1
|
Di Cera E. A simple method to resolve rate constants when the binding mechanism obeys induced fit or conformational selection. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107131. [PMID: 38432634 PMCID: PMC10979105 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Many interactions involving a ligand and its molecular target are studied by rapid kinetics using a stopped-flow apparatus. Information obtained from these studies is often limited to a single, saturable relaxation that is insufficient to resolve all independent rate constants even for a two-step mechanism of binding obeying induced fit (IF) or conformational selection (CS). We introduce a simple method of general applicability where this limitation is overcome. The method accurately reproduces the rate constants for ligand binding to the serine protease thrombin determined independently from the analysis of multiple relaxations. Application to the inactive zymogen precursor of thrombin, prethrombin-2, resolves all rate constants for a binding mechanism of IF or CS from a single, saturable relaxation. Comparison with thrombin shows that the prethrombin-2 to thrombin conversion enhances ligand binding to the active site not by improving accessibility through the value of kon but by reducing the rate of dissociation koff. The conclusion holds regardless of whether binding is interpreted in terms of IF or CS and has general relevance for the mechanism of zymogen activation of serine proteases. The method also provides a simple test of the validity of IF and CS and indicates when more complex mechanisms of binding should be considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Di Cera
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
McKinley LN, Kern RG, Assmann SM, Bevilacqua PC. Flanking Sequence Cotranscriptionally Regulates Twister Ribozyme Activity. Biochemistry 2024; 63:53-68. [PMID: 38134329 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Small nucleolytic ribozymes are RNAs that cleave their own phosphodiester backbone. While proteinaceous enzymes are regulated by a variety of known mechanisms, methods of regulation for ribozymes remain unclear. Twister is one ribozyme class for which many structural and catalytic properties have been elucidated. However, few studies have analyzed the activity of twister ribozymes in the context of a native flanking sequence, even though ribozymes as transcribed in nature do not exist in isolation. Interactions between the ribozyme and its neighboring sequences can induce conformational changes that inhibit self-cleavage, providing a regulatory mechanism that could naturally determine ribozyme activity in vivo and in synthetic applications. To date, eight twister ribozymes have been identified within the staple crop rice (Oryza sativa). Herein, we select several twister ribozymes from rice and show that they are differentially regulated by their flanking sequence using published RNA-seq data sets, structure probing, and cotranscriptional cleavage assays. We found that the Osa 1-2 ribozyme does not interact with its flanking sequences. However, sequences flanking the Osa 1-3 and Osa 1-8 ribozymes form inactive conformations, referred to here as "ribozymogens", that attenuate ribozyme self-cleavage activity. For the Osa 1-3 ribozyme, we show that activity can be rescued upon addition of a complementary antisense oligonucleotide, suggesting ribozymogens can be controlled via external signals. In all, our data provide a plausible mechanism wherein flanking sequence differentially regulates ribozyme activity in vivo. More broadly, the ability to regulate ribozyme behavior locally has potential applications in control of gene expression and synthetic biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren N McKinley
- Depatment of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Reuben G Kern
- Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Sarah M Assmann
- Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Philip C Bevilacqua
- Depatment of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Di Cera E, Mohammed BM, Pelc LA, Stojanovski BM. Cryo-EM structures of coagulation factors. Res Pract Thromb Haemost 2022; 6:e12830. [PMID: 36349261 PMCID: PMC9630041 DOI: 10.1002/rth2.12830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
A State of the Art lecture titled "Cryo-EM structures of coagulation factors" was presented at the ISTH Congress in 2022. Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a revolutionary technique capable of solving the structure of high molecular weight proteins and their complexes, unlike nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and under conditions not biased by crystal contacts, unlike X-ray crystallography. These features are particularly relevant to the analysis of coagulation factors that are too big for NMR and often recalcitrant to X-ray investigation. Using cryo-EM, we have solved the structures of coagulation factors V and Va, prothrombinase on nanodiscs, and the prothrombin-prothrombinase complex. These structures have advanced basic knowledge in the field of thrombosis and hemostasis, especially on the function of factor V and the molecular mechanism for prothrombin activation, and set the stage for exciting new lines of investigation. Finally, we summarize relevant new data on this topic presented during the 2022 ISTH Congress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Di Cera
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologySaint Louis University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Bassem M. Mohammed
