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Hedgehog (Hh) signaling ligands undergo carboxy terminal sterylation through specialized autoprocessing, called cholesterolysis. Sterylation is brought about intramolecularly in a single turnover by an adjacent enzymatic domain, called HhC, which is found in precursor Hh proteins only. Previous attempts to identify antagonists of the intramolecular activity of HhC have yielded inhibitors that bind HhC irreversibly through covalent mechanisms, as is common for protein autoprocessing inhibitors. Here, we report an exception to the "irreversibility rule" for autoprocessing inhibition. Using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based activity assay for HhC, we screened a focused library of sterol-like analogues for noncovalent inhibitors and identified and validated four structurally related molecules, which were then used for structure-activity relationship studies. The most effective derivative, t BT-HBT, inhibits HhC noncovalently with an IC 50 of 300 nM. An allosteric binding site for t BT-HBT, encompassing residues from the two subdomains of HhC, is suggested by kinetic analysis, mutagenesis studies, and photoaffinity labeling. The inhibitors described here resemble a family of noncovalent, allosteric inducers of HhC paracatalysis which we have described previously. The inhibition and the induction appear to be mediated by a shared allosteric site on HhC.

Hedgehog proteins, a family of vital cell signaling factors, are expressed in precursor form, which requires specialized autoprocessing, called cholesterolysis, for full biological activity. Cholesterolysis occurs in cis through the action of the precursor's C-terminal enzymatic domain, HhC. In this work, we describe HhC activator compounds (HACs), a novel class of noncovalent modulators that induce autoprocessing infidelity, diminishing native cholesterolysis in favor of precursor autoproteolysis, an otherwise minor and apparently nonphysiological side reaction. HAC-induced autoproteolysis generates hedgehog protein that is cholesterol free and hence signaling deficient. The most effective HAC has an AC 50 of 9 μM, accelerates HhC autoproteolytic activity by 225-fold, and functions in the presence and absence of cholesterol, the native substrate. HACs join a rare class of "antagonists" that suppress native enzymatic activity by subverting mechanistic fidelity.

Hedgehog (Hh) precursor proteins contain an autoprocessing domain called HhC whose native function is protein cleavage and C-terminal glycine sterylation. The transformation catalyzed by HhC occurs in cis from a precursor protein and exhibits wide tolerance toward both sterol and protein substrates. Here, we repurpose HhC as a 1:1 protein-nucleic acid ligase, with the sterol serving as a molecular linker. A procedure is described for preparing HhC-active sterylated DNA, called steramers, using aqueous compatible chemistry and commercial reagents. Steramers have K M values of 7-11 μM and reaction t 1/2 values of ∼10 min. Modularity of the HhC/steramer method is demonstrated using four different proteins along with structured and unstructured sterylated nucleic acids. The resulting protein-DNA conjugates retain the native solution properties and biochemical function. Unlike self-tagging domains, HhC does not remain fused to the conjugate; rather, enzymatic activity is mechanistically coupled to conjugate release. That unique feature of HhC, coupled with efficient kinetics and substrate tolerance, may ease access and open new applications for these suprabiological chimeras.

Hedgehog (Hh) autoprocessing converts Hh precursor protein to cholesterylated Hh ligand for downstream signaling. A conserved active-site aspartate residue, D46, plays a key catalytic role in Hh autoprocessing by serving as a general base to activate substrate cholesterol. Here we report that a charge-altering Asp-to-His mutant (D46H) expands native cholesterylation activity and retains active-site conformation. Native activity toward cholesterol was established for D46H in vitro using a continuous FRET-based autoprocessing assay and in cellulo with stable expression in human 293T cells. The catalytic efficiency of cholesterylation with D46H is similar to that with wild type (WT), with k max / K M = 2.1 × 10 3 and 3.7 × 10 3 M -1 s -1 , respectively, and an identical p K a = 5.8 is obtained for both residues by NMR. To our knowledge this is the first example where a general base substitution of an Asp for His preserves both the structure and activity as a general base. Surprisingly, D46H exhibits increased catalytic efficiency toward non-native substrates, especially coprostanol (>200-fold) and epicoprostanol (>300-fold). Expanded substrate tolerance is likely due to stabilization by H46 of the negatively charged tetrahedral intermediate using electrostatic interactions, which are less constrained by geometry than H-bond stabilization by D46. In addition to providing fundamental insights into Hh autoprocessing, our findings have important implications for protein engineering and enzyme design.

