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J A Hartsuck

Publications and source records attributed to J A Hartsuck.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Crystal structure of an in vivo HIV-1 protease mutant in complex with saquinavir: insights into the mechanisms of drug resistance.

Saquinavir is a widely used HIV-1 protease inhibitor drug for AIDS therapy. Its effectiveness, however, has been hindered by the emergence of resistant mutations, a common problem for inhibitor drugs that target HIV-1 viral enzymes. Three HIV-1 protease mutant species, G48V, L90M, and G48V/L90M double mutant, are associated in vivo with saquinavir resistance by the enzyme (Jacobsen et al., 1996). Kinetic studies on these mutants demonstrate a 13.5-, 3-, and 419-fold increase in Ki values, respectively, compared to the wild-type enzyme (Ermolieff J, Lin X, Tang J, 1997, Biochemistry 36:12364-12370). To gain an understanding of how these mutations modulate inhibitor binding, we have solved the HIV-1 protease crystal structure of the G48V/L90M double mutant in complex with saquinavir at 2.6 A resolution. This mutant complex is compared with that of the wild-type enzyme bound to the same inhibitor (Krohn A, Redshaw S, Richie JC, Graves BJ, Hatada MH, 1991, J Med Chem 34:3340-3342). Our analysis shows that to accommodate a valine side chain at position 48, the inhibitor moves away from the protease, resulting in the formation of larger gaps between the inhibitor P3 subsite and the flap region of the enzyme. Other subsites also demonstrate reduced inhibitor interaction due to an overall change of inhibitor conformation. The new methionine side chain at position 90 has van der Waals interactions with main-chain atoms of the active site residues resulting in a decrease in the volume and the structural flexibility of S1/S1' substrate binding pockets. Indirect interactions between the mutant methionine side chain and the substrate scissile bond or the isostere part of the inhibitor may differ from those of the wild-type enzyme and therefore may facilitate catalysis by the resistant mutant.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Active-site mobility in human immunodeficiency virus, type 1, protease as demonstrated by crystal structure of A28S mutant.

The mutation Ala28 to serine in human immunodeficiency virus, type 1, (HIV-1) protease introduces putative hydrogen bonds to each active-site carboxyl group. These hydrogen bonds are ubiquitous in pepsin-like eukaryotic aspartic proteases. In order to understand the significance of this difference between HIV-1 protease and homologous, eukaryotic aspartic proteases, we solved the three-dimensional structure of A28S mutant HIV-1 protease in complex with a peptidic inhibitor U-89360E. The structure has been determined to 2.0 A resolution with an R factor of 0.194. Comparison of the mutant enzyme structure with that of the wild-type HIV-1 protease bound to the same inhibitor (Hong L, Treharne A, Hartsuck JA, Foundling S, Tang J, 1996, Biochemistry 35:10627-10633) revealed double occupancy for the Ser28 hydroxyl group, which forms a hydrogen bond either to one of the oxygen atoms of the active-site carboxyl or to the carbonyl oxygen of Asp30. We also observed marked changes in orientation of the Asp25 catalytic carboxyl groups, presumably caused by the new hydrogen bonds. These observations suggest that catalytic aspartyl groups of HIV-1 protease have significant conformational flexibility unseen in eukaryotic aspartic proteases. This difference may provide an explanation for some unique catalytic properties of HIV-1 protease.

Binding Sites↗

Structure of a G48H mutant of HIV-1 protease explains how glycine-48 replacements produce mutants resistant to inhibitor drugs.

The crystal structure of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease mutant G48H with peptidic inhibitor U-89360E is described. Comparison with wild-type protease-inhibitor complex shows that mutation of flap residue 48 to histidine allows stabilizing van der Waals contacts between the side chains of His48 and Phe53 as well as between His48 and the P2' and P3' inhibitor subsites. The flap region is less mobile than in the wild-type enzyme. A model of saquinavir-resistant mutant protease G48V in complex with saquinavir predicts interactions similar to those found in the G48H crystal. Energetic calculations confirm the similarity of the His48 and Val48 interactions.

Drug Resistance, Microbial↗

Crystal structures of complexes of a peptidic inhibitor with wild-type and two mutant HIV-1 proteases.

