101
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Yanagisawa T, Seki E, Tanabe H, Fujii Y, Sakamoto K, Yokoyama S. Crystal Structure of Pyrrolysyl-tRNA Synthetase from a Methanogenic Archaeon ISO4-G1 and Its Structure-Based Engineering for Highly-Productive Cell-Free Genetic Code Expansion with Non-Canonical Amino Acids. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076256. [PMID: 37047230 PMCID: PMC10094482 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076256] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pairs of pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase (PylRS) and tRNAPyl from Methanosarcina mazei and Methanosarcina barkeri are widely used for site-specific incorporations of non-canonical amino acids into proteins (genetic code expansion). Previously, we achieved full productivity of cell-free protein synthesis for bulky non-canonical amino acids, including Nε-((((E)-cyclooct-2-en-1-yl)oxy)carbonyl)-L-lysine (TCO*Lys), by using Methanomethylophilus alvus PylRS with structure-based mutations in and around the amino acid binding pocket (first-layer and second-layer mutations, respectively). Recently, the PylRS·tRNAPyl pair from a methanogenic archaeon ISO4-G1 was used for genetic code expansion. In the present study, we determined the crystal structure of the methanogenic archaeon ISO4-G1 PylRS (ISO4-G1 PylRS) and compared it with those of structure-known PylRSs. Based on the ISO4-G1 PylRS structure, we attempted the site-specific incorporation of Nε-(p-ethynylbenzyloxycarbonyl)-L-lysine (pEtZLys) into proteins, but it was much less efficient than that of TCO*Lys with M. alvus PylRS mutants. Thus, the first-layer mutations (Y125A and M128L) of ISO4-G1 PylRS, with no additional second-layer mutations, increased the protein productivity with pEtZLys up to 57 ± 8% of that with TCO*Lys at high enzyme concentrations in the cell-free protein synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuo Yanagisawa
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-Cho, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan;
- RIKEN Cluster for Science, Technology and Innovation Hub, 1-7-22 Suehiro-Cho, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; (E.S.); (H.T.)
- Correspondence: (T.Y.); (S.Y.); Tel.: +81-45-503-9196 (S.Y.)
| | - Eiko Seki
- RIKEN Cluster for Science, Technology and Innovation Hub, 1-7-22 Suehiro-Cho, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; (E.S.); (H.T.)
| | - Hiroaki Tanabe
- RIKEN Cluster for Science, Technology and Innovation Hub, 1-7-22 Suehiro-Cho, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; (E.S.); (H.T.)
| | - Yoshifumi Fujii
- RIKEN Cluster for Science, Technology and Innovation Hub, 1-7-22 Suehiro-Cho, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; (E.S.); (H.T.)
| | - Kensaku Sakamoto
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-Cho, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan;
| | - Shigeyuki Yokoyama
- RIKEN Cluster for Science, Technology and Innovation Hub, 1-7-22 Suehiro-Cho, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; (E.S.); (H.T.)
- Correspondence: (T.Y.); (S.Y.); Tel.: +81-45-503-9196 (S.Y.)
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102
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Harel O, Jbara M. Chemical Synthesis of Bioactive Proteins. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202217716. [PMID: 36661212 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202217716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Nature has developed a plethora of protein machinery to operate and maintain nearly every task of cellular life. These processes are tightly regulated via post-expression modifications-transformations that modulate intracellular protein synthesis, folding, and activation. Methods to prepare homogeneously and precisely modified proteins are essential to probe their function and design new bioactive modalities. Synthetic chemistry has contributed remarkably to protein science by allowing the preparation of novel biomacromolecules that are often challenging or impractical to prepare via common biological means. The ability to chemically build and precisely modify proteins has enabled the production of new molecules with novel physicochemical properties and programmed activity for biomedical research, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications. This minireview summarizes recent developments in chemical protein synthesis to produce bioactive proteins, with emphasis on novel analogs with promising in vitro and in vivo activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omer Harel
- School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Muhammad Jbara
- School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
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103
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Streit M, Hemberger M, Häfner S, Knote F, Langenhan T, Beliu G. Optimized genetic code expansion technology for time-dependent induction of adhesion GPCR-ligand engagement. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4614. [PMID: 36870000 PMCID: PMC10031756 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
The introduction of an engineered aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNA pair enables site-specific incorporation of unnatural amino acids (uAAs) with functionalized side chains into proteins of interest. Genetic Code Expansion (GCE) via amber codon suppression confers functionalities to proteins but can also be used to temporally control the incorporation of genetically encoded elements into proteins. Here, we report an optimized GCE system (GCEXpress) for efficient and fast uAA incorporation. We demonstrate that GCEXpress can be used to efficiently alter the subcellular localization of proteins within living cells. We show that click labeling can resolve co-labeling problems of intercellular adhesive protein complexes. We apply this strategy to study the adhesion G protein-coupled receptor (aGPCR) ADGRE5/CD97 and its ligand CD55/DAF that play central roles in immune functions and oncological processes. Furthermore, we use GCEXpress to analyze the time course of ADGRE5-CD55 ligation and replenishment of mature receptor-ligand complexes. Supported by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) experiments our results show that ADGRE5 and CD55 form stable intercellular contacts that may support transmission of mechanical forces onto ADGRE5 in a ligand-dependent manner. We conclude that GCE in combination with biophysical measurements can be a useful approach to analyze the adhesive, mechanical and signaling properties of aGPCRs and their ligand interactions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Streit
- Rudolf Virchow Center, Research Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mareike Hemberger
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of General Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 30, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephanie Häfner
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of General Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 30, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Felix Knote
- Rudolf Virchow Center, Research Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Langenhan
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of General Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 30, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gerti Beliu
- Rudolf Virchow Center, Research Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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104
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Qin F, Li B, Wang H, Ma S, Li J, Liu S, Kong L, Zheng H, Zhu R, Han Y, Yang M, Li K, Ji X, Chen PR. Linking chromatin acylation mark-defined proteome and genome in living cells. Cell 2023; 186:1066-1085.e36. [PMID: 36868209 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
A generalizable strategy with programmable site specificity for in situ profiling of histone modifications on unperturbed chromatin remains highly desirable but challenging. We herein developed a single-site-resolved multi-omics (SiTomics) strategy for systematic mapping of dynamic modifications and subsequent profiling of chromatinized proteome and genome defined by specific chromatin acylations in living cells. By leveraging the genetic code expansion strategy, our SiTomics toolkit revealed distinct crotonylation (e.g., H3K56cr) and β-hydroxybutyrylation (e.g., H3K56bhb) upon short chain fatty acids stimulation and established linkages for chromatin acylation mark-defined proteome, genome, and functions. This led to the identification of GLYR1 as a distinct interacting protein in modulating H3K56cr's gene body localization as well as the discovery of an elevated super-enhancer repertoire underlying bhb-mediated chromatin modulations. SiTomics offers a platform technology for elucidating the "metabolites-modification-regulation" axis, which is widely applicable for multi-omics profiling and functional dissection of modifications beyond acylations and proteins beyond histones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfei Qin
- Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Boyuan Li
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Sihui Ma
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jiaofeng Li
- Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shanglin Liu
- Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Linghao Kong
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Huangtao Zheng
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Rongfeng Zhu
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yu Han
- Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Mingdong Yang
- Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Kai Li
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiong Ji
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Peng R Chen
- Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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105
