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W S Brinigar

Publications and source records attributed to W S Brinigar.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Heme pocket disorder in myoglobin: reversal by acid-induced soft refolding.

The protein folding process of heme proteins entails generation of not only a correct global polypeptide structure, but also a correct, functionally competent heme environment. We employed a variety of spectroscopic approaches to probe the structure and dynamics of the heme pocket of a recombinant sperm whale myoglobin. The conformational characteristics were examined by circular dichroism, time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and optical absorption spectroscopy in the temperature range 300-20 K. Each of these spectroscopic probes detected modifications confined exclusively to the heme pocket of the expressed myoglobin relative to the native protein. The functional properties were examined by measuring the kinetics of CO binding after flash-photolysis. The kinetics of the expressed myoglobin were more heterogeneous than those of the native protein. Mild acid exposure of the ferric derivative of the recombinant protein resulted in a protein with "nativelike" spectroscopic properties and homogeneous CO binding kinetics. The heme pocket modifications observed in this recombinant myoglobin do not derive from inverted heme. In contrast, when native apomyoglobin is reconstituted with the heme in vitro, the heme pocket disorder could be attributed exclusively to 180 degrees rotation of the bound heme [La Mar, G. N., Toi, H., and Krishnamoorthi, R. (1984) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 106, 6395-6401; Light, W. R., Rohlfs, R. J., Palmer, G., and Olson, J. S. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 46-52]. We conclude that exposure to low pH decreases the affinity of globin for the heme and allows an extended conformational sampling or "soft refolding" to a nativelike conformation.

Acids↗
PubMed2001

The heme-globin and dimerization equilibria of recombinant human hemoglobins carrying site-specific beta chains mutations.

The heme-globin and dimer-tetramer equilibria of ferric recombinant human hemoglobins with site-specific beta chain mutations at the heme pocket or at either the a1beta1 or the alpha1beta2 interfaces have been determined. The heme pocket mutation V67T leads to a marked stabilization of the beta chain heme and does not affect the dimer-tetramer association constant, K2,4. In the C112 mutants, the intrinsic rate of beta chain heme loss with respect to recombinant HbA (HbA-wt) is significantly increased only in C112G with some heme released also from the alpha chains. Gel filtration experiments indicate that the K2,4 value is essentially unaltered in C112G and C112L, but is increased in C112V and decreased in C112N. Substitution of cysteine 93 with A or M leads to a slight decrease of the rate of beta chain heme release, whereas the obvserved K2,4 value is similar to that obtained for HbA-wt. Modifications in oxygen affinity were observed in all the mutant hemoglobins with the exception of V67T, C93A, and C112G. The data indicate that there is no correlation between tetramer stability, beta chain heme affinity, and hemoglobin functionality and therefore point to a separate regulation of these properties.

Albumins↗
PubMed1999

Cysteines beta93 and beta112 as probes of conformational and functional events at the human hemoglobin subunit interfaces.

Three variants of tetrameric human hemoglobin, with changes at the alpha1beta2/alpha2beta1-interface, at the alpha1beta1/alpha2beta2-interface, and at both interfaces, have been constructed. At alpha1beta2/alpha2beta1-interface the beta93 cysteine was replaced by alanine (betaC93A), and at the alpha1beta1/alpha2beta2-interface the beta112 cysteine was replaced by glycine (betaC112G). The alpha1beta2 interface variant, betaC93A, and the alpha1beta1/alpha1beta2 double mutant, beta(C93A+C112G), were crystallized in the T-state, and the structures determined at 2. 0 and 1.8 A resolution, respectively. A comparison of the structures with that of natural hemoglobin A shows the absence of detectable changes in the tertiary folding of the protein or in the T-state quaternary assembly. At the beta112 site, the void left by the removal of the cysteine side chain is filled by a water molecule, and the functional characteristics of betaC112G are essentially those of human hemoglobin A. At the beta93 site, water molecules do not replace the cysteine side chain, and the alanine substitution increases the conformational freedom of beta146His, weakening the important interaction of this residue with beta94Asp. As a result, when Cl- is present in the solution, at a concentration 100 mM, the Bohr effect of the two mutants carrying the beta93Cys-->Ala substitution, betaC93A and beta(C93A+C112G), is significantly modified being practically absent below pH 7.4. Based on the crystallographic data, we attribute these effects to the competition between beta94Asp and Cl- in the salt link with beta146His in T-state hemoglobin. These results point to an interplay between the betaHis146-betaAsp94 salt bridge and the Cl- in solution regulated by the Cys present at position beta93, indicating yet another role of beta93 Cys in the regulation of hemoglobin function.

