AlphaA-crystallin interacting regions in the small heat shock protein, alphaB-crystallin

Effect of Structural Changes Induced by Deletion of 54FLRAPSWF61 Sequence in αB-crystallin on Chaperone Function and Anti-Apoptotic Activity

Previously, we showed that the removal of the 54-61 residues from αB-crystallin (αBΔ54-61) results in a fifty percent reduction in the oligomeric mass and a ten-fold increase in chaperone-like activity. In this study, we investigated the oligomeric organization changes in the deletion mutant contributing to the increased chaperone activity and evaluated the cytoprotection properties of the mutant protein using ARPE-19 cells. Trypsin digestion studies revealed that additional tryptic cleavage sites become susceptible in the deletion mutant than in the wild-type protein, suggesting a different subunit organization in the oligomer of the mutant protein. Static and dynamic light scattering analyses of chaperone-substrate complexes showed that the deletion mutant has more significant interaction with the substrates than wild-type protein, resulting in increased binding of the unfolding proteins. Cytotoxicity studies carried out with ARPE-19 cells showed an enhancement in anti-apoptotic activity in αBΔ54-61 as compared with the wild-type protein. The improved anti-apoptotic activity of the mutant is also supported by reduced caspase activation and normalization of the apoptotic cascade components level in cells treated with the deletion mutant. Our study suggests that altered oligomeric assembly with increased substrate affinity could be the basis for the enhanced chaperone function of the αBΔ54-61 protein.

The impact of different mutations at arginine141 on the structure, subunit exchange dynamics and chaperone activity of Hsp16.3

Hsp16.3, a molecular chaperone, plays a vital role in the growth and survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis inside the host. We previously reported that deletion of three amino acid residues (¹⁴² STN¹⁴⁴ ) from C-terminal extension (CTE) of Hsp16.3 triggers its structural perturbation and increases its chaperone activity, which reaches its apex upon the deletion of its entire CTE (¹⁴¹ RSTN¹⁴⁴ ). Thus, we hypothesized that Arg141 (R141) and Ser142 (S142) in the CTE of Hsp16.3 possibly hold the key in maintaining its native-like structure and chaperone activity. To test this hypothesis, we generated two deletion mutants in which R141 and S142 were deleted individually (Hsp16.3ΔR141 and Hsp16.3ΔS142) and three substitution mutants in which R141 was replaced by lysine (Hsp16.3R141K), alanine (Hsp16.3R141A), and glutamic acid (Hsp16.3R141E), respectively. Hsp16.3ΔS142 or Hsp16.3R141K mutant has native-like structure and chaperone activity. Deletion of R141 from the CTE (Hsp16.3ΔR141) perturbs the secondary and tertiary structure, lowers the subunit exchange dynamics and decreases the chaperone activity of Hsp16.3. But, the substitution of R141 with alanine (Hsp16.3R141A) or glutamic acid (Hsp16.3R141E) perturbs its secondary and tertiary structure. Surprisingly, such charge tampering of R141 enhances the subunit exchange dynamics and chaperone activity of Hsp16.3. Interestingly, neither the deletion of R141/S142 nor the substitution of R141 with lysine, alanine and glutamic acid affects the oligomeric mass/size of Hsp16.3. Overall, our study suggests that R141 (especially the positive charge on R141) plays a crucial role in maintaining the native-like structure as well as in regulating subunit exchange dynamics and chaperone activity of Hsp16.3.

