Intramolecular Cleavage Research Articles

Bordetella dermonecrotic toxin binds to target cells via the N-terminal 30 amino acids

Bordetella dermonecrotic toxin (DNT) affects the biological function of host cells by activating intracellular Rho GTPases. The toxin binds to unidentified receptor(s) via 54 N-terminal amino acids, undergoes intramolecular cleavage on the C-terminal side of Arg(44) by furin or furin-like protease, and eventually enters the cytoplasm where the Rho GTPases reside. The binding to the receptor(s) and intramolecular cleavage are essential for DNT to intoxicate cells, and the 54 amino-acid binding domain encompasses the cleavage site, however, it is unclear whether these two events are related. In this study, we could narrow down the cell-binding domain to the N-terminal amino acids 2-30. The region does not contain the furin-recognition site, indicating that the cell binding and the intramolecular cleavage are independent events.

Capturing the Initial Autocatalytic Maturation Mechanism of HIV-1 protease at Atomic Resolution

The first and critical step of HIV virion maturation is the autocatalysis of a pseudo-folded partially dimerized viral protease, each monomer embedded in a Gag-Pol polyprotein precursor. Although the first stage of autocatalysis is thought to be protease N-terminal intra-molecular cleavage, a basic structural understanding of this process remains elusive.

OCO and NCO chelated derivatives of heavier group 15 elements. Study on possibility of cyclization reaction via intramolecular ether bond cleavage

A set of four pincer ligands, either the OCO type ligands L(1-3) [2,6-(ROCH(2))(2)C(6)H(3)](-), where R = Me (L(1)), mesityl (L(2)), t-Bu (L(3)) or novel NCO ligand [2-(Me(2)NCH(2))-6-(t-BuOCH(2))C(6)H(3)](-) was studied. The reaction of L(4)Li with PCl(3) resulted in isolation of [2-(OCH(2))-6-(Me(2)NCH(2))C(6)H(3)]PCl (1) as a result of intramolecular ether bond cleavage and elimination of t-BuCl. The conversion between the organolithium compounds L(1,2,4)Li and AsCl(3) led to the desired chlorides, i.e. (L(1))(2)AsCl (2), L(2)AsCl(2) (3), L(4)AsCl(2) (5), but an analogous reaction using the L(3)Li compound gave [2-(OCH(2))-6-(t-BuOCH(2))C(6)H(3)]AsCl (4) as a result of intramolecular cyclization. The organoantimony chloride L(3)SbCl(2) was shown to undergo very slow cyclization in CDCl(3) again via elimination of t-BuCl giving [2-(OCH(2))-6-(t-BuOCH(2))C(6)H(3)]SbCl (6) and it was demonstrated that this reaction may be accelerated by preparation of L(3)Sb(Cl)(OTf) (7) with more Lewis acidic central atom. On the contrary, both antimony derivatives of the NCO ligand L(4), not only the chloride L(4)SbCl(2) (8) but also the ionic pair containing highly Lewis acidic cation [L(4)SbCl](+)[CB(11)H(12)](-) (9), are stable without any indication for etheral bond cleavage. The situation is rather similar in the case of organobismuth derivatives of L(4), which allowed isolation of compounds L(4)BiCl(2) (10), L(4)Bi(Cl)(OTf) (11) and [L(4)BiCl](+)[CB(11)H(12)](-) (12). All studied compounds were characterized by the help of (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and (except 1) by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Photocatalytic degradation of the fungicide Fenhexamid in aqueous TiO 2 suspensions: Identification of intermediates products and reaction pathways

Liquid-chromatography interfaced with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC–TOF/MS) was used to separate and characterize the transformation products arising from TiO 2-photocatalytic degradation of the fungicide Fenhexamid (FEX) in aqueous solution under simulated solar irradiation. Prior to identification, irradiated solutions of FEX (10 mg L −1) were concentrated by solid-phase extraction. Assignments of the mass spectra ions were aided by elemental composition calculations, comparison of structural analogues and available literature, and acquired knowledge regarding mass spectrometry of related heterocyclic compounds. The primary transformation intermediates identified were hydroxyl and/or keto-derivatives. Several positional isomers are typically produced as a consequence of the non-selectivity of the OH radical attack. Moreover, products resulted from the cleavage of the amide and NH dichlorophenol bonds were formed. Finally, cyclic – benzo[d]oxazole intermediates are also formed through an intramolecular photocyclization process and cleavage of halogen – carbon bond. In the case of the hydroxy and/or keto-derivatives, the generic fragmentation scheme obtained from the interpretation of the ESI–TOF–MS data cannot be diagnostic to precisely localize the position of the entering substituent on the FEX molecule, and thus to characterize all its possible oxygenated derivatives by assigning a plausible structure with confidence. On the basis of identified products different pathways of photocatalytic degradation of FEX were proposed and discussed.

