Chloroplast coupling factor 1: A species-specific receptor for tentoxin

Biocatalytic cyclization of small macrolactams by a penicillin-binding protein-type thioesterase

Macrocyclic peptides represent promising scaffolds for chemical tools and potential therapeutics. Synthetic methods for peptide macrocyclization are often hampered by C-terminal epimerization and oligomerization, leading to difficult scalability. While chemical strategies to circumvent this issue exist, they often require specific amino acids to be present in the peptide sequence. Herein, we report the characterization of Ulm16, a peptide cyclase belonging to the penicillin-binding protein-type class of thioesterases that catalyze head-to-tail macrolactamization of nonribosmal peptides. Ulm16 efficiently cyclizes various nonnative peptides ranging from 4 to 6 amino acids with catalytic efficiencies of up to 3 × 106 M-1 s-1. Unlike many previously described homologs, Ulm16 tolerates a variety of C- and N-terminal amino acids. The crystal structure of Ulm16, along with modeling of its substrates and site-directed mutagenesis, allows for rationalization of this wide substrate scope. Overall, Ulm16 represents a promising tool for the biocatalytic production of macrocyclic peptides.

An Exploration of Novel Bioactives from the Venomous Marine Annelid Glycera alba

The immense biodiversity of marine invertebrates makes them high-value targets for the prospecting of novel bioactives. The present study investigated proteinaceous toxins secreted by the skin and proboscis of Glycera alba (Annelida: Polychaeta), whose congenerics G. tridactyla and G. dibranchiata are known to be venomous. Proteomics and bioinformatics enabled the detection of bioactive proteins that hold potential for biotechnological applications, including toxins like glycerotoxins (GLTx), which can interfere with neuromuscular calcium channels and therefore have value for the development of painkillers, for instance. We also identified proteins involved in the biosynthesis of toxins. Other proteins of interest include venom and toxin-related bioactives like cysteine-rich venom proteins, many of which are known to interfere with the nervous system. Ex vivo toxicity assays with mussel gills exposed to fractionated protein extracts from the skin and proboscis revealed that fractions potentially containing higher-molecular-mass venom proteins can exert negative effects on invertebrate prey. Histopathology, DNA damage and caspase-3 activity suggest significant cytotoxic effects that can be coadjuvated by permeabilizing enzymes such as venom metalloproteinases M12B. Altogether, these encouraging findings show that venomous annelids are important sources of novel bioactives, albeit illustrating the challenges of surveying organisms whose genomes and metabolisms are poorly understood.

Genomic Based Analysis of the Biocontrol Species Trichoderma harzianum: A Model Resource of Structurally Diverse Pharmaceuticals and Biopesticides

Fungi represents a rich repository of taxonomically restricted, yet chemically diverse, secondary metabolites that are synthesised via specific metabolic pathways. An enzyme's specificity and biosynthetic gene clustering are the bottleneck of secondary metabolite evolution. Trichoderma harzianum M10 v1.0 produces many pharmaceutically important molecules; however, their specific biosynthetic pathways remain uncharacterised. Our genomic-based analysis of this species reveals the biosynthetic diversity of its specialised secondary metabolites, where over 50 BGCs were predicted, most of which were listed as polyketide-like compounds associated clusters. Gene annotation of the biosynthetic candidate genes predicted the production of many medically/industrially important compounds including enterobactin, gramicidin, lovastatin, HC-toxin, tyrocidine, equisetin, erythronolide, strobilurin, asperfuranone, cirtinine, protoilludene, germacrene, and epi-isozizaene. Revealing the biogenetic background of these natural molecules is a step forward towards the expansion of their chemical diversification via engineering their biosynthetic genes heterologously, and the identification of their role in the interaction between this fungus and its biotic/abiotic conditions as well as its role as bio-fungicide.

Recent Advances in Alternaria Phytotoxins: A Review of Their Occurrence, Structure, Bioactivity and Biosynthesis

Alternaria is a ubiquitous fungal genus in many ecosystems, consisting of species and strains that can be saprophytic, endophytic, or pathogenic to plants or animals, including humans. Alternaria species can produce a variety of secondary metabolites (SMs), especially low molecular weight toxins. Based on the characteristics of host plant susceptibility or resistance to the toxin, Alternaria phytotoxins are classified into host-selective toxins (HSTs) and non-host-selective toxins (NHSTs). These Alternaria toxins exhibit a variety of biological activities such as phytotoxic, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial properties. Generally, HSTs are toxic to host plants and can cause severe economic losses. Some NHSTs such as alternariol, altenariol methyl-ether, and altertoxins also show high cytotoxic and mutagenic activities in the exposed human or other vertebrate species. Thus, Alternaria toxins are meaningful for drug and pesticide development. For example, AAL-toxin, maculosin, tentoxin, and tenuazonic acid have potential to be developed as bioherbicides due to their excellent herbicidal activity. Like altersolanol A, bostrycin, and brefeldin A, they exhibit anticancer activity, and ATX V shows high activity to inhibit the HIV-1 virus. This review focuses on the classification, chemical structure, occurrence, bioactivity, and biosynthesis of the major Alternaria phytotoxins, including 30 HSTs and 50 NHSTs discovered to date.

Structure Simplification of Natural Products as a Lead Generation Approach in Agrochemical Discovery

Natural products (NPs) have a long history as sources of compounds for crop protection. Perhaps a more important role for NPs has been as models and inspiration for the discovery and development of synthetic crop protection compounds. NPs and their synthetic mimics account for 18% of all crop protection compounds, whereas another 38% of all crop protection compounds have a NP that could have served as a model. Because NPs are often complex molecules, have limited availability, or possess structural features that constrain their suitability for use in agricultural settings, a key element in NP-inspired compounds is the simplification of the NP structure to provide a synthetically accessible molecule that possesses the physicochemical properties needed for use in crop protection. Herein we review a series of examples of NP mimics that demonstrate the structural or synthetic simplification of NPs as a guide for the discovery of future NP-inspired agrochemicals focused on fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides.

