The fourth EF-hand of calmodulin and its helix-loop-helix components: impact on calcium binding and enzyme activation

Allostery in Orai1 binding to calmodulin revealed from conformational thermodynamics

Here, we study microscopic mechanism of complex formation between Ca²⁺-bound calmodulin (holoCaM) and Orai1 that regulates Ca²⁺-dependent inactivation process in eukaryotic cells. We compute conformational thermodynamic changes in holoCaM with respect to complex of Orai1 bound to C-terminal domain of holoCaM using histograms of dihedral angles of the proteins over trajectories from molecular dynamics simulations. Our analysis shows that the N-terminal domain residues L4, T5, Q41, N42, T44 and E67 of holoCaM get destabilized and disordered due to Orai1 binding to C-terminal domain of calmodulin affect the N-terminal domain residues. Among these residues, polar T44, having maximum destabilization and disorder via backbone fluctuations, shows the largest change in solvent exposure. This suggests that N-terminal domain is allosterically regulated via T44 by the binding of Orai1 to the C-terminal domain.

Divergent Soybean Calmodulins Respond Similarly to Calcium Transients: Insight into Differential Target Regulation

Plants commonly respond to stressors by modulating the expression of a large family of calcium binding proteins including isoforms of the ubiquitous signaling protein calmodulin (CaM). The various plant CaM isoforms are thought to differentially regulate the activity of specific target proteins to modulate cellular stress responses. The mechanism(s) behind differential target activation by the plant CaMs is unknown. In this study, we used steady-state and stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy to investigate the strategy by which two soybean CaMs (sCaM1 and sCaM4) have evolved to differentially regulate NAD kinase (NADK), which is activated by sCaM1 but inhibited by sCaM4. Although the isolated proteins have different cation binding properties, in the presence of Mg2+ and the CaM binding domains from proteins that are differentially regulated, the two plant CaMs respond nearly identically to rapid and slow Ca2+ transients. Our data suggest that the plant CaMs have evolved to bind certain targets with comparable affinities, respond similarly to a particular Ca2+ signature, but achieve different structural states, only one of which can activate the enzyme. Understanding the basis for differential enzyme regulation by the plant CaMs is the first step to engineering a vertebrate CaM that will selectively alter the CaM signaling network.

Effects of Cardiac Troponin I Mutation P83S on Contractile Properties and the Modulation by PKA-Mediated Phosphorylation

cTnI(P82S) (cTnI(P83S) in rodents) resides at the I-T arm of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and was initially identified as a disease-causing mutation of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, later studies suggested this may not be true. We recently reported that introduction of an HCM-associated mutation in either inhibitory-peptide (cTnI(R146G)) or cardiac-specific N-terminus (cTnI(R21C)) of cTnI blunts the PKA-mediated modulation on myofibril activation/relaxation kinetics by prohibiting formation of intrasubunit contacts between these regions. Here, we tested whether this also occurs for cTnI(P83S). cTnI(P83S) increased both Ca(2+) binding affinity to cTn (KCa) and affinity of cTnC for cTnI (KC-I), and eliminated the reduction of KCa and KC-I observed for phosphorylated-cTnI(WT). In isolated myofibrils, cTnI(P83S) maintained maximal tension (TMAX) and Ca(2+) sensitivity of tension (pCa50). For cTnI(WT) myofibrils, PKA-mediated phosphorylation decreased pCa50 and sped up the slow-phase relaxation (especially for those Ca(2+) conditions that heart performs in vivo). Those effects were blunted for cTnI(P83S) myofibrils. Molecular-dynamics simulations suggested cTnI(P83S) moderately inhibited an intrasubunit interaction formation between inhibitory-peptide and N-terminus, but this "blunting" effect was weaker than that with cTnI(R146G) or cTnI(R21C). In summary, cTnI(P83S) has similar effects as other HCM-associated cTnI mutations on troponin and myofibril function even though it is in the I-T arm of cTnI.

Elucidating nitric oxide synthase domain interactions by molecular dynamics

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is a multidomain enzyme that catalyzes the production of nitric oxide (NO) by oxidizing L-Arg to NO and L-citrulline. NO production requires multiple interdomain electron transfer steps between the flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and heme domain. Specifically, NADPH-derived electrons are transferred to the heme-containing oxygenase domain via the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and FMN containing reductase domains. While crystal structures are available for both the reductase and oxygenase domains of NOS, to date there is no atomic level structural information on domain interactions required for the final FMN-to-heme electron transfer step. Here, we evaluate a model of this final electron transfer step for the heme-FMN-calmodulin NOS complex based on the recent biophysical studies using a 105-ns molecular dynamics trajectory. The resulting equilibrated complex structure is very stable and provides a detailed prediction of interdomain contacts required for stabilizing the NOS output state. The resulting equilibrated complex model agrees well with previous experimental work and provides a detailed working model of the final NOS electron transfer step required for NO biosynthesis.

Troponin I Mutations R146G and R21C Alter Cardiac Troponin Function, Contractile Properties, and Modulation by Protein Kinase A (PKA)-mediated Phosphorylation

Two hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-associated cardiac troponin I (cTnI) mutations, R146G and R21C, are located in different regions of cTnI, the inhibitory peptide and the cardiac-specific N terminus. We recently reported that these regions may interact when Ser-23/Ser-24 are phosphorylated, weakening the interaction of cTnI with cardiac TnC. Little is known about how these mutations influence the affinity of cardiac TnC for cTnI (KC-I) or contractile kinetics during β-adrenergic stimulation. Here, we tested how cTnI(R146G) or cTnI(R21C) influences contractile activation and relaxation and their response to protein kinase A (PKA). Both mutations significantly increased Ca(2+) binding affinity to cTn (KCa) and KC-I. PKA phosphorylation resulted in a similar reduction of KCa for all complexes, but KC-I was reduced only with cTnI(WT). cTnI(WT), cTnI(R146G), and cTnI(R21C) were complexed into cardiac troponin and exchanged into rat ventricular myofibrils, and contraction/relaxation kinetics were measured ± PKA phosphorylation. Maximal tension (Tmax) was maintained for cTnI(R146G)- and cTnI(R21C)-exchanged myofibrils, and Ca(2+) sensitivity of tension (pCa50) was increased. PKA phosphorylation decreased pCa50 for cTnI(WT)-exchanged myofibrils but not for either mutation. PKA phosphorylation accelerated the early slow phase relaxation for cTnI(WT) myofibrils, especially at Ca(2+) levels that the heart operates in vivo. Importantly, this effect was blunted for cTnI(R146G)- and cTnI(R21C)-exchanged myofibrils. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest both mutations inhibit formation of intra-subunit contacts between the N terminus and the inhibitory peptide of cTnI that is normally seen with WT-cTn upon PKA phosphorylation. Together, our results suggest that cTnI(R146G) and cTnI(R21C) blunt PKA modulation of activation and relaxation kinetics by prohibiting cardiac-specific N-terminal interaction with the cTnI inhibitory peptide.

PKA phosphorylation of cardiac troponin I modulates activation and relaxation kinetics of ventricular myofibrils

Protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylation of myofibril proteins constitutes an important pathway for β-adrenergic modulation of cardiac contractility and relaxation. PKA targets the N-terminus (Ser-23/24) of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C) and titin. The effect of PKA-mediated phosphorylation on the magnitude of contraction has been studied in some detail, but little is known about how it modulates the kinetics of thin filament activation and myofibril relaxation as Ca(2+) levels vary. Troponin C (cTnC) interaction with cTnI (C-I interaction) is a critical step in contractile activation that can be modulated by cTnI phosphorylation. We tested the hypothesis that altering C-I interactions by PKA, or by cTnI phosphomimetic mutations (S23D/S24D-cTnI), directly affects thin filament activation and myofilament relaxation kinetics. Rat ventricular myofibrils were isolated and endogenous cTn was exchanged with either wild-type cTnI, or S23D/S24D-cTnI recombinant cTn. Contractile mechanics were monitored at maximum and submaximal Ca(2+) concentrations. PKA treatment of wild-type cTn or exchange of cTn containing S23D/S24D-cTnI resulted in an increase in the rate of early, slow phase of relaxation (kREL,slow) and a decrease in its duration (tREL,slow). These effects were greater for submaximal Ca(2+) activated contractions. PKA treatment also reduced the rate of contractile activation (kACT) at maximal, but not submaximal Ca(2+), and reduced the Ca(2+) sensitivity of contraction. Using a fluorescent probe coupled to cTnC (C35S-IANBD), the Ca(2+)-cTn binding affinity and C-I interaction were monitored. Ca(2+) binding to cTn (pCa50) was significantly decreased when cTnI was phosphorylated by PKA (ΔpCa50 = 0.31). PKA phosphorylation of cTnI also weakened C-I interaction in the presence of Ca(2+). These data suggest that weakened C-I interaction, via PKA phosphorylation of cTnI, may slow thin filament activation and result in increased myofilament relaxation kinetics, the latter of which could enhance early phase diastolic relaxation during β-adrenergic stimulation.