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologySaint Louis University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Leslie A. Pelc
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologySaint Louis University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Bosko M. Stojanovski
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologySaint Louis University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Quaye JA, Ball J, Gadda G. Kinetic solvent viscosity effects uncover an internal isomerization of the enzyme-substrate complex in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 NADH:Quinone oxidoreductase. Arch Biochem Biophys 2022; 727:109342. [PMID: 35777523 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2022.109342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductases (NQOs) play an essential protective role as antioxidants in the detoxification of quinones in both Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes. NQO from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 uses FMN to catalyze the two-electron reduction of various quinones with NADH. In this study, steady-state kinetics, kinetic solvent viscosity effects, and rapid reaction kinetics were used to determine which kinetic steps control the overall turnover of the enzyme with benzoquinone or juglone. The rate constant for flavin reduction (kred) at pH 6.0 was 12.9 ± 0.3 s-1, and the Kd for NADH was at least an order of magnitude lower than 90 μM. With benzoquinone, the kcat value was 11.7 ± 0.3 s-1, consistent with flavin reduction being almost entirely rate-limiting for overall turnover. With juglone, a kcat value of 10.0 ± 0.5 s-1 was recorded. The normalized plot of the relative solvent viscosity effects on the kcat values established that hydride transfer from NADH to the FMN and quinol product release, with a calculated rate constant (kP-rel) of 52 s-1, are partially rate-limiting for the overall turnover of NQO. Kinetic solvent viscosity effects with glucose or sucrose revealed a hyperbolic dependence on the kcat and kcat/Km values with benzoquinone or juglone, respectively, consistent with the presence of a solvent-sensitive internal isomerization of the enzyme-substrate complex (ES). The data demonstrate opposing effects of benzoquinone and juglone on the equilibrium of the NQO ES isomerization with glucose or sucrose. Thus, our study demonstrates how quinol substrate properties alter the equilibrium of NQO ES isomerization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna A Quaye
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 3965, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA
| | - Jacob Ball
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 3965, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA
| | - Giovanni Gadda
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 3965, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA; Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA; Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ruben EA, Summers B, Rau MJ, Fitzpatrick JAJ, Di Cera E. Cryo-EM structure of the prothrombin-prothrombinase complex. Blood 2022; 139:3463-3473. [PMID: 35427420 PMCID: PMC9203702 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022015807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of the coagulation cascade converge to a common step where the prothrombinase complex, comprising the enzyme factor Xa (fXa), the cofactor fVa, Ca2+ and phospholipids, activates the zymogen prothrombin to the protease thrombin. The reaction entails cleavage at 2 sites, R271 and R320, generating the intermediates prethrombin 2 and meizothrombin, respectively. The molecular basis of these interactions that are central to hemostasis remains elusive. We solved 2 cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the fVa-fXa complex, 1 free on nanodiscs at 5.3-Å resolution and the other bound to prothrombin at near atomic 4.1-Å resolution. In the prothrombin-fVa-fXa complex, the Gla domains of fXa and prothrombin align on a plane with the C1 and C2 domains of fVa for interaction with membranes. Prothrombin and fXa emerge from this plane in curved conformations that bring their protease domains in contact with each other against the A2 domain of fVa. The 672ESTVMATRKMHDRLEPEDEE691 segment of the A2 domain closes on the protease domain of fXa like a lid to fix orientation of the active site. The 696YDYQNRL702 segment binds to prothrombin and establishes the pathway of activation by sequestering R271 against D697 and directing R320 toward the active site of fXa. The cryo-EM structure provides a molecular view of prothrombin activation along the meizothrombin pathway and suggests a mechanism for cleavage at the alternative R271 site. The findings advance our basic knowledge of a key step of coagulation and bear broad relevance to other interactions in the blood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eliza A Ruben
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | | | | | - James A J Fitzpatrick
- Washington University Center for Cellular Imaging
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, and
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO; and
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Enrico Di Cera