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Gong X, Zhang H, Shen Y, Fu X. Update of the Pyrrolysyl-tRNA Synthetase/tRNA Pyl Pair and Derivatives for Genetic Code Expansion. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0038522. [PMID: 36695595 PMCID: PMC9945579 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00385-22] [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] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The cotranslational incorporation of pyrrolysine (Pyl), the 22nd proteinogenic amino acid, into proteins in response to the UAG stop codon represents an outstanding example of natural genetic code expansion. Genetic encoding of Pyl is conducted by the pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase (PylRS) and its cognate tRNA, tRNAPyl. Owing to the high tolerance of PylRS toward diverse amino acid substrates and great orthogonality in various model organisms, the PylRS/tRNAPyl-derived pairs are ideal for genetic code expansion to insert noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) into proteins of interest. Since the discovery of cellular components involved in the biosynthesis and genetic encoding of Pyl, synthetic biologists have been enthusiastic about engineering PylRS/tRNAPyl-derived pairs to rewrite the genetic code of living cells. Recently, considerable progress has been made in understanding the molecular phylogeny, biochemical properties, and structural features of the PylRS/tRNAPyl pair, guiding its further engineering and optimization. In this review, we cover the basic and updated knowledge of the PylRS/tRNAPyl pair's unique characteristics that make it an outstanding tool for reprogramming the genetic code. In addition, we summarize the recent efforts to create efficient and (mutually) orthogonal PylRS/tRNAPyl-derived pairs for incorporation of diverse ncAAs by genome mining, rational design, and advanced directed evolution methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Gong
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- BGI Research-Shenzhen, BGI, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Read and Write, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haolin Zhang
- BGI Research-Shenzhen, BGI, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Read and Write, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yue Shen
- BGI Research-Shenzhen, BGI, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Read and Write, Shenzhen, China
- BGI Research-Changzhou, BGI, Changzhou, China
| | - Xian Fu
- BGI Research-Shenzhen, BGI, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Read and Write, Shenzhen, China
- BGI Research-Changzhou, BGI, Changzhou, China
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106
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Krüger A, Watkins AM, Wellington-Oguri R, Romano J, Kofman C, DeFoe A, Kim Y, Anderson-Lee J, Fisker E, Townley J, d'Aquino AE, Das R, Jewett MC. Community science designed ribosomes with beneficial phenotypes. Nat Commun 2023; 14:961. [PMID: 36810740 PMCID: PMC9944925 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-35827-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional design of ribosomes with mutant ribosomal RNA (rRNA) can expand opportunities for understanding molecular translation, building cells from the bottom-up, and engineering ribosomes with altered capabilities. However, such efforts are hampered by cell viability constraints, an enormous combinatorial sequence space, and limitations on large-scale, 3D design of RNA structures and functions. To address these challenges, we develop an integrated community science and experimental screening approach for rational design of ribosomes. This approach couples Eterna, an online video game that crowdsources RNA sequence design to community scientists in the form of puzzles, with in vitro ribosome synthesis, assembly, and translation in multiple design-build-test-learn cycles. We apply our framework to discover mutant rRNA sequences that improve protein synthesis in vitro and cell growth in vivo, relative to wild type ribosomes, under diverse environmental conditions. This work provides insights into rRNA sequence-function relationships and has implications for synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje Krüger
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, and Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.,Resilience US Inc, 9310 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Andrew M Watkins
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.,Prescient Design, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | | | - Jonathan Romano
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.,Eterna Massive Open Laboratory, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.,Department of Computer Science and Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Camila Kofman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, and Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Alysse DeFoe
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, and Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Yejun Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, and Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | | | - Eli Fisker
- Eterna Massive Open Laboratory, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jill Townley
- Eterna Massive Open Laboratory, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | | | - Anne E d'Aquino
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, and Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Rhiju Das
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA. .,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Michael C Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, and Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA. .,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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107
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Okamura H, Trinh GH, Dong Z, Fan W, Nagatsugi F. Synthesis of 6-Alkynylated Purine-Containing DNA via On-Column Sonogashira Coupling and Investigation of Their Base-Pairing Properties. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28041766. [PMID: 36838761 PMCID: PMC9965804 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic unnatural base pairs have been proven to be attractive tools for the development of DNA-based biotechnology. Our group has very recently reported on alkynylated purine-pyridazine pairs, which exhibit selective and stable base-pairing via hydrogen bond formation between pseudo-nucleobases in the major groove of duplex DNA. In this study, we attempted to develop an on-column synthesis methodology of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing alkynylated purine derivatives to systematically explore the relationship between the structure and the corresponding base-pairing ability. Through Sonogashira coupling of the ethynyl pseudo-nucleobases and CPG-bound ODNs containing 6-iodopurine, we have demonstrated the synthesis of the ODNs containing three NPu derivatives (NPu1, NPu2, NPu3) as well as three OPu derivatives (OPu1, OPu2, OPu3). The base-pairing properties of each alkynylated purine derivative revealed that the structures of pseudo-nucleobases influence the base pair stability and selectivity. Notably, we found that OPu1 bearing 2-pyrimidinone exhibits higher stability to the complementary NPz than the original OPu, thereby demonstrating the potential of the on-column strategy for convenient screening of the alkynylated purine derivatives with superior pairing ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidenori Okamura
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Miyagi, Japan
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki Aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Miyagi, Japan
- Correspondence: (H.O.); (F.N.)
| | - Giang Hoang Trinh
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Miyagi, Japan
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki Aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Zhuoxin Dong
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Miyagi, Japan
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki Aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Wenjue Fan
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Miyagi, Japan
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki Aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Fumi Nagatsugi
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Miyagi, Japan
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki Aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Miyagi, Japan
- Correspondence: (H.O.); (F.N.)
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108
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Sisila V, Indhu M, Radhakrishnan J, Ayyadurai N. Building biomaterials through genetic code expansion. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:165-183. [PMID: 35908989 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Genetic code expansion (GCE) enables directed incorporation of noncoded amino acids (NCAAs) and unnatural amino acids (UNAAs) into the active core that confers dedicated structure and function to engineered proteins. Many protein biomaterials are tandem repeats that intrinsically include NCAAs generated through post-translational modifications (PTMs) to execute assigned functions. Conventional genetic engineering approaches using prokaryotic systems have limited ability to biosynthesize functionally active biomaterials with NCAAs/UNAAs. Codon suppression and reassignment introduce NCAAs/UNAAs globally, allowing engineered proteins to be redesigned to mimic natural matrix-cell interactions for tissue engineering. Expanding the genetic code enables the engineering of biomaterials with catechols - growth factor mimetics that modulate cell-matrix interactions - thereby facilitating tissue-specific expression of genes and proteins. This method of protein engineering shows promise in achieving tissue-informed, tissue-compliant tunable biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valappil Sisila
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600020, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201 002, India
| | - Mohan Indhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600020, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201 002, India
| | - Janani Radhakrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600020, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201 002, India.
| | - Niraikulam Ayyadurai
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600020, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201 002, India.
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109
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Zheng T, Fu J, Xiong Q, Shen X, Li B, Zhao X, Yu Z. Photo-regulated genetic encoding of dibenzo[ c,g][1,2]diazocine on proteins via configuration switching. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:1201-1204. [PMID: 36629150 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc06738b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
We report two evolved Methanosarcina mazei pyrrolysine tRNA synthetases to genetically incorporate the isomers of dibenzo[c,g][1,2]diazocine-alanine (DBDAA) into proteins either in the dark or under regulation of 405 nm photo-stimulation. The genetic-encoded DBDAA realizes photo-tuning of enzymatic activity via the host-guest recognition of cucurbit[7]uril.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Jielin Fu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Qin Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Xin Shen
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Baolin Li
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Xiaohu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Zhipeng Yu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu 610064, P. R. China.
