Structural characterization of the GSK-3beta active site using selective and non-selective ATP-mimetic inhibitors.

GSK-3beta is a regulatory serine/threonine kinase with a plethora of cellular targets. Consequently, selective small molecule inhibitors of GSK-3beta may have a variety of therapeutic uses including the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, type II diabetes and cancer. In order to characterize the active site of GSK-3beta, we determined crystal structures of unphosphorylated GSK-3beta in complex with selective and non-selective ATP-mimetic inhibitors. Analysis of the inhibitors' interactions with GSK-3beta in the structures reveals how the enzyme can accommodate a number of diverse molecular scaffolds. In addition, a conserved water molecule near Thr138 is identified that can serve a functional role in inhibitor binding. Finally, a comparison of the interactions made by selective and non-selective inhibitors highlights residues on the edge of the ATP binding-site that can be used to obtain inhibitor selectivity. Information gained from these structures provides a promising route for the design of second-generation GSK-3beta inhibitors.

Retrospective analysis of adverse drug reactions to bronchodilators observed in two pulmonary divisions of Catanzaro, Italy.

We retrospectively analysed the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with bronchodilator therapy and reported over a 7-year period, from January 1995 to December 2001, in clinical notes of two Pulmonary division of "Mater Domini" University Hospital and "Pugliese-Ciaccio" Hospital, both located in Catanzaro, Italy. Bronchodilators were responsible for 45 (18.5%) out of 243 episodes of ADRs. Theophylline was the drug most involved in ADRs (53.4%), and skin was the body system most susceptible to ADRs induced by all bronchodilators (47.7%). We determined that the drug-ADR relationship was certain in 73% of the reports; withdrawal of the suspected drug led to recovery in 86% of cases. In conclusion, this retrospective evaluation demonstrated that bronchodilators are a common cause of ADRs in hospitalised patients and, therefore, drug surveillance can successfully identify adverse events related with drug administration in hospitalised patients.

Thermodynamics of the high-affinity interaction of TCF4 with beta-catenin.

The formation of a complex between beta-catenin and members of the TCF/LEF family of high-mobility group proteins is a key regulatory event in the wnt-signaling pathway, essential for embryonal development as well as the growth of normal and malignant colon epithelium. We have characterized the binding of TCF4 to human beta-catenin by steady-state intrinsic fluorescence quenching experiments, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Binding studies in solution and in heterogeneous phase showed that TCF4 binds reversibly to beta-catenin with an affinity (KB) of 3(+/-1) 10(8) M(-1). Site-directed mutagenesis, together with calorimetric measurements, revealed that residue D16 in TCF4 plays a crucial role in high-affinity binding. Mutation of this residue to alanine resulted in a decrease of KB by two orders of magnitude as well as a significant reduction in binding enthalpy. Binding of TCF4 to beta-catenin gave rise to a large negative enthalpy change at 25 degrees C (-29.7 kcal/mol). Binding enthalpies were strongly temperature dependent, which resulted in the determination of a large heat capacity change upon binding of -1.5 kcal/(mol K). The molecular events that take place upon complex formation are discussed using the measured thermodynamic data together with the crystal structure of the beta-catenin arm repeat region/TCF complex.

[Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) or Moschowitz syndrome. Our experience]. / Porpora trombotica trombocitopenica (TTP) o sindrome di Moschowitz. Nostra esperienza.

AIM: The aim of this study was to report that Moschcowitz's syndrome was an inexorable cause of death in our Centre in the cases we observed, all of which failed to respond to the treatment used. This severe prognosis was attributed to the irreversible nature of the pathology when the patients were admitted to intensive care. METHODS: Three cases are described which were brought to our attention with this pathology. The following association was present in all cases: low platelet count, anemia with schistocytosis and indirect hyperbilirubinemia. Plasmapheresis was the main treatment used in all cases. SETTING: the intensive care unit of our Hospital is the regional reference centre where plasmapheresis is performed. PATIENTS: Three patients were studied: two females aged 62 and 42 respectively, and one male aged 63. All three patients came from this region and no special features were found in their long-term medical history. INTERVENTIONS: all patients underwent blood transfusion, plasmapheresis and received targeted antibiotic and corticosteroid treatment, and parenteral nutrition. RESULTS: All three cases died. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of these cases highlights the need for an early diagnosis, even if this is not easy, in order to commence successful therapy.

