1
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Voeten RLC, Majeed HA, Bos TS, Somsen GW, Haselberg R. Investigating direct current potentials that affect native protein conformation during trapped ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2024; 59:e5021. [PMID: 38605451 DOI: 10.1002/jms.5021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Trapped ion mobility spectrometry-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TIMS-TOFMS) has emerged as a tool to study protein conformational states. In TIMS, gas-phase ions are guided across the IM stages by applying direct current (DC) potentials (D1-6), which, however, might induce changes in protein structures through collisional activation. To define conditions for native protein analysis, we evaluated the influence of these DC potentials using the metalloenzyme bovine carbonic anhydrase (BCA) as primary test compound. The variation of DC potentials did not change BCA-ion charge and heme content but affected (relative) charge-state intensities and adduct retention. Constructed extracted-ion mobilograms and corresponding collisional cross-section (CCS) profiles gave useful insights in (alterations of) protein conformational state. For BCA, the D3 and D6 potential (which are applied between the deflection transfer and funnel 1 [F1] and the accumulation exit and the start of the ramp, respectively) had most profound effects, showing multimodal CCS distributions at higher potentials indicating gradual unfolding. The other DC potentials only marginally altered the CCS profiles of BCA. To allow for more general conclusions, five additional proteins of diverse molecular weight and conformational stability were analyzed, and for the main protein charge states, CCS profiles were constructed. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the obtained data showed that D1 and D3 exhibit the highest degree of correlation with the ratio of folded and unfolded protein (F/U) as extracted from the mobilograms obtained per set D potential. The correlation of D6 with F/U and protein charge were similar, and D2, D4, and D5 showed an inverse correlation with F/U but were correlated with protein charge. Although DC boundary values for induced conformational changes appeared protein dependent, a set of DC values could be determined, which assured native analysis of most proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L C Voeten
- Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- TI-COAST, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hany A Majeed
- Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tijmen S Bos
- Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Govert W Somsen
- Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Haselberg
- Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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2
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Koren G, Meir S, Holschuh L, Mertens HDT, Ehm T, Yahalom N, Golombek A, Schwartz T, Svergun DI, Saleh OA, Dzubiella J, Beck R. Intramolecular structural heterogeneity altered by long-range contacts in an intrinsically disordered protein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2220180120. [PMID: 37459524 PMCID: PMC10372579 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2220180120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Short-range interactions and long-range contacts drive the 3D folding of structured proteins. The proteins' structure has a direct impact on their biological function. However, nearly 40% of the eukaryotes proteome is composed of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and protein regions that fluctuate between ensembles of numerous conformations. Therefore, to understand their biological function, it is critical to depict how the structural ensemble statistics correlate to the IDPs' amino acid sequence. Here, using small-angle X-ray scattering and time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (trFRET), we study the intramolecular structural heterogeneity of the neurofilament low intrinsically disordered tail domain (NFLt). Using theoretical results of polymer physics, we find that the Flory scaling exponent of NFLt subsegments correlates linearly with their net charge, ranging from statistics of ideal to self-avoiding chains. Surprisingly, measuring the same segments in the context of the whole NFLt protein, we find that regardless of the peptide sequence, the segments' structural statistics are more expanded than when measured independently. Our findings show that while polymer physics can, to some level, relate the IDP's sequence to its ensemble conformations, long-range contacts between distant amino acids play a crucial role in determining intramolecular structures. This emphasizes the necessity of advanced polymer theories to fully describe IDPs ensembles with the hope that it will allow us to model their biological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gil Koren
- The School of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Condensed Matter, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- The Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
| | - Sagi Meir
- The School of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Condensed Matter, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- The Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
| | - Lennard Holschuh
- Applied Theoretical Physics-Computational Physics, Physikalisches Institut, Albert-Ludwigs-Universit Freiburg, FreiburgD-79104, Germany
| | | | - Tamara Ehm
- The School of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Condensed Matter, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- The Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- Faculty of Physics and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, MünchenD-80539, Germany
| | - Nadav Yahalom
- The Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences and Tel Aviv University Center for Light–Matter Interaction, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv6997801, Israel
| | - Adina Golombek
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences and Tel Aviv University Center for Light–Matter Interaction, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv6997801, Israel
| | - Tal Schwartz
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences and Tel Aviv University Center for Light–Matter Interaction, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv6997801, Israel
| | - Dmitri I. Svergun
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Hamburg22607, Germany
| | - Omar A. Saleh
- BMSE Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA93110
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA93110
| | - Joachim Dzubiella
- Applied Theoretical Physics-Computational Physics, Physikalisches Institut, Albert-Ludwigs-Universit Freiburg, FreiburgD-79104, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence livMatS @ FIT–Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, Albert-Ludwigs-Universit Freiburg, FreiburgD-79104, Germany
| | - Roy Beck
- The School of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Condensed Matter, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- The Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
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3
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Abstract
There are over 100 computational predictors of intrinsic disorder. These methods predict amino acid-level propensities for disorder directly from protein sequences. The propensities can be used to annotate putative disordered residues and regions. This unit provides a practical and holistic introduction to the sequence-based intrinsic disorder prediction. We define intrinsic disorder, explain the format of computational prediction of disorder, and identify and describe several accurate predictors. We also introduce recently released databases of intrinsic disorder predictions and use an illustrative example to provide insights into how predictions should be interpreted and combined. Lastly, we summarize key experimental methods that can be used to validate computational predictions. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Lukasz Kurgan
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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4
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Effects of Sequence Composition, Patterning and Hydrodynamics on the Conformation and Dynamics of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021444. [PMID: 36674958 PMCID: PMC9867189 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) perform diverse functions in cellular organization, transport and signaling. Unlike the well-defined structures of the classical natively folded proteins, IDPs and IDRs dynamically span large conformational and structural ensembles. This dynamic disorder impedes the study of the relationship between the amino acid sequences of the IDPs and their spatial structures and dynamics, with different experimental techniques often offering seemingly contradictory results. Although experimental and theoretical evidence indicates that some IDP properties can be understood based on their average biophysical properties and amino acid composition, other aspects of IDP function are dictated by the specifics of the amino acid sequence. We investigate the effects of several key variables on the dimensions and the dynamics of IDPs using coarse-grained polymer models. We focus on the sequence "patchiness" informed by the sequence and biophysical properties of different classes of IDPs-and in particular FG nucleoporins of the nuclear pore complex (NPC). We show that the sequence composition and patterning are well reflected in the global conformational variables such as the radius of gyration and hydrodynamic radius, while the end-to-end distance and dynamics are highly sequence-specific. We find that in good solvent conditions highly heterogeneous sequences of IDPs can be well mapped onto averaged minimal polymer models for the purpose of prediction of the IDPs dimensions and dynamic relaxation times. The coarse-grained simulations are in a good agreement with the results of atomistic MD. We discuss the implications of these results for the interpretation of the recent experimental measurements, and for the further applications of mesoscopic models of FG nucleoporins and IDPs more broadly.
