Search

Macaque restricts hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection because its receptor homologue, NTCP (mNTCP), cannot bind preS1 on viral surface. To reveal how mNTCP loses the viral receptor function, we here solve the cryo-electron microscopy structure of mNTCP. Superposing on the human NTCP (hNTCP)-preS1 complex structure shows that Arg158 of mNTCP causes steric clash to prevent preS1 from embedding onto the bile acid tunnel of NTCP. Cell-based mutation analysis confirms that only Gly158 permitted preS1 binding, in contrast to robust bile acid transport among mutations. As the second determinant, Asn86 on the extracellular surface of mNTCP shows less capacity to restrain preS1 from dynamic fluctuation than Lys86 of hNTCP, resulting in unstable preS1 binding. Additionally, presence of long-chain conjugated-bile acids in the tunnel induces steric hindrance with preS1 through their tailed-chain. This study presents structural basis in which multiple sites in mNTCP constitute a molecular barrier to strictly restrict HBV. Here the authors look at why macaque is non-susceptible to hepatitis B virus by focusing on the protein structure of the host receptor homolog. They show that macaque-derived host receptor homolog has multiple structural defects against virus binding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seleno-insulin, a class of artificial insulin analogs, in which one of the three disulfide-bonds (S-S's) of wild-type insulin (Ins) is replaced by a diselenide-bond (Se-Se), is attracting attention for its unique chemical and physiological properties that differ from those of Ins. Previously, we pioneered the development of a [C7UA,C7UB] analog of bovine pancreatic insulin (SeIns) as the first example, and demonstrated its high resistance against insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE). In this study, the conditions for the synthesis of SeIns via native chain assembly (NCA) were optimized to attain a maximum yield of 72%, which is comparable to the in vitro folding efficiency for single-chain proinsulin. When the resistance of BPIns to IDE was evaluated in the presence of SeIns, the degradation rate of BPIns became significantly slower than that of BPIns alone. Furthermore, the investigation on the intermolecular association properties of SeIns and BPIns using analytical ultracentrifugation suggested that SeIns readily forms oligomers not only with its own but also with BPIns. The hypoglycemic effect of SeIns on diabetic rats was observed at a dose of 150 μg/300 g rat. The strategy of replacing the solvent-exposed S-S with Se-Se provides new guidance for the design of long-acting insulin formulations. Seleno-insulins (SeIns) are known to exhibit different in vitro properties from wild-type insulin, upon replacement of one of the three disulfide bonds with diselenide bonds; however, the in vivo hypoglycemic effect remains poorly understood. Here, the authors optimize the synthesis of SeIns via native chain assembly and reveal in vitro resistance against the insulin-degrading enzyme, as well as the in vivo hypoglycemic effect in diabetic rats at a dose of 150 μg/300 g rat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydroxycarboxylic acid receptors (HCAR1, HCAR2, and HCAR3) transduce Gi/o signaling upon biding to molecules such as lactic acid, butyric acid and 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid, which are associated with lipolytic and atherogenic activity, and neuroinflammation. Although many reports have elucidated the function of HCAR2 and its potential as a therapeutic target for treating not only dyslipidemia but also neuroimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease, the structural basis of ligand recognition and ligand-induced Gi-coupling remains unclear. Here we report three cryo-EM structures of the human HCAR2–Gi signaling complex, each bound with different ligands: niacin, acipimox or GSK256073. All three agonists are held in a deep pocket lined by residues that are not conserved in HCAR1 and HCAR3. A distinct hairpin loop at the HCAR2 N-terminus and extra-cellular loop 2 (ECL2) completely enclose the ligand. These structures also reveal the agonist-induced conformational changes propagated to the G-protein-coupling interface during activation. Collectively, the structures presented here are expected to help in the design of ligands specific for HCAR2, leading to new drugs for the treatment of various diseases such as dyslipidemia and inflammation. Niacin is used to treat cardiovascular disease through its activation of the GPCR HCAR2. Here, the authors present cryo-EM structures of HCAR2 bound to niacin and other drug-like small molecules, which explain the basis of HCAR2 ligand recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutrophil granulocytes play key roles in innate immunity and shaping adaptive immune responses. They are attracted by chemokines to sites of infection