201
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Harrison PM. fLPS 2.0: rapid annotation of compositionally-biased regions in biological sequences. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12363. [PMID: 34760378 PMCID: PMC8557692 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Compositionally-biased (CB) regions in biological sequences are enriched for a subset of sequence residue types. These can be shorter regions with a concentrated bias (i.e., those termed ‘low-complexity’), or longer regions that have a compositional skew. These regions comprise a prominent class of the uncharacterized ‘dark matter’ of the protein universe. Here, I report the latest version of the fLPS package for the annotation of CB regions, which includes added consideration of DNA sequences, to label the eight possible biased regions of DNA. In this version, the user is now able to restrict analysis to a specified subset of residue types, and also to filter for previously annotated domains to enable detection of discontinuous CB regions. A ‘thorough’ option has been added which enables the labelling of subtler biases, typically made from a skew for several residue types. In the output, protein CB regions are now labelled with bias classes reflecting the physico-chemical character of the biasing residues. The fLPS 2.0 package is available from: https://github.com/pmharrison/flps2 or in a Supplemental File of this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Harrison
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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202
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Abdul Aziz M, Sabeem M, Mullath SK, Brini F, Masmoudi K. Plant Group II LEA Proteins: Intrinsically Disordered Structure for Multiple Functions in Response to Environmental Stresses. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1662. [PMID: 34827660 PMCID: PMC8615533 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to various environmental stresses, plants have evolved a wide range of defense mechanisms, resulting in the overexpression of a series of stress-responsive genes. Among them, there is certain set of genes that encode for intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) that repair and protect the plants from damage caused by environmental stresses. Group II LEA (late embryogenesis abundant) proteins compose the most abundant and characterized group of IDPs; they accumulate in the late stages of seed development and are expressed in response to dehydration, salinity, low temperature, or abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. The physiological and biochemical characterization of group II LEA proteins has been carried out in a number of investigations because of their vital roles in protecting the integrity of biomolecules by preventing the crystallization of cellular components prior to multiple stresses. This review describes the distribution, structural architecture, and genomic diversification of group II LEA proteins, with some recent investigations on their regulation and molecular expression under various abiotic stresses. Novel aspects of group II LEA proteins in Phoenix dactylifera and in orthodox seeds are also presented. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) indicated a ubiquitous distribution and expression of group II LEA genes in different plant cells. In vitro experimental evidence from biochemical assays has suggested that group II LEA proteins perform heterogenous functions in response to extreme stresses. Various investigations have indicated the participation of group II LEA proteins in the plant stress tolerance mechanism, spotlighting the molecular aspects of group II LEA genes and their potential role in biotechnological strategies to increase plants' survival in adverse environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mughair Abdul Aziz
- Integrative Agriculture Department, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates; (M.A.A.); (M.S.)
| | - Miloofer Sabeem
- Integrative Agriculture Department, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates; (M.A.A.); (M.S.)
| | - Sangeeta Kutty Mullath
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur 680656, India;
| | - Faical Brini
- Biotechnology and Plant Improvement Laboratory, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax (CBS), University of Sfax, B.P 1177, Sfax 3018, Tunisia;
| | - Khaled Masmoudi
- Integrative Agriculture Department, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates; (M.A.A.); (M.S.)
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203
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Verkhivker GM, Agajanian S, Oztas DY, Gupta G. Allosteric Control of Structural Mimicry and Mutational Escape in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Complexes with the ACE2 Decoys and Miniprotein Inhibitors: A Network-Based Approach for Mutational Profiling of Binding and Signaling. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:5172-5191. [PMID: 34551245 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We developed a computational framework for comprehensive and rapid mutational scanning of binding energetics and residue interaction networks in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein complexes. Using this approach, we integrated atomistic simulations and conformational landscaping of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein complexes with ensemble-based mutational screening and network modeling to characterize mechanisms of structure-functional mimicry and resilience toward mutational escape by the ACE2 protein decoy and de novo designed miniprotein inhibitors. A detailed analysis of structural plasticity of the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins obtained from atomistic simulations of conformational landscapes and sequence-based profiling of the disorder propensities revealed the intrinsically flexible regions that harbor key functional sites targeted by circulating variants. The conservation of collective dynamics in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein complexes showed that mutational escape positions are important for modulation of functional motions and that mutational changes in these sites can alter allosteric interaction networks. Through mutational profiling of binding and allosteric propensities in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein complexes, we identified the key binding and regulatory hotspots that collectively determine functional response and resilience of miniproteins to mutational variants. The results suggest that binding affinities and allosteric signatures of the SARS-CoV-2 complexes can be determined by dynamic crosstalk between structurally stable regulatory centers and conformationally adaptable allosteric hotspots that collectively control the resilience toward mutational escape. This may underlie a mechanism in which moderate perturbations in the mutational escape positions can induce global allosteric changes and alter functional protein response by modulating signaling in the residue interaction networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennady M Verkhivker
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Department of Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, California 92866, United States.,Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, California 92618, United States
| | - Steve Agajanian
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Department of Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, California 92866, United States
| | - Deniz Yasar Oztas
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Department of Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, California 92866, United States
| | - Grace Gupta
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Department of Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, California 92866, United States
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204
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Pajkos M, Dosztányi Z. Functions of intrinsically disordered proteins through evolutionary lenses. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2021; 183:45-74. [PMID: 34656334 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2021.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Protein sequences are the result of an evolutionary process that involves the balancing act of experimenting with novel mutations and selecting out those that have an undesirable functional outcome. In the case of globular proteins, the function relies on a well-defined conformation, therefore, there is a strong evolutionary pressure to preserve the structure. However, different evolutionary rules might apply for the group of intrinsically disordered regions and proteins (IDR/IDPs) that exist as an ensemble of fluctuating conformations. The function of IDRs can directly originate from their disordered state or arise through different types of molecular recognition processes. There is an amazing variety of ways IDRs can carry out their functions, and this is also reflected in their evolutionary properties. In this chapter we give an overview of the different types of evolutionary behavior of disordered proteins and associated functions in normal and disease settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mátyás Pajkos
- Department of Biochemistry, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Dosztányi
- Department of Biochemistry, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
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205
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Djulbegovic MB, Uversky VN, Harbour JW, Galor A, Karp CL. Structural Protein Analysis of Driver Gene Mutations in Conjunctival Melanoma. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12101625. [PMID: 34681018 PMCID: PMC8535873 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been tremendous enthusiasm with respect to detailing the genetic basis of many neoplasms, including conjunctival melanoma (CM). We aim to analyze five proteins associated with CM, namely BRAF, NRAS, c-KIT, NF1, and PTEN. We evaluated each protein for its intrinsically disordered protein regions (IDPRs) and its protein-protein interactions (PPI) with the Predictor of Natural Disordered Protein Regions (PONDR®) and the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING®). Our PONDR® analysis found high levels of IDPRs in all five proteins with mutations linked to CM. The highest levels of IDPRs were in BRAF (45.95%), followed by PTEN (31.76%), NF1 (22.19%), c-KIT (21.82%), and NRAS (14.81%). Our STRING analysis found that each of these five proteins had more predicted interactions then expected (p-value < 1.0 × 10−16). Our analysis demonstrates that the mutations linked to CM likely affected IDPRs and possibly altered their highly complex PPIs. Quantifying IDPRs in BRAF, NRAS, c-KIT, NF1, and PTEN and understanding these protein regions are important processes as IDPRs can be possible drug targets for novel targeted therapies for treating CM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mak B. Djulbegovic
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.B.D.); (J.W.H.); (A.G.)
| | - Vladimir N. Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC07, Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
- Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Institutskiy Pereulok, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141700 Moscow, Russia
| | - J. William Harbour
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.B.D.); (J.W.H.); (A.G.)
| | - Anat Galor
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.B.D.); (J.W.H.); (A.G.)
- Ophthalmology, Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Research Services, Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Carol L. Karp
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.B.D.); (J.W.H.); (A.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-305-326-6165
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206
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Shafat Z, Ahmed A, Parvez MK, Parveen S. Role of "dual-personality" fragments in HEV adaptation-analysis of Y-domain region. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2021; 19:154. [PMID: 34637041 PMCID: PMC8511232 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-021-00238-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E is a liver disease caused by the pathogen hepatitis E virus (HEV). The largest polyprotein open reading frame 1 (ORF1) contains a nonstructural Y-domain region (YDR) whose activity in HEV adaptation remains uncharted. The specific role of disordered regions in several nonstructural proteins has been demonstrated to participate in the multiplication and multiple regulatory functions of the viruses. Thus, intrinsic disorder of YDR including its structural and functional annotation was comprehensively studied by exploiting computational methodologies to delineate its role in viral adaptation. RESULTS Based on our findings, it was evident that YDR contains significantly higher levels of ordered regions with less prevalence of disordered residues. Sequence-based analysis of YDR revealed it as a "dual personality" (DP) protein due to the presence of both structured and unstructured (intrinsically disordered) regions. The evolution of YDR was shaped by pressures that lead towards predominance of both disordered and regularly folded amino acids (Ala, Arg, Gly, Ile, Leu, Phe, Pro, Ser, Tyr, Val). Additionally, the predominance of characteristic DP residues (Thr, Arg, Gly, and Pro) further showed the order as well as disorder characteristic possessed by YDR. The intrinsic disorder propensity analysis of YDR revealed it as a moderately disordered protein. All the YDR sequences consisted of molecular recognition features (MoRFs), i.e., intrinsic disorder-based protein-protein interaction (PPI) sites, in addition to several nucleotide-binding sites. Thus, the presence of molecular recognition (PPI, RNA binding, and DNA binding) signifies the YDR's interaction with specific partners, host membranes leading to further viral infection. The presence of various disordered-based phosphorylation sites further signifies the role of YDR in various biological processes. Furthermore, functional annotation of YDR revealed it as a multifunctional-associated protein, due to its susceptibility in binding to a wide range of ligands and involvement in various catalytic activities. CONCLUSIONS As DP are targets for regulation, thus, YDR contributes to cellular signaling processes through PPIs. As YDR is incompletely understood, therefore, our data on disorder-based function could help in better understanding its associated functions. Collectively, our novel data from this comprehensive investigation is the first attempt to delineate YDR role in the regulation and pathogenesis of HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoya Shafat
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Anwar Ahmed
- Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology Research, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad K Parvez
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shama Parveen
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.
