An intranasal nanoparticle vaccine elicits protective immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mucosal vaccines have the potential to elicit protective immune responses at the point of entry of respiratory pathogens, thus preventing even the initial seed infection. Unlike licensed injectable vaccines, mucosal vaccines comprising protein subunits are only in development. One of the primary challenges associated with mucosal vaccines has been identifying and characterizing safe yet effective mucosal adjuvants that can effectively prime multi-factorial mucosal immunity. In this study, we tested NanoSTING, a liposomal formulation of the endogenous activator of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway, cyclic guanosine adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP), as a mucosal adjuvant. We formulated a vaccine based on the H1 antigen (fusion protein of Ag85b and ESAT-6) adjuvanted with NanoSTING. Intranasal immunization of NanoSTING-H1 elicited a strong T-cell response in the lung of vaccinated animals characterized by (a) CXCR3+ KLRG1- lung resident T cells that are known to be essential for controlling bacterial infection, (b) IFNγ-secreting CD4+ T cells which is necessary for intracellular bactericidal activity, and (c) IL17-secreting CD4+ T cells that can confer protective immunity against multiple clinically relevant strains of Mtb. Upon challenge with aerosolized Mycobacterium tuberculosis Erdman strain, intranasal NanoSTING-H1 provides protection comparable to subcutaneous administration of the live attenuated Mycobacterium bovis vaccine strain Bacille-Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Our results indicate that NanoSTING adjuvanted protein vaccines can elicit a multi-factorial immune response that protects from infection by M. tuberculosis.

Nα-Acetylation of the virulence factor EsxA is required for mycobacterial cytosolic translocation and virulence

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulence factor EsxA and its chaperone EsxB are secreted as a heterodimer (EsxA:B) and are crucial for mycobacterial escape from phagosomes and cytosolic translocation. Current findings support the idea that for EsxA to interact with host membranes, EsxA must dissociate from EsxB at low pH. However, the molecular mechanism by which the EsxA:B heterodimer separates is not clear. In the present study, using liposome-leakage and cytotoxicity assays, LC-MS/MS-based proteomics, and CCF-4 FRET analysis, we obtained evidence that the Nα-acetylation of the Thr-2 residue on EsxA, a post-translational modification that is present in mycobacteria but absent in Escherichia coli, is required for the EsxA:B separation. Substitutions at Thr-2 that precluded Nα-acetylation inhibited the heterodimer separation and hence prevented EsxA from interacting with the host membrane, resulting in attenuated mycobacterial cytosolic translocation and virulence. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that at low pH, the Nα-acetylated Thr-2 makes direct and frequent "bind-and-release" contacts with EsxB, which generates a force that pulls EsxB away from EsxA. In summary, our findings provide evidence that the Nα-acetylation at Thr-2 of EsxA facilitates dissociation of the EsxA:B heterodimer required for EsxA membrane permeabilization and mycobacterial cytosolic translocation and virulence.

Imaging cytosolic translocation of Mycobacteria with two-photon fluorescence resonance energy transfer microscopy

Transition from latency to active tuberculosis requires Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to penetrate the phagosomal membrane and translocate to the cytosol of the host macrophage. Quantitative two-photon fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy is developed to measure cytosolic translocation using Mycobacterium marinum (Mm) as a model organism for Mtb. Macrophages were infected with Mm or non-pathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis (Ms) as a control, then loaded with a FRET substrate. Once translocation occurs, mycobacterium-bearing β-lactamase cleaves the substrate, resulting in decrease of FRET signal. Quantification of this FRET signal change revealed that Mm, but not Ms, is capable of translocating to the cytosol.

Genetic and mass spectrometric tools for elucidating the physiological function(s) of cytochrome P450 enzymes from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Tuberculosis remains a leading cause of human mortality. The emergence of strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent, that are resistant to first- and second-line antitubercular drugs urges the development of new therapeutics. The genome of Mtb encodes 20 cytochrome P450 enzymes, at least some of which are potential candidates (CYP121, CYP125, and CYP128) for drug targeting. In this regard, we examined the specific role of CYP125 in the cholesterol degradation pathway, using genetic and mass spectrometric approaches. The analysis of lipid profiles from Mtb cells grown on cholesterol revealed that CYP125, by virtue of its C26-monooxygenase activity, is essential for cholesterol degradation, and, consequently, for the incorporation of side-chain carbon atoms into cellular lipids, as evidenced by an increase in the mass of the methyl-branched phthiocerol dimycocerosates (PDIM). Moreover, this work also led to the identification of cholest-4-en-3-one as a source of cellular toxicity. Herein, we describe the experimental procedures that led to elucidation of the physiological function of CYP125. A similar approach can be used to study other important Mtb P450 enzymes.

