1
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Gupta LK, Molla J, Prabhu AA. Story of Pore-Forming Proteins from Deadly Disease-Causing Agents to Modern Applications with Evolutionary Significance. Mol Biotechnol 2024; 66:1327-1356. [PMID: 37294530 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00776-1] [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: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Animal venoms are a complex mixture of highly specialized toxic molecules. Among them, pore-forming proteins (PFPs) or toxins (PFTs) are one of the major disease-causing toxic elements. The ability of the PFPs in defense and toxicity through pore formation on the host cell surface makes them unique among the toxin proteins. These features made them attractive for academic and research purposes for years in the areas of microbiology as well as structural biology. All the PFPs share a common mechanism of action for the attack of host cells and pore formation in which the selected pore-forming motifs of the host cell membrane-bound protein molecules drive to the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane and eventually produces water-filled pores. But surprisingly their sequence similarity is very poor. Their existence can be seen both in a soluble state and also in transmembrane complexes in the cell membrane. PFPs are prevalent toxic factors that are predominately produced by all kingdoms of life such as virulence bacteria, nematodes, fungi, protozoan parasites, frogs, plants, and also from higher organisms. Nowadays, multiple approaches to applications of PFPs have been conducted by researchers both in basic as well as applied biological research. Although PFPs are very devastating for human health nowadays researchers have been successful in making these toxic proteins into therapeutics through the preparation of immunotoxins. We have discussed the structural, and functional mechanism of action, evolutionary significance through dendrogram, domain organization, and practical applications for various approaches. This review aims to emphasize the PFTs to summarize toxic proteins together for basic knowledge as well as to highlight the current challenges, and literature gap along with the perspective of promising biotechnological applications for their future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laxmi Kumari Gupta
- Bioprocess Development Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, Telangana, 506004, India
| | - Johiruddin Molla
- Ghatal Rabindra Satabarsiki Mahavidyalaya Ghatal, Paschim Medinipur, Ghatal, West Bengal, 721212, India
| | - Ashish A Prabhu
- Bioprocess Development Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, Telangana, 506004, India.
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2
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Pedrera L, Ros U, Fanani ML, Lanio ME, Epand RM, García-Sáez AJ, Álvarez C. The Important Role of Membrane Fluidity on the Lytic Mechanism of the α-Pore-Forming Toxin Sticholysin I. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:80. [PMID: 36668899 PMCID: PMC9865829 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15010080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Actinoporins have emerged as archetypal α-pore-forming toxins (PFTs) that promote the formation of pores in membranes upon oligomerization and insertion of an α-helix pore-forming domain in the bilayer. These proteins have been used as active components of immunotoxins, therefore, understanding their lytic mechanism is crucial for developing this and other applications. However, the mechanism of how the biophysical properties of the membrane modulate the properties of pores generated by actinoporins remains unclear. Here we studied the effect of membrane fluidity on the permeabilizing activity of sticholysin I (St I), a toxin that belongs to the actinoporins family of α-PFTs. To modulate membrane fluidity we used vesicles made of an equimolar mixture of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and egg sphingomyelin (eggSM), in which PC contained fatty acids of different acyl chain lengths and degrees of unsaturation. Our detailed single-vesicle analysis revealed that when membrane fluidity is high, most of the vesicles are partially permeabilized in a graded manner. In contrast, more rigid membranes can be either completely permeabilized or not, indicating an all-or-none mechanism. Altogether, our results reveal that St I pores can be heterogeneous in size and stability, and that these properties depend on the fluid state of the lipid bilayer. We propose that membrane fluidity at different regions of cellular membranes is a key factor to modulate the activity of the actinoporins, which has implications for the design of different therapeutic strategies based on their lytic action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lohans Pedrera
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, La Habana CP 10400, Cuba
- Institute for Genetics and CECAD Cluster of Excellence, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 26, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Uris Ros
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, La Habana CP 10400, Cuba
- Institute for Genetics and CECAD Cluster of Excellence, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 26, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Maria Laura Fanani
- Departamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba X5000HUA, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba (CIQUIBIC), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas-CONICET, Córdoba X5000HUA, Argentina
| | - María E. Lanio
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, La Habana CP 10400, Cuba
| | - Richard M. Epand
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Ana J. García-Sáez
- Institute for Genetics and CECAD Cluster of Excellence, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 26, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Carlos Álvarez
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, La Habana CP 10400, Cuba
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3
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Sea Anemones, Actinoporins, and Cholesterol. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158771. [PMID: 35955905 PMCID: PMC9369217 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158771] [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] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spanish or Spanish-speaking scientists represent a remarkably populated group within the scientific community studying pore-forming proteins. Some of these scientists, ourselves included, focus on the study of actinoporins, a fascinating group of metamorphic pore-forming proteins produced within the venom of several sea anemones. These toxic proteins can spontaneously transit from a water-soluble fold to an integral membrane ensemble because they specifically recognize sphingomyelin in the membrane. Once they bind to the bilayer, they subsequently oligomerize into a pore that triggers cell-death by osmotic shock. In addition to sphingomyelin, some actinoporins are especially sensible to some other membrane components such as cholesterol. Our group from Universidad Complutense of Madrid has focused greatly on the role played by sterols in this water–membrane transition, a question which still remains only partially solved and constitutes the main core of the article below.
