Biomaterial Database

Zinc site redesign in T4 gene 32 protein: structure and stability of cobalt(II) complexes formed by wild-type and metal ligand substitution mutants. 1997

J Guo, and D P Giedroc

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-2128, USA.

Phage T4 gene 32 protein (gp32) is a zinc metalloprotein which binds cooperatively and preferentially to single-stranded nucleic acids and functions as a replication and recombination accessory protein. Zn(II) coordination by gp32 employs a His-Cys3 metal ligand donor set derived from the His64-X12-Cys77-X9-Cys87-X2-Cys90 sequence in the ssDNA-binding core domain of the molecule. Crystallographic studies reveal that His64 and Cys77 are derived from two independent beta-strands within a distorted three-stranded beta-sheet and are relatively more buried from solvent than are Cys87 and Cys90, which are positioned immediately before and within, respectively, an alpha-helix. In an effort to understand the origin of the stability of the metal complex, we have employed an anaerobic optical spectroscopic, competitive metal binding assay to determine the coordination geometry and association constants (Ka) for the binding of Co(II) to wild-type gp32 and a series of zinc ligand substitution mutants. At pH 7.5, 25 degrees C, wild-type gp32 binds Co(II) with a Ka approximately 1 x 10(9) M-1. Competition experiments reveal that Ka for Zn(II) is 3.0 (+/-1.0) x 10(11) M-1. We find that all non-native metal complexes retain tetrahedral or distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry but are greatly destabilized in a manner essentially of whether a new protein-derived coordination bond is formed (e.g., in H64C gp32) or not. Co(II) binding isotherms obtained for three His64 substitution mutants, H64C, H64D, and H64N gp32s, suggest that each mutant forms a dimeric Cys4 tetrathiolate intermediate complex at limiting [Co(II)]f, each then rearranges at high [Co(II)]f to form a monomolecular site of the expected geometry and Ka approximately 1 x 10(4) M-1. Like the His64 mutants, C77A gp32 appears to form at least two types of complexes over the course of a Co(II) titration: one with octahedral coordination geometry formed at low [Co(II)]f, with a second tetrahedral or five-coordinate site formed at higher [Co(II)]f. Apo C87S and C90A gp32s, in contrast, each form a single complex at all [Co(II)]f, consistent with Cys2-His-H2O tetrahedral geometry of Ka approximately (1-2) x 10(5) M-1. These studies reveal that the local protein structure restricts accommodation of a non-native metal complex in a ligand-specific manner. The implications of this work for de novo design of zinc complexes in proteins are discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008024	Ligands	A molecule that binds to another molecule, used especially to refer to a small molecule that binds specifically to a larger molecule, e.g., an antigen binding to an antibody, a hormone or neurotransmitter binding to a receptor, or a substrate or allosteric effector binding to an enzyme. Ligands are also molecules that donate or accept a pair of electrons to form a coordinate covalent bond with the central metal atom of a coordination complex. (From Dorland, 27th ed)	Ligand
D008958	Models, Molecular	Models used experimentally or theoretically to study molecular shape, electronic properties, or interactions; includes analogous molecules, computer-generated graphics, and mechanical structures.	Molecular Models,Model, Molecular,Molecular Model
D011487	Protein Conformation	The characteristic 3-dimensional shape of a protein, including the secondary, supersecondary (motifs), tertiary (domains) and quaternary structure of the peptide chain. PROTEIN STRUCTURE, QUATERNARY describes the conformation assumed by multimeric proteins (aggregates of more than one polypeptide chain).	Conformation, Protein,Conformations, Protein,Protein Conformations
D003035	Cobalt	A trace element that is a component of vitamin B12. It has the atomic symbol Co, atomic number 27, and atomic weight 58.93. It is used in nuclear weapons, alloys, and pigments. Deficiency in animals leads to anemia; its excess in humans can lead to erythrocytosis.	Cobalt-59,Cobalt 59
D004268	DNA-Binding Proteins	Proteins which bind to DNA. The family includes proteins which bind to both double- and single-stranded DNA and also includes specific DNA binding proteins in serum which can be used as markers for malignant diseases.	DNA Helix Destabilizing Proteins,DNA-Binding Protein,Single-Stranded DNA Binding Proteins,DNA Binding Protein,DNA Single-Stranded Binding Protein,SS DNA BP,Single-Stranded DNA-Binding Protein,Binding Protein, DNA,DNA Binding Proteins,DNA Single Stranded Binding Protein,DNA-Binding Protein, Single-Stranded,Protein, DNA-Binding,Single Stranded DNA Binding Protein,Single Stranded DNA Binding Proteins
D004355	Drug Stability	The chemical and physical integrity of a pharmaceutical product.	Drug Shelf Life,Drugs Shelf Lives,Shelf Life, Drugs,Drug Stabilities,Drugs Shelf Life,Drugs Shelf Live,Life, Drugs Shelf,Shelf Life, Drug,Shelf Live, Drugs,Shelf Lives, Drugs
D001483	Base Sequence	The sequence of PURINES and PYRIMIDINES in nucleic acids and polynucleotides. It is also called nucleotide sequence.	DNA Sequence,Nucleotide Sequence,RNA Sequence,DNA Sequences,Base Sequences,Nucleotide Sequences,RNA Sequences,Sequence, Base,Sequence, DNA,Sequence, Nucleotide,Sequence, RNA,Sequences, Base,Sequences, DNA,Sequences, Nucleotide,Sequences, RNA
D001665	Binding Sites	The parts of a macromolecule that directly participate in its specific combination with another molecule.	Combining Site,Binding Site,Combining Sites,Site, Binding,Site, Combining,Sites, Binding,Sites, Combining
D013053	Spectrophotometry	The art or process of comparing photometrically the relative intensities of the light in different parts of the spectrum.
D014764	Viral Proteins	Proteins found in any species of virus.	Gene Products, Viral,Viral Gene Products,Viral Gene Proteins,Viral Protein,Protein, Viral,Proteins, Viral