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Belle R, Kamps JJAG, Poater J, Kumar K, Pieters BJGE, Salah E, Claridge TDW, Paton RS, Bickelhaupt FM, Kawamura A, Schofield CJ, Mecinović J. Reading and erasing of the phosphonium analogue of trimethyllysine by epigenetic proteins. Commun Chem 2022; 5:10.1038/s42004-022-00640-4. [PMID: 36071790 PMCID: PMC7613515 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-022-00640-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
N ε-Methylation of lysine residues in histones plays an essential role in the regulation of eukaryotic transcription. The 'highest' methylation mark, N ε-trimethyllysine, is specifically recognised by N ε-trimethyllysine binding 'reader' domains, and undergoes demethylation, as catalysed by 2-oxoglutarate dependent JmjC oxygenases. We report studies on the recognition of the closest positively charged N ε-trimethyllysine analogue, i.e. its trimethylphosphonium derivative (KPme3), by N ε-trimethyllysine histone binding proteins and Nε-trimethyllysine demethylases. Calorimetric and computational studies with histone binding proteins reveal that H3KP4me3 binds more tightly than the natural H3K4me3 substrate, though the relative differences in binding affinity vary. Studies with JmjC demethylases show that some, but not all, of them can accept the phosphonium analogue of their natural substrates and that the methylation state selectivity can be changed by substitution of nitrogen for phosphorus. The combined results reveal that very subtle changes, e.g. substitution of nitrogen for phosphorus, can substantially affect interactions between ligand and reader domains / demethylases, knowledge that we hope will inspire the development of highly selective small molecules modulating their activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Belle
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA UK
- Chemistry—School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU UK
| | - Jos J. A. G. Kamps
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA UK
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jordi Poater
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica & IQTCUB, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kiran Kumar
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA UK
| | - Bas J. G. E. Pieters
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Eidarus Salah
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA UK
| | - Timothy D. W. Claridge
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA UK
| | - Robert S. Paton
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA UK
| | - F. Matthias Bickelhaupt
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Theoretical Chemistry, Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1083, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Akane Kawamura
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA UK
- Chemistry—School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU UK
| | - Christopher J. Schofield
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA UK
| | - Jasmin Mecinović
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark
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Betlem P, Maas MN, Middelburg J, Pieters BJGE, Mecinović J. Recognition of stapled histone H3K4me3 peptides by epigenetic reader proteins. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:12196-12199. [DOI: 10.1039/d2cc04294k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic reader proteins can display stronger or weaker binding affinities for cyclic histone peptides relative to linear histones, indicating that selectivity of biomolecular recognition can be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Betlem
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marijn N. Maas
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Jim Middelburg
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bas J. G. E. Pieters
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jasmin Mecinović
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark
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Maas MN, Hintzen JCJ, Porzberg MRB, Mecinović J. Trimethyllysine: From Carnitine Biosynthesis to Epigenetics. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9451. [PMID: 33322546 PMCID: PMC7764450 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Trimethyllysine is an important post-translationally modified amino acid with functions in the carnitine biosynthesis and regulation of key epigenetic processes. Protein lysine methyltransferases and demethylases dynamically control protein lysine methylation, with each state of methylation changing the biophysical properties of lysine and the subsequent effect on protein function, in particular histone proteins and their central role in epigenetics. Epigenetic reader domain proteins can distinguish between different lysine methylation states and initiate downstream cellular processes upon recognition. Dysregulation of protein methylation is linked to various diseases, including cancer, inflammation, and genetic disorders. In this review, we cover biomolecular studies on the role of trimethyllysine in carnitine biosynthesis, different enzymatic reactions involved in the synthesis and removal of trimethyllysine, trimethyllysine recognition by reader proteins, and the role of trimethyllysine on the nucleosome assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jasmin Mecinović
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark; (M.N.M.); (J.C.J.H.); (M.R.B.P.)
