Reversible, ß-sheet-dependent self-assembly of the phosphoprotein phosvitin is controlled by the concentration and valency of cations.

The hyperphosphorylated protein phosvitin (PV) undergoes a pH-dependent transition between PII- and ß-sheet secondary structures, a process deemed crucial for its role in the promotion of biogenic apatite formation. The transition occurs surprisingly slowly (minutes to hours). This is consistent with a slow aggregation process involving ionic interactions of charged groups on the protein surface. Herein, we determined the associated transition pK values and time constants through matrix least-squares (MLS) global fitting of a series of pH- and time-dependent circular dichroism (CD) spectra recorded in the presence of different mono-, bi- and trivalent cations. Supporting our results with dynamic light scattering data, we clearly identified a close correlation of ß-sheet transition and the formation of small aggregates at low pH. This process is inhibited in the presence of all tested cations with the strongest effects for trivalent cations (Fe3+ and Al3+). In the presence of Ca2+ and Mg2+, larger higher-order particles are formed from PV in the ß-sheet conformation, as identified from the interpretation of differential scattering observed in the CD spectra. Our observations are consistent with the existence of a multi-step equilibrium between aggregated and non-aggregated species of PV. The equilibrium is highly sensitive to the environment pH and salt concentration with exceptional behavior in the presence of divalent cations such as Ca2+ and Mg2+.

Structure-Based Design of High-Affinity Fluorescent Probes for the Neuropeptide Y Y1 Receptor.

The recent crystallization of the neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor (Y1R) in complex with the argininamide-type Y1R selective antagonist UR-MK299 (2) opened up a new approach toward structure-based design of nonpeptidic Y1R ligands. We designed novel fluorescent probes showing excellent Y1R selectivity and, in contrast to previously described fluorescent Y1R ligands, considerably higher (∼100-fold) binding affinity. This was achieved through the attachment of different fluorescent dyes to the diphenylacetyl moiety in 2 via an amine-functionalized linker. The fluorescent ligands exhibited picomolar Y1R binding affinities (pKi values of 9.36-9.95) and proved to be Y1R antagonists, as validated in a Fura-2 calcium assay. The versatile applicability of the probes as tool compounds was demonstrated by flow cytometry- and fluorescence anisotropy-based Y1R binding studies (saturation and competition binding and association and dissociation kinetics) as well as by widefield and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy of live tumor cells, revealing that fluorescence was mainly localized at the plasma membrane.

Dynamic Structural Changes and Thermodynamics in Phase Separation Processes of an Intrinsically Disordered-Ordered Protein Model.

Elastin-like proteins (ELPs) are biologically important proteins and models for intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and dynamic structural transitions associated with coacervates and liquid-liquid phase transitions. However, the conformational status below and above coacervation temperature and its role in the phase separation process is still elusive. Employing matrix least-squares global Boltzmann fitting of the circular dichroism spectra of the ELPs (VPGVG)20 , (VPGVG)40 , and (VPGVG)60 , we found that coacervation occurs sharply when a certain number of repeat units has acquired ß-turn conformation (in our sequence setting a threshold of approx. 20 repeat units). The character of the differential scattering of the coacervate suspensions indicated that this fraction of ß-turn structure is still retained after polypeptide assembly. Such conformational thresholds may also have a role in other protein assembly processes with implications for the design of protein-based smart materials.

Chiral Dibenzopentalene-Based Conjugated Nanohoops through Stereoselective Synthesis.

Conjugated nanohoops allow to investigate the effect of radial conjugation and bending on the involved π-systems. They can possess unexpected optoelectronic properties and their radially oriented π-system makes them attractive for host-guest chemistry. Bending the π-subsystems can lead to chiral hoops. Herein, we report the stereoselective synthesis of two enantiomers of chiral conjugated nanohoops by incorporating dibenzo[a,e]pentalenes (DBPs), which are generated in the last synthetic step from enantiomerically pure diketone precursors. Owing to its bent shape, this diketone unit was used as the only bent precursor and novel "corner unit" in the synthesis of the hoops. The [6]DBP[4]Ph-hoops contain six antiaromatic DBP units and four bridging phenylene groups. The small HOMO-LUMO gap and ambipolar electrochemical character of the DBP units is reflected in the optoelectronic properties of the hoop. Electronic circular dichroism spectra and MD simulations showed that the chiral hoop did not racemize even when heated to 110 °C. Due to its large diameter, it was able to accommodate two C60 molecules, as binding studies indicate.