and tissue damage, where they kill and phagocytose bacteria. The chemokine CXCL8 (also known as interleukin-8, abbreviated IL-8) and its G-protein-coupled receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 are crucial elements in this process, and also the development of many cancers. These GPCRs have therefore been the target of many drug development campaigns and structural studies. Here, we solve the structure of CXCR1 complexed with CXCL8 and cognate G-proteins using cryo-EM, showing the detailed interactions between the receptor, the chemokine and Gαi protein. Unlike the closely related CXCR2, CXCR1 strongly prefers to bind CXCL8 in its monomeric form. The model shows that steric clashes would form between dimeric CXCL8 and extracellular loop 2 (ECL2) of CXCR1. Consistently, transplanting ECL2 of CXCR2 onto CXCR1 abolishes the selectivity for the monomeric chemokine. Our model and functional analysis of various CXCR1 mutants will assist efforts in structure-based drug design targeting specific CXC chemokine receptor subtypes. Chemokines are small proteins secreted at sites of injury. Here, the authors describe the structure of the chemokine receptor CXCR1 bound to chemokine CXCL8, solved by cryo-EM. The model helps explain the ligand preferences of this receptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Galanin is a neuropeptide expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems, where it regulates various processes including neuroendocrine release, cognition, and nerve regeneration. Three G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) for galanin have been discovered, which is the focus of efforts to treat diseases including Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, and addiction. To understand the basis of the ligand preferences of the receptors and to assist structure-based drug design, we used cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to solve the molecular structure of GALR2 bound to galanin and a cognate heterotrimeric G-protein, providing a molecular view of the neuropeptide binding site. Mutant proteins were assayed to help reveal the basis of ligand specificity, and structural comparison between the activated GALR2 and inactive hβ2AR was used to relate galanin binding to the movements of transmembrane (TM) helices and the G-protein interface. Galanin is a neuropeptide expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems, where it regulates various processes including neuroendocrine release, cognition, and nerve regeneration. This cryo-electron microscopy study shows how galanin interacts with one of its three human receptor proteins, GALR2, and reveals the basis of the selectivity of this GPCR for Gq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phospholipase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes various phospholipid substrates at specific ester bonds and plays important roles such as membrane remodeling, as digestive enzymes, and the regulation of cellular mechanism. Phospholipase proteins are divided into following the four major groups according to the ester bonds they cleave off: phospholipase A1 (PLA1), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), phospholipase C (PLC), and phospholipase D (PLD). Among the four phospholipase groups, PLA1 has been less studied than the other phospholipases. Here, we report the first molecular structures of plant PLA1s: AtDSEL and CaPLA1 derived from Arabidopsis thaliana and Capsicum annuum, respectively. AtDSEL and CaPLA1 are novel PLA1s in that they form homodimers since PLAs are generally in the form of a monomer. The dimerization domain at the C-terminal of the AtDSEL and CaPLA1 makes hydrophobic interactions between each monomer, respectively. The C-terminal domain is also present in PLA1s of other plants, but not in PLAs of mammals and fungi. An activity assay of AtDSEL toward various lipid substrates demonstrates that AtDSEL is specialized for the cleavage of sn-1 acyl chains. This report reveals a new domain that exists only in plant PLA1s and suggests that the domain is essential for homodimerization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SeviL is a recently isolated lectin found to bind to the linear saccharides of the ganglioside GM1b (Neu5Ac α (2-3)Gal β (1-3)GalNAc β (1-4)Gal β (1-4)Glc) and its precursor, asialo-GM1 (Gal β (1-3)GalNAc β (1-4)Gal β (1-4)Glc). The crystal structures of recombinant SeviL have been determined in the presence and absence of ligand. The protein belongs to the β -trefoil family, but shows only weak sequence similarity to known structures. SeviL forms a dimer in solution, with one binding site per subunit, close to the subunit interface. Molecular details of glycan recognition by SeviL in solution were analysed by ligand- and protein-based NMR techniques as well as ligand binding assays. SeviL shows no interaction with GM1 due to steric hindrance with the sialic acid branch that