Drosophila Hsp67Bc hot-spot variants alter muscle structure and function

The Drosophila Hsp67Bc gene encodes a protein belonging to the small heat-shock protein (sHSP) family, identified as the nearest functional ortholog of human HSPB8. The most prominent activity of sHSPs is preventing the irreversible aggregation of various non-native polypeptides. Moreover, they are involved in processes such as development, aging, maintenance of the cytoskeletal architecture and autophagy. In larval muscles Hsp67Bc localizes to the Z- and A-bands, which suggests its role as part of the conserved chaperone complex required for Z-disk maintenance. In addition, Hsp67Bc is present at neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), which implies its involvement in the maintenance of NMJ structure. Here, we report the effects of muscle-target overexpression of Drosophila Hsp67Bc hot-spot variants Hsp67BcR126E and Hsp67BcR126N mimicking pathogenic variants of human HSPB8. Depending on the substitutions, we observed a different impact on muscle structure and performance. Expression of Hsp67BcR126E affects larval motility, which may be caused by impairment of mitochondrial respiratory function and/or by NMJ abnormalities manifested by a decrease in the number of synaptic boutons. In contrast, Hsp67BcR126N appears to be an aggregate-prone variant, as reflected in excessive accumulation of mutant proteins and the formation of large aggregates with a lesser impact on muscle structure and performance compared to the Hsp67BcR126E variant.

Human alpha A-crystallin missing N-terminal domain poorly complexes with filensin and phakinin

The aim of this study was to determine relative importance of N-terminal domain and C-terminal extension of αA-crystallin during their in vitro complex formation with phakinin and filensin (the two lens-specific intermediate filament [IF] proteins). Cloned phakinin, filensin and vimentin were purified under a denaturing conditions by consecutive DEAE-cellulose-, hydroxyapatite- and Sephadex G-75-column chromatographic methods. WTαA-crystallin, αA-NT (N-terminal domain [residue number 1-63])-deleted and αA-CT (C-terminal terminal extension [residue number 140-173]-deleted), were cloned in pET 100 TOPO vector, expressed in BL-21 (DE3) cells using 1% IPTG, and purified using a Ni²⁺-affinity column. The following two in vitro methods were used to determine complex formation of WT-αA, αA-NT, or αA-CT with phakinin, filensin or both phakinin plus filensin together: an ultracentrifugation sedimentation (centrifugation at 80,000 × g for 30 min at 20 °C) followed by SDS-PAGE analysis, and an electron microscopic analysis. In the first method, the individual control proteins (WT-αA, αA-NT and αA-CT crystallin species) remained in the supernatant fractions whereas phakinin, filensin, and vimentin were recovered in the pellet fractions. On complex formation by individual WT-αA-, αA-NT or αA-CT-species with filensin, phakinin or both phakinin and filensin, WT-αA and αA-CT were recovered in the pellet fraction with phakinin, filensin or both filensin and phakinin, whereas αA-NT remained mostly in the supernatant, suggesting its poor complex formation property. EM-studies showed filamentous structure formation between WT-αA and αA-CT with phakinin or filensin, or with both filensin and phakinin together but relatively poor filamentous structures with αA-NT. Together, the results suggest that the N-terminal domain of αA-crystallin is required during in vitro complex formation with filensin and phakinin.

Multidimensional significance of crystallin protein-protein interactions and their implications in various human diseases

BACKGROUND

Crystallins are the important structural and functional proteins in the eye lens responsible for refractive index. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) and mutations are major causative factors that affect crystallin structural conformation and functional characteristics thus playing a vital role in the etiology of cataractogenesis.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

The significance of crystallin protein-protein interactions (PPIs) in the lens and non-lenticular tissues is summarized.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

Aberrancy of PPIs between crystallin, its associated protein and metal ions has been accomplished in various human diseases including cataract. A detailed account on multidimensional structural and functional significance of crystallin PPI in humans must be brought into limelight, in order to understand the biochemical and molecular basis augmenting the aberrancies of such interaction. In this scenario, the present review is focused to shed light on studies which will aid to expand our present understanding on disease pathogenesis related to loss of PPI thereby paving the way for putative future therapeutic targets to curb such diseases.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

The interactions with α-crystallins always aid to protect their structural and functional characteristics. The up-regulation of αB-crystallin in the non-lenticular tissues always decodes as biomarker for various stress related disorders. For better understanding and treatment of various diseases, PPI studies provide overall outline about the structural and functional characteristics of the proteins. This information not only helps to find out the route of cataractogenesis but also aid to identify potential molecules to inhibit/prevent the further development of such complicated phenomenon. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Crystallin Biochemistry in Health and Disease.

