Identification of the fragment photoaffinity-labeled with azidodansyl-rhizoxin as Met-363-Lys-379 on beta-tubulin.

The rhizoxin (RZX)-binding site on porcine brain tubulin was investigated by photoaffinity labeling with the 5-azido-1-naphthalene sulfonyl (azidodansyl) derivative of RZX, nor-rhizoxin-22-al-5'-azidonaphthalene-1'-sulfonylhydrazo ne (azidodansylrhizoxin: Adan-RZX). Upon ultraviolet irradiation, Adan-RZX generates a highly reactive nitrene, which irreversibly binds to an amino acid residue(s) near the RZX-binding site. The label was found to be on beta-tubulin. Enzymatic digestion of the labeled tubulin generated only one major fluorescent peak on C18 reverse phase HPLC analysis. The labeled site(s) was mapped by using various combinations of highly specific peptidases in succession. That is, the labeled fragment generated by the first peptidase was purified by HPLC and exposed to a second peptidase; if the retention time in HPLC changed after the second digestion, the fragment generated in the first digestion must have contained the recognition site(s) of the second enzyme. From the results of these successive digestions and the known polypeptide sequences, we could identify the labeled fragment as Met-363-Lys-379 of beta-tubulin. This peptidase combination technique should be widely applicable.