1
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Loeffelholz J, Meese E, Giovannini I, Ullibarri K, Momeni S, Merfeld N, Wessel J, Guidetti R, Rebecchi L, Boothby TC. An evaluation of thermal tolerance in six tardigrade species in an active and dry state. Biol Open 2024; 13:bio060485. [PMID: 39229830 DOI: 10.1242/bio.060485] [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: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Tardigrades are known for their ability to survive extreme conditions. Reports indicate that tardigrade thermal tolerance is enhanced in the desiccated state; however, these reports have almost always used a single tardigrade species and drying/heating methods vary between studies. Using six different species of tardigrades we confirm that desiccation enhances thermal tolerance in tardigrades. Furthermore, we show that differences in thermal tolerance exist between tardigrade species both when hydrated and desiccated. While Viridiscus viridianus survives the highest temperatures in the hydrated state of any species tested here, under hydrated conditions, the thermal tolerance of V. viridianus is restricted to an acute transient stress. Furthermore, unlike other stresses, such as desiccation, where mild initial exposure preconditions some species to survive subsequent harsher treatment, for V. viridianus exposure to mild thermal stress in the hydrated state does not confer protection to harsher heating. Our results suggest that while tardigrades have the capacity to tolerate mild thermal stress while hydrated, survival of high temperatures in a desiccated state is a by-product of tardigrades' ability to survive desiccation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Loeffelholz
- University of Wyoming, Department of Molecular Biology, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Emma Meese
- University of Wyoming, Department of Molecular Biology, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Ilaria Giovannini
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Department of Life Sciences, Modena 41125, Italy
| | - Karsyn Ullibarri
- University of Wyoming, Department of Molecular Biology, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Sogol Momeni
- University of Alabama, Department of Biological Sciences, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Nicholas Merfeld
- University of Iowa, Tippie College of Business, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | | | - Roberto Guidetti
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Department of Life Sciences, Modena 41125, Italy
| | - Lorena Rebecchi
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Department of Life Sciences, Modena 41125, Italy
| | - Thomas C Boothby
- University of Wyoming, Department of Molecular Biology, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
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2
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Ru G, Liu X, Ge Y, Wang L, Jiang L, Pielak G, Liu M, Li C. Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) doubly locks the hydrophobic core and surfaces of protein against desiccation stress. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e5107. [PMID: 38989549 PMCID: PMC11237552 DOI: 10.1002/pro.5107] [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: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Interactions between proteins and osmolytes are ubiquitous within cells, assisting in response to environmental stresses. However, our understanding of protein-osmolyte interactions underlying desiccation tolerance is limited. Here, we employ solid-state NMR (ssNMR) to derive information about protein conformation and site-specific interactions between the model protein, SH3, and the osmolyte trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). The data show that SH3-TMAO interactions maintain key structured regions during desiccation and facilitate reversion to the protein's native state once desiccation stress is even slightly relieved. We identify 10 types of residues at 28 sites involved in the SH3-TMAO interactions. These sites comprise hydrophobic, positively charged, and aromatic amino acids located in SH3's hydrophobic core and surface clusters. TMAO locks both the hydrophobic core and surface clusters through its zwitterionic and trimethyl ends. This double locking is responsible for desiccation tolerance and differs from ideas based on exclusion, vitrification, and water replacement. ssNMR is a powerful tool for deepening our understanding of extremely weak protein-osmolyte interactions and providing insight into the evolutionary mechanism of environmental tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geying Ru
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuwei Ge
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Liying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Ling Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Gary Pielak
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Lineberger Cancer Center, Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Maili Liu
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Conggang Li
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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3
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Kc S, Nguyen KH, Nicholson V, Walgren A, Trent T, Gollub E, Ramero S, Holehouse AS, Sukenik S, Boothby TC. Disordered proteins interact with the chemical environment to tune their protective function during drying. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.28.582506. [PMID: 38464187 PMCID: PMC10925285 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.28.582506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
The conformational ensemble and function of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are sensitive to their solution environment. The inherent malleability of disordered proteins combined with the exposure of their residues accounts for this sensitivity. One context in which IDPs play important roles that is concomitant with massive changes to the intracellular environment is during desiccation (extreme drying). The ability of organisms to survive desiccation has long been linked to the accumulation of high levels of cosolutes such as trehalose or sucrose as well as the enrichment of IDPs, such as late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins or cytoplasmic abundant heat soluble (CAHS) proteins. Despite knowing that IDPs play important roles and are co-enriched alongside endogenous, species-specific cosolutes during desiccation, little is known mechanistically about how IDP-cosolute interactions influence desiccation tolerance. Here, we test the notion that the protective function of desiccation-related IDPs is enhanced through conformational changes induced by endogenous cosolutes. We find that desiccation-related IDPs derived from four different organisms spanning two LEA protein families and the CAHS protein family, synergize best with endogenous cosolutes during drying to promote desiccation protection. Yet the structural parameters of protective IDPs do not correlate with synergy for either CAHS or LEA proteins. We further demonstrate that for CAHS, but not LEA proteins, synergy is related to self-assembly and the formation of a gel. Our results suggest that functional synergy between IDPs and endogenous cosolutes is a convergent desiccation protection strategy seen among different IDP families and organisms, yet, the mechanisms underlying this synergy differ between IDP families.
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4
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Brom JA, Petrikis RG, Nieukirk GE, Bourque J, Pielak GJ. Protecting Lyophilized Escherichia coli Adenylate Kinase. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:3634-3642. [PMID: 38805365 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.4c00356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Drying protein-based drugs, usually via lyophilization, can facilitate storage at ambient temperature and improve accessibility but many proteins cannot withstand drying and must be formulated with protective additives called excipients. However, mechanisms of protection are poorly understood, precluding rational formulation design. To better understand dry proteins and their protection, we examine Escherichia coli adenylate kinase (AdK) lyophilized alone and with the additives trehalose, maltose, bovine serum albumin, cytosolic abundant heat soluble protein D, histidine, and arginine. We apply liquid-observed vapor exchange NMR to interrogate the residue-level structure in the presence and absence of additives. We pair these observations with differential scanning calorimetry data of lyophilized samples and AdK activity assays with and without heating. We show that the amino acids do not preserve the native structure as well as sugars or proteins and that after heating the most stable additives protect activity best.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia A Brom
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), 3250 Genome Sciences Building, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-3290, United States
| | - Ruta G Petrikis
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), 3250 Genome Sciences Building, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-3290, United States
| | - Grace E Nieukirk
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), 3250 Genome Sciences Building, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-3290, United States
| | - Joshua Bourque
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), 3250 Genome Sciences Building, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-3290, United States
| | - Gary J Pielak
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), 3250 Genome Sciences Building, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-3290, United States
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, UNC-CH, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Lineberger Cancer Center, UNC-CH, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, UNC-CH, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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5
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Lim S, Reilly CB, Barghouti Z, Marelli B, Way JC, Silver PA. Tardigrade secretory proteins protect biological structures from desiccation. Commun Biol 2024; 7:633. [PMID: 38796644 PMCID: PMC11127935 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06336-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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Tardigrades, microscopic animals that survive a broad range of environmental stresses, express a unique set of proteins termed tardigrade-specific intrinsically disordered proteins (TDPs). TDPs are often expressed at high levels in tardigrades upon desiccation, and appear to mediate stress adaptation. Here, we focus on the proteins belonging to the secreted family of tardigrade proteins termed secretory-abundant heat soluble ("SAHS") proteins, and investigate their ability to protect diverse biological structures. Recombinantly expressed SAHS proteins prevent desiccated liposomes from fusion, and enhance desiccation tolerance of E. coli and Rhizobium tropici upon extracellular application. Molecular dynamics simulation and comparative structural analysis suggest a model by which SAHS proteins may undergo a structural transition upon desiccation, in which removal of water and solutes from a large internal cavity in SAHS proteins destabilizes the beta-sheet structure. These results highlight the potential application of SAHS proteins as stabilizing molecules for preservation of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Lim
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Charles B Reilly
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Zeina Barghouti
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Benedetto Marelli
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Jeffrey C Way
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Pamela A Silver
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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6
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Olgenblum GI, Hutcheson BO, Pielak GJ, Harries D. Protecting Proteins from Desiccation Stress Using Molecular Glasses and Gels. Chem Rev 2024; 124:5668-5694. [PMID: 38635951 PMCID: PMC11082905 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Faced with desiccation stress, many organisms deploy strategies to maintain the integrity of their cellular components. Amorphous glassy media composed of small molecular solutes or protein gels present general strategies for protecting against drying. We review these strategies and the proposed molecular mechanisms to explain protein protection in a vitreous matrix under conditions of low hydration. We also describe efforts to exploit similar strategies in technological applications for protecting proteins in dry or highly desiccated states. Finally, we outline open questions and possibilities for future explorations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gil I. Olgenblum
- Institute
of Chemistry, Fritz Haber Research Center, and The Harvey M. Krueger
Family Center for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Brent O. Hutcheson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), Chapel
Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Gary J. Pielak
- Department
of Chemistry, University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), Chapel
Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Integrated
Program for Biological & Genome Sciences, Lineberger Comprehensive
Cancer Center, University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Daniel Harries
- Institute
