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Amacher JF, Antos JM. Sortases: structure, mechanism, and implications for protein engineering. Trends Biochem Sci 2024; 49:596-610. [PMID: 38692993 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Sortase enzymes are critical cysteine transpeptidases on the surface of bacteria that attach proteins to the cell wall and are involved in the construction of bacterial pili. Due to their ability to recognize specific substrates and covalently ligate a range of reaction partners, sortases are widely used in protein engineering applications via sortase-mediated ligation (SML) strategies. In this review, we discuss recent structural studies elucidating key aspects of sortase specificity and the catalytic mechanism. We also highlight select recent applications of SML, including examples where fundamental studies of sortase structure and function have informed the continued development of these enzymes as tools for protein engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanine F Amacher
- Department of Chemistry, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225, USA.
| | - John M Antos
- Department of Chemistry, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225, USA.
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Du R, Zheng X, Liu Y, Lu P, Hong Y, Wang P. Molecular and functional characterization of a type-1 cystatin in amphioxus (Branchiostoma japonicum). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 147:109423. [PMID: 38341117 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Cystatins comprise a vast superfamily of evolutionary conserved proteins, predominantly recognized for their roles as endogenous inhibitors by regulating the activity of cysteine proteases. Emerging lines of research evidence also provides insight into their alternative roles in a spectrum of biological and pathological processes, including neurodegenerative disorders, tumor progression, inflammatory diseases, and immune response. Nowadays, various type-1 cystatins (stefins) have been demonstrated among a variety of discovered vertebrate groups, while little is known about the related homologue in cephalochordate amphioxus, which are repositioned at the base of the chordate phylum. In the present study, a single type-1 cystatin homologue in Branchiostoma japonicum was first successfully cloned and designated as Bjcystatin-1. The deduced Bjcystatin-1 protein is structurally characterized by the presence of typical wedge-shaped cystatin features, including the 'QxVxG' and 'Px' motif, as well as the conserved N-terminal glycine residue. Phylogenomic analyses utilizing different cystatin counterparts affirmed the close evolutionary relationship of Bjcystatin-1 and type-1 cystatin homologue. Bjcystatin-1 was predominantly expressed in the gills and hind-gut in a tissue-specific pattern, and its expression was remarkably up-regulated in response to challenge with bacteria or their signature molecules LPS and LTA, suggesting the involvement in immune response. Additionally, the recombinant Bjcystatin-1 (rBjcystatin-1) protein showed significant inhibitory activity towards papain and binding ability to LPS and LTA, indicating its hypothesized role as a pattern recognition receptor in immune response. Subcellular localization results also showed that Bjcystatin-1 was located in the cytoplasm and nucleus, and its overexpression could attenuate the activation of LPS-induced nuclear transcription factors NF-κB. Taken together, our study suggests that amphioxus Bjcystatin-1 acts as a dual role in protease inhibitor and an immunocompetent factor, providing new insights into the immune defense effect of type-1 cystatin in amphioxus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronghuan Du
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, College of Public Health, Qingdao University, Ning Xia Road 308, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Xian Zheng
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, College of Public Health, Qingdao University, Ning Xia Road 308, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Yudan Liu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, College of Public Health, Qingdao University, Ning Xia Road 308, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Pei Lu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, College of Public Health, Qingdao University, Ning Xia Road 308, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Yuxiang Hong
- Zhejiang Fangyuan Testing Group Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310020, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, College of Public Health, Qingdao University, Ning Xia Road 308, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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Zou Z, Ji Y, Schwaneberg U. Empowering Site-Specific Bioconjugations In Vitro and In Vivo: Advances in Sortase Engineering and Sortase-Mediated Ligation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202310910. [PMID: 38081121 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202310910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Sortase-mediated ligation (SML) has emerged as a powerful and versatile methodology for site-specific protein conjugation, functionalization/labeling, immobilization, and design of biohybrid molecules and systems. However, the broader application of SML faces several challenges, such as limited activity and stability, dependence on calcium ions, and reversible reactions caused by nucleophilic side-products. Over the past decade, protein engineering campaigns and particularly directed evolution, have been extensively employed to overcome sortase limitations, thereby expanding the potential application of SML in multiple directions, including therapeutics, biorthogonal chemistry, biomaterials, and biosensors. This review provides an overview of achieved advancements in sortase engineering and highlights recent progress in utilizing SML in combination with other state-of-the-art chemical and biological methodologies. The aim is to encourage scientists to employ sortases in their conjugation experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Zou
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraβe 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Biotechnology, Worringerweg 3, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Yu Ji
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Biotechnology, Worringerweg 3, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schwaneberg
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraβe 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Biotechnology, Worringerweg 3, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Moreno-Yruela C, Fierz B. Revealing chromatin-specific functions of histone deacylases. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:353-365. [PMID: 38189424 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Histone deacylases are erasers of Nε-acyl-lysine post-translational modifications and have been targeted for decades for the treatment of cancer, neurodegeneration and other disorders. Due to their relatively promiscuous activity on peptide substrates in vitro, it has been challenging to determine the individual targets and substrate identification mechanisms of each isozyme, and they have been considered redundant regulators. In recent years, biochemical and biophysical studies have incorporated the use of reconstituted nucleosomes, which has revealed a diverse and complex arsenal of recognition mechanisms by which histone deacylases may differentiate themselves in vivo. In this review, we first present the peptide-based tools that have helped characterize histone deacylases in vitro to date, and we discuss the new insights that nucleosome tools are providing into their recognition of histone substrates within chromatin. Then, we summarize the powerful semi-synthetic approaches that are moving forward the study of chromatin-associated factors, both in vitro by detailed single-molecule mechanistic studies, and in cells by live chromatin modification. We finally offer our perspective on how these new techniques would advance the study of histone deacylases. We envision that such studies will help elucidate the role of individual isozymes in disease and provide a platform for the development of the next generation of therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Moreno-Yruela
- Laboratory of Biophysical Chemistry of Macromolecules (LCBM), Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), School of Basic Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology (ILF), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Beat Fierz
- Laboratory of Biophysical Chemistry of Macromolecules (LCBM), Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), School of Basic Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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