The αA66-80 peptide interacts with soluble α-crystallin and induces its aggregation and precipitation: a contribution to age-related cataract formation

Formation of protein aggregates in the aging eye lens has been shown to correlate with progressive accumulation of specific low-molecular weight (LMW) peptides derived from crystallins. Prominent among the LMW fragments is αA66-80, a peptide derived from αA-crystallin and present at higher concentrations in the water-insoluble nuclear fractions of the aging lens. The αA66-80 peptide has amyloid-like properties and preferentially insolubilizes α-crystallin from soluble lens fractions. However, the specific interactions and mechanisms by which the peptide induces α-crystallin aggregation have not been delineated. To gain insight into the mechanisms of peptide-induced aggregation, we investigated the interactions of the peptide with α-crystallin by various biochemical approaches. The peptide weakens α-crystallin chaperone ability and drastically promotes α-crystallin aggregation via the formation of insoluble peptide-protein complexes through transient intermediates. 4,4'-Dianilino-1,1'-binaphthyl-5,5'-disulfonic acid studies suggest that the peptide induces changes in the hydrophobicity of α-crystallin that could trigger the formation and growth of aggregates. The peptide-α-crystallin aggregates were found to be resistant to dissociation by high ionic strengths, whereas guanidinium hydrochloride and urea were effective dissociating agents. We conclude that the αA66-80 peptide forms a hydrophobically driven, stable complex with α-crystallin and reduces its solubility. Using isotope-labeled chemical cross-linking and mass spectrometry, we show that the peptide binds to multiple sites, including the chaperone site, the C-terminal extension, and subunit interaction sites in αB-crystallin, which may explain the antichaperone property of the peptide and the consequential age-related accumulation of aggregated proteins. Thus, the α-crystallin-derived peptide could play a role in the pathogenesis of cataract formation in the aging lens.

Self-assembly of protein aggregates in ageing disorders: the lens and cataract model

Cataract, neurodegenerative disease, macular degeneration and pathologies of ageing are often characterized by the slow progressive destabilization of proteins and their self-assembly to amyloid-like fibrils and aggregates. During normal cell differentiation, protein self-assembly is well established as a dynamic mechanism for cytoskeletal organization. With the increased emphasis on ageing disorders, there is renewed interest in small-molecule regulators of protein self-assembly. Synthetic peptides, mini-chaperones, aptamers, ATP and pantethine reportedly regulate self-assembly mechanisms involving small stress proteins, represented by human αB-crystallin, and their targets. Small molecules are being considered for direct application as molecular therapeutics to protect against amyloid and protein aggregation disorders in ageing cells and tissues in vivo. The identification of specific interactive peptide sites for effective regulation of protein self-assembly is underway using conventional and innovative technologies. The quantification of the functional interactions between small stress proteins and their targets in vivo remains a top research priority. The quantitative parameters controlling protein-protein interactions in vivo need characterization to understand the fundamental biology of self-assembling systems in normal cells and disorders of ageing.

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.

Evidence for specific subunit distribution and interactions in the quaternary structure of alpha-crystallin