is absent from GM1b. This unusual specificity makes SeviL of great interest for the detection and control of certain cancer cells, and cells of the immune system, that display asialo-GM1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The C-terminal domain of methionyl-tRNA synthetase (MetRS-C) from Nanoarchaeum equitans is homologous to a tRNA-binding protein consisting of 111 amino acids (Trbp111) from Aquifex aeolicus. The crystal structure of MetRS-C showed that it existed as a homodimer, and that each monomer possessed an oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding fold (OB-fold). Analysis using a quartz crystal microbalance indicated that MetRS-C freshly isolated from N. equitans was bound to tRNA. However, binding of the split 3′-half tRNA species was stronger than that of the 5′-half species. The T-loop and the 3′-end regions of the split 3′-half tRNA were found to be responsible for the binding. The minimum structure for binding to MetRS-C might be a minihelix-like stem-loop with single-stranded 3′-terminus. After successive duplications of such a small hairpin structure with the assistance of a Trbp-like structure, the interaction of the T-loop region of the 3′-half with a Trbp-like structure could have been evolutionarily replaced by RNA-RNA interactions, along with many combinational tertiary interactions, to form the modern tRNA structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First described about 15 years ago, BLUF (Blue Light Using Flavin) domains are light-triggered switches that control enzyme activity or gene expression in response to blue light, remaining activated for seconds or even minutes after stimulation. The conserved, ferredoxin-like fold holds a flavin chromophore that captures the light and somehow triggers downstream events. BLUF proteins are found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and have a variety of architectures and oligomeric forms, but the BLUF domain itself seems to have a well-preserved structure and mechanism that have been the focus of intense study for a number of years. Crystallographic and NMR structures of BLUF domains have been solved, but the conflicting models have led to considerable debate about the atomic details of photo-activation. Advanced spectroscopic and computational methods have been used to analyse the early events after photon absorption, but these too have led to widely differing conclusions. New structural models are improving our understanding of the details of the mechanism and may lead to novel tailor-made tools for optogenetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Site-specific Xer recombination plays a pivotal role in reshuffling genetic information. Here, we report the 2.5 Å crystal structure of XerA from the archaean Thermoplasma acidophilum. Crystallographic data reveal a uniquely open conformational state, resulting in a C-shaped clamp with an angle of ~ 48° and a distance of 57 Å between the core-binding and the catalytic domains. The catalytic nucleophile, Tyr264, is positioned in cis-cleavage mode by XerA's C-term tail that interacts with the CAT domain of a neighboring monomer without DNA substrate. Structural comparisons of tyrosine recombinases elucidate the dynamics of Xer recombinase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The X-ray crystal structure of chitin oligosaccharide deacetylase from Vibrio parahaemolyticus ( Vp -COD) was determined at an 1.35 Å resolution. The amino acid sequence and structure of Vp -COD show that the enzyme comprises one polysaccharide deacetylase domain (PDD) and two carbohydrate-binding domains (CBDs). On the basis of a chitin-binding assay with Vp -COD and its CBDs-deleted mutant, it was confirmed that CBDs can adhere to chitin. The catalytic activity of the CBDs-deleted mutant was only mildly depressed compared with that of Vp -COD, indicating that CBDs are unlikely to affect the configuration of the active center residues in active site of PDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proteasome is a proteolytic machinery that executes the degradation of polyubiquitinated proteins to maintain cellular homeostasis. Proteasome inhibition is a unique and effective way to kill cancer cells because they are sensitive to proteotoxic stress. Indeed, the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib is now indispensable for the treatment of multiple myeloma and other intractable malignancies, but is associated with patient inconvenience due to intravenous injection and emerging drug resistance. To resolve these problems, we attempted to develop orally bioavailable proteasome inhibitors with distinct mechanisms of action and identified homopiperazine derivatives (HPDs) as promising candidates. Biochemical and crystallographic studies revealed that some HPDs inhibit all three catalytic subunits (ß 1, ß 2 and ß 5) of the proteasome by direct binding, whereas bortezomib and other proteasome inhibitors mainly act on the ß5 subunit. Proteasome-inhibitory HPDs exhibited cytotoxic effects on cell lines from various hematological malignancies including myeloma. Furthermore, K-7174, one of the HPDs, was able to inhibit the growth of bortezomib-resistant myeloma cells carrying a ß5-subunit mutation. Finally, K-7174 had additive effects with bortezomib on proteasome inhibition and apoptosis induction in myeloma cells. Taken together, HPDs could be a new class of proteasome inhibitors, which compensate for the weak points of conventional ones and overcome the resistance to bortezomib. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial biofilm formation is an extremely widespread phenomenon involving the secretion of a protective exopolysaccharide matrix which helps the bacteria to attach to surfaces and to overcome a variety of stresses in different environments. This matrix may also include proteins, lipids, DNA and metal ions. Its composition depends on the bacterial species and growth conditions, but one of the most widely found components is polymeric β-1,6- N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (PGA). Several studies have suggested that PGA is an essential component of biofilm and it is produced by numerous bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermis, Yersinia pestis, Bordetella spp. and Actinobacillus spp. In E. coli, PGA production and export are dependent on four genes that form a single operon, pgaABCD, which appears to have been transferred between various species. Biofilms themselves are recognized as environments in which such horizontal gene transfer may occur. The pga operon of E. coli, which is even found in innocuous laboratory strains, is highly homologous to that from the plague bacterium Yersinia pestis, and biofilm is believed to play an important role in the transmission of Yersinia. The crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of PgaB, which has deacetylase activity, is described and compared with models of other deacetylases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The haemoglobin (Hb) of the extinct woolly mammoth has been recreated using recombinant genes expressed in Escherichia coli. The globin gene sequences were previously determined using DNA recovered from frozen cadavers. Although highly similar to the Hb of existing elephants, the woolly mammoth protein shows rather different responses to chloride ions and temperature. In particular, the heat of oxygenation is found to be much lower in mammoth Hb, which appears to be an adaptation to the harsh high-latitude climates of the Pleistocene Ice Ages and has been linked to heightened sensitivity of the mammoth protein to protons, chloride ions and organic phosphates relative to that of Asian elephants. To elucidate the structural basis for the altered homotropic and heterotropic effects, the crystal structures of mammoth Hb have been determined in the deoxy, carbonmonoxy and aquo-met forms. These models, which are the first structures of Hb from an extinct species, show many features reminiscent of human Hb, but underline how the delicate control of oxygen affinity relies on much more than simple overall quaternary-structure changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In eukaryotes, accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis is coordinated by kinetochores, which are unique chromosomal sites for microtubule attachment. Centromeres specify the kinetochore formation sites on individual chromosomes, and are epigenetically marked by the assembly of nucleosomes containing the centromere-specific histone H3 variant, CENP-A. Although the underlying mechanism is unclear, centromere inheritance is probably dictated by the architecture of the centromeric nucleosome. Here we report the crystal structure of the human centromeric nucleosome containing CENP-A and its cognate ?-satellite DNA derivative (147 base pairs). In the human CENP-A nucleosome, the DNA is wrapped around the histone octamer, consisting of two each of histones H2A, H2B, H4 and CENP-A, in a left-handed orientation. However, unlike the canonical H3 nucleosome, only the central 121 base pairs of the DNA are visible. The thirteen base pairs from both ends of the DNA are invisible in the crystal structure, and the ?N helix of CENP-A is shorter than that of H3, which is known to be important for the orientation of the DNA ends in the canonical H3 nucleosome. A structural comparison of the CENP-A and H3 nucleosomes revealed that CENP-A contains two extra amino acid residues (Arg?80 and Gly?81) in the loop 1 region, which is completely exposed to the solvent. Mutations of the CENP-A loop 1 residues reduced CENP-A retention at the centromeres in human cells. Therefore, the CENP-A loop 1 may function in stabilizing the centromeric chromatin containing CENP-A, possibly by providing a binding site for trans-acting factors. The structure provides the first atomic-resolution