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G Barany

Publications and source records attributed to G Barany.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Chemical syntheses and biological activities of lactam analogues of alpha-conotoxin SI.

Bicyclization represents an effective method for the introduction of conformational constraints into small, biologically important peptides. Several strategies have been developed for the preparation of bicyclic lactam analogues of alpha-conotoxin SI, a 13-residue peptide neurotoxin found in cone snail venom. Four analogues of the natural regioisomer of alpha-conotoxin SI were designed and synthesized, each with one of the two paired cysteines of the parent peptide being replaced by a side-chain lactam bridged glutamic acid/lysine pair. Solid-phase lactamization was studied to determine rates of formation of the two possible loops and to document the extent of dimerization and higher oligomerization. Radioligand binding assays were carried out on all synthesized peptides, including the naturally occurring two-disulfide form, in order to determine their affinities for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Replacement of the Cys(2)-Cys(7) loop of alpha-conotoxin SI with a lactam bridge resulted in complete loss of activity, whereas replacement of the Cys(3)-Cys(13) disulfide loop resulted in a approximately 60-fold reduction in affinity for one orientation and a approximately 70-fold increase in affinity for the other. The two active lactam analogues retain the selectivity exhibited by the naturally occurring peptide for the alpha/delta subunit of nAChRs, as judged by competition experiments with the curariform antagonist metocurine.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Synthetic null-cysteine phospholamban analogue and the corresponding transmembrane domain inhibit the Ca-ATPase.

Chemical synthesis, functional reconstitution, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) have been used to analyze the structure and function of phospholamban (PLB), a 52-residue integral membrane protein that regulates the calcium pump (Ca-ATPase) in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). PLB exists in equilibrium between monomeric and pentameric forms, as observed by SDS-PAGE, EPR, and fluorescence. It has been proposed that inhibition of the pump is due primarily to the monomeric form, with both pentameric stability and inhibition dependent primarily on the transmembrane (TM) domain. To test these hypotheses, we have studied the physical and functional properties of a synthetic null-cysteine PLB analogue that is entirely monomeric on SDS-PAGE, and compared it with the synthetic null-cysteine TM domain (residues 26-52). The TM domain was found to be primarily oligomeric on SDS-PAGE, and boundary lipid spin label analysis in lipid bilayers verified that the isolated TM domain is more oligomeric than the full-length parent molecule. These results indicate that the stability of the PLB pentamer is due primarily to attractive interactions between hydrophobic TM domains, overcoming the repulsive electrostatic interactions between the cationic cytoplasmic domains (residues 1-25). When reconstituted into liposomes containing the Ca-ATPase, the null-cysteine TM domain had the same inhibitory function as that of the full-length parent molecule. We conclude that the TM domain of PLB is sufficient for inhibitory function, the oligomeric stability of PLB does not determine its inhibitory activity, and the three Cys residues in the TM domain are not required for inhibitory function.

Alanine↗
PubMed2000

Synthesis and characterization of a beta-hairpin peptide that represents a 'core module' of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI).

A new strategy for the design and construction of peptide fragments that can achieve defined, nativelike secondary structure is presented. The strategy is based upon the hypothesis that 'core elements' of a protein, synthesized in a single polypeptide molecule, will favor nativelike structure, and that by incorporating a cross-link, nativelike core structure will dominate the ensemble as the more extended conformations are excluded. 'Core elements' are the elements of packed secondary structure that contain the slowest exchanging backbone amide protons in the native protein. The 'core elements' in bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) are the two long strands of antiparallel beta-sheet (residues 18-24 and 29-35) and the small beta-bridge (residues 43-44). To test the design strategy, we synthesized an 'oxidized core module', which contains the antiparallel strands connected by a modified reverse turn (A27 replaced by D), a natural disulfide cross-link at the open end of the hairpin, and N- and C-termini blocking groups. A peptide with identical sequence but lacking the disulfide cross-link at the open end was used as the 'reduced core module' control. The conformational behavior of both peptides was examined using (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Chemical shift dispersion, chemical shift deviation from random coil values, sequential and long-range NOEs, and H/D amide exchange rates were compared for the two peptides. We conclude that the ensemble of oxidized and reduced core module conformations samples both nativelike 4:4 and non-native 3:5 beta-hairpin structure, and that the oxidized module samples nativelike structure for a greater fraction of the time than the reduced module.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Solution structure of alpha-conotoxin SI.