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Lata K, Singh M, Chatterjee S, Chattopadhyay K. Membrane Dynamics and Remodelling in Response to the Action of the Membrane-Damaging Pore-Forming Toxins. J Membr Biol 2022; 255:161-173. [PMID: 35305136 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-022-00227-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pore-forming protein toxins (PFTs) represent a diverse class of membrane-damaging proteins that are produced by a wide variety of organisms. PFT-mediated membrane perforation is largely governed by the chemical composition and the physical properties of the plasma membranes. The interaction between the PFTs with the target membranes is critical for the initiation of the pore-formation process, and can lead to discrete membrane reorganization events that further aids in the process of pore-formation. Punching holes on the plasma membranes by the PFTs interferes with the cellular homeostasis by disrupting the ion-balance inside the cells that in turn can turn on multiple signalling cascades required to restore membrane integrity and cellular homeostasis. In this review, we discuss the physicochemical attributes of the plasma membranes associated with the pore-formation processes by the PFTs, and the subsequent membrane remodelling events that may start off the membrane-repair mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kusum Lata
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Manauli, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Mahendra Singh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Manauli, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Shamaita Chatterjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Manauli, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Kausik Chattopadhyay
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Manauli, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India.
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5
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Sofińska K, Lupa D, Chachaj-Brekiesz A, Czaja M, Kobierski J, Seweryn S, Skirlińska-Nosek K, Szymonski M, Wilkosz N, Wnętrzak A, Lipiec E. Revealing local molecular distribution, orientation, phase separation, and formation of domains in artificial lipid layers: Towards comprehensive characterization of biological membranes. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 301:102614. [PMID: 35190313 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2022.102614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Lipids, together with molecules such as DNA and proteins, are one of the most relevant systems responsible for the existence of life. Selected lipids are able to assembly into various organized structures, such as lipid membranes. The unique properties of lipid membranes determine their complex functions, not only to separate biological environments, but also to participate in regulatory functions, absorption of nutrients, cell-cell communication, endocytosis, cell signaling, and many others. Despite numerous scientific efforts, still little is known about the reason underlying the variability within lipid membranes, and its biochemical significance. In this review, we discuss the structural complexity of lipid membranes, as well as the importance to simplify studied systems in order to understand phenomena occurring in natural, complex membranes. Such systems require a model interface to be analyzed. Therefore, here we focused on analytical studies of artificial systems at various interfaces. The molecular structure of lipid membranes, specifically the nanometric thickens of molecular bilayer, limits in a major extent the choice of highly sensitive methods suitable to study such structures. Therefore, we focused on methods that combine high sensitivity, and/or chemical selectivity, and/or nanometric spatial resolution, such as atomic force microscopy, nanospectroscopy (tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, infrared nanospectroscopy), phase modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy, sum-frequency generation spectroscopy. We summarized experimental and theoretical approaches providing information about molecular structure and composition, lipid spatial distribution (phase separation), organization (domain shape, molecular orientation) of lipid membranes, and real-time visualization of the influence of various molecules (proteins, drugs) on their integrity. An integral part of this review discusses the latest achievements in the field of lipid layer-based biosensors.
