Aims: Nitrobindins (Nbs) are evolutionary conserved all-β-barrel heme-proteins displaying a highly solvent-exposed heme-Fe(III) atom. The physiological role(s) of Nbs is almost unknown. Here, the structural and functional properties of ferric Mycobacterium tuberculosis Nb (Mt-Nb(III)) and ferric Homo sapiens Nb (Hs-Nb(III)) have been investigated and compared with those of ferric Arabidopsis thaliana Nb (At-Nb(III), Rhodnius prolixus nitrophorins (Rp-NP(III)s), and mammalian myoglobins. Results: Data here reported demonstrate that Mt-Nb(III), At-Nb(III), and Hs-Nb(III) share with Rp-NP(III)s the capability to bind selectively nitric oxide, but display a very low reactivity, if any, toward histamine. Data obtained overexpressing Hs-Nb in human embryonic kidney 293 cells indicate that Hs-Nb localizes mainly in the cytoplasm and partially in the nucleus, thanks to a nuclear localization sequence encompassing residues Glu124-Leu154. Human Hs-Nb corresponds to the C-terminal domain of the human nuclear protein THAP4 suggesting that Nb may act as a sensor possibly modulating the THAP4 transcriptional activity residing in the N-terminal region. Finally, we provide strong evidence that both Mt-Nb(III) and Hs-Nb(III) are able to scavenge peroxynitrite and to protect free l-tyrosine against peroxynitrite-mediated nitration. Innovation: Data here reported suggest an evolutionarily conserved function of Nbs related to their role as nitric oxide sensors and components of antioxidant systems. Conclusion: Human THAP4 may act as a sensing protein that couples the heme-based Nb(III) reactivity with gene transcription. Mt-Nb(III) seems to be part of the pool of proteins required to scavenge reactive nitrogen and oxygen species produced by the host during the immunity response.

Mycobacterial and Human Nitrobindins: Structure and Function / De Simone, Giovanna; di Masi, Alessandra; Vita, Gian Marco; Polticelli, Fabio; Pesce, Alessandra; Nardini, Marco; Bolognesi, Martino; Ciaccio, Chiara; Coletta, Massimo; Turilli, Emily Samuela; Fasano, Mauro; Tognaccini, Lorenzo; Smulevich, Giulietta; Abbruzzetti, Stefania; Viappiani, Cristiano; Bruno, Stefano; Ascenzi, Paolo. - In: ANTIOXIDANTS & REDOX SIGNALING. - ISSN 1523-0864. - 33:4(2020), pp. 229-246. [10.1089/ars.2019.7874]

Mycobacterial and Human Nitrobindins: Structure and Function

Bolognesi, Martino;Abbruzzetti, Stefania;Viappiani, Cristiano;Bruno, Stefano;
2020-01-01

Abstract

Aims: Nitrobindins (Nbs) are evolutionary conserved all-β-barrel heme-proteins displaying a highly solvent-exposed heme-Fe(III) atom. The physiological role(s) of Nbs is almost unknown. Here, the structural and functional properties of ferric Mycobacterium tuberculosis Nb (Mt-Nb(III)) and ferric Homo sapiens Nb (Hs-Nb(III)) have been investigated and compared with those of ferric Arabidopsis thaliana Nb (At-Nb(III), Rhodnius prolixus nitrophorins (Rp-NP(III)s), and mammalian myoglobins. Results: Data here reported demonstrate that Mt-Nb(III), At-Nb(III), and Hs-Nb(III) share with Rp-NP(III)s the capability to bind selectively nitric oxide, but display a very low reactivity, if any, toward histamine. Data obtained overexpressing Hs-Nb in human embryonic kidney 293 cells indicate that Hs-Nb localizes mainly in the cytoplasm and partially in the nucleus, thanks to a nuclear localization sequence encompassing residues Glu124-Leu154. Human Hs-Nb corresponds to the C-terminal domain of the human nuclear protein THAP4 suggesting that Nb may act as a sensor possibly modulating the THAP4 transcriptional activity residing in the N-terminal region. Finally, we provide strong evidence that both Mt-Nb(III) and Hs-Nb(III) are able to scavenge peroxynitrite and to protect free l-tyrosine against peroxynitrite-mediated nitration. Innovation: Data here reported suggest an evolutionarily conserved function of Nbs related to their role as nitric oxide sensors and components of antioxidant systems. Conclusion: Human THAP4 may act as a sensing protein that couples the heme-based Nb(III) reactivity with gene transcription. Mt-Nb(III) seems to be part of the pool of proteins required to scavenge reactive nitrogen and oxygen species produced by the host during the immunity response.
2020
Mycobacterial and Human Nitrobindins: Structure and Function / De Simone, Giovanna; di Masi, Alessandra; Vita, Gian Marco; Polticelli, Fabio; Pesce, Alessandra; Nardini, Marco; Bolognesi, Martino; Ciaccio, Chiara; Coletta, Massimo; Turilli, Emily Samuela; Fasano, Mauro; Tognaccini, Lorenzo; Smulevich, Giulietta; Abbruzzetti, Stefania; Viappiani, Cristiano; Bruno, Stefano; Ascenzi, Paolo. - In: ANTIOXIDANTS & REDOX SIGNALING. - ISSN 1523-0864. - 33:4(2020), pp. 229-246. [10.1089/ars.2019.7874]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11381/2878920
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