Structural basis of redox modulation on chloroplast ATP synthase

In higher plants, chloroplast ATP synthase has a unique redox switch on its γ subunit that modulates enzyme activity to limit ATP hydrolysis at night. To understand the molecular details of the redox modulation, we used single-particle cryo-EM to determine the structures of spinach chloroplast ATP synthase in both reduced and oxidized states. The disulfide linkage of the oxidized γ subunit introduces a torsional constraint to stabilize the two β hairpin structures. Once reduced, free cysteines alleviate this constraint, resulting in a concerted motion of the enzyme complex and a smooth transition between rotary states to facilitate the ATP synthesis. We added an uncompetitive inhibitor, tentoxin, in the reduced sample to limit the flexibility of the enzyme and obtained high-resolution details. Our cryo-EM structures provide mechanistic insight into the redox modulation of the energy regulation activity of chloroplast ATP synthase.

Jay-How Yang et al. use single-particle cryo-EM to determine the structures of spinach chloroplast ATP synthase in reduced and oxidized states. They report a torsional constraint in the oxidized γ subunit that is alleviated by free cysteines in the reduced state. Their work provides mechanistic insights into the redox modulation of the ATP synthesis by the chloroplast ATP synthase.

A Therapeutic Connection between Dietary Phytochemicals and ATP Synthase

For centuries, phytochemicals have been used to prevent and cure multiple health ailments. Phytochemicals have been reported to have antioxidant, antidiabetic, antitussive, antiparasitic, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties. Generally, the therapeutic use of phy-tochemicals is based on tradition or word of mouth with few evidence-based studies. Moreo-ver, molecular level interactions or molecular targets for the majority of phytochemicals are unknown. In recent years, antibiotic resistance by microbes has become a major healthcare concern. As such, the use of phytochemicals with antimicrobial properties has become perti-nent. Natural compounds from plants, vegetables, herbs, and spices with strong antimicrobial properties present an excellent opportunity for preventing and combating antibiotic resistant microbial infections. ATP synthase is the fundamental means of cellular energy. Inhibition of ATP synthase may deprive cells of required energy leading to cell death, and a variety of die-tary phytochemicals are known to inhibit ATP synthase. Structural modifications of phyto-chemicals have been shown to increase the inhibitory potency and extent of inhibition. Site-directed mutagenic analysis has elucidated the binding site(s) for some phytochemicals on ATP synthase. Amino acid variations in and around the phytochemical binding sites can re-sult in selective binding and inhibition of microbial ATP synthase. In this review, the therapeu-tic connection between dietary phytochemicals and ATP synthase is summarized based on the inhibition of ATP synthase by dietary phytochemicals. Research suggests selective target-ing of ATP synthase is a valuable alternative molecular level approach to combat antibiotic resistant microbial infections.

Putative Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase and Cytochrome P450 Genes Responsible for Tentoxin Biosynthesis in Alternaria alternata ZJ33

Tentoxin, a cyclic tetrapeptide produced by several Alternaria species, inhibits the F₁-ATPase activity of chloroplasts, resulting in chlorosis in sensitive plants. In this study, we report two clustered genes, encoding a putative non-ribosome peptide synthetase (NRPS) TES and a cytochrome P450 protein TES1, that are required for tentoxin biosynthesis in Alternaria alternata strain ZJ33, which was isolated from blighted leaves of Eupatorium adenophorum. Using a pair of primers designed according to the consensus sequences of the adenylation domain of NRPSs, two fragments containing putative adenylation domains were amplified from A. alternata ZJ33, and subsequent PCR analyses demonstrated that these fragments belonged to the same NRPS coding sequence. With no introns, TES consists of a single 15,486 base pair open reading frame encoding a predicted 5161 amino acid protein. Meanwhile, the TES1 gene is predicted to contain five introns and encode a 506 amino acid protein. The TES protein is predicted to be comprised of four peptide synthase modules with two additional N-methylation domains, and the number and arrangement of the modules in TES were consistent with the number and arrangement of the amino acid residues of tentoxin, respectively. Notably, both TES and TES1 null mutants generated via homologous recombination failed to produce tentoxin. This study provides the first evidence concerning the biosynthesis of tentoxin in A. alternata.

Comparative chemical screening and genetic analysis reveal tentoxin as a new virulence factor in Cochliobolus miyabeanus, the causal agent of brown spot disease on rice

Brown spot disease, caused by Cochliobolus miyabeanus, is currently considered to be one of the most important yield reducers of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Despite its agricultural importance, little is known about the virulence mechanisms deployed by the fungus. Therefore, we set out to identify novel virulence factors with a role in disease development. This article reports, for the first time, the production of tentoxin by C. miyabeanus as a virulence factor during brown spot disease and the identification of the non-ribosomal protein synthetase (NRPS) CmNps3, responsible for tentoxin biosynthesis. We compared the chemical compounds produced by C. miyabeanus strains differing in virulence ability using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled to high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry (HRMS). The production of tentoxin by a highly virulent strain was revealed by principal component analysis of the detected ions and confirmed by UHPLC coupled to tandem-quadrupole mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The corresponding NRPS was identified by in silico genome analysis and confirmed by gene deletion. Infection tests with wild-type and Cmnps3 mutants showed that tentoxin acts as a virulence factor and is correlated with chlorosis development during the second phase of infection. Although rice has previously been classified as a tentoxin-insensitive plant species, our data demonstrate that tentoxin production by C. miyabeanus affects symptom development.

