1
|
Alves Conceição C, Assis de Lemos G, Barros CA, Vieira TCRG. What is the role of lipids in prion conversion and disease? Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 15:1032541. [PMID: 36704327 PMCID: PMC9871914 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1032541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular cause of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) involves the conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into its pathogenic form, called prion scrapie (PrPSc), which is prone to the formation of amorphous and amyloid aggregates found in TSE patients. Although the mechanisms of conversion of PrPC into PrPSc are not entirely understood, two key points are currently accepted: (i) PrPSc acts as a seed for the recruitment of native PrPC, inducing the latter's conversion to PrPSc; and (ii) other biomolecules, such as DNA, RNA, or lipids, can act as cofactors, mediating the conversion from PrPC to PrPSc. Interestingly, PrPC is anchored by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol molecule in the outer cell membrane. Therefore, interactions with lipid membranes or alterations in the membranes themselves have been widely investigated as possible factors for conversion. Alone or in combination with RNA molecules, lipids can induce the formation of PrP in vitro-produced aggregates capable of infecting animal models. Here, we discuss the role of lipids in prion conversion and infectivity, highlighting the structural and cytotoxic aspects of lipid-prion interactions. Strikingly, disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease also seem to be caused by changes in protein structure and share pathogenic mechanisms with TSEs. Thus, we posit that comprehending the process of PrP conversion is relevant to understanding critical events involved in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders and will contribute to developing future therapeutic strategies for these devastating conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cyntia Alves Conceição
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Assis de Lemos
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Caroline Augusto Barros
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tuane C. R. G. Vieira
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,*Correspondence: Tuane C. R. G. Vieira, ✉
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Loh D, Reiter RJ. Melatonin: Regulation of Prion Protein Phase Separation in Cancer Multidrug Resistance. Molecules 2022; 27:705. [PMID: 35163973 PMCID: PMC8839844 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The unique ability to adapt and thrive in inhospitable, stressful tumor microenvironments (TME) also renders cancer cells resistant to traditional chemotherapeutic treatments and/or novel pharmaceuticals. Cancer cells exhibit extensive metabolic alterations involving hypoxia, accelerated glycolysis, oxidative stress, and increased extracellular ATP that may activate ancient, conserved prion adaptive response strategies that exacerbate multidrug resistance (MDR) by exploiting cellular stress to increase cancer metastatic potential and stemness, balance proliferation and differentiation, and amplify resistance to apoptosis. The regulation of prions in MDR is further complicated by important, putative physiological functions of ligand-binding and signal transduction. Melatonin is capable of both enhancing physiological functions and inhibiting oncogenic properties of prion proteins. Through regulation of phase separation of the prion N-terminal domain which targets and interacts with lipid rafts, melatonin may prevent conformational changes that can result in aggregation and/or conversion to pathological, infectious isoforms. As a cancer therapy adjuvant, melatonin could modulate TME oxidative stress levels and hypoxia, reverse pH gradient changes, reduce lipid peroxidation, and protect lipid raft compositions to suppress prion-mediated, non-Mendelian, heritable, but often reversible epigenetic adaptations that facilitate cancer heterogeneity, stemness, metastasis, and drug resistance. This review examines some of the mechanisms that may balance physiological and pathological effects of prions and prion-like proteins achieved through the synergistic use of melatonin to ameliorate MDR, which remains a challenge in cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Doris Loh
- Independent Researcher, Marble Falls, TX 78654, USA
| | - Russel J. Reiter
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Overduin M, Wille H, Westaway D. Multisite interactions of prions with membranes and native nanodiscs. Chem Phys Lipids 2021; 236:105063. [PMID: 33600804 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2021.105063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Although prions are known as protein-only infectious particles, they exhibit lipid specificities, cofactor dependencies and membrane-dependent activities. Such membrane interactions play key roles in how prions are processed, presented and regulated, and hence have significant functional consequences. The expansive literature related to prion protein interactions with lipids and native nanodiscs is discussed, and provides a unique opportunity to re-evaluate the molecular composition and mechanisms of its infectious and cellular states. A family of crystal and solution structures of prions are analyzed here for the first time using the membrane optimal docking area (MODA) program, revealling the presence of structured binding elements that could mediate specific lipid recognition. A set of motifs centerred around W99, L125, Y169 and Y226 are consistently predicted as being membrane interactive and form an exposed surface which includes α helical, β