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207
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Prieto VA, Namitz KEW, Showalter SA. Transient Electrostatic Interactions between Fcp1 and Rap74 Bias the Conformational Ensemble of the Complex with Minimal Impact on Binding Affinity. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:10917-10927. [PMID: 34550709 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c05131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) sequences often contain a high proportion of charged residues in conjunction with their high degree of hydrophilicity and solvation. For high net charge IDPs, long-range electrostatic interactions are thought to play a role in modulating the strength or kinetics of protein-protein interactions. In this work, we examined intramolecular interactions mediated by charged regions of a model IDP, the C-terminal tail of the phosphatase Fcp1. Specifically, this work focuses on intermolecular interactions between acidic and basic patches in the primary structure of Fcp1 and their contributions to binding its predominantly basic partner, the winged helix domain of Rap74. We observe both intramolecular and intermolecular interactions through paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) consistent with oppositely charged regions associating with one another, both in unbound Fcp1 and in the Fcp1-Rap74 complex. Formation of this complex is strongly driven by hydrophobic interactions in the minimal binding motif. Here, we test the hypothesis that charged residues in Fcp1 that flank the binding helix also contribute to the strength of binding. Charge inversion mutations in Fcp1 generally support this hypothesis, while PRE data suggest substitution of observed transient interactions in the unbound ensemble for similarly transient interactions with Rap74 in the complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor A Prieto
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Kevin E W Namitz
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Scott A Showalter
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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208
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Nayak C, Singh SK. In silico identification of natural product inhibitors against Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4) to impede the mechanism of glioma stem cells. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255803. [PMID: 34613998 PMCID: PMC8494328 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4) is a core regulator in the retention of stemness, invasive, and self-renewal properties in glioma initiating cells (GSCs) and its overexpression inhibits the differentiation of glioma cells promoting tumor cell proliferation. The Pit-Oct-Unc (POU) domain comprising POU-specific domain (POUS) and POU-type homeodomain (POUHD) subdomains is the most critical part of the Oct4 for the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from somatic cells that lead to tumor initiation, invasion, posttreatment relapse, and therapeutic resistance. Therefore, the present investigation hunts for natural product inhibitors (NPIs) against the POUHD domain of Oct4 by employing receptor-based virtual screening (RBVS) followed by binding free energy calculation and molecular dynamics simulation (MDS). RBVS provided 13 compounds with acceptable ranges of pharmacokinetic properties and good docking scores having key interactions with the POUHD domain. More Specifically, conformational and interaction stability analysis of 13 compounds through MDS unveiled two compounds ZINC02145000 and ZINC32124203 which stabilized the backbone of protein even in the presence of linker and POUS domain. Additionally, ZINC02145000 and ZINC32124203 exhibited stable and strong interactions with key residues W277, R242, and R234 of the POUHD domain even in dynamic conditions. Interestingly, ZINC02145000 and ZINC32124203 established communication not only with the POUHD domain but also with the POUS domain indicating their incredible potency toward thwarting the function of Oct4. ZINC02145000 and ZINC32124203 also reduced the flexibility and escalated the correlations between the amino acid residues of Oct4 evidenced by PCA and DCCM analysis. Finally, our examination proposed two NPIs that can impede the Oct4 function and may help to improve overall survival, diminish tumor relapse, and achieve a cure not only in deadly disease GBM but also in other cancers with minimal side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chirasmita Nayak
- Computer-Aided Drug Design and Molecular Modeling Lab, Department of Bioinformatics, Alagappa University, Karaikudi Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sanjeev Kumar Singh
- Computer-Aided Drug Design and Molecular Modeling Lab, Department of Bioinformatics, Alagappa University, Karaikudi Tamil Nadu, India
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209
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Uversky VN, Kulkarni P. Intrinsically disordered proteins: Chronology of a discovery. Biophys Chem 2021; 279:106694. [PMID: 34607199 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2021.106694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Intrinsic disorder is a new reality that appears to penetrate every corner of modern protein science. It is difficult to imagine that only 20 years ago the situation was completely different, and almost nobody had heard about 'structure-less' but functional proteins. As a matter of fact, for many at that time, this idea was completely heretical when viewed in light of the then dominating lock-and-key model describing the protein structure-function relationship, where a unique amino acid sequence defines a unique crystal-like 3D structure that serves as a prerequisite for a unique function of a protein. It seems like the entire field of protein intrinsic disorder has magically emerged at the turn of the century due to a revelation to a small group of researchers. Although this may very well be true, literature shows that the first observations contradicting the lock-and-key view of protein functionality started to appear almost immediately after this model was proposed. The goal of this article is to provide a brief chronology (though admittedly a subjective one) of the events in the field of protein science that eventually culminated in the discovery of the protein intrinsic disorder phenomenon. The entire process represents a good example of the "dwarf standing on the shoulders of giants" (Latin: nanos gigantum humeris insidentes) metaphor, where the truth is discovered by building on previous discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States; Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Institutskiy pereulok, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141700 Moscow region, Russia.
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 Duarte Rd, Duarte, CA, United States
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210
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Cheng CL, Wong MK, Hochstrasser M. Yeast Nst1 is a novel component of P-bodies and is a specific suppressor of proteasome base assembly defects. Mol Biol Cell 2021; 32:ar6. [PMID: 34347506 PMCID: PMC8684758 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e21-04-0178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteasome assembly utilizes multiple dedicated assembly chaperones and is regulated by signaling pathways that respond to diverse stress conditions. To discover new factors influencing proteasome base assembly, we screened a tiled high-copy yeast genomic library to identify dosage suppressors of a temperature-sensitive proteasome regulatory particle (RP) base mutant. The screen identified negative salt tolerance 1 (Nst1), a protein that when overexpressed specifically suppressed the temperature sensitivity and proteasome-assembly defects of multiple base mutants. Nst1 overexpression reduced cytosolic RP ATPase (Rpt) aggregates in nas6Δ rpn14Δ cells, which lack two RP assembly chaperones. Nst1 is highly polar and predicted to have numerous intrinsically disordered regions, characteristics commonly found in proteins that can segregate into membraneless condensates. In agreement with this, both endogenous and overexpressed Nst1 could form cytosolic puncta that colocalized with processing body (P-body) components. Consistent with the accumulation of translationally inactive mRNAs in P-bodies, Nst1 overexpression inhibited global protein translation in nas6Δ rpn14Δ cells. Translational inhibition is known to suppress aggregation and proteasome assembly defects in base mutants under heat stress. Our data indicate that Nst1 is a previously overlooked P-body component that, when expressed at elevated levels inhibits translation, prevents Rpt subunit aggregation and rescues proteasome assembly under stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mark Hochstrasser
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry and
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520
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211
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Shafat Z, Ahmed A, Parvez MK, Parveen S. Sequence to structure analysis of the ORF4 protein from Hepatitis E virus. Bioinformation 2021; 17:818-828. [PMID: 35539889 PMCID: PMC9049080 DOI: 10.6026/97320630017818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the main cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. HEV accounts for up to 30% mortality rate in pregnant women, with highest incidences reported for genotype 1 (G1) HEV. The contributing factors in adverse cases during pregnancy in women due to HEV infection is still debated. The mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of viral infection is attributed to different genomic component of HEV, i.e., open reading frames (ORFs): ORF1, ORF2, ORF3 and ORF4. Recently, ORF4 has been discovered in enhancing the replication of GI isolates of HEV through regulation of an IRES-like RNA element. However, its characterization through computational methodologies remains unexplored. In this novel study, we provide comprehensive overview of ORF4 protein's genetic and molecular characteristics through analyzing its sequence and different structural levels. A total of three different datasets (Human, Rat and Ferret) of ORF4 genomes were built and comparatively analyzed. Several non-synonymous mutations in conjunction with higher entropy values were observed in rat and ferret datasets, however, limited variation was observed in human ORF4 genomes. Higher transition to tranversion ratio was observed in the ORF4 genomes. Studies have reported the association of intrinsic disordered proteins (IDP) with drug discovery due to its role in several signaling and regulatory processes through protein-protein interactions (PPIs). As PPIs are potent drug target sources, thus the ORF4 protein was explored by analyzing its polypeptide structure in order to shed light on its intrinsic disorder. Pressures that lead towards preponderance of disordered-promoting amino acid residues shaped the evolution of ORF4. The intrinsic disorder propensity analysis revealed ORF4 protein (Human) as a highly disordered protein (IDP). Predominance of coils and lack of secondary structure further substantiated our findings suggesting its involvement in binding to ligand molecules. Thus, ORF4 contributes to cellular signaling processes through protein-protein interactions, as IDPs are targets for regulation to accelerate the process of drug designing strategies against HEV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoya Shafat
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Anwar Ahmed
- Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology Research, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad K Parvez
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shama Parveen
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
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212
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Bacterial Luciferases from Vibrio harveyi and Photobacterium leiognathi Demonstrate Different Conformational Stability as Detected by Time-Resolved Fluorescence Spectroscopy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910449. [PMID: 34638798 PMCID: PMC8508739 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Detecting the folding/unfolding pathways of biological macromolecules is one of the urgent problems of molecular biophysics. The unfolding of bacterial luciferase from Vibrio harveyi is well-studied, unlike that of Photobacterium leiognathi, despite the fact that both of them are actively used as a reporter system. The aim of this study was to compare the conformational transitions of these luciferases from two different protein subfamilies during equilibrium unfolding with urea. Intrinsic steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectra and circular dichroism spectra were used to determine the stages of the protein unfolding. Molecular dynamics methods were applied to find the differences in the surroundings of tryptophans in both luciferases. We found that the unfolding pathway is the same for the studied luciferases. However, the results obtained indicate more stable tertiary and secondary structures of P. leiognathi luciferase as compared to enzyme from V. harveyi during the last stage of denaturation, including the unfolding of individual subunits. The distinctions in fluorescence of the two proteins are associated with differences in the structure of the C-terminal domain of α-subunits, which causes different quenching of tryptophan emissions. The time-resolved fluorescence technique proved to be a more effective method for studying protein unfolding than steady-state methods.
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213
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Kim G, Lee SE, Jeong S, Lee J, Park D, Chang S. Multivalent electrostatic pi-cation interaction between synaptophysin and synapsin is responsible for the coacervation. Mol Brain 2021; 14:137. [PMID: 34496937 PMCID: PMC8424992 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00846-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently showed that synaptophysin (Syph) and synapsin (Syn) can induce liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) to cluster small synaptic-like microvesicles in living cells which are highly reminiscent of SV cluster. However, as there is no physical interaction between them, the underlying mechanism for their coacervation remains unknown. Here, we showed that the coacervation between Syph and Syn is primarily governed by multivalent pi-cation electrostatic interactions among tyrosine residues of Syph C-terminal (Ct) and positively charged Syn. We found that Syph Ct is intrinsically disordered and it alone can form liquid droplets by interactions among themselves at high concentration in a crowding environment in vitro or when assisted by additional interactions by tagging with light-sensitive CRY2PHR or subunits of a multimeric protein in living cells. Syph Ct contains 10 repeated sequences, 9 of them start with tyrosine, and mutating 9 tyrosine to serine (9YS) completely abolished the phase separating property of Syph Ct, indicating tyrosine-mediated pi-interactions are critical. We further found that 9YS mutation failed to coacervate with Syn, and since 9YS retains Syph's negative charge, the results indicate that pi-cation interactions rather than simple charge interactions are responsible for their coacervation. In addition to revealing the underlying mechanism of Syph and Syn coacervation, our results also raise the possibility that physiological regulation of pi-cation interactions between Syph and Syn during synaptic activity may contribute to the dynamics of synaptic vesicle clustering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goeun Kim
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, South Korea
| | - Sang-Eun Lee
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, South Korea
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower St, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Seonyoung Jeong
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, South Korea
| | - Jeongkun Lee
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, South Korea
| | - Daehun Park
- Departments of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Sunghoe Chang
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, South Korea.
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214
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Lan HC, Du TH, Yao YL, Yang WM. Ocular disease-associated mutations diminish the mitotic chromosome retention ability of PAX6. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2021; 1864:194751. [PMID: 34500082 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2021.194751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors play a key role in maintaining cell identity. One mechanism of such cell memory after multiple rounds of cell division cycles is through persistent mitotic chromosome binding, although how individual transcription factors achieve mitotic chromosome retention is not completely understood. Here we show that PAX6, a lineage-determining transcription factor, coats mitotic chromosomes. Using deletion and point mutants associated with human ocular diseases in live-cell imaging analysis, we identified two regions, MCR-D1 and MCR-D2, that were responsible for mitotic chromosome retention of PAX6. We also identified three nuclear localization signals (NLSs) that contributed to mitotic chromosome retention independent of their nuclear import functions. Full mitotic chromosome retention required the presence of DNA-binding domains as well as NLSs within MCR-Ds. Furthermore, disease-associated mutations and NLS mutations changed the distribution of intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) in PAX6. Our findings not only identify PAX6 as a novel mitotic chromosome retention factor but also demonstrate that the mechanism of mitotic chromosome retention involves sequence-specific DNA binding, NLSs, and molecular conformation determined by IDRs. These findings link mitotic chromosome retention with PAX6-related pathogenesis and imply similar mechanisms for other lineage-determining factors in the PAX family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Chi Lan
- Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Huei Du
- Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Li Yao
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan.
| | - Wen-Ming Yang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan.
