PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R F Kelley

Publications and source records attributed to R F Kelley.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Structural and mutational analysis of affinity-inert contact residues at the growth hormone-receptor interface.

Mutational studies have shown that over two-thirds of the contact side chains at the human growth hormone (hGH)-receptor interface have little or no impact on binding affinity when converted to alanine [Cunningham, B. C., & Wells, J. A. (1993) J. Mol. Biol. 234, 554-563; Clackson, T., & Wells, J. A. (1995) Science 267. 383-386]. Herein, three of the most buried, yet functionally inert, residues on hGH (F25, Y42, and Q46) have been simultaneously mutated to alanine. Binding kinetics of the triple-alanine mutant shows that neither association nor dissociation rates are significantly affected and only slight, local disorder is seen in the crystal structure. However, large and compensating changes were observed in the enthalpy and entropy of binding as determined by isothermal titration calorimetry. The triple-alanine mutant bound with a more favorable enthalpy (delta H = -12.2 +/- 0.7 kcal/mol) and corresponding less favorable entropy [delta S = -2.3 +/- 2.4 cal/(mol.K)] compared to the wild-type interaction [delta H = -9.4 +/- 0.3 kcal/mol; delta S = 7.7 +/- 1.2 cal/(mol.K)]. Dissection of the triple-alanine mutant into the single F25A and double Y42A/Q46A mutant showed that the more favorable enthalpy was derived from the removal of the F25 side chain on helix-1 of the hormone. The delta Cp values for both the triple-alanine mutant [-927 +/- 10 cal/(mol.K)] and the individual mutants were significantly more negative than the delta Cp for the wild-type interaction [-767 +/- 34 cal/(mol.K)]. Such negative delta Cp values are consistent with the proposal that the hydrophobic effect is the primary contributor to the free energy of binding at this protein-protein interface. These results show that multiple-alanine mutations at contact residues may not affect binding kinetics, affinity, or global structure; however, they can produce local structural changes and can cause large compensating effects on the heat and entropy of binding. These studies emphasize that one cannot infer binding free energy from the existence of contacts alone and further support the notion that only a small set of contacts are crucial for the human growth hormone-receptor interaction.

Alanine↗

Identification of a GDP-L-fucose:polypeptide fucosyltransferase and enzymatic addition of O-linked fucose to EGF domains.

An assay of GDP-fucose:polypeptide fucosyltransferase has been established. The enzyme catalyzes the reaction that attaches fucose through an O-glycosidic linkage to a conserved serine or threonine residue in EGF domains. The assay uses recombinant human factor VII EGF-1 domain as acceptor substrate and GDP-fucose as donor substrate. Synthetic peptides with sequences taken from five proteins previously shown to contain O-linked fucose (Harris and Spellman, 1993; Glycobiology, 3, 219-224) did not serve as efficient acceptor substrates. These synthetic peptides did not compromise complete EGF domains and did not contain all six cysteine residues that define the EGF structure. Therefore, the enzyme appears to require more than just a consensus primary sequence and likely requires that the EGF domain disulfide bonds be properly formed. The enzymatic reaction showed linear dependency of its activity on time, amount of enzyme, and substrates. Although the enzyme did not exhibit an absolute requirement for Mn2+, enzymatic activity did increase ten fold in the presence of 50 mM MnCl2. The in vitro glycosylation reaction resulted in complete conversion of the acceptor substrate to glycosylated product, and characterization of the purified product by electrospray mass spectrometry revealed that one fucose was added onto the polypeptide. Most of the enzymatic activity was found to be in the soluble fraction of CHO cell homogenates. However, when enzyme was prepared from rat liver in the presence of protease inhibitors, 37% of the activity was recovered by Triton X-100 extraction of the membrane particles after extensive aqueous washes. The result suggests that the enzyme is probably a membrane protein and, by analogy with other glycosyltransferases, probably has a 'stem' region that is very susceptible to proteolysis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of the factor VIIa binding site on human tissue factor: effects of tissue factor mutations on the kinetics and thermodynamics of binding.

