Mohini S. Ghatge

Hemoglobin-ligand binding: understanding Hb function and allostery on atomic level.

The major physiological function of hemoglobin (Hb) is to bind oxygen in the lungs and deliver it to the tissues. This function is regulated and/or made efficient by endogenous heterotropic effectors. A number of synthetic molecules also bind to Hb to alter its allosteric activity. Our purpose is to review the current state of Hb structure and function that involves ensemble of tense and relaxed hemoglobin states and the dynamic equilibrium of the multistate due to the binding of endogenous heterotropic or synthetic allosteric effectors. The review also discusses the atomic interactions of synthetic ligands with the function or altered allosteric function of Hb that could be potentially harnessed for the treatment of diseases. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Protein Structure and Function in the Crystalline State.

Molecular Basis of Reduced Pyridoxine 5′-Phosphate Oxidase Catalytic Activity in Neonatal Epileptic Encephalopathy Disorder

Mutations in pyridoxine 5′-phosphate oxidase are known to cause neonatal epileptic encephalopathy. This disorder has no cure or effective treatment and is often fatal. Pyridoxine 5′-phosphate oxidase catalyzes the oxidation of pyridoxine 5′-phosphate to pyridoxal 5′-phosphate, the active cofactor form of vitamin B6 required by more than 140 different catalytic activities, including enzymes involved in amino acid metabolism and biosynthesis of neurotransmitters. Our aim is to elucidate the mechanism by which a homozygous missense mutation (R229W) in the oxidase, linked to neonatal epileptic encephalopathy, leads to reduced oxidase activity. The R229W variant is ∼850-fold less efficient than the wild-type enzyme due to an ∼192-fold decrease in pyridoxine 5′-phosphate affinity and an ∼4.5-fold decrease in catalytic activity. There is also an ∼50-fold reduction in the affinity of the R229W variant for the FMN cofactor. A 2.5 Å crystal structure of the R229W variant shows that the substitution of Arg-229 at the FMN binding site has led to a loss of hydrogen-bond and/or salt-bridge interactions between FMN and Arg-229 and Ser-175. Additionally, the mutation has led to an alteration of the configuration of a β-strand-loop-β-strand structure at the active site, resulting in loss of two critical hydrogen-bond interactions involving residues His-227 and Arg-225, which are important for substrate binding and orientation for catalysis. These results provide a molecular basis for the phenotype associated with the R229W mutation, as well as providing a foundation for understanding the pathophysiological consequences of pyridoxine 5′-phosphate oxidase mutations.

Crystallographic analysis of human hemoglobin elucidates the structural basis of the potent and dual antisickling activity of pyridyl derivatives of vanillin

Vanillin has previously been studied clinically as an antisickling agent to treat sickle-cell disease. In vitro investigations with pyridyl derivatives of vanillin, including INN-312 and INN-298, showed as much as a 90-fold increase in antisickling activity compared with vanillin. The compounds preferentially bind to and modify sickle hemoglobin (Hb S) to increase the affinity of Hb for oxygen. INN-312 also led to a considerable increase in the solubility of deoxygenated Hb S under completely deoxygenated conditions. Crystallographic studies of normal human Hb with INN-312 and INN-298 showed that the compounds form Schiff-base adducts with the N-terminus of the α-subunits to constrain the liganded (or relaxed-state) Hb conformation relative to the unliganded (or tense-state) Hb conformation. Interestingly, while INN-298 binds and directs its meta-positioned pyridine-methoxy moiety (relative to the aldehyde moiety) further down the central water cavity of the protein, that of INN-312, which is ortho to the aldehyde, extends towards the surface of the protein. These studies suggest that these compounds may act to prevent sickling of SS cells by increasing the fraction of the soluble high-affinity Hb S and/or by stereospecific inhibition of deoxygenated Hb S polymerization.

Pyridoxal 5′-Phosphate Is a Slow Tight Binding Inhibitor of E. coli Pyridoxal Kinase

Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) is a cofactor for dozens of B6 requiring enzymes. PLP reacts with apo-B6 enzymes by forming an aldimine linkage with the ε-amino group of an active site lysine residue, thus yielding the catalytically active holo-B6 enzyme. During protein turnover, the PLP is salvaged by first converting it to pyridoxal by a phosphatase and then back to PLP by pyridoxal kinase. Nonetheless, PLP poses a potential toxicity problem for the cell since its reactive 4′-aldehyde moiety forms covalent adducts with other compounds and non-B6 proteins containing thiol or amino groups. The regulation of PLP homeostasis in the cell is thus an important, yet unresolved issue. In this report, using site-directed mutagenesis, kinetic, spectroscopic and chromatographic studies we show that pyridoxal kinase from E. coli forms a complex with the product PLP to form an inactive enzyme complex. Evidence is presented that, in the inhibited complex, PLP has formed an aldimine bond with an active site lysine residue during catalytic turnover. The rate of dissociation of PLP from the complex is very slow, being only partially released after a 2-hour incubation with PLP phosphatase. Interestingly, the inactive pyridoxal kinase•PLP complex can be partially reactivated by transferring the tightly bound PLP to an apo-B6 enzyme. These results open new perspectives on the mechanism of regulation and role of pyridoxal kinase in the Escherichia coli cell.

