title: Homology modeling and site-directed mutagenesis of pyroglutamyl peptidase II. Insights into omega-versus aminopeptidase specificity in the M1 family.
abstract: Pyroglutamyl peptidase II (PPII), a highly specific membrane-bound omegapeptidase, removes N-terminal pyroglutamyl from thyrotropin-releasing hormone (<Glu-His-Pro-NH(2)), inactivating the peptide in the extracellular space. PPII and enzymes with distinct specificities such as neutral aminopeptidase (APN), belong to the M1 metallopeptidase family. M1 aminopeptidases recognize the N-terminal amino group of substrates or inhibitors through hydrogen-bonding to two conserved residues (Gln-213 and exopeptidase motif Glu-355 in human APN), whereas interactions involved in recognition of pyroglutamyl residue by PPII are unknown. In rat PPII, the conserved exopeptidase residue is Glu-408, whereas the other one is Ser-269. Given that variations in M1 peptidase specificity are likely due to changes in the catalytic region, we constructed three-dimensional models for the catalytic domains of PPII and APN. The models showed a salt bridge interaction between PPII-Glu-408 and PPII-Lys-463, whereas the equivalent APN-Glu-355 did not participate in a salt bridge. Docking of thyrotropin-releasing hormone in PPII model suggested that the pyroglutamyl residue interacted with PPII-Ser-269. According to our models, PPII-S269Q and -K463N mutations should leave Glu-408 in a physicochemical context similar to that found in M1 aminopeptidases; alternatively, PPII-S269E replacement might be sufficient to transform PPII into an aminopeptidase. These hypotheses were supported by site-directed mutagenesis; the mutants lost omegapeptidase but displayed alanyl-aminopeptidase activity. In conclusion, recognition of a substrate without an N-terminal charge requires neutralization of the aminopeptidase anionic binding site; furthermore, shortening of side chain at PPII-269 position is required for adjustment to the pyroglutamyl residue.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 62271 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
authors.forename: Lucía
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chávez-Gutiérrez
authors.forename: Edna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Matta-Camacho
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Osuna
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Horjales
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Joseph-Bravo
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Maigret
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Charli
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000626:Aminopeptidases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D019556:COS Cells; D020134:Catalytic Domain / Q000235:genetics; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D009154:Mutation; D011761:Pyrrolidonecarboxylic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D000626:Aminopeptidases; C023166:pyroglutamyl-peptidase II; D011761:Pyrrolidonecarboxylic Acid