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

Exploring the significance of potassium homeostasis in copper ion binding to human αB-Crystallin

αB-Crystallin (αB-Cry) is a small heat shock protein known for its protective role, with an adaptable structure that responds to environmental changes through oligomeric dynamics. Cu(II) ions are crucial for cellular processes but excessive amounts are linked to diseases like cataracts and neurodegeneration. This study investigated how optimal and detrimental Cu(II) concentrations affect αB-Cry oligomers and their chaperone activity, within the potassium-regulated ionic-strength environment. Techniques including isothermal titration calorimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, fluorescence spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, dynamic light scattering, circular dichroism, and MTT assay were employed and complemented by computational methods. Results showed that potassium ions affected αB-Cry's structure, promoting Cu(II) binding at multiple sites and scavenging ability, and inhibiting ion redox reactions. Low concentrations of Cu(II), through modifications of oligomeric interfaces, induce regulation of surface charge and hydrophobicity, resulting in an increase in chaperone activity. Subunit dynamics were regulated, maintaining stable interfaces, thereby inhibiting further aggregation and allowing the functional reversion to oligomers after stress. High Cu(II) disrupted charge/hydrophobicity balance, sewing sizable oligomers together through subunit-subunit interactions, suppressing oligomer dissociation, and reducing chaperone efficiency. This study offers insights into how Cu(II) and potassium ions influence αB-Cry, advancing our understanding of Cu(II)-related diseases.

Heat shock proteins and metal ions - Reaction or interaction?

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are part of the cell's molecular chaperone system responsible for the proper folding (or refolding) of proteins. They are expressed in cells of a wide variety of organisms, from bacteria and fungi to humans. While some HSPs require metal ions for proper functioning, others are expressed as a response of the organism to either essential or toxic metal ions. Their presence can influence the occurrence of cellular processes, even those as significant as programmed cell death. The development of research methods and structural modeling has enabled increasingly accurate recognition of new HSP functions, including their role in maintaining metal ion homeostasis. Current investigations on the expression of HSPs in response to heavy metal ions include not only the direct effect of these ions on the cell but also analysis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the increased production of HSPs with increasing ROS concentration. This minireview contains information about the direct and indirect interactions of heat shock proteins with metal ions, both those of biological importance and heavy metals.

Copper Reductase Activity and Free Radical Chemistry by Cataract-Associated Human Lens γ-Crystallins

Cataracts are caused by high-molecular-weight aggregates of human eye lens proteins that scatter light, causing lens opacity. Metal ions have emerged as important potential players in the etiology of cataract disease, as human lens γ-crystallins are susceptible to metal-induced aggregation. Here, the interaction of Cu²⁺ ions with γD-, γC-, and γS-crystallins, the three most abundant γ-crystallins in the lens, has been evaluated. Cu²⁺ ions induced non-amyloid aggregation in all three proteins. Solution turbidimetry, sodium dodecyl sulfate poly(acrylamide) gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), circular dichroism, and differential scanning calorimetry showed that the mechanism for Cu-induced aggregation involves: (i) loss of β-sheet structure in the N-terminal domain; (ii) decreased thermal and kinetic stability; (iii) formation of metal-bridged species; and (iv) formation of disulfide-bridged dimers. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) revealed distinct Cu²⁺ binding affinities in the γ-crystallins. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) revealed two distinct Cu²⁺ binding sites in each protein. Spin quantitation demonstrated the reduction of γ-crystallin-bound Cu²⁺ ions to Cu⁺ under aerobic conditions, while X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) confirmed the presence of linear or trigonal Cu⁺ binding sites in γ-crystallins. Our EPR and XAS studies revealed that γ-crystallins' Cu²⁺ reductase activity yields a protein-based free radical that is likely a Tyr-based species in human γD-crystallin. This unique free radical chemistry carried out by distinct redox-active Cu sites in human lens γ-crystallins likely contributes to the mechanism of copper-induced aggregation. In the context of an aging human lens, γ-crystallins could act not only as structural proteins but also as key players for metal and redox homeostasis.

