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Mishra RP, Gupta S, Rathore AS, Goel G. Multi-Level High-Throughput Screening for Discovery of Ligands That Inhibit Insulin Aggregation. Mol Pharm 2022; 19:3770-3783. [PMID: 36173709 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We have developed a multi-level virtual screening protocol to identify lead molecules from the FDA inactives database that can inhibit insulin aggregation. The method is based on the presence of structural and interaction specificity in non-native aggregation pathway protein-protein interactions. Some key challenges specific to the present problem, when compared with native protein association, include structural heterogeneity of the protein species involved, multiple association pathways, and relatively higher probability of conformational rearrangement of the association complex. In this multi-step method, the inactives database was first screened using the dominant pharmacophore features of previously identified molecules shown to significantly inhibit insulin aggregation nucleation by binding to its aggregation-prone conformers. We then performed ensemble docking of several low-energy ligand conformations on these aggregation-prone conformers followed by molecular dynamics simulations and binding affinity calculations on a subset of docked complexes to identify a final set of five potential lead molecules to inhibit insulin aggregation nucleation. Their effect on aggregation inhibition was extensively investigated by incubating insulin under aggregation-prone aqueous buffer conditions (low pH, high temperature). Aggregation kinetics were characterized using size exclusion chromatography and Thioflavin T fluorescence assay, and the secondary structure was determined using circular dichroism spectroscopy. Riboflavin provided the best aggregation inhibition, with 85% native monomer retention after 48 h incubation under aggregation-prone conditions, whereas the no-ligand formulation showed complete monomer loss after 36 h. Further, insulin incubated with two of the screened inactives (aspartame, riboflavin) had the characteristic α-helical dip in CD spectra, while the no-ligand formulation showed a change to β-sheet rich conformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rit Pratik Mishra
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute Technology Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Surbhi Gupta
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute Technology Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Anurag Singh Rathore
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute Technology Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Gaurav Goel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute Technology Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India
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2
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Bychkova VE, Dolgikh DA, Balobanov VA, Finkelstein AV. The Molten Globule State of a Globular Protein in a Cell Is More or Less Frequent Case Rather than an Exception. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27144361. [PMID: 35889244 PMCID: PMC9319461 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27144361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Quite a long time ago, Oleg B. Ptitsyn put forward a hypothesis about the possible functional significance of the molten globule (MG) state for the functioning of proteins. MG is an intermediate between the unfolded and the native state of a protein. Its experimental detection and investigation in a cell are extremely difficult. In the last decades, intensive studies have demonstrated that the MG-like state of some globular proteins arises from either their modifications or interactions with protein partners or other cell components. This review summarizes such reports. In many cases, MG was evidenced to be functionally important. Thus, the MG state is quite common for functional cellular proteins. This supports Ptitsyn’s hypothesis that some globular proteins may switch between two active states, rigid (N) and soft (MG), to work in solution or interact with partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina E. Bychkova
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia; (V.E.B.); (A.V.F.)
| | - Dmitry A. Dolgikh
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117871 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Vitalii A. Balobanov
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia; (V.E.B.); (A.V.F.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Alexei V. Finkelstein
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia; (V.E.B.); (A.V.F.)
