Determination of 15N chemical shift tensor via 15N-2H dipolar coupling in Boc-glycylglycyl[15N glycine]benzyl ester

Combined NMR and molecular dynamics conformational filter identifies unambiguously dynamic ensembles of Dengue protease NS2B/NS3pro

The dengue protease NS2B/NS3pro has been reported to adopt either an 'open' or a 'closed' conformation. We have developed a conformational filter that combines NMR with MD simulations to identify conformational ensembles that dominate in solution. Experimental values derived from relaxation parameters for the backbone and methyl side chains were compared with the corresponding back-calculated relaxation parameters of different conformational ensembles obtained from free MD simulations. Our results demonstrate a high prevalence for the 'closed' conformational ensemble while the 'open' conformation is absent, indicating that the latter conformation is most probably due to crystal contacts. Conversely, conformational ensembles in which the positioning of the co-factor NS2B results in a 'partially' open conformation, previously described in both MD simulations and X-ray studies, were identified by our conformational filter. Altogether, we believe that our approach allows for unambiguous identification of true conformational ensembles, an essential step for reliable drug discovery.

Negative Thermal Expansion and Disorder-to-Order Collapse of an Intrinsically Disordered Protein under Marginally Denaturing Conditions

Recent work with intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) has projected a myriad of their survival instincts based mainly on the total charge content, the abundance of polar residues, and the paucity of hydrophobic amino acids. This work uses a plant IDP AtPP16-1 (Arabidopsis thaliana phloem protein class 16-1), whose solution NMR structure was determined by us recently, to show legitimate negative thermal expansion (NTE) of the native state. The thermal expansion continues to be negative even as the tertiary structure is perturbed by ultralow levels of urea up to 0.4 M. The NTE of these subdenatured states is called apparent NTE because they are prone to undergo conformational changes with temperature. Hydrodynamic shrinkage of the NTE IDP is also observed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and NMR-measured global rotational correlation time (τ_c). The protein with denatured tertiary structure but otherwise preserved native-state secondary structure collapses to a dynamically rigid state. The data are mainly based on thermal coefficients of chemical shift and nuclear relaxation measured by heteronuclear NMR. The hydrodynamic shrinkage and collapse under marginally varying solvent compositions that may arise from unstable tertiary structure and dynamic disorder of chain segments across the backbone could be a generic property of IDPs.

Assigned NMR backbone resonances of the ligand-binding region domain of the pneumococcal serine-rich repeat protein (PsrP-BR) reveal a rigid monomer in solution

The pneumococcal serine rich repeat protein (PsrP) is displayed on the surface of Streptococcus pneumoniae with a suggested role in colonization in the human upper respiratory tract. Full-length PsrP is a 4000 residue-long multi-domain protein comprising a positively charged functional binding region (BR) domain for interaction with keratin and extracellular DNA during pneumococcal adhesion and biofilm formation, respectively. The previously determined crystal structure of the BR domain revealed a flat compressed barrel comprising two sides with an extended β-sheet on one side, and another β-sheet that is distorted by loops and β-turns on the other side. Crystallographic B-factors indicated a relatively high mobility of loop regions that were hypothesized to be important for binding. Furthermore, the crystal structure revealed an inter-molecular β-sheet formed between edge strands of two symmetry-related molecules, which could promote bacterial aggregation during biofilm formation. Here we report the near complete ¹⁵N/¹³C/¹H backbone resonance assignment of the BR domain of PsrP, revealing a secondary structure profile that is almost identical to the X-ray structure. Dynamic ¹⁵N-T₁, T₂ and NOE data suggest a monomeric and rigid structure of BR with disordered residues only at the N- and C-termini. The presented peak assignment will allow us to identify BR residues that are crucial for ligand binding.

Dynamics of the intrinsically disordered inhibitor IF7 of glutamine synthetase in isolation and in complex with its partner

Glutamine synthetase (GS) catalyzes the ATP-dependent formation of glutamine from glutamate and ammonia. The activity of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 GS is regulated, among other mechanisms, by protein-protein interactions with a 65-residue-long, intrinsically disordered protein (IDP), named IF7. IDPs explore diverse conformations in their free states and, in some cases, in their molecular complexes. We used both nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) at 11.7 T and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to study the size and the dynamics in the picoseconds-to-nanosecond (ps-ns) timescale of: (i) isolated IF7; and (ii) the IF7/GS complex. Our SAXS findings, together with MD results, show: (i) some of the possible IF7 structures in solution; and, (ii) that the presence of IF7 affected the structure of GS in solution. The joint use of SAXS and NMR shows that movements of each amino acid of IF7 were uncorrelated with those of its neighbors. Residues of IF7 with the largest values of the relaxation rates (R₁, R₂ and η_xy), in the free and bound species, were mainly clustered around: (i) the C terminus of the protein; and (ii) Ala30. These residues, together with Arg8 (which is a hot-spot residue in the interaction with GS), had a restricted mobility in the presence of GS. The C-terminal region, which appeared more compact in our MD simulations of isolated IF7, seemed to be involved in non-native contacts with GS that help in the binding between the two macromolecules.

Dynamics of the intrinsically disordered protein NUPR1 in isolation and in its fuzzy complexes with DNA and prothymosin α

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) explore diverse conformations in their free states and, a few of them, also in their molecular complexes. This functional plasticity is essential for the function of IDPs, although their dynamics in both free and bound states is poorly understood. NUPR1 is a protumoral multifunctional IDP, activated during the acute phases of pancreatitis. It interacts with DNA and other IDPs, such as prothymosin α (ProTα), with dissociation constants of ~0.5 μM, and a 1:1 stoichiometry. We studied the structure and picosecond-to-nanosecond (ps-ns) dynamics by using both NMR and SAXS in: (i) isolated NUPR1; (ii) the NUPR1/ProTα complex; and (iii) the NUPR1/double stranded (ds) GGGCGCGCCC complex. Our SAXS findings show that NUPR1 remained disordered when bound to either partner, adopting a worm-like conformation; the fuzziness of bound NUPR1 was also pinpointed by NMR. Residues with the largest values of the relaxation rates (R₁, R_1ρ, R₂ and η_xy), in the free and bound species, were mainly clustered around the 30s region of the sequence, which agree with one of the protein hot-spots already identified by site-directed mutagenesis. Not only residues in this region had larger relaxation rates, but they also moved slower than the rest of the molecule, as indicated by the reduced spectral density approach (RSDA). Upon binding, the energy landscape of NUPR1 was not funneled down to a specific, well-folded conformation, but rather its backbone flexibility was kept, with distinct motions occurring at the hot-spot region.