of Chemistry, Fritz Haber Research Center, and The Harvey M. Krueger
Family Center for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
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7
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Zarubin M, Andreev E, Kravchenko E, Pinaeva U, Nechaev A, Apel P. Developing tardigrade-inspired material: Track membranes functionalized with Dsup protein for cell-free DNA isolation. Biotechnol Prog 2024:e3478. [PMID: 38699905 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
When developing functionalized biomaterials, the proteins from extremophilic organisms, in particular unique tardigrade disordered proteins, are of great value. The damage suppressor protein (Dsup), initially discovered in the tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus and found to be an efficient DNA protector under oxidative and irradiation stress, has been hypothesized to possess a good potential for the development of the material, which can isolate cell-free DNA. With this in mind, DNA-nonadsorbing polyethylene terephthalate track membranes have been functionalized using the Dsup protein via covalent bonding with glutaraldehyde. The filtration experiments have verified the ability of track membranes with the immobilized Dsup protein to adsorb cell-free DNA, with an accumulation capacity of 70 ± 19 mg m-2. The resulting track membrane-based biomaterial might be used in various devices for filtration and separation of cell-free DNA molecules from biological solutions and environmental samples, and also for their accumulation, storage, and further manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Zarubin
- Dzhelepov Laboratory of Nuclear Problems, International Intergovernmental Organization Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (DLNP JINR), Dubna, Russia
| | - Evgeny Andreev
- Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions, International Intergovernmental Organization Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (FLNR JINR), Dubna, Russia
| | - Elena Kravchenko
- Dzhelepov Laboratory of Nuclear Problems, International Intergovernmental Organization Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (DLNP JINR), Dubna, Russia
| | - Uliana Pinaeva
- Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions, International Intergovernmental Organization Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (FLNR JINR), Dubna, Russia
| | - Alexander Nechaev
- Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions, International Intergovernmental Organization Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (FLNR JINR), Dubna, Russia
| | - Pavel Apel
- Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions, International Intergovernmental Organization Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (FLNR JINR), Dubna, Russia
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8
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Sanchez‐Martinez S, Nguyen K, Biswas S, Nicholson V, Romanyuk AV, Ramirez J, Kc S, Akter A, Childs C, Meese EK, Usher ET, Ginell GM, Yu F, Gollub E, Malferrari M, Francia F, Venturoli G, Martin EW, Caporaletti F, Giubertoni G, Woutersen S, Sukenik S, Woolfson DN, Holehouse AS, Boothby TC. Labile assembly of a tardigrade protein induces biostasis. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4941. [PMID: 38501490 PMCID: PMC10949331 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4941] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Tardigrades are microscopic animals that survive desiccation by inducing biostasis. To survive drying tardigrades rely on intrinsically disordered CAHS proteins, which also function to prevent perturbations induced by drying in vitro and in heterologous systems. CAHS proteins have been shown to form gels both in vitro and in vivo, which has been speculated to be linked to their protective capacity. However, the sequence features and mechanisms underlying gel formation and the necessity of gelation for protection have not been demonstrated. Here we report a mechanism of fibrillization and gelation for CAHS D similar to that of intermediate filament assembly. We show that in vitro, gelation restricts molecular motion, immobilizing and protecting labile material from the harmful effects of drying. In vivo, we observe that CAHS D forms fibrillar networks during osmotic stress. Fibrillar networking of CAHS D improves survival of osmotically shocked cells. We observe two emergent properties associated with fibrillization; (i) prevention of cell volume change and (ii) reduction of metabolic activity during osmotic shock. We find that there is no significant correlation between maintenance of cell volume and survival, while there is a significant correlation between reduced metabolism and survival. Importantly, CAHS D's fibrillar network formation is reversible and metabolic rates return to control levels after CAHS fibers are resolved. This work provides insights into how tardigrades induce reversible biostasis through the self-assembly of labile CAHS gels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - K. Nguyen
- Department of Molecular BiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - S. Biswas
- Department of Molecular BiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - V. Nicholson
- Department of Molecular BiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - A. V. Romanyuk
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BristolBristolUK
- Max Planck‐Bristol Centre for Minimal BiologyUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - J. Ramirez
- Department of Molecular BiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - S. Kc
- Department of Molecular BiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - A. Akter
- Department of Molecular BiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - C. Childs
- Department of Molecular BiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - E. K. Meese
- Department of Molecular BiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - E. T. Usher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiophysicsWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- Center for Biomolecular CondensatesWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - G. M. Ginell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiophysicsWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- Center for Biomolecular CondensatesWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - F. Yu
- Quantitative Systems Biology ProgramUniversity of California MercedMercedCaliforniaUSA
| | - E. Gollub
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of California MercedMercedCaliforniaUSA
| | - M. Malferrari
- Dipartimento di Chimica “Giacomo Ciamician”Università di BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - F. Francia
- Laboratorio di Biochimica e Biofisica Molecolare, Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, FaBiTUniversità di BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - G. Venturoli
- Laboratorio di Biochimica e Biofisica Molecolare, Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, FaBiTUniversità di BolognaBolognaItaly
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze Fisiche della Materia (CNISM), c/o Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia (DIFA)Università di BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - E. W. Martin
- Department of Structural BiologySt. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - F. Caporaletti
- Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular SciencesUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - G. Giubertoni
- Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular SciencesUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - S. Woutersen
- Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular SciencesUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - S. Sukenik
- Quantitative Systems Biology ProgramUniversity of California MercedMercedCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of California MercedMercedCaliforniaUSA
| | - D. N. Woolfson
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BristolBristolUK
- Max Planck‐Bristol Centre for Minimal BiologyUniversity of BristolBristolUK
- School of BiochemistryUniversity of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences BuildingBristolUK
| | - A. S. Holehouse
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiophysicsWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- Center for Biomolecular CondensatesWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - T. C. Boothby
- Department of Molecular BiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
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9
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Kang D, Yang MJ, Kim H, Park C. Protective roles of highly conserved motif 1 in tardigrade cytosolic-abundant heat soluble protein in extreme environments. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4913. [PMID: 38358259 PMCID: PMC10868442 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4913] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Tardigrades are remarkable microscopic animals that survive harsh conditions such as desiccation and extreme temperatures. Tardigrade-specific intrinsically disordered proteins (TDPs) play an essential role in the survival of tardigrades in extreme environments. Cytosolic-abundant heat soluble (CAHS) protein, a key TDP, is known to increase desiccation tolerance and to protect the activity of several enzymes under dehydrated conditions. However, the function and properties of each CAHS domain have not yet been elucidated in detail. Here, we aimed to elucidate the protective role of highly conserved motif 1 of CAHS in extreme environmental conditions. To examine CAHS domains, three protein constructs, CAHS Full (1-229), CAHS ∆Core (1-120_184-229), and CAHS Core (121-183), were engineered. The highly conserved CAHS motif 1 (124-142) in the CAHS Core formed an amphiphilic α helix, reducing the aggregate formation and protecting lactate dehydrogenase activity during dehydration-rehydration and freeze-thaw treatments, indicating that CAHS motif 1 in the CAHS Core was essential for maintaining protein solubility and stability. Aggregation assays and confocal microscopy revealed that the intrinsically disordered N- and C-terminal domains were more prone to aggregation under our experimental conditions. By explicating the functions of each domain in CAHS, our study proposes the possibility of using engineered proteins or peptides derived from CAHS as a potential candidate for biological applications in extreme environmental stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donguk Kang
- Department of ChemistryGwangju Institute of Science and TechnologyGwangjuRepublic of Korea
| | - Min June Yang
- Department of ChemistryGwangju Institute of Science and TechnologyGwangjuRepublic of Korea
| | - Hwan Kim
- GIST Advanced Institute of Instrumental Analysis (GAIA), Bio Imaging LaboratoryGwangju Institute of Science and TechnologyGwangjuRepublic of Korea
| | - Chin‐Ju Park
- Department of ChemistryGwangju Institute of Science and TechnologyGwangjuRepublic of Korea
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10
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Al-Ansari M, Fitzsimons T, Wei W, Goldberg MW, Kunieda T, Quinlan RA. The major inducible small heat shock protein HSP20-3 in the tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus forms filament-like structures and is an active chaperone. Cell Stress Chaperones 2024; 29:51-65. [PMID: 38330543 PMCID: PMC10939073 DOI: 10.1016/j.cstres.2023.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus has remarkable resilience to a range of environmental stresses. In this study, we have characterised two members of the small heat shock protein (sHSP) family in R. varieornatus, HSP20-3 and HSP20-6. These are the most highly upregulated sHSPs in response to a 24 h heat shock at 35 0C of adult tardigrades with HSP20-3 being one of the most highly upregulated gene in the whole transcriptome. Both R. varieornatus sHSPs and the human sHSP, CRYAB (HSPB5), were produced recombinantly for comparative structure-function studies. HSP20-3 exhibited a superior chaperone activity than human CRYAB in a heat-induced protein aggregation assay. Both tardigrade sHSPs also formed larger oligomers than CRYAB as assessed by size exclusion chromatography and transmission electron microscopy of negatively stained samples. Whilst both HSP20-3 and HSP20-6 formed particles that were variable in size and larger than the particles formed by CRYAB, only HSP20-3 formed filament-like structures. The particles and filament-like structures formed by HSP20-3 appear inter-related as the filament-like structures often had particles located at their ends. Sequence analyses identified two unique features; an insertion in the middle region of the N-terminal domain (NTD) and preceding the critical-sequence identified in CRYAB, as well as a repeated QNTN-motif located in the C-terminal domain of HSP20-3. The NTD insertion is expected to affect protein-protein interactions and subunit oligomerisation. Removal of the repeated QNTN-motif abolished HSP20-3 chaperone activity and also affected the assembly of the filament-like structures. We discuss the potential contribution of HSP20-3 to protein condensate formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Al-Ansari
- Department of Biosciences, Upper Mountjoy Science Site, University of Durham, Durham DH1 3LE, UK; Department of Biochemistry, Health Sciences Centre, Kuwait University, Kuwait
| | - Taylor Fitzsimons
- Department of Biosciences, Upper Mountjoy Science Site, University of Durham, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Wenbin Wei
- Department of Biosciences, Upper Mountjoy Science Site, University of Durham, Durham DH1 3LE, UK.
