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McKenna MC, Sonnewald U, Waageptersen HS, White HS. A tribute to Arne Schousboe's contributions to neurochemistry and his innovative and enduring research in GABA, glutamate, and brain energy metabolism. J Neurochem 2024. [PMID: 39183580 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16207] [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: 07/19/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
This is a tribute to Arne Schousboe, Professor Emeritus at the University of Copenhagen, an eminent neurochemist and neuroscientist who was a leader in the fields of GABA, glutamate, and brain energy metabolism. Arne was known for his keen intellect, his wide-ranging expertise in neurochemistry and neuropharmacology of GABA and glutamate and brain energy metabolism. Arne was also known for his strong leadership, his warm and engaging personality and his enjoyment of fine wine and great food shared with friends, family, and colleagues. Sadly, Arne passed away on February 27, 2024, after a short illness. He is survived by his wife Inger Schousboe, his two children, and three wonderful grandchildren. His death is a tremendous loss to the neuroscience community. He will be greatly missed by his friends, family, and colleagues. Some of the highlights of Arne's career are described in this tribute.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary C McKenna
- Department of Pediatrics and Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ursula Sonnewald
- Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - H Steve White
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Aleshina YA, Aleshin VA. Evolutionary Changes in Primate Glutamate Dehydrogenases 1 and 2 Influence the Protein Regulation by Ligands, Targeting and Posttranslational Modifications. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4341. [PMID: 38673928 PMCID: PMC11050691 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084341] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
There are two paralogs of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in humans encoded by the GLUD1 and GLUD2 genes as a result of a recent retroposition during the evolution of primates. The two human GDHs possess significantly different regulation by allosteric ligands, which is not fully characterized at the structural level. Recent advances in identification of the GDH ligand binding sites provide a deeper perspective on the significance of the accumulated substitutions within the two GDH paralogs. In this review, we describe the evolution of GLUD1 and GLUD2 after the duplication event in primates using the accumulated sequencing and structural data. A new gibbon GLUD2 sequence questions the indispensability of ancestral R496S and G509A mutations for GLUD2 irresponsiveness to GTP, providing an alternative with potentially similar regulatory features. The data of both GLUD1 and GLUD2 evolution not only confirm substitutions enhancing GLUD2 mitochondrial targeting, but also reveal a conserved mutation in ape GLUD1 mitochondrial targeting sequence that likely reduces its transport to mitochondria. Moreover, the information of GDH interactors, posttranslational modification and subcellular localization are provided for better understanding of the GDH mutations. Medically significant point mutations causing deregulation of GDH are considered from the structural and regulatory point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia A. Aleshina
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119435 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vasily A. Aleshin
- Belozersky Institute of Physicochemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Biochemistry, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119048 Moscow, Russia
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Krause T, Keshavarzi B, Heitkam S, Ansorge-Schumacher MB. Foam fractionation Tags (F-Tags) enabling surfactant-free, activity-preserving recovery of enzymes. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:140. [PMID: 38231394 PMCID: PMC10794386 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12837-1] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Enzymes have become important tools in many industries. However, the full exploitation of their potential is currently limited by a lack of efficient and cost-effective methods for enzyme purification from microbial production. One technology that could solve this problem is foam fractionation. In this study, we show that diverse natural foam-stabilizing proteins fused as F-Tags to β-lactamase, penicillin G acylase, and formate dehydrogenase, respectively, are able to mediate foaming and recovery of the enzymes by foam fractionation. The catalytic activity of all three candidates is largely preserved. Under appropriate fractionation conditions, especially when a wash buffer is used, some F-Tags also allow nearly complete separation of the target enzyme from a contaminating protein. We found that a larger distance between the F-Tag and the target enzyme has a positive effect on the maintenance of catalytic activity. However, we did not identify any particular sequence motifs or physical parameters that influenced performance as an F-tag. The best results were obtained with a short helical F-Tag, which was originally intended to serve only as a linker sequence. The findings of the study suggest that the development of molecular tags that enable the establishment of surfactant-free foam fractionation for enzyme workup is a promising method. KEY POINTS: • Foam-stabilizing proteins mediate activity-preserving foam fractionation of enzymes • Performance as an F-Tag is not restricted to particular structural motifs • Separation from untagged protein benefits from low foam stability and foam washings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Krause