Characterization of Internal Protein Dynamics and Conformational Entropy by NMR Relaxation

Recent studies suggest that the fast timescale motion of methyl-bearing side chains may play an important role in mediating protein activity. These motions have been shown to encapsulate the residual conformational entropy of the folded state that can potentially contribute to the energetics of protein function. Here, we provide an overview of how to characterize these motions using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin relaxation methods. The strengths and limitations of several techniques are highlighted in order to assist with experimental design. Particular emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of sample preparation, data collection, data fitting, and statistical analysis. Additionally, discussion of the recently refined "entropy meter" is presented and its use in converting NMR observables to conformational entropy is illustrated. Taken together, these methods should yield new insights into the complex interplay between structure and dynamics in protein function.

Rotational Dynamics of Proteins from Spin Relaxation Times and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Conformational fluctuations and rotational tumbling of proteins can be experimentally accessed with nuclear spin relaxation experiments. However, interpretation of molecular dynamics from the experimental data is often complicated, especially for molecules with anisotropic shape. Here, we apply classical molecular dynamics simulations to interpret the conformational fluctuations and rotational tumbling of proteins with arbitrarily anisotropic shape. The direct calculation of spin relaxation times from simulation data did not reproduce the experimental data. This was successfully corrected by scaling the overall rotational diffusion coefficients around the protein inertia axes with a constant factor. The achieved good agreement with experiments allowed the interpretation of the internal and overall dynamics of proteins with significantly anisotropic shape. The overall rotational diffusion was found to be Brownian, having only a short subdiffusive region below 0.12 ns. The presented methodology can be applied to interpret rotational dynamics and conformation fluctuations of proteins with arbitrary anisotropic shape. However, a water model with more realistic dynamical properties is probably required for intrinsically disordered proteins.

The PipX Protein, When Not Bound to Its Targets, Has Its Signaling C-Terminal Helix in a Flexed Conformation

PipX, an 89-residue protein, acts as a coactivator of the global nitrogen regulator NtcA in cyanobacteria. NtcA-PipX interactions are regulated by 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG), an inverse indicator of the ammonia abundance, and by P_II, a protein that binds to PipX at low 2-OG concentrations. The structure of PipX, when bound to NtcA or P_II, consists of an N-terminal, five-stranded β-sheet (conforming a Tudor-like domain), and two long α-helices. These helices adopt either a flexed conformation, where they are in close contact and in an antiparallel mutual orientation, also packing against the β-sheet, or an open conformation (observed only in the P_II-PipX complex) where the last α-helix moves apart from the rest of the protein. The aim of this work was to study the structure and dynamics of isolated PipX in solution by NMR. The backbone chemical shifts, the hydrogen-exchange, and the NOE patterns indicated that the isolated, monomeric PipX structure was formed by an N-terminal five-stranded β-sheet and two C-terminal α-helices. Furthermore, the observed NOEs between the two helices, and of α-helix2 with β-strand2 suggested that PipX adopted a flexed conformation. The β-strands 1 and 5 were highly flexible, as shown by the lack of interstrand backbone-backbone NOEs; in addition, the ¹⁵N-dynamics indicated that the C terminus of β-strand4 and the following β-turn (Phe42-Thr47), and the C-cap of α-helix1 (Arg70-Asn71) were particularly mobile. These two regions could act as hinges, allowing PipX to interact with its partners, including PlmA in the newly recognized P_II-PipX-PlmA ternary complex.

The First Residue of the PWWP Motif Modulates HATH Domain Binding, Stability, and Protein-Protein Interaction

Hepatoma-derived growth factor (hHDGF) and HDGF-related proteins (HRPs) contain conserved N-terminal HATH domains with a characteristic structural motif, namely the PWWP motif. The HATH domain has attracted attention because of its ability to bind with heparin/heparan sulfate, DNA, and methylated histone peptide. Depending on the sequence of the PWWP motif, HRP HATHs are classified into P-type (Pro-His-Trp-Pro) and A-type (Ala-His-Trp-Pro) forms. A-type HATH is highly unstable and tends to precipitate in solution. We replaced the Pro residue in P-type HATHHDGF with Ala and evaluated the influence on structure, dynamics, and ligand binding. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) hydrogen/deuterium exchange and circular dichroism (CD) measurements revealed reduced stability. Analysis of NMR backbone (15)N relaxations (R1, R2, and nuclear Overhauser effect) revealed additional backbone dynamics in the interface between the β-barrel and the C-terminal helix bundle. The β1-β2 loop, where the AHWP sequence is located, has great structural flexibility, which aids HATH-HATH interaction through the loop. A-type HATH, therefore, shows a stronger tendency to aggregate when binding with heparin and DNA oligomers. This study defines the role of the first residue of the PWWP motif in modulating HATH domain stability and oligomer formation in binding.

Insights into the molecular flexibility of θ-defensins by NMR relaxation analysis

θ-Defensins are mammalian cyclic peptides that have antimicrobial activity and show potential as stable scaffolds for peptide-based drug design. The cyclic cystine ladder structural motif of θ-defensins has been characterized using NMR spectroscopy and is important for their structure and stability. However, the effect of the pronounced elongated topology of θ-defensins on their molecular motion is not yet understood. Studies of molecular motion by NMR relaxation measurements have been facilitated by the recent development of a semirecombinant method for producing cyclic peptides that allows for isotopic labeling. Here we have undertaken a multifield (15)N NMR relaxation analysis of the anti-HIV θ-defensin, HTD-2, and interpreted the experimental data using various models of overall and internal molecular motion. We found that it was necessary to apply a model that includes internal motion to account for the variations in the experimental T1 and NOE data at different backbone amide sites in the peptide. Although an isotropic model with internal motion was the simplest model that provided a satisfactory fit with the experimental data, we cannot exclude the possibility that overall motion is anisotropic, especially considering the strikingly elongated topology of θ-defensins. The presence of flexible side chains, self-association, interactions with solvent, and internal motions are all potential contributors to the observed relaxation data. Internal motion consistent with the constraints imposed by the cyclic cystine ladder was observed in that the order parameters, S(2), show that residues in the turns are more flexible than those in the β-sheet. This study provides insights into the dynamics of θ-defensins and information that might be useful in their application as scaffolds in drug design.

