51
|
León-González JA, Flatet P, Juárez-Ramírez MS, Farías-Rico JA. Folding and Evolution of a Repeat Protein on the Ribosome. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:851038. [PMID: 35707224 PMCID: PMC9189291 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.851038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Life on earth is the result of the work of proteins, the cellular nanomachines that fold into elaborated 3D structures to perform their functions. The ribosome synthesizes all the proteins of the biosphere, and many of them begin to fold during translation in a process known as cotranslational folding. In this work we discuss current advances of this field and provide computational and experimental data that highlight the role of ribosome in the evolution of protein structures. First, we used the sequence of the Ankyrin domain from the Drosophila Notch receptor to launch a deep sequence-based search. With this strategy, we found a conserved 33-residue motif shared by different protein folds. Then, to see how the vectorial addition of the motif would generate a full structure we measured the folding on the ribosome of the Ankyrin repeat protein. Not only the on-ribosome folding data is in full agreement with classical in vitro biophysical measurements but also it provides experimental evidence on how folded proteins could have evolved by duplication and fusion of smaller fragments in the RNA world. Overall, we discuss how the ribosomal exit tunnel could be conceptualized as an active site that is under evolutionary pressure to influence protein folding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José Alberto León-González
- Synthetic Biology Program, Center for Genome Sciences, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Perline Flatet
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - María Soledad Juárez-Ramírez
- Synthetic Biology Program, Center for Genome Sciences, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - José Arcadio Farías-Rico
- Synthetic Biology Program, Center for Genome Sciences, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Cuernavaca, Mexico
- *Correspondence: José Arcadio Farías-Rico,
| |
Collapse
|
52
|
Arai S, Shimizu R, Adachi M, Hirai M. Magnetic field effects on the structure and molecular behavior of pigeon iron–sulfur protein. Protein Sci 2022; 31:e4313. [DOI: 10.1002/pro.4313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shigeki Arai
- Institute for Quantum Life Science National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology Tokai Ibaraki Japan
| | - Rumi Shimizu
- Institute for Quantum Life Science National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology Tokai Ibaraki Japan
| | - Motoyasu Adachi
- Institute for Quantum Life Science National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology Tokai Ibaraki Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Hirai
- Graduate School of Science and Technology Gunma University Maebashi Gunma Japan
| |
Collapse
|
53
|
Gomes PS, Carneiro MPD, Machado PDA, de Andrade-Neto VV, da Fonseca-Martins AM, Goundry A, Pereira da Silva JVM, Gomes DCO, Lima APCDA, Ennes-Vidal V, Sodero ACR, De-Simone SG, de Matos Guedes HL. Subtilisin of Leishmania amazonensis as Potential Druggable Target: Subcellular Localization, In Vitro Leishmanicidal Activity and Molecular Docking of PF-429242, a Subtilisin Inhibitor. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:2089-2106. [PMID: 35678670 PMCID: PMC9164065 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44050141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Subtilisin proteases, found in all organisms, are enzymes important in the post-translational steps of protein processing. In Leishmania major and L. donovani, this enzyme has been described as essential to their survival; however, few compounds that target subtilisin have been investigated for their potential as an antileishmanial drug. In this study, we first show, by electron microscopy and flow cytometry, that subtilisin has broad localization throughout the cytoplasm and membrane of the parasite in the promastigote form with foci in the flagellar pocket. Through in silico analysis, the similarity between subtilisin of different Leishmania species and that of humans were determined, and based on molecular docking, we evaluated the interaction capacity of a serine protease inhibitor against both life cycle forms of Leishmania. The selected inhibitor, known as PF-429242, has already been used against the dengue virus, arenaviruses, and the hepatitis C virus. Moreover, it proved to have antilipogenic activity in a mouse model and caused hypolipidemia in human cells in vitro. Here, PF-429242 significantly inhibited the growth of L. amazonensis promastigotes of four different strains (IC50 values = 3.07 ± 0.20; 0.83 ± 0.12; 2.02 ± 0.27 and 5.83 ± 1.2 µM against LTB0016, PH8, Josefa and LV78 strains) whilst having low toxicity in the host macrophages (CC50 = 170.30 µM). We detected by flow cytometry that there is a greater expression of subtilisin in the amastigote form; however, PF-429242 had a low effect against this intracellular form with an IC50 of >100 µM for intracellular amastigotes, as well as against axenic amastigotes (94.12 ± 2.8 µM for the LV78 strain). In conclusion, even though PF-429242 does not affect the intracellular forms, this drug will serve as a tool to explore pharmacological and potentially leishmanicidal targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pollyanna Stephanie Gomes
- Laboratório de Imunologia Clínica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz—Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil; (P.S.G.); (M.P.D.C.); (P.d.A.M.); (A.M.d.F.-M.)
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho IBCCF, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunobiotecnologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goés, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Monique Pacheco Duarte Carneiro
- Laboratório de Imunologia Clínica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz—Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil; (P.S.G.); (M.P.D.C.); (P.d.A.M.); (A.M.d.F.-M.)
- Laboratório de Imunobiotecnologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goés, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho IBCCF, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (A.G.); (A.P.C.d.A.L.)
| | - Patrícia de Almeida Machado
- Laboratório de Imunologia Clínica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz—Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil; (P.S.G.); (M.P.D.C.); (P.d.A.M.); (A.M.d.F.-M.)
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunobiotecnologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goés, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Valter Viana de Andrade-Neto
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanossomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil;
| | - Alessandra Marcia da Fonseca-Martins
- Laboratório de Imunologia Clínica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz—Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil; (P.S.G.); (M.P.D.C.); (P.d.A.M.); (A.M.d.F.-M.)
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho IBCCF, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunobiotecnologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goés, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Amy Goundry
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho IBCCF, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (A.G.); (A.P.C.d.A.L.)
| | | | | | - Ana Paula Cabral de Araujo Lima
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho IBCCF, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (A.G.); (A.P.C.d.A.L.)
| | - Vítor Ennes-Vidal
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil;
| | - Ana Carolina Rennó Sodero
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (J.V.M.P.d.S.); (A.C.R.S.)
| | - Salvatore Giovanni De-Simone
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Diseases Neglected Population (INCT-IDPN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematic Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Department, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, Brazil
| | - Herbert L. de Matos Guedes
- Laboratório de Imunologia Clínica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz—Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil; (P.S.G.); (M.P.D.C.); (P.d.A.M.); (A.M.d.F.-M.)
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho IBCCF, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunobiotecnologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goés, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
54
|
Derat E, Kamerlin SCL. Computational Advances in Protein Engineering and Enzyme Design. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:2449-2451. [PMID: 35387452 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c01198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Derat
- Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire, UMR 8232 CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
55
|
Vishwakarma P, Vattekatte AM, Shinada N, Diharce J, Martins C, Cadet F, Gardebien F, Etchebest C, Nadaradjane AA, de Brevern AG. V HH Structural Modelling Approaches: A Critical Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:3721. [PMID: 35409081 PMCID: PMC8998791 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
VHH, i.e., VH domains of camelid single-chain antibodies, are very promising therapeutic agents due to their significant physicochemical advantages compared to classical mammalian antibodies. The number of experimentally solved VHH structures has significantly improved recently, which is of great help, because it offers the ability to directly work on 3D structures to humanise or improve them. Unfortunately, most VHHs do not have 3D structures. Thus, it is essential to find alternative ways to get structural information. The methods of structure prediction from the primary amino acid sequence appear essential to bypass this limitation. This review presents the most extensive overview of structure prediction methods applied for the 3D modelling of a given VHH sequence (a total of 21). Besides the historical overview, it aims at showing how model software programs have been shaping the structural predictions of VHHs. A brief explanation of each methodology is supplied, and pertinent examples of their usage are provided. Finally, we present a structure prediction case study of a recently solved VHH structure. According to some recent studies and the present analysis, AlphaFold 2 and NanoNet appear to be the best tools to predict a structural model of VHH from its sequence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Vishwakarma
- INSERM UMR_S 1134, BIGR, DSIMB Team, Université de Paris and Université de la Réunion, F-75015 Paris, France; (P.V.); (A.M.V.); (J.D.); (C.M.); (C.E.); (A.A.N.)
- INSERM UMR_S 1134, BIGR, DSIMB Team, Université de Paris and Université de la Réunion, F-97715 Saint Denis Messag, France; (F.C.); (F.G.)
| | - Akhila Melarkode Vattekatte
- INSERM UMR_S 1134, BIGR, DSIMB Team, Université de Paris and Université de la Réunion, F-75015 Paris, France; (P.V.); (A.M.V.); (J.D.); (C.M.); (C.E.); (A.A.N.)
- INSERM UMR_S 1134, BIGR, DSIMB Team, Université de Paris and Université de la Réunion, F-97715 Saint Denis Messag, France; (F.C.); (F.G.)
| | | | - Julien Diharce
- INSERM UMR_S 1134, BIGR, DSIMB Team, Université de Paris and Université de la Réunion, F-75015 Paris, France; (P.V.); (A.M.V.); (J.D.); (C.M.); (C.E.); (A.A.N.)
| | - Carla Martins
- INSERM UMR_S 1134, BIGR, DSIMB Team, Université de Paris and Université de la Réunion, F-75015 Paris, France; (P.V.); (A.M.V.); (J.D.); (C.M.); (C.E.); (A.A.N.)
- INSERM UMR_S 1134, BIGR, DSIMB Team, Université de Paris and Université de la Réunion, F-97715 Saint Denis Messag, France; (F.C.); (F.G.)
| | - Frédéric Cadet
- INSERM UMR_S 1134, BIGR, DSIMB Team, Université de Paris and Université de la Réunion, F-97715 Saint Denis Messag, France; (F.C.); (F.G.)
- PEACCEL, Artificial Intelligence Department, Square Albin Cachot, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Fabrice Gardebien
- INSERM UMR_S 1134, BIGR, DSIMB Team, Université de Paris and Université de la Réunion, F-97715 Saint Denis Messag, France; (F.C.); (F.G.)
| | - Catherine Etchebest
- INSERM UMR_S 1134, BIGR, DSIMB Team, Université de Paris and Université de la Réunion, F-75015 Paris, France; (P.V.); (A.M.V.); (J.D.); (C.M.); (C.E.); (A.A.N.)
| | - Aravindan Arun Nadaradjane
- INSERM UMR_S 1134, BIGR, DSIMB Team, Université de Paris and Université de la Réunion, F-75015 Paris, France; (P.V.); (A.M.V.); (J.D.); (C.M.); (C.E.); (A.A.N.)
- INSERM UMR_S 1134, BIGR, DSIMB Team, Université de Paris and Université de la Réunion, F-97715 Saint Denis Messag, France; (F.C.); (F.G.)
| | - Alexandre G. de Brevern
- INSERM UMR_S 1134, BIGR, DSIMB Team, Université de Paris and Université de la Réunion, F-75015 Paris, France; (P.V.); (A.M.V.); (J.D.); (C.M.); (C.E.); (A.A.N.)
