Nucleotide Exchange Factors Kinetic Analyses and the Rationale for Studying Kinetics of Gefs
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Cellular Logistics 2:3, 140–146; July/August/September 2012; G 2012 Landes Bioscience Nucleotide exchange factors Kinetic analyses and the rationale for studying kinetics of GEFs John K. Northup,1,† Xiaoying Jian2 and Paul A. Randazzo2,* 1Laboratory of Cellular Biology; National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; Rockville, MD USA; 2Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology; National Cancer Institute; Bethesda, MD USA †Current affiliation: Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism; Rockville, MD USA Keywords: G-protein couple receptor, guanine nucleotide binding protein, ADP-ribosylation factor, exchange factor, kinetics Exchange factors are enzymes that catalyze the exchange of GTP for GDP on guanine nucleotide binding proteins. Progress in understanding the molecular basis of action and the cellular functions of these enzymes has largely come from structural determinations (e.g., crystal structures) and studying effects on cells when expression levels of the exchange factors are perturbed or mutated exchange factors are expressed. Proportionally little effort has been expended on studying the kinetics of exchange; however, reaction rates are central to understanding enzymes. Here, we discuss the importance of kinetic analysis of exchange factors for guanine nucleotide binding proteins, with a focus on ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf) and heterotrimeric G proteins, for providing unique insights into molecular mechanisms and regulation as well as how kinetic analyses are used to complement other approaches. Introduction how many combinations of aβc form rates and, consequently, spontaneous in differentiated cells. These complexes nucleotide exchange, are slow compared Guanine nucleotide binding proteins, such mediate signaling necessary for diverse with the biological processes being as heterotrimeric G and Ras superfamily processes ranging from cognition to che- controlled. Therefore, the functions of proteins control cellular responses and motaxis. Aberrant G-protein signaling has guanine nucleotide binding proteins crit- behaviors. In this reasoned debate, we been implicated in diseases ranging from ically depend on additional proteins called focus of ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf) psychiatric disorders to cancer, with spe- guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) family guanine nucleotide proteins1-4 and cific mutations associated with malignan- for Ras superfamily proteins and G-protein- the heterotrimeric G proteins.5,6 Six mam- cies such as thyroid cancer and melanoma. coupled receptors (GPCRs) for heterotri- malian genes encode Arfs. They are Common to guanine nucleotide bind- meric G proteins, which catalyze the divided into three classes based on primary ing proteins is that their function depends exchange of GTP for GDP to generate structure. They regulate membrane traffic on controlled binding and hydrolysis of GNGTP. We will focus our discussion on and actin cytoskeleton remodeling and GTP, which converts the proteins between GEFs that function with Arf guanine work in two capacities. One function is to two states: protein bound to GTP (abbre- nucleotide binding proteins (Arf GEFs) restrict the localization of vesicle coat viated here as GNGTP) and protein bound and GPCRs. proteins that are considered the machinery to GDP (GNGDP). GNGTP is often Exchange factors are important to of membrane traffic. The second is to referred to as the active form. It binds to human health and for understanding activate enzymes in signaling pathways, other proteins to affect their function or human disease. The 15 human Arf GEFs such as PIP kinase and phospholipase D. cellular distribution, e.g., adenylate cyclase outnumber the Arfs that they regulate.11,12 Arf6 has been reported to be necessary for is activated when GTP is bound to the The encoded proteins all contain a sec7 the invasion of mammary carcinomas.7-9 a subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein domain comprised of 10 a helices with a The heterotrimeric G proteins are com- Gs,5 and proteins necessary for membrane prominent hydrophobic groove, but are prised of a, β and c subunits, each arising traffic are recruited to membranes by the otherwise structurally diverse.12-18 Brag2 is from one of a multigene family. Humans GTP-bound Arfs.10 For the typical guanine an Arf GEF that has been reported to drive express 20 a subunits, 5 β subunits and nucleotide binding protein, nucleotide affin- invasion of some human cancers.7 12 c subunits. It is currently not known ities are high and nucleotide dissociation Mutations in the Arf GEF Big2 have been *Correspondence to: Paul A. Randazzo; Email: [email protected] Submitted: 