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Kálmán Hideg

Publications and source records attributed to Kálmán Hideg.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Site-directed spin labeling measurements of nanometer distances in nucleic acids using a sequence-independent nitroxide probe.

In site-directed spin labeling (SDSL), local structural and dynamic information is obtained via electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of a stable nitroxide radical attached site-specifically to a macromolecule. Analysis of electron spin dipolar interactions between pairs of nitroxides yields the inter-nitroxide distance, which provides quantitative structural information. The development of pulse EPR methods has enabled such distance measurements up to 70 A in bio-molecules, thus opening up the possibility of SDSL global structural mapping. This study evaluates SDSL distance measurement using a nitroxide (designated as R5) that can be attached, in an efficient and cost-effective manner, to a phosphorothioate backbone position at arbitrary DNA or RNA sequences. R5 pairs were attached to selected positions of a dodecamer DNA duplex with a known NMR structure, and eight distances, ranging from 20 to 40 A, were measured using double electron-electron resonance (DEER). The measured distances correlated strongly (R2 = 0.98) with the predicted values calculated based on a search of sterically allowable R5 conformations in the NMR structure, thus demonstrating accurate distance measurements using R5. Furthermore, distance measurement in a 42 kD DNA was demonstrated. The results establish R5 as a sequence-independent probe for global structural mapping of DNA and DNA-protein complexes.

DNA↗

Conformational dynamics of loop 262-274 in G- and F-actin.

According to the original Holmes model of F-actin structure, the hydrophobic loop 262-274 stabilizes the actin filament by inserting into a pocket formed at the interface between two protomers on the opposing strand. Using a yeast actin triple mutant, L180C/L269C/C374A [(LC)(2)CA], we showed previously that locking the hydrophobic loop to the G-actin surface by a disulfide bridge prevents filament formation. We report here that the hydrophobic loop is mobile in F- as well as in G-actin, fluctuating between the extended and parked conformations. Copper-catalyzed, brief air oxidation of (LC)(2)CA F-actin on electron microscopy grids resulted in the severing of thin filaments and their conversion to amorphous aggregates. Disulfide, bis(methanethiosulfonate) (MTS), and dibromobimane (DBB) cross-linking reactions proceeded in solution at a faster rate with G- than with F-actin. Cross-linking of C180 to C269 by DBB (4.4 A) in either G- or F-actin resulted in shorter and less stable filaments. The cross-linking with a longer MTS-6 reagent (9.6 A) did not impair actin polymerization or filament structure. Myosin subfragment 1 (S1) and tropomyosin inhibited the disulfide cross-linking of phalloidin-stabilized F-actin. Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements with nitroxide spin-labeled actin revealed strong spin-spin coupling and a similar mean interspin distance ( approximately 10 A) in G- and in F-actin, with a broader distance distribution in G-actin. These results show loop 262-274 fluctuations in G- and F-actin and correlate loop dynamics with actin filament formation and stability.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Structure-activity studies on the protection of Trimetazidine derivatives modified with nitroxides and their precursors from myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Trimetazidine, the known anti-anginal and anti-ischemic drug, was modified by pyrroline and tetrahydropyridine nitroxides and their hydroxylamine and sterically hindered secondary amine precursors. The synthesized new compounds proved to be better superoxide scavenger molecules compared to the parent Trimetazidine in an in vitro experiment. This reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity was further supported by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) studies on Langendorff-perfused rat hearts pretreated with Trimetazidine and with the modified Trimetazidine derivatives before ischemia. Two of the investigated compounds, containing 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole and 4-phenyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole substituents on the piperazine ring, provided significant protection from the cardiac dysfunction caused by I/R. The protective effect could be attributed to the combined anti-ischemic and antioxidant effects.

Animals↗

Structural features of transiently modified beta-lactoglobulin relevant to the stable binding of large hydrophobic molecules.

