Structural, redox, and mechanistic parameters for cysteine-sulfenic acid function in catalysis and regulation.

A primary objective of this review is to facilitate the application of the chemical and structural approaches that are currently being employed in the identification of Cys-SOH, as both transient intermediates and stable redox forms, in biochemical systems where these derivatives are suspected of playing key roles in redox catalysis or regulation. These range from high-resolution crystallographic analyses benefiting from recent technological advances in rapid data collection at cryogenic temperatures to 13C NMR investigations of [3-(13)C]Cys-labeled proteins and chemical modification protocols that can be integrated with both UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopic as well as mass spectrometric (especially ESI, MALDI-TOF, and even FT ion-cyclotron-resonance) analyses. In summarizing the diversity of biological functions currently identified with Cys-SH reversible Cys-SOH redox cycles (Fig. 17), it should also be [figure: see text] emphasized that in at least one protein (nitrile hydratase) stable Cys-SOH and Cys-SO2H derivatives play important structural roles while also modulating the electronic properties of the iron center; in neither case is the Cys-SOH residue itself involved in reduction and oxidation. The somewhat incomplete structural descriptions of the oxidized Cys forms involved in redox regulation of some transcription factors (e.g., BPV-1 E2 protein and activator protein-1) indicate that there is ample room for the application of the types of investigations employed, for example, with NADH peroxidase and the AhpC peroxiredoxin, with a view toward defining the potential roles of Cys-SOH in these very important contexts of intracellular redox signaling. These advances will also build on the recent progress in defining sulfenic acid stabilization and properties in small molecule model systems, as evidenced in the work of Okazaki, Goto, and others. When viewed in the perspective of Allison's 1976 review on the subject of sulfenic acids in proteins, the reader will hopefully come to appreciate the conclusion that the concept of protein-sulfenic acids has now become a very well-defined and established principle of biochemistry, with current efforts in this and other laboratories being directed to bring about still more detailed understanding of Cys-SOH function in both redox and nonredox modes of enzyme catalysis and regulation of protein function.

Limited proteolysis as a structural probe of the soluble alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase from Streptococcus sp.

As reported previously [Parsonage, D., Luba, J., Mallett, T. C., and Claiborne, A. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 23812-23822], the flavoprotein alpha-glycerophosphate oxidases (GlpOs) from a number of enterococcal and streptococcal sources contain a conserved 50-52 residue insert that is completely absent in the homologous alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenases. On limited proteolysis with trypsin, the GlpO from Streptococcus sp. (m = 67.6 kDa) is readily converted to two major fragments corresponding to masses of approximately 40 and 23 kDa. The combined application of sequence and mass spectrometric analyses demonstrates that the 40-kDa fragment represents the N-terminus of intact GlpO (Met1-Lys368; 40.5 kDa), while the 23-kDa band represents a C-terminal fragment (Ala405-Lys607; 22.9 kDa). Hence, limited proteolysis in effect excises most of the GlpO insert (Ser355-Lys404), indicating that this represents a flexible region on the protein surface. The active-site and other spectroscopic properties of the enzyme, including both flavin and tryptophan fluorescence spectra, titration behavior with both dithionite and sulfite, and preferential binding of the anionic form of the oxidized flavin, were largely unaffected by proteolysis. Enzyme-monitored turnover analyses of the intact and nicked streptococcal GlpOs (at [GlpO] approximately 10 microM) demonstrate that the single major catalytic defect in the nicked enzyme corresponds to a 20-fold increase in K(m)(Glp); the basis for this altered kinetic behavior is derived from an 8-fold decrease in the second-order rate constant for reduction of the nicked enzyme, as measured in anaerobic stopped-flow experiments. These results indicate that the flexible surface region represented by elements of the GlpO insert plays an important role in mediating efficient flavin reduction.

The RofA binding site in Streptococcus pyogenes is utilized in multiple transcriptional pathways.

