Human plasma fibronectin structure probed by steady-state fluorescence polarization: evidence for a rigid oblate structure

Probing fibronectin adsorption on chemically defined surfaces by means of single molecule force microscopy

Atomic force microscope (AFM) based single molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) and a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) were respectively employed to probe interfacial characteristics of fibronectin fragment FNIII^8–14 and full-length fibronectin (FN) on CH₃–, OH–, COOH–, and NH₂-terminated alkane-thiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Force-distance curves acquired between hexahistidine-tagged FNIII^8–14 immobilised on trisNTA-Ni²⁺ functionalized AFM cantilevers and the OH and COOH SAM surfaces were predominantly ‘loop-like’ (76% and 94% respectively), suggesting domain unfolding and preference for ‘end-on’ oriented binding, while those generated with NH₂ and CH₃ SAMs were largely ‘mixed type’ (81% and 86%, respectively) commensurate with unravelling and desorption, and ‘side-on’ binding. Time-dependent binding of FN to SAM-coated QCM crystals occurred in at least two phases: initial rapid coverage over the first 5 min; and variably diminishing adsorption thereafter (5–70 min). Loading profiles and the final hydrated surface concentrations reached (~ 950, ~ 1200, ~ 1400, ~ 1500 ng cm⁻² for CH₃, OH, COOH and NH₂ SAMs) were consistent with: space-filling ‘side-on’ orientation and unfolding on CH₃ SAM; greater numbers of FN molecules arranged ‘end-on’ on OH and especially COOH SAMs; and initial ‘side-on’ contact, followed by either (1) gradual tilting to a space-saving ‘end-on’ configuration, or (2) bi-/multi-layer adsorption on NH₂ SAM.

Biophysical approaches for exploring lipopeptide-lipid interactions

In recent years, lipopeptides (LPs) have attracted a lot of attention in the pharmaceutical industry due to their broad-spectrum of antimicrobial activity against a variety of pathogens and their unique mode of action. This class of compounds has enormous potential for application as an alternative to conventional antibiotics and for pest control. Understanding how LPs work from a structural and biophysical standpoint through investigating their interaction with cell membranes is crucial for the rational design of these biomolecules. Various analytical techniques have been developed for studying intramolecular interactions with high resolution. However, these tools have been barely exploited in lipopeptide-lipid interactions studies. These biophysical approaches would give precise insight on these interactions. Here, we reviewed these state-of-the-art analytical techniques. Knowledge at this level is indispensable for understanding LPs activity and particularly their potential specificity, which is relevant information for safe application. Additionally, the principle of each analytical technique is presented and the information acquired is discussed. The key challenges, such as the selection of the membrane model are also been briefly reviewed.

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A brief overview of topics to understand the generalities of lipopeptide (LP) science.

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Main analytical techniques used to reveal the interaction and the distorting effect of LP on artificial membranes.

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Guidelines for selecting of the most adequate membrane models for the given analytical technique.

Tuning uracil derivatives for the AIE-based detection of pyrene at a nano-molar level: single-crystal X-ray structure and DFT support

Single crystal X-ray structurally characterized azo-uracil derivative (L) is explored for the selective detection of pyrene via aggregation-induced emission (AIE) with 99-fold fluorescence enhancement.

Allosteric Regulation of Fibronectin/α5β1 Interaction by Fibronectin-Binding MSCRAMMs

Adherence of microbes to host tissues is a hallmark of infectious disease and is often mediated by a class of adhesins termed MSCRAMMs (Microbial Surface Components Recognizing Adhesive Matrix Molecules). Numerous pathogens express MSCRAMMs that specifically bind the heterodimeric human glycoprotein fibronectin (Fn). In addition to roles in adhesion, Fn-binding MSCRAMMs exploit physiological Fn functions. For example, several pathogens can invade host cells by a mechanism whereby MSCRAMM-bound Fn bridges interaction with α₅β₁ integrin. Here, we investigate two Fn-binding MSCRAMMs, FnBPA (Staphylococcus aureus) and BBK32 (Borrelia burgdorferi) to probe structure-activity relationships of MSCRAMM-induced Fn/α₅β₁integrin activation. Circular dichroism, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, and dynamic light scattering techniques uncover a conformational rearrangement of Fn involving domains distant from the MSCRAMM binding site. Surface plasmon resonance experiments demonstrate a significant enhancement of Fn/α₅β₁ integrin affinity in the presence of FnBPA or BBK32. Detailed kinetic analysis of these interactions reveal that this change in affinity can be attributed solely to an increase in the initial Fn/α₅β₁ on-rate and that this rate-enhancement is dependent on high-affinity Fn-binding by MSCRAMMs. These data implicate MSCRAMM-induced perturbation of specific intramolecular contacts within the Fn heterodimer resulting in activation by exposing previously cryptic α₅β₁ interaction motifs. By correlating structural changes in Fn to a direct measurement of increased Fn/α₅β₁ affinity, this work significantly advances our understanding of the structural basis for the modulation of integrin function by Fn-binding MSCRAMMs.

