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Adams ZC, Olson EJ, Lopez-Silva TL, Lian Z, Kim AY, Holcomb M, Zimmermann J, Adhikary R, Dawson PE. Direct observation of peptide hydrogel self-assembly. Chem Sci 2022; 13:10020-10028. [PMID: 36128231 PMCID: PMC9430618 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc06562a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The characterization of self-assembling molecules presents significant experimental challenges, especially when associated with phase separation or precipitation. Transparent window infrared (IR) spectroscopy leverages site-specific probes that absorb in the “transparent window” region of the biomolecular IR spectrum. Carbon–deuterium (C–D) bonds are especially compelling transparent window probes since they are non-perturbative, can be readily introduced site selectively into peptides and proteins, and their stretch frequencies are sensitive to changes in the local molecular environment. Importantly, IR spectroscopy can be applied to a wide range of molecular samples regardless of solubility or physical state, making it an ideal technique for addressing the solubility challenges presented by self-assembling molecules. Here, we present the first continuous observation of transparent window probes following stopped-flow initiation. To demonstrate utility in a self-assembling system, we selected the MAX1 peptide hydrogel, a biocompatible material that has significant promise for use in drug delivery and medical applications. C–D labeled valine was synthetically introduced into five distinct positions of the twenty-residue MAX1 β-hairpin peptide. Consistent with current structural models, steady-state IR absorption frequencies and linewidths of C–D bonds at all labeled positions indicate that these side chains occupy a hydrophobic region of the hydrogel and that the motion of side chains located in the middle of the hairpin is more restricted than those located on the hairpin ends. Following a rapid change in ionic strength to initiate self-assembly, the peptide absorption spectra were monitored as function of time, allowing determination of site-specific time constants. We find that within the experimental resolution, MAX1 self-assembly occurs as a cooperative process. These studies suggest that stopped-flow transparent window FTIR can be extended to other time-resolved applications, such as protein folding and enzyme kinetics. To facilitate the characterization of phase-transitioning molecules, site-specific non-perturbative infrared probes are leveraged for continuous observation of the self-assembly of fibrils in a peptide hydrogel following stopped-flow initiation.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoë C. Adams
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California, 92037, USA
| | - Erika J. Olson
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California, 92037, USA
| | - Tania L. Lopez-Silva
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Zhengwen Lian
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California, 92037, USA
| | - Audrey Y. Kim
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California, 92037, USA
| | - Matthew Holcomb
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California, 92037, USA
| | - Jörg Zimmermann
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California, 92037, USA
| | - Ramkrishna Adhikary
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California, 92037, USA
| | - Philip E. Dawson
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California, 92037, USA
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Schramm A, Bignon C, Brocca S, Grandori R, Santambrogio C, Longhi S. An arsenal of methods for the experimental characterization of intrinsically disordered proteins - How to choose and combine them? Arch Biochem Biophys 2019; 676:108055. [PMID: 31356778 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2019.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we detail the most common experimental approaches to assess and characterize protein intrinsic structural disorder, with the notable exception of NMR and EPR spectroscopy, two ideally suited approaches that will be described in depth in two other reviews within this special issue. We discuss the advantages, the limitations, as well as the caveats of the various methods. We also describe less common and more demanding approaches that enable achieving further insights into the conformational properties of IDPs. Finally, we present recent developments that have enabled assessment of structural disorder in living cells, and discuss the currently available methods to model IDPs as conformational ensembles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Schramm
- CNRS and Aix-Marseille Univ, Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolecules Biologiques (AFMB), UMR 7257, Marseille, France
| | - Christophe Bignon
- CNRS and Aix-Marseille Univ, Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolecules Biologiques (AFMB), UMR 7257, Marseille, France
| | - Stefania Brocca
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Rita Grandori
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Santambrogio
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Sonia Longhi
- CNRS and Aix-Marseille Univ, Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolecules Biologiques (AFMB), UMR 7257, Marseille, France.
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