Formation Of Interchain Disulfide Bonds Research Articles

Chromatography assisted in-vitro refolding and purification of recombinant peptibody: Recombinant Romiplostim a case study

In-vitro protein refolding is one of the key rate-limiting unit operations in manufacturing of fusion proteins such as peptibodies expressed using E. coli. Dilution-assisted refolding is the most commonly used industrial practice to achieve the soluble, native functional form of the recombinant protein from the inclusion bodies. This study is focused on developing a chromatography-assisted in-vitro refolding platform to produce the biologically active, native form of recombinant peptibody. Recombinant Romiplostim was selected as a model protein for the study. A plug flow tubular reactor was connected in series with capture step affinity chromatography to achieve simultaneous in-vitro refolding and capture step purification of recombinant Romiplostim. Effect of various critical process parameters like fold dilution, temperature, residence time, and Cysteine: DTT ratio was studied using a central composite based design of experiment strategy to achieve a maximum refolding yield of selected peptibody. Under optimum refolding conditions, the maximum refolding yield of 57.0 ± 1.5 % and a purity of over 79.73 ± 3.4 % were achieved at 25-fold dilution, 15 °C temperature, 6 h residence time with 6 mM and 10 mM of cysteine and DTT, respectively. The formation of native peptibody structure was examined using various orthogonal analytical tools to study the protein's primary, secondary, and tertiary structure. The amino acid sequence for the disulfide-linked peptide was mapped using collision-induced dissociation (CID) to confirm the formation of interchain disulfide bonds between Cys7-Cys7 and Cys10-Cys10 similarly for intra-chain disulfide bonds between Cys42-Cys102, and Cys148-Cys206. The developed protocol here is a valuable tool to identify high-yield scalable refolding conditions for multi-domain proteins involving inter-domain disulfide bonds.

Molecular and functional characterization of two IgM subclasses in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea)

As the predominant immunoglobulin (Ig) isotype, IgM plays a crucial role in the acquired immunity of vertebrates. There is only one Igμ gene in mammals, except cattle, while the number of Igμ gene varies among teleost fish. In the current study, we found two functional Igμ genes (Igμ1 and Igμ2) and a pseudo Cμ gene (ψIgμ) in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). Both Igμ1 and Igμ2 genes possessed two transcript variants, which encoded the heavy chains of secreted (sIgM1 and sIgM2) and membrane-bound IgM1 and IgM2 (mIgM1 and mIgM2), respectively. Both the heavy chains of sIgM1 and sIgM2 consisted of a variable Ig domain, four constant Ig domains (CH1, CH2, CH3 and CH4) and a secretory tail, while those of mIgM1 and mIgM2 consisted of a variable Ig domain, three constant Ig domains (CH1, CH2 and CH3), a transmembrane domain and a short cytoplasmic tail. Cysteine residues that are necessary for the formation of intrachain and interchain disulfide bonds and tryptophan residues that are important for the folding of the Ig superfamily domain were well conserved in large yellow croaker IgM1 and IgM2. Interestingly, large yellow croaker IgM2 had an extra cysteine (C94) in the CH1 domain compared with IgM1, which may cause the structural difference between IgM1 and IgM2. A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed that both IgM1 and IgM2 were present at the protein level in large yellow croaker serum. Both the Igμ1 and Igμ2 genes were mainly expressed in systemic immune tissues, such as head kidney and spleen, but the expression level of Igμ2 was much lower than that of Igμ1. After Pseudomonas plecoglossicida infection, the expression levels of Igμ1 and Igμ2 in both the spleen and head kidney were significantly upregulated, with a higher upregulation of Igμ2 than that of Igμ1. These results suggested that Igμ1 and Igμ2 may play a differential role in the immune response of large yellow croaker against bacterial infection.