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pelc LA, Koester SK, Kukla CR, Chen Z, Di Cera E. The active site region plays a critical role in Na + binding to thrombin. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101458. [PMID: 34861239 PMCID: PMC8695361 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The catalytic activity of thrombin and other enzymes of the blood coagulation and complement cascades is enhanced significantly by binding of Na+ to a site >15 Å away from the catalytic residue S195, buried within the 180 and 220 loops that also contribute to the primary specificity of the enzyme. Rapid kinetics support a binding mechanism of conformational selection where the Na+-binding site is in equilibrium between open (N) and closed (N∗) forms and the cation binds selectively to the N form. Allosteric transduction of this binding step produces enhanced catalytic activity. Molecular details on how Na+ gains access to this site and communicates allosterically with the active site remain poorly defined. In this study, we show that the rate of the N∗→N transition is strongly correlated with the analogous E∗→E transition that governs the interaction of synthetic and physiologic substrates with the active site. This correlation supports the active site as the likely point of entry for Na+ to its binding site. Mutagenesis and structural data rule out an alternative path through the pore defined by the 180 and 220 loops. We suggest that the active site communicates allosterically with the Na+ site through a network of H-bonded water molecules that embeds the primary specificity pocket. Perturbation of the mobility of S195 and its H-bonding capabilities alters interaction with this network and influences the kinetics of Na+ binding and allosteric transduction. These findings have general mechanistic relevance for Na+-activated proteases and allosteric enzymes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leslie A Pelc
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sarah K Koester
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Cassandra R Kukla
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Zhiwei Chen
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Enrico Di Cera
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Grant J, Kimmel BR, Szymczak LC, Roll J, Mrksich M. Characterizing Enzyme Cooperativity with Imaging SAMDI-MS. Chemistry 2021; 28:e202103807. [PMID: 34890480 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202103807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes a method that combines a microfluidic device and self-assembled monolayers for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SAMDI) mass spectrometry to calculate the cooperativity in binding of calcium ions to peptidylarginine deiminase type 2 (PAD2). This example uses only 120 µL of enzyme solution and three fluidic inputs. This microfluidic device incorporates a self-assembled monolayer that is functionalized with a peptide substrate for PAD2. The enzyme and different concentrations of calcium ions are flowed through each of eight channels, where the position along the channel corresponds to reaction time and position across the channel corresponds to the concentration of Ca2+. Imaging SAMDI (iSAMDI) is then used to determine the yield for the enzyme reaction at each 200 µm pixel on the monolayer, providing a time course for the reactions. Analysis of the peptide conversion as a function of position and time gives the degree of cooperativity (n) and the concentration of ligand required for half maximal activity (K0.5) for the Ca2+ - dependent activation of PAD2. This work establishes a high-throughput and label-free method for studying enzyme-ligand binding interactions and widens the applicability of microfluidics and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Blaise R Kimmel
- Northwestern University, Chemical and Biological Engineering, UNITED STATES
| | | | - Juliet Roll
- Northwestern University, Biomedical Engineering, UNITED STATES
| | - Milan Mrksich
- Northwestern University, Department of Chemistry, 2145 Sheridan Road, 60208, Evanston, UNITED STATES
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Stojanovski BM, Di Cera E. Role of sequence and position of the cleavage sites in prothrombin activation. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:100955. [PMID: 34265300 PMCID: PMC8348271 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In the penultimate step of the coagulation cascade, the multidomain vitamin-K-dependent zymogen prothrombin is converted to thrombin by the prothrombinase complex composed of factor Xa, cofactor Va, and phospholipids. Activation of prothrombin requires cleavage at two residues, R271 and R320, along two possible pathways generating either the intermediate prethrombin-2 (following initial cleavage at R271) or meizothrombin (following initial cleavage at R320). The former pathway is preferred in the absence of and the latter in the presence of cofactor Va. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this preference, but the role of the sequence and position of the sites of cleavage has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we engineered constructs where the sequences 261DEDSDRAIEGRTATSEYQT279 and 310RELLESYIDGRIVEGSDAE328 were swapped between the R271 and R320 sites. We found that in the absence of cofactor Va, the wild-type sequence at the R271 site is cleaved preferentially regardless of its position at the R271 or R320 site, whereas in the presence of cofactor Va, the R320 site is cleaved preferentially regardless of its sequence. Additional single-molecule FRET measurements revealed that the environment of R271 changes significantly upon cleavage at R320 due to the conformational transition from the closed form of prothrombin to the open form of meizothrombin. Detailed kinetics of cleavage at the R271 site were monitored by a newly developed assay based on loss of FRET. These findings show how sequence and position of the cleavage sites at R271 and R320 dictate the preferred pathway of prothrombin activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bosko M Stojanovski
