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Bartocci A, Pereira G, Cecchini M, Dumont E. Capturing the Recognition Dynamics of para-Sulfonato-calix[4]arenes by Cytochrome c: Toward a Quantitative Free Energy Assessment. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:6739-6748. [PMID: 36054284 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Calix[n]arenes' selective recognition of protein surfaces covers a broad range of timely applications, from controlling protein assembly and crystallization to trapping partially disordered proteins. Here, the interaction of para-sulfonated calix-[4]-arenes with cytochrome c is investigated through all-atom, explicit water molecular dynamics simulations which allow characterization of two binding sites in quantitative agreement with experimental evidence. Free energy calculations based on the MM-PBSA and the attach-pull-release (APR) methods highlight key residues implicated in the recognition process and provide binding free energy results in quantitative agreement with isothermal titration calorimetry. Our study emphasizes the role of MD simulations to capture and describe the "walk" of sulfonated calix-[4]-arenes on the cytochrome c surface, with the arginine R13 as a pivotal interacting residue. Our MD investigation allows, through the quasi-harmonic multibasin (QHMB) method, probing an allosteric reinforcement of several per-residue interactions upon calixarene binding, which suggests a more complex mode of action of these supramolecular auxiliaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Bartocci
- Laboratoire de Chimie, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, F-69342 Lyon, France.,Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg, UMR 7177, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67083, France
| | - Gilberto Pereira
- Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg, UMR 7177, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67083, France.,Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB, UMR 5086), CNRS & University of Lyon, 7 Passage du Vercors, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Marco Cecchini
- Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg, UMR 7177, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67083, France
| | - Elise Dumont
- Laboratoire de Chimie, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, F-69342 Lyon, France.,Institut Universitaire de France, 5 rue Descartes, 75005 Paris, France
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Volpi S, Doolan A, Baldini L, Casnati A, Crowley PB, Sansone F. Complex Formation between Cytochrome c and a Tetra-alanino-calix[4]arene. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315391. [PMID: 36499717 PMCID: PMC9737847 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to their remarkable features, calix[n]arenes are being exploited to study different aspects of molecular recognition, including protein complexation. Different complexation modes have been described, depending on the moieties that complement the aromatic cavity, allowing for function regulation and/or controlled assembly of the protein target. Here, a rigid cone calix[4]arene, bearing four anionic alanine units at the upper rim, was tested as a ligand for cytochrome c. Cocrystallization attempts were unfruitful, preventing a solid-state study of the system. Next, the complex was studied using NMR spectroscopy, which revealed the presence of two binding sites at lysine residues with dissociation constants (Kd) in the millimolar range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Volpi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, della Vita e della Sostenibilità Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Parma, Viale delle Scienze, 17/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Aishling Doolan
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, University Road, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - Laura Baldini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, della Vita e della Sostenibilità Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Parma, Viale delle Scienze, 17/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Alessandro Casnati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, della Vita e della Sostenibilità Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Parma, Viale delle Scienze, 17/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Peter B. Crowley
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, University Road, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - Francesco Sansone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, della Vita e della Sostenibilità Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Parma, Viale delle Scienze, 17/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
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Abstract