- INSERM UMR_S 1134, BIGR, DSIMB Team, Université de Paris and Université de la Réunion, F-97715 Saint Denis Messag, France; (F.C.); (F.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
56
|
Sestok AE, Brown JB, Obi JO, O'Sullivan SM, Garcin ED, Deredge DJ, Smith AT. A fusion of the Bacteroides fragilis ferrous iron import proteins reveals a role for FeoA in stabilizing GTP-bound FeoB. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101808. [PMID: 35271852 PMCID: PMC8980893 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron is an essential element for nearly all organisms, and under anoxic and/or reducing conditions, Fe2+ is the dominant form of iron available to bacteria. The ferrous iron transport (Feo) system is the primary prokaryotic Fe2+ import machinery, and two constituent proteins (FeoA and FeoB) are conserved across most bacterial species. However, how FeoA and FeoB function relative to one another remains enigmatic. In this work, we explored the distribution of feoAB operons encoding a fusion of FeoA tethered to the N-terminal, G-protein domain of FeoB via a connecting linker region. We hypothesized that this fusion poises FeoA to interact with FeoB to affect function. To test this hypothesis, we characterized the soluble NFeoAB fusion protein from Bacteroides fragilis, a commensal organism implicated in drug-resistant infections. Using X-ray crystallography, we determined the 1.50-Å resolution structure of BfFeoA, which adopts an SH3-like fold implicated in protein–protein interactions. Using a combination of structural modeling, small-angle X-ray scattering, and hydrogen–deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, we show that FeoA and NFeoB interact in a nucleotide-dependent manner, and we mapped the protein–protein interaction interface. Finally, using guanosine triphosphate (GTP) hydrolysis assays, we demonstrate that BfNFeoAB exhibits one of the slowest known rates of Feo-mediated GTP hydrolysis that is not potassium-stimulated. Importantly, truncation of FeoA from this fusion demonstrates that FeoA–NFeoB interactions function to stabilize the GTP-bound form of FeoB. Taken together, our work reveals a role for FeoA function in the fused FeoAB system and suggests a function for FeoA among prokaryotes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex E Sestok
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, 21250 USA
| | - Janae B Brown
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, 21250 USA
| | - Juliet O Obi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201 USA
| | - Sean M O'Sullivan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, 21250 USA
| | - Elsa D Garcin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, 21250 USA; Laboratoire d'Information Génomique et Structurale, UMR7256, Aix-Marseille Université, Campus de Luminy, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Daniel J Deredge
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201 USA
| | - Aaron T Smith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, 21250 USA.
| |
Collapse
|
57
|
Donor Splice Site Variant in SLC9A6 Causes Christianson Syndrome in a Lithuanian Family: A Case Report. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 58:medicina58030351. [PMID: 35334527 PMCID: PMC8949093 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58030351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The pathogenic variants of SLC9A6 are a known cause of a rare, X-linked neurological disorder called Christianson syndrome (CS). The main characteristics of CS are developmental delay, intellectual disability, and neurological findings. This study investigated the genetic basis and explored the molecular changes that led to CS in two male siblings presenting with intellectual disability, epilepsy, behavioural problems, gastrointestinal dysfunction, poor height, and weight gain. Materials and Methods: Next-generation sequencing of a tetrad was applied to identify the DNA changes and Sanger sequencing of proband’s cDNA was used to evaluate the impact of a splice site variant on mRNA structure. Bioinformatical tools were used to investigate SLC9A6 protein structure changes. Results: Sequencing and bioinformatical analysis revealed a novel donor splice site variant (NC_000023.11(NM_001042537.1):c.899 + 1G > A) that leads to a frameshift and a premature stop codon. Protein structure modelling showed that the truncated protein is unlikely to form any functionally relevant SLC9A6 dimers. Conclusions: Molecular and bioinformatical analysis revealed the impact of a novel donor splice site variant in the SLC9A6 gene that leads to truncated and functionally disrupted protein causing the phenotype of CS in the affected individuals.
Collapse
|
58
|
Kelly VW, Sirk SJ. Short FcRn-Binding Peptides Enable Salvage and Transcytosis of scFv Antibody Fragments. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:404-413. [PMID: 35050570 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic antibodies have become one of the most widely used classes of biotherapeutics due to their unique antigen specificity and their ability to be engineered against diverse disease targets. There is significant interest in utilizing truncated antibody fragments as therapeutics, as their small size affords favorable properties such as increased tumor penetration as well as the ability to utilize lower-cost prokaryotic production methods. Their small size and simple architecture, however, also lead to rapid blood clearance, limiting the efficacy of these potentially powerful therapeutics. A common approach to circumvent these limitations is to enable engagement with the half-life extending neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). This is usually achieved via fusion with a large Fc domain, which negates the benefits of the antibody fragment's small size. In this work, we show that modifying antibody fragments with short FcRn-binding peptide domains that mimic native IgG engagement with FcRn enables binding and FcRn-mediated recycling and transmembrane transcytosis in cell-based assays. Further, we show that rational, single amino acid mutations to the peptide sequence have a significant impact on the receptor-mediated function and investigate the underlying structural basis for this effect using computational modeling. Finally, we report the identification of a short peptide from human serum albumin that enables FcRn-mediated function when grafted onto a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) scaffold, establishing an approach for the rational selection of short-peptide domains from full-length proteins that could enable the transfer of non-native functions to small recombinant proteins without significantly impacting their size or structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vince W. Kelly
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Shannon J. Sirk
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| |
Collapse
|
59
|
Evseev P, Lukianova A, Tarakanov R, Tokmakova A, Shneider M, Ignatov A, Miroshnikov K. Curtobacterium spp. and Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens: Phylogeny, Genomics-Based Taxonomy, Pathogenicity, and Diagnostics. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:889-927. [PMID: 35723345 PMCID: PMC8929003 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44020060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus of Curtobacterium, belonging to the Microbacteriaceae family of the Actinomycetales order, includes economically significant pathogenic bacteria of soybeans and other agricultural crops. Thorough phylogenetic and full-genome analysis using the latest genomic data has demonstrated a complex and contradictory taxonomic picture within the group of organisms classified as the Curtobacterium species. Based on these data, it is possible to delineate about 50 new species and to reclassify a substantial part of the Curtobacterium strains. It is suggested that 53 strains, including most of the Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pathovars, can compose a monophyletic group classified as C. flaccumfaciens. A genomic analysis using the most recent inventory of bacterial chromosomal and plasmid genomes deposited to GenBank confirmed the possible role of Microbacteriaceae plasmids in pathogenicity and demonstrated the existence of a group of related plasmids carrying virulence factors and possessing a gene distantly related to DNA polymerase found in bacteriophages and archaeal and eukaryotic viruses. A PCR diagnostic assay specific to the genus Curtobacterium was developed and tested. The presented results assist in the understanding of the evolutionary relations within the genus and can lay the foundation for further taxonomic updates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Evseev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (A.L.); (A.T.); (M.S.)
- Limnological Institute, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ulan-Batorskaya Str., 3, 664033 Irkutsk, Russia
- Correspondence: (P.E.); (K.M.)
| | - Anna Lukianova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (A.L.); (A.T.); (M.S.)
| | - Rashit Tarakanov
- Department of Plant Protection, Russian State Agrarian University—Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, Timiryazevskaya Str., 49, 127434 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Anna Tokmakova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (A.L.); (A.T.); (M.S.)
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Federal University, Institutskiy per., 9, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Moscow Oblast, Russia
| | - Mikhail Shneider
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (A.L.); (A.T.); (M.S.)
| | - Alexander Ignatov
- Agrobiotechnology Department, Agrarian and Technological Institute, RUDN University, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Konstantin Miroshnikov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (A.L.); (A.T.); (M.S.)
- Correspondence: (P.E.); (K.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
60
|
Simvastatin Resistance of Leishmania amazonensis Induces Sterol Remodeling and Cross-Resistance to Sterol Pathway and Serine Protease Inhibitors. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020398. [PMID: 35208853 PMCID: PMC8877030 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The sterol biosynthesis pathway of Leishmania spp. is used as a pharmacological target; however, available information about the mechanisms of the regulation and remodeling of sterol-related genes is scarce. The present study investigated compensatory mechanisms of the sterol biosynthesis pathway using an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase (simvastatin) and by developing drug-resistant parasites to evaluate the impact on sterol remodeling, cross-resistance, and gene expression. Simvastatin-resistant L. amazonensis parasites (LaSimR) underwent reprogramming of sterol metabolism manifested as an increase in cholestane- and stigmastane-based sterols and a decrease in ergostane-based sterols. The levels of the transcripts of sterol 24-C-methyltransferase (SMT), sterol C14-α-demethylase (C14DM), and protease subtilisin (SUB) were increased in LaSimR. LaSimR was cross-resistance to ketoconazole (a C14DM inhibitor) and remained sensitive to terbinafine (an inhibitor of squalene monooxygenase). Sensitivity of the LaSimR mutant to other antileishmanial drugs unrelated to the sterol biosynthesis pathway, such as trivalent antimony and pentamidine, was similar to that of the wild-type strain; however, LaSimR was cross-resistant to miltefosine, general serine protease inhibitor N-p-tosyl-l-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK), subtilisin-specific inhibitor 4-[(diethylamino)methyl]-N-[2-(2-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-N-(3R)-3-pyrrolidinyl-benzamide dihydrochloride (PF-429242), and tunicamycin. The findings on the regulation of the sterol pathway can support the development of drugs and protease inhibitors targeting this route in parasites.
Collapse
|
61
|
Singh P, Khan A, Kumar R, Ojha KK, Singh VK, Srivastava A. In silico analysis of comparative affinity of phytosiderophore and bacillibactin for iron uptake by YSL15 and YSL18 receptors of Oryza sativa. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 41:2733-2746. [PMID: 35139756 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2037464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Iron is an important micronutrient for plant growth and development. In the case of Oryza sativa, iron is made available primarily with the help of iron chelators called phytosiderophores i.e. variants of deoxymugineic acid (DMA). They bind with ferric ions and get internalized through Yellow Stripe Like transporters viz. YSL15 and YSL18. However, due to low amount of secretion of phytosiderophores, rice suffers from iron deficiency. Alternatively, siderophores of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria may support iron uptake and make it available to plants via transporting ferric ions possibly through the same transporters. Present study aims to assess comparative binding of DMA and a xenosiderophore (siderophores used by organisms other than the ones producing them) of rhizobacteria i.e. bacillibactin with Fe3+ ion and subsequent transporters of rice. Protein-protein interaction and gene expression analysis predicts uptake of Fe3+ by YSL15 from the rhizosphere region and further distribution through YSL18 with the help of various predicted functional partners. Docking studies confirm the thermodynamically more favourable structure of bacillibactin-Fe3+ complex than DMA-Fe3+ complex. Molecular modelling of YSL15 and YSL18 was done through ab initio method and their evaluation by Ramachandran plot, ProSA, ERRAT value and verify 3 D score revealed a good quality models. Comparative binding assessment through docking and molecular dynamics simulation suggests better binding energies of YSL transporters with bacillibactin-Fe3+ complex as compared to DMA-Fe3+ complex. The current study suggests possible application of xenosiderophores of PGPR origin in supporting plant growth via iron uptake and distribution in rice.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pratika Singh
- Department of Life Science, School of Earth, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, Bihar, India
| | - Azmi Khan
- Department of Life Science, School of Earth, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, Bihar, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Earth, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, Bihar, India
| | - Krishna Kumar Ojha
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Earth, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, Bihar, India
| | - Vijay Kumar Singh
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Earth, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, Bihar, India
| | - Amrita Srivastava
- Department of Life Science, School of Earth, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, Bihar, India
| |
Collapse
|
62
|
Most Probable Druggable Pockets in Mutant p53-Arg175His Clusters Extracted from Gaussian Accelerated Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Protein J 2022; 41:27-43. [PMID: 35099676 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-022-10041-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
p53, a tumor suppressor protein, is essential for preventing cancer development. Enhancing our understanding of the human p53 function and its modifications in carcinogenesis will aid in developing more highly effective strategies for cancer prevention and treatment. In this study, we have modeled five human p53 forms, namely, inactive, distal-active, proximal-active, distal-Arg175His mutant, and proximal-Arg175His mutant forms. These forms have been investigated using Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics (GaMD) simulations in OPC water model at physiological temperature and pH. Our observations, obtained throughout [Formula: see text] of production run, are in good agreement with the relevant results in the classical molecular dynamics (MD) studies. Therefore, GaMD method is more economic and efficient method than the classical MD method for studying biomolecular systems. The featured dynamics of the five human p53-DBD forms include noticeable conformational changes of L1 and [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] loops as well as [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] turns. We have identified two clusters that represent two distinct conformational states in each p53-DBD form. The free-energy profiles of these clusters demonstrate the flexibility of the protein to undergo a conformational transition between the two clusters. We have predicted two out of seven possible druggability pockets on the clusters of the Arg175His forms. These two druggability pockets are near the mutation site and are expected to be actual pockets, which will be helpful for the compound clinical progression studies.
