Does azurin bind to the transactivation domain of p53? A Trp phosphorescence study.

Authors: E. Gabellieri, M. Bucciantini, M. Stefani, P. Cioni
Journal: Biophys. Chemistry
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2011.07.008
Abstract:
The bacterial redox protein azurin has been shown to be able to enter into cancer cells and induce apoptosis by stabilizing p53. Although the formation of a complex between the two proteins has been demonstrated, little is known about their binding features. We investigated the interaction between the transcription activation domain of p53 (p53(1-63)) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin using fluorescence and phosphorescence spectroscopic techniques. Trp phosphorescence lifetime measurements revealed conformational changes in azurin induced by the interaction with p53(1-63). Acrylamide quenching of Trp phosphorescence also indicated a significant increase in the overall flexibility of azurin upon binding to p53 (1-63). We show that azurin binds to the N-terminal region of p53 with a dissociation constant in the 5-10 μM range. No change in the fluorescence and phosphorescence emission of p53(1-63) was detected in the presence of azurin. This result indicated that no Trp residue of p53(1-63) is located in the interaction site with azurin and therefore suggested that the azurin binding site does not overlap that of MDM2, the protein that plays a crucial role in the p53 regulation. The present results may assist in the design of novel cancer treatments based on p53 stabilization by azurin.

Keywords: p53-tumor suppressor protein, Protein flexibility, Tryptophan phosphorescence, Acrylamide quenching, MDM2

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Passa in visualizzazione mobile
Torna Indietro