Alpha-crystallin-like molecular chaperone against the thermal denaturation of lens aldose reductase: the effect of divalent metal ions

H101G Mutation in Rat Lens αB-Crystallin Alters Chaperone Activity and Divalent Metal Ion Binding

BACKGROUND

The molecular chaperone function of αB-crystallins is heavily involved in maintaining lens transparency and the development of cataracts.

OBJECTIVE

To study whether divalent metal ion binding improves the stability and αB-crystallin chaperone activity.

METHOD

In this study, we have developed an H101G αB-crystallin mutant and compared the surface hydrophobicity, chaperone activity, and secondary and tertiary structure with the wild type in the presence and absence of metal ions.

RESULTS

Substitution of His101 with glycine resulted in structural and functional changes. Spectral analysis and chaperone-like activity assays showed that substitution of glycine resulted in a higher percentage of random coils, increased hydrophobicity, and 22±2% higher chaperone-like activity. Whereas in the presence of the Cu²⁺ ion, H101G exhibited 32±1% less chaperone-like activity compared to the wild type.

CONCLUSION

Cu²⁺ has been reported to enhance the chaperone-like activity of lens α-crystallin. Our results indicate that H101 is the predominant Cu²⁺binding site, and the mutation resulted in a partial unfolding that impaired the binding of Cu²⁺ to H101 residue. In conclusion, this study further helps to understand the important binding site for Cu²⁺ to αB-crystallin.

The mechanism of the interaction of α-crystallin and UV-damaged βL-crystallin

α-Crystallin maintains the transparency of the lens by preventing the aggregation of damaged proteins. The aim of our work was to study the chaperone-like activity of native α-crystallin in near physiological conditions (temperature, ionic power, pH) using UV-damaged β_L-crystallin as the target protein. α-Crystallin in concentration depended manner inhibits the aggregation of UV-damaged β_L-crystallin. DSC investigation has shown that refolding of denatured UV-damaged β_L-crystallin was not observed under incubation with α-crystallin. α-Crystallin and UV-damaged β_L-crystallin form dynamic complexes with masses from 75 to several thousand kDa. The content of UV-damaged β_L-crystallin in such complexes increases with the mass of the complex. Complexes containing >10% of UV-damaged β_L-crystallin are prone to precipitation whereas those containing <10% of the target protein are relatively stable. Formation of a stable 75 kDa complex is indicative of α-crystallin dissociation. We suppose that α-crystallin dissociation is the result of an interaction of comparable amounts of the chaperone-like protein and the target protein. In the lens simultaneous damage of such amounts of protein, mainly β and gamma-crystallins, is impossible. The authors suggest that in the lens rare molecules of the damaged protein interact with undissociated oligomers of α-crystallin, and thus preventing aggregation.

Interaction of α-crystallin with some small molecules and its effect on its structure and function

BACKGROUND

α-Crystallin acts like a molecular chaperone by interacting with its substrate proteins and thus prevents their aggregation. It also interacts with various kinds of small molecules that affect its structure and function.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

In this article we will present a review of work done with respect to the interaction of ATP, peptide generated from lens crystallin and other proteins and some bivalent metal ions with α-crystallin and discuss the role of these interactions on its structure and function and cataract formation. We will also discuss the interaction of some hydrophobic fluorescence probes and surface active agents with α-crystallin.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

Small molecule interaction controls the structure and function of α-crystallin. ATP and Zn+2 stabilize its structure and enhance chaperone function. Therefore the depletion of these small molecules can be detrimental to maintenance of lens transparency. However, the accumulation of small peptides due to protease activity in the lens can also be harmful as the interaction of these peptides with α-crystallin and other crystallin proteins in the lens promotes aggregation and loss of lens transparency. The use of hydrophobic probe has led to a wealth of information regarding the location of substrate binding site and nature of chaperone-substrate interaction. Interaction of surface active agents with α-crystallin has helped us to understand the structural stability and oligomeric dissociation in α-crystallin.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

These interactions are very helpful in understanding the mechanistic details of the structural changes and chaperone function of α-crystallin. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Crystallin Biochemistry in Health and Disease.