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215
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Pérez Y, Bonet R, Corredor M, Domingo C, Moure A, Messeguer À, Bujons J, Alfonso I. Semaphorin 3A-Glycosaminoglycans Interaction as Therapeutic Target for Axonal Regeneration. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14090906. [PMID: 34577606 PMCID: PMC8465649 DOI: 10.3390/ph14090906] [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: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) is a cell-secreted protein that participates in the axonal guidance pathways. Sema3A acts as a canonical repulsive axon guidance molecule, inhibiting CNS regenerative axonal growth and propagation. Therefore, interfering with Sema3A signaling is proposed as a therapeutic target for achieving functional recovery after CNS injuries. It has been shown that Sema3A adheres to the proteoglycan component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and selectively binds to heparin and chondroitin sulfate-E (CS-E) glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). We hypothesize that the biologically relevant interaction between Sema3A and GAGs takes place at Sema3A C-terminal polybasic region (SCT). The aims of this study were to characterize the interaction of the whole Sema3A C-terminal polybasic region (Sema3A 725–771) with GAGs and to investigate the disruption of this interaction by small molecules. Recombinant Sema3A basic domain was produced and we used a combination of biophysical techniques (NMR, SPR, and heparin affinity chromatography) to gain insight into the interaction of the Sema3A C-terminal domain with GAGs. The results demonstrate that SCT is an intrinsically disordered region, which confirms that SCT binds to GAGs and helps to identify the specific residues involved in the interaction. NMR studies, supported by molecular dynamics simulations, show that a new peptoid molecule (CSIC02) may disrupt the interaction between SCT and heparin. Our structural study paves the way toward the design of new molecules targeting these protein–GAG interactions with potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Pérez
- NMR Facility, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (Y.P.); (I.A.)
| | - Roman Bonet
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (R.B.); (M.C.); (C.D.); (A.M.); (À.M.); (J.B.)
| | - Miriam Corredor
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (R.B.); (M.C.); (C.D.); (A.M.); (À.M.); (J.B.)
| | - Cecilia Domingo
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (R.B.); (M.C.); (C.D.); (A.M.); (À.M.); (J.B.)
| | - Alejandra Moure
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (R.B.); (M.C.); (C.D.); (A.M.); (À.M.); (J.B.)
| | - Àngel Messeguer
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (R.B.); (M.C.); (C.D.); (A.M.); (À.M.); (J.B.)
| | - Jordi Bujons
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (R.B.); (M.C.); (C.D.); (A.M.); (À.M.); (J.B.)
| | - Ignacio Alfonso
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (R.B.); (M.C.); (C.D.); (A.M.); (À.M.); (J.B.)
- Correspondence: (Y.P.); (I.A.)
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216
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Mann JR, Donnelly CJ. RNA modulates physiological and neuropathological protein phase transitions. Neuron 2021; 109:2663-2681. [PMID: 34297914 PMCID: PMC8434763 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Aggregation of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) is a pathological hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). In these diseases, TDP-43 and FUS RBPs are depleted from the nuclear compartment, where they are normally localized, and found within cytoplasmic inclusions in degenerating regions of affected individuals' postmortem tissue. The mechanisms responsible for aggregation of these proteins has remained elusive, but recent studies suggest liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) might serve as a critical nucleation step in formation of pathological inclusions. The process of phase separation also underlies the formation and maintenance of several functional membraneless organelles (MLOs) throughout the cell, some of which contain TDP-43, FUS, and other disease-linked RBPs. One common ligand of disease-linked RBPs, RNA, is a major component of MLOs containing RBPs and has been demonstrated to be a strong modulator of RBP phase transitions. Although early evidence suggested a largely synergistic effect of RNA on RBP phase separation and MLO assembly, recent work indicates that RNA can also antagonize RBP phase behavior under certain physiological and pathological conditions. In this review, we describe the mechanisms underlying RNA-mediated phase transitions of RBPs and examine the molecular properties of these interactions, such as RNA length, sequence, and secondary structure, that mediate physiological or pathological LLPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob R Mann
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; LiveLikeLouCenter for ALS Research, University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Center for Protein Conformational Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Christopher J Donnelly
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; LiveLikeLouCenter for ALS Research, University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Center for Protein Conformational Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegeneration, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15213.
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217
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Mier P, Paladin L, Tamana S, Petrosian S, Hajdu-Soltész B, Urbanek A, Gruca A, Plewczynski D, Grynberg M, Bernadó P, Gáspári Z, Ouzounis CA, Promponas VJ, Kajava AV, Hancock JM, Tosatto SCE, Dosztanyi Z, Andrade-Navarro MA. Disentangling the complexity of low complexity proteins. Brief Bioinform 2021; 21:458-472. [PMID: 30698641 PMCID: PMC7299295 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbz007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
There are multiple definitions for low complexity regions (LCRs) in protein sequences, with all of them broadly considering LCRs as regions with fewer amino acid types compared to an average composition. Following this view, LCRs can also be defined as regions showing composition bias. In this critical review, we focus on the definition of sequence complexity of LCRs and their connection with structure. We present statistics and methodological approaches that measure low complexity (LC) and related sequence properties. Composition bias is often associated with LC and disorder, but repeats, while compositionally biased, might also induce ordered structures. We illustrate this dichotomy, and more generally the overlaps between different properties related to LCRs, using examples. We argue that statistical measures alone cannot capture all structural aspects of LCRs and recommend the combined usage of a variety of predictive tools and measurements. While the methodologies available to study LCRs are already very advanced, we foresee that a more comprehensive annotation of sequences in the databases will enable the improvement of predictions and a better understanding of the evolution and the connection between structure and function of LCRs. This will require the use of standards for the generation and exchange of data describing all aspects of LCRs. Short abstract There are multiple definitions for low complexity regions (LCRs) in protein sequences. In this critical review, we focus on the definition of sequence complexity of LCRs and their connection with structure. We present statistics and methodological approaches that measure low complexity (LC) and related sequence properties. Composition bias is often associated with LC and disorder, but repeats, while compositionally biased, might also induce ordered structures. We illustrate this dichotomy, plus overlaps between different properties related to LCRs, using examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Mier
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Lisanna Paladin
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Stella Tamana
- Bioinformatics Research Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Sophia Petrosian
- Biological Computation and Process Laboratory, Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research & Technology Hellas, Thessalonica, Greece
| | - Borbála Hajdu-Soltész
- MTA-ELTE Lendület Bioinformatics Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Annika Urbanek
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Aleksandra Gruca
- Institute of Informatics, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Dariusz Plewczynski
- Center of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.,Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Pau Bernadó
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Zoltán Gáspári
- Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Christos A Ouzounis
- Biological Computation and Process Laboratory, Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research & Technology Hellas, Thessalonica, Greece
| | - Vasilis J Promponas
- Bioinformatics Research Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Andrey V Kajava
- Centre de Recherche en Biologie Cellulaire de Montpellier, CNRS-UMR, Institut de Biologie Computationnelle, Universite de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Institute of Bioengineering, University ITMO, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - John M Hancock
- Earlham Institute, Norwich, UK.,ELIXIR Hub, Welcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Silvio C E Tosatto
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Padova, Italy
| | - Zsuzsanna Dosztanyi
- MTA-ELTE Lendület Bioinformatics Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Miguel A Andrade-Navarro
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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218
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Cardone C, Caseau CM, Bardiaux B, Thureaux A, Galloux M, Bajorek M, Eléouët JF, Litaudon M, Bontems F, Sizun C. A Structural and Dynamic Analysis of the Partially Disordered Polymerase-Binding Domain in RSV Phosphoprotein. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11081225. [PMID: 34439894 PMCID: PMC8392014 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The phosphoprotein P of Mononegavirales (MNV) is an essential co-factor of the viral RNA polymerase L. Its prime function is to recruit L to the ribonucleocapsid composed of the viral genome encapsidated by the nucleoprotein N. MNV phosphoproteins often contain a high degree of disorder. In Pneumoviridae phosphoproteins, the only domain with well-defined structure is a small oligomerization domain (POD). We previously characterized the differential disorder in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) phosphoprotein by NMR. We showed that outside of RSV POD, the intrinsically disordered N-and C-terminal regions displayed a structural and dynamic diversity ranging from random coil to high helical propensity. Here we provide additional insight into the dynamic behavior of PCα, a domain that is C-terminal to POD and constitutes the RSV L-binding region together with POD. By using small phosphoprotein fragments centered on or adjacent to POD, we obtained a structural picture of the POD–PCα region in solution, at the single residue level by NMR and at lower resolution by complementary biophysical methods. We probed POD–PCα inter-domain contacts and showed that small molecules were able to modify the dynamics of PCα. These structural properties are fundamental to the peculiar binding mode of RSV phosphoprotein to L, where each of the four protomers binds to L in a different way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Cardone
- Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS, Université Paris Saclay, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (C.C.); (C.-M.C.); (M.L.); (F.B.)
| | - Claire-Marie Caseau
- Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS, Université Paris Saclay, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (C.C.); (C.-M.C.); (M.L.); (F.B.)
| | - Benjamin Bardiaux
- Structural Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR3528, 78015 Paris, France;
| | | | - Marie Galloux
- Unité de Virologie et Immunologie Moléculaires, INRAE, Université Paris Saclay, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (M.G.); (M.B.); (J.-F.E.)
| | - Monika Bajorek
- Unité de Virologie et Immunologie Moléculaires, INRAE, Université Paris Saclay, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (M.G.); (M.B.); (J.-F.E.)
| | - Jean-François Eléouët
- Unité de Virologie et Immunologie Moléculaires, INRAE, Université Paris Saclay, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (M.G.); (M.B.); (J.-F.E.)
| | - Marc Litaudon
- Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS, Université Paris Saclay, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (C.C.); (C.-M.C.); (M.L.); (F.B.)
| | - François Bontems
- Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS, Université Paris Saclay, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (C.C.); (C.-M.C.); (M.L.); (F.B.)
| | - Christina Sizun
- Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS, Université Paris Saclay, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (C.C.); (C.-M.C.); (M.L.); (F.B.)
- Correspondence:
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219
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Studying the effect of alpha-synuclein and Parkinson's disease linked mutants on inter pathway connectivities. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16365. [PMID: 34381149 PMCID: PMC8358055 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95889-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disease. The differential expression of alpha-synuclein within Lewy Bodies leads to this disease. Some missense mutations of alpha-synuclein may resultant in functional aberrations. In this study, our objective is to verify the functional adaptation due to early and late-onset mutation which can trigger or control the rate of alpha-synuclein aggregation. In this regard, we have proposed a computational model to study the difference and similarities among the Wild type alpha-synuclein and mutants i.e., A30P, A53T, G51D, E46K, and H50Q. Evolutionary sequence space analysis is also performed in this experiment. Subsequently, a comparative study has been performed between structural information and sequence space outcomes. The study shows the structural variability among the selected subtypes. This information assists inter pathway modeling due to mutational aberrations. Based on the structural variability, we have identified the protein-protein interaction partners for each protein that helps to increase the robustness of the inter-pathway connectivity. Finally, few pathways have been identified from 12 semantic networks based on their association with mitochondrial dysfunction and dopaminergic pathways.
