51
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Hoff SE, Zinke M, Izadi-Pruneyre N, Bonomi M. Bonds and bytes: The odyssey of structural biology. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2024; 84:102746. [PMID: 38101027 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Characterizing structural and dynamic properties of proteins and large macromolecular assemblies is crucial to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying biological functions. In the field of structural biology, no single method comprehensively reveals the behavior of biological systems across various spatiotemporal scales. Instead, we have a versatile toolkit of techniques, each contributing a piece to the overall puzzle. Integrative structural biology combines different techniques to create accurate and precise multi-scale models that expand our understanding of complex biological systems. This review outlines recent advancements in computational and experimental methods in structural biology, with special focus on recent Artificial Intelligence techniques, emphasizes integrative approaches that combine different types of data for precise spatiotemporal modeling, and provides an outlook into future directions of this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Hoff
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3528, Structural Bioinformatics Unit, Paris, France
| | - M Zinke
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3528, Bacterial Transmembrane Systems Unit, Paris, France. https://twitter.com/ZinkeMaximilian
| | - N Izadi-Pruneyre
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3528, Bacterial Transmembrane Systems Unit, Paris, France.
| | - M Bonomi
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3528, Structural Bioinformatics Unit, Paris, France.
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52
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Hudait A, Voth GA. HIV-1 capsid shape, orientation, and entropic elasticity regulate translocation into the nuclear pore complex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2313737121. [PMID: 38241438 PMCID: PMC10823262 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2313737121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Nuclear import and uncoating of the viral capsid are critical steps in the HIV-1 life cycle that serve to transport and release genomic material into the nucleus. Viral core import involves translocating the HIV-1 capsid at the nuclear pore complex (NPC). Notably, the central channel of the NPC appears to often accommodate and allow passage of intact HIV-1 capsid, though mechanistic details of the process remain to be fully understood. Here, we investigate the molecular interactions that operate in concert between the HIV-1 capsid and the NPC that regulate capsid translocation through the central channel. To this end, we develop a "bottom-up" coarse-grained (CG) model of the human NPC from recently released cryo-electron tomography structure and then construct composite membrane-embedded CG NPC models. We find that successful translocation from the cytoplasmic side to the NPC central channel is contingent on the compatibility of the capsid morphology and channel dimension and the proper orientation of the capsid approach to the channel from the cytoplasmic side. The translocation dynamics is driven by maximizing the contacts between phenylalanine-glycine nucleoporins at the central channel and the capsid. For the docked intact capsids, structural analysis reveals correlated striated patterns of lattice disorder likely related to the intrinsic capsid elasticity. Uncondensed genomic material inside the docked capsid augments the overall lattice disorder of the capsid. Our results suggest that the intrinsic "elasticity" can also aid the capsid to adapt to the stress and remain structurally intact during translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpa Hudait
- Department of Chemistry, Chicago Center for Theoretical Chemistry, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, and James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
| | - Gregory A. Voth
- Department of Chemistry, Chicago Center for Theoretical Chemistry, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, and James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
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53
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Khalil B, Linsenmeier M, Smith CL, Shorter J, Rossoll W. Nuclear-import receptors as gatekeepers of pathological phase transitions in ALS/FTD. Mol Neurodegener 2024; 19:8. [PMID: 38254150 PMCID: PMC10804745 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00698-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are fatal neurodegenerative disorders on a disease spectrum that are characterized by the cytoplasmic mislocalization and aberrant phase transitions of prion-like RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). The common accumulation of TAR DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43), fused in sarcoma (FUS), and other nuclear RBPs in detergent-insoluble aggregates in the cytoplasm of degenerating neurons in ALS/FTD is connected to nuclear pore dysfunction and other defects in the nucleocytoplasmic transport machinery. Recent advances suggest that beyond their canonical role in the nuclear import of protein cargoes, nuclear-import receptors (NIRs) can prevent and reverse aberrant phase transitions of TDP-43, FUS, and related prion-like RBPs and restore their nuclear localization and function. Here, we showcase the NIR family and how they recognize cargo, drive nuclear import, and chaperone prion-like RBPs linked to ALS/FTD. We also discuss the promise of enhancing NIR levels and developing potentiated NIR variants as therapeutic strategies for ALS/FTD and related neurodegenerative proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal Khalil
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, U.S.A
| | - Miriam Linsenmeier
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A
| | - Courtney L Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, U.S.A
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience Track, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, U.S.A
| | - James Shorter
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A..
| | - Wilfried Rossoll
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, U.S.A..
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54
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Versini R, Sritharan S, Aykac Fas B, Tubiana T, Aimeur SZ, Henri J, Erard M, Nüsse O, Andreani J, Baaden M, Fuchs P, Galochkina T, Chatzigoulas A, Cournia Z, Santuz H, Sacquin-Mora S, Taly A. A Perspective on the Prospective Use of AI in Protein Structure Prediction. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:26-41. [PMID: 38124369 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
AlphaFold2 (AF2) and RoseTTaFold (RF) have revolutionized structural biology, serving as highly reliable and effective methods for predicting protein structures. This article explores their impact and limitations, focusing on their integration into experimental pipelines and their application in diverse protein classes, including membrane proteins, intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), and oligomers. In experimental pipelines, AF2 models help X-ray crystallography in resolving the phase problem, while complementarity with mass spectrometry and NMR data enhances structure determination and protein flexibility prediction. Predicting the structure of membrane proteins remains challenging for both AF2 and RF due to difficulties in capturing conformational ensembles and interactions with the membrane. Improvements in incorporating membrane-specific features and predicting the structural effect of mutations are crucial. For intrinsically disordered proteins, AF2's confidence score (pLDDT) serves as a competitive disorder predictor, but integrative approaches including molecular dynamics (MD) simulations or hydrophobic cluster analyses are advocated for accurate dynamics representation. AF2 and RF show promising results for oligomeric models, outperforming traditional docking methods, with AlphaFold-Multimer showing improved performance. However, some caveats remain in particular for membrane proteins. Real-life examples demonstrate AF2's predictive capabilities in unknown protein structures, but models should be evaluated for their agreement with experimental data. Furthermore, AF2 models can be used complementarily with MD simulations. In this Perspective, we propose a "wish list" for improving deep-learning-based protein folding prediction models, including using experimental data as constraints and modifying models with binding partners or post-translational modifications. Additionally, a meta-tool for ranking and suggesting composite models is suggested, driving future advancements in this rapidly evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaelle Versini
- Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, CNRS (UPR9080), Université Paris Cité, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Sujith Sritharan
- Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, CNRS (UPR9080), Université Paris Cité, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Burcu Aykac Fas
- Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, CNRS (UPR9080), Université Paris Cité, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Thibault Tubiana
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Sana Zineb Aimeur
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut de Chimie Physique, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - Julien Henri
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie, Computationnelle et Quantitative UMR 7238, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, 4 Place Jussieu, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Marie Erard
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut de Chimie Physique, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - Oliver Nüsse
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut de Chimie Physique, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - Jessica Andreani
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Marc Baaden
- Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, CNRS (UPR9080), Université Paris Cité, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Patrick Fuchs
- Sorbonne Université, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, 75005 Paris, France
- Université de Paris, UFR Sciences du Vivant, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Tatiana Galochkina
- Université Paris Cité and Université des Antilles and Université de la Réunion, INSERM, BIGR, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Alexios Chatzigoulas
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Zoe Cournia
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Hubert Santuz
- Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, CNRS (UPR9080), Université Paris Cité, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Sophie Sacquin-Mora
- Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, CNRS (UPR9080), Université Paris Cité, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Antoine Taly
- Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, CNRS (UPR9080), Université Paris Cité, F-75005 Paris, France
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55
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Varadi M, Bertoni D, Magana P, Paramval U, Pidruchna I, Radhakrishnan M, Tsenkov M, Nair S, Mirdita M, Yeo J, Kovalevskiy O, Tunyasuvunakool K, Laydon A, Žídek A, Tomlinson H, Hariharan D, Abrahamson J, Green T, Jumper J, Birney E, Steinegger M, Hassabis D, Velankar S. AlphaFold Protein Structure Database in 2024: providing structure coverage for over 214 million protein sequences. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:D368-D375. [PMID: 37933859 PMCID: PMC10767828 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The AlphaFold Database Protein Structure Database (AlphaFold DB, https://alphafold.ebi.ac.uk) has significantly impacted structural biology by amassing over 214 million predicted protein structures, expanding from the initial 300k structures released in 2021. Enabled by the groundbreaking AlphaFold2 artificial intelligence (AI) system, the predictions archived in AlphaFold DB have been integrated into primary data resources such as PDB, UniProt, Ensembl, InterPro and MobiDB. Our manuscript details subsequent enhancements in data archiving, covering successive releases encompassing model organisms, global health proteomes, Swiss-Prot integration, and a host of curated protein datasets. We detail the data access mechanisms of AlphaFold DB, from direct file access via FTP to advanced queries using Google Cloud Public Datasets and the programmatic access endpoints of the database. We also discuss the improvements and services added since its initial release, including enhancements to the Predicted Aligned Error viewer, customisation options for the 3D viewer, and improvements in the search engine of AlphaFold DB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaly Varadi
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Damian Bertoni
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Paulyna Magana
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Urmila Paramval
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Ivanna Pidruchna
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | | | - Maxim Tsenkov
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Sreenath Nair
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Milot Mirdita
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jingi Yeo
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ewan Birney
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Martin Steinegger
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Sameer Velankar
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, UK
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56
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Raveh B, Eliasian R, Rashkovits S, Russel D, Hayama R, Sparks SE, Singh D, Lim R, Villa E, Rout MP, Cowburn D, Sali A. Integrative spatiotemporal map of nucleocytoplasmic transport. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.31.573409. [PMID: 38260487 PMCID: PMC10802240 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.31.573409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The Nuclear Pore Complex (NPC) facilitates rapid and selective nucleocytoplasmic transport of molecules as large as ribosomal subunits and viral capsids. It is not clear how key emergent properties of this transport arise from the system components and their interactions. To address this question, we constructed an integrative coarse-grained Brownian dynamics model of transport through a single NPC, followed by coupling it with a kinetic model of Ran-dependent transport in an entire cell. The microscopic model parameters were fitted to reflect experimental data and theoretical information regarding the transport, without making any assumptions about its emergent properties. The resulting reductionist model is validated by reproducing several features of transport not used for its construction, such as the morphology of the central transporter, rates of passive and facilitated diffusion as a function of size and valency, in situ radial distributions of pre-ribosomal subunits, and active transport rates for viral capsids. The model suggests that the NPC functions essentially as a virtual gate whose flexible phenylalanine-glycine (FG) repeat proteins raise an entropy barrier to diffusion through the pore. Importantly, this core functionality is greatly enhanced by several key design features, including 'fuzzy' and transient interactions, multivalency, redundancy in the copy number of FG nucleoporins, exponential coupling of transport kinetics and thermodynamics in accordance with the transition state theory, and coupling to the energy-reliant RanGTP concentration gradient. These design features result in the robust and resilient rate and selectivity of transport for a wide array of cargo ranging from a few kilodaltons to megadaltons in size. By dissecting these features, our model provides a quantitative starting point for rationally modulating the transport system and its artificial mimics.
