Calmodulin oxidation and methionine to glutamine substitutions reveal methionine residues critical for functional interaction with ryanodine receptor-1

Kinetics insight into the roles of the N- and C-lobes of calmodulin in RyR1 channel regulation

Calmodulin (CaM) activates the skeletal muscle Ca2+ release channel (ryanodine receptor, RyR1) at nanomolar Ca2+ and inhibits it at micromolar Ca2+. CaM conversion from RyR1 activator to inhibitor is due to structural changes induced by Ca2+ binding at CaM's two lobes. However, it remains unclear which lobe provides the switch for this conversion. Here, we attached the environment-sensitive fluorophore acrylodan (Acr) at either lobe of intact CaM or lobe-specific Ca2+-sensitive CaM mutants, and monitored the effects of Ca2+ binding via the fluorescence change of free or RyR1-bound AcrCaM. Using steady state measurements, we found that Ca2+ binding to free CaM causes a dramatic structural change in the N-lobe, but only a slight effect on the C-lobe of the Ca2+-sensitive lobe-specific mutants, in addition to the previously known higher Ca2+ affinity at the C-lobe versus the N-lobe. Using stopped-flow measurements, we found ∼30x faster Ca2+ dissociation from the N- versus C-lobe, and ∼20x slower Ca2+ association to the N-lobe versus C-lobe. These Ca2+ binding properties hold for the CaM/RyR1 complex, and Ca2+ affinity is enhanced at the CaM C-lobe but decreased at the N-lobe by RyR1 binding. We propose that fast Ca2+-binding at the C-lobe of CaM initiates its inhibition to RyR1 at high [Ca2+], while slow Ca2+ binding to the N-lobe is necessary for timely enhancement of the inhibitory effect. The dysregulation of RyR1 by M124Q-CaM may be explained by the lower Ca2+ affinity versus WT-CaM, as suggested by both steady-state and transient kinetics results.

Selenomethionine incorporation in proteins of individual mammalian cells determined with a genetically encoded fluorescent sensor

Selenomethionine (SeMet) randomly replaces methionine (Met) in protein translation. Because of strongly differing redox properties of SeMet and Met, SeMet mis-incorporation may have detrimental effects on protein function, possibly compromising the use of nutritional SeMet supplementation as an anti-oxidant. Studying the functional impact of SeMet in proteins on a cellular level is hampered by the lack of accurate and efficient methods for estimating the SeMet incorporation level in individual viable cells. Here we introduce and apply a method to measure the extent of SeMet incorporation in cellular proteins by utilizing a genetically encoded fluorescent methionine oxidation probe. Supplementation of SeMet in mammalian culture medium resulted in >84% incorporation of SeMet, and SeMet labeling as low as 5% was readily measured. Kinetics and extent of SeMet incorporation on the single-cell level under live-cell imaging conditions provided direct access to protein turn-over kinetics and SeMet redox properties in a cellular context. The method is furthermore suited for experiments utilizing high-throughput fluorescence microplate readers or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis.

The selenoprotein methionine sulfoxide reductase B1 (MSRB1)

Methionine (Met) can be oxidized to methionine sulfoxide (MetO), which exist as R- and S-diastereomers. Present in all three domains of life, methionine sulfoxide reductases (MSR) are the enzymes that reduce MetO back to Met. Most characterized among them are MSRA and MSRB, which are strictly stereospecific for the S- and R-diastereomers of MetO, respectively. While the majority of MSRs use a catalytic Cys to reduce their substrates, some employ selenocysteine. This is the case of mammalian MSRB1, which was initially discovered as selenoprotein SELR or SELX and later was found to exhibit an MSRB activity. Genomic analyses demonstrated its occurrence in most animal lineages, and biochemical and structural analyses uncovered its catalytic mechanism. The use of transgenic mice and mammalian cell culture revealed its physiological importance in the protection against oxidative stress, maintenance of neuronal cells, cognition, cancer cell proliferation, and the immune response. Coincident with the discovery of Met oxidizing MICAL enzymes, recent findings of MSRB1 regulating the innate immunity response through reversible stereospecific Met-R-oxidation of cytoskeletal actin opened up new avenues for biological importance of MSRB1 and its role in disease. In this review, we discuss the current state of research on MSRB1, compare it with other animal Msrs, and offer a perspective on further understanding of biological functions of this selenoprotein.

Calmodulin: The switch button of calcium signaling

Calmodulin (CaM), a calcium sensor, decodes the critical calcium-dependent signals and converts them into the driving force to control various important cellular functions, such as ion transport. This small protein has a short central linker to connect two globular lobes and each unit is composed of a pair of homologous domains (HD) which are responsible for calcium binding. The conformation of each HD is sensitive to the levels of the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentrations while the flexible structure of the central domain enables its interactions with hundreds of cellular proteins. Apart from calcium binding, posttranslational modifications (PTMs) also contribute to the modulations of CaM functions by affecting its protein-protein interaction networks and hence drawing out the various downstream signaling cascades. In this mini-review, we first aim to elucidate the structural features of CaM and then overview the recent studies on the engagements of calcium binding and PTMs in Ca²⁺/CaM-mediated conformational alterations and signaling events. The mechanistic understanding of CaM working models is expected to be a key to decipher the precise role of CaM in cardiac physiology and disease pathology.

MICAL2 enhances branched actin network disassembly by oxidizing Arp3B-containing Arp2/3 complexes

The mechanisms regulating the disassembly of branched actin networks formed by the Arp2/3 complex still remain to be fully elucidated. In addition, the impact of Arp3 isoforms on the properties of Arp2/3 are also unexplored. We now demonstrate that Arp3 and Arp3B isocomplexes promote actin assembly equally efficiently but generate branched actin networks with different disassembly rates. Arp3B dissociates significantly faster than Arp3 from the network, and its depletion increases actin stability. This difference is due to the oxidation of Arp3B, but not Arp3, by the methionine monooxygenase MICAL2, which is recruited to the actin network by coronin 1C. Substitution of Arp3B Met293 by threonine, the corresponding residue in Arp3, increases actin network stability. Conversely, replacing Arp3 Thr293 with glutamine to mimic Met oxidation promotes disassembly. The ability of MICAL2 to enhance network disassembly also depends on cortactin. Our observations demonstrate that coronin 1C, cortactin, and MICAL2 act together to promote disassembly of branched actin networks by oxidizing Arp3B-containing Arp2/3 complexes.