Enhancement in chaperone activity of human αA-crystallin by nanochaperone gold nanoparticles: Multispectroscopic studies on their molecular interactions

The chaperone activity of human αA-crystallin (HAA) against aggregation of human γD-crystallin (HGD) was enhanced by gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Chaperone activity of HAA was almost doubled in the presence of 5.5 nM gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). To decipher this effect at molecular level, interactions between HAA and AuNPs were studied using fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopic techniques. The nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized by using TEM and dynamic light scattering (DLS). TEM and DLS studies revealed that bioconjugation of AuNPs with HAA did not cause any significant change in the size of the nanoparticles. AuNPs had caused static quenching of tryptophan (Trp) fluorescence, which was confirmed through determination of excited state lifetime of Trp residue of HAA in absence and the presence of AuNPs. The association and quenching constant for HAA-AuNPs conjugation were ∼ 10⁹ M^-1. Hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions were found to be involved in HAA-AuNPs complex. Polarity of Trp microenvironment in HAA was not perturbed by AuNPs as supported by synchronous and three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy. Far-UV CD spectra suggested that the secondary structure of HAA was not significantly affected by AuNPs.

Alzheimer's disease amyloid-β pathology in the lens of the eye

Neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) include pathogenic accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides and age-dependent formation of amyloid plaques in the brain. AD-associated Aβ neuropathology begins decades before onset of cognitive symptoms and slowly progresses over the course of the disease. We previously reported discovery of Aβ deposition, β-amyloidopathy, and co-localizing supranuclear cataracts (SNC) in lenses from people with AD, but not other neurodegenerative disorders or normal aging. We confirmed AD-associated Aβ molecular pathology in the lens by immunohistopathology, amyloid histochemistry, immunoblot analysis, epitope mapping, immunogold electron microscopy, quantitative immunoassays, and tryptic digest mass spectrometry peptide sequencing. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that AD-associated Aβ deposits in AD lenses localize as electron-dense microaggregates in the cytoplasm of supranuclear (deep cortex) fiber cells. These Aβ microaggregates also contain αB-crystallin and scatter light, thus linking Aβ pathology and SNC phenotype expression in the lenses of people with AD. Subsequent research identified Aβ lens pathology as the molecular origin of the distinctive cataracts associated with Down syndrome (DS, trisomy 21), a chromosomal disorder invariantly associated with early-onset Aβ accumulation and Aβ amyloidopathy in the brain. Investigation of 1249 participants in the Framingham Eye Study found that AD-associated quantitative traits in brain and lens are co-heritable. Moreover, AD-associated lens traits preceded MRI brain traits and cognitive deficits by a decade or more and predicted future AD. A genome-wide association study of bivariate outcomes in the same subjects identified a new AD risk factor locus in the CTNND2 gene encoding δ-catenin, a protein that modulates Aβ production in brain and lens. Here we report identification of AD-related human Aβ (hAβ) lens pathology and age-dependent SNC phenotype expression in the Tg2576 transgenic mouse model of AD. Tg2576 mice express Swedish mutant human amyloid precursor protein (APP-Swe), accumulate hAβ peptides and amyloid pathology in the brain, and exhibit cognitive deficits that slowly progress with increasing age. We found that Tg2576 trangenic (Tg⁺) mice, but not non-transgenic (Tg^-) control mice, also express human APP, accumulate hAβ peptides, and develop hAβ molecular and ultrastructural pathologies in the lens. Tg2576 Tg⁺ mice exhibit age-dependent Aβ supranuclear lens opacification that recapitulates lens pathology and SNC phenotype expression in human AD. In addition, we detected hAβ in conditioned medium from lens explant cultures prepared from Tg⁺ mice, but not Tg^- control mice, a finding consistent with constitutive hAβ generation in the lens. In vitro studies showed that hAβ promoted mouse lens protein aggregation detected by quasi-elastic light scattering (QLS) spectroscopy. These results support mechanistic (genotype-phenotype) linkage between Aβ pathology and AD-related phenotypes in lens and brain. Collectively, our findings identify Aβ pathology as the shared molecular etiology of two age-dependent AD-related cataracts associated with two human diseases (AD, DS) and homologous murine cataracts in the Tg2576 transgenic mouse model of AD. These results represent the first evidence of AD-related Aβ pathology outside the brain and point to lens Aβ as an optically-accessible AD biomarker for early detection and longitudinal monitoring of this devastating neurodegenerative disease.

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.

