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96 records · Page 6

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of Der f 2, a potent allergen derived from the house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae)

Although a number of allergens have been identified and isolated, the underlying molecular basis for the potent immune response is poorly understood. House dust mites (Dermatophagoides sp.) are ubiquitous contributors to atopy in developed countries. The rhinitis, dermatitis and asthma associated with allergic reactions to these arthropods are frequently caused by relatively small (125-129 amino acids) mite proteins of unknown biological function. Der f 2, a major allergen from the mite D. farinae, has been recombinantly expressed, characterized and crystallized. The crystals belong to the tetragonal space group I4(1)22, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 95.2, c = 103.3 A. An essentially complete (97.2%) data set has been collected to 2.4 A at a synchrotron source. Attempts to solve the crystal structure of Der f 2 by molecular replacement using the NMR coordinates for either Der f 2 or Der p 2 (the homologous protein from D. pteronyssinus) failed, but preliminary searches using the crystalline Der p 2 atomic coordinates appear to be promising.

Pyroglyphidae/chemistry/immunology↗

Structural studies of intrinsically disordered MLL -fusion protein AF9 in complex with peptidomimetic inhibitors

AF9 (MLLT3) and its paralog ENL(MLLT1) are members of the YEATS family of proteins with important role in transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory complexes. These proteins are two common MLL fusion partners in MLL -rearranged leukemias. The oncofusion proteins MLL-AF9/ENL recruit multiple binding partners, including the histone methyltransferase DOT1L, leading to aberrant transcriptional activation and enhancing the expression of a characteristic set of genes that drive leukemogenesis. The interaction between AF9 and DOT1L is mediated by an intrinsically disordered C-terminal ANC1 homology domain (AHD) in AF9, which undergoes folding upon binding of DOT1L and other partner proteins. We have recently reported peptidomimetics that disrupt the recruitment of DOT1L by AF9 and ENL, providing a proof-of-concept for targeting AHD and assessing its druggability. Intrinsically disordered proteins, such as AF9 AHD, are difficult to study and characterize experimentally on a structural level. In this study, we present a successful protein engineering strategy to facilitate structural investigation of the intrinsically disordered AF9 AHD domain in complex with peptidomimetic inhibitors by using maltose binding protein (MBP) as a crystallization chaperone connected with linkers of varying flexibility and length. The strategic incorporation of disulfide bonds provided diffraction-quality crystals of the two disulfide-bridged MBP–AF9 AHD fusion proteins in complex with the peptidomimetics. These successfully determined first series of 2.1–2.6 Å crystal complex structures provide high-resolution insights into the interactions between AHD and its inhibitors, shedding light on the role of AHD in recruiting various binding partner proteins. We show that the overall complex structures closely resemble the reported NMR structure of AF9 AHD/DOT1L with notable difference in the conformation of the β-hairpin region, stabilized through conserved hydrogen bonds network. These first series of AF9 AHD/peptidomimetics complex structures are providing insights of the protein–inhibitor interactions and will facilitate further development of novel inhibitors targeting the AF9/ENL AHD domain.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Redox-active dinuclear oxorhenium(V) pyrazolate complexes

Four new structurally similar dinuclear oxorhenium(V) complexes, [{Re(O)X(PPh 3 )} 2 (μ-O)(μ-4-x'-pz) 2 ], where pz = pyrazolate anion, X = X' = Cl (1) and Br (4), X = Cl, X' = Br (2), and X = Br, X' = Cl (3), have been synthesized and characterized. Little variation in spectroscopic features – 1 H NMR, IR, UV–Vis – exists among the four complexes. All complexes possess a bent Re-O-Re core as well as distorted octahedral coordination geometry around the rhenium centers. Finally, a reversible one-electron electrochemical process is observed at approximately 0.84 V vs. Fc + /Fc in all four complexes; however, changing the terminal halide from chloride to bromide slightly destabilizes the oxidized Re(VI) center.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structures of the ApoL1 and ApoL2 N-terminal domains reveal a non-classical four-helix bundle motif

Apolipoprotein L1 (ApoL1) is a circulating innate immunity protein protecting against trypanosome infection. However, two ApoL1 coding variants are associated with a highly increased risk of chronic kidney disease. Here we present X-ray and NMR structures of the N-terminal domain (NTD) of ApoL1 and of its closest relative ApoL2. In both proteins, four of the five NTD helices form a four-helix core structure which is different from the classical four-helix bundle and from the pore-forming domain of colicin A. The reactivity with a conformation-specific antibody and structural models predict that this four-helix motif is also present in the NTDs of ApoL3 and ApoL4, suggesting related functions within the small ApoL family. The long helix 5 of ApoL1 is conformationally flexible and contains the BH3-like region. This BH3-like α-helix resembles true BH3 domains only in sequence and structure but not in function, since it does not bind to the pro-survival members of the Bcl-2 family, suggesting a Bcl-2-independent role in cytotoxicity. These findings should expedite a more comprehensive structural and functional understanding of the ApoL immune protein family.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Variable hydrazine coordination modes from reactions with dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II)

The reactivity of the prominent ruthenium(II) catalyst and precursor, RuCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 3 , was explored with hydrazine and its derivatives. The reactions produced 6-coordinate ruthenium(II) products that bond with the hydrazine moiety in bridging (NH 2 NH 2 or NH 2 NHMe), end-on (NH 2 NHMe, NH 2 NHPh, or NH 2 NMe 2 ), or side-on (NH 2 NMe 2 ) fashions. The products have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and 31 P NMR spectroscopy. With NH 2 NH 2 , the dimeric product, [RuCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 ] 2 ($μ$-N 2 H 4 ) 2 , was formed under all conditions used. For other hydrazines, the reaction stoichiometry governed product formation to yield either bimetallic or monomeric products. When the RuCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 3 to hydrazine derivative ratio was 1:1 or lower, bimetallic complexes were formed while a 1:2 ratio produced monomeric compounds. The exception to the latter occurs with the production of the monomeric compound, RuCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 ($η$ 2 -NH 2 NMe 2 ), that forms employing a 1:1 ratio. In addition to stoichiometry, steric factors and hydrogen bonding played a significant role in dictating the bonding mode of hydrazines. The bimetallic complexes were further reacted to yield the corresponding monomeric products, adopting the form RuCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 (L) 2 (L = NH 2 NHMe, NH 2 NHPh, or NH 2 NMe 2 ). Reactions utilizing less than a 1:2 ratio of RuCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 3 to NH 2 NMe 2 produced a mixture of products that appear to be in equilibrium. In conclusion, FT calculations were performed to gain insight into the reaction energetics and molecular stability.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