Structural and functional consequences of cardiac troponin C L57Q and I61Q Ca(2+)-desensitizing variants

Two cTnC variants, L57Q and I61Q, both of which are located on helix C within the N domain of cTnC, were originally reported in the skeletal muscle system [Tikunova, Davis, J. Biol. Chem. 279 (2004) 35341-35352], as the analogous L58Q and I62Q sTnC, and demonstrated a decreased Ca(2+) binding affinity. Here, we provide detailed characterization of structure-function relationships for these two cTnC variants, to determine if they behave differently in the cardiac system and as a framework for determining similarities and differences with other cTnC mutations that have been associated with DCM. We have used an integrative approach to study the structure and function of these cTnC variants both in solution and in silico, to understand how the L57Q and I61Q mutations influence Ca(2+) binding at site II, the subsequent effects on the interaction with cTnI, and the structural changes which are associated with these changes. Steady-state and stopped flow fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed that a decrease in Ca(2+) affinity for recombinant cTnC and cTn complexes containing the L57Q or I61Q variants. The L57Q variant was intermediate between WT and I61Q cTnC and also did not significantly alter cTnC-cTnI interaction in the absence of Ca(2+), but did decrease the interaction in the presence of Ca(2+). In contrast, I61Q decreased the cTnC-cTnI interaction in both the absence and presence of Ca(2+). This difference in the absence of Ca(2+) suggests a greater structural change in cNTnC may occur with the I61Q mutation than the L57Q mutation. MD simulations revealed that the decreased Ca(2+) binding induced by I61Q may result from destabilization of the Ca(2+) binding site through interruption of intra-molecular interactions when residue 61 forms new hydrogen bonds with G70 on the Ca(2+) binding loop. The experimentally observed interruption of the cTnC-cTnI interaction caused by L57Q or I61Q is due to the disruption of key hydrophobic interactions between helices B and C in cNTnC. This study provides a molecular basis of how single mutations in the C helix of cTnC can reduce Ca(2+) binding affinity and cTnC-cTnI interaction, which may provide useful insights for a better understanding of cardiomyopathies and future gene-based therapies.

Structural and functional consequences of the cardiac troponin C L48Q Ca(2+)-sensitizing mutation

Calcium binding to the regulatory domain of cardiac troponin C (cNTnC) causes a conformational change that exposes a hydrophobic surface to which troponin I (cTnI) binds, prompting a series of protein-protein interactions that culminate in muscle contraction. A number of cTnC variants that alter the Ca(2+) sensitivity of the thin filament have been linked to disease. Tikunova and Davis engineered a series of cNTnC mutations that altered Ca(2+) binding properties and studied the effects on the Ca(2+) sensitivity of the thin filament and contraction [Tikunova, S. B., and Davis, J. P. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 35341-35352]. One of the mutations they engineered, the L48Q variant, resulted in a pronounced increase in the cNTnC Ca(2+) binding affinity and Ca(2+) sensitivity of cardiac muscle force development. In this work, we sought structural and mechanistic explanations for the increased Ca(2+) sensitivity of contraction for the L48Q cNTnC variant, using an array of biophysical techniques. We found that the L48Q mutation enhanced binding of both Ca(2+) and cTnI to cTnC. Nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shift and relaxation data provided evidence that the cNTnC hydrophobic core is more exposed with the L48Q variant. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the mutation disrupts a network of crucial hydrophobic interactions so that the closed form of cNTnC is destabilized. The findings emphasize the importance of cNTnC's conformation in the regulation of contraction and suggest that mutations in cNTnC that alter myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity can do so by modulating Ca(2+) and cTnI binding.

Role of allosteric switch residue histidine 195 in maintaining active-site asymmetry in presynaptic filaments of bacteriophage T4 UvsX recombinase

