Intracavitary ligand distribution in tear lipocalin by site-directed tryptophan fluorescence

Tear Lipocalin and Lipocalin-Interacting Membrane Receptor

Tear lipocalin is a primate protein that was recognized as a lipocalin from the homology of the primary sequence. The protein is most concentrated in tears and produced by lacrimal glands. Tear lipocalin is also produced in the tongue, pituitary, prostate, and the tracheobronchial tree. Tear lipocalin has been assigned a multitude of functions. The functions of tear lipocalin are inexorably linked to structural characteristics that are often shared by the lipocalin family. These characteristics result in the binding and or transport of a wide range of small hydrophobic molecules. The cavity of tear lipocalin is formed by eight strands (A-H) that are arranged in a β-barrel and are joined by loops between the β-strands. Recently, studies of the solution structure of tear lipocalin have unveiled new structural features such as cation-π interactions, which are extant throughout the lipocalin family. Lipocalin has many unique features that affect ligand specificity. These include a capacious and a flexible cavity with mobile and short overhanging loops. Specific features that confer promiscuity for ligand binding in tear lipocalin will be analyzed. The functions of tear lipocalin include the following: antimicrobial activities, scavenger of toxic and tear disruptive compounds, endonuclease activity, and inhibition of cysteine proteases. In addition, tear lipocalin binds and may modulate lipids in the tears. Such actions support roles as an acceptor for phospholipid transfer protein, heteropolymer formation to alter viscosity, and tear surface interactions. The promiscuous lipid-binding properties of tear lipocalin have created opportunities for its use as a drug carrier. Mutant analogs have been created to bind other molecules such as vascular endothelial growth factor for medicinal use. Tear lipocalin has been touted as a useful biomarker for several diseases including breast cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetic retinopathy, and keratoconus. The functional possibilities of tear lipocalin dramatically expanded when a putative receptor, lipocalin-interacting membrane receptor was identified. However, opposing studies claim that lipocalin-interacting membrane receptor is not specific for lipocalin. A recent study even suggests a different function for the membrane protein. This controversy will be reviewed in light of gene expression data, which suggest that tear lipocalin has a different tissue distribution than the putative receptor. But the data show lipocalin-interacting membrane receptor is expressed on ocular surface epithelium and that a receptor function here would be rational.

Data on Orphan tear lipid analogs, synthesis and binding to tear lipocalin

Data found in this article include the structures of the orphan tear lipids and their analogs that are binding candidates to tear lipocalin, the mass spectrum of products of collision induced dissociation of putative synthesized compounds of synthesized (O-oleoyl)-16 hydroxypalmitic acid. These data and analyses support the research article "Interaction of ceramides and tear lipocalin" Glasgow et al. (2018) [1].

Interaction of ceramides and tear lipocalin

The distribution of lipids in tears is critical to their function. Lipids in human tears may retard evaporation by forming a surface barrier at the air interface. Lipids complexed with the major lipid binding protein in tears, tear lipocalin, reside in the bulk (aqueous) and may have functions unrelated to the surface. Many new lipids species have been revealed through recent mass spectrometric studies. Their association with lipid binding proteins has not been studied. Squalene, (O-acyl) omega-hydroxy fatty acids (OAHFA) and ceramides are examples. Even well-known lipids such as wax and cholesteryl esters are only presumed to be unbound because extracts of protein fractions of tears were devoid of these lipids. Our purpose was to determine by direct binding assays if the aforementioned lipids can bind tear lipocalin. Lipids were screened for ability to displace DAUDA from tear lipocalin in a fluorescence displacement assay. Di- and tri-glycerides, squalene, OAHFA, wax and cholesterol esters did not displace DAUDA from tear lipocalin. However, ceramides displaced DAUDA. Apparent dissociation constants for ceramide-tear lipocalin complexes using fluorescent analogs were measured consistently in the submicromolar range with 3 methods, linear spectral summation, high speed centrifugal precipitation and standard fluorescence assays. At the relatively small concentrations in tears, all ceramides were complexed to tear lipocalin. The lack of binding of di- and tri-glycerides, squalene, OAHFA, as well as wax and cholesterol esters to tear lipocalin is consonant with residence of these lipids near the air interface.

Double tryptophan exciton probe to gauge proximal side chains in proteins: augmentation at low temperature

The circular dichroic (CD) exciton couplet between tryptophans and/or tyrosines offers the potential to probe distances within 10 Å in proteins. The exciton effect has been used with native chromophores in critical positions in a few proteins. Here, site-directed mutagenesis created double tryptophan probes for key sites of a protein (tear lipocalin). For tear lipocalin, the crystal and solution structures are concordant in both apo- and holo-forms. Double tryptophan substitutions were performed at sites that could probe conformation and were likely within 10 Å. Far-UV CD spectra of double Trp mutants were performed with controls that had noninteracting substituted tryptophans. Low temperature (77 K) was tested for augmentation of the exciton signal. Exciton coupling appeared with tryptophan substitutions at positions within loop A-B (28 and 31, 33), between loop A-B (28) and strand G (103 and 105), as well as between the strands B (35) and C (56). The CD exciton couplet signals were amplified 3-5-fold at 77 K. The results were concordant with close distances in crystal and solution structures. The exciton couplets had functional significance and correctly assigned the holo-conformation. The methodology creates an effective probe to identify proximal amino acids in a variety of motifs.