picture of the centromere-specific nucleosome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is a multi-functional heterotrimer, which uses a ‘cap-snatching’ mechanism to produce viral mRNA. Host cell mRNA is cleaved to yield a cap-bearing oligonucleotide, which can be extended using viral genomic RNA as a template. The cap-binding and endonuclease activities are only activated once viral genomic RNA is bound. This requires signalling from the RNA-binding PB1 subunit to the cap-binding PB2 subunit, and the interface between these two subunits is essential for the polymerase activity. We have defined this interaction surface by protein crystallography and tested the effects of mutating contact residues on the function of the holo-enzyme. This novel interface is surprisingly small, yet, it has a crucial function in regulating the 250 kDa polymerase complex and is completely conserved among avian and human influenza viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of proteins to self-assemble into complex, functional nanoscale structures is expected to become of significant use in the manufacture of artificial nanodevices with a wide range of novel applications. The bacterial protein TRAP has potential uses as a nanoscale component as it is ring-shaped, with a central, modifiable cavity. Furthermore, it can be engineered to make a ring of 12-fold symmetry, which is advantageous for packing into two-dimensional arrays. The 12mer form of TRAP is made by linking multiple subunits together on the same polypeptide, but the usefulness of the 12mers described to date is limited by their poor stability. Here we show that, by altering the length of the peptide linker between subunits, the thermostability can be significantly improved. Since the subunit interfaces of the different 12mers are essentially identical, stabilization arises from the reduction of strain in the linkers. Such a simple method of controlling the stability of modular proteins may have wide applications, and demonstrates the lack of absolute correlation between interactions observable by crystallography and the internal energy of a complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intracellular nickel is required by Escherichia coli as a cofactor for a number of enzymes and is necessary for anaerobic respiration. However, high concentrations of nickel are toxic, so both import and export systems have evolved to control the cellular level of the metal. The nik operon in E. coli encodes a nickel-uptake system that includes the periplasmic nickel-binding protein NikA. The crystal structures of wild-type NikA both bound to nickel and in the apo form have been solved previously. The liganded structure appeared to show an unusual interaction between the nickel and the protein in which no direct bonds are formed. The highly unusual nickel coordination suggested by the crystal structure contrasted strongly with earlier X-ray spectroscopic studies. The known nickel-binding site has been probed by extensive mutagenesis and isothermal titration calorimetry and it has been found that even large numbers of disruptive mutations appear to have little effect on the nickel affinity. The crystal structure of a binding-site mutant with nickel bound has been solved and it is found that nickel is bound to two histidine residues at a position distant from the previously characterized binding site. This novel site immediately resolves the conflict between the crystal structures and other biophysical analyses. The physiological relevance of the two binding sites is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Compared with algal and cyanobacterial cytochrome c 6, cytochrome c 6A from higher plants contains an additional loop of 12 amino acid residues. We have determined the first crystal structure of cytochrome c 6A from Arabidopsis thaliana at 1.5Å resolution in order to help elucidate its function. The overall structure of cytochrome c 6A follows the topology of class I c-type cytochromes in which the heme prosthetic group covalently binds to Cys16 and Cys19, and the iron has octahedral coordination with His20 and Met60 as the axial ligands. Two cysteine residues (Cys67 and Cys73) within the characteristic 12 amino acids loop form a disulfide bond, contributing to the structural stability of cytochrome c 6A. Our model provides a chemical basis for the known low redox potential of cytochrome c 6A which makes it an unsuitable electron carrier between cytochrome b 6 f and PSI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The isoprenoid quinones exist widely among prokaryotes and eukaryotes. They play essential roles in respiratory electron transport and in controlling oxidative stress and gene regulation. In the isoprenoid quinone biosynthetic pathway, polyprenyl pyrophosphates are used as isoprenoid side-chain precursors. Here we report the crystal structure of a novel polyprenyl pyrophosphate binding