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6
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Sannigrahi A, Chattopadhyay K. Pore formation by pore forming membrane proteins towards infections. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2021; 128:79-111. [PMID: 35034727 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Over the last 25 years, the biology of membrane proteins, including the PFPs-membranes interactions is seeking attention for the development of successful drug molecules against a number of infectious diseases. Pore forming toxins (PFTs), the largest family of PFPs are considered as a group of virulence factors produced in a large number of pathogenic systems which include streptococcus, pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, group A and B streptococci, Corynebacterium diphtheria and many more. PFTs are generally utilized by the disease causing pathogens to disrupt the host first line of defense i.e. host cell membranes through pore formation strategy. Although, pore formation is the principal mode of action of the PFTs but they can have additional adverse effects on the hosts including immune evasion. Recently, structural investigation of different PFTs have imparted the molecular mechanistic insights into how PFTs get transformed from its inactive state to active toxic state. On the basis of their structural entity, PFTs have been classified in different types and their mode of actions alters in terms of pore formation and corresponding cellular toxicity. Although pathogen genome analysis can identify the probable PFTs depending upon their structural diversity, there are so many PFTs which utilize the local environmental conditions to generate their pore forming ability using a novel strategy which is known as "conformational switch" of a protein. This conformational switch is considered as characteristics of the phase shifting proteins which were often utilized by many pathogenic systems to protect them from the invaders through allosteric communication between distant regions of the protein. In this chapter, we discuss the structure function relationships of PFTs and how activity of PFTs varies with the change in the environmental conditions has been explored. Finally, we demonstrate these structural insights to develop therapeutic potential to treat the infections caused by multidrug resistant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achinta Sannigrahi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
| | - Krishnananda Chattopadhyay
- Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
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7
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Cosentino K, Hermann E, von Kügelgen N, Unsay JD, Ros U, García-Sáez AJ. Force Mapping Study of Actinoporin Effect in Membranes Presenting Phase Domains. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13090669. [PMID: 34564674 PMCID: PMC8473010 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13090669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Equinatoxin II (EqtII) and Fragaceatoxin C (FraC) are pore-forming toxins (PFTs) from the actinoporin family that have enhanced membrane affinity in the presence of sphingomyelin (SM) and phase coexistence in the membrane. However, little is known about the effect of these proteins on the nanoscopic properties of membrane domains. Here, we used combined confocal microscopy and force mapping by atomic force microscopy to study the effect of EqtII and FraC on the organization of phase-separated phosphatidylcholine/SM/cholesterol membranes. To this aim, we developed a fast, high-throughput processing tool to correlate structural and nano-mechanical information from force mapping. We found that both proteins changed the lipid domain shape. Strikingly, they induced a reduction in the domain area and circularity, suggesting a decrease in the line tension due to a lipid phase height mismatch, which correlated with proteins binding to the domain interfaces. Moreover, force mapping suggested that the proteins affected the mechanical properties at the edge, but not in the bulk, of the domains. This effect could not be revealed by ensemble force spectroscopy measurements supporting the suitability of force mapping to study local membrane topographical and mechanical alterations by membranotropic proteins.
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8
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Ilangumaran Ponmalar I, Sarangi NK, Basu JK, Ayappa KG. Pore Forming Protein Induced Biomembrane Reorganization and Dynamics: A Focused Review. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:737561. [PMID: 34568431 PMCID: PMC8459938 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.737561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pore forming proteins are a broad class of pathogenic proteins secreted by organisms as virulence factors due to their ability to form pores on the target cell membrane. Bacterial pore forming toxins (PFTs) belong to a subclass of pore forming proteins widely implicated in bacterial infections. Although the action of PFTs on target cells have been widely investigated, the underlying membrane response of lipids during membrane binding and pore formation has received less attention. With the advent of superresolution microscopy as well as the ability to carry out molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the large protein membrane assemblies, novel microscopic insights on the pore forming mechanism have emerged over the last decade. In this review, we focus primarily on results collated in our laboratory which probe dynamic lipid reorganization induced in the plasma membrane during various stages of pore formation by two archetypal bacterial PFTs, cytolysin A (ClyA), an α-toxin and listeriolysin O (LLO), a β-toxin. The extent of lipid perturbation is dependent on both the secondary structure of the membrane inserted motifs of pore complex as well as the topological variations of the pore complex. Using confocal and superresolution stimulated emission depletion (STED) fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and MD simulations, lipid diffusion, cholesterol reorganization and deviations from Brownian diffusion are correlated with the oligomeric state of the membrane bound protein as well as the underlying membrane composition. Deviations from free diffusion are typically observed at length scales below ∼130 nm to reveal the presence of local dynamical heterogeneities that emerge at the nanoscale-driven in part by preferential protein binding to cholesterol and domains present in the lipid membrane. Interrogating the lipid dynamics at the nanoscale allows us further differentiate between binding and pore formation of β- and α-PFTs to specific domains in the membrane. The molecular insights gained from the intricate coupling that occurs between proteins and membrane lipids and receptors during pore formation are expected to improve our understanding of the virulent action of PFTs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nirod K. Sarangi
- School of Chemical Science, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jaydeep K. Basu
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - K. Ganapathy Ayappa
- Center for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
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9