The nuclear magnetic resonance solution structure of alpha-conotoxin SI has been determined at pH 4.2. The 36 lowest energy structures show that alpha-conotoxin SI exists in a single major solution conformation and is stabilized by six hydrogen bonds. Comparisons are made between the SI solution structure and the solution and crystal structures of alpha-conotoxin GI. Surprisingly, a high degree of similarity between the backbone conformations of the GI crystal and the SI solution structures is seen in the region of lowest sequence homology, namely residues Gly-8 to Ser-12. This similarity is more surprising when considering that in SI a proline replaces the Arg-9 found in GI. The correspondence in conformation in this region provides the definitive evidence that it is the loss of the arginine basic charge at residue 9 which determines the differences in toxicity between GI and SI, rather than any changes in conformation induced by the cyclic proline residue.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Chemical synthesis and receptor binding of catfish somatostatin: a disulfide-bridged beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-GalpNAc O-glycopeptide.

The glycopeptide hormone catfish somatostatin (somatostatin-22) has the amino acid sequence H-Asp-Asn-Thr-Val-Thr-Ser-Lys-Pro-Leu-Asn-Cys-Met-Asn-Tyr-Phe-Trp-Lys-Se r-Arg-Thr-Ala-Cys-OH; it includes a cyclic disulfide connecting the two Cys residues, and the major naturally occurring glycoform contains D-GalNAc and D-Gal O-glycosidically linked to Thr5. The linear sequence was assembled smoothly starting with an Fmoc-Cys(Trt)-PAC-PEG-PS support, using stepwise Fmoc solid-phase chemistry. In addition to the nonglycosylated peptide, two glycosylated forms of somatostatin-22 were accessed by incorporating as building blocks, respectively, Nalpha-Fmoc-Thr(Ac3-alpha-D-GalNAc)-OH and Nalpha-Fmoc-Thr(Ac4-beta-D-Gal-(1-->3)-Ac2-alpha-D-GalNAc)-O H. Acidolytic deprotection/cleavage of these peptidyl-resins with trifluoroacetic acid/scavenger cocktails gave the corresponding acetyl-protected glycopeptides with free sulfhydryl functions. Deacetylation, by methanolysis in the presence of catalytic sodium methoxide, was followed by mild oxidation at pH 7, mediated by Nalpha-dithiasuccinoyl (Dts)-glycine, to provide the desired monomeric cyclic disulfides. The purified peptides were tested for binding affinities to a panel of cloned human somatostatin receptor subtypes; in several cases, presence of the disaccharide moiety resulted in 2-fold tighter binding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Carbopeptides: carbohydrates as potential templates for de novo design of protein models.

De novo design of proteins has evolved into a powerful approach for studying the factors governing protein folding and stability. Among the families of structures frequently studied is the 'four-helix bundle' in which four alpha-helical peptide strands, linked by loops, form a hydrophobic core. Assembly of protein models on a template has been suggested as a way to reduce the entropy of folding. Here we describe the potential use of a carbohydrate as such a template. The monosaccharide D-galactose was per-O-acylated with (Nbeta-Fmoc-betaAla)2O to give a penta-substituted derivative, which was converted to the corresponding glycosyl bromide and used for the glycosylation of 4-hydroxymethylbenzoic acid pentafluorophenyl ester (HMBA-OPfp). The beta-glycosidic carbohydrate template (Nbeta-Fmoc-3Ala)4-beta-D-Galp-(1-O)-MBA-OPfp thus obtained was coupled to a PAL-PEG-PS resin and simultaneously extended at the four arms to yield, after cleavage from the solid support, a carbopeptide with four identical peptide strands. Extension of this concept to, for example, synthesis of novel multiple antigenic peptides (MAPs) and synthesis of carbohydrate clusters can be easily envisioned. The ability to efficiently synthesize such structures sets the stage for further studies to test whether the carbohydrate templates do indeed nucleate folding.

Carbohydrate Metabolism↗
PubMed1999

Chemical syntheses and biological studies on dimeric chimeras of oxytocin and the V(2)-antagonist, d(CH(2))(5)[D-Ile(2), Ile(4)]arginine vasopressin.