protein, TT1927b, from Thermus thermophilus HB8, complexed with its ligand. This protein belongs to the YceI-like family in the Pfam database, and its sequence homologs are present in a broad range of bacteria and archaea. The structure consists of an extended, eight-stranded, antiparallel β-barrel. In the hydrophobic pore of the barrel, the protein binds the polyisoprenoid chain by hydrophobic interactions. Its overall structure resembles the lipocalin fold, but there is no sequence homology between TT1927b and the lipocalin family of proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The TT1542 protein from Thermus thermophilus HB8 is annotated as a conserved hypothetical protein, and belongs to the DUF158 family in the Pfam database. A BLAST search revealed that homologs of TT1542 are present in a wide range of organisms. The TT1542 homologs in eukaryotes, PIG-L in mammals, and GPI12 in yeast and protozoa, have N-acetylglucosaminylphosphatidylinositol (GlcNAc-PI) de- N-acetylase activity. Although most of the homologs in prokaryotes are hypothetical and have no known function, Rv1082 and Rv1170 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis are enzymes involved in the mycothiol detoxification pathway. Here we report the crystal structure of the TT1542 protein at 2.0 Å resolution, which represents the first structure for this superfamily of proteins. The structure of the TT1542 monomer consists of a twisted β-sheet composed of six parallel β-strands and one antiparallel β-strand (with the strand order 3-2-1-4-5-7-6) sandwiched between six α-helices. The N-terminal five β-strands and four α-helices form an incomplete Rossmann fold-like structure. The structure shares some similarity to the sugar-processing enzymes with Rossmann fold-like domains, especially those of the GPGTF (glycogen phosphorylase/glycosyl transferase) superfamily, and also to the NAD(P)-binding Rossmann fold domains. TT1542 is a homohexamer in the crystal and in solution, the six monomers forming a cylindrical structure. Putative active sites are suggested by the structure and conserved amino acid residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precursors for isoprenoid synthesis are essential in all organisms. These compounds are synthesized by one of two known routes: the well characterized mevalonate pathway or a recently discovered non-mevalonate route which is used in many bacteria and human pathogens. Since the second pathway is both vital and unlike any found in humans, enzymes catalysing reactions along this synthetic route are possible drug targets. The structure of one such enzyme from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus has been solved to high resolution in the presence of substrate and with a substrate analogue. Enzyme co-crystallized with substrate shows only one product, cytosine monophosphate (CMP), in the active site. At the high resolution of the refinement (1.6 Å) the positions and coordination of the magnesium ions in the active site are clearly seen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biliverdin reductase (BVR) is a soluble cytoplasmic enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of biliverdin to bilirubin using NADH or NADPH as electron donor. Bilirubin is a significant biological antioxidant, but it is also neurotoxic and the cause of kernicterus. In this study, we have determined the crystal structure of rat BVR at 1.4 Å resolution. The structure contains two domains: an N-terminal domain characteristic of a dinucleotide binding fold (Rossmann fold) and a C-terminal domain that is predominantly an antiparallel six-stranded β-sheet. Based on this structure, we propose modes of binding for NAD(P)H and biliverdin, and a possible mechanism for the enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystal structure of cytochrome c6 from the red alga Porphyra yezoensis has been determined at 1.57 Å resolution. The crystal is tetragonal and belongs to space group P43212, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 49.26 (3), c = 83.45 (4) Å and one molecule per asymmetric unit. The structure was solved by the molecular-replacement method and refined with X-PLOR to an R factor of 19.9% and a free R factor of 25.4%. The overall structure of cytochrome c6 follows the topology of class I c-type cytochromes in which the heme prosthetic group covalently binds to Cys14 and Cys17, and the iron has an octahedral coordination with His18 and Met58 as the axial ligands. The sequence and the structure of the eukaryotic red algal cytochrome c6 are very similar to those of a prokaryotic cyanobacterial cytochrome c6 rather than those of eukaryotic green algal c6 cytochromes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure-function relationship in cytochrome P450cam monooxygenase was studied by employing its active site mutant Thr252Ile. X-ray crystallographic analyses of the ferric d-camphor-bound form of the mutant revealed that