The quaternary structure of alpha-crystallin is dynamic, a property which has thwarted crystallographic efforts towards structural characterization. In this study, we have used collision-induced dissociation mass spectrometry to examine the architecture of the polydisperse assemblies of alpha-crystallin. For total alpha-crystallin isolated directly from fetal calf lens using size-based chromatography, the alphaB-crystallin subunit was found to be preferentially dissociated from the oligomers, despite being significantly less abundant overall than the alphaA-crystallin subunits. Furthermore, upon mixing molar equivalents of purified alphaA- and alphaB-crystallin, the levels of their dissociation were found to decrease and increase, respectively, with time. Interestingly though, dissociation of subunits from the alphaA- and alphaB-crystallin homo-oligomers was comparable, indicating that strength of the alphaA:alphaA, and alphaB:alphaB subunit interactions are similar. Taken together, these data suggest that the differences in the number of subunit contacts in the mixed assemblies give rise to the disproportionate dissociation of alphaB-crystallin subunits. Limited proteolysis mass spectrometry was also used to examine changes in protease accessibility during subunit exchange. The C-terminus of alphaA-crystallin was more susceptible to proteolytic attack in homo-oligomers than that of alphaB-crystallin. As subunit exchange proceeded, proteolysis of the alphaA-crystallin C-terminus increased, indicating that in the hetero-oligomeric form this tertiary motif is more exposed to solvent. These data were used to propose a refined arrangement for the interactions of the alpha-crystallin domains and C-terminal extensions of subunits within the alpha-crystallin assembly. In particular, we propose that the palindromic IPI motif of alphaB-crystallin gives rise to two orientations of the C-terminus.

The pivotal role of the beta 7 strand in the intersubunit contacts of different human small heat shock proteins

Human alpha B-crystallin and small heat shock proteins HspB6 and HspB8 were mutated so that all endogenous Cys residues were replaced by Ser and the single Cys residue was inserted in a position homologous to that of Cys137 of human HspB1, i.e. in a position presumably located in the central part of beta 7 strand of the alpha-crystallin domain. The secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures of thus obtained Cys-mutants as well as their chaperone-like activity were similar to those of their wild-type counterparts. Mild oxidation of Cys-mutants leads to formation of disulfide bond crosslinking neighboring monomers thus indicating participation of the beta 7 strand in intersubunit interaction. Oxidation weakly affects the secondary and tertiary structure, does not affect the quaternary structure of alpha B-crystallin and HspB6, and shifts equilibrium between monomer and dimer of HspB8 towards dimer formation. It is concluded that the beta 7 strand participates in the intersubunit interaction of four human small heat shock proteins (alpha B-crystallin, HspB1, HspB6, HspB8) having different structure of beta2 strand of alpha-crystallin domain and different length and composition of variable N- and C-terminal tails.

Deletion of (54)FLRAPSWF(61) residues decreases the oligomeric size and enhances the chaperone function of alphaB-crystallin

AlphaB-crystallin is a member of the small heat shock protein family and is known to have chaperone activity. Using a peptide scan approach, we previously determined that regions 42-57, 60-71, and 88-123 in alphaB-crystallin interact with alphaA-crystallin during heterooligomer formation. To further characterize the significance of the N-terminal domain of alphaB-crystallin, we prepared a deletion mutant that lacks residues (54)FLRAPSWF(61) (alphaBDelta54-61) and found that the absence of residues 54-61 in alphaB-crystallin significantly decreased the homooligomeric mass of alphaB-crystallin. The average oligomeric mass of wild-type alphaB-crystallin and of alphaBDelta54-61, calculated using multiangle light scattering, was 624 and 382 kDa, respectively. The mutant subunits aggregate to form smaller, less-compact oligomers with a 4-fold increase in subunit exchange rate. Deletion of the 54-61 region resulted in a 50% decrease in intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence. The alphaBDelta54-61 mutant showed a 2-fold increase in 1,1'-bi(4-anilino)naphthalene-5,5'-disulfonic acid (bis-ANS) binding as compared to the wild-type protein, suggesting increased hydrophobicity of the mutant protein. Accompanying the evidence of increased hydrophobicity in the deletion mutant was a 10-fold increase in antiaggregation activity. Homooligomers of 6HalphaA (750 kDa) readily exchanged subunits with alphaBDelta54-61 homooligomers at 37 degrees C, forming heterooligomers with an intermediate mass of 625 kDa. Our data suggest that residues (54)FLRAPSWF(61) contribute to the higher order assembly of alphaB-crystallin oligomers. Residues (54)FLRAPSWF(61) in alphaB-crystallin are not essential for target protein binding during chaperone action, but this region apparently has a role in the chaperone activity of native alphaB-crystallin.