Parallel and antiparallel heterodimers have been synthesized that combine into a single molecule the neurohypophyseal hormone oxytocin and the potent vasopressin V(2)-antagonist d(CH(2))(5)[D-Ile(2), Ile(4)]arginine vasopressin. Solid-phase synthesis with N(alpha)-9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) chemistry, featuring appropriate combinations of orthogonal protecting groups for the thiols [S-(N-methyl-N-phenylcarbamoyl)sulfenyl (Snm); S-acetamidomethyl (Acm); S-triphenylmethyl (Trt)], was used to assemble the required linear nonapeptide amide monomer intermediates, which were then brought together in defined ways by solution reactions to provide the two heterodimers. The first disulfide bridge was formed by a directed approach involving attack by the free thiol of the 1-beta-mercapto-beta, beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid (Pmp) residue of one monomer onto the Snm group of a cysteine residue on the other monomer; the inverse directed strategy failed due to steric hindrance. The second disulfide bridge was formed by iodine co-oxidation of Cys(Acm) residues on adjacent chains. Biological studies revealed that both the parallel and antiparallel chimeras lack pressor activity, have low uterotonic activity, and have diuretic activities comparable to that of the monomeric V(2)-antagonist. Sodium excretion depends on experimental conditions. Thus, with a 4% water load, both chimeras display effects similar to that of an equimolar mixture of oxytocin and V(2)-antagonist, i.e., lower sodium excretion than that resulting from administration of oxytocin alone but higher than that when V(2)-antagonist was administered alone. However, when no water load was used, the parallel chimera proved to be more effective in promoting sodium excretion than either oxytocin alone or an equimolar mixture of oxytocin and V(2)-antagonist.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Universal DNA microarray method for multiplex detection of low abundance point mutations.

Cancers arise from the accumulation of multiple mutations in genes regulating cellular growth and differentiation. Identification of such mutations in numerous genes represents a significant challenge in genetic analysis, particularly when the majority of DNA in a tumor sample is from wild-type stroma. To overcome these difficulties, we have developed a new type of DNA microchip that combines polymerase chain reaction/ligase detection reaction (PCR/LDR) with "zip-code" hybridization. Suitably designed allele-specific LDR primers become covalently ligated to adjacent fluorescently labeled primers if and only if a mutation is present. The allele-specific LDR primers contain on their 5'-ends "zip-code complements" that are used to direct LDR products to specific zip-code addresses attached covalently to a three-dimensional gel-matrix array. Since zip-codes have no homology to either the target sequence or to other sequences in the genome, false signals due to mismatch hybridizations are not detected. The zip-code sequences remain constant and their complements can be appended to any set of LDR primers, making our zip-code arrays universal. Using the K- ras gene as a model system, multiplex PCR/LDR followed by hybridization to prototype 3x3 zip-code arrays correctly identified all mutations in tumor and cell line DNA. Mutations present at less than one per cent of the wild-type DNA level could be distinguished. Universal arrays may be used to rapidly detect low abundance mutations in any gene of interest.

Alleles↗
PubMed1999

Flexibility of interdomain contacts revealed by topological isomers of bivalent consolidated ligands to the dual Src homology domain SH(32) of abelson.

Src homology (SH)2 and SH3 domains are found in a variety of proteins involved in the control of cellular signaling and architecture. The possible interrelationships between domains are not easily investigated, even though several cases of multiple domain-containing constructs have been studied structurally. As a complement to direct structural methods, we have developed consolidated ligands and tested their binding to the Abl SH(32) complex. Consolidated ligands combine in the same molecule peptide sequences recognized by SH2 and SH3 domains, i.e., Pro-Val-pTyr-Glu-Asn-Val and Pro-Pro-Ala-Tyr-Pro-Pro-Pro-Pro-Val-Pro, respectively; these are joined by oligoglycyl linkers. Four types of ligands were chemically synthesized, representing all the possible relative orientations of ligands. Their affinities were found to vary with binding portion topologies and linker lengths. Two of these types were shown to bind to both SH2 and SH3 dual domains with high affinities and specificities, showing increases of one order of magnitude, as compared to the most strongly bound monovalent equivalent. These results suggest that the relative orientation of SH2 and SH3 in Abl SH(32) is not fixed, and this synthetic approach may be generally useful for determining the structures of ligated complexes and for developing reagents with high affinities and specificities.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Controlled syntheses of natural and disulfide-mispaired regioisomers of alpha-conotoxin SI.

