhibits the contact pathway by binding to activated factor XII (fXIIa); on the other hand, HRG attenuates the anticoagulant activity of antithrombin (AT) by competing with AT binding to endothelial heparan sulfate. Both functions are dependent on zinc ions. In this study, we characterized the effects of PDI-mediated disulfide bond cleavage on HRG functions in the context of thrombosis. Methods Recombinant PDI variant with the C-terminal catalytic Cys of the CGHC motif replaced with Ala (PDI-CA) was used to trap its redox substrates in platelet rich plasma (PRP). Dual fluorescent immunoblotting was utilized to detect the stabilized intermediate complex between PDI-CA and HRG. Differential cysteine alkylation and mass spectrometry was performed using purified plasma HRG to identify the disulfide bonds targeted by PDI. ELISA was performed to determine the effects of PDI treatment on HRG binding to heparin, an analog of endothelial heparan sulfate, and fXIIa. Cell-based ELISA, immunofluorescent imaging, and immunohistochemistry were employed to examine in vitro and in vivo binding of HRG and AT on endothelial cells. HRG-mediated inhibition of fXIIa activity was determined using the chromogenic substrate S-2302. The kinetics of HRG accumulation during thrombus formation were examined using high-speed intravital microscopy in the cremasteric arterioles. The effects of HRG on thrombus formation were examined in the laser injury thrombosis model in the presence (wild-type mice) or absence of fXII (f12-/- mice). Results The trapping mutant PDI-CA, but not variants of endoplasmic protein 57 (ERp57), a close member in the PDI family with similar domain structure, formed disulfide-linked complexes with HRG in PRP. Mass spectrometry showed that PDI cleaves three disulfide bonds, C306-C309, C390-C434 and C409-C410, in the histidine-rich region of HRG that is important for its binding to heparan sulfate and fXIIa. Compared to inert-PDI (PDI-AA), where both catalytic Cys were substituted with Ala, wild-type PDI (PDI-CC) increased HRG binding to heparin in a Zn2+-dependent manner. Plasma treated with PDI-CC had increased HRG binding but decreased AT binding to cultured endothelial cells compared to PDI-AA treated control. Further, PDI-CC increased HRG binding to fXIIa and enhanced its inhibitory effect on fXIIa activity. Following laser injury of cremaster arterioles, plasma HRG accumulates rapidly at the injury site preceding the main platelet signal. When mice were treated with Eptifibatide, an integrin αIIbβ3 antagonist that eliminates platelet deposition and Zn2+release, plasma HRG accumulation at the site of vessel injury was reduced, indicating a critical role of Zn2+ for HRG binding in vivo. Intravenous treatment with a PDI inhibitor, isoquercetin, also inhibited HRG accumulation in the growing thrombus. In addition, following FeCl3-induced carotid injury, PDI inhibition by isoquercetin was found to reduce HRG binding but sustain AT binding on the injured artery as determined by immunohistochemistry. Finally, knockdown of plasma HRG with vivo-siRNA in f12-/- mice attenuated thrombus formation compared to scramble siRNA treatment thus suggesting a procoagulant role of HRG independent of fXIIa. Conclusion PDI cleavage of allosteric disulfide bonds in HRG represents a novel regulatory mechanism that fine-tunes the kinetics of thrombus formation. Our results indicate that at the early stage of thrombosis, PDI promotes HRG binding to endothelial cells to suppress the anticoagulant activity of AT and allow the rapid initiation of thrombosis; at the later stage, PDI reduction of HRG enhances its binding to fXIIa leading to inhibition of fXIIa activity to prevent excessive clot formation. Disclosures Bowley: Pfizer: Current Employment.

The impact of thioredoxin reduction of allosteric disulfide bonds on the therapeutic potential of monoclonal antibodies

Therapeutic mAbs are used to manage a wide range of cancers and autoimmune disorders. However, mAb-based treatments are not always successful, highlighting the need for a better understanding of the factors influencing mAb efficacy. Increased levels of oxidative stress associated with several diseases are counteracted by the activities of various oxidoreductase enzymes, such as thioredoxin (Trx), which also reduces allosteric disulfide bonds in proteins, including mAbs. Here, using an array of in vitro assays, we explored the functional effects of Trx-mediated reduction on the mechanisms of action of six therapeutic mAbs. We found that Trx reduces the interchain disulfide bonds of the mAbs, after which they remain intact but have altered function. In general, this reduction increased antigen-binding capacity, resulting in, for example, enhanced tumor necrosis factor (TNF) neutralization by two anti-TNF mAbs. Conversely, Trx reduction decreased the antiproliferative activity of an anti-tyrosine kinase-type cell-surface receptor HER2 mAb. In all of the mAbs, Fc receptor binding was abrogated by Trx activity, with significant loss in both complement-dependent cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity of the mAbs tested. We also confirmed that without alkylation, Trx-reduced interchain disulfide bonds reoxidize, and ADCC activity is restored. In summary, Trx-mediated reduction has a substantial impact on the functional effects of an mAb, including variable effects on antigen binding and Fc function, with the potential to significantly impact mAb efficacy in vivo.

