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Grupp B, Denkhaus L, Gerhardt S, Vögele M, Johnsson N, Gronemeyer T. The structure of a tetrameric septin complex reveals a hydrophobic element essential for NC-interface integrity. Commun Biol 2024; 7:48. [PMID: 38184752 PMCID: PMC10771490 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05734-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The septins of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae assemble into hetero-octameric rods by alternating interactions between neighboring G-domains or N- and C-termini, respectively. These rods polymerize end to end into apolar filaments, forming a ring beneath the prospective new bud that expands during the cell cycle into an hourglass structure. The hourglass finally splits during cytokinesis into a double ring. Understanding these transitions as well as the plasticity of the higher order assemblies requires a detailed knowledge of the underlying structures. Here we present the first X-ray crystal structure of a tetrameric Shs1-Cdc12-Cdc3-Cdc10 complex at a resolution of 3.2 Å. Close inspection of the NC-interfaces of this and other septin structures reveals a conserved contact motif that is essential for NC-interface integrity of yeast and human septins in vivo and in vitro. Using the tetrameric structure in combination with AlphaFold-Multimer allowed us to propose a model of the octameric septin rod.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Grupp
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Lukas Denkhaus
- Institute of Biochemistry, Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Gerhardt
- Institute of Biochemistry, Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthis Vögele
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Nils Johnsson
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas Gronemeyer
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
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2
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Hussain A, Nguyen VT, Reigan P, McMurray M. Evolutionary degeneration of septins into pseudoGTPases: impacts on a hetero-oligomeric assembly interface. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1296657. [PMID: 38125875 PMCID: PMC10731463 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1296657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The septin family of eukaryotic proteins comprises distinct classes of sequence-related monomers that associate in a defined order into linear hetero-oligomers, which are capable of polymerizing into cytoskeletal filaments. Like actin and ⍺ and β tubulin, most septin monomers require binding of a nucleotide at a monomer-monomer interface (the septin "G" interface) for assembly into higher-order structures. Like ⍺ and β tubulin, where GTP is bound by both subunits but only the GTP at the ⍺-β interface is subject to hydrolysis, the capacity of certain septin monomers to hydrolyze their bound GTP has been lost during evolution. Thus, within septin hetero-oligomers and filaments, certain monomers remain permanently GTP-bound. Unlike tubulins, loss of septin GTPase activity-creating septin "pseudoGTPases"-occurred multiple times in independent evolutionary trajectories, accompanied in some cases by non-conservative substitutions in highly conserved residues in the nucleotide-binding pocket. Here, we used recent septin crystal structures, AlphaFold-generated models, phylogenetics and in silico nucleotide docking to investigate how in some organisms the septin G interface evolved to accommodate changes in nucleotide occupancy. Our analysis suggests that yeast septin monomers expressed only during meiosis and sporulation, when GTP is scarce, are evolving rapidly and might not bind GTP or GDP. Moreover, the G dimerization partners of these sporulation-specific septins appear to carry compensatory changes in residues that form contacts at the G interface to help retain stability despite the absence of bound GDP or GTP in the facing subunit. During septin evolution in nematodes, apparent loss of GTPase activity was also accompanied by changes in predicted G interface contacts. Overall, our observations support the conclusion that the primary function of nucleotide binding and hydrolysis by septins is to ensure formation of G interfaces that impose the proper subunit-subunit order within the hetero-oligomer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alya Hussain
- Program in Structural Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Vu T. Nguyen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Philip Reigan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Michael McMurray
- Program in Structural Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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Marques da Silva R, Christe Dos Reis Saladino G, Antonio Leonardo D, D'Muniz Pereira H, Andréa Sculaccio S, Paula Ulian Araujo A, Charles Garratt R. A key piece of the puzzle: The central tetramer of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae septin protofilament and its implications for self-assembly. J Struct Biol 2023; 215:107983. [PMID: 37315820 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2023.107983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Septins, often described as the fourth component of the cytoskeleton, are structural proteins found in a vast variety of living beings. They are related to small GTPases and thus, generally, present GTPase activity which may play an important (although incompletely understood) role in their organization and function. Septins polymerize into long non-polar filaments, in which each subunit interacts with two others by alternating interfaces, NC and G. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae four septins are organized in the following manner, [Cdc11-Cdc12-Cdc3-Cdc10-Cdc10-Cdc3-Cdc12-Cdc11]n in order to form filaments. Although septins were originally discovered in yeast and much is known regarding their biochemistry and function, only limited structural information about them is currently available. Here we present crystal structures of Cdc3/Cdc10 which provide the first view of the physiological interfaces formed by yeast septins. The G-interface has properties which place it in between that formed by SEPT2/SEPT6 and SEPT7/SEPT3 in human filaments. Switch I from Cdc10 contributes significantly to the interface, whereas in Cdc3 it is largely disorded. However, the significant negative charge density of the latter suggests it may have a unique role. At the NC-interface, we describe an elegant means by which the sidechain of a glutamine from helix α0 imitates a peptide group in order to retain hydrogen-bond continuity at the kink between helices α5 and α6 in the neighbouring subunit, thereby justifying the conservation of the helical distortion. Its absence from Cdc11, along with this structure's other unusual features are critically discussed by comparison with Cdc3 and Cdc10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Marques da Silva
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida João Dagnone 1100, São Carlos, SP 13563-723, Brazil
| | | | - Diego Antonio Leonardo
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida João Dagnone 1100, São Carlos, SP 13563-723, Brazil
| | - Humberto D'Muniz Pereira
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida João Dagnone 1100, São Carlos, SP 13563-723, Brazil
| | - Susana Andréa Sculaccio
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida João Dagnone 1100, São Carlos, SP 13563-723, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Ulian Araujo
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida João Dagnone 1100, São Carlos, SP 13563-723, Brazil
| | - Richard Charles Garratt
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida João Dagnone 1100, São Carlos, SP 13563-723, Brazil.
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Grupp B, Gronemeyer T. A biochemical view on the septins, a less known component of the cytoskeleton. Biol Chem 2023; 404:1-13. [PMID: 36423333 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2022-0263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The septins are a conserved family of guanine nucleotide binding proteins, often named the fourth component of the cytoskeleton. They self-assemble into non-polar filaments and further into higher ordered structures. Properly assembled septin structures are required for a wide range of indispensable intracellular processes such as cytokinesis, vesicular transport, polarity establishment and cellular adhesion. Septins belong structurally to the P-Loop NTPases. However, unlike the small GTPases like Ras, septins do not mediate signals to effectors through GTP binding and hydrolysis. The role of nucleotide binding and subsequent GTP hydrolysis by the septins is rather controversially debated. We compile here the structural features from the existing septin crystal- and cryo-EM structures regarding protofilament formation, inter-subunit interface architecture and nucleotide binding and hydrolysis. These findings are supplemented with a summary of available biochemical studies providing information regarding nucleotide binding and hydrolysis of fungal and mammalian septins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Grupp
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Ulm University, James Franck Ring N27, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas Gronemeyer
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Ulm University, James Franck Ring N27, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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Fischer M, Frank D, Rösler R, Johnsson N, Gronemeyer T. Biochemical Characterization of a Human Septin Octamer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:771388. [PMID: 35309913 PMCID: PMC8928218 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.771388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Septins are part of the cytoskeleton and polymerize into non-polar filaments of heteromeric hexamers or octamers. They belong to the class of P-loop GTPases but the roles of GTP binding and hydrolysis on filament formation and dynamics are not well understood. The basic human septin building block is the septin rod, a hetero-octamer composed of SEPT2, SEPT6, SEPT7, and SEPT9 with a stoichiometry of 2:2:2:2 (2-6-7-9-9-7-6-2). Septin rods polymerize by end-to-end and lateral joining into linear filaments and higher ordered structures such as rings, sheets, and gauzes. We purified a recombinant human septin octamer from E. coli for in vitro experimentation that is able to polymerize into filaments. We could show that the C-terminal region of the central SEPT9 subunit contributes to filament formation and that the human septin rod decreases the rate of in vitro actin polymerization. We provide further first kinetic data on the nucleotide uptake- and exchange properties of human hexameric and octameric septin rods. We could show that nucleotide uptake prior to hydrolysis is a dynamic process and that a bound nucleotide is exchangeable. However, the hydrolyzed γ-phosphate is not released from the native protein complex. We consequently propose that GTP hydrolysis in human septins does not follow the typical mechanism known from other small GTPases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Fischer
