title: A potential mechanism for Cu2+ reduction, beta-cleavage, and beta-sheet initiation within the N-terminal domain of the prion protein: insights from density functional theory and molecular dynamics calculations.
abstract: The N-terminal region of the native human prion protein encompasses four highly conserved octarepeats that each contain a single His, Pro, Gln, and Trp residue as well as several Gly residues. At neutral pH these repeats are capable of individually binding copper (Cu(2+)) ions, involving the His side chain and the backbone amide of the Gly residues. In addition, the two His residues at positions 96 and 111 are also capable of binding Cu(2+). At low concentrations of the metal ion or at low pH, one Cu(2+) may be bound by multiple His residues of the four octarepeats. This complex is known to be redox active, while none of the other Cu(2+)-bound complexes are. Using density functional theory and molecular dynamics calculations data demonstrated how this form of the protein could reduce Cu(2+), through a process involving electron transfer from the Trp side chain. The reduced Cu gives rise to reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can lead to beta-cleavage of the prion protein chain at any of the Gly residues around position 90. Protein fragments of lengths similar to those arising from beta-cleavage are predominantly found in both healthy and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)-affected brains. Models of Cu binding to the His96 and His111 residues also indicate that different modes of Cu(2+) binding result in formation of stable beta-hairpin structures in this region of the protein. It is postulated that through interactions with the C-terminal part of the protein these hairpins may initiate misfolding and yield more stable beta-sheet structures that might associate in the same fashion with additional prion proteins.
authors.affiliation: Structural Biology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: M Jake
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Pushie
authors.forename: Hans J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Vogel
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011328:Prions / Q000737:chemistry*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational
chemical_list: D011328:Prions; D003300:Copper