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M Pozsgay

Publications and source records attributed to M Pozsgay.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

Unusual proteolysis of the protoxin and toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis. Structural implications.

Trypsin is shown to generate an insecticidal toxin from the 130-kDa protoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD-73 by an unusual proteolytic process. Seven specific cleavages are shown to occur in an ordered sequence starting at the C-terminus of the protoxin and proceeding toward the N-terminal region. At each step, C-terminal fragments of approximately 10 kDa are produced and rapidly proteolyzed to small peptides. The sequential proteolysis ends with a 67-kDa toxin which is resistant to further proteolysis. However, the toxin could be specifically split into two fragments by proteinases as it unfolded under denaturing conditions. Papain cleaved the toxin at glycine 327 to give a 34.5-kDa N-terminal fragment and a 32.3-kDa C-terminal fragment. Similar fragments could be generated by elastase and trypsin. The N-terminal fragment corresponds to the conserved N-terminal domain predicted from the gene-deduced sequence analysis of toxins from various subspecies of B. thuringiensis, and the C-terminal fragment is the predicted hypervariable sequence domain. A double-peaked transition was observed for the toxin by differential scanning calorimetry, consistent with two or more independent folding domains. It is concluded that the N- and C-terminal regions of the protoxin are two multidomain regions which give unique structural and biological properties to the molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Characterization of the cysteine residues and disulphide linkages in the protein crystal of Bacillus thuringiensis.

Bacillus thuringiensis produces a 130-140 kDa insecticidal protein in the form of a bipyramidal crystal. The protein in the crystals from the subspecies kurstaki HD-1 and entomocidus was found to contain 16-18 cysteine residues per molecule, present primarily in the disulphide form as cystine. Evidence that all the cysteine residues form symmetrical interchain disulphide linkages in the protein crystal was obtained from the following results: (i) the disulphide diagonal procedure [Brown & Hartley (1966) Biochem. J. 101, 214-228] gave only unpaired cysteic acid peptides in diagonal maps; (ii) the disulphide bridges were shown to be labile in dilute alkali and the crystal protein could be released quantitatively with 1 mM-2-mercaptoethanol; (iii) the thiol groups of the released crystal protein were shown by competitive labelling [Kaplan, Stevenson & Hartley (1971) Biochem. J. 124, 289-299] to have the same chemical properties as exposed groups on the surface of the protein; (iv) the thiol groups in the released crystal protein reacted quantitatively with iodoacetate or iodoacetamide. The finding that all the disulphide linkages in the protein crystal are interchain and symmetrical accounts for its alkali-lability and for the high degree of conservation in the primary structure of the cystine-containing regions of the protein from various subspecies.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1990

Secondary structure of the entomocidal toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD-73.

The secondary structure of the toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (Btk) HD-73 was estimated by Raman, infrared, and circular dichroism spectroscopy, and by predictive methods. Circular dichroism and infrared spectroscopy gave an estimate of 33-40% alpha-helix, whereas Raman and predictive methods gave approximately 20%. Raman and circular dichroism spectra, as well as predictive methods, indicated that the toxin contains 32-40% beta-sheet structure, whereas infrared spectroscopy gave a slightly lower estimate. Thus, all of these approaches are in agreement that the native conformation of Btk HD-73 toxin is highly folded and contains considerable amounts of both alpha-helical and beta-sheet structures. No significant differences were detected in the secondary structure of the toxin either in solution or as a hydrated pellet.

Bacillus thuringiensis↗
PubMed1989

Facile preparation and characterization of the toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki.

We report a simple three-step method of generating a homogeneous toxic fragment (toxin) in high yield from B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki. Purified crystals were digested with trypsin at pH 10.5, followed by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation and dialysis. For the HD73 strain the preparation is toxic to eastern-spruce-budworm (Choristoneura fuminiferana) larvae. It gives a single 66 kDa band on polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and a single band with an isoelectric point of 5.5 on an isoelectric-focusing gel. A single isoleucine N-terminus was detected, and the first 20 amino acids were found to be identical with those predicted from the gene nucleotide sequence. A single lysine C-terminus was detected, and the amino acid composition was in excellent agreement with tryptic cleavages at arginine-28 and lysine-623 of the protoxin. Raman spectroscopic analysis gave values of 20% alpha-helix, 35% beta-sheet and 45% unordered structure. The resistance of the toxin to most proteinases and its susceptibility to proteolysis by papain and Pronases indicates a compact multidomain structure.

Bacillus thuringiensis↗
PubMed1989

Isolation of carboxyl-terminal peptides from proteins by diagonal electrophoresis: application to the entomocidal toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis.

