We have engineered a mutant of HIV Reverse Transcriptase that can be fluorescently labeled by covalent attachment of the environmentally sensitive fluorophore 7-diethylamino-3-((((2-maleimidyl)ethyl)amino)carbonyl)coumarin (MDCC). The result is a polymerase that is kinetically indistinguishable from the wild-type enzyme, but provides a signal to monitor changes in enzyme structure that result from conformational changes induced by substrate binding. Using this system, we have expanded the kinetic model governing nucleotide binding to include an enzymatic isomerization following initial nucleotide binding. In doing so, we define the role of induced-fit in nucleotide specificity and mismatch discrimination. Additionally, we have characterized the kinetics governing the specificity and discrimination of several widely administered Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTI’s) used to combat HIV infection including 3TC (Lamivudine), FTC (Emtricitabine), and AZT (Zidovudine) for the wild-type polymerase and mutants with clinical resistance to these compounds. Our findings resolve the apparent tighter binding of these inhibitor compounds compared to the correct nucleotide by showing that the affinity for the correct nucleotide is stronger than the inhibitors. The apparent weaker binding of the correct nucleotide is a result of a incomplete interpretation of binding data that fails to account for the importance of the reverse rate of the conformational change. The apparent Kd (Kd,app) measurements for correct nucleotide estimates Km rather than Kd because nucleotide binding does not reach equilibrium. The conformationally sensitive enzyme has also been used to characterize the kinetics governing DNA association. We show that DNA binding is governed by a two-step process where a fast initial association is followed by a second, slow isomerization that is off the pathway for nucleotide binding and incorporation. Finally, we have implemented single molecule techniques using fluorophore labeled nucleotides to study the effects of AZT incorporation on the DNA translocation dynamics of the polymerase. We find that primer termination with AZT results in DNA that fails to translocate, therefore occluding the next nucleotide from binding. This shift in translocation equilibrium exposes the newly formed phosphodiester bond to ATP- or pyrophosphate-mediated AZT excision; thereby rescuing productive polymerization. This finding represents the first kinetic measurement of DNA translocation by a polymerase. / text

RNase P is a ubiquitous ribonuclease responsible for removing the 5’ leader of tRNA precursor. Bacterial RNase P contains one RNA (RPR) and one protein (RPP) subunit. However, the number of protein variants depends on the origin. The RNA subunit is the catalytic subunit that in vitro cleaves its substrate with and without the protein subunit. Therefore RNase P is a ribozyme. However, the protein subunit is indispensable in vivo. The objective of this thesis was to understand the mechanism of and substrate interaction in RPR-mediated cleavage, in particular the contributions of the two domains of RPR and the roles of the base at the -1 residue in the substrate. As model systems I have used bacterial (Eco) and archaeal (Pfu) RPRs. The TSL (T-stem-loop) region of a tRNA precursor and the TBS (TSL-binding site) in the RPR S-domain interact upon RPR-substrate complex conformation. A productive TSL/TBS-interaction affects events at the cleavage site by influencing the positioning of chemical groups and/ or Mg2+ such that efficient and correct cleavage occurs consistent with an induced fit mechanism. With respect to events at the cleavage site, my data show that the identity of the residue immediately upstream the 5’ of the cleavage site (at -1) plays a significant role for efficient and accurate cleavage although its presence is not essential. My data also show that the RPR C-domain can cleave without the S-domain. However, the presence of the S-domain increases the efficiency of cleavage but lowers the accuracy. The structure of the S-domain of Pfu RPR differs from that of Eco RPR and my data suggest that the Pfu S-domain does not affect the accuracy in the same way as for Eco RPR. It also appears that the proteins that bind to the Pfu S-domain play a role in formation of a productive TSL/TBS-interaction. It is therefore possible that the proteins of Pfu RNase P have evolved to take over the role of the S-domain with respect to the interaction with the TSL-region of the substrate.

Numerous short flapped DNA structures are created during the semi-discontinuous replication. These toxic intermediates are quickly resolved to produce a fully intact duplex of replicated DNA. Structure specific nuclease are key to resolving these structures, and show a high degree of specificity for their cognate substrate structures while being essentially insensitive to nucleotide sequence. Herein I demonstrate through confocal based single molecule experiments that the 5’ structure specific nuclease Flap Endonuclease 1 (FEN1) achieves its substrate specificity by coupling the bending of DNA substrate with structuring of the active site in a way that non-cognate structures binding is significantly destabilized and enzymatic features are incapable of structuring in the absence of particular substrate features, in particular a single nucleotide 3’ flap the FEN1 induces in nearly all DNA substrates. Debate remained over whether DNA was bound via a conformational capture or induced fit mechanism, and so I proceed to investigate the dynamics of the DNA itself in solution. Conclusions about conformational capture or induced fit remain elusive, however I did determine that DNA structures are rigidified by charge repulsion, an effect lessened by the salt concentration, which functions to shield the negative charge of DNA from itself. Additionally unstacking of the DNA in nicked structures incurs a significant free energy penalty, which FEN1 overcomes by its hydrophobic wedge motif, lending credence to an induced fit mechanism.