Binding sites for hydrophobic molecules on bovine beta-lactoglobulin, and their susceptibility to temperature, were studied by using various spectroscopic probes. Binding of probes carrying a single fluorophore moiety, a single nitroxide moiety, or both moieties on the same molecule, was followed by EPR and fluorescence. The presence of a fatty acid side chain in the dual probes was found to be required for binding to beta-lactoglobulin. Binding occurred only after the protein was heated at temperatures below the threshold for its irreversible denaturation. Binding became extremely tight and stable upon cooling of the protein-probe mixture. Comparison among the various probes suggests that multiple binding sites for hydrophobes are present in the native protein, and in the partially-and reversibly-modified form of beta-lactoglobulin present in solution at neutral pH and subdenaturing temperatures. Thus, the specificity of hydrophobes binding to beta-lactoglobulin may be modulated by simple physical treatment of the protein.

Animals↗

Equilibrium and NMR studies on GdIII, YIII, CuII and ZnII complexes of various DTPA-N,N''-bis(amide) ligands. Kinetic stabilities of the gadolinium(III) complexes.

Three DTPA-derivative ligands, the non-substituted DTPA-bis(amide) (L(0)), the mono-substituted DTPA-bis(n-butylamide) (L(1)) and the di-substituted DTPA-bis[bis(n-butylamide)] (L(2)) were synthesized. The stability constants of their Gd3+ complexes (GdL) have been determined by pH-potentiometry with the use of EDTA or DTPA as competing ligands. The endogenous Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions form ML, MHL and M(2)L species. For the complexes CuL(0) and CuL(1) the dissociation of the amide hydrogens (CuLH(-1)) has also been detected. The stability constants of complexes formed with Gd3+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ increase with an increase in the number of butyl substituents in the order ML(0) < ML(1) < ML(2). NMR studies of the diamagnetic YL(0) show the presence of four diastereomers formed by changing the chirality of the terminal nitrogens of their enantiomers. At 323 K, the enantiomerization process, involving the racemization of central nitrogen, falls into the fast exchange range. By the assignment and interpretation of 1H and 13C NMR spectra, the fractions of the diastereomers were found to be equal at pH = 5.8 for YL(0). The kinetic stabilities of GdL(0), GdL(1) and GdL(2) have been characterized by the rates of the exchange reactions occurring between the complexes and Eu3+, Cu2+ or Zn2+. The rates of reaction with Eu3+ are independent of the [Eu3+] and increase with increasing [H+], indicating the rate determining role of the proton assisted dissociation of complexes. The rates of reaction with Cu2+ and Zn2+ increase with rising metal ion concentration, which shows that the exchange can take place with direct attack of Cu2+ or Zn2+ on the complex, via the formation of a dinuclear intermediate. The rates of the proton, Cu2+ and Zn2+ assisted dissociation of Gd3+ complexes decrease with increasing number of the n-butyl substituents, which is presumably the result of steric hindrance hampering the formation or dissociation of the intermediates. The kinetic stabilities of GdL(0) and GdL(1) at pH = 7.4, [Cu2+] = 1 x 10(-6) M and [Zn(2+)] = 1 x 10(-5) M are similar to that of Gd(DTPA)2-, while the complex GdL2 possesses a much higher kinetic stability.

Amides↗

The role of Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase systems in the protective effect of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibition in Langendorff perfused and in isoproterenol-damaged rat hearts.

Blocking poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of nuclear proteins protects the heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury. In addition, activation of Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades also plays a pivotal role in the survival of cardiomyocytes during ischemia-reperfusion; however, the potential interplay between these pathways is yet to be elucidated. We therefore tested the hypothesis whether poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition can modulate Akt and MAPK signaling of ischemic-reperfused rat hearts. A novel PARP inhibitor, L-2286 [2-[(2-piperidin-1-yletil)thio]quinazolin-4(3H)-one] was administered during ischemia-reperfusion in Langendorff perfused rat hearts and in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction. Thereafter, the cardiac energy metabolism, oxidative damage, and the phosphorylation state of Akt and MAPK cascades were monitored. L-2286 exerted significant protective effect against ischemia-reperfusion-induced myocardial injury in both experimental models. More importantly, L-2286 facilitated the ischemia-reperfusion-induced activation of Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and p38-MAPK in both isolated hearts and in vivo cardiac injury. By contrast, isoproterenol-induced rapid c-Jun N-termainal kinase activation was repressed by L-2286. Here, we provide evidence for the first time that PARP inhibition beneficially modulates the cardiac Akt and MAPK signaling in ex vivo and in vivo ischemia-reperfusion models. We therefore propose that this novel mechanism may contribute to the cardioprotective properties of PARP inhibitors.

