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G G Dodson

Publications and source records attributed to G G Dodson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Probing the nature of substrate binding in Humicola lanuginosa lipase through X-ray crystallography and intuitive modelling.

The catalytic triad of the neutral lipase from Humicola lanuginosa is buried by a short helix under aqueous conditions rendering the enzyme inactive. Upon adsorption to a lipid substrate interface this helix is displaced, thereby exposing the active site (interfacial activation). By covalently linking inhibitors to the active serine, it is possible to crystallize the enzyme in an interfacially activated state. Two such structures are reported here which mimic the tetrahedral transition states of lipolysis. To date, no crystal structures of a lipase--triglyceride complex exist for this enzyme. Therefore, possible interactions between this lipase and its substrate have been analysed through molecular modelling.

Binding Sites↗

Structure and function of endoglucanase V.

Cellulose is the major polysaccharide component of plant cell walls and is the most abundant organic compound on the planet. A number of bacterial and fungal organisms can use cellulose as a food source, possessing cellulases (cellobiohydrolases and endoglucanases) that can catalyse the hydrolysis of the beta-(1,4) glycosidic bonds. They can be classified into seven distinct families. The three-dimensional structures of members of two of these families are known. Here we report the structure of a third cellulase, endoglucanase V, whose sequence is not represented in any of the above families. The enzyme is structurally distinct from the previously determined cellulases but is similar to a recently characterized plant defence protein. The active site region resembles that of lysozyme, despite the lack of structural similarity between these two enzymes.

Binding Sites↗

Human deoxyhaemoglobin-2,3-diphosphoglycerate complex low-salt structure at 2.5 A resolution.

The haemoglobin-2,3-diphosphoglycerate complex structure has been solved at 2.5 A resolution using crystals grown from low-salt solutions. The results show some important differences with the precedent haemoglobin-2,3-diphosphoglycerate high-salt structure solved by Arnone. First, we observe a loss of symmetry in the binding site, secondly both of the lysine residues 82 beta interact with 2,3-diphosphoglycerate at the same time, each making two contacts. This level of interaction is in agreement with the functional behaviour of natural haemoglobin mutants with mutations at the 2,3-diphosphoglycerate binding site.

2,3-Diphosphoglycerate↗

Crystal structure of domains 3 and 4 of rat CD4: relation to the NH2-terminal domains.

The CD4 antigen is a membrane glycoprotein of T lymphocytes that interacts with major histocompatibility complex class II antigens and is also a receptor for the human immunodeficiency virus. the extracellular portion of CD4 is predicted to fold into four immunoglobulin-like domains. The crystal structure of the third and fourth domains of rat CD4 was solved at 2.8 angstrom resolution and shows that both domains have immunoglobulin folds. Domain 3, however, lacks the disulfide between the beta sheets; this results in an expansion of the domain. There is a difference of 30 degrees in the orientation between domains 3 and 4 when compared with domains 1 and 2. The two CD4 fragment structures provide a basis from which models of the overall receptor can be proposed. These models suggest an extended structure comprising two rigid portions joined by a short and possibly flexible linker region.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A structural domain (the lid) found in pancreatic lipases is absent in the guinea pig (phospho)lipase.

Typically pancreatic lipases are characterized by the following properties: (1) they are activated by lipid/water interfaces (interfacial activation), (2) they are inhibited by bile salts but reactivated by colipase (a small activator protein), and (3) they do not hydrolyze significantly phospholipids. A cDNA clone encoding a guinea pig pancreatic (phospho)lipase (GPL) has been sequenced and expressed. The enzyme (recombinant as well as native) differs from other pancreatic lipases in that (1) it is not interfacially activated, (2) its activity is unaffected by the presence of bile salts and/or colipase using tributyrin as substrate, and (3) it exhibits equally phospholipase A1 and lipase activities. The amino acid sequence of GPL is highly homologous to that of other known pancreatic lipases, with the exception of a deletion in the so-called lid domain that regulates access to the active centers of other lipases. We propose that this deletion is directly responsible for the anomalous behavior of this enzyme. Thus GPL challenges the classical distinction between lipases, esterases, and phospholipases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Role of B13 Glu in insulin assembly. The hexamer structure of recombinant mutant (B13 Glu-->Gln) insulin.