Amino Acid Substitution↗
PubMed1998

Properties of human hemoglobins with increased polarity in the alpha- or beta-heme pocket. Carbonmonoxy derivatives.

The spectroscopic, conformational, and functional properties of mutant carbonmonoxy hemoglobins in which either the beta-globin Val67(E11) or the alpha-globin Val62(E11) is replaced by threonine have been investigated. The thermal evolution of the Soret absorption band and the stretching frequency of the bound CO were used to probe the stereodynamic properties of the heme pocket. The functional properties were investigated by kinetic measurements. The spectroscopic and functional data were related to the conformational properties through molecular analysis. The effects of this nonpolar-to-polar isosteric mutation are: (i) increase of heme pocket anharmonic motions, (ii) stabilization of the A0 conformer in the IR spectrum, (iii) increased CO dissociation rates. The spectroscopic data indicate that for the carbonmonoxy derivatives, the Val --> Thr mutation has a larger conformational effect on the beta-subunits than on the alpha-subunits. This is at variance with the deoxy derivatives where the conformational modification was larger in the heme pocket of the alpha-subunit (Cupane, A., Leone, M., Militello, V., Friedman, R. K., Koley, A. P., Vasquez, G. P., Brinigar, W. S., Karavitis, M., and Fronticelli, C. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 26271-26278). These effects are attributed to a different electrostatic interaction between Ogamma of Thr(E11) and the bound CO molecule. Molecular analysis indicates a more favorable interaction of the bound CO with Thr Ogamma in the beta-subunit heme pocket.

Carboxyhemoglobin↗
PubMed1997

Modification of alpha-chain or beta-chain heme pocket polarity by Val(E11) --> thr substitution has different effects on the steric, dynamic, and functional properties of human recombinant hemoglobin. Deoxy derivatives.

The dynamic and functional properties of mutant deoxyhemoglobins in which either the beta-globin Val67(E11) or the alpha-globin Val62(E11) is replaced by threonine have been investigated through the thermal evolution of the Soret absorption band in the temperature range 300 to 20 K and through the kinetics of CO rebinding after flash photolysis at room temperature. The conformational properties of the modified alpha chain and beta chain distal heme pockets were also studied through x-ray crystallography and molecular modeling. The data obtained with the various techniques consistently indicate that the polar isosteric mutation in the distal side of the alpha chain heme pocket has a larger effect on the investigated properties than the analogous mutation on the beta chain. We attribute the observed differences to the presence of a water molecule in the distal heme pocket of the modified alpha chains, interacting with the hydroxyl of the threonine side chain. This is indicated by molecular modeling which showed that the water molecule present in the alpha chain distal heme pocket can bridge by H bonding between Thr62(E11) and His58(E7) without introducing any unfavorable steric interactions. Consistent with the dynamic and functional data, the presence of a water molecule in the distal heme pocket of the modified beta chains is not observed by x-ray crystallography.

Carbon Monoxide↗
PubMed1997

Assembly of human hemoglobin. Studies with Escherichia coli-expressed alpha-globin.