Nanopore Diameters Tune Strain in Extruded Fibronectin Fibers

Fibronectin is present in the extracellular matrix and can be assembled into nanofibers in vivo by undergoing conformational changes. Here, we present a novel approach to prepare fibronectin nanofibers under physiological conditions using an extrusion approach through nanoporous aluminum oxide membranes. This one-step process can prepare nanofiber bundles up to a millimeter in length and with uniform fiber diameters in the nanometer range. Most importantly, by using different pore diameters and protein concentrations in the extrusion process, we could induce varying lasting structural changes in the fibers, which were monitored by Förster resonance energy transfer and should impose different physiological functions.

Serum protein layers on parylene-C and silicon oxide: effect on cell adhesion

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We studied how cell adhesion is affected by serum protein adsorbed on parylene-C.

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Serum proteins form distinct layers when adsorbed onto parylene-C or silicon oxide.

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Biosensing technique elucidates contrasting protein layer densities and thicknesses.

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Fibronectin supports cell adhesion on both surfaces.

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Albumin outcompetes fibronectin on parylene-C and vice versa on silicon oxide.

Among the range of materials used in bioengineering, parylene-C has been used in combination with silicon oxide and in presence of the serum proteins, in cell patterning. However, the structural properties of adsorbed serum proteins on these substrates still remain elusive. In this study, we use an optical biosensing technique to decipher the properties of fibronectin (Fn) and serum albumin adsorbed on parylene-C and silicon oxide substrates. Our results show the formation of layers with distinct structural and adhesive properties. Thin, dense layers are formed on parylene-C, whereas thicker, more diffuse layers are formed on silicon oxide. These results suggest that Fn acquires a compact structure on parylene-C and a more extended structure on silicon oxide. Nonetheless, parylene-C and silicon oxide substrates coated with Fn host cell populations that exhibit focal adhesion complexes and good cell attachment. Albumin adopts a deformed structure on parylene-C and a globular structure on silicon oxide, and does not support significant cell attachment on either surface. Interestingly, the co-incubation of Fn and albumin at the ratio found in serum, results in the preferential adsorption of albumin on parylene-C and Fn on silicon oxide. This finding is supported by the exclusive formation of focal adhesion complexes in differentiated mouse embryonic stem cells (CGR8), cultured on Fn/albumin coated silicon oxide, but not on parylene-C. The detailed information provided in this study on the distinct properties of layers of serum proteins on substrates such as parylene-C and silicon oxide is highly significant in developing methods for cell patterning.

The extent of pyrene excimer fluorescence emission is a reflector of distance and flexibility: analysis of the segment linking the LDL receptor-binding and tetramerization domains of apolipoprotein E3

Pyrene is a spatially sensitive probe that displays an ensemble of monomeric fluorescence emission peaks (375-405 nm) and an additional band (called excimer) at ~460 nm when two fluorophores are spatially proximal. We examined if there is a correlation between distance between two pyrenes on an α-helical structure and excimer/monomer (e/m) ratio. Using structure-guided design, pyrene maleimide was attached to pairs of Cys residues separated by ~5 Å increments on helix 2 of the N-terminal domain of apolipoprotein E3 (apoE3). Fluorescence spectral analysis revealed an intense excimer band when the probes were ~5 Å from each other with an e/m ratio of ~3.0, which decreased to ~1.0 at 20 Å. An inverse correlation between e/m ratio and the distance between pyrenes was observed, with the probe and helix flexibility also contributing to the extent of excimer formation. We verified this approach by estimating the distance between T57C and C112 (located on helices 2 and 3, respectively) to be 5.2 Å (4.9 Å from NMR and 5.7 Å from the X-ray structure). Excimer formation was also noted to a significant extent with probes located in the linker segment, suggesting spatial proximity (10-15 Å) to corresponding sites on neighboring molecules in the tetrameric configuration of apoE. We infer that oligomerization via the C-terminal domain juxtaposes the linker segments from neighboring apoE molecules. This study offers new insights into the conformation of tetrameric apoE and presents the use of pyrene as a powerful probe for studying protein spatial organization.