Small heat shock proteins: Role in cellular functions and pathology

Small heat shock proteins (sHsps) are conserved across species and are important in stress tolerance. Many sHsps exhibit chaperone-like activity in preventing aggregation of target proteins, keeping them in a folding-competent state and refolding them by themselves or in concert with other ATP-dependent chaperones. Mutations in human sHsps result in myopathies, neuropathies and cataract. Their expression is modulated in diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and cancer. Their ability to bind Cu2+, and suppress generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may have implications in Cu2+-homeostasis and neurodegenerative diseases. Circulating αB-crystallin and Hsp27 in the plasma may exhibit immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory functions. αB-crystallin and Hsp20 exhitbit anti-platelet aggregation: these beneficial effects indicate their use as potential therapeutic agents. sHsps have roles in differentiation, proteasomal degradation, autophagy and development. sHsps exhibit a robust anti-apoptotic property, involving several stages of mitochondrial-mediated, extrinsic apoptotic as well as pro-survival pathways. Dynamic N- and C-termini and oligomeric assemblies of αB-crystallin and Hsp27 are important factors for their functions. We propose a "dynamic partitioning hypothesis" for the promiscuous interactions and pleotropic functions exhibited by sHsps. Stress tolerance and anti-apoptotic properties of sHsps have both beneficial and deleterious consequences in human health and diseases. Conditional and targeted modulation of their expression and/or activity could be used as strategies in treating several human disorders. The review attempts to provide a critical overview of sHsps and their divergent roles in cellular processes particularly in the context of human health and disease.

Differential recognition of natural and nonnatural substrate by molecular chaperone α-crystallin—A subunit exchange study

alpha-Crystallin is a molecular chaperone that recognizes proteins substrates in stress. It binds to the unstable conformer of a large variety of related or unrelated substrates and thus prevents them aggregating and holds them in a folding competent state. In this article, we have tried to critically analyze, from experimental point of view, whether alpha-crystallin has any preference for its natural substrates compared to the nonnatural one. Our results clearly show that alpha-crystallin is exceptionally active and sensitive in preventing aggregation of its natural substrates and can fully prevent such an aggregation in a substoichiometric ratio, but nonnatural substrates require a considerably higher amount of alpha-crystallin. Using suitable fluorescent-labeled alpha-crystallins and performing fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments, we were able to determine the subunit exchange kinetics between the alpha-crystallin oligomers. It was found that while alpha-crystallin was bound to its natural substrate, the rate of subunit exchange was slightly decreased. But, when a nonnatural substrate carbonic anhydrase remained bound to the chaperone, further loss in subunit exchange rate was observed. Nonnatural substrate was found to create higher activation energy barrier for the subunit exchange reaction compared to the native substrates. Similarities in major beta-sheet structure of both alpha-crystallin and its natural substrates may be the reason for the preference in molecular recognition in comparison with the nonnatural substrate.

Chaperone-like activity of alpha-crystallin toward aldose reductase oxidatively stressed by copper ion

The protective action of alpha-crystallin against copper-induced protein stress is studied using bovine lens aldose reductase (ALR2) as protein model. The oxidative inactivation of ALR2 induced by CuCl2 at the stoichiometric Cu2+/ALR2 ratio of 2/1 [I. Cecconi, M. Moroni, P.G. Vilardo, M. Dal Monte, P. Borella, G. Rastelli, L. Costantino, D. Garland, D. Carper, J.M. Petrash, A. Del Corso, U. Mura, Biochemistry 37 (1998) 14167-14174] is accompanied by protein aggregation phenomena when the metal ion concentration is increased (Cu2+/ALR2>3). Protein oxidation precedes protein precipitation. Both inactivation and precipitation of ALR2 are prevented by alpha-crystallin in a concentration-dependent manner. The rationale for the stabilization of ALR2 exerted by alpha-crystallin at low metal concentration is given on the basis of the ability of alpha-crystallin to chelate copper. However, the overall protective action exerted by alpha-crystallin at higher copper concentration may be explained invoking the contribution of the special features of alpha-crystallin to easily interact with target proteins undergoing structural rearrangement.

Studies of alphaB crystallin subunit dynamics by surface plasmon resonance

The molecular chaperone activity of alphaB crystallin, an important stress protein in humans, is regulated by physiological factors, including temperature, pH, Ca2+, and ATP. In this study, the role of these factors in regulating the subunit dynamics of human alphaB crystallin was investigated using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). SPR experiments indicate that at temperatures above 37 degrees C, where alphaB crystallin has been reported to have higher chaperone activity, the subunit dynamics of alphaB crystallin were increased with faster association and dissociation rates. SPR experiments also indicate that interactions between alphaB crystallin subunits were enhanced with much faster association and slower dissociation rates at pH values below 7.0, where alphaB crystallin has been reported to have lower chaperone activity. The results suggest that the dynamic and rapid subunit exchange rate may regulate the chaperone activity of alphaB crystallin. The effect of Ca2+ and ATP on the subunit dynamics of alphaB crystallin was minimal, suggesting that Ca2+ and ATP modulate the chaperone activity of alphaB crystallin without altering the subunit dynamics. Based on the SPR results and previously reported biochemical data for the chaperone activity of alphaB crystallin under different conditions of temperature and pH, a model for the relationship between the subunit dynamics and chaperone activity of alphaB crystallin is established. The model is consistent with previous biochemical data for the chaperone activity and subunit dynamics of small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) and establishes a working hypothesis for the relationship between complex assembly and chaperone activity for sHSPs.

