| 1. |
- Berry, Bruce W., 1974-
(author)
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Using de novo design proteins to explore tyrosine radicals and cation-π interactions
- 2014
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Redox cofactors and amino-acid free radicals play important roles in biology. Although many of the same cofactors and amino acids that form these radicals are found across a broad range of biological systems, identical cofactors can have different reduction potentials. The local environment plays a role in defining these redox potentials. An understanding of this local-environment effect can shed more light on how redox chemistry works in nature. Our laboratory has developed a library of model proteins that are well suited to study amino-acid radicals. a3X is a de novo designed protein that is composed of 67 residues. It forms a three-helix bundle connected by two glycine loops. The radical site is located at position 32 on the central a-helix. The a3X protein is designed to be well-folded and thermodynamically stable across a broad pH range. Paper 1 describes the structural and electrochemical characterization of a3Y, a tyrosine variant of a3X. We were able to obtain a unique Faradaic response from Y32 at both low and high pH, using differential pulse voltammetry. In addition, we successfully redesigned α3Y by introducing a histidine in close proximity to Y32, creating a tyrosine/histidine pair. Our goal in creating this pair was to study proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) in a well-structured and solvent-sequestered protein environment. In paper 2 we illustrated the redox reversibility of Y32 and produced the first ever Pourbaix diagram for a tyrosine radical in a protein. The formal potential of the Y32-OŸ/Y32-OH redox couple was determined to be 918 ± 2 mV vs. the normal hydrogen electrode (NHE) at pH 8.40. While at pH 5.52, the formal potential of the Y32-OŸ/Y32-OH redox couple was recorded at 1.07 V. Papers 3 and 4 utilize a3W to study cation-π interactions. In paper 3, we showed how solvation can affect the strength of these interactions by -0.9 kcal/mol. In Paper 4, we were able to monitor the disruption of the cation-π interaction with the use of high-pressure fluorescence and were able to calculate the interaction energy for a solvent exposed cation-π. The aim of the work described in this thesis was to use model proteins to study tyrosine radicals to gain a broader perspective and better understanding of the versatility of biological electron transfer and to measure cation-π interactions and how they behave in different environments.
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| 2. |
- Björnberg, Olof, et al.
(author)
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Ribosylurea accumulates in yeast urc4 mutants
- 2010
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In: Nucleosides, Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1525-7770 .- 1532-2335. ; 29:4-6, s. 433-437
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Yeast Saccharomyces (Lachancea) kluyveri urc4 mutants, unable to grow on uracil, biotransformed (14)C(2)-uracil into two labeled compounds, as detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These two compounds could also be obtained following organic synthesis of ribosylurea. This finding demonstrates that in the URC pyrimidine degradation pathway, the opening of the uracil ring takes place when uracil is attached to the ribose moiety. Ribosylurea has not been reported in the cell metabolism before and the two observed compounds likely represent an equilibrium mixture of the pyranosyl and furanosyl forms.
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| 3. |
- Crona, Mikael, 1981-, et al.
(author)
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Assembly of a fragmented ribonucleotide reductase by protein interaction domains derived from a mobile genetic element
- 2011
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In: Nucleic Acids Research. - : Oxford University Press. - 0305-1048 .- 1362-4962. ; 39:4, s. 1381-1389
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is a critical enzyme of nucleotide metabolism, synthesizing precursors for DNA replication and repair. In prokaryotic genomes, RNR genes are commonly targeted by mobile genetic elements, including free standing and intron-encoded homing endonucleases and inteins. Here, we describe a unique molecular solution to assemble a functional product from the RNR large subunit gene, nrdA that has been fragmented into two smaller genes by the insertion of mobE, a mobile endonuclease. We show that unique sequences that originated during the mobE insertion and that are present as C- and N-terminal tails on the split NrdA-a and NrdA-b polypeptides, are absolutely essential for enzymatic activity. Our data are consistent with the tails functioning as protein interaction domains to assemble the tetrameric (NrdA-a/NrdA-b)2 large subunit necessary for a functional RNR holoenzyme. The tails represent a solution distinct from RNA and protein splicing or programmed DNA rearrangements to restore function from a fragmented coding region and may represent a general mechanism to neutralize fragmentation of essential genes by mobile genetic elements.