Structure and backbone dynamics of vanadate-bound PRL-3: comparison of 15N nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation profiles of free and vanadate-bound PRL-3

Phosphatases of regenerating liver (PRLs) constitute a novel class of small, prenylated phosphatases with oncogenic activity. PRL-3 is particularly important in cancer metastasis and represents a potential therapeutic target. The flexibility of the WPD loop as well as the P-loop of protein tyrosine phosphatases is closely related to their catalytic activity. Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we studied the structure of vanadate-bound PRL-3, which was generated by addition of sodium orthovanadate to PRL-3. The WPD loop of free PRL-3 extended outside of the active site, forming an open conformation, whereas that of vanadate-bound PRL-3 was directed into the active site by a large movement, resulting in a closed conformation. We suggest that vanadate binding induced structural changes in the WPD loop, P-loop, helices α4-α6, and the polybasic region. Compared to free PRL-3, vanadate-bound PRL-3 has a longer α4 helix, where the catalytic R110 residue coordinates with vanadate in the active site. In addition, the hydrophobic cavity formed by helices α4-α6 with a depth of 14-15 Å can accommodate a farnesyl chain at the truncated prenylation motif of PRL-3, i.e., from R169 to M173. Conformational exchange data suggested that the WPD loop moves between open and closed conformations with a closing rate constant k(close) of 7 s(-1). This intrinsic loop flexibility of PRL-3 may be related to their catalytic rate and may play a role in substrate recognition.

Structural dynamics of the two-component response regulator RstA in recognition of promoter DNA element

The RstA/RstB system is a bacterial two-component regulatory system consisting of the membrane sensor, RstB and its cognate response regulator (RR) RstA. The RstA of Klebsiella pneumoniae (kpRstA) consists of an N-terminal receiver domain (RD, residues 1-119) and a C-terminal DNA-binding domain (DBD, residues 130-236). Phosphorylation of kpRstA induces dimerization, which allows two kpRstA DBDs to bind to a tandem repeat, called the RstA box, and regulate the expression of downstream genes. Here we report the solution and crystal structures of the free kpRstA RD, DBD and DBD/RstA box DNA complex. The structure of the kpRstA DBD/RstA box complex suggests that the two protomers interact with the RstA box in an asymmetric fashion. Equilibrium binding studies further reveal that the two protomers within the kpRstA dimer bind to the RstA box in a sequential manner. Taken together, our results suggest a binding model where dimerization of the kpRstA RDs provides the platform to allow the first kpRstA DBD protomer to anchor protein-DNA interaction, whereas the second protomer plays a key role in ensuring correct recognition of the RstA box.

15N chemical shift referencing in solid state NMR

Solid-state NMR spectroscopy has much advanced during the last decade and provides a multitude of data that can be used for high-resolution structure determination of biomolecules, polymers, inorganic compounds or macromolecules. In some cases the chemical shift referencing has become a limiting factor to the precision of the structure calculations and we have therefore evaluated a number of methods used in proton-decoupled (15)N solid-state NMR spectroscopy. For (13)C solid-state NMR spectroscopy adamantane is generally accepted as an external standard, but to calibrate the (15)N chemical shift scale several standards are in use. As a consequence the published chemical shift values exhibit considerable differences (up to 22 ppm). In this paper we report the (15)N chemical shift of several commonly used references compounds in order to allow for comparison and recalibration of published data and future work. We show that (15)NH4Cl in its powdered form (at 39.3 ppm with respect to liquid NH3) is a suitable external reference as it produces narrow lines when compared to other reference compounds and at the same time allows for the set-up of cross-polarization NMR experiments. The compound is suitable to calibrate magic angle spinning and static NMR experiments. Finally the temperature variation of (15)NH4Cl chemical shift is reported.

Structural and dynamic features of cold-shock proteins of Listeria monocytogenes, a psychrophilic bacterium

Cold-shock proteins (Csps), proteins expressed when the ambient temperature drops below the growth-supporting temperature, bind to single-stranded nucleic acids and act as RNA chaperones to regulate translation. Listeria monocytogenes is a psychrophilic food-borne pathogen that is problematic for the food industry. Structures of Csps from psychrophilic bacteria have not yet been studied. Despite dramatic differences in the thermostability of Csps of various thermophilic microorganisms, these proteins share a high degree of primary sequence homology and a high degree of three-dimensional structural similarity. Here, we investigated the structural and dynamic features as well as the thermostability of L. monocytogenes CspA (Lm-CspA). Lm-CspA has a five-stranded β-barrel structure with hydrophobic core packing and two salt bridges. When heptathymidine (dT(7)) binds, values for the heteronuclear nuclear Overhauser effect and order parameters of residues in surface loop regions near nucleic acid binding sites increase dramatically. Moreover, Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill experiments showed that slow motions observed for the nucleic acid binding residues K7, W8, F15, F27, and R56 disappeared in Lm-CspA-dT(7). Lm-CspA is less thermostable than mesophilic and thermophilic Csps, with a lower melting temperature (40 °C). The structural flexibility that accompanies longer surface loops and less hydrophobic core packing and a number of salt bridges and unfavorable electrostatic repulsion are likely key factors in the low thermostability of Lm-CspA. This implies that the large conformational flexibility of psychrophilic Lm-CspA, which more easily accommodates nucleic acids at low temperature, is required for RNA chaperone function under cold-shock conditions and for the cold adaptation of L. monocytogenes.

Backbone dynamics of an atypical orphan response regulator protein, Helicobacter pylori 1043

An atypical orphan response regulator protein, HP1043 (HP-RR) in Helicobacter pylori, is proven to be essential for cell growth and does not require the well known phosphorelay scheme. HP-RR was identified as a symmetric dimer with two functional domains, an N-terminal regulatory domain (HP-RR(r)) and a C-terminal effector domain (HP-RR(e)). HP-RR is a new class of response regulator, as a phosphorylation-independent regulator. Previously, we have presented a detailed three-dimensional structure of HP-RR using NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. In this study, in order to understand the functional importance of flexibilities in HP-RR(r) and HP-RR(e), T1, T2, heteronuclear NOE experiments have been performed and backbone dynamics of HP-RR(r) and HP-RR(e) were investigated. HP-RR(r) is a symmetric dimer and the interface region, α4-β5-α5 of dimer, showed high rigidity (high S (2) values). Site of rearrangements associated with phosphorylation of HP-RR(r) (Ser(75): R ex = 3.382, Ile(95): R ex = 5.228) showed slow chemical exchanges. HP-RR(e) is composed of three α-helices flanked on two sides by anti-parallel β-sheets. Low order parameters as well as conformational exchanges in the centers of loop regions known as the DNA binding site and transcription site of HP-RR(e) suggested that flexibility of HP-RR(e) is essential for interaction with DNA. In conclusion, backbone dynamics information for HP-RR implies that structural flexibilities in HP-RR(r) are necessary for the phosphorylation site and the dynamic nature of HP-RR(e) is essential for the regulation of interaction between protein and DNA.