Pyrene: a probe to study protein conformation and conformational changes

The review focuses on the unique spectral features of pyrene that can be utilized to investigate protein structure and conformation. Pyrene is a fluorescent probe that can be attached covalently to protein side chains, such as sulfhydryl groups. The spectral features of pyrene are exquisitely sensitive to the microenvironment of the probe: it exhibits an ensemble of monomer fluorescence emission peaks that report on the polarity of the probe microenvironment, and an additional band at longer wavelengths, the appearance of which reflects the presence of another pyrene molecule in spatial proximity (~10 Å). Its high extinction coefficient allows us to study labeled proteins in solution at physiologically relevant concentrations. The environmentally- and spatially-sensitive features of pyrene allow monitoring protein conformation, conformational changes, protein folding and unfolding, protein-protein, protein-lipid and protein-membrane interactions.

Surface oxide net charge of a titanium alloy: modulation of fibronectin-activated attachment and spreading of osteogenic cells

In the current study, we have altered the surface oxide properties of a Ti6Al4V alloy using heat treatment or radiofrequency glow discharge (RFGD) in order to evaluate the relationship between the physico-chemical and biological properties of the alloy's surface oxide. The effects of surface pretreatments on the attachment of cells from two osteogenic cell lines (MG63 and MC3T3) and a mesenchymal stem cell line (C3H10T1/2) to fibronectin adsorbed to the alloy were measured. Both heat and RFGD pretreatments produced a several-fold increase in the number of cells that attached to fibronectin adsorbed to the alloy at a range of coating concentrations (0.001-10nM FN) for each cell line tested. An antibody (HFN7.1) directed against the central integrin binding domain of fibronectin produced a 65-70% inhibition of cell attachment to fibronectin-coated disks, indicating that cell attachment to the metal discs was dependent on fibronectin binding to cell integrin receptors. Both treatments also accelerated the cell spreading response manifested by extensive flattening and an increase in mean cellular area. The treatment-induced increases in the cell attachment activity of adsorbed fibronectin were correlated with previously demonstrated increases in Ti6Al4V oxide negative net surface charge at physiological pH produced by both heat and RFGD pretreatments. Since neither treatment increased the adsorption mass of fibronectin, these findings suggest that negatively charged surface oxide functional groups in Ti6Al4V can modulate fibronectin's integrin receptor activity by altering the adsorbed protein's conformation. Our results further suggest that negatively charged functional groups in the surface oxide can play a prominent role in the osseointegration of metallic implant materials.

Noncompetitive fluorescence polarization aptamer-based assay for small molecule detection

In this paper, a new fluorescence polarization (FP) assay strategy is described reporting the first demonstration of a noncompetitive FP technique dedicated to the small molecule sensing. This approach was based on the unique induced-fit binding mechanism of nucleic acid aptamers which was exploited to convert the small target binding event into a detectable fluorescence anisotropy signal. An anti-L-tyrosinamide DNA aptamer, labeled by a single fluorescent dye at its extremity, was employed as a model functional nucleic acid probe. The DNA conformational change generated by the L-tyrosinamide binding was able to induce a significant increase in the fluorescence anisotropy signal. The method allowed enantioselective sensing of tyrosinamide and analysis in practical samples. The methodology was also applied to the L-argininamide detection, suggesting the potential generalizability of the direct FP-based strategy. Such aptamer-based assay appeared to be a sensitive analytical system of remarkable simplicity and ease of use.

Size distribution and molecular associations of plasma fibronectin and fibronectin crosslinked by transglutaminase 2

Fibronectin (FN) is a ubiquitously expressed cell adhesion protein capable of assembling into large, extended fibrillar networks as part of an extracellular matrix (ECM) that regulates cell behavior. FN is a substrate for certain members of the transglutaminase family of protein-crosslinking enzymes-enzymes which can modify the ability of FN to support cell adhesion. In this study, we have analyzed the thermo-chemical stability of plasma FN in its noncrosslinked form, and after crosslinking by transglutaminase 2 (TG2), using dynamic light scattering. We report that FN is found in a generally globular (8.7 nm hydrodynamic radius), dimerized form in aqueous solutions, but unfolds into a linear arrangement at high ionic (1 M NaCl) and chaotropic (5 M urea) environments. FN conformation remained stable after multiple heating and cooling cycles ranging from 4 to 60 degrees C. Crosslinking of FN with TG2 formed large, multimeric complexes having high chemical stability in aqueous, high ionic and chaotropic environments, demonstrating that this covalent modification stabilizes FN. Given recent data that substrate (e.g. ECM) rigidity profoundly affects cell differentiation and behavior, we further studied how TG2 crosslinking affects the molecular rigidity of FN by obtaining atomic force microscopy nanoindentation measurements from untreated and crosslinked FN samples embedded in acrylamide gels. We demonstrate that TG2-mediated crosslinking of FN significantly increases Young's modulus (of elasticity), an observation of increased rigidity having important implications with respect to the biological role of ECM protein-crosslinking in cell signaling and guiding cell differentiation.