Zn2+-dependent enhancement of Atrazine biodegradation by Klebsiella variicola FH-1

Degradation efficiency of Atrazine by Klebsiella variicola FH-1 is improved by the addition of Zn²⁺. Both the chromosome and plasmid genomes of strain FH-1 were sequenced and annotated to identify genes involved in the degradation of Atrazine. Four open reading frames (ORFs) 1040, 2582, 3597, and 4043 encoding Zn²⁺-dependent hydrolases were knocked out to verify their predicted functions in the degradation of Atrazine. In the presence of Zn²⁺, the biodegradation efficiency of Atrazine by knockout mutant ∆ORF 3597 was 13.7% lower than that of wild type (WT) of strain FH-1 but still 9.4% higher than that of WT without Zn²⁺. These results indicated that ORF 3597 played a synergistic role but may not be the sole factor involved in the degradation of Atrazine. The enzymatic activities of pydC encoded by ORF 3597 were further characterized in the degradation of Atrazine. Results of fluorescence staining and flow cytometry analyses showed that the survival of bacterial cells and cell membrane permeability were increased in the presence of Zn²⁺ at different concentrations. Our study provided a scientific foundation for further investigation of the biological mechanisms of improving the degradation of Atrazine by strain FH-1 with the presence of Zn²⁺.

α-Crystallins in the Vertebrate Eye Lens: Complex Oligomers and Molecular Chaperones

α-Crystallins are small heat-shock proteins that act as holdase chaperones. In humans, αA-crystallin is expressed only in the eye lens, while αB-crystallin is found in many tissues. α-Crystallins have a central domain flanked by flexible extensions and form dynamic, heterogeneous oligomers. Structural models show that both the C- and N-terminal extensions are important for controlling oligomerization through domain swapping. α-Crystallin prevents aggregation of damaged β- and γ-crystallins by binding to the client protein using a variety of binding modes. α-Crystallin chaperone activity can be compromised by mutation or posttranslational modifications, leading to protein aggregation and cataract. Because of their high solubility and their ability to form large, functional oligomers, α-crystallins are particularly amenable to structure determination by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and solution NMR, as well as cryo-electron microscopy.

The Aggregation of αB-Crystallin under Crowding Conditions Is Prevented by αA-Crystallin: Implications for α-Crystallin Stability and Lens Transparency

One of the most crowded biological environments is the eye lens which contains a high concentration of crystallin proteins. The molecular chaperones αB-crystallin (αBc) with its lens partner αA-crystallin (αAc) prevent deleterious crystallin aggregation and cataract formation. However, some forms of cataract are associated with structural alteration and dysfunction of αBc. While many studies have investigated the structure and function of αBc under dilute in vitro conditions, the effect of crowding on these aspects is not well understood despite its in vivo relevance. The structure and chaperone ability of αBc under conditions that mimic the crowded lens environment were investigated using the polysaccharide Ficoll 400 and bovine γ-crystallin as crowding agents and a variety of biophysical methods, principally contrast variation small-angle neutron scattering. Under crowding conditions, αBc unfolds, increases its size/oligomeric state, decreases its thermal stability and chaperone ability, and forms kinetically distinct amorphous and fibrillar aggregates. However, the presence of αAc stabilizes αBc against aggregation. These observations provide a rationale, at the molecular level, for the aggregation of αBc in the crowded lens, a process that exhibits structural and functional similarities to the aggregation of cataract-associated αBc mutants R120G and D109A under dilute conditions. Strategies that maintain or restore αBc stability, as αAc does, may provide therapeutic avenues for the treatment of cataract.

Crystallins and Their Complexes

The crystallins (α, β and γ), major constituent proteins of eye lens fiber cells play their critical role in maintaining the transparency and refractive index of the lens. Under different stress factors and with aging, β- and γ-crystallins start to unfold partially leading to their aggregation. Protein aggregation in lens basically enhances light scattering and causes the vision problem, commonly known as cataract. α-crystallin as a molecular chaperone forms complexes with its substrates (β- and γ-crystallins) to prevent such aggregation. In this chapter, the structural features of β- and γ-crystallins have been discussed. Detailed structural information linked with the high stability of γC-, γD- and γS-crystallins have been incorporated. The nature of homologous and heterologous interactions among crystallins has been deciphered, which are involved in their molecular association and complex formation.