Met125 is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of calmodulin's C-terminal domain

We have used NMR and circular dichroism spectroscopy to investigate the structural and dynamic effects of oxidation on calmodulin (CaM), using peroxide and the Met to Gln oximimetic mutations. CaM is a Ca²⁺-sensitive regulatory protein that interacts with numerous targets. Due to its high methionine content, CaM is highly susceptible to oxidation by reactive oxygen species under conditions of cell stress and age-related muscle degeneration. CaM oxidation alters regulation of a host of CaM's protein targets, emphasizing the importance of understanding the mechanism of CaM oxidation in muscle degeneration and overall physiology. It has been shown that the M125Q CaM mutant can mimic the functional effects of methionine oxidation on CaM's regulation of the calcium release channel, ryanodine receptor (RyR). We report here that the M125Q mutation causes a localized unfolding of the C-terminal lobe of CaM, preventing the formation of a hydrophobic cluster of residues near the EF-hand Ca²⁺ binding sites. NMR analysis of CaM oxidation by peroxide offers further insights into the susceptibility of CaM's Met residues to oxidation and the resulting structural effects. These results further resolve oxidation-driven structural perturbation of CaM, with implications for RyR regulation and the decay of muscle function in aging.

The calmodulin redox sensor controls myogenesis

Muscle aging is accompanied by blunted muscle regeneration in response to injury and disuse. Oxidative stress likely underlies this diminished response, but muscle redox sensors that act in regeneration have not yet been characterized. Calmodulin contains multiple redox sensitive methionines whose oxidation alters the regulation of numerous cellular targets. We have used the CRISPR-Cas9 system to introduce a single amino acid substitution M109Q that mimics oxidation of methionine to methionine sulfoxide in one or both alleles of the CALM1 gene, one of three genes encoding the muscle regulatory protein calmodulin, in C2C12 mouse myoblasts. When signaled to undergo myogenesis, mutated myoblasts failed to differentiate into myotubes. Although early myogenic regulatory factors were present, cells with the CALM1 M109Q mutation in one or both alleles were unable to withdraw from the cell cycle and failed to express late myogenic factors. We have shown that a single oxidative modification to a redox-sensitive muscle regulatory protein can halt myogenesis, suggesting a molecular target for mitigating the impact of oxidative stress in age-related muscle degeneration.

The functional significance of redox-mediated intersubunit cross-linking in regulation of human type 2 ryanodine receptor

The type 2 ryanodine receptor (RyR2) plays a key role in the cardiac intracellular calcium (Ca²⁺) regulation. We have previously shown that oxidative stress activates RyR2 in rabbit cardiomyocytes by promoting the formation of disulfide bonds between neighboring RyR2 subunits. However, the functional significance of this redox modification for human RyR2 (hRyR2) remains largely unknown. Here, we studied the redox regulation of hRyR2 in HEK293 cells transiently expressing the ryr2 gene. Analysis of hRyR2 cross-linking and of the redox-GFP readout response to diamide oxidation revealed that hRyR2 cysteines involved in the intersubunit cross-linking are highly sensitive to oxidative stress. In parallel experiments, the effect of diamide on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca²⁺ release was studied in cells co-transfected with hRyR2, ER Ca²⁺ pump (SERCA2a) and the ER-targeted Ca²⁺ sensor R-CEPIA1er. Expression of hRyR2 and SERCA2a produced “cardiac-like” Ca²⁺ waves due to spontaneous hRyR2 activation. Incubation with diamide caused a fast decline of the luminal ER Ca²⁺ (or ER Ca²⁺ load) followed by the cessation of Ca²⁺ waves. The maximal effect of diamide on ER Ca²⁺ load and Ca²⁺ waves positively correlates with the maximum level of hRyR2 cross-linking, indicating a functional significance of this redox modification. Furthermore, the level of hRyR2 cross-linking positively correlates with the degree of calmodulin (CaM) dissociation from the hRyR2 complex. In skeletal muscle RyR (RyR1), cysteine 3635 (C3635) is viewed as dominantly responsible for the redox regulation of the channel. Here, we showed that the corresponding cysteine 3602 (C3602) in hRyR2 does not participate in intersubunit cross-linking and plays a limited role in the hRyR2 regulation by CaM during oxidative stress. Collectively, these results suggest that redox-mediated intersubunit cross-linking is an important regulator of hRyR2 function under pathological conditions associated with oxidative stress.

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Oxidative stress promotes cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) intersubunit crosslinking.

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Human RyR2 crosslinking promotes Ca leak and calmodulin dissociation.

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RyR2 C3602 is not involved in crosslinking, slightly affects calmodulin binding.

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RyR2 crosslinking is an important pathology related RyR2 regulator.

Diaphragm weakness and proteomics (global and redox) modifications in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in rats

Inspiratory dysfunction occurs in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in a manner that depends on disease severity and by mechanisms that are not fully understood. In the current study, we tested whether HFrEF effects on diaphragm (inspiratory muscle) depend on disease severity and examined putative mechanisms for diaphragm abnormalities via global and redox proteomics. We allocated male rats into Sham, moderate (mHFrEF), or severe HFrEF (sHFrEF) induced by myocardial infarction and examined the diaphragm muscle. Both mHFrEF and sHFrEF caused atrophy in type IIa and IIb/x fibers. Maximal and twitch specific forces (N/cm²) were decreased by 19 ± 10% and 28 ± 13%, respectively, in sHFrEF (p < .05), but not in mHFrEF. Global proteomics revealed upregulation of sarcomeric proteins and downregulation of ribosomal and glucose metabolism proteins in sHFrEF. Redox proteomics showed that sHFrEF increased reversibly oxidized cysteine in cytoskeletal and thin filament proteins and methionine in skeletal muscle α-actin (range 0.5 to 3.3-fold; p < .05). In conclusion, fiber atrophy plus contractile dysfunction caused diaphragm weakness in HFrEF. Decreased ribosomal proteins and heighted reversible oxidation of protein thiols are candidate mechanisms for atrophy or anabolic resistance as well as loss of specific force in sHFrEF.

