Structural basis for a change in substrate specificity: crystal structure of S113E isocitrate dehydrogenase in a complex with isopropylmalate, Mg2+, and NADP.

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of isocitrate and has negligible activity toward other (R)-malate-type substrates. The S113E mutant of IDH significantly improves its ability to utilize isopropylmalate as a substrate and switches the substrate specificity (k(cat)/K(M)) from isocitrate to isopropylmalate. To understand the structural basis for this switch in substrate specificity, we have determined the crystal structure of IDH S113E in a complex with isopropylmalate, NADP, and Mg(2+) to 2.0 A resolution. On the basis of a comparison with previously determined structures, we identify distinct changes caused by the amino acid substitution and by the binding of substrates. The S113E complex exhibits alterations in global and active site conformations compared with other IDH structures that include loop and helix conformational changes near the active site. In addition, the angle of the hinge that relates the two domains was altered in this structure, which suggests that the S113E substitution and the binding of substrates act together to promote catalysis of isopropylmalate. Ligand binding results in reorientation of the active site helix that contains residues 113 through 116. E113 exhibits new interactions, including van der Waals contacts with the isopropyl group of isopropylmalate and a hydrogen bond with N115, which in turn forms a hydrogen bond with NADP. In addition, the loop and helix regions that bind NADP are altered, as is the loop that connects the NADP binding region to the active site helix, changing the relationship between substrates and enzyme. In combination, these interactions appear to provide the basis for the switch in substrate specificity.

Redesigning the substrate specificity of an enzyme: isocitrate dehydrogenase.

Despite the structural similarities between isocitrate and isopropylmalate, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) exhibits a strong preference for its natural substrate. Using a combination of rational and random mutagenesis, we have engineered IDH to use isopropylmalate as a substrate. Rationally designed mutations were based on comparison of IDH to a similar enzyme, isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (IPMDH). A chimeric enzyme that replaced an active site loop-helix motif with IPMDH sequences exhibited no activity toward isopropylmalate, and site-directed mutants that replaced IDH residues with their IPMDH equivalents only showed small improvements in k(cat). Random mutants targeted the IDH active site at positions 113 (substituted with glutamate), 115, and 116 (both randomized) and were screened for activity toward isopropylmalate. Six mutants were identified that exhibited up to an 8-fold improvement in k(cat) and increased the apparent binding affinity by as much as a factor of 80. In addition to the S113E mutation, five other mutants contained substitutions at positions 115 and/or 116. Most small hydrophobic substitutions at position 116 improved activity, possibly by generating space to accommodate the isopropyl group of isopropylmalate; however, substitution with serine yielded the most improvement in k(cat). Only two substitutions were identified at position 115, which suggests a more specific role for the wild-type asparagine residue in the utilization of isopropylmalate. Since interactions between neighboring residues in this region greatly influenced the effects of each other in unexpected ways, structural solutions were best identified in combinations, as allowed by random mutagenesis.

Role of the pro-alpha2(I) COOH-terminal region in assembly of type I collagen: disruption of two intramolecular disulfide bonds in pro-alpha2(I) blocks assembly of type I collagen.

Collagen biosynthesis is a complex process that begins with the association of three procollagen chains. A series of conserved intra- and interchain disulfide bonds in the carboxyl-terminal region of the procollagen chains, or C-propeptide, has been hypothesized to play an important role in the nucleation and alignment of the chains. We tested this hypothesis by analyzing the ability of normal and cysteine-mutated pro-alpha2(I) chains to assemble into type I collagen heterotrimers when expressed in a cell line (D2) that produces only endogenous pro-alpha1(1). Pro-alpha2(I) chains containing single or double cysteine mutations that disrupted individual intra- or interchain disulfide bonds were able to form pepsin resistant type I collagen with pro-alpha1(I), indicating that individual disulfide bonds were not critical for assembly of the pro-alpha2(I) chain with pro-alpha1(I). Pro-alpha2(I) chains containing a triple cysteine mutation that disrupted both intrachain disulfide bonds were not able to form pepsin resistant type I collagen with pro-alpha1(I). Therefore, disruption of both pro-alpha2(I) intrachain disulfide bonds prevented the production and secretion of type I collagen heterotrimers. Although none of the individual disulfide bonds is essential for assembly of the procollagen chains, the presence of at least one intrachain disulfide bond may be necessary as a structural requirement for chain association or to stabilize the protein to prevent intracellular degradation.