Mechanisms of Small Heat Shock Proteins

Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are ATP-independent chaperones that delay formation of harmful protein aggregates. sHSPs' role in protein homeostasis has been appreciated for decades, but their mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. This gap in understanding is largely a consequence of sHSP properties that make them recalcitrant to detailed study. Multiple stress-associated conditions including pH acidosis, oxidation, and unusual availability of metal ions, as well as reversible stress-induced phosphorylation can modulate sHSP chaperone activity. Investigations of sHSPs reveal that sHSPs can engage in transient or long-lived interactions with client proteins depending on solution conditions and sHSP or client identity. Recent advances in the field highlight both the diversity of function within the sHSP family and the exquisite sensitivity of individual sHSPs to cellular and experimental conditions. Here, we will present and highlight current understanding, recent progress, and future challenges.

Inhibition of copper-induced aggregation of human γD-crystallin by rutin and studies on its role in molecular level for enhancing the chaperone activity of human αA-crystallin by using multi-spectroscopic techniques

Oxidative aggregation of γ-crystallins induced by copper in aged lens increases the lens opacity and causes cataract formation. Therefore, chelation of free Cu²⁺ by small molecules can inhibit metal-mediated aggregation of γ-crystallin. In this work, the inhibition potency of several naturally occurring flavonoid compounds was studied against aggregation of human γD-crystallin (HGD) mediated by copper ions. Among them, rutin demonstrated ~20% inhibition of HGD aggregation induced by Cu²⁺ through its metal chelation ability. Not only that, the chaperone activity of lens chaperone, human αA-crystallin (HAA) was found to be enhanced in the presence of rutin. Subsequently, the molecular interactions between HAA and rutin were investigated using fluorescence and CD spectroscopy to understand the molecular basis of the chaperone activity enhancement by rutin. Quenching of HAA fluorescence by rutin with a quenching constant in the order of ~10⁵ M^-1 depicts a complexation between them. Entropy driven process of complexation between HAA and rutin suggests significant involvement of hydrophobic interactions. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer between protein and ligand can occur at a distance of 2.73 nm. Synchronous fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed that protein-ligand interaction does not cause any notable conformational changes in HAA. Experimental observations have been well substantiated by docking.

Surface plasmon resonance study of the interaction of 4,4′-dianilino-1,1′-binaphthyl-5,5′-disulfonic acid dipotassium salt (bis-ANS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) with oligomeric recombinant human lens αA-crystallin

α-Crystallin, an abundant mammalian lens protein made up of two subunits (αA- and αB-crystallin), is involved in the maintenance of the optimal refractive index in the lens. The protein is implicated in the pathophysiology of a large number of retinal diseases including cataract, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and uveitis. α-Crystallin belongs to the small heat shock protein (sHSP) family, forms large oligomeric structures, and functions as a molecular chaperone appearing very early during embryonic development. To gain mechanistic insight into the structural and functional role of α-crystallin and its alterations in various retinal diseases, it is important to study the interaction chemistry with its known partners. The hydrophobic sites in α-crystallin have been studied extensively using environmentally sensitive fluorescent probes such as 4,4′-dianilino-1,1′-binaphthyl-5,5′-disulfonic acid dipotassium salt (bis-ANS) that interacts with both subunits of α-cystallin in 1:1 stoichiometry at 37 °C and diminishes the chaperone-like activity of the protein. Furthermore, it has been shown that ATP plays a crucial role in the association of α-crystallin with substrate proteins. We use surface plasmon resonance (SPR) to monitor the interactions of immobilized oligomeric recombinant αA subunit of human α-crystallin protein with bis-ANS and ATP. We assess the thermodynamic parameters and kinetics of such interactions at various temperatures. Our results indicate that bis-ANS binds to αA-crystallin with higher affinity when compared with ATP, although both αA-crystallin and αB-crystallin display fast interaction kinetics.

Functional Amyloid Protection in the Eye Lens: Retention of α-Crystallin Molecular Chaperone Activity after Modification into Amyloid Fibrils

Amyloid fibril formation occurs from a wide range of peptides and proteins and is typically associated with a loss of protein function and/or a gain of toxic function, as the native structure of the protein undergoes major alteration to form a cross β-sheet array. It is now well recognised that some amyloid fibrils have a biological function, which has led to increased interest in the potential that these so-called functional amyloids may either retain the function of the native protein, or gain function upon adopting a fibrillar structure. Herein, we investigate the molecular chaperone ability of α-crystallin, the predominant eye lens protein which is composed of two related subunits αA- and αB-crystallin, and its capacity to retain and even enhance its chaperone activity after forming aggregate structures under conditions of thermal and chemical stress. We demonstrate that both eye lens α-crystallin and αB-crystallin (which is also found extensively outside the lens) retain, to a significant degree, their molecular chaperone activity under conditions of structural change, including after formation into amyloid fibrils and amorphous aggregates. The results can be related directly to the effects of aging on the structure and chaperone function of α-crystallin in the eye lens, particularly its ability to prevent crystallin protein aggregation and hence lens opacification associated with cataract formation.

Structure, Chaperone Activity, and Aggregation of Wild-Type and R12C Mutant αB-Crystallins in the Presence of Thermal Stress and Calcium Ion - Implications for Role of Calcium in Cataract Pathogenesis

The current study was performed with the aim to evaluate the chaperoning ability, structural features, and aggregation propensity of wild-type and R12C mutant αB-crystallins (αB-Cry) under thermal stress and in the presence of calcium ion. The results of different spectroscopic analyses suggest that wild-type and mutant αB-Cry have dissimilar secondary and tertiary structures. Moreover, αB-Cry indicates slightly improved chaperone activity upon the R12C mutation. Thermal stress and calcium, respectively, enhance and reduce the extent of solvent-exposed hydrophobic surfaces accompanying formation of ordered and non-ordered aggregate entities in both proteins. Compared to the wild-type protein, the R12C mutant counterpart shows significant resistance against thermal and calcium-induced aggregation. In addition, in the presence of calcium, significant structural variation was accompanied by reduction in the solvent-exposed hydrophobic patches and attenuation of chaperone activity in both proteins. Additionally, gel mobility shift assay indicates the intrinsic propensity of R12C mutant αB-Cry for disulfide bridge-mediated protein dimerization. Overall, the results of this study are of high significance for understanding the molecular details of different factors that are involved in the pathomechanism of cataract disorders.

Immobilization of soluble protein complexes in MAS solid-state NMR: Sedimentation versus viscosity

In recent years, MAS solid-state NMR has emerged as a technique for the investigation of soluble protein complexes. It was found that high molecular weight complexes do not need to be crystallized in order to obtain an immobilized sample for solid-state NMR investigations. Sedimentation induced by sample rotation impairs rotational diffusion of proteins and enables efficient dipolar coupling based cross polarization transfers. In addition, viscosity contributes to the immobilization of the molecules in the sample. Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) have very high viscosities, and can replace water in living organisms. We observe a considerable amount of cross polarization transfers for NADES solvents, even though their molecular weight is too low to yield significant sedimentation. We discuss how viscosity and sedimentation both affect the quality of the obtained experimental spectra. The FROSTY/sedNMR approach holds the potential to study large protein complexes, which are otherwise not amenable for a structural characterization using NMR. We show that using this method, backbone assignments of the symmetric proteasome activator complex (1.1MDa), and high quality correlation spectra of non-symmetric protein complexes such as the prokaryotic ribosome 50S large subunit binding to trigger factor (1.4MDa) are obtained.

Copper and Zinc Ions Specifically Promote Nonamyloid Aggregation of the Highly Stable Human γ-D Crystallin

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world. It results from aggregation of eye lens proteins into high-molecular-weight complexes, causing light scattering and lens opacity. Copper and zinc concentrations in cataractous lens are increased significantly relative to a healthy lens, and a variety of experimental and epidemiological studies implicate metals as potential etiological agents for cataract. The natively monomeric, β-sheet rich human γD (HγD) crystallin is one of the more abundant proteins in the core of the lens. It is also one of the most thermodynamically stable proteins in the human body. Surprisingly, we found that both Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions induced rapid, nonamyloid aggregation of HγD, forming high-molecular-weight light-scattering aggregates. Unlike Zn(II), Cu(II) also substantially decreased the thermal stability of HγD and promoted the formation of disulfide-bridged dimers, suggesting distinct aggregation mechanisms. In both cases, however, metal-induced aggregation depended strongly on temperature and was suppressed by the human lens chaperone αB-crystallin (HαB), implicating partially folded intermediates in the aggregation process. Consistently, distinct site-specific interactions of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions with the protein and conformational changes in specific hinge regions were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance. This study provides insights into the mechanisms of metal-induced aggregation of one of the more stable proteins in the human body, and it reveals a novel and unexplored bioinorganic facet of cataract disease.

Structure and function of α-crystallins: Traversing from in vitro to in vivo

BACKGROUND

The two α-crystallins (αA- and αB-crystallin) are major components of our eye lenses. Their key function there is to preserve lens transparency which is a challenging task as the protein turnover in the lens is low necessitating the stability and longevity of the constituent proteins. α-Crystallins are members of the small heat shock protein family. αB-crystallin is also expressed in other cell types.