The assembly of the insulin hexamer brings the six B13 glutamate side-chains at the centre into close proximity. Their mutual repulsion is unfavourable and zinc co-ordination to B10 histidine is necessary to stabilize the well known zinc-containing hexamers. Since B13 is always a carboxylic acid in all known sequences of hexamer forming insulins, it is likely to be important in the hormone's biology. The mutation of B13 Glu-->Gln leads to a stable zinc-free hexamer with somewhat reduced potency. The structures of the zinc-free B13 Gln hexamer and the 2Zn B13 insulin hexamer have been determined by X-ray analysis and refined with 2.5 A and 2.0 A diffraction data, respectively. Comparisons show that in 2Zn B13 Gln insulin, the hexamer structure (T6) is very like that of the native hormone. On the other hand, the zinc-free hexamer assumes a quaternary structure (T3/R3) seen in the native 4Zn insulin hexamer, and normally associated only with high chloride ion concentrations in the medium. The crystal structures show the B13 Gln side-chains only contact water in contrast to the B13 glutamate in 2Zn insulin. The solvation of the B13 Gln may be associated with this residue favouring helix at B1 to B8. The low potency of the B13 Gln insulin also suggests the residue influences the hormone's conformation.

Animals↗

The crystal and molecular structure of the Rhizomucor miehei triacylglyceride lipase at 1.9 A resolution.

The crystal and molecular structure of a triacylglyceride lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) from the fungus Rhizomucor miehei was analyzed using X-ray single crystal diffraction data to 1.9 A resolution. The structure was refined to an R-factor of 0.169 for all available data. The details of the molecular architecture and the crystal structure of the enzyme are described. A single polypeptide chain of 269 residues is folded into a rather unusual singly wound beta-sheet domain with predominantly parallel strands, connected by a variety of hairpins, loops and helical segments. All the loops are right-handed, creating an uncommon situation in which the central sheet is asymmetric in that all the connecting fragments are located on one side of the sheet. A single N-terminal alpha-helix provides the support for the other, distal, side of the sheet. Three disulfide bonds (residues 29-268, 40-43, 235-244) stabilize the molecule. There are four cis peptide bonds, all of which precede proline residues. In all, 230 ordered water molecules have been identified; 12 of them have a distinct internal character. The catalytic center of the enzyme is made up of a constellation of three residues (His257, Asp203 and Ser144) similar in structure and function to the analogous (but not homologous) triad found in both of the known families of serine proteinases. The fourth residue in this system equivalent to Thr/Ser in proteinases), hydrogen bonded to Asp, is Tyr260. The catalytic site is concealed under a short amphipatic helix (residues 85 to 91), which acts as "lid", opening the active site when the enzyme is adsorbed at the oil-water interface. In the native enzyme the "lid" is held in place by hydrophobic interactions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The structure of a rhombohedral R6 insulin hexamer that binds phenol.

Different hexameric forms of insulin have been crystallized from a variety of conditions. In the presence of 1% phenol, 1.0 M sodium chloride, and at a pH of 8.5, a rhombohedral form is produced with two monomers in the asymmetric unit, space group R3, a = 79.92 A and c = 40.39 A. The structure has been solved and refined, using data between 8.0 and 2.5 A resolution, to a residual of 0.157. Each of the monomers adopts an R conformation, that is residues B1-B8 are alpha-helical. As a result of the T to R transition, an elliptical cavity is created between symmetry-related monomers and is occupied by a phenol molecule. A region of density within bonding distance to one of the zinc ions has been interpreted as an additional phenol molecule.

Crystallization↗

Structure of a rhombohedral R6 insulin/phenol complex.

Hexameric insulin has been crystallized from different conditions in a variety of crystalline modifications. In the presence of approximately 1% phenol and at a pH of 8.5, a new rhombohedral form is produced, space group R3, a = 79.92A and c = 40.39A, in which the asymmetric unit consists of a dimer. The structure has been solved and refined, using data between 8.0 and 2.5A resolution, to a residual of 0.157. The two monomers in the asymmetric unit have nearly identical R conformations, that is, residues B1 through B8 are alpha-helical, producing a continuous alpha-helix from B1 through B19. A phenol molecule is hydrogen bonded to the carbonyl oxygen of A6 Cys of each monomer. Small differences in conformation and the final (2Fo-Fc) and difference electron density maps suggest that an additional phenol molecule is coordinated to one of the two zinc ions.

Insulin↗

Structural and evolutionary relationships in lipase mechanism and activation.

