Thermally induced structural changes of intrinsically disordered small heat shock protein Hsp22

Human apo-metallothionein 1a is not a random coil: Evidence from guanidinium chloride, high temperature, and acidic pH unfolding studies

The structures of apo-metallothioneins (apo-MTs) have been relatively elusive due to their fluxional, disordered state which has been difficult to characterize. However, intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) structures are rather diverse, which raises questions about where the structure of apo-MTs fit into the protein structural spectrum. In this paper, the unfolding transitions of apo-MT1a are discussed with respect to the effect of the chemical denaturant GdmCl, temperature conditions, and pH environment. Cysteine modification in combination with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was used to probe the unfolding transition of apo-MT1a in terms of cysteine exposure. Circular dichroism spectroscopy was also used to monitor the change in secondary structure as a function of GdmCl concentration. For both of these techniques, cooperative unfolding was observed, suggesting that apo-MT1a is not a random coil. More GdmCl was required to unfold the protein backbone than to expose the cysteines, indicating that cysteine exposure is likely an early step in the unfolding of apo-MT1a. MD simulations complement the experimental results, suggesting that apo-MT1a adopts a more compact structure than expected for a random coil. Overall, these results provide further insight into the intrinsically disordered structure of apo-MT.

Intrinsically disordered proteins: Ensembles at the limits of Anfinsen's dogma

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.

Replacement of Arg in the conserved N-terminal RLFDQxFG motif affects physico-chemical properties and chaperone-like activity of human small heat shock protein HspB8 (Hsp22)

The small heat shock protein (sHsp) called HspB8 (formerly, Hsp22) is one of the least typical sHsp members, whose oligomerization status remains debatable. Here we analyze the effect of mutations in a highly conservative sequence located in the N-terminal domain of human HspB8 on its physico-chemical properties and chaperone-like activity. According to size-exclusion chromatography coupled to multi-angle light scattering, the wild type (WT) HspB8 is present as dominating monomeric species (~24 kDa) and a small fraction of oligomers (~60 kDa). The R29A amino acid substitution leads to the predominant formation of 60-kDa oligomers, leaving only a small fraction of monomers. Deletion of the 28–32 pentapeptide (Δ mutant) results in the formation of minor quantities of dimers (~49 kDa) and large quantities of the 24-kDa monomers. Both the WT protein and its Δ mutant efficiently bind a hydrophobic probe bis-ANS and are relatively rapidly hydrolyzed by chymotrypsin, whereas the R29A mutant weakly binds bis-ANS and resists chymotrypsinolysis. In contrast to HspB8 WT and its Δ mutant, which are well phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent and ERK1 protein kinases, the R29A mutant is poorly phosphorylated. R29A mutation affects the chaperone-like activity of HspB8 measured in vitro. It is concluded that the irreplaceable Arg residue located in the only highly conservative motif in the N-terminal domain of all sHsp proteins affects the oligomeric structure and key properties of HspB8.

Roles, Characteristics, and Analysis of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins: A Minireview

In recent years, there has been a growing understanding that a significant fraction of the eukaryotic proteome is intrinsically disordered, and that these conformationally dynamic proteins play a myriad of vital biological roles in both normal and pathological states. In this review, selected examples of intrinsically disordered proteins are highlighted, with particular attention for a few which are relevant in neurological disorders and in viral infection. Next, the underlying causes for the intrinsic disorder are discussed, along with computational methods used to predict whether a given amino acid sequence is likely to adopt a folded or unfolded state in the solution. Finally, biophysical methods for the analysis of intrinsically disordered proteins will be discussed, as well as the unique challenges they pose in this context due to their highly dynamic nature.

