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Flavonoids are polyphenol compounds abundantly found in plants and reported to have an inhibitory effect on amyloid fibrillation. The number and position of hydroxyl groups, as well as the arrangement of flavonoids rings, may influence their inhibitory effects. In this study, we investigate the effect of structural characteristics of flavonoids on amyloid fibril formation. For this purpose, five compounds (i.e., biochanin A, daidzein, quercetin, chrysin and fisetin) were selected that represent a variety in the number and position of their hydroxyl groups. The inhibitory effect of these flavonoids on the amyloid fibril formation of apo-carbonic anhydrase (apo-BCA), as a model protein, was evaluated using thioflavin T and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that fisetin possessed the most significant inhibitory effect. Interestingly, upon apo-BCA acetylation, none of the tested flavonoids could inhibit the fibrillation process, which indicates that the interactions of these compounds with the amine groups of lysine residues could be somewhat important.

Cells use compartmentalization of enzymes as a strategy to regulate metabolic pathways and increase their efficiency 1 . The α- and β-carboxysomes of cyanobacteria contain ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco)-a complex of eight large (RbcL) and eight small (RbcS) subunits-and carbonic anhydrase 2-4 . As HCO 3 - can diffuse through the proteinaceous carboxysome shell but CO 2 cannot 5 , carbonic anhydrase generates high concentrations of CO 2 for carbon fixation by Rubisco 6 . The shell also prevents access to reducing agents, generating an oxidizing environment 7-9 . The formation of β-carboxysomes involves the aggregation of Rubisco by the protein CcmM 10 , which exists in two forms: full-length CcmM (M58 in Synechococcus elongatus PCC7942), which contains a carbonic anhydrase-like domain 8 followed by three Rubisco small subunit-like (SSUL) modules connected by flexible linkers; and M35, which lacks the carbonic anhydrase-like domain 11 . It has long been speculated that the SSUL modules interact with Rubisco by replacing RbcS 2-4 . Here we have reconstituted the Rubisco-CcmM complex and solved its structure. Contrary to expectation, the SSUL modules do not replace RbcS, but bind close to the equatorial region of Rubisco between RbcL dimers, linking Rubisco molecules and inducing phase separation into a liquid-like matrix. Disulfide bond formation in SSUL increases the network flexibility and is required for carboxysome function in vivo. Notably, the formation of the liquid-like condensate of Rubisco is mediated by dynamic interactions with the SSUL domains, rather than by low-complexity sequences, which typically mediate liquid-liquid phase separation in eukaryotes 12,13 . Indeed, within the pyrenoids of eukaryotic algae, the functional homologues of carboxysomes, Rubisco adopts a liquid-like state by interacting with the intrinsically disordered protein EPYC1 14 . Understanding carboxysome biogenesis will be important for efforts to engineer CO 2 -concentrating mechanisms in plants 15-19 .

Certain amino acid stretches are considered 'critical' to trigger amyloidogenesis in a protein. Synthetic peptides corresponding to these stretches are often used as experimental mimics for studying the amyloidogenesis of their parent protein. Here we provide evidence that such simple extrapolation is misleading. We scrutinized each step of amyloid progression of full length bovine carbonic anhydrase (BCA) and compared it with the amyloidogenic process of its critical peptide stretch 201-227 (PepB). We found that under similar solution conditions amyloidogenesis of BCA followed surface-catalyzed secondary nucleation, whereas, that of PepB followed classical nucleation-dependent pathway. AFM images showed that while BCA formed short, thick and branched fibrils, PepB formed thin, long and unbranched fibrils. Structural information obtained by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy suggested parallel arrangement of intermolecular β-sheet in BCA amyloids in contrast to PepB amyloids which arranged into antiparallel β sheets. Amyloids formed by BCA were unable to seed the fibrillation of PepB and vice versa. Even the intermediates formed during lag phase revealed contrasting FTIR and far UV CD signature, hydrophobicity, morphology and cell cytotoxicity. Thus, we propose that sequences other than critical amyloidogenic stretches may significantly influence the initiation, polymerization and final fibrillar morphology of amyloid forming protein. The results have been discussed in light of primary sequence mediated amyloid polymorphism and its importance in the rational design of amyloid nanomaterials possessing desired physico-chemical properties., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In order to give insights into the working mechanism of the novel characterized enzyme carbonyl sulphide hydrolase (COSase), which efficiently converts COS into H2S and CO2, we have performed a detailed theoretical investigation using the framework of density functional theory (using B3LYP and M06 exchange-correlation functionals) by the cluster model approach. In the final part of the reaction the metal ion is unable to form a pentacoordinated species. The B3LYP-D3 and M06 potential energy surfaces have a very similar shape. The elucidation of the catalytic reduction of COS is important in view of its role in environmental chemistry.

