NMR Solution Structure and Condition-Dependent Oligomerization of the Antimicrobial Peptide Human Defensin 5

摘要

Human defensin 5 (HD5) is a 32-residue host-defense peptide expressed in the gastrointestinal, reproductive, and urinary tracts that has antimicrobial activity. It exhibits six cysteine residues that are regiospecifically oxidized to form three disulfide bonds (Cys³—Cys³¹, Cys⁵—Cys²⁰, and Cys¹⁰—Cys³⁰) in the oxidized form (HD5ox). To probe the solution structure and oligomerization properties of HD5ox, and select mutant peptides lacking one or more disulfide bonds, NMR solution studies and analytical ultracentrifugation experiments are reported in addition to in vitro peptide stability assays. The NMR solution structure of HD5ox, solved at pH 4 in 90:10 H2O/D2O, is presented (PDB: 2LXZ). Relaxation T1/T2 measurements and the rotational correlation time (Tc) estimated from a [¹⁵N,¹H]-TRACT experiment demonstrate that HD5ox is dimeric under these experimental conditions. Exchange broadening of the Hα signals in the NMR spectra suggests that residues 19-21 (Val¹⁹-Cys²⁰-Glu²¹) contribute to the dimer interface in solution. Exchange broadening is also observed for residues 7-14 comprising the loop. Sedimentation velocity and equilibrium studies conducted in buffered aqueous solution reveal that the oligomerization state of HD5ox is pH-dependent. Sedimentation coefficients of ca. 1.8 S and a molecular weight of 14,363 Da were determined for HD5ox at pH 7, supporting a tetrameric form ([HD5ox] ≥ 30 μM). At pH 2, a sedimentation coefficient of ca. 1.0 S and a molecular weight of 7,079 Da, corresponding to a HD5ox dimer, were obtained. Millimolar concentrations of NaCl, CaCl2, and MgCl2 have negligible effect on the HD5ox sedimentation coefficients in buffered aqueous solution at neutral pH. Removal of a single disulfide bond results in a loss of peptide fold and quaternary structure. These biophysical investigations highlight the dynamic and environment-sensitive behavior of HD5_ox in solution, and provide important insights into HD5_ox structure/activity relationships and the requirements for antimicrobial action.