Proteins in the hedgehog family undergo self-catalyzed endoproteolysis involving nucleophilic attack by a molecule of cholesterol. Recently, a conserved aspartate residue (D303, or D46) of hedgehog was identified as the general base that activates cholesterol during this unusual autoprocessing event; mutation of the catalyzing functional group (D303A) reduces activity by >10 4 -fold. Here we report near total rescue of this ostensibly dead general base mutant by a synthetic substrate, 3β-hydroperoxycholestane (3HPC) in which the sterol -OH group is replaced by the hyper nucleophilic -OOH group. Other hedgehog point mutants at D303, also unreactive with cholesterol, accepted 3HPC as a substrate with the rank order: WT > D303A ≈ D303N ≫ D303R, D303E. We attribute the revived activity with 3-HPC to the α-effect, where tandem electronegative atoms exhibit exceptionally high nucleophilicity despite relatively low basicity.

Theoretical investigation of cyclopropane-to-cyclopropane rearrangements of sterols indicates a role for highly delocalized bicyclobutonium ions in biosynthesis.

A concise preparation of the pheromone secreted by the male Colorado potato beetle [viz. (3S)-1,3-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-6-octen-2-one] was accomplished in four steps starting from 2-fluoronerol or 2-fluorogeraniol. The key step in the synthesis involves a 6-endo epoxide ring-opening with ester participation that simultaneously inverts the 3R-configuration of the (3R)-2,3-epoxy-2-fluoroprenyl acetate intermediate and installs the ketone functionality of the semiochemical. Extensive NMR studies validate the proposed 6-endo mechanism of the featured rearrangement, which under anhydrous conditions resulted in the formation of two bicyclic 1,3-dioxan-5-ones via an unprecedented intramolecular Prins cyclization.

Quantum chemical calculations (B3LYP and MP2) are described for the formation and rearrangements of carbocations derived from the biological methylation reaction that produces 24-propyl sterols in pelagophyte algae. Previous mechanistic proposals are discussed in light of the results of these calculations. Of particular note is the prediction of a new triple-shift rearrangement that is inherently preferred for the biosynthetically relevant carbocations. Our calculations also reveal how these reactions may be affected by intermolecular interactions with S-adenosylmethionine.

[reaction: see text] Conversion of a carboxylic acid to an orthoester provides protection toward nucleophiles and strong bases. The addition of methyl substituents to the oxetane precursor of the commonly used [2.2.2]-bicyclic OBO orthoester significantly increased the ease of orthoester formation and its resistance to hydrolysis. NMR kinetics show the DMOBO protecting group is formed 85 times faster than the OBO group, and that its stability toward aqueous hydrolysis is 36 times greater. Nucleophilic attack of the ester carbonyl on the oxetane ring was shown by 18O-labeling to take place at the most substituted position.

Acid-catalyzed rearrangement of the (S)-epoxide derived from 2alpha-allyl cholestanyl acetate resulted in a 1:1 mixture of a steroidal tetrahydrofuran and a steroidal tetrahydropyran. Formation of a six-membered ring supports the hypothesis that epoxy ester-orthester-cyclic ether rearrangement may be involved in the biosynthesis of ladder-type marine polyether toxins. This reaction represents a new biomimetic preparation of medium ring cyclic ethers.

The relative rates of acid-catalyzed rearrangements of epoxy esters to [3.2.1]bicyclic orthoesters, the subsequent rearrangements of these ortho esters to substituted tetrahydrofurans, and the rates of orthoester hydrolysis at pH 4.75 were measured in NMR kinetics experiments. The ease of formation and stabilities of these orthoesters compared favorably with the OBO-type [2.2.2]bicyclic orthoesters typically used as protecting groups of carboxylic acids. Studies with 13C NMR-detected 18O-labeling show that epoxy ester rearrangement takes place preferentially via 6-exo cyclization, although the 7-endo process competes when the distal center of the epoxide is disubstituted. The ortho ester-cyclic ether rearrangement was shown by 18O-labeling to occur exclusively via intermediacy of a five-membered dioxonium ion. The structures of the hydrolysis products also indicate the intermediacy of a dioxolanium ion during hydrolysis. The implications for a hypothetical biosynthesis of marine polyether toxins are discussed.

The biomimetic epoxy ester[bond]orthoester rearrangement has been applied to a new synthesis of 2-methyl-D-erythritol, a branched five-carbon sugar of importance to the deoxyxylulose pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis. The intermediate orthoacetate is one of the few [2.2.1]-orthoesters to have been reported. Labeling studies with O-18 indicated that this reaction proceeds exclusively via a 5-exo cyclization. NMR analysis of chiral esters indicated an ee of 87% for the starting epoxide and an ee of 86% for the product. This route represents a rapid and convenient method for the synthesis of 2-methyl-D-erythritol and is expected to be useful for generating isotopically labeled intermediates for biochemical studies.