Dynamic protein ligand interactions--insights from MS

Proteins undergo dynamic interactions with carbohydrates, lipids and nucleotides to form catalytic cores, fine‐tuned for different cellular actions. The study of dynamic interactions between proteins and their cognate ligands is therefore fundamental to the understanding of biological systems. During the last two decades MS, and its associated techniques, has become accepted as a method for the study of protein–ligand interactions, not only for covalent complexes, where the use of MS is well established, but also, and significantly for protein–ligand interactions, for noncovalent assemblies. In this review, we employ a broad definition of a ligand to encompass protein subunits, drug molecules, oligonucleotides, carbohydrates, and lipids. Under the appropriate conditions, MS can reveal the composition, heterogeneity and dynamics of these protein–ligand interactions, and in some cases their structural arrangements and binding affinities. Herein, we highlight MS approaches for studying protein–ligand complexes, including those containing integral membrane subunits, and showcase examples from recent literature. Specifically, we tabulate the myriad of methodologies, including hydrogen exchange, proteomics, hydroxyl radical footprinting, intact complexes, and crosslinking, which, when combined with MS, provide insights into conformational changes and subtle modifications in response to ligand‐binding interactions.

Foliar pathogenesis and plant water relations: a review

As the world population grows, there is a pressing need to improve productivity from water use in irrigated and rain-fed agriculture. Foliar diseases have been reported to decrease crop water-use efficiency (WUE) substantially, yet the effects of plant pathogens are seldom considered when methods to improve WUE are debated. We review the effects of foliar pathogens on plant water relations and the consequences for WUE. The effects reported vary between host and pathogen species and between host genotypes. Some general patterns emerge however. Higher fungi and oomycetes cause physical disruption to the cuticle and stomata, and also cause impairment of stomatal closing in the dark. Higher fungi and viruses are associated with impairment of stomatal opening in the light. A number of toxins produced by bacteria and higher fungi have been identified that impair stomatal function. Deleterious effects are not limited to compatible plant-pathogen interactions. Resistant and non-host interactions have been shown to result in stomatal impairment in light and dark conditions. Mitigation of these effects through selection of favourable resistance responses could be an important breeding target in the future. The challenges for researchers are to understand how the effects reported from work under controlled conditions translate to crops in the field, and to elucidate underlying mechanisms.

Proteomic analysis of extracellular ATP-regulated proteins identifies ATP synthase beta-subunit as a novel plant cell death regulator

Extracellular ATP is an important signal molecule required to cue plant growth and developmental programs, interactions with other organisms, and responses to environmental stimuli. The molecular targets mediating the physiological effects of extracellular ATP in plants have not yet been identified. We developed a well characterized experimental system that depletes Arabidopsis cell suspension culture extracellular ATP via treatment with the cell death-inducing mycotoxin fumonisin B1. This provided a platform for protein profile comparison between extracellular ATP-depleted cells and fumonisin B1-treated cells replenished with exogenous ATP, thus enabling the identification of proteins regulated by extracellular ATP signaling. Using two-dimensional difference in-gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption-time of flight MS analysis of microsomal membrane and total soluble protein fractions, we identified 26 distinct proteins whose gene expression is controlled by the level of extracellular ATP. An additional 48 proteins that responded to fumonisin B1 were unaffected by extracellular ATP levels, confirming that this mycotoxin has physiological effects on Arabidopsis that are independent of its ability to trigger extracellular ATP depletion. Molecular chaperones, cellular redox control enzymes, glycolytic enzymes, and components of the cellular protein degradation machinery were among the extracellular ATP-responsive proteins. A major category of proteins highly regulated by extracellular ATP were components of ATP metabolism enzymes. We selected one of these, the mitochondrial ATP synthase β-subunit, for further analysis using reverse genetics. Plants in which the gene for this protein was knocked out by insertion of a transfer-DNA sequence became resistant to fumonisin B1-induced cell death. Therefore, in addition to its function in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, our study defines a new role for ATP synthase β-subunit as a pro-cell death protein. More significantly, this protein is a novel target for extracellular ATP in its function as a key negative regulator of plant cell death.

Binding of the phytotoxin zinniol stimulates the entry of calcium into plant protoplasts

Zinniol [1,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)-3-methoxy-4-methyl-5-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)benzene], a toxin produced by fungi of the Alternaria group, causes symptoms in plants that resemble those induced by the fungi. The phytotoxin binds to carrot protoplasts and isolated membranes in a saturable and reversible manner. Receptor occupancy stimulates entry of calcium into protoplasts. Zinniol can partially reverse the effects and binding of the calcium-channel blockers desmethoxyverapamil and bepridil. Selected cell lines that are insensitive to zinniol lose part of their binding capacity and sensitivity to the action of the agonist-like compound but are still able to bind calcium-channel blockers. We conclude that zinniol acts on calcium entry but that the targets of the toxin and of calcium-channel blockers are dissimilar, suggesting the occurrence of sites affected both by zinniol and by channel blockers and of sites affected only by zinniol.

Complete tracking of transient proton flow through active chloroplast ATP synthase

Proton pumping in thylakoid membranes and backflow of protons through the active ATP synthase CF0-CF1 (where CF0 is the proton channel and CF1 is the catalytic portion) were investigated by flash spectrophotometry. A steady pH difference across the membrane was generated by continuous measuring light, supplemented by voltage transients that were generated by flashing light. In the presence of P(i) and ADP, the electric potential transients elicited transients of proton flow via CF0-CF1, typically 1.3 H(+) per CF1 and flash group. Proton flow was blocked by CF0-CF1 inhibitors: N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, acting on the channel component CF0, and tentoxin, acting on the catalytic component CF1. The half-rise time was 40 ms in (1)H(2)O and 78 ms in (2)H(2)O. ATP synthesis under conditions of flashing light and transient proton flow was characterized by a K(m)(P(i)) of only 14 muM, contrasting with a K(m) of several hundred micromolar for continuous ATP synthesis at high rate. This might reflect a resistance to P(i) diffusion. The degree of proton delocalization in the chemiosmotic coupling between redox reactions and ATP synthesis is under debate. In thylakoids, it has been proposed that intramembrane proton buffering domains act as ducts for protons between pumps and ATP synthases. In this work, transient proton flow by way of CF0-CF1 was completely tracked from the lumen, across the membrane, and into the suspending medium. Proton uptake from the lumen and charge flow across the membrane occurred synchronously and in stoichiometric proportion. The uptake of protons from the lumen by CF0-CF1, half completed in 40 ms, was preceded by release of protons from water oxidation into the lumen, half completed in <1 ms. Hence, pumps and ATP synthases were coupled through the lumen without involvement of intramembrane domains.