Lens aging: effects of crystallins

The primary function of the eye lens is to focus light on the retina. The major proteins in the lens--alpha, beta, and gamma-crystallins--are constantly subjected to age-related changes such as oxidation, deamidation, truncation, glycation, and methylation. Such age-related modifications are cumulative and affect crystallin structure and function. With time, the modified crystallins aggregate, causing the lens to increasingly scatter light on the retina instead of focusing light on it and causing the lens to lose its transparency gradually and become opaque. Age-related lens opacity, or cataract, is the major cause of blindness worldwide. We review deamidation, and glycation that occur in the lenses during aging keeping in mind the structural and functional changes that these modifications bring about in the proteins. In addition, we review proteolysis and discuss recent observations on how crystallin fragments generated in vivo, through their anti-chaperone activity may cause crystallin aggregation in aging lenses. We also review hyperbaric oxygen treatment induced guinea pig and 'humanized' ascorbate transporting mouse models as suitable options for studies on age-related changes in lens proteins.

Structural and functional roles of deamidation and/or truncation of N- or C-termini in human alpha A-crystallin

The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of deamidation alone, truncation alone, or both truncation and deamidation on structural and functional properties of human lens alphaA-crystallin. Specifically, the study investigated whether deamidation of one or two sites in alphaA-crystallin (i.e., alphaA-N101D, alphaA-N123D, alphaA-N101/123D) and/or truncation of the N-terminal domain (residues 1-63) or C-terminal extension (residues 140-173) affected the structural and functional properties relative to wild-type (WT) alphaA. Human WT-alphaA and human deamidated alphaA (alphaA-N101D, alphaA-N123D, alphaA-N101/123D) were used as templates to generate the following eight N-terminal domain (residues 1-63) deleted or C-terminal extension (residues 140-173) deleted alphaA mutants and deamidated plus N-terminal domain or C-terminal extension deleted mutants: (i) alphaA-NT (NT, N-terminal domain deleted), (ii) alphaA-N101D-NT, (iii) alphaA-N123D-NT, (iv) alphaA-N101/123D-NT, (v) alphaA-CT (CT, C-terminal extension deleted), (vi) alphaA-N101D-CT, (vii) alphaA-N123D-CT, and (viii) alphaA-N101/123D-CT. All of the proteins were purified and their structural and functional (chaperone activity) properties determined. The desired deletions in the alphaA-crystallin mutants were confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometric analysis. Relative to WT-alphaA homomers, the mutant proteins exhibited major structural and functional changes. The maximum decrease in chaperone activity in homomers occurred on deamidation of N123 residue, but it was substantially restored after N- or C-terminal truncations in this mutant protein. Far-UV circular dichroism (CD) spectral analyses generally showed an increase in the beta-contents in alphaA mutants with deletions of N-terminal domain or C-terminal extension and also with deamidation plus above N- or C-terminal deletions. Intrinsic tryptophan (Trp) and total fluorescence spectral studies suggested altered microenvironments in the alphaA mutant proteins. Similarly, the ANS (8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfate) binding showed generally increased fluorescence with blue shift on deletion of the N-terminal domain in the deamidated mutant proteins, but opposite effects were observed on deletion of the C-terminal extension. Molecular mass, polydispersity of homomers, and the rate of subunit exchange with WT-alphaB-crystallin increased on deletion of the C-terminal extension in the deamidated alphaA mutants, but on N-terminal domain deletion these values showed variable results based on the deamidation site. In summary, the data suggested that the deamidation alone showed greater effect on chaperone activity than the deletion of N-terminal domain or C-terminal extension of alphaA-crystallin. The N123 residue of alphaA-crystallin plays a crucial role in maintaining its chaperone function. However, both the N-terminal domain and C-terminal extension are also important for the chaperone activity of alphaA-crystallin because the activity was partially or fully recovered following either deletion in the alphaA-N123D mutant. The results of subunit exchange rates among alphaA mutants and WT-alphaB suggested that such exchange is an important determinant in maintenance of chaperone activity following deamidation and/or deletion of the N-terminal domain or C-terminal extension in alphaA-crystallin.

