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Gentile R, Modric M, Thiele B, Jaeger KE, Kovacic F, Schott-Verdugo S, Gohlke H. Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Medium-Chain Free Fatty Acid-Regulated Activity of the Phospholipase PlaF from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. JACS AU 2024; 4:958-973. [PMID: 38559719 PMCID: PMC10976570 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
PlaF is a membrane-bound phospholipase A1 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa that is involved in remodeling membrane glycerophospholipids (GPLs) and modulating virulence-associated signaling and metabolic pathways. Previously, we identified the role of medium-chain free fatty acids (FFAs) in inhibiting PlaF activity and promoting homodimerization, yet the underlying molecular mechanism remained elusive. Here, we used unbiased and biased molecular dynamics simulations and free energy computations to assess how PlaF interacts with FFAs localized in the water milieu surrounding the bilayer or within the bilayer and how these interactions regulate PlaF activity. Medium-chain FFAs localized in the upper bilayer leaflet can stabilize inactive dimeric PlaF, likely through interactions with charged surface residues, as has been experimentally validated. Potential of mean force (PMF) computations indicate that membrane-bound FFAs may facilitate the activation of monomeric PlaF by lowering the activation barrier for changing into a tilted, active configuration. We estimated that the coupled equilibria of PlaF monomerization-dimerization and tilting at the physiological concentration of PlaF lead to the majority of PlaF forming inactive dimers when in a cell membrane loaded with decanoic acid (C10). This is in agreement with a suggested in vivo product feedback loop and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry profiling results, indicating that PlaF catalyzes the release of C10 from P. aeruginosa membranes. Additionally, we found that C10 in the water milieu can access the catalytic site of active monomeric PlaF, contributing to the competitive component of C10-mediated PlaF inhibition. Our study provides mechanistic insights into how medium-chain FFAs may regulate the activity of PlaF, a potential bacterial drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Gentile
- Institute
for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Matea Modric
- Institute
of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich
Heine University Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich
GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Björn Thiele
- Institute
of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-2: Plant Sciences and IBG-3: Agrosphere), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Karl-Erich Jaeger
- Institute
of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich
Heine University Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich
GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Institute
of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-1: Biotechnology), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Filip Kovacic
- Institute
of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich
Heine University Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich
GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Stephan Schott-Verdugo
- Institute
of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-4: Bioinformatics), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Holger Gohlke
- Institute
for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute
of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-4: Bioinformatics), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
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Larsen A, John L, Sansom M, Corey R. Specific interactions of peripheral membrane proteins with lipids: what can molecular simulations show us? Biosci Rep 2022; 42:BSR20211406. [PMID: 35297484 PMCID: PMC9008707 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20211406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripheral membrane proteins (PMPs) can reversibly and specifically bind to biological membranes to carry out functions such as cell signalling, enzymatic activity, or membrane remodelling. Structures of these proteins and of their lipid-binding domains are typically solved in a soluble form, sometimes with a lipid or lipid headgroup at the binding site. To provide a detailed molecular view of PMP interactions with the membrane, computational methods such as molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can be applied. Here, we outline recent attempts to characterise these binding interactions, focusing on both intracellular proteins, such as phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP)-binding domains, and extracellular proteins such as glycolipid-binding bacterial exotoxins. We compare methods used to identify and analyse lipid-binding sites from simulation data and highlight recent work characterising the energetics of these interactions using free energy calculations. We describe how improvements in methodologies and computing power will help MD simulations to continue to contribute to this field in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura H. John
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, U.K
| | | | - Robin A. Corey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, U.K
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Gutiérrez-Chávez C, Benaud N, Ferrari BC. The ecological roles of microbial lipopeptides: Where are we going? Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:1400-1413. [PMID: 33777336 PMCID: PMC7960500 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipopeptides (LPs) are secondary metabolites produced by a diversity of bacteria and fungi. Their unique chemical structure comprises both a peptide and a lipid moiety. LPs are of major biotechnological interest owing to their emulsification, antitumor, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial activities. To date, these versatile compounds have been applied across multiple industries, from pharmaceuticals through to food processing, cosmetics, agriculture, heavy metal, and hydrocarbon bioremediation. The variety of LP structures and the diversity of the environments from which LP-producing microorganisms have been isolated suggest important functions in their natural environment. However, our understanding of the ecological role of LPs is limited. In this review, the mode of action and the role of LPs in motility, antimicrobial activity, heavy metals removal and biofilm formation are addressed. We include discussion on the need to characterise LPs from a diversity of microorganisms, with a focus on taxa inhabiting 'extreme' environments. We introduce the use of computational target fishing and molecular dynamics simulations as powerful tools to investigate the process of interaction between LPs and cell membranes. Together, these advances will provide new understanding of the mechanism of action of novel LPs, providing greater insights into the roles of LPs in the natural environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole Benaud