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, TU Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Behnam Keshavarzi
- Institute of Process Engineering and Environmental Technology, TU Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sascha Heitkam
- Institute of Process Engineering and Environmental Technology, TU Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
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Expression of the Heterotrimeric GP2/GP3/GP4 Spike of an Arterivirus in Mammalian Cells. Viruses 2022; 14:v14040749. [PMID: 35458479 PMCID: PMC9030998 DOI: 10.3390/v14040749] [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: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Equine arteritis virus (EAV), an enveloped positive-strand RNA virus, is an important pathogen of horses and the prototype member of the Arteiviridae family. Unlike many other enveloped viruses, which possess homotrimeric spikes, the spike responsible for cellular tropism in Arteriviruses is a heterotrimer composed of 3 glycoproteins: GP2, GP3, and GP4. Together with the hydrophobic protein E they are the minor components of virus particles. We describe the expression of all 3 minor glycoproteins, each equipped with a different tag, from a multi-cassette system in mammalian BHK-21 cells. Coprecipitation studies suggest that a rather small faction of GP2, GP3, and GP4 form dimeric or trimeric complexes. GP2, GP3, and GP4 co-localize with each other and also, albeit weaker, with the E-protein. The co-localization of GP3-HA and GP2-myc was tested with markers for ER, ERGIC, and cis-Golgi. The co-localization of GP3-HA was the same regardless of whether it was expressed alone or as a complex, whereas the transport of GP2-myc to cis-Golgi was higher when this protein was expressed as a complex. The glycosylation pattern was also independent of whether the proteins were expressed alone or together. The recombinant spike might be a tool for basic research but might also be used as a subunit vaccine for horses.
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Bian Y, Hou W, Chen X, Fang J, Xu N, Ruan BH. Glutamate Dehydrogenase as a Promising Target for Hyperinsulinism Hyperammonemia Syndrome Therapy. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:2652-2672. [PMID: 34525914 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210825105342] [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: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Hyperinsulinism-hyperammonemia syndrome (HHS) is a rare disease characterized by recurrent hypoglycemia and persistent elevation of plasma ammonia, and it can lead to severe epilepsy and permanent brain damage. It has been demonstrated that functional mutations of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), an enzyme in the mitochondrial matrix, are responsible for the HHS. Thus, GDH has become a promising target for the small molecule therapeutic intervention of HHS. Several medicinal chemistry studies are currently aimed at GDH, however, to date, none of the compounds reported has been entered clinical trials. This perspective summarizes the progress in the discovery and development of GDH inhibitors, including the pathogenesis of HHS, potential binding sites, screening methods, and research models. Future therapeutic perspectives are offered to provide a reference for discovering potent GDH modulators and encourage additional research that will provide more comprehensive guidance for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfei Bian
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hantgzhou 310014. China
| | - Wei Hou
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hantgzhou 310014. China
| | - Xinrou Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hantgzhou 310014. China
| | - Jinzhang Fang
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hantgzhou 310014. China
| | - Ning Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hantgzhou 310014. China
| | - Benfang Helen Ruan
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hantgzhou 310014. China
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Rakow S, Pullamsetti SS, Bauer UM, Bouchard C. Assaying epigenome functions of PRMTs and their substrates. Methods 2019; 175:53-65. [PMID: 31542509 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the widespread and increasing number of identified post-translational modifications (PTMs), arginine methylation is catalyzed by the protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) and regulates fundamental processes in cells, such as gene regulation, RNA processing, translation, and signal transduction. As epigenetic regulators, PRMTs play key roles in pluripotency, differentiation, proliferation, survival, and apoptosis, which are essential biological programs leading to development, adult homeostasis but also pathological conditions including cancer. A full understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie PRMT-mediated gene regulation requires the genome wide mapping of each player, i.e., PRMTs, their substrates and epigenetic marks, methyl-marks readers as well as interaction partners, in a thorough and unambiguous manner. However, despite the tremendous advances in high throughput sequencing technologies and the numerous efforts from the scientific community, the epigenomic profiling of PRMTs as well as their histone and non-histone substrates still remains a big challenge owing to obvious limitations in tools and methodologies. This review will summarize the present knowledge about the genome wide mapping of PRMTs and their substrates as well as the technical approaches currently in use. The limitations and pitfalls of the technical tools along with conventional approaches will be then discussed in detail. Finally, potential new strategies for chromatin profiling of PRMTs and histone substrates will be proposed and described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinja Rakow