Effect of acidity regulators on the shelf life, quality, and physicochemical characteristics of fresh wet noodles

In this study, the effects of acidity regulators (ARs) on the shelf life, quality, and physicochemical characteristics of fresh wet noodles (FWNs) were investigated. The addition of ARs markedly reduced the pH value of FWNs with a prolonged microbial shelf life of 5–10 days. Moreover, the presence of ARs significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the hardness and tensile distance of cooked FWNs, while increasing the cooking loss of noodles significantly (p < 0.05). The results of confocal laser scanning microscope analysis showed that ARs inhibited the formation of gluten networks in cooked noodles. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-extractable protein (SDS-EP) and free –SH content increased significantly (p < 0.05) when ARs were added. ARs affected the polymerization of proteins by inhibiting the formation of interchain disulfide bonds during cooking. Moreover, X-ray diffraction results showed that the addition of ARs resulted in acid hydrolysis of the amorphous area of the starch in FWNs, decreasing the pasting temperature, peak and trough viscosities of the starch. The reduction in pH value was the main factor that affected the shelf life and quality of FWNs, but different types of ARs had no significant impact.

Perspectives on protein biopolymers: miniaturized flow field-flow fractionation-assisted characterization of a single-cysteine mutated phaseolin expressed in transplastomic tobacco plants

The development of plant-based protein polymers to employ in biofilm production represents the promising intersection between material science and sustainability, and allows to obtain biodegradable materials that also possess excellent physicochemical properties. A possible candidate for protein biopolymer production is phaseolin, a storage protein highly abundant in P Vulgaris beans. We previously showed that transformed tobacco chloroplasts could be employed to express a mutated phaseolin carrying a signal peptide (directing it into the thylakoids) also enriched of a cysteine residue added to its C-terminal region. This modification allows for the formation of inter-chain disulfide bonds, as we previously demonstrated, and should promote polymerization.To verify the effect of the peptide modification and to quantify polymer formation, we employed hollow-fiber flow field-flow fractionation coupled to UV and multi-angle laser scattering detection (HF5-UV-MALS): HF5 allows for the selective size-based separation of phaseolin species, whereas MALS calculates molar mass and conformation state of each population. With the use of two different HF5 separation methods we first observed the native state of P.Vulgaris phaseolin, mainly assembled into trimers, and compared it to mutated phaseolin (P*) which instead resulted highly aggregated. Then we further characterized P* using a second separation method, discriminating between two and distinct high-molecular weight (HMW) species, one averaging 0.8 × 106 Da and the second reaching the tens of million Da. Insight on the conformation of these HMW species was offered from their conformation plots, which confirmed the positive impact of the Cys modification on polymerization.

Assembly and Folding Properties of Cytosolic IgG Intrabodies

Intrabodies, antibodies expressed within cells, offer an interesting way to target intracellular molecules, making them potentially useful for biotechnology and medicine. However, it remains controversial whether full-size IgG intrabodies expressed in the reducing environment of the cytosol of mammalian cells are workable and structurally sound. Herein, we settle this issue with a systematic investigation of the structure and functionality of four chimeric IgG1s with distinct variable (V) domains but identical constant (C) domains. Full-size IgGs expressed in the cytosol of HEK293 cells were either assembly-competent or -incompetent, depending on the intrinsic properties of the V regions. Structural integrity of the C region is required for H:L association and the formation of a functional antigen-binding site. Partial intrachain disulfide bond formation occurs in both H and L chains of cytosolic IgG intrabodies, whereas interchain disulfide bond formation was absent and dispensable for functional assembly. IgG1s expressed in the cytosol and via the ER were shown to assemble differently. Our findings provide insight into the features and possible utilization of full-size IgGs as cytosolic antibodies in biotechnological and medical applications.

Specific Disulfide Bond Formation Directed by Peptide Nucleic Acids

In this study, we successfully demonstrated a strategy for specific disulfide bond formation by hybridization of two complementary peptide nucleic acid strands. Peptides were linked to the pair of complementary peptide nucleic acids by native chemical ligation, respectively, and base pairing drove the two peptides into close proximity for interchain disulfide bond formation. Since peptide nucleic acids directed system is easier to manipulate than deoxyribonucleic acid system, this system will be more useful and have a broader application scope in the construction of complex biomolecular structures.

