Charged Amino Acid Residues Research Articles

Identification of novel cyclic lipopeptides from a positional scanning combinatorial library with enhanced antibacterial and antibiofilm activities

Treating bacterial infections can be difficult due to innate or acquired resistance mechanisms, and the formation of biofilms. Cyclic lipopeptides derived from fusaricidin/LI-F natural products represent particularly attractive candidates for the development of new antibacterial and antibiofilm agents, with the potential to meet the challenge of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. A positional-scanning combinatorial approach was used to identify the amino acid residues responsible for driving antibacterial activity, and increase the potency of these cyclic lipopeptides. Screening against the antibiotic resistant ESKAPE pathogens revealed the importance of hydrophobic as well as positively charged amino acid residues for activity of this class of peptides. The improvement in potency was especially evident against bacterial biofilms, since the lead cyclic lipopeptide showed promising in vitro and in vivo anti-biofilm activity at the concentration far below its respective MICs. Importantly, structural changes resulting in a more hydrophobic and positively charged analog did not lead to an increase in toxicity toward human cells.

The chitosan–gelatin (bio)polyelectrolyte complexes formation in an acidic medium

The interaction of cationic polysaccharide chitosan and gelatin accompanied by the stoichiometric (bio)polyelectrolyte complexes formation has been studied by the methods of capillary viscometry, UV and FTIR spectroscopy and dispersion of light scattering. Complexes were formed in the aqueous phase, with pH being less than the isoelectric point of gelatin (pIgel). The particle size of the disperse phase increases along with the growth of the relative viscosity in comparison with sols of the individual components—polysaccharide and gelatin. Possible models and mechanism of (bio)polyelectrolyte complexes formation have been discussed. It was shown that the complex formation takes place not only due to the hydrogen bonds, but also due to the electrostatic interactions between the positively charged amino-groups of chitosan and negatively charged amino acid residues (glutamic Glu and aspartic Asp acids) of gelatin.

PH-Dependent Selective Protein Adsorption into Mesoporous Silica

The adsorption of lysozyme, cytochrome c and myoglobin, similar-sized globular proteins of approximately 1.5 nm radius, into the mesoporous silica material Santa Barbara Amorphous-15 (SBA-15) with 3.3 nm mean pore radius has been studied photometrically for aqueous solutions containing a single protein type and for binary protein mixtures. Distinct variations in the absolute and relative adsorption behavior are observed as a function of the solution's pH-value, and thus pore wall and protein charge. The proteins exhibit the strongest binding below their isoelectric points pI, which indicates the dominance of electrostatic interactions between charged amino acid residues and the -OH groups of the silica surface in the mesopore adsorption process. Moreover, we find for competitive adsorption in the restricted, tubular pore geometry that the protein type which shows the favoured binding to the pore wall can entirely suppress the adsorption of the species with lower binding affinity, even though the latter would adsorb quite well from a single component mixture devoid of the strongly binding protein. We suggest that this different physicochemical behavior along with the large specific surface and thus adsorption capability of mesoporous glasses can be exploited for separation of binary mixtures of proteins with distinct pI by adjusting the aqueous solution's pH.

Structural Differences in KIR3DL1 and LILRB1 Interaction with HLA-B and the Loading Peptide Polymorphisms:In SilicoEvidences

KIR3DL1 and LILRB1 interact with HLA class I. Using KIR3DL1/HLA-B interaction to set up the procedure, structural immune-informatics approaches have been performed in LILRB1/HLA-B alleles’ combination also considering the contribution of the HLA bound peptide. All KIR3DL1 alleles interact strongly with HLA-B alleles carrying Bw4 epitope and negative charged amino acid residues in peptide position P8 disrupt KIR3DL1 binding. HLA-B alleles carrying Ile 194 show a higher strength of interaction with LILRB1 in all the analyzed haplotypes. Finally, we hypothesize a contribution of the amino acid at position 1 of the HLA bound peptide in the modulation of HLA-B/LILRB1 interaction.