Caspase-3 is a cysteine protease that hydrolyzes diverse intracellular proteins during programmed cell death (known as apoptosis). It has been a popular target for drug design against abnormal cell death for more than a decade. No approved caspase based drug, however, is available so far. Therefore, structural insights about the substrate recognition of caspase-3 are needed for the future development of caspase-3 based inhibitors and drugs. In this study, crystal structures of recombinant caspase-3 in complex with seven substrate analog inhibitors, including acetyl (Ac)-DEVD-aldehyde (Cho), Ac-DMQD-Cho, Ac-IEPD-Cho, Ac-YVAD-Cho, Ac-WEHD-Cho, Ac-VDVAD-Cho, and tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc)-D-fluoromethylketone (Fmk), have been analyzed in combination with enzyme kinetic data and computational models. Seven crystal structures were determined at resolutions of 1.7-2.6Å. The binding conformation of each inhibitor residue at P1-P4 position was analyzed. The negative P1 aspartic acid side chain is exclusively required by the positive S1 pocket of caspase-3. Small hydrophobic P2 residues are preferred by the nonpolar S2 pocket formed by Y204, W206, and F256. Although hydrophilic residues at P3 position tend to fit better, hydrophobic residues also can be accommodated by the plastic S3 pocket. Two substrate binding sites were found in the S4 pocket, one formed by main chain atoms of F250 and side chain atoms of N208 and the other formed by aromatic side chains of W206 and W214. These two binding sites are responsible for the binding of hydrophilic and hydrophobic P4 residues, respectively. Furthermore, the S5 subsite of caspase-3 formed by side chains of F250 and F252 was discovered. It stabilizes hydrophobic P5 residues on the substrates by an induced fit mechanism. Computational studies were performed to help improve prediction of protein structures and protein-ligand interactions. Based on the Morse’s function, a novel potential function with only three adjustable parameters per residue pair was developed, which will significantly increase the efficiency of protein structure prediction and molecular mechanics. Altogether, our studies have provided valuable information for the future caspase-3 based drug development.

Decades have passed since the realisation that a protein’s amino acid sequence can contain all the information required to form a complex three-dimensional fold. Until recently, these encoded structures were thought to be crucial determinants of protein function. Much effort was directed to fully understand the mechanisms behind how and why proteins fold, with natively unfolded proteins thought to be experimental artefacts. Today, the field of natively unfolded – or so-called intrinsically disordered – proteins, is rapidly developing. Protein disorder content has been positively correlated with organismal complexity, with over thirty percent of eukaryotic proteins predicted to contain disordered regions. However, the biophysical consequences of disorder are yet to be fully determined. With the aim of addressing some of the outstanding questions, the work described in this thesis focuses on the relevance of structure within disordered proteins. Whilst populating a variety of conformations in isolation, a subset of disordered proteins can fold upon binding to a partner macromolecule. This folded state may be present within the ensemble of conformations sampled by the unbound protein, opening the question of what comes first: folding or binding? Protein engineering techniques were employed to alter the level of residual ‘bound-like’ structure within the free conformational ensemble, and the consequences on coupled folding and binding reactions were investigated. Resultant changes in the rate of association are easily imaginable; yet, this work demonstrates that the majority of the observed changes in binding affinity were due to alterations in the rate of dissociation, thus altering the lifetime of the bound complex. Promiscuous binding is a touted advantage of being disordered. If many disordered proteins, each with their own conformational ensemble, can bind and fold to the same partner, then where is the folding component encoded? Does the partner protein template the folding reaction? Or, is the folding information contained within the disordered protein sequence? Utilising phi-value analysis on the BCL-2 family of proteins, residues in the disordered sequence were probed to ascertain which form contacts at the transition state of the reaction. Comparison with phi-value analyses of alternative pairs – sharing either the ordered or disordered protein – provides insight into the encoding of these interactions. In the context of a bimolecular reaction, the amino acid sequence of the disordered protein was shown to determine the interactions within the transition state. Thus, analogous to the discovery from decades’ past, it is the sequence of the protein that folds which encodes its pathway, even when binding is a prerequisite.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第21819号 / 農博第2332号 / 新制||農||1067(附属図書館) / 学位論文||H31||N5191(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科応用生命科学専攻 / (主査)教授 三上 文三, 教授 植田 充美, 教授 宮川 恒 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Ketohexokinase (KHK), in an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) dependent reaction, catalyzes the first reaction in fructose metabolism, which converts the furanose form of D-fructose into fructose-1-phosphate. This enzyme has become a target for pharmacological development against fatty liver and metabolic syndrome. KHK exists in two isoforms, A and C, which differs by alternative splicing of exon 3 which encodes 45 out of 298 amino acids. Normally KHK exists as a homodimer and is comprised of an alpha/beta domain interlocking with a β-clasp domain. For KHK-C, there appear to be at least two conformations of the β-clasp domain. Previous work on KHK-A reveals it does not adopt the same conformations. A structure of the mouse KHK-A in its unliganded form is solved and shows that these two conformations also exist for KHK-A. Furthermore, this property is conserved across species. While crystals of human KHK-A in its unliganded form were grown, a structure was not achieved. However, unpublished structures of human KHK-A in its unliganded form also shows different conformations in β-clasp domain when in juxtaposition with the same enzyme complex with ligands. Defining the role of conformational changes in KHK-A is important, because this isozyme has been reported to have a role in cancer metastasis.