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Kulma M, Anderluh G. Beyond pore formation: reorganization of the plasma membrane induced by pore-forming proteins. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6229-6249. [PMID: 34387717 PMCID: PMC11073440 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03914-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Pore-forming proteins (PFPs) are a heterogeneous group of proteins that are expressed and secreted by a wide range of organisms. PFPs are produced as soluble monomers that bind to a receptor molecule in the host cell membrane. They then assemble into oligomers that are incorporated into the lipid membrane to form transmembrane pores. Such pore formation alters the permeability of the plasma membrane and is one of the most common mechanisms used by PFPs to destroy target cells. Interestingly, PFPs can also indirectly manipulate diverse cellular functions. In recent years, increasing evidence indicates that the interaction of PFPs with lipid membranes is not only limited to pore-induced membrane permeabilization but is also strongly associated with extensive plasma membrane reorganization. This includes lateral rearrangement and deformation of the lipid membrane, which can lead to the disruption of target cell function and finally death. Conversely, these modifications also constitute an essential component of the membrane repair system that protects cells from the lethal consequences of pore formation. Here, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the changes in lipid membrane organization caused by PFPs from different organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Kulma
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1001, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1001, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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10
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Laborde RJ, Ishimura ME, Abreu-Butin L, Nogueira CV, Grubaugh D, Cruz-Leal Y, Luzardo MC, Fernández A, Mesa C, Pazos F, Álvarez C, Alonso ME, Starnbach MN, Higgins DE, Fernández LE, Longo-Maugéri IM, Lanio ME. Sticholysins, pore-forming proteins from a marine anemone can induce maturation of dendritic cells through a TLR4 dependent-pathway. Mol Immunol 2021; 131:144-154. [PMID: 33422341 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2020.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Sticholysins (Sts) I and II (StI and StII) are pore-forming proteins (PFPs), purified from the Caribbean Sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus. StII encapsulated into liposomes induces a robust antigen-specific cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes (CTL) response and in its free form the maturation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs). It is probable that the latter is partially supporting in part the immunomodulatory effect on the CTL response induced by StII-containing liposomes. In the present work, we demonstrate that the StII's ability of inducing maturation of BM-DCs is also shared by StI, an isoform of StII. Using heat-denatured Sts we observed a significant reduction in the up-regulation of maturation markers indicating that both PFP's ability to promote maturation of BM-DCs is dependent on their conformational characteristics. StII-mediated DC maturation was abrogated in BM-DCs from toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88)-knockout mice but not in cells from TLR2-knockout mice. Furthermore, the antigen-specific CTL response induced by StII-containing liposomes was reduced in TLR4-knockout mice. These results indicate that StII, and probably by extension StI, has the ability to induce maturation of DCs through a TLR4/MyD88-dependent pathway, and that this activation contributes to the CTL response generated by StII-containing liposomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rady J Laborde
- Laboratory of Toxins and Liposomes, Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), Lab UH-CIM, Havana, 10400, Cuba.
| | - Mayari E Ishimura
- Discipline of Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), 04023-062, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Lianne Abreu-Butin
- Discipline of Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), 04023-062, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Catarina V Nogueira
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology of Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, MA, USA.
| | - Daniel Grubaugh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology of Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, MA, USA.
| | - Yoelys Cruz-Leal
- Laboratory of Toxins and Liposomes, Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), Lab UH-CIM, Havana, 10400, Cuba.
| | - María C Luzardo
- Laboratory of Toxins and Liposomes, Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), Lab UH-CIM, Havana, 10400, Cuba.
| | - Audry Fernández
- Immunobiology Division, Center of Molecular Immunology (CIM), Havana, 11600, Cuba.
| | - Circe Mesa
- Immunobiology Division, Center of Molecular Immunology (CIM), Havana, 11600, Cuba.
| | - Fabiola Pazos
- Laboratory of Toxins and Liposomes, Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), Lab UH-CIM, Havana, 10400, Cuba.
| | - Carlos Álvarez
- Laboratory of Toxins and Liposomes, Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), Lab UH-CIM, Havana, 10400, Cuba.
| | - María E Alonso
- Laboratory of Toxins and Liposomes, Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), Lab UH-CIM, Havana, 10400, Cuba
| | - Michael N Starnbach
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology of Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, MA, USA.
| | - Darren E Higgins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology of Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, MA, USA.
| | - Luis E Fernández
- Immunobiology Division, Center of Molecular Immunology (CIM), Havana, 11600, Cuba.
| | - Ieda M Longo-Maugéri
- Discipline of Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), 04023-062, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - María E Lanio
- Laboratory of Toxins and Liposomes, Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), Lab UH-CIM, Havana, 10400, Cuba.
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11
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Ramírez-Carreto S, Miranda-Zaragoza B, Rodríguez-Almazán C. Actinoporins: From the Structure and Function to the Generation of Biotechnological and Therapeutic Tools. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E539. [PMID: 32252469 PMCID: PMC7226409 DOI: 10.3390/biom10040539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Actinoporins (APs) are a family of pore-forming toxins (PFTs) from sea anemones. These biomolecules exhibit the ability to exist as soluble monomers within an aqueous medium or as constitutively open oligomers in biological membranes. Through their conformational plasticity, actinoporins are considered good candidate molecules to be included for the rational design of molecular tools, such as immunotoxins directed against tumor cells and stochastic biosensors based on nanopores to analyze unique DNA or protein molecules. Additionally, the ability of these proteins to bind to sphingomyelin (SM) facilitates their use for the design of molecular probes to identify SM in the cells. The immunomodulatory activity of actinoporins in liposomal formulations for vaccine development has also been evaluated. In this review, we describe the potential of actinoporins for use in the development of molecular tools that could be used for possible medical and biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Claudia Rodríguez-Almazán
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico; (S.R.-C.); (B.M.-Z.)