Proximal ligand electron donation and reactivity of the cytochrome P450 ferric-peroxo anion

CYP125 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis catalyzes sequential oxidation of the cholesterol side-chain terminal methyl group to the alcohol, aldehyde, and finally acid. Here, we demonstrate that CYP125 simultaneously catalyzes the formation of five other products, all of which result from deformylation of the sterol side chain. The aldehyde intermediate is shown to be the precursor of both the conventional acid metabolite and the five deformylation products. The acid arises by protonation of the ferric-peroxo anion species and formation of the ferryl-oxene species, also known as Compound I, followed by hydrogen abstraction and oxygen transfer. The deformylation products arise by addition of the same ferric-peroxo anion to the aldehyde intermediate to give a peroxyhemiacetal that leads to C-C bond cleavage. This bifurcation of the catalytic sequence has allowed us to examine the effect of electron donation by the proximal ligand on the properties of the ferric-peroxo anion. Replacement of the cysteine thiolate iron ligand by a selenocysteine results in UV-vis, EPR, and resonance Raman spectral changes indicative of an increased electron donation from the proximal selenolate ligand to the iron. Analysis of the product distribution in the reaction of the selenocysteine substituted enzyme reveals a gain in the formation of the acid (Compound I pathway) at the expense of deformylation products. These observations are consistent with an increase in the pK(a) of the ferric-peroxo anion, which favors its protonation and, therefore, Compound I formation.

Cholesterol catabolism as a therapeutic target in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is an intracellular pathogen that infects 10 million people worldwide and kills 2 million people every year. The uptake and utilization of nutrients by Mtb within the host cell is still poorly understood, although lipids play an important role in Mtb persistence. The recent identification of a large regulon of cholesterol catabolic genes suggests that Mtb can use host sterol for infection and persistence. In this review, we report on recent progress in elucidation of the Mtb cholesterol catabolic reactions and their potential utility as targets for tuberculosis therapeutic agents.

A novel intermediate in the reaction of seleno CYP119 with m-chloroperbenzoic acid

Cytochrome P450-mediated monooxygenation generally proceeds via a reactive ferryl intermediate coupled to a ligand radical [Fe(IV)═O]+• termed Compound I (Cpd I). The proximal cysteine thiolate ligand is a critical determinant of the spectral and catalytic properties of P450 enzymes. To explore the effect of an increased level of donation of electrons by the proximal ligand in the P450 catalytic cycle, we recently reported successful incorporation of SeCys into the active site of CYP119, a thermophilic cytochrome P450. Here we report relevant physical properties of SeCYP119 and a detailed analysis of the reaction of SeCYP119 with m-chloroperbenzoic acid. Our results indicate that the selenolate anion reduces rather than stabilizes Cpd I and also protects the heme from oxidative destruction, leading to the generation of a new stable species with an absorbance maximum at 406 nm. This stable intermediate can be returned to the normal ferric state by reducing agents and thiols, in agreement with oxidative modification of the selenolate ligand itself. Thus, in the seleno protein, the oxidative damage shifts from the heme to the proximal ligand, presumably because (a) an increased level of donation of electrons more efficiently quenches reactive species such as Cpd I and (b) the protection of the thiolate ligand provided by the protein active site structure is insufficient to shield the more oxidizable selenolate ligand.

Reverse type I inhibitor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis CYP125A1

Cytochrome P450 CYP125A1 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a potential therapeutic target for tuberculosis in humans, initiates degradation of the aliphatic chain of host cholesterol and is essential for establishing M. tuberculosis infection in a mouse model of disease. We explored the interactions of CYP125A1 with a reverse type I inhibitor by X-ray structure analysis and UV-vis spectroscopy. Compound LP10 (α-[(4-methylcyclohexyl)carbonyl amino]-N-4-pyridinyl-1H-indole-3-propanamide), previously identified as a potent type II inhibitor of Trypanosomacruzi CYP51, shifts CYP125A1 to a water-coordinated low-spin state upon binding with low micromolar affinity. When LP10 is present in the active site, the crystal structure and spectral characteristics both demonstrate changes in lipophilic and electronic properties favoring coordination of the iron axial water ligand. These results provide an insight into the structural requirements for developing selective CYP125A1 inhibitors.

Functional redundancy of steroid C26-monooxygenase activity in Mycobacterium tuberculosis revealed by biochemical and genetic analyses

One challenge to the development of new antitubercular drugs is the existence of multiple virulent strains that differ genetically. We and others have recently demonstrated that CYP125A1 is a steroid C(26)-monooxygenase that plays a key role in cholesterol catabolism in Mycobacterium tuberculosis CDC1551 but, unexpectedly, not in the M. tuberculosis H37Rv strain. This discrepancy suggests that the H37Rv strain possesses compensatory activities. Here, we examined the roles in cholesterol metabolism of two other cytochrome P450 enzymes, CYP124A1 and CYP142A1. In vitro analysis, including comparisons of the binding affinities and catalytic efficiencies, demonstrated that CYP142A1, but not CYP124A1, can support the growth of H37Rv cells on cholesterol in the absence of cyp125A1. All three enzymes can oxidize the sterol side chain to the carboxylic acid state by sequential oxidation to the alcohol, aldehyde, and acid. Interestingly, CYP125A1 generates oxidized sterols of the (25S)-26-hydroxy configuration, whereas the opposite 25R stereochemistry is obtained with CYP124A1 and CYP142A1. Western blot analysis indicated that CYP124A1 was not detectably expressed in either the H37Rv or CDC1551 strains, whereas CYP142A1 was found in H37Rv but not CDC1551. Genetic complementation of CDC1551 Δcyp125A1 cells with the cyp124A1 or cyp142A1 genes revealed that the latter can fully rescue the growth defect on cholesterol, whereas cells overexpressing CYP124A1 grow poorly and accumulate cholest-4-en-3-one. Our data clearly establish a functional redundancy in the essential C(26)-monooxygenase activity of M. tuberculosis and validate CYP125A1 and CYP142A1 as possible drug targets.

