Jonathan A. R. Worrall

Solution structure and dynamics of the complex between cytochrome c and cytochrome c peroxidase determined by paramagnetic NMR

The physiological complex of yeast cytochrome c peroxidase and iso-1-cytochrome c is a paradigm for biological electron transfer. Using paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy, we have determined the conformation of the protein complex in solution, which is shown to be very similar to that observed in the crystal structure [Pelletier H, Kraut J (1992) Science 258:1748–1755]. Our results support the view that this transient electron transfer complex is dynamic. The solution structure represents the dominant protein–protein orientation, which, according to our estimates, is occupied for >70% of the lifetime of the complex, with the rest of the time spent in the dynamic encounter state. Based on the observed paramagnetic effects, we have delineated the conformational space sampled by the protein molecules during the dynamic part of the interaction, providing experimental support for the theoretical predictions of the classical Brownian dynamics study [Northrup SH, Boles JO, Reynolds JCL (1988) Science 241:67–70]. Our findings corroborate the dynamic behavior of this complex and offer an insight into the mechanism of the protein complex formation in solution.

The orientations of cytochrome c in the highly dynamic complex with cytochrome b5 visualized by NMR and docking using HADDOCK

The interaction of bovine microsomal ferricytochrome b5 with yeast iso‐1‐ferri and ferrocytochrome c has been investigated using heteronuclear NMR techniques. Chemical‐shift perturbations for 1H and 15N nuclei of both cytochromes, arising from the interactions with the unlabeled partner proteins, were used for mapping the interacting surfaces on both proteins. The similarity of the binding shifts observed for oxidized and reduced cytochrome c indicates that the complex formation is not influenced by the oxidation state of the cytochrome c. Protein–protein docking simulations have been performed for the binary cytochrome b5–cytochrome c and ternary (cytochrome b5)–(cytochrome c)2 complexes using a novel HADDOCK approach. The docking procedure, which makes use of the experimental data to drive the docking, identified a range of orientations assumed by the proteins in the complex. It is demonstrated that cytochrome c uses a confined surface patch for interaction with a much more extensive surface area of cytochrome b5. Taken together, the experimental data suggest the presence of a dynamic ensemble of conformations assumed by the proteins in the complex.

The Hydrogen Peroxide Induced Radical Behaviour in Human Cytochrome C Phospholipid Complexes: Implications for the Enhanced Pro-Apoptotic Activity of the G41S Mutant

We have investigated whether the pro-apoptotic properties of the G41S mutant of human cytochrome c can be explained by a higher than wild-type peroxidase activity triggered by phospholipid binding. A key complex in mitochondrial apoptosis involves cytochrome c and the phospholipid cardiolipin. In this complex cytochrome c has its native axial Met(80) ligand dissociated from the haem-iron, considerably augmenting the peroxidase capability of the haem group upon H2O2 binding. By EPR spectroscopy we reveal that the magnitude of changes in the paramagnetic haem states, as well as the yield of protein-bound free radical, is dependent on the phospholipid used and is considerably greater in the G41S mutant. A high-resolution X-ray crystal structure of human cytochrome c was determined and, in combination with the radical EPR signal analysis, two tyrosine residues, Tyr(46) and Tyr(48), have been rationalized to be putative radical sites. Subsequent single and double tyrosine-to-phenylalanine mutations revealed that the EPR signal of the radical, found to be similar in all variants, including G41S and wild-type, originates not from a single tyrosine residue, but is instead a superimposition of multiple EPR signals from different radical sites. We propose a mechanism of multiple radical formations in the cytochrome c-phospholipid complexes under H2O2 treatment, consistent with the stabilization of the radical in the G41S mutant, which elicits a greater peroxidase activity from cytochrome c and thus has implications in mitochondrial apoptosis.

The complex of cytochrome c and cytochrome c peroxidase: The end of the road?

