Artificial Heme Proteins Research Articles

Architectural digest: Thermodynamic stability and domain structure of a consensus monomeric globin

Artificial proteins representing the consensus of a set of homologous sequences have attracted attention for their increased thermodynamic stability and conserved activity. Here, we applied the consensus approach to a b-type heme-binding protein to inspect the contribution of a dissociable cofactor to enhanced stability and the chemical consequences of creating a generic heme environment. We targeted the group 1 truncated hemoglobin (TrHb1) subfamily of proteins for their small size (∼120 residues) and ease of characterization. The primary structure, derived from a curated set of ∼300 representative sequences, yielded a highly soluble consensus globin (cGlbN) enriched in acidic residues. Optical and NMR spectroscopies revealed high-affinity heme binding in the expected site and in two orientations. At neutral pH, proximal and distal iron coordination was achieved with a pair of histidine residues, as observed in some natural TrHb1s, and with labile ligation on the distal side. As opposed to studied TrHb1s, which undergo additional folding upon heme binding, cGlbN displayed the same extent of secondary structure whether the heme was associated with the protein or not. Denaturation required guanidine hydrochloride and showed that apo- and holoprotein unfolded in two transitions—the first (occurring with a midpoint of ∼2 M) was shifted to higher denaturant concentration in the holoprotein (∼3.7 M) and reflected stabilization due to heme binding, while the second transition (∼6.2 M) was common to both forms. Thus, the consensus sequence stabilized the protein but exposed the existence of two separately cooperative subdomains within the globin architecture, masked as one single domain in TrHb1s with typical stabilities. The results suggested ways in which specific chemical or thermodynamic features may be controlled in artificial heme proteins.

Oligomerization of cytochrome c, myoglobin, and related heme proteins by 3D domain swapping

Oligomerization of heme proteins is useful for construction of new materials with cooperative and systematic functions; thus, diverse methods have been applied for construction of artificial heme protein oligomers. Three-dimensional (3D) domain swapping is a protein oligomerization phenomenon that exchanges the same domain or secondary structural element between molecules. 3D domain swapping was first reported in 1994; since then many proteins have been reported to domain swap. Our research group has been showing that various heme proteins domain swap. We also found that domain swapping of heme proteins occurs at the early stage of protein folding, and utilized it to construct various heme protein assemblies, including nanorings, cages, hetero dimers with different active sites, and a ligand-binding reversible monomer–polymer system. In this review, the basics and applications of domain swapping of heme proteins are summarized.

Stabilization of cytochrome b5 by a conserved tyrosine in the secondary sphere of heme active site: A spectroscopic and computational study

Heme proteins perform a large array of biological functions, with the heme group bound non-covalently or covalently. To probe the stabilization role of conserved tyrosine residue in the secondary sphere of heme site in heme proteins, we herein used cytochrome b5 (Cyt b5) as a model protein, and mutated Tyr30 to Phe or His by removal of Tyr30 associated H-bond network and hydrophobic interaction. We performed thermal-induced unfolding studies for the two mutants, Y30F Cyt b5 and Y30H Cyt b5, as monitored by both UV–Vis and CD spectroscopy, as well as heme transfer studies from these proteins to apo-myoglobin, with wild-type Cyt b5 under the same conditions for comparison. The reduced stability of both mutants indicates that both the H-bonding and hydrophobic interactions associated with Tyr30 contribute to the protein stability. Moreover, we performed molecular modeling studies, which revealed that the hydrophobic interaction in the local region of Y30F Cyt b5 was well-remained, whereas Y30H Cyt b5 formed an H-bond network. These observations suggest that the conserved Tyr30 in Cyt b5 is not replaceable due to the presence of both the H-bond network and hydrophobic interaction in the secondary sphere of the heme active site. As demonstrated here for Cyt b5, it may be of practical importance for design of artificial heme proteins by engineering a Tyr in the secondary sphere with improved properties and functions.

Peroxidase activity enhancement of myoglobin by two cooperative distal histidines and a channel to the heme pocket

To reveal the structure-function relationship of heme proteins, and to provide clues for creating artificial heme proteins with improved functions, we here use myoglobin (Mb) as a model protein, and report that its peroxidase activity can be enhanced by construction of two distal histidines and a channel to the heme pocket. It showed that in addition to a single distal histidine with a suitable distance to the heme iron (Phe43 to His43 mutation), a second distal histidine (Leu29 to His29 mutation) can work cooperatively to increase the turnover number, mimicking the role of well-known His-Arg pair in native peroxidases. Moreover, a channel created to the heme pocket by removal of the native His64 gate (His64 to Ala64 mutation) was shown to facilitate the binding of substrate, resulting in enhanced catalytic efficiency for the triple mutant L29H/F43H/H64AMb, which is beyond the addition of both double mutants, L29H/H64A Mb and F43H/H64AMb. These results provide valuable information for elucidating the structure-function relationship of heme proteins. In addition, this study provides clues for design of artificial heme proteins, and the strategy of creating a channel to the heme active center is expected be extended to design of other artificial enzymes with improved catalytic performance.