Animals↗

Synthesis and evaluation of the permeability transition inhibitory characteristics of paramagnetic and diamagnetic amiodarone derivatives.

Several amiodarone analogues were synthesized varying the 2-substituent on the benzofuran ring and diethylaminoethyl side chain of phenolether by introducing 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole and 1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine nitroxides or their amino or hydroxylamino precursors. The new compounds were screened on isolated mitochondria and perfused heart and their toxicity was evaluated on WRL-68 liver cells and H9C2 cardiomyocytes. Most of the newly synthesized derivatives exerted uncoupling effect on the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorilation at higher concentrations, compared to amiodarone and one of the modified amiodarone analogues showed an effect similar to that of amiodarone on the mitochondrial permeability transition and on restoring of mitochondrial high-energy phosphate metabolites in perfused hearts. This amiodarone analogue can be new leading compound among the experimental amiodarone analogues with the same or enhanced efficiency of amiodarone, but with less side effects.

Amiodarone↗

Incorporation of spin-labelled amino acids into proteins.

The elucidation of structure and function of proteins and membrane proteins by EPR spectroscopy has become increasingly important in recent years as technological advances have been made in the design of spectrometers and in the chemistry of the nitroxide group. These new developments have increased the demand for tailor-made amino acids carrying a spin label on the one hand and for reliable methods for their incorporation into proteins on the other. Here we describe methods for site-specific spin labelling of proteins. It is shown that a combination of recombinant synthesis of proteins with chemically produced peptides (expressed protein ligation) allows the preparation of site-specifically spin-labelled proteins.

Amino Acids↗

Participation of vanilloid/capsaicin receptors, calcitonin-gene-related peptide and substance P in gastric protection of omeprazole and omeprazole-like compounds.

The effects of omeprazole and different omeprazole-like compounds, associated with anti-ischaemic, antioxidant and poly(adenosine-diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitory properties, on the gastric acid secretion (4 h pylorus-ligated) and indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal damage connected with the specific immunohistochemical distribution of TRPV1, CRGP and SP during the effects of these compounds, were studied. The observations were carried out in CFY-strain rats (180-210 g), according to the standard methods and the above-mentioned parameters were studied in these experimental circumstances without and with application of different compounds. We found that: (1) all of the compounds dose-dependently inhibited the gastric acid secretion and mucosal damage; (2) the expression of TRPV1 receptor, CGRP and SP decreased significantly in both pylorus-ligated and indomethacin-treated animals and (3) the expression of TRPV1 and CGRP was reduced. Meanwhile, no change was obtained in SP expression during the gastric mucosal protection produced by omeprazole and omeprazole-like compounds. The conclusions were that (1) a functional overlap exists between the capsaicin-sensitive afferent and efferent vagal nerve during omeprazole effects; (2) chemical modification of omeprazole molecule offers a new pathway to obtain a new drug for the introduction in the clinical practice.

Animals↗

Site-specific insertion of spin-labeled L-amino acids in Xenopus oocytes.

Site-specific insertion of modified amino acids in proteins expressed in living cells is an emerging field holding great promise for elucidating protein structure-function relationships, expression levels, localization, and activation states in a complex milieu. To evaluate the efficiency of amino acids modified to carry either a nitroxide spin probe or a fluorescence probe, we have developed a screen using the levels of functional luciferase protein expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Natural and modified amino acids were targeted to position 14 in firefly luciferase using an amber mutation or introducing the four-codon nucleotide GGGU. Using the amber stop codon, the incorporation efficiencies of injected tRNA charged with the native phenylalanine residue, a fluorescent NBD-alanine, or nitroxide-labeled cysteine and tyrosine amino acids ranged from 1% to 18%. While the NBD-amino acid derivative gave higher incorporation levels, the EPR signals from the spin-labeled amino acids allow for the direct assessment of aminoacylation extent and stability. Applying the four-base codon for the first time in Xenopus oocytes, we found the incorporation efficiencies were significantly lowered compared to results using the three-base amber codon. The studies presented here provide quantitative assessment of protein expression levels when using nonsense suppression to site-specifically label proteins with spectroscopic probes in oocytes. Finally, the effect of a 77-base RNA aptamer known to inhibit the eucaryotic release factor of protein synthesis was tested for its influence on nonsense incorporation in Xenopus oocytes. The combination of A34 and charged suppressor tRNA produced a 3-fold increase in the expressed TAG(14)-luciferase level, compared to the use of charged suppressor tRNA alone.

