Site-specific measurement of water dynamics in the substrate pocket of ketosteroid isomerase using time-resolved vibrational spectroscopy

Transparent window 2D IR spectroscopy of proteins

Proteins are complex, heterogeneous macromolecules that exist as ensembles of interconverting states on a complex energy landscape. A complete, molecular-level understanding of their function requires experimental tools to characterize them with high spatial and temporal precision. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy has an inherently fast time scale that can capture all states and their dynamics with, in principle, bond-specific spatial resolution. Two-dimensional (2D) IR methods that provide richer information are becoming more routine but remain challenging to apply to proteins. Spectral congestion typically prevents selective investigation of native vibrations; however, the problem can be overcome by site-specific introduction of amino acid side chains that have vibrational groups with frequencies in the "transparent window" of protein spectra. This Perspective provides an overview of the history and recent progress in the development of transparent window 2D IR of proteins.

Fluorescent toxins as ion channel activity sensors

Voltage gated ion channels (VGICs) shape the electrical character of cells by undergoing structural changes in response to membrane depolarization. High-resolution techniques have provided a wealth of data on individual VGIC structures, but the conformational changes of endogenous channels in live cell membranes have remained unexplored. Here, we describe methods for imaging structural changes of voltage-gated K⁺ channels in living cells, using peptidyl toxins labeled with fluorophores that report specific protein conformations. These Endogenous Voltage-sensor Activity Probes (EVAPs) enable study of both VGIC allostery and function in the context of endogenous live-cell membranes under different physiological states. In this chapter, we describe methods for the synthesis, imaging, and analysis of dynamic EVAPs, which can report K⁺ channel activity in complex tissue preparations via 2-photon excitation microscopy, and environment-sensitive EVAPs, which report voltage-dependent conformational changes at the VGIC-toxin interface. The methods here present the utility of current EVAPs and lay the groundwork for the development of other probes that act by similar mechanisms. EVAPs can be correlated with electrophysiology, offering insight into the molecular details of endogenous channel function and allostery in live cells. This enables investigation of conformational changes of channels in their native, functional states, putting structures and models into a context of live-cell membranes. The expansive array of state-dependent ligands and optical probes should enable probes more generally for investigating the molecular motions of endogenous proteins.

Distinguishing Potassium Channel Resting State Conformations in Live Cells with Environment-Sensitive Fluorescence

Ion channels are polymorphic membrane proteins whose high-resolution structures offer images of individual conformations, giving us starting points for identifying the complex and transient allosteric changes that give rise to channel physiology. Here, we report live-cell imaging of voltage-dependent structural changes of voltage-gated Kv2.1 channels using peptidyl tarantula toxins labeled with an environment-sensitive fluorophore, whose spectral shifts enable identification of voltage-dependent conformation changes in the resting voltage sensing domain (VSD) of the channel. We synthesize a new environment-sensitive, far-red fluorophore, julolidine phenoxazone (JP) azide, and conjugate it to tarantula toxin GxTX to characterize Kv2.1 VSD allostery during membrane depolarization. JP has an inherent response to the polarity of its immediate surroundings, offering site-specific structural insight into each channel conformation. Using voltage-clamp spectroscopy to collect emission spectra as a function of membrane potential, we find that they vary with toxin labeling site, the presence of Kv2 channels, and changes in membrane potential. With a high-affinity conjugate in which the fluorophore itself interacts closely with the channel, the emission shift midpoint is 50 mV more negative than the Kv2.1 gating current midpoint. This suggests that substantial conformational changes at the toxin-channel interface are associated with early gating charge transitions and these are not concerted with VSD motions at more depolarized potentials. These fluorescent probes enable study of conformational changes that can be correlated with electrophysiology, putting channel structures and models into a context of live-cell membranes and physiological states.