The alpha-globin of human hemoglobin was expressed in Escherichia coli and was refolded with heme in the presence and in the absence of native beta-chains. The functional and structural properties of the expressed alpha-chains were assessed in the isolated state and after assembly into a functional hemoglobin tetramer. The recombinant and native hemoglobins were essentially identical on the basis of sensitivity to effectors (Cl- and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate), Bohr effect, CO binding kinetics, dimer-tetramer association constants, circular dichroism spectra of the heme region, and nuclear magnetic resonance of the residues in the alpha1beta1 and alpha1beta2 interfaces. However, the nuclear magnetic resonance revealed subtle differences in the heme region of the expressed alpha-chain, and the recombinant human normal adult hemoglobin (HbA) exhibited a slightly decreased cooperativity relative to native HbA. These results indicate that subtle conformational changes in the heme pocket can alter hemoglobin cooperativity in the absence of modifications of quaternary interface contacts or protein dynamics. In addition to incorporation into a HbA tetramer, the alpha-globin refolds and incorporates heme in the absence of the partner beta-chain. Although the CO binding kinetics of recombinant alpha-chains were the same as that of native alpha-chains, the ellipticity of the Soret circular dichroism spectrum was decreased and CO binding kinetics revealed an additional faster component. These results show that recombinant alpha-chain assumes alternating conformations in the absence of beta-chain and indicate that the isolated alpha-chain exhibits a higher degree of conformational flexibility than the alpha-chain incorporated into the hemoglobin tetramer. These findings demonstrate the utility of the expressed alpha-globin as a tool for elucidating the role of this chain in hemoglobin structure-function relationships.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Crystallographic, molecular modeling, and biophysical characterization of the valine beta 67 (E11)-->threonine variant of hemoglobin.

The crystal structure of the mutant deoxyhemoglobin in which the beta-globin Val67(E11) has been replaced with threonine [Fronticelli et al. (1993) Biochemistry 32, 1235-1242] has been determined at 2.2 A resolution. Prior to the crystal structure determination, molecular modeling indicated that the Thr67(E11) side chain hydroxyl group in the distal beta-heme pocket forms a hydrogen bond with the backbone carbonyl of His63(E7) and is within hydrogen-bonding distance of the N delta of His63(E7). The mutant crystal structure indicates only small changes in conformation in the vicinity of the E11 mutation confirming the molecular modeling predictions. Comparison of the structures of the mutant beta-subunits and recombinant porcine myoglobin with the identical mutation [Cameron et al. (1993) Biochemistry 32, 13061-13070] indicates similar conformations of residues in the distal heme pocket, but there is no water molecule associated with either of the threonines of the beta-subunits. The introduction of threonine into the distal heme pocket, despite having only small perturbations in the local structure, has a marked affect on the interaction with ligands. In the oxy derivative there is a 2-fold decrease in O2 affinity [Fronticelli et al. (1993) Biochemistry 32, 1235-1242], and the rate of autoxidation is increased by 2 orders of magnitude. In the CO derivative the IR spectrum shows modifications with respect to that of normal human hemoglobin, suggesting the presence of multiple CO conformers. In the nitrosyl derivative an interaction with the O gamma atom of Thr67(E11) is probably responsible for the 10-fold increase in the rate of NO release from the beta-subunits. In the aquomet derivative there is a 6-fold decrease in the rate of hemin dissociation suggesting an interaction of the Fe-coordinated water with the O gamma of Thr67(E11).

Biophysical Phenomena↗
PubMed1995

Allosteric modulation by tertiary structure in mammalian hemoglobins. Introduction of the functional characteristics of bovine hemoglobin into human hemoglobin by five amino acid substitutions.

Bovine erythrocytes do not contain 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, the principal allosteric effector of human hemoglobin. Bovine hemoglobin has a lower oxygen affinity than human hemoglobin and is regulated by physiological concentrations of chloride (Fronticelli, C., Bucci, E., and Razynska, A. (1988) J. Mol. Biol. 202, 343-348). It has been proposed that the chloride regulation in bovine hemoglobin is introduced by particular amino acid residues located in the amino-terminal region of the A helix and in the E helix of the beta subunits (Fronticelli, C. (1990) Biophys. Chem. 37, 141-146). In accordance with this proposal we have constructed two mutant human hemoglobins, beta(V1M+H2deleted+T4I+P5A) and beta(V1M+H2deleted+T4I+P5A+A76K). These are the residues present at the proposed locations in bovine hemoglobin except for isoleucine at position 4. Oxygen binding studies demonstrate that these mutations have introduced into human hemoglobin the low oxygen affinity and chloride sensitivity of bovine hemoglobin and reveal the presence of a previously unrecognized allosteric mechanism of oxygen affinity regulation where all the interactions responsible for the lowered affinity and chloride binding appear to be confined to individual beta subunits.