Crystal structures of the protease of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and two mutant proteases, V82D and V82N, have been determined. In all three cases the enzyme forms a complex with the peptidic inhibitor U-89360E. All structures have been determined to 2.3 A resolution and have satisfactory agreement factors: 0.173 for wild type, 0.175 for V82D, and 0.182 for V82N. Comparison of the three crystal structures provides explanations which are consistent with the known kinetic properties of these mutant enzymes with the U-89360E inhibitor [Lin, Y., Lin, X., Hong, L., Foundling, S., Heinrikson, R. L., Thaisrivongs, S., Leelamanit, W., Raterman, D., Shah, M., Dunn, B.M., & Tang, J. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 1143-1152]. Unfavorable van der Waals interactions between the inhibitor and the mutated side chains at position 82 are consistent with diminished affinity for the inhibitor by the mutant enzymes. If a mutation is potentially resistant to an inhibitor, the mutant enzyme should not only have an increased Ki for the inhibitor but should also preserve considerable catalytic capability. The V82D mutant possesses these qualities. In the V82D crystal structure, a water molecule, which connects the protease flap to the inhibitor, is missing or of low occupancy. Absence of this bridge may be important in determining catalytic capability. Moreover, mutation at position 82 induces change in two polypeptide backbone regions, 35-41 and 67-68, which may be related to protease flap mobility.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

A kinetic model for comparing proteolytic processing activity and inhibitor resistance potential of mutant HIV-1 proteases.

A kinetic model is presented for the comparison of potential proteolytic processing activities of wild-type and mutant human immunodeficiency virus proteases in the presence and absence of protease inhibitors. The protease processing of gag substrate in the immature virions is assessed by the kinetic parameters, kcat, Km and Ki. The relationship of the estimated potential processing activities to the viability of the HIV mutants and their tendencies to resist inhibitors also are discussed. A fully developed model has the potential to stimulate the results of inhibitor resistance either in vivo or in cell culture.

Drug Resistance, Microbial↗

Proteolytic processing mechanisms of a miniprecursor of the aspartic protease of human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

The infectivity of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) depends upon correct proteolytic processing of viral polyprotein precursors, the Pr55gag and Pr160gag-pol polyproteins. The processing is mediated spontaneously by the viral protease unit (PR) contained within the Pr160gag-pol precursor. However, little is known about the mechanism of this process. The expression in Escherichia coli and the isolation of a 14-kDa HIV-1 PR "miniprecursor" with Ala28 mutated to serine has permitted study of the mechanism for cleavage at the N-terminus of the protease. The miniprecursor is active against a synthetic peptide substrate, and its specific activity is near that of the mutant mature protease. The rate of conversion of radiolabeled precursor to mature protease is quantitated by measuring the amounts of the two radiolabeled proteins separated by SDS-PAGE. The apparent first-order conversion rate constant, kapp, is dependent on miniprecursor concentration indicating a second-order reaction and suggesting an interdimeric processing mechanism. A significant first-order rate constant is observed when the plot of kapp versus initial precursor concentration is extrapolated to zero. This observation suggests the presence of an alternative processing mechanism involving a single active precursor dimer. The presence of both mechanisms is an advantage for the virus to ensure processing under various conditions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

pH dependence of kinetic parameters of pepsin, rhizopuspepsin, and their active-site hydrogen bond mutants.

The pH dependence of the kinetic parameters of pepsin, rhizopuspepsin, and their active-site hydrogen bond mutants has been determined. These data have permitted the calculation of two active-site ionization constants in the free enzymes (pKe1 and pK32) and in the enzyme-substrate complexes (pKes1 and pKes2). The pKe1 of rhizopuspepsin (2.8) is near that of a normal carboxyl group and near the pKe1 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease (3.32) (Ido, E., Han, H. P., Kezdy, F. J., and Tang, J. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 24359-24366). The pKe1 of pepsin (1.57) is thus abnormally low. The pKe2 of rhizopuspepsin (4.44) is lower than that of pepsin (5.02) and HIV protease (6.80). The binding of substrate to rhizopuspepsin causes the lowering of pKes1 to 1.8 and the elevating of pKes2 to above 6. The pK alpha shifts due to substrate binding are much less pronounced in pepsin. Thus, the two enzyme-substrate complexes have similar pK alpha values. For both pepsin and rhizopuspepsin, the removal of hydrogen bonds to the active-site carboxyls by mutagenesis results in negligible changes in the four pK alpha values. The major alteration caused by these mutations is the decrease in kcat values, while there is little change in Km. These observations suggest that these hydrogen bonds to the active-site aspartyls contribute little to the pH-activity relationships of the aspartic proteases. The role of the active-site hydrogen bonds may well be to preserve the conformational rigidity of the catalytic apparatus.

Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases↗

The high-resolution crystal structure of porcine pepsinogen.