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57
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Tang Y. Plant nuclear envelope as a hub connecting genome organization with regulation of gene expression. Nucleus 2023; 14:2178201. [PMID: 36794966 PMCID: PMC9980628 DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2023.2178201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells organize their genome within the nucleus with a double-layered membrane structure termed the nuclear envelope (NE) as the physical barrier. The NE not only shields the nuclear genome but also spatially separates transcription from translation. Proteins of the NE including nucleoskeleton proteins, inner nuclear membrane proteins, and nuclear pore complexes have been implicated in interacting with underlying genome and chromatin regulators to establish a higher-order chromatin architecture. Here, I summarize recent advances in the knowledge of NE proteins that are involved in chromatin organization, gene regulation, and coordination of transcription and mRNA export. These studies support an emerging view of plant NE as a central hub that contributes to chromatin organization and gene expression in response to various cellular and environmental cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Tang
- Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Shandong Laboratory of Advanced Agricultural Sciences at Weifang, Weifang, Shandong, China,CONTACT Yu Tang Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Shandong Laboratory of Advanced Agricultural Sciences at Weifang, Weifang, China
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58
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Lv Q, Zhou F, Liu X, Zhi L. Artificial intelligence in small molecule drug discovery from 2018 to 2023: Does it really work? Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106894. [PMID: 37776682 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in drug design represents an advanced approach for identifying targets and developing new drugs. Integrating AI techniques significantly reduces the workload involved in drug development and enhances the efficiency of early-stage drug discovery. This review aims to present a comprehensive overview of the utilization of AI methods in the field of small drug design, with a specific focus on four key areas: protein structure prediction, molecular virtual screening, molecular design, and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) prediction. Additionally, the role and limitations of AI in drug development are explored, and the impact of AI on decision-making processes is studied. It is important to note that while AI can bring numerous benefits to the early stage of drug development, the direction and quality of decision-making should still be emphasized, as AI should be considered as a tool rather than a decisive factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Lv
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230032, PR China
| | - Feilong Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230032, PR China
| | - Xinhua Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230032, PR China.
| | - Liping Zhi
- School of Health Management, Anhui Medical University Hefei, 230032, PR China.
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59
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Fung HKH, Hayashi Y, Salo VT, Babenko A, Zagoriy I, Brunner A, Ellenberg J, Müller CW, Cuylen-Haering S, Mahamid J. Genetically encoded multimeric tags for subcellular protein localization in cryo-EM. Nat Methods 2023; 20:1900-1908. [PMID: 37932397 PMCID: PMC10703698 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-02053-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) allows for label-free high-resolution imaging of macromolecular assemblies in their native cellular context. However, the localization of macromolecules of interest in tomographic volumes can be challenging. Here we present a ligand-inducible labeling strategy for intracellular proteins based on fluorescent, 25-nm-sized, genetically encoded multimeric particles (GEMs). The particles exhibit recognizable structural signatures, enabling their automated detection in cryo-ET data by convolutional neural networks. The coupling of GEMs to green fluorescent protein-tagged macromolecules of interest is triggered by addition of a small-molecule ligand, allowing for time-controlled labeling to minimize disturbance to native protein function. We demonstrate the applicability of GEMs for subcellular-level localization of endogenous and overexpressed proteins across different organelles in human cells using cryo-correlative fluorescence and cryo-ET imaging. We describe means for quantifying labeling specificity and efficiency, and for systematic optimization for rare and abundant protein targets, with emphasis on assessing the potential effects of labeling on protein function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herman K H Fung
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yuki Hayashi
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Veijo T Salo
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anastasiia Babenko
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
- University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ievgeniia Zagoriy
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Brunner
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Collaboration for Joint PhD Degree between EMBL and Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jan Ellenberg
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph W Müller
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sara Cuylen-Haering
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Julia Mahamid
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany.