Allosteric Regulation↗
PubMed1995

Dynamic properties of some beta-chain mutant hemoglobins.

The thermal behavior of the Soret band relative to the carbonmonoxy derivatives of some beta-chain mutant hemoglobins is studied in the temperature range 300-10 K and compared to that of wild-type carbonmonoxy hemoglobin. The band profile at various temperatures is modeled as a Voigt function that accounts for homogeneous broadening and for the coupling with high- and low-frequency vibrational modes, while inhomogeneous broadening is taken into account with a gaussian distribution of purely electronic transition frequencies. The various contributions to the over-all bandwidth are singled out with this analysis and their temperature dependence, in turn, gives information on structural and dynamic properties of the system studied. In the wild-type and mutant hemoglobins, the values of homogeneous bandwidth and of the coupling constants to high-frequency vibrational modes are not modified with respect to natural human hemoglobin, thus indicating that the local electronic and vibrational properties of the heme-CO complex are not altered by the recombinant procedures. On the contrary, differences in the protein dynamic behavior are observed. The most relevant are those relative to the "polar isosteric" beta Val-67(E11)-->Thr substitution, localized in the heme pocket, which results in decreased coupling with low-frequency modes and increased anharmonic motions. Mutations involving residue beta Lys-144(Hc1) at the C-terminal and residue beta Cys-112(G14) at the alpha 1 beta 1 interface have a smaller effect consisting in an increased coupling with low-frequency modes. Mutations at the beta-N-terminal and at the alpha 1 beta 2 interface have no effect on the dynamic properties of the same heme pocket.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Chloride ion independence of the Bohr effect in a mutant human hemoglobin beta (V1M+H2deleted).

A mutant human hemoglobin, beta (V1M+H2 delta), has been constructed. Analysis of the oxygen binding curves obtained at pH 8.3, where the Bohr effect is inoperative, indicates that this mutation results in an additional stabilization of the T-state conformation by 0.9 kcal/mol. The crystal structure of deoxy-beta (V1M+H2 delta) has been determined to 2.2-A resolution and compared with the deoxy structure of human hemoglobin at the same resolution. In human hemoglobin, a sulfate anion is anchored to the beta-chains by a complex network of H-bonds and electrostatic interactions with the amino terminus and Lys beta 82. In the mutant hemoglobin, the shortening of the amino-terminal region of the A helix by 1 residue results in the formation of an intrachain electrostatic interaction between the amino-terminal amino and Asp beta 79. This eliminates the sulfate binding site, and the sulfate is replaced by two water molecules. At variance with human hemoglobin, the alkaline Bohr effect for beta (V1M+H2 delta) is not sensitive to the presence of Cl-. This indicates that the sulfate binding site in human hemoglobin also serves as a Cl- binding site, and that the amino-terminal Val beta 1 is essential for oxygen-linked Cl- binding to hemoglobin as well as the Cl(-)-dependent Bohr effect. Analysis of the oxygen binding curves indicates that the oxygen-linked Cl- ions are released upon binding of the first oxygen molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

The dimer-tetramer equilibrium of recombinant hemoglobins. Stabilization of the alpha 1 beta 2 interface by the mutation beta(Cys112-->Gly) at the alpha 1 beta 1 interface.

