scholarly journals Copper Binding Features of Tropomyosin-Receptor-Kinase-A Fragment: Clue for Neurotrophic Factors and Metals Link

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 2374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Magrì ◽  
Diego La Mendola

The nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophin essential for the development and maintenance of neurons, whose activity is influenced by copper ions. The NGF protein exerts its action by binding to its specific receptor, TrkA. In this study, a specific domain of the TrkA receptor, region 58–64, was synthesized and its copper(II) complexes characterized by means of potentiometric and spectroscopic studies. The two vicinal histidine residues provide excellent metal anchoring sites and, at physiological pH, a complex with the involvement of the peptide backbone amide nitrogen is the predominant species. The TrkA peptide is competitive for metal binding with analogous peptides due to the N-terminal domain of NGF. These data provide cues for future exploration of the effect of metal ions on the activity of the NGF and its specific cellular receptor.

2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (32) ◽  
pp. 11364-11376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew C. Hausrath ◽  
Nicholas A. Ramirez ◽  
Alan T. Ly ◽  
Megan M. McEvoy

CopG is an uncharacterized protein ubiquitous in Gram-negative bacteria whose gene frequently occurs in clusters of copper resistance genes and can be recognized by the presence of a conserved CxCC motif. To investigate its contribution to copper resistance, here we undertook a structural and biochemical characterization of the CopG protein from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results from biochemical analyses of CopG purified under aerobic conditions indicate that it is a green copper-binding protein that displays absorbance maxima near 411, 581, and 721 nm and is monomeric in solution. Determination of the three-dimensional structure by X-ray crystallography revealed that CopG consists of a thioredoxin domain with a C-terminal extension that contributes to metal binding. We noted that adjacent to the CxCC motif is a cluster of four copper ions bridged by cysteine sulfur atoms. Structures of CopG in two oxidation states support the assignment of this protein as an oxidoreductase. On the basis of these structural and spectroscopic findings and also genetic evidence, we propose that CopG has a role in interconverting Cu(I) and Cu(II) to minimize toxic effects and facilitate export by the Cus RND transporter efflux system.


2016 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 387-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan A. DiSpirito ◽  
Jeremy D. Semrau ◽  
J. Colin Murrell ◽  
Warren H. Gallagher ◽  
Christopher Dennison ◽  
...  

SUMMARYMethanobactins (mbs) are low-molecular-mass (<1,200 Da) copper-binding peptides, or chalkophores, produced by many methane-oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs). These molecules exhibit similarities to certain iron-binding siderophores but are expressed and secreted in response to copper limitation. Structurally, mbs are characterized by a pair of heterocyclic rings with associated thioamide groups that form the copper coordination site. One of the rings is always an oxazolone and the second ring an oxazolone, an imidazolone, or a pyrazinedione moiety. The mb molecule originates from a peptide precursor that undergoes a series of posttranslational modifications, including (i) ring formation, (ii) cleavage of a leader peptide sequence, and (iii) in some cases, addition of a sulfate group. Functionally, mbs represent the extracellular component of a copper acquisition system. Consistent with this role in copper acquisition, mbs have a high affinity for copper ions. Following binding, mbs rapidly reduce Cu2+to Cu1+. In addition to binding copper, mbs will bind most transition metals and near-transition metals and protect the host methanotroph as well as other bacteria from toxic metals. Several other physiological functions have been assigned to mbs, based primarily on their redox and metal-binding properties. In this review, we examine the current state of knowledge of this novel type of metal-binding peptide. We also explore its potential applications, how mbs may alter the bioavailability of multiple metals, and the many roles mbs may play in the physiology of methanotrophs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seong-Jong Kim ◽  
Hye Hyeon Han ◽  
Sei Kwang Hahn

Abstract Background Wilson disease (WD) is a genetic disorder of copper storage, resulting in pathological accumulation of copper in the body. Because symptoms are generally related to the liver, chelating agents capable of capturing excess copper ions after targeted delivery to the liver are highly required for the treatment of WD. Methods We developed hyaluronate-diaminohexane/black phosphorus (HA-DAH/BP) complexes for capturing copper ions accumulated in the liver for the treatment of WD. Results HA-DAH/BP complexes showed high hepatocyte-specific targeting efficiency, selective copper capturing capacity, excellent biocompatibility, and biodegradability. HA enhanced the stability of BP nanosheets and increased copper binding capacity. In vitro cellular uptake and competitive binding tests verified targeted delivery of HA-DAH/BP complexes to liver cells via HA receptor mediated endocytosis. The cell viability test confirmed the high biocompatibility of HA-DAH/BP complexes. Conclusion HA-DAH/BP complexes would be an efficient copper chelating agent to remove accumulated copper in the liver for the WD treatment.