Collapse
|
63
|
da Silva RB, Bertoldo WDR, Naves LL, de Vito FB, Damasceno JD, Tosi LRO, Machado CR, Pedrosa AL. Specific Human ATR and ATM Inhibitors Modulate Single Strand DNA Formation in Leishmania major Exposed to Oxidative Agent. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:802613. [PMID: 35059327 PMCID: PMC8763966 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.802613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites are the causative agents of a group of neglected tropical diseases known as leishmaniasis. The molecular mechanisms employed by these parasites to adapt to the adverse conditions found in their hosts are not yet completely understood. DNA repair pathways can be used by Leishmania to enable survival in the interior of macrophages, where the parasite is constantly exposed to oxygen reactive species. In higher eukaryotes, DNA repair pathways are coordinated by the central protein kinases ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATR). The enzyme Exonuclease-1 (EXO1) plays important roles in DNA replication, repair, and recombination, and it can be regulated by ATM- and ATR-mediated signaling pathways. In this study, the DNA damage response pathways in promastigote forms of L. major were investigated using bioinformatics tools, exposure of lineages to oxidizing agents and radiation damage, treatment of cells with ATM and ATR inhibitors, and flow cytometry analysis. We demonstrated high structural and important residue conservation for the catalytic activity of the putative LmjEXO1. The overexpression of putative LmjEXO1 made L. major cells more susceptible to genotoxic damage, most likely due to the nuclease activity of this enzyme and the occurrence of hyper-resection of DNA strands. These cells could be rescued by the addition of caffeine or a selective ATM inhibitor. In contrast, ATR-specific inhibition made the control cells more susceptible to oxidative damage in an LmjEXO1 overexpression-like manner. We demonstrated that ATR-specific inhibition results in the formation of extended single-stranded DNA, most likely due to EXO1 nucleasic activity. Antagonistically, ATM inhibition prevented single-strand DNA formation, which could explain the survival phenotype of lineages overexpressing LmjEXO1. These results suggest that an ATM homolog in Leishmania could act to promote end resection by putative LmjEXO1, and an ATR homologue could prevent hyper-resection, ensuring adequate repair of the parasite DNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raíssa Bernardes da Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Farmacologia e Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Willian Dos Reis Bertoldo
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Farmacologia e Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil.,Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lucila Langoni Naves
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Farmacologia e Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Bernadelli de Vito
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Jeziel Dener Damasceno
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Luiz Ricardo Orsini Tosi
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Carlos Renato Machado
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - André Luiz Pedrosa
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Farmacologia e Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
64
|
Langowski MD, Khan FA, Savransky S, Brown DR, Balasubramaniyam A, Harrison WB, Zou X, Beck Z, Matyas GR, Regules JA, Miller R, Soisson LA, Batchelor AH, Dutta S. Restricted valency (NPNA) n repeats and junctional epitope-based circumsporozoite protein vaccines against Plasmodium falciparum. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:13. [PMID: 35087099 PMCID: PMC8795123 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00430-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The Circumsporozoite Protein (CSP) of Plasmodium falciparum contains an N-terminal region, a conserved Region I (RI), a junctional region, 25-42 copies of major (NPNA) and minor repeats followed by a C-terminal domain. The recently approved malaria vaccine, RTS,S/AS01 contains NPNAx19 and the C-terminal region of CSP. The efficacy of RTS,S against natural infection is low and short-lived, and mapping epitopes of inhibitory monoclonal antibodies may allow for rational improvement of CSP vaccines. Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) was used here to display the junctional epitope (mAb CIS43), Region I (mAb 5D5), NPNAx5, and NPNAx20 epitope of CSP (mAbs 317 and 580). Protection studies in mice revealed that Region I did not elicit protective antibodies, and polyclonal antibodies against the junctional epitope showed equivalent protection to NPNAx5. Combining the junctional and NPNAx5 epitopes reduced immunogenicity and efficacy, and increasing the repeat valency to NPNAx20 did not improve upon NPNAx5. TMV was confirmed as a versatile vaccine platform for displaying small epitopes defined by neutralizing mAbs. We show that polyclonal antibodies against engineered VLPs can recapitulate the binding specificity of the mAbs and immune-focusing by reducing the structural complexity of an epitope may be superior to immune-broadening as a vaccine design approach. Most importantly the junctional and restricted valency NPNA epitopes can be the basis for developing highly effective second-generation malaria vaccine candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Langowski
- Structural Vaccinology Lab, Malaria Biologics Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Farhat A Khan
- Structural Vaccinology Lab, Malaria Biologics Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Sofya Savransky
- Structural Vaccinology Lab, Malaria Biologics Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Dallas R Brown
- Structural Vaccinology Lab, Malaria Biologics Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Arasu Balasubramaniyam
- Structural Vaccinology Lab, Malaria Biologics Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - William B Harrison
- Structural Vaccinology Lab, Malaria Biologics Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Xiaoyan Zou
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Zoltan Beck
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- Pfizer, 401N Middletown Rd, Pearl River, NY, 10965, USA
| | - Gary R Matyas
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Jason A Regules
- Malaria Biologics Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Robin Miller
- United States Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Adrian H Batchelor
- Structural Vaccinology Lab, Malaria Biologics Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Sheetij Dutta
- Structural Vaccinology Lab, Malaria Biologics Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
65
|
Perez MAS, Cuendet MA, Röhrig UF, Michielin O, Zoete V. Structural Prediction of Peptide-MHC Binding Modes. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2405:245-282. [PMID: 35298818 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1855-4_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The immune system is constantly protecting its host from the invasion of pathogens and the development of cancer cells. The specific CD8+ T-cell immune response against virus-infected cells and tumor cells is based on the T-cell receptor recognition of antigenic peptides bound to class I major histocompatibility complexes (MHC) at the surface of antigen presenting cells. Consequently, the peptide binding specificities of the highly polymorphic MHC have important implications for the design of vaccines, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and for personalized cancer immunotherapy. Evidence-based machine-learning approaches have been successfully used for the prediction of peptide binders and are currently being developed for the prediction of peptide immunogenicity. However, understanding and modeling the structural details of peptide/MHC binding is crucial for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms triggering the immunological processes, estimating peptide/MHC affinity using universal physics-based approaches, and driving the design of novel peptide ligands. Unfortunately, due to the large diversity of MHC allotypes and possible peptides, the growing number of 3D structures of peptide/MHC (pMHC) complexes in the Protein Data Bank only covers a small fraction of the possibilities. Consequently, there is a growing need for rapid and efficient approaches to predict 3D structures of pMHC complexes. Here, we review the key characteristics of the 3D structure of pMHC complexes before listing databases and other sources of information on pMHC structures and MHC specificities. Finally, we discuss some of the most prominent pMHC docking software.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta A S Perez
- Computer-aided Molecular Engineering Group, Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Molecular Modelling Group, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michel A Cuendet
- Molecular Modelling Group, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Oncology Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Precision Oncology Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ute F Röhrig
- Molecular Modelling Group, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Michielin
- Molecular Modelling Group, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Oncology Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Precision Oncology Center, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Vincent Zoete
- Computer-aided Molecular Engineering Group, Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Molecular Modelling Group, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
66
|
Adelusi TI, Oyedele AQK, Boyenle ID, Ogunlana AT, Adeyemi RO, Ukachi CD, Idris MO, Olaoba OT, Adedotun IO, Kolawole OE, Xiaoxing Y, Abdul-Hammed M. Molecular modeling in drug discovery. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2022.100880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
|
67
|
Ochoa R, Soler MA, Gladich I, Battisti A, Minovski N, Rodriguez A, Fortuna S, Cossio P, Laio A. Computational Evolution Protocol for Peptide Design. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2405:335-359. [PMID: 35298821 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1855-4_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Computational peptide design is useful for therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccine development. To select the most promising peptide candidates, the key is describing accurately the peptide-target interactions at the molecular level. We here review a computational peptide design protocol whose key feature is the use of all-atom explicit solvent molecular dynamics for describing the different peptide-target complexes explored during the optimization. We describe the milestones behind the development of this protocol, which is now implemented in an open-source code called PARCE. We provide a basic tutorial to run the code for an antibody fragment design example. Finally, we describe three additional applications of the method to design peptides for different targets, illustrating the broad scope of the proposed approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Ochoa
- Biophysics of Tropical Diseases, Max Planck Tandem Group, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | | | - Ivan Gladich
- Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
- SISSA, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Nikola Minovski
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Theory Department, Laboratory for Cheminformatics, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alex Rodriguez
- The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara Fortuna
- Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Genova, Italy
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Pilar Cossio
- Biophysics of Tropical Diseases, Max Planck Tandem Group, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Alessandro Laio
- The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy
- SISSA, Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
68
|
Glukhova XA, Trizna JA, Melnik BS, Proussakova OV, Beletsky IP. Recruitment of TNF ligands to lipid rafts is mediated by their physical association with caveolin-1. FEBS Lett 2022; 596:211-218. [PMID: 34897688 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Activities of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family members are associated with their targeting to lipid rafts, specialised regions of the plasma membrane. Herein, we investigated the physical association of TNF and its family members cluster of differentiation 40 ligand (CD40L) and tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand with caveolin-1, a lipid raft resident protein. We discovered that the intracellular domains of TNF and CD40L interact with caveolin-1, and the membrane proximal region of TNF is required for the binding of caveolin-1 domains. Full-length TNF can form a complex with caveolin-1 in membrane rafts of HeLa cells, and caveolin-1 knockdown leads to impaired TNF transport to rafts. These findings provide the first evidence of a direct interaction between TNF, CD40L and caveolin-1 and suggest that caveolin-1 may be responsible for recruiting TNF to lipid rafts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xenia A Glukhova
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Puschino, Russia
| | - Julia A Trizna
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Puschino, Russia
| | - Bogdan S Melnik
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, Puschino, Russia
| | - Olga V Proussakova
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Puschino, Russia
| | - Igor P Beletsky
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Puschino, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
69
|
Abstract