Alzheimer's Aβ peptides with disease-associated N-terminal modifications: influence of isomerisation, truncation and mutation on Cu2+ coordination.

BackgroundThe amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide is the primary component of the extracellular senile plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The metals hypothesis implicates redox-active copper ions in the pathogenesis of AD and the Cu2+ coordination of various Aβ peptides has been widely studied. A number of disease-associated modifications involving the first 3 residues are known, including isomerisation, mutation, truncation and cyclisation, but are yet to be characterised in detail. In particular, Aβ in plaques contain a significant amount of truncated pyroglutamate species, which appear to correlate with disease progression.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe previously characterised three Cu2+/Aβ1–16 coordination modes in the physiological pH range that involve the first two residues. Based upon our finding that the carbonyl of Ala2 is a Cu2+ ligand, here we speculate on a hypothetical Cu2+-mediated intramolecular cleavage mechanism as a source of truncations beginning at residue 3. Using EPR spectroscopy and site-specific isotopic labelling, we have also examined four Aβ peptides with biologically relevant N-terminal modifications, Aβ1[isoAsp]–16, Aβ1–16(A2V), Aβ3–16 and Aβ3[pE]–16. The recessive A2V mutation preserved the first coordination sphere of Cu2+/Aβ, but altered the outer coordination sphere. Isomerisation of Asp1 produced a single dominant species involving a stable 5-membered Cu2+ chelate at the amino terminus. The Aβ3–16 and Aβ3[pE]–16 peptides both exhibited an equilibrium between two Cu2+ coordination modes between pH 6–9 with nominally the same first coordination sphere, but with a dramatically different pH dependence arising from differences in H-bonding interactions at the N-terminus.Conclusions/SignificanceN-terminal modifications significantly influence the Cu2+ coordination of Aβ, which may be critical for alterations in aggregation propensity, redox-activity, resistance to degradation and the generation of the Aβ3–× (× = 40/42) precursor of disease-associated Aβ3[pE]–x species.

Synthetic Studies toward Galbulimima Alkaloid (−)‐GB 13 and (+)‐GB 16 and (−)‐Himgaline

Condensation of (S)-3-aminobutan-1-ol with 1,3-cyclohexane-dione followed by an intramolecular alkylation afforded bicyclic enamine 32, which was converted into enone 35 through a diastereoselective hydrogenation. Mukaiyama-Michael addition of a bicyclic silyl enol ether to 35 and subsequent stereochemistry inversion by means of an oxidation/reduction strategy provided lactone 41. After reduction of lactone 41 with LAH, Swern oxidation was carried out to give enone 46 upon a spontaneous intramolecular aldol reaction and cleavage of the ketal protecting group. SmI(2) -mediated carbonyl-alkene reductive coupling of 46 proceeded smoothly in refluxing tetrahydrofuran to deliver pentacyclic intermediate 49, which was oxidized with 2-iodoxybenzoic acid and then treated with trifluoroacetic acid to furnish (-)-GB 13. The overall yield was 6.1% over 19 linear steps. By following the known procedure, our synthetic (-)-GB 13 was converted into himgaline. In addition, by starting from lactone 41, the first total synthesis of (+)-GB 16, a newly isolated member of the gabulimima alkaloid family, was achieved. This synthesis features an intramolecular condensation between an amine and a 1,3-diketone moiety.

Relationship between thyrotropin receptor hinge region proteolytic posttranslational modification and receptor physiological function.

The glycoprotein hormone receptor hinge region is the least conserved component and the most variable in size; the TSH receptor (TSHR) being the longest (152 amino acids; residues 261-412). The TSHR is also unique among the glycoprotein hormone receptor in undergoing in vivo intramolecular cleavage into disulfide-linked A- and B-subunits with removal of an intervening 'C-peptide' region. Experimentally, hinge region amino acids 317-366 (50 residues) can be deleted without alteration in receptor function. However, in vivo, more than 50 amino acids are deleted during TSHR intramolecular cleavage; furthermore, the boundaries of this deleted region are ragged and poorly defined. Studies to determine the extent to which hinge region deletions can be tolerated without affecting receptor function ('minimal hinge') are lacking. Using as a template the functionally normal TSHR with residues 317-366 deleted, progressive downstream extension of deletions revealed residue 371 to be the limit compatible with normal TSH binding and coupling with cAMP signal transduction. Based on the foregoing downstream limit, upstream deletion from residue 307 (307-371 deletion) was also tolerated without functional alteration, as was deletion of residues 303-366. Addressing a related issue regarding the functional role of the TSHR hinge region, we observed that downstream hinge residues 377-384 contribute to coupling ligand binding with cAMP signal transduction. In summary, we report the first evaluation of TSHR function in relation to proteolytic posttranslational hinge region modifications. Deletion of TSHR hinge amino acids 303-366 (64 residues) or 307-371 (65 residues) are the maximum hinge region deletions compatible with normal TSHR function.

