TitleModulation of biliverdin dynamics and spectral properties by Sandercyanin.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsGhosh S, Mondal S, Yadav K, Aggarwal S, Schaefer WF, Narayana C, Subramanian R
JournalRSC Adv
Volume12
Issue31
Pagination20296-20304
Date Published2022 Jul 06
ISSN2046-2069
Abstract

Biliverdin IX-alpha (BV), a tetrapyrrole, is found ubiquitously in most living organisms. It functions as a metabolite, pigment, and signaling compound. While BV is known to bind to diverse protein families such as heme-metabolizing enzymes and phytochromes, not many BV-bound lipocalins (ubiquitous, small lipid-binding proteins) have been studied. The molecular basis of binding and conformational selectivity of BV in lipocalins remains unexplained. Sandercyanin (SFP)-BV complex is a blue lipocalin protein present in the mucus of the Canadian walleye (). In this study, we present the structures and binding modes of BV to SFP. Using a combination of designed site-directed mutations, X-ray crystallography, UV/VIS, and resonance Raman spectroscopy, we have identified multiple conformations of BV that are stabilized in the binding pocket of SFP. In complex with the protein, these conformers generate varied spectroscopic signatures both in their absorption and fluorescence spectra. We show that despite no covalent anchor, structural heterogeneity of the chromophore is primarily driven by the D-ring pyrrole of BV. Our work shows how conformational promiscuity of BV is correlated to the rearrangement of amino acids in the protein matrix leading to modulation of spectral properties.

DOI10.1039/d2ra02880h
Alternate JournalRSC Adv
PubMed ID35919616
PubMed Central IDPMC9277520