Structure of cytochrome P450 PimD suggests epoxidation of the polyene macrolide pimaricin occurs via a hydroperoxoferric intermediate

We present the X-ray structure of PimD, both substrate-free and in complex with 4,5-desepoxypimaricin. PimD is a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase with native epoxidase activity that is critical in the biosynthesis of the polyene macrolide antibiotic pimaricin. Intervention in this secondary metabolic pathway could advance the development of drugs with improved pharmacologic properties. Epoxidation by P450 typically includes formation of a charge-transfer complex between an oxoferryl pi-cation radical species (Compound I) and the olefin pi-bond as the initial intermediate. Catalytic and structural evidence presented here suggest that epoxidation of 4,5-desepoxypimaricin proceeds via a hydroperoxoferric intermediate (Compound 0). The oxygen atom of Compound 0 distal to the heme iron may insert into the double bond of the substrate to make an epoxide ring. Stereoelectronic features of the putative transition state suggest substrate-assisted proton delivery.

Structural control of cytochrome P450-catalyzed ω-hydroxylation

The regiospecific or preferential ω-hydroxylation of hydrocarbon chains is thermodynamically disfavored because the ease of C-H bond hydroxylation depends on the bond strength, and the primary C-H bond of a terminal methyl group is stronger than the secondary or tertiary C-H bond adjacent to it. The hydroxylation reaction will therefore occur primarily at the adjacent secondary or tertiary C-H bond unless the protein structure specifically enforces primary C-H bond oxidation. Here we review the classes of enzymes that catalyze ω-hydroxylation and our current understanding of the structural features that promote the ω-hydroxylation of unbranched and methyl-branched hydrocarbon chains. The evidence indicates that steric constraints are used to favor reaction at the ω-site rather than at the more reactive (ω-1)-site.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis CYP125A1, a steroid C27 monooxygenase that detoxifies intracellularly generated cholest-4-en-3-one

The infectivity and persistence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis requires the utilization of host cell cholesterol. We have examined the specific role of cytochrome P450 CYP125A1 in the cholesterol degradation pathway using genetic, biochemical and high-resolution mass spectrometric approaches. The analysis of lipid profiles from cells grown on cholesterol revealed that CYP125A1 is required to incorporate the cholesterol side-chain carbon atoms into cellular lipids, as evidenced by an increase in the mass of the methyl-branched phthiocerol dimycocerosates. We observed that cholesterol-exposed cells lacking CYP125A1 accumulate cholest-4-en-3-one, suggesting that this is a physiological substrate for this enzyme. Reconstitution of enzymatic activity with spinach ferredoxin and ferredoxin reductase revealed that recombinant CYP125A1 indeed binds both cholest-4-en-3-one and cholesterol, efficiently hydroxylates both of them at C-27, and then further oxidizes 27-hydroxycholest-4-en-3-one to cholest-4-en-3-one-27-oic acid. We determined the X-ray structure of cholest-4-en-3-one-bound CYP125A1 at a resolution of 1.58 A. CYP125A1 is essential for growth of CDC1551 in media containing cholesterol or cholest-4-en-3-one. In its absence, the latter compound is toxic for both CDC1551 and H37Rv when added with glycerol as a second carbon source. CYP125A1 is a key enzyme in cholesterol metabolism and plays a crucial role in circumventing the deleterious effect of cholest-4-en-3-one.

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis cytochrome P450 system

Tuberculosis remains a leading cause of human mortality. The emergence of strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent, that are resistant to the major frontline antitubercular drugs increases the urgency for the development of new therapeutic agents. Sequencing of the M. tuberculosis genome revealed the existence of 20 cytochrome P450 enzymes, some of which are potential candidates for drug targeting. The recent burst of studies reporting microarray-based gene essentiality and transcriptome analyses under in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo conditions highlight the importance of selected P450 isoforms for M. tuberculosis viability and pathogenicity. Current knowledge of the structural and biochemical properties of the M. tuberculosis P450 enzymes and their putative redox partners is reviewed, with an emphasis on findings related to their physiological function(s) as well as their potential as drug targets.

Interaction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis CYP130 with heterocyclic arylamines

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis P450 enzymes are of interest for their pharmacological development potential, as evidenced by their susceptibility to inhibition by antifungal azole drugs that normally target sterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51). Although antifungal azoles show promise, direct screening of compounds against M. tuberculosis P450 enzymes may identify novel, more potent, and selective inhibitory scaffolds. Here we report that CYP130 from M. tuberculosis has a natural propensity to bind primary arylamines with particular chemical architectures. These compounds were identified via a high throughput screen of CYP130 with a library of synthetic organic molecules. As revealed by subsequent x-ray structure analysis, selected compounds bind in the active site by Fe-coordination and hydrogen bonding of the arylamine group to the carbonyl oxygen of Gly(243). As evidenced by the binding of structural analogs, the primary arylamine group is indispensable, but synergism due to hydrophobic contacts between the rest of the molecule and protein amino acid residues is responsible for a binding affinity comparable with that of the antifungal azole drugs. The topology of the CYP130 active site favors angular coordination of the arylamine group over the orthogonal coordination of azoles. Upon substitution of Gly(243) by an alanine, the binding mode of azoles and some arylamines reverted from type II to type I because of hydrophobic and steric interactions with the alanine side chain. We suggest a role for the conserved Ala(Gly)(243)-Gly(244) motif in the I-helix in modulating both the binding affinity of the axial water ligand and the ligand selectivity of cytochrome P450 enzymes.