Determination of 15N chemical shift anisotropy from a membrane-bound protein by NMR spectroscopy

Chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) tensors are essential in the structural and dynamic studies of proteins using NMR spectroscopy. Results from relaxation studies in biomolecular solution and solid-state NMR experiments on aligned samples are routinely interpreted using well-characterized CSA tensors determined from model compounds. Since CSA tensors, particularly the (15)N CSA, highly depend on a number of parameters including secondary structure, electrostatic interaction, and the amino acid sequence, there is a need for accurately determined CSA tensors from proteins. In this study, we report the backbone amide-(15)N CSA tensors for a 16.7-kDa membrane-bound and paramagnetic-heme containing protein, rabbit Cytochrome b(5) (cytb(5)), determined using the (15)N CSA/(15)N-(1)H dipolar transverse cross-correlation rates. The mean values of (15)N CSA determined for residues in helical, sheet, and turn regions are -187.9, -166.0, and -161.1 ppm, respectively, with an overall average value of -171.7 ppm. While the average CSA value determined from this study is in good agreement with previous solution NMR experiments on small globular proteins, the CSA value determined for residues in helical conformation is slightly larger, which may be attributed to the paramagnetic effect from Fe(III) of the heme unit in cytb(5). However, like in previous solution NMR studies, the CSA values reported in this study are larger than the values measured from solid-state NMR experiments. We believe that the CSA parameters reported in this study will be useful in determining the structure, dynamics, and orientation of proteins, including membrane proteins, using NMR spectroscopy.

Molecular basis of the recognition of the ap65-1 gene transcription promoter elements by a Myb protein from the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis

Iron-inducible transcription of the ap65-1 gene in Trichomonas vaginalis involves at least three Myb-like transcriptional factors (tvMyb1, tvMyb2 and tvMyb3) that differentially bind to two closely spaced promoter sites, MRE-1/MRE-2r and MRE-2f. Here, we defined a fragment of tvMyb2 comprising residues 40-156 (tvMyb2₄₀₋₁₅₆) as the minimum structural unit that retains near full binding affinity with the promoter DNAs. Like c-Myb in vertebrates, the DNA-free tvMyb2₄₀₋₁₅₆ has a flexible and open conformation. Upon binding to the promoter DNA elements, tvMyb2₄₀₋₁₅₆ undergoes significant conformational re-arrangement and structure stabilization. Crystal structures of tvMyb2₄₀₋₁₅₆ in complex with promoter element-containing DNA oligomers showed that 5'-a/gACGAT-3' is the specific base sequence recognized by tvMyb2₄₀₋₁₅₆, which does not fully conform to that of the Myb binding site sequence. Furthermore, Lys⁴⁹, which is upstream of the R2 motif (amino acids 52-102) also participates in specific DNA sequence recognition. Intriguingly, tvMyb2₄₀₋₁₅₆ binds to the promoter elements in an orientation opposite to that proposed in the HADDOCK model of the tvMyb1₃₅₋₁₄₁/MRE-1-MRE-2r complex. These results shed new light on understanding the molecular mechanism of Myb-DNA recognition and provide a framework to study the molecular basis of transcriptional regulation of myriad Mybs in T. vaginalis.

Internal dynamics of the tryptophan repressor (TrpR) and two functionally distinct TrpR variants, L75F-TrpR and A77V-TrpR, in their l-Trp-bound forms

Backbone amide dynamics of the Escherichia coli tryptophan repressor protein (WT-TrpR) and two functionally distinct variants, L75F-TrpR and A77V-TrpR, in their holo (l-tryptophan corepressor-bound) form have been characterized using (15)N nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation. The three proteins possess very similar structures, ruling out major conformational differences as the source of their functional differences, and suggest that changes in protein flexibility are at the origin of their distinct functional properties. Comparison of site specific (15)N-T(1), (15)N-T(2), (15)N-{(1)H} nuclear Overhauser effect, reduced spectral density, and generalized order (S(2)) parameters indicates that backbone dynamics in the three holo-repressors are overall very similar with a few notable and significant exceptions for backbone atoms residing within the proteins' DNA-binding domain. We find that flexibility is highly restricted for amides in core α-helices (i.e., helices A-C and F), and a comparable "stiffening" is observed for residues in the DNA recognition helix (helix E) of the helix D-turn-helix E (HTH) DNA-binding domain of the three holo-repressors. Unexpectedly, amides located in helix D and in adjacent turn regions remain flexible. These data support the concept that residual flexibility in TrpR is essential for repressor function, DNA binding, and molecular recognition of target operators. Comparison of the (15)N NMR relaxation parameters of the holo-TrpRs with those of the apo-TrpRs indicates that the single-point amino acid substitutions, L75F and A77V, perturb the flexibility of backbone amides of TrpR in very different ways and are most pronounced in the apo forms of the three repressors. Finally, we present these findings in the context of other DNA-binding proteins and the role of protein flexibility in molecular recognition.

High-resolution conformation and backbone dynamics of a soluble aggregate of apomyoglobin119

The structure and dynamics of soluble misfolded aggregates are poorly understood, despite their importance in protein science and disease. Water-soluble self-associated species that do not become insoluble over time are invaluable tools for high-resolution conformational studies aimed at dissecting the determinants of self-association. Here, we characterize the soluble model aggregate apomyoglobin(119) (apoMb(119)), generated upon truncating the residues corresponding to the C-terminal helix of sperm whale apomyoglobin. The secondary structure and backbone dynamics of apoMb(119), determined by multidimensional NMR at pH 6.0, reveal the presence of an N-terminal slow-tumbling core and a highly disordered flexible C-terminus displaying residual helicity and large-amplitude backbone motions on the picosecond-to-nanosecond timescale. The backbone of the apoMb(119) aggregate assumes progressively increased mobility as residues get further removed from the nonpolar core and closer to the more hydrophilic C-terminal end. This structural motif establishes a useful paradigm for the topology of soluble misfolded protein aggregates in aqueous solution in the absence of stabilizing additives. The partially helical and flexible C-terminus of apoMb(119)'s aggregate is in interesting contrast with the amyloid-related globulomers, which display dangling ends rich in β-strand. Finally, we investigate how a molecular chaperone, the substrate-binding domain of DnaK, interferes with apoMb(119)'s aggregation.

Density functional calculations of backbone 15N shielding tensors in beta-sheet and turn residues of protein G

We performed density functional calculations of backbone (15)N shielding tensors in the regions of beta-sheet and turns of protein G. The calculations were carried out for all twenty-four beta-sheet residues and eight beta-turn residues in the protein GB3 and the results were compared with the available experimental data from solid-state and solution NMR measurements. Together with the alpha-helix data, our calculations cover 39 out of the 55 residues (or 71%) in GB3. The applicability of several computational models developed previously (Cai et al. in J Biomol NMR 45:245-253, 2009) to compute (15)N shielding tensors of alpha-helical residues is assessed. We show that the proposed quantum chemical computational model is capable of predicting isotropic (15)N chemical shifts for an entire protein that are in good correlation with experimental data. However, the individual components of the predicted (15)N shielding tensor agree with experiment less well: the computed values show much larger spread than the experimental data, and there is a profound difference in the behavior of the tensor components for alpha-helix/turns and beta-sheet residues. We discuss possible reasons for this.