Optical mapping of biological water in single live cells by stimulated Raman excited fluorescence microscopy

Water is arguably the most common and yet least understood material on Earth. Indeed, the biophysical behavior of water in crowded intracellular milieu is a long-debated issue. Understanding of the spatial and compositional heterogeneity of water inside cells remains elusive, largely due to a lack of proper water-sensing tools with high sensitivity and spatial resolution. Recently, stimulated Raman excited fluorescence (SREF) microscopy was reported as the most sensitive vibrational imaging in the optical far field. Herein we develop SREF into a water-sensing tool by coupling it with vibrational solvatochromism. This technique allows us to directly visualize spatially-resolved distribution of water states inside single mammalian cells. Qualitatively, our result supports the concept of biological water and reveals intracellular water heterogeneity between nucleus and cytoplasm. Quantitatively, we unveil a compositional map of the water pool inside living cells. Hence we hope SREF will be a promising tool to study intracellular water and its relationship with cellular activities.

Structure-based reconstruction of a Mycobacterium hypothetical protein into an active Δ5-3-ketosteroid isomerase

Protein engineering based on structure homology holds the potential to engineer steroid-transforming enzymes on demand. Based on the genome sequencing analysis of industrial Mycobacterium strain HGMS2 to produce 4-androstene-3,17-dione (4-AD), three hypothetical proteins were predicted as putative Δ⁵-3-ketosteroid isomerases (KSIs) to catalyze an intramolecular proton transfer involving the transformation of 5-androstene-3,17-dione (5-AD) into 4-AD, which were defined as mKSI228, mKSI291 and mKSI753. Activity assays indicated that mKSI228 and mKSI291 exhibited weak activity, as low as 0.7% and 1.5%, respectively, of a well-studied and highly active KSI from Pseudomonas putida KSI (pKSI), while mKSI753 had no activity similar to Mycobacterium tuberculosis KSI (mtKSI). Although the 3D structures of the putative mKSIs were homologous to pKSI, their amino acid sequences were significantly different from those of pKSI and tKSI. Thus, by use of these two KSIs as homology models, we were able to convert the low-active mKSI291 into a high-active active KSI by site-directed mutagenesis. On the other hand, an X-ray crystallographic structure of mKSI291 identified a water molecule in its active site. This unique water molecule might function as a bridge to connect Ser-OH, Tyr57-OH and C3O of the intermediate form a hydrogen-bonding network that was responsible for its weak activity, compared with that of mtKSI. Our results not only demonstrated the use of a protein engineering approach to understanding KSI catalytic mechanism, but also provided an example for engineering the catalytic active sites and gaining a functional enzyme based on homologous structures.

Protein Solvent Shell Structure Provides Rapid Analysis of Hydration Dynamics

The solvation layer surrounding a protein is clearly an intrinsic part of protein structure-dynamics-function, and our understanding of how the hydration dynamics influences protein function is emerging. We have recently reported simulations indicating a correlation between regional hydration dynamics and the structure of the solvation layer around different regions of the enzyme Candida antarctica lipase B, wherein the radial distribution function (RDF) was used to calculate the pairwise entropy, providing a link between dynamics (diffusion) and thermodynamics (excess entropy) known as Rosenfeld scaling. Regions with higher RDF values/peaks in the hydration layer (the first peak, within 6 Å of the protein surface) have faster diffusion in the hydration layer. The finding thus hinted at a handle for rapid evaluation of hydration dynamics at different regions on the protein surface in molecular dynamics simulations. Such an approach may move the analysis of hydration dynamics from a specialized venture to routine analysis, enabling an informatics approach to evaluate the role of hydration dynamics in biomolecular function. This paper first confirms that the correlation between regional diffusive dynamics and hydration layer structure (via water center of mass around protein side-chain atom RDF) is observed as a general relationship across a set of proteins. Second, it seeks to devise an approach for rapid analysis of hydration dynamics, determining the minimum amount of information and computational effort required to get a reliable value of hydration dynamics from structural data in MD simulations based on the protein-water RDF. A linear regression model using the integral of the hydration layer in the water-protein RDF was found to provide statistically equivalent apparent diffusion coefficients at the 95% confidence level for a set of 92 regions within five different proteins. In summary, RDF analysis of 10 ns of data after simulation convergence is sufficient to accurately map regions of fast and slow hydration dynamics around a protein surface. Additionally, it is anticipated that a quick look at protein-water RDFs, comparing peak heights, will be useful to provide a qualitative ranking of regions of faster and slower hydration dynamics at the protein surface for rapid analysis when investigating the role of solvent dynamics in protein function.