Parameters influencing the stealthiness of colloidal drug delivery systems

Over the last few decades, colloidal drug delivery systems (CDDS) such as nano-structures have been developed in order to improve the efficiency and the specificity of drug action. Their small size permits them to be injected intravenously in order to reach target tissues. However, it is known that they can be rapidly removed from blood circulation by the immune system. CDDS are removed via the complement system and via the cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), after their recognition by opsonins and/or receptors present at the cell surface. This recognition is dependent on the physicochemical characteristics of the CDDS. In this study, we will focus on parameters influencing the interactions of opsonins and the macrophage plasma membrane with the surface of CDDS, whereby parameters of the polymer coating become necessary to provide good protection.

Thermal and chemical modification of titanium–aluminum–vanadium implant materials: effects on surface properties, glycoprotein adsorption, and MG63 cell attachment

The microstructure, chemical composition and wettability of thermally and chemically modified Ti-6Al-4V alloy disks were characterized and correlated with the degree of radiolabeled fibronectin-alloy surface adsorption and subsequent adhesion of osteoblast-like cells. Heating either in pure oxygen or atmosphere (atm) resulted in an enrichment of Al and V within the surface oxide. Heating (oxygen/atm) and peroxide treatment both followed by butanol treatment resulted in a reduction in content of V, but not in Al. Heating (oxygen/atm) or peroxide treatment resulted in a thicker oxide layer and a more hydrophilic surface when compared with passivated controls. Post-treatment with butanol, however, resulted in less hydrophilic surfaces than heating or peroxide treatment alone. The greatest increases in the adsorption of radiolabeled fibronectin following treatment were observed with peroxide/butanol-treated samples followed by peroxide/butanol and heat/butanol, although binding was only increased by 20-40% compared to untreated controls. These experiments with radiolabeled fibronectin indicate that enhanced adsorption of the glycoprotein was more highly correlated with changes in chemical composition, reflected in a reduction in V content and decrease in the V/Al ratio, than with changes in wettability. Despite promoting only a modest elevation in fibronectin adsorption, the treatment of disks with heat or heat/butanol induced a several-fold increase in the attachment of MG63 cells promoted by a nonadhesive concentration of fibronectin that was used to coat the pretreated disks compared to uncoated disks. Therefore, results obtained with these modifications of surface properties indicate that an increase in the absolute content of Al and/or V (heat), and/or in the Al/V ratio (with little change in hydrophilicity; heat+butanol) is correlated with an increase in the fibronectin-promoted adhesion of an osteoblast-like cell line. It would also appear that the thermal treatment-induced enhancement of cell adhesion in the presence of this integrin-binding protein is due to its increased biological activity, rather than a mass effect alone, that appear to be associated with changes in chemical composition of the metallic surface. Future studies will investigate the influence of the surface chemical composition of various implantable alloys on protein adsorption and receptor-mediated cell adhesion. In addition, by altering the properties of bound osteogenic protein enhancing exposure to cell integrin binding domains, it may be possible to develop implant surfaces which enhance the attachment, adhesion and developmental response of osteoblast precursors leading to accelerated osseointegration.

Structural changes of fibronectin adsorbed to model surfaces probed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer

Structural changes of proteins during adsorption to biomaterials affect the presentation of molecular binding sites and, ultimately, biomaterial performance. We have applied fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) spectroscopy to study structural changes of the cell adhesion protein, fibronectin (Fn), following adsorption to model hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces. Fn was labeled with donor and acceptor fluorophores using two labeling schemes and intramolecular energy transfer was calibrated against measured structural changes of Fn in denaturing solutions. FRET was then applied to measure Fn's structure on surfaces. Based on FRET, Fn underwent greater extension of its dimer arms on hydrophilic glass than on hydrophobic fluoroalklysilane-derivatized glass (fluorosilane), and this extension was insensitive to molecular packing over a range of adsorption concentrations. Fn's conformation on glass better promoted cell attachment than on fluorosilane; the roles of both global structural changes (movements of modules) and local structural changes (disruption of secondary structure) on Fn's cell integrin binding activity are discussed. Based on previous FRET work, we compare Fn's conformations on these surfaces with its conformations in fibroblast culture. FRET is unique in allowing direct comparison of protein structure between biomaterial surfaces and cell culture.