Understanding the regulation of adhesins defines a pathogenic bacterium's interaction with the local environment within the host. In certain strains of Streptococcus pyogenes, transcription of prtF, the gene which encodes the fibronectin-binding adhesin protein F, is activated by RofA under anaerobic conditions. RofA binds specifically to DNA in its target promoters and autoregulates its own expression. In this study, we have used DNase I protection assays to further investigate the interaction of RofA with its target promoters. In the region between rofA and the gene which encodes protein F (prtF), RofA binds to two distinct sites: a smaller site (17 bp) adjacent to the rofA promoter, and a larger site (40 bp) adjacent to the prtF promoter. Analysis of fusions to a novel reporter gene whose product consists of the fusion of the N-terminal secretion domain of protein F with the C-terminal enzymatic domain of the enterococcal alkaline phosphatase (PhoZ) revealed that the small RofA binding site had no direct role in control of prtF transcription but contributed to regulation of rofA. Comparison in several strains representing different patterns of prtF expression indicated that the larger site was required for activation of rofA and of prtF in all strains by both RofA-dependent and -independent pathways. Thus, it would appear that a common recognition sequence provides separate entries to a final common pathway in S. pyogenes virulence gene expression. The identification of multiple RofA-like proteins and promoters with RofA binding sites implies the existence of a widespread interacting regulatory network.

Protein-sulfenic acids: diverse roles for an unlikely player in enzyme catalysis and redox regulation.

While it has been known for more than 20 years that unusually stable cysteine-sulfenic acid (Cys-SOH) derivatives can be introduced in selected proteins by mild oxidation, only recently have chemical and crystallographic evidence for functional Cys-SOH been presented with native proteins such as NADH peroxidase and NADH oxidase, nitrile hydratase, and the hORF6 and AhpC peroxiredoxins. In addition, Cys-SOH forms of protein tyrosine phosphatases and glutathione reductase have been suggested to play key roles in the reversible inhibition of these enzymes during tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent signal transduction events and nitrosative stress, respectively. Substantial chemical data have also been presented which implicate Cys-SOH in redox regulation of transcription factors such as Fos and Jun (activator protein-1) and bovine papillomavirus-1 E2 protein. Functionally, the Cys-SOHs in NADH peroxidase, NADH oxidase, and the peroxiredoxins serve as either catalytically essential redox centers or transient intermediates during peroxide reduction. In nitrile hydratase, the active-site Cys-SOH functions in both iron coordination and NO binding but does not play any catalytic redox role. In Fos and Jun and the E2 protein, on the other hand, a key Cys-SH serves as a sensor for intracellular redox status; reversible oxidation to Cys-SOH as proposed inhibits the corresponding DNA binding activity. These functional Cys-SOHs have roles in diverse cellular processes, including signal transduction, oxygen metabolism and the oxidative stress response, and transcriptional regulation, as well as in the industrial production of acrylamide, and their detailed analyses are beginning to provide the chemical foundation necessary for understanding protein-SOH stabilization and function.

Characterization of Enterococcus faecalis alkaline phosphatase and use in identifying Streptococcus agalactiae secreted proteins.

We have identified and characterized an Enterococcus faecalis alkaline phosphatase (AP, encoded by phoZ). The predicted gene product shows homology with alkaline phosphatases from a variety of species; it has especially high similarity with two alkaline phosphatases from Bacillus subtilis. Expression of phoZ in Escherichia coli, E. faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus [GBS]), or Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus [GAS]) produces a blue-colony phenotype on plates containing a chromogenic substrate, 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolylphosphate (XP or BCIP). Two tests were made to determine if the activity of the enzyme is dependent upon the enzyme's subcellular location. First, elimination of the signal sequence reduced AP activity to 3% of the wild-type activity (or less) in three species of gram-positive bacteria. Restoration of export, using the signal sequence from C5a peptidase, restored AP activity to at least 50% of that of the wild type. Second, we engineered two chimeric proteins in which AP was fused to either a periplasmic domain or a cytoplasmic domain of lactose permease (a membrane protein). In E. coli, the periplasmic fusion had 17-fold-higher AP activity than the cytoplasmic fusion. We concluded that AP activity is export dependent. The signal sequence deletion mutant, phoZDeltass, was used to identify random genomic fragments from GBS that encode exported proteins or integral membrane proteins. Included in this set of fragments were genes that exhibited homology with the Rib protein (a cell wall protein from GBS) or with DppB (an integral membrane protein from GAS). AP acts as a reporter enzyme in GBS, GAS, and E. faecalis and is expected to be useful in a variety of gram-positive bacteria.

