Anna Bujacz

Structures of bovine, equine and leporine serum albumin.

Serum albumin first appeared in early vertebrates and is present in the plasma of all mammals. Its canonical structure supported by a conserved set of disulfide bridges is maintained in all mammalian serum albumins and any changes in sequence are highly correlated with evolution of the species. Previous structural investigations of mammalian serum albumins have only concentrated on human serum albumin (HSA), most likely as a consequence of crystallization and diffraction difficulties. Here, the crystal structures of serum albumins isolated from bovine, equine and leporine blood plasma are reported. The structure of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was determined at 2.47 Å resolution, two crystal structures of equine serum albumin (ESA) were determined at resolutions of 2.32 and 2.04 Å, and that of leporine serum albumin (LSA) was determined at 2.27 Å resolution. These structures were compared in detail with the structure of HSA. The ligand-binding pockets in BSA, ESA and LSA revealed different amino-acid compositions and conformations in comparison to HSA in some cases; however, much more significant differences were observed on the surface of the molecules. BSA, which is one of the most extensively utilized proteins in laboratory practice and is used as an HSA substitute in many experiments, exhibits only 75.8% identity compared with HSA. The higher resolution crystal structure of ESA highlights the binding properties of this protein because it includes several bound compounds from the crystallization solution that provide additional structural information about potential ligand-binding pockets.

Lupinus luteus Pathogenesis-Related Protein as a Reservoir for Cytokinin

Plant pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins of class 10 (PR-10) are small and cytosolic. The main feature of their three-dimensional structure is a large cavity between a seven-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet and a long C-terminal alpha-helix. Although PR-10 proteins are abundant in plants, their physiological role remains unknown. Recent data have indicated ligand binding as their possible biological function. The article describes the structure of a complex between a classic PR-10 protein (yellow lupine LlPR-10.2B) and the plant hormone, trans-zeatin. Previously, trans-zeatin binding has been reported in a structurally related cytokinin-specific binding protein, which has a distant sequence relation with classic PR-10 proteins. In the present 1.35 A resolution crystallographic model, three perfectly ordered zeatin molecules are found in the binding cavity of the protein. The fact that three zeatin molecules are bound by the protein when only a fourfold molar excess of the ligand was used indicates an unusual type of affinity for this ligand and suggests that LlPR-10.2B, and perhaps other PR-10 proteins as well, acts as a reservoir of cytokinin molecules in the aqueous environment of the cell.

Structural studies of bovine, equine, and leporine serum albumin complexes with naproxen.

Serum albumin, a protein naturally abundant in blood plasma, shows remarkable ligand binding properties of numerous endogenous and exogenous compounds. Most of serum albumin binding sites are able to interact with more than one class of ligands. Determining the protein‐ligand interactions among mammalian serum albumins is essential for understanding the complexity of this transporter. We present three crystal structures of serum albumins in complexes with naproxen (NPS): bovine (BSA‐NPS), equine (ESA‐NPS), and leporine (LSA‐NPS) determined to 2.58 Å (C2), 2.42 Å (P61), and 2.73 Å (P212121) resolutions, respectively. A comparison of the structurally investigated complexes with the analogous complex of human serum albumin (HSA‐NPS) revealed surprising differences in the number and distribution of naproxen binding sites. Bovine and leporine serum albumins possess three NPS binding sites, but ESA has only two. All three complexes of albumins studied here have two common naproxen locations, but BSA and LSA differ in the third NPS binding site. None of these binding sites coincides with the naproxen location in the HSA‐NPS complex, which was obtained in the presence of other ligands besides naproxen. Even small differences in sequences of serum albumins from various species, especially in the area of the binding pockets, influence the affinity and the binding mode of naproxen to this transport protein. Proteins 2014; 82:2199–2208.

Crystallographic studies of the complexes of bovine and equine serum albumin with 3,5-diiodosalicylic acid.

