Structure-based Thermodynamic Analysis Research Articles

Structure-based thermodynamic analysis of caspases reveals key residues for dimerization and activity.

Cysteine-dependent aspartic proteases (caspases) are a family of enzymes which play a crucial role in apoptosis. Caspases accumulate in eukaryotic cells in the form of low-activity proenzyme precursors. Proteolytic cleavage of specific sites triggers conformational changes that lead to full activation and thus to the initiation of the apoptotic cascade. Several experimental observations suggest that dimerization is crucial for activity and regulation, but the underlying molecular mechanisms have not yet been completely resolved. In this work, we have used a structure-based thermodynamic analysis method [Edgcomb, S. P., and Murphy, K. P. (2000) Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 11, 62-66] to calculate the free energy of association and folding for all the caspases and procaspases whose structures are known at present. In all cases, analysis of the single-residue contributions to the dimerization energy shows that 30-50% of the dimer stability originates from the highly specific interaction of 12-14 residues located at the N- and C-termini of the large and small subunits, respectively. Moreover, our calculations indicate that these residues are also critical for stabilizing the conformation of the active site loops, which in turn is crucial for the binding of substrates and inhibitors. Thus, our results help to rationalize the relation between dimerization and activity in this important class of enzymes and can be used as a starting point for an active manipulation of the monomer-dimer equilibrium for preparatory and regulatory purposes.

Thermodynamic dissection of the binding energetics of KNI-272, a potent HIV-1 protease inhibitor.

KNI-272 is a powerful HIV-1 protease inhibitor with a reported inhibition constant in the picomolar range. In this paper, a complete experimental dissection of the thermodynamic forces that define the binding affinity of this inhibitor to the wild-type and drug-resistant mutant V82F/184V is presented. Unlike other protease inhibitors, KNI-272 binds to the protease with a favorable binding enthalpy. The origin of the favorable binding enthalpy has been traced to the coupling of the binding reaction to the burial of six water molecules. These bound water molecules, previously identified by NMR studies, optimize the atomic packing at the inhibitor/protein interface enhancing van der Waals and other favorable interactions. These interactions offset the unfavorable enthalpy usually associated with the binding of hydrophobic molecules. The association constant to the drug resistant mutant is 100-500 times weaker. The decrease in binding affinity corresponds to an increase in the Gibbs energy of binding of 3-3.5 kcal/mol, which originates from less favorable enthalpy (1.7 kcal/mol more positive) and entropy changes. Calorimetric binding experiments performed as a function of pH and utilizing buffers with different ionization enthalpies have permitted the dissection of proton linkage effects. According to these experiments, the binding of the inhibitor is linked to the protonation/deprotonation of two groups. In the uncomplexed form these groups have pKs of 6.0 and 4.8, and become 6.6 and 2.9 in the complex. These groups have been identified as one of the aspartates in the catalytic aspartyl dyad in the protease and the isoquinoline nitrogen in the inhibitor molecule. The binding affinity is maximal between pH 5 and pH 6. At those pH values the affinity is close to 6 x 10(10) M(-1) (Kd = 16 pM). Global analysis of the data yield a buffer- and pH-independent binding enthalpy of -6.3 kcal/mol. Under conditions in which the exchange of protons is zero, the Gibbs energy of binding is -14.7 kcal/mol from which a binding entropy of 28 cal/K mol is obtained. Thus, the binding of KNI-272 is both enthalpically and entropically favorable. The structure-based thermodynamic analysis indicates that the allophenylnorstatine nucleus of KNI-272 provides an important scaffold for the design of inhibitors that are less susceptible to resistant mutations.

Structure-based thermodynamic analysis of the dissociation of protein phosphatase-1 catalytic subunit and microcystin-LR docked complexes.

The relationship between the structure of a free ligand in solution and the structure of its bound form in a complex is of great importance to the understanding of the energetics and mechanism of molecular recognition and complex formation. In this study, we use a structure-based thermodynamic approach to study the dissociation of the complex between the toxin microcystin-LR (MLR) and the catalytic domain of protein phosphatase-1 (PP-1c) for which the crystal structure of the complex is known. We have calculated the thermodynamic parameters (enthalpy, entropy, heat capacity, and free energy) for the dissociation of the complex from its X-ray structure and found the calculated dissociation constant (4.0 x 10(-11)) to be in excellent agreement with the reported inhibitory constant (3.9 x 10(-11)). We have also calculated the thermodynamic parameters for the dissociation of 47 PP-1c:MLR complexes generated by docking an ensemble of NMR solution structures of MLR onto the crystal structure of PP-1c. In general, we observe that the lower the root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) of the docked complex (compared to the X-ray complex) the closer its free energy of dissociation (deltaGd(o)) is to that calculated from the X-ray complex. On the other hand, we note a significant scatter between the deltaGd(o) and the RMSD of the docked complexes. We have identified a group of seven docked complexes with deltaGd(o) values very close to the one calculated from the X-ray complex but with significantly dissimilar structures. The analysis of the corresponding enthalpy and entropy of dissociation shows a compensation effect suggesting that MLR molecules with significant structural variability can bind PP-1c and that substantial conformational flexibility in the PP-1c:MLR complex may exist in solution.