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) measurements on a BIAcore instrument have been used to measure the effects of mutations in human tissue factor (TF), the initiator of blood coagulation, on the kinetics and affinity of binding to human FVIIa. TF mutant proteins were produced in soluble form by expression of the extracellular domain (sTF) in Escherichia coli followed by immunoaffinity purification. Mutants were designed and analyzed on the basis of the structure of sTF recently determined by X-ray crystallography [Muller et al. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 10864-10870]. Wild-type sTF binding to immobilized FVIIa has k(on) = 3.4 +/- 0.8 x 10(5) M-1 s-1 and k(off) = 2.1 +/- 0.1 x 10(-3) s-1 with a calculated KD of 6.3 +/- 1.2 nM and delta G of -11.2 +/- 0.1 kcal mol-1. Calorimetric measurements indicate that binding occurs with a favorable delta H of -32 kcal mol-1, an unfavorable delta S of -70 cal K-1 mol-1, and a delta Cp of -730 cal K mol-1. The value of delta Cp is consistent with burial of a large nonpolar surface area upon binding. Five residues on TF, Lys20, Trp45, Asp58, Tyr94, and Phe140, make a large contribution (delta delta G = 1-2.5 kcal mol-1) to FVIIa binding, a set of 17 mutations result in modest decreases in affinity (delta delta G = 0.3-1 kcal mol-1), and 40 mutations have delta delta G smaller than the experimental uncertainty (+/- 0.3 kcal mol-1). Mutations at four sites result in small (0.3-0.5 kcal mol-1) increases in affinity. Decreases in affinity result primarily from increased rates of dissociation. These data define a putative FVIIa binding site on one face of the TF structure with most of the contacts contributed by the N-terminal fibronectin type III domain. The critical binding residues are found on beta-strands. An additional set of residues located on the surface of the C-terminal fibronectin type III domain opposite the FVIIa binding site have a role in the procoagulant activity of sTF but are not involved in FVIIa binding.

Binding Sites↗

Ligand binding to the tissue-type plasminogen activator kringle 2 domain: structural characterization by 1H-NMR.

Ligand binding to a recombinant human tissue-type plasminogen (tPA) kringle 2 domain has been characterized via 1H-NMR spectroscopy at 500 MHz. Seven omega-amino acid ligands were investigated: L-Lys, 6-aminohexanoic acid (6AHA), 7-aminoheptanoic acid (7AHA), trans-(aminomethyl)-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (AMCHA), p-(aminomethyl)benzoic acid (PAMBA), p-(aminoethyl)benzoic acid (PAEBA), and p-benzylaminesulfonic acid (BASA). The interactions with two peptides containing a C-terminal lysyl residue, Tyr-Leu-Leu-Lys (YLLK) and Ala-Phe-Gln-Tyr-His-Ser-Lys (AFQYHSK), were also studied. The sequence AFQYHSK is found within the plasminogen N-terminal activation peptide while the tetrapeptide YLLK corresponds the 119-122 segment of the fibrinogen B beta-chain. Spectral comparison of ligand-free and ligand-containing kringle 2 samples leads to the conclusion that all the small ligands as well as the peptides' C-terminal lysyl residues interact with a common binding site in kringle 2. Two-dimensional spectra show that besides the Tyr36, Trp62, His64, Trp72, and Tyr74 aromatic rings, the Val35 and Asp55 aliphatic side chains also participate in ligand binding. Contact points with the ligands 6AHA and BASA were unambiguously identified from kringle 2-ligand nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs). Overall, the ligand-induced chemical shifts and the intermolecular NOEs correlate remarkably well. Association constant (Ka) values for the kringle 2-ligand interactions were determined. Among the investigated ligands, BASA perturbs the kringle 2 spectrum the most and exhibits the highest affinity for kringle 2 (Ka approximately 233 mM-1). Of the two other aromatic ligands, PAEBA binds to kringle 2 less firmly (Ka = approximately 12 mM-1) than does the one-methylene group shorter analog PAMBA (Ka approximately 31 mM-1). By comparison, relative to 6AHA (Ka approximately 22 mM-1), the longer chain linear aliphatic ligand 7AHA interacts with kringle 2 with significantly higher affinity (Ka approximately 149 mM-1). By reference to the NMR-derived binding site structure, it is suggested that the higher affinity toward 7AHA may stem from (a) a relatively more favored ionic pairing between its carboxylate group and the LYs34 + Arg 69 side-chain cationic centers and (b) an enhanced interaction between the ligand hydrocarbon moiety and the kringle hydrophobic pocket, in particular with the Leu70 side chain. The latter is consistent with the relatively good affinity of kringle 2 for the cyclic hydrocarbon ligand AMCHA (Ka approximately 69 mM-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structure of the extracellular domain of human tissue factor: location of the factor VIIa binding site.