The Initial Step in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 GagProPol Processing Can Be Regulated by Reversible Oxidation

BackgroundMaturation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) occurs upon activation of HIV-1 protease embedded within GagProPol precursors and cleavage of Gag and GagProPol polyproteins. Although reversible oxidation can regulate mature protease activity as well as retrovirus maturation, it is possible that the effects of oxidation on viral maturation are mediated in whole, or part, through effects on the initial intramolecular cleavage event of GagProPol. In order assess the effect of reversible oxidation on this event, we developed a system to isolate the first step in protease activation involving GagProPol.Methodology/Principal FindingsTo determine if oxidation influences this step, we created a GagProPol plasmid construct (pGPfs-1C) that encoded mutations at all cleavage sites except p2/NC, the initial cleavage site in GagProPol. pGPfs-1C was used in an in vitro translation assay to observe the behavior of this initial step without interference from subsequent processing events. Diamide, a sulfhydral oxidizing agent, inhibited processing at p2/NC by >60% for pGPfs-1C and was readily reversed with the reductant, dithiothreitol. The ability to regulate processing by reversible oxidation was lost when the cysteines of the embedded protease were mutated to alanine. Unlike mature protease, which requires only oxidation of cys95 for inhibition, both cysteines of the embedded protease contributed to this inhibition.Conclusions/SignificanceWe developed a system that can be used to study the first step in the cascade of HIV-1 GagProPol processing and show that reversible oxidation of cysteines of HIV-1 protease embedded in GagProPol can block this initial GagProPol autoprocessing. This type of regulation may be broadly applied to the majority of retroviruses.

Crystal structures of human caspase 6 reveal a new mechanism for intramolecular cleavage self‐activation

Dimeric effectors caspase 3 and caspase 7 are activated by initiator caspase processing. In this study, we report the crystal structures of effector caspase 6 (CASP6) zymogen and N-Acetyl-Val-Glu-Ile-Asp-al-inhibited CASP6. Both of these forms of CASP6 have a dimeric structure, and in CASP6 zymogen the intersubunit cleavage site (190)TEVD(193) is well structured and inserts into the active site. This positions residue Asp 193 to be easily attacked by the catalytic residue Cys 163. We demonstrate biochemically that intramolecular cleavage at Asp 193 is a prerequisite for CASP6 self-activation and that this activation mechanism is dependent on the length of the L2 loop. Our results indicate that CASP6 can be activated and regulated through intramolecular self-cleavage.

Small Self-cleaving Ribozymes

The hammerhead, hairpin, hepatitis delta virus (HDV), Varkud Satellite (VS), and glmS ribozymes catalyze sequence-specific intramolecular cleavage of RNA. They range between 50 and 150 nucleotides in length, and are known as the "small self-cleaving ribozymes." Except for the glmS ribozyme that functions as a riboswitch in Gram-positive bacteria, they were originally discovered as domains of satellite RNAs. However, recent studies show that several of them are broadly distributed in genomes of organisms from many phyla. Each of these ribozymes has a unique overall architecture and active site organization. Crystal structures have revealed how RNA active sites can bind preferentially to the transition state of a reaction, whereas mechanistic studies have shown that nucleobases can efficiently perform general acid-base and electrostatic catalysis. This versatility explains the abundance of ribozymes in contemporary organisms and also supports a role for catalytic RNAs early in evolution.