Equilibrium analyses of the active-site asymmetry in enterococcal NADH oxidase: role of the cysteine-sulfenic acid redox center.

Recent studies [Mallett, T. C., and Claiborne, A. (1998) Biochemistry 37, 8790-8802] of the O2 reactivity of C42S NADH oxidase (O2 --> H2O2) revealed an asymmetric mechanism in which the two FADH2.NAD+ per reduced dimer display kinetic inequivalence. In this report we provide evidence indicating that the fully active, recombinant wild-type oxidase (O2 --> 2H2O) displays thermodynamic inequivalence between the two active sites per dimer. Using NADPH to generate the free reduced wild-type enzyme (EH2'/EH4), we have shown that NAD+ titrations lead to differential behavior as only one FADH2 per dimer binds NAD+ tightly to give the charge-transfer complex. The second FADH2, in contrast, transfers its electrons to the single Cys42-sulfenic acid (Cys42-SOH) redox center, which remains oxidized during the reductive titration. Titrations of the reduced NADH oxidase with oxidized 3-acetylpyridine and 3-aminopyridine adenine dinucleotides further support the conclusion that the two FADH2 per dimer in wild-type enzyme can be described as distinct "charge-transfer" and "electron-transfer" sites, with the latter site giving rise to either intramolecular (Cys42-SOH) or bimolecular (pyridine nucleotide) reduction. The reduced C42S mutant is not capable of intramolecular electron transfer on binding pyridine nucleotides, thus confirming that the Cys42-SOH center is in fact the source of the redox asymmetry observed with wild-type oxidase. These observations on the role of Cys42-SOH in the expression of thermodynamic inequivalence as observed in wild-type NADH oxidase complement the previously described kinetic inequivalence of the C42S mutant; taken together, these results provide the overlapping framework for an alternating sites cooperativity model of oxidase action.

The soluble alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase from Enterococcus casseliflavus. Sequence homology with the membrane-associated dehydrogenase and kinetic analysis of the recombinant enzyme.

The soluble flavoprotein alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase from Enterococcus casseliflavus catalyzes the oxidation of a "non-activated" secondary alcohol, in contrast to the flavin-dependent alpha-hydroxy- and alpha-amino acid oxidases. Surprisingly, the alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase sequence is 43% identical to that of the membrane-associated alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase from Bacillus subtilis; only low levels of identity (17-22%) result from comparisons with other FAD-dependent oxidases. The recombinant alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase is fully active and stabilizes a flavin N(5)-sulfite adduct, but only small amounts of intermediate flavin semiquinone are observed during reductive titrations. Direct determination of the redox potential for the FAD/FADH2 couple yields a value of -118 mV; the protein environment raises the flavin potential by 100 mV in order to provide for a productive interaction with the reducing substrate. Steady-state kinetic analysis, using the enzyme-monitored turnover method, indicates that a ping-pong mechanism applies and also allows the determination of the corresponding kinetic constants. In addition, stopped-flow studies of the reductive half-reaction provide for the measurement of the dissociation constant for the enzyme. alpha-glycerophosphate complex and the rate constant for reduction of the enzyme flavin. These and other results demonstrate that this enzyme offers a very promising paradigm for examining the protein determinants for flavin reactivity and mechanism in the energy-yielding metabolism of alpha-glycerophosphate.

Cloning and sequencing of two enterococcal glpK genes and regulation of the encoded glycerol kinases by phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent, phosphotransferase system-catalyzed phosphorylation of a single histidyl residue.

The glpK genes of Enterococcus casseliflavus and Enterococcus faecalis, encoding glycerol kinase, the key enzyme of glycerol uptake and metabolism in bacteria, have been cloned and sequenced. The translated amino acid sequences exhibit strong homology to the amino acid sequences of other bacterial glycerol kinases. After expression of the enterococcal glpK genes in Escherichia coli, both glycerol kinases were purified and were found to be phosphorylated by enzyme I and the histidine-containing protein of the phosphoenolpyruvate:glycose phosphotransferase system. Phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphorylation caused a 9-fold increase in enzyme activity. The site of phosphorylation in glycerol kinase of E. casseliflavus was determined as His-232. Site-specific mutagenesis was used to replace His-232 in glycerol kinase of E. casseliflavus with an alanyl, glutamate, or arginyl residue. The mutant proteins could no longer be phosphorylated confirming that His-232 of E. casseliflavus glycerol kinase represents the site of phosphorylation. The His232 --> Arg glycerol kinase exhibited an about 3-fold elevated activity compared with wild-type glycerol kinase. Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate was found to inhibit E. casseliflavus glycerol kinase activity. However, neither EIIAGlc from E. coli nor the EIIAGlc domain of Bacillus subtilis had an inhibitory effect on glycerol kinase of E. casseliflavus.