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110
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Opuu V, Simonson T. Enzyme redesign and genetic code expansion. Protein Eng Des Sel 2023; 36:gzad017. [PMID: 37879093 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzad017] [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: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Enzyme design is an important application of computational protein design (CPD). It can benefit enormously from the additional chemistries provided by noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs). These can be incorporated into an 'expanded' genetic code, and introduced in vivo into target proteins. The key step for genetic code expansion is to engineer an aminoacyl-transfer RNA (tRNA) synthetase (aaRS) and an associated tRNA that handles the ncAA. Experimental directed evolution has been successfully used to engineer aaRSs and incorporate over 200 ncAAs into expanded codes. But directed evolution has severe limits, and is not yet applicable to noncanonical AA backbones. CPD can help address several of its limitations, and has begun to be applied to this problem. We review efforts to redesign aaRSs, studies that designed new proteins and functionalities with the help of ncAAs, and some of the method developments that have been used, such as adaptive landscape flattening Monte Carlo, which allows an enzyme to be redesigned with substrate or transition state binding as the design target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaitea Opuu
- Institut Chimie Biologie Innovation (CNRS UMR8231), Ecole Supérieure de Physique et Chimie de Paris (ESPCI), 75005 Paris, France
| | - Thomas Simonson
- Laboratoire de Biologie Structurale de la Cellule (CNRS UMR7654), Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91128 Palaiseau, France
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111
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Rubini R, Jansen SC, Beekhuis H, Rozeboom HJ, Mayer C. Selecting Better Biocatalysts by Complementing Recoded Bacteria. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202213942. [PMID: 36342942 PMCID: PMC10107544 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202213942] [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: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In vivo selections are powerful tools for the directed evolution of enzymes. However, the need to link enzymatic activity to cellular survival makes selections for enzymes that do not fulfill a metabolic function challenging. Here, we present an in vivo selection strategy that leverages recoded organisms addicted to non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) to evolve biocatalysts that can provide these building blocks from synthetic precursors. We exemplify our platform by engineering carbamoylases that display catalytic efficiencies more than five orders of magnitude higher than those observed for the wild-type enzyme for ncAA-precursors. As growth rates of bacteria under selective conditions correlate with enzymatic activities, we were able to elicit improved variants from populations by performing serial passaging. By requiring minimal human intervention and no specialized equipment, we surmise that our strategy will become a versatile tool for the in vivo directed evolution of diverse biocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudy Rubini
- Stratingh Institute for ChemistryUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Suzanne C. Jansen
- Stratingh Institute for ChemistryUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Houdijn Beekhuis
- Stratingh Institute for ChemistryUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Henriëtte J. Rozeboom
- Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology InstituteUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Clemens Mayer
- Stratingh Institute for ChemistryUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
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112
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Chan AI, Sawant MS, Burdick DJ, Tom J, Song A, Cunningham CN. Evaluating Translational Efficiency of Noncanonical Amino Acids to Inform the Design of Druglike Peptide Libraries. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:81-90. [PMID: 36607609 PMCID: PMC9872084 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Advances in genetic code reprogramming have allowed the site-specific incorporation of noncanonical functionalities into polypeptides and proteins, providing access to wide swaths of chemical space via in vitro translation techniques like mRNA display. Prior efforts have established that the translation machinery can tolerate amino acids with modifications to both the peptide backbone and side chains, greatly broadening the chemical space that can be interrogated in ligand discovery efforts. However, existing methods for confirming the translation yield of new amino acid building blocks for these technologies necessitate multistep workups and, more importantly, are not relevant for measuring translation within the context of a combinatorial library consisting of multiple noncanonical amino acids. In this study, we developed a luminescence-based assay to rapidly assess the relative translation yield of any noncanonical amino acid in real time. Among the 59 amino acids tested here, we found that many translate with high efficiency, but translational yield is not necessarily correlated to whether the amino acid is proteinogenic or has high tRNA acylation efficiency. Interestingly, we found that single-template translation data can inform the library-scale translation yield and that shorter peptide libraries are more tolerant of lower-efficiency amino acid monomers. Together our data show that the luminescence-based assay described herein is an essential tool in evaluating new building blocks and codon table designs within mRNA display toward the goal of developing druglike peptide-based libraries for drug discovery campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alix I Chan
- Department
of Peptide Therapeutics, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Manali S. Sawant
- Department
of Peptide Therapeutics, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Daniel J. Burdick
- Department
of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Jeffrey Tom
- Department
of Peptide Therapeutics, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Aimin Song
- Department
of Peptide Therapeutics, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Christian N. Cunningham
- Department
of Peptide Therapeutics, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States,
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113
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Díaz-Perlas C, Escobar-Rosales M, Morgan CW, Oller-Salvia B. Encoding Noncanonical Amino Acids into Phage Displayed Proteins. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2676:117-129. [PMID: 37277628 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3251-2_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Phage display facilitates the evolution of peptides and proteins for affinity selection against targets, but it is mostly limited to the chemical diversity provided by the naturally encoded amino acids. The combination of phage display with genetic code expansion allows the incorporation of noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) into proteins expressed on the phage. In this method, we describe incorporation of one or two ncAAs in a single-chain fragment variable (scFv) antibody in response to amber or quadruplet codon. We take advantage of the pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNA pair to incorporate a lysine derivative and an orthogonal tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNA pair to incorporate a phenylalanine derivative. The encoding of novel chemical functionalities and building blocks in proteins displayed on phage provides the foundation for further phage display applications in fields such as imaging, protein targeting, and the production of new materials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Charles W Morgan
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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114
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Jewel D, Kelemen RE, Huang RL, Zhu Z, Sundaresh B, Cao X, Malley K, Huang Z, Pasha M, Anthony J, van Opijnen T, Chatterjee A. Virus-assisted directed evolution of enhanced suppressor tRNAs in mammalian cells. Nat Methods 2023; 20:95-103. [PMID: 36550276 PMCID: PMC9855281 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-022-01706-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Site-specific incorporation of unnatural amino acids (Uaas) in living cells relies on engineered aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetase-tRNA pairs borrowed from a distant domain of life. Such heterologous suppressor tRNAs often have poor intrinsic activity, presumably due to suboptimal interaction with a non-native translation system. This limitation can be addressed in Escherichia coli using directed evolution. However, no suitable selection system is currently available to do the same in mammalian cells. Here we report virus-assisted directed evolution of tRNAs (VADER) in mammalian cells, which uses a double-sieve selection scheme to facilitate single-step enrichment of active yet orthogonal tRNA mutants from naive libraries. Using VADER we developed improved mutants of Methanosarcina mazei pyrrolysyl-tRNA, as well as a bacterial tyrosyl-tRNA. We also show that the higher activity of the most efficient mutant pyrrolysyl-tRNA is specific for mammalian cells, alluding to an improved interaction with the unique mammalian translation apparatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delilah Jewel
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
| | | | - Rachel L Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
| | - Zeyu Zhu
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
| | | | - Xiaofu Cao
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
| | - Kaitlin Malley
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
| | - Zeyi Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
| | - Muhammad Pasha
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
| | - Jon Anthony
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
| | - Tim van Opijnen
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
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115
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Chen Y, Gao T, He X, Niu W, Guo J. Genetic Code Expansion in Mammalian Cells Through Quadruplet Codon Decoding. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2676:181-190. [PMID: 37277633 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3251-2_13] [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] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Genetic code expansion enables the site-specific incorporation of noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) into proteins both in vitro and in vivo. In addition to a widely applied nonsense suppression strategy, the use of quadruplet codons could further expand the genetic code. A general approach to genetically incorporate ncAAs in response to quadruplet codons is achieved by utilizing an engineered aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) together with a tRNA variant containing an expanded anticodon loop. Here we provide a protocol to decode quadruplet UAGA codon with a ncAA in mammalian cells. We also describe microscopy imaging and flow cytometry analysis of ncAA mutagenesis in response to quadruplet codons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Tianyu Gao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Xinyuan He
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Wei Niu
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA.
| | - Jiantao Guo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA.
- The Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication (NCIBC), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA.
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116
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Choi YN, Cho N, Lee K, Gwon DA, Lee JW, Lee J. Programmable Synthesis of Biobased Materials Using Cell-Free Systems. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2203433. [PMID: 36108274 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202203433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Motivated by the intricate mechanisms underlying biomolecule syntheses in cells that chemistry is currently unable to mimic, researchers have harnessed biological systems for manufacturing novel materials. Cell-free systems (CFSs) utilizing the bioactivity of transcriptional and translational machineries in vitro are excellent tools that allow supplementation of exogenous materials for production of innovative materials beyond the capability of natural biological systems. Herein, recent studies that have advanced the ability to expand the scope of biobased materials using CFS are summarized and approaches enabling the production of high-value materials, prototyping of genetic parts and modules, and biofunctionalization are discussed. By extending the reach of chemical and enzymatic reactions complementary to cellular materials, CFSs provide new opportunities at the interface of materials science and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Nam Choi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Namjin Cho
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Kanghun Lee
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering (I-Bio), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Da-Ae Gwon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Wook Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering (I-Bio), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Joongoo Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering (I-Bio), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
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117
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Genetic code expansion reveals aminoacylated lysine ubiquitination mediated by UBE2W. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:62-71. [PMID: 36593310 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-022-00866-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Protein post-translational modification (PTM) regulates nearly every aspect of cellular processes in eukaryotes. However, the identification of new protein PTMs is very challenging. Here, using genetically encoded unnatural amino acids as chemical probes, we report the identification and validation of a previously unreported form of protein PTM, aminoacylated lysine ubiquitination, in which the modification occurs on the α-amine group of aminoacylated lysine. We identify more than 2,000 ubiquitination sites on all 20 aminoacylated lysines in two human cell lines. The modifications can mediate rapid protein degradation, complementing the canonical lysine ubiquitination-mediated proteome degradation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UBE2W acts as a writer of aminoacylated lysine ubiquitination and facilitates the ubiquitination event on proteins. More broadly, the discovery and validation of aminoacylated lysine ubiquitination paves the way for the identification and verification of new protein PTMs with the genetic code expansion strategy.
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118
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Reinkemeier CD, Lemke EA. Synthetic Organelles for Multiple mRNA Selective Genetic Code Expansions in Eukaryotes. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2563:341-369. [PMID: 36227482 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2663-4_17] [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] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Engineering new functionalities into living eukaryotic systems is one of the main goals of synthetic biology. To this end, often enzyme evolution or de novo protein design is employed, which each have their own advantages and disadvantages. As complimentary tools, we recently developed orthogonally translating and film-like synthetic organelles that allow to create new enzyme functionalities based on spatial separation. We applied this technology to genetic code expansion (GCE) and showed that it is possible to equip eukaryotic cells with multiple orthogonal genetic codes that enable the specific reprogramming of distinct translational machineries, each with single-residue precision.In this protocol, we describe how synthetic organelles can be used to perform mRNA selective GCE and how they can be further developed to allow the simultaneous incorporation of distinct noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) into selected proteins and how this can be used to label proteins selectively with fluorescent dyes via bioorthogonal chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Reinkemeier
- Biocentre, Departments of Biology and Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Biology gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Edward A Lemke
- Biocentre, Departments of Biology and Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
- Institute of Molecular Biology gGmbH, Mainz, Germany.