The KN-93 Molecule Inhibits Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II (CaMKII) Activity by Binding to Ca2+/CaM

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a multifunctional serine/threonine protein kinase that transmits calcium signals in various cellular processes. CaMKII is activated by calcium-bound calmodulin (Ca²⁺/CaM) through a direct binding mechanism involving a regulatory C-terminal α-helix in CaMKII. The Ca²⁺/CaM binding triggers transphosphorylation of critical threonine residues proximal to the CaM-binding site leading to the autoactivated state of CaMKII. The demonstration of its critical roles in pathophysiological processes has elevated CaMKII to a key target in the management of numerous diseases. The molecule KN-93 is the most widely used inhibitor for studying the cellular and in vivo functions of CaMKII. It is widely believed that KN-93 binds directly to CaMKII, thus preventing kinase activation by competing with Ca²⁺/CaM. Herein, we employed surface plasmon resonance, NMR, and isothermal titration calorimetry to characterize this presumed interaction. Our results revealed that KN-93 binds directly to Ca²⁺/CaM and not to CaMKII. This binding would disrupt the ability of Ca²⁺/CaM to interact with CaMKII, effectively inhibiting CaMKII activation. Our findings also indicated that KN-93 can specifically compete with a CaMKIIδ-derived peptide for binding to Ca²⁺/CaM. As indicated by the surface plasmon resonance and isothermal titration calorimetry data, apparently at least two KN-93 molecules can bind to Ca²⁺/CaM. Our findings provide new insight into how in vitro and in vivo data obtained with KN-93 should be interpreted. They further suggest that other Ca²⁺/CaM-dependent, non-CaMKII activities should be considered in KN-93-based mechanism-of-action studies and drug discovery efforts.

Unique methionine-aromatic interactions govern the calmodulin redox sensor

Calmodulin contains multiple redox sensitive methionines whose oxidation alters the regulation of numerous targets. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to define the molecular principles that govern how calmodulin is structurally poised to detect and respond to methionine oxidation. We found that calmodulin's open and closed states were preferentially stabilized by unique, redox sensitive, methionine-aromatic interactions. Key methionine-aromatic interactions were coupled to reorientation of EF hand helices. Methionine to glutamine substitutions designed to mimic methionine oxidation strongly altered conformational transitions by modulating the strength of methionine-aromatic interactions. Together, these results suggest a broadly applicable redox sensing mechanism though which methionine oxidation by cellular oxidants alters the strength of methionine-aromatic interactions critical for functional protein dynamics.

Aging impairs regulation of ryanodine receptors from extensor digitorum longus but not soleus muscles

INTRODUCTION

Because impaired excitation-contraction coupling and reduced sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca²⁺ release may contribute to the age-associated decline in skeletal muscle strength, we investigated the effect of aging on regulation of the skeletal muscle isoform of the ryanodine receptor (RyR1) by physiological channel ligands.

METHODS

[³ H]Ryanodine binding to membranes from 8- and 26-month-old Fischer 344 extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles was used to investigate the effects of age on RyR1 modulation by Ca²⁺ and calmodulin (CaM).

RESULTS

Aging reduced maximal Ca²⁺ -stimulated binding to EDL membranes. In 0.3 μM Ca²⁺ , age reduced binding and CaM increased binding to EDL membranes. In 300 μM Ca²⁺ , CaM reduced binding, but the age effect was not significant. Aging did not affect Ca²⁺ or CaM regulation of soleus RyR1.

DISCUSSION

In aged fast-twitch muscle, impaired RyR1 Ca²⁺ regulation may contribute to lower SR Ca²⁺ release and reduced muscle function. Muscle Nerve 57: 1022-1025, 2018.

Calcium-Dependent Structural Dynamics of a Spin-Labeled RyR Peptide Bound to Calmodulin

We have used chemical synthesis, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and circular dichroism to detect and analyze the structural dynamics of a ryanodine receptor (RyR) peptide bound to calmodulin (CaM). The skeletal muscle calcium release channel RyR1 is activated by Ca²⁺-free CaM and inhibited by Ca²⁺-bound CaM. To probe the structural mechanism for this regulation, wild-type RyRp and four spin-labeled derivatives were synthesized, each containing the nitroxide probe 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-oxyl-4-amino-4-carboxylic acid substituted for a single amino acid. In 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-oxyl-4-amino-4-carboxylic acid, the probe is rigidly and stereospecifically coupled to the α-carbon, enabling direct detection by EPR of peptide backbone structural dynamics. In the absence of CaM, circular dichroism indicates a complete lack of secondary structure, while 40% trifluoroethanol (TFE) induces >90% helicity and is unperturbed by the spin label. The EPR spectrum of each spin-labeled peptide indicates nanosecond dynamic disorder that is substantially reduced by TFE, but a significant gradient in dynamics is observed, decreasing from N- to C-terminus, both in the presence and absence of TFE. When bound to CaM, the probe nearest RyRp's N-terminus shows rapid rotational motion consistent with peptide backbone dynamics of a locally unfolded peptide, while the other three sites show substantial restriction of dynamics, consistent with helical folding. The two N-terminal sites, which bind to the C-lobe of CaM, do not show a significant Ca²⁺-dependence in mobility, while both C-terminal sites, which bind to the N-lobe of CaM, are significantly less mobile in the presence of bound Ca²⁺. These results support a model in which the interaction of RyR with CaM is nonuniform along the peptide, and the primary effect of Ca²⁺ is to increase the interaction of the C-terminal portion of the peptide with the N-terminal lobe of CaM. These results provide, to our knowledge, new insight into the Ca²⁺-dependent regulation of RyR by CaM.