Intermolecular disulfide bond influences unphosphorylated STAT3 dimerization and function.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor activated by the phosphorylation of tyrosine 705 in response to many cytokines and growth factors. Recently, the roles for unphosphorylated STAT3 (U-STAT3) have been described in response to cytokine stimulation, in cancers, and in the maintenance of heterochromatin stability. It has been reported that U-STAT3 dimerizes, shuttles between the cytoplasm and nucleus, and binds to DNA, thereby driving genes transcription. Although many reports describe the active role of U-STAT3 in oncogenesis in addition to phosphorylated STAT3, the U-STAT3 functional pathway remains elusive.In this report, we describe the molecular mechanism of U-STAT3 dimerization, and we identify the presence of two intermolecular disulfide bridges between Cys367 and Cys542 and Cys418 and Cys426, respectively. Recently, we reported that the same cysteines contribute to the redox regulation of STAT3 signaling pathway both in vitro and in vivo The presence of these disulfides is here demonstrated to largely contribute to the structure and the stability of U-STAT3 dimer as the dimeric form rapidly dissociates upon reduction in the S-S bonds. In particular, the Cys367-Cys542 disulfide bridge is shown to be critical for U-STAT3 DNA-binding activity. Mutation of the two Cys residues completely abolishes the DNA-binding capability of U-STAT3. Spectroscopic investigations confirm that the noncovalent interactions are sufficient for proper folding and dimer formation, but that the interchain disulfide bonds are crucial to preserve the functional dimer. Finally, we propose a reaction scheme of U-STAT3 dimerization with a first common step followed by stabilization through the formation of interchain disulfide bonds.

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of four isotypes of immunoglobulin light chain genes in orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides

To date, many immunoglobulin (Ig) genes have been identified in diverse teleost species, but the contributions of different types of light chain (IgL) to the immune response remain unclear. Screening of a stimulated kidney cDNA library from orange-spotted grouper (Osg, Epinephelus coioides) resulted in the identification of 26 full Ig light chain (OsgIgL) coding sequences. These 26 OsgIgLs encoded peptides from 235 to 248 amino acid residues and could be grouped into five variable (VL) and four constant (CL) isotypes. The CL regions contained three conserved cysteine residues that may participate in intra- or inter-chain disulfide bond formation. The four CL isotypes could be sub-grouped into two serological types: κ (CL-I, CL-II and CL-III) and σ (CL-IV), by phylogenetic analysis. The OsgIgL genes were found to be expressed in various tissues, with greatest levels of expression observed in the head–kidney and spleen. The major expression type was CL-I, which comprised 92% and 91% of total OsgIgL gene expression in the head–kidney and spleen, respectively. Transcription of all four CL isotypes was differentially affected in response to various immunostimulators, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), poly I:C and grouper iridovirus (GIV). Induction of OsgIgL genes in response to immunostimulators was particularly dramatic in the spleen, suggesting this organ holds particular importance for the regulation of OsgIgL expression. Furthermore, vaccination of grouper with formalin-inactivated GIV also induced differential patterns of expression in all four OsgIgL isotypes. In summary, the significant and diverse patterns of transcriptional induction observed for OsgIgL isotypes in the spleen and head–kidney imply that each isotype may have unique roles in the immune response.

Subcellular Localization of Von Willebrand Factor Mutants Correlates with Particular VWF Multimer Patterns