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Arosa FA, Esgalhado AJ, Reste-Ferreira D, Cardoso EM. Open MHC Class I Conformers: A Look through the Looking Glass. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189738. [PMID: 34575902 PMCID: PMC8470049 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies carried out during the last few decades have consistently shown that cell surface MHC class I (MHC-I) molecules are endowed with functions unrelated with antigen presentation. These include cis–trans-interactions with inhibitory and activating KIR and LILR, and cis-interactions with receptors for hormones, growth factors, cytokines, and neurotransmitters. The mounting body of evidence indicates that these non-immunological MHC-I functions impact clinical and biomedical settings, including autoimmune responses, tumor escape, transplantation, and neuronal development. Notably, most of these functions appear to rely on the presence in hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells of heavy chains not associated with β2m and the peptide at the plasma membrane; these are known as open MHC-I conformers. Nowadays, open conformers are viewed as functional cis-trans structures capable of establishing physical associations with themselves, with other surface receptors, and being shed into the extracellular milieu. We review past and recent developments, strengthening the view that open conformers are multifunctional structures capable of fine-tuning cell signaling, growth, differentiation, and cell communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando A Arosa
- Health Sciences Research Center (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - André J Esgalhado
- Health Sciences Research Center (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Débora Reste-Ferreira
- Health Sciences Research Center (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Elsa M Cardoso
- Health Sciences Research Center (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Health School, Guarda Polytechnic Institute, 6300-749 Guarda, Portugal
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4
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Huang X, Slavkovic S, Song E, Botta A, Mehrazma B, Lento C, Johnson PE, Sweeney G, Wilson DJ. A Unique Conformational Distortion Mechanism Drives Lipocalin 2 Binding to Bacterial Siderophores. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:234-242. [PMID: 31613081 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Lcn2 is a host defense protein induced via the innate immune response to sequester iron-loaded bacterial siderophores. However, excess or prolonged elevation of Lcn2 levels can induce adverse cellular effects, including oxidative stress and inflammation. In this work, we use Hydrogen-Deuterium eXchange (HDX) and Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) to characterize the binding interaction between Lcn2 and siderophores enterobactin and 2,3-DHBA, in the presence and absence of iron. Our results indicate a rare "Type II" interaction in which binding of siderophores drives the protein conformational equilibrium toward an unfolded state. Linking our molecular model to cellular assays, we demonstrate that this "distorted binding mode" facilitates a deleterious cellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species that could represent the molecular origin of Lcn2 pathology. These results add important insights into mechanisms of Lcn2 action and have implications in Lcn2-mediated effects including inflammation.
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Marinko J, Huang H, Penn WD, Capra JA, Schlebach JP, Sanders CR. Folding and Misfolding of Human Membrane Proteins in Health and Disease: From Single Molecules to Cellular Proteostasis. Chem Rev 2019; 119:5537-5606. [PMID: 30608666 PMCID: PMC6506414 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Advances over the past 25 years have revealed much about how the structural properties of membranes and associated proteins are linked to the thermodynamics and kinetics of membrane protein (MP) folding. At the same time biochemical progress has outlined how cellular proteostasis networks mediate MP folding and manage misfolding in the cell. When combined with results from genomic sequencing, these studies have established paradigms for how MP folding and misfolding are linked to the molecular etiologies of a variety of diseases. This emerging framework has paved the way for the development of a new class of small molecule "pharmacological chaperones" that bind to and stabilize misfolded MP variants, some of which are now in clinical use. In this review, we comprehensively outline current perspectives on the folding and misfolding of integral MPs as well as the mechanisms of cellular MP quality control. Based on these perspectives, we highlight new opportunities for innovations that bridge our molecular understanding of the energetics of MP folding with the nuanced complexity of biological systems. Given the many linkages between MP misfolding and human disease, we also examine some of the exciting opportunities to leverage these advances to address emerging challenges in the development of therapeutics and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin
T. Marinko
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240, United States
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240, United States
| | - Hui Huang
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240, United States
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240, United States
| | - Wesley D. Penn
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - John A. Capra
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240, United States
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37245, United States
| | - Jonathan P. Schlebach
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Charles R. Sanders
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240, United States
