Redox-dependent dynamics of a dual thioredoxin fold protein: evolution of specialized folds.
An enzyme system protecting bacteria from oxidative stress includes the flavoprotein AhpF and the peroxiredoxin AhpC. The N-terminal domain of AhpF (NTD), with two fused thioredoxin (Trx) folds, belongs to the hyperthermophilic protein disulfide oxidoreductase family. The NTD is distinct in that it contains a redox active a fold with a CxxC sequence and a redox inactive b fold that has lost the CxxC motif. Here we characterize the stability, the (15)N backbone relaxation, and the hydrogen-deuterium exchange properties of reduced [NTD-(SH)(2)] and oxidized (NTD-S(2)) NTD from Salmonella typhimurium. While both NTD-(SH)(2) and NTD-S(2) exhibit similar equilibrium unfolding transitions and order parameters, R(ex) relaxation terms are quite distinct with considerably more intermediate time scale motions in NTD-S(2). Hydrogen exchange protection factors show that the slowly exchanging core corresponds to residues in the b fold in both NTD-(SH)(2) and NTD-S(2). Interestingly, folded-state dynamic fluctuations in the catalytic a fold are significantly increased for residues in NTD-S(2) compared to NTD-(SH)(2). Taken together, these data demonstrate that oxidation of the active site disulfide does not significantly increase stability but results in a dramatic increase in conformational heterogeneity in residues primarily in the redox active a fold. Differences in dynamics between the two folds of the NTD suggest that each evolved a specialized function which, in the a fold, couples redox state to internal motions which may enhance catalysis and specificity and, in the b fold, provides a redox insensitive stable core.
Hall
Andrea
A
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA.
Parsonage
Derek
D
Horita
David
D
Karplus
P Andrew
PA
Poole
Leslie B
LB
Barbar
Elisar
E
D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D054464:Peroxiredoxins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011489:Protein Denaturation; D017510:Protein Folding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D013879:Thioredoxins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D013879:Thioredoxins; D054464:Peroxiredoxins; C515937:ahpC protein, E coli; C515938:ahpF protein, E coli