Biomedical subjects

B Ludwig

Publications and source records attributed to B Ludwig.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Perturbation of the CuA site in cytochrome-c oxidase of Paracoccus denitrificans by replacement of Met227 with isoleucine.

Subunit II of cytochrome-c oxidase contains a redox centre, CuA, with unusual spectroscopic properties; this site consists of two copper atoms and acts as the entry point for electrons from cytochrome c. We have constructed a site-directed mutant of cytochrome-c oxidase from Paracoccus denitrificans in which the CuA site has been disturbed by replacement of Met227 with isoleucine. The purified, fully assembled enzyme complex has been investigated with various techniques including metal analysis, EPR and visible spectroscopies, steady-state and fast kinetics. The stoichiometry of the metals in the enzyme remains unchanged but a clear perturbation of the CuA site can be observed in the EPR and near-infrared optical spectra. It is concluded that in the mutant CuA is still binuclear but that the two nuclei are no longer equivalent, converting the delocalized [Cu(1.5)....Cu(1.5)] centre of the wild type into a localized [Cu(I)....Cu(II)] system. Changes in the overall kinetics of the mutant are correlated with a diminished electron transfer rate between CuA and heme alpha.

Copper↗

PubMed1995

Structure at 2.8 A resolution of cytochrome c oxidase from Paracoccus denitrificans.

The crystal structure at 2.8 A resolution of the four protein subunits containing cytochrome c oxidase from the soil bacterium Paracoccus denitrificans, complexed with antibody Fv fragment, is described. Subunit I contains 12 membrane-spanning, primarily helical segments and binds haem a and the haem a3-copper B binuclear centre where molecular oxygen is reduced to water. Two proton transfer pathways, one for protons consumed in water formation and one for 'proton pumping', could be identified. Mechanisms for proton pumping are discussed.

Computer Graphics↗

PubMed1995

Purification of Paracoccus denitrificans cytochrome c552 and sequence analysis of the gene.

Unlike mitochondria, many bacteria use a large repertoire of c-type cytochromes in different branches of their electron transport system. Among the many cytochromes c present in the soil bacterium Paracoccus denitrificans, a membrane-bound cytochrome (c552) has been suggested to mediate the electron transport between the cytochrome bc1 complex and cytochrome-c oxidase [Berry, E. A. & Trumpower, B. L. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 2458-2467]. We have purified this cytochrome from cytoplasmic membranes, and cloned and sequenced its gene, cycM. Sequence analysis reveals that, while its C-terminal portion is highly similar to type-I cytochromes c, its N-terminal part contains a hydrophobic segment providing membrane attachment. In addition, we present immunological evidence for its functional role in respiration.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Site-directed mutagenesis of cytochrome c oxidase reveals two acidic residues involved in the binding of cytochrome c.

Site-directed mutagenesis in subunit II of the cytochrome c oxidase (haem aa3) from Paracoccus denitrificans reveals that two carboxylic residues, Glu-246 and Asp-206 (corresponding to 198 and 158 in the bovine subunit II), are involved in the binding of cytochrome c. Spectrophotometric and polarographic measurements with the isolated enzymes of both mutant strains show a strongly reduced activity compared to wild-type oxidase, with the overall catalytic capacity (kcat/KM) of both mutants decreased about 8-fold. EPR spectra reveal no significant differences between the wild-type and the mutant enzymes, indicating that neither residue contributes significantly to the structure of the CuA centre. We conclude that Glu-246 and Asp-206 constitute an essential part of the binding site for cytochrome c.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1995

Immunoelectron microscopy and epitope mapping with monoclonal antibodies suggest the existence of an additional N-terminal transmembrane helix in the cytochrome b subunit of bacterial ubiquinol:cytochrome-c oxidoreductases.

