PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R E Klevit

Publications and source records attributed to R E Klevit.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Involvement of the carboxy-terminal residue in the active site of the histidine-containing protein, HPr, of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system of Escherichia coli.

Histidine-containing protein, HPr, of the Escherichia coli phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system has an active site that involves His-15, which is phosphorylated to form a N delta 1-P-histidine, Arg-17, and the carboxy-terminal residue Glu-85. Mutant HPrs with alterations to the three C-terminal residues, Glu-85, Leu-84, and Glu-83, were produced by site-directed mutagenesis. The properties of these mutants were assessed by kinetic analysis of enzyme I, enzyme IImannose, enzyme IIN-acetylglucosamine, and enzyme IImannitol, and the phosphohydrolysis properties of the HPr mutants. The results show that it is the C-terminal alpha-carboxyl of Glu-85 that is involved in the active site, and this involvement may be restricted to the phosphoryl donor action of HPr. The contribution of this alpha-carboxyl group is modest as the deletion of Glu-85 resulted in the reduction of the enzyme II activity (kcat/Km) to about 33%. Removal of both Glu-85 and Leu-84 yields an HPr that is an impaired substrate of both the enzyme I and enzyme II reactions. Glu-83 appears to have no role in the active site.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1991

Epitope mapping by mutagenesis distinguishes between the two tertiary structures of the histidine-containing protein HPr.

Thirty-four of the 85 residues of the histidine-containing protein HPr of the Escherichia coli phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system have been changed by site-directed mutagenesis. Many of the mutations have wild-type activity suggesting an unaltered tertiary structure but have altered binding to three monoclonal antibodies: Jel42, Jel44, and Jel323. This altered binding defines the residues that are involved in the epitopes of HPr. At present, two different three-dimensional structures have been determined for HPr, one from two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and the other from x-ray diffraction of HPr crystals. The epitope mapping for Jel42 does not distinguish between the tertiary structures. However, only the HPr structure derived from two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectra is consistent with a contiguous surface binding site that can be defined as the epitope for Jel44. Thus the x-ray structure may represent a partially unfolded HPr.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

ADR1a, a zinc finger peptide, exists in two folded conformations.

Two-dimensional NMR (2DNMR) studies of several different zinc finger peptides have yielded a picture of the three-dimensional structure of this small DNA-binding motif. Details of the differences among fingers with different sequences may provide some insight into how these domains interact with DNA. Toward this end, we have reanalyzed the 2DNMR spectra of the C-terminal zinc finger sequence from the yeast transcriptional factor ADR1. Although this was the sequence on which our original report describing the overall fold of zinc fingers was based, complete spectral assignments (reported here) were needed to compare this sequence in detail with that of ADR1b, for which we have reported an atomic level structure. In the process of analyzing the spectra of ADR1a and a mutant of ADR1a, it was noted that the peptides give two sets of NMR lines, indicating that this sequence, unlike the other ADR1 zinc finger sequence, exists in two slowly interconverting folded conformations in solution. Residues that exhibit peak doubling are located in the Cys loop, the alpha-helix, and the extreme C-terminus of the peptide. Differences in NOEs observed for the two forms indicate that there are detectable conformational differences in the Zn2+ cluster and in the fingertip region. This conformational flexibility, which has not been observed for other zinc finger peptides, may stem from the presence of an additional residue between the histidine ligands (His-X4-His versus His-X3-His).

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Sequence-specific 1H NMR resonance assignments of Bacillus subtilis HPr: use of spectra obtained from mutants to resolve spectral overlap.

On the basis of an analysis of two-dimensional 1H NMR spectra, the complete sequence-specific 1H NMR assignments are presented for the phosphocarrier protein HPr from the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. During the assignment procedure, extensive use was made of spectra obtained from point mutants of HPr in order to resolve spectral overlap and to provide verification of assignments. Regions of regular secondary structure were identified by characteristic patterns of sequential backbone proton NOEs and slowly exchanging amide protons. B. subtilis HPr contains four beta-strands that form a single antiparallel beta-sheet and two well-defined alpha-helices. There are two stretches of extended backbone structure, one of which contains the active site His15. The overall fold of the protein is very similar to that of Escherichia coli HPr determined by NMR studies [Klevit, R. E., & Waygood, E. B. (1986) Biochemistry 25, 7774-7781].