Reaction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cytochrome P450 enzymes with nitric oxide

During the initial growth infection stage of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), (*)NO produced by host macrophages inhibits heme-containing terminal cytochrome oxidases, inactivates iron/sulfur proteins, and promotes entry into latency. Here we evaluate the potential of (*)NO as an inhibitor of Mtb cytochrome P450 enzymes, as represented by CYP130, CYP51, and the two previously uncharacterized enzymes CYP125 and CYP142. Using UV-visible absorption, resonance Raman, and stopped-flow spectroscopy, we investigated the reactions of (*)NO with these heme proteins in their ferric resting form. (*)NO coordinates tightly to CYP125 and CYP142 (submicromolar) and with a lower affinity (micromolar) to CYP130 and CYP51. Anaerobic reduction of the ferric-NO species with sodium dithionite led to the formation of two spectrally distinct classes of five-coordinate ferrous-NO complexes. Exposure of these species to O(2) revealed that the ferrous-NO forms of CYP125 and CYP142 are labile and convert back to the ferric state within a few minutes, whereas ferrous CYP130 and CYP51 bind (*)NO almost irreversibly. This work clearly indicates that, at physiological concentrations (approximately 1 microM), (*)NO would impair the activity of CYP130 and CYP51, whereas CYP125 and CYP142 are more resistant. Selective P450 inhibition may contribute to the inhibitory effects of (*)NO on Mtb growth.

Analysis of transient and catalytic desosamine-binding pockets in cytochrome P-450 PikC from Streptomyces venezuelae

The cytochrome P-450 PikC from Streptomyces venezuelae exhibits significant substrate tolerance and performs multiple hydroxylation reactions on structurally variant macrolides bearing the deoxyamino sugar desosamine. In previously determined co-crystal structures (Sherman, D. H., Li, S., Yermalitskaya, L. V., Kim, Y., Smith, J. A., Waterman, M. R., and Podust, L. M. (2006) J. Biol. Chem. 281, 26289-26297), the desosamine moiety of the native substrates YC-17 and narbomycin is bound in two distinct buried and surface-exposed binding pockets, mediated by specific interactions between the protonated dimethylamino group and the acidic amino acid residues Asp(50), Glu(85), and Glu(94). Although the Glu(85) and Glu(94) negative charges are essential for maximal catalytic activity of native enzyme, elimination of the surface-exposed negative charge at Asp(50) results in significantly enhanced catalytic activity. Nevertheless, the D50N substitution could not rescue catalytic activity of PikC(E94Q) based on lack of activity in the corresponding double mutant PikC(D50N/E94Q). To address the specific role for each desosamine-binding pocket, we analyzed the x-ray structures of the PikC(D50N) mutant co-crystallized with narbomycin (1.85A resolution) and YC-17 (3.2A resolution). In PikC(D50N), the desosamine moiety of both YC-17 and narbomycin was bound in a catalytically productive "buried site." This finding suggested a two-step substrate binding mechanism, whereby desosamine is recognized in the two subsites to allow the macrolide substrate to sequentially progress toward a catalytically favorable orientation. Collectively, the binding, mutagenesis, kinetic, and x-ray structural data suggest that enhancement of the catalytic activity of PikC(D50N) is due to the facilitated relocation of substrate to the buried site, which has higher binding affinity, as opposed to dissociation in solution from the transient "surface-exposed site."

Covalent heme attachment to the protein in human heme oxygenase-1 with selenocysteine replacing the His25 proximal iron ligand

To characterize heme oxygenase with a selenocysteine (SeCys) as the proximal iron ligand, we have expressed truncated human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1) His25Cys, in which Cys-25 is the only cysteine, in the Escherichia coli cysteine auxotroph strain BL21(DE3)cys. Selenocysteine incorporation into the protein was demonstrated by both intact protein mass measurement and mass spectrometric identification of the selenocysteine-containing tryptic peptide. One selenocysteine was incorporated into approximately 95% of the expressed protein. Formation of an adduct with Ellman's reagent (DTNB) indicated that the selenocysteine in the expressed protein was in the reduced state. The heme-His25SeCys hHO-1 complex could be prepared by either (a) supplementing the overexpression medium with heme, or (b) reconstituting the purified apoprotein with heme. Under reducing conditions in the presence of imidazole, a covalent bond is formed by addition of the selenocysteine residue to one of the heme vinyl groups. No covalent bond is formed when the heme is replaced by mesoheme, in which the vinyls are replaced by ethyl groups. These results, together with our earlier demonstration that external selenolate ligands can transfer an electron to the iron [Y. Jiang, P.R. Ortiz de Montellano, Inorg. Chem. 47 (2008) 3480-3482 ], indicate that a selenyl radical is formed in the hHO-1 His25SeCys mutant that adds to a heme vinyl group.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis CYP130: crystal structure, biophysical characterization, and interactions with antifungal azole drugs