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5
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Illuminating Intrinsically Disordered Proteins with Integrative Structural Biology. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13010124. [PMID: 36671509 PMCID: PMC9856150 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Intense study of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) did not begin in earnest until the late 1990s when a few groups, working independently, convinced the community that these 'weird' proteins could have important functions. Over the past two decades, it has become clear that IDPs play critical roles in a multitude of biological phenomena with prominent examples including coordination in signaling hubs, enabling gene regulation, and regulating ion channels, just to name a few. One contributing factor that delayed appreciation of IDP functional significance is the experimental difficulty in characterizing their dynamic conformations. The combined application of multiple methods, termed integrative structural biology, has emerged as an essential approach to understanding IDP phenomena. Here, we review some of the recent applications of the integrative structural biology philosophy to study IDPs.
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6
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Smyth S, Zhang Z, Bah A, Tsangaris TE, Dawson J, Forman-Kay JD, Gradinaru CC. Multisite phosphorylation and binding alter conformational dynamics of the 4E-BP2 protein. Biophys J 2022; 121:3049-3060. [PMID: 35841142 PMCID: PMC9463650 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) play critical roles in regulatory protein interactions, but detailed structural/dynamic characterization of their ensembles remain challenging, both in isolation and when they form dynamic "fuzzy" complexes. Such is the case for mRNA cap-dependent translation initiation, which is regulated by the interaction of the predominantly folded eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) with the intrinsically disordered eIF4E binding proteins (4E-BPs) in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer showed that the conformational changes of 4E-BP2 induced by binding to eIF4E are non-uniform along the sequence; while a central region containing both motifs that bind to eIF4E expands and becomes stiffer, the C-terminal region is less affected. Fluorescence anisotropy decay revealed a non-uniform segmental flexibility around six different labeling sites along the chain. Dynamic quenching of these fluorescent probes by intrinsic aromatic residues measured via fluorescence correlation spectroscopy report on transient intra- and inter-molecular contacts on nanosecond-to-microsecond timescales. Upon hyperphosphorylation, which induces folding of ∼40 residues in 4E-BP2, the quenching rates decreased at most labeling sites. The chain dynamics around sites in the C-terminal region far away from the two binding motifs significantly increased upon binding to eIF4E, suggesting that this region is also involved in the highly dynamic 4E-BP2:eIF4E complex. Our time-resolved fluorescence data paint a sequence-level rigidity map of three states of 4E-BP2 differing in phosphorylation or binding status and distinguish regions that form contacts with eIF4E. This study adds complementary structural and dynamics information to recent studies of 4E-BP2, and it constitutes an important step toward a mechanistic understanding of this important IDP via integrative modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer Smyth
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zhenfu Zhang
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alaji Bah
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thomas E Tsangaris
- Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer Dawson
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Julie D Forman-Kay
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Claudiu C Gradinaru
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
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7
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Kulkarni P, Leite VBP, Roy S, Bhattacharyya S, Mohanty A, Achuthan S, Singh D, Appadurai R, Rangarajan G, Weninger K, Orban J, Srivastava A, Jolly MK, Onuchic JN, Uversky VN, Salgia R. Intrinsically disordered proteins: Ensembles at the limits of Anfinsen's dogma. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2022; 3:011306. [PMID: 38505224 PMCID: PMC10903413 DOI: 10.1063/5.0080512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are proteins that lack rigid 3D structure. Hence, they are often misconceived to present a challenge to Anfinsen's dogma. However, IDPs exist as ensembles that sample a quasi-continuum of rapidly interconverting conformations and, as such, may represent proteins at the extreme limit of the Anfinsen postulate. IDPs play important biological roles and are key components of the cellular protein interaction network (PIN). Many IDPs can interconvert between disordered and ordered states as they bind to appropriate partners. Conformational dynamics of IDPs contribute to conformational noise in the cell. Thus, the dysregulation of IDPs contributes to increased noise and "promiscuous" interactions. This leads to PIN rewiring to output an appropriate response underscoring the critical role of IDPs in cellular decision making. Nonetheless, IDPs are not easily tractable experimentally. Furthermore, in the absence of a reference conformation, discerning the energy landscape representation of the weakly funneled IDPs in terms of reaction coordinates is challenging. To understand conformational dynamics in real time and decipher how IDPs recognize multiple binding partners with high specificity, several sophisticated knowledge-based and physics-based in silico sampling techniques have been developed. Here, using specific examples, we highlight recent advances in energy landscape visualization and molecular dynamics simulations to discern conformational dynamics and discuss how the conformational preferences of IDPs modulate their function, especially in phenotypic switching. Finally, we discuss recent progress in identifying small molecules targeting IDPs underscoring the potential therapeutic value of IDPs. Understanding structure and function of IDPs can not only provide new insight on cellular decision making but may also help to refine and extend Anfinsen's structure/function paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Vitor B. P. Leite
- Departamento de Física, Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo 15054-000, Brazil
| | - Susmita Roy
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
| | - Supriyo Bhattacharyya
- Translational Bioinformatics, Center for Informatics, Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Atish Mohanty
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Srisairam Achuthan
- Center for Informatics, Division of Research Informatics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Divyoj Singh
- Center for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Rajeswari Appadurai
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Govindan Rangarajan
- Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Keith Weninger
- Department of Physics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
| | | | - Anand Srivastava
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Jose N. Onuchic
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005-1892, USA
| | | | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California 91010, USA
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8
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Abyzov A, Blackledge M, Zweckstetter M. Conformational Dynamics of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins Regulate Biomolecular Condensate Chemistry. Chem Rev 2022; 122:6719-6748. [PMID: 35179885 PMCID: PMC8949871 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Motions in biomolecules
are critical for biochemical reactions.