| | - Martin W Goldberg
- Department of Biosciences, Upper Mountjoy Science Site, University of Durham, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Takekazu Kunieda
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Roy A Quinlan
- Department of Biosciences, Upper Mountjoy Science Site, University of Durham, Durham DH1 3LE, UK; Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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11
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Biswas S, Gollub E, Yu F, Ginell G, Holehouse A, Sukenik S, Boothby TC. Helicity of a tardigrade disordered protein contributes to its protective function during desiccation. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4872. [PMID: 38114424 PMCID: PMC10804681 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4872] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
To survive extreme drying (anhydrobiosis), many organisms, spanning every kingdom of life, accumulate intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). For decades, the ability of anhydrobiosis-related IDPs to form transient amphipathic helices has been suggested to be important for promoting desiccation tolerance. However, evidence empirically supporting the necessity and/or sufficiency of helicity in mediating anhydrobiosis is lacking. Here, we demonstrate that the linker region of CAHS D, a desiccation-related IDP from the tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris, that contains significant helical structure, is the protective portion of this protein. Perturbing the sequence composition and grammar of the linker region of CAHS D, through the insertion of helix-breaking prolines, modulating the identity of charged residues, or replacement of hydrophobic amino acids with serine or glycine residues results in variants with different degrees of helical structure. Importantly, correlation of protective capacity and helical content in variants generated through different helix perturbing modalities does not show as strong a trend, suggesting that while helicity is important, it is not the only property that makes a protein protective during desiccation. These results provide direct evidence for the decades-old theory that helicity of desiccation-related IDPs is linked to their anhydrobiotic capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Biswas
- Department of Molecular BiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - Edith Gollub
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of California, MercedMercedCaliforniaUSA
- Quantitative Systems Biology ProgramUniversity of California MercedMercedCaliforniaUSA
| | - Feng Yu
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of California, MercedMercedCaliforniaUSA
- Quantitative Systems Biology ProgramUniversity of California MercedMercedCaliforniaUSA
| | - Garrett Ginell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiophysicsWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- Center for Biomolecular CondensatesWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Alex Holehouse
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiophysicsWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- Center for Biomolecular CondensatesWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Shahar Sukenik
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of California, MercedMercedCaliforniaUSA
- Quantitative Systems Biology ProgramUniversity of California MercedMercedCaliforniaUSA
| | - Thomas C. Boothby
- Department of Molecular BiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
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12
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Garg A, González-Foutel NS, Gielnik MB, Kjaergaard M. Design of functional intrinsically disordered proteins. Protein Eng Des Sel 2024; 37:gzae004. [PMID: 38431892 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzae004] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Many proteins do not fold into a fixed three-dimensional structure, but rather function in a highly disordered state. These intrinsically disordered proteins pose a unique challenge to protein engineering and design: How can proteins be designed de novo if not by tailoring their structure? Here, we will review the nascent field of design of intrinsically disordered proteins with focus on applications in biotechnology and medicine. The design goals should not necessarily be the same as for de novo design of folded proteins as disordered proteins have unique functional strengths and limitations. We focus on functions where intrinsically disordered proteins are uniquely suited including disordered linkers, desiccation chaperones, sensors of the chemical environment, delivery of pharmaceuticals, and constituents of biomolecular condensates. Design of functional intrinsically disordered proteins relies on a combination of computational tools and heuristics gleaned from sequence-function studies. There are few cases where intrinsically disordered proteins have made it into industrial applications. However, we argue that disordered proteins can perform many roles currently performed by organic polymers, and that these proteins might be more designable due to their modularity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankush Garg
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Maciej B Gielnik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Magnus Kjaergaard
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
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13
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Ramirez JF, Kumara U, Arulsamy N, Boothby TC. Water content, transition temperature and fragility influence protection and anhydrobiotic capacity. BBA ADVANCES 2024; 5:100115. [PMID: 38318251 PMCID: PMC10840120 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadva.2024.100115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Water is essential for metabolism and all life processes. Despite this, many organisms distributed across the kingdoms of life survive near-complete desiccation or anhydrobiosis. Increased intracellular viscosity, leading to the formation of a vitrified state is necessary, but not sufficient, for survival while dry. What properties of a vitrified system make it desiccation-tolerant or -sensitive are unknown. We have analyzed 18 different in vitro vitrified systems, composed of one of three protective disaccharides (trehalose, sucrose, or maltose) and glycerol, quantifying their enzyme-protective capacity and their material properties in a dry state. Protection conferred by mixtures containing maltose correlates strongly with increased water content, increased glass-transition temperature, and reduced glass former fragility, while the protection of glasses formed with sucrose correlates with increased glass transition temperature and the protection conferred by trehalose glasses correlates with reduced glass former fragility. Thus, in vitro different vitrified sugars confer protection through distinct material properties. Next, we examined the material properties of a dry desiccation tolerant and intolerant life stage from three different organisms. The dried desiccation tolerant life stage of all organisms had an increased glass transition temperature and reduced glass former fragility relative to its dried desiccation intolerant life stage. These results suggest in nature organismal desiccation tolerance relies on a combination of various material properties. This study advances our understanding of how protective and non-protective glasses differ in terms of material properties that promote anhydrobiosis. This knowledge presents avenues to develop novel stabilization technologies for pharmaceuticals that currently rely on the cold-chain. Statement of significance For the past three decades the anhydrobiosis field has lived with a paradox, while vitrification is necessary for survival in the dry state, it is not sufficient. Understanding what property(s) distinguishes a desiccation tolerant from an intolerant vitrified system and how anhydrobiotic organisms survive drying is one of the enduring mysteries of organismal physiology. Here we show in vitro the enzyme-protective capacity of different vitrifying sugars can be correlated with distinct material properties. However, in vivo, diverse desiccation tolerant organisms appear to combine these material properties to promote their survival in a dry state.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F. Ramirez
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - U.G.V.S.S. Kumara
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | | | - Thomas C. Boothby
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
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14
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Ramirez JF, Kumara U, Arulsamy N, Boothby TC. Water content, transition temperature and fragility influence protection and anhydrobiotic capacity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.30.547256. [PMID: 38014150 PMCID: PMC10680572 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.30.547256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Water is essential for metabolism and all life processes. Despite this, many organisms distributed across the kingdoms of life survive near-complete desiccation or anhydrobiosis (Greek for "life without water"). Increased intracellular viscosity, leading to the formation of a vitrified state is necessary, but not sufficient, for survival while dry. What properties of a vitrified system make it desiccation-tolerant or -sensitive are unknown. We have analyzed 18 different in vitro vitrified systems, composed of one of three protective disaccharides (trehalose, sucrose, or maltose) and varying amounts of glycerol, quantifying their enzyme-protective capacity and their material properties in a dry state. We find that protection conferred by mixtures containing maltose correlates strongly with increased water content, increased glass-transition temperature, and reduced glass former fragility, while the protection of glasses formed with sucrose correlates with increased glass transition temperature and the protection conferred by trehalose glasses correlates with reduced glass former fragility. Thus, in vitro different vitrified sugars confer protection through distinct material properties. Extending on this, we have examined the material properties of a dry desiccation tolerant and intolerant life stage from three different organisms. In all cases, the dried desiccation tolerant life stage of an organism had an increased glass transition temperature relative to its dried desiccation intolerant life stage, and this trend is also seen in all three organisms when considering reduced glass former fragility. These results suggest that while drying of different protective sugars in vitro results in vitrified systems with distinct material properties that correlate with their enzyme-protective capacity, in nature organismal desiccation tolerance relies on a combination of these properties. This study advances our understanding of how protective and non-protective glasses differ in terms of material properties that promote anhydrobiosis. This knowledge presents avenues to develop novel stabilization technologies for pharmaceuticals that currently rely on the cold-chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F. Ramirez