A modeling study of αB-crystallin in complex with zinc for seeking of correlations between chaperone-like activity and exposure of hydrophobic surfaces

Three-dimensional models for alphaB-crystallin and its complex with zinc were obtained by molecular homology modeling and quantum mechanical calculations in order to explain the effect of the metal on the chaperone-like activity of alphaB-crystallin. In fact, measurements of the chaperone-like activity of alphaB-crystallin revealed that it is significantly increased in presence of the zinc. The theoretical models allowed us to estimate the increased exposition of hydrophobic residues caused by the presence of zinc, suggesting a relationship between structural changes and the increased chaperone-like activity.

Effects of divalent metal ions on the αB-crystallin chaperone-like activity: spectroscopic evidence for a complex between copper(II) and protein

AlphaB-crystallin is a small heat shock protein, showing chaperone-like activity, that is expressed in the lens and in several other tissues. The role of some metal ions in the alphaB-crystallin biology starts to be well documented. In some neuro-degenerative pathologies, like Parkinson and Alzheimer's diseases, alphaB-crystallin is expressed at high levels. In the same pathologies an accumulation of divalent metal cations is observed. In order to investigate the interactions between human alphaB-crystallin and divalent metal ions, the effect of copper, zinc and calcium on the chaperone-like activity of the protein has been studied. Copper and zinc at concentrations 0.1 and 1 mM significantly increase the chaperone-like activity, whereas calcium 1 mM completely inhibits activity. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectra indicate the possible complex formation between Cu(II) and protein at physiological pH. Molecular modeling calculations, carried out for the probable Cu(II) binding site, suggest that a complex with three histidine residues is possible.

Calcium-induced decrease of the thermal stability and chaperone activity of alpha-crystallin

Alpha-crystallin, one of the major proteins in the vertebrate eye lens, acts as a molecular chaperone, like the small heat-shock proteins, by protecting other proteins from denaturing under stress or high temperature conditions. alpha-Crystallin aggregation is involved in lens opacification, and high [Ca(2+)] has been associated with cataract formation, suggesting a role for this cation in the pathological process. We have investigated the effect of Ca(2+) on the thermal stability of alpha-crystallin by UV and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. In both cases, a Ca(2+)-induced decrease in the midpoint of the thermal transition is detected. The presence of high [Ca(2+)] results also in a marked decrease of its chaperone activity in an insulin-aggregation assay. Furthermore, high Ca(2+) concentration decreases Cys reactivity towards a sulfhydryl reagent. The results obtained from the spectroscopic analysis, and confirmed by circular dichroism (CD) measurements, indicate that Ca(2+) decreases both secondary and tertiary-quaternary structure stability of alpha-crystallin. This process is accompanied by partial unfolding of the protein and a clear decrease in its chaperone activity. It is concluded that Ca(2+) alters the structural stability of alpha-crystallin, resulting in impaired chaperone function and a lower protective ability towards other lens proteins. Thus, alpha-crystallin aggregation facilitated by Ca(2+) would play a role in the progressive loss of transparency of the eye lens in the cataractogenic process.

Complete protection by alpha-crystallin of lens sorbitol dehydrogenase undergoing thermal stress