Methods are reported for the unambiguous syntheses of all three possible disulfide regioisomers with the sequence of alpha-conotoxin SI, a tridecapeptide amide from marine cone snail venom that binds selectively to the muscle subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The naturally occurring peptide has two 'interlocking' disulfide bridges connecting Cys2-Cys7 and Cys3-Cys13 (2/7&3/13), while in the two mispaired isomers the disulfide bridges connect Cys2-Cys13 and Cys3-Cys7 (2/13 & 3/7, 'nested') and Cys2-Cys3 and Cys7-Cys13 (2/3 & 7/13, 'discrete'), respectively. Alignment of disulfide bridges was controlled at the level of orthogonal protection schemes for the linear precursors, assembled by Fmoc solid-phase peptide synthesis on acidolyzable tris(alkoxy)benzylamide (PAL) supports. Side-chain protection of cysteine was provided by suitable pairwise combination of the S-9H-xanthen-9-yl (Xan) and S-acetamidomethyl (Acm) protecting groups. The first disulfide bridge was formed from the corresponding bis(thiol) precursor obtained by selective deprotection of S-Xan, and the second disulfide bridge was formed by orthogonal co-oxidation of S-Acm groups on the remaining two Cys residues. It was possible to achieve the desired alignments with either order of loop formation (smaller loop before larger, or vice versa). The highest overall yields were obtained when both disulfides were formed in solution, while experiments where either the first or both bridges were formed while the peptide was on the solid support revealed lower overall yields and poorer selectivities towards the desired isomers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Dynamics of the conformational ensemble of partially folded bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor.

A single-disulfide variant of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI), [14-38]Abu, is a partially folded ensemble which includes two, and in one case three, conformations that interconvert slowly enough to exhibit separate cross-peaks in the amide region of homonuclear and heteronuclear NMR spectra. Each conformation is itself composed of many subconformations in rapid equilibrium. Partially folded BPTI undergoes local motions that are slow, noncooperative, independent fluctuations of short segments within the chain. Cooperative global unfolding of the ensemble is also observed. Heteronuclear NMR has been used to measure interconversion rate constants of partially folded conformational substates; the rate constants differ for each residue and vary over an order of magnitude. For local fluctuation, the forward rate constants for amide protons of the antiparallel beta-sheet are significantly smaller than the rest of the molecule, consistent with other indications that this is the most stable part of the partially folded protein. The reverse rate constants also vary; they are the highest for Ala 27 in the turn between the strands in the sheet and for Phe 33 in the antiparallel beta-sheet. Global unfolding interconversion rate constants vary over a 3-fold range, consistent with previously observed deviations from two-state behavior. Fast backbone dynamics, from T1, T2, and NOE relaxation parameters, are obtained for the slowly interchanging conformations in the partially folded ensemble. Clear differences are observed between the two conformations; one is more flexible and less compact than the other. In the more flexible and disordered partially folded conformation, intermediate exchange is detected for some backbone amides, namely, those in the central beta-sheet and the turn. These same sheet and turn residues are more ordered in the globally denatured ensemble as well. Our results suggest that the turn initiates formation of a partially folded ensemble in which the slow-exchange core is the most stable region and in which segmental fluctuations reflect multiple nuclei for folding of the rest of the molecule.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Modular folding and evidence for phosphorylation-induced stabilization of an hsp90-dependent kinase.

The de novo folding of the individual domains of the src family kinase p56(lck) was examined within the context of full-length p56(lck) molecules produced in rabbit reticulocyte lysate containing active chaperone machinery. The catalytic domain required geldanamycin-inhibitable heat shock protein 90 (hsp90) function to achieve its active protease-resistant conformation, but the src homology 2 (SH2) domain acquired phosphopeptide-binding competence independently of hsp90 function. The SH2 domain of hsp90-bound p56(lck) was folded and functional. In addition to the facilitation by hsp90 of kinase biogenesis, a conditional role in maintenance folding could be demonstrated; although wild type p56(lck) molecules with a negative-regulatory C-terminal tyrosine matured to a nearly hsp90-independent state, p56(lck) molecules with a mutated C-terminal tyrosine continued to require hsp90-mediated maintenance. De novo folding could be distinguished from maintenance folding on the basis of proteolytic fingerprints and the effects of different temperatures on folding behavior. Results indicate that during p56(lck) biogenesis, the SH2 domain rapidly folds independently of hsp90 function, followed by the slower hsp90-dependent folding of the catalytic domain and suggest the final stabilization of p56(lck) structure by phosphorylation-mediated interdomain interactions.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

"High-load" polyethylene glycol-polystyrene (PEG-PS) graft supports for solid-phase synthesis.