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Belinda C Ferrari
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney 2052, Australia
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Khan S, Fakhar Z, Ahmad A. Targeting ebola virus VP40 protein through novel inhibitors: exploring the structural and dynamic perspectives on molecular landscapes. J Mol Model 2021; 27:49. [PMID: 33495861 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-021-04682-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Ebola filovirus (EBOV) is one of the deadliest known infectious agents, and a cause of Western African epidemics from 2013 to 2016. The virus has infected nearly 3000 humans and almost 1900 have died. In the past few years, various small molecules have been discovered to display efficiency against EBOV and some of them have progressed towards clinical trials. Even though continuous attempts have been made to find antiEBOV therapeutics, no potential drugs are yet approved against this viral infection. The development of small antiviral inhibitors has gained tremendous attention in the attempt to overcome EVD. With this background, we seek to offer molecular insights into EBOV VP40 protein inhibition, using all atom molecular mechanics methodology and binding free energy calculations. We have selected five novel reported inhibitors against VP40 protein, namely Comp1, Comp2, Comp3, Comp4, and Comp5, and explored their binding against the same target. It was evident from the analysis that all the inhibitors displayed stability in complex with VP40 protein; however, Comp1 exhibited enhanced stability and compactness. Comp1 unveiled favorable binding, which accounted for positive correlation motions in the active site residues. Likewise, Comp1 revealed the most promising binding (ΔGbind - 40.3504 kcal/mol) as compared to the other four inhibitors, which disclosed relatively less favorable ΔGbind. The highest binding energy of Comp1 to VP40 protein can be primarily endorsed to the upsurge in van der Waals energy by ΔEvdW - 37.1609 kcal/mol and Coulomb energy by ΔEele - 52.7332 kcal/mol. Also, the hydrogen bond network is robust in Comp1-VP40 complex, with four hydrogen bonds, whilst it is less in other inhibitors. The outcomes from this report may assist in the advancement of novel VP40 inhibitors with high selectivity and potency for EVD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shama Khan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Zeynab Fakhar
- Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Aijaz Ahmad
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.
- Infection Control, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.
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Lee CH, Salio M, Napolitani G, Ogg G, Simmons A, Koohy H. Predicting Cross-Reactivity and Antigen Specificity of T Cell Receptors. Front Immunol 2020; 11:565096. [PMID: 33193332 PMCID: PMC7642207 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.565096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptive immune recognition is mediated by specific interactions between heterodimeric T cell receptors (TCRs) and their cognate peptide-MHC (pMHC) ligands, and the methods to accurately predict TCR:pMHC interaction would have profound clinical, therapeutic and pharmaceutical applications. Herein, we review recent developments in predicting cross-reactivity and antigen specificity of TCR recognition. We discuss current experimental and computational approaches to investigate cross-reactivity and antigen-specificity of TCRs and highlight how integrating kinetic, biophysical and structural features may offer valuable insights in modeling immunogenicity. We further underscore the close inter-relationship of these two interconnected notions and the need to investigate each in the light of the other for a better understanding of T cell responsiveness for the effective clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe H. Lee
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Medical Research Council (MRC) Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM), John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- MRC WIMM Centre for Computational Biology, Medical Research Council (MRC) Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mariolina Salio
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Medical Research Council (MRC) Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM), John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Giorgio Napolitani
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Medical Research Council (MRC) Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM), John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Graham Ogg
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Medical Research Council (MRC) Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM), John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alison Simmons
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Medical Research Council (MRC) Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM), John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hashem Koohy
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Medical Research Council (MRC) Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM), John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- MRC WIMM Centre for Computational Biology, Medical Research Council (MRC) Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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