PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

A Ginsburg

Publications and source records attributed to A Ginsburg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Thermodynamic effects of active-site ligands on the reversible, partial unfolding of dodecameric glutamine synthetase from Escherichia coli: calorimetric studies.

Dodecameric glutamine synthetase (GS) from Escherichia coli undergoes reversible, thermally induced partial unfolding without subunit dissociation. A single endotherm for Mn.GS (+/- active-site ligands) in the presence of 1 mM free Mn2+ and 100 mM KCl at pH 7 is observed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Previous deconvolutions of DSC data for Mn.GS showed only two two-state transitions (with similar tm values; 51.6 +/- 2 degrees C), and indicated that cooperative interactions link partial unfolding reactions of all subunits within the Mn.enzyme dodecamer [Ginsburg, A., & Zolkiewski, M. (1991) Biochemistry 30, 9421]. A net uptake of 8.0 equiv of H+ by Mn.GS occurs during partial unfolding, as determined in the present DSC experiments conducted with four buffers having different heats of protonation at 50 degrees C. These data gave a value of 176 +/- 12 kcal (mol of dodecamer)-1 for delta Hcal corrected for buffer protonation. L-Glutamine and L-Met-(SR)-sulfoximine stabilize the Mn.GS dodecamer through the free energies of ligand binding, and these were shown to be partially and totally released, respectively, from the 12 active sites at high temperature. Ligand effects on Tm values from DSC were similar to those from spectral measurements of Trp and Tyr exposures in two subunit domains. Effects of varying [ADP] on DSC profiles of Mn.GS were complex; Tm is increased by low [ADP] and decreased by > 100 microM free ADP. This is due to the exposure of an additional low-affinity ADP binding site per GS subunit at high temperature with log K1' = 4.3 and log K2' = 3.6 at 60 degrees C relative to log K' = 5.5 for ADP binding at 30 degrees C, as determined by isothermal calorimetric and fluorescence titrations. Moreover, delta Hcal at > 27% saturation with ADP (corrected for ADP binding/dissociation) is approximately 80-100 kcal/mol more than in the absence of ligands. Changes in domain interactions could result from ADP bridging subunit contacts in the dodecamer. Each of the active-site ligands investigated here produces different effects on DSC profiles without uncoupling the extremely cooperative, partial unfolding reactions in the Mn.GS dodecamer.

Binding Sites

Roles of metal ions in the maintenance of the tertiary and quaternary structure of arginase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Arginase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae has long been known to be a metal ion-requiring enzyme as it requires heating at 45 degrees C in the presence of 10 mM Mn2+ for catalytic activation. Metals are also thought to play a structural role in the enzyme, but the identity of the structural metal and its precise structural role have not been defined. Analysis of the metal ions that bind to yeast arginase by atomic absorption spectroscopy reveals that there is a weakly associated Mn2+ that binds to the trimeric enzyme with a stoichiometry of 1.04 +/- 0.05 mol of Mn2+ bound per subunit and an apparent K'D value of 26 microM at pH 7.0 and 4 degrees C. A more tightly associated Zn2+ ion can only be removed by dialysis against chelating agents. In occasional preparations, this site contained some Mn2+; however, Zn2+ and Mn2+ together bind to high affinity sites with a stoichiometry of 1.14 +/- 0.25/mol of subunit. Both the loosely associated catalytic Mn2+ ion and the more tightly associated structural Zn2+ ion confer stability to the enzyme. Removal of the weakly bound Mn2+ ion results in a 3 degree C decrease in the midpoint of the thermal transition (T 1/2) (from 57 by 54 degrees C) as monitored by UV difference absorption spectroscopy. Removal of the tightly bound Zn2+ ion produces a 19 degrees C decrease in T 1/2 (to 38 degrees C). Similar results are obtained by circular dichroism measurements. When the Zn2+ ion is removed, the steady-state fluorescence intensity increases 100% as compared to the holoenzyme, with a shift in the emission maximum from 337 to 352 nm. This suggests that in the folded trimeric metalloenzyme, the tryptophan fluorescence is quenched and that upon removal of the structural metal, the quenching is relieved as tryptophan residues become exposed to more polar environments. Equilibrium sedimentation experiments performed after dialysis of the enzyme against EDTA demonstrate that arginase exists in a reversible monomer-trimer equilibrium, in the absence of metal ions, with a KD value of 5.05 x 10(-11) M2. In contrast, the native enzyme exists as a trimer with no evidence of dissociation when Mn2+ and Zn2+ are present (Eisenstein, E., Duong, L.T., Ornberg, R. L., Osborne, J.C., Jr., and Hensley, P. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 12814-12819). In summary, the study presented here demonstrates that binding of a weakly bound Mn2+ ion confers catalytic activity. In contrast, binding of a more tightly associated Zn2+ ion confers substantial stability to the tertiary and quaternary structure of the enzyme.