Abstract 98Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a bleeding disorder caused by mutations of von Willebrand factor (VWF), a huge multimeric glycoprotein that is essential for platelet-dependent primary hemostasis. VWF undergoes a highly complex biosynthesis that starts with the production of the 250 kD monomers that are further post-translationally modified within the ER. Here, N-linked glycosylation occurs and dimerization is facilitated by the formation of interchain disulfide bonds. These dimers are being released from the ER to the Golgi apparatus where the high mannose glycans are processed to the complex form and O-linked oligosaccharides are added. The pH-dependent assembly of VWF High Molecular Weight Multimers (HMWM), up to 80 monomers in size, occurs in the trans-Golgi where they become organized in tubules that are subsequently stored in Weibel-Palade bodies (WPB) until stimulated release into the circulation. This process may partly or completely be disrupted, in particular in several VWD type 2A subtypes (IIC, IID, IIE) but also in some VWD type 3 mutants with missense mutations. Mutant VWF in such patients is characterized by lack or a significant decrease of VWF HMWM which can be due to impaired dimerization and multimerization or poor secretion. The phenotypes are ranging from a relative decrease of HMWM (IIE, IID) over a severe reduction (IIC) to their complete absence beyond the size of a dimer in some patients with VWD type 3. To identify the cause of VWF HMWM deficiency in type 2A (subtypes IIC, IID and IIE) and type 3 VWD patients with known or novel missense mutations, we overexpressed representative VWF mutants in HEK293 cells. Confocal immunofluorescence was employed to investigate their intracellular localization by parallel visualization of cellular sub-compartments using antibodies against marker proteins for the ER, Golgi, endosomes and pseudo-WPB.The type IIC mutants (I94N, L526S, and G550R) as well as the IID mutants (C2771R, S2775C and G2752D) did not form any cigar-shaped pseudo-WPB and were almost completely localized within the ER where small granules were formed. The type 2A/IIE mutants W1144G, Y1146C and C1169W in contrast exhibited a massive increase in pseudo-WPB formation with most of their contents remaining intracellularly as a result of poor secretion. VWF Type 3 mutants (W377C, W1120S and C2304Y) are retained in the ER in a similar pattern as type IIC and IID mutants.In conclusion, we show that type 2A (IIC, IID, IIE), and type 3 VWF mutations correspond to a discrete disruption in the VWF intracellular transport, resulting in a characteristic subcellular localization of the particular VWF mutants and correlating with a particular VWF multimer pattern. The respective localization is indicative for the processing and secretion defect of VWF which is ultimately responsible for the manifestation of a specific VWD phenotype. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Disulfide Bond Formation and ToxR Activity in Vibrio cholerae

Virulence factor production in Vibrio cholerae is complex, with ToxRS being an important part of the regulatory cascade. Additionally, ToxR is the transcriptional regulator for the genes encoding the major outer membrane porins OmpU and OmpT. ToxR is a transmembrane protein and contains two cysteine residues in the periplasmic domain. This study addresses the influence of the thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase system DsbAB, ToxR cysteine residues and ToxR/ToxS interaction on ToxR activity. The results show that porin production correlates with ToxR intrachain disulfide bond formation, which depends on DsbAB. In contrast, formation of ToxR intrachain or interchain disulfide bonds is dispensable for virulence factor production and in vivo colonization. This study further reveals that in the absence of ToxS, ToxR interchain disulfide bond formation is facilitated, whereat cysteinyl dependent homo- and oligomerization of ToxR is suppressed if ToxS is coexpressed. In summary, new insights into gene regulation by ToxR are presented, demonstrating a mechanism by which ToxR activity is linked to a DsbAB dependent intrachain disulfide bond formation.

Von Willebrand disease biology

*Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, C2-R Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, LeidenUniversity Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Centre for Haematology, Imperial College London, HammersmithHospital Campus, London;§INSERM U770, Cedex, France; and –Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, QueensUniversity, Kingston, ON, Canada

Biogenesis of Weibel-Palade bodies in von Willebrand's disease variants with impaired von Willebrand factor intrachain or interchain disulfide bond formation

Mutations of cysteine residues in von Willebrand factor are known to reduce the storage and secretion of this factor, thus leading to reduced antigen levels. However, one cysteine mutation, p.Cys2773Ser, has been found in patients with type 2A(IID) von Willebrand's disease who have normal plasma levels of von Willebrand factor. We hypothesize that disruption of either intra- or interchain disulfide bonds by cysteine mutations in von Willebrand factor has different effects on the biogenesis of Weibel-Palade bodies. The effect of specific cysteine mutations that either disrupt intrachain (p.Cys1130Phe and p.Cys2671Tyr) or interchain (p.Cys2773Ser) disulfide bonds on storage and secretion of von Willebrand factor was studied by transient transfection of human embryonic kidney cell line 293. Upon expression of von Willebrand factor these cells formed endothelial Weibel-Palade body-like organelles called pseudo-Weibel-Palade bodies. Storage of von Willebrand factor was analyzed with both confocal immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Regulated secretion of von Willebrand factor was induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. p.Cys1130Phe and p.Cys2671Tyr reduced the storage of von Willebrand factor into pseudo-Weibel-Palade bodies with notable retention of von Willebrand factor in the endoplasmic reticulum, whereas p.Cys2773Ser-von Willebrand factor was stored normally. As expected, wild-type von Willebrand factor formed proteinaceous tubules that were seen under electron microscopy as longitudinal striations in pseudo-Weibel-Palade bodies. p.Cys2773Ser caused severe defects in von Willebrand factor multimerization but the factor formed normal tubules. Furthermore, the basal and regulated secretion of von Willebrand factor was drastically impaired by p.Cys1130Phe and p.Cys2671Tyr, but not by p.Cys2773Ser. We postulate that natural mutations of cysteines involved in the formation of interchain disulfide bonds do not affect either the storage in Weibel-Palade bodies or secretion of von Willebrand factor, whereas mutations of cysteines forming intrachain disulfide bonds lead to reduced von Willebrand factor storage and secretion because the von Willebrand factor is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum.