Alanine↗

Monitoring RNA base structure and dynamics using site-directed spin labeling.

Site-directed spin labeling utilizes site-specific attachment of a stable nitroxide radical to probe the structure and dynamics of macromolecules. In the present study, a 4-thiouridine base is introduced at each of six different positions in a 23-nucleotide RNA molecule. The 4-thiouridine derivatives were subsequently modified with one of three methanethiosulfonate nitroxide reagents to introduce a spin label at specific sites. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the labeled RNAs were analyzed in terms of nitroxide motion and the RNA solution structure. At a base-paired site in the RNA helix, where the nitroxide has weak or no local interactions, motion of the nitroxide is apparently dominated by rotation about bonds within the probe. The motion is similar to that found for a structurally related probe on helical sites in proteins, suggesting a similar mode of motion. At other sites that are hydrogen bonded and stacked within the helix, local interactions within the RNA molecule modulate the nitroxide motion in a manner consistent with expectations based on the known structure. For a base that is not structurally constrained, the mobility is higher than at any other site, presumably due to motion of the base itself. These results demonstrate the general utility of the 4-thiouridine/methanethiosulfonate coupling method to introduce nitroxide spin labels into RNA and the ability of the resulting label to probe local structure and dynamics.

Base Sequence↗

Indanedione spin labelling of Na,K-ATPase.

The indanedione series of vinyl ketone spin-labelling reagents has been extended in two ways: by increasing the length of the rigid spacer between the reactive centre and the nitroxide ring, or by introducing an electrophilic substituent (that could also hinder its rotation) at the bridge head position of the nitroxide ring. Three reagents of this new series have been used to spin label the Class II thiol groups of membranous Na,K-ATPase from Squalus acanthias. With a conjugated diene spacer, the majority of spin labels are strongly held but a minor population is relatively mobile at 37 degrees C. With a conjugated triene spacer, the nitroxide is still strongly held but a portion of the label is non-covalently bound. The 4-bromo-pyrroline derivative (with short vinyl spacer) is tightly held at the attachment site, and the conventional electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra distinguish between the two enantiomeric structures which differ in their mobility at 37 degrees C. Saturation transfer EPR (ST-EPR) spectra of this label at 4 degrees C have been used to determine the dependence of the protein rotational mobility on ionic strength. Electrostatic repulsion contributes to the lateral interactions between Na,K-ATPase molecules.

Animals↗

Probing the mechanism of a membrane transport protein with affinity inactivators.

Affinity inactivators are useful for probing catalytic mechanisms. Here we describe the synthesis and properties of methanethiosulfonyl (MTS) galactose or glucose derivatives with respect to a well studied membrane transport protein, the lactose permease of Escherichia coli. The MTS-galactose derivatives behave as affinity inactivators of a functional mutant with Ala(122)-->Cys in a background otherwise devoid of Cys residues. A proton electrochemical gradient (Deltamu(H(+))) markedly increases the rate of reaction between Cys(122) and MTS-galactose derivatives; nonspecific labeling with the corresponding MTS-glucose derivatives is unaffected. When the Ala(122)-->Cys mutation is combined with a mutation (Cys(154)-->Gly) that blocks transport but increases binding affinity, discrimination between the MTS-galactose and -glucose derivatives is abolished, and Deltamu(H(+)) has no effect. The results provide strong confirmation that the non-galactosyl moiety of permease substrates abuts Ala(122) in helix IV. In addition, the findings demonstrate that the MTS-galactose derivatives do not react with the Cys residue at position 122 upon binding per se but at a subsequent step in the overall transport mechanism. Thus, these inactivators behave as unique suicide substrates.

Affinity Labels↗

Structural determination of spin label immobilization and orientation: a Monte Carlo minimization approach.