strand and loop elements involving the prion protein (PrP) structural domain, while the scrapie form is radically different and doubles the size of the membrane interactive site into an extensible surface. These motifs are highly conserved throughout mammalian evolution, suggesting that prions have long been intrinsically attached to membranes at central and N- and C-terminal points, providing several opportunities for stable and specific bilayer interactions as well as multiple complexed orientations. Resistance or susceptibility to prion disease correlates with increased or decreased membrane binding propensity by mutant forms, respectively, indicating a protective role by lipids. The various prion states found in vivo are increasingly resolvable using native nanodiscs formed by styrene maleic acid (SMA) and stilbene maleic acid (STMA) copolymers rather than classical detergents, allowing the endogenous states to be tackled. These copolymers spontaneously fragment intact membranes into water-soluble discs holding a section of native bilayer, and can accommodate prion multimers and mini-fibrils. Such nanodiscs have also proven useful for understanding how β amyloid and α synuclein proteins contribute to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, providing further biomedical applications. Structural and functional insights of such proteins in styrene maleic acid lipid particles (SMALPs) can be resolved at high resolution by methods including cryo-electron microscopy (cEM), motivating continued progress in polymer design to resolve biological and pathological mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Overduin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Holger Wille
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Center for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - David Westaway
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Center for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Singh KK, Graether SP. The in vitro structure and functions of the disordered late embryogenesis abundant three proteins. Protein Sci 2021; 30:678-692. [PMID: 33474748 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are produced during seed embryogenesis and in vegetative tissue in response to various abiotic stressors. A correlation has been established between LEA expression and stress tolerance, yet their precise biochemical mechanism remains elusive. LEA proteins are very rich in hydrophilic amino acids, and they have been found to be intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) in vitro. Here, we perform biochemical and structural analyses of the four LEA3 proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtLEA3). We show that the LEA3 proteins are disordered in solution but have regions with propensity for order. All LEA3 proteins were effective cryoprotectants of LDH in the freeze/thaw assays, while only one member, AtLEA3-4, was shown to bind Cu2+ and Fe3+ ions with micromolar affinity. As well, only AtLEA3-4 showed binding and a gain in α-helicity in the presence of the membrane mimic dodecylphosphocholine (DPC). We explored this interaction in greater detail using 15 N-heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) nuclear magnetic resonance, and demonstrate that two sets of conserved motifs present in AtLEA3-4 are involved in the interaction with the DPC micelles, which themselves gain α-helical structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karamjeet K Singh
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steffen P Graether
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Magrì A, Tabbì G, Cucci LM, Satriano C, Pietropaolo A, Malgieri G, Isernia C, La Mendola D. The curious case of opossum prion: a physicochemical study on copper(ii) binding to the bis-decarepeat fragment from the protein N-terminal domain. Dalton Trans 2019; 48:17533-17543. [PMID: 31748763 DOI: 10.1039/c9dt02510c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The opossum is a peculiar model of immunity to prion diseases. Here we scrutinised the bis-decarepeat peptide sequence of the opossum prion (Op_bis-deca) protein by a multitechnique approach, with a combined experimental (potentiometry, UV-visible, circular dichroism, NMR and EPR spectroscopy, quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring and confocal microscopy) and simulation (DFT calculations) approach. Results showed that the macrochelate structures formed upon the binding to Cu(ii) by the analogous bis-octarepeat peptide sequence of human prion (Hu_bis-octa) are not found in the case of Op_bis-deca. At physiological pH and equimolar amount of copper ions, the [CuLH-2] is the major species formed by Op_bis-deca. In this species one imidazole and two amide nitrogen atoms are involved in metal coordination and its stability constant value is lower than that of the analogous species formed by Hu_bis-octa, due to the presence of an extra proline residue. Moreover, the study on the interaction of the peptides or the peptide/Cu(ii) complexes with the model cell membranes made of supported lipid bilayers disclosed different levels of interaction, monitored by the viscoelastic changes of the membranes, which exhibited a similar viscoelastic response at the interface of the two complexes, while in the absence of Cu(ii), the Hu_bis-octa/SLB interface was more viscoelastic than the Op_bis-deca one.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Magrì
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council (CNR), S.S. Catania, Via P. Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pan Y, Wang B, Reese RA, Xu B. The molecular basis of interaction domains of full-length PrP with lipid membranes. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:12087-12091. [PMID: 31204758 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr02735a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