Natural metalloproteins perform many functions - ranging from sensing to electron transfer and catalysis - in which the position and property of each ligand and metal, is dictated by protein structure. De novo protein design aims to define an amino acid sequence that encodes a specific structure and function, providing a critical test of the hypothetical inner workings of (metallo)proteins. To date, de novo metalloproteins have used simple, symmetric tertiary structures - uncomplicated by the large size and evolutionary marks of natural proteins - to interrogate structure-function hypotheses. In this Review, we discuss de novo design applications, such as proteins that induce complex, increasingly asymmetric ligand geometries to achieve function, as well as the use of more canonical ligand geometries to achieve stability. De novo design has been used to explore how proteins fine-tune redox potentials and catalyse both oxidative and hydrolytic reactions. With an increased understanding of structure-function relationships, functional proteins including O2-dependent oxidases, fast hydrolases, and multi-proton/multi-electron reductases, have been created. In addition, proteins can now be designed using xeno-biological metals or cofactors and principles from inorganic chemistry to derive new-to-nature functions. These results and the advances in computational protein design suggest a bright future for the de novo design of diverse, functional metalloproteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Chalkley
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, (CA), USA
| | - Samuel I. Mann
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, (CA), USA
| | - William F. DeGrado
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, (CA), USA
| |
Collapse
|
70
|
Cheng YS, Zhang T, Ma X, Pratuangtham S, Zhang GC, Ondrus AA, Mafi A, Lomenick B, Jones JJ, Ondrus AE. A proteome-wide map of 20(S)-hydroxycholesterol interactors in cell membranes. Nat Chem Biol 2021; 17:1271-1280. [PMID: 34799735 PMCID: PMC8607797 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-021-00907-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Oxysterols (OHCs) are hydroxylated cholesterol metabolites that play ubiquitous roles in health and disease. Due to the non-covalent nature of their interactions and their unique partitioning in membranes, the analysis of live-cell, proteome-wide interactions of OHCs remains an unmet challenge. Here, we present a structurally precise chemoproteomics probe for the biologically active molecule 20(S)-hydroxycholesterol (20(S)-OHC) and provide a map of its proteome-wide targets in the membranes of living cells. Our target catalog consolidates diverse OHC ontologies and demonstrates that OHC-interacting proteins cluster with specific processes in immune response and cancer. Competition experiments reveal that 20(S)-OHC is a chemo-, regio- and stereoselective ligand for the protein transmembrane protein 97 (Tmem97/the σ2 receptor), enabling us to reconstruct the 20(S)-OHC-Tmem97 binding site. Our results demonstrate that multiplexed, quantitative analysis of cellular target engagement can expose new dimensions of metabolite activity and identify actionable targets for molecular therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Shiuan Cheng
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Tianyi Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Xiang Ma
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Sarida Pratuangtham
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Grace C Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Alexander A Ondrus
- Mathematics Department, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Amirhossein Mafi
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Brett Lomenick
- Proteome Exploration Laboratory, Beckman Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Jones
- Proteome Exploration Laboratory, Beckman Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Alison E Ondrus
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
71
|
Multiepitope Fusion Antigen: MEFA, an Epitope- and Structure-Based Vaccinology Platform for Multivalent Vaccine Development. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 34784037 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1900-1_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Vaccines are regarded as the most cost-effective countermeasure against infectious diseases. One challenge often affecting vaccine development is antigenic diversity or pathogen heterogeneity. Different strains produce immunologically heterogeneous virulence factors, therefore an effective vaccine needs to induce broad-spectrum host immunity to provide cross-protection. Recent advances in genomics and proteomics, particularly computational biology and structural biology, establishes structural vaccinology and highlights the feasibility of developing effective and precision vaccines. Here, we introduce the epitope- and structure-based vaccinology platform multiepitope-fusion-antigen (MEFA), and provide instructions to generate polyvalent MEFA immunogens for vaccine development. Conceptually, MEFA combines epitope vaccinology and structural vaccinology to enable a protein immunogen to present heterogeneous antigenic domains (epitopes) and to induce broadly protective immunity against different virulence factors, strains or diseases. Methodologically, the MEFA platform first identifies a safe, structurally stable and strongly immunogenic backbone protein and immunodominant (ideally neutralizing or protective) epitopes from heterogeneous strains or virulence factors of interest. Then, assisted with protein modeling and molecule dynamic simulation, MEFA integrates heterogeneous epitopes into a backbone protein via epitope substitution for a polyvalent MEFA protein and mimics epitope native antigenicity. Finally, the MEFA protein is examined for broad immunogenicity in animal immunization, and assessed for potential application for multivalent vaccine development in preclinical studies.
Collapse
|
72
|
Davey SD, Chalmers IW, Fernandez-Fuentes N, Swain MT, Smith D, Abbas Abidi SM, Saifullah MK, Raman M, Ravikumar G, McVeigh P, Maule AG, Brophy PM, Morphew RM. In silico characterisation of the complete Ly6 protein family in Fasciola gigantica supported through transcriptomics of the newly-excysted juveniles. Mol Omics 2021; 18:45-56. [PMID: 34781332 PMCID: PMC8763315 DOI: 10.1039/d1mo00254f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Fasciola gigantica is one of the aetiological trematodes associated with fascioliasis, which heavily impacts food-production systems and human and animal welfare on a global scale. In the absence of a vaccine, fascioliasis control and treatment is restricted to pasture management, such as clean grazing, and a limited array of chemotherapies, to which signs of resistance are beginning to appear. Research into novel control strategies is therefore urgently required and the advent of ‘omics technologies presents considerable opportunity for novel drug and vaccine target discovery. Here, interrogation of the first available F. gigantica newly excysted juvenile (NEJ) transcriptome revealed several protein families of current interest to parasitic flatworm vaccine research, including orthologues of mammalian complement regulator CD59 of the Ly6 family. Ly6 proteins have previously been identified on the tegument of Schistosoma mansoni and induced protective immunity in vaccination trials. Incorporating the recently available F. gigantica genome, the current work revealed 20 novel Ly6 family members in F. gigantica and, in parallel, significantly extended the F. hepatica complement from 3 to 18 members. Phylogenetic analysis revealed several distinct clades within the family, some of which are unique to Fasciola spp. trematodes. Analysis of available proteomic databases also revealed three of the newly discovered FhLy6s were present in extracellular vesicles, which have previously been prioritised in studying the host-parasite interface. The presentation of this new transcriptomic resource, in addition to the Ly6 family proteins here identified, represents a wealth of opportunity for future vaccine research. Incorporating the recently available F. gigantica genome, the current work revealed 20 novel Ly6 family members in F. gigantica and, in parallel, significantly extended the F. hepatica complement from 3 to 18 members.![]()
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah D Davey
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK.
| | - Iain W Chalmers
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK.
| | | | - Martin T Swain
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK.
| | - Dan Smith
- Computational and Analytical Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Syed M Abbas Abidi
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, 202001, India
| | - Mohammad K Saifullah
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, 202001, India
| | - Muthusamy Raman
- Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600051, India
| | | | - Paul McVeigh
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Aaron G Maule
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Peter M Brophy
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK.
| | - Russell M Morphew
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
73
|
Mohamed WI, Schenk AD, Kempf G, Cavadini S, Basters A, Potenza A, Abdul Rahman W, Rabl J, Reichermeier K, Thomä NH. The CRL4 DCAF1 cullin-RING ubiquitin ligase is activated following a switch in oligomerization state. EMBO J 2021; 40:e108008. [PMID: 34595758 PMCID: PMC8591539 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021108008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The cullin‐4‐based RING‐type (CRL4) family of E3 ubiquitin ligases functions together with dedicated substrate receptors. Out of the ˜29 CRL4 substrate receptors reported, the DDB1‐ and CUL4‐associated factor 1 (DCAF1) is essential for cellular survival and growth, and its deregulation has been implicated in tumorigenesis. We carried out biochemical and structural studies to examine the structure and mechanism of the CRL4DCAF1 ligase. In the 8.4 Å cryo‐EM map of CRL4DCAF1, four CUL4‐RBX1‐DDB1‐DCAF1 protomers are organized into two dimeric sub‐assemblies. In this arrangement, the WD40 domain of DCAF1 mediates binding with the cullin C‐terminal domain (CTD) and the RBX1 subunit of a neighboring CRL4DCAF1 protomer. This renders RBX1, the catalytic subunit of the ligase, inaccessible to the E2 ubiquitin‐conjugating enzymes. Upon CRL4DCAF1 activation by neddylation, the interaction between the cullin CTD and the neighboring DCAF1 protomer is broken, and the complex assumes an active dimeric conformation. Accordingly, a tetramerization‐deficient CRL4DCAF1 mutant has higher ubiquitin ligase activity compared to the wild‐type. This study identifies a novel mechanism by which unneddylated and substrate‐free CUL4 ligases can be maintained in an inactive state.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weaam I Mohamed
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas D Schenk
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Georg Kempf
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simone Cavadini
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anja Basters
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Potenza
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Julius Rabl
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kurt Reichermeier
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.,Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nicolas H Thomä
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
74
|
Kwofie SK, Broni E, Yunus FU, Nsoh J, Adoboe D, Miller WA, Wilson MD. Molecular Docking Simulation Studies Identifies Potential Natural Product Derived-Antiwolbachial Compounds as Filaricides against Onchocerciasis. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9111682. [PMID: 34829911 PMCID: PMC8615632 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Onchocerciasis is the leading cause of blindness and severe skin lesions which remain a major public health problem, especially in tropical areas. The widespread use of antibiotics and the long duration required for effective treatment continues to add to the increasing global menace of multi-resistant pathogens. Onchocerca volvulus harbors the endosymbiont bacteria Wolbachia, essential for the normal development of embryos, larvae and long-term survival of the adult worm, O. volvulus. We report here results of using structure-based drug design (SBDD) approach aimed at identifying potential novel Wolbachia inhibitors from natural products against the Wolbachia surface protein (WSP). The protein sequence of the WSP with UniProtKB identifier Q0RAI4 was used to model the three-dimensional (3D) structure via homology modelling techniques using three different structure-building algorithms implemented in Modeller, I-TASSER and Robetta. Out of the 15 generated models of WSP, one was selected as the most reasonable quality model which had 82, 15.5, 1.9 and 0.5% of the amino acid residues in the most favored regions, additionally allowed regions, generously allowed regions and disallowed regions, respectively, based on the Ramachandran plot. High throughput virtual screening was performed via Autodock Vina with a library comprising 42,883 natural products from African and Chinese databases, including 23 identified anti-Onchocerca inhibitors. The top six compounds comprising ZINC000095913861, ZINC000095486235, ZINC000035941652, NANPDB4566, acetylaleuritolic acid and rhemannic acid had binding energies of −12.7, −11.1, −11.0, −11, −10.3 and −9.5 kcal/mol, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations including molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann (MMPBSA) calculations reinforced the stability of the ligand-WSP complexes and plausible binding mechanisms. The residues Arg45, Tyr135, Tyr148 and Phe195 were predicted as potential novel critical residues required for ligand binding in pocket 1. Acetylaleuritolic acid and rhemannic acid (lantedene A) have previously been shown to possess anti-onchocercal activity. This warrants the need to evaluate the anti-WSP activity of the identified molecules. The study suggests the exploitation of compounds which target both pockets 1 and 2, by investigating their potential for effective depletion of Wolbachia. These compounds were predicted to possess reasonably good pharmacological profiles with insignificant toxicity and as drug-like. The compounds were computed to possess biological activity including antibacterial, antiparasitic, anthelmintic and anti-rickettsials. The six natural products are potential novel antiwolbachial agents with insignificant toxicities which can be explored further as filaricides for onchocerciasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel K. Kwofie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, PMB LG 77, Legon, Accra LG 77, Ghana; (E.B.); (F.U.Y.); (J.N.); (D.A.)