Structural NMR of protein oligomers using hybrid methods

Solving structures of native oligomeric protein complexes using traditional high-resolution NMR techniques remains challenging. However, increased utilization of computational platforms, and integration of information from less traditional NMR techniques with data from other complementary biophysical methods, promises to extend the boundary of NMR-applicable targets. This article reviews several of the techniques capable of providing less traditional and complementary structural information. In particular, the use of orientational constraints coming from residual dipolar couplings and residual chemical shift anisotropy offsets are shown to simplify the construction of models for oligomeric complexes, especially in cases of weak homo-dimers. Combining this orientational information with interaction site information supplied by computation, chemical shift perturbation, paramagnetic surface perturbation, cross-saturation and mass spectrometry allows high resolution models of the complexes to be constructed with relative ease. Non-NMR techniques, such as mass spectrometry, EPR and small angle X-ray scattering, are also expected to play increasingly important roles by offering alternative methods of probing the overall shape of the complex. Computational platforms capable of integrating information from multiple sources in the modeling process are also discussed in the article. And finally a new, detailed example on the determination of a chemokine tetramer structure will be used to illustrate how a non-traditional approach to oligomeric structure determination works in practice.

Site-specific backbone amide (15)N chemical shift anisotropy tensors in a small protein from liquid crystal and cross-correlated relaxation measurements

Site-specific (15)N chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) tensors have been derived for the well-ordered backbone amide (15)N nuclei in the B3 domain of protein G (GB3) from residual chemical shift anisotropy (RCSA) measured in six different mutants that retain the native structure but align differently relative to the static magnetic field when dissolved in a liquid crystalline Pf1 suspension. This information is complemented by measurement of cross-correlated relaxation rates between the (15)N CSA tensor and either the (15)N-(1)H or (15)N-(13)C' dipolar interaction. In agreement with recent solid state NMR measurements, the (15)N CSA tensors exhibit only a moderate degree of variation from averaged values, but have larger magnitudes in alpha-helical (-173 +/- 7 ppm) than in beta-sheet (-162 +/- 6 ppm) residues, a finding also confirmed by quantum computations. The orientations of the least shielded tensor component cluster tightly around an in-peptide-plane vector that makes an angle of 19.6 +/- 2.5 degrees with the N-H bond, with the asymmetry of the (15)N CSA tensor being slightly smaller in alpha-helix (eta = 0.23 +/- 0.17) than in beta-sheet (eta = 0.31 +/- 0.11). The residue-specific (15)N CSA values are validated by improved agreement between computed and experimental (15)N R(1rho) relaxation rates measured for (15)N-{(2)H} sites in GB3, which are dominated by the CSA mechanism. Use of residue-specific (15)N CSA values also results in more uniform generalized order parameters, S(2), and predicts considerable residue-by-residue variations in the magnetic field strengths where TROSY line narrowing is most effective.

Accurate determination of order parameters from 1H,15N dipolar couplings in MAS solid-state NMR experiments

A reliable site-specific estimate of the individual N-H bond lengths in the protein backbone is the fundamental basis of any relaxation experiment in solution and in the solid-state NMR. The N-H bond length can in principle be influenced by hydrogen bonding, which would result in an increased N-H distance. At the same time, dynamics in the backbone induces a reduction of the experimental dipolar coupling due to motional averaging. We present a 3D dipolar recoupling experiment in which the (1)H,(15)N dipolar coupling is reintroduced in the indirect dimension using phase-inverted CP to eliminate effects from rf inhomogeneity. We find no variation of the N-H dipolar coupling as a function of hydrogen bonding. Instead, variations in the (1)H,(15)N dipolar coupling seem to be due to dynamics of the protein backbone. This is supported by the observed correlation between the H(N)-N dipolar coupling and the amide proton chemical shift. The experiment is demonstrated for a perdeuterated sample of the alpha-spectrin SH3 domain. Perdeuteration is a prerequisite to achieve high accuracy. The average error in the analysis of the H-N dipolar couplings is on the order of +/-370 Hz (+/-0.012 A) and can be as small as 150 Hz, corresponding to a variation of the bond length of +/-0.005 A.

Dynamics of reassembled thioredoxin studied by magic angle spinning NMR: snapshots from different time scales

Solid-state NMR spectroscopy can be used to probe internal protein dynamics in the absence of the overall molecular tumbling. In this study, we report (15)N backbone dynamics in differentially enriched 1-73(U-(13)C,(15)N)/74-108(U-(15)N) reassembled thioredoxin on multiple time scales using a series of 2D and 3D MAS NMR experiments probing the backbone amide (15)N longitudinal relaxation, (1)H-(15)N dipolar order parameters, (15)N chemical shift anisotropy (CSA), and signal intensities in the temperature-dependent and (1)H T(2)'-filtered NCA experiments. The spin-lattice relaxation rates R(1) (R(1) = 1/T(1)) were observed in the range from 0.012 to 0.64 s(-1), indicating large site-to-site variations in dynamics on pico- to nanosecond time scales. The (1)H-(15)N dipolar order parameters, <S>, and (15)N CSA anisotropies, delta(sigma), reveal the backbone mobilities in reassembled thioredoxin, as reflected in the average <S> = 0.89 +/- 0.06 and delta(sigma) = 92.3 +/- 5.2 ppm, respectively. From the aggregate of experimental data from different dynamics methods, some degree of correlation between the motions on the different time scales has been suggested. Analysis of the dynamics parameters derived from these solid-state NMR experiments indicates higher mobilities for the residues constituting irregular secondary structure elements than for those located in the alpha-helices and beta-sheets, with no apparent systematic differences in dynamics between the alpha-helical and beta-sheet residues. Remarkably, the dipolar order parameters derived from the solid-state NMR measurements and the corresponding solution NMR generalized order parameters display similar qualitative trends as a function of the residue number. The comparison of the solid-state dynamics parameters to the crystallographic B-factors has identified the contribution of static disorder to the B-factors. The combination of longitudinal relaxation, dipolar order parameter, and CSA line shape analyses employed in this study provides snapshots of dynamics and a new insight on the correlation of these motions on multiple time scales.