07/02/12; Revised: 07/21/12; 07/24/12; Accepted: 07/25/12 http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/cl.21627 140 Cellular Logistics Volume 2 Issue 3 REASONED DEBATE found to underlie an autosomal micro- a means of confirming conclusions from the sec7 domain was predicted to interact cephaly and periventricular heterotopia other approaches, examination of kinetics with Arf and consequently to facilitate found in two families.19 The GPCRs far provides insights that are not accessible activity. The prediction was tested and outnumber the G proteins that they by other approaches. confirmed by determining the effect of control. Humans have over 800 genes for mutations in the loop using an in vitro GPCRs. All GPCRs contain a canonical Structure/Function Analysis assay to determine reaction rates.27 transmembrane helix bundle formed by 7 The importance of kinetic analysis is a-helical segments that is necessary for G- Determination of crystal structures is a emphasized by those instances in which protein activation. The diverse GPCR powerful approach to learn about molecu- predictions based on a crystal structure structures are variously classified into six lar mechanisms of catalysis and has were not substantiated. The requirements groups based upon the extracellular N- provided researchers with considerable of crystallization often necessitate mutant terminal domains, sequence diversity in details of the chemistry involved. Based and/or truncated protein constructs which the transmembrane helices and the intra- upon contacts between the enzyme and may not reflect the regulated properties of cellular C-terminal domains. About 90% the substrate, predictions can be made the wild-type gene product. As an of GPCR genes fall into a family that bears about binding, catalytic and regulatory example, the mechanism for Gq activation the name of its prototypical GPCR interactions. However, crystal structures of phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ) was proposed rhodopsin, and this thoroughly investi- are frozen. Even if a series of crystal to be the recruitment of the enzyme to the gated GPCR has provided much of the structures can be identified, these repres- inner leaflet of the plasma membrane structural and molecular insight into the ent single states among a continuum of based upon the structure determined for mechanism of G-protein signaling. structures from which mechanisms are not a truncated PLCβ.37,38 However, the Underscoring the importance of these determined, only inferred. In addition, kinetic analysis of Gq activation and the proteins, they are the targets for some although estimates of the energetics of the intrinsic kinetic properties of the full- 50% of the currently used therapeutics different states can be made, the prediction length PLCβ compared with a truncated and are a major focus in the pharmaceut- of energetic barriers and, therefore, reac- construct used for crystallization revealed ical industry’s efforts to develop future tion rates, is not reliable at this time. that that an additional sequence element therapeutic agents. Mutations in GPCRs Finally, the structures are determined from not in the crystallized PLCβ acts as an are responsible for inherited diseases proteins under extreme conditions and auto-inhibitory constraint and that Gq including disorders of calcium homeostasis usually with modified proteins that favor binding of that sequence released PLCβ associated with mutations of the calcium- crystallization. Consequently, the binding from inhibition as the mechanism of sensing receptor20 and diabetes insipidus interfaces observed may not represent the activation.39 arising from mutation of the V1 vasopres- physiologically relevant structures. For In many cases kinetic analysis can pro- sin receptor.21 Mutant GPCRs are also these reasons, kinetics analyses are neces- vide more structure/function information identified as oncogenes and are also found sary to test conclusions based on crystal- than available by structural approaches in transforming retroviruses.22,23 lographic structures. alone. As described above, one shortcom- Our understanding of the exchange The literature contains numerous exam- ing of crystallography is the proteins are factors has mostly derived from two ples of testing inferences based on struc- often truncated and modified to enable approaches. First, crystal structures have tural studies. Typically, recombinant crystallization. NMR determination of been used to define the molecular basis of proteins in which residues involved in structure is currently limited to proteins catalysis and have also provided informa- protein-protein binding or catalysis are under 50 kDa. Kinetic analysis requires tion about regulation for GEFs.14,16 either mutated or deleted. The effect of only that proteins be soluble and stable, Second, the effects of perturbing expres- these