Structural characterization of the intra- and inter-repeat copper binding modes within the N-terminal region of "prion related protein" (PrP-rel-2) of zebrafish

J Phys Chem B. 2008 Nov 27;112(47):15140-50. doi: 10.1021/jp804759q.

Abstract

The unique biology of prion proteins (PrPs) allied with the public-health risks posed by prion zoonoses, such as various animal neurodegenerations, has focused much attention on the molecular basis of the controls cross-species and on the similarities between PrPs from different species. Given the common feature of PrPs as Cu(2+) binding proteins, it appears relevant to compare the impact of Cu(2+) on the stability constants and structures of "physiological" complexes. After having comprehensively delineated the interaction of Cu(2+) with mammalian and avian PrPs, the stabilities and molecular structures of species generated by Cu(2+) interacting with the irregular repeated domain derived from Danio rerio zebrafish PrP-rel-2 were investigated. Copper complexes with different zebrafish PrP-rel-2 fragments were analyzed by potentiometric and spectroscopic techniques. The data were interpreted as to provide evidence of all investigated repeat units selectively binding Cu(2+) via the His imidazole(s). The structural models obtained from paramagnetic NMR showed an intra- or inter-copper binding according to the number of the His in the sequence. In comparison to the mammalian and avian cases, the enzymatic function referred to SOD-like activity was shown to be rather faint in the fish PrPs cases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Copper / metabolism*
  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Prions / chemistry*
  • Prions / metabolism
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Zebrafish

Substances

  • Prions
  • Copper