Biomedical subjects

R B Honzatko

Publications and source records attributed to R B Honzatko.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Site-directed mutagenesis of residues at subunit interfaces of porcine fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase.

Mutation of Arg-15, Glu-19, Arg-22, and Thr-27 of porcine liver fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase was carried out by site-directed mutagenesis. These residues are conserved in all known primary sequences of mammalian fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase. On the basis of the crystal structure of the enzyme, Arg-15, Glu-19, and Arg-22 are located at the interface of the two dimers (C1-C2 and C3-C4), and Thr-27 is in the AMP binding site. The wild-type and mutant forms of the enzyme were purified to homogeneity and characterized by initial rate kinetics and circular dichroism (CD) spectrometry. No discernible differences were observed between the secondary structures of the wild-type and mutant forms of fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase on the basis of CD data. Kinetic analyses revealed similar kcat values for mutants R15A, E19Q, R22K, and T27A of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase; however, a 2-fold increase of kcat was observed with R22M compared with that of the wild-type enzyme. Small changes in Km values for fructose-1,6-bisphosphate were found in the five mutants. 4 6-fold decreases in Ki values for fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and 5-9-fold decreases in the binding affinity of Mg2+ relative to the wild-type enzyme were exhibited by R15A and E19Q. No alteration of Mg2+ cooperativity was found in the five mutants. Significant changes in Ki values for AMP were obtained in the case of R22K (30-fold) and T27A (1300-fold) with a Hill coefficient of 2.0. Replacement of Arg-22 with methionine, however, caused the total loss of AMP cooperativity without changing AMP affinity. Modeling of the mutant structures was undertaken in an attempt to define the functional role of Arg-22. These studies link specific interactions between subunits in fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase to observed properties of cooperativity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Refined crystal structures of unligated adenylosuccinate synthetase from Escherichia coli.

Crystal structures of unligated adenylosuccinate synthetase from Escherichia coli in space groups P2(1) and P2(1)2(1)2(1) have been refined to R-factors of 0.199 and 0.206 against data to 2.0 and 2.5 A, respectively. Bond lengths and angles deviate from expected values by 0.011 A and 1.7 degrees for the P2(1) crystal form and by 0.015 A and 1.7 degrees for the P2(1)2(1)2(1) crystal form. The fold of the polypeptide chain is dominated by a central beta-sheet, which is composed of nine parallel strands and a tenth antiparallel strand. Extending off from this central beta-sheet are four subdomains. The four subdomains contribute loops of residues that are disordered or have high thermal parameters. At least three of these loops (residues 42 to 52, 120 to 131 and 298 to 304) contribute essential residues to the putative active site of the synthetase. In the absence of ligands, much of the active site of the synthetase exists in an ill-defined conformational state. Two, nearly independent regions contribute residues to the interface between polypeptide chains of the synthetase dimer. A pair of helices (H4 and H5) interact with their symmetry-equivalent mates by way of residues that are not conserved amongst the known sequences of the synthetase. The second interface region involves conserved residues belonging to structural elements that connect strands of the central beta-sheet. Residues putatively involved in the binding of IMP lie at or near the interface between polypeptide chains of the dimer. Of the four sequence elements putatively common to all GTP hydrolases, the synthetase has only the guanine recognition element and a glycine-rich loop (P-loop). Although the base recognition element is essentially identical with those of the p21 ras and G alpha proteins, the P-loop of the synthetase is extended in size relative to the P-loops of other GTP hydrolases. The P-loop has two acid residues (Asp13 and Glu14), which are found in the P-loops of only the synthetase family. Glu14 may be involved in the stabilization of the enlarged P-loop of the synthetase, whereas Asp13 may play a role in catalysis and in the coordination of Mg2+. The structural elements of the p21 ras and G alpha proteins responsible for binding Mg2+ are either absent from the synthetase or unavailable for the coordination of metal cations.

Adenylosuccinate Synthase↗

PubMed1995

Mutational analysis of the roles in catalysis and substrate recognition of arginines 54 and 305, aspartic acid 309, and tryptophan 317 located at subsites 1 and 2 in glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger.