The structure of porcine pepsinogen at pH 6.1 has been refined to an R-factor of 0.173 for data extending to 1.65 A. The final model contains 180 solvent molecules and lacks density for residues 157-161. The structure of this aspartic proteinase zymogen possesses many of the characteristics of pepsin, the mature enzyme. The secondary structure of the zymogen consists predominantly of beta-sheet, with an approximate 2-fold axis of symmetry. The activation peptide packs into the active site cleft, and the N-terminus (1P-9P) occupies the position of the mature N-terminus (1-9). Thus changes upon activation include excision of the activation peptide and proper relocation of the mature N-terminus. The activation peptide or residues of the displaced mature N-terminus make specific interactions with the substrate binding subsites. The active site of pepsinogen is intact; thus the lack of activity of pepsinogen is not due to a deformation of the active site. Nine ion pairs in pepsinogen may be important in the advent of activation and involve the activation peptide or regions of the mature N-terminus which are relocated in the mature enzyme. The activation peptide-pepsin junction, 44P-1, is characterized by high thermal parameters and weak density, indicating a flexible structure which would be accessible to cleavage. Pepsinogen is an appropriate model for the structures of other zymogens in the aspartic proteinase family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Understanding HIV protease: can it be translated into effective therapy against AIDS?

The protease of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been extensively studied. The structure and function relationships of this protease and its role in HIV life cycle is well known. We have use recombinant HIV protease and mutagenesis technology to study HIV protease and compare it to the eukaryotic aspartic proteases. When putative active-site hydrogen bonds are placed in the HIV protease, the pKa values of two active-site groups are only slightly downshifted. Corresponding removal of these H-bonds from the active sites of pepsin and rhizopuspepsin do not appreciably alter the active-site pKa values. The Kcat values are strongly decreased by these mutations. These observations suggest that the active-site H-bonds in HIV protease and other aspartic proteases control the rigidity of the catalytic apparatus but not the ionization of the active-site groups. A mechanism of catalysis by the HIV protease has been suggested based on kinetic and mutagenesis studies. The strategies involved in the development of HIV protease inhibitors are discussed. In spite of the pitfalls in each approach, it appears probable that a battery of inhibitors can be developed for the treatment of AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Mapping and molecular modeling of a recognition domain for lysosomal enzyme targeting.

Lysosomal enzymes contain a common protein determinant that is recognized by UDP-GlcNAc:lysosomal enzyme N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase, the initial enzyme in the biosynthesis of mannose-6-P residues. Previously, we generated a lysosomal enzyme recognition domain by substituting two regions (lysine 203 and amino acids 265-292) of the lysosomal hydrolase cathepsin D into a related secretory protein glycopepsinogen. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, the oligosaccharides of the chimeric protein were efficiently phosphorylated (Baranski, T. J., Faust, P. L., and Kornfeld, S. (1990) Cell 63, 281-291). In the current study, incremental substitutions of cathepsin D residues into glycopepsinogen and alanine-scanning mutagenesis were utilized to define the recognition domain more precisely. A computer-generated model of the cathepsin D/pepsinogen chimeric molecule served as a guide for mutagenesis and for the interpretation of results. These studies indicate that the recognition domain is a surface patch that contains multiple interacting sites. There is a strict positional requirement for the lysine residue at position 203.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Recombinant rhizopuspepsinogen. Expression, purification, and activation properties of recombinant rhizopuspepsinogens.

A cDNA clone, which contained the complete rhizopuspepsin structure and the putative proregion, was placed in three different Escherichia coli expression vectors for the synthesis of rhizopuspepsinogen (Rpg). Recombinant Rpgs which were expressed in the cytosol of E. coli as inclusion bodies (cRpg and tRpg) were not active. After solubilization in 6 M urea and refolding by rapid dilution, both of these Rpgs were purified to homogeneity. The third zymogen, pRpg, which was secreted to the periplasmic space of E. coli with an omp leader, was fully active and also was purified. The expression level of pRpg was higher (over 40 mg/liter culture) than that of cRpg (about 1.5 mg/liter culture). Amino-terminal sequence analysis of the zymogens revealed that cRpg and pRpg contain 40 and 51 residues of prosequence, respectively. tRpg, which was expressed under the control of T7 promoter, was synthesized at 500 mg/liter culture and was purified at 50 mg/liter culture. This zymogen contained, in addition to 51 residues of proregion, 16 residues inherited from the expression vector construction. All of these Rpgs spontaneously converted to rhizopuspepsin in solutions of pH less than 5. Each of the conversions was associated with a change of molecular weight as monitored in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis. At least one intermediate of conversion was observed in the pH range of 2 to 3 for both the cRpg and pRpg zymogens. For pRpg and tRpg, kinetic data demonstrated that the Rpg to rhizopuspepsin conversion was accomplished by a first order, unimolecular reaction at pH 2. The first order kinetic constants in this pH at 15 degrees C were 1.1 and 2.4 min-1 for pRpg and tRpg, respectively. The activation rate decreased as pH was raised above pH 2. At pH greater than 3.0, rhizopuspepsin-catalyzed, second-order activation also takes place. Consequently, the recombinant Rpgs are activated by either of two cleavage mechanisms as is the case for pepsinogen. These results also support the hypothesis that Rpg is synthesized in Rhizopus chinensis as a zymogen. Rpg in the host fungus is probably activated by an acid environment of pH less than 5 in the secretory granules to become rhizopuspepsin before secretion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Acylglycerol reactivity and reaction mechanism of bovine milk lipoprotein lipase.

