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Brumbaugh-Reed EH, Aoki K, Toettcher JE. Rapid and reversible dissolution of biomolecular condensates using light-controlled recruitment of a solubility tag. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.16.575860. [PMID: 38293146 PMCID: PMC10827175 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.16.575860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are broadly implicated in both normal cellular regulation and disease. Consequently, several chemical biology and optogenetic approaches have been developed to induce phase separation of a protein of interest. However, few tools are available to perform the converse function-dissolving a condensate of interest on demand. Such a tool would aid in testing whether the condensate plays specific functional roles, a major question in cell biology and drug development. Here we report an optogenetic approach to selectively dissolve a condensate of interest in a reversible and spatially controlled manner. We show that light-gated recruitment of maltose-binding protein (MBP), a commonly used solubilizing domain in protein purification, results in rapid and controlled dissolution of condensates formed from proteins of interest. Our optogenetic MBP-based dissolution strategy (OptoMBP) is rapid, reversible, and can be spatially controlled with subcellular precision. We also provide a proof-of-principle application of OptoMBP, showing that disrupting condensation of the oncogenic fusion protein FUS-CHOP results in reversion of FUS-CHOP driven transcriptional changes. We envision that the OptoMBP system could be broadly useful for disrupting constitutive protein condensates to probe their biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen H Brumbaugh-Reed
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544
- Omenn-Darling Bioengineering Institute, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544
- International Research Collaboration Center (IRCC), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Aoki
- International Research Collaboration Center (IRCC), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan
- Quantitative Biology Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
- Division of Quantitative Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
- Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Kyoto 606-8315, Japan
| | - Jared E Toettcher
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544
- Omenn-Darling Bioengineering Institute, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544
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Nwafor J, Salguero C, Welcome F, Durmus S, Glasser RN, Zimmer M, Schneider TL. Why Are Gly31, Gly33, and Gly35 Highly Conserved in All Fluorescent Proteins? Biochemistry 2021; 60:3762-3770. [PMID: 34806355 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-like fluorescent proteins have been found in more than 120 species. Although the proteins have little sequence identity, Gly31, 33, and 35 are 87, 100, and 95% conserved across all species, respectively. All GFP-like proteins have a β-barrel structure composed of 11 β-sheets, and the 3 conserved glycines are located in the second β-sheet. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have shown that mutating one or more of the glycines to alanines most likely does not reduce chromophore formation in correctly folded immature fluorescent proteins. MD and protein characterization of alanine mutants indicate that mutation of the conserved glycines leads to misfolding. Gly31, 33, and 35 are essential to maintain the integrity of the β1-3 triad that is the last structural element to slot in place in the formation of the canonical fluorescent protein β-barrel. Glycines located in β-sheets may have a similar role in the formation of other non-GFP β-barrels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Nwafor
- Chemistry Department, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut 06320, United States
| | - Christian Salguero
- Chemistry Department, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut 06320, United States
| | - Franceine Welcome
- Chemistry Department, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut 06320, United States
| | - Sercan Durmus
- Chemistry Department, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut 06320, United States
| | - Rachel N Glasser
- Chemistry Department, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut 06320, United States
| | - Marc Zimmer
- Chemistry Department, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut 06320, United States
| | - Tanya L Schneider
- Chemistry Department, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut 06320, United States
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Krasowska J, Pierzchała K, Bzowska A, Forró L, Sienkiewicz A, Wielgus-Kutrowska B. Chromophore of an Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein Can Play a Photoprotective Role Due to Photobleaching. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168565. [PMID: 34445269 PMCID: PMC8395242 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168565] [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: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Under stress conditions, elevated levels of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) may impair crucial cellular structures. To counteract the resulting oxidative damage, living cells are equipped with several defense mechanisms, including photoprotective functions of specific proteins. Here, we discuss the plausible ROS scavenging mechanisms by the enhanced green fluorescent protein, EGFP. To check if this protein could fulfill a photoprotective function, we employed electron spin resonance (ESR) in combination with spin-trapping. Two organic photosensitizers, rose bengal and methylene blue, as well as an inorganic photocatalyst, nano-TiO2, were used to photogenerate ROS. Spin-traps, TMP-OH and DMPO, and a nitroxide radical, TEMPOL, served as molecular targets for ROS. Our results show that EGFP quenches various forms of ROS, including superoxide radicals and singlet oxygen. Compared to the three proteins PNP, papain, and BSA, EGFP revealed high ROS quenching ability, which suggests its photoprotective role in living systems. Damage to the EGFP chromophore was also observed under strong photo-oxidative conditions. This study contributes to the discussion on the protective function of fluorescent proteins homologous to the green fluorescent protein (GFP). It also draws attention to the possible interactions of GFP-like proteins with ROS in systems where such proteins are used as biological markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Krasowska
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 5, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (J.K.); (A.B.)