SCOPE OF THE REVIEW

The review summarizes the current concepts on the polydisperse structure of the α-crystallin oligomer and its chaperone function with a focus on the inherent complexity and highlighting gaps between in vitro and in vivo studies.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

Both α-crystallins protect proteins from irreversible aggregation in a promiscuous manner. In maintaining eye lens transparency, they reduce the formation of light scattering particles and balance the interactions between lens crystallins. Important for these functions is their structural dynamics and heterogeneity as well as the regulation of these processes which we are beginning to understand. However, currently, it still remains elusive to which extent the in vitro observed properties of α-crystallins reflect the highly crowded situation in the lens.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

Since α-crystallins play an important role in preventing cataract in the eye lens and in the development of diverse diseases, understanding their mechanism and substrate spectra is of importance. To bridge the gap between the concepts established in vitro and the in vivo function of α-crystallins, the joining of forces between different scientific disciplines and the combination of diverse techniques in hybrid approaches are necessary. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Crystallin Biochemistry in Health and Disease.

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.

Novel roles for α-crystallins in retinal function and disease

α-Crystallins are key members of the superfamily of small heat shock proteins that have been studied in detail in the ocular lens. Recently, novel functions for α-crystallins have been identified in the retina and in the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE). αB-Crystallin has been localized to multiple compartments and organelles including mitochondria, golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum and nucleus. α-Crystallins are regulated by oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inhibit apoptosis-induced cell death. α-Crystallins interact with a large number of proteins that include other crystallins, and apoptotic, cytoskeletal, inflammatory, signaling, angiogenic, and growth factor molecules. Studies with RPE from αB-crystallin deficient mice have shown that αB-crystallin supports retinal and choroidal angiogenesis through its interaction with vascular endothelial growth factor. αB-Crystallin has also been shown to have novel functions in the extracellular space. In RPE, αB-crystallin is released from the apical surface in exosomes where it accumulates in the interphotoreceptor matrix and may function to protect neighboring cells. In other systems administration of exogenous recombinant αB-crystallin has been shown to be anti-inflammatory. Another newly described function of αB-crystallin is its ability to inhibit β-amyloid fibril formation. α-Crystallin minichaperone peptides have been identified that elicit anti-apoptotic function in addition to being efficient chaperones. Generation of liposomal particles and other modes of nanoencapsulation of these minipeptides could offer great therapeutic advantage in ocular delivery for a wide variety of retinal degenerative, inflammatory and vascular diseases including age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

Structural and mechanistic implications of metal binding in the small heat-shock protein αB-crystallin

The human small heat-shock protein αB-crystallin (αB) rescues misfolded proteins from irreversible aggregation during cellular stress. Binding of Cu(II) was shown to modulate the oligomeric architecture and the chaperone activity of αB. However, the mechanistic basis of this stimulation is so far not understood. We provide here first structural insights into this Cu(II)-mediated modulation of chaperone function using NMR spectroscopy and other biophysical approaches. We show that the α-crystallin domain is the elementary Cu(II)-binding unit specifically coordinating one Cu(II) ion with picomolar binding affinity. Putative Cu(II) ligands are His(83), His(104), His(111), and Asp(109) at the dimer interface. These loop residues are conserved among different metazoans, but also for human αA-crystallin, HSP20, and HSP27. The involvement of Asp(109) has direct implications for dimer stability, because this residue forms a salt bridge with the disease-related Arg(120) of the neighboring monomer. Furthermore, we observe structural reorganization of strands β2-β3 triggered by Cu(II) binding. This N-terminal region is known to mediate both the intermolecular arrangement in αB oligomers and the binding of client proteins. In the presence of Cu(II), the size and the heterogeneity of αB multimers are increased. At the same time, Cu(II) increases the chaperone activity of αB toward the lens-specific protein β(L)-crystallin. We therefore suggest that Cu(II) binding unblocks potential client binding sites and alters quaternary dynamics of both the dimeric building block as well as the higher order assemblies of αB.