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming. Laramie, WY 82071
| | - U.G.V.S.S. Kumara
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming. Laramie, WY 82071
| | | | - Thomas C. Boothby
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming. Laramie, WY 82071
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15
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Potnis CS, Grapperhaus CA, Gupta G. Investigating BioCaRGOS, a Sol-Gel Matrix for the Stability of Heme Proteins under Enzymatic Degradation and Low pH. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:32053-32059. [PMID: 37692240 PMCID: PMC10483679 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
There have been significant advances in the development of vaccines for the prevention of various infectious diseases in the last few decades. These vaccines are mainly composed of proteins and nucleic acids. Poor handling and storage, exposure to high temperatures that lead to enzymatic degradation, pH variation, and various other stresses can denature the proteins or nucleic acids present in any vaccine formulation. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a proper environment to preserve the integrity of biospecimens. To overcome these challenges, we report a practical and user-friendly approach for sol-gels called "BioCaRGOS" that can stabilize heme proteins not only in the presence of degrading enzymes and acidic pH but simultaneously maintain stability at room temperature. Heme proteins, such as myoglobin and cytochrome c, have been used for this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinmay S Potnis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, United States
| | - Craig A Grapperhaus
- Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, United States
| | - Gautam Gupta
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, United States
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16
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Wang S, Eicher J, Pielak GJ. Trifluoroethanol and the behavior of a tardigrade desiccation-tolerance protein. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4716. [PMID: 37401908 PMCID: PMC10357939 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
The cosolvent 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) is often used to mimic protein desiccation. We assessed the effects of TFE on cytosolic abundant heat soluble protein D (CAHS D) from tardigrades. CAHS D is a member of a unique protein class that is necessary and sufficient for tardigrades to survive desiccation. We find that the response of CAHS D to TFE depends on the concentration of both species. Dilute CAHS D remains soluble and, like most proteins exposed to TFE, gains α-helix. More concentrated solutions of CAHS D in TFE accumulate β-sheet, driving both gel formation and aggregation. At even higher TFE and CAHS D concentrations, samples phase separate without aggregation or increases in helix. Our observations show the importance of considering protein concentration when using TFE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikun Wang
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jonathan Eicher
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Gary J. Pielak
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of Biochemistry & BiophysicsUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- Lineberger Cancer CenterUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome SciencesUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
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17
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Sanchez-Martinez S, Ramirez JF, Meese EK, Childs CA, Boothby TC. The tardigrade protein CAHS D interacts with, but does not retain, water in hydrated and desiccated systems. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10449. [PMID: 37369754 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37485-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tardigrades are a group of microscopic animals renowned for their ability to survive near complete desiccation. A family of proteins, unique to tardigrades, called Cytoplasmic Abundant Heat Soluble (CAHS) proteins are necessary to mediate robust desiccation tolerance in these animals. However, the mechanism(s) by which CAHS proteins help to protect tardigrades during water-loss have not been fully elucidated. Here we use thermogravimetric analysis to empirically test the proposed hypothesis that tardigrade CAHS proteins, due to their propensity to form hydrogels, help to retain water during desiccation. We find that regardless of its gelled state, both in vitro and in vivo, a model CAHS protein (CAHS D) retains no more water than common proteins and control cells in the dry state. However, we find that while CAHS D proteins do not increase the total amount of water retained in a dry system, they interact with the small amount of water that does remain. Our study indicates that desiccation tolerance mediated by CAHS D cannot be simply ascribed to water retention and instead implicates its ability to interact more tightly with residual water as a possible mechanism underlying its protective capacity. These results advance our fundamental understanding of tardigrade desiccation tolerance which could provide potential avenues for new technologies to aid in the storage of dry shelf-stable pharmaceuticals and the generation of stress tolerant crops to ensure food security in the face of global climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John F Ramirez
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82071, USA
| | - Emma K Meese
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82071, USA
| | - Charles A Childs
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82071, USA
| | - Thomas C Boothby
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82071, USA.
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18
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Eicher J, Hutcheson BO, Pielak GJ. Properties of a tardigrade desiccation-tolerance protein aerogel. Biophys J 2023; 122:2500-2505. [PMID: 37149732 PMCID: PMC10323019 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyophilization is promising for tackling degradation during the drying and storage of protein-based drugs. Tardigrade cytosolically abundant heat soluble (CAHS) proteins are necessary and sufficient for desiccation-tolerance in vivo and protein protection in vitro. Hydrated CAHS proteins form coiled-coil-based fine-stranded, cold-setting hydrogels, but the dried protein remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we show that dried CAHS D gels (i.e., aerogels) retain the structural units of their hydrogels, but the details depend on prelyophilization CAHS concentrations. Low concentration samples (<10 g/L) form thin (<0.2 μm) tangled fibrils lacking regular structure on the micron scale. Upon increasing the concentration, the fibers thicken and form slabs comprising the walls of the aerogel pores. These changes in morphology are associated with a loss in disorder and an increase in large β sheets and a decrease in α helices and random coils. This disorder-to-order transition is also seen in hydrated gels as a function of concentration. These results suggest a mechanism for pore formation and indicate that using CAHS proteins as excipients will require attention to initial conditions because the starting concentration impacts the lyophilized product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Eicher
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Brent O Hutcheson
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Gary J Pielak
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
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19
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Packebush MH, Sanchez-Martinez S, Biswas S, Kc S, Nguyen KH, Ramirez JF, Nicholson V, Boothby TC. Natural and engineered mediators of desiccation tolerance stabilize Human Blood Clotting Factor VIII in a dry state. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4542. [PMID: 36941331 PMCID: PMC10027729 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31586-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Biologics, pharmaceuticals containing or derived from living organisms, such as vaccines, antibodies, stem cells, blood, and blood products are a cornerstone of modern medicine. However, nearly all biologics have a major deficiency: they are inherently unstable, requiring storage under constant cold conditions. The so-called 'cold-chain', while effective, represents a serious economic and logistical hurdle for deploying biologics in remote, underdeveloped, or austere settings where access to cold-chain infrastructure ranging from refrigerators and freezers to stable electricity is limited. To address this issue, we explore the possibility of using anhydrobiosis, the ability of organisms such as tardigrades to enter a reversible state of suspended animation brought on by extreme drying, as a jumping off point in the development of dry storage technology that would allow biologics to be kept in a desiccated state under not only ambient but elevated temperatures. Here we examine the ability of different protein and sugar-based mediators of anhydrobiosis derived from tardigrades and other anhydrobiotic organisms to stabilize Human Blood Clotting Factor VIII under repeated dehydration/rehydration cycles, thermal stress, and long-term dry storage conditions. We find that while both protein and sugar-based protectants can stabilize the biologic pharmaceutical Human Blood Clotting Factor VIII under all these conditions, protein-based mediators offer more accessible avenues for engineering and thus tuning of protective function. Using classic protein engineering approaches, we fine tune the biophysical properties of a protein-based mediator of anhydrobiosis derived from a tardigrade, CAHS D. Modulating the ability of CAHS D to form hydrogels make the protein better or worse at providing protection to Human Blood Clotting Factor VIII under different conditions. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of tardigrade CAHS proteins and other mediators of desiccation tolerance at preserving the function of a biologic without the need for the cold-chain. In addition, our study demonstrates that engineering approaches can tune natural products to serve specific protective functions, such as coping with desiccation cycling versus thermal stress. Ultimately, these findings provide a proof of principle that our reliance on the cold-chain to stabilize life-saving pharmaceuticals can be broken using natural and engineered mediators of desiccation tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sourav Biswas
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Shraddha Kc
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Kenny H Nguyen
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - John F Ramirez
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Vincent Nicholson
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Thomas C Boothby
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA.
