Molten Globule State Research Articles

IATC, DSC, and PPC Analysis of Reversible and Multistate Structural Transition of Cytochrome c.

Development of precise calorimeters has enabled us to monitor the structural transition of biomolecules by calorimetry to characterize the thermodynamic property changes accompanying three-dimensional structure change. We developed isothermal acid-titration calorimetry to evaluate the pH dependence of protein enthalpy, and demonstrated the thermodynamic transition between the native and molten globule (MG) states of cytochrome c with very small enthalpy change (~20 kJ/mol) by this method. The double deconvolution method with precise differential scanning calorimetry has revealed the MG state as an equilibrium intermediate state of the reversible thermal transition of the protein, and pressure perturbation calorimetry has succeeded in determining its volumetric properties. These examples strongly indicate the importance of a precise calorimetry and analysis model in the field of protein research.

The Effect of pH on Globular State of Lipase-3646; an Appropriate Model for Molten Globule Investigations.

Secondary structure content of proteins in molten globule state is relatively constant while the quantity of tertiary structures clearly declines due to alterations in side-chain packing. In the present study, we analyze the MG state of lipase-3646 for the first time. We introduce lipase-3646 as an appropriate model for investigating the properties and behavior of a protein in MG state as well as folding pathway. Applying fluorescence spectroscopy we measured both intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence of lipase-3646 in a pH range from 1.0 to 12.0. It was found that at pH 3.0 the protein acquires a MG state. Applying far-UV circular dichroism (CD), our analysis on the secondary structure of lipase-3646 revealed a slight change in the MG state intermediate (pH 3.0) compared to the native state (pH 8.5), which this amount of change is common for MG. Measurements in near-UV CD also showed a significant change in the enzyme conformation at pH 3.0 in comparison with the pH 8.5 wherein the protein acquires its native structure. Quenching the fluorescence by applying acrylamide, the amount 23 and 35M(-1) were measured at pHs 8.5 and 3.0 respectively for stern-volmer constant (KSV). An increase in the enzyme molecular volume in the MG state was confirmed by gel filtration chromatography.

Structural elucidation and molecular characterization of Marinobacter sp. α-amylase

ABSTRACTHalophiles have been perceived as potential source of novel enzymes in recent years. The interest emanates from their ability to catalyze efficiently under high salt and organic solvents. Marinobacter sp. EMB8 α-amylase was found to be active and stable in salt and organic solvents. A study was carried out using circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence spectroscopy, and bioinformatics analysis of similar protein sequence to ascertain molecular basis of salt and solvent adaptability of α-amylase. Structural changes recorded in the presence of varying amounts of NaCl exhibited an increase in negative ellipticity as a function of salt, confirming that salt stabilizes the protein and increases the secondary structure, making it catalytically functional. The data of intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence (using 1-anilinonaphthalene 8-sulfonate [ANS] as probe) further confirmed the role of salt. The α-amylase was active in the presence of nonpolar solvents, namely, hexane and decane, but inactivated by ethanol. The decrease in the activity was correlated with the loss of tertiary structure in the presence of ethanol. Guanidine hydrochloride and pH denaturation indicated the molten globule state at pH 4.0. Partial N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified α-amylase revealed the relatedness to Pseudoalteromonas sp. α-amylase. “FVHLFEW” was found as the N-terminal signature sequence. Bioinformatics analysis was done using M. algicola α-amylase protein having the same N-terminal signature sequence. The three-dimensional structure of Marinobacter α-amylase was deduced using the I-TASSER server, which reflected the enrichment of acidic amino acids on the surface, imparting the stability in the presence of salt. Our study clearly indicate that salt is necessary for maintaining the secondary and tertiary structure of halophilic protein, which is a necessary prerequisite for catalysis.

Composition dependent multiple structural transformations of myoglobin in aqueous ethanol solution: a combined experimental and theoretical study.

