Complete Sequence-specific Resonance Assignments Research Articles

1H, 15N and 13C resonance assignments of the S2A and H64A double mutant of human carbonic anhydrase II.

Protein-water interactions profoundly influence protein structure and dynamics. Consequently, the function of many biomacromolecules is directly related to the presence and exchange of water molecules. While structural water molecules can be readily identified through X-ray crystallography, the dynamics within functional protein-water networks remain largely elusive. Therefore, to understand the role of biological water in protein dynamics and function, we have introduced S2A and H64A mutations in human Carbonic Anhydrase II (hCAII), a model system to study protein-water interactions. The mutations of serine to alanine at position 2 and histidine to alanine at position 64 cause an increase in hydrophobicity in the N-terminus and active site loop thereby restricting water entry and disrupting the water network in the Zn2+-binding pocket. To pave the way for a detailed investigation into the structural, functional, and mechanistic aspects of the Ser2Ala/His64Ala double mutant of hCAII, we present here almost complete sequence-specific resonance assignments for 1H, 15N, and 13C. These assignments serve as the basis for comprehensive studies on the dynamics of the protein-water network within the Zn2+-binding pocket and its role in catalysis.

1H, 15N and13C resonance assignments of S2A mutant of human carbonic anhydrase II.

In preparation for a detailed exploration of the structural and functional aspects of the Ser2Ala mutant of human carbonic anhydrase II, we present here almost complete sequence-specific resonance assignments for 1H, 15N, and 13C. The mutation of serine to alanine at position 2, located in the N-terminal region of the enzyme, significantly alters the hydrophilic nature of the site, rendering it hydrophobic. Consequently, there is an underlying assumption that this mutation would repel water from the site. However, intriguingly, comparative analysis of the mutant structure with the wild type reveals minimal discernible differences. These assignments serve as the basis for in-depth studies on histidine dynamics, protonation states, and its intricate role in protein-water interactions and catalysis.

Structure of G57W mutant of human γS-crystallin and its involvement in cataract formation

A recently identified mutant of human γS-crystallin, G57W is associated with dominant congenital cataracts, the familial determinate of childhood blindness worldwide. To investigate the structural and functional changes that mediate the effect of this cataract-related mutant to compromise eye lens transparency and cause lens opacification in children, we recently reported complete sequence-specific resonance assignments of γS-G57W using a suite of heteronuclear NMR experiments. As a follow up, we have determined the 3D structure of γS-G57W and studied its conformational dynamics by solution NMR spectroscopy. Our structural dynamics results reveal greater flexibility of the N-terminal domain, which undergoes site-specific structural changes to accommodate W57, than its C-terminal counterpart. Our structural inferences that the unusual solvent exposure of W57 is associated with rearrangement of the N-terminal domain suggest an efficient pathway for increased aggregation in γS-G57W and illuminates the molecular dynamics underlying cataractogenic aggregation of lens crystallins in particular and aggregation of proteins in general.

Complete 1H, 15N and 13C resonance assignments of Bacillus cereus metallo-β-lactamase and its complex with the inhibitor R-thiomandelic acid

β-Lactamases inactivate β-lactam antibiotics by hydrolysis of their endocyclic β-lactam bond and are a major cause of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria. The zinc dependent metallo-β-lactamase enzymes are of particular concern since they are located on highly transmissible plasmids and have a broad spectrum of activity against almost all β-lactam antibiotics. We present here essentially complete (>96 %) backbone and sidechain sequence-specific NMR resonance assignments for the Bacillus cereus subclass B1 metallo-β-lactamase, BcII, and for its complex with R-thiomandelic acid, a broad spectrum inhibitor of metallo-β-lactamases. These assignments have been used as the basis for determination of the solution structures of the enzyme and its inhibitor complex and can also be used in a rapid screen for other metallo-β-lactamase inhibitors.