Antibacterial activity of rifamycins for M. smegmatis with comparison of oxidation and binding to tear lipocalin

A mutant of Mycobacterium smegmatis is a potential class I model substitute for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Because not all of the rifamycins have been tested in this organism, we determined bactericidal profiles for the 6 major rifamycin derivatives. The profiles closely mirrored those established for M. tuberculosis. Rifalazil was confirmed to be the most potent rifamycin. Because the tuberculous granuloma presents a harshly oxidizing environment we explored the effects of oxidation on rifamycins. Mass spectrometry confirmed that three of the six major rifamycins showed autoxidation in the presence of trace metals. Oxidation could be monitored by distinctive changes including isosbestic points in the ultraviolet-visible spectrum. Oxidation of rifamycins abrogated anti-mycobacterial activity in M. smegmatis. Protection from autoxidation was conferred by binding susceptible rifamycins to tear lipocalin, a promiscuous lipophilic protein. Rifalazil was not susceptible to autoxidation but was insoluble in aqueous solution. Solubility was enhanced when complexed to tear lipocalin and was accompanied by a spectral red shift. The positive solvatochromism was consistent with robust molecular interaction and binding. Other rifamycins also formed a complex with lipocalin, albeit to a lesser extent. Protection from oxidation and enhancement of solubility with protein binding may have implications for delivery of select rifamycin derivatives.

Ligand binding-dependent functions of the lipocalin NLaz: an in vivo study in Drosophila

Lipocalins are small extracellular proteins mostly described as lipid carriers. The Drosophila lipocalin NLaz (neural Lazarillo) modulates the IIS pathway and regulates longevity, stress resistance, and behavior. Here, we test whether a native hydrophobic pocket structure is required for NLaz to perform its functions. We use a point mutation altering the binding pocket (NLaz(L130R)) and control mutations outside NLaz binding pocket. Tryptophan fluorescence titration reveals that NLaz(L130R) loses its ability to bind ergosterol and the pheromone 7(z)-tricosene but retains retinoic acid binding. Using site-directed transgenesis in Drosophila, we test the functionality of the ligand binding-altered lipocalin at the organism level. NLaz-dependent life span reduction, oxidative stress and starvation sensitivity, aging markers accumulation, and deficient courtship are rescued by overexpression of NLaz(WT), but not of NLaz(L130R). Transcriptional responses to aging and oxidative stress show a large set of age-responsive genes dependent on the integrity of NLaz binding pocket. Inhibition of IIS activity and modulation of oxidative stress and infection-responsive genes are binding pocket-dependent processes. Control of energy metabolites on starvation appears to be, however, insensitive to the modification of the NLaz binding pocket.

A simple model-free method for direct assessment of fluorescent ligand binding by linear spectral summation

Fluorescent tagged ligands are commonly used to determine binding to proteins. However, bound and free ligand concentrations are not directly determined. Instead the response in a fluorescent ligand titration experiment is considered to be proportional to the extent of binding and, therefore, the maximum value of binding is scaled to the total protein concentration. Here, a simple model-free method is presented to be performed in two steps. In the first step, normalized bound and free spectra of the ligand are determined. In the second step, these spectra are used to fit composite spectra as the sum of individual components or linear spectral summation. Using linear spectral summation, free and bound 1-Anilinonaphthalene-8-Sulfonic Acid (ANS) fluorescent ligand concentrations are directly calculated to determine ANS binding to tear lipocalin (TL), an archetypical ligand binding protein. Error analysis shows that the parameters that determine bound and free ligand concentrations were recovered with high certainty. The linear spectral summation method is feasible when fluorescence intensity is accompanied by a spectral shift upon protein binding. Computer simulations of the experiments of ANS binding to TL indicate that the method is feasible when the fluorescence spectral shift between bound and free forms of the ligand is just 8 nm. Ligands tagged with environmentally sensitive fluorescent dyes, e.g., dansyl chromophore, are particularly suitable for this method.