Methionine residues around phosphorylation sites are preferentially oxidized in vivo under stress conditions

Protein phosphorylation is one of the most prevalent and well-understood protein modifications. Oxidation of protein-bound methionine, which has been traditionally perceived as an inevitable damage derived from oxidative stress, is now emerging as another modification capable of regulating protein activity during stress conditions. However, the mechanism coupling oxidative signals to changes in protein function remains unknown. An appealing hypothesis is that methionine oxidation might serve as a rheostat to control phosphorylation. To investigate this potential crosstalk between phosphorylation and methionine oxidation, we have addressed the co-occurrence of these two types of modifications within the human proteome. Here, we show that nearly all (98%) proteins containing oxidized methionine were also phosphoproteins. Furthermore, phosphorylation sites were much closer to oxidized methionines when compared to non-oxidized methionines. This proximity between modification sites cannot be accounted for by their co-localization within unstructured clusters because it was faithfully reproduced in a smaller sample of structured proteins. We also provide evidence that the oxidation of methionine located within phosphorylation motifs is a highly selective process among stress-related proteins, which supports the hypothesis of crosstalk between methionine oxidation and phosphorylation as part of the cellular defence against oxidative stress.

Site Saturation Mutagenesis Applications on Candida methylica Formate Dehydrogenase

In NADH regeneration, Candida methylica formate dehydrogenase (cmFDH) is a highly significant enzyme in pharmaceutical industry. In this work, site saturation mutagenesis (SSM) which is a combination of both rational design and directed evolution approaches is applied to alter the coenzyme specificity of NAD⁺-dependent cmFDH from NAD⁺ to NADP⁺ and increase its thermostability. For this aim, two separate libraries are constructed for screening a change in coenzyme specificity and an increase in thermostability. To alter the coenzyme specificity, in the coenzyme binding domain, positions at 195, 196, and 197 are subjected to two rounds of SSM and screening which enabled the identification of two double mutants D195S/Q197T and D195S/Y196L. These mutants increase the overall catalytic efficiency of NAD⁺ to 5.6 × 10⁴-fold and 5 × 10⁴-fold value, respectively. To increase the thermostability of cmFDH, the conserved residue at position 1 in the catalytic domain of cmFDH is subjected to SSM. The thermodynamic and kinetic results suggest that 8 mutations on the first residue can be tolerated. Among all mutants, M1L has the best residual activity after incubation at 60°C with 17%. These studies emphasize that SSM is an efficient method for creating "smarter libraries" for improving the properties of cmFDH.

Genome-Wide Analysis of Genes Encoding Methionine-Rich Proteins in Arabidopsis and Soybean Suggesting Their Roles in the Adaptation of Plants to Abiotic Stress

Oxidation and reduction of methionine (Met) play important roles in scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and signaling in living organisms. To understand the impacts of Met oxidation and reduction in plants during stress, we surveyed the genomes of Arabidopsis and soybean (Glycine max L.) for genes encoding Met-rich proteins (MRPs). We found 121 and 213 genes encoding MRPs in Arabidopsis and soybean, respectively. Gene annotation indicated that those with known function are involved in vital cellular processes such as transcriptional control, calcium signaling, protein modification, and metal transport. Next, we analyzed the transcript levels of MRP-coding genes under normal and stress conditions. We found that 57 AtMRPs were responsive either to drought or to high salinity stress in Arabidopsis; 35 GmMRPs were responsive to drought in the leaf of late vegetative or early reproductive stages of soybean. Among the MRP genes with a known function, the majority of the abiotic stress-responsive genes are involved in transcription control and calcium signaling. Finally, Arabidopsis plant which overexpressed an MRP-coding gene, whose transcripts were downregulated by abiotic stress, was more sensitive to paraquat than the control. Taken together, our report indicates that MRPs participate in various vital processes of plants under normal and stress conditions.

Reduced expressions of calmodulin genes and protein and reduced ability of calmodulin to activate plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase in the brain of protein undernourished rats: modulatory roles of selenium and zinc supplementation

The roles of protein undernutrition as well as selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) supplementation on the ability of calmodulin (CaM) to activate erythrocyte ghost membrane (EGM) Ca(2+)-ATPase and the calmodulin genes and protein expressions in rat's cortex and cerebellum were investigated. Rats on adequate protein diet and protein-undernourished (PU) rats were fed with diet containing 16% and 5% casein, respectively, for a period of 10 weeks. The rats were then supplemented with Se and Zn at a concentration of 0.15 and 227 mg l(-1), respectively, in drinking water for 3 weeks. The results obtained from the study showed significant reductions in synaptosomal plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (PMCA) activity, Ca(2+)/CaM activated EGM Ca(2+) ATPase activity and calmodulin genes and protein expressions in PU rats. Se or Zn supplementation improved the ability of Ca(2+)/CaM to activate EGM Ca(2+)-ATPase and protein expressions. Se or Zn supplementation improved gene expression in the cerebellum but not in the cortex. Also, the activity of PMCA was significantly improved by Zn. In conclusion, it is postulated that Se and Zn might be beneficial antioxidants in protecting against neuronal dysfunction resulting from reduced level of calmodulin such as present in protein undernutrition.

N-terminal and C-terminal domains of calmodulin mediate FADD and TRADD interaction

FADD (Fas–associated death domain) and TRADD (Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1-associated death domain) proteins are important regulators of cell fate in mammalian cells. They are both involved in death receptors mediated signaling pathways and have been linked to the Toll-like receptor family and innate immunity. Here we identify and characterize by database search analysis, mutagenesis and calmodulin (CaM) pull-down assays a calcium-dependent CaM binding site in the α-helices 1–2 of TRADD death domain. We also show that oxidation of CaM methionines drastically reduces CaM affinity for FADD and TRADD suggesting that oxidation might regulate CaM-FADD and CaM-TRADD interactions. Finally, using Met-to-Leu CaM mutants and binding assays we show that both the N- and C-terminal domains of CaM are important for binding.