Significance of interactions of low molecular weight crystallin fragments in lens aging and cataract formation

Analysis of aged and cataract lenses shows the presence of increased amounts of crystallin fragments in the high molecular weight aggregates of water-soluble and water-insoluble fractions. However, the significance of accumulation and interaction of low molecular weight crystallin fragments in aging and cataract development is not clearly understood. In this study, 23 low molecular mass (<3.5-kDa) peptides in the urea-soluble fractions of young, aged, and aged cataract human lenses were identified by mass spectroscopy. Two peptides, alphaB-(1-18) (MDIAIHHPWIRRPFFPFH) and betaA3/A1-(59-74) (SD(N)AYHIERLMSFRPIC), present in aged and cataract lens but not young lens, and a third peptide, gammaS-(167-178) (SPAVQSFRRIVE) present in all three lens groups were synthesized to study the effects of interaction of these peptides with intact alpha-, beta-, and gamma-crystallins and alcohol dehydrogenase, a protein used in aggregation studies. Interaction of alphaB-(1-18) and betaA3/A1-(59-74) peptides increased the scattering of light by beta- and gamma-crystallin and alcohol dehydrogenase. The ability of alpha-crystallin subunits to function as molecular chaperones was significantly reduced by interaction with alphaB-(1-18) and betaA3/A1-(59-74) peptides, whereas gammaS peptide had no effect on chaperone-like activity of alpha-crystallin. The betaA3/A1-(59-74 peptide caused a 5.64-fold increase in alphaB-crystallin oligomeric mass and partial precipitation. Replacing hydrophobic residues in alphaB-(1-18) and betaA3/A1-(59-74) peptides abolished their ability to induce crystallin aggregation and light scattering. Our study suggests that interaction of crystallin-derived peptides with intact crystallins could be a key event in age-related protein aggregation in lens and cataractogenesis.

Chemical modulation of the chaperone function of human alphaA-crystallin

alphaA-crystallin is abundant in the lens of the eye and acts as a molecular chaperone by preventing aggregation of denaturing proteins. We previously found that chemical modification of the guanidino group of selected arginine residues by a metabolic alpha-dicarbonyl compound, methylglyoxal (MGO), makes human alphaA-crystallin a better chaperone. Here, we examined how the introduction of additional guanidino groups and modification by MGO influence the structure and chaperone function of alphaA-crystallin. alphaA-crystallin lysine residues were converted to homoarginine by guanidination with o-methylisourea (OMIU) and then modified with MGO. LC-ESI-mass spectrometry identified homoargpyrimidine and homohydroimidazolone adducts after OMIU and MGO treatment. Treatment with 0.25 M OMIU abolished most of the chaperone function. However, subsequent treatment with 1.0 mM MGO not only restored the chaperone function but increased it by approximately 40% and approximately 60% beyond that of unmodified alphaA-crystallin, as measured with citrate synthase and insulin aggregation assays, respectively. OMIU treatment reduced the surface hydrophobicity but after MGO treatment, it was approximately 39% higher than control. FRET analysis revealed that alphaA-crystallin subunit exchange rate was markedly retarded by OMIU modification, but was enhanced after MGO modification. These results indicate a pattern of loss and gain of chaperone function within the same protein that is associated with introduction of guanidino groups and their neutralization. These findings support our hypothesis that positively charged guanidino group on arginine residues keeps the chaperone function of alphaA-crystallin in check and that a metabolic alpha-dicarbonyl compound neutralizes this charge to restore and enhance chaperone function.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer study of subunit exchange in human lens crystallins and congenital cataract crystallin mutants

