Identification of Binding Regions of Bilirubin in the Ligand-Binding Pocket of the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-A (PPARalpha)

Recent work has shown that bilirubin has a hormonal function by binding to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα), a nuclear receptor that drives the transcription of genes to control adiposity. Our previous in silico work predicted three potential amino acids that bilirubin may interact with by hydrogen bonding in the PPARα ligand-binding domain (LBD), which could be responsible for the ligand-induced function. To further reveal the amino acids that bilirubin interacts with in the PPARα LBD, we harnessed bilirubin’s known fluorescent properties when bound to proteins such as albumin. Our work here revealed that bilirubin interacts with threonine 283 (T283) and alanine 333 (A333) for ligand binding. Mutational analysis of T283 and A333 showed significantly reduced bilirubin binding, reductions of 11.4% and 17.0%, respectively. Fenofibrate competitive binding studies for the PPARα LBD showed that bilirubin and fenofibrate possibly interact with different amino acid residues. Furthermore, bilirubin showed no interaction with PPARγ. This is the first study to reveal the amino acids responsible for bilirubin binding in the ligand-binding pocket of PPARα. Our work offers new insight into the mechanistic actions of a well-known molecule, bilirubin, and new fronts into its mechanisms.

Influence of mutations caused by radiation exposure on the bilirubin binding sites of human serum albumin

In this article we analyze the bilirubin binding sites of human serum albumin from the point of view of the secondary structure instability, as well as the effect of amino acid substitutions caused by radiation exposure on the ability of albumin to bind bilirubin-IX-alpha. Based on calculations of binding energy and inhibition constants of bilirubin-albumin complexes before and after the amino acid substitutions, it was found that amino acid substitutions have different effects on the ability of human serum albumin to bind bilirubin. Amino acid substitutions Asp269-Gly269 (Nagasaki-1), Glu354-Lys354 (Hiroshima-1), Asp375-Asn375 (Nagasaki-2) reduce the binding free energy of bilirubin with human serum albumin, and the amino acid substitutions His3-Gln3 (Nagasaki-3) and Glu382-Lys382 (Hiroshima-2) increase it during molecular docking with the corresponding areas of the protein surface. The inhibition constants are significantly higher than with known binding sites. In general, mutations caused by radiation exposure cannot effect on bilirubin binding sites of human serum albumin, since the amino acid residues that are replaced do not interact with the amino acid residues from the binding sites (Leu115, Arg117, Phe134, Tyr138, Ile142, Phe149, Phe157, Tyr161, Arg186, Lys190, Lys240, Arg222). All amino acid residues from known binding sites are located in stable elements of the secondary structure of human serum albumin.The data obtained are important for understanding the impact of radiation exposure on the development of bilirubin encephalopathy in the population of the Chernobyl region and Japan.

Trp–His covalent adduct in bilirubin oxidase is crucial for effective bilirubin binding but has a minor role in electron transfer

Unlike any protein studied so far, the active site of bilirubin oxidase from Myrothecium verrucaria contains a unique type of covalent link between tryptophan and histidine side chains. The role of this post-translational modification in substrate binding and oxidation is not sufficiently understood. Our structural and mutational studies provide evidence that this Trp396–His398 adduct modifies T1 copper coordination and is an important part of the substrate binding and oxidation site. The presence of the adduct is crucial for oxidation of substituted phenols and it substantially influences the rate of oxidation of bilirubin. Additionally, we bring the first structure of bilirubin oxidase in complex with one of its products, ferricyanide ion, interacting with the modified tryptophan side chain, Arg356 and the active site-forming loop 393-398. The results imply that structurally and chemically distinct types of substrates, including bilirubin, utilize the Trp–His adduct mainly for binding and to a smaller extent for electron transfer.