In cells, many biochemical reactions are executed inside of biomolecular
condensates formed by ultradynamic intrinsically disordered proteins.
A deep understanding of the conformational dynamics of intrinsically
disordered proteins in biomolecular condensates is therefore of utmost
importance but is complicated by diverse obstacles. Here we review
emerging data on the motions of intrinsically disordered proteins
inside of liquidlike condensates. We discuss how liquid–liquid
phase separation modulates internal motions across a wide range of
time and length scales. We further highlight the importance of intermolecular
interactions that not only drive liquid–liquid phase separation
but appear as key determinants for changes in biomolecular motions
and the aging of condensates in human diseases. The review provides
a framework for future studies to reveal the conformational dynamics
of intrinsically disordered proteins in the regulation of biomolecular
condensate chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Abyzov
- Translational Structural Biology Group, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martin Blackledge
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), 38044 Grenoble, France.,CEA, DSV, IBS, 38044 Grenoble, France.,CNRS, IBS, 38044 Grenoble, France
| | - Markus Zweckstetter
- Translational Structural Biology Group, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 37075 Göttingen, Germany.,Department for NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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9
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Song J, Li J, Chan HS. Small-Angle X-ray Scattering Signatures of Conformational Heterogeneity and Homogeneity of Disordered Protein Ensembles. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:6451-6478. [PMID: 34115515 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c02453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
An accurate account of disordered protein conformations is of central importance to deciphering the physicochemical basis of biological functions of intrinsically disordered proteins and the folding-unfolding energetics of globular proteins. Physically, disordered ensembles of nonhomopolymeric polypeptides are expected to be heterogeneous, i.e., they should differ from those homogeneous ensembles of homopolymers that harbor an essentially unique relationship between average values of end-to-end distance REE and radius of gyration Rg. It was posited recently, however, that small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data on conformational dimensions of disordered proteins can be rationalized almost exclusively by homopolymer ensembles. Assessing this perspective, chain-model simulations are used to evaluate the discriminatory power of SAXS-determined molecular form factors (MFFs) with regard to homogeneous versus heterogeneous ensembles. The general approach adopted here is not bound by any assumption about ensemble encodability, in that the postulated heterogeneous ensembles we evaluated are not restricted to those entailed by simple interaction schemes. Our analysis of MFFs for certain heterogeneous ensembles with more narrowly distributed REE and Rg indicates that while they deviate from MFFs of homogeneous ensembles, the differences can be rather small. Remarkably, some heterogeneous ensembles with asphericity and REE drastically different from those of homogeneous ensembles can nonetheless exhibit practically identical MFFs, demonstrating that SAXS MFFs do not afford unique characterizations of basic properties of conformational ensembles in general. In other words, the ensemble to MFF mapping is practically many-to-one and likely nonsmooth. Heteropolymeric variations of the REE-Rg relationship were further showcased using an analytical perturbation theory developed here for flexible heteropolymers. Ramifications of our findings for interpretation of experimental data are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhui Song
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, 53 Zhengzhou Road, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Jichen Li
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, 53 Zhengzhou Road, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Hue Sun Chan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
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10
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Fernandes DA, Fernandes DD, Malik A, Gomes GNW, Appak-Baskoy S, Berndl E, Gradinaru CC, Kolios MC. Multifunctional nanoparticles as theranostic agents for therapy and imaging of breast cancer. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY. B, BIOLOGY 2021; 218:112110. [PMID: 33865007 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2020.112110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade, there has been significant developments in nanotechnology, in particular for combined imaging and therapeutic applications (theranostics). The core or shell of nanoemulsions (NEs) can be loaded with various therapeutic agents, including drugs with low solubility for effective treatment, or various imaging agents for specific imaging modalities (e.g., MRI, fluorescence). In this work, perfluorohexane (PFH) NEs were synthesized for theranostic applications and were coupled to silica coated gold nanoparticles (scAuNPs) to increase the generation of PFH bubbles upon laser induced vaporization (i.e., optical droplet vaporization). The localized heat generated from the absorption properties of these nanoparticles (used to provide photoacoustic signals) can also be used to treat cancer without significantly damaging nearby healthy tissues. The theranostic potential of these PFH-NEs for contrast imaging of tumors and as a drug-delivery vehicle for therapeutic purposes were demonstrated for both in vitro and in vivo systems using a combination of photoacoustic, ultrasound and fluorescence imaging modalities. The ability of PFH-NEs to couple with scAuNPs, attach to the membranes of cancer cells and internalize within cancer cells, are encouraging for targeted chemotherapeutic applications for directly inducing cancer cell death via vaporization in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald A Fernandes
- Department of Chemistry & Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada; Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), a partnership between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T8, Canada.
| | - Dennis D Fernandes
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A7, Canada; Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Aimen Malik
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Gregory-Neal W Gomes
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A7, Canada; Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Sila Appak-Baskoy
- Department of Chemistry & Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada; Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), a partnership between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Berndl
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), a partnership between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T8, Canada; Department of Physics, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Claudiu C Gradinaru
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A7, Canada; Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada.
| | - Michael C Kolios
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), a partnership between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T8, Canada; Department of Physics, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada.