The topology of the ubiquinol:cytochrome-c oxidoreductase (cytochrome bc1 complex) from Paracoccus denitrificans was investigated by immunoelectron microscopy with sequence-specific murine monoclonal antibodies. Epitope mapping with synthetic peptides and enzymic proteolytic cleavage of the cytochrome bc1 complex were employed to localize precisely the respective antibody epitopes on the subunits of this membrane protein complex. Localization of defined epitopes on the cytochrome bc1 complex by immunoelectron microscopy clearly demonstrates that the N-terminus of the cytochrome b subunit is exposed to the periplasmic space. This finding is in agreement with a nine-transmembrane-helices topology model (I-IX) as predicted before for cytochrome b. However, due to other published evidence we favour the existence of an additional transmembrane helix (helix 0) complementing a more recently published eight-helices model (A-C,cd, D-H), at least for prokaryotes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Engineered Fv fragments as a tool for the one-step purification of integral multisubunit membrane protein complexes.

The preparation of pure and homogeneous membrane proteins or membrane protein complexes is time consuming, and the yields are frequently insufficient for structural studies. To circumvent these problems we established an indirect immunoaffinity chromatography method based on engineered Fv fragments. cDNAs encoding the variable domains of hybridoma-derived antibodies raised against various membrane proteins were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The Fv fragments were engineered to serve as bifunctional adaptor molecules. The Fv fragment binds to the epitope of the membrane protein, while the Strep tag affinity peptide, which was fused to the carboxy-terminus of the VH chain, immobilizes the antigen-Fv complex on a streptavidin sepharose column. The usefulness of this technique is illustrated with membrane protein complexes from Paracoccus denitrificans, namely, the cytochrome c oxidase (EC 1.9.3.1), the ubiquinol:cytochrome c oxidoreductase (EC 1.10.2.2), and subcomplexes or individual subunits thereof. These membrane proteins were purified simply by combining the crude P. denitrificans membrane preparation with the E. coli periplasmic cell fraction containing the corresponding Fv fragment, followed by solubilization and streptavidin affinity chromatography. Pure and highly active membrane protein complexes were eluted in the Fv-bound form using diaminobiotin for mild competitive displacement of the Strep tag. The affinity column could thus be reused under continuous operation for several months. Five to 10 mg of membrane protein complexes could be obtained without any detectable impurities within five hours.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Fv fragment-mediated crystallization of the membrane protein bacterial cytochrome c oxidase.

Crystallization of membrane proteins, a prerequisite for their X-ray crystallographic analysis, remains difficult. Here, we demonstrate that the crystallization of the cytochrome c oxidase from Paracoccus denitrificans can be mediated by co-crystallization with an antibody Fv fragment. The crystals obtained contain all four subunits of this membrane protein complex and the Fv fragment. The approach of co-crystallizing membrane proteins with antibody fragments should be useful in obtaining well-ordered crystals of membrane proteins in general.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1995

A Long-Chain Secondary Alcohol Dehydrogenase from Rhodococcus erythropolis ATCC 4277.

A NAD-dependent secondary alcohol dehydrogenase has been purified from the alkane-degrading bacterium, Rhodococcus erythropolis ATCC 4277. The enzyme was found to be active against a broad range of substrates, particularly long-chain secondary aliphatic alcohols. Although optimal activity was observed with linear 2-alcohols containing between 6 and 11 carbon atoms, secondary alcohols as long as 2-tetradecanol were oxidized at 25% of the rate seen with mid-range alcohols. The purified enzyme was specific for the S-(+) stereoisomer of 2-octanol and had a specific activity for 2-octanol of over 200 (mu)mol/min/mg of protein at pH 9 and 37(deg)C, 25-fold higher than that of any previously reported S-(+) secondary alcohol dehydrogenase. Linear primary alcohols containing between 3 and 13 carbon atoms were utilized 20- to 40-fold less efficiently than the corresponding secondary alcohols. The apparent K(infm) value for NAD(sup+) with 2-octanol as the substrate was 260 (mu)M, whereas the apparent K(infm) values for the 2-alcohols ranged from over 5 mM for 2-pentanol to less than 2 (mu)M for 2-tetradecanol. The enzyme showed moderate thermostability (half-life of 4 h at 60(deg)C) and could potentially be useful for the synthesis of optically pure stereoisomers of secondary alcohols.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1995