The mutants Arg54-->Leu, Arg54-->Lys, Arg305-->Lys, Asp309-->Glu, and Trp317-->Phe, located at subsites 1 and 2 in glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger, provide insight into the importance of specific hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions in substrate recognition, catalytic mechanism, and stability. As suggested from the crystal structure of a closely related glucoamylase [Aleshin, A. E., Firsov, L. M., & Honzatko, R. B. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 15631-15639], Arg54 in subsite 1 hydrogen bonds to the key polar group 4'-OH of maltose. The two mutants of Arg54 display losses in transition-state stabilization of 16-21 kJ mol-1 in the hydrolysis of different maltooligodextrins, which originate from a [(1.2-1.8) x 10(3)]-fold reduction in kcat and changes in Km ranging from 25% to 300% of the wild-type values. Arg305 similarly hydrogen bonds to 2'-OH and 3-OH, located at subsites 1 and 2, respectively. Arg305-->Lys glucoamylase is not saturated at concentrations of maltose or maltoheptaose of 400- and 40-fold, respectively, the Km of the wild-type enzyme. This mutant also has highly reduced kcat. On the other hand, for the alpha-1,6-linked isomaltose, the Lys305 mutant surprisingly has the same Km as the wild-type enzyme, while kcat is 10(3)-fold reduced. Arg305 is thus an important determinant in the distinction of the alpha-1,4 to alpha-1,6 substrate specificity. Arg305 interacts electrostatically and hydrophobically with the side chains of Asp309 and Trp317.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arginine↗

PubMed1995

Identification of arginine residues in the putative L-aspartate binding site of Escherichia coli adenylosuccinate synthetase.

Three arginine residues in the putative aspartate binding site of Escherichia coli adenylosuccinate synthetase were changed to leucines by site-directed mutagenesis. The mutant enzymes R303L, R304L, and R305L were purified to homogeneity on the basis of sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and characterized by CD spectrometry and initial rate kinetics. CD spectral analysis indicated no differences in secondary structure between the mutants and the wild-type enzyme in the absence of substrates. The Km values for GTP and IMP for the mutants and the wild-type enzyme were comparable. However, the mutant enzymes exhibited 50-200-fold increases in their values of Km for the substrate aspartate relative to the wild-type enzyme. Although the kcat values for the mutant enzymes decreased, the changes were not as dramatic as those observed for the Km of aspartate. The modeling of aspartate in the crystal structure of the complex of adenylosuccinate synthetase with IMP and MgGDP-1 is consistent with the results of mutagenesis, placing the alpha- and beta-carboxylates of aspartate near the side chains of Arg-131, -303, and -305.

Adenylosuccinate Synthase↗

PubMed1995

Refined structure for the complex of D-gluco-dihydroacarbose with glucoamylase from Aspergillus awamori var. X100 to 2.2 A resolution: dual conformations for extended inhibitors bound to the active site of glucoamylase.

The crystal structure at pH 4 of the complex of glucoamylase II(471) from Aspergillus awamori var. X100 with the pseudotetrasaccharide D-gluco-dihydroacarbose has been refined to an R-factor of 0.125 against data to 2.2 A resolution. The first two residues of the inhibitor bind at a position nearly identical to those of the closely related inhibitor acarbose in its complex with glucoamylase at pH 6. However, the electron density bifurcates beyond the second residue of the D-gluco-dihydroacarbose molecule, placing the third and fourth residues together at two positions in the active site. The position of relatively low density (estimated occupancy of 35%) corresponds to the location of the third and fourth residues of acarbose in its complex with glucoamylase at pH 6. The position of high density (65% occupancy) corresponds to a new binding mode of an extended inhibitor to the active site of glucoamylase. Presented are possible causes for the binding of D-gluco-dihydroacarbose in two conformations at the active site of glucoamylase at pH 4.

Aspergillus↗

PubMed1994

Site-directed mutagenesis of the catalytic base glutamic acid 400 in glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger and of tyrosine 48 and glutamine 401, both hydrogen-bonded to the gamma-carboxylate group of glutamic acid 400.