CYP130 is one of the 20 Mycobacterium tuberculosis cytochrome P450 enzymes, only two of which, CYP51 and CYP121, have so far been studied as individually expressed proteins. Here we characterize a third heterologously expressed M. tuberculosis cytochrome P450, CYP130, by UV-visible spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry, and x-ray crystallography, including determination of the crystal structures of ligand-free and econazole-bound CYP130 at a resolution of 1.46 and 3.0A(,) respectively. Ligand-free CYP130 crystallizes in an "open" conformation as a monomer, whereas the econazole-bound form crystallizes in a "closed" conformation as a dimer. Conformational changes enabling the "open-closed" transition involve repositioning of the BC-loop and the F and G helices that envelop the inhibitor in the binding site and reshape the protein surface. Crystal structure analysis shows that the portion of the BC-loop relocates as much as 18A between the open and closed conformations. Binding of econazole to CYP130 involves a conformational change and is mediated by both a set of hydrophobic interactions with amino acid residues in the active site and coordination of the heme iron. CYP130 also binds miconazole with virtually the same binding affinity as econazole and clotrimazole and ketoconazole with somewhat lower affinities, which makes it a plausible target for this class of therapeutic drugs. Overall, binding of the azole inhibitors is a sequential two-step, entropy-driven endothermic process. Binding of econazole and clotrimazole exhibits positive cooperativity that may reflect a propensity of CYP130 to associate into a dimeric structure.

The roles of Tyr(CD1) and Trp(G8) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis truncated hemoglobin O in ligand binding and on the heme distal site architecture

The crystal structure of the cyano-met form of Mt-trHbO revealed two unusual distal residues Y(CD1) and W(G8) forming a hydrogen-bond network with the heme-bound ligand [Milani, M., et al. (2003) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 100, 5766-5771]. W(G8) is an invariant residue in group II and group III trHbs and has no counterpart in other globins. A previous study reported that changing Y(CD1) for a Phe causes a significant increase in the O2 combination rate, but almost no change in the O2 dissociation rate [Ouellet, H., et al. (2003) Biochemistry 42, 5764-5774]. Here we investigated the role of the W(G8) in ligand binding by using resonance Raman spectroscopy, stopped-flow spectrophotometry, and X-ray crystallography. For this purpose, W(G8) was changed, by site-directed mutagenesis, to a Phe in both the wild-type protein and the mutant Y(CD1)F to create the single mutant W(G8)F and the double mutant Y(CD1)F/W(G8)F, respectively. Resonance Raman results suggest that W(G8) interacts with the heme-bound O2 and CO, as evidenced by the increase of the Fe-O2 stretching mode from 559 to 564 cm-1 and by the lower frequency of the Fe-CO stretching modes (514 and 497 cm-1) compared to that of the wild-type protein. Mutation of W(G8) to Phe indicates that this residue controls ligand binding, as evidenced by a dramatic increase of the combination rates of both O2 and CO. Also, the rate of O2 dissociation showed a 90-1000-fold increase in the W(G8)F and Y(CD1)F/W(G8)F mutants, that is in sharp contrast with the values obtained for the other distal mutants Y(B10)F and Y(CD1)F [Ouellet, H., et al. (2003) Biochemistry 42, 5764-5774]. Taken together, these data indicate a pivotal role for the W(G8) residue in O2 binding and stabilization.

Small-molecule scaffolds for CYP51 inhibitors identified by high-throughput screening and defined by X-ray crystallography

Sterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51), a major checkpoint in membrane sterol biosynthesis, is a key target for fungal antibiotic therapy. We sought small organic molecules for lead candidate CYP51 inhibitors. The changes in CYP51 spectral properties following ligand binding make CYP51 a convenient target for high-throughput screening technologies. These changes are characteristic of either substrate binding (type I) or inhibitor binding (type II) in the active site. We screened a library of 20,000 organic molecules against Mycobacterium tuberculosis CYP51 (CYP51(Mt)), examined the top type I and type II binding hits for their inhibitory effects on M. tuberculosis in broth culture, and analyzed them spectrally for their ability to discriminate between CYP51(Mt) and two reference M. tuberculosis CYP proteins, CYP130 and CYP125. We determined the binding mode for one of the top type II hits, alpha-ethyl-N-4-pyridinyl-benzeneacetamide (EPBA), by solving the X-ray structure of the CYP51(Mt)-EPBA complex to a resolution of 1.53 A. EPBA binds coordinately to the heme iron in the CYP51(Mt) active site through a lone pair of nitrogen electrons and also through hydrogen bonds with residues H259 and Y76, which are invariable in the CYP51 family, and hydrophobic interactions in a phylum- and/or substrate-specific cavity of CYP51. We also identified a second compound with structural and binding properties similar to those of EPBA, 2-(benzo[d]-2,1,3-thiadiazole-4-sulfonyl)-2-amino-2-phenyl-N-(pyridinyl-4)-acetamide (BSPPA). The congruence between the geometries of EPBA and BSPPA and the CYP51 binding site singles out EPBA and BSPPA as lead candidate CYP51 inhibitors with optimization potential for efficient discrimination between host and pathogen enzymes.