Cytochrome c (Cc) and cytochrome c peroxidase (CcP) form a physiological complex in the inter-membrane space of yeast mitochondria, where CcP reduces hydrogen peroxide to water using the electrons provided by ferrous Cc. The Cc-CcP system has been a popular choice of study of interprotein biological electron transfer (ET) and in understanding dynamics within a protein-protein complex. In this review we have charted seven decades of research beginning with the discovery of CcP and leading to the latest functional and structural work, which has clarified the mechanism of the intermolecular ET, addressed the putative functional role of a low-affinity binding site, and identified lowly-populated intermediates on the energy landscape of complex formation. Despite the remarkable attention bestowed on this complex, a number of outstanding issues remain to be settled on the way to a complete understanding of Cc-CcP interaction.

Response to Copper Stress in Streptomyces lividans Extends beyond Genes under Direct Control of a Copper-sensitive Operon Repressor Protein (CsoR)

Background: Balancing copper homeostasis and bioavailability is critical for morphological development in Streptomyces lividans. Results: In Streptomyces lividans, a copper-sensitive operon repressor (CsoR) protein regulates a three-locus copper homeostasis regulon. Conclusion: Genes regulating copper homeostasis are more extensive than the regulon under direct control of CsoR. Significance: CsoR is part of a regulatory network controlling copper homeostasis that extends beyond the CsoR regulon. A copper-sensitive operon repressor protein (CsoR) has been identified in Streptomyces lividans (CsoRSl) and found to regulate copper homeostasis with attomolar affinity for Cu(I). Solution studies reveal apo- and CuI-CsoRSl to be a tetramer assembly, and a 1.7-Å resolution crystal structure of apo-CsoRSl reveals that a significant conformational change is necessary to enable Cu(I) binding. In silico prediction of the CsoR regulon was confirmed in vitro (EMSA) and in vivo (RNA-seq), which highlighted that next to the csoR gene itself, the regulon consists of two Cu(I) efflux systems involving a CopZ-like copper metallochaperone protein and a CopA P1-type ATPase. Although deletion of csoR has only minor effects on S. lividans development when grown under high copper concentrations, mutations of the Cu(I) ligands decrease tolerance to copper as a result of the Cu(I)-CsoR mutants failing to disengage from the DNA targets, thus inhibiting the derepression of the regulon. RNA-seq experiments carried out on samples incubated with exogenous copper and a ΔcsoR strain showed that the set of genes responding to copper stress is much wider than anticipated and largely extends beyond genes targeted by CsoR. This suggests more control levels are operating and directing other regulons in copper homeostasis beside the CsoR regulon.

Shifting the Equilibrium between the Encounter State and the Specific Form of a Protein Complex by Interfacial Point Mutations

Recent experimental studies have confirmed a long-held view that protein complex formation proceeds via a short-lived encounter state. The population of this transient intermediate, stabilized mainly by long-range electrostatic interactions, varies among different complexes. Here we show that the occupancy of the encounter state can be modulated across a broad range by single point mutations of interfacial residues. Using a combination of Monte Carlo simulations and paramagnetic relaxation enhancement NMR spectroscopy, we illustrate that it is possible to both enhance and diminish the binding specificity in an electron transfer complex of yeast cytochrome c (Cc) and cytochrome c peroxidase. The Cc T12A mutation decreases the population of the encounter to 10% as compared with 30% in the wild-type complex. More dramatically, the Cc R13A substitution reverses the relative occupancies of the stereospecific and the encounter forms, with the latter now being the dominant species with the population of 80%. This finding indicates that the encounter state can make a large contribution to the stability of a protein complex. Also, it appears that by adjusting the amount of the encounter through a judicious choice of point mutations, we can remodel the energy landscape of a protein complex and tune its binding specificity.

The Ternary Complex of Cytochrome f and Cytochrome c: Identification of a Second Binding Site and Competition for Plastocyanin Binding

The complex of yeast cytochrome c and cytochrome f from the cyanobacterium Phormidium laminosum was investigated by NMR spectroscopy. Chemical shift perturbation analysis reveals that residues around the haem edge of cytochrome c are involved in the complex interface. Binding curves derived from an NMR spectroscopy titration at 10 mM ionic strength indicate that there are two sites for cytochrome c with binding constants of approximately 2×104 M−1 and 4×103 M−1. A protein docking simulation with NMR‐derived constraints identifies two sites, at the front (Site I) and back faces (Site II) of the haem region of cytochrome f. Site I is homologous to the binding site previously determined for the natural cytochrome f partner plastocyanin. Site II may represent the binding site for the Rieske protein in the cytochrome bf complex. Cytochrome c and plastocyanin are shown to compete for binding at Site I. The competition appears to involve electrostatic screening rather than simple steric occlusion of the binding site.