2013 ◽  
Vol 454 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nataliya V. Dolgova ◽  
Sergiy Nokhrin ◽  
Corey H. Yu ◽  
Graham N. George ◽  
Oleg Y. Dmitriev

Human copper transporters ATP7B (Wilson's disease protein) and ATP7A (Menkes' disease protein) have been implicated in tumour resistance to cisplatin, a widely used anticancer drug. Cisplatin binds to the copper-binding sites in the N-terminal domain of ATP7B, and this binding may be an essential step of cisplatin detoxification involving copper ATPases. In the present study, we demonstrate that cisplatin and a related platinum drug carboplatin produce the same adduct following reaction with MBD2 [metal-binding domain (repeat) 2], where platinum is bound to the side chains of the cysteine residues in the CxxC copper-binding motif. This suggests the same mechanism for detoxification of both drugs by ATP7B. Platinum can also be transferred to MBD2 from copper chaperone Atox1, which was shown previously to bind cisplatin. Binding of the free cisplatin and reaction with the cisplatin-loaded Atox1 produce the same protein-bound platinum intermediate. Transfer of platinum along the copper-transport pathways in the cell may serve as a mechanism of drug delivery to its target in the cell nucleus, and explain tumour-cell resistance to cisplatin associated with the overexpression of copper transporters ATP7B and ATP7A.


2004 ◽  
Vol 382 (1) ◽  
pp. 307-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peep PALUMAA ◽  
Liina KANGUR ◽  
Anastassia VORONOVA ◽  
Rannar SILLARD

Cox17, a copper chaperone for cytochrome c oxidase, is an essential and highly conserved protein. The structure and mechanism of functioning of Cox17 are unknown, and even its metalbinding stoichiometry is elusive. In the present study, we demonstrate, using electrospray ionization–MS, that porcine Cox17 binds co-operatively four Cu+ ions. Cu4Cox17 is stable at pH values above 3 and fluorescence spectra indicate the presence of a solvent-shielded multinuclear Cu(I) cluster. Combining our results with earlier EXAFS results on yeast CuCox17, we suggest that Cu4Cox17 contains a Cu4S6-type cluster. At supramillimolar concentrations, dithiothreitol extracts metals from Cu4Cox17, and an apparent copper dissociation constant KCu=13 fM was calculated from these results. Charge-state distributions of different Cox17 forms suggest that binding of the first Cu+ ion to Cox17 causes a conformational change from an open to a compact state, which may be the rate-limiting step in the formation of Cu4Cox17. Cox17 binds non-co-operatively two Zn2+ ions, but does not bind Ag+ ions, which highlights its extremely high metal-binding specificity. We further demonstrate that porcine Cox17 can also exist in partly oxidized (two disulphide bridges) and fully oxidized (three disulphide bridges) forms. Partly oxidized Cox17 can bind one Cu+ or Zn2+ ion, whereas fully oxidized Cox17 does not bind metals. The metal-binding properties of Cox17 imply that, in contrast with other copper chaperones, Cox17 is designed for the simultaneous transfer of up to four copper ions to partner proteins. Metals can be released from Cox17 by non-oxidative as well as oxidative mechanisms.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesica Urbina ◽  
Advait Patil ◽  
Kosuke Fujishima ◽  
Ivan G. Paulino-Lima ◽  
Chad Saltikov ◽  
...  

Abstract Electronics waste production has been fueled by economic growth and the demand for faster, more efficient consumer electronics. The glass and metals in end-of-life electronics components can be reused or recycled; however, conventional extraction methods rely on energy-intensive processes that are inefficient when applied to recycling e-waste that contains mixed materials and small amounts of metals. To make e-waste recycling economically viable and competitive with obtaining raw materials, recovery methods that lower the cost of metal reclamation and minimize environmental impact need to be developed. Microbial surface adsorption can aid in metal recovery with lower costs and energy requirements than traditional metal-extraction approaches. We introduce a novel method for metal recovery by utilizing metal-binding peptides to functionalize fungal mycelia and enhance metal recovery from aqueous solutions such as those found in bioremediation or biomining processes. Using copper-binding as a proof-of-concept, we compared binding parameters between natural motifs and those derived in silico, and found comparable binding affinity and specificity for Cu. We then combined metal-binding peptides with chitin-binding domains to functionalize a mycelium-based filter to enhance metal recovery from a Cu-rich solution. This finding suggests that engineered peptides could be used to functionalize biological surfaces to recover metals of economic interest and allow for metal recovery from metal-rich effluent with a low environmental footprint, at ambient temperatures, and under circumneutral pH.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Sheng ◽  
Nick K. Olrichs ◽  
Willie J. Geerts ◽  
Dora V. Kaloyanova ◽  
J. Bernd Helms