The active-site histidine-10 of enterococcal NADH peroxidase is not essential for catalytic activity.

In order to test the proposal [Stehle, T., Claiborne, A., & Schulz, G. E. (1993) Eur. J. Biochem. 211, 221-226] that the active-site His10 of NADH peroxidase functions as an essential acid-base catalyst, we have analyzed mutants in which this residue has been replaced by Gln or Ala. The k(cat) values for both H10Q and H10A peroxidases, and the pH profile for k(cat) with H10Q, are very similar to those observed with wild-type peroxidase. Both mutants, however, exhibit K(m)(H2O2) values much higher (50-70-fold) than that for wild-type enzyme, and stopped-flow analysis of the H2O2 reactivity of two-electron reduced H10Q demonstrates that this difference is due to a 150-fold decrease in the second-order rate constant for this reaction with the mutant. Stopped-flow analyses also confirm that reduction of the enzyme by NADH is essentially unaffected by His10 replacement and remains largely rate-limiting in turnover; the formation of an E.NADH intermediate in the conversion of E-->EH2 is confirmed by diode-array spectral analyses with H10A. Both H10Q and H10A mutants, in their oxidized E(FAD, Cys42-sulfenic acid) forms, exhibit enhanced long-wavelength absorbance bands (lambda(max) = 650 nm and 550 nm, respectively), which most likely reflect perturbations in a charge-transfer interaction between the Cys42-sulfenic acid and FAD. Combined with the 50-fold increase in the second-order rate constant for H2O2 inactivation (via Cys42-sulfenic acid oxidation) of the H10Q mutant, these observations support the proposal that His10 functions in part to stabilize the unusual Cys42-sulfenic acid redox center within the active-site environment.

Analysis of the kinetic mechanism of enterococcal NADH peroxidase reveals catalytic roles for NADH complexes with both oxidized and two-electron-reduced enzyme forms.

Anaerobic titrations of the two-electron-reduced NADH peroxidase (EH2) with NADH and 3-acetylpyridine adenine dinucleotide (AcPyADH) yield the respective complexes without significant formation of the four-electron-reduced enzyme (EH4). Further analysis of the EH2/EH4 redox couple, however, yields a midpoint potential of -312 mV for the free enzyme at pH 7. The catalytic mechanism of the peroxidase has been evaluated with a combination of kinetic and spectroscopic approaches, including initial velocity and enzyme-monitored turnover measurements, anaerobic stopped-flow studies of the reactions of both oxidized enzyme (E) and EH2 with NADH and AcPyADH, and diode-array spectral analyses of both the reduction of E-->EH2 by NADH and the formation of EH2.NADH. Overall, these results are consistent with rapid formation of an E.NADH complex with distinct spectral properties and a rate-limiting hydride transfer step that yields EH2, with no direct evidence for intermediate FADH2 formation. The EH2.NADH complex described previously [Poole, L. B., & Claiborne, A. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 14525-14533] is not catalytically competent and reacts relatively slowly with H2O2. Stopped-flow analyses do, however, support the very rapid formation of an EH2.NADH* intermediate, with spectral properties that distinguish it from the static EH2.NADH form, and yield a first-order rate constant for the conversion between the two species that is smaller than kcat. The combined rapid-reaction and steady-state data are best accommodated by a limiting type of ternary complex mechanism very similar to that proposed previously [Parsonage, D., Miller, H., Ross, R.P., & Claiborne, A. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 3161-3167].

Crystallographic analyses of NADH peroxidase Cys42Ala and Cys42Ser mutants: active site structures, mechanistic implications, and an unusual environment of Arg 303.