Tissue factor, the obligate cofactor for coagulation factor VII, plays an essential role in hemostasis by initiating the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation upon vascular damage, making it a promising target for new anticoagulant therapies in the treatment of thrombosis and sepsis. The three-dimensional structure of the extracellular domain of tissue factor, determined by X-ray crystallography at a resolution of 2.4 A, consists of two domains of approximately equal size, with a topology characteristic of fibronectin type III modules. Comparison of tissue factor with the extracellular domain of the growth hormone receptor, which belongs to the same receptor superfamily, shows that the relative orientation between these domains as well as the domain-domain interface is very different. These differences have dramatic consequences for the residues in tissue factor that are homologous to the binding determinants of the growth hormone receptor. Alanine-scanning mutagenesis has identified tissue factor residues important for factor VIIa binding. The structure shows that the binding site is located in the domain-domain interface region but on the opposite side of the molecule compared to the growth hormone receptor, with the binding determinants residing on beta-strands rather than on loops.

Binding Sites↗

Thermodynamic analysis of an antibody functional epitope.

We have probed the relative contribution of polar and nonpolar interactions to antibody-antigen interaction by measuring the effect of single amino acid substitutions in an humanized anti-p185HER2 antibody (hu4D5-5) on the thermodynamics of antigen binding. First we mapped the functional epitope by complete alanine-scan mutagenesis of the antibody complementarity-determining region (CDR). Four residues, H91 in VL and R50, W95, and Y100a in VH, make large contributions to the free energy of binding (delta delta G > 3 kcal mol-1) and have delta delta G > delta delta H. These residues are clustered in a shallow pocket on the antibody surface in the X-ray structure determined for hu4D5 Fv. The majority of other CDR residues make less energetically important contributions (delta delta G < 1 kcal mol-1) to binding but have delta delta H > delta delta G, suggesting that the wild-type side chain does contact antigen but the loss in entropy, perhaps through restriction of side-chain conformational freedom, offsets the favorable enthalpic term. Effects of Phe and Ala substitutions on the delta G and delta Cp of antigen binding indicate that the favorable contribution of antibody tyrosine residues to binding results primarily from burial of the aromatic ring in the interface with antigen. Burial of the phenyl ring has a favorable delta H at 25 degrees C but at least for one site (VL-Y92) is opposed by delta S. This latter feature is inconsistent with the thermodynamics predicted for the hydrophobic effect based on hydrocarbon-transfer experiments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibodies↗

Crystallization and stoichiometry of binding of a complex between a rat intestinal Fc receptor and Fc.

Fc receptors expressed in the gut of newborn rodents bind to maternal immunoglobulin in milk at pH 6.5, and transport it to the bloodstream of the neonate, where it dissociates at pH 7.4. The rat intestinal Fc receptor (FcRn) consists of a heavy chain, with significant sequence similarity to the heavy chain of class I MHC molecules, complexed to the class I light chain, beta 2-microglobulin. Although FcRn is predicted to contain a groove analogous to that which serves as the MHC peptide-binding site, the immunoglobulin ligand of FcRn is a macromolecule instead of a peptide. We have expressed and crystallized a secreted form of FcRn, and here report the crystallization of a complex between FcRn and its Fc ligand. Isolated FcRn-Fc complexes crystallize in space group I222 or I2(1)2(1)2(1) with unit cell dimensions a = 125 A, b = 152 A and c = 216 A. The crystals diffract to 5.5 A resolution with anisotropic diffraction to 3.5 A. Data collection from cryopreserved crystals may allow the resolution limit to be extended, since the major reason for the poor resolution appears to be radiation decay. Even a low-resolution view of how FcRn binds Fc would be of interest to see if the binding site corresponds to the functional part of an MHC molecule. Since the structure of Fc is known, and a structure determination of FcRn is underway, it may be possible to locate the Fc binding site on FcRn at low resolution. As an initial characterization of the FcRn-Fc mode of interaction, and to facilitate the structure determination, we have determined the stoichiometry of binding of FcRn to Fc. We show that two FcRn molecules bind per Fc, as determined by analysis of gels of washed crystals, a column binding assay, and isothermal titration calorimetry.