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Dominik Frank
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Reinhild Rösler
- Core Unit Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Nils Johnsson
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas Gronemeyer
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- *Correspondence: Thomas Gronemeyer,
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Cavini IA, Leonardo DA, Rosa HVD, Castro DKSV, D'Muniz Pereira H, Valadares NF, Araujo APU, Garratt RC. The Structural Biology of Septins and Their Filaments: An Update. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:765085. [PMID: 34869357 PMCID: PMC8640212 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.765085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to fully understand any complex biochemical system from a mechanistic point of view, it is necessary to have access to the three-dimensional structures of the molecular components involved. Septins and their oligomers, filaments and higher-order complexes are no exception. Indeed, the spontaneous recruitment of different septin monomers to specific positions along a filament represents a fascinating example of subtle molecular recognition. Over the last few years, the amount of structural information available about these important cytoskeletal proteins has increased dramatically. This has allowed for a more detailed description of their individual domains and the different interfaces formed between them, which are the basis for stabilizing higher-order structures such as hexamers, octamers and fully formed filaments. The flexibility of these structures and the plasticity of the individual interfaces have also begun to be understood. Furthermore, recently, light has been shed on how filaments may bundle into higher-order structures by the formation of antiparallel coiled coils involving the C-terminal domains. Nevertheless, even with these advances, there is still some way to go before we fully understand how the structure and dynamics of septin assemblies are related to their physiological roles, including their interactions with biological membranes and other cytoskeletal components. In this review, we aim to bring together the various strands of structural evidence currently available into a more coherent picture. Although it would be an exaggeration to say that this is complete, recent progress seems to suggest that headway is being made in that direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Italo A Cavini
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Diego A Leonardo
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Higor V D Rosa
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Danielle K S V Castro
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil.,São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ana P U Araujo
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Richard C Garratt
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
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Liberta F, Rennegarbe M, Rösler R, Bijzet J, Wiese S, Hazenberg BPC, Fändrich M. Morphological and primary structural consistency of fibrils from different AA patients (common variant). Amyloid 2019; 26:164-170. [PMID: 31240945 DOI: 10.1080/13506129.2019.1628015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Aims: To test the hypothesis that the fibril morphology and the fibril protein primary structure are conserved across different patients suffering from the common variant of systemic Amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis. Methods: Amyloid fibrils were extracted from the renal tissue of four patients. The fibril morphology was analysed in negatively stained samples with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The fibril protein identity and fragment length were determined by using mass spectrometry. Results: The fibrils show a consistent morphology in all four patients and exhibit an average width of ∼9.6 nm and an average pitch of ∼112 nm. All fibrils are composed of polypeptide chains that can be assigned to human serum amyloid A (SAA) 1.1 protein. All fragments lack the N-terminal arginine residue and are C-terminally truncated. Differences exist concerning the exact C-terminal cleavage site. The most prominent cleavage site occurs at residues 64-67. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that AA amyloid fibrils are consistent at the level of the protein primary structure and fibril morphology in the four analysed patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falk Liberta
- a Institute of Protein Biochemistry, Ulm University , Ulm , Germany
| | | | - Reinhild Rösler
- b Core Unit Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Ulm University , Ulm , Germany
| | - Johan Bijzet
- c Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Wiese
- b Core Unit Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Ulm University , Ulm , Germany
| | - Bouke P C Hazenberg
- c Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands
| | - Marcus Fändrich
- a Institute of Protein Biochemistry, Ulm University , Ulm , Germany
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Mostowy S, Ewers H. Editorial overview: The molecular and cellular biology of septins. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2019; 76:5-6. [PMID: 30932337 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Serge Mostowy
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Helge Ewers
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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