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220
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Thapa C, Roivas P, Haataja T, Permi P, Pentikäinen U. Interaction mechanism of endogenous PP2A inhibitor protein ENSA with PP2A. FEBS J 2021; 289:519-534. [PMID: 34346186 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The vast diversity of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) holoenzyme composition ensures its multifaceted role in the regulation of cellular growth and signal transduction. In several pathological conditions, such as cancer, PP2A is inhibited by endogenous inhibitor proteins. Several PP2A inhibitor proteins have been identified, one of which is α-endosulfine (ENSA). ENSA inhibits PP2A activity when it is phosphorylated at Ser67 by Greatwall (Gwl) kinase. The role of ENSA in PP2A inhibition is rather well characterized, but knowledge of the mechanism of inhibition is scarce. In this study, we have performed comprehensive structural characterization of ENSA, and its interaction with PP2A A- and various B56-subunit isoforms by combining NMR spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and interaction assays. The results clearly indicate that ENSA is an intrinsically disordered protein containing three transient α-helical structures. ENSA was observed to interact PP2A mainly via A-subunit, as the affinity with the A-subunit is significantly stronger than with any of the B56 subunits. Based on our results, it seems that ENSA follows the dock-and-coalesce mechanism in associating with PP2A A-subunit. Taken together, our results provide an essential structural and molecular framework to understanding molecular bases of ENSA-mediated PP2A inhibition, which is crucial for the development of new therapies for diseases linked to PP2A inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandan Thapa
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience Center, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland.,Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Finland.,Turku BioScience, University of Turku, Finland
| | - Pekka Roivas
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Finland.,Turku BioScience, University of Turku, Finland
| | - Tatu Haataja
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience Center, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland
| | - Perttu Permi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience Center, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland.,Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience Center, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland
| | - Ulla Pentikäinen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Finland.,Turku BioScience, University of Turku, Finland
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221
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Marzullo L, Turco MC, Uversky VN. What's in the BAGs? Intrinsic disorder angle of the multifunctionality of the members of a family of chaperone regulators. J Cell Biochem 2021; 123:22-42. [PMID: 34339540 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In humans, the family of Bcl-2 associated athanogene (BAG) proteins includes six members characterized by exceptional multifunctionality and engagement in the pathogenesis of various diseases. All of them are capable of interacting with a multitude of often unrelated binding partners. Such binding promiscuity and related functional and pathological multifacetedness cannot be explained or understood within the frames of the classical "one protein-one structure-one function" model, which also fails to explain the presence of multiple isoforms generated for BAG proteins by alternative splicing or alternative translation initiation and their extensive posttranslational modifications. However, all these mysteries can be solved by taking into account the intrinsic disorder phenomenon. In fact, high binding promiscuity and potential to participate in a broad spectrum of interactions with multiple binding partners, as well as a capability to be multifunctional and multipathogenic, are some of the characteristic features of intrinsically disordered proteins and intrinsically disordered protein regions. Such functional proteins or protein regions lacking unique tertiary structures constitute a cornerstone of the protein structure-function continuum concept. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the functional roles of human BAG proteins from the perspective of protein intrinsic disorder which will provide a means for understanding their binding promiscuity, multifunctionality, and relation to the pathogenesis of various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liberato Marzullo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry Schola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,Research and Development Division, BIOUNIVERSA s.r.l., Baronissi, Italy
| | - Maria C Turco
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry Schola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,Research and Development Division, BIOUNIVERSA s.r.l., Baronissi, Italy
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
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222
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Kumar R. Role of conformational dynamics and flexibilities in the steroid receptor-coregulator protein complex formation. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 309:113780. [PMID: 33882296 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Understanding of the mechanisms of actions of the steroid hormone receptor (SHR)-coregulator (CoR) protein complexes in the gene regulations has revolutionized the field of molecular endocrinology and endocrine-related oncology. The discovery and characterization of steroid receptor coactivators (SRCs) and their ability to bind various transcription factors including SHRs to coordinate the regulation of multiple target genes highlights their importance as key coregulators in various cellular signaling crosstalks as well as therapeutic target for various endocrine-related disorders specifically endocrine cancers. The dynamic nature of the SHR-CoR multi-protein complexes indicate the critical role of conformational flexibilities within specific protein(s). In recent years, the importance of conformational dynamics of the SHRs in the intramolecular and intermolecular allosteric regulations mediated via their intrinsically disordered (ID) surfaces has been highlighted. In this review article, we have discussed the importance of ID conformations within the SRCs that may also be playing an important role in the formation/deformation of multi protein complexes involving SHRs and CoRs and subsequent target gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Houston - College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.
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Saito A, Shofa M, Ode H, Yumiya M, Hirano J, Okamoto T, Yoshimura SH. How Do Flaviviruses Hijack Host Cell Functions by Phase Separation? Viruses 2021; 13:v13081479. [PMID: 34452345 PMCID: PMC8402827 DOI: 10.3390/v13081479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral proteins interact with different sets of host cell components throughout the viral life cycle and are known to localize to the intracellular membraneless organelles (MLOs) of the host cell, where formation/dissolution is regulated by phase separation of intrinsically disordered proteins and regions (IDPs/IDRs). Viral proteins are rich in IDRs, implying that viruses utilize IDRs to regulate phase separation of the host cell organelles and augment replication by commandeering the functions of the organelles and/or sneaking into the organelles to evade the host immune response. This review aims to integrate current knowledge of the structural properties and intracellular localizations of viral IDPs to understand viral strategies in the host cell. First, the properties of viral IDRs are reviewed and similarities and differences with those of eukaryotes are described. The higher IDR content in viruses with smaller genomes suggests that IDRs are essential characteristics of viral proteins. Then, the interactions of the IDRs of flaviviruses with the MLOs of the host cell are investigated with emphasis on the viral proteins localized in the nucleoli and stress granules. Finally, the possible roles of viral IDRs in regulation of the phase separation of organelles and future possibilities for antiviral drug development are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akatsuki Saito
- Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan;
- Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (T.O.); (S.H.Y.)
| | - Maya Shofa
- Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan;
- Graduate School of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Ode
- Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center, Nagoya 460-0001, Japan;
| | - Maho Yumiya
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; (M.Y.); (J.H.)
| | - Junki Hirano
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; (M.Y.); (J.H.)
| | - Toru Okamoto
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; (M.Y.); (J.H.)
- Center for Infectious Diseases Education and Research, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (T.O.); (S.H.Y.)
| | - Shige H. Yoshimura
- Laboratory of Plasma Membrane and Nuclear Signaling, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (T.O.); (S.H.Y.)
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224
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Shamilov R, Robinson VL, Aneskievich BJ. Seeing Keratinocyte Proteins through the Looking Glass of Intrinsic Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157912. [PMID: 34360678 PMCID: PMC8348711 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidermal keratinocyte proteins include many with an eccentric amino acid content (compositional bias), atypical ultrastructural fate (built-in protease sensitivity), or assembly visible at the light microscope level (cytoplasmic granules). However, when considered through the looking glass of intrinsic disorder (ID), these apparent oddities seem quite expected. Keratinocyte proteins with highly repetitive motifs are of low complexity but high adaptation, providing polymers (e.g., profilaggrin) for proteolysis into bioactive derivatives, or monomers (e.g., loricrin) repeatedly cross-linked to self and other proteins to shield underlying tissue. Keratohyalin granules developing from liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) show that unique biomolecular condensates (BMC) and proteinaceous membraneless organelles (PMLO) occur in these highly customized cells. We conducted bioinformatic and in silico assessments of representative keratinocyte differentiation-dependent proteins. This was conducted in the context of them having demonstrated potential ID with the prospect of that characteristic driving formation of distinctive keratinocyte structures. Intriguingly, while ID is characteristic of many of these proteins, it does not appear to guarantee LLPS, nor is it required for incorporation into certain keratinocyte protein condensates. Further examination of keratinocyte-specific proteins will provide variations in the theme of PMLO, possibly recognizing new BMC for advancements in understanding intrinsically disordered proteins as reflected by keratinocyte biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rambon Shamilov
- Graduate Program in Pharmacology & Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA;
| | - Victoria L. Robinson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA;
| | - Brian J. Aneskievich
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-860-486-3053
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225
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Semenyuk PI. Effect of Polyphosphorylation on Behavior of Protein Disordered Regions. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157883. [PMID: 34360648 PMCID: PMC8345927 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins interact with many charged biological macromolecules (polyelectrolytes), including inorganic polyphosphates. Recently a new protein post-translational modification, polyphosphorylation, or a covalent binding of polyphosphate chain to lysine, was demonstrated in human and yeast. Herein, we performed the first molecular modeling study of a possible effect of polyphosphorylation on behavior of the modified protein using replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations in atomistic force field with explicit water. Human endoplasmin (GRP-94), a member of heat shock protein 90 family, was selected as a model protein. Intrinsically disordered region in N-terminal domain serving as a charged linker between domains and containing a polyacidic serine and lysine-rich motif, was selected as a potent polyphosphorylation site according to literature data. Polyphosphorylation, depending on exact modification site, has been shown to influence on the disordered loop flexibility and induce its further expanding, as well as induce changes in interaction with ordered part of the molecule. As a result, polyphosphorylation in N-terminal domain might affect interaction of HSP90 with client proteins since these chaperones play a key role in protein folding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel I Semenyuk
- Belozersky Research Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
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226
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Schrag LG, Liu X, Thevarajan I, Prakash O, Zolkiewski M, Chen J. Cancer-Associated Mutations Perturb the Disordered Ensemble and Interactions of the Intrinsically Disordered p53 Transactivation Domain. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167048. [PMID: 33984364 PMCID: PMC8286338 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are key components of regulatory networks that control crucial aspects of cell decision making. The intrinsically disordered transactivation domain (TAD) of tumor suppressor p53 mediates its interactions with multiple regulatory pathways to control the p53 homeostasis during the cellular response to genotoxic stress. Many cancer-associated mutations have been discovered in p53-TAD, but their structural and functional consequences are poorly understood. Here, by combining atomistic simulations, NMR spectroscopy, and binding assays, we demonstrate that cancer-associated mutations can significantly perturb the balance of p53 interactions with key activation and degradation regulators. Importantly, the four mutations studied in this work do not all directly disrupt the known interaction interfaces. Instead, at least three of these mutations likely modulate the disordered state of p53-TAD to perturb its interactions with regulators. Specifically, NMR and simulation analysis together suggest that these mutations can modulate the level of conformational expansion as well as rigidity of the disordered state. Our work suggests that the disordered conformational ensemble of p53-TAD can serve as a central conduit in regulating the response to various cellular stimuli at the protein-protein interaction level. Understanding how the disordered state of IDPs may be modulated by regulatory signals and/or disease associated perturbations will be essential in the studies on the role of IDPs in biology and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn G Schrag
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66505, USA
| | - Xiaorong Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Indhujah Thevarajan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66505, USA
| | - Om Prakash
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66505, USA.
| | - Michal Zolkiewski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66505, USA.