Replacement of the catalytic base Glu400 by glutamine in glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger affects both substrates ground-state binding and transition-state stabilization. Compared to those of the wild-type enzyme, Km values for maltose and maltoheptaose are 12- and 3-fold higher for the Glu400-->Gln mutant, with kcat values 35- and 60-fold lower, respectively, for the same substrates. This unusually high residual activity for a glycosylase mutant at a putative catalytic group is tentatively explained by a reorganization of the hydrogen bond network, using the crystal structure of the related Aspergillus awamori var. X100 glucoamylase in complex with 1-deoxynojirimycin [Harris, E. M. S., Aleshin, A. E., Firsov, L. M., & Honzatko, R. B. (1993) Biochemistry 32, 1618-1626]. Supposedly Gln400 in the mutant hydrogen bonds to the invariant Tyr48, as does Glu400 in the wild-type enzyme. For Tyr48-->Trp A. niger glucoamylase kcat is reduced 80-100-fold, while Km is increased only 2-3-fold. Gln401 also hydrogen bonds to Glu400, but its mutation to glutamic acid has only a minor effect on activity. The Tyr48-->Trp and Glu400-->Gln glucoamylases share particular features in displaying unusually high activity below pH 4.0-which reflects lack of the wild-type catalytic base function- and unusually low binding affinity at subsite 2. Both mutants have lost 13-16 kJ mol-1 in transition-state stabilization energy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aspergillus niger↗

PubMed1994

Replacement of Asp333 with Asn by site-directed mutagenesis changes the substrate specificity of Escherichia coli adenylosuccinate synthetase from guanosine 5'-triphosphate to xanthosine 5'-triphosphate.

The aspartate residue of the (N/T)KXD concensus sequence for GTP-binding proteins is present in the eight available sequences of adenylosuccinate synthetase. Reported here is a comprehensive analysis of the substrate specificity of mutant enzymes, where the conserved Asp333 of the synthetase from Escherichia coli is changed to asparagine, glutamate, and glutamine by site-directed mutagenesis. The mutants D333N, D333E, and D333Q generally show decreased kcat values and increased Km values for GTP. The decreased values of kcat exhibited by the mutants indicate that the interactions between Asp333 and the guanine are relayed by some mechanism to the catalytic residues around the gamma-phosphate of GTP, and that the energy provided by the interaction between Asp333 and the guanine moiety of GTP is utilized for rearrangement of the catalytic residues. The three mutants each have higher affinity for xanthosine 5'-triphosphate (XTP) and ITP than does the wild-type enzyme. In fact, the D333N mutant uses XTP more effectively than the wild-type enzyme employs GTP as a substrate. The side-chain of Asp333 forms hydrogen bonds with the N-1 and the exocyclic amino group of the guanine base of GTP. In the D333N mutant, this interaction is probably replaced by hydrogen bonds between the amide side chain of Asn333 and N-1 and the 2-oxo group of XTP. The D333Q mutant can use UTP as a substrate more effectively than the wild-type enzyme. The longer side chain of glutamine at residue 333 favors pyrimidine nucleotides over the purine nucleotides, GTP, XTP, and ITP. These results demonstrate that Asp333 in the (N/T)KXD consensus sequence of adenylosuccinate synthetase from E. coli is a determinant for GTP-specificity.

Adenylosuccinate Synthase↗

PubMed1994

Refined structure for the complex of acarbose with glucoamylase from Aspergillus awamori var. X100 to 2.4-A resolution.