Impact of methionine oxidation on calmodulin structural dynamics

We have used electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) to examine the structural impact of oxidizing specific methionine (M) side chains in calmodulin (CaM). It has been shown that oxidation of either M109 or M124 in CaM diminishes CaM regulation of the muscle calcium release channel, the ryanodine receptor (RyR), and that mutation of M to Q (glutamine) in either case produces functional effects identical to those of oxidation. Here we have used site-directed spin labeling and double electron-electron resonance (DEER), a pulsed EPR technique that measures distances between spin labels, to characterize the structural changes resulting from these mutations. Spin labels were attached to a pair of introduced cysteine residues, one in the C-lobe (T117C) and one in the N-lobe (T34C) of CaM, and DEER was used to determine the distribution of interspin distances. Ca binding induced a large increase in the mean distance, in concert with previous X-ray crystallography and NMR data, showing a closed structure in the absence of Ca and an open structure in the presence of Ca. DEER revealed additional information about CaM's structural heterogeneity in solution: in both the presence and absence of Ca, CaM populates both structural states, one with probes separated by ∼4nm (closed) and another at ∼6nm (open). Ca shifts the structural equilibrium constant toward the open state by a factor of 13. DEER reveals the distribution of interprobe distances, showing that each of these states is itself partially disordered, with the width of each population ranging from 1 to 3nm. Both mutations (M109Q and M124Q) decrease the effect of Ca on the structure of CaM, primarily by decreasing the closed-to-open equilibrium constant in the presence of Ca. We propose that Met oxidation alters CaM's functional interaction with its target proteins by perturbing this Ca-dependent structural shift.

Effect of individual Fc methionine oxidation on FcRn binding: Met252 oxidation impairs FcRn binding more profoundly than Met428 oxidation

The long serum half-lives of mAbs are conferred by pH-dependent binding of IgG-Fc to the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). The Fc region of human IgG1 has three conserved methionine residues, Met252, Met358, and Met428. Recent studies showed oxidation of these Met residues impairs FcRn binding and consequently affects pharmacokinetics of therapeutic antibodies. However, the quantitative effect of individual Met oxidation on Fc-FcRn binding has not been addressed. This information is valuable for defining critical quality attributes. In the present study, two sets of homodimeric site-directed IgG1 mutations were generated to understand how individual Fc Met oxidation affects FcRn binding. The first approach used Met to Leu mutants to block site-specific Met oxidation. In the other approach, Met to Gln mutants were designed to mimic site-specific Met oxidation. Both mutagenesis approaches show that either Met252 or Met428 oxidation alone significantly impairs Fc-FcRn binding. Met252 oxidation has a more deleterious effect on FcRn binding than M428 oxidation, whereas Met428 oxidation has a bigger destabilization effect on the thermal stability. Our results also show that Met358 oxidation does not affect FcRn binding. In addition, our study suggests that Met to Gln mutation may serve as an important tool to understand Met oxidation.

Structural and functional impact of site-directed methionine oxidation in myosin

We have examined the structural and functional effects of site-directed methionine oxidation in Dictyostelium (Dicty) myosin II using mutagenesis, in vitro oxidation, and site-directed spin-labeling for electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Protein oxidation by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species is critical for normal cellular function, but oxidative stress has been implicated in disease progression and biological aging. Our goal is to bridge understanding of protein oxidation and muscle dysfunction with molecular-level insights into actomyosin interaction. In order to focus on methionine oxidation and to facilitate site-directed spectroscopy, we started with a Cys-lite version of Dicty myosin II. For Dicty myosin containing native methionines, peroxide treatment decreased actin-activated myosin ATPase activity, consistent with the decline in actomyosin function previously observed in biologically aged or peroxide-treated muscle. Methionine-to-leucine mutations, used to protect specific sites from oxidation, identified a single methionine that is functionally sensitive to oxidation: M394, near the myosin cardiomyopathy loop in the actin-binding interface. Previously characterized myosin labeling sites for spectroscopy in the force-producing region and actin-binding cleft were examined; spin-label mobility and distance measurements in the actin-binding cleft were sensitive to oxidation, but particularly in the presence of actin. Overall secondary structure and thermal stability were unaffected by oxidation. We conclude that the oxidation-induced structural change in myosin includes a redistribution of existing structural states of the actin-binding cleft. These results will be applicable to the many biological and therapeutic contexts in which a detailed understanding of protein oxidation as well as function and structure relationships is sought.

Site-specific modification of calmodulin Ca²(+) affinity tunes the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor activation profile

The skeletal muscle isoform of the ryanodine receptor Ca²(+)-release channel (RyR1) is regulated by Ca²(+) and CaM (calmodulin). CaM shifts the biphasic Ca²(+)-dependence of RyR1 activation leftward, effectively increasing channel opening at low Ca²(+) and decreasing channel opening at high Ca²(+). The conversion of CaM from a RyR1 activator into an inhibitor is due to the binding of Ca²(+) to CaM; however, which of CaM's four Ca²(+)-binding sites serves as the switch for this conversion is unclear. We engineered a series of mutant CaMs designed to individually increase the Ca²(+) affinity of each of CaM's EF-hands by increasing the number of acidic residues in Ca²(+)-chelating positions. Domain-specific Ca²(+) affinities of each CaM variant were determined by equilibrium fluorescence titration. Mutations in sites I (T26D) or II (N60D) in CaM's N-terminal domain had little effect on CaM Ca²(+) affinity and regulation of RyR1. However, the site III mutation N97D increased the Ca²(+)-binding affinity of CaM's C-terminal domain and caused CaM to inhibit RyR1 at a lower Ca²(+) concentration than wild-type CaM. Conversely, the site IV mutation Q135D decreased the Ca²(+)-binding affinity of CaM's C-terminal domain and caused CaM to inhibit RyR1 at higher Ca²(+) concentrations. These results support the hypothesis that Ca²(+) binding to CaM's C-terminal acts as the switch converting CaM from a RyR1 activator into a channel inhibitor. These results indicate further that targeting CaM's Ca²(+) affinity may be a valid strategy to tune the activation profile of CaM-regulated ion channels.

Excitation-contraction coupling and minor triadic proteins in low-frequency fatigue

Low-frequency fatigue (LFF) is characterized by a proportionally greater loss of force at low compared with high activation frequencies and a prolonged recovery. Recent work suggests a calcium-induced uncoupling of excitation-contraction coupling underlies LFF. Here, newly characterized triadic proteins are described, and possible mechanisms by which they may contribute to LFF are suggested.