The side chain of the insecticidal steroid petuniasterone D was synthesized by the biomimetic acid-catalyzed epoxy ester[bond]ortho ester rearrangement. In addition to the natural (22R,24R)-configuration of the side chain ortho ester, compounds bearing the epimeric (22R,24S)-, (22S,24R)-, and (22S,24S)- [3.2.1]-bicyclic ortho esters were also produced by stereospecific rearrangement of the corresponding isomeric epoxy esters. Functionalization of the steroid nucleus of the (22R,24R)-ortho ester completed the synthesis of the natural product.

Orthoesterol B, a marine natural product exhibiting antiviral activities, contains a [3.2.1]-bicyclic orthobutyrate bridging the steroid side chain and ring D. A biosynthetic reaction was proposed by which rearrangement of an epoxy ester results in the formation of the orthoester moiety. Steroidal model compounds incorporating 16-butyroxy and 20,22-epoxy groups were synthesized from tigogenin and were shown to rearrange to orthoesters under mild acidic catalysis.

[reaction: see text] The synthesis of 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclopyrophosphate, a biochemical intermediate in the deoxyxylulose pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis, was accomplished in four steps. Bisphosphorylation of 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 1,3-diacetate, followed by carbodiimide cyclization and deprotection, led to the title compound in 42% overall yield.

Proteins containing CX3, CXC, and CC (where C is cysteine and X is undefined) undergo posttranslational isoprenylation at their cysteine residues. In the case of proteins which terminate in CX3, proteolytic removal of X3 is followed by the carboxymethylation of the isoprenylated cysteine residue. CXC proteins also undergo C-terminal methylation. The present study addresses the question of whether this methylation is catalyzed by a different isoprenylated protein methyltransferase than that previously described for CX3 proteins. The S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) dependent methylation of a small peptide-N-acetyl-S-geranylgeranyl-L-cysteinyl-L-alanyl-S-geranylgeranyl- L- cysteine (Ac(GG)CysAla(GG)Cys)--was investigated using membranes from a variety of bovine tissues as sources of enzyme. Ac(GG)CysAla(GG)Cys was a substrate for methylation, while Ac(GG)Cys(GG)Cys was not. Reciprocal inhibition studies on the methylation reactions of the CXC peptide and of N-acetyl-S-farnesyl-L-cysteine (AFC), a previously described methyltransferase substrate, suggested that these reactions are catalyzed by distinct enzymatic activities. Farnesylthioacetic acid (FTA), a potent competitive inhibitor of the methylation of AFC, did not inhibit the methylation of the CXC peptide. Moreover the KI values for S-adenosylhomocysteine and S-adenosylethionine inhibition differed for the two enzymatic activities. These data indicate that more than one AdoMet-dependent methyltransferase is involved in the carboxymethylation of isoprenylated proteins.

beta-Substituted ethyl acetates, XCH2CH2OCOCH3, have been prepared, and their hydrolysis by acetylcholinesterase has been studied. Log of enzymic reactivity, normalized for intrinsic reactivity in hydrolysis by hydroxide, log (kcat/Km)n, rises linearly with increasing refraction volume, MR (or RD25), for substrates with beta-X = H, Cl, Br, CH3CH2, (CH3)2CH, (CH3)2S+, (CH3)3N+, and (CH3)3C. Larger substituents may be accommodated, (CH3)3Si and (CH3CH2)3N+, with no further increase in rate. Substrates with beta-substituents CH3S, CH3S(O), (CH3)3N+(OH), and CH3S(O2) are less reactive than consistent with the relation with MR by factors of 5-40, indicating that hydrophobic surface and desolvation of the substrate--enzyme interface may be necessary for maximum reactivity correlated with MR. Values of log (kcat/Km)n for substrates with beta-substituents X = CH3S, Cl, Br, CH3CH2, (CH3)2CH, (CH3)3C, and (CH3)3Si rise linearly with increasing hydrophobicity, pi, but reactivity of substrates with X = (CH3)3N+ and (CH3)2S+ are more reactive than consistent with a relation to pi by factors of 300 and 40 and with X = CH3S(O2), CH3S(O), and (CH3)2N+(OH), by factors of 7-100. Reactivity appears related to (i) volume of the beta-substituent and its fit in its subsite, which is trimethyl rather than anionic, and (ii) the hydrophobicity of its surface.