Entropy connects water structure and dynamics in protein hydration layer

The enzyme Candida Antarctica lipase B (CALB) serves here as a model for understanding connections among hydration layer dynamics, solvation shell structure, and protein surface structure. The structure and dynamics of water molecules in the hydration layer were characterized for regions of the CALB surface, divided around each α-helix, β-sheet, and loop structure. Heterogeneous hydration dynamics were observed around the surface of the enzyme, in line with spectroscopic observations of other proteins. Regional differences in the structure of the biomolecular hydration layer were found to be concomitant with variations in dynamics. In particular, it was seen that regions of higher density exhibit faster water dynamics. This is analogous to the behavior of bulk water, where dynamics (diffusion coefficients) are connected to water structure (density and tetrahedrality) by excess (or pair) entropy, detailed in the Rosenfeld scaling relationship. Additionally, effects of protein surface topology and hydrophobicity on water structure and dynamics were evaluated using multiregression analysis, showing that topology has a somewhat larger effect on hydration layer structure-dynamics. Concave and hydrophobic protein surfaces favor a less dense and more tetrahedral solvation layer, akin to a more ice-like structure, with slower dynamics. Results show that pairwise entropies of local hydration layers, calculated from regional radial distribution functions, scale logarithmically with local hydration dynamics. Thus, the Rosenfeld relationship describes the heterogeneous structure-dynamics of the hydration layer around the enzyme CALB. These findings raise the question of whether this may be a general principle for understanding the structure-dynamics of biomolecular solvation.

Probing the Effects of Gating on the Ion Occupancy of the K+ Channel Selectivity Filter Using Two-Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy

The interplay between the intracellular gate and the selectivity filter underlies the structural basis for gating in potassium ion channels. Using a combination of protein semisynthesis, two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we probe the ion occupancy at the S1 binding site in the constricted state of the selectivity filter of the KcsA channel when the intracellular gate is open and closed. The 2D IR spectra resolve two features, whose relative intensities depend on the state of the intracellular gate. By matching the experiment to calculated 2D IR spectra of structures predicted by MD simulations, we identify the two features as corresponding to states with S1 occupied or unoccupied by K⁺. We learn that S1 is >70% occupied when the intracellular gate is closed and <15% occupied when the gate is open. Comparison of MD trajectories show that opening of the intracellular gate causes a structural change in the selectivity filter, which leads to a change in the ion occupancy. This work reveals the complexity of the conformational landscape of the K⁺ channel selectivity filter and its dependence on the state of the intracellular gate.

Ionic effects on the proton transfer mechanism in aqueous solutions

Proton dissociation (PD) reactions of weak acids and proton transfer (PT) processes in aqueous solutions are strongly influenced by ions.

Hydration of proteins and nucleic acids: Advances in experiment and theory. A review

BACKGROUND

Most biological processes involve water, and the interactions of biomolecules with water affect their structure, function and dynamics.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

This review summarizes the current knowledge of protein and nucleic acid interactions with water, with a special focus on the biomolecular hydration layer. Recent developments in both experimental and computational methods that can be applied to the study of hydration structure and dynamics are reviewed, including software tools for the prediction and characterization of hydration layer properties.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

In the last decade, important advances have been made in our understanding of the factors that determine how biomolecules and their aqueous environment influence each other. Both experimental and computational methods contributed to the gradually emerging consensus picture of biomolecular hydration.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

An improved knowledge of the structural and thermodynamic properties of the hydration layer will enable a detailed understanding of the various biological processes in which it is involved, with implications for a wide range of applications, including protein-structure prediction and structure-based drug design.