Calcium-dependent association of calmodulin with the rubella virus nonstructural protease domain

The rubella virus (RUBV) nonstructural (NS) protease domain, a Ca(2+)- and Zn(2+)-binding papain-like cysteine protease domain within the nonstructural replicase polyprotein precursor, is responsible for the self-cleavage of the precursor into two mature products, P150 and P90, that compose the replication complex that mediates viral RNA replication; the NS protease resides at the C terminus of P150. Here we report the Ca(2+)-dependent, stoichiometric association of calmodulin (CaM) with the RUBV NS protease. Co-immunoprecipitation and pulldown assays coupled with site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that both the P150 protein and a 110-residue minidomain within NS protease interacted directly with Ca(2+)/CaM. The specific interaction was mapped to a putative CaM-binding domain. A 32-mer peptide (residues 1152-1183, denoted as RUBpep) containing the putative CaM-binding domain was used to investigate the association of RUBV NS protease with CaM or its N- and C-terminal subdomains. We found that RUBpep bound to Ca(2+)/CaM with a dissociation constant of 100-300 nm. The C-terminal subdomain of CaM preferentially bound to RUBpep with an affinity 12.5-fold stronger than the N-terminal subdomain. Fluorescence, circular dichroism and NMR spectroscopic studies revealed a "wrapping around" mode of interaction between RUBpep and Ca(2+)/CaM with substantially more helical structure in RUBpep and a global structural change in CaM upon complex formation. Using a site-directed mutagenesis approach, we further demonstrated that association of CaM with the CaM-binding domain in the RUBV NS protease was necessary for NS protease activity and infectivity.

Site-specific methionine oxidation initiates calmodulin degradation by the 20S proteasome

The proteasome is a key intracellular protease that regulates processes, such as signal transduction and protein quality control, through the selective degradation of specific proteins. Signals that target a protein for degradation, collectively known as degrons, have been defined for many proteins involved in cell signaling. However, the molecular signals involved in recognition and degradation of proteins damaged by oxidation have not been completely defined. The current study used biochemical and spectroscopic measurements to define the properties in calmodulin that initiate degradation by the 20S proteasome. Our experimental approach involved the generation of multiple calmodulin mutants with specific Met replaced by Leu. This strategy of site-directed mutagenesis permitted site-selective oxidation of Met to Met sulfoxide. We found that the oxidation-induced loss of secondary structure, as measured by circular dichroism, correlated with the rate of degradation for wild-type and mutants containing Leu substitutions in the C-terminus. However, no degradation was observed for mutants with Met to Leu substitution in the N-terminus, suggesting that oxidation-induced structural unfolding in the N-terminal region is essential for degradation by the 20S proteasome. Experiments comparing the thermodynamic stability of CaM mutants helped to further localize the critical site of oxidation-induced focal disruption between residues 51 and 72 in the N-terminal region. This work brings new biochemical and structural clarity to the concept of the degron, the portion of a protein that determines its susceptibility to degradation by the proteasome.

Identification of the Calmodulin Binding Domain of Connexin 43

Calmodulin (CaM) has been implicated in mediating the Ca(2+)-dependent regulation of gap junctions. This report identifies a CaM-binding motif comprising residues 136-158 in the intracellular loop of Cx43. A 23-mer peptide encompassing this CaM-binding motif was shown to bind Ca(2+)-CaM with 1:1 stoichiometry by using various biophysical approaches, including surface plasmon resonance, circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, and NMR. Far UV circular dichroism studies indicated that the Cx43-derived peptide increased its alpha-helical contents on CaM binding. Fluorescence and NMR studies revealed conformational changes of both the peptide and CaM following formation of the CaM-peptide complex. The apparent dissociation constant of the peptide binding to CaM in physiologic K(+) is in the range of 0.7-1 microM. Upon binding of the peptide to CaM, the apparent K(d) of Ca(2+) for CaM decreased from 2.9 +/- 0.1 to 1.6 +/- 0.1 microM, and the Hill coefficient n(H) increased from 2.1 +/- 0.1 to 3.3 +/- 0.5. Transient expression in HeLa cells of two different mutant Cx43-EYFP constructs without the putative Cx43 CaM-binding site eliminated the Ca(2+)-dependent inhibition of Cx43 gap junction permeability, confirming that residues 136-158 in the intracellular loop of Cx43 contain the CaM-binding site that mediates the Ca(2+)-dependent regulation of Cx43 gap junctions. Our results provide the first direct evidence that CaM binds to a specific region of the ubiquitous gap junction protein Cx43 in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner, providing a molecular basis for the well characterized Ca(2+)-dependent inhibition of Cx43-containing gap junctions.

Redox control of calcium channels: from mechanisms to therapeutic opportunities

Calcium plays an integral role in cellular function. It is a well-recognized second messenger necessary for signaling cellular responses, but in excessive amounts can be deleterious to function, causing cell death. The main route by which calcium enters the cytoplasm is either from the extracellular compartment or internal addistores via calcium channels. There is good evidence that calcium channels can respond to pharmacological compounds that reduce or oxidize thiol groups on the channel protein. In addition, reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide and superoxide that can mediate oxidative pathology also mediate changes in channel function via alterations of thiol groups. This review looks at the structure and function of calcium channels, the evidence that changes in cellular redox state mediate changes in channel function, and the role of redox modification of channels in disease processes. Understanding how redox modification of the channel protein alters channel structure and function is providing leads for the design of therapeutic interventions that target oxidative stress responses.

High-affinity and cooperative binding of oxidized calmodulin by methionine sulfoxide reductase