The choice of a polymeric support is a key factor for the success of solid-phase methods for syntheses of organic compounds and biomolecules such as peptides and oligonucleotides. Classical Merrifield solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), performed on low cross-linked hydrophobic polystyrene (PS) beads, sometimes suffers from sequence-dependent coupling difficulties. The concept of incorporating polyethylene glycol (PEG) into supports for solid-phase synthesis represents a successful approach to alleviating such problems. Previous reports from our laboratories have shown the advantages of "low-load" PEG-PS (0.15-0.25 mmol/g) for SPPS. Herein, we demonstrate that the beneficial aspects of the PEG-PS concept can be extended with resins that have higher loadings (0.3-0.5 mmol/g).

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Synthesis and pharmacology of novel analogues of oxytocin and deaminooxytocin: directed methods for the construction of disulfide and trisulfide bridges in peptides.

Using as models the neurohypophyseal nonapeptide hormone oxytocin and its analogue deaminooxytocin, several directed routes to formation of sulfur-sulfur bridges have been developed and evaluated. The linear sequences (through common octapeptide-resin intermediates) were assembled smoothly on tris(alkoxy)benzylamide (PAL) poly(ethylene glycol)-polystyrene (PEG-PS) graft supports, using stepwise Fmoc solid-phase chemistry. Side-chain protection of beta-mercaptopropionic acid (Mpa) and/or cysteine (Cys) was provided by S-2,4,6-trimethoxybenzyl (Tmob), S-acetamidomethyl (Acm), and/or a series of sulfenyl thiocarbonate and carbamoylsulfenyl protecting/activating groups: S-(methoxycarbonyl)sulfenyl (Scm), S-(methoxycarbonyl)disulfanyl (Sscm), S-(N-methyl-N-phenylcarbamoyl)sulfenyl (Snm), and S-(N-methyl-N-phenylcarbamoyl)disulfanyl (Ssnm). Thiolytic displacement of S-Snm (preferred) or S-Scm provided intramolecular cyclized peptide disulfides, and homologation of the chemistry with S-Ssnm (again preferred) and S-Sscm provided the corresponding trisulfides along with smaller amounts of disulfides and tetrasulfides. These chemistries could be implemented both in solution and in solid-phase modes. Various parameters were studied systematically and optimized, and the novel trisulfides of oxytocin and deaminooxytocin were synthesized and purified to homogeneity. The trisulfide compounds were evaluated in three assays: uterotonic in vitro, uterotonic in vivo, and pressor tests, and they showed substantial potencies, ranging from 5% to 40% of the parent (disulfide) activities, as well as protracted actions. The affinities of the peptide trisulfides to uterine membrane receptors were only 3.3-3.6-fold lower than those of the parent disulfides. Possible explanations of the biological results are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Expression, purification and kinetic characterization of wild-type human ornithine transcarbamylase and a recurrent mutant that produces 'late onset' hyperammonaemia.

Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency, an X-linked disorder, is the most common cause of inherited urea cycle disorders. Approx. 90 mutations that produce reduced levels of ornithine transcarbamylase (OTCase) activity have been identified in patients [Tuchman (1993) Hum. Mutat. 2, 174-178; Tuchman and Plante (1995) Hum. Mutat. 5, 293-295]. A model of the three-dimensional structure of OTCase, developed on the basis of its homology to the catalytic subunit of Escherichia coli aspartate transcarbamylase (ATCase) [Tuchman, Morizono, Reish, Yuan and Allewell (1995) J. Med. Genet. 32, 680-688], and in good agreement with the crystal structure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa OTCase [Villeret, Tricot, Stalon and Dideberg (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92, 10762-10766], indicates that many mutations that produce severe clinical symptoms are at the active site or buried in the interior of the protein. However, one of the few recurrent mutations, R277W, an alteration that produces a milder phenotype of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, is located in the model in a loop remote from the active site that is analogous to a similar loop (the 240's loop, a flexible loop of the catalytic chain of Escherichia coli aspartate transcarbamylase, comprised of residues 230-250) of ATCase. Human wild-type OTCase and the R277W mutant have been cloned and overexpressed in E. coli and a rapid and efficient purification method utilizing the bisubstrate analogue, Ndelta-(phosphonacetyl)-L-ornithine, has been developed and used to purify both proteins. Gel chromatography indicates both are trimeric. The pH dependence of the kinetic parameters of the wild-type enzyme is similar to that of E. coli OTCase [Kuo, Herzberg and Lipscomb (1985) Biochemistry 24, 4754-4761], suggesting that its catalytic mechanism is similar, although its maximal activity is approx. 10-fold less. Compared with the wild-type, the R277W mutant has nearly 70-fold lower affinity for L-ornithine, shows no substrate inhibition, and its thermal stability is reduced by 5 degrees C. Its reduced affinity for L-ornithine, which in turn results in lower activity at physiological concentrations of ornithine, as well as its reduced stability, may contribute to the clinical effects that it produces.

Ammonia↗
PubMed1997

Local fluctuations and global unfolding of partially folded BPTI detected by NMR.

The protein [14-38]Abu is a chemically synthesized variant of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) with the 14-38 disulfide bond intact and cysteines 5, 30, 51, and 55 replaced by alpha-amino-n-butyric acid (Abu). At 1-6 degrees C and pH 4.5-6.5, [14-38]Abu is partially folded with a native-like core [1]. Heteronuclear NMR spectra contain two, and in a few cases three or four, exchange cross peaks for each 15N-bound 1H, reporting the presence of two or more conformations that interconvert on a time scale of > or = milliseconds. Thermodynamic analysis of 15N-1H exchange peak volumes as a function of temperature in the range 1-35 degrees C indicates that partially folded [14-38]Abu undergoes local segmental motions as well as cooperative global unfolding. The relative abundance of more folded versus disordered conformations changes throughout the molecule, indicating that various regions of the partially folded protein are disordered to different extents prior to onset of thermal denaturation. This system is unique in providing a measure of the populations of interconverting partially folded conformations, as well as a microscopic view of cooperative folding of a fluctuating ensemble. Although global thermal denaturation is cooperative, significant deviation from simple two-state behavior is reflected in several parameters, including the difference in Tm for thermal unfolding measured by NMR versus circular dichroism.

Aprotinin↗
PubMed1997

Reduced BPTI is collapsed. A pulsed field gradient NMR study of unfolded and partially folded bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor.

Pulsed field gradient NMR was used to measure the hydrodynamic behavior of unfolded variants of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). The unfolded BPTI species studied were [R]Abu, at pH 4.5 and pH 2.5, and unfolded [14-38]Abu, at pH 2.5. These were prepared by chemical synthesis. [R]Abu is a model for reduced BPTI; all cysteine residues are replaced by alpha-amino-n-butyric acid (Abu). [14-38]Abu retains cysteines 14 and 38, which form a disulfide bond, while the other cysteine residues are replaced by Abu. In the PFG experiments, the diffusion coefficient is measured as a function of protein concentration, and the value of D degree -the diffusion coefficient extrapolated to infinite dilution-is determined. From D degree, a value of the hydrodynamic radius. Rh, is computed from the Stokes-Einstein relationship. At pH 4.5, [R]Abu has an Rh value significantly less than the value calculated for a random coil, while at pH 2.5 the experimental Rh value is the same as for a random coil. In view of the changes in NMR detected structure of [R]Abu at pH 4.5 versus pH 2.5 (Pan H, Barbar E, Barany G, Woodward C. 1995. Extensive non-random structure in reduced and unfolded bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor. Biochemistry 34:13974-13981), the collapse of reduced BPTI at pH 4.5 may be associated with the formation of non-native hydrophobic clusters of pairs of side chains one to three amino acids apart in sequence. The diffusion constant of [14-38]Abu was also measured at pH 4.5, where the protein is partially folded. An increase in hydrodynamic radius of partially folded [14-38]Abu, relative to native BPTI, is similar to the increase in radius of gyration measured for other proteins under "molten globule" conditions.

Aprotinin↗