Sorbitol dehydrogenase (l-iditol:NAD(+) 2-oxidoreductase, E.C. 1.1.1. 14) (SDH) was significantly protected from thermally induced inactivation and aggregation by bovine lens alpha-crystallin. An alpha-crystallin/SDH ratio as low as 1:2 in weight was sufficient to preserve the transparency of the enzyme solution kept for at least 2 h at 55 degrees C. Moreover, an alpha-crystallin/SDH ratio of 5:1 (w/w) was sufficient to preserve the enzyme activity fully at 55 degrees C for at least 40 min. The protection by alpha-crystallin of SDH activity was essentially unaffected by high ionic strength (i.e. 0.5 m NaCl). On the other hand, the transparency of the protein solution was lost at a high salt concentration because of the precipitation of the alpha-crystallin/SDH adduct. Magnesium and calcium ions present at millimolar concentrations antagonized the protective action exerted by alpha-crystallin against the thermally induced inactivation and aggregation of SDH. The lack of protection of alpha-crystallin against the inactivation of SDH induced at 55 degrees C by thiol blocking agents or EDTA together with the additive effect of NADH in stabilizing the enzyme in the presence of alpha-crystallin suggest that functional groups involved in catalysis are freely accessible in SDH while interacting with alpha-crystallin. Two different adducts between alpha-crystallin and SDH were isolated by gel filtration chromatography. One adduct was characterized by a high M(r) of approximately 800,000 and carried exclusively inactive SDH. A second adduct, carrying active SDH, had a size consistent with an interaction of the enzyme with monomers or low M(r) aggregates of alpha-crystallin. Even though it had a reduced efficiency with respect to alpha-crystallin, bovine serum albumin was shown to mimic the chaperone-like activity of alpha-crystallin in protecting SDH from thermal denaturation. These findings suggest that the multimeric structural organization of alpha-crystallin may not be a necessary requirement for the stabilization of the enzyme activity.

The effect of glutathione upon chaperone activity of alpha-crystallin is probably mediated through target modulation

We studied the effect of the presence of glutathione, both reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG), on the chaperone activity of alpha-crystallin towards thermal aggregation of gamma 2-crystallin. Results showed that while GSH enhanced the chaperone activity of alpha-crystallin, GSSG appeared to diminish it to some extent. When, however, the effect of the presence of glutathione was studied in the absence of alpha-crystallin, the nature of their action was found to be almost similar to that observed in its presence. These results suggest that glutathiones probably modulate the target protein which ultimately influences the chaperone activity of alpha-crystallin.

Small heat-shock proteins and their potential role in human disease

The elevated expression of stress proteins is considered to be a universal response to adverse conditions, representing a potential mechanism of cellular defense against disease and a potential target for novel therapeutics, including gene therapy and chaperone-modulating reagents. Recently, a single mutation in the small heat-shock protein human alphaB-crystallin was linked to desmin-related myopathy, which is characterized by abnormal intracellular aggregates of intermediate filaments in human muscle. New findings demonstrate that the high level of expression of stress proteins can contribute to an autoimmune response and can protect proteins that contribute to disease processes.

Aldose reductase: a window to the treatment of diabetic complications?

Kinetic studies on the aldose reductase protein (AR2) have shown that it does not behave as a classical enzyme in relation to ring aldose sugars. These results have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography studies, which have pinpointed binding sites for pharmacological "aklose reductase inhibitors" (ARIs). As with non-enzymic glycation reactions, there is probably a free-radical element involved derived from monosaccharide autoxidation. In the case of AR2, there is free radical oxidation of NADPH by autoxidising monosaccharides, enhanced in the presence of the NADPH-binding protein. Whatever the behaviour of AR2, many studies have showed that sorbitol production is not an initiating aetiological factor in the development of diabetic complications in humans. Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), other antioxidants and high fat diets can delay or prevent cataract in diabetic animals even though sorbitol and fructose levels are not modified; vitamin C acts as an AR1 in humans. Protein post-translational modification by glyc-oxidation or other events is probably the key factor in the aetiology of diabetic complications. There is now no need to invoke AR2 in xylitol biosynthesis. Xylitol can be produced in the lens from glucose, via a pathway involving the enzymes myo-inositol-oxygen oxidoreductase, D-glucuronate reductase. L-gulonate NAD(+)-3-oxidoreductase and L-iditol-NAD(+)-5-oxidoreductase, all of which have recently been found in bovine and rat lens. This chapter investigates the molecular events underlying AR2 and its binding and kinetics. Induction of the protein by osmotic response elements is discussed, with detailed analysis of recent in vitro and in vivo experiments on numerous ARIs. These have a number of actions in the cell which are not specific, and which do not involve them binding to AR2. These include peroxy-radical scavenging and recently discovered effects of metal ion chelation. In controlled experiments, it has been found that incubation of rat lens homogenate with glucose and the copper chelator o-phenanthroline abolishes production of sorbitol. Taken together, these results suggest AR2 is a vestigial NADPH-binding protein, perhaps similar in function to a number of non-mammalian crystallins which have been recruited into the lens. There is mounting evidence for the binding of reactive aldehyde moieties to the protein, and the involvement of AR2 either as a 'housekeeping' protein, or in a free-radial-mediated 'catalytic' role. Interfering with the NADPH binding and flux levels--possibly involving free radicals and metal ions--has a deleterious effect. We have yet to determine whether aldose reductase is the black sheep of the aldehyde reductase family, or whether it is a skeleton in the cupboard, waiting to be clothed in the flesh of new revelations in the interactions between proteins, metal ions and redox metabolites.