Analysis of the amide (15)N chemical shift tensor of the C(alpha) tetrasubstituted constituent of membrane-active peptaibols, the alpha-aminoisobutyric acid residue, compared to those of di- and tri-substituted proteinogenic amino acid residues

In protein NMR spectroscopy the chemical shift provides important information for the assignment of residues and a first structural evaluation of dihedral angles. Furthermore, angular restraints are obtained from oriented samples by solution and solid-state NMR spectroscopic approaches. Whereas the anisotropy of chemical shifts, quadrupolar couplings and dipolar interactions have been used to determine the structure, dynamics and topology of oriented membrane polypeptides using solid-state NMR spectroscopy similar concepts have been introduced to solution NMR through the measurements of residual dipolar couplings. The analysis of (15)N chemical shift spectra depends on the accuracy of the chemical shift tensors. When investigating alamethicin and other peptaibols, i.e. polypeptides rich in alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), the (15)N chemical shift tensor of this C(alpha)-tetrasubstituted amino acid exhibits pronounced differences when compared to glycine, alanine and other proteinogenic residues. Here we present an experimental investigation on the (15)N amide Aib tensor of N-acetyl-Aib-OH and for the Aib residues within peptaibols. Furthermore, a statistical analysis of the tensors published for di- (glycine) and tri-substituted residues has been performed, where for the first time the published data sets are compiled using a common reference. The size of the isotropic chemical shift and main tensor elements follows the order di- < tri- < tetra-substituted amino acids. A (15)N chemical shift-(1)H-(15)N dipolar coupling correlation NMR spectrum of alamethicin is used to evaluate the consequences of variations in the main tensor elements for the structural analysis of this membrane peptide.

Selective characterization of microsecond motions in proteins by NMR relaxation

The three-dimensional structures of macromolecules fluctuate over a wide range of time-scales. Separating the individual dynamic processes according to frequency is of importance in relating protein motions to biological function and stability. We present here a general NMR method for the specific characterization of microsecond motions at backbone positions in proteins even in the presence of other dynamics such as large-amplitude nanosecond motions and millisecond chemical exchange processes. The method is based on measurement of relaxation rates of four bilinear coherences and relies on the ability of strong continuous radio frequency fields to quench millisecond chemical exchange. The utility of the methodology is demonstrated and validated through two specific examples focusing on the thermo-stable proteins, ubiquitin and protein L, where it is found that small-amplitude microsecond dynamics are more pervasive than previously thought. Specifically, these motions are localized to alpha helices, loop regions, and regions along the rim of beta sheets in both of the proteins examined. A third example focuses on a 28 kDa ternary complex of the chaperone Chz1 and the histones H2A.Z/H2B, where it is established that pervasive microsecond motions are localized to a region of the chaperone that is important for stabilizing the complex. It is further shown that these motions can be well separated from extensive millisecond dynamics that are also present and that derive from exchange of Chz1 between bound and free states. The methodology is straightforward to implement, and data recorded at only a single static magnetic field are required.

Dynamics in Thermotoga neapolitana adenylate kinase: 15N relaxation and hydrogen-deuterium exchange studies of a hyperthermophilic enzyme highly active at 30 degrees C

Backbone conformational dynamics of Thermotoga neapolitana adenylate kinase in the free form (TNAK) and inhibitor-bound form (TNAK*Ap5A) were investigated at 30 degrees C using (15)N NMR relaxation measurements and NMR monitored hydrogen-deuterium exchange. With kinetic parameters identical to those of Escherichia coli AK (ECAK) at 30 degrees C, TNAK is a unique hyperthermophilic enzyme. These catalytic properties make TNAK an interesting and novel model to study the interplay between protein rigidity, stability, and activity. Comparison of fast time scale dynamics (picosecond to nanosecond) in the open and closed states of TNAK and ECAK at 30 degrees C reveals a uniformly higher rigidity across all domains of TNAK. Within this framework of a rigid TNAK structure, several residues located in the AMP-binding domain and in the core-lid hinge regions display high picosecond to nanosecond time scale flexibility. Together with the recent comparison of ECAK dynamics with those of hyperthermophilic Aquifex aeolicus AK (AAAK), our results provide strong evidence for the role of picosecond to nanosecond time scale fluctuations in both stability and activity. In the slow time scales, TNAK's increased rigidity is not uniform but localized in the AMP-binding and lid domains. The core domain amides of ECAK and TNAK in the open and closed states show comparable protection against exchange. Significantly, the hinges framing the lid domain show similar exchange data in ECAK and TNAK open and closed forms. Our NMR relaxation and hydrogen-deuterium exchange studies therefore suggest that TNAK maintains high activity at 30 degrees C by localizing flexibility to the hinge regions that are key to facilitating conformational changes.

Solution structure and backbone dynamics of the cysteine 103 to serine mutant of the N-terminal domain of DsbD from Neisseria meningitidis

The DsbD protein is essential for electron transfer from the cytoplasm to the periplasm of Gram-negative bacteria. Its N-terminal domain dispatches electrons coming from cytoplasmic thioredoxin (Trx), via its central transmembrane and C-terminal domains, to its periplasmic partners: DsbC, DsbE/CcmG, and DsbG. Previous structural studies described the latter proteins as Trx-like folds possessing a characteristic C-X-X-C motif able to generate a disulfide bond upon oxidation. The Escherichia coli nDsbD displays an immunoglobulin-like fold in which two cysteine residues (Cys103 and Cys109) allow a disulfide bond exchange with its biological partners.We have determined the structure in solution and the backbone dynamics of the C103S mutant of the N-terminal domain of DsbD from Neisseria meningitidis. Our results highlight significant structural changes concerning the beta-sheets and the local topology of the active site compared with the oxidized form of the E. coli nDsbD. The structure reveals a "cap loop" covering the active site, similar to the oxidized E. coli nDsbD X-ray structure. However, regions featuring enhanced mobility were observed both near to and distant from the active site, revealing a capacity of structural adjustments in the active site and in putative interaction areas with nDsbD biological partners. Results are discussed in terms of functional consequences.

Solution structure and dynamics of the reduced and oxidized forms of the N-terminal domain of PilB from Neisseria meningitidis

The secreted form of the PilB protein was proposed to be involved in pathogen survival fighting against the defensive host's oxidative burst. PilB protein is composed of three domains. The central and the C-terminal domains display methionine sulfoxide reductase A and B activities, respectively. The N-terminal domain, which possesses a CXXC motif, was recently shown to regenerate in vitro the reduced forms of the methionine sulfoxide reductase domains of PilB from their oxidized forms, as does the thioredoxin 1 from E. coli, via a disulfide bond exchange. The thioredoxin-like N-terminal domain belongs to the cytochrome maturation protein structural family, but it possesses a unique additional segment (99)FLHE (102) localized in a loop. This segment covers one edge of the active site in the crystal structure of the reduced form of the N-terminal domain of PilB. We have determined the solution structure and the dynamics of the N-terminal domain from Neisseria meningitidis, in its reduced and oxidized forms. The FLHE loop adopts, in both redox states, a well-defined conformation. Subtle conformational and dynamic changes upon oxidation are highlighted around the active site, as well as in the FLHE loop. The functional consequences of the cytochrome maturation protein topology and those of the presence of FLHE loop are discussed in relation to the enzymatic properties of the N-terminal domain.