A procedure for the selective isolation of the C-terminal peptides from enzymatic digests of proteins is described. The methodology is based on the diagonal electrophoretic procedure described by R. G. Duggleby and H. Kaplan (1975) Anal. Biochem. 65, 346-354). The carboxyl groups in the protein are amidated with [14C]-methylamine followed by enzymatic digestion. Since only the C-terminal peptides lack a free carboxyl group, these peptides will lie on a diagonal line of a two-dimensional electrophoretogram run at pH 2.1 and 4.4. The diagonal line is delineated by autoradiography using [14C]taurine (net charge = 0 at pH 2.1 and 4.4) and [14C]choline (net charge = +1 at pH 2.1 and 4.4). Radioactive C-terminal peptides lie between these markers and can be directly excised for analysis. This procedure permits the detection and selective isolation of C-terminal peptides with minimal losses. The procedure was applied to the test proteins alpha-chymotrypsin and ribonuclease A. It was used to determine the C-terminus of the Bacillus thuringiensis toxin generated by tryptic cleavage of the protoxin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Substrate and inhibitor studies of thermolysin-like neutral metalloendopeptidase from kidney membrane fractions. Comparison with bacterial thermolysin.

The inhibitory constants of a series of synthetic N-carboxymethyl peptide inhibitors and the kinetic parameters (Km, kcat, and kcat/Km) of a series of model synthetic substrates were determined for the membrane-bound kidney metalloendopeptidase isolated from rabbit kidney and compared with those of bacterial thermolysin. The two enzymes show striking similarities with respect to structural requirements for substrate binding to the hydrophobic pocket at the S1' subsite of the active site. Both enzymes showed the highest reaction rates with substrates having leucine residues in this position while phenylalanine residues gave the lowest Km. The two enzymes were also inhibited by the same N-carboxymethyl peptide inhibitors. Although the mammalian enzyme was more susceptible to inhibition than its bacterial counterpart, structural variations in the inhibitor molecules affected the inhibitory constants for both enzymes in a similar manner. The two enzymes differed significantly, however, with respect to the effect of structural changes in the P1 and P2' positions of the substrate on the kinetic parameters of the reaction. The mammalian enzyme showed the highest reaction rates and specificity constants with substrates having the sequence -Phe-Gly-Phe- or -Phe-Ala-Phe- in positions P2, P1, and P1', respectively, while the sequence -Ala-Phe-Phe- was the most favored by the bacterial enzyme. The sequence -Gly-Gly-Phe- as found in enkephalins was not favored by either of the enzymes. Of the substrates having an aminobenzoate group in the P2' position, the mammalian enzyme favored those with the carboxyl group in the meta position while the bacterial enzyme favored those with the carboxyl group in the para position.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Active centre studies on bovine pancreatic chymotrypsin with tripeptidyl-p-nitroanilide substrates.

The kinetic behaviour of bovine pancreatic chymotrypsin was studied with 22 N-protected and 17 N-unprotected tripeptidyl-p-nitroanilide substrates. The contribution of the individual side chains to the kinetic parameters were calculated by regression analysis. At subsite P1 (notation of Schechter and Berger, 1967, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 27, 157) Tyr seems to be better than Phe and Trp, concerning kcat values. At P2 subsite the best KM values were obtained with Gly and Ser, whereas the hydrophobicity of P2 subsite appears to be necessary for efficient catalytic activity. At P3 mainly polar amino acids, both with D and L configuration, were tested. They improve the solubility of substrates in aqueous medium, as well as the kinetic parameters. Suc(OMe) and Suc protecting groups at P4 increase significantly the catalytic activity compared to the aromatic ones. The obtained data were compared to the known substrate binding site of bovine pancreatic chymotrypsin.

Anilides↗
PubMed1985

Investigation on the substrate specificity of human plasmin using tripeptidyl-p-nitroanilide substrates.

The hydrolysis of 35 tripeptidyl-p-nitroanilides was studied with human plasmin and the kinetic parameters were determined. The individual contribution of the various side chains to the kinetic parameters was calculated by regression analysis. Considering Km, substrates having Z-D-Ile-Phe-Lys as well as H-D-Ile-Phe-Lys sequences were found to be the best, while Bz-Ile-Leu-Lys and pGlu-Leu-Lys sequences are the best for kcat. The Km values of substrates protected at N-terminus are lower, their kcat values are higher than those of the unprotected ones with the same sequence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1983

The interaction of heparin with human plasmin.

1. The interaction of heparin with human plasmin was investigated measuring plasmin activity and enzyme inactivation in the presence of heparin. Hydrolysis of synthetic substrates (H-D-Val-Leu-Lys-pNA, H-D-Val-Phe-Lys-pNA and H-D-Pro-Phe-Lys-pNA) by plasmin was enhanced by heparin through an increase in kcat values. 2. This effect was the consequence of a change of Vmax since Km values were not altered in the presence of heparin. The polysaccharide also enhanced the rate of enzyme inactivation using TLCK as an active site blocking reagent. 3. Furthermore, heparin increased the heat sensitivity of plasmin, when synthetic substrate H-D-Val-Leu-Lys-pNA was used but it did not affect enzyme activity towards N-benzoyl-L-arginine-ethylester substrate. 4. The data show that microenvironmental conformation around the active center of plasmin is influenced by heparin.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1981

Study of the specificity of thrombin with tripeptidyl-p-nitroanilide substrates.