NADH peroxidase from Enterococcus faecalis is a tetrameric flavoenzyme of 201,400 Da which employs Cys 42 as a redox-active center cycling between sulfhydryl (Cys-SH) and sulfenic acid (Cys-SOH) states along the catalytic pathway. The role of the active site cysteine 42 in NADH peroxidase has been elucidated using biochemical and crystallographic techniques. Here we describe the crystal structures of two active site cysteine mutants, Cys42Ala and Cys42Ser, which were determined to 2.0 A resolution and refined to crystallographic R values of 17.6 and 18.3%, respectively. The overall chain fold and the quaternary structure of the two mutants appear to be very similar to wild-type enzyme. Therefore, the substantially lower activity of the mutants is due to the absence of the Cys-SOH redox center. One of the oxygen atoms of the nonnative cysteine sulfonic acid in the wild-type structure is replaced by a water molecule in both mutant structures. Two other residues near the active site are His 10 and Arg 303. A detailed analysis of the environment of these residues in the mutant and wild-type peroxidase structures indicates that the imidazole ring of His 10 is uncharged. The interactions made by the guanidinium group of Arg 303 involve not only His 10 but also the carboxylate of Glu 14 and Tyr 60. Interestingly, the Nn1H function of Arg 303 is oriented perpendicular to the plane of the phenyl ring of Tyr 60 with a Nn1 to phenyl ring center distance of 3.8 A, suggesting a favorable electrostatic interaction between Arg 303 and Tyr 60.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An L40C mutation converts the cysteine-sulfenic acid redox center in enterococcal NADH peroxidase to a disulfide.

Multiple sequence alignments including the enterococcal NADH peroxidase and NADH oxidase indicate that residues Ser38 and Cys42 align with the two cysteines of the redox-active disulfides found in glutathione reductase (GR), lipoamide dehydrogenase, mercuric reductase, and trypanothione reductase. In order to evaluate those structural determinants involved in the selection of the cysteine-sulfenic acid (Cys-SOH) redox centers found in the two peroxide reductases and the redox-active disulfides present in the GR class of disulfide reductases, NADH peroxidase residues Ser38, Phe39, Leu40, and Ser41 have been individually replaced with Cys. Both the F39C and L40C mutant peroxidases yield active-site disulfides involving the new Cys and the native Cys42; formation of the Cys39-Cys42 disulfide, however, precludes binding of the FAD coenzyme. In contrast, the L40C mutant contains tightly-bound FAD and has been analyzed by both kinetic and spectroscopic approaches. In addition, the L40C and S41C mutant structures have been determined at 2.1 and 2.0 A resolution, respectively, by X-ray crystallography. Formation of the Cys40-Cys42 disulfide bond requires a movement of Cys42-SG to a new position 5.9 A from the flavin-C(4a) position; this is consistent with the inability of the new disulfide to function as a redox center in concert with the flavin. Stereochemical constraints prohibit formation of the Cys41-Cys42 disulfide in the latter mutant.

Analysis of the kinetic and redox properties of NADH peroxidase C42S and C42A mutants lacking the cysteine-sulfenic acid redox center.

The flavoprotein NADH peroxidase from Enterococcus faecalis 10C1 has been shown to contain, in addition to FAD, an unusual cysteine-sulfenic acid (Cys-SOH) redox center. The non-flavin center cycles between reduced (Cys-SH) and oxidized (Cys-SOH) states, and the 2.16 A crystal structure of the non-native cysteine-sulfonic acid (Cys-SO3H) form of the wild-type peroxidase supports the proposed catalytic role of Cys42. In this study, we have employed a site-directed mutagenesis approach in which Cys42 is replaced with Ser and Ala, neither side chain of which is capable of redox activity. Reductive titrations of both C42S and C42A mutants lead directly to full FAD reduction with 1 equiv of either dithionite or NADH, consistent with elimination of the Cys-SOH center. Direct determinations of the redox potentials for the FAD/FADH2 couples yield values of -219 and -197 mV, respectively, for C42S and C42A peroxidases, indicating that the presence of Cys42-SH in the two-electron-reduced wild-type enzyme lowers the flavin potential by approximately 100 mV. Anaerobic stopped-flow analyses of the reduction of C42S and C42A peroxidases by NADH demonstrate that in both cases flavin reduction is rapid; these results are confirmed by enzyme-monitored, steady-state kinetic analyses which, in addition, give turnover numbers approximately 0.04% that of wild-type enzyme. These results are entirely consistent with the role proposed for Cys42 in the catalytic redox cycle of wild-type NADH peroxidase and indirectly support its function as a peroxidatic center in the homologous NADH oxidase.