Density functional calculations of 15N chemical shifts in solvated dipeptides

We performed density functional calculations to examine the effects of solvation, hydrogen bonding, backbone conformation, and the side chain on 15N chemical shielding in proteins. We used N-methylacetamide (NMA) and N-formyl-alanyl-X (with X being one of the 19 naturally occurring amino acids excluding proline) as model systems. In addition, calculations were performed for selected fragments from protein GB3. The conducting polarizable continuum model was employed to include the effect of solvent in the density functional calculations. Our calculations for NMA show that the augmentation of the polarizable continuum model with the explicit water molecules in the first solvation shell has a significant influence on isotropic 15N chemical shift but not as much on the chemical shift anisotropy. The difference in the isotropic chemical shift between the standard beta-sheet and alpha-helical conformations ranges from 0.8 to 6.2 ppm depending on the residue type, with the mean of 2.7 ppm. This is in good agreement with the experimental chemical shifts averaged over a database of 36 proteins containing >6100 amino acid residues. The orientation of the 15N chemical shielding tensor as well as its anisotropy and asymmetry are also in the range of values experimentally observed for peptides and proteins.

Structural basis and binding properties of the second bromodomain of Brd4 with acetylated histone tails

Brd4 belongs to the BET family. It is a multifunctional protein involved in transcription, replication, the signal transduction pathway, and cell cycle progression. All of these functions are linked to its association with acetylated chromatin. With its tandem bromodomains, Brd4 avidly binds to diacetylated H4-AcK5/K12 and H3-AcK9/K14 peptides. Solution structure of the second bromodomain (BD) is reported in this research. In addition to the piD-helix, which is special for BET members, an incompact alphaZ' distinct from Brd2 BD2 is found, although they have identical sequences in this region. Both BD1 and BD2 bind to monoacetylated H4-AcK5 and H4-AcK12 peptides, but with subtle differences. An NMR perturbation study and mutational analysis identified the binding interface and revealed several residues important for binding specificity. By molecular dynamics simulations, a complex model composed of H4-AcK5/K12 and two molecules of BD2 is presented. Relaxation data and internal motions of BD2 are also discussed. Unlike Brd2 BD1, the two bromodomains of Brd4 are mainly monomeric in solution. They do not form heterodimers like TAFII250. It suggests that Brd4 should have its own mechanism to reinforce its chromatin association both in mitotic retention and related cellular regulation.

Structural mobility of the monomeric C-terminal domain of the HIV-1 capsid protein

The capsid protein of HIV-1 (p24) (CA) forms the mature capsid of the human immunodeficiency virus. Capsid assembly involves hexamerization of the N-terminal domain and dimerization of the C-terminal domain of CA (CAC), and both domains constitute potential targets for anti-HIV therapy. CAC homodimerization occurs mainly through its second helix, and it is abolished when its sole tryptophan is mutated to alanine. This mutant, CACW40A, resembles a transient monomeric intermediate formed during dimerization. Its tertiary structure is similar to that of the subunits in the dimeric, non-mutated CAC, but the segment corresponding to the second helix samples different conformations. The present study comprises a comprehensive examination of the CACW40A internal dynamics. The results obtained, with movements sampling a wide time regime (from pico- to milliseconds), demonstrate the high flexibility of the whole monomeric protein. The conformational exchange phenomena on the micro-to-millisecond time scale suggest a role for internal motions in the monomer-monomer interactions and, thus, flexibility of the polypeptide chain is likely to contribute to the ability of the protein to adopt different conformational states, depending on the biological environment.

Dynamics of backbone conformational heterogeneity in Bacillus subtilis ribonuclease P protein

Interconversion of protein conformations is imperative to function, as evidenced by conformational changes associated with enzyme catalytic cycles, ligand binding and post-translational modifications. In this study, we used 15N NMR relaxation experiments to probe the fast (i.e., ps-ns) and slow (i.e., micros-ms) conformational dynamics of Bacillus subtilis ribonuclease P protein (P protein) in its folded state, bound to two sulfate anions. Using the Lipari-Szabo mapping method [Andrec, M., Montelione, G. T., and Levy, R. M. (2000) J. Biomol. NMR 18, 83-100] to interpret the data, we find evidence for P protein dynamics on the mus-ms time scale in the ensemble. The residues that exhibit these slow internal motions are found in regions that have been previously identified as part of the P protein-P RNA interface. These results suggest that structural flexibility within the P protein ensemble may be important for proper RNase P holoenzyme assembly and/or catalysis.

Variability of the 15N chemical shielding tensors in the B3 domain of protein G from 15N relaxation measurements at several fields. Implications for backbone order parameters

We applied a combination of 15N relaxation and CSA/dipolar cross-correlation measurements at five magnetic fields (9.4, 11.7, 14.1, 16.4, and 18.8 T) to determine the 15N chemical shielding tensors for backbone amides in protein G in solution. The data were analyzed using various model-independent approaches and those based on Lipari-Szabo approximation, all of them yielding similar results. The results indicate a range of site-specific values of the anisotropy (CSA) and orientation of the 15N chemical shielding tensor, similar to those in ubiquitin (Fushman, et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1998, 120, 10947; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1999, 121, 8577). Assuming a Gaussian distribution of the 15N CSA values, the mean anisotropy is -173.9 to -177.2 ppm (for 1.02 A NH bond length) and the site-to-site CSA variability is +/-17.6 to +/-21.4 ppm, depending on the method used. This CSA variability is significantly larger than derived previously for ribonuclease H (Kroenke, et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1999, 121, 10119) or recently, using "meta-analysis" for ubiquitin (Damberg, et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 1995). Standard interpretation of 15N relaxation studies of backbone dynamics in proteins involves an a priori assumption of a uniform 15N CSA. We show that this assumption leads to a significant discrepancy between the order parameters obtained at different fields. Using the site-specific CSAs obtained from our study removes this discrepancy and allows simultaneous fit of relaxation data at all five fields to Lipari-Szabo spectral densities. These findings emphasize the necessity of taking into account the variability of 15N CSA for accurate analysis of protein dynamics from 15N relaxation measurements.