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60
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Semchonok DA, Kyrilis FL, Hamdi F, Kastritis PL. Cryo-EM of a heterogeneous biochemical fraction elucidates multiple protein complexes from a multicellular thermophilic eukaryote. J Struct Biol X 2023; 8:100094. [PMID: 37638207 PMCID: PMC10451023 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjsbx.2023.100094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular complexes and their interactions govern cellular structure and function. Understanding their architecture is a prerequisite for dissecting the cell's inner workings, but their higher-order assembly is often transient and challenging for structural analysis. Here, we performed cryo-EM on a single, highly heterogeneous biochemical fraction derived from Chaetomium thermophilum cell extracts to visualize the biomolecular content of the multicellular eukaryote. After cryo-EM single-particle image processing, results showed that a simultaneous three-dimensional structural characterization of multiple chemically diverse biomacromolecules is feasible. Namely, the thermophilic, eukaryotic complexes of (a) ATP citrate-lyase, (b) Hsp90, (c) 20S proteasome, (d) Hsp60 and (e) UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase were characterized. In total, all five complexes have been structurally dissected in a thermophilic eukaryote in a total imaged sample area of 190.64 μm2, and two, in particular, 20S proteasome and Hsp60, exhibit side-chain resolution features. The C. thermophilum Hsp60 near-atomic model was resolved at 3.46 Å (FSC = 0.143) and shows a hinge-like conformational change of its equatorial domain, highly similar to the one previously shown for its bacterial orthologue, GroEL. This work demonstrates that cryo-EM of cell extracts will greatly accelerate the structural analysis of cellular complexes and provide unprecedented opportunities to annotate architectures of biomolecules in a holistic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry A. Semchonok
- Interdisciplinary Research Center HALOmem, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Straße 3a, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Fotis L. Kyrilis
- Interdisciplinary Research Center HALOmem, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Straße 3a, Halle/Saale, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Straße 3, Halle/Saale, Germany
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Farzad Hamdi
- Interdisciplinary Research Center HALOmem, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Straße 3a, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Panagiotis L. Kastritis
- Interdisciplinary Research Center HALOmem, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Straße 3a, Halle/Saale, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Straße 3, Halle/Saale, Germany
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
- Biozentrum, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Weinbergweg 22, Halle/Saale, Germany
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61
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Louvel V, Haase R, Mercey O, Laporte MH, Eloy T, Baudrier É, Fortun D, Soldati-Favre D, Hamel V, Guichard P. iU-ExM: nanoscopy of organelles and tissues with iterative ultrastructure expansion microscopy. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7893. [PMID: 38036510 PMCID: PMC10689735 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43582-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Expansion microscopy (ExM) is a highly effective technique for super-resolution fluorescence microscopy that enables imaging of biological samples beyond the diffraction limit with conventional fluorescence microscopes. Despite the development of several enhanced protocols, ExM has not yet demonstrated the ability to achieve the precision of nanoscopy techniques such as Single Molecule Localization Microscopy (SMLM). Here, to address this limitation, we have developed an iterative ultrastructure expansion microscopy (iU-ExM) approach that achieves SMLM-level resolution. With iU-ExM, it is now possible to visualize the molecular architecture of gold-standard samples, such as the eight-fold symmetry of nuclear pores or the molecular organization of the conoid in Apicomplexa. With its wide-ranging applications, from isolated organelles to cells and tissue, iU-ExM opens new super-resolution avenues for scientists studying biological structures and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Louvel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Romuald Haase
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Mercey
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marine H Laporte
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Thibaut Eloy
- ICube - UMR7357, CNRS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Étienne Baudrier
- ICube - UMR7357, CNRS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Denis Fortun
- ICube - UMR7357, CNRS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Virginie Hamel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Paul Guichard
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
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62
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Yang Y, Guo L, Chen L, Gong B, Jia D, Sun Q. Nuclear transport proteins: structure, function, and disease relevance. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:425. [PMID: 37945593 PMCID: PMC10636164 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01649-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Proper subcellular localization is crucial for the functioning of biomacromolecules, including proteins and RNAs. Nuclear transport is a fundamental cellular process that regulates the localization of many macromolecules within the nuclear or cytoplasmic compartments. In humans, approximately 60 proteins are involved in nuclear transport, including nucleoporins that form membrane-embedded nuclear pore complexes, karyopherins that transport cargoes through these complexes, and Ran system proteins that ensure directed and rapid transport. Many of these nuclear transport proteins play additional and essential roles in mitosis, biomolecular condensation, and gene transcription. Dysregulation of nuclear transport is linked to major human diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and viral infections. Selinexor (KPT-330), an inhibitor targeting the nuclear export factor XPO1 (also known as CRM1), was approved in 2019 to treat two types of blood cancers, and dozens of clinical trials of are ongoing. This review summarizes approximately three decades of research data in this field but focuses on the structure and function of individual nuclear transport proteins from recent studies, providing a cutting-edge and holistic view on the role of nuclear transport proteins in health and disease. In-depth knowledge of this rapidly evolving field has the potential to bring new insights into fundamental biology, pathogenic mechanisms, and therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Lu Guo
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Gong
- The Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study of Sichuan Province and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Da Jia
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Qingxiang Sun
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
- Department of Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Biotherapy, Chengdu, China.
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63
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Veldsink AC, Gallardo P, Lusk CP, Veenhoff LM. Changing the guard-nuclear pore complex quality control. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2739-2749. [PMID: 37715940 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
The integrity of the nuclear envelope depends on the function of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), transport channels that control macromolecular traffic between the nucleus and cytosol. The central importance of NPCs suggests the existence of quality control (QC) mechanisms that oversee their assembly and function. In this perspective, we emphasize the challenges associated with NPC assembly and the need for QC mechanisms that operate at various stages of an NPC's life. This includes cytosolic preassembly QC that helps enforce key nucleoporin-nucleoporin interactions and their ultimate stoichiometry in the NPC in addition to mechanisms that monitor aberrant fusion of the inner and outer nuclear membranes. Furthermore, we discuss whether and how these QC mechanisms may operate to sense faulty mature NPCs to facilitate their repair or removal. The so far uncovered mechanisms for NPC QC provide fertile ground for future research that not only benefits a better understanding of the vital role that NPCs play in cellular physiology but also how loss of NPC function and/or these QC mechanisms might be an input to aging and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemiek C Veldsink
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, 9713 AV, The Netherlands
| | - Paola Gallardo
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, 9713 AV, The Netherlands
| | - C Patrick Lusk
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, CT, New Haven, USA
| | - Liesbeth M Veenhoff
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, 9713 AV, The Netherlands
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64
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Boyle E, Wilfling F. Autophagy as a caretaker of nuclear integrity. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2728-2738. [PMID: 37567863 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Due to their essential functions, dysregulation of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) is strongly associated with numerous human diseases, including neurodegeneration and cancer. On a cellular level, longevity of scaffold nucleoporins in postmitotic cells of both C. elegans and mammals renders them vulnerable to age-related damage, which is associated with an increase in pore leakiness and accumulation of intranuclear aggregates in rat brain cells. Thus, understanding the mechanisms which underpin the homeostasis of this complex, as well as other nuclear proteins, is essential. In this review, autophagy-mediated degradation pathways governing nuclear components in yeast will be discussed, with a particular focus on NPCs. Furthermore, the various nuclear degradation mechanisms identified thus far in diverse eukaryotes will also be highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Boyle
- Mechanisms of Cellular Quality Control, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Florian Wilfling
- Mechanisms of Cellular Quality Control, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany
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65
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Fahrenkrog B, Gasser SM. Structure and function of the nuclear envelope and nuclear pores. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2703-2704. [PMID: 38013590 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Birthe Fahrenkrog
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 41, Basel, 4056, Switzerland
| | - Susan M Gasser
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
- ISREC Foundation, Agora Cancer Research Center, Rue du Bugnon 25A, Lausanne, 1005, Switzerland
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66
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Borges-Araújo L, Patmanidis I, Singh AP, Santos LHS, Sieradzan AK, Vanni S, Czaplewski C, Pantano S, Shinoda W, Monticelli L, Liwo A, Marrink SJ, Souza PCT. Pragmatic Coarse-Graining of Proteins: Models and Applications. J Chem Theory Comput 2023; 19:7112-7135. [PMID: 37788237 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c00733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
The molecular details involved in the folding, dynamics, organization, and interaction of proteins with other molecules are often difficult to assess by experimental techniques. Consequently, computational models play an ever-increasing role in the field. However, biological processes involving large-scale protein assemblies or long time scale dynamics are still computationally expensive to study in atomistic detail. For these applications, employing coarse-grained (CG) modeling approaches has become a key strategy. In this Review, we provide an overview of what we call pragmatic CG protein models, which are strategies combining, at least in part, a physics-based implementation and a top-down experimental approach to their parametrization. In particular, we focus on CG models in which most protein residues are represented by at least two beads, allowing these models to retain some degree of chemical specificity. A description of the main modern pragmatic protein CG models is provided, including a review of the most recent applications and an outlook on future perspectives in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Borges-Araújo
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB, UMR 5086), CNRS, University of Lyon, 7 Passage du Vercors, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Ilias Patmanidis
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Akhil P Singh
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, Fribourg CH-1700, Switzerland
| | - Lucianna H S Santos
- Biomolecular Simulations Group, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Adam K Sieradzan
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Stefano Vanni
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, Fribourg CH-1700, Switzerland
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université Côte d'Azur, Inserm, CNRS, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Cezary Czaplewski
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Sergio Pantano
- Biomolecular Simulations Group, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Wataru Shinoda
- Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University, 3-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Luca Monticelli
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB, UMR 5086), CNRS, University of Lyon, 7 Passage du Vercors, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Adam Liwo
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Siewert J Marrink
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Paulo C T Souza
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB, UMR 5086), CNRS, University of Lyon, 7 Passage du Vercors, 69007 Lyon, France
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67
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Neely AE, Zhang Y, Blumensaadt LA, Mao H, Brenner B, Sun C, Zhang HF, Bao X. Nucleoporin downregulation modulates progenitor differentiation independent of nuclear pore numbers. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1033. [PMID: 37853046 PMCID: PMC10584948 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05398-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleoporins (NUPs) comprise nuclear pore complexes, gateways for nucleocytoplasmic transport. As primary human keratinocytes switch from the progenitor state towards differentiation, most NUPs are strongly downregulated, with NUP93 being the most downregulated NUP in this process. To determine if this NUP downregulation is accompanied by a reduction in nuclear pore numbers, we leveraged Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy. No significant changes in nuclear pore numbers were detected using three independent NUP antibodies; however, NUP reduction in other subcellular compartments such as the cytoplasm was identified. To investigate how NUP reduction influences keratinocyte differentiation, we knocked down NUP93 in keratinocytes in the progenitor-state culture condition. NUP93 knockdown diminished keratinocytes' clonogenicity and epidermal regenerative capacity, without drastically affecting nuclear pore numbers or permeability. Using transcriptome profiling, we identified that NUP93 knockdown induces differentiation genes related to both mechanical and immune barrier functions, including the activation of known NF-κB target genes. Consistently, keratinocytes with NUP93 knockdown exhibited increased nuclear localization of the NF-κB p65/p50 transcription factors, and increased NF-κB reporter activity. Taken together, these findings highlight the gene regulatory roles contributed by differential NUP expression levels in keratinocyte differentiation, independent of nuclear pore numbers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E Neely
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
- Molecular Analytics and Photonics (MAP) Lab, Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA.