The kinetic behaviour of human thrombin has been studied with 26 tripeptidyl-p-nitroanilide substrates protected at the N terminus and with 9 unprotected ones. By the regression analysis of experimentally determined 1/Km, kcat and kcat/Km values the individual contribution of each side chain of the various substrates to the kinetic parameters was calculated. The contributions to the kinetic parameters of the best substrates provide information about the structure of the binding site. The interaction of subsites S1 and P1, which determines primary specificity, proved to be marginal on the basis of contribution values, though it depends upon this contact whether the substrate is hydrolyzed at all. At subsite S2 proline appeared to be favourable. Subsite S3 plays an important role in efficiency. The best parameters were obtained here with the D configurations of bulky amino acid residues. The aromatic protecting groups applied did not improve the properties of substrates. BZDPhe-Pro-Arg-Nan was predicted by calculation to be better than the protected substrates assayed. The compound was synthesized and tested. Its experimentally determined 1/Km, 55.1 mM-1, was in good agreement with 50.9 mM-1 found by calculation.

Anilides↗
PubMed1981

Investigation of the substrate-binding site of trypsin by the aid of tripeptidyl-p-nitroanilide substrates.

The kinetic parameters of the tryptic hydrolysis of tripeptidyl-p-nitroanilide substrates were determined and the data were studied by regression analysis. The sequence of substrates optimal from the viewpoint of kinetic constants 1/Km, kcat and kcat/Km was established and the influence of amino acid side chains on the binding and reactivity of substrates was calculated. At subsite P3 [notation of Schechter and Berger (1967) Biochem. Biophys, Res. Commun. 27, 157] polar side chains (Asn, D-Arg) are favourable as regards 1/Km, whereas hydrophobic side chains are preferred definitely from the viewpoint of catalytic efficiency, just as at subsite P2. In the side chain contributions, calculated for the kinetic parameters, the P3-S3 interaction predominates, in spite of the fact that the properties of the residue at subsite P1 decide whether hydrolysis occurs at all. The ZAsn-Ile-Arg-Nan sequence was predicted as a better substrate than those tested experimentally. The compound was synthesized, and the calculated value of its 1/Km (116.4 mM-1) was in a good agreement with the measured value (100.2 mM-1). Comparing the data obtained with trypsin with those observed with thrombin, elastase and subtilisin, we can establish that the homology of these enzymes can be characterized at each binding subsite by the aid of tripeptidyl-p-nitroanilide substrates. The quantities derived allow one to envisage a novel type of comparison of the proteases.

Anilides↗
PubMed1980

Specificity of pancreatic elastase with tripeptidyl-p-nitroanilide substrates.

1. The kinetic properties of pancreatic elastase (E.C. 3.4.21.11) were investigated with 33 tripeptidyl-p-nitroanilide substrates, and the Km, kcat and kcat/Km values were determined. 2. The individual contributions of the substrate side chains to the kinetic constants were evaluated by regression analysis. As a result of the additivity of the contributions, the kinetic parameters of any substrate constructed from the amino acid investigated can be predicted. 3. Suc-D-Phe-Pro-Ala-pNA was the best substrate, as far as the Km (Michaelis constant) is concerned. The compound was synthesized and assayed. An excellent correlation was observed between its calculated (14 microM) and experimentally determined (15 microM) Km values. The aldehyde derivatives of this substrate is a competitive inhibitor of elastase (Ki = 0.6 mM). 4. The contribution values of the best substrates permitted us to characterize the topography of subsites involved in the formation of the enzyme-substrate complex. This, in turn, led us to the conclusion that the S3-P3 interaction is relatively less important in the binding of good substrates.

Anilides↗
PubMed1979

A method for designing peptide substrates for proteases. Tripeptidyl-p-nitroanilide substrates for subtilisin Carlsberg.

1. The kinetic parameters of 25 peptidyl-p-nitroanilide substrates were investigated with subtilisin Carlsberg as model enzyme. 2. For a series of 12 substrates, the contribution of various side chains to the affinity constant was computed by regression analysis. From these contributions the sequence of a new and better substrate, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-arginyl-norleucyl-norleucyl-p-nitroanilide (Z-Arg-Nle-Nle-Nan) was predicted. The compound was synthesized and assayed. Its calculated 1/Km value, 43.5 mM-1, was in a good agreement with the value of 40.0 mM-1 that was determined experimentally. 3. On expanding the series to 19 substrates, it was found that the productivity of enzyme-substrate binding is influenced primarily by those subsites which have a significantly greater contribution to the affinity constants than others. 4. The additivity principle applied reasonably well for the contribution of individual side chains to the kinetic parameters. This fact suggests that regression analysis can be used for the prediction of the amino acid sequence of better substrates than those already tested, probably not only for subtilisin but also for other proteolytic enzymes.

Kinetics↗