Murine tissue factor disulfide mutation causes a bleeding phenotype with sex specific organ pathology and lethality.

Tissue factor (TF) is highly expressed in sub-endothelial tissue. The extracellular allosteric disulfide bond Cys186–Cys209 of human TF shows high evolutionary conservation and in vitro evidence suggests that it significantly contributes to TF procoagulant activity. To investigate the role of this allosteric disulfide bond in vivo, we generated a C213G mutant Tf mouse by replacing Cys213 of the corresponding disulfide Cys190-Cys213 in murine Tf. A bleeding phenotype was prominent in homozygous C213G Tf mice. Pre-natal lethality of one third of homozygous offspring was observed between embryonic (E) day E9.5 and E14.5 associated with placental hemorrhages. After birth, homozygous mice suffered from bleedings in different organs and reduced survival. Homozygous C213G Tf male mice showed higher incidence of lung bleedings and lower survival rates than females. In both sexes, C213G mutation evoked a reduced protein expression (about 10- fold) and severely reduced pro-coagulant activity (at least 100-fold). Protein glycosylation was impaired and cell membrane exposure decreased in macrophages in vivo. Single housing of homozygous C213G Tf males reduced the occurrence of severe bleeding and significantly improved survival, suggesting that inter-male aggressiveness might significantly account for the sex differences. These experiments show that the TF allosteric disulfide bond is of crucial importance for normal in vivo expression, post-translational processing and activity of murine TF. Although C213G Tf mice do not display the severe embryonic lethality of Tf knock-out mice, their postnatal bleeding phenotype emphasizes the importance of fully functional TF for hemostasis.

A role for allosteric disulfides in regulating the function of human killer cell receptor KIR2DL4

Abstract KIR2DL4 is an unusual member of the killer cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) family expressed in NK cells. It resides mostly in endosomes and activates NK cells in response to soluble agonists, such as soluble HLA-G and a monoclonal antibody. KIR2DL4 signals from endosomes for a unique proinflammatory and proangiogenic response, which has relevance to placental development due to the restricted expression of its ligand, HLA-G, by fetal trophoblast cells during early pregnancy. To understand the nature and regulation of KIR2DL4–HLA-G interactions, we used an unbiased random mutagenesis approach and screened mutants of KIR2DL4 in a cellular assay for their ability to load soluble HLA-G into KIR2DL4+ endosomes. With this approach, amino acid residues in KIR2DL4 that are important for endosomal localization and HLA-G recognition were identified. Specifically, we have identified a putative allosteric cysteine in the extracellular domain of this receptor, which may be involved in a disulfide switching mechanism to control receptor internalization and ligand binding. Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) acting at the cell surface may be responsible for this switch as inhibition of PDI interfered with internalization of KIR2DL4 and uptake of HLA-G into endosomes. The configuration of the relevant disulfide bond is -RHstaple, which is a hallmark of many allosteric disulfides. Thus, KIR2DL4 localization and function is regulated by allosteric disulfide bonds at the cell surface. Studies are underway to explore the dynamic regulation of receptor structure by this allosteric disulfide switch to control ligand binding, localization and signaling by this receptor.

Platelet Protein Disulfide Isomerase Promotes Glycoprotein Ibα-Mediated Platelet-Neutrophil Interactions Under Thromboinflammatory Conditions.