The dimer-tetramer association constants of several recombinant human hemoglobins (in the CO form) have been measured by differential gel filtration. Recombinant human hemoglobin prepared from recombinant beta-chains, and mutant hemoglobins where the substitution was on the surface, beta(Thr4-->Asp), in the heme pocket, beta(Val67-->Thr), at the 2,3-DPG binding site, beta(Val1-->Met+His2del), had a twofold smaller association with respect to natural hemoglobin. In a mutant at the alpha 1 beta 2 interface, beta(Cys93-->Ala), the association constant was decreased three-fold. Conversely, in a mutant at the alpha 1 beta 1 interface, beta(Cys112-->Gly), the association constant was two- and four-fold increased with respect to natural and recombinant human hemoglobin. These differences are energetically very small, consistent with the correct folding of the recombinant hemoglobins. The stabilization of the tetrameric structure by a mutation at the alpha 1 beta 1 interface indicates that structural changes in this interface can be propagated through the protein to the alpha 1 beta 2 interface and, thereby, exert an effect on the allosteric equilibrium.

2,3-Diphosphoglycerate↗
PubMed1993

Recombinant human hemoglobin: modification of the polarity of the beta-heme pocket by a valine67(E11)-->threonine mutation.

Using the mutagenesis and a gene expression system previously described [Fronticelli et al. (1991) J. Protein Chem. 10, 495-501], we have replaced Val67E11 in the distal heme pocket of the beta-chains of hemoglobin with Thr. The valine to threonine substitution is isosteric and only modifies the polarity of the beta-heme environment. The absorption and CD spectra of the resultant mutant hemoglobin were essentially the same as that of wild-type protein, indicating that the mutation did not cause any large conformational changes and that a water molecule was not coordinated to the ferrous iron atom. Equilibrium measurements of oxygen binding to the mutant indicate a 2-fold decrease in overall affinity relative to native or wild-type human hemoglobin. Thermodynamic analyses of O2 binding curves, based either on the sequential Adair model or on the MWC two-state model, indicated that the overall decrease of O2 affinity in the system was due to a lower association equilibrium constant for the intermediates of oxygenation, particularly those involved at the third ligation step. The functional characteristics of the mutant hemoglobin in either the T- or R-state were not modified greatly by the mutation; however, the Bohr effect and sensitivity to C1- were increased, suggesting a role of the intermediates of oxygenation in the modulation of these parameters.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Recombinant human hemoglobin: expression and refolding of beta-globin from Escherichia coli.

A plasmid analogous to the one described by Nagai and Thogersen (Nature, 309, 810-812, 1984) has been constructed for the expression of globins in E. coli. Induction with nalidixic acid produces high yields of a fusion protein, NS1-FX-beta-globin, where NS1 represents 81 residues of a flu virus protein and FX represents a blood-clotting Factor Xa recognition sequence, Ile-Glu-Gly-Arg. This fusion protein is readily solubilized in 50 mM NaOH and remains in solution when the pH is adjusted to 8.6. Under these conditions, the fusion protein is hydrolyzed by activated Factor X, giving authentic beta-globin which can be folded in the presence of cyanohemin and native alpha-chains to produce a tetrameric hemoglobin with the functional properties of natural human hemoglobin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1975

Respiratory properties of rat liver mitochondria immobilized on an alkylsilylated glass surface.

Rat liver mitochondria are shown to adhere to the alkylsilylated glass beads in essentially a monolayer. The amount of mitochondria bound to the beads reaches a maximum where the length of the alkyl groups covalently linked to the beads exceeds eight carbons. Mitochondria immobilized on the beads and placed in a flow system exhibit normal: (a) respiratory control, (b) phosphate to oxygen ratio, (c) uncoupling by 2,4-dinitrophenol and carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, and (d) inhibition by cyanide, azide, rotenone, oligomycin, and antimycin. Reversibility of the effects of 2,4-dinitrophenol, cyanide, and azide was rapid and complete. Inhibition by rotenone, oligomycin was essentially irreversible. Mitochondria have been maintained in a viable state on the beads at 27 degrees for periods up to 4 hours. The use of immobilized organelles appears to offer a new technique for the study of membrane-bound particles whereby substances can be rapidly added and removed while monitoring the composition of solution flowing over the particles.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