SAXS/SANS on Supercharged Proteins Reveals Residue-Specific Modifications of the Hydration Shell

Water molecules in the immediate vicinity of biomacromolecules, including proteins, constitute a hydration layer characterized by physicochemical properties different from those of bulk water and play a vital role in the activity and stability of these structures, as well as in intermolecular interactions. Previous studies using solution scattering, crystallography, and molecular dynamics simulations have provided valuable information about the properties of these hydration shells, including modifications in density and ionic concentration. Small-angle scattering of x-rays (SAXS) and neutrons (SANS) are particularly useful and complementary techniques to study biomacromolecular hydration shells due to their sensitivity to electronic and nuclear scattering-length density fluctuations, respectively. Although several sophisticated SAXS/SANS programs have been developed recently, the impact of physicochemical surface properties on the hydration layer remains controversial, and systematic experimental data from individual biomacromolecular systems are scarce. Here, we address the impact of physicochemical surface properties on the hydration shell by a systematic SAXS/SANS study using three mutants of a single protein, green fluorescent protein (GFP), with highly variable net charge (+36, -6, and -29). The combined analysis of our data shows that the hydration shell is locally denser in the vicinity of acidic surface residues, whereas basic and hydrophilic/hydrophobic residues only mildly modify its density. Moreover, the data demonstrate that the density modifications result from the combined effect of residue-specific recruitment of ions from the bulk in combination with water structural rearrangements in their vicinity. Finally, we find that the specific surface-charge distributions of the different GFP mutants modulate the conformational space of flexible parts of the protein.

BIOPHYSICS. Response to Comments on "Extreme electric fields power catalysis in the active site of ketosteroid isomerase"

Natarajan et al. and Chen and Savidge comment that comparing the electric field in ketosteroid isomerase's (KSI's) active site to zero overestimates the catalytic effect of KSI's electric field because the reference reaction occurs in water, which itself exerts a sizable electrostatic field. To compensate, Natarajan et al. argue that additional catalytic weight arises from positioning of the general base, whereas Chen and Savidge propose a separate contribution from desolvation of the general base. We note that the former claim is not well supported by published results, and the latter claim is intriguing but lacks experimental basis. We also take the opportunity to clarify some of the more conceptually subtle aspects of electrostatic catalysis.

Metal-ion effects on the polarization of metal-bound water and infrared vibrational modes of the coordinated metal center of Mycobacterium tuberculosis pyrazinamidase via quantum mechanical calculations

Mycobacterium tuberculosis pyrazinamidase (PZAse) is a key enzyme to activate the pro-drug pyrazinamide (PZA). PZAse is a metalloenzyme that coordinates in vitro different divalent metal cofactors in the metal coordination site (MCS). Several metals including Co²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Zn²⁺ are able to reactivate the metal-depleted PZAse in vitro. We use quantum mechanical calculations to investigate the Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Mn²⁺ metal cofactor effects on the local MCS structure, metal–ligand or metal–residue binding energy, and charge distribution. Results suggest that the major metal-dependent changes occur in the metal–ligand binding energy and charge distribution. Zn²⁺ shows the highest binding energy to the ligands (residues). In addition, Zn²⁺ and Mn²⁺ within the PZAse MCS highly polarize the O–H bond of coordinated water molecules in comparison with Fe²⁺. This suggests that the coordination of Zn²⁺ or Mn²⁺ to the PZAse protein facilitates the deprotonation of coordinated water to generate a nucleophile for catalysis as in carboxypeptidase A. Because metal ion binding is relevant to enzymatic reaction, identification of the metal binding event is important. The infrared vibrational mode shift of the C=Nε (His) bond from the M. tuberculosis MCS is the best IR probe to metal complexation.

Implementing electrostatic polarization cannot fill the gap between experimental and theoretical measurements for the ultrafast fluorescence decay of myoglobin

Over the past few years, time-dependent ultrafast fluorescence spectroscopy method has been applied to the study of protein dynamics. However, observations from these experiments are in a controversy with other experimental studies. Participating of theoretical methods in this debate has not reconciled the contradiction, because the predicted initial relaxation from computer simulations is one-order faster than the ultrafast fluorescence spectroscopy experiment. In those simulations, pairwise force fields are employed, which have been shown to underestimate the roughness of the free energy landscape. Therefore, the relaxation rate of protein and water molecules under pairwise force fields is falsely exaggerated. In this work, we compared the relaxations of tryptophan/environment interaction under linear response approximation employing pairwise, polarized, and polarizable force fields. Results show that although the relaxation can be slowed down to a certain extent, the large gap between experiment and theory still cannot be filled.