Quantitative analysis of helix–coil transition of block copolypeptide, Glu12–Ala12, by combined use of CD and NMR spectroscopy

To investigate helix-coil transition mechanisms, conformations of Glu12-Ala12, EA, in aqueous solution have been studied in detail over the pH range from 2 to 8 and the temperature range from 20 to 60 degrees C using CD and NMR spectroscopy. The 750-MHz NMR spectra displayed excellent dispersion of the backbone amide proton signals, and permitted essentially complete sequence-specific resonance assignments. These assignments, together with short- and medium-range nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) constraints and coupling constants, enable us to analyze conformational characteristics of all the residues in the EA peptide individually. A combined use of CD and NMR techniques reveals that the EA peptide assumes a stable alpha-helix from Glu12 to Ala19 in 0.1 M NaCl solution at 20 degrees C above pH 7. The alpha-helix is getting longer as decreasing pH. Below pH 4, the peptide assumes the longest alpha-helix from Glu3 to Ala23. The important observation of the present study is that the helix-coil transition occurs stepwise, residue by residue, from both the N- and C-termini of the alpha-helix. No conformational equilibrium between the helical and random-coil states is detected for the residues in the central region of the alpha-helix. Quantitative analysis of temperature-induced helix-to-coil transitions at various pHs provides a pH-independent residual enthalpy change delta H(r) = 0.95 kcal res(-1). Similar values have been reported for a 50-residue alanine-rich peptide (1.2 kcal res(-1)), poly-L-glutamate (1.1 kcal res(-1)), poly-L-lysine (1.1 kcal res(-1)), and poly-L-alanine (0.86 kcal res(-1)). Those investigations, along with our present result, suggest that delta H(r) is mainly determined by the transformation of the backbone associated with the disruption of the intramolecular hydrogen bond. These results should increase our understanding of the helix-coil transition.

Protein NMR Structure Determination with Automated NOE Assignment Using the New Software CANDID and the Torsion Angle Dynamics Algorithm DYANA

Combined automated NOE assignment and structure determination module (CANDID) is a new software for efficient NMR structure determination of proteins by automated assignment of the NOESY spectra. CANDID uses an iterative approach with multiple cycles of NOE cross-peak assignment and protein structure calculation using the fast DYANA torsion angle dynamics algorithm, so that the result from each CANDID cycle consists of exhaustive, possibly ambiguous NOE cross-peak assignments in all available spectra and a three-dimensional protein structure represented by a bundle of conformers. The input for the first CANDID cycle consists of the amino acid sequence, the chemical shift list from the sequence-specific resonance assignment, and listings of the cross-peak positions and volumes in one or several two, three or four-dimensional NOESY spectra. The input for the second and subsequent CANDID cycles contains the three-dimensional protein structure from the previous cycle, in addition to the complete input used for the first cycle. CANDID includes two new elements that make it robust with respect to the presence of artifacts in the input data, i.e. network-anchoring and constraint-combination, which have a key role in de novo protein structure determinations for the successful generation of the correct polypeptide fold by the first CANDID cycle. Network-anchoring makes use of the fact that any network of correct NOE cross-peak assignments forms a self-consistent set; the initial, chemical shift-based assignments for each individual NOE cross-peak are therefore weighted by the extent to which they can be embedded into the network formed by all other NOE cross-peak assignments. Constraint-combination reduces the deleterious impact of artifact NOE upper distance constraints in the input for a protein structure calculation by combining the assignments for two or several peaks into a single upper limit distance constraint, which lowers the probability that the presence of an artifact peak will influence the outcome of the structure calculation. CANDID test calculations were performed with NMR data sets of four proteins for which high-quality structures had previously been solved by interactive protocols, and they yielded comparable results to these reference structure determinations with regard to both the residual constraint violations, and the precision and accuracy of the atomic coordinates. The CANDID approach has further been validated by de novo NMR structure determinations of four additional proteins. The experience gained in these calculations shows that once nearly complete sequence-specific resonance assignments are available, the automated CANDID approach results in greatly enhanced efficiency of the NOESY spectral analysis. The fact that the correct fold is obtained in cycle 1 of a de novo structure calculation is the single most important advance achieved with CANDID, when compared with previously proposed automated NOESY assignment methods that do not use network-anchoring and constraint-combination.

Solution structure of a hydrophobic analogue of the winter flounder antifreeze protein.

