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Article
Nitric oxide synthase domain interfaces regulate electron transfer and calmodulin activation
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2013)
  • Brian C. Smith, The Scripps Research Institute
  • Eric S. Underbakke, The Scripps Research Institute
  • Daniel W. Kulp, The Scripps Research Institute
  • William R. Schief, The Scripps Research Institute
  • Michael A. Marletta, The Scripps Research Institute
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) produced by NO synthase (NOS) participates in diverse physiological processes such as vasodilation, neurotransmission, and the innate immune response. Mammalian NOS isoforms are homodimers composed of two domains connected by an intervening calmodulin-binding region. The N-terminal oxidase domain binds heme and tetrahydrobiopterin and the arginine substrate. The C-terminal reductase domain binds FAD and FMN and the cosubstrate NADPH. Although several high-resolution structures of individual NOS domains have been reported, a structure of a NOS holoenzyme has remained elusive. Determination of the higher-order domain architecture of NOS is essential to elucidate the molecular underpinnings of NO formation. In particular, the pathway of electron transfer from FMN to heme, and the mechanism through which calmodulin activates this electron transfer, are largely unknown. In this report, hydrogen–deuterium exchange mass spectrometry was used to map critical NOS interaction surfaces. Direct interactions between the heme domain, the FMN subdomain, and calmodulin were observed. These interaction surfaces were confirmed by kinetic studies of site-specific interface mutants. Integration of the hydrogen–deuterium exchange mass spectrometry results with computational docking resulted in models of the NOS heme and FMN subdomain bound to calmodulin. These models suggest a pathway for electron transfer from FMN to heme and a mechanism for calmodulin activation of this critical step.
Keywords
  • iNOS,
  • NO signaling,
  • flavin,
  • hemoprotein
Publication Date
2013
DOI
10.1073/pnas.1313331110
Publisher Statement
Copyright 2013 National Academy of Sciences
Citation Information
Brian C. Smith, Eric S. Underbakke, Daniel W. Kulp, William R. Schief, et al.. "Nitric oxide synthase domain interfaces regulate electron transfer and calmodulin activation" Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Vol. 110 Iss. 38 (2013) p. E3577 - E3586
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/eric-underbakke/2/