Abstract Members of the CAP superfamily (Cysteine-rich secretory proteins, Antigen 5, and Pathogenesis-Related 1 proteins) are characterized by the presence of a structurally conserved CAP domain. The common structure-function relationship of this domain is still poorly understood. In this study, we unravel specific molecular mechanisms modulating the quaternary structure of the mammalian CAP protein GAPR-1 (Golgi-Associated plant Pathogenesis-Related protein 1). Copper ions are shown to induce a distinct amyloid-like aggregation pathway of GAPR-1 in the presence of heparin. This involves an immediate shift from native multimers to monomers which are prone to form amyloid-like fibrils. The Cu2+-induced aggregation pathway is independent of a conserved metal-binding site and involves the formation of disulfide bonds during the nucleation process. The elongation process occurs independently of the presence of Cu2+ ions, and amyloid-like aggregation can proceed under oxidative conditions. In contrast, the Zn2+-dependent aggregation pathway was found to be independent of cysteines and was reversible upon removal of Zn2+ ions. Together, our results provide insight into the regulation of the quaternary structure of GAPR-1 by metal ions and redox homeostasis with potential implications for regulatory mechanisms of other CAP proteins.


2006 ◽  
Vol 7 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 97-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott P. Leach ◽  
M. D. Salman ◽  
Dwayne Hamar

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a family of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by their long incubation periods, progressive neurological changes, and spongiform appearance in the brain. There is much evidence to show that TSEs are caused by an isoform of the normal cellular surface prion protein PrPC. The normal function of PrPC is still unknown, but it exhibits properties of a cupro-protein, capable of binding up to six copper ions. There are two differing views on copper's role in prion diseases. While one view looks at the PrPC copper-binding as the trigger for conversion to PrPSc, the opposing viewpoint sees a lack of PrPC copper-binding resulting in the conformational change into the disease causing isoform. Manganese and zinc have been shown to interact with PrPC as well and have been found in abnormal levels in prion diseases. This review addresses the interaction between select trace elements and the PrPC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1798-1798
Author(s):  
Kyle Edwards ◽  
John Vincent

Abstract Objectives Transferrin, Tf, the protein that transports iron from the blood to the tissues via endocytosis, is believed to also transport chromium(III), Cr(III). Recently, the presence of multiple conformations was suggested by spectroscopic studies. The objective of this work is confirm whether various conformers of Cr(III)2-Tf exist and their potential significance for Cr(III) transport. Methods Cr(III) was added to apoTf in a buffered solution at pH 7.4 containing 25 mM bicarbonate at 37 °C. After time intervals, ultraviolet spectra were collected, or aliquots were removed and frozen for analysis by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, which can distinguish free Cr(III) and Cr(III) bound to the two metal binding sites of Tf. To model the acidification of the endosome that triggers release of metal ions from Tf, the Cr(III)2-Tf conformer solutions were acidified by the addition of hydrochloric acid to pH 4.5 or 5.5. At time intervals after acidification, samples were again analyzed by ultraviolet and EPR spectroscopies. Results A combination of electronic and EPR studies reveal that the addition of Cr(III) to apoTf at near neutral pH in the presence of 25 mM bicarbonate results in the rapid binding of two Cr(III) accompanied and then followed by a series of conformation changes in Cr(III)2-Tf. These multiple conformations give rise to different spectroscopic properties and upon acidification different rates of Cr(III) release. Conclusions The conformer of Cr(III)2-Tf used in most previous studies and giving rise to EPR features at g ∼ 5.1, 5.4, and 5.6 forms too slowly to be physiologically relevant; however, two previously unknown conformers of Cr(III)2-Tf, giving rise to an EPR feature at g ∼2 and at g ∼ 5.4, respectively, were identified. The latter of these conformers has a lifespan similar to the turnover time of transferrin and releases Cr(III) rapidly, suggesting it is probably the most physiologically significant conformer of Cr(III)2-Tf. Funding Sources The University of Alabama College of Arts and Sciences Research Award.


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