Platelet-neutrophil interactions contribute to vascular occlusion and tissue damage in thromboinflammatory disease. Platelet glycoprotein Ibα (GPIbα), a key receptor for the cell-cell interaction, is believed to be constitutively active for ligand binding. Here, we established the role of platelet-derived protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) in reducing the allosteric disulfide bonds in GPIbα and enhancing the ligand-binding activity under thromboinflammatory conditions. Bioinformatic analysis identified 2 potential allosteric disulfide bonds in GPIbα. Agglutination assays, flow cytometry, surface plasmon resonance analysis, a protein-protein docking model, proximity ligation assays, and mass spectrometry were used to demonstrate a direct interaction between PDI and GPIbα and to determine a role for PDI in regulating GPIbα function and platelet-neutrophil interactions. Also, real-time microscopy and animal disease models were used to study the pathophysiological role of PDI-GPIbα signaling under thromboinflammatory conditions. Deletion or inhibition of platelet PDI significantly reduced GPIbα-mediated platelet agglutination. Studies using PDI-null platelets and recombinant PDI or Anfibatide, a clinical-stage GPIbα inhibitor, revealed that the oxidoreductase activity of platelet surface-bound PDI was required for the ligand-binding function of GPIbα. PDI directly bound to the extracellular domain of GPIbα on the platelet surface and reduced the Cys4-Cys17 and Cys209-Cys248 disulfide bonds. Real-time microscopy with platelet-specific PDI conditional knockout and sickle cell disease mice demonstrated that PDI-regulated GPIbα function was essential for platelet-neutrophil interactions and vascular occlusion under thromboinflammatory conditions. Studies using a mouse model of ischemia/reperfusion-induced stroke indicated that PDI-GPIbα signaling played a crucial role in tissue damage. Our results demonstrate that PDI-facilitated cleavage of the allosteric disulfide bonds tightly regulates GPIbα function, promoting platelet-neutrophil interactions, vascular occlusion, and tissue damage under thromboinflammatory conditions.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel Allosteric Protein Disulfide Isomerase Inhibitors.

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is responsible for nascent protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and is critical for glioblastoma survival. To improve the potency of lead PDI inhibitor BAP2 (( E)-3-(3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl)benzonitrile), we designed and synthesized 67 analogues. We determined that PDI inhibition relied on the A ring hydroxyl group of the chalcone scaffold and cLogP increase in the sulfonamide chain improved potency. Docking studies revealed that BAP2 and analogues bind to His256 in the b' domain of PDI, and mutation of His256 to Ala abolishes BAP2 analogue activity. BAP2 and optimized analogue 59 have modest thiol reactivity; however, we propose that PDI inhibition by BAP2 analogues depends on the b' domain. Importantly, analogues inhibit glioblastoma cell growth, induce ER stress, increase expression of G2M checkpoint proteins, and reduce expression of DNA repair proteins. Cumulatively, our results support inhibition of PDI as a novel strategy to treat glioblastoma.

Contribution of allosteric disulfide in the structural regulation of membrane-bound tissue factor–factor VIIa binary complex

Two distinct populations, active and cryptic forms of tissue factor (TF), reside on the cell surface. Apart from phospholipid contribution, various models have been introduced to explain decryption/encryption of TF. The proposed model, the switching of Cys186–Cys209 bond of TF, has become the matter of controversy. However, it is well accepted that this disulfide has an immense influence upon ligand factor VIIa (FVIIa) for its binding. However, molecular level understanding for this remains unveiled due to lack of detailed structural information. In this regard, we have performed the molecular dynamic study of membrane-bound TF/TF–FVIIa in both the forms (±Cys186–Cys209 allosteric disulfide bond), individually. Dynamic study depicts that disulfide bond provides structural rigidity of TF in both free and ligand-bound forms. This disulfide bond also governs the conformation of FVIIa structure as well as the binding affinity of FVIIa toward TF. Significant differences in lipid–protein interaction profiles of both the forms of TF in the complex were observed. Two forms of TF, oxidized and reduced, have different structural conformation and behave differentially toward its ligand FVIIa. This disulfide bond not only alters the conformation of GLA domain of FVIIa in the vicinity but allosterically regulates the conformation of the distantly located FVIIa protease domain. We suggest that the redox status of the disulfide bond also governs the lipid-mediated interactions with both TF and FVIIa.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Conformations of cysteine disulfides of peptide toxins: Advantage of differentiating forward and reverse asymmetric disulfide conformers