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119
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Koch NG, Budisa N. Focused Engineering of Pyrrolysyl-tRNA Synthetase-Based Orthogonal Translation Systems for the Incorporation of Various Noncanonical Amino Acids. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2676:3-19. [PMID: 37277621 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3251-2_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The expansion of the genetic code has become a valuable tool for molecular biology, biochemistry, and biotechnology. The pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase (PylRS) variants with their cognate tRNAPyl derived from methanogenic archaea of the genus Methanosarcina are the most popular tools for ribosomally mediated site-specific and proteome-wide statistical incorporation of noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) into proteins. The incorporation of ncAAs can be used for numerous biotechnological and even therapeutically relevant applications. Here we present a protocol of engineering PylRS for novel substrates with unique chemical functionalities. These functional groups can act as intrinsic probes, especially in complex biological environments such as mammalian cells, tissues, and even whole animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaj G Koch
- Bioanalytics Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Biocatalysis Group, Institute of Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nediljko Budisa
- Biocatalysis Group, Institute of Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Chemical Synthetic Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
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120
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Cellular decoding for non-natural peptides. Nat Chem 2023; 15:7-8. [PMID: 36609644 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-022-01114-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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121
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Li M, Peng T. Genetic Encoding of a Fluorescent Noncanonical Amino Acid as a FRET Donor for the Analysis of Deubiquitinase Activities. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2676:55-67. [PMID: 37277624 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3251-2_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The genetic code expansion technology enables the genetic encoding of fluorescent noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) for site-specific fluorescent labeling of proteins. These co-translational and internal fluorescent tags have been harnessed to establish genetically encoded Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) probes for studying protein structural changes and interactions. Here, we describe the protocols for site-specific incorporation of an aminocoumarin-derived fluorescent ncAA into proteins in E. coli and preparation of a fluorescent ncAA-based FRET probe for assaying the activities of deubiquitinases, a key class of enzymes involved in ubiquitination. We also describe the deployment of an in vitro fluorescence assay to screen and analyze small-molecule inhibitors against deubiquitinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tao Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China.
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China.
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122
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Shimogawa M, Huang Y, Pan B, Petersson EJ. Synthesis of Peptides and Proteins with Site-Specific Glutamate Arginylation. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2620:177-207. [PMID: 37010763 PMCID: PMC10752357 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2942-0_22] [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] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
Solid-phase peptide synthesis and protein semi-synthesis are powerful methods for site-specific modification of peptides and proteins. We describe protocols using these techniques for the syntheses of peptides and proteins bearing glutamate arginylation (EArg) at specific sites. These methods overcome challenges posed by enzymatic arginylation methods and allow for a comprehensive study of the effects of EArg on protein folding and interactions. Potential applications include biophysical analyses, cell-based microscopic studies, and profiling of EArg levels and interactomes in human tissue samples.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yun Huang
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Buyan Pan
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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123
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Wu Z, Wang J. Genetic Code Expansion in Mammalian Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2676:159-167. [PMID: 37277631 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3251-2_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The expansion of the genetic code has enabled the incorporation of noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) into a defined site of proteins. By introducing such a unique handle into the protein of interest (POI), bioorthogonal reactions can be utilized in live cells to monitor or manipulate the interaction, translocation, function, and modification of the POI. Here, we describe a basic protocol outlining the necessary steps to incorporate a ncAA into a POI in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhigang Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
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124
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Kachale A, Pavlíková Z, Nenarokova A, Roithová A, Durante IM, Miletínová P, Záhonová K, Nenarokov S, Votýpka J, Horáková E, Ross RL, Yurchenko V, Beznosková P, Paris Z, Valášek LS, Lukeš J. Short tRNA anticodon stem and mutant eRF1 allow stop codon reassignment. Nature 2023; 613:751-758. [PMID: 36631608 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05584-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Cognate tRNAs deliver specific amino acids to translating ribosomes according to the standard genetic code, and three codons with no cognate tRNAs serve as stop codons. Some protists have reassigned all stop codons as sense codons, neglecting this fundamental principle1-4. Here we analyse the in-frame stop codons in 7,259 predicted protein-coding genes of a previously undescribed trypanosomatid, Blastocrithidia nonstop. We reveal that in this species in-frame stop codons are underrepresented in genes expressed at high levels and that UAA serves as the only termination codon. Whereas new tRNAsGlu fully cognate to UAG and UAA evolved to reassign these stop codons, the UGA reassignment followed a different path through shortening the anticodon stem of tRNATrpCCA from five to four base pairs (bp). The canonical 5-bp tRNATrp recognizes UGG as dictated by the genetic code, whereas its shortened 4-bp variant incorporates tryptophan also into in-frame UGA. Mimicking this evolutionary twist by engineering both variants from B. nonstop, Trypanosoma brucei and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and expressing them in the last two species, we recorded a significantly higher readthrough for all 4-bp variants. Furthermore, a gene encoding B. nonstop release factor 1 acquired a mutation that specifically restricts UGA recognition, robustly potentiating the UGA reassignment. Virtually the same strategy has been adopted by the ciliate Condylostoma magnum. Hence, we describe a previously unknown, universal mechanism that has been exploited in unrelated eukaryotes with reassigned stop codons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambar Kachale
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Pavlíková
- Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Nenarokova
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Adriana Roithová
- Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ignacio M Durante
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Miletínová
- Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kristína Záhonová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Prague, Czech Republic.,Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Serafim Nenarokov
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Votýpka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Horáková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | | | - Vyacheslav Yurchenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Beznosková
- Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Paris
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic. .,Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | | | - Julius Lukeš
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic. .,Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
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125
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Ryan A, Shade O, Bardhan A, Bartnik A, Deiters A. Quantitative Analysis and Optimization of Site-Specific Protein Bioconjugation in Mammalian Cells. Bioconjug Chem 2022; 33:2361-2369. [PMID: 36459098 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Despite a range of covalent protein modifications, few techniques exist for quantification of protein bioconjugation in cells. Here, we describe a novel method for quantifying in cellulo protein bioconjugation through covalent bond formation with HaloTag. This approach utilizes unnatural amino acid (UAA) mutagenesis to selectively install a small and bioorthogonally reactive handle onto the surface of a protein. We utilized the fast kinetics and high selectivity of inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder cycloadditions to evaluate reactions of tetrazine phenylalanine (TetF) with strained trans-cyclooctene-chloroalkane (sTCO-CA) and trans-cyclooctene lysine (TCOK) with tetrazine-chloroalkane (Tet-CA). Following bioconjugation, the chloroalkane ligand is exposed for labeling by the HaloTag enzyme, allowing for straightforward quantification of bioconjugation via simple western blot analysis. We demonstrate the versatility of this tool for quickly and accurately determining the bioconjugation efficiency of different UAA/chloroalkane pairs and for different sites on different proteins of interest, including EGFP and the estrogen-related receptor ERRα.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Ryan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Olivia Shade
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Anirban Bardhan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Aleksander Bartnik
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Alexander Deiters
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
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126
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Berkeley RF, Debelouchina GT. Chemical tools for study and modulation of biomolecular phase transitions. Chem Sci 2022; 13:14226-14245. [PMID: 36545140 PMCID: PMC9749140 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc04907d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular phase transitions play an important role in organizing cellular processes in space and time. Methods and tools for studying these transitions, and the intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) that often drive them, are typically less developed than tools for studying their folded protein counterparts. In this perspective, we assess the current landscape of chemical tools for studying IDPs, with a specific focus on protein liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). We highlight methodologies that enable imaging and spectroscopic studies of these systems, including site-specific labeling with small molecules and the diverse range of capabilities offered by inteins and protein semisynthesis. We discuss strategies for introducing post-translational modifications that are central to IDP and LLPS function and regulation. We also investigate the nascent field of noncovalent small-molecule modulators of LLPS. We hope that this review of the state-of-the-art in chemical tools for interrogating IDPs and LLPS, along with an associated perspective on areas of unmet need, can serve as a valuable and timely resource for these rapidly expanding fields of study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond F. Berkeley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Galia T. Debelouchina
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
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127
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Du Y, Li L, Zheng Y, Liu J, Gong J, Qiu Z, Li Y, Qiao J, Huo YX. Incorporation of Non-Canonical Amino Acids into Antimicrobial Peptides: Advances, Challenges, and Perspectives. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0161722. [PMID: 36416555 PMCID: PMC9746297 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01617-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a global health concern and calls for the development of novel antibiotic agents. Antimicrobial peptides seem to be promising candidates due to their diverse sources, mechanisms of action, and physicochemical characteristics, as well as the relatively low emergence of resistance. The incorporation of noncanonical amino acids into antimicrobial peptides could effectively improve their physicochemical and pharmacological diversity. Recently, various antimicrobial peptides variants with improved or novel properties have been produced by the incorporation of single and multiple distinct noncanonical amino acids. In this review, we summarize strategies for the incorporation of noncanonical amino acids into antimicrobial peptides, as well as their features and suitabilities. Recent applications of noncanonical amino acid incorporation into antimicrobial peptides are also presented. Finally, we discuss the related challenges and prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhui Du
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
- MOE International Joint Research Laboratory on Synthetic Biology and Medicines, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Li
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University (SCU), Chengdu, China
| | - Yue Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiaheng Liu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University (SCU), Chengdu, China
| | - Julia Gong
- Marymount High School, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Zekai Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanni Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jianjun Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yi-Xin Huo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
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128
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Photoinduced β-fragmentation of aliphatic alcohol derivatives for forging C-C bonds. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7450. [PMID: 36460657 PMCID: PMC9718844 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35249-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohols are ubiquitous in chemistry and are native functionalities in many natural products and bioactive molecules. As such, a strategy that utilizes hydroxy-containing compounds to develop bond disconnection and bond formation process would achieve molecular diversity. Herein we utilize bench-stable N-alkoxyphthalimides prepared from alcohols to couple with glycine derivatives via radical process under visible light irradiation, providing a variety of unnatural amino acid (UAA) and peptide derivatives. The approach allows to rapidly deconstruct molecular complexity via β-fragmentation such as saclareolide, β-pinene and camphor and provides products with unique scaffolds, which show inhibition toward the pathogenic fungi growth.