Arginase

Differential scanning calorimetry study of reversible, partial unfolding transitions in dodecameric glutamine synthetase from Escherichia coli.

Partial unfolding of dodecameric glutamine synthetase (GS) from Escherichia coli has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A single endotherm (tm = 51.6 +/- 0.1 degrees C and delta Hcal = 211 +/- 4 kcal/mol of enzyme) was observed in DSC experiments with Mn.GS in the presence of 1.0 mM free Mn2+ and 100 mM KCl at pH 7. The dodecameric structure of Mn.GS was retained throughout heating cycles, and thermal transitions were reversible as shown by rescans [with 6-18 mg of GS (Mr 622,000) from 15 to 68 degrees C at 20-60 degrees C/h] and by greater than 93% recovery of activity. A cooperative ratio delta Hcal/delta HvH of 1.6 +/- 0.1 and deconvolution analysis show two cooperative units (two-state transitions): t1 = 50.4 and t2 = 51.7 degrees C; the ratio of the relative sizes of thermally labile domains is approximately 1:2 as judged by delta H2/delta H1 approximately equal to 2. However, the thermally induced overall enthalpy change (0.34 cal/g) for GS dodecamer is only 5-10% of that for thermal unfolding of small globular proteins at 50 degrees C. The t1 and t2 values from deconvolutions of DSC data agree with t0.5 values previously calculated from spectral measurements of temperature-induced exposures of approximately 0.7 of 2 Trp and approximately 2 of 17 Tyr per subunit, respectively [Shrake et al. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 6281-6294], over a 14 degrees C temperature range using both stabilizing and destabilizing conditions for Mn.GS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning

Xenopus transcription factor IIIA. Evidence for heterogeneity of Zn2+ binding affinities and specific labeling of cysteine 287.

The release of Zn2+ from transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) was examined with the metallochromic indicator 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR) in the absence and presence of p-hydroxymercuriphenylsulfonate (PMPS). With 0.5 mM PAR, approximately 5 eq of Zn2+ were released from TFIIIA, but no Zn2+ release was detected from the 7 S ribonucleoprotein. The PMPS-promoted Zn2+ release from TFIIIA was 8.7 +/- 0.4 eq of Zn2+ of which approximately 4 eq of Zn2+ rebound to TFIIIA upon displacement of the mercurial with excess 2-mercaptoethanol. These results suggest that at least two affinity classes of Zn2+ binding sites exist in TFIIIA, one of which is released to 0.5 mM PAR in the absence of PMPS. Also, 18 of the 23 cysteine residues of TFIIIA reacted with 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid). The kinetic data of PAR and 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) reactions with TFIIIA were similar, and the spectral changes were characterized by at least three exponential terms. Both TFIIIA and the 7 S particle were reacted with the thiol-specific fluorescent probe N-iodoacetyl-N'-(5-sulfo-1-naphthyl)ethylenediamine (1,5-I-AEDANS). Complete trypsin hydrolysis followed by reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography analysis of peptide mixtures showed only one fluorescent peak from the AEDANS-labeled 7 S particle whereas numerous fluorescent peaks were observed with AEDANS-labeled TFIIIA. This further indicates exposure of cysteine residues from Zn2+ binding domains in TFIIIA. Cys287 was identified as the site of modification by amino acid sequencing of the isolated fluorescent peptide from the derivatized 7 S particle. Limited papain cleavage of the AEDANS-labeled 7 S particle indicated that the modified cysteine is located within a 34-kDa TFIIIA fragment. Gel retardation and transcription assays showed that TFIIIA, which had been purified from the AEDANS-labeled 7 S particle, was capable of binding to the internal control region of 5 S RNA gene and retained transcription activity. Thus, Zn2+ binding domains and all but 1 cysteine residue are buried in the 7 S particle, thereby facilitating site-specific labeling of TFIIIA.