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, BMFZ, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Soni Savai Pullamsetti
- Department of Lung Development and Remodeling, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Uta-Maria Bauer
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, BMFZ, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Caroline Bouchard
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, BMFZ, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
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Jin Y, Li D, Lu S, Zhao H, Chen Z, Hou W, Ruan BH. Ebselen Reversibly Inhibits Human Glutamate Dehydrogenase at the Catalytic Site. Assay Drug Dev Technol 2018; 16:115-122. [PMID: 29470101 DOI: 10.1089/adt.2017.822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) plays an important role in neurological diseases, tumor metabolism, and hyperinsulinism-hyperammonemia syndrome (HHS). However, there are very few inhibitors known for human GDH. Recently, Ebselen was reported to crosslink with Escherichia coli GDH at the active site cysteine residue (Cys321), but the sequence alignment showed that the corresponding residue is Ala329 in human GDH. To investigate whether Ebselen could be an inhibitor for human GDH, we cloned and expressed an N-terminal His-tagged human GDH in E. coli. The recombinant human GDH enzyme showed expected properties such as adenosine diphosphate activation and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate dual recognition. Further, we developed a 2-(3-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-2H-tetrazol-3-ium-5-yl) benzenesulfonate sodium salt (EZMTT)-based assay for human GDH, which was highly sensitive and is suitable for high-throughput screening for potent GDH inhibitors. In addition, ForteBio binding assays demonstrated that Ebselen is a reversible active site inhibitor for human GDH. Since Ebselen is a multifunctional organoselenium compound in Phase III clinical trials for inflammation, an Ebselen-based GDH inhibitor might be valuable for future drug discovery for HHS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Jin
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology , Hangzhou, China
| | - Di Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology , Hangzhou, China
| | - Shiying Lu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology , Hangzhou, China
| | - Han Zhao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology , Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhao Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology , Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Hou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology , Hangzhou, China
| | - Benfang Helen Ruan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology , Hangzhou, China
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Liang F, Lindblad P. Synechocystis PCC 6803 overexpressing RuBisCO grow faster with increased photosynthesis. Metab Eng Commun 2017; 4:29-36. [PMID: 29468130 PMCID: PMC5779733 DOI: 10.1016/j.meteno.2017.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) oxygenation reaction catalyzed by Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) is competing with carboxylation, being negative for both energy and carbon balances in photoautotrophic organisms. This makes RuBisCO one of the bottlenecks for oxygenic photosynthesis and carbon fixation. In this study, RuBisCO was overexpressed in the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803. Relative RuBisCO levels in the engineered strains FL50 and FL52 increased 2.1 times and 1.4 times, respectively, and both strains showed increased growth, photosynthesis and in vitro RuBisCO activity. The oxygen evolution rate increased by 54% and 42% on per chlorophyll basis, while the in vitro RuBisCO activity increased by 52% and 8.6%, respectively. The overexpressed RuBisCO were tagged with a FLAG tag, in strain FL50 on the N terminus of the large subunit while in strain FL52 on the C terminus of the small subunit. The presence of a FLAG tag enhanced transcription of the genes encoding RuBisCO, and, with high possibility, also enhanced the initiation of translation or stability of the enzyme. However, when using a streptavidin-binding tag II (strep-tag II), we did not observe a similar effect. Tagged RuBisCO offers an opportunity for further studying RuBisCO expression and stability. Increased levels of RuBisCO can further improve photosynthesis and growth in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803 under certain growth conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiyan Liang
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Uppsala University, Box 523, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Peter Lindblad
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Uppsala University, Box 523, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden
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Kosobokova EN, Skrypnik KA, Kosorukov VS. Overview of Fusion Tags for Recombinant Proteins. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2017; 81:187-200. [PMID: 27262188 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297916030019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Virtually all recombinant proteins are now prepared using fusion domains also known as "tags". The use of tags helps to solve some serious problems: to simplify procedures of protein isolation, to increase expression and solubility of the desired protein, to simplify protein refolding and increase its efficiency, and to prevent proteolysis. In this review, advantages and disadvantages of such fusion tags are analyzed and data on both well-known and new tags are generalized. The authors own data are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- E N Kosobokova
- Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center, Moscow, 115478, Russia.
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