Monoclonal antibodies to Legionella Mip proteins recognize genus- and species-specific epitopes.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the virulence-associated Mip protein of Legionella spp. were raised by immunizing BALB/c mice with (i) Legionella pneumophila, (ii) Legionella micdadei, and (iii) purified recombinant native Mip protein cloned from L. pneumophila Philadelphia 1. Following screening of seeded wells by immunoblot analysis with homologous antigens, eight Mip-specific MAbs were found. These MAbs were chosen to investigate the antigenic diversity of Mip proteins in the genus Legionella. Mip was detected in 82 Legionella strains representing all 34 species tested. One of these MAbs, obtained from immunization with L. micdadei, recognized an epitope common to all Legionella species tested by immunoblot analysis. Another MAb was discovered to be specific for the Mip protein of L. pneumophila. The remaining six MAbs recognized 18 to 79% of Legionella species included in this study. By making use of the MAbs introduced in this study, it could be shown that, based on Mip protein epitope expression, Legionella species can be divided into at least six antigenetically distinct groups. As demonstrated by 43 L. pneumophila strains representing all serogroups, no antigenic diversity of Mip proteins was found for this species. In addition, 18 non-Legionella species, including Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria meningitidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, all of which are known to carry genes homologous to the Legionella mip genes, were reacted against all eight MAbs. No cross-reactivity was detectable in any of those strains.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Influence of site specifically altered Mip proteins on intracellular survival of Legionella pneumophila in eukaryotic cells.

Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, is able to survive intracellularly in eukaryotic cells such as monocytes, macrophages, and protozoan organisms. The Mip (macrophage infectivity potentiator) protein represents a factor of L. pneumophila necessary for optimal intracellular survival. Interestingly, Mip belongs to the substance class of FK 506-binding proteins and exhibits peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) activity that can be inhibited by the immunosuppressant FK506. In order to identify amino acids most likely to be involved in the enzymatic activity of Mip, site-directed mutagenized Mip proteins were constructed and characterized. It was shown that an Asp-142 to Leu-142 mutation and a Tyr-185 to Ala-185 substitution resulted in strongly reduced PPIase activity of the recombinant Mip proteins (5.3 and 0.6% of the activity of the wild-type Mip, respectively). Genes coding for the wild-type and for site-directed-mutagenized Mip proteins were used to complement three different Mip-negative mutants of the L. pneumophila Corby, Philadelphia I, and Wadsworth. While Mip protein expression could be restored in the corresponding complementants, significant Mip-specific PPIase activity could be detected only in Mip mutants complemented with wild-type mip genes. To investigate the influence of the PPIase activity of Mip on intracellular survival of L. pneumophila, invasion assays were performed using the macrophage-like cell line U937, human blood monocytes, and Acanthamoeba castellanii. The Mip-negative mutants were approximately 50- to 100-fold less infective for A. castellanii and for human mononuclear phagocytes in vitro compared with their isogenic Mip-positive parental strains. The wild-type invasion rate could be restored by introducing an intact copy of the mip gene into Mip-negative strains. In addition, no differences in intracellular survival were observed between the wild-type isolates and the Legionella strains exhibiting strongly reduced PPIase activity. These data indicated that the enzymatic activity of Mip does not contribute to intracellular survival of L. pneumophila.

Amino Acid Isomerases↗

PubMed1994

Confirmation of the existence of a third family among peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases. Amino acid sequence and recombinant production of parvulin.