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20
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Thole JF, Waudby CA, Pielak GJ. Disordered proteins mitigate the temperature dependence of site-specific binding free energies. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:102984. [PMID: 36739945 PMCID: PMC10027511 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.102984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Biophysical characterization of protein-protein interactions involving disordered proteins is challenging. A common simplification is to measure the thermodynamics and kinetics of disordered site binding using peptides containing only the minimum residues necessary. We should not assume, however, that these few residues tell the whole story. Son of sevenless, a multidomain signaling protein from Drosophila melanogaster, is critical to the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, passing an external signal to Ras, which leads to cellular responses. The disordered 55 kDa C-terminal domain of Son of sevenless is an autoinhibitor that blocks guanidine exchange factor activity. Activation requires another protein, Downstream of receptor kinase (Drk), which contains two Src homology 3 domains. Here, we utilized NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry to quantify the thermodynamics and kinetics of the N-terminal Src homology 3 domain binding to the strongest sites incorporated into the flanking disordered sequences. Comparing these results to those for isolated peptides provides information about how the larger domain affects binding. The affinities of sites on the disordered domain are like those of the peptides at low temperatures but less sensitive to temperature. Our results, combined with observations showing that intrinsically disordered proteins become more compact with increasing temperature, suggest a mechanism for this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph F Thole
- Department of Chemistry, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Molecular and Cellular Biophysics Program, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Gary J Pielak
- Department of Chemistry, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Molecular and Cellular Biophysics Program, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Lineberger Cancer Center, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, UNC - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
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21
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Kasianchuk N, Rzymski P, Kaczmarek Ł. The biomedical potential of tardigrade proteins: A review. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 158:114063. [PMID: 36495665 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tardigrades are ubiquitous microinvertebrates exhibiting extreme tolerance to various environmental stressors like low and high temperatures, lack of water, or high radiation. Although exact pathways behind the tardigrade extremotolerance are yet to be elucidated, some molecules involved have been identified. Their evidenced properties may lead to novel opportunities in biomedical and pharmacological development. This review aims to present the general characteristics of tardigrade intrinsically disordered proteins (TDPs: Dsup, CAHS, SAHS, MAHS) and late embryogenesis-abundant proteins (LEA) and provide an updated overview of their features and relevance for potential use in biomedicine and pharmacology. The Dsup reveals a promising action in attenuating oxidative stress, DNA damage, and pyrimidine dimerization, as well as increasing radiotolerance in transfected human cells. Whether Dsup can perform these functions when delivered externally is yet to be understood by in vivo preclinical testing. In turn, CAHS and SAHS demonstrate properties that could benefit the preservation of pharmaceuticals (e.g., vaccines) and biomaterials (e.g., cells). Selected CAHS proteins can also serve as inspiration for designing novel anti-apoptotic agents. The LEA proteins also reveal promising properties to preserve desiccated biomaterials and can act as anti-osmotic agents. In summary, tardigrade molecules reveal several potential biomedical applications advocating further research and development. The challenge of extracting larger amounts of these molecules can be solved with genetic engineering and synthetic biology tools. With new species identified each year and ongoing studies on their extremotolerance, progress in the medical use of tardigrade proteins is expected shortly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadiia Kasianchuk
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland; Faculty of Pharmacy, Bogomolets Nationals Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - Piotr Rzymski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland; Integrated Science Association (ISA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Poznań, Poland
| | - Łukasz Kaczmarek
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
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22
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Hibshman JD, Carra S, Goldstein B. Tardigrade small heat shock proteins can limit desiccation-induced protein aggregation. Commun Biol 2023; 6:121. [PMID: 36717706 PMCID: PMC9887055 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04512-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are chaperones with well-characterized roles in heat stress, but potential roles for sHSPs in desiccation tolerance have not been as thoroughly explored. We identified nine sHSPs from the tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris, each containing a conserved alpha-crystallin domain flanked by disordered regions. Many of these sHSPs are highly expressed. Multiple tardigrade and human sHSPs could improve desiccation tolerance of E. coli, suggesting that the capacity to contribute to desicco-protection is a conserved property of some sHSPs. Purification and subsequent analysis of two tardigrade sHSPs, HSP21 and HSP24.6, revealed that these proteins can oligomerize in vitro. These proteins limited heat-induced aggregation of the model enzyme citrate synthase. Heterologous expression of HSP24.6 improved bacterial heat shock survival, and the protein significantly reduced heat-induced aggregation of soluble bacterial protein. Thus, HSP24.6 likely chaperones against protein aggregation to promote heat tolerance. Furthermore, HSP21 and HSP24.6 limited desiccation-induced aggregation and loss of function of citrate synthase. This suggests a mechanism by which tardigrade sHSPs promote desiccation tolerance, by limiting desiccation-induced protein aggregation, thereby maintaining proteostasis and supporting survival. These results suggest that sHSPs provide a mechanism of general stress resistance that can also be deployed to support survival during anhydrobiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Hibshman
- Biology Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Serena Carra
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Bob Goldstein
- Biology Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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23
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Eicher JE, Brom JA, Wang S, Sheiko SS, Atkin JM, Pielak GJ. Secondary structure and stability of a gel-forming tardigrade desiccation-tolerance protein. Protein Sci 2022; 31:e4495. [PMID: 36335581 PMCID: PMC9679978 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Protein-based pharmaceuticals are increasingly important, but their inherent instability necessitates a "cold chain" requiring costly refrigeration during production, shipment, and storage. Drying can overcome this problem, but most proteins need the addition of stabilizers, and some cannot be successfully formulated. Thus, there is a need for new, more effective protective molecules. Cytosolically, abundant heat-soluble proteins from tardigrades are both fundamentally interesting and a promising source of inspiration; these disordered, monodisperse polymers form hydrogels whose structure may protect client proteins during drying. We used attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and small-amplitude oscillatory shear rheometry to characterize gelation. A 5% (wt/vol) gel has a strength comparable with human skin, and melts cooperatively and reversibly near body temperature with an enthalpy comparable with globular proteins. We suggest that the dilute protein forms α-helical coiled coils and increasing their concentration drives gelation via intermolecular β-sheet formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan E. Eicher
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Julia A. Brom
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Shikun Wang
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Sergei S. Sheiko
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Joanna M. Atkin
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Gary J. Pielak
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
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24
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Nguyen K, Kc S, Gonzalez T, Tapia H, Boothby TC. Trehalose and tardigrade CAHS proteins work synergistically to promote desiccation tolerance. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1046. [PMID: 36182981 PMCID: PMC9526748 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04015-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Tardigrades are microscopic animals renowned for their ability to survive extreme desiccation. Unlike many desiccation-tolerant organisms that accumulate high levels of the disaccharide trehalose to protect themselves during drying, tardigrades accumulate little or undetectable levels. Using comparative metabolomics, we find that despite being enriched at low levels, trehalose is a key biomarker distinguishing hydration states of tardigrades. In vitro, naturally occurring stoichiometries of trehalose and CAHS proteins, intrinsically disordered proteins with known protective capabilities, were found to produce synergistic protective effects during desiccation. In vivo, this synergistic interaction is required for robust CAHS-mediated protection. This demonstrates that trehalose acts not only as a protectant, but also as a synergistic cosolute. Beyond desiccation tolerance, our study provides insights into how the solution environment tunes intrinsically disordered proteins’ functions, many of which are vital in biological contexts such as development and disease that are concomitant with large changes in intracellular chemistry. The disaccharide trehalose is a synergistic cosolute and key biomarker of desiccation tolerance in tardigrades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenny Nguyen
- University of Wyoming, Department of Molecular Biology, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Shraddha Kc
- University of Wyoming, Department of Molecular Biology, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Tyler Gonzalez
- University of Wyoming, Department of Molecular Biology, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Hugo Tapia
- California State University-Channel Islands, Biology Program, Camarillo, CA, USA
| | - Thomas C Boothby
- University of Wyoming, Department of Molecular Biology, Laramie, WY, USA.
