Mechanistic analysis of the observed linear free energy relationships in p21(ras) and related systems

Previous studies of the GTPase reaction catalyzed by p21(ras) have indicated that the logarithm of the observed reaction rate and the pK(a) of the bound GTP are correlated by the Bronsted relationship log(k(cat)) = beta pK(a) + A. While most of the Pas mutants display a Bronsted slope beta of 2.1, a small set of oncogenic mutants exhibit a beta of much greater than 1. On the other hand, it was found that the corresponding Bronsted slope for the GTPase reaction of p21(ras) in the presence of GTPase Activating Protein (GAP) is about beta = 4.9. The present work explores the basis for such linear free energy relationships (LFERs) in general and applies these concepts to p21(ras) and related systems, It is demonstrated that the optimal way to analyze LFER is by using Marcus type parabolas that represent the reactant, intermediate, and product state of the reaction in a relevant energy diagram. The observed LFER is used to analyze the actual free energy surface and reaction path of the intrinsic GTPase reaction in p21(ras), From this, a model reaction profile can be constructed that explains how a LFER can arise and also how the different observed Bronsted coefficients can be rationalized. This analysis is augmented by solvent isotope effect studies. It is pointed out that the overall activation barrier reflects the energy of the proton transfer (PT) step, although this step does not include the actual transition state of the hydrolysis reaction. The proposed GTP as a base mechanism is compared to a recently proposed reaction scheme where Gln61 serves as a proton shuttle in a concerted mechanism. It is shown by unique energy considerations that the concerted mechanism is unlikely. Other alternative mechanisms are also considered, and their consistency with the observed LFER and other factors is discussed. Finally, we analyze the observed LFER for the GTPase reaction of p21(ras) in the presence of GAP and discuss its relevance for the mechanism of GAP activation.