The solution structure of a synthetic mutant type I antifreeze protein (AFP I) was determined in aqueous solution at pH 7.0 using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The mutations comprised the replacement of the four Thr residues by Val and the introduction of two additional Lys-Glu salt bridges. The antifreeze activity of this mutant peptide, VVVV2KE, has been previously shown to be similar to that of the wild type protein, HPLC6 (defined here as TTTT). The solution structure reveals an alphahelix bent in the same direction as the more bent conformer of the published crystal structure of TTTT, while the side chain chi1 rotamers of VVVV2KE are similar to those of the straighter conformer in the crystal of TTTT. The Val side chains of VVVV2KE assume the same orientations as the Thr side chains of TTTT, confirming the conservative nature of this mutation. The combined data suggest that AFP I undergoes an equilibrium between straight and bent helices in solution, combined with independent equilibria between different side chain rotamers for some of the amino acid residues. The present study presents the first complete sequence-specific resonance assignments and the first complete solution structure determination by NMR of any AFP I protein.

Sequence-specific assignment of histidine and tryptophan ring 1H, 13C and 15N resonances in 13C/15N- and 2H/13C/15N-labelled proteins.

Methods are described to correlate aromatic 1H(delta)2/13C(delta)2 or 1H(epsilon)1/15N(epsilon)1 with aliphatic 13C(beta) chemical shifts of histidine and tryptophan residues, respectively. The pulse sequences exclusively rely on magnetization transfers via one-bond scalar couplings and employ [15N, 1H]- and/or [13C, 1H]-TROSY schemes to enhance sensitivity. In the case of histidine imidazole rings exhibiting slow HN-exchange with the solvent, connectivities of these proton resonances with beta-carbons can be established as well. In addition, their correlations to ring carbons can be detected in a simple [15N, 1H]-TROSY-H(N)Car experiment, revealing the tautomeric state of the neutral ring system. The novel methods are demonstrated with the 23-kDa protein xylanase and the 35-kDa protein diisopropyl-fluorophosphatase, providing nearly complete sequence-specific resonance assignments of their histidine delta-CH and tryptophan epsilon-NH groups.

A tracked approach for automated NMR assignments in proteins (TATAPRO).

A novel automated approach for the sequence specific NMR assignments of 1HN, 13Calpha, 13Cbeta, 13C'/1Halpha and 15N spins in proteins, using triple resonance experimental data, is presented. The algorithm, TATAPRO (Tracked AuTomated Assignments in Proteins) utilizes the protein primary sequence and peak lists from a set of triple resonance spectra which correlate 1HN and 15N chemical shifts with those of 13Calpha, 13Cbeta and 13C'/1Halpha. The information derived from such correlations is used to create a 'master-_list' consisting of all possible sets of 1HN(i), 15N(i)13Calpha(i),13Cbeta(i) 13C'beta(i)/1Halpha(i), 13Calpha(i-1), 13Cbeta(i-1) and 13C'(i-1)/1Halpha(i-1) chemical shifts. On the basis of an extensive statistical analysis of 13Calpha and 13Cbeta chemical shift data of proteins derived from the BioMagResBank (BMRB), it is shown that the 20 amino acid residues can be grouped into eight distinct categories, each of which is assigned a unique two-digit code. Such a code is used to tag individual sets of chemical shifts in the master_list and also to translate the protein primary sequence into an array called pps_array. The program then uses the master_list to search for neighbouring partners of a given amino acid residue along the polypeptide chain and sequentially assigns a maximum possible stretch of residues on either side. While doing so. each assigned residue is tracked in an array called assig_array, with the two-digit code assigned earlier. The assig_array is then mapped onto the pps_array for sequence specific resonance assignment. The program has been tested using experimental data on a calcium binding protein from Entamoeba histolytica (Eh-CaBP, 15 kDa) having substantial internal sequence homology and using published data on four other proteins in the molecular weight range of 18-42 kDa. In all the cases, nearly complete sequence specific resonance assignments (> 95%) are obtained. Furthermore, the reliability of the program has been tested by deleting sets of chemical shifts randomly from the master_list created for the test proteins.

