Direct NMR detection of bifurcated hydrogen bonding in the α-helix N-caps of ankyrin repeat proteins

J Am Chem Soc. 2015 Jan 28;137(3):1008-11. doi: 10.1021/ja510784g. Epub 2015 Jan 17.

Abstract

In biomolecules, bifurcated H-bonds typically involve the interaction of two donor protons with the two lone pairs of oxygen. Here, we present direct NMR evidence for a bifurcated H-bonding arrangement involving nitrogen as the acceptor atom. Specifically, the H-bond network comprises the Nδ1 atom of histidine and both the backbone N-H and side-chain Oγ-H of threonine within the conserved TXXH motif of ankyrin repeat (AR) proteins. Identification of the H-bonding partners is achieved via solution NMR H-bond scalar coupling (HBC) and H/D isotope shift experiments. Quantitative determination of (2h)J(NN) HBCs supports that Thr N-H···Nδ1 His H-bonds within internal repeats are stronger (∼4 Hz) than in the solvent exposed C-terminal AR (∼2 Hz). In agreement, pKa values for the buried histidines bridging internal ARs are several units lower than those of the C-terminus. Quantum chemical calculations show that the relevant (2h)J and (1h)J couplings are dominated by the Fermi contact interaction. Finally, a Thr-to-Val replacement, which eliminates the Thr Oγ-H···Nδ1 His H-bond and decreases protein stability, results in a 25% increase in (2h)J(NN), attributed to optimization of the Val N-H···Nδ1 His H-bond. Overall, the results provide new insights into the H-bonding properties of histidine, a refined structural rationalization for the folding cooperativity of AR proteins, and a challenging benchmark for the calculation of HBCs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Ankyrin Repeat*
  • Ankyrins / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular*
  • Quantum Theory

Substances

  • Ankyrins