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11
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Lerner E, Barth A, Hendrix J, Ambrose B, Birkedal V, Blanchard SC, Börner R, Sung Chung H, Cordes T, Craggs TD, Deniz AA, Diao J, Fei J, Gonzalez RL, Gopich IV, Ha T, Hanke CA, Haran G, Hatzakis NS, Hohng S, Hong SC, Hugel T, Ingargiola A, Joo C, Kapanidis AN, Kim HD, Laurence T, Lee NK, Lee TH, Lemke EA, Margeat E, Michaelis J, Michalet X, Myong S, Nettels D, Peulen TO, Ploetz E, Razvag Y, Robb NC, Schuler B, Soleimaninejad H, Tang C, Vafabakhsh R, Lamb DC, Seidel CAM, Weiss S. FRET-based dynamic structural biology: Challenges, perspectives and an appeal for open-science practices. eLife 2021; 10:e60416. [PMID: 33779550 PMCID: PMC8007216 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-molecule FRET (smFRET) has become a mainstream technique for studying biomolecular structural dynamics. The rapid and wide adoption of smFRET experiments by an ever-increasing number of groups has generated significant progress in sample preparation, measurement procedures, data analysis, algorithms and documentation. Several labs that employ smFRET approaches have joined forces to inform the smFRET community about streamlining how to perform experiments and analyze results for obtaining quantitative information on biomolecular structure and dynamics. The recent efforts include blind tests to assess the accuracy and the precision of smFRET experiments among different labs using various procedures. These multi-lab studies have led to the development of smFRET procedures and documentation, which are important when submitting entries into the archiving system for integrative structure models, PDB-Dev. This position paper describes the current 'state of the art' from different perspectives, points to unresolved methodological issues for quantitative structural studies, provides a set of 'soft recommendations' about which an emerging consensus exists, and lists openly available resources for newcomers and seasoned practitioners. To make further progress, we strongly encourage 'open science' practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eitan Lerner
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, and The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Mathematics & Science, The Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Anders Barth
- Lehrstuhl für Molekulare Physikalische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine-UniversitätDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Jelle Hendrix
- Dynamic Bioimaging Lab, Advanced Optical Microscopy Centre and Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Hasselt UniversityDiepenbeekBelgium
| | - Benjamin Ambrose
- Department of Chemistry, University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
| | - Victoria Birkedal
- Department of Chemistry and iNANO center, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Scott C Blanchard
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
| | - Richard Börner
- Laserinstitut HS Mittweida, University of Applied Science MittweidaMittweidaGermany
| | - Hoi Sung Chung
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Thorben Cordes
- Physical and Synthetic Biology, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenPlanegg-MartinsriedGermany
| | - Timothy D Craggs
- Department of Chemistry, University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
| | - Ashok A Deniz
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaUnited States
| | - Jiajie Diao
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati School of MedicineCincinnatiUnited States
| | - Jingyi Fei
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and The Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Ruben L Gonzalez
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Irina V Gopich
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Taekjip Ha
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Christian A Hanke
- Lehrstuhl für Molekulare Physikalische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine-UniversitätDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Gilad Haran
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Nikos S Hatzakis
- Department of Chemistry & Nanoscience Centre, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Denmark Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Sungchul Hohng
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Institute of Applied Physics, Seoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Seok-Cheol Hong
- Center for Molecular Spectroscopy and Dynamics, Institute for Basic Science and Department of Physics, Korea UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Thorsten Hugel
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Antonino Ingargiola
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Department of Physiology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Chirlmin Joo
- Department of BioNanoScience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of TechnologyDelftNetherlands
| | - Achillefs N Kapanidis
- Biological Physics Research Group, Clarendon Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Harold D Kim
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaUnited States
| | - Ted Laurence
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National LaboratoryLivermoreUnited States
| | - Nam Ki Lee
- School of Chemistry, Seoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Tae-Hee Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkUnited States
| | - Edward A Lemke
- Departments of Biology and Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg UniversityMainzGermany
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB)MainzGermany
| | - Emmanuel Margeat
- Centre de Biologie Structurale (CBS), CNRS, INSERM, Universitié de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | | | - Xavier Michalet
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Department of Physiology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Sua Myong
- Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Daniel Nettels
- Department of Biochemistry and Department of Physics, University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Thomas-Otavio Peulen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Evelyn Ploetz
- Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience (CeNS), Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) and Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM), Ludwig-Maximilians-UniversitätMünchenGermany
| | - Yair Razvag
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, and The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Mathematics & Science, The Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Nicole C Robb
- Warwick Medical School, University of WarwickCoventryUnited Kingdom
| | - Benjamin Schuler
- Department of Biochemistry and Department of Physics, University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Hamid Soleimaninejad
- Biological Optical Microscopy Platform (BOMP), University of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
| | - Chun Tang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, PKU-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Reza Vafabakhsh
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern UniversityEvanstonUnited States
| | - Don C Lamb
- Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience (CeNS), Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) and Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM), Ludwig-Maximilians-UniversitätMünchenGermany
| | - Claus AM Seidel
- Lehrstuhl für Molekulare Physikalische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine-UniversitätDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Shimon Weiss
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Department of Physiology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Department of Physiology, CaliforniaNanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
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12
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Ligand modulation of the conformational dynamics of the A 2A adenosine receptor revealed by single-molecule fluorescence. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5910. [PMID: 33723285 PMCID: PMC7960716 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84069-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest class of transmembrane proteins, making them an important target for therapeutics. Activation of these receptors is modulated by orthosteric ligands, which stabilize one or several states within a complex conformational ensemble. The intra- and inter-state dynamics, however, is not well documented. Here, we used single-molecule fluorescence to measure ligand-modulated conformational dynamics of the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) on nanosecond to millisecond timescales. Experiments were performed on detergent-purified A2R in either the ligand-free (apo) state, or when bound to an inverse, partial or full agonist ligand. Single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) was performed on detergent-solubilized A2AR to resolve active and inactive states via the separation between transmembrane (TM) helices 4 and 6. The ligand-dependent changes of the smFRET distributions are consistent with conformational selection and with inter-state exchange lifetimes ≥ 3 ms. Local conformational dynamics around residue 2296.31 on TM6 was measured using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), which captures dynamic quenching due to photoinduced electron transfer (PET) between a covalently-attached dye and proximal aromatic residues. Global analysis of PET-FCS data revealed fast (150-350 ns), intermediate (50-60 μs) and slow (200-300 μs) conformational dynamics in A2AR, with lifetimes and amplitudes modulated by ligands and a G-protein mimetic (mini-Gs). Most notably, the agonist binding and the coupling to mini-Gs accelerates and increases the relative contribution of the sub-microsecond phase. Molecular dynamics simulations identified three tyrosine residues (Y112, Y2887.53, and Y2907.55) as being responsible for the dynamic quenching observed by PET-FCS and revealed associated helical motions around residue 2296.31 on TM6. This study provides a quantitative description of conformational dynamics in A2AR and supports the idea that ligands bias not only GPCR conformations but also the dynamics within and between distinct conformational states of the receptor.