Fluorescent inhibitors for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of lipolytic enzymes

We report on the determination of active enzyme components in pure and crude lipases, using fluorescent inhibitors for covalent modification and visualization of the enzymatically active proteins. Lipase-specific compounds are triacylglycerol analogs, namely 1,2(2, 3)-di-O-alkylglyceroalkylphosphonic acid-p-nitrophenyl esters, containing a fluorescent substituent bound to the omega-end of an alkyl chain. Inhibitors derived from single-chain alcohols, such as p-nitrophenyl esters of fluorescent alkyl phosphonates, react with lipases and esterases. The p-nitrophenyl ester bond is susceptible toward nucleophilic attack by the active serine of the lipolytic enzyme. This reaction is stoichiometric, specific, and irreversible. Stable lipid-protein complexes are formed which can be analyzed on the basis of their fluorescent signal. From fluorescence intensity the moles of active serine (enzyme) were accurately determined. A lipase-specific inhibitor was used for the analysis of a commercial lipase preparation from Rhizomucor miehei. After incubation of the enzyme with the fluorescent lipid, a single fluorescence band was observed after SDS-gel electrophoresis, indicating the presence of a single lipase in the crude enzyme material. A linear correlation was obtained between fluorescence intensity and the amount of enzyme. Using a combination of different inhibitors, we were able to discriminate between lipases and esterases.

Surface analysis of human plasma fibronectin adsorbed to commercially pure titanium materials

Protein binding on metallic implant surfaces, such as titanium, is governed by the physico-chemical nature of the metallic surface. Human plasma fibronectin (HPF) is an important matrix glycoprotein that mediates cell and protein attachment to each other or to the extracellular matrix present during wound healing. The objective of this study was to investigate the adsorption of HPF onto polished commercially pure titanium (cpTi) by using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and to measure the resultant surface contact angle before and after HPF binding. Two types of cpTi disks, one highly polished in our laboratory (HSS) and one commercially prepared (31), were reacted with HPF solutions of varying concentrations (1 microg/mL-10 ng/mL). ESCA survey spectra of samples coated with 1 microg/mL of fibronectin showed an increase in organic nitrogen and carbon compared with uncoated controls. Contact angle measurements of HSS and 31 cpTi disks showed no significant difference in average contact angle (36.3 degrees +/- 3.5 and 39.1 degrees +/- 3.1) despite differences in local root mean square (RMS) surface roughness (4.45 +/- 0.46 nm and 22.37 +/- 4.17 nm) as measured by AFM. Images obtained by AFM showed that 31 specimens were more irregular, with large parallel polishing grooves. Adsorbed HPF appeared in a globular form with an average length of 16.5 +/- 1.0 nm, a height of 2.5 +/- 0.5 nm, and a width of 9.6 +/- 1.2 nm. Fibronectin coating on both HSS and 31 cpTi specimens resulted in a significant increase in hydrophobicity compared to uncoated specimens. These results indicate the significance of HPF on cpTi and may explain how cpTi implants function in situ.

Theoretical considerations of RES-avoiding liposomes: Molecular mechanics and chemistry of liposome interactions

The development of long-circulating, RES-avoiding liposomes has become a remarkable milestone in the progress of contemporary pharmacology. Drugs incorporated in such liposomes are protected from fast metabolization and clearance, and can be further targeted to a desired tissue site. Ideally, future developments should result in drug carriers which can identify and act upon their targets with even higher efficiency and selectivity, preferably close to or exceeding that of the natural immune cells.Further increasing carrier 'inertness' with regard to the normal biological milieu is the major requirement for future success. The ability of natural blood components to circulate with blood for several days and weeks presents both the motivation and the challenge for further research. Today, even the best available preparations are inferior to natural proteins and cells with regard to their ability to remain in circulation by approximately two orders of magnitude.In view of the above, it seems vitally important to determine the mechanisms responsible for glycolipid- or polymer-modified liposome protection against RES, and whether any potentially useful mechanisms have been underutilized. Furthermore, identification of quantitative dependencies between liposome structure and pharmacokinetics (and mechanisms underlying such dependencies) would benefit future research and reduce the cost of development.This paper discusses the relationships between liposome structure and circulation with respect to the theoretical mechanistic models of mass transfer, liposome interactions with cells and blood proteins, and boundary effects resulting from surface modification. Special attention is paid to the practical application and limitations of the models.