Interaction between linear PEGylated cationic block copolymers and human serum albumin

Interaction of proteins with synthetic polyelectrolytes is significant with respect to various biological applications. In this work, a detailed spectroscopic study of the binding between a series of PEGylated linear cationic block polymers (BCPs) and human serum albumin (HSA) at physiological pH has been carried out. Techniques like steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy, life-time measurements by time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) method and protein conformation analysis by circular dichroism (CD) measurements were employed at different temperatures. Analysis of the quenching data indicated a static quenching mechanism occurring during polymer–protein interaction. The electrostatic interaction between cationic tertiary ammonium groups of the BCPs and negatively charged amino acid residues present in HSA is the predominant force contributing to the binding process. On the other hand, the presence of PEG units in the BCPs significantly influenced the overall binding process. Conformational analysis of HSA using CD studies suggested that the linear PEG units resisted changes in the secondary structure of HSA to a significant extent, resulting in weakening of the overall binding of cationic BCPs and HSA. Detailed analysis of the thermodynamic parameters like∆G0, ∆H0and ∆S0 indicated that the binding process was entropy driven spontaneous in nature.

Investigation of σ70 subunit structure dependence in Escherichia coli RNA polymerase on ionic strength by the molecular dynamics simulation method

Modeling of the σ70-subunit of the E. coli RNA polymerase (the small protein in the composition of the RNA-polymerase holoenzyme that is responsible for the specificity of the specificity of the transcription initiation of constitutive genes) was conducted at different salt concentrations. Two variants of the C-terminal domain 4 position in the protein were discovered. In one of them, which was found at low salt concentration in the solution, domain 4 interacted with a 190–210 aa region of the NCR domain that is enriched with negatively charged amino-acid residues. In the second one, the high salt concentration shielded the charged region in the NCR and domain 4 became free, which likely caused the increase of the polymerization rate. The simulation results are not in agreement with any currently existing hypothesis on the positions of the N- and C-terminals during self-inhibition.

Development of a Clickable Probe for Profiling of Protein Glutathionylation in the Central Cellular Metabolism of E. coli and Drosophila

Protein glutathionylation is an important post-translational modification that regulates many cellular processes, including energy metabolism, signal transduction, and protein homeostasis. Global profiling of glutathionylated proteins (denoted as glutathionylome) is crucial for understanding redox-regulated signal transduction. Here, we developed a novel method based on click reaction and proteomics to enrich and identify the glutathionylated peptides in Escherichia coli and Drosophila lysates, in which 937and 1,930 potential glutathionylated peptides were identified, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the cysteine residue next to negatively charged amino acid residues has a higher frequency of glutathionylation. Importantly, we found that most proteins associated with metabolic pathways were glutathionylated and that the glutathionylation sites of metabolic enzymes were highly conserved among different species. Our results indicate that the glutathione analog is a useful tool to characterize protein glutathionylation, and glutathionylation of metabolic enzymes, which play important roles in regulating cellular metabolism, is conserved.

Characterization of molecular mechanism of neuroglobin binding to cytochrome c: A surface plasmon resonance and isothermal titration calorimetry study

Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a six-coordinate heme protein predominantly expressed in the brain tissue with a protective role against hypoxic/ischemic and oxidative stress-related insults. Several intracellular proteins including cytochrome c have been identified as potential neuroglobin binding partners. To understand the factors that control Ngb association to cytochrome c (Cyt c) the thermodynamic parameters for Cyt c association to Ngb variants were probed using surface plasmon resonance and isothermal titration calorimetry techniques. The dissociation constant for human Ngb binding to Cyt c was determined to be ~10μM using SPR and a similar value was obtained by ITC confirming that the covalent attachment of Cyt c to the gold surface modified with mixed alkanethiols does not impair Cyt c interactions with Ngb. Modification of the heme iron coordination sphere by replacement of histidine 64 in the position of sixth axial ligand with cyanide effectively inhibits the inter-protein complex formation. On the other hand, the presence of the Cys 46/Cys 55 disulfide bridge that restrains the CD loop flexibility and increases the distal histidine affinity for heme iron has no impact on complex stability. ITC data also show that the inter-protein complex formation is entropy driven (ΔH=3.3±0.2kcalmol−1 and ΔS=32.3calmol−1K−1) likely due to a reorganization of solvent molecules surrounding charged amino-acid residues. The experimental data are consistent with the results of a docking study in which the residues in the E- and F-helix of Ngb were identified to form a binding site for Cyt c. We propose that association of the exogenous ligand to the heme iron triggers a repositioning of the E-helix that prevents Ngb-Cyt c complex formation.

An improved chloride-conducting channelrhodopsin for light-induced inhibition of neuronal activity in vivo.

