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Das D, Arora L, Mukhopadhyay S. Fluorescence Depolarization Kinetics Captures Short-Range Backbone Dihedral Rotations and Long-Range Correlated Dynamics of an Intrinsically Disordered Protein. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:9708-9718. [PMID: 34415768 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c04426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) do not autonomously fold into well-defined three-dimensional structures and are best described as a heterogeneous ensemble of rapidly interconverting conformers. It is challenging to elucidate their complex dynamic signatures using a single technique. In this study, we employed sensitive fluorescence depolarization kinetics by following picosecond time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy decays to directly capture the essential dynamical features of intrinsically disordered α-synuclein (α-syn) site-specifically labeled with thiol-active fluorophores. By utilizing a long-lifetime (≥10 ns) anisotropic label, we were able to discern three distinct rotational components of α-syn. The subnanosecond component represents the local wobbling-in-cone motion of the fluorophore, whereas the slower (∼1.4 ns) component corresponds to the short-range backbone dynamics governed by collective torsional fluctuations in the Ramachandran Φ-Ψ dihedral space. This backbone dihedral rotational time scale is sensitive to the local chain stiffness and slows down in the presence of an adjacent proline residue. We also observed a small-amplitude (≤10%) slower rotational correlation time (6-10 ns) that represents the long-range correlated dynamics involving a much longer segment of the polypeptide chain. These intrinsic dynamic signatures of IDPs will provide critical mechanistic underpinnings in a mosaic of biophysical phenomena involving internal friction, allosteric interactions, and phase separation.
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Mukhopadhyay S. The Dynamism of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins: Binding-Induced Folding, Amyloid Formation, and Phase Separation. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:11541-11560. [PMID: 33108190 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c07598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) or natively unfolded proteins do not undergo autonomous folding into a well-defined 3-D structure and challenge the conventional structure-function paradigm. They are involved in a multitude of critical physiological functions by adopting various structural states via order-to-disorder transitions or by maintaining their disordered characteristics in functional complexes. In recent times, there has been a burgeoning interest in the investigation of intriguing behavior of IDPs using highly multidisciplinary and complementary approaches due to the pivotal role of this unique class of protein chameleons in physiology and disease. Over the past decade or so, our laboratory has been actively investigating the unique physicochemical properties of this class of highly dynamic, flexible, rapidly interconverting proteins. We have utilized a diverse array of existing and emerging tools involving steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, circular dichroism, light scattering, fluorescence microscopy, and atomic force microscopy coupled with site-directed mutagenesis and other biochemical and biophysical tools to study a variety of interesting and important aspects of IDPs. In this Feature Article, I describe our work on the conformational characteristics, solvation dynamics, binding-induced folding, amyloid formation, and liquid-liquid phase separation of a number of amyloidogenic IDPs. A series of these studies described here captures the role of conformational plasticity and dynamics in directing binding, folding, assembly, aggregation, and phase transitions implicated in physiology and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samrat Mukhopadhyay
- Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Department of Biological Sciences, and Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, India
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Camacho R, Täuber D, Scheblykin IG. Fluorescence Anisotropy Reloaded-Emerging Polarization Microscopy Methods for Assessing Chromophores' Organization and Excitation Energy Transfer in Single Molecules, Particles, Films, and Beyond. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1805671. [PMID: 30721532 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201805671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence polarization is widely used to assess the orientation/rotation of molecules, and the excitation energy transfer between closely located chromophores. Emerging since the 1990s, single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging stimulate the application of light polarization for studying molecular organization and energy transfer beyond ensemble averaging. Here, traditional fluorescence polarization and linear dichroism methods used for bulk samples are compared with techniques specially developed for, or inspired by, single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy. Techniques for assessing energy transfer in anisotropic samples, where the traditional fluorescence anisotropy framework is not readily applicable, are discussed in depth. It is shown that the concept of a polarization portrait and the single funnel approximation can lay the foundation for alternative energy transfer metrics. Examples ranging from fundamental studies of photoactive materials (conjugated polymers, light-harvesting aggregates, and perovskite semiconductors) to Förster resonant energy transfer (FRET)-based biomedical imaging are presented. Furthermore, novel uses of light polarization for super-resolution optical imaging are mentioned as well as strategies for avoiding artifacts in polarization microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Camacho
- Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniela Täuber
- Chemical Physics and NanoLund, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, SE-22100, Lund, Sweden
- Biopolarisation, Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, D-07745, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Solid State Physics, FSU Jena, Helmholtzweg 3, D-07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Ivan G Scheblykin
- Chemical Physics and NanoLund, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, SE-22100, Lund, Sweden
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Majumdar A, Mukhopadhyay S. Fluorescence Depolarization Kinetics to Study the Conformational Preference, Structural Plasticity, Binding, and Assembly of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins. Methods Enzymol 2018; 611:347-381. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2018.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Peulen TO, Opanasyuk O, Seidel CAM. Combining Graphical and Analytical Methods with Molecular Simulations To Analyze Time-Resolved FRET Measurements of Labeled Macromolecules Accurately. J Phys Chem B 2017; 121:8211-8241. [PMID: 28709377 PMCID: PMC5592652 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b03441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Förster resonance energy transfer