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Enrico Di Cera
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Shamanaev A, Emsley J, Gailani D. Proteolytic activity of contact factor zymogens. J Thromb Haemost 2021; 19:330-341. [PMID: 33107140 PMCID: PMC8552315 DOI: 10.1111/jth.15149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Contact activation is triggered when blood is exposed to compounds or "surfaces" that promote conversion of the plasma zymogens factor XII (FXII) and prekallikrein to the active proteases FXIIa and kallikrein. FXIIa promotes blood coagulation by converting zymogen factor XI (FXI) to the protease FXIa. Contact activation appears to represent an enhancement of the propensity for FXII and prekallikrein to reciprocally activate each other by surface-independent limited proteolysis. The nature of the activities that perpetuate this process, and that trigger contact activation, are debated. FXII and prekallikrein, like most members of the chymotrypsin/trypsin protease family, are synthesized as single polypeptides that are presumed to be in an inactive state. Internal cleavage leads to conformational changes in the protease domain that convert the enzyme active site from a closed conformation to an open conformation accessible to substrates. We observed that FXII expresses a low level of activity as a single-chain zymogen that catalyzes prekallikrein activation in solution, as well as surface-dependent activation of prekallikrein, FXI, and FXII (autoactivation). Prekallikrein also expresses activity that promotes cleavage of kininogen to release bradykinin, and surface-dependent FXII activation. Modeling suggests that a glutamine residue at position 156 in the FXII and prekallikrein protease domains stabilizes an open active site conformation by forming hydrogen bonds with Asp194. The activity inherent in FXII and prekallikrein suggests a mechanism for sustaining reciprocal activation of the proteins and for initiating contact activation, and supports the premise that zymogens of some trypsin-like enzymes are active proteases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr Shamanaev
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jonas Emsley
- Biodiscovery Institute, Centre for Biomedical Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - David Gailani
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Di Cera E. Mechanisms of ligand binding. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2020; 1:011303. [PMID: 33313600 PMCID: PMC7714259 DOI: 10.1063/5.0020997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Many processes in chemistry and biology involve interactions of a ligand with its molecular target. Interest in the mechanism governing such interactions has dominated theoretical and experimental analysis for over a century. The interpretation of molecular recognition has evolved from a simple rigid body association of the ligand with its target to appreciation of the key role played by conformational transitions. Two conceptually distinct descriptions have had a profound impact on our understanding of mechanisms of ligand binding. The first description, referred to as induced fit, assumes that conformational changes follow the initial binding step to optimize the complex between the ligand and its target. The second description, referred to as conformational selection, assumes that the free target exists in multiple conformations in equilibrium and that the ligand selects the optimal one for binding. Both descriptions can be merged into more complex reaction schemes that better describe the functional repertoire of macromolecular systems. This review deals with basic mechanisms of ligand binding, with special emphasis on induced fit, conformational selection, and their mathematical foundations to provide rigorous context for the analysis and interpretation of experimental data. We show that conformational selection is a surprisingly versatile mechanism that includes induced fit as a mathematical special case and even captures kinetic properties of more complex reaction schemes. These features make conformational selection a dominant mechanism of molecular recognition in biology, consistent with the rich conformational landscape accessible to biological macromolecules being unraveled by structural biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Di Cera
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Stojanovski BM, Pelc LA, Zuo X, Di Cera E. Zymogen and activated protein C have similar structural architecture. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:15236-15244. [PMID: 32855236 PMCID: PMC7650249 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Activated protein C is a trypsin-like protease with anticoagulant and cytoprotective properties that is generated by thrombin from the zymogen precursor protein C in a reaction greatly accelerated by the cofactor thrombomodulin. The molecular details of this activation remain elusive due to the lack of structural information. We now fill this gap by providing information on the overall structural organization of these proteins using single molecule FRET and small angle X-ray scattering. Under physiological conditions, both zymogen and protease adopt a conformation with all domains vertically aligned along an axis 76 Å long and maximal particle size of 120 Å. This conformation is stabilized by binding of Ca2+ to the Gla domain and is affected minimally by interaction with thrombin. Hence, the zymogen protein C likely interacts with the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex through a rigid body association that produces a protease with essentially the same structural architecture. This scenario stands in contrast to an analogous reaction in the coagulation cascade where conversion of the zymogen prothrombin to the protease meizothrombin by the prothrombinase complex is linked to a large conformational transition of the entire protein. The presence of rigid epidermal growth factor domains in protein C as opposed to kringles in prothrombin likely accounts for the different conformational plasticity of the two zymogens. The new structural features reported here for protein C have general relevance to vitamin K-dependent clotting factors containing epidermal growth factor domains, such as factors VII, IX, and X.