Ile Mutation Research Articles

The N-terminal Segment of Recombinant Porcine Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase Participates in the Allosteric Regulation of Catalysis

Residues 1--10 of porcine fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) are poorly ordered or are in different conformations, sensitive to the state of ligation of the enzyme. Deletion of the first 10 residues of FBPase reduces k(cat) by 30-fold and Mg(2+) affinity by 20-fold and eliminates cooperativity in Mg(2+) activation. Although a fluorescent analogue of AMP binds with high affinity to the truncated enzyme, AMP itself potently inhibits only 50% of the enzyme activity. Additional inhibition occurs only when the concentration of AMP exceeds 10 mm. Deletion of the first seven residues reduces k(cat) and Mg(2+) affinity significantly but has no effect on AMP inhibition. The mutation of Asp(9) to alanine reproduces the weakened affinity for Mg(2+) observed in the deletion mutants, and the mutation of Ile(10) to aspartate reproduces the AMP inhibition of the 10-residue deletion mutant. Changes in the relative stability of the known conformational states for loop 52--72, in response to changes in the quaternary structure of FBPase, can account for the phenomena above. Some aspects of the proposed model may be relevant to all forms of FBPase, including the thioredoxin-regulated FBPase from the chloroplast.

Common Requirements for Melanocortin-4 Receptor Selectivity of Structurally Unrelated Melanocortin Agonist and Endogenous Antagonist, Agouti Protein

The activity of melanocortin receptors (MCR) is regulated by melanocortin peptide agonists and by the endogenous antagonists, Agouti protein and AgRP (Agouti-related protein). To understand how the selectivity for these structurally unrelated agonists and antagonist is achieved, chimeric and mutants MC3R and MC4R were expressed in cell lines and pharmacologically analyzed. A region containing the third extracellular loop, EC3, of MC4R was essential for selective Agouti protein antagonism. In addition, this part of MC4R, when introduced in MC3R, conferred Agouti protein antagonism. Further mutational analysis of this region of MC4R demonstrated that Tyr(268) was required for the selective interaction with Agouti protein, because a profound loss of the ability of Agouti protein to inhibit (125)I-labeled [Nle(4),d-Phe(7)]alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) binding was observed by the single mutation of Tyr(268) to Ile. This same residue conferred selectivity for the MC4R selective agonist, [d-Tyr(4)]MT-II, whereas it inhibited interaction with the MC3R-selective agonist, [Nle(4)]Lys-gamma(2)-MSH. Conversely, mutation of Ile(265) in MC3 (the corresponding residue of Tyr(268)) to Tyr displayed a gain of affinity for [d-Tyr(4)]MT-II, but not for Agouti protein, and a loss of affinity for [Nle(4)]Lys-gamma(2)-MSH as compared with wild-type MC3R. This single amino acid mutation thus confers the selectivity of MC3R toward a pharmacological profile like that observed for MC4R agonists but not for the antagonist, Agouti protein. Thus, selectivity for structurally unrelated ligands with opposite activities is achieved in a similar manner for MC4R but not for MC3R.

The Pathobiochemistry of Hereditary Pancreatitis: Studies on Recombinant Human Cationic Trypsinogen

Background/Aims: This study attempts to identify the biochemical alterations in human cationic trypsinogen and trypsin caused by the hereditary pancreatitis-associated mutations Arg117→His and Asn21→Ile. Methods: Recombinant wild-type and mutant human cationic trypsinogens were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity, and trypsin autolysis and trypsinogen autoactivation were characterized. Results: Both mutations significantly enhanced the autoactivation of human cationic trypsinogen. In addition, the Arg117→His mutation inhibited autocatalytic inactivation of trypsin, while the Asn21→Ile mutation had no such effect. Conclusions: The findings support the notion that enhanced trypsinogen activation in the pancreas is the common initiating step in hereditary pancreatitis, whereas trypsin stabilization plays a role in cases associated with the Arg117→His mutation.

Substituted hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues at methionine-68 influence the chaperone-like function of alphaB-crystallin.

Amino acid residues 57-69 in alphaB-crystallin have been implicated as a target protein binding site. Moreover, a direct correlation between the extent of alpha-crystallin hydrophobicity and chaperone-like activity has been demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to mutate a moderately hydrophobic residue Met-68 (M-68) in the above region to strongly hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues and show whether chaperoning ability is affected with or without structural changes. Mutation of M-68 to Val, Ile or Thr did not result in significant changes in molecular mass and secondary and tertiary structures. However, the Val and Ile mutants showed significant improvement and the Thr mutant showed substantial loss in chaperone activity. Differences in chaperone function in the absence of any structural changes confirmed that the hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity of the substituted amino acid in the putative target protein binding site was the only contributing factor.