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25
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Macdougall LJ, Hoffman TE, Kirkpatrick BE, Fairbanks BD, Bowman CN, Spencer SL, Anseth KS. Intracellular Crowding by Bio-Orthogonal Hydrogel Formation Induces Reversible Molecular Stasis. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2202882. [PMID: 35671709 PMCID: PMC9377388 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202202882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
To survive extreme conditions, certain animals enter a reversible protective stasis through vitrification of the cytosol by polymeric molecules such as proteins and polysaccharides. In this work, synthetic gelation of the cytosol in living cells is used to induce reversible molecular stasis. Through the sequential lipofectamine-mediated transfection of complementary poly(ethylene glycol) macromers into mammalian cells, intracellular crosslinking occurs through bio-orthogonal strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition click reactions. This achieves efficient polymer uptake with minimal cell death (99% viable). Intracellular crosslinking decreases DNA replication and protein synthesis, and increases the quiescent population by 2.5-fold. Real-time tracking of single cells containing intracellular crosslinked polymers identifies increases in intermitotic time (15 h vs 19 h) and decreases in motility (30 µm h-1 vs 15 µm h-1 ). The cytosol viscosity increases threefold after intracellular crosslinking and results in disordered cytoskeletal structure in addition to the disruption of cellular coordination in a scratch assay. By incorporating photodegradable nitrobenzyl moieties into the polymer backbone, the effects of intracellular crosslinking are reversed upon exposure to light, thereby restoring proliferation (80% phospho-Rb+ cells), protein translation, and migration. Reversible intracellular crosslinking provides a novel method for dynamic manipulation of intracellular mechanics, altering essential processes that determine cellular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Macdougall
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- The BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Timothy E Hoffman
- The BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Bruce E Kirkpatrick
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- The BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Benjamin D Fairbanks
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Material Science and Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Christopher N Bowman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- The BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Material Science and Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Sabrina L Spencer
- The BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Kristi S Anseth
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- The BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Material Science and Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
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26
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Raga-Carbajal E, Espin G, Ayala M, Rodríguez-Salazar J, Pardo-López L. Evaluation of a bacterial group 1 LEA protein as an enzyme protectant from stress-induced inactivation. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:5551-5562. [PMID: 35906439 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12080-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are hydrophilic proteins that lack a well-ordered tertiary structure and accumulate to high levels in response to water deficit, in organisms such as plants, fungi, and bacteria. The mechanisms proposed to protect cellular structures and enzymes are water replacement, ion sequestering, and membrane stabilization. The activity of some proteins has a limited shelf-life due to instability that can be caused by their structure or the presence of a stress condition that limits their activity; several LEA proteins have been shown to behave as cryoprotectants in vitro. Here, we report a group1 LEA from Azotobacter vinelandii AvLEA1, capable of conferring protection to lactate dehydrogenase, catechol dioxygenase, and Baylase peroxidase against freeze-thaw treatments, desiccation, and oxidative damage, making AvLEA a promising biological stabilizer reagent. This is the first evidence of protection provided by this LEA on enzymes with biotechnological potential, such as dioxygenase and peroxidase under in vitro stress conditions. Our results suggest that AvLEA could act as a molecular chaperone, or a "molecular shield," preventing either dissociation or antiaggregation, or as a radical scavenger, thus preventing damage to these target enzymes during induced stress. KEY POINTS: • This work expands the basic knowledge of the less-known bacterial LEA proteins and their in vitro protection potential. • AvLEA is a bacterial protein that confers in vitro protection to three enzymes with different characteristics and oligomeric arrangement. • The use of AvLEA as a stabilizer agent could be further explored using dioxygenase and peroxidase in bioremediation treatments. AvLEA1 protects against freeze-thaw treatments, desiccation, and oxidative damage on three different enzymes with biotechnological potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Raga-Carbajal
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, UNAM, Av. Universidad #2001, Col. Chamilpa, 62210, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Espin
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, UNAM, Av. Universidad #2001, Col. Chamilpa, 62210, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Marcela Ayala
- Departamento de Ingeniería Celular Y Biocatálisis, Instituto de Biotecnología, UNAM, Av. Universidad #2001, Col. Chamilpa, 62210, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Julieta Rodríguez-Salazar
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, UNAM, Av. Universidad #2001, Col. Chamilpa, 62210, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Liliana Pardo-López
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, UNAM, Av. Universidad #2001, Col. Chamilpa, 62210, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
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27
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Brom JA, Pielak GJ. Desiccation-tolerance and globular proteins adsorb similar amounts of water. Protein Sci 2022; 31:e4288. [PMID: 35481639 PMCID: PMC8994485 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4288] [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: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
When exposed to desiccation stress, extremotolerant organisms from all domains of life produce protective disordered proteins with the potential to inform the design of excipients for formulating biologics and industrial enzymes. However, the mechanism(s) of desiccation protection remain largely unknown. To investigate the role of water sorption in desiccation protection, we use thermogravimetric analysis to study water adsorption by two desiccation-tolerance proteins, cytosolic abundant heat soluble protein D from tardigrades and late embryogenesis abundant protein 4 from the anhydrobiotic midge Polypedilum vanderplanki, and, as a control, the globular B1 domain of staphylococcal protein G. All samples adsorb similar amounts of water, suggesting that modulated water retention is not responsible for dehydration protection by desiccation-tolerance proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia A Brom
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gary J Pielak
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Lineberger Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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28
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Abstract
Experimentally tractable organisms like C. elegans, Drosophila, zebrafish, and mouse are popular models for addressing diverse questions in biology. In 1997, two of the most valuable invertebrate model organisms to date-C. elegans and Drosophila-were found to be much more closely related to each other than expected. C. elegans and Drosophila belong to the nematodes and arthropods, respectively, and these two phyla and six other phyla make up a clade of molting animals referred to as the Ecdysozoa. The other ecdysozoan phyla could be valuable models for comparative biology, taking advantage of the rich and continual sources of research findings as well as tools from both C. elegans and Drosophila. But when the Ecdysozoa was first recognized, few tools were available for laboratory studies in any of these six other ecdysozoan phyla. In 1999 I began an effort to develop tools for studying one such phylum, the tardigrades. Here, I describe how the tardigrade species Hypsibius exemplaris and tardigrades more generally have emerged over the past two decades as valuable new models for answering diverse questions. To date, these questions have included how animal body plans evolve and how biological materials can survive some remarkably extreme conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bob Goldstein
- Department of Biology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States.
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29
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Abstract
Tardigrades are ubiquitous meiofauna that are especially renowned for their exceptional extremotolerance to various adverse environments, including pressure, temperature, and even ionizing radiation. This is achieved through a reversible halt of metabolism triggered by desiccation, a phenomenon called anhydrobiosis. Recent establishment of genome resources for two tardigrades, Hypsibius exemplaris and Ramazzottius varieornatus, accelerated research to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind anhydrobiosis, leading to the discovery of many tardigrade-unique proteins. This review focuses on the history, methods, discoveries, and current state and challenges regarding tardigrade genomics, with an emphasis on molecular anhydrobiology. Remaining questions and future perspectives regarding prospective approaches to fully elucidate the molecular machinery of this complex phenomenon are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuharu Arakawa
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Daishouji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata, Japan; .,Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan.,Graduate School of Media and Governance, Systems Biology Program, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan.,Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institute of Natural Sciences, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
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30
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Crilly CJ, Brom JA, Warmuth O, Esterly HJ, Pielak GJ. Protection by desiccation-tolerance proteins probed at the residue level. Protein Sci 2022; 31:396-406. [PMID: 34766407 PMCID: PMC8819849 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Extremotolerant organisms from all domains of life produce protective intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) in response to desiccation stress. In vitro, many of these IDPs protect enzymes from dehydration stress better than U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved excipients. However, as with most excipients, their protective mechanism is poorly understood. Here, we apply thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and liquid-observed vapor exchange (LOVE) NMR to study the protection of two model globular proteins (the B1 domain of staphylococcal protein G [GB1] and chymotrypsin inhibitor 2 [CI2]) by two desiccation-tolerance proteins (CAHS D from tardigrades and PvLEA4 from an anhydrobiotic midge), as well as by disordered and globular protein controls. We find that all protein samples retain similar amounts of water and possess similar glass transition temperatures, suggesting that neither enhanced water retention nor vitrification is responsible for protection. LOVE NMR reveals that IDPs protect against dehydration-induced unfolding better than the globular protein control, generally protect the same regions of GB1 and CI2, and protect GB1 better than CI2. These observations suggest that electrostatic interactions, charge patterning, and expanded conformations are key to protection. Further application of LOVE NMR to additional client proteins and protectants will deepen our understanding of dehydration protection, enabling the streamlined production of dehydrated proteins for expanded use in the medical, biotechnology, and chemical industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice J. Crilly