Secondary structure of a calcium binding protein (CaBP) from Entamoeba histolytica

A calcium binding protein from Entamoeba histolytica, ( EhCaBP, M r∼15 kDa) is the causative agent for amoebiosis and has a very low sequence homology (∼30%) with other known CaBPs. Almost complete sequence specific resonance assignments for 1H, 13C and 15N spins in EhCaBP were obtained using double and triple resonance NMR experiments. Qualitative interpretation of the nuclear Overhauser enhancements, chemical shift indices and of hydrogen exchange rates threw valuable light upon the secondary structure of this protein. CaBP is found to have two globular domains each of which consists of two pairs of helix-loop-helix motifs. Though this protein has a very small sequence homology with calmodulins, the topological arrangement of the α-helices and β-strands in EhCaBP resemble them.

Sequence‐Specific Resonance Assignments of the 1H‐NMR Spectra and Structural Characterization in Solution of the HIV‐1 Transframe Protein p6*

The frameshift protein p6* encoded directly upstream of the protease in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) pol reading frame is thought to be a natural inhibitor of protease activation and to play a role in the polyprotein processing of Gag and Gag-Pol precursors. To allow structural characterization of the p6* transframe protein, the p6* coding region was cloned into the vector pGEX-KG and expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase (GST) under the control of the tac promoter. Thrombin cleavage of the construct resulted in a 70-amino-acid polypeptide which is extended by two additional residues at the N-terminus compared to the natural p6* sequence. The native purification procedure including an affinity and a size-exclusion chromatography step yielded sufficient amounts of highly pure protein suitable for NMR spectroscopy. Fluorescence, circular dichroism and 1H-NMR spectroscopy were applied to characterize the structure of protein. Two-dimensional NMR spectra provided essentially complete sequence-specific resonance assignments at pH 5.9. Although there is evidence for a helix-forming tendency in the N-terminus of the protein, the experiments indicate that p6* has no overall stable secondary or tertiary structure with the single tryptophan exposed in aqueous solution. However, the results reported herein open the way to characterize further the interaction of p6* with the HIV-1 protease in structural and functional in vitro studies.

A 1H-NMR study of the casein phosphopeptide αs1-casein(59–79)

Complete sequence-specific resonance assignments have been determined for a calcium phosphate sequestering, phosphoseryl-containing, tryptic peptide α s1-casein(59–79) containing the phosphorylated motif -SSSEE-. Spectra have been recorded in the presence of excess Ca 2+ and at three different values of sample pH to characterize the changes in peptide conformation as calcium binds to the phosphorylated residues. The secondary structure of the peptide was characterized by sequential ( i,i + 1), medium-range ( i,i + 2/3/4), and long-range ( i,i + 5) NOE connectivities, C αH chemical shifts, NH to C αH coupling constants and the observation of slowly exchanging amide protons. Two structured regions have been identified: residues P73 to V76 implicated in β-turn conformations, and residues E61 to Σ67 involved in a loop-type structure.

1H-NMR Studies of the natriuretic peptide urodilatin: sequence-specific resonance assignment

The recently discovered 32 amino-acid natriuretic peptide urodilatin was chemically synthesized and subjected to two-dimensional proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy studies in aqueous solution in order to determine the structural state of urodilatin. In contrast to earlier studies on very closely related peptides, such as cardiodilatin (CDD/ANP-99-126) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), spectra of urodilatin were extremely well resolved even in millimolar concentration in H 2O so that the complete sequence specific resonance assignments could be achieved. No long range NOEs could be detected, except between residues close to the single cystine bond. This leads to the conclusion that urodilatin in aqueous solution is a random coil peptide with the exception of the region around the cystine bond

Determination of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Structure of the DNA-binding Domain of the P22 c2 Repressor (1 to 76) in Solution and Comparison with the DNA-binding Domain of the 434 Repressor