Experimental studies (circular dichroism and ultra-violet (UV) absorption spectra) and large scale atomistic molecular dynamics simulations (accompanied by order parameter analyses) are combined to establish a number of remarkable (and unforeseen) structural transformations of protein myoglobin in aqueous ethanol mixture at various ethanol concentrations. The following results are particularly striking. (1) Two well-defined structural regimes, one at xEtOH ∼ 0.05 and the other at xEtOH ∼ 0.25, characterized by formation of distinct partially folded conformations and separated by a unique partially unfolded intermediate state at xEtOH ∼ 0.15, are identified. (2) Existence of non-monotonic composition dependence of (i) radius of gyration, (ii) long range contact order, (iii) residue specific solvent accessible surface area of tryptophan, and (iv) circular dichroism spectra and UV-absorption peaks are observed. Interestingly at xEtOH ∼ 0.15, time averaged value of the contact order parameter of the protein reaches a minimum, implying that this conformational state can be identified as a molten globule state. Multiple structural transformations well known in water-ethanol binary mixture appear to have considerably stronger effects on conformation and dynamics of the protein. We compare the present results with studies in water-dimethyl sulfoxide mixture where also distinct structural transformations are observed along with variation of co-solvent composition.

Effect of galactose on acid induced molten globule state of Soybean Agglutinin: Biophysical approach

In the present study the formation of molten globule-like unfolding intermediate Soybean Agglutinin (SBA) in acidic pH range has been established with the help of acrylamide quenching, intrinsic fluorescence, ANS fluorescence measurement, far UV CD and dynamic light scattering measurement. A marked increase in ANS fluorescence was observed at pH 2.2. Ksv of acrylamide quenching was found to be higher at pH 2.2 than that of native SBA at pH 7. Far UV CD spectra of pH induced state suggest that SBA shows significant retention of secondary structure closure to native. Hydrodynamic radius of SBA at pH 2.2 was found be more as compared to native state and also in other pH induced states. Further we checked the effect of galactose on the molten globule state of SBA. This study suggests that SBA exist as molten globule at pH 2.2 and this study will help in acid induced molten globule state of other proteins.

Rifampicin Induced Aggregation of Ovalbumin: Malicious Behaviour of Antibiotics.

Molecular modeling deciphered the site of interaction of rifampicin in the structure of ovalbumin at a site which is surrounded by residues Glu-214, Asp-98, Pro-85, Asp-91 and Asp-47. Isothermal calorimetric analysis determined the thermodynamic parameters i.e. ΔH and ΔS which came out be -8.086 cal/mol and -131 cal/mol/deg. respectively. Ovalbumin is a secretory protein of hen oviduct, present in the human blood serum and interacts with the drug rifampicin in vivo, when administered. Simulating these conditions in vitro revealed that rifampicin induced the aggregated state at 6 µM concentration which was featured by a decrease in the ANS fluorescence intensity relative to the native state while as the pre-molten and molten globule state were obtained at 3 µM and 5 µM concentration of rifampicin respectively displaying a hike in the ANS fluorescence intensity. Far-UV CD analysis suggested β-sheet rich structure with negative ellipticity peak at 217 nm for native ovalbumin incubated with 6 µM rifampicin. Increase in absorbance at 450 nm, red shift of 50 nm in the congo red binding assay and a hike of 10 fold in the ThT fluorescence intensity compared to the native state further confirmed aggregate formation. Moreover, TEM images displayed aggregates to be spherical morphologically. Aggregates formed at 6 µM rifampicin concentration were found to be cytotoxic as there was a reduction of cell viability to 28%. Thus, protein-drug interaction primarily facilitates a structural alteration in the native structure of proteins leading to their aggregation which were proved to be cytotoxic in nature.

Thermodynamic and kinetic properties of sorbitol-induced molten globule of myoglobin

To reveal the contribution of hydrophobic interactions to the stability of the molten globule (MG) state of proteins, the effect of sorbitol on the structure of acid-unfolded (AU) equine heart myoglobin was examined at pH 2 by means of circular dichroism (CD), stopped-flow CD, rheometry, and differential scanning calorimetry. The AU state of myoglobin was refolded by adding sorbitol to the MG state, which had a secondary structure and hydrodynamic volume similar to the native (N) state. The thermal denaturation of the MG state showed considerably small enthalpy change, low cooperativity, and small heat capacity compared to the N state unlike MG state of cytochrome c, indicating that the presence of the heme is important to preserve the strict tertiary structure of MG state not only N state, for heme proteins. The refolding was induced by preferential exclusion of three sorbitol molecules from the AU state compared to the MG state. The transition from the N–MG state kinetically proceeded via the AU state, followed by gradual refolding due to the preferential exclusion of sorbitol with 1.98 × 10−3 s−1 of kinetic constant at 3.3 M sorbitol and 10.9 °C.