Reaction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis truncated hemoglobin O with hydrogen peroxide: evidence for peroxidatic activity and formation of protein-based radicals

In this work, we investigated the reaction of ferric Mycobacterium tuberculosis truncated hemoglobin O (trHbO) with hydrogen peroxide. Stopped-flow spectrophotometric experiments under single turnover conditions showed that trHbO reacts with H(2)O(2) to give transient intermediate(s), among which is an oxyferryl heme, different from a typical peroxidase Compound I (oxyferryl heme pi-cation radical). EPR spectroscopy indicated evidence for both tryptophanyl and tyrosyl radicals, whereas redox titrations demonstrated that the peroxide-treated protein product retains 2 oxidizing eq. We propose that Compound I formed transiently is reduced with concomitant oxidation of Trp(G8) to give the detected oxoferryl heme and a radical on Trp(G8) (detected by EPR of the trHbO Tyr(CD1)Phe mutant). In the wild-type protein, the Trp(G8) radical is in turn reduced rapidly by Tyr(CD1). In a second cycle, Trp(G8) may be reoxidized by the ferryl heme to yield ferric heme and two protein radicals. In turn, these migrate to form tyrosyl radicals on Tyr(55) and Tyr(115), which lead, in the absence of a reducing substrate, to oligomerization of the protein. Steady-state kinetics in the presence of H(2)O(2) and the one-electron donor 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) indicated that trHbO has peroxidase activity, in accord with the presence of typical peroxidase intermediates. These findings suggest an oxidation/reduction function for trHbO and, by analogy, for other Group II trHbs.

Structural bases for heme binding and diatomic ligand recognition in truncated hemoglobins

Truncated hemoglobins (trHbs) are low-molecular-weight oxygen-binding heme-proteins distributed in eubacteria, cyanobacteria, unicellular eukaryotes, and in higher plants, constituting a distinct group within the hemoglobin (Hb) superfamily. TrHbs display amino acid sequences 20-40 residues shorter than classical (non)vertebrate Hbs and myoglobins, to which they are scarcely related by sequence similarity. The trHb tertiary structure is based on a 2-on-2 alpha-helical sandwich, which represents a striking editing of the highly conserved 3-on-3 alpha-helical globin fold, achieved through deletion/truncation of alpha-helices and specific residue substitutions. Despite their 'minimal' polypeptide chain span, trHbs display an inner tunnel/cavity system held to support ligand diffusion to/from the heme distal pocket, accumulation of heme ligands within the protein matrix, and/or multiligand reactions. Moreover, trHbs bind and effectively stabilize the heme and recognize diatomic ligands (i.e., O2, CO, NO, and cyanide), albeit with varying thermodynamic and kinetic parameters. Here, structural bases for heme binding and diatomic ligand recognition by trHbs are reviewed.

NO binding induced conformational changes in a truncated hemoglobin from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The resonance Raman spectra of the NO-bound ferric derivatives of wild-type HbN and the B10 Tyr --> Phe mutant of HbN, a hemoglobin from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, were examined with both Soret and UV excitation. The Fe-N-O stretching and bending modes of the NO derivative of the wild-type protein were tentatively assigned at 591 and 579 cm(-1), respectively. Upon B10 mutation, the Fe-NO stretching mode was slightly enhanced and the bending mode diminished in amplitude. In addition, the N-O stretching mode shifted from 1914 to 1908 cm(-1). These data suggest that the B10 Tyr forms an H-bond(s) with the heme-bound NO and causes it to bend in the wild-type protein. To further investigate the interaction between the B10 Tyr and the heme-bound NO, we examined the UV Raman spectrum of the B10 Tyr by subtracting the B10 mutant spectrum from the wild-type spectrum. It was found that, upon NO binding to the ferric protein, the Y(8a) mode of the B10 Tyr shifted from 1616 to 1622 cm(-1), confirming a direct interaction between the B10 Tyr and the heme-bound NO. Furthermore, the Y(8a) mode of the other two Tyr residues at positions 16 and 72 that are remote from the heme was also affected by NO binding, suggesting that NO binding to the distal site of the heme triggers a large-scale conformational change that propagates through the pre-F helix loop to the E and B helices. This large-scale conformational change triggered by NO binding may play an important role in regulating the ligand binding properties and/or the chemical reactivity of HbN.

Cyanide Binding to Truncated Hemoglobins: A Crystallographic and Kinetic Study†,‡

Cyanide is one of the few diatomic ligands able to interact with the ferric and ferrous heme-Fe atom. Here, the X-ray crystal structure of the cyanide derivative of ferric Mycobacterium tuberculosis truncated hemoglobin-N (M. tuberculosis trHbN) has been determined at 2.0 A (R-general = 17.8% and R-free = 23.5%), and analyzed in parallel with those of M. tuberculosis truncated hemoglobin-O (M. tuberculosis trHbO), Chlamydomonas eugametos truncated hemoglobin (C. eugametos trHb), and sperm whale myoglobin, generally taken as a molecular model. Cyanide binding to M. tuberculosis trHbN is stabilized directly by residue TyrB10(33), which may assist the deprotonation of the incoming ligand and the protonation of the outcoming cyanide. In M. tuberculosis trHbO and in C. eugametos trHb the ligand is stabilized by the distal pocket residues TyrCD1(36) and TrpG8(88), and by the TyrB10(20) - GlnE7(41) - GlnE11(45) triad, respectively. Moreover, kinetics for cyanide binding to ferric M. tuberculosis trHbN and trHbO and C. eugametos trHb, for ligand dissociation from the ferrous trHbs, and for the reduction of the heme-Fe(III)-cyanide complex have been determined, at pH 7.0 and 20.0 degrees C. Despite the different heme distal site structures and ligand interactions, values of the rate constant for cyanide binding to ferric (non)vertebrate heme proteins are similar, being influenced mainly by the presence in the heme pocket of proton acceptor group(s), whose function is to assist the deprotonation of the incoming ligand (i.e., HCN). On the other hand, values of the rate constant for the reduction of the heme-Fe(III)-cyanide (non)vertebrate globins span over several orders of magnitude, reflecting the different ability of the heme proteins considered to give productive complex(es) with dithionite or its reducing species SO(2)(-). Furthermore, values of the rate constant for ligand dissociation from heme-Fe(II)-cyanide (non)vertebrate heme proteins are very different, reflecting the different nature and geometry of the heme distal residue(s) hydrogen-bonded to the heme-bound cyanide.