Expression, purification, and characterization of choline kinase, product of the CKI gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, choline kinase (ATP:choline phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.32) is the product of the CKI gene. Choline kinase catalyzes the committed step in the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine by the CDP-choline pathway. The yeast enzyme was overexpressed 106-fold in Sf-9 insect cells and purified 71.2-fold to homogeneity from the cytosolic fraction by chromatography with concanavalin A, Affi-Gel Blue, and Mono Q. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of purified choline kinase matched perfectly with the deduced sequence of the CKI gene. The minimum subunit molecular mass (73 kDa) of purified choline kinase was in good agreement with the predicted size (66.3 kDa) of the CKI gene product. Native choline kinase existed in oligomeric structures of dimers, tetramers, and octomers. The amounts of the tetrameric and octomeric forms increased in the presence of the substrate ATP. Antibodies were raised against the purified enzyme and were used to identify choline kinase in insect cells and in S. cerevisiae. Maximum choline kinase activity was dependent on Mg2+ ions (10 mM) at pH 9.5 and at 30 degrees C. The equilibrium constant (0.2) for the reaction indicated that the reverse reaction was favored in vitro. The activation energy for the reaction was 6.26 kcal/mol, and the enzyme was labile above 30 degrees C. Choline kinase exhibited saturation kinetics with respect to choline and positive cooperative kinetics with respect to ATP (n = 1.4-2.3). Results of the kinetic experiments indicated that the enzyme catalyzes a sequential Bi Bi reaction. The Vmax for the reaction was 138.7 micromol/min/mg, and the Km values for choline and ATP were 0.27 mM and 90 microM, respectively. The turnover number per choline kinase subunit was 153 s-1. Ethanolamine was a poor substrate for the purified choline kinase, and it was also poor inhibitor of choline kinase activity. ADP inhibited choline kinase activity (IC50 = 0.32 mM) in a positive cooperative manner (n = 1.5), and the mechanism of inhibition with respect to ATP and choline was complex. The regulation of choline kinase activity by ATP and ADP may be physiologically relevant.

Conformational changes of three periplasmic receptors for bacterial chemotaxis and transport: the maltose-, glucose/galactose- and ribose-binding proteins.

Small-angle X-ray scattering experiments were carried out for the maltose-, glucose/galactose- and ribose-binding proteins of Gram negative bacteria. All were shown to be monomers that decrease in radius of gyration on ligand binding. The results obtained for the maltose-binding protein agree well with crystal structures of the closed, ligand-bound, and open, ligand-free protein, suggesting that these are indeed the primary forms in solution. The closed form is stabilized by protein-sugar interactions, while the open conformation is stabilized by close contacts between the two domains. Since it is the proper special relationship of the domains in the closed form that is most important for interaction with chemotaxis and transport partners, the stabilization of the open form would help keep ligand-free molecules from interfering in function. The scattering results also provide evidence that a large conformational change takes place in association with ligand binding to the glucose/galactose- and ribose-binding proteins, and that the two changes are similar. Modeling suggests that the open forms resemble those found in the related leucine and leucine/isoleucine/valine-binding proteins, but are different from those observed for the maltose-binding protein and the related purine repressor.

The structure of a coumarin derivative related to the carcinogen benz[a]anthracene.

The three-dimensional structure of 3-methyl-2H-anthra[1,2-b]pyran-2-one, an anticarcinogenic coumarin related to the carcinogen benz[a]anthracene, has been determined by X-ray diffraction techniques. The molecule, apart from hydrogen atoms in the methyl group, is flat, the maximum deviation from its least squares best plane being 0.13 angstroms. The carbonyl C=O bond length is normal [1.206(1) angstroms] and the bonding throughout the molecule indicates localization of double bonds within the coumarin ring, but some delocalization of electrons in the other rings. Molecules pack in planes parallel to each other, the coumarin ring oxygen atom lying between two aromatic rings of other coumarin molecules. The bulky methyl groups are not involved in such stacking, while the carbonyl groups attract C-H groups in neighboring molecules by way of C-H...O interactions. These are the types of interactions that such coumarins could make if they bound to hydrophobic areas in biological macromolecules.

Strange bedfellows: interactions between acidic side-chains in proteins.