Protein-sulfenic acid stabilization and function in enzyme catalysis and gene regulation.

Sulfenic acids (R-SOH) result from the stoichiometric oxidations of thiols with mild oxidants such as H2O2; in solution, however, these derivatives accumulate only transiently due to rapid self-condensation reactions, further oxidations to the sulfinic and/or sulfonic acids, and reactions with nucleophiles such as R-SH. In contrast, oxidations of cysteinyl side chains in proteins, where disulfide bond formation can be prevented and where the reactivity of the nascent cysteine-sulfenic acid (Cys-SOH) can be controlled, have previously been shown to yield stable active-site Cys-SOH derivatives of papain and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. More recently, however, functional Cys-SOH residues have been identified in the native oxidized forms of the FAD-containing NADH peroxidase and NADH oxidase from Streptococcus faecalis; these two proteins constitute a new class within the flavoprotein disulfide reductase family. In addition, Cys-SOH derivatives have been suggested to play important roles in redox regulation of the DNA-binding activities of transcription factors such as Fos and Jun, OxyR, and bovine papillomavirus type 1 E2 protein. Structural inferences for the stabilization of protein-sulfenic acids, drawn from the refined 2.16-A structure of the streptococcal NADH peroxidase, provide a molecular basis for understanding the proposed redox functions of these novel cofactors in both enzyme catalysis and transcriptional regulation.

Purification and analysis of streptococcal NADH peroxidase expressed in Escherichia coli.

Using the T7 RNA polymerase expression system, a modified plasmid vector has been developed which gives reliable, high level expression in Escherichia coli of the gene encoding streptococcal NADH peroxidase. The recombinant enzyme has been purified to homogeneity using a revised protocol which yields over 35 mg of pure protein per liter of culture. Recombinant NADH peroxidase is fully active and exhibits spectroscopic and redox properties identical to those for the enzyme purified from Streptococcus faecalis 10C1. Reductive titrations and thiol analyses confirm the presence of the unusual cysteine-sulfenic acid (Cys-SOH) redox center identified previously. N-terminal sequence analysis, analytical gel filtration, and preliminary x-ray diffraction data all confirm the structural identity of the recombinant and S. faecalis enzymes. Steady-state kinetic analysis of the peroxidase, coupled with results from static titration experiments is consistent with a limiting type of ternary complex mechanism and allows the determination of many of the corresponding kinetic constants. In addition, preliminary 1H NMR spectra of the enzyme at millimolar concentrations show good dispersion in the amide region and indicate that the recombinant peroxidase is suitable for one-dimensional NMR work with labeled amino acids.

Barnase has subsites that give rise to large rate enhancements.

Barnase is found to have a series of subsites for binding its substrates that confers large rate enhancements. Ribonucleotide substrates of the type Zp0Gp1Xp2Y have been synthesized, where p is phosphate, X, Y, and Z are nucleosides, and G is guanosine. G occupies the primary specificity site. The most important subsite is for p2, followed by that for Y. There appears to be no subsite for the Z or p0 positions. Occupation of the subsite for p2 gives rise to a 1000-fold increase in kcat/Km, composed of a 100-fold increase in kcat and a 10-fold decrease in Km. The Y subsite gives rise to further 20-fold increase in kcat/Km. Rates approaching diffusion control for kcat/Km are observed. kcat for the dinucleotide monophosphate GpU = 0.55 s-1, and Km = 240 microM; this compares with 53 s-1 and 20 microM for GpUp, and 3.3 x 10(3) s-1 and 17 microM for GpApA (the best substrate tested). Cleavage occurs at the 3'-phosphate of guanosine in all cases. There are differences in base specificity at the two subsites for X and Y downstream of the scissile bond. The binding energies of different substrates have been analyzed using thermodynamic cycles. These show that the contributions of the X and Y sites are nonadditive.

Flavin-linked peroxide reductases: protein-sulfenic acids and the oxidative stress response.