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12
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Mesa-Galloso H, Valiente PA, Valdés-Tresanco ME, Epand RF, Lanio ME, Epand RM, Alvarez C, Tieleman DP, Ros U. Membrane Remodeling by the Lytic Fragment of SticholysinII: Implications for the Toroidal Pore Model. Biophys J 2019; 117:1563-1576. [PMID: 31587828 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sticholysins are pore-forming toxins of biomedical interest and represent a prototype of proteins acting through the formation of protein-lipid or toroidal pores. Peptides spanning the N-terminus of sticholysins can mimic their permeabilizing activity and, together with the full-length toxins, have been used as a tool to understand the mechanism of pore formation in membranes. However, the lytic mechanism of these peptides and the lipid shape modulating their activity are not completely clear. In this article, we combine molecular dynamics simulations and experimental biophysical tools to dissect different aspects of the pore-forming mechanism of StII1-30, a peptide derived from the N-terminus of sticholysin II (StII). With this combined approach, membrane curvature induction and flip-flop movement of the lipids were identified as two important membrane remodeling steps mediated by StII1-30. Pore formation by this peptide was enhanced by the presence of the negatively curved lipid phosphatidylethanolamine in membranes. This lipid emerged not only as a facilitator of membrane interactions but also as a structural element of the StII1-30 pore that is recruited to the ring upon its assembly. Collectively, these, to our knowledge, new findings support a toroidal model for the architecture of the pore formed by StII1-30 and provide new molecular insight into the role of phosphatidylethanolamine as a membrane component that can easily integrate into the ring of toroidal pores, thus probably aiding in their stabilization. This study contributes to a better understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the permeabilizing activity of StII1-30 and peptides or proteins acting via a toroidal pore mechanism and offers an informative framework for the optimization of the biomedical application of this and similar molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haydee Mesa-Galloso
- Department of Biological Sciences and Centre for Molecular Simulation, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba
| | - Pedro A Valiente
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba
| | - Mario E Valdés-Tresanco
- Department of Biological Sciences and Centre for Molecular Simulation, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba
| | - Raquel F Epand
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria E Lanio
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba
| | - Richard M Epand
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carlos Alvarez
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba
| | - D Peter Tieleman
- Department of Biological Sciences and Centre for Molecular Simulation, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Uris Ros
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba; Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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13
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Ramírez-Carreto S, Pérez-García EI, Salazar-García SI, Bernáldez-Sarabia J, Licea-Navarro A, Rudiño-Piñera E, Pérez-Martínez L, Pedraza-Alva G, Rodríguez-Almazán C. Identification of a pore-forming protein from sea anemone Anthopleura dowii Verrill (1869) venom by mass spectrometry. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2019; 25:e147418. [PMID: 31131002 PMCID: PMC6483413 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-1474-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Pore-forming proteins (PFP) are a class of toxins abundant in the venom of
sea anemones. Owing to their ability to recognize and permeabilize cell
membranes, pore-forming proteins have medical potential in cancer therapy or
as biosensors. In the present study, we showed the partial purification and
sequencing of a pore-forming protein from Anthopleura dowii
Verrill (1869). 17. Methods: Cytolytic activity of A. dowii Verrill (1869) venom was
determined via hemolysis assay in the erythrocytes of four mammals (sheep,
goat, human and rabbit). The cytotoxic activity was analyzed in the human
adherent lung carcinoma epithelial cells (A549) by the cytosolic lactate
dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, and trypan blue staining. The venom was
fractionated via ammonium sulfate precipitation gradient, dialysis, and ion
exchange chromatography. The presence of a pore-forming protein in purified
fractions was evaluated through hemolytic and cytotoxic assays, and the
activity fraction was analyzed using the percent of osmotic protections
after polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment and mass spectrometry. 18. Results: The amount of protein at which the venom produced 50% hemolysis
(HU50) was determined in hemolysis assays using erythrocytes
from sheep (HU50 = 10.7 ± 0.2 μg), goat (HU50 = 13.2 ±
0.3 μg), rabbit (HU50 = 34.7 ± 0.5 μg), and human
(HU50 = 25.6 ± 0.6 μg). The venom presented a cytotoxic
effect in A549 cells and the protein amount present in the venom responsible
for producing 50% death (IC50) was determined using a trypan blue
cytotoxicity assay (1.84 ± 0.40 μg/mL). The loss of membrane integrity in
the A549 cells caused by the venom was detected by the release of LDH in
proportion to the amount of protein. The venom was fractionated; and the
fraction with hemolytic and cytotoxic activities was analyzed by mass
spectrometry. A pore-forming protein was identified. The cytotoxicity in the
A549 cells produced by the fraction containing the pore-forming protein was
osmotically protected by PEG-3350 Da molecular mass, which corroborated that
the loss of integrity in the plasma membrane was produced via pore
formation. 19. Conclusion: A. dowii Verrill (1869) venom
contains a pore-forming protein suitable for designing new drugs for cancer
therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santos Ramírez-Carreto
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Erick I Pérez-García
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Sandra I Salazar-García
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Johanna Bernáldez-Sarabia
- Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Departamento de Innovación Biomédica, Baja California, México
| | - Alexei Licea-Navarro
- Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Departamento de Innovación Biomédica, Baja California, México
| | - Enrique Rudiño-Piñera
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Leonor Pérez-Martínez
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Gustavo Pedraza-Alva
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Claudia Rodríguez-Almazán
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
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14
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Espiritu RA, Pedrera L, Ros U. Tuning the way to die: implications of membrane perturbations in necroptosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.abl.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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15