| | - Laura A Blumensaadt
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Hongjing Mao
- Molecular Analytics and Photonics (MAP) Lab, Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
| | - Benjamin Brenner
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Cheng Sun
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Hao F Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Xiaomin Bao
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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68
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Varadi M, Tsenkov M, Velankar S. Challenges in bridging the gap between protein structure prediction and functional interpretation. Proteins 2023. [PMID: 37850517 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
The rapid evolution of protein structure prediction tools has significantly broadened access to protein structural data. Although predicted structure models have the potential to accelerate and impact fundamental and translational research significantly, it is essential to note that they are not validated and cannot be considered the ground truth. Thus, challenges persist, particularly in capturing protein dynamics, predicting multi-chain structures, interpreting protein function, and assessing model quality. Interdisciplinary collaborations are crucial to overcoming these obstacles. Databases like the AlphaFold Protein Structure Database, the ESM Metagenomic Atlas, and initiatives like the 3D-Beacons Network provide FAIR access to these data, enabling their interpretation and application across a broader scientific community. Whilst substantial advancements have been made in protein structure prediction, further progress is required to address the remaining challenges. Developing training materials, nurturing collaborations, and ensuring open data sharing will be paramount in this pursuit. The continued evolution of these tools and methodologies will deepen our understanding of protein function and accelerate disease pathogenesis and drug development discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaly Varadi
- Protein Data Bank in Europe, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maxim Tsenkov
- Protein Data Bank in Europe, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sameer Velankar
- Protein Data Bank in Europe, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
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69
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Jumper J, Hassabis D. The Protein Structure Prediction Revolution and Its Implications for Medicine: 2023 Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award. JAMA 2023; 330:1425-1426. [PMID: 37732824 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.17095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
In this Viewpoint, 2023 Lasker award winners John Jumper and Demis Hassabis describe their invention, the artificial intelligence–based system AlphaFold, which is able to predict protein structure with great accuracy.
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70
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Rush C, Jiang Z, Tingey M, Feng F, Yang W. Unveiling the complexity: assessing models describing the structure and function of the nuclear pore complex. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1245939. [PMID: 37876551 PMCID: PMC10591098 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1245939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The nuclear pore complex (NPC) serves as a pivotal subcellular structure, acting as a gateway that orchestrates nucleocytoplasmic transport through a selectively permeable barrier. Nucleoporins (Nups), particularly those containing phenylalanine-glycine (FG) motifs, play indispensable roles within this barrier. Recent advancements in technology have significantly deepened our understanding of the NPC's architecture and operational intricacies, owing to comprehensive investigations. Nevertheless, the conspicuous presence of intrinsically disordered regions within FG-Nups continues to present a formidable challenge to conventional static characterization techniques. Historically, a multitude of strategies have been employed to unravel the intricate organization and behavior of FG-Nups within the NPC. These endeavors have given rise to multiple models that strive to elucidate the structural layout and functional significance of FG-Nups. Within this exhaustive review, we present a comprehensive overview of these prominent models, underscoring their proposed dynamic and structural attributes, supported by pertinent research. Through a comparative analysis, we endeavor to shed light on the distinct characteristics and contributions inherent in each model. Simultaneously, it remains crucial to acknowledge the scarcity of unequivocal validation for any of these models, as substantiated by empirical evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Weidong Yang
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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71
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Theiss M, Hériché JK, Russell C, Helekal D, Soppitt A, Ries J, Ellenberg J, Brazma A, Uhlmann V. Simulating structurally variable nuclear pore complexes for microscopy. Bioinformatics 2023; 39:btad587. [PMID: 37756700 PMCID: PMC10570993 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btad587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is the only passageway for macromolecules between nucleus and cytoplasm, and an important reference standard in microscopy: it is massive and stereotypically arranged. The average architecture of NPC proteins has been resolved with pseudoatomic precision, however observed NPC heterogeneities evidence a high degree of divergence from this average. Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) images NPCs at protein-level resolution, whereupon image analysis software studies NPC variability. However, the true picture of this variability is unknown. In quantitative image analysis experiments, it is thus difficult to distinguish intrinsically high SMLM noise from variability of the underlying structure. RESULTS We introduce CIR4MICS ('ceramics', Configurable, Irregular Rings FOR MICroscopy Simulations), a pipeline that synthesizes ground truth datasets of structurally variable NPCs based on architectural models of the true NPC. Users can select one or more N- or C-terminally tagged NPC proteins, and simulate a wide range of geometric variations. We also represent the NPC as a spring-model such that arbitrary deforming forces, of user-defined magnitudes, simulate irregularly shaped variations. Further, we provide annotated reference datasets of simulated human NPCs, which facilitate a side-by-side comparison with real data. To demonstrate, we synthetically replicate a geometric analysis of real NPC radii and reveal that a range of simulated variability parameters can lead to observed results. Our simulator is therefore valuable to test the capabilities of image analysis methods, as well as to inform experimentalists about the requirements of hypothesis-driven imaging studies. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION Code: https://github.com/uhlmanngroup/cir4mics. Simulated data: BioStudies S-BSST1058.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Theiss
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Karim Hériché
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg 69117, Germany
| | - Craig Russell
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - David Helekal
- Centre for Doctoral Training in Mathematics for Real-World Systems, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Alisdair Soppitt
- EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Modelling of Heterogeneous Systems, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Jonas Ries
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg 69117, Germany
- Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Dr.-Bohr-Gasse 9, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Jan Ellenberg
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg 69117, Germany
| | - Alvis Brazma
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Virginie Uhlmann
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
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72
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Desgraupes S, Etienne L, Arhel NJ. RANBP2 evolution and human disease. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2519-2533. [PMID: 37795679 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Ran-binding protein 2 (RANBP2)/Nup358 is a nucleoporin and a key component of the nuclear pore complex. Through its multiple functions (e.g., SUMOylation, regulation of nucleocytoplasmic transport) and subcellular localizations (e.g., at the nuclear envelope, kinetochores, annulate lamellae), it is involved in many cellular processes. RANBP2 dysregulation or mutation leads to the development of human pathologies, such as acute necrotizing encephalopathy 1, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and it is also involved in viral infections. The chromosomal region containing the RANBP2 gene is highly dynamic, with high structural variation and recombination events that led to the appearance of a gene family called RANBP2 and GCC2 Protein Domains (RGPD), with multiple gene loss/duplication events during ape evolution. Although RGPD homoplasy and maintenance during evolution suggest they might confer an advantage to their hosts, their functions are still unknown and understudied. In this review, we discuss the appearance and importance of RANBP2 in metazoans and its function-related pathologies, caused by an alteration of its expression levels (through promotor activity, post-transcriptional, or post-translational modifications), its localization, or genetic mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Desgraupes
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), University of Montpellier, France
| | - Lucie Etienne
- Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Inserm U1111, UCBL1, CNRS UMR 5308, ENS de Lyon, Université de Lyon, France
| | - Nathalie J Arhel
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), University of Montpellier, France
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73
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Fichtman B, Harel A. The magnified view: from ancient trinkets to single nuclear pore complexes. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2590-2596. [PMID: 37777820 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
A journey from the earliest known use of lenses and magnifying glasses in ancient times, through the development of microscopes and towards modern electron microscopy techniques. The evolving technology and improved microscopes enabled the discovery of intracellular organelles, the nucleus and nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). Current advances have led to composite three-dimensional models showing NPC structure in unprecedented detail but relying on the averaging of many images. A complementary approach is field emission scanning electron microscopy providing topographic surface images that are easily and intuitively interpreted by our brain. Recent advances in this technique have made it possible to expose nuclei from human cells and to focus on individual NPCs and their architectural features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Fichtman
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Amnon Harel
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
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74
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Kuiper EFE, Prophet SM, Schlieker C. Coordinating nucleoporin condensation and nuclear pore complex assembly. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2534-2545. [PMID: 37620293 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is among the most elaborate protein complexes in eukaryotes. While ribosomes and proteasomes are known to require dedicated assembly machinery, our understanding of NPC assembly is at a relatively early stage. Defects in NPC assembly or homeostasis are tied to movement disorders, including dystonia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as well as aging, requiring a better understanding of these processes to enable therapeutic intervention. Here, we discuss recent progress in the understanding of NPC assembly and highlight how related defects in human disorders can shed light on NPC biogenesis. We propose that the condensation of phenylalanine-glycine repeat nucleoporins needs to be carefully controlled during NPC assembly to prevent aberrant condensation, aggregation, or amyloid formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- E F Elsiena Kuiper
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sarah M Prophet
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Christian Schlieker
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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75