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Mazal H, Aviram H, Riven I, Haran G. Effect of ligand binding on a protein with a complex folding landscape. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 20:3054-3062. [PMID: 28721412 DOI: 10.1039/c7cp03327c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Ligand binding to a protein can stabilize it significantly against unfolding. The variation of the folding free energy, ΔΔG0, due to ligand binding can be derived from a simple reaction scheme involving exclusive binding to the native state. One obtains the following expression: , where Kd is the ligand dissociation constant and L is its concentration, R is the universal gas constant and T is the temperature. This expression has been shown to correctly describe experimental results on multiple proteins. In the current work we studied the effect of ligand binding on the stability of the multi-domain protein adenylate kinase from E. coli (AKE). Unfolding experiments were conducted using single-molecule FRET spectroscopy, which allowed us to directly obtain the fraction of unfolded protein in a model-free way from FRET efficiency histograms. Surprisingly, it was found that the effect of two inhibitors (Ap5A and AMPPNP) and a substrate (AMP) on the stability of AKE was much smaller than expected based on Kd values obtained independently using microscale thermophoresis. To shed light on this issue, we measured the Kd for Ap5A over a range of chemical denaturant concentrations where the protein is still folded. It was found that Kd increases dramatically over this range, likely due to the population of folding intermediates, whose binding to the ligand is much weaker than that of the native state. We propose that binding to folding intermediates may dominate the effect of ligands on the stability of multi-domain proteins, and could therefore have a strong impact on protein homeostasis in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisham Mazal
- Department of Chemical Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
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7
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Bychkova VE, Semisotnov GV, Balobanov VA, Finkelstein AV. The Molten Globule Concept: 45 Years Later. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2018; 83:S33-S47. [DOI: 10.1134/s0006297918140043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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8
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Liu YK, Lin TH, Liu PF. ATP alters protein folding and function of Escherichia coli uridine phosphorylase. Arch Biochem Biophys 2017; 634:11-20. [PMID: 28917600 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2017.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Uridine phosphorylase is one of the critical enzymes in the pyrimidine salvage pathway. Cells regenerate uridine for nucleotide metabolism by incorporating uracil with ribose-1-phosphate with this enzyme. Recent studies indicate that Escherichia coli uridine phosphorylase is destabilized in the presence of ATP. However, the mechanism underlying the destabilization process and its influence on uridine phosphorylase function remain to be established. Here, we comprehensively investigated the effects of ATP on protein folding and function of Escherichia coli uridine phosphorylase. Our results demonstrate that ATP apparently decreases the stability of uridine phosphorylase in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, simply increasing the level of ATP led to a reduction of enzymatic activity to complete inhibition. Further studies showed that uridine phosphorylase accumulates as a partially unfolded state in the presence of ATP. Moreover, ATP specifically accelerated the unfolding rate of uridine phosphorylase with no observable effects on the refolding process. Our preliminary findings suggest that ATP can alter the protein folding and function of enzymes via apparent destabilization. This mechanism may be significant for proteins functioning under conditions of high levels of ATP, such as cancer cell environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Kai Liu
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xingda Rd., South Dist., Taichung City 402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tzu-Hsuan Lin
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xingda Rd., South Dist., Taichung City 402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Pei-Fen Liu
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xingda Rd., South Dist., Taichung City 402, Taiwan, ROC.
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Chen C, Yun JH, Kim JH, Park C. Effect of circular permutations on transient partial unfolding in proteins. Protein Sci 2016; 25:1483-91. [PMID: 27164316 DOI: 10.1002/pro.2945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Under native conditions, proteins can undergo transient partial unfolding, which may cause proteins to misfold or aggregate. A change in sequence connectivity by circular permutation may affect the energetics of transient partial unfolding in proteins without altering the three-dimensional structures. Using Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) as a model system, we investigated how circular permutation affects transient partial unfolding in proteins. We constructed three circular permutants, CP18, CP37, and CP87, with the new N-termini at residue 18, 37, and 87, respectively, and probed transient partial unfolding by native-state proteolysis. The new termini in CP18, CP37, and CP87 are within, near, and distal to the Met20 loop, which is known to be dynamic and also part of the region that undergoes transient unfolding in wild-type DHFR. The stabilities of both native and partially unfolded forms of CP18 are similar to those of wild-type DHFR, suggesting that the influence of introducing new termini in a dynamic region to the protein is minimal. CP37 has a significantly more accessible partially unfolded form than wild-type DHFR, demonstrating that introducing new termini near a dynamic region may promote transient partial unfolding. CP87 has significantly destabilized native and partially unfolded forms, confirming that modification of the folded region in a partially unfolded form destabilizes the partially unfolded form similar to the native form. Our findings provide valuable guidelines to control transient partial unfolding in designing circular permutants in proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 47907
| | - Jung-Hun Yun
- Faculty of Biotechnology, College of Applied Life Science, SARI, Jeju National University, Jeju-Do, 690-756, Korea
| | - Jae-Hoon Kim
- Faculty of Biotechnology, College of Applied Life Science, SARI, Jeju National University, Jeju-Do, 690-756, Korea
| | - Chiwook Park
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 47907
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