Small heat-shock proteins: paramedics of the cell

The small heat-shock proteins (sHSPs) comprise a family of molecular chaperones which are widespread but poorly understood. Despite considerable effort, comparatively few high-resolution structures have been determined for the sHSPs, a likely consequence of their tendency to populate ensembles of inter-converting conformational and oligomeric states at equilibrium. This dynamic structure appears to underpin the sHSPs' ability to bind and sequester target proteins rapidly, and renders them the first line of defence against protein aggregation during disease and cellular stress. Here we describe recent studies on the sHSPs, with a particular focus on those which have provided insight into the structure and dynamics of these proteins. The combined literature reveals a picture of a remarkable family of molecular chaperones whose thermodynamic and kinetic properties are exquisitely balanced to allow functional regulation by subtle changes in cellular conditions.

Inhibition of Cu2+-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species by the small heat shock protein αB-crystallin: the relative contributions of the N- and C-terminal domains

Oxidative stress, Cu(2+) homeostasis, and small heat shock proteins (sHsp's) have important implications in several neurodegenerative diseases. The ubiquitous sHsp αB-crystallin is an oligomeric protein that binds Cu(2+). We have investigated the relative contributions of the N- and C-terminal (C-TDαB-crystallin) domains of αB-crystallin to its Cu(2+)-binding and redox-attenuation properties and mapped the Cu(2+)-binding regions. C-TDαB-crystallin binds Cu(2+) with slightly less affinity and inhibits Cu(2+)-catalyzed, ascorbate-mediated generation of ROS to a lesser extent than αB-crystallin. [Cu(2+)]/[subunit] stoichiometries for redox attenuation by αB-crystallin and C-TDαB-crystallin are 5 and 2, respectively. Both αB-crystallin and C-TDαB-crystallin also inhibit the Fenton reaction of hydroxyl radical formation. Trypsinization of αB-crystallin bound to a Cu(2+)-NTA column and MALDI-TOF analysis of column-bound peptides yielded three peptides located in the N-terminal domain, and in-solution trypsinization of αB-crystallin followed by Cu(2+)-NTA column chromatography identified four additional Cu(2+)-binding peptides located in the C-terminal domain. Thus, Cu(2+)-binding regions are distributed in the N- and C-terminal domains. Small-angle X-ray scattering and sedimentation-velocity measurements indicate quaternary structural changes in αB-crystallin upon Cu(2+) binding. Our study indicates that an oligomer of αB-crystallin can sequester a large number (~150) of Cu(2+) ions. It acts like a "Cu(2+) sponge," exhibits redox attenuation of Cu(2+), and has potential roles in Cu(2+) homeostasis and in preventing oxidative stress.

Identification and characterization of a copper-binding site in αA-crystallin

Previous studies have shown that both αA- and αB-crystallins bind Cu2+, suppress the formation of Cu2+-mediated active oxygen species, and protect ascorbic acid from oxidation by Cu2+. αA- and αB-crystallins are small heat shock proteins with molecular chaperone activity. In this study we show that the mini-αA-crystallin, a peptide consisting of residues 71-88 of αA-crystallin, prevents copper-induced oxidation of ascorbic acid. Evaluation of binding of copper to mini-αA-crystallin showed that each molecule of mini-αA-crystallin binds one copper molecule. Isothermal titration calorimetry and nanospray mass spectrometry revealed dissociation constants of 10.72 and 9.9 μM, respectively. 1,1'-Bis(4-anilino)naphthalene-5,5'-disulfonic acid interaction with mini-αA-crystallin was reduced after binding of Cu2+, suggesting that the same amino acids interact with these two ligands. Circular dichroism spectrometry showed that copper binding to mini-αA-crystallin peptide affects its secondary structure. Substitution of the His residue in mini-αA-crystallin with Ala abolished the redox-suppression activity of the peptide. During the Cu2+-induced ascorbic acid oxidation assay, a deletion mutant, αAΔ70-77, showed about 75% loss of ascorbic acid protection compared to the wild-type αA-crystallin. This difference indicates that the 70-77 region is the primary Cu2+-binding site(s) in human native full-size αA-crystallin. The role of the chaperone site in Cu2+ binding in native αA-crystallin was confirmed by the significant loss of chaperone activity by the peptide after Cu2+ binding.

Binding of γ-crystallin substrate prevents the binding of copper and zinc ions to the molecular chaperone α-crystallin

α-Crystallin is a small heat shock protein and molecular chaperone. Binding of Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions to α-crystallin leads to enhanced chaperone function. Sequestration of Cu2+ by α-crystallin prevents metal-ion mediated oxidation. Here we show that binding of human γD-crystallin (HGD, a natural substrate) to human αA-crystallin (HAA) is inversely related to the binding of Cu2+/Zn2+ ions: The higher the amount of bound HGD, the lower the amount of bound metal ions. Thus, in the aging lens, depletion of free HAA will not only lower chaperone capacity but also lower Cu2+ sequestration, thereby promoting oxidation and cataract.