ATP synthase and the actions of inhibitors utilized to study its roles in human health, disease, and other scientific areas

ATP synthase, a double-motor enzyme, plays various roles in the cell, participating not only in ATP synthesis but in ATP hydrolysis-dependent processes and in the regulation of a proton gradient across some membrane-dependent systems. Recent studies of ATP synthase as a potential molecular target for the treatment of some human diseases have displayed promising results, and this enzyme is now emerging as an attractive molecular target for the development of new therapies for a variety of diseases. Significantly, ATP synthase, because of its complex structure, is inhibited by a number of different inhibitors and provides diverse possibilities in the development of new ATP synthase-directed agents. In this review, we classify over 250 natural and synthetic inhibitors of ATP synthase reported to date and present their inhibitory sites and their known or proposed modes of action. The rich source of ATP synthase inhibitors and their known or purported sites of action presented in this review should provide valuable insights into their applications as potential scaffolds for new therapeutics for human and animal diseases as well as for the discovery of new pesticides and herbicides to help protect the world's food supply. Finally, as ATP synthase is now known to consist of two unique nanomotors involved in making ATP from ADP and P(i), the information provided in this review may greatly assist those investigators entering the emerging field of nanotechnology.

Molecular processes of inhibition and stimulation of ATP synthase caused by the phytotoxin tentoxin

F1-ATPase is the smallest mechanical motor known. Tentoxin, a cyclic peptide produced by phytopathogenic fungi, inactivates the F1 motor in sensitive plants at nanomolar to micromolar concentrations, whereas higher concentrations surpass the natural activity of the enzyme. Single molecule studies now have clarified the molecular steps involved in both processes. Inactivation delays the dwell time of a single step in the complete 360 degrees turn and results in an asymmetric rotation of the central rotor subunit. In contrast, rotation in the stimulated F1 particle is smooth and accompanied by strongly reduced ADP inhibition. Our study provides for the first time the direct observation of a noncompetitively inhibited state of the enzyme and directly visualizes the regulation of the molecular motor by an external natural compound. In addition, the ADP release step during catalysis was revealed by analysis of the single molecule rotation behavior. Hence, tentoxin is a sophisticated molecular tool to mark and control certain catalytic steps within the reaction pathway of the molecular F1 motor.

Proton flux through the chloroplast ATP synthase is altered by cleavage of its gamma subunit

Electron transport, the proton gradient and ATP synthesis were determined in thylakoids that had been briefly exposed to a low concentration of trypsin during illumination. This treatment cleaves the gamma subunit of the ATP synthase into two large fragments that remain associated with the enzyme. Higher rates of electron transport are required to generate a given value of the proton gradient in the trypsin-treated membranes than in control membranes, indicating that the treated membranes are proton leaky. Since venturicidin restores electron transport and the proton gradient to control levels, the proton leak is through the ATP synthase. Remarkably, the synthesis of ATP by the trypsin-treated membranes at saturating light intensities is only slightly inhibited even though the proton gradient is significantly lower in the treated thylakoids. ATP synthesis and the proton gradient were determined as a function of light intensity in control and trypsin-treated thylakoids. The trypsin-treated membranes synthesized ATP at lower values of the proton gradient than the control membranes. Cleavage of the gamma subunit abrogates inhibition of the activity of the chloroplast ATP synthase by the epsilon subunit. Our results suggest that overcoming inhibition by the epsilon subunit costs energy.

Complete inhibition and partial Re-activation of single F1-ATPase molecules by tentoxin: new properties of the re-activated enzyme

During hydrolysis of ATP, the gamma subunit of the rotary motor protein F(1)-ATPase rotates within a ring of alpha(3)beta(3) subunits. Tentoxin is a phyto-pathogenic cyclic tetrapeptide, which influences F(1)-ATPase activity of sensitive species. At low concentrations, tentoxin inhibits ATP hydrolysis of ensembles of F(1) molecules in solution. At higher concentrations, however, ATP hydrolysis recovers. Here we have examined how tentoxin acts on individual molecules of engineered F(1)-ATPase from the thermophilic Bacillus PS3 (Groth, G., Hisabori, T., Lill, H., and Bald, D. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 20117-20119). We found that inhibition by tentoxin caused a virtually complete stop of rotation, which was partially relieved at higher tentoxin concentrations. Re-activation, however, was not simply a reversal of inhibition; while the torque appears unaffected as compared with the situation without tentoxin, F(1) under re-activating conditions was less susceptible to inhibitory ADP binding but displayed a large number of short pauses, indicating infringed energy conversion.

Tentoxin as a scaffold for drug discovery. Total solid-phase synthesis of tentoxin and a library of analogues

[reaction: see text] A solid-phase method for the synthesis of tentoxin has been developed. Two key steps-dehydration and N-alkylation-are carried out while the peptide is anchored to the resin. The method, which has been validated by the preparation of a library of tentoxin analogues, should be applicable to the generation of further libraries that have the tentoxin scaffold structure, as well as other structures containing N-alkylated didehydroamino acids.