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Solution structure of a zinc finger domain of yeast ADR1.

The "zinc finger" is a 30-residue repeating motif that has been identified in a variety of eukaryotic transcription factors. Each domain is capable of binding a Zn2+ ion through invariant Cys and His residues. We have determined the three-dimensional structure of a synthetic peptide that corresponds to one of the two zinc finger domains in the yeast transcription factor ADR1, using two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The Zn2(+)-bound structure of the peptide consists of a loop containing the two Cys residues, a "fingertip," a 12- to 13-residue alpha-helix containing the two His residues, and a C-terminal tail. A majority of the interresidue contacts observed involve the seven conserved residues of the prototypic zinc finger (i.e., the four zinc ligands and the three hydrophobic residues), indicating that these residues are largely responsible for the three-dimensional structure of the domain and that all the zinc finger domains of the TFIIIA class will have similar structures. Potential DNA-binding residues are found throughout the structure, with the highest concentration of such residues on the external face of the alpha-helix.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Spectroscopic studies of wild-type and mutant "zinc finger" peptides: determinants of domain folding and structure.

The "zinc finger" model [Miller, J., McLachlan, A. D. & Klug, A. (1985) EMBO J. 4, 1609-1614; Brown, R. S., Sander, C. & Argos, P. (1985) FEBS Lett. 186, 271-274] makes both specific structural and specific functional predictions about zinc finger consensus sequences that can be tested with a combination of genetic, molecular biological, and biophysical techniques. The yeast transcription factor ADR1 contains two adjacent zinc finger domains; genetic and deletion analyses showed that amino acid substitutions and deletions in the zinc finger domains resulted in the loss of protein activity. To test the structural and folding predictions of the zinc finger model, peptides encompassing each of the ADR1 fingers were synthesized (ADR1a and ADR1b) as well as a mutant finger peptide (del138) deleted for a single amino acid residue. The folding and metal-binding characteristics of these were assessed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and visible spectroscopy. While a single unique conformational species was detected for the two wild-type peptides upon tetrahedral binding of zinc, the deletion peptide did not bind zinc with tetrahedral geometry, nor did it fold into a zinc finger domain. The metal-binding and folding results found with the mutant peptide were similar to those obtained when thiol alkylation or imidazole protonation of the wild-type peptides was performed. These data indicate that ligand spacing and both thiol and imidazole participation in zinc binding are specific and necessary requirements for zinc finger folding, which provides direct support for the initial predictions of the model.

Alkylation↗
PubMed1989

Common structural changes accompany the functional inactivation of HPr by seryl phosphorylation or by serine to aspartate substitution.

Although many proteins are known to be regulated via reversible phosphorylation, little is known about the mechanism by which the covalent modification of seryl, threonyl, or tyrosyl residues alters the activities of the target systems. To address this question, modified versions of Bacillus subtilus HPr, a protein component of the bacterial phosphotransferase system, have been studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Phosphorylation at Ser46 or a Ser to Asp substitution at this position inactivates HPr [Reizer, J., Sutrina, S. L., Saier, M. H., Stewart, G. C., Peterkofsky, A., & Reddy, P. (1989) EMBO J. 8, 2111-2120]. Two-dimensional spectra of these two modified proteins display nearly identical proton chemical shifts that differ significantly from those observed in the spectra of the unphosphorylated, wild-type protein and of functionally active HPr mutants. The results demonstrate that the functional inactivation of HPr brought about by the serine to aspartate mutation is accompanied by the same structural changes that occur when HPr is phosphorylated at Ser46.

Aspartic Acid↗
PubMed1989

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies on the variant-3 neurotoxin from Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing: sequential assignment of resonances.

We report the sequential assignment of resonances to specific residues in the proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the variant-3 neurotoxin from the scorpion Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing (range southwestern U.S.A.). A combination of two-dimensional NMR experiments such as 2D-COSY, 2D-NOESY, and single- and double-RELAY coherence transfer spectroscopy has been employed on samples of the protein dissolved in D2O and in H2O for assignment purposes. These studies provide a basis for the determination of the solution-phase conformation of this protein and for undertaking detailed structure-function studies of these neurotoxins that modulate the flow of sodium current by binding to the sodium channels of excitable membranes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance characterization of the aromatic residues in the variant-3 neurotoxin from Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing.