Heterogeneity of equilibrium molten globule state of cytochrome c induced by weak salt denaturants under physiological condition.

While many proteins are recognized to undergo folding via intermediate(s), the heterogeneity of equilibrium folding intermediate(s) along the folding pathway is less understood. In our present study, FTIR spectroscopy, far- and near-UV circular dichroism (CD), ANS and tryptophan fluorescence, near IR absorbance spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used to study the structural and thermodynamic characteristics of the native (N), denatured (D) and intermediate state (X) of goat cytochorme c (cyt-c) induced by weak salt denaturants (LiBr, LiCl and LiClO4) at pH 6.0 and 25°C. The LiBr-induced denaturation of cyt-c measured by Soret absorption (Δε 400) and CD ([θ]409), is a three-step process, N ↔ X ↔ D. It is observed that the X state obtained along the denaturation pathway of cyt-c possesses common structural and thermodynamic characteristics of the molten globule (MG) state. The MG state of cyt-c induced by LiBr is compared for its structural and thermodynamic parameters with those found in other solvent conditions such as LiCl, LiClO4 and acidic pH. Our observations suggest: (1) that the LiBr-induced MG state of cyt-c retains the native Met80-Fe(III) axial bond and Trp59-propionate interactions; (2) that LiBr-induced MG state of cyt-c is more compact retaining the hydrophobic interactions in comparison to the MG states induced by LiCl, LiClO4 and 0.5 M NaCl at pH 2.0; and (3) that there exists heterogeneity of equilibrium intermediates along the unfolding pathway of cyt-c as highly ordered (X1), classical (X2) and disordered (X3), i.e., D ↔ X3 ↔ X2 ↔ X1 ↔ N.

Dynamic surface properties of lysozyme solutions. Impact of urea and guanidine hydrochloride

Urea and guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) have different influence on surface properties of lysozyme solutions. The increase of GuHCl concentration leads to noticeable changes of kinetic dependencies of the dynamic surface elasticity and ellipsometric angles while the main effect of urea reduces to a strong drop of the static surface tension. The difference between the effects of these two denaturants on the surface properties of other investigated globular proteins is significantly weaker and is mainly a consequence of a different extent of the globule unfolding in the surface layer at equal concentrations of the denaturants. The obtained results for lysozyme solutions are connected with the strongly different denaturation mechanisms under the influence of urea and GuHCl. In the former case the protein preserves its globular structure in the adsorption layer at high urea concentrations (up to 9M) but without tightly packed interior of the globule and with a dynamic tertiary structure (molten globule state). On the contrary, the increase of GuHCl concentration leads to partial destruction of the protein tertiary structure in the surface layer, although this effect is not as strong as in the case of previously studied bovine serum albumin and β-lactoglobulin.

Picosecond time-resolved fluorescent spectroscopy of 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate binding with staphylococcal nuclease in the native and molten globule states

We studied the picosecond time-resolved fluorescent spectroscopy of 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS), which binds to the staphylococcal nuclease (SNase) of the wild-type (WT) and the molten globule (MG) state. Three ANS emission bands at ∼530nm, ∼495nm, and ∼475nm are resolved, corresponding to three ANS states: the free ANS in solution and associated form adsorbing to surface sites and binding to active sites. The surface hydrophobicity of the WT is moderate and different from the MG state, as shown both in the position of the bands and by the concentration dependent ANS fluorescent decay. For MG, the decay of two blue bands accelerated with the increment of the ANS concentration, whereas the WT did not show this dependency. However, when pdTp, an inhibitor, was attached to the active site of the MG state, band 2 decay was also independent of the ANS concentration. These results indicate that the protein hydrophobic sites have two types of interactions with ANS.

Pressure-induced molten globule state of human acetylcholinesterase: structural and dynamical changes monitored by neutron scattering.