Complete inhibition of the tentoxin-resistant F1-ATPase from Escherichia coli by the phytopathogenic inhibitor tentoxin after substitution of critical residues in the alpha - and beta -subunit

Substitution of critical residues in the alpha- and beta-subunit can turn the typically resistant ATP synthase from the bacterium Escherichia coli into an enzyme showing high sensitivity to the phytopathogenic inhibitor tentoxin, which usually affects only certain sensitive plant species. In contrast to recent results obtained with the thermophilic F(1) (Groth, G., Hisabori, T., Lill, H., and Bald, D. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 20117-20119), substitution of a critical serine in the beta-subunit (betaSer(59)), which is supposed to provide an important intermolecular hydrogen bond in the binding site, was not sufficient on its own for conferring tentoxin sensitivity to the E. coli F(1) complex. Superimposition of the chloroplast F(1)-tentoxin inhibitor complex on a homology model of the E. coli F(1) complex provided detailed information on the critical residues in the alpha-subunit of the binding cleft and allowed us to model the binding site according to the steric requirements of the inhibitor. Substitution of the highly conserved residue alphaLeu(64) seems to be most important for allowing access of the inhibitor to the binding site. Combining this substitution with either additional replacements in the alpha-subunit (Q49A, L95A, E96Q, I273M) or the replacement of Ser(59) in the beta-subunit enhanced the sensitivity to the inhibitor and resulted in a complete inhibition of the E. coli F(1)-ATPase by the plant-specific inhibitor tentoxin.

Rebuilt 3D structure of the chloroplast f1 ATPase-tentoxin complex

The F1 part of the chloroplast H+ adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-synthase (CF1) strongly interacts with tentoxin, a natural fungous cyclic tetrapeptide known to inhibit the chloroplast enzyme and not the mammalian mitochondrial enzyme. Whereas the synthesis or the hydrolysis of ATP requires the stepwise rotation of the protein rotor gamma within the (alphabeta)3 crown, only one molecule of tentoxin is needed to fully inhibit the complex. With the help of an original homology modeling technique, based on robust distance geometry protocols, we built a tridimensional model of the alpha3beta3gamma CF1) subcomplex (3200 esidues), in which we introduced three different nucleotide occupancies to check their possible influence on the tentoxin binding site. Simultaneous comparison of three available high-resolution X-ray structures of F1, performed with a local structural alignment search tool, led to characterizing common structural blocks and the distorsions experienced by the complex during the catalytic turnover. The common structural blocks were used as a starting point of the spinach CF1 structure rebuilding. Finally, tentoxin was docked into its putative binding site of the reconstructed structure. The docking method was initially validated in the mitochondrial enzyme by its ability to relocate nucleotides into their original position in the crystal. Tentoxin binding was found possible to the two alpha/beta interfaces associated with the empty and adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-loaded catalytic sites, but not to the one associated with the ATP-loaded site. These results suggest a mechanism of CF1 inhibition by one molecule of tentoxin, by the impossibility of the alpha/beta interface bearing tentoxin to pass through the ATP-loaded state.

High yield synthesis of tentoxin, a cyclic tetrapeptide

Tentoxin is a naturally occurring phytotoxic cyclic tetrapeptide excreted by fungi of the Alternaria alternata family. The four total syntheses of tentoxin published to date give poor total yields, mainly owing to two difficulties, the introduction of the dehydro amino acid and more especially the cyclization step. Here we describe a method that stereospecifically introduces Z-dehydrophenylalanine (deltaZPhe) by a modified Erlenmeyer aldolization reaction. The linear tetrapeptide, Boc-R1Ala-Leu-R2deltaZPhe-G1y-OMe (R1, R2: CH3, 14CH3), the precursor of tentoxin, was obtained in a 72% yield from Boc-Leu-Gly-OH. This linear tetrapeptide, labelled with carbon-14, was used for a comparative study of four cyclization reagents DPPA, DCC-PfpOH, HBTU and HATU. This last was the most effective and gave tentoxin in a 81% cyclization yield. The activated ester formed with this reagent displayed an enhanced capacity for cyclization, permitting cyclization in concentrated medium (10 mM). This new synthetic route gave tentoxin in a 60% yield from Boc-Leu-Gly-OH and offers a means of achieving the synthesis of hitherto elusive analogues.

Substitution of a single amino acid switches the tentoxin-resistant thermophilic F1-ATPase into a tentoxin-sensitive enzyme

In contrast to the homologous bacterial and mitochondrial enzymes the chloroplast F(1)-ATPase (CF(1)) is strongly affected by the phytopathogenic inhibitor tentoxin. Based on structural information obtained from crystals of a CF(1)-tentoxin co-complex (Groth, G. (2002) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 99, 3464-3468) we have replaced residues betaSer(66) and alphaArg(132) in the alpha(3)beta(3)gamma subcomplex of the thermophilic F(1)-ATPase from Bacillus PS3 by the corresponding residues of the chloroplast ATPase to confer tentoxin sensitivity to the thermophilic enzyme. The mutation alphaArg(132) --> Pro, proposed to relieve steric constraints on tentoxin binding, did not have any significant effect. However, mutation betaSer(66) --> Ala, predicted to provide a crucial hydrogen bond with the inhibitor, resulted in tentoxin inhibition of ATP hydrolysis comparable with the situation found with the chloroplast enzyme.

Structure of spinach chloroplast F1-ATPase complexed with the phytopathogenic inhibitor tentoxin

Tentoxin, a natural cyclic tetrapeptide produced by phytopathogenic fungi from the Alternaria species affects the catalytic function of the chloroplast F(1)-ATPase in certain sensitive species of plants. In this study, we show that the uncompetitive inhibitor tentoxin binds to the alphabeta-interface of the chloroplast F(1)-ATPase in a cleft localized at betaAsp-83. Most of the binding site is located on the noncatalytic alpha-subunit. The crystal structure of the tentoxin-inhibited CF(1)-complex suggests that the inhibitor is hydrogen bonded to Asp-83 in the catalytic beta-subunit but forms hydrophobic contacts with residues Ile-63, Leu-65, Val-75, Tyr-237, Leu-238, and Met-274 in the adjacent alpha-subunit. Except for minor changes around the tentoxin-binding site, the structure of the chloroplast alpha(3)beta(3)-core complex is the same as that determined with the native chloroplast ATPase. Tentoxin seems to act by inhibiting inter-subunit contacts at the alphabeta-interface and by blocking the interconversion of binding sites in the catalytic mechanism.