Due to their extraordinary binding properties, serum albumins are the main transporters of many small molecules in the circulatory system. Although all mammalian serum albumins exhibit quite high sequence similarity, their binding abilities are not the same. Until now, only human serum albumin (HSA) was subjected to extensive structural studies in complexes with various ligands. Here we present two crystal structures of the complexes of equine and bovine serum albumins with 3,5-diiodosalicylic acid (DIS), at resolutions 2.12 Å and 2.65 Å, respectively, and analyze interactions of the DIS ligand with both macromolecules. We highlight the differences in distribution of DIS binding sites between the bovine and equine serum albumins and compare results with the HSA binding ability of DIS and other structurally similar ligands.

Cytokinin‐induced structural adaptability of a Lupinus luteus PR‐10 protein

Plant pathogenesis‐related (PR) proteins of class 10 are the only group among the 17 PR protein families that are intracellular and cytosolic. Sequence conservation and the wide distribution of PR‐10 proteins throughout the plant kingdom are an indication of an indispensable function in plants, but their true biological role remains obscure. Crystal and solution structures for several homologues have shown a similar overall fold with a vast internal cavity which, together with structural similarities to the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein‐related lipid transfer domain and cytokinin‐specific binding proteins, strongly indicate a ligand‐binding role for the PR‐10 proteins. This article describes the structure of a complex between a classic PR‐10 protein [Lupinus luteus (yellow lupine) PR‐10 protein of subclass 2, LlPR‐10.2B] and N,N′‐diphenylurea, a synthetic cytokinin. Synthetic cytokinins have been shown in various bioassays to exhibit activity similar to that of natural cytokinins. The present 1.95 Å resolution crystallographic model reveals four N,N′‐diphenylurea molecules in the hydrophobic cavity of the protein and a degree of conformational changes accompanying ligand binding. The structural adaptability of LlPR‐10.2B and its ability to bind different cytokinins suggest that this protein, and perhaps other PR‐10 proteins as well, can act as a reservoir of cytokinin molecules in the aqueous environment of a plant cell.

Crystal structures of the apo form of β-fructofuranosidase from Bifidobacterium longum and its complex with fructose

We solved the 1.8 Å crystal structure of β‐fructofuranosidase from Bifidobacterium longum KN29.1 – a unique enzyme that allows these probiotic bacteria to function in the human digestive system. The sequence of β‐fructofuranosidase classifies it as belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family 32 (GH32). GH32 enzymes show a wide range of substrate specificity and different functions in various organisms. All enzymes from this family share a similar fold, containing two domains: an N‐terminal five‐bladed β‐propeller and a C‐terminal β‐sandwich module. The active site is located in the centre of the β‐propeller domain, in the bottom of a ‘funnel’. The binding site, −1, responsible for tight fructose binding, is highly conserved among the GH32 enzymes. Bifidobacterium longum KN29.1 β‐fructofuranosidase has a 35‐residue elongation of the N‐terminus containing a five‐turn α‐helix, which distinguishes it from the other known members of the GH32 family. This new structural element could be one of the functional modifications of the enzyme that allows the bacteria to act in a human digestive system. We also solved the 1.8 Å crystal structure of the β‐fructofuranosidase complex with β‐d‐fructose, a hydrolysis product obtained by soaking apo crystal in raffinose.

Structural characterization of a Protein A mimetic peptide dendrimer bound to human IgG.

Understanding the chemical physical properties of protein binding sites is at the basis of the rational design of protein ligands. The hinge region of the Fc fragment of immunoglobulin G is an important and well characterized protein binding site, known to interact with several natural proteins and synthetic ligands. Here, we report structural evidence that a Staphylococcus aureus Protein A mimetic peptide dendrimer, deduced by a combinatorial approach, binds close to the Cgamma2/Cgamma3 interface of the constant fragment of a human IgG1 molecule, partially hindering the Protein A binding site. The X-ray analysis evidenced a primary binding site located between a terminal Arg residue of the ligand peptidic arm and a hydrophobic protein site consisting of Val308, Leu309, and His310. A molecular dynamic analysis of the model derived from the X-ray structure showed that in water at room temperature the complex is further stabilized by the formation of at least one more contact between a terminal Arg residue of the second arm of the peptide and the carboxylic group of a protein amino acid, such as Glu318, Asp312, or Asp280. It appears thus that stability of the Fc-dendrimer complex is determined by the synergetic formation of multiple bonds of different nature between the dendrimer arms and the protein accessible sites. The electrostatic and van der Waals energies of the complex were monitored during the MD simulations and confirmed the energetic stability of the two interactions.