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +233-203-797922
| | - Emmanuel Broni
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, PMB LG 77, Legon, Accra LG 77, Ghana; (E.B.); (F.U.Y.); (J.N.); (D.A.)
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra LG 581, Ghana;
| | - Faruk U. Yunus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, PMB LG 77, Legon, Accra LG 77, Ghana; (E.B.); (F.U.Y.); (J.N.); (D.A.)
| | - John Nsoh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, PMB LG 77, Legon, Accra LG 77, Ghana; (E.B.); (F.U.Y.); (J.N.); (D.A.)
| | - Dela Adoboe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, PMB LG 77, Legon, Accra LG 77, Ghana; (E.B.); (F.U.Y.); (J.N.); (D.A.)
| | - Whelton A. Miller
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA;
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, IL 19104, USA
| | - Michael D. Wilson
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra LG 581, Ghana;
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
75
|
Sánchez-Osuna M, Cortés P, Lee M, Smith AT, Barbé J, Erill I. Non-canonical LexA proteins regulate the SOS response in the Bacteroidetes. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:11050-11066. [PMID: 34614190 PMCID: PMC8565304 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lesions to DNA compromise chromosome integrity, posing a direct threat to cell survival. The bacterial SOS response is a widespread transcriptional regulatory mechanism to address DNA damage. This response is coordinated by the LexA transcriptional repressor, which controls genes involved in DNA repair, mutagenesis and cell-cycle control. To date, the SOS response has been characterized in most major bacterial groups, with the notable exception of the Bacteroidetes. No LexA homologs had been identified in this large, diverse and ecologically important phylum, suggesting that it lacked an inducible mechanism to address DNA damage. Here, we report the identification of a novel family of transcriptional repressors in the Bacteroidetes that orchestrate a canonical response to DNA damage in this phylum. These proteins belong to the S24 peptidase family, but are structurally different from LexA. Their N-terminal domain is most closely related to CI-type bacteriophage repressors, suggesting that they may have originated from phage lytic phase repressors. Given their role as SOS regulators, however, we propose to designate them as non-canonical LexA proteins. The identification of a new class of repressors orchestrating the SOS response illuminates long-standing questions regarding the origin and plasticity of this transcriptional network.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miquel Sánchez-Osuna
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08192 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Pilar Cortés
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08192 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Mark Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
| | - Aaron T Smith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
| | - Jordi Barbé
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08192 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Ivan Erill
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08192 Bellaterra, Spain.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
| |
Collapse
|
76
|
Wang N, Wang Y, Zhao Q, Zhang X, Peng C, Zhang W, Liu Y, Vallon O, Schroda M, Cong Y, Liu C. The cryo-EM structure of the chloroplast ClpP complex. NATURE PLANTS 2021; 7:1505-1515. [PMID: 34782772 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-021-01020-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Protein homoeostasis in plastids is strategically regulated by the protein quality control system involving multiple chaperones and proteases, among them the Clp protease. Here, we determined the structure of the chloroplast ClpP complex from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by cryo-electron microscopy. ClpP contains two heptameric catalytic rings without any symmetry. The top ring contains one ClpR6, three ClpP4 and three ClpP5 subunits while the bottom ring is composed of three ClpP1C subunits and one each of the ClpR1-4 subunits. ClpR3, ClpR4 and ClpT4 subunits connect the two rings and stabilize the complex. The chloroplast Cpn11/20/23 co-chaperonin, a co-factor of Cpn60, forms a cap on the top of ClpP by protruding mobile loops into hydrophobic clefts at the surface of the top ring. The co-chaperonin repressed ClpP proteolytic activity in vitro. By regulating Cpn60 chaperone and ClpP protease activity, the co-chaperonin may play a role in coordinating protein folding and degradation in the chloroplast.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yifan Wang
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Center for Protein Science Shanghai, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Science Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Center for Protein Science Shanghai, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Science Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Peng
- National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, Zhangjiang Lab, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, CAS, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Olivier Vallon
- Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Michael Schroda
- Molecular Biotechnology & Systems Biology, TU Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Yao Cong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Center for Protein Science Shanghai, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Science Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Cuimin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
77
|
Kim SJ, Dixon AS, Owen SC. Split-enzyme immunoassay to monitor EGFR-HER2 heterodimerization on cell surfaces. Acta Biomater 2021; 135:225-233. [PMID: 34496282 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.08.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Over 30,000 protein-protein interactions with pathological implications have been identified; yet, discovering and investigating drugs that target these specific interactions is greatly limited by the inability to monitor native protein-protein interactions (PPIs) efficiently. The two most frequently used tools to monitor PPIs, resonance-energy transfer (RET) assays and protein complementation assays (PCA), face significant limitations. RET assays have a narrow working range of 10 to 50 Å, while PCA require permanent attachment of a reporter probe to a protein of interest by chemical conjugation or genetic engineering. We developed a non-invasive assay platform to measure PPIs without modifications to the proteins of interest and is functional at a greater working range than RET assays. We demonstrate our approach by monitoring the EGFR-HER2 heterodimerization on relevant cell surfaces, utilizing various EGFR- and HER2-specific binders (e.g., Fab, DARPin, and VHH) fused with small fragments of a tri-part split-luciferase derived from NanoLuc®. Following independent binding of the binder fusions to their respective targets, the dimerization of EGFR and HER2 induces complementation of the luciferase fragments into a functional native structure, producing glow-type luminescence. We have confirmed the functionality of the platform to monitor EGFR-HER2 dimerization induction and inhibition. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: We describe a platform technology for rapid monitoring of protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Our approach is uses a luciferase split into three parts - two short peptide "tags" and a large third fragment. Each of the short peptides can be fused to antibodies which bind to domains of a target antigens which orients the two tags and facilitates refolding of an active enzyme. To our knowledge this is the first example of a split-enzyme used to monitor PPIs without requiring any modification of the target proteins. We demonstrate our approach on the important PPI of HER2 and EGFR. Significantly, we quantify stimulation and inhibition of these partners, opening the possibility of using our approach to assess potential drugs without engineering cells.
Collapse
|
78
|
Feng J, Lee T, Schiessl K, Oldroyd GED. Processing of NODULE INCEPTION controls the transition to nitrogen fixation in root nodules. Science 2021; 374:629-632. [PMID: 34709900 DOI: 10.1126/science.abg2804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Feng
- Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, 47 Bateman Street, Cambridge CB2 1LR, UK
| | - Tak Lee
- Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, 47 Bateman Street, Cambridge CB2 1LR, UK.,Crop Science Centre, University of Cambridge, 93 Lawrence Weaver Road, Cambridge CB3 0LE, UK
| | - Katharina Schiessl
- Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, 47 Bateman Street, Cambridge CB2 1LR, UK
| | - Giles E D Oldroyd
- Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, 47 Bateman Street, Cambridge CB2 1LR, UK.,Crop Science Centre, University of Cambridge, 93 Lawrence Weaver Road, Cambridge CB3 0LE, UK
| |
Collapse
|
79
|
Uhlemann EME, Lee W, Tonelli M, Dmitriev OY. At sixes and sevens: cryptic domain in the metal binding chain of the human copper transporter ATP7A. Biophys J 2021; 120:4600-4607. [PMID: 34461106 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
ATP7A and ATP7B are structurally similar but functionally distinct active copper transporters that regulate copper levels in the human cells and deliver copper to the biosynthetic pathways. Both proteins have a chain of six cytosolic metal-binding domains (MBDs) believed to be involved in the copper-dependent regulation of the activity and intracellular localization of these enzymes. Although all the MBDs are quite similar in structure, their spacing differs markedly between ATP7A and ATP7B. We show by NMR that the long polypeptide between MBD1 and MBD2 of ATP7A forms an additional seventh metastable domain, which we called HMA1A (heavy metal associated domain 1A). The structure of HMA1A resembles the MBDs but contains no copper-binding site. The HMA1A domain, which is unique to ATP7A, may modulate regulatory interactions between MBD1-3, contributing to the distinct functional properties of ATP7A and ATP7B.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva-Maria E Uhlemann
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Woonghee Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado
| | - Marco Tonelli
- National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Oleg Y Dmitriev
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
80
|
Zutz A, Hamborg L, Pedersen LE, Kassem MM, Papaleo E, Koza A, Herrgård MJ, Jensen SI, Teilum K, Lindorff-Larsen K, Nielsen AT. A dual-reporter system for investigating and optimizing protein translation and folding in E. coli. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6093. [PMID: 34667164 PMCID: PMC8526717 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26337-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Strategies for investigating and optimizing the expression and folding of proteins for biotechnological and pharmaceutical purposes are in high demand. Here, we describe a dual-reporter biosensor system that simultaneously assesses in vivo protein translation and protein folding, thereby enabling rapid screening of mutant libraries. We have validated the dual-reporter system on five different proteins and find an excellent correlation between reporter signals and the levels of protein expression and solubility of the proteins. We further demonstrate the applicability of the dual-reporter system as a screening assay for deep mutational scanning experiments. The system enables high throughput selection of protein variants with high expression levels and altered protein stability. Next generation sequencing analysis of the resulting libraries of protein variants show a good correlation between computationally predicted and experimentally determined protein stabilities. We furthermore show that the mutational experimental data obtained using this system may be useful for protein structure calculations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ariane Zutz
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Louise Hamborg
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaloes Vej 5, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Lasse Ebdrup Pedersen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Maher M Kassem
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaloes Vej 5, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Elena Papaleo
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaloes Vej 5, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Anna Koza
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Markus J Herrgård
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Sheila Ingemann Jensen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kaare Teilum
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaloes Vej 5, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Kresten Lindorff-Larsen
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaloes Vej 5, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Alex Toftgaard Nielsen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
81
|
Mapping protein interactions in the active TOM-TIM23 supercomplex. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5715. [PMID: 34588454 PMCID: PMC8481542 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26016-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins destined for the matrix have to be transported across two membranes. The TOM and TIM23 complexes facilitate the transport of precursor proteins with N-terminal targeting signals into the matrix. During transport, precursors are recognized by the TIM23 complex in the inner membrane for handover from the TOM complex. However, we have little knowledge on the organization of the TOM-TIM23 transition zone and on how precursor transfer between the translocases occurs. Here, we have designed a precursor protein that is stalled during matrix transport in a TOM-TIM23-spanning manner and enables purification of the translocation intermediate. Combining chemical cross-linking with mass spectrometric analyses and structural modeling allows us to map the molecular environment of the intermembrane space interface of TOM and TIM23 as well as the import motor interactions with amino acid resolution. Our analyses provide a framework for understanding presequence handover and translocation during matrix protein transport. The TOM and TIM23 complexes facilitate the transport of nuclear-encoded proteins into the mitochondrial matrix. Here, the authors use a stalled client protein to purify the translocation supercomplex and gain insight into the TOM-TIM23 interface and the mechanism of protein handover from the TOM to the TIM23 complex.
