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Amino acid substitutions in the N-terminal segment of cystatin C create selective protein inhibitors of lysosomal cysteine proteinases.

ABSTRACT: We used site-directed mutagenesis to alter the specificity of human cystatin C, an inhibitor with a broad reactivity against cysteine proteinases. Nine cystatin C variants containing amino acid substitutions in the N-terminal (L9W, V10W, V10F and V10R) and/or the C-terminal (W106G) enzyme-binding regions were designed and produced in Escherichia coli. It was discovered that the inhibition profile of the cystatin could be altered by changing residues 9 and 10, which are proposed to bind in the S3 and S2 substrate-binding pockets respectively of the enzymes. All of the variants with substitutions in the N-terminal segment displayed decreased binding to cathepsins B and H, indicating that the S3 and S2 pockets of these enzymes cannot easily accommodate large aromatic residues. The introduction of a charged residue into S2 (variant V10R) created a more specific inhibitor to distinguish cathepsin B from cathepsin H. Cathepsin L showed a preference for larger aromatic residues in S2. In contrast, cathepsin S preferred phenylalanine to valine in S2, but bound less tightly to the V10W cystatin variant. The latter variant proved to be valuable for discriminating between cathepsin L and cathepsin S (Ki 2.4 and 190 pM respectively). The equilibrium dissociation constant of the complex between cathepsin L and variant L9W/W106G showed little difference in affinity from that of the cathepsin L complex with the singly substituted W106G variant. In contrast, the L9W/W106G variant displayed increased specificity for cathepsin S with a Ki of 10 pM. Our results clearly indicate differences in the specificity of interaction between the N-terminal region of cystatin C and cathepsins B, H, L and S, and that, although cystatin C has evolved to be a good inhibitor of all of the mammalian cysteine proteinases, more specific inhibitors of the individual enzymes can be engineered.

SUBMITTER: Mason RW

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1219213 | biostudies-other | 1998 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:BACKGROUND: Cysteine proteinases perform multiple functions in seeds, including participation in remodelling polypeptides and recycling amino acids during maturation and germination. Currently, few details exist concerning these genes and proteins in coffee. Furthermore, there is limited information on the cysteine proteinase inhibitors which influence the activities of these proteinases. RESULTS: Two cysteine proteinase (CP) and four cysteine proteinase inhibitor (CPI) gene sequences have been identified in coffee with significant expression during the maturation and germination of coffee grain. Detailed expression analysis of the cysteine proteinase genes CcCP1 and CcCP4 in Robusta using quantitative RT-PCR showed that these transcripts accumulate primarily during grain maturation and germination/post germination. The corresponding proteins were expressed in E. coli and purified, but only one, CcCP4, which has a KDDL/KDEL C-terminal sequence, was found to be active after a short acid treatment. QRT-PCR expression analysis of the four cysteine proteinase inhibitor genes in Robusta showed that CcCPI-1 is primarily expressed in developing and germinating grain and CcCPI-4 is very highly expressed during the late post germination period, as well as in mature, but not immature leaves. Transcripts corresponding to CcCPI-2 and CcCPI-3 were detected in most tissues examined at relatively similar, but generally low levels. CONCLUSIONS: Several cysteine proteinase and cysteine proteinase inhibitor genes with strong, relatively specific expression during coffee grain maturation and germination are presented. The temporal expression of the CcCP1 gene suggests it is involved in modifying proteins during late grain maturation and germination. The expression pattern of CcCP4, and its close identity with KDEL containing CP proteins, implies this proteinase may play a role in protein and/or cell remodelling during late grain germination, and that it is likely to play a strong role in the programmed cell death associated with post-germination of the coffee grain. Expression analysis of the cysteine proteinase inhibitor genes suggests that CcCPI-1 could primarily be involved in modulating the activity of grain CP activity; while CcCPI-4 may play roles modulating grain CP activity and in the protection of the young coffee seedlings from insects and pathogens. CcCPI-2 and CcCPI-3, having lower and more widespread expression, could be more general "house-keeping" CPI genes.

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Amino acid substitutions in the N-terminal segment of cystatin C create selective protein inhibitors of lysosomal cysteine proteinases.

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