In addition to the major cyclophilin-like peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases (PPIases) of Escherichia coli an enzyme of very low relative molecular mass (10.1 kDa) was discovered in this organism which gave first indication of the existence of a novel family in this enzyme class [1994, FEBS Lett. 343, 65-69]. In the present report we describe the chemically determined amino acid sequence of four peptides derived from the 10.1 kDa protein by the treatment with either cyanogen bromide or endoproteinase Lys-C. Together with a continuous run of 75 amino acids starting N-terminally, the sequence of the mature enzyme, 92 residues in length, was elucidated. Cloning and determination of the primary structure of a DNA fragment encoding this enzyme were also performed. Overexpression of the enzyme by using multicopies of plasmid pSEP38 in E. coli and detecting an enhanced PPIase activity attributed to the 10.1 kDa enzyme provided additional proof that the 92 amino acid protein was a PPIase. The enzyme was called parvulin (lat.: parvulus, very small). Homology analyses indicated that several parvulin-like proteins could be found in the database screened. To further elucidate the functional role of PPIases it might be of some importance that homologous proteins like the PrtM protein of Lactococcus lactis and the PrsA lipoprotein of Bacillus subtilis are known to be involved in the protein export and maturation machinery of the bacteria.

Amino Acid Isomerases↗

PubMed1994

A homodimer represents an active species of the peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase FKBP25mem from Legionella pneumophila.

The molecular mass of the native FK506-binding peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) FKBP25mem from Legionella pneumophila (Mip (macrophage infectivity potentiator) protein) was determined by two methods. By gel-permeation chromatography we found no indication of the presence of the monomeric enzyme. However, an oligomeric state with a molecular mass of about 62 kDa was detected. By cross-linking with dimethyl pimelimidate and subsequent SDS-PAGE of either the surface proteins of intact L. pneumophila cells or the purified recombinant FKBP25mem in solution, we observed an immunoreactive band indicative of a mass in the dimer range. In contrast to human recombinant FKBP12, the enzymatic activity of Legionella FKBP25men was strongly dependent on the protein concentration, pointing to a dimer as the most active species. However, the inhibition by FK506 yielded a nearly constant value of Ki of about 250 nM when measured in the same range of FKBP25mem concentration. These results may be explained by the fact that monomeric FKBP25mem has little, if any, influence on enzymatic activity when compared with the homodimer.

Amino Acid Isomerases↗

PubMed1994

A cytochrome ba3 functions as a quinol oxidase in Paracoccus denitrificans. Purification, cloning, and sequence comparison.

A quinol oxidase has been purified from the cytoplasmic membrane of Paracoccus denitrificans; its heme composition and CO binding properties identify it as a cytochrome ba3. On SDS gels, the purified enzyme complex is separated into five polypeptides. Using partial peptide sequence information for subunit II, the gene locus has been cloned and sequenced. In a typical operon pattern, four genes were identified: qoxA, -B, -C, and -D, coding for subunits II, I, III, and IV. DNA-derived amino acid sequence comparisons reveal extensive similarities to other members of the terminal oxidase superfamily.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Characterization of Mip proteins of Legionella pneumophila.

The Mip ('macrophage infectivity potentiator') protein of Legionella pneumophila has been shown to be an essential virulence factor, exhibiting peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) activity that can be inhibited by the immunosuppressant FK506. The cloning and sequencing of mip genes from three different L. pneumophila strains revealed a single amino acid substitution which did not affect the isomerase property of the enzyme. Mip proteins isolated from two wild-type L. pneumophila strains and from two corresponding Escherichia coli K-12 recombinant clones derived from these strains exhibited identical enzymatic properties and the precursor proteins are processed at identical cleavage sites. The mature Mip proteins exist in an oligomeric form. Site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that a substitution of an Asp residue at position 142 by a Leu residue affects PPIase activity of Mip.

Amino Acid Isomerases↗

PubMed1994

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of carprofen in the horse.