The oxygen atoms of two acidic side-chains are frequently found within hydrogen-bonding distance of each other in proteins. Two distinct types of cases are common. In metal-binding sites, the oxygen atoms are brought near (average closest approach 3.0 A) by their common role as metal ligands. In a different location, either buried or on the protein surface, the two acidic groups can share a proton. The corresponding O-O distances in the latter case are shorter (usually 2.7 or less), and the geometry is typical of hydrogen-bonding interactions. The glucose/galactose-binding protein of Salmonella typhimurium provides an example of a well-ordered Asp-Glu pair on the surface of a protein with a very short O-O distance, at a pH of 7.0. Other instances have been found at pH values as high as 8.0, suggesting substantial alteration of the pKa involved. These observations have implications for the study of enzymes that use pairs of acidic residues in binding and catalysts.

C alpha-based torsion angles: a simple tool to analyze protein conformational changes.

A simple method is presented for the analysis of protein conformational changes based on the comparison of torsion angles defined by four consecutive C alpha atoms. The technique was applied successfully to proteins that undergo hinge motion and shear motion. In the case of both MBP and LAO, which represent examples of hinge motion, the plot of the differences in C alpha-torsion angles between the open and closed forms of the proteins helped us to formulate a more thorough description of the conformational change: a large displacement of one domain with respect to the other where one of the domains does not behave like a rigid body but exhibits some degree of flexibility. The analysis of citrate synthase, which is an example of shear motion, shows that the largest differences in C alpha-torsion angles between the open and closed conformations are clustered around residues that belong to segments connecting alpha-helices, whereas the helices themselves appear to be rigid; this is in agreement with previous results obtained by detailed least-squares superpositions (Lesk AM, Chothia C, 1984, J Mol Biol 174:175-191).

Purification and characterization of CTP synthetase, the product of the URA7 gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, CTP synthetase [EC 6.3.4.2; UTP:ammonia ligase (ADP-forming)] is the product of the URA7 gene. CTP synthetase was purified 503-fold to apparent homogeneity from cells bearing the URA7 gene on a multicopy plasmid that directed a 10-fold overproduction of the enzyme. The purification procedure included ammonium sulfate fractionation of the cytosolic fraction followed by chromatography with Sephacryl 300 HR, Q-Sepharose, Affi-Gel Blue, and Superose 6. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of purified CTP synthetase was identified and aligned perfectly with the deduced sequence of the URA7 gene. The minimum subunit molecular mass (68 kDa) of purified CTP synthetase was in good agreement with the size (64.7 kDa) of the URA7 gene product. Antibodies were raised against a maltose-binding protein-CTP synthetase fusion protein which immunoprecipitated CTP synthetase from wild-type cells. Immunoblot analysis was used to identify CTP synthetase in wild-type cells and cells bearing the URA7 gene on a multicopy plasmid. The results of gel filtration chromatography indicated that the size of native CTP synthetase was consistent with a dimeric structure for the enzyme. CTP synthetase oligomerized to a tetramer in the presence of its substrates UTP and ATP. Maximum CTP synthetase activity was dependent on magnesium ions (4 mM) and 2-mercaptoethanol at the pH optimum of 8.0. CTP synthetase exhibited positive cooperative kinetics with respect to UTP and ATP and negative cooperative kinetics with respect to glutamine and GTP. CTP synthetase was potently inhibited by the product CTP which also increased the positive cooperativity of the enzyme toward UTP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The 1.9 A x-ray structure of a closed unliganded form of the periplasmic glucose/galactose receptor from Salmonella typhimurium.

The three-dimensional structure of a ligand-free closed form of the glucose/galactose binding protein from Salmonella typhimurium has been determined at a resolution of 1.9 A. The crystallographic R-factor for the refined structure is 17.9%. The model contains all the atoms of the 309 residues of the protein sequence, a calcium ion, and 174 water molecules. The root mean square (r.m.s.) deviations for the whole molecule are: 0.010 A for bond lengths and 2.44 degrees for bond angles, indicating a good stereochemistry for the model. This structure shows that the protein is able to close in the absence of ligand, adopting a conformation similar to the liganded form but slightly more open. Water molecules satisfy the hydrogen bonding ability of the hydrophilic side chains of the binding site in a manner which is reminiscent of the sugars' hydrogen-bonding patterns. Since packing forces are weak, the crystallization event is unlikely to trigger a change from an open to a closed conformation. Instead, the latter must be one of the species in equilibrium in solution which is selected by packing in the crystal lattice.

Planar stacking interactions of arginine and aromatic side-chains in proteins.