Truncated Hemoglobins and Nitric Oxide Action

Truncated hemoglobins (trHbs) build a separate subfamily within the hemoglobin superfamily; they are scarcely related by sequence similarity to (non-)vertebrate hemoglobins, displaying amino acid sequences in the 115-130 residue range. The trHb tertiary structure is based on a 2-on-2 alpha-helical sandwich, which hosts a unique hydrophobic cavity/tunnel system, traversing the protein matrix, from the molecular surface to the heme distal site. Such a protein matrix system may provide a path for diffusion of ligands to the heme. In Mycobacterium tuberculosis trHbN the heme-bound oxygen molecule is part of an extended hydrogen bond network including the heme distal residues TyrB10 and GlnE11. In vitro experiments have shown that M. tuberculosis trHbN supports efficiently nitric oxide dioxygenation, yielding nitrate. Such a reaction would provide a defense barrier against the nitrosative stress raised by host macrophages during lung infection. It is proposed that the whole protein architecture, the heme distal site hydrogen bonded network, and the unique protein matrix tunnel, are optimally designed to support the pseudo-catalytic role of trHbN in converting the reactive NO species into the harmless NO3-.

Reactions of Mycobacterium tuberculosis truncated hemoglobin O with ligands reveal a novel ligand-inclusive hydrogen bond network

Truncated hemoglobin O (trHbO) is one of two trHbs in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Remarkably, trHbO possesses two novel distal residues, in addition to the B10 tyrosine, that may be important in ligand binding. These are the CD1 tyrosine and G8 tryptophan. Here we investigate the reactions of trHbO and mutants using stopped-flow spectrometry, flash photolysis, and UV-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy. A biphasic kinetic behavior is observed for combination and dissociation of O(2) and CO that is controlled by the B10 and CD1 residues. The rate constants for combination (<1.0 microM(-1) s(-1)) and dissociation (<0.006 s(-1)) of O(2) are among the slowest known, precluding transport or diffusion of O(2) as a major function. Mutation of CD1 tyrosine to phenylalanine shows that this group controls ligand binding, as evidenced by 25- and 77-fold increases in the combination rate constants for O(2) and CO, respectively. In support of a functional role for G8 tryptophan, UV resonance Raman indicates that the chi((2,1)) dihedral angle for the indole ring increases progressively from approximately 93 degrees to at least 100 degrees in going sequentially from the deoxy to CO to O(2) derivative, demonstrating a significant conformational change in the G8 tryptophan with ligation. Remarkably, protein modeling predicts a network of hydrogen bonds between B10 tyrosine, CD1 tyrosine, and G8 tryptophan, with the latter residues being within hydrogen bonding distance of the heme-bound ligand. Such a rigid hydrogen bonding network may thus represent a considerable barrier to ligand entrance and escape. In accord with this model, we found that changing CD1 or B10 tyrosine for phenylalanine causes only small changes in the rate of O(2) dissociation, suggesting that more than one hydrogen bond must be broken at a time to promote ligand escape. Furthermore, trHbO-CO cannot be photodissociated under conditions where the CO derivative of myoglobin is extensively photodissociated, indicating that CO is constrained near the heme by the hydrogen bonding network.

A TyrCD1/TrpG8 hydrogen bond network and a TyrB10TyrCD1 covalent link shape the heme distal site of Mycobacterium tuberculosis hemoglobin O

Truncated hemoglobins (Hbs) are small hemoproteins, identified in microorganisms and in some plants, forming a separate cluster within the Hb superfamily. Two distantly related truncated Hbs, trHbN and trHbO, are expressed at different developmental stages in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Sequence analysis shows that the two proteins share 18% amino acid identities and belong to different groups within the truncated Hb cluster. Although a specific defense role against nitrosative stress has been ascribed to trHbN (expressed during the Mycobacterium stationary phase), no clear functions have been recognized for trHbO, which is expressed throughout the Mycobacterium growth phase. The 2.1-A crystal structure of M. tuberculosis cyano-met trHbO shows that the protein assembles in a compact dodecamer. Six of the dodecamer subunits are characterized by a double conformation for their CD regions and, most notably, by a covalent bond linking the phenolic O atom of TyrB10 to the aromatic ring of TyrCD1, in the heme distal cavity. All 12 subunits display a cyanide ion bound to the heme Fe atom, stabilized by a tight hydrogen-bonded network based on the (globin very rare) TyrCD1 and TrpG8 residues. The small apolar AlaE7 residue leaves room for ligand access to the heme distal site through the conventional "E7 path," as proposed for myoglobin. Different from trHbN, where a 20-A protein matrix tunnel is held to sustain ligand diffusion to an otherwise inaccessible heme distal site, the topologically related region in trHbO hosts two protein matrix cavities.