The effects of ageing on the chaperone-like function of rabbit alpha-crystallin, comparing three methods of assay

The lens has a high protein content necessary for focusing light on to the retina. Alpha-Crystallin accounts for approximately 40% of the protein and has been shown to act in a chaperone-like manner. Here we show the effects of ageing on the chaperone-like properties of alpha-crystallin from rabbit lens. Three assays were used to determine chaperone ability. Non-enzymatic glycosylation inactivation of malate dehydrogenase is protected by alpha-crystallin. Thermal aggregation of beta-low crystallin and malate dehydrogenase are both prevented by alpha-crystallin. Three ages of rabbit lens were used. Alpha-Crystallin from the soluble fraction of the cortex and nucleus were investigated as well as alpha-high and alpha-low fractions resolved by size-exclusion chromatography. All three methods complemented each other. There was no age-dependent loss in chaperone-like behaviour for both alpha fractions in the cortex. There was an early decrease with age of the nuclear alpha-low fraction. Nuclear alpha-high shows no age-related decrease but its chaperoning ability is greatly compromised. Post-translational modifications which occur during ageing may be responsible for the effect of alpha-crystallin chaperone-like ability in the lens nucleus.

Modulation of the chaperone-like activity of bovine alpha-crystallin

The effects of pantethine, glutathione, and selected chemical reagents on the anti-aggregation activity of alpha-crystallin was evaluated. Protein aggregation was monitored by light scattering of solutions of denatured beta L-crystallin or alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). The ratios of beta L-crystallin/alpha-crystallin and ADH/alpha-crystallin were adjusted so that partial inhibition of protein aggregation at 60 degrees C or 37 degrees C, respectively, was observed and modulation of the chaperone action of alpha-crystallin could be evaluated easily with selected endogenous metabolites. Enhancement of the anti-aggregation activity in the beta L-crystallin assay was strongest with pantethine, which appeared to interact with alpha-crystallin. Enhancement of the anti-aggregation activity in the ADH assay was strongest with glutathione which appeared to interact with ADH. The results indicated that the products of common metabolic pathways can modulate the chaperone-like effects of alpha-crystallin on protein aggregation.

Cloning, expression, and chaperone-like activity of human alphaA-crystallin

One of the major protein components of the ocular lens, alpha-crystallin, is composed of alphaA and alphaB chain subunits that have structural homology to the family of mammalian small heat shock proteins. Like other small heat shock proteins, alpha-crystallin subunits associate to form large oligomeric aggregates that express chaperone-like activity, as defined by the ability to suppress nonspecific aggregation of proteins destabilized by treatment with a variety of denaturants including heat, UV irradiation, and chemical modification. It has been proposed that age-related loss of sequences at the C terminus of the alphaA chain subunit may be a factor in the pathogenesis of cataract due to diminished capacity of the truncated crystallin to protect against nonspecific aggregation of lens proteins. To evaluate the functional consequences of alpha-crystallin modification, two mutant forms of alphaA subunits were prepared by site-directed mutagenesis. Like wild type (WT), aggregates of approximately 540 kDa were formed from a tryptophan-free alphaA mutant (W9F). When added in stoichiometric amounts, both WT and W9F subunits completely suppressed the heat-induced aggregation of aldose reductase. In contrast, subunits encoded by a truncation mutant in which the C-terminal 17 residues were deleted (R157STOP), despite having spectroscopic properties similar to WT, formed much larger aggregates with a marked reduction in chaperone-like activity. Similar results were observed when the chaperone-like activity was assessed through inhibition of gamma-crystallin aggregation induced by singlet oxygen. These results demonstrate that the structurally conservative substitution of Phe for Trp-9 has a negligible effect on the functional interaction of alphaA subunits, and that deletion of C-terminal sequences from the alphaA subunit results in substantial loss of chaperone-like activity, despite overall preservation of secondary structure.

The conformational stability of alpha-crystallin is rather low: calorimetric results

The eye lens protein and chaperonin, alpha-crystallin, was studied by differential scanning microcalorimetry, spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography. The thermal transition of alpha-crystallin proceeds at Ttrs = 59.8 +/- 0.6 degrees C with an enthalpy change of delta H = 336 +/- 9 kJ per mol subunit. Disagreement between previous delta H values could be attributed to a side reaction that leads, depending on the scan rate, to the formation of a non-productive folding form. The conformational stability of alpha-crystallin is rather low (delta G = 24 +/- 5 kJ/mol of subunit). The minimal cooperative unit of alpha-crystallin is the monomeric subunit.