On the catalytic mechanism and stereospecificity of Escherichia coli l-threonine aldolase.

l‐Threonine aldolases (l‐TAs) represent a family of homologous pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate‐dependent enzymes found in bacteria and fungi, and catalyse the reversible cleavage of several l‐3‐hydroxy‐α‐amino acids. l‐TAs have great biotechnological potential, as they catalyse the formation of carbon–carbon bonds, and therefore may be exploited for the bioorganic synthesis of l‐3‐hydroxyamino acids that are biologically active or constitute building blocks for pharmaceutical molecules. Many l‐TAs, showing different stereospecificity towards the Cβ configuration, have been isolated. Because of their potential to carry out diastereoselective syntheses, l‐TAs have been subjected to structural, functional and mechanistic studies. Nevertheless, their catalytic mechanism and the structural bases of their stereospecificity have not been elucidated. In this study, we have determined the crystal structure of low‐specificity l‐TA from Escherichia coli at 2.2‐Å resolution, in the unliganded form and cocrystallized with l‐serine and l‐threonine. Furthermore, several active site mutants have been functionally characterized in order to elucidate the reaction mechanism and the molecular bases of stereospecificity. No active site catalytic residue was revealed, and a structural water molecule was assumed to act as the catalytic base in the retro‐aldol cleavage reaction. Interestingly, the very large active site opening of E. coli l‐TA suggests that much larger molecules than l‐threonine isomers may be easily accommodated, and l‐TAs may actually have diverse physiological functions in different organisms. Substrate recognition and reaction specificity seem to be guided by the overall microenvironment that surrounds the substrate at the enzyme active site, rather than by one ore more specific residues.

α‐Crystallin binds to the aggregation‐prone molten‐globule state of alkaline protease: Implications for preventing irreversible thermal denaturation

α‐Crystallin, the major eye‐lens protein with sequence homology with heat‐shock proteins (HSPs), acts like a molecular chaperone by suppressing the aggregation of damaged crystallins and proteins. To gain more insight into its chaperoning ability, we used a protease as the model system that is known to require a propeptide (intramolecular chaperone) for its proper folding. The protease (“N” state) from Conidiobolus macrosporus (NCIM 1298) unfolds at pH 2.0 (“U” state) through a partially unfolded “I” state at pH 3.5 that undergoes transition to a molten globule‐ (MG) like “IA” state in the presence of 0.5 M sodium sulfate. The thermally‐stressed IA state showed complete loss of structure and was prone to aggregation. α‐Crystallin was able to bind to this state and suppress its aggregation, thereby preventing irreversible denaturation of the enzyme. The α‐crystallin‐bound IA state exhibited native‐like secondary and tertiary structure showing the interaction of α‐crystallin with the MG state of the protease. 8‐Anilinonaphthalene sulphonate (ANS) binding studies revealed the involvement of hydrophobic interactions in the formation of the complex of α‐crystallin and protease. Refolding of acid‐denatured protease by dilution to pH 7.5 resulted in aggregation of the protein. Unfolding of the protease in the presence of α‐crystallin and its subsequent refolding resulted in the generation of a near‐native intermediate with partial secondary and tertiary structure. Our studies represent the first report of involvement of a molecular chaperone‐like α‐crystallin in the unfolding and refolding of a protease. α‐Crystallin blocks the unfavorable pathways that lead to irreversible denaturation of the alkaline protease and keeps it in a near‐native, folding‐competent intermediate state.

Crystal Structures of Human Pyridoxal Kinase in Complex with the Neurotoxins, Ginkgotoxin and Theophylline: Insights into Pyridoxal Kinase Inhibition

Several drugs and natural compounds are known to be highly neurotoxic, triggering epileptic convulsions or seizures, and causing headaches, agitations, as well as other neuronal symptoms. The neurotoxic effects of some of these compounds, including theophylline and ginkgotoxin, have been traced to their inhibitory activity against human pyridoxal kinase (hPL kinase), resulting in deficiency of the active cofactor form of vitamin B6, pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP). Pyridoxal (PL), an inactive form of vitamin B6 is converted to PLP by PL kinase. PLP is the B6 vitamer required as a cofactor for over 160 enzymatic activities essential in primary and secondary metabolism. We have performed structural and kinetic studies on hPL kinase with several potential inhibitors, including ginkgotoxin and theophylline. The structural studies show ginkgotoxin and theophylline bound at the substrate site, and are involved in similar protein interactions as the natural substrate, PL. Interestingly, the phosphorylated product of ginkgotoxin is also observed bound at the active site. This work provides insights into the molecular basis of hPL kinase inhibition and may provide a working hypothesis to quickly screen or identify neurotoxic drugs as potential hPL kinase inhibitors. Such adverse effects may be prevented by administration of an appropriate form of vitamin B6, or provide clues of how to modify these drugs to help reduce their hPL kinase inhibitory effects.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Ester and Ether Derivatives of Antisickling Agent 5-HMF for the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease

Candidate drugs to counter intracellular polymerization of deoxygenated sickle hemoglobin (Hb S) continue to represent a promising approach to mitigating the primary cause of the pathophysiology associated with sickle cell disease (SCD). One such compound is the naturally occurring antisickling agent, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (5-HMF), which has been studied in the clinic for the treatment of SCD. As part of our efforts to develop novel efficacious drugs with improved pharmacologic properties, we structurally modified 5-HMF into 12 ether and ester derivatives. The choice of 5-HMF as a pharmacophore was influenced by a combination of its demonstrated attractive hemoglobin modifying and antisickling properties, well-known safety profiles, and its reported nontoxic major metabolites. The derivatives were investigated for their time- and/or dose-dependent effects on important antisickling parameters, such as modification of hemoglobin, corresponding changes in oxygen affinity, and inhibition of red blood cell sickling. The novel test compounds bound and modified Hb and concomitantly increased the protein affinity for oxygen. Five of the derivatives exhibited 1.5- to 4.0-fold higher antisickling effects than 5-HMF. The binding mode of the compounds with Hb was confirmed by X-ray crystallography and, in part, helps explain their observed biochemical properties. Our findings, in addition to the potential therapeutic application, provide valuable insights and potential guidance for further modifications of these (and similar) compounds to enhance their pharmacologic properties.

Crystal structure of carbonmonoxy sickle hemoglobin in R-state conformation.

The fundamental pathophysiology of sickle cell disease is predicated by the polymerization of deoxygenated (T-state) sickle hemoglobin (Hb S) into fibers that distort red blood cells into the characteristic sickle shape. The crystal structure of deoxygenated Hb S (DeoxyHb S) and other studies suggest that the polymer is initiated by a primary interaction between the mutation βVal6 from one Hb S molecule, and a hydrophobic acceptor pocket formed by the residues βAla70, βPhe85 and βLeu88 of an adjacent located Hb S molecule. On the contrary, oxygenated or liganded Hb S does not polymerize or incorporate in the polymer. In this paper we present the crystal structure of carbonmonoxy-ligated sickle Hb (COHb S) in the quaternary classical R-state at 1.76Å. The overall structure and the pathological donor and acceptor environments of COHb S are similar to those of the isomorphous CO-ligated R-state normal Hb (COHb A), but differ significantly from DeoxyHb S as expected. More importantly, the packing of COHb S molecules does not show the typical pathological interaction between βVal6 and the βAla70, βPhe85 and βLeu88 hydrophobic acceptor pocket observed in DeoxyHb S crystal. The structural analysis of COHb S, COHb A and DeoxyHb S provides atomic level insight into why liganded hemoglobin does not form a polymer.

Inactive mutants of human pyridoxine 5′‐phosphate oxidase: a possible role for a noncatalytic pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate tight binding site

Pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate (PLP) is a cofactor for many vitamin B6‐requiring enzymes that are important for the synthesis of neurotransmitters. Pyridoxine 5′‐phosphate oxidase (PNPO) is one of two enzymes that produce PLP. Some 16 known mutations in human PNPO (hPNPO), including R95C and R229W, lead to deficiency of PLP in the cell and have been shown to cause neonatal epileptic encephalopathy (NEE). This disorder has no effective treatment, and is often fatal unless treated with PLP. In this study, we show that R95C hPNPO exhibits a 15‐fold reduction in affinity for the FMN cofactor, a 71‐fold decrease in affinity for the substrate PNP, a 4.9‐fold decrease in specific activity, and a 343‐fold reduction in catalytic activity, compared to the wild‐type enzyme. We have reported similar findings for R229W hPNPO. This report also shows that wild‐type, R95C and R229W hPNPO bind PLP tightly at a noncatalytic site and transfer it to activate an apo‐B6 enzyme into the catalytically active holo‐form. We also show for the first time that hPNPO forms specific interactions with several B6 enzymes with dissociation constants ranging from 0.3 to 12.3 μm. Our results suggest a possible in vivo role for the tight binding of PLP in hPNPO, whether wild‐type or variant, by protecting the very reactive PLP, and transferring this PLP directly to activate apo‐B6 enzymes.