Role of the pro-alpha2(I) COOH-terminal region in assembly of type I collagen: truncation of the last 10 amino acid residues of pro-alpha2(I) chain prevents assembly of type I collagen heterotrimer.

Procollagen (Type I) contains a noncollagenous COOH-terminal propeptide (C-propeptide) hypothesized to be important in directing chain association and alignment during assembly. We previously expressed human pro-alpha2(I) cDNA in rat liver epithelial cells, W8, that produce only pro-alpha1(I) trimer collagen (Lim et al. [1994] Matrix Biol. 14: 21-30). In the resulting cell lines, alpha2(I) assembled with alpha1(I) forming heterotrimers. Using this cell system, we investigated the importance of the COOH-terminal propeptide sequence of the pro-alpha2(I) chain for normal assembly of type I collagen. Full-length human pro-alpha2(I) cDNA was cloned into expression vectors with a premature stop signal eliminating the final 10 amino acids. No triple-helical molecules containing alpha2(I) were detected in transfected W8 cells, although pro-alpha2(I) mRNA was detected. Additional protein analysis demonstrated that these cells synthesize small amounts of truncated pro-alpha2(I) chains detected by immunoprecipitation with a pro-alpha2(I) antibody. In addition, since the human-rat collagen was less thermostable than normal intraspecies collagen, wild-type and C-terminal truncated mouse cDNAs were expressed in mouse D2 cells, which produced only type I trimers. Results from both systems were consistent, suggesting that the last 10 amino acid residues of the pro-alpha2(I) chain are important for formation of stable type I collagen.

Characterization of recombinant human aldolase B and purification by metal chelate chromatography.

Recombinant human aldolase B and the native enzyme purified from human liver were found to be identical in size, charge, structure, Km constants for fructose-1,6-bis(phosphate) and fructose-1-phosphate, and the activity ratio of the two substrates. Thus recombinant aldolase B is a valid model for the native enzyme and can be used to study mutations that cause hereditary fructose intolerance or others designed in the active site. Addition of six histidine residues to the amino-terminus of the recombinant enzyme did not alter its structural or functional characteristics and allowed for purification by immobilized metal affinity chromatography. This purification protocol does not require a stable or active enzyme and will facilitate the study of mutant aldolase B enzymes that would otherwise be difficult to purify.

Expression of the G glycoprotein gene of human respiratory syncytial virus in Salmonella typhimurium.

The attachment protein, G, of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an M(r) 84K to 90K species which has a high content of N-linked and O-linked carbohydrates. The unglycosylated form of this protein was expressed by inserting a full-length cDNA copy of the mRNA from the A2 strain of RSV into a prokaryotic expression vector under the control of the lambda PL promoter. Salmonella typhimurium cells transformed with the G-containing plasmid synthesized a protein of M(r) 40,000 that specifically reacted with polyclonal and two neutralizing monoclonal antibodies raised against the native RSV G glycoprotein. Recombinant G protein was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography using a neutralizing monoclonal antibody. Cotton rats immunized with the recombinant G protein produced serum antibodies to the G glycoprotein that neutralized RSV in vitro. The study demonstrates that the G protein of RSV can be expressed in bacteria and that at least one neutralizing epitope is not structurally dependent on carbohydrates.

Synthetic nonpsychotropic cannabinoids with potent antiinflammatory, analgesic, and leukocyte antiadhesion activities.

Two strategies for the design of therapeutically useful cannabinoids have been combined to produce compounds with greatly increased antiinflammatory activity and with a low potential for adverse side effects. Enantiomeric cannabinoids with a carboxylic acid group at position 7 and with an elongated and branched alkyl sidechain at position 5' have been synthesized and tested for antiinflammatory activity. They were effective when given orally at doses of 10 micrograms/kg in reducing paw edema in mice that had been induced by either arachidonic acid or platelet activating factor. Leukocyte adhesion to culture dishes was also reduced in peritoneal cells from mice in which the cannabinoids were orally administered in the same dose range as for the paw edema tests. Antinociception could be observed in the mouse hot plate assay; however, little stereochemical preference was seen in contrast to the above tests where the 3R,4R compounds are more active than the 3S,4S enantiomers. Finally, in agreement with earlier reports on the naturally occurring pentyl side chain acids, the synthetic acids showed little activity in producing catalepsy in the mouse, suggesting that they would be nonpsychotropic in humans.