| | - Jianhan Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
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227
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Sunkel BD, Wang M, LaHaye S, Kelly BJ, Fitch JR, Barr FG, White P, Stanton BZ. Evidence of pioneer factor activity of an oncogenic fusion transcription factor. iScience 2021; 24:102867. [PMID: 34386729 PMCID: PMC8346656 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent characterizations of pioneer transcription factors provide insights into their structures and patterns of chromatin recognition associated with their roles in cell fate commitment and transformation. Intersecting with these basic science concepts, identification of pioneer factors (PFs) fused together as driver translocations in childhood cancers raises questions of whether these fusions retain the fundamental ability to invade repressed chromatin, consistent with their monomeric PF constituents. This study defines the cellular and chromatin localization of PAX3-FOXO1, an oncogenic driver of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), derived from a fusion of PFs. To quantitatively define its chromatin-targeting functions and capacity to drive epigenetic reprogramming, we developed a ChIP-seq workflow with per-cell normalization (pc-ChIP-seq). Our quantitative localization studies address structural variation in RMS genomes and reveal insights into inactive chromatin localization of PAX3-FOXO1. Taken together, our studies are consistent with pioneer function for a driver oncoprotein in RMS, with repressed chromatin binding and nucleosome-motif targeting. The fusion oncoprotein PAX3-FOXO1 binds to both active and repressed chromatin PAX3-FOXO1-binding sites are adjacent to H3K9me3 domains PAX3-FOXO1 engages partial DNA motifs at early timepoints PAX3-FOXO1 can bind stably to inaccessible chromatin without inducing accessibility
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin D Sunkel
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Meng Wang
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Stephanie LaHaye
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Benjamin J Kelly
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - James R Fitch
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Frederic G Barr
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Peter White
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Benjamin Z Stanton
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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228
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Rosenberg A, Sibley LD. Toxoplasma gondii secreted effectors co-opt host repressor complexes to inhibit necroptosis. Cell Host Microbe 2021; 29:1186-1198.e8. [PMID: 34043960 PMCID: PMC8711274 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii translocates effector proteins into its host cell to subvert various host pathways. T. gondii effector TgIST blocks the transcription of interferon-stimulated genes to reduce immune defense. Interferons upregulate numerous genes, including protein kinase R (PKR), which induce necrosome formation to activate mixed-lineage-kinase-domain-like (MLKL) pseudokinase and induce necroptosis. Whether these interferon functions are targeted by Toxoplasma is unknown. Here, we examine secreted effectors that localize to the host cell nucleus and find that the chronic bradyzoite stage secretes effector TgNSM that targets the NCoR/SMRT complex, a repressor for various transcription factors, to inhibit interferon-regulated genes involved in cell death. TgNSM acts with TgIST to block IFN-driven expression of PKR and MLKL, thus preventing host cell necroptotic death and protecting the parasite's intracellular niche. The mechanism of action of TgNSM uncovers a role of NCoR/SMRT in necroptosis, assuring survival of intracellular cysts and chronic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Rosenberg
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - L David Sibley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
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229
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Sprunger ML, Jackrel ME. Prion-Like Proteins in Phase Separation and Their Link to Disease. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11071014. [PMID: 34356638 PMCID: PMC8301953 DOI: 10.3390/biom11071014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant protein folding underpins many neurodegenerative diseases as well as certain myopathies and cancers. Protein misfolding can be driven by the presence of distinctive prion and prion-like regions within certain proteins. These prion and prion-like regions have also been found to drive liquid-liquid phase separation. Liquid-liquid phase separation is thought to be an important physiological process, but one that is prone to malfunction. Thus, aberrant liquid-to-solid phase transitions may drive protein aggregation and fibrillization, which could give rise to pathological inclusions. Here, we review prions and prion-like proteins, their roles in phase separation and disease, as well as potential therapeutic approaches to counter aberrant phase transitions.
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230
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Dact1 is expressed during chicken and mouse skeletal myogenesis and modulated in human muscle diseases. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 256:110645. [PMID: 34252542 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2021.110645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Vertebrate skeletal muscle development and repair relies on the precise control of Wnt signaling. Dact1 (Dapper/Frodo) is an important modulator of Wnt signaling, interacting with key components of the various Wnt transduction pathways. Here, we characterized Dact1 mRNA and protein expression in chicken and mouse fetal muscles in vivo and during the differentiation of chick primary and mouse C2C12 myoblasts in vitro. We also performed in silico analysis to investigate Dact1 gene expression in human myopathies, and evaluated the Dact1 protein structure to seek an explanation for the accumulation of Dact1 protein aggregates in the nuclei of myogenic cells. Our results show for the first time that in both chicken and mouse, Dact1 is expressed during myogenesis, with a strong upregulation as cells engage in terminal differentiation, cell cycle withdrawal and cell fusion. In humans, Dact1 expression was found to be altered in specific muscle pathologies, including muscular dystrophies. Our bioinformatic analyses of Dact1 proteins revealed long intrinsically disordered regions, which may underpin the ability of Dact1 to interact with its many partners in the various Wnt pathways. In addition, we found that Dact1 has strong propensity for liquid-liquid phase separation, a feature that explains its ability to form nuclear aggregates and points to a possible role as a molecular 'on'-'off' switch. Taken together, our data suggest Dact1 as a candidate, multi-faceted regulator of amniote myogenesis with a possible pathophysiological role in human muscular diseases.
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231
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Farina S, Esposito F, Battistoni M, Biamonti G, Francia S. Post-Translational Modifications Modulate Proteinopathies of TDP-43, FUS and hnRNP-A/B in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:693325. [PMID: 34291086 PMCID: PMC8287968 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.693325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been shown that protein low-sequence complexity domains (LCDs) induce liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), which is responsible for the formation of membrane-less organelles including P-granules, stress granules and Cajal bodies. Proteins harbouring LCDs are widely represented among RNA binding proteins often mutated in ALS. Indeed, LCDs predispose proteins to a prion-like behaviour due to their tendency to form amyloid-like structures typical of proteinopathies. Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) can influence phase transition through two main events: i) destabilizing or augmenting multivalent interactions between phase-separating macromolecules; ii) recruiting or excluding other proteins and/or nucleic acids into/from the condensate. In this manuscript we summarize the existing evidence describing how PTM can modulate LLPS thus favouring or counteracting proteinopathies at the base of neurodegeneration in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Farina
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza" - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerce (CNR), Pavia, Italy.,University School for Advanced Studies IUSS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesca Esposito
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza" - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerce (CNR), Pavia, Italy.,Università Degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Biamonti
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza" - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerce (CNR), Pavia, Italy
| | - Sofia Francia
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza" - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerce (CNR), Pavia, Italy
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232
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Telek E, Karádi K, Kardos J, Kengyel A, Fekete Z, Halász H, Nyitrai M, Bugyi B, Lukács A. The C-terminal tail extension of myosin 16 acts as a molten globule, including intrinsically disordered regions, and interacts with the N-terminal ankyrin. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:100716. [PMID: 33930467 PMCID: PMC8253979 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The lesser-known unconventional myosin 16 protein is essential in proper neuronal functioning and has been implicated in cell cycle regulation. Its longer Myo16b isoform contains a C-terminal tail extension (Myo16Tail), which has been shown to play a role in the neuronal phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling pathway. Myo16Tail mediates the actin cytoskeleton remodeling, downregulates the actin dynamics at the postsynaptic site of dendritic spines, and is involved in the organization of the presynaptic axon terminals. However, the functional and structural features of this C-terminal tail extension are not well known. Here, we report the purification and biophysical characterization of the Myo16Tail by bioinformatics, fluorescence spectroscopy, and CD. Our results revealed that the Myo16Tail is functionally active and interacts with the N-terminal ankyrin domain of myosin 16, suggesting an intramolecular binding between the C and N termini of Myo16 as an autoregulatory mechanism involving backfolding of the motor domain. In addition, the Myo16Tail possesses high structural flexibility and a solvent-exposed hydrophobic core, indicating the largely unstructured, intrinsically disordered nature of this protein region. Some secondary structure elements were also observed, indicating that the Myo16Tail likely adopts a molten globule-like structure. These structural features imply that the Myo16Tail may function as a flexible display site particularly relevant in post-translational modifications, regulatory functions such as backfolding, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elek Telek
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; MTA-PTE Nuclear-Mitochondrial Interactions Research Group, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Kristóf Karádi
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Szentágothai Research Center, Pécs, Hungary
| | - József Kardos
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Kengyel
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; MTA-PTE Nuclear-Mitochondrial Interactions Research Group, Pécs, Hungary; Szentágothai Research Center, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Fekete
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Henriett Halász
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; MTA-PTE Nuclear-Mitochondrial Interactions Research Group, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Miklós Nyitrai
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; MTA-PTE Nuclear-Mitochondrial Interactions Research Group, Pécs, Hungary; Szentágothai Research Center, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Beáta Bugyi
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Szentágothai Research Center, Pécs, Hungary.
| | - András Lukács
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; MTA-PTE Nuclear-Mitochondrial Interactions Research Group, Pécs, Hungary; Szentágothai Research Center, Pécs, Hungary.
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233
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MacCready JS, Tran L, Basalla JL, Hakim P, Vecchiarelli AG. The McdAB system positions α-carboxysomes in proteobacteria. Mol Microbiol 2021; 116:277-297. [PMID: 33638215 PMCID: PMC8359340 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Carboxysomes are protein-based organelles essential for carbon fixation in cyanobacteria and proteobacteria. Previously, we showed that the cyanobacterial nucleoid is used to equally space out β-carboxysomes across cell lengths by a two-component system (McdAB) in the model cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942. More recently, we found that McdAB systems are widespread among β-cyanobacteria, which possess β-carboxysomes, but are absent in α-cyanobacteria, which possess structurally and phyletically distinct α-carboxysomes. Cyanobacterial α-carboxysomes are thought to have arisen in proteobacteria and then horizontally transferred into cyanobacteria, which suggests that α-carboxysomes in proteobacteria may also lack the McdAB system. Here, using the model chemoautotrophic proteobacterium Halothiobacillus neapolitanus, we show that a McdAB system distinct from that of β-cyanobacteria operates to position α-carboxysomes across cell lengths. We further show that this system is widespread among α-carboxysome-containing proteobacteria and that cyanobacteria likely inherited an α-carboxysome operon from a proteobacterium lacking the mcdAB locus. These results demonstrate that McdAB is a cross-phylum two-component system necessary for positioning both α- and β-carboxysomes. The findings have further implications for understanding the positioning of other protein-based bacterial organelles involved in diverse metabolic processes. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Cyanobacteria are well known to fix atmospheric CO2 into sugars using the enzyme Rubisco. Less appreciated are the carbon-fixing abilities of proteobacteria with diverse metabolisms. Bacterial Rubisco is housed within organelles called carboxysomes that increase enzymatic efficiency. Here we show that proteobacterial carboxysomes are distributed in the cell by two proteins, McdA and McdB. McdA on the nucleoid interacts with McdB on carboxysomes to equidistantly space carboxysomes from one another, ensuring metabolic homeostasis and a proper inheritance of carboxysomes following cell division. This study illuminates how widespread carboxysome positioning systems are among diverse bacteria. Carboxysomes significantly contribute to global carbon fixation; therefore, understanding the spatial organization mechanism shared across the bacterial world is of great interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua S. MacCready
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Lisa Tran
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Joseph L. Basalla
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Pusparanee Hakim
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Anthony G. Vecchiarelli
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
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234
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McSweeney AM, Young VL, Ward VK. Norovirus VPg Binds RNA through a Conserved N-Terminal K/R Basic Patch. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071282. [PMID: 34209211 PMCID: PMC8310136 DOI: 10.3390/v13071282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The viral protein genome-linked (VPg) of noroviruses is a multi-functional protein that participates in essential roles during the viral replication cycle. Predictive analyses indicate that murine norovirus (MNV) VPg contains a disordered N-terminal region with RNA binding potential. VPg proteins were expressed with an N-terminal spidroin fusion protein in insect cells and the interaction with RNA investigated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) against a series of RNA probes (pentaprobes) representing all possible five nucleotide combinations. MNV VPg and human norovirus (HuNV) VPg proteins were directly bound to RNA in a non-specific manner. To identify amino acids involved in binding to RNA, all basic (K/R) residues in the first 12 amino acids of MNV VPg were mutated to alanine. Removal of the K/R amino acids eliminated RNA binding and is consistent with a K/R basic patch RNA binding motif within the disordered N-terminal region of norovirus VPgs. Finally, we show that mutation of the K/R basic patch required for RNA binding eliminates the ability of MNV VPg to induce a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest.
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235
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Clerc I, Sagar A, Barducci A, Sibille N, Bernadó P, Cortés J. The diversity of molecular interactions involving intrinsically disordered proteins: A molecular modeling perspective. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:3817-3828. [PMID: 34285781 PMCID: PMC8273358 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins and Regions (IDPs/IDRs) are key components of a multitude of biological processes. Conformational malleability enables IDPs/IDRs to perform very specialized functions that cannot be accomplished by globular proteins. The functional role for most of these proteins is related to the recognition of other biomolecules to regulate biological processes or as a part of signaling pathways. Depending on the extent of disorder, the number of interacting sites and the type of partner, very different architectures for the resulting assemblies are possible. More recently, molecular condensates with liquid-like properties composed of multiple copies of IDPs and nucleic acids have been proven to regulate key processes in eukaryotic cells. The structural and kinetic details of disordered biomolecular complexes are difficult to unveil experimentally due to their inherent conformational heterogeneity. Computational approaches, alone or in combination with experimental data, have emerged as unavoidable tools to understand the functional mechanisms of this elusive type of assemblies. The level of description used, all-atom or coarse-grained, strongly depends on the size of the molecular systems and on the timescale of the investigated mechanism. In this mini-review, we describe the most relevant architectures found for molecular interactions involving IDPs/IDRs and the computational strategies applied for their investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilinka Clerc
- LAAS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Amin Sagar
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, France
| | - Alessandro Barducci
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, France
| | - Nathalie Sibille
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, France
| | - Pau Bernadó
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, France
| | - Juan Cortés
- LAAS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
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236
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Sharma NR, Gadhave K, Kumar P, Saif M, Khan MM, Sarkar DP, Uversky VN, Giri R. Analysis of the dark proteome of Chandipura virus reveals maximum propensity for intrinsic disorder in phosphoprotein. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13253. [PMID: 34168211 PMCID: PMC8225862 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92581-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chandipura virus (CHPV, a member of the Rhabdoviridae family) is an emerging pathogen that causes rapidly progressing influenza-like illness and acute encephalitis often leading to coma and death of the human host. Given several CHPV outbreaks in Indian sub-continent, recurring sporadic cases, neurological manifestation, and high mortality rate of this infection, CHPV is gaining global attention. The 'dark proteome' includes the whole proteome with special emphasis on intrinsically disordered proteins (IDP) and IDP regions (IDPR), which are proteins or protein regions that lack unique (or ordered) three-dimensional structures within the cellular milieu. These proteins/regions, however, play a number of vital roles in various biological processes, such as cell cycle regulation, control of signaling pathways, etc. and, therefore, are implicated in many human diseases. IDPs and IPPRs are also abundantly found in many viral proteins enabling their multifunctional roles in the viral life cycles and their capability to highjack various host systems. The unknown abundance of IDP and IDPR in CHPV, therefore, prompted us to analyze the dark proteome of this virus. Our analysis revealed a varying degree of disorder in all five CHPV proteins, with the maximum level of intrinsic disorder propensity being found in Phosphoprotein (P). We have also shown the flexibility of P protein using extensive molecular dynamics simulations up to 500 ns (ns). Furthermore, our analysis also showed the abundant presence of the disorder-based binding regions (also known as molecular recognition features, MoRFs) in CHPV proteins. The identification of IDPs/IDPRs in CHPV proteins suggests that their disordered regions may function as potential interacting domains and may also serve as novel targets for disorder-based drug designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishi R Sharma
- School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Jamia Hamdard-Institute of Molecular Medicine (JH-IMM), Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi, 110062, India.
| | - Kundlik Gadhave
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, VPO Kamand, Kamand, Himachal Pradesh, 175005, India
| | - Prateek Kumar
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, VPO Kamand, Kamand, Himachal Pradesh, 175005, India
| | - Mohammad Saif
- School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Jamia Hamdard-Institute of Molecular Medicine (JH-IMM), Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Md M Khan
- School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Jamia Hamdard-Institute of Molecular Medicine (JH-IMM), Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Debi P Sarkar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, 110021, India
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA.
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center "Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences", Pushchino, 142290, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Rajanish Giri
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, VPO Kamand, Kamand, Himachal Pradesh, 175005, India.
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237
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Regulation of the NMDA receptor by its cytoplasmic domains: (How) is the tail wagging the dog? Neuropharmacology 2021; 195:108634. [PMID: 34097949 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Excitatory neurotransmission mediated by N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) is critical for synapse development, function, and plasticity in the brain. NMDARs are tetra-heteromeric cation-channels that mediate synaptic transmission and plasticity. Extensive human studies show the existence of genetic variants in NMDAR subunits genes (GRIN genes) that are associated with neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), epilepsy (EP), intellectual disability (ID), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia (SCZ). NMDAR subunits have a unique modular architecture with four semiautonomous domains. Here we focus on the carboxyl terminal domain (CTD), also known as the intracellular C-tail, which varies in length among the glutamate receptor subunits and is the most diverse domain in terms of amino acid sequence. The CTD shows no sequence homology to any known proteins but encodes short docking motifs for intracellular binding proteins and covalent modifications. Our review will discuss the many important functions of the CTD in regulating NMDA membrane and synaptic targeting, stabilization, degradation targeting, allosteric modulation and metabotropic signaling of the receptor. This article is part of the special issue on 'Glutamate Receptors - NMDA Receptors'.
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238
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Sen S, Dey A, Bandhyopadhyay S, Uversky VN, Maulik U. Understanding structural malleability of the SARS-CoV-2 proteins and relation to the comorbidities. Brief Bioinform 2021; 22:6304388. [PMID: 34143202 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbab232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a causative agent of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is a part of the $\beta $-Coronaviridae family. The virus contains five major protein classes viz., four structural proteins [nucleocapsid (N), membrane (M), envelop (E) and spike glycoprotein (S)] and replicase polyproteins (R), synthesized as two polyproteins (ORF1a and ORF1ab). Due to the severity of the pandemic, most of the SARS-CoV-2-related research are focused on finding therapeutic solutions. However, studies on the sequences and structure space throughout the evolutionary time frame of viral proteins are limited. Besides, the structural malleability of viral proteins can be directly or indirectly associated with the dysfunctionality of the host cell proteins. This dysfunctionality may lead to comorbidities during the infection and may continue at the post-infection stage. In this regard, we conduct the evolutionary sequence-structure analysis of the viral proteins to evaluate their malleability. Subsequently, intrinsic disorder propensities of these viral proteins have been studied to confirm that the short intrinsically disordered regions play an important role in enhancing the likelihood of the host proteins interacting with the viral proteins. These interactions may result in molecular dysfunctionality, finally leading to different diseases. Based on the host cell proteins, the diseases are divided in two distinct classes: (i) proteins, directly associated with the set of diseases while showing similar activities, and (ii) cytokine storm-mediated pro-inflammation (e.g. acute respiratory distress syndrome, malignancies) and neuroinflammation (e.g. neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases). Finally, the study unveils that males and postmenopausal females can be more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to the androgen-mediated protein transmembrane serine protease 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagnik Sen
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-32, West Bengal, India
| | - Ashmita Dey
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-32, West Bengal, India
| | | | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America.,Laboratory of New Methods in Biology, Institute for Biological Instrumentation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center "Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences", Pushchino, Moscow region, 142290 Russia
| | - Ujjwal Maulik
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-32, West Bengal, India
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239
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Regulatory properties of vitronectin and its glycosylation in collagen fibril formation and collagen-degrading enzyme cathepsin K activity. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12023. [PMID: 34103584 PMCID: PMC8187593 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91353-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitronectin (VN) is a glycoprotein found in extracellular matrix and blood. Collagen, a major extracellular matrix component in mammals, is degraded by cathepsin K (CatK), which is essential for bone resorption under acidic conditions. The relationship between VN and cathepsins has been unclear. We discovered that VN promoted collagen fibril formation and inhibited CatK activity, and observed its activation in vitro. VN accelerated collagen fibril formation at neutral pH. Collagen fibers formed with VN were in close contact with each other and appeared as scattered flat masses in scanning electron microscopy images. VN formed collagen fibers with high acid solubility and significantly inhibited CatK; the IC50 was 8.1–16.6 nM and competitive, almost the same as those of human and porcine VNs. VN inhibited the autoprocessing of inactive pro-CatK from active CatK. DeN-glycosylation of VN attenuated the inhibitory effects of CatK and its autoprocessing by VN, but had little effect on acid solubilization of collagen and VN degradation via CatK. CatK inhibition is an attractive treatment approach for osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. These findings suggest that glycosylated VN is a potential biological candidate for CatK inhibition and may help to understand the molecular mechanisms of tissue re-modeling.
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240
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Behera JR, Rahman MM, Bhatia S, Shockey J, Kilaru A. Functional and Predictive Structural Characterization of WRINKLED2, A Unique Oil Biosynthesis Regulator in Avocado. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:648494. [PMID: 34168663 PMCID: PMC8218904 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.648494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
WRINKLED1 (WRI1), a member of the APETALA2 (AP2) class of transcription factors regulates fatty acid biosynthesis and triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation in plants. Among the four known Arabidopsis WRI1 paralogs, only WRI2 was unable to complement and restore fatty acid content in wri1-1 mutant seeds. Avocado (Persea americana) mesocarp, which accumulates 60-70% dry weight oil content, showed high expression levels for orthologs of WRI2, along with WRI1 and WRI3, during fruit development. While the role of WRI1 as a master regulator of oil biosynthesis is well-established, the function of WRI1 paralogs is poorly understood. Comprehensive and comparative in silico analyses of WRI1 paralogs from avocado (a basal angiosperm) with higher angiosperms Arabidopsis (dicot), maize (monocot) revealed distinct features. Predictive structural analyses of the WRI orthologs from these three species revealed the presence of AP2 domains and other highly conserved features, such as intrinsically disordered regions associated with predicted PEST motifs and phosphorylation sites. Additionally, avocado WRI proteins also contained distinct features that were absent in the nonfunctional Arabidopsis ortholog AtWRI2. Through transient expression assays, we demonstrated that both avocado WRI1 and WRI2 are functional and drive TAG accumulation in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. We predict that the unique features and activities of ancestral PaWRI2 were likely lost in orthologous genes such as AtWRI2 during evolution and speciation, leading to at least partial loss of function in some higher eudicots. This study provides us with new targets to enhance oil biosynthesis in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti R. Behera
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
| | - Md. Mahbubur Rahman
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Shina Bhatia
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
| | - Jay Shockey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Aruna Kilaru
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
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241
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Litus EA, Kazakov AS, Deryusheva EI, Nemashkalova EL, Shevelyova MP, Nazipova AA, Permyakova ME, Raznikova EV, Uversky VN, Permyakov SE. Serotonin Promotes Serum Albumin Interaction with the Monomeric Amyloid β Peptide. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115896. [PMID: 34072751 PMCID: PMC8199245 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prevention of amyloid β peptide (Aβ) deposition via facilitation of Aβ binding to its natural depot, human serum albumin (HSA), is a promising approach to preclude Alzheimer's disease (AD) onset and progression. Previously, we demonstrated the ability of natural HSA ligands, fatty acids, to improve the affinity of this protein to monomeric Aβ by a factor of 3 (BBRC, 510(2), 248-253). Using plasmon resonance spectroscopy, we show here that another HSA ligand related to AD pathogenesis, serotonin (SRO), increases the affinity of the Aβ monomer to HSA by a factor of 7/17 for Aβ40/Aβ42, respectively. Meanwhile, the structurally homologous SRO precursor, tryptophan (TRP), does not affect HSA's affinity to monomeric Aβ, despite slowdown of the association and dissociation processes. Crosslinking with glutaraldehyde and dynamic light scattering experiments reveal that, compared with the TRP-induced effects, SRO binding causes more marked changes in the quaternary structure of HSA. Furthermore, molecular docking reveals distinct structural differences between SRO/TRP complexes with HSA. The disintegration of the serotonergic system during AD pathogenesis may contribute to Aβ release from HSA in the central nervous system due to impairment of the SRO-mediated Aβ trapping by HSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina A. Litus
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, 142290 Moscow, Russia; (E.A.L.); (A.S.K.); (E.I.D.); (E.L.N.); (M.P.S.); (A.A.N.); (M.E.P.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Alexey S. Kazakov
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, 142290 Moscow, Russia; (E.A.L.); (A.S.K.); (E.I.D.); (E.L.N.); (M.P.S.); (A.A.N.); (M.E.P.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Evgenia I. Deryusheva
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, 142290 Moscow, Russia; (E.A.L.); (A.S.K.); (E.I.D.); (E.L.N.); (M.P.S.); (A.A.N.); (M.E.P.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Ekaterina L. Nemashkalova
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, 142290 Moscow, Russia; (E.A.L.); (A.S.K.); (E.I.D.); (E.L.N.); (M.P.S.); (A.A.N.); (M.E.P.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Marina P. Shevelyova
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, 142290 Moscow, Russia; (E.A.L.); (A.S.K.); (E.I.D.); (E.L.N.); (M.P.S.); (A.A.N.); (M.E.P.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Aliya A. Nazipova
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, 142290 Moscow, Russia; (E.A.L.); (A.S.K.); (E.I.D.); (E.L.N.); (M.P.S.); (A.A.N.); (M.E.P.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Maria E. Permyakova
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, 142290 Moscow, Russia; (E.A.L.); (A.S.K.); (E.I.D.); (E.L.N.); (M.P.S.); (A.A.N.); (M.E.P.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Elena V. Raznikova
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, 142290 Moscow, Russia; (E.A.L.); (A.S.K.); (E.I.D.); (E.L.N.); (M.P.S.); (A.A.N.); (M.E.P.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Vladimir N. Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Correspondence: (V.N.U.); (S.E.P.); Tel.: +7-(495)-143-7741 (S.E.P.); Fax: +7-(4967)-33-0522 (S.E.P.)