ConspectusThis Account summarizes the progress in protein-calixarene complexation, tracing the developments from binary recognition to the glue activity of calixarenes and beyond to macrocycle-mediated frameworks. During the past 10 years, we have been tackling the question of protein-calixarene complexation in several ways, mainly by cocrystallization and X-ray structure determination as well as by solution state methods, NMR spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and light scattering. Much of this work benefitted from collaboration, highlighted here. Our first breakthrough was the cocrystallization of cationic cytochrome c with sulfonato-calix[4]arene leading to a crystal structure defining three binding sites. Together with NMR studies, a dynamic complexation was deduced in which the calixarene explores the protein surface. Other cationic proteins were similarly amenable to cocrystallization with sulfonato-calix[4]arene, confirming calixarene-arginine/lysine encapsulation and consequent protein assembly. Calixarenes bearing anionic substituents such as sulfonate or phosphonate, but not carboxylate, have proven useful.Studies with larger calix[n]arenes (n = 6, 8) demonstrated the bigger better binder phenomenon with increased affinities and more interesting assemblies, including solution-state oligomerization and porous frameworks. While the calix[4]arene cavity accommodates a single cationic side chain, the larger macrocycles adopt different conformations, molding to the protein surface and accommodating several residues (hydrophobic, polar, and/or charged) in small cavities. In addition to accommodating protein features, the calixarene can bind exogenous components such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), metal ions, buffer, and additives. Ternary cocrystallization of cytochrome c, sulfonato-calix[8]arene, and spermine resulted in altered framework fabrication due to calixarene encapsulation of the tetraamine. Besides host-guest chemistry with exogenous components, the calixarene can also self-assemble, with numerous instances of macrocycle dimers.Calixarene complexation enables protein encapsulation, not merely side chain encapsulation. Cocrystal structures of sulfonato-calix[8]arene with cytochrome c or Ralstonia solanacearum lectin (RSL) provide evidence of encapsulation, with multiple calixarenes masking the same protein. NMR studies of cytochrome c and sulfonato-calix[8]arene are also consistent with multisite binding. In the case of RSL, a C3 symmetric trimer, up to six calixarenes bind the protein yielding a cubic framework mediated by calixarene dimers. Biomolecular calixarene complexation has evolved from molecular recognition to framework construction. This latter development contributes to the challenge in design and preparation of porous molecular materials. Cytochrome c and sulfonato-calix[8]arene form frameworks with >60% solvent in which the degree of porosity depends on the protein:calixarene ratio and the crystallization conditions. Recent developments with RSL led to three frameworks with varying porosity depending on the crystallization conditions, particularly the pH. NMR studies indicate a pH-triggered assembly in which two acidic residues appear to play key roles. The field of supramolecular protein chemistry is growing, and this Account aims to encourage new developments at the interface between biomolecular and synthetic/supramolecular chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter B Crowley
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
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Selective Recognition of Amino Acids and Peptides by Small Supramolecular Receptors. Molecules 2020; 26:molecules26010106. [PMID: 33379401 PMCID: PMC7796322 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26010106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
To this day, the recognition and high affinity binding of biomolecules in water by synthetic receptors remains challenging, while the necessity for systems for their sensing, transport and modulation persists. This problematic is prevalent for the recognition of peptides, which not only have key roles in many biochemical pathways, as well as having pharmacological and biotechnological applications, but also frequently serve as models for the study of proteins. Taking inspiration in nature and on the interactions that occur between several receptors and peptide sequences, many researchers have developed and applied a variety of different synthetic receptors, as is the case of macrocyclic compounds, molecular imprinted polymers, organometallic cages, among others, to bind amino acids, small peptides and proteins. In this critical review, we present and discuss selected examples of synthetic receptors for amino acids and peptides, with a greater focus on supramolecular receptors, which show great promise for the selective recognition of these biomolecules in physiological conditions. We decided to focus preferentially on small synthetic receptors (leaving out of this review high molecular weight polymeric systems) for which more detailed and accurate molecular level information regarding the main structural and thermodynamic features of the receptor biomolecule assemblies is available.