PrP-lipid membrane interactions are critical to PrP structural conversion and neurotoxicity, but its molecular mechanism remains unclear. A two-dimensional histogram of force-distance curves and a worm-like chain model revealed three binding regions at the PrP N-terminal, providing the molecular basis for understanding the interactions between full-length PrP and lipid membranes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yangang Pan
- Single Molecule Study Lab., College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA. and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE 68195, USA
| | - Bin Wang
- Single Molecule Study Lab., College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA. and United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Poultry Research Canter, Athens, GA 30605, USA
| | - R Alexander Reese
- Single Molecule Study Lab., College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Bingqian Xu
- Single Molecule Study Lab., College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hecel A, Valensin D, Kozłowski H. How copper ions and membrane environment influence the structure of the human and chicken tandem repeats domain? J Inorg Biochem 2018; 191:143-153. [PMID: 30529722 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2018.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Prion proteins (PrPs) from different species have the enormous ability to anchor copper ions. The N-terminal domain of human prion protein (hPrP) contains four tandem repeats of the -PHGGGWGQ- octapeptide sequence. This octarepeat domain can bind up to four Cu2+ ions. Similarly to hPrP, chicken prion protein (chPrP) is able to interact with Cu2+ through the tandem hexapeptide -HNPGYP- region (residues 53-94). In this work, we focused on the human octapeptide repeat (human Octa4, hPrP60-91) (Ac-PHGGGWGQPHGGGWGQPHGGGWGQPHGGGWGQ-NH2) and chicken hexapeptide repeat (chicken Hexa4, chPrP54-77) (Ac-HNPGYPHNPGYPHNPGYPHNPGYP-NH2) prion protein fragments. Due to the fact that PrP is a membrane-anchored glycoprotein and its unstructured and flexible N-terminal domain may interact with the lipid bilayer, our studies were carried out in presence of the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) mimicking the membrane environment in vitro. The main objective of this work was to understand the effects of copper ion on the structural rearrangements of the human and chicken N-terminal repeat domain. The obtained results provide a fundamental first step in describing the thermodynamic (potentiometric titrations) and structural properties of Cu(II) binding (UV-Vis, NMR, CD spectroscopy) to both human Octa4 and chicken Hexa4 repeats in both a DMSO/water and SDS micelle environment. Interestingly, in SDS environment, both ligands indicate different copper coordination modes, which results of the conformational changes in micelle environment. Our results strongly support that copper binding mode strongly depends on the protein backbone structure. Moreover, we focused on previously obtained results for amyloidogenic human and chicken fragments in membrane mimicking environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Hecel
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14, 50383 Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Daniela Valensin
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Henryk Kozłowski
- Opole Medical School in Opole, Katowicka 68, 45060 Opole, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hecel A, De Ricco R, Valensin D. Influence of membrane environments and copper ions on the structural features of amyloidogenic proteins correlated to neurodegeneration. Coord Chem Rev 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2016.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
|
9
|
Arkhipenko A, Syan S, Victoria GS, Lebreton S, Zurzolo C. PrPC Undergoes Basal to Apical Transcytosis in Polarized Epithelial MDCK Cells. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157991. [PMID: 27389581 PMCID: PMC4936696 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Prion Protein (PrP) is an ubiquitously expressed glycosylated membrane protein attached to the external leaflet of the plasma membrane via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor (GPI). While the misfolded PrPSc scrapie isoform is the infectious agent of prion disease, the cellular isoform (PrPC) is an enigmatic protein with unclear function. Of interest, PrP localization in polarized MDCK cells is controversial and its mechanism of trafficking is not clear. Here we investigated PrP traffic in MDCK cells polarized on filters and in three-dimensional MDCK cysts, a more physiological model of polarized epithelia. We found that, unlike other GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs), PrP undergoes basolateral-to-apical transcytosis in fully polarized MDCK cells. Following this event full-length PrP and its cleavage fragments are segregated in different domains of the plasma membrane in polarized cells in both 2D and 3D cultures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Arkhipenko
- Unité de Trafic Membranaire et Pathogénèse, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue du docteur Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Sylvie Syan
- Unité de Trafic Membranaire et Pathogénèse, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue du docteur Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Guiliana Soraya Victoria
- Unité de Trafic Membranaire et Pathogénèse, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue du docteur Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Lebreton