Animals↗

Antigen binding thermodynamics and antiproliferative effects of chimeric and humanized anti-p185HER2 antibody Fab fragments.

The murine monoclonal antibody 4D5 (anti-p185HER2) inhibits the proliferation of human tumor cells overexpressing p185HER2 in vitro and has been "humanized" [Carter, P., Presta, L., Gorman, C. M., Ridgway, J. B. B., Henner, D., Wong, W.-L. T., Rowland, A. M., Kotts, C., Carver, M. E., & Shepard, H. M. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. (in press)] for use in human cancer therapy. We have determined the antigen binding thermodynamics and the antiproliferative activities of chimeric 4D5 Fab (ch4D5 Fab) fragment and a series of eight humanized Fab (hu4D5 Fab) fragments differing by amino acid substitutions in the framework regions of the variable domains. Fab fragments were expressed by secretion from Escherichia coli and purified from fermentation supernatants by using affinity chromatography on immobilized streptococcal protein G or staphylococcal protein A for ch4D5 and hu4D5, respectively. Circular dichroism spectroscopy indicates correct folding of the E. coli produced Fab, and scanning calorimetry shows a greater stability for hu4D5 (Tm = 82 degrees C) as compared with ch4D5 Fab (Tm = 72 degrees C). KD values for binding to the extracellular domain (ECD) of p185HER2 were determined by using a radioimmunoassay; the delta H and delta Cp for binding were determined by using isothermal titration calorimetry. ch4D5 Fab and one of the humanized variants (hu4D5-8 Fab) bind p185HER2-ECD with comparable affinity (delta G degrees = -13.6 kcal mol-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Crystal structure of the kringle 2 domain of tissue plasminogen activator at 2.4-A resolution.

The crystal structure of the kringle 2 domain of tissue plasminogen activator was determined and refined at a resolution of 2.43 A. The overall fold of the molecule is similar to that of prothrombin kringle 1 and plasminogen kringle 4; however, there are differences in the lysine binding pocket, and two looping regions, which include insertions in kringle 2, take on very different conformations. Based on a comparison of the overall structural homology between kringle 2 and kringle 4, a new sequence alignment for kringle domains is proposed that results in a division of kringle domains into two groups, consistent with their proposed evolutionary relation. The crystal structure shows a strong interaction between a lysine residue of one molecule and the lysine/fibrin binding pocket of a noncrystallographically related neighbor. This interaction represents a good model of a bound protein ligand and is the first such ligand that has been observed in a kringle binding pocket. The structure shows an intricate network of interactions both among the binding pocket residues and between binding pocket residues and the lysine ligand. A lysine side chain is identified as the positively charged group positioned to interact with the carboxylate of lysine and lysine analogue ligands. In addition, a chloride ion is located in the kringle-kringle interface and contributes to the observed interaction between kringle molecules.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

High level Escherichia coli expression and production of a bivalent humanized antibody fragment.

Many clinical uses of antibodies will require large quantities of fragments which are bivalent and humanized. We therefore attempted to generate humanized F(ab')2 fragments by secretion from E. coli. Titers of 1-2 g l-1 of soluble and functional Fab' fragments have been routinely achieved as judged by antigen-binding ELISA. Surprisingly, this high expression level of Fab' in the periplasmic space of E. coli does not drive dimerization. However, we have developed a protocol to directly and efficiently recover Fab' with the single hinge cysteine in the free thiol state, allowing F(ab')2 formation by chemically-directed coupling in vitro. The E. coli derived humanized F(ab')2 fragment is indistinguishable from F(ab')2 derived from limited proteolysis of intact antibody in its binding affinity for the antigen, p185HER2, and anti-proliferative activity against the human breast tumor cell line, SK-BR-3, which over-expresses p185HER2. This system makes E. coli expression of bivalent antibody fragments for human therapy (or other uses) practical.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Kringle-2 domain of the tissue-type plasminogen activator. 1H-NMR assignments and secondary structure.