the mutation caused a structural change in the active site giving an enlarged oxygen-binding pocket that did not contain any hydrophilic group such as the OH group of Thr and H2O. The enzyme showed a low monooxygenase activity of ca. 1/10 of the activity of the wild-type enzyme. Kinetic analyses of each catalytic step revealed that the rate of proton-coupled reduction of the oxygenated intermediate of the enzyme, a ternary complex of dioxygen and d-camphor with the ferrous enzyme, decreased to about 1/30 of that of the wild-type enzyme, while the rates of other catalytic steps including the reduction of the ferric d-camphor-bound form by reduced putidaredoxin did not change significantly. These results indicated that a hydrophilic group(s) such as water and/or hydroxyl group in the active site is prerequisite to a proton supply for the reduction of the oxygenated intermediate, thereby giving support for the operation of a proton transfer network composed of Thr252, Asp251, and two other amino acids and water proposed by previous investigators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leucyl-tRNA synthetase 1 (LARS1) mediates activation of leucine-dependent mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) as well as ligation of leucine to its cognate tRNAs, yet its mechanism of leucine sensing is poorly understood. Here we describe leucine binding-induced conformational changes of LARS1. We determine different crystal structures of LARS1 complexed with leucine, ATP, and a reaction intermediate analog, leucyl-sulfamoyl-adenylate (Leu-AMS), and find two distinct functional states of LARS1 for mTORC1 activation. Upon leucine binding to the synthetic site, H251 and R517 in the connective polypeptide and 50FPYPY54 in the catalytic domain change the hydrogen bond network, leading to conformational change in the C-terminal domain, correlating with RagD association. Leucine binding to LARS1 is increased in the presence of ATP, further augmenting leucine-dependent interaction of LARS1 and RagD. Thus, this work unveils the structural basis for leucine-dependent long-range communication between the catalytic and RagD-binding domains of LARS1 for mTORC1 activation. [Display omitted] • Leucine binding induces conformational change of LARS1 for RagD binding • ATP increases leucine binding to LARS1 for enhanced RagD binding • Leucine-controlled R-lever triggers long-range conformational change of LARS1 • LARS1 cycles between "sensing on (leucine+)" and "sensing off (leucine−)" states. Kim et al. report leucine-induced conformational changes in LARS1 to control the mTORC1 pathway. The results mechanistically validate LARS1 as an amino acid sensor and provide insight into how amino acid and ATP levels are sensed together via LARS1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nucleus accumbens-associated protein 1 (NAC1) is a nuclear protein that harbors an amino-terminal BTB domain and a carboxyl-terminal BEN domain. NAC1 appears to play significant and diverse functions in cancer and stem cell biology. Here we demonstrated that the BEN domain of NAC1 is a sequence-specific DNA-binding domain. We selected the palindromic 6 bp motif ACATGT as a target sequence by using a PCR-assisted random oligonucleotide selection approach. The interaction between NAC1 and target DNA was characterized by gel shift assays, pull-down assays, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), chromatin-immunoprecipitation assays, and NMR chemical shifts perturbation (CSP). The solution NMR structure revealed that the BEN domain of human NAC-1 is composed of five conserved α helices and two short β sheets, with an additional hitherto unknown N-terminal α helix. In particular, ITC clarified that there are two sequential events in the titration of the BEN domain of NAC1 into the target DNA. The ITC results were further supported by CSP data and structure analyses. Furthermore, live cell photobleaching analyses revealed that the BEN domain of NAC1 alone was unable to interact with chromatin/other proteins in cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Streptomyces butyrolactone autoregulator receptor protein (BarA) is a DNA-binding protein that regulates the biosynthesis of the antibiotic virginiamycin. In this study, BarA from S. virginiae was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified and crystallized. Crystals of purified protein have been grown that diffracted to beyond 3.0 Å resolution at 100 K using synchrotron radiation. The protein crystals belonged to the hexagonal space group P6522, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 128.0, c = 286.2 Å. With four molecules per asymmetric unit, the crystal volume per unit protein mass ( VM) was 3.2 Å3 Da−1 and the solvent content was 62%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which analyzes the physicochemical characteristic and structure of cytochrome c554 from Vibrio parahaemolyticus strain RIMD2210633. The study compared the terrtiary structure and physicochemical properties of Vibrio cytochrome c554 with Pseudomonas cytochrome c552 by expressing the cytochrome c554 which was expressed in Escherichia coli. The results showed that both cytochromes can denote an electron to an electron carrier.