Rotational and hinge dynamics of discoidal high density lipoproteins probed by interchain disulfide bond formation

To develop a detailed double belt model for discoidal HDL, we previously scored inter-helical salt bridges between all possible registries of two stacked antiparallel amphipathic helical rings of apolipoprotein (apo) A-I. The top score was the antiparallel apposition of helix 5 with 5 followed closely by appositions of helix 5 with 4 and helix 5 with 6. The rationale for the current study is that, for each of the optimal scores, a pair of identical residues can be identified in juxtaposition directly on the contact edge between the two antiparallel helical belts of apoA-I. Further, these residues are always in the ‘9th position’ in one of the eighteen 11-mer repeats that make up the lipid-associating domain of apoA-I. To illustrate our terminology, 129j (LL5/5) refers to the juxtaposition of the Cα atoms of G129 (in a ‘9th position’) in the pairwise helix 5 domains. We reasoned that if identical residues in the double belt juxtapositions were mutated to a cysteine and kept under reducing conditions during disc formation, we would have a precise method for determining registration in discoidal HDL by formation of a disulfide-linked apoA-I homodimer. Using this approach, we conclude that 129j (LL5/5) is the major rotamer orientation for double belt HDL and propose that the small ubiquitous gap between the pairwise helix 5 portions of the double belt in larger HDL discoidal particles is significantly dynamic to hinge off the disc edge under certain conditions, e.g., in smaller particles or perhaps following binding of the enzyme LCAT. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Advances in High Density Lipoprotein Formation and Metabolism: A Tribute to John F. Oram (1945–2010).

Mechanisms of Heat-Mediated Aggregation of Wheat Gluten Protein upon Pasta Processing

During pasta processing, structural changes of protein occur, due to changes in water content, mechanical energy input, and high temperature treatments. The present paper investigates the impact of successive and intense thermal treatments (high temperature drying, cooking, and overcooking) on aggregation of gluten protein in pasta. Protein aggregation was evaluated by the measurement of sensitivity of disulfide bonds toward reduction with dithioerythritol (DTE), at different reactions times. In addition to the loss in protein extractability in sodium dodecyl sulfate buffer, heat treatments induced a drastic change in disulfide bonds sensitivity toward DTE reduction and in size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography profiles of fully reduced protein. The protein solubility loss was assumed to derive from the increasing connectivity of protein upon heat treatments. The increasing degree of protein upon aggregation would be due to the formation of additional interchain disulfide bonds.

Myeloperoxidase-dependent Inactivation of Surfactant Protein D in Vitro and in Vivo

Surfactant protein D (SP-D) plays diverse and important roles in innate immunity and pulmonary homeostasis. Neutrophils and myeloperoxidase (MPO) colocalized with SP-D in a murine bacterial pneumonia model of acute inflammation, suggesting that MPO-derived reactive species might alter the function of SP-D. Exposure of SP-D to the complete MPO-H(2)O(2)-halide system caused loss of SP-D-dependent aggregating activity. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), the major oxidant generated by MPO, caused a similar loss of aggregating activity, which was accompanied by the generation of abnormal disulfide-cross-linked oligomers. A full-length SP-D mutant lacking N-terminal cysteine residues and truncation mutants lacking the N-terminal domains were resistant to the oxidant-induced alterations in disulfide bonding. Mass spectroscopy of HOCl-treated human SP-D demonstrated several modifications, but none involved key ligand binding residues. There was detectable oxidation of cysteine 15, but no HOCl-induced cysteine modifications were observed in the C-terminal lectin domain. Together, the findings localize abnormal disulfide cross-links to the N-terminal domain. MPO-deficient mice showed decreased cross-linking of SP-D and increased SP-D-dependent aggregating activity in the pneumonia model. Thus, MPO-derived oxidants can lead to modifications of SP-D structure with associated alterations in its characteristic aggregating activity.