Recombinases of the highly conserved RecA/Rad51 family play central roles in homologous recombination and DNA double-stranded break repair. RecA/Rad51 enzymes form presynaptic filaments on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) that are allosterically activated to catalyze ATPase and DNA strand-exchange reactions. Information is conveyed between DNA- and ATP-binding sites, in part, by a highly conserved glutamine residue (Gln194 in Escherichia coli RecA) that acts as an allosteric switch. The T4 UvsX protein is a divergent RecA ortholog and contains histidine (His195) in place of glutamine at the allosteric switch position. UvsX and RecA catalyze similar strand-exchange reactions, but differ in other properties. UvsX produces both ADP and AMP as products of its ssDNA-dependent ATPase activity--a property that is unique among characterized recombinases. Details of the kinetics of ssDNA-dependent ATP hydrolysis reactions indicate that UvsX-ssDNA presynaptic filaments are asymmetric and contain two classes of ATPase active sites: one that generates ADP, and another that generates AMP. Active-site asymmetry is reduced by mutations at the His195 position, since UvsX-H195Q and UvsX-H195A mutants both exhibit stronger ssDNA-dependent ATPase activity, with lower cooperativity and markedly higher ADP/AMP product ratios, than wild-type UvsX. Reduced active-site asymmetry correlates strongly with reduced ssDNA-binding affinity and DNA strand-exchange activity in both H195Q and H195A mutants. These and other results support a model in which allosteric switch residue His195 controls the formation of an asymmetric conformation of UvsX-ssDNA filaments that is active in DNA strand exchange. The implications of our findings for UvsX recombination functions, and for RecA functions in general, are discussed.

Backbone and side chain dynamics of mutant calmodulin-peptide complexes

The mechanism of long-range coupling of allosteric sites in calcium-saturated calmodulin (CaM) has been explored by characterizing structural and dynamics effects of mutants of calmodulin in complex with a peptide corresponding to the smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase calmodulin-binding domain (smMLCKp). Four CaM mutants were examined: D95N and D58N, located in Ca2+-binding loops; and M124L and E84K, located in the target domain-binding site of CaM. Three of these mutants have altered allosteric coupling either between Ca2+-binding sites (D58N and D95N) or between the target- and Ca2+-binding sites (E84K). The structure and dynamics of the mutant calmodulins in complex with smMLCKp were characterized using solution NMR. Analysis of chemical shift perturbations was employed to detect largely structural perturbations. 15N and 2H relaxation was employed to detect perturbations of the dynamics of the backbone and methyl-bearing side chains of calmodulin. The least median squares method was found to be robust in the detection of perturbed sites. The main chain dynamics of calmodulin are found to be largely unresponsive to the mutations. Three mutants show significantly perturbed dynamics of methyl-bearing side chains. Despite the pseudosymmetric location of Ca2+-binding loop mutations D58N and D95N, the dynamic response of CaM is asymmetric, producing long-range perturbation in D58N and almost none in D95N. The mutations located at the target domain-binding site have quite different effects. For M124L, a local perturbation of the methyl dynamics is observed, while the E84K mutation produces a long-range propagation of dynamic perturbations along the target domain-binding site.

C-terminal tail residue Arg1400 enables NADPH to regulate electron transfer in neuronal nitric-oxide synthase

The neuronal nitric-oxide synthase (nNOS) flavoprotein domain (nNOSr) contains regulatory elements that repress its electron flux in the absence of bound calmodulin (CaM). The repression also requires bound NADP(H), but the mechanism is unclear. The crystal structure of a CaM-free nNOSr revealed an ionic interaction between Arg(1400) in the C-terminal tail regulatory element and the 2'-phosphate group of bound NADP(H). We tested the role of this interaction by substituting Ser and Glu for Arg(1400) in nNOSr and in the full-length nNOS enzyme. The CaM-free nNOSr mutants had cytochrome c reductase activities that were less repressed than in wild-type, and this effect could be mimicked in wild-type by using NADH instead of NADPH. The nNOSr mutants also had faster flavin reduction rates, greater apparent K(m) for NADPH, and greater rates of flavin auto-oxidation. Single-turnover cytochrome c reduction data linked these properties to an inability of NADP(H) to cause shielding of the FMN module in the CaM-free nNOSr mutants. The full-length nNOS mutants had no NO synthesis in the CaM-free state and had lower steady-state NO synthesis activities in the CaM-bound state compared with wild-type. However, the mutants had faster rates of ferric heme reduction and ferrous heme-NO complex formation. Slowing down heme reduction in R1400E nNOS with CaM analogues brought its NO synthesis activity back up to normal level. Our studies indicate that the Arg(1400)-2'-phosphate interaction is a means by which bound NADP(H) represses electron transfer into and out of CaM-free nNOSr. This interaction enables the C-terminal tail to regulate a conformational equilibrium of the FMN module that controls its electron transfer reactions in both the CaM-free and CaM-bound forms of nNOS.