Artificial heme-proteins: determination of axial ligand orientations through paramagnetic NMR shifts

An empirical equation, describing the relationship between the porphyrin methyl hyperfine shifts and the position of the axial ligand(s), has been applied to an artificial heme-protein in order to obtain insight into the active site properties of heme-protein models.

Cytochrome c heme lyase can mature a fusion peptide composed of the amino-terminal residues of horse cytochrome c

It is shown that cytochrome c heme lyase (CCHL) attaches heme covalently to peptides composed of the N-terminal segment of cyt c fused to a non-heme containing protein, lending insight into the substrate specificity of CCHL and providing a new route to artificial heme proteins.

Engineering of artificial heme proteins results in a direct protein marker for immunoblot analysis

Engineering of artificial heme proteins results in a direct protein marker for immunoblot analysis

Facile synthesis of peptide–porphyrin conjugates: Towards artificial catalase

A facile synthetic method for peptide–porphyrin conjugates containing four peptide units on one porphyrin was developed using chemoselective reactions. The key building blocks, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3-azidophenyl)porphyrin 1 and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(5-azido-3-pyridyl)porphyrin 2, were efficiently synthesized and used as substrates for two well-known chemoselective reactions, traceless Staudinger ligation and copper-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition (so-called click chemistry). Both reactions gave the desired compounds, and click chemistry was superior for our purpose. To confirm the value of the established methodology, nine peptide–porphyrin conjugates were synthesized, and their catalase- and peroxidase-like activity in water was evaluated. Our synthetic strategy is expected to be valuable for the preparation of artificial heme protein models.

Electrochemical and ligand binding studies of a de novo heme protein

Heme proteins can perform a variety of electrochemical functions. While natural heme proteins carry out particular functions selected by biological evolution, artificial heme proteins, in principle, can be tailored to suit specified technological applications. Here we describe initial characterization of the electrochemical properties of a de novo heme protein, S824C. Protein S824C is a four-helix bundle derived from a library of sequences that was designed by binary patterning of polar and nonpolar amino acids. Protein S824C was immobilized on a gold electrode and the formal potential of heme–protein complex was studied as a function of pH and ionic strength. The binding of exogenous N-donor ligands to heme/S824C was monitored by measuring shifts in the potential that occurred upon addition of various concentrations of imidazole or pyridine derivatives. The response of heme/S824C to these ligands was then compared to the response of isolated heme (without protein) to the same ligands. The observed shifts in potential depended on both the concentration and the structure of the added ligand. Small changes in structure of the ligand (e.g. pyridine versus 2-amino pyridine) produced significant shifts in the potential of the heme–protein. The observed shifts correlate to the differential binding of the N-donor molecules to the oxidized and reduced states of the heme. Further, it was observed that the electrochemical response of the buried heme in heme/S824C differed significantly from that of isolated heme. These studies demonstrate that the structure of the de novo protein modulates the binding of N-donor ligands to heme.

Host-guest interactions of cyclodextrins and metalloporphyrins: supramolecular building blocks toward artificial heme proteins