Lipases that break down triglycerides to monoglycerides and glycerol are characterised by low or no activity in water; in the presence of an oil/water interface, however, their activity increases markedly. The structural and chemical basis for this phenomenon, referred to as interfacial activation, has been revealed by the crystal structures of a fungal lipase and a human pancreatic lipase which evidently have a divergent evolutionary history. These studies reveal that: (1) In both enzymes the catalytic sidechains are Asp:His:Ser, the same as occur in the serine proteases. The active atoms on this catalytic triad have essentially identical stereochemistry in the serine proteases and in these two lipases. The amino acids themselves, however, have quite different conformations and orientations. (2) In both enzymes the catalytic groups are buried and inaccessible to the surrounding solvent. Burial in these two lipases is brought about by a small stretch of helix (the lid) which sits over the active site. (3) In both enzymes this helical lid presents non-polar sidechains over the catalytic group, and polar sidechains to the enzyme surface. Although the 'lids' are very similar in construction in the two enzymes, they belong to very different parts of the polypeptide chain. (4) Although the amino acid sequences have no identity (except at the active serine) the two enzymes show a similar architectural framework consisting of a central five-stranded parallel beta sheet structure. The catalytic groups decorate this beta sheet structure in a strikingly similar way though there are also some significant differences. The crystal structure of the complex between the fungal enzyme and a substrate analogue demonstrates how the helical lid is displaced to reveal the active site. The movement of the lid also greatly enlarges the non-polar surface at the active surfaces and buries previously exposed polar residues. The movement of the lid also helps to create the appropriate movement at the oxyanion hole. It is possible to define the stereochemistry at the active site and to identify the positioning of the fatty acid and the glycerol moieties.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structure of porcine insulin cocrystallized with clupeine Z.

The crystal structure of NPH-insulin, pig insulin cocrystallized with zinc, m-cresol and protamine, has been solved by molecular replacement and refined using restrained least-squares refinement methods. The final crystallographic R factor for all reflections between 2 and 10 A is 19.4%. The insulin molecules are arranged as hexamers with two tetrahedrally coordinated Zn atoms in the central channel and one m-cresol bound to each monomer near His B5. One protamine binding site has been unequivocally identified near a dimer-dimer interface, although most of the polypeptide is crystallographically disordered. The conformation of the insulin moiety and the structural differences between the three unique monomers have been analysed. The zinc and m-cresol environments are described and the nature of the protamine binding site is outlined.

Animals↗

Solution of the structure of Aspergillus niger acid alpha-amylase by combined molecular replacement and multiple isomorphous replacement methods.

The crystal structure of Aspergillus niger acid alpha-amylase was solved by a combination of multiple isomorphous replacement and molecular replacement methods. The atomic coordinates of Aspergillus oryzae (TAKA) alpha-amylase (entry 2TAA in the Protein Data Bank) and experimental diffraction data from a new monoclinic crystal form of TAKA alpha-amylase, were used during the procedure. Sequence identity between the two proteins is approximately 80%. The atomic parameters derived from the molecular replacement solution were too inaccurate to initiate least-squares crystallographic refinement. The molecular model was extensively revised against the experimental electron density map calculated at 3 A resolution. Subsequent crystallographic refinement of this model using synchrotron data to 2.1 A resolution led to a conventional R factor of 16.8%. The structure conforms well to expected stereochemistry with bond lengths deviating from target values by 0.031 A, and planar groups showing a root-mean-square deviation from ideal planes of 0.025 A.

Aspergillus niger↗

Structure and molecular model refinement of Aspergillus oryzae (TAKA) alpha-amylase: an application of the simulated-annealing method.

Monoclinic crystals of a neutral alpha-amylase from Aspergillus oryzae, containing three molecules in the asymmetric unit, have been reported previously and studied at 3 A resolution [Matsuura, Kunusoki, Harada & Kakudo (1984). J. Biochem. 95, 697-702]. Here we report the solution of the structure of this enzyme in a different crystal form (space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 50.9, b = 67.2, c = 132.7 A), with only one molecule in the asymmetric unit. The structure was solved by the molecular replacement method, using a model of acid alpha-amylase from a related fungus A. niger [Brady, Brzozowski, Derewenda, Dodson & Dodson (1991). Acta Cryst. B47, 527-535]. Conventional least-squares crystallographic refinement failed to converge in a satisfactory manner, and the technique of molecular dynamics in the form of the XPLOR package [Brunger (1988). XPLOR Manual. Yale Univ., USA] was used to overcome the problem. A large rigid-body type movement of the C-terminal domain was identified and accounted for. The final round of restrained least-squares refinement (at 2.1 A resolution) including 3675 protein atoms and 247 water molecules resulted in a conventional crystallographic R factor of 0.183 and an atomic model which conforms well to standard stereochemical parameters (standard deviation of bond lengths from their expected values is 0.028 A, while that for planar groups is 0.029 A).

Aspergillus oryzae↗

X-ray analysis of the single chain B29-A1 peptide-linked insulin molecule. A completely inactive analogue.