Truncated hemoglobin HbN protects Mycobacterium bovis from nitric oxide

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of human tuberculosis, and Mycobacterium bovis each express two genes, glbN and glbO, encoding distantly related truncated hemoglobins (trHbs), trHbN and trHbO, respectively. Here we report that disruption of M. bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin glbN caused a dramatic reduction in the NO-consuming activity of stationary phase cells, and that activity could be restored fully by complementing knockout cells with glbN. Aerobic respiration of knockout cells was inhibited markedly by NO in comparison to that of wild-type cells, indicating a protective function for trHbN. TyrB10, which is highly conserved in trHbs and interacts with the bound oxygen, was found essential for NO consumption. Titration of oxygenated trHbN (trHbN.O(2)) with NO resulted in stoichiometric oxidation of the protein with nitrate as the major product of the reaction. The second-order rate constant for the reaction between trHbN.O(2) and NO at 23 degrees C was 745 microM(-1).s(-1), demonstrating that trHbN detoxifies NO 20-fold more rapidly than myoglobin. These results establish a role for a trHb and demonstrate an NO-metabolizing activity in M. tuberculosis or M. bovis. trHbN thus might play an important role in persistence of mycobacterial infection by virtue of trHbN's ability to detoxify NO.

Unique ligand-protein interactions in a new truncated hemoglobin from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

A new truncated hemoglobin (HbO) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been expressed and purified. Sequence alignment of HbO with other hemoglobins suggests that the proximal F8 residue is histidine and the distal E7 and the B10 positions are occupied by alanine and tyrosine, respectively. The highly conserved residue at the CD1 position, surprisingly, is tyrosine, making HbO the first exception in the hemoglobin family that does not contain phenylalanine at this position. Resonance Raman data suggest that a strong hydrogen bonding network, involving the B10 Tyr and the CD1 Tyr, stabilizes the heme-bound O2 and CO as evidenced by the relatively low frequency of the Fe-O2 stretching mode (559 cm(-1)) and the high frequency of the Fe-CO stretching mode (527 cm(-1)). The presence of this hydrogen bonding network is supported by mutagenesis studies with the B10 tyrosine or the CD1 tyrosine mutated to phenylalanine. Taken together, these data demonstrate a rigid and polar distal pocket in HbO, which is significantly different from that of HbN, the other hemoglobin from M. tuberculosis. The distinct features in the heme active site structures and the temporal expression patterns of HbO and HbN suggest that these two hemoglobins may have very different physiological functions.

Characterization of the LI818 polypeptide from the green unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The LI818 gene from Chlamydomonas encodes a polypeptide that is related to the chlorophyll a/b-binding proteins (CAB) of higher plants and green algae. However, despite this relatedness, LI818 gene expression is not coordinated with that of cab genes and is regulated differently by light, suggesting a different role for LI818 polypeptide. We show here that, in contrast to CAB polypeptides, LI818 polypeptide is not tightly embedded into the thylakoid membranes and is localized in stroma-exposed regions. Moreover, during chloroplast development, LI818 polypeptide accumulates before CAB polypeptides. We also show that the LI818 polypeptide forms with certain chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins (CAC) from the haptophyte Isochrysis galbana and the diatom Cyclotella cryptica a natural group that is distinct from those constituted by CAB, CAC and the chlorophyll a/a-binding proteins (CAA). Such an association suggests a very ancient origin for this group of polypeptides, which predates the division of the early photosynthetic eukaryotes into green (chlorophyte), red (rhodophyte) and brown (chromophyte) algae. Possible roles for the LI818 polypeptide are discussed.

[Pterylography of the gray jay Perisoreus canadensis (Linnaeus), (Aves: Corvidae)]

The pterylosis of the Corvidae is generally not well known. The purpose of the present study is to describe the pterylography of the gray jay (Perisoreus canadensis). A French terminology is proposed for the various elements of the feather tracts and for the apteria. Down is present on the apteria of the winter individuals examined. The circles of feathers around the eyes are considered as feather tracts rather than elements of the other head feather tracts. There is no median fissure in the dorsal saddle, and the posterior element of the dorsal feather tract is attached to the saddle by a narrow band of feathers. There are 20 remiges; the 10th secondary is reduced in size and difficult to identify on study skins. The arrangement, shape, and orientation of the wing coverts are discussed. There are 12 rectrices, 6 on each side, but there are only 10 upper-tail coverts; a pair of filoplumes corresponds to each of them. Twelve (12) greater under tail coverts were found. A description of the natal down is provided. Individual variation in the pterylosis of the gray jay is slight, and there appears to be no sexual dimorphism; similarly, the bilateral symmetry is very high, perhaps perfect. Finally, it is suggested that the presence of down on the apteria in winter may be an adaptation to the low winter temperatures in the range of the species, and to breeding early in cold climate.