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129
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Li P, Li J, Ren H. Capture and mass spectrometry analysis of effector-substrate complexes using genetically incorporated photo-crosslinkers in host cells. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101882. [PMID: 36595886 PMCID: PMC9700014 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions between effectors and their host targets are often weak or transient, making them difficult to identify. We describe a protocol for covalent capture of effector substrates in living cells using genetic code expansion technology. The effector-substrate complexes are captured by the crosslinker and subsequently purified with tandem chromatography. We detail steps for mass spectrum analysis and substrate verification. While the steps here are specific for substrates of enteropathogenic E. coli in HEK293T cells, the protocol has broader applications. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Li et al. (2021).1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Li
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China,Corresponding author
| | - Jingxiang Li
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China,Corresponding author
| | - Haiyan Ren
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China,Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China,Corresponding author
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130
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Zackin MT, Stieglitz JT, Van Deventer JA. Genome-Wide Screen for Enhanced Noncanonical Amino Acid Incorporation in Yeast. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:3669-3680. [PMID: 36346914 PMCID: PMC10065164 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00267] [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] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Numerous applications of noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) in basic biology and therapeutic development require efficient protein biosynthesis using an expanded genetic code. However, achieving such incorporation at repurposed stop codons in cells is generally inefficient and limited by complex cellular processes that preserve the fidelity of protein synthesis. A more comprehensive understanding of the processes that contribute to ncAA incorporation would aid in the development of genomic engineering strategies for augmenting genetic code manipulation. In this work, we used a series of fluorescent reporters to screen a pooled Saccharomyces cerevisiae molecular barcoded yeast knockout (YKO) collection. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting enabled isolation of strains encoding single-gene deletions exhibiting improved ncAA incorporation efficiency in response to the amber (TAG) stop codon; 55 unique candidate deletions were identified. The deleted genes encoded for proteins that participate in diverse cellular processes, including many genes that have no known connection with protein translation. We then verified that two knockouts, yil014c-aΔ and alo1Δ, exhibited improved ncAA incorporation efficiency starting from independently acquired strains possessing the knockouts. Using additional orthogonal translation systems and ncAAs, we determined that yil014c-aΔ and alo1Δ enhance ncAA incorporation efficiency without loss of fidelity over a wide range of conditions. Our findings highlight opportunities for further modulating gene expression with genetic, genomic, and synthetic biology approaches to improve ncAA incorporation efficiency. In addition, these discoveries have the potential to enhance our fundamental understanding of protein translation. Ultimately, cells that efficiently biosynthesize ncAA-containing proteins will streamline the realization of applications utilizing expanded genetic codes ranging from basic biology to drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T. Zackin
- Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
| | - Jessica T. Stieglitz
- Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
| | - James A. Van Deventer
- Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
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131
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Birch-Price Z, Taylor CJ, Ortmayer M, Green AP. Engineering enzyme activity using an expanded amino acid alphabet. Protein Eng Des Sel 2022; 36:6825271. [PMID: 36370045 PMCID: PMC9863031 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzac013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Enzyme design and engineering strategies are typically constrained by the limited size of nature's genetic alphabet, comprised of only 20 canonical amino acids. In recent years, site-selective incorporation of non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) via an expanded genetic code has emerged as a powerful means of inserting new functional components into proteins, with hundreds of structurally diverse ncAAs now available. Here, we highlight how the emergence of an expanded repertoire of amino acids has opened new avenues in enzyme design and engineering. ncAAs have been used to probe complex biological mechanisms, augment enzyme function and, most ambitiously, embed new catalytic mechanisms into protein active sites that would be challenging to access within the constraints of nature's genetic code. We predict that the studies reviewed in this article, along with further advances in genetic code expansion technology, will establish ncAA incorporation as an increasingly important tool for biocatalysis in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Birch-Price
- School of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Christopher J Taylor
- School of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Mary Ortmayer
- School of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
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132
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Núñez-Villanueva D, Hunter CA. Effect of backbone flexibility on covalent template-directed synthesis of linear oligomers. Org Biomol Chem 2022; 20:8285-8292. [PMID: 36226964 PMCID: PMC9629452 DOI: 10.1039/d2ob01627c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Covalent template-directed synthesis can be used to replicate synthetic oligomers, but success depends critically on the conformational properties of the backbone. Here we investigate how the choice of monomer building block affects the flexibility of the backbone and in turn the efficiency of the replication process for a series of different triazole oligomers. Two competing reaction pathways were identified for monomers attached to a template, resulting in the formation of either macrocyclic or linear products. For flexible backbones, macrocycles and linear oligomers are formed at similar rates, but a more rigid backbone gave exclusively the linear product. The experimental results are consistent with ring strain calculations using molecular mechanics: products with low ring strain (20-30 kJ mol-1) formed rapidly, and products with high ring strain (>100 kJ mol-1) were not observed. Template-directed replication of linear oligomers requires monomers that rigid enough to prevent the formation of undesired macrocycles, but not so rigid that the linear templating pathway leading to the duplex is inhibited. Molecular mechanics calculations of ring strain provide a straightforward tool for assessing the flexibility of potential backbones and the viability different monomer designs before embarking on synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Núñez-Villanueva
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - Christopher A Hunter
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
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133
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Trimble JS, Crawshaw R, Hardy FJ, Levy CW, Brown MJB, Fuerst DE, Heyes DJ, Obexer R, Green AP. A designed photoenzyme for enantioselective [2+2] cycloadditions. Nature 2022; 611:709-714. [PMID: 36130727 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05335-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The ability to program new modes of catalysis into proteins would allow the development of enzyme families with functions beyond those found in nature. To this end, genetic code expansion methodology holds particular promise, as it allows the site-selective introduction of new functional elements into proteins as noncanonical amino acid side chains1-4. Here we exploit an expanded genetic code to develop a photoenzyme that operates by means of triplet energy transfer (EnT) catalysis, a versatile mode of reactivity in organic synthesis that is not accessible to biocatalysis at present5-12. Installation of a genetically encoded photosensitizer into the beta-propeller scaffold of DA_20_00 (ref. 13) converts a de novo Diels-Alderase into a photoenzyme for [2+2] cycloadditions (EnT1.0). Subsequent development and implementation of a platform for photoenzyme evolution afforded an efficient and enantioselective enzyme (EnT1.3, up to 99% enantiomeric excess (e.e.)) that can promote intramolecular and bimolecular cycloadditions, including transformations that have proved challenging to achieve selectively with small-molecule catalysts. EnT1.3 performs >300 turnovers and, in contrast to small-molecule photocatalysts, can operate effectively under aerobic conditions and at ambient temperatures. An X-ray crystal structure of an EnT1.3-product complex shows how multiple functional components work in synergy to promote efficient and selective photocatalysis. This study opens up a wealth of new excited-state chemistry in protein active sites and establishes the framework for developing a new generation of enantioselective photocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S Trimble
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Rebecca Crawshaw
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Florence J Hardy
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Colin W Levy
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Murray J B Brown
- Synthetic Biochemistry, Medicine Development and Supply, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, UK
| | - Douglas E Fuerst
- Synthetic Biochemistry, Medicine Development and Supply, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, PA, USA
| | - Derren J Heyes
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Richard Obexer
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Anthony P Green
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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134
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Shi N, Tong L, Lin H, Zheng Z, Zhang H, Dong L, Yang Y, Shen Y, Xia Q. Optimizing eRF1 to Enable the Genetic Encoding of Three Distinct Noncanonical Amino Acids in Mammalian Cells. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2022; 6:e2200092. [PMID: 35818694 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Site-specific incorporation of distinct noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) into proteins via genetic code expansion in mammalian cells represents a new avenue for protein engineering. Reassigning three TAGs with the same ncAA in mammalian cells has previously been achieved using translational machinery. However, simultaneous recoding of three nonsense codons with distinct ncAAs in mammalian cells remains a challenge due to low incorporation efficiencies. Here, three optimized aaRS/tRNA pairs (i.e., the E. coli-derived tyrosyl (EcTyr)/tRNAUUA , E. coli-derived leucyl (EcLeu)/tRNACUA , and Methanosarcina mazei pyrrolysyl (MmPyl)/tRNAUCA pairs) are screened for ncAA incorporation. Furthermore, introduced combinations of eukaryotic release factor 1 (eRF1) mutants (E55R, E55D, N129D, and Y125F) significantly improve the encoding efficiency of the three premature stop codons' sites from 0.78% to 11.6%. Thus, site-specific incorporation of three distinct ncAAs into a single protein is achieved in this study. This work markedly expands the potential for multiple site-specific protein modifications within mammalian cells, thereby facilitating new in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningning Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs Department of Chemical Biology School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Le Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs Department of Chemical Biology School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Haishuang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs Department of Chemical Biology School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zhetao Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs Department of Chemical Biology School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Haoran Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs Department of Chemical Biology School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Liangzhen Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs Department of Chemical Biology School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yuelin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs Department of Chemical Biology School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yuxuan Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs Department of Chemical Biology School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Qing Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs Department of Chemical Biology School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
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135
