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Biomedical subjects

V Renugopalakrishnan

Publications and source records attributed to V Renugopalakrishnan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Secondary structure and limited three-dimensional structure of bovine amelogenin.

Secondary structural features of bovine amelogenin, a hydrophobic protein of developing enamel implicated in ename mineralization, are derived using 2D NMR spectroscopy in solution and molecular mechanics-dynamics studies. A beta-turn: beta-sheet model with some "unordered" segments was previously proposed from circular dichroism, Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy augmented by Chou-Fasman predictive algorithm. The proposed structure contains a repetitive beta-turn segment, "beta-spiral" between Gln112 and Leu138 residues containing a (Pro, Leu, Gln) rich segment. The beta-spiral structure offers a probable site for interaction of Ca++ ions. Assignment of proton resonances using 2D COSY spectroscopy is presently in progress. Preliminary 2D NOESY spectra have revealed the presence of Tyr residues (TRAP segment) on the surface of amelogenin molecule and clusters of cross peaks reminiscent of beta-turns and sheets which are consistent with the primary structure and proposed secondary structures of amelogenin. The channel-like beta-spiral structure embedded in amelogenin provides a novel mechanism for trapping of Ca++ ions and their passage for a hydrophobic protein sparse in Ser(P) and charged amino acid residues.

Amelogenin↗
PubMed1988

Effect of ethanol on the binding of conformationally rigid and labile ligands of opioid receptors to rat brain membranes.

The effect of ethanol on the binding of conformationally rigid and labile ligands for mu and delta opioid receptors to rat brain membranes was determined. The mu ligands used for the studies were [3H]naltrexone and [3H]Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-N-MePhe-Gly-ol (DAGO), and delta ligands used were [3H]Tyr-D-Ser-Gly-Phe-Leu-Thr-OH (DSTLE) and [3H]Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu (DADLE). The binding of all the opioid ligands was inhibited by ethanol in a concentration-dependent manner. For mu ligands the inhibition was greater for [3H]DAGO binding than for the binding of [3H]naltrexone. For delta ligands, the inhibition by ethanol of the binding of [3H]DADLE was greater than that of [3H]DSTLE. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was used to determine the conformation of opioid peptides. The data indicated that the conformation of peptides was altered in the presence of ethanol. The results suggest that ethanol inhibits the binding of both mu and delta opioid ligands with greater inhibition observed with conformationally labile ligands. Finally, the alteration in the conformation of the peptide ligands by ethanol, in addition to denaturation of the receptor protein, may also account for the observed inhibitory effect of ethanol on brain opioid receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Dynorphin A (1-13) peptide NH groups are solvent exposed: FT-IR and 500 MHz 1H NMR spectroscopic evidence.

FT-IR spectroscopic studies of dynorphin A(1-13) in H2O and D2O are utilized to derive the aqueous phase secondary structure of the opioid peptide. Resolution enhancement of the amide I region of dynorphin A(1-13) in H2O revealed a doublet at 1652 cm-1 and 1669 cm-1 which are interpreted as indicative of "unordered" and extended structures. From FT-IR and 1H NMR deuterium exchange studies, the peptide NH groups appeared to be solvent accessible which is suggestive of an essentially extended structure with aperiodically interwoven "unordered" structure. The results are consistent with Raman Spectroscopic (Rapaka et al., (1987) Int. J. Peptide Protein Res. 30:284-287) and 2D NMR studies (Huang et al. submitted), from our laboratory.

Dynorphins↗
PubMed1988

Inter-chain proline:proline contacts contribute to the stability of the triple helical conformation.

The triple helical conformation observed in the collagen group of proteins is related to the presence of large numbers of imino residues and is derived from the stereochemical properties of these residues. The triple helix is stabilized by increasing numbers of these residues. Hydrogen bonds are usually considered to be a major factor in the formation and stability of protein conformation, however, imino residues are not hydrogen bond donors. We have evaluated the role of these residues in stabilizing the triple helix by re-examining two X-ray based structures of the triple helical polypeptide (Pro-Pro-Gly)10 using molecular mechanics calculations. The two minimized structures are comparable in energy and have helical parameters close to the starting values for each starting structure. Our studies suggest that clusters of close van der Waals contacts between proline residues in adjacent chains contribute significantly to the stability of the triple helix. Preliminary NMR studies support this concept. We propose that non-bonded interactions between proline residues may be a significant stabilizing force in the triple helix generated by (Pro-Pro-Gly)10.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1987

A 500 MHz 1H NMR spectroscopic study of Met5-enkephalinamide in aqueous solution: ethanol induced conformational changes.

An analysis of spin coupling constants, less than 3J greater than C alpha H-NH, from a high resolution 500 MHz 1H NMR study of [Met5]-enkephalinamide in aqueous solution, suggested that beta-sheet structure is the likely conformer. The effect of ethanol on the conformation of [Met5]-enkephalinamide in aqueous solution was investigated. From the upfield drift of observed chemical shifts and changes in coupling constants, especially of the amide NH resonances, it is concluded that ethanol disrupts the conformation possibly by influencing the hydrogen bonding. The above observation is consistent with a recent study of the ethanol induced conformational changes occurring in [Met5]enkephalinamide [Rapaka, R.S. et al. (1986) Life Sciences 39, 837-842].

Enkephalin, Methionine↗
PubMed1986

Molecular mechanics studies of dermorphin.

