Pentameric and decameric structures in solution of serum amyloid P component by X-ray and neutron scattering and molecular modelling analyses.

Human serum amyloid P component (SAP) is a normal plasma glycoprotein and the precursor of amyloid P component which is a universal constituent of the abnormal tissue deposits in amyloidosis. X-ray and neutron scattering data showed that pentameric or decameric ring structures for SAP in solution are readily distinguished. Further neutron data collection showed that SAP pentamers were reproducibly obtained in the presence of Ca2+ at pH 5.5 or in the presence of methyl 4,6-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)-beta-d-galactopyranoside (MObetaDG) and Ca2+ at pH 6.0 to 8.0, while SAP decamers were obtained in the presence of EDTA between pH 5.5 and 8.0. SAP pentamers have a mean X-ray RG of 3.99(+/-0.11) nm and a mean neutron RG of 3.69(+/-0.12) nm in 100% 2H2O. SAP decamers have a mean X-ray RG of 4.23(+/-0.12) nm and a mean neutron RG of 4.09(+/-0.14) nm in 100% 2H2O. The absorption coefficients of SAP pentamers and decamers differ by 10%. If we infer that the two alpha-helical A-faces are in contact with each other in the SAP decamer, the lack of structural change of the decamer with pH may be explained by the absence of His residues from the A-face of the SAP pentamer, and the change in absorption coefficients is compatible with the presence of Trp residues at this A-face. The rigid ring structure of pentameric SAP provided a test of scattering curves calculated from crystal structures. The only structural unknown is the orientation of the five chemically homogeneous oligosaccharide chains relative to the protein, but extended oligosaccharide structures were found to account for its scattering curve. X-ray scattering curves were best calculated using a hydrated structure, while neutron scattering curves were best calculated using an unhydrated structure. The outcome of these analyses was used to model the structure of decameric SAP. The evaluation of 640 structures for two SAP pentamers brought face-to-face to form SAP decamers gave better curve fits for structures in which the two A-faces were in contact with each other, in which it is likely that the two pentamers were out of alignment by a rotation of 36 degrees and the oligosaccharide chains were extended. Copyright 1997 Academic Press Limited.