The three-dimensional structure of the pseudotetrasaccharide acarbose complexed with glucoamylase II(471) from Aspergillus awamori var. X100 has been determined to 2.4-A resolution. The model includes residues corresponding to 1-471 of glucoamylase I from Aspergillus niger, a single molecule of bound acarbose, and 535 sites for water molecules. The crystallographic R factor from refinement is 0.124, and the root-mean-squared deviation in bond distances is 0.013 A. Electron density for a single molecule of bound acarbose defines what may be the first four subsites in the binding of extended maltooligosaccharides. Hydrogen bonds between acarbose and the enzyme involve Arg54, Asp55, Arg305, carbonyl177, main chain amide121, Glu179, Glu180, and carbonyl179. Glu179 forms a salt link to the imino linkage between the first and second residues of acarbose. This buried salt link probably contributes significantly to the unusually tight association (Kd approximately 10(-12) M) of acarbose with glucoamylase. In addition, a significant hydrophobic contact between the third residue of acarbose and the side chain of Trp120 distorts the three-center angle of the glucosidic linkage between the second and third residues of acarbose. A water molecule (water500) hydrogen bonds to Glu400 and the 6-hydroxyl of the valienamine moiety of acarbose and is at an approximate distance of 3.7 A from the "anomeric" carbon of the inhibitor. The relevance of the acarbose-glucoamylase complex to the mechanism of enzymic hydrolysis of oligosaccharides is discussed.

Acarbose↗

PubMed1994

Refined crystal structures of glucoamylase from Aspergillus awamori var. X100.

The refined crystal structures of a proteolytic fragment of glucoamylase from Aspergillus awamori var. X100 have been determined at pH 6 and 4 to a resolution of 2.2 A and 2.4 A, respectively. The models include the equivalent of residues 1 to 471 of glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger and a complete interpretation of the solvent structure. The R-factors of the pH 6 and 4 structures are 0.14 and 0.12, respectively, with root-mean-square deviations of 0.014 A and 0.012 A from expected bondlengths. The enzyme has the general shape of a doughnut. The "hole" of the doughnut consists of a barrier of hydrophobic residues at the center, which separates two water-filled voids, one of which serves as the active site. Three clusters of water molecules extend laterally from the active site. One of the lateral clusters connects the deepest recess of the active site to the surface of the enzyme. The most significant difference in the pH 4 and 6 structures is the thermal parameter of water 500, the putative nucleophile in the hydrolysis of maltooligosaccharides. Water 500 is associated more tightly with the enzyme at pH 4 (the pH of optimum catalysis) than at pH 6. In contrast to water 500, Glu179, the putative catalytic acid of glucoamylase, retains the same conformation in both structures and is in an environment that would favor the ionized, rather than the acid form of the side-chain. Glycosyl chains of 5 and 8 sugar residues are linked to Asparagines 171 and 395, respectively. The conformations of the two glycosyl chains are similar, being superimposable on each other with a root-mean-square discrepancy of 1.9 A. The N-glycosyl chains hydrogen bond to the surface of the protein through their terminal sugars, but otherwise do not interact strongly with the enzyme. The structures have ten serine/threonine residues, to each of which is linked a single mannose sugar. The structure of the ten O-glycosylated residues taken together suggests a well-defined conformation for proteins that have extensive O-glycosylation of their polypeptide chain.

Aspergillus↗

PubMed1993

Crystal structure of adenylosuccinate synthetase from Escherichia coli. Evidence for convergent evolution of GTP-binding domains.

The structure of the P2(1) crystal form of adenylosuccinate synthetase from Escherichia coli has been determined to a resolution of 2.8 A. The refined model for the enzyme gives an R factor of 0.20 and a root-mean-square deviation from expected bond lengths and angles of 0.016 A and 2.27 degrees, respectively. The dominant structural element of each monomer of the homodimer is a central beta-sheet of 10 strands. The first nine strands of the sheet are mutually parallel with right-handed crossover connections between the strands. The 10th strand is antiparallel with respect to the first nine strands. In addition, the enzyme has two antiparallel beta-sheets, comprised of two strands and three strands each, 11 alpha-helices and two short 3/10-helices. The overall fold of the polypeptide chain has not been observed heretofore in any other protein structure. Residues tentatively assigned to the active site of the enzyme on the basis of chemical modification and directed mutation cluster in two separate regions. Gly12, Gly15, Gly17, Lys18, Ile19, and Lys331 lie at one end of a crevice that measures 12 A by 30 A by 12 A deep. Lys140 and Arg147 are not part of this crevice, but instead lie at the interface between monomers of the dimer. Lys140 makes a salt link with Asp231 of a monomer related by molecular symmetry and Arg147 binds to the carbonyl of the same Asp231. Superposition of the p21 ras protein (Pai, E. F., Kabsch, W., Krengel, U., Holmes, K., John, J., and Wittinghofer, A. (1989) Nature 341, 209-214) onto the synthetase reveals significant correspondences between side chains of the two proteins. Residues which interact with GTP in the p21ras protein have structurally equivalent residues in the synthetase. The GTP molecule, when transformed to the coordinate frame of the synthetase, falls into the crevice defined by studies in directed mutation. We suggest that the similarities in the GTP-binding domains of the synthetase and the p21ras protein are an example of convergent evolution of two distinct families of GTP-binding proteins.