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Hintzen JCJ, Poater J, Kumar K, Al Temimi AHK, Pieters BJGE, Paton RS, Bickelhaupt FM, Mecinović J. Comparison of Molecular Recognition of Trimethyllysine and Trimethylthialysine by Epigenetic Reader Proteins. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25081918. [PMID: 32326252 PMCID: PMC7221964 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25081918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Gaining a fundamental insight into the biomolecular recognition of posttranslationally modified histones by epigenetic reader proteins is of crucial importance to understanding the regulation of the activity of human genes. Here, we seek to establish whether trimethylthialysine, a simple trimethyllysine analogue generated through cysteine alkylation, is a good trimethyllysine mimic for studies on molecular recognition by reader proteins. Histone peptides bearing trimethylthialysine and trimethyllysine were examined for binding with five human reader proteins employing a combination of thermodynamic analyses, molecular dynamics simulations and quantum chemical analyses. Collectively, our experimental and computational findings reveal that trimethylthialysine and trimethyllysine exhibit very similar binding characteristics for the association with human reader proteins, thereby justifying the use of trimethylthialysine for studies aimed at dissecting the origin of biomolecular recognition in epigenetic processes that play important roles in human health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi C. J. Hintzen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Jordi Poater
- ICREA and Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica & IQTCUB, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí I Franquès 1–11, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kiran Kumar
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Abbas H. K. Al Temimi
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6522 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bas J. G. E. Pieters
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6522 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Robert S. Paton
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
- Correspondence: (R.S.P.); (F.M.B.); (J.M.); Tel.: +45-6550-3603 (J.M.)
| | - F. Matthias Bickelhaupt
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6522 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Theoretical Chemistry and Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1083, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: (R.S.P.); (F.M.B.); (J.M.); Tel.: +45-6550-3603 (J.M.)
| | - Jasmin Mecinović
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6522 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: (R.S.P.); (F.M.B.); (J.M.); Tel.: +45-6550-3603 (J.M.)
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Pieters BJGE, Hintzen JCJ, Grobben Y, Al Temimi AHK, Kamps JJAG, Mecinović J. Installation of Trimethyllysine Analogs on Intact Histones via Cysteine Alkylation. Bioconjug Chem 2019; 30:952-958. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bas J. G. E. Pieters
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jordi C. J. Hintzen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Yvonne Grobben
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Abbas H. K. Al Temimi
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jos J. A. G. Kamps
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jasmin Mecinović
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark
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Chemical basis for the recognition of trimethyllysine by epigenetic reader proteins. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8911. [PMID: 26578293 PMCID: PMC4673829 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A large number of structurally diverse epigenetic reader proteins specifically recognize methylated lysine residues on histone proteins. Here we describe comparative thermodynamic, structural and computational studies on recognition of the positively charged natural trimethyllysine and its neutral analogues by reader proteins. This work provides experimental and theoretical evidence that reader proteins predominantly recognize trimethyllysine via a combination of favourable cation–π interactions and the release of the high-energy water molecules that occupy the aromatic cage of reader proteins on the association with the trimethyllysine side chain. These results have implications in rational drug design by specifically targeting the aromatic cage of readers of trimethyllysine. A structurally diverse set of epigenetic reader proteins can recognize methylated lysine residues on histones. Here the authors show that recognition of trimethyllysine occurs through a combination of favourable cation–π interactions and the release of water molecules occupying the aromatic cages of reader proteins.
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The Role of Electrostatic Interactions in Binding of Histone H3K4me2/3 to the Sgf29 Tandem Tudor Domain. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0139205. [PMID: 26421618 PMCID: PMC4589357 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Several reader domain proteins that specifically recognize methyllysine-containing histones contain the negatively-charged aspartate or glutamate residues as part of the aromatic cage. Herein, we report thermodynamic analyses for the recognition of histone H3K4me3 and H3K4me2 by the tandem tudor domain of Sgf29 and its recognition site variants. Small uncharged and large aromatic substitutions on the Asp266 site resulted in a significant decrease in binding affinities for both H3K4me3 and H3K4me2, demonstrating the role of the negative charge of Asp266 in the readout process by Sgf29. This study emphasizes the essential contribution of electrostatic interactions to the overall binding affinity, and reveals that the underlying mechanisms for the recognition of Kme2/3 depend on the composition and arrangement of the aromatic cage.
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