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Gueta O, Amiram M. Expanding the chemical repertoire of protein-based polymers for drug-delivery applications. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 190:114460. [PMID: 36030987 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Expanding the chemical repertoire of natural and artificial protein-based polymers (PBPs) can enable the production of sequence-defined, yet chemically diverse, biopolymers with customized or new properties that cannot be accessed in PBPs composed of only natural amino acids. Various approaches can enable the expansion of the chemical repertoire of PBPs, including chemical and enzymatic treatments or the incorporation of unnatural amino acids. These techniques are employed to install a wide variety of chemical groups-such as bio-orthogonally reactive, cross-linkable, post-translation modifications, and environmentally responsive groups-which, in turn, can facilitate the design of customized PBP-based drug-delivery systems with modified, fine-tuned, or entirely new properties and functions. Here, we detail the existing and emerging technologies for expanding the chemical repertoire of PBPs and review several chemical groups that either demonstrate or are anticipated to show potential in the design of PBP-based drug delivery systems. Finally, we provide our perspective on the remaining challenges and future directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osher Gueta
- The Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Miriam Amiram
- The Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
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136
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Characterising ion channel structure and dynamics using fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1427-1445. [DOI: 10.1042/bst20220605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Ion channels undergo major conformational changes that lead to channel opening and ion conductance. Deciphering these structure-function relationships is paramount to understanding channel physiology and pathophysiology. Cryo-electron microscopy, crystallography and computer modelling provide atomic-scale snapshots of channel conformations in non-cellular environments but lack dynamic information that can be linked to functional results. Biophysical techniques such as electrophysiology, on the other hand, provide functional data with no structural information of the processes involved. Fluorescence spectroscopy techniques help bridge this gap in simultaneously obtaining structure-function correlates. These include voltage-clamp fluorometry, Förster resonance energy transfer, ligand binding assays, single molecule fluorescence and their variations. These techniques can be employed to unearth several features of ion channel behaviour. For instance, they provide real time information on local and global rearrangements that are inherent to channel properties. They also lend insights in trafficking, expression, and assembly of ion channels on the membrane surface. These methods have the advantage that they can be carried out in either native or heterologous systems. In this review, we briefly explain the principles of fluorescence and how these have been translated to study ion channel function. We also report several recent advances in fluorescence spectroscopy that has helped address and improve our understanding of the biophysical behaviours of different ion channel families.
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137
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Lee J, Coronado JN, Cho N, Lim J, Hosford BM, Seo S, Kim DS, Kofman C, Moore JS, Ellington AD, Anslyn EV, Jewett MC. Ribosome-mediated biosynthesis of pyridazinone oligomers in vitro. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6322. [PMID: 36280685 PMCID: PMC9592601 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33701-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The ribosome is a macromolecular machine that catalyzes the sequence-defined polymerization of L-α-amino acids into polypeptides. The catalysis of peptide bond formation between amino acid substrates is based on entropy trapping, wherein the adjacency of transfer RNA (tRNA)-coupled acyl bonds in the P-site and the α-amino groups in the A-site aligns the substrates for coupling. The plasticity of this catalytic mechanism has been observed in both remnants of the evolution of the genetic code and modern efforts to reprogram the genetic code (e.g., ribosomal incorporation of non-canonical amino acids, ribosomal ester formation). However, the limits of ribosome-mediated polymerization are underexplored. Here, rather than peptide bonds, we demonstrate ribosome-mediated polymerization of pyridazinone bonds via a cyclocondensation reaction between activated γ-keto and α-hydrazino ester monomers. In addition, we demonstrate the ribosome-catalyzed synthesis of peptide-hybrid oligomers composed of multiple sequence-defined alternating pyridazinone linkages. Our results highlight the plasticity of the ribosome's ancient bond-formation mechanism, expand the range of non-canonical polymeric backbones that can be synthesized by the ribosome, and open the door to new applications in synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joongoo Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jaime N Coronado
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Namjin Cho
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongdoo Lim
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Brandon M Hosford
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Sangwon Seo
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
- Center for Catalytic Hydrocarbon Functionalizations, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Do Soon Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Camila Kofman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Moore
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Andrew D Ellington
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Eric V Anslyn
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
| | - Michael C Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
- Interdisplinary Biological Sciences Graduate Program, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
- Simpson Querrey Institute, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University and Biological Engineering, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
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138
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Wu K, Moore JA, Miller MD, Chen Y, Lee C, Xu W, Peng Z, Duan Q, Phillips GN, Uribe RA, Xiao H. Expanding the eukaryotic genetic code with a biosynthesized 21st amino acid. Protein Sci 2022; 31:e4443. [PMID: 36173166 PMCID: PMC9601876 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4443] [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: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Genetic code expansion technology allows for the use of noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) to create semisynthetic organisms for both biochemical and biomedical applications. However, exogenous feeding of chemically synthesized ncAAs at high concentrations is required to compensate for the inefficient cellular uptake and incorporation of these components into proteins, especially in the case of eukaryotic cells and multicellular organisms. To generate organisms capable of autonomously biosynthesizing an ncAA and incorporating it into proteins, we have engineered a metabolic pathway for the synthesis of O-methyltyrosine (OMeY). Specifically, we endowed organisms with a marformycins biosynthetic pathway-derived methyltransferase that efficiently converts tyrosine to OMeY in the presence of the co-factor S-adenosylmethionine. The resulting cells can produce and site-specifically incorporate OMeY into proteins at much higher levels than cells exogenously fed OMeY. To understand the structural basis for the substrate selectivity of the transferase, we solved the X-ray crystal structures of the ligand-free and tyrosine-bound enzymes. Most importantly, we have extended this OMeY biosynthetic system to both mammalian cells and the zebrafish model to enhance the utility of genetic code expansion. The creation of autonomous eukaryotes using a 21st amino acid will make genetic code expansion technology more applicable to multicellular organisms, providing valuable vertebrate models for biological and biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan‐Lin Wu
- Department of ChemistryRice UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Joshua A. Moore
- Department of BiosciencesRice UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
- Biochemistry and Cell Biology ProgramRice UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
| | | | - Yuda Chen
- Department of ChemistryRice UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Catherine Lee
- Department of ChemistryRice UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Weijun Xu
- Department of BiosciencesRice UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Zane Peng
- Department of ChemistryRice UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Qinghui Duan
- Department of ChemistryRice UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
| | - George N. Phillips
- Department of ChemistryRice UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
- Department of BiosciencesRice UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Rosa A. Uribe
- Department of BiosciencesRice UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
- Biochemistry and Cell Biology ProgramRice UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Han Xiao
- Department of ChemistryRice UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
- Department of BiosciencesRice UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
- Department of BioengineeringRice UniversityHoustonTexasUSA
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139
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Obeng EM, Fianu I, Danquah MK. Multivalent ACE2 engineering-A promising pathway for advanced coronavirus nanomedicine development. NANO TODAY 2022; 46:101580. [PMID: 35942040 PMCID: PMC9350675 DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2022.101580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The spread of coronavirus diseases has resulted in a clarion call to develop potent drugs and vaccines even as different strains appear beyond human prediction. An initial step that is integral to the viral entry into host cells results from an active-targeted interaction of the viral spike (S) proteins and the cell surface receptor, called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Thus, engineered ACE2 has been an interesting decoy inhibitor against emerging coronavirus infestation. This article discusses promising innovative ACE2 engineering pathways for current and emerging coronavirus therapeutic development. First, we provide a brief discussion of some ACE2-associated human coronaviruses and their cell invasion mechanism. Then, we describe and contrast the individual spike proteins and ACE2 receptor interactions, highlighting crucial hotspots across the ACE2-associated coronaviruses. Lastly, we address the importance of multivalency in ACE2 nanomedicine engineering and discuss novel approaches to develop and achieve multivalent therapeutic outcomes. Beyond coronaviruses, these approaches will serve as a paradigm to develop new and improved treatment technologies against pathogens that use ACE2 receptor for invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene M Obeng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Isaac Fianu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michael K Danquah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Tennessee, 615 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37403, United States
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140
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Feng Z, Ducos B, Scerbo P, Aujard I, Jullien L, Bensimon D. The Development and Application of Opto-Chemical Tools in the Zebrafish. Molecules 2022; 27:6231. [PMID: 36234767 PMCID: PMC9572478 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish is one of the most widely adopted animal models in both basic and translational research. This popularity of the zebrafish results from several advantages such as a high degree of similarity to the human genome, the ease of genetic and chemical perturbations, external fertilization with high fecundity, transparent and fast-developing embryos, and relatively low cost-effective maintenance. In particular, body translucency is a unique feature of zebrafish that is not adequately obtained with other vertebrate organisms. The animal's distinctive optical clarity and small size therefore make it a successful model for optical modulation and observation. Furthermore, the convenience of microinjection and high embryonic permeability readily allow for efficient delivery of large and small molecules into live animals. Finally, the numerous number of siblings obtained from a single pair of animals offers large replicates and improved statistical analysis of the results. In this review, we describe the development of opto-chemical tools based on various strategies that control biological activities with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. We also discuss the reported applications of these tools in zebrafish and highlight the current challenges and future possibilities of opto-chemical approaches, particularly at the single cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiping Feng