A recombinant 90-residue polypeptide fragment containing the three-loop kringle-2 domain of human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) has been studied by two-dimensional 1H-NMR spectroscopy at 500 MHz. Complete sequence-specific resonance assignments were derived. Overall, the kringle exhibits a compact, folded conformation with more than 50% of the residues in irregular structures. Elements of secondary structure were identified from sequential, medium- and long-range dipolar (Overhauser) interproton interactions. These identifications were corroborated by analysis of spin-spin scalar 3J alpha N splittings and identification of backbone amide NH protons exhibiting retarded 1H/2H exchange in 2H2O. Three antiparallel beta-sheets and six tight turns were located. In addition, one short alpha-helical region was found in the Ser43-Ala44-Gln44a-Ala44b-Leu44c-Gly45+ ++ segment; this region contains three-residue insertions unique to the t-PA and urokinase kringles. Although the secondary structure of the t-PA kringle 2 in solution is in overall agreement with that observed in the crystallographic structure of the prothrombin kringle 1 [Tulinsky, A., Park, C.H. & Skrzypczak-Jankun, E. (1988) J. Mol. Biol. 202, 885-901], the alpha-helical segment and other details of the secondary structure differ somewhat from the prothrombin homolog.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Construction, expression, and purification of recombinant kringle 1 of human plasminogen and analysis of its interaction with omega-amino acids.

An Escherichia coli expression vector, containing the alkaline phosphatase promoter and the stII heat-stable enterotoxin signal sequence, along with the cDNA of the kringle 1 (K1) region of human plasminogen (HPg), has been employed to express into the periplasmic space amino acid residues 82-163 (E163----D) of HPg. This region of the molecule contains the entire K1 domain (residues C84-C162) of HPg, as well as two non-kringle amino-terminal amino acids (S82-E83) that are present in their normal locations in HPg and a carboxyl-terminal amino acid, D163, that results from mutation of the E163, normally present at this location in the HPg amino acid sequence. After purification of r-K1 by chromatographic techniques, we have investigated its omega-amino acid binding properties by titration calorimetry, intrinsic fluorescence, and differential scanning microcalorimetry (DSC). The antifibrinolytic agent, epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA), possesses a single binding site for r-K1. The thermodynamic properties of this interaction, studied by calorimetric titrations of the heats of binding with this ligand, reveal a Kd of 12 +/- 2 microM at 25 degrees C and pH 7.4, a corresponding delta G of -6.7 +/- 0.1 kcal/mol, a delta H of -3.6 +/- 0.1 kcal/mol, and a delta S of 10.5 +/- 0.8 eu. The intrinsic fluorescence of r-K1 decreases by approximately 44% when its binding site is saturated with EACA, and titrations of this perturbation with EACA lead to calculation of a Kd of approximately 13 microM, a value in good agreement with that obtained from titration calorimetric analysis. EACA represents the strongest binding ligand of a variety of simple aliphatic omega-amino acids examined. A cyclic analogue of EACA, trans-4-(aminomethyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, interacts with r-K1 with an approximate 12-fold tighter Kd (1.0 +/- 0.2 microM). Investigations by DSC, at pH 7.4, demonstrate that a significant stabilization of the r-K1 structure occurs when EACA binds to this domain. The temperature of maximum heat capacity change (Tm) in the thermal denaturation of r-K1 increases from approximately 340.8 to 359.1 K as a consequence of EACA binding. These studies demonstrate that a fully functional EACA-binding kringle from HPg can be expressed and secreted in E. coli, purified by techniques that do not require refolding, and investigated as an independent structural unit.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Thermodynamics of ligand binding and denaturation for His64 mutants of tissue plasminogen activator kringle-2 domain.