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC‐CH)Chapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Julia A. Brom
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC‐CH)Chapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Owen Warmuth
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC‐CH)Chapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Harrison J. Esterly
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC‐CH)Chapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Gary J. Pielak
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC‐CH)Chapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA,Department of Biochemistry & BiophysicsUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC‐CH)Chapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA,Lineberger Cancer CenterUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC‐CH)Chapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA,Integrative Program for Biological and Genome SciencesUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC‐CH)Chapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
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31
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Malki A, Teulon J, Camacho‐Zarco AR, Chen SW, Adamski W, Maurin D, Salvi N, Pellequer J, Blackledge M. Intrinsically Disordered Tardigrade Proteins Self‐Assemble into Fibrous Gels in Response to Environmental Stress. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202109961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anas Malki
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes CNRS, CEA Institut de Biologie Structurale Grenoble France
| | - Jean‐Marie Teulon
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes CNRS, CEA Institut de Biologie Structurale Grenoble France
| | | | - Shu‐wen W. Chen
- niChe Lab for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Department of Biochemical Science and Technology National (Taiwan) University Taipei 10617 Taiwan
| | - Wiktor Adamski
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes CNRS, CEA Institut de Biologie Structurale Grenoble France
| | - Damien Maurin
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes CNRS, CEA Institut de Biologie Structurale Grenoble France
| | - Nicola Salvi
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes CNRS, CEA Institut de Biologie Structurale Grenoble France
| | - Jean‐Luc Pellequer
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes CNRS, CEA Institut de Biologie Structurale Grenoble France
| | - Martin Blackledge
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes CNRS, CEA Institut de Biologie Structurale Grenoble France
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32
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Malki A, Teulon J, Camacho‐Zarco AR, Chen SW, Adamski W, Maurin D, Salvi N, Pellequer J, Blackledge M. Intrinsically Disordered Tardigrade Proteins Self-Assemble into Fibrous Gels in Response to Environmental Stress. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202109961. [PMID: 34750927 PMCID: PMC9299615 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202109961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Tardigrades are remarkable for their ability to survive harsh stress conditions as diverse as extreme temperature and desiccation. The molecular mechanisms that confer this unusual resistance to physical stress remain unknown. Recently, tardigrade-unique intrinsically disordered proteins have been shown to play an essential role in tardigrade anhydrobiosis. Here, we characterize the conformational and physical behaviour of CAHS-8 from Hypsibius exemplaris. NMR spectroscopy reveals that the protein comprises an extended central helical domain flanked by disordered termini. Upon concentration, the protein is shown to successively form oligomers, long fibres, and finally gels constituted of fibres in a strongly temperature-dependent manner. The helical domain forms the core of the fibrillar structure, with the disordered termini remaining highly dynamic within the gel. Soluble proteins can be encapsulated within cavities in the gel, maintaining their functional form. The ability to reversibly form fibrous gels may be associated with the enhanced protective properties of these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anas Malki
- Univ. Grenoble AlpesCNRS, CEAInstitut de Biologie StructuraleGrenobleFrance
| | - Jean‐Marie Teulon
- Univ. Grenoble AlpesCNRS, CEAInstitut de Biologie StructuraleGrenobleFrance
| | | | - Shu‐wen W. Chen
- niChe Lab for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineDepartment of Biochemical Science and TechnologyNational (Taiwan) UniversityTaipei10617Taiwan
| | - Wiktor Adamski
- Univ. Grenoble AlpesCNRS, CEAInstitut de Biologie StructuraleGrenobleFrance
| | - Damien Maurin
- Univ. Grenoble AlpesCNRS, CEAInstitut de Biologie StructuraleGrenobleFrance
| | - Nicola Salvi
- Univ. Grenoble AlpesCNRS, CEAInstitut de Biologie StructuraleGrenobleFrance
| | - Jean‐Luc Pellequer
- Univ. Grenoble AlpesCNRS, CEAInstitut de Biologie StructuraleGrenobleFrance
| | - Martin Blackledge
- Univ. Grenoble AlpesCNRS, CEAInstitut de Biologie StructuraleGrenobleFrance
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33
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Murai Y, Yagi-Utsumi M, Fujiwara M, Tanaka S, Tomita M, Kato K, Arakawa K. Multiomics study of a heterotardigrade, Echinisicus testudo, suggests the possibility of convergent evolution of abundant heat-soluble proteins in Tardigrada. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:813. [PMID: 34763673 PMCID: PMC8582207 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08131-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many limno-terrestrial tardigrades can enter an ametabolic state, known as anhydrobiosis, upon desiccation, in which the animals can withstand extreme environments. Through genomics studies, molecular components of anhydrobiosis are beginning to be elucidated, such as the expansion of oxidative stress response genes, loss of stress signaling pathways, and gain of tardigrade-specific heat-soluble protein families designated CAHS and SAHS. However, to date, studies have predominantly investigated the class Eutardigrada, and molecular mechanisms in the remaining class, Heterotardigrada, still remains elusive. To address this gap in the research, we report a multiomics study of the heterotardigrade Echiniscus testudo, one of the most desiccation-tolerant species which is not yet culturable in laboratory conditions. Results In order to elucidate the molecular basis of anhydrobiosis in E. testudo, we employed a multi-omics strategy encompassing genome sequencing, differential transcriptomics, and proteomics. Using ultra-low input library sequencing protocol from a single specimen, we sequenced and assembled the 153.7 Mbp genome annotated using RNA-Seq data. None of the previously identified tardigrade-specific abundant heat-soluble genes was conserved, while the loss and expansion of existing pathways were partly shared. Furthermore, we identified two families novel abundant heat-soluble proteins, which we named E. testudo Abundant Heat Soluble (EtAHS), that are predicted to contain large stretches of disordered regions. Likewise the AHS families in eutardigrada, EtAHS shows structural changes from random coil to alphahelix as the water content was decreased in vitro. These characteristics of EtAHS proteins are analogous to those of CAHS in eutardigrades, while there is no conservation at the sequence level. Conclusions Our results suggest that Heterotardigrada have partly shared but distinct anhydrobiosis machinery compared with Eutardigrada, possibly due to convergent evolution within Tardigrada. (276/350). Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-08131-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumi Murai
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata, Japan.,Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Maho Yagi-Utsumi
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan.,Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Masayuki Fujiwara
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata, Japan.,Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Sae Tanaka
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Masaru Tomita
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata, Japan.,Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan.,Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Koichi Kato
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan.,Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kazuharu Arakawa
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata, Japan. .,Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan. .,Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan. .,Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan.
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34
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Macdougall LJ, Wechsler ME, Culver HR, Benke EH, Broerman A, Bowman CN, Anseth KS. Charged Poly( N-isopropylacrylamide) Nanogels for the Stabilization of High Isoelectric Point Proteins. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:4282-4292. [PMID: 33560107 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Storage and transportation of protein therapeutics using refrigeration is a costly process; a reliable electrical supply is vital, expensive equipment is needed, and unique transportation is required. Reducing the reliance on the cold chain would enable low-cost transportation and storage of biologics, ultimately improving accessibility of this class of therapeutics to patients in remote locations. Herein, we report on the synthesis of charged poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) nanogels that efficiently adsorb a range of different proteins of varying isoelectric points and molecular weights (e.g., adsorption capacity (Q) = 4.7 ± 0.2 mg/mg at 6 mg/mL initial IgG concentration), provide protection from external environmental factors (i.e., temperature), and subsequently release the proteins in an efficient manner (e.g., 100 ± 1% at 2 mg/mL initial IgG concentration). Both cationic and anionic nanogels were synthesized and selectively chosen based on the ability to form electrostatic interactions with adsorbed proteins (e.g., cationic nanogels adsorb low isoelectric point proteins whereas anionic nanogels adsorb high isoelectric point proteins). The nanogel-protein complex formed upon adsorption increases the stabilization of the protein's tertiary structure, providing protection against denaturation at elevated temperatures (e.g., 84 ± 4% of the protected IgG was stabilized when exposed to 65 °C). The addition of a high molar salt solution (e.g., 40 mM CaCl2 solution) to protein-laden nanogels disrupts the electrostatic interactions and collapses the nanogel, ultimately releasing the protein. The versatile materials utilized, in addition to the protein loading and release mechanisms described, provide a simple and efficient strategy to protect fragile biologics for their transport to remote areas without necessitating costly storage equipment.