Production of Recombinant Chicken IgY-Fc and Evaluation of Its Transport Ability into Avian Egg Yolks

Maternal immunoglobulin (Ig) Y, the avian counterpart of mammalian IgG, is efficiently transported into the yolks of maturing oocytes. We have previously shown that the Fc region plays a critical role in the IgY transport into avian egg yolks. The aim of this study was to produce recombinant IgY-Fc and to evaluate its transport ability into avian egg yolks. Two basic expression vectors were constructed: one mainly expressed three constant regions of chicken IgY heavy chain (Fcυ2-4) that contained three cysteine residues (C252, C340, C347) involved in inter-heavy chain disulfide bonds; and the other mainly expressed two constant regions (Fcυ3-4) that contained two cysteine residues (C340, C347). SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analyses indicated that both Fcυ2-4 and Fcυ3-4 were separated into multiple protein bands under non-reducing conditions, suggesting incomplete formation of inter-chain disulfide bonds. To prevent the incomplete disulfide bond formation, C340 and C347 were mutated individually to serine by site-directed mutagenesis. As expected, each of the mutated recombinant IgY-Fc produced a single protein band by SDS-PAGE analysis. When intravenously-injected into laying quail, the two mutants, Fcυ2-4C347S and Fcυ3-4C340S, were transported into the egg yolks at high levels, whereas the other two mutants, Fcυ2-4C340S and Fcυ3-4C347S, were transported into the egg yolks at lower levels. In conclusion, we have succeeded in producing a recombinant IgY-Fc retaining a high transport ability into the avian egg yolks; this protein will be provided as a useful tool for studying the mechanism of IgY transport into egg yolks.

A Relaxed Specificity in Interchain Disulfide Bond Formation Characterizes the Assembly of a Low-Molecular-Weight Glutenin Subunit in the Endoplasmic Reticulum

Wheat (Triticum spp.) grains contain large protein polymers constituted by two main classes of polypeptides: the high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits and the low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS). These polymers are among the largest protein molecules known in nature and are the main determinants of the superior technological properties of wheat flours. However, little is known about the mechanisms controlling the assembly of the different subunits and the way they are arranged in the final polymer. Here, we have addressed these issues by analyzing the formation of interchain disulfide bonds between identical and different LMW-GS and by studying the assembly of mutants lacking individual intrachain disulfides. Our results indicate that individual cysteine residues that remain available for disulfide bond formation in the folded monomer can form interchain disulfide bonds with a variety of different cysteine residues present in a companion subunit. These results imply that the coordinated expression of many different LMW-GS in wheat endosperm cells can potentially lead to the formation of a large set of distinct polymeric structures, in which subunits can be arranged in different configurations. In addition, we show that not all intrachain disulfide bonds are necessary for the generation of an assembly-competent structure and that the retention of a LMW-GS in the early secretory pathway is not dependent on polymer formation.

Factor XI Homodimer Formation Is Mediated by Electrostatic (Lys331 with Glu287) and Hydrophobic (Ile290 with Leu284 and Tyr329 with Tyr329) Interactions in the Apple 4 Domain and Is Essential for Normal Proteolytic Activation of Factor XI by Factor XIIa, Thrombin and Factor XIa.