- Unité de Trafic Membranaire et Pathogénèse, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue du docteur Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Chiara Zurzolo
- Unité de Trafic Membranaire et Pathogénèse, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue du docteur Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Haigh CL, Tumpach C, Drew SC, Collins SJ. The Prion Protein N1 and N2 Cleavage Fragments Bind to Phosphatidylserine and Phosphatidic Acid; Relevance to Stress-Protection Responses. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0134680. [PMID: 26252007 PMCID: PMC4529310 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Internal cleavage of the cellular prion protein generates two well characterised N-terminal fragments, N1 and N2. These fragments have been shown to bind to anionic phospholipids at low pH. We sought to investigate binding with other lipid moieties and queried how such interactions could be relevant to the cellular functions of these fragments. Both N1 and N2 bound phosphatidylserine (PS), as previously reported, and a further interaction with phosphatidic acid (PA) was also identified. The specificity of this interaction required the N-terminus, especially the proline motif within the basic amino acids at the N-terminus, together with the copper-binding region (unrelated to copper saturation). Previously, the fragments have been shown to be protective against cellular stresses. In the current study, serum deprivation was used to induce changes in the cellular lipid environment, including externalisation of plasma membrane PS and increased cellular levels of PA. When copper-saturated, N2 could reverse these changes, but N1 could not, suggesting that direct binding of N2 to cellular lipids may be part of the mechanism by which this peptide signals its protective response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cathryn L. Haigh
- Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Brain Centre, Melbourne, VIC, AUS, 3010
- * E-mail: (CLH); (SJC)
| | - Carolin Tumpach
- The Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Brain Centre, Melbourne, VIC, AUS, 3010
| | - Simon C. Drew
- The Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Brain Centre, Melbourne, VIC, AUS, 3010
| | - Steven J. Collins
- Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Brain Centre, Melbourne, VIC, AUS, 3010
- The Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Brain Centre, Melbourne, VIC, AUS, 3010
- * E-mail: (CLH); (SJC)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Le Brun AP, Haigh CL, Drew SC, James M, Boland MP, Collins SJ. Neutron reflectometry studies define prion protein N-terminal peptide membrane binding. Biophys J 2014; 107:2313-24. [PMID: 25418300 PMCID: PMC4241452 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2014.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2014] [Revised: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The prion protein (PrP), widely recognized to misfold into the causative agent of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, has previously been shown to bind to lipid membranes with binding influenced by both membrane composition and pH. Aside from the misfolding events associated with prion pathogenesis, PrP can undergo various posttranslational modifications, including internal cleavage events. Alpha- and beta-cleavage of PrP produces two N-terminal fragments, N1 and N2, respectively, which interact specifically with negatively charged phospholipids at low pH. Our previous work probing N1 and N2 interactions with supported bilayers raised the possibility that the peptides could insert deeply with minimal disruption. In the current study we aimed to refine the binding parameters of these peptides with lipid bilayers. To this end, we used neutron reflectometry to define the structural details of this interaction in combination with quartz crystal microbalance interrogation. Neutron reflectometry confirmed that peptides equivalent to N1 and N2 insert into the interstitial space between the phospholipid headgroups but do not penetrate into the acyl tail region. In accord with our previous studies, interaction was stronger for the N1 fragment than for the N2, with more peptide bound per lipid. Neutron reflectometry analysis also detected lengthening of the lipid acyl tails, with a concurrent decrease in lipid area. This was most evident for the N1 peptide and suggests an induction of increased lipid order in the absence of phase transition. These observations stand in clear contrast to the findings of analogous studies of Ab and ?-synuclein and thereby support the possibility of a functional role for such N-terminal fragment-membrane interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anton P Le Brun
- Bragg Institute, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights, New South Wales, 2234, Australia
| | - Cathryn L Haigh
- Department of Pathology, Kenneth Myer Building, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Simon C Drew
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Michael James
- Bragg Institute, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights, New South Wales, 2234, Australia; School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Martin P Boland
- Department of Pathology, Kenneth Myer Building, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Steven J Collins