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bosko M Stojanovski
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Leslie A Pelc
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Xiaobing Zuo
- X-Ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, USA
| | - Enrico Di Cera
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ruben EA, Gandhi PS, Chen Z, Koester SK, DeKoster GT, Frieden C, Di Cera E. 19F NMR reveals the conformational properties of free thrombin and its zymogen precursor prethrombin-2. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:8227-8235. [PMID: 32358061 PMCID: PMC7294081 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.013419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The conformational properties of trypsin-like proteases and their zymogen forms remain controversial because of a lack of sufficient information on their free forms. Specifically, it is unclear whether the free protease is zymogen-like and shifts to its mature form upon a ligand-induced fit or exists in multiple conformations in equilibrium from which the ligand selects the optimal fit via conformational selection. Here we report the results of 19F NMR measurements that reveal the conformational properties of a protease and its zymogen precursor in the free form. Using the trypsin-like, clotting protease thrombin as a relevant model system, we show that its conformation is quite different from that of its direct zymogen precursor prethrombin-2 and more similar to that of its fully active Na+-bound form. The results cast doubts on recent hypotheses that free thrombin is zymogen-like and transitions to protease-like forms upon ligand binding. Rather, they validate the scenario emerged from previous findings of X-ray crystallography and rapid kinetics supporting a pre-existing equilibrium between open (E) and closed (E*) forms of the active site. In this scenario, prethrombin-2 is more dynamic and exists predominantly in the E* form, whereas thrombin is more rigid and exists predominantly in the E form. Ligand binding to thrombin takes place exclusively in the E form without significant changes in the overall conformation. In summary, these results disclose the structural architecture of the free forms of thrombin and prethrombin-2, consistent with an E*-E equilibrium and providing no evidence that free thrombin is zymogen-like.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eliza A Ruben
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Zhiwei Chen
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sarah K Koester
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Gregory T DeKoster
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Carl Frieden
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Enrico Di Cera
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ivanov I, Verhamme IM, Sun MF, Mohammed B, Cheng Q, Matafonov A, Dickeson SK, Joseph K, Kaplan AP, Gailani D. Protease activity in single-chain prekallikrein. Blood 2020; 135:558-567. [PMID: 31800958 PMCID: PMC7033373 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019002224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Prekallikrein (PK) is the precursor of the trypsin-like plasma protease kallikrein (PKa), which cleaves kininogens to release bradykinin and converts the protease precursor factor XII (FXII) to the enzyme FXIIa. PK and FXII undergo reciprocal conversion to their active forms (PKa and FXIIa) by a process that is accelerated by a variety of biological and artificial surfaces. The surface-mediated process is referred to as contact activation. Previously, we showed that FXII expresses a low level of proteolytic activity (independently of FXIIa) that may initiate reciprocal activation with PK. The current study was undertaken to determine whether PK expresses similar activity. Recombinant PK that cannot be converted to PKa was prepared by replacing Arg371 with alanine at the activation cleavage site (PK-R371A, or single-chain PK). Despite being constrained to the single-chain precursor form, PK-R371A cleaves high-molecular-weight kininogen (HK) to release bradykinin with a catalytic efficiency ∼1500-fold lower than that of kallikrein cleavage of HK. In the presence of a surface, PK-R371A converts FXII to FXIIa with a specific activity ∼4 orders of magnitude lower than for PKa cleavage of FXII. These results support the notion that activity intrinsic to PK and FXII can initiate reciprocal activation of FXII and PK in solution or on a surface. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the putative zymogens of many trypsin-like proteases are actually active proteases, explaining their capacity to undergo processes such as autoactivation and to initiate enzyme cascades.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Ivanov
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Ingrid M Verhamme