Factor XI (FXI), a coagulation protein essential for normal hemostasis, is a homodimer consisting of two identical subunits of 80 KDa linked by a disulfide bond formed by Cys321 within the Apple 4 (A4) domain of each subunit. Prekallikrein (PK), in spite of its high homology with FXI both in amino acid sequence and domain structure, is a monomer. Cys321 in PK forms an intrachain disulfide bond with Cys326. However FXI/C321S (in which interchain disulfide bond formation is precluded) is a noncovalent dimer. Thus, there are interacting residues between the two subunits of FXI that are responsible for mediating its unique homodimeric structure. Examination of the crystal structure of FXI (Papagrigoriou E, McEwan P, Walsh PN, Emsley J. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology . 2006; 13:557–8) shows salt bridges between Lys331 of one subunit with Glu287 of the other subunit as well as hydrophobic interactions at the interface of the A4 domains involving Ile290, Leu284 and Tyr329. FXI/C321S, FXI/C321S/K331A, FXI/C321S/E287A, FXI/C321S/I290A, FXI/C321S/Y329A, FXI/C321S/L284A and FXI/C321S/K331R were expressed in HEK293 cells and characterized using size exclusion chromatography (SEC), analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), and functional assays. Whereas FXI/C321S existed in a monomer/dimer equilibrium (Kd ∼40 nM) all other mutants were predominantly monomers by SEC with impaired dimer formation by AUC (Kd 3.4–38 μM). All the monomeric mutants when converted to the active enzyme, FXIa, were able to hydrolyze the small chromogenic substrate S-2366 with normal values of Km and Vmax and cleaved the macromolecular substrate FIX at both its scissile bonds at rates similar to those observed with wtFXIa strongly suggesting that all mutant proteins were properly folded. However all the monomeric mutants displayed impaired clotting activity in an APTT assay and displayed markedly decreased rates of activation by FXIIa or thrombin and autoactivation in the presence or absence of dextran sulfate. We conclude that salt bridges formed between Lys331 of one subunit and Glu287 of the other together with hydrophobic interactions of residues Ile290 with Leu284 and Tyr329 with Tyr329 and are essential for normal homodimer formation, which is essential for normal proteolytic activation of FXI by FXIIa, thrombin and FXIa either in solution or on an anionic surface.

Modification of Tubulin Cysteines by Nitric Oxide and Nitroxyl Donors Alters Tubulin Polymerization Activity

The modification of reduced cysteines of proteins by nitric oxide alters protein function, structure, and potentially, interactions with downstream signaling targets. We assessed the effect of the S-nitroso compounds S-nitrosoglutathione and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine, the NO donor 2-(N,N-diethylamino)-diazenolate 2-oxide, and the nitroxyl donor Angeli's salt on the cysteines of the abundant cytoskeletal protein, tubulin. Total cysteine modification by each compound was quantitated and compared to peroxynitrite anion, an oxidant that we have studied previously. Angeli's salt was most effective at modifying the cysteines of tubulin and at inducing the formation of tubulin interchain disulfide bonds followed by peroxynitrite anion, S-nitrosoglutathione, S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine, and 2-(N,N-diethylamino)-diazenolate 2-oxide. S-nitrosation of tubulin by S-nitrosoglutathione and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine was detected by the Saville assay. Our data show that tubulin interchain disulfide bond formation by these molecules correlated with inhibition of tubulin polymerization. Closer examination of the reaction of tubulin with S-nitrosoglutathione showed a concentration-dependent shift in the type of cysteine modification detected. More tubulin disulfides were detected at lower concentrations of S-nitrosoglutathione than at higher concentrations, suggesting that reduced glutathione, generated by the reaction of S-nitrosoglutathione with tubulin cysteines, reduced disulfides initially formed by S-nitrosoglutathione.

Disulfide Bond-mediated Multimerization of Ask1 and Its Reduction by Thioredoxin-1 Regulate H2O2-induced c-Jun NH2-terminal Kinase Activation and Apoptosis

Apoptosis signal-regulated kinase-1 (Ask1) lies upstream of a major redox-sensitive pathway leading to the activation of Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) and the induction of apoptosis. We found that cell exposure to H(2)O(2) caused the rapid oxidation of Ask1, leading to its multimerization through the formation of interchain disulfide bonds. Oxidized Ask1 was fully reduced within minutes after induction by H(2)O(2). During this reduction, the thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase thioredoxin-1 (Trx1) became covalently associated with Ask1. Overexpression of Trx1 accelerated the reduction of Ask1, and a redox-inactive mutant of Trx1 (C35S) remained trapped with Ask1, blocking its reduction. Preventing the oxidation of Ask1 by either overexpressing Trx1 or using an Ask1 mutant in which the sensitive cysteines were mutated (Ask1-DeltaCys) impaired the activation of JNK and the induction of apoptosis while having little effect on Ask1 activation. These results indicate that Ask1 oxidation is required at a step subsequent to activation for signaling downstream of Ask1 after H(2)O(2) treatment.