A crystal structure of a totally inactive insulin molecule has been determined. For this insulin molecule, the first without detectable activity to be characterized, the A and B-chains are linked by a peptide bond between A1 Gly and B29 Lys. The molecule has retained all its normal self-association properties and it can also accommodate the two different conformations designated T and R, as seen in 4Zn native pig insulin crystals. The hexamers of the crosslinked insulin molecule were crystallized using the 4Zn insulin recipe of Schlichtkrull. The structure has been crystallographically refined with data extending to 2 A using restrained least-square methods. Comparison of the B29-A1 peptide crosslink insulin and the 4Zn native insulin reveals close structural similarities with the native dimer. The analysis of the structure confirms the earlier hypothesis that insulin structures in crystals are not in an active conformation and that a separation of N-terminal A-chain and C-terminal B-chain is required for interaction with the insulin receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Distal pocket polarity in ligand binding to myoglobin: structural and functional characterization of a threonine68(E11) mutant.

Site-directed mutagenesis studies have confirmed that the distal histidine in myoglobin stabilizes bound O2 by hydrogen bonding and have suggested that it is the polar character of the imidazole side chain rather than its size that limits the rate of ligand entry into the protein. We constructed an isosteric Val68 to Thr replacement in pig myoglobin (i) to investigate whether the O2 affinity could be increased by the introduction of a second hydrogen-bonding group into the distal heme pocket and (ii) to examine the influence of polarity on the ligand binding rates more rigorously. The 1.9-A crystal structure of Thr68 aquometmyoglobin confirms that the mutant and wild-type proteins are essentially isostructural and reveals that the beta-OH group of Thr68 is in a position to form hydrogen-bonding interactions both with the coordinated water molecule and with the main chain greater than C=O of residue 64. The rate of azide binding to the ferric form of the Thr68 mutant was 60-fold lower than that for the wild-type protein, consistent with the proposed stabilization of the coordinated water molecule. However, bound O2 is destabilized in the ferrous form of the mutant protein. The observed 17-fold lowering of the O2 affinity may be a consequence of the hydrogen-bonding interaction made between the Thr68 beta-OH group and the carbonyl oxygen of residue 64. Overall association rate constants for O2, NO, and alkyl isocyanide binding to ferrous pig myoglobin were 3-10-fold lower for the mutant compared to the wild-type protein, whereas that for CO binding was little affected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Base Sequence↗

A model for interfacial activation in lipases from the structure of a fungal lipase-inhibitor complex.

Lipases are hydrolytic enzymes which break down triacylglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerols. They have been classified as serine hydrolases owing to their inhibition by diethyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate. Lipase activity is greatly increased at the lipid-water interface, a phenomenon known as interfacial activation. X-ray analysis has revealed the atomic structures of two triacylglycerol lipases, unrelated in sequence: the human pancreatic lipase (hPL)4, and an enzyme isolated from the fungus Rhizomucor (formerly Mucor) miehei (RmL). In both enzymes the active centres contain structurally analogous Asp-His-Ser triads (characteristic of serine proteinases), which are buried completely beneath a short helical segment, or 'lid'. Here we present the crystal structure (at 3 A resolution) of a complex of R. miehei lipase with n-hexylphosphonate ethyl ester in which the enzyme's active site is exposed by the movement of the helical lid. This movement also increases the nonpolarity of the surface surrounding the catalytic site. We propose that the structure of the enzyme in this complex is equivalent to the activated state generated by the oil-water interface.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Determination and restrained least-squares refinement of the structures of ribonuclease Sa and its complex with 3'-guanylic acid at 1.8 A resolution.

The crystal structures of ribonuclease from Streptomyces aureofaciens (RNase Sa) and its complex with 3'-guanylic acid (guanosine 3'-monophosphate, 3'-GMP) have been determined by the method of isomorphous replacement. The atomic parameters have been refined by restrained least-squares minimization using data in the resolution range 10.0-1.8 A. All protein atoms and more than 230 water atoms in the two crystal structures have been refined to crystallographic R factors of 0.172 and 0.175 respectively. The estimated r.m.s. error in the atomic positions ranges from 0.2 A for well-defined atoms to about 0.5 A for more poorly defined atoms. There are two enzyme molecules in the asymmetric unit, built independently, and referred to as molecules A and B. The value of the average B factor for protein atoms in both structures is about 19 A2 and for water molecules about 35 A2. Electron density for the substrate analogue 3'-GMP was found only at the active site of molecule A. The density was very clear and the positions of all 3'-GMP atoms were refined with precision comparable to that of the protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