Modulation of cell-adhesive activity of fibronectin by the alternatively spliced EDA segment

Fibronectin (FN) has a complex pattern of alternative splicing at the mRNA level. One of the alternatively spliced segments, EDA, is prominently expressed during biological processes involving substantial cell migration and proliferation, such as embryonic development, malignant transformation, and wound healing. To examine the function of the EDA segment, we overexpressed recombinant FN isoforms with or without EDA in CHO cells and compared their cell-adhesive activities using purified proteins. EDA+ FN was significantly more potent than EDA- FN in promoting cell spreading and cell migration, irrespective of the presence or absence of a second alternatively spliced segment, EDB. The cell spreading activity of EDA+ FN was not affected by antibodies recognizing the EDA segment but was abolished by antibodies against integrin alpha5 and beta1 subunits and by Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro peptide, indicating that the EDA segment enhanced the cell-adhesive activity of FN by potentiating the interaction of FN with integrin alpha5beta1. In support of this conclusion, purified integrin alpha5beta1 bound more avidly to EDA+ FN than to EDA- FN. Augmentation of integrin binding by the EDA segment was, however, observed only in the context of the intact FN molecule, since the difference in integrin-binding activity between EDA+ FN and EDA- FN was abolished after limited proteolysis with thermolysin. Consistent with this observation, binding of integrin alpha5beta1 to a recombinant FN fragment, consisting of the central cell-binding domain and the adjacent heparin-binding domain Hep2, was not affected by insertion of the EDA segment. Since the insertion of an extra type III module such as EDA into an array of repeated type III modules is expected to rotate the polypeptide up to 180 degrees at the position of the insertion, the conformation of the FN molecule may be globally altered upon insertion of the EDA segment, resulting in an increased exposure of the RGD motif in III10 module and/or local unfolding of the module. Our results suggest that alternative splicing at the EDA exon is a novel mechanism for up-regulating integrin-binding affinity of FN operating when enhanced migration and proliferation of cells are required.

The molecular chaperonin cpn60 displays local flexibility that is reduced after binding with an unfolded protein

Steady-state fluorescence polarization was used to examine the chaperonin cpn60 that was covalently labeled with pyrene. Two compounds, 1-pyrenesulfonyl chloride or N-(1-pyrene)maleimide, were used to incorporate up to 8 mol of pyrene per mol of cpn60 14-mer. The fluorescence lifetime of the cpn60-pyrenesulfonyl chloride conjugate exhibited a double exponential decay: 5.36 ns, with a fractional contribution to the intensity of 7%, and 48.77 ns, with a fractional contribution to the intensity of 93%. These yield a second-order average lifetime of 45.58 ns at 20 degrees C. Analysis of the fluorescence polarization data for the pyrene probe by the Perrin-Weber treatment revealed the existence of two components that account for the depolarization. The fast component accounted for 24% of the depolarization at 20 degrees C. The rotational relaxation time for the cpn60 14-mer derived from the low viscosity part of the Perrin-Weber plot which accentuates the slow motion gave rho h = 1113 +/- 55 ns. When this value of rho h is compared with the rho h calculated based on the Stokes radius of cpn60 from ultracentrifugation, rho Stokes, it leads to rho h/rho Stokes = 0.4 which is considerably smaller than the value expected (rho h/rho Stokes = 1) or actually found in the cpn60-rhodanese complex (rho h/rho Stokes = 0.93). These considerations and the observed presence of the fast motion suggest that cpn60 is not a rigid protein. Analysis of the polarization data as a function of temperature, which is weighted more toward the fast motion, showed that the rotational relaxation time assessed by temperature variation is greatly increased (from 552.5 to 2591 ns) for the complex of cpn60 with partially folded rhodanese (34-kDa monomeric protein). No change in rho h was observed upon formation of the cpn60.ATP complex (rho h = 556.9 ns). These data indicate that there is local motion in the cpn60 14-mer molecule that can be frozen by formation of a binary complex with partially folded proteins. This conclusion is in keeping with results showing that the structure of cpn60 is generally stabilized when it forms complexes with passenger proteins (Mendoza, J. A., and Horowitz, P. M. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 25963-25965).

