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Dominic J B Hunter

Publications and source records attributed to Dominic J B Hunter.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Structure of myelin P2 protein from equine spinal cord.

Equine P2 protein has been isolated from horse spinal cord and its structure determined to 2.1 A. Since equine myelin is a viable alternative to bovine tissue for large-scale preparations, characterization of the proteins from equine spinal cord myelin has been initiated. There is an unusually high amount of P2 protein in equine CNS myelin compared with other species. The structure was determined by molecular replacement and subsequently refined to an R value of 0.187 (Rfree=0.233). The structure contains a molecule of the detergent LDAO and HEPES buffer in the binding cavity and is otherwise analogous to other cellular retinol-binding proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

Analysis of the domain properties of the novel cytochrome P450 RhF.

The properties of the heme, flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and FeS domains of P450 RhF, from Rhodococcus sp. NCIMB 9784, expressed separately and in combination are analysed. The nucleotide preference, imidazole binding and reduction potentials of the heme and FMN domains are unaltered by their separation. The intact enzyme is monomeric and the flavin is confirmed to be FMN. The two one-electron reduction potentials of the FMN are -240 and -270 mV. The spectroscopic and thermodynamic properties of the FeS domain, masked in the intact enzyme, are revealed for the first time, confirming it as a 2Fe-2S ferredoxin with a reduction potential of -214 mV.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Oxo-iron clusters in a bacterial iron-trafficking protein: new roles for a conserved motif.

We report a set of three 1.8-1.9 A resolution X-ray crystal structures of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Fbp (ferric-ion binding protein): (i) open-cleft apo-Fbp containing bound phosphate, (ii) open-cleft mono-Fe Fbp capped by nitrilotriacetate, and (iii) open-cleft trinuclear oxo-iron Fbp, the first structure of an iron-cluster adduct of a transferrin. The nine independent molecules in the unit cells provide 'snapshots' of the versatile dynamic structural roles of the conserved dityrosyl iron-binding motif (Tyr195-Tyr196) which control the capture and, possibly, processing of iron. These findings have implications for understanding bacterial iron acquisition and dissimilation, and organic/mineral interfaces.

Amino Acid Motifs↗
PubMed2003

A self-sufficient cytochrome p450 with a primary structural organization that includes a flavin domain and a [2Fe-2S] redox center.

p450 RhF from Rhodococcus sp. NCIMB 9784 is the first example of a new class of cytochrome p450 in which electrons are supplied by a novel, FMN- and Fe/S-containing, reductase partner in a fused arrangement. We have previously cloned the gene encoding the enzyme and shown it to comprise an N-terminal p450 domain fused to a reductase domain that displays similarity to the phthalate family of oxygenase reductase proteins. A reductase of this type had never previously been reported to interact with a cytochrome p450. In this report we describe the purification and partial characterization of p450 RhF. We show that the enzyme is self-sufficient in catalyzing the O-dealkylation of 7-ethoxycoumarin. The p450 RhF catalyzed O-dealkylation of 7-ethoxycoumarin is inhibited by several compounds that are known inhibitors of cytochrome p450. Presteady state kinetic analysis indicates that p450 RhF shows a 500-fold preference for NAPDH over NADH in terms of Kd value (6.6 microm versus 3.7 mm, respectively). Potentiometric studies show reduction potentials of -243 mV for the two-electron reduction of the FMN and -423 mV for the heme (in the absence of substrate).

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2003

A novel protein-mineral interface.

Transferrins transport Fe3+ and other metal ions in mononuclear-binding sites. We present the first evidence that a member of the transferrin superfamily is able to recognize multi-nuclear oxo-metal clusters, small mineral fragments that are the most abundant forms of many metals in the environment. We show that the ferric ion-binding protein from Neisseria gonorrhoeae (nFbp) readily binds clusters of Fe3+, Ti4+, Zr4+ or Hf4+ in solution. The 1.7 A resolution crystal structure of Hf-nFbp reveals three distinct types of clusters in an open, positively charged cleft between two hinged protein domains. A di-tyrosyl cluster nucleation motif (Tyr195-Tyr196) is situated at the bottom of this cleft and binds either a trinuclear oxo-Hf cluster, which is capped by phosphate, or a pentanuclear cluster, which in turn can be capped with phosphate. This first high-resolution structure of a protein-mineral interface suggests a novel metal-uptake mechanism and provides a model for protein-mediated mineralization/dissimilation, which plays a critical role in geochemical processes.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Interactions of D-amphetamine with the active site of monoamine oxidase-A.

Reversible monoamine oxidase A inhibitors (RIMA) are used as antidepressants but little is known about how they interact with the active site of the enzyme. Heterologous expression of human liver MAO-A in yeast provides sufficient protein for molecular studies and direct observation of the changes in the spectrum of the FAD co-factor when inhibitors bind. Using the reversible inhibitor, D-amphetamine, as a model compound, a concentration-dependent change in the spectrum with clean isosbestic points was observed. The decrease in absorbance between 400 and 500 nm gave a dissociation constant for binding similar to the K(i) value. Anaerobic reduction yielded the semiquinone spectrum only and the midpoint potential was the same as the free enzyme. Full reduction was not possible with dithionite as the reductant, suggesting that the semiquinone-reduced couple had a much lower midpoint potential than the free enzyme. In contrast, with substrate, which reduces the enzyme on an equimolar basis, the semiquinone is never seen. In anaerobic stopped-flow experiments, amphetamine inhibits completely the reoxidation of the reduced enzyme in contrast to a substrate such as 2-phenylethylamine (the desmethyl analogue of amphetamine) that accelerates the rate 12-fold. The spectral changes in MAO-A permit the examination of inhibitor interaction with the redox co-factor. Stacking of the inhibitor and flavin rings constitutes part of the interaction but, taking into account other evidence, steric factors may be the clue to the differences between substrate and inhibitor.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Inhibitors alter the spectrum and redox properties of monoamine oxidase A.

Monoamine oxidase A (MAO A) catalyses the oxidation of both neurotransmitter and ingested amines. The mechanism of catalysis involves the covalently bound FAD cofactor. Although substrates and inhibitors alter the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the flavin, how the ligands interact with the flavin is unknown. This work characterises the spectral changes that occur on inhibitor binding to MAO A and examines how the binding influences the flavin. The inhibitors, D-amphetamine, harmine, tetrindole, and befloxatone all induce similar (but not identical) changes in the spectrum of MAO A, consistent with stacking of inhibitor with the flavin in the active site. D-Amphetamine, harmine, and tetrindole stabilise the semiquinone form of FAD during reduction of MAO A by dithionite and no further reduction of these inhibitor-MAO A complexes has been observed. In contrast, semiquinone is never observed during reduction of the befloxatone-MAO A complex. Instead, partial reduction directly to the FADH(2) form occurs extremely slowly. Thus, inhibitor binding has a strong, structure-dependent influence on the environment of the flavin that alters its electronic properties.

Carbazoles↗