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Cloning, purification and characterization of nigrelysin, a novel actinoporin from the sea anemone Anthopleura nigrescens. Biochimie 2018; 156:206-223. [PMID: 30036605 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2018.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Actinoporins constitute a unique class of pore-forming toxins found in sea anemones that being secreted as soluble monomers are able to bind and permeabilize membranes leading to cell death. The interest in these proteins has risen due to their high cytotoxicity that can be properly used to design immunotoxins against tumor cells and antigen-releasing systems to cell cytosol. In this work we describe a novel actinoporin produced by Anthopleura nigrescens, an anemone found in the Central American Pacific Ocean. Here we report the amino acid sequence of an actinoporin as deduced from cDNA obtained from total body RNA. The synthetic DNA sequence encoding for one cytolysin variant was expressed in BL21 Star (DE3) Escherichia coli and the protein purified by chromatography on CM Sephadex C-25 with more than 97% homogeneity as verified by MS-MS and HPLC analyses. This actinoporin comprises 179 amino acid residues, consistent with its observed isotope-averaged molecular mass of 19 661 Da. The toxin lacks Cys and readily permeabilizes erythrocytes, as well as L1210 cells. CD spectroscopy revealed that its secondary structure is dominated by beta structure (58.5%) with 5.5% of α-helix, and 35% of random structure. Moreover, binding experiments to lipidic monolayers and to liposomes, as well as permeabilization studies in vesicles, revealed that the affinity of this toxin for sphingomyelin-containing membranes is quite similar to sticholysin II (StII). Comparison by spectroscopic techniques and modeling the three-dimensional structure of nigrelysin (Ng) showed a high homology with StII but several differences were also detectable. Taken together, these results reinforce the notion that Ng is a novel member of the actinoporin pore-forming toxin (PFT) family with a HA as high as that of StII, the most potent actinoporin so far described, but with peculiar structural characteristics contributing to expand the understanding of the structure-function relationship in this protein family.
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16
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Soto C, Bergado G, Blanco R, Griñán T, Rodríguez H, Ros U, Pazos F, Lanio ME, Hernández AM, Álvarez C. Sticholysin II-mediated cytotoxicity involves the activation of regulated intracellular responses that anticipates cell death. Biochimie 2018; 148:18-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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17
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Molecular mechanisms of action of sphingomyelin-specific pore-forming toxin, lysenin. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 73:188-198. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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18
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Sarangi NK, Basu JK. Pathways for creation and annihilation of nanoscale biomembrane domains reveal alpha and beta-toxin nanopore formation processes. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 20:29116-29130. [DOI: 10.1039/c8cp05729j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Raft-like functional domains with putative sizes of 20–200 nm and which are evolving dynamically are believed to be the most crucial regions in cellular membranes which determine cell signaling and various functions of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaydeep Kumar Basu
- Department of Physics
- Indian Institute of Science
- Bangalore – 560 012
- India
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19
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Espiritu RA. Membrane permeabilizing action of amphidinol 3 and theonellamide A in raft-forming lipid mixtures. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 72:43-48. [PMID: 27159918 DOI: 10.1515/znc-2016-0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Amphidinol 3 (AM3) and theonellamide A (TNM-A) are potent antifungal compounds produced by the dinoflagellate Amphidinium klebsii and the sponge Theonella spp., respectively. Both of these metabolites have been demonstrated to interact with membrane lipids ultimately resulting in a compromised bilayer integrity. In this report, the activity of AM3 and TNM-A in ternary lipid mixtures composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphocholine (POPC):brain sphingomyelin:cholesterol at a mole ratio of 1:1:1 or 3:1:1 exhibiting lipid rafts coexistence is presented. It was found that AM3 has a more extensive membrane permeabilizing activity compared with TNM-A in these membrane mimics, which was almost complete at 15 μM. The extent of their activity nevertheless is similar to the previously reported binary system of POPC and cholesterol, suggesting that phase separation has neither beneficial nor detrimental effects in their ability to disrupt the lipid bilayer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael A Espiritu
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan
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20
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Biophysical and biochemical strategies to understand membrane binding and pore formation by sticholysins, pore-forming proteins from a sea anemone. Biophys Rev 2017; 9:529-544. [PMID: 28853034 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-017-0316-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Actinoporins constitute a unique class of pore-forming toxins found in sea anemones that are able to bind and oligomerize in membranes, leading to cell swelling, impairment of ionic gradients and, eventually, to cell death. In this review we summarize the knowledge generated from the combination of biochemical and biophysical approaches to the study of sticholysins I and II (Sts, StI/II), two actinoporins largely characterized by the Center of Protein Studies at the University of Havana during the last 20 years. These approaches include strategies for understanding the toxin structure-function relationship, the protein-membrane association process leading to pore formation and the interaction of toxin with cells. The rational combination of experimental and theoretical tools have allowed unraveling, at least partially, of the complex mechanisms involved in toxin-membrane interaction and of the molecular pathways triggered upon this interaction. The study of actinoporins is important not only to gain an understanding of their biological roles in anemone venom but also to investigate basic molecular mechanisms of protein insertion into membranes, protein-lipid interactions and the modulation of protein conformation by lipid binding. A deeper knowledge of the basic molecular mechanisms involved in Sts-cell interaction, as described in this review, will support the current investigations conducted by our group which focus on the design of immunotoxins against tumor cells and antigen-releasing systems to cell cytosol as Sts-based vaccine platforms.