Channelrhodopsins are light-gated cation channels that have been widely used for optogenetic stimulation of electrically excitable cells. Replacement of a glutamic acid in the central gate with a positively charged amino acid residue reverses the ion selectivity and produces chloride-conducting ChRs (ChloCs). Expressed in neurons, published ChloCs produced a strong shunting effect but also a small, yet significant depolarization from the resting potential. Depending on the state of the neuron, the net result of illumination might therefore be inhibitory or excitatory with respect to action potential generation. Here we report two additional amino acid substitutions that significantly shift the reversal potential of improved ChloC (iChloC) to the reversal potential of endogenous GABAA receptors. As a result, light-evoked membrane depolarization was strongly reduced and spike initiation after current injection or synaptic stimulation was reliably inhibited in iChloC-transfected neurons in vitro. In the primary visual cortex of anesthetized mice, activation of iChloC suppressed spiking activity evoked by visual stimulation. Due to its high operational light sensitivity, iChloC makes it possible to inhibit neurons in a large volume of brain tissue from a small, point-like light source.

The effect of cryptogein with changed abilities to transfer sterols and altered charge distribution on extracellular alkalinization, ROS and NO generation, lipid peroxidation and LOX gene transcription in Nicotiana tabacum

Cryptogein, a protein from oomycete Phytophthora cryptogea, induces a hypersensitive cell death in Nicotiana tabacum. We prepared a new series of cryptogein mutant proteins with altered abilities to bind sterols and with altered charge distribution in the proteins. The effect of the mutations on the cryptogein ability to induce plant defence mechanisms associated with hypersensitive cell death were examined. Our results with new mutants support the previous findings that the sterol binding does not influence synthesis of ROS, cytosol acidification and development of leaf necrosis as these events seem to be more likely affected by the charge distribution and the overall protein structure. This hypothesis was also applicable on other mechanisms involved in the execution of plant cell death such as the NO generation, the stimulation of lipid peroxidation (determination of malondialdehyde and hydroxy fatty acids levels) and LOX gene transcription. In addition, the ability to bind sterols was found to serve not only for pathogen utilisation in its own metabolism but also to have an important function for the destabilization of plant membrane facilitating the pathogen spread inside the plant tissue as well as intensively contributing to the development of plant cell death. Considering the insertion of charged amino acid residues in the protein structure, the change localized in the protein surface affected its biological activity more effectively than that change inside the protein cavity. Moreover, the insertion of negative charged amino acids influenced mainly the events involved in the early phase of defence reaction, while the positive residues affected especially the necrotic activity of cryptogein.

High-throughput sequencing reveals an altered T cell repertoire in X-linked agammaglobulinemia

To examine the T cell receptor structure in the absence of B cells, the TCR β CDR3 was sequenced from DNA of 15 X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) subjects and 18 male controls, using the Illumina HiSeq platform and the ImmunoSEQ analyzer. V gene usage and the V–J combinations, derived from both productive and non-productive sequences, were significantly different between XLA samples and controls. Although the CDR3 length was similar for XLA and control samples, the CDR3 region of the XLA T cell receptor contained significantly fewer deletions and insertions in V, D, and J gene segments, differences intrinsic to the V(D)J recombination process and not due to peripheral T cell selection. XLA CDR3s demonstrated fewer charged amino acid residues, more sharing of CDR3 sequences, and almost completely lacked a population of highly modified Vβ gene segments found in control DNA, suggesting both a skewed and contracted T cell repertoire in XLA.

Abundance of intrinsic structural disorder in the histone H1 subtypes

The intrinsically disordered proteins consist of partially structured regions linked to the unstructured stretches, which consequently form the transient and dynamic conformational ensembles. They undergo disorder to order transition upon binding their partners. Intrinsic disorder is attributed to histones H1, perceived as assemblers of chromatin structure and the regulators of DNA and proteins activity. In this work, the comparison of intrinsic disorder abundance in the histone H1 subtypes was performed both by the analysis of their amino acid composition and by the prediction of disordered stretches, as well as by identifying molecular recognition features (MoRFs) and ANCHOR protein binding regions (APBR) that are responsible for recognition and binding. Both human and model organisms—animals, plants, fungi and protists—have H1 histone subtypes with the properties typical of disordered state. They possess a significantly higher content of hydrophilic and charged amino acid residues, arranged in the long regions, covering over half of the whole amino acid residues in chain. Almost complete disorder corresponds to histone H1 terminal domains, including MoRFs and ANCHOR. Those motifs were also identified in a more ordered histone H1 globular domain. Compared to the control (globular and fibrous) proteins, H1 histones demonstrate the increased folding rate and a higher proportion of low-complexity segments. The results of this work indicate that intrinsic disorder is an inherent structural property of histone H1 subtypes and it is essential for establishing a protein conformation which defines functional outcomes affecting on DNA- and/or partner protein-dependent cell processes.