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| 4. |
- Crona, Mikael, et al.
(author)
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NrdH-Redoxin Protein Mediates High Enzyme Activity in Manganese-reconstituted Ribonucleotide Reductase from Bacillus anthracis
- 2011
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In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - Bethesda, Md. : American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. - 0021-9258 .- 1083-351X. ; 286:38, s. 33053-33060
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Bacillus anthracis is a severe mammalian pathogen encoding a class Ib ribonucleotide reductase (RNR). RNR is a universal enzyme that provides the four essential deoxyribonucleotides needed for DNA replication and repair. Almost all Bacillus spp. encode both class Ib and class III RNR operons, but the B. anthracis class III operon was reported to encode a pseudogene, and conceivably class Ib RNR is necessary for spore germination and proliferation of B. anthracis upon infection. The class Ib RNR operon in B. anthracis encodes genes for the catalytic NrdE protein, the tyrosyl radical metalloprotein NrdF, and the flavodoxin protein NrdI. The tyrosyl radical in NrdF is stabilized by an adjacent Mn(2)(III) site (Mn-NrdF) formed by the action of the NrdI protein or by a Fe(2)(III) site (Fe-NrdF) formed spontaneously from Fe(2+) and O(2). In this study, we show that the properties of B. anthracis Mn-NrdF and Fe-NrdF are in general similar for interaction with NrdE and NrdI. Intriguingly, the enzyme activity of Mn-NrdF was approximately an order of magnitude higher than that of Fe-NrdF in the presence of the class Ib-specific physiological reductant NrdH, strongly suggesting that the Mn-NrdF form is important in the life cycle of B. anthracis. Whether the Fe-NrdF form only exists in vitro or whether the NrdF protein in B. anthracis is a true cambialistic enzyme that can work with either manganese or iron remains to be established.
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| 5. |
- Decker, Daniel, et al.
(author)
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Substrate kinetics and substrate effects on the quaternary structure of barley UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase
- 2012
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In: Phytochemistry. - : Elsevier BV. - 0031-9422 .- 1873-3700. ; 79, s. 39-45
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- UDP-Glc pyrophosphorylase (UGPase) is an essential enzyme responsible for production of UDP-Glc, which is used in hundreds of glycosylation reactions involving addition of Glc to a variety of compounds. In this study, barley UGPase was characterized with respect to effects of its substrates on activity and quaternary structure of the protein. Its K(m) values with Glc-1-P and UTP were 0.33 and 0.25 mM, respectively. Besides using Glc-1-P as a substrate, the enzyme had also considerable activity with Gal-1-P; however, the K(m) for Gal-1-P was very high (>10 mM), rendering this reaction unlikely under physiological conditions. UGPase had a relatively broad pH optimum of 6.5-8.5, regardless of the direction of reaction. The enzyme equilibrium constant was 0.4, suggesting slight preference for the Glc-1-P synthesis direction of the reaction. The quaternary structure of the enzyme, studied by Gas-phase Electrophoretic Mobility Macromolecule Analysis (GEMMA), was affected by addition of either single or both substrates in either direction of the reaction, resulting in a shift from UGPase dimers toward monomers, the active form of the enzyme. The substrate-induced changes in quaternary structure of the enzyme may have a regulatory role to assure maximal activity. Kinetics and factors affecting the oligomerization status of UGPase are discussed.
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| 6. |
- Falahati, Hanieh, et al.