Formation and properties of hybrid photosynthetic F1-ATPases. Demonstration of different structural requirements for stimulation and inhibition by tentoxin

A hybrid ATPase composed of cloned chloroplast ATP synthase beta and gamma subunits (betaC and gammaC) and the cloned alpha subunit from the Rhodospirillum rubrum ATP synthase (alphaR) was assembled using solubilized inclusion bodies and a simple single-step folding procedure. The catalytic properties of the assembled alpha3Rbeta3CgammaC were compared to those of the core alpha3Cbeta3CgammaC complex of the native chloroplast coupling factor 1 (CF1) and to another recently described hybrid enzyme containing R. rubrum alpha and beta subunits and the CF1 gamma subunit (alpha3Rbeta3RgammaC). All three enzymes were similarly stimulated by dithiothreitol and inhibited by copper chloride in response to reduction and oxidation, respectively, of the disulfide bond in the chloroplast gamma subunit. In addition, all three enzymes exhibited the same concentration dependence for inhibition by the CF1 epsilon subunit. Thus the CF1 gamma subunit conferred full redox regulation and normal epsilon binding to the two hybrid enzymes. Only the native CF1 alpha3Cbeta3CgammaC complex was inhibited by tentoxin, confirming the requirement for both CF1 alpha and beta subunits for tentoxin inhibition. However, the alpha3Rbeta3CgammaC complex, like the alpha3Cbeta3CgammaC complex, was stimulated by tentoxin at concentrations in excess of 10 microm. In addition, replacement of the aspartate at position 83 in betaC with leucine resulted in the loss of stimulation in the alpha3Rbeta3CgammaC hybrid. The results indicate that both inhibition and stimulation by tentoxin require a similar structural contribution from the beta subunit, but differ in their requirements for alpha subunit structure.

Hybrid Rhodospirillum rubrum F(0)F(1) ATP synthases containing spinach chloroplast F(1) beta or alpha and beta subunits reveal the essential role of the alpha subunit in ATP synthesis and tentoxin sensitivity

Trace amounts ( approximately 5%) of the chloroplast alpha subunit were found to be absolutely required for effective restoration of catalytic function to LiCl-treated chromatophores of Rhodospirillum rubrum with the chloroplast beta subunit (Avital, S., and Gromet-Elhanan, Z. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 7067-7072). To clarify the role of the alpha subunit in the rebinding of beta, restoration of catalytic function, and conferral of sensitivity to the chloroplast-specific inhibitor tentoxin, LiCl-treated chromatophores were analyzed by immunoblotting before and after reconstitution with mixtures of R. rubrum and chloroplast alpha and beta subunits. The treated chromatophores were found to have lost, in addition to most of their beta subunits, approximately a third of the alpha subunits, and restoration of catalytic activity required rebinding of both subunits. The hybrid reconstituted with the R. rubrum alpha and chloroplast beta subunits was active in ATP synthesis as well as hydrolysis, and both activities were completely resistant to tentoxin. In contrast, a hybrid reconstituted with both chloroplast alpha and beta subunits restored only a MgATPase activity, which was fully inhibited by tentoxin. These results indicate that all three copies of the R. rubrum alpha subunit are required for proton-coupled ATP synthesis, whereas for conferral of tentoxin sensitivity at least one copy of the chloroplast alpha subunit is required together with the chloroplast beta subunit. The hybrid system was further used to examine the effects of amino acid substitution at position 83 of the beta subunit on sensitivity to tentoxin.

Identification of a Ca2+/H+ antiport in the plant chloroplast thylakoid membrane

To assess the availability of Ca2+ in the lumen of the thylakoid membrane that is required to support the assembly of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II, we have investigated the mechanism of 45Ca2+ transport into the lumen of pea (Pisum sativum) thylakoid membranes using silicone-oil centrifugation. Trans-thylakoid Ca2+ transport is dependent on light or, in the dark, on exogenously added ATP. Both light and ATP hydrolysis are coupled to Ca2+ transport through the formation of a transthylakoid pH gradient. The H+-transporting ionophores nigericin/K+ and carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone inhibit the transport of Ca2+. Thylakoid membranes are capable of accumulating up to 30 nmol Ca2+ mg-1 chlorophyll from external concentrations of 15 μM over the course of a 15-min reaction. These results are consistent with the presence of an active Ca2+/H+ antiport in the thylakoid membrane. Ca2+ transport across the thylakoid membrane has significant implications for chloroplast and plant Ca2+ homeostasis. We propose a model of chloroplast Ca2+ regulation whereby the activity of the Ca2+/H+ antiporter facilitates the light-dependent uptake of Ca2+ by chloroplasts and reduces stromal Ca2+ levels.