Methionines can play an important role in modulating protein-protein interactions associated with intracellular signaling, and their reversible oxidation to form methionine sulfoxides [Met(O)] in calmodulin (CaM) and other signaling proteins has been suggested to couple cellular redox changes to protein functional changes through the action of methionine sulfoxide reductases (Msr). Prior measurements indicate the full recovery of target protein activation upon the stereospecific reduction of oxidized CaM by MsrA, where the formation of the S-stereoisomer of Met(O) selectively inhibits the CaM-dependent activation of the Ca-ATPase. However, the physiological substrates of MsrA remain unclear, as neither the binding specificities nor affinities of protein targets have been measured. To assess the specificity of binding and its possible importance in the maintenance of CaM function, we have measured the kinetics of repair and the binding affinity between oxidized CaM and MsrA. Reduction of Met(O) in fully oxidized CaM by MsrA is sensitive to the protein fold, as repair of the intact protein is incomplete, with >6 Met(O) remaining in each CaM following MsrA reduction. In contrast, following proteolytic digestion, MsrA is able to fully reduce one-half of the oxidized methionines, indicating that surface-accessible Met(O) within folded proteins need not be substrates for MsrA repair. Mutation of the active site (i.e., C72S) in MsrA permitted equilibrium-binding measurements using both ensemble and single-molecule fluorescence correlation spectroscopy measurements. We observe cooperative binding of two MsrA to each CaMox with an apparent affinity (K = 70 +/- 10 nM) that is 3 orders of magnitude greater than the Michaelis constant (KM = 68 +/- 4 microM). The high-affinity and cooperative interaction between MsrA and CaMox suggests an important regulatory role of MsrA in the binding and reduction of Met(O) in functionally sensitive proteins, such that multiple MsrA proteins are recruited to simultaneously bind and reduce Met(O) in highly oxidized proteins. Given the suggested role of Met(O) in modulating reversible binding interactions between proteins associated with cellular signaling, these results indicate an ability of MsrA to selectively reduce Met(O) within highly surface-accessible sequences to maintain cellular function as part of an adaptive response to oxidative stress.

Complex of calmodulin with a ryanodine receptor target reveals a novel, flexible binding mode

Calmodulin regulates ryanodine receptor-mediated Ca(2+) release through a conserved binding site. The crystal structure of Ca(2+)-calmodulin bound to this conserved site reveals that calmodulin recognizes two hydrophobic anchor residues at a novel "1-17" spacing that brings the calmodulin lobes close together but prevents them from contacting one another. NMR residual dipolar couplings demonstrate that the detailed structure of each lobe is preserved in solution but also show that the lobes experience domain motions within the complex. FRET measurements confirm the close approach of the lobes in binding the 1-17 target and show that calmodulin binds with one lobe to a peptide lacking the second anchor. We suggest that calmodulin regulates the Ca(2+) channel by switching between the contiguous binding mode seen in our crystal structure and a state where one lobe of calmodulin contacts the conserved binding site while the other interacts with a noncontiguous site on the channel.

Substrates of the methionine sulfoxide reductase system and their physiological relevance

Posttranslational modifications can change a protein's structure, function, and solubility. One specific modification caused by reactive oxygen species is the oxidation of the sulfur atom in the methionine (Met) side chain. This modified amino acid is denoted as methionine sulfoxide (MetO). MetOs in proteins are of considerable interest as they are involved in early posttranslational modification events. Thus, various organisms produce specific enzymes that can reverse these modifications. MetO reductases, known collectively as the methionine sulfoxide reductase (Msr) system, are the only known enzymes that can reduce MetOs. The current research field of Met redox cycles is consumed with elucidating its role in regulation, redox homeostasis, prevention of irreversible modifications, pathogenesis, and the aging process. Substrates of the Msr system can be loosely classified by the overall effect of the MetO on the protein. Regulated substrates utilize Met as a molecular switch to modulate activation; scavenging substrates use Mets to detoxify oxidants and protect important regions of the protein; and modified substrates are altered by Met oxidation resulting in various changes in their properties, including function, activity, structure, and degradation resistance.

Fluorophore-assisted light inactivation of calmodulin involves singlet-oxygen mediated cross-linking and methionine oxidation

Fluorophore-assisted light inactivation (FALI) permits the targeted inactivation of tagged proteins and, when used with cell-permeable multiuse affinity probes (MAPs), offers important advantages in identifying physiological function, because targeted protein inactivation is possible with spatial and temporal control. However, reliable applications of FALI, also known as chromophore-assisted light inactivation (CALI) with fluorescein derivatives, have been limited by lack of mechanistic information regarding target protein sensitivity. To permit the rational inactivation of targeted proteins, we have identified the oxidizing species and the susceptibility of specific amino acids to modification using the calcium regulatory protein calmodulin (CaM) that, like many essential proteins, regulates signal transduction through the reversible association with a large number of target proteins. Following the covalent and rigid attachment of 4',5'-bis(1,3,2-dithioarsolan-2-yl)fluorescein (FlAsH) to helix A, we have identified light-dependent oxidative modifications of endogenous methionines to their corresponding methionine sulfoxides. Initial rates of methionine oxidation correlate with surface accessibility and are insensitive to the distance between the bound fluorophore and individual methionines, which vary between approximately 7 and 40 A. In addition, we observed a loss of histidines, as well as zero-length cross-linking with binding partners corresponding to the CaM-binding sites of smooth myosin light chain kinase and ryanodine receptor. Our results provide a rationale for proteomic screens using FALI to inhibit the function of many signaling proteins, which, like CaM, commonly present methionines at binding interfaces.

Redox modulation of cellular metabolism through targeted degradation of signaling proteins by the proteasome

Under conditions of oxidative stress, the 20S proteasome plays a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis through the selective degradation of oxidized and damaged proteins. This adaptive stress response is distinct from ubiquitin-dependent pathways in that oxidized proteins are recognized and degraded in an ATP-independent mechanism, which can involve the molecular chaperone Hsp90. Like the regulatory complexes 19S and 11S REG, Hsp90 tightly associates with the 20S proteasome to mediate the recognition of aberrant proteins for degradation. In the case of the calcium signaling protein calmodulin, proteasomal degradation results from the oxidation of a single surface exposed methionine (i.e., Met145); oxidation of the other eight methionines has a minimal effect on the recognition and degradation of calmodulin by the proteasome. Since cellular concentrations of calmodulin are limiting, the targeted degradation of this critical signaling protein under conditions of oxidative stress will result in the downregulation of cellular metabolism, serving as a feedback regulation to diminish the generation of reactive oxygen species. The targeted degradation of critical signaling proteins, such as calmodulin, can function as sensors of oxidative stress to downregulate global rates of metabolism and enhance cellular survival.