Fibronectin structure and assembly

Significant progress has been made recently in the determination of the structure and assembly of the important matrix protein fibronectin, a molecule mainly constructed from three modular units denoted Fn1, Fn2 and Fn3. Atomic resolution structures are now available for all three single modules, for Fn1 and Fn3 module pairs, and for the disulphide-linked join between fibronectin monomers. Combined with results from new binding and mutation studies, the new structural information is leading to a clearer view of structure/function relationships in intact fibronectin.

Heparin binding to monodisperse plasma fibronectin induces aggregation without large-scale changes in conformation in solution

Plasma fibronectin was purified by gelatin affinity chromatography in the absence of urea and studied by photon correlation spectroscopy. Polydispersity in the observed translational diffusion coefficient (D20,w) was minimized by subsequent gel permeation fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) on Superose 6, which separated fibronectin monomers (D20,w = 2.15 +/- 0.03 x 10(-7) cm2 sec-1; polydispersity 5.2%) from aggregates. Addition of heparin to FPLC-purified fibronectin, at physiological pH, ionic strength and temperature, induced fibronectin aggregation, as shown by an increase of up to 60% in the static light-scattering intensity. Additional changes induced by heparin were an approximate 40% decrease in D20,w and an increase in polydispersity to 33%. After removal of aggregates by FPLC, the translational diffusion coefficient for fibronectin monomers was unaffected by the presence of heparin, in conditions where fluorescence polarization with fluoresceinamine-labelled heparin showed that 80% of the available heparin binding sites on fibronectin were occupied. Small differences in the circular dichroism spectrum of gelatin affinity-purified fibronectin were observed before and after removal of aggregates by gel permeation FPLC, and similar changes were seen when heparin was added to FLPC-purified fibronectin, without subsequent removal of aggregates. The results demonstrate the importance of minimizing polydispersity in the biophysical analysis of fibronectin in solution. We conclude that heparin binding to monomeric fibronectin occurs without large-scale changes in the conformation of the fibronectin molecule, although the possibility of more extended conformations in aggregated forms of fibronectin cannot be excluded.

A fluorescence spectroscopic study of substrate-induced conformational changes in glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase

Glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli is a member of a subgroup of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases that do not catalyze ATP-PPi exchange in the absence of the cognate tRNA. Such behavior suggests conformational changes upon substrate binding. Two different fluorescent probes, pyrenylmaleimide and acrylodan, were used to specifically label a nonessential sulfhydryl group of GlnRS. Conformational changes induced by substrates were studied using glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase labeled with these two environment-sensitive probes. ATP was shown to cause a significant conformational change that alters the mode of binding to tRNA(Gln) to GlnRS. The alteration of the salt sensitivity pattern of tRNA(Gln) binding to GlnRS by ATP supports this. Binding of tRNA(Gln) causes a conformational change that may be different in nature for the ATP/GlnRS complex and free GlnRS. Hydrodynamic parameters deduced from fluorescence polarization studies and the use of a noncovalent probe indicate that the ATP-induced conformational change may not be global in character.

Fibronectin binding site in type I collagen regulates fibronectin fibril formation

Mov13 fibroblasts, which do not express endogenous alpha 1(I) collagen chains due to a retroviral insertion, were used to study the role of type I collagen in the process of fibronectin fibrillogenesis. While Mov13 cells produced a sparse matrix containing short fibronectin fibrils, transfection with a wild type pro alpha 1(I) collagen gene resulted in the production of an extensive matrix containing fibronectin fibrils of normal length. To study the amino acids involved in the fibronectin-collagen interaction, mutations were introduced into the known fibronectin binding region of the pro alpha 1(I) collagen gene. Substitution of Gln and Ala at positions 774 and 777 of the alpha 1(I) chain for Pro resulted in the formation of short fibronectin fibrils similar to what was observed in untransfected Mov13 cells. Type I collagen carrying these substitutions bound weakly to fibronectin-sepharose and could be eluted off with 1 M urea. The effect of this mutation on fibronectin fibrillogenesis could be rescued by adding either type I collagen or a peptide fragment (CB.7) which contained the wild type fibronectin binding region of the alpha 1(I) chain to the cell culture. These results suggest that fibronectin fibrillogenesis in tissue culture is dependent on type I collagen synthesis, and define an important role for the fibronectin binding site in this process.