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) carprofen have been evaluated in 6 horses using a model of acute non-immune inflammation. Following intravenous administration of 0.7 mg racemic carprofen/kg bwt, mean values for pharmacokinetic parameters were 18.1 h (elimination half-life); 0.25 l/kg (volume of distribution, Vd[area]); 58.9 ml/min (clearance); and 57.9 micrograms/ml.h (area under plasma concentration time curve). Mean exudate:plasma concentration ratios exceeded 1.0 at all sampling times between 2 and 48 h. Swelling at the site of acute inflammation was significantly reduced but exudate leucocyte numbers were unchanged. Although carprofen produced moderate suppression of serum thromboxane B2 and exudate prostaglandin E2 synthesis, these effects were not related to carprofen concentrations in plasma or exudate. It was concluded that the anti-oedematous action of carprofen was not attributable to inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

A threshold membrane potential accounts for controversial effects of fatty acids on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.

The uncoupling effect of free fatty acids on oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria has been known for more than 35 years. The mechanism of action, however, remains controversial. In this report the physicochemical basis of uncoupling was elucidated by studying the effect of free fatty acids on the proton permeability and membrane potential of proteoliposomes containing reconstituted cytochrome c oxidase (COX). A threshold membrane potential of about 125 mV was identified for fatty acid-induced proton permeability. Only above this potential do free fatty acids translocate protons across the biological membrane. The data explain the controversial effects of long-chain fatty acids on oxidative phosphorylation as well as their role on non-shivering thermogenesis in larger mammals.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1993

Comparative resonance Raman study of cytochrome c oxidase from beef heart and Paracoccus denitrificans.

Well-resolved, Soret band excited resonance Raman spectra were measured from the fully oxidized and fully reduced cytochrome c oxidase from beef heart and Paracoccus denitrificans. The vibrational patterns in the marker band region (1450-1700 cm-1) were analyzed, and a complete assignment of heme a and heme a3 vibrational modes is presented, permitting a detailed structural comparison of the mammalian and bacterial enzymes. Similar frequencies of the porphyrin modes for the reduced heme a and the reduced and oxidized heme a3 are found, indicating a close relationship of the ground-state conformations in all oxidase species studied. In oxidized heme a, however, significant frequency differences are observed and interpreted in terms of a ruffled porphyrin structure in the three- and two-subunit forms of the Paracoccus enzyme compared to the planar heme a of beef heart oxidase. The structural distortions, which also perturb the conformation of the formyl substituent and its electronic coupling with the porphyrin, reflect the specific heme-protein interactions at heme a. Since in the fully reduced state heme a appears to be largely planar in all oxidase species, the redox-linked conformational transition requires a more drastic rearrangement of the heme a-protein interactions in the bacterial than in the mammalian oxidase. For both heme a and heme a3 in the reduced state and for heme a3 in the oxidize state, frequency, intensity, and bandwidth differences of the formyl stretching vibration and intensity differences of some porphyrin modes are noted between the three oxidase forms. The same modes are also affected by quaternary structure changes in the bovine oxidase caused by different detergents and isolation procedures. These effects are attributed to differences of the dielectric properties of the heme environment, due to subtle structural changes in the heme pockets, induced by protein-protein interactions of subunit III with subunits I and/or II.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Synthesis of the Rhodopseudomonas viridis holo-cytochrome c2 in Paracoccus denitrificans.

The gene encoding the Rhodopseudomonas viridis cytochrome c2 (cycA) has been introduced on a broad host range vector into Paracoccus denitrificans, leading to high-level expression of the holo-cytochrome with the heme moiety covalently attached to the apoprotein. The cytochrome was demonstrated to reside in the periplasmic space of the host cell. In contrast to R. viridis, aerobic rather than anaerobic growth conditions led to higher production levels of the holo-cytochrome in P. denitrificans. This heterologous expression system provides a suitable genetic background for the functional expression and mutagenesis of polypeptides involved in bacterial photosynthesis, offering the possibility of detailed structural and functional investigation.

Aerobiosis↗