Adenylosuccinate Synthase↗

PubMed1993

Refined structure for the complex of 1-deoxynojirimycin with glucoamylase from Aspergillus awamori var. X100 to 2.4-A resolution.

The three-dimensional structure of the complex of 1-deoxynojirimycin with glucoamylase II-(471) from Aspergillus awamori var. X100 has been determined to 2.4-A resolution. The model includes residues corresponding to residues 1-471 of glucoamylase I from Aspergillus niger, two molecules of bound 1-deoxynojirimycin and 605 sites for water molecules. The crystallographic R factor from refinement is 0.119, and the root-mean-squared deviation in bond distances is 0.012 A. The inhibitor complex confirms the location of the active site in the packing void of the alpha/alpha-barrel as proposed by Aleshin et al. [Aleshin, A., Golubev, A., Firsov, L., & Honzatko, R. B. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 19291-19298]. One inhibitor molecule is associated with strong electron density and represents the principal site of interaction of 1-deoxynojirimycin with the enzyme. The other 1-deoxynojirimycin molecule is associated with weak electron density and therefore, probably represents a binding site of low affinity. Interactions of 1-deoxynojirimycin with the enzyme at its principal site involve Arg 45, Asp 55, Arg 305, and carbonyl 177. In addition, a water molecule (water 500) hydrogen bonds to Glu 400 and the 6-hydroxyl of 1-deoxynojirimycin and is at an approximate distance of 3.3 A from the "anomeric" carbon of the inhibitor. The structural arrangement of functional groups near the inhibitor molecule suggests that Glu 179 is a catalytic acid, Glu 400 a catalytic base, and water 500 the attacking nucleophile in the hydrolysis of maltooligosaccharides. The relevance of the X-ray work to proposed mechanisms of enzymatic hydrolysis of oligosaccharides is discussed.

1-Deoxynojirimycin↗

PubMed1992

Crystal structure of glucoamylase from Aspergillus awamori var. X100 to 2.2-A resolution.

The crystal structure of a catalytically active fragment of glucoamylase-I from Aspergillus awamori var. X100 has been determined to a resolution of 2.2 A. Twelve of its 13 alpha-helices are arranged into an "alpha/alpha-barrel." An inner core of six mutually parallel alpha-helices are connected to each other through a peripheral set of six alpha-helices. The peripheral helices are parallel to each other, but approximately antiparallel to the inner core of alpha-helices. The putative active site lies in the packing void of the inner set of helices. The last 30 residues of the enzyme comprise a separate domain containing 10 sites of O-glycosylation. Each instance of O-glycosylation involves a serine or threonine side chain linked to the alpha-anomer of a single mannosyl residue. The O-glycosylated domain is in an extended conformation, wrapping around the "waist" of the alpha/alpha-barrel. Two additional sites of N-glycosylation contribute well ordered glycosyl chains that lie in proximity to the belt of O-glycosylation. The model developed for glucoamylase is a rare and valuable structural example of a glycoprotein and an exo-acting amylolytic enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Coordination complex of Na+ and alpha-D-glucose.

