Ligand requirements for Ca2+ binding to EGF-like domains

Abstract

Site-specific mutagenesis studies of the first epidermal growth factor-like (EGF-like) domain of human clotting factor IX suggest that the calcium-binding site present in this domain (dissociation constant K_d=1.8 mM at pH 7.5 and ionic strength I=0.15) involved the carboxylate residues Asp47, Asp49 and Asp64. To further characterize the ligands required for calcium binding to EGF-like domains, two new mutations, Asp47 - Asn and Asp49 - Asn, were introduced into the domain by peptide synthesis. ¹H-NMR spectroscopy was used to obtain the dissociation constants for calcium binding to these mutations. Calcium binding to the Asp49- Asn modified domain is only mildly affected (K_d=6 mM, I=0.15), whereas binding to the Asp47- Asn modified domain is severely reduced (K_d=42 mM, I=0.15). From these data, it is proposed that the anionic oxygen atoms of the side chains of residues 47 and 64 are essential for calcium binding, whereas the side chain ligand for calcium at residue 49 can be a carboxyamide oxygen. As a control, the introduction of the modification Glu78- Asp in a region of the domain not believed to be involved in calcium binding had very little effect on the K_d for calcium (K_d=2.6 mM, I=0.15). Finally, the effect of an Asp47- Gly substitution found in the natural haemophilia B mutant, factor IX_Alabama, was investigated. This peptide has a markedly reduced affinity for calcium (K_d=37 mM, I=0.15), suggesting that the defect in factor IX_Alabama is due to impaired calcium binding to its first EGF-like domain.