Spider silk fibers are produced from soluble proteins (spidroins) under ambient conditions in a complex but poorly understood process. Spidroins are highly repetitive in sequence but capped by nonrepetitive N- and C-terminal domains (NT and CT) that are suggested to regulate fiber conversion in similar manners. By using ion selective microelectrodes we found that the pH gradient in the silk gland is much broader than previously known. Surprisingly, the terminal domains respond in opposite ways when pH is decreased from 7 to 5: Urea denaturation and temperature stability assays show that NT dimers get significantly stabilized and then lock the spidroins into multimers, whereas CT on the other hand is destabilized and unfolds into ThT-positive β-sheet amyloid fibrils, which can trigger fiber formation. There is a high carbon dioxide pressure (pCO2) in distal parts of the gland, and a CO2 analogue interacts with buried regions in CT as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Activity staining of histological sections and inhibition experiments reveal that the pH gradient is created by carbonic anhydrase. Carbonic anhydrase activity emerges in the same region of the gland as the opposite effects on NT and CT stability occur. These synchronous events suggest a novel CO2 and proton-dependent lock and trigger mechanism of spider silk formation., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

The carbonic anhydrase (CA) family of zinc metalloenzymes includes many known isozymes that have different subcellular distributions. The study described here focuses on identification of the structural features that define low-temperature adaptation in a Chionodraco hamatus protein, both for the reaction center, at an atomic level, and for the tertiary structure of the protein. To this aim, an x-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy/Minuit x-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy analysis of the reaction center was undertaken for both a structurally characterized human CAII and CA of C. hamatus. Higher structural levels were analyzed by sequence comparison and homology modeling. To establish whether the structural insights acquired in fish CAs are general, theoretical models were generated by homology modeling for three temperate-climate-adapted fish CAs. The measured structural differences between the two proteins are discussed in terms of the differences in the electrostatic potential between human CAII and CA of C. hamatus. We conclude that modulation of the interaction between the catalytic water molecule and the zinc ion could depend on the effect of the electrostatic potential distribution.

The organization of carbonic anhydrase (CA) system in halo- and alkaliphilic cyanobacterium Rhabdoderma lineare was studied by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemical electron microscopy. The presence of putative extracellular alpha-CA of 60 kDa in the glycocalyx, forming a tight sheath around the cell, and of two intracellular beta-CA is reported. We show for the first time that the beta-CA of 60 kDa is expressed constitutively and associated with polypeptides of photosystem II (beta-CA-PS II). Another soluble beta-CA of 25 kDa was induced in low-bicarbonate medium. Induction of synthesis of the latter beta-CA was accompanied by an increase in the intracellular pool of inorganic carbon, which suggests an important role of this enzyme in the functioning of a CO(2)-concentrating mechanism.

Complex I of Arabidopsis includes five structurally related subunits representing gamma-type carbonic anhydrases termed CA1, CA2, CA3, CAL1, and CAL2. The position of these subunits within complex I was investigated. Direct analysis of isolated subcomplexes of complex I by liquid chromatography linked to tandem mass spectrometry allowed the assignment of the CA subunits to the membrane arm of complex I. Carbonate extraction experiments revealed that CA2 is an integral membrane protein that is protected upon protease treatment of isolated mitoplasts, indicating a location on the matrix-exposed side of the complex. A structural characterization by single particle electron microscopy of complex I from the green alga Polytomella and a previous analysis from Arabidopsis indicate a plant-specific spherical extra-domain of about 60 A in diameter, which is attached to the central part of the membrane arm of complex I on its matrix face. This spherical domain is proposed to contain a heterotrimer of three CA subunits, which are anchored with their C termini to the hydrophobic arm of complex I. Functional implications of the complex I-integrated CA subunits are discussed.