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Mao-Fu Sun
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Bassem Mohammed
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Qiufang Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Anton Matafonov
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - S Kent Dickeson
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | | | - Allen P Kaplan
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - David Gailani
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Role of the I16-D194 ionic interaction in the trypsin fold. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18035. [PMID: 31792294 PMCID: PMC6889508 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54564-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Activity in trypsin-like proteases is the result of proteolytic cleavage at R15 followed by an ionic interaction that ensues between the new N terminus of I16 and the side chain of the highly conserved D194. This mechanism of activation, first proposed by Huber and Bode, organizes the oxyanion hole and primary specificity pocket for substrate binding and catalysis. Using the clotting protease thrombin as a relevant model, we unravel contributions of the I16-D194 ionic interaction to Na+ binding, stability of the transition state and the allosteric E*-E equilibrium of the trypsin fold. The I16T mutation abolishes the I16-D194 interaction and compromises the architecture of the oxyanion hole. The D194A mutation also abrogates the I16-D194 interaction but, surprisingly, has no effect on the architecture of the oxyanion hole that remains intact through a new H-bond established between G43 and G193. In both mutants, loss of the I16-D194 ionic interaction compromises Na+ binding, reduces stability of the transition state, collapses the 215–217 segment into the primary specific pocket and abrogates the allosteric E*-E equilibrium in favor of a rigid conformation that binds ligand at the active site according to a simple lock-and-key mechanism. These findings refine the structural role of the I16-D194 ionic interaction in the Huber-Bode mechanism of activation and reveal a functional linkage with the allosteric properties of the trypsin fold like Na+ binding and the E*-E equilibrium.
Collapse
|
15
|
Residues W215, E217 and E192 control the allosteric E*-E equilibrium of thrombin. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12304. [PMID: 31444378 PMCID: PMC6707225 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48839-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A pre-existing, allosteric equilibrium between closed (E*) and open (E) conformations of the active site influences the level of activity in the trypsin fold and defines ligand binding according to the mechanism of conformational selection. Using the clotting protease thrombin as a model system, we investigate the molecular determinants of the E*-E equilibrium through rapid kinetics and X-ray structural biology. The equilibrium is controlled by three residues positioned around the active site. W215 on the 215-217 segment defining the west wall of the active site controls the rate of transition from E to E* through hydrophobic interaction with F227. E192 on the opposite 190-193 segment defining the east wall of the active site controls the rate of transition from E* to E through electrostatic repulsion of E217. The side chain of E217 acts as a lever that moves the entire 215-217 segment in the E*-E equilibrium. Removal of this side chain converts binding to the active site to a simple lock-and-key mechanism and freezes the conformation in a state intermediate between E* and E. These findings reveal a simple framework to understand the molecular basis of a key allosteric property of the trypsin fold.
Collapse
|
16
|
Mican J, Toul M, Bednar D, Damborsky J. Structural Biology and Protein Engineering of Thrombolytics. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2019; 17:917-938. [PMID: 31360331 PMCID: PMC6637190 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2019.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke are the most frequent causes of death or disability worldwide. Due to their ability to dissolve blood clots, the thrombolytics are frequently used for their treatment. Improving the effectiveness of thrombolytics for clinical uses is of great interest. The knowledge of the multiple roles of the endogenous thrombolytics and the fibrinolytic system grows continuously. The effects of thrombolytics on the alteration of the nervous system and the regulation of the cell migration offer promising novel uses for treating neurodegenerative disorders or targeting cancer metastasis. However, secondary activities of thrombolytics may lead to life-threatening side-effects such as intracranial bleeding and neurotoxicity. Here we provide a structural biology perspective on various thrombolytic enzymes and their key properties: (i) effectiveness of clot lysis, (ii) affinity and specificity towards fibrin, (iii) biological half-life, (iv) mechanisms of activation/inhibition, and (v) risks of side effects. This information needs to be carefully considered while establishing protein engineering strategies aiming at the development of novel thrombolytics. Current trends and perspectives are discussed, including the screening for novel enzymes and small molecules, the enhancement of fibrin specificity by protein engineering, the suppression of interactions with native receptors, liposomal encapsulation and targeted release, the application of adjuvants, and the development of improved production systems.