The native state conformational ensemble of the SH3 domain from alpha-spectrin.

The folding/unfolding equilibrium of the alpha-spectrin SH3 domain has been measured by NMR-detected hydrogen/deuterium exchange and by differential scanning calorimetry. Protection factors against exchange have been obtained under native conditions for more than half of the residues in the domain. Most protected residues are located at the beta-strands, the short 3(10) helix, and part of the long RT loop, whereas the loops connecting secondary structure elements show no measurable protection. Apparent stability constants per residue and their corresponding Gibbs energies have been calculated from the exchange experiments. The most stable region of the SH3 domain is defined by the central portions of the beta-strands. The peptide binding region, on the other hand, is composed of a highly stable region (residues 53-57) and a highly unstable region, the loop between residues 34-41 (n-Src loop). All residues in the domain have apparent Gibbs energies lower than the global unfolding Gibbs energy measured by differential scanning calorimetry, indicating that under our experimental conditions the amide exchange of all residues in the SH3 domain occurs primarily via local unfolding reactions. A structure-based thermodynamic analysis has allowed us to predict correctly the thermodynamics of the global unfolding of the domain and to define the ensemble of conformational states that quantitatively accounts for the observed pattern of hydrogen exchange protection. These results demonstrate that under native conditions the SH3 domain needs to be considered as an ensemble of conformations and that the hydrogen exchange data obtained under those conditions cannot be interpreted by a two-state equilibrium. The observation that specific regions of a protein are able to undergo independent local folding/unfolding reactions indicates that under native conditions the scale of cooperative interactions is regional rather than global.

The structural stability of the HIV-1 protease

The most common strategy in the development of HIV-1 protease inhibitors has been the design of high affinity transition state analogs that effectively compete with natural substrates for the active site. A second approach has been the development of compounds that inactivate the protease by destabilizing its quaternary or tertiary structure. A successful optimization of these strategies requires an accurate knowledge of the energetics of structural stabilization and binding, and the identification of those regions in the protease molecule that are critical to stability and function. Here the energetics of stabilization of the HIV-1 protease has been measured for the first time by high sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry. These studies have permitted the evaluation of the different components of the Gibbs energy of stabilization (the enthalpy, entropy and heat capacity changes). The stability of the protease is pH-dependent and due to its dimeric nature is also concentration-dependent. At pH 3.4 the Gibbs energy of stabilization is close to 10 kcal/mol at 25°C, consistent with a dissociation constant of 5 × 10−8 M. The stability of the protease increases at higher pH values. At pH 5, the Gibbs energy of stabilization is 14.5 kcal/mol at 25°C, consistent with a dissociation constant of 2.3 × 10−11 M. The pH dependence of the Gibbs energy of stabilization indicates that between pH 3.4 and pH 5 an average of 3–4 ionizable groups per dimer become protonated upon unfolding. A structure-based thermodynamic analysis of the protease molecule indicates that most of the Gibbs energy of stabilization is provided by the dimerization interface and that the isolated subunits are intrinsically unstable. The Gibbs energy, however, is not uniformly distributed along the dimerization interface. The dimer interface is characterized by the presence of clusters of residues (hot spots) that contribute significantly and other regions that contribute very little to subunit association. At the dimerization interface, residues located at the carboxy and amino termini contribute close to 75% of the total Gibbs energy (Cys95, Thr96, Leu97, Asn98 and Phe99 and Pro1, Ile3, Leu5). Residues Thr26, Gly27 and Asp29 located at the base of the active site are also important, and to a lesser extent Gly49, Ile50, Gly51 located at the tip of the flap region. The structure-based thermodynamic analysis also predicts the existence of regions of the protease with only marginal stability and a high propensity to undergo independent local unfolding. In particular, the flap region occupies a very shallow energy minimum and its conformation can easily be affected by relatively small perturbations. This property of the protease can be related to the ability of some mutations to elicit resistance towards certain inhibitors.

Molecular basis of resistance to HIV-1 protease inhibition: a plausible hypothesis.