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Gibson JM, Zhao X, Ali MY, Solmaz SR, Wang C. A Structural Model for the Core Nup358-BicD2 Interface. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1445. [PMID: 37892127 PMCID: PMC10604712 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Dynein motors facilitate the majority of minus-end-directed transport events on microtubules. The dynein adaptor Bicaudal D2 (BicD2) recruits the dynein machinery to several cellular cargo for transport, including Nup358, which facilitates a nuclear positioning pathway that is essential for the differentiation of distinct brain progenitor cells. Previously, we showed that Nup358 forms a "cargo recognition α-helix" upon binding to BicD2; however, the specifics of the BicD2-Nup358 interface are still not well understood. Here, we used AlphaFold2, complemented by two additional docking programs (HADDOCK and ClusPro) as well as mutagenesis, to show that the Nup358 cargo-recognition α-helix binds to BicD2 between residues 747 and 774 in an anti-parallel manner, forming a helical bundle. We identified two intermolecular salt bridges that are important to stabilize the interface. In addition, we uncovered a secondary interface mediated by an intrinsically disordered region of Nup358 that is directly N-terminal to the cargo-recognition α-helix and binds to BicD2 between residues 774 and 800. This is the same BicD2 domain that binds to the competing cargo adapter Rab6, which is important for the transport of Golgi-derived and secretory vesicles. Our results establish a structural basis for cargo recognition and selection by the dynein adapter BicD2, which facilitates transport pathways that are important for brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M. Gibson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Xiaoxin Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA;
| | - M. Yusuf Ali
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA;
| | - Sozanne R. Solmaz
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA;
| | - Chunyu Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy, NY 12180, USA
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76
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Petkidis A, Andriasyan V, Greber UF. Machine learning for cross-scale microscopy of viruses. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2023; 3:100557. [PMID: 37751685 PMCID: PMC10545915 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Despite advances in virological sciences and antiviral research, viruses continue to emerge, circulate, and threaten public health. We still lack a comprehensive understanding of how cells and individuals remain susceptible to infectious agents. This deficiency is in part due to the complexity of viruses, including the cell states controlling virus-host interactions. Microscopy samples distinct cellular infection stages in a multi-parametric, time-resolved manner at molecular resolution and is increasingly enhanced by machine learning and deep learning. Here we discuss how state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) augments light and electron microscopy and advances virological research of cells. We describe current procedures for image denoising, object segmentation, tracking, classification, and super-resolution and showcase examples of how AI has improved the acquisition and analyses of microscopy data. The power of AI-enhanced microscopy will continue to help unravel virus infection mechanisms, develop antiviral agents, and improve viral vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Petkidis
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Vardan Andriasyan
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Urs F Greber
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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77
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Sanchez Carrillo IB, Hoffmann PC, Barff T, Beck M, Germain H. Preparing Arabidopsis thaliana root protoplasts for cryo electron tomography. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1261180. [PMID: 37810374 PMCID: PMC10556516 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1261180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
The use of protoplasts in plant biology has become a convenient tool for the application of transient gene expression. This model system has allowed the study of plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, protein location and trafficking, cell wall dynamics, and single-cell transcriptomics, among others. Although well-established protocols for isolating protoplasts from different plant tissues are available, they have never been used for studying plant cells using cryo electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and cryo electron tomography (cryo-ET). Here we describe a workflow to prepare root protoplasts from Arabidopsis thaliana plants for cryo-ET. The process includes protoplast isolation and vitrification on EM grids, and cryo-focused ion beam milling (cryo-FIB), with the aim of tilt series acquisition. The whole workflow, from growing the plants to the acquisition of the tilt series, may take a few months. Our protocol provides a novel application to use plant protoplasts as a tool for cryo-ET.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrick C. Hoffmann
- Department of Molecular Sociology, Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Teura Barff
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Martin Beck
- Department of Molecular Sociology, Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Hugo Germain
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
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78
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Corbett AH, Fasken MB. Fellowship of two rings: Unprecedented insights into the structure of the yeast nuclear pore complex. Mol Cell 2023; 83:3232-3233. [PMID: 37738961 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Akey et al.1 use complementary experimental approaches and AI-based structure prediction to reveal new details of the structure of the yeast nuclear pore complex, providing key insights into evolution, assembly, and nucleocytoplasmic transport mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita H Corbett
- Department of Biology, Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Milo B Fasken
- Department of Biology, Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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79
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Akey CW, Echeverria I, Ouch C, Nudelman I, Shi Y, Wang J, Chait BT, Sali A, Fernandez-Martinez J, Rout MP. Implications of a multiscale structure of the yeast nuclear pore complex. Mol Cell 2023; 83:3283-3302.e5. [PMID: 37738963 PMCID: PMC10630966 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) direct the nucleocytoplasmic transport of macromolecules. Here, we provide a composite multiscale structure of the yeast NPC, based on improved 3D density maps from cryogenic electron microscopy and AlphaFold2 models. Key features of the inner and outer rings were integrated into a comprehensive model. We resolved flexible connectors that tie together the core scaffold, along with equatorial transmembrane complexes and a lumenal ring that anchor this channel within the pore membrane. The organization of the nuclear double outer ring reveals an architecture that may be shared with ancestral NPCs. Additional connections between the core scaffold and the central transporter suggest that under certain conditions, a degree of local organization is present at the periphery of the transport machinery. These connectors may couple conformational changes in the scaffold to the central transporter to modulate transport. Collectively, this analysis provides insights into assembly, transport, and NPC evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W Akey
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 700 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Ignacia Echeverria
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Christna Ouch
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 700 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation St., Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Ilona Nudelman
- Laboratory of Cellular and Structural Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Yi Shi
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry and Gaseous Ion Chemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Junjie Wang
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry and Gaseous Ion Chemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brian T Chait
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry and Gaseous Ion Chemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrej Sali
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Javier Fernandez-Martinez
- Laboratory of Cellular and Structural Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain; Instituto Biofisika (UPV/EHU, CSIC), University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Michael P Rout
- Laboratory of Cellular and Structural Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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80
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Gandhimathi R, Pinotsi D, Köhler M, Mansfeld J, Ashiono C, Kleele T, Pawar S, Kutay U. Super-resolution microscopy reveals focal organization of ER-associated Y-complexes in mitosis. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e56766. [PMID: 37469276 PMCID: PMC10481662 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202356766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
During mitotic entry of vertebrate cells, nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are rapidly disintegrated. NPC disassembly is initiated by hyperphosphorylation of linker nucleoporins (Nups), which leads to the dissociation of FG repeat Nups and relaxation of the nuclear permeability barrier. However, less is known about disintegration of the huge nuclear and cytoplasmic rings, which are formed by annular assemblies of Y-complexes that are dissociated from NPCs as intact units. Surprisingly, we observe that Y-complex Nups display slower dissociation kinetics compared with other Nups during in vitro NPC disassembly, indicating a mechanistic difference in the disintegration of Y-based rings. Intriguingly, biochemical experiments reveal that a fraction of Y-complexes remains associated with mitotic ER membranes, supporting recent microscopic observations. Visualization of mitotic Y-complexes by super-resolution microscopy demonstrates that they form two classes of higher order assemblies: large clusters at kinetochores and small, focal ER-associated assemblies. These, however, lack features qualifying them as persisting ring-shaped subassemblies previously proposed to serve as structural templates for NPC reassembly during mitotic exit, which helps to refine current models of nuclear reassembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rojapriyadharshini Gandhimathi
- Department of Biology, Institute of BiochemistryETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Molecular Life Sciences Ph.D. ProgramZurichSwitzerland
| | | | - Mario Köhler
- Department of Biology, Institute of BiochemistryETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Jörg Mansfeld
- Department of Biology, Institute of BiochemistryETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- The Institute of Cancer ResearchLondonUK
| | - Caroline Ashiono
- Department of Biology, Institute of BiochemistryETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Tatjana Kleele
- Department of Biology, Institute of BiochemistryETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Sumit Pawar
- Department of Biology, Institute of BiochemistryETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Present address:
Myllia BiotechnologyViennaAustria
| | - Ulrike Kutay
- Department of Biology, Institute of BiochemistryETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
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81
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Varadi M, Velankar S. The impact of AlphaFold Protein Structure Database on the fields of life sciences. Proteomics 2023; 23:e2200128. [PMID: 36382391 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202200128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Arguably, 2020 was the year of high-accuracy protein structure predictions, with AlphaFold 2.0 achieving previously unseen accuracy in the Critical Assessment of Protein Structure Prediction (CASP). In 2021, DeepMind and EMBL-EBI developed the AlphaFold Protein Structure Database to make an unprecedented number of reliable protein structure predictions easily accessible to the broad scientific community. We provide a brief overview and describe the latest developments in the AlphaFold database. We highlight how the fields of data services, bioinformatics, structural biology, and drug discovery are directly affected by the influx of protein structure data. We also show examples of cutting-edge research that took advantage of the AlphaFold database. It is apparent that connections between various fields through protein structures are now possible, but the amount of data poses new challenges. Finally, we give an outlook regarding the future direction of the database, both in terms of data sets and new functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaly Varadi