The structure of alpha-D-glucose-NaCl is presented. C6H12O6.1/2(NaCl).0.39(H2O), Mr = 216.40, trigonal, P3(1)21, a = b = 9.721 (3), c = 17.06 (1) A, V = 1396 (1) A3, Dm = 1.54 (1), Dx = 1.54 g cm-3, lambda(Mo K alpha) = 0.71073 A, mu = 2.859 cm-1, F(000) = 683.4, T = 293 K, final R = 0.044 for 744 reflections with I greater than or equal to 3 sigma (I). The Na+ residues on a crystallographic twofold axis and is coordinated by six hydroxyls originating from four separate glucose molecules. The chloride ion is not involved in direct ionic interactions with the sodium ion.

Glucose↗

PubMed1988

Complex of N-phosphonacetyl-L-aspartate with aspartate carbamoyltransferase. X-ray refinement, analysis of conformational changes and catalytic and allosteric mechanisms.

The allosteric enzyme aspartate carbamoyltransferase of Escherichia coli consists of six regulatory chains (R) and six catalytic chains (C) in D3 symmetry. The less active T conformation, complexed to the allosteric inhibitor CTP has been refined to 2.6 A (R-factor of 0.155). We now report refinement of the more active R conformation, complexed to the bisubstrate analog N-phosphonacetyl-L-aspartate (PALA) to 2.4 A (R-factor of 0.165, root-mean-square deviations from ideal bond distances and angles of 0.013 A and 2.2 degrees, respectively). The antiparallel beta-sheet in the revised segment 8-65 of the regulatory chain of the T conformation is confirmed in the R conformation, as is also the interchange of alanine 1 with the side-chain of asparagine 2 in the catalytic chain. The crystallographic asymmetric unit containing one-third of the molecule (C2R2) includes 925 sites for water molecules, and seven side-chains in alternative conformations. The gross conformational changes of the T to R transition are confirmed, including the elongation of the molecule along its threefold axis by 12 A, the relative reorientation of the catalytic trimers C3 by 10 degrees, and the rotation of the regulatory dimers R2 about the molecular twofold axis by 15 degrees. No changes occur in secondary structure. Essentially rigid-body transformations account for the movement of the four domains of each catalytic-regulatory unit; these include the allosteric effector domain, the equatorial (aspartate) domain, and the combination of the polar (carbamyl phosphate) and zinc domain, which moves as a rigid unit. However, interfaces change, for example the interface between the zinc domain of the R chain and the equatorial domain of the C chain, is nearly absent in the T state, but becomes extensive in the R state of the enzyme; also one catalytic-regulatory interface (C1-R4) of the T state disappears in the more active R state of the enzyme. Segments 50-55, 77-86 and 231-246 of the catalytic chain and segments 51-55, 67-72 and 150-153 of the regulatory chain show conformational changes that go beyond the rigid-body movement of their corresponding domains. The localized conformational changes in the catalytic chain all derive from the interactions of the enzyme with the inhibitor PALA; these changes may be important for the catalytic mechanism. The conformation changes in segments 67-72 and 150-153 of the regulatory chain may be important for the allosteric control of substrate binding. On the basis of the conformational differences of the T and R states of the enzyme, we present a plausible scheme for catalysis that assumes the ordered binding of substrates and the ordered release o

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1988

Preliminary X-ray crystallographic study of adenylosuccinate synthetase from Escherichia coli.

Adenylosuccinate synthetase, a dimeric enzyme of 96,000 Mr, catalyzes the first committed step toward the de novo biosynthesis of AMP. Large, single crystals of adenylosuccinate synthetase from Escherichia coli grow from solutions of polyethylene glycol and ammonium sulfate. Crystals from ammonium sulfate belong to the orthorhombic space group P212121 with unit cell parameters a = 79.0 A, b = 70.2 A and c = 152.6 A. Crystals from polyethylene glycol belong to the space group P21, having unit cell parameters of a = 71.16 A, b = 71.99 A, c = 82.95 A, and beta = 71.52 degrees. The asymmetric units of both crystal forms probably contain the entire dimeric enzyme.

Adenylosuccinate Synthase↗

PubMed1987

Preliminary X-ray crystallographic study of cyanase from Escherichia coli.