A parallel stacking arrangement of the guanidinium groups of arginines directly over the center of the rings of aromatic side-chains is observed much more frequently in proteins than would be expected by chance. This type of interaction, which is often found in locations critical to the function, apparently serves to orient the arginine side-chain without interfering with its ability to form hydrogen bonds elsewhere. It is distinct from the interactions which involve the side-chains of asparagine or glutamine, which do frequently assume a nearly planar relationship to the ring, but at a position at or beyond the ring edge.

The 1.7 A refined X-ray structure of the periplasmic glucose/galactose receptor from Salmonella typhimurium.

The X-ray structure of the periplasmic glucose/galactose receptor (binding protein) of Salmonella typhimurium (GBP-S) has been refined at 1.7 A resolution with an R-factor of 19.0%. The model contains all 309 residues of the amino acid sequence, 153 water molecules, a calcium ion and beta-D-galactose. The protein consists of two very similar structural domains, each of which is composed a core of parallel beta-sheet flanked on both sides by alpha-helices. Three short stretches of amino acid chain (from symmetrically related portions of the structure) link the domains, and presumably act as a hinge to allow their relative movement in functionally important conformational changes. Galactose is bound between the domains, interacting with a number of side-chains from the loops lining the binding cleft. A combination of hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic and steric effects give rise to tight binding (dissociation constant 0.2 microM) and high specificity. Of nine hydrogen bonding groups, three are aspartate, three asparagine, one histidine (unprotonated), one arginine and one water, contributing 13 hydrogen bonds in total. Additional residues pack against (primarily) non-polar faces of the sugar molecule. The precise arrangement of the hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic residues results in an enclosed binding site with a shape that is a composite of those of the allowed sugar molecules. It is presumed that ligands bind to a more open form of the receptor that then closes by rotation in the hinge. Comparison with the GBP-S structure solved earlier in complex with glucose shows no significant changes, even for the aspartate residue most directly involved with the different sugars. Comparison with the galactose/glucose receptor of Escherichia coli indicates that these two proteins are very similar in overall structure, with the main difference being a 2 to 3 degrees rotation in the hinge. This difference appears to be the result of different crystal packing for the two proteins; it is likely that both conformations are normally found in solution.

Molecular conformation of estramustine and two analogues.

The crystal and molecular structures of estramustine and two of its analogues have been determined by X-ray crystallographic techniques (a total of three different compounds). The compounds studied are estramustine [1,3,5(10)-estratriene-3,17 beta-diol-3-N,N-bis(2'- chloroethyl)carbamate] and its monohydrate, estromustine [17-oxo-1,3,5(10)-estratriene-3-yl-N,N-bis(2'-chloroethyl)carbamate], and 17-oxo-5-androsten-3 beta-yl-N,N-bis(2'-chloroethyl)carbamate. Three views of estramustine were obtained from the study of its two crystal forms. The main structural features found are as follows: (a) the geometries of the steroid moieties are closely similar to those of the parent steroids, (b) the bonds around the nitrogen atom of the nitrogen mustard grouping lie approximately in a plane in each structure, (c) the plane through the carbon atoms of the steroid A-ring lies approximately perpendicular to the plane through the carbamate atoms in each structure, (d) the carbonyl C-O of the carbamate points to the alpha side of the steroid moiety in each structure, and (e) one chlorine atom of the nitrogen mustard grouping makes a close contact [3.13 A], in each structure, to the nitrogen atom. Hydrogen bonding to the carbamate appears to occur from the alpha side of the steroid; there is no hydrogen bonding to the nitrogen atom of the carbamate group. These structural data provide some steric explanations for the resistance of the carbamate to enzymatic hydrolysis. The long in vivo half-life of the intact estramustine molecule is a result of this stability. This is responsible for the absence of alkylating ability and the propensity of the drug to bind microtubule-associated proteins and express an antimitotic mechanism of action.

Peptide-binding specificity of the molecular chaperone BiP.

Members of the heat-shock protein family (hsp70s) can distinguish folded from unfolded proteins. This property is crucial to the role of hsp70s as molecular chaperones and is attributable to the amino-acid specificity of the peptide-binding site. The specificity for peptide ligands is investigated using a set of peptides of random sequence but defined chain length. The peptide-binding site selects for aliphatic residues and accommodates them in an environment energetically equivalent to the interior of a folded protein.