| | - Sergei E. Permyakov
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, 142290 Moscow, Russia; (E.A.L.); (A.S.K.); (E.I.D.); (E.L.N.); (M.P.S.); (A.A.N.); (M.E.P.); (E.V.R.)
- Correspondence: (V.N.U.); (S.E.P.); Tel.: +7-(495)-143-7741 (S.E.P.); Fax: +7-(4967)-33-0522 (S.E.P.)
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242
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Fonin AV, Silonov SA, Shpironok OG, Antifeeva IA, Petukhov AV, Romanovich AE, Kuznetsova IM, Uversky VN, Turoverov KK. The Role of Non-Specific Interactions in Canonical and ALT-Associated PML-Bodies Formation and Dynamics. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115821. [PMID: 34072343 PMCID: PMC8198325 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we put forward a hypothesis about the decisive role of multivalent nonspecific interactions in the early stages of PML body formation. Our analysis of the PML isoform sequences showed that some of the PML isoforms, primarily PML-II, are prone to phase separation due to their polyampholytic properties and the disordered structure of their C-terminal domains. The similarity of the charge properties of the C-terminal domains of PML-II and PML-VI isoforms made it possible for the first time to detect migration of PML-VI from PML bodies to the periphery of the cell nucleus, similar to the migration of PML-II isoforms. We found a population of “small” (area less than 1 µm2) spherical PML bodies with high dynamics of PML isoforms exchange with nucleoplasm and a low fraction of immobilized proteins, which indicates their liquid state properties. Such structures can act as “seeds” of functionally active PML bodies, providing the necessary concentration of PML isoforms for the formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds between PML monomers. FRAP analysis of larger bodies of toroidal topology showed the existence of an insoluble scaffold in their structure. The hypothesis about the role of nonspecific multiple weak interactions in the formation of PML bodies is further supported by the change in the composition of the scaffold proteins of PML bodies, but not their solidification, under conditions of induction of dimerization of PML isoforms under oxidative stress. Using the colocalization of ALT-associated PML bodies (APBs) with TRF1, we identified APBs and showed the difference in the dynamic properties of APBs and canonical PML bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V. Fonin
- Laboratory of Structural Dynamics, Stability and Folding of Proteins, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Ave., 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia; (S.A.S.); (O.G.S.); (I.A.A.); (I.M.K.)
- Correspondence: (A.V.F.); (V.N.U.); (K.K.T.); Tel.: +7-812-2971957 (K.K.T.); Fax: +7-812-2970341(K.K.T.)
| | - Sergey A. Silonov
- Laboratory of Structural Dynamics, Stability and Folding of Proteins, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Ave., 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia; (S.A.S.); (O.G.S.); (I.A.A.); (I.M.K.)
| | - Olesya G. Shpironok
- Laboratory of Structural Dynamics, Stability and Folding of Proteins, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Ave., 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia; (S.A.S.); (O.G.S.); (I.A.A.); (I.M.K.)
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Iuliia A. Antifeeva
- Laboratory of Structural Dynamics, Stability and Folding of Proteins, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Ave., 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia; (S.A.S.); (O.G.S.); (I.A.A.); (I.M.K.)
| | - Alexey V. Petukhov
- Institute of Hematology, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 197341 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Anna E. Romanovich
- St-Petersburg State University Science Park, Resource Center of Molecular and Cell Technologies, Universitetskaya nab. 7-9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Irina M. Kuznetsova
- Laboratory of Structural Dynamics, Stability and Folding of Proteins, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Ave., 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia; (S.A.S.); (O.G.S.); (I.A.A.); (I.M.K.)
| | - Vladimir N. Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Correspondence: (A.V.F.); (V.N.U.); (K.K.T.); Tel.: +7-812-2971957 (K.K.T.); Fax: +7-812-2970341(K.K.T.)
| | - Konstantin K. Turoverov
- Laboratory of Structural Dynamics, Stability and Folding of Proteins, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Ave., 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia; (S.A.S.); (O.G.S.); (I.A.A.); (I.M.K.)
- Peter the Great St.-Petersburg Polytechnic University, Polytechnicheskaya 29, 195251 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Correspondence: (A.V.F.); (V.N.U.); (K.K.T.); Tel.: +7-812-2971957 (K.K.T.); Fax: +7-812-2970341(K.K.T.)
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243
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Akbayrak IY, Caglayan SI, Durdagi S, Kurgan L, Uversky VN, Ulver B, Dervisoğlu H, Haklidir M, Hasekioglu O, Coskuner-Weber O. Structures of MERS-CoV macro domain in aqueous solution with dynamics: Impacts of parallel tempering simulation techniques and CHARMM36m and AMBER99SB force field parameters. Proteins 2021; 89:1289-1299. [PMID: 34008220 PMCID: PMC8242390 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26150] [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: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A novel virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) worldwide appeared in 2019. Detailed scientific knowledge of the members of the Coronaviridae family, including the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) is currently lacking. Structural studies of the MERS‐CoV proteins in the current literature are extremely limited. We present here detailed characterization of the structural properties of MERS‐CoV macro domain in aqueous solution. Additionally, we studied the impacts of chosen force field parameters and parallel tempering simulation techniques on the predicted structural properties of MERS‐CoV macro domain in aqueous solution. For this purpose, we conducted extensive Hamiltonian‐replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations and Temperature‐replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations using the CHARMM36m and AMBER99SB parameters for the macro domain. This study shows that the predicted secondary structure properties including their propensities depend on the chosen simulation technique and force field parameter. We perform structural clustering based on the radius of gyration and end‐to‐end distance of MERS‐CoV macro domain in aqueous solution. We also report and analyze the residue‐level intrinsic disorder features, flexibility and secondary structure. Furthermore, we study the propensities of this macro domain for protein‐protein interactions and for the RNA and DNA binding. Overall, results are in agreement with available nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy findings and present more detailed insights into the structural properties of MERS CoV macro domain in aqueous solution. All in all, we present the structural properties of the aqueous MERS‐CoV macro domain using different parallel tempering simulation techniques, force field parameters and bioinformatics tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Yagiz Akbayrak
- Materials Sciences and Technologies, College of Sciences, Turkish-German University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sule Irem Caglayan
- Molecular Biotechnology, College of Sciences, Turkish-German University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serdar Durdagi
- Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Lukasz Kurgan
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA.,Laboratory of New Methods in Biology, Institute for Biological Instrumentation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center "Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences", Pushchino, Russia
| | - Burak Ulver
- TUBITAK, Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council, BİLGEM, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Havvanur Dervisoğlu
- TUBITAK, Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council, BİLGEM, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Haklidir
- TUBITAK, Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council, BİLGEM, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Orkun Hasekioglu
- TUBITAK, Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council, BİLGEM, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Orkid Coskuner-Weber
- Molecular Biotechnology, College of Sciences, Turkish-German University, Istanbul, Turkey
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244
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Covaceuszach S, Peche L, Konarev P, Lamba D. A combined evolutionary and structural approach to disclose the primary structural determinants essential for proneurotrophins biological functions. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:2891-2904. [PMID: 34094000 PMCID: PMC8144349 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurotrophins, i.e., Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Neurotrophin 3 (NT3) and Neurotrophin 4 (NT4), are known to play a range of crucial functions in the developing and adult peripheral and central nervous systems. Initially synthesized as precursors, i.e., proneurotrophins (proNTs), that are cleaved to release C-terminal mature forms, they act through two types of receptors, the specific Trk receptors (Tropomyosin-related kinases) and the pan-neurotrophin receptor p75NTR, to initiate survival and differentiative responses. Recently, all the proNTs but proNT4 have been demonstrated to be not just inactive precursors, but signaling ligands that mediate opposing actions in fundamental aspects of the nervous system with respect to the mature counterparts through dual-receptor complexes formation with a member of the VPS10 family and p75NTR. Despite the functional relevance, the molecular determinants underpinning the interactions between the pro-domains and their receptors are still elusive probably due to their intrinsically disordered nature. Here we present an evolutionary approach coupled to an experimental study aiming to uncover the structural and dynamical basis of the biological function displayed by proNGF, proBDNF and proNT3 but missing in proNT4. A bioinformatic analysis allowed to elucidate the functional adaptability of the proNTs family in vertebrates, identifying conserved key structural features. The combined biochemical and SAXS experiments shed lights on the structure and dynamic behavior of the human proNTs in solution, giving insights on the evolutionary conserved structural motifs, essential for the multifaceted roles of proNTs in physiological as well as in pathological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Covaceuszach
- Istituto di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Trieste, Italy
| | - L.Y. Peche
- Istituto di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Trieste, Italy
| | - P.V. Konarev
- A.V. Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography of Federal Scientific Research Centre “Crystallography and Photonics” of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - D. Lamba
- Istituto di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Trieste, Italy
- Interuniversity Consortium “Biostructures and Biosystems National Institute”, Roma, Italy
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245
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Makarov M, Meng J, Tretyachenko V, Srb P, Březinová A, Giacobelli VG, Bednárová L, Vondrášek J, Dunker AK, Hlouchová K. Enzyme catalysis prior to aromatic residues: Reverse engineering of a dephospho-CoA kinase. Protein Sci 2021; 30:1022-1034. [PMID: 33739538 PMCID: PMC8040869 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The wide variety of protein structures and functions results from the diverse properties of the 20 canonical amino acids. The generally accepted hypothesis is that early protein evolution was associated with enrichment of a primordial alphabet, thereby enabling increased protein catalytic efficiencies and functional diversification. Aromatic amino acids were likely among the last additions to genetic code. The main objective of this study was to test whether enzyme catalysis can occur without the aromatic residues (aromatics) by studying the structure and function of dephospho-CoA kinase (DPCK) following aromatic residue depletion. We designed two variants of a putative DPCK from Aquifex aeolicus by substituting (a) Tyr, Phe and Trp or (b) all aromatics (including His). Their structural characterization indicates that substituting the aromatics does not markedly alter their secondary structures but does significantly loosen their side chain packing and increase their sizes. Both variants still possess ATPase activity, although with 150-300 times lower efficiency in comparison with the wild-type phosphotransferase activity. The transfer of the phosphate group to the dephospho-CoA substrate becomes heavily uncoupled and only the His-containing variant is still able to perform the phosphotransferase reaction. These data support the hypothesis that proteins in the early stages of life could support catalytic activities, albeit with low efficiencies. An observed significant contraction upon ligand binding is likely important for appropriate organization of the active site. Formation of firm hydrophobic cores, which enable the assembly of stably structured active sites, is suggested to provide a selective advantage for adding the aromatic residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Makarov