Collapse
Key Words
- EGF, Epidermal growth factor domain
- F, Fibrin binding finger domain
- Fibrinolysis
- K, Kringle domain
- LRP1, Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1
- MR, Mannose receptor
- NMDAR, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor
- P, Proteolytic domain
- PAI-1, Inhibitor of tissue plasminogen activator
- Plg, Plasminogen
- Plm, Plasmin
- RAP, Receptor antagonist protein
- SAK, Staphylokinase
- SK, Streptokinase
- Staphylokinase
- Streptokinase
- Thrombolysis
- Tissue plasminogen activator
- Urokinase
- t-PA, Tissue plasminogen activator
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Mican
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A13, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Toul
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A13, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - David Bednar
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A13, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Damborsky
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A13, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Billur R, Sabo TM, Maurer MC. Thrombin Exosite Maturation and Ligand Binding at ABE II Help Stabilize PAR-Binding Competent Conformation at ABE I. Biochemistry 2019; 58:1048-1060. [PMID: 30672691 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Thrombin, derived from zymogen prothrombin (ProT), is a serine protease involved in procoagulation, anticoagulation, and platelet activation. Thrombin's actions are regulated through anion-binding exosites I and II (ABE I and ABE II) that undergo maturation during activation. Mature ABEs can utilize exosite-based communication to fulfill thrombin functions. However, the conformational basis behind such long-range communication and the resultant ligand binding affinities are not well understood. Protease activated receptors (PARs), involved in platelet activation and aggregation, are known to target thrombin ABE I. Unexpectedly, PAR3 (44-56) can already bind to pro-ABE I of ProT. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) ligand-enzyme titrations were used to characterize how individual PAR1 (49-62) residues interact with pro-ABE I and mature ABE I. 1D proton line broadening studies demonstrated that binding affinities for native PAR1P (49-62, P54) and for the weak binding variant PAR1G (49-62, P54G) increased as ProT was converted to mature thrombin. 1H,15N-HSQC titrations revealed that PAR1G residues K51, E53, F55, D58, and E60 exhibited less affinity to pro-ABE I than comparable residues in PAR3G (44-56, P51G). Individual PAR1G residues then displayed tighter binding upon exosite maturation. Long-range communication between thrombin exosites was examined by saturating ABE II with phosphorylated GpIbα (269-282, 3Yp) and monitoring the binding of PAR1 and PAR3 peptides to ABE I. Individual PAR residues exhibited increased affinities in this dual-ligand environment supporting the presence of interexosite allostery. Exosite maturation and beneficial long-range allostery are proposed to help stabilize an ABE I conformation that can effectively bind PAR ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Billur
- Department of Chemistry , University of Louisville , Louisville , Kentucky 40292 , United States
| | - T Michael Sabo
- Department of Medicine, James Graham Brown Cancer Center , University of Louisville , Louisville , Kentucky 40202 , United States
| | - Muriel C Maurer
- Department of Chemistry , University of Louisville , Louisville , Kentucky 40292 , United States
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Stojanovski BM, Pelc LA, Zuo X, Pozzi N, Cera ED. Enhancing the anticoagulant profile of meizothrombin. Biomol Concepts 2018; 9:169-175. [PMID: 30864392 DOI: 10.1515/bmc-2018-0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Meizothrombin is an active intermediate generated during the proteolytic activation of prothrombin to thrombin in the penultimate step of the coagulation cascade. Structurally, meizothrombin differs from thrombin because it retains the auxiliary Gla domain and two kringles. Functionally, meizothrombin shares with thrombin the ability to cleave procoagulant (fibrinogen), prothrombotic (PAR1) and anticoagulant (protein C) substrates, although its specificity toward fibrinogen and PAR1 is less pronounced. In this study we report information on the structural architecture of meizothrombin resolved by SAXS and single molecule FRET as an elongated arrangement of its individual domains. In addition, we show the properties of a meizothrombin construct analogous to the anticoagulant thrombin mutant W215A/E217A currently in Phase I for the treatment of thrombotic complications and stroke. The findings reveal new structural and functional aspects of meizothrombin that advance our understanding of a key intermediate of the prothrombin activation pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bosko M Stojanovski
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104 USA
| | - Leslie A Pelc
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104 USA
| | - Xiaobing Zuo
- X-Ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA
| | - Nicola Pozzi
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104 USA
| | - Enrico Di Cera
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104 USA
| |
Collapse
|