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Bertrand Ducos
- Laboratoire de Physique de l’Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris Sciences Letters University, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 24 Rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
- High Throughput qPCR Core Facility, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris Sciences Letters University, 46 Rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Pierluigi Scerbo
- Laboratoire de Physique de l’Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris Sciences Letters University, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 24 Rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
- Inovarion, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Aujard
- Laboratoire PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris Sciences Letters University, Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 24 Rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Ludovic Jullien
- Laboratoire PASTEUR, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris Sciences Letters University, Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 24 Rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
| | - David Bensimon
- Laboratoire de Physique de l’Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris Sciences Letters University, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 24 Rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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141
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Chen TH, Garnir K, Chen CY, Jian CB, Gao HD, Cheng B, Tseng MC, Moucheron C, Kirsch-De Mesmaeker A, Lee HM. A Toolkit for Engineering Proteins in Living Cells: Peptide with a Tryptophan-Selective Ru-TAP Complex to Regioselectively Photolabel Specific Proteins. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:18117-18125. [PMID: 36135325 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c08342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Using a chemical approach to crosslink functionally versatile bioeffectors (such as peptides) to native proteins of interest (POI) directly inside a living cell is a useful toolbox for chemical biologists. However, this goal has not been reached due to unsatisfactory chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and protein selectivity in protein labeling within living cells. Herein, we report the proof of concept of a cytocompatible and highly selective photolabeling strategy using a tryptophan-specific Ru-TAP complex as a photocrosslinker. Aside from the high selectivity, the photolabeling is blue light-driven by a photoinduced electron transfer (PeT) and allows the bioeffector to bear an additional UV-responsive unit. The two different photosensitivities are demonstrated by blue light-photocrosslinking a UV-sensitive peptide to POI. Our visible light photolabeling can generate photocaged proteins for subsequent activity manipulation by UV light. Cytoskeletal dynamics regulation is demonstrated in living cells via the unprecedented POI photomanipulation and proves that our methodology opens a new avenue to endogenous protein modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Ho Chen
- Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.,Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan.,Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Kevin Garnir
- Laboratoire de Chimie Organique et Photochimie CP160/08, Université libre de Bruxelles, 50 Av. Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Chong-Yan Chen
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Bang Jian
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan.,Nano Science and Technology Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.,Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Hua-De Gao
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan.,Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Bill Cheng
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Chun Tseng
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Cécile Moucheron
- Laboratoire de Chimie Organique et Photochimie CP160/08, Université libre de Bruxelles, 50 Av. Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Andrée Kirsch-De Mesmaeker
- Laboratoire de Chimie Organique et Photochimie CP160/08, Université libre de Bruxelles, 50 Av. Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hsien-Ming Lee
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
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142
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Gowland S, Jewett MC. Mobile Translation Systems Generate Genomically Engineered Escherichia coli Cells with Improved Growth Phenotypes. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:2969-2978. [PMID: 35951371 PMCID: PMC9990117 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Cellular translation is responsible for the synthesis of proteins, a highly diverse class of macromolecules that form the basis of biological function. In Escherichia coli, harnessing and engineering of the biomolecular components of translation, such as ribosomes, transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, has led to both biotechnology products and an expanded genetic code. However, the engineering potential of molecular translation is hampered by the limited capabilities for rapidly sampling the large genomic space necessary to evolve well-coordinated synthetic translation networks inside cells. To address this limitation, we developed a genome engineering method inspired by the action of mobile genetic elements termed mobilization. Mobilization utilizes the stochastic action of the recombinase flippase (FLP) to generate up to ∼400 million genomic insertions, deletions, or rearrangements at flippase recognition target sites per milliliter of culture per OD in living E. coli cells. As a model, we applied our approach to evolve faster-growing E. coli strains living exclusively off genomically expressed tethered ribosomes. In an iterative "pulse-passaging scheme," we generated genomic libraries of cells via induction of FLP recombinase (pulse) followed by passaging the population without induction of FLP to enrich the resulting population for cells with higher fitness. We observed large structural genomic diversity across these cells, with the fastest growing strains exhibiting a 71% increase in growth rate compared to the ancestral strain. We anticipate that both these strains and the mobilization method will be useful tools for synthetic biology efforts to engineer translation systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Gowland
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Michael C Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
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143
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Chen Y, Jin S, Zhang M, Hu Y, Wu KL, Chung A, Wang S, Tian Z, Wang Y, Wolynes PG, Xiao H. Unleashing the potential of noncanonical amino acid biosynthesis to create cells with precision tyrosine sulfation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5434. [PMID: 36114189 PMCID: PMC9481576 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33111-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the great promise of genetic code expansion technology to modulate structures and functions of proteins, external addition of ncAAs is required in most cases and it often limits the utility of genetic code expansion technology, especially to noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) with poor membrane internalization. Here, we report the creation of autonomous cells, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic, with the ability to biosynthesize and genetically encode sulfotyrosine (sTyr), an important protein post-translational modification with low membrane permeability. These engineered cells can produce site-specifically sulfated proteins at a higher yield than cells fed exogenously with the highest level of sTyr reported in the literature. We use these autonomous cells to prepare highly potent thrombin inhibitors with site-specific sulfation. By enhancing ncAA incorporation efficiency, this added ability of cells to biosynthesize ncAAs and genetically incorporate them into proteins greatly extends the utility of genetic code expansion methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuda Chen
- grid.21940.3e0000 0004 1936 8278Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA
| | - Shikai Jin
- grid.21940.3e0000 0004 1936 8278Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA ,grid.21940.3e0000 0004 1936 8278Department of Biosciences, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA
| | - Mengxi Zhang
- grid.21940.3e0000 0004 1936 8278Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA
| | - Yu Hu
- grid.21940.3e0000 0004 1936 8278Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA
| | - Kuan-Lin Wu
- grid.21940.3e0000 0004 1936 8278Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA
| | - Anna Chung
- grid.21940.3e0000 0004 1936 8278Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA
| | - Shichao Wang
- grid.21940.3e0000 0004 1936 8278Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA
| | - Zeru Tian
- grid.21940.3e0000 0004 1936 8278Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA
| | - Yixian Wang
- grid.21940.3e0000 0004 1936 8278Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA
| | - Peter G. Wolynes
- grid.21940.3e0000 0004 1936 8278Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA ,grid.21940.3e0000 0004 1936 8278Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA ,grid.21940.3e0000 0004 1936 8278Department of Biosciences, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA ,grid.21940.3e0000 0004 1936 8278Department of Physics, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA
| | - Han Xiao
- grid.21940.3e0000 0004 1936 8278Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA ,grid.21940.3e0000 0004 1936 8278Department of Biosciences, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA ,grid.21940.3e0000 0004 1936 8278Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA
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144
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Chen Y, He X, Ma B, Liu K, Gao T, Niu W, Guo J. Noncanonical amino acid mutagenesis in response to recoding signal-enhanced quadruplet codons. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:e94. [PMID: 35657094 PMCID: PMC9458425 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
While amber suppression is the most common approach to introduce noncanonical amino acids into proteins in live cells, quadruplet codon decoding has potential to enable a greatly expanded genetic code with up to 256 new codons for protein biosynthesis. Since triplet codons are the predominant form of genetic code in nature, quadruplet codon decoding often displays limited efficiency. In this work, we exploited a new approach to significantly improve quadruplet UAGN and AGGN (N = A, U, G, C) codon decoding efficiency by using recoding signals imbedded in mRNA. With representative recoding signals, the expression level of mutant proteins containing UAGN and AGGN codons reached 48% and 98% of that of the wild-type protein, respectively. Furthermore, this strategy mitigates a common concern of reading-through endogenous stop codons with amber suppression-based system. Since synthetic recoding signals are rarely found near the endogenous UAGN and AGGN sequences, a low level of undesirable suppression is expected. Our strategy will greatly enhance the utility of noncanonical amino acid mutagenesis in live-cell studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Xinyuan He
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Bin Ma
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Kun Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Tianyu Gao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Wei Niu
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
- The Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication (NCIBC), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Jiantao Guo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
- The Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication (NCIBC), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
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145
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Three-dimensional structure-guided evolution of a ribosome with tethered subunits. Nat Chem Biol 2022; 18:990-998. [PMID: 35836020 PMCID: PMC9815830 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01064-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
RNA-based macromolecular machines, such as the ribosome, have functional parts reliant on structural interactions spanning sequence-distant regions. These features limit evolutionary exploration of mutant libraries and confound three-dimensional structure-guided design. To address these challenges, we describe Evolink (evolution and linkage), a method that enables high-throughput evolution of sequence-distant regions in large macromolecular machines, and library design guided by computational RNA modeling to enable exploration of structurally stable designs. Using Evolink, we evolved a tethered ribosome with a 58% increased activity in orthogonal protein translation and a 97% improvement in doubling times in SQ171 cells compared to a previously developed tethered ribosome, and reveal new permissible sequences in a pair of ribosomal helices with previously explored biological function. The Evolink approach may enable enhanced engineering of macromolecular machines for new and improved functions for synthetic biology.