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Sameer Velankar
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, UK
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82
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Tüting C, Schmidt L, Skalidis I, Sinz A, Kastritis PL. Enabling cryo-EM density interpretation from yeast native cell extracts by proteomics data and AlphaFold structures. Proteomics 2023; 23:e2200096. [PMID: 37016452 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202200096] [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: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
In the cellular context, proteins participate in communities to perform their function. The detection and identification of these communities as well as in-community interactions has long been the subject of investigation, mainly through proteomics analysis with mass spectrometry. With the advent of cryogenic electron microscopy and the "resolution revolution," their visualization has recently been made possible, even in complex, native samples. The advances in both fields have resulted in the generation of large amounts of data, whose analysis requires advanced computation, often employing machine learning approaches to reach the desired outcome. In this work, we first performed a robust proteomics analysis of mass spectrometry (MS) data derived from a yeast native cell extract and used this information to identify protein communities and inter-protein interactions. Cryo-EM analysis of the cell extract provided a reconstruction of a biomolecule at medium resolution (∼8 Å (FSC = 0.143)). Utilizing MS-derived proteomics data and systematic fitting of AlphaFold-predicted atomic models, this density was assigned to the 2.6 MDa complex of yeast fatty acid synthase. Our proposed workflow identifies protein complexes in native cell extracts from Saccharomyces cerevisiae by combining proteomics, cryo-EM, and AI-guided protein structure prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Tüting
- Interdisciplinary Research Center HALOmem, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Biozentrum, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Lisa Schmidt
- Interdisciplinary Research Center HALOmem, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Ioannis Skalidis
- Interdisciplinary Research Center HALOmem, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Andrea Sinz
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Center for Structural Mass Spectrometry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Panagiotis L Kastritis
- Interdisciplinary Research Center HALOmem, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Biozentrum, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
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83
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Eisenstein M. Catching proteins at play: the method revealing the cell's inner mysteries. Nature 2023; 621:646-648. [PMID: 37723291 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-02909-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
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84
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DiIorio MC, Kulczyk AW. Novel Artificial Intelligence-Based Approaches for Ab Initio Structure Determination and Atomic Model Building for Cryo-Electron Microscopy. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:1674. [PMID: 37763837 PMCID: PMC10534518 DOI: 10.3390/mi14091674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Single particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has emerged as the prevailing method for near-atomic structure determination, shedding light on the important molecular mechanisms of biological macromolecules. However, the inherent dynamics and structural variability of biological complexes coupled with the large number of experimental images generated by a cryo-EM experiment make data processing nontrivial. In particular, ab initio reconstruction and atomic model building remain major bottlenecks that demand substantial computational resources and manual intervention. Approaches utilizing recent innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, particularly deep learning, have the potential to overcome the limitations that cannot be adequately addressed by traditional image processing approaches. Here, we review newly proposed AI-based methods for ab initio volume generation, heterogeneous 3D reconstruction, and atomic model building. We highlight the advancements made by the implementation of AI methods, as well as discuss remaining limitations and areas for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan C. DiIorio
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers University, 174 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Arkadiusz W. Kulczyk
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers University, 174 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology, Rutgers University, 76 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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85
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Chojnowski G. DoubleHelix: nucleic acid sequence identification, assignment and validation tool for cryo-EM and crystal structure models. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:8255-8269. [PMID: 37395405 PMCID: PMC10450167 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Sequence assignment is a key step of the model building process in both cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and macromolecular crystallography (MX). If the assignment fails, it can result in difficult to identify errors affecting the interpretation of a model. There are many model validation strategies that help experimentalists in this step of protein model building, but they are virtually non-existent for nucleic acids. Here, I present doubleHelix-a comprehensive method for assignment, identification, and validation of nucleic acid sequences in structures determined using cryo-EM and MX. The method combines a neural network classifier of nucleobase identities and a sequence-independent secondary structure assignment approach. I show that the presented method can successfully assist sequence-assignment step in nucleic-acid model building at lower resolutions, where visual map interpretation is very difficult. Moreover, I present examples of sequence assignment errors detected using doubleHelix in cryo-EM and MX structures of ribosomes deposited in the Protein Data Bank, which escaped the scrutiny of available model-validation approaches. The doubleHelix program source code is available under BSD-3 license at https://gitlab.com/gchojnowski/doublehelix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Chojnowski
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
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86
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Kalvelage J, Wöhlbrand L, Schoon RA, Zink FM, Correll C, Senkler J, Eubel H, Hoppenrath M, Rhiel E, Braun HP, Winklhofer M, Klingl A, Rabus R. The enigmatic nucleus of the marine dinoflagellate Prorocentrum cordatum. mSphere 2023; 8:e0003823. [PMID: 37358287 PMCID: PMC10449503 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00038-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The marine, bloom-forming dinoflagellate Prorocentrum cordatum CCMP 1329 (formerly P. minimum) has a genome atypical of eukaryotes, with a large size of ~4.15 Gbp, organized in plentiful, highly condensed chromosomes and packed in a dinoflagellate-specific nucleus (dinokaryon). Here, we apply microscopic and proteogenomic approaches to obtain new insights into this enigmatic nucleus of axenic P. cordatum. High-resolution focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy analysis of the flattened nucleus revealed highest density of nuclear pores in the vicinity of the nucleolus, a total of 62 tightly packed chromosomes (~0.4-6.7 µm3), and interaction of several chromosomes with the nucleolus and other nuclear structures. A specific procedure for enriching intact nuclei was developed to enable proteomic analyses of soluble and membrane protein-enriched fractions. These were analyzed with geLC and shotgun approaches employing ion-trap and timsTOF (trapped-ion-mobility-spectrometry time-of-flight) mass spectrometers, respectively. This allowed identification of 4,052 proteins (39% of unknown function), out of which 418 were predicted to serve specific nuclear functions; additional 531 proteins of unknown function could be allocated to the nucleus. Compaction of DNA despite very low histone abundance could be accomplished by highly abundant major basic nuclear proteins (HCc2-like). Several nuclear processes including DNA replication/repair and RNA processing/splicing can be fairly well explained on the proteogenomic level. By contrast, transcription and composition of the nuclear pore complex remain largely elusive. One may speculate that the large group of potential nuclear proteins with currently unknown functions may serve yet to be explored functions in nuclear processes differing from those of typical eukaryotic cells. IMPORTANCE Dinoflagellates form a highly diverse group of unicellular microalgae. They provide keystone species for the marine ecosystem and stand out among others by their very large, unusually organized genomes embedded in the nuclei markedly different from other eukaryotic cells. Functional insights into nuclear and other cell biological structures and processes of dinoflagellates have long been hampered by the paucity of available genomic sequences. The here studied cosmopolitan P. cordatum belongs to the harmful algal bloom-forming, marine dinoflagellates and has a recently de novo assembled genome. We present a detailed 3D reconstruction of the P. cordatum nucleus together with comprehensive proteogenomic insights into the protein equipment mastering the broad spectrum of nuclear processes. This study significantly advances our understanding of mechanisms and evolution of the conspicuous dinoflagellate cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Kalvelage
- General and Molecular Microbiology, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Lars Wöhlbrand
- General and Molecular Microbiology, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Robin-Alexander Schoon
- General and Molecular Microbiology, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Fiona-Marine Zink
- General and Molecular Microbiology, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Christina Correll
- Plant Development, Botany, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Jennifer Senkler
- Plant Proteomics, Institute of Plant Genetics, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Holger Eubel
- Plant Proteomics, Institute of Plant Genetics, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mona Hoppenrath
- Marine Biodiversity Research, Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences (IBU), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
- Senckenberg am Meer, German Centre for Marine Biodiversity Research (DZMB), Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Erhard Rhiel
- Planktology, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Braun
- Plant Proteomics, Institute of Plant Genetics, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Winklhofer
- Sensory Biology of Animals, Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences (IBU), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
- Research Center Neurosensory Science, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Klingl
- Plant Development, Botany, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Ralf Rabus
- General and Molecular Microbiology, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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87
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Wang W, Jakobi A, Wu YL, Ries J, Stallinga S, Rieger B. Particle fusion of super-resolution data reveals the unit structure of Nup96 in Nuclear Pore Complex. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13327. [PMID: 37587192 PMCID: PMC10432550 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39829-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Single molecule localization microscopy offers resolution nearly down to the molecular level with specific molecular labelling, and is thereby a promising tool for structural biology. In practice, however, the actual value to this field is limited primarily by incomplete fluorescent labelling of the structure. This missing information can be completed by merging information from many structurally identical particles in a particle fusion approach similar to cryo-EM single-particle analysis. In this paper, we present a data analysis of particle fusion results of fluorescently labelled Nup96 nucleoporins in the Nuclear Pore Complex to show that Nup96 occurs in a spatial arrangement of two rings of 8 units with two Nup96 copies per unit giving a total of 32 Nup96 copies per pore. We use Artificial Intelligence assisted modeling in Alphafold to extend the existing cryo-EM model of Nup96 to accurately pinpoint the positions of the fluorescent labels and show the accuracy of the match between fluorescent and cryo-EM data to be better than 3 nm in-plane and 5 nm out-of-plane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiu Wang