Role of calmodulin methionine residues in mediating productive association with cardiac ryanodine receptors

Calmodulin (CaM) binds to the cardiac ryanodine receptor Ca2+ release channel (RyR2) with high affinity and may act as a regulatory channel subunit. Here we determine the role of CaM Met residues in the productive association of CaM with RyR2, as assessed via determinations of [3H]ryanodine and [35S]CaM binding to cardiac muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles. Oxidation of all nine CaM Met residues abolished the productive association of CaM with RyR2. Substitution of the COOH-terminal Mets of CaM with Leu decreased the extent of CaM inhibition of cardiac SR (CSR) vesicle [3H]ryanodine binding. In contrast, replacing the NH2-terminal Met of CaM with Leu increased the concentration of CaM required to inhibit CSR [3H]ryanodine binding but did not alter the extent of inhibition. Site-specific substitution of individual CaM Met residues with Gln demonstrated that Met124 was required for both high-affinity CaM binding to RyR2 and for maximal CaM inhibition. These results thus identify a Met residue critical for the productive association of CaM with RyR2 channels.

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

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

Methionine sulfoxide reductases: ubiquitous enzymes involved in antioxidant defense, protein regulation, and prevention of aging-associated diseases

Oxidative damage to proteins is considered to be one of the major causes of aging and age-related diseases, and thus mechanisms have evolved to prevent or reverse these modifications. Methionine is one of the major targets of reactive oxygen species (ROS), where it is oxidized to methionine sulfoxide (MetO). Recently, evidence has accumulated suggesting that methionine (Met) oxidation may play an important role in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Oxidative alteration of Met to Met(O) is reversed by the methionine sulfoxide reductases (consisting of MsrA enzymes that reduce S-MetO and MsrB enzymes that reduce R-MetO, respectively). A major biological role of the Msr system is suggested by the fact that the MsrA null mouse (MT) exhibits a neurological disorder in the form of ataxia ("tip toe walking"), is more sensitive to oxidative stress, and has a shorter life span (by approximately 40%) than wild-type (WT) mice. By their action, the Msr enzymes can regulate protein function, be involved in signal-transduction pathways, and prevent cellular accumulation of faulty proteins. Malfunction of the Msr system can lead to cellular changes resulting in compromised antioxidant defense, enhanced age-associated diseases involving neurodegeneration, and shorter life span. In this review, the function and possible roles of the Msr system in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, in general, and in neurodegenerative diseases, in particular, will be discussed.

Redox modulation of cellular signaling and metabolism through reversible oxidation of methionine sensors in calcium regulatory proteins

Adaptive responses associated with environmental stressors are critical to cell survival. Under conditions when cellular redox and antioxidant defenses are overwhelmed, the selective oxidation of critical methionines within selected protein sensors functions to down-regulate energy metabolism and the further generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mechanistically, these functional changes within protein sensors take advantage of the helix-breaking character of methionine sulfoxide. The sensitivity of several calcium regulatory proteins to oxidative modification provides cellular sensors that link oxidative stress to cellular response and recovery. Calmodulin (CaM) is one such critical calcium regulatory protein, which is functionally sensitive to methionine oxidation. Helix destabilization resulting from the oxidation of either Met(144) or Met(145) results in the nonproductive association between CaM and target proteins. The ability of oxidized CaM to stabilize its target proteins in an inhibited state with an affinity similar to that of native (unoxidized) CaM permits this central regulatory protein to function as a cellular rheostat that down-regulates energy metabolism in response to oxidative stress. Likewise, oxidation of a methionine within a critical switch region of the regulatory protein phospholamban is expected to destabilize the phosphorylation-dependent helix formation necessary for the release of enzyme inhibition, resulting in a down-regulation of the Ca-ATPase in response to beta-adrenergic signaling in the heart. We suggest that under acute conditions, such as inflammation or ischemia, these types of mechanisms ensure minimal nonspecific cellular damage, allowing for rapid restoration of cellular function through repair of oxidized methionines by methionine sulfoxide reductases and degradation pathways after restoration of normal cellular redox conditions.

Hsp90 enhances degradation of oxidized calmodulin by the 20 S proteasome

The 20 S proteasome has been suggested to play a critical role in mediating the degradation of abnormal proteins under conditions of oxidative stress and has been found in tight association with the molecular chaperone Hsp90. To elucidate the role of Hsp90 in promoting the degradation of oxidized calmodulin (CaM(ox)), we have purified red blood cell 20 S proteasomes free of Hsp90 and assessed their ability to degrade CaM(ox) in the absence or presence of Hsp90. Purified 20 S proteasome does not degrade CaM(ox) unless Hsp90 is added. CaM(ox) degradation is sensitive to both proteasome and Hsp90-specific inhibitors and is further enhanced in the presence of 2 mm ATP. Irrespective of the presence of Hsp90, we find that unoxidized CaM is not significantly degraded. Direct binding measurements demonstrate that Hsp90 selectively associates with CaM(ox); essentially no binding is observed between Hsp90 and unoxidized CaM. These results indicate that Hsp90 in association with the 20 S proteasome can selectively associate with oxidized and partially unfolded CaM to promote degradation by the proteasome.

Essential role of methionine residues in calmodulin binding to Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase, as probed by selective oxidation and repair by the peptide methionine sulfoxide reductases

Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, secretes among other virulence factors an adenylate cyclase (AC) toxin that is able to enter into eukaryotic cells where it is activated upon binding to endogenous calmodulin (CaM) and synthesizes supraphysiological cAMP levels. In vivo, the AC toxin, through its specific interaction with the CD11b/CD18 integrin, primarily targets phagocytic cells such as neutrophils and macrophages. Because neutrophil priming and activation result in the production of reactive oxygen species that may cause intracellular oxidation, we have examined the biological consequences of the oxidation of CaM methionines upon its interaction with AC. We show here that the interaction of CaM with AC is dependent on the reduced state of methionines, because oxidation of all methionine residues of CaM dramatically decreases its affinity for AC. Peptide methionine sulfoxide reductases A (MsrA) and B (MsrB) were able to partially reduce the oxidized CaM, and these partially "repaired" forms could interact with AC nearly as efficiently as the native protein. We further showed that the CaM.AC complex is resistant to oxidation with tert-butylhydroperoxide, and we identified methionine residues 109, 124, and 145 as critical for binding to AC. The resistance of the AC.CaM complex to oxidation and the ability of AC to be efficiently activated by partially oxidized CaM molecules should allow the toxin to exert its cytotoxic effects on activated neutrophils and contribute to the host colonization.