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21
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Mo GCH, Yip CM. Structural templating of J-aggregates: Visualizing bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate domains in live cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2017; 1865:1687-1695. [PMID: 28844737 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2017.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Identifying the key structural and dynamical determinants that drive the association of biomolecules, whether in solution, or perhaps more importantly in a membrane environment, has critical implications for our understanding of cellular dynamics, processes, and signaling. With recent advances in high-resolution imaging techniques, from the development of new molecular labels to technical advances in imaging methodologies and platforms, researchers are now reaping the benefits of being able to directly characterize and quantify local dynamics, structures, and conformations in live cells and tissues. These capabilities are providing unique insights into association stoichiometries, interactions, and structures on sub-micron length scales. We previously examined the role of lipid headgroup chemistry and phase state in guiding the formation of pseudoisocyanine (PIC) dye J-aggregates on supported planar bilayers [Langmuir, 25, 10719]. We describe here how these same J-aggregates can report on the in situ formation of organellar membrane domains in live cells. Live cell hyperspectral confocal microscopy using GFP-conjugated GTPase markers of early (Rab5) and late (Rab7) endosomes revealed that the PIC J-aggregates were confined to domains on either the limiting membrane or intralumenal vesicles (ILV) of late endosomes, known to be enriched in the anionic lipid bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate (BMP). Correlated confocal fluorescence - atomic force microscopy performed on endosomal membrane-mimetic supported planar lipid bilayers confirmed BMP-specific templating of the PIC J-aggregates. These data provide strong evidence for the formation of BMP-rich lipid domains during multivesicular body formation and portend the application of structured dye aggregates as markers of cellular membrane domain structure, size, and formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary C H Mo
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College St., Toronto M5S 3E1, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Christopher M Yip
- Department of Biochemistry, Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College St., Toronto M5S 3E1, Canada; Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College St., Toronto M5S 3E1, Canada; Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College St., Toronto M5S 3E1, Canada.
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22
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Antimicrobial properties of sea anemone Anthopleura nigrescens from Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtb.2016.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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23
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Abstract
Pore forming toxins (PFTs) evolved to permeate the plasma membrane of target cells. This is achieved in a multistep mechanism that usually involves binding of soluble protein monomer to the lipid membrane, oligomerization at the plane of the membrane, and insertion of part of the polypeptide chain across the lipid membrane to form a conductive channel. Introduced pores allow uncontrolled transport of solutes across the membrane, inflicting damage to the target cell. PFTs are usually studied from the perspective of structure-function relationships, often neglecting the important role of the bulk membrane properties on the PFT mechanism of action. In this Account, we discuss how membrane lateral heterogeneity, thickness, and fluidity influence the pore forming process of PFTs. In general, lipid molecules are more accessible for binding in fluid membranes due to steric reasons. When PFT specifically binds ordered domains, it usually recognizes a specific lipid distribution pattern, like sphingomyelin (SM) clusters or SM/cholesterol complexes, and not individual lipid species. Lipid domains were also suggested to act as an additional concentration platform facilitating PFT oligomerization, but this is yet to be shown. The last stage in PFT action is the insertion of the transmembrane segment across the membranes to build the transmembrane pore walls. Conformational changes are a spontaneous process, and sufficient free energy has to be available for efficient membrane penetration. Therefore, fluid bilayers are permeabilized more readily in comparison to highly ordered and thicker liquid ordered lipid phase (Lo). Energetically more costly insertion into the Lo phase can be driven by the hydrophobic mismatch between the thinner liquid disordered phase (Ld) and large protein complexes, which are unable to tilt like single transmembrane segments. In the case of proteolipid pores, membrane properties can directly modulate pore size, stability, and even selectivity. Finally, events associated with pore formation can modulate properties of the lipid membrane and affect its organization. Model membranes do not necessarily reproduce the physicochemical properties of the native cellular membrane, and caution is needed when transferring results from model to native lipid membranes. In this context, the utilization of novel approaches that enable studying PFTs on living cells at a single molecule level should reveal complex protein-lipid membrane interactions in greater detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nejc Rojko
- Laboratory
for Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Laboratory
for Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department
of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva
101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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24
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Peraro MD, van der Goot FG. Pore-forming toxins: ancient, but never really out of fashion. Nat Rev Microbiol 2015; 14:77-92. [DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro.2015.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 476] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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25
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Assemblies of pore-forming toxins visualized by atomic force microscopy. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2015; 1858:500-11. [PMID: 26577274 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2015.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2015] [Revised: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
A number of pore-forming toxins (PFTs) can assemble on lipid membranes through their specific interactions with lipids. The oligomeric assemblies of some PFTs have been successfully revealed either by electron microscopy (EM) and/or atomic force microscopy (AFM). Unlike EM, AFM imaging can be performed under physiological conditions, enabling the real-time visualization of PFT assembly and the transition from the prepore state, in which the toxin does not span the membrane, to the pore state. In addition to characterizing PFT oligomers, AFM has also been used to examine toxin-induced alterations in membrane organization. In this review, we summarize the contributions of AFM to the understanding of both PFT assembly and PFT-induced membrane reorganization. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Pore-Forming Toxins edited by Mauro Dalla Serra and Franco Gambale.