Calorimetry and mass spectrometry study of oxidized calmodulin interaction with target and differential repair by methionine sulfoxide reductases

Calmodulin is known to be a target for oxidation, which leads to conversion of methionine residues to methionine sulfoxides. Previously, we reported that both methionine sulfoxide reductases MsrA and MsrB were able to reduce methionine sulfoxide residues in oxidized calmodulin. In the present study, we have made use of the interaction between calmodulin and RS20, a peptide model for calmodulin targets, to probe the structural consequences of oxidation and mode of repair both by MsrA and MsrB. Isothermal titration calorimetry and differential scanning calorimetry showed that oxidized calmodulin interacts with RS20 via its C-terminal domain only, resulting in a non-productive complex. As shown by spectrofluorometry, oxidized calmodulin treated with MsrA exhibited native binding affinity for RS20. In contrast, MsrB-treatment of oxidized calmodulin resulted in 10-fold reduced affinity. Mass spectrometry revealed that the sulfoxide derivative of methionine residue 124 was differentially repaired by MsrA and MsrB. This provided a basis for rationalizing the difference in binding affinities of oxidized calmodulin reported above, since Met124 residue had been shown to be critical for interaction with some targets. This study provides the first evidence that in an oxidized polypeptide chain MetSO residues might be differentially repaired by the two Msr enzymes.

Differential activation of nitric-oxide synthase isozymes by calmodulin-troponin C chimeras

The interactions of neuronal nitric-oxide synthase (nNOS) with calmodulin (CaM) and mutant forms of CaM, including CaM-troponin C chimeras, have been previously reported, but there has been no comparable investigation of CaM interactions with the other constitutively expressed NOS (cNOS), endothelial NOS (eNOS), or the inducible isoform (iNOS). The present study was designed to evaluate the role of the four CaM EF hands in the activation of eNOS and iNOS. To assess the role of CaM regions on aspects of enzymatic function, three distinct activities associated with NOS were measured: NADPH oxidation, cytochrome c reduction, and nitric oxide (*NO) generation as assessed by the oxyhemoglobin capture assay. CaM activates the cNOS enzymes by a mechanism other than stimulating electron transfer into the oxygenase domain. Interactions with the reductase moiety are dominant in cNOS activation, and EF hand 1 is critical for activation of both nNOS and eNOS. Although the activation patterns for nNOS and eNOS are clearly related, effects of the chimeras on all the reactions are not equivalent. We propose that cytochrome c reduction is a measure of the release of the FMN domain from the reductase complex. In contrast, cytochrome c reduction by iNOS is readily activated by each of the chimeras examined here and may be constitutive. Each of the chimeras were co-expressed with the human iNOS enzyme in Escherichia coli and subsequently purified. Domains 2 and 3 of CaM contain important elements required for the Ca2+/CaM independence of *NO production by the iNOS enzyme. The disparity between cytochrome c reduction and *NO production at low calcium can be attributed to poor association of heme and FMN domains when the bound CaM constructs are depleted of Ca2+. In general cNOSs are much more difficult to activate than iNOS, which can be attributed to their extra sequence elements, which are adjacent to the CaM-binding site and associated with CaM control.

Nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) reductase domain models suggest a new control element in endothelial NOS that attenuates calmodulin-dependent activity

Inducible (iNOS) and constitutive (eNOS, nNOS) nitric-oxide synthases differ in their Ca2+-calmodulin (CaM) dependence. iNOS binds CaM irreversibly but eNOS and nNOS, which bind CaM reversibly, have inserts in their reductase domains that regulate electron transfer. These include the 43-45-amino acid autoinhibitory element (AI) that attenuates electron transfer in the absence of CaM, and the C-terminal 20-40-amino acid tail that attenuates electron transfer in a CaM-independent manner. We constructed models of the reductase domains of the three NOS isoforms to predict the structural basis for CaM-dependent regulation. We have identified and characterized a loop (CD2A) within the NOS connecting domain that is highly conserved by isoform and that, like the AI element, is within direct interaction distance of the CaM binding region. The eNOS CD2A loop (eCD2A) has the sequence 834KGSPGGPPPG843, and is truncated to 809ESGSY813 (iCD2A) in iNOS. The eCD2A contributes to the Ca2+ dependence of CaM-bound activity to a level similar to that of the AI element. The eCD2A plays an autoinhibitory role in the control of NO, and CaM-dependent and -independent reductase activity, but this autoinhibitory function is masked by the dominant AI element. Finally, the iCD2A is involved in determining the salt dependence of NO activity at a post-flavin reduction level. Electrostatic interactions between the CD2A loop and the CaM-binding region, and CaM itself, provide a structural means for the CD2A to mediate CaM regulation of intra-subunit electron transfer within the active NOS complex.