Animals

Zinc interactions with regulatory dimers from Escherichia coli aspartate transcarbamoylase.

Zn2+ is tetrahedrally bonded to the 4 nonadjacent thiols of each regulatory chain (Mr 17,000) near r-c contacts between catalytic (c) and regulatory chains (r) in aspartate transcarbamoylase (ATCase; c6r6). This paper reports on Zn2+ interactions with r dimer in the absence of stabilizing r-c contacts. After r2 and c3 subunits were separated, -SH groups of r2 were titrated with p-(hydroxymercuri)benzenesulfonate (PMPS) at pH 7.0. The concomitant release of Zn2+ (2 equiv/r dimer) was quantitated with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR) and was a linear function of PMPS added until 8 mercaptide bonds per r2 were formed. Breakage of 1 of 4 Zn2(+)-sulfur bonds in a Zn2+ binding cluster therefore makes the other three bonds more labile. From stopped-flow measurements, the PMPS-promoted Zn2+ release from r2 or mercaptide bond formation with 10- to 20-fold excess PMPS/r2-SH at pH 7.0 was first order with an Arrhenius activation energy Ea = 10 kcal/mol and a half-time t 1/2 = 9 +/- 2 ms at 20 degrees C without inhibitory anions present. The rate of mercurial-promoted Zn2+ release from r2 is at least 77 times faster than that from intact c6r6 [Hunt, J.B., Neece, S.H., Schachman, H.K., and Ginsburg, A. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 14793]; this indicates that Zn2+ binding clusters are more accessible to attack by PMPS than are those in ATCase. The addition of a 25-fold excess of the multidentate fluorescent chelator quin-2 to r2 gave a rate of Zn2+ dissociation that was 1/210th of that observed with excess mercurial. Furthermore, the Zn(PAR)1 complex was identified as the active species in the transfer of Zn2+ from Zn(PAR)2 to aporegulatory subunits, with kappa = (8 +/- 3) x 10(5) M-1 s-1 at pH 7.0 and 15 degrees C for this second-order association reaction. Although kinetic results are dependent on the mechanisms involved, an affinity constant K'A = (1.3 +/- 0.6) x 10(12) M-1 for Zn2+ binding to r dimer at pH 7.0 and 20 degrees C in the absence and presence of 100 mM KCl could be determined spectrally by rapid equilibration with the high-affinity, sensitive metalloindicators indo-1 and quin-2. This K'A value is based on the assumptions that Zn2+ binding sites in r2 are equivalent (noninteracting) and that apo-r2 does not dissociate; if apo-r2 dissociates, K'A approximately 10(14) M-1. Within experimental error, the K'A value was independent of [indo-1]/[r2] ratios from 36 to 3 with 0.3-8 microM r2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Allosteric Regulation

Characterization of indo-1 and quin-2 as spectroscopic probes for Zn2(+)-protein interactions.