Role of the cAMP and MAPK pathways in the transformation of mouse 3T3 fibroblasts by a TSHR gene constitutively activated by point mutation

Constitutive activating mutations of the TSHR gene, have been detected in about 30 per cent of hyperfunctioning human thyroid adenomas and in a minority of differentiated thyroid carcinomas. The mutations activating the TSHR gene(s) in the thyroid carcinomas, were located at the codon 623 changing an Ala to a Ser (GCC-->TCC) or in codon 632 changing a Thr to Ala or Ile (ACC-->GCC or ACC-->ATC). In order to study if the constitutively activated TSHR gene(s) has played a role in the determination of the malignant phenotype presented by these tumors, we investigated: (1) the transforming capacity after transfection of mouse 3T3 cells, of a TSHR cDNA activated by an Ala-->Ser mutation in codon 623 or an Thr-->Ile mutation in codon 632 and (2) the pathway(s) eventually responsible(s) for the malignant phenotype of the cells transformed by these constitutively activated TSHR cDNAs. Our results show that (1) the TSHR(M623) or (M632) cDNAs give rise to 3T3 clones presenting a fully neoplastic phenotype (growth in agar and nude mouse tumorigenesis); this phenotype was weaker in the cells transformed by the 632 cDNA; (2) suggest that the fully transformed phenotype of our 3T3 cells, may be the consequence of the additive effect of the activation of at least two different pathways: the cAMP pathway through G(alpha)s and the Ras dependent MAPK pathway through G(beta)gamma and PI3K and (3) show that the PI3K isoform playing a key role as an effector in the MAPK pathway activation in our 3T3-transformed cells is PI3Kgamma. Signaling from PI3Kgamma to MAPK appears to require in our murine cellular system a tyrosine kinase (still not characterized), Shc, Grb2, Sos, Ras and Raf. It is proposed that the constitutively activated TSHR genes detected in the thyroid carcinomas, may have played an oncogenic role, participating in their development through these two pathways.

The extracellular linker of muscle acetylcholine receptor channels is a gating control element.

We describe the functional consequences of mutations in the linker between the second and third transmembrane segments (M2-M3L) of muscle acetylcholine receptors at the single-channel level. Hydrophobic mutations (Ile, Cys, and Phe) placed near the middle of the linker of the alpha subunit (alphaS269) prolong apparent openings elicited by low concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh), whereas hydrophilic mutations (Asp, Lys, and Gln) are without effect. Because the gating kinetics of the alphaS269I receptor (a congenital myasthenic syndrome mutant) in the presence of ACh are too fast, choline was used as the agonist. This revealed an approximately 92-fold increased gating equilibrium constant, which is consistent with an approximately 10-fold decreased EC(50) in the presence of ACh. With choline, this mutation accelerates channel opening approximately 28-fold, slows channel closing approximately 3-fold, but does not affect agonist binding to the closed state. These ratios suggest that, with ACh, alphaS269I acetylcholine receptors open at a rate of approximately 1.4 x 10(6) s(-1) and close at a rate of approximately 760 s(-1). These gating rate constants, together with the measured duration of apparent openings at low ACh concentrations, further suggest that ACh dissociates from the diliganded open receptor at a rate of approximately 140 s(-1). Ile mutations at positions flanking alphaS269 impair, rather than enhance, channel gating. Inserting or deleting one residue from this linker in the alpha subunit increased and decreased, respectively, the apparent open time approximately twofold. Contrary to the alphaS269I mutation, Ile mutations at equivalent positions of the beta, straightepsilon, and delta subunits do not affect apparent open-channel lifetimes. However, in beta and straightepsilon, shifting the mutation one residue to the NH(2)-terminal end enhances channel gating. The overall results indicate that this linker is a control element whose hydrophobicity determines channel gating in a position- and subunit-dependent manner. Characterization of the transition state of the gating reaction suggests that during channel opening the M2-M3L of the alpha subunit moves before the corresponding linkers of the beta and straightepsilon subunits.

Lewy body and Alzheimer pathology in a family with the amyloid-beta precursor protein APP717 gene mutation.

Mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene cause one form of early onset familial Alzheimer's disease (AD). One such family has been studied genetically and neuropathologically and represents the basis of the present report. Four siblings with the APP717 Val to Ile mutation, aged 59, 65, 61 and 64 years, apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotyped 2,4 (first three) and 2,3 respectively, had severe AD, Braak stage VI with frequent neurofibrillary tangles in the primary visual cortex, Brodmann area 17. The first one also met McKeith criteria for the limbic stage of dementia with Lewy bodies but did not have substantia nigra Lewy bodies. The second two met McKeith criteria for the neocortical stage of dementia with Lewy bodies and both had substantia nigra Lewy bodies. The fourth had AD but no Lewy bodies. A cousin without the APP717 mutation who was APOE 3, 4, developed dementia at age 60 and died at age 75. She had severe cerebrovascular atherosclerosis, less severe AD, Braak stage V, with sparing of area 17. She also had Lewy bodies in the substantia nigra and in the cortex and met McKeith criteria for neocortical stage of dementia with Lewy bodies. Extrapyramidal features were present in all five. Lewy bodies have been described in 53% of reported autopsies on individuals with the APP717 Val to Ile mutation coincident with dementia and AD neuropathologic changes. These observations suggest an association between the chromosome 21 APP mutation and Lewy body formation, possibly mediated by other environmental or genetic factors.

Phenotypic Variation of Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Caused by the Phe110→Ile Mutation in Cardiac Troponin T

Mutation of the cardiac troponin T (cTnT) gene is a genetic determinant of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). A Japanese family of 14 individuals, including 6 with HCM, was subjected to genetic and clinical assessment. Five exons of the cTnT gene were sequenced in all family members. A heterozygous or homozygous T³⁴⁰→A (Phe¹¹⁰→Ile) mutation in exon 9 of the cTnT gene was detected in 11 subjects. Morphological and functional evaluation of the left and right ventricles by echocardiography revealed that 4 of 9 individuals heterozygous for the mutant allele exhibited HCM with moderate cardiac hypertrophy. Cardiac hypertrophy and other clinical features in the 2 subjects homozygous for the mutation were more severe than were those in heterozygous individuals with HCM. Thus, the clinical features of HCM due to the Phe¹¹⁰→Ile mutation in the cTnT gene appear to be modified by a gene dosage effect.

Human Cationic Trypsinogen: ROLE OF Asn-21 IN ZYMOGEN ACTIVATION AND IMPLICATIONS IN HEREDITARY PANCREATITIS

Mutation Asn-21 --> Ile in human cationic trypsinogen (Tg-1) has been associated with hereditary pancreatitis. Recent studies with rat anionic Tg (Tg-2) indicated that the analogous Thr-21 --> Ile mutation stabilizes the zymogen against autoactivation, whereas it has no effect on catalytic properties or autolytic stability of trypsin (Sahin-Tóth, M. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 29699-29704). In the present paper, human cationic Tg (Asn-21-Tg) and mutants Asn-21 --> Ile (Ile-21-Tg) and Asn-21 --> Thr (Thr-21-Tg) were expressed in Escherichia coli, and zymogen activation, zymogen degradation, and trypsin autolysis were studied. Enterokinase activated Asn-21-Tg approximately 2-fold better than Ile-21-Tg or Thr-21-Tg, and catalytic parameters of trypsins were comparable. At 37 degrees C, in 5 mm Ca(2+), all three trypsins were highly stable. In the absence of Ca(2+), Asn-21- and Ile-21-trypsins suffered autolysis in an indistinguishable manner, whereas Thr-21-trypsin exhibited significantly increased stability. In sharp contrast to observations with the rat proenzyme, at pH 8.0, 37 degrees C, autoactivation kinetics of Asn-21-Tg and Ile-21-Tg were identical; however, at pH 5. 0, Ile-21-Tg autoactivated at an enhanced rate relative to Asn-21-Tg. Remarkably, at both pH values, Thr-21-Tg showed markedly higher autoactivation rates than the two other zymogens. Finally, autocatalytic proteolysis of human zymogens was limited to cleavage at Arg-117, and no digestion at Lys-188 was detected. The observations indicate that zymogen stabilization by Ile-21 as observed in rat Tg-2 is not characteristic of human Tg-1. Instead, an increased propensity to autoactivation under acidic conditions might be relevant to the pathomechanism of the Asn-21 --> Ile mutation in hereditary pancreatitis. In the same context, faster autoactivation and increased trypsin stability caused by the Asn-21 --> Thr mutation in human Tg-1 might provide a rationale for the evolutionary divergence from Thr-21 found in other mammalian trypsinogens.