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Bartocci A, Gillet N, Jiang T, Szczepaniak F, Dumont E. Molecular Dynamics Approach for Capturing Calixarene-Protein Interactions: The Case of Cytochrome C. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:11371-11378. [PMID: 33270456 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c08482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Functionalized supramolecular cages are of growing importance in biology and biochemistry. They have recently been proposed as efficient auxiliaries to obtain high-resolution cocrystallized proteins. Here, we propose a molecular dynamics investigation of the supramolecular association of sulfonated calix-[8]-arenes to cytochrome c starting from initially distant proteins and ligands. We characterize two main binding sites for the sulfonated calixarene on the cytochrome c surface which are in perfect agreement with the previous experiments with regard to the structure (comparison with the X-ray structure PDB 6GD8) and the binding free energies [comparison between the molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area analysis and the isothermal titration calorimetry measurements]. The per-residue decomposition of the interaction energies reveals the detailed picture of this electrostatically driven association and notably the role of arginine R13 as a bridging residue between the two main anchoring sites. In addition, the analysis of the residue behavior by means of a supervised machine learning protocol unveils the formation of a hydrogen bond network far from the binding sites, increasing the rigidity of the protein. This study paves the way toward an automated procedure to predict the supramolecular protein-cage association, with the possibility of a computational screening of new promising derivatives for controlled protein assembly and protein surface recognition processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Bartocci
- Univ Lyon, ENS de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5182, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire de Chimie, F-69342 Lyon, France
| | - Natacha Gillet
- Univ Lyon, ENS de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5182, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire de Chimie, F-69342 Lyon, France
| | - Tao Jiang
- Univ Lyon, ENS de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5182, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire de Chimie, F-69342 Lyon, France
| | - Florence Szczepaniak
- Univ Lyon, ENS de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5182, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire de Chimie, F-69342 Lyon, France
| | - Elise Dumont
- Univ Lyon, ENS de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5182, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire de Chimie, F-69342 Lyon, France.,Institut Universitaire de France, 5 Rue Descartes, 75005 Paris, France
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Vandebroek L, Noguchi H, Kamata K, Tame JRH, Van Meervelt L, Parac-Vogt TN, Voet ARD. Hybrid assemblies of a symmetric designer protein and polyoxometalates with matching symmetry. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:11601-11604. [DOI: 10.1039/d0cc05071g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
A symmetric designer protein forms hybrid complexes with different polyoxometalates and may serve as a building block for porous frameworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurens Vandebroek
- Laboratory for Bioinorganic Chemistry
- KU Leuven Department of Chemistry
- 3001 Leuven
- Belgium
- Biomolecular Architecture
| | - Hiroki Noguchi
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Modelling and Design
- KU Leuven Department of Chemistry
- 3001 Leuven
- Belgium
| | - Kenichi Kamata
- Drug Design Laboratory
- Yokohama City University 1-7-29
- Yokohama
- Japan
| | | | - Luc Van Meervelt
- Biomolecular Architecture
- KU Leuven Department of Chemistry
- 3001 Leuven
- Belgium
| | - Tatjana N. Parac-Vogt
- Laboratory for Bioinorganic Chemistry
- KU Leuven Department of Chemistry
- 3001 Leuven
- Belgium
| | - Arnout R. D. Voet
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Modelling and Design
- KU Leuven Department of Chemistry
- 3001 Leuven
- Belgium
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Engilberge S, Rennie ML, Dumont E, Crowley PB. Tuning Protein Frameworks via Auxiliary Supramolecular Interactions. ACS NANO 2019; 13:10343-10350. [PMID: 31490058 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b04115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Protein crystals with their precise, periodic array of functional building blocks have potential applications in biomaterials, sensing, and catalysis. This paper describes how a highly porous crystalline framework of a cationic redox protein and an anionic macrocycle can be modulated by a small cationic effector. Ternary composites of protein (∼13 kDa), calix[8]arene (∼1.5 kDa), and effector (∼0.2 kDa) formed distinct crystalline architectures, dependent on the effector concentration and the crystallization technique. A combination of X-ray crystallography and density functional theory (DFT) calculations was used to decipher the framework variations, which appear to be dependent on a calixarene conformation change mediated by the effector. This "switch" calixarene was observed in three states, each of which is associated with a different interaction network. Two structures obtained by co-crystallization with the effector contained an additional protein "pillar", resulting in framework duplication and decreased porosity. These results suggest how protein assembly can be engineered by supramolecular host-guest interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Engilberge
- School of Chemistry , National University of Ireland Galway , University Road , Galway H91 TK33 , Ireland
| | - Martin L Rennie
- School of Chemistry , National University of Ireland Galway , University Road , Galway H91 TK33 , Ireland
| | - Elise Dumont
- Université de Lyon, ENS de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5182 , Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire de Chimie , 69342 Lyon , France
| | - Peter B Crowley
- School of Chemistry , National University of Ireland Galway , University Road , Galway H91 TK33 , Ireland
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