Siderocalins: Siderophore binding proteins evolved for primary pathogen host defense

Bacterial pathogens use siderophores to obtain iron from the host in order to survive and grow. The host defends against siderophore-mediated iron acquisition by producing siderocalins. Siderocalins are a siderophore binding subset of the lipocalin family of proteins. The design of the siderophore binding pocket gives siderocalins the ability to bind a wide variety of siderophores and protect the host against several pathogens. Siderocalins have been identified in humans, chickens, and quail, among other animals. The differences in the respective siderocalins suggest that each was developed in response to the most serious pathogens encountered by that animal. Additionally, siderocalins have been observed in many roles unrelated to pathogen defense including differentiation, embryogenesis, inflammation, and cancer.

Wax-tear and meibum protein, wax-β-carotene interactions in vitro using infrared spectroscopy

Protein-meibum and terpenoids-meibum lipid interactions could be important in the etiology of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and dry eye symptoms. In the current model studies, attenuated total reflectance (ATR) infrared (IR) spectroscopy was used to determine if the terpenoid β-carotene and the major proteins in tears and meibum affect the hydrocarbon chain conformation and carbonyl environment of wax, an abundant component of meibum. The main finding of these studies is that mucin binding to wax disordered slightly the conformation of the hydrocarbon chains of wax and caused the wax carbonyls to become hydrogen bonded or experience a more hydrophilic environment. Lysozyme and lactoglobulin, two proteins shown to bind to monolayers of meibum, did not have such an effect. Keratin and β-carotene did not affect the fluidity (viscosity) or environment of the carbonyl moieties of wax. Based on these results, tetraterpenoids are not likely to influence the structure of meibum in the meibomian glands. In addition, these findings suggest that it is unlikely that keratin blocks meibomian glands by causing the meibum to become more viscous. Among the tear fluid proteins studied, mucin is the most likely to influence the conformation and carbonyl environment of meibum at the tear film surface.

Cation-π interactions in lipocalins: structural and functional implications

The cation-π interaction impacts protein folding, structural stability, specificity, and molecular recognition. Cation-π interactions have been overlooked in the lipocalin family. To fill this gap, these interactions were analyzed in the 113 crystal and solution structures from the lipocalin family. The cation-π interactions link previously identified structurally conserved regions and reveal new motifs, which are beyond the reach of a sequence alignment algorithm. Functional and structural significance of the interactions were tested experimentally in human tear lipocalin (TL). TL, a prominent and promiscuous lipocalin, has a key role in lipid binding at the ocular surface. Ligand binding modulation through the loop AB at the "open" end of the barrel has been erroneously attributed solely to electrostatic interactions. Data revealed that the interloop cation-π interaction in the pair Phe28-Lys108 contributes significantly to stabilize the holo-conformation of the loop AB. Numerous energetically significant and conserved cation-π interactions were uncovered in TL and throughout the lipocalin family. Cation-π interactions, such as the highly conserved Trp17-Arg118 pair in TL, were educed in low temperature experiments of mutants with Trp to Tyr substitutions.

Tear lipocalin: structure and function

Lipocalins are a family of diverse low molecular weight proteins that act extracellularly. They use multiple recognition properties that include 1) ligand binding to small hydrophobic molecules, 2) macromolecular complexation with other soluble macromolecules, and 3) binding to specific cell surface receptors to deliver cargo. Tear lipocalin (TLC) is a major protein in tears and has a large ligand-binding cavity that allows the lipocalin to bind an extensive and diverse set of lipophilic molecules. TLC can also bind to macromolecules, including the tear proteins lactoferin and lysozyme. The receptor to which TLC binds is termed tear lipocalin-interacting membrane receptor (LIMR). LIMR appears to work by endocytosis. TLC has a variety of suggested functions in tears, including regulation of tear viscosity, binding and release of lipids, endonuclease inactivation of viral DNA, binding of microbial siderophores (iron chelators used to deliver essential iron to bacteria), serving as a biomarker for dry eye, and possessing anti-inflammatory activity. Additional research is warranted to determine the actual functions of TLC in tears and the presence of its receptor on the ocular surface.

The conserved disulfide bond of human tear lipocalin modulates conformation and lipid binding in a ligand selective manner

The primary aim of this study is the elucidation of the mechanism of disulfide induced alteration of ligand binding in human tear lipocalin (TL). Disulfide bonds may act as dynamic scaffolds to regulate conformational changes that alter protein function including receptor-ligand interactions. A single disulfide bond, (Cys61-Cys153), exists in TL that is highly conserved in the lipocalin superfamily. Circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopies were applied to investigate the mechanism by which disulfide bond removal effects protein stability, dynamics and ligand binding properties. Although the secondary structure is not altered by disulfide elimination, TL shows decreased stability against urea denaturation. Free energy change (ΔG(0)) decreases from 4.9±0.2 to 2.1±0.3kcal/mol with removal of the disulfide bond. Furthermore, ligand binding properties of TL without the disulfide vary according to the type of ligand. The binding of a bulky ligand, NBD-cholesterol, has a decreased time constant (from 11.8±0.2 to 3.3s). In contrast, the NBD-labeled phospholipid shows a moderate decrease in the time constant for binding, from 33.2±0.2 to 22.2±0.4s. FRET experiments indicate that the hairpin CD is directly involved in modulation of both ligand binding and flexibility of TL. In TL complexed with palmitic acid (PA-TL), the distance between the residues 62 of strand D and 81 of loop EF is decreased by disulfide bond reduction. Consequently, removal of the disulfide bond boosts flexibility of the protein to reach a CD-EF loop distance (24.3Å, between residues 62 and 81), which is not accessible for the protein with an intact disulfide bond (26.2Å). The results suggest that enhanced flexibility of the protein promotes a faster accommodation of the ligand inside the cavity and an energetically favorable ligand-protein complex.