Neuromuscular Diseases Due to Chaperone Mutations: A Review and Some New Results

Skeletal muscle and the nervous system depend on efficient protein quality control, and they express chaperones and cochaperones at high levels to maintain protein homeostasis. Mutations in many of these proteins cause neuromuscular diseases, myopathies, and hereditary motor and sensorimotor neuropathies. In this review, we cover mutations in DNAJB6, DNAJB2, αB-crystallin (CRYAB, HSPB5), HSPB1, HSPB3, HSPB8, and BAG3, and discuss the molecular mechanisms by which they cause neuromuscular disease. In addition, previously unpublished results are presented, showing downstream effects of BAG3 p.P209L on DNAJB6 turnover and localization.

The yeast GRASP Grh1 displays a high polypeptide backbone mobility along with an amyloidogenic behavior

GRASPs are proteins involved in cell processes that seem paradoxical: responsible for shaping the Golgi cisternae and involved in unconventional secretion mechanisms that bypass the Golgi. Despite its physiological relevance, there is still a considerable lack of studies on full-length GRASPs. Our group has previously reported an unexpected behavior of the full-length GRASP from the fungus C. neoformans: its intrinsically-disordered characteristic. Here, we generalize this finding by showing that it is also observed in the GRASP from S. cerevisae (Grh1), which strongly suggests it might be a general property within the GRASP family. Furthermore, Grh1 is also able to form amyloid-like fibrils either upon heating or when submitted to changes in the dielectric constant of its surroundings, a condition that is experienced by the protein when in close contact with membranes of cell compartments, such as the Golgi apparatus. Intrinsic disorder and fibril formation can thus be two structural properties exploited by GRASP during its functional cycle.

Exploring the multifaceted roles of heat shock protein B8 (HSPB8) in diseases

HSPB8 is a member of ubiquitous small heat shock protein (sHSP) family, whose expression is induced in response to a wide variety of unfavorable physiological and environmental conditions. Investigation of HSPB8 structure indicated that HSPB8 belongs to the group of so-called intrinsically disordered proteins and possesses a highly flexible structure. Unlike most other sHSPs, HSPB8 tends to form small-molecular-mass oligomers and exhibits substrate-dependent chaperone activity. In cooperation with BAG3, the chaperone activity of HSPB8 was reported to be involved in the delivery of misfolded proteins to the autophagy machinery. Through this way, HSPB8 interferes with pathological processes leading to neurodegenerative diseases. Accordingly, published studies have identified genetic links between mutations of HSPB8 and some kind of neuromuscular diseases, further supporting its important role in neurodegenerative disorders. In addition to their anti-aggregation properties, HSPB8 is indicated to interact with a wide range of client proteins, modulating their maturations and activities, and therefore, regulates a large repertoire of cellular functions, including apoptosis, proliferation, inflammation and etc. As a result, HSPB8 has key roles in cancer biology, autoimmune diseases, cardiac diseases and cerebral vascular diseases.

Protein Ensembles: How Does Nature Harness Thermodynamic Fluctuations for Life? The Diverse Functional Roles of Conformational Ensembles in the Cell

All soluble proteins populate conformational ensembles that together constitute the native state. Their fluctuations in water are intrinsic thermodynamic phenomena, and the distributions of the states on the energy landscape are determined by statistical thermodynamics; however, they are optimized to perform their biological functions. In this review we briefly describe advances in free energy landscape studies of protein conformational ensembles. Experimental (nuclear magnetic resonance, small-angle X-ray scattering, single-molecule spectroscopy, and cryo-electron microscopy) and computational (replica-exchange molecular dynamics, metadynamics, and Markov state models) approaches have made great progress in recent years. These address the challenging characterization of the highly flexible and heterogeneous protein ensembles. We focus on structural aspects of protein conformational distributions, from collective motions of single- and multi-domain proteins, intrinsically disordered proteins, to multiprotein complexes. Importantly, we highlight recent studies that illustrate functional adjustment of protein conformational ensembles in the crowded cellular environment. We center on the role of the ensemble in recognition of small- and macro-molecules (protein and RNA/DNA) and emphasize emerging concepts of protein dynamics in enzyme catalysis. Overall, protein ensembles link fundamental physicochemical principles and protein behavior and the cellular network and its regulation.