Role of electrostatic interactions for ligand recognition and specificity of peptide transporters.

BackgroundPeptide transporters are membrane proteins that mediate the cellular uptake of di- and tripeptides, and of peptidomimetic drugs such as β-lactam antibiotics, antiviral drugs and antineoplastic agents. In spite of their high physiological and pharmaceutical importance, the molecular recognition by these transporters of the amino acid side chains of short peptides and thus the mechanisms for substrate binding and specificity are far from being understood.ResultsThe X-ray crystal structure of the peptide transporter YePEPT from the bacterium Yersinia enterocolitica together with functional studies have unveiled the molecular bases for recognition, binding and specificity of dipeptides with a charged amino acid residue at the N-terminal position. In wild-type YePEPT, the significant specificity for the dipeptides Asp-Ala and Glu-Ala is defined by electrostatic interaction between the in the structure identified positively charged Lys314 and the negatively charged amino acid side chain of these dipeptides. Mutagenesis of Lys314 into the negatively charged residue Glu allowed tuning of the substrate specificity of YePEPT for the positively charged dipeptide Lys-Ala. Importantly, molecular insights acquired from the prokaryotic peptide transporter YePEPT combined with mutagenesis and functional uptake studies with human PEPT1 expressed in Xenopus oocytes also allowed tuning of human PEPT1’s substrate specificity, thus improving our understanding of substrate recognition and specificity of this physiologically and pharmaceutically important peptide transporter.ConclusionThis study provides the molecular bases for recognition, binding and specificity of peptide transporters for dipeptides with a charged amino acid residue at the N-terminal position.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12915-015-0167-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A G-quadruplex-binding macrodomain within the “SARS-unique domain” is essential for the activity of the SARS-coronavirus replication–transcription complex

The multi-domain non-structural protein 3 of SARS-coronavirus is a component of the viral replication/transcription complex (RTC). Among other domains, it contains three sequentially arranged macrodomains: the X domain and subdomains SUD-N as well as SUD-M within the “SARS-unique domain”. The X domain was proposed to be an ADP-ribose-1”-phosphatase or a poly(ADP-ribose)-binding protein, whereas SUD-NM binds oligo(G)-nucleotides capable of forming G-quadruplexes. Here, we describe the application of a reverse genetic approach to assess the importance of these macrodomains for the activity of the SARS-CoV RTC. To this end, Renilla luciferase-encoding SARS-CoV replicons with selectively deleted macrodomains were constructed and their ability to modulate the RTC activity was examined. While the SUD-N and the X domains were found to be dispensable, the SUD-M domain was crucial for viral genome replication/transcription. Moreover, alanine replacement of charged amino-acid residues of the SUD-M domain, which are likely involved in G-quadruplex-binding, caused abrogation of RTC activity.

Ability of the Encephalitic Arbovirus Semliki Forest Virus To Cross the Blood-Brain Barrier Is Determined by the Charge of the E2 Glycoprotein.