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Arjen Jakobi
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Yu-Le Wu
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonas Ries
- Department of Chromosome Biology, University of Vienna, Max-Perutz Labs, Center for Molecular Biology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sjoerd Stallinga
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Bernd Rieger
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
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88
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Habeck M. Bayesian methods in integrative structure modeling. Biol Chem 2023; 404:741-754. [PMID: 37505205 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2023-0145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing interest in characterizing the structure and dynamics of large biomolecular assemblies and their interactions within the cellular environment. A diverse array of experimental techniques allows us to study biomolecular systems on a variety of length and time scales. These techniques range from imaging with light, X-rays or electrons, to spectroscopic methods, cross-linking mass spectrometry and functional genomics approaches, and are complemented by AI-assisted protein structure prediction methods. A challenge is to integrate all of these data into a model of the system and its functional dynamics. This review focuses on Bayesian approaches to integrative structure modeling. We sketch the principles of Bayesian inference, highlight recent applications to integrative modeling and conclude with a discussion of current challenges and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Habeck
- Microscopic Image Analysis Group, Jena University Hospital, D-07743 Jena, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, d-37077 Göttingen, Germany
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89
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Kehlenbach RH, Neumann P, Ficner R, Dickmanns A. Interaction of nucleoporins with nuclear transport receptors: a structural perspective. Biol Chem 2023; 404:791-805. [PMID: 37210735 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2023-0155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Soluble nuclear transport receptors and stationary nucleoporins are at the heart of the nucleocytoplasmic transport machinery. A subset of nucleoporins contains characteristic and repetitive FG (phenylalanine-glycine) motifs, which are the basis for the permeability barrier of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) that controls transport of macromolecules between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. FG-motifs can interact with each other and/or with transport receptors, mediating their translocation across the NPC. The molecular details of homotypic and heterotypic FG-interactions have been analyzed at the structural level. In this review, we focus on the interactions of nucleoporins with nuclear transport receptors. Besides the conventional FG-motifs as interaction spots, a thorough structural analysis led us to identify additional similar motifs at the binding interface between nucleoporins and transport receptors. A detailed analysis of all known human nucleoporins revealed a large number of such phenylalanine-containing motifs that are not buried in the predicted 3D-structure of the respective protein but constitute part of the solvent-accessible surface area. Only nucleoporins that are rich in conventional FG-repeats are also enriched for these motifs. This additional layer of potential low-affinity binding sites on nucleoporins for transport receptors may have a strong impact on the interaction of transport complexes with the nuclear pore and, thus, the efficiency of nucleocytoplasmic transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph H Kehlenbach
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, GZMB, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Humboldtallee 23, D-37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Piotr Neumann
- Abteilung für Molekulare Strukturbiologie, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, GZMB, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ralf Ficner
- Abteilung für Molekulare Strukturbiologie, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, GZMB, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Achim Dickmanns
- Abteilung für Molekulare Strukturbiologie, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, GZMB, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
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90
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Yu W, Rush C, Tingey M, Junod S, Yang W. Application of Super-resolution SPEED Microscopy in the Study of Cellular Dynamics. CHEMICAL & BIOMEDICAL IMAGING 2023; 1:356-371. [PMID: 37501792 PMCID: PMC10369678 DOI: 10.1021/cbmi.3c00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Super-resolution imaging techniques have broken the diffraction-limited resolution of light microscopy. However, acquiring three-dimensional (3D) super-resolution information about structures and dynamic processes in live cells at high speed remains challenging. Recently, the development of high-speed single-point edge-excitation subdiffraction (SPEED) microscopy, along with its 2D-to-3D transformation algorithm, provides a practical and effective approach to achieving 3D subdiffraction-limit information in subcellular structures and organelles with rotational symmetry. One of the major benefits of SPEED microscopy is that it does not rely on complex optical components and can be implemented on a standard, inverted epifluorescence microscope, simplifying the process of sample preparation and the expertise requirement. SPEED microscopy is specifically designed to obtain 2D spatial locations of individual immobile or moving fluorescent molecules inside submicrometer biological channels or cavities at high spatiotemporal resolution. The collected data are then subjected to postlocalization 2D-to-3D transformation to obtain 3D super-resolution structural and dynamic information. In recent years, SPEED microscopy has provided significant insights into nucleocytoplasmic transport across the nuclear pore complex (NPC) and cytoplasm-cilium trafficking through the ciliary transition zone. This Review focuses on the applications of SPEED microscopy in studying the structure and function of nuclear pores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlan Yu
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, United States
| | - Coby Rush
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, United States
| | - Mark Tingey
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, United States
| | - Samuel Junod
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, United States
| | - Weidong Yang
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, United States
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91
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Xing H, Taniguchi R, Khusainov I, Kreysing JP, Welsch S, Turoňová B, Beck M. Translation dynamics in human cells visualized at high resolution reveal cancer drug action. Science 2023; 381:70-75. [PMID: 37410833 DOI: 10.1126/science.adh1411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Ribosomes catalyze protein synthesis by cycling through various functional states. These states have been extensively characterized in vitro, but their distribution in actively translating human cells remains elusive. We used a cryo-electron tomography-based approach and resolved ribosome structures inside human cells with high resolution. These structures revealed the distribution of functional states of the elongation cycle, a Z transfer RNA binding site, and the dynamics of ribosome expansion segments. Ribosome structures from cells treated with Homoharringtonine, a drug used against chronic myeloid leukemia, revealed how translation dynamics were altered in situ and resolve the small molecules within the active site of the ribosome. Thus, structural dynamics and drug effects can be assessed at high resolution within human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaipeng Xing
- Department of Molecular Sociology, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Reiya Taniguchi
- Department of Molecular Sociology, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Iskander Khusainov
- Department of Molecular Sociology, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jan Philipp Kreysing
- Department of Molecular Sociology, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- IMPRS on Cellular Biophysics, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sonja Welsch
- Central Electron Microscopy Facility, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Beata Turoňová
- Department of Molecular Sociology, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Martin Beck
- Department of Molecular Sociology, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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92
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Carugo O, Djinović-Carugo K. Automated identification of chalcogen bonds in AlphaFold protein structure database files: is it possible? Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1155629. [PMID: 37484534 PMCID: PMC10359982 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1155629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein structure prediction and structural biology have entered a new era with an artificial intelligence-based approach encoded in the AlphaFold2 and the analogous RoseTTAfold methods. More than 200 million structures have been predicted by AlphaFold2 from their primary sequences and the models as well as the approach itself have naturally been examined from different points of view by experimentalists and bioinformaticians. Here, we assessed the degree to which these computational models can provide information on subtle structural details with potential implications for diverse applications in protein engineering and chemical biology and focused the attention on chalcogen bonds formed by disulphide bridges. We found that only 43% of the chalcogen bonds observed in the experimental structures are present in the computational models, suggesting that the accuracy of the computational models is, in the majority of the cases, insufficient to allow the detection of chalcogen bonds, according to the usual stereochemical criteria. High-resolution experimentally derived structures are therefore still necessary when the structure must be investigated in depth based on fine structural aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliviero Carugo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Max Perutz Labs, Department of Structural and Computational Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kristina Djinović-Carugo
- Max Perutz Labs, Department of Structural and Computational Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Grenoble, Grenoble, France
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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93
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Read RJ, Baker EN, Bond CS, Garman EF, van Raaij MJ. AlphaFold and the future of structural biology. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2023; 79:556-558. [PMID: 37378959 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798323004928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This editorial acknowledges the transformative impact of new machine-learning methods, such as the use of AlphaFold, but also makes the case for the continuing need for experimental structural biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randy J Read
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, The Keith Peters Building, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| | - Edward N Baker
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Charles S Bond
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Elspeth F Garman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
| | - Mark J van Raaij
- Departamento de Estructura de Macromoleculas, Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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94
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Abstract
In the past 2 decades, structural biology has transformed from a single technique used on single proteins to a multimodal integrative approach. Recently, protein structure prediction algorithms have opened new avenues to address challenging biological questions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kristina Djinović-Carugo