An investigation into a cardiolipin acyl chain insertion site in cytochrome c.

Mitochondrial cytochrome c associates with the phosphoplipid cardiolipin (CL) through a combination of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. The latter occurs by insertion into cytochrome c of an acyl chain, resulting in the dissociation of the axial Met-80 heme-iron ligand. The resulting five coordinate cytochrome c/CL complex has peroxidatic properties leading to peroxidation of CL and dissociation of the complex. These events are considered to be pre-apoptotic and culminate with release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytoplasm. Two distinct surface regions on cytochrome c have been suggested to mediate CL acyl chain insertion and this study has probed one of these regions. We have constructed a series of alanine mutants aimed at disrupting a surface cleft formed between residues 67-71 and 82-85. The physicochemical properties, peroxidase activity, CL binding, and kinetics of carbon monoxide (CO) binding to the ferrous cytochrome c/CL complex have been assessed for the individual mutants. Our findings reveal that the majority of mutants are capable of binding CL in the same apparent stoichiometry as the wild-type protein, with the extent to which the Met-80 ligand is bound in the ferrous cytochrome c/CL complex being mutant specific at neutral pH. Mutation of the species conserved Arg-91 residue, that anchors the cleft, results in the greatest changes to physicochemical properties of the protein leading to a change in the CL binding ratio required to effect structural changes and to the ligand-exchange properties of the ferrous cytochrome c/CL complex.

Allosteric Activation of the ATPase Activity of the Escherichia coli RhlB RNA Helicase

Helicase B (RhlB) is one of the five DEAD box RNA-dependent ATPases found in Escherichia coli. Unique among these enzymes, RhlB requires an interaction with the partner protein RNase E for appreciable ATPase and RNA unwinding activities. To explore the basis for this activating effect, we have generated a di-cistronic vector that overexpresses a complex comprising RhlB and its recognition site within RNase E, corresponding to residues 696–762. Complex formation has been characterized by isothermal titration calorimetry, revealing an avid, enthalpy-favored interaction between the helicase and RNase E-(696–762) with an equilibrium binding constant (Ka) of at least 1 × 108 m-1. We studied ATPase activity of mutants with substitutions within the ATP binding pocket of RhlB and on the putative interaction surface that mediates recognition of RNase E. For comparisons, corresponding mutations were prepared in two other E. coli DEAD box ATPases, RhlE and SrmB. Strikingly, substitutions at a phenylalanine near the Q-motif found in DEAD box proteins boosts the ATPase activity of RhlB in the absence of RNA, but completely inhibits it in its presence. The data support the proposal that the protein-protein and RNA-binding surfaces both communicate allosterically with the ATPase catalytic center. We conjecture that this communication may govern the mechanical power and efficiency of the helicases, and is tuned in individual helicases in accordance with cellular function.

Binding hot spot in the weak protein complex of physiological redox partners yeast cytochrome C and cytochrome C peroxidase.

Transient protein interactions mediate many vital cellular processes such as signal transduction or intermolecular electron transfer. However, due to difficulties associated with their structural characterization, little is known about the principles governing recognition and binding in weak transient protein complexes. In particular, it has not been well established whether binding hot spots, which are frequently found in strong static complexes, also govern transient protein interactions. To address this issue, we have investigated an electron transfer complex of physiological partners from yeast: yeast iso-1-cytochrome c (Cc) and yeast cytochrome c peroxidase (CcP). Using isothermal titration calorimetry and NMR spectroscopy, we show that Cc R13 is a hot-spot residue, as R13A mutation has a strong destabilizing effect on binding. Furthermore, we employ a double-mutant cycle to illustrate that Cc R13 interacts with CcP Y39. The present results, in combination with those of earlier mutational studies, have enabled us to outline the extent of the energetically important Cc-CcP binding region. Based on our analysis, we propose that binding energy hot spots, which are prevalent in static protein complexes, could also govern transient protein interactions.