Calmodulin protects cells from death under normal growth conditions and mitogenic starvation but plays a mediating role in cell death upon B-cell receptor stimulation

Calmodulin (CaM) is the main intracellular Ca2+ sensor protein responsible for mediating Ca2+ triggered processes. Chicken DT40 lymphoma B cells express CaM from the two genes, CaMI and CaMII. Here we report the phenotypes of DT40 cells with the CaMII gene knocked out. The disruption of the CaMII gene causes the intracellular CaM level to decrease by 60%. CaMII-/- cells grow more slowly and die more frequently as compared to wild type (wt) cells but do not exhibit significant differences in their cell cycle profile. Both phenotypes are more pronounced at reduced serum concentrations. Upon stimulation of the B-cell receptor (BCR), the resting Ca2+ levels remain elevated after the initial transient in CaMII-/- cells. Despite higher Ca2+ resting levels, the CaMII-/- cells are partially protected from BCR induced apoptosis indicating that CaM plays a dual role in apoptotic processes.

Oxidatively modified calmodulin binds to the plasma membrane Ca-ATPase in a nonproductive and conformationally disordered complex

Oxidation of either Met(145) or Met(146) in wheat germ calmodulin (CaM) to methionine sulfoxide prevents the CaM-dependent activation of the plasma membrane (PM) Ca-ATPase (D. Yin, K. Kuczera, and T. C. Squier, 2000, Chem. Res. Toxicol. 13:103-110). To investigate the structural basis for the inhibition of the PM-Ca-ATPase by oxidized CaM (CaM(ox)), we have used circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopy to resolve conformational differences within the complex between CaM and the PM-Ca-ATPase. The similar excited-state lifetime and solvent accessibility of the fluorophore N-1-pyrenyl-maleimide covalently bound to Cys(26) in unoxidized CaM and CaM(ox) indicates that the globular domains within CaM(ox) assume a native-like structure following association with the PM-Ca-ATPase. However, in comparison with oxidized CaM there are increases in the 1) molar ellipticity in the CD spectrum and 2) conformational heterogeneity between the opposing globular domains for CaM(ox) bound to the CaM-binding sequence of the PM-Ca-ATPase. Furthermore, CaM(ox) binds to the PM-Ca-ATPase with high affinity at a distinct, but overlapping, site to that normally occupied by unoxidized CaM. These results suggest that alterations in binding interactions between CaM(ox) and the PM-Ca-ATPase block important structural transitions within the CaM-binding sequence of the PM-Ca-ATPase that are normally associated with enzyme activation.

Mammalian nitric oxide synthases

The nitric oxide (NO) synthase family of enzymes generate NO from L-arginine, which acts as a biologic effector molecule in a broad number of settings. This report summarizes some of the current information regarding NO synthase structure-function, reaction mechanism, control of catalysis, and protein interactions.

Surface exposure of the methionine side chains of calmodulin in solution. A nitroxide spin label and two-dimensional NMR study

Binding of calcium to calmodulin (CaM) causes a conformational change in this ubiquitous calcium regulatory protein that allows the activation of many target proteins. Met residues make up a large portion of its hydrophobic target binding surfaces. In this work, we have studied the surface exposure of the Met residues in the apo- and calcium-bound states of CaM in solution. Complexes of calcium-CaM with synthetic peptides derived from the CaM-binding domains of myosin light chain kinase, constitutive nitric-oxide synthase, and CaM-dependent protein kinase I were also studied. The surface exposure was measured by NMR by studying the effects of the soluble nitroxide spin label, 4-hydroxyl-2,2,6, 6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy, on the line widths and relaxation rates of the Met methyl resonances in samples of biosynthetically 13C-methyl-Met-labeled CaM. The Met residues move from an almost completely buried state in apo-CaM to an essentially fully exposed state in Ca2+4-CaM. Binding of two Ca2+ to the C-terminal lobe of CaM causes full exposure of the C-terminal Met residues and a partial exposure of the N-terminal Met side chains. Binding of the three target peptides blocks the access of the nitroxide surface probe to nearly all Met residues, although the mode of binding is distinct for the three peptides studied. These data show that calcium binding to CaM controls the surface exposure of the Met residues, thereby providing the switch for target protein binding.