Evaluation of the role of the D2 dopamine receptor in myoclonus dystonia

A novel Val154-->Ile mutation in the D2 dopamine receptor (DRD2) on chromosome 11q23 has recently been shown to be associated with myoclonus dystonia (M-D) in one large family. Sequence analysis of the DRD2 gene in 5 M-D patients from different families did not reveal any mutations, nor was there evidence of linkage to the 11q23 region in the DRD2 gene in four other families. Receptor binding and signal transduction assays of the DRD2 mutant and wild-type receptors revealed identical agonist and antagonist affinities and functional responses. These studies suggest that M-D is genetically heterogeneous. The molecular mechanisms through which the Val-->Ile mutation may contribute to M-D remain to be determined.

Functional modulation of the Thr72-->Ile mutant from Scapharca inaequivalvis homodimeric hemoglobin.

The pH and temperature dependence of both the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of the Thr72-->Ile mutant of Scapharca inaequivalvis homodimeric hemoglobin were investigated between pH 2 and 10 and between 8 degrees C and 36 degrees C, in comparison with the wild-type recombinant protein. Results demonstrate pH-independent O2-binding properties, at least between pH 5 and 10, with the higher affinity of the mutant being related to a less negative entropy change. This observation may relate to a variation in the number of water molecules involved in the intersubunit communication. Furthermore, the kinetic properties of ligand association and dissociation seem to be in keeping with possible structural alterations of water molecules at the subunit interface occurring in the Thr72-->Ile mutant as well as with amino acid residues involved in the modulation of reactivity and cooperativity at the level of (1) the proximal side of the heme pocket and of (2) the heme propionates bridging the two subunits.

Interdomain Signaling in Glutamine Phosphoribosylpyrophosphate Amidotransferase

The glutamine phosphoribosylpyrophosphate (PRPP) amidotransferase-catalyzed synthesis of phosphoribosylamine from PRPP and glutamine is the sum of two half-reactions at separated catalytic sites in different domains. Binding of PRPP to a C-terminal phosphoribosyltransferase domain is required to activate the reaction at the N-terminal glutaminase domain. Interdomain signaling was monitored by intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence and by measurements of glutamine binding and glutamine site catalysis. Enzymes were engineered to contain a single tryptophan fluorescence reporter in key positions in the glutaminase domain. Trp(83) in the glutamine loop (residues 73-84) and Trp(482) in the C-terminal helix (residues 471-492) reported fluorescence changes in the glutaminase domain upon binding of PRPP and glutamine. The fluorescence changes were perturbed by Ile(335) and Tyr(74) mutations that disrupt interdomain signaling. Fluoresence titrations of PRPP and glutamine binding indicated that signaling defects increased the K(d) for glutamine but had little or no effect on PRPP binding. It was concluded that the contact between Ile(335) in the phosphoribosyltransferase domain and Tyr(74) in the glutamine site is a primary molecular interaction for interdomain signaling. Analysis of enzymes with mutations in the glutaminase domain C-terminal helix and a 404-420 peptide point to additional signaling interactions that activate the glutamine site when PRPP binds.

Hereditary Pancreatitis-associated Mutation Asn21 → Ile Stabilizes Rat Trypsinogen in Vitro

Mutations Arg(117) --> His and Asn(21) --> Ile in human trypsinogen-I have been recently associated with hereditary pancreatitis (HP). The Arg(117) --> His substitution is believed to cause pancreatitis by stabilizing trypsin against autolytic degradation, while the mechanism of action of Asn(21) --> Ile has been unknown. In an effort to understand the effect(s) of this mutation, Thr(21) in the highly homologous rat trypsinogen-II was replaced with Asn or Ile, and the recombinant zymogens and their active trypsin forms were studied. Kinetic parameters of all three trypsins were comparable, and the active enzymes suffered autolysis at similar rates, indicating that neither catalytic properties nor proteolytic stability of trypsin are influenced by mutations at position 21. When incubated at pH 8.0, 37 degrees C, pure zymogens underwent autoactivation with concomitant trypsinolytic degradation in a Ca(2+)-dependent fashion. Thus, in the presence of 5 mM Ca(2+), autoactivation and digestion of the zymogens after Arg(117) and Lys(188) were observed, while in the presence of 1 mM EDTA autoactivation and cleavage at Lys(188) were reduced, and zymogenolysis at the Arg(117) site was enhanced. Overall rates of zymogen degradation in [Asn(21)]- and [Ile(21)]trypsinogens were higher in Ca(2+) than in EDTA, while [Thr(21)]trypsinogen demonstrated inverse characteristics. Remarkably, both in the presence and absence of Ca(2+), [Ile(21)]trypsinogen exhibited significantly higher stability against autoactivation and proteolysis than zymogens with Asn(21) or Thr(21). The observations suggest that autocatalytic trypsinogen degradation may be an important defense mechanism against excessive trypsin generation in the pancreas, and trypsinogen stabilization by the Asn(21) --> Ile mutation plays a role in the pathogenesis of HP.