Kinetic analysis of tentoxin binding to chloroplast F1-ATPase. A model for the overactivation process

The mechanism of action of tentoxin on the soluble part (chloroplast F1 H+-ATPase; CF1) of chloroplast ATP synthase was analyzed in the light of new kinetic and equilibrium experiments. Investigations were done regarding the functional state of the enzyme (activation, bound nucleotide, catalytic turnover). Dialysis and binding data, obtained with 14C-tentoxin, fully confirmed the existence of two tentoxin binding sites of distinct dissociation constants consistent with the observed Kinhibition and Koveractivation. This strongly supports a two-site model of tentoxin action on CF1. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of tentoxin binding to the first site (Ki = 10 nM; kon = 4.7 x 10(4) s-1.M-1) were determined from time-resolved activity assays. Tentoxin binding to the high affinity site was found independent on the catalytic state of the enzyme. The analysis of the kinetics of tentoxin binding on the low affinity site of the enzyme showed strong evidence for an interaction between this site and the nucleotide binding sites and revealed a complex relationship between the catalytic state and the reactivation process. New catalytic states of CF1 devoid of epsilon-subunit were detected: a transient overstimulated state, and a dead end complex unable to bind a second tentoxin molecule. Our experiments led to a kinetic model for the reactivation phenomenon for which rate constants were determined. The implications of this model are discussed in relation to the previous mechanistic hypotheses on the effect of tentoxin.

Interrelation between high and low affinity tentoxin binding sites in chloroplast F1-ATPase revealed by synthetic analogues

Eight synthetic analogues of tentoxin (cyclo-(L-N-MeGlu1-L-Leu2-N-MeDeltaZPhe3-Gly4)) modified in residues 1, 2, and 3 were checked for their ability to inhibit and reactivate the ATPase activity of the activated soluble part of chloroplast ATP synthase. The data were consistent with a model involving two binding sites of different affinities for the toxins. The occupancy of the high affinity site (or tight site) gave rise to an inactive complex, whereas filling both sites (tight + loose) gave rise to a complex of variable activity, dependent on the toxin analogue. Competition experiments between tentoxin and nonreactivating analogues allowed discrimination between the absence of binding and a nonproductive binding to the site of lower affinity (or loose site). The affinity for the loose site was not affected significantly by the modifications of the tentoxin molecule, whereas the affinity for the tight site was found notably changed. Increasing the size of side chain 1 or 2 and introducing a net electrical charge both resulted in a decrease of affinity for the tight site, but the second change dominated the first one. The activity of different ternary complexes enzyme-tentoxin-analogue depended on the nature of the toxin bound on each site and not only on that bound on the loose site. This demonstrates that the reactivation process results from an interaction, direct or not, between these two binding sites. Possible molecular mechanisms are discussed.

Three kinds of binding site for tentoxin on isolated chloroplast coupling factor 1

Tentoxin binding on chloroplast coupling factor 1 (CF1) was studied using a centrifugation column method followed by HPLC analysis. From non-linear regression analysis of the results, the presence of three types of binding site with the following Kd values was deduced: 6.9x10(-8) M (first site), 1.4x10(-5) M (second site), and 6.3x10(-3) M (third site). The binding of one tentoxin inhibits, that of two tentoxins moderately restores, and that of three tentoxins greatly stimulates the ATPase activity of CF1. The forward rate constant of the binding of tentoxin on the first site was 6.3x10(3) M-1 s-1.

Metabolism of tentoxin by hepatic cytochrome P-450 3A isozymes

The interaction between rat and human liver cytochrome P-450 with tentoxin, a natural phytotoxic cyclotetrapeptide having chlorotic properties, was studied by difference ultraviolet visible spectroscopy. Tentoxin interacted with rat liver microsomes and the difference spectrum was characteristic of binding to a protein site close to the heme. The intensity of this spectrum was clearly dependent on the amounts of P-450 3A in the microsomes and was optimal in dexamethasone-treated rat microsomes. Tentoxin exhibited a high affinity for P-450 3A (Ks approximately 10 microM). Similar results were observed with human P-450 isozymes expressed in yeast. Only P-450 3A4 and 3A5 were able to give spectral interactions with tentoxin. Liver microsomes from rats pretreated with dexamethasone, a specific inducer of P-450 3A, were found to be particularly active for the oxidation of tentoxin, which occurs mainly on its Ala(Me) function leading to demethylation. Yeast-expressed P-450 3A also exhibited high activity to metabolize tentoxin. The metabolites were identified by their ultraviolet and mass spectra in fast atom bombardment and collision-activated dissociation modes. In addition to the major N-demethylated metabolite, other hydroxylated metabolites were formed. Preliminary analysis showed that as tentoxin, some metabolites were still efficient chloroplast ATPase inhibitors, while at least one of them exhibited even at low concentration stimulatory effects.

Involvement of Thylakoid Overenergization in Tentoxin-Induced Chlorosis in Nicotiana spp

The purpose of this work was to clarify the mechanism of tentoxin-induced chlorosis in Nicotiana spp. seedlings. We found that chlorosis does not correlate with the inhibition of chloroplast ATP synthesis in vivo, since it occurs at tentoxin concentrations far higher than that required for the inhibition of photophosphorylation measured in the same seedlings. However, tentoxin-induced chlorosis does correlate with in vivo overenergization of thylakoids. We show that tentoxin induces overenergization in intact plants and isolated thylakoids, probably via multiple interactions with ATP synthase. Furthermore, gramicidin D, a protonophore that relieves overenergization, also relieves chlorosis. Two lines of evidence suggest that reactive oxygen species may be involved in the process of chlorosis: ascorbate, a quencher of oxygen radicals, significantly protects against chlorosis, whereas transgenic Nicotiana spp. mutants overexpressing chloroplast superoxide dismutase are partially resistant to tentoxin-induced chlorosis. It is proposed that chlorosis in developing seedlings results from overenergization of thylakoids, which leads to the generation of oxygen radicals.