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is often used in the study of the orientation and dynamics of proteins. However, there are two major obstacles in the interpretation of EPR signals: (a) most spin labels are not fully immobilized by the protein, hence it is difficult to distinguish the mobility of the label with respect to the protein from the reorientation of the protein itself; (b) even in cases where the label is fully immobilized its orientation with respect to the protein is not known, which prevents interpretation of probe reorientation in terms of protein reorientation. We have developed a computational strategy for determining whether or not a spin label is immobilized and, if immobilized, predicting its conformation within the protein. The method uses a Monte Carlo minimization algorithm to search the conformational space of labels within known atomic level structures of proteins. To validate the method a series of spin labels of varying size and geometry were docked to sites on the myosin head catalytic and regulatory domains. The predicted immobilization and conformation compared well with the experimentally determined mobility and orientation of the label. Thus, probes can now be targeted to report on various modes of molecular dynamics: immobilized probes to report on protein backbone and domain dynamics or floppy probes to report on the extent of steric restriction experienced by the side chain.

Animals↗

Detection of singlet oxygen and superoxide with fluorescent sensors in leaves under stress by photoinhibition or UV radiation.

In order to understand the physiological functions of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in leaves, their direct measurement in vivo is of special importance. Here we report experiments with two dansyl-based ROS sensors, the singlet oxygen specific DanePy and HO-1889NH, which is reactive to both singlet oxygen and superoxide radicals. Here we report in vivo detection of (1)O(2) and O(2)(-*) by fluorescence quenching of two dansyl-based ROS sensors, the (1)O(2) specific DanePy and HO-1889NH, which was reactive with both (1)O(2) and O(2)(-*). The ROS sensors were administered to spinach leaves through a pinhole, and then the leaves were exposed to either excess photosynthetically active radiation or UV (280-360 nm) radiation. Microlocalization of the sensors' fluorescence and its ROS-induced quenching was followed with confocal laser scanning microscopy and with fluorescence imaging. These sensors were specifically localized in chloroplasts. Quenching analysis indicated that the leaves exposed to strong light produced (1)O(2), but hardly any O(2)(-*). On the other hand, the dominant ROS in UV-irradiated leaves was O(2)(-*), while (1)O(2) was minor.

Chloroplasts↗

Singlet oxygen imaging in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves under photoinhibition by excess photosynthetically active radiation.

Arabidopsis thaliana leaves were infiltrated with DanePy (3-(N-diethylaminoethyl)-N-dansyl)aminomethyl-2,5-dihydro-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1H-pyrrole), a double, fluorescent and spin sensor of singlet oxygen. DanePy fluorescence was imaged by laser scanning microscopy. We found that DanePy penetrated into chloroplasts but did not alter the functioning of the photosynthetic electron transport as assessed by chlorophyll fluorescence induction. In imaging, DanePy fluorescence was well distinct from chlorophyll fluorescence. Photoinhibition by excess photosynthetically active radiation caused quenching of DanePy fluorescence in the chloroplasts but not in other cell compartments. When leaves were infiltrated with dansyl, the fluorescent group in DanePy, there was no fluorescence quenching during photoinhibition. This shows that the fluorescence quenching of DanePy is caused by the conversion of its pyrrol group into nitroxide, i.e. it was caused by the reaction of singlet oxygen with the double sensor and not by artifacts. These data provide direct experimental evidence for the localization of singlet oxygen production to chloroplasts in vivo.

Journal Article↗

Singlet oxygen in plants--its significance and possible detection with double (fluorescent and spin) indicator reagents.

Direct detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially singlet oxygen, in plants under stress conditions is of special importance, not only to identify primary events of oxidative damage, but also in studies exploring the potential role of ROS as signal molecules. Due to short life-times and diffusion distances of ROS, these tasks require highly reactive and selective indicator reagents, localized at the presumed site of production. In the present study, we compared four double sensors: ROS indicator reagents in which partial fluorescence quenching of a dansyl moiety occurs as a result of nitroxide radical formation from a sterically hindered amine constituent. Our experiments support the idea that shorter donor-acceptor distances within these molecules result in higher reactivity to ROS. The presence of a diethylaminoethyl side chain resulted in better selectivity to singlet oxygen: reagents lacking such substituent had an additional reactivity to superoxide anions, probably as a result of the formation of zwitterionic structures. Fluorescence localization studies of the indicator reagents in tobacco leaves and in Chlamydomonas cells show promising perspectives of their applications to plant stress studies.

Biology↗