1-[2-Amino-5-(6-carboxyindol-2-yl)phenoxyl]-2-(2'- amino-5'-methylphenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (indo-1) and 2-[2-(bis(carboxymethyl)amino-5-methylphenoxy) methyl]-6- methyl-8-[bis-(carboxymethyl)amino]quinoline (quin-2) are sensitive, spectral indicators for Zn2+. Additions of subsaturating Zn2+ to 10-80 microM indo-1 or quin-2 at pH 7.0 produce uv difference spectra with isosbestic wavelengths at 342 and 282 nm or at 342, 317, and 252 nm, respectively. Formation of 1:1 Zn2+:indicator complexes at pH 7.0 and 20 degrees C in the absence (presence) of 100 mM KCl gives delta epsilon max = -2.4 +/- 0.2 X 10(4) M-1 cm-1 at 367 nm (-2.1 +/- 0.2 X 10(4) M-1 cm-1 at 365 nm) for indo-1 and delta epsilon max = -2.7 +/- 0.1 X 10(4) M-1 cm-1 at 266 nm (-2.6 +/- 0.1 X 10(4) M-1 cm-1 at 265 nm) for quin-2. Competition experiments at pH 7.0 and 20 degrees C with indo-1 and quin-2 and also 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR) as the second chelator in the absence (presence) of 100 mM KCl yield apparent affinity constants: K'A = 2.5 +/- 1.0 X 10(10) M-1 (6.2 +/- 0.5 X 10(9) M-1) for indo-1 binding Zn2+ and K'A = 9.4 +/- 3.3 X 10(11) M-1 (2.7 +/- 0.1 X 10(11) M-1) for quin-2 binding Zn2+. The above constants provide the basis for rapid steady-state spectrophotometric determinations of the affinity of a protein for Zn2+ with K'A approximately 10(10) - 10(13) M-1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aminoquinolines

Complications of microwave hyperthermia treatment of psoriasis.

Three healthy men with psoriatic plaques unresponsive to tar, anthralin, and UVB were treated with 2450 MHz microwave heating for 30 minutes at 42 degrees C. Two patients had plaques over bony prominences. Pain developed in both patients, and one had a hypotensive episode during the first treatment. The third patient, whose plaque was greater than 2 cm and was not located over a bony prominence, completed the 5 weeks of biweekly treatments with complete resolution of the plaque and no complications.

Adult

Partial unfolding of dodecameric glutamine synthetase from Escherichia coli: temperature-induced, reversible transitions of two domains.

Glutamine synthetase (GS), Mr 622,000, from Escherichia coli contains 12 active sites formed at heterologous interfaces between subunits [Almassy, R. J., Janson, C. A., Hamlin, R., Xuong, N.-H., & Eisenberg, D. (1986) Nature (London) 323, 304-309]. Temperature-induced changes in UV spectra from 3 to 68 degrees C were reversible with the Mn2+- or Mg2+-enzyme at pH 7.0 (50 degrees C) in 100 mM KCl. No dissociation or aggregation of dodecamer occurred at high temperatures. The thermal transition involves the exposure of approximately 0.7 of the 2 Trp residues/subunit (by UV difference spectroscopy) and 2 of the 17 Tyr residues/subunit (change in exposure from 4.7 to 6.7 Tyr/subunit by second-derivative spectral analysis). Monitoring changes in Trp and Tyr exposure independently gives data that conform to a two-state model for partial unfolding with Tm values (where delta G unfolding = 0) differing by 2-3 degrees C at each level of [Mn2+] studied and with average delta HvH values of 80 and 94 kcal/mol, respectively. These observations suggest that two regions of the oligomeric structure unfold separately as independent transitions (random model). However, the data can be fit equally with a sequential model in which the Trp transition occurs first upon heating. By fitting with either model, Tm values increase from approximately 47 to approximately 54 degrees C with increasing free [Mn2+] from 3.6 to 49 microM but decrease from approximately 54 to approximately 43 degrees C by further increasing free [Mn2+] from 0.05 to 10 mM; such behavior indicates that the high-temperature form of the enzyme binds Mn2+ more weakly but has more binding sites than the native enzyme. The high-temperature Mn-enzyme form is somewhat less unfolded than is the catalytically inactive apoenzyme, which undergoes no further Trp or Tyr exposure on heating and therefore is assumed to be the high-temperature form of divalent cation-free GS. Adding substrates [ADP, L-Met-(SR)-sulfoximine, Gln, Gln + NH2OH, or Gln + ADP] to Mn.GS increased Tm to varying extents by preferential binding to the folded form. Indeed, the transition-state analogue complex GS.(Mn2.ADP.L-Met-(S)-sulfoximine phosphate)12 was stable in the folded form to at least 72 degrees C. Moreover, an Arrhenius plot for gamma-glutamyl transfer activity was linear from 4 to 72 degrees C with Ea = 18.3 kcal/mol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Binding Sites

Thermodynamics of active-site ligand binding to Escherichia coli glutamine synthetase.