Cyanase, an oligomeric enzyme of Escherichia coli that catalyzes the decomposition of cyanate to ammonia and bicarbonate, crystallizes in the space group P1 with unit cell parameters a = 85.96 A, b = 83.17 A, c = 83.28 A, alpha = 110.29 degrees, beta = 118.29 degrees and gamma = 72.40 degrees. Crystals diffract to a resolution of at least 2.5 A. The crystal data, in conjunction with a subunit molecular weight of 17,008, suggest that two oligomers are in the asymmetric unit of the crystal and that eight subunits comprise a single oligomer.

Aminohydrolases↗

PubMed1987

Structural asymmetry in the CTP-liganded form of aspartate carbamoyltransferase from Escherichia coli.

The protein and solvent structure of the CTP-liganded form of aspartate carbamoyltransferase from Escherichia coli yields an R-factor of 0.155 for data to a resolution of 2.6 A. The model has 7353 protein atoms, 945 sites for solvent, and two molecules of CTP. A total of 25 of the 912 residues of the model exist in more than one conformation. The root-mean-square deviation of bond lengths and angles from their ideal values is 0.013 A and 2.1 degrees, respectively. The model reported here reflects a correction in the trace of the regulatory chain. One molecule of CTP binds to each of the two regulatory chains of the asymmetric unit of the crystal. The interactions between the pyrimidine of each CTP molecule and the protein are similar. The 4-amino group of CTP binds to the carbonyl groups of residues 89 (tyrosine) and 12 (isoleucine) of the regulatory chain. The nitrogen of position 3 of the pyrimidine binds to the amide group of residue 12; the 2-keto group binds to lysine 60. The 2'-OH group of the ribose forms hydrogen bonds with lysine 60 and the carbonyl group of residue 9 (valine). The binding of the phosphate groups of CTP to the regulatory chain probably reflects an incomplete association of CTP with the enzyme at pH 5.8. A lattice contact influences the interaction between the triphosphate group of one CTP molecule and the protein. For the other CTP molecule, only lysine 94 binds to the phosphate groups of CTP. Of the two regulatory and two catalytic chains of the asymmetric unit of the crystal, there are only two significant violations of non-crystallographic symmetry. The active site in the vicinity of arginine 54 of one catalytic chain is larger than the active site of its non-crystallographic mate. The "expanded" cavity accommodates four solvent molecules in the vicinity of arginine 54 as opposed to two molecules of water for the "contracted" cavity. Furthermore, arginine 54 in the "expanded" pocket adopts two conformations, either hydrogen-bonding to glutamate 86 or to the phenolic oxygen atom of tyrosine 98; residues 86 and 98 are in a catalytic chain related by 3-fold symmetry to the catalytic chain of arginine 54. In the "contracted" pocket, arginine 54 binds only to glutamate 86.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Allosteric Regulation↗

PubMed1986

Structural heterogeneity in protein crystals.

Extensive conformational heterogeneity is reported in highly refined crystallographic models for the proteins crambin, erabutoxin, myohemerythrin, and lamprey hemoglobin. From 6% to 13% of the amino acid side chains of these four proteins are seen in multiple, discrete conformations. Most common are flexible side chains on the molecular surface, but structural heterogeneity occasionally extends to buried side chains or to the polypeptide backbone. A few instances of sequence heterogeneity are also very clear. Numerous solvent sites are multiplets, and at high resolution, multiple, mutually exclusive solvent networks are observed. The proteins have been studied with X-ray diffraction data extending to spacings of from 0.945 to 2.0 A. The extensive heterogeneity observed here provides detailed, accurate structures for conformational substates of these molecules and sets a lower bound on the number of substates accessible to each protein molecule in solution. Electron density is missing or very weak for only a few side chains in these protein crystals, revealing a strong preference for discrete over continuous conformational perturbations. The results at very high resolution further suggest that even rather small conformational fluctuations produce discrete substates and that unresolved conformers are accommodated in increased atomic thermal parameters.

Crystallization↗