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Grenoble, France
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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95
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Amm I, Weberruss M, Hellwig A, Schwarz J, Tatarek-Nossol M, Lüchtenborg C, Kallas M, Brügger B, Hurt E, Antonin W. Distinct domains in Ndc1 mediate its interaction with the Nup84 complex and the nuclear membrane. J Cell Biol 2023; 222:e202210059. [PMID: 37154843 PMCID: PMC10165475 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202210059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are embedded in the nuclear envelope and built from ∼30 different nucleoporins (Nups) in multiple copies, few are integral membrane proteins. One of these transmembrane nucleoporins, Ndc1, is thought to function in NPC assembly at the fused inner and outer nuclear membranes. Here, we show a direct interaction of Ndc1's transmembrane domain with Nup120 and Nup133, members of the pore membrane coating Y-complex. We identify an amphipathic helix in Ndc1's C-terminal domain binding highly curved liposomes. Upon overexpression, this amphipathic motif is toxic and dramatically alters the intracellular membrane organization in yeast. Ndc1's amphipathic motif functionally interacts with related motifs in the C-terminus of the nucleoporins Nup53 and Nup59, important for pore membrane binding and interconnecting NPC modules. The essential function of Ndc1 can be suppressed by deleting the amphipathic helix from Nup53. Our data indicate that nuclear membrane and presumably NPC biogenesis depends on a balanced ratio between amphipathic motifs in diverse nucleoporins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingo Amm
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center (BZH), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marion Weberruss
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andrea Hellwig
- Department of Neurobiology, Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Schwarz
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center (BZH), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marianna Tatarek-Nossol
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Lüchtenborg
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center (BZH), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martina Kallas
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center (BZH), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Britta Brügger
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center (BZH), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ed Hurt
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center (BZH), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wolfram Antonin
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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96
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Li Z, Chen S, Zhao L, Huang G, Xu H, Yang X, Wang P, Gao N, Sui SF. Nuclear export of pre-60S particles through the nuclear pore complex. Nature 2023:10.1038/s41586-023-06128-y. [PMID: 37258668 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06128-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is the bidirectional gate that mediates the exchange of macromolecules or their assemblies between nucleus and cytoplasm1-3. The assembly intermediates of the ribosomal subunits, pre-60S and pre-40S particles, are among the largest cargoes of the NPC and the export of these gigantic ribonucleoproteins requires numerous export factors4,5. Here we report the cryo-electron microscopy structure of native pre-60S particles trapped in the channel of yeast NPCs. In addition to known assembly factors, multiple factors with export functions are also included in the structure. These factors in general bind to either the flexible regions or subunit interface of the pre-60S particle, and virtually form many anchor sites for NPC binding. Through interactions with phenylalanine-glycine (FG) repeats from various nucleoporins of NPC, these factors collectively facilitate the passage of the pre-60S particle through the central FG repeat network of the NPC. Moreover, in silico analysis of the axial and radial distribution of pre-60S particles within the NPC shows that a single NPC can take up to four pre-60S particles simultaneously, and pre-60S particles are enriched in the inner ring regions close to the wall of the NPC with the solvent-exposed surface facing the centre of the nuclear pore. Our data suggest a translocation model for the export of pre-60S particles through the NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongqiang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuaijiabin Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Guoqiang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Huiqin Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoyun Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peiyi Wang
- Cryo-EM Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ning Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking-Tsinghua Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Sen-Fang Sui
- School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- Cryo-EM Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
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97
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Rice G, Wagner T, Stabrin M, Sitsel O, Prumbaum D, Raunser S. TomoTwin: generalized 3D localization of macromolecules in cryo-electron tomograms with structural data mining. Nat Methods 2023:10.1038/s41592-023-01878-z. [PMID: 37188953 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-01878-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Cryogenic-electron tomography enables the visualization of cellular environments in extreme detail, however, tools to analyze the full amount of information contained within these densely packed volumes are still needed. Detailed analysis of macromolecules through subtomogram averaging requires particles to first be localized within the tomogram volume, a task complicated by several factors including a low signal to noise ratio and crowding of the cellular space. Available methods for this task suffer either from being error prone or requiring manual annotation of training data. To assist in this crucial particle picking step, we present TomoTwin: an open source general picking model for cryogenic-electron tomograms based on deep metric learning. By embedding tomograms in an information-rich, high-dimensional space that separates macromolecules according to their three-dimensional structure, TomoTwin allows users to identify proteins in tomograms de novo without manually creating training data or retraining the network to locate new proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Rice
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Thorsten Wagner
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Markus Stabrin
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Oleg Sitsel
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Daniel Prumbaum
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Stefan Raunser
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany.
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98
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Mészáros B, Park E, Malinverni D, Sejdiu BI, Immadisetty K, Sandhu M, Lang B, Babu MM. Recent breakthroughs in computational structural biology harnessing the power of sequences and structures. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 80:102608. [PMID: 37182396 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in computational approaches and their integration into structural biology enable tackling increasingly complex questions. Here, we discuss several key areas, highlighting breakthroughs and remaining challenges. Theoretical modeling has provided tools to accurately predict and design protein structures on a scale currently difficult to achieve using experimental approaches. Molecular Dynamics simulations have become faster and more precise, delivering actionable information inaccessible by current experimental methods. Virtual screening workflows allow a high-throughput approach to discover ligands that bind and modulate protein function, while Machine Learning methods enable the design of proteins with new functionalities. Integrative structural biology combines several of these approaches, pushing the frontiers of structural and functional characterization to ever larger systems, advancing towards a complete understanding of the living cell. These breakthroughs will accelerate and significantly impact diverse areas of science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bálint Mészáros
- Department of Structural Biology and Center of Excellence for Data Driven Discovery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
| | - Electa Park
- Department of Structural Biology and Center of Excellence for Data Driven Discovery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
| | - Duccio Malinverni
- Department of Structural Biology and Center of Excellence for Data Driven Discovery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA. https://twitter.com/DucMalinverni
| | - Besian I Sejdiu
- Department of Structural Biology and Center of Excellence for Data Driven Discovery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA. https://twitter.com/bisejdiu
| | - Kalyan Immadisetty
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA. https://twitter.com/k_immadisetty
| | - Manbir Sandhu
- Department of Structural Biology and Center of Excellence for Data Driven Discovery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA. https://twitter.com/M5andhu
| | - Benjamin Lang
- Department of Structural Biology and Center of Excellence for Data Driven Discovery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA. https://twitter.com/langbnj
| | - M Madan Babu
- Department of Structural Biology and Center of Excellence for Data Driven Discovery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
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99
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Abstract
Recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy have marked only the beginning of the potential of this technique. To bring structure into cell biology, the modality of cryo-electron tomography has fast developed into a bona fide in situ structural biology technique where structures are determined in their native environment, the cell. Nearly every step of the cryo-focused ion beam-assisted electron tomography (cryo-FIB-ET) workflow has been improved upon in the past decade, since the first windows were carved into cells, unveiling macromolecular networks in near-native conditions. By bridging structural and cell biology, cryo-FIB-ET is advancing our understanding of structure-function relationships in their native environment and becoming a tool for discovering new biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey N Young
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
| | - Elizabeth Villa
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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100
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Wodak SJ, Vajda S, Lensink MF, Kozakov D, Bates PA. Critical Assessment of Methods for Predicting the 3D Structure of Proteins and Protein Complexes. Annu Rev Biophys 2023; 52:183-206. [PMID: 36626764 PMCID: PMC10885158 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biophys-102622-084607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Advances in a scientific discipline are often measured by small, incremental steps. In this review, we report on two intertwined disciplines in the protein structure prediction field, modeling of single chains and modeling of complexes, that have over decades emulated this pattern, as monitored by the community-wide blind prediction experiments CASP and CAPRI. However, over the past few years, dramatic advances were observed for the accurate prediction of single protein chains, driven by a surge of deep learning methodologies entering the prediction field. We review the mainscientific developments that enabled these recent breakthroughs and feature the important role of blind prediction experiments in building up and nurturing the structure prediction field. We discuss how the new wave of artificial intelligence-based methods is impacting the fields of computational and experimental structural biology and highlight areas in which deep learning methods are likely to lead to future developments, provided that major challenges are overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoshana J Wodak
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Sandor Vajda
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marc F Lensink
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, France;
| | - Dima Kozakov
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA;
- Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Paul A Bates
- Biomolecular Modelling Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom;
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