Heat-induced unfolding of apo-CP43 studied by fluorescence spectroscopy and CD spectroscopy

CP43 is a chlorophyll-binding protein, which acts as a conduit for the excitation energy transfer. The thermal stability of apo-CP43 was studied by intrinsic fluorescence, exogenous ANS fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Under heat treatment, the structure of apo-CP43 changed and existed transition state occurred between 56 and 62 °C by the intrinsic, exogenous ANS fluorescence and the analysis of hydrophobicity. Besides, the isosbestic point of the sigmoidal curve was 58.10 ± 1.02 °C by calculating α-helix transition and the Tm was 56.45 ± 0.52 and 55.59 ± 0.68 °C by calculating the unfolded fraction of tryptophan and tyrosine fluorescence, respectively. During the process of unfolding, the hydrophobic structure of C-terminal segment firstly started to expose at 40 °C, and then the hydrophobic cluster adjacent to the N-terminal segment also gradually exposed to hydrophilic environment with increasing temperature. Our results indicated that heat treatment, especially above 40 °C, has an important impact on the structural stability of apo-CP43.

Thermally-induced structural changes in an armadillo repeat protein suggest a novel thermosensor mechanism in a molecular chaperone

Molecular chaperones are commonly identified by their ability to suppress heat-induced protein aggregation. The muscle-specific molecular chaperone UNC-45B is known to be involved in myosin folding and is trafficked to the sarcomeres A-band during thermal stress. Here, we identify temperature-dependent structural changes in the UCS chaperone domain of UNC-45B that occur within a physiologically relevant heat-shock range. We show that distinct changes to the armadillo repeat protein topology result in exposure of hydrophobic patches, and increased flexibility of the molecule. These rearrangements suggest the existence of a novel thermosensor within the chaperone domain of UNC-45B. We propose that these changes may function to suppress aggregation under stress by allowing binding to a wide variety of aggregation prone loops on its client.

Multiscaled exploration of coupled folding and binding of an intrinsically disordered molecular recognition element in measles virus nucleoprotein

Numerous relatively short regions within intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) serve as molecular recognition elements (MoREs). They fold into ordered structures upon binding to their partner molecules. Currently, there is still a lack of in-depth understanding of how coupled binding and folding occurs in MoREs. Here, we quantified the unbound ensembles of the α-MoRE within the intrinsically disordered C-terminal domain of the measles virus nucleoprotein. We developed a multiscaled approach by combining a physics-based and an atomic hybrid model to decipher the mechanism by which the α-MoRE interacts with the X domain of the measles virus phosphoprotein. Our multiscaled approach led to remarkable qualitative and quantitative agreements between the theoretical predictions and experimental results (e.g., chemical shifts). We found that the free α-MoRE rapidly interconverts between multiple discrete partially helical conformations and the unfolded state, in accordance with the experimental observations. We quantified the underlying global folding-binding landscape. This leads to a synergistic mechanism in which the recognition event proceeds via (minor) conformational selection, followed by (major) induced folding. We also provided evidence that the α-MoRE is a compact molten globule-like IDP and behaves as a downhill folder in the induced folding process. We further provided a theoretical explanation for the inherent connections between "downhill folding," "molten globule," and "intrinsic disorder" in IDP-related systems. Particularly, we proposed that binding and unbinding of IDPs proceed in a stepwise way through a "kinetic divide-and-conquer" strategy that confers them high specificity without high affinity.

Deducing conformational variability of intrinsically disordered proteins from infrared spectroscopy with Bayesian statistics

As it remains practically impossible to generate ergodic ensembles for large intrinsically disordered proteins (IDP) with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, it becomes critical to compare spectroscopic characteristics of the theoretically generated ensembles to corresponding measurements. We develop a Bayesian framework to infer the ensemble properties of an IDP using a combination of conformations generated by MD simulations and its measured infrared spectrum. We performed 100 different MD simulations totaling more than 10 µs to characterize the conformational ensemble of αsynuclein, a prototypical IDP, in water. These conformations are clustered based on solvent accessibility and helical content. We compute the amide-I band for these clusters and predict the thermodynamic weights of each cluster given the measured amide-I band. Bayesian analysis produces a reproducible and non-redundant set of thermodynamic weights for each cluster, which can then be used to calculate the ensemble properties. In a rigorous validation, these weights reproduce measured chemical shifts.

Diverse functional manifestations of intrinsic structural disorder in molecular chaperones

IDPs (intrinsically disordered proteins) represent a unique class of proteins which show diverse molecular mechanisms in key biological functions. The aim of the present mini-review is to summarize IDP chaperones that have increasingly been studied in the last few years, by focusing on the role of intrinsic disorder in their molecular mechanism. Disordered regions in both globular and disordered chaperones are often involved directly in chaperone action, either by modulating activity or through direct involvement in substrate identification and binding. They might also be responsible for the subcellular localization of the protein. In outlining the state of the art, we survey known IDP chaperones discussing the following points: (i) globular chaperones that have an experimentally proven functional disordered region(s), (ii) chaperones that are completely disordered along their entire length, and (iii) the possible mechanisms of action of disordered chaperones. Through all of these details, we chart out how far the field has progressed, only to emphasize the long road ahead before the chaperone function can be firmly established as part of the physiological mechanistic arsenal of the emerging group of IDPs.

Intrinsically disordered proteins undergo and assist folding transitions in the proteome

The common notion in the protein world holds that proteins are synthesized as a linear polypeptide chain, followed by folding into a unique, functional 3D-structure. As outlined in many articles of this volume, this is in fact the case for a great proportion of the proteome. Many proteins and protein domains, however, are intrinsically disordered (IDPs), i.e., they cannot fold on their own, but often undergo a folding transition in the presence of a binding partner. This binding-induced folding process shows strong conceptual parallels with the folding of globular proteins, in a sense that it can proceed via two routes, either induction of the folded conformation from an initial random state or selection of a pre-formed state already present in the ensemble. In addition, we show that IDPs not only undergo folding themselves, they also assist the folding process of other proteins as chaperones, and even contribute to the quality control processes of the cell, in which irreparably misfolded proteins are recognized and tagged for proteasomal degradation. These various mechanisms suggest that structural disorder, in a biological context, is linked with protein folding in several ways, in which both the IDP and its partner may undergo reciprocal structural transitions.

Biophysical characterization of Met-G-CSF: effects of different site-specific mono-pegylations on protein stability and aggregation

The limited stability of proteins in vitro and in vivo reduces their conversion into effective biopharmaceuticals. To overcome this problem several strategies can be exploited, as the conjugation of the protein of interest with polyethylene glycol, in most cases, improves its stability and pharmacokinetics. In this work, we report a biophysical characterization of the non-pegylated and of two different site-specific mono-pegylated forms of recombinant human methionyl-granulocyte colony stimulating factor (Met-G-CSF), a protein used in chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation. In particular, we found that the two mono-pegylations of Met-G-CSF at the N-terminal methionine and at glutamine 135 increase the protein thermal stability, reduce the aggregation propensity, preventing also protein precipitation, as revealed by circular dichroism (CD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopies and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Interestingly, the two pegylation strategies were found to drastically reduce the polydispersity of Met-G-CSF, when incubated under conditions favouring protein aggregation, as indicated by DLS measurements. Our in vitro results are in agreement with preclinical studies, underlining that preliminary biophysical analyses, performed in the early stages of the development of new biopharmaceutical variants, might offer a useful tool for the identification of protein variants with improved therapeutic values.

Monomeric 14-3-3ζ has a chaperone-like activity and is stabilized by phosphorylated HspB6

Members of the 14-3-3 eukaryotic protein family predominantly function as dimers. The dimeric form can be converted into monomers upon phosphorylation of Ser⁵⁸ located at the subunit interface. Monomers are less stable than dimers and have been considered to be either less active or even inactive during binding and regulation of phosphorylated client proteins. However, like dimers, monomers contain the phosphoserine-binding site and therefore can retain some functions of the dimeric 14-3-3. Furthermore, 14-3-3 monomers may possess additional functional roles owing to their exposed intersubunit surfaces. Previously we have found that the monomeric mutant of 14-3-3ζ (14-3-3ζ_m), like the wild type protein, is able to bind phosphorylated small heat shock protein HspB6 (pHspB6), which is involved in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction and cardioprotection. Here we report characterization of the 14-3-3ζ_m/pHspB6 complex by biophysical and biochemical techniques. We find that formation of the complex retards proteolytic degradation and increases thermal stability of the monomeric 14-3-3, indicating that interaction with phosphorylated targets could be a general mechanism of 14-3-3 monomers stabilization. Furthermore, by using myosin subfragment 1 (S1) as a model substrate we find that the monomer has significantly higher chaperone-like activity than either the dimeric 14-3-3ζ protein or even HspB6 itself. These observations indicate that 14-3-3ζ and possibly other 14-3-3 isoforms may have additional functional roles conducted by the monomeric state.

Small heat shock proteins HSP27 (HspB1), αB-crystallin (HspB5) and HSP22 (HspB8) as regulators of cell death

Hsp27, αB-crystallin and HSP22 are ubiquitous small heat shock proteins (sHsp) whose expression is induced in response to a wide variety of unfavorable physiological and environmental conditions. These sHsp protect cells from otherwise lethal conditions mainly by their involvement in cell death pathways such as necrosis, apoptosis or autophagy. At a molecular level, the mechanisms accounting for sHsp functions in cell death are (1) prevention of denatured proteins aggregation, (2) regulation of caspase activity, (3) regulation of the intracellular redox state, (4) function in actin polymerization and cytoskeleton integrity and (5) proteasome-mediated degradation of selected proteins. In cancer cells, these sHsp are often overexpressed and associated with increased tumorigenicity, cancer cells metastatic potential and resistance to chemotherapy. Altogether, these properties suggest that Hsp27, αB-crystallin and Hsp22 are appropriate targets for modulating cell death pathways. In the present, we briefly review recent reports showing molecular evidence of cell death regulation by these sHsp and co-chaperones. This article is part of a Directed Issue entitled: Small HSPs in physiology and pathology.

Heterooligomeric complexes of human small heat shock proteins

Oligomeric association of human small heat shock proteins HspB1, HspB5, HspB6 and HspB8 was analyzed by means of size-exclusion chromatography, analytical ultracentrifugation and chemical cross-linking. Wild-type HspB1 and Cys mutants of HspB5, HspB6 and HspB8 containing a single Cys residue in position homologous to that of Cys137 of human HspB1 were able to generate heterodimers cross-linked by disulfide bond. Cross-linked heterodimers between HspB1/HspB5, HspB1/HspB6 and HspB5/HspB6 were easily produced upon mixing, whereas formation of any heterodimers with participation of HspB8 was significantly less efficient. The size of heterooligomers formed by HspB1/HspB6 and HspB5/HspB6 was different from the size of the corresponding homooligomers. Disulfide cross-linked homodimers of small heat shock proteins were unable to participate in heterooligomer formation. Thus, monomers can be involved in subunit exchange leading to heterooligomer formation and restriction of flexibility induced by disulfide cross-linking prevents subunit exchange.

Large potentials of small heat shock proteins

Modern classification of the family of human small heat shock proteins (the so-called HSPB) is presented, and the structure and properties of three members of this family are analyzed in detail. Ubiquitously expressed HSPB1 (HSP27) is involved in the control of protein folding and, when mutated, plays a significant role in the development of certain neurodegenerative disorders. HSPB1 directly or indirectly participates in the regulation of apoptosis, protects the cell against oxidative stress, and is involved in the regulation of the cytoskeleton. HSPB6 (HSP20) also possesses chaperone-like activity, is involved in regulation of smooth muscle contraction, has pronounced cardioprotective activity, and seems to participate in insulin-dependent regulation of muscle metabolism. HSPB8 (HSP22) prevents accumulation of aggregated proteins in the cell and participates in the regulation of proteolysis of unfolded proteins. HSPB8 also seems to be directly or indirectly involved in regulation of apoptosis and carcinogenesis, contributes to cardiac cell hypertrophy and survival and, when mutated, might be involved in development of neurodegenerative diseases. All small heat shock proteins play important "housekeeping" roles and regulate many vital processes; therefore, they are considered as attractive therapeutic targets.

Properties of the monomeric form of human 14-3-3ζ protein and its interaction with tau and HspB6

Dimers formed by seven isoforms of the human 14-3-3 protein participate in multiple cellular processes. The dimeric form has been extensively characterized; however, little is known about the structure and properties of the monomeric form of 14-3-3. The monomeric form is involved in the assembly of homo- and heterodimers, which could partially dissociate back into monomers in response to phosphorylation at Ser58. To obtain monomeric forms of human 14-3-3ζ, we produced four protein constructs with different combinations of mutated (M) or wild-type (W) segments E(5), (12)LAE(14), and (82)YREKIE(87). Under a wide range of expression conditions in Escherichia coli, the MMM and WMM mutants were insoluble, whereas WMW and MMW mutants were soluble, highly expressed, and purified to homogeneity. WMW and MMW mutants remained monomeric over a wide range of concentrations while retaining the α-helical structure characteristic of wild-type 14-3-3. However, WMW and MMW mutants were highly susceptible to proteolysis and had much lower thermal stabilities than the wild-type protein. Using WMW and MMW mutants, we show that the monomeric form interacts with the tau protein and with the HspB6 protein, in both cases forming complexes with a 1:1 stoichiometry, in contrast to the 2:1 and/or 2:2 complexes formed by wild-type 14-3-3. Significantly, this interaction requires phosphorylation of tau protein and HspB6. Because of minimal changes in structure, MMW and especially WMW mutant proteins are promising candidates for analyzing the effect of monomerization on the physiologically important properties of 14-3-3ζ.

Biochemical characterization of small heat shock protein HspB8 (Hsp22)-Bag3 interaction

Interaction of human Bag3 with small heat shock proteins HspB6, HspB8 and its K141E mutant was analyzed by different biochemical methods. The data of size-exclusion chromatography indicate that the wild type HspB8 forms tight complexes with Bag3. K141E mutant of HspB8 and especially HspB6 weaker interact with Bag3. The data of chemical crosslinking and analytical ultracentrifugation indicate that in vitro the stoichiometry of complexes formed by HspB8 and Bag3 is variable and is dependent on concentration of protein partners. Interaction of Bag3 and HspB8 is accompanied by increase of thermal stability measured by intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence and increased resistance to limited chymotrypsinolysis. The data of size-exclusion chromatography, analytical ultracentrifugation and limited proteolysis indicate that Bag3 belongs to the group of intrinsically disordered proteins. It is supposed that having unordered structure Bag3 might weakly interact with different small heat shock proteins which recognize unfolded proteins and this interaction is especially strong with intrinsically disordered HspB8. The complexes formed by Bag3 and HspB8 might have variable stoichiometry and can participate in different processes including clearing of the cell from improperly folded proteins.

Cellular and humoral immune effector mechanisms required for sterile protection against sporozoite challenge induced with the novel malaria vaccine candidate CelTOS

The malarial protein CelTOS, for cell-traversal protein for ookinetes and sporozoites, from Plasmodium berghei has been shown to mediate malarial invasion of both vertebrate and insect host cells and is required for establishing their successful infections. In the vertebrate host, Plasmodium sporozoites traverse via a complex passage through cellular barriers in the skin and the liver sinusoid to infect hepatocytes. Induction of immunity targeted to molecules involved in sporozoite motility and migration into hepatocytes may lead to abrogation of hepatocyte infection. We have previously demonstrated the potential of CelTOS as a target antigen for a pre-erythrocytic vaccine. The objective of the current study was to determine the potency of different vaccine platforms to induce protective immunity and determine the mode of action in protective immune responses. To this end, inbred Balb/c and outbred ICR mice were immunized with either the recombinant protein adjuvanted with Montanide ISA-720 or with a pCI-TPA plasmid encoding the P. berghei CelTOS (epidermal delivery by gene-gun) and assessed for the induction of protective responses against a homologous P. berghei challenge. Humoral and cellular immune responses induced by the various immunization regimens were evaluated in an effort to establish immune correlates. The results confirm that the CelTOS antigen is a potentially interesting pre-erythrocytic vaccine candidate and demonstrate that both arms of the adaptive immune system are required to mediate complete sterile protection against sporozoite challenge.

Conserved noncanonical residue Gly-126 confers instability to the middle part of the tropomyosin molecule

Tropomyosin (Tm) is a two-stranded α-helical coiled-coil protein with a well established role in regulation of actin cytoskeleton and muscle contraction. It is believed that many Tm functions are enabled by its flexibility whose nature has not been completely understood. We hypothesized that the well conserved non-canonical residue Gly-126 causes local destabilization of Tm. To test this, we substituted Gly-126 in skeletal muscle α-Tm either with an Ala residue, which should stabilize the Tm α-helix, or with an Arg residue, which is expected to stabilize both α-helix and coiled-coil structure of Tm. We have shown that both mutations dramatically reduce the rate of Tm proteolysis by trypsin at Asp-133. Differential scanning calorimetry was used for detailed investigation of thermal unfolding of the Tm mutants, both free in solution and bound to F-actin. It was shown that a significant part of wild type Tm unfolds in a non-cooperative manner at low temperature, and both mutations confer cooperativity to this part of the Tm molecule. The size of the flexible middle part of Tm is estimated to be 60-70 amino acid residues, about a quarter of the Tm molecule. Thus, our results show that flexibility is unevenly distributed in the Tm molecule and achieves the highest extent in its middle part. We conclude that the highly conserved Gly-126, acting in concert with the previously identified non-canonical Asp-137, destabilizes the middle part of Tm, resulting in a more flexible region that is important for Tm function.

Spectroscopic studies on the irreversible heat-induced structural transition of Pin1

Previously, the mechanism of the thermal unfolding of Pin1 (on-line measurements) was studied, revealing that Pin1 has a relatively high thermal stability. However, it is still questionable whether the unfolding of Pin1 is reversible. In the present work, intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence, ANS fluorescence, RLS, FTIR and CD spectroscopies are used to evaluate the reversibility of the thermal unfolding of Pin1. Intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence studies indicate that structural changes around tryptophan motifs in Pin1 are possibly reversible after heat treatment (even above 98°C), for no significant change in the intensity or λ(max) of the spectra was observed. ANS fluorescence measurements indicate the irreversible exposure of the hydrophobic clusters in Pin1 after heat treatment at 98°C, with increase in the fluorescence intensity and blue shift in λmax. Also, RLS signals of the Pin1-ANS system increased after heat treatment, possibly implying both the unfolding and the aggregation of Pin1. In addition, FTIR and CD results confirmed the irreversible unfolding of the secondary structure in Pin1 after heat treatment above 90°C, showing decreases in both α-helix and β-sheet. In summary, the present work mainly suggests that heat treatment, especially above 90°C, has an important impact on the structural stability of Pin1, and the structural unfolding induced by heat was proved to be irreversible.