(author)
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Transmitting the allosteric signal in methylglyoxal synthase
- 2013
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In: Protein Engineering Design & Selection. - : Oxford University Press. - 1741-0126 .- 1741-0134. ; 26:7, s. 445-452
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The homohexameric enzyme methylglyoxal synthase (MGS) converts dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) to methylglyoxal and phosphate. This enzyme is allosterically inhibited by phosphate. The allosteric signal induced by phosphate in MGS from Thermus sp. GH5 (TMGS) has been tracked by site-directed mutagenesis, from the binding site of phosphate to the pathways that transmit the signal, and finally to the active site which is the receiver of the signal. In TMGS, Ser-55 distinguishes the inhibitory phosphate from the phosphoryl group of the substrate, DHAP, and transmits the allosteric signal through Pro-82, Arg-97 and Val-101 to the active site. Furthermore, the addition of a C-terminal tail to TMGS reinforces the allosteric signal by introducing a new salt bridge between Asp-10 and an Arg in this tail. Lastly, the active site amino acid, Gly-56, is shown to be involved in both allostery and phosphate elimination step from DHAP by TMGS. Interestingly, some of the mutations also trigger homotropic allostery, supporting the hypothesis that allostery is an intrinsic property of all dynamic proteins. The details of the TMGS allosteric network discussed in this study can serve as a model system for understanding the enigmatic allosteric mechanism of other proteins.
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| 7. |
- Hofer, Anders, et al.
(author)
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DNA building blocks : keeping control of manufacture
- 2012
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In: Critical reviews in biochemistry and molecular biology. - London : Informa UK Limited. - 1040-9238 .- 1549-7798. ; 47:1, s. 50-63
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is the only source for de novo production of the four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) building blocks needed for DNA synthesis and repair. It is crucial that these dNTP pools are carefully balanced, since mutation rates increase when dNTP levels are either unbalanced or elevated. RNR is the major player in this homeostasis, and with its four different substrates, four different allosteric effectors and two different effector binding sites, it has one of the most sophisticated allosteric regulations known today. In the past few years, the structures of RNRs from several bacteria, yeast and man have been determined in the presence of allosteric effectors and substrates, revealing new information about the mechanisms behind the allosteric regulation. A common theme for all studied RNRs is a flexible loop that mediates modulatory effects from the allosteric specificity site (s-site) to the catalytic site for discrimination between the four substrates. Much less is known about the allosteric activity site (a-site), which functions as an on-off switch for the enzyme's overall activity by binding ATP (activator) or dATP (inhibitor). The two nucleotides induce formation of different enzyme oligomers, and a recent structure of a dATP-inhibited α(6)β(2) complex from yeast suggested how its subunits interacted non-productively. Interestingly, the oligomers formed and the details of their allosteric regulation differ between eukaryotes and Escherichia coli. Nevertheless, these differences serve a common purpose in an essential enzyme whose allosteric regulation might date back to the era when the molecular mechanisms behind the central dogma evolved.
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| 8. |
- Lundmark, Tomas, et al.
(author)
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Potential Roles of Swedish Forestry in the Context of Climate Change Mitigation
- 2014
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In: Forests. - Basel, Switzerland : MDPI AG. - 1999-4907. ; 5:4, s. 557-578
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In Sweden, where forests cover more than 60% of the land area, silviculture and the use of forest products by industry and society play crucial roles in the national carbon balance. A scientific challenge is to understand how different forest management and wood use strategies can best contribute to climate change mitigation benefits. This study uses a set of models to analyze the effects of different forest management and wood use strategies in Sweden on carbon dioxide emissions and removals through 2105. If the present Swedish forest use strategy is continued, the long-term climate change mitigation benefit will correspond to more than 60 million tons of avoided or reduced emissions of carbon dioxide annually, compared to a scenario with similar consumption patterns in society but where non-renewable products are used instead of forest-based products. On average about 470 kg of carbon dioxide emissions are avoided for each cubic meter of biomass harvested, after accounting for carbon stock changes, substitution effects and all emissions related to forest management and industrial processes. Due to Sweden’s large export share of forest-based products, the climate change mitigation effect of Swedish forestry is larger abroad than within the country. The study also shows that silvicultural methods to increase forest biomass production can further reduce net carbon dioxide emissions by an additional 40 million tons of per year. Forestry’s contribution to climate change mitigation could be significantly increased if management of the boreal forest were oriented towards increased biomass production and if more wood were used to substitute fossil fuels and energy-intensive materials.