The binding thermodynamics of the HIV-1 protease inhibitor acetyl pepstatin and the substrate Val-Ser-Gln-Asn-Tyr-Pro-Ile-Val-Gln, corresponding to one of the cleavage sites in the gag, gag-pol polyproteins, have been measured by direct microcalorimetric analysis. The results indicate that the binding of the peptide substrate or peptide inhibitor is entropically driven; i.e., it is characterized by an unfavorable enthalpy and a favorable entropy change, in agreement with a structure-based thermodynamic analysis based upon an empirical parameterization of the energetics. Dissection of the binding enthalpy indicates that the intrinsic interactions are favorable and that the unfavorable enthalpy originates from the energy cost of rearranging the flap region in the protease molecule. In addition, the binding is coupled to a negative heat capacity change. The dominant binding force is the increase in solvent entropy that accompanies the burial of a significant hydrophobic surface. Comparison of the binding energetics obtained for the substrate with that obtained for synthetic nonpeptide inhibitors indicates that the major difference is in the magnitude of the conformational entropy change. In solution, the peptide substrate has a higher flexibility than the synthetic inhibitors and therefore suffers a higher conformational entropy loss upon binding. This higher entropy loss accounts for the lower binding affinity of the substrate. On the other hand, due to its higher flexibility, the peptide substrate is more amenable to adapt to backbone rearrangements or subtle conformational changes induced by mutations in the protease. The synthetic inhibitors are less flexible, and their capacity to adapt is more restricted. The expected result is a more pronounced effect of mutations on the binding affinity of the synthetic inhibitors. On the basis of the thermodynamic differences in the mode of binding of substrate and synthetic inhibitors, it appears that a key factor to understanding resistance is given by the relative balance of the different forces that contribute to the binding free energy and, in particular, the balance between conformational and solvation entropy.

Structure-based thermodynamic scale of alpha-helix propensities in amino acids.

A structural parameterization of the folding energetics has been used to predict the effect of single amino acid mutations at exposed locations in alpha-helices. The results have been used to derive a structure-based thermodynamic scale of alpha-helix propensities for amino acids. The structure-based thermodynamic analysis was performed for four different systems for which structural and experimental thermodynamic data are available: T4 lysozyme [Blaber et al (1994) J. Mol. Biol.235, 600-624], barnase [Horovitz et al. (1992) J.Mol.Biol.227,560-568], a synthetic leucine zipper [O'Neil & Degrado (1990) Science 250, 646-651], and a synthetic peptide [Lyu et al. (1990) Science 250, 669-673]. These studies have permitted the optimization of the set of solvent-accessible surface areas (ASA) for all amino acids in the unfolded state. It is shown that a single set of structure/thermodynamic parameters accounts well for all the experimental data sets of helix propensities. For T4 lysozyme, the average value of the absolute difference between predicted and experimental delta G values is 0.09 kcal/mol, for barnase 0.14 kcal/mol, for the synthetic coiled-coil 0.11 kcal/mol, and for the synthetic peptide 0.08 kcal/mol. In addition, this approach predicts well the overall stability of the proteins and rationalizes the differences in alpha-helix propensities between amino acids. The excellent agreement observed between predicted and experimental delta G values for all amino acids validates the use of this structural parameterization in free energy calculations for folding or binding.

Thermodynamic Mapping of the Inhibitor Site of the Aspartic Protease Endothiapepsin

The discovery that the protease from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) belongs to the aspartic protease family has generated renewed interest in this class of proteins. In this paper, the interactions of endothiapepsin, an aspartic proteinase from the fungus Endothia parasitica,with the inhibitor pepstatin A have been studied by high-sensitivity calorimetric techniques. These experiments have permitted a complete characterization of the temperature and pH-dependence of the binding energetics. The binding reaction is characterized by negative intrinsic binding enthalpy and negative heat capacity changes. The association constant is maximal at low pH (2×10 9M −1at pH 3) but decrease upon increasing pH (8.1×10 6M −1at pH 7). The binding of the inhibitor is coupled to the protonation of one of the aspartic moieties in the Asp dyad of the catalytic site of the protein. This phenomenon is responsible for the decrease in the apparent affinity of the inhibitor for the enzyme upon increasing pH. The experimental results presented here indicate that the binding of the inhibitor is favored both enthalpically and entropically. While the favorable enthalpic contribution is intuitively expected, the favorable entropic contribution is due to the large gain in solvent-related entropy associated with the burial of a large hydrophobic surface, that overcompensates the loss in conformational and translational/rotational degrees of freedom upon complex formation. The characteristics of the molecular recognition process have been evaluated by means of structure-based thermodynamic analysis. Three regions in the protein contribute significantly to the free energy of binding: the residues surrounding the Asp dyad (Asp32 in the N-terminal lobe and Asp215 in the C-terminal domain) and the flap region (Ile73 to Asp77). In addition, the rearrangement of residues that are not in immediate contact with the inhibitor provides close to 40% of the protease contribution to the binding free energy. On the other hand, the two statine residues provide more than half of the inhibitor contributions to the total free energy of binding. It is demonstrated that a previously developed empirical structural parametrization of the thermodynamic parameters that define the Gibbs energy, accurately accounts for the binding energetics and its temperature and pH-depen dence.