Catalytic properties and sensitivity to tentoxin of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii ATP synthases changed in codon 83 of atpB by site-directed mutagenesis

The participation of the amino acid beta83 in determining the sensitivity of chloroplast ATP synthases to tentoxin was reported previously. We have changed codon 83 of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii atpB gene by site-directed mutagenesis to further examine the role of this amino acid in the response of the ATP synthase to tentoxin and in the mechanism of ATP synthesis and hydrolysis. Amino acid beta83 was changed from Glu to Asp (betaE83D) and to Lys (betaE83K), and the highly conserved tetrapeptide betaT82-E83-G84-L85 (DeltaTEGL) was deleted. Mutant strains were produced by particle gun transformation of atpB deletion mutants cw15DeltaatpB and FUD50 with the mutated atpB genes. The transformants containing the betaE83D and betaE83K mutant genes grew well photoautotrophically. The DeltaTEGL transformant did not grow photoautotrophically, and no CF1 subunits were detected by immunostaining of Western blots using CF1 specific antibodies. The rates of ATP synthesis at clamped DeltapH with thylakoids isolated from cw15 and the two mutants, betaE83D and betaE83K, were similar. However, only the phosphorylation activity of the mutant betaE83D was inhibited by tentoxin with 50% inhibition attained at 4 microM. These results confirm that amino acid beta83 is critical in determining the response of ATP synthase to tentoxin. The rates of the latent Mg-ATPase activity of the CF1s isolated from cw15, betaE83D, and betaE83K were similar and could be enhanced by heat, alcohols, and octylglucoside. As in the case of the membrane-bound enzyme, only CF1 from the betaE83D mutant was sensitive to tentoxin. A lower alcohol concentration was required for optimal stimulation of the ATPase of the betaE83K-CF1 than that of CF1 from the other two strains. Moreover, the optimal activity of the betaE83K-CF1 was also lower. These results suggest that introduction of an amino acid with a positively charged side chain in position 83 in the "crown" domain affects the active conformation of the CF1-ATPase.

Tentoxin has at least two binding sites on CF1 and epsilon-depleted CF1 ATPases isolated from spinach chloroplast

A new procedure for synthesis of 14C-labeled tentoxin [14C-MePhe[(Z)delta]3-tentoxin], with a high specific activity, is described. Binding experiments with CF1 or CF1-epsilon isolated from spinach chloroplast have been carried out using equilibrium dialysis technique. The results show the presence of two classes of binding sites. The association constants of the two major binding sites were derived from non-linear fitting of the binding curves. At 4 degrees C, the first binding site has a value of Ka1 = 8.2 x 10(5) M(-1) in CF1 and 8.7 x 10(5) M(-1) in CF1-epsilon, while the second binding site has lower affinity with Ka2 = 1.5 x 10(4) M(-1) in CF1 and 2.3 x 10(3) M(-1) in CF1-epsilon.

The photosynthetic F1-α 3β 3 and α 1β 1 catalytic core complexes

Minimal photosynthetic catalytic F1(αβ) core complexes, containing equimolar ratios of the α and β subunits, were isolated from membrane-bound spinach chloroplast CF1 and Rhodospirillum rubrum chromatophore RrF1. A CF1-α3β3 hexamer and RrF1-α1β1 dimer, which were purified from the respective F1(αβ) complexes, exhibit lower rates and different properties from their parent F1-ATPases. Most interesting is their complete resistance to inhibition by the general F1 inhibitor azide and the specific CF1 inhibitor tentoxin. These inhibitors were earlier reported to inhibit multisite, but not unisite, catalysis in all sensitive F1-ATPases and were therefore suggested to block catalytic site cooperativity. The absence of this typical property of all F1-ATPases in the α1β1 dimer is consistant with the view that the dimer contains only a single catalytic site. The α3β3 hexamer contains however all F1 catalytic sites. Therefore the observation that CF1-α3β3 can bind tentoxin and is stimulated by it suggests that the F1γ subunit, which is required for obtaining inhibition by tentoxin as well as azide, plays an important role in the cooperative interactions between the F1-catalytic sites.

Multiple interconverting conformers of the cyclic tetrapeptide tentoxin, [cyclo-(L-MeAla1-L-Leu2-MePhe[(Z) delta]3-Gly4)], as seen by two-dimensional 1H-nmr spectroscopy

The conformations of the phytotoxic cyclic tetrapeptide tentoxin [cyclo-(L-MeAla1-L-Leu2-MePhe[(Z) delta]3-Gly4)] have been studied in aqueous solution by two-dimensional proton nmr at various temperatures. Contrary to what is observed in chloroform, tentoxin exhibits multiple exchanging conformations in water. Aggregation phenomena were also observed. Four conformations with different proportions (51, 37, 8, and 4%) were observed at -5 degrees C. Models were constructed from nmr parameters and restrained molecular dynamics simulations. All the models exhibit cis-trans-cis-trans conformation of the amide bond sequence. The conversion from one form to another is accomplished by a conformational peptide flip consisting of a 180 degree rotation of a nonmethylated peptide bond.

In vitro assembly of the core catalytic complex of the chloroplast ATP synthase

The regulatory gamma subunit and an alpha beta complex were isolated from the catalytic F1 portion of the chloroplast ATP synthase. The isolated gamma subunit was devoid of catalytic activity, whereas the alpha beta complex exhibited a very low ATPase activity (approximately 200 nmol/min/mg of protein). The alpha beta complex migrated as a hexameric alpha 3 beta 3 complex during ultracentrifugation and gel filtration but reversibly dissociated into alpha and beta monomers after freezing and thawing in the presence of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and in the absence of nucleotides. Conditions are described in which the gamma and alpha beta preparations were combined to rapidly and efficiently reconstitute a fully functional catalytic core enzyme complex. The reconstituted enzyme exhibited normal tight binding and sensitivity to the inhibitory epsilon subunit and to the allosteric inhibitor tentoxin. However, neither the alpha beta complex nor the isolated gamma subunit alone could bind the epsilon subunit or tentoxin with high affinity. Similarly, high affinity binding sites for ATP and ADP, which are characteristic of the core alpha 3 beta 3 gamma enzyme, were absent from the alpha beta complex. The results indicate that when the gamma subunit binds to the alpha beta complex, it induces a three-dimensional conformation in the enzyme, which is necessary for tight binding of the inhibitors and for high-affinity, asymmetric nucleotide binding.