The solution structure of the N-terminal DNA-binding domain of the P22 c2 repressor (residues 1 to 76) was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The structure determination was based on nearly complete sequence-specific resonance assignments for 1H, 13 C and 15N, and tables of the chemical shifts for all three nuclei are included here. A group of 20 conformers was calculated from the NMR constraints using the program DIANA, and energy-minimized using an implementation of the AMBER force field in the program OPAL. The core of the protein formed by residues 5 to 68 is structurally well defined, with an average of 0·7 Å for the root-mean-square deviations calculated for the backbone atoms of the individual conformers relative to the mean coordinates. The N-terminal tetrapeptide segment and the C-terminal octapeptide segment are flexibly disordered. The molecular architecture includes five α-helical segments with residues 6 to 17, 21 to 28, 32 to 39, 47 to 57 and 61 to 65. The length and relative orientation of these helices are closely similar to the arrangement of corresponding regular secondary structures in the DNA-binding domain of the 434 repressor, with the sole exception of the fourth helix, which is one turn longer at its amino-terminal end than the corresponding helix in the 434 repressor. This extension of the fourth helix implies that the DNA binding mode of the P22 c2 repressor must be somewhat different from that observed for the 434 repressor. Exact superposition of two P22 c2 repressor DNA binding domains for best fit of corresponding polypeptide backbone atoms onto the two 434 repressor DNA-binding domains in the crystal structure of the 434 repressor-DNA complex would result in a model of the P22 c2 repressor-DNA complex which could not accommodate the fourth helices because of steric overlap.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of a DNA Complex with the Uniformly 13C-Labeled Antennapedia Homeodomain and Structure Determination of the DNA-bound Homeodomain

A 1:1 complex formed by the mutant Antennapedia(C39S) homeodomain and a 14 base-pair DNA duplex (molecular weight ∼18,000) was prepared in which the protein was uniformly 13C-labeled. Using two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) spectroscopy with 13 C(ω 1,ω 2)-double-half-filter and three-dimensional 13C-correlated NOE spectroscopy, nearly complete sequence-specific resonance assignments were obtained for both the protein and the DNA in the complex. On this basis conformational constraints needed for a three-dimensional structure determination were collected. Using 855 intramolecular distance constraints as input, the structure of the DNA-bound Antp(C39S) homeodomain was calculated with the program DIANA, followed by restrained energy minimization with the program OPAL. A group of 20 conformers characterizes a well-defined structure for residues 8 to 56, with an average of 0·5 Å of the pairwise root-mean-square deviations calculated for the backbone atoms of the individual conformers relative to the mean coordinates. The quality of the resulting structure is comparable to the one for the free protein, and the global fold of the free Antp(C39S) homeodomain was found to be conserved in the DNA complex. The structure of the DNA-bound protein was the starting point for the subsequent structure determination of the complete Antp(C39S) homeodomain-DNA complex in solution.

1H, 15N and 13C NMR assignments of the 434 repressor fragments 1–63 and 44–63 unfolded in 7 M urea

An E. coli overexpression system for the N-terminal domain of the 434 repressor with residues 1–63 (434 repressor(1–63)) was constructed and used to produce this polypeptide with uniform 15N-labeling, and with 13C-labeling of the methyl groups of valine and leucine. Using these protein preparations almost complete sequence-specific resonance assignments were obtained for the urea-unfolded form of the 434 repressor(1–63). In addition, the isotope-labeled tryptic peptide, 44–63, was produced by enzymatic cleavage of the recombinant 434 repressor(1–63), and its NMR spectrum was assigned. Corresponding residues in 434 repressor(1–63) and 434 repressor(44–63) in 7 M urea were found to have nearly identical chemical shifts, and in both species similar deviations from 1H random coil shifts were found as previously in 434 repressor(1–69). These indicate the presence of residual non-random structure in the polypeptide segment 50–60. The present NMR assignments, which include stereospecific assignments for the diastereotopic methyl groups of Val and Leu, are the basis for detailed studies of this residual structure in the urea-unfolded form of the 434 repressor.