Cell-type-specific adhesion mechanisms mediated by fibronectin adsorbed to chemically derivatized substrata

Plasma fibronectin (pFN) adhesion mechanisms on inert substrata were evaluated for murine fibroblasts (3T3) and human neuroblastoma (Platt) cells using glass coverslips chemically derivatized with a self-assembled monolayer of aliphatic chains terminated with a specific endgroup to interact with adsorbed pFN: [CH3], [SH], [SCOCH3], [NH2], [SO3H], or underivatized glass [SiOH]. All surfaces bound similar amounts of pFN and facilitated attachment of both cell types within narrow ranges. However, spreading/differentiation responses of cells differed considerably among the surfaces. While 3T3 cells spread and developed microfilament stress fibers comparably on all surfaces, inclusion of an RGDS-containing synthetic peptide in the medium revealed variation in resistance to stress fiber formation mediated by an RGDS-recognizing integrin: [NH2] greater than [CH3] much greater than [SiOH],[SH],[SCOCH3]. Different patterns of neurite formation were observed for neuroblastoma cells: [SiOH], [SO3H] greater than [SCOCH3],[SH] much greater than [CH3] greater than [NH2]. Similarity in cell responses to both [CH3] and [NH2] surfaces argues against a pattern dependent upon the hydrophobicity of substrata. When pFN was diluted to a subsaturable concentration with albumin for adsorption, neuroblastoma responses changed significantly from those observed on pFN-saturated surfaces, for both spreading and neurite generation: [NH2],[SO3H] much greater than [SH], [SCOCH3] greater than [SiOH],[CH3]. Responses to the pFN: albumin mixture were markedly improved from responses after sequential adsorptions, demonstrating "optimization" of pFN conformation (not merely binding) by coadsorption of albumin molecules. In most cases, the [NH2] surface yielded responses distinctively different from the other surfaces. Overall, these data suggest many variations in the conformation of pFN molecules adsorbed to specific inert surfaces, as well as variations in the responses of cell surface receptors to conformationally specific pFNs. They also reveal cell-type-specific changes in differentiated cell responses on derivatized substrata, mediated by different classes of cell surface receptors for the two cell types, and provide optimism for regulating FN-dependent adhesion mechanisms in either positive or negative contexts on biomaterial surfaces derivatized with one or more of these chemical end-groups.

A fluorescence spectroscopic study of glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli and its implications for the enzyme mechanism

Interaction between Escherichia coli glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase (GlnRS) and its substrates have been studied by fluorescence quenching. In the absence of other substrates, glutamine, tRNA(Gln) and ATP bind with dissociation constants of 460, 0.22 and 180 microM, respectively. The presence of other substrates has either no effect or, at best a weak effect, on binding of ligands. Attempts to isolate enzyme-bound aminoacyl adenylate did not succeed. Binding of the phosphodiester, 5'-(methyl)adenosine monophosphate (MeAMP), to GlnRS was studied by fluorescence quenching and radioactive-ligand binding. tRNA also only has a weak effect on phosphodiester binding. Selectively pyrene-labeled GlnRS was used to obtain shape and size information for free GlnRS. A comparison with the GlnRS shape in the GlnRS/tRNA(Gln) crystal structure indicates that no major change in shape and size occurs upon tRNA(Gln) binding to GlnRS. 5,5'-Bis(8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonate) (bis-ANS), a non-covalent fluorescent probe, was also used to probe for conformational changes in GlnRS. This probe also indicated that no major conformational change occurs upon tRNA(Gln) binding. We conclude that lack of tRNA-independent pyrophosphate-exchange activity in this enzyme is not a result of either lack of glutamine or ATP binding in the absence of tRNA, or formation of aminoacyl adenylate and slow release of pyrophosphate. A conformational change is implied upon tRNA binding, which promotes pyrophosphate exchange. Fluorescence studies indicate that this conformational change must be limited and local in nature.

Models of human platelet thrombospondin in solution. A dynamic light-scattering study

The translational diffusion coefficient (D20,w) of human platelet thrombospondin was measured by dynamic light-scattering. D20,w, measured in 20 mM-Hepes buffer, pH 7.4, containing 350 mM-NaCl and 2 mM-CaCl2, was 1.73(+/- 0.02) x 10(-7) cm2.s-1. After removal of bound Ca2+ by addition of EDTA, D20,w decreased to 1.56(+/- 0.04) x 10(-7) cm2.s-1; this was not a consequence of aggregation. D20,w showed little sensitivity to NaCl concentration between 130 and 550 mM. Through hydrodynamic analysis combining D20,w and other parameters taken from the literature, two major types of models for thrombospondin can be proposed: either classic compact models (i.e. low degree of hydration) such as prolate or oblate ellipsoids with a high axial ratio (greater than 20) or models of low axial ratio made of multiple subunits with significant cavities (i.e. high degree of hydration).