Chemical shift tensors of protonated base carbons in helical RNA and DNA from NMR relaxation and liquid crystal measurements

Knowledge of (13)C chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) tensors in nucleotide bases is important for interpretation of NMR relaxation data in terms of local dynamic properties of nucleic acids and for analysis of residual chemical shift anisotropy (RCSA) resulting from weak alignment. CSA tensors for protonated nucleic acid base carbons have been derived from measurements on a uniformly (13)C-enriched helical A-form RNA segment and a helical B-form DNA dodecamer at natural (13)C abundance. The magnitudes of the derived CSA principal values are tightly restricted by the magnetic field dependencies of the (13)C transverse relaxation rates, whereas the tensor orientation and asymmetry follow from quantitative measurements of interference between (13)C-{(1)H} dipolar and (13)C CSA relaxation mechanisms. Changes in the chemical shift between the isotropic and aligned states, Deltadelta, complement these measurements and permit cross-validation. The CSA tensors are determined from the experimental Deltadelta values and relaxation rates, under the assumption that the CSA tensor of any specific carbon in a given type of base is independent of the base position in either the RNA or DNA helix. However, the experimental data indicate that for pyrimidine C(6) carbons in A-form RNA the CSA magnitude is considerably larger than in B-form DNA. This result is supported by quantum chemical calculations and is attributed in part to the close proximity between intranucleotide C(6)H and O(5)' atoms in RNA. The magnitudes of the measured CSA tensors, on average, agree better with previous solid-state NMR results obtained on powdered nucleosides than with prior results from quantum chemical calculations on isolated bases, which depend rather strongly on the level of theory at which the calculations are carried out. In contrast, previously computed orientations of the chemical shift tensors agree well with the present experimental results and exhibit less dependence on the level of theory at which the computations are performed.

A comparison of quantum chemical models for calculating NMR shielding parameters in peptides: mixed basis set and ONIOM methods combined with a complete basis set extrapolation

This article compares several quantum mechanical approaches to the computation of chemical shielding tensors in peptide fragments. First, we describe the effects of basis set quality up to the complete basis set (CBS) limit and level of theory (HF, MP2, and DFT) for four different atoms in trans N-methylacetamide. For both isotropic shielding and shielding anisotropy, the MP2 results in the CBS limit show the best agreement with experiment. The HF values show quite a different tendency to MP2, and even in the CBS limit they are far from experiment for not only the isotropic shielding of carbonyl carbon but also most shielding anisotropies. In most cases, the DFT values differ systematically from MP2, and small basis-set (double- or triple-zeta) results are often fortuitously in better agreement with the experiment than the CBS ones. Second, we compare the mixed basis set and ONIOM methods, combined with CBS extrapolation, for chemical shielding calculations at a DFT level using various model peptides. From the results, it is shown that the mixed basis set method provides better results than ONIOM, compared to CBS calculations using the nonpartitioned full systems. The information studied here will be useful in guiding the selection of proper quantum chemical models, which are in a tradeoff between accuracy and cost, for shielding studies of peptides and proteins.

Structure and dynamics of surfactin studied by NMR in micellar media

The NMR structure of the cyclic lipopeptide surfactin from Bacillus subtilis was determined in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micellar solution. The two negatively charged side chains of surfactin form a polar head opposite to most hydrophobic side chains, accounting for its amphiphilic nature and its strong surfactant properties. Disorder was observed around the fatty acid chain, and 15N relaxation studies were performed to investigate whether it originates from a dynamic phenomenon. A very large exchange contribution to transverse relaxation rate R(2) was effectively observed in this region, indicating slow conformational exchange. Temperature variation and Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) delay variation relaxation studies provided an estimation of the apparent activation energy around 35-43 kJ x mol(-1) and an exchange rate of about 200 ms(-1) for this conformational exchange. 15N relaxation parameters were also recorded in dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles and DMSO. Similar chemical exchange around the fatty acid was found in DPC but not in DMSO, which demonstrates that this phenomenon only occurs in micellar media. Consequently, it may either reflect the disorder observed in our structures determined in SDS or originate from an interaction of the lipopeptide with the detergent, which would be qualitatively similar with an anionic (SDS) or a zwitterionic (DPC) detergent. These structural and dynamics results on surfactin are the first NMR characterization of a lipopeptide incorporated in micelles. Moreover, they provide a model of surfactin determined in a more biomimetic environment than an organic solvent, which could be useful for understanding the molecular mechanism of its biological activity.

Structure of the Subunit Binding Domain and Dynamics of the Di-domain Region from the Core of Human Branched Chain α-Ketoacid Dehydrogenase Complex

The homo-24-meric dihydrolipoyl transacylase (E2) scaffold of the human branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex (BCKDC) contains the lipoyl-bearing domain (hbLBD), the subunit-binding domain (hbSBD) and the inner core domain that are linked to carry out E2 functions in substrate channeling and recognition. In this study, we employed NMR techniques to determine the structure of hbSBD and dynamics of several truncated constructs from the E2 component of the human BCKDC, including hbLBD (residues 1-84), hbSBD (residues 111-149), and a di-domain (hbDD) (residues 1-166) comprising hbLBD, hbSBD and the interdomain linker. The solution structure of hbSBD consists of two nearly parallel helices separated by a long loop, similar to the structures of the SBD isolated from other species, but it lacks the short 3(10) helix. The NMR results show that the structures of hbLBD and hbSBD in isolated forms are not altered by the presence of the interdomain linker in hbDD. The linker region is not entirely exposed to solvent, where amide resonances associated with approximately 50% of the residues are observable. However, the tethering of these two domains in hbDD significantly retards the overall rotational correlation times of hbLBD and hbSBD, changing from 5.54 ns and 5.73 ns in isolated forms to 8.37 ns and 8.85 ns in the linked hbDD, respectively. We conclude that the presence of the interdomain linker restricts the motional freedom of the hbSBD more significantly than hbLBD, and that the linker region likely exists as a soft rod rather than a flexible string in solution.

Determination of the residue-specific 15N CSA tensor principal components using multiple alignment media

The individual components of the backbone (15)N CSA tensor, sigma(11), sigma(22), sigma(33), and the orientation of sigma(11) relative to the NH bond described by the angle beta have been determined for uniformly labeled (15)N, (13)C ubiquitin from partial alignment in phospholipid bicelles, Pf1 phage, and poly(ethylene glycol) by measuring the residue-specific residual dipolar couplings and chemical shift deviations. No strong correlation between any of the CSA tensor components is observed with any single structural feature. However, the experimentally determined tensor components agree with the previously determined average CSA principal components [Cornilescu and Bax (2000) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 122, 10143-10154]. Significant deviations from the averages coincide with residues in beta-strand or extended regions, while alpha-helical residue tensor components cluster close to the average values.

Backbone dynamics of a biologically active human FGF-1 monomer, complexed to a hexasaccharide heparin-analogue, by 15N NMR relaxation methods

The binding site and backbone dynamics of a bioactive complex formed by the acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) and a specifically designed heparin hexasaccharide has been investigated by HSQC and relaxation NMR methods. The comparison of the relaxation data for the free and bound states has allowed showing that the complex is monomeric, and still induces mutagenesis, and that the protein backbone presents reduced motion in different timescale in its bound state, except in certain points that are involved in the interaction with the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR).