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Juković M, Ratkaj I, Kalafatovic D, Bradshaw NJ. Amyloids, amorphous aggregates and assemblies of peptides - Assessing aggregation. Biophys Chem 2024; 308:107202. [PMID: 38382283 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2024.107202] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Amyloid and amorphous aggregates represent the two major categories of aggregates associated with diseases, and although exhibiting distinct features, researchers often treat them as equivalent, which demonstrates the need for more thorough characterization. Here, we compare amyloid and amorphous aggregates based on their biochemical properties, kinetics, and morphological features. To further decipher this issue, we propose the use of peptide self-assemblies as minimalistic models for understanding the aggregation process. Peptide building blocks are significantly smaller than proteins that participate in aggregation, however, they make a plausible means to bridge the gap in discerning the aggregation process at the more complex, protein level. Additionally, we explore the potential use of peptide-inspired models to research the liquid-liquid phase separation as a feasible mechanism preceding amyloid formation. Connecting these concepts can help clarify our understanding of aggregation-related disorders and potentially provide novel drug targets to impede and reverse these serious illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Juković
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Ivana Ratkaj
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Daniela Kalafatovic
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
| | - Nicholas J Bradshaw
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
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2
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Kibria MG, Shiwaku Y, Brindha S, Kuroda Y. Biophysical and biochemical nature of amorphous protein oligomers determines the strength of immune response and the generation of T-cell memory. FEBS J 2023; 290:4712-4725. [PMID: 37287403 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16884] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Here, we used domain 3 of dengue virus serotype 3 envelope protein (D3ED3), a natively folded globular low-immunogenicity protein, to ask whether the biophysical nature of amorphous oligomers can affect immunogenicity. We prepared nearly identical 30 ~ 50 nm-sized amorphous oligomers in five distinct ways and looked at any correlation between their biophysical properties and immunogenicity. One oligomer type was produced using our SCP tag (solubility controlling peptide) made of 5 isoleucines (C5I). The others were prepared by miss-shuffling the SS bonds (Ms), heating (Ht), stirring (St) and freeze-thaw (FT). Dynamic light scattering showed that all five formulations contained oligomers of approximately identical sizes with hydrodynamic radii (Rh) between 30 and 55 nm. Circular dichroism (cd) indicated that the secondary structure content of oligomers formed by stirring and freeze-thaw was essentially identical to that of the native monomeric D3ED3. The secondary structure content of the Ms showed moderate changes, whereas the C5I and heat-induced (Ht) oligomers exhibited a significant change. The Ms contained D3ED3 with intermolecular SS bonds as assessed by nonreducing size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Immunization in JcL:ICR mice showed that both C5I and Ms significantly increased the anti-D3ED3 IgG titre. Ht, St and FT were only mildly immunogenic, similar to the monomeric D3ED3. Cell surface CD marker analysis by flow cytometry confirmed that immunization with Ms generated a strong central and effector T-cell memory. Our observations indeed suggest that controlled oligomerization can provide a new, adjuvant-free method for increasing a protein's immunogenicity, yielding a potentially powerful platform for protein-based (subunit) vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Golam Kibria
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei-shi, Japan
| | - Yukari Shiwaku
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei-shi, Japan
| | - Subbaian Brindha
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei-shi, Japan
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-Shi, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kuroda
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei-shi, Japan
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3
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Wongnak R, Brindha S, Yoshizue T, Onchaiya S, Mizutani K, Kuroda Y. E. coli production of a multi-disulfide bonded SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 RBD exhibiting native-like biochemical and biophysical properties. Biophys Physicobiol 2023; 20:e200036. [PMID: 38344033 PMCID: PMC10850476 DOI: 10.2142/biophysico.bppb-v20.0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Low-cost bacterial production of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron spike protein holds significant potential in expediting the development of therapeutics against COVID-19. However, RBD contains eight cysteines forming four disulfide bonds, and expression in E. coli using standard protocols produces insoluble RBD forming non-native disulfide bonds. Here, we expressed RBD in E. coli T7 SHuffle with high aeration, which enhanced disulfide formation in the cytoplasm and reshuffling of non-native disulfide bonds, and at a low temperature of 16°C, which stabilized the native conformation and thus the formation of the native disulfide bonds. The yield of RBD was as high as 3 mg per 200 mL culture. We analyzed the conformational and biophysical properties of our E. coli-expressed RBD. First, the RP-HPLC elution profile indicated a single peak, suggesting that RBD was folded with a single disulfide bond pairing pattern. Next, circular dichroism analysis indicated a secondary structure content very close to that computed from the crystal structure. RBD's thermal denaturation monitored by CD was cooperative, strongly indicating a well-folded protein structure. Moreover, limited proteolysis showed that RBD was nearly as stable as RNase A, and the formation of native disulfide bonds was confirmed by LC-MS analysis. Furthermore, BLI analysis indicated a strong binding of RBD with the hACE2 with a dissociation constant of 0.83 nM, confirming the folded nature of RBD. Altogether, these results demonstrate that our E. coli-expression system can provide a large amount of highly purified RBD with correct disulfide bonds and native-like biochemical and biophysical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rawiwan Wongnak
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Subbaian Brindha
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8538, Japan
| | - Takahiro Yoshizue
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Sawaros Onchaiya
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Kenji Mizutani
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kuroda
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8538, Japan
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Kuroda Y. Biophysical studies of amorphous protein aggregation and in vivo immunogenicity. Biophys Rev 2022; 14:1495-1501. [PMID: 36465085 PMCID: PMC9684872 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-022-01011-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Amorphous protein aggregates are oligomers that lack specific, high-order structures. Soluble amorphous aggregates are smaller than ~1 µm. Despite their lack of high-order structure, amorphous protein aggregates exhibit specific biophysical properties such as reversibility of formation, density, conformation, and biochemical stability. Our mutational analysis using a Solubility Controlling Peptide (SCP) tag strongly suggests that amorphous aggregation of small globular proteins can significantly increase in vivo immune response and that the magnitude of enhanced immune responses depends on the aggregates' biophysical and biochemical properties. We propose that SCP tags might help develop subunit (protein) adjuvant-free (immunostimulant-free) vaccines by controlling the aggregation propensity of target proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Kuroda
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-Shi, Tokyo, 184-8588 Japan
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5
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Lattice-model analysis of the effect of protein surface charge distribution on amorphous aggregation and condensation. Chem Phys Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2022.139767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Aklima J, Onchaiya S, Saotome T, Velmurugan P, Motoichi T, Naima J, Kuroda Y, Ohta Y. Direct Analysis of Mitochondrial Damage Caused by Misfolded/Destabilized Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179881. [PMID: 36077279 PMCID: PMC9456338 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein quality control is essential for cellular homeostasis. In this study, we examined the effect of improperly folded proteins that do not form amyloid fibrils on mitochondria, which play important roles in ATP production and cell death. First, we prepared domain 3 of the dengue envelope protein in wild type and four mutants with widely different biophysical properties in misfolded/aggregated or destabilized states. The effects of the different proteins were detected using fluorescence microscopy and Western blotting, which revealed that three of the five proteins disrupted both inner and outer membrane integrity, while the other two proteins, including the wild type, did not. Next, we examined the common characteristics of the proteins that displayed toxicity against mitochondria by measuring oligomer size, molten globule-like properties, and thermal stability. The common feature of all three toxic proteins was thermal instability. Therefore, our data strongly suggest that thermally unstable proteins generated in the cytosol can cause cellular damage by coming into direct contact with mitochondria. More importantly, we revealed that this damage is not amyloid-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannatul Aklima
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Sawaros Onchaiya
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Tomonori Saotome
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Niigata 940-2188, Japan
| | - Punitha Velmurugan
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Taihei Motoichi
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Jannatul Naima
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kuroda
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ohta
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
- Correspondence:
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A Multi-Disulfide Receptor-Binding Domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Expressed in E. coli Using a SEP-Tag Produces Antisera Interacting with the Mammalian Cell Expressed Spike (S1) Protein. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031703. [PMID: 35163624 PMCID: PMC8835783 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
An Escherichia coli (E. coli) production of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 (isolate Wuhan-Hu-1) spike protein would significantly accelerate the search for anti-COVID-19 therapeutics because of its versatility and low cost. However, RBD contains four disulfide bonds and its expression in E. coli is limited by the formation of aberrant disulfide bonds resulting in inclusion bodies. Here, we show that a solubility-enhancing peptide (SEP) tag containing nine arginine residues (RBD-C9R) attached at the C-terminus can overcome this problem. The SEP-tag increased the expression in the soluble fraction and the final yield by five times (2 mg/L). The folding properties of the E. coli expressed RBD-C9R were demonstrated with biophysical characterization using RP-HPLC, circular dichroism, thermal denaturation, fluorescence, and light scattering. A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) analysis confirmed the binding activity of RBD-C9R with ACE2, the host cell’s receptor. In addition, RBD-C9R elicited a Th-2 immune response with a high IgG titer in Jcl: ICR mice. The RBD-C9R antisera interacted with both itself and the mammalian-cell expressed spike protein (S1), as demonstrated by ELISA, indicating that the E. coli expressed RBD-C9R harbors native-like epitopes. Overall, these results emphasize the potential of our SEP-tag for the E. coli production of active multi-disulfide-bonded RBD.
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Rahman N, Miura S, Okawa M, Kibria MG, Islam MM, Kuroda Y. Solubility Controlling Peptide Tags of Opposite Charges Generate a Bivalent Immune Response Against Dengue ED3 Serotypes 3 and 4. Front Immunol 2021; 12:671590. [PMID: 34177912 PMCID: PMC8226127 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.671590] [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: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that a protein’s immunogenicity could be substantially increased by attaching a hydrophobic solubility controlling peptide tag (SCP-tag) producing small sub-visible aggregates. Here, we report the oligomerization of Dengue envelop protein domain 3 (ED3), and consequently, its immunogenicity increase by mixing ED3s attached with SCP-tags of opposite charges at equimolar concentration. We used ED3 of serotype 3 (D3ED3) and serotype 4 (D4ED3), which are, respectively, moderately and poorly immunogenic, and their SCP tagged variants constructed by attaching either a C-termini 5-Aspartic acid (C5D) or a 5-Lysine (C5K) tag. Light scattering indicated that the isolated tagged ED3s remained monomeric, but mixing the C5D and C5K tagged ED3s at equimolar concentration generated sub-visible aggregates or oligomers of ~500 nm through electrostatic interaction. In addition, the oligomerized ED3s remained in a native-like state, as assessed by fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism. The in vivo immunogenicity of the D3ED3 and D4ED3 oligomers generated by the charged tags increased by 5 and 16 fold, respectively. Furthermore, injection of heterotypic ED3 oligomers (D3C5D+D4C5K) induced an immune response against both D3ED3 and D4ED3 in 3 of 4 responsive mice, and the IgG titer of the bivalent anti-D3C5D-D4C5K sera was over 100 times higher than that generated by co-injecting the untagged D3ED3 and D4ED3 (D3+D4). Altogether, these observations suggest that SCP-tags could be used as a platform for producing a long-sought tetravalent dengue vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafsoon Rahman
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shiho Miura
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mami Okawa
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Md Golam Kibria
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mohammad Monirul Islam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Yutaka Kuroda
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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Kibria MG, Fukutani A, Akazawa-Ogawa Y, Hagihara Y, Kuroda Y. Anti-EGFR V HH Antibody under Thermal Stress Is Better Solubilized with a Lysine than with an Arginine SEP Tag. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11060810. [PMID: 34072518 PMCID: PMC8229009 DOI: 10.3390/biom11060810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we assessed the potential of arginine and lysine solubility-enhancing peptide (SEP) tags to control the solubility of a model protein, anti-EGFR VHH-7D12, in a thermally denatured state at a high temperature. We produced VHH-7D12 antibodies attached with a C-terminal SEP tag made of either five or nine arginines or lysines (7D12-C5R, 7D12-C9R, 7D12-C5K and 7D12-C9K, respectively). The 5-arginine and 5-lysine SEP tags increased the E. coli expression of VHH-7D12 by over 80%. Biophysical and biochemical analysis confirmed the native-like secondary and tertiary structural properties and the monomeric nature of all VHH-7D12 variants. Moreover, all VHH-7D12 variants retained a full binding activity to the EGFR extracellular domain. Finally, thermal stress with 45-minute incubation at 60 and 75 °C, where VHH-7D12 variants are unfolded, showed that the untagged VHH-7D12 formed aggregates in all of the four buffers, and the supernatant protein concentration was reduced by up to 35%. 7D12-C5R and 7D12-C9R did not aggregate in Na-acetate (pH 4.7) and Tris-HCl (pH 8.5) but formed aggregates in phosphate buffer (PB, pH 7.4) and phosphate buffer saline (PBS, pH 7.4). The lysine tags (either C5K or C9K) had the strongest solubilization effect, and both 7D12-C5K and 7D12-C9K remained in the supernatant. Altogether, our results indicate that, under a thermal stress condition, the lysine SEP tags solubilization effect is more potent than that of an arginine SEP tags, and the SEP tags did not affect the structural and functional properties of the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Golam Kibria
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan; (M.G.K.); (A.F.)
| | - Akari Fukutani
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan; (M.G.K.); (A.F.)
| | - Yoko Akazawa-Ogawa
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-8-31, Midorigaoka, Ikeda, Osaka 563-8577, Japan; (Y.A.-O.); (Y.H.)
| | - Yoshihisa Hagihara
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-8-31, Midorigaoka, Ikeda, Osaka 563-8577, Japan; (Y.A.-O.); (Y.H.)
| | - Yutaka Kuroda
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan; (M.G.K.); (A.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +81-42-388-7794
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Saotome T, Mezaki T, Brindha S, Unzai S, Martinez JC, Kidokoro SI, Kuroda Y. Thermodynamic Analysis of Point Mutations Inhibiting High-Temperature Reversible Oligomerization of PDZ3. Biophys J 2020; 119:1391-1401. [PMID: 32961107 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated that PDZ3 undergoes a peculiar thermal denaturation, exhibiting two endothermic peaks because of the formation of reversible oligomers at high temperature (N↔I6↔D). This contrasts sharply with the standard two-state denaturation model observed for small, globular proteins. We performed an alanine scanning analysis by individually mutating three hydrophobic residues at the crystallographic oligomeric interface (Phe340, Leu342, and Ile389) and one away from the interface (Leu349, as a control). DSC analysis indicated that PDZ3-F340A and PDZ3-L342A exhibited a single endothermic peak. Furthermore, PDZ3-L342A underwent a perfect two-state denaturation, as evidenced by the single endothermic peak and confirmed by detailed DSC analysis, including global fitting of data measured at different protein concentrations. Reversible oligomerization (RO) at high temperatures by small globular proteins is a rare event. Furthermore, our present study showing that a point mutation, L342A, designed based on the crystal structure inhibited RO is surprising because RO occurs at a high-temperature. Future studies will determine how and why mutations designed using crystal structures determined at ambient temperatures influence the formation of RO at high temperatures, and whether high-temperature ROs are related to the propensity of proteins to aggregate or precipitate at lower temperatures, which would provide a novel and unique way of controlling protein solubility and aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonori Saotome
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science; Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taichi Mezaki
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Niigata, Japan
| | | | - Satoru Unzai
- Department of Frontier Bioscience, Faculty of Bioscience and Applied Chemistry, Hosei University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jose C Martinez
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Shun-Ichi Kidokoro
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Niigata, Japan
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Rahman N, Islam MM, Kibria MG, Unzai S, Kuroda Y. A systematic mutational analysis identifies a 5-residue proline tag that enhances the in vivo immunogenicity of a non-immunogenic model protein. FEBS Open Bio 2020; 10:1947-1956. [PMID: 33017095 PMCID: PMC7530378 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor immunogenicity of small proteins is a major hurdle in developing vaccines or producing antibodies for biopharmaceutical usage. Here, we systematically analyzed the effects of 10 solubility controlling peptide tags (SCP‐tags) on the immunogenicity of a non‐immunogenic model protein, bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI‐19A; 6 kDa). CD, fluorescence, DLS, SLS, and AUC measurements indicated that the SCP‐tags did not change the secondary structure content nor the tertiary structures of the protein nor its monomeric state. ELISA results indicated that the 5‐proline (C5P) and 5‐arginine (C5R) tags unexpectedly increased the IgG level of BPTI‐19A by 240‐ and 73‐fold, respectively, suggesting that non‐oligomerizing SCP‐tags may provide a novel method for increasing the immunogenicity of a protein in a highly specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafsoon Rahman
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mohammad Monirul Islam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Md Golam Kibria
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoru Unzai
- Department of Frontier Bioscience, Faculty of Bioscience and Applied Chemistry, Hosei University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kuroda
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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12
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Rahman N, Islam MM, Unzai S, Miura S, Kuroda Y. Nanometer-Sized Aggregates Generated Using Short Solubility Controlling Peptide Tags Do Increase the In Vivo Immunogenicity of a Nonimmunogenic Protein. Mol Pharm 2020; 17:1629-1637. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nafsoon Rahman
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Mohammad Monirul Islam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Satoru Unzai
- Department of Frontier Bioscience, Faculty of Bioscience and Applied Chemistry, Hosei University, 3-7-2 Kajino-cho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8584, Japan
| | - Shiho Miura
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kuroda
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
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13
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Islam MM, Miura S, Hasan MN, Rahman N, Kuroda Y. Anti-Dengue ED3 Long-Term Immune Response With T-Cell Memory Generated Using Solubility Controlling Peptide Tags. Front Immunol 2020; 11:333. [PMID: 32256488 PMCID: PMC7089932 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant proteins are an attractive choice as a safe alternative to traditional live attenuated vaccines. However, most small-size proteins are poorly immunogenic, and adjuvants, whose mode of action remain to be fully clarified, are needed for increasing their immunogenicity. Here, we report the effects of short solubility controlling peptide tags (SCP-tags) on the immunogenicity of DENV3 envelope protein domain 3 (3ED3; 103 residues, 11.46 kDa) in ICR and Swiss albino model mice. The attachment of a 4-Ile SCP-tag (C4I-tag) increased the hydrodynamic radius of 3ED3 from 2.2 ± 0.09 to 111 ± 146 nm as assessed by dynamic light scattering in phosphate buffered saline at 37°C, indicating that the C4I-tag oligomerized 3ED3. Immunization at 30 μg/dose showed that the untagged 3ED3 was not or poorly immunogenic, whereas the C4I-tag increased its immunogenicity by up to 39-fold as assessed by the IgG level measured using ELISA. Moreover, the increased antibody level was sustained for over 6 months after immunization and a high number of effector and central memory T cells were generated. These observations provide solid and quantitative evidence for the hypothesis that subvisible aggregates with hydrodynamic radii of 100 nm can increase immunogenicity and that SCP-tag can establish a long-term, target-specific immune response in a way adequate for the development of a peptide/protein-based DENV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad M Islam
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Shiho Miura
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mohammad N Hasan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Nafsoon Rahman
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kuroda
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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Large-scale all-atom molecular dynamics alanine-scanning of IAPP octapeptides provides insights into the molecular determinants of amyloidogenicity. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2530. [PMID: 30792475 PMCID: PMC6384915 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38401-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to investigate the early phase of the amyloid formation by the short amyloidogenic octapeptide sequence (‘NFGAILSS’) derived from IAPP, we carried out a 100ns all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of systems that contain 27 peptides and over 30,000 water molecules. The large-scale calculations were performed for the wild type sequence and seven alanine-scanned sequences using AMBER 8.0 on RIKEN’s special purpose MD-GRAPE3 supercomputer, using the all-atom point charge force field ff99, which do not favor β-structures. Large peptide clusters (size 18–26 mers) were observed for all simulations, and our calculations indicated that isoleucine at position 5 played important role in the formation of β-rich clusters. In the oligomeric state, the wild type and the S7A sequences had the highest β-structure content (~14%), as calculated by DSSP, in line with experimental observations, whereas I5A and G3A had the highest helical content (~20%). Importantly, the β-structure preferences of wild type IAPP originate from its association into clusters and are not intrinsic to its sequence. Altogether, the results of this first large-scale, multi-peptide all-atom molecular dynamics simulation appear to provide insights into the mechanism of amyloidogenic and non-amyloidogenic oligomers that mainly corroborate previous experimental observations.
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15
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Nautiyal K, Kuroda Y. A SEP tag enhances the expression, solubility and yield of recombinant TEV protease without altering its activity. N Biotechnol 2018; 42:77-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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