ChemInform Abstract: Organometallic Approaches to Methane Activation

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

Subunit Interactions Influence TSHR Multimerization

The TSH receptor (TSHR) is the key molecule influencing thyroid growth and development and is an antigenic target in autoimmune thyroid disease. The TSHR exists in monomeric and multimeric forms, and it has been shown previously that multimeric complexes of the TSHR preferentially localize in lipid rafts. However, unlike other glycoprotein hormone receptors, the TSHR exists in several forms on the cell membrane due to intramolecular cleavage of its ectodomain, which causes the production of α- and β-subunits of various lengths. After cleavage and reduction of disulfide bonds, α-subunits consisting of the receptor ectodomain may be lost from the cell surface by receptor shedding, leading to accumulation of excess β-subunits within the membrane. Because cell surface expression of these various forms of the TSHR is critical to receptor signaling and autoimmune responses, we set out to model the influence of β-subunits on full-length TSHRs. To study this interaction, we generated three truncated ectodomain β-subunits linked to green fluorescent protein (named β-316, -366, and -409) as examples of native cleaved forms of the TSHR. These constructs were transfected into human embryonic kidney 293 cells in the presence and absence of the full-length receptor. Whereas the β-316 and β-366 forms showed cell surface expression, the expression of β-409 was primarily intracellular. Cotransfection of the β-subunits with a full-length hemagglutinin-tagged wild-type (WT) receptor (HT-WT-TSHR) in both transient and stable systems caused a significant decrease in surface expression of the full-length WT receptors. This decrease was not seen with control plasmid consisting of a plasma membrane-targeted protein tagged to red fluorescent protein. To ascertain if this response was due to homointeraction of the truncated β-constructs with the WT-TSHRs, we immunoprecipitated membranes prepared from the cotransfected cells using antihemagglutinin and then probed with anti-green fluorescent protein. These studies confirmed dimerization of the β-subunits with the WT full-length receptor, and this interaction was further observed in vivo by fluorescence resonance energy transfer. We then studied the functional consequences of this interaction on TSHR signaling by examining Gαs-mediated signals. The well-expressed truncated constructs, when coexpressed with full-length TSHR, did not alter constitutive cAMP levels, but there was a significant decrease in TSH-induced cAMP generation. Furthermore, we observed that truncated β-316 and β-366 had faster internalization rate, which may lead to a significant decrease in the expression of the full-length receptor on the cell surface, thus contributing to the decreased signaling response. However, the decrease in surface receptors may also be due to inhibition of newly formed receptors reaching the surface as result of receptor-receptor interaction. It is well known that under normal physiological conditions both cleaved and uncleaved TSHR forms coexist on the cell surface of normal thyrocytes. Our studies allow us to conclude, therefore, that multimerization of cleaved/ truncated forms of the β-subunits with the full-length TSHR has a profound influence on TSHR internalization and signaling. Hence, the degree of intramolecular cleavage must also modulate TSHR signaling.

NG-Acyl-argininamides as NPY Y 1 receptor antagonists: Influence of structurally diverse acyl substituents on stability and affinity

N G-Acylated argininamides, covering a broad range of lipophilicity (calculated log D values: −1.8–12.5), were synthesized and investigated for NPY Y 1 receptor (Y 1R) antagonism, Y 1R affinity and stability in buffer ( N G-deacylation, yielding BIBP 3226). Broad structural variation of substituents was tolerated. The K i (binding) and K b values (Y 1R antagonism) varied from low nM to one-digit μM. Most of the compounds proved to be sufficiently stable at pH 7.4 over 90 min to determine reliable pharmacological data in vitro. Exceptionally high instability was detected when a succinyl moiety was attached to the guanidine, probably, due to an intramolecular cleavage mechanism.

A Novel Approach for the Solid‐Phase Organic Synthesis of 1, 3‐Disubstituted Uracils

AbstractA novel procedure for solid‐phase organic synthesis of 1, 3‐disubstituted uracils using a cyclization‐cleavage strategy from Wang‐acrylate resin, amines and isocyanates. An acrylate ester resin is reacted in turn with PhSeBr and primary amines in one‐pot to afford N‐substituted α‐phenylseleno‐β‐aminoesters followed by treatment with isocyanates to form α‐phenylseleno‐β‐ureidoester resin. Following oxidation‐elimination with excess of 30% hydrogen peroxide and intramolecular cyclization cleavage of the Wang resin using potassium ethoxide as a base to furnish 1, 3‐disubstituted uracils in good yields (80‐86%) and high purities (92‐96%).

Serine protease autotransporters of enterobacteriaceae (SPATEs): biogenesis and function.

Serine Protease Autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATEs) constitute a large family of proteases secreted by Escherichia coli and Shigella. SPATEs exhibit two distinct proteolytic activities. First, a C-terminal catalytic site triggers an intra-molecular cleavage that releases the N-terminal portion of these proteins in the extracellular medium. Second, the secreted N-terminal domains of SPATEs are themselves proteases; each contains a canonical serine-protease catalytic site. Some of these secreted proteases are toxins, eliciting various effects on mammalian cells. Here, we discuss the biogenesis of SPATEs and their function as toxins.