Collapse
|
82
|
Peña-Guerrero J, Fernández-Rubio C, Burguete-Mikeo A, El-Dirany R, García-Sosa AT, Nguewa P. Discovery and Validation of Lmj_04_BRCT Domain, a Novel Therapeutic Target: Identification of Candidate Drugs for Leishmaniasis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910493. [PMID: 34638841 PMCID: PMC8508789 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Since many of the currently available antileishmanial treatments exhibit toxicity, low effectiveness, and resistance, search and validation of new therapeutic targets allowing the development of innovative drugs have become a worldwide priority. This work presents a structure-based drug discovery strategy to validate the Lmj_04_BRCT domain as a novel therapeutic target in Leishmania spp. The structure of this domain was explored using homology modeling, virtual screening, and molecular dynamics studies. Candidate compounds were validated in vitro using promastigotes of Leishmania major, L. amazonensis, and L. infantum, as well as primary mouse macrophages infected with L. major. The novel inhibitor CPE2 emerged as the most active of a group of compounds against Leishmania, being able to significantly reduce the viability of promastigotes. CPE2 was also active against the intracellular forms of the parasites and significantly reduced parasite burden in murine macrophages without exhibiting toxicity in host cells. Furthermore, L. major promastigotes treated with CPE2 showed significant lower expression levels of several genes (α-tubulin, Cyclin CYCA, and Yip1) related to proliferation and treatment resistance. Our in silico and in vitro studies suggest that the Lmj_04_BRCT domain and its here disclosed inhibitors are new potential therapeutic options against leishmaniasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José Peña-Guerrero
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain; (J.P.-G.); (C.F.-R.); (A.B.-M.); (R.E.-D.)
| | - Celia Fernández-Rubio
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain; (J.P.-G.); (C.F.-R.); (A.B.-M.); (R.E.-D.)
| | - Aroia Burguete-Mikeo
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain; (J.P.-G.); (C.F.-R.); (A.B.-M.); (R.E.-D.)
| | - Rima El-Dirany
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain; (J.P.-G.); (C.F.-R.); (A.B.-M.); (R.E.-D.)
| | - Alfonso T. García-Sosa
- Department of Molecular Technology, Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
- Correspondence: (A.T.G.-S.); (P.N.); Tel.: +372-737-5270 (A.T.G.-S.); +34-948-425-600 (ext. 6434) (P.N.)
| | - Paul Nguewa
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain; (J.P.-G.); (C.F.-R.); (A.B.-M.); (R.E.-D.)
- Correspondence: (A.T.G.-S.); (P.N.); Tel.: +372-737-5270 (A.T.G.-S.); +34-948-425-600 (ext. 6434) (P.N.)
| |
Collapse
|
83
|
Tang Q, Gao P, Arzberger T, Höllerhage M, Herms J, Höglinger G, Koeglsperger T. Alpha-Synuclein defects autophagy by impairing SNAP29-mediated autophagosome-lysosome fusion. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:854. [PMID: 34535638 PMCID: PMC8448865 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04138-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Dopaminergic (DA) cell death in Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with the gradual appearance of neuronal protein aggregates termed Lewy bodies (LBs) that are comprised of vesicular membrane structures and dysmorphic organelles in conjunction with the protein alpha-Synuclein (α-Syn). Although the exact mechanism of neuronal aggregate formation and death remains elusive, recent research suggests α-Syn-mediated alterations in the lysosomal degradation of aggregated proteins and organelles - a process termed autophagy. Here, we used a combination of molecular biology and immunochemistry to investigate the effect of α-Syn on autophagy turnover in cultured human DA neurons and in human post-mortem brain tissue. We found α-Syn overexpression to reduce autophagy turnover by compromising the fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes, thus leading to a decrease in the formation of autolysosomes. In accord with a compensatory increase in the plasma membrane fusion of autophagosomes, α-Syn enhanced the number of extracellular vesicles (EV) and the abundance of autophagy-associated proteins in these EVs. Mechanistically, α-Syn decreased the abundance of the v-SNARE protein SNAP29, a member of the SNARE complex mediating autophagolysosome fusion. In line, SNAP29 knockdown mimicked the effect of α-Syn on autophagy whereas SNAP29 co-expression reversed the α-Syn-induced changes on autophagy turnover and EV release and ameliorated DA neuronal cell death. In accord with our results from cultured neurons, we found a stage-dependent reduction of SNAP29 in SNc DA neurons from human post-mortem brain tissue of Lewy body pathology (LBP) cases. In summary, our results thus demonstrate a previously unknown effect of α-Syn on intracellular autophagy-associated SNARE proteins and, as a consequence, a reduced autolysosome fusion. As such, our findings will therefore support the investigation of autophagy-associated pathological changes in PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qilin Tang
- grid.424247.30000 0004 0438 0426Department of Translational Brain Research, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany ,grid.5252.00000 0004 1936 973XDepartment of Neurology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Pan Gao
- grid.424247.30000 0004 0438 0426Department of Translational Brain Research, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany ,grid.6936.a0000000123222966Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Arzberger
- grid.5252.00000 0004 1936 973XCentre of Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig, Maximilian University, Munich, Germany ,grid.5252.00000 0004 1936 973XDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Höllerhage
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Jochen Herms
- grid.424247.30000 0004 0438 0426Department of Translational Brain Research, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany ,grid.5252.00000 0004 1936 973XCentre of Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig, Maximilian University, Munich, Germany ,grid.452617.3Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Günter Höglinger
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany ,grid.424247.30000 0004 0438 0426Department of Translational Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Koeglsperger
- grid.424247.30000 0004 0438 0426Department of Translational Brain Research, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany ,grid.5252.00000 0004 1936 973XDepartment of Neurology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
84
|
Asthana P, Singh D, Pedersen JS, Hynönen MJ, Sulu R, Murthy AV, Laitaoja M, Jänis J, Riley LW, Venkatesan R. Structural insights into the substrate-binding proteins Mce1A and Mce4A from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. IUCRJ 2021; 8:757-774. [PMID: 34584737 PMCID: PMC8420772 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252521006199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which is responsible for more than a million deaths annually, uses lipids as the source of carbon and energy for its survival in the latent phase of infection. Mtb cannot synthesize all of the lipid molecules required for its growth and pathogenicity. Therefore, it relies on transporters such as the mammalian cell entry (Mce) complexes to import lipids from the host across the cell wall. Despite their importance for the survival and pathogenicity of Mtb, information on the structural properties of these proteins is not yet available. Each of the four Mce complexes in Mtb (Mce1-4) comprises six substrate-binding proteins (SBPs; MceA-F), each of which contains four conserved domains (N-terminal transmembrane, MCE, helical and C-terminal unstructured tail domains). Here, the properties of the various domains of Mtb Mce1A and Mce4A, which are involved in the import of mycolic/fatty acids and cholesterol, respectively, are reported. In the crystal structure of the MCE domain of Mce4A (MtMce4A39-140) a domain-swapped conformation is observed, whereas solution studies, including small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), indicate that all Mce1A and Mce4A domains are predominantly monomeric. Further, structural comparisons show interesting differences from the bacterial homologs MlaD, PqiB and LetB, which form homohexamers when assembled as functional transporter complexes. These data, and the fact that there are six SBPs in each Mtb mce operon, suggest that the MceA-F SBPs from Mce1-4 may form heterohexamers. Also, interestingly, the purification and SAXS analysis showed that the helical domains interact with the detergent micelle, suggesting that when assembled the helical domains of MceA-F may form a hydrophobic pore for lipid transport, as observed in EcPqiB. Overall, these data highlight the unique structural properties of the Mtb Mce SBPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Asthana
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Dhirendra Singh
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Jan Skov Pedersen
- Department of Chemistry and Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mikko J. Hynönen
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Ramita Sulu
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Abhinandan V. Murthy
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Mikko Laitaoja
- Department of Chemistry, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Janne Jänis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Lee W. Riley
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Rajaram Venkatesan
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
85
|
Bernau CR, Jäpel RC, Hübbers JW, Nölting S, Opdensteinen P, Buyel JF. Precision analysis for the determination of steric mass action parameters using eight tobacco host cell proteins. J Chromatogr A 2021; 1652:462379. [PMID: 34256268 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2021.462379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Plants are advantageous as biopharmaceutical manufacturing platforms because they allow the economical and scalable upstream production of proteins, including those requiring post-translational modifications, but do not support the replication of human viruses. However, downstream processing can be more labor-intensive compared to fermenter-based systems because the product is often mixed with abundant host cell proteins (HCPs). Modeling chromatographic separation can minimize the number of process development experiments and thus reduce costs. An important part of such modeling is the sorption isotherm, such as the steric mass action (SMA) model, which describes the multicomponent protein-salt equilibria established in ion-exchange systems. Here we purified ten HCPs, including 2-Cys-peroxiredoxin, from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum and N. benthamiana). For eight of these HCPs, we obtained sufficient quantities to determine the SMA binding parameters (KSMA and ν) under different production-relevant conditions. We studied the parameters for 2-Cys-peroxiredoxin on Q-Sepharose HP in detail, revealing that pH, resin batch and buffer batch had little influence on KSMA and ν, with coefficients of variation (COVs) less than 0.05 and 0.21, respectively. In contrast, the anion-exchange resins SuperQ-650S, Q-Sepharose FF and QAE-550C led to COVs of 0.69 for KSMA and 0.05 for ν, despite using the same quaternary amine functional group as Q-Sepharose HP. Plant cultivation in summer vs winter resulted in COVs of 0.09 for KSMA and 0.02 for ν, revealing a small impact compared to COVs of 17.15 for KSMA and 0.20 for ν when plants were grown in different settings (climate-controlled phytotron vs greenhouse). We conclude that plant cultivation can substantially affect protein properties and the resulting SMA parameters. Accordingly, plant growth but also protein purification and characterization for chromatography model building should be tightly controlled and well documented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C R Bernau
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, Aachen 52074, Germany.
| | - R C Jäpel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, Aachen 52074, Germany.
| | - J W Hübbers
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, Aachen 52074, Germany.
| | - S Nölting
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, Aachen 52074, Germany.
| | - P Opdensteinen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, Aachen 52074, Germany; Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, Aachen 52074, Germany.