Active-site ligand interactions with dodecameric glutamine synthetase from Escherichia coli have been studied by calorimetry and fluorometry using the nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue 5'-adenylyl imidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP), L-glutamate, L-Met-(S)-sulfoximine, and the transition-state analogue L-Met-(S)-sulfoximine phosphate. Measurements were made with the unadenylylated enzyme at pH 7.1 in the presence of 100 mM KCl and 1.0 mM MnCl2, under which conditions the two catalytically essential metal ion sites per subunit are occupied and the stoichiometry of active-site ligand binding is equal to 1.0 equiv/subunit. Thermodynamic linkage functions indicate that there is strong synergism between the binding of AMP-PNP and L-Met-(S)-sulfoximine (delta delta G' = -6.4 kJ/mol). In contrast, there is a small antagonistic effect between the binding of AMP-PNP and L-glutamate (delta delta G' = +1.4 kJ/mol). Proton effects were negligible (less than or equal to 0.2 equiv of H+ release or uptake/mol) for the different binding reactions. The binding of AMP-PNP (or ATP) to the enzyme is entropically controlled at 303 K with delta H = +5.4 kJ/mol and delta S = +150 J/(K.mol). At 303 K, the binding of L-glutamate (delta H = -22.2 kJ/mol) or L-Met-(S)-sulfoximine [delta H = -45.6 kJ/mol with delta Cp approximately equal to -670 +/- 420 J/(K.mol)] to the AMP-PNP.Mn.enzyme complex is enthalpically controlled with opposing delta S values of -29 or -46 J/(K.mol), respectively. The overall enthalpy change is negative and the overall entropy change is positive for the simultaneous binding of AMP-PNP and L-glutamate or of AMP-PNP and L-Met-(S)-sulfoximine to the enzyme. For the binding of the transition-state analogue L-Met-(S)-sulfoximine phosphate (which inactivates the enzyme by blocking active sites), both enthalpic and entropic contributions also are favorable at 303 K [delta G' approximately equal to -109 and delta H = -54.8 kJ/mol of subunit and delta S approximately equal to +180 J/(K.mol)].

Adenylyl Imidodiphosphate

ADP, chloride ion, and metal ion binding to bovine brain glutamine synthetase.

The binding of divalent cations and nucleotide to bovine brain glutamine synthetase and their effects on the activity of the enzyme were investigated. In ADP-supported gamma-glutamyl transfer at pH 7.2, kinetic analyses of saturation functions gave [S]0.5 values of approximately 1 microM for Mn2+, approximately 2 mM for Mg2+, 19 nM for ADP.Mn, and 7.2 microM for ADP.Mg. The method of continuous variation applied to the Mn2+-supported reaction indicated that all subunits of the purified enzyme express activity when 1.0 equiv of ADP is bound per subunit. Measurements of equilibrium binding of Mn2+ to the enzyme in the absence and presence of ADP were consistent with each subunit binding free Mn2+ (KA approximately equal to 1.5 X 10(5) M-1) before binding the Mn.ADP complex (KA' approximately equal to 1.1 X 10(6) M-1). The binding of the first Mn2+ or Mg2+ to each subunit produces structural perturbations in the octameric enzyme, as evidenced by UV spectral and tryptophanyl residue fluorescence changes. The enzyme, therefore, has one structural site per subunit for Mn2+ or Mg2+ and a second site per subunit for the metal ion-nucleotide complex, both of which must be filled for activity expression. Chloride binding (KA' approximately equal to 10(4) M-1) to the enzyme was found to have a specific effect on the protein conformation, producing a substantial (30%) quench of tryptophanyl fluorescence and increasing the affinity of the enzyme 2-4-fold for Mg2+ or Mn2+. Arsenate, which activates the gamma-glutamyl transfer activity by binding to an allosteric site, and L-glutamate also cause conformational changes similar to those produced by Cl- binding. Anion binding to allosteric sites and divalent metal ion binding at active sites both produce tryptophanyl residue exposure and tyrosyl residue burial without changing the quaternary enzyme structure.