Sequence analyses of the Streptococcus faecalis NADH peroxidase and the flavoprotein component of the Salmonella typhimurium alkyl hydroperoxide reductase indicate clear evolutionary links with members of the flavoprotein disulfide reductase family. However, chemical and spectroscopic evidence demonstrate that the non-flavin redox center in NADH peroxidase is an unusual stabilized cysteine-sulfenic acid (Cys-SOH) derivative, and not a cystine disulfide as found in the disulfide reductases. This redox-active element, when appropriately stabilized by the respective protein environment, appears to play key roles in both the catalytic and regulatory aspects of the bacterial response to oxidative stress.

Adenosine triphosphatase and nucleotide binding activity of isolated beta-subunit preparations from Escherichia coli F1F0-ATP synthase.

Adenosine triphosphatase activity and nucleotide binding affinity of isolated beta-subunit preparations from Escherichia coli F1F0-ATP synthase were studied. The aim was to find out whether isolated beta-subunit would provide an experimental model in which effects of mutations on catalysis per se, unencumbered by complications due to their effects on positive catalytic cooperativity, could be studied. Three types of purified, isolated beta-subunit preparations were studied. Type I-beta was from a strain lacking all F1F0 subunits except beta and epsilon. Type II-beta was from F1 carrying the alpha S375F mutation which blocks positive catalytic cooperativity. Type III-beta was from normal F1. Type I- and II-beta had very low ATPase activity (less than 10(-4) s-1) which was azide-insensitive, aurovertin-insensitive, and unaffected by anti-beta antibody. Type I-beta activity was EDTA-insensitive. We conclude that isolated beta-subunit from E. coli F1F0 has zero or at most very low intrinsic ATPase activity. Type III-beta had low ATPase activity (8.4 x 10(-5) s-1 to 1.1 x 10(-3) s-1 in seven different preparations). This activity was aurovertin-sensitive, but varied in azide sensitivity from 0 to 34% inhibited. The azide-sensitive component, like F1 and alpha 3 beta 3 gamma oligomer, was inhibited by anti-beta and anti-alpha antibodies. The azide-insensitive component was stimulated by anti-beta and unaffected by anti-alpha. We show here that (alpha beta)-oligomer has ATPase activity which is azide-insensitive, aurovertin-sensitive, stimulated by anti-beta, and unaffected by anti-alpha. The intrinsic ATPase activity of Type III-beta could be due to contaminating (alpha beta)-oligomer plus alpha 3 beta 3 gamma-oligomer. Isolated beta had very low affinity for nucleotide as compared to the first catalytic site on F1. Taken together with the very low ATPase activity of isolated beta (even if real), the work shows that isolated beta is not a good experimental model of F1 catalysis.

Thermodynamic analyses of the catalytic pathway of F1-ATPase from Escherichia coli. Implications regarding the nature of energy coupling by F1-ATPases.

Thermodynamic properties of 12 different F1-ATPase enzymes were analyzed in order to gain insights into the catalytic mechanism and the nature of energy coupling to delta mu H+. The enzymes were normal soluble Escherichia coli F1, a group of nine beta-subunit mutant soluble E. coli F1 enzymes (G142S, K155Q, K155E, E181Q, E192Q, M209I, D242N, D242V, R246C), and both soluble and membrane-bound bovine heart mitochondrial F1. Unisite activity was studied by use of Gibbs free energy diagrams, difference energy diagrams, and derivation of linear free energy relationships. This allowed construction of binding energy diagrams for both the unisite ATP hydrolysis and ATP synthesis reaction pathways, which were in agreement. The binding energy diagrams showed that the step of Pi binding is a major energy-requiring step in ATP synthesis, as is the step of ATP release. It is suggested that there are two major catalytic enzyme conformations, and ATP- and an ADP-binding conformation. The effects of the mutations on the rate-limiting steps of multisite as compared to unisite activity were correlated, suggesting a direct link between the rate-limiting steps of the two types of activity. Multisite activity was analyzed by Arrhenius plots and by study of relative promotion from unisite to multisite rate. Changes in binding energy due to mutation were seen to have direct effects on multisite catalysis. From all the data, a model is derived to describe the mechanism of ATP synthesis. ATP hydrolysis, and energy coupling to delta mu H+ in F1F0-ATPases.