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of ScienceCharles University, BIOCEVPragueCzech Republic
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | - Jingwei Meng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Computational Biology and BioinformaticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Vyacheslav Tretyachenko
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of ScienceCharles University, BIOCEVPragueCzech Republic
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | - Pavel Srb
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, IOCB Research Centre & Gilead Sciences, Academy of Sciences of the Czech RepublicPragueCzech Republic
| | - Anna Březinová
- Proteomics Core Facility, BIOCEV, Faculty of Science, Charles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | | | - Lucie Bednárová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, IOCB Research Centre & Gilead Sciences, Academy of Sciences of the Czech RepublicPragueCzech Republic
| | - Jiří Vondrášek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, IOCB Research Centre & Gilead Sciences, Academy of Sciences of the Czech RepublicPragueCzech Republic
| | - A. Keith Dunker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Computational Biology and BioinformaticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Klára Hlouchová
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of ScienceCharles University, BIOCEVPragueCzech Republic
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, IOCB Research Centre & Gilead Sciences, Academy of Sciences of the Czech RepublicPragueCzech Republic
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246
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Chakraborty J. In-silico structural analysis of Pseudomonas syringae effector HopZ3 reveals ligand binding activity and virulence function. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2021; 134:599-611. [PMID: 33730245 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-021-01274-8] [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: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial acetyltransferase effectors belonging to the Yersinia outer protein J (YopJ) group inhibit multiple immune signaling pathways in human and plants. The present study determines in-silico acetyl-coenzyme A (AcCoA) binding and Arabidopsis immune regulator RPM1-interacting protein4 (RIN4) peptide interactions to YopJ effector hypersensitivity and pathogenesis-dependent outer proteinZ3 (HopZ3) from Pseudomonas syringae. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that HopZ3 was clustered by acetyltransferase effectors from plant bacterial pathogens. Structural juxtaposition shows HopZ3 comprises topology matched closer with HopZ1a than PopP2 effectors, respectively. AcCoA binds HopZ3 at two sites i.e., substrate binding pocket and catalytic site. AcCoA interactions to substrate binding pocket was transient and dissipated upon in-silico mutation of Ser 279 residue whereas, attachment to catalytic site was found to be stable in the presence of inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) as a co-factor. Interface atoms used for measuring hydrogen bond distances, bound or accessible surface area, and root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF) values, suggests that the HopZ3 complex stabilizes after binding to AcCoA ligand and RIN4 peptide. The few non-conserved polymorphic residues that have been displayed on HopZ3 surface presumably confer intracellular recognitions within hosts. Collectively, homology modeling and interactive docking experiments were used to substantiate Arabidopsis immune 'guardee' interactions to HopZ3.
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247
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Koshkin SA, Anatskaya OV, Vinogradov AE, Uversky VN, Dayhoff GW, Bystriakova MA, Pospelov VA, Tolkunova EN. Isolation and Characterization of Human Colon Adenocarcinoma Stem-Like Cells Based on the Endogenous Expression of the Stem Markers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4682. [PMID: 33925224 PMCID: PMC8124683 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem cells' (CSCs) self-maintenance is regulated via the pluripotency pathways promoting the most aggressive tumor phenotype. This study aimed to use the activity of these pathways for the CSCs' subpopulation enrichment and separating cells characterized by the OCT4 and SOX2 expression. METHODS To select and analyze CSCs, we used the SORE6x lentiviral reporter plasmid for viral transduction of colon adenocarcinoma cells. Additionally, we assessed cell chemoresistance, clonogenic, invasive and migratory activity and the data of mRNA-seq and intrinsic disorder predisposition protein analysis (IDPPA). RESULTS We obtained the line of CSC-like cells selected on the basis of the expression of the OCT4 and SOX2 stem cell factors. The enriched CSC-like subpopulation had increased chemoresistance as well as clonogenic and migration activities. The bioinformatic analysis of mRNA seq data identified the up-regulation of pluripotency, development, drug resistance and phototransduction pathways, and the downregulation of pathways related to proliferation, cell cycle, aging, and differentiation. IDPPA indicated that CSC-like cells are predisposed to increased intrinsic protein disorder. CONCLUSION The use of the SORE6x reporter construct for CSCs enrichment allows us to obtain CSC-like population that can be used as a model to search for the new prognostic factors and potential therapeutic targets for colon cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei A. Koshkin
- Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Science, 194064 St-Petersburg, Russia; (M.A.B.); (V.A.P.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, 1015 Walnut Street, Ste. 1024, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Olga V. Anatskaya
- Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Science, 194064 St-Petersburg, Russia; (M.A.B.); (V.A.P.)
| | - Alexander E. Vinogradov
- Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Science, 194064 St-Petersburg, Russia; (M.A.B.); (V.A.P.)
| | - Vladimir N. Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Guy W. Dayhoff
- Department of Chemistry, College of Art and Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA;
| | - Margarita A. Bystriakova
- Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Science, 194064 St-Petersburg, Russia; (M.A.B.); (V.A.P.)
| | - Valery A. Pospelov
- Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Science, 194064 St-Petersburg, Russia; (M.A.B.); (V.A.P.)
| | - Elena N. Tolkunova
- Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Science, 194064 St-Petersburg, Russia; (M.A.B.); (V.A.P.)
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248
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Murakami K, Kajimoto S, Shibata D, Kuroi K, Fujii F, Nakabayashi T. Observation of liquid-liquid phase separation of ataxin-3 and quantitative evaluation of its concentration in a single droplet using Raman microscopy. Chem Sci 2021; 12:7411-7418. [PMID: 34163831 PMCID: PMC8171347 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc06095j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) plays an important role in a variety of biological processes and is also associated with protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases. Quantification of LLPS is necessary to elucidate the mechanism of LLPS and the subsequent aggregation process. In this study, we showed that ataxin-3, which is associated with Machado-Joseph disease, exhibits LLPS in an intracellular crowding environment mimicked by biopolymers, and proposed that a single droplet formed in LLPS can be quantified using Raman microscopy in a label-free manner. We succeeded in evaluating the protein concentration and identifying the components present inside and outside a droplet using the O-H stretching band of water as an internal intensity standard. Only water and protein were detected to be present inside droplets with crowding agents remaining outside. The protein concentration in a droplet was dependent on the crowding environment, indicating that the protein concentration and intracellular environment should be considered when investigating LLPS. Raman microscopy has the potential to become a powerful technique for clarifying the chemical nature of LLPS and its relationship with protein aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Murakami
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University Aoba-ku Sendai 980-8578 Japan
| | - Shinji Kajimoto
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University Aoba-ku Sendai 980-8578 Japan
| | - Daiki Shibata
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University Aoba-ku Sendai 980-8578 Japan
| | - Kunisato Kuroi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University 1-1-3 Minatojima, Chuo-ku Kobe 650-8586 Japan
| | - Fumihiko Fujii
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University 1-1-3 Minatojima, Chuo-ku Kobe 650-8586 Japan
| | - Takakazu Nakabayashi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University Aoba-ku Sendai 980-8578 Japan
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249
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Schiavina M, Pontoriero L, Uversky VN, Felli IC, Pierattelli R. The highly flexible disordered regions of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid N protein within the 1-248 residue construct: sequence-specific resonance assignments through NMR. BIOMOLECULAR NMR ASSIGNMENTS 2021; 15:219-227. [PMID: 33660218 PMCID: PMC7928198 DOI: 10.1007/s12104-021-10009-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The nucleocapsid protein N from SARS-CoV-2 is one of the most highly expressed proteins by the virus and plays a number of important roles in the transcription and assembly of the virion within the infected host cell. It is expected to be characterized by a highly dynamic and heterogeneous structure as can be inferred by bioinformatics analyses as well as from the data available for the homologous protein from SARS-CoV. The two globular domains of the protein (NTD and CTD) have been investigated while no high-resolution information is available yet for the flexible regions of the protein. We focus here on the 1-248 construct which comprises two disordered fragments (IDR1 and IDR2) in addition to the N-terminal globular domain (NTD) and report the sequence-specific assignment of the two disordered regions, a step forward towards the complete characterization of the whole protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Schiavina
- Magnetic Resonance Center - CERM, University of Florence, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| | - Letizia Pontoriero
- Magnetic Resonance Center - CERM, University of Florence, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Isabella C Felli
- Magnetic Resonance Center - CERM, University of Florence, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy.
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy.
| | - Roberta Pierattelli
- Magnetic Resonance Center - CERM, University of Florence, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy.
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy.
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250
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MacCready JS, Basalla JL, Vecchiarelli AG. Origin and Evolution of Carboxysome Positioning Systems in Cyanobacteria. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 37:1434-1451. [PMID: 31899489 PMCID: PMC7182216 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msz308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Carboxysomes are protein-based organelles that are essential for allowing cyanobacteria to fix CO2. Previously, we identified a two-component system, McdAB, responsible for equidistantly positioning carboxysomes in the model cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 (MacCready JS, Hakim P, Young EJ, Hu L, Liu J, Osteryoung KW, Vecchiarelli AG, Ducat DC. 2018. Protein gradients on the nucleoid position the carbon-fixing organelles of cyanobacteria. eLife 7:pii:e39723). McdA, a ParA-type ATPase, nonspecifically binds the nucleoid in the presence of ATP. McdB, a novel factor that directly binds carboxysomes, displaces McdA from the nucleoid. Removal of McdA from the nucleoid in the vicinity of carboxysomes by McdB causes a global break in McdA symmetry, and carboxysome motion occurs via a Brownian-ratchet-based mechanism toward the highest concentration of McdA. Despite the importance for cyanobacteria to properly position their carboxysomes, whether the McdAB system is widespread among cyanobacteria remains an open question. Here, we show that the McdAB system is widespread among β-cyanobacteria, often clustering with carboxysome-related components, and is absent in α-cyanobacteria. Moreover, we show that two distinct McdAB systems exist in β-cyanobacteria, with Type 2 systems being the most ancestral and abundant, and Type 1 systems, like that of S. elongatus, possibly being acquired more recently. Lastly, all McdB proteins share the sequence signatures of a protein capable of undergoing liquid–liquid phase separation. Indeed, we find that representatives of both McdB types undergo liquid–liquid phase separation in vitro, the first example of a ParA-type ATPase partner protein to exhibit this behavior. Our results have broader implications for understanding carboxysome evolution, biogenesis, homeostasis, and positioning in cyanobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua S MacCready
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Joseph L Basalla
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Anthony G Vecchiarelli
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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