- Department of Pathology, Kenneth Myer Building, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Vajda T, Perczel A. Role of water in protein folding, oligomerization, amyloidosis and miniprotein. J Pept Sci 2014; 20:747-59. [PMID: 25098401 DOI: 10.1002/psc.2671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Revised: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 06/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The essential involvement of water in most fundamental extra-cellular and intracellular processes of proteins is critically reviewed and evaluated in this article. The role of water in protein behavior displays structural ambivalence; it can protect the disordered peptide-chain by hydration or helps the globular chain-folding, but promotes also the protein aggregation, as well (see: diseases). A variety of amyloid diseases begins as benign protein monomers but develops then into toxic amyloid aggregates of fibrils. Our incomplete knowledge of this process emphasizes the essential need to reveal the principles of governing this oligomerization. To understand the biophysical basis of the simpler in vitro amyloid formation may help to decipher also the in vivo way. Nevertheless, to ignore the central role of the water's effect among these events means to receive an uncompleted picture of the true phenomenon. Therefore this review represents a stopgap role, because the most published studies--with a few exceptions--have been neglected the crucial importance of water in the protein research. The following questions are discussed from the water's viewpoint: (i) interactions between water and proteins, (ii) protein hydration/dehydration, (iii) folding of proteins and miniproteins, (iv) peptide/protein oligomerization, and (v) amyloidosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Vajda
- MTA-ELTE Protein Modelling Research Group, Eötvös Loránd University and Laboratory of Structural Chemistry & Biology, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Vagliasindi LI, Arena G, Bonomo RP, Pappalardo G, Tabbì G. Copper complex species within a fragment of the N-terminal repeat region in opossum PrP protein. Dalton Trans 2011; 40:2441-50. [PMID: 21283898 DOI: 10.1039/c0dt01425g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura I Vagliasindi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Di Natale G, Pappalardo G, Milardi D, Sciacca MFM, Attanasio F, La Mendola D, Rizzarelli E. Membrane Interactions and Conformational Preferences of Human and Avian Prion N-Terminal Tandem Repeats: The Role of Copper(II) Ions, pH, and Membrane Mimicking Environments. J Phys Chem B 2010; 114:13830-8. [DOI: 10.1021/jp1033036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Di Natale
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy, and Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - Catania, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pappalardo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy, and Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - Catania, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Danilo Milardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy, and Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - Catania, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Michele F. M. Sciacca
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy, and Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - Catania, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Francesco Attanasio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy, and Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - Catania, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Diego La Mendola
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy, and Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - Catania, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Enrico Rizzarelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy, and Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - Catania, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Boland MP, Hatty CR, Separovic F, Hill AF, Tew DJ, Barnham KJ, Haigh CL, James M, Masters CL, Collins SJ. Anionic phospholipid interactions of the prion protein N terminus are minimally perturbing and not driven solely by the octapeptide repeat domain. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:32282-92. [PMID: 20679345 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.123398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the N terminus of the prion protein (PrP(C)) has been shown to directly associate with lipid membranes, the precise determinants, biophysical basis, and functional implications of such binding, particularly in relation to endogenously occurring fragments, are unresolved. To better understand these issues, we studied a range of synthetic peptides: specifically those equating to the N1 (residues 23-110) and N2 (23-89) fragments derived from constitutive processing of PrP(C) and including those representing arbitrarily defined component domains of the N terminus of mouse prion protein. Utilizing more physiologically relevant large unilamellar vesicles, fluorescence studies at synaptosomal pH (7.4) showed absent binding of all peptides to lipids containing the zwitterionic headgroup phosphatidylcholine and mixtures containing the anionic headgroups phosphatidylglycerol or phosphatidylserine. At pH 5, typical of early endosomes, quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation showed the highest affinity binding occurred with N1 and N2, selective for anionic lipid species. Of particular note, the absence of binding by individual peptides representing component domains underscored the importance of the combination of the octapeptide repeat and the N-terminal polybasic regions for effective membrane interaction. In addition, using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation and solid-state NMR, we characterized for the first time that both N1 and N2 deeply insert into the lipid bilayer with minimal disruption. Potential functional implications related to cellular stress responses are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin P Boland
- Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Großauer J, Kosol S, Schrank E, Zangger K. The peptide hormone ghrelin binds to membrane-mimetics via its octanoyl chain and an adjacent phenylalanine. Bioorg Med Chem 2010; 18:5483-8. [PMID: 20621491 PMCID: PMC3038380 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2010.06.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2010] [Revised: 06/15/2010] [Accepted: 06/16/2010] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The peptide hormone ghrelin, which is the natural ligand of the membrane-bound growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), regulates overall body and cell growth, energy homeostasis, carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism and water electrolyte balance. It contains an O-acyl linked octanoyl group on Ser3 and is the only peptide known to contain such a modification. Using solution state NMR spectroscopy and ultrafiltration we found that human ghrelin binds to membrane-mimetic environments via its octanoyl group as well as the aromatic moiety of Phe4. Relaxation enhancements in a paramagnetic environment reveal that both the octanoyl group on Ser3 and the aromatic group on Phe4 are inserted deep into the hydrophobic core of phosphocholine assemblies while the remaining peptide is freely mobile in solution. In contrast, no binding was observed for des-octanoyl ghrelin. Thus, the octanoyl chain, together with the Phe4 aromatic group of ghrelin, functions as a membrane anchor. Our results are in parallel with the previous finding that a bulky hydrophobic group on Ser3 and Phe4 of ghrelin are necessary for its function and thus indicate that membrane-binding is essential for ghrelin function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Klaus Zangger
- Institute of Chemistry/Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Göbl C, Dulle M, Hohlweg W, Grossauer J, Falsone SF, Glatter O, Zangger K. Influence of phosphocholine alkyl chain length on peptide-micelle interactions and micellar size and shape. J Phys Chem B 2010; 114:4717-24. [PMID: 20225847 DOI: 10.1021/jp9114089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The interaction with biological membranes is of functional importance for many peptides and proteins. Structural studies on such membrane-bound biomacromolecules are often carried out in solutions containing small membrane-mimetic assemblies of detergent molecules. To investigate the influence of the hydrophobic chain length on the structure, diffusional and dynamical behavior of a peptide bound to micelles, we studied the binding of three peptides to n-phosphocholines with n ranging from 8 to 16. The peptides studied are the 15 residue antimicrobial peptide CM15, the 25-residue transmembrane helix 7 of yeast V-ATPase (TM7), and the 35-residue bacterial toxin LdrD. To keep the dimension of the peptide-membrane-mimetic assembly small, micelles are typically used when studying membrane-bound peptides and proteins, for example, by solution NMR spectroscopy. Since they are readily available in deuterated form most often sodium-dodecylsulfate (SDS) and dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) are used as the micelle-forming detergent. Using NMR, CD, and SAXS, we found that all phosphocholines studied form spherical micelles in the presence and absence of small bound peptides and the diameters of the micelles are basically unchanged upon peptide binding. The size of the peptide relative to the micelle determines to what extent the secondary structure can form. For small peptides (up to approximately 25 residues) the use of shorter chain phosphocholines is recommended for solution NMR studies due to the favorable spectral quality and since they are as well-structured as in DPC. In contrast, larger peptides are better structured in micelles formed by detergents with chain lengths longer than DPC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Göbl
- Department of Chemistry/Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Graz Heinrichstrasse 28, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Taubner LM, Bienkiewicz EA, Copié V, Caughey B. Structure of the flexible amino-terminal domain of prion protein bound to a sulfated glycan. J Mol Biol 2009; 395:475-90. [PMID: 19913031 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2009.10.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2009] [Revised: 09/24/2009] [Accepted: 10/28/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The intrinsically disordered amino-proximal domain of hamster prion protein (PrP) contains four copies of a highly conserved octapeptide sequence, PHGGGWGQ, that is flanked by two polycationic residue clusters. This N-terminal domain mediates the binding of sulfated glycans, which can profoundly influence the conversion of PrP to pathological forms and the progression of prion disease. To investigate the structural consequences of sulfated glycan binding, we performed multidimensional heteronuclear ((1)H, (13)C, (15)N) NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), circular dichroism (CD), and fluorescence studies on hamster PrP residues 23-106 (PrP 23-106) and fragments thereof when bound to pentosan polysulfate (PPS). While the majority of PrP 23-106 remain disordered upon PPS binding, the octarepeat region adopts a repeating loop-turn structure that we have determined by NMR. The beta-like turns within the repeats are corroborated by CD data demonstrating that these turns are also present, although less pronounced, without PPS. Binding to PPS exposes a hydrophobic surface composed of aligned tryptophan side chains, the spacing and orientation of which are consistent with a self-association or ligand binding site. The unique tryptophan motif was probed by intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence, which displayed enhanced fluorescence of PrP 23-106 when bound to PPS, consistent with the alignment of tryptophan side chains. Chemical-shift mapping identified binding sites on PrP 23-106 for PPS, which include the octarepeat histidine and an N-terminal basic cluster previously linked to sulfated glycan binding. These data may in part explain how sulfated glycans modulate PrP conformational conversions and oligomerizations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lara M Taubner
- Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
|
20
|
Haigh CL, Drew SC, Boland MP, Masters CL, Barnham KJ, Lawson VA, Collins SJ. Dominant roles of the polybasic proline motif and copper in the PrP23-89-mediated stress protection response. J Cell Sci 2009; 122:1518-28. [PMID: 19383722 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.043604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Beta-cleavage of the neurodegenerative disease-associated prion protein (PrP) protects cells from death induced by oxidative insults. The beta-cleavage event produces two fragments, designated N2 and C2. We investigated the role of the N2 fragment (residues 23-89) in cellular stress response, determining mechanisms involved and regions important for this reaction. The N2 fragment differentially modulated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) response induced by serum deprivation, with amelioration when copper bound. Amino acid residues 23-50 alone mediated a ROS reduction response. PrP23-50 ROS reduction was not due to copper binding or direct antioxidant activity, but was instead mediated through proteoglycan binding partners localised in or interacting with cholesterol-rich membrane domains. Furthermore, mutational analyses of both PrP23-50 and N2 showed that their protective capacity requires the sterically constraining double proline motif within the N-terminal polybasic region. Our findings show that N2 is a biologically active fragment that is able to modulate stress-induced intracellular ROS through interaction of its structurally defined N-terminal polybasic region with cell-surface proteoglycans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cathryn L Haigh
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, 3010, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Liposome membrane can act like molecular and metal chaperones for oxidized and fragmented superoxide dismutase. Enzyme Microb Technol 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2008.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
22
|
Bonomo RP, Di Natale G, Rizzarelli E, Tabbì G, Vagliasindi LI. Copper(ii) complexes of prion protein PEG11-tetraoctarepeat fragment: spectroscopic and voltammetric studies. Dalton Trans 2009:2637-46. [DOI: 10.1039/b821727k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
23
|
Modeling by assembly and molecular dynamics simulations of the low Cu2+ occupancy form of the mammalian prion protein octarepeat region: gaining insight into Cu2+-mediated beta-cleavage. Biophys J 2008; 95:5084-91. [PMID: 18790846 DOI: 10.1529/biophysj.108.139568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The prion protein has garnered considerable interest because of its involvement in prion disease as well as its unresolved cellular function. The octarepeat region in the flexible N-domain is capable of binding copper through multiple coordination modes. Under conditions of low pH and low Cu(2+) concentration, the four octarepeats (ORs) cooperatively coordinate a single copper ion. Based on the average structure of the PHGG and GWGQ portions of a copper-free OR(2) model from molecular dynamics simulations, the starting structures of the OR(4) complex could be constructed by assembling the repeating structure of PHGG and GWGQ fragments. The resulting model contains a preformed site suitable for Cu(2+) coordination. Molecular dynamics simulations of Cu(2+) bound to the assembled OR(4) model (Cu:OR(4)) reveal a close association of specific Trp and Gly residues with the Cu(2+) center. This low Cu(2+)-occupancy form of prion protein is redox-active and can readily initiate cleavage of the OR region, mediated by reactive oxygen species generated by Cu(+). The OR region is known to be required for beta-cleavage, as are the Trp residues within the OR region. The beta-cleaved form of the prion protein accumulates in amyloid fibrils. Hence, the close approach of Trp and Gly residues to the Cu(2+) coordination site in the low Cu(2+)-occupancy form of the OR region may signal an important interaction for the initiation of prion disease.
Collapse
|
24
|
Cai X, Dass C. Conformational analysis of dynorphin A (1-13) using hydrogen-deuterium exchange and tandem mass spectrometry. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (CHICHESTER, ENGLAND) 2007; 13:409-417. [PMID: 18417761 DOI: 10.1255/ejms.898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Trifluoroethanol (TFE)-induced conformational changes in dynorphin A (1-13) were investigated using charge-state distribution (CSD) and hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX), combined with electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry (MS). Individual amino acids involved in secondary structural elements were identified by collision-induced dissociation-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). It was observed that dynorphin A (1-13) largely exists in an unfolded conformation and a folded structure in increasing concentrations of TFE. In 50% TFE, it forms an alpha-helix that encompasses residues 1-9 and remains flexible from residues 10 to 13.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xianmei Cai
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|