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13
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Gomes GN, Levine ZA. Defining the Neuropathological Aggresome across in Silico, in Vitro, and ex Vivo Experiments. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:1974-1996. [PMID: 33464098 PMCID: PMC8362740 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c09193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The loss of proteostasis over the life course is associated with a wide range of debilitating degenerative diseases and is a central hallmark of human aging. When left unchecked, proteins that are intrinsically disordered can pathologically aggregate into highly ordered fibrils, plaques, and tangles (termed amyloids), which are associated with countless disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, type II diabetes, cancer, and even certain viral infections. However, despite significant advances in protein folding and solution biophysics techniques, determining the molecular cause of these conditions in humans has remained elusive. This has been due, in part, to recent discoveries showing that soluble protein oligomers, not insoluble fibrils or plaques, drive the majority of pathological processes. This has subsequently led researchers to focus instead on heterogeneous and often promiscuous protein oligomers. Unfortunately, significant gaps remain in how to prepare, model, experimentally corroborate, and extract amyloid oligomers relevant to human disease in a systematic manner. This Review will report on each of these techniques and their successes and shortcomings in an attempt to standardize comparisons between protein oligomers across disciplines, especially in the context of neurodegeneration. By standardizing multiple techniques and identifying their common overlap, a clearer picture of the soluble neuropathological aggresome can be constructed and used as a baseline for studying human disease and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory-Neal Gomes
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Zachary A. Levine
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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14
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Kulkarni P. Intrinsically Disordered Proteins: Insights from Poincaré, Waddington, and Lamarck. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1490. [PMID: 33126482 PMCID: PMC7692701 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The past quarter-century may justly be referred to as a period analogous to the "Cambrian explosion" in the history of proteins. This period is marked by the appearance of the intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) on the scene since their discovery in the mid-1990s. Here, I first reflect on how we accidentally stumbled on these fascinating molecules. Next, I describe our research on the IDPs over the past decade and identify six areas as important for future research in this field. In addition, I draw on discoveries others in the field have made to present a more comprehensive essay. More specifically, I discuss the role of IDPs in two fundamental aspects of life: in phenotypic switching, and in multicellularity that marks one of the major evolutionary transitions. I highlight how serendipity, imagination, and an interdisciplinary approach embodying empirical evidence and theoretical insights from the works of Poincaré, Waddington, and Lamarck, shaped our thinking, and how this led us to propose the MRK hypothesis, a conceptual framework addressing phenotypic switching, the emergence of new traits, and adaptive evolution via nongenetic and IDP conformation-based mechanisms. Finally, I present a perspective on the evolutionary link between phenotypic switching and the origin of multicellularity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope, National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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15
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Gomes GNW, Krzeminski M, Namini A, Martin EW, Mittag T, Head-Gordon T, Forman-Kay JD, Gradinaru CC. Conformational Ensembles of an Intrinsically Disordered Protein Consistent with NMR, SAXS, and Single-Molecule FRET. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:15697-15710. [PMID: 32840111 PMCID: PMC9987321 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c02088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) have fluctuating heterogeneous conformations, which makes their structural characterization challenging. Although challenging, characterization of the conformational ensembles of IDPs is of great interest, since their conformational ensembles are the link between their sequences and functions. An accurate description of IDP conformational ensembles depends crucially on the amount and quality of the experimental data, how it is integrated, and if it supports a consistent structural picture. We used integrative modeling and validation to apply conformational restraints and assess agreement with the most common structural techniques for IDPs: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Small-angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), and single-molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET). Agreement with such a diverse set of experimental data suggests that details of the generated ensembles can now be examined with a high degree of confidence. Using the disordered N-terminal region of the Sic1 protein as a test case, we examined relationships between average global polymeric descriptions and higher-moments of their distributions. To resolve apparent discrepancies between smFRET and SAXS inferences, we integrated SAXS data with NMR data and reserved the smFRET data for independent validation. Consistency with smFRET, which was not guaranteed a priori, indicates that, globally, the perturbative effects of NMR or smFRET labels on the Sic1 ensemble are minimal. Analysis of the ensembles revealed distinguishing features of Sic1, such as overall compactness and large end-to-end distance fluctuations, which are consistent with biophysical models of Sic1's ultrasensitive binding to its partner Cdc4. Our results underscore the importance of integrative modeling and validation in generating and drawing conclusions from IDP conformational ensembles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory-Neal W Gomes