ABSTRACTSemliki Forest virus (SFV) provides a well-characterized model system to study the pathogenesis of virus encephalitis. Several studies have used virus derived from the molecular clone SFV4. SFV4 virus does not have the same phenotype as the closely related L10 or the prototype virus from which its molecular clone was derived. In mice, L10 generates a high-titer plasma viremia, is efficiently neuroinvasive, and produces a fatal panencephalitis, whereas low-dose SFV4 produces a low-titer viremia, rarely enters the brain, and generally is avirulent. To determine the genetic differences responsible, the consensus sequence of L10 was determined and compared to that of SFV4. Of the 12 nucleotide differences, six were nonsynonymous; these were engineered into a new molecular clone, termed SFV6. The derived virus, SFV6, generated a high-titer viremia and was efficiently neuroinvasive and virulent. The phenotypic difference mapped to a single amino acid residue at position 162 in the E2 envelope glycoprotein (lysine in SFV4, glutamic acid in SFV6). Analysis of the L10 virus showed it contained different plaque phenotypes which differed in virulence. A lysine at E2 247 conferred a small-plaque avirulent phenotype and glutamic acid a large-plaque virulent phenotype. Viruses with a positively charged lysine at E2 162 or 247 were more reliant on glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) to enter cells and were selected for by passage in BHK-21 cells. Interestingly, viruses with the greatest reliance on binding to GAGs replicated to higher titers in the brain and more efficiently crossed an in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB).IMPORTANCE Virus encephalitis is a major disease, and alphaviruses, as highlighted by the recent epidemic of chikungunya virus (CHIKV), are medically important pathogens. In addition, alphaviruses provide well-studied experimental systems with extensive literature, many tools, and easy genetic modification. In this study, we elucidate the genetic basis for the difference in phenotype between SFV4 and the virus stocks from which it was derived and correct this by engineering a new molecular clone. We then use this clone in one comprehensive study to demonstrate that positively charged amino acid residues on the surface of the E2 glycoprotein, mediated by binding to GAGs, determine selective advantage and plaque size in BHK-21 cells, level of viremia in mice, ability to cross an artificial BBB, efficiency of replication in the brain, and virulence. Together with studies on Sindbis virus (SINV), this study provides an important advance in understanding alphavirus, and probably other virus, encephalitis.

Bordetella pertussis Lipid A Recognition by Toll-like Receptor 4 and MD-2 Is Dependent on Distinct Charged and Uncharged Interfaces

Lipid A in LPS activates innate immunity through the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-MD-2 complex on host cells. Variation in lipid A has significant consequences for TLR4 activation and thus may be a means by which Gram-negative bacteria modulate host immunity. However, although even minor changes in lipid A structure have been shown to affect downstream immune responses, the mechanism by which the TLR4-MD-2 receptor complex recognizes these changes is not well understood. We previously showed that strain BP338 of the human pathogen Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, modifies its lipid A by the addition of glucosamine moieties that promote TLR4 activation in human, but not mouse, macrophages. Using site-directed mutagenesis and an NFκB reporter assay screen, we have identified several charged amino acid residues in TLR4 and MD-2 that are important for these species-specific responses; some of these are novel for responses to penta-acyl B. pertussis LPS, and their mutation does not affect the response to hexa-acylated Escherichia coli LPS or tetra-acylated lipid IVA. We additionally show evidence that suggests that recognition of penta-acylated B. pertussis lipid A is dependent on uncharged amino acids in TLR4 and MD-2 and that this is true for both human and mouse TLR4-MD-2 receptors. Taken together, we have demonstrated that the TLR4-MD-2 receptor complex recognizes variation in lipid A molecules using multiple sites for receptor-ligand interaction and propose that host-specific immunity to a particular Gram-negative bacterium is, at least in part, mediated by very subtle tuning of one of the earliest interactions at the host-pathogen interface.

Solution structure of the PsIAA4 oligomerization domain reveals interaction modes for transcription factors in early auxin response

The plant hormone auxin activates primary response genes by facilitating proteolytic removal of auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (AUX/IAA)-inducible repressors, which directly bind to transcriptional auxin response factors (ARF). Most AUX/IAA and ARF proteins share highly conserved C-termini mediating homotypic and heterotypic interactions within and between both protein families. The high-resolution NMR structure of C-terminal domains III and IV of the AUX/IAA protein PsIAA4 from pea (Pisum sativum) revealed a globular ubiquitin-like β-grasp fold with homologies to the Phox and Bem1p (PB1) domain. The PB1 domain of wild-type PsIAA4 features two distinct surface patches of oppositely charged amino acid residues, mediating front-to-back multimerization via electrostatic interactions. Mutations of conserved basic or acidic residues on either face suppressed PsIAA4 PB1 homo-oligomerization in vitro and confirmed directional interaction of full-length PsIAA4 in vivo (yeast two-hybrid system). Mixing of oppositely mutated PsIAA4 PB1 monomers enabled NMR mapping of the negatively charged interface of the reconstituted PsIAA4 PB1 homodimer variant, whose stoichiometry (1:1) and equilibrium binding constant (KD ∼ 6.4 μM) were determined by isothermal titration calorimetry. In silico protein-protein docking studies based on NMR and yeast interaction data derived a model of the PsIAA4 PB1 homodimer, which is comparable with other PB1 domain dimers, but indicated considerable differences between the homodimeric interfaces of AUX/IAA and ARF PB1 domains. Our study provides an impetus for elucidating the molecular determinants that confer specificity to complex protein-protein interaction circuits between members of the two central families of transcription factors important to the regulation of auxin-responsive gene expression.