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35
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Water content influences the vitrified properties of CAHS proteins. Mol Cell 2021; 81:411-413. [PMID: 33545054 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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36
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Thole JF, Fadero TC, Bonin JP, Stadmiller SS, Giudice JA, Pielak GJ. Danio rerio Oocytes for Eukaryotic In-Cell NMR. Biochemistry 2021; 60:451-459. [PMID: 33534998 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how the crowded and complex cellular milieu affects protein stability and dynamics has only recently become possible by using techniques such as in-cell nuclear magnetic resonance. However, the combination of stabilizing and destabilizing interactions makes simple predictions difficult. Here we show the potential of Danio rerio oocytes as an in-cell nuclear magnetic resonance model that can be widely used to measure protein stability and dynamics. We demonstrate that in eukaryotic oocytes, which are 3-6-fold less crowded than other cell types, attractive chemical interactions still dominate effects on protein stability and slow tumbling times, compared to the effects of dilute buffer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph F Thole
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Tanner C Fadero
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Jeffrey P Bonin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Samantha S Stadmiller
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Jonathan A Giudice
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Gary J Pielak
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.,Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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Hesgrove C, Boothby TC. The biology of tardigrade disordered proteins in extreme stress tolerance. Cell Commun Signal 2020; 18:178. [PMID: 33148259 PMCID: PMC7640644 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-020-00670-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract Disordered proteins have long been known to help mediate tolerance to different abiotic stresses including freezing, osmotic stress, high temperatures, and desiccation in a diverse set of organisms. Recently, three novel families of intrinsically disordered proteins were identified in tardigrades, microscopic animals capable of surviving a battery of environmental extremes. These three families include the Cytoplasmic-, Secreted-, and Mitochondrial- Abundant Heat Soluble (CAHS, SAHS, and MAHS) proteins, which are collectively termed Tardigrade Disordered Proteins (TDPs). At the level of sequence conservation TDPs are unique to tardigrades, and beyond their high degree of disorder the CAHS, SAHS, and MAHS families do not resemble one another. All three families are either highly expressed constitutively, or significantly enriched in response to desiccation. In vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro experiments indicate functional roles for members of each TDP family in mitigating cellular perturbations induced by various abiotic stresses. What is currently lacking is a comprehensive and holistic understanding of the fundamental mechanisms by which TDPs function, and the properties of TDPs that allow them to function via those mechanisms. A quantitative and systematic approach is needed to identify precisely what cellular damage TDPs work to prevent, what sequence features are important for these functions, and how those sequence features contribute to the underlying mechanisms of protection. Such an approach will inform us not only about these fascinating proteins, but will also provide insights into how the sequence of a disordered protein can dictate its functional, structural, and dynamic properties. Video Abstract
Graphical abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherie Hesgrove
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82071, USA
| | - Thomas C Boothby
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82071, USA.
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Esterly HJ, Crilly CJ, Piszkiewicz S, Shovlin DJ, Pielak GJ, Christian BE. Toxicity and Immunogenicity of a Tardigrade Cytosolic Abundant Heat Soluble Protein in Mice. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:565969. [PMID: 33117164 PMCID: PMC7577191 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.565969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Tardigrades are microscopic animals well-known for their stress tolerance, including the ability to survive desiccation. This survival requires cytosolic abundant heat soluble (CAHS) proteins. CAHS D protects enzymes from desiccation- and lyophilization-induced inactivation in vitro and has the potential to stabilize protein-based therapeutics, including vaccines. Here, we investigate whether purified recombinant CAHS D causes hemolysis or a toxic or immunogenic response following intraperitoneal injection in mice. CAHS D did not cause hemolysis, and all mice survived the 28-day monitoring period. The mice gained weight normally and developed anti-CAHS D antibodies but did not show upregulation of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. In summary, CAHS D is not toxic and does not promote an inflammatory immune response in mice under the conditions used here, suggesting the reasonability of further study for use as stabilizers of protein-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison J. Esterly
- Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Candice J. Crilly
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Samantha Piszkiewicz
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Dane J. Shovlin
- Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, United States
| | - Gary J. Pielak
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Brooke E. Christian
- Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, United States
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Stadmiller SS, Aguilar JS, Parnham S, Pielak GJ. Protein–Peptide Binding Energetics under Crowded Conditions. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:9297-9309. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c05578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha S. Stadmiller
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Jhoan S. Aguilar
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Stuart Parnham
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Gary J. Pielak
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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Manzanera M. Dealing with water stress and microbial preservation. Environ Microbiol 2020; 23:3351-3359. [PMID: 32452073 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The relevance of preserving microorganisms has been well accepted for several decades. Interest is now shifting towards investigating adequate preservation methods to improve microbial survival rates and to preserve new taxa of previously considered unculturable microorganisms. In addition, a growing interest in preserving fragile microbial consortia or communities with biotechnological interest motivates the improvement of preservation methods. In the present study, we reviewed the effect of water availability in microbial diversity shift. We describe the effect of drought on microorganisms at the molecular level and their molecular responses to this life-threatening challenge focusing on the production of xeroprotectants. We also review the interspecies interactions of those drought-tolerant microorganisms with other sensitive organisms including neighbouring prokaryotes and eukaryotes such as plants, and the potential role of these microorganisms at determining the ecological composition of stressed environments. We emphasize the importance of applying the knowledge derived from the molecular mechanisms used by desiccation-tolerant microorganisms for the improvement of the preservation techniques. An overview of the current and newer techniques for preserving microorganisms and microbial communities is provided. The biotechnological interest in preserving pure cultures, microbial consortia and communities is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximino Manzanera
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water Research, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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Stadmiller SS, Aguilar JS, Waudby CA, Pielak GJ. Rapid Quantification of Protein-Ligand Binding via 19F NMR Lineshape Analysis. Biophys J 2020; 118:2537-2548. [PMID: 32348722 PMCID: PMC7231920 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorine incorporation is ideally suited to many NMR techniques, and incorporation of fluorine into proteins and fragment libraries for drug discovery has become increasingly common. Here, we use one-dimensional 19F NMR lineshape analysis to quantify the kinetics and equilibrium thermodynamics for the binding of a fluorine-labeled Src homology 3 (SH3) protein domain to four proline-rich peptides. SH3 domains are one of the largest and most well-characterized families of protein recognition domains and have a multitude of functions in eukaryotic cell signaling. First, we showe that fluorine incorporation into SH3 causes only minor structural changes to both the free and bound states using amide proton temperature coefficients. We then compare the results from lineshape analysis of one-dimensional 19F spectra to those from two-dimensional 1H-15N heteronuclear single quantum coherence spectra. Their agreement demonstrates that one-dimensional 19F lineshape analysis is a robust, low-cost, and fast alternative to traditional heteronuclear single quantum coherence-based experiments. The data show that binding is diffusion limited and indicate that the transition state is highly similar to the free state. We also measured binding as a function of temperature. At equilibrium, binding is enthalpically driven and arises from a highly positive activation enthalpy for association with small entropic contributions. Our results agree with those from studies using different techniques, providing additional evidence for the utility of 19F NMR lineshape analysis, and we anticipate that this analysis will be an effective tool for rapidly characterizing the energetics of protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jhoan S Aguilar
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Christopher A Waudby
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gary J Pielak
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
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Holehouse AS, Sukenik S. Controlling Structural Bias in Intrinsically Disordered Proteins Using Solution Space Scanning. J Chem Theory Comput 2020; 16:1794-1805. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.9b00604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alex S. Holehouse
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
- Center for Science and Engineering of Living Systems, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Shahar Sukenik
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, UC Merced, Merced, California 95340, United States
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Abstract
The pharmaceutical and chemical industries depend on additives to protect enzymes and other proteins against stresses that accompany their manufacture, transport, and storage. Common stresses include vacuum-drying, freeze-thawing, and freeze-drying. The additives include sugars, compatible osmolytes, amino acids, synthetic polymers, and both globular and disordered proteins. Scores of studies have been published on protection, but the data have never been analyzed systematically. To spur efforts to understand the sources of protection and ultimately develop more effective formulations, we review ideas about the mechanisms of protection, survey the literature searching for patterns of protection, and then compare the ideas to the data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Piszkiewicz
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Gary J. Pielak
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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Jönsson KI. Radiation Tolerance in Tardigrades: Current Knowledge and Potential Applications in Medicine. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1333. [PMID: 31505739 PMCID: PMC6770827 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11091333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tardigrades represent a phylum of very small aquatic animals in which many species have evolved adaptations to survive under extreme environmental conditions, such as desiccation and freezing. Studies on several species have documented that tardigrades also belong to the most radiation-tolerant animals on Earth. This paper gives an overview of our current knowledge on radiation tolerance of tardigrades, with respect to dose-responses, developmental stages, and different radiation sources. The molecular mechanisms behind radiation tolerance in tardigrades are still largely unknown, but omics studies suggest that both mechanisms related to the avoidance of DNA damage and mechanisms of DNA repair are involved. The potential of tardigrades to provide knowledge of importance for medical sciences has long been recognized, but it is not until recently that more apparent evidence of such potential has appeared. Recent studies show that stress-related tardigrade genes may be transfected to human cells and provide increased tolerance to osmotic stress and ionizing radiation. With the recent sequencing of the tardigrade genome, more studies applying tardigrade omics to relevant aspects of human medicine are expected. In particular, the cancer research field has potential to learn from studies on tardigrades about molecular mechanisms evolved to maintain genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Ingemar Jönsson
- Department of Environmental Science and Bioscience, Kristianstad University, 291 88 Kristianstad, Sweden.
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