Crystal structure of the parasite inhibitor chagasin in complex with papain allows identification of structural requirements for broad reactivity and specificity determinants for target proteases

A complex of chagasin, a protein inhibitor from Trypanosoma cruzi, and papain, a classic family C1 cysteine protease, has been crystallized. Kinetic studies revealed that inactivation of papain by chagasin is very fast (kon = 1.5 × 106 m−1·s−1), and results in the formation of a very tight, reversible complex (Ki = 36 pm), with similar or better rate and equilibrium constants than those for cathepsins L and B. The high‐resolution crystal structure shows an inhibitory wedge comprising three loops, which forms a number of contacts responsible for the high‐affinity binding. Comparison with the structure of papain in complex with human cystatin B reveals that, despite entirely different folding, the two inhibitors utilize very similar atomic interactions, leading to essentially identical affinities for the enzyme. Comparisons of the chagasin–papain complex with high‐resolution structures of chagasin in complexes with cathepsin L, cathepsin B and falcipain allowed the creation of a consensus map of the structural features that are important for efficient inhibition of papain‐like enzymes. The comparisons also revealed a number of unique interactions that can be used to design enzyme‐specific inhibitors. As papain exhibits high structural similarity to the catalytic domain of the T. cruzi enzyme cruzipain, the present chagasin–papain complex provides a reliable model of chagasin–cruzipain interactions. Such information, coupled with our identification of specificity‐conferring interactions, should be important for the development of drugs for treatment of the devastating Chagas disease caused by this parasite.

Cryoprotection properties of salts of organic acids: a case study for a tetragonal crystal of HEW lysozyme

Currently, the great majority of the data that are used for solving macromolecular structures by X-ray crystallography are collected at cryogenic temperatures. Selection of a suitable cryoprotectant, which ensures crystal stability at low temperatures, is critical for the success of a particular diffraction experiment. The effectiveness of salts of organic acids as potential cryoprotective agents is presented in the following work. Sodium formate, acetate, malonate and citrate were tested, as were sodium potassium tartrate and acetate in the form of potassium and ammonium salts. For each salt investigated, the minimal concentration that was required for successful cryoprotection was determined over the pH range 4.5-9.5. The cryoprotective ability of these organic salts depends upon the number of carboxylic groups; the lowest concentration required for cryoprotection was observed at neutral pH. Case-study experiments conducted using the tetragonal form of hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) confirmed that salts of organic acids can successfully act as cryoprotective agents of protein crystals grown from high concentrations of inorganic salts. When crystals are grown from solutions containing a sufficient concentration of organic acid salts no additional cryoprotection is needed as the crystals can safely be frozen directly from the crystallizing buffers.

Modeling of isotope effects on binding oxamate to lactic dehydrogenase

A new crystal structure of the rabbit muscle L-lactic dehydrogenase (PDB code 3H3F) has been determined. The independent unit of this structure contains two tetramers, each of them with a unique constitution of two active sites with the open loop conformation and two with the loops closed over the actives sites. On the basis of this structure, interactions of an inhibitor, oxamate anion, with the protein have been modeled using different hybrid schemes that involved B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) DFT theory level in the QM layer. In ONIOM calculations, either Amber (QM:MM) or one of the three semiempirical parametrizations, AM1, PM3, and RM1 (QM:QM) was used, while in the traditional QM/MM scheme, the OPLS-AA force field was used for the outer layer. Normal modes of vibrations of oxamate in aqueous solution and in the active site of the enzyme were used to calculate binding isotope effects. On the basis of the comparison of the values obtained theoretically with those experimentally determined for the oxygen atoms of the carboxylic group of oxamate it was concluded that the DFT/OPLS-AA scheme, applied to the dimer consisting of two chains, one with the open loop and the other with the closed loop conformation, provides the best description of the active site. Calculations of the binding isotope effects of the other atoms of oxamate suggest that nitrogen isotope effect may be useful for the experimental differentiation between open and closed loop conformations.