We used small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to study the effects of high hydrostatic pressure on the structure of human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE). At atmospheric pressure, our SANS results obtained on D11 at ILL (Grenoble, France) give a radius of gyration close to that calculated for a mixture of monomers, dimers and tetramers of the enzyme, suggesting a good agreement between hAChE crystal structure and its conformation in solution. Applying high pressure to the sample we found a global compression of about 11% of the enzyme up to a pressure of 900 bar and then again an extension up to 2.1 kbar indicating unfolding of the tertiary structure due to a molten globule (MG) state. On the other hand, we studied the influence of pressure up to 6 kbar on the dynamics of this enzyme, on the backscattering spectrometer IN13 at ILL. For the first time, we used elastic incoherent neutron scattering (EINS) to probe the differences between hAChE in its folded state (N), its high-pressure induced MG state and its unfolded state (U). Especially around the MG state at 1750 bar we found a significant increase in the dynamics, indicating a partial unfolding. A four-step-model is suggested to describe the changes in the protein.

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Fluorescence Study of Bovine β-Lactoglobulin

β-Lactoglobulin consists of a single polypeptide of 162 amino acid residues (Mr=18,400). Tertiary structure of β-lactoglobulin possesses a pocket (calyx) where hydrophobic ligands can easily bind. The protein normally exists as a dimer, each monomer having one free cysteine and two disulphide bridges. Quaternary structure of the protein varies with the pH. For example, at pH 2, β-lactoglobulin is in a molten globule state, stable although partially unfolded, and at pH 12 the protein is denatured. At some pH, mixtures of both monomeric and dimeric forms are found.

Thermodynamic analysis of partially folded states of myoglobin in presence of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol

The thermal denaturation of myoglobin was studied in the presence of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) at various pH values using differential scanning calorimetry and UV–visible spectroscopy. The most obvious effect of TFE was lowering the transition temperature up to 1.5mol·kg−1, beyond which no thermal transitions were observed. The protein conformation was analysed by fluorescence and circular dichroism measurements. Quantitative binding of ANS to the TFE induced molten globule state of myoglobin was studied by using isothermal titration calorimetry. The results enable quantitative estimation of the binding strength of ANS with the molten globule state of myoglobin along with the enthalpic and entropic contributions to the binding process. The results suggest occurrence of common structural features of the molten globule states of proteins offering two types of binding sites to ANS molecules which are a widely used fluorescence probe to characterise partially folded states of proteins.

Existence of molten globule state in homocysteine-induced protein covalent modifications.

Homocysteine thiolactone is a toxic metabolite produced from homocysteine by amino-acyl t-RNA synthetase in error editing reaction. The basic cause of toxicity of homocysteine thiolactone is believed to be due to the adduct formation with lysine residues (known as protein N-homocysteinylation) leading to protein aggregation and loss of enzyme function. There was no data available until now that showed the effect of homocysteine thiolactone on the native state structural changes that led to aggregate formation. In the present study we have investigated the time dependent structural changes due to homocysteine thiolactone induced modifications on three different proteins having different physico-chemical properties (cytochrome-c, lysozyme and alpha lactalbumin). We discovered that N-homocysteinylation leads to the formation of molten globule state—an important protein folding intermediate in the protein folding pathway. We also found that the formation of the molten globule state might be responsible for the appearance of aggregate formation. The study indicates the importance of protein folding intermediate state in eliciting the homocysteine thiolactone toxicity.

Effect of pH on the structure of the recombinant C-terminal domain of Nephila clavipes dragline silk protein.

Spider silk proteins undergo a complex series of molecular events before being converted into an outstanding hierarchically organized fiber. Recent literature has underlined the crucial role of the C-terminal domain in silk protein stability and fiber formation. However, the effect of pH remains to be clarified. We have thus developed an efficient purification protocol to obtain stable native-like recombinant MaSp1 C-terminal domain of Nephila clavipes (NCCTD). Its structure was investigated as a function of pH using circular dichroism, fluorescence and solution NMR spectroscopy. The results show that the NCCTD structure is very sensitive to pH and suggest that a molten globule state occurs at pH 5.0 and below. Electronic microscopy images also indicate fiber formation at low pH and coarser globular particles at more basic pH. The results are consistent with a spinning process model where the NCCTD acts as an aggregation nucleus favoring the β-aggregation of the hydrophobic polyalanine repeats upon spinning.