The forced unfolding process of bovine carbonic anhydrase II (BCA II) was examined at the atomic level by the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. By force spectroscopy, experimentally obtained force-extension curves (F-E curves) showed a prominent force peak after 50 nm extension. F-E curves obtained from our simulation had three force peaks appearing after extensions of 10-17 nm, 40 nm, and 53 nm, each signifying a brittle fracture of a specific local structure. Upon undergoing the final fracture at 53 nm of extension, the entire molecule became a single flexible chain and was further extended to its full theoretical length, almost as a random coil. This feature of the 53-nm peak strongly suggested its close correspondence to the experimentally observed force peak at approximately 60-nm extension. The 53-nm peak in the molecular dynamics simulation corresponded to the unfolding process of the beta-sheeted core that includes zinc-coordinating histidine residues. These results suggest that the structural change occurring at 50-60 nm in atomic force microscopy experiments corresponded to the destruction of the zinc coordination site.

Follicles of the ileal Peyer's patch are sites of B cell proliferation and of diversification of the primary immunoglobulin repertoire in ruminants. We demonstrate here that 50-nm carbonic anhydrase-reactive particles released in the intercellular space in the follicle-associated epithelium of the ileal Peyer's patch of lambs contain DNA protected with a detergent-resistant membrane. We named these particles DiCAPs (DNA in carbonic anhydrase particles). DiCAPs can be purified from a suspension collected from ileal Peyer's patch follicles by sedimentation in a sucrose gradient. The DiCAP membrane is resistant to several ionic and non-ionic detergents alone, but can be disrupted by a combination of Triton X-100 and proteinase K. Differential nuclease treatment of purified DiCAPs indicates that they contain DNA. Digestion of DiCAP DNA with six-base pair restriction enzymes produces smears, suggesting that individual DiCAPs contain unique sequences. Nonetheless, the size of DiCAP DNA is smaller (approximately 16 kb) than that of lamb genomic DNA. Polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis of DiCAP DNA reveals the presence of light and heavy chain variable genes as well as housekeeping genes. The data demonstrate the presence of DNA in these extracellular particles, and suggest a role of DiCAPs in transfer of DNA between cells within the ileal Peyer's patch. This raises the possibility of a novel form of communication between cells mediated by nucleic acids.

Carbonic anhydrase IV (CAIV) is a membrane-associated enzyme anchored to plasma membrane surfaces by a phosphatidylinositol glycan linkage. We have determined the 2.8-angstroms resolution crystal structure of a truncated, soluble form of recombinant murine CAIV. We have also determined the structure of its complex with a drug used for glaucoma therapy, the sulfonamide inhibitor brinzolamide (Azopt). The overall structure of murine CAIV is generally similar to that of human CAIV; however, some local structural differences are found in the active site resulting from amino acid sequence differences in the "130's segment" and the residue-63 loop (these may affect the nearby catalytic proton shuttle, His-64). Similar to human CAIV, the C-terminus of murine CAIV is surrounded by a substantial electropositive surface potential that may stabilize the interaction with the phospholipid membrane. Binding interactions observed for brinzolamide rationalize the generally weaker affinity of inhibitors used in glaucoma therapy toward CAIV compared with CAII.