Excited protein states of human tear lipocalin for low- and high-affinity ligand binding revealed by functional AB loop motion

Human tear lipocalin (TL), a prominent member of lipocalin family, exhibits functional and structural promiscuity. The plasticity of loop regions modulates entry to the ligand pocket at the "open" end of the eight-stranded beta-barrel. Site-directed multi-distance measurements using fluorescence resonance energy transfer between functional loops register two excited protein states for low- and high-affinity ligand binding. At low pH, the longest loop AB adopts the conformation of the low-affinity excited protein state that matches the crystal structure of holo-TL at pH 8. A "crankshaft" like movement is detected for the loop AB in a low pH transition. At pH 7.3 the holo-protein assumes a high-affinity excited protein state, in which the loop AB is more compact (RMS=3.1A). In the apo-holo transition, the reporter Trp 28 moves about 4.5A that reflects a decrease in distance between Glu27 and Lys108. This interaction fixes the loop AB conformation for the high-affinity mode. No such movement is detected at low pH, where Glu27 is protonated. Data strongly indicate that the protonation state of Glu27 modulates the conformation of the loop AB for high- and low-affinity binding.

Tear lipocalin captures exogenous lipid from abnormal corneal surfaces

Purpose. The cornea is protected by apical hydrophilic transmembrane mucins and tears. In pathologic states the mucin barrier is disrupted, creating potential for meibomian lipids to adhere more strongly. Undisplaced lipids create an unwettable surface. The hypothesis that pathologic ocular surfaces alter lipid binding and the ability of tear proteins to remove lipids was tested. Methods. Corneas with pathologic surfaces were studied for lipid adhesion and removal by tears. Capture of fluorescence-labeled phospholipids by human tears was assessed by steady state fluorometry. Tear proteins were separated by gel filtration chromatography and analyzed for bound lipids. Results. Contact angle measurements revealed strong lipid adherence to corneas submerged in buffer. Lower contact angles are observed for lipids on completely de-epithelialized corneas compared with intact corneas (P = 0.04). Lipid removal from these surfaces is greater with whole tears than with tears depleted of tear lipocalin (P < 0.0005). Significantly fewer lipids are captured by tears from Bowman's layer than from epithelial-bearing surfaces (P < 0.025). The only tear component to bind the fluorescence-tagged lipid is tear lipocalin. The histology of a rare case of dry eye disease demonstrates the dominant features of contemporaneous bullous keratopathy. Lipid sequestration from this cornea by tear lipocalin was robust. Conclusions. Lipid is captured by tear lipocalin from corneas with bullous keratopathy and dry eye. Lipid removal is slightly abrogated by greater lipid adhesion to Bowman's layer. Reduced secretion of tear lipocalin documented in dry eye disease could hamper lipid removal and exacerbate ocular surface pathology.

pH-Dependent conformational changes in tear lipocalin by site-directed tryptophan fluorescence

Tear lipocalin (TL), a major protein of human tears, binds a broad array of endogenous ligands. pH-dependent ligand binding in TL may have functional implications in tears. Previously, conformational selections of the AB and GH loops have been implicated in ligand binding by site-directed tryptophan fluorescence (SDTF). In this study, SDTF was applied to the AB and GH loops to investigate pH-driven conformational changes relevant to ligand binding. Both loops demonstrate significant but distinct conformational rearrangements over a wide pH range. In the low-pH transition, from 7.3 to 3.0, residues of the GH loop exhibit decreased solvent accessibilities. In acrylamide quenching experiments, the average quenching rate constant (k(q), accessibility parameter) of the residues in the GH loop is decreased approximately 38%, from 2.1 x 10(9) to 1.3 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1). However, despite the significant changes in accessibilities for some residues in the AB loop, the average accessibility per residue remained unchanged (average k(q) = 1.2 M(-1) s(-1)). Accordingly, the low-pH transition induces conformational changes that reshuffle the accessibility profiles of the residues in the AB loop. A significant difference in the titration curves between the holo and apo forms of the W28 mutant suggests that the protonation states of the residues around position 28 modulate conformational switches of the AB loop relevant to ligand binding.