PH responsiveness of fibrous assemblies of repeat-sequence amphipathic α-helix polypeptides.

We reported previously that our designed polypeptide α3 (21 residues), which has three repeats of a seven-amino-acid sequence (LETLAKA)3, forms not only an amphipathic α-helix structure but also long fibrous assemblies in aqueous solution. To address the relationship between the electrical states of the polypeptide and its α-helix and fibrous assembly formation, we characterized mutated polypeptides in which charged amino acid residues of α3 were replaced with Ser. We prepared the following polypeptides: 2Sα3 (LSTLAKA)3, in which all Glu residues were replaced with Ser residues; 6Sα3 (LETLASA)3, in which all Lys residues were replaced with Ser; and 2S6Sα3 (LSTLASA)3; in which all Glu and Lys residues were replaced with Ser. In 0.1M KCl, 2Sα3 formed an α-helix under basic conditions and 6Sα3 formed an α-helix under acid conditions. In 1M KCl, they both formed α-helices under a wide pH range. In addition, 2Sα3 and 6Sα3 formed fibrous assemblies under the same buffer conditions in which they formed α-helices. α-Helix and fibrous assembly formation by these polypeptides was reversible in a pH-dependent manner. In contrast, 2S6Sα3 formed an α-helix under basic conditions in 1M KCl. Taken together, these findings reveal that the charge states of the charged amino acid residues and the charge state of the Leu residue located at the terminus play an important role in α-helix formation.

Hyperactive Arg39Lys mutated mnemiopsin: implication of positively charged residue in chromophore binding cavity.

Mnemiopsin, a Ca(2+)-regulated photoprotein isolated from Mnemiopsis leidyi, belongs to the family of ctenophore photoproteins. These proteins emit blue light from a chromophore, which is tightly but non-covalently bound in their central hydrophobic core that contains 21 conserved residues. In an effort to investigate the role of Arg39 (the sole charged residue in coelenterazine binding cavity of ctenophore photoproteins) in bioluminescence properties of these photoproteins, three mutated forms of mnemiopsin 1 (R39E, R39K and R39M) were constructed and characterized. The results indicate that while the luminescence activity of R39K mutated mnemiopsin has increased about nine fold compared to the wild type, R39M and R39E mutated mnemiopsins have entirely lost their activities. The most distinguished properties of R39K mutated photoprotein are its high activity, slow rate of luminescence decay and broad pH profile compared to the wild type. The complete loss of bioluminescence activity in mutated photoproteins with negatively charged and aliphatic residues (R39E and R39M, respectively) shows that the presence of a positively charged residue at this position is necessary. The results of spectroscopic studies, including CD, intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence measurements and acrylamide quenching studies show that, while the substitutions lead to structural rigidity in R39E and R39M mutated mnemiopsins, structural flexibility is obvious in R39K mutated mnemiopsin. The presence of a more localized positive charge on ε-amino group of Lys compared to guanidinium group of Arg residue in close proximity to the choromophre might affect its fixation in the binding cavity and result in increased bioluminescence activity in this mutated photoprotein. It appears that the polarity and flexibility of positively charged residue at this position finely tunes the luminescence properties of ctenophore photoproteins.

Study of permeation and blocker binding in TMEM16A calcium-activated chloride channels

We studied the effects of mutations of positively charged amino acid residues in the pore of X. tropicalis TMEM16A calcium-activated chloride channels: K613E, K628E, K630E; R646E and R761E. The activation and deactivation kinetics were not affected, and only K613E showed a lower current density. K628E and R761E affect anion selectivity without affecting Na+ permeation, whereas K613E, R646E and the double mutant K613E + R646E affect anion selectivity and permeability to Na+. Furthermore, altered blockade by the chloride channel blockers anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (A-9-C), 4, 4'-Diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid (DIDS) and T16inh-A01 was observed. These results suggest the existence of 2 binding sites for anions within the pore at electrical distances of 0.3 and 0.5. These sites are also relevant for anion permeation and blockade.