Conformations of cysteine disulfides were analyzed in X-ray, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and co-crystal structures of peptide toxins retrieved from Protein Data Bank. The parameters side chain torsional angles, disulfide strain energy, interatomic Cα/Cβ distances, and Ramachandran angles were used as probes to derive conformational features of cysteine disulfides. Schmidt, Ho, and Hogg (2006) Allosteric disulfide bonds. Biochemistry, 45, 7429–7433 scheme was adapted to classify the disulfide conformations of peptide toxins. Anomalies were observed while treating “forward” and “reverse” asymmetric disulfide conformers as same disulfide conformation in peptide toxins. Thus, new scheme was proposed to classify “forward” and “reverse” asymmetric disulfide conformers separately. Total available conformers space for classification of toxins disulfides is 32. Interestingly, all 32 disulfide conformations are observed in peptide toxins. –LHSpiral is predominant disulfide conformation of peptide toxins. Significant variations were observed in population of occurrence of disulfide conformers, disulfide strain energy, and distribution of DCα-Cα and DCβ-Cβ values between X-ray, NMR, and co-crystal structures of peptide toxins. The observed differences in conformations of disulfides of same peptide toxins between different states were used as platform to demonstrate advantage of differentiating forward and reverse asymmetric disulfide conformers. Newly proposed scheme allows accurate representation of true conformational diversity of disulfides between X-ray and NMR structures of same peptide toxins. Newly proposed scheme also permits to derive additional structural information from nomenclature which was illustrated by comparing conformations of disulfides between unbound and bound form of toxin with channel/receptor. The results will be of interest for growing field of structural venomics and conformational analysis of peptide/protein disulfides.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Interleukin 4 is inactivated via selective disulfide-bond reduction by extracellular thioredoxin

Thioredoxin 1 (TRX), an essential intracellular redox regulator, is also secreted by mammalian cells. Recently, we showed that TRX activates extracellular transglutaminase 2 via reduction of an allosteric disulfide bond. In an effort to identify other extracellular substrates of TRX, macrophages derived from THP-1 cells were treated with NP161, a small-molecule inhibitor of secreted TRX. NP161 enhanced cytokine outputs of alternatively activated macrophages, suggesting that extracellular TRX regulated the activity of interleukin 4 (IL-4) and/or interleukin 13 (IL-13). To test this hypothesis, the C35S mutant of human TRX was shown to form a mixed disulfide bond with recombinant IL-4 but not IL-13. Kinetic analysis revealed a kcat/KM value of 8.1 μM-1⋅min-1 for TRX-mediated recognition of IL-4, which established this cytokine as the most selective partner of extracellular TRX to date. Mass spectrometry identified the C46-C99 bond of IL-4 as the target of TRX, consistent with the essential role of this disulfide bond in IL-4 activity. To demonstrate the physiological relevance of our biochemical findings, recombinant TRX was shown to attenuate IL-4-dependent proliferation of cultured TF-1 erythroleukemia cells and also to inhibit the progression of chronic pancreatitis in an IL-4-driven mouse model of this disease. By establishing that IL-4 is posttranslationally regulated by TRX-promoted reduction of a disulfide bond, our findings highlight a novel regulatory mechanism of the type 2 immune response that is specific to IL-4 over IL-13.

Redox exchange of the disulfides of human two-domain CD4 regulates the conformational dynamics of each domain, providing insight into its mechanisms of control

CD4, a membrane glycoprotein expressed by specific leukocytes, plays a vital role in the human immune response and acts as a primary receptor for HIV entry. Of its four ecto-domains (D1−D4), D1, D2, and D4 each contain a distinctive disulfide bond. Whereas the disulfides of D1 and D4 are more traditional in nature, providing structural functions, that of D2 is referred to as an “allosteric” disulfide due to its high dihedral strain energy and relative ease of reduction that is thought to regulate CD4 structure and function by shuffling its redox state. While we have shown previously that elimination of the pre-stressed D2 disulfide results in a favorable structural collapse that increases the stability of a CD4 variant comprising only D1 and D2 (2dCD4), we sought to further localize and determine the nature of the biophysical modifications that take place upon redox exchange of the D1 and D2 disulfides by using amide hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) to measure induced changes in conformational dynamics. By analyzing various redox isomers of 2dCD4, we demonstrate that ablation of the D1 disulfide enhances the dynamics of the domain considerably, with little effect on that of D2. Reduction of the D2 disulfide however decreases the conformational dynamics of many of the β-strands of the domain that enclose the bond, suggesting a model in which inward collapse of secondary structure occurs around the allosteric disulfide upon its eradication, resulting in a marked decrease in hydrodynamic volume and increase in stability as previously described. Increases in the dynamics of regions important for HIV gp120 and MHCII binding in D1 also result allosterically after reducing the D2 disulfide, which are likely a consequence of the structural changes that take place in D2, findings that advance our understanding of the mechanisms by which redox exchange of the CD4 disulfides regulates its function.