Adenosine Diphosphate

Two apparent Philadelphia chromosomes arising from translocations with different chromosomes in a patient with CML: 46,XY,t(7;22)(p22;q11),t(9;22)(q34;q11).

Chromosome studies on bone marrow cells and unstimulated peripheral lymphocytes from a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia revealed the presence in all cells of two apparent Philadelphia chromosomes: one resulting from the classical translocation with a chromosome #9, and the other arising from a translocation between chromosomes #22 and #7. There was no normal chromosome #22. Some of the cells also had an i(17q), indicative of blast crisis. Repeated chromosome studies at different times during the course of the disease revealed the evolution of additional karyotypic changes. All cells from later samples had an extra #8; some of these cells had a third Philadelphia chromosome, whereas, others had a second Y chromosome. Although a few normal cells were seen in PHA-stimulated lymphocyte cultures, indicating that the patient has a normal constitutional karyotype, most of the cells had a karyotype identical to that found in unstimulated cultures. This unusual karyotype, 46,XY,t(7;22)(p22;q11),t(9;22)(q34;q11), represents the first case in which two apparent Philadelphia chromosomes are present in the leukemic cells from a patient in the absence of a normal #22 chromosome.

Chromosome Banding

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate analogues as structural probes for Escherichia coli glutamine synthetase.

Introduction of specific structural probes into substrate binding sites of Escherichia coli glutamine synthetase is now possible. Various analogues of ATP substituted with an amino or sulfhydryl moiety at the 6- or 8-position of the purine ring have been found to substitute for ATP in the autoinactivation reaction of the manganese enzyme with L-Met-(S)-sulfoximine at pH 7. Dissociation of enzyme complexes containing an ADP analogue, L-Met-(S)-sulfoximine phosphate, and 2 equiv of Mn2+ is negligible at neutral pH. Prior to binding of the mercapto nucleotides to active sites, 6-mercaptopurine ribonucleoside triphosphate (6-S-ATP) and 8-mercaptoadenosine 5'-triphosphate (8-S-ATP) also have been further modified with fluorescent and chromogenic probes for energy-transfer measurements [Maurizi, M. R., Kasprzyk, P. G., & Ginsburg, A. (1986) Biochemistry (following paper in this issue)] or with electron-dense markers for electron microscopic and X-ray crystallographic structural analyses. Binding 6-S-ATP or 8-S-ATP to enzyme active sites at pH 7.1 produced red shifts of approximately 6 nm in nucleotide spectra characteristic for transfer of these nucleotide analogues into more acidic and hydrophobic environments. The spectrum of 6-S-ADP at active sites was more red-shifted than that of 6-S-AMP attached to adenylylation sites. The thiol group at the 6- or 8-position of the purine ring of the bound nucleotides was accessible for reactions with alkylating or mercurial reagents. Alkylation or mercaptide formation produced large blue shifts in the spectrum of enzyme-bound 6-S-ADP or 8-S-ADP at active sites or of 6-S-AMP covalently bound at adenylylation sites. At least one of two tryptophanyl residues in each subunit is very near the nucleotide binding site, as evidenced by changes in tryptophanyl residue fluorescence on binding ATP, mercaptonucleotides, or other ATP analogues.

Adenosine Diphosphate

Distances between active site probes in glutamine synthetase from Escherichia coli: fluorescence energy transfer in free and in stacked dodecamers.