The contribution of His64 to the function and stability of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) kringle-2 domain (His244 in t-PA numbering) has been studied by using microcalorimetric methods to compare the ligand binding and thermal denaturation behavior of wild-type kringle-2 and mutants having His64 replaced with Tyr or Phe. This site was examined because modeling studies suggested that the His64 side chain could play an important role in ligand binding by forming an ion-pair with the carboxylate of the ligand, L-lysine. Kringle-2 domains were expressed by secretion of the 174-263 portion of t-PA in E. coli and purified as previously described for the wild-type domain. Both mutant proteins retain affinity for L-lysine, although reduced three- to four-fold relative to wild-type, demonstrating that His64 does not interact with the ligand carboxylate through an ion-pair interaction or by hydrogen bonding. The H64Y substitution does result in an altered specificity of the lysine binding site with the mutant domain having greatest affinity for a ligand of 6.8 A chain length, whereas the wild-type domain prefers an 8.8 A long ligand. For both wild-type and mutant, the binding of the optimal chain length ligand is dominated by enthalpic effects (delta H = -6,000 to -7,000 cal/mol) and T delta S accounts for less than 15% of delta G. In addition, the H64Y mutant differs from wild-type in the effect of ligand alpha-amino group modification on binding affinity. Based on examination of the x-ray structure recently determined for wild-type kringle-2, the specificity changes accompanying the H64Y substitution probably result from changes in side chain interactions in the lysine binding site. Thermal denaturation experiments show that the H64Y mutant is also more stable than the wild-type protein with the difference in stabilization free energy (delta delta G) equal to 2.7 kcal/mol at 25 degrees C and pH 3. The increased stability of the mutant appears to be related to the difference in hydrophobicity between His and Tyr.

Binding Sites↗

Fab assembly and enrichment in a monovalent phage display system.

We have developed a system that allows the expression of a single copy of an antibody Fab molecule on the surface of the filamentous bacteriophage M13 and demonstrate the utility of this system for enrichment of specific "Fab phage". A "humanized" version of antibody 4D5 (h4D5) directed against the extracellular domain of the HER2 (neu) receptor, was used as prototype to assess the assembly of Fab molecules on the phage and to determine the power of the enrichment system. The h4D5 Fab phage showed specific binding to the extracellular domain of the receptor and exhibited an affinity for its antigen virtually identical to the Fab itself. By virtue of its antigen binding, the h4D5 Fab phage could be sorted from a million-fold excess of non-cognate Fab phage in only two rounds of sorting. Further experiments demonstrated that the h4D5 Fab phage could be preferentially enriched from mixtures of variant Fab phages that had lower affinities for the HER2 receptor.

Biotechnology↗

Folding of eukaryotic proteins produced in Escherichia coli.

Although intracellular expression in E. coli may result in accumulation of the eukaryotic protein in inclusion bodies, the protein may often be recovered by first solubilizing with denaturant followed by refolding. Some general guidelines for developing a refolding procedure are apparent but the specific protocol must be empirically determined for each protein. Convenient and rapid assays for detecting native protein are critical for developing a refolding procedure. Maintaining solubility during refolding is a common feature of recovery processes. Proper folding should be assessed by a number of methods including activity, spectroscopic and stability measurements. For some proteins, properly folded protein may be obtained by secretion from E. coli; however, secretion does not ensure correct folding and protection from proteolytic degradation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

1H NMR structural characterization of a recombinant kringle 2 domain from human tissue-type plasminogen activator.

The kringle 2 domain of human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) has been characterized via 1H NMR spectroscopy at 300 and 620 MHz. The experiments were performed on the isolated domain obtained by expression of the 174-263 portion of t-PA in Escherichia coli [Cleary et al. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 1884-1891]. The spectrum of t-PA kringle 2 is characteristic of a globular structure and shows overall similarity to that of the plasminogen (PGN) kringle 4. Spectral comparison with human and bovine PGN kringle 4 identifies side-chain resonances from Leu46, which afford a fingerprint of kringle folding, and from most of the aromatic ring spin systems. Assignment of signals arising from the His13, His48a, and His64 side chains, which are unique to t-PA kringle 2, was assisted by the availability of a His64----Tyr mutant. Ligand-binding studies confirm that t-PA kringle 2 binds L-lysine with an association constant Ka approximately 11.9 mM-1. The data indicate that homologous or conserved residues relative to those that compose the lysine-binding sites of PGN kringles 1 and 4 are involved in the binding of L-lysine to t-PA kringle 2. These include Tyr36 and, within the kringle inner loop, Trp62, His64, Trp72, and Tyr74. Acid/base titration of aromatic singlets in the presence of L-lysine yields pKa* approximately 6.25 and approximately 4.41 for His13 and His64, respectively, and shows that the His48a imidazole group does not protonate down to pH* approximately 4.3. Thus, the His48a and His64 side chains are in solvent-shielded locations. As observed for the PGN kringles, the Trp62 indole group titrates with pKa* approximately 4.60, which indicates proximity of the side chain to a titratable carboxyl group, most likely that of Asp57 at the binding site. Several labile NH protons of t-PA kringle 2 exhibit retarded H-exchange kinetics, requiring more than a week in 2H2O for full deuteration in the presence of L-lysine at 37 degrees C. This reveals that kringle 2 is endowed with a compact, dynamically stable conformation. Proton Overhauser experiments in 1H2O, centered on well-resolved NH resonances between 9.8 and 12 ppm, identify signals arising from the His48a imidazole NH3 proton and the three Trp indole NH1 protons. A strong dipolar interaction was observed among the Trp25 indole NH1, the Tyr50 amide NH, and the His48a imidazole CH2 protons, which affords evidence for an aromatic cluster in t-PA kringle 2 similar to that found at the hydrophobic kernel of PGN kringles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of residue 65 substitutions on thermal stability of tissue plasminogen activator kringle-2 domain.