Sequential NMR resonance assignment and structure determination of the Kunitz-type inhibitor domain of the Alzheimer's .beta.-amyloid precursor protein

Certain precursor proteins (APP751 and APP770) of the amyloid beta-protein (AP) present in Alzheimer's disease contain a Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor domain (APPI). In this study, the domain is obtained as a functional inhibitor through both recombinant (APPIr) and synthetic (APPIs) methodologies, and the solution structure of APPI is determined by 1H 2D NMR techniques. Complete sequence-specific resonance assignments (except for P13 and G37 NH) for both APPIr and APPIs are achieved using standard procedures. Ambiguities arising from degeneracies in the NMR resonances are resolved by varying sample conditions. Qualitative interpretation of short- and long-range NOEs reveals secondary structural features similar to those extensively documented by NMR for bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). A more rigorous interpretation of the NOESY spectra yields NOE-derived interresidue distance restraints which are used in conjunction with dynamic simulated annealing to generate a family of APPI structures. Within this family, the beta-sheet and helical regions are in good agreement with the crystal structure of BPTI, whereas portions of the protease-binding loops deviate from those in BPTI. These deviations are consistent with those recently described in the crystal structure of APPI (Hynes et al., 1990). Also supported in the NMR study is the hydrophobic patch in the protease-binding domain created by side chain-side chain NOE contacts between M17 and F34. In addition, the NMR spectra indicate that the rotation of the W21 ring in APPI is hindered, unlike Y21 in BPTI, showing a greater than 90% preference for one orientation in the hydrophobic groove.

Kringle‐2 domain of the tissue‐type plasminogen activator

A recombinant 90-residue polypeptide fragment containing the three-loop kringle-2 domain of human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) has been studied by two-dimensional 1H-NMR spectroscopy at 500 MHz. Complete sequence-specific resonance assignments were derived. Overall, the kringle exhibits a compact, folded conformation with more than 50% of the residues in irregular structures. Elements of secondary structure were identified from sequential, medium- and long-range dipolar (Overhauser) interproton interactions. These identifications were corroborated by analysis of spin-spin scalar 3J alpha N splittings and identification of backbone amide NH protons exhibiting retarded 1H/2H exchange in 2H2O. Three antiparallel beta-sheets and six tight turns were located. In addition, one short alpha-helical region was found in the Ser43-Ala44-Gln44a-Ala44b-Leu44c-Gly45+ ++ segment; this region contains three-residue insertions unique to the t-PA and urokinase kringles. Although the secondary structure of the t-PA kringle 2 in solution is in overall agreement with that observed in the crystallographic structure of the prothrombin kringle 1 [Tulinsky, A., Park, C.H. & Skrzypczak-Jankun, E. (1988) J. Mol. Biol. 202, 885-901], the alpha-helical segment and other details of the secondary structure differ somewhat from the prothrombin homolog.

Structural studies of cytochrome b5: complete sequence-specific resonance assignments for the trypsin-solubilized microsomal ferrocytochrome b5 obtained from pig and calf [Erratum to document cited in CA112(9):72477q

Structural studies of cytochrome b5: complete sequence-specific resonance assignments for the trypsin-solubilized microsomal ferrocytochrome b5 obtained from pig and calf [Erratum to document cited in CA112(9):72477q

Protein-DNA contacts in the structure of a homeodomain-DNA complex determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in solution.

The 1:1 complex of the mutant Antp(C39----S) homeodomain with a 14 bp DNA fragment corresponding to the BS2 binding site was studied by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in aqueous solution. The complex has a molecular weight of 17,800 and its lifetime is long compared with the NMR chemical shift time scale. Investigations of the three-dimensional structure were based on the use of the fully 15N-labelled protein, two-dimensional homonuclear proton NOESY with 15N(omega 2) half-filter, and heteronuclear three-dimensional NMR experiments. Based on nearly complete sequence-specific resonance assignments, both the protein and the DNA were found to have similar conformations in the free form and in the complex. A sufficient number of intermolecular 1H-1H Overhauser effects (NOE) could be identified to enable a unique docking of the protein on the DNA, which was achieved with the use of an ellipsoid algorithm. In the complex there are intermolecular NOEs between the elongated second helix in the helix-turn-helix motif of the homeodomain and the major groove of the DNA. Additional NOE contacts with the DNA involve the polypeptide loop immediately preceding the helix-turn-helix segment, and Arg5. This latter contact is of special interest, both because Arg5 reaches into the minor groove and because in the free Antp(C39----S) homeodomain no defined spatial structure could be found for the apparently flexible N-terminal segment comprising residues 0-6.