Probes for fluorescence energy transfer measurements were introduced into active sites of dodecameric glutamine synthetase from Escherichia coli by substituting appropriate ATP analogues for ATP in the autoinactivation reaction of this enzyme with L-Met-(S)-sulfoximine and Mn2+ [Maurizi, M. R., & Ginsburg, A. (1986) Biochemistry (preceding paper in this issue)]. Two fluorescent donors, 8-mercapto-ATP alkylated with either 5-[[[(iodoacetyl)amino]ethyl]amino]naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (AEDANS-ATP) or 1,N6-etheno-2-aza-ATP (aza-epsilon-ATP), and two acceptors, 6-mercaptopurine ribonucleotide triphosphate or 8-mercapto-ATP alkylated with the chromophore 4'-[[4-(dimethylamino)-phenyl]azo]-2-iodoacetanilide (6-Y- or 8-Y-ATP), were used. Fluorescence emissions of enzyme derivatives with 1 or 2 equiv of fluorescent donor per dodecamer and either an acceptor (Y) or ADP at the remaining active sites were compared at pH 7.0. The results, together with the known geometry of the enzyme, indicate that active site probes in the dodecamer are widely separated and that energy transfer occurs from a single donor to two or three acceptors on adjacent subunits. The calculated distance between equidistant active site probes on heterologously bonded subunits within the same hexagonal ring is 56-60 A. Probes on isologously bonded subunits are no closer than 60 A and may be as far apart as 78 A. Thus, active sites are away from the 6-fold axis of symmetry toward the outer edges of the dodecamer and are located greater than or equal to 30 A from the plane separating the hexagonal rings. During Zn2+-induced stacking of the same enzyme derivatives along the 6-fold axes of symmetry, additional quenches of fluorescent probes were dependent on the presence of acceptors on separate dodecamers. The Zn2+-induced face to face aggregation of dodecamers in the presence of 46 microM ZnCl2 and 9 mM MgCl2 at pH 7.0 had an Arrhenius activation energy of 22.3 +/- 0.2 kcal/mol and a second-order rate constant at 25 degrees C of approximately 10(5) M-1 s-1 at early stages. Time-dependent fluorescence quenches correlated well with the degree of linear polymer formation and reached maximum values of 47-70% quench when the average n-mer was six dodecamers. After correction for unquenched polymer ends, a fluorescent donor and an acceptor probe in layered dodecamers were estimated to be approximately 36 A apart--an average value if there is some twisting of single strands.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphate

Mg2+ is bound to glutamine synthetase extracted from bovine or ovine brain in the presence of L-methionine-S-sulfoximine phosphate.

Purified glutamine synthetase from bovine or ovine brain had no tightly bound Mn2+. By extraction of bovine or ovine brain glutamine synthetase in the presence of L-Met-S-sulfoximine phosphate and ADP in metal ion-free water and 0.1 M KCl, only endogenously bound divalent cations were trapped on the enzyme. Enzyme complexes isolated by immunoprecipitation contained less than 0.05 Mn2+ and 1.5 +/- 0.2 Mg2+ per subunit. Without inactive complex formation, the enzyme immunoprecipitated from extracts contained undetectable Mn2+ (less than 0.01 eq per subunit) and 0.1-2.0 eq of Mg2+ per subunit. Direct binding measurements showed that the purified bovine brain enzyme contained two divalent cations bound at the active site of each subunit. Thus, although either Mg2+ or Mn2+ supports enzyme activity in vitro, Mg2+ rather than Mn2+ appears to be bound to brain glutamine synthetase in vivo.

Adenosine Triphosphate

The use of 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol in studies of zinc release from Escherichia coli aspartate transcarbamoylase.

The metallochromic indicator 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR) has been used at pH 7.0 to monitor the mercurial-promoted Zn2+ release from Escherichia coli aspartate transcarbamoylase and Zn2+ uptake by regulatory dimers upon displacement of the mercurial reagent with 2-mercaptoethanol. The release of Zn2+ (as reflected by a yellow to orange color change in PAR solutions) is linked to dissociation of the enzyme since the six Zn2+ bonding domains stabilize catalytic and regulatory chain contacts; the rebinding of Zn2+ produces enzyme assembly and a corresponding decrease in the amount of PAR-Zn2+ complex. Using greater than 10-fold PAR to free Zn2+ at pH 7.0, delta epsilon = 6.6 +/- 0.2 X 10(4) M-1 cm-1 at 500 nm (20 degrees C) for (PAR)2Zn2+ complex formation (beta'2 approximately equal to 10(12) M-1). In kinetic studies at pH 7.0, PAR (10(-4) M) has been used to measure the instantaneous concentration of Zn2+ released from micromolar quantities of protein; second-order k = 2 X 10(7) M-1 s-1 for forming the 1:1 PAR:Zn2+ complex. These properties of PAR-Zn2+ interactions make PAR a generally useful reagent for studying Zn2+ release from proteins.

Aspartate Carbamoyltransferase