Modulation of alpha-crystallin chaperone activity: a target to prevent or delay cataract?

Cataract, loss of eye lens transparency, is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. alpha-Crystallin, initially known as one of the major structural proteins of the eye lens, is composed of two homologous subunits alphaA- and alphaB-crystallins. It is convincingly established now that alpha-crystallin functions like a chaperone and plays a decisive role in the maintenance of eye lens transparency. The functional ability of alpha-crystallin subunits is to act in cooperation as molecular chaperones to prevent the cellular aggregation and/or inactivation of client proteins under variety of stress conditions. However, chaperone-like activity of alpha-crystallin could be deteriorated or lost during aging or under certain clinical conditions because of various genetic and environmental factors. This review will focus specifically on relevance of alpha-crystallin chaperone function to lens transparency. In particular, we reviewed the studies that demonstrate the modulation of alpha-crystallin chaperone-like activity and discussed the possibility of chaperone-like activity of alpha-crystallin as a potential target to prevent or delay the cataractogenesis.

Escherichia coli heat-shock proteins IbpA/B are involved in resistance to oxidative stress induced by copper

The small heat-shock proteins IbpA/B are molecular chaperones that bind denatured proteins and facilitate their subsequent refolding by the ATP-dependent chaperones DnaK, DnaJ, GrpE and ClpB. In this report, we demonstrate that IbpA/B participate in the defence against copper-induced stress under aerobic conditions. In the presence of oxygen, DeltaibpA/B cells exhibit increased sensitivity to copper ions and accumulate elevated amounts of oxidized proteins, while under oxygen depletion, the DeltaibpA/B mutation has no effect on copper tolerance. This indicates that IbpA/B protect Escherichia coli cells from oxidative damage caused by copper. We show that AdhE, one of the proteins exposed to oxidation, is protected by IbpA/B against copper-mediated inactivation both in vivo and in vitro.

Structural perturbation of alphaB-crystallin by zinc and temperature related to its chaperone-like activity

alphaB-crystallin is a small heat shock protein that shows chaperone-like activity, as it protects the aggregation of denatured proteins. In this work, the possible relationships between structural characteristics and the biological activity of alphaB-crystallin were investigated on the native protein and on the protein undergoing the separate effects of metal ligation and temperature. The chaperone-like activity of alphaB-crystallin increased in the presence of zinc and when temperature was increased. By using fluorescent probes to monitor hydrophobic surfaces on alphaB-crystallin, it was found that exposed hydrophobic patches on the protein surface increased significantly both in the presence of zinc and when the temperature was raised from 25 to 37 degrees C. The zinc-induced increased exposure of lipophilic residues is in agreement with theoretical calculations performed on 3D-models of monomeric alphaB-crystallin, and may be significant to its increased biological activity.

A comparison of heat shock protein genes from cultured cells of the cabbage armyworm, Mamestra brassicae, in response to heavy metals

Heat shock protein (HSP) genes, hsp90, hsp70, hsc70, hsp20.7, and hsp19.7, were cloned and sequenced from cultured cells of the cabbage armyworm, Mamestra brassicae. Analyses of the cDNA sequences revealed open reading frames of 2,151, 1,914, 1,962, 540, and 465 bp in lengths, which encode proteins with calculated molecular weights of 82.5, 69.9, 71.6, 20.7, and 19.7 kDa, respectively. An increased expression was observed in all five genes after exposure to a high temperature. The induction of gene expression was not observed during a low temperature exposure, but was observed when the cells were recovered at ambient temperature. Expression of hsp90, hsp70, and hsp20.7 was induced after exposure to 2 microM of cadmium, while the minimum cadmium concentration for induction of hsp19.7 was 5 microM. The induction of hsp90 expression was somewhat masked by basal levels of expression. Only hsp20.7 expression was induced by exposure to copper. Lead did not induce expression of any of the HSP genes tested. Cadmium-induced up-regulation of hsp70 expression was lasted longer than heat-induced one. These results suggest that hsp70 could be useful to assess the cellular distress or injury induced by cadmium.

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.