Trypsinogen Stabilization by Mutation Arg117→His: A Unifying Pathomechanism for Hereditary Pancreatitis?

Mutations Arg117→His and Asn21→Ile of the human cationic trypsinogen have been recently identified in patients affected by hereditary pancreatitis (HP). The Arg117→His substitution is believed to cause pancreatitis by eliminating an essential autolytic cleavage site in trypsin, thereby rendering the protease resistant to inactivation through autolysis. Here we demonstrate that the Arg117→His mutation also significantly inhibits autocatalytic trypsinogen breakdown under Ca2+-free conditions and stabilizes the zymogen form of rat trypsin. Taken together with recent findings demonstrating that the Asn21→Ile mutation stabilizes rat trypsinogen against autoactivation and consequent autocatalytic degradation, the observations suggest a unifying molecular pathomechanism for HP in which zymogen stabilization plays a central role.

Ligand-linked changes at the subunit interfaces in Scapharca hemoglobins probed through the sulfhydryl infrared absorption.

FTIR spectra of native Scapharca homodimeric hemoglobin (HbI) and of the Phe97-->Ile mutant have been measured in the region 2400-2700 cm(-1) where the absorption of the sulfhydryl groups can be observed. In native HbI, the two Cys92 residues give rise to a relatively intense band centered at 2559 cm(-1) that is shifted to 2568 cm(-1) and strongly quenched upon ligand binding. In the Phe97-->Leu mutant, such ligand-linked changes are not observed and the strong peak at around 2560 cm(-1) persists in the liganded derivatives. In native HbI, the observed changes have been attributed to the decrease in polarity of the interface due to the ligand-induced extrusion of the Phe97 phenyl ring from the heme pocket to the interface and the subsequent release of several water molecules that are clustered in the vicinity of Cys92. In contrast, in the Phe97-->Leu mutant, the Leu residue does not leave the heme pocket upon ligand binding and the interface is unaltered. The Cys92/S-H infrared band, therefore, represents a sensitive probe of the structural rearrangements that take place in the intersubunit interface upon ligand binding to HbI. The heterotetrameric Scapharca hemoglobin HbII contains, in addition to the Cys92 residues in the interfaces, two extra sulfhydryl groups per tetramer (Cys9 in the B chain) that are exposed to solvent in the A helix. The frequency of the Cys9/S-H stretching vibration occurs at 2582 cm(-1) in the unliganded and at 2586 cm(-1) in the liganded derivative, pointing to the involvement of the A helix in the ligand-linked polymerization characteristic of HbII.

The effect of moxifloxacin on its target topoisomerases from Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

The effect of moxifloxacin on its target enzymes was evaluated by three different approaches: (i) the MICs of moxifloxacin and nine other fluoroquinolones were determined for mutants of Escherichia coli (n = 13) and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 5) carrying different combinations of resistance mutations; (ii) the activity of moxifloxacin on isolated targets was determined as IC50 values for wild-type and mutant type II topoisomerases from E. coli; and (iii) the mutation frequencies were determined for two single-step mutants (MI with a Ser83-->Leu mutation in gyrA and WT-4 with a Ser80-->Ile mutation in parC) and their parent strain (WT). Of the quinolones tested, moxifloxacin was the only one showing an equivalent high activity against both targets. This is reflected by a comparable high susceptibility of the test strains of E. coli and S. aureus and by the IC50 values of moxifloxacin which were 50-90% lower than those of ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and sparfloxacin for the wild-type and single mutant enzymes of gyrase and topoisomerase IV. However, double mutant GyrA was significantly more sensitive to moxifloxacin than to the other fluoroquinolones tested, while wild-type topoisomerase IV was two-fold more refractory. Mutation rates of WT, MI and WT-4 for ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin were 5 x 10(-8) vs 4 x 10(-10); <6 x 10(-11) vs <6 x 10(-11); and 2 x 10(-6) vs 5 x 10(-7), respectively. These data indicate an equivalent high inhibitory activity of moxifloxacin on DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV of E. coli.