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada.,Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Mickaël Krzeminski
- Molecular Medicine Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Ashley Namini
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada.,Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Erik W Martin
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Tanja Mittag
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Teresa Head-Gordon
- Departments of Chemistry, Bioengineering, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Julie D Forman-Kay
- Molecular Medicine Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Claudiu C Gradinaru
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada.,Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada
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16
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Sokolik CG, Qassem N, Chill JH. The Disordered Cellular Multi-Tasker WIP and Its Protein-Protein Interactions: A Structural View. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10071084. [PMID: 32708183 PMCID: PMC7407642 DOI: 10.3390/biom10071084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
WASp-interacting protein (WIP), a regulator of actin cytoskeleton assembly and remodeling, is a cellular multi-tasker and a key member of a network of protein-protein interactions, with significant impact on health and disease. Here, we attempt to complement the well-established understanding of WIP function from cell biology studies, summarized in several reviews, with a structural description of WIP interactions, highlighting works that present a molecular view of WIP's protein-protein interactions. This provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which WIP mediates its biological functions. The fully disordered WIP also serves as an intriguing example of how intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) exert their function. WIP consists of consecutive small functional domains and motifs that interact with a host of cellular partners, with a striking preponderance of proline-rich motif capable of interactions with several well-recognized binding partners; indeed, over 30% of the WIP primary structure are proline residues. We focus on the binding motifs and binding interfaces of three important WIP segments, the actin-binding N-terminal domain, the central domain that binds SH3 domains of various interaction partners, and the WASp-binding C-terminal domain. Beyond the obvious importance of a more fundamental understanding of the biology of this central cellular player, this approach carries an immediate and highly beneficial effect on drug-design efforts targeting WIP and its binding partners. These factors make the value of such structural studies, challenging as they are, readily apparent.
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17
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Non-cooperative 4E-BP2 folding with exchange between eIF4E-binding and binding-incompatible states tunes cap-dependent translation inhibition. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3146. [PMID: 32561718 PMCID: PMC7305185 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16783-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylation of intrinsically disordered eIF4E binding proteins (4E-BPs) regulates cap-dependent translation by weakening their ability to compete with eIF4G for eIF4E binding within the translation initiation complex. We previously showed that phosphorylation of T37 and T46 in 4E-BP2 induces folding of a four-stranded beta-fold domain, partially sequestering the canonical eIF4E-binding helix. The C-terminal intrinsically disordered region (C-IDR), remaining disordered after phosphorylation, contains the secondary eIF4E-binding site and three other phospho-sites, whose mechanisms in inhibiting binding are not understood. Here we report that the domain is non-cooperatively folded, with exchange between beta strands and helical conformations. C-IDR phosphorylation shifts the conformational equilibrium, controlling access to eIF4E binding sites. The hairpin turns formed by pT37/pT46 are remarkably stable and function as transplantable units for phospho-regulation of stability. These results demonstrate how non-cooperative folding and conformational exchange leads to graded inhibition of 4E-BP2:eIF4E binding, shifting 4E-BP2 into an eIF4E binding-incompatible conformation and regulating translation initiation. Phosphorylation of eIF4E binding proteins (4E-BPs) controls their folding and regulates cap-dependent translation. Here, the authors show that phosphorylation of the C-terminal disordered region stabilizes the non-cooperatively folded 4E-BP domain to an eIF4E binding-incompatible state to control translation.
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18
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Extended Experimental Inferential Structure Determination Method in Determining the Structural Ensembles of Disordered Protein States. Commun Chem 2020; 3:74. [PMID: 32775701 PMCID: PMC7409953 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-020-0323-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins with intrinsic or unfolded state disorder comprise a new frontier in structural biology, requiring the characterization of diverse and dynamic structural ensembles. We introduce a comprehensive Bayesian framework, the Extended Experimental Inferential Structure Determination (X-EISD) method, that calculates the maximum log-likelihood of a disordered protein ensemble. X-EISD accounts for the uncertainties of a range of experimental data and back-calculation models from structures, including NMR chemical shifts, J-couplings, Nuclear Overhauser Effects (NOEs), paramagnetic relaxation enhancements (PREs), residual dipolar couplings (RDCs), hydrodynamic radii (R h ), single molecule fluorescence Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). We apply X-EISD to the joint optimization against experimental data for the unfolded drkN SH3 domain and find that combining a local data type, such as chemical shifts or J-couplings, paired with long-ranged restraints such as NOEs, PREs or smFRET, yields structural ensembles in good agreement with all other data types if combined with representative IDP conformers.