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146
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Pastore AJ, Ficaretta E, Chatterjee A, Davidson VL. Substitution of the sole tryptophan of the cupredoxin, amicyanin, with 5-hydroxytryptophan alters fluorescence properties and energy transfer to the type 1 copper site. J Inorg Biochem 2022; 234:111895. [PMID: 35696758 PMCID: PMC9753554 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2022.111895] [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: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Amicyanin is a type 1 copper protein with a single tryptophan residue. Using genetic code expansion, the tryptophan was selectively replaced with the unnatural amino acid, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). The 5-HTP substituted amicyanin exhibited absorbance at 300-320 nm, characteristic of 5-HTP and not seen in native amicyanin. The fluorescence emission maximum in 5-HTP substituted amicyanin is redshifted from 318 nm in native amicyanin to 331 nm and to 348 nm in the unfolded protein. The fluorescence quantum yield of 5-HTP substituted amicyanin mutant was much less than that of native amicyanin. Differences in intrinsic fluorescence are explained by differences in the excited states of tryptophan versus 5-HTP and the intraprotein environment. The substitution of tryptophan with 5-HTP did not affect the visible absorbance and redox potential of the copper, which is 10 Å away. In amicyanin and other cupredoxins, an unexplained quenching of the intrinsic fluorescence by the bound copper is observed. However, the fluorescence of 5-HTP substituted amicyanin is not quenched by the copper. It is shown that the mechanism of quenching in native amicyanin is Förster, or fluorescence, resonance energy transfer (FRET). This does not occur in 5-HTP substituted amicyanin because the fluorescence quantum yield is significantly lower and the red-shift of fluorescence emission maximum decreases overlap with the near UV absorbance of copper. Characterization of the distinct fluorescence properties of 5-HTP relative to tryptophan in amicyanin provides a basis for spectroscopic interrogation of the protein microenvironment using 5-HTP, and long-distance interactions with transition metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Pastore
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32827, USA
| | - Elise Ficaretta
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Abhishek Chatterjee
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Victor L Davidson
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32827, USA.
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147
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Homodimerized cytoplasmic domain of PD-L1 regulates its complex glycosylation in living cells. Commun Biol 2022; 5:887. [PMID: 36042378 PMCID: PMC9427764 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03845-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Whether membrane-anchored PD-L1 homodimerizes in living cells is controversial. The biological significance of the homodimer waits to be expeditiously explored. However, characterization of the membrane-anchored full-length PD-L1 homodimer is challenging, and unconventional approaches are needed. By using genetically incorporated crosslinkers, we showed that full length PD-L1 forms homodimers and tetramers in living cells. Importantly, the homodimerized intracellular domains of PD-L1 play critical roles in its complex glycosylation. Further analysis identified three key arginine residues in the intracellular domain of PD-L1 as the regulating unit. In the PD-L1/PD-L1-3RE homodimer, mutations result in a decrease in the membrane abundance and an increase in the Golgi of wild-type PD-L1. Notably, PD-1 binding to abnormally glycosylated PD-L1 on cancer cells was attenuated, and subsequent T-cell induced toxicity increased. Collectively, our study demonstrated that PD-L1 indeed forms homodimers in cells, and the homodimers play important roles in PD-L1 complex glycosylation and T-cell mediated toxicity. Membrane-anchored PD-L1 homodimerizes in cells. N-glycosylation of PD-L1 regulates its homodimerization. The formation of PD-L1 homodimers further regulates their glycan processing, localization to the plasma membrane, and binding to PD-1.
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148
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Catalytic Peptides: the Challenge between Simplicity and Functionality. Isr J Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ijch.202200029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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149
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Li M, Wang F, Yan L, Lu M, Zhang Y, Peng T. Genetically encoded fluorescent unnatural amino acids and FRET probes for detecting deubiquitinase activities. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:10186-10189. [PMID: 36000311 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc03623a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Herein we present the genetic encoding of 7-aminocoumarin-based lysine derivatives, ACouK and AFCouK, into proteins in both bacterial and mammalian cells and the characterization of FRET pairs comprising ACouK or AFCouK as the donor and GFP as the acceptor. We further report the application of the FRET pairs to construct fully genetically encoded ratiometric probes for detecting deubiquitinases and screening for inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Feifei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Long Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Minghao Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Yuqing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Tao Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China. .,Institute of Chemical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
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150
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McManus D, Polidarova L, Smyllie NJ, Patton AP, Chesham JE, Maywood ES, Chin JW, Hastings MH. Cryptochrome 1 as a state variable of the circadian clockwork of the suprachiasmatic nucleus: Evidence from translational switching. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2203563119. [PMID: 35976881 PMCID: PMC9407638 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2203563119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus is the principal clock driving circadian rhythms of physiology and behavior that adapt mammals to environmental cycles. Disruption of SCN-dependent rhythms compromises health, and so understanding SCN time keeping will inform management of diseases associated with modern lifestyles. SCN time keeping is a self-sustaining transcriptional/translational delayed feedback loop (TTFL), whereby negative regulators inhibit their own transcription. Formally, the SCN clock is viewed as a limit-cycle oscillator, the simplest being a trajectory of successive phases that progresses through two-dimensional space defined by two state variables mapped along their respective axes. The TTFL motif is readily compatible with limit-cycle models, and in Neurospora and Drosophila the negative regulators Frequency (FRQ) and Period (Per) have been identified as state variables of their respective TTFLs. The identity of state variables of the SCN oscillator is, however, less clear. Experimental identification of state variables requires reversible and temporally specific control over their abundance. Translational switching (ts) provides this, the expression of a protein of interest relying on the provision of a noncanonical amino acid. We show that the negative regulator Cryptochrome 1 (CRY1) fulfills criteria defining a state variable: ts-CRY1 dose-dependently and reversibly suppresses the baseline, amplitude, and period of SCN rhythms, and its acute withdrawal releases the TTFL to oscillate from a defined phase. Its effect also depends on its temporal pattern of expression, although constitutive ts-CRY1 sustained (albeit less stable) oscillations. We conclude that CRY1 has properties of a state variable, but may operate among several state variables within a multidimensional limit cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- David McManus
- aNeurobiology Division, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Lenka Polidarova
- aNeurobiology Division, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola J. Smyllie
- aNeurobiology Division, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew P. Patton
- aNeurobiology Division, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Johanna E. Chesham
- aNeurobiology Division, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth S. Maywood
- aNeurobiology Division, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Jason W. Chin
- bPNAC Division, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Michael H. Hastings
- aNeurobiology Division, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
- 1To whom correspondence may be addressed.
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