Lens alpha-crystallin is an oligomeric protein with a molecular mass of 500-1000 kDa and a polydispersed assembly. It consists of two types of subunits, alphaA and alphaB, each with a molecular mass of 20 kDa. The subunits also form homo-oligomers in some other tissues and in vitro. Their quaternary structures, which are dynamic and characterized by subunit exchange, have been studied by many techniques, including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and mass spectrometry analysis. The proposed mechanism of subunit exchange has been either by dissociation/association of monomeric subunits or by rapid equilibrium between oligomers and suboligomers. To explore the nature of subunit exchange further, we performed additional FRET measurements and analyses using a fluorescent dye-labeled W9F alphaA-crystallin as the acceptor probe and Trp in other crystallins (wild-type and R116C alphaA, wild-type and R120G alphaB, wild-type and Q155* betaB2) as the donor probe and calculated the transfer efficiency, Förster distance, and average distance between two probes. The results indicate only slight decreased efficiency and increased distance between two probes for the R116C alphaA and R120G alphaB mutations despite conformational changes.

Domain Interaction Sites of Human Lens βB2-Crystallin

betaB2-crystallin, the major component of beta-crystallin, is a dimer at low concentrations but can form oligomers under physiological conditions. The interaction domains have been speculated to be the beta-sheets, each of which is formed by two or more beta-strands. betaB2-crystallin consists of 16 beta-strands, 8 in the N-terminal domain and 8 in the C-terminal domain. Domain interaction sites may be removed by destroying the beta-strands, which can be done by site-specific mutations, substituting the beta-formers (Val, Phe, Leu) with Glu or Asn, strong beta-breakers. We have cloned the following beta-strand-deleted mutants, I20E, L34E, V54E, V60E, V73E, L97E, I109E, I124E, V144E, V152E, L162E, L165E, and V187E and their corresponding X --> Asn mutants. We also made two mutants, V46E and V129E, that were not on the beta-strand as controls. Disruption of protein-protein interactions was screened by a mammalian two-hybrid system assay. Protein-protein interactions decreased for all beta-strand-deleted mutants except I20E, L34E, and L162E mutants; this effect was not seen in the two mutant controls, V46E and V129E. The sequences around Val-54, Val-60, Val-73, and Leu-97 in the N-terminal region and Ile-109, Ile-124, Val-144, Val-152, Leu-165, and Val-187 in the C-terminal region that formed beta-strands appear to be important in dimerization. Some selected mutant proteins that showed strong (V46E and V129E) and reduced (V60E, V144E, V60N, and V144N) interactions were expressed in bacterial culture and were studied with spectroscopy and chromatography. The V60E and V144E mutants were found to be partially unfolded and incapable of forming a complete dimer.

Identification of a highly conserved pro-gly doublet in non-animal small heat shock proteins and characterization of its structural and functional roles in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Hsp 16.3

Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are highly divergent in primary sequences, with short conserved motifs found in various subfamilies. Here a Pro-Gly doublet was found to be conserved in most non-animal sHSPs by sequence analysis of a total of 344 unique sHSPs (covering the subfamilies: bacterial class A, bacterial class B, archae, fungi, plant, and animal) placed in data banks. In contrast, the residues corresponding to this Pro-Gly doublet in most of animal sHSPs are often charged. Site-directed mutagenesis studies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Hsp16.3 replacing the Gly (at position 59) residue by Cys or Trp demonstrate that this Gly is likely involved in subunit interactions, which is consistent with that in Methanococcus jannaschii Hsp16.5 and wheat Hsp16.9. Our data suggest that this Pro-Gly doublet in Hsp16.3 is not directly involved in binding of denatured substrate proteins, whereas the corresponding charged residues in bovine alpha-crystallin were instead proposed before to be involved in substrate binding. These observations indicate that the highly conserved Pro-Gly doublet is critical to discriminate between non-animal and animal sHSPs.