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19
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Soranno A. Physical basis of the disorder-order transition. Arch Biochem Biophys 2020; 685:108305. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2020.108305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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20
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Hamad N, Mashima T, Yamaoki Y, Kondo K, Yoneda R, Oyoshi T, Kurokawa R, Nagata T, Katahira M. RNA sequence and length contribute to RNA-induced conformational change of TLS/FUS. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2629. [PMID: 32060318 PMCID: PMC7021683 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59496-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Translocated in liposarcoma (TLS)/fused in sarcoma (FUS) is a multitasking DNA/RNA binding protein implicated in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Upon DNA damage, TLS is recruited to the upstream region of the cyclin D1 gene (CCND1) through binding to the promotor associated non-coding RNA (pncRNA) that is transcribed from and tethered at the upstream region. Binding to pncRNA is hypothesized to cause the conformational change of TLS that enables its inhibitive interaction with histone acetyltransferases and resultant repression of CCND1 expression, although no experimental proof has been obtained. Here, the closed-to-open conformational change of TLS on binding pncRNA was implied by fluorescence resonance energy transfer. A small fragment (31 nucleotides) of the full-length pncRNA (602 nucleotides) was shown to be sufficient for the conformational change of TLS. Dissection of pncRNA identified the G-rich RNA sequence that is critical for the conformational change. The length of RNA was also revealed to be critical for the conformational change. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the conformational change of TLS is caused by another target DNA and RNA, telomeric DNA and telomeric repeat-containing RNA. The conformational change of TLS on binding target RNA/DNA is suggested to be essential for biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nesreen Hamad
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 611-0011, Japan.,Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Mashima
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 611-0011, Japan.,Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yudai Yamaoki
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 611-0011, Japan
| | - Keiko Kondo
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 611-0011, Japan
| | - Ryoma Yoneda
- Research Center of Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, 350-0495, Japan
| | - Takanori Oyoshi
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Riki Kurokawa
- Research Center of Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, 350-0495, Japan
| | - Takashi Nagata
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 611-0011, Japan.,Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Masato Katahira
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 611-0011, Japan. .,Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
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21
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Abstract
Functions of intrinsically disordered proteins do not require structure. Such structure-independent functionality has melted away the classic rigid "lock and key" representation of structure-function relationships in proteins, opening a new page in protein science, where molten keys operate on melted locks and where conformational flexibility and intrinsic disorder, structural plasticity and extreme malleability, multifunctionality and binding promiscuity represent a new-fangled reality. Analysis and understanding of this new reality require novel tools, and some of the techniques elaborated for the examination of intrinsically disordered protein functions are outlined in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir N. Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
- Laboratory of New Methods in Biology, Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russian Federation
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22
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Brosey CA, Tainer JA. Evolving SAXS versatility: solution X-ray scattering for macromolecular architecture, functional landscapes, and integrative structural biology. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2019; 58:197-213. [PMID: 31204190 PMCID: PMC6778498 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) has emerged as an enabling integrative technique for comprehensive analyses of macromolecular structures and interactions in solution. Over the past two decades, SAXS has become a mainstay of the structural biologist's toolbox, supplying multiplexed measurements of molecular shape and dynamics that unveil biological function. Here, we discuss evolving SAXS theory, methods, and applications that extend the field of small-angle scattering beyond simple shape characterization. SAXS, coupled with size-exclusion chromatography (SEC-SAXS) and time-resolved (TR-SAXS) methods, is now providing high-resolution insight into macromolecular flexibility and ensembles, delineating biophysical landscapes, and facilitating high-throughput library screening to assess macromolecular properties and to create opportunities for drug discovery. Looking forward, we consider SAXS in the integrative era of hybrid structural biology methods, its potential for illuminating cellular supramolecular and mesoscale structures, and its capacity to complement high-throughput bioinformatics sequencing data. As advances in the field continue, we look forward to proliferating uses of SAXS based upon its abilities to robustly produce mechanistic insights for biology and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris A Brosey
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology and Cancer Biology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - John A Tainer
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology and Cancer Biology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; MBIB Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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23
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Krainer G, Keller S, Schlierf M. Structural dynamics of membrane-protein folding from single-molecule FRET. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2019; 58:124-137. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2019.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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24
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Litwin DB, Durham RJ, Jayaraman V. Single-Molecule FRET Methods to Study Glutamate Receptors. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1941:3-16. [PMID: 30707423 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9077-1_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Single-molecule fluorescence energy transfer methods allow us to determine the complete structural landscape between the donor and acceptor fluorophores introduced on the protein of interest. This method is particularly attractive to study ion channel proteins as single-molecule current recordings have been used to study the function of these proteins for several decades. Here we describe the smFRET method used to study glutamate receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas B Litwin
- Center for Membrane Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ryan J Durham
- Center for Membrane Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vasanthi Jayaraman
- Center for Membrane Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
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25
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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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26
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Bacterial functional amyloids: Order from disorder. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2019; 1867:954-960. [PMID: 31195143 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2019.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of intrinsic disorderness in proteins and peptide regions has given a new and useful insight into the working of biological systems. Due to enormous plasticity and heterogeneity, intrinsically disordered proteins or regions in proteins can perform myriad of functions. The flexibility in disordered proteins allows them to undergo conformation transition to form homopolymers of proteins called amyloids. Amyloids are highly structured protein aggregates associated with many neurodegenerative diseases. However, amyloids have gained much appreciation in recent years due to their functional roles. A functional amyloid fiber called curli is assembled on the bacterial cell surface as a part of the extracellular matrix during biofilm formation. The extracellular matrix that encases cells in a biofilm protects the cells and provides resistance against many environmental stresses. Several of the Csg (curli specific genes) proteins that are required for curli amyloid assembly are predicted to be intrinsically disordered. Therefore, curli amyloid formation is highly orchestrated so that these intrinsically disordered proteins do not inappropriately aggregate at the wrong time or place. The curli proteins are compartmentalized and there are chaperone-like proteins that prevent inappropriate aggregation and allow the controlled assembly of curli amyloids. Here we review the biogenesis of curli amyloids and the role that intrinsically disordered proteins play in the process.
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27
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Holmstrom ED, Holla A, Zheng W, Nettels D, Best RB, Schuler B. Accurate Transfer Efficiencies, Distance Distributions, and Ensembles of Unfolded and Intrinsically Disordered Proteins From Single-Molecule FRET. Methods Enzymol 2018; 611:287-325. [PMID: 30471690 PMCID: PMC8018263 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2018.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) sample structurally diverse ensembles. Characterizing the underlying distributions of conformations is a key step toward understanding the structural and functional properties of IDPs. One increasingly popular method for obtaining quantitative information on intramolecular distances and distributions is single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). Here we describe two essential elements of the quantitative analysis of single-molecule FRET data of IDPs: the sample-specific calibration of the single-molecule instrument that is required for determining accurate transfer efficiencies, and the use of state-of-the-art methods for inferring accurate distance distributions from these transfer efficiencies. First, we illustrate how to quantify the correction factors for instrument calibration with alternating donor and acceptor excitation measurements of labeled samples spanning a wide range of transfer efficiencies. Second, we show how to infer distance distributions based on suitably parameterized simple polymer models, and how to obtain conformational ensembles from Bayesian reweighting of molecular simulations or from parameter optimization in simplified coarse-grained models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik D Holmstrom
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Andrea Holla
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Wenwei Zheng
- College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Arizona State University, Mesa, AZ, United States.