The structural determination of interacting proteins, both as individual proteins and in their complex, complemented by thermodynamical studies are vital in order to gain in-depth insights of the phenomena leading to the highly selective protein-protein interactions characteristic of numerous life processes. This thesis describes an investigation of the structural and thermodynamical basis for molecular recognition in two different protein-protein complexes, formed between so-called affibody proteins and their respective targets. Affibody proteins are a class of engineered binding proteins, which can be functionally selected for binding to a given target protein from large collections (libraries) constructed via combinatorial engineering of 13 surface-located positions of the 58-residue three-helix bundle Z domain derived from Staphylococcal protein (SPA). In a first study, an affibody:target protein pair consisting of the ZSPA-1 affibody and the parental Z domain, with a dissociation constant (Kd) of approximately 1 µM, was investigated. ZSPA-1 was in its free state shown to display molten globule-like characteristics. The enthalpy change on binding between Z and ZSPA-1 as measured by isothermal titration calorimetry, was found to be a non-linear function of temperature. This nonlinearity was found to be due to the temperature dependent folded-unfolded equilibrium of ZSPA-1 upon binding to the Z domain and, the energetics of the unfolding equilibrium of the molten globule state of ZSPA-1 could be separated from the binding thermodynamics. Further dissection of the binding entropy revealed that a significant reduction in conformational entropy resulting from the stabilization of the molten globule state of ZSPA-1 upon complex formation could be a major reason for the moderate binding affinity. A second studied affibody:target complex (Kd ~ 0.1 µM) consisted of the ZTaq affibody protein originally selected for binding to Taq DNA polymerase and the anti-ZTaq affibody protein, selected for selective binding to the ZTaq affibody protein, thus constituting an "anti-idiotypic" affinity protein pair. The structure of the ZTaq:anti-ZTaq affibody complex as well as the free state structures of ZTaq and anti-ZTaq were determined using NMR spectroscopy. Both ZTaq and anti-ZTaq are well defined three helix bundles in their free state and do not display the same molten globule-like behaviour of ZSPA-1. The interaction surface was found to involve all of the varied positions in helices 1 and 2 of the anti-ZTaq, the majority of the corresponding side chains in ZTaq, and also several non-mutated residues. The total buried surface area was determined to about 1670 Å2 which is well inside the range of what is typical for many protein-protein complexes, including antibody:antigen complexes. Structural rearrangements, primarily at the side chain level, were observed to take place upon binding. There are similarities between the ZTaq:anti-ZTaq and the Z:ZSPA-1 structure, for instance, the binding interface area in both complexes has a large fraction of non-polar content, the buried surface area is of similar size, and certain residues have the same positioning. However, the relative orientation between the subunits in ZTaq:anti-ZTaq is markedly different from that observed in Z:ZSPA-1. The thermodynamics of ZTaq:anti-ZTaq association were investigated by isothermal titration calorimetry. A dissection of the entropic contributions showed that a large and favourable desolvation entropy of non-polar surface is associated with the binding reaction which is in good agreement with hydrophobic nature of the binding interface, but as in the case for the Z:ZSPA-1 complex a significant loss in conformational entropy opposes complex formation. A comparison with complexes involving affibody proteins or SPA domains suggests that affibody proteins inherit intrinsic binding properties from the original SPA surface. The structural and biophysical data suggest that although extensive mutations are carried out in the Z domain to obtain affibody proteins, this does not necessarily affect the structural integrity or lead to a significant destabilization. / QC 20110118

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