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26
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Rojko N, Dalla Serra M, Maček P, Anderluh G. Pore formation by actinoporins, cytolysins from sea anemones. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2015; 1858:446-56. [PMID: 26351738 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2015.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Actinoporins (APs) from sea anemones are ~20 kDa pore forming toxins with a β-sandwich structure flanked by two α-helices. The molecular mechanism of APs pore formation is composed of several well-defined steps. APs bind to membrane by interfacial binding site composed of several aromatic amino acid residues that allow binding to phosphatidylcholine and specific recognition of sphingomyelin. Subsequently, the N-terminal α-helix from the β-sandwich has to be inserted into the lipid/water interphase in order to form a functional pore. Functional studies and single molecule imaging revealed that only several monomers, 3-4, oligomerise to form a functional pore. In this model the α-helices and surrounding lipid molecules build toroidal pore. In agreement, AP pores are transient and electrically heterogeneous. On the contrary, crystallized oligomers of actinoporin fragaceatoxin C were found to be composed of eight monomers with no lipids present between the adjacent α-helices. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Pore-Forming Toxins edited by Maur Dalla Serra and Franco Gambale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nejc Rojko
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mauro Dalla Serra
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche & Fondazione Bruno Kessler, via alla Cascata 56/C, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Peter Maček
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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27
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Ros U, García-Sáez AJ. More Than a Pore: The Interplay of Pore-Forming Proteins and Lipid Membranes. J Membr Biol 2015; 248:545-61. [PMID: 26087906 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-015-9820-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Pore-forming proteins (PFPs) punch holes in their target cell membrane to alter their permeability. Permeabilization of lipid membranes by PFPs has received special attention to study the basic molecular mechanisms of protein insertion into membranes and the development of biotechnological tools. PFPs act through a general multi-step mechanism that involves (i) membrane partitioning, (ii) insertion into the hydrophobic core of the bilayer, (iii) oligomerization, and (iv) pore formation. Interestingly, PFPs and membranes show a dynamic interplay. As PFPs are usually produced as soluble proteins, they require a large conformational change for membrane insertion. Moreover, membrane structure is modified upon PFPs insertion. In this context, the toroidal pore model has been proposed to describe a pore architecture in which not only protein molecules but also lipids are directly involved in the structure. Here, we discuss how PFPs and lipids cooperate and remodel each other to achieve pore formation, and explore new evidences of protein-lipid pore structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uris Ros
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, Calle 25 # 455, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana, Cuba
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28
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Matsunaga S, Yamada T, Kobayashi T, Kawai M. Scanning tunneling microscope observation of the phosphatidylserine domains in the phosphatidylcholine monolayer. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2015; 31:5449-5455. [PMID: 25913903 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b00859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A mixed monolayer of 1,2-dihexanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-l-serine (DHPS) and 1,2-dihexanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DHPC) on an 1-octanethiol-modified gold substrate was visualized on the nanometer scale using in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in aqueous solution. DHPS clusters were evident as spotty domains. STM enabled us to distinguish DHPS molecules from DHPC molecules depending on their electronic structures. The signal of the DHPS domains was abolished by neutralization with Ca(2+). The addition of the PS + Ca(2+)-binding protein of annexin V to the Ca(2+)-treated monolayer gave a number of spots corresponding to a single annexin V molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soichiro Matsunaga
- †Department of Advanced Materials Science, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
| | - Taro Yamada
- ‡Lipid Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Toshihide Kobayashi
- ‡Lipid Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Maki Kawai
- †Department of Advanced Materials Science, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
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29
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Maté SM, Vázquez RF, Herlax VS, Daza Millone MA, Fanani ML, Maggio B, Vela ME, Bakás LS. Boundary region between coexisting lipid phases as initial binding sites for Escherichia coli alpha-hemolysin: A real-time study. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2014; 1838:1832-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2014.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Revised: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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