Can a Typical Protein Assist the Rate of its Own Aqueous Cleavage?

A recent finding of a large rate enhancement in the intramolecular secondary amide group-assisted cleavage of an adjacent tertiary amide bond predicts the possibility of the cleavage of the peptide bond of a protein through a similar reaction mechanism. Based upon enzymatic partial model reactions, the usual proton-switch mechanism has been suggested for the acylation step of the chymotrypsin–catalysed cleavage of the peptide bond which does not favour a His57-shift mechanism - an essential component of the classical charge relay mechanism. Also, the proton-switch mechanism does not necessarily require the two proton-transfer of the classical charge relay mechanism. The unique structural feature of the imidazole moiety of His57 is concluded to be essential in decreasing the rate of collapse of the proposed reactive tetrahedral intermediate back to the reactants. The proposed intramolecular intimate ion-pair formation between anionic Asp102 and cationic His57 is attributed to the energetically preferred location of the proton at Nδ1 of the imidazole moiety of His57. Thus, the analysis described in this review does not favour the necessary requirements of a two proton-transfer and His57-shift as proposed in the classical charge relay mechanism as well as the relatively recently proposed His57-flip mechanism.

A Tyrosine Residue on the TSH Receptor Stabilizes Multimer Formation

BackgroundThe thyrotropin stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) is a G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) with a large ectodomain. The ligand, TSH, acting via this receptor regulates thyroid growth and thyroid hormone production and secretion. The TSH receptor (TSHR) undergoes complex post –translational modifications including intramolecular cleavage and receptor multimerization. Since monomeric and multimeric receptors coexist in cells, understanding the functional role of just the TSHR multimers is difficult. Therefore, to help understand the physiological significance of receptor multimerization, it will be necessary to abrogate multimer formation, which requires identifying the ectodomain and endodomain interaction sites on the TSHR. Here, we have examined the contribution of the ectodomain to constitutive multimerization of the TSHR and determined the possible residue(s) that may be involved in this interaction.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe studied ectodomain multimer formation by expressing the extracellular domain of the TSHR linked to a glycophosphotidyl (GPI) anchor in both stable and transient expression systems. Using co-immunoprecipitation and FRET of tagged receptors, we established that the TSH receptor ectodomain was capable of multimerization even when totally devoid of the transmembrane domain. Further, we studied the effect of two residues that likely made critical contact points in this interaction. We showed that a conserved tyrosine residue (Y116) on the convex surface of the LRR3 was a critical residue in ectodomain multimer formation since mutation of this residue to serine totally abrogated ectodomain multimers. This abrogation was not seen with the mutation of cysteine 176 on the inner side of the LRR5, demonstrating that inter-receptor disulfide bonding was not involved in ectodomain multimer formation. Additionally, the Y116 mutation in the intact wild type receptor enhanced receptor degradation.Conclusions/SignificanceThese data establish the TSH receptor ectodomain as one site of multimerization, independent of the transmembrane region, and that this interaction was primarily via a conserved tyrosine residue in LRR3.

Cyclic Sulfamidates as Vehicles for the Synthesis of Poly- and Diversely Substituted Benzosultams via Unusual S(O)2−O Bond Cleavage

1,2-Cyclic sulfamidates undergo novel, efficient, and regiospecific intramolecular nucleophilic cleavage with aryllithiated species to provide an entry to poly-, diversely, and enantiopure N-substituted benzosultams.

Traceless Approach for the Synthesis of 3,5-Disubstituted Thiohydantoins on Functionalized Ionic-Liquid Support

A traceless approach for the synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted thiohydantoins on a novel functionalized ionic-liquid support, 5, is described. Acylation of benzylamine functionalized ionic-liquid support with amino acids yielded ionic-liquid-supported amino acids, which reacted with isothiocyanates to afford ionic-liquid-supported thioureas. Following intramolecular cyclization cleavage from the ionic-liquid support by trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), the desired 3,5-disubstituted thiohydantoins were obtained in good yields and purities. The efficiency of this ionic-liquid-phase strategy facilitated isolation and analysis of intermediates and removal of excess reagents and by-products during the reaction process.

Design and synthesis of enediyne-based peptide with selective peptide-cleaving activity

A hybrid peptide-enediyne molecule was synthesised and shown to undergo selective intramolecular peptide chain cleavage by the 1,4-diyl radical, the potential intermediate of the enediyne system.