The article presents a study regarding the physicochemical properties and crystal structure of diatom cytochrome(cyt) c6 coming from Phaeodactylum tricornutum (P. tricornutum). It compares the algal and cyanobacterial cyt c6 P. tricornutum and used 1.5 A resolution. Results of the study reveal that Pct6 structural stability is higher compared to red algal cyt c6. It also notes that a salt bridge is attributed to structural stability.

The accurate exclusion of introns by RNA splicing is critical for the production of mature mRNA. U2AF1 binds specifically to the 3´ splice site, which includes an essential AG dinucleotide. Even a single amino acid mutation of U2AF1 can cause serious disease such as certain cancers or myelodysplastic syndromes. Here, we describe the first crystal structures of wild-type and pathogenic mutant U2AF1 complexed with target RNA, revealing the mechanism of 3´ splice site selection, and how aberrant splicing results from clinically important mutations. Unexpected features of this mechanism may assist the future development of new treatments against diseases caused by splicing errors. U2AF1 binds to the 3' splice site of introns and its mutation lead to abnormal splicing. Here the authors solve the crystal structures of wild type and pathogenic mutant U2AF1 bound to target RNA, showing that different target sequence is preferred by pathogenic mutant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gene encoding 2-oxo-hept-3-ene-1,7-dioic acid (OHED) hydratase (HpcG) was cloned into the high-expression plasmid pET26b and overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The enzyme was purified in three steps to greater than 95% purity prior to crystallization. Crystals were obtained by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method at 277 K in a number of screening conditions. Crystals measuring up to 1.5 mm in their longest dimension were grown from solutions containing polyethylene glycol 20 000. The crystals belonged to space group P41212 or P43212, with unit-cell parameters a = 136, b = 136, c = 192 Å. A complete data set was collected to 2.1 Å from a single cryocooled crystal at 100 K using synchrotron radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystallization and preliminary crystallographic study of phycocyanin from the thermophilic cyano bacterium Synechococcus elongatus is reported. Phycocyanin is composed of α- and β-subunits consisting of 162 and 172 amino-acid residues, respectively. These associate to form an αβ heterodimer, which further associates to give a ring-shaped trimer (αβ)3. Two trimers bind head-to-head to form a hexamer (αβ)6. Phycocyanin crystals have been obtained by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method with a precipitant solution containing 30%(w/v) PEG 4000 and 100 mM MES pH 7.5-8.0. Using synchrotron radiation, the crystals diffract to 2.0 Å resolution. They belong to the trigonal space group R32, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 186.75 (3), c = 59.75 (4) Å, α = β = 90, γ = 120°. Assuming that the crystallographic triad is identical to the threefold axis of the hexamer and with three (αβ)6, molecules in a unit cell, the calculated molar volume (VM) is 2.64 A³ Da-1. This value corresponds to a solvent content of approximately 53%, with one αβ heterodimer occupying the asymmetric unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CYP119 is a cytochrome P450 with a molecular weight of 43 kDa which has been isolated from the thermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus. This enzyme is extremely stable to high temperature and high pressure. The first crystallization and preliminary crystallographic study of CYP119 is reported here. Crystals of CYP119 were obtained by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method using a precipitant solution containing 20%(w/v) PEG 4000 and 0.2 M sodium thiocyanate at pH 6.4. Using synchrotron radiation, the CYP119 crystal diffracted to 1.84 Å resolution. It belongs to the tetragonal space group P43212, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 86.17 (0.07), c = 221.11 (0.04) Å, in which the numbers in parentheses describe the standard deviations. Assuming two molecules of the CYP119 per asymmetric unit, the calculated molar volume (Vm) is 2.38 ų Da-1. Bijvoet and dispersive anomalous difference Patterson maps show a clear peak corresponding to the haem irons. The complete crystaliographically defined structure is currently in progress using MIR (multiple isomorphous replacement) and MAD (multiwavelength anomalous diffraction) techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]