| | - J F Buyel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, Aachen 52074, Germany; Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, Aachen 52074, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
86
|
Sabban SS. Computationally grafting an IgE epitope onto a scaffold: Implications for a pan anti-allergy vaccine design. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:4738-4750. [PMID: 34504666 PMCID: PMC8403545 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergy is becoming an intensifying disease among the world population, particularly in the developed world. Once allergy develops, sufferers are permanently trapped in a hyper-immune response that makes them sensitive to innocuous substances. The immune pathway concerned with developing allergy is the Th2 immune pathway where the IgE antibody binds to its Fc ∊ RI receptor on Mast and Basophil cells. This paper discusses a protocol that could disrupt the binding between the antibody and its receptor for a potential permanent treatment. Ten proteins were computationally designed to display a human IgE motif very close in proximity to the IgE antibody's Fc ∊ RI receptor's binding site in an effort for these proteins to be used as a vaccine against our own IgE antibody. The motif of interest was the FG loop motif and it was excised and grafted onto a Staphylococcus aureus protein (PDB ID 1YN3), then the motif + scaffold structure had its sequence re-designed around the motif to find an amino acid sequence that would fold to the designed structure correctly. These ten computationally designed proteins showed successful folding when simulated using Rosetta's AbinitioRelax folding simulation and the IgE epitope was clearly displayed in its native three-dimensional structure in all of them. These designed proteins have the potential to be used as a pan anti-allergy vaccine. This work employedin silicobased methods for designing the proteins and did not include any experimental verifications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sari S. Sabban
- King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biological Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
87
|
King JE, Koes DR. SidechainNet: An all-atom protein structure dataset for machine learning. Proteins 2021; 89:1489-1496. [PMID: 34213059 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Despite recent advancements in deep learning methods for protein structure prediction and representation, little focus has been directed at the simultaneous inclusion and prediction of protein backbone and sidechain structure information. We present SidechainNet, a new dataset that directly extends the ProteinNet dataset. SidechainNet includes angle and atomic coordinate information capable of describing all heavy atoms of each protein structure and can be extended by users to include new protein structures as they are released. In this article, we provide background information on the availability of protein structure data and the significance of ProteinNet. Thereafter, we argue for the potentially beneficial inclusion of sidechain information through SidechainNet, describe the process by which we organize SidechainNet, and provide a software package (https://github.com/jonathanking/sidechainnet) for data manipulation and training with machine learning models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Edward King
- Carnegie Mellon University-University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David Ryan Koes
- Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
88
|
Linn AK, Samainukul N, Sakdee S, Butnampetch C, Li HC, Angsuthanasombat C, Katzenmeier G. N-Terminally Added Tag Selectively Enhances Heterologous Expression of VacA Cytotoxin Variants from Helicobacter pylori. Protein Pept Lett 2021; 28:643-650. [PMID: 33183185 DOI: 10.2174/0929866527666201112122831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori secretes VacA cytotoxin displaying a high degree of polymorphic variations of which the highest VacA pathogenicity correlates with m1-type variant followed by VacA-m2. OBJECTIVE To comparatively evaluate expression in Escherichia coli of the mature VacA variants (m1- and m2-types) and their 33- and 55/59-kDa domains fused with His(6) tag at N- or C-terminus. METHODS All VacA clones expressed in E. coli TOP10™ were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. VacA inclusions were solubilized under native conditions (~150-rpm shaking at 37°C for 2 h in 20 mM HEPES (pH7.4) and 150 mM NaCl). Membrane-perturbing and cytotoxic activities of solubilized VacA proteins were assessed via liposome-entrapped dye leakage and resazurin- based cell viability assays, respectively. VacA binding to human gastric adenocarcinoma cells was assessed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Side-chain hydrophobicity of VacA was analyzed through modeled structures constructed by homology- and ab initio-based modeling. RESULTS Both full-length VacA-m1 and 33-kDa domain were efficiently expressed only in the presence of N-terminal extension while its 55-kDa domain was capably expressed with either N- or Cterminal extension. Selectively enhanced expression was also observed for VacA-m2. Protein expression profiles revealed a critical period in IPTG-induced production of the 55-kDa domain with N-terminal extension unlike its C-terminal extension showing relatively stable expression. Both VacA- m1 isolated domains were able to independently bind to cultured gastric cells similar to the full- length toxin, albeit the 33-kDa domain exhibited significantly higher activity of membrane perturbation than others. Membrane-perturbing and cytotoxic activities observed for VacA-m1 appeared to be higher than those of VacA-m2. Homology-based modeling and sequence analysis suggested a potential structural impact of non-polar residues located at the N-terminus of the mature VacA toxin and its 33-kDa domain. CONCLUSION Our data provide molecular insights into selective influence of the N-terminally added tag on efficient expression of recombinant VacA variants, signifying biochemical and biological implications of the hydrophobic stretch within the N-terminal domain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aung Khine Linn
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Nitchakan Samainukul
- Bacterial Toxin Research Innovation Cluster (BRIC), Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Nakornpathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Somsri Sakdee
- Bacterial Toxin Research Innovation Cluster (BRIC), Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Nakornpathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Chonthicha Butnampetch
- Bacterial Toxin Research Innovation Cluster (BRIC), Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Nakornpathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Hui-Chun Li
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualian 97004, Taiwan
| | - Chanan Angsuthanasombat
- Bacterial Toxin Research Innovation Cluster (BRIC), Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Nakornpathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Gerd Katzenmeier
- Bacterial Toxin Research Innovation Cluster (BRIC), Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Nakornpathom 73170, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
89
|
Roda S, Robles-Martín A, Xiang R, Kazemi M, Guallar V. Structural-Based Modeling in Protein Engineering. A Must Do. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:6491-6500. [PMID: 34106727 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c02545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Biotechnological solutions will be a key aspect in our immediate future society, where optimized enzymatic processes through enzyme engineering might be an important solution for waste transformation, clean energy production, biodegradable materials, and green chemistry, for example. Here we advocate the importance of structural-based bioinformatics and molecular modeling tools in such developments. We summarize our recent experiences indicating a great prediction/success ratio, and we suggest that an early in silico phase should be performed in enzyme engineering studies. Moreover, we demonstrate the potential of a new technique combining Rosetta and PELE, which could provide a faster and more automated procedure, an essential aspect for a broader use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Roda
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | | | - Ruite Xiang
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Masoud Kazemi
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Victor Guallar
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Barcelona 08034, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona 08010, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
90
|
Klaewkla M, Pichyangkura R, Chunsrivirot S. Computational Design of Oligosaccharide-Producing Levansucrase from Bacillus licheniformis RN-01 to Increase Its Stability at High Temperature. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:5766-5774. [PMID: 34047564 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c02016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Levan-type fructooligosaccharides (LFOs) and levan can potentially be used as ingredients in prebiotics, skincare products, and antitumor agents. The Y246S mutant of Bacillus licheniformis RN-01 levansucrase (oligosaccharide-producing levansucrase, OPL) was reported to productively synthesize LFOs; however, OPL's thermostability is low at high temperatures. To enhance OPL structural stability, this study employed molecular dynamics (AMBER) to identify a highly flexible region, as measured by its average root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF) value, on the OPL surface and computational protein design (Rosetta) to rigidify and increase favorable interactions to increase its structural stability. AMBER identified region nine (residues 277-317) as a highly flexible region that was selected for design because it has the highest number of residues and the second-highest average RMSF, and it is farthest from the active site. Rosetta designed 14 mutants with the best ΔΔG value in each position, where three mutants have better ΔG than OPL. To determine whether their flexibilities and stabilities are lower than those of OPL, all 14 designed mutants were simulated at high temperature (500 K), and we found that K296E, G309S, and A310W mutants were predicted to be more stable and could retain their native structures better than OPL. Our results suggest that enhanced structural stabilities of these mutants are caused by increased hydrogen bond strengths of the designed residues and their neighboring residues. This study designed K296E, G309S, and A310W mutants of OPL with high potential for stability improvement, and they could potentially be used for the effective production of LFOs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Methus Klaewkla
- Structural and Computational Biology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Rath Pichyangkura
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Surasak Chunsrivirot
- Structural and Computational Biology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
91
|
A home run for human NaCT/SLC13A5/INDY: cryo-EM structure and homology model to predict transport mechanisms, inhibitor interactions and mutational defects. Biochem J 2021; 478:2051-2057. [PMID: 34101804 PMCID: PMC8203205 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
NaCT (SLC13A5) is a Na+-coupled transporter for citrate, which is expressed in the liver, brain, testes, and bone. It is the mammalian homolog of Drosophila INDY, a cation-independent transporter for citrate, whose partial loss extends lifespan in the organism. In humans, loss-of-function mutations in NaCT cause a disease with severe neurological dysfunction, characterized by neonatal epilepsy and delayed brain development. In contrast with humans, deletion of NaCT in mice results in a beneficial metabolic phenotype with protection against diet-induced obesity and metabolic syndrome; the brain dysfunction is not readily noticeable. The disease-causing mutations are located in different regions of human NaCT protein, suggesting that different mutations might have different mechanisms for the loss of function. The beneficial effects of NaCT loss in the liver versus the detrimental effects of NaCT loss in the brain provide an opportunity to design high-affinity inhibitors for the transporter that do not cross the blood-brain barrier so that only the beneficial effects could be harnessed. To realize these goals, we need a detailed knowledge of the 3D structure of human NaCT. The recent report by Sauer et al. in Nature describing the cryo-EM structure of human NaCT represents such a milestone, paving the way for a better understanding of the structure-function relationship for this interesting and clinically important transporter.
Collapse
|
92
|
Zhu L, Song X, Pan F, Tuersuntuoheti T, Zheng F, Li Q, Hu S, Zhao F, Sun J, Sun B. Interaction mechanism of kafirin with ferulic acid and tetramethyl pyrazine: Multiple spectroscopic and molecular modeling studies. Food Chem 2021; 363:130298. [PMID: 34237557 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ferulic acid (FA) and tetramethyl pyrazine (TMP) are intrinsic bioactive compounds in baijiu, and kafirin is the major protein of sorghum, which is the raw material of baijiu. In this study, the interactions of kafirin-FA and kafirin-TMP were investigated by multiple spectroscopic and molecular modeling techniques. Fluorescence spectra showed that intrinsic fluorescence of kafirin drastically quenched because of the formations of kafirin-FA and kafirin-TMP complexes. The CD studies indicated that the combination with FA or TMP decreased the α-helix content of kafirin slightly. The shifts and intensity changes of UV-Vis, FTIR and fluorescence spectra confirmed the formations of complexes. Moreover, the molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies showed that hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds played major roles in the formations of kafirin-FA and kafirin-TMP complexes, and the formations of complexes made kafirin structures more compact. This work is of great importance for further quality improvement in baijiu and alcoholic beverages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; Beijing Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; Key Laboratory of Brewing Molecular Engineering of China Light Industry, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Xuebo Song
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; Beijing Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; Key Laboratory of Brewing Molecular Engineering of China Light Industry, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Fei Pan
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; Beijing Engineering and Technology Research Center of Food Additives, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Tuohetisayipu Tuersuntuoheti
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Fuping Zheng
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; Beijing Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; Key Laboratory of Brewing Molecular Engineering of China Light Industry, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China.