We have used differential scanning calorimetry to measure the effect of replacements of valine 65 on thermal stability of the isolated kringle-2 domain of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). The role of this site in stability was examined because a human t-PA variant having this valine (residue 245 in t-PA numbering) replaced with a methionine has been described [Johnston, M.D., & Berger, H. (1987) U.K. Patent Application GB 2176702A]. Mutants of kringle-2 having valine 65 replaced with Met, Leu, Ile, Thr, Ala, or Ser were constructed by using site-directed mutagenesis in conjunction with a restricted site selection strategy. Isolated kringle-2 domains were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified as previously described for the wild-type domain [Cleary, S., Mulkerrin, M.G., & Kelley, R.F. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 1884-1891]. None of these substitutions results in a significant perturbation of the native conformation of kringle-2 as judged by far-UV circular dichroism and equilibrium dialysis measurements of L-lysine affinity. A two-state analysis of the heat capacity profile observed for heating a solution of wild-type (w-t) kringle-2 containing 100 mM citrate, pH 4.5, provides values of 64.3 +/- 0.8 degrees C for Tg (melting temperature), 81 +/- 5 kcal/mol for delta H g, and 1.2 +/- 0.9 kcal/(mol-deg) for delta C p. Thermal denaturation of w-t kringle-2 is reversible in the pH range 3-6 as indicated by the observation of similar heat capacity profiles for consecutive heating cycles and also recovery of spectroscopic and lysine binding properties upon cooling the heat-denatured protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Base Sequence↗

Purification and characterization of tissue plasminogen activator kringle-2 domain expressed in Escherichia coli.

We have expressed the 174-263 fragment (kringle-2 domain) of human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) in Escherichia coli by secretion into the periplasmic space using the alkaline phosphatase promoter and stII enterotoxin signal sequence. A large portion of the secreted protein is associated with an insoluble cellular fraction. This material can be solubilized by extraction with denaturant and reducing agent and then recovered in active form by refolding in the presence of reduced and oxidized glutathione. Kringle-2 is then easily purified by affinity chromatography on lysine-Sepharose followed by cation-exchange chromatography. The isolated protein has an amino acid composition and N-terminal sequence as expected for the 174-263 fragment of t-PA, indicating that the signal peptide has been properly removed. Circular dichroic spectra suggest that the protein is folded similar to the kringle-4 domain of plasminogen [Castellino et al. (1986) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 247, 312-320]. Equilibrium dialysis experiments indicate a single binding site on kringle-2 for L-lysine having a KD of 100 microM. Using a method based on elution of kringle from lysine-Separose with omega-aminocarboxylic acids [Winn et al. (1980) Eur. J. Biochem. 104, 579-586], we have shown the lysine binding site of t-PA kringle-2 to have a preference for a ligand with 8.8-A separation between amine and carboxylate functions. Charge interactions with the epsilon-amino group of L-lysine are important in binding since the affinities for N epsilon-acetyl-L-lysine, L-arginine, and gamma-guanidinobutyric acid are decreased greater than 2000-fold, 200-fold, and 12-fold, respectively, relative to the affinity for L-lysine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cloning, Molecular↗