The sequential lipolysis of trioleoylglycerol and the triacylglycerols of very-low-density lipoprotein by bovine milk lipoprotein lipase can be described by the consecutive reactions: (formula: see text) where k'1, k'2 and k'3 are apparent first-order rate constants. The values of these rate constants dictate several conclusions concerning the reaction mechanism of this enzyme. The significant differences in the k'1, k'2 and k'3 values for trioleoylglycerol substrate imply that cleavage of the acyl-enzyme intermediate is not the rate-limiting step of the overall lipolysis reaction. This conclusion is further supported by the lack of an effect of hydroxylamine on the reaction rate. In addition, the observed isotope effect of k1 (H2O): k1(D2O) of 1.32 with trioleoylglycerol substrate suggests that the acyl-enzyme formation may contribute to the rate-limiting step of the lipoprotein-lipase-catalyzed reaction. In the presence of excess bovine serum albumin, the transfer of fatty acid product from the enzyme to albumin must be fast, since the k'1 values are not dependent on albumin concentration. When albumin is not in excess, the reaction is retarded and the study of reaction kinetics demonstrates negligible reaction after the available albumin is saturated.

Animals↗

Structures at the proteolytic processing region of cathepsin D.

The amino acid sequences at the "proteolytic processing regions" of cathepsin Ds have been determined for the enzymes from cows, pigs, and rats in order to deduce the sites of cleavage as well as the function of the proteolytic processing of cathepsin D. For bovine cathepsin D, the "processing region" sequence was determined from a peptide isolated from the single-chain enzyme. The COOH-terminal sequence of the light chain and the NH2-terminal sequence of the heavy chain were also determined. The processing region sequence of porcine cathepsin D was determined from its cDNA structure, and the same structure from rat cathepsin D was determined from the peptide sequence of the single-chain rat enzyme. From sequence homology to other aspartic proteases whose x-ray crystallographic structures are known, such as pepsinogen and penicillopepsin, it is clear that the processing regions are insertions to form an extended beta-hairpin loop between residues 91 and 92 (porcine pepsin numbers). However, the sizes of the processing regions of cathepsin Ds from different species are considerably different. For the enzymes from rats, cows, pigs, and human, the sizes of the processing regions are 6, 9, 9, and 11 amino acid residues, respectively. The amino acid sequences within the processing regions are considerably different. In addition, the proteolytic processing sites were found to be completely different in the bovine and porcine cathepsin Ds. While in the porcine enzyme, an Asn-Ser bond and a Gly-Val bond are cleaved to release 5 residues as a consequence of the processing; in the bovine enzyme, two Ser-Ser bonds are cleaved to release 2 serine residues. These findings would argue that the in vivo proteolytic processing of the cathepsin D single chain is probably not carried out by a specific "processing protease." Model building of the cathepsin D processing region conformation was conducted utilizing the homology between procathepsin D and porcine pepsinogen. The beta-hairpin structure of the processing region was found to (i) interact with the activation peptide of the procathepsin D in a beta-structure and (ii) place the Cys residue in the processing region within disulfide linkage distance to Cys-27 of cathepsin D light chain. These observations support the view that the processing region of cathepsin D may function to stabilize the conformation of procathepsin D and may play a role in its activation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Kinetics of acylglycerol sequential hydrolysis by human milk bile salt activated lipase and effect of taurocholate as fatty acid acceptor.

The simplest reaction scheme for the conversion of trioleoylglycerol to glycerol catalyzed by human milk bile salt activated lipase can be described by consecutive first-order reactions: triacylglycerol k1----diacylglycerol k2----monoacylglycerol k3----glycerol. In these equations, k1, k2, and k3 represent the pseudo-first-order rate constants for the indicated reactions. The results from this study show that although the relative ratio of k2/k1 or k3/k1 may change somewhat, depending on the reaction conditions, the enzyme has a reactivity with the order of dioleoylglycerol greater than trioleoylglycerol greater than monooleoylglycerol. The incomplete equilibration of the intermediary diacylglycerol and monoacylglycerol with the bulk of the substrate during sequential lipolysis of triacylglycerol provides a means for their efficient lipolysis and minimizes the effect of partial acylglycerol as competitive substrates for intact triacylglycerol lipolysis. Taurocholate functions both as an activator of the enzyme and also as fatty acid acceptor to relieve product inhibition. In the presence of sufficient taurocholate, bovine serum albumin is no longer required as a fatty acid acceptor for the in vitro lipolysis.

Bile Acids and Salts↗