| | - Daniel Nettels
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Robert B Best
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
| | - Benjamin Schuler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Physics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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28
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LeBlanc SJ, Kulkarni P, Weninger KR. Single Molecule FRET: A Powerful Tool to Study Intrinsically Disordered Proteins. Biomolecules 2018; 8:biom8040140. [PMID: 30413085 PMCID: PMC6315554 DOI: 10.3390/biom8040140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are often modeled using ideas from polymer physics that suggest they smoothly explore all corners of configuration space. Experimental verification of this random, dynamic behavior is difficult as random fluctuations of IDPs cannot be synchronized across an ensemble. Single molecule fluorescence (or Förster) resonance energy transfer (smFRET) is one of the few approaches that are sensitive to transient populations of sub-states within molecular ensembles. In some implementations, smFRET has sufficient time resolution to resolve transitions in IDP behaviors. Here we present experimental issues to consider when applying smFRET to study IDP configuration. We illustrate the power of applying smFRET to IDPs by discussing two cases in the literature of protein systems for which smFRET has successfully reported phosphorylation-induced modification (but not elimination) of the disordered properties that have been connected to impacts on the related biological function. The examples we discuss, PAGE4 and a disordered segment of the GluN2B subunit of the NMDA receptor, illustrate the great potential of smFRET to inform how IDP function can be regulated by controlling the detailed ensemble of disordered states within biological networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharonda J LeBlanc
- Department of Physics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
| | - Keith R Weninger
- Department of Physics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
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29
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Song J, Gomes GN, Shi T, Gradinaru CC, Chan HS. Conformational Heterogeneity and FRET Data Interpretation for Dimensions of Unfolded Proteins. Biophys J 2017; 113:1012-1024. [PMID: 28877485 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2017.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A mathematico-physically valid formulation is required to infer properties of disordered protein conformations from single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET). Conformational dimensions inferred by conventional approaches that presume a homogeneous conformational ensemble can be unphysical. When all possible-heterogeneous as well as homogeneous-conformational distributions are taken into account without prejudgment, a single value of average transfer efficiency 〈E〉 between dyes at two chain ends is generally consistent with highly diverse, multiple values of the average radius of gyration 〈Rg〉. Here we utilize unbiased conformational statistics from a coarse-grained explicit-chain model to establish a general logical framework to quantify this fundamental ambiguity in smFRET inference. As an application, we address the long-standing controversy regarding the denaturant dependence of 〈Rg〉 of unfolded proteins, focusing on Protein L as an example. Conventional smFRET inference concluded that 〈Rg〉 of unfolded Protein L is highly sensitive to [GuHCl], but data from SAXS suggested a near-constant 〈Rg〉 irrespective of [GuHCl]. Strikingly, our analysis indicates that although the reported 〈E〉 values for Protein L at [GuHCl] = 1 and 7 M are very different at 0.75 and 0.45, respectively, the Bayesian Rg2 distributions consistent with these two 〈E〉 values overlap by as much as 75%. Our findings suggest, in general, that the smFRET-SAXS discrepancy regarding unfolded protein dimensions likely arise from highly heterogeneous conformational ensembles at low or zero denaturant, and that additional experimental probes are needed to ascertain the nature of this heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhui Song
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, China; Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gregory-Neal Gomes
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tongfei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Claudiu C Gradinaru
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hue Sun Chan
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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30
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Fernandes DD, Bamrah J, Kailasam S, Gomes GNW, Li Y, Wieden HJ, Gradinaru CC. Characterization of Fluorescein Arsenical Hairpin (FlAsH) as a Probe for Single-Molecule Fluorescence Spectroscopy. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13063. [PMID: 29026195 PMCID: PMC5638890 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13427-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, new labelling strategies have been developed that involve the genetic insertion of small amino-acid sequences for specific attachment of small organic fluorophores. Here, we focus on the tetracysteine FCM motif (FLNCCPGCCMEP), which binds to fluorescein arsenical hairpin (FlAsH), and the ybbR motif (TVLDSLEFIASKLA) which binds fluorophores conjugated to Coenzyme A (CoA) via a phosphoryl transfer reaction. We designed a peptide containing both motifs for orthogonal labelling with FlAsH and Alexa647 (AF647). Molecular dynamics simulations showed that both motifs remain solvent-accessible for labelling reactions. Fluorescence spectra, correlation spectroscopy and anisotropy decay were used to characterize labelling and to obtain photophysical parameters of free and peptide-bound FlAsH. The data demonstrates that FlAsH is a viable probe for single-molecule studies. Single-molecule imaging confirmed dual labeling of the peptide with FlAsH and AF647. Multiparameter single-molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET) measurements were performed on freely diffusing peptides in solution. The smFRET histogram showed different peaks corresponding to different backbone and dye orientations, in agreement with the molecular dynamics simulations. The tandem of fluorophores and the labelling strategy described here are a promising alternative to bulky fusion fluorescent proteins for smFRET and single-molecule tracking studies of membrane proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis D Fernandes
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A7, Canada.
- Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, L5L 1C6, Canada.
| | - Jasbir Bamrah
- Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Senthilkumar Kailasam
- Alberta RNA Research & Training Institute, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Gregory-Neal W Gomes
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A7, Canada
- Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Yuchong Li
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A7, Canada
- Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Hans-Joachim Wieden
- Alberta RNA Research & Training Institute, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Claudiu C Gradinaru
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A7, Canada.
- Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, L5L 1C6, Canada.
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