Fe-heme structure and dynamics in Thr72 --> Ile mutant Scapharca inaequivalvis hemoglobin by X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Fe-heme structure and dynamics in Thr72 --> Ile mutant Scapharca inaequivalvis hemoglobin by X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Detection of gyrA mutations among 335 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated in Japan and their susceptibilities to fluoroquinolones.

gyrA point mutations in 335 clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were examined mainly by nonisotopic single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing. Seven types of missense gyrA mutations were observed in 70 of 335 strains (20.9%), and ciprofloxacin MICs were > or = 3.13 micrograms/ml for 63 of 70 strains (90.0%). These included two double point mutations and three novel mutations (Ala-67-->Ser plus Asp-87-->Gly, Ala-84-->Pro, and Gln-106-->Leu). Thr-83-->Ile mutants were predominantly observed (63 of 70 mutants) and showed high-level fluoroquinolone resistance (ciprofloxacin MIC at which 50% of isolates are inhibited, 25 micrograms/ml).

Structural and functional studies of monomeric mutant of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase without Arg 143.

Mutation of arginine (Arg) 143 with Ile in the monomeric mutant (Phe50Glu, Gly51Glu, Vall48Lys, Ile151Lys) of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (R143I M4SOD, where M4SOD is the above mutant) leads to a protein with low copper content. Cobalt(II) binds the demetalized protein with a low and comparable affinity for the two metal sites, whereas it binds first and stochiometrically at the zinc site in the M4SOD protein and in the dimeric wild type SOD. However, a CuCo SOD derivative can be obtained whose NMR spectra indicate the structural changes induced by monomerization plus those induced by the Arg ---> Ile mutation. The electronic, circular dichroism, and EPR spectra provide structural information on the copper site. The low activity of the enzyme is accounted for on the basis of the structural properties of the active cavity.

Structural and Dynamic Properties of the Homodimeric Hemoglobin from Scapharca inaequivalvis Thr-72→Ile Mutant: Molecular Dynamics Simulation, Low Temperature Visible Absorption Spectroscopy, and Resonance Raman Spectroscopy Studies

Molecular dynamics simulations, low temperature visible absorption spectroscopy, and resonance Raman spectroscopy have been performed on a mutant of the Scapharca inaequivalvis homodimeric hemoglobin, where residue threonine 72, at the subunit interface, has been substituted by isoleucine. Molecular dynamics simulation indicates that in the Thr-72→Ile mutant several residues that have been shown to play a role in ligand binding fluctuate around orientations and distances similar to those observed in the x-ray structure of the CO derivative of the native hemoglobin, although the overall structure remains in the T state. Visible absorption spectroscopy data indicate that in the deoxy form the Soret band is less asymmetric in the mutant than in the native protein, suggesting a more planar heme structure; moreover, these data suggest a similar heme-solvent interaction in both the liganded and unliganded states of the mutant protein, at variance with that observed in the native protein. The “conformation sensitive” band III of the deoxy mutant protein is shifted to lower energy by >100 cm −1 with respect to the native one, about one-half of that observed in the low temperature photoproducts of both proteins, indicating a less polar or more hydrophobic heme environment. Resonance Raman spectroscopy data show a slight shift of the iron-proximal histidine stretching mode of the deoxy mutant toward lower frequency with respect to the native protein, which can be interpreted in terms of either a change in packing of the phenyl ring of Phe-97, as also observed from the simulation, or a loss of water in the heme pocket. In line with this latter interpretation, the number of water molecules that dynamically enters the intersubunit interface, as calculated by the molecular dynamics simulation, is lower in the mutant than in the native protein. The 10-ns photoproduct for the carbonmonoxy mutant derivative has a higher iron-proximal histidine stretching frequency than does the native protein. This suggests a subnanosecond relaxation that is slowed in the mutant, consistent with a stabilization of the R structure. Taken together, the molecular dynamics and the spectroscopic data indicate that the higher oxygen affinity displayed by the Thr-72→Ile mutant is mainly due to a local perturbation in the dimer interface that propagates to the heme region, perturbing the polarity of the heme environment and propionate interactions. These changes are consistent with a destabilization of the T state and a stabilization of the R state in the mutant relative to the native protein.