Structural determinants of Ca2+ exchange and affinity in the C terminal of cardiac troponin C

The C terminal of cardiac troponin C (TnC) has two Ca2+-Mg2+ sites which exhibit approximately 20-fold higher Ca2+ affinity than the two C-terminal Ca2+ specific sites in calmodulin (CaM). Substitution of the third EF-hand of TnC for the corresponding EF-hand of CaM produced a mutant (CaM[3TnC]) with a 10-fold higher C-terminal Ca2+ and Mg2+ affinity. Substitution of loop 3 of TnC for loop 3 of CaM produced a mutant (CaM[loop3TnC]) with a 10-fold faster Ca2+ on rate and a 5-fold faster Ca2+ off rate than CaM. A mutant CaM (CaM[loop3X, Z]) which contained the identical coordinating amino acids and X and Z acid pairs of TnC loop 3 had a 3-fold higher C-terminal Ca2+ affinity without the increased Ca2+ exchange rates exhibited by CaM[loop3TnC]. Thus, loop factors other than the acid pairs must be responsible for the rapid Ca2+ exchange rates of CaM[loop3TnC]. Helix 6 and helix 5 in the third EF-hand of TnC support the rapid Ca2+ on rate of TnC's loop 3 and produce an approximately 4-fold reduction in its Ca2+ off rate, explaining the high Ca2+ affinity of the third EF-hand of TnC. Exchanging loop 3 or helix 5 of TnC into CaM increased the Mg2+ affinity by decreasing the Mg2+ off rate. Our results are consistent with the high Ca2+ and Mg2+ affinity of the third EF-hand of TnC resulting from the two (X and Z) acid pairs in loop 3, coupled with the greater hydrophobicity of helix 6 and helix 5 compared to that of the third EF-hand of CaM.

Activation of calcineurin and smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase by Met-to-Leu mutants of calmodulin

The effects of replacement of each of the individual Met in calmodulin (CaM) with Leu on the activation of two CaM target enzymes [smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase (smMLCK) and calcineurin (CN)] were investigated. The KD and Pmax (percentage maximal activation) values for activation of both enzymes by M76L-CaM were indistinguishable from wild-type (wt)-CaM, which is consistent with the location of Met-76 in the central linker that is not involved in target protein interaction. The other eight Met in CaM are exposed in the hydrophobic surfaces that are involved in target-enzymes binding, and in general equivalent effects are observed for substitutions of Leu for Met residues in homologous positions in the two CaM domains. However, the importance of the interaction of specific Met residues with the target enzyme depends on the particular enzyme. Leu substitution at Met-36 or Met-109 reduced the affinity of MLCK for the mutant and the maximal activation of CN. MLCK had a higher KD for M51L-CaM whereas M124L-CaM activated the kinase to only 68% of maximal activity induced by wt-CaM; these mutants were indistinguishable from wt-CaM in activation of CN. M71L- and M144L-CaMs behaved like wt-CaM in activation of MLCK, but activated the phosphatase to only about 80% of maximal activity induced by wt-CAM. M72L-CaM exhibited an increased affinity for MLCK compared to wt-CaM and slightly decreased maximal activation, whereas M145L-CaM exhibited maximal activation significantly greater than that due to wt-CaM; these mutants behaved like wt-CaM with respect to CN activation. Finally, a mutant CaM in which all four C-terminal Met were replaced by Leu (M4-CT-L4-CaM) had similar affinities for MLCK and CN as wt-CaM but maximal activation of these enzymes by this mutant was only 60-70% of that achieved with wt-CaM. These results imply that, in addition to removing the autoinhibitory domain from the active site of the target enzyme, CaM must induce a conformational change in the active site itself.

Calcium

Ca2+ is involved in an intriguing variety of different biological events. The rapid development of techniques such as region- or organelle-directed fluorescent probes and laser scanning confocal microscopy for studying cellular biological events at a molecular level provides us with a rich daily intake of new results. While detailed three-dimensional structures of many intracellular and extracellular Ca2+-binding proteins have become available, structural information on key membrane proteins is still lacking. An integrated picture of the molecular events behind the multifunctional roles of Ca2+ in biological systems is still pending.