| | - Katarzyna Pierzchała
- Laboratory for Functional and Metabolic Imaging (LIFMET), Institute of Physics (IPHYS), School of Basic Sciences (SB), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland;
- Laboratory of Physics of Complex Matter (LPMC), Institute of Physics (IPHYS), School of Basic Sciences (SB), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Agnieszka Bzowska
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 5, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (J.K.); (A.B.)
| | - László Forró
- Laboratory of Physics of Complex Matter (LPMC), Institute of Physics (IPHYS), School of Basic Sciences (SB), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Andrzej Sienkiewicz
- Laboratory of Physics of Complex Matter (LPMC), Institute of Physics (IPHYS), School of Basic Sciences (SB), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland;
- Laboratory for Quantum Magnetism (LQM), Institute of Physics (IPHYS), School of Basic Sciences (SB), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 3, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- ADSresonances, Route de Genève 60B, CH-1028 Préverenges, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (B.W.-K.)
| | - Beata Wielgus-Kutrowska
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 5, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (J.K.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (B.W.-K.)
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Haas AJ, Zihni C, Ruppel A, Hartmann C, Ebnet K, Tada M, Balda MS, Matter K. Interplay between Extracellular Matrix Stiffness and JAM-A Regulates Mechanical Load on ZO-1 and Tight Junction Assembly. Cell Rep 2020; 32:107924. [PMID: 32697990 PMCID: PMC7383227 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tight-junction-regulated actomyosin activity determines epithelial and endothelial tension on adherens junctions and drives morphogenetic processes; however, whether or not tight junctions themselves are under tensile stress is not clear. Here, we use a tension sensor based on ZO-1, a scaffolding protein that links the junctional membrane to the cytoskeleton, to determine if tight junctions carry a mechanical load. Our data indicate that ZO-1 is under mechanical tension and that forces acting on ZO-1 are regulated by extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness and the junctional adhesion molecule JAM-A. JAM-A depletion stimulates junctional recruitment of p114RhoGEF/ARHGEF18, mechanical tension on ZO-1, and traction forces at focal adhesions. p114RhoGEF is required for activation of junctional actomyosin activity and tight junction integrity on stiff but not soft ECM. Thus, junctional ZO-1 bears a mechanical load, and junction assembly is regulated by interplay between the physical properties of the ECM and adhesion-regulated signaling at tight junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis J Haas
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Ceniz Zihni
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Artur Ruppel
- LiPhy, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Christian Hartmann
- Institute-associated Research Group "Cell adhesion and cell polarity," Institute of Medical Biochemistry, ZMBE, University of Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Klaus Ebnet
- Institute-associated Research Group "Cell adhesion and cell polarity," Institute of Medical Biochemistry, ZMBE, University of Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Masazumi Tada
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Maria S Balda
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK.
| | - Karl Matter
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK.
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Nemukhin AV, Grigorenko BL, Khrenova MG, Krylov AI. Computational Challenges in Modeling of Representative Bioimaging Proteins: GFP-Like Proteins, Flavoproteins, and Phytochromes. J Phys Chem B 2019; 123:6133-6149. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b00591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V. Nemukhin
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119334, Russia
| | - Bella L. Grigorenko
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119334, Russia
| | - Maria G. Khrenova
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Federal Research Center of Biotechnology, Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russian
| | - Anna I. Krylov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-0482, United States
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