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| 9. |
- Petrelli, Riccardo, et al.
(author)
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From the covalent linkage of drugs to novel inhibitors of ribonucleotide reductase : Synthesis and biological evaluation of valproic esters of 3'-C-methyladenosine
- 2014
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In: Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters. - : Elsevier BV. - 0960-894X .- 1464-3405. ; 24:22, s. 5304-5309
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We synthesized a series of serum-stable covalently linked drugs derived from 3'-C-methyladenosine (3'-Me-Ado) and valproic acid (VPA), which are ribonucleotide reductase (RR) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, respectively. While the combination of free VPA and 3'-Me-Ado resulted in a clear synergistic apoptotic effect, the conjugates had lost their HDAC inhibitory effect as well as the corresponding apoptotic activity. Two of the analogs, 2',5'-bis-O-valproyl-3'-C-methyladenosine (A160) and 5'-O-valproyl-3'-C-methyladenosine (A167), showed promising cytotoxic activities against human hematological and solid cancer cell lines. A167 was less potent than A160 but had interesting features as an RR inhibitor. It inhibited RR activity by competing with ATP as an allosteric effector and concomitantly reduced the intracellular deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) pools. A167 represents a novel lead compound, which in contrast to previously used RR nucleoside analogs does not require intracellular kinases for its activity and therefore holds promise against drug resistant tumors with downregulated nucleoside kinases.
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| 10. |
- Popović-Bijelić, Ana, 1976-
(author)
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Activation and inhibition of diiron and iron-manganese ribonucleotide reductases
- 2012
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) catalyses the reduction of ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides. In conventional class I RNRs the active site is located in the R1 subunit, and the R2 subunit contains a diiron cofactor and a stable tyrosyl radical essential for activity. Class Ic Chlamydia trachomatis RNR lacks the tyrosyl radical and uses a Mn(IV)Fe(III) cofactor for catalysis. The requirement for metals for RNR activation was studied in C. trachomatis F127Y and Y129F R2, and in mouse wild type and Y177F R2 proteins. The results indicate that R2 affinity for metals is determined by the amino acid located next to the metal site, at the position of the radical carrying tyrosyl. Specifically, R2 proteins that contain phenylalanine in this place bind Mn and Fe, and the tyrosyl containing R2s bind only Fe. Further results show that C. trachomatis RNR can be inhibited by R2 C-terminal oligopeptides. The highest inhibition was observed for a 20-mer peptide indicating that the oligopeptide inhibition mechanism of class Ic is similar to that of the class Ia and b. The second part of the thesis deals with class Ia RNR inhibition. The results show that a lanthanum complex containing three 1,10-phenantroline molecules (KP772) which has showed promising cytotoxic activity in cancer cell lines inhibits mouse R2 protein in the presence of external reductants by iron-chelation. It is suggested that KP772 has several synergistic inhibition mechanisms that contribute to its overall anticancer activity. Moreover, other results show that Triapine, a promising chemotherapeutic compound, and its Fe, Ga, Zn, and Cu complexes, inhibit mouse R2 in both reducing and non-reducing conditions. Inhibition by Triapine involves the binding of the drug to the surface of the R2 protein leading to labilization of the Fe-center and subsequent Fe-chelation by Triapine. Formation of the Fe(II)-Triapine complex which reacts with O2 to produce reactive oxygen species results in complete RNR inactivation.
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