The amino acid sequence for the variant-3 (CsE-v3) toxin from the venom of the scorpion Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing contains eight aromatic residues. By use of 2D NMR spectroscopic methods, the resonances from the individual protons (NH, C alpha H, C beta H',H", and the ring) for each of the individual aromatic residues have been completely assigned. The spatial arrangement of the aromatic ring systems with respect to each other has been qualitatively analyzed by 2D-NOESY techniques. The results show that Trp-47, Tyr-4, and Tyr-42 are in close spatial proximity to each other. The NOESY contacts and the ring current induced shifts in the resonances of the individual protons of Tyr-4 and Trp-47 suggest that the aromatic ring planes of these residues are in an orthogonal arrangement. In addition, the spatial proximity of the rings in the pairs Tyr-4, Tyr-58; Tyr-42, Tyr-40; and Tyr-40, Tyr-38 has also been established. A comparison with the published crystal structure suggests that there is a minor rearrangement of the aromatic rings in the solution phase. No 2D-NOESY contacts involving Phe-44 and Tyr-14 to any other aromatic ring protons have been observed. The pH dependence of the aromatic ring proton chemical shifts has also been studied. These results suggest that the Tyr-58 phenolic group is experiencing a hydrogen-bonding interaction with a positively charged group, while Tyr-4, -14, -38, and -40 are experiencing through-space interactions with proximal negatively charged groups. The Trp-47 indole NH is interacting with the carboxylate groups of two proximal acidic residues. These studies define the microenvironment of the aromatic residues in the variant-3 neurotoxin in aqueous solution.

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration↗
PubMed1988

Zinc-dependent structure of a single-finger domain of yeast ADR1.

In the proposed "zinc finger" DNA-binding motif, each repeat unit binds a zinc metal ion through invariant Cys and His residues and this drives the folding of each 30-residue unit into an independent nucleic acid-binding domain. To obtain structural information, we synthesized single and double zinc finger peptides from the yeast transcription activator ADR1, and assessed the metal-binding and DNA-binding properties of these peptides, as well as the solution structure of the metal-stabilized domains, with the use of a variety of spectroscopic techniques. A single zinc finger can exist as an independent structure sufficient for zinc-dependent DNA binding. An experimentally determined model of the single finger is proposed that is consistent with circular dichroism, one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance, and visual spectroscopy of the single-finger peptide reconstituted in the presence of zinc.

Circular Dichroism↗
PubMed1987

Two-dimensional NMR investigation of a bent DNA fragment: assignment of the proton resonances and preliminary structure analysis.

The resonances of all the non-exchangeable protons (except 5'H and 5"H) of d(CGAAAAATCGG) + d(CCGATTTTTCG), a putatively bent DNA duplex, have been assigned using 1H two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance methods. The nuclear Overhauser effect data indicate an overall B-form structure for this double-helical DNA undecamer. However, several features of the NMR data such as some unusually weak C8/C6 proton to C1' proton NOE cross-peaks, the presence of relatively intense C2H to C1'H NOE cross-peaks, and unusual chemical shifts of some 2", 2', and 1' protons suggest a substantial perturbation of the helix structure at the junctions and along the length of the tract of A residues. These structural deviations are considered in terms of models of DNA bending.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Two-dimensional 1H NMR studies of histidine-containing protein from Escherichia coli. 1. Sequential resonance assignments.

Two-dimensional NMR studies at 500 MHz have been performed on the histidine-containing protein (HPr) from Escherichia coli. HPr is one of the phosphocarrier proteins involved in the bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system that is responsible for the concomitant phosphorylation and translocation of a number of sugars. Sequential resonance assignments of HPr are complete. The conventional method of sequential assignments involving J-correlated spectroscopy (COSY) and nuclear Overhauser spectroscopy (NOESY) has been supplemented by optimized relayed coherence transfer spectroscopy (RELAY) to help overcome the spectral overlap that is inevitable in the spectra of proteins the size of HPr. RELAY experiments were performed in H2O to obtain NH-C beta H connectivities and in D2O to obtain C alpha H-C gamma H connectivities. The abundance of relayed coherence transfer peaks in the two experiments greatly aided in the assignment process of the complicated protein spectrum. The assignments lay the groundwork for the determination of the solution structure of HPr, as described in the accompanying paper [Klevit, R. E., & Waygood, E. B. (1986) Biochemistry (third paper of three in this issue)].

Amino Acid Sequence↗