G-protein mediation of cannabinoid-induced phospholipase activation.

The release of arachidonic acid from mouse peritoneal and S49 cells induced by delta 1-tetrahydrocannabinol was found to be altered by prior exposure of the cells to either pertussis toxin or cholera toxin. The stable analogs of GTP and GDP, GTP-gamma-S and GDP-beta-S, were also effective in changing the extent of arachidonate release in saponin-treated cells. GDP-beta-S essentially abolished the THC response, while GTP-gamma-S showed effects mainly on vehicle-treated cells. The cataleptic action of THC in intact mice which is mediated by eicosanoids was also attenuated by pertussis toxin pretreatment. It is suggested that the THC receptor is coupled to phospholipases through one or more G-proteins and that adenylate cyclase probably does not have a role in this mechanism.

Detection of cannabinoid receptors by photoaffinity labelling.

A novel [125I]-labelled photoaffinity ligand designed to detect cannabinoid binding sites has been used in mouse brain preparations and in cultured S49 mouse lymphoma cells. The ligand, 2-iodo-5'-azido-delta 8-THC, shows a high affinity for sites in both brain (Kd = 5.60 pM) and whole cell (Kd = 9.38 pM) systems. Photolabelling studies with brain samples revealed the existence of four ligand-protein adducts, of estimated molecular weights 85.5, 62.1, 30.0 and 25.5 kDa, that were diminished by prior exposure to 8 microM THC. A similar study with S49 cells gave adducts with apparent molecular weights of 62.1, 34.4, 16.9 and 13.5 kDa. The ligand produces a typical cannabinoid cataleptic response in mice suggesting that possibly one or more of the binding sites may be involved in some of the receptor mediated actions of THC.

Further studies on the antinociceptive effects of delta 6-THC-7-oic acid.

The antinociceptive effects of delta 6-THC-7-oic (THC-7-oic) acid have been investigated further with particular regard to the influence of certain experimental parameters in the hot plate test. These included the degree of the thermal stimulus, the nature of the vehicle and a possible role for copper in the response. A temperature effect similar to that seen with nonsteroidalantiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was observed, 55 degrees produced observable antinociception, however, at a surface temperature of 58 degrees C no drug effect was seen. Non-aqeous vehicles such as peanut oil increased the potency of THC-7-oic acid. Finally, the substitution of purified water for tap water reduced the drug response which could be partially restored by adding copper to the purified drinking water. An increase in the inhibitory effect when copper was added was also seen in vitro in a cell culture model where the acid reduced prostaglandin synthesis induced by THC. Our findings suggest that THC-7-oic acid probably acts by mechanisms similar to the NSAIDs and that the above mentioned experimental conditions can greatly influence the outcome of studies with this agent.

Antagonism to the actions of platelet activating factor by a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid.

A recent report from our laboratory gave evidence showing that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-7-oic acid has antinociceptive activity in the mouse. We also pointed out that this substance, which is a major metabolite of THC in most species including humans, is probably responsible for the well known analgesic properties of the parent drug. The present report contains findings that suggest THC-7-oic acid may have considerable activity as an antagonist to platelet activating factor, which may also explain the known properties of THC as a bronchodilator, antipyretic and antirheumatic agent. In the mouse ear edema test, THC-7-oic acid appeared to be about as efficacious as phenidone; however, its potency was less than either phenidone or indomethacin. When compared with the parent drug, THC, in the platelet activating factor-induced paw edema assay, it acted more quickly and produced a greater reduction of edema. This is consistent with the possibility that THC must be metabolized to the 7-oic acid for activity to be seen. Its activity in preventing platelet activating factor-induced mortality was comparable to naproxen. In vitro studies suggest that THC-7-oic acid can inhibit both cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase activities in intact cells.