A novel organ culture system has been developed to study the regulation of statoconia production in the gravity sensing organ in Aplysia californica. Statocysts were cultured in Leibovitz (L15) medium supplemented with salts and Aplysia haemolymph for four days at 17 degrees C. The viability of the system was evaluated by examining four parameters: statocyst morphology, the activity of the mechanosensory cilia in the statocyst, production of new statoconia during culture and change in statoconia volume after culture. There were no morphological differences in statocysts before and after culture when ciliary beating was maintained. There was a 29% increase in the number of statoconia after four days in culture. Mean statocyst, statolith and statoconia volumes were not affected by culture conditions. The presence of carbonic anhydrase in the statocysts was shown using immunohistochemistry. When statocysts were cultured in the presence of 4.0 x 10(-4) M acetazolamide to inhibit the enzyme activity, there was a decrease in statoconia production and statoconia volume, indicating a role for this enzyme in statoconia homeostasis, potentially via pH regulation. These studies are the first to report a novel system for the culture of statocysts and show that carbonic anhydrase is involved in the regulation of statoconia volume and production.

The X-ray crystal structure of the complex between human carbonic anhydrase II and the inhibitor 1,2,4-triazole has been refined at 1.9 A resolution to a final R-factor of 0.153. Triazole is an analogue of the competitive inhibitor imidazole, but the crystal structure shows a different type of binding to the enzyme. 1,2,4-Triazole is directly bound to the zinc(II) ion through the nitrogen in position 4, replacing the native water/hydroxyl (Wat263) in a distorted four-co-ordinated complex. The interaction of the inhibitor with the active site is completed by two hydrogen bonds to O gamma of Thr200 and to the amide nitrogen atom of Thr199 through the two adjacent N-1 and N-2 atoms. The binding site of triazole overlaps the proposed binding sites for the substrates, explaining the observed competitive behaviour of the inhibitor towards CO2/HCO3- under equilibrium conditions.

The three-dimensional structure of bovine carbonic anhydrase III (BCA III) from red skeletal muscle cells has been determined by molecular replacement methods. The structure has been refined at 2.0 A resolution by both constrained and restrained structure-factor least squares refinement. The current crystallographic R-value is 19.2% and 121 solvent molecules have so far been found associated with the protein. The structure is highly similar to the refined structure of human carbonic anhydrase II. Some differences in amino acid sequence and structure between the two isoenzymes are discussed. In BCA III, Lys 64 and Arg 91 (His 64 and Ile 91 in HCA II) are both pointing out from the active site cavity forming salt bridges with Glu 4 and Asp 72 (His 4 and Asp 72 in HCA II), respectively. However, Arg 67 and Phe 198 (Asn 67 and Leu 198 in HCA II) are oriented towards the zinc ion and significantly reduce the volume of the active site cavity. Phe 198 particularly reduces the size of the substrate binding region at the "deep water" position at the bottom of the cavity and we suggest that this is one of the major reasons for the differences in catalytic properties of isoenzyme III as compared to isozyme II.

Several proteins have been discovered that either catalyze slow protein-folding reactions or assist folding in the cell. Prolyl isomerase, which has been shown to accelerate rate-limiting cis-trans peptidyl-proline isomerization steps in the folding pathway, can also participate in the protein-folding process as a chaperone. This function is exerted on an early folding intermediate of carbonic anhydrase, which is thereby prevented from aggregating, whereas the isomerase activity is performed later in the folding process.

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) was purified from the saliva of pilocarpine-treated rats by inhibitor-affinity chromatography, and its localization in the rat submandibular gland was studied by the indirect immunoperoxidase technique using a monoclonal antibody (MAb) raised against the enzyme. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the CA VI gave three bands of 33, 39, and 42 KD. Enzyme digestion experiment showed that the 42 KD molecule was degraded into the 39 KD molecule and the 39 KD molecule into the 33 KD molecule. The cleavage of the 42 KD molecule was independent and that of the 39 KD molecule was dependent on endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase F. The 42 KD molecule was detected in the CA purified from the pilocarpine-treated but not the untreated salivary gland. The MAb recognized all the three components of the enzyme. Immunostaining for CA VI was seen in the cytosol and secretory granules of serous acinar cells and in the duct luminal contents. Staining specific for erythrocyte CA (CA I and CA II) was observed in the cytosol of the epithelial cells of granular, striated, and excretory ducts. Among these duct cells, the agranular varieties in the granular and excretory ducts were essentially devoid of the immunoreactivity.