Molecular mechanical simulations have been carried out on dermorphin. Presence of D-Ala2 at the N-terminus and L-Pro6 residue at the C-terminus indicated the probability of beta-turns. From the stereochemical considerations, three types- II', III' and V' - for the beta-turn at the N-terminus of the peptide and two types-I and III- for the C-terminus side of the peptide are possible. In our molecular mechanics calculations, we considered six folded and one extended conformations for dermorphin to asses the relative stabilities. Three of the six folded conformations are lower in energy and have the following general feature-similar in energy, three hydrogen bonds, semirigid beta-sheet segment and favorable Tyr1-Tyr5 interaction. The presence of beta-sheet structure might play a role in mu-receptor selective interaction of dermorphin.

Analgesics, Opioid↗
PubMed1986

Ethanol induced conformational changes of the peptide ligands for the opioid receptors and their relevance to receptor interaction.

The FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared) Spectrum of [Met 5]-enkephalinamide in aqueous solution shows the presence of both the beta-turn and beta-sheet conformations. The beta-turn and beta-sheet conformations of enkephalins have been proposed to play a role in receptor selectivity. Addition of ethanol alters these secondary structural features and hence the effect of ethanol on ligand-receptor interaction may be mediated primarily through conformational changes of the ligand rather than those of the receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Studies of the secondary structures of amelogenin from bovine tooth enamel.

Circular dichroism and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies of the major amelogenin protein of developing bovine tooth enamel in solution and in the solid state suggest a unique secondary structure containing beta-sheet and repetitive beta-turn structures. The repetitive beta-turn structure at the C-terminal end results from the unique primary structure of amelogenin.

Amelogenin↗
PubMed1986

A Raman spectroscopic study of hen egg yolk phosvitin: structures in solution and in the solid state.

Laser Raman spectroscopy has been employed to study the structure of the hen egg yolk protein phosvitin in H2O and D2O solutions at neutral and acidic pH (pD) and in the solid state. The Raman data indicate an unusual conformation for phosvitin in neutral aqueous solution, which is deficient in both alpha-helix and conventional beta-sheet conformations. This unusual pH 7 structure is, however, largely converted to a beta-sheet conformation in strongly acidic media (pH less than 2). beta-Sheet is also the predominant secondary structure for phosvitin in the solid state, obtained by lyophilization of the protein from aqueous solution at neutral pH. The imidazolium rings of histidyl residues remain significantly protonated near neutrality, which suggests substantial elevation of the pK for imidazolium ring ionizations of phosvitin in aqueous solution. This may result from extensive ion-pair interactions involving positively charged histidines and negatively charged phosphoserines, which are prevalent in the phosvitin sequence. The present results suggest that antiparallel beta-sheets may not be the secondary structure most characteristic of native phosvitin (physiological pH), even though beta-sheet is the predominant conformation for phosvitin in acidic solutions (pH 1.5) and in the lyophilized solid. Phosvitin appears to be the first protein for which the major component to the Raman amide I band is centered near 1685 cm-1, which is 10-40 cm-1 higher than proteins heretofore examined in aqueous solution by Raman spectroscopy.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Preliminary studies of the secondary structure in solution of two phosphoproteins of chicken bone matrix by circular dichroism and fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy.

The secondary structures of two phosphoproteins from chicken bone matrix of Mr approximately 15kDa and approximately 28kDa, rich in Asx, Glx, and Ser, and containing Ser(P) and Thr(P) residues, have been investigated in solution by Circular Dichroism (CD) and Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). CD spectroscopy, which yields useful information on the backbone conformation of polypeptides and proteins, suggests a predominantly beta-sheet structure for the two phosphoproteins. The FT-IR spectra of the approximately 15kDa protein, which is sensitive to secondary structure and hence provides complimentary information to CD spectroscopy, are consistent with the results obtained by CD studies.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1986

Molecular mechanisms of ligand binding to opioid receptors: selective inhibition by ethanol?

Effects of varying concentrations of ethanol on the conformations of DAGO, a mu-specific opioid ligand were monitored by FT-IR spectroscopy. The binding of 3H-labeled DAGO (mu-agonist) and DSLET (delta-agonist) to opioid receptors in the presence of varying concentrations of alcohol was also determined. The results indicate that the conformational features of the ligands are altered and conformational factors may play a role in ligand-receptor interaction.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Structural studies of phosvitin in solution and in the solid state.

Phosvitin, a highly phosphorylated glycoprotein, represents the major fraction of hen egg yolk phosphoproteins. Circular dichroism, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic and fluorescence spectroscopic methods were employed to determine the secondary structure of the protein in both the solid and solution phases. This was supplemented by a Chou-Fasman type of predictive algorithm for the first 25 residues at the N terminus of the dephosphorylated protein. A three-compartment model consisting of alpha-helical, beta-sheet, and beta-turn components with beta-turns occurring at the interface between alpha-helical and beta-sheet regions in the proximity of O-phosphoserine residues is suggested from the combined analyses. Beta-sheets appear to be the dominant secondary structural component in phosvitin in the solid and solution phases. The suggested model bears many similarities to other phosphoproteins reported in the literature. The secondary structure of phosvitin is observed to be sensitive to environmental factors as previously reported although the present studies differ in some respects from earlier results. Preliminary results suggest that Ca2+ ions trigger a decrease in beta-sheet structure at pH 2.

Amino Acid Sequence↗