Neuronal nitric-oxide synthase interaction with calmodulin-troponin C chimeras

Calmodulin (CaM) binding activates neuronal nitric-oxide synthase (nNOS) catalytic functions and also up-regulates electron transfer into its flavin and heme centers. Here, we utilized seven tight binding CaM-troponin C chimeras, which variably activate nNOS NO synthesis to examine the relationship between CaM domain structure, activation of catalytic functions, and control of internal electron transfer at two points within nNOS. Chimeras that were singly substituted with troponin C domains 4, 3, 2, or 1 were increasingly unable to activate NO synthesis, but all caused some activation of cytochrome c reduction compared with CaM-free nNOS. The magnitude by which each chimera activated NO synthesis was approximately proportional to the rate of heme iron reduction supported by each chimera, which varied from 0% to approximately 80% compared with native CaM and remained coupled to NO synthesis in all cases. In contrast, chimera activation of cytochrome c reduction was not always associated with accelerated reduction of nNOS flavins, and certain chimeras activated cytochrome c reduction without triggering heme iron reduction. We conclude: 1) CaM effects on electron transfer at two points within nNOS can be functionally separated. 2) CaM controls NO synthesis by governing heme iron reduction, but enhances reductase activity by two mechanisms, only one of which is associated with an increased rate of flavin reduction.

Solution structure of calmodulin-W-7 complex: the basis of diversity in molecular recognition

The solution structure of calcium-bound calmodulin (CaM) complexed with an antagonist, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7), has been determined by multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. The structure consists of one molecule of W-7 binding to each of the two domains of CaM. In each domain, the W-7 chloronaphthalene ring interacts with four methionine methyl groups and other aliphatic or aromatic side-chains in a deep hydrophobic pocket, the site responsible for CaM binding to CaM-dependent enzymes such as myosin light chain kinases (MLCKs) and CaM kinase II. This competitive binding at the same site between W-7 and CaM-dependent enzymes suggests the mechanism by which W-7 inhibits CaM to activate the enzymes. The orientation of the W-7 naphthalene ring in the N-terminal pocket is rotated approximately 40 degrees with respect to that in the C-terminal pocket. The W-7 ring orientation differs significantly from the Trp800 indole ring of smooth muscle MLCK bound to the C-terminal pocket and the phenothiazine ring of trifluoperazine bound to the N or C-terminal pocket. These comparative structural analyses demonstrate that the two hydrophobic pockets of CaM can accommodate a variety of bulky aromatic rings, which provides a plausible structural basis for the diversity in CaM-mediated molecular recognition.

Functional consequences of truncating amino acid side chains located at a calmodulin-peptide interface

To test the relevance of the calmodulin-peptide crystal structures to their respective calmodulin-enzyme interactions, amino acid side chains in calmodulin were altered at positions that interact with the calmodulin-binding peptide of smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase but not with the calmodulin kinase IIalpha peptide. Since shortening the side chains of Trp-800, Arg-812, and Leu-813 in smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase abrogated calmodulin-dependent activation (Bagchi, I. C., Huang, Q., and Means, A. R. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 3024-3029), substitutions were introduced at positions in calmodulin which contact residues corresponding to Arg-812 and Leu-813 in the smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase peptide. Assays of smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase with the calmodulin mutants M51A,V55A, L32A,M51A,V55A, and L32A,M51A,V55A,F68L, M71A exhibited 60%, 25%, and less than 1% of maximal activity respectively, whereas the mutants fully activated calmodulin kinase IIalpha. Alanine substitutions at positions on the smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase peptide, corresponding to Trp-800 and Arg-812 in the enzyme, produced an 8-fold increase in the enzyme inhibition constant in contrast with the abolition of calmodulin binding by similar mutations in the parent enzyme.

Methionine to glutamine substitutions in the C-terminal domain of calmodulin impair the activation of three protein kinases

The 9 methionine residues of vertebrate calmodulin (CaM) were individually changed to glutamine residues in order to investigate their roles in enzyme binding and activation. The mutant proteins showed three classes of effect on the activation of smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase, CaM-dependent protein kinase IIalpha, and CaM-dependent protein kinase IV. First, some mutations had no appreciable effect on the ability of CaM to activate the three protein kinases. Included in this category were glutamine substitutions at residues 36 and 51 in the N-terminal domain, at residue 76 in the domain linker sequence, and at residues 144 and 145 in the C-terminal domain. Second, glutamine substitutions in the N-terminal domain of CaM, particularly those at positions 71 and 72, lowered the maximal activity of smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase while having no effect on the other two enzymes. Finally the affinity of CaM for all three enzymes was lowered by glutamine mutations at the neighboring methionines 109 and 124, located on a solvent-accessible surface of the C-terminal domain of Ca2+/CaM. This last result provides the first demonstration of the involvement of the same hydrophobic groups in the high affinity binding of CaM to three different enzymes.