Two-dimensional /sup 1/H NMR studies on cyclophilin, a cytosolic cyclosporin A binding protein

Cyclophilin (CyP) is a specific cytosolic cyclosporin A (CsA) binding protein (163 residues) that has been implicated in the pharmacological action of this potent immunosuppressant. One and two-dimensional /sup 1/H NMR methods are being employed to elucidate the solution structural properties of CyP particularly as they relate to the binding site of CsA. The focal point for these studies is the single Trp (residue number120) in CyP which, in the 1:1 CyP:CsA complex (K/sub d/approx.2 x 10/sup -7/M), shows a 2 fold enhancement in its intrinsic fluorescence. Using 2D /sup 1/H NMR methods, a low resolution structure has been derived for a very hydrophobic domain containing the Trp residue using interresidue n.O.e. data between assigned spin systems and a distance geometry algorithm. The structure of this hydrophobic domain will be discussed in relation to the predicted ..cap alpha../..beta.. secondary structure of this protein and comparisons made between its structure in the drug free and complexed form of the protein.