Copine A is required for cytokinesis, contractile vacuole function, and development in Dictyostelium.

Copines make up a family of soluble, calcium-dependent, membrane binding proteins found in a variety of eukaryotic organisms. In an earlier study, we identified six copine genes in the Dictyostelium discoideum genome and focused our studies on cpnA. Our previous localization studies of green fluorescent protein-tagged CpnA in Dictyostelium suggested that CpnA may have roles in contractile vacuole function, endolysosomal trafficking, and development.

O-acylation of hydroxyproline residues: effect on peptide-bond isomerization and collagen stability.

In collagen, strands of the sequence XaaYaaGly form a triple-helical structure. The Yaa residue is often (2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline (Hyp). The inductive effect of the hydroxyl group of Hyp residues greatly increases collagen stability.

Solvent effects on barrier to rotation of enaminonitriles using inversion transfer (1)H NMR spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy.

The barrier to rotation and hydrogen bonding interactions of 2,2-dicyano-1-(N,N'-dimethylamino)vinylbenzene (1) were studied in a range of solvents. The barrier to rotation of 1 in chloroform was 14.8 kcal/mol and increased by 1.

Inductive Effects on the Energetics of Prolyl Peptide Bond Isomerization: Implications for Collagen Folding and Stability.

The hydroxylation of proline residues in collagen enhances the stability of the collagen triple helix. Previous X-ray diffraction analyses had demonstrated that the presence of an electron-withdrawing substituent on the pyrrolidine ring of proline residues has significant structural consequences [Panasik, N., Jr.

Amide-Amide and Amide-Water Hydrogen Bonds: Implications for Protein Folding and Stability.

Amide-amide hydrogen bonds have been implicated in directing protein folding and enhancing protein stability. Inversion transfer (13)C NMR spectroscopy and IR spectroscopy were used to compare the ability of various amide solvents and of water to alter the rate of the cis-trans isomerization of the prolyl peptide bond of Ac-Gly-[β,δ-(13)C]Pro-OMe and the amide I vibrational mode of [(13)C=O]Ac-Pro-OMe. The results indicate that secondary amides are significantly weaker hydrogen bond donors than is formamide or water.

Thermodynamic Origin of Prolyl Peptide Bond Isomers.

The thermodynamic preference for the trans isomer of prolyl peptide bonds arises almost entirely from enthalpy in aqueous buffer and in toluene.

Solvent Effects on the Energetics of Prolyl Peptide Bond Isomerization.

Racemic Ac-Gly-[β,δ-(13)C]Pro-OMe was synthesized, and the kinetics and thermodynamics of the isomerization of its prolyl peptide bond were determined in nine solvents by using NMR and IR spectroscopy. The free energy of activation is 1.3 kcal/mol larger in water than in aprotic solvents, and correlates with the ability of a solvent to donate a hydrogen bond but not with solvent polarity.