Cyclodextrins are versatile building blocks for a variety of macromolecules due to the inclusion complexes that are formed with hydrophobic organic molecules. Cyclodextrin-porphyrin interactions are of particular interest since cyclodextrins can serve as a non-covalent binding pocket while metalloporphyrins could serve as the heme analogs in the construction of heme protein model compounds. Various approaches to the design and assembly of biomimetic porphyrin constructs are compared and contrasted in this minireview with a particular emphasis on self-assembled and porphyrin-cyclodextrin systems. Several recent advances from our laboratories are described in this context. A sensitive fluorescent binding probe, 6A-N-dansyl-permethylated-β-cyclodextrin (Dan-NH-TMCD), was found to form 2:1 complexes with the meso-tetraphenylporphyrins Mn(III)TCPP , Mn(III)TPPS and Mn(III)TF 4 TMAP with high binding constants. A perPEGylated cyclodextrin, heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-2-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl)-β-cyclodextrin (TPCD), has been shown by 1 H NMR spectroscopy to form a 1:1 complex with H 2 TCPP with a binding constant above 108M-1. Such a strong binding constant is the largest found for a 1:1 complex between a monomeric cyclodextrin and a guest. TPCD was also found to bind Mn(III)TCPP with a binding constant of 1.2 × 106 M -1. A novel, self-assembled hemoprotein model, hemodextrin is also described. The molecular design is based on a PEGylated cyclodextrin scaffold that bears both a heme-binding pocket and an axial ligand that binds an iron porphyrin. The binding constant for Fe (III) TPPS (iron(III) meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin) by py-PPCD was determined to be 2 × 106 M -1. The pyridyl nitrogen of py-PPCD was shown to ligate to the iron center by observing signal changes in the Fe(II) -porphyrin 1 H NMR spectrum. This hemodextrin ensemble, a minimalist myoglobin, was shown to bind dioxygen reversibly and to form a stable ferryl species.

Structure of a miniaturised hemoprotein by using the MAD technique on the cobalt-edge

University of Napoli Federico II, Department of Chemistry One of the most challenging topics in hemoprotein chemistry is to identify and to rationalise the structural requirements for specific defined functions (dioxygen activation/transport/storage, electron transfer etc.). Recently, mimochrome-IV a synthetic based-peptide model of hemoproteins was designed [Chem.Rev. (2001) 101, 3165]. The molecule is composed by two identical nine-peptide chains covalently linked to the propionic groups of a deuteroporphyrin-IX through the epsilon-amino function of Lys. Each peptide sequence bears a His residue in the central position that may act as axial ligand in metal coordination. With the aim to study the metal environment of this system we have undertaken the X-ray diffraction experiments of the mimochrome-IV cobalt(III) derivative. After several unsuccessful attempts to solve the phase problem by molecular replacement and the direct methods, the presence of a cobalt atom in the structure suggested to perform an MAD experiment. Four MAD data sets, collected at Elettra, were used to solve the XRD structure of the lambda isomer of Co(III)-mimochrome-IV. The structure consists of two antiparallel peptide chains in -helix conformation, sandwiching the porphyrin plane with a pseudo C2 symmetry. This is the first crystal structure of an artificial heme protein of the mimochrome series and represents the starting point to address the future design directions to reproduce in artificial molecules the subtle mechanisms that control the heme functions, thus ensuring the selectivity of the natural systems. Furthermore, at best of our knowledge this result represents the first structure solved using MAD technique on the cobalt absorption edge. Keywords: MINIATURIZED PROTEIN HEMOPROTEIN MAD Acta Cryst. (2002). A58 (Supplement), C277 ENGINEERING GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN TO A REDOX SWITCH A. Henriksen

2J1500 人工ヘムタンパク質のデザインと実験室進化(2.ヘム蛋白質,一般演題,日本生物物理学会第40回年会)

2J1500 人工ヘムタンパク質のデザインと実験室進化(2.ヘム蛋白質,一般演題,日本生物物理学会第40回年会)

Structural and functional properties of designed globins

De novo design of artificial proteins is an essential approach to elucidate the principles of protein architecture and to understand specific functions of natural proteins and also to yield novel molecules for medical and industrial aims. We have designed artificial sequences of 153 amino acids to fit the main-chain framework of the sperm whale myoglobin structure based on the knowledge-based energy functions to evaluate the compatibility between protein tertiary structures and amino acid sequences. The synthesized artificial globins bind a single heme per protein molecule as designed, which show well-defined electrochemical and spectroscopic features characteristic of proteins with a low-spin heme. Redox and ligand binding reactions of the artificial heme proteins were investigated and these heme-related functions were found to vary with their structural uniqueness. Relationships between the structural and functional properties are discussed.

Syntehsis and structural stability of helichrome as an artificial hemeproteins

A detailed procedure is described for the synthesis of helichrome, which is the first successful example of polypeptide-based artificial hemeprotein. The segment synthesis-condensation approach used for the assembly of small proteins has proven to be extremely useful for protein mimetics as well. The final deprotection was performed using the TMSOTf-thioanisole method instead of the less-convenient hydrogen fluoride method. The unfolding transition of the alpha-helical conformation of helichrome induced by guanidine hydrochloride was studied to understand the stability and dynamics of the folded structure. The resulting parameters (C0.5 = 5.2 M and delta GH2O = -4.4 kcal mol-1) characterizing helichrome denaturation were comparable to that of native globular proteins.