Whey protein coating increases bilayer rigidity and stability of liposomes in food-like matrices

Liposomes are suitable for encapsulating lipophilic bioactive compounds, enhancing compound solubility, stability and bioavailability. To enhance physical stability of liposomes in food-like matrices they were coated with positively charged whey protein isolate (WPI). WPI concentration, for a successful coating, was optimised by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential measurements. Membrane properties of coated and uncoated vesicles were investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) with site-directed and non-site-directed spin probes. Coexistence of two or three simulated spin probe populations indicated a less fluid membrane and higher concentration of water molecules in the phosphate/glycerol moiety with WPI coating. This relies on the insertion of WPI into the membrane, which is favoured by the molten globule state under investigated acidic conditions. Physical stability of liposomes benefits from WPI coating, as indicated by prolonged shelf-life, cancellation of osmotic effects in the presence of salts or sugars and a lower sensitivity towards low pH values during in vitro gastric digestion.

Characterisation of bovine serum albumin–fucoidan conjugates prepared via the Maillard reaction

Bovine serum albumin (BSA)–fucoidan conjugates were prepared by the Maillard reaction (60°C and 79% relative humidity for 96h), and were then identified by sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). Molecular characteristics of the BSA–fucoidan conjugates were investigated, using atomic force microscopy (AFM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), fluorescence spectroscopy, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. SDS–PAGE patterns provided evidence for the covalent bonding between BSA and fucoidan. SEC profiles showed that about 1.5–2.0mol of fucoidan were covalently linked to 1mol of BSA, resulting in high-molecular-weight compositions (conjugates). AFM images and DLS results indicated that most particles in the conjugates were nano-structured and more spherical than those of a regular BSA–fucoidan mixture. The fluorescence intensity and maximum emission wavelength of the conjugates together revealed that the BSA molecules had converted from an ordered conformation into a partially folded molten globule state.

Acid-induced Molten Globule State of a Prion Protein

The conversion of a cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) to its pathogenic isoform (PrP(Sc)) is a critical event in the pathogenesis of prion diseases. Pathogenic conversion is usually associated with the oligomerization process; therefore, the conformational characteristics of the pre-oligomer state may provide insights into the conversion process. Previous studies indicate that PrP(C) is prone to oligomer formation at low pH, but the conformation of the pre-oligomer state remains unknown. In this study, we systematically analyzed the acid-induced conformational changes of PrP(C) and discovered a unique acid-induced molten globule state at pH 2.0 termed the "A-state." We characterized the structure of the A-state using far/near-UV CD, 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate fluorescence, size exclusion chromatography, and NMR. Deuterium exchange experiments with NMR detection revealed its first unique structure ever reported thus far; i.e. the Strand 1-Helix 1-Strand 2 segment at the N terminus was preferentially unfolded, whereas the Helix 2-Helix 3 segment at the C terminus remained marginally stable. This conformational change could be triggered by the protonation of Asp(144), Asp(147), and Glu(196), followed by disruption of key salt bridges in PrP(C). Moreover, the initial population of the A-state at low pH (pH 2.0-5.0) was well correlated with the rate of the β-rich oligomer formation, suggesting that the A-state is the pre-oligomer state. Thus, the specific conformation of the A-state would provide crucial insights into the mechanisms of oligomerization and further pathogenic conversion as well as facilitating the design of novel medical chaperones for treating prion diseases.

Complexation between DNA and peptides with precisely controlled charge density and distribution

Using three designed peptides with precisely-controlled charge density and three types of DNAs with different length and flexibility, the effect of charge density on the formation of PEC was studied. Highly charged (KKKK)5 interacts strongly with 21 bp dsDNA to form large complex, followed by precipitation; while the medium charged (KGKG)5 only form complex with 21 bp dsDNA at proper +/− charge ratios; and no prominent complex between weakly charged (KGGG)5 and 21 bp dsDNA is observed at the same conditions. Similar trend is observed when the peptides form complex with 2000 bp DNA or 21nt ssDNA. It is also found that the complex formed by adding peptide to DNA is in random coil conformation, but the complex prepared by the inverse order is in molten globule state. Re-dissolution of the complex occurs only when DNA is added to peptides with similar or shorter length.