| | - Qing Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; Beijing Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; Key Laboratory of Brewing Molecular Engineering of China Light Industry, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Siqi Hu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Feifei Zhao
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Jinyuan Sun
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; Beijing Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; Key Laboratory of Brewing Molecular Engineering of China Light Industry, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Baoguo Sun
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; Beijing Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; Key Laboratory of Brewing Molecular Engineering of China Light Industry, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| |
Collapse
|
93
|
Bottino GF, Ferrari AJR, Gozzo FC, Martínez L. Structural discrimination analysis for constraint selection in protein modeling. Bioinformatics 2021; 37:3766-3773. [PMID: 34086840 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btab425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Protein structure modeling can be improved by the use of distance constraints between amino acid residues, provided such data reflects-at least partially-the native tertiary structure of the target system. In fact, only a small subset of the native contact map is necessary to successfully drive the model conformational search, so one important goal is to obtain the set of constraints with the highest true-positive rate, lowest redundancy, and greatest amount of information. In this work, we introduce a constraint evaluation and selection method based on the point-biserial correlation coefficient, which utilizes structural information from an ensemble of models to indirectly measure the power of each constraint in biasing the conformational search towards consensus structures. RESULTS Residue contact maps obtained by direct coupling analysis are systematically improved by means of discriminant analysis, reaching in some cases accuracies often seen only in modern deep-learning based approaches. When combined with an iterative modeling workflow, the proposed constraint classification optimizes the selection of the constraint set and maximizes the probability of obtaining successful models. The use of discriminant analysis for the valorization of the information of constraint data sets is a general concept with possible applications to other constraint types and modeling problems. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION scripts and procedures to implement the methodology presented herein are available at https://github.com/m3g/2021_Bottino_Biserial. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme F Bottino
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Center for Computational Engineering & Science, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Allan J R Ferrari
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Center for Computational Engineering & Science, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Fabio C Gozzo
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Leandro Martínez
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Center for Computational Engineering & Science, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
94
|
Espinosa JC, Marín‐Moreno A, Aguilar‐Calvo P, Torres JM. Met 166 -Glu 168 residues in human PrP β2-α2 loop account for evolutionary resistance to prion infection. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2021; 47:506-518. [PMID: 33253417 PMCID: PMC8247420 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The amino acid sequence of prion protein (PrP) is a key determinant in the transmissibility of prion diseases. While PrP sequence is highly conserved among mammalian species, minor changes in the PrP amino acid sequence may confer alterations in the transmissibility of prion diseases. Classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (C-BSE) is the only zoonotic prion strain reported to date causing variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (vCJD) in humans, although experimental transmission points to atypical L-BSE and some classical scrapie isolates as also zoonotic. The precise molecular elements in the human PrP sequence that limit the transmissibility of prion strains such as sheep/goat scrapie or cervid chronic wasting disease (CWD) are not well known. METHODS The transmissibility of a panel of diverse prions from different species was compared in transgenic mice expressing either wild-type human PrPC (MDE-HuTg340) or a mutated human PrPC harbouring Val166 -Gln168 amino acid changes (VDQ-HuTg372) in the β2-α2 loop instead of Met166 -Glu168 wild-type variants. RESULTS VDQ-HuTg372 mice were more susceptible to prions than MDE-HuTg340 mice in a strain-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS Met166 -Glu168 amino acid residues present in wild-type human PrPC are molecular determinants that limit the propagation of most prion strains assayed in the human PrP context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Patricia Aguilar‐Calvo
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (INIA‐CISA)MadridSpain
- Present address:
Department of PathologyUC San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | | |
Collapse
|
95
|
Ding W, Xu Q, Liu S, Wang T, Shao B, Gong H, Liu TY. SAMF: a Self-adaptive Protein Modeling Framework. Bioinformatics 2021; 37:4075-4082. [PMID: 34042965 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btab411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Gradient descent-based protein modeling is a popular protein structure prediction approach that takes as input the predicted inter-residue distances and other necessary constraints and folds protein structures by minimizing protein-specific energy potentials. The constraints from multiple predicted protein properties provide redundant and sometime conflicting information that can trap the optimization process into local minima and impairs the modeling efficiency. RESULTS To address these issues, we developed a self-adaptive protein modeling framework, SAMF. It eliminates redundancy of constraints and resolves conflicts, folds protein structures in an iterative way, and picks up the best structures by a deep quality analysis system. Without a large amount of complicated domain knowledge and numerous patches as barriers, SAMF achieves the state-of-the-art performance by exploiting the power of cutting-edge techniques of deep learning. SAMF has a modular design and can be easily customized and extended. As the quality of input constraints is ever growing, the superiority of SAMF will be amplified over time. AVAILABILITY The source code and data for reproducing the results is available at https://msracb.blob.core.windows.net/pub/psp/SAMF.zip. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenze Ding
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.,Microsoft Research Asia, Beijing, China
| | | | - Siyuan Liu
- Microsoft Research Asia, Beijing, China.,School of Data and Computer Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Big Data Analysis and Processing, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tong Wang
- Microsoft Research Asia, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Shao
- Microsoft Research Asia, Beijing, China
| | - Haipeng Gong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | | |
Collapse
|
96
|
Structural study of the N-terminal domain of human MCM8/9 complex. Structure 2021; 29:1171-1181.e4. [PMID: 34043945 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2021.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
MCM8/9 is a complex involved in homologous recombination (HR) repair pathway. MCM8/9 dysfunction can cause genome instability and result in primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). However, the mechanism underlying these effects is largely unknown. Here, we report crystal structures of the N-terminal domains (NTDs) of MCM8 and MCM9, and build a ring-shaped NTD structure based on a 6.6 Å resolution cryoelectron microscopy map. This shows that the MCM8/9 complex forms a 3:3 heterohexamer in an alternating pattern. A positively charged DNA binding channel and a putative ssDNA exit pathway for fork DNA unwinding are revealed. Based on the atomic model, the potential effects of the clinical POI mutants are interpreted. Surprisingly, the zinc-finger motifs are found to be capable of binding an iron atom as well. Overall, our results provide a model for the formation of the MCM8/9 complex and provide a path for further studies.
Collapse
|
97
|
Sinclair AN, Huynh CT, Sladewski TE, Zuromski JL, Ruiz AE, de Graffenried CL. The Trypanosoma brucei subpellicular microtubule array is organized into functionally discrete subdomains defined by microtubule associated proteins. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009588. [PMID: 34010336 PMCID: PMC8168904 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubules are inherently dynamic cytoskeletal polymers whose length and organization can be altered to perform essential functions in eukaryotic cells, such as providing tracks for intracellular trafficking and forming the mitotic spindle. Microtubules can be bundled to create more stable structures that collectively propagate force, such as in the flagellar axoneme, which provides motility. The subpellicular microtubule array of the protist parasite Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness, is a remarkable example of a highly specialized microtubule bundle. It is comprised of a single layer of microtubules that are crosslinked to each other and to the overlying plasma membrane. The array microtubules appear to be highly stable and remain intact throughout the cell cycle, but very little is known about the pathways that tune microtubule properties in trypanosomatids. Here, we show that the subpellicular microtubule array is organized into subdomains that consist of differentially localized array-associated proteins at the array posterior, middle, and anterior. The array-associated protein PAVE1 stabilizes array microtubules at the cell posterior and is essential for maintaining its tapered shape. PAVE1 and the newly identified protein PAVE2 form a complex that binds directly to the microtubule lattice, demonstrating that they are a true kinetoplastid-specific MAP. TbAIR9, which localizes to the entirety of the subpellicular array, is necessary for maintaining the localization of array-associated proteins within their respective subdomains of the array. The arrangement of proteins within the array likely tunes the local properties of array microtubules and creates the asymmetric shape of the cell, which is essential for parasite viability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy N. Sinclair
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Christine T. Huynh
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Thomas E. Sladewski
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Jenna L. Zuromski
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for International Health Research, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Amanda E. Ruiz
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for International Health Research, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Christopher L. de Graffenried
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
98
|
Gongerowska-Jac M, Szafran MJ, Jakimowicz D. Combining transposon mutagenesis and reporter genes to identify novel regulators of the topA promoter in Streptomyces. Microb Cell Fact 2021; 20:99. [PMID: 33985526 PMCID: PMC8120823 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-021-01590-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying the regulatory factors that control transcriptional activity is a major challenge of gene expression studies. Here, we describe the application of a novel approach for in vivo identification of regulatory proteins that may directly or indirectly control the transcription of a promoter of interest in Streptomyces. RESULTS A method based on the combination of Tn5 minitransposon-driven random mutagenesis and lux reporter genes was applied for the first time for the Streptomyces genus. As a proof of concept, we studied the topA supercoiling-sensitive promoter, whose activity is dependent on unknown regulatory factors. We found that the sco4804 gene product positively influences topA transcription in S. coelicolor, demonstrating SCO4804 as a novel player in the control of chromosome topology in these bacteria. CONCLUSIONS Our approach allows the identification of novel Streptomyces regulators that may be critical for the regulation of gene expression in these antibiotic-producing bacteria.
Collapse
|
99
|
Ahmad N, Ali SS, Ahmad S, Hussain Z, Qasim M, Suleman M, Ali S, Nizam-Uddin N, Khan A, Wei DQ. Computational Modeling of Immune Response Triggering Immunogenic Peptide Vaccine Against the Human Papillomaviruses to Induce Immunity Against Cervical Cancer. Viral Immunol 2021; 34:457-469. [PMID: 33973819 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2020.0306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Papillomaviruses are placed within the family Papillomaviride, and the members of this family have a double-stranded circular DNA genome. Every year, ∼30% of cancers are reported to be human papillomavirus (HPV) related, which represents 63,000 cancers of all infectious agent-induced cancers. HPV16 and HPV18 are reported to be associated with 70% of cervical cancers. The quest for an effective drug or vaccine candidate still continues. In this study, we aim to design B cell and T cell epitope-based vaccine using the two structural major capsid protein L1 and L2 as well as other three important proteins (E1, E2, and E6) against HPV strain 16 (HPV16). We used a computational pipeline to design a multiepitope subunit vaccine and tested its efficacy using in silico computational modeling approaches. Our analysis revealed that the multiepitope subunit vaccine possesses antigenic properties, and using in silico cloning method revealed proper expression and downstream processing of the vaccine construct. Besides this, we also performed in silico immune simulation to check the immune response upon the injection. Our results strongly suggest that this vaccine candidate should be tested immediately for the immune response against the cervical cancer-causing agent. The safety, efficacy, expression, and immune response profiling makes it the first choice for experimental and in vivo setup.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Namra Ahmad
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Pakistan
| | - Syed Shujait Ali
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Pakistan
| | - Sajjad Ahmad
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Abasyn University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Zahid Hussain
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Qasim
- Department of Environmental and Conservation Sciences, University of Swat, Swat, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Suleman
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Pakistan
| | - Shahid Ali
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Pakistan
| | - N Nizam-Uddin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, HITEC University, Taxila, Pakistan
| | - Abbas Khan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Dong-Qing Wei
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Shanghai-Islamabad-Belgrade Joint Innovation Center on Antibacterial Resistances, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China.,Peng Cheng Laboratory, Shenzhen, P.R China
| |
Collapse
|
100
|
Wiese JG, Shanmugaratnam S, Höcker B. Extension of a de novo TIM barrel with a rationally designed secondary structure element. Protein Sci 2021; 30:982-989. [PMID: 33723882 PMCID: PMC8040861 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The ability to construct novel enzymes is a major aim in de novo protein design. A popular enzyme fold for design attempts is the TIM barrel. This fold is a common topology for enzymes and can harbor many diverse reactions. The recent de novo design of a four-fold symmetric TIM barrel provides a well understood minimal scaffold for potential enzyme designs. Here we explore opportunities to extend and diversify this scaffold by adding a short de novo helix on top of the barrel. Due to the size of the protein, we developed a design pipeline based on computational ab initio folding that solves a less complex sub-problem focused around the helix and its vicinity and adapt it to the entire protein. We provide biochemical characterization and a high-resolution X-ray structure for one variant and compare it to our design model. The successful extension of this robust TIM-barrel scaffold opens opportunities to diversify it towards more pocket like arrangements and as such can be considered a building block for future design of binding or catalytic sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Gregor Wiese
- Max Planck Institute for Developmental BiologyTübingenGermany
- Present address:
Technical University of MunichMunichGermany
| | - Sooruban Shanmugaratnam
- Max Planck Institute for Developmental BiologyTübingenGermany
- University of Bayreuth, Department for BiochemistryBayreuthGermany
| | - Birte Höcker
- Max Planck Institute for Developmental BiologyTübingenGermany
- University of Bayreuth, Department for BiochemistryBayreuthGermany
| |
Collapse
|