(FRET) measurements from
a donor, D, to an acceptor, A, fluorophore are frequently used in vitro and in live cells to reveal information on the
structure and dynamics of DA labeled macromolecules. Accurate descriptions
of FRET measurements by molecular models are complicated because the
fluorophores are usually coupled to the macromolecule via flexible
long linkers allowing for diffusional exchange between multiple states
with different fluorescence properties caused by distinct environmental
quenching, dye mobilities, and variable DA distances. It is often
assumed for the analysis of fluorescence intensity decays that DA
distances and D quenching are uncorrelated (homogeneous quenching
by FRET) and that the exchange between distinct fluorophore states
is slow (quasistatic). This allows us to introduce the FRET-induced
donor decay, εD(t), a function solely
depending on the species fraction distribution of the rate constants
of energy transfer by FRET, for a convenient joint analysis of fluorescence
decays of FRET and reference samples by integrated graphical and analytical
procedures. Additionally, we developed a simulation toolkit to model
dye diffusion, fluorescence quenching by the protein surface, and
FRET. A benchmark study with simulated fluorescence decays of 500
protein structures demonstrates that the quasistatic homogeneous model
works very well and recovers for single conformations the average
DA distances with an accuracy of < 2%. For more complex
cases, where proteins adopt multiple conformations with significantly
different dye environments (heterogeneous case), we introduce a general
analysis framework and evaluate its power in resolving heterogeneities
in DA distances. The developed fast simulation methods, relying on
Brownian dynamics of a coarse-grained dye in its sterically accessible
volume, allow us to incorporate structural information in the decay
analysis for heterogeneous cases by relating dye states with protein
conformations to pave the way for fluorescence and FRET-based dynamic
structural biology. Finally, we present theories and simulations to
assess the accuracy and precision of steady-state and time-resolved
FRET measurements in resolving DA distances on the single-molecule
and ensemble level and provide a rigorous framework for estimating
approximation, systematic, and statistical errors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas-Otavio Peulen
- Lehrstuhl für Molekulare Physikalische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität , Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Oleg Opanasyuk
- Lehrstuhl für Molekulare Physikalische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität , Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Claus A M Seidel
- Lehrstuhl für Molekulare Physikalische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität , Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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Jain N, Narang D, Bhasne K, Dalal V, Arya S, Bhattacharya M, Mukhopadhyay S. Direct Observation of the Intrinsic Backbone Torsional Mobility of Disordered Proteins. Biophys J 2017; 111:768-774. [PMID: 27558720 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2016.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Revised: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The fundamental backbone dynamics of unfolded proteins arising due to intrinsic ϕ-ψ dihedral angle fluctuations dictate the course of protein folding, binding, assembly, and function. These internal fluctuations are also critical for protein misfolding associated with a range of human diseases. However, direct observation and unambiguous assignment of this inherent dynamics in chemically denatured proteins is extremely challenging due to various experimental limitations. To directly map the backbone torsional mobility in the ϕ-ψ dihedral angle space, we used a model intrinsically disordered protein, namely, α-synuclein, that adopts an expanded state under native conditions. We took advantage of nonoccurrence of tryptophan in α-synuclein and created a number of single-tryptophan variants encompassing the entire polypeptide chain. We then utilized highly sensitive picosecond time-resolved fluorescence depolarization measurements that allowed us to discern the site-specific torsional relaxation at a low protein concentration under physiological conditions. For all the locations, the depolarization kinetics exhibited two well-separated rotational-correlation-time components. The shorter, subnanosecond component arises due to the local mobility of the indole side chain, whereas the longer rotational-correlation-time component (1.37 ± 0.15 ns), independent of global tumbling, represents a characteristic timescale for short-range conformational exchange in the ϕ-ψ dihedral space. This correlation time represents an intrinsic timescale for torsional relaxation and is independent of position, which is expected for an extended polypeptide chain having little or no propensity to form persistent structures. We were also able to capture this intrinsic timescale at the N-terminal unstructured domain of the prion protein. Our estimated timescale of the segmental mobility is similar to that of unfolded proteins studied by nuclear magnetic resonance in conjunction with molecular dynamics simulations. Our results have broader implications for a diverse range of functionally and pathologically important intrinsically disordered proteins and disordered regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Jain
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, Knowledge City, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Dominic Narang
- Centre for Protein Science, Design, and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, Knowledge City, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India; Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, Knowledge City, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Karishma Bhasne
- Centre for Protein Science, Design, and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, Knowledge City, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India; Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, Knowledge City, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Vijit Dalal
- Centre for Protein Science, Design, and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, Knowledge City, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India; Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, Knowledge City, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Shruti Arya
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, Knowledge City, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Mily Bhattacharya
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, Knowledge City, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Samrat Mukhopadhyay
- Centre for Protein Science, Design, and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, Knowledge City, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India; Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, Knowledge City, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India; Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, Knowledge City, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India.
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Dobretsov GE, Syreishchikova TI, Smolina NV. Molecular mobility of a fluorescent probe in binding sites of an albumin molecule. Biophysics (Nagoya-shi) 2011. [DOI: 10.1134/s0006350911030079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Jia G, Feng Z, Wei C, Zhou J, Wang X, Li C. Dynamic insight into the interaction between porphyrin and G-quadruplex DNAs: time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy study. J Phys Chem B 2010; 113:16237-45. [PMID: 19924868 DOI: 10.1021/jp906060d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the nature of the interaction between small molecules and G-quadruplex DNA is crucial for the development of novel anticancer drugs. In this paper, we present the first data on time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy study on the interaction between a water-soluble cationic porphyrin H(2)TMPyP4 and four distinct G-quadruplex DNAs, that is, AG(3)(T(2)AG(3))(3), thrombin-binding aptamer (TBA), (G(4)T(4)G(4))2, and (TG(4)T)4. The anisotropy decay curves show the monoexponential for free H(2)TMPyP4 and the biexponential upon binding to the excess amount of G-quadruplex DNAs. The biexponential anisotropy decay can be well interpreted using a wobbling-in-the-cone model. The orientational diffusion of the bound H(2)TMPyP4 is initially restricted to a limited cone angle within the G-quadruplex DNAs, and then an overall orientational relaxation of the G-quadruplex DNA-H(2)TMPyP4 complexes occurs in a longer time scale. It was found that the dynamics of the restricted internal rotation of bound H(2)TMPyP4 strongly depends on the ending structures of the G-quadruplex DNAs. According to the order parameter (Q) calculated from the wobbling-in-the-cone model, we deduce that the degree of restriction around the bound H(2)TMPyP4 follows the order of TBA > (TG(4)T)4 > AG(3)(T(2)AG(3))(3) > (G(4)T(4)G(4))2. Especially, based on the maximum order parameter (Q) of bound H(2)TMPyP4 within TBA, a new sandwich-type binding mode for TBA-H(2)TMPyP4 complex was proposed in which both terminal G-quartet and T*T base pair stack on the porphyrin ring through pi-pi interaction. This study thus provides a new insight into the interaction between G-quadruplex DNAs and H(2)TMPyP4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqing Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
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9
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Tims HS, Widom J. Stopped-flow fluorescence resonance energy transfer for analysis of nucleosome dynamics. Methods 2007; 41:296-303. [PMID: 17309840 PMCID: PMC1852467 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2007.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2007] [Accepted: 01/02/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Macromolecular assemblies and machines undergo large-scale conformational changes as essential features of their normal function. Modern stopped-flow instrumentation and biotechnology combine to provide a powerful tool for characterizing the rates and natures of these conformational changes. Standard commercially available instruments provide extraordinary sensitivity and speed, allowing analysis of millisecond or longer timescale processes, with concentrations as low as a few nanomolar and volumes of just a few hundred microliters. One can now place specific dyes anywhere desired on a nucleic acid, and often on a protein as well. This ability allows the use of fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments for detailed conformational analyses, even as the system is evolving rapidly over time following the initiation of a reaction. This approach is ideally suited for analysis of intrinsic properties of chromatin and of the machines that control chromatin assembly, disassembly, and function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan Widom
- Address editorial correspondence to: Jonathan Widom, Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Biology, Northwestern University, 2205 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208-3500, USA, Tel: 847.467.1887, Fax: 847.467.6489, e-mail:
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Unruh JR, Gokulrangan G, Lushington GH, Johnson CK, Wilson GS. Orientational dynamics and dye-DNA interactions in a dye-labeled DNA aptamer. Biophys J 2005; 88:3455-65. [PMID: 15731389 PMCID: PMC1305492 DOI: 10.1529/biophysj.104.054148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the picosecond and nanosecond timescale rotational dynamics of a dye-labeled DNA oligonucleotide or "aptamer" designed to bind specifically to immunoglobulin E. Rotational dynamics in combination with fluorescence lifetime measurements provide information about dye-DNA interactions. Comparison of Texas Red (TR), fluorescein, and tetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA)-labeled aptamers reveals surprising differences with significant implications for biophysical studies employing such conjugates. Time-resolved anisotropy studies demonstrate that the TR- and TAMRA-aptamer anisotropy decays are dominated by the overall rotation of the aptamer, whereas the fluorescein-aptamer anisotropy decay displays a subnanosecond rotational correlation time much shorter than that expected for the overall rotation of the aptamer. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the low mobility of TR is a result of binding in the groove of the DNA helix. Additionally, associated anisotropy analysis of the TAMRA-aptamer reveals both quenched and unquenched states that experience significant coupling to the DNA motion. Therefore, quenching of TAMRA by guanosine must depend on the configuration of the dye bound to the DNA. The strong coupling of TR to the rotational dynamics of the DNA aptamer, together with the absence of quenching of its fluorescence by DNA, makes it a good probe of DNA orientational dynamics. The understanding of the nature of dye-DNA interactions provides the basis for the development of bioconjugates optimized for specific biophysical measurements and is important for the sensitivity of anisotropy-based DNA-protein interaction studies employing such conjugates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay R Unruh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA
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Vyleta NP, Coley AL, Laws WR. Resolution of Molecular Dynamics by Time-Resolved Fluorescence Anisotropy: Verification of Two Kinetic Models. J Phys Chem A 2004. [DOI: 10.1021/jp049707o] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Abram L. Coley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812
| | - William R. Laws
- Department of Chemistry, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812
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Simon-Lukasik KV, Persikov AV, Brodsky B, Ramshaw JAM, Laws WR, Alexander Ross JB, Ludescher RD. Fluorescence determination of tryptophan side-chain accessibility and dynamics in triple-helical collagen-like peptides. Biophys J 2003; 84:501-8. [PMID: 12524302 PMCID: PMC1302630 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3495(03)74869-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2002] [Accepted: 08/21/2002] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We report tryptophan fluorescence measurements of emission intensity, iodide quenching, and anisotropy that describe the environment and dynamics at X and Y sites in stable collagen-like peptides of sequence (Gly-X-Y)(n). About 90% of tryptophans at both sites have similar solvent exposed fluorescence properties and a lifetime of 8.5-9 ns. Analysis of anisotropy decays using an associative model indicates that these long lifetime populations undergo rapid depolarizing motion with a 0.5 ns correlation time; however, the extent of fast motion at the Y site is considerably less than the essentially unrestricted motion at the X site. About 10% of tryptophans at both sites have a shorter ( approximately 3 ns) lifetime indicating proximity to a protein quenching group; these minor populations are immobile on the peptide surface, depolarizing only by overall trimer rotation. Iodide quenching indicates that tryptophans at the X site are more accessible to solvent. Side chains at X sites are more solvent accessible and considerably more mobile than residues at Y sites and can more readily fluctuate among alternate intermolecular interactions in collagen fibrils. This fluorescence analysis of collagen-like peptides lays a foundation for studies on the structure, dynamics, and function of collagen and of triple-helical junctions in gelatin gels.
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Feinstein E, Deikus G, Rusinova E, Rachofsky EL, Ross JBA, Laws WR. Constrained analysis of fluorescence anisotropy decay:application to experimental protein dynamics. Biophys J 2003; 84:599-611. [PMID: 12524313 PMCID: PMC1302641 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3495(03)74880-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrodynamic properties as well as structural dynamics of proteins can be investigated by the well-established experimental method of fluorescence anisotropy decay. Successful use of this method depends on determination of the correct kinetic model, the extent of cross-correlation between parameters in the fitting function, and differences between the timescales of the depolarizing motions and the fluorophore's fluorescence lifetime. We have tested the utility of an independently measured steady-state anisotropy value as a constraint during data analysis to reduce parameter cross correlation and to increase the timescales over which anisotropy decay parameters can be recovered accurately for two calcium-binding proteins. Mutant rat F102W parvalbumin was used as a model system because its single tryptophan residue exhibits monoexponential fluorescence intensity and anisotropy decay kinetics. Cod parvalbumin, a protein with a single tryptophan residue that exhibits multiexponential fluorescence decay kinetics, was also examined as a more complex model. Anisotropy decays were measured for both proteins as a function of solution viscosity to vary hydrodynamic parameters. The use of the steady-state anisotropy as a constraint significantly improved the precision and accuracy of recovered parameters for both proteins, particularly for viscosities at which the protein's rotational correlation time was much longer than the fluorescence lifetime. Thus, basic hydrodynamic properties of larger biomolecules can now be determined with more precision and accuracy by fluorescence anisotropy decay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efraim Feinstein
- Department of Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA
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