Characterization of a synthetic calmodulin-binding peptide derived from Bacillus anthracis adenylate cyclase

A 34-amino acid peptide corresponding to residues 532-565 of Bacillus anthracis adenylate cyclase (P532-565), a calmodulin (CaM)-activated enzyme, was synthesized by solid phase method. Although not homologous to any known CaM binding sequence, P532-565 exhibits molecular features characteristic of this class of peptides: a higher proportion of basic and hydrophobic residues, segregated onto the two faces of the alpha-helical structure. Fluorescence measurements and gel retardation analysis showed that P532-565 binds CaM in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner, with a binding energy that represents 80% of the binding energy of the adenylate cyclase-CaM complex. Circular dichroism analysis showed that P532-565 exists in solution as a mixture of random-coil and alpha-helical structures and that trifluoroethanol increases the relative proportion of alpha-helical population. Analysis of proton NMR spectrum in H2O allowed identification of the different amino acid spin systems and complete spectral assignment. The pattern of nuclear Overhauser effect connectivities, intense NN(i,i + 1) and medium range alpha N(i,i + 3) and alpha beta (i,i + 3) indicate the presence of an alpha-helix in the carboxylterminal end (between residues 551 and 563) in fast exchange with extended structures. These data, together with CaM-binding properties of Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase, show that despite rather divergent primary structures, the two bacterial enzymes possess similar structural organization of their binding sites for activator protein.