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Reports that the Ggamma subunit-selective G protein beta mutant defines regulators of G protein signaling protein binding requirement for nuclear localization. Design and expression of putative Ggamma-selective Gbeta mutants; Analysis of the coding sequences of Gbeta of mammalism; Subcellular localization of Gbeta mutants in transfected PC12 cells.

The role that Gbeta(5) regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) complexes play in signal transduction in brain remains unknown. The subcellular localization of Gbeta(5) and RGS7 was examined in rat PC12 pheochromocytoma cells and mouse brain. Both nuclear and cytosolic localization of Gbeta(5) and RGS7 was evident in PC12 cells by immunocytochemical staining. Subcellular fractionation of PC12 cells demonstrated Gbeta(5) immunoreactivity in the membrane, cytosolic, and nuclear fractions. Analysis by limited proteolysis confirmed the identity of Gbeta(5) in the nuclear fraction. Subcellular fractionation of mouse brain demonstrated Gbeta(5) and RGS7 but not Ggamma(2/3) immunoreactivity in the nuclear fraction. RGS7 and Gbeta(5) were tightly complexed in the brain nuclear extract as evidenced by their coimmunoprecipitation with anti-RGS7 antibodies. Chimeric protein constructs containing green fluorescent protein fused to wild-type Gbeta(5) but not green fluorescent fusion proteins with Gbeta(1) or a mutant Gbeta(5) impaired in its ability to bind to RGS7 demonstrated nuclear localization in transfected PC12 cells. These findings suggest that Gbeta(5) undergoes nuclear translocation in neurons via an RGS-dependent mechanism. The novel intracellular distribution of Gbeta(5).RGS protein complexes suggests a potential role in neurons communicating between classical heterotrimeric G protein subunits and/or their effectors at the plasma membrane and the cell nucleus.

Heme-containing plant peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.7) contain a highly conserved single tryptophan residue. Its replacement with Phe in recombinant horseradish peroxidase (rHRP) increased the stability of the mutant enzyme in acid media. The kinetic properties of native, wild-type, and W117F mutant recombinant horseradish peroxidase in the reactions of ammonium 2, 2;-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS), guaiacol, and o-phenylenediamine oxidation are very similar. However, significant changes in the reaction rate constant characteristic for the monomolecular rate-limiting step ascribed either to product dissociation from its complex with the enzyme or electron transfer from the substrate to the active site within the Michaelis complex were observed. The data indirectly indicate the participation of the single Trp residue in oxidation of ABTS and guaiacol and possible differences in kinetic mechanisms for oxidation of ABTS, guaiacol, and o-phenylenediamine.

The tryptophanless mutant of horseradish peroxidase, W117F, has been constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli. The mutation affects enzyme folding and stability. The optimum composition of the refolding medium requires the presence of ammonium sulfate. The yield of mutant is ca. 8000 U per liter of the optimized refolding medium with the specific activity of 1100-1500 U/mg (compared to 25, 000 U per liter and 2000 U/mg for the recombinant wild-type enzyme). The mutant is more stable in acid media, in the reaction course and toward irradiation. The effect of hydrogen peroxide pretreatment on radiation-induced inactivation of the wild-type and mutant enzyme indirectly indicates participation of Trp-117 in electron transfer pathways through the enzyme molecule. This is in agreement with the steady-state kinetic data interpreted in terms of Trp-117 participation in electron transfer within the Michaelis complex., (Copyright 1999 Academic Press.)

Application of computer methods allowed us to demonstrate that plant peroxidases and auxin-binding proteins contain structurally similar fragments. The mapping of the fragments was done using a model structure of horseradish peroxidase. Five of six structurally similar fragments belong to the distal domain and form a subdomain in plant peroxidases that includes the distal heme-coordinating sequence, LHFHDC (amino acid residues 39-44 in horseradish peroxidase